Ascending Legends

[BookWyrm]

Upon the ceding Dayn stopped his tickling, which left them in the perfect spot for cuddling and provided the perfect transition. He knew there would probably be some form of backlash, but it was all in good fun.

 

[Dragongal]

Arryn was facing away from him so he couldn't see her slightly wicked grin as she put her hand over his and let the cold grew just enough to be nippy.

 

[BookWyrm]

"Hey!" Dayn jumped, startled by the sudden cold, only to realize it was Arryn's doing. After a moment or two Dayn snuggled up closer and laid his head next to her's. "Perfectly fine. If it's cold that just means I have an excuse to snuggle."

 

[Dragongal]

Arryn smiled a bit and moved around so she could face him. "Is there no way I can exact revenge for your tickle attack? I had expected to be cuddled, not tickled."

 

[BookWyrm]

Dayn thought for a moment before shrugging. "You can always try tickling back when I least expect it."

 

[Dragongal]

"Like now?" Arryn moved like she was going to tickle Dayn but instead just pulled him closer. "No, I just want to cuddle." Arryn kissed along his collarbone and up his neck for a moment. "And kiss."

 

[BookWyrm]

Dayn smiled as he brushed stray strands of hair from Arryn's cheek. "I can live with that."

 

[Dragongal]

Arryn smiled and pulled him in for a slow kiss.


Almost a week later, Dayn and Arryn had been practicing sparring when Theodas ran over to them. Whatever it was, it was clearly important. "Arryn! Dayn! One of my reconnaissance tips just notified me. There's a shipment of slaves in the city. Some are new, some have been stuck there a while. You don't have to agree, but would you be willing to come with and help us? Matthias, Kalie, and I, we're going to go free them. We could use your help."

 

[BookWyrm]

Dayn had his mouth open to give some kind of tip, maybe it was a compliment, but by the time Theodas got his rush of words out Dayn was just standing there with his mouth open like a fish out of water, his comment long forgotten. It had been just over a week since they had found out about Arryn. Dayn had been careful to keep to the rules Siochana had laid out and so far he hadn't faltered. She seems to be in good enough condition. "Only if Arryn feels like she is ready to get back into this." Dayn looked over at his wife, carefully studying her. "I'll support either decision you make love."

 

[Dragongal]

Arryn looked from Theodas to Dayn. So far, she hadn't had any word from Siochana or had any issues. In fact,s he'd improved on her ice magic. So really she couldn't think of any reason that was good enough to keep her from a slave raid. "Well, yeah. I mean... yeah." Her biggest concern was her husband, though. She'd dealt with people who had only seen a slave for their first time, or had only seen such conditions in nightmares. how would he fare...?

 

[BookWyrm]

A half smile turned up the corner of Dayn's mouth as he nodded. "We'll grab our equipment then."

 

[Dragongal]

Travel into Frisjor took a whole day, and the group had kept a rigorous pace. Knowing that the group was known, though, Dayn and Arryn were sent in first. Theodas would follow later, then Matthias and Kalie. Three separate inns were chosen: Dayn and Arryn had the Elder Star Inn, Matthias and Kalie were in the Lion's Den inn, and Theodas was in the Copper Hull inn. The locations were chosen strategically so they were throughout the large city that was built into the mountainside. Where Ironcrest had been built on the mountainside, half of this city was under tons of mountain and lit by magic torches and crystals. Snow still covered the ground here, but few of the residents wore more than a good coat and/or cloak. The glow of dwarven forges lit the side of the mountain at night and joined the lights from the vast underground streets, giving it the nickname "Dragon's Nest".


