Lyra Fereth

[*Pashan01]

She received a second kiss the next day and it was quite different from the first, completely unexpected and threw her all the more. She met it not with hesitation or uncertainty but with anger. And though she thumped on his chest, releasing some of that emotion upon him as he lay to the icey floor, she still attempted to guard them from giant approach, kept tight hold of his hand and brought him back through the worst of the ordeal, shoving him occasionally to ensure he didn't stick to the ice as he lay recovering. She would not let him die. She...needed him.

But that brief kiss had broken spell of the other. Its softness, his unexpected softness as he lay wounded, its simplicity and her reaction to it, to him had her mind back in focus.

It had been hard to ask him to help her. But he had many of the skills and experience she needed....and she refused to dwell more of why she persisted, when he so regularly showed her an impassive face to her eager question to join her in hunt, or showed her his dark scowl or a snarl back.

There had been a few elves in the market place as Honey-voice sought her a gift from the merchants and she had wished to remain in their company though there had been tension when Green-eyes arrived and began with his usual familiarity. She had not liked it before, she liked it less in the other elves' company. She would have to 'speak' and deal with him privately soon to get him to stop. When he finally left, the two other male elves remaining mocked him quietly in elvish. An attempt to request Black-scars to join her on a hunt was met with impassive look. But she was unable to fully join in their conversation and for the first time, felt a level of frustration of her inadequacy. It had been a long, long while since she had spoken in that tongue and hearing them together, she found she missed it. She pushed away from the crate and with curt nod, left the others in their conversation and headed towards a hunting ground.

From the shadows of the crates she heard his voice then saw him step out to stand some feet away, his hands fondling the pommels of his blades.

'A dangerous venture....You haven't the strength to take the giants alone. And salamanders are far below your talent. You either risk death, or boredom... or worse.. both.'

She wrinkled her nose, hissing softly for he spoke the truth and they both knew it.

'Perhaps seeking to become one of the tales the bard spins in the bazaar?' he had chuckled wryly.

She wondered how much he knew of the bard, or perhaps was just a general reference, but she taunted him anyway 'At least he hunts with me' and it found its mark, making him bite out question of how often he had hunted with her, saved her, questioned how many times had the bard done the same. 'Hunt with me...more...Ly-ra need your skill' she mouthed to him as she closed the gap between them.

She saw his eyes flicker anger and resentment, his upper lip curling into a slight snarl, his face appearing very feral as she watched his anger came to the surface before he turned it again to an impassive stare. She took good note of it all, likely misinterpreting the reasons for it but she pushed again anyway, this time her eyes softened a little, yet her head still tilted up proudly and she mouthed that single word Please?'..that had not been easy for her.

They had not lasted long in the cave of giants...his anger, her distraction. She had managed to fall back to the shadows wounded herself after watching him falll to one huge giant blow. Her own anger and guilt kept in check, she made great effort to revive and drag him from that cave, barely managing to get him out from the worst.

She allowed her hand to remain in his as they finally made their way down the mountain, but she parted with him without more word to head back to the Hive, touching finger tip to her lips as she padded quietly, alone along the cobbled streets. She had some thinking to do.

[*Pashan01]

Back in her room, by candlelight, Lyra put quill to sketchpad and her hand floated over the paper, deftly drawing three symbols side by side. Her brow was set in frown, the penmarkings harsh to the pages.

When she had completed the three-symboled sketch she sat staring at it a while......and began then to write a note.

[*Pashan01]

She gave wide berth to the two males whom she had depicted in her emotional sketchwork of the night before when she saw them talking together in the bazaar the next day. She grimaced inwardly at seeing them together but managed to catch Honey-voice a little while later down one of the side streets. After returning his friendly greeting with a short nod, she opened her palm, offering him to take the two items that she held; a little piece of silver, that sweet gift of an archer's ring for which he had gone to so much effort to obtain while she had been enjoying the elven company, and a note. He took her note and read its contents in silence, noting her pursed lips and her straightened back. 'He has no idea...' She thought, watching him.

