08-11-01
Title:What Really Happened
Author: MSMoon
Warnings: Some angust.
Feedback: As long as it's nice ;)
Characters: MMC11, MMC17, Naomi, Vdayen, & Kasim.
Disclaimers: I do not own EverQuest. I am poor. Suing me wouldn't really profit much. However I do own my own characters from EQ. I would be somewhat upset if someone used my characters without my permission. So if you want to use them please ask.
Notes: Vdayen and Kasim are not characters I play on EQ he's just a character I dreamed up 'cause I thought they were important. However they are still mine.
Rated: PG-PG-13

Chapter 12

:East Common Lands:

Vanlar jogged through the East Common lands. He couldn't wait to get home. It'd been a long time. He hadn't found his sister, but he was running low on supplies...and besides that...he really missed his mother. He couldn't stand the thought of her in Neriak all by herself. Yes she was a very capable Enchanter, and could get through the guards and into the Forrest...but he didn't like that thought of not being there to help.

He didn't know what they'd do if he ever found Zeresh. He just obeyed his mother's request to find Zeresh. He would ask his mother what would happen after he found his sister. He looked at the sky. The sun was nearly set. Good. He generally stayed away from roads and liked to travel at night more than during the day. He felt he could travel faster then. He readjusted his hood as he entered the way into Nektulos. It wouldn't be long now.

:3rd Gate:

Vdayen downed another red wine. He sat alone at his table watching his elder brother. He knew he shouldn't find so much fault in his elder brother but sometimes he just couldn't help it. There Mdien stood, reclining against the bar, three dark elf women around him. It was late, and the bartender, Mdien and himself were the only males in the place, so the girls were on their own time. One kneeled behind Mdien massaging his shoulders. The other had her back to him looking over at him enticingly. The last was on his other side facing him, and she didn't seem to mind that Mdien's arm was slung around her waist. All three women were wearing fetching, scantly clad outfits. And Mdien was dallying with all of them.

He didn't believe in love. He didn't know of many Dark Elves that did. But he did believe that one male and female could settle down and find happiness improving each other if they tried. Mdien was Vdayen' elder by merely a year but they were either extremely alike or extremely opposite.

Mdien had thought of being a Necromancer, but didn't go into magics too well. He liked them but loved to fight with his own hands. So he chose the profession of Shadow Knight. This made him every woman in Neriak's knight in shinning armor. Or he would be. He learned fast though and was already very strong even though he'd only truly started training out of the guild till only...Vdayen smiled. Oh yes, his brother had started training seriously a week after Zeresh had disappeared and her father had died.

Zeresh's father had been like a surrogate father to Mdien. Sr. Kasim was a Necromancer and a well known one. He was well known for his malice and viciousness. And also for his beautiful daughter. Vdayen smiled. He had to admit, even he would've considered courting her, if Sr. Kasim hadn't talked about a betrothal between Mdien and Zeresh. Vdayen wondered briefly if Mdien meant to search for Zeresh and bring her back. No, he probably only wanted to make himself great to show her what she missed.

The two brothers were very dissimilar. Mdien constantly seemed to be frowning...unless he was trying to charm someone. His forehead was huge and his hair merely surrounded it showing it off instead of hiding or complimenting it. His eyes were blue with a purple tint...or purple with a blue tent...Neriak may never know. Mdien had started off with a short sword but was now using a battle-ax. Couldn't fault the sense. The battle-ax did more damage.

Vdayen however was slightly different. His bangs hung over his forehead the tips of it near his temples, both covering and complimenting. Vdayen had a theory about Dark Elf men's eyes; they either had eyes that popped out with some radical color like a bright or deep green or red. Or they had eyes that blended in having blue or purple in them. Mdien had eyes that blended, drawing more attention to his entire face than his eyes. Vdayen however had bright dark green eyes. He didn't understand how they were dark and bright at the same time...maybe because his skin was dark blue. No matter. Vdayen had decided to be a Wizard early on. He and his brother both liked fire power, but unlike his brother he didn't have much pleasure in a rotting corpse. They stank.

Vdayen downed the rest of his wine. His brother noticed and shrugged off the women. They pouted and called to him but he motioned that he would be back.

"You going home for the night?" Mdien asked.

"I think so."

"You know you'll miss some fun." Mdien grinned looking over his shoulder at the girls. Whe Vdayen looked at them they all looked at him invitingly.

"No offense brother, but I would rather die." Mdien blinked bemused.

"Why? These are the most beautiful women in the city..."

"And are completely brainless."

"Really?"

"Yes. All three are fawning all over you, but you can only have one. And even if you did sleep with all three of them, what good would it do them? Further their reputations?" Vdayen scoffed.

"You should've been engaged to Zeresh instead of I." Mdien announced out of the blue. Vdayen looked at him oddly. "She was like you...always wanting a partner that could arouse her intellect as well as her body." Mdien smiled.

