Fantasy ~ FableWood ~

[DawnAntalios]

Nyr held Mira tight to her as she kissed her forehead. She will keep safe her little sister. She then looked at her and smiled.


" We should catch up with the others. " she said " From what I saw from above they headed the armory to arm themselves with weapons - we should do the same. "

 

[amongfoxesandfaeries]

"We should, but I do hate weapons..."


She gestured to go towards the armoury, where the rest of their band of misfits would be.

 

[DawnAntalios]

" Mother will be your sword and your shield. " Nyr assured her " But I would not mind if you would be armed, sister. I do not want anything bad to come to you. "


They headed together to the massive building at the end of the town. It took her few minutes to reach their destination and in the meantime the citizens of the city looked at Mira in awe and bowed before her, like before a goddess. Nyr smiled happily at her younger sibling - they recognized her might and grace as they walked.


" They really respect you, sister. " she chuckled.

 

[amongfoxesandfaeries]

"I continue to be amazed by this place." She chuckled with her sibling and looped her arm with the raven's own.


"If I am going to be armed, I want to be armed with something small and light, so I don't realise I am carrying something deadly....like a small knife." She looked at her sister and smiled, glad that she had someone like her by her side.


(Been meaning to ask, did you intend for Mira to become Nyr's 'sister' for a long while?)

 

[DawnAntalios]

She nodded.


" A wise decision. The dwarves are a race who craft the finest weapons in the world. Their armaments will be the best we will ever find. "


They walked steadily towards the armory. They were half way there when Nyr started thinking out loud.


" What weapon should I choose, I wonder... "

 

[amongfoxesandfaeries]

"I'm not surprised."


She answered Nyr's question and smirked.


"I think something delicate, but strong would be the best idea for you."


She started tapping her fingers against her thigh, humming, the lingering tune of a song stuck in her head. Eventually she started singing, even though it was almost silent.


The song was Lithium, by Evanescence.


(Those who have not heard the song, look it up)

 

[DawnAntalios]

She looked at her then started to think again.


" Delicate... like a long katana, I wonder? " she thought. The more she delved into this idea the more she liked the sound of it. Smiling, now knowing what to do they continued their walk. They were almost there, the entire district was now filled with dwarves, most of them bowing before Mira as they walked past and the others pointing and whispering darkly about Nyr. It felt bad for her but it was no wonder: her plight would haunt her throughout her journey.

 

[SilverFlight]

((I encourage pics, it helps people visualize))


"Oh aye, gryphons are worse coveters to be sure, just not as troublesome. They can't breath fire." The dwarf told Anya pleasantly. "Good choice." He added as she picked up the long daggers. "Their range is deceptive. they are longer than most expect, you can use that."


Ward picked idly at the grass. He didn't really have much need for weapons anyway, they were built into his body as sharp beak and talons. He knew the dwarves didn't trust him...but what he had failed to tell his new friends was that it was not only due to his weakness for precious metals...


you are a beast, nothing more...He shoved the guilt back down quickly. Feeling sorry for himself would do no good here. He would prove his fears wrong.


It wasn't long before Leia emerged from the armory, a short, hunting bow and quiver on her back. She adjusted the arm guard uncomfortably.


"It feels weird...wearing something meant to kill people." She fingered the strong of the bow gently. Leia remembered one time when she was five, she had accidentally held her brother's pet gerbil too tightly. It had died in her hands and she had been devastated for weeks. She still felt bad about it. What would she feel like if she had to hurt an actual person, and on purpose?


"I pray you will not have to use it." Ward answered her softly.


The princess appeared in the square before the weapons court, once they were finished choosing she beckoned them over to the edge of the garden that lay within a stone's throw of the forge house. Leia wondered how she had missed it before, perhaps it had been hidden behind the many flowering trees; A massive fountain, the basin was round and made of marble embedded with flecks of gold. In its center, water erupting all about them were winged horses. There were five of them, each made of glinting burnished brass and detailed to perfection. She took a closer look and found that even the veins and every feather and strand of hair had been carved in perfect detail.


Each horse was in a different stance, manes flying, eyes wild and all rearing toward the sky. They were so life-like Leia was afraid that if she looked away they would all fly off.


"I have one last gift for you to help speed your journey." She said, and waited patiently for everyone to arrive.

