A Ranger's Tale: Chapter Eight
The Unlikely Love
Maylaie sighed in frustration. Her fletching was not going as good as she planned. The rain was mostly to blame. The rain made it impossible to place a notch on properly. Maylaie was about to give up when she saw how close she was to the cave entrance to Crushbone. That was it! She could go inside the cave and work on her fletching there! Skilfully coming down the tree she had climbed, Maylaie then entered the massive cave. Finding a hidden little corner Maylaie sat down and began working on her fletching. She was so focused on her work she never saw the Dark elf rogue until it was too late.
***
Lehak watched the young wood elf enter the cave and find a dark corner where she would be hidden from view and she began to make finely crafted arrows. The wood elf had good muscle tone to her small body, and she, although not in the classic sense, was fairly attractive. From her equipment, Lehak guessed she was a ranger, therefore a worshipper of Tunare. She fit the master's description perfectly of who to look for. Lehak just hoped she was the right one, for one did not get a second chance with Benazar Shadowskull. Lehak sneaked up behind the wood elf and brought his hard oak club down on the back of her skull. The ranger slumped forward, unconscious. Lehak quickly picked her up and her fletching kit, so no one would find it here, and made off, nearly invisible in the rainy cloak of night.
***
Tybalt sat on the cold, damp stone floor of his cell when he heard footsteps coming down into the dungeon. One set, regal and graceful was those of the dark elf noble who had ordered Tybalt's imprisonment. There was the timid step of the noble elf's advisor, who followed him everywhere, and also the strong orderly steps of the six honour guards who also followed the noble everywhere. One of the guards' step sounded slower and more laboured then the others, as if he was carrying something too heavy for him. " Sir, I, ah, fail to see the wisdom in this decision." Came the advisor soft, weak voice. " Are you saying, Lucan, that my choice is lacking in wisdom, and there fore I am lacking wisdom?" came the regal, haunty voice of the noble. " No Master!" said the advisor, Lucan, quickly, " I am only saying that I am too lowly in intellect to see the wisdom of your plan, and need it explained to me." The dark elf noble chuckled, " Remember when the ranger first awoke, Lucan? The first thing she did was attack us, even when she was outnumbered greatly, it was impressive to see that she was able to take out two of my guards before my clerics were able to put a sleeping spell on her. She has a deep-rooted hate of our kind, if she weren't a wood elf she'd make an excellent follower of The Prince of Hate." " I see she'd be so hateful she'd refuse any help that the cleric offers." Lucan said. "Precisely." The noble finished just as he stepped off the last of the stairs and came into Tybalt's view. The noble was wearing black and red robes made of the finest silk. Many rings decorated the fingers of his hands and a simple silver skull shaped amulet hung from his neck. Cold amber coloured eyes and an elegant ponytail help to enhance the noble handsomeness. The advisor, dressed in blue silk robes, and the guards, with velium weapons and adamantite armour followed the noble. The guards' armour was mostly for show though. It was The Noble's way of showing off his riches, the other guards that worked for the Noble still had velium weapons but their armour was steel. " Hello Benazar." Tybalt greeted the noble. Tybalt saw the guards and Lucan wince. Only dark elf nobility could call dark elf nobility by their first name, and Tybalt addressing Benazar by his first name reminded them that Tybalt had once been dark elf nobility. " Hello Tybalt," Benazar smiled cruelly, " I have a new roommate for you. She's a feisty one, make sure she doesn't kill you." With that the guard with the slow and laboured step dropped the body clothed in bloodstained leather into the cell. The guard must have tried very hard not to show any other signs that the combined weight of his armour and the body had almost been to heavy for him, showing signs of weakness in the land of the Teir'Dal meant death. When Benazar and his constant shadows left, just leaving the nine prison guards, Tybalt went other to examine the wood elf. She beautiful. Her features weren't the hard cold features of a dark she-elf, and although sharp, they had a soft, warm look to them. Her hair was a dark, dark brown, almost black. She wasn't perfect by any means. Her breasts were fairly small, and her nose looked like it had been broken once or twice, although small, a scar ended her right eyebrow and although she had a nice looking figure, she was of stocky build, but Tybalt never liked perfect looking females. If only he could see those eyes. Tybalt shook his head and reminded himself why he had gone over there in the first place.
Long ago, Benazar had hired some wizards to put a spell on his dungeon
to keep high-level offensive and defensive spell from being casted
there. What Benazar didn't know was that the spell didn't work on high
level healing and illusion spells, neutral spells. Luckily the guards
didn't pay much attention when Tybalt was casting spells. And they
couldn't tell the difference between a high level healing spell and a
low level one anyway. Tybalt quickly cast a medium strength healing on
the wood elf and watched as the cuts on her arms faded away. After
examining the wood elf, Tybalt found that she pretty bruised up and
had a nasty bump on the back of her head. A soft moan came from the
ranger. Opening her eyes, Tybalt saw they were peaceful pools of dark
leaf green. " How are you feeling?" Tybalt asked, leaning offer the wood elf, as the eyes looked around the room. The eyes rested on him, and went from peaceful to anger filled and before Tybalt knew what happened, he got punched in the nose.
***
Maylaie woke up with a splitting headache, what in the name of Tunare had happened? Opening her eyes, thankfully she was in a dimly lit area, Maylaie looked around from her place on the floor. She was in some sort of a cell, but where? " Are you ok?" asked a male smooth, soothing voice. Looking for the source Maylaie saw a dark elf leaning over her. Before she could even think, Maylaie punched him right in the nose. The dark elf yelped and stepped away from Maylaie. Getting to her feet quickly and gracefully, Maylaie was hit with a dizzy spell. Grasping the back of her head, she found a huge knot forming there. Maylaie closed her eyes and counted to ten softly, willing away the dizziness. When she opened her eyes again, Maylaie fixed the dark elf with a glare. " Ok, you can tell me where I am and why I'm here, or I can find out another way." Maylaie thumped her clenched fist against her palm to get her point across. " You're in the dungeon of Benazar Shadowskull, a noble and very rich necromancer here in Neriak. Why you are here is as good as guess as mine, I still don't know why I'm even here." The dark elf said. " What class are you?" Maylaie asked, looking over the dark elf's dark green robes. " Cleric." Maylaie snorted, Dark elves only prayed to one god, this cleric must be in here because he made a disrespectful remark to Benazar, or didn't pay him for some service. Sitting down again, Maylaie found some blue heart moss growing on the wall, which made a tea that promoted quick healing of all types of illness, including bumps and scratches. Pulling off a tiny bit of the moss off the wall, Maylaie then fished in her hidden pockets and found her flint and some smokeless burning tinder, she really didn't want to waste mana down here using her weak fire ball spell or healing spell, then she got out a flask of water and a small cup. Finding some Ranger's Aid moss, which burned smokeless, Maylaie quickly made a small pile of it and the tinder lit it on fire, now for the hard part. " I don't suppose you have a cooking pot on you?" she asked the dark elf. The dark elf took out a small pot from within his robes and handed it over to Maylaie. " I'm Tybalt by the way." The dark elf smiled.
" Maylaie Wolfcall." Maylaie said, going to work on her tea. She
didn't see the point of giving him a fake name, but didn't mean the
dark elf didn't give her one. The dark elf leaned against a wall and
to all appearances went to sleep. Maylaie hated the cleric for being
so relaxed, but then why did she feel so comfortable around him?
***
" She's been gone for three days, she wouldn't be camping in Crushbone for three days!" Tanak Wolfcall said, thumping his fist down on Captain Silverwind's desk. Silverwind sighed, he could understand the Wolfcalls' distress, they had already lost their eldest child and daughter to dark forces, the idea of losing another one of their children could be heart breaking. ' What is it with the Wolfcalls and daughters?' Silverwind thought with a sigh. " Captain Silverwind, Maylaie was last seen entering Crushbone Cave, we know our daughter, she wouldn't camp in Crushbone without sending us a tell. Something is VERY wrong." Eslain said " I'm sorry Eslain, Tanak, but I just can't send a patrol looking for someone who just might being doing normal adventurer activities. If it wasn't for the damn orcs increasing the amount of attacks against Kelethin, I would, but I just can't afford the elf power right now." Silverwind explained. " Then send us." Came a voice from the doorway. Terrain Wolfcall stood there, Tryen Silvagalduis stood to his right. " We'll go look around Crushbone." Tryen said. Silverwind nodded, " Alright, good luck to you both, and I hope you find her." The two elves nodded and left.
***
" Thanks for coming with me Try." Terrain said as the two walked through the tunnel that leads to Crushbone. " No problem Ter, we both want to." The ranger stopped mid sentence, his keen eyesight spotting something Terrain couldn't see. Walking over to a dark corner, Tryen bent and picked something. " Do you recognize this?" Tryen said, handing Terrain a copper ring with leaves etched in around the side. " Yeah, it's Maylaie's, Healec gave it to her on her 14th birthday. She wouldn't go anywhere without it." Terrain said, worrying entering his voice. " That's not all." Tryen handed Terrain a second ring. This one was obsinain, with daggers and skulls craved in the sides. It was the ring given to the members of the rogue guild of Neriak.
***
He had to be there for information, why else would he be there? It was the only reason Maylaie could find for Tybalt to there. For the month Maylaie had been there Tybalt had helped her bandage her head wound, offered her some of the rat and lizard he had cooked up, which she only took because the few meals the guard had brought them were barely enough to feed a baby mouse. And in general, Tybalt had been kind to her. Maylaie figured that Tybalt was just lowering her defences, waiting until she was comfortable with so she would tell him any thing she knew about Kelethin's defences, not that a pathetic ranger like her knew all that much about Kelethin's defence, she couldn't even keep herself from getting captured.
Maylaie shivered involuntarily, the spell that didn't stop Tybalt from casting his healing spells and illusions had stop the warming spells on her armour. How did a cleric learn to cast illusions? Tybalt had once mentioned he spent some time in all the guild halls but that of the Necromancers and Shadowknights in one his attempts to get Maylaie to talk, almost worked to. " You know, if you got closer, we could share body heat." Tybalt suggested.
