Private Tales Read between the lines

[Zana]

The hand on his cheek made her eyes closed and she leaned into it, strand that had escaped her braid sliding over his skin as she did so. There was still a small amount of panic at the idea they knew about her desire to help. Trusting Talus had been one thing but these were men and women she had never met, or if they had it had been in passing. Of course they didn't know who she was yet but they would as soon as she turned up at the training grounds and announced herself.

"That... must have been a difficult conversation," her eyes lifted to look up at him and try to garner his emotions from his expression. "Thank you for fighting my corner when I couldn't do it in person," her lips twitched slightly. She hadn't seen Talus have an argument but she knew she wasn't the best at shifting from her position once she had taken it and her cold looks had quite the reputation amongst Luana Dreadlords.

"I have been thinking that perhaps... when I report to them that might be best to broach the subject, to have an initial conversation," she was nervous about it and her skin heated from even thinking about it but it needed to be done. For the good of getting the job done. "I am not sure I want the whole guard to know..." was that a thing? Did Commanders keep secrets like they did in the Dreadlord ranks? Either way she thought it might even be safer for her own cover and for others. If she was discovered to be a traitor they wouldn't be able to rip through the Guards like paper.

 

[Talus]

"I always will." Talus told her, his thumb gently stroking over her cheek.

He nodded his head. "They won't."

Separation of knowledge was important, especially because of things like House Virak. There were certain regiments within the Guard that were trusted, but others...not so much.

The Generals knew that fact better than most. Over the years they had been bitten by the disloyal soldiers more than once, as much as it pained them to admit it. That was why they had ultimately come around to Talus' demands.

Separation of knowledge was important. Compartmentalization.

"When the time comes you'll meet Aldwaith, maybe one of the others. The other three Generals will be told, but they won't be there." The five were rarely together at once. "The Seven of us will be the only ones to know why you're truly there."

He assured her. "To everyone else you'll just be a Dreadlord offering an olive branch from a House."

 

[Zana]

That alleviated a little bit of the fear and she breathed out, her shoulders slumping a little as the tension left her.

"Good, yes I can live with that," she wasn't entirely sure if she were happy with it but she could accept the deal. In an ideal world it would only be Talus who knew of her real intentions but perhaps in time she would come to trust these others too. Her hands ran up from his stomach to his chest and gently fisted in the material there as she smiled. He sounded so confident and sure - eager, even, for this ball to get rolling as soon as possible. "I apologise in advance for the cold, stern, Luana Dreadlord who is going to turn up at your training grounds in that case."

"Do... you think I should tell them about the visions?" it was a subject she hadn't been able to settled on herself and she hadn't been able to ask Sloan, who was who she usually turned to in those matters. It was a lot harder to keep knowing the future a secret and a lot harder to decide which courses to actually act upon.

 

[Talus]

He smiled. "That's alright."

Talus supposed that every Dreadlord had two sides. The one that they showed only to those closest, and then the one that others had to see. Projection of power was as important as power itself, another lesson that Fen had taught him.

"Sometimes I need a stern hand." He smirked at her, his lips planting a quick kiss on hers.

His smile fell away though when she asked her next question. So far he had made no mention of the vision that they'd shared, only told the Generals of the urgency of things. After a moment he shook his head.

"No, not yet." Too much at once would not be a gift. "These are good people, but..."

He trailed off. "Magic is still new to them."

Even the five Generals had no real understand of magic beyond the basic, most of it being denied to them. "We build their trust first, then we can reveal more."

He knew they could do it, knew she could do it.

 

[Zana]

His words drew up the memory of the short sharp smack he had given her in bed and but his lips stole her laugh from her so it was more of a muffled rumble against his skin. Her hands slid up to his shoulders with the intent of running them through his hair when she felt his body tense some, felt the smile disappear from his face, as he considered her next question. She rubbed her thumb along his jawline as she considered his words.

"I'm used to hiding this gift Talus, I'm ok with it. The future is a burden and it's not one I like to share even with friends," she gently grasped his chin so he couldn't look away from her. "I will also attempt not to tear any doors off hinges or fling people across the training grounds," she spoke so seriously, her voice almost deadpan as if she were repeating a command and then the mask dropped like a pin and she gave him a small knowing smile. In truth though she was a little worried about using any of her magic around the Guards; she had seen the looks on peoples faces before when she had torn a wall of a building down with a mere flick of the wrist. She knew it had to be terrifying but a Dreadlord was there to be terrifying.

"Least it won't be as scary as walking through literal walls," a part of his gift he had failed to mention when he had ghosted out of her home last time.

 

[Talus]

"Oh you don't have to worry about that, they're used to getting thrown around by now." At least his own regiment was.

