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I once heard that Rome fell because a warm summer let mosquitoes carrying malaria journey up the coast, creating disease, which let the barbarians mass up and attack... But I'd rather have it be something more dangerous! Aphrodin can from Codex Alera, but I think I'll make it more dangerous.
Tell me what you think of Acantha? She's nebulous... but Lady Acantha is too cool a name to throw away!
Or is Adalia a better char to have pop up later?
This is more fictional than fact... well... except the mannerisms. I've mashed two creepy people together I knew to get Avon.
But they always get their comeupeths!
^_^
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Tara stood in the dark, waiting for Epona. She felt tightness in her stomach. She'll be ok. I doubt this guy is in there... and she needs to this. She's got to practice and go where she's never been. She'll sip at her drink, eye the crowd, and we'll try some other place. She'll feel confident once this is done, and she can't get hurt in there. Or so Tara devoutly hoped. But she was growing to too recognizable, and the Terror of Gaelis would bring hunters around. Heading to Roma and then Britannia was the only sensible thing to do. And then... home. At last! Somehow, the idea of facing that place with Epona at her side made such things easier to consider. I'm not scared of that old dump now. Hells, Epona will be at 'em with a broom and soap before I even can open my mouth to tell those dirt loving clog wearers how they owe me an apology!
In the meantime, she could take the time to plot away some plans. Or think of what she would do to that sneaky mouse later. Tara smiled in the dark and snuggled into her cloak. I have to get creative if I want to satisfy my little love addled wench... and I spared Epona's legs too often these past nights! Tara chuckled. The nice part about a girl like her is how little I have to do to make her squirm. Even my softest breath makes her quiver and sing. Tara smiled became one of contentment.
Damn that was a good kiss... and from the look in her eyes not the last! With a little practice she'll make my knees wobble. Hah! I've created a monster! So... what else could I do for her and me? What does every knight need? A good steed? Well... she does like rolling in the hay. Heh! Hmm, she must be sensitive about horse jokes after all these years. Pony's more of a songbird anyway, the kind a swanky noble keeps locked up. Tara tapped her fingers thoughtfully and grinned a slow smile. But having a hunting hawk is more my style!
"Squirt, if you win your fight... maybe I'll make you my squire!"
o—o—o—o—o—o
Open the door, let the wind in...
Epona entered the concert hall with forced casualness. She blinked. The music had grown loud when the door opened, and louder still when it rolled over her as she entered. She saw dozens of people, and the smell was that of excited, happy people and tobacco. Her eyes adjusted. It was almost a small theatre, two stories, the first one having a stage to the back and the second one a large opening from which to see the musicians from above. The stage was bright...
Epona's eyes drifted along, taking in the people. Facing one person alone could be intense, but to see so much emotion and movement sent a dizzying shiver around her. Crowds weren't a problem, but the currents were unusually strong in here. And she had something to do, a snake called Yvon to find.
And a precious someone waiting for her to come back.
Epona went to the bar to find a place to sit. No one sitting there alone appeared conspicuous and staring out into the crowd could be seen as staring at the stage. Which is the point of it, really... A particularly pretty girl was sitting nearby, her creamy skin and white toga dress giving her Romusian origins. She appeared quite demure, watching the musicians while sitting with her shapely legs crossed and a small glass held in both hands. She had one foot thrust outwards, the pointed slipper aggressively level with the ground. Her "sword" defiantly pointed at the crowd. Ready to leap into action. She isn't a local either. On impulse, Epona sat beside her. The bartender turned to her with a cheerful smile. "What're you having my lady?" Epona smiled back. "Nothing yet! Waiting for a friend. His name would be Avon. You seen him?" The man shrugged. "His sits upstairs mostly. Might be up there"
Epona thanked him and left. She climbed the stairs calmly, one at step at a time, while her heart skipped a beat or two. What to say? He saw me when I was... a bit happier than usual. So simpering idiot it is! She reached the second story. Sure enough, the skinny Avon was there, watching the musicians. Epona inhaled sharply. Just do it. "Good spot! Mind if I sit here?" His head darted to the side, and he paused, considering Epona. "I don't not mind... Oi! The girl from the street! Where's my drink?" The words came quick, and his hard eyes seemed to have a vibration to them even as they stared at her, a bit too fixedly. Just a quickly, he dropped his gaze back to the show. Epona felt an uneasy feeling, which she quickly quashed. Warm, I have to think warm... Lies and lies from my warm eyes... "I'll buy you one if you buy me one." The man's lips parted. "Hah!" he snarked out. "Be right back!" And he was away with quick steps. Epona settled down and gazed at the show down below. No singer yet, it was simply ambience, the musicians letting a few mistakes slip in while they subtly cheered the crowd.
