Morning came and Lord Devrin Daysworn was still silently seething.
After his youngest daughter had so brusquely asked to dance, he knew that it would be a bad idea. He was no fool - Tianna's affections mimicked that of an ice cube when she spoke to the Prince, and his sharp eyes did not miss the swooning looks she had given the Knight. He felt his jaw tightening up just at the mere thought of that man, young and foolish as he was he still managed to capture the heart of Tianna Daysworn and that was unacceptable.
But the night's unfortunate events did not stop there. No, between the crowd and passing bodies, Lord Daysworn had seen with his own two eyes the way Tianna had pressed up against the Knight and Liliana babbling at the Prince. He had heard of the strangeness that was his youngest daughter and severely hoped that she had not said anything that would ruin his plans. Though it seemed to be going that direction either way, if he thought about it (and thought about it he did).
His knife and fork came down with a clatter on the porcelain plate in front of him. Lady Daysworn looked up at him with concern and so he simply gave her a tight smile. "Do not fret. I simply have a long day ahead of me and I simply cannot sit here any longer." He stood, his chair scraping on the clean tiled floor before beckoning the butler to remove his barely touched food. "I will see you at dinner, if things go well."
Then he was out the door, pulling a letter from his breast pocket as it slammed shut behind him. The inked writing was difficult to mistake for him - his little brother always did have the worst penmanship out of them all. Damien Daysworn. His response to Devrin's urgent letter was full of eagerness to please and a concern for their House. Nobody would ruin House Daysworn on his watch, the man had proclaimed in bold letters. Especially not plots against his family, however extended it was.
Devrin Daysworn knew that something was amiss. When Tianna had returned, her face and poise was not her own. She held herself the same way a woman in utter devotion would, pulled away from her anchor yet drawing strength from it. Liliana looked guilty enough, the girl never knowing how to hide her emotions from her own father, and that was all Lord Daysworn needed to know. The Knight had no doubt seduced his eldest daughter, his prize and way into the Lightshield's good graces.
The day was spent preparing, using his own men and telling them of nothing but a plot to stop a traitor. They had followed his orders without much question, only looks of confusion. But they were loyal and obedient and that was all Devrin Daysworn cared about. His own letter to Damien had been sent out and all he needed was information, which would be more than easy enough to obtain.
When the sun rose for the second time after that wonderful night, Tianna could hardly contain her excitement. To her, this was the start of a new journey and a new life. She had spent all of yesterday trying to find out what she should bring and shouldn't bring. "Southwater Town Square," she had whispered to herself as she rifled through her drawers, cupboards and closets. She had stopped then, wondering if Eric had given her a time and if she had just forgotten. It would make more sense to travel by night, but she did not want to frighten Eric by not showing up.
In the end, the decision was made for her when she found that her mother had requested her presence for the entire day. Tianna was beside herself with worry, but she had no intention of raising any sort of alarm or suspicion as to what she was planning on doing. She could only hope that Eric would forgive her. Her father had excused himself for the entire day, stating not to worry if he did not return by nightfall as he had important business to attend to. Tianna had been far too distracted to see the look he had given her, but Liliana did.
When at last the sun dipped towards the horizon to rest for the night, Tianna found that all she wanted to bring was perhaps a little too much. She began to remove all the things she wanted rather than what she needed. Books and accessories were gone, as were the fancy pearl-laced dresses and ruby studded necklaces. She moved her money into a pouch and snapped it to her side. The clothes she brought were still far from simple but they were not... too frilly.
Giddy with anticipation, she hoisted her bag, letting out a breath before padding out the door only to be stopped when Liliana's own door opened. Her younger sister stood there, her light blue eyes gleaming in the night like a cat. She had always admired Liliana's eyes but at this moment all she felt was annoyance and fear that the younger girl would stop her. Then, almost as if it had been nothing but a dream, Liliana's eyes turned away with one last look of something Tianna could not quite place and retreated back into her room, shutting the door with a click of the lock.
The memory stayed with her, shaking her to her core as she hurried down the spiraling staircase, sneaking out into the gardens behind. The front doors would be too large and loud to open. Then Tianna was hit with a blast of cold, fresh air and the reality of what she was doing came back at full force. Her hands trembled as she unlatched the gate and slipped out.
