Occupation of Shadows

[LucienMoonmist]

*waking in the infirmary, he rose slolwy. THe sharp pain which seemed to accompany him loyaly, ran through his gut as he stood. Not as fierce as it was in the weeks prior, but still it dogged him. By rights, he should be resting, should be allowing the cycle to perpetuate it's self.
He heard the call through the night and the other day within the garden. He felt the pulse of Nature descending into the embrace of Summer Swelters. He knew the buds were beginning to blossom. Their freedom pulled at his spirit nightly. Laying surrounded by cold stone, reagrdless of the warmth of friends, still left a chill on one's heart when a verdant embrace waited to welcome one. Moving silently through the hall to his chambers, he sat at the desk, pulling two pieces of parchment, he began to pen two letters.

"Good Sir Agustin,
Good sir, as ye had agreed upon many moons back now, I am seeking the clan of wolves who will patrol the shadowed passages of windstorm for the safety of it's inhabitants. They shall nae be seen, nor heard. It would be best if some meats were left at one of the openings from time to time. With your leave, I will take care of this myself.

Lucien"

Setting the first aside, he sighed softly as he picked up the second sheet of parchment and began to write.

"Good Lady Andrea,
This may come as a surprise, and I aplogise for it's abruptness, but I must return for a time to the woodlands. These walls are welcoming of love and warmth, but possess within them the chill of stone which settles uneasily upon my heart. I ask ye to nae worry or fret, I shall return shortly. My travel shall nae be unassisted. Till next my eyes pass across they radiant coutenance.

Lucien"

*nodding softly as he folds each paper in turn, he moves to his wardrobe, pulling out a travelling suit he had left here long ago, he changes from the robes of the infirmary.
Stepping lightly in soft soled boots, he grimaced lightly. As fine as the Elven material was, it still rubbed across his wrappings. Any touch caused a pain most unwelcoming. He moved to each room in turn, first Agustin's then Andreas, securing the notes to their doors. Pausing softly before Andreas, he moved back to the infirmary, grabbing his quiver, blades, bow and walking staff. Returning to the hall, he moved into a shadow cast by the torch light, movinghis fingers expertly, he found the catch which released one of the passages he had found long ago by accident. Closing it behind him, he slipped through the passages beneath the castle, till finally he appeared by the walls. Making sure the guard could nae see him in his earthen suit, he closed the passage and made off along the walls and finally into the welcomed shadows of the woodlands. He could feel the chill, sharp breeze rise to greet him, the boughs seeming to bend to lightly caress him in his slow passing. It was not long before a shadowed form appeared, then another. Several wolves appeared, happily moving to him. After a short while of assuring them and comforting them to his abscence, they began to walk with him into the woodlands. Indeed, it was a royal entourage if ever there was one.

[Admin]

Lucien

aye.. this can be done and meat can be left out for them.. I have but one request... make sure they do nae attack or harm any one of the Rangers or common folk that do patrol or travel in the woods. Let me know just how much meat thee need and I will see to it.

Agustin

[Lady Alexandreania (Andrea)]

~Andrea opened the door to her chambers, as she was about to pass thru a folded parchment it's corner stuffed into the space between two of the beams that create the sturdy door caught her eye. Taking it in her fingers she gestures to Cpl. Allan that she will be a few moments more stepping back into her chambers and closing the door. A puzzled look upon her face, as she unfolds the missive.~

~Looking to the signature to see who sent it first since she didn't recognize the writing, a smile comes to her lips, then fades a bit as she lifts her eyes reading thru the words written above the signature. Nodding as she reads his reasons for his departure understanding, tho wishing she could have done more for him to aid his healing. Just in this instance she could do no more than she had done. She was still too far from knowing what his kind were able to do for themselves in the enviroment that was truely a part of their life force. After all her promise to him to accept his decisions about his own health were meant truely and she would keep it. She had seen with her own eyes how just laying on the garden Lawn had strengthened him a bit.~

