Private Tales Bound by Fate

[Richard Henry the Eighth]

Richard chuckled when Myrcella booped his nose, she's trying to one up The Bard Knight huh? Sadly the young woman is mistaken. "To get away from my dashing good looks?" Richard smirked. "My biting wit and my majestic voice? I mean it's not a surprise women always go away to hide process the fact that they are looking at greatness!"

As much as Richard disagreed with his father on a lot of things he was right about one thing: A person needs to display confidence even when they are not. People from nobles to commoners often measure you up and try to sniff out any sign of emotional weakness. Smiles and courtesies go a long way in masking the cold and calculating nature of the Grand Game.

The Dwarven City was massive, from the left were huge stone doors that was glittering with crystals and rubies that were embedded on it. The river below them shone a light blue given a tint of beauty and much to Richard's surprise were fish swimming in them biolumiscent fish as well! They were very rare and some cultures particularly the Narzani culture see biloumincent creatures as beings who are touched by the Gods and are held with the upmost respect. Richard wondered if Dwarves back in the Age of Wonders had that same tradition well.

"It's amazing that an entire Dwarven city is located just under your estate," Richard noted with awe. "It makes want to dig at my place to see if I have a city in my backyard!"

 

[Myrcella Bochanan]

Myrcella snickered and then replied back with a sarcastic tone to her voice. "Yes that's EXACTLY why I try to run away."

But the little game that she was playing faded out of view as Richard Henry the Eighth carried her further inside of the old city. At times she almost strained herself to look at the fish down below. "Look! They are glowing! Are they magic?" This whole place certainly was, but Myrcella didn't have the ability to sense it at all. She could only hazard a guess.

Her eyes soon fell upon the gemstone laden door. "I take it that no one else has been here for some time, otherwise those jewels might be gone....I'll have to check my Father's records to see if he knew. Though I don't think that he did." But did Richard's Father know? Again that question popped up in her head as the two of them were still a bit unclear as to why he pushed for their arranged marriage to begin with. And he wasn't exactly here to ask.

"Not much further...I'm supposed to be resting, remember? But do you think that the water is magical? Or there could be a fountain with waters that heal?"

 

[Richard Henry the Eighth]

Richard smirked. "You can't hide what's inside my dear Myrcella!" He replied with a smile. "You know the truth."

Myrcella was just as amazed of the lost Dwarven city as Richard was. He always wondered how the Dwarves built an entire city made of stone? Sure humans were able to carve out amazing statues and even buildings judging from the ancient cities from the Age of Urogosh. But the Dwarves..... made the humans look like amateurs when it came to crafting.

"Not at all," Richard said frowning a bit. "I managed to find this cave easily you've mean to tell me after thousands of years no one was able to discover this? Not even your family?"

This was the first sign of suspicion that Richard had for this place. Abandoned Dwarven Kingdoms were sought after by treasure hunters, archeologists, historians and grave robbers. One would think that a hidden kingdom that is located not too far from an estate would be found on accident.

"Huh?" Richard thoughts was interrupted by Myrcella's wondering if the glowing pool was magical. While Dwarves were capable mages, they had a tendency to put more emphasis on more physical activities. "I'm doubful," Richard answered placing Myrcella down near the water. "But you should dip your ankle in so you can cool off."

The Bard Knight doubted that it'll instantly heal but Myrcella was right, they shouldn't venture far into the cave.

 

[Myrcella Bochanan]

Richard Henry the Eighth was charming SOMETIMES. But not most of the time. Especially as of late. Of course she had Celty to blame for that. Myrcella was sure to get her back in the end, however.

She slowly shook her head in response to his question. "As far as I know, no one knew of thus place. Don't you think that I'd of been told if it did? No doubt my Father would of had it protected, or used it for the betterment of our family instead of choosing to marry me off to people from Elbion instead." Of course that wasn't meant to be an insult, but she couldn't prevent it if it was.

Myrcella figured that glowing water with glowing fish must mean that there was magic involved. But Richard seemed to assume otherwise. "Yes, let's cool it down some." Although she hoped that the water wasn't freezing. "And hopefully nothing tries to bit my foot while it's in the water. You haven't heard of any stories where such a thing has happened, have you?"