" The closest I want to get to a dark elf is punch and kicking range." Maylaie growled. Tybalt scowled at her, the first sign of displeasure he had shown towards her since they had first met. " Why do you hate my kind so much?" Tybalt asked, still scowling. Maylaie stood up, anger coursing through her veins, " You want to know why I hate you dark elves so much?! Four months ago ten of your kind attack my brother, my sister and me. I got away with a scratch, my brother lost his eye, but my sister lost her life. They killed her in cold blood, no reason!" Tybalt was on his feet before Maylaie could blink. " Do you think you're the only one to lose a loved one!? Four years ago, my sister and I were walking through Nektulos forest when we were attack by two humans and two high elves, and they killed my sister for the fact that she was a dark elf, she wasn't even a full blood dark elf!" Tybalt shouted. After panting a moment, he sat down of the floor and studied the rock formation of it. Maylaie sat down, thinking. Had she been so absorbed in her hatred of dark elves that she had not actually think that Tybalt was being nice because he wanted to? Maylaie looked at Tybalt, really looked at him, to see him, not just another dark elf. He had high noble cheekbones, and a straight, strong chin. His nose was well shaped, and slightly hooked, and spoke of good blood in his family. His white hair was short cut, commoner style, and his bangs curved just above his eyes. Maylaie wasn't sure how he trimmed the neat goatee framing his mouth, but it was well groomed. His eyes, Maylaie could stare into them all day. The colour of the sky at twilight, Maylaie felt warm all over when she looked into them. " Tybalt, could you put up one of those illusions up? We need to talk." Maylaie whispered. Tybalt waved his hands in a complex pattern and the area near bars gained the wavery appearance. The illusion was of Tybalt and Maylaie on opposite sides of the cell, doing normal things, and Maylaie and Tybalt could scream at the top of their lungs, and the guards wouldn't be able to hear them. Maylaie sat down besides Tybalt, " I wanted to say I'm sorry. I haven't been very fair, it's just, lately whenever I see a dark elf, and I see the masked face of the bastard who killed my sister, who happened to get away. Just now I've been able to see you for you." Maylaie said, looking down at her hands in her lap. A gentle finger under her chin brought Maylaie's head to look Tybalt in those big beautiful eyes. " Apology accepted I really can't blame you, I bet you've never heard a kind word from a dark elf." Tybalt said. " You're the first." Maylaie confirmed. Tybalt smiled, " Well, it was a wood elf who saved my life and my soul, had you been a high elf, I might have healed you, but I wouldn't have given you the time of day." Maylaie's brow furrowed, " A wood elf saved your life and soul?" " My sister and I were both agnostic warriors, I was dabbling into magic at the time, but didn't feel right unless I was swinging sword, and I refused to be a shadow knight, since I hated necromancy. After my sister was murdered, I became a cleric for the Prince of Hate. For a year I lived my life in my hate filled cloud until one day, I was meditating in Nektulos when some manner of beast, that have never seen before, and haven't seen since, attacked me. I was able to drive it off but not without wasting all of my mana and becoming gravely injured. I prayed to my god for help, but I guess he believed I was weak, for the aid never came. I was feeling the cold hands of death around my heart when I was pulled away with a warm healing light. When I opened my eyes, I found this wood elf druid standing over me. When asked why she healed, because I would surely end up attacking her when I had recovered, she just smiled and said that she was lead to me by her goddess and her goddess would protect her. I was stunned. All the Teir'Dal know that if we aid an enemy race, we're on our own if they attack us. I asked who her goddess was; she proclaimed that it was Tunare, Mother of All. Right then and there I swore to spread the words of Tunare. I was suddenly engulfed in a warm light. Since my sister's death, I have felt cold, and alone. Ever since then I have felt warm and apart of something. Even though I've been locked in this prison for a year now, I'm still glad I made that choice, and that I met that druid, Healec." Tybalt finished with a sigh. " Healec? Did she have bracers with wolves craved in the sides?" Maylaie asked. " That she did." " That was my sister. She always had a heart as big as nature itself." " I can imagine." For hours Maylaie and Tybalt talked, mostly about their families and siblings. Tybalt had a lot of siblings and half siblings, including his late sister. His father, although deeply in love with his mother, a rare thing for the Teir'Dal, had to travel a lot, and had a huge sexual appetite, so he had spawned several bastards, a few them had made back to his door stoop, and Tybalt's father had oddly enough, welcomed them all, all the while, Tybalt's mother didn't mind. " Thankfully, I didn't inherit that from him, I've had very few lovers in my life time." Tybalt said. " I have only had one, and all we did is kiss and cuddle." Maylaie said, resting her head on Tybalt's muscular shoulder. She felt so safe and secure with him. Her heart grew light hearing his voice. Her mother once describe similar feeling when she had met Maylaie's father." Tybalt?" " Yes?" " I love you. I think I've loved since I first saw you, I was just too filled with hate to see it." Maylaie said, looking up in Tybalt's dark blue eyes. Tybalt smiled, " Well, Angel kitten, you just made me a very happy elf. I fell in love with you the first day I saw you, you and your fiery spirit." " Angel kitten?" " You have the beauty of an angel and the grace of cat, but kitten sounds better." " Father always calls me wood angel." " Father used to call me.." Maylaie kissing him full out on the lips interrupted Tybalt. Maylaie was glad Terrain and her first boyfriend taught her, through different methods, of course, that when you kiss, you breath through your nose and parts between lips. Maylaie gently slipped her tongue into Tybalt's mouth, and for a moment the two tongues danced a dance of passion before Tybalt slipped his tongue in Maylaie's mouth. Maylaie let her tongue explore every inch of Tybalt's mouth, loving the sour/sweet taste of it, it was like raspberries. Tybalt broke the kiss and smiled. " As much as I'm enjoying this, we should probably stop, before the illusion ends." Tybalt said, "We can continue this tomorrow night love." Tybalt added, when Maylaie pouted slightly. Tybalt could only cast his illusions at night because the night shift guards, who were of higher ranking then the day shift guards, were angered about the fact that the had to guard a nearly empty dungeon, so they didn't really pay any attention to Maylaie and Tybalt. Maylaie couldn't blame them, why did Benazar need nine guards to watch over two prisoners? " Sweet dreams then." Maylaie said, giving Tybalt another quick kiss. " They'll be of you, so they'll be heavenly." Tybalt smiled. With that Maylaie went over to her side of the cell and curled up the floor to go to sleep. Her last thought before she fell asleep was the fact that she did feel so cold anymore.
****
" Ok it'll take time to make the masks, but the question remains, where is she?" Tanak asked. " Terrain says he can find out, but what if it's already too late?" Aitira asked. Eslain didn't even want to think about that, and even if it was too late, she wanted to bring her daughter's body home to be buried, properly. " There is no worries about that, young one." Said a voice. Looking at the door, Eslain saw a cloaked figure and Terrain standing there. " Maylaie's captor has not so much as laid a finger on her, and other then feeding her poor meals, he has caused no other harm to her." The cloaked figure, definitely female, said. " Dera has information on where Maylaie is and how to sneak in." Terrain explained. " Your daughter was captured by Benazar Shadowskull, a necromancer of Neriak. I have blue prints of his castle, which I will share with you, if you promise to aid me in realising my brother, Tybalt." Dera said. " O-o-ok, but I'll n-n-need to m-m-make m-m-more m-m-masks." Tinkera said. " No need to do that." Dera said, removing her hood, showing off her blackish blue skin. Studying the young elf a moment, Eslain realized that Dera wasn't fully dark elf, her skin was too light and her ears not as pointed. " How do you know so much about this Benny character?" Tryen asked. " He's my brother, also." Dera stated simply, " but enough of my family's history, we need to get planning," Dera added, placing a blue print on the table. The others gathered around and began to plan.
***
" But sir, I will surely be caught." Tymal Darkhearth said to the dark cloaked man. " It'll just be like giving the bread I've been giving you to the prisoners, expect you'll be giving the wine to the guards." The man said, sounding very old. Tymal looked at the four large casks. They were more then enough to get the nine guards very drunk, and Tymal had a feeling that the cloaked man magiked the wine, just like she was sure that he magiked the bread to. " Aye, and if Master Shadowskull finds out about that or this, it'll be my head. I can't exactly sneak these downstairs." Tymal said, crossly, was the man a fool or something? " Tell the guards you found some extra wine in the cellar, I doubt the guards will report you, and this should cover you're expenses." The cloaked man handed her a large bag. Before, the man had only paid small bags of gold and silver, but this large bag was filled platinum. " And if this wine does what I hope it will do, you will receive another two bags of platinum." The man added, just in case Tymal thought about selling the wine instead of giving it to the guards. " Thank you sir." Tymal bowed, but when she looked up again, the man was gone. Tymal shrugged, and called the lower kitchen slaves to come bring in the wine.
***
Tybalt watched as the guards greedily consumed the wine given to them; they'd be drunk before the hour was out. Tybalt smiled and set to work casting one of his longer lasting illusions. Just in case dear old Zar shows up. Tybalt told himself. Maylaie smiled at him. The beauty she had before doubled when her jaw wasn't clenched with anger, or when she wasn't scowling.
They met in the middle of the cell and embraced. Tybalt bent his head and kissed Maylaie fiercely. Somehow, while not breaking the kiss, Tybalt sat down, and pulled Maylaie into his lap. Tybalt used his tongue to stroke under Maylaie's tongue, producing a tiny moan from her. Her mouth tasted of wild mint and spring water, a taste Tybalt relished. Tybalt let his hands roam down Maylaie's back. Producing more moans from the she-elf. Tybalt's fingers found the string tying up Maylaie's tunic, and began to unfasten them. That's when Tybalt broke the kiss. " What's wrong?" Maylaie asked, concern in her voice.
" Nothing, I was just going too far too fast." Tybalt answer, stroking
Maylaie's hair. Maylaie arched an eyebrow, " If you're stopping on my behalf, there is no worry. Tybalt, if it were normal circumstances, I'd agree, maybe. Hell I'm not sure I'd want to go slowly even if it were normal circumstances. But this isn't a normal circumstance, for all we know, Benny boy might be waiting for the right time to sacrifice us to Innoruuk, and that time might be tomorrow. I've already wasted enough time, I don't want to waste anymore." "Do you really want to remember this place as the place you lost your virginity?" Tybalt asked, waving his arms to the cell walls. "You're talking to the elf who was conceived in the Iron Orc in Crushbone. As my mother once put, ' it doesn't matter where you are, just that you love the person.' And I love you with all my heart and more and that's all need." Tybalt chuckled; he had a feeling when he finally got to meet Maylaie's parents he was going to like them, even if they didn't like him. " Alright, my little angel kitten, but first let me make this floor more comfortable." Tybalt lifted Maylaie out from his lap, stood up, took off his green robe and placed on the floor. Placing a few spell on the robe to make it soft, and thicker, Tybalt bowed to Maylaie, " After you my lady." Maylaie grinned, " You should know by now, I'm no lady." She said, as she kissed Tybalt again. The two lovers lied down on the robe, Tybalt on top of Maylaie. " No my dear, you are an angel." Tybalt murmured, then started kissing Maylaie's neck.
Afterwards Tybalt and Maylaie lie on the robe, Maylaie's head was resting on Tybalt's chest. Tybalt gently stroked Maylaie's forehead as Maylaie slept peacefully. " My snuggle bear." Maylaie muttered in sleep, holding Tybalt closer. Tybalt chuckled, " Sleep well my little angel kitten." He said, kissing Maylaie's forehead, drifting asleep himself, smiling. Snuggle bear had a nice ring to it.
****
" Sweet beginnings, it's dark in here." One said. " How can you tell? We don't have eyes yet." Two replied, " How long are we going to be here again?" " Around nine months, give or take a week or so." One replied. " But that's a REALLY long time." " Would you rather that we still at the waiting place again? At least here we'll be moving around soon." " You've got a point, Um.do we really have to do the puking thing? I mean, do we have to put her through that?" " Yeah, and why so concerned about that? We do plan to move a lot, that'll cause more discomfort then puking." " Kicking you can ignore." " Oh well, we'll worry about that when we come to it, lets just go to sleep."
***
Maylaie had never been so sick in her life as she been the past two weeks. Worst part is she had to puke into a smelly disgusting hole that she and Tybalt had to use as a toilet, which lead to where all the toilet waste in the castle, the crap pit, as Maylaie nicked named it. At least Tybalt was there to rub her shoulders. Their love for each other had deepened and strengthened to the point Maylaie couldn't think about a life with him. " Ok, I think I'm done." Maylaie said, straighten up and leaned against a wall. From Tybalt's concerned face, Maylaie knew that the blood was leaving her face, leaving it rather pale and green tinted. " Well, we know it's not food poisoning, that never lasts two weeks." Tybalt said.
