Completed Blackstone Deep

[Conrad]

"No.." Ellice said sheepishly. "I'm illiterate." She told Conrad as her fingers thrummed on the book.

He Chuckled and patted her shoulder, "You'll learn."

Syvis did as she was told laying down in a gown. She put a hand to her head "He's still there. What could one man do on a landing for hours and hours?" She looked at Conrad apologetic "I'm sorry love. You don't deserve a drunkard." She waved a hand over to Ellice who came running over.

"You're no drunkard Syvis. You've had a rough night, and I can see why you went to it." He said, stroking her cheek. He gave her a kiss, "just sleep."

Syvis gave the girl a pat on the cheek. "This isn't what ladies do." Ellice nodded "Get some sleep. It's good for your complexion." Despite their ups and downs the little family was becoming more functional in Syvis' mind.

"Ellice?" "Yes?" "Dump the decanters." Ellice got up and did as she was told, dumping the decanters out of the smoky bathroom window. This was the best thing Syvis could have asked for in Ellice's mind.

He couldn't help but chuckle at this. He smiled down at Syvis and gave her one more kids before pulling the covers over her and closing her eyes with his fingertips.

Then he gestured for Ellice to follow him into her room, "right, let's get started on teaching you how to read."

 

[Syvis]

Syvis smiled happily as she got her kisses and before long she had passed out.

Ellice followed Conrad into her room. "You're going to teach me to read? Isn't it hard?" despite her age Ellice came off younger than she actually was.

"Is there even books simple enough for me here? They all look so fancy." Ellice's eyes were huge now as she took in the little library.

 

[Conrad]

Ellice followed Conrad into her room. "You're going to teach me to read? Isn't it hard?" despite her age Ellice came off younger than she actually was.

"Is there even books simple enough for me here? They all look so fancy." Ellice's eyes were huge now as she took in the little library.

"We aren't going to be reading books right off the bat." He assured her. "First we start with letters and basic sounds. Then short, easy words to read, then we go from there. We will mostly be singling words and letters out from the books, not reading the books outright."

 

[Syvis]

"Oh ok. That makes sense." Ellice sat on one of the chairs in her room. "There's a chair for you too. So how does one learn letters?" She stared at him.

Syvis was sleeping like the dead. At least the drink was good for something.

 

[Conrad]

"Oh ok. That makes sense." Ellice sat on one of the chairs in her room. "There's a chair for you too. So how does one learn letters?" She stared at him.

"Well, each letter stands for a sound. For example..." he proceeded in his education of the young lady. Until she grew tired or Syvis woke up.

 

[Syvis]

Syvis woke up about an hour later and heard Ellice and Conrad sounding out letters. She stumbled over to them sleepily, she stood in the doorway smiling "What're you two up too?" Syvis already had an idea although.

She sniffed the air her father was gone. She could relax again. Her smile seemed genuine once again.

 

[Conrad]

Syvis woke up about an hour later and heard Ellice and Conrad sounding out letters. She stumbled over to them sleepily, she stood in the doorway smiling "What're you two up too?" Syvis already had an idea although.

He smiled up at her. "I'm helping her learn. How'd you sleep? How're you feeling?"

He had smelled the absence of her father from the moment he left. He wondered what he was doing now.

Standing up from his sitting position he approached Syvis, "you look much better Kitten."

He hooked her collar with a finger and pulled her in for a passionate kiss. His other hand fell to her rear and pulled her pelvis into his.

 

[Syvis]

Syvis smiled back at him "My sleep was great. I'm doing better."

Syvis giggled "You don't look so bad yourself love."

She returned his kiss with more passion and leaned into him. "Why hello there." Syvis said breathly as pulled her closer to him.

Fhaornik had left and gone down the stairs, yet he arranged for an invitation to be delivered in the evening. He was going to have Syvis and that man over. She seemed serious about him, why else would she bring him here?

