Private Tales Read between the lines

[Talus]

He considered for a moment. "I'll ride."

Just this once.

Talus had no idea what could be sitting on the otherside of that portal stone, and he figured it would be best if he was rested and prepared just in case something...unpleasant would be on the other side. Sheketh was the home of fire-giants, dragons, and pho-

His eyes bulged for a moment.

"Uhh." Talus glanced back at the house. "One second."

Before Zana could question him he rushed back into the house, there was a slight racket, and then a few moments later he appeared again. "Just had to grab something."

Talus said with a smile as he hefted his satchel and smiled up at her.

 

[Zana]

Zana gave him a bemused and curious look before swinging herself up onto Zandor's back.

"Woah, easy now," she pressed her hand to his neck. A few days of no exercise and the horse was ready to run. He pranced to the left then back to the right before stilling and pawing at the ground. Grey slunk out of the woods a few moments later licking blood off of his lips and then sat expectantly, ears twitching this way and that. She hoped the Direwolf pup wouldn't be too much of a problem where they were going.

When Talus returned she raised an eyebrow but said nothing and shifted from the saddle onto the horses withers so he could have the comfort of stirrups.

When he was settled she cast him a quick look over her shoulder.

"Ready?" at his nod she grinned. "Remember, hold onto the horn if you need to," a wink and then Zana touched her heels to the horses side and they flew.

Even with the added weight on his back Zandor made good times, only slowing when Zana urged him to in order to rest and stretch himself out properly. They made good time to the Portal Stone where the horse finally slowed to a gentle jog.

 

[Talus]

Talus remembered why he didn't like riding about half-way into their journey. His legs were sore, and his thighs started to burn by the time they reached the portal stone. He made a quiet oof noise as he slipped himself from the saddle and practically tumbled to his feet.

"I'm getting you an owl." Talus grumbled quietly. "That thing seemed much more fun to ride."

He was sure that Zandor gave him a side-eye as he said it, but Talus simply waved the horse off and muttered something about giving him an apple when they were next at home. It seemed to appease him well enough, and Talus stumbled over towards the port-key in front of the stone.

As he reached it the young Dreadlord pulled an old piece of cloth parchment from his pack, unfurling it and reading the side of the well drawn map. "Well."

He started with a frown.

"Let's hope this is right..." Talus said as he began to focus the magic in his palm and slowly keyed in the correct Runes on the stone.

 

[Zana]

"I don't want an owl," Zana protested like a small child though it was an utter lie. She would have loved to learn how to ride an owl like Blackforge. The difference was that she would never say such a thing in front of Zandor. She slipped from the saddle just as Grey came lumbering up to the pair panting but excited. When Talus crouched down the overgrown pup went to stand at his shoulder and watch with his head tilted. Zana patiently waited with Zandor's reins until her love stood up and gave her a nod.

There was the same jittery excitement in her stomach as their next adventure loomed closer. She remembered the beautiful views when they had stepped out by Karak and she was eager to see these ones. Talus had called it the home of the fire giants so she was imagining great big lava fields.

Zana took his hand and then held her reins with the other.

"Let's go," she flashed him a brilliant smile and then stepped through.

 

[Talus]

The world around them twitched, broke, shattered, and then pulled itself together all in the very same moment.

In an instant the four of them found themselves transported thousands of miles, rushed across the world and thrown into a place that hardly seemed real. Zana and Talus stepped out of the portal stone with the same gait that they had entered with, their surroundings dotted with a sea of black stone and mountains that rose high into the sky.

To the east Talus could just barely make out the sea. To the north he could see great swathed fields of rolling black, and to the west he saw mountains dotted with strange red trees that rose higher than any surrounding their cabins.

A breath pulled into his lungs, shock painting his face as he looked over the landscape that was now surrounding them.

 

[Zana]

Zana was like an excitable child.

