Ascending Legends

[Dragongal]

Arryn nodded to the servant and took his hand as she stepped out, before waiting for Dayn. Though she came from a poor village, she knew her manners very well, when needed. The instant she could, she took Dayn's hand in hers, smiling to him. "That was brilliant of you, to turn the upper level into an observatory. " Arryn glanced at some servants and commented to Dayn with a smile, "As long as nobody bows to me, I'll be fine." She tugged on the hem of her light blue shirt, which she wore over black pants. She'd decided to leave her cloak and weapons at the inn, though she didn't like the idea of being without her dagger when she had no mana. If there was for some odd reason a fight, hand-to-hand would have to do. "This place is beautiful, but very, very large... I'll have an excuse for sticking close to you the whole night."

 

[BookWyrm]

Dayn laughed as he led her towards the grand door. "I don't know if I have found all of the nooks and secrets in this place myself." Two servants opened the doors, revealing a large open central room with a stair that led up before splitting off towards two separate wings. From the ceiling hung a traditional antler chandelier, lighting the room with a warm, inviting glow. Inside the grand hall Dayn's mother stood, her gown flowing in dark amethyst and and black overlay with the same purple trim. She smiled as they entered, opening her arms to embrace them both before kissing each on the cheek. "Welcome loves! Ah, Arryn, dear, you look splendid this evening. Girls, come down, they're here!" Lillian and Adalind came barreling down the stairs, managing what little grace they could for you mistresses, before charging head on at the two. Though when they got close enough they bypassed Dayn and went straight for Arryn.





"WAIT!"





Lillian and Adalind stopped a few feet short of Arryn, their eyes large and bewildered. "Arryn has been injured, you can't squeeze her stomach, okay?" The girls turned two pouty faces to Arryn and slowly walked up to gently hug her. "What happened?", the asked in unison.


"Arryn had an encounter with a rather bad man. But the good news is she is okay."


Josephine's brows came together, a worried look on her face. "The stabbing I've heard about?" Dayn nodded, and his mother threw her hands up. Dayn braced himself, knowing all too well what was coming next.


"Mio Dio! Come potrebbe questo povero, giovane e bella donna reale attraverso un tale evento e stare qui e prima del Me Now! Aspettare che io dico a tuo fratello su questo! Io raddoppiare la guardia e OES lo sano di mente per un consiglio per unwaith! Web centinaio OES del calibro di questo parassita sporcizia che versa nella nostra bella città e rovinare tutto web've cercato di raggiungere qui!" His mother continued ranting as she wandered off searching for Japhet, her agitation coming out in a higher pitch as she continued on. Dayn turned and looked at his sisters, who had turned to look at him. "Mum's having one of her fits again isn't she?"


"Ye-P."


"Japhet probably needs to hide. She's scary when she gets like this."


Dayn gave Arryn an apologetic look. "Mother is from the far South, and well, she goes off into a tangent every now and then, usually in the Southern dialect. Don't worry though, once she finds my brother and beats him for a while she'll be back to her cheerful self." Dayn looked down at his sisters. "Where is Da?" "He's in his study. By the way, supper will be ready soon. Don't be late, it's going to be special!" With that the two mischievous girls ran off to pester one of the unfortunate cats that lived in and around the Manor. Dayn shook his head. "Let's go find Da, I'm sure he'll want to talk to you. Don't worry, he is usually less high strung than mum is."

 

[Dragongal]

Arryn was grateful to Dayn for stopping his sisters, but she did smile when they gently hugged her. Something about kids made her protective, and she was pretty sure it was mostly from her time as a raider. She liked kids, they had an uncomplicated view of things, they were naturally sweet and unbiased.


Arryn didn't know quite how to respond to Lady Josephine; the Far Southern dialect was something she'd never encountered. However, she couldn't say she was scared; Arryn had had to deal with far angrier women in her time leading Night's Ascension, and her own mother could be scary in her own, very different, way. She looked at Dayn and said, "I pity your brother, that much is for certain. I'd like to speak to your father. Eventually I'll have to explain to Japhet that the attack wasn't just... random." Arryn let Dayn lead the way to his father's study. On their way, she commented, "Your mother is very nice, but I must say, it's unnerving that she has yet to threaten me. Is that only a Northern custom?"