​

((Fun fact: this fountain of five winged horses is very real. It stands outside the Royal Towers entrance to the Atlantis resort in the Bahamas.))

 

[chamomile]

Lexi had quietly followed the group to the armory, still having a half eaten strawberry with her. 'Weapons?' she thought. 'Gee, wonder what might suit me?' she asked herself, looking through the weapons. She wanted an intimidating one, not one that could particularly kill but one that stands out. After all, her hair is white and her boisturousity definitely do so.


Maybe a spiky club... It'll definitely make use of her arms. They're not beefy or muscly but is rather healthy, unlike her weak legs. But all she saw was weapons that require her to charge somehow except for... the bow. Does she want to take the bow? Her aim isn't the best but she definitely will struggle doing so. She didn't know, so she stood there, staring aimlessly with Red's book and necklace still in her hands.


Many had left so Lexi had to take something to not be left out. She hesitated before grabbing a small, silver pocket knife, which she shoved rather unwisely in her jacket pocket, and grabbed a spear, feeling unprepared to use the bow. She walked until she reached a part where they gather, paying attention to the nice lady.


'Speed our journey?' Lexi asked doubtfully in her head. 'What is it? A horse? A carriage? Teleportation magic? A portal?' she wondered of the possibilities.

 

[amongfoxesandfaeries]

I wish they would shut up about stuff like that...judgmental bastards..." She glared at the dwarves pointing at her older sibling.


She pulled her to move a bit quicker, hoping to get her items from Blue and their weapons.

 

[DawnAntalios]

They hurried their steps and after explaining to the dwarf guardin the armory who they were they have gained entry.


Nyr was astonished by the sheer amount of weapons contained in this place... but ultimately it was a dwarven armory, such things were to be expected. She browsed through the mighty collection when she finally found somehing fitting her.

" I think this should be a fine companion. " she smiled at the weapon, attaching it to her waist, turning to Mira. " Have you found something good for yourself, sister? "

 

[amongfoxesandfaeries]

She looked over the weapons, biting her lip, hoping to find her perfect weapon.


She did.


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"I like this one!"


She quickly put it at her own waist and smiled at Nyr. "Let's go."

 

[DawnAntalios]

She nodded quickly and they left the armory to join the others in the meeting. It was the first time Nyr had seen the princess due to she attending to Mira and Lexi before and she found her beautiful. The monarch was fair and gracious, she was radiating happiness and peace... she was almost like Mother Moon in her eyes.


" She is the princess... " Nyr whispered to herself out loud " She is beautiful and powerful - I can feel the magical energy emanating from her. "

 

[amongfoxesandfaeries]

"You are not the only one..."


She mumbles this in the direction of Nyr, but her eyes never left the noble.


"She looks very young, not as young as me, but young for a monarch..."

 

[chamomile]

Lexi spotted Nyr and walked up to her, happy to see that Red was by her side. She shivered at their weapon choice. Intimidating? Definitely. Scary? Not precisely. She handed the possessions she was assigned to guard back to its owner and gave a toothy grin.


"Is ther'e somethin' worth earing'? Lexi asked them curiously, gripping her spear loosely as she look back and forth from the princess to the duo, having a sense that they were much closer now and it wasn't literal.

 

[amongfoxesandfaeries]

"Well...I guess Nyr should explain this..." She said after receiving her items. She carefully and quickly tied the necklace back around her neck. She fished around her bag and found her glasses, slipping them on.

 

[DawnAntalios]

Nyr brushed Mira's hair gently with her hand as she smiled at her and at Lexi.


" Mother Moon had blessed Mira with her powers. " she said proudly " She is now a child of the moon as I am. And also my precious little sister. "


It felt so good for her to say these words, she never had imagined to utter these sentences but she was very glad that she could. Being part of a family felt wonderful.

 

[amongfoxesandfaeries]

"Yeah, she's also the best sister I could ask for....that sounded really weird..."


She mumbled the last part, but smiled at Nyr. "I have Nyr to thank for the blessing."

 

[chamomile]

Lexi gaped. "What?!" she whispered, not wanting to attract attention. "Powers?! Daughter?! Sister?!" Lexi listed, dumbfounded. She'll surely find out her powers right. "So jealous...jealous..." she murmured, extending her hands where one might not able to decide if she wanted to strangle, or hug them. "Blessing?!" she whispered/yelled again. She retreated to sitting, drawing circles in the dirt. "I feel left out..." but then she brightened and stand back up again. "I can be yer sis right'?!" she asked normally but brimming with enthusiasm.

