"I'd never make the same mistake twice." He blushed.
*****
The blade felt awkward in Albain's hands. He hadn't used this sword since the year Lielay died. His sword had saved Lielay countless times, but not that one night. Trying to grab it correctly as he did when he was young, Albain circled around slowly moving his arms. The wound in his middle burned, it was mostly healed, but it was still raw. Dropping the blade carelessly, Albain blinked in surprise. A dim shimmering light moved through the trees gracefully.
"Albain are you all right?" Aubrey puffed his pipe.
"Ummm, yes." Albain grabbed his sword and walked into the forest.
*****
The late afternoon wind blew softly as Lorilie stroked Kel's head waiting for Caleb. Brand's cheek had swelled up and it was turning purple, he tired to cover it. Lanie was again busy making Lorilie another gown this one was more fancy then the last, this had lace and silk covering it. Rolling her eyes, Lorilie told Lanie time after time that dresses weren't for her, but the human just ignored the wood elf.
Pink clouds hovered above when Caleb, Slith, Tegid, and two strangers boarded the Windchaser. By the looks of it, one of the strangers was Tegid's wife, Minea. Lorilie already knew Minea's appearance since that's all what Tegid talked about. The other stranger was a male dark elf that didn't talk much. His long white hair was pulled over his shoulders where it hung limply. His deep penetrating red eyes frightened Lorilie when she looked at them. Brand noted that the dark elf was only wearing black, helmet to boots.
Lorilie approached him and cleared her throat. "Welcome aboard the Windchaser. I am Captain Lorilie." She bowed.
He nodded his head in return. "Tiyon Vult'Raelen."
Moving on to Minea, Lorilie tried to introduce herself. Minea smiled nervously and grabbed onto Tegid's shoulder tightly. Lorilie bowed anyway and went to go find Caleb. Below the creaking wood of the deck, Lorilie entered to where Caleb was at and sat next to him. He quickly put something into a bag and shoved it under the bed.
"What happened in the city?" Lorilie smiled.
"Too much." Caleb coughed.
"Like what?" she was eager to hear.
"Fights on every corner, just like what happens in Freeport, nothing new." he kissed her forehead and went above.
*****
"Run!" Vinx yelled to Victoria.
"Where?! This is a boat! There is no place to run!" Victoria leaped down to Vinx to avoid the sea goblin behind her.
The pitter-patter of hurried feet scurried all over the small trading ship that Vinx and Victoria were on. A horde of deep-water goblins invaded the vessel and began to loot and cause havoc. The goblins were everywhere, even more waiting in the water below. Their devious grins made Victoria sneer; she despised these creatures. Grabbing a loose piece of wood she charged a goblin and broke the board over its head. It stumbled to the side and splashed into the water.
"That was nice." Vinx commented while stabbing another through the eye.
"Turn ye ship lads! We're heading back!" the short balding captain cupped his hands and shouted.
Victoria's jaw dropped. "We need to go to Firiona Vie!"
"Unless you can kill off those gobbies we're going to Butcher Block."
"Victoria, don't just stand there!" Vinx threw a bag at her.
"They're turning around" she growled at Vinx.
Vinx chewed his lip and spat. "Well, we'll have to find another way there."
"How?" Victoria kicked a small creature away.
"There has to be a life boat somewhere on deck." He began to search.
Victoria's eyes popped. "We're not rowing there! You're insane, we'll die only after two days!" she fell to the ground as the goblin she kicked pounced onto her back.
"We won't die with me there." Vinx tossed the vile creature into the side of the ship.
"Oh gods." Victoria covered her face and shook her head.
*****
Sipping the crystal goblet lazily, Riley sat in a massive chair with his leg resting over the side. His mysterious smile kept his servants fidgeting with their vests. The large ship he was on carried over a hundred people. Riley had only brought a crew of twenty with him to Greater Faydark. Torturing Albain was going to be his greatest thrill of life, except seeing Lorilie Liltreehuggr-Tinderblade and her brother die. A woman wearing a dress with a very low neckline glided into the room making all the men stare. She knelt beside Riley's chair and bowed her head. Riley bent her head back and studied her flawless face; he smiled evilly and motioned her to sit.
"What is your request M'lord?" she tried not to look at his scarred face.
"You, Lady Nicola, are going to lure Albain Tinderblade into my trap." He took another sip.
Her forehead narrowed. "How?" her beauty covered up for her brains.
"You shall see. We have days to plan." Riley laughed.
"I still don't get it." Her head tilted.
