Private Tales A Performance In The Fortress

[Eislyn Gray]

"...and can you dare believe that?" Eislyn sat in her nightgown. It had been a week since she'd spoken to Sir Areth. She sat patiently while her nursemaid combed out her blonde hair. The windows to her chamber were wide open. The thin material of the nightgown didn't provide much protection against the cold air outside.

Winter was coming.

Much against the opinions of the general populace, Eislyn had always liked the winter.

"Lord Harrisburg assumes he can just cozy up to my father and regal me with his drunken stories for my hand in marriage. He belched more than he spoke in complete sentences AND he is over twice my age." Serena, the one who had a hand in raising the young princess alongside her mother nodded sympathetically. Eislyn trusted the woman more so than the head royal guard. In fact, she was the one she'd leave the note about her departure with. To give to her mother. Her mother would be able to stall the king.

"Atleast that jester is able to distract even Lord Harrisburg," the older woman pointed out.

"Yes," Eislyn stared at her reflection in the mirror and the careful, soothing strokes of Serena's hand on the brush. "I didn't think distracting his roving, drunken eyes was at all possible. I have been proven wrong."

Laughter carried out from her window and into the gardens below.

 

[Kasim Areth]

His work had always been a careful walk of a balancing line. One had to make sure to entertain, but never draw enough scrutiny. You had go poke fun but earn no ire. Everything he did was carefully chosen and decided upon, everything he did was thought out and controlled.

Mostly because it was the only way he would ever survive.

The Iron Fortress was not the first place that he had to be this careful. In Cerak At'Thul he had nearly lost his head thrice, and even in some of the outer fortress cities things could get a tad...problematic if you weren't careful. Still, he had done well here so far. No one had complained, he had always received complaints, and not a single person had detected his use of the runes.

He’d heard stories of the walls of the Keep draining mages of their power, but it seemed the runes still worked. Though, he had noticed that everything he had done with them was somehow...less.

It would have been concerning had he been intending to fight here, but as far as Kasim was concerned he would be leaving on time and in the good Grace's of everyone.

At least hopefully. As long as the girl didnt tell anyone he was going with her.

 

[Eislyn Gray]

Kasim Areth

The girl rolled over in the bed. Breath held for a moment as she listened. All was quiet. Throwing the blankets away, she swung her legs over the side of the bed and grabbed a cloak to put over her nightgown. She'd been doing this routine for the past several nights.

Now was the time to sneak down to the kitchens and squirrel away some supplies for their journey. Folk didn't miss things when it was little by little. At least. Not usually.

She'd also have to visit the stables. There was a stall in the back where she'd hidden some daggers. She wanted to get some more throwing practice in.

Tip-toeing down the empty corridor outside her room, she went to walk past Kasim's quarters on the way to the kitchen.

 

[Kasim Areth]

Kasim was in his room, though not where most would expect him to be.

The Iron Fortress was not an exceptionally beautiful place, at least not compared to some of the other places he had stayed. There was a certain aesthetic to it that couldn't be denied, but truthfully Kasim wasn't entirely sure it suited him. For some reason it reminded him too much of home.

Thus Kasim was not inside the room, but instead sat upon the window with his legs dangling down the side of the tower. In his hands rested his harp, which he gently strummed.

He watched things carefully from his perch, the servants down below, the Knights arguing with one another. It was easy to learn things this way, easy to find things out. People talked quite a bit when they thought no one was around, and funnily enough they didn't tend to look up much either.

More than once Kasim had learned of an affair or a plot to murder this way.

So he did it again, gently strumming his harp.

 

[Eislyn Gray]

After stuffing some rations in an oil-skin bag, her hooded-form would pass at the base of the tower, well beneath the window where Kasim sat. She was careful to stick to the shadows. And she had to wait. There was a changing of the guard along the courtyard.

Back pressed against the stone structure behind her as the two off-duty guards made their way past the disguised princess.

They hadn't seen her yet. She could hear the faint sound of music from above but she didn't have time to ponder upon its origin. Clutching the cloak tightly, she dashed into the open, moving from shadow-to-shadow, toward the stables.

 

[Kasim Areth]

Kasim sat quietly, watching the courtyard below with a listless eye.

