A/N: Alright when I originally came up with the idea for this story I had
the beginning, middle, and end plotted from the start. But something I've
realized is that I don't really know what to do for the transition periods;
the period from beginning to middle and then middle to end. So now that I'm
almost at that point, it might be awhile since I post again due to a combo
of school, lack of ideas, and soon ACT prep classes. But there are about
three people reading this anyway, so yeah. . .there's no rush.
Disclaimer: Oh, in case you're wondering, I still don't own anything having to do with the creation of the Black Jewels Trilogy or Bishop-related things.
Awakening from a pleasant dream, Raine wished she could linger in bed and reflect on what she had seen. But Lucivar would be displeased if she was late again. However, even the thought of her gruff trainer wasn't enough to dampen her spirits today. It had been two weeks since her abrupt arrival at the hall, and finally, today, she was going to do something besides training, Craft, and study.
Chlandra had invited her to go riding in Glacia, and it was something Raine had been looking forward to since she had suggested it. She had never been riding before, and the experience should prove interesting.
Dressing hurriedly, she ran down the hallways to the kitchens, hoping to swipe some real food. Lucivar had put her on a strict Eryien warrior diet, insisting that it was a necessary part of her training, and she hadn't eaten anything decent since.
Tiptoeing inside, Raine immediately smelt the pastries that Mrs. Beale had prepared for breakfast. Waiting until the plump woman was out of sight, Raine quietly slipped over to the platter laden down with sweets. Grabbing her breakfast, she raised the cream-coated flaky treat victoriously, preparing to sink her teeth into it.
"Hey!" she spun around angrily as it was snatched from her hand, "What do you think you're doing?"
"Keeping you in line," Mrs. Beale replied, shoving half a grapefruit into her hands, "You should know by now that I see everything that happens in my kitchens."
"But Mrs. Beale," Raine protested in a wheedling tone, "I'm a young girl, this diet was made for strong Eryien warriors. Look at me, I'm practically skin and bones."
The cook shot Raine a crude glance and said, "You know, I always said that putting young girls on a diet of any sort was unhealthy," she agreed handing her back her pastry, "but if Prince Yaslana hears about this, you're taking full responsibility."
"Done!" Raine agreed quickly and tore into her treat. Swallowing almost without tasting she asked, "Who's Prince Yaslana?"
"Lucivar," Mrs. Beale replied absentmindedly, already something else on her mind.
Raine tried to picture her no-nonsense weapons teacher as some haughty warlord prince and failed miserably, causing her to dissolve into a fit of giggles.
"Good morning Raine," said an amused voice behind her. Turning around, licking cream off her top lip, she saw Saetan.
"Shouldn't you be having a grapefruit?" he continued mildly, ignoring her futile attempts to hide her sugary breakfast.
"Ummm. . .yeah, you see it's the funniest thing-"
"Enough," the High Lord sighed, holding his hand up for silence, "I took the chance that you'd forgotten there was early practice today-"
"What?!!!" Raine shrieked, preparing to leave, but again Saetan put up his hand to stop her.
"Don't worry about it. Lucivar gave you permission to be late," Raine's eyebrow arched at that statement but the High Lord continued, "There's someone you have to meet."
Mrs. Beale shot Saetan a dark glance at that statement, but he chose to ignore her. Without a word, she followed him out of the kitchens and outside. Finding it odd that her guest hadn't been invited inside, Raine nonetheless followed Saetan around a corner. . . and screamed louder than she had ever screamed in her entire life.
Standing before her was a dragon, a kai' tori to be exact. But that didn't mean he was small, at her full height Raine only came to his shoulder. Rising to stand on all fours, he was truly an impressive sight. The kai' tori gleamed a fiery red from the thick layer of scales covering his body. A long, elegant neck supported a finely sculpted head where eyes that burned with intelligence studied Raine curiously. Occasionally, wisps of smoke escaped his nostrils; evidence of the fire-breathing power that lay in the organs of the dragon. Looking at him, Raine became so terrified that she found it difficult to breathe.
* My* the kai' tori remarked thoughtfully* you humans, for being so small, sure can scream*
Raine stood dumb, unable to comprehend what was happening. She realized that the Kindred was talking to her, and she struggled to remember what Jaenelle had said about communicating with them. Finally remembering, she sent a tentative spear thread * Umm. . .hi. . . .I'm Raine*
* Then you're the one I'm looking for* the kai' tori responded, sounding relieved *I've come to protect you*
Raine compressed her lips into a stern line and answered, *Protect me? Why would I need it, especially from such a creature as yourself? *
*You need it more than you think * was the reply* There are foes out there that you can not imagine, maybe even from within the turmoils of your soul. I'm here to prevent you from doing anything stupid, as well as lay waste to whatever outside influences may harm you.*
* I hate to tell you this,* Raine said bitterly *But you're a couple of years late.*
The kai' tori snorted flame, smoke billowing from his huge nostrils, a clear sign of his displeasure.