 

[Richard Henry the Eighth]

"If anything," Richard said slowly and cautiously placing Myrcella next to the pool of water. "Your father should've gave the location of the Dwarven City to an archeologist. He would've made a fortune! Do you realize how sought after ancient Dwarven ruins are?"

The Fish that swam in there didn't look harmless but then again in his time traveling the world, Richard learned fast that the most harmless creature can be the most deadly. With these glowing fish while beautiful put Richard off. Still it was unlikely that Myrcella's father knew that there was a city that was located underground of his estate. Even someone like him would've likely realized its value.

"Well no," Richard shrugged. "Though I wouldn't surprised if there were stories. I don't think these Fish lurking in the river are harmful anyway."

Myrcella did bring up an interesting point about the water possibly being magical. While Dwarves were practitioners of magic they weren't into it compared to Elves, Orcs or Humans preferring to focus on more technological and industrial means. "How's your dress Myrcella?" Richard said trying to make her more comfortable. She had a long day but at least she saw something wonderful.

 

[Myrcella Bochanan]

Myrcella shook her head in response to his question. No, she had no idea how sought after Dwarven ruins were. But now she wondered if even her Mother knew about it. Surely she'd of admired the jewels. At any rate she couldn't help but feel the desire to paint what she saw. Perhaps when she got home she could do so while she was recovering from her ankle.

After Richard Henry the Eighth placed her next to the water, she cautiously dipped her injured foot into it. The water was cool, as expected, so of course it made her jump a little in response. But then she slipped the rest of it in. "Let's hope that they aren't harmful." The fish didn't seem to go near her at all, and so she was thankful for it.

He questioned her on her dress. Myrcella looked down at the skirt of it with a frown. The fabric was torn and shredded in many places, some of which was caked in dirt so much that the dress almost looked dyed brown. "I don't think the seamstresses can save it. It'll have to be discarded. But I think the corset can be saved." Thank the Gods for corset's being sturdy. They were almost built like armour.

 

[Richard Henry the Eighth]

"But my dear Myrcella," Richard said smirking. "You look positively lovely with your ripped dress. I would never believe that you've all people would look great in a torn dress. In fact I'm sure you're the type that'll look good wearing cheap wool."

Well Richard did promise to tone down his teasing as long as Myrcella kept her promise which knowing her would last not even a day. The Fish looked harmless as they swam past Myrcella's swollen ankle with some of them rubbing their scales on it. "It seems that even the Fish can sense your brattiness." The Bard Knight winked ruffling the young woman's hair. "So what do you say we get out of here?"

"They've been in this area long enough. It was time to get going.

 

[Myrcella Bochanan]

Myrcella smirked right back. "Oh your wit astounds me!" She'd get him back for that. That was for sure and certain. But just not at this moment. It was better to do so when she was safely at home, lest Richard Henry the Eighth made her walk!

And then he ruffled her hair, causing her to bat his hand away. "Hey now! Don't you think I've gone through enough!" Almost in response to that, Myrcella felt the fish tough her foot. The water splashed as she jerked her foot out of it. It wasn't as though it hurt, but she wasn't expecting to be touched.

"Yes, let's go home. Finally." Myrcella held out her hands. "Help me up please? Or are you going to carry me?"

 

[Richard Henry the Eighth]

Richard smirked. "Of course my dear Myrcella!" He said picking the young woman up into a bridle carry. "I don't know Myrcella," The Bard Knight teased. "Your hair is still so soft even after it's been pulled by a Rock Troll!"

It was surprisingly soft after about 2 years traveling on the road, Richard struggled to find ointments to make his hair soft and shiny. When one is out in the wilderness their hair tends to be sticky and dirty due to the hot sun and many plants with bugs finding hair as a nice comfy nesting spot. If there was one thing Richard missed from home was the fact that the servant would spend hours making sure that Richard's hair was soft and spotless.

Maybe Richard could retrieve some hair products from Myrcella's estate before riding to Elbion….. "Right Myrcella!" The Bard Knight said cheerfully. "Let us go home! It's a shame that we have to leave this majestic place so early! But you must be at home! I'm sure your mother must be worried for you! They might say I might kidnap you."

