The Messenger

[Lovely]

November 30, 2009
1am
Grand Hall - Onmadia

Mira had merely been the messenger though Alos had seen fit to take out his displeasure at the message itself, on her. She had the strength to kill the not so feeble old man but his station as king prevented her from fighting back without dire consequences. Now was not the time to rip him limb from limb.. as it was he was not able to finish what he'd started and all but collapsed. One of his son's had delivered a few more forceful and damaging blows to finish the message, though she'd had nothing to do with the news she'd brought to Alos. She was left on the floor of the grand hall in a broken and bloody heap, if not for what she was, she would be in worse shape from the injuries that had been inflicted. Her limbs were intact and still connected but did not wish to work properly at the moment to push her up off the floor. She managed to get herself up on one elbow and her hand lifted to wipe at her face, blood flowing from a few different gashes. She had plenty of words she would like to spew at the filthy royal family about their treatment of a cleric but she bit her tongue and slowly eased herself onto her side. It was better than face down though she was not yet standing.

"You're bleeding on the royal floor. You should be ashamed." The voice rolled over the cold stone tiles to where she lay, a hint of an amused smile turning his words. He seemed to be lower to the ground than a standing guard, perhaps seated at a door, though the voice eminated from shadows. "Too bad more of it wasn't his."

The voice startled her a bit as she had not realized anyone else was in the hall, she had thought everyone left with Alos and his troupe. She couldn't really look all around the room to find the owner of the voice but did her best from where she lay. The words spoken made her snarl a bit even though that hurt and she pushed herself up further, enough to spit her blood and contempt out on that royal floor. Her fingers lifted to wipe at her lip, which was bleeding and she growled softly in her anger for having to allow that vile pitiful excuse of a creature to do this to her.

The man who spoke leaned from his perch against the wall from where he'd felt compelled to heckle her, the torchlight's glow flooding over only one half of his face, enough to see he was still amused. "A lot of fight for such a little girl. Aaah, but.. a powerful little girl, aren't you?"

"And you have an awful lot to say for a man who hides in corners." She looked at the blood on her fingers more than she did at the half of a face that was revealed from the way the man leaned. She didn't feel very powerful at the moment, she felt weak, tired, sore.. beaten as she surely had been for the king's amusement.

He laughed. "I'm not hiding. His tirades usually bore me and put me to sleep. Suffer decades of them and I'm sure you'd feel the same way. I was napping, or trying to, but this time it was a little different and your effect on him worth watching." He sniffed at the air and his face crinkled. "You smell like sulfur and secrets.. a cleric or you make your business with them frequently."

"Well I am so glad I could entertain you, then." She laughed but it was cut short by the pain and she winced, she'd heal from the wounds but it would take a few hours at the very least. She didn't dare rest here and if she could move faster she would have already left, it wasn't safe for her now that she'd angered Alos and suffered at his hand.

"Are you?" Her laugh surprised him and made him pull himself out of the shadows to help her to her feet. "Spilling such precious drops for people who will never learn to appreciate them isn't usually a sign of someone enjoying themselves. I'll admit, you kept me up from my nap, though."

"Who said it was for them?" She countered as her chin lifted even in her partially slumped position, a sign of pride and defiance. Her eyes were sparked with strength and her well contained rage, she'd allowed them to abuse her but she had not done it for thier benefit. Mira realized that he was trying to help her up and she wondered at his motives for aiding her in any manner but did not protest the assistance... much. She pouted for needing it but didn't refuse the help in getting to her feet.

[Lovely]

"Your quarrel is not with me, it's with my father," he warned, his expression somewhat soured upon seeing her barely contained fury. "If you need a healer before you're on your way, it's better to be willing to accept the help."

She was glad she'd not slipped and said more than she had as she now discovered the heckling and helpful man was claiming to be son to .. that thing. "Who said I had quarrel with anyone? I am merely the messenger of joyous news... and a cleric who should be welcomed and treated with high regard in any house. It appears your father no longer welcomes us." She smiled kindly despite the smear of blood and cuts upon her normally pretty face. "Thank you for your help but I do not need a healer."

"Your eyes... and the scent of smoke on your soul...," he countered, folding his arms as he looked over her injuries that were likely to draw quite a bit of attention if she left now. No doubt she could manage her way back as easily as her way in.. more truth to the suspicion she was one of the clerics though he'd not seen her in the palace here before. "If not a healer, then maybe a place off the cold floor to rest before your journey home?"