*****
Kron entered the house and stood in front of Albain. Albain lifted his head waiting for Kron to speak. After handing him a letter silently, Kron left again. Shaking the extremely fancy letter open, Albain glanced over it. He snorted with laughter and replaced the letter in its envelope.
Aubrey sat beside him and raised his eyebrows. "Well what is it?"
"A letter to inform everyone on Faydwer that King Tearis' daughter has gone missing." Albain chuckled.
"Why do you find that funny?" the human snorted.
"If one of Tearis' servants went missing he wouldn't even notice. Even if one of the high lords were missing he wouldn't lift a finger to help. He only cares about himself." Albain yawned.
"I'll never understand you elves." Aubrey shook his head.
"Elves are the most intelligent race on Norrath." The wood elf stood.
"Aubrey smirked. "Or so you think. By the way where did you disappear earlier?"
"I just took a walk in the forest. Thinking back of my childhood life here." Albain departed the room.
*****
The glittering night stars shone brightly across the water. Torches were lit on the ship for Brand to perform for the group. He happily played requested songs and tried to invent some new just to make them laugh. Minea, at first, was very shy and barely talked unless it was too Tegid or Tiyon. Once she got more comfortable, she grabbed Tegid's hands and pulled him into a fast jig. Lorilie cheered and clapped loudly. Laughing, Caleb bowed to Lanie and offered her his arm. She took it quickly and they too joined into the dance.
"Would you like to dance, Slith?" Lorilie jumped up.
"Why yesss, pleasse." Slith grinned.
Brand grew louder as the music grew faster. Kel lay off to the side smiling at the three couples dancing merrily. Tiyon leaned against the railing half hidden by the shadows, a slight smile formed on his face. Minea ran over to him and dragged him into the wild dance. The atmosphere of the ship was so cheerful and right, Lorilie loved it, and she smiled at Brand. He nodded his head back as he circled all the dancers playing his flute.
An hour or so later, Minea collapsed into Tegid's chest and begged for rest. The two bid farewell for the night and retired to their cabin Lorilie gave them. Tiyon followed them down after performing a sweeping bow for Lorilie and Brand. Caleb took Brand's lute from him and started to compose a song. Lorilie was stunned that her brother actually knew how to play and even sing. Brand stepped over to Lorilie and asked her for the dance.
Caleb sat on the thick railing and sang softly:
"Every time you leave I'm left With only one memory Of how you think you're the best How you think that's what we see
But what you see inside you
Isn't what I see out here
You see someone great and true I see someone whom I fear
Someone who believes in their Own infallibility And you'll never be aware Of the lie you are to me"
Caleb finished the song with a few loose notes that sounded just right for the setting. Slith, Lanie, Lorilie, and Brand clapped respectfully. Kel was at Caleb's side nudging his hand affectionately. Caleb patted Kel's head and handed the lute back to Brand.
"It's time to go to bed anyway." Brand closed his instruments in their cases.
"Peaceful dreams." Lanie said to everyone as she walked down the steps with Slith and Caleb.
Lorilie went around putting out the burning torches. Kel eyed Brand from the steps as he walked behind Lorilie and wrap his arms around her. Trotting up quickly, Kel pushed the two apart with his beak. "If you everrr hurrrt Lorrrilie, I'll perrrsssonally tearrr you to piecesss. Now good- night." Kel vanished down the stairs.
Lorilie laughed and gently kissed Brand before she too went down the stairway. Draping a blanket around his shoulders, Brand lay on the deck and stared up at the stars. The vision and thought of Lorilie constantly filled his mind. He smiled and put his hands behind his head. The quiet sound of tiny waves sloshing against the boat put Brand into a peaceful sleep.
*****
"I hate you. I really hate you." Victoria folded her arms and frowned.
"No you don't." Vinx pulled back on the oars.
"I'm going to die out here and it's all your fault." She tossed her hair over her shoulder.
"Close your mouth for once, I'm sick of listening to you." His dark eyes glared.
"Leave me alone." Victoria leaned forward and tried to flip Vinx out of the little boat.
Vinx grabbed her wrists and thrusted her to the side and watched her fall into the dark ocean. She emerged from the cold and glared deeply at Vinx. He only shrugged his shoulders and picked at his teeth while she climbed back into the small boat. She started to unbutton her blouse; Vinx put down the oars and grinned. In a flash a stinging sensation burned on the side of his head. Victoria's hand retreated and she turned around. Rubbing his face his eyes bore into her back viciously.
*****
The next four days passed rather quickly in Lorilie's opinion. Already there were back in Kelethin at home and relaxed, except for Tiyon. He was uncomfortable even though his fraction with the Greater Faydark elves was high. Tiyon was so quiet that Lorilie only heard him talk in three word sentences most of the time. It didn't matter though; she was back with her family again. Everything was normal, except for the business about the high elf princess missing.