She had kept it short, neat, precise, clear. But there was much to be read between the lines....but it was better this way. Let the spell fade.

You deserve better. Let 'me' be the judge of that. My focus must take precedence just now. I wish you well. It was not meant to be.

It was strange but he still wished to remain friends, though she listened and noted that his tone of voice was more neutral than had been before, it was to be expected. She told him a truth 'Ly-ra still like your song' and that made him smile and with careful handshake, a grin and a spit to hers they parted amicably enough, though she had caught a little of the confusion, question and sadness in his eyes, she thanked him silently in her head for not pressing her again.

[*Pashan01]

He was studying the books, so she peered over to look. Giants and dragons. She'd seen many of the images before in others when she had chance to get to the library other than to sell the books she found, but had not studied much of the words. She made a note of his interest and considered trying to find some time to look up the one of the dragons again, if her mentor had been serious to take her on that job. She needed to figure out what kind of arrow to take.

'Since you lack voice, I would imagine books would give you one...'
she tapped the images her meaning clear that her words came mainly through her drawings and symbols.

Then perhaps draw me something that reminds you of me...'
She had already done so but that image lay to a page shared with two other symbols, ones she did not wish him to see. After a nod and another request from him, she moved to sit at a table, drawing out her sketchpad and began to make the outline of the great feline, in sitting position with his head turned to its right and looking behind, a proud, dark creature. She slowly shaded it in. The quick sketch took only a few minutes, her slender hands swift to their work. The image of Khaz, that reminded her of him, a dark silent presence, was fairly basic but the essence was there for the time spent upon it, a simpler copy of the first she had made.

He stared at her sketch, and reached forward past her to run his fingers slowly and gracefully tracing the outline.
She grinned at the image of that great beast and flicked the pen quickly to add another whisker, an element of cheekiness, just for good measure. That made him grin and return, more of a quote than a statement 'Aey ilma sema ilcena anirill aey nleam...'

He read her lips as she told him in common 'Ly-ra wolf, new. Not so close'
'You may never be close if you do not try.'
With him standing above her so close, her nostrils twitched minutely as she thought this time to inhale his scent, catching the element of leather and a soft smell of moss and wet earth.
She returned carefully 'He belonged dryad. Is wild. Not god-given'
'You will never get to know him if you do not call to him when you can.'
She appeared to be considering his words, then she nodded slowly 'Wolf is runt, weak in planes outside Beastland'
'Perhaps training him in things where he is more able to assist....' but he let the sentence trail off. She felt he was pushing her away from the subject and her again and as he moved away to stare at more books, moving slowly by the shelves she picked up her sketch, pen and pack and made to follow.
'You show Ly-ra'
'Show you what?' he was playing dumb, she was sure of it, ignoring her as his gaze turned back to the shelves. Why would he not help?
And she pushed none to gently with her hand to get him to turn and face her again, for her to continue 'Ways to assist'
That riled him and she saw something of his anger rising, his face darkened again, but she had got his attention.
Assist what? You seem to learn well from everyone, you've even books around...
He assumed alot. 'Everyone' who was everyone? She knew so few, and none of the skills he possessed, only her 'brothers' were in the same kind of league and anything like his calibre and neither had befriended a beast, none that she had seen. Books were nothing compared to the direct teaching of an expert, as if she had time to spend in this room other than to research symbols and images for her tattoos.
He scowled slightly 'I am not a teacher... I learned on my own.' So...there was no 'quick' way.
He continued to ask of her 'What do you want to know?'
'Ly-ra want to learn beast...like "Black-scars" has learned great panther....Bond'

But he told her in a voice that was calm and composed, softer than before, though his eyes still seemed distant that what she wanted to know was not something that could be taught, that the connection was either there, or not. If it was, she had merely to continue to nurture it, like she would a love. Then she had little hope, or at least a long and difficult path. Too long.

