If someone had been going through the forest that day they would have been
in for a surprise. While all the elves were practicing archery and magic in
the village, deep in the forest, one wasn't.
Blond hair was held back in a ponytail and red eyes flashed in the light
filtering through the leaves. But instead of robes or a lighter garb this
elf wore heavy leather armor. Some would assume that he was wearing it to
train himself to become a stronger archer.
Then they would see the sword held in his hands and eyebrows would lift and whispering would begin.
This elf knew all this. Knew that he was a disgrace to elves, unless he could prove otherwise in his style of fighting. Of course that was why he was here, deep in the dark forest, away from the disapproving eyes of his kin.
He swung the sword again, twisted and turned, stabbed and blocked, moving as if dancing, graceful and deadly. Any other warrior would have been proud to make place in their ranks for him, but he was to never know this.
No. Better he be discouraged to act like this and take on an elvish form of fighting, something acceptable and proper.
It would soon be time for his trials and the other elves were hoping he would take the hint and leave the sword to others. Even his friends were backing away from him or had already left.
Wondering where this ambition came from.
But the elf had looked at the spell books and the bow and turned away. The sword was his weapon and the only one that drew him to succeed. It commanded his respect and he would learn all that he could to deserve the respect he gave it in return.
His name was Celtic and this day was special.
He never heard them approach, so absorbed in his thoughts and movements, and therefore never stood a chance. They caught him unawares and before he knew it he was hit by the spell. The spell every free elf feared.
The spell of the Card. He tried to fight it, but was laughed at. He felt the binding spell capture a part of his soul, dragging it out of him bit by bit. He was caught and he knew it, so did the slavers. No one knew exactly what the slavers were; they wore cloaks always and stayed in the shadows. Appearing only to capture unsuspecting people and turn them into cards to be sold to those who would use them without care or compassion in the dreaded Shadow games.
But that wasn't what was on Celtic's mind as he was lead away into the cart, no, what bothered him was that the other elves wouldn't come after him. His obsession with the sword had pushed them all away and now he was truly alone, with no hope.
Tired from the practice and the brief but pointless fight with the slavers he was exhausted. He let his head fall and ignored them as they led him away from his home.
Dark walked beside his friend Gaia in the bright sunlight. The only reason he was here was because his fellow Magicians had demanded that he go out and relaxed. Gaia, who always thought that the magician needed to get out more, was only too happy to grab the opportunity to drag his friend off to the market. They both left the Palace, which housed both the barracks and the Tower, and entered the main city, heading to the market.
There was an easy silence between the two old friends and they were content just to walk right now. It was Gaia, who was used to the ways of the inner city, who first noticed that something wasn't right. The market was unusually crowded with an uneasy air hanging over everything, and the two went to investigate. When they got to the edge they grew even more concerned.
"Gaia? Is this normal?" The Magician didn't like the looks of this.
"No, my friend. Usually you could walk through the market and I don't recall anything being scheduled for today." He shook his head thinking back to the talk of the other warriors. They usually knew everything that was going on in the city. How else to chose which days you wanted off?
" Something is not right." The knight frowned and used his bulk to get to the front of the crowd, Dark following close behind him. What they found there disgusted them.
The slavers were at it again. Trying to sell their wares in the city. Only Dark wondered what made them so bold as to go against the laws of this city in daylight. Then he saw 'him' and understood. They only had one cage on display and within that cage was the most beautiful sight he had seen.
A blond elf with gorgeous crimson eyes that flashed in the light of the sun. He sat there glaring at all who approached, but he couldn't do anything with the slaver holding his card. He looked like he had been starved and beaten. Dark couldn't stand it. There was fire in those eyes and he would not see it destroyed by such as these if by anything. He didn't know why but he wanted to protect this elf.
He stormed over to the slavers and saw their surprise at a Magician in their midst. He felt Gaia behind him and that reassured him. No one would mess with a Knight in his home. He pointed to the elf and spoke in a clear and dangerous voice.
"That elf. You will give me his card, right this minute." He held out his hand and when the slavers hesitated, Gaia came forward and grabbed the nearest slaver and threw him into the crowd where a few people promptly went after him.
"I don't think you heard my friend quite clearly. He wants the card, now hand it over, before there is more trouble." One slaver came forward.
"Of course good sir, but there is a price-"
"There is no price on freedom." Dark shouted and used his magic to blast the slaver holding the elf's card. He grabbed the card and Gaia grabbed the elf, which had just been watching the whole scene looking mildly interested.
