Private Tales Bound by Fate

[Myrcella Bochanan]

Myrcella winced as Richard Henry the Eighth set her down. Even though he was being gentle, the injuries that she sustained while being dragged on her back didn't make laying down feel comfortable. And she had to lay down, due to her ankle.

"Hold your?....A-alright." She took hold of his hand, brows furrowed while she gazed into his eyes. Did he have something to tell her? Something to confess? A promise to make?

It was neither of those. He started to sing.

Myrcella didn't understand the language, so what the lyrics were, she didn't know. But the most curious thing of all was that Richard was....glowing? Did he know magic?

Her body began to tingle as her wounds began to heal, followed by a warmess that enveloped her to combat the shock that the whole experience had given her.

Once he was finished, Myrcella just found herself staring at him. No one had performed magic on her before. How long would it last? Until they got home? Or forever? "...Better...thank you. My ankle...Do you think that I could walk?" She wasn't so sure that she should test it just yet. In the meantime she kept hold of his hand, lest the magic wore off.

 

[Richard Henry the Eighth]

Richard shook his head. "Unfortunately I can't do much for your ankle," He mumbled. "We're going to have to take care of it the old fashioned way." The Bards were storytellers scholars would describe them as the first historians. Men, women, Elves, Dwarves whoever told stories of lost cultures and lore of heroism and death. To preserve the memory of the cultures is something a Bard dedicated their life to.

"You don't die not really," Richard once said to his younger sister before he left his home to explore the world. "Death is to be forgotten to erase a person's existence is the worst thing to happen. Who will remember you if you never existed in the first place?"

"I can't take you home," Richard said looking around. "It's long way and in your ankle is more messed than it was this morning."

Richard a piece of fabric from his leather coat and wrapped it around Myrcella's ankle tightly. He then grabbed a boulder that was next to her and placed it under her wrapped foot. "There you go," Richard smiled before raising his eyebrows. "The Gods!" he said. "I forgot one thing."

The Bard Knight then loosened her corset. He was so focused on healing her wounds that he forgot Myrcella's request in undoing her corset. Richard always wondered what was it like to wear a corset, his older sister seemed to embrace it though his younger sister despised corsets. A mixed a opinion it seemed and it's not like the shops have corsets that are size..... not that he ever wanted to buy one.

"We'll wait here until the swelling goes down," Richard said holding Myrcella's hand. "Don't worry I won't leave your side Myrcella. I promise I'll watch over you."

 

[Myrcella Bochanan]

Maybe some wounds were harder to heal than others. Or maybe Richard Henry the Eighth only knew how to heal some wounds. Regardless, she was feeling much better than moments before.

As Richard started to wrap her ankle, Myrcella sat up and watched. She winced a little as the binding was tightened and the pain shot up her leg. He then raised her foot by placing it on a boulder.

"You can't take me home? Not even on our horses?" Of course her knowledge on rolled ankles was next to zero. She couldn't understand why, not yet realizing just how much she'd feel every movement and bump. One tends to forget how much movement is involved in riding when it becomes second nature.

Finally he remembered her corset. Myrcella took in a deep breath and let it out slowly now that she had more freedom of movement. Her eyes met up with his again as he retook her hand and promised to stay with her. "How long will it take for the swelling to go down? And could I perhaps lay against you to keep warm?"

 

[Richard Henry the Eighth]

"I could," Richard said rubbing his goatee. "But the ride will be very painful for you my dear Myrcella. Your ankle will get worse. It's best to rest your foot now to the point where the swelling will go down. Speaking of which."

Richard racked his brain, trying to remember what he read about sprained ankles. "4-6 hours," he said. "Like I said," Richard sighed. "I'll be here." It was weird a few hours ago the two of them were at each other's throats which made Richard wary of their marriage. Now he and Myrcella are having a tender moment who knew that Harry the Troll could be the cure to all of their ills?

Mrycella then asked that if she could lay against Richard which shocked him to be honest. "Sure," he getting close the young woman. Of course it shouldn't come as a surprise Myrcella was frightened she never twisted her ankle before, she never met a Troll who dragged along the forest by her hair nor sustained injuries aside from a paper cut. It was all new and it scared.

