06/04/01
Denigoddess2001 @aol.com
Chapter IV
Within the hour Demetrius, Kirn and Wren found their way to the ancient ruins of the castle pointed out to them by the Dragon Goddess. They landed deftly in the center of what used to be the courtyard. After some heated searching, they found the walls and gardens that marked the edges of foundations. The primeval ruins stood strong despite being overrun by thick vines, weeds, and thorns. It seemed an unlikely place for an enchanted Ainrani (Ain-ran-EE) princess.
"Charming. I wonder whose the royal decorator." Wren quipped as the trio slowly made their way through the thick vegetation.
The Minotaur's battle-axe cleared a path through the overgrowth. After several minutes of swathing through a sea of branches and vines, they found their way to the center of the courtyard. For what seemed an eternity, they made their way through the endless passages and winding corridors of the labyrinth. None spoke as they diligently concentrated find the bed of lilies located within the center of the labyrinth.
She turned to watch her friend Demetrius. His demeanor was unusually stoic and stern. He seemed every bit the warrior with eyes aglow and wings cloaked around him like gabardine. She watched his large prehensile tail lash furiously to and fro as they made their way through the maze. He seemed more and more like a hunter and less like the swashbuckler she'd come to know.
Kirn's eyes burned with their unearthly crimson flame. He walked ready with battle-ax in hand. Both figures towered over her and Wren felt hopelessly small. [Both are warriors and what am I? I'm a white-collar researcher that took a year at Xavier's to learn how to use my powers. I'm not a fighter. This is too much.]
A glint of light flashed to her left and ahead just outside of her sight. She heard a low growl come from Demetrius and the Minotaur snorted. She desperately tried to remember what little combat techniques she learned in the Danger Room. Wren parted her feet shoulder-width apart and took a defensive stance. She made a promise to herself that if she survived; she vowed to sign up for Martial Arts classes.
"Wren, to me!" Demetrius roared as six figures swiftly descended from above them. She made her way quickly to Demetrius. She screamed as she saw several grotesque figures no more than four feet tall surround her. She saw the flat, broad faces, wide noses, pointed ears and their large mouthed full of small, sharp teeth.
Their foreheads sloped back and resembled those of Neanderthals. Their eyes seemed yellowed with jaundice. Their skin ranged in hue from a sickly mustard to dark crimson. Donned in leather armor and brandishing short swords; they were a menacing site to the frightened mutant. She turned away from Demetrius to find one of the odious creatures breathing down her neck. She almost fainted from the stench of his fowl, fetid breath.
"By the Dragon's fire, Goblins!" Kirn swore. Three more came from the sides of the labyrinth and confronted the Minotaur. They charged blindly with their swords. Kirn brought down the handle to block the attack of the one nearest to him. With a shove of great strength, he sent the first armored goblin sailing backwards through the air. With a dull thud, he landed on top of his comrades. They became a flailing heap of arms, legs and goblin swearing.
Kirn chuckled loudly as he advanced upon the pathetic goblin warriors. One lay upon the ground unconscious. One shook his head as imaginary bluebirds danced about him. The one who led the charge felt a warm golden liquid pooling beneath him as Kirn moved forward to finish the battle. With that, the third goblin scrambled backwards to his feet. He smiled sheepishly at the Minotaur warrior. He gave him a helpless shrug. With that, the goblin threw down his sword and ran as fast as his short, skinny legs carried him.
Demetrius watched three crimson goblins surround him. With their swords drawn, they thought to make a filet of the Gargoyle warrior. One of the assailant's cackled with glee as she saw an opportunity to strike. She let her arm swing in a wide arc in a rash attempt to slice at the Gargoyles abdomen. Another behind Demetrius attempted to bring his blade down on the thrashing combat tail. The final warrior chose to hold back while his comrades engaged in combat with the ebon Gargoyle.