"I'm up for a walk. What about you two?" Caleb asked Lorilie and Brand.
The autumn leaves fell around the three as they carried out a conversation through the trees. Caleb led the two on a trail he used when he was young. The wild life came alive after the elves passed. Birds sang sweetly, crickets chirped musically, and foxes barked excitedly.
"How long have we been walking?" Lorilie complained.
"Three hours." Caleb grinned.
"I can't walk anymore." Lorilie sat.
"Fine we'll stop for a while." Caleb handed her a water flask.
Taking advantage of the rest, Brand pulled a tiny pan flute out of his pocket and began playing. Enjoying the beautiful sound of the small instrument, Lorilie lost herself in her thoughts. Rustling branches and frantic running broke the concentration of the trio. Caleb pulled out his sword and parted the bushes carefully. "There's a high elf over there. She looks pretty scared."
"Hey! Maybe it's that princess, oh what's her name?" Lorilie put a finger to her mouth.
"Let's just help her." Caleb stepped into the clearing.
The high elf saw them and sprinted to Caleb. She clung to his arm and started babbling nonsense. She pointed to the other side of the meadow as a troll stomped towards them. Brand and Caleb both circled the troll, trying to confuse its already confused mind. The troll grunted and swung his giant club at Caleb's head. It missed and caused the troll to stumble. Brand jumped onto its back and brought his sword around the neck. Sickening blood sprayed out and dripped down it's front. The quake of the troll falling made Caleb's leg's shake. Brand brushed off his tunic and looked at Lorilie, smiling.
"Good, finally someone found me. I'll be sure to tell Father about your heroic deed. Now take me home." The high elf said arrogantly.
Lorilie stared. The elf wasn't beautiful, not even pretty, she was. Lorilie scratched her head; the elf was ugly. Her nose was off center and too pointed, and her face was covered in freckles, not the cute way, but the disgusting way. Lorilie's lips grew thin. "Who are you?" Lorilie put her hands on her hips.
"What kind of question is that!?" the high elf snorted.
"It's the princess." Brand whispered into Lorilie's ear.
"But I thought princess' were supposed to be beautiful, not.not.different."
Brand howled with laughter, "Well, I guess not all of them are."
*****
The blade felt awkward in Albain's hands. He hadn't used this sword since the year Lielay died. His sword had saved Lielay countless times, but not that one night. Trying to grab it correctly as he did when he was young, Albain circled around slowly moving his arms. The wound in his middle burned, it was mostly healed, but it was still raw. Dropping the blade carelessly, Albain blinked in surprise. A dim shimmering light moved through the trees gracefully.
"Albain are you all right?" Aubrey puffed his pipe.
"Ummm, yes." Albain grabbed his sword and walked into the forest.
*****
The late afternoon wind blew softly as Lorilie stroked Kel's head waiting for Caleb. Brand's cheek had swelled up and it was turning purple, he tired to cover it. Lanie was again busy making Lorilie another gown this one was more fancy then the last, this had lace and silk covering it. Rolling her eyes, Lorilie told Lanie time after time that dresses weren't for her, but the human just ignored the wood elf.
Pink clouds hovered above when Caleb, Slith, Tegid, and two strangers boarded the Windchaser. By the looks of it, one of the strangers was Tegid's wife, Minea. Lorilie already knew Minea's appearance since that's all what Tegid talked about. The other stranger was a male dark elf that didn't talk much. His long white hair was pulled over his shoulders where it hung limply. His deep penetrating red eyes frightened Lorilie when she looked at them. Brand noted that the dark elf was only wearing black, helmet to boots.
Lorilie approached him and cleared her throat. "Welcome aboard the Windchaser. I am Captain Lorilie." She bowed.
He nodded his head in return. "Tiyon Vult'Raelen."
Moving on to Minea, Lorilie tried to introduce herself. Minea smiled nervously and grabbed onto Tegid's shoulder tightly. Lorilie bowed anyway and went to go find Caleb. Below the creaking wood of the deck, Lorilie entered to where Caleb was at and sat next to him. He quickly put something into a bag and shoved it under the bed.
"What happened in the city?" Lorilie smiled.
"Too much." Caleb coughed.
"Like what?" she was eager to hear.
"Fights on every corner, just like what happens in Freeport, nothing new." he kissed her forehead and went above.
*****
"Run!" Vinx yelled to Victoria.
"Where?! This is a boat! There is no place to run!" Victoria leaped down to Vinx to avoid the sea goblin behind her.
