Ascending Legends

[Dragongal]

Arryn laughed quietly, saying, "I understand, love. We're still figuring it all out." Arryn leaned back on Dayn, staying quiet for a few moments before quietly saying, "Hey... Dayn? D'you think... that maybe I am cursed? I mean, not like they said, where people die from being near me, but... I don't know...." She remembered the conversation she'd had with her father in her dreams... it didn't seem impossible. Perhaps less of a curse, more of some from of tie?

 

[BookWyrm]

<If anything, it may be something tying you to that event. Something easily overlooked, or knowing you it would have been already taken care of. Not saying that you are easily jipped, but even the most brilliant of us can be stumped by the simplest of things.> Dayn curled in tighter around Arryn, though he tried to make sure she wasn't uncomfortable. His new mass was hard to fathom, even more so than his other wolf form. <It doesn't matter though. I will be here with you until the end. I love you Arryn.....I just...> The tears started again. <What if I get stuck like this?>

 

[Dragongal]

"I'm sure you won't. You've shifted back before, and you thought you might get stuck. It'll be fine, I promise." Arryn looked up and sighed, looking at the garden. She glanced to Dayn, then back to the garden, her heart stopping. A tall, well-built man stood there; he had curly, short-cut red hair, and bright green eyes. He wore a dirty white shirt and brown pants, and had a sword on his hip and a shield on his back - her shield, with the griffin on it, and her sword, with the griffin etched into the pommel - well, images of her equipment, anyway. He smiled to her, and she kept her hand on Dayn, to make sure Dayn didn't react badly. "Da...?" Arryn looked at Dayn, then back to her father. "I-it's a trap, o-or he's not real.... Dayn, is he there...?"


"Arryngale, I promise you, it's not an illusion."


Arryn looked at Dayn, then back to her father, feeling tears start to run down her cheeks. "Do you see him, Dayn?"

 

[BookWyrm]

Dayn reacted swiftly, moving to where he stood over Arryn and snarled as he put his an arm out in front of Arryn. But when Dayn heard the voice he stopped dead in his tracks. That voice.....I've heard it before. Dayn slowly moved forward, making sure to keep Arryn safe, but he needed to be sure of this man who stood before them. His hacks were up, causing an almost spiky looking ridge to stand up around his shoulders and upper back as he snarled. <I'll give you one chance to convince me, and if I'm not convinced I'll tear you to shreds. If you can hear me, who are you?>

 

[Dragongal]

Arryn's father looked at Dayn, with no fear at all. Even were he alive, he would have given Dayn the same look. "I'm Alistair Eleran, Arryngale's father. I see you're keeping to that promise you made me, even on Samhein as it is."


Arryn looked from her father to Dayn, saying, "Deal...?" Arryn looked at her father, then said, clearly despite the tears in her eyes, "Ok, if you're my Da, then how did you die?"


Alistair replied, "I was working an extra shift in the mines when we heard wood cracking. The supports were failing. Instead of running out, I stayed to make sure as many as possible got out. As I shoved Norim past me, he promised to take care of you and your mother."


Arryn stood, walking closer to him, looking him over. After a few seconds, she wrapped her arms around his neck in a tight embrace. She whispered, "I missed you, Da."

 

[BookWyrm]

Dayn slowly sat down, having no real idea what to do at the moment. Arryn was hugging her father, who was dead but somehow here at the moment. But, it was the man who the voice belonged to. Dayn looked from Arryn to Allistair, trying to piece everything together. The resemblance was obvious of course. But why? It all revolved around Samhein no doubt. Dayn looked down at the dirt and pawed at it, creating small streaks through the ground with his claws. Dayn couldn't help but feel slightly awkward. <Of all the times we could have met, it had to be on a night like this.> Dayn snorted before looking up at Allistair. <It is a pleasure to finally meet you though, despite the current circumstance and all.>

 

[Dragongal]

Arryn stepped back, looking at Dayn. She wiped off her eyes, saying, "Sorry. Dayn, um, you've figured out that this is my Da, and um, yeah." Arryn had to pause to wipe off her tears again. The last time she'd seen her father, she'd been six, after all, so some tears were to be expected. Alistair smiled to her, then looked to Dayn. "Having been dead for twelve years, I admit to there being very few things that can surprise me. Arryn mentioned your lycanthropy to me earlier anyway." Arryn looked at him and said, "Those weren't just dreams?" Alistair shook his head. "I've even managed to speak to Dayn, in a... similar manner. But enough of that. I believe it is time I properly spoke with your suitor."