They both fled the scene, but not before Gaia had grabbed a soldier and told him to inform the Free Cards what was going on. Dark knew that they would take care of the Slavers, permanently, if they had their way.
The Free Cards served because they wished to and did not enter a Shadow Game unless they wanted to, unlike captured Cards, which had to obey whomever bought them.
They entered the Palace and walked to the Tower, ignoring the looks Gaia with the elf slung over his shoulder brought, not stopping until they reached Dark's series of rooms. Dark collapsed into one of the chairs in the main room and watched as Gaia set the quiet elf on his feet and stood by him.
The elf looked over at Dark and he felt something flutter inside him, as those eyes seemed to measure and assess who he was. He wondered what the elf thought and why he cared?
For his part, Celtic was wondering what was going on. He had been beaten and abused for weeks and then been brought to this city to be sold, only to be rescued by this violet clad Magician and the Knight. Only he wasn't sure what was to happen now and if he had any control. The Magician still held his card and the Knight blocked his way out, but neither seemed inclined to hurt him at the moment.
Since neither seemed ready to answer his questions he studied the room he was in. Everything was done in shades of blue and purple and was quite cozy. There were four stuffed chairs, one of which the magician occupied, a thick carpet under his feet, curtains on a full-sized window that looked like it led to a balcony and a large table in one corner. There were also two other doors besides the one they had entered.
'Nice place. I could get used to it, as long as I'm allowed outside.'
It was the Knight who finally broke the silence.
"Well Dark, what do we do with him now?" The magician sighed.
"I'm not sure Gaia. I want him to be free, but I'm also worried that he'll be caught again, besides, I don't know how to break the spell of the Card, no one does."
"Free sounds good." Thought Celtic.
"We'll, get the Free Cards to teach him how to Duel. He's an elf so you could probably teach him magic, or someone in the barracks can take him to the archery range." Celtic finally spoke up.
"Now, hold on a minute. I thank you for saving me and if you really want me to be free than you will let me choose my own future." Both of them looked at him in shock. He ignored it.
"I suppose you want to leave here don't you?" The magician's voice had gotten quiet. Celtic looked at him and saw that he looked sad and worn out. Something within the blond didn't want to leave him looking like that. And besides, he liked how the other looked and the calm aura he projected. He blushed at the last thought. But knew it was true.
"I didn't say that. I kinda like this place. It looks comfortable and safe," he saw the Magician smile and felt the blush grow hotter, "but in the ways of training, the only training I'll accept are that of the sword." The magician raised an eyebrow at this but looked over at the Knight.
"Gaia, would you be willing to train him then? Or should we go see if someone is available among the Free Cards?" Celtic looked at the Knight who was looking from him to the Magician and then back. A slow smile spread across his face and he nodded, more to himself than to the question it seemed.
"No, I'll train him and I'll assume that he'll be staying here?"
"If he wishes to yes." Dark looked over and Celtic nodded.
"I would like that. I have nowhere else to go and my people won't take me back. They're probably glad that they don't have to deal with me anymore, but what do I do about my card? Do you keep it?" The Magician got up and moved over to Celtic. He placed the card on Celtic's chest, over his heart and chanted a few words. The elf didn't notice the words; instead he felt the heat of the other's hand against him and the power that flowed between the two of them. Dimly he remembered the Knight was in the room and then the Magician had backed away. He too was blushing, although faintly.
"There. The card is sealed to you and no one can take it without your permission." Celtic nodded and smiled slightly. They both started when the Knight cleared his throat.
"Dark, you need to get some rest after that spell and I trust our new friend would appreciate the same. So, I shall take my leave for now and return later tonight with dinner for the three of us. Now if you'll excuse me." He bowed out of the room, but not before winking at Celtic. The elf quickly turned his head and instead looked at the Magician.
"He's right, we both need rest, but I unfortunately have only one bed. It is big enough for two, but if you would prefer something else."
"The bed is fine, I just want to rest." The magician nodded and led him through another room where there was a huge bed and another chair. The bed was big enough for two and more and looked quite comfortable. Celtic watched as the Magician took off his outer robe and was left in just a loose shirt and tight pants. He went over to a chest and tossed Celtic some clothes. They were pale blue, but the same as The Magician's. Celtic shed his torn clothes with relief and quickly got into the new ones. They both lay down on the bed.
