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Post by Kiera on Jun 20, 2007 23:43:28 GMT
A large ornate Gate at the edge of the forest. This gate is kept closed and guarded to keep humans out.
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Post by Arthas Orion on Jun 22, 2007 13:00:53 GMT
Arthas hesitated when he was in sight of the great gate that marked the court where he had spent so much of his life. He tried to remind himself that this was a different court, that the original was nothing more than a ruin and a memory fifteen years ago, but it did nothing to ease his apprehension. For the first time in a while, he allowed his emotions to play plainly across his face: nervousness, fear, longing, and just a hint of nostalgia.
It's been too long, his mind railed against him, What if she's forgotten you? She must have surely found others... No, stop! I'm going in to see her, no matter what. But what if she doesn't want to see me? Oh, great goddess, what should I do?
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Post by Chandira on Jun 22, 2007 13:03:26 GMT
Arms folded Chandira slowly walked over to Arthas. She gave him a small smile to greet him.
"Sir." She said bowing her head slightly. "Still waiting for the Queen to arise? I am sorry to tell you, it might not be for a long time yet. She is very tired."
The sword was still attatched to her back strap, the weight was heavy but after 8 long years of carrying it she now didn't feel its mighty weight.
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Post by Arthas Orion on Jun 22, 2007 13:11:08 GMT
Arthas leapt as though he was caught doing something reprehensible. He fumbled, blushed a bright scarlet, and nearly lost his hat, which he made a great show of resetting.
"Um...I...she...heh..." He cleared his throat and took a moment to orient himself before hemet the guardswoman's eyes. "I apologize...Chandira, you said your name was? I must seem like some assassin strolling around the court like this. The Queen is still asleep, you say? Is she ill?"
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Post by Chandira on Jun 22, 2007 13:16:22 GMT
She gave a small laugh out of politeness. She moved closer to him while she shook her head.
"Yes, Chandira Markrow. And no, Her Majesty is not ill. Just saddened. But that is all I can say." She uttered, she had sworn a secrecy vow when she began the post of Chief of security and Personal bodyguard. She would not devulge any unnecessary information with non Catori court members.
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Post by Arthas Orion on Jun 22, 2007 13:36:40 GMT
"Saddened?" Arthas repeated. He wanted to ask why, but the way she said that that was all she could say stifled the question before it was asked. "I'm... sorry to hear that."
He decided he should change the subject, worried he might divulge too much too this stranger with his insistence. "What news of Catori? What has happened here in the years I have... been away?"
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Post by Chandira on Jun 22, 2007 13:41:38 GMT
Chandira didn't know what to tell this man, she didn't know him from adam. She looked unnerved.
"I am sorry, you must see my postion, I am the Queens personal bodyguard, I cannot give too much information with you. My sole responsibility is to the Queen and the Queen alone."
She leaned up against the wall and negan a brief and not so detailed past history.
"Amoung other events, there is now peace between the 2 Kingdoms, Catori and Timlari have strenghtened their relationship and are sworn sister Kingdoms, willing to come to the aid of one and other. The war Lord of Dragon Ur has not been seen in these lands for 15 years, therefore we have all had peace." She stopped. She didn't know what else to tell the stranger.
"Why sir, may I ask, are you so persistent to see the Queen? Hidden agendas?
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Post by Arthas Orion on Jun 22, 2007 13:53:57 GMT
All the training Arthas had disguising his emotions went to naught as he blushed and stuttered like a man caught on the job. "No, that... I mean it... she... I...I-I" It wasn't long, however, before he checked himself and spoke normally, albeit a tad flushed.
"Forgive me. Please, it's your turn to try and understand. I have been off on a gods-forsaken quest for a very long time. When I came back, only recently had I learned just how much has changed. Kiera is..." he hesitated, "...a very dear friend, one of the first I met when I first came here. And after fifteen years, she is the first one I know who is still alive and well. I just...I really want to see her, is all."
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Post by Chandira on Jun 22, 2007 13:59:50 GMT
Chandira nodded to the confused man. She could tell that there was a hidden agenda there for him, feelings for Kiera.
"Then i shall tell her, sir, that you called, twice. I am sure she will be happy to know that a friendly face dropped by."
She thought about his quest that he talked about. "Fifteen years you have been gone for? Did you find out what you went to look for? Because that is a long time to be away for."
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Post by Arthas Orion on Jun 22, 2007 14:06:55 GMT
"I did," he replied evenly, "I found what I was looking for." His mind began to relive the moments on the road, the people he met, the people he lost, the final culmination, his broken enemy on the other end of his rapier...
He shook the memories away. "Sorry, let my mind wander a bit. Haven't done that since I was a kid..."
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Post by Kiera on Jun 22, 2007 14:08:38 GMT
Kiera paused hearing voices as she entered the area of the main gate. Two voices one of which she recognised instantly through years of aquantance and indeed a hidden friendship of sorts, as Chandira the other it stirred memories in her mind and she shook her head
*it cant be can it?* she moved forward agauin until the two were fully in her sight the man she saw standing there made her gasp. Messy red hair, duller but still the same brought her memories floodimg her mind.
"Arthas?...." she paused lest her voice should crack with the emotion tumbling with all the memories she had suppressed from 15 years ago.
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Post by Chandira on Jun 22, 2007 14:12:18 GMT
Chandira smiled when the Queen greeted her long friend. Chandira bowed to the Queen then to Arthas.
"I shall leave you both to catch up." She bowed to the Queen once more. "My Lady."
She turned on her heel and left for the office. Two guards took her place either side of the gate.
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Post by Arthas Orion on Jun 22, 2007 14:17:32 GMT
"Ki-Kiera." Arthas was dumbfounded. By Her wing and talon, she's still as beautiful as when I left her. "It can't really be you."
He couldn't stop himself. He near jogged to her and took her in his arms. "It has been too long, Kiera... too long." He put her at arm's length. "Oh, you haven't aged a day."
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Post by Kiera on Jun 22, 2007 14:19:24 GMT
It was all Kiera to do not allow herself to melt into his arms and cry but she held herself upright aware of the upraised eyebrows of the waiting guards.
"Too long!" she murmered and smiled sadly.
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Post by Arthas Orion on Jun 22, 2007 14:27:30 GMT
Arthas' intuition, stronger with contact, picked up stray emotions; she was happy to see him, despite all his doubts, but there was something else there... sadness?
"Kiera, I'm so sorry. I should have been here for you. I shouldn't have just left like that, not without saying good bye. You must have thought I deserted you. I'm so sorry." He wanted to tell her about the mission, but decided against it; it would be bound to make her feel worse.
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