Author Note:
Now I am going to surprise you all with something completely different. This is why I have disappeared for the past few months. This is the first fic in the series, there are three other after it, and currently I am writing the third one so there is plenty for you to nom on while I continue writing. Enjoy.
Part 1:
His new room was blue. Not the sort of blue he had hoped for, but the soft sky blue which made him feel calm. Already servants had began to arrange his belongings in an orderly way, littering the shelves with books he had long forgotten about. Leaving, he began to explore the new confines of the abode and find potential hiding places. Being the second eldest son meant he was supposed to be more mature and focussed on bringing his family fortune and prestige, but right now all he cared about was leisure and exploration. Maps of the world had adorned his old room, covered with tiny dots where he had marked his own travels. However Kyralia was his home, where he was always drawn to, and this is where he belonged. Due to a disastrous exploit in trading, they had lost status and money and had to move to a less prominent place in the city. The towering three story house opposite had also fared similar consequences but from a worse scandal. Vara of the family Tirrel, House Korin had a habit of seducing younger men, and had disgraced the whole family's status when she had seduced the King's cousin. Despite this, his mother had insisted their family come meet theirs at the evening party they had planned. He knew little else of the family and didn't particularly care as tonight he hoped to sneak away and hide in his room. Feigning illness wouldn't work as his aunt – who he had been assured would turn up – was a Guild magician and would expose him. Thankfully two years before, at the age most are tested for magic, his aunt had found no magical talent within him and he hadn't followed her up to the Guild. My Father would love a magician for a child. I am just glad it is not me. Now at seventeen, even if he did mysteriously show signs of magic, he was probably too old to join. At least I hope so. I don't want to go anywhere near it. Around him servants were busy moving more things into rooms, whilst others placed them away, and even more of them ran round cleaning and setting things up for the evenings gossiping. His mother had excused herself and had gone shopping with his sister, and his father had disappeared completely. So he was left all on his own, wandering their busy home. Exiting to the garden, Lirren smiled broadly. His last home had a small garden, as the house had been extended lavishly by the occupants before them. This house however had a wide garden filled with a small selection of blooming flowers, each sending their scent towards him. Outside reminded him of the various places he had been, of the days spent exploring the towns and standing by the sea, watching the ocean roll backwards and forwards. Maybe there are some hiding places here I can sneak off to. He mused. Walking amongst the neatly kept gardens, he searched for any sign of hidden places. Around the edge of the premise, scattered trees confined him in and acted as a natural border to the house opposite. Running his hand along the rough bark of the trees as he passed slowly, he stopped suddenly. A favourable gap between the trees offered a limited view of beyond and a near impossible way to enter or exit. Peering in closer he saw a small enclosed area surrounded by trees. The perfect hiding place. Scrambling inside, Lirren eyed the area with glee and peered through the gaps to look around. One offered a view into the next garden, a lusciously kept garden dominated by a large pink blossomed tree in the far corner. Hearing footsteps, Lirren scrambled away and peered back into his own garden. A loud shrieking voice told him that his mother and sister had returned, but he decided to stay in his new found hiding place. I'll go back in a little while. This place is too peaceful.
"What are you doing here?" Came an accusing voice.
"Ah! Uh... Well I was just... Exploring." Lirren jumped surprised, and turned to face his accuser. He breathed out in relief to find it wasn't the owner of the adjacent property, but a young lady.
"Well this isn't your garden." She frowned at him sternly. "Please leave."
"But surely this is claimed by both our houses?" He interjected quickly and pointed to his house. "I live there. Just moved in today." Looking around thoughtfully, he smirked. "And considering the usefulness of the privacy here, I am guessing you wouldn't want anyone else finding out about it." He saw her blue eyes flash with worry, then glare at him fiercely.
"Fine, but will you at least get off my books." She hissed at him, glancing down Lirren found an array of books under his feet. Very carefully he stepped off them and picked them up.
"Sorry." He said apologetic and handed them to her.
"Thank you." She said coldly and began to brush the dirt from them. Turning to a tree she cracked open the bark and placed the books inside. Peering over Lirren saw that the tree was hollow and provided adequate space for items.
"Do you come here often then?" He pried.
"And why would that be of any concern to you?"
"Just wondering." Lirren shrugged. "And you shouldn't be so mad at me, I didn't know this place was yours or anything."