A gasp stole the air from her lungs as she looked around wide-eyed. It was as though he had suddenly given her the greatest gift of her life. She dropped his hand and took two or three quick steps before kneeling up the earth and digging up a bit of the strange black dirt. She let it run through her fingers then brought a bit to her nose to smell. Brimstone. A thrill ran through her and then she was hopping to her feet and exclaiming over this thing or that thing, sometimes right in front of them or sometimes on the hills.

By the time she came back to where he stood her cheeks were flushed and she was practically jumping up and down whilst he studied the map.

"Which way?"

 

[Talus]

Talus stood, wiping his hands from the odd black dirt for a few moments before he once again pulled out the map and unfurled it.

The thing had clearly been written in old Anirian, the ink faded and almost drawn from the parchment itself. He frowned for a brief moment, looking west, and then east, before settling on the map itself and taking a deep breath. "I think...north."

He looked up towards the mountains. "Northwest."

Talus corrected.

"Towards there." He pointed towards one of the smaller mountains, the top of it oddly flat instead of carrying the usual peak. "If the map is right Thallin is at the base of that Mountain."

 

[Zana]

Grey had already loped off ahead of them to explore the new scents that were on offer. Zana peered over the map upside down and followed where he was pointing to the mountain. After a moment she came to stand beside him and study it too. Her eyes trailed over the parchment before finally she nodded and pressed a kiss to his cheek.

"Hot Springs here we come," her words were a purr. A sinful, dark, purr that promised a far from relaxing time, before she returned to Zandor and swung herself up into his saddle. The horse was a little less eager to go flying off in a new area and kept to a moderate trot as they made their way towards the mountains.

 

[Talus]

Talus walked this time.

Not that he didn't trust Zandor after his comment, but if something fell upon them he wanted to be ready just in case. He had of course left behind the garb of a Dreadlord, now wearing something closer to the roguish garb that Fen had donned for their meeting.

It was simple enough, not providing as much protection as plate but offering some sort of security should something decide they made a healthy snack.

Their progress over the black soil was surprisingly quick. Rolling hills and simple slopes did nothing to impede their progress, and as half a day passed and the sun began to set in the sky Talus noticed lights flickering in a small valley just ahead.

The odd red forest and the mountain beyond were still miles away, but there was unmistakably something lurking just on the horizon. "A village, I think."

Talus said as he squinted in the narrow light of dusk.

 

[Zana]

Zana filled their journey with excited chatter about different stories she had read about where they were travelling to. Ever since Talus had put the idea into her head she had been unable to stop reading about the different cities around the world at every opportunity she had had.

Her eyes had also caught the flickering lights when Talus announced he thought it was a village. Her lips pressed together as she considered his words and then nodded slowly.

"Or something bigger - this close to the Portal Stone they are probably used to travellers though," like Talus Zana's gear told nothing about who or what she was. A white shirt under a green leather jerkin that would provide some protection to all her vital organs should she have need, beige breeches and her snug riding boots.

"Race ya!" the older Dreadlord suddenly grinned and spurned her heels into Zandor's sides. The horse reared and then shot forward with a whinny of excitement. Grey looked at Talus and then trotted off after them.

 

[Talus]

Talus rolled his eyes as Zana suddenly burst forward on her horse.

She knew damn well that he couldn't just use his magic while running into a city. Especially given the fact that he was trying to keep it low-key. Had they been heading towards Karak or the cabin it might have been different, but here?

All Talus could do was let out a curse and run after her.

His pace was comically slow compared to Zandor who zipped across the open ground like it was nothing. A bit of his magic bled into him, keeping him steady enough, but Zana and her horse would reach the village near ten minutes before Talus did.

 

[Zana]

Talus would have to follow the faint trail of laughter from Zana as he ran.

When they got to the edge of the town she brought her horse down from his mad gallop to a sedate walk. Zandor snorted but she could feel the pleased bounce in his step at having won the race. She had been planning on waiting outside of the town before heading in with Talus but curiosity got the better of her and she slid from her horses saddle and led him into the main street that greeted them.