Mrs. Black came waddling up the stairs with the pearl studded invitation in hand. She'd been Fhaornik and Syvis' messenger for years and now the prospect of father and daughter reuniting was of upmost urgency to her. Finally she reached Syvis' thick oak door at the very top of the building and banged on it hard "MISS SYVIS, MISS SYVIS, I'VE GOTS A PAPERS FOR YOUS!! MOST IMPORTANT PAPER IT IS!!" It was likely the whole building heard the old woman's shrieks

Syvis jumped back surprised at the noise and ran to the door. She opened it to the disheveled old woman holding out the invitation. "Yous must take it, very important it is. Mr. Quimaer dropped it round in this morning, yes he did." Syvis bent down and gave Mrs. Black a kiss on the cheek. "I've got it now, go have some water."

She closed the door and opened the invitation. "We've been cordially summoned to the table of Fhaornik Quimaer at the Quimaer summer estate. Here in Alliria." Syvis looked at Conrad. "You need not come if you wish not to, he's planned the event later at night so you need not be afraid of that."

 

[Conrad]

Syvis smiled back at him "My sleep was great. I'm doing better."

Syvis giggled "You don't look so bad yourself love."

She returned his kiss with more passion and leaned into him. "Why hello there." Syvis said breathly as pulled her closer to him.

He chuckled at this and moved to do even more when the door was hammered on.

She closed the door and opened the invitation. "We've been cordially summoned to the table of Fhaornik Quimaer at the Quimaer summer estate. Here in Alliria." Syvis looked at Conrad. "You need not come if you wish not to, he's planned the event later at night so you need not be afraid of that."

“I’m not leaving you alone with him when he drove you to drink in just one evening. I’ll go with you.” He said determinedly. “What about Ellice? Do we leave her here?”

 

[Syvis]

Syvis smiled bittersweetly. "Thank you. Ellice will stay in her room, once that door is closed she has no chance of escape. Thank Mrs. Black for that." She took Ellice by the arm. "I'll have food delivered to you and you may paint, draw, anything in your room is yours to entertain yourself. There's sewing needles in the desk drawer along with string. Just be careful with them okay?" Syvis said trying to make Ellice's prison sound nicer than it was.

"Alright.. You should wear that rose dress over there." Ellice pointed to a gown. "It'll be pretty. Thank you for the activities as well." Syvis gave her a pat on the head. "You're very welcome, now in you go." Syvis told her closing the door behind Ellice.

She grabbed the gown Ellice suggested and started to undress as she spoke to Conrad. "I reckon we've some time if you're quick. Unless you prefer me to get dressed?" Syvis gave him one of her looks as she stood before him in her undergarments.

 

[Conrad]

She grabbed the gown Ellice suggested and started to undress as she spoke to Conrad. "I reckon we've some time if you're quick. Unless you prefer me to get dressed?" Syvis gave him one of her looks as she stood before him in her undergarments.

He smiled and stepped up to her. First thing he did was unfasten the simple collar that looped her neck already, and tossed it on the bed.

"I left for a little bit yesterday for a couple of reasons, one of which was to get you this." He said pulling from his pocket a different collar.

This one was a bit thinner than the other one, and not as broad. It was black leather with regularly placed studs of diamond, and in the middle a spherical bell of silvery steel.

He stepped behind her and wrapped it around her neck. "You're mine now Syvis, and mine alone."

And with that he removed her undergarments for her, and got to work making sure she couldn't walk straight.

 

[Syvis]

Syvis smiled as he put the collar on. "You made well on your promise." She had to admit it was beautiful, everything she could've hoped for.

"How I love to be yours." Syvis giggled as Conrad initiated their regular business. Perhaps engaging in such an act before a proper dinner was foolish but Syvis deserved it.

She got up and stumbled a little bit putting her hair into ornate braids that pulled the hair off her face. She painted herself up a little but not so much she was bawdy. She slipped into her rose gown and stared at Conrad. Syvis really did look and feel elven, like she needed a pet deer or something. She was nearly ready before she rushed into the bathroom putting on a giant emerald around her neck. "Ready to face the music? I'll have a carriage brought around, a fine one."

