Taris stared back into the mirror, his face an ebon mask, as his master’s face faded from view. It couldn’t be. Aera was pregnant? They’d spent a little bit of time together each day so far, and she hadn’t said anything about being pregnant. The news had flashed through the city within hours, and had reached the outlying estates. Now the client had just changed the contract. If Aera was pregnant with Kentaro’s child, she was no longer a secondary target. Taris let his mask fall, and a scowl set into place. He needed to see her.
A quick trip through the shadows and he was inside the castle, just down the hall from her door. He was glad nobody was around, as he was sure something close to murder showed on his face. The elf stopped at her door, schooling his face back into its mask. He was here for answers, and storming into her room in fury would not get them. Instead he knocked and waited a few moments before opening the door and letting himself in, despite her not answering. She was sitting on her bed, facing the window, and away from the door. “Taris,” she said without turning, “nobody else can walk so silently around here.”
He walked around the bed and stared out the window for a moment, composing his thoughts. “Did you kill the Duke?” she asked him. Taris turned and looked at her face. Aera stared stonily back at him, her face calm except for the tears that managed to leak out from behind her eyes. He nodded slowly. “Why?” she asked.
“It’s my job, one that I do very well,” he answered simply. Aera shook her head, spotting a glint of metal between his fingers, “And are you here to kill me now?” She tilted her head back in defiance, and another tear spilled down her face. Taris watched her for a moment before he answered, “The client wants me to. If you are pregnant…” He stopped. Whywas he so angry? “I’m… going to go…” he said lamely, and walked to the door. “Going to kill someone else?” she asked.
The Shadow Elf paused just a moment in the doorway, "Yes."
He shut the door behind him, and ducked into the nearest shadow, searching for Paytin. She was close, sitting in the next room waiting for Aera to call, if she needed assistance. In only a moment the assassin stepped out of shadow, surprising the girl, and slammed his dagger against the wall next to her face. His mask crumbled and his fury showed naked on his face. “What in the hells is going on?” he asked through clenched teeth.
Paytin tried to bring up her hands and push him back, but he just grabbed her wrists and pinned them against the wall. She cried out a little in pain, but his grip stayed firm. “I’m… nnng… I’m not sure. She collapsed this morning, you’re hurting me.” Taris finally let go, though he was still uncomfortably close. “I don’t think she is pregnant, she hasn’t had Kentaro in her bed in months, let alone anybody else. I don’t know why the royal physician would lie about it. Please, Taris, I’ve kept my ears open for anything. Your best bet would be to ask the physician, but he’s been called away by one of Her Majesty’s cousins.”
Taris stepped back, pulling his dagger from the wall. “Yes, ask him. Thank you Paytin.” Just like that he was gone once more, Shadow Walking into the physician’s dark office. The assassin settled into a high-backed chair behind the man’s work desk, and waited for the man to return.
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Hello Darkness, my old friend...
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I'll tell you where they're not..... Safe....
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Bio
Basically I'm like nobody you've ever met before.
Unless you've met Carantathraiel, whom I am essentially a carbon copy of, excepting of course that whilst she has girly parts, my parts are decidedly male
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“But you know that, don’t you, Mycah?”
Taris stopped in his tracks and looked at her. “So you do remember me from back then. I had wondered, to be honest.” He chuckled and began walking once more, “And you’ve kept it secret from everybody? How interesting you are.” His face became serious after a moment, likely the most serious she had seen him, “Don’t call me Mycah, though, not anymore. That person is dead, and needs to stay that way, for both our sakes. You know how the underworld works.
“I may be the only Shadow Elf of my clan left in this region, my brothers and sisters you might have seen back then are all dead. If certain people knew that I was Mycah, there would be trouble. And if my master found out that you remember me, he’d demand your life.” Aera, who had been nodding in understanding, paused at this, and Taris continued, “Exactly. Like I said, both our sakes.”