Now that was an unpleasant thought. Wars between noble families were fought over alleged kidnappings which turned out to be misunderstandings. Richard was roped into a war which his father was eager to join, a close friend of his had a daughter whom he thought was kidnapped by the prince of Naral that was located in the Sahara Desert. After a bloody conflict that caused the deaths of thousands, turned out that she ran away because she didn't want to marry him and staged a kidnapping incident to hopefully persuade her father to not marry her off.

"What ignoramus cunt," Richard thought bitterly. Such idiocy was thankfully not present with Myrcella. There's a difference between naiveite and stupidity.

"Might I say you look adorable in my arms," Richard said to Myrcella not noticing the small gnomes scurrying around behind them.

 

[Myrcella Bochanan]

Myrcella gently rubbed her head as Richard Henry the Eighth reminded her of the horrible ordeal that she had just gone through. "And I hope to never be dragged around again." As he held her as one would carry a bride over the threshold, she wrapped an arm around his neck.

"Kidnapped me? Oh that would be terrible. You already are soon to have me in marriage. Why oh why would you need to kidnap me? To keep me from running away?" Her ankle injury prevented that. Though at the moment no one at the Estate new about it. And no doubt people would probably be thinking that they had gone off to spend the time together to get...properly acquainted. Perhaps even to start up a bit of a courtship before their big day.

Of course that was furthest from the truth! However despite his relentless teasing and spiteful remarks, Richard was looking after her. He didn't have to carry her in this way; there were far more humiliating ways for him to do so. And yet, he chose to cradle her. And even compliment her? The barriers that she had built around herself as soon as their betrothal was announced crumbled slightly. "Thank you, Richard." She wanted to tell him that she felt safer with him this way, yet instead she just bit her lower lip.

With her eyes all on him, she didn't notice their little stalkers either.

 

[Richard Henry the Eighth]

"Hopefully the only dragging that would happen to you is to pull you away from all those dresses you see at the shops!" Richard chuckled still holding Myrcella tightly so she would feel safe.

Myrcella had a rather infamous reputation for looking for the latest fashion. It wasn't one new dress that satisfied her, it was two, then three, then ten! Richard had heard many accounts by her ladies in waiting on how Myrcella would spend all day shopping for clothes. One of the ladies remembered a time when Myrcella shopped until midnight keeping the clothing merchant up so she try on the many dresses that he had. "Poor man," Richard thought. "I hope he was well compensated."

"Maybe," The Bard Knight said as they approached the bridge. "To get to know my betrothed after all if we are to trust in each other we need to spend time away."

Richard sighed all his life he wanted to choose the life he wanted to live. The day that Richard left his home to explore Arethril felt like the first time that he made a choice for himself. Richard didn't want to become a Knight, he didn't want to be a general of a large army. He wanted to be a poet and a scholar, bard who traveled the world. But the reality was that Richard is a noble whose purpose was to support his family in the never ending political struggle.

The Bard Knight was thrusted into a marriage that he didn't want to a young woman that he didn't know. Mrycella Bochanan was just as determined Richard to get away from marriage, but the Gods had other plans for them and they are bound together for whatever reason their fathers had. It was situation that neither of them wanted to be in, but it was something that they can overcome as long as they stick together.

"You know Myrcella," Richard said staring into her dark blue eyes. "Perhaps you and I aren't so different afterall. We wanted to be free and to choose for ourselves but it seems that fate has bought us together. You....."

Richard paused for the second time in his life he was lost for words. Damn it all! What a fool he's making himself out to be. "I mean I will be your knight to guide you through the darkness. If you're in danger, I will do whatever it takes to find and rescue you. I will protect you Myrcella not just because you're going to be my wife but because you are a special woman."

 

[Myrcella Bochanan]

Myrcella laughed a little as Richard Henry the Eighth spoke about her shopping for dresses. Oh yes she loved her dresses. And she'd need to get at least a couple more to make up for the torn dress that she now wore.

"Spend time away? We'll have that on our journey to Elbion, wouldn't we?" The reality of it all was starting to sink in. She was going to leave her home and all that she knew. She had no choice. But at least Richard wasn't a tyrant. There was some solice there.

Myrcella met his gaze and listened while he spoke of protecting her and being at her side. Did he like her? Was he falling for her? She found herself warming up to him. Perhaps it was the effects of this cave, or the fact that she was hurt and vulnerable. But here he was, being her knight and protector in every truth of the words.