The raid was to happen in two day's time. Theodas wanted to gather more information before they attacked, which was for the best since they didn't yet know if Arryn could be out at night. When they arrived, Arryn was greeted by a swift and almost painful hug by the innkeeper, who was a big, tall woman with thick, braided red hair and pale skin. Very clearly, this was her homeland. "Arryn! Tá sé tar éis blianta, cailín! Cé hé an fear seo a bhfuil tú? earcú eile , nó rud éigin eile? Níl sé ag breathnú mar sin ón Tuaisceart, caithfidh mé a rá." "Tá sé mo fhear céile.""Níl ach an seomra is fearr duit dhá , mar sin!" Arryn smiled and looked back to Dayn. "This is Harinet. She's the innkeep here. Her Common tongue is... limited. She says we get only the best room. Come on, I'll guide you up."





Arryn led Dayn to their room, which was a wonderfully spacious suite with a massive bed, huge fireplace, and a nice two-person bathtub. The window gave a wonderful view over all of Frisjor. Arryn smiled and set her weaponry and pack on the table in the room. Night was soon to fall on the city.

 

[BookWyrm]

Dayn, weary from the long journey, only raised an eyebrow to Harinet before following Arryn towards their room. He sat his pack down carefully, making sure to keep from jostling it around. He had brought his armor along and packed it to keep it from making too much noticeable noise, but one could never be too careful.


After laying his equipment aside and removing his belt Dayn walked over and looked out of the window and into the coming dark. They had discussed the possibility of Dayn heading out to assist Theodas during the recon. Only if Arryn will be fine by herself. Dayn still didn't like the idea of leaving her alone for any amount of time. Sure, she could very well take care of herself, but Siochana had been quite frank about stressing that Dayn should care for her. Which, now that the thought of it, Dayn decided it was probably best to sweep the Inn. "I'll only be gone a few moments, a minute or two at the most. Long enough to check the Inn to make sure it is secure. Besides, its not like anyone will notice me."

 

[Dragongal]

Arryn looked Dayn over with clear hesitation. How familiar was he with his new magic? "Do you really think you have that much control over your magic? You haven't practiced it much at all."

 

[BookWyrm]

There was the only glaring thing that stood in Dayn's way. He had been reluctant to practice around Arryn for the simple fear of the darkness being around her. She was right, though. He might be able to move through the shadows unnoticed, but then again he could end up doing something and giving them completely away. It was a risk, and with these stakes....


Dayn sighed and scratched at the back of his head. "No, I'm not going to risk this operation on me being foolhardy. We get one shot at this." Dayn grimaced and shook his head. Damn. The one time this magic is useful and I don't know how to use it.

 

[Dragongal]

Arryn smiled a little and pulled Dayn into a hug. "It's okay, mo chroi. I wouldn't worry anyway, you can trust Harinet. She keeps a tight inn and knows about us, she's trustworthy." Arryn reached up and brushed Dayn's hair back slowly. "You seem tired."

 

[BookWyrm]

Dayn leaned his head into Arryn's hand as his arms locked around her waist. "Mhm." Dayn wasn't much to complain, though he had to admit that keeping up with Arryn over the past week had worn on him. He leaned his head forward and brushed his cheek against Arryn's neck. "I'll live though."

 

[Dragongal]

Arryn gave him a kiss on the cheek before stepping out of the embrace and carefully unbuttoning his coat. "Well, just relax, okay, mo chroi? We're safe here, I promise." Once they both had their jackets off, Arryn changed into some looser clothing and crawled under the covered to wait for Dayn. She wanted to speak with him before... everything could happen.

 

[BookWyrm]

Arryn always found a way to make him smile no matter how he felt. He carefully slid out of his shirt, wincing as he felt his muscles protest in his arms and across his upper back and neck. They felt tight from carrying his pack and equipment. Once he had changed out of his travel clothes and into his comfy, loose pants he laid back onto the bed before scooting over by Arryn and easing into the covers.

 

[Dragongal]

Arryn propped up on one arm as she looked at Dayn. She didn't want to ruin his mood or anything, but she needed to talk to him in full honesty. "Mo chroi... I'm not going to lie to you. The raid won't be pretty. There is no feeling of... of heroism when you burst in and fight off slavers only to find the slaves in the back in their... conditions. I don't want you to expect anything from this... we pay, we are not paid, oftentimes not even paid in thanks - I don't want you to go in an expect anything good to come of it for us. We save them, that is the good to come of it. I don't say this because I think you're expecting payment or only doing it for payment, it's only because... I have seen how these slave raids can affect people. And I want to make sure you know what you're walking into."