'Have you learned things all on your own? If you had, you might have tried what I already suggested.'
She responded to what she felt was the relevant part of his question, the part she was willing to answer ''Wolf is new, no time from work and ...hunting.... to learn'
'There is always time.. if you cared enough.'

That....cut.

She nodded curtly, her eyes shifted away from his and she stepped back lifting her chin and returned to look at him cooly 'Ly-ra leave you to books' as he seemed to prefer them over helping her further, merely shrugging turning back to the shelves as she made her way out of the Hall of Records.

She headed towards the portal for the Beastlands. She still had some time before she had to return to do her chores at the parlour.

[*Pashan01]

'You are a difficult one' his voice close behind her again.

How did he do that? She had to pay attention and be more aware.
She thrust a pointed finger at him, glaring, her meaning quite clear that he was the difficult one.

'I suppose I am. Well... the lesson you must learn is best learned alone.'

She attempted in wild gesture with hands pointing wildly towards the bazaar, the Hive, touching to her belly, her pack, her coin purse, clicking her tongue randomly, chattering, explaining.

He looked at her as if to say something more but stopped and changed tack. 'Hungry?'
Now she was the one to stop in her tirade of hand signal and tongue noise, she looked up to the domed disk of the sky with a roll of the eyes, wondering if she had she ever stopped being hungry.

An offer of a meal, an arm extended and an indication that even he knew how to act among people. She found herself shaking her head in amazement. He was complex this one. She had to remain on her guard for his ever changing tack might topple her into deep water...and if there was ever anything she wanted less, it was to be left floundering in deep water, likely to drown.

She chose instead to slip hand to curl fingers round his, the arm was a little too....that thought trailed off as she padded quietly by his side towards the Inn, hiding her nervous excitement as they found empty booth and he made the order to the barmaid.

'Leg of beef, boar ribs, your best cheese, a pitcher of water, and a pitcher of wine. Daily bread as well.'

She heard others to the booth nearby, muffled voices, one she thought she recognised that had her frowning but when the hot food was soon brought, her senses were focused only on it....steaming meats smelt delicious and fresh, the cheeses carrying a light scent of spice, and the bread was still warm to the touch, recently out of the oven.

She was pratically drooling and didn't know where to start. She wrapped an arm about her skinny waist and tentatively reached for the largest platter of meat, then withdrew and made for the cheeses, withdrawing her hand again, as if half expecting it all to disappear from her grasp if she touched it. He noticed and drawing a small knife, swiftly cut off portions of all and placed them to a plate, pushing it in front of her.

She grinned....and dived in.

Using fork alone to scoop and spike the meets and cheeses, with full mouth she forked more immediately to the implement, concentrating wholly upon the meal, while her companion enjoyed his own large meal more calmly and neatly.

After many hasty mouthfuls she gradually slowed her feeding, realising there was plenty, that it wasn't going to vanish. She began to watch his manners of eating and, somewhat sheepishly, brought hers to a neater display, mimicking his, and then later copying his idle, relaxed style once her belly felt full, though her eyes still danced over the rest of the food that lay to the platters upon the table.

She ensured she slipped some pieces to her pockets, to enjoy later. She caught him watching her do it and saw him do the same, grinning at her 'Never know when you'll be able to get your next meal..'

With a contented sigh she glanced up at him and slowly, clearly, with her blue eyes alot warmer than before she mouthed a simple 'Thank you'

In return, he smiled softly, his green eyes held a twinkle 'I'm glad you enjoyed it.'

[*Pashan01]

It wasn't the best of meetings, it wasn't the best of hunts. But it could have gone alot worse.