"It's most kind of you." And oddly it was, especially considering how his father had treated her. ".. but I don't think it would be wise for me to remain so close to his majesty since it appears he's not at all happy with the message I brought for him." She chuckled softly and her eyes lit behind the pain with her amusement at the king's distress.

His eyebrow lifted and he looked around the hall that was empty beyond their presence. "I don't believe I asked him whether or not it makes him happy. He'll forget you were ever here. The only thing he knows is his prize son is wed to his avowed enemy's daughter. Which is about the most fascinatingly funny thing I've ever heard. Good for him and sorry for Devhano's daughter to be stuck with the bastard," he chuckled.

"Judging by the sounds coming from thier room, I don't think she minded being stuck in the least." She smiled wickedly and then winced lifting her hand to her mouth. "Ow." She growled then, her eyes glowing ever so softly as she glared at the door they had taken Alos through. "If he's the prize son.. what are you?"

"No one of consequence. Brother to the heir and now that he's taken a wife, uncle to the succeeding line," he sighed and chuckled a little again. "Sort of freeing, actually. I feel I should almost thank you for hastening my father's demise to put Markas on the throne now, especially if he's still soaked in the blood of Devhano's princess. Or am I the only one in this palace who finds the humor?"

"You might be the only one who can show they find anything in regard to his majesty.. amusing." She countered softly, she was putting up a brave front but she truly longed for a soft comfortable place to rest and lick her wounds. "..please tell me that you hate palace life and have a mannor in the country to take me to?"

"If I did, I'd be napping there instead," he said, considering her request and how he might attend her. "Cleric or not, you are a guest here and a room can be arranged where you won't be disturbed."

"I don't wish to stay here." She said plainly and rather directly, her mouth turned in a slight pout as it was the last thing she wanted and the reason he'd never seen her among the clerics here. Her hatred for Alos ran deep as it did with most in her close family, this man before her now was not Alos and she did not wish him ill simple for being of his family.

[Lovely]

He reached for her lip as her chin rose, dabbing away a drop of the blood from where she was cut. "You can stand. Can you ride? I may not have a manor, but I believe I know a place that will do."

Her eyes fixed on his face as he dabbed at her lip though she didn't try to stop him. Standing was a challenge and riding would be a greater one.. but then walking from here to the stables would be a feat in itself. "Whether or not I can doesn't really matter since it is and always was my only choice in the situation." Meaning even without his aid she would have to ride to get away from the palace.

He chuckled a little and looked around again. The king's antics had certainly drawn away the eyes and ears of the overly-worried and fawning court. "Well please allow me to make that situation a little more comfortable, then. If you can stomach being escorted by an Onmadian prince-of-lesser-standing?"

"It's not the princes of Onmadia who turn my stomach." She replied, being bold to make such a remark though careful in it's wording so that he would know her meaning without her having to say. She smiled just a bit but not enough to pull the cut on her lip open further. "I would be honored by your escort, M'lord."

He smiled softly and held out his hand. "Don't be honored, just enjoy the ride," he said, ready to escort her at as gentle a pace as she needed for her comfort. "I would have you wait and bring them myself, but you're right about being left alone. I might have to get jealous if someone else makes you bleed," he said, taking the dab he'd stolen on his thumb to taste.

"You'll have to settle for my honor.. I don't believe I can enjoy the ride in my current state.." Her hand slid gingerly around his and her eyes followed the movement of his other as he tasted the dab of her blood off his thumb. "There's plenty more if you're thirsty." She chuckled and it hurt slightly less than the last time but she wasn't moving as quickly as she wanted to be. "Perhaps you'll share a taste with me later?" A drink would help with the healing and her ability to walk or ride but she didn't trust anyone in this palace to request one.

"Perhaps I will," he said, savoring the stolen drop. "I think I'm looking forward to that, especially if it might displease his majesty all the more. But not here, and not at your possible expense. You've spilled enough already."

She stopped walking as his words rattled around in her head and she frowned slightly. "If your reason is because it displeases your father then I shall respectfully withdraw the request and politely ask that you not take such liberties again, M'lord."

"Please. It pleases -me-. That's my reason. That it displeases him or pleases him or has anything at all to do with him... doesn't change that. Have you always been this much of a challenge and why haven't I had the pleasure before?"