"It was not the fact that you blundered through my hiding place, but the fact you were carelessly standing all over my books as if they were nothing."
"Hey, well it's not like books are that important and stuff. You should bring friends here to enjoy it... You do have friends right?" Lirren yelped as a stone flew past his head. "Never mind... How about I make up for it!" He pleaded quickly. "Yeah, I have heaps of books that I don't read, and maybe you'll like them."
"Why would you do that?" She asked suspiciously.
"To say sorry? Especially cause we are neighbours and all, plus I am guessing you'll be coming to the stupid party tonight and I'd rather not have to avoid more flying objects, even more so because there will be sharp implements and I don't think it'd be very fruitful." He blurted out in a ramble.
"You don't wanna go either, huh?"
"No not really." Lirren said watching her carefully. "I like the parties that have dancing and such."
"Well my plan was to hide out in here after escaping out when nobody is looking. Maybe you can join me if you can get away."
"And why would you do that for me?"
"No-one should go to these horrible things unless they want to." She said disgusted. "I had better go now, before my mother has my neck." With a small smile, she turned and left softly. What was with her? Lirren sighed heavily. Pleased with finding a hideout, Lirren climbed back into his garden and made his way back to the house happily.
"Ah Lirren, there you are. The servants have finished with your room so you can go and get ready for later." His mother called.
"Now?" He frowned, "but it doesn't start for a while."
"Only an hour, now quick. I've had the servants lay out something nice for you that I bought earlier." With a grumble, Lirren ascended the stairs to his room, which now looked a lot less dishevelled and instead looked boring. I'll sort that later. He told himself, then looked at what his mother had chosen for him to wear. A black suit lay across the bed, adorned with a white waistcoat. Plain and safe. Yet again my mother has chosen something bland and boring so I won't stand out and all the attention will go to my brother. I'm just glad I won't be there at all. Changing swiftly, he donned his new clothes and looked himself over in the mirror. The waistcoat seemed to serve no purpose other than restrict his breathing, but he kept it on to please his mother. Grabbing a comb he tidied his dark hair with a few brushes and ruffled it slightly. No matter what anyone says, I am not looking slick and groomed like the other children who follow their parents commands like brain dead limek. His door opened with a loud click, and in stepped his father. Giving him a quick look, he nodded with approval and looked his son in the eye.
"The guests will arrive shortly. I have heard that our neighbours have a young daughter who is unmarried, so please be nice to her."
"Is that all you know of her?"
"Not quite." A sideways smile appeared on his face as he continued. "I have also heard that she is very stubborn and her parents are eager to marry her off. I'm sure you'll cope."
"And if I don't like her?"
"That'd be... unfortunate. Now you should make a good first impression, so wait outside for their carriage." Obediently, Lirren left and waited outside for the carriage.
Rain threatened to fall from the sky and he pleaded mentally that it not rain before he had gone back inside. It was not long before the carriage arrived, gold inlay curled around the framework, and the incal of the House Korin displayed vibrantly on the door. As the servants opened the door, the passengers began to exit, and seeing the young lady from earlier he walked closer to her. Her light brown hair fell in curls freely down her back, and her form was complimented with a sky blue dress framed in a white ribbon. You could lose her against the colour of my walls.. He mused.
"I have been asked to escort you inside." Lirren said extending his arm to her. Begrudgingly she wrapped her arm through his and entered with him.
"You aren't going to escort me round all night are you?"
"And what if I do?"
"I am not sure just yet... And that itself is scary."
"Is it now. Well then maybe I should escort you all night." Lirren said deciding. "I have heard you are stubborn." He grinned knowingly.
"And I have heard that you are a-" Lirren pulled them to a stop as they entered the main guestroom. Food had been served and placed on tables around the room in the recent fashion of the Houses. The food was wrapped up in small packages and carefully prepared and was accompanied with the finest wine the family could afford. Guests mingled around carefully sampling food, and Lirren soon found his arm empty. Fortunately she hadn't escaped far as his father had stopped to talk to her, and as Lirren approached his father re-introduced him to her.
"This is my son Lirren." He nodded. "Lirren, this is Carrea of the family Tirrel."
"Nice to make your acquaintance."
"And yours." Carrea muttered in return.