" What if.Benazar's trying to kill me? I mean what if he brought me here just to weaken you or something?" Maylaie asked. In Maylaie's opinion, Benazar was the single cruelest and vile creature on Norrath, confirmed when Tybalt told her he was Benazar's brother. Who would lock up their own kin? Tybalt held Maylaie close, " Benazar, although a genius in many ways, knows very little in the ways of love. He can't understand why someone would be devastated if they lost a loved one. Besides, with our lovely acting when the illusions are down during the day, I doubt Benazar knows about us." Maylaie smiled, after the out burst from over a month ago, the guards were convinced that Maylaie and Tybalt hated each other. Tybalt pretended to have given up trying to be nice to Maylaie, of course, having staged shouting matches helped. " Then what is wrong with me?" Maylaie asked. Tybalt sat and thought for a moment," Have you ever heard of aura reading?" " No, what is it?" " It's when a healer, cleric, druid, etc, uses magic to see your aura. Every illness and condition has a colour, and if you're healthy you won't have one." " Ok, what should I do?" " All you need to do is stand up." Maylaie and Tybalt stood, and Tybalt began chanting in a langue Maylaie couldn't understand and waving his arms in a strange pattern. Maylaie felt her skin tingle, and saw Tybalt's eyes go wide. " What's wrong?" Panic went through Maylaie's mind, a million different diseases and illness popped up into her mind. Tybalt smiled, " Nothing's wrong. You just have a pink tinted purple aura." " Well if I'm not sick, then why do I have a purple aura?" Tybalt fidgeted slightly, " Well, you have a condition. Do you want it bluntly or gently?" " Hey, two months ago, I never thought I'd be in love a Teir'Dal, I think I can take anything." " Well, your pregnant." Maylaie might have fallen if she wasn't already leaning against the wall. Maylaie sat hard on the floor, resting her hand against her belly. She was pregnant, not only pregnant, but pregnant with the child of a dark elf. Maylaie shook her head; she wasn't going to think of this baby as a dark elf child but her child, their child, made from love, with the elf she loved. She thought about Tybalt. Tybalt could be a big kid sometimes and was very loving. The way he'd make silly voices and make silly puppet shows with his hands whenever she got depressed, he'd make a great daddy. For the first time, Maylaie wondered how her parents would react to her loving Tybalt. When Tybalt asked her about it once, she said that her parents were very tolerate of anyone and wouldn't care if she loved an orc, they only cared if Maylaie was happy. Now Maylaie wondered, would they approve of her love to Tybalt? She figured even if her parents threaten to disown her, Maylaie would go on loving Tybalt. Of course she doubted her parents would disown her when they found out she was expecting their first grandchild. Maylaie could already imagine her mom jumping up and down with joy, and giving Maylaie advice, and her dad would probably start craving a wooden sword for the ' future ranger.' Maylaie looked over at Tybalt, he had been wise enough to let Maylaie think, and kept his distance. Maylaie got up and went to Tybalt and hugged him tightly. " So what do you think, daddy?" Maylaie grinned. Tybalt let out a whoop and swung Maylaie around. " I'm going to be a daddy!" he grinned, and began rubbing Maylaie's belly, talking in a baby voice, "Hiya little one, ya gonna love your momma, your daddy's a bit crazy, but your momma is wonderful."
Maylaie laughed, " You're insane Hun, simply insane." Maylaie smiled,
then got serious,
" How long can we keep this a secret?" Tybalt stood up and
became serious. Rubbing his chin, something he always did when
he did serious thinking, " Probably right up to the birth, with
my illusions, but I don't want to leave it that long. Damn, I
wish there was a way out of here." Maylaie nodded. They had tried nearly everything to get out the cell and Benazar's dungeon. They couldn't leave through the hole in the floor; the drop was at least fifty feet, if not more. Maylaie tried to pick the lock, only to have the pick to grow hot and melted, (Maylaie: "Bloody hell!") Both Maylaie and Tybalt had tried to blow the door apart with their low level offensive spells, only to have them bounce off back at them, and shatter against the far wall. (Tybalt: "Son of a bitch!") And they both tried ramming the cell door, only to bounce off, which resulted in Maylaie almost falling into the hole. (Maylaie: " SHIT!!!") The purple coloured tell fairies couldn't get in to send tells to anyone out side. There were no windows to contact the outside world. The maid who brought who brought meals for the guards and Tybalt and Maylaie, once in awhile giving Tybalt and Maylaie bread, would not take a note to contact the outside world, saying she would be killed if she did. And Benazar kept the dungeon keys on him all the time, so there was no way they could bribe the guards, even if they had something to bribe with. Maylaie sighed, decided it would be better to direct them on to a happy subject. " I'm sure my parents are planning a rescue mission as we speak. So, how far along am I?" " About a month." Tybalt said, sitting down, pulling Maylaie into his lap. " A month you say? So it was conceived the first time we made love. Oh dear, poor little thing got poked in the head a couple of times." Maylaie chuckled. Tybalt laughed, " We better get the love making done now, in three months or so, it won't be healthy for the baby." " Can you cast a long lasting illusion? I want to be close to you tonight." Maylaie smiled and yawned, " I want my big snuggle bear." Tybalt laughed and cast the spell. Lying on the floor together Maylaie rested her head on Tybalt's chest. " Good night, lover." She whispered as her eyelids drooped and closed, taking her into a deep sleep.
***
" Just everybody stay clam and do what I do, okay?" Dera said, as the party traveled through the forest. " Yes, yes we know already! Can we hurry this up already? I really don't like being an inky, no offence." Tinka said, her dark elf illusion on. " I don't mind the height lass, it's just the colour, and no bloody beard!" Jardora grumbled. Aitira would have laughed at her friends if she wasn't so worried about Maylaie. It was she, Jardora, Tinka, Eslain, Tanak, Terrain, Tryen, Lumenie, and Dera, going to save Maylaie and this Tybalt character. ' I hope Maylaie didn't hurt him.' Aitira thought as she walked through the dark streets of Neriak. Dera lead them to a hidden tunnel. " This leads to the guard house. With any luck we'll get there just as the morning shift is getting ready." Dera said, leading into the tunnels. Dera lead them up to a stone slab that looked like a door. Pushing it open slightly Dera peeked through. Nine dark elves were just beginning to put on armour. " When I say three. One.. two.THREE!" Dera roared forward, the others following close behind her. The guards were knocked out, gagged, tied up, and hidden before they knew what happened to them. Quickly the nine rescuers put on the armour, and put their own items into their hidden bags Dera also pointed out where the prisoners' weapons were kept, she grabbed her brother's while Tanak grabbed Maylaie's.
" I have to say, this brother of yours does have good taste in weapons." Tanak muttered. " Dad was a warrior, for all his faults, he taught his children all about warrior trade. All the ones he knows about anyways." Dera muttered, opening the door to hall. Dera instructed them how to march down the hall, even though it seemed silly to Aitira, since it seemed unlikely that high elves, wood elves, gnomes, and dwarves marched any differently then dark elves, but she didn't argue.
As they marched down the hall, when they heard a voice, " Guards, Halt!" they stopped dead. Aitira felt her heart pound furiously, fearing they would be caught. A haughty dark elf, wearing a black and red robe made from the finest silk Aitira had ever seen, came up to them. " I want to give the prisoners some exercise. Take them outside and let some of the commoners throw some stones at them. Dodging them will be great exercise." Grinning the dark elf, handing Tanak the keys. Tanak nodded, Dera had told them Benazar didn't want his soldiers talking to him unless it was important, and if this vile bastard wasn't Benazar, she didn't know else could be. Once Benazar had left them, the nine continued to march down the stairs.
They came to a halt when they were in fornt of the high-ranking night guards. " About time you lot came here." Said the captain in dark elf tongue, Aitira thanked her lucky stars mom had taught her the langue, " It's not fair you guys get to see their shouting matches, at night they just sit around and sleep." Came the grumble. The night guards left. They waited until they couldn't hear any more steps, and the nine rescuers relaxed. " This is almost too easy." Tryen said, visibly shaking. " Well just don't like your guard down." Dera said. " Whot in the name of the under ground was 'e sayin'?" Jardora asked. " Something about Maylaie and this Tybalt character arguing." Aitira explained. " Hhmm. This is interesting." Tinka said, looking at the bars. " What is it Tink?" asked Terrain. " There's an illusion in there, I'll break it to see what's up." Tinka said, muttering a spell. The illusion faded away, which was Maylaie sleeping on one said of the cell and a dark elf sleeping on the other side. Once it faded, Aitira received a great shock. She saw Maylaie curled up and snuggling with a green robed dark elf. " We'll ask questions later." Terrain said, going up to the cell bar. " Maylaie, Maylaie! Wake up!"
***
Maylaie could hear Terrain's voice urging her awake. ' No, that couldn't have been a dream!' Maylaie thought desperately. Giving a gentle squeeze, Maylaie felt Tybalt's soft robe and his muscular frame underneath it. Opening one eye, Maylaie saw Tybalt's chest rising with breath, and looking up she saw his slumbering face. " Maylaie!" came her brother's harsh whisper again. Looking towards the cell bars, Maylaie saw one of the morning guards standing there. For a moment, panic coursed through Maylaie's body, then she looked closely at his face. A bright mirthful purple eye gleam at her, the other was covered be a death black eye patch. " Ter? Is that you?" Maylaie asked softly. " Yes it me, and if you done snuggling, we'd like to rescue you!" Terrain said, although his voice was serious, Maylaie could see the smile playing on his lips, he obviously found this very amusing. Quickly, Maylaie shook Tybalt awake.
" Hmm?" Tybalt groaned.
" Rescue party's here." Maylaie said softly. Tybalt got up and look forward at the nine dark elf guards. " Magical masks babe." Maylaie said, reading the question in Tybalt's eyes. " Oh. Ok then." Tybalt said, then his brow furrowed, " How are you guys going to get us out of here?"
" Benazar wants you two to get some exercise by getting rocks thrown at you." Came Aitira's voice from a guard. What looked like Tanak opened the door and let them out of their cell. Quickly shackles and chain were put on Maylaie and Tybalt's hands and feet. " I can't wait to hug you again." Eslaine's voice came. " Me neither mama, me neither."
Things were going smoothly. Some unknown aider was leading them out of the castle, easily. " Halt guards!" Came Benazar's haughty voice. They stopped quickly, and Maylaie put on her best scowl.
" Well well. You're a very pretty little thing when you're not knocked out." Benazar said raising a finger to stroke Maylaie's face. " I wouldn't get to close to her Benazar, she bites." Tybalt replied, dully. Maylaie could almost hear anger in his voice. As to prove Tybalt's point, Maylaie snapped at the offending finger. Benazar gave Maylaie a quick backhand slap, and hard one at that. At the corner of her eye she saw some people twitch, it took a lot of willpower not to smack him back.
