Spirits of the Earth

It's worthless. Completely worthless like it's always been. And it won't change, it's too late to change.

Why did he waste his time chasing after something that doesn't even exist? Searching for an imaginary treasure? Now he's here, a hopeless, lost existence, and all he has is blood on his hands and regrets in his mind! Nothing he's ever done was good for anything, past heroism is forgotten and its results only temporary! The battles he fought and won, bought the victory by his blood, flesh, and bone, are lost in the flow of time, and their results don't matter.

Athran stared at his reflection in the mirror, his vibrant azure eyes, long black hair and bare chest, white skin covering the muscles. A face so fair, yet a body so scarred... The white lines of scars appeared almost like a map, crossing with each other countless times. His right hand, clenched around the hilt of a long dagger, arose.

He could do it. He could do it and end everything forever... And nobody would ever find anything but a dead elf in an old inn. But was it really the solution? Death in such desperation? He was a warrior. And warriors don't just give up... It would be a shame to even die like this! It would be the definite surrendering to fate, the end of all strife, and all his effort would be for naught! He was trapped here, ever without any hope. Was there any escape from this hell? Hell of his own mind?

"Why... WHY?!" he screamed, banging his fists onto the mirror. The glass broke and its shards skewed into his skin, cutting it open, but he didn't pay any attention to them. "Why can't you just take me on the battlefield where I won't feel nothing, no remorse, no pity for myself? Do I emerge unscathed every time just for you to torment me?" He collapsed onto his knees, covering his eyes with his hands. The tears, streaming from his eyes, mixed with blood and flowed down his face (http://fc08.deviantart.net/fs71/i/2014/009/9/0/blood_tears_by_anadwen-d71gvoq.jpg).

How did he even get here? When did he stray from the path to salvation and fell into the dark? Where did he make the wrong turn? He couldn't remember when his life turned into searching for something that he can't find, when it lost all purpose and turned into endless wandering. Was there even anything he could search for, anything worth living for? He had no one left... His sister thought him maddened by bloodshed, his mother rests beneath the ground and his father... His father has forsaken him many years ago.

"No son of his will wage war just for the sake of fey hunger for blood and revenge for what cannot be changed! Elesian! Curse the day you said it! Curse you, and curse me, too, for I am of the same blood!" Following Elesian's path was the last thing he wished - to be like the father that threw his own son out of his door? And still every one thought better of him. Athran could never be as much as his father, no matter how many times he bested him in battle, in deeds, in anything a warrior could achieve. That it's not of deeds, but of pure heart and a kind spirit? Those were only lies... Everything around was lies and illusions, love and compassion was only a disguise for disdaining pity!

No matter how high was the price to pay, he would do anything to find something to aim for. Something to strive for... To find a goal, a reason to live.

"But there's nothing! NOTHING! THERE IS NOTHING IN THE WHOLE VAST WORLD!" It's only ash and barren rock, hidden beneath a veil of enchantment, that makes it seem beautiful. "And I can't even end this, because it won't solve anything!"

Blood tears fell from his eyes, dropping onto the broken shards of glass. His whole body shook in suppressed sighs, clenching his teeth and fists to stop crying like a child.

There was no giving up, not for him, but to cringe in neverending torture was a nightmare that doesn't end with the rising sun.

Tavi, wandering aimlessly around the inn, was at the other of the hallway from Athran's room when she heard the shout and the crash of the mirror breaking, with long strides she broke into a run, bursting into the room to find an elf sitting alone on the floor among the shards of what must have once been the mirror, but was now just a carpet of glass.

"What happened? Are you okay?" she exclaimed in alarm, forgetting that she had just barged into someone's room unannounced. She could only see his back from the door, not his face, but he was kneeling in all that glass, and even an elf's skin could be cut. Then, remembering herself, she added, "I'm terribly sorry for barging in like that, I was just afraid you might be hurt!" Walking toward him now, she continued, "May I help you? I have a healing potion here..." she fumbled around in the pockets of her tunic, pulling out half a dozen vials of different kinds of potion. No one seeing her collection would ever accuse her of going anywhere unprepared for...well... just about anything.

Circling the elf, she kneeled next to him and saw that he was crying...blood? That couldn't be healthy. She met his eyes and in a soft, kind, gentle voice said, "Sir? May I heal your wounds?" Her eyes were locked on his, wide with concern, and their almost celestial depths held no trace of pity or disdain. Only caring.

Athran stared at the visitor in surprise. He found no words to say, and just swallowed his tears, not making a sound. He hardly heard the woman coming, and didn't pay attention to her words. Only after a while he realized she was actually speaking to him.

"It's... It... It doesn't matter... Nothing matters... Don't worry... Don't worry about me..." he whispered. Even though he was already beginning to feel the shards of glass in his skin, he didn't want help. He never asked for anyone's help... Even when he did, he was either chased away, or betrayed.

He didn't want to suffer any longer... And any contact with a human being was potentially dangerous. The share of hurt he has already taken was enough. But this one didn't seem to want anything bad, at least it didn't seem so...

He breathed in, trying to clean his mind.

"Why did you come in?"

Relieved that he was speaking, Tavi replied, "Why? Because yelling and giant crashes usually mean someone's hurt. What was I supposed to do, go on about my day without checking? What if you'd been dying in here? I would never have forgiven myself." She moved closer to inspect his cuts. They weren't as bad as she'd feared, but he was an elf after all. And an unfortunately attractive one, at that. Not that she was going to say anything about that aloud, of course!

In response to his first comments, she said, "Nothing matters? Well that's pretty depressing. Also definitively untrue. You, my new friend, are a living being. Therefore, you matter!" She beamed a bright smile at him, as though this statement explained everything. "And it's too late, I'm already worried about you. Now here, have a sip of this." She'd finally found the vial she was looking for and now she held it out to him. "Just a sip now. That's really all it takes with that stuff. I'm Tavi, by the way, and it is a pleasure to meet you, Sir Elf!"

"My name is Athran." he replied. It was just common politeness - nothing more. He didn't see it as polite to not introduce himself if someone did the same, and especially when someone was trying to help. But there was hardly any help for him.

"I'm sorry if I made you worry. I lost control. But if I'd be dying in here, there would be even less to worry about..." he said, grinning a little, but there was no humor in it - it was a twisted, bleak grimace. "I may be living, but my life is worth very little. I'm lost in the dark... What can you do about it? What would happen if I'd die? What would happen if one of the shards would by a lucky accident cause me to bleed out? Nothing. The world would remain the same."

He looked down at the vial and softly pushed it back. "Don't waste it on me. I can take care of myself." Leaning on the wall, he stood up and grabbed the closest shirt, laying by, to wipe the blood off his hands.

"What would happen if I'd die? Nothing. The world would remain the same."

Tavi tilted her head to one side, studying him. "So change the world." she said softly, simply. "Make it matter. Make it yours, however you want that to be. The simple existence of each living being, no matter how small, changes the balance of this planet. You might not see the effects the way you want to, you might not see them at all, or they might not live up to the lofty expectations of yourself or others, but they are there. Every moment, your very existence changes something for the better, whether you see it or not."

"I don't see them! I never saw them! FOR THREE HUNDRED YEARS I DIDN'T SEE THEM!" he shouted. "I CHANGED NOTHING! I TRIED, I FOUGHT, I STROVE ALL MY LIFE, AND DIDN'T CHANGE A THING!"

His eyes seemed unnaturally wide as he stared at her, and the realization of his harshness reached him only then. He shook his head and hid his face in his hands, still covered with the black shirt. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to shout at you when you're only trying to help." he mumbled. "I... I don't know what I'm doing. I'm behaving like a complete idiot. I'm sorry, Tavi, I'm sorry."

And this was how it ended every time someone tried to help him - he chased them away with his stupid behavior.

How could he change the world? Her words were nice, but not realistic.

Despite what the depressed elf thought, Tavi was not chased away easily. Or at all, for that matter. Rather than backing up or leaving, the young woman took a step toward him. Without any hesitation or fear, she set a gentle, comforting hand on his arm, careful not to touch any of the scratches. "I would say you're forgiven, except that there's nothing to forgive." Her voice was soft and soothing. Her deep eyes were filled with sympathy and compassion.

"Your life isn't over, Athran. While you may not see the good things you've brought to the world over the last three hundred years, you are young yet. Spend your next three hundred years causing good you can see. Then you won't be able to doubt your worth. But you have to give yourself that chance. If you die now, you'll die never knowing."

"What is there to know? I'm... I'm afraid I'll spend all my life chasing something nonexistent and never amount to anything. I don't know what I'm looking for - and that's what I fear, that I'll lose myself, and end up too deep to stand up. My pride stops me from ending this... I'm a warrior, it would be a shame for me to die like this... But it doesn't stop it from doubting myself. I only brought bloodshed. I... I never did anything good, I feel like I'm only killing what is in my way as I chase the wind, and I fear that I'll break my neck in this mad chase. I don't know if I want to die..." he said silently, staring at the floor.