"Now please excuse me, I have other guests to meet." Lirren stepped aside as his father walked past and went to greet the other people who flocked through the door. Looking out the window, droplets of water splashed heavily against the glass.
"Looks like you can't escape anywhere." He chuckled and pointed outside.
"Neither can you."
"I've come to think I would rather stay in here."
"And why is that?" Smiling, Lirren didn't answer and took hold of her arm. From across the room, he spotted a pair smiling at him. Unnerved, he frowned as the woman closer to greet him.
"Good evening," they said still smiling, "I see that-"
"You cannot leave me alone for one moment." Carrea growled beside him, and strode off away from them.
"I take it you are her mother?" Lirren asked warily.
"Yes, I am Vara." The mother said nodding.
"Does... she always do that?"
"Yes, don't mind her. I am just glad you are interested in her, now you should take her outside cause that will calm her down."
"Err... It's raining."
"Never mind that, just walk along the veranda instead." With a slight push, Vara directed him nearer to Carrea. Lirren sighed deeply and tried to escape, but he could feel her expectant eyes boring into his back. Continuing over to Carrea, she turned and glared at him, then began to stride off again. Quickly intercepting her, he took her arm once again and quickly led her to the garden door.
"Before you protest, I'm taking us outside so we can escape the politics in there." Lirren said hastily. Stepping out onto the veranda, the din of the party inside was muted and Lirren could finally think for himself. "There, now I can finally move freely." He sighed happily. Carrea had wandered off down the garden and had stopped by a bush which held blossoming red flowers. Curiously Lirren followed and stopped beside her. "Do you like them?"
"They are my favourite." She whispered with a small smile on her face.
"Here," Lirren said and bent over to pull one of the flowers off. Reaching up to Carrea's hair he tucked a piece of hair behind her ear, then slipped the flower behind it.
"Thank you." She replied shyly and looked away embarrassed. Turning back quickly, she frowned at him. "But why did you do that?"
"Don't be so hostile!" He yelped surprised. "I don't get why-"
"Because I know exactly what you are trying to do. It happens every time at these parties."
"I'm not trying to do anything! I mean they all want me to but they are forcing me!" As Carrea opened her mouth to interrupt him he shushed her. "Wait a minute! How about if... I know, I will try my best to stop their meddling and stuff and won't do anything false, if you stop being so hostile."
"Fine."
"Good, cause I have never met anyone so-"
"You would be too if your parents were constantly trying to marry you off to any man who is in the vicinity." She hissed.
"Well I don't like arranged marriages either. But so long as I keep up this pretence you are free from that." He shrugged and looked at her carefully. No wonder she seems so lonely if all the men that go near her are potentially trying to marry her.
"And why would you do that?"
"Because you seem lonely... And it's not fair." He replied softly.
"Thank you." She whispered quietly.
"Now," he smiled and looped his arm through hers again, "which other flowers do you like in the garden?"
"Uhh..."
"Oh don't mind me." He nodded. "I do it all the time. And it will help if our parents look out of the window."
"Oh ok then. Well..." She said looking around. "That one is from Lan, the blue one. We had one a little while ago, but they hate Kyralian winters."
"Which one?"
"That one." She pointed.
"I can't see it."
"This one." Carrea said pulling him closer. "It's the only blue one here!" Lirren chuckled at her which gained him an unfavourable glare. "You already knew which one it was."
"And what if I did?" He smirked pleased. Reaching into the bush, Carrea grabbed a handful of leaves and threw them at him, then grinned triumphantly. Lirren looked at her blankly and flinched as she reached back to grab more leaves. Instead of throwing more however, she cried out painfully. Red drops of blood splattered her dress as her hand retreated, palm slashed with deep tooth marks.
"What happened!" He said alarmed.
"I was bitten." Carrea cried, holding her hand protectively. Looking into the bush, Lirren saw a frightened sevli hidden within the foliage.
"It was a sevli." He said surprised, "we must find my aunt quick before the poison spreads too much." Taking hold of her shoulders, Lirren pushed her towards the door in a hurry, glancing warily at her hand which was stained with blood. Bursting through the door in a flurry, the guests looked at them both in surprise. "Where is Lya?"
"I'm here." Lya called and walked over quickly. "What happened?"
"She was bit by a sevli." Lya frowned, then led them both out of the guestroom and into the adjacent dining room.