" Told you." Tybalt said, smugness in his voice. " Hmmm I have a better idea. Instead of getting rocks thrown at you I think trying to fight off the monsters of Nektulos Forest with your hands chained and no weapons should provide adequate exercise. Take the back stairs so you're not seen." Benazar drawled, just a hint of anger in his voice, and then walked off. Their quiet friend lead them to the back stairs, which was covered by a locked door that looked like wall, through a tunnel to the middle of Nektulos Forest. " I think it's safe." Tanak said. The silent guide nodded her head. The rescuers quickly took off their armour and masks, or in Tinka's case, ended the spell.
" Sweet Tunare I thought I lost you to." Eslain said, hugging Maylaie fiercely. " It takes more then one nasty Necro to get rid of me." Maylaie grinned. " Dera!" Tybalt cried. Looking over, Maylaie saw Tybalt hug a female dark elf fiercely. .
" Maylaie, this is my little sister Dera." Tybalt explained.
" Yeah, Dera told us how to get here and get in Benny boy's castle." Terrain explained, and then hugged Maylaie fiercely, " Oh gods, I was so worried. I thought I had lost you." " It's okay big bro, I'm not going any where.." Maylaie said, as an all too familiar nauseous feeling started again. " Ter, let me go. Quick!" Terrain let go of her like she was a hot piece of iron. Maylaie dove behind the nearest bush and threw up.
" What did you do to my little wood angel!?" Maylaie heard Tanak roar. Coming out of the bushes, Maylaie saw Tanak face to face with Tybalt. " Master Wolfcall, I swear I never harmed your daughter. She is very dear to me." Tybalt stated, his voice firm. " Then why is she sick?" Tanak demanded.
" Well." Tybalt began. " We should get going." Tryen said, " I want to be far away from here before Benazar finds the locked up guards." The other nodded. Tanak gave Maylaie her sword, and her minotuar axe and her bow and arrows, and of course; her backpack, still filled with food, fletching tools and bandages; Tybalt received a mace from his sister.
They headed southeast from Neriak Keeping a steady, uneventful march. Much to Maylaie's relief, she didn't have to throw up much. Instead her mind filled with worry it seemed her family and friends weren't nearly as tolerant as she though they were. She noticed Terrain, Terrain, Tanak and Tryen's constant scowling at Tybalt. Jardora did her best to keep away from Tybalt, yet stay near Maylaie, which was difficult, since Maylaie walked right beside Tybalt. Eslain seemed okay with Tybalt, as did Aitira, Lumenie and Tinka. Maylaie chuckled to herself, realizing it was her self-made ' protectors' who disliked Tybalt. Maylaie giggled again, realization hitting. It seemed all the important men in her life name started with 'T'. Tanak, Terrain, Tryen and Tybalt.
" What's so funny?" Tybalt asked, with an eyebrow arched.
" Nothing just thinking of something." Maylaie giggled again, calming
herself. One had to stay alert in Nektulos Forest. Their only warning
was a twig snap. Twelve Teir'Dal warriors leaped out from the bushes. " We've been ordered by the great Necromancer Benazar Shadowskull to kill you rescuers and return his prisoners." The leader stated, as all the warriors pulled out their weapons.
" Ummm I think not." Terrain grinned, as everyone pulled out his or her weapons. Maylaie was quick to behead the warrior that thought he could take Maylaie on. Another rustle bush told of another attacker. Maylaie prepared herself as a massive spider lunged out from the brush and backed her into a tree. It was the biggest spider Maylaie had ever seen.
Terrain whirled a struck stabbing his attacker in the arm. The warrior paid no heed and switched sword arms. The warrior lunged and Terrain turned just an inch to the left, letting the dark elf run past him, at the same time, slitting his throat. The warrior spurted and fell to the ground. " Maylaie!" Terrain heard Tybalt scream. Turning, he saw Maylaie backed into a tree, a huge spider looming off her, Maylaie frozen in terror. Terrain felt his blood ran cold, if there was one Maylaie was afraid of it was spiders, the bigger they were the worst it was. The massive spider lunged forward, fangs bared. Terrain made a move to stop it when a green blur got in fornt of Maylaie. Tybalt received the two fangs in his arm, thankfully, just the tips. Maylaie seemed to come out of her frozen state, and flipped up, landing on the spider's back a drove her sword through the spider's head. Getting off, Maylaie ran to Tybalt. By this time the all warriors were dead, and the others watched the couple with interest. " Sweet Tunare you're hurt!" Maylaie whimpered, getting some bandages from her bag. " Just a scratch." Tybalt grinned as Maylaie cleaned the wound and bandaged it. " Just a scratch my ass." Maylaie snapped, finishing her bandaging " I'm sorry I froze like that, if only I had moved, you wouldn't be hurt." Tybalt hugged Maylaie fiercely. " It's okay, I know how you feel. I'm terrified of bees so I know what it's like." Tybalt said, and held Maylaie closer, " But I've never been so frightened as I was when I thought I might have lost you."
" Well, I'm convinced." Tryen grinned, walking over to Tybalt. " A shake of friendship is in order." Tryen added holding out his hand. Tybalt took it and shook. " Me too, but if you ever hurt my little sister, mentally, emotionally or physically, I'll give you a VERY slow and VERY painful death." Terrain said, shaking Tybalt other hand. " I still want to know why my little wood angel's puking, then I'll shake your hand." Tanak said gruffly. " Aye." Jardora grunted. " Come on, the wizard spires are just over there." Lumenie said pointing to the white curved spires.
Maylaie breathed in deeply, the air was filled with forest smells. It felt so wonderful to home. " Well I got to go, later Ty." Dera said hugging her brother, then walking off. " Later little sister." Tybalt called.
" Alright then, we're out of danger, get talking." Tanak growled. They walked up the grassy rise near the spires, while Tybalt stuttered. " Well you see Master Wolfcall sir.it like this.ermmmm." " Today, inky." Tanak Maylaie had enough, if her father was still distrusting after the spider incident, she didn't care to give him the news gently. " I'm pregnant. I was sick due to morning sickness." Tanak and Eslain's eye went wide, everybody's did in fact, and for a moment everyone just stared. " You mean.I'm going to be a grandmother?" Eslain whispered, breaking the all too uncomfortable silence. " Yep." Tybalt said " This is great!" Eslain said, somehow hugging both Tybalt and Maylaie. " I hope you plan to marry my little girl Tybalt." Tanak stated. " I do sir, as soon as I'm registered as a member of the elven Faydwer society." Tybalt said, turning to Maylaie, he smiled. " Sorry, I guess it's not much of a proposal." Maylaie grinned. " Why propose when you already know I'll say yes?" " H-h-here T-T-Tybalt, when you sister t-t-told us you were a good guy I-I- I figured you'd need t-t-t-this." Tinka said handing Tybalt a mask. " Just until we past t-t-t-the guard and get t-t-t-to the council." Tybalt put on the mask. He looked like a high elf, but he still had his goatee and twilight blue eyes. " Well, lets get going." Tybalt grinned.
***
" Your majesty! You can't honestly believe that this Teir'Dal changed his ways! He could never live here." Council member Urthar demanded. King Tearis Thex rarely took part in all society registrations, but this was a special case. Tybalt, formerly Shadowskull, had sworn to serve Tunare and the good people of the world for the rest of his life. He also was quite fond of a young ranger, Maylaie Wolfcall. The fact that they had created a child together added to the list why Tybalt should be allowed to live in Faydwer as one of his subjects. " If you have a good reason why he shouldn't." Tearis asked. " Your Highness, although I fully believe Tybalt's changed ways, others might not, and your subjects might attack him." Yuthley stated. " Hmmm, you have a point there." Tearis rubbed his chin. " Your Highness, may I make a suggestion?" Aitira Gemshine spoke out. One of Maylaie's friends, the young mage was famous for being unusual. " Yes Lady Gemshine?" Tearis inquired. " The Trial of Tunare. If he is worthy, which I believe he is, Tunare will grant him protection against her own people." " Very well. Let us go to the chamber."
It was a quick walk from the council chamber to the Trial chamber. In the chamber there was a singular dais, engraved with Tunare's symbol, an eagle with out spread wings.
" Step on to the dais Tybalt." Tearis ordered. Tybalt did as he was told and stood on the dais, he was engulfed with light. For a moment he was quiet, then Tybalt screamed.
***
Maylaie felt her heart wrench with the scream. She didn't think a humanoid could make such a noise. Soon it was over, and Tybalt was laying face down on the floor, motionless.
*** " May.I'm sorry." Aitira said reaching out to hug Maylaie. 'It's going to happen again.' Aitira thought with dread, ' Just like with her sister, she going to become withdrawn and start hunting and being alone all the time.'
" No.he can't be dead, he just can't!" Maylaie ran to the head of the dais and gasped. The other came beside and stood in shock. Tybalt had taken off his mask and had given it to the king before the council meeting. Now he appeared to be a high elf.
***
Maylaie didn't know what to think she bent down and stroke Tybalt's, or whoever it was, hair. " Tybalt? Can you hear me?" Maylaie asked. For a dreadful moment, nothing. Suddenly, his hand reached out and stroked Maylaie's belly. Maylaie gasped feeling a ripple of energy flooded into her, and within an instant it was over. Tybalt's back heaved, and he coughed. " Oh gods.. What the hells happened?" he coughed again, getting up. His face was exactly the same as before. Same noble nose, same neat goatee, and most importantly, same beautiful eyes. " What happened Tybalt?" Tanak asked. " That light flooded my eyes, expect it was green. A rich beautiful green. It was so bright.. but I didn't want to close my eyes. Then this voice filled my head. It sounded like nature itself. It was a woman's voice. She told me I was accepted by her, but not by others, and that I had to change. Then the worst pain I have ever felt filled me from my toes to my head, it must have been too much because I collapsed." Tybalt sighed, then reached out to caress Maylaie cheek, and gasped seeing his 'new' hand for the first time.
" Tunare purged you of Innoruuk's touch." King Tearis marvelled. " I guess so." Tybalt said, standing up. Another bright light flashed, and Tybalt's green robe was gone, in its place was clothe breeches and a faded gold tunic. The mace that had hung at Tybalt's hip had been replaced with a short sword.
" I guess I'm a paladin now." Tybalt grinned, " So, my angel kitten, what do you think of the new me?" " Lighter skin doesn't make you who you are. You're Tybalt, that's all I need." Maylaie said, hugging Tybalt fiercely.
" Yes! I finally get to plan a wedding!" Eslain cheered.
**** **Two weeks later. **
"How are you feeling, Tybalt?" Tanak said to his soon-to-be son in law. " Nervous as a gnome in Feerott, but other then that, happiest alive. Thank you for the armour, by the way." Tybalt said admiring the silver dress armour Tybalt had made for him for the wedding.
" Well, I made all my children something, and. bah don't mention it. Come on now you better be heading to the alter. I'll be along with May in a second." Tybalt nodded and headed to the door of his dressing room.
" Tybalt, just a second. I wanted to say that.I'm glad your marrying Maylaie. Not because she's carrying your child, but because you are decent lad."
Tybalt smiled, " Thanks Tybalt, better we'd better get moving, before Jardora insists on hitting the bar."