"Eric...?" Tianna's voice was little more than a whisper. The sun was dipping further down, the last vestiges of light streaking up the tall buildings surrounding her. There was a fountain in the middle of the square, the water reduced to a small trickle. She was surprised that there were so few people here. She heard horses and their quiet nicking, the sound soothing to her thoughts but not to her beating heart.
Post by Exemplar of Demacia on Jan 25, 2014 14:12:58 GMT -5
He'd been given little trouble about the things he needed. He had cookware already, provisions were simple, and the travel sack he carried had all the clothing he needed. It was the wagon that worried him, and after three stables and one market square, he'd ended up paying dearly at The Hearth and Harness for a newly made wagon. Horses were easy enough to come by, harvest time being over, but the new wagon and leathers set him back more than he had hoped. Hopeful he wouldn't seem out of place in Southwater.
Today he was free from duty, to which he'd not be returning, so tied the wagon and the two mares he'd bought, and walked out by the fountain alone. She'd have the whole day to slip away, and he hoped it was enough time. If not now, then nighttime would be his best hope. He waited in view of the fountain, distracting himself from the fear with a mental inventory of what he'd brought and what they'd need. Clothing came first. Fruit, bread, and cheese would all keep. His hunting bow and arrows, a travel stove, and blankets would keep them warm and fed. He bought a single lamp, plus the one he owned, and flint to start fires.
He dreaded her reaction to all the simple things she'd never been a part of, things that would be necessary for their future. He'd been bartering for good with the common folk all her life, but had she ever? Would she think it degrading? He'd brought fine blankets and linen for the road, but the wagon had no mattress. There wasn't time or room for one, and that was only scratching the surface of the problem. They could stop at every town, but there'd be no bathrooms on the road. He'd taken a loss selling his house so quickly, but they needed the money. He would make it last.
The town square was full of life, with merchants and craftsmen manning stalls while a group of investors issued in and out of the small town bank. He could see himself living in a town like this, if the valley wasn't lying under the watchful eyes of the southern mountains. They needed to escape, and Eric only hoped one of the towns they passed would be like this one.
Playing cards, an ax and shovel, his weapons, and- A figure caught his eye, a woman approaching the fountain. Eric walked closer, looking through the crowd and then she turned. No, not Tianna. Eric leaned back against the wall, waiting and watching.
Post by Liliana Daysworn on Jan 27, 2014 8:20:15 GMT -5
Tianna set her bag down, the weight making itself relatively well known as her arms had begun to ache from lugging it around. She massaged her fingers into her muscles as she continued to look around, mentally counting off what she had in the bag in her head. There were clothes, obviously. Enough coins to last a good while, some jewellery that they could possibly sell should things get tough. No food, but she guessed that sustenance wouldn't be too hard to find... a small dagger that she had been given and only used as wall decoration, The Measured Tread and -- oh!
"Eric!" Though her exclamation turned into little more than a whisper as she ignored the cramp in her wrist and hefted her pack back up before swiftly making her way over to the knight. In truth, she hadn't thought that the man would go through so much for her - in fact, it never even occurred to her that people would have to sacrifice things and suddenly this notion hit her like a sack full of bricks and she screeched to a halt. Eric was close enough that she could see the worry etched like lines on his face and she was suddenly filled with guilt. She should have been the one to pay for everything, to offer and give instead of take as she always had. Tianna had been spoiled ever since she was a child, that was true enough, but even she knew how much the... unprivileged had to go through.
Swallowing back any sort of vocalization on this, she stepped forward and gave a tiny wave, hoping that Eric would see her. Despite everything, she was suddenly shy and embarrassed mixed with anticipation, excitement and of course the shred of guilt. "Hello there," Tianna said softly, smiling as if she couldn't help it. "I haven't seen you in a while."
Liliana was sitting on her bed, hands folded in her lap. She had been like this ever since she heard her sister creep out the room, and even when she had shown herself, Tianna did not even bat an eyelash and left without saying goodbye. It hurt to know that she meant so little in the grand scheme that was her sister's life. But what troubled her the most was that while her heart ached like no other, her eyes remained as dry as the sun. There were no tears threatening to fall; her mind was a literal canvas of blank paint splashed all around the edges.