He wasn't searching for anything in particular of course, most of the time there was nothing to be found. Yet it was entertaining enough just to sit there. Often times one had to make their own fun if there wasn't any conversation, and this was easily one of those times.

There was a slight hint of something that moved below, barely catching his eye within the shadows. He frowned for a moment, lips thinning as he ceased strumming his harp and slowly drew his attention back towards the movement.

"What have we here?" He asked quietly.

His eyes had never worked as well in the dark as an Elf's, but...quietly the Jester leaned forward.

 

[Eislyn Gray]

The smell of fresh-turned straw and wood met her nose as she entered the side door. Closing it quietly behind her, she looked around, letting the cowl fall to her shoulders when she was sure none of the workers were around. She knew she had about an hour.

The horses had just been turned in and had their noses happily buried within their food buckets. The girl was born to be observant, observant of others and knew the patterns of the workers after years of growing up in the household. Orange and yellow warm light flickered from the candles all around.

Hands tugged open one of the stall doors. Going to one corner, she knelt down and began pushing away the straw and dirt.

 

[Kasim Areth]

Kasim continued to watch in silence, observing the cloaked figure for a few moments until he once again began to softly strum his harp.

In his head a song began to form.

It was not an original composition, Kasim had few of those, but it was something that very much fit the theme of sneaking about within the night. The Jester couldn't help but smirk slightly as he played it, watching as the cloaked figure slipped into the stable doors and out of his view.

"Ah Princess." It was an utter guess. "What trouble are you into now."

First running away now sneaking around? Who knew.

 

[Eislyn Gray]

She was practicing for the journey. That's what. But everything she had to do, she did on her own. Had to. She really only trusted two people. Her mother and sister. Neither could fight worth a lick. And the head guard? She trusted him to get the supplies. But she feared he would cave to her father, eventually.

So, she hadn't told him about any of this. She wanted no harm to come to Kasim on her behalf.

Finding fhe bag of hidden daggers, she began throwing them into the opposite wall. One by one.

Thunk.

Thunk.

Thunk. Thunk.

 

[Kasim Areth]

Kasim let out a yawn. He had no idea of the girls practice, and in truth he didn't care to investigate any further.

Just about the most dangerous thing that he could do in this Fortress was be found in the dead of night with the resident princess. He was fairly certain that would end with him being executed, and given that he was already planning to commit a capital crime he figured it was best to stick with one.

In just under a weeks time he and the princess, as well as one of her companions, would be traveling to Belgrath beneath the deep roads. It was a dangerous journey, one that he had taken before, but nevertheless dangerous.

He frowned suddenly, ceasing the strumming of his harp.

For some reason he swore that he felt someone watching him. Yellow eyes peered around the courtyard for a moment, though after a quick inspection he found nothing. The jester lingered for a moment, and then pulled him back inside of the room.

He would be gone from here soon enough.

 

[Eislyn Gray]

A week later, Eislyn was waiting at the exit of the back gate. Fingers held tightly to her own horse and a horse packed down with supplies. Frederick, one of her trusted guards had turned a blind eye. Even if he returned with the princess, there's no doubt her father would still have him executed.

Hand stroked one of the horses' heads gently, whispering in his black ear.

"We'll see if this jester shows and keeps his end of the deal. But I'll give you extra carrots either way."

The horse' head shook as if in understanding. And complete agreement.

She'd kept her distance from Kasim that fortnight. For good reason. No one could tie her disappearance back to the jester. For her own safety as much as his own.

 

[Kasim Areth]

"Promise kept." Kasim said as he slung his pack over the horse he had brought, slowly leading the mare out of the gate.

His expression was about as blank as could be, no hint of excitement, dread, or anything else that one might expect at the moment. For him it seemed that this was just another day, another start to whatever it was that he usually did on his off days.

"No guard?" Kasim didn't sound at all surprised. "Or do we have to wait?"

This wasn't his first run away princess.

He knew that they lied to get their way, knew that they were more trouble than they were worth. But there was a story to be told here, a grand one. Plus, there was another opportunity awaiting him in Belgrath.

 

[Eislyn Gray]

"Promise kept," she repeated not able to hide all of the surprise that flickered across her face. With a flat palm, she offered her horse a nice, large piece of carrot, which he promptly gobbled up. Kasim might learn that Eislyn was not one to lie and when she did, she did it very poorly. Hence the first time they met.