"I don't want to die, but I don't want to live. Not like this. I can't explain it. And I hate it. There's only me to blame, no one else, though. And there's only me to change something... But... But how?" He suddenly turned his head back towards her, staring into her eyes. The blood on his face has already dried, but it was still there, crimson, a terrifying reminder of what's going through his head.

Tavi listened closely, her delicate brow furrowed in concentration. "You just said you don't really want to die, and that's the best possible start. If you hate the killing you do, and you fear breaking your neck while chasing the wind, then stop chasing it. Find something else to be your goal to strive for. Something wholesome, something you love. If you don't want to die, and you don't want to live like this, your only alternative is to change how you live, is it not? As for how... Stop chasing the wind. You already know that it brings you only suffering. And when you no longer feel like you have to catch the wind, suddenly you have worlds upon worlds of opportunities. A whole planet of different directions and passions to pursue. Do what you love. A life worth living doesn't happen to you. You have to create it." Throughout the time she was talking, her hand never left his arm, and her eyes never left his handsome, sad face.

"I don't know anything else. I'm a warmachine. All I can do is fight. There's nothing I love... All I know is the battlefield and joy of bloodshed. I was born for it, my father was born for it, the father of my father was born for it. Since I was a child, I was taught to fight... I never really learned to love anything except my sword and those arms that wield it and bring death and destruction to whatever stands in my way. It's the only thing I know, the only thing I love." he glanced down at his arms, and saw her hand.

"I tried to stop chasing after the wind. But then I am stuck, frozen on one place. I don't know what to do. I have no goals... I don't know how to change. I'm so used to this that I'm trapped in the routine... I'm blinded, I don't see any other ways of life... I found a way to live, and it's dark, twisted and bad, but it's the only one I know. I'm afraid of changing it. I don't know any else."

A stream of tears flowed down his face once again, but this time, they were crystal-clear, washing the blood away.

Going with her gut as she always did, Tavi reached up and lightly brushed away his tears with the back of one hand, never taking her other off his arm. "Shh, easy there. Fear can be overcome, with time. If you want it." her voice was just a soothing whisper. "New things can be learned, love can be grown, passions discovered, purpose created. But you have to give it time." You have to shake off that which binds you and hurts you, and deal with the not knowing for a while. Because it's only by spending a little time in new waters that you can develop new desires, new skills, and a happier way of life. And you can. I believe in you already, and we've only just met."

With a dazzling grin, she added, "If you want, I'll even bring you back to Maestoso and teach you some about potions, if you'd like. You can start your new path with a new friend and a new skill!"

Athran shook his head and smirked. "I'd demolish your potion making place... And I don't really want that." he said. "But there are some other things I can do. I used to play the harp... I think I still have one. If my hands wouldn't be so scratched, I'd play you some."

There indeed was an old harp somewhere in his bags. It was one of the few things he knew except fighting - music.

"Maybe there is something we could teach each other... I used to have apprentices when I was younger, but most of them hardly even learned my name." He sighed. "But that was a long time ago. I used to like it, teaching young warriors... I don't know if I would be still able to do so, though."

Tavi's eyes light with the excitement of a challenge. "You could teach me! I know a little hand-to-hand, but nothing that would help me much in a real fight. And," she added firmly, with a warm smile, "I would absolutely love to hear you play the harp sometime."

She thought a moment, then said, "Although if you're willing to come with me, we should go to my apartment in Moonspear, instead. Tiriel is mostly made up of gossipy housewives, and you strike me as the type who likes your privacy, am I right?"

"Above anything." he groaned. "But I could teach you a lot... I've been around for a long time. Actually, there's hardly anyone that would be able to best me in one-to-one combat. Sword, spear, scimitars. Two handed weapons just as well as dual wielding and ranged..." he shrugged.

"I don't know if you have ever heard of me, but maybe you've heard of the Black Sword. That's me, you know..." He looked into the corner of his room, where he stashed his blades and armour. "There's hardly anything I can't fight with. I'll need to pull the glass out of myself first, though."

Tavi laughed at his groan. "I suspected as much! And as for teaching me, if you're willing I would love that. Growing up with 3 older brothers I got pretty good at getting myself out of scrapes, but I would love to learn to use an actual sword. Well, properly, anyway!"

Tavi, aka "The Ears of Maestoso" had, indeed, heard of the Black Sword. "So what you're saying is that when I kick my brothers' butts in our next 'duel', I can brag that I was trained by the Black Sword himself? Sounds like some pretty high bragging rights to me!" She grinned at him.

Then, at his comment about the glass, she said "For the deities' sakes, just take some of this." She once again held the healing potion out to him. "It doesn't take much, and it's really not as expensive as I may or may not lead my customers to believe..." she shot him a glance that was half sheepish, half mischievous.

Athran grabbed the viol. "If you insist. Do I... Drink it or what?" he asked in confusion. It wasn't every day that he would use those - he relied more on how he could treat himself, rather than healers, who tended to have too many questions.

"And yes, with training you receive full bragging rights. I may not be able to teach you how to slay a demon yet, but a bandit or thief, yes. I only hope you have your own sword." he pointed at his weapon, resting in the middle of his bed. "That's not for borrowing. I forged it myself, and the only other pair of hands that held it was a thief. He almost ended badly." He chuckled a little.

The sword was almost half as long as he himself was tall, with an elegant, pointed blade, forged from dark metal, that appeared almost black. It was lighter than steel, but much harder and sharper, hard as a dragon's scales and sharp as a razor. "You'd hurt yourself with it. It's a precious weapon, but extremely dangerous, if you aren't proficient with swords. I don't want you to cut off your fingers."

"Yeah, just let a couple drops fall into your mouth. Don't worry, it only comes out a drop at a time," Tavi explained. "It'll make your body reject the glass, pushing it to the surface so you can just brush it off. It'll also clean your wounds and speed their healing."

"I bet the thief seriously regretted that decision!" She chuckled as well, thrilled to see him smile. "And I do have my own sword. Sized for me and everything! I've been told I'm quite adept with it...for a woman. But I don't want to be adept for a woman, I want to be adept for a person!"

"Whoever said something like that was unreasonably rude. If you're a warrior, it's only prowess in battle that maters, not the circumstances of your birth. My mother would have shot a man if he said something like that, and so would my sister." Athran winged off.

"And any thief that dares to lay a hand on my belongings will meet his end in flames. This one was clever enough to give it back before I burned him to ashes." His voice was once again hard, but this time with pride, not desperation. He opened the viol and poured a bit of it into his mouth, then handed it back to Tavi. It didn't take long for it to begin working, and he soon begun feeling the glass being pushed out and the wounds closing.

In the meantime, he started preparing to leave. He put on his shirt, and started picking up various parts of armour, scattered around the room. "Since you shouldn't train completely without armour unless you are experienced enough, I will lend you some of my own things. The bracers should fit. I'm not so sure about the rest, though." he uttered.

Tavi smiled at his spiel about warriorhood. "Your mother and sister are warriors too, then?" she asked, hoping the question wasn't too personal. She took the potion and stuck it back in her pocket, where it clinked against the many other bottles held there. "I have some light leather armor, just nothing fancy or heavy enough for battle."

She leaned forward to inspect the wounds on his arm, which were little more than scratches now. "Your cuts are looking good. Did you come by horse, or did you walk?" She inquired, thinking about how best to get to Moonspear.

"My mother was a warrior and huntress... But she died when I was eight. My sister is a soldier and guard." he replied as he buckled his belt. The many chains and weapons on it clinked as his hands fastened it. "You don't need too much. Hard leather is enough for training with swords. I will be careful."

For a while, he packed his bags in silence. It was only when he grabbed his sword that he spoke again. "I came on feet. I'm sure I could get a horse, though - or run, if it would be necessary." Athran was able to run for long distances as swiftly as a hart, fleet even in heavy armour. "I'm used to traveling by whatever means... Dragon's back to crawling to the nearest town, I tried it all." he smirked.

"Crawling?" Tavi laughed. "That sounds painful! I have a horse in the inn's stable. I know the innkeeper, and I'm sure he'd let me borrow a horse if you'd like to ride. I can also send word to a friend to come pick up my horse and take him home, if you'd prefer to walk. It's entirely up to you. I, too, have quite a bit of experience travelling by a variety of means." She paused, then added with a twinkle, "Not crawling, though."

As she spoke, she carefully swept up the broken glass from the floor and dropped it into the waste bin. "We wouldn't want any of the maids getting hurt."

Athran looked down in shame. "I never thought of these things... Smashed bottles, shards of weapons, I simply left the things on their place every time I left an inn. I hardly thought about the people that will come after." Now he was a bit ashamed of his self-centered thinking, focusing only on his own goals.