 

[Conrad]

Syvis smiled as he put the collar on. "You made well on your promise."

"I always keep my word." He told her.

"How I love to be yours." Syvis giggled as Conrad initiated their regular business. Perhaps engaging in such an act before a proper dinner was foolish but Syvis deserved it.

He grinned evilly. She'd know exactly how much that entailed before too long. Tonight they only had time for a quick tussel, but tomorrow night, she wouldn't wake up till noon.

She got up and stumbled a little bit putting her hair into ornate braids that pulled the hair off her face. She painted herself up a little but not so much she was bawdy. She slipped into her rose gown and stared at Conrad. Syvis really did look and feel elven, like she needed a pet deer or something. She was nearly ready before she rushed into the bathroom putting on a giant emerald around her neck. "Ready to face the music? I'll have a carriage brought around, a fine one."

He smiled at her, "you look absolutely stunning my lady. Shall we be off?"

He himself had changed his clothes just a little bit, his black gambeson coat over a black shirt and black pants. No need to wear a codpiece, he was impressive enough as it is, and his boots reached his knees, also black. His pale face was the only thing that changed up the color. He donned a black cloak with a hood and tucked away his steel mask for daytime travel.

"Ready when you are Kitten."

 

[Syvis]

Syvis looked at Conrad. "You sure do clean up nice." She teased as her arm linked through his. She'd brief him on how to interact with her father in the carriage so she wasn't completely throwing him to the wolves.

As they walked down the inn stairs and past the front podium where Mrs. Black sat Syvis flashed her a wink. Their carriage was waiting in the street for them. It was ornate on the outside and drawn by a couple white stallions. If the inside lived up to the outside the small fortune Syvis had paid would be well worth it. She herself got in first and beckoned to Conrad behind her.

The interior was beautiful. Oak seats cushioned with purple silk and a small fire in the middle casting light and warmth not to mention the food and drink supplied. Syvis sat down pulling a pillow onto her lap.

 

[Conrad]

Syvis looked at Conrad. "You sure do clean up nice." She teased as her arm linked through his. She'd brief him on how to interact with her father in the carriage so she wasn't completely throwing him to the wolves.

"Why thank you Kitten." He gratefully said, letting his elbow out just a little bit to let her hook her arm in his.

He was impressed by the carriage. He may have been a noble but his family never bothered with extravagances such as carriages, if he had to get somewhere he'd mount his horse and ride or walk.

"So what exactly can I expect from your father besides the standard disapproval?"

 

[Syvis]

Syvis looked at him nervously, "First of all when he asks, you bought the carriage. You will address him after me with a simple "Hello Sir Quimaer." and bow your head he'll talk to us from there. Do as we're told always. No matter what he says to me don't make eye contact and let him. I'm still his chattel until you wed me. Best manners, nothing lewd." Syvis kind of exploded with her guide to surviving this dinner.

"There'll be many courses. Do Vampire's eat regular food? Need I get into that?" She asked him genuinely.

Finally the concern left her eyes as she patted his hand "We'll be okay, I do believe he'll enjoy you."

She grabbed a small vial of liquid, and slammed it back. "Water." Syvis told him reassuringly.

 

[Conrad]

Syvis looked at him nervously, "First of all when he asks, you bought the carriage. You will address him after me with a simple "Hello Sir Quimaer." and bow your head he'll talk to us from there. Do as we're told always. No matter what he says to me don't make eye contact and let him. I'm still his chattel until you wed me. Best manners, nothing lewd." Syvis kind of exploded with her guide to surviving this dinner.

He listened closely, and nodded. "I understand. Everything except the eye contact, to not look a man in the eye is cowardly, which I will not be for my future father-in-law. But you needn't worry about me messing things up, I've been in court before, I know how to be polite. And I know when to keep certain things hidden Syvis, I wasn't planning on talking about our nighttime exploits over dinner."

