- Posting Speed
- 1-3 posts per week
- One post per week
- Writing Levels
- Adept
- Advanced
- Preferred Character Gender
- Male
[fieldbox="Castle Norcrest, yellow, solid"]
"Have you heard, Rikos?" spoke one guard to the other as the two of them leaned with their backs against the walls. The one speaking rested his spear against his shoulder, "King Ikaros is about to make his speech and the Queen will be with him."
Rikos leaned his head back against the wall and propped a foot against the stone, "It's the same every year, Alex," he started, "Not the speech, but the King does give one and the Queen is always with him. Then they accept the gifts the other nobles brought them and some of us are tasked with carrying all that stuff to the treasury."
"Must be so neat to hear," the younger guard returned, his eyes turning down the hall toward a window that emptied into the city square. The noise from the massive crowd of people that gathered in celebration of the Festival of Eternal Slumbers could be heard even as high up as they were.
Rikos seemed to notice the longing look in Alex's eyes, "You've never been to the festival have you?" He leaned forward and put his weight on the butt end of his spear. After a moment, Alex shook his head and Rikos sighed, "You could go now if you'd like."
"And abandon my post?" Alex said, shock at the suggestion obvious in his tone, "I wouldn't dare."
"Oh, come on, Alex," Rikos smirked as he pushed off the wall and stood next to the solid door marked with a single moon and star, "It's not like she's going to wake up. She's asleep in the eternal slumber. The Princess isn't going anywhere. They don't need two of us to watch her sleep," he paused and looked down the three halls. A young servant girl stood alone, broom in hand as she swept the stone floors in a brown dress that fell to her ankles and a white apron that hung lose at her waist, "Go. I've got this."
"I don't know," Alex replied.
"Fine, don't, but the festival doesn't happen for a whole nother year. Who knows where you'll be stationed then," Rikos replied with a shrug of his shoulders, the leather armor creaking slightly beneath the gesture.
Looking out the window, Alex seemed to be in deep thought considering all of Rikos' words. Finally, he pushed himself off the wall and nodded, "Okay, I'll do it," a wide grin spread across his lips.
"That a boy," Rikos slapped his hand against Alex's back, "Now get going before someone discovers you and we both get flogged."
From down the hall, the servant girl listened to the conversation while she swept, the swoosh of the broom being the only noise that accompanied the conversation. With each word shared between the two guards, her heart rate increased until she thought it would burst from her chest. Finally, Alex slipped away leaving on Rikos to stand watch.
As she swept, she moved slowly toward the guard who had taken up his previous stance now that Alex was gone. Only when she was within a few steps of Rikos, did he lift his head from off the wall, causing her to freeze in place a moment. She could feel Rikos' eyes take in her small frame. The man had earned himself a reputation for being particularly handsy with the female servants of the castle, though he must not have been in the mood this morning because, after pointing out a section of the flooring she had missed, he closed his eyes and rested his head back against the stone again letting out a deep sigh. She nodded and then moved to sweep the pile of dirt against the castle wall.
Her heart still slammed against her ribcage. It was now or never, but something about this didn't sit well with her. Swallowing hard, she quietly placed the broom against the wall, guiding it with both hands to ensure it landed softly against the stone. When Rikos didn't move, she let out a breath she did not know she was holding. She paused a moment thinking that her breath might stir the guard.
Next, she glanced down at her hands. They were shaking violently, "Come on," she whispered to herself. She must have been louder than she thought, because when her eyes returned to Rikos, he was watching her. Her cheeks reddened, and she did the only thing she knew to do at the moment. She tucked a strand of loose, red hair behind her ear and took a step toward him. It was as if this gesture had calmed her because her hands ceased to shake immediately.
Rikos' gaze narrowed as he adjusted himself against the wall. He was about to open his mouth, but she spoke first, "I'm just nervous, is all. I thought Alex would never leave and-" she flashed a small smile before biting her bottom lip, "I noticed there was no one else around."
Another step was taken as Rikos seemed to register her suggestion. He pushed off the wall to his feet, a crude grin stretching across his lips, "I noticed that too," he returned. Men like Rikos were always easy to get a rise out of. One more step and she had closed the distance between them. Her left hand landed softly against his leather chest piece. Her middle finger traced the outline of his chest before she took up what little space was left and leaned forward against him. Her lips pressed against his as her right hand began to gather the material of her dress, slowly raising it to reveal her thigh. Rikos was too consumed by her kiss to notice the blade she pulled from her thigh.
