Patreon LogoYour support makes Blue Moon possible (Patreon)

Somewhere in the world (Candira and runawayninja)

He smiled and leaned back into her. "Mmm, that feels nice...but I want you to get better. After you're all better, I'll feel a lot better." He turned around and kissed her cheek, hugging her close to him. "I love you...are you feeling any better after getting some sleep?" He looked up at her with those sweet, kindly eyes and that smile that wasn't being playful or mischevious, but warm and genuine.
 
She held him close and smiled as he told her that he'd feel better when she did. As he started to turn, she released him and smiled as he kissed her cheek. Sighing in pleasure as he drew her close. She always felt safe in his arms, and his warmth was extra incentive to cuddle into him. She smiled as he looked at her and she nodded. "A little. I think I just need some more rest and I should be as good as new. I'll have to be careful for a few days to make sure I don't get it again, but I'm sure I'll be better soon." She kissed his cheek and snuggled into him. "And I love you too."
 
Rafe smiled softly and nuzzled warmly against her neck. "That's good...we should get on the road as soon as we can, as soon as you're better. I want this to be over..." He kissed her cheek softly and held her firmly and close to him. "I care about you so much...I'm so glad I found you..."
 
She smiled and nodded, shivering as he nuzzled against her neck. It felt so good to have him like this. "I'm glad too," she said with a smile. "I promise, I'll do my best to end this so you never have to worry about this again." She held him close and made sure he felt just as comforted as she did.
 
He looked at her with a hard and serious look. "Candira...you have to promise me something. Even if it means taking my life...you can't let the Raven Lord take over me, I'd rather die. In the end, when this is all done, even if it means I'll die in the process, you have to exorcise the Raven Lord from me...if it is free to roam the world, it'll cause untold destruction."
 
She frowned and knew that it would come to something like this. "Rafe...just because you die doesn't mean that the Raven lord will return to Sin. Fate, or any of the others who know how to summon him back could lay hold of him and take him, or put him into someone else..." She frowned and looked down. "I don't know if I'm strong enough to do what you need me to do," she said, looking up at him. "I love you so much, it might kill me too." She pulled him close and held back her tears. "But I promise you I will try. I will ask the gods to help you..." She didn't let go until she was sure she could look at him without crying.

Her grey eyes took him in and she ran her fingers through his hair. "I can only bind the raven lord and tear him from you. You would have to do the rest..."
 
"That's why I'm going to be the last. The Raven Lord can help us. The Holy Beasts are fierce combatants and I wouldn't want you or Lionel to risk your lives fighting one...I can. I can fight fire with fire...I can unleash its rage and use it to help destroy the mortal bodies of the others..."
 
She frowned. "I'll not deny the power they possess, but perhaps you unleashing the Raven Lord is what they want...I don't know what they're planning, Rafe. But from what I understand--you are the key. I won't tell you what to do, but I hope you'll be careful." She kissed his cheek and watched him, hoping that she would never have to do anything to hurt him.
 
He looked down thoughtfully and nodded slowly. "But...without it, there's little hope of fighting them. I know you have your spell, but...they will not stand still and be willingly stripped of this power they have...done terrible things for."
 
"I understand, Rafe. I really do. I know that there are things that only you can do, and I know that when the time comes, you'll do them. Just know that I love you. I hope you'll always remember that when you think of doing something foolish." She frowned and looked into his green eyes. "Please...no more talk of these things for now. I don't want to think of how you might get hurt. It won't do us any good to wonder about it now." She snuggled into him and kissed his check lightly.
 
He turned to her, looking her in the face with a bit of a smirk forming at the edges of his lips. "Are...are you saying that what I'm thinking of is foolish?" He was trying to suppress the smile, but it was threatening to turn into something more, despite his best efforts.
 
She kissed his neck softly and shook her head. "No. I'm saying that you're bound to do something foolish at some point. We all are," she said, kissing him again. "Just remember I love you."
 
He chuckled softly and leaned against her. "It's not good for you to stay in bed stifled. You should do some light exercise or at least walk around a bit to keep your muscles from getting stiff and sore. Simply laying in bed can make you soft and lazy..." He grinned jokingly and kissed her cheek. "You don't want to be like that, do you?"
 
"You're probably right about that, and I do feel good enough to walk around...Would you take a walk with me?" She smiled as he kissed her cheek and ran her fingers through her hair. "I think there's an extra priestess outfit in here that I can borrow. My stuff hasn't been washed yet."
 
Rafe smiled a bit stepping from her. He retrieved her priestess uniform and he helped her to dress in it, giving not so much as a wayward smirk as he did. Once she was dressed, he took her hand and slowly led her out of her room. "Where would you like to go, my priestess?"
 
Candira slipped easily into the uniform. She wasn't sure she'd needed Rafe's help to get into it, but she didn't mind letting him watch her. She smiled once it was on. She looked the part of a priestess--a very pretty one. When they were out of the room, she smiled at his calling her his priestess. With a squeeze of his hand she thought for a moment. "Let's walk to the gardens. I haven't gotten to see them here yet. I bet they are beautiful," she said with a smile.
 