~But she wondered about this bit where he said his travel would not be unassisted. This brought her curiousity up. Who would he be travelling with?? And would they keep him safe while he was still weakened by his wounds?~

[LucienMoonmist]

*Slowly, he came upon the bent oak that he knew so well. Moving into the small clearing which surrounded it, he cast his eyes to the light filtering through the canopy of trees above him. His wolven escorts waited by the edge of the clearing, knowing this was his place, a place for the Elven. Moving towards the tree slowly, he let his fingers run along the bark, rough and edged. Finally, he came to the curl of the tree, the slow sloping bend which it formed naturally, almost as if it were falling over. This was the Tree of Marking, it was a place to record the fallen and to honor them. Kneeling beside it slowly, he sighed with the effort. His body was still weak, but his duty was clear. Pulling from a crook in the base of the tree a thin, finely crafted blade, he began to carve into this bend the names of those claimed by Glendarin. Slowly, he began to sing, a light, melodic tune ringed with sadness, a funeral song to those who'se names he carved.

As the day passed, he finished with the carvings, laying his back upon the tree. The wolves move about the clearing now, knowing it safe to enter, the spirits abated. Grinning, he began to drift into slumber as he gazed about the well kept clearing. For over four hundred years this clearing had been sheltered by Elf Magic, an unpierceable veil save those allowed to see through it. In that time, many Fae spirits had come to call it home. From the small pond to the branches of the tree it's self, the fae took careful and tender care of this clearing. And in this clearing, this day becoming night, he slumbered, his duty completed*

[LucienMoonmist]

*waking near the edge of midday's rise, he blinked, almost dreamily as the vapors of slumber slipped from his countenance. Looking to his wolven companions, he saw a moderately sized rabbit laying near him, waiting his meal. He grinned at this, rising to pick it up, placing it within his travel pack, wrapped in clother, for a later time when his appetite returned. Turning Eastward, he moved through the woods, his companions following and leading quietly.

He moved through the woods, his steps faltering slightly, slow awkward. He was not used to this manner of movement, the slow step, the faltering steps. Though still graceful by most creatures estimates. Shaknig his head, he continued until he came upon the cave he sought. Moving into it, his wolven companions straying about as they would, some lounging on nearby rocks in the sun. Knowing this cavern well, he knelt, strugglnig to push aside the rock which before he moved effortlessly. Wiping his brow from the esxertion, he pulled several cloth wrapped bundles from within the cache. Moving to sit against the chill wall of the cavern, he lazily began to secure the items to his pack. Realising this would be a burden to carry, and doubting once he returned that either his cousin or lady andrea would allow him to leave again, he pulled a few harnesses from the cache as well. He couldn't help but grin at the thought of Andrea, and of his reutrn and her more than likely scolding. His grin persisted as he harnessed two of the wolves, securing the wrapped bundles along the side. Testing them for weight, the wolves still moved easily enough. Nodding softly, he rose, exiting the cave to the welcome sunlight. Turning towards Windstorm, he nodded and gave a sharp growl. As he set off, the wolven entourage followed him to their new home.

[LucienMoonmist]

*He took a deep breath as he stood atop the hill overlooking Windstorm. It had taken him more days than he had thought to return. That was expected considering his diversion. Irregardless of his state, he could nae turn down one asking for aide. He had nearly paid for it dearly as well. Luckily for him, the Bandit's aim were poor and their guage of distance shoddy at best. His aim, was much better.

Now, he stood, tired, but satisfied with his journey. Mocving towards the castle fro mthe woods, the mid-day sun burned bright. Behind him, four large wolves moved to follow him from the woodlands. Following at his pace, two of them bearing harnessed loads as he moved towards the gates.

Already, his sharp ears could hear the shouts of guards. He grinned as he kept a steady approach. If nothing else, his return was to be memorable. Perhaps now he could begin to understand all of the mythos surrounding his race. Looking between the wolves, then to the bewildered humans on the parapet and about the castle who could see him, his grin widened into a smile as he advanced with his bundles in tow, his limp noticeably better, though still holding stubbornly.