Aera looked forward again, “So, why are you here now, Taris? You have a job, don’t you?”
Taris nodded keeping his eyes ahead and carefully neutral, “I do, several in fact. It’s a big job, and I may need access to the castle for it. Hence, why I sought you out.” A grin pulled at the corner of his mouth, “Well, I can’t say it’s the ONLY reason I sought you…” She pushed at him a little and they both had a small laugh.
They crossed out of the castle into the fading light of the evening when a thought crossed his mind, “If you do need someone to talk to, for any reason, I’m available to you, Aera. I have a couple months before the job needs to be finished, I can take my time. People like me have contacts, not friends, it is nice to have someone to just talk to.”
Aera looked at him for a moment, “Thank you, Taris, I’ll keep that in mind.”
They arrived at the tourney grounds, and Taris excused himself from the Princess, heading towards the area where a stand was being erected in the field. The ceremony was short, and the cheer from the elves in their section was so loud it drowned out the jeers from the rest of the crowd, making Taris smile. The banquet passed without incident, a stark contrast to the rest of the day. Being a champion afforded Taris the honor of a seat at the High Table, where he mostly talked with Aera and dodged thinly-veiled jabs from Risa.
That night, in his room at the inn, he made his report to his master. “Everything is proceeding well,” he spoke to the man in the mirror. At least, as far as you need to know.
His master merely stared at him, “There is a small change in plan, Taris. I’ve received information about one of your targets, Duke Bronson. He is leaving his estate in three days, you must kill him before then. Do not fail Taris.” And with that he was gone, leaving the elf alone. Arrogant old man…
Taris stopped in his tracks and looked at her. “So you do remember me from back then. I had wondered, to be honest.” He chuckled and began walking once more, “And you’ve kept it secret from everybody? How interesting you are.” His face became serious after a moment, likely the most serious she had seen him, “Don’t call me Mycah, though, not anymore. That person is dead, and needs to stay that way, for both our sakes. You know how the underworld works.
“I may be the only Shadow Elf of my clan left in this region, my brothers and sisters you might have seen back then are all dead. If certain people knew that I was Mycah, there would be trouble. And if my master found out that you remember me, he’d demand your life.” Aera, who had been nodding in understanding, paused at this, and Taris continued, “Exactly. Like I said, both our sakes.”
Aera looked forward again, “So, why are you here now, Taris? You have a job, don’t you?”
Taris nodded keeping his eyes ahead and carefully neutral, “I do, several in fact. It’s a big job, and I may need access to the castle for it. Hence, why I sought you out.” A grin pulled at the corner of his mouth, “Well, I can’t say it’s the ONLY reason I sought you…” She pushed at him a little and they both had a small laugh.
They crossed out of the castle into the fading light of the evening when a thought crossed his mind, “If you do need someone to talk to, for any reason, I’m available to you, Aera. I have a couple months before the job needs to be finished, I can take my time. People like me have contacts, not friends, it is nice to have someone to just talk to.”
Aera looked at him for a moment, “Thank you, Taris, I’ll keep that in mind.”
They arrived at the tourney grounds, and Taris excused himself from the Princess, heading towards the area where a stand was being erected in the field. The ceremony was short, and the cheer from the elves in their section was so loud it drowned out the jeers from the rest of the crowd, making Taris smile. The banquet passed without incident, a stark contrast to the rest of the day. Being a champion afforded Taris the honor of a seat at the High Table, where he mostly talked with Aera and dodged thinly-veiled jabs from Risa.
That night, in his room at the inn, he made his report to his master. “Everything is proceeding well,” he spoke to the man in the mirror. At least, as far as you need to know.
His master merely stared at him, “There is a small change in plan, Taris. I’ve received information about one of your targets, Duke Bronson. He is leaving his estate in three days, you must kill him before then. Do not fail Taris.” And with that he was gone, leaving the elf alone. Arrogant old man…
Silver was always my favorite, and i really want Soul Silver.... but it's more expensive used than Y was new....