 

[BookWyrm]

"No, but it skips the middle ground and heads straight to the Far South. Down there it is a little strange though. They appear friendly and hospitable, but when they get you alone they threaten your very life, only to go back to the happy hospitable personalities again. It is usually the men threatening the suitor, and the women threatening the damsels. Just give her some time, it'll happen in a more natural way when she isn't chasing my brother with a mace. Hel, be glad she isn't younger. She tried to impale Kara when she opened the door on us.........well......erhm..." Dayn looked away and blushed, feeling slightly embarrassed about bringing that up in front of Arryn.

 

[Dragongal]

Arryn was laughing so hard that she had to pause to catch her breath, conscious of her stitches. She panted, "Gods, don't make me laugh so hard again, I don't want to get blood on this shirt." Once she caught her breath, she took Dayn's hand again, still smiling. "Don't worry. You get to deal with my mother, since my father's dead. That will be fun for you. To be honest, I think it would have been better for your sake if you had to deal with my da. Us... Northern women are known for our... how would you say... fear-factor."

 

[BookWyrm]

Dayn laughed. "I don't know, watching my Mum chase Kara around the halls of the Manor with Da's hunting spear was rather terrifying for all of us. Poor Kara, any time things started getting intimate after that night she would always look over her shoulder and make sure the door was locked." Dayn led Arryn down a narrow hall(by narrow it was simply large enough for two people to walk abreast, not four) which led to an oak door. Dayn knocked twice before entering after hearing his dad respond. Rasrik looked up from his desk, his face lighting up behind his beard as he saw the two of them walk into the room. "Dayn, Arryn, please come in! Come, sit, I'll get some drinks." Rasrik pulled out three cups made from antler before opening a bottle of a strange amber spirit. "I've been saving this for a special occasion. Aged twenty years in a Northern red oak barrel." Rasrik poured them all three a serving of the whiskey before corking the bottle. After they had a sip Rasrik sat his cup down, pointing to Arryn. "Now, my dear, tell me about yourself? Where are you from?"

 

[Dragongal]

Arryn took a sip of the whiskey, quickly judging it in her mind. This was something to be found in Norim's stock back North, very high quality. When Rasrik asked her where she was from, she looked up, and answered, "I'm from Rorich, M'Lord. A tiny village in one of the Northern mountain valleys." She figured that he'd hate her using his title, but it was just natural to her to do so; and better to err on the side of caution, anyway.

 

[BookWyrm]

Rasrik nodded, Dayn catching the recognition on his father's face. "Please, Da or Ras, my dear. M'Lord was my father. I'm not that old, yet." Rasrik took another sip of his whiskey before continuing. "I know of Rorich. I've traveled through there before, a long time ago with my father. We stopped for the night during a storm." Rasrik nodded as he recalled what few memories he had of that night. "Well, don't be shy, tell me about yourself! If such a fine lass plans to spend time with my son I want to know if she can keep him in line."

 

[Dragongal]

Arryn laughed slightly, feeling very at ease around Rasrik. Odd that he'd been through Rorich. The question quickly arose, though, what should she tell him? What should she avoid mentioning? On one hand, if she brought up Night's Ascension, that would prove to him her prowess with battle and leading, and her healing skills, but on the other hand... well, it was unlikely he had heard about her... she'd only kept her past a secret on the streets, and around people she didn't know, for her safety and the safety of her friends and family. Rasrik was safe to talk to, though... right? It had become much easier for her to think and talk about Night's Ascension since getting close to Dayn. "Well, not much to tell, truth be told. I'm an innate healer and defensive mage, with hand-to-hand and armed fighting skills. I can tell metal type and quality at a glance, um... I'm trained as a non-magical medic as well, and I used to lead a, um... a guild." Arryn glanced at Dayn, then continued, "It was my friends and allies. We... how would you say... interfered with some Black Market activities."

 

[BookWyrm]

A very sly smile came across Rasrik's face. "I knew there was something about you. You can tell it in the way a person walks. They carry themselves with a kind of pride, like they know how to handle themselves. Confidence, yeah that's it, confidence. You hold yourself in good posture, lithe and strong, with confidence that'd make most Nobles cower my dear." Rasrik swirled his cup around before downing the last of his whiskey. Dayn finished off his own as he waited for his Da to continue. "And to know that you've roused some rabble, HA! I like her already Dayn!" Rasrik laughed, a pleasant and slightly contagious laugh that one couldn't help but laugh at. But that was Rasrik. Dayn smiled, laughing at his Da as the old man finally calmed down. "You'll be good for him for sure! I always thought a man needed a woman who could put him in his place if need be."