"Don't try crawling. Unless you've lost too much blood to keep on your feet, there's no need to it - it's slow and painful. But I think I'd rather ride than walk. I'd pay the innkeeper if he'd let me borrow a horse... I still have some money I didn't spend on wine." he explained her. Finally, his bag was packed, both of his scimitars and long bow on his back, and the Black Sword by his side. The dark leather and cloth hid his pale skin, and all that was still visible from it was his face and fingers.

((Since the innkeeper is an NPC, I'll just run through his part of the dialogue and we can get on with our thread. :P))

"Don't feel bad, most people don't think about such things. That's why I do!" She shot him a big smile. "Ride we shall, then." She lead the way out of the room and down to the lobby, where she got the attention of the desk clerk. "Lilly, may I speak to Marcus for a moment before we leave, please?" The girl at the desk nodded and knocked on the door behind her. A moment later, an older, slightly rotund gentleman emerged. His rosy face lit up when he saw Tavi.

"Tavi, my dear! I trust your stay was good?" his voice was deep, strong, and jovial.

"It was wonderful as always, Marcus, thank you!" Tavi beamed at him. "But I'm afraid I have a favor to ask... We are about to leave for Moonspear, but my friend here doesn't have a horse. Could we perhaps borrow one for the journey?" She gave him a bright, hopeful smile.

"But Tavi, of course!" Turning to Athran, the innkeeper boomed, "Any friend of Tavi's is a friend of mine! Take any horse you like, and just return it to me whenever is convenient for you."

"Thanks, Marcus!" Tavi exclaimed with a little bounce. "I'm sure I'll see you soon. Thank you again for a great stay!"

"My pleasure, dear!"

And with that, Tavi turned toward the door, gesturing Athran to follow her.

Athran followed her, quickly pulling the black hood onto his head, as they headed to the stables. There were many horses inside, but only a few that would be fit for someone like him. After a while he picked a great stallion with steel-grey hide and mane.

"I don't need a saddle or bridle. I'm used to riding without equipment... It's more natural." he explained her silently, as he led the horse out. Before the gates, he jumped onto the horse's back. It whinnied a little, but didn't seem to mind him too much, and actually appeared less nervous under Athran's steady hands on its shoulders.

"Shall we ride?" the elf asked, and smiled a little.

Tavi had stopped outside the stables and watched as he selected a stallion and lead him out, never once crossing the threshold.

"I'm used to riding without equipment..."

She grinned, a tone of mischief in her voice as she said, "As am I." Ryuu, come to me! She called to her horse in her mind, unheard by Athran. There was the clatter of a latch being clumsily opened, and as she stood there waiting, a tall black stallion trotted out of the barn to greet her, nickering affectionately. She hopped on his back, no saddle, bridle, or halter involved, and rode up to meet Athran. "Your horse's name is Sai, by the way." Her eyes still held that twinkle of amusement.

"Shall we ride?"

Tavi narrowed her eyes playfully at him. "Yes, let's." No sooner had she finished the sentence than Ryuu was off, clearing the gate in one powerful leap.

"Sai..." Athran mumbled, stroking the horse's head. It was calm and obedient, but ready to gallop forth in the moment he'd order him to go. And just then Tavi flashed by on her own steed, almost as black as Athran's clothes.

"Forth! Run swift, Sai!" His voice pierced the silence in a cry, and Sai leaped into the dust, his hooves clapping on the stones. Athran soon reached Tavi, by a simple gesture ordered his mount to slow down, and showed her a wide grin from the shadow of his hood. "It's a good mount, fast and clever. Almost as comfortable to ride as my Maigrod!"

He turned his head back towards the road. The black cape was waving behind him like a flag, and all his gear was clinking and thudding as daggers and chains, concealed within his clothing, jumped up and down on Sai's arched back.

"Maigrod is your dragon, right? He's almost as famous as the Black Sword himself!" She winked at him in amusement. "I bet the Black Sword can't do this, though!"

In her mind, she reached out to the grey horse. Sai, would you please stop for a moment? And without any cue Athran could see, Sai suddenly stopped. Ryuu turned around and went back to where Sai was standing. Ryuu stopped, facing them, and Tavi looked at Sai. Sai, please take just three steps forward? Sai took three steps and stopped again, looking at Tavi inquisitively.

"Athran, you might want to hold on," she hinted. Then, silently addressing both horses, she said, Alright boys, now let's GO! The horses sprang forward obligingly, matching strides as they broke into a canter. Not wanting to wear them out unnecessarily, Tavi silently encouraged them to go back to a travelling pace, and thanked them for cooperating.

At first, Athran was a tad confused, and it took him a few moments to realize what's going on, but when Sai rushed forth seemingly without any order, his lips twisted into a grin even wider than before. The dark hood sled off the raven-black wisps of his hair, flowing behind him, and he felt the wind on his face.

After Sai begun to slow down, he gently pushed the horse with his heel, and Sai sped up again. His hooves were clapping on the road, and Athran held onto him tightly. He pulled his feet up, and while  his arms were still bent by Sai's neck, he was already squatting.

"Watch this, Tavi!" he shouted at the woman behind him, and let go off Sai. He sprung to his feet, and stood up on the back of his galloping mount with his arms spread. "Run swift, Sai! Run!" He was maintaining his balance so well that he was hardly shaking, standing steadily with the confidence that he had in almost everything.

Ryuu, at Tavi's request, eagerly leaped after Sai, matching the other horse's pace stride for stride. Then Tavi gasped in surprise and delight as Athran rose to his feet and stood on the back of the galloping steed. He didn't seem wobbly at all, like he was standing on solid ground.

"Wow!" Tavi exclaimed, "That's really impressive! And you should know that Sai likes you already, he was just telling me how worried he is about dropping you!" She giggled at the thought, her laughter ringing over the pounding of hooves against cobble.

Athran almost fell off Sai's back at Tavi's last statement. All he managed to do was to drop back down and stare at her. "You... Talk... To animals?"

Now that was not something usual. Tavi seemed as a usual girl, maybe with a bit of fae blood, but not a mage, or magic-user. But first sight can fool one, and he himself didn't resemble one much... However, it was still an unusual talent.

The fact that he can control fire he kept to himself - she would be surely surprised if he would set his harp on fire while playing it, and he didn't want to spoil that surprise.

Tavi grinned playfully at him. "But of course! Why do you think Sai kept doing all those strange, impulsive things? I was asking him to! He found it rather amusing, too." She always found it entertaining when she demonstrated her skills and people didn't get it right away. But then, she found a lot of things entertaining.

"Everything speaks. Animals, birds, plants, rocks...you just have to know how to listen. Once I've known you a while, I'll be able to speak silently with you, too. Don't worry, I can't read minds though." she added with a chuckle. She'd lost count of the number of people who'd freaked out about that.

"You would have nightmares for the rest of your life if you'd try to read mine," Athran smirked. "I don't want that. It's safer for you to keep out of my mind!" He shook his head and stroke Sai's head. "I didn't expect such reason, though. It's an unique ability. I am only able to speak to Maigrod, my dragon - other animals remain silent to me, though they listen to my commands."

He shrugged. "I've never been a good listener." The world maybe could speak, but he never had the patience to listen and hear those words. He could set it on fire, though.

"Just by the way, where are we heading?"

"Yeah, dragons are pretty talkative compared to the rest of the non-humanoid creatures in the world." She chuckled as he spoke of nightmares. "I think that's probably the same for most everyone. People tend to have very jaded minds. Fortunately for me, I can't read them, just talk to them." Like this. she added silently to him, with a grin.

Out loud, she said, "I have an apartment in Selevea, Moonspear province. The people of Moonspear are much less nosy than the people of Tirial, and tend to mind their own business. Those in Tirial, on the other hand, live under the belief that everything is their business!"

Athran shook his head. "No. I mean real nightmares - true horrors. I was dead for three days... Remember?" He raised a brow. Upon hearing her talking to him through their minds, his lips twisted to a smirk. Like this? Am I doing it right?

At her second statement, he nodded. "And that's not something for me. My business is better to be kept out of. They wouldn't like it if they knew it!" he laughed. "Though, it could be interesting to see their faces if they really knew my business." His smirk suddenly appeared bleak and cold.

Hey, brighten up! It's not like that anymore, remember? You and I, my dear friend, are going to change that! And yes, you did this exactly right! You're a natural! She caught his eyes and gave him a beaming, encouraging smile. The kind of smile that makes people just want to smile back.

Athran laughed. "It's never going to be that different... I have it in me. But... Maybe at least I won't have to kill anything that crosses my road. Eh, I mean, I'll try." he shrugged.

"It isn't one of my best memories, when I fought him and died. But at the same time, it is, since I know I've done a good thing, despite the strife. It's complicate... My whole life has been. I'm doing bad things for a greater good, but fail to see the results." he looked down at his hands in dark gauntlets, only revealing his fingers. "What I see when I look into the mirror is the reaper in a pretty body. I can't help it. I'm proud of myself, but ashamed at the same time..." He sighed.