By the time Talus arrived she was chatting with one of the stall tenders about the best place to find a place to sleep for the night and how far the city was from here. She waved to him when she saw him.

"Honey! I think I've found us somewhere to stay for the night."

 

[Talus]

Talus forced himself to act tired. He wiped some 'sweat' from his brow and trotted over towards where Zana and the man stood. His face lit up slightly. "Really?"

Through the bond she would feel a slight tickle of playful annoyance. She would know it was not real, but he offered a small reminder that acts like would not be forgotten. His lips quirked into a smile though, turning towards the man.

"That's fantastic." He went on. "Whereabouts?"

Quietly he hoped it wasn't a stable somewhere.

Knowing Zana and her love for Animals they could very well end up sleeping among a pile of giant Lizards or something similar.

 

[Zana]

Zana struggled to keep the grin off her face at the playful threat at Talus trotted over to the little group. When he was closed she did something they had never been able to do in public back home; she held his hand and twined their fingers together. It felt so natural. The guy opposite gave the two lovers a bemused but happy smile before stroking down the length of his bushy heard.

"Aye, your pretty little wife here was telling me you're on your way to see the Hot Springs," he chuckled. "We ge' alo'a traffic through 'ere so there are a few inns to choose from. For a couple o' lovers like yiz I'd recommend tae Leapin' Lizard. Straight down the main road til ye come tae the Town Hall then turn right. Ye can't miss it. Have a good evenin' both," he tipped his hat cordially.

Zana said their thank you's and goodbyes before tugging Talus along the street in the direction they'd been told. Zandor clopped along behind them and Grey stuck close to their heels giving the illusion of a well behaved pet for once.

"Took your time," her lips twitched.

 

[Talus]

Zana would feel a sudden hard squeeze on her behind, his fingers having slipped from hers in their ghostly form and taken up a handful of her rear before quickly returning to her palm. "Careful now."

There would be no mistaking that it had been him. The next closest person to them was a kindly looking old woman half bent above a washing board and paying absolutely no mind to the young lovers.

"You'll upset the Ghost again." He shot her his own smile, though in truth it was more like a smirk.

Slowly the two of them made their way towards the 'Leapin' Lizard', Talus following the directions to the letter until they reached the townhall. Then he turned right, spotting a beautiful stone building with a sign painted sign.

"Think that's it?" Talus asked sarcastically as he pointed to the jumping lizard on the sign. The place looked quaint, and there was the feint scent of roasted meats and ale in the air as they approached.

 

[Zana]

Zana gave a cut off sharp squeal when her arse was pinched and not lightly either. She shot him a dark look but nudged her shoulder against his affectionately as they walked, sliding her hand from his to around his waist, hooking her thumb into the waistband of his breeches. Unlike Talus who was intent on going straight to the inn with military precision, Zana made him stop every now and then so she could look at this shop or peer into that window over there. He seemed content to indulge her so she took full advantage of it.

"Don't be grumpy," she pressed a quick kiss to his cheek after his sarcastic comment. "It looks cute," it did look rather charming - like something out of a tour guide booklet. "C'mon," Zana tugged him on towards the inn.

The inside was just as cozy and quaint. The big stone walls kept in the heat of the roaring fire, small tables were dotted throughout the hall for intimate conversations by candlelight. The slight sting of magic brushed against her senses and when she looked up she saw the room was lit with a dozen floating lanterns which spilled red light over the tiled floor. A tall, willowy woman stepped out from behind the bar with a bright smile. Her skin was as dark as a midnight sky with the same sort of blue tinge and her ears were pointed. Contrasting white hair fell in waves to her slender waist.