"There'll be many courses. Do Vampire's eat regular food? Need I get into that?" She asked him genuinely.

Finally the concern left her eyes as she patted his hand "We'll be okay, I do believe he'll enjoy you."

She grabbed a small vial of liquid, and slammed it back. "Water." Syvis told him reassuringly.

"We can eat normal food, it just doesn't satisfy us. We don't digest it correctly, at least most of us don't. Nothing really problematic, it's just unnecessary."

He smiled at her reassurance and nodded when she said it was water. He looked out the window. He still carried his sword with him, as it was also something to display status, and it hung from his belt at his left hip.

He wasn't unprepared, he even carried in his coat a gauntlet, something not for use as armour, but rather for use in the instance he'd have to issue a challenge to defend his relationship with Syvis, there was always a way it could go wrong, and if for any reason her father forbade their union, he'd issue a challenge by throwing the gauntlet at his feet. If he backed down, it would, traditionally, be treated as a victory for Conrad and he'd have her hand.

 

[Syvis]

Syvis nodded. "If you choose to eat you must eat all courses. No picking and choosing. This decision needs to be made at the first course for he'll make you start from the start even if the rest of the table is at dessert. The cook's always good."

Syvis reached her hand over to his and drew a sun on it with her finger. They'd round a few streets and be there. They pulled up a lane to be halted at a gate by a tall Elven man Syvis recognized from her youth. One of her father's brutes. He always had a way of making himself appear more high class than he was. Upon Syvis sticking her head out the window and showing the brute her family ring granting them access. The gates opened and they continued onward.

After ten minutes that seemed to drag on forever the carriage rounded it's last corner and the duo had arrived at one of her childhood homes.


The place was stately yet terribly drab to look at in her opinion. "We're here." Syvis told him meekly as Elven brutes opened the doors on either side of them and lead them up the pathway opening all doors in their path.

 

[Conrad]

Syvis nodded. "If you choose to eat you must eat all courses. No picking and choosing. This decision needs to be made at the first course for he'll make you start from the start even if the rest of the table is at dessert. The cook's always good."

He nodded. "Taste doesn't usually bother me so it won't be a problem. I can eat."

The place was stately yet terribly drab to look at in her opinion. "We're here." Syvis told him meekly as Elven brutes opened the doors on either side of them and lead them up the pathway opening all doors in their path.

He stepped out before she then offered his hand to help her out of the carriage. "Shall we My lady?"

The brutes were big, for elves anyway, though not as big as he. And he stood tall, back straight and shoulders back, making sure to be imposing but not blatantly threatening.

He'd allow her to hook her arm in his as before and walk with her to the door to greet her father.

 

[Syvis]

Syvis linked her arm into his in a proper manner as a small elf child ran up to them then back inside. She whispered in Conrad's ear "He's gone ahead and announced us." There was no turning back now. As they entered the grand foyer she looked up to see her father in gold trimmed robes displaying centuries of wealth and dignity.

"Welcome." Fhaornik projected his voice against the marble while he strode down the stairs. He looked almost ethereal as he seemed to float about. As he reached the bottom of the staircase Syvis bowed her head.

"Hello Father." She didn't look to see if Conrad did the same, raising her head would be impolite and Syvis knew better.

"Rise. Daughter of mine and escort how lovely of you to bless me with such fine presences. Let us eat and be merry for we have much to discuss. Tut tut." He motioned a hand beckoning Conrad and Syvis to follow.

 

[Conrad]

"Welcome." Fhaornik projected his voice against the marble while he strode down the stairs. He looked almost ethereal as he seemed to float about. As he reached the bottom of the staircase Syvis bowed her head.

"Hello Father." She didn't look to see if Conrad did the same, raising her head would be impolite and Syvis knew better.

"Rise. Daughter of mine and escort how lovely of you to bless me with such fine presences. Let us eat and be merry for we have much to discuss. Tut tut." He motioned a hand beckoning Conrad and Syvis to follow.