Avon returned with two glasses. He was grinning sharply. "One! Two!" He placed them on the table. Epona dropped two copper as on the table, but the man simply barked another laugh. "Keep those! You'll buy tomorrow night!" Not after Tara asks you a question or two. Epona smiled and the coins stayed there."I pay my debts." Epona took the cup up and sipped without fear. Everyone blames someone dropping aphrodin in their cup after they wake up the next morning. It's always an excuse. Epona murmured her thanks. Almost always. The man settled down next to her, smiling his sharp smile. "Quite a show later! We have the Lady Acantha here! The place will fill, and who knows who will show up! I mean, you did! Hah!" We? He owns this place? Him... and Alexandre?
Epona smiled and nodded happily. Never heard of her. Epona placed her hand on the table and gazed down at the stage. Acantha. "So... what's your name? What do you do?" And they started chatting. Epona trying to put him at ease without appearing eager. No big words, and lots of giggles and looks. Men simply wouldn't approach someone they thought smarter or stronger than them. Add beautiful to the list, and some ladies would simply be too much of a challenge. Or they attracted idiots who never knew they were outclassed. Hence, the art of polite deflection and saying no quickly. Well, at least being pretty and smart lets you enjoy the irony of thinking dumb and ugly people are lucky. Epona feigned a laugh when he made a particularly grotesque joke. He is a seller and I am a buyer, so the gods made men and women.
Epona sighed. I'm being too cynical... I wish this idiot was Tara. She confident and calm, bubbly fun when she lets herself be, probably smarter than me... and strong! But most of all... warm... The last few months have been harsh... we needed this time to rest, and she trained almost every day. She's put weight on, but she's still lean... and then Adalia... that was good for everyone. We'll have spaghetti worthy of Caesar!
Avon noticed her sigh and distracted look. "Bored eh? Don't worry; Acantha will be up there soon. We're lucky to get her! We let her troupe lodge here, and we're already filling the room." A good spaghetti is easy to make, but too many view it as "peasant fare", cheaply made and cheaply done. But it can be more.
To begin, a drop of oil in boiling water to keep it from sticking, a nice sauce, some olives, bread and wine on the side. Maybe figs for dessert. Epona had placed her hand halfway between them and had edged it closer to him than to her. He placed his hand on hers, at last. About time idiot! The sauce will govern the quality. It is the blood of Roma and her people. It must be warm and tingle the tongue with life. Nice tomatoes might not even need to be cooked, just squished! But it's getting harder to find nice ones... and Tara loves meat. So cooked sauce it is!
His hand was cold. Cold! Disgust flared in Epona. I've always been confused about what I want. But I do know what I don't want. Tara's hands might be callused from use, but they're warm with her strength and passion! Not so... this... this... hungry snake!
Epona smiled and lowered her eyes modestly to conceal her animosity. "I hope I'll hear her. She must be wonderful." Far below, a small stir went up, and Epona felt a rush of air. They had opened the windows to clear the air of smoke. The Romusian woman she had sat beside stepped onto the stage. Huh! She must be good if they change the air for her. She was tall, and stood like a curvy white pillar. She seemed at ease and smiled at the crowd. In fact, her beauty was almost blinding. Epona leaned forward. Now what?
Epona leaned back, utterly shocked when the first stanza rang out. That's mine. My song. Mine! But she changed it! Changed it to please herself! Epona listened, mumbling her original song under her breath:
Oh people gathered here
I bid you listen well
To a tale of tears
And a fate most fell
Your fears, throw far
Let me weave this
This warm spell: Epona and Tara
The princess and her northern barbarian
On frozen waters, did Tara tread
While fighting foes bitter and bold
Heedless to the whisper of dread
Yet her fate always hung by a thread
Epona, handmaiden to death itself, was untethered
Winter she knew, but not the mortal tears with which her realm was forged
And so, when summer's breath melted she was battered
And from bitter dreams, she was blistered!
With fire and sword, Tara emerged
And this clarion call she trilled:
Lady! Desire deep, here, for you to drink...
And lo! Epona was submerged!
With glad lips, she drank, not of ice, or water, no
It was nothing else: but heat! but heart!
The sweetest of draughts! Oh!