Lawl. It made me smile reading through your art thread.... Aera is retired, eh?
Taris watched her face as Aera smeared the pungent stuff on the burn and pressed the linen to it. She was so close, he could smell her skin and was intoxicated immediately. Her eyes met his and he could practically feel his iris’ dilate as he fell into those purple pools. Aera tilted her head back and pressed her lips against his. Her lips were so soft… his blood rushed in his ears with his quickening pulse. Too soon, it seemed, she pulled back. Taris could barely contain the hunger in his eyes as he controlled himself.
She thanked him for his help with Kasca, adding with a wicked grin that she didn’t need it. Taris chuckled, “I’m sure you didn’t. I just couldn’t resist helping him with that shoulder.” They both laughed, but Taris died off quicker. He hesitated, and stroked a loose strand of hair out of her face, “I guess I should savor that kiss, shouldn’t I?” He sighed, “I am sorry, Aera, for what I said. It was not my place to say.” Taris smiled ruefully and stood, walking to the window and staring out. “I hate coming to this city,” he muttered.
He turned back around and looked back at her, admiring everything about her. His heart thudded and Taris had the urge to take her into his arms and kiss her again. A frown flitted briefly across his face. “Banquet will be starting soon, we should get down there. Kasca or not, people will start talking if a Princess and one of the Tournament champions are both missing for the awards ceremony. Especially if both are filthy elves,” he finished with scorn. From the look that settled her face, the prospect was equally distasteful to her.
He offered his arm, and she took it with a small smile. He had a sudden thought as the made their way down to the grounds. “You’ve mentioned this Envy twice now. Is he a friend of yours?” he asked her.
She thanked him for his help with Kasca, adding with a wicked grin that she didn’t need it. Taris chuckled, “I’m sure you didn’t. I just couldn’t resist helping him with that shoulder.” They both laughed, but Taris died off quicker. He hesitated, and stroked a loose strand of hair out of her face, “I guess I should savor that kiss, shouldn’t I?” He sighed, “I am sorry, Aera, for what I said. It was not my place to say.” Taris smiled ruefully and stood, walking to the window and staring out. “I hate coming to this city,” he muttered.
He turned back around and looked back at her, admiring everything about her. His heart thudded and Taris had the urge to take her into his arms and kiss her again. A frown flitted briefly across his face. “Banquet will be starting soon, we should get down there. Kasca or not, people will start talking if a Princess and one of the Tournament champions are both missing for the awards ceremony. Especially if both are filthy elves,” he finished with scorn. From the look that settled her face, the prospect was equally distasteful to her.
He offered his arm, and she took it with a small smile. He had a sudden thought as the made their way down to the grounds. “You’ve mentioned this Envy twice now. Is he a friend of yours?” he asked her.
Taris stopped when he heard a scuffle behind him. He retraced his steps, wondering what could have made the noise and looked around the corner of the hallway. His blood nearly boiled, Kasca had pinned Aera against the wall. Taris slid into a nearby shadow and emerged on the other side of the hall just in time to see Aera put him into the floor. The assassin smiled to himself. The girl’s still got some moves, he thought. She picked up her dropped glove and continued on her way.
Kasca stood a little shakily and glared after the Moon Elf. He took a couple steps after her, reaching for something at his belt. Time to teach the bitch elf a lesson.
“What have we here?”
Kasca and Aera turned at the voice, to see Taris leaning against a wall, lazily rolling a small dagger over his knuckles. The Shadow Elf smiled a slow smile and looked up at Kasca. “I wonder how the Prince would feel, if he knew his best friend was forcing himself on his wife? Seems to me the good Prince Kentaro has had a bit of a temper lately, especially when he’s had a few drinks. Doesn’t seem like a good idea to me, you know?” He walked up to Kasca, “Let me give you a hand here…” The elf grabbed the man’s left arm and wrenched the arm back into its socket. “There you are, milord.”