"My name's Celtic, by the way." The magician smiled at him.
"And I'm Dark." They smiled at each other and soon sleep took over. It wasn't till Gaia came knocking later that they would realize they were in each other's arms.
Then they would see the sword held in his hands and eyebrows would lift and whispering would begin.
This elf knew all this. Knew that he was a disgrace to elves, unless he could prove otherwise in his style of fighting. Of course that was why he was here, deep in the dark forest, away from the disapproving eyes of his kin.
He swung the sword again, twisted and turned, stabbed and blocked, moving as if dancing, graceful and deadly. Any other warrior would have been proud to make place in their ranks for him, but he was to never know this.
No. Better he be discouraged to act like this and take on an elvish form of fighting, something acceptable and proper.
It would soon be time for his trials and the other elves were hoping he would take the hint and leave the sword to others. Even his friends were backing away from him or had already left.
Wondering where this ambition came from.
But the elf had looked at the spell books and the bow and turned away. The sword was his weapon and the only one that drew him to succeed. It commanded his respect and he would learn all that he could to deserve the respect he gave it in return.
His name was Celtic and this day was special.
He never heard them approach, so absorbed in his thoughts and movements, and therefore never stood a chance. They caught him unawares and before he knew it he was hit by the spell. The spell every free elf feared.
The spell of the Card. He tried to fight it, but was laughed at. He felt the binding spell capture a part of his soul, dragging it out of him bit by bit. He was caught and he knew it, so did the slavers. No one knew exactly what the slavers were; they wore cloaks always and stayed in the shadows. Appearing only to capture unsuspecting people and turn them into cards to be sold to those who would use them without care or compassion in the dreaded Shadow games.
But that wasn't what was on Celtic's mind as he was lead away into the cart, no, what bothered him was that the other elves wouldn't come after him. His obsession with the sword had pushed them all away and now he was truly alone, with no hope.
Tired from the practice and the brief but pointless fight with the slavers he was exhausted. He let his head fall and ignored them as they led him away from his home.
Dark walked beside his friend Gaia in the bright sunlight. The only reason he was here was because his fellow Magicians had demanded that he go out and relaxed. Gaia, who always thought that the magician needed to get out more, was only too happy to grab the opportunity to drag his friend off to the market. They both left the Palace, which housed both the barracks and the Tower, and entered the main city, heading to the market.
There was an easy silence between the two old friends and they were content just to walk right now. It was Gaia, who was used to the ways of the inner city, who first noticed that something wasn't right. The market was unusually crowded with an uneasy air hanging over everything, and the two went to investigate. When they got to the edge they grew even more concerned.
"Gaia? Is this normal?" The Magician didn't like the looks of this.
"No, my friend. Usually you could walk through the market and I don't recall anything being scheduled for today." He shook his head thinking back to the talk of the other warriors. They usually knew everything that was going on in the city. How else to chose which days you wanted off?
" Something is not right." The knight frowned and used his bulk to get to the front of the crowd, Dark following close behind him. What they found there disgusted them.
The slavers were at it again. Trying to sell their wares in the city. Only Dark wondered what made them so bold as to go against the laws of this city in daylight. Then he saw 'him' and understood. They only had one cage on display and within that cage was the most beautiful sight he had seen.
A blond elf with gorgeous crimson eyes that flashed in the light of the sun. He sat there glaring at all who approached, but he couldn't do anything with the slaver holding his card. He looked like he had been starved and beaten. Dark couldn't stand it. There was fire in those eyes and he would not see it destroyed by such as these if by anything. He didn't know why but he wanted to protect this elf.
He stormed over to the slavers and saw their surprise at a Magician in their midst. He felt Gaia behind him and that reassured him. No one would mess with a Knight in his home. He pointed to the elf and spoke in a clear and dangerous voice.
"That elf. You will give me his card, right this minute." He held out his hand and when the slavers hesitated, Gaia came forward and grabbed the nearest slaver and threw him into the crowd where a few people promptly went after him.
"I don't think you heard my friend quite clearly. He wants the card, now hand it over, before there is more trouble." One slaver came forward.
"Of course good sir, but there is a price-"
"There is no price on freedom." Dark shouted and used his magic to blast the slaver holding the elf's card. He grabbed the card and Gaia grabbed the elf, which had just been watching the whole scene looking mildly interested.
They both fled the scene, but not before Gaia had grabbed a soldier and told him to inform the Free Cards what was going on. Dark knew that they would take care of the Slavers, permanently, if they had their way.
