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2024-10-29 19:42:56"It'd be just a moments time, and it be ready." The witch turned back to the magic after getting a nod from Nikolas.
She had used most of her energy to focus, but the alcohol was really starting to hit her now. Closing her eyes she took the focus off of standing straight and focused on the words. The swirl of the smoke made her dizzy, and she knew one wrong word and all hell could break loose. She didn't need a demon suddenly popping in to say hello.
After closing her eyes though she suddenly started to sway, she had one hand gripping for dear life on the cane while the other was splayed out at the clearing trying to contain the magic that arrived.
Feeling her shift beside him, the wizard was also trying to contain the magic with his hand stretched out at the clearing.
The rain beat around them as lightning started flashing in the clouds above them. He knew it was almost time. Soon they would direct the dragon to stand in the magic swirling before them.
He reached out with his free hand to steady Hagthoria and continued chanting, focusing on the smoke and colorful stones. Realizing suddenly that her weight was more then he could bare, he let go and tried shifting his arm through hers. It was too late.
That movement caused Hagthoria to stumble forward on her words as she tried to stop herself from falling. A sudden flash of lightning struck before them hitting the smoke, causing the stones to stop midair, burn a bright molten color, and drop. The diamond pool suddenly cracked like a mirror and small explosion filled the air with smoke as the rain suddenly ceased.
The explosion threw the witch and the wizard back into several soldiers while purple and grey smoke filled the air. Everyone started coughing except Caspian. He ran to the other side of a large pine, unsure of what just happened. He was hoping the spell failed and he wouldn't have to leave. Nikolas felt otherwise.
"COUGH, in God's name, COUGH, happened?" As Nikolas yelled, he could barely see anyone around him through the smoke, but he could hear his men coughing.
"Caspian, boy, where are ye, are ye safe? Caspian, answer me dammnit!" It took a moment and Caspian finally answered.
"I'm here Cap’n though I cannot make out what lays before me face." as he said that, Caspian tripped and landed on the body of a soldier.
"I found Barreth, he is unconscious sir!" Caspian sounded unhurt, so that eased the worry a moment for Nikolas.
"Hold on a moment lad. Don't move." He responded.
"COUGH, ah ye damned nitwit, why ye let go, pray ye no summon the devil himself!" Hagthoria could be heard hacking and swearing at the wizard, Caspian laughed. His laugh was from tension and relief.
"Ye drank far too much, and ye blame me ye old hag?" The wizard was furious.
"Hold off on the arguments a moment. We's be needin to gather ourselves. Once the smoke clears, we will address the situation. Caspian, ye and Marksman get Barreth into a tent and tended to. The rest of ye, only light a sparse number of fires until this wretched smoke clears."
Nikolas was busy trying to give out orders on setting the camp back up while the Wizard stood by Hagthoria whom was sitting on the ground facing Camp.
Hearing a delicate sneeze behind him, the wizard naturally turned to look over his shoulder and say bless ye to whomever it was. He froze. The hag's words about summoning the Devil crossed his mind and he yelled stumbling back on his butt. Hagthoria turned in her seat on the ground to look at a pine needle covered monster with long scraggly hair wearing a red robe of fur. Hagthoria screamed as weel as she peddled backwards causing the men to look in their direction.
The smokey fog was still thick but they could make out something standing there. Drawing the swords, several of them stood in front of the witch and wizard.
"Tis the Devil, I told ye, I be headed for Hell this time! Leave, I will neigh sip another drink, I swear it! Take him, he be the one ye want for disturbing ye!" Stumbling over her drunken words, she crawled behind the wizard and tried pushing him forward with her feet.
"Ye wretched old women, it's yer fault he's here! Ye be the one he wants, not I! The hag lives for debauchery, sir, she will fit in well there!" Scrambling to the side of the witch, they started arguing and then pulling at each other's cloths in attempt to make each other be taken by the Devil that had appeared.
The smoke was starting to clear as a breeze made its way between the trees.
The fire reflected on the monster that appeared. It raised its hand to scratch its head. It was now noticeable this was not the Devil, but a woman!
"Hold back men." Nikolas requested as the image came clearer of what they were dealing with. He could make out a red robe of sorts, and hair that may have been wet from the rain. Skin color that was not red like most demons or the Devil, but the color of fresh cream.