Two difficult moments. The first was when Black-scars fondled the pommels of his chivs in Poison-dagger's presence at first meet. This was typical wary behaviour of the elf that Lyra had noted before, but it seemed it was a threat to her mentor. Something else learned that eve. A suggestion of game from her mentor, that of a specific kind of hunt in the sewers had Lyra drawing in breath and clicking tongue rapidly, wondering if they meant to make this a hunt-duel or perhaps put her in the middle as prey. Either way, she was not happy with the suggestion and made that clear to both parties.

Secretly coded signals, a new thing she had learnt had her 'talking' to Poison-dagger to get him to play nice. She had mouthed and signalled clearly to both males the word 'Friend'. It was the easiest word to use that might have both attempting to play nice, her feelings of that word about both were her own. She needed them both; the one gave her the training she needed, the other...dare she say the beginnings of a companionship? and a link to something of her past and nearly long forgotten.

A hand slipped into another , fingers curled round in a now familiar grip, a gentle tug... had one returning again to join in a real hunt and the three set off to meet at the ice plane. The favoured hunting passion of one was met with empty cave. Moving on to the second saw more success but the hunt of the trio was interrupted by another group with loud voices and heavy steps that caused more salamander to break out from their icey burrows and attack wildly. Two slipped to the shadow in time, the third was caught and fell. They left the caves and the throneroom to the noisy adventurers.

And that was the beginning the of next difficult moment for Lyra when a helping hand was rewarded by a mistake.

He knows better! she mouthed, glaring at one then stormed off to catch the other up and with fisted palm made to punch him in the chest, releasing her anger. Her blows were dodged and the male stormed off. The trio made their exit from the ice plane, each in their own thoughts and world, no longer companions side by side. The hunt was over.

Back to an area less dangerous, Lyra's anger gradually dissipated. While the elf regarded them both impassively, Lyra made a small step to explanation and reconciliation Even teacher make mistake she signalled and when her 'brother' looked to his scar she was reminded of their bond and made her own slight nod of acceptance, curling her fingers up to bunched fist again, feeling the tightening pull of skin of her own faded scar. It was back to 'little-girl' again, and, though she hated that term, perhaps it was best, if he could not resist 'shouting' out her name to any and all.

She cast a last lingering look at the elf in the greenleaf, as he watched their interraction, wondering what he thought and felt about any of this, then wondered why she wondered of it at all. She turned to head back to her work in the parlour, vowing to get up early to make a necessary trip to both tailor and enchanter at first light.

[*Pashan01]

Her leather clad toes were dug deep into the sand as she sat upon the beach, regarding the island, the offer of a helping hand to reach it had made her baulk and promptly sit down, burying her feet to anchor herself, in case this elf had any intention of dragging her there. But he didn't. He merely sat down next to her, sharing the sheer beauty of this plane as he talked, she listened, occasionally posing her questions, allowing him to read her lips. To think that she had possessed the key to access this plane all this time in the guise of her flute! Sixty years or more of Cage dwelling and she had never ventured up to the second floor of the Inn.

Elysium...

Although it was sunset, she still found the light bright in comparison to the dull city light of the Cage, the undercity and sewers and as they took in the view she held hand to her eyes shading them. She couldn't decide whether it was brighter here or in the plane of Mercuria, whose landscape her light footsteps had traversed also earlier that day.

She found out a little about the elf who sat beside her as she posed her questions, her mouth forming simple words in common, enjoying listening to the elvish tongue in return and caught his sad expression. Another one, lost from a home plane it seemed though alot more recently than herself, missing it yet adapting, perhaps more easily than herself, she thought, as she heard him tell of a happy eve recently spent, the company of friends and people he knows. She became guarded again when he spoke of a friendship with her and she rose, pulled her feet out of their sandpiles preparing to return to her chores in the parlour, she had dallied long enough. Though kin and cousin, not all shared her beliefs, her focus, her plans...but she smiled and thanked him in her own way for showing her this plane and padded softly across the warm sand towards the portal to the Cage, pulling her flute out in readiness.

