Part of the "Ring-plot". Ferron is MIA and Elyssa is trying to find a way to get her daughter back into her life.
This was so much fun to do, thanks everybody!!! It was a pure joy to rp with you!
Like a Moth to its Flame, Part IV
Serpents Head Inn, the next day.
“But I thirst for more than just the parchment of the Temple of set, I want to - explore more so to speak.”
“Oh... What is that if I may ask?” Elyssa smiled at the man in front of her. He had introduced himself as Rekar and offered her to share some wine at his table.
“Ah, Understanding maybe or even power perhaps? No my dear lady, simple curiosity will suffice.”
“Simple curiosity?” She smiled an encouraging smile.
“Indeed. So, why did you leave the Menfyt?”
“My clan called me home...” For a short moment she remembered the day when Calidius had handed her the parchment telling her to hurry home, and the horrible news that awaited her there. She shrugged to get rid of the emptiness spreading through her, shutting it out so it would not take hold. She faked a smile and returned her attention to Rekar.
“Your clan?” Rekar looked confused for a second. “I see.”
A blond man, tanned from spending countless hours outside under the sun walked passed their table and leaned himself on one of the pillars, sipping his wine and watching over where the courtesans stood. Elyssa recognised him immediately.
“But you could say one never really leaves the Menfyt...” She glanced at Aleterus. Her words had a double meaning; something that did not passed Rekar unnoticed.
“No one really leave such servitude I guess.” Rekar filled in.
“Not quite...”
“Ever.” He finished her sentence and then chuckled at his own foolishness.
“What are your experiences with the priesthood then?” Elyssa asked curiously.
“Total servitude.” Rekar scowled just for a moment at some memory. Aleterus whistled to a waitress and handed her a goblet to refill. Rekar turned towards the noise and a grin spread over his face. ”What? Aleterus! Come here you fool!”
Aleterus blinked twice. “Ehhr?”
“You know him as well as I do?” Rekar turned to Elyssa while she in her turn started to rise.
“You are the last person that will call anyone fool.” Aleterus stack out his tongue and moved closer to them.
Rekar rose as well. “Ah, but what I am not ignoring an old friend am I, Aleterus?”
Elyssa greeted her former brother in arms from the Menfyt with a polite bow.
“Join us maybe?” Rekar looked at Elyssa. “If the lady agrees, of course.”
“Good evening Elyssa, long time to see.” Aleterus bowed slightly.
“Yes indeed, long time.”
“All the better.” Rekar smiled to both of them.
Elyssa gestured slightly to one of the pillows, welcoming Aleterus to their table and she sat down herself when Aleterus did.
“I see you returned to the land of sand and snakes, Elyssa.” Aleterus said with a smile in the corner of his mouth.
“I have been back to Khemi many times... I grew a liking to the country, even though I did not part with the Prophet in the best of terms.” Elyssa ran a hand through her hair and pulled some loose strands behind one of her ears.
“Imoteph is the past... his own arrogance leads him to the end like this.” Aleterus stated plainly and without much emotion.
“I have heard as much...” Elyssa leaned forward to pick up her goblet.
“Now it is money that rules Khemi, not words or oaths.” Aleterus smiled like he said something funny.
Elyssa tilted her head. “Explain?”
Aleterus inclined forward. “The Priesthood is losing its power in Khemi, and rich lords and merchants are acquiring it, without hesitation.”
Rekar shook his head. “Sad, But the Priesthood will regain its powers again ... I'm sure.”
“You have coins - you are as welcome here as sunshine, you don't - well, you are in troubles then.” Aleterus leaned back looking pleased. “Good things that both me and Rekar are not in troubles.” He started to grin at Rekar.
Rekar chuckled “Hardly.”
Elyssa smiled some. “I have heard that there has been a great influence of one single trading corporation?” Elyssa looked at Aleterus for confirmation.
Rekar settled his eyes upon Elyssa. “What trading company are you referring to?”
“All I have heard is that it’s not whole stygian.” She continued.
“I would say - it is national independent now...” Aleterus said.
Their conversation got interrupted by someone who was clearing his throat. Elyssa looked up and spotted Balorac looking down at her from across the table. Well well, look what the cat dragged in….
“Gentlemen. Excuse me for a slight moment......” Elyssa rose up, her eyes fixated at Balorac and the smile on her lips was all warmly and welcoming.
Rekar looked over his shoulder and nodded politely to Balorac. “As you wish milady.”
Balorac nodded back to Rekar and Aleterus. Aleterus raised his hand in a short greeting before he engulfed himself in a conversation with his old friend, exchanging experiences. Elyssa could faintly Rekar ask Aleterus. “So what brought you to Khemi friend? We meet in Aqulionia just few moons ago.” She ignored them, having a bigger fish in front of her. Elyssa smiled, almost beamed, at Balorac while she walked up to him.
Balorac looked at her uncertainly. “Shall we walk for a moment?”