Author's Note: Gah, sorry the chapter ending isn't great, but it this point I just wanted to get it done. Sorry if it's a bit of a disappointment. Also, I'm sorry I haven't been able to update. Schoolwork has been a b*tch. Lastly, if anybody has a tips on making spaces in the fiction, I greatly appericate it. I've tried using double space and what not, but it doesn't work. So any info would be great, just e-mail me at brynnn@hotmail.com
The Unlikely Love
Maylaie sighed in frustration. Her fletching was not going as good as she planned. The rain was mostly to blame. The rain made it impossible to place a notch on properly. Maylaie was about to give up when she saw how close she was to the cave entrance to Crushbone. That was it! She could go inside the cave and work on her fletching there! Skilfully coming down the tree she had climbed, Maylaie then entered the massive cave. Finding a hidden little corner Maylaie sat down and began working on her fletching. She was so focused on her work she never saw the Dark elf rogue until it was too late.
***
Lehak watched the young wood elf enter the cave and find a dark corner where she would be hidden from view and she began to make finely crafted arrows. The wood elf had good muscle tone to her small body, and she, although not in the classic sense, was fairly attractive. From her equipment, Lehak guessed she was a ranger, therefore a worshipper of Tunare. She fit the master's description perfectly of who to look for. Lehak just hoped she was the right one, for one did not get a second chance with Benazar Shadowskull. Lehak sneaked up behind the wood elf and brought his hard oak club down on the back of her skull. The ranger slumped forward, unconscious. Lehak quickly picked her up and her fletching kit, so no one would find it here, and made off, nearly invisible in the rainy cloak of night.
***
Tybalt sat on the cold, damp stone floor of his cell when he heard footsteps coming down into the dungeon. One set, regal and graceful was those of the dark elf noble who had ordered Tybalt's imprisonment. There was the timid step of the noble elf's advisor, who followed him everywhere, and also the strong orderly steps of the six honour guards who also followed the noble everywhere. One of the guards' step sounded slower and more laboured then the others, as if he was carrying something too heavy for him. " Sir, I, ah, fail to see the wisdom in this decision." Came the advisor soft, weak voice. " Are you saying, Lucan, that my choice is lacking in wisdom, and there fore I am lacking wisdom?" came the regal, haunty voice of the noble. " No Master!" said the advisor, Lucan, quickly, " I am only saying that I am too lowly in intellect to see the wisdom of your plan, and need it explained to me." The dark elf noble chuckled, " Remember when the ranger first awoke, Lucan? The first thing she did was attack us, even when she was outnumbered greatly, it was impressive to see that she was able to take out two of my guards before my clerics were able to put a sleeping spell on her. She has a deep-rooted hate of our kind, if she weren't a wood elf she'd make an excellent follower of The Prince of Hate." " I see she'd be so hateful she'd refuse any help that the cleric offers." Lucan said. "Precisely." The noble finished just as he stepped off the last of the stairs and came into Tybalt's view. The noble was wearing black and red robes made of the finest silk. Many rings decorated the fingers of his hands and a simple silver skull shaped amulet hung from his neck. Cold amber coloured eyes and an elegant ponytail help to enhance the noble handsomeness. The advisor, dressed in blue silk robes, and the guards, with velium weapons and adamantite armour followed the noble. The guards' armour was mostly for show though. It was The Noble's way of showing off his riches, the other guards that worked for the Noble still had velium weapons but their armour was steel. " Hello Benazar." Tybalt greeted the noble. Tybalt saw the guards and Lucan wince. Only dark elf nobility could call dark elf nobility by their first name, and Tybalt addressing Benazar by his first name reminded them that Tybalt had once been dark elf nobility. " Hello Tybalt," Benazar smiled cruelly, " I have a new roommate for you. She's a feisty one, make sure she doesn't kill you." With that the guard with the slow and laboured step dropped the body clothed in bloodstained leather into the cell. The guard must have tried very hard not to show any other signs that the combined weight of his armour and the body had almost been to heavy for him, showing signs of weakness in the land of the Teir'Dal meant death. When Benazar and his constant shadows left, just leaving the nine prison guards, Tybalt went other to examine the wood elf. She beautiful. Her features weren't the hard cold features of a dark she-elf, and although sharp, they had a soft, warm look to them. Her hair was a dark, dark brown, almost black. She wasn't perfect by any means. Her breasts were fairly small, and her nose looked like it had been broken once or twice, although small, a scar ended her right eyebrow and although she had a nice looking figure, she was of stocky build, but Tybalt never liked perfect looking females. If only he could see those eyes. Tybalt shook his head and reminded himself why he had gone over there in the first place.
Long ago, Benazar had hired some wizards to put a spell on his dungeon
to keep high-level offensive and defensive spell from being casted
there. What Benazar didn't know was that the spell didn't work on high
level healing and illusion spells, neutral spells. Luckily the guards
didn't pay much attention when Tybalt was casting spells. And they
couldn't tell the difference between a high level healing spell and a
low level one anyway. Tybalt quickly cast a medium strength healing on
the wood elf and watched as the cuts on her arms faded away. After
examining the wood elf, Tybalt found that she pretty bruised up and
had a nasty bump on the back of her head. A soft moan came from the
ranger. Opening her eyes, Tybalt saw they were peaceful pools of dark
leaf green. " How are you feeling?" Tybalt asked, leaning offer the wood elf, as the eyes looked around the room. The eyes rested on him, and went from peaceful to anger filled and before Tybalt knew what happened, he got punched in the nose.
***
Maylaie woke up with a splitting headache, what in the name of Tunare had happened? Opening her eyes, thankfully she was in a dimly lit area, Maylaie looked around from her place on the floor. She was in some sort of a cell, but where? " Are you ok?" asked a male smooth, soothing voice. Looking for the source Maylaie saw a dark elf leaning over her. Before she could even think, Maylaie punched him right in the nose. The dark elf yelped and stepped away from Maylaie. Getting to her feet quickly and gracefully, Maylaie was hit with a dizzy spell. Grasping the back of her head, she found a huge knot forming there. Maylaie closed her eyes and counted to ten softly, willing away the dizziness. When she opened her eyes again, Maylaie fixed the dark elf with a glare. " Ok, you can tell me where I am and why I'm here, or I can find out another way." Maylaie thumped her clenched fist against her palm to get her point across. " You're in the dungeon of Benazar Shadowskull, a noble and very rich necromancer here in Neriak. Why you are here is as good as guess as mine, I still don't know why I'm even here." The dark elf said. " What class are you?" Maylaie asked, looking over the dark elf's dark green robes. " Cleric." Maylaie snorted, Dark elves only prayed to one god, this cleric must be in here because he made a disrespectful remark to Benazar, or didn't pay him for some service. Sitting down again, Maylaie found some blue heart moss growing on the wall, which made a tea that promoted quick healing of all types of illness, including bumps and scratches. Pulling off a tiny bit of the moss off the wall, Maylaie then fished in her hidden pockets and found her flint and some smokeless burning tinder, she really didn't want to waste mana down here using her weak fire ball spell or healing spell, then she got out a flask of water and a small cup. Finding some Ranger's Aid moss, which burned smokeless, Maylaie quickly made a small pile of it and the tinder lit it on fire, now for the hard part. " I don't suppose you have a cooking pot on you?" she asked the dark elf. The dark elf took out a small pot from within his robes and handed it over to Maylaie. " I'm Tybalt by the way." The dark elf smiled.
" Maylaie Wolfcall." Maylaie said, going to work on her tea. She
didn't see the point of giving him a fake name, but didn't mean the
dark elf didn't give her one. The dark elf leaned against a wall and
to all appearances went to sleep. Maylaie hated the cleric for being
so relaxed, but then why did she feel so comfortable around him?
***
" She's been gone for three days, she wouldn't be camping in Crushbone for three days!" Tanak Wolfcall said, thumping his fist down on Captain Silverwind's desk. Silverwind sighed, he could understand the Wolfcalls' distress, they had already lost their eldest child and daughter to dark forces, the idea of losing another one of their children could be heart breaking. ' What is it with the Wolfcalls and daughters?' Silverwind thought with a sigh. " Captain Silverwind, Maylaie was last seen entering Crushbone Cave, we know our daughter, she wouldn't camp in Crushbone without sending us a tell. Something is VERY wrong." Eslain said " I'm sorry Eslain, Tanak, but I just can't send a patrol looking for someone who just might being doing normal adventurer activities. If it wasn't for the damn orcs increasing the amount of attacks against Kelethin, I would, but I just can't afford the elf power right now." Silverwind explained. " Then send us." Came a voice from the doorway. Terrain Wolfcall stood there, Tryen Silvagalduis stood to his right. " We'll go look around Crushbone." Tryen said. Silverwind nodded, " Alright, good luck to you both, and I hope you find her." The two elves nodded and left.
***
" Thanks for coming with me Try." Terrain said as the two walked through the tunnel that leads to Crushbone. " No problem Ter, we both want to." The ranger stopped mid sentence, his keen eyesight spotting something Terrain couldn't see. Walking over to a dark corner, Tryen bent and picked something. " Do you recognize this?" Tryen said, handing Terrain a copper ring with leaves etched in around the side. " Yeah, it's Maylaie's, Healec gave it to her on her 14th birthday. She wouldn't go anywhere without it." Terrain said, worrying entering his voice. " That's not all." Tryen handed Terrain a second ring. This one was obsinain, with daggers and skulls craved in the sides. It was the ring given to the members of the rogue guild of Neriak.
***
He had to be there for information, why else would he be there? It was the only reason Maylaie could find for Tybalt to there. For the month Maylaie had been there Tybalt had helped her bandage her head wound, offered her some of the rat and lizard he had cooked up, which she only took because the few meals the guard had brought them were barely enough to feed a baby mouse. And in general, Tybalt had been kind to her. Maylaie figured that Tybalt was just lowering her defences, waiting until she was comfortable with so she would tell him any thing she knew about Kelethin's defences, not that a pathetic ranger like her knew all that much about Kelethin's defence, she couldn't even keep herself from getting captured.
Maylaie shivered involuntarily, the spell that didn't stop Tybalt from casting his healing spells and illusions had stop the warming spells on her armour. How did a cleric learn to cast illusions? Tybalt had once mentioned he spent some time in all the guild halls but that of the Necromancers and Shadowknights in one his attempts to get Maylaie to talk, almost worked to. " You know, if you got closer, we could share body heat." Tybalt suggested.