And with sweet delirium, she was blissed!
Death's maiden knew joy, a bloom of sweet summer sun
When suddenly she cried: "But of what of my Kingdom to Come?
Its gardens, cruelly made, true! have begun to fade
Oh Tara, give your spear, from which I will make a spade!"
In each other their hearts had found a warmth to be teached
But Tara's spear was more than a piece: it was her echo, a soul's whisper unleashed
And to break it would bind her to her dreary oxcart
To live a slow start, and long haul: an agony of which she wanted no part!
Insensate with anger, the barbarian proudly announced:
"Maiden, YOU, I will gladly plough,
But your kingdom of ice I will not allow.
Now! Attend to me, cow!"
Through icy teeth, the maiden angrily pronounced:
"Barbarian THEIF! My heart you shall not keep!
Of bitter grief, you shall know no relief
For my heart's disruption, you shall suffer corruption!"
And thus, Tara's steel strength waned into dust
And thus, Epona's realm bloomed into vapour
And so, two were nothing but dew and dust
Their anger made each other empty, stale, Rust.
Oh! Beware such bitter lust.
With a numb feeling, Epona heard the woman below sing the ballad of Tar and Epona and not Tara and Epona. That's not how it goes! But... it will sell better won't it? Will it? A tried, tested, tired and false story!? No! Tara is a girl! A beautiful one! The story of a girl and her dragon, inseparable and miserable and happy together... Red anger and confused memories flared alight, sending dark thoughts swirling...
She had sung it some time ago, in an inn when Tara and Drea shared a moment together. She had been... confused. And jealous. She hadn't even understood she was jealous, at the time. The thought of Drea touching Tara... had made her miserable. The thought of Tara being happy... had made her feel wonderful. And then Drea... had touched her as well... and she had wanted Drea to be happy as well. She hadn't wanted anyone to suffer, and her own misery was surely idiocy on her part. But bravery meant making difficult choices. Bernice had talked to Epona then, not exactly helping, but making her understand, allowing her to act as she should, to choose, in small ways at least.
Epona's hands tightened on the railing. The spread of her music was good... but to change it so? I made this for TARA! So EVERYONE who wondered would know I loved her! She ground her teeth. Tar and Epona. Who does she think she is? Changing my words? Epona was marching downstairs before she knew it. She planted herself before the stage, glaring angrily, arms folded.
The fact that Acantha was singing it better than she ever could wasn't helping either.
After a few more songs, the woman took a small bow and descended for her intermission. Epona surged forward. "Hey! Hey! That first song was..." The woman whirled to face her: "I've heard it all before! Listen Citizen, the barbarians won't stay at the gates until we decide to let them in! This song is a warning to everyone! Now either buy me a drink or leave me be, thank you!" The woman spun away, leaving Epona spluttered, her words whirling. What! No! What? She watched the woman plant herself before an open window and down two glasses the bartender gave her in two gulps. She even drinks better than me... My songs... can be more than only for me...
Epona stared at the open window.
They had opened the windows to late fresh air in. Tara would hear the song. Tara had heard the song. Epona suddenly felt a wild anxiety rise. Avon had followed her, and was watching her with an amused smile. "I... have to get outside!" Epona shoved through the crowd, heading for the door. She barged outside, heading for the alley.
It was empty.
Epona stood in the alley, alone. "Tara?" she called, hoping for an answer. "Who's Tara?" Epona wrenched around to find Avon staring at her, his vibrating eyes wide. Epona eyed him wordlessly. "Listen, I'm not stupid. You want something", he shrugged and continued, "That's fine, I can pay with more than money."
Epona squared her shoulders proudly. "Tara's a friend. And I don't want money, or anything else you have; I want to know who else owns this place." Avon's eyes twitched and his smile disappeared. "A friend of mine. Now what does your friend want?" Epona wasn't afraid, but wasn't a fool either. Avon was no fighter, but he could easily return with a half-dozen men or more, and every serious drinking den kept an experienced bouncer. But he had the skin tight look of someone who consumed too much vile substances, and not just alcohol and it was starting to show now that he was under duress. His mind might be damaged as well... he won't be handsome for much longer.
Tara rounded the corner then. She had her cloak turned inside out, and the hood pulled over, hiding her face. A few locks drifted free from their concealing place. A quick disguise. She looked quite scary then, and Avon seemed even more harmless than before. She ignored him completely and focused on Epona. "Are you... ok?" She was... a bit angry. More than a bit. Epona had expected that. She hadn't expected the uncertain tinge to her voice. Embarrassment? Fear? I can't tell... I'm too scared to think. "I'm well, my Lady. I'm sorry! I only sung it once!" Tara's only response was a terse nod. "I was inside, I wanted to be sure you would be safe. We'll talk about it later girl."
