THE FRUIT OF MACHINATIONS

Ir Ithil ammen Eruchín
menel-vîr síla díriel
si loth a galadh lasto dîn!
le linnon im Tinúviel!

The De Beauharnais and company arrived at the Thorndwin Chateau by the mid-afternoon sun. The estate held a large house made of brick with a dozen rooms and large baths and stone dressing of the french gothic style. The grounds ranged 5,000 -acre of lush green grass making it the perfect place for walks, riding, and sporting events.

Alwulae felt out of place among the strangers, the once praised oracle and healer-turned shamed wanderer was a style of life that she had yet to become accustomed. She had been thrust into the light, bathed in it's magnificent glow and shown for all to see, only to have it taken away. Now she found herself in the light again as a personal guess of the De Beauharnais.

It was hard to look in any one direction without catching the eyes of another on her person. The people there weren't used to seeing elves much less one of pure blood. Alwulae decided not to meet their eyes, and cast her gaze away each and every time. Her luxuriant flaxen hair reflected well in the day's sun of perfect golden spools. Her eyes were large, doe-like, and innocent and her lips were as full a blossom as the peony flower. Yet in all her womanly handsomeness a fine hard look at her showed that her features had not yet settled and a fresh faced youth lingered just behind her eyes and in her cheeks and mouth.

Dwafted and flanked on all sides by older, more polished and sophisticated human women Alwulae remained distant and standoffish. She must have appeared savage to them dressed in a earthen tone gown and leather sandals. It was all overwhelming for the young oracle who became stiff under their hard and judgemental gazes. But besides her elven blood and spirit, she possessed that which money and status could not offer her human elders and was why many men turned from the aging to those like herself under who's bodices life throbbed fast and hot.

Alwulae stayed close to the lord and lady De Beauharnais and followed them as they traversed the grounds. She felt claustrophobic with so many strange humans around, even though they were standing outside on the grand Thorndwin Chateaue. Earlier that evening games of stick fighting and archery had been played between gentlemen and after their endings for the day were completed the grounds were opened for the less athletic to explore and toy around. Lady De Beauharnais sauntered through casually paying no mind to the equipment laying about and showed a disinterest in the games all together.

It was the younger of the group that looked on with interest of the less athletic people clumsy trying to mimic the sport correctly. As they approached the main house, the young elf noticed how much bigger it was than she had first thought when they reached the gate. The De Beauharnais of course, behaved as if there was nothing to awe after and for them this was true. The De Beauharnais family line was long and dipped in coin for many years.

The double doors of the house seemed to open by themselves before a team of servants spilled out ready to collect their bags and carry them inside. Alwulae declined the offer, and her belongings were so few there was hardly the need to encumber another with its slight weight. Lord De Beauharnais turned towards her and extended a hand to show the way as he spoke. "You may freshen up if you wish? The lavatories are through here. I'll have the staff prepare something to eat, then we shall introduce you to the Dowager Countess."


Days ago


A large ship bound for Triston left from the Eastern region of Vanyar and set sail on open waters. The ship had been at sea for days with barely a stir in the waters and the strong winds kept them moving at a good pace. The group was comprised mostly of merchants, but there were others on board such as the De Beauharnais noble family and their servants.

It was two hours passed sun rise when Alwulae started to stir and roll around in bed. Dressed in a simple chemise as she normally was, the flaxen-haired elf laid curled up on one side. The sun shined in through the window bathing her in it's warm glow and allowing the natural light to expose the sheerness of the thin one-piece garment. Sighing softly she turned, still in restful sleep until a loud noise followed by commotion on the other side of the wall woke her.

CODED BY ELECTRIC OF GANGNAM STYLE

Wanderer, mercenary, thief, assassin, the labels didn't matter all that much to Orthodas Quent. When he needed the funds he took a job. He was the type of man who attracted the work he enjoyed. He didn't need to advertise that he was a fighter and a killer. It was evident by the dark aura that surrounded him. The people who weren't intimidated by him were either seeking to prove their mettle or wanted to use him somehow, and that was fine as long as he was well paid.

