OOC: This thread takes place after this one (http://www.spiritsoftheearth.net/smf/index.php?topic=15164.msg146959#msg146959). Also, the intro post has some strong language. Please use caution when reading, thanks.
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Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.
He was sweating bullets, the curls of his dark hair clinging to his skin as he raced through the gardens. Dogs were nearly biting at his heals, and a man with a gun was spewing promises to kill him off.
Leif Arrant hardly had many allies in the world of nobility, but was no stranger to the dangers of the men he rattled with his harsh words. He was not a man to keep his tongue bridled by the proprieties of his station. No, he was an eclectic man who would speak every single word he had. And would spew every thought along with it.
So he made a few enemies outside of his masked persona, and knowing he was to be married today, he never thought he'd be running away from his bride in this manner, but there he was, making a b-line away from the church of Reajh in order to save his ass...
And hers.
The bells began to ring, chiming across the world to remind it of today's special occasion. Fuck.
And here the groom was, racing across the other end of town...
He knew if he stopped, the men and dogs chasing him would catch up-
and leave it to him to keep only a knife on him. And his mask...
So you see, he couldn't just die here, or let them gut him inside the church, for if they did...
well, how would that explain the mask inside his pocket? And if they hurt his fiance, so help him...
So off he ran, shoes pounding heavily across the cobble stone as he made quick work of his way through the capital's streets...
and when he ducked into a nearby ally, he pressed himself up against hte wall and held his breath.
A moment later he heard the dogs pass.. and waited even longer, hoping the man had followed. Then, glancing around the corner, he noticed a ladder propped against a nearby building. He supposed that was how he ought to get back. Climbing up quickly, he was in the roof top in no time and making his way from one to the next, with a few extravagant and potential deadly leaps along the way. Soon he was almost back at the church where he paused upon the roof top, looking own, and hoped that no body saw him.
He was never foolish enough to show himself like this in daylight but once he slipped off the roof top, he slicked back his hair, tried to wipe away the sweat on his forehead and began to make his way back towards the church.
Glancing up and noting the clock upon the building's exterior tower, he cursed.
Shit. He was half an hour late for his own wedding.
Valentina didn't think she would feel this stressed out about this. But, it turns out that if you want something done well you should do it yourself. Or just leave it to your future mother in law, she'll take care of it even better. Well, in any case, Valentina wasn't quite aware of anything going wrong around her up until the moment she arrived to the church. The flower arrangements, colors, guests... Everything was ready for the wedding. Only one things was missing.
Where the hell is the groom?
His mother was quite pissed at him to that moment, but all Valentina wanted to do is take a nap. This was going to be a long day and it started far too early. Turned out that over twenty people needed to get you ready for your own wedding. Some worked on her hair, others on her makeup and most of them were dressing her up. Again, thanks to Leif's mother, the dress turned out wonderful, rich but still elegant.
With another yawn Valentina looked over to the wall and checked the time. Twenty minutes late. If there was a change of plan he should've at least warned her. She tried to maintain her flat expression but the thing was that she was quite scared of what was happening.
Do I really care if he doesn't come?
Yes, she did, but only because the two of them had an agreement. Nothing more.
She looked over to the beautiful ring on her hand and bit her lip, thinking about where was he. The guests at the main hall were entertained by his mother, but they too have felt that something is wrong.
Finally, Valentina rose up from her seat looked herself at the mirror again, not quite recognizing the person she saw. Then, she smiled to her reflection trying to seem as confident as it gets.
"He'll come." she said to the bridesmaids, but in fact she was trying to convince herself.
Just as the guests sitting in the pews were growing restless, the doors of the church swung open and the groom stood there. His hair, a bit wind tossed, and his skin, a bit pink from his run, he had somehow managed to dust off his wedding suit and fix his tie (albeit, it was a bit crooked) as he stood there a moment looking in.
All of the guests turned to him, his mother, nearly fainting from the sight of her son. She was just so happy he actually arrived! And his father, glaring daggers at him- promising death. Carefully, his eyes settled to the priest waiting at the end of the center aisle and as he swallowed back all of the tension from the chase, he made his way down the aisle and took up his position at the end, starig at the priest, then turning around, to face 'the crowd'.