Kasca grabbed his tunic and yanked him close, popping a few toggles on it. But the man seemed to think better of his actions, and released Taris, before storming away. Aera barely glanced at the man as he passed, keeping her eyes on Taris. The Shadow Elf waited until Kasca’s footsteps had disappeared before stepping up beside her. His red eyes stared off but he kept his smile, “Very nice takedown, Your Highness.” The smile died, “I don’t know why you stay here. This place is horrible for our kind.”
Aera’s lips thinned, “I have a duty to my husband. He’s just been…” She stopped, and the look on her face should have been warning enough. But Taris continued on.
“Why are you trying to save something that died long ago?”
Aera let out a small hiss and pushed at him, her purple eyes hot with rage. Her bare hand touched his exposed chest, and the assassin’s world exploded in pain. He stumbled back and collapsed against the wall, blinking through the pain. Slowly a burn in the shape of her hand came into focus on his chest.
Kasca stood a little shakily and glared after the Moon Elf. He took a couple steps after her, reaching for something at his belt. Time to teach the bitch elf a lesson.
“What have we here?”
Kasca and Aera turned at the voice, to see Taris leaning against a wall, lazily rolling a small dagger over his knuckles. The Shadow Elf smiled a slow smile and looked up at Kasca. “I wonder how the Prince would feel, if he knew his best friend was forcing himself on his wife? Seems to me the good Prince Kentaro has had a bit of a temper lately, especially when he’s had a few drinks. Doesn’t seem like a good idea to me, you know?” He walked up to Kasca, “Let me give you a hand here…” The elf grabbed the man’s left arm and wrenched the arm back into its socket. “There you are, milord.”
Kasca grabbed his tunic and yanked him close, popping a few toggles on it. But the man seemed to think better of his actions, and released Taris, before storming away. Aera barely glanced at the man as he passed, keeping her eyes on Taris. The Shadow Elf waited until Kasca’s footsteps had disappeared before stepping up beside her. His red eyes stared off but he kept his smile, “Very nice takedown, Your Highness.” The smile died, “I don’t know why you stay here. This place is horrible for our kind.”
Aera’s lips thinned, “I have a duty to my husband. He’s just been…” She stopped, and the look on her face should have been warning enough. But Taris continued on.
“Why are you trying to save something that died long ago?”
Aera let out a small hiss and pushed at him, her purple eyes hot with rage. Her bare hand touched his exposed chest, and the assassin’s world exploded in pain. He stumbled back and collapsed against the wall, blinking through the pain. Slowly a burn in the shape of her hand came into focus on his chest.
Taris came around a tent just in time to see Aera quickly walking into the castle. Curious he ducked into an unused tent and scryed through shadows until he found her. Something had upset her badly, he could tell from the set of her shoulders and neck, though her face was a porcelain mask. Aera made her way back to her chambers and shut the door behind her. Something was definitely wrong then.
The assassin pushed out of the tent making a line to the doors of the castle. Old memories tugged at his mind and he pushed them roughly away. He had almost reached the doors when another person crossed his path and they nearly collided. Taris stepped back quickly and looked into the eyes of the princess Risa. Immediately he dropped to his knee, “My apologies, Your Highness.”
The girl had a malicious glint in her eye as she regarded the dark elf with mild contempt. The knight Haxfur was with her, apparently uninterested in the jousting competition. A slight smile flitted across her face, “Now where are you off to in such a hurry?” She looked up to the castle and the smile crossed her face again. “I see, do try not to get caught in the act, then. But gods know she needs it.” With a, slightly evil to Taris, laugh she walked off, Haxfur in tow. Leaving Taris to puzzle out, “Did she really mean that?”
The elf stood after she’d left and made his way up to Aera’s room, debating on whether to knock. In the end he scaled up to a statue and perched upon it, watching her through shadow instead. The memories came back again, and he pushed them away once more. He kept watch until he heard the trumpets sound indicating the joust had finally ended. He jumped lightly to the floor and knocked at her door. “Princess,” he called, listening for an answer, “I believe we had best return to the grounds for the banquet.”