* Sorry!* Raine quickly amended *I didn't mean it the way it came out. Just don't fry or impale me with one of those claws.*
*She certainly has a mouth on her * the dragon stated to Saetan *Is she always like this? *
*Worse * was the reply, then opening up the conversation to Raine, he said * Well, it looks like you two have some bonding to do, so I will take my leave. Remember, Raine, you have Craft in exactly one hour. . .and will you PLEASE try to be on time?*
* Wait, wait, wait!* she protested *We're not done yet. I haven't agreed to anything- *
*The situation has long passed outside your scope of control. * was all the High Lord would say, then, silent as shadow, he walked away.
*So. . .* Raine said, staring down at her feet *Do you have a name? Or something to call you by? *
*Yes, I'm called Torsh. It means 'Flame' in your tongue, or something very close to that *
*I see. . .so what are your hobbies? *
*Oh you know, the usual. * Torsh said, lying down to make himself more comfortable *Long romantic walks on the beach, candlelight dinners, getting caught in the rain. . . *
* Really?*
*No.*
*Oh, * then suddenly Raine laughed *You know, I think this whole partnership thing could work out between us. *
*That's the intention * Torsh responded yawning, closing his yellow, lamplike eyes *So what do you do? *
*Well, today I'm going to visit Chlandra of Glacia. I'm really excited, it's really my first social event since I got here. *
The kai' tori growled and said, * Glacia? But it's cold up there. Can't you just invite her here and save me the trip?*
Raine was horror struck and quickly answered, *Well, what are you worried about? You're not coming along. That would be a disaster *
*Of course I am * answered Torsh *What's the point of being a protector if I have to stay at the Hall the entire time? *
*Look * Raine said evenly, trying to control her temper * I really need this to go well. Chlandra seems like a pretty nice girl, and I'd like to become friends with her. But I don't think that will go over very well if I show up at her doorstep with a dragon in tow!*
* You worry too much* Torsh replied lazily * I can go unseen, if I wish, you just need to have a little faith.*
Raine somehow doubted this was true but apparently she didn't have a choice in the matter. Sighing, she glanced at the sun and realized that she'd better start moving for Craft lessons.
* * * * *
"Wow! That was amazing!" Jaenelle's apprentice grinned as she pulled back the reins to her mount, Stormchaser, a Purple Dusk jeweled warlord.
"Yeah!" Chlandra agreed, pulling in rein beside her with her mount, Dreamweaver, "Cantering for the first time gives you such a thrill! It's just pure. . ."
"Exhilaration?" Raine supplied for her, causing both girls to laugh in delight.
This ride had gone better than Raine had expected it too. She really had gotten the gist of it, and, true to his word, neither she nor Chlandra had seen any sign of Torsh.
"Oh hey," Chlandra pointed, "Look who's over there."
Raine looked over where her friend pointed and groaned. Just when things had been going so well, he had to show up. Apparently, Daemon spotted them too because he started riding towards them.
"Shit," she muttered underneath her breath.
"Hey Raine," he said silkily as he pulled in , " You're just going horseback riding. Why don't you go put some real clothes on?"
Raine looked at her tight leathers and fumed. This was decent, well, kind of. . .
"Hey Daemon," she mimicked, "Why don't you stop being such a prick and mind your own business?"
"Sorry, you got it wrong again. I'm Bastard."
The feud between Consort and apprentice had developed into open animosity over the last two weeks. They no longer hid their feelings behind fake smiles and carefully chosen words. It had turned into verbal warfare, and there was always the threat of it becoming more physical day by day. Raine dwelled on all this when, unexpectedly, she heard a familiar voice in her head.
*Do you want me to take care of him?* Torsh asked, quietly, a note of eagerness in his spear thread.
*Aren't you protectors supposed to be preventing me from doing stupid stuff like that? Controlling my anger and everything? * Raine shot back, trying to push the kai' tori out of her mind. He obliged, but he was obviously very sullen about it. Out loud she said, "So you're riding alone? Couldn't charm Jaenelle with one of those smiles to come with you?"
"Funny. Anyway, to answer your question, I invited Janelle but she already had promised to visit Aaron and Kalush. I'm only riding now because Glacia has one of the finest stocks of horses in Kaeleer, and I didn't want to miss the opportunity."
"Right," Raine answered sweetly, her voice dripping with sarcasm, "Well, see you around, unfortunately."
"Ahhh. . .Love you too," Daemon answered, mocking her sweetness with a high-pitched voice.
"Uh-huh," Chlandra added quickly, preparing to ride off with Raine, "Well. . .kiss kiss."