This wasn't going to be a remarkable job. The man who approached him had seemed more nervous than most, which meant Ortho was able to intimidate more money out of the man. He was a wormy, slimy sort of man, all pudge without a semblance of a backbone. He offered a small fortune, and passage on a boat, as long as the man's business rival never made it to port.

The only complication would be to make it look like the man willingly jumped off the ship. Ortho had little desire to get suspected of murder, but he was creative enough, and charismatic enough he thought even if he was suspected of something he could manage. Things only began to go pear shaped when the man was a degenerate gambler and drunk, who insisted to play dice with Ortho the entire boat trip. If he went missing they would ask him right away. Attention was bad for the covert assassination business.

The problem resolved itself, and created more when mid morning the man was very drunk, and losing very badly at dice. Ortho was ready to leave the man's cabin when he felt the man jump on his back, taking a dull knife to Ortho's throat, or attempting too, but mainly cutting beard hair and leaving a shallow scratch.

The confrontation lasted only a few seconds. Ortho was quick on his feet, and the other man was clearly not a fighter. Ortho slammed his fist into the man's face, then grabbed the man's head between his hands and slammed the back of his head hard against one of the thick wooden beams running vertically between the cabins. He did it once, twice and then made sure the man's skull was soft before he let the body fall limply to the ground.

Now was the unpleasant part. He found the man's knife and drove it into his forearm, careful to miss anything important. With the knife stuck in his arm he picked one of the adjacent cabins and barged in.

"You have to help me. The man in the cabin…he tried to kill me. See my neck?" He lifted his beard to show the thin cut. "Just tell the Captain you witnessed it. I'll owe you whatever price you ask."

THE FRUIT OF MACHINATIONS

Ir Ithil ammen Eruchín
menel-vîr síla díriel
si loth a galadh lasto dîn!
le linnon im Tinúviel!

Alwulae stared at the door, eyes wide and focused on the wooden door that was held in place by two strong metal hinges. She could hear stirring through halls and the sounds of struggle. The ears of elvan were keen and could hear far better than that of a human. However, in this case one wouldn't need the sensitive ears of an elf to hear the clatter down the hall. The ship was by no means huge, and the walls were made of wooden planks they weren't thick enough to suppress sound.

One bare foot tested the floor in front of the bed, and the other followed. Alwulae tip toed closer to her door as the foot falls outside drew closer and closer still. She didn't like the sound of this, not at all. A ship at sea was the worst place for blood shed, and the captains law was flimsy at best. The elven mage moved closer, her heart beating faster inside her chest. Hesitation stalled her at the door, and she gave second thought to open it and go out into the hall.

Danger lurked near by, possibly death, but as a healer she felt compelled to aid the fallen. It was times like this that she wished her powers would guide her in the right direction, but often times it didn't work that way. Perhaps it was in a way that she wasn't aware of, and by going into the hall, the way would become clear to her.

Alwulae decided to commit and go out into the hall, but before her hand could reach the door knob, it was pulled away from her quickly as the door was flung open from the other side. The young elf jumped, and peddled backwards away from the door. The sight of a rather large man entering her room reminded her of her nakedness and she quickly covered her breasts with her arms.

She was about to scream, and even dared to cast a threat but the sight of blood cause her pause. The man was injured and as he begged for help, she noticed the dagger in his arm and the cut under his chin. He was the one that she heard stomping through the halls before. The one causing the commotion. Or at least one of them. "Sit down. Allow me to take a look?"

His explanation left much to be desired, but her focus was on his injuries rather than the truth of his words. "Hold still. I must remove the dagger before I can heal the wound." She placed a hand on his arms and with the other, she gripped the dagger. In that moment, her curiosity arose and she used her magic to look into the past of the dagger. It was but a brief glimpse, a few seconds before he'd barged into her room.