"Am...Am I dreaming? Cough..Hello?" mumbling with a feminine sound, the so-called Devil tried peering through the smoke.
"What the hell did I eat last night? Where am I?" the female voice mumbled to herself.
The soldiers sheathed their swords. It very well was a woman, and they did not see a single woman as being a threat for the moment.
He stood gazing at the figure as the smoke cleared further. Her delicate features came into focus, he traced his eyes along her face noticing her pert little nose, big squinting dark eyes. Her lips pouty and fierce. He could see her wet hear plastered to her neck and fall with dripping water. Her robe was of some soft fur, he could see her undergarments hug a curvy figure. He didn't know how or what, or even who, but he found her interesting from the start.
The woman standing there half clad in her favorite fuzzy robe was sure she was dreaming. She remembers tripping in her drunken haze and thought she must have landed on her bed. Being laid off from work earlier in the day had her stooping to smashing 5 beers and a bottle of drugstore wine. She barely had a decent shower.
Last thing she remembered was pulling on her fluffy robe to snuggle in bed with plans on bad mouthing the company who let her go for complaints of sexual harassment. Now she must be dreaming of burning the business office down, there was so much smoke everywhere. Barely seeing through the smoke, she could make out what looked like a medieval scene from a fairy tale.
"Who are ye?" The voice brought her attention to a man standing in the smoke.
"You're in MY dream, I should be asking you who YOU are?" No respect, even in her dreams, she mused to herself.
"This is no dream, and as for yer request, I am Captain Bartholemue Nikolas Wingsward, formally First Captain, of the Kingdom of Daunting. Again, I ask who are ye lass, and where do ye hail from?" Nikolas doubted she was a demon, or a witch. Was she just human?
"Where do I hail from? Huh? Are we role playing now? Look, this is my dream, and I'm not into the whole fantasy thing." She said this as she walked closer to the figure in the smoke, it was starting to become much clearer and she could finally see the man who was questioning her.
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She stared for a moment. Her brain did a fantastic job she thought. He really looked like a knight. His hair sat right below his shoulders, a bit dirty, but a nice color of dark caramel and chocolate. He had a broad face accompanying a chiseled jaw and chin. His eyes were possibly hazel or just a light brown sitting on each side of a strong nose. His skin was weathered and a thin, short, scar ran down the left side of his face. He was dressed in what looked like tarnished amour. His arms were thick, muscular, being crossed over a wide chest. She thought she should make it into one of 'those' dreams, with this look, she could really enjoy it. Nikolas noticed her eyeing him while he got a clearer look at her. "Fantasy? Women, ye are in our camp, be weary of what fantasies are going on in me men's heads at this moment." Saying this caused her to stop staring at him and look around. He could tell from her face and cocky attitude she may really think this a dream. The wizard
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After making sure she was covered and warm, he stood and headed out of the tent. A handful of soldiers were hovered together looking over in the direction of the Nikolas's tent. They were talking about the woman who just popped out of the smoke. One soldier was using his hands to describe her figure and the men laughed and nodded in agreement. "Now that the knights have no King, have thee become ruffians? Bandits? Tasteless thieves who pillage and rape!?" Nikolas said this with distaste when he walked over and scuffed the nearest soldier on the back of the head. "Keep yer words and thoughts to yer self. We are yet unsure who she be and what she be about. Until then, avoid looking at her till I say differently! Hear me?" His thunderous tone could be heard echoing for miles. He didn't take kind to disrespecting women he didn't know, but once he crossed that line, he knew what kind of animal he could be as well. A sudden ruckus could be heard coming through the trees towards
Catching the Wind Forced
Nikolas let loose a gut filled laugh as he put his hands on the Lieutenants shoulders. "Ye were out only a handful of hours. Rest, our guest is passed out as ye were." The moment Nikolas said this, a scream could be heard from outside the tent. It wasn't the scream of the witch, but of a younger woman. He looked at Barreth's confused face and winked. "Our new guest has apparently woken as well. Rest, I will be back." With those words he left the tent to see what the fuss was about. Waking up and realizing she was not in fact dreaming at home, but awake, here in this reality, Ally couldn't help but be scared. Peeking out the tent, she noticed the sword leaning on a branch helping support the tent. She had never held a sword before but holding it like a golf club couldn't possibly be any different, so she thought. Rushing out she had grabbed the sword to find herself almost tripping to the ground trying to lift it. When she finally got turned back around facing the camp,