"What I learned is that there is never peace without a war. And I am willing to sacrifice myself in that war to fight for the peace for those that don't have the strength to march in the front lines."

"Hey, you haven't killed me yet!" Tavi pointed out with a chuckle. As he went on, she nodded more solemnly. "That's very noble of you, even if you don't see it. Those who can't fight for themselves need someone to fight for them, and it sounds like you've been that person. And that is something to be proud of."

They rode in silence for a moment as she thought about what he'd said. "So what you need, is to find a way to fulfill your noble goal without the nightmares. In a way where you see the honorable man you are in the mirror, rather than the reaper. And I'm willing to help you in any way I can...if you'd like." This last bit she said almost shyly, not sure if he even wanted her help.

"While I'm on the battlefield, it's all honor and renown. The moment I leave it I'm a murderer and someone to fear and avoid." Athran shook his head. "I don't understand people."

He remained silent for a while, watching as the landscape flashed by. Only then he proceeded to speak up again. "I'd appreciate it. It's very kind of you... And not usual. I always though people are... Mean and evil. Cruel. Most of them lack the compassion and understanding for others. I'm no exception, but you..." He smiled a little. "You know these things. Be proud of it, too."

He turned his head towards her and grinned. "I'll teach you how to use a sword. I have a feeling that days when everybody will need it aren't that far."

Tavi actually found herself blushing a little at his compliment. "I just care about people, that's all," she said with a smile. "There are a lot of mean, cruel people out there, it's true. And there are a lot who aren't actually mean, just stupid and ignorant. But there are a lot of good people too! It's just a matter of finding them, I guess. Plus, I imagine your line of work would lead mostly to the evil ones!"

As he turned to her and grinned, she found herself thinking that he had a really wonderful smile, and she enjoyed seeing it happen a lot. "Thank you, I really appreciate it. I can't imagine a better teacher! And while I want to believe that the world will continue to live in relative peace for a long time to come... I fear you may be right. Peace can only last so long before the world is once again hit with chaos and destruction. Someday I might need to know how to truly fight."

Athran's smile looked sad for a moment, before he turned back towards the road. "Yes, I fear so, too. There are things happening on the borders that speak for it. I feel sorry for the simple folk that will have to face these horrors - after all, there isn't always a knight nearby to save everybody."

He looked down. His voice was only a bit louder than a whisper. "And even knights can fail. Miserably."

It was the worse if someone like him failed in his errands, that what followed was painful - both for the body and mind... Seeing how innocent suffer under evil.

Only the sight of a town, drawing near, puled him from his thoughts. Several houses were visible even without having the sharp sight of an elf, and he could recognize them clearly. He raised his hand and pointed at the settlement. "It looks like we are almost there. Is that where you live?"

Tavi's face became sad as his did. She had known him but a few hours, but already she hated to see him upset. Then, at the site of the city, she brightened. "Yep! That's Selevea! We're almost there."

((Want me to start a thread in the Riverlands, since technically that's where Moonspear is?))

Athran cheered a little. "It was a nice ride... But I can already feel my sword shaking in its sheath with impatience. The metal it's made of doesn't like waiting," he laughed. He stroke Sai's head and whispered something into his ear. The mount bolted forth, galloping in the dust towards the town.

"Come on! I don't know where your house is!" Athran cried out over his shoulder, grinning at Tavi.

Tavi's laugh rang through the still air as Ryuu thundered after Sai. They reached the gates of the city in no time, and Tavi urged the horses to slow to a walk. They would need time to cool down from the run anyway, before they were put in the stable.

As they passed through cobbled streets filled with people, it seemed like there was always someone calling to them, greeting Tavi by name. She called back to each of them in turn, always by name. She briefly asked about their families, their recent journey, the harvest, or the day's trade. She never stopped Ryuu though, and they made good time through the city to a tall building close to the river. Ryuu stopped immediately, recognizing it as 'other home'.

"Here we are!" Tavi said, gesturing grandly to the building. "The stables are over here..." She hopped off Ryuu's back to open the gate for them before leading her horse into the stable. She handed the reins to a stable hand who seemed to appear out of the woodwork and thanked him as he lead the horses away.

Athran sled of Sai's back and let the stable hand take him away. Quickly dusting his black clothes off, he faced Tavi. "You will need a little food, your sword, some armour - I can borrow you parts, though - and water. That's all. If you need to go and take them from your house, I will wait you here. I have all I need."

He looked down at his sword and armour. He hardly needed anything but the weapon for training - with the experience and skill he had, it was highly unlikely for an apprentice to at least get close to his skin in training.

"And then, we will need a field. Preferably a big one." he explained.

"You don't want anything to eat first?" Tavi asked in surprise. "You want to set your extra stuff down or anything?" He was seriously getting right down to business! Not that she minded, she wasn't tired from the ride.

"Eat?" Athran laughed, but it was a harsh, rough laughter. "Me? I don't need to eat. I will only take armour off when we'll be already there. I hardly need anything on while fighting... I will lend you my bracers and chainmail shirt, alright? The mail is light, it shouldn't be a problem. But be sure you have everything you need." he informed her, and crossing his arms on his chest, he leaned against the wall of the stable behind him.

Tavi shrugged. "Alright, in that case I'll be right back." She jogged over to the stairs that zigzagged up the outside of the building and took them two at a time up to the highest apartment in the four story building. She stood at the door for a moment, messing with the key in the lock, then it opened and she vanished inside, closing the door behind her.

The apartment wasn't huge, but it was nice, clean, and well-cared-for. Tavi went straight to the kitchen and made herself a simple sandwich, eating it as she walked around gathering her other things. Last of all, she pulled her sword off its rack on the wall. It was a beautiful piece, slender and light, but still strong, with emeralds and peridots set into the silver hilt.

After only a couple minutes she reemerged from the apartment, strapping her sheath to her belt as she came down the stairs. She was dressed in dark leather armor, which hugged her slim form without restricting movement and had obviously been made specifically for her. Approaching Athran, she said, "The horses tell me that none of them are using the pasture in the back, so we can use that if you'd like. It's probably the closest thing to an empty field you'll find here in the city."

Athran nodded. "It will do. It's been quite dry, so the ground will be dry enough for us to train." He looked her up and down. "I see you already have some armour on. It's your choice if you want to borrow the chainmail, or not, then. I train without armour."

He gestured her to follow him. "Then let's go. The quicker we are, the more you can learn in a day... With a bit of luck, you will figure out how to hold that metal stick of yours." His lips twisted to a smirk as he pointed at the weapon by her side. Instinctively, he found the way to the field, and begun taking off his armour already on the way.

Eventually, he reached the field. His cape, leather coat, chainmail shirt, tunic, and rest of armour were simply thrown at the fence, while his scimitars and other blades he handled with great care. In the end, he was standing before her only in black boots, trousers, and wide belt, revealing his bare chest, muscles covered by white skin and tracing scars. The only thing her put back on were the bracers that covered half of his forearms, and gauntlets. He unsheathed his sword, and its black blade was glinting in the sunlight as he flashed it in front of himself in a lightning-fast pattern of smooth moves, slowly walking back.

So this is the Black Sword, in all his...epic shirtlessness. Tavi though, allowing herself a mental chuckle at this. She drew her own sword, slowly, with calculation in her movements, trying to focus on his blade, rather than his frustratingly attractive chest.

She called on her elven ancestry to make her quick and agile, and to help her keep up with him and learn quickly. Then, she focused her mind, drawing on the focus she required to speak with animals and plants, a focus she had practiced and honed until it was as sharp as the tip of Athran's sword. She drew all of her focus to his blade, and ONLY his blade, blocking out everything else there was or could ever be in the world. As she focused on his blade, everything else faded to black, and she saw only what was important right now, in this exact moment. That sword, and it's movement.

As he started to walk backwards, she began to follow him, her eyes never leaving his blade. She lifted her own and began to copy his movements, working on matching them until she was mirroring at least a few of his moves the instant he did them.

Athran smirked at her attempts to imitate his movement, and slowed down. "No, not this. This is difficult... And doesn't have any effect in battle, except for looking good. You need to learn how to hold the sword, and basic moves, so you don't drop it in the middle of combat." He shook his head, the wisps of his long hair waving in the air. "That would be a shame!"

He came to her, and stopped her hands, moving them to the right position on the handle. "Like this," he explained her, himself showing her the right grip around the handle. "Hold it with right hand in the front for moving the blade. And keep the tip a bit up, so it isn't that heavy. Alright?"

She tried to focus on his words and instructions, rather than his hand on hers, but if she was being completely honest, it wasn't easy. "Yeah, I've heard that people who drop their swords in the middle of battle have a tendency to wind up dead...or is that just a rumor?" she joked, meeting his eyes with a grin.

She let him shift her hands on the handle until she was holding it properly, trying to memorize the sensation of what 'correctly' felt like, so she could do it herself next time. "Like this?"

