Asdroth stood in the central court yard of his home. He was holding a Note that a runner had just brought him, and was wearing his armor and swords. He also wore a gold Madalyn that showed his representation of the High council. The garden was in bloom, and the red roses filled the air with a sweet scent. He looks to His main entrance that was lined on both sides with roses. The arched entrance had both gates open, and Asdroth, stood in front of the pond in the center of his large court yard, and in the center of that a small island Asdroth, had placed to house a plane the bloomed blue floures. he thought to him self out loud as he read the note sent to him by the High council. "why me? And why are the Dark ones returning?". He thought to himself and stood ready trying to imagine what kind of horrific, and morally deformed monster would walk through his gate.
Moments later a tall young female was escorted through the gates by city guards.
Rayne strode purposefully into the courtyard, a determined gleam in her fiery red eyes. Her black dress rustled lightly over the ground as she walked right up to Asdroth and stopped. "I am Rayne Phyerstorme, sent by Lord Phyerstorme as an ambassador. I was told that I would be taken to see the High Council, who are you?" Her irritation was was not at all concealed as she spoke.
Asdroth looked down at the woman and smiled warmly gripping his sword with his right hand incredibly tightly to not say what he wished. "I am Asdroth Kain, Ambassador of forgin affairs. We have a simple way of determining if your request is worth the councils time. You speak to me first. What brings you to my home today Lady Rayne? I am told you represent the Dark Kymar, but I know little more than that." Asdroth bowed to the woman to show do respect, and waved his arm in the direction of a table near the pond where there was a bottle of whine and two glasses. next to a few scrolls and an open inn vile with a quill. "Please let us talk over a drink." Asdroth, motioned to the table, and avoided staiing at the woman he found himself intrigued with for more than one reason.
Rayne relaxed slightly and brushed a strand of her black hair from her face, internally chastising herself for her lack of patience, obviously she would need to win this High One over in order to carry out her mission. And she could never forgive herself if she failed her lord. "Very well," she replied, noting Asdroth's tendency to stare, "You may lead." She gracefully indicated the table and stood waiting with her hands on her hips, over her blood red corset.
Asdroth looked to her and lead her to the table pulling out a chair for her to sit, and then after her taking it walked across the table to take his own seat. As he did so he noticed her become more patient. Asdroth, took up the bottle of wine and pored the two glasses with a surprisingly sweet wine. He looked at her and then began. "why are you here?" Asdroth's, tone changed to a professorial one. "I was not lying when I told you that I did not have much information on your coming here meaning you and yours did not send a letter before hand. That combine with your lack of a body guard leads me to believe that your visit was hasted. Now why I wonder would you need to travel here so quickly that not so much as a messenger was sent before you to worn of your arrival, and you have no guards. would you like to enlighten me?" Asdroth, staider into her eyes his growing rather dark and turning black. "Oh and before you start. If you lie I will know."
An amused smile spread across
Rayne's lips as he spoke, "I was sent alone because I have no need of body guards, and no messenger was sent before me because I am the only one who my lord would trust with this task." With that, her own tone became more professional as well, "The Dark Ones wish to be allowed out of hiding. Our peoplehave spent centuries deep in the darkest forests, squabbling over whatever petty we could get our hands on. Phyerstorme has united us with the promise that he will do all within his power to bring us out into a better life. But in order to do that, he must first gain the acceptance of the rest of the Kymar. Her eyes were fiery and spoke of great passion, but there was also an innocence about them. She was telling the truth.