Talus had been training with them for months now, trying to show them how to fight against mages and better themselves in combat. He was limited to what he knew of College Magic and the Runes, plus what he could do with his own abilities, but it was going surprisingly well.

He was proud of them for it too. Most of them had been terrified at first, but not a single one of them had quit. No one had even mentioned it. He was now working on getting them some armor that would actually help them survive.

When she mentioned his magic a smile flashed on his face, a hand coming up to rub the back of his head. "Did I forget to mention that?"

He said with a smile.

"Maybe I'll just need to take some time and show you everything I can do." Talus had never actually done such a thing before. He had been free with his magic, but there were parts of it that he'd always hidden.

Something drilled into him in the Academy.

 

[Zana]

"We'll see if they can handle it," a ghost of a smile crossed her face. There was physically being thrown across the room and then there was having ones clothes come to life and hurl them into the sky. She had been reliably informed it was a lot more terrifying but she decided the Guard could make up their mind if they preferred being thrown by her or Talus. His cheeky smile was infectious and she gave him a mocking frown to try and tamper her own amusement. When he had left Grey had gone nuts - it seemed the wolf didn't like the idea people could enter their home through an undesignated exit.

"It would probably be helpful to see," Zana paused then nodded. Yes, at least so she didn't appear quite so shocked when she had a demonstration on a mission. "I would offer a duel but I am spent," the tiredness crept into her eyes at her words as she allowed herself to relax more. She had only gotten back from the Empire the day before yesterday and she had managed to catch only a few hours sleep in between this debriefing and talking about the Guard. She was thoroughly looking forward to her week off.

"I'm sure there's a lot of things I need to tell you too," she rubbed the bridge of her nose. So much, but she couldn't think where to start.

 

[Talus]

His fingers gently cupped her chin. "Later."

Talus concluded, deciding that they could move those sorts of conversations until after they had enjoyed one another's company.

They were Dreadlords. The Guard, The Houses, everything in between was what they did day in and day out. Their entire lives revolved around that world, but it was not what had brought them together. Not truly. What had made them both enjoy that night was the other side of life.

The one that neither of them had really experienced before.

"I've missed you." Talus admitted quietly, kissing her gently on the lips.

 

[Zana]

His fingers on her skin were like a soothing balm but his lips a hot brand. She closed her eyes and melted into the moment, agreeing wholeheartedly to the opinion they could discuss work later on. They had more time this time around - even if Talus had work he needed to see to Zana didn't plan on leaving the cabin for the week. The swing, she decided, was just the right spot to curl up with her latest book or two. His confession had her eyelashes half raising to look at him, almost to make sure he wasn't teasing.

"I've missed you too," her hand cupped his cheek then slid further along his jaw and into his hair. "Grey did too, do you know how many hours of ball I've had to play to console him?" she smiled against his lips before pulling him down into another kiss.

 

[Talus]

He smiled as their lips parted. "Well that's because he's cooped up in a townhouse all day."

Talus couldn't imagine that the little wolf really enjoyed living in the city all that much. Things were noisy and loud even in the best districts. At least out here Grey would be able to run around and chase all the little critters of the forest.

"Maybe he'll get tuckered out by the end of the week." He offered, though he knew that was likely wishful thinking.

He glanced down at the Grey, finding him already waggling his tail waiting.

"Do you want to bring some of your things inside?" He asked, assuming she had brought clothing and the like.

 

[Zana]

"I know," she grimaced a little. Her townhouse was modest in size but it wasn't the rolling forests he had out here. Perhaps she should leave him here with Talus, he might even be happier. "I feel like... you're trying to steal my puppy," she laughed softly, letting her fingers play through his hair some more before she scooted her way off the table and stood up.

"I wasn't exactly planning on wearing many clothes but if you insist," Zana threw him a coy smile before moving past him to head back outside. She had brought in her saddle bags which contained the majority of her stuff but there was also the large pack she had left out on the deck. "I also brought some food, I hope you don't mind missing the gruel for a week!"

 

[Talus]

"Could also wrap yourself into that accusation." He shot back at her with a smile, watching her go for a few seconds after she made her comment.

His hand raised, mouth open as he was about to sputter something out before he slowly closed his lips and placed a finger over his lips.

This woman is going to be the death of me. Talus quietly realized, the flashing memory of Zana's curves quickly darting in front of his eyes. A second more passed, and then he shook his head and followed her back into the living room.

Once there he moved to the other door that had been closed, opening it so that she could carry her things into the bedroom.

It was as modest as the rest of the home, though the bed was surprisingly large and the walls were decorated with three strange banners that were most definitely not Anirian. "I'll practically be singing after not eating gruel for a whole week."