Before Myrcella could stop herself, she placed her free hand on his chin and gave him a gentle kiss. It didn't last long, only for a second or two before her cheeks flushed a dark shade of pink and she tucked her head into his shoulder. "Thank you. I will try to...not be so ungrateful."

 

[Richard Henry the Eighth]

Richard surprised himself.

Was he actually falling for Myrcella? He couldn't tell and the kiss from the young woman didn't help matters as well. It was a small kiss but Richard felt invigorated by the kiss, he could hear fireworks popping in his head. It was said by Halflings that if a person can hear and see fireworks during a kiss then you know that person is the one for you. Well Richard heard the fireworks, but of all things he belonged to a young woman whom he was bethroed with? That's not how the stories worked! At least postmodernistic ones where it breaks traditional storytelling.

"You know," Richard said instinctively kissing Myrcella's forehead. "Perhaps we're too wrapped up in stories not that they're epic but maybe it is the Gods that bought us together. Who knows?"

The two of them were about to head for the exit until a slab of rock fell down In front of them. It dropped with a big "thowk" and the ground shook for a bit as Richard took a small step back in shock. "What the!-" he exclaimed. "We're cut off!"

The Door had a lovely pictures of the mountains though but there seemed to be no lock and the brief glow he saw signaled it was magically sealed. Was this place's security features online? What was going on?! The Bard Knight would get his answer soon as cackling was heard throughout the abandoned city. Multiple voices which echoed in the cave.

"Looks like this wasn't abandoned afterall. Of course." Richard sighed though inside his heart was racing wildly. He needed to protect Myrcella, he needed to get out of here. Looking down at the young woman Richard forced a smile. "I'll find a way out." He said. "Don't worry I'll hold on to you, whatever is lurking I will not let them drag you away. They're going have to cut off my arms to do so."

His eyes darting for any exit Richard looked down at Myrcella again. "I..... like you," he said. "Well maybe more than like you. You're special and I won't let someone so special be taken away."

Richard wanted to think that it was just to cheer Myrcella up but he wasn't sure.

 

[Myrcella Bochanan]

"I like stories. They are a great escape from...well everything. Painting is like that too for me. And riding....And yes, even shopping for dresses." Who doesn't need an escape? Myrcella certainly did right now. She had too much going on at once.

The door closing in front of them made her jump in his arms. Her jaw hung open slightly as she stared at it. Magic? Was this some kind of curse against intruders? Maybe that was why no jewels were taken, nor that anyone knew of the place. Those that went in never came out again....

The laughter made her grip onto Richard Henry the Eighth all the tighter. "I don't like this..." In all the stories it was always the lady that was captured. And already she had almost been eaten by a rock troll. So what would try to eat her now? "...I just want to go home."

Myrcella nodded as Richard tried to assure her that she'd be safe. But looking into his eyes she saw that he was as worried as she was. Neither of them knew what was going to happen next. "Maybe you could sing to them? Lure them into letting us go with your soothing voice?"

 

[Richard Henry the Eighth]

If there was thing that Richard learned from Dwarves is that they are fiercely protective of their belongings. From golden, glittering crowns to even a pair of dice Dwarves are willing to fight to the death for the things they own. That reflects on their buildings, there wasn't a Dwarven city that wasn't filled with traps of some kind. Richard had been informed by the College of Elbion that there wasn't an expedition to the Dwarven where a person did not die from an unexpected trap. They were secretive in where they placed to keep thieves off guard.

"I'm afraid I can't," Richard said turning around and seeing small shadows beginning to emerge. "I'm very limited when it comes to the Bardic Arts. I can only heal basic wounds and enhance people's abilities but that's the extent."

Bard magic was a very difficult art to use and Richard only knows a few who mastered it. It takes years to even be decent at the Bard Magic. Richard held Myrcella close as he saw the small creatures reveal themselves. Small creatures that looked like weathered old Gnomes or old humans? It was hard to tell. The creatures were hunchbacked and stood about 3 feet tall and possessed wiry muscles, leathery, patchy skin with protruding, sharp yellow teeth. They each wore a leather red cap which matched their blood red eyes and were wielding an assortment of weapons ranging from Scythes, Meat Cleavers to Sickles. Each of the weapons were as large as the creatures were tall but they held them with ease with some of them holding the blade close to their sharp white beards.