Asdroth shook his head, and smiled with amusement. "So not only do you wish to be allowed back into the respected world you also feel you have no need to give the council ANY form of warning to prepare for your arrival?" Asdroth, looked at the young woman same smile on his face and welcome in his eyes. "Why do you feel you have the right to demand that after the reason of your exile in the first place? and more importantly do you have anywhere to stay in the time it will take for the council to see you if I do dean your argument worth to go before them? Did you really expect to show up and be allowed to see them in the same day?" Asdroth, picks up a scroll, and shows it to her. "This is a human kingdom that wishes Advice from the council. nothing more. There representative has been here for three fort night, and sent letter ahead. As far as i am concerned your lords request is at the bottom of the list unless you have an amassing story for me." Asdroth set down the scroll and felt almost embarrassed to even be speaking in such a manner. and began to think of himself two years ago when he first arrived at the cathedral city and how out of place he felt. then sighed a sad sigh. "please tell me your reason for coming here today, and show me why i should push you to the top of the list." His voice sounded horse, and he looked down at his glass of wine he held in his hand.
Rayne watched him quietly for a few moments, curious as to what he was thinking about, "My people are the decedents of those who were cast out. Most of those who still live within the dark forests have committed no crime save that of surviving. We struggle to maintain order, but that is because we struggle to sustain life. We are forbidden to venture out into the world, and none dare seek us out. We are forced to survive on what little we can hunt and scrounge. Even just being able to open trade with the other Kymar would improve so many things." Rayne's voice was even and held little emotion, but her eyes said it all. There was sadness about what she had seen in them, and great passion for her cause.
Asdroth, thought for a moment longer of what he was and who he had become. Then hearing Rayne, spark of her life reminded Asdroth, of his life in the Wood with his mother. He posed for a moment and thought. He looked to her eyes, and saw a young and scared woman. he thought to himself for a moment and nodded. Asdroth stood and walked over to his bow sitting on the edge of the pond and then walked back over to the table setting down the Dark Wood bow. "do you know what that is?" Asdroth, pointed to the bow looking into Rayne's, eyes. "It is a Dark Wood bow. I made it myself form a tree my mother took me to when I was just a boy. In the Dark Forest. You do not need to tell me of the suffering of you people. I have seen it first hand. You tell me that the descends of evil are not longer evil, and I know that when i was there as I boy i felt no fear of any Dark Kymar. I am going to let you see the council, but it s on a few conditions. One you stay at my home, and two you need to learn how to talk to them because the way you approached me would have to thrown out of the building. Also I do not care that you say you do not need a body guard. You do..." Asdroth, took the bow up and turned to walk over to a target drawing the bow back and knocking an arrow. "Do you agree?" His voice seemed full of something new. Something that demanded respect.
Seeing Asdroth's words as an insult to her ability, rage welled up in
Rayne's chest and her eyes began to blaze, but she forced her anger down, it would not do to fail Lord Phyerstorme now. "I agree." she stated quietly, a hint of her anger in her tone.
Asdroth let the arrow fly and it hit home from across the court yard. He turned to face the young woman. "It has nothing to do with the fact that you are or are not able to handle your self. you see in high society it is custom for a woman who is traveling to have a guard with her. If you wish to prove to the council that your people are able to join the rest of us then it is simple act like one of us. I just so happen to be quitting my job after I make sure you go before the council and pushing you to the top of the list. So in the considering I am soon to be out of work would you like to hire a guard? the first month if free." Asdroth, smiled at Rayne, and for the first time in a long time he felt good about himself. He did not understand how but this Woman gave him back his fighting spirit. That with all his hart wanted nothing to do with this city any more.
Rayne composed herself, but there were still undercurrents of anger in her voice, she was not one to hide emotion. "I accept your offer. Now, when am I to see the High Council?"
Asdroth, walked over to hey and stuck out his hand. "tommrow."
Rayne rose to her feet and accepted his hand. Her grip was surprisingly strong for having such delicate looking fingers, "My Lord Phyerstorme will be pleased." she nodded.
The next day, Rayne and Asdroth left for The High Council Chamber
After the meeting with the high Council.
Rayne followed Asdroth to her room on the second floor of his home. She entered the room and sat on the edge of the bed, Asdroth's cloak falling from her shoulders. She hung her head in silence, she knew that she had failed her lord and that knowledge overwhelmed her, never before had she failed Phyerstorme.