Catching the Wind Time
Ally looked at Nikolas as he spoke. She had too many questions to just sit and eat, but her stomach started protesting and rolling like thunder, so she obliged. Walking over to the log she could get a whiff of dirt, horse manure, some much needed deodorant, and some kind of roasted meat. Her stomached suddenly retracted in aversion. Turning to hand her some kind of burnt flesh skewered by a stick, Nikolas could see the disgust on her face. “Tis rabbit. Cooler season is among us so they no longer have worms.” Hearing him say this, Ally turned and started retching. The men sitting next to them looked on with confusion. “Do not like rabbit? Well, we only have rabbit, unless ye’d rather eat the grass instead?” Nikolas was at a loss and sarcasm was his way of dealing with it. He had never met someone who didn’t like rabbit. “No thanks. Look, where am I, who are you people, and what’s up with your English? How did I end up here to begin with? You obviously didn’t k
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(Trigger Warning) “WHERE IS SHE?” he billowed out. The men stopped talking, Hagthoria raised her head from twirling the leather tie on a soldier’s armor and looked around also. “Sh..she went to use the woods sir, she said it was an emergency, a 'woman' issue, wanted to relieve herself alone.” One of the men sitting nearest to where she previously sat, spoke. “WHICH WAY?” He yelled. Nikolas knew that scouts were afoot for the King, so he grabbed his scabbard and sword leaning on his tent as he dropped the pile of furs. Mumbling how the female was already a pain in his hind end and only having been there less than a day, he ran into the woods in the direction the soldier pointed. It was daylight, so Ally could see her way through the dense woods. She still wasn't a hundred percent she wasn't dreaming, but regardless she just couldn't take it anymore. Tricking the soldier that was keeping an eye on her was easy, at least they understood when a women needed privacy. He
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(Trigger warning cont.) "Aye, lass, wake it, ye nigh fall asleep on me, ye hear? " He slapped the side of her face as he said this and realized she had passed out. Stopping and getting back to his knees he looked at his partner. "She dead?" Motioning for his partner to check, the man leaned down and put his ear between her exposed breasts. Lifting his head back up, he shook it and just smiled. "Nay, she jist takin a wee sleep is all, so hurry now, ye taken long enuf." his partner responded. "We needs to wake the lass, I cunn't enjoy it with just a log layn der. Tis no fun, go gets sum water, we wake her an continue." saying this, he stood with his pants still around his ankles. "Awe, nah, cum now man, just do it, otherwise I be taken her now," his partner stood as he let go of her wrist, and started undoing his trousers. He pushed his friend aside. "Gets ye arse back, I be showin yer hows a real mans does its." working his dirt stained trousers to the ground, he w
Catching the Wind A Quick Regret
“Water! Bring me water! Wizard, come here at once!” his commanding voice could be heard throughout most of the camp. The Wizard stopped his eye rolling as the witch pouted about the soldier that ran away and went into the tent. Seeing the stranger covered in leaves and bruises he sucked in his breath. “What happened sir, that she ended up in such a state? I will apply some salve to her cuts and those nasty bruises, it will take a day or two for them to subside.” Shaking his head, he reached in to his robe and pulled out a small metal jar. Reaching up with his hand to the wizard, Nikolas didn’t take his eyes off Ally. “Nay, I will apply it, tis again, my fault for not watching the lass more closely. More scouts came upon her wandering in the woods. Pray now she realize the situation and not stray far from camp. War is not to be taken lightly.” He took the salve the wizard handed him as he explained what happened. Applying the honey like concoction on the abrasion
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The beast shook his head and Hagthoria hobbled over to it. Nikolas helped her up on the animal as she grunted in slight protest. Once firmly seated upon the beast, the horse turned around to face him. "Do tell the lad we shall return, until then, keep close watch. I will, with certainty, try my best not to allow the old hag to stop for a drink or three." Listening to the horse speak, Nikolas nodded his head in agreement. "Tis be a bit longer fur ours return, best be keepin ye's eyes on the succubus, I nay be trustin er. Keepin er's away frum the mens until we be returnin Nikolas, be best." The witch gave this warning, making Nikolas chuckle. With a quick nod and smile, he slapped the wizard on his hind end and they took off. Turning to go check on Ally, Nikolas met Caspian and Barreth coming out of the tent. Looking at Caspian, he asked how she was doing. "Her head felt cool as I let the wash sit for a moment, sir, I think she will be fine. I covered her well with some f