It was then one of the bride's maids tugged at Valentina's arm. "It's him! It's him! The groom has arrived!" she said, almost as excitedly as if she were the bride herself! And another rat-nosed maid stepped in, looking very much like a pained school teacher as she sighed.
"Valentina. As you know, your groom is late. But he is here now. Come, ladies. Help the bride get ready. We've got to get this wedding wrapped up within the hour!"
And as if on cue, the bells rang again, signifying they were ready for the arrival of the bride...
Relief was obvious on her face as she heard that he finally arrived. She wasn't even aware of the pressure she was under. But, now was the time for the real hard part. It was normal to be a little bit stressed out before getting married, right? Well, since Valentina had no idea what expected her on the other side of the door she could only hope everything will go right from now on.
Her hair was up, and the bridesmaids managed to pin up and fix some minor damages. Also, her makeup was quickly refreshed, her dress smoothed over and a veil placed over her head. The world has gone a bit blurry now, and it didn't help Valentina feel any better.
"It's fine, leave it like that." she told huskily to one of the girls who continued repairing her hair. This was so not something she needed right now.
The bells interrupted her thoughts so she took a deep breath. The girls ran in front of her, giggling happily and she stayed behind trying to calm herself. One by one they entered into the large room. After the last girl entered the room, Valentina could finally see the whole room, the guests looking at her, the priest and Leif. She straightened herself and started walking towards the aisle. And it seemed like an eternity.
Leif, who was sweating before due to his run, was now sweating from his anxiousness. He rubbed his sweaty hands together, trying not to be obvious and rub the sweat off on his pant leg, and kept his green eyes down the hall-
and froze the moment the bride appeared.
WIth the veil over her face, and her body cloud in a pillowing, white dress, Leif was stunned. And he found his eyes unable to be taken away from her form, even as she approached and was handed off to him by her father. Now standing with her before him, they were hand in hand as the priest went on-
but his words were like background noise- like the unheard crickets at night, or song birds during the day for his mind was solely focused on the beauty of Valetina's face. Perhaps befre he hadn't noticed how marvelous she looked, how pretty she was and well.. how sweet he might have been on her, for there was an ache in his chest to let her know, that when he said, "I do." he meat it, but would never say. Instead, she might have noted something different in his eyes in that moment, a new man, a better man, and something for her to hope for. And then the question turned to her.
"Do you, Lady Valentina Corrent, take Lord Leif Arrant to be your wedded husband? Through sickness and in health, through good times and the bad, until death do you part?"
Death? Fear struck him a moment as he stared at her, eyes curious- what would she say? Naturally, a yes, but.. what if she did not? He wasn't sure why he was having any doubts and before she had a chance to respond, he felt himself swallowing a hard knot nearly sealed inside his throat.
Valentina tried to keep her heart from breaking out of her chest. It was hard, almost impossible to do, and she had problems concentrating on anything else than his face. Perhaps it was the only thing holding her here, in any other case she might have ran or passed out. But, right there she could at least imagine this was all real for him as it was for her, so she held onto that thin thread of hope.
Through the roaming noise in her head, she could barely hear what the priest was saying to her. It was her turn to play her part of the role, to be a good actress. Perhaps she won't be able to do it, not like this. Doubts roamed through her head as she took in a shaky breath. Was she only replacing one prison for another?
"I.. I do." she finally said, trying to sound as confident as she could. If this was her new cage, she'll find a way to turn it into something more beautiful. Perhaps she could live in a pretty cage? Well, even if she couldn't she had no choice. Even now, she couldn't tear her eyes from him. But, for both of their sake, she knew that there was no point in ever saying anything to him.
Valentina slowly moved her gaze away from him toward the priest. The wedding was far from over, and she could feel that something new was beginning. She had yet to decide whether it was a good thing or bad...
It wasn't until Leif removed her veil at the command of 'Now you may kiss the bride', but he faltered. He noticed the look inside her eyes-
the worry.. the fear..
He knew she was terrified of what was to come. And why should't she be? Her husband was an ass. Finding himself making an eternal promise to her, he licked his dry lips before leaning forward and kissing the bride.
She might have felt something different, softer, more passionate, more with feeling as he did so, and when he broke away, his eye met to hers but once before going to the crowd.