A/N: Wow, there was definitely an over-usage of the 'rain' sound. Between Raine, rain, and rein. . .ah well. I think I made Daemon a little too petty this chapter, but I wanted to get the point across. Tell me if it sucked, honestly. Review please!
Disclaimer: Oh, in case you're wondering, I still don't own anything having to do with the creation of the Black Jewels Trilogy or Bishop-related things.
Awakening from a pleasant dream, Raine wished she could linger in bed and reflect on what she had seen. But Lucivar would be displeased if she was late again. However, even the thought of her gruff trainer wasn't enough to dampen her spirits today. It had been two weeks since her abrupt arrival at the hall, and finally, today, she was going to do something besides training, Craft, and study.
Chlandra had invited her to go riding in Glacia, and it was something Raine had been looking forward to since she had suggested it. She had never been riding before, and the experience should prove interesting.
Dressing hurriedly, she ran down the hallways to the kitchens, hoping to swipe some real food. Lucivar had put her on a strict Eryien warrior diet, insisting that it was a necessary part of her training, and she hadn't eaten anything decent since.
Tiptoeing inside, Raine immediately smelt the pastries that Mrs. Beale had prepared for breakfast. Waiting until the plump woman was out of sight, Raine quietly slipped over to the platter laden down with sweets. Grabbing her breakfast, she raised the cream-coated flaky treat victoriously, preparing to sink her teeth into it.
"Hey!" she spun around angrily as it was snatched from her hand, "What do you think you're doing?"
"Keeping you in line," Mrs. Beale replied, shoving half a grapefruit into her hands, "You should know by now that I see everything that happens in my kitchens."
"But Mrs. Beale," Raine protested in a wheedling tone, "I'm a young girl, this diet was made for strong Eryien warriors. Look at me, I'm practically skin and bones."
The cook shot Raine a crude glance and said, "You know, I always said that putting young girls on a diet of any sort was unhealthy," she agreed handing her back her pastry, "but if Prince Yaslana hears about this, you're taking full responsibility."
"Done!" Raine agreed quickly and tore into her treat. Swallowing almost without tasting she asked, "Who's Prince Yaslana?"
"Lucivar," Mrs. Beale replied absentmindedly, already something else on her mind.
Raine tried to picture her no-nonsense weapons teacher as some haughty warlord prince and failed miserably, causing her to dissolve into a fit of giggles.
"Good morning Raine," said an amused voice behind her. Turning around, licking cream off her top lip, she saw Saetan.
"Shouldn't you be having a grapefruit?" he continued mildly, ignoring her futile attempts to hide her sugary breakfast.
"Ummm. . .yeah, you see it's the funniest thing-"
"Enough," the High Lord sighed, holding his hand up for silence, "I took the chance that you'd forgotten there was early practice today-"
"What?!!!" Raine shrieked, preparing to leave, but again Saetan put up his hand to stop her.
"Don't worry about it. Lucivar gave you permission to be late," Raine's eyebrow arched at that statement but the High Lord continued, "There's someone you have to meet."
Mrs. Beale shot Saetan a dark glance at that statement, but he chose to ignore her. Without a word, she followed him out of the kitchens and outside. Finding it odd that her guest hadn't been invited inside, Raine nonetheless followed Saetan around a corner. . . and screamed louder than she had ever screamed in her entire life.
Standing before her was a dragon, a kai' tori to be exact. But that didn't mean he was small, at her full height Raine only came to his shoulder. Rising to stand on all fours, he was truly an impressive sight. The kai' tori gleamed a fiery red from the thick layer of scales covering his body. A long, elegant neck supported a finely sculpted head where eyes that burned with intelligence studied Raine curiously. Occasionally, wisps of smoke escaped his nostrils; evidence of the fire-breathing power that lay in the organs of the dragon. Looking at him, Raine became so terrified that she found it difficult to breathe.
* My* the kai' tori remarked thoughtfully* you humans, for being so small, sure can scream*
Raine stood dumb, unable to comprehend what was happening. She realized that the Kindred was talking to her, and she struggled to remember what Jaenelle had said about communicating with them. Finally remembering, she sent a tentative spear thread * Umm. . .hi. . . .I'm Raine*
* Then you're the one I'm looking for* the kai' tori responded, sounding relieved *I've come to protect you*
Raine compressed her lips into a stern line and answered, *Protect me? Why would I need it, especially from such a creature as yourself? *
*You need it more than you think * was the reply* There are foes out there that you can not imagine, maybe even from within the turmoils of your soul. I'm here to prevent you from doing anything stupid, as well as lay waste to whatever outside influences may harm you.*
* I hate to tell you this,* Raine said bitterly *But you're a couple of years late.*
The kai' tori snorted flame, smoke billowing from his huge nostrils, a clear sign of his displeasure.