The assassin pushed out of the tent making a line to the doors of the castle. Old memories tugged at his mind and he pushed them roughly away. He had almost reached the doors when another person crossed his path and they nearly collided. Taris stepped back quickly and looked into the eyes of the princess Risa. Immediately he dropped to his knee, “My apologies, Your Highness.”
The girl had a malicious glint in her eye as she regarded the dark elf with mild contempt. The knight Haxfur was with her, apparently uninterested in the jousting competition. A slight smile flitted across her face, “Now where are you off to in such a hurry?” She looked up to the castle and the smile crossed her face again. “I see, do try not to get caught in the act, then. But gods know she needs it.” With a, slightly evil to Taris, laugh she walked off, Haxfur in tow. Leaving Taris to puzzle out, “Did she really mean that?”
The elf stood after she’d left and made his way up to Aera’s room, debating on whether to knock. In the end he scaled up to a statue and perched upon it, watching her through shadow instead. The memories came back again, and he pushed them away once more. He kept watch until he heard the trumpets sound indicating the joust had finally ended. He jumped lightly to the floor and knocked at her door. “Princess,” he called, listening for an answer, “I believe we had best return to the grounds for the banquet.”
Taris watched Aera while she told him how the salve worked. It was hard not to honestly, and now that he wasn’t in any pain, he became very aware that they were alone in her room. From the look in her eyes he thought she had too. As her eyes rounded slightly, she turned back towards the window and looked out over the city. Taris could see she was tense, like something was bothering her. He was about to stand when she turned around and leaned back. She apologized for the way her husband was acting today. The assassin opened his mouth to say it wasn’t her fault, but snapped it shut at her next words.
"Sometimes I wonder if he would be a better man if I had never married him, or even left him, now."
Her eyes snapped to his after the words spilled out, and Taris immediately knew her mouth had outrun her mind. Now he did stand, and her cheeks flamed. Quickly the Shadow Elf crossed to the door and peeked his head out into the hall making sure nobody was nearby and had overheard. His ears twitched just slightly, listening intently for a moment. Finally satisfied, he turned around to Aera and nodded. “It’s safe, I don’t think anyone heard that,” he said. “Just, let’s not let something that big slip again…” Taris’ face lit in a small smile.
But inside his heart thudded against his ribs. Did she truly want to be free of the man? Old thoughts flared and crashed against new ones in his head. She was even more beautiful than Layne, who had wrapped him so easily around her finger. Now here he was, more than a hundred years later, and this new woman he barely knew was constantly on the edges of his thoughts. Perhaps if he told her the truth about Kentaro’s whoring… No, he wouldn’t stoop that low, the man would be exposed soon anyway, if Taris had his way. He shook his head just slightly to clear his head. “Perhaps we had best return to the field, Your Highness. It would not do to have such base rumors swirling around that you had a strange Shadow Elf from a far off land with you, alone in your chambers.”
Aera nodded, “You are right, but I suspect the rumors will circulate anyhow, if they aren’t already. This city is… poisoned against our kind.” Taris retrieved his clothes, pulling his pants back on with an amused glance in Aera’s direction, and clasping the cloak around his neck. Together the two made their way back down to the outside and Taris bowed to kiss her hand. “Forgive me, Your Highness, but I think I should return to my flat and get some more clothes. I hope to see you again at the banquet.” She gave him a smile, and they parted. Taris watched her leave for a moment, and ducked into the shadow between tents, emerging moments later in a nearby safe-house.
He disrobed quickly, between his blood and the salve, his clothes were done for. The assassin marveled at the jar of salve in his hands, already most of the cracks had sealed, and would disappear by the banquet. Rubbing the stuff into his skin a little better, the elf selected another set of clothing, this time a lighter grey for the tunic with black pants and cloak. Someone would die tonight, he’d decided, one of the dukes. Before he left he uncovered his mirror and called his master.