Demetrius slashed at one with his talons. The she-demon merely cackled as she danced out of melee range. Demetrius growled with intent of sinking his talons into her putrid flesh. He grabbed another by the scruff of the neck. The goblin let forth a pathetic scream akin to the squeal of a frightened pig. The Gargoyle used is massive strength to toss the Goblin several dozen yards. He soared flailing over the edge of the maze and landed well out of sight. In the distance, Demetrius heard the thud of the goblin's impact upon the ground. With that, the Gargoyle warrior flashed the third goblin a perfectly white smile.
"Next?" He asked as he crouched ready for battle. With tail lashing and eyes glowing, he looked a menacing sight to the much smaller opponent. The small goblin swallowed the large lump in his throat and gulped.
Demetrius on all fours charged the smaller assailant. The goblin yipped like a Chihuahua and ran off into the night. Demetrius wished at that moment he could have had the satisfaction of filleting the one who tried to cut of his tail.
Wren trembled in her shoes as the three dull-green monsters marched toward her. She knew linguistics were no help in battle. Wren called upon her rarely used power of probability manipulation. Her eyes glowed verdant as several shimmering emerald spheres come magickally from nowhere. They darted swiftly around one of the goblins. He seemed rather stunned for a moment.
The Goblin mumbled something in a language that Wren didn't comprehend. She thought that odd considering she understood most languages merely upon hearing them. He took a step forward with menacing glee. His eyes widened in shock as his foot caught on a thick vine and he fell flat on his ugly green face.
The other two merely stepped on or around their fallen comrade. The second one drew his sword and slashed at the young woman. She cried out in pain as the sharp blade found it's mark against her upper arm. With fright as her motivator, Wren kicked with renewed purpose at the Gargoyle's most sacred treasure.
She watched with relief as she heard the Goblin yowl pitifully in extreme agony. He doubled over and grabbed his crotch. Wren heard his sword clatter on the cobblestone path of the labyrinth. She applied pressure to her arm to stop the bleeding. She looked around desperately for Demetrius. She froze as she heard the wheezing snicker of the final goblin.
He advanced slowly with sword in hand as if he were a mighty predator and she the helpless prey. The goblin backed her into the thick, branched wall of the labyrinth. He drew back his sword for the killing blow. He missed horribly as he slashed at her knees. Wren had the good sense to jump upwards at the very last second. She brought her fist around in a wide arc but the goblin leapt out of the way.
"How sweet, human meat. You'll make a tasty dinner." The goblin giggled maniacally as he circled the injured Wren. "You're blood smells sweet, oh, what a treat."
"Burn in hell, you bloody savage." She said through gritted teeth. She knew that she was fighting on borrowed time. "Demetrius! Help me."
The ebon Gargoyle saw his friend cornered against the branches of the labyrinth wall. He knew that he was far enough away that he wouldn't reach her in time and he roared in frustration. The goblin turned to see what caused such a ferocious sound. With that split second of opportunity, Wren reached for the annulus hanging on her belt.
It came easily from its loop. She brought the sharp edge in a well-aimed undercut. She heard the goblin gurgle and cough as the bladed circlet cut through his leather armor and found its way into his soft underbelly. He turned and looked at Wren with eyes wide.
"You're just a little girl...." He gurgled. "How?"
"Like this!" She used her remaining strength to pull the annulus upwards in the goblin. Thick green blood oozed from his mouth. He gave a sheepish grin and crumpled sideways like a felled redwood tree with the annulus still embedded in his flesh.
"Wren, you are hurt." He exclaimed as he saw the blood flowing freely from her arm. He reached toward his loincloth and unwrapped it.
"Demetrius! What are you doing?" Wren stared in shock as he stood nude before her. She watched mutely as his talons easily tore a long scrap from the hem. She stole a glance at his exposed virility. Wren felt heat flush her cheeks as she appraised his natural endowments.