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Besides the rare utterings from Hagthoria as she bad mouthed Ally in her sleep, no other noise except soft snores and crackling embers filled the small camp. All of them were exhausted, but relieved, the battle had ended. The sun rose quickly, shining off the cool dew that blanketed the leaves and clung to their cloths by the fire. Vermanious was already awake, still in the form of a horse, munching on the sweet wet grass while Nikolas woke. Getting up, he walked over to where the old man was. “Goodmorn” he said stretching, looking through the trees at the sun peeking through. “Yes, it be right nice, though the cool nights will be getting longer soon.” Vermanious responded between chewing the vegitation. Nikolas just looked at him and laughed softly, as he patted his neck. “Never is it easy to be seeing ye like this and watchin ye speak old man.” Nikolas said nervously. The horse bobbed its head, “Trust, tis even funnier when the old witch and I be getting to the pub, I dare s
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Ally covered her smile and walked over to her horse. She had trouble when leaving the castle earlier, she had never mounted a horse on her own. “Let me help ye lass.” Nikolas said coming up behind her. She nodded, facing the saddle. “What made ye change yer mind?” He asked quietly. “I’m not sure. It’s crazy to think all the movies I’ve seen never prepared me for what this world is really like. Knowing that, it probably helped to change my mind. I will have to return home someday, but for now, without a job to go back to, I will just consider this a vacation, sort of.” She responded as he lifted her at the waist. Ally pulled herself up and looked down at Nikolas when she was seated. “Are you mad I stayed? Do you think I am crazy for staying?” She said smiling gently. He shook his head no in response. “What I be thinkin lass, is nothin to do with ye stayin or goin.” He was trying to hide his desire for her. Grabbing her small waist and lifting her up put images in his h
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“Well are ye ready lad?” He said watching Caspian who was now looking down at the field. “Umm..where’s Ally?” He asked turning to Nikolas. “Did she not say her farewells to ye last night lad? Did ye forget?” He responded walking over to the edge. “No, she didn’t say a word to me she wouldn’t be joinin us. She only asked how I was feelin and what would be the first thing I be doing when I can fly. There was nothin else.” Caspian said looking over at the castle. “I be not sure why she didn’t give her farewells then. She plans on waitin around for them to send her back, I’m sorry lad. She did say she will be missin ye though.” Nikolas relayed the words, not understanding why Ally didn’t say goodbye to Caspian. “I be figurin as much, she be nothing but a selfish devil, best she be goin back soon.” Hagthoria commented while she eavesdropped on their conversation. “Hush, old woman. She has a right to be wantin to return home, we cannot blame her for that.” Nikolas said, glancing
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His words sat heavy her heart. “I cannot tell you what kind of experience this has been for me. I still am trying to believe this is not a dream. I appreciate everything everyone's done, in their own way, to make me feel accepted. It breaks my heart to leave Caspian, he’s like the little brother I’ve never had.” Ally said, feeling at loss on how to react. “I am sure he will be missin yer company, tis certain.” Nikolas responded, feeling suddenly awkward. “And..I will miss him too.” She wasn’t sure what else to say. “I, ehm..am sure the rest of them will miss ye as well.” He almost let out that he would miss her, but he didn’t want to appear desperate. Ally nodded and stared at him. If he begged her to stay at that very moment, she knew she would say yes. “Umm..I do have a question that’s been bugging me. Why does Caspian need his parents so he can learn to fly? I mean, isn’t it as simple as flapping his wings?” Ally never had the chance to ask, so with the short silence bet
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Time to Part