* Sorry!* Raine quickly amended *I didn't mean it the way it came out. Just don't fry or impale me with one of those claws.*
*She certainly has a mouth on her * the dragon stated to Saetan *Is she always like this? *
*Worse * was the reply, then opening up the conversation to Raine, he said * Well, it looks like you two have some bonding to do, so I will take my leave. Remember, Raine, you have Craft in exactly one hour. . .and will you PLEASE try to be on time?*
* Wait, wait, wait!* she protested *We're not done yet. I haven't agreed to anything- *
*The situation has long passed outside your scope of control. * was all the High Lord would say, then, silent as shadow, he walked away.
*So. . .* Raine said, staring down at her feet *Do you have a name? Or something to call you by? *
*Yes, I'm called Torsh. It means 'Flame' in your tongue, or something very close to that *
*I see. . .so what are your hobbies? *
*Oh you know, the usual. * Torsh said, lying down to make himself more comfortable *Long romantic walks on the beach, candlelight dinners, getting caught in the rain. . . *
* Really?*
*No.*
*Oh, * then suddenly Raine laughed *You know, I think this whole partnership thing could work out between us. *
*That's the intention * Torsh responded yawning, closing his yellow, lamplike eyes *So what do you do? *
*Well, today I'm going to visit Chlandra of Glacia. I'm really excited, it's really my first social event since I got here. *
The kai' tori growled and said, * Glacia? But it's cold up there. Can't you just invite her here and save me the trip?*
Raine was horror struck and quickly answered, *Well, what are you worried about? You're not coming along. That would be a disaster *
*Of course I am * answered Torsh *What's the point of being a protector if I have to stay at the Hall the entire time? *
*Look * Raine said evenly, trying to control her temper * I really need this to go well. Chlandra seems like a pretty nice girl, and I'd like to become friends with her. But I don't think that will go over very well if I show up at her doorstep with a dragon in tow!*
* You worry too much* Torsh replied lazily * I can go unseen, if I wish, you just need to have a little faith.*
Raine somehow doubted this was true but apparently she didn't have a choice in the matter. Sighing, she glanced at the sun and realized that she'd better start moving for Craft lessons.
* * * * *
"Wow! That was amazing!" Jaenelle's apprentice grinned as she pulled back the reins to her mount, Stormchaser, a Purple Dusk jeweled warlord.
"Yeah!" Chlandra agreed, pulling in rein beside her with her mount, Dreamweaver, "Cantering for the first time gives you such a thrill! It's just pure. . ."
"Exhilaration?" Raine supplied for her, causing both girls to laugh in delight.
This ride had gone better than Raine had expected it too. She really had gotten the gist of it, and, true to his word, neither she nor Chlandra had seen any sign of Torsh.
"Oh hey," Chlandra pointed, "Look who's over there."
Raine looked over where her friend pointed and groaned. Just when things had been going so well, he had to show up. Apparently, Daemon spotted them too because he started riding towards them.
"Shit," she muttered underneath her breath.
"Hey Raine," he said silkily as he pulled in , " You're just going horseback riding. Why don't you go put some real clothes on?"
Raine looked at her tight leathers and fumed. This was decent, well, kind of. . .
"Hey Daemon," she mimicked, "Why don't you stop being such a prick and mind your own business?"
"Sorry, you got it wrong again. I'm Bastard."
The feud between Consort and apprentice had developed into open animosity over the last two weeks. They no longer hid their feelings behind fake smiles and carefully chosen words. It had turned into verbal warfare, and there was always the threat of it becoming more physical day by day. Raine dwelled on all this when, unexpectedly, she heard a familiar voice in her head.
*Do you want me to take care of him?* Torsh asked, quietly, a note of eagerness in his spear thread.
*Aren't you protectors supposed to be preventing me from doing stupid stuff like that? Controlling my anger and everything? * Raine shot back, trying to push the kai' tori out of her mind. He obliged, but he was obviously very sullen about it. Out loud she said, "So you're riding alone? Couldn't charm Jaenelle with one of those smiles to come with you?"
"Funny. Anyway, to answer your question, I invited Janelle but she already had promised to visit Aaron and Kalush. I'm only riding now because Glacia has one of the finest stocks of horses in Kaeleer, and I didn't want to miss the opportunity."
"Right," Raine answered sweetly, her voice dripping with sarcasm, "Well, see you around, unfortunately."
"Ahhh. . .Love you too," Daemon answered, mocking her sweetness with a high-pitched voice.
"Uh-huh," Chlandra added quickly, preparing to ride off with Raine, "Well. . .kiss kiss."
A/N: Wow, there was definitely an over-usage of the 'rain' sound. Between Raine, rain, and rein. . .ah well. I think I made Daemon a little too petty this chapter, but I wanted to get the point across. Tell me if it sucked, honestly. Review please!