"Myrcella," Richard said snuggling against her. "I know you'll look at this experience and think that the world is cruel and scary. In truth it is, it it's full of murderers, liars and backstabbers. However there is good in the world, full of well meaning and honorable people. You will see that Myrcella I promise, I will show you a world where it's full of meaning and purpose. Full of art and richness, It's not all bad no matter what some person with a warped view of what realism is will tell you. There is good."

 

[Myrcella Bochanan]

Four to six hours. Her eyes drifted up to the sky. That could take them well into suppertime. People would surely notice by then that they hadn't yet made it back. What could they be thinking? More than likely it was that they were having a really good time, or a really bad time. No doubt that when it came to sunset, the house staff and her family would start to worry.

After Richard Henry the Eighth moved into place, she did as she said and leaned back against him. Myrcella kept hold of his hand as she wrapped his arm around her to ensure that she'd stay warm. Given that he was being nice to her, Richard deserved to have the nice Myrcella in return. However something plagued her mind. Some of the things that he had yelled at to the troll still stuck with her and repeated over and over again in a loop. Most especially when he stated that he cared for her.

"All those things that you told the troll...were they true?"

 

[Richard Henry the Eighth]

Richard crinkled his eyebrows and sighed heavily the last thing he wanted to talk about is about what he said to Harry. It was just.... awkward he and Myrcella have only known each other for a few weeks and some of the time spent together was mourning her father. It was inevitable though, although he resisted the marriage at first. Richard came to realize the political implications that this alliance held, he couldn't avoid any more. It was his duty to uphold the family name and city as much as he didn't want this fate.

Besides he was starting to care for Myrcella she was a stubborn, prideful girl. But she is sweet at times, very observant picking up the smallest of details and has thirst for learning. Soon she'll be plucked from her happy home and be thrown into the pit of Vipers. Richard wanted to make sure that she was ready and so she can unlock her potential. She was a flawed yet lovely girl but flaws make people all the more.... beautiful. In Richard's though, flaws just make him into an emotional wreck.

"Yes they are," he whispered. "You.... are a great woman Myrcella. You are just starting to explore life and what it offers. I want you to enjoy its splendors. I want you to be happy and if it means sacrificing myself to make sure that you are safe and happy. So be it."

By the Gods! Richard is sounded like a knight! He needed to slap himself because he must be dreaming. "I'm spouting Cliché after cliché," he thought bitterly. "I need to read more because Gods! Would she even like that?"

 

[Myrcella Bochanan]

Richard Henry the Eighth sighed. That wasn't a good sign. Surely she had touched on something that he didn't want to talk about. Were they just things spoken in the heat of the moment? It was hard for Myrcella to know what went on in a man's mind during a battle with a monster.

And then he answered her. Gone was the tone of voice that enraged her hours earlier, replaced by the same tone of voice he used when he consoled her before her Father's funeral. He was being the likeable Richard again.

She sat up though, turning slightly so that she could look at him squarely. "Then stop trying to make me angry. A light tease every now and then is fine. But as you see, I push back." Myrcella stood up to her Lioness nickname that he had given her. She had claws and she wasn't afraid to use them against him. But if he were to die?...

"And don't die on me...I don't know what would happen to me or where I'd be shipped off to next." Not to mention who would save her from the rock trolls? Or whatever horrors they had in Elbion? She leaned in and gave him a soft, yet quick kiss. "Promise?" Before he could answer, she turned herself back around so that she could lean against him again, biting her lower lip. Myrcella had kissed him! Wasn't that what she was supposed to do for the man that just saved her life? Regardless, she was embarrassed.

 

[Richard Henry the Eighth]

Myrcella was a sensitive soul which was pretty ironic since all Richard heard about her from others was that she can be a bully at times especially towards her sister. Richard remembered from Celty's rants that sometimes she wished she didn't have an older sister. Many times Myrcella has shown her claws but can't take the banter when it's directed on her. Richard thought about Celty and her hatred towards Myrcella, thankfully Richard had the opposite experience between he and his older brother. Aside from the teasing of course.