Once they were presented, everyone stood up in their honor, and as he took Valentina and guided her by the arm, the pride in his chest helped evade the fear, but fear still crawled underneath him like a night cap- still there, still warm, still buzzing with a warning...
For the gun man was still around. Had the groom forgotten? And yes- for the moment- he had. He didn't think anyone would dare touch him on his wedding day (least of all, not inside the church..), and before they made it to the end of the door, he turned towards Valentina nad whispered, "You're beautiful."
And then the doors of the church flung open and Leif haulted in his tracks. He didn't even have time to be properly stunned when the bullet hit him-
But the gunman hit his mark- and a second later, Leif was on the ground, blood staining his wedding shirt.
It was a moment of distraction, seemingly a moment of something like happiness, pride and beauty. Why did she even thing it would last? Pretty things never do. At least not for people like they were. Perhaps it was the loudness coming from the guests around them, perhaps it was her own thoughts and heartbeat she was occupied with, but she should have noticed that something was wrong.
She didn't. Not until it was too late.
Before the bullet, there was a cry. A woman yelled and then fainted from fear. Then the terrifying sound that cut through the noise around them. Before she could even try and follow what has happened, Leif was on the ground, blood quickly spreading around the wound and all over his shirt. And then a complete silence for a second before the chaos.
Guests were now scattered around, yelling and running, hiding behind the tables. Someone yelled for doctors and someone called the enforcement. But, it was too late to catch the criminal. He was long gone by now, disappeared. And Valentina? All she knew was that she shouldn't stand there and gawk like an idiot when he needed help. She was the one who should be helping him.
Without much thought she fell down to her knees beside him and tried to determine what to do, before the doctors arrived. She needed to keep him awake, she couldn't let him close his eyes.
"Leif, look at me." she said, her voice shaky, her tears barely kept away "You need to keep your eyes open until the doctors arrive."
Leif hadn't known when he hit the floor, he as just there- and the drone of screams around him sounded so far away.. so muffled. Even Valentina standing before him, beautiful and white, looked like a dream. He peered up into her eyes, wondering, curiously what was going on. Was that fear in her voice? Concern? And then he felt the pain as he turned his green eyes from her, down to the red blood circle on his shirt from his wound.
And the first things that came out of his lips were not what he meant, but he said it anyways as he warned her, "Be.. becareful, Valentina..."
and his chest heaved heavily in pained breaths.
"Your.. your dress. I... we.... you don't want to get any blood on it."
It was painful for her to see him at this state, vulnerable and in pain. She tried to keep her tears in, for his sake as much as hers. With a small reassuring smile she looked at him. How could he do that? Nobody ever thought about the damn dress except him.
"I don't care about the dress." she said "You'll buy me new ones. Remember how much fun we've had the last time we went shopping for dresses." Valentina smiled, trying to keep her mind of the current situation at hand. Jokes were always good, right?
She glanced over to the wound and closed her eyes in order to keep the tears away. Where were those damn doctors when you needed them? The chaos was still on around them, but she didn't seem to notice much except him.
At her joke, Leif actually... smiled.
"You know, I didn't think I'd actually smile on my wedding day." ANd he choked a bit on his words and winced, sitting up, ever so slightly, though it made him dizzy.
Valentina grabbed him by the shoulders, helping him straighten up.
"Don't move so much, you'll make it worse." she said "Besides, you won't smile much more if you die." Valentina was more serious now, looking at him with a stern and worried look on her face. She had to keep convincing herself in her head that everything was going to be fine, and that no one wll be dying today, or ever if she was the one to ask.
Leif smiled at her.
"An arrow didn't kill me before," he murmured, looking up into her face. "What makes you think a bullet can?"
He adjusted himself as he sat, wincing at the pain as he looked down at his shoulder.
"Besides, he hit my shoulder.. I..." he grunted, hoping to sound convincing. "I should heal." And he closed his eyes a moment in pain before he smirked a little and added, "So I guess you really will be stuck with me after all."
It was only then did his father reach their side, staring over him with a deep frown rather than worry, and his wife, having passed out elsewhere. A trio of men then came along and carried Leif away, into a carriage and instructed the man to take him to the doctor's- for the moment, leaving Valentina behind at the church, where the guests were all murmuring quickly with gossip about the event.