Alistair glanced at Dayn, then said, "I don't need to threaten you. You're a good lad. There's not much I could do anyway. I am dead. Watch out for my wife though, when you meet her; she'll kill you in an instant. Northern ladies are known for their very blunt - and very true - threats. Oh, and... by the way," he added with a smile, "Kara and Lia send their regards."

 

[BookWyrm]

Dayn felt the tears coming, but he didn't fight it. No doubt it was a strange sight to behold though; a werewolf crying and talking with a dead man. He didn't care though. <I miss them, so much .> Dayn lowered his head, gently rubbing his snout against his foreleg before looking back up to Allistair. <Having Arryn in my life has helped, more than I can ever express to her.> Dayn looked over to Arryn, smiling in his wolfish way. <Tell them I love them, and that one day I'll finally be able to see to them properly. They'll know what I mean. And, as for Arryn's mum, I wouldn't worry too much. My own mum chased Kara with a hunting spear. As long as she doesn't have a silver blade I think I can handle her.>

 

[Dragongal]

Alistair nodded, then winced sympathetically and said, "Actually, at the moment, she has my old blade, which is currently Arryn's... which is silver. The shield is silver edged too. And remember, you're not immune to poison, and she is a medicine woman."


Arryn nodded in agreement with her father, then walked over to Dayn, gently wiping the tears off his muzzle. She smiled a bit and said, "I guess I was wrong before. You do get to meet my Da." Arryn paused, then turned to Alistair. "Why did you never appear on any other Samhein?"


Alistair sighed. "You were not near a ley-line as you are now. There are things you should definitely know, Arryngale, I won't lie, however, I cannot tell you yet. Things that will explain a lot of things, but I cannot tell you, not yet... I'm afraid that will likely fall to your mother, I don't believe it will take you all of a year before you're ready. I am sorry."


Arryn nodded slowly, her hand still on Dayn's head. Arryn's muscles tensed at her father's next words. "However, I can give you some insight about your curse."


Arryn looked back up to Alistair, tears running down her face, feeling lost and absolutely defeated all of the sudden. "They were... right?"

 

[BookWyrm]

Dayn looked up at Allistair, moving forward to brush against Arryn. He wanted to be close to her now, especially at her father's last statement. <But...it's not what they made it out to be, right? No one died just because they were around her, that was just happenstance. There has to be something more to this though.> Dayn nuzzled against Arryn, feeling little more than useless at being able to comfort her in his current state.

 

[Dragongal]

Alistair nodded. "Of course. That was just a ridiculous rumor started by scared idiots. Arryn, well, you're not cursed per se... but someone who had a very strong mana sight might be able to recognize a dark spell on you. Now, it doesn't technically have an effect, it is more of a tie - almost like a branding."


Arryn ran her hand through Dayn's fur slowly, gaining some feeling of security from his being there. He'd promised to stay with her no matter what, after all. "Is it the scars?"


"No, though those wounds were made with an enchanted blade, they are like any scar on your skin. There's no magic to them. It is a branding the eye alone cannot see. It is partially why you see things that aren't there, especially on Samhein - your body knows its there, your magic does, you just never did. The curse, besides that nasty side effect, was made to weaken your mental defense against magic - because the banshee's scream couldn't take you down at first."