"Welcome, welcome! Your horse will be fine out there, Lor will take care of it for you, please!" the woman whilst being slight was quite firm in her insistence. Zana glanced briefly to Grey, unsure of whether the wolf would be welcome too but the woman gave him an affectionate pat as if he were any other dog and led them to a desk in the corner with a large book.

"Are you looking for a room? How many nights?"

 

[Talus]

Talus smiled at the woman and the warmth of her greeting. It was difficult to describe just how pleasant it felt not be looked at with fear and suspicion. In Anirian territory, and even in those beyond, Dreadlords were looked at with abject fear I'd not outright terror.

Out here he doubted they even knew what a Dreadlord was. "Just tonight."

He said with no small amount of friendliness injected into his tone. Talus wanted to ensure that any impression he made was a good one. They'd like have to pass through this village on the way back, and it paid to be generous in any way that you could.

"My wife and I are traveling to the hot springs." Letting that word slip from his tongue had more satisfaction to it than he possibly could have said. It made him want to drop every hint of his plan and just propose in that instant. His gaze cast towards Zana, almost as if he were actually about to do it, but then he held himself back.

Just barely though.

"We'd like your nicest room, please." Talus told the innkeeper. "It's a vacation after all."

 

[Zana]

The woman clapped her hands together with a bright smile.

"Oh the Springs are just wonderful, especially at this time of year! Is this your honeymoon? You definitely have that newly wed glow," Zana found her cheeks heating somewhat and she shifted a step closer to Talus so her side was flush against his. She still wasn't comfortable with people being so... nice. Especially an elf. It took restraint to not keep glancing at her ears in bewilderment.

"We are," her eyes flickered to Talus and the blush increased when she saw the look, the intent and desire there. It made her warm inside. The woman sighed wistfully.

"Oh I bet you just looked as lovely as a Magnolia in Spring. Let's see what we've got..." her fingers ran down the page and then stopped with a bright smile. "Just so happens we have a lovely suite available. Right this way," Zana lagged a little behind the woman, letting Talus go first, though she kept as close to him as possible. He seemed far more confident in these distant lands than she was. The woman led them up the stairs whilst she chatted about the best Springs to visit and how not to be ripped off by tours, before eventually coming to the third floor with two doors. She took the one on the left and, taking out a key, led the couple into the room.

A fire was already burning in one corner with a copper bath tucked to the side. The bed took up the other end for it was a giant gaudy four poster affair. Grey lept straight onto it and Zana tried to hide her laugh.

"Well I'll just leave you two to it! If you want a bath just give us a little tug on this bell and I'll send someone up. Food is served till 9 and breakfast is from 6, both included in your fee," the woman pressed her hands together and went to leave when Zana passed her three coins which would cover the cost. There was a flicker of confusion as the woman hadn't named the price but it was exactly right so she said nothing more, gave a bow, and dipped out of the room.

Once they were alone Zana went and jumped on the bed next to Grey where the wolf began attacking her face.

"Very comfy."

 

[Talus]

Talus walked around the room, wondering briefly if he would ever get used to places like this.

When they'd gone of missions at the Academy he had always stayed in ratholes and run down apartments. Even working for the Guard he'd most of the time camped instead of staying at an inn. It was all a little odd to him, but seeing the smile draw across Zana's face was enough to make him forget evert feeling of discomfort that had reached him. She flipped not the bed besides Gray with all the excitement of a cat finding a whole fish.

"Is it now?" Talus said as he turned in his heel and launched himself onto the bed.

There was a loud creak as he landed on the mattress just shy of where Zana had tossed herself, Talus added weight and the fact that he slammed down causing the old wooden posts to shift slightly. A laugh echoed from his lips.

"Guess we'll have to be careful not to break the bed." Talus said as he wrapped an arm around Zana's stomach and yanked her on top of himself.

 

[Zana]

Zana put both hands out as if bracing herself when Talus jumped on the bed, laughing so hard tears pooled at the corners of her eyes. It was such a novelty to be able to do this and be themselves. His comment only made her giggling worse which was only interrupted when he boldly pulled her on top of him causing another small squeal of surprise.