He chuckled at her remark, but focused at teaching. When he noticed that she did exactly what he asked of her, a smile spread on his face. "Exactly. You are learning fast. You will feel that you are holding it right, because it will be easier to move with it and your aim will be more accurate."

Athran made a few steps back, and held the Black Sword up, carefully watching her. "Now charge against me and try to smack me with it. Imagine me as an opponent in battle. What would you do if I could possibly attack you? Come on. Run at me and try to use that sword." he encouraged her.

She's quite attractive... Looks more elven than human... he thought, but then shook his head to chase those thoughts away. I'm teaching her. Not dating. Teaching!

It was true that Tavi had always looked significantly elven, although she indeed looked even more so now, tall and slim in her tight leather armor, her long hair pulled back to reveal her slightly pointed ears. She grinned at his compliment, feeling rather triumphant.

He instructed her to attack him, and for a moment she didn't move. She would never win any battle through brute force alone, so she had to learn to use her mind and be clever. Like an elf. She studied his stance, his balance, where he was holding his sword. It only took a moment, and then she had her strategy.

She charged him as though she was going for a head-on attack, but at the last minute she swung her sword down in a swift chop toward his knees, the blade turned flat side toward him, though she didn't expect to actually land a blow on her first try. Simultaneously she ducked, lest he try to take advantage of her sword being so low.

Athran's sword moved as fast as a lightning in his hands. His feet immediately moved aside and forth, placing him by her side, and the blades of their swords clashed. The blade of the Black Sword pushed Tavi's sword to her shoulders, and itself pressed onto her body, rendering any move with the sword impossible. Athran softly placed one elbow at her back, stopping her from almost any movement at all.

"Now you can only move your legs. If I was you, I'd kick." he advised her. "Your tactics are good. If I was slower and less experienced, you would have slashed my knees and made me fall onto the ground. It's an unexpected, but clever move."

Tavi, rather crestfallen at how easily she'd been thwarted, brightened at his compliment. "I figured my best shot in battle is always going to be strategy, not brute force." As she spoke, she relaxed her body, no longer on guard although he still had her thoroughly trapped, she didn't mind. She simply relaxed, and listened to him speak.

Then suddenly, out of nowhere, she kicked at his shin, trying to catch him by surprise. It wasn't a hard kick, but hard enough to leave a bruise if it landed. Her body remained relaxed even until her foot was off the ground.

Athran didn't even wince as she kicked him - her foot only hit the thick leather, which covered his shin. Suddenly, he let go off the blade with one hand, and it quickly slipped under her bent legs. he picked her up and flipped her over as if she didn't weight more than his sword itself. A cloud of dust arose from beneath her.

The elf stared at her for a while, then offered her his hand. "I'm sorry if it was a tad crude. Are you alright?" he asked.

THUD. Tavi landed face down in the dust, startled. She rolled over so she was on her back, gazing up at him. As he offered her a hand she accepted it and rose gracefully to her feet, laughing all the while. "Smooth moves, Athran! I definitely didn't see that one coming! Yeah, I'm alright." She was still grinning as she brushed herself off.

Athran showed her his typical confident smirk. "Five hundred years of experience make some good moves. Plus, I know both my body, and my sword. I am completely sure of what I am capable of doing with them... I tend to risk and go beyond that, though." he shrugged and put the sword back to his sheath.

"When you are ready, go at me with the sword. I won't use any weapons, but don't be afraid. It's no point trying to train you with the Black Sword in my hands. I see there's no need for me to show you the basic moves, because you already know them. You're fast and clever - but have to be more daring." he explained her, moving back again.

Tavi picked up her sword and slowly brushed it off, staring at it carefully. She was aware of exactly where Athran's body was, but she resisted the urge to check, lest her eyes give away her plan. She adjusted her grip on the sword like she was trying to get it just perfect, her stance still relaxed.

Then, in a sudden burst of movement that was rapidly becoming her trademark, she started forward, then used the weight of the sword to spin herself in a circle and put more force behind the swing she once again aimed at his knees. The whole thing was swift, graceful, and for any ordinary warrior, unpredictable. But of course, Athran was no ordinary warrior.

Athran grinned. She had the grace and speed elven warriors were so known for... Almost as mesmerizing and wonderful as his sister.

However, none of that was ever enough for the Black Sword.

He already figured out her tactics - she aimed at his knees and legs, trying to disrupt his balance, and when he will be on the ground, smite him. That wasn't going to happen any soon... He stepped to the side, and narrowly avoided the blade of her sword. Before it made its turn, he slipped behind her back and gripped her shoulders.

"You're fast. But I'm the fastest!" he laughed.

"Oh, I know," she said, and used his hold to lift herself off the ground and kick backward with both legs. Before she'd even finished that movement she curled her shoulders and let her weight pull her down out of his grip. She hit the ground on her knees and rolled away from him, using the momentum of her roll to bring her back to her feet. She stood facing him, sword raised, a grin on her delicate features and a playful glint in her eyes. "I never doubted that. If I didn't think you were far better than anyone else I've ever met, I wouldn't be swinging so hard!"

Athran spread his legs to avoid her feet, but let her go as she slipped from his hands. He could to practically anything right now, from simply bashing into her to leaping into the air and trapping her beneath the weight of his body, but didn't want to hurt her.

This was getting rather difficult.

"I have a hundred moves I could do, but I don't want to hurt you... It's difficult to hold back if you aren't used to it." he admitted, and shrugged.

Suddenly, his bent arm arose above his head and with all the strength bashed against the sword in Tavi's hands. The metal thudded on the leather guard, but bent back towards her face and shoulders. He used the moment of surprise and his knee would have punched her into the stomach, if he wouldn't have stopped right before the hit.

Tavi ducked out from under her sword and dropped to the ground, kicking upwards and bringing herself to her feet and swinging the sword sideways at him as she landed. She stopped the sword before he could thwart it, and sheathed it again. "Okay, oh ye masterful one, I need a second to breathe!" she teased.

Athran laughed. "A second to breathe? I'm not even warm, Tavi. I'd say I'm cold, but I'd be lying, since I hardly ever am... But I understand not everyone can go on and on and on even after being almost dead. After all, you aren't a master warrior. But don't worry," he put one hand on her shoulder, "that will come with experience. Rest, if you feel a need to."

He gestured towards their bags and his armour on the fence. "Have a drink. Eat. Cool down. You've been trying really hard."

Tavi rolled her eyes at him. "Yes, but you're the Black Sword. Of course you haven't even warmed up yet. I'm just a simple potion-maker, remember?" she winked at him. She enjoyed the feeling of his hand on her shoulder, but when he gestured toward their bags she realized that she couldn't just stand there next to him like a dunce.

She strode over to the bags and pulled out a water skin. "Would you like some?" she inquired, chugging a fair amount herself.

"Uhm... If you'd let me. If you need all of it, don't bother with me, I can do without." he replied, trying to pull his eyes away from her. "I don't need it that much."

He sat down onto the fence, grabbing the sheathed couple of scimitars, hanging from it, and pretended to be staring at the simple pattern on the edges, while in reality, he was glancing at her elegant figure before him.

She's really pretty... But I have to keep in mind I am only teaching her, nothing more!

"Of course!" Tavi responded, promptly handing over the water. Perhaps it was something to do with her magic skills, perhaps not, but something made Tavi glance over him and say, "If I might ask...what are you thinking about?" Appalled at her forwardness, she hastily added, "Not that it's any of my business, and you don't have to tell me if you don't wish to."

Athran shook his head. "Many things." he muttered, and chugged a fair amount of the water. As he handed it back, he shrugged. "Mostly things you may not really be interested in... A lot of memories comes up with training people, you know."

Not all of them were nice, but this one will surely go under the good ones.

She nodded and said nothing. She reached into her bag, pulled out a loaf of bread, and began nibbling on it. She thought she'd caught him staring at her, but... Taviel don't be ridiculous! Of course he wasn't staring at you. She could almost hear her mother's voice in her head, scolding her for being 'vain'.

She shook her head and pushed the thought aside. "So what would you recommend I work on improving first?" she queried Athran. "It's hard to tell what is a good idea and what's just stupid when I can't land a blow on you either way!" she joked.

"You are swift and have a good tactical mind. But you're not daring enough... Put more strength into it and go wild. Not that you should do completely mad things that have a higher chance of death than success like me, but try to risk a bit." he replied, still staring at his scimitars, but glancing at her in the corner of his eyes every now and then when she wasn't looking.

"If you want to keep training, it's fine. I can keep going till nightfall... But if you want to rest, it's fine just as well. I used to train from dawn till dusk, but I was draining the last bits of energy from me like that."

Tavi nodded thoughtfully, then looked up at the sky. "It'll be nightfall in a couple hours, and there are some herbs I need to collect today before the sun goes down. Why don't we pick up here tomorrow? Give me some time to think of new strategies." With the last sentence she turned and gave him a teasing wink.