Nature certainly gave Demetrius an abundance of treasure. She heard a clearing of his throat. Her eyes met his. She saw his sparkle with mischief. His voice was silken and dark as he uttered his next words, "Do I meet your expectations? Do you find me wanting, Wren?"
"I -" she squeaked. Words failed her as he caught her red-cheeked in her embarrassement. "Mother Nature likes you."
"You appove?"He knelt beside her and smiled at her.
"What I think is irrelevent, Demetrius."
"What you think is of great importance to me, Wren." He said hoarsely. "Do you not know that?"
"We need to see if Kirn is well." She attempted to rise to her feet. Demetrius stayed her with a strong yet gentle hand.
"Hold still, Milady." He said gently as he meticulously wrapped it around the nasty slash. "We need to administer healing herbs and potions at once to avoid contagion within the wound."
"Infection." She translated.
"Aye." He nodded. "Are you well to travel?"
"I'm not feeling well. I'm a bit shaken." She admitted. She gasped as she saw the rank corpse lying stiff only a few feet from her. "I killed one."
"You kept your wits about you, Wren Summers." Demetrius smiled at her as he wrapped his torn loincloth about his person. He turned to the carcass and grabbed the annulus. With one deft yank, he retrieved it from the body and wiped it on the leather to clean off the goblin's blood. Once the blade of the annulus was clean to his satisfaction, he returned it to Wren.
"Thanks." She stuttered as she began to shiver. She felt vertigo attack her head and cold cut through her.
"You've lost blood, Wren." Demetrius swept her into his arms. "Just a bit longer, Love, and we will be done with this."
"S-s-orry." She chattered.
"No apologies needed." He said warmly. "You fought bravely and well. I am proud of you."
"Who me? Brave? You've got the wrong person." She retorted as the cold threatened to freeze her bones.
"Aye, you." He responded. "You are a wren only by name. You are truly an eagle."
"Keep dreaming." She muttered fighting off the urge to sleep.
"Friends, is all well?" Kirn called out to them.
"Nay, Milady Wren has suffered injury this night. We need make haste to the bed of lilies and be done with this."
"Agreed. It seems that LuKasha thought us a threat after all." Kirn said gravely. "I found orders on one of the goblins for our deaths and our heads."
"Let us continue." Demetrius nodded.
They made their way again through the endless growth. Demetrius broke through the final entanglement of branches and vines. He cleared away the dead vines with one deft slash of his talons. The trio solemnly entered into the small grove. The sight that met their eyes was one of pristine beauty.
Lying upon a crystal table laid one of the most breathtaking women Wren had ever seen. Upon the solid block of quartz crystal the princess laid still in her enchanted repose. Her hair was a flowing cascade of small, intricate braids the hue of a raven's wing. It crowned her face in a halo of jet. Her skin gleamed with the rich, burnished hue of mocha. The richness of her beauty caused Demetrius to whisper, "Lovely."
Wren chose to ignore the comment.
"What did the Goddess say" He pondered staring dumbfound at the Nubian Beauty asleep before him. "The falls of sadness from the purest heart shall free her?"
"Purest. Lacking taint or blemish." Wren spoke her thoughts aloud. "It also means one who is without reproach."
"True." Replied Kirn. "However, pure can also be associated with virgins."
"Virgin?" Demetrius asked with a quizzical expression lining his handsome features.
"You've not heard the word?" Kirn asked him. "It means one who.... Uh...one who remains...has never.... oh, never mind."
"Wait!" Wren exclaimed as a stray moonbeam illuminated a portion of the quartz table. "I think I see something."
Anything to cause a distraction from the candid turn in conversation!
"Can you stand?" Demetrius asked her.
"Let me go." She replied. Once on her feet, she knelt beside the crystal slab. She leaned forward to better study the strange markings she spotted upon the crystal upon which the princess slumbered. She diligently studied the etchings.
Upon the sides of the slab facing them was a combination of flourished script. Underneath that was a continuous row of seeming Nordic and Celtic runes. The bottom row was a series of ancient hieroglyphics and pictographs.