"He stabbed himself? But why?"

The question lingered in her mind, but Alwulae didn't speak it aloud. With the handle of the knife firmly in her grip, she pulled it free of his arm and tossed it on the floor. The elven healer quickly placed her hands on top of his wound and cast a spell to heal it. "Bui i naneth, nin Gaia, i mán -o i ambar. Lend nin cín polod na heal hon wonds." The wound on his arm would start to tickle, the pain fading away as the slit became smaller and smaller until it vanished completely.

Alwulae removed her hands revealing his mended arm, and if he checked, he would find that the fresh wound on his neck was also healed. "There. I have healed your arm. But I fear that is all that I can do for you." she explained as she covered her chest with both arms.

CODED BY ELECTRIC OF GANGNAM STYLE

He ignored her nakedness with difficulty. He had to maintain the illusion of his story. That he ought to be rattled and slightly panicked. The only thing he couldn't do was falsely elevate his heart rate. He could do jittery. He could do frantic. In truth it had been ages since he felt either emotion but they were hallmarks of his earlier years. Now he was a cold blooded assassin when he wasn't a simple sellsword. Killing meant nothing to him and being in a violent confrontation was a fairly regular occurrence. He had that aura about him now even though he did his best to falsely hide it. He was uncertain if the beautiful elf bought it, but commitment to the story was important.

He sat on the only furniture of the room, the bed and let her manipulate his wounded arm. The odd presence of magic being used on his flesh causing goose bumps and a shiver down his spine. He hated feeling helpless and unless he found some legendary priceless artifact that nullified magic cast on him he would always be helpless to it. He would tolerate the magic as she was obviously a healer of some sort. She pulled the blade from his forearm and he bit his tongue. He was not immune to pain. Letting out a soft string of curses under his breath. He held still as she began to cast a spell upon his wounded arm.

She stepped back and he looked on his hand flesh with no small amount of genuine amazement. He has not expected such a thorough job. The urge to itch was strong but he had always been lucky in that regard. He could ignore that. Her final words were a problem that he had to address quickly.

He shifted on the bed and pulled the blanket he was sitting on and tossed it to her, trying to avert his eyes in such a small space. He could hear other people moving about, obviously curious about the sound of fighting. He had to be quick and convincing.

"You must help me. If it is my word against a dead man's the captain is liable to have me thrown overboard or in shackles until we make the port…and then I'm as good as dead. If you speak a word in my defense. Anything. I would owe you my life…" He tried to think of an avenue he could explore. It was right in front of his face. She was alone. "You obviously are traveling alone…help me and I will be your guard and servant until you feel that I've paid my debt, or sell my debt to one of the mercenary companies if you wish.."

He heard footsteps nearby. He had to be quick. He lowered his voice and spoke quieter, quicker, trying to be insistent. "We were drinking. The man knowing you are traveling alone tried to break into your room to rape you. I tried talking him out of it. He drew a knife. I'll swear to any Gods you wish. Do this and I will do whatever you ask." A not entirely exaggerated tone of pleading in his whispered voice.

THE FRUIT OF MACHINATIONS

Ir Ithil ammen Eruchín
menel-vîr síla díriel
si loth a galadh lasto dîn!
le linnon im Tinúviel!

Alwulae's feelings for humans was tolerable as best and her trust in them was questionable. Like many of her kin, she had spent her life away from them and only heard bad things about them from others and very little if anything good. During her travels the humans had proven the stories true on many occasions, but some had proven the opposite though few they were.

The man seated on her bed trying his best not to stare at her body was one of those that she felt she needed caution with. He was undoubtedly a part of whatever had been gong on outside and she wasn't sure if she could trust his word. Truth wasn't something won easily or given easily, and yet this man was ready to offer up his freedom to her if she was willing to aid him.