She didn't know what to do. Should she contact her mother? Maybe reach out to her father, to tell them that Tianna was sneaking off to god knows where and with god knows who? Though Liliana already had her suspicions; her sister had acted all doe-eyed and starstruck the last few times she had glimpsed Tianna's face, and her emotions were etched plain as day. She stood then, stalking over to her window as she wrung her wrists in her hands - cold as they were, the familiar motion brought some feeling back. Her glimpse outside the glass panes showed only the city of Demacia, with green land and brown dotting the fields stretching outwards like thick fingers.
Still, she dared not think about the consequences that would befall her sister should she be discovered. Liliana would even go so far as to say she feared for Tianna's life, even if she knew their father would do nothing to physically hurt his older daughter. Lord Devrin Daysworn knew how to play people, and he did so with malicious cunning - and he made it so necessary too. As if everything he did was for a proper reason that would somehow benefit them (him) in the future. Liliana scrubbed her hands over her bare arms, the room had suddenly gotten a lot more chilly.
Tianna would no doubt be safer... but concern still flitted through her mind like an anxious bird. She would simply have to wait and do nothing. Just as she had always done.
Post by Exemplar of Demacia on Jan 28, 2014 1:45:41 GMT -5
The street was staring to still, the midday bustle was long gone and now the crowd settled to a trickle of townsfolk meandering in and out of half closed stalls and quiet shops. The bank was closing, its well dressed patrons shuffling down the steps and off in their black carriages. Eric saw the contrast to his new wagon. They had homes to get back to, he had a life to find. He was breaking laws. Things were quieting down, but the slowing streets only raised his hopes. Eric stood there, leaning on a lamp post, nursing them like a little fire. He waited for life to find him, idly spinning out daydreams in his heavy leather travel coat and boots. He smelled like leather, or maybe it was the wagon.
And there she was, with her bag and her smile. The smile said she was happy to see him, and the bag said she wasn't coming to say goodbye. Eric felt the weight of fear fall from him, felt his deep seated suspicions melting away like so many heavy chains. It was only then he realized how much of him was hedging up against a disappointment that wasn't coming. He caught her smile, and it took over his whole face. Grinning stupidly, he took her bag with his left hand and wrapped her in a warm embrace. In that moment there was nothing to left worry about, and he couldn't help himself. He kissed her just as before, but this time in the middle of the town square. His hand let the bag drop to the floor. She smelled like spring, and he didn't want to let go.
When they parted, he held her arms in his hands and just looked her over. "Too long... Are you ready?" He couldn't say was afraid that she wouldn't come, that she'd try to forget him or change her mind. As foolish as it was, Eric felt a pang of guilt at having doubted her.
The room was quiet for the moment. The maid left the silver tray behind, steaming tea and other things that didn't interest him. It was a break from state matters. Lunchtime was his, and his thoughts drifted away from public opinion and noble stratagem. Jarvan IV stood by the window, looking out at the gardens without focus. Eric had kissed Tianna. He hadn't seen either of them afterward. He should feel angry. He actually did, a little, but not angry that it had happened. He was surprised it had happened, but angry his friend didn't come to him and at least speak with him. He guessed the Knight had made a fool of himself, and he had heard nothing from Tianna. If his friends were fools, she probably thought him a fool as well, and he sister the same.
After hearing Liliana's fears, Jarvan IV imagined that Lord Daysworn would be keeping his daughters away from the public for quite some time. While he worried what damage had been done on Eric and Tianna's part and what might be done, he found himself more concerned for the girl who was likely suffocating under the tightened grip of her fathers attention. He remembered the way she flinched at his call, the way she seemed to shrink when he entered her presence.
Maybe he should keep waiting and see if the problem mended itself. Maybe he should go and apologize. He'd decided to send for Sir Stonewatch, and nobody could find him. He'd taken time off, and gone off somewhere. Home probably. Jarvan IV made a mental note to have a message sent to Erics house. He owned one presumably, somewhere in the east.