"Sacrifice!" One of them yelled approaching Richard and Myrcella Its iron boots clacking as he began to walk. It seemed that every one of these gnomes had iron boots where have Richard seen them before? "They look like Redcaps!" Richard said holding Myrcella close. "And they don't like the soothing sort anyway!"

Turning on his heel, Richard carrying Myrcella away from the Redcaps sprinting into the city. The Redcaps followed in hot pursuit moving with astonishing speed.

 

[Myrcella Bochanan]

"They don't look very friendly..." Myrcella agreed with Richard Henry the Eighth while her brows furrowed as she tried to think up a plan. If only she had an archer's bow and quiver full of arrows, then quite possibly she could help protect them as her aim was quite good. But no, it wasn't as though they could find such things here.

She yiped as they yelled, brandishing their weapons with a menacing look in their eye. No doubt she'd be the one that they'd want to sacrifice. Wasn't that how the stories usually went?

Myrcella gripped onto Richard as he ran, all the while her eyes were on the Redcaps and their weapons. Their boots clanged loudly, which gave her an idea. "Go into the water! With their boots they can't swim!" Or so she hoped. If anything it'd slow them down enough so that Her and Richard would gain a bigger lead.

 

[Richard Henry the Eighth]

"What gave that away?!" Richard yelled as he ran through the abandoned streets. The Redcaps were hot on their trail with more of them appearing in the buildings. "Was it their red eyes or how about their menacing glare?!"

It really wasn't the time to be snarky with a horde of Gnomes on their heels but once again Richard couldn't help himself. The Bard Knight had never encountered Redcaps before, from what he has heard Redcaps were deranged Fey hailing from the Falwood forests. They're asexual Gnomes who reproduce by budding, they were infamous for their nasty temperments and bloodthirsty nature. They were also instrumental in holding back Vel Anir forces when they invaded the Fey Kingdom during the Fifth Elven War. A bunch of Fey managed to overwhelm and hack at the elite fighting forces of the Vel Anir military even killing a Paladin.

It was then that Myrcella suggested an idea to go into the river. It wasn't the most well thought out plan but with the Redcaps running as fast as a Stallion it was the best idea they got. "All right!" Richard yelled holding on to Myrcella. "Your ankle is still swollen so hold on to me when I swim!"

He didn't know if Redcaps swam but it was worth a try a stream of water was ahead of them as they were about to exit the streets. "Hold on to me!" Richard shouted.

 

[Myrcella Bochanan]

As Richard Henry the Eighth made his snarky remarks, Myrcella did the only thing that she could think of at the moment. She blew him a raspberry! Yes it was bad timing, but sometimes one deals in tense situations with humour. And this situation was quite intense!

He then decided to take her idea of going into the river. "Alright...holding!" Myrcella held onto him all the tighter, wincing as the coldish water touched her bottom and then the rest of her. At least there wasn't much of a current, yet there was plenty to look at. The glowing fish as well as the Redcaps that seemed relentless in their pursuit.

"Maybe there's a way out downstream! The water has to go somewhere, right?" And if the glowing fish stayed with them, maybe they'd still be able to see.

 

[Richard Henry the Eighth]

Flecks of spit hit Richard's eye almost causing him to almost trip into the water. Okay he deserved that but not the at the expense of being ripped apart by blood thirsty Redcaps. Richard adjusted Myrcella into a piggybank style as he jumped into the water. He swam a lot as a child, Richard remembered playing with his brother and sister splashing water against each other playing a game of castle moat...…

The Bard Knight snapped back to reality as it felt like the whole cave was howling. Hundreds of Redcaps appeared at the abandoned city holding their weapons high in the air. Richard ignored them and began to follow the stream on Myrcella's suggestion. "Well every stream has to lead to somewhere!" Richard said trying to keep his body afloat so Myrcella can breathe. "Let's just hope it doesn't lead to a waterfall with sharp rocks at the bottom.

He really needs to be quiet sometimes.

Richard performed a breast stroke trying to use the river's momentum to gain speed. A couple of Redcaps began to follow them sprinting as fast as their little legs can carry them and by the Gods could they run. "It seems are tiny friends are afraid of some water!" He smirked as he continued to swim.