[*Pashan01]

The imp approached Lyra and her elven companion in the bazaar, flapping its leathery wings. Lyra saw it, recognised it and lifted a finger asking her companion for a moment which he readily gave. Lyra acknowledged the imp with a subtle nod and moved to a quieter spot away from the market.

The imp joined her and she soon found out the next task required of her by its master, the offer of jink was decent enough but was coupled with offer of enchanting power that interested her the more. The task the imp described would be more complicated than the first but not beyond her skills now.

..the imp clapped its tiny hands together producing a sound and mouthed a few words of reminder "Fourteen days... " after which it started to utter something in its own tongue "Dra jong kromm zyra 'rkaar..." drew some diabolic signs in the air and promptly disappeared from sight...

A human male, controllable and undangerous when subdued...delivered to the place used once before....within fourteen days...not easy...but not impossible. Lyra would check out suitable prey over the next few days.

[*Pashan01]

She asked him her three questions...that of his chivs, that of his interest in the hunt and that of his feelings towards their dark cousins. The first drew that sad expression but a positive response nevertheless. The answer to the second was more promising and she received returned interest in joining her for a hunt sometime. However, the response to the third brought her to guard the expression in her eyes though she retained her grin. Two out of three was was not bad going, she thought, there was scope for influence on the third perhaps.

She introduced him to her sketchbook, showing him the various images within, attempting to create some business.

'You want to draw it on me 'and' get paid?'" He smirked, sitting back in his chair and folding his arms when she had pointed to one sketched symbol and then to his arm.

Fire-cheeks stuck his tongue out at Lyra. 'So that's what it takes to be your friend, eh?' He asked teasingly, the twinkle back in his eyes.

He made a familiar gesture again but she let it pass, his giggles and easy-to-blush pretty face allowed her to think there was little danger from this direction. She simply turned aside a little and moved to gather her things. It was time to head back to the Hive.

[*Pashan01]

Two wolves, one companion and one summoned, both in tune with their master. She observed and after a while took off to find hers, dragged him by the scruff back to the Cage, a baring of teeth showed his reluctance but he came, only to find the man and his 'pack' gone.

*****

Lyra asked Poison-dagger by mixture of signal, silent word with lip movement and hand gesture, what herb, what method she would need to employ to subdue a man, keep him controllable, malliable and alive to fulfill a contract. When she told him this one she had to do alone, he understood and without question, he took her to the laboratory where they quietly set about mixing and distilling mixtures of root of herb, crushing venom sac to add to the mixture and discussing how to apply it.

Master and student in harmony. Few words were needed in this task. Lyra knew where she could find more of this particular herb, her hunting in the swamps of the hells of late had shown her where mandrake could be found. The venom was obtainable from the arrachnids she knew well from the sewers. Applied upon edge of blade or arrow tip, with careful piercing, the poison would bring the subject to a calm, willing state for a few hours. Good. She still had to hunt out suitable prey but there was time yet.

*****

In the meantime, Lyra applied herself to her other tasks. She made the tattoo for Fire-cheeks, despite her aggravation of a previous meeting when she had again wrote out boldly in the sand JUSTICE attempting to bring understanding for wrongs so terrible and reasons so right, only to be faced with a sad look. A friendship was being offered, an easy one. It was ...tempting, he reminded her of one of her cousins she used to play with as child, a brotherly figure...but would she allow him to sway her focus? No.

The tattoo took an hour. A set of large wings to the left chest, three swords, one vertical, its tip pointed downwards, the other two in 'V' shape to each side. Black ink, boldly outlined, simple shading. Fire-cheeks took no drug, bore the piercing of needle pain. Despite his almost feminine, boyish looks, his blushes and giggles, he was tougher than he seemed, she thought, approvingly. But it was not a brother's lips she felt as she placed her lips later to his in tentative kiss. Her note to him had been scribbled, dashed out and re-written, a simple line, her thoughts of 'why' hidden, simply 'Lyra would like to know'. One had been pleasant, the second in anger...perhaps the third would give her what she wanted to know.