By the time he got to it, his tea was cool and it wasn't a moment after he finished that a knock came at the door. Whatever he was going to do, it would have to wait.
Post by Liliana Daysworn on Jan 28, 2014 11:20:16 GMT -5
The relief in her body from the bag being removed off her person was nothing compared to the genuine happiness she felt when Eric wrapped his arms around her, and she immediately settled her eyes shut as his lips descended upon hers in a light kiss. The knight felt like warm safety, like being wrapped in a blanket on a cold night or slowly sipping at a hot drink in front of the fireplace. That warmth dripped through her veins and Tianna could not help but press herself slightly closer before they separated. The question was posed, but so engrossed she was in soaking in the man's presence, she failed to answer immediately.
Finally, the words caught up with her and she blushed instantly. It certainly wasn't like her to lose herself so quickly and so easily. Tianna nodded, gesturing to her bag. "As ready as I'll ever be." Her eyes searched Eric's, adoration and love glimmering in the depths of clear water and gentle summer lakes. Yes, she knew it was foolish to think that she could be in love, but what was it if not that? The maids had always giggled, whispering that the only time you would know you were in love was when you were in it. She doubted them at first, going so far as to call them whimsical now she knew.
Still, the thought of Eric sacrificing so much for her was beyond even her comprehension. Tianna bit her lower lip softly, a habit both sisters shared as her hands wrung into the front of her dress. "Eric, did you... pay for everything? The wagon, the horses, the supplies...?" She was cautious when she asked, her upbringing making itself painfully aware as her tone sounded more disbelieving if anything. As if the knight could not afford to do it, but that was far from her intention.
Tianna screwed her eyes shut briefly as if reprimanding herself before opening them once more to the man in front of her. "Sorry if I sounded... I mean, I am certainly very grateful and there is nowhere else I'd rather be... nowhere else I'd rather be with. I..." She took a deep breath, regretting that she had ever said anything and ruining the moment - whatever that had been. "Just that... I could have... I mean, I have the..." Lost for words, she simply groaned and buried her face in her hands, "Never mind," she mumbled.
Post by Exemplar of Demacia on Jan 30, 2014 23:15:13 GMT -5
What she saw as sacrifice felt more like release. His only worry had been that he had little to give when compared to the wealth of her family. There would be no dowry from the Lord of the Daysworn. Eric expected nothing, her alone being more than he'd hoped for. Now he was oblivious to the movements of the town square.
Her words pulled him slowly out of the haze of her presence, her thoughts coming through as much from what she said as what she didn't say. It stung his pride, but it was a dull pain. He was prepared for his inadequacies. He could forgive her for being surprised. She had a right, and there was no denying it. Whatever money she had, they could save for dearer need. That she thought he needed it now stung. That she wanted to share the burden with him was quite the opposite feeling.
Pushing down embarrassment, his hands ran down her arms and found her own. They were slender and soft, so different from his own calloused fingers. Clasped together, their hands held his attention more than any life and death struggle had. He rubbed his his thumb gently over her skin as he searched for the words to smooth away her misplaced guilt.
"I am leaving nothing behind. If I have done too much alone then kiss me again, and I will be back in your debt. If I have you..." A grin pulled at the corners of his mouth and his eyes raised to meet hers, his shady brown reflected in the pure blue. "I have all that I need." He tucked an arm behind her back, turning to face the wagon, wondering what she would think of it. There were a thousand concerns all vying for his attention. Would they be followed? What was the price of land in Freljord? Would they find a good place to settle, or would they... Marriage was a lump in his throat whenever it crossed his mind, along with every other fact of common life that might grate against Tianna's happiness. Still, her closeness and her words bolstered his confidence. He looked over at her through the corner of his eye.
Post by Liliana Daysworn on Jan 30, 2014 23:59:46 GMT -5
Tianna started slightly at the contact, somehow expecting the knight to have just left in her arrogance. A small smile of contentment spread on her face and through her as she sighed in relief. She lowered her hands down at Eric's touch, simply reveling in the warmth he carried and it was silent for a while. She could hear voices in the background, much like the time when they had danced but again, she paid them no heed. Night was rapidly approaching and while Tianna had never really gone outside while it was pitch black, the thought was quite exciting. Or perhaps it was the situation itself that made it so invigorating.