"I will," Richard chuckled. "Yes the Lioness of Cintra has proven that she can tall against even the mightiest of people but you must promise me Myrcella that you will be nicer to your sister. To tell you the truth Myrcella, Celty hates you. Part of the reason behind the verbal ribbing was because Celty wanted you to know how she felt."

Another reason was because Richard always enjoys a good verbal evisceration but this wasn't the time or place to tell her that.

"You need to spend the rest of your time here being nice to Celty. Chances are you won't see your younger sister for years." That was the reality of marriages, people leave their families to serve the interests of another family that they don't know. That was why Myrcella and Richard fought so hard to resist but it seems that fate has other plans.

"Do that and I promise I'll tone the teasing down," he chuckled. "And I won't," he began to say before Myrcella did the unexpected..... she kissed Richard. The Bard Knight raised his eyebrows in shock. He did NOT see this coming at all, the young woman pressed her lips against his it was soft yet quick. Myrcella pulled back clearly embarrassed on what she did.

"Oh," was all that Richard could come up with. All his life Richard Henry the Eighth revolved his life around words. He made sure that this verbal jabs were as sharp as any sword yet for the first time words had failed Richard. Was the kiss because Myrcella was grateful that a Knight saved her? It must be because Myrcella was a romantist. Absorbing the latest fairy tale of brave knights saving the helpless damsel. It was nothing more than that? Right?

"I won't die," Richard said smirking. "Because I'll probably death's ear off to the point where he'll shove my soul back into body. Besides someone needs to protect you from the Vipers that'll come after you. Whatever happens from now on, we'll face it together."

 

[Myrcella Bochanan]

Her jaw dropped slightly as Richard Henry the Eighth let in on the fact that this was all Celty's fault! How dare she??! The little opportunist took advantage of the fact that Myrcella was busy trying to look after the household, and busy trying to get out of her marriage contract to even notice the two of them conspiring against her. Well she'd be sure to get Celty back for this!!

But then he let her be aware of the fact that it might be some time until she got to return home. Of course she had expected some months to pass. But years? That was something else entirely.

And who would she have to back her up and be in her corner at Elbion but Richard? "I'll try..." But she couldn't make any promises. What if Celty started to pull some mean pranks? Myrcella couldn't let her get away with that.

Richard gave her more promises then, promises to live and promises to face their future together. "Together...I suppose that I could live with that." She smirked even though he couldn't see it, and gave his hand a squeeze.

"Hopefully no more trolls or anything else happen by while we sit here."

 

[Richard Henry the Eighth]

Richard could tell that Myrcella was upset. From his observations she would fly into a rage like she did this morning but the young woman displayed more subtle clues such as her jaw drooping slightly. Myrcella wasn't going to let this go unpunished that much Richard knows.

"You won't try," Richard said. "You'll do I don't want you trying to take revenge on Celty. At least for her sake and yours patch things and spend quality time with each other."

It was unlikely that Celty and Myrcella will patch things up. Stubborn siblings usually don't end having a positive relationship. Thank the Gods that Richard's relationships with his siblings were much more peaceful. Richard was busy looking at the blood red sky the sun was setting that meant they needed to move soon, the Forest wasn't the safest place to be at night. Myrcella squeeze his hand, even after all she's been through it still felt soft. They would have no choice but to face the hurdles together and it was best to do it without them butting heads.

"I hope not," Richard mumbled still hugging Myrcella. "If your ankle continues to swell then we'll spend the night in a cave. It'll be cold I imagine and if you were shivering over a river, you'll be suffering from hypothermia in the cold Forest."

Richard didn't want to tell Mrycella about the creatures that lurked in the forest at night. At least not yet, she felt safe and Richard needed to continue to have her feel that way.

 

[Myrcella Bochanan]

Myrcella clenched her jaw as Richard Henry the Eighth tried to give ger an order. He wasn't her husband yet! She didn't HAVE to obey him. But she grumbled anyways as she relented. "And I'm sure that Celty will just LOVE seeing me injured. She'll probably dance around me and whatever else, for as you said, she wants me gone." No doubt she'd make fun of her limping around too. And Richard just wants her to take it.

It wasn't fair!

She frowned at the idea of staying outside overnight. "I'm not dressed for staying out here. Even with a fire. My dress is ripped to shreds, which I know that my Mother isn't going to like at all..." But it wasn't as though it was done on purpose.