Anyone that eager to sell themselves either lying or desperate. Both were shady deals and who could say how that person would act once their lives had been spared and they were no longer facing danger. Alwulae wasn't in a mood nor would she ever be bring that kind of trouble upon herself. She had a mission, a mission that was of the most importance and she couldn't be slowed down.

"Fine. I will speak to them on your behalf. You can consider your aid in protecting me from harm as payment for my help."

Alwulae took the blanket and wrapped it around her shoulders and pulled the cloth closed over her chest. The news that someone had been trying to enter her room to do her harm was alarming to say the least but she knew better than to expect more out of the human world.

CODED BY ELECTRIC OF GANGNAM STYLE

Ortho watched her closely hoping she wouldn’t betray him, though she had no reason not to as he was clearly a rough looking man, and she was an elf, most likely skeptical of all things involving humanity. Relief flooded over him as she finally agreed to help him, it would likely save him from being thrown overboard or at best imprisoned in the nearest port city. They now had the words of two against the dead, and the obvious evidence of a messy struggle to bolster their story.

”Thank you. Miss..?” Before he could get an answer the Captain came in with another man who was brandishing a blade. Ortho immediately raised his hands in a gesture of obedience and submission. He wanted to tell his tale before the Elf tried. He did not know her skill in weaving tales or lies, and if he was now working under her, well she need not speak unless she wished it. That was the way of things. He had no clue of her station in life, he had not seen her clothed or jeweled, but she certainly was beautiful enough to be a woman of means.

”Captain..We can explain the commotion and the body. Forgive me for causing a disturbance.” He quickly began. He was a large intimidating man, but he could feign at least a modicum of humility. ”I was gambling with the man in my quarters. He did not know in secret I was traveling with the lady here.” He added with a gesture. He thought the fact she was clutching the sheets would be a benefit. No man of any sense wanted to offend a nearly nude woman of means.. ”He began boasting of raping and killing my patron here..and naturally I tried to dissuade him of the idea. With words at first but that was not enough.”

He showed off his injuries hoping they lent credence to his story. If this had been an assassination and done well he would not be visibly injured. Even though his injuries looked worse than they were. ”I will reimburse you personally for the disturbance Captain. My lady expects better of me and it is my fault that things got so out of hand. I should not have been drinking. If I was sober I would have been able to subdue the man for questioning. Isn’t that right m’lady?”

He turned his head to her, trying to offer his most reassuring and charming smile. He knew less than nothing about this woman, but he sincerely hoped it all worked out. The next few moments would mean everything.

THE FRUIT OF MACHINATIONS

Ir Ithil ammen Eruchín
menel-vîr síla díriel
si loth a galadh lasto dîn!
le linnon im Tinúviel!

Alwulae was skeptical of the man as she was most humans. He looked the part of a bruiser and had already committed a murder-justified or not. It was probably best not to get tangled up in whatever he was involved in-misfortune surely followed the wicked-and if it didn't happen quickly it was sure to happen before they took their final breath. Still there was something, a calling tuition that gave her pause and reason to trust him.

She was about to give him her name, but she hesitated and that was enough time for the door to swing open and two men centered uninvited. The young elf stepped back and pulled her the blanket closer against her body to hide the fact that she was near naked under the thin fabric. "Do you mind? This is a lady's room, you should knock first." she scolded them.

The stranger started to explain and weave his story as he had asked her to agree with. Alwulae sighed and looked away, eyes rolling at the same time. She still felt like this was a bad idea and might come back to haunt her, but she had already given her word that she would stick by his story. It was hard to trust humans and so many of them were cruel beasts and if he had in fact saved her life-she owed him that much.

As far as Alwulae was concerned, it felt like he was explaining things too well, and the way that he fell upon his sword seemed a tad bit much given he had her there as a character witness and no one had blamed him for anything....yet. "What he says is the truth. The man that he killed intended to do me harm and would have succeeded if not for my protector here."