But the knight's voice returned her to her current thoughts, and a fiery blush forced itself on her face at his words. Through the burn, Tianna nodded and quickly tiptoed to brush a chaste kiss against the side of Eric's mouth, somehow innocent despite their more passionate encounters. As her heels hit the stoney ground, she could not help but look to the side. There she saw the wagon, in all its glory. Tianna was speechless at first, not because it exceeded her expectations but because it was exactly how she would have imagined a carriage would look from... another point of view.
Control over emotion was not her strong point and at first, a look of disbelief flitted through her eyes. Then her mouth moved as if she wanted to say something but couldn't. The words were stuck as she tried again. "It's..." Tianna cleared her throat, another blush rising as she felt the knight's gaze upon her. Oh, this was beyond embarrassing. This was silly and foolish! She turned and with a look that spoke of determination and more, she grasped Eric's face in both hands and tugged him down for another kiss. Except there was nothing innocent or childish about this, and when they parted, Tianna drew in a deep breath then laughed softly.
"Perfect. In every way." Then she glanced to the side, a cheeky smile gracing her lips. "The wagon is too."
Post by Exemplar of Demacia on Jan 31, 2014 1:04:55 GMT -5
Her attentions got the better of him, and Eric felt his face flush. He turned his red face, and his attention back to the wagon.
It was perfect, in the way a new pair of shoes sits perfect and unmarred in a shop window, or the way a snowy white morning throws a clean blanket over the world before the coat is trampled. Her words struck deep. Eric though himself far from perfect and in no way innocent, but she... was close. He swore to forgive her for frustration that would surely come as she adjusted to the road. Tianna's bag in hand, he led them both towards the wagon, and clearing his throat he set it up behind the coachman's bench. The wagon, made all of natural wood and tanned hide, looked a lot like a stout leather pipe with a wooden door at each end.
Darkness was approaching, and little hatch beneath the silver lantern flipped open begrudgingly at Eric's insistence. He pulled a match from inside, struck it, and lit the lamps on either side of the wagon's bed. There were steps of a sort, metal wrought and turned to the side, but they were narrow and steep. Closing the difficult matchbox, Eric leaned down and offered Tianna a hand. "Will you come up and take a look inside?" It had the same metal spring suspension as most carriages, though tougher and bigger, and as he leaned down the wagon leaned the slightest as well, tipping the metal stair closer to the ground. "I have supplies for a time. We wont have to stop but for the horses." He stood there, looking down at Tianna and she seemed so much smaller.
For both of them, leaving was a risk and an uncertainty. For her, it must have felt doubly so. Eric knew the roads and the way of travelling, as he had seen combat and crossed the land to the far reaches of Demacia into the untamed forests and empty fields of no mans land. He'd known fear, and hunger before. How he hoped that none of his bad experience would mar their journey. It was possible that they would have an uneventful passage north, and she would stay oblivious to hardship. The only discomfort he would insist upon was that she trade the name Daysworn for Stonewatch. How he would go about it was still a puzzle.
Post by Liliana Daysworn on Jan 31, 2014 6:48:18 GMT -5
Tianna decided that the carriage could have looked like a shriveled bean and she still would have been happy. Everything about Eric, from the way he held her bag to the way he lead them, up to his strong shoulders and stronger posture... it made her heartbeat speed to what she thought to be audible thumps in her chest. However, upon closer inspection of the wagon, it did look rather odd. She has certainly never ridden in something like this before - the paint was light but worn, its wheels sturdy but inelegant. The doors were undecorated and it looked very much like something a gypsy would live in.
However, she gave no voice to these thoughts. Instead, she nodded up at the knight and gripped his hand gingerly before taking those small steps that seemed to matter all the more to her. The ascent wasn't as tought as she thought, and the metal steps didn't collapse beneath her slight weight - which was a good thing. Tianna didn't want to die of embarrassment. She giggled nervously as the wagon tilted forward, and she clutched Eric's hand tighter before pulling herself up, pressing her body against his briefly before parting.