“A report so soon?” the hooded man inquired.
“Just an update, and a question. The princess is starting to trust me, and I’ve secured both her and the Spymaster as alibis for the duration of the contract, I believe. But there may be a snag. What do you know of an Enlor`Lei? He seems to be very knowledgeable about the goings on, and he knows Princess Aera.”
The guild master sat for a moment, as if thinking. He finally replied, “He’s den leader of the thieves in the city, also goes by the name of Envy. You said you knew the girl, how is it you don’t know him?”
Taris thought back, “I was insurance to make sure the contract succeeded, not part of the main job. I never went into the tunnels. Aera’s group were being chased by the target’s guards, I stepped in to help. Saw her a few times after that for the rest of the contract, but never this guy.”
The guild master nodded. “We’ve been on good terms with the den of late, you may be able to garner his assistance should you need it. Tread carefully though, he is dangerous and skilled. Continue the contract.” With those last words he was gone, the mirror just a mirror once more. Taris pulled the hood of his new cloak up, and Shadow Walked back to the tourney grounds.
"Sometimes I wonder if he would be a better man if I had never married him, or even left him, now."
Her eyes snapped to his after the words spilled out, and Taris immediately knew her mouth had outrun her mind. Now he did stand, and her cheeks flamed. Quickly the Shadow Elf crossed to the door and peeked his head out into the hall making sure nobody was nearby and had overheard. His ears twitched just slightly, listening intently for a moment. Finally satisfied, he turned around to Aera and nodded. “It’s safe, I don’t think anyone heard that,” he said. “Just, let’s not let something that big slip again…” Taris’ face lit in a small smile.
But inside his heart thudded against his ribs. Did she truly want to be free of the man? Old thoughts flared and crashed against new ones in his head. She was even more beautiful than Layne, who had wrapped him so easily around her finger. Now here he was, more than a hundred years later, and this new woman he barely knew was constantly on the edges of his thoughts. Perhaps if he told her the truth about Kentaro’s whoring… No, he wouldn’t stoop that low, the man would be exposed soon anyway, if Taris had his way. He shook his head just slightly to clear his head. “Perhaps we had best return to the field, Your Highness. It would not do to have such base rumors swirling around that you had a strange Shadow Elf from a far off land with you, alone in your chambers.”
Aera nodded, “You are right, but I suspect the rumors will circulate anyhow, if they aren’t already. This city is… poisoned against our kind.” Taris retrieved his clothes, pulling his pants back on with an amused glance in Aera’s direction, and clasping the cloak around his neck. Together the two made their way back down to the outside and Taris bowed to kiss her hand. “Forgive me, Your Highness, but I think I should return to my flat and get some more clothes. I hope to see you again at the banquet.” She gave him a smile, and they parted. Taris watched her leave for a moment, and ducked into the shadow between tents, emerging moments later in a nearby safe-house.
He disrobed quickly, between his blood and the salve, his clothes were done for. The assassin marveled at the jar of salve in his hands, already most of the cracks had sealed, and would disappear by the banquet. Rubbing the stuff into his skin a little better, the elf selected another set of clothing, this time a lighter grey for the tunic with black pants and cloak. Someone would die tonight, he’d decided, one of the dukes. Before he left he uncovered his mirror and called his master.
“A report so soon?” the hooded man inquired.
“Just an update, and a question. The princess is starting to trust me, and I’ve secured both her and the Spymaster as alibis for the duration of the contract, I believe. But there may be a snag. What do you know of an Enlor`Lei? He seems to be very knowledgeable about the goings on, and he knows Princess Aera.”
The guild master sat for a moment, as if thinking. He finally replied, “He’s den leader of the thieves in the city, also goes by the name of Envy. You said you knew the girl, how is it you don’t know him?”