" The closest I want to get to a dark elf is punch and kicking range." Maylaie growled. Tybalt scowled at her, the first sign of displeasure he had shown towards her since they had first met. " Why do you hate my kind so much?" Tybalt asked, still scowling. Maylaie stood up, anger coursing through her veins, " You want to know why I hate you dark elves so much?! Four months ago ten of your kind attack my brother, my sister and me. I got away with a scratch, my brother lost his eye, but my sister lost her life. They killed her in cold blood, no reason!" Tybalt was on his feet before Maylaie could blink. " Do you think you're the only one to lose a loved one!? Four years ago, my sister and I were walking through Nektulos forest when we were attack by two humans and two high elves, and they killed my sister for the fact that she was a dark elf, she wasn't even a full blood dark elf!" Tybalt shouted. After panting a moment, he sat down of the floor and studied the rock formation of it. Maylaie sat down, thinking. Had she been so absorbed in her hatred of dark elves that she had not actually think that Tybalt was being nice because he wanted to? Maylaie looked at Tybalt, really looked at him, to see him, not just another dark elf. He had high noble cheekbones, and a straight, strong chin. His nose was well shaped, and slightly hooked, and spoke of good blood in his family. His white hair was short cut, commoner style, and his bangs curved just above his eyes. Maylaie wasn't sure how he trimmed the neat goatee framing his mouth, but it was well groomed. His eyes, Maylaie could stare into them all day. The colour of the sky at twilight, Maylaie felt warm all over when she looked into them. " Tybalt, could you put up one of those illusions up? We need to talk." Maylaie whispered. Tybalt waved his hands in a complex pattern and the area near bars gained the wavery appearance. The illusion was of Tybalt and Maylaie on opposite sides of the cell, doing normal things, and Maylaie and Tybalt could scream at the top of their lungs, and the guards wouldn't be able to hear them. Maylaie sat down besides Tybalt, " I wanted to say I'm sorry. I haven't been very fair, it's just, lately whenever I see a dark elf, and I see the masked face of the bastard who killed my sister, who happened to get away. Just now I've been able to see you for you." Maylaie said, looking down at her hands in her lap. A gentle finger under her chin brought Maylaie's head to look Tybalt in those big beautiful eyes. " Apology accepted I really can't blame you, I bet you've never heard a kind word from a dark elf." Tybalt said. " You're the first." Maylaie confirmed. Tybalt smiled, " Well, it was a wood elf who saved my life and my soul, had you been a high elf, I might have healed you, but I wouldn't have given you the time of day." Maylaie's brow furrowed, " A wood elf saved your life and soul?" " My sister and I were both agnostic warriors, I was dabbling into magic at the time, but didn't feel right unless I was swinging sword, and I refused to be a shadow knight, since I hated necromancy. After my sister was murdered, I became a cleric for the Prince of Hate. For a year I lived my life in my hate filled cloud until one day, I was meditating in Nektulos when some manner of beast, that have never seen before, and haven't seen since, attacked me. I was able to drive it off but not without wasting all of my mana and becoming gravely injured. I prayed to my god for help, but I guess he believed I was weak, for the aid never came. I was feeling the cold hands of death around my heart when I was pulled away with a warm healing light. When I opened my eyes, I found this wood elf druid standing over me. When asked why she healed, because I would surely end up attacking her when I had recovered, she just smiled and said that she was lead to me by her goddess and her goddess would protect her. I was stunned. All the Teir'Dal know that if we aid an enemy race, we're on our own if they attack us. I asked who her goddess was; she proclaimed that it was Tunare, Mother of All. Right then and there I swore to spread the words of Tunare. I was suddenly engulfed in a warm light. Since my sister's death, I have felt cold, and alone. Ever since then I have felt warm and apart of something. Even though I've been locked in this prison for a year now, I'm still glad I made that choice, and that I met that druid, Healec." Tybalt finished with a sigh. " Healec? Did she have bracers with wolves craved in the sides?" Maylaie asked. " That she did." " That was my sister. She always had a heart as big as nature itself." " I can imagine." For hours Maylaie and Tybalt talked, mostly about their families and siblings. Tybalt had a lot of siblings and half siblings, including his late sister. His father, although deeply in love with his mother, a rare thing for the Teir'Dal, had to travel a lot, and had a huge sexual appetite, so he had spawned several bastards, a few them had made back to his door stoop, and Tybalt's father had oddly enough, welcomed them all, all the while, Tybalt's mother didn't mind. " Thankfully, I didn't inherit that from him, I've had very few lovers in my life time." Tybalt said. " I have only had one, and all we did is kiss and cuddle." Maylaie said, resting her head on Tybalt's muscular shoulder. She felt so safe and secure with him. Her heart grew light hearing his voice. Her mother once describe similar feeling when she had met Maylaie's father." Tybalt?" " Yes?" " I love you. I think I've loved since I first saw you, I was just too filled with hate to see it." Maylaie said, looking up in Tybalt's dark blue eyes. Tybalt smiled, " Well, Angel kitten, you just made me a very happy elf. I fell in love with you the first day I saw you, you and your fiery spirit." " Angel kitten?" " You have the beauty of an angel and the grace of cat, but kitten sounds better." " Father always calls me wood angel." " Father used to call me.." Maylaie kissing him full out on the lips interrupted Tybalt. Maylaie was glad Terrain and her first boyfriend taught her, through different methods, of course, that when you kiss, you breath through your nose and parts between lips. Maylaie gently slipped her tongue into Tybalt's mouth, and for a moment the two tongues danced a dance of passion before Tybalt slipped his tongue in Maylaie's mouth. Maylaie let her tongue explore every inch of Tybalt's mouth, loving the sour/sweet taste of it, it was like raspberries. Tybalt broke the kiss and smiled. " As much as I'm enjoying this, we should probably stop, before the illusion ends." Tybalt said, "We can continue this tomorrow night love." Tybalt added, when Maylaie pouted slightly. Tybalt could only cast his illusions at night because the night shift guards, who were of higher ranking then the day shift guards, were angered about the fact that the had to guard a nearly empty dungeon, so they didn't really pay any attention to Maylaie and Tybalt. Maylaie couldn't blame them, why did Benazar need nine guards to watch over two prisoners? " Sweet dreams then." Maylaie said, giving Tybalt another quick kiss. " They'll be of you, so they'll be heavenly." Tybalt smiled. With that Maylaie went over to her side of the cell and curled up the floor to go to sleep. Her last thought before she fell asleep was the fact that she did feel so cold anymore.
****
" Ok it'll take time to make the masks, but the question remains, where is she?" Tanak asked. " Terrain says he can find out, but what if it's already too late?" Aitira asked. Eslain didn't even want to think about that, and even if it was too late, she wanted to bring her daughter's body home to be buried, properly. " There is no worries about that, young one." Said a voice. Looking at the door, Eslain saw a cloaked figure and Terrain standing there. " Maylaie's captor has not so much as laid a finger on her, and other then feeding her poor meals, he has caused no other harm to her." The cloaked figure, definitely female, said. " Dera has information on where Maylaie is and how to sneak in." Terrain explained. " Your daughter was captured by Benazar Shadowskull, a necromancer of Neriak. I have blue prints of his castle, which I will share with you, if you promise to aid me in realising my brother, Tybalt." Dera said. " O-o-ok, but I'll n-n-need to m-m-make m-m-more m-m-masks." Tinkera said. " No need to do that." Dera said, removing her hood, showing off her blackish blue skin. Studying the young elf a moment, Eslain realized that Dera wasn't fully dark elf, her skin was too light and her ears not as pointed. " How do you know so much about this Benny character?" Tryen asked. " He's my brother, also." Dera stated simply, " but enough of my family's history, we need to get planning," Dera added, placing a blue print on the table. The others gathered around and began to plan.
***
" But sir, I will surely be caught." Tymal Darkhearth said to the dark cloaked man. " It'll just be like giving the bread I've been giving you to the prisoners, expect you'll be giving the wine to the guards." The man said, sounding very old. Tymal looked at the four large casks. They were more then enough to get the nine guards very drunk, and Tymal had a feeling that the cloaked man magiked the wine, just like she was sure that he magiked the bread to. " Aye, and if Master Shadowskull finds out about that or this, it'll be my head. I can't exactly sneak these downstairs." Tymal said, crossly, was the man a fool or something? " Tell the guards you found some extra wine in the cellar, I doubt the guards will report you, and this should cover you're expenses." The cloaked man handed her a large bag. Before, the man had only paid small bags of gold and silver, but this large bag was filled platinum. " And if this wine does what I hope it will do, you will receive another two bags of platinum." The man added, just in case Tymal thought about selling the wine instead of giving it to the guards. " Thank you sir." Tymal bowed, but when she looked up again, the man was gone. Tymal shrugged, and called the lower kitchen slaves to come bring in the wine.
***
Tybalt watched as the guards greedily consumed the wine given to them; they'd be drunk before the hour was out. Tybalt smiled and set to work casting one of his longer lasting illusions. Just in case dear old Zar shows up. Tybalt told himself. Maylaie smiled at him. The beauty she had before doubled when her jaw wasn't clenched with anger, or when she wasn't scowling.
They met in the middle of the cell and embraced. Tybalt bent his head and kissed Maylaie fiercely. Somehow, while not breaking the kiss, Tybalt sat down, and pulled Maylaie into his lap. Tybalt used his tongue to stroke under Maylaie's tongue, producing a tiny moan from her. Her mouth tasted of wild mint and spring water, a taste Tybalt relished. Tybalt let his hands roam down Maylaie's back. Producing more moans from the she-elf. Tybalt's fingers found the string tying up Maylaie's tunic, and began to unfasten them. That's when Tybalt broke the kiss. " What's wrong?" Maylaie asked, concern in her voice.
" Nothing, I was just going too far too fast." Tybalt answer, stroking
Maylaie's hair. Maylaie arched an eyebrow, " If you're stopping on my behalf, there is no worry. Tybalt, if it were normal circumstances, I'd agree, maybe. Hell I'm not sure I'd want to go slowly even if it were normal circumstances. But this isn't a normal circumstance, for all we know, Benny boy might be waiting for the right time to sacrifice us to Innoruuk, and that time might be tomorrow. I've already wasted enough time, I don't want to waste anymore." "Do you really want to remember this place as the place you lost your virginity?" Tybalt asked, waving his arms to the cell walls. "You're talking to the elf who was conceived in the Iron Orc in Crushbone. As my mother once put, ' it doesn't matter where you are, just that you love the person.' And I love you with all my heart and more and that's all need." Tybalt chuckled; he had a feeling when he finally got to meet Maylaie's parents he was going to like them, even if they didn't like him. " Alright, my little angel kitten, but first let me make this floor more comfortable." Tybalt lifted Maylaie out from his lap, stood up, took off his green robe and placed on the floor. Placing a few spell on the robe to make it soft, and thicker, Tybalt bowed to Maylaie, " After you my lady." Maylaie grinned, " You should know by now, I'm no lady." She said, as she kissed Tybalt again. The two lovers lied down on the robe, Tybalt on top of Maylaie. " No my dear, you are an angel." Tybalt murmured, then started kissing Maylaie's neck.
Afterwards Tybalt and Maylaie lie on the robe, Maylaie's head was resting on Tybalt's chest. Tybalt gently stroked Maylaie's forehead as Maylaie slept peacefully. " My snuggle bear." Maylaie muttered in sleep, holding Tybalt closer. Tybalt chuckled, " Sleep well my little angel kitten." He said, kissing Maylaie's forehead, drifting asleep himself, smiling. Snuggle bear had a nice ring to it.
****
" Sweet beginnings, it's dark in here." One said. " How can you tell? We don't have eyes yet." Two replied, " How long are we going to be here again?" " Around nine months, give or take a week or so." One replied. " But that's a REALLY long time." " Would you rather that we still at the waiting place again? At least here we'll be moving around soon." " You've got a point, Um.do we really have to do the puking thing? I mean, do we have to put her through that?" " Yeah, and why so concerned about that? We do plan to move a lot, that'll cause more discomfort then puking." " Kicking you can ignore." " Oh well, we'll worry about that when we come to it, lets just go to sleep."
***
Maylaie had never been so sick in her life as she been the past two weeks. Worst part is she had to puke into a smelly disgusting hole that she and Tybalt had to use as a toilet, which lead to where all the toilet waste in the castle, the crap pit, as Maylaie nicked named it. At least Tybalt was there to rub her shoulders. Their love for each other had deepened and strengthened to the point Maylaie couldn't think about a life with him. " Ok, I think I'm done." Maylaie said, straighten up and leaned against a wall. From Tybalt's concerned face, Maylaie knew that the blood was leaving her face, leaving it rather pale and green tinted. " Well, we know it's not food poisoning, that never lasts two weeks." Tybalt said.