Nikolas could understand where his friend was coming from. The loss of a loved one was never easy to move past. He was hopeful that Cutterson taking over the new Kings army would give him reason to live. “Ye cannot be blamin ye self, brother. The person responisible will be rotten in the dungeon until her last breath. Y can be sure of that. Now, I need ye to drag yer self back up proper. Those men need a good captain and I cannot think of another who has more reason to keep going forward then ye.” Nikolas kept his words convincing. The biggest fear he had was that Cutterson would reach a depressive state and take his own life. Nikolas had seen it happen too many times amongst the men. Being far from home, away from a dying loved one. No way to see them. “The captain is right. Ye be best for this. It will give ye a purpose.” Barreth commented, not sure how else to help convince him. Cutterson asked that they give him time to think on it more before the morning. It was already lat
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No Mourning
Ally was feeling torn. She wanted to object, and beg them to try, she wanted to go back home. A hot shower with normal body wash and real shampoo was something she missed. Her body wanted a face mask, and to file away the jagged edges that developed on her nails. Her stomach missed a cold beer with fried chicken and she needed a good night's sleep in her own bed, not a hot sweaty back from animal skins. Then thinking about Nikolas, Barreth and Caspian, she had grown close to them in such a short time, how could she leave. What she witnessed on the field below was a piece of history, for someone’s future, probably not even hers. She wanted to see Caspian fly, if she were to ever go home, she wanted to take that kind of memory with her. “I understand, but I really need to get back soon.” She really didn’t, unless you would name off her wants as needs. Other than herself, she didn’t have anyone. No job, no real friends, back in her time. “We understand lass, ye are welcomed to stay
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Without Decision
Nikolas felt without a doubt that the solution to the curse resided in the mountains. “We will head to Mt. Gelu come the morn. The lad had been cursed by a wee Fae up there, I’m sure of it.” He blurted out as he approached the camp fire. Barreth stood, “Are ye sure?” Nikolas nodded. “We first must see to the Kingdom Cap’n, then I will join ye on this trip.” Barreth said, feeling a bit concerned that they were rushing. “Aye, ye be right. I will speak with the King come the morn. For now, we will head back to the castle with the lad.” Nikolas said as he looked over at Ally by the fire. “The Fae generally don’t approach dragons. They have long lives themselves so I am unsure of what the purpose of the curse would have been for.” Vermanious said outloud. “Tis a simple reason. Our dragon has him a little fairy up there in the mountains that couldn’t bear the thought of him leavin her.” Nikolas chuckled as he walked over to stand by Barreth. “Oh? Ha ha, ye don’t say, how did ye come
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Obvious Truth
Barreth gave Nikolas an odd look and shook his head. “Lass, when ye done, we shall be headin to meet with the witch on the hill. Tis cooler, I will have a someone bring ye somethin, warmer, to wear then what ye have.” Nikolas called out from behind the door while thinking of the garment he was eyeing not moments ago. “Okay, that’s fine, thank you.” Ally responded in a rushed tone. Barreth could sense something happened before he had returned to his captain but decided it wasn’t worth visiting. Afte Ally was well dressed, the three of them were given horses from the stables. Even though it was dark, they would be fine riding as the field was already alit with bodies being burned. Halik opted to stay back to keep an eye on Cutterson. Nikolas hoped that Caspian was awake so he could be questioned about wandering the snowy mountains. If what he heard from the Scourts troops was true, they may be one step closer to getting the dragon well and flying. After riding for 30 minutes,
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No Answer
Not sure if going in unannounced was the right thing to do, Nikolas decided to try one more time. “Lass, I am about to enter. If ye aren’t decent, I cannot be held wrongly if ye don’t answer me.” He waited until the count of 10 in his head and turned the wooden latch on the door. Slowly opening the door, her peaked his head around. Ally was nowhere to be seen in the room. All that sat there was a a steaming wood basin. Nikolas opened the door further as he entered followed by Barreth. “She must be somewhere else in the castle.” Barreth commented as he stood by the door, scratching his black beard. “Go and see if ye can find her. Ask all the help and check and see if any horses are missing from the stables.” Nikolas said, standing next to him. “Cap’n, I do have a question before I go’s searchin. What if the lass be with the King? I dare not knock on his door in fear of losin me head, haha” Barreth asked, and the laughed because he truly thought it was possible. Swearing under hi