"Let him who is purist in heart and purest in body let no sadness fall upon these lips." Wren read slowly as she traced her fingers along the first line of flourishing curves. She focused her attention upon the second line and repeated the same.
"Here!" She pointed to a hieroglyph of two faces meeting. "That is an ancient symbol for kissing! Oh, these people were clever."
"What do you mean?" Kirn asked.
"The direction weren't all included in each line." She explained. "The directions to awaken the Princess are included in three lines and three languages. The full saying is 'Let him who is purist in heart and purest in body let no sadness fall upon these lips. Let darkness upon darkness bring light to Ainran. Let the bitterness of LuKasha be broken with the sweetness of a kiss."
"So, we kiss the girl and all is well?" Kirn asked. "Simple enough, I will kiss her and we'll be on our way."
"Stay those eager lips, Kirn." Wren warned him. "Most incantations are a play upon words. Trust me, I've studied enough of them to know. The first line says purist as in traditionalist. It's a common joke amongst the humans on Caledon that Gargoyles are the purest purists we know."
"I also honor tradition." Kirn said sharply.
"Hang on, there's more to this lyrical puzzle." She told him. "The second line says, 'purest in body.' Are you a virgin?"
"Nay." Kirn muttered. [Did he just blush?]
"The particular use of this Ainran script implies purity of the body, thus virginity. The first line implies it must be a "he who is purist in heart and purest in body." She turned her attention upon Demetrius. "I hate to get personal, but are you.... well?"
"I am unmated." He replied cryptically.
"Have you ever mated?" She asked delicately.
"Nay, I wait until I find my life mate." He replied.
"You qualify as the resident Virgin." She quipped. "The second line also said 'let darkness upon darkness' bring light to Ainran.' Demtrius is dark and so is this Princess."
"How do you know that is the proper translation?" Kirn asked skeptically. "You are not from here. How do you know the languages of our people?"
"It's a special ability I have called hyper-linguistics." Wren countered. "I have many skills."
"Humph." He snorted.
"Bull-headed." She retorted. "Let the bitterness of LuKasha be broken with the sweetness of a kiss.' That means that Demetrius is the one prophesied to kiss the princess and break the spell."
"A kiss? An enchantment can only be broken through a powerful wizard or divine intervention." Kirn scoffed.
"You never read fairy tales as a child, did you?" Wren asked. "No matter. Demetrius, it wouldn't hurt to try and kiss her. Besides, we don't have much else to go on."
"Milady, your speculations are much more sound that some people's certainties." He cast a meaningful glance at Kirn. "I shall do as you suggest."
He walked forward until he stood near the head of the princess. The ebony Gargoyle closed his eyes and imagined those haunting hazel eyes staring at him. He longed for his first kiss to be from Wren rather than a comatose princess. He slowly lowered his lips to the princess. He brought his lips to hers in a chaste kiss. One tear coursed a path down his cheek. He felt warm lips return the innocent peck. Staring open-eyed at him were the dark eyes of coffee. They bravely and confidently met his scrutinizing lavender gaze. He now understood why humans held kisses in such high regard.
"Your Highness." He murmured against her full lips.
"You are the Champion?" She asked of him.
"Some would say as much." He replied humbly.
"I am Ashanti." Came the rich, full alto from her Highness' lips. "You've awakened me, Nightkind."
"Aye. Now, we must set you upon your throne so that Evil will meet it's demise." Demetrius scooped the royal beauty into his harms. "Your throne awaits you."
"Make haste, Nightkind." She commanded.
"Wren, I shall return shortly once this is concluded. Wait for me." Demetrius called to his friend.
"I will." She promised. "Don't be long and be careful."
"I will be brief and I shall take heed, Milady." He told her. She managed to force a smile as she watched her Warrior and the prince glide in the direction of Skylaris.
Wren knew it was going to be a long night.