"Perhaps you just bring it out in me?" She smirked slightly and managed not to wince because of it, though barely. Damn that old man for still being able to throw a few good strikes before his collapse and damn the one who finished it for him. "As for your other question, it's very simple.. You spend far too much time napping in your father's shadows and not enough beyond the palace walls. I don't come to court when I travel through Onmadia. I prefer to visit places that are more enjoyable and far more hospitable. I made an exception this time because of the importance of the message and it's need to be delivered."

[Lovely]

"I spend a fair amount of time in the woods, not holding up the walls." He found he was defending himself against a clever jibe and backpedaled, his head tilting slightly. "My loss for not knowing I was to hunt you instead. So you find our kingdom pleasant, just not the king. Perhaps this place I have in mind will be among the favorites."

"Perhaps.. but you must get me there before I can decide, though I believe I will enjoy the company found there." She would have smiled more but her mouth did hurt and she was already pushing her limits to stand, walk, and banter with him. Through all of it she remained graceful and strong despite the tears to herself and a few in her garments. "And yes.. I find the kingdom quite lovely. It was once my home. I do miss it." Her voice was soft with sadness and regret for no longer feeling as if Onmadia was home to her.

Eyes narrowing briefly, he tried to place her, perhaps as a young girl, or was she older than he was? It would be rude of most to ask, but he had no such qualms. "For how long has it missed you? And why did you leave?"

She met his gaze and though his was narrowed hers was open and honest. "For several decades.. long enough to make most into wrinkled grannies. As for why I left.. Someone who is like a sister to me was hurt.." She would say no more on it within these walls and her gaze left his to dart about the shadows as if she feared that speaking even that little bit was too much.

"Like a sister, or by-blood a sister? She would keep you away the entirety of these years? Why only to return with a message? In this many years, haven't others had importance as much as yours?" He wasn't intending to bicker but felt he was at odds with her reasons. She didn't seem eager to continue the discussion as she was and his room within the palace was not where she seemed to want to go, either. He nodded a confirmation to himself and looked to the palace doors. The guards would think nothing of her 'remains' being escorted away, it seemed. "To the woods it is, then," he sighed, noting her discomfort that ran deeper than the wounds. "Once there, I'll see to the wounds as promised."

"By relationship.. with my brother, they are not married but have been together for decades. Of course she was my friend first.. he stole her.. brothers, you know?" She smiled though it tugged at the cut on her lip that was trying to seal itself, speaking of her family fondly. "She didn't keep me away, I made the choice not to return after what happened to her here. It was no longer a place I wished to be. It was not my message that was important but one from Devhano of your brother's marriage, as you may have heard before I was 'thanked' for delivering it." He was correct about her discomfort as it showed in how carefully she tried to answer his questions and her eyes continued to dart around them. "Will we have trouble with the guards?" She asked, following his gaze to the palace doors and pulling herself up straighter by will more than anything else.

"I do know a little about brothers and how they work their way into others' hearts. I know of the loyalty of sisters as well. The guards won't be a bother since you're being led away for wild dogs to find," he said, offering her a bit of a smile. "They feel you're not even worth setting after on a hunt. Nothing more to do with you... well that's their loss. The guards won't blink if I tell them not to. I may be a lesser brother, but still part of the family... today."

"They may think you're lesser.. that doesn't mean you are." She nodded slightly and made a small motion for him to lead the way past the guards, thinking it was a pity he was part of this family, since she disliked his father so much. She eyed the guards a moment with as much disgust as she had for some others in this house but then the expression melted into something more indifferent.

[Lovely]

The guards appeared to bristle and straighten more as he came to the doors and glanced to both sides with no utterance she could hear, but perhaps a chill breeze she might feel within her being. He kept moving with her in tow and proceeded down the steps slowly toward the gates to the outer kingdom wall. Today he did not turn toward the stables but kept on the path being sure she stayed with him though he knew she was tiring quickly. "Beyond the main gate then we'll rest a moment before going further."

"We're going on foot?" Were she not so wounded and were this not the Onmadian court, she would not protest a journey on foot and leaving her horse in the stables, but she didn't even trust her animal being left here. Her mouth opened but she didn't want to offend him, he was so different from his father and reminded her of the more pleasant times she'd spent here.