Yeah, she was stuck with him, and she wasn't sure whether that scared her or made her feel excited. Perhaps it was both. An unusual mixture of feelings she couldn't quite decide. Above all that, she could feel her own relief. He was going to be alright and that was the only thing that mattered at this moment. Other problems and issues, she'll solve them as they come. But his life, she wasn't even aware how much that meant to her.
Looking down at her dress as they took him away, Valentina decided that the time was up. No more pretty bride acting. It was now time to face real life and it's consequences. The white material was stained with blood splatters all over, so she decided to change clothes and then go see Leif.
He had been forced to drink something that made him pass out, but he was sleeping it off in the doctor's home. With a bandage over the wound where the bullet had been taken out, he appeared almost serene as he lay upon the doctor's fainting chair, his eyes closed, dark hair curling lightly over the tops o fhis eyes, and his bare chest rising and falling as he breathed.
Valentina made the arrangements as soon as she could to leave and see Leif. She changed her dress and informed his parents. His mother, who was still in quite a shock wanted to come too, but Valentina somehow managed to persuade her to stay there and send the guests on their way. She prmised she'll take care of Leif.
As soon as she came, she thanked the doctor who informed her that Leif will be fine. She entered the room he was in and just sat on the chair next to the bed. She didn't speak or do anything she just waited, relieved.
After a time, Leif's eyes finally opened and he stared up at the ceiling of the darkened room. It was evening now, the sun only barely beginning to set, but not many candles were lit in this room so that the duke's son could rest properly. He had a long day, after all, and when he moved to rise from the chair, he was surprised to see it was his new bride was the only one there. She, in a plainer dress and he- in nothing but his wedding pants.
She was tired, and as the sun slowly started to disappear from the sky, her eyes began to close. It was a long day for her, but she had no intention on leaving him there completely alone. She just couldn't do that, so he stayed there in that chair, half asleep waiting for him to awaken. Before she could catch herself she slowly started drifting to sleep without even noticing it...
It was only as his eyes adjusted did he realize her eyes were closed. Perking up, he called over to her softly, "Valentina?"
She felt nice in the darkness of her dreams, but then she heard a voice that slowly made her open her eyes. She adjusted in her chair and blinked a few times before realizing where she was and how she got there.
"Leif?" she rubbed her eyes "Are you okay?"
His eyes softened to see her awake. He even smiled, just a little and said, "Yes. As alright as I can be after being shot." And now he sat up more fully with a grunt of pain and leaned his back agaisnt the wing of the fainting lounge and closed his eye a moment, massaging his aching shoulder before glancing over towards her.
"I see you're already done with your wedding dress." And he paused to add, "Sorry for the blood."
"Don't be silly." she smiled lightly "It's just a dress... Besides, it's not like I'm going to wear it again."
She wasn't really thinking about her wedding dress at a time like this, the only thing on her mind was his wound. That made her quietly wonder what makes people shoot at him so much. First the arrows and now this... It was quite obvious he had some serious enemies.
Leif smiled, just a little, at her comment as he looked up at her face.
"Though I guess I should be apologizing for ruining our wedding day." He gave her a more serious half smile at that, but noting the way she looked at him, it began to fade.
"Look.. I... some people don't like the way I talk. The man who... shot at me. He tried to get me before the wedding. It's why I was late."
It was hardly a surprise that people didn't like the way he talked. She even didn't like how he talked sometimes, but that didn't mean she tried to kill him. Was it more serious than that? Right now, she knew she would feel guilty if she pushed him to answer all of her questions so she just nodded.
"I think you should apologize to your mother for the wedding." she said "Are you still in danger? Will they continue to hunt after you?" Valentina then asked, more concern n her voice.
"I... I can not say. But I did get a good look at the man's face. If he knows I'm alive, hopefully he'll back off. But he'll be wanted now.." and his eyes drifted off at the thought. "But don't you worry about me. This is only the consequences I deserve. I... am not entirely proud of who I can become at times.." and he frowned, not knowing if he even wanted to tell her more than that. Perhaps it was the drugs in him, perhaps it was becuase he was beginning to trust her- that, he could not say.
"I understand." she told him and few more seconds she was lost in her thoughts. "I should probably leave you rest. You are wounded and you certainly need sleep more then to listen to me talking." Valentina smiled slightly.
She wanted him to trust her enough and tell her everything, but she knew that was not going to happen. Well, at least not today, but perhaps one day. Then she remembered her own secret and wondered what should she do about that..
Leif sighed, almost groaning at her suggestion, but the drugs he had drank were making his head swim. He rubbed a hand over his head and nodded.
"Yes.. perhaps you are right.." but he foun dhimself taking her hand and running his finger across her wedding band. "Just... take care of yourself, alright?" And he paused to consider, before adding, "Be careful. Do not walk anywhere alone." And his eyes met to hers. "These are trying times and men can become very desperate from the war."
"I know, so don't worry. I'll be careful." she told him, surprised by his gesture "I'll come and see you tomorrow morning." Valentina smiled and got up from the chair. She brushed the hair from his forehead and frowned a bit "You still have a low fever, I'll see the doctor about that." Valentina reached the door and then turned her head towards him with a gentle smile "Good night."
Leif Arrant was itching to get out of there. Despite his wounds, he only let them keep him for half the day before he fought his way out of the doctor's place come nightfall. Commanding his servants to make haste in packing up the carriages for their arrival in the Arrant Keep, the smaller, castle home he and his new bride, he stood at the door way now and over saw that it was all going well...
Despite being married, which he assumed would gain him a new ball and chain, he was finding, much to his surprise, that it was offering him a new sort of freedom- after all, the three personal body guards his family hired out to over see he would not 'run away' from obligations as he used to before, would find that this was their last paying gig, for his parents had no more need for Chace, Hartand and Alistok to baby sit their unruly and unwed child.
He would... almost miss them. And almost did not mind that they were to be escorting he and Valentina all the way across Castavar to the border, which is where Arrant Keep now lay. It was in a valley where the Ora river ran widely, near the border beside Orchy and Wulfbauer. And as the final bags were packed, Leif gave the guards a bit of a subtle, victorious grin before slipping into the carriage beside his wife.
"I never thought I'd be so happy to be married," he said, not able to erase the smile on his lip as he leaned back in his carriage bench, a curled hand resting beside his lips as he stared towardst he window to watch the three guards on their horses circle around once before the coachmen gave the reins a snap, and the carriage lurched forward.
And the pair were on their way towards a new life...
Between worrying for Leif and packing up her things, Valentina had little time to rest. Although her new mother in law coordinated most of the things, the pressure was still hard on her. In the end, everything turned out fine, with just a few smaller complication, and that was a miracle to be praised on it's own.
Her father was in more of a cheerful mood than usual, and she couldn't say that she was sorry to leave that wrecked place and him behind her. Most of the things she brought with herself from her old home were books. She knew it was perhaps not so smart to bring half of the library with herself but she just had trouble making up her mind on which ones to bring with herself. So, she brought all of them.
While the last preparations were made she stepped into the carriage, opened one of the letters she got from some distant relative and started reading with obvious boredom. Well, at least she'll have something to do. Answering to hundred letters full of congratulations and best wishes surely was going to take some time.
Raising her head from the letter she looked at Leif and his happy expression.
"Glad to see you're having fun." she smiled.
Leif turned to her, his smile still there as he finally took note of her paper work.
"What's that?" he inquired, leaning forward in his seat. This was definitely a different side to Leif- he felt nearly as giddy when he was a child, knowing he got away with trouble! And his smile, still kept itself upon his face.
"A congratulation letter." she said "Turns out I have a whole bunch of newly discovered cousins I didn't know about. Lucky me." Valentina smiled, noticing his enthusiasm and his smile. She was glad that he was in a better mood. Also, she was actually too excited about everything that was happening that she barely read a few words in it... She was just staring at the paper half of the time.
Leif smiled and stretched out within his side of the carriage.
"Marriage will do that. After all.." he said, resting his boots up on he side of the bench with a grin, "You're now attached to the heir of Castavar. Expect a lot of schmoozing." And he took this moment to light up a cigar.
"Lucky me." she said sarcastically "Everything is great as long as I don't have to do the schmoozing, that I am terrible at." Valentina smiled. Well, since her father did marry her off for the title and money, it was something to be expected...