"In that case brother," Vdayen said laying some coins on the table, "I defiantly should've been engaged to Zeresh." He started to walk out. "Innoruuk knows you didn't deserve her." He said over his shoulder as he walked out. He knew there was no use saying something like that. It wouldn't make Mdien angry at all, and it most certainly wouldn't change the past.

"What's eating him?" the girl on the counter asked. "Doesn't he want to join us?" Mdien grinned.

"He said no matter how hard you tried you'd never catch him." He told them.

"That sounds like a challenge." One of the other girls said.

"Well, he's the mysterious type. He likes playing hard to get." Mdien informed smoothly.

"We'll have to give them a run for his money next time he comes in." The other girl said.

"Well he is my brother ... but he does need to loosen up." Mdien said returning to his spot.

After exiting the Maiden's Fancy, Vdayen stopped and sighed.

"Perhaps I should go check and see how Mrs. Naomi's doing. With Vanlar gone she must be somewhat lonesome." With that thought in mind Vdayen turned to visit Zeresh's mother. Perhaps it was time he asked what had happened...why Zeresh had left in the first place.

:Foreign Quarter:

Vdayen knocked lightly on Mrs. Naomi's door. He heard some rustling and then the door creaked open slightly, only enough for Naomi to see out.

"Vdayen?"

"Mrs. Naomi." Vdayen nodded slightly. The door opened wider and Vdayen could tell by the look on the woman's face she was surprised.

"What are you doing here?" she asked.

"I came to check on you." He said "I nearly grew up here and I always remember someone here with you. With your husband's recent death, and now both Zeresh and Vanlar disappeared..."

"I see. Well then come in." She said opening the door and allowing him to come in.

"I see you've kept the place up well..."

"Yes...but you didn't come to chit chat did you?" her wise blue eyes taking him in.

"No...Not really." He looked back at her. Vanlar really did look a lot like her. Same blue eyes, kind face. She wore a beautiful Enchanter's robe showing her rank and experience.

"Well?" she said openly as she ushered him to the sitting area. He sat down still looking at her.

"It's a touchy subject you might say...but I was wondering...why Zeresh left so suddenly?" Mrs. Naomi licked her lips as if thinking. "And then with the death of your husband and all...and now Vanlar is gone..."

"Zeresh's father..." Naomi bowed her head sadly. "Vdayen...what I'm about to tell you is confidential...if I ever hear it breathed upon the streets...I'll come for you." Vdayen was surprised...This woman had helped take care of him in his teens. She was like an Aunt. And she was threatening him. Whatever had happened was serious. He nodded.

"You have my word."

"Kasim...was dead long before I reported him dead." Naomi said.

"What?"

"That night...he'd come home drunk. I was telling Zeresh a story...no matter how old she got she always enjoyed my stories...he said it was silly. Ordered Zeresh to her room. We had a fight. I was surprised it never came to blows...He went to Zeresh's room...probably to chide her as well...whatever he meant... it never turned out that way...He tried to rape her."

"...What?"

"But Zeresh wasn't about to loose her virtue without some resistance. She cast a spell on him...and hit him over the head...I suppose since he was drunk...and then the spell...and the hit...combined to show some mercy on Zeresh. He was dead." Vdayen blinked. "Rather than bring a bad name on her family...Zeresh left. Took what she needed, and left me a note. I used my enchantry to hide the stink of a corpse. Till the following week. Then I set him up in his chair...and screamed. The guards came and they ruled he'd just simply died..." Vdayen was stunned.

"But...what of Zeresh?" he asked. Naomi was about to answer when the door opened and both of the jumped.

"What about Zeresh?" Vanlar asked. Naomi let out a breath and went to embrace her son. Vdayen stood and waiting till the greetings were over.

"Good to see you Al." Vanlar said.

"Same here Van."

"Now...what's this about Zeresh?" Vanlar looked at his mother.

"It's all right Vanlar. Vdayen knows of what happened."

"...As you see fit, Mother." Vdayen blinked his eyes widening at Vanlar. He was a year older than Vanlar but they'd always been friends. To think the guy didn't trust him was a strange concept. "Take no offense Vdayen...I'm afraid searching for Zeresh out there has...made me more wairy. " Vdayen nodded. Spending time amongst people you can't trust could make you suspect everyone he supposed.

"This hasn't answered my question..." he said to them.

"I don't know where Zeresh is yet...I haven't found her." Vanlar said tiredly. "But I did meet someone who said they'd seen her...or said they knew someone who'd seen her."

"Who?" Naomi asked eagerly.

"A...high elf."

"And you trusted him?" Vdayen said.

"Her...and yes I did. I had saved her from some wolves...she didn't seem too bothered by me at all. So yes I trusted her. She said she had a wood elf friend that had met and helped Zeresh, but she didn't know where Zeresh was."

"Considering that Zeresh has all the illusion spells she can hide anywhere for at least a short amount of time." Naomi murmured.

"Yes...and you taught her well. She's a good Enchantress and she's got a good head on her shoulders." Vanlar said almost regretfully.

"So you've been searching for her..."

"Yes." Vanlar said with a nod.

"...May I go with you next time?"

