Carhien in Dissaray
Ranine Voda stepped into the common room he had just aquired. The small town inn was now his headquarters and people were still flocking to him. Any noble house he hadn't crushed was still willing to kill him, but he was ready for them. He had a staff of taste testers for poison, body guards everywhere, and a secret weapon that even he hardly knew about.
Ranine was a short man, even by Carhien standards. He wasn't ugly but to say he was handsome was a stretch of the imagination for anyone. His face had scarring from a terrible burn he had gotten when he was young, but even without that, he still wasn't anything to look at.
He wasn't overly powerful. Third son of a minor house, Ranine had almost nothing go for him. He couldn't even fight very well.
Which made any normal person wonder why whe was with him. Sophia was the only Daughter of the House of Ikiron and a local legend for her beauty. She was beautiful, powerful, and knew more about the Game then most men in Carhien. But above all, she adored Ranine, nearly waiting on him hand and foot.
Ranine smiled as she came into the common room, still kept up like she always was. She had nearly chosed that Du'saa whelp, but he had fixed that. Now he was lord of the Ikiron house and owned more land then any other Lord had in the last 100 years.
And the people loved him. It was getting to be time to use that fact.
Competition was invigorating to say the least. Indra could not believe how many had been won over by Ranine Voda in the last couple of months. Her sources informed her it was not because he had anything to give but that he was willing to take with such ferocity. And of course it helped he married into such an influential House.
At any other time Indra would have been intrigued. But the fact the short ugly man wished to acquire the one thing she had every right to upset her. Now things had to be done to oust him and put her self in a very accommodating if not powerful light. “Keshin,” the tall man that stood behind her stepped forward. He gave her a blank stare that Indra could not help but like. He was loyal and would kill for her. He would even kill himself and Indra found such worship lovely. “Find out how I might acquire an invitation to speak with Lady Sophia Voda. Make it plain I wish to speak with her of her new marriage.” She waved him away as she sat about making plans. It was time to become closely connected. Ranine Voda my need her and she was willing to be needed for a price of course.
A week later she received an invitation to visit with Lady Sophia. Indra was far from delighted. She knew the woman if only in passing and hated her on sight. Back then she had the very handsome Tristan on her arm and Indra had been insanely jealous. Tristan was beneath her but he was handsome. She collected handsome things but of course not all of them wanted to be kept. Hatred in the fact that Tristan wanted Sophia was enough to make her wanted to do murder in front of witnesses, something she never did. Sighing a bit she rang in her maids and got dressed.
An hour later she rode to the Inn Voda was keeping his new wife. Sneering in distaste at the shabby Inn, Indra dismounted with the help of Keshin. She picked up her light blue silk skirts and climbed the stairs. When she walked inside she was affronted by smells she was sure she could not stand and was lead to a personal room. As she entered the room she caught sight of Sophia and put a pleasant smile on her face. The smile froze in place when she saw the ugly man the woman was smiling so brightly at. “My Lord Voda what a pleasant surprise. I had no idea you would be joining Sophia and I for tea.” Keshin had pulled out a seat for and she sat demurely. The short man kept his eye on her without speaking a word. Not one for idle chatter Indra made an effort. There was an image of her that she wanted Voda to see. It had to be imprinted on his mind if she was to have what she wanted. Her long eyelashes hide her study of him as she started to talk. “I do apologize for interrupting your time with your new wife. I had hoped to congratulate her new marriage. We have only been acquaintances but I thought now would be a time for me to change that. These days you never know what can happen. I fear with my cousins dead and the throne up for grabs finding friends is so necessary.” She fidgeted deliberately. She noticed Voda watching her intently now. She kept her amusement to herself. She was no weak wallflower but appearances must be kept as they are now.
-Yasha Murikovine Queen of Saldaea- -Brenna Selanos BT Civilian- -Aiden D'orgen BotRH- -AND Bio Checker-
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(3/14/06 7:01 pm) Reply
Re: Carhien in Dissaray
Sophia ran the comb through her blond hair again. It was silken smooth to the touch, since Ranine made sure she had the best herbs for it, and smelled faintly of crushed rose petals. With a deft twist, she knotted a braid up and clipped it in place, then did again with another on the other side. Staring at her reflection in the mirror, she smiled brightly at herself. She was not an ugly young woman; quite the contrary. She had bright green eyes and fine features, her skin smooth and ivory. Cocking her head to the side, she stared into the mirror, and started as she saw the man come in the room behind her. Tristan! Her heart leapt. He had come back--
The crushing weight landed on her, and she blinked. Tristan? Who was Tristan? She turned to smile brightly at her love, Ranine.
"You have a request for an invitation," Ranine said, stroking her cheek. She beamed up at him. He was so good to her. A thought swirled in the back recesses of her mind: but Tristan holds your heart . . . She didn't pay it any mind though as Ranine lowered his head to be kissed. She pressed up against him willingly. "You will send the invitation, no?" She nodded vigorously. Anything to please him. Anything. "Good. I feel she may be . . . persuaded into helping us."