Breaking the kiss, she looked him in the eyes, "Thank you," she breathed against his lips.
"For what?" he asked, still trying to catch his breath.
"For sending Alex away," she replied with seduction written on her face.
He chuckled before asking, "Why?"
She pressed kisses against his jaw line as her hand snaked to the back of his neck. She pulled back, her eyes locked on his as her free hand slid beneath her apron, "Because it would have been harder to kill both of you."
There was a quick flash of confusion in Rikos eyes before the blade slipped through the bindings of his leather and through his ribs. She barely pushed, the sharp blade slicing easily through his soft flesh. Deeper she pushed it into a shocked Rikos until the hilt would not let it go further. With a quick jerk of her wrist, she twisted the blade inside him. She knew where she had placed it, and that he would be dead within minutes because of the added damage. Pulling the blade free, blood flowed from the wound as Rikos slid to the ground moments from embracing his own eternal slumber.
It would have been easier to slit his throat while he was unaware, but, as she knelt to lock eyes with him, she was reminded of the rush she got when watching the life drain from someone's eyes. When that last spark of life drained from his eyes and death washed away the terror on his face, the woman let out a satisfied sigh before wiping her blade clean. Standing to her feet, she turned to the door and pushed it open, "Hello, Princess," she began speaking to the sleeping girl as she stepped through the threshold, "my name is…" the door shut behind her, a single bloody handprint covering the moon and stars.[/fieldbox]
[fieldbox="The Streets of Norcrest, green, solid"]
The streets were abuzz with the life of the Festival. Decorations sporting the White Gryphon of Norcrest against a dark blue field watching over the Moon and Stars of the Oracles of Eternal Slumber were displayed on the sides of many of the buildings, from the gates, and draped from the ramparts of the castle. Entertainers ranging from musicians to torch jugglers pulled 'ohs' and 'ahs' from spectators. Merchants were out in full force calling out for people to purchase their goods on the one day where people from all over Agganoth gather in the narrow streets to celebrate the Festival of Eternal Slumber. The assortments of foods, exotic and domestic, led a pleasant assault on the nostrils of any who dared ventured into the streets. Many had already fallen victim to the taverns and tables of food, spending some if not all their coin on growing fat.
It was in these streets Darin found himself in tow behind his sister, Sarah, and two of her friends, Terra and Morgana. The trio of girls bounced through the crowd, Sarah practically dragging him by his hand, "I told you it would be fun!" she called back to him almost having to yell over the calling of the merchants, "Aren't you having fun?"
A growl escaped his lips causing her to ask her question again, "Yes," he finally said, "So much fun," sarcasm thick in his tone.
"Quit being such a fuss bucket," she called him, causing him to clench his jaw, "You really need to just relax," she stopped the small group and grabbed her brother's other hand, "Here, close your eyes," Darin looked at her skeptically, "Don't you trust me?" he nodded, "Then close your eyes!" He hesitated a moment too long and she shot him a glare. Only then did he let out a sigh and close his eyes, "Good. Now take a deep, deep breath," she watched his chest rise and fall, "Do you smell it? Do you hear the laughter and celebration around you?"
"I do," he replied the corner of his lip rising a little.
"Then enjoy it," she returned and as he opened his eyes she continued, "We're at war, Darin, and a little celebration is good for everyone who has lost someone or just might lose someone. It reminds them of why they fight or why their loved one does."
Darin knew she was right, but it didn't mean he liked it. She was always the more social one while he preferred the solitude of the hunt. This was more her doing, and he knew she had ulterior motives as well. For years, Sarah had been trying to wed off one of her friends to him. She never liked the fact that he was twenty-five and still a single man. He minded it far less than she did.
Suddenly, the bell tolled signaling the beginning of the actual ceremony and Sarah leaped with excitement, "Oh! Darin, come on! King Ikaros will be speaking."
"I've never heard the king speak," Morgana chimed in.
"Neither have we," Sarah returned.
"It's just a speech by the King," Darin interrupted their moment with an unimpressed tone.