She was anything but self-serving. She'd inherited her mother's kind, inquisitive, and spirited heart. But there was no denying the girl's nativity. "No guard. I did not want Frederick to be punished for my choices." There was no denying that. If this mission was successful and she did return, her father's wrath would be light for his own daughter. But for all those who had helped her?

Eislyn probably wouldn't be able to protect them.

"We'll probably have a day's head-start. Maybe two. I hope that is enough." She began leading her horse toward the outer-gate. It was all but abandoned. Gray-blues peaked out beyond the arch threshold and into the night beyond. She'd never set foot outside the walls and she imagined for a moment that the dark shapes moving within the shadows were awaiting monsters.

 

[Kasim Areth]

Nobles were always liars, though that fact wasn't surprising to Kasim. He was one himself after all.

Without a word Kasim pulled himself into the saddle of his horse, glancing over towards Eislyn for just a moment before he peered up at the Iron Fortress. The Jester gave a small mock wave, amusement floating across his features as he began to wonder what would become of all this.

"Nothing good." He mused quietly to himself.

Belgrath was weeks away, and while the journey there certainly wasn't the most dangerous in the world it was doubtless they would face many perils. Despite himself, Kasim was looking forward to this.

It was a new adventure.

 

[Eislyn Gray]

The princess did not hear what the man said. Perhaps she'd made a deal with a madman. She cast one last glance at the Iron Fortress and the castle at the top. Soon they'd crossed enough distance that she couldn't even see the outline by the waning moon.

She sat atop the saddle, back straight. The pack horse was tied to the side of her saddle and plodded diligently behind them. The road was quiet. Most did not travel this way at this hour. Too easy for bandits.

Only stories Eislyn had heard.

Since stepping away from the iron walls, she felt different. Less of a weight bearing down upon her and one she hadn't realized had been there in the first place. Quietly, she studied Kasim from behind. There was something about him she couldn't place. The way he carried himself?

She wasn't sure.

 

[Kasim Areth]

Kasim road along quietly and happily. There seemed to be no real expression to him or how he looked about.


He was no fool of course, he knew that the princess would likely be far more trouble than she was worth, but as far as he was concerned that was all part of the story. It was why he was going on this little after all. This was what he did, not entertaining nobles, not singing at court, but living within the life of the moment and singing its praises.


”Is this your first time leaving the Fortress?” Kasims tone was as nonchalant as could be.


In the coming days they would face danger and likely death on half a dozen different fields, but for now the Jester was more than happy to learn a little more about the wayward princess. After all, he needed it for the story.


”I remember when I first left home.” He said in order to coax her. ”Oddly in similar conditions.”

 

[Eislyn Gray]

The stars.

Head craned back. She couldn't stop looking at them. They seemed so much brighter out here. The air seemed fresher. And there were so many new sounds. Even in the quiet. The girl was so distracted by how wonderful everything was, she almost didn't hear Kasim's question. Moonlight washed face finally settled back along the earthly things of this world, gaze tearing away from the shining heavens above.

The pale skin of her face seemed to be glowing. Almost.

"Is it that obvious?" She breathed, the smallest of timid smiles spreading across her lips. "It's just so...wide-open out here." She found herself looking around again, pale-blue hues finding focus once again on Kasim's easy-going smile as her horse caught up to trot alongside him. Funny. She never thought to think a man like him growing up in one place. She'd assumed he'd been born a nomad.

"Where was home for you? Did you also grow up in a home where they banned magic?"

 

[Kasim Areth]

”I'm from Vel Anir.” Ordinarily he would have been more vague, he might even have lied, but there was no point to that here. Not when the two of them would be traveling together for the next few weeks. Besides, his eyes were a give away anyway.

Vel Anir nobles were the only ones who had golden iris’. A trait that the city was famous for.

”Magic is not banned there.” Kasim continued. ”Though it is tightly controlled. Mages are found at birth, or as children, and are then trained.”

A practice that had been in effect for centuries. ”They become what is known as Dreadlords and serve the Seven Houses as well as the King.”

Of course there were the mages within the Seven Houses, children who were raised not as Dreadlords but as the next generation of leaders. That was of course who Kasim was, but he had rejected his fate and left the city. That was where the irony of this situation came from. The princess was running away, just like Kasim had done all those years ago.

