They walked along in comfortable silence, just enjoying the warm summer evening. However, while Kel was staring at the sun setting, Neal was much more distracted by his beautiful companion, her hair coppery in the soft red light, that made her dress shimmer purple. He was indeed so distracted he did not notice the tree fast approaching in his path. Kel turned and gaped when she heard a large THUMP! and turned to see Neal sprawled on the ground in front of a large tree. He sat up groaning, rubbing his forehead. Once Kel had gotten over the shock, she couldn't help it. She started laughing uncontrollably, and Neal's bewildered look only made her laugh harder. She sank onto the ground next to him, clutching her sides, and he soon joined in her mirth.
After a while, she calmed down, and asked Neal what on earth had caused him to be so distracted as to run into a tree. "I suppose I might have had too much of that champagne..." he said sheepishly, still rubbing his forehead. Kel let out a small giggle. "Nealan of Queenscove, admitting to being drunk and running into a tree. Now THERE is something I never expected to see!" He grinned at her mischieviously, his green eyes sparkling. "Then I suppose you never expected this either" and leaning over, he swiftly kissed her on the lips. She stared at him as he pulled back. A feeling of incredible joy welled up inside her, and for a moment, she said nothing. Neal watched her, and his green eyes turned serious, "Listen...I'm sorry Kel, I shouldn't ha-" "No!" she interrupted him, smiling. "I was just hoping you were serious and not under the influence of that champagne." He grinned, his eyes lighting up again. "Keladry of Mindelan, I have never been so serious about anything in my life." and smiled a brilliant smile at her. She smiled back, never so happy in her life.
Her happy thoughts were interrupted when she heard a muffled yell coming from the forest. "Neal, did you hear that?" She asked, turning serious. "Here what?" He said, staring at her. "Someone yelling.." It came again, a pain-filled roar, muffled by something. Kel's eyes met Neal's, and they leaped up together and hurried towards the forest.
Numair Salmalin slowly opened his eyes, feeling something warm trickle through them. He groggily looked around, his eyes gradually coming into focus. Why was he is the forest...tied to a tree...he shook his head, trying to clear it. He was missing something important...where was Daine? Daine! It was starting to come back now, slowly. He tried desperately to remember, and realized he had been drugged, and it was slowing down his mind. He tried to yell out, and realized he was gagged. Suddenly the memories came back to him in a rush...he had been with Daine...in the carriage....they were leaving the wedding...but then the stormwings, and the burning red magic that dampened his own powerful gift. He had tried to protect her...but they had taken her!
He roared in rage, struggling violently against the ropes. He could think only of Daine...he had waited so long for this day, when they would be together for eternity...but those Mithros-cursed beasts had stolen her! He roared again in anger, making his temples throb and causing a cut on his head to seep more blood into his eyes. He tried to use magic on the ropes, but realized he was totally drained. This only added fuel to the flame. His anger growing to a blaze, he started to shake violently, wanting nothing more but to kill those storm-wings that had stolen his love.
He was about to erupt in another fit of rage when he saw two figures running towards him. He recognized one of them...the girl page, and her male companion looked vaguely familiar. The ran up to him and started to work on the ropes. Once they were undone, he slipped from his position against the tree's trunk to the soft forest floor. The young man, Neal, unbound the gag from his mouth. He slowly sat up and wiped the blood from his face. "Daine...the stormwings...." He looked at Neal. "Quickly...you must find Alanna....Jonathon...you must hurry." The tall mage tried to get up on his own, but stumbled back down. Neal kept him from falling, then turned to Kel. THeir eyes met in a silent agreement, and Kel took off towards the wedding to find help.
Ah...so perhaps the stormwings will succeed in ruining things after all? Who knows.... I do!! Yup! And I'll tell ya, sooner or later. K? Bye.
~CometFern