Athran scratched his head. "I don't have anything to do or anywhere to go... Mind if I'd follow? I don't know that much about herbs, but if you tell me what to search for, I could help." he offered.

Off course, the true reasons for this were different - he'd rather follow her and stare at her, even if he would have to pick up herbs on the way, than get drunk in the nearest inn and completely waste a few more days.

"But of course! My offer included a place to stay and as much potion information as you'd like to have!" She gave him a warm smile, secretly thrilled. She'd expected he'd take her up on a warm place to stay for a night, maybe even a few nights, but he was going to accompany her herb-picking? Even cooler! She'd always found it the most boring part of her trade, and was glad for the company. "Do you want to put your stuff inside first?"

"No need for that. I'll carry it with me... I wouldn't let go off my weapons, anyway. There is nothing I couldn't carry. If you need to put yours away, I'll wait." he smiled. His hand sled from the scimitars to his shirt at the fence, but even though he grabbed it, he didn't put it on - yet.

"Thanks... It's all nice of you."

Tavi raced up the stairs two at a time, opened the door long enough to drop her sword and armor, which she'd rapidly removed, inside the door, then raced back down them, pausing only long enough to slide down the last railing with a cheerful "woop woop!"

Returning to Athran, she responded to his last statement with, "But of course, it's no problem at all! And especially not for a friend. Let's go this way first..." And she strode off toward the trees at the far edge of the pasture.

In the meantime, Athran managed to put on the rest of his clothes, although they were hanging loosely from his tall figure. He smiled at Tavi as she approached him, and sled off the wooden bar.

"Now what are we searching for?" he asked, following her. It wasn't a problem for him to keep pace with her, but the chains on his armour were clinking with every step, almost cheerfully.

She smirked at him, "Check you out, the musical elf!" she teased. "We're looking for two things in particular, laurel and chamomile. Laurel has long, rather shiny oval shaped leaves with a point at the end. Chamomile is sort of a feathery plant, with flowers that look a bit like small daisies." She thought for a moment, checking off a mental inventory, then added, "If you spot any comfrey, let me know about that as well. It's got similar leaves to laurel, but rounder and not as shiny. That one's easy to spot because it has bell-shaped purple flowers, and the stems look fuzzy."

Athran stared at her for a rather long while, appearing confused, then nodded. "I fear I might not be of much help... I know plants less than cooking." he admitted. "But I'll look around for them, alright?"

He stared at the ground beneath his feet, searching for the herbs Tavi described to him. "I can't find any... Show me one when you find it, please." he muttered.

Tavi chuckled, then did the strangest thing. She sat down crosslegged on the ground, leaned her back against a tree, and closed her eyes. She just sat there, completely silent for a few moments, then opened her eyes and stood up.

"Over here." She lead the way through a thicket of bushes and abruptly stopped. "That, right there, is laurel. And a very healthy one, too. She ran a hand over the bush, nodded, then appeared to locate a few specific pieces and picked them.

"That's all I need for now. There should also be some chamomile right over here..." she carefully pushed her way through some brambles to a tiny clearing. "Ahh! Found it." She gestured to a large number of feathery plants growing all over the sunny spot. "Help me harvest a good armful of this, will you please? The leaves are smaller, so it takes more to make my potions. Just don't pick it all from one plant."

Athran revealed one of the long, thin blades, till now hidden in one of the numerous sheaths on his belt. The ornaments, adorning it, glinted in the few rays of setting sun, which appeared crimson like blood for a while, but then the vision disappeared as the elf's tall figure bent down towards the herbs.

"Cut them, or rip by hand?" he asked, flashing his eyes from the soft leaves to Tavi's face, still holding the dagger.

"Either is fine, just be gentle. Don't want to rip the whole plant out of the ground! If you do it by hand, just pinch it off about here." She demonstrated, carefully breaking off the stem about halfway down. "If you use the dagger, cut it at a little bit of an angle. The plants seem to like it better."

Athran's dagger sunk to the leaves and slowly cut several of them off. He grabbed those with his other hand and showed them to Tavi, green and fresh as the whole forest itself. "Like this?"

It was one of the few times his weapons were used to cut something else but flesh, and it was difficult to be gentle and soft with a blade, when he trained his whole life to be fierce, quick and deadly. This time, he didn't mean to do any harm to anything... It was strange.

Tavi nodded approvingly. "Perfect!" She studied him for a minute, then said, "You look a little...stunned? Everything okay over there?" As she spoke, she gathered a few branches of herbs herself, bundling them together and sticking them in her pockets.

Athran shook his head and quickly turned to her. "Sorry... Stunned? I'm... I'm fine, don't worry. I'm simply not used to handling my blades in this way." he explained, slipping the dagger back to its sheath and looking around himself. A blade, cutting without spilling blood, was not an ordinary thing to him.

"Ahhh..." A huge smile blossomed over Tavi's face. "I understand. Feels weird, doesn't it? And maybe...hopefully...a little good?" She hoped he found it a good feeling, she really wanted to show him all the beautiful parts of life, so he could see something other than bloody death.

Athran smiled softly. "Yes, it feels good." he replied. "There are many things that stop me from enjoying the present, or would stop me from it... But I must not look at those. What comes after death is not my concern, be it heaven, hell, the realm of the death gods, or whatever else. I know what awaits me... But I can't change it, and therefore, it's not my problem, right?"

His hands appeared on her shoulders, and he stared into her eyes. She showed him a lot this day... And he was thankful.

Tavi's delicate features lit up as he confirmed that this was a positive feeling. "Precisely! If it can't be changed, there's no sense in dwelling on it. Rather, it's much better to just enjoy today."

His hands rested on her shoulders, and her stomach did an annoying little flip flop. She stared back into his eyes, her gaze steady and smiling. All she wanted, in that moment, was to make a difference in the life of this man. And to see him happy.

Athran's hands softly slipped to her waist. He gazed down into her eyes, and smiled, raising one hand to stroke her cheek. She was one of the few humans that got his sympathy over the last few centuries... And he enjoyed it more than he thought he would.

It was crazy, only meeting her today and already developing feelings... It didn't feel bad though. He didn't want to leave now... Ah, bitter is the fate of a wanderer!

He reached into his bag, and his fingers returned, clenched around a small harp, half covered in a black fabric. The dark wood from which it was crafted was carved beautifully, picturing leaves of trees and an elegant figure, strung through one side. Its strings softly glinted in the light of the setting sun.

"Should I play for you?" Athran asked.

Tavi was reluctant for him to let go of her, but she did rather want to hear him play. The ludicrous though crossed her mind that she wished he had enough hands to do both at once! Telling herself that she was now approaching the realm of truly absurd thoughts, she took a slow step back, then gracefully dropped to the ground and crossed her legs under her.

"Play on, good sir!" she said it teasingly, but her voice was softer, sweeter than her usual joking tone, making her sound serious. Which she was. She was eager to hear the music he could make on what had to be one of the most beautiful harps she'd ever seen.

Athran's hands begun moving on the strings of the harp, softly and slowly at first, plucking the strings to create sounds as beautiful as the sparkling stars, starting to appear on the dark veil of the sky above. His eyes stared at something in the distance, and their glance appeared soft, maybe even sad.

After a while, he joined the quickly changing notes, played on the instrument, with his melodic voice.

"A black swan
Is born that night
The misty pond
Has got a new king
Got a new king
So what can we do
With our lives
When it all begins
It's hard and
It's cruel
Will grace die in pain?
Will light ever rise again?

I'm trapped in darkness
Still I reach out for the stars
I'm moving in silence
I leave it all far behind

Oh at dawn
I'll face the edge of thorns
Oh at dawn
I'll pray at the edge of thorns
Oh at dawn
I'll face the edge of thorns

Let us march on
To the fields of sacrifice
I'm wondering why
I'll carry on
Will I betray myself
To rise

In the silence
It's time to explain
And
Search for truth in lies
Useful lies
Needless love's damned

What can we do with our lives
When it all begins

Come follow me
And you will see
How it will be
When all the pain is gone away

Let us march on
Though there's no hope at our side
Let us be brave
Though by glory we are denied
But
Don't you think
It's time for us
To bring to an end
Come play the song of death
The wisdom in us both
Will make it
Special guaranteed
Play the song of death

I'm lost in the depths of his eyes
I can't flee
Inner pain caused insanity
It's deep within
The fear and the hunger
Enslaved and denied
By my love and my enemies
I'm the illgotten son..."

He looked up at the sky as he finished playing, and his eyes slowly closed. The song ended in a sad, but beautiful tone, and he found himself holding the harp in silence.

(((OOC: the song lyrics are Blind Guardian's Thorn. no credits to me!)))

Tavi sat entranced as he played, not so much as blinking as the notes washed over her. It sounded like magic, and it touched her deeply. He closed his eyes, his face turned upward as the song ended, and still she didn't move, listening to fading tones, then the silence.