Not that he would be telling her that.

 

[Eislyn Gray]

"Dreadlords," the princess frowned. And the idea of children plucked from their homes? Babies plucked from their families? "It sounds like such an ominous title. Are these children allowed to stay with their families through training or are they taken away? Do they have a choice?"

It was funny that she was wondering about choice, when she rarely had one at all. Perhaps she romanticized that others had more choice than a princess born to a controlling and fearful father king. Taking the reins and cinching her heels a bit tighter around the barrel of her horses' belly, she eased him a bit faster to make sure she was riding alongside Kasim.

The road was wide enough, for now, and she wanted to see the expression on the jester's face when she spoke.

"Are there many that can do magic?"

In Vel Anir? Out there?

 

[Kasim Areth]

"There is no choice." Kasim stated simply, not bothering to shield her from the truth. He wasn't going to lie to her, not now and likely not ever.

The Dreadlords were nothing to joke about, nothing to lie about either. In truth he prayed that Eislyn never had to meet one. They were weapons of war more than they were mages. He shivered slightly, frowning and tghen clearing his throat as he brought himself a bit more forward.

"In Vel Anir?" He mused. "One out of a hundred?"

That seemed about right. "In the world?"

The question was harder.

"Depends on the species I suppose." Kasim considered. "Probably less or more. Tough to say."

 

[Eislyn Gray]

No choice.

“That sounds,” blonde brows drew together along her pale skin. “Familiar.” Voice was quiet. Eyes like the fog about to break on a sunny morning drifted to the dark fields on either side of them.

They were in the farmlands. Darker shapes dotted the horizon ahead. Probably the mountains rising in the distance. THe legendary Spine. Her horse whinnied softly beneath her. Reaching out, her palm pressed reassuringly against its mane.

Staying there briefly. A healer’s touch.

Eyebrows rose at his mention of magical numbers. “I had no idea it was so common. Well. More common than what’s allowable at the fortress.”

And for the first time, she wondered if he was a mage. Or a dreadlord?

 

[Kasim Areth]

”It all depends.” Kasim said with a shrug. ”Some magical disciplines dont need talent or anything like that.”

Like rune magic for instance. Anyone could learn it as long as they put in the effort and time. A few of course were not so easy. His families magic was closed off for instance, only those of his own genetic line were able to use its power.

”Really you have to kind of think about just how many species there are.” Kasim smiled at her.

”I'm not really the one to ask.” The Jester admitted to her. ”You would be better off asking someone at the college of Elbion.”

They knew more than anyone else.

 

[Eislyn Gray]

The princess was beginning to realize just how isolated her world truly was. So much beyond the walls. So much she didn't know about. Or experience. So much she didn’t understand.

“Where is Elbion in relation to here?” Curiosity was clear in her tone. The further they rode, the more she felt her muscles stiffen and tire. And the air was getting colder. She wasn’t a complete slouch but she’d never traveled a large distance. How could one prepare for that within the fortress walls?

 

[Kasim Areth]

He smiled slightly, having known that she would ask exactly that question. It was funny, though he would have to make sure to coach her a bit before they reached any other civilizations. If she was going to give everything away so easily they would fall into pitfall after pitfall.

"It's to the west." Kasim explained. "Pretty much in the opposite direction we're going."

He interest in magic was as plain as the nose on her face. "I take it you would like to know more?"

Kasim mused out loud.

"I know your father isn't too keen." That was certainly known by everyone within a hundred miles. He had been weary to even go to the Citadel, especially after what he'd heard happened to the last mage.

 

[Eislyn Gray]

Pale cheeks turned rosy in the moonlight. Hand drifted away from her horse's neck and back to grip the reins. She snuck a look at Kasim's face.

"Am I that obvious?"

The princess could feel her cheeks growing warmer in the cold, night air. It was strange how she felt so free to be open with this stranger. Perhaps because she was finally removed from the iron walls and the stern gaze of her father. Hopefully, she wasn't being foolish. She half suspected Kasim had a group of bandits waiting up the road to ambush them and to ransom her to the highest bidder.

"And my father," her form shifted slightly in the saddle, long blonde hair angling down her back and shoulders. "Is afraid of things he can't control or doesn't understand."

Eislyn wasn't sure herself. But she knew enough that she wanted to know more.