" What if.Benazar's trying to kill me? I mean what if he brought me here just to weaken you or something?" Maylaie asked. In Maylaie's opinion, Benazar was the single cruelest and vile creature on Norrath, confirmed when Tybalt told her he was Benazar's brother. Who would lock up their own kin? Tybalt held Maylaie close, " Benazar, although a genius in many ways, knows very little in the ways of love. He can't understand why someone would be devastated if they lost a loved one. Besides, with our lovely acting when the illusions are down during the day, I doubt Benazar knows about us." Maylaie smiled, after the out burst from over a month ago, the guards were convinced that Maylaie and Tybalt hated each other. Tybalt pretended to have given up trying to be nice to Maylaie, of course, having staged shouting matches helped. " Then what is wrong with me?" Maylaie asked. Tybalt sat and thought for a moment," Have you ever heard of aura reading?" " No, what is it?" " It's when a healer, cleric, druid, etc, uses magic to see your aura. Every illness and condition has a colour, and if you're healthy you won't have one." " Ok, what should I do?" " All you need to do is stand up." Maylaie and Tybalt stood, and Tybalt began chanting in a langue Maylaie couldn't understand and waving his arms in a strange pattern. Maylaie felt her skin tingle, and saw Tybalt's eyes go wide. " What's wrong?" Panic went through Maylaie's mind, a million different diseases and illness popped up into her mind. Tybalt smiled, " Nothing's wrong. You just have a pink tinted purple aura." " Well if I'm not sick, then why do I have a purple aura?" Tybalt fidgeted slightly, " Well, you have a condition. Do you want it bluntly or gently?" " Hey, two months ago, I never thought I'd be in love a Teir'Dal, I think I can take anything." " Well, your pregnant." Maylaie might have fallen if she wasn't already leaning against the wall. Maylaie sat hard on the floor, resting her hand against her belly. She was pregnant, not only pregnant, but pregnant with the child of a dark elf. Maylaie shook her head; she wasn't going to think of this baby as a dark elf child but her child, their child, made from love, with the elf she loved. She thought about Tybalt. Tybalt could be a big kid sometimes and was very loving. The way he'd make silly voices and make silly puppet shows with his hands whenever she got depressed, he'd make a great daddy. For the first time, Maylaie wondered how her parents would react to her loving Tybalt. When Tybalt asked her about it once, she said that her parents were very tolerate of anyone and wouldn't care if she loved an orc, they only cared if Maylaie was happy. Now Maylaie wondered, would they approve of her love to Tybalt? She figured even if her parents threaten to disown her, Maylaie would go on loving Tybalt. Of course she doubted her parents would disown her when they found out she was expecting their first grandchild. Maylaie could already imagine her mom jumping up and down with joy, and giving Maylaie advice, and her dad would probably start craving a wooden sword for the ' future ranger.' Maylaie looked over at Tybalt, he had been wise enough to let Maylaie think, and kept his distance. Maylaie got up and went to Tybalt and hugged him tightly. " So what do you think, daddy?" Maylaie grinned. Tybalt let out a whoop and swung Maylaie around. " I'm going to be a daddy!" he grinned, and began rubbing Maylaie's belly, talking in a baby voice, "Hiya little one, ya gonna love your momma, your daddy's a bit crazy, but your momma is wonderful."
Maylaie laughed, " You're insane Hun, simply insane." Maylaie smiled,
then got serious,
" How long can we keep this a secret?" Tybalt stood up and
became serious. Rubbing his chin, something he always did when
he did serious thinking, " Probably right up to the birth, with
my illusions, but I don't want to leave it that long. Damn, I
wish there was a way out of here." Maylaie nodded. They had tried nearly everything to get out the cell and Benazar's dungeon. They couldn't leave through the hole in the floor; the drop was at least fifty feet, if not more. Maylaie tried to pick the lock, only to have the pick to grow hot and melted, (Maylaie: "Bloody hell!") Both Maylaie and Tybalt had tried to blow the door apart with their low level offensive spells, only to have them bounce off back at them, and shatter against the far wall. (Tybalt: "Son of a bitch!") And they both tried ramming the cell door, only to bounce off, which resulted in Maylaie almost falling into the hole. (Maylaie: " SHIT!!!") The purple coloured tell fairies couldn't get in to send tells to anyone out side. There were no windows to contact the outside world. The maid who brought who brought meals for the guards and Tybalt and Maylaie, once in awhile giving Tybalt and Maylaie bread, would not take a note to contact the outside world, saying she would be killed if she did. And Benazar kept the dungeon keys on him all the time, so there was no way they could bribe the guards, even if they had something to bribe with. Maylaie sighed, decided it would be better to direct them on to a happy subject. " I'm sure my parents are planning a rescue mission as we speak. So, how far along am I?" " About a month." Tybalt said, sitting down, pulling Maylaie into his lap. " A month you say? So it was conceived the first time we made love. Oh dear, poor little thing got poked in the head a couple of times." Maylaie chuckled. Tybalt laughed, " We better get the love making done now, in three months or so, it won't be healthy for the baby." " Can you cast a long lasting illusion? I want to be close to you tonight." Maylaie smiled and yawned, " I want my big snuggle bear." Tybalt laughed and cast the spell. Lying on the floor together Maylaie rested her head on Tybalt's chest. " Good night, lover." She whispered as her eyelids drooped and closed, taking her into a deep sleep.
***
" Just everybody stay clam and do what I do, okay?" Dera said, as the party traveled through the forest. " Yes, yes we know already! Can we hurry this up already? I really don't like being an inky, no offence." Tinka said, her dark elf illusion on. " I don't mind the height lass, it's just the colour, and no bloody beard!" Jardora grumbled. Aitira would have laughed at her friends if she wasn't so worried about Maylaie. It was she, Jardora, Tinka, Eslain, Tanak, Terrain, Tryen, Lumenie, and Dera, going to save Maylaie and this Tybalt character. ' I hope Maylaie didn't hurt him.' Aitira thought as she walked through the dark streets of Neriak. Dera lead them to a hidden tunnel. " This leads to the guard house. With any luck we'll get there just as the morning shift is getting ready." Dera said, leading into the tunnels. Dera lead them up to a stone slab that looked like a door. Pushing it open slightly Dera peeked through. Nine dark elves were just beginning to put on armour. " When I say three. One.. two.THREE!" Dera roared forward, the others following close behind her. The guards were knocked out, gagged, tied up, and hidden before they knew what happened to them. Quickly the nine rescuers put on the armour, and put their own items into their hidden bags Dera also pointed out where the prisoners' weapons were kept, she grabbed her brother's while Tanak grabbed Maylaie's.
" I have to say, this brother of yours does have good taste in weapons." Tanak muttered. " Dad was a warrior, for all his faults, he taught his children all about warrior trade. All the ones he knows about anyways." Dera muttered, opening the door to hall. Dera instructed them how to march down the hall, even though it seemed silly to Aitira, since it seemed unlikely that high elves, wood elves, gnomes, and dwarves marched any differently then dark elves, but she didn't argue.
As they marched down the hall, when they heard a voice, " Guards, Halt!" they stopped dead. Aitira felt her heart pound furiously, fearing they would be caught. A haughty dark elf, wearing a black and red robe made from the finest silk Aitira had ever seen, came up to them. " I want to give the prisoners some exercise. Take them outside and let some of the commoners throw some stones at them. Dodging them will be great exercise." Grinning the dark elf, handing Tanak the keys. Tanak nodded, Dera had told them Benazar didn't want his soldiers talking to him unless it was important, and if this vile bastard wasn't Benazar, she didn't know else could be. Once Benazar had left them, the nine continued to march down the stairs.
They came to a halt when they were in fornt of the high-ranking night guards. " About time you lot came here." Said the captain in dark elf tongue, Aitira thanked her lucky stars mom had taught her the langue, " It's not fair you guys get to see their shouting matches, at night they just sit around and sleep." Came the grumble. The night guards left. They waited until they couldn't hear any more steps, and the nine rescuers relaxed. " This is almost too easy." Tryen said, visibly shaking. " Well just don't like your guard down." Dera said. " Whot in the name of the under ground was 'e sayin'?" Jardora asked. " Something about Maylaie and this Tybalt character arguing." Aitira explained. " Hhmm. This is interesting." Tinka said, looking at the bars. " What is it Tink?" asked Terrain. " There's an illusion in there, I'll break it to see what's up." Tinka said, muttering a spell. The illusion faded away, which was Maylaie sleeping on one said of the cell and a dark elf sleeping on the other side. Once it faded, Aitira received a great shock. She saw Maylaie curled up and snuggling with a green robed dark elf. " We'll ask questions later." Terrain said, going up to the cell bar. " Maylaie, Maylaie! Wake up!"
***
Maylaie could hear Terrain's voice urging her awake. ' No, that couldn't have been a dream!' Maylaie thought desperately. Giving a gentle squeeze, Maylaie felt Tybalt's soft robe and his muscular frame underneath it. Opening one eye, Maylaie saw Tybalt's chest rising with breath, and looking up she saw his slumbering face. " Maylaie!" came her brother's harsh whisper again. Looking towards the cell bars, Maylaie saw one of the morning guards standing there. For a moment, panic coursed through Maylaie's body, then she looked closely at his face. A bright mirthful purple eye gleam at her, the other was covered be a death black eye patch. " Ter? Is that you?" Maylaie asked softly. " Yes it me, and if you done snuggling, we'd like to rescue you!" Terrain said, although his voice was serious, Maylaie could see the smile playing on his lips, he obviously found this very amusing. Quickly, Maylaie shook Tybalt awake.
" Hmm?" Tybalt groaned.
" Rescue party's here." Maylaie said softly. Tybalt got up and look forward at the nine dark elf guards. " Magical masks babe." Maylaie said, reading the question in Tybalt's eyes. " Oh. Ok then." Tybalt said, then his brow furrowed, " How are you guys going to get us out of here?"
" Benazar wants you two to get some exercise by getting rocks thrown at you." Came Aitira's voice from a guard. What looked like Tanak opened the door and let them out of their cell. Quickly shackles and chain were put on Maylaie and Tybalt's hands and feet. " I can't wait to hug you again." Eslaine's voice came. " Me neither mama, me neither."
Things were going smoothly. Some unknown aider was leading them out of the castle, easily. " Halt guards!" Came Benazar's haughty voice. They stopped quickly, and Maylaie put on her best scowl.
" Well well. You're a very pretty little thing when you're not knocked out." Benazar said raising a finger to stroke Maylaie's face. " I wouldn't get to close to her Benazar, she bites." Tybalt replied, dully. Maylaie could almost hear anger in his voice. As to prove Tybalt's point, Maylaie snapped at the offending finger. Benazar gave Maylaie a quick backhand slap, and hard one at that. At the corner of her eye she saw some people twitch, it took a lot of willpower not to smack him back.