Shaking her head, Sarah dropped one of his hands and began to drag him through the crowd once more this time toward the square, "Quit being such a fuss bucket!"[/fieldbox]
"Have you heard, Rikos?" spoke one guard to the other as the two of them leaned with their backs against the walls. The one speaking rested his spear against his shoulder, "King Ikaros is about to make his speech and the Queen will be with him."
Rikos leaned his head back against the wall and propped a foot against the stone, "It's the same every year, Alex," he started, "Not the speech, but the King does give one and the Queen is always with him. Then they accept the gifts the other nobles brought them and some of us are tasked with carrying all that stuff to the treasury."
"Must be so neat to hear," the younger guard returned, his eyes turning down the hall toward a window that emptied into the city square. The noise from the massive crowd of people that gathered in celebration of the Festival of Eternal Slumbers could be heard even as high up as they were.
Rikos seemed to notice the longing look in Alex's eyes, "You've never been to the festival have you?" He leaned forward and put his weight on the butt end of his spear. After a moment, Alex shook his head and Rikos sighed, "You could go now if you'd like."
"And abandon my post?" Alex said, shock at the suggestion obvious in his tone, "I wouldn't dare."
"Oh, come on, Alex," Rikos smirked as he pushed off the wall and stood next to the solid door marked with a single moon and star, "It's not like she's going to wake up. She's asleep in the eternal slumber. The Princess isn't going anywhere. They don't need two of us to watch her sleep," he paused and looked down the three halls. A young servant girl stood alone, broom in hand as she swept the stone floors in a brown dress that fell to her ankles and a white apron that hung lose at her waist, "Go. I've got this."
"I don't know," Alex replied.
"Fine, don't, but the festival doesn't happen for a whole nother year. Who knows where you'll be stationed then," Rikos replied with a shrug of his shoulders, the leather armor creaking slightly beneath the gesture.
Looking out the window, Alex seemed to be in deep thought considering all of Rikos' words. Finally, he pushed himself off the wall and nodded, "Okay, I'll do it," a wide grin spread across his lips.
"That a boy," Rikos slapped his hand against Alex's back, "Now get going before someone discovers you and we both get flogged."
From down the hall, the servant girl listened to the conversation while she swept, the swoosh of the broom being the only noise that accompanied the conversation. With each word shared between the two guards, her heart rate increased until she thought it would burst from her chest. Finally, Alex slipped away leaving on Rikos to stand watch.
As she swept, she moved slowly toward the guard who had taken up his previous stance now that Alex was gone. Only when she was within a few steps of Rikos, did he lift his head from off the wall, causing her to freeze in place a moment. She could feel Rikos' eyes take in her small frame. The man had earned himself a reputation for being particularly handsy with the female servants of the castle, though he must not have been in the mood this morning because, after pointing out a section of the flooring she had missed, he closed his eyes and rested his head back against the stone again letting out a deep sigh. She nodded and then moved to sweep the pile of dirt against the castle wall.
Her heart still slammed against her ribcage. It was now or never, but something about this didn't sit well with her. Swallowing hard, she quietly placed the broom against the wall, guiding it with both hands to ensure it landed softly against the stone. When Rikos didn't move, she let out a breath she did not know she was holding. She paused a moment thinking that her breath might stir the guard.
Next, she glanced down at her hands. They were shaking violently, "Come on," she whispered to herself. She must have been louder than she thought, because when her eyes returned to Rikos, he was watching her. Her cheeks reddened, and she did the only thing she knew to do at the moment. She tucked a strand of loose, red hair behind her ear and took a step toward him. It was as if this gesture had calmed her because her hands ceased to shake immediately.
Rikos' gaze narrowed as he adjusted himself against the wall. He was about to open his mouth, but she spoke first, "I'm just nervous, is all. I thought Alex would never leave and-" she flashed a small smile before biting her bottom lip, "I noticed there was no one else around."
Another step was taken as Rikos seemed to register her suggestion. He pushed off the wall to his feet, a crude grin stretching across his lips, "I noticed that too," he returned. Men like Rikos were always easy to get a rise out of. One more step and she had closed the distance between them. Her left hand landed softly against his leather chest piece. Her middle finger traced the outline of his chest before she took up what little space was left and leaned forward against him. Her lips pressed against his as her right hand began to gather the material of her dress, slowly raising it to reveal her thigh. Rikos was too consumed by her kiss to notice the blade she pulled from her thigh.
