Private Tales The Lost Sjælden

[Arryn Cross]

Arryn's brow knit at the question and his head shook as he glanced back at her. "Of course not." he answered, huffing quietly. Though it hardly seemed the same, he understood her meaning and put up no further argument on the matter.

Her next question caused his brow to quirk and his lips to curl into a wry smirk.. "A little." he admitted. He would feel rather smug that he had seen a part of the keep that even Lynus had not - so long as they lived to tell of it. The pair were adventurers at heart, though they only had so much room to roam.

"I admit I had not thought this place had any more secrets to tell." he muttered. His gaze narrowed at the greenish light that seemed to grow stronger as they continued down the steps, and his anxiety crept up his spine..

"Will you at least promise to run if I ask it? You aren't armed, not that I can see anyway. Pointless finding what you've found to die in the process, no?" he reasoned, and slowed as they came upon the door to a large chamber, into which he cautiously peeked..

 

[Jiya Luana]

True, Jiya had not really come prepared to dive straight into the excitement and that gave her pause before answering with a flat out; of course not! She pursed her lips. It wasn't just her own safety she had to think about now, she had her younger siblings to care for and a mother who hadn't spoken since the loss of her husband. More than that, she had staff, a House, and a swathe of the population who looked to her for care. She resisted the urge to sigh out loud.

"Fine, I shall run screaming with all due haste if you tell me too, Ser Cross," she caught her lip between her teeth to keep from laughing.

The stairs opened up into a large circular chamber where shadows clung in between clumps of luminescent stones that formed a pathway to what Jiya assumed were various doors or tunnels.

"These are Rhea's work!" Jiya exclaimed in excitement, almost bulldozing Arryn over to crouch down beside one stone and inspect it. No rune marked it but the material was different. Altered somehow. She ran her fingers over it like one might a stone of a church. "Incredible. It's the same enchantment she used in the Falwood, to help mark the safe paths."

 

[Arryn Cross]

Ser Cross..

He cast a look at her and cleared his throat with a slight hint of amusement at the way she bit down on her lip to stop from laughing... "Arryn is fine. And somehow, I very much doubt that." he murmured.

The guard let out a grunt as Jiya pushed past him and his hand shot out in attempt to catch her before she touched the stone. Rhea sounded like a bundle of fucking laughs and he had no idea what magic she had hidden down here, nor what traps she might have set.

His hand stopped in mid air and his fingers curled into his palm with a huff, too late to have caught her but relieved at least that nothing terrible had happened just yet. He cleared his throat.. "M-My Lady.. Will you please be careful." he asked, running his hand down his face..

She'd be the death of him.

 

[Jiya Luana]

"When you start calling me Jiya instead of My Lady, I shall call you Arryn," Jiya replied in that absentminded tone she adopted when her attention was on something else entirely. Her fingers trailed over the marbled tiles. There was no hint of runes carved into their surface but a warmth came from the stone that was absent from those which weren't enchanted. She glanced up at him with excitement, ignoring entirely his fair warning.

"These enchantments have been going strong since her death, never fading, isn't that incredible? Most magic wears off when the user dies," but enchantment was different. Reluctantly she stood and glanced at the shimmering paving stones.

"Which way first?" There were four possible choices.

 

[Arryn Cross]

Hazel eyes narrowed at her insistence that he drop her titles. He wasn't high born, but he was brought up for most of his life amongst the royalty of Vel Anir and he was as cautious of the nobility of Vel Anir as their Prince was.

She didn't seem to be playing games with him, nor did she appear to be the sort to have him punished for her own amusement. He'd already been quite late, and fallen asleep whilst charged with monitoring her, she had plenty of complaints to raise as it was..

"Jiya..." he murmured quietly, and immediately felt the urge to say it again. "It's a pretty sound." he quietly observed, watching her carefully as she studied the tiles. His lips kicked up at one corner at her obvious excitement, the smile she wore warming him through and melting his anxieties away a little more..

"Pretty incredible." he agreed, and cleared his throat with a quiet laugh as he threw up a hand in resignation. "Whichever way you want, M-- Jiya. You're far more attuned to Rhea than I could be. If you say she has marked safe paths, then who am I to argue?"