Denigoddess2001 @aol.com
Chapter IV
Within the hour Demetrius, Kirn and Wren found their way to the ancient ruins of the castle pointed out to them by the Dragon Goddess. They landed deftly in the center of what used to be the courtyard. After some heated searching, they found the walls and gardens that marked the edges of foundations. The primeval ruins stood strong despite being overrun by thick vines, weeds, and thorns. It seemed an unlikely place for an enchanted Ainrani (Ain-ran-EE) princess.
"Charming. I wonder whose the royal decorator." Wren quipped as the trio slowly made their way through the thick vegetation.
The Minotaur's battle-axe cleared a path through the overgrowth. After several minutes of swathing through a sea of branches and vines, they found their way to the center of the courtyard. For what seemed an eternity, they made their way through the endless passages and winding corridors of the labyrinth. None spoke as they diligently concentrated find the bed of lilies located within the center of the labyrinth.
She turned to watch her friend Demetrius. His demeanor was unusually stoic and stern. He seemed every bit the warrior with eyes aglow and wings cloaked around him like gabardine. She watched his large prehensile tail lash furiously to and fro as they made their way through the maze. He seemed more and more like a hunter and less like the swashbuckler she'd come to know.
Kirn's eyes burned with their unearthly crimson flame. He walked ready with battle-ax in hand. Both figures towered over her and Wren felt hopelessly small. [Both are warriors and what am I? I'm a white-collar researcher that took a year at Xavier's to learn how to use my powers. I'm not a fighter. This is too much.]
A glint of light flashed to her left and ahead just outside of her sight. She heard a low growl come from Demetrius and the Minotaur snorted. She desperately tried to remember what little combat techniques she learned in the Danger Room. Wren parted her feet shoulder-width apart and took a defensive stance. She made a promise to herself that if she survived; she vowed to sign up for Martial Arts classes.
"Wren, to me!" Demetrius roared as six figures swiftly descended from above them. She made her way quickly to Demetrius. She screamed as she saw several grotesque figures no more than four feet tall surround her. She saw the flat, broad faces, wide noses, pointed ears and their large mouthed full of small, sharp teeth.
Their foreheads sloped back and resembled those of Neanderthals. Their eyes seemed yellowed with jaundice. Their skin ranged in hue from a sickly mustard to dark crimson. Donned in leather armor and brandishing short swords; they were a menacing site to the frightened mutant. She turned away from Demetrius to find one of the odious creatures breathing down her neck. She almost fainted from the stench of his fowl, fetid breath.
"By the Dragon's fire, Goblins!" Kirn swore. Three more came from the sides of the labyrinth and confronted the Minotaur. They charged blindly with their swords. Kirn brought down the handle to block the attack of the one nearest to him. With a shove of great strength, he sent the first armored goblin sailing backwards through the air. With a dull thud, he landed on top of his comrades. They became a flailing heap of arms, legs and goblin swearing.
Kirn chuckled loudly as he advanced upon the pathetic goblin warriors. One lay upon the ground unconscious. One shook his head as imaginary bluebirds danced about him. The one who led the charge felt a warm golden liquid pooling beneath him as Kirn moved forward to finish the battle. With that, the third goblin scrambled backwards to his feet. He smiled sheepishly at the Minotaur warrior. He gave him a helpless shrug. With that, the goblin threw down his sword and ran as fast as his short, skinny legs carried him.
Demetrius watched three crimson goblins surround him. With their swords drawn, they thought to make a filet of the Gargoyle warrior. One of the assailant's cackled with glee as she saw an opportunity to strike. She let her arm swing in a wide arc in a rash attempt to slice at the Gargoyles abdomen. Another behind Demetrius attempted to bring his blade down on the thrashing combat tail. The final warrior chose to hold back while his comrades engaged in combat with the ebon Gargoyle.