Rafe gave a soft smiled as he took her hand. "Yes, my priestess..." He began to lead her through the ancient castle that had stood since the earliest days of the Helios Kingdom. Certain parts of the castle were made almost entirely of marble instead of the more common stone. In that ancient time castles were hardly castles as they are known now, little more than marble fortifications. In the years since, the castle had received stone extensions and improvements after it had passed into the hands of the followers of Dima when the last lord of the lands surrounding it died. Instead of gifting the title of the lands to another lord or knight, the Helios crown some time ago gave the title to the Abbot that was already doing a lot of the administration of the lands and taking care of the local followers and it had passed into the heads of the temple since.

Rafe looked around as they walked, admiring the marble statues from long ago. "We're not far from the Abyssal Expanse." He said softly. "The impassable ocean...monsters, storms, they say perhaps the domain of the gods lies on the other side." He smiled at her. "Maybe that's why Dima gifted you so, you are so close to her here."
 
The redhead smiled back at him as he led her through the castle. She had never been to windfall before, though she knew the basic lay out of temples to help her get around. Since this had first been a castle--one mostly used for fortification, it was one of the safest places to be--but there were plenty of ways in and out as well. The marble statues and walls gave her a feeling of security and wonder at the same time. They walked slowly to take it all in, appreciating the work done to with the sculptures. The artisans of ancient Helios were of the best in the world.

Priests who cleaned the statues every week were in the process. At the sight of Candira a few stopped their chore and waved cheerfully before returning to work. Others merely stopped and stared. Candira didn't seem to notice them, but if they waved she returned the friendly gesture. When Rafe began to speak again, she turned all of her attention back to him, thinking about his words. She smiled and shrugged. "Who knows? Perhaps it's true. They say when you sleep you are more susceptible to the gods--especially if it is a deep sleep. It may be that it was all about the circumstances. I was close, I was the most susceptible." She shrugged and swung their hands a little, smiling. "I didn't think to ask her why she would have chosen me. I should have, because now I'm going to wonder about it," she said with a laugh.
 
Rafe smiled softly as they walked towards the gardens, watching her interact with the priests. "I know I have changed. You have changed me...but I'm curious, have you changed? I'm not sure I can tell...you still seem fiery and kind. Maybe you didn't need to change, now that I think about it." He smiled even so softly, looking at her, his eyes possessing a gentle light to them. He was happy. He was calm and quiet and at peace here and deep down, he feared he'd never know such a peace again in his life.
 
She tilted her head, wondering where this topic came from, but she was sure he had changed. Had she? "I think I'm a bit less naive now than I was when you met me. I'm less driven to prove myself, but I will if the need arises. But I don't know...I don't think I have changed all that much, despite my physical training. I needed to change, and I did...but it was a subtle change." She shrugged and smiled, squeezing his hand. "But I'm glad you've changed."
 
He smiled warmly at her and when they arrived in the splendid gardens, trellises overgrown with vines and flowers along with stone benches in a small, peaceful sanctuary might for peace and meditation upon Dima. When they arrived, they found the other half of their party eating lunch.

Lionel looked up in a new shirt, smiling just a bit. "Well, good afternoon Candira, are you feeling any better?" He seemed genuinely happy to see her up and about.
 
Candira smiled back and caught her breath at the sight of the gardens. "Oh how beautiful," she said softly. She smiled and led him in, surprised when they saw Lionel and Nora. The redhead was a little surprised at Lionel's pleasant greeting considering the way he'd left them that morning, but she wasn't one to question good fortune. Nora looked up happily as well, waving.

"Good afternoon to the two of you. I'm feeling much better than yesterday, but I'm still a little under the weather. Rafe thought it might be nice for us to get out. I'm glad I made it to the gardens. It's lovely here." She smiled and squeezed Rafe's hand, looking up at him.

Nora smiled and took a sip of her water. "I'm glad you're feeling better. Let me know if you need anything. And might I say? You look great in the priestess robes again." She smiled. "Your things are being washed now so they'll be ready to wear again by tomorrow."
 
Lionel was gracious to Candira, but he had hardly forgiven or forgotten about Rafe. He looked at Candira and helped her to sit as he himself rose. "I'd better get back to work, Candira I hope you feel better soon. If you do, we should consider leaving tomorrow." He turned and made his way out of the gardens.

Rafe watched him go and then turned to Nora. "You two seem to be getting along well."
 
The redhead really didn't need to sit, but Lionel seemed to want to help, so she let him. Candira smiled and waved as he left. "I know. I'll be sure to keep you informed, but I don't think it's wise to travel." She watched him leave and then chuckled at Rafe's statement. "Or they were until we came along. So what's going on?"

Nora blushed and shook her head. "We were just talking and having lunch together. But yes, I suppose you could say that." She sat back on the bench and looked at the two of them. "You two always seem to get along well, so I can't toss it back at you."
 
Rafe smiled a bit and looked down, perhaps turning a bit red as he looked forward. "We...just go well together...but..." He smirked, that mischievous smirk that Candira knew by now. "So Nora...how do you feel about Lionel? I'm really curious...if you want, I could talk to him, see how he might feel..."
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom