|
Post by Aleron Carle(Retired) on Mar 28, 2006 23:06:03 GMT -5
It was nearly noon by the time I managed to hobble my way into the front gates; how I'd made it so quickly yesterday was completely baffling. In my hands I clutched a stone shaped like a sailfish, a gift, one of the first I'd ever recieved. My chest pulsed with pain and my body was stiff from lying on the cold ground. I didn't even have time to change my clothing.
Once I was on the grounds I made my way to the salle, not knowing what to expect but thinking it wouldn't be nice. My emotions were shutting down- I felt little fear, mostly irritation. Maybe in this case that was for the best, though I would keep my promise and try to feel more.
Inside the salle everything looked neat and clean; then again, I was a few minutes early. Making my way to a bench I sat on the ground, leaning against it and tried to take deep breaths.
|
|
|
Post by Elton Tulare-Durante (D) on Mar 28, 2006 23:17:43 GMT -5
Noon. I walked into the salle looking for Aleron. It took me a moment to see him sitting against the wall, dirty and disheveled and wearing the same clothes from yesterday. He looked as if someone had dragged him through a brush pile.
I strode over to him, not exactly angry, but he had some harsh words coming to him.
"Get up."
|
|
|
Post by Aleron Carle(Retired) on Mar 28, 2006 23:20:51 GMT -5
Oh yes, I should have expected this. This is where the former lover gets pissy, I thought to myself, standing as straight as I could and looking at him impassively. Riva would tell me that he was hurting, that he had wounds I couldn't see. The voice said she was right and I kept my peace, biting my lip.
|
|
|
Post by Elton Tulare-Durante (D) on Mar 28, 2006 23:29:01 GMT -5
I struggled to stay calm, he wasn't the enemy. But it was hard. I took a deep breath.
"What were you thinking, provoking her like that? She was riding the edge already after your little 'tryst', or power struggle. I don't care what it was. She would have killed you."
|
|
|
Post by Aleron Carle(Retired) on Mar 28, 2006 23:31:04 GMT -5
I looked at the ground, trying to soften my angry words. "It's no worse than what she did to me; how was I to know she'd react like that? She came in itching for a fight and I gave her one. If it hadn't been me, it would have been someone else."
|
|
|
Post by Elton Tulare-Durante (D) on Mar 29, 2006 12:44:47 GMT -5
"Fool. Would you give a snow leopard a meal of yourself just because it was hungry? She is a master swordsman, has been training with blade and spear longer than you've been alive. You have been training for less than three weeks. If you want to fight her, don't do it when she's armed." I paced angrily. Debating with myself, he needed some back round information on Jaiden, but there was my sworn oath to consider. Damn!
"There is much you don't know about her. And you need to hear some of it. So sit." I gave him a shove then, my hand pushing on his left shoulder to make him sit on the bench behind him. There was no need for the force, but I was angry. At him, at Jaiden, and at myself.
|
|
|
Post by Aleron Carle(Retired) on Mar 29, 2006 13:04:52 GMT -5
A pithy remark was about to leave my lips when he shoved my shoulder- suddenly, the world erupted in pain and I cried out. For a moment the pain overwhelmed me, the vision before my eyes darkening as I fell...
The pain of hitting the gound woke me, reflexively clutching my hand with the stone to my side. Panting, I tried to stand, ashamed at myself for having let the wounds I'd recieved overwhelm me. Unfortunately my legs were weak and I could only get to kneeling before I had to rest.
|
|
|
Post by Elton Tulare-Durante (D) on Mar 29, 2006 16:07:16 GMT -5
I cursed under my breath as I helped Aleron onto the bench. The boy was white with pain, lines forming on his face as he bit back any sound.
"You didn't find a healer did you?" I sighed and went to the storeroom off the yard. Basic first aid supplies were there and I returned to his side with some heavy bandages and salve.
"Take off your shirt and let me look at you. No protesting, just let me help."
|
|
|
Post by Aleron Carle(Retired) on Mar 29, 2006 16:13:32 GMT -5
Wincing, I slid my shirt off over my head, showing black and blue marks on my chest and back, one redder and puffier and centered over my ribcage. "Sorry, I was..busy...with something else," I said through clenched teeth as he poked and prodded.
|
|
|
Post by Elton Tulare-Durante (D) on Mar 29, 2006 16:19:22 GMT -5
I frowned upon seeing the mass of bruises and scrapes on his skin. Jaiden had really worked him over. The ribs concerned me, but as he had ran out yesterday and wasn't having too much difficulty breathing, they were probably just cracked.
"The bruises will heal faster if you use the salve. I'm going to wrap your ribs, as one or more of them is probably cracked. I hope whoever they were was worth it." I set the bandage against his ribs and started winding it around him, tightly. It would hurt at first, but the pressure would help the ribs heal and eventually feel better.
"What do you know of the Duchesse, beyond the public knowledge. I know you don't care at all, but for your job and continued health I think you should take an interest."
|
|
|
Post by Aleron Carle(Retired) on Mar 29, 2006 16:36:29 GMT -5
Nodding, I took in his words. "Salve; got it. How long will it take these to heal? Will I be able to have the wrap off in a week? And yes, it was worth it." The last thing I said quietly, stifling my groans of pain as I held my arms over my head. Really, I didn't know why I had said anything about it, other than the fact it had felt right to do so.
"All I know of the Duchesse is that she's of Camlach and a warrior. She's never been mentioned much, most assumed she would never show herself in the City."
|
|
|
Post by Elton Tulare-Durante (D) on Mar 29, 2006 21:12:07 GMT -5
I concentrated on the task at hand, trying to think of how to explain to him, but not betray my oath. It would be hard, but he had to understand, even if only a little. Aleron had the gift of rousing Jaiden in unpredictable ways.
"This person, who is so worthy in your eyes, do you care for them?"
|
|
|
Post by Aleron Carle(Retired) on Mar 29, 2006 21:17:24 GMT -5
My eyes widened, my mind screaming this was something to be used against me, but Elton showed no signs of wanting to attack me either verbally or emotionally. Puzzled, I could see her in my mind, feel her on my lips, and I closed my eyes, bringing the stone to my chest. Strangely, the voice spoke, just as she'd said it would. Its answer was clear.
Opening my eyes I met Elton's gaze, my eyes defying him to find fault with it. "Yes," I said in a half-hiss of confusion and surety.
|
|
|
Post by Elton Tulare-Durante (D) on Mar 29, 2006 21:28:42 GMT -5
I finished the wrap and looked into his face. He was all defiance and hesitation. So the boy had feelings after all. Good, maybe then he'd understand.
"Now, can you imagine that person being butchered in front of you? Or watch them being beaten and raped every time you fought back or tried to escape?" I wasn't telling him her story, was just posing a scenario. I wasn't violating my oath. I wasn't betraying my lover, not really...
|
|
|
Post by Aleron Carle(Retired) on Mar 29, 2006 21:37:59 GMT -5
Inner pain welled as the things he described rolled through my mind. Anger, terror, confusion, sorrow- they all mixed, making something like a frenzy of emotions. Instinctively I shut my eyes hard, face immobile as I locked all of it up tight.
Finally able to think I started remembering- Jaiden's comments, her scars. Loosening my fists- I hadn't realized I was clenching them- I looked up at Elton. "I think I see your point," I said quietly.
|
|
|
Post by Elton Tulare-Durante (D) on Mar 29, 2006 21:55:55 GMT -5
I think he did. I doubted he cared, but that wasn't important. I just needed him not to bait her, push her limits. She would snap, and something told me she would not recover a second time.
"Good. I will say no more. Just think next time you push her, for she is capable of anything. Fight her if you want, bed her, hate her or love her, I don't care. But I will protect her at all costs, from you and herself."
|
|
|
Post by Aleron Carle(Retired) on Mar 29, 2006 21:58:26 GMT -5
"We have an understanding," I said, reaching for my shirt to slip it back on. "I have a feeling there's no practice today, is there?"
|
|
|
Post by Elton Tulare-Durante (D) on Mar 29, 2006 22:09:08 GMT -5
I stood and looked down at him.
"No, you'll be out of the yard for at least two weeks if not longer. Rest today, but tomorrow we'll still have lessons, just of a more cerebral nature. Fighting isn't all hacking and slashing. Wear the wrap for at least a week, then as needed until you heal. Try not to strain yourself with this special person of yours." I clapped him his least bruised arm and left the salle. I didn't want to think about him, or about Jaiden and the nightmare she shared with me. I needed to work.
|
|
|
Post by Aleron Carle(Retired) on Mar 29, 2006 22:19:49 GMT -5
I nodded, trying to learn to move with the stiffness of the bandages and holding the salve im my hand with the stone. I needed to find some leather to wrap it with so I wouldn't always be carrying it.
With my pain diminishing I felt my hunger returning. I would take time to eat, change and clean up, but rest would have to come later. I needed to speak to Jaiden, for probably the hardest favor in my whole life; I needed a loan. Groaning at fate I made my way toward the house, wondering how much my pride would have to endure.
|
|
|
Post by Jaiden Liatris-Durante (D) on Mar 29, 2006 23:06:02 GMT -5
I felt better when I woke. Calmer, more myself. I bathed and dressed, fully intending to get some work done.
I stopped outside my study door, hand on the smooth wood. I didn't want to work, didn't want to think. I pushed open the door and went to the book leaden shelves. For the first time I actually skimmed the titles. A few looked promising and took them. The door thumped shut behind me as I left.
The conservatory had been my grandmother's and had long fallen into neglect. Most of the hothouse plants had withered and died, only a few dead stalks and a tenacious vines survived. The fountain was dry but the room let in all of the pale autumn sun and held some warmth. I leaned against the fountain and opened the first book.
|
|
|
Post by Aleron Carle(Retired) on Mar 29, 2006 23:12:56 GMT -5
I was cleaned, dressed and fed; now the hard part. For me, this could be harder than anything I'd prevoiusly endured. Not only was I asking for a form of help, a favor, but I couldn't even hide in the impudent tone I usually used. The stone sailfish was on a leather line I had just rigged; I dropped it into the front of my shirt, the leather feeling strange around my neck.
Closing my eyes I took a deep breath, my mind still trying to work out exactly how this was worth all of the trouble. Somehow the soft inner voice told it to shut up and it had to listen. Composing my face to impassivity I quieted my nervousness and went searching for Jaiden.
Not in the study, I WASN'T going to her room- she was in the old conservatory. Strange. I stood at the door, watching her read, before I worked up the courage to tap on the glass.
|
|
|
Post by Jaiden Liatris-Durante (D) on Mar 29, 2006 23:21:54 GMT -5
A tap on the glass made me look up. Pity, the history I was reading was quite good. My grandfather had an impressive collection.
Aleron. I sighed, closed the book and leaned my head back against the fountain. He was the last person I wanted to see right now but my wants lately seemed not to mater.
I didn't speak, just gestured for him to enter and have a seat on the bench across from me.
|
|
|
Post by Aleron Carle(Retired) on Mar 29, 2006 23:28:36 GMT -5
Entering, I quietly walked to the bench across from her and sat, elbows balanced on my knees and my eyes at the ground, hair loose and hanging in front of my face. I wasn't going to speak first, I was going to hold my tongue and I WAS going to be nice- partly because of what Elton said and for my own skin, and because this favor was important to me. Besides, I had a world of patience- for now. Still, once she opened her mouth it wasn't likely to be a pretty picture to those watching.
|
|
|
Post by Jaiden Liatris-Durante (D) on Mar 29, 2006 23:38:57 GMT -5
He looked miserable and held himself rather stiffly as he sat, silent. The scene in the training yard hung before my eyes with vivid clarity. I sighed and closed my eyes. I didn't have the energy or the will to fight with him right now.
We sat like that for a while, him silent and hangdog, and me, empty and quiet. He wasn't going to speak first and if I wanted my solitude back I'd have to.
"Just say what you need to. It won't get any easier the longer you wait, and I am not in the mood for games." There was no feeling behind my words, just a bone deep weariness. I wanted to finish my book, maybe sleep a little. I was tired of everything.
|
|
|
Post by Aleron Carle(Retired) on Mar 29, 2006 23:45:08 GMT -5
I looked up, my eyes hard, but more the hardness toward the situation than Jaiden personally. I hoped she could tell the difference. Sighing, I swallowed my pride quickly, bitter pill that it was, and said bluntly, "I need a loan."
|
|
|
Post by Jaiden Liatris-Durante (D) on Mar 29, 2006 23:53:44 GMT -5
I blinked, stunned. Whatever it was I had expected him to say, this was not it at all. Something was different about him, I could scent the change on him.
Interesting.
"Why?" he wouldn't get it without a good explanation. And I was a little curious.
|
|
|
Post by Aleron Carle(Retired) on Mar 29, 2006 23:56:05 GMT -5
My eyes narrowed; she was making this difficult on purpose! Biting my tongue to refrain from a smart answer, I replied, calmly as I was able, "I made a promise. I intend to keep it, and I will pay you back."
|
|
|
Post by Jaiden Liatris-Durante (D) on Mar 30, 2006 0:03:47 GMT -5
No smart remarks, no impertinence, and the visible effort he made to stay quiet and calm was stunning. He really wanted something and I doubted it was just the money. Most interesting.
I didn't say anything, just kept my eyes on his, waiting.
|
|
|
Post by Aleron Carle(Retired) on Mar 30, 2006 0:07:41 GMT -5
She was waiting and she was impatient; lies most likely wouldn't work. I couldn't afford to make her angry, that would defeat everything I'd accomplished; after all, she hadn't said no.
Forcing myself to relax I looked up at her, resigned. "What do you want to know?"
|
|
|
Post by Jaiden Liatris-Durante (D) on Mar 30, 2006 10:38:10 GMT -5
"I don't want names, or care. I just want to know what means so much to you that you would deliberatly humble yourself before me. And considering the events of the last few weeks, it must be something very important. I want to know what and why." It was the first hint of vulnerability and emtion I had seen in him. It was gratifying to know that he was as thrown off his center as I was. It might do much to dispel some of the anger and resentment between us.
|
|