Asdroth walked over to Rayne and spoke kindly breaking the silents. "Don't feel so bad... they didn't kill you when they were well in there rights to. You also should know that the high council dose not lie to emissary's of visiting nations... even if that nation is declaring war on them." Asdroth stepped out of the way and walked over to the window staring at the crystal blue water in his pond, and noticing the two extra guards now walking his courtyard.
"I...I lost my temper..."
Rayne whispered, more to herself than anything, "I let my anger get the better of me and now I have failed my lord. But how can those things be true?" Rayne shook her head, black hair falling into her face and dripping on her lap. She was an almost comical sight in a fine black gown that was drenched and clinging to her, and her hair sopping wet only from around her chin down. But the dejected expression on her face took away some of the comedy.
Asdroth turned and staider at Rayne. "Well you can only blame yourself for failing in there, and as far as it goes... you need to grow up and learn when to chock the words down to keep yourself out of trouble. It is the same reason I told you that you need a Body Guard. You react quickly when it is not needed. You could have asked for proof, or even tried to talk to them, but instead you felt drawing fire and threatening them to tell you what you wanted to hear was the better choice." Asdroth walked to to door. "Grow up. If you don't your nation and lord are doomed."
"Asdroth,"
Rayne called after him, then hesitated, not certain if she wanted to ask her question or not, "...Do you really believe that it is true? Do you think Phyerstorme has really marched on the rest of the Kymar? ...Why would he have done this to me?"
Asdroth stopped and turned to face Rayne before answering. "You lord is a dirty back stabbing cowered like the rest of your race. The sooner you can except that the better off you will be. The face is you are there only hope to not be whipped off the face of our world." Continuing sarcastically "As tragic as that would be!" Asdroth stopped and collected himself before going on. "please learn now. you need to pick the right side. either the man who betrayed you and sent you here to die, or the men who spared your life, and allowed me to take you home and calm you down instead of removing your spirit from your body." Asdroth stepped back into the room. "you asked and know that I will always answer you honestly."
Rayne nodded. She couldn't explain it, but there was something about Asdroth that she couldn't help but trust. She didn't think that he was using his magic on her, she had known when he did back in the Council Chamber, it had felt wrong, this felt natural. "Thank you, Lord Asdroth." she whispered.
Asdroth looked at her and smiled. "I will have Samantha come and get your dress so it can be cleaned and dried properly." Asdroth turned to leave, but before he got to the door he stopped and look over his shoulder to her again. "Rayne... do not call me Lord. I am no Nobel, and never will be is that understood?" As he walked down the hall he spoke up one more time. "Meet me in the kitchen for lunch after you change. I will talk you to get some more cloths when we are done eating."
Samantha came in shortly after Asdroths leaving. she was a young human girl with dark red hair, green eyes, and pale skin. "I will take your dress to wash and dry as soon as you are done changing, and I can show you to the kitchen." her voice was timid and shallow. Standing with her head down.
Rayne nodded and stepped behind the changing screen with the dress she had already taken from her bag. When she was changed, she handed the wet gown to the girl and followed her to the kitchen. Rayne stepped into the room waring a long black dress with a low, red trimmed neckline.
"Hello"! called a very plump Dwarf. "I am Gregor! The cook here. so what can I get for you young lady? I have two pots of stew cooking, and can make anything you ask. i guarantee it. thought the be honest the stew with my home baked bread is the best anywhere!" The dwarf was strong, and his brown hair keep nearly trimmed with a long braided black bird. he wore a long white cote that was surprisingly clean but his sleeves were dirty, and the whole kitchen smelled of spices and onion.
Asdroth walked into the room wearing a black sleeveless shirt, and black pants with his boots. the sword still on his side. "the beef and vegetable stew for me Gregor, and just put a few lofts of bread on the table."