Taris thought back, “I was insurance to make sure the contract succeeded, not part of the main job. I never went into the tunnels. Aera’s group were being chased by the target’s guards, I stepped in to help. Saw her a few times after that for the rest of the contract, but never this guy.”
The guild master nodded. “We’ve been on good terms with the den of late, you may be able to garner his assistance should you need it. Tread carefully though, he is dangerous and skilled. Continue the contract.” With those last words he was gone, the mirror just a mirror once more. Taris pulled the hood of his new cloak up, and Shadow Walked back to the tourney grounds.
Taking his clothes off again was even more painful, as the wet fabric pulled at the cracks in his skin. The maid at least was gentle in her assistance, and fetched a stool for him. Taris sat, acutely aware that he was nearly naked in front of Aera, in her chambers. Were this any other time, he would have been hard pressed not to make a move on the beautiful Raielwen woman. But he just watched as she pulled out a jar, and told him about the first day she walked under the sun and the friend that had given her the salve for her burns. With care, she moved his hair and began rubbing the salve on his back. Between the pleasure of her hands on him, and the soothing effect of the salve, Taris’ eyes slid closed. The maid began on his stomach and his chest while Aera moved on to his arms. The salve was amazing stuff, he could feel his magic sparking under his skin, enhancing the effect ten-fold. Aera went to change her gloves as the maid finished his legs.
“How does it feel?” she asked him. Taris opened his eyes once more, and smiled at her, “Much better, thank you Milady.” He paused a moment, “I was nine the first time I’d even seen light. I was born part of a special group of children to live our lives purely in darkness. But I was a rather reckless child and I defied my master's rules and made my way to the gorge my people had built their city into. I was just lucky it was night at the time I got out of the tunnels. As it was the meager light almost blinded me. I stumbled around for a while before I collapsed against a wall from the pain. That was when a girl named Layne found me. She took me inside, until I could see again, and brought my masters to retrieve me.
“We’d become friends in the few days we’d had together, though, and I kept sneaking out after that to go see her. Without Layne I couldn’t walk in the daylight at all, she worked to help build my tolerance to the light and sun. I didn’t know why at the time, until I asked why she was always willing to spend so much time with me….” His voice faltered, even after all this time it hurt to talk about it. “I’m sorry,” he told Aera with his usual smile, “I’m rambling…”
A roar outside informed them that the Melee had just concluded, leaving only the jousting tournament before the trophies were awarded, and the banquet began. “They’ll be missing you downstairs, won’t they?” he asked.
“How does it feel?” she asked him. Taris opened his eyes once more, and smiled at her, “Much better, thank you Milady.” He paused a moment, “I was nine the first time I’d even seen light. I was born part of a special group of children to live our lives purely in darkness. But I was a rather reckless child and I defied my master's rules and made my way to the gorge my people had built their city into. I was just lucky it was night at the time I got out of the tunnels. As it was the meager light almost blinded me. I stumbled around for a while before I collapsed against a wall from the pain. That was when a girl named Layne found me. She took me inside, until I could see again, and brought my masters to retrieve me.
“We’d become friends in the few days we’d had together, though, and I kept sneaking out after that to go see her. Without Layne I couldn’t walk in the daylight at all, she worked to help build my tolerance to the light and sun. I didn’t know why at the time, until I asked why she was always willing to spend so much time with me….” His voice faltered, even after all this time it hurt to talk about it. “I’m sorry,” he told Aera with his usual smile, “I’m rambling…”
A roar outside informed them that the Melee had just concluded, leaving only the jousting tournament before the trophies were awarded, and the banquet began. “They’ll be missing you downstairs, won’t they?” he asked.
Taris didn’t look up as the girl’s friend dashed in, looking nervous. “What is it?” he managed to croak through the pain. The boy wrung his hands and barely met the assassin’s eyes. “It’s the Princess Aera, sir,” he squeaked out as the woman herself pushed through the flap. “You just had to beat him,” she said eventually. Taris nearly glared at her, but for the veiled concern in her voice. Instead he kept his eyes downcast. “Beat who?” he asked, more curtly than he intended. He felt more the loser in this instance, though the trophy was his.