She sat up and turned again so she could look at him squarely. "Can we just try to go home?...Please?" Of course she had to ask him. The last time she limped away, she was caught by a troll. How cruel the Gods can be. It was as though they wanted to teach her a lesson as much as Richard did.

 

[Richard Henry the Eighth]

"No she won't," Richard responded sternly. "Because I'll make sure that she will respect you." Celty was pretty bratty but Richard managed to put Myrcella's younger sister in her place through discipline. There was one time where she refused to eat her vegetables which frustrated the servants. Richard responded by holding "Mr. Wiggums." her stuffed bear doll hostage and threatened to do not so nice things if Celty doesn't eat her vegetables.

Celty ate them all in one bite and begged for her stuffed animal back. Blackmail wasn't Richard's thing but if it served a purpose such as that.... "I have my ways Myrcella trust me."

Of course there was concern for Myrcella freezing in the cold, her dress was torn to the point where the bottom half was mostly her legs. They should try to make it home but it would most likely mess Myrcella's ankle some more. "I think," Richard said. "That we should a place to stay for tonight. If we try to ride, your ankle will worse. I want to make sure that it's stable enough for you to get on a Horse."

The Bard Knight got up and looked around spotting a cave ahead. "I'll move you to a cave," he said. "We'll spend the night there and hopefully your ankle heals up."

 

[Myrcella Bochanan]

Myrcella kept her brows furrowed as she pondered on just what Richard Henry the Eighth had meant when he said that he had his ways. What would her Father have said? Would he of approved of Ruchard taking charge over his daughters like that? She was quite certain that she would still be butting heads with her husband-to-be in the near future and beyond. But there'd be a lot less for her to get away with once she was living at his home in Elbion.

She wasn't too keen on spending the night way out in the forest. And in the cold. But Richard seemed adamant on doing just that. Was this another punishment? Another lesson of his??

"What if that's the troll's cave? Or what if it's occupied by something else? And it's so dark...We have no blankets, no bedding of any kind...I've never slept outdoors before." She had no reason to. She was a young lady, afterall. Not some wildwoman.

 

[Richard Henry the Eighth]

"As I recall," Richard said. "The Troll went east this cave is west." Myrcella was right though It could be occupied by another animal. Still It was best for Richard to investigate himself before moving Myrcella to that cave.

"Now Myrcella," Richard said kneeling down next to her. "I'm going to see if the cave is safe. Don't worry, we have blankets something for you to sleep on. It's on my Horse"

The Bard Knight rose up and sighed maybe it was best to escort Mycella home but her ankle will just get worse. "I'll be back Myrcella," he said. "I promise."

 

[Myrcella Bochanan]

Myrcella slowly nodded as Richard Henry the Eighth tried to reassure her. Again her stubborness disappeared while her mind thought up a bunch of different scenarios as to what could happen and of what could be living in that cave.

"Alright...but be careful." She couldn't help but look concerned. He was her...well escort in all of this. Had she not of been injured, it'd be a different story.

As Richard departed for the cave, Myrcella wrapped her arms around herself and just watched. The cooler night air was already moving into the forest. But at least with her corset loosened she could breathe. Still, the binding part of her dress didn't seem to offer her much protection from the elements.

Hopefully Richard had the supplies to make a fire for them.

 

[Richard Henry the Eighth]

Richard took a good look around the cave, it was dark and damp like any other cave but Ricard could hear a water crashing inside. With his Sword in hand, Richard traversed deep into the cave there seemed to be bright light ahead. As soon as he stepped into the main area, his mouth dropped a bit. The entire cave was covered with markings: Dwarven by the looks of it "Is this a lost Dwarven City from the Age of Wonders?" He said out loud.

http://img.gawkerassets.com/img/17qbs2i2145r4jpg/original.jpg

There was a bridge ahead of the Bard Knight which lead deeper into the cave. Richard wanted to go deeper but he didn't want to leave Myrcella alone for too long. "This does look like Dwarven architecture," he whispered. "By the Gods they know how to build."