Gregor looked at Asdroth, and shoved a bowl in his hand. "serve yourself. you are not a lady boy!" Gregor began to set the table and cut bread, and before Asdroth could get to the table Gregor placed the plate of cut bread into his open hand. "Set the table proper and get that young woman what she would like to eat. I told you all I do is cook! Anything else is someone elses responsibility
." Asdroth smiled and looked to Rayne. "what would you like to eat? And Gregor do you know where Samantha is at? I told her to come join us when she hung the dress to dry?" Gregor looked to Asdroth and then motioned to Rayne and went back to cooking. Asdroth frowned and nodded in agreement.
Rayne watched and listened to Asdroth and the Dwarf rather shocked, in Phyerstorme's home a servant would be punished severely for speaking in such a way to Phyertorme or herself. "Where is Samantha?" she asked curiously.
Asdroth looked at Rayne. "She is afraid of you." Asdroth turned and got a bowl of stew and set it next to his own getting the silverware and placing it on the table. "Do not take it personally. I should have known better than to think she would be over it so soon." He then pulled out a chair, and weighted for Rayne to sit before pushing her close to the table. Then taking his own seat. "Your people have not been kind to her. I bought her from a Dark Kymar Slaver who was trying to sell her to a brothel owner. sadly I was to late to get her mother or sisters. She was oh I say twelve then. She has lived with me here for the last three years of her life." Asdroth garbed a piece of bread and used to to soak up some of the juice of the stew. Staring at the bowl with a cold look on his face.
"I see..." Rayne was feeling more and more out of place as she sat down at the table and stared at her bowl for a moment before beginning to eat. At the taste of the first bite, Rayne made a funny face. The food was good, but it was strange. She was used to the few edible plants that could grow in the dim forests where the Dark Ones lived, and to the meat of the many fierce beasts that were known for wiping out entire hunting parties. But it was likely that few outside of the forests had even seen such creatures, let alone tasted of them.
"What were you intending to accomplish?" Asdroth spoke with a mouth full of cabbage and beef. Before he was able to hear a response Samantha walked into the room. "sir... umm... the guards need to speak to you." Asdroth looked to her. "Well get some food, and eat then I will go talk to them." Samantha did as she was told. but sat down and did her best not to make eye contact with Rayne.
"I am not entirely certain I understand what you mean." Rayne replied quietly, her eyes not moving from her bowl.
"why did you come here? what was your purpose?" Asdroth spoke gently.
Rayne looked up at him, "I told you the answer to that question when I arrived here." she said, "I came on behalf of my lord and my people, in order to negotiate with the rest of the Kymar."
Asdroth looked at Rayne, and smiled. "that is all the reason you are here?"
Samantha looked up and spoke to Asdroth. "Asdroth, are we going into the market district today?"
"Do I need any more reason?" Rayne asked. She was very confused, and it showed on her face. She didn't understand why Asdroth would keep asking this, Phyerstorme had sent her, to her that was enough to travel to the ends of the earth.
"My questions are not that odd if you think about it. I am just wondering where you draw your motivation for your actions that is all." Asdroth looked then to Samantha. "Yes Sammy we are going to go there... Are you meeting someone there?"
Samantha looked at Asdroth and blushed then staider down. "NO!... yes. I am meeting Genric there. I was just hopping maybe you would be able to meet him.
Asdroth smiled warmly and looked to her. "You... favor him?" Samantha turned bright red and looked up almost shocked speechless.
Rayne watched and listened to the master and his servant interact. So much in this place was strange, the way people acted, the food, everything.
Asdroth looked at Rayne and smiled. "How is the food?"
Rayne looked back up at him, "Strange...but good."
"For the reference my 'servants' are not servants. they are my friends, and that may explain the strange interaction and the reason you feel so odd about it. We are just friends." Asdroth posed and finished his meal. "when you are done we will walk down to the market." Asdroth then stood and excused himself leaving the table with just Samantha and Rayne.
About a week later Rayne was summoned to The High Council Chamber 1 again. It was to be determined what would be done with her.
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