Not saying a word yet, she placed a hand on a nearby tree and closed her eyes, listening to the whispers of the forest. After a moment she looked up at him, her hand still on the tree. In a soft whisper, she said, "That was...incredible. Magical. Even the trees were listening."

"Since I was young I loved music." Athran whispered, smiling softly. "I used to play on celebrations till I passed out from wine and exhaustion. Not anymore, though... Sometimes I do miss it." He opened his eyes again and glanced at the harp in his hands, the elegant shapes, the beautiful wood...

...He missed it, and she reminded him of it. There was something about her that he could barely sense, but it was wonderful, almost fascinating. He reached for her and grabbed her hand again, completely silent. All he wanted was to hold her.

Tavi was startled as he grabbed her hand, but in one swift, impulsive movement she was on her feet and hugging him. Then she realized what she was doing. Hugging an assassin elf she'd met that morning?! What was she thinking?! She quickly pulled away, her cheeks pink with embarrassment. "I'm sorry, that was out of line..." She tapered off, staring at her feet and mentally cursing herself.

"Don't be sorry..." He whispered softly and pulled her back to himself, wrapping his arms around her in a tight embrace. It was a desire to keep close and hold her in his hands that he couldn't fight... And didn't try to fight.

He closed his eyes. There was only the whispering wind and the warmth of her body, friendly and soft, that he felt and heard. He didn't want to let go...

Tavi, grinning, let him pull her back into his arms. Her whole body relaxed except her arms, which returned his tight embrace enthusiastically. She laid her head on his shoulder and just stood there, enjoying the smell of him and the feeling of his arms around her. It was peaceful, and she began to think she might be happy if it never ended...


((Awwwwww, they're adorable. xD))

They could have stood there like that for an eternity... The sun was already beyond the border of the horizon, and only fragments of its light remained on the colorful sky, still giving the undersides of the clouds a wonderful scale of orange, red, and purple colors.

Athran gently picked Tavi up and held her in his arms. It was so long since he met someone to whom he would have feelings like this. If it was a dream, he never wanted to wake up...

"I know you might not believe me, and that's okay," Tavi murmured, gazing at him, "but you're a really awesome person." Part of her still couldn't believe she was in the arms of an elf she met this morning, but the rest of her refused to let it matter. They may have known each other less than a full day, but this was different than anything she'd ever experienced, and she was liking it. A lot.

She tilted her head to one side, a contemplative look on her face, then she said, "You'll have to forgive me for being so forward..." and she leaned up and kissed him.

Athran smiled, but when she pressed her lips onto his, he was struck breathless. They were soft like roses and warm like fire... When he finally realized what's happening, he didn't resist her, instead putting his own burning passion into it.

His hand slowly arose to her head and delved into her light hair, while he entwinned his other arm around her waist and pressed her against his own body. His heart was beating like the wings of a dragon, bolting through the air, it was like a thunder in his ears, crashing and roaring. He never wanted this to end, he would have been content with standing in the shadowy forest underneath the veil of twilight for all eternity, if the time would let him.

This kiss...this kiss was... Tavi thought, unable to finish for lack of a word to describe the kiss. She felt like she might never need to breathe again, as long as this kiss continued. His hand in her hair felt wonderful, and she realized that one of her own hands was cupped around the back of his neck, as though she could keep him there forever.

When the kiss ended she leaned back, her breath coming back to her and her eyes slightly glazed. "You are...a wonderful...kisser..."she panted as her lungs tried to compensate for the extended period without air. Tavi Haradion was always bouncy and cheery, but this was a different kind of glow. The kind that appears on the face of a happy person when they first experience heaven.

Athran didn't want to let go, but in the end, oxygen shortage forced him to pull himself away from Tavi, and catch his breath. His lips spread into a smile, and he pressed her onto himself in a tight hug once again. "Half of that... Was your work!" he whispered into her ear.

The twilight gave the forest soft, dim shadows, in which nobody would notice a couple, kissing in the shade of a tree. He was content - alone, and not completely alone. Her sole presence was what he desired the most right now. He closed his eyes once again, and softly slipping one hand underneath Tavi's knees, he picked her up. "And you are wonderful as a whole."

Tavi laughed as he scooped her up effortlessly. Grinning at him, she said, "You should smile more often. Smiles look fantastic on you!"

She paused, then asked quietly, "So are you still leaving tomorrow?" She didn't want him to go, but she understood the life of a wanderer, she understood the pull to keep moving. It had never been her's, but many of her friends spread out over the continent were wanderers and she understood that need.

Athran shook his head. "Definitely not. I wasn't planning on leaving any soon, anyway... And now that I have a reason to stay..." he shrugged and chuckled.

Once again, he pressed his lips on her cheek and fleetly kissed her. It was the most wonderful thing over the past few years... "It'd be cruel even to myself if I would force myself to go." he whispered. Like a lost ship, he felt like he found the anchor to hold him steady on one place. And he was grateful for that.

"I don't want to leave you, Tavi." he said, and begun singing silently to her once again.

Tavi's face lit up. "Oh good, because I really don't want you to leave!" she informed him brightly. "You might have to put up with some gossip eventually, though, since my business is in Tirial I can't stay in Moonspear forever." There was a note of regret in her voice. She didn't want him to have to go through the prying eyes of the people of Tirial, but they were her livelihood and she couldn't remain here forever.

A shadow appeared on Athran's face for a short moment, but as he shook his head and glanced into the distance, it passed, and didn't return. "Let them talk. Only those whose lives are so petty that they have nothing better to do do so, and those are not a concern of mine." he laughed shortly, and started slowly walking through the forest.

"Should I take you back home, or would you like to take a walk?" he asked.

Though she was concerned about the shadow that crossed his face, Tavi said nothing. "It's just their culture," she explained softly. "Their culture is to share lives, to know each other like family. That's all it is."

In response to his question, she thought for a moment, then replied, "We should get these herbs onto drying racks before they wilt in our pockets. Then we can go for a walk, if that's what you'd like to do." She smiled sweetly at him.

Athran returned her smile and put her onto the ground again. "I'll help you take them, if you need." It didn't matter what would they do. He wanted to keep close to her...

They walked back onto the open space, into the starlight, softly falling from the sky. Athran saw Taviel as if she was crowned with stars - to his eyes, she appeared illuminated with their radiant shine, as if garbed in a hundred of adamants. He was struck speechless...

((Awwww!! xD And on another note because I'm a detail freak...he doesn't know that her full name is Taviel yet, she just introduced herself as Tavi. :P))


"Okay," Tavi agreed, still smiling as she paced beside him out of the woods and back into the small horse pasture they'd been practicing in. She lead the way up the stairs to the door of her apartment. In only a second or two she had it unlocked and lead the way inside, lighting lamps as she went.

It was a nice apartment, cozy but still rather spacious. The ceilings were high, making the rooms feel larger than they were. The sword she had used earlier was displayed on the wall in it's sheath, giving the room something of a centerpiece. A large wood table took up the majority of the dining area, and it was spread with racks and racks of drying herbs of all different sizes, shapes, and colors. She had several sleeping mats rolled up and stacked on top of each other in the corner, and a doorway lead to a small bedroom with a more permanent sleeping mat spread out on the floor. Moving quickly and gracefully, she spread the herbs they had gathered on two empty drying racks on the table.

"Sorry it's kind of small," she said to Athran as she worked. "But you can take your pick of the sleeping mats in the corner there."

Athran carefully watched her from the doorway, looking around in the room. It was quite big, but furnished simply, the most striking piece of furniture around Tavi's sword. It wasn't too different from most apartments he had previously seen in Serendipity, but appeared cozy and homely.

He dropped his own bag onto the ground and unpinned his old cape. "Would you mind if I'd change from armour to something lighter? I might still have a spare shirt in my bag." he asked, pulling a part of a crimson fabric from the backpack.

Seeing that he was still standing in the doorway, Tavi exclaimed, "Of course! Come in, come in! Make yourself at home. Would you like anything to drink? A mug of ale, or hot chocolate? I have food too."

Athran nodded, taking off his coat, and walked in. "Just ale." he replied, and smiled. Most of his armour ended up on his bags, and instead of an old, rugged black shirt, he put on a very dark crimson one, reaching to the half of his thighs, embroidered with complicated patterns of black thread. There was no real need for armour and weapons right now, but he still kept the belt with several daggers, and the sheathed Black Sword by his side, alongside his gauntlets and bracers.

"I'm not really hungry. Don't worry about me." he said, and squatted by his bag. Tilting his head aside, he watched Tavi. How did he not notice what a wonderful creature she was?

In two quick strides Tavi had crossed the kitchen to what she had dubbed her ale cabinet. Opening it, she breathed an audible sigh of relief. "Oh good, they left some," she muttered to herself, pouring 2 mugs of ale. She turned and handed one of the mugs to Athran, trying not to stare. Crimson was a really good color on him. Not to mention that looked like a really nice shirt.

