The Master of the Dark Marsh (runawayninja x loneiysong)

[runawayninja]

The stranger slowly stepped along the dry ground the was covered with light foliage of grass, sticks, and dead leaves. He was unused to this kind of terrain. His home was wet and full of insects and reptiles and all manner of different life. This place was dry by comparison and the trees grew so thick and dense, it was impossible to tell how anyone could make their way in such a land. Birds called from everywhere until he could no longer tell which way was out from this forest.

The strange was tall and handsome, with the features of youth upon him, but his emerald eyes held a deep knowledge and wisdom, an alluring quality of worldliness that make it difficult not to offer him one's respect and attention. He had long silvery hair like streams of moonlight that complimented his naturally pale flesh, lending him a ghostly, haunting beauty that left an impression in one's memory. He wore a long cloak the color of the forest's leaves and plain tan clothes beneath that, which seemed to pale in comparison to him. But he wore an expression of being utterly and completely lost.

 

[loneiysong]

He would soon come across a large tree. A larger tree than most had ever seen before. The leaves were thick and green and wide. The actual trunk of the tree was elevated several feet off the ground. THe roots gave the actual temple within a sort of opened walled space. In the center stood a beautiful marble statue of a woman. The woman was very beautiful, but naked. Her hands reached out as if blessing all who came in. Her hair fell in rivulets around her form and frame. She was a very beautiful goddess. Along the branches of the tree were chimes that rang gently in the breeze.

Rose, had been a devout priestess of the goddess Terra. She bore a striking resemblance to the statue. She had soft tan skin. Black wavy hair was pulled back into a bun. She wore a dress woven from tall grasses. She smiled and moved around brushing and raking the dead leaves. Later tonight, she would burn the dead leaves. She was singing a song and soon the leaves were in a big pile. She stood up and looked up seeing the stranger. She smiled and nodded.

"Greetings stranger, my name is Rose high priestess of the goddess Terra." She said softly. Her voice melodic. She hadnt seen too many visitors come out this way. She leaned against the rake rubbing sweat from her forehead.

 

[runawayninja]

Rafe looked at the woman he had come upon and he nodded slowly in acknowledgement. "It's...very green here. I'm not used to this kind of life. My name is Rafe..." He bowed softly. "I fear I am hopelessly lost and rather at your mercy..." He smiled just a bit. "Perhaps you could help me? I'm rather lost in this forest, I suppose I wandered out too far from my home. I live out in the swamp past the forest here. The Westwood Marsh. Do you know the way?" He looked at her, and then to the marble statue.

"Terra...Goddess of the woods?" He slowly stepped towards the statue. "A lovely figure, almost unwholesome..." He smile a bit. "But I supposed it is normal to view the more natural deities in their unclothed state."

 

[loneiysong]

"She is feminine. She is the mother of all and life giver to all." She smiled and shook her head. She shook her head once more. "Terra is the only goddess in several miles that is unclothed." SHe smiled and looked at him and grinned. "She is pure in her unashamedness."

Rose looked at Rafe and nodded and walked in. She climbed the stairs to teh second layer. She moved to a table and began to show him a map. She moved her finger through the pathways and hidden landmarks. "This is where you are." She said pointing to a big blue dot. She looked up at him and smiled. "Where are you looking for?"

 

[runawayninja]

He smiled at her and chuckled softly. She seemed to not be some uptight priestess, she actually had a sense of humor. "Well, I wouldn't mind going naked, except that in the marsh, the insects would eat me alive." He smirked at her. "What's your excuse for donning clothes? There's no one out here to see you...save for me."

He walked up to the map and stared at it. "My my, how interesting...all of this is yours to rule in the stead of your goddess." He looked over the map and pointed to the extreme left side of it. "Westwood Marsh is here, that's where I am supposed to be." He looked at her. "I hope you don't mind me intruding upon your domain, I was merely curious...and then I got lost in all this green."

 

[loneiysong]

"Modesty in case someone like you comes through." She looked at him and shook her head. "Besides I am a virgin. Only high priestesses who have known a man are allowed to be naked." She smiled. She looked at where he pointed.

"No everyone is welcome in the kingdom of the forest. You are always welcome."

 

[runawayninja]

He nodded slowly and smiled at her. "You're most kind, Priestess Rose. If you ever have purpose in Westwood Marsh, please seek me out. It isn't kind to foreigners. Simply call out for Rafe..." He walked to her and looked kindly into her eyes, "and I shall come to you. My name holds power in that area."

He smiled at her and a slightly devilish grin came to his face. "Oh is that so? So...does it mean you are a virgin?" He grinned as he approached closer. "And if you could...would you go naked, as your goddess does? Or have you known a man before and simply chose to go clothed? Hehe...or...perhaps you prefer women?"

 

[loneiysong]

She smiled as she was complimented. She shook her head softly and blushed looking down in all modesty. "Ohh, Rafe, you do compliment me unjustly. I am merely doing the will of my goddess." She sighed and looked up at him. Rose didn't say anything, but she would rather cut off her fingers than go to Westwood Marsh. The thought of journeying away from her goddess made her stomach turn. If her goddess sent her, she knew her goddess would go with her. With a sigh though she nodded. "Thank you for that Rafe, it truly means a lot to me." She looked down at the map again.

When he asked her that, she looked at him and raised an eyebrow. "Yes, that does mean I am a virgin. I will not give myself to another until the goddess tells me to. No one has known me. No man, woman, or other you perverted man." She teased and shook her head and then moved back down to the statue room so she could go back to cleaning the floor.

 

[runawayninja]

He chuckled softly and shrugged his shoulders, smiling warmly at her. "I am who I am...but it sounds as if you live your life according to your goddess. I admire that, it takes a great deal of devotion." He noticed her headed back to cleaning and he smiled, clearing his throat a bit. "Umm...do you think you could help me through the forest and show me the way back to Westwood Marsh?" He smiled politely at her, hoping that maybe he could show her that the marsh wasn't a bad place, just a misunderstood one.

 

[loneiysong]

She looked back at him and raised an eyebrow. With a frown, she turned back to her work. Leaning back towards him.

"Would you be willing to just stay here for the night? I have to ask and consult my goddess. It is her permission I must ask. Now if you'll excuse me, I must begin the prayer and fasting." She smiled and put everything away. She moved before the large statue of her goddess and shut her eyes and leaned her head forward. Her forehead was resting on the toes of the statue.