Breaking the kiss, she looked him in the eyes, "Thank you," she breathed against his lips.
"For what?" he asked, still trying to catch his breath.
"For sending Alex away," she replied with seduction written on her face.
He chuckled before asking, "Why?"
She pressed kisses against his jaw line as her hand snaked to the back of his neck. She pulled back, her eyes locked on his as her free hand slid beneath her apron, "Because it would have been harder to kill both of you."
There was a quick flash of confusion in Rikos eyes before the blade slipped through the bindings of his leather and through his ribs. She barely pushed, the sharp blade slicing easily through his soft flesh. Deeper she pushed it into a shocked Rikos until the hilt would not let it go further. With a quick jerk of her wrist, she twisted the blade inside him. She knew where she had placed it, and that he would be dead within minutes because of the added damage. Pulling the blade free, blood flowed from the wound as Rikos slid to the ground moments from embracing his own eternal slumber.
It would have been easier to slit his throat while he was unaware, but, as she knelt to lock eyes with him, she was reminded of the rush she got when watching the life drain from someone's eyes. When that last spark of life drained from his eyes and death washed away the terror on his face, the woman let out a satisfied sigh before wiping her blade clean. Standing to her feet, she turned to the door and pushed it open, "Hello, Princess," she began speaking to the sleeping girl as she stepped through the threshold, "my name is…" the door shut behind her, a single bloody handprint covering the moon and stars.[/fieldbox]
[fieldbox="The Streets of Norcrest, green, solid"]
The streets were abuzz with the life of the Festival. Decorations sporting the White Gryphon of Norcrest against a dark blue field watching over the Moon and Stars of the Oracles of Eternal Slumber were displayed on the sides of many of the buildings, from the gates, and draped from the ramparts of the castle. Entertainers ranging from musicians to torch jugglers pulled 'ohs' and 'ahs' from spectators. Merchants were out in full force calling out for people to purchase their goods on the one day where people from all over Agganoth gather in the narrow streets to celebrate the Festival of Eternal Slumber. The assortments of foods, exotic and domestic, led a pleasant assault on the nostrils of any who dared ventured into the streets. Many had already fallen victim to the taverns and tables of food, spending some if not all their coin on growing fat.
It was in these streets Darin found himself in tow behind his sister, Sarah, and two of her friends, Terra and Morgana. The trio of girls bounced through the crowd, Sarah practically dragging him by his hand, "I told you it would be fun!" she called back to him almost having to yell over the calling of the merchants, "Aren't you having fun?"
A growl escaped his lips causing her to ask her question again, "Yes," he finally said, "So much fun," sarcasm thick in his tone.
"Quit being such a fuss bucket," she called him, causing him to clench his jaw, "You really need to just relax," she stopped the small group and grabbed her brother's other hand, "Here, close your eyes," Darin looked at her skeptically, "Don't you trust me?" he nodded, "Then close your eyes!" He hesitated a moment too long and she shot him a glare. Only then did he let out a sigh and close his eyes, "Good. Now take a deep, deep breath," she watched his chest rise and fall, "Do you smell it? Do you hear the laughter and celebration around you?"
"I do," he replied the corner of his lip rising a little.
"Then enjoy it," she returned and as he opened his eyes she continued, "We're at war, Darin, and a little celebration is good for everyone who has lost someone or just might lose someone. It reminds them of why they fight or why their loved one does."
Darin knew she was right, but it didn't mean he liked it. She was always the more social one while he preferred the solitude of the hunt. This was more her doing, and he knew she had ulterior motives as well. For years, Sarah had been trying to wed off one of her friends to him. She never liked the fact that he was twenty-five and still a single man. He minded it far less than she did.
Suddenly, the bell tolled signaling the beginning of the actual ceremony and Sarah leaped with excitement, "Oh! Darin, come on! King Ikaros will be speaking."
"I've never heard the king speak," Morgana chimed in.
"Neither have we," Sarah returned.
"It's just a speech by the King," Darin interrupted their moment with an unimpressed tone.
Shaking her head, Sarah dropped one of his hands and began to drag him through the crowd once more this time toward the square, "Quit being such a fuss bucket!"[/fieldbox]
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