"Then perhaps we are a good match," he found himself stating, his eyes still on hers and it was only as he looked at her more continuedly did he realize what he said. Blushing slightly, he looked down.
"That is to say, at least there is something there we two have in common.."
Valentina continued just dazing off in silence, and then finally nodded with a small smile.
"Of course. It would be a mess if we didn't have anything in common." she said clumsily before raising her letter in front of her face, trying to concentrate on reading. Unsuccessfully.
Leif, not being a fool, took note of her trying to obviously hide her face.
And it made him smile, it made him feel good, and he leaned back happily within his bench, nursing away at his fat cigar and staring up at the sky. Night would be upon them soon- and this journey a long one. But at least they'd be in amicable company for once.
"If you wish to rest, feel free.." he stated, and nestled back more comfortably in his chair. "Don't feel obligated to read those letters."And he blew a ring of smoke towards the ceiling of their carriage. "There'll be more by the time we get to Arrant Keep, I assure you." And he tossed a rare smirk her way.
Glancing at him over the edge of the letter, Valentina realized she must've looked like a fool to him. Reading one letter for that long time. Plus, he was quite right, and she will have the time to do all that reading and writing letters nonsense when they come to their new house. It was still strange for her to think of it as her new home, but she was sure that she will get used to it eventually.
"I have other plans when we get to the Keep..." she said proudly, putting the letter into her purse "Besides, I'm not really tired." and that was a lie, since Valentina had trouble sleeping for the last couple of weeks. But, as she decided, there will be time to rest after she does some exploring through the Keep and it's grounds.
"Other plans?" Leif raised a curious brow at her and smirked, now curious what she might be thinking of. After all, what could she possibly be planning?
"I intend to look around the Keep, but before that I will probably be busy with coordinating the servants with my bags and stuff." she looked pensive for a second "And, I should also see if there is a map of the grounds in the library." not because she would get lost, of course, just so she knows where is what. "What about you?" she finally asked.
"Me?" he blinked when the question came back to him and shrugged before blowing smoke towards the ceiling. "I'll probably get myself settled in. Not that I have much to bring with me." And as his eyes looked out the window, he noted the forms of his soon to be 'former' guardians, and smirked. "Though what I will say is I'll be glad not to have those three following me around anymore." ANd he gave a bit of a sheepish look Valentina's way. "I suppose that's another thing I have you to thank."
She smiled slightly.
"You have nothing to thank me for. Besides, I didn't like those three although I met them just a few times." she made an expression remembering how they first met and his guardians. They were jerks, one of them even gave her a bruise. Yes, the circumstances of their first encounter were quite unusual.
Leif, too, recalled that first meeting and grew quiet.. staring away from her as he looked out the window.
"I guess I should apologize for that. I.. have never been very nice to you." And he looked over at her, not saying another word, but his eyes speaking volumes where his tongue could not.
She grew quiet for a few seconds and then nodded slightly.
"It's okay. Besides, I wasn't the most pleasant person in the world either." Valentina said. She did actually kissed him, on purpose, just so she can embarrass him. Not the greatest moment for her to remember that brilliant idea of hers...
Smirking, Leif looked out the window, recalling the same memory as she, but not saying it- ubt just keeping those pleasant thoughts to himself.
"Well, you're still a hundred times nicer than your... husband." he looked down at where his clothing bulged from the wrappings over his wound, that lay tucked away beneath his outfit.
"Gods.." he itched at it. "Don't ever get shot by a gun, Valentina. The wounds really itch."
"I don't intend to. Besides, I usually make friends not mortal enemies out of people." she told him and looked over at where his wound was with concern "Is there anything I can do?" Valentina asked.
At her words, he gave her a crooked, small smile before glancing down to his shoulder, then back to her.
"No. But thank you."
Staring out at the window, he smiled and watched as the world went by. Perhaps thing would be a lot different for him when they got to Arrant Keep? They would just have to get there to find out.
Little did he know, this was just the beginning of their journey together, and a journey for him as he struggled with his emotions, and ignoring the feelings of falling in love.
OOC: This thread continues here (http://www.spiritsoftheearth.net/smf/index.php?topic=15632.0).