Avon was edging away from Tara, toward Epona. Tara deigned to notice him at last. "You. How about you stop there? I've got questions. And you've my answers." Her voice had a deep reverberation. Avon smiled greasily. "Well of course, a nice discussion is fine between friends." Tara's hood leaned toward Epona. That's my cue! "We know Alexandre is breaking the law, and we know you're helping him. Tell us how, and we'll be nice." Know is more of a guess right now, but he doesn't know that. The skinny fellow licked his lips before speaking. "Alexandre warns the serious smugglers where the sheriff will patrol, and makes sure his men are on post when they do inspection. The buyer meets them, and the goods can trickle into Roma, a bit at a time. No one gets hurt, and everyone makes some money."
Epona was silent. There has to be more to it. But what? Tara most have been thinking much the same when she spoke next: "What else, sir? Why are you telling us this?" The man grimaced. "Listen, you aren't going to stop this, you won't even slow it down, no matter who you tell. But Alexandre is losing it, and this morning was madness. He's a mad dog now, and he's going to get people hurt. I was planning on doing it later, but since you're here already, things are getting worse." He shook his head. "Too bad really. He was a good guy." Epona remembered the cow, and the smell of blood and fear. A good guy? Epona's voice was sharp "Doing what?" Avon voice was casual. "He owns a few buildings in town, under his own name. A small box gets found inside? That and his marriage collapsing will send the", his voice turned nasty, "good folk in an uproar. You tell the Sheriff, leave town, and everyone is happy. Gregor likes to be busy. He'll bite."
Epona stared at him. A demon in human skin. "Isn't Gregor in your pocket too?" Avon barked a laugh. "Of course not! The man's insane." Epona frowned. "Insane?" Avon sneered at her. "He's made this route the safest and quickest to Roma. A proper smuggler loves men like him! He'd rather be poor and dead keeping roads safe than rich and alive asking us for bribes. He's tricky to deal with, but predictable." Tara darted forward suddenly, slamming Avon against the wall! Avon grunted in pain. Tara spoke coldly: "You remember this: I'm no sheriff. You cross us, and I'll tear you open and leave you for the crows! Got it?"
Epona gaped. Oh! Theatrics! I can do that!
Epona came to Tara's side. "Heed those wise words Master Avon. Honesty is a quality you should excel at, as you do in all endeavours, I'm certain. Although a novel stone caught in your shoe, I'm sure you'll find it agreeable to your future health to leave it there." He nodded hurriedly. Tara lifted and flung him away. "Happy doing business with you." Avon scrambled away. Wow! Look at him go! When he was gone, Epona whooped and sprang to hug Tara. "Did you see that! Oh wow!"
Tara hesitantly returned the hug. "Epona..." Huh? Epona peered up to look at her mistress. Something like sadness and love seemed frozen there. Frozen with fear. Quoi? Oh non. "That stupid song... wish I never wrote it! I was just... being crazy when I wrote it!" Tara seemed to be searching her face. "Are you sure?" Epona covered her own mouth with the tips of her fingers. "I only sang it once! But I guess it spread a bit... I'm sorry! But no one knows it's about us, Acantha did us a favour really."
Tara returned the hug, more tightly than was comfortable, but Epona loved it all the same. "You... be careful with that big mouth of yours." Epona almost spoke, but thought better about and nodded enthusiastically instead. Tara was silent for moment. When she spoke next, her voice had a tinge of uncertainty.
"You're from a noble family." Epona nodded. "You were caught in the attack, captured, and I bought you." Epona nodded cautiously. "You were wearing pants and a belt when we first met. Riding clothes. In town." Epona froze, her heart beginning to hammer. Tara continued: "That isn't the usual clothes for a noble born girl, even if you were a lesser daughter. Why?"
Epona felt cold all over. Terrible guilt burned coldly. Tara was looking at her with concern now, as if she didn't understand what and who she was anymore. I want to be Epona! You're... Your Epona!
Open the door, let the cold wind in... Oh Marcella! It was an accident!
Epona fainted. But Tara was holding her up safely.
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Cliffhanger!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm sure you had plans for this part, but I think you'll be interested in what I write anyway!
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