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Fortune's Lap ||M||

Started by CherryFlare, March 21, 2016, 10:34:13 PM

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CherryFlare

Jahanara and Dahl got back to their mansion before Vanadis did. She was shown to her room-- a small apartment compared to her rooms in her father's place, however many times more luxurious than what she had been residing in for the past few weeks (or months). There was a canopied bed that dominated one wall with floor to ceiling windows occupying another. Outside of that could be seen a small terrace with a potted date tree to one side and a metal garden set opposite that. It was the perfect place to lounge under the starry sky. Perhaps, tonight she just might do that.

Through a small archway was an adjoining private bath that boasted of a bathing pool that could probably seat four people all at once. Jahanara was quite impressed with this and also quite curious as to how long it will probably take to fill it up.

One of the servant girls went to open the curtains, another prepared her bed, while the most senior of the lot was beside the door directing a pair of boys that were carrying in buckets of warm water. Then the one who had opened the windows rifled through a drawer and took out what looked like a towel, comb, and a bar of soap. The old servant now came to Jahanara's side and said, "This is Bailu. She will be assisting you in your bath."

Despite having a nobleman for a father, she had always done her washing by herself and thus felt awkward that another human being was told to wash her body for her. "Thank you.But I can do that well enough on my own." she replied.

"No my lady. You are a guest of the Lord Duval. You must permit us to serve you." she responded with dignity. "I will not have it said that the house I serve cannot pamper their guests right.

She was a stubborn old woman so it took her way longer than the boys could fill her bath for her to convince the old servant that letting her wash herself would not in any way be an insult to her, to herself, or to their lord and master.

With a sigh of relief, she finally closed the door to the last exiting servant and with great pleasure disrobed and gingerly planted herself into the foamy bath water. Lying back against the side of the pool, she thought hard about what could have happened to her yet nothing new surfaced from her memories. She thought also of the reflection she saw in the onyx gem and decided that it was time to have some answers. She looked around and saw the gem lying on top of her new clothes on the drawers in the corner. She got up and tiptoed to get the gem. She then tiptoed back to her place and sat back down. Now comfortably seated, she looked hard at her reflection in the gem and demanded, "Who are you?"

Silence

Again she demanded the same question but this time with a more imperious tone. "Who are you?"

It was then that the reflection of her face began to cry. "How mean of you to speak to me like that." it sobbed.

Alarmed at the display, Jahanara apologized. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to."

But then the reflection laughed. "This is exactly why you need me in this world, my dear." the reflection spoke. But then it became a little blurry and the reflection morphed into the face of a man.  "If it weren't for me, you'd be a legally bound sex slave to the most lascivious man on this planet. And I dare say he can very well rival me." He laughed out loud at that.

Jahanara shushed him, afraid that they would be heard.

"Relax,landlady. Only you can see me."

"Landlady?" she asked with a puzzled look.

He simply gestured towards her body with his eyes.

Jahanara instinctively covered her breasts in shame.

"Pfft... ain't nothing I haven't seen before, sweetness."

"Who are you? And what do you mean?"

The man in the jewel stepped back to reveal himself from the waist up and made a courteous bow. "That's how you humans introduce yourselves, isn't it? I am Czernobog, previously resident of the dark realm. It is thanks to you, my pretty, that I can now roam free in your world."

Jahanara gasped. "A demon! Oh no!" she stood in alarm and paced about the room, thinking. But then she turned back to the jewel and demanded again, "How do you go back? Leave me! Go away!"

"I'm afraid I would not tell you even if there was a way." he began with a haughty air. "and besides, how will you keep your neck on your shoulders without me?"

"What..."

And here Czernobog showed her a vision of what had happened. Of how she murdered the noble who was to become her husband.

Her left hand flew to her mouth. "No!" and tears began to fall as she saw guards chasing her. She was now a wanted criminal. Then the vision changed. It was now an image of the boy from this afternoon. Of him asking around about her. Jahanara's spirit fell. Of course his generosity is too good to be true. If he finds out what she had done, he will most likely hand her over to the authorities and she will be beheaded.

"You need me." came the male's voice again.

Jahanara slumped to the floor in defeat. "What do I do?"

"Just sleep."

Now here Jahanara laughed. "With what you just told me, how do you expect me to sleep?"

Czernobog shrugged. "Wine had always worked."

But their conversation was cut off by a knock on the door.

Arocraes

The color left Dahl's cheeks. Demon? Dahl did not understand who Czer could be talking to as he overheard her seemingly one sided conversation outside the door to the bath. He wanted to alert her of the meal that was prepared for her, but was now worrying about what dangers he could have possibly allowed into the manor. He hesitated before knocking on the door. Perhaps I misheard. Although Dahl was always cautious of possibly threats, he had grown to like the woman and wanted to give her the benefit of the doubt.