And then he was gone from the room. Her maidservant came up to her, staring after Ranine for a long while before shaking her head. "Milady, if you have an invitation to send, I shall write it for you."
"Please," Sophia said, flashing her a smile as well. She went over to her wardrobe, picking out a rich deep red dress that fell from her shoulders and fit snugly through the bodice before flaring out over her hips. Ranine said he liked this type of dress, ones that showed off her shoulders, which he claimed were one of her better features. She lived to please him.
***
Sophia was walking down a forest path. It wasn't day or night, but there was a weird soft light that seemed to come directly out of the sky itself. Everything seemed a bit hazy, a bit unreal. She rubbed her hand across her eyes. She felt like she had been sleeping for a very long time, and had just woken. She looked around herself, recognizing her surroundings as the woods that surrounded her manor. Tristan and her often met in this area to enjoy the walk to the stream or wherever they chose to go. She looked around again, to find the right direction to her manor, and started walking.
The last thing that she could really remember was a man's face leering before her. She didn't know who it was, or what he ahd been doing inside her manor . . . yes . . . she ahd been in her manor. What was she doing outside of it? And why was everything . . . fake looking? She quickened her pace, calling out hesitantly. "Tristan? Tristan!"
She broke through a small hedge, and was looking over her manor. She went towards it slowly, stumbling at first, then a bit faster as she realized that it was . . . off. The barn was gone, simply not there, and there were odd new buildings here and there around the place. She broke into a full run towards the house. "Tristan! Please, Tristan . . ."
She stopped in front of the door. A dark, cold feeling came from beyond, and she suddenly didn't really want to go inside. Instead she found herself stepping backwards, away from the door. She stepped backwards . . . and found her back pressed against the gate, more than a hundred yards from the door. As far as she could get and still be inside the compound. The gate, however, was having a hard problem staying closed, opening and closing without moving, simply . . . being open, then shut, then open again.
"I . . . I'm dreaming!" she exclaimed, looking back towards the house. She sank to her knees, her head in her hands. She didn't want to be here anymore, alone, unknowing what had happened to her place and her Tristan . . . she wanted him to be there, holding her and comforting her, telling her that it would be alright. Telling her that this was nothing but a dream. She wanted to wake and find him sleeping in the next room, where he had begun staying since their betrothal had been finalized. She wanted him . . .
"S-sophia?"
She spun around, and there he was. She cried out and ran to him, flinging her arms around his neck, sobbing suddenly in her joy to see him here with her, clinging to him, afraid that he would fade away and vanish. But the arms that encircled her waist and pulled her tightly to him were very much solid, very much real. "Oh Tristan . . . I feel . . . very weird."
He pulled back a bit and looked at the manor. "How . . . how is this possible?"
"I don't know," Sophia said, looking at the manor with him. "I just found it this way."
"No--I was . . . am . . . asleep in the White Tower." He looked at her curiously.
"The White Tower? Whateverfor??" she asked, taken aback. Why would he have left her?
"Because of what happened," he said very slowly, and his arms, strong arms, left her as he stepped back. "This is a dream."
"I believe it is as well, but I haven't felt so awake for a very long time," Sophia said back. "I . . . what happened? Why did you leave?"
"Sophia . . ." Tristan shook his head. There was hurt, pain in his eyes. "You . . . your family, your servants, your brother, everyone's dead! You and I are the only ones left alive from your house. Ranine Voda attacked in the middle of the day while your brother and I were away hunting. We returned to a world of ruin. They took your brother and I ran. We saw you first . . . you . . . you were with him."
"With him?" she reiterated, aghast.
"Yes, with . . . Voda. On his arm. Smiling up at him adoringly while you watched him kill your brother."
"No . . . no!" she cried out, turning away.
"You . . .you really don't remember any of this, do you," Tristan said, and it wasn't a question. His voice was soft, compassionate as it always was when he knew she needed his love, his strength.
"No," she said, sobbing harder than before.
"I have heard that channelers have the ability to make others obey them without question. Perhaps . . ."
"I am being compelled?" she retorted.
"Unless you really love him," Tristan said, and there was an edge to his voice now.
"Love him? I never!" she snapped, spinning back to look at him, and then she realized what he was feeling. He had not known she did not know. He had only seen her with him. And though she did not remember this, the evidence was all around her. She flung herself into his arms, sobbing harder still. "Tristan, I am sorry, so so sorry!" she wailed. TO her great relief, his arms wrapped around her again as they sank slowly to the ground. "I do not love him. Never. I am yours! I love you, Tristan, I love you, I love you, I love you!"
"I know, I know, shh," he said, wiping away her tears with his fingers. She was surprised to feel rough calluses on his hands and see blisters on his palms. "I am training as a Gaidin," he said softly, noticing her scrutiny. "I suppose my hands will never be soft again. But . . . I will be able to come for you. The White Tower will not sit for long, and when they come, I will come with them. I love you, Sophia."
She smiled up at him, pushing herself up, hooking an elbow behind his neck to pull him down further to press her lips against his. She felt a distant tugging on her concious, and in that moment, understood that this really WAS a dream. She was asleep now, and when she woke, she would be asleep inside her own body. "Please, don't forget me," she whispered into his ear, and let the pull tug her from his arms, from the world of soft dreams, and back to herself.