"Only to the outer gates, m'lady," he defended. "For all intents, you are being discarded and your mount used for kindling for the fire to boil the king's bedsheets. As I said, there you will have rest and the court can do as it pleases without you, or me, or your fine horse who will be brought to you."

"I beg your pardon." She murmured quietly feeling a bit scolded for having asked, but she'd only done so because she was not told before of the plan and was only able to assume by what she was shown. Mira would feel once better and like she could breathe again once they were outside the gates but it felt like it was taking forever to get there. She was used to moving much faster and was getting quite irritable with how slowly they travelled such a short distance, she was injured and this was his home so she had no place to insist they not dally though she was eager to leave this place behind her.

[Lovely]

He harumphed and the smirk of mild annoyance flashed over his face. He then sighed. He could certainly carry her though she ached. She would ache no less until they arrived at the small cabin he'd mentioned. "Don't beg.. for my pardon or anything from anyone. I hadn't told you so how were you to know? At some point, you may know my thoughts before I speak them, but today they are my own. Guards be damned, show or not, I should show you that mercy and carry you there. If they dare to question me, I'll behead them myself."

Mira's steps faltered a moment and she turned to gaze at Asher, curious and questioning. "You should carry me?" She smiled gently, careful of her cuts as she wondered if would actually do something that bold. His comments in general amused and intrigued her, did he truly think they would become so close that they would share thoughts.. did he want that?

He appeared perplexed, trying to find the answer to something that would ease her enough to allow him to enjoy the company more than dread it the rest of the way. "Shouldn't I? I should not leave you alone to bring your horse, and I should not leave you alone with those guards... or anyone else here who isn't me, that's certain. You're in too much pain and carrying you.. well it's simply the only way. If the lady will allow me?" He wasn't sure the best way to hold her without injuring her worse.

Mira licked at her lips and thought it over for a moment before answering him with a slight nod and her pride taking quite the blow to agree that she needed that much help. "The lady will allow you." She emphasised the word 'you' to let him know she wouldn't have let any other do such a thing. No matter how she was carried it would cause her pain, but she assumed he would cradle her in his arms and also felt it would be the best way.

Asher hesitated again, his hands pausing at her arms, then sides, her leg or the other as he mechanically adjusted himself to find the least harmful way to lift her, though her size posed on issue for him. He cleared his throat and bent down to place a hand at the lesse bruised knee and his other at the most clear point of her back that would not open the worst of her wounds. "Whether you care for me or not, I suggest a loving embrace, m'lady. If it will not embarrass you to be so close?"

"I don't know you well enough to truly care for you but I will say I like you.." She teased a bit, shifting her arm slowly to wrap around his shoulder when he lifted her. "It will not embarrass me to be so close to you, I only wish I could enjoy it more."

"My sentiments as well," he admitted, though he would not yet admit how pleasant he found the embrace or the perfume of the still-damp blood. He pushed the thoughts back for now and turned with her back to the entry and the guards beyond whose eyes were trained to 'see' the members of the royal courts. They would have little choice to let them pass even if she was not welcome - she was leaving, afterall. As promised, he was swift, the entryway a blur as were the steps that would have pained her severely to labor down them. In moments they did arrive at the stables, finding the stable hands arguing who would win the lady's horse when the king killed her off.

She rested her head on his shoulder, curling herself as comfortably as she could as he carried her through the entry and down to the stables. She was actually enjoying it a little, being able to take in his scent. He would feel her fingers curl into the back of his shoulder and the hiss of cool breath along his neck as the discussion over her horse reached thier ears. Were it her choice, and if she was at full strength she would kill them both, she still considered it - their blood would certainly help her rebuild her strength.

Asher growled as he set her down. Arguments in front of a lady, his own court or not, were not permitted and in front of a prince? He needed no knife to sever the fight, setting upon the closer of the youths with a bare hand, a single raking claw across his throat leaving him silent and gasping, falling to the straw at his feet. He looked to the other youth with contempt, admiring the fresh paint on his fingertips he held up between them. "Bring her horse and we'll say no more about who wins," he said quietly, lowering his hand and letting the piercing stare say enough that the fight was over permanently. The boy, in a wash of terror, ran off to the stall to prepare the horse as requested. Asher turned to tend to her. "If scraps do not offend you, he's free for the taking... though the taste may be a bit 'off' for your liking."