Dahl knocked on the bronze door three times in quick succession. "Your meal is ready, hurry on out before it gets cold." Dahl sat on the lofty bed in the adjacent room, as he was to escort Czer to dinner. Although he insisted he wasn't sure of what he heard, he couldn't shake the troublesome feeling in his chest, and how worried he was for Vanadis.

Elsewhere in the manor, Vanadis was greeted by a young servant. "Master Khadgar will be here shortly" she said with a smile as she clumsily moved the several black strands of hair covering her hazel eyes. "He has been eager for your return." Vanadis nodded with a straight face as he tied his hair into a pony tail, causing the girl to slightly blush.

Khadgar, as he went by mononymously, an intriguing man. Having no wives or children, he devoted his life to studying fire magic, creating a business, and being an active figure in Essyrni politics. He was a short and stocky man, standing just 5'5", with graying and receding hair covering his bronze head. Uneven stubble covered his face, where it was darker and more prevalent underneath his jaw, and he wore circular spectacles with strong lenses that, to someone standing in front of him, made his eyes appear to be larger than they actually were.

"Greetings, my boy" Khadgar said as he entered the room with a gentle smile and soft tone. "You look troubled." Although Essryni people were not fond of foreigners, Khadgar cherished the boy a lot. He had known Vanadis' father and became good friends with him. Although Vanadis personality wise was very different from his father, appearance wise he was a spitting image of him. In addition to Vanadis' resemblance to his father, Khadgar cherished the boy as having an Adelan noble stay at his manor would be quite the power play in Essyrni politics.

"I need your help." Vanadis explained what the innkeeper had told him about the real Umar Kathir. "What I don't understand is how this could go by so many people."

"Money is more powerful than magic" Khadgar replied as he plopped himself on a crimson chair embroidered in gold. "I did not even know the original, perhaps any official records of him were erased and those who were close to him were paid to keep quiet." Vanadis sat down in a similar chair to the right of Khadgar. The room they were now in was small but cozy. Two mahogany bookcases stood against the wall behind Khadgar as a stone fireplace that was not currently being used was in front of him. A rug depicting a battle between dragons covered the ground beneath them. "Regardless of how he maintained his facade, the man must be quite wealthy--and dangerous. Now tell me about the mysterious girl your servant brought here."

Vanadis nodded before he explained the situation. Khadgar grunted upon hearing the story so far. "You need to be more careful here, you are still a foreigner." Khadgar stood up to reach for a small book of poems. "Do you think she is dangerous?"

Vanadis remained silent as he sat back and relaxed, more worried about the false merchant than the mysterious girl.




CherryFlare

"I'll be right there!" she answered loudly then turned to dress herself, tucking the jewel between her breasts. She did not dare risk losing this important gem. She was irritated that her conversation was interrupted but there was no helping it now. Hopefully, she can continue it later. Either that or do as she was directed-- get herself drunk and see what miracle this demon can pull to make sure they stay alive.

A few minutes later, she was dressed and walked out into the room where Dahl was waiting.

"I'm here. Thanks for waiting" she smiled at him.

Arocraes

Dahl did not say anything or move his face as he looked at the ground. "Follow me" he ordered as he continued out of the room and to a stone, spiral staircase. Dahl led her to a room with a long dining table and windows overlooking the garden. The walls were maroon and contained several paintings created by foreign artists. Khadgar was sitting at one end of the table with Vanadis sitting adjacent to him, who was currently out of the robes he had on earlier and in much more casual clothing--his typical black jacket and red scarf.

"Ah Czer you look lovey" Vanadis said to the girl as he beckoned her to sit down across from him.


CherryFlare

"Good evening, my lords." she greeted Vanadis with a warm smile, and the other man with a slight curtsy and addressing that man now, "My lord, I thank you for your hospitality." she said. Then she took the seat pointed out to her by the younger lord.

The table was filled with such concoctions of various colors and textures that Jahanara was quite puzzled which were edible and which we not. Nevertheless, her mouth started to wet as delicious aromas filled her nostrils. She looked longingly at a bird roasted to golden brown, with roasted vegetables all around it and stuffed into it. The bird was foreign to her but still it looked very inviting. But she schooled her expression because it was not at all lady-like to behave like a starved slave; and she still had her pride despite living like a slave for the past few... she had no idea how long exactly.

Then a servant came beside her. Curtsied and poured a red liquid into the goblet at her right.

"That's it!" she heard that voice echo in her head, the onyx orb warming between her breasts.

She thanked the servant and took a sip. Indeed it was wine. She remembered what the voice had said to her. It told her to get drunk, pass out, and let the demon take over for her.

Jahanara stared meditatively at the goblet filled with more than just wine.