Every piece of stone was crafted with a purpose there was a time when Dwarves dominated world with a Golden Age of technology. They had machinery that came to life, steam powered weaponry and of course: The famed Airships which filled the skies. It was an age of thought and discovery by the Gods how Richard wished he was born in the Age of Wonders!

Richard turned on his heel and rushed to Myrcella's location huffing and puffing along the way. "The cave is clear," The Bard Knight said out of breath. "But what I found is incredible. You need to see it for yourself."

He lifted Myrcella off her feet and smiled at the young woman. "You'll love it." he said,

 

[Myrcella Bochanan]

Myrcella waited. And waited. And waited.

Of course when one is sitting alone and waiting, time seems to go at a crawl. She had to keep vigilant however, looking at every shadow, nearly jumping at every sound, ever fearful that the troll would return. But their horses were there and she knew them well enough to know that they'd more than likely sense the danger first.

Before long Richard Henry the Eighth returned and Myrcella sat up straighter as he seemed rather excited. She wrapped her arms around him as he lifted her from the ground. "What is it? What did you find? Fairies? Treasure?...Tell me!" She had never gone into a cave before. Was it even on her family's property? Or were they just outside of it? Either way she hadn't heard of a cave being nearby. Perhaps it was a secret of her Father's.

 

[Richard Henry the Eighth]

"I think it's best to have you see it my dear Myrcella," Richard said smiling as he held the young woman close to him. "Words can't describe the magnificent infrastructure that lies inside the cave." The Dwarves were incredible artisans if it weren't for their stubbornness and their addiction to conflict Arethril would've been in a Renaissance Era. Wars.... they always ruin everything pleasant and beautiful and Richard wished they would cease. But to end wars permanently one must change people's nature and that was rather hard to do.

Richard took Myrcella to the Dwarven carvings and statues, it seemed that runes were luminescent and glowed a blue tint. "Fascinating," Richard said. "It's evening and immediately the Dwarven runes light up on cue."

Noticing that he was still carrying Mrycella, the Richard smiled. "Sorry for being absent minded!" He smiled. "This cave is a part of an Dwarven city that dates back to the Age of Wonders! We get to see a glimpse of what Dwarves were like in their prime."

Of course he had to be careful, there could be a monster that is lurking in the caves or leftover machinery. Richard arrived at the bridge which lead to the entrance. "It's breathtaking isn't it?" Richard said still carrying Mrycella. "The Dwarves had imagination that is unpararelled!"

 

[Myrcella Bochanan]

Magnificant was surely the right word. Once Richard Henry the Eighth carried Myrcella into the cave, her jaw went slack out of sheer awe. Her eyes went wide as they tried to take in everything. The carvings were intricate in their details, archways sloping at elegant angles that made the whole place feel warm and inviting.

"Amazing..." Once again she was at a loss for words. Having never explored anywhere before, this experience was entirely new. Oh how she wished that she could walk on her own! "It's like we are in a dream..." Myrcella half expected to see or hear others about. Ghosts of the past, maybe? "...I wonder why they left?" And did they do so in a rush? How long had it been since anyone else set foot in the cave, she wondered.

"Have you ever been in a Dwarven City before?" She knew Richard had travelled some while he had tried to escape their fate. There was plenty that he had seen that she hadn't. One thing for sure was that her want to paint it all was pretty high.

 

[Richard Henry the Eighth]

Richard chuckled a bit when Myrcella said that the Dwarven cave was like a dream. Indeed it was Dwarven architecture was simply a thing of beauty. The humans of Vel Anir can stand to learn a thing or two from the Dwarves. When you're constructing a massive Kingdom at least do it with bloody style instead sticking to the drab and dreary monstrosity of a fortress they built.

"I'll be honest Myrcella," Richard said still excited about the possibility of exploring more of the Dwarven city. "I've read books about the Dwarves craftsmanship but I've never stepped foot inside it."

It was on Richard's to do list when first left his family to see the world. The Bard Knight managed to buy maps leading towards a possible ancient Dwarven city but it usually lead to a dead end. Dwarves were fiercely protective of their work and who can blame them? With the uncanny talent they possess, people were bound to steal building methods and riches from the Dwarves.

"It's going to be first time we've found something new," Richard smirked. "Together."