"Sit," she smiled at Carrea, then turned to Lirren. "Can you get a bowl of water and a cloth please?" Nodding, Lirren hurried to the kitchen and summoned a servant to fetch the water and cloth. The servant looked at him warily, but did as he asked reluctantly. Returning with the items, he saw that Carrea's dress had turned more red and her arm was whiter than normal. "Thank you." Lya said and quickly got to work washing the wound and Healing the bite. I am glad that Lya turned up after all. I wouldn't like to have gone to the Guild. A shudder of distaste ran through him, mixed with gratitude. Slowly he saw the open wounds close over and leave a red scar. Lya looked at the hand carefully and then nodded. "That should be fine now, the poison will just flush out of your body. But you should not use the hand too much in case you re-open the cuts."
"Thank you." Carrea said amazed. "I've never seen Healing before." She looked at her hand in surprise and awe. "I'd love to be able to do that."
"Have you been tested for magical talent?"
"No, I haven't."
"Well then, let me test you." Lya smiled. Reaching out for her hand, she closed her eyes for a few moments then opened them again. "Yes, you do. You can join the Guild." Lirren felt an uneasy twinge in his stomach which made him frown slightly. Why would I care if she joined the Guild.. He thought confused. From the doorway came Vara stumbling tipsily.
"What have you gone and done now?" She slurred slightly.
"She was bit by a sevli, but Lya has Healed her now." Lirren explained.
"I have magical talent." Carrea smiled at her mother. "I can-"
"You aren't joining the Guild." Vara said firmly, leaving them all speechless. "You should go home and change."
"Yes Mother." She nodded and left the room, shortly followed by Vara.
"That's a shame." Lya said after a few moments, "what wasted talent." Lirren nodded at her, unsure what to say. "So," she grinned at him. "Are you going to tell me what you were doing out there in the first place?"
Lirren shrugged, "I took her out there to calm down."
"Is that all?" She teased, "cause I think you like her more than you think."
"What?" He frowned confused, "I'm only playing pretence for my father, that is all. I barely know her."
"I saw the way you were looking at her earlier..."
"You are crazy, dear aunt." Lirren rolled his eyes and walked off back to the guestroom.
More people had arrived and the room was flooded with many colours. Taking some food and placing it carefully on a plate, Lirren wandered off to find somewhere relatively quiet. At one end of the room seats had been arranged and he eagerly took one and began to eat. He was pleasantly surprised when the first package of food he bit into was full of harrel, leaving a warm meaty taste lingering in his mouth. Looking up, a familiar figure stood nearby dressed extravagantly in a bright white dress. Lirren almost choked on his food, and quickly tried to slip away.
"Lirren!" She screeched at him.
"Oh, hello Lassia." He said stopping and turned to her.
"Is that the only thing you have to say?" She pouted and pushed her chest outwards slightly.
"What are you doing here?" Lirren cringed and looked around the room for a distraction.
"Oh, did I surprise you." She grinned and fluttered her eyelashes. "Well we left Elyne early so I could attend this party of yours. It is very important to me, and I even bought this beautiful new dress from Capia for today. Do you like it?"
"It's... Uh, lovely."
"You're not even looking!" She hissed at him. "Why are you not looking?"
"I am just... trying to-" He mumbled distractedly, still trying to find an escape from her.
"I don't believe you! I've only been gone a few months and you've stopped caring about me." She whined and ran off. Sighing deeply, Lirren grabbed the nearest glass of wine and drank it eagerly. Lassia's screeching voice still rang in his head. Lassia had ran off to his father and Lirren could see her shaking her head furiously in disbelief as she didn't get her own way. Storming back over to him, he could see tears falling from her eyes and her face was bright red in anger.
"You are horrible! Tell me! Which one is she! Tell me!"
"Excuse me?"
"Carrea! Who is she!"
"She's..." Scanning the room, he saw Carrea had returned and now wore a lavender dress. "Over there." He pointed to her, still in shock by Lassia's outburst. Seeing who he meant, Lassia turned around violently and charged over to her. Realising what she was going to do, Lirren ran after her, but was stopped by a distant relation.
"Be careful Lirren, or you'll spill our wine." He hissed at him.