Peering inside, she could see that Sir Stonewatch had been busy gathering all they needed. Bundles of clothing and packets of food lay on the side, along with weapons. Tianna realized that she had not seen the knight in action, and though she had half a mind to ask him to showcase his abilities, she also knew that now was not the time. Besides, Eric may not take too kindly to her asking him to do something that was once his life only for her mere entertainment. At that, her face fell slightly - the thought kept coming back. Even if he had reassured her that he was leaving nothing, nobody ever really meant it.
Tianna turned, fixing her gaze on the man, her eyes swimming with emotion as she suddenly surged forward and all but pressed her face into his chest. She didn't realize she was crying until the wet fabric rubbed against her cheek but she merely let out a soft sob. "Thank you... thank you so much..." The murmurs came out small but heavy with some strange happiness, and then Tianna was laughing. It was dotted with weak hiccups and incredibly unattractive (to her) sniffles, but it was a laugh nonetheless. "I'm sorry, I just... it's nice. You're nice. You're lovely."
Post by Exemplar of Demacia on Feb 1, 2014 18:41:11 GMT -5
She climbed the stairs, giggling and smiling. Her happiness was infectious, but it didn't dispel the concerns he had.
When she slipped through the wagon door, Eric was left in suspense. What would a nobles daughter think of what a Knight had gather as their essential supplies? If they left now, they'd pass through the city and be through the north gates by daybreak, but if anything was wrong, or missing, they couldn't risk stopping in the city to retrieve it. He had missed her for two days, and now she would be missed at home. In the morning there would be a search, and they needed not to be found. Concern for time and how she'd react to the pair of bedrolls tucked into the trunk made him nervous.
She emerged from the door, her face elegant and unreadable in a wash of emotions. She took him off guard with her embrace. She was so light and thin that to Eric she seemed fragile and weak. While she couldn't shake him, the impact went straight to his heart, and the strength of her arms wrapping around him Her soft sounds and the pressure of her body moved him, and he held her close to his chest. Her complements made him feel guilty, as if he had tricked her in some way into seeing him as much more than his true self, but that though was overwhelmed by the love her tears incited in him.
"I am not all that you think of me. I don't know a trade. I cannot understand politics or business. All that I can do, is fight. I don't deserve you Tianna but I will learn how to make you happy." He paused, waiting until she'd taken in his words. As she drew back from his chest to look at him, he knelt slowly onto the wooden bench of the wagon, which creaked unceremoniously.
He found it, in the inside pocket of his jacket. It had been his grandmothers ring, passed to him with just this purpose in mind. He held it out to her, the emerald stone and twisting gold band glinting in the light. "Tianna Daysworn, will you marry me?"
Post by Liliana Daysworn on Feb 2, 2014 1:33:38 GMT -5
Tianna would have covered Eric's mouth, if only to stop him from talking but embarrassment held her back. Still, she shook her head vigorously, still tucked beneath the shadow of his collar as his words drew to a close. "No," she muttered fiercely, "I don't care about that. I don't care if you don't know those things." She looked up, adoration shining but also an insistence that Eric believe her. "All of those things... they don't matter. You deserve me as much as I deserve you, and I know that I love you..."
Then her hands were clasped to her chest, and she was once more removed from the warmth that her heart whined for. But her eyes was wide, and she pressed a hand against her mouth. The outburst was unwarranted and it had scared even her. She almost apologized, but the words stuck to her throat as Eric dropped down to one knee. Had Tianna been in the right state of mind, she would have flinched at the way the wagon groaned but she knew that pose. She had seen it before, and all that followed was always something wonderful.
Marriage?
She had only just met the man, and yet she was... yes, in love. Love was magical and unconditional and brilliant. Her fingertips found the wooden side behind her as she staggered against it. Tianna looked at the man before her, holding his very own heart in his hands as an offering as her own roared in her ribs like a feral lion. Her lower lip trembled and she very nearly burst into tears, and it took all of her past lessons and thoughts of sophistication and grace to breathe a shaky breath before nodding.