[Lady Alexandreania (Andrea)]

~Andrea, working out in the paddock with one of the 2yr old Colts, that had recently been broken, but still stubbornly fighting the bit, as it reared up at the shouting that started coming from the outer walls. She had taken her attention from what she was doing to look up seeing the Guards pointing out over the walls toward the woods, She could hear the call of them from one tower to another. Lord Moonmist was returning, she missed the rest of what was being called out as she fell off the horse.~

~Letting out a stream of Russian, as Perran ran over and grabbed the reigns of the chestnut colt and pulled Him away from her, a look of worry on his face. Laying there a moment and catching her breath as she slowly took account of each of her limbs and except for a hurt pride found there was no injury. But knowing there would be a bruise to more than her pride come the morrow. Coming up to stand she looked over to Perran and saw the look of concern at which she then started laughing.~ "Ye see Perran? Even the best of riders get thrown."

~Brushing off her riding habit, she walked back over to the colt and remounted it, not wanting it to think that it had gotten the better of it's rider. Taking it around the paddock twice more not letting the animal get the upper hand again was enough to show that she was the one that was in control. With that done she halted the horse and dismounted the 21 hand high mount and turned to Perran.~ "That will be all for today Perran, Spaciba for ye help. Now I hae spoken to Good Man Paul and he says that ye chores be all caught up so after ye put Milestone up and feed him, ye may go out and train with Sienna if ye like." ~Smiling as she watches the huge grin threaten to crack the young face in two at her words.~

~She watched as Perran walked off with Milestone to cool him down, curry and feed him then walked out of the gate of the Paddock looking toward the Main Gates of the Walls that surrounded the Castle, watching in awe as her sea blue eyes caught Lucien coming toward the opened gates, looking much more fit if not weary, than when he had left tho limping still. She began to hurry forward to greet him but came to a sudden standstill. It was his companions that held her wide eyes as her breath caught in her throat. All her life she had been taught to fear wolves, that they were preditors that needed to be killed on sight or they would kill first. As Lucien and his entourage approached closer she began backing away.~

[LucienMoonmist]

*he turned his head, issuing a low growl and a series of yips to two of the wolves, who stopped and sat where they wer,almsot seeming to whine in protest. A quick look and a grin seemed to stop that idea sharp. Motioning two of the guards over, he explained to hem, as they cautiously approached, that he merely needed their help in the carrying of the items they carried inside. Also, he made point to mention they would nae be harmed by the wolves, as would anyone else.*

*the parcels being removed by his own person, and passed to the guards, who more than welcome the duty of bringing them to Lucien's quarters, it moved them fro mthe wolves. Crouching down, he unharnessed the two wolves, then nodded to them, speaking low. The two darted back towards the wood, the four pausing at the edge of the wood to let a howl issue towards him. This was joined in by the others within the wood. Then, as suddenly as they had appeared, they were gone.*

*Rising, he shouldered his pack, turned and moved into Windstorm proper. The wolves would return come the night, and there he would show them their duty here. Upon entering the castle, he say Andrea. He smiled softly, nodding to her, despite her fear. He reasoned the cause of it readily enough. He had seen it before* Ahh, good day good lady. I have missed ye.

[Lady Alexandreania (Andrea)]

~Andrea had halted her backward motion as her eyes never having left the wolves that had accompanied Lucien from the depths of the wood as he stopped at the gates and the gear that was attached to the wolves had been taken from them. She watched entranced as Lucien removed the harnesses that had secured the packs to the sides of the animals that they were given some kind of command and they turned back toward the woods and loped off.~

~Her retreating motion ceased at the turning of the wolves back out of the gates she then took a deep relieved breath and realized how ridiculous her fear had been if not natural, as Lucien had been in complete control of the beasts. With a genuine if not shakey smile on her lips she came forward again to greet Lucien as he came thru the gates and across the court yard she had to hurry again her steps and caught up to Him as he entered the Castle. ~

~His deep voice and handsome visage greeting her in return, as she curtsied to him.~ "Ahh, good day good lady. I have missed ye." ~His words warming her as she gazed up into his face seeing if his trip had truely been good for him. Her hand reaching out to take his arm as soft words spoke her own greeting back a happy welcoming smile swept across her lips and sparkling in her eyes.~ "Greetings to ye and Welcome home Milord Lucien. Ye do know how to arrive with the most drama do ye nae? Ye as well have been greatly missed. It be strange to me to see wolves working in concert with people but then Ye be oft times a cunundrum for me anyway."