Arryn reached out and tenderly brushed back Dayn's hair. "Dayn, you need to do everything you can to keep from shifting. When we get to the slaves... it infuriates some, mentally devastates others, mostly it's a mix of the two after the despair and pity and horror hits. I almost lost it, my first time. My second time too. I'm going to be healing them with Theodas. I would like you to guard me and the slaves if you think you won't wolf. Matthias and Kalie are front-runners and defend the area once we reach the slaves. But we try to have someone defending the slaves because once in a while... one of them will have grown a... a twisted loyalty to the slavers. Usually not, but once in a while. I was once stabbed in the gut by once such girl. And having a big strong human male like you may scare some of the younger ones... but it also may help them feel protected once they're used to you. If you don't think you can do it, though, it's okay."

 

[BookWyrm]

Dayn had laid back against Arryn and relaxed with his head propped against her when she had first spoke up. Of course he moved so that he could face her. They had conversed from cuddling positions before but it felt wrong to not look her in the while discussing something as serious as what they were about to face. Arryn was right, of course, about how things were going to go. Dayn had never been around slavers before, but he'd seen what people were capable of. Horrible, horrible things were done to people during war and times of peace. The memories of the campaign came back, specifically the event that became known as the long week of fire. The enemy had dug in an entrenched the entire field, rendering cavalry and long arms useless. The fighting had been up close and personal in trenches barely wide enough to stand shoulder to shoulder with one other person. Eventually the crusaders had turned to inventions called fire throwers and pyromancers to burn the enemy out of their trenches. It had been effective, but the bodies that remained.....


Dayn was glad for the distraction of Arryn brushing through his hair. He closed his eyes and instinctively leaned his head into her hand. "I will try my best. I can't offer anything but that. Besides, I'll be in plate, so the only shifting I could do would be into the pseudo form, and that would almost be more horrifying than a dire wolf." His weariness was catching up to him, and after a couple of moments Dayn gently pushed Arryn onto her back so she could lay down against her. "I promise to do my best. Nothing more, nothing less. Now," he looked up at her from where he had been laying against her chest. "Can we rest? I'm exhausted and I want my lover's arms around me."

 

[Dragongal]

Arryn smiled a bit sadly and wrapped her arms around Dayn, holding him tight while her fingers played in his hair. "Okay. Just rest, mo chroi." She'd have been lying if she had said she wasn't concerned for him. Right now, though, the best thing either of them could do was res .

 

[BookWyrm]

Dayn laid his head back against Arryn and closed his eyes. Oddly enough he found himself thinking about what he was doing here and now. Not being with Arryn, but the fact that he was laying against her, letting her hold him and love on him. The fact was, he was comfortable letting her love on him like this. He was comfortable being vulnerable to her. A tired smile spread across his face as he finally dozed off.

 

[Dragongal]

Arryn smiled at Dayn. She was glad that he was asleep. Now that he wasn't able to worry, she could think things over. They needed this raid to go well. As well as possible. Not just for the slaves, but for Dayn as well. Arryn kissed the top of Dayn's head before laying back and going to sleep.


Arryn was back in the ballroom. Siochana wasted no time in moving to her side. The Queen knew that Arryn still wasn't particularly fond of her,so she cut to the chase. "You're safe now. You can tell Dayn, everything is okay now." Arryn nodded but didn't say anything. The Queen sighed and the dream faded. Arryn woke up a bit and moved so she could hold Dayn a bit closer before falling back to slee .

 

[BookWyrm]

The morning sun woke Dayn even with the curtains closed. He slowly opened his eyes and smiled when he realized he was still in Arryn's arms. He slowly snuggled closer as he buried his face against her chest and closed his eyes again. He was awake, groggy but awake, but he wasn't going to give up comfort completely yet.