"...What?" both Naomi and Vanlar said at the same time.

"I...have my reasons..." Vdayen said with some difficulty.

"Exactly and I'm not sure what they are..." Vanlar said.

"You're a little more than tense Vanlar." Vdayen accused. "I could understand it towards a stranger but you've known me most you life."

"I knew my father all my life and he tried to rape my sister." Vanlar said dead pan. Vdayen swallowed and bowed his head.

"I'm sorry. I suppose you have every right to suspect every one. But I mean no harm to her and I wont try to slow you down."

"Vanlar take him with you." Naomi said.

"What?"

"I won't worry so much if there's someone with you." Naomi smiled. "You boys have both been good at getting each other in trouble since you were little...but you've also been good at getting each other out of trouble as well..." Vanlar sighed. Perhaps he was being too rough.

"Fine, but we're living in a little while."

"Oh no you're not." Naomi said.

"Mother..." Vanlar began.

"Don't you mother me. You've been gone a long while and could probably use a good night sleep in your own bed. It won't hurt you to stay the night and leave in the morning." Vdayen smiled at Vanlar. Vanlar laughed softly. They both knew that tone and knew better than to argue.

"Yes Ma'am." Vanlar said.

"All right then. Vdayen, I'm assuming that since you'll be joining Vanlar you'll be staying as well?"

"Only if you'll have me Ma'am."

"What a silly thought. Of course I will. Now both of you get in, I've got a nice supper on the stove and I'm sure you could use at least a little."

:OUT TAKES:

:The Maiden's Fancy:

Mdien and Vdayen are sitting at a table. Both are drunk and it's obvious.

"Show me the way to go home .." Vdayen starts singing. "I'm tired and I wanna go to bed."

"I had a little drink about an hour ago and it went right to my head." Mdien finishes. The two crack up.

:The Maiden's Fancy 2:

Vdayen watches as Mdien and the three women carry on.

"All the women who independent, throw your hands up at me." Mdien sings out off key. All the girls are up on the bar dancing along.

"Whose idea was it for us to have a scene in a bar anyway?" Vdayen asks.

:Naomi's home:

Vdayen knocked lightly on Mrs. Naomi's door. He heard some rustling and then the door creaked open hitting him right on the forehead.

"Oh God that's the second time that's happened." Naomi laments as Vdayen rubs his forehead.

"Oh so that was an accident. I was about to ask if it was in the script." Naomi laughs.

:Naomi's Home 2:

"I see you've kept the place up well..."

"Yes...but you didn't come to have tea and crumpets did you?" Vdayen pauses.

"Tea and crumpets? Do we even have those in EQ?" Naomi pauses.

"I don't know, she said to say something people do when they have polite conversation! Tea and crumpets was the first thing that came to mind." she replies.

"Yeah if your British. Try Chit chat, that's polite conversation." Vdayen says.

"Oh fine if tea and crumpets throws you off that much." Naomi says ushering him out to do the scene again. Vdayen walks out muttering, "Tea and crumpets ..."

:Vanlar Returns:

"...May I go with you next time?"

"...What?" both Naomi and Vanlar said at the same time.

"I...have my reasons..." Vdayen said with some difficulty.

"Exactly and I'm not sure what they are..." Vanlar said.

"Listen you little twerp I'm going with you next time you go whether you like it or not!"

"Ha! Who says!"

"Ya Momma!" Long period of silence. Finally Vanlar looks at Naomi.

"Really?"

"Yeah."

"Cut!"

"What? She did say I could go." Vdayen protests.

"Yeah," Vanlar seconds, "Can't we just do it that way."

"You dark elves really are evil." the director mutters.

:Ending Ramble:

Naomi: Oh my poor baby! /sniffle sniffle

Vanlar: -.- oh mother...

Naomi: Don't you 'Oh Mother' me; I've been through a lot.

Vdayen: Pardon me?

Naomi: Don't you 'Pardon me' me you, I'll 'Pardon me' you into the next week!

Vdayen: ...if you say that really quickly...it sound funny...but what I meant was more like an excuse me...I wasn't trying to be rude.

Vanlar: -.-;;;;;

Naomi: ...oh.

MM: enh...yeah...

Zeresh: I hate it when you talk about me and I'm not around to talk...

Naomi: Zeresh! My baby! /tackles Zeresh

Zeresh: /lets out an, 'oomph' after falling to the floor

Vanlar: Sis! /joins the dog pile

Vdayen: heh.../figures he'll wait to tackle Zeresh.

MM: You naughty thing you .

Vdayen: /blushes and laughs nervously heheh

Vanlar: What's she talking about?

Vdayen: /begins to sweat big time nothin...

Zeresh: /to MM What diabolical pairing are you planning now?

MM: Not as funny as the one you'll see in the next chapter! In the next EQ Saga, we see Vdayen's brother Mdien...

Vdayen: /pales

MM: ...as he meets the beautiful young wood elf Kallyn.

Zeresh:...this could get interesting.

MM: Oi...stop ranting so the people can get on with their busy lives...