" Told you." Tybalt said, smugness in his voice. " Hmmm I have a better idea. Instead of getting rocks thrown at you I think trying to fight off the monsters of Nektulos Forest with your hands chained and no weapons should provide adequate exercise. Take the back stairs so you're not seen." Benazar drawled, just a hint of anger in his voice, and then walked off. Their quiet friend lead them to the back stairs, which was covered by a locked door that looked like wall, through a tunnel to the middle of Nektulos Forest. " I think it's safe." Tanak said. The silent guide nodded her head. The rescuers quickly took off their armour and masks, or in Tinka's case, ended the spell.
" Sweet Tunare I thought I lost you to." Eslain said, hugging Maylaie fiercely. " It takes more then one nasty Necro to get rid of me." Maylaie grinned. " Dera!" Tybalt cried. Looking over, Maylaie saw Tybalt hug a female dark elf fiercely. .
" Maylaie, this is my little sister Dera." Tybalt explained.
" Yeah, Dera told us how to get here and get in Benny boy's castle." Terrain explained, and then hugged Maylaie fiercely, " Oh gods, I was so worried. I thought I had lost you." " It's okay big bro, I'm not going any where.." Maylaie said, as an all too familiar nauseous feeling started again. " Ter, let me go. Quick!" Terrain let go of her like she was a hot piece of iron. Maylaie dove behind the nearest bush and threw up.
" What did you do to my little wood angel!?" Maylaie heard Tanak roar. Coming out of the bushes, Maylaie saw Tanak face to face with Tybalt. " Master Wolfcall, I swear I never harmed your daughter. She is very dear to me." Tybalt stated, his voice firm. " Then why is she sick?" Tanak demanded.
" Well." Tybalt began. " We should get going." Tryen said, " I want to be far away from here before Benazar finds the locked up guards." The other nodded. Tanak gave Maylaie her sword, and her minotuar axe and her bow and arrows, and of course; her backpack, still filled with food, fletching tools and bandages; Tybalt received a mace from his sister.
They headed southeast from Neriak Keeping a steady, uneventful march. Much to Maylaie's relief, she didn't have to throw up much. Instead her mind filled with worry it seemed her family and friends weren't nearly as tolerant as she though they were. She noticed Terrain, Terrain, Tanak and Tryen's constant scowling at Tybalt. Jardora did her best to keep away from Tybalt, yet stay near Maylaie, which was difficult, since Maylaie walked right beside Tybalt. Eslain seemed okay with Tybalt, as did Aitira, Lumenie and Tinka. Maylaie chuckled to herself, realizing it was her self-made ' protectors' who disliked Tybalt. Maylaie giggled again, realization hitting. It seemed all the important men in her life name started with 'T'. Tanak, Terrain, Tryen and Tybalt.
" What's so funny?" Tybalt asked, with an eyebrow arched.
" Nothing just thinking of something." Maylaie giggled again, calming
herself. One had to stay alert in Nektulos Forest. Their only warning
was a twig snap. Twelve Teir'Dal warriors leaped out from the bushes. " We've been ordered by the great Necromancer Benazar Shadowskull to kill you rescuers and return his prisoners." The leader stated, as all the warriors pulled out their weapons.
" Ummm I think not." Terrain grinned, as everyone pulled out his or her weapons. Maylaie was quick to behead the warrior that thought he could take Maylaie on. Another rustle bush told of another attacker. Maylaie prepared herself as a massive spider lunged out from the brush and backed her into a tree. It was the biggest spider Maylaie had ever seen.
Terrain whirled a struck stabbing his attacker in the arm. The warrior paid no heed and switched sword arms. The warrior lunged and Terrain turned just an inch to the left, letting the dark elf run past him, at the same time, slitting his throat. The warrior spurted and fell to the ground. " Maylaie!" Terrain heard Tybalt scream. Turning, he saw Maylaie backed into a tree, a huge spider looming off her, Maylaie frozen in terror. Terrain felt his blood ran cold, if there was one Maylaie was afraid of it was spiders, the bigger they were the worst it was. The massive spider lunged forward, fangs bared. Terrain made a move to stop it when a green blur got in fornt of Maylaie. Tybalt received the two fangs in his arm, thankfully, just the tips. Maylaie seemed to come out of her frozen state, and flipped up, landing on the spider's back a drove her sword through the spider's head. Getting off, Maylaie ran to Tybalt. By this time the all warriors were dead, and the others watched the couple with interest. " Sweet Tunare you're hurt!" Maylaie whimpered, getting some bandages from her bag. " Just a scratch." Tybalt grinned as Maylaie cleaned the wound and bandaged it. " Just a scratch my ass." Maylaie snapped, finishing her bandaging " I'm sorry I froze like that, if only I had moved, you wouldn't be hurt." Tybalt hugged Maylaie fiercely. " It's okay, I know how you feel. I'm terrified of bees so I know what it's like." Tybalt said, and held Maylaie closer, " But I've never been so frightened as I was when I thought I might have lost you."
" Well, I'm convinced." Tryen grinned, walking over to Tybalt. " A shake of friendship is in order." Tryen added holding out his hand. Tybalt took it and shook. " Me too, but if you ever hurt my little sister, mentally, emotionally or physically, I'll give you a VERY slow and VERY painful death." Terrain said, shaking Tybalt other hand. " I still want to know why my little wood angel's puking, then I'll shake your hand." Tanak said gruffly. " Aye." Jardora grunted. " Come on, the wizard spires are just over there." Lumenie said pointing to the white curved spires.
Maylaie breathed in deeply, the air was filled with forest smells. It felt so wonderful to home. " Well I got to go, later Ty." Dera said hugging her brother, then walking off. " Later little sister." Tybalt called.
" Alright then, we're out of danger, get talking." Tanak growled. They walked up the grassy rise near the spires, while Tybalt stuttered. " Well you see Master Wolfcall sir.it like this.ermmmm." " Today, inky." Tanak Maylaie had enough, if her father was still distrusting after the spider incident, she didn't care to give him the news gently. " I'm pregnant. I was sick due to morning sickness." Tanak and Eslain's eye went wide, everybody's did in fact, and for a moment everyone just stared. " You mean.I'm going to be a grandmother?" Eslain whispered, breaking the all too uncomfortable silence. " Yep." Tybalt said " This is great!" Eslain said, somehow hugging both Tybalt and Maylaie. " I hope you plan to marry my little girl Tybalt." Tanak stated. " I do sir, as soon as I'm registered as a member of the elven Faydwer society." Tybalt said, turning to Maylaie, he smiled. " Sorry, I guess it's not much of a proposal." Maylaie grinned. " Why propose when you already know I'll say yes?" " H-h-here T-T-Tybalt, when you sister t-t-told us you were a good guy I-I- I figured you'd need t-t-t-this." Tinka said handing Tybalt a mask. " Just until we past t-t-t-the guard and get t-t-t-to the council." Tybalt put on the mask. He looked like a high elf, but he still had his goatee and twilight blue eyes. " Well, lets get going." Tybalt grinned.
***
" Your majesty! You can't honestly believe that this Teir'Dal changed his ways! He could never live here." Council member Urthar demanded. King Tearis Thex rarely took part in all society registrations, but this was a special case. Tybalt, formerly Shadowskull, had sworn to serve Tunare and the good people of the world for the rest of his life. He also was quite fond of a young ranger, Maylaie Wolfcall. The fact that they had created a child together added to the list why Tybalt should be allowed to live in Faydwer as one of his subjects. " If you have a good reason why he shouldn't." Tearis asked. " Your Highness, although I fully believe Tybalt's changed ways, others might not, and your subjects might attack him." Yuthley stated. " Hmmm, you have a point there." Tearis rubbed his chin. " Your Highness, may I make a suggestion?" Aitira Gemshine spoke out. One of Maylaie's friends, the young mage was famous for being unusual. " Yes Lady Gemshine?" Tearis inquired. " The Trial of Tunare. If he is worthy, which I believe he is, Tunare will grant him protection against her own people." " Very well. Let us go to the chamber."
It was a quick walk from the council chamber to the Trial chamber. In the chamber there was a singular dais, engraved with Tunare's symbol, an eagle with out spread wings.
" Step on to the dais Tybalt." Tearis ordered. Tybalt did as he was told and stood on the dais, he was engulfed with light. For a moment he was quiet, then Tybalt screamed.
***
Maylaie felt her heart wrench with the scream. She didn't think a humanoid could make such a noise. Soon it was over, and Tybalt was laying face down on the floor, motionless.
*** " May.I'm sorry." Aitira said reaching out to hug Maylaie. 'It's going to happen again.' Aitira thought with dread, ' Just like with her sister, she going to become withdrawn and start hunting and being alone all the time.'
" No.he can't be dead, he just can't!" Maylaie ran to the head of the dais and gasped. The other came beside and stood in shock. Tybalt had taken off his mask and had given it to the king before the council meeting. Now he appeared to be a high elf.
***
Maylaie didn't know what to think she bent down and stroke Tybalt's, or whoever it was, hair. " Tybalt? Can you hear me?" Maylaie asked. For a dreadful moment, nothing. Suddenly, his hand reached out and stroked Maylaie's belly. Maylaie gasped feeling a ripple of energy flooded into her, and within an instant it was over. Tybalt's back heaved, and he coughed. " Oh gods.. What the hells happened?" he coughed again, getting up. His face was exactly the same as before. Same noble nose, same neat goatee, and most importantly, same beautiful eyes. " What happened Tybalt?" Tanak asked. " That light flooded my eyes, expect it was green. A rich beautiful green. It was so bright.. but I didn't want to close my eyes. Then this voice filled my head. It sounded like nature itself. It was a woman's voice. She told me I was accepted by her, but not by others, and that I had to change. Then the worst pain I have ever felt filled me from my toes to my head, it must have been too much because I collapsed." Tybalt sighed, then reached out to caress Maylaie cheek, and gasped seeing his 'new' hand for the first time.
" Tunare purged you of Innoruuk's touch." King Tearis marvelled. " I guess so." Tybalt said, standing up. Another bright light flashed, and Tybalt's green robe was gone, in its place was clothe breeches and a faded gold tunic. The mace that had hung at Tybalt's hip had been replaced with a short sword.
" I guess I'm a paladin now." Tybalt grinned, " So, my angel kitten, what do you think of the new me?" " Lighter skin doesn't make you who you are. You're Tybalt, that's all I need." Maylaie said, hugging Tybalt fiercely.
" Yes! I finally get to plan a wedding!" Eslain cheered.
**** **Two weeks later. **
"How are you feeling, Tybalt?" Tanak said to his soon-to-be son in law. " Nervous as a gnome in Feerott, but other then that, happiest alive. Thank you for the armour, by the way." Tybalt said admiring the silver dress armour Tybalt had made for him for the wedding.
" Well, I made all my children something, and. bah don't mention it. Come on now you better be heading to the alter. I'll be along with May in a second." Tybalt nodded and headed to the door of his dressing room.
" Tybalt, just a second. I wanted to say that.I'm glad your marrying Maylaie. Not because she's carrying your child, but because you are decent lad."
Tybalt smiled, " Thanks Tybalt, better we'd better get moving, before Jardora insists on hitting the bar."
Author's Note: Gah, sorry the chapter ending isn't great, but it this point I just wanted to get it done. Sorry if it's a bit of a disappointment. Also, I'm sorry I haven't been able to update. Schoolwork has been a b*tch. Lastly, if anybody has a tips on making spaces in the fiction, I greatly appericate it. I've tried using double space and what not, but it doesn't work. So any info would be great, just e-mail me at brynnn@hotmail.com