Demetrius slashed at one with his talons. The she-demon merely cackled as she danced out of melee range. Demetrius growled with intent of sinking his talons into her putrid flesh. He grabbed another by the scruff of the neck. The goblin let forth a pathetic scream akin to the squeal of a frightened pig. The Gargoyle used is massive strength to toss the Goblin several dozen yards. He soared flailing over the edge of the maze and landed well out of sight. In the distance, Demetrius heard the thud of the goblin's impact upon the ground. With that, the Gargoyle warrior flashed the third goblin a perfectly white smile.
"Next?" He asked as he crouched ready for battle. With tail lashing and eyes glowing, he looked a menacing sight to the much smaller opponent. The small goblin swallowed the large lump in his throat and gulped.
Demetrius on all fours charged the smaller assailant. The goblin yipped like a Chihuahua and ran off into the night. Demetrius wished at that moment he could have had the satisfaction of filleting the one who tried to cut of his tail.
Wren trembled in her shoes as the three dull-green monsters marched toward her. She knew linguistics were no help in battle. Wren called upon her rarely used power of probability manipulation. Her eyes glowed verdant as several shimmering emerald spheres come magickally from nowhere. They darted swiftly around one of the goblins. He seemed rather stunned for a moment.
The Goblin mumbled something in a language that Wren didn't comprehend. She thought that odd considering she understood most languages merely upon hearing them. He took a step forward with menacing glee. His eyes widened in shock as his foot caught on a thick vine and he fell flat on his ugly green face.
The other two merely stepped on or around their fallen comrade. The second one drew his sword and slashed at the young woman. She cried out in pain as the sharp blade found it's mark against her upper arm. With fright as her motivator, Wren kicked with renewed purpose at the Gargoyle's most sacred treasure.
She watched with relief as she heard the Goblin yowl pitifully in extreme agony. He doubled over and grabbed his crotch. Wren heard his sword clatter on the cobblestone path of the labyrinth. She applied pressure to her arm to stop the bleeding. She looked around desperately for Demetrius. She froze as she heard the wheezing snicker of the final goblin.
He advanced slowly with sword in hand as if he were a mighty predator and she the helpless prey. The goblin backed her into the thick, branched wall of the labyrinth. He drew back his sword for the killing blow. He missed horribly as he slashed at her knees. Wren had the good sense to jump upwards at the very last second. She brought her fist around in a wide arc but the goblin leapt out of the way.
"How sweet, human meat. You'll make a tasty dinner." The goblin giggled maniacally as he circled the injured Wren. "You're blood smells sweet, oh, what a treat."
"Burn in hell, you bloody savage." She said through gritted teeth. She knew that she was fighting on borrowed time. "Demetrius! Help me."
The ebon Gargoyle saw his friend cornered against the branches of the labyrinth wall. He knew that he was far enough away that he wouldn't reach her in time and he roared in frustration. The goblin turned to see what caused such a ferocious sound. With that split second of opportunity, Wren reached for the annulus hanging on her belt.
It came easily from its loop. She brought the sharp edge in a well-aimed undercut. She heard the goblin gurgle and cough as the bladed circlet cut through his leather armor and found its way into his soft underbelly. He turned and looked at Wren with eyes wide.
"You're just a little girl...." He gurgled. "How?"
"Like this!" She used her remaining strength to pull the annulus upwards in the goblin. Thick green blood oozed from his mouth. He gave a sheepish grin and crumpled sideways like a felled redwood tree with the annulus still embedded in his flesh.
"Wren, you are hurt." He exclaimed as he saw the blood flowing freely from her arm. He reached toward his loincloth and unwrapped it.
"Demetrius! What are you doing?" Wren stared in shock as he stood nude before her. She watched mutely as his talons easily tore a long scrap from the hem. She stole a glance at his exposed virility. Wren felt heat flush her cheeks as she appraised his natural endowments.