He told her as she stepped back inside.

 

[Zana]

Zana gathered most of her things but left, perhaps surprisingly, the largest bag in the living room in order to take it to the kitchen when she was finished with her personal affects. There was even a pan sticking out the top. Her backpack held the majority of her things and she dumped it on a side table as she took in the small room. It truly felt like she was on some strange camping holiday, the type she had only read about in books.

"Singing for your super is appreciated and encouraged," she said solemnly before moving around the bed to run her fingers over one of the banners. "Where did you get these?" her head tilted to the side. She didn't recognise them in the slightest and they didn't have his crest on so she doubted he had made himself something to carry on to the field - though the thought of that did amuse her.

 

[Talus]

"That one is from the Tundra." He said pointing to the left most banner. It carried a fisher-bird, the mark of Mikaela's home village. "That one from a Dwarf Hold called Karak'Al'Kel in the Spine."

That was where his trip with Finn had ended, where he'd gotten his current sword. The Banner itself was a fist holding a Hammer.

The whole expedition had nearly cost him his life thrice over, but he remembered it quite fondly. The Dwarves had been a friendly people, and it was where he'd begun to question Vel Anir's more...backwards thinking.

As he explained Talus came up behind her, his hands settling on her hips.

"The last one I took off the leader of an Orc Warband." It depicted three claw marks marks with red shading. "They offered for me to become their new Chief...but I turned em down."

He smirked, kissing her on the cheek.

 

[Zana]

"You've travelled so far," Zana said softly as her eyes moved slowly from one banner to the next to the last. There was true wonder not only in her face but her voice too. He was nearly four years her junior and yet he had done more in his life than she ever had. Luana had not wanted their ticket to keeping ahead of the game going off on missions that could keep her away from home for longer than a few weeks; the trip to the Empire recently had been one of her longest expeditions in fact.

She leaned back into him comfortable as he came up behind her to place his hands on her hips and she brushed her hair out of his way, tucking it behind her hair absentmindedly.

"I think I want to travel one day. I've heard the Ixchel Wilds are as breath taking as they are dangerous," she wasn't sure if she would ever be the type of person to take a relaxing holiday. "Which one did you like the most?" she nodded towards the banners, her eyes never leaving them as if they could offer her a view of those different worlds.

 

[Talus]

"Perhaps I'll have to take you when all this is said and done." Talus told her with a smile. His own travels had all come under his time with Fen.

Talus' mentor had been an unusual man. The two of them had hardly ever spent any time together. Instead he'd insisted that Talus 'experience' things like no other Dreadlord would. He'd spent nearly two years bouncing around all of Arethil.

He'd often wondered if those experiences had lead to his decision to join the Guard. Fen certainly hadn't seemed surprised when Talus made his declaration. In fact if he hadn't known the man better he would have guessed he'd been proud.

"The Dwarves." Talus said as he gazed up at the banner.

The week he had spent in the hold was a fond memory. The Tundra had been interesting, the plains with the orcs dangerous, but the Hold...the Hold had taught him something. "Their city was miraculous. Carved into the very mountain in intricate details. Buildings and palaces not built, but simply formed of the earth itself."

He sounded almost reverent.

"The generosity they showed me is something I will never forget." His arms wrapped around her belly. "One of their smiths forged my sword."

 

[Zana]

Zana struggled to even picture such a place as he described it to her. No matter what she thought up it didn't come close to bringing out the emotion she heard in his voice. Her eyes closed as his arms tightened and wound about her, holding her secure against his body. Was this what safe felt like? She leaned her head against his cheek and simply enjoy the story he told her.

"Take me everywhere, I want to see it all," there was a deep longing in her to experience the lives others lived. She knew it could be different here but she had rarely seen it in practise. Vel'Anir was all she knew. She also wanted to see the people and the places that had helped Talus make his decision to abandon the Houses, the King, tradition. What had he seen in these places that had made him choose the Guard?

She twisted in his arms then so she could face him.

"It's one of the things I want students to be able to do, like a... placement six months somewhere else. To learn the importance of other cultures and people..."

 

[Talus]

"We'll leave immediately." Talus said as she spun in his arms and he leaned down to place a kiss on her lips.

A part of him wished that it were possible, that they could just leave and run away to some far corner of the continent. Yet he knew it couldn't be done. Not yet.

He smiled at her. "A good idea."

Travel is the antithesis of hate. Another statement that Fen had repeated to him over and over again. Talus had never been filled with hate, though it would have been a lie to say he hadn't at one point held the xenophobia most Anirian's did.