 

[Myrcella Bochanan]

Myrcella adjusted herself accordingly, once Richard Henry the Eighth moved her onto his back. Yet instead of keeping hold around his neck, she held onto his shoulders. "If only we had something to float on." At some point she knew that his strength would weaken. He wouldn't be able to swim forever. But they were lucky enough to have the riverflow to guide them.

She looked over to the Redcaps as they gave chase. Good! They didn't appear to like the water. No doubt their boots would only cause them to drown.

But now what? Where would it end? This day was nothing but unpredictable. Neither one of them could have forseen this. "What are we going to do? Is war going to break out because we both disappeared?" Each side could blame the other. Each side could accuse the other of lying. It was horrible to think of. Yet for once Myrcella wasn't thinking only of herself.

 

[Richard Henry the Eighth]

Richard had some experience in swimming, having someone like Myrcella on his back didn't phase him at all. His sisters would jump on his back all the time whenever Richard was swimming as children. "Oh don't worry Myrcella," He smirked. "I'll be perfectly fine! You have me as something to float on! Your personal log!"

Those damned Redcaps are still chasing after them! There had to be place where they can't follow he and Myrcella. Richard hoped that the river lead to a cave or something to have the trail go cold for these Gnomes. Right now Myrcella was panicking over the possibility of a war. While it may be true, it's unlikely that either side would do anything given that Myrcella's mother is grief stricken and given the efforts his father did to secure a marriage with a Cintrian noble, even he wouldn't be so foolish to start a war.

"Right now our concern is getting out of here!" Richard shouted as they saw a cave ahead and the Gods be good the trail is running out. "Looks like we can escape!" Richard laughed. "Let's say good by to our friends they gave so much hospitality!"

 

[Myrcella Bochanan]

Perfectly fine? Oh she certainly hoped so! She really, really did. "You're certainly more comfortable than a log would be, I imagine." It wasn't as though she was used to floating down a river, or being in one at all. Myrcella was always drawn a hot bath. And that was surely what she wanted now; a nice hot bath safe in the Estate.

Her gaze constantly darted around them, watching the vicious Redcaps as they followed along, their pikes and scythes reflecting the lights in the city.

But then a cave appeared. As Richard Henry the Eighth laughed, so too did Myrcella smile and breathe a sigh of relief. "Oh thank the Gods! We'll be home free soon!" And boy she just couldn't wait.

 

[Richard Henry the Eighth]

"I'm soft and squishy!" Richard said keeping his head afloat as the two of them went downstream. "And smell like spring flowers reaching their first bloom!"

Richard was quite fond of flowers growing and even had his own mini garden. It was a shame he didn't have time to tend it though his young sister did the work while he was off fighting his father's inane wars. "I hope this stream leads us some where!" Richard said as he heard water crashing down.

"Oh dear," Richard said as they both began to fall careening down a water fall! "HOLD ON TO ME!" Richard yelled before they fell to the water below.

 

[Myrcella Bochanan]

Myrcella laughed as she found herself not being as worried as she should be. "You smell alright." A jab, yes, one that she couldn't pass up. But both of them knew that he didn't smell bad at all.

But then her good mood was soured by the sound of crashing water. "Oh no...." What else was was she going to do but hold onto Richard Henry the Eighth . And she did! Her grip on him tightened even moreso as she shut her eyes tight. But she didn't scream. Myrcella held her breath. She had to. They were going to plunge into a pool of ...well, hopefully it was just water and glowing fish.

But when had things gone correctly for her today?

 

[Richard Henry the Eighth]

With Myrcella holding onto him tight, Richard braced himself for the painful landing below. Richard remembered doing a belly flop through the water as a child. Not a particularly fond experience, though thankfully his younger sister taught Richard how nullify the pain a bit. Making sure that Myrcella was secure, Richard curled up into a ball and the two splashed into the water.

The Bard Knight presumed that they fell a couple of feet and hoped that there weren't any sharp rocks on the bottom. It was already bad enough that these two were wet already. Surfacing, Richard quickly swam to the edge coughing up water and placing Myrcella on to the ground first. "What a rush," he breathed smiling at the young woman.