Nature certainly gave Demetrius an abundance of treasure. She heard a clearing of his throat. Her eyes met his. She saw his sparkle with mischief. His voice was silken and dark as he uttered his next words, "Do I meet your expectations? Do you find me wanting, Wren?"
"I -" she squeaked. Words failed her as he caught her red-cheeked in her embarrassement. "Mother Nature likes you."
"You appove?"He knelt beside her and smiled at her.
"What I think is irrelevent, Demetrius."
"What you think is of great importance to me, Wren." He said hoarsely. "Do you not know that?"
"We need to see if Kirn is well." She attempted to rise to her feet. Demetrius stayed her with a strong yet gentle hand.
"Hold still, Milady." He said gently as he meticulously wrapped it around the nasty slash. "We need to administer healing herbs and potions at once to avoid contagion within the wound."
"Infection." She translated.
"Aye." He nodded. "Are you well to travel?"
"I'm not feeling well. I'm a bit shaken." She admitted. She gasped as she saw the rank corpse lying stiff only a few feet from her. "I killed one."
"You kept your wits about you, Wren Summers." Demetrius smiled at her as he wrapped his torn loincloth about his person. He turned to the carcass and grabbed the annulus. With one deft yank, he retrieved it from the body and wiped it on the leather to clean off the goblin's blood. Once the blade of the annulus was clean to his satisfaction, he returned it to Wren.
"Thanks." She stuttered as she began to shiver. She felt vertigo attack her head and cold cut through her.
"You've lost blood, Wren." Demetrius swept her into his arms. "Just a bit longer, Love, and we will be done with this."
"S-s-orry." She chattered.
"No apologies needed." He said warmly. "You fought bravely and well. I am proud of you."
"Who me? Brave? You've got the wrong person." She retorted as the cold threatened to freeze her bones.
"Aye, you." He responded. "You are a wren only by name. You are truly an eagle."
"Keep dreaming." She muttered fighting off the urge to sleep.
"Friends, is all well?" Kirn called out to them.
"Nay, Milady Wren has suffered injury this night. We need make haste to the bed of lilies and be done with this."
"Agreed. It seems that LuKasha thought us a threat after all." Kirn said gravely. "I found orders on one of the goblins for our deaths and our heads."
"Let us continue." Demetrius nodded.
They made their way again through the endless growth. Demetrius broke through the final entanglement of branches and vines. He cleared away the dead vines with one deft slash of his talons. The trio solemnly entered into the small grove. The sight that met their eyes was one of pristine beauty.
Lying upon a crystal table laid one of the most breathtaking women Wren had ever seen. Upon the solid block of quartz crystal the princess laid still in her enchanted repose. Her hair was a flowing cascade of small, intricate braids the hue of a raven's wing. It crowned her face in a halo of jet. Her skin gleamed with the rich, burnished hue of mocha. The richness of her beauty caused Demetrius to whisper, "Lovely."
Wren chose to ignore the comment.
"What did the Goddess say" He pondered staring dumbfound at the Nubian Beauty asleep before him. "The falls of sadness from the purest heart shall free her?"
"Purest. Lacking taint or blemish." Wren spoke her thoughts aloud. "It also means one who is without reproach."
"True." Replied Kirn. "However, pure can also be associated with virgins."
"Virgin?" Demetrius asked with a quizzical expression lining his handsome features.
"You've not heard the word?" Kirn asked him. "It means one who.... Uh...one who remains...has never.... oh, never mind."
"Wait!" Wren exclaimed as a stray moonbeam illuminated a portion of the quartz table. "I think I see something."
Anything to cause a distraction from the candid turn in conversation!
"Can you stand?" Demetrius asked her.
"Let me go." She replied. Once on her feet, she knelt beside the crystal slab. She leaned forward to better study the strange markings she spotted upon the crystal upon which the princess slumbered. She diligently studied the etchings.
Upon the sides of the slab facing them was a combination of flourished script. Underneath that was a continuous row of seeming Nordic and Celtic runes. The bottom row was a series of ancient hieroglyphics and pictographs.
