Together Alone (Lan and Hikaru)

[Lanolyt]

Ellarin's ears heard things.

Then he felt the sleeping capsule around him.

The 1837 year old elf mage was awakening from his sleeptime, and he could tell it was many years more than he had attended. How could the temple guardians have forgotten him.

He remembered his ceremony well. After so many centuries of successful service, peace reigned over the Fae kingdom, and there appeared to be none to contest. So he was going to spend 100 or so years regenerating.

He pushed on the capsule lid. Then pushed again. It took all his strength to open it...it...the mithril had actually corroded a bit, but that would take... he looked down. It was a young elf's body, one just out of puberty, but that meant... oh no!

He looked up and saw someone. It was one of the Trueguard, Xianon by name. A very young, but promising child...but she was no child. Her blue hair was streaked with lighter shades that only came to an elf after fifteen centuries or so! How could...then it hit him...no...over 1600 years...she had aged and he had youthened.

He sat up and realized that they were in a recently dug tunnel, not in the temple...or...he saw a familiar style pillar on its side nearby. The temple was destroyed. He looked at her and amber tears rolled down his pale face. "Tell me of it...and why are you alone."

 

[Hikaru Sakato]

"The humans did this." She said as she stared out onto the ruins of where the temple once stood.

"I was cast out by my people. So my resolve was to find you..." Her explanation was brief. The beautiful young Trueguard stood with her Archway Bow across her back. The special weapon called for energy from the surroundings. Since Xianon was in the forest region already, the place was full of spirited energy. But the genocide of her and the other's population would make it a little challenging to defend herself. There was no problem still, for Xianon was still strong physically.

The woman stood from her place on the ground and began to walk away until she stopped. "Will you come or take your leave?" She asked, turning her head to the side and moving her eyes to him as he rested on the ground.

 

[Lanolyt]

"Trueguard! Xianon... truly you tell me that we are the only ones of our people upon the earth? Please...give me a moment...I'm having trouble taking it all in...and you have been awake and alone for centuries. You poor little girl! Wait... I'm sorry...of course, you are no longer a little girl. You are a mature woman of at least my age.

I thank you for recovering me, and realize that things must have been hard.

But as you stand before me, I must ask...have you any plans now? I would think we must try to open a portal, mayhap our people have survived on Elfheim or another place. I'm game to try and would have you with me...

In honesty, I'm not much good in a fight, and I will need your protection. Do you still feel willing to do that duty?"

She had become and handsome alluring woman. He wondered how many men had fallen pointlessly for her.

From the creche, he gathered his power staff and spell components...who knew when he might find more.

"So, if you will, lead me to a safe place."

 

[Hikaru Sakato]

"I show no ill toward you. Elfheim has been lost to the eroding mountain and Atlea has flooded. Jeslinim has still managed to evade human attack...her people, in any case. The city itself is smoldered and ashen. There is no place left for us." She told him calmly and continued to walk away.

"I will take you to a safe place but if you slow me down, I will kill you." Her voice was stern. Over the years, she learned that her own survival was most important. Xianon also let her trust die when her father tried to sell her away. The waterfall sounded in the distance. They would go there first.

 

[Lanolyt]

He was stunned by her statements but the last one rocked him. "You would kill the only other of our kind? Are you mad now...

But why not, with all you have suffered. I will not slow you. I am a mage. I can go places you can never without me...and perhaps you might be changing your mind about having me near.

Obviously, I can't expect you to protect me then...you are apparently past any oath. so I shall have to use my staff...and hope that the backlash is not too dangerous.

If I am so easily disposable,though...I wonder why you even rescued me."

He moved in silence after that, brooding and staring at the strange changed world..

 

[Hikaru Sakato]

"I brought you away from slumber to prove to any survivors of our city that I am no threat." She explained coolly.

Finally reaching the falls, she set her belongings down and sat upon a large rock to rest her feet. Xianon had been wandering for days with little sleep. The waterfall was a great place to camp. Her bow was placed down and the quiver beside it. A smirk came to her lips as she pulled her long tresses over her shoulder and to her front. The back of her clothing slipped down for a moment and stopped. If Ellarin was attentive, he would see that the fabrics of her dress did not cover her back fully.

A beautiful, large marking was sprawled as much as he could see. It was a part of a brand to show her rank as a Trueguard. "Please..." Xianon spoke softly.

"Tell me of what you remember." She commanded him, seductively removing the ribbon from her hair.

 

[Lanolyt]

His eyes grew distant, "Xianon, for me, it is still today, not near two millenia agone."

He waved a hand, and the air shimmered. From his excellent memory, the spires of the city rose in the distance, bracketing the temple and great library. In trees nearby, dryads peeked out and a sprite and pixie could be seen doing their work of attending the flowers. A nymph was chased by an orc to the edge of the trees, but he wisely turned away. One of the silver dragon city guards soared overhead, and frost flew from it's lungs to cool the city down.

Then the image faded. He looked at her distraught face. "Tis the best I can give you. But Xianon...rescuing me proves nothing if you value me so little that you are that ready to kill me...." His voice was soft and sorrowful for her. "come her into my arms. Let me hold you, for, in some ways, you are still that eager teen, newly in her armor and so anxious to show how well she can serve.

Do you still have any desire to serve? I will do what I can to gather the remnants of fae, and to find a safe place for us all. I don't know if I can do it. But if I don't have a loyal friend to guard me when I sleep, and to hold back an enemy until my spell can be cast, then I know I will fail.

Xianon...formerly of the guard. I ask you this, will you pledge to be my friend...my loyal ally. I don't need a servant. I need a strong warrior, and a capable woman. I want arms that bear death to guard me, and a soft breast upon which to lay my head when I scream from the frustration and weakness of casting one experimental spell after another to accomplish OUR goals.

Have I so little to offer you that you would truly kill me or cast me away?" He looked into her eyes, wondering what of herself was left deep within.