Dayn looked over at Arryn, taking her hand as he smiled. "She does make sure to keep me straight at times, especially one those rough nights when you just don't feel like yourself. Almost like the moon is messing with you. Well, needless to say she has kept me out of trouble when I could have been in up to my neck." Dayn knew she'd understand him. Rasrik smiled before motioning with his hand. "Oh, don't let me ruin all of your evening. Show the lass around the Manor, I'll see you two around supper time."

 

[Dragongal]

Arryn finished the rest of her whiskey in one gulp, forgetting her manners for a moment before setting down the cup. The last time she'd had whiskey was among dwarves, so it was natural to down it in one go. She'd only had a few sips during their conversation. Arryn glanced at Rasrik and blushed slightly at her own impropriety before taking Dayn's hand as they walked from the room. Arryn smiled up to Dayn and said with a laugh, "I think I like your Da." She stopped him in the hallway and kissed him lightly, before letting them continue to walk. "I'll keep you 'in line' whenever you like, you just have to let me take care of you; we'll figure out those nights you're... not feeling like yourself... together. Don't give me credit for something I so gladly do. I hate seeing you hurt in any way."

 

[BookWyrm]

Dayn wrapped his arms around Arryn's waist as they kissed. "I know you do. I'm yours, Arryn. All of me, the good, the bad, the wolfy, everything I am is yours love. And by that you are free to care for me however you see fit." Dayn slowly traced the tips of his fingers up her back and neck before running his hand through her hair as he pulled her into another kiss.


"Eeeeeewwwww!"


The two voices objecting to Dayn and Arryn's slight show of passion brought Dayn back to reality. He slowly pulled back, smiling as he looked into her eyes. "They have the worst timing." Lillian and Adalind stood, both holding a cat(though Adalind was practically dragging hers), and stood with the faces all buggered up in protest at the romantic scene they stumbled upon. "You two are gross!"


"Oh, but Lilly, Arryn is such a sweet and caring young woman. And when a man deeply loves his woman, he expresses his love for her in certain ways. Like, this for example." Dayn locked lips with Arryn again, this time more passionately. The girls yelled before running away with the poor cats they had subjected to their servitude for the evening. When the girls left Dayn gave Arryn one last kiss before hugging her as he laughed. "Oh, I'm sorry love, I couldn't help it!"

 

[Dragongal]

Arryn was laughing as well. "Oh, I don't blame you. I used to cut my hand on purpose when kids came and asked for practice with my stuff back in Rorich, then they'd watch from a far, far distance. We're lucky it wasn't your mother, though." Arryn gave Dayn one final quick kiss, then took his hand again. "So, apparently you are supposed to show me around?"

 

[BookWyrm]

"Supposedly, but I wouldn't complain if we happened to get lost and expressed our love again." Dayn smiled as he took Arryn's hand and led her towards a room he knew she would love. They wandered off towards the South wing and down a flight of stairs before coming to a door. Dayn opened the door slowly, letting their eyes adjust to the dim light of the room. "My family has collected scrolls and books for years, and all of them are stored and cared for here."

 

[Dragongal]

Arryn smiled widely, walking into the dim room. It was so quiet that her footsteps echoed off the wooden floors.She looked at a book laying open on a small table, gently running her fingers over the page. "These are very fine works.... They must have cost a small fortune in themselves." She walked over to a board and looked at a large map on the wall. She took Dayn's hand, then pointed at the map with her free hand and explained, "We're here, Ironcrest is here. Here are the magicked roads we'll be taking. Then up here, in this little dip in the mountains, is the magicked road to Rorich." Not that that mattered anyway.

 

[BookWyrm]

Dayn smiled as Arryn took him to the map, pointing out areas of importance and the magicked roads. "One of these days we're going to need to get a cartographer to make a map of these secret roads, if nothing more than just for our own use." Dayn pulled on Arryn's hand gently. "I want to show you something." Dayn led Arryn over to a section of the library where the shelves were loaded with old books. Dayn looked around before finally pulling one dusty tome off a shelf before laying it on the table. He opened it up, turned a few pages, before pushing it over for Arryn. "My great grandfather funded the expedition that produced this book. It is one of the few copies that exist of the Natural History of Griffins."

 

[Dragongal]

Arryn looked over the book carefully, turning the pages gingerly to look at the images. She'd have loved to stop right then and read it all, but they didn't have time. Two hours wasn't near enough time to thoroughly read such a book. There were records of nests, locations, diet, anything and everything. Arryn looked up at Dayn with a smile. "It's amazing." For some reason, Arryn wanted to read through and see if there was any record of anytone every riding a griffin, but that was ridiculous, of course.