Arocraes

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Czer; my name is Khadgar" he said as he rested his chin against his clasped hands. "Vanadis told me all about your little adventure." He watched the girl as she took a sip from the goblet, a vintage imported wine from Adela. Khadgar himself refrained from eating, as he traditional only did so after his guests have finished as a sign of respect.

"I found out more about your captor" Vanadis blurted out as he took a bite out of a shrimp. Dahl's eyes widened and brows rose as he looked at Vanadis, who was still looking at his food. "He is using a dead man's identity." He stopped again to take another bite and wipe his mouth before setting the light red napkin he used beside his plate. "Do you have any idea who the real person could be?" This time, Vanadis sat forward and looked straight at Czer with a blank expression. There were many unknowns, however Vanadis had no choice but to act according to what information he would be given in order to bring the fake merchant to justice.

CherryFlare

Jahanara took a moment before she realized it was her that was being addressed but had enough wit to cover up her little mistake. "I'm sorry. I was admiring the table that I didn't realize... No, I'm afraid I don't really know much about who had captured me." and here she though it best to say as little as possible. As they say, the less said, the less mistakes. Instead she decided to take a small sip of the wine.

It was far different than the wines of her nation. Definitely more aromatic and quite unusual to what her own palate is used to. Despite not really liking the flavor, she took a larger sip and smiled at her hosts. "My compliments. It is exquisite." and took another sip. Hopefully, this stuff was stronger and it will not much for her to accomplish her mission.

Arocraes

"I see" Vanadis said as he reclined into the lavish chair. The room grew nearly silent, as only the sounds of chewing and sipping were audible amongst the backdrop of the whispers from the leaves outside. A few moments later, the servant girl who had greeted Vanadis earlier entered the hall and headed for Khadgar, whispering delicately into his ear.

"Excuse me" Khadgar said with a smile as he got up in a hurry, following the servant girl. Vanadis nodded in response as he stared at the food on the table.

CherryFlare

Jahanara's head felt fuzzy, her eyes grew heavy, until she felt a presence pushing her back into the recesses of her mind.

***

"You have a very interesting friend indeed." Czer crooned. "He must be a very important man if he has the privilege to house a noble such as yourself, milord." she took another sip of her wine at the end of that sentence and licked her lips very slowly as to make a show of it.

Arocraes

Vanadis leaned in and stared at Czer. "Important to whom?" He did not break eye contact as he sat still and watched the woman as she drank. "That is entirely subjective. Some might say you're quite important too, given our brief history together." He adopted a more interrogative tone as Dahl sat patiently looking down at his food and playing with his thumbs. He was still worried about what he overheard, and was beginning to feel more tense in the room.

Outside the dining hall, the sounds of footsteps and whispers that often cluttered the manor were absent. Only the soft breeze from outside was noticeably audible.

CherryFlare

"Oh? AM I important?" she said, crossing her legs and leaning forward, resting her chin the palm of her right hand. "I dare say I like the idea of being important to you, milord." she added, snaking the most charming smile she had, her eyes twinkling.

She giggled at seeing him play with his thumb. "Tell me, milord, what brings you to such a place as this?"

Arocraes

Dahl's hands shook slightly as his chest compressed and he blushed nervously. He did not understand fully Czer's mild flirting, but still reacted as a boy would. Combined with his anxiety over what he had overheard earlier, he felt very uneasy.

Vanadis, on the other hand, maintained his calm, stern composure. He was intrigued by the change in attitude by the girl, from shy and grateful to confident and flirtatious. "Are you important to me? That remains to be seen." He maintained direct eye contact, rarely blinking, the entire time. Vanadis reclined against his chair as he relaxed his jaw against his hand that was being propped up by the armrest. "Business, trade partners, a lot of boring stuff" Vanadis said earnestly, not knowing nearly as much as Dahl on this subject. "I'm much more interested in why you're here, though."

CherryFlare

"Then I am afraid I cannot tell you much, milord." she said before taking a piece of shellfish from a tray and sucking it out. "I am but an innocent girl from a foreign country who found herself suddenly in dire straights. I tried to run from my captors and fell into your greatness." she gave him a slight bow with just her head. "I am a lucky girl indeed to have found such a gallant nobleman." she smiled at him.

Arocraes

"A foreign country you say?" Vanadis replied while ignoring the flattery. "Tell me about it, and your family. What are you parents like?" Vanadis leaned against the table before him with his arms crossed, as he began to start feeling suspicious.

Dahl rose up from his chair and proceeded to the double doors they had entered the room from. Candlelight seeped through the slight opening, however he shut the door completely and locked it, hoping that this private conversation may remain private.

CherryFlare

Czernobog felt rather than actually see the taller man lock the door. Inside him, he felt the girl's panic heightening but he did not let this influence him. He continued smiling at the young lord as if nothing was a-miss.

"I am nothing and I am nobody, my lord. Just a poor Thanati girl in need of help. That being said, I can be anyone you please."

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