Conrad bowed as well at the waist, enough to show respect, but not much else. He walked with Syvis to the dining table and pulled a chair out for her before seating himself at her side. Being sure to squeeze his shoulders just a little to not take up too much space.

 

[Syvis]

Fhaornik cracked his slender fingers on the wooden table. "So. You've bed a Vampire." He stared at the two of them slyly before standing up. "You are not so wise as you think, I smell you all over her. How will I wed you off now you've become nothing but a common whore?" He walked over and snarled the last bit into Syvis' face.

"At first thoughts I worried dear daughter, of how I should explain how the strong blood that flows through your veins had become bastardized with demon seed." He cupped her face as he spoke strongly before giving it a stern smack. "Then it dawned on I. For yes you had disrupted years of careful breeding but this beast..." He put arms around both Conrad and Syvis' shoulders face in between the two of them, "...offers the Quimaer blood to be more solidified in such turbulent times. He is noble yes. He is strong yes. He chose poor Syvis but he may bless this family yet." He whispered gleefully.

Syvis' face looked disgusted and perplexed while her father spoke.

He stepped away before yelling at them harshly. "Rise now!"

 

[Conrad]

Fhaornik cracked his slender fingers on the wooden table. "So. You've bed a Vampire." He stared at the two of them slyly before standing up. "You are not so wise as you think, I smell you all over her. How will I wed you off now you've become nothing but a common whore?" He walked over and snarled the last bit into Syvis' face.

This first lead Conrad to say nothing, but made a clear statement by placing his left hand on his sword and meeting her father's gaze with his own, calm and cold.

"At first thoughts I worried dear daughter, of how I should explain how the strong blood that flows through your veins had become bastardized with demon seed." He cupped her face as he spoke strongly before giving it a stern smack. "Then it dawned on I. For yes you had disrupted years of careful breeding but this beast..." He put arms around both Conrad and Syvis' shoulders face in between the two of them, "...offers the Quimaer blood to be more solidified in such turbulent times. He is noble yes. He is strong yes. He chose poor Syvis but he may bless this family yet." He whispered gleefully.

The moment he struck her face he prepared to reach into his coat and remove the gauntlet for the purpose of a challenge, but remembering her instructions in the carriage waited to do so before he made another mistake, one he could forgive by his love's request, a second could easily cost the elf his life.

Syvis' face looked disgusted and perplexed while her father spoke.

He stepped away before yelling at them harshly. "Rise now!"

Conrad did just that, hand still on his sword, and clearly radiating fury, a calm, cold fury. One that was kept under control, but could be let loose should he deem it necessary. He avoided speaking out of deference to Syvis, but if this got any worse, he would teach this pompous ass a few manners.

 

[Syvis]

Syvis rose quickly and quietly like a mouse. She bowed her head in a subservient manner. Her father glided over to her and grabbed her by the arm.

"See this is how a woman should be. Quiet. Meek. You have given my daughter false hope dear boy, that she is equal to you. A woman will run mad with such power." He said in a seething tone lifting Syvis' face so she was looking up at him.

"Seven long years I let my property run polluted. Now she seeks for forgiveness. Is it money you've run out of? Or trouble with the law?" Syvis knew better than to answer as Fhaornik pushed her to her knees.

"Beg. Beg for my love. Beg for my forgiveness. Beg for your status." Her father gleaned at her. Syvis couldn't help the tears now.

 

[Conrad]

This had gone too far. A flash of silver flew through the air and struck the man across the face, hard enough to shatter his cheekbone. He'd most likely stumble back a ways, at which point the gauntlet that struck him was thrown to the floor at his feet.

Conrad now stood between him and his daughter, his face etched with cold hate. "I've seen enough."

He glared coldly at the elf. "Now, you have two options, accept my challenge, or back down. Either way, your daughter is under my protection, even from you. Lay another hand on her and I will cut it off. Now choose Fhaornik, shall we leave now with no further incident, or would you rather we fight for who gets your daughter?"