When she was spread over the top of him Zana ran her fingers through his hair slowly and a faint smile played about her lips as if she held before her the greatest treasure in the world.

"I'm sure you could make them a better one as a replacement," from previous encounters it was probably more likely going to be Zana destroying things. "I think I might ask her to fill that bath for us," then she leaned down and pressed a kiss to his lips.

 

[Talus]

The words made him think of the last time they had shared a bath, his fingers tightening on her body as a thrill rushed down his spine. Lips played against hers softly, and he closed his eyes as he quietly pined to be back in their home at Karak.

"That...sounds like a good idea." Talus said as he slipped his fingers beneath the hem of her shirt.

His index slowly played over her skin, touching, feeling her and mirth and love cascaded through the bond in slow and steady ebbs. It was a rush to have her here, to be around the entire world with her and actually be able to express his love in front of others.

There was a thrill to it he couldn't have put into words.

"Some food too." The Innkeeper had said the kitchens were still open. "Whatever this place is famed for, the local dish."

Zana had made him want more than gruel to eat, ever since meeting her his eyes had been opened and he craved to try new things. Where would be find a better place to do that then the isle of Sheketh?

 

[Zana]

"Whatever my Lord Husband commands," Zana said playfully. She pulled back from their sweet and gentle kiss to run her gaze over him. It looked as though she were about to say something but instead settled for letting the bond show him how she felt in that moment. So in love, so carefree and excited for the future ahead. She stole another sweet kiss then rolled off of him to call the innkeeper.

It didn't take long for two younger maids to appear carrying steaming trays of the local delicacy which turned put to be a spiced chicken dish with beans and rice wrapped up in a flatbread. There were various sauces too, a spiced red one, some green sweet thing and a tangy white sauce.

As the pair ate the two girls set about filling up the bath with steaming buckets of water.

"I need to learn how to cook this," Zana said around a mouthful of food. Her face was pure bliss as she savored every little flavour and tried to figure out the recipe.

 

[Talus]

Talus, with his mouth still full of course, responded. "Yesf."

He agreed with a nod of his head.

"Yesf youf dov." Talking with your mouthful was difficult at the best of times, but somehow Talus made it look easy enough as he gobble down another piece if flat bread stuffed to the brim with every filling that was available on the plate.

One of the maids looked over at Talus with a slight look of disgust on her face, then panned her eyes over towards Zana with a look of utter confusion. One could almost see the question on her face. What was a lady like she doing with an oaf like him?

It was a question Talus asked himself almost every day. "Not as good as your Bolognese though."

Talus said as he finally swallowed the food down

 

[Zana]

There was nothing but open love, adoration and a smattering of amusement on Zana's face as she watched him enjoy something he had been devoided of for his whole life. She caught the maids eye and threw her a bright smile and shrug as if to say: Men, what can you do? Before returning her gaze to Talus.

She would never comment on the way he ate in case it ruined his enthusiasm for it. Sometimes when someone was made conscious of the way they did something they lost a little enjoyment of doing it.

"I'll ask before we leave," Zana was far more delicate with the way she ate, experimenting with different toppings and flavours. "I like the whole sitting on the floor and eating with your hands thing though," she had thought the low table had been for coffee or tea but the girls had set out their food there and left them no Cutlery.

 

[Talus]

Talus smirked. "Suits me extra well, I think."

He joked with a smirk.

Though he was not quite conscious of just how monstrous he looked when eating, Talus knew that he didn't quite have the same grace and poise that she did. If he ever attended one of those Luana dinners she would need to give him lessons on the proper etiquette of things.

What a nightmare that would be.

"Though...dangerous with him around." Talus glanced at Grey who was sitting eye level with then, his to gue slowly lashing over his lips as his eyes wandered towards the food on the table.

Talus could practically feel his hunger.