She looked up at him, eyes still searching, seeking his truth before she continued. "As he said, we will offer what aid can must to see this made right." She bowed to the captain.

CODED BY ELECTRIC OF GANGNAM STYLE

Ortho let out a barely audible sigh of relief when she backed up his story. He didn't know exactly what he would have done if she refused, but that didn't matter now. He watched the Captain hem and haw, obviously on the fence over the matter but it was the word of two living people against a dead one. Ortho took no chances however.

”Please Captain. It is early and my patron is traumatized over this whole ordeal. Her dignity, her chastity is compromised in her state. We can discuss this matter further over dinner.” Much to Ortho's surprise the Captain slowly started retreating and once he was a good way away, Ortho shut the door, letting out a deep sigh.

”Now that is done, my oath.” He was a heathen, practicing a wild mixture of various beliefs, traditions and standards. He drew the blade at the front of his belt, a small plain thing used for eating and opened his other palm. ”I swear to be in your service and follow your commands until my debt is paid off.”

Ortho slowly dragged the blade over his skin. He did it light enough to draw blood but not run. It was nothing more than a scratch but the meaning was enough. When he was done he felt it. Something shift. He knew nothing of magic, at least in any meaningful way. ”... What manner of compulsion is this?”

He stared at her feeling a sudden overwhelming urge to meet her approval. He was unsure if she did something or if it had been a random happenstance. ”Why do I have the urge to do anything you wish…and that I'll like it?”

Now she waited, to see how the captain would react to what they had said. He had every right to throw them off his boat, he could have done so and all because of what this man had done. Alwulae wasn't please in the least but there was nothing to do for it now besides wait and see what the caption decided. She had done as the human had asked, and if more was needed she might not offer.

The state of her undress was brought up again and Alwulae hugged the sheet tighter against her body trying to hide any evidence that naked skin lied beneath the veil at all. "Yes, it has been a very long day and I would like to rest in peace." she added to fully sale the narrative although she was a little tired.

Alwulae watched him remove the blade from his belt and although she wasn't afraid that he would harm her, she wasn't sure what he was about to do. "Do you swear such things so easily? This is your life that you speak off. Is it so easy to swear an oath or does that mean little to you?" she questioned.

She watched him slide the sharp edge across his palm and create a scratch. The young elf knew this custom well enough, though normally it was done in a way that allowed blood to flow and drip down fingers. "Compulsion? What do you mean?"

Alwulae stared at him as he spoke, her eyes narrowed as she searched his features. He said the oddest things and so easily and without any shame. "I'm sure I have no idea what you speak of. Perhaps you are just tired."

The oath spoken had a strange effect on him, and he had no idea why he was so drawn to her. Like most elves he had met she was clearly beautiful, and her nudity, barely covered by the rough sheet of the swaying boat did little to help his need growing inside of him. He glanced to the door glad for the privacy they shared as he covered his now wounded hand with a scrap of cloth. He was thankful that he didn't cut too deeply.

”I have sworn few oaths in my life because I plan to never betray my word…and I haven't.” He explained as he tied the wrapping of his hand. He felt her gaze boring into him, those vivid eyes pulling him closer. He believed she had no clue what was going on with him, but none of it made sense. He didn't have much knowledge of Elves, or magic but something was strange about all of this.

”It is not fatigue, my lady. I have been far more tired than this, I could go another day without sleep if you seem it necessary…” He spoke softly, searching her eyes for some clue, some insight as to what was going on. He of course saw nothing, this was new to both of them.

With the covers pulled up to cover her bare form he saw her dainty feet uncovered and he stared, feeling a strange stirring in his heart. He could feel blood rushing between his legs, realizing it has been a long time since he was with a woman.

”I will do whatever you ask of me…I live to please you…” He spoke softly, as if his words were the most natural thing in the world. Standing in front of the bed, she would think he was bowing, until his lips met her feet. He intended it to be a simple gesture before he found her toes in his mouth.