***
Sophia sat in the room with Ranine at her side as Indra entered the room. She was smiling at Ranine again, beaming up at her one and only. They were talking, but she cared not, really. She would speak if Ranine told her to, but until that moment came, she would really have no reason to say anything. So she sat, staring into his eyes . . .
While her soul screamed for release.
(Raekal Dunshain) -- First Stormleader Asha'man Bonded to Brenna Selanos (Saker Mandell) -- King of Manetheren (Rahien Shan) -- King of Arafel (Kerin Lizaile) -- Bonded to Kamariana (Tristan Du'saa) -- Gaidin in Training
Re: Carhien in Dissaray
Ranine smiled. There was more to this woman then she was letting on, but he hadn't made it this far by being stupid. He saw through her, but decided to play her at her game.
"I see what you mean Lady Indra. Friends are always needed in a land like Carhien," he sipped softly on his tea, watching her intently over the brim of the cup. "Perhaps you would like to join me on my way to claiming Carhien's throne? I know you would enjoy your rightful place as one of the leading members on the court of the Sun Throne."
Ranine hid his smile deep in his cup of tea with another long drink. He could have her killed at any time he so chose. Just as he had his brothers killed. Peasents were so volitile that you never really knew what they would do.
"It will be mine you know," he said softly with a small wave of his hand. Four doors opened up with a deadly looking man standing in each. "I suggest you take my offer."
Re: Carhien in Dissaray
Indra glanced at a disgustingly happy Sophia and gave a bright smile to Ranine. "I accept your offer my lord. Only I have one ammendment I must ask of you." When Ranine raised an eyebrow Indra lowered her eyes and blushed. It was an easy thing for her to do because of her fair complexion. it also kept men's minds on other things. Her plan has not worked yet and she had a feeling Ranine saw alot more then she wanted but him knowing her true nature was not likely. What she wanted he thought he could give and she will make him feel more confident of that by the minute.
"I wish to be more of a help to you but I must ask you let me help with the other nobles. I have ways with some that you may not since I am first cousin to the last King and his siblings." When he frowned she blushed again and bumbled her speech a bit. "You have no wor..rrries that I wish for the throne. Just the opposite really!" Her voice became a bit high pitched and she calmed herself. "I do not have the power you do Lord Voda but I do have the skill to secure the throne for you. Every Lord and Lady that now backs me will back you and then some. All I want is ...." Her eyes wondered to Sophia again before she gave Ranine a startled look, "Power. Power that would not lead back to me. There are many that have wronged me and I see that it only logical I help you and you will help me. But I wish to carry out my own plans it is just a bonus that I would have your name behind me when I do so." She saw the considering look in his eyes and she really did not care what he thought she was up to. All the things she said were true and he was useful. Thats was all he needed to think. Many men were to easy to mislead when they trusted her. Ranine Voda was her enemy, she wanted him to distrust her. The game was much more fun to win that way.
-Yasha Murikovine Queen of Saldaea- -Brenna Selanos BT Civilian- -Aiden D'orgen BotRH- -AND Bio Checker-
Re: Carhien in Dissaray
Ranine frowned, deep in thought. She played The Game of Houses well, but so did he. This looked like a trap to even one unskilled, but he would take the bait.
He was quite sure she would raise the other Lords to her side and work to put him down, all the while getting rid of her opponents while blaming him. He would let her start her game, but he had more eyes and ears in Carhien now then she could imagine. If she was doing anything funny, he would know before the sun set.
"Very well Lady Indra. You will get what is yours, and I will see to that." Voda gave a small nod and the men from the doors dissapeared, waiting to be called again, dissapointed that they weren't needed. "If you have any advice for me before we part ways, perhaps you would like to share it now. I am busy and have other things to attend to."
Re: Carhien in Dissaray
Indra smiled, "Nothing more my lord I think we have a perfect understanding of one another."She kept the shy smile but she was sure her eyes were alight with glee. "If I may leave you my lord I have things to put in order for you." When he gave her a small nod she rose and curtsied. Then she and Keshin made their exit and she laughed. "Oh Keshin what fun we are to have." Keshin nodded, ever the stoic figure, then left to retrieve their horses.
When they were own there way to her estates Indra formulated her plans. When they walked into her palor much later she gave Keshin a malevolent smile. "I think I will first make sure to have every single one of my loyal supporters make a visit to Ranine. I will keep my promise to make sure he has so much support from me that he well be either very paranoid of my loyalty or become complacent. When either one happens Keshin I will have a very nice trap waiting for him." A raised eyebrow was the only thing that denoted that Keshin did not think warmly of her machinations. "What? My mistress has always been happy with me and when i hear from her again she will be more so." Keshin smiled then and Indra laughed. "So you are in?" He nodded and she clapped her hands together once. "Good now it's time to plan."
-Yasha Murikovine Queen of Saldaea- -Brenna Selanos BT Civilian- -Aiden D'orgen BotRH- -AND Bio Checker-
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