She didn’t answer but came over and lifted his chin in one hand, a towel in the other. The assassin knew what he probably looked like on his back, and it was anything but pretty. He could see her visibly try not to recoil at the sight. “Does this help?” she asked about the towels and water, “I have a salve in my chambers that will help if you need.” She finally looked into his eyes and he nearly lost himself. The pain was lessened by the water, but he needed his healing powder soon, else the cracks would take weeks to heal, instead of hours. His latent magic wasn’t enough to mend this on its own. Being a Moon Elf, her salve might help too, or at least that is what he hoped.
Aera’s violet eyes held his own red ones for another moment. He pulled himself out of the haze of pain and a bit of his old self came back for a moment. “Trying to get me alone in your chambers, eh?” he asked before he could stop himself. Taris chuckled, which degenerated into a racking cough, even his lungs felt seared. He looked back up at her, “My apologies, I know you said I shouldn’t flirt with you. Please, I would appreciate it.” The assassin stood shakily, and donned his cloak once more, but he left the ruined tunic off. Aera led him from the tent back into the hated light, towards the doors of the castle.
Before they could enter, however a shout caught his attention. Kentaro was marching towards them, more-or-less. He’d obviously downed another couple of goblets of wine during the last round. Taris went to a knee, Aera curtseyed. “Get up, damn you, you damned elfs!” the Prince nearly shouted. “Congratulations on yer victory, Darky, I have a special trophy for ya.” The swing was slow and clumsy, but Taris made no move to dodge. As it happened in his stupor the Prince barely glanced Taris’ cheek, and the Shadow Elf merely turned his head, avoiding the full force of the blow. Kentaro seemed not to notice, giving Aera a sloppy kiss on the cheek and stumbling off with a laugh. Taris glared daggers into his back, but kept the ones in his boots carefully hidden. He looked back to Aera, “Shall we continue?”
She didn’t answer but came over and lifted his chin in one hand, a towel in the other. The assassin knew what he probably looked like on his back, and it was anything but pretty. He could see her visibly try not to recoil at the sight. “Does this help?” she asked about the towels and water, “I have a salve in my chambers that will help if you need.” She finally looked into his eyes and he nearly lost himself. The pain was lessened by the water, but he needed his healing powder soon, else the cracks would take weeks to heal, instead of hours. His latent magic wasn’t enough to mend this on its own. Being a Moon Elf, her salve might help too, or at least that is what he hoped.
Aera’s violet eyes held his own red ones for another moment. He pulled himself out of the haze of pain and a bit of his old self came back for a moment. “Trying to get me alone in your chambers, eh?” he asked before he could stop himself. Taris chuckled, which degenerated into a racking cough, even his lungs felt seared. He looked back up at her, “My apologies, I know you said I shouldn’t flirt with you. Please, I would appreciate it.” The assassin stood shakily, and donned his cloak once more, but he left the ruined tunic off. Aera led him from the tent back into the hated light, towards the doors of the castle.
Before they could enter, however a shout caught his attention. Kentaro was marching towards them, more-or-less. He’d obviously downed another couple of goblets of wine during the last round. Taris went to a knee, Aera curtseyed. “Get up, damn you, you damned elfs!” the Prince nearly shouted. “Congratulations on yer victory, Darky, I have a special trophy for ya.” The swing was slow and clumsy, but Taris made no move to dodge. As it happened in his stupor the Prince barely glanced Taris’ cheek, and the Shadow Elf merely turned his head, avoiding the full force of the blow. Kentaro seemed not to notice, giving Aera a sloppy kiss on the cheek and stumbling off with a laugh. Taris glared daggers into his back, but kept the ones in his boots carefully hidden. He looked back to Aera, “Shall we continue?”
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