 

[BookWyrm]

Dayn smiled as an idea occurred to him. Yes, that'll be perfect. "Take your time if you want. I'm in no rush to be honest. There are so many good places to relax and read here." Dayn looked around before finding a nice cushioned nook near the hearth. After stoking the fire Dayn motioned for Arryn to bring the book over. "Besides, everyone else is going to be dawdling somewhere else away from here. You won't find a better place to relax and unwind, but if you want we can continue the tour. I just figured you'd might like to stay for a bit."

 

[Dragongal]

Arryn nodded with a smile and gingerly picked up the book and moved to the nook, taking Dayn's hand and pulling him down next to her. She leaned against him and started looking through the book. She flipped through pages of anatomy after looking at the pictures, and went to history. "This is interesting. It says here there used to be a family - a line of people - who could ride the griffins, into battle even. Crazy. I've never even gotten closer than a good number of yards from a griffin. They're huge."

 

[BookWyrm]

Dayn leaned in to look over Arryn's shoulder. "I've heard of people riding dragons, though it was a very select few, but never griffins." Dayn gently rubbed Arryn's neck as he read over the pages with her. "I wonder what that would be like? I mean to ride a griffin or a dragon. I bet it would be incredible to fly."

 

[Dragongal]

Arryn leaned in to Dayn's warm hand, smiling slightly. "Probably. But a dragon spitting flame while you ride it would be terrifying." Arryn paused, thinking. "I wonder how you'd direct a griffin. From what I read in this book, they seem to be smart enough for communication, so... I guess that's how." Arryn flipped through the book a while longer, before eventually getting up and putting it back where Dayn had found it. "I don't want to be late to dinner, and it's been at least an hour and a half, likely more."

 

[BookWyrm]

Dayn sprawled out and flopped back, laying on the cushion as Arryn returned the book to it's spot on the shelf. "Nope. Not gonna get up. And there's nothing you can do to make me." Dayn closed his eyes, trying to hold back the smile that was trying it's hardest to form. He was in a rather playful mood, and picking on Arryn seemed more interesting at the moment than going to the dinner.

 

[Dragongal]

Arryn looked at him and smiled, then knelt next to him and leaned in close, kissing him slowly while lightly running her fingers down his neck. She sat up and quietly said, "Beloved, will you please escort me to dinner?"

 

[BookWyrm]

Dayn reached out and caressed Arryn's cheek as they kissed. Irresistible charm, well played love. "Yes, of course I will love." Dayn smiled up at Arryn, still rubbing her cheek with his thumb before standing up and holding out his arm. "Right this way beloved."





The dining room was immaculate, though in a very informal fashion. It bore a combination of the Northern ruggedness with the refined Southern taste. The table, which was circular, and chairs were carved from the hard woods of the North, with knot work and animals carved into the body and legs of the furniture. The room was made from the local river rock along the lower wall with the upper walls being wood, giving it a lodge feeling more than a manor. The hearth was burning, bringing a warmth and comforting smell to the whole room and somewhat further up the halls. There were tapestries depicting ballads and legends from the North and South and a great chandelier hanging providing a dim light to set a very intimate mood.


Dayn and Arryn peered into the dining room, finding it filled with familiar faces; Rasrik and Josephine, Japhet and his wife Christiana, Geoff, Hamish and his wife, and of course Lillian and Adalind minus their cats. Though the room was filled with friends and family Dayn knew that he would have been just as content with being alone with Arryn in a small booth eating a simple meal. His hand slowly wrapped around to Arryn's back as he lightly traced his fingers over her skin. Then slowly he slid the tips of his fingers down her spine to the small of her back as they stepped down into the room to be greeted by several gasps and smiles as the occupants all turned and saw them coming down the steps into the dining room. "Ach, Dayn, you two don't clean up to bad.", Hamish teased in his usual way, with a smile and the raise of a mug of ale. "I'd say thanks but I know you weren't referring to me, so I must inform you Hamish, Arryn is mine, and I do believe your wife is more than capable of keeping you in place." The room erupted in laughter, especially when Hamish's wife turned to him with a sour look and a raised hand. "He's right ye know. All it takes is one pop up yer head and ye be cryin' like a wee lass." Hamish's wife had a thick accent for sure, but at least she was well spoken.

 

[Dragongal]

Arryn smiled, blushing slightly. She glanced to Dayn, then back to the assembled around the table While she could have said a witty remark to Dayn, she refrained, as this was an assembly of his family and friends. Dayn and Arryn were seated with Arryn next to Josephine and Dayn next to Hamish. Arryn let Dayn pulll out her seat before sitting down.