That had been utterly shattered during his trips, and even before really. Elf, dwarf, even goblins were all the same once you got to know them. All were human in their own way, just trying their best to survive and live comfortably.

"One day." He said softly, his forehead coming to rest against hers. "One day they'll all have that choice and more."

 

[Zana]

"Well, I'm already packed," Zana hummed against his lips as he gifted her with a kiss. It was sweet and sent a thrill through her. It was just all so easy here with him. She could forget the problems and the danger here in his little cabin in the middle of nowhere. She sighed as more of the tension that had been building up in her over the past month melted further and further into the back of her mind. As his forehead came down to rest upon hers she tilted her face a little and nipped at his bottom lip in a playful gesture then nodded.

There would be no more torture for the Dreadlord children. They would be able to serve their country out of love not fear or a crazed desire for power.

The thought filled her with energy and she gently nudged him back towards the bed as she stole another kiss from his lips.

 

[Talus]

The temptation of her words was enough to momentarily distract him.

He thought about grabbing her, throwing her onto the saddle of her horse and riding to the Portal Stone. From there they could have been anywhere in the world in a matter of seconds. Alliria, Elbion, the Spine. It wouldn't have mattered.

They would have been gone from Vel Anir. Their worries would have fallen away and their lives would have been normal.

At least for a time.

His mouth opened to say something, but before he could speak he suddenly found himself nudged backwards against the bed. "He-"

Her lips silenced any objection he might have raised, his arms instead tightening around her as he pulled her into himself.

 

[Zana]

A noise came from the back of her throat as he tightened his arms around her and she deepened the kiss, her fingers sliding against the skin on his sides and gripping his hips. A gentle just instantly push to indicate she wanted him to sit before she took advantage of the wonderful seat his lap now provided. She ached from her ride here after weeks out of the saddle and on horrific ships instead that made her feel queasy, but such small discomforts were forgotten now her hands slid up his back underneath his shirt.

"I really did miss you," she whispered against his lips as they pulled apart for air after the heated kiss. She rested her forehead momentarily against his and simply luxuriated in the feeling of his skin underneath her warm hands. "Every day," her lips brushed against his cheek then slid to his jaw and then his neck with a tender nip. She didn't want to scare him by the rush of emotions he brought out in her because they scared her too but she couldn't deny they were there.

 

[Talus]

The idea that someone had actually missed him, actually had wanted him present was both terrifying and exhilarating. Talus had had lovers, friends, even people he considered as close as siblings. None of them however had told him they missed him.

As soon as she said the words Talus felt a pleasant ache in his heart, as if he was already hurting at the prospect of having to see her leave at the end of the week.

His hands slipped slowly beneath her tunic, fingers sailing slowly over her skin as he closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Her touch felt electric, the sound of her breathing set him aflame. He had no idea what this was, but he knew he wanted more.

"Next time if its more than a week." He whispered as his finger gently traced up her spine. "I'll just come and find you."

As he was speaking Talus realized that he was only half joking.

 

[Zana]

His touch sent currents running up her spine and despite the heat of the day goosebumps appeared all over her skin. A shiver ran down her and she didn't bother to suppress the delightful feeling and instead threw herself into the sensation. Her lips lingered on the skin of his neck, dotting sweet searing kisses down every inch of skin whilst her hands ran all the way up to his shoulders then back down. When he spoke her lips had made their way to his collarbone where she hummed softly at his words.

"A day longer and I will come and find you," her words were a promise. Unless he of course sent her word that he had had to go away for longer. She would hate it but she would tolerate it. But aside from missions that he couldn't help and that she had no choice in she would tolerate distance no more. She caught his gaze and held it so that he could see for himself she was serious, caring not if his words had been a joke.

 

[Talus]

He gazed up at her, his eyes catching hers. Talus saw the intent there, the truth that was to be found. His lips pulled into a smile. "It's a promise."

Their lives were difficult, impossibly so, intermixed with a thousand different problems and obstacles...but they were Dreadlords. They had been told since childhood that they could conquer entire cities and raze whole armies.

Why could they not do this?

"A week and a day." He told her. "The longest we'll be apart."

An oath he intended to keep.

 

[Zana]

"A promise," she repeated.

His smile was a drug of which she was a full blown addict. His promise eased her intense emotions a little, especially as his reaction wasn't to push her away but to confirm he felt the same. It was going to be hard but she would fight tooth and nail for this one piece of happiness she had found herself.

Her hands moved from under his shirt to cup his cheeks as she kissed him this time, pressing her body flush against his. Her heart hammered in her chest so hard she feared he might be able to hear it or at least feel the erratic jump or her pulse that danced to the beat of their kiss.