 

[Jiya Luana]

Of course, it could also be a trap so that people thought them safe. But Jiya didn't voice that. She was quietly confident that Rhea had not thought that her descendants would let an outsider get to this point. From what little she had gleaned it had been kept such a secret even the current King might not know about it, though she supposed she would have to tell him if they found much. Or maybe just Lynus. There was something about the King... No that wasn't important right now.

With a nod to her guardian she picked a direction at random and followed the glowing stones to the doorway on the right furthest from them. She thought it might face East though it was hard to get her bearings without the sun.

The pathway soon led them to a door with a heavy set lock and Jiya gave a soft curse.

"There wasn't mention of keys."

Tracking back and checking the other doors proved just the same.

"Damnit!"

 

[Arryn Cross]

Arryn rubbed at the back of his neck with his free hand, the flickering torch illuminating the disappointment on her face. It didn't make her any less beautiful, but he didn't like to see it. She'd obviously put quite a bit of work in to get to this point..

"Keys.. how mundane." he murmured with a frown. "I expected it to be a little more...magical than that, but if it's a question of picking locks... Do you have a hair pin?" his brow quirked.

 

[Jiya Luana]

"I guess it makes sense... I wouldn't leave my ancient magical ancestral weapons just lying on plinths," she sighed and looked at the door like a helpless puppy who'd been left outside in the rain. Why hadn't she read anything about keys? They could be anywhere! She was already thinking of what books might give her the answers when Arryn's words reached her.

"A hairpin?" she raised an eyebrow dubiously. "You think... one of the most impressive enchantresses of our people would let locks be picked by hairpins?"

She didn't say no though. Instead she tugged one free of her hair and handed it over and there was no hiding the hopefulness in her expression then.

 

[Arryn Cross]

He felt his skin heat as she ridiculed his suggestion. She was right, of course, but he cleared his throat and took the offered hairpin with something of a scowl.

Please work... Please work... Please...Work...

He added his dagger to the effort, his tongue clenched between his teeth in concentration as he closed one eye and peered into the lock with the other. It wasn't budging, but he made a show of twisting this way and that before the pin heated to scalding between his fingers.

"Fuck." he growled as he recoiled, the red-hot pin falling to the floor and the tip of his dagger the same shade of hot metal. He rubbed at the back of his neck and let his head fall back with a frustrated huff..

"What now then?" he grumbled.

 

[Jiya Luana]

Jiya jumped when Arryn gave a curse and found herself a food few feet away from the door, her fingers reaching into her pocket automatically for the antimagic amulet she had built all those years ago. She'd tested it on Elbion magic, and a bit with Houri's, but an ancient Enchantress was another matter. Still, it was a comfort to have. And a comfort more that she wasn't about to test how well it worked. Letting out a sigh she relaxed a little.

"Back to the books," Jiya replied sadly and glanced to the Knight. "It's never easy in the stories I suppose, so why would it be different for us?" Suddenly she seemed to realise he was hurt and she took a step forward with a frown. "We should get those looked at though."

 

[Arryn Cross]

"Us, she says... I'm not quite sure I signed up for.. whatever this is." he laughed under his breath and rolled his shoulders. She drew his attention back to the scald on his hand and his gaze glanced over her face, noting the hint of concern. He cleared his throat with a light shake of his head.

"I'll live..." he assured quietly.. "You've been in those books all day and all evening. Forgive me My L-- Jiya, but perhaps some rest might be wise?" his brow rose.

 

[Jiya Luana]

Jiya opened her mouth to protest but then remembered the other books she had back at the manor. Yes, she should probably let the poor knight rest and she could dive back into her materials to see what she could find. Perhaps there would be a clue as to some sort of key.

She kicked herself again for not having looked for one sooner. With a sigh she gave what she hoped looked like a reluctant nod: he wouldn't get any rest if he thought she was going to stay on the task. Stubborn men. They always had to try and keep up.

"I'll return tomorrow, to take another look at the books here," she agreed as they wove their way back up the stairs. "Make sure that nobody else discovers this, if they trip something we didn't see down there it could bring the whole palace down."

That and she didn't want anyone else to get to those treasures before her.

 

[Arryn Cross]

"I'll ensure the room is locked and off limits." he promised her as they reached the top of the stairs. He returned the torch to the sconce and slid the cabinet back, concealing the doorway once more.