 

[BookWyrm]

Dayn growled. The thought of someone doing this to Arryn boiled his blood. <It couldn't have been the banshees, could it? I didn't think they were capable of that kind of magic?>

 

[Dragongal]

"Indeed, it was the banshees, however, banshees do not attack people unless they feel their graveyard is threatened. Now, Arryn did not threaten their graveyard in the least. Banshees are not beyond reasoning, and so it leads me to believe that the man who set the trap convinced the banshees that she - and her team - was a threat. Normally, banshees would not have that power, however, it is not impossible that the banshees... in a way, borrowed the power. Magic as dark as that is not generally within their realm - however, within the spirit plane - not the afterlife, mind - power can be lent."


Arryn stayed quiet,t hen looked at Dayn with a small smile. "Well... it's a good thing I have an amulet for that."


"Your amulet will bring you to just a bit below the average person's resistance, which could make you a target. I'd predict that eventually, though, you'll be back to full strength."


Arryn nodded, and said, "Well... we'll figure it out. We always do...."

 

[BookWyrm]

Dayn remained quiet, though he was happy that they could break the spell on Arryn. All of this talk about the spirit plane and afterlife made him curious about what his soul appeared as now that he was a lycanthrope. Actually, he wondered if it did affect his soul. But, that was a later topic to cover. <How can we go about breaking this spell? Will it require entering the spirit plane?>

 

[Dragongal]

"Slow down, lad, I didn't say it could be broken. It's still more of a tie than a spell. Eventually Arryn can grow out of it, per se."


"Well, I've lived with it this long...."


Alistair sighed, then said, "Arryn, why don't you rest? It's late, and you're obviously still recovering, both physically and with your mana. Don't worry, I won't kill your buachaill, and I won't say anything to embarrass you."


"Da... it's been twelve years, I don't think it'd be right for me to nap now...."


"Don't worry, I'll be here when you wake up."


Arryn nodded slightly, nudging Dayn so he'd lay down before laying against his side and putting her head on his shoulder. Once she was asleep, which took barely any time at all, Alistair leaned against a large rock, setting his shield in front of him, the bronze griffin facing them. "Now's the time to ask any questions you have, I may be able to tell you things I couldn't tell her. Before that, though.... You know, she's terrified that she's going to lose you somehow. In fact, she's a bit concerned that you'll ignore her in the afterlife, to be with Kara and Lia instead, and she wouldn't blame you if you did. She told me during one of our conversations she thought was a dream. You're basically her sanity, in some respects. When she gets back to normal, you're going to have to be patient with her... she's got a fighter's spirit, to be sure, and she always had some trouble with restraint. She's got to find a median. Now that my part's done, have you any questions for me?"

 

[BookWyrm]

Dayn looked over to Arryn, his ears laying back as he nuzzled her gently. He had never given much thought to the afterlife once he had met Arryn. Before though, and especially after Kara and Lia had died, he had longed for death. Many of his most daring escapades were attempts to die in battle. He couldn't have ended his own life, he wouldn't put his family through that pain, but an honorable death in battle would still bring glory to the family. <I used to long for death. I felt cheated, tormented by life even. Why did they have to die while I still lived? I tried to die so many times before, but when I met Arryn I found something worth living for.>





Dayn looked over at Allistair, a somber look on his face. <I hadn't thought about the afterlife until now. It would be a lie to say that I don't long to see them again, but Arryn....I love her, with everything I am I love her.> Dayn huffed, thinking back on Kara and what she would have done now. <I loved Kara dearly, but if she was alive I don't think she would have stayed with me now. Arryn though, she's been here for me. In truth she has loved me more dearly than Kara could have. I am hers completely, in this life and the next.>





<I know you two have talked about me before now. Is there anything else I need to know that she hasn't already told me?>

 

[Dragongal]

Alistair sighed, leaning back, with his hands on the top of the shield, thinking. "I assume you know she's scared of fire. You know the bare details about the trap two years ago... You don't need to know about what happened in the woods while she was insane - she probably didn't tell you because it never came up to remind her.... You know she went insane... did she mention that she visited Rorich about a year back?"