Athran downed his ale only a moment later after she gave it to him. It gave him a warm feeling on the inside, and he reached for Tavi, softly stroking her cheek. "Shall we go? The night is warm... I'll take my harp, alright?" he asked, and gave her a warm smile.

The mug thudded a little as he put it onto the closest table, and once more pulled the beautiful harp out of his bag. It was an elven harp that he owned since his youth... Passed from his mother, whom he hardly remembered, but he believed that the figure, adorning its side, was shaped after Arinwen. His hand caressed the wood and strings, which made a soft sound under the tips of his white fingers, and he looked down at it with delight.

Tavi downed her own ale equally as fast, and as he spoke of bringing his harp, her eyes twinkled mischievously. "Hold that thought," she told him, and strode into her bedroom, to an ancient, intricately carved oak chest. Unlocking it, she lifted the heavy lid and poked around inside for a moment before bringing out a slender elven flute. Its silver shone like a lamp, not a spot of tarnish on it anywhere, and it was covered in delicate, etched designs. Detailed vines, leaves, and water scenes covered its surface, making it truly a work of art.

Athran glanced at her flute with surprise. It was strangely similar to his harp... He moved his own instrument towards it, and saw the matching vines of ivy, circling around it. "They look almost the same." he whispered, and turned to Tavi with a delighted smile. "Can you play it? It's beautiful. It must surely make a wonderful sound."

His eyes were once again glued to Tavi's face. It was unusual for him to be attracted to someone like this, but he recognized the feeling very well. It brought a hint of sadness into his heart, but he was glad to feel it again.

A truly remarkable feeling.

"Sure, I can play it," Tavi replied with a grin. She lifted the flute to her lips, paused for a second in thought, then began to play. At first the notes were soft, sweet, gentle, each one giving way to the next in soulful harmony.

Then slowly the music began to pick up, the notes dancing with each other, rolling over each other and bouncing up toward the sky in a cheerful, joyous melody. It was the kind of music that made you want to dance, or spin around in circles until you fall to the ground laughing and out of breath. Then, with a cheery trill that sounded almost like a wave, it ended. She lowered the flute and grinned at Athran.

A grin appeared on Athran's face as he listened to her, playing, and when she finished, he clapped to her. "That was beautiful. Now, if we may, I could play you another song in exchange - I'd prefer to do so in the wood, though. There's nothing as beautiful as a night forest." he said, and winked.

His harp was still in his hands when he walked towards the door, and gestured towards Tavi to follow. "The night's still young. And summer nights are all full of starlight."

Tavi nodded in agreement and followed him to the door, taking the flute with her. Great gods how she loved that grin of his! She linked her arm through his as they exited, letting go only to lock the door behind her. They crossed the pasture again and reentered the woods. Tavi guided him in a different direction now, leading him to a small clearing deep in the forest.

The clearing was large enough to see the stars above, and had a couple of large logs strewn across it which made for perfect seating.

Athran turned his head up to the stars. They were glimmering on the dark veil of the sky, scattered like shards of diamonds, blazing with white flames. Their shine was cold, yet bright and radiant, crowning both of them, standing amid the clearing. Athran grabbed his harp once again.

His hands were moving slowly on its strings, bending them to produce soft, beautiful sounds, sounding in harmony with his voice. He sang one of the songs he learned while he was young - not in the common tongue, but in old elvish. His melodic voice rang through the air, accompanied, by the sounds of the harp, and he stood like frozen in time.

The light of stars glinted on silver, adorning the harp, and softly shone down upon them. It made all the silver glow like it was smithed from the stars themselves, giving it an unearthly shine. Even Athran's eyes seemed to glow in it.

I can feel I'm one
With the tortured land
With its solitude and decay
There's no one left
All the other men
Pass on through the night

All dead and gone
Still I don't dare to move
The imprisoned soul
Cannot find back home

Snow falls down
It covers field and blood
Snow falls down
And clears the view

It is cold

And once again
The battle's fought
Out on the plains
So rhymes spread out its glory
But
No rhyme defines its pain

I can't recall all their names
Connection broke loose
They've crossed the lake
Reach the other side
And leave me alone
With the truth

Then once again
The battle's lost
I am to blame
Snow falls down
All dead and gone
They all are dead and gone
They've turned to dust
They've sealed the past
A long long time ago

I can't recall all their names
Connection broke loose
They've crossed the lake
Reach the other side
And leave me alone
With the truth

I can't recall all their names
Connection broke loose
They've crossed the lake
Reach the other side
And leave me alone
With the truth.

(((OOC: song is Blind Guardian's All the king's horses. And it's totally not mine.)))

Tavi listened for a moment, getting a feel for the melody. Then she lifted her flute to her lips, its silver glowing to match his harp in the starlight, and began to slowly play along.

Her notes twined around his, and the beautiful sounds wove themselves together as they soared toward the endless night sky. The soft, warm sound of the harp and the clear, stirring sound of the flute blended as though they were made to play together.

As the chorus began it's final repeat, Tavi lowered the flute and joined her strong, melodic voice with his, the old elvish words pouring off her tongue. As with their instruments, their voices harmonized with each other in breath-catching synchrony.

I can't recall all their names
Connection broke loose
They've crossed the lake
Reach the other side
And leave me alone
With the truth.

Athran was struck speechless. How did she know this song? Most mortals wouldn't even understand the words, not sing along. It was, however, a pleasing surprise... If she knew elvish, they could talk without others knowing what they speak about.

His hand arose to her head, and softly stroke her cheek. "That was beautiful. I didn't know you know the language of my youth, but it surprised me wonderfully. Where did you learn?" he asked, speaking softly and silently.

"My mother is an elf," Tavi explained, "Growing up she insisted all her children be educated in elven culture, arts, and skills as much as human ones. My brothers and my little sister and I all speak old Elvish fluently, play the elvish flute and harp, and are at least a bit familiar with elvish styles of art."

Then she added with a twinkle, "That song is a classic."

If it weren't so dark, it would be clear that Athran blushed a little, but in the dusky night, nothing could be seen. He kissed her fleetly on the cheek, then immediately pulled himself back, as if he regretted it (though he really didn't).

"That's wonderful... I would not have expected that." he smiled. His eyes sled from her face to the lute, and at the memory of his mother, he looked down. "My mother died when I was eight. I don't remember much of her. I was raised by my father, who never had time for me... And learned most things alone. Though, we had a bard in the house, and he taught me how to play the harp, and sing."

"The bard sounds wonderful," Tavi commented. "I know this is no consolation, but I often wished growing up that my parents didn't have time for me. Especially my mother. She was determined to groom me into an elven noblewoman," she glanced down at her trousers and tunic, "which I obviously wanted no part of! I think she always regretted having children with a human man. I was never quite elf enough for her." This last part she said with a rueful chuckle, thinking of the criticisms her mother used to throw at her. "It didn't help that I was the only daughter in the family until I was 11."

Athran smiled sadly. "I wished that my father would have time for me. He left me to take care of myself, or be raised by other people in the house, when I was 10. The moment when I learned how to fight, and could fire a bow, all care was gone, except for military training. He said that it was only because he was too busy... When I complained about it, he started bringing me to councils and meetings... And I was suddenly expected to be a good son and take the responsibilities that he gave me. He never listened..."

He shook his head, suddenly appearing bitter and sad. "Elesian always said that he loves me and wants to raise me well, but I never felt like he actually meant it." Clenching his fists, he threw his head back, and stared at the dark sky. "His only son. His heir. I wish I wasn't."

"Heir to what, if you don't mind me asking?" Tavi inquired, wondering that he would reject his father's words of love, rather than clinging to them like most neglected children.


((Sorry for the delay, and the short post, and my general failing at life... x.x))

"Heir to his name, heir to his title..." Athran winged off. "I was supposed to be the next commander of the army, but I refuse to. I'm not him, and I never will be like him." He stared into the distance, avoiding Tavi's glance, and continued speaking.

"I don't need the pretentious love of someone that sees me as a tool that he can push around. The fact that there wasn't a mother doesn't mean that he had the right to try and make his children like himself..."

"You don't need him at all. Look at all you've accomplished, and are still accomplishing!" Tavi pointed out brightly. "The credit for that goes to you, not to him. He doesn't affect who you are now, that's all in your hands."

He raised a half smile at her words, and softly stroke her cheek. "I know I don't. It still hurts remembering, though..." he replied sadly. "We all crave what we lack, but some things can't be replaced. To some things, there isn't a cure, there isn't help. But that's alright... We can't have everything..."

"Perhaps not, but that doesn't mean we can't try really damn hard anyway!" Tavi responded with a grin. "And besides, who says we can't have everything? How do you know, until you've tried everything?"

A thoughtful look stole over her graceful features, giving her a rather wise look. "And why not try to cure that which we think can't be cured? What have we to lose, other than the potential for success?"