[Lovely]

She heard the growl as he set her down and for a second she wondered if it was because of her, toward her for the hiss, but it was nearly instantly revealed that he meant to defend her in a way. He was swift in the kill and she admired how he didn't waste time and how he ordered the other boy to prepare her horse. The admiration shone in her gaze as it ran over the prince, from head to toe and back up again. "Blood is blood, especially when one is in much need of it.. I would not turn away an offer from you.." The subtle tilt of her smile and the way her eyes drifted over him hinted that she didn't mean just these scraps. "Perhaps later I can enjoy a much finer drink to wash the taste of this one from my mouth." She moved quickly to the fallen man though it pained her to do so, soon the pain would be less and her strength returned. She leaned to drink deeply, being quite greedy in the amount she took for he was already gone and she had no worry of draining him too much.

Asher dabbed the stain to his tongue. Blood is blood? He didn't usually waste his time on the commoners, finding them far too easily caught, like caged cattle, without any of the thrill of a hunt. He did not savor the taste as much as the drop of hers that had tempted him, but did not waste the drops on his fingers and certainly did not envy her thirst. He cleaned away the stain delicately, trying not to sour his pallette. He considered her words about his offers, storing away the information for a more-clever moment than now. His attention was stirred away from her by the nearing clop of hooves on the cold ground and hay. "Your grace, your mount is ready... if you've had your fill," he said gently as the boy approached with the animal. "If not, then I shall wait until you are done with him as well," he suggested, offering up the other troublesome boy for her taking.

Mira glanced up a few times from her drink to see how Asher cleaned his finger tips, she might have laughed but had more important things to do at the moment. She leaned back as he spoke, glancing around as he addressed her as 'your grace', she was not a royal and was glad for that. She realized he meant her and wiped her lips as she stood up, feeling much better for the blood flowing through her. Her anger had much subsided though she eyed the man who brought her horse out with a clear dislike. "He is your subject, his fate is in your hands.. it is not my choice to make." She bowed slightly to Asher, he was the prince after all and though her own standing was high, she was not a master of this kingdom or it's people. Had both men been taken when they first came upon them, she would have no qualms with drinking from both but the second one had been spared and sent on an errand, to her it was pointless to kill him now. She wasn't one who found enjoyment in killing for the sake of killing or for sport, she fed when she needed to and did not take the lives of those who offered her thier blood to sustain her own. There were very few Luskavians that she'd ever come across who were not willing and even honored to give to the nobles and clerics who had the blessing... with the exception of a few kingdoms which for some reason had never come to know of the blessed. Mira felt better and though still sore her wounds were starting to heal at a much better rate. She moved to her mount and swung herself up into the saddle after quickly checking to make sure it had been properly prepared. "Mmm much improved.. Thank you." She showed Asher a more full smile though she did still require time to rest and lick the rest of her wounds, the drink gave her a boost to her strength and energy. It would make the journey more comfortable at least and some of the lesser marks disappeared while the seeping of the deeper ones were slowed and some sealed.

He bowed slightly to her thanks, offering her a grin now. Not her choice to make, but it was indeed his. He looked at the stable hand. "You. Ride with her and offer her what she needs for her wounds. When she tires of you, you're free to come back... on foot," he suggested, offering her further sustenance without resorting to supping from his own veins. If she refused the offer now, the boy would be allowed to stay, but his tongue would still be in danger for having had his share in the argument at her expense.

The boy nodded, eager to please and not be sliced apart as his friend had been. He looked up to the woman above him on the horse, still stricken with fear, but awaiting her say in his assignment.

Mira looked to Asher, she'd just told him she would not refuse an offer from him but it was not in her nature to be so arrogant or cruel, she was a cleric after all and what he ordered the boy to do did not please her in the least. Not only would she burden her animal with his weight but he'd have to walk back in a weakened state which might leave him open to attack by wild animals and his death would be on her hands. She reminded herself of who Asher was, an Onmadian prince - cruelty had probably been lovingly fed to him at his nurse's breast. "Come.. you've heard your prince's order." She leaned down to give the boy a hand up onto her horse with her. "If your highness is ready?" She nodded to Asher, wondering now if his intent toward her had not been what she thought or had changed since he seemed to evade and avoid her having any taste of him at all costs. So be it, it was a nice thought while it lasted.