The Free Cards served because they wished to and did not enter a Shadow Game unless they wanted to, unlike captured Cards, which had to obey whomever bought them.
They entered the Palace and walked to the Tower, ignoring the looks Gaia with the elf slung over his shoulder brought, not stopping until they reached Dark's series of rooms. Dark collapsed into one of the chairs in the main room and watched as Gaia set the quiet elf on his feet and stood by him.
The elf looked over at Dark and he felt something flutter inside him, as those eyes seemed to measure and assess who he was. He wondered what the elf thought and why he cared?
For his part, Celtic was wondering what was going on. He had been beaten and abused for weeks and then been brought to this city to be sold, only to be rescued by this violet clad Magician and the Knight. Only he wasn't sure what was to happen now and if he had any control. The Magician still held his card and the Knight blocked his way out, but neither seemed inclined to hurt him at the moment.
Since neither seemed ready to answer his questions he studied the room he was in. Everything was done in shades of blue and purple and was quite cozy. There were four stuffed chairs, one of which the magician occupied, a thick carpet under his feet, curtains on a full-sized window that looked like it led to a balcony and a large table in one corner. There were also two other doors besides the one they had entered.
'Nice place. I could get used to it, as long as I'm allowed outside.'
It was the Knight who finally broke the silence.
"Well Dark, what do we do with him now?" The magician sighed.
"I'm not sure Gaia. I want him to be free, but I'm also worried that he'll be caught again, besides, I don't know how to break the spell of the Card, no one does."
"Free sounds good." Thought Celtic.
"We'll, get the Free Cards to teach him how to Duel. He's an elf so you could probably teach him magic, or someone in the barracks can take him to the archery range." Celtic finally spoke up.
"Now, hold on a minute. I thank you for saving me and if you really want me to be free than you will let me choose my own future." Both of them looked at him in shock. He ignored it.
"I suppose you want to leave here don't you?" The magician's voice had gotten quiet. Celtic looked at him and saw that he looked sad and worn out. Something within the blond didn't want to leave him looking like that. And besides, he liked how the other looked and the calm aura he projected. He blushed at the last thought. But knew it was true.
"I didn't say that. I kinda like this place. It looks comfortable and safe," he saw the Magician smile and felt the blush grow hotter, "but in the ways of training, the only training I'll accept are that of the sword." The magician raised an eyebrow at this but looked over at the Knight.
"Gaia, would you be willing to train him then? Or should we go see if someone is available among the Free Cards?" Celtic looked at the Knight who was looking from him to the Magician and then back. A slow smile spread across his face and he nodded, more to himself than to the question it seemed.
"No, I'll train him and I'll assume that he'll be staying here?"
"If he wishes to yes." Dark looked over and Celtic nodded.
"I would like that. I have nowhere else to go and my people won't take me back. They're probably glad that they don't have to deal with me anymore, but what do I do about my card? Do you keep it?" The Magician got up and moved over to Celtic. He placed the card on Celtic's chest, over his heart and chanted a few words. The elf didn't notice the words; instead he felt the heat of the other's hand against him and the power that flowed between the two of them. Dimly he remembered the Knight was in the room and then the Magician had backed away. He too was blushing, although faintly.
"There. The card is sealed to you and no one can take it without your permission." Celtic nodded and smiled slightly. They both started when the Knight cleared his throat.
"Dark, you need to get some rest after that spell and I trust our new friend would appreciate the same. So, I shall take my leave for now and return later tonight with dinner for the three of us. Now if you'll excuse me." He bowed out of the room, but not before winking at Celtic. The elf quickly turned his head and instead looked at the Magician.
"He's right, we both need rest, but I unfortunately have only one bed. It is big enough for two, but if you would prefer something else."
"The bed is fine, I just want to rest." The magician nodded and led him through another room where there was a huge bed and another chair. The bed was big enough for two and more and looked quite comfortable. Celtic watched as the Magician took off his outer robe and was left in just a loose shirt and tight pants. He went over to a chest and tossed Celtic some clothes. They were pale blue, but the same as The Magician's. Celtic shed his torn clothes with relief and quickly got into the new ones. They both lay down on the bed.
"My name's Celtic, by the way." The magician smiled at him.
"And I'm Dark." They smiled at each other and soon sleep took over. It wasn't till Gaia came knocking later that they would realize they were in each other's arms.