 

[Myrcella Bochanan]

"I wonder how much the books got right..." It was wonderful for her in multiple ways. Not only was it an experience new to her, but for Richard Henry the Eighth as well. So that meant that his teasing would be minimal at best. Although the fact that he had to carry her around due to her ankle put a bit of a dampner on it. However asking him to wait until she was better was something that would never happen. He'd be too eager to explore and she didn't want him to do so without her.

Myrcella interlocked her fingers behind him so that she'd be more comfortable as he carried her. "Let's not be too long. My family will be worried." That was the truth of it. They'd be considered missing. "We can always come back again."

 

[Richard Henry the Eighth]

"Considering that most of the books I've read in your estate are mostly written by humans," Richard said still staring at the bridge ahead. "Not much."

Like Richard's library back home, Mycella's library was just as huge and expansive and he spent most of his time reading. While some of the books were the same old run of the mill drab that Richard read back in the College of Elbion, a handful of them did give a unique perspective into the Cintrian culture. Richard was shocked that the Cintrians still practiced slavery, though the Bochanan family was one of the few families who not only don't practice but speak out against it.

There were some poetry in Library: Wasn't bad the Cintrians love to repeat stanzas even more so than the average poet and there was also a book about the Cult of the Golden Sun. Apparently the state religion according the servants he talked to. "We won't be here long," Richard said. "This architecture suggests that this is from the Age Wonders where Dwarven technology was at its peak. We're talking about airships and machinery that can walk and talk without the use of magic. Who knows if those machines are still active there were reports of numerous deaths by Dwarven machines during expeditions."

Richard took a step forward and began crossing the bridge. The waterfall still roaring beside he and Mrycella, The Bard Knight held Myrcella close as he began to enter the cave. "Now Mycella," he warned. "We're only going to explore the first parts of this cave and after this we leave. I don't want you to be put in any more danger. Just stay close to me okay?"

 

[Myrcella Bochanan]

"Do you think that we'll find any of those dwarven...machines? I don't want us to die here." Maybe that was what happened to her father? Myrcella didn't know. She hoped not. She didn't want them to suffer the same fate.

Shivering in spite of herself, Myrcella held herself closer to Richard Henry the Eighth while he carried her ever deeper. Maybe it was the dampness in the air, or something else, she wasn't sure. But Richard must of felt it too.

She smirked a little as he told her to stick close to him. "I don't think that I have a choice but to stick close. You are holding me, afterall." But of course Myrcella agreed with his decision. "But let's go just to the first rooms. And that's it. First sign of danger and we leave. Right?" It wasn't as though she could run. Her life was fully in his hands now.

Wonderful....

 

[Richard Henry the Eighth]

“Oh I’m doubtful,” Richard said carrying Marcella across the stone bridge. “Dwarven machinery is quite rare now and days and it’s even rarer that they’re active.”

According to Dwarven lore, Dwavres during the Age of Wonders built failsafes for their machines. It would be pretty messy if one their machines started to malfunction and go on an rampage. Each owner had one a failsafe of some kind though sources vary on what it looks like.

“Besides my dear Myrcella,” Richard said chuckling at the young woman. “You have a nasty habit of always wondering off. Even with an injured ankle you’ll probably hop over to the first thing you’ll see and leave me behind.”

The two finally went past the entrance of the city and entered a large and sprawling metropolis full of abandoned buildings and a street that was carved in glowing tubes. “Amazing,” Richard said his mouth agape.

 

[Myrcella Bochanan]

"Well that's good to hear. I'd hate for us to be attacked..." Especially by a machine. How would it be stopped? She couldn't even imagine what one would look like.

Again she smirked as Richard Henry the Eighth spoke of her habit of wandering off. "Yes I wander, in an attempt to get away from you." Myrcella booped his nose which more or less probably caught him off guard. But despite her ankle, she was actually enjoying herself. Exploring wasn't something that she got to do very often. More than likely if she had, then she'd of known about this place!

Her jaw fell as his did at the sight of the buildings and street. After a moment, she spoke up, "Try not to go too far, or we'd never want to leave, and you know that we'll have to. " Myrcella smiled a little to herself. Maybe THIS will delay her having to leave the Estate! Surely it'd take longer than a fortnite to explore it all! One could only hope.