"Sorry." Lirren apologised quickly then slipped away. Lassia had caught up with Carrea and was screaming at her. Carrea just shrugged off her words and returned to eating, ignoring Lassia. Furious, Lassia slapped her across the face and smirked smugly. Irritated by the woman, Carrea grabbed her glass of wine and threw the contents all over her white dress. Lassia let out an inhuman cry and ran off crying over her spoilt dress. Lirren watched highly amused at the situation and tried his hardest not to burst out laughing.
"Was that really necessary?"
"Yes. It was." Carrea replied in a controlled voice. "You lied to me."
"What? How?" Carrea didn't answer and walked out in the opposite direction. Lirren stood dumbfounded, wondering what had just gone on.
"You don't seem to be having good luck with women tonight Lirren." His father commented.
"No, I don't." He sighed. "What did you say to Lassia?"
"She asked if you had found another woman, and I told her you had and were betrothed."
"What? But we're not!"
"Not right this moment, but I was hoping you would settle that later tonight, and I did not want her to get in the way of that." His father nodded.
"And now you angered both of them." Lirren said sullenly and followed after Carrea. The garden door swung on its hinges as the wind blew through gently, and Lirren exited it, hoping Carrea had gone outside. Looking around the gardens he saw no trace of her, no benches were occupied and no sounds were heard. As he scanned round the outside faint mumbles floated in the wind. Approaching the hiding place from earlier, he found Carrea standing between the trees trying to climb over.
"Are you stuck?"
"Go away! I can do it on my own."
"You don't look like you can, your foot-"
"I can do it."
"Very well." Lirren stood watching for a few minutes as she struggled to release herself from the tree's grip. "Here let me-"
"No!" She growled at him. Ignoring her, he reached down and held her leg gently. "Get off me!" Pushing her leg upwards, it was freed and Carrea could continue climbing through. Lirren didn't let go of her leg and she twisted round angrily. "Will you let go of me! It is very rude to-"
"I'm not letting go until you listen to me."
"I don't want to know! I truste-"
"It was my father-"
"It's still not true!"
"I know! And I am angry too!" He shouted angrily.
"There I listened, now let me go." Glaring at her, he pushed her leg through the gap, making her topple over. "Very kind of you." She said trying not to cry. Standing hastily she hurried through into her garden, leaving Lirren standing unamused. Not wanting to rejoin the party, he took a seat and looked up at the darkened cloudless sky. The rain passed quickly... For that I am glad. I cannot go back in there, not after all this. A scream interrupted his thoughts suddenly, and he dashed through the gap in the trees into the next garden. Along the path he saw Carrea standing looking pale and shaken.
"What's wrong?" He asked standing beside her.
"That wasn't me..." She said quietly and looked about warily. Another scream pierced through the air sending shudders down Lirren's spine. Carrea jumped scared and retreated closer to him, grabbing hold of Lirren's arm.
"It sounded like it came from the road." He said looking down at Carrea. Realising what she was doing, Carrea blushed furiously and let go, then headed towards a gate in the wall. "Wait! Where are you going?"
"To see what's going on, someone might be in danger."
"No! You might get hurt!" Carrea carried on out of the gate nonetheless and looked out onto the road. Following, Lirren couldn't see anyone, nor hear anything around them. Footsteps banged against the cobbled road as a man ran down and took hold of Carrea. In his hand he held a bloodied knife which was held close to her neck. His other hand was clamped over her mouth firmly. The man looked at Lirren warily and seemed to think for a moment.
"Let go of her." He told the attacker.
"I want money." Came a heavily accented voice.
"Let her go!"
"100 gold! Then I release your pretty lady friend."
"I don't have-" the man pressed the knife harder and a thin line of blood appeared on Carrea's neck. "Stop it. I'll find something.. But how can I trust you won't hurt her anyway."
"You can't." He grinned. "Now go." Lirren stood firmly, unsure what to do. From the side he heard hushed voices and suddenly a flash of magic hit the attacker. The magic dissipated through him and Carrea cried out as it hit her also. The attacker fell paralysed, and the knife slid dangerously against Carrea's neck spilling more blood. A flash of brown crossed his vision and he caught Carrea as she fell. Taking her weight, the man in brown lowered her to the floor and began to heal her.
"You are lucky we were nearby." An older man in purple robes told him.
"... Thank you." Lirren replied in shock. "I didn't know what to do."