~Chuckling softly.~ "Do come and rest at the hearth and tell me that ye be well and hae nae strained yeself to far beyond endurance in your travels, even if it nae be the truth. I take it that ye companions that came with ye were the assisted aid ye spoke of in ye missive? " ~A tinge of rose colors her cheeks as her mind flies back to what her mind had imagined the aid would have consisted of and was glad she had spoken to no one of her imaginings.~

[LucienMoonmist]

*he smiled as she took his arm, moving his to embrace hers as they walkedinto the hall and towards the hearth* Aye good Andrea, I did nae stree myself anymore than was needed or accepted, I assure ye. *looking over his shoulder towards the woods once more, he nodded as he gaze to her, his eyes sparkling softly* Aye, I have known them for many a year now. In the woodlands, ye could ask for nae better accompanyment. *he noticed the hinting to her cheeks, his eyebrow raised slightly in question at it*

[Celia]

There were times it was maddening to be so ignored. As a child, she were ooohed and ahhhed over "Och, what a pretty bairn, jusa lookit her pretty little frocks, her rosy cheeks . . jus a dolly, she be!" But she were in that awkward stage, in between childhood and becoming a woman. Easily overlooked, easily ignored, not a pretty thing any longer, all angles and gracelessness and not yet grown into the body she felt often felt a stranger in.

She smiled. Yet it made it easy at times to observe what others could not. Quietly gathering the crusted dishes that set about the room, moving to dust the furniture, obscured by her aprons and bonnet and duties. She were careful to not overhear what was not hers to hear, yet sometimes they simply did not see her, it wasn't really her fault. No, it wasn't.

She'd been simply wandering, stretching aching limbs, enjoying the time outside, not really caring where her spindly legs had carried her. She'd heard the sounds of steel upon steel, and her simple curiosity had drawn her. Someone was always in those pits, it seemed. Heard the voices, recognized each, as she often did so with voices even more than faces. Eyes kept discretely upon one's tasks were less likely to meet contact, less likely to be noticed, less likely to be remembered. Voices were more open to memory. She knew these two without having to creep near enough to see them.

What would the Lady Andrea think if she knew he were in there? The woman seemed to have taken a great interest in the man who ran with wolves. Fussed over his woundings. She would chide him, surely! Not only not resting, but sparring? And with such a challenge as this one, the King's own personal guard?

She only smiled to herself. SHE wasn't going to tell. Oh no, she would never. But she hoped she were near when the lady would find out. She would, too, she would. She seemed to know everything that went on in the castle. It was curious, but somehow she did. She would find out he were not resting as he'd been ordered to do so, and Celia hoped she would be blithely about some menial task in the shadows so's see could watch the sparks fly when the Lady pressed him to explain.

[LucienMoonmist]

*He awoke gently, his blue eyes casting a gaze about the morning lit room. Sitting slwoly, he winced as the pain shot through him. Yes, it was more severe since his spar last eve with good lady Siya. He had spent more time rolling than he did standing in that spar. She was good, much better than he remembered.

He had heard the guards speaking of her defeat at his blade. He merely shook his head as they muttered it over between them. He remembered Siya before she was the King's guard. Back when she was just learning to hold a blade. Regardless of what others thought of her, to him, she was the lady first, then the king's guard.

Moving down to the hall, he knew without doubt that Andrea would know of his match last eve. The whisperings of the guard were to strong for her to not. So, in the garden he waited. Pulling a length of wood from the pack upon his shoulder, he pulled a sharp knife from his belt and began to move the blade over the wood. A purpose which only he knew*