The Protector (Dreamer and Gemini_Rising)

[Heart of the Dreamer]

The absolute void of perception and sensation was broken not by light, but by the grit of dirt coating Erik Leonhardt's lips. He sputtered, not yet able to see, and rolled over so that his face was towards the sky. The sun beamed brightly through thick foliage, and as he opened his bleary eyes he could see a host of vibrant colors dazzling the thick canopy of this strange forest. A thick groan was all his dry throat would muster for the moment.

The knight sat up, his metal plate armor glistening in the sunlight, and he looked around for some clue as to the situation at hand. Last he could recall, his party had been on the hunt for a mad sorceror, the one calling himself The Dragon of West Blackport. That was the last of his memories. Had they even encountered the pompous bastard?

"Eryn?" He called out for a friend, looking for his trusted ranger. Nobody was around. "Adam! Cassius!" His calls became more frantic. This place looked alien to him, and he was alone. Scrambling to his feet, he gripped the handle of the longsword he kept sheathed to his belt and backed against a nearby tree. His hand came up to dust the dirt out of his black beard and short, equally dark hair, standing tall at 6 feet and 4 inches, his broad chest expanding and relaxing with each panicked breath. Gold-colored eyes darted suspisciously around, looking for any sign of danger. His impressive, strong jaw clenched and he could feel his teeth press against each other. Goddess knew what awaited him here in this unearthly forest.

 

[Gemini_Rising]

The Fae world was at odds. There was a precarious truce between the Seelie and Unseelie courts. They didn't seem to agree on much. Things that would often be fought about was whether to even have two high courts, if the humans and fae should be separated, if the fae should overpower the humans, and whether the fae should enslave them The Seelie court knew about humans and on the rare occasions they happened to interact with humans they were not outright cold. They did not trust the humans as in the past the humans seemed to take advantage of their magic and hospitality. The Unseelie court is the exact opposite. They wanted to go out into the human world. Actively look to harm them. To control everything around them. They wanted power. The man who happened to stumble into the fae world would count himself lucky to have the Seelie court guards find him and take him in.

The fae could sense a disturbance in their area. Once a human came into their world they could feel the change in the energy. They held no magic and the world they lived in seemed to almost shift to accommodate that. His essence was mundane but little did they know how much he would affect their lives. Once the human's energy was sensed it was just a matter of time. The Seelie court guards were on a mission. They sent out four guards. Two with longbows and two with swords and shields. They were experienced fighters and warriors and knew how to protect their world. They made their way towards the disturbance silently and with purpose. Which is where they spotted the human. Without even speaking the men circled around him without him immediately noticing.

---

Prince Maeve walked through the castle with his guards. His father was in constant fear that something would happen to him. Kidnapping or harming Prince Maeve could lead to a lot of political power. The prince stood at five feet and 7 inches. His long light brown hair falling in beautiful waves down his shoulders and back. His green eyes deep and rich almost as if they were holding their own forest within their depths. His lithe and slender frame feminine enough to gain the attention of the men around him. The prince was smooth all over his heart-shaped face and pale body.

He watched as the people in the castle moved with a panic. Normally the fae moved with grace and ease but something was clearly off. The court never reacted like this unless something was off. Maeve made his way towards the council room to see what happened. Perhaps the Seelie court finally decided to indulge the Unseelie court in a war. The prince made his way to the room and walked towards his father. "Father...what's happening? Why is everyone in such a panic?" Maeve asked as he looked around the room. "You didn't feel that Maeve? Someone's presence in the veil. Stay in this room and behind the guards. They should be bringing in the culprit now." At that moment there was loud banging and yelling as the guards brought in a rather large man.

The man who was covered in human protective war clothing was dragged in. Giving the four guards escorting him a struggle. The large man was thrown onto the ground in front of the court. The fae around Maeve suddenly quieting down. There were a few whispers before the entire room settled down. Maeve's father King Kaison looked at the man before him. "Who sent you here...Where do you come from?" He asked with an air of authority. The king wanted answers and he wanted them now.

 

[Heart of the Dreamer]

Despite his resolve and focus, the Fae guards had an advantage against him - they knew these woods, and he did not. Thus when he first noticed a longbow drawn and aimed at him between the thick foliage, he was already quite surrounded and outmatched. Though he fought his captors, he was ultimately defeated and detained.

"Bastards! Unhand me!" he yelled as he was dragged before the King. Ironically, he found his wish fulfilled as he was thrown harshly to the floor. Erik was growing weary of eating dirt. Sputtering harshly, he reared up as best he could, but with his heavy armor and the manacles binding his wrists together, it was almost impossible to get off of his belly. He tried again in vain as the King questioned him.

"Nobody bloody sent me. I don't know how I got here. Believe me,I wouldn't be here by choice, wherever this is," he answered dryly. "My name is Sir Erik Leonhardt, knight of the city of Waterdeep. That is from where I hail."