"Yes... oh, Eric, of course!" Tianna held out her hand to allow the band to slip smoothly onto her left ring finger, just like in the books. It was a dream come true, and she knew that it would be a dream she would hold onto. She stopped only briefly to admire the flashes of peridot swirling with ripples of jade, but her eyes were quickly drawn back to the face of the man she had placed her entire life onto.
Though she managed to contain the waterworks, she could not deny the excitement bursting through her veins and threatening to take over. All her guilt washed away, all thoughts of her family, all doubts fading as she gave in to temptation and swooped down to lift the knight's up, kissing him passionately with a smile dancing across her face. "How could I say no?" She murmured against his lips before parting and brushing a hand through his hair.
Post by Exemplar of Demacia on Feb 2, 2014 19:46:17 GMT -5
Never before had he felt so nervous. When he had finished asking he knelt there frozen, holding his breath in the tension of the moment as if his life was hanging in the balance. Brown eyes searched hers for an answer and his heart leapt in his throat when she staggered back. He opened his mouth to speak but she answer before he could think of what to say.
The relief was like a wave of electricity passing through his body. He placed the ring on her hand, kissed it, and slowly standing he held her hand to his forehead. He could feel the ring pressed to his skin, and laughter shook his shoulders while water welled in his eyes. He stayed there, feeling hand running through his hair. When he looked up, the Knight kissed her hand and then lifted her in his arms. He wrapped around her legs, lifting her up until she was looking down at him. He spun around, taking carefully carefree steps on the wagon foot-board, laughing as he did. If the wagon rocked he didn't notice. One of the horses snorted derisively.
Suddenly everything was bright, and the falling night felt more beautiful than any sunrise. His inhibitions were gone in a flash, replaced with a joy that bolstered a thousand of his tremulous dreams. It was a real beginning to a new life. Eric's doubt was gone, and the hours of standing and waiting weighted little against the energy coursing through him. He set her down on the bench with care, smiling all the while. Eric jumped down, undoing the horses ties before climbing back again. Taking a last glance at the wagon he leaned out to one side looking forward and back, then stepping gingerly past her to look over the other side. Satisfied, he sat beside her with one hand on the reins, the other finding hers and clasping it gently. "I will be happy for the rest of my life."
A swift jerk of the reins and they were off, riding toward the edge of town and onto the dark road.
Post by Liliana Daysworn on Feb 3, 2014 2:43:38 GMT -5
What could only be described as a dazzling grin was ever present on her face as she was swept right off her feet. She laughed lightly, slinging her arms around the knight, settling both hands on the nap of his neck as they all but pranced down the stairs. Tianna couldn't quite believe this was happening, but the heart that thumped wildly against her body told her that yes, it was real and yes, he was real. The wagon seemed to shake under the careless weight, groaning on its wheels but otherwise held firm. Not that she would have noticed it anyway - she was too busy reveling in her happiness.
When they were finally revealed to the outside world, it still felt like they were in their own little fantasy. Tianna felt herself placed gently and she shifted in her seat to allow room for Eric, though the bench seemed to be more than capable of holding the both of them. As the knight did his final checks, she let out a sigh of contentment. The surfacing moon was shining reflection against the blue-black pane of night's glass, and the stars that littered the surface only lended itself to the beauty of it all.
Tianna was so engrossed by the celestial body, with the silver glinting gently off her own crystal blue eyes that she started slightly when a warm hand slipped into hers. She clutched back reflexively as she looked down, marvelling at the way their palms seemed to fit so well. "As will I," she said, smiling. The wagon lurched forward, rattling against the cobblestones as the horses in front swung their heads. As uncomfortable as it may have seemed, Tianna told herself that even if she were placed upon hot coals, nothing could break her.
The road ahead was a yawning tunnel of dark trees and brittle leaves, yet nothing seemed more perfect. She glanced down at her left hand, the ring still glittering even with what little light they had. Tianna brought it closer to her eyes, turning her finger this way and that almost like a practiced jeweler. The cut of the emerald itself was fine, with the many surfaces reflecting the gentle green and swirling storms of viridian locked deep within its depths. The band was golden, plain and simple but the way the gem itself captivated her eyes said it all.