 

[amongfoxesandfaeries]

"Love, I don't need another sister, I need a friend...at the best of times, more than a friend. I honestly cannot see you as my sister." She reached out and put a gentle hand on Blue's shoulder. "Try and understand. I'm sorry about this..."

 

[SilverFlight]

The princess smiled as they gathered to the fountain. She held up on graceful hand. On her finger Ward noticed a ring he had not seen before; a silver setting that embraced a deep purple gem. She reached out over the fountain pool and brushed the flank of one of the brass horses gently.


For a moment nothing happened, and Ward and the others were left standing in anticipation.


Then came a very faint creaking, so soft you couldn't hear it unless you listened very closely, it grew louder but by then ward noticed that the flank the princess had brushed began breathing!


With slow staggering motions the horse's head moved, then all of a sudden the downbeat of its wings sent a gust billowing through the crowd as it broke free of its mountings and landed with a clatter on the cobbles by the princess.


The others began moving too and splashing into the fountain pool, kicking up a shower of rainbows as they leapt clear of the water and onto the grass of the garden, whinnying with delight and tossing their brass heads.


"The enchanted fountain of the Valkyries. A gift from a kingdom far away. These horses will take you to the edge of the Forest of Reflections, the latest part of FableWood to be claimed by the ShadowWood."


Ward suddenly looked worried.


"That is a place of very powerful magic." He said with a concerned glance at the girls. "Who knows how it has been perverted by the darkness."


"I trust you Ward, you and the guardians that have brought these girls this far. You must trust yourself too." Princess Briar smiled at Nyr as she arrived with Mira.


"Each of you possesses a character of great strength. I hope the forest will still be able to show you that, even through its sickness."


Leia couldn't help but smile at the new friendship Nyr had found with Mira. She didn't really know what being blessed by Mother Moon meant, but she was sure it was special. She felt a little envious, but not altogether in a bad way. She wondered what sort of magic was waiting for her in this new place.


"Don't worry Lexi," She said brightly. "I think we'll all be pretty close after this."


When the horses came to life right in front of her eyes Leia gasped, leaving her jaw wide open as they pranced about her. She held out a hand as one slowed and gently pressed its muzzle into her palm.


She had wanted riding lessons so badly but never been given the chance, and now here she was not with just any horse...but a flying one! She looked at the others, her cool air of nonchalance completely gone as her eyes danced with glee. "This is too cool!"


She stroked the horse's brass neck, which was cool to the touch and whispered softly to calm it.

 

[chamomile]

Lexi was disappointed...too disappointed... A 17-year-old wishing for a sister? How pathetic. She offered a smile before a girl she knew not cheered her up on a bright note. When the princess said 'Valkyries', she looked up and gape, yet again. Tilting her head, she begin to wonder. 'Aren't Valkyries those inappropriately dressed deity from Norse?' Lexi thought, avoiding a mental image. The Vikings weren't exactly the thing she was into but she has nothing against them despite the fact that they raided her ancestors. 'I thought... nevermind' dismissing the thought from her head. She watched as the girl went up to the horse. 'What in blimey bloody hell have I signed up for?' she thought. 'Do I come up with her? Do I ride it? Geez, someone, tell me what to do when I need you to!' Lexi complained in her mind.

 

[amongfoxesandfaeries]

"They're beautiful..." She watched the metal horses prancing, a smile on her face and a twinkle in her eyes. "I've never ridden a horse, though..." The smile dimmed slightly and she looked over at Nyr. "Are we going to be taking the horses?"


I really hope not....

 

[SilverFlight]

"These horses are special, you will never fall from one if you do not want to." The princess explained. She held her hand out to one and guided its nose to Lexi. The brass horse whuffled her hair noisily and knelt before her, looking over its own shoulder expectantly.


"You can control them with your thoughts. Just think what to do and they will do it."

 

[amongfoxesandfaeries]

"I mean no offense, but some people aren't okay with horses in general...like me for example..."


She looked at them, still with awe, but with a small amount of wariness. She did find them beautiful...beyond beautiful, but she still did not like them.