 

[BookWyrm]

Dayn nodded. <She told me enough about the whole incident.> Dayn carefully thought over Allistair's question for a second or two. <I know she said she wasn't welcomed back until she could prove her innocence, but I don't recall too many details about a visit.>

 

[Dragongal]

Alistair shrugged. "She visited her mother and friends. She was really just there to check on her mother. But she was in a worse condition mentally than when she left. She'd only gotten over the insanity a few weeks before, and she was still getting flashes -worse than now.She only stayed two days, but some of the villagers didn't take too kindly to her returning. They didn't do anything, except avoid her, of course."

 

[BookWyrm]

Dayn adjusted himself, curling around Arryn protectively as she slept. He wanted her to be comfortable and warm and feel safe. He made a light rumbling in his throat, not exactly a purr, but a contented rumble nonetheless. <What was she like before everything happened to her? There have been brief occasions when she let some of her old self slip out. I must say, I've been captivated by her, especially in those moments. But I want to know more about her, if for no other reason than to maybe help her regain her old self again.>

 

[Dragongal]

Arryn shifted about slightly without waking up. Alistair watched her, then said, "Fiery, hot-headed at times, sassy... an absolute protector, to be certain, to the point of almost being reckless. Absolute mother-bear, as we call it in the North. A brilliant tactician, excellent swordswoman, complete scholar, natural leader. Admittedly, she could be coarse at times, but overall she kept her manners polished. Her temper, she got from her mother, unfortunately... some bars along paths she used to travel will likely still give her trouble if the innkeeper sees her. After everything, before the curse's effects really started hitting her, she'd get tipsy and get into bar-brawls constantly to distract herself - she always had a reason, someone was rude to a maid, what-have-you, but there was the underlying objective for her."

 

[BookWyrm]

<She has mentioned having a reputation in bars.> Dayn chuffed, smiling slightly at the thought. <You've beat around the bush long enough. I know there is more to the incident in the forest. I don't have to know everything, but I want to understand it better for her sake. I know it is personal to her. To be honest I haven't told her about my death attempts before we met, it's just something I'd rather not bring up very often, so I can understand her reluctance about the forest.> Dayn sighed, knowing that this was a touchy subject. <I'm not asking for you to divulge her darkest secret, I just......I have to know.> Dayn looked up at Allistair, locking eyes with him. <Please...>

 

[Dragongal]

Alistair shrugged. "I beat around no bush, I am merely answering your questions as they are presented to me. Well, she went insane early in the fall two years ago... the trap had happened in spring of that year. Her big problem was telling reality from memories and illusions. But in essence, she was still herself, she just couldn't tell what was real and what was not. So, when a young child was chased into the forest by men of bad intentions, well.... You can imagine how that went. Instead of fighting head-on, due to her wounded shoulder, she set traps and invisible shield spells, then killing the men and leaving their corpses where they'd fallen. Legends of a ghost protecting the forest sprang up almost instantly after the child found her way home. There was a similar incident with a hunter. She seemed to think he was an enemy - but she didn't kill him, just... spooked him badly."

 

[BookWyrm]

Dayn listened intently, soaking up everything Allistair said. This was probably the only time they would be able to see one another anyway, unless they happened upon a ley line during Samhein, but that was unlikely. <She has been through Hel's fire and back, yet she still is loving and caring.> Dayn licked Arryn's hand gently, doing his best not to wake her. He knew what was next, though he almost dreaded asking the question. <I know you've said kind things about me around Arryn, and I will always hold true to the promise I made you, but I want your honest opinion on me. All of me, because I know that my lycanthropy must be taken into factor now.>

 

[Dragongal]

Alistair shrugged, leaning forward with his forearms on his shield. "Part of the reason Arryn got into trouble often was her blunt honesty - probably got that from me. Look, if I thought anything bad of you, you'd have known it by now. You're a good lad. You've been very patient with her, which is far more than could be expected from just about anyone else. You've got a sense of romance, which is a good idea - take it from a man who was married for twelve years before he died, women love the flowers and thoughtful things like that. I legitimately have no qualms about you. But she was right, you do need to practice controlling the wolf under pressure - it's not a problem, but practice'll fix just about anything."