The pitter-patter of hurried feet scurried all over the small trading ship that Vinx and Victoria were on. A horde of deep-water goblins invaded the vessel and began to loot and cause havoc. The goblins were everywhere, even more waiting in the water below. Their devious grins made Victoria sneer; she despised these creatures. Grabbing a loose piece of wood she charged a goblin and broke the board over its head. It stumbled to the side and splashed into the water.
"That was nice." Vinx commented while stabbing another through the eye.
"Turn ye ship lads! We're heading back!" the short balding captain cupped his hands and shouted.
Victoria's jaw dropped. "We need to go to Firiona Vie!"
"Unless you can kill off those gobbies we're going to Butcher Block."
"Victoria, don't just stand there!" Vinx threw a bag at her.
"They're turning around" she growled at Vinx.
Vinx chewed his lip and spat. "Well, we'll have to find another way there."
"How?" Victoria kicked a small creature away.
"There has to be a life boat somewhere on deck." He began to search.
Victoria's eyes popped. "We're not rowing there! You're insane, we'll die only after two days!" she fell to the ground as the goblin she kicked pounced onto her back.
"We won't die with me there." Vinx tossed the vile creature into the side of the ship.
"Oh gods." Victoria covered her face and shook her head.
*****
Sipping the crystal goblet lazily, Riley sat in a massive chair with his leg resting over the side. His mysterious smile kept his servants fidgeting with their vests. The large ship he was on carried over a hundred people. Riley had only brought a crew of twenty with him to Greater Faydark. Torturing Albain was going to be his greatest thrill of life, except seeing Lorilie Liltreehuggr-Tinderblade and her brother die. A woman wearing a dress with a very low neckline glided into the room making all the men stare. She knelt beside Riley's chair and bowed her head. Riley bent her head back and studied her flawless face; he smiled evilly and motioned her to sit.
"What is your request M'lord?" she tried not to look at his scarred face.
"You, Lady Nicola, are going to lure Albain Tinderblade into my trap." He took another sip.
Her forehead narrowed. "How?" her beauty covered up for her brains.
"You shall see. We have days to plan." Riley laughed.
"I still don't get it." Her head tilted.
*****
Kron entered the house and stood in front of Albain. Albain lifted his head waiting for Kron to speak. After handing him a letter silently, Kron left again. Shaking the extremely fancy letter open, Albain glanced over it. He snorted with laughter and replaced the letter in its envelope.
Aubrey sat beside him and raised his eyebrows. "Well what is it?"
"A letter to inform everyone on Faydwer that King Tearis' daughter has gone missing." Albain chuckled.
"Why do you find that funny?" the human snorted.
"If one of Tearis' servants went missing he wouldn't even notice. Even if one of the high lords were missing he wouldn't lift a finger to help. He only cares about himself." Albain yawned.
"I'll never understand you elves." Aubrey shook his head.
"Elves are the most intelligent race on Norrath." The wood elf stood.
"Aubrey smirked. "Or so you think. By the way where did you disappear earlier?"
"I just took a walk in the forest. Thinking back of my childhood life here." Albain departed the room.
*****
The glittering night stars shone brightly across the water. Torches were lit on the ship for Brand to perform for the group. He happily played requested songs and tried to invent some new just to make them laugh. Minea, at first, was very shy and barely talked unless it was too Tegid or Tiyon. Once she got more comfortable, she grabbed Tegid's hands and pulled him into a fast jig. Lorilie cheered and clapped loudly. Laughing, Caleb bowed to Lanie and offered her his arm. She took it quickly and they too joined into the dance.
"Would you like to dance, Slith?" Lorilie jumped up.
"Why yesss, pleasse." Slith grinned.
Brand grew louder as the music grew faster. Kel lay off to the side smiling at the three couples dancing merrily. Tiyon leaned against the railing half hidden by the shadows, a slight smile formed on his face. Minea ran over to him and dragged him into the wild dance. The atmosphere of the ship was so cheerful and right, Lorilie loved it, and she smiled at Brand. He nodded his head back as he circled all the dancers playing his flute.
An hour or so later, Minea collapsed into Tegid's chest and begged for rest. The two bid farewell for the night and retired to their cabin Lorilie gave them. Tiyon followed them down after performing a sweeping bow for Lorilie and Brand. Caleb took Brand's lute from him and started to compose a song. Lorilie was stunned that her brother actually knew how to play and even sing. Brand stepped over to Lorilie and asked her for the dance.