"Let him who is purist in heart and purest in body let no sadness fall upon these lips." Wren read slowly as she traced her fingers along the first line of flourishing curves. She focused her attention upon the second line and repeated the same.
"Here!" She pointed to a hieroglyph of two faces meeting. "That is an ancient symbol for kissing! Oh, these people were clever."
"What do you mean?" Kirn asked.
"The direction weren't all included in each line." She explained. "The directions to awaken the Princess are included in three lines and three languages. The full saying is 'Let him who is purist in heart and purest in body let no sadness fall upon these lips. Let darkness upon darkness bring light to Ainran. Let the bitterness of LuKasha be broken with the sweetness of a kiss."
"So, we kiss the girl and all is well?" Kirn asked. "Simple enough, I will kiss her and we'll be on our way."
"Stay those eager lips, Kirn." Wren warned him. "Most incantations are a play upon words. Trust me, I've studied enough of them to know. The first line says purist as in traditionalist. It's a common joke amongst the humans on Caledon that Gargoyles are the purest purists we know."
"I also honor tradition." Kirn said sharply.
"Hang on, there's more to this lyrical puzzle." She told him. "The second line says, 'purest in body.' Are you a virgin?"
"Nay." Kirn muttered. [Did he just blush?]
"The particular use of this Ainran script implies purity of the body, thus virginity. The first line implies it must be a "he who is purist in heart and purest in body." She turned her attention upon Demetrius. "I hate to get personal, but are you.... well?"
"I am unmated." He replied cryptically.
"Have you ever mated?" She asked delicately.
"Nay, I wait until I find my life mate." He replied.
"You qualify as the resident Virgin." She quipped. "The second line also said 'let darkness upon darkness' bring light to Ainran.' Demtrius is dark and so is this Princess."
"How do you know that is the proper translation?" Kirn asked skeptically. "You are not from here. How do you know the languages of our people?"
"It's a special ability I have called hyper-linguistics." Wren countered. "I have many skills."
"Humph." He snorted.
"Bull-headed." She retorted. "Let the bitterness of LuKasha be broken with the sweetness of a kiss.' That means that Demetrius is the one prophesied to kiss the princess and break the spell."
"A kiss? An enchantment can only be broken through a powerful wizard or divine intervention." Kirn scoffed.
"You never read fairy tales as a child, did you?" Wren asked. "No matter. Demetrius, it wouldn't hurt to try and kiss her. Besides, we don't have much else to go on."
"Milady, your speculations are much more sound that some people's certainties." He cast a meaningful glance at Kirn. "I shall do as you suggest."
He walked forward until he stood near the head of the princess. The ebony Gargoyle closed his eyes and imagined those haunting hazel eyes staring at him. He longed for his first kiss to be from Wren rather than a comatose princess. He slowly lowered his lips to the princess. He brought his lips to hers in a chaste kiss. One tear coursed a path down his cheek. He felt warm lips return the innocent peck. Staring open-eyed at him were the dark eyes of coffee. They bravely and confidently met his scrutinizing lavender gaze. He now understood why humans held kisses in such high regard.
"Your Highness." He murmured against her full lips.
"You are the Champion?" She asked of him.
"Some would say as much." He replied humbly.
"I am Ashanti." Came the rich, full alto from her Highness' lips. "You've awakened me, Nightkind."
"Aye. Now, we must set you upon your throne so that Evil will meet it's demise." Demetrius scooped the royal beauty into his harms. "Your throne awaits you."
"Make haste, Nightkind." She commanded.
"Wren, I shall return shortly once this is concluded. Wait for me." Demetrius called to his friend.
"I will." She promised. "Don't be long and be careful."
"I will be brief and I shall take heed, Milady." He told her. She managed to force a smile as she watched her Warrior and the prince glide in the direction of Skylaris.
Wren knew it was going to be a long night.