It made Elyssa smile inside. She was close to him now and held out her left hand as to stroke his cheek.....ever smiling.
Balorac looked down at her, a bit flustered and said haltingly. “I... think we should walk a little, you and me.”
Elyssas right hook came up swiftly as she landed a swing at his jaw. “Did you think I was that easy?” Trying to ensnare me with yearning glances. Like that would work!
Balorac felt the fist connect to his face and blinked and staggered backward. “That was a first class punch, my dear.”
Furiously Elyssa followed up with a slight tackle when she was passing him. “Never ever... Take me for easy...” Her tone was chilly, quite a contrast to the warmth she showed him earlier.
Balorac fell backward and hit the floor with a thud. His armour squeaked when he pushed himself up in sitting position. He grinned and looked up at her, his feral eyes gleaming. “I would have been disappointed, if you had been... easy...”
Elyssa left Balorac on the floor, turning her back at him, without even a single glance.
Aleterus looked over where Elyssa and Balorac were and smirked. “He he, that is the explanation of Elyssa's return.”
Aleterus leans closer to Rekar and said in a low voice. “Balorac always had weakness for red-haired northern girls.”
“Fearsome that one.” Rekar chuckled and nudged Aleterus side with his elbow.
“Gentlemen, I bid you a goodnight...Until next time” Elyssa bowed at Aleterus and Rekar with a tense expression.
“Goodnight, Elyssa” Aleterus smiled knowingly at her.
Balorac wiped away the trickle of blood from his bust lip. “I trust I am not welcome at your table then?” He slowly rose to his feet.
Rekar stood up. “Until next time, my dear lady” He bowed slightly at her.
Elyssa smiled at Rekar, a bit forced, but yet polite.
“I wish you farewell.” He smiled back at her.
And then Elyssa turned on her heels and walked out with swaying hips. The last thing she heard was Balorac and Rekar talking friendly to each other. She cared less; he could burn on the stake for what it was worth.
“That was a good left hook. I am actually scared to walk outside now...” Balorac cracked his jaw and rubbed his left chin with his hand.
Rekar motions to the pillow. “After such a swing to the jaw, I guess you need to sit down - come join us.”
She could not get out of the Inn quickly enough! Well on the outside she could relax and she leaned on the wall, trying to still her anger. Breathe, girl... Breathe! She closed her eyes and stayed that for a while letting her anger subside.
Balorac glanced at Elyssas back with a grin in his eyes. “I suppose I owe you an apology for making you think you were easy... of something...”
Elyssa turned the moment she heard his voice and glanced back at him with a crocked brow. She had been too angry to even thinking that he would follow her outside. Damn that man….
“I will however not apologise for liking you, dear Elyssa.”
“You did not get my message....” The look in her eyes was icy. She did not buy for a moment that he was sincere.
“Loud and clear, milady.” Balorac smiled defiantly and moved closer to her.
When he came to close for her comfort she placed a hand on his chest and pushed him away. He braced himself against being pushed back and ended up on a close arms lengths from her. He looked down at her hand on his chest and then into her eyes smiling wolfishly.
“Now that…was a bit disappointing compared to the punch earlier on.”
Elyssa clenched her jaw and tried to slap him with the back of her right hand, from left and upwards in a wide circle. Balorac interceded with a quick move from his right his left hand, pushing her hand outwards. She gave him a cold stare, lifting her chin.
“That was a bit predictable, my dear. You will have to do better than that.”
“I don’t have to do anything.” She met his stare and added mockingly. “For your amusement....” She simply turned her back at him, giving her words a bit more impact, and started to leave down the stairs.
“That is a bloody shame...” Balorac grinned maliciously and followed her forward until he was right behind her. She ignored him and kept walking. After a few steps Balorac stopped and said derisively.
“Tread lightly, lady Elyssa. And try not to fool yourself too much...”
Elyssa stopped in her tracks and whirled around.
“It turns you sour too quickly.” Balorac added lower.
“Sourer?” She took a step closer to him. “What??”
One of the courtesans had come out from the Inn and was standing just above her in the stair. She wore heavy makeup and she looked tired. “.... Could you please not block the steps?”
Balorac glanced at the girl, it looked like she knew her, and back to Elyssa. “Sour. The opposite of sweet.”
Elyssa ignored the girl and walked back up, looking malicious. “Sourer?????”
“Well yes...”
“The only thing sourer here are the pants you have walked to many days in!!!” Elyssa almost spitted out the words.
Balorac chuckled. “Fantastic. You are even as eloquent as her...” He looked at her with amusement in his eyes.
“As her????.. What in earth are you talking about? Have you gone mad?”
Balorac turned his face blank from feelings and stated toneless. “Never mind, lady Elyssa. This is a private joke at your expense I am not willing to share just yet. But don't let me hold you up: have a fine evening...”
Elyssa gave him a long stare and Balorac met her stare with amusement and a hint of desire he could not hide. She turned again to continue down the stairs, leaving him with long strides and swaying hips.
20th October 2010, 14:26