"This... this ring is beautiful," she commented quietly, "Where did you come across this magnificent work of art?"
Post by Exemplar of Demacia on Feb 8, 2014 23:01:01 GMT -5
Road was swallowed by the forest canopy. Lantern light cast its glow on the stone path, streaming out between the trees in little rays that alighted stone and fern. The wagon bounced as it went, the steady clopping sound of hooves ringing out. "It was my father's mother's. She left it to me and now it is yours", he said against the growing sound of crickets and the rustling of leaves in the wind.
He watched the road, wondering if she would have preferred a ring with heritage, or one newly made. Her hands were warm. She was thin, and though he would not have called her weak, she was certainly not strong. Still, the feeling of her arms wrapped around him, her body leaning on his, gave him a feeling of security. Thoughts swam in his head, he felt himself growing hot. Timidly, he took the hand on which the ring rested and kissed it. "It looks dull next to you, and cheap. You outshine it." The moon and stars went unnoticed. Eric barely glanced at them, their familiar light filtering down through a living roof of branches. To him, the more captivating sight was the woman close beside him. He kept his eyes forward to keep from blushes, occasionally stealing glances in the lamplight.
He was used to the road, and not a stranger to long journeys in the dark, marches in the rain or snow. Their journey curved and rose with the hills, quietly grinding on. Lanterns swung and the shadows danced while their wagon made its way along. Eric felt foolish, his stomach reminding him that he hadn't eaten dinner yet. It would be late by the time they reached the city gates to visit a shop, and he wanted to be gone by sunrise. He ignored it as he had many times before, but then again...
"Tianna? Have you eaten?" His mind went to the bags and boxes of provisions. Apples, cheese, bread, any of these would be close at hand if she asked. He was used to ignoring his body's pining but he guessed Tianna might be hungr as well. Before she could reply he was opening the wagon door, reluctantly slipping his hand out of hers and turning on the small light inside.
Post by Liliana Daysworn on Feb 9, 2014 6:13:22 GMT -5
Tianna blinked - the news had come as a surprise, but she immediately blushed at the thought. It wasn't as if she assumed that Eric would be too poor to afford a ring that was of such magnificent quality, it was the fact that she didn't think such a shop would let go of a piece as fine as that. She twisted the band around her finger (noting already that it was going to become a habit), smiling softly. "I promise to take good care of it." She twisted the ring one last time around her finger before placing it against the small space between her and Eric, leaning back to rest her head against the wood behind her.
Silence passed between them, a comfortable quiet that Tianna mulled in. The snorting of horses faded into white noise, chirping insects becoming nothing but background as the incoming night swathed the uneven pavement in warm shadow. The lamps lining the path made it a little less eerie and a little more welcoming. If Tianna flipped through her library of fairy tales, surely she would recall one that included a night ride in a simple carriage with two people side by side. She wondered if she was the fairy tale.
Tianna was startled out of her imagination as Eric grasped her hand, blushing up to the roots of her hair when his lips found skin. "Perhaps only in this light," Tianna teased, but she did not pull her hand away. Her eyes darted towards his, which were quickly adverted. It was too dark to tell if the knight's face was flushed, but she simply decided not to press it. Instead she followed Eric's line of gaze, her brow furrowing - she could not recall this path and she was about to ponder on it when the knight posed her a question.
"Ah..." So engrossed she was in her little adventure, she had briefly forgotten when she had last eaten something. At Daysworn Manor, food was easy to come by and her parents could care less if she visited the kitchen for a snack. Tianna thought to herself. She certainly had a light breakfast and a heavy lunch, but as time had grown closer to midnight, she found that dinner had slipped her mind. Or at least, she could not quite recall what she had or what it had tasted like. "I may have but... a light supper couldn't hurt?" She confessed sheepishly.
Welcome to Maelstrom, Original Characters, Summoners and Champions alike. We are a divergent setting roleplay forum for the ever-popular MOBA by Riot, League of Legends. This means we are based in Riot canon, but your characters' actions can have a real, lasting impact on the world. Together, the Maelstrom community endeavors to bring the League of Legends setting and characters to life through collaborative storytelling and meaningful development. We welcome you along for the ride.
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