"You're welcome. I've called the Guard to deal with this man." Nodding to him, Lirren walked over to Carrea and the younger man.
"This is the second time I have been Healed tonight." She giggled.
"Not having the best night then?" The younger man chuckled and wiped the blood away from her neck.
"No, not really." She grinned in reply.
"There." He said putting the cloth away. "Now you should sleep away the fatigue and shock, and you should be fine."
"Thank you." Carrea replied after being helped back up. "Thank you so much, Lord..."
He chuckled at her, "not Lord quite yet, I'm still a novice. I'm Dorrien."
"Thank you, Dorrien." She said smiling at him.
"You're welcome." He said letting go of her hand. "Now go and rest. Goodnight."
"Goodnight." She replied and walked back towards her house.
"Are you sure you are ok?" Lirren asked her worriedly. Glancing behind them, he saw the magicians surrounding the attacker. Seeing Carrea stumble slightly, he took hold of her arm to support her.
"I won't let you fall." He told her gently as they neared the front door.
"Good, cause I am feeling faint." She replied holding onto him. Finding a bench, Lirren pulled her down in a swift motion.
"Rest here a moment then." Closing her eyes, Carrea sat and took deep breaths, letting them out gently. Glancing at her neck, Lirren could see no trace of where the knife cut her, only a smudge stain of blood. Looking back at her face, Lirren was met by blue eyes.
"You aren't going to say I told you so are you?"
Smirking, Lirren tried to sound serious, "well really I should seeing as you ran out there despite my warnings, which in fact came true. But I won't, I am glad you are safe."
"Thank you."
"Do you think you can stand up again?"
"Eager to leave?" She said with a scared expression.
"No." He smiled, "but this cold wind will freeze you. You'll be safer indoors."
"Yes..." She whispered and stood up carefully. A blast of wind whistled past, sending bouts of shivers through them both. Carrea winced scared, and Lirren felt something twist inside him.
"It's ok." He said standing and resting his hands on her arms. "You are safe now."
"I know... but I-" the rest of her sentence was drowned by her tears and Lirren pulled her close.
"You've had a big scare, no wonder you are frightened." He soothed her. "Go inside."
"Will you come with me?" She asked him in a small voice.
"Of course." He smiled at her, and guided her inside. The inside of the Tirrel household was similar to his own, and the rooms echoed the same design. Walking into a smaller room nearby, Carrea sat down on a long cushioned sofa burying herself within the soft comfort. Her hand still held his arm however, and she looked up expectantly. "Do you... want me to stay?" As she nodded slightly, he sighed, but didn't complain. It's strange being depended upon... Especially as she was so hostile. It's like she is a vulnerable child under a mask of maturity. I just hope she falls asleep soon, or I will never make it to my own bed. Gently, Lirren sat down next to her, and froze as she rested against his arm.
"Thank you." He heard her mumble slightly. Time dragged on sluggishly as they sat in silence, both absorbed within their thoughts. Soon Lirren could hear heavy breathing, and turning slightly, he saw Carrea had fallen asleep.
"... You just can't keep your hands off them can you?" Came a masculine voice from the main door.
"I was only having a little bit of fun." Returned Vara defiantly.
"That's what you always say!"
"Enough! I am retiring to bed." Lirren heard someone walking closer, so he carefully looked out of the doorway.
"Lirren? What are you doing- ah. That is where Carrea got to."
"She got into some trouble a little while ago, she was stabbed by an attacker."
"And you saved her?"
"No, not quite, but she didn't want me to leave."
"I'm surprised she trusts you this much." He said amazed. "I have never seen her act like this."
"Do you have a blanket for her.. cause I really should get back now."
"Yes, just a moment." A few minutes later he returned with a thin blanket draped over his arm. "Here you go. The servant will lock the door after you leave, goodnight Lirren."
"Goodnight." Lirren replied quietly, trying not to disturb Carrea. Gently edging away, he slowly rested Carrea's head down on a pillow and lay the blanket over her. Bending down he pulled the blanket down and whispered goodnight to her. Carrea's eyes fluttered open slightly and she frowned at him.
"What are you doing?" She slurred sleepily.
"Shhh." He whispered and stroked her cheek. "Go back to sleep." As Carrea closed her eyes once again, Lirren stood up and smiling he returned back to his own house.