Caleb sat on the thick railing and sang softly:
"Every time you leave I'm left With only one memory Of how you think you're the best How you think that's what we see
But what you see inside you
Isn't what I see out here
You see someone great and true I see someone whom I fear
Someone who believes in their Own infallibility And you'll never be aware Of the lie you are to me"
Caleb finished the song with a few loose notes that sounded just right for the setting. Slith, Lanie, Lorilie, and Brand clapped respectfully. Kel was at Caleb's side nudging his hand affectionately. Caleb patted Kel's head and handed the lute back to Brand.
"It's time to go to bed anyway." Brand closed his instruments in their cases.
"Peaceful dreams." Lanie said to everyone as she walked down the steps with Slith and Caleb.
Lorilie went around putting out the burning torches. Kel eyed Brand from the steps as he walked behind Lorilie and wrap his arms around her. Trotting up quickly, Kel pushed the two apart with his beak. "If you everrr hurrrt Lorrrilie, I'll perrrsssonally tearrr you to piecesss. Now good- night." Kel vanished down the stairs.
Lorilie laughed and gently kissed Brand before she too went down the stairway. Draping a blanket around his shoulders, Brand lay on the deck and stared up at the stars. The vision and thought of Lorilie constantly filled his mind. He smiled and put his hands behind his head. The quiet sound of tiny waves sloshing against the boat put Brand into a peaceful sleep.
*****
"I hate you. I really hate you." Victoria folded her arms and frowned.
"No you don't." Vinx pulled back on the oars.
"I'm going to die out here and it's all your fault." She tossed her hair over her shoulder.
"Close your mouth for once, I'm sick of listening to you." His dark eyes glared.
"Leave me alone." Victoria leaned forward and tried to flip Vinx out of the little boat.
Vinx grabbed her wrists and thrusted her to the side and watched her fall into the dark ocean. She emerged from the cold and glared deeply at Vinx. He only shrugged his shoulders and picked at his teeth while she climbed back into the small boat. She started to unbutton her blouse; Vinx put down the oars and grinned. In a flash a stinging sensation burned on the side of his head. Victoria's hand retreated and she turned around. Rubbing his face his eyes bore into her back viciously.
*****
The next four days passed rather quickly in Lorilie's opinion. Already there were back in Kelethin at home and relaxed, except for Tiyon. He was uncomfortable even though his fraction with the Greater Faydark elves was high. Tiyon was so quiet that Lorilie only heard him talk in three word sentences most of the time. It didn't matter though; she was back with her family again. Everything was normal, except for the business about the high elf princess missing.
"I'm up for a walk. What about you two?" Caleb asked Lorilie and Brand.
The autumn leaves fell around the three as they carried out a conversation through the trees. Caleb led the two on a trail he used when he was young. The wild life came alive after the elves passed. Birds sang sweetly, crickets chirped musically, and foxes barked excitedly.
"How long have we been walking?" Lorilie complained.
"Three hours." Caleb grinned.
"I can't walk anymore." Lorilie sat.
"Fine we'll stop for a while." Caleb handed her a water flask.
Taking advantage of the rest, Brand pulled a tiny pan flute out of his pocket and began playing. Enjoying the beautiful sound of the small instrument, Lorilie lost herself in her thoughts. Rustling branches and frantic running broke the concentration of the trio. Caleb pulled out his sword and parted the bushes carefully. "There's a high elf over there. She looks pretty scared."
"Hey! Maybe it's that princess, oh what's her name?" Lorilie put a finger to her mouth.
"Let's just help her." Caleb stepped into the clearing.
The high elf saw them and sprinted to Caleb. She clung to his arm and started babbling nonsense. She pointed to the other side of the meadow as a troll stomped towards them. Brand and Caleb both circled the troll, trying to confuse its already confused mind. The troll grunted and swung his giant club at Caleb's head. It missed and caused the troll to stumble. Brand jumped onto its back and brought his sword around the neck. Sickening blood sprayed out and dripped down it's front. The quake of the troll falling made Caleb's leg's shake. Brand brushed off his tunic and looked at Lorilie, smiling.
"Good, finally someone found me. I'll be sure to tell Father about your heroic deed. Now take me home." The high elf said arrogantly.
Lorilie stared. The elf wasn't beautiful, not even pretty, she was. Lorilie scratched her head; the elf was ugly. Her nose was off center and too pointed, and her face was covered in freckles, not the cute way, but the disgusting way. Lorilie's lips grew thin. "Who are you?" Lorilie put her hands on her hips.
"What kind of question is that!?" the high elf snorted.
"It's the princess." Brand whispered into Lorilie's ear.
"But I thought princess' were supposed to be beautiful, not.not.different."
Brand howled with laughter, "Well, I guess not all of them are."