"I'll have a carriage arranged to take you home. Unless, of course, you'd prefer to stay. In that case I will have the guest quarters and supper arranged for you instead. You'd be quite welcome." he glanced at her. He'd be lying if he said the day hadn't at least turned out to be interesting..

"Either way, I uh.. I look forward to exploring some more.. With the uh.." he gestured toward the cabinet.. "Magic, old stuff." he cleared his throat.

 

[Jiya Luana]

Jiya's brow quirked.

"Yes... you certainly seemed interesting in all that old stuff during your nap," she teased with a ghost of a smile. If it wasn't for the way her eyes glistened with amusement it might have been hard to figure out what she said was entirely in jest.

"Thank you for the offer, but I have more notes at home I should read in the morning before returning, perhaps bring them with me this time," they retraced their steps back along the corridors to the library and she began to collect her things. "Don't feel you need to indulge me in this, Arryn. I can imagine the Heir's head guardsman had far better things than to babysit. I can bring one of my own guards to keep an eye."

 

[Arryn Cross]

Arryn’s throat cleared awkwardly.. His head had only just cleared, but he still ached from his antics of the previous night. He could see the glimmer of amusement in her gaze as she mentioned his slumber, and so he only grinned back sheepishly, rather than beg any more forgiveness.

“If he needs me, he can summon me, but he has tasked me with assisting you. He’s a big boy, and safe within his own walls.” He assured, and offered to escort her to her carriage.

“Rest well, My Lady.” he dipped his chin, not daring to call her by her given name now back in the earshot of others. “Today was… Intriguing. I look forward to your visit tomorrow.” He smiled.

 

[Jiya Luana]

Intriguing.

Jiya thought about that choice of wording all the way home as she stared out at the city. It was not just the word but also how he had said it. Not mocking, not in the way that suggested he would have rather used the word boring. It was... different. And Jiya couldn't figure out how. Ser Cross was a curious puzzle Jiya found herself itching to solve much like her hunt for the mystical objects of Aniria's past.

She set her mind back to the task at hand though for the sake of her brother, sister, and the twins who it was not yet clear whether magic would manifest in them. For all the children with magic unlucky enough to be born here.

She read late into the night, pouring over maps and books from her ancestors. She was certain she'd slept a bit here and there but the excitement was too much to sleep through. As such she was back at the palace bright and early the following day with her arms full of books, errant pages and ink smudged on her cheek.

"I think I found the keys!" she exclaimed as he met her at the doors.

 

[Arryn Cross]

He'd watched after the carriage until it was out of sight, but it was how his gaze lingered on the empty road for the few seconds after that rose the brow of Brett, a young squire that Arryn had agreed to train. The lad whistled, and Arryn turned to find him grinning and shaking his head, his arms and ankles crossed as he leaned against the door.

"That look means trouble. And you have no chance, Cross." he chided with fond familiarity. Arryn huffed a dry laugh and turned on his heels.

"I know." he answered, reaching to grab the squire into a headlock to escort him to his room.

When Arryn finally fell to sleep, he dreamt of those spiral stairs and Jiya's soft voice somewhere at the bottom of them. She'd gone down them on her own, and she was telling him to hurry with panic in her voice, but the stairs wouldn't end.

"Arryn."

"Jiya?" he murmured aloud. The voice huffed back..

"Arryn.... Arryn...... CROSS!"

The guard jumped so violently from his sleep that he hit the floor, his hand already fumbling for the knife under his pillow when he looked up to find Marguerite shaking her head at him.

"Jiya? You mean Lady Luana? Really?" her brows rose.

"Bad dream." he muttered as he stood and reached for his shirt.

"Right, sure. Just don't do anything stupid and get yourself in trouble." the girl's head shook again and she whipped her hair as she turned to leave. She'd left him breakfast, and he washed, ate and dressed before heading down to await Jiya's arrival.. At least he looked and smelled better today...

"My L--" he'd been half way into a short bow when interrupted by her excitement, and he cleared his throat. "That's.." he cut himself off, noticing Brett grinning from down the hall. "Here, let me help with those.." he offered, glancing over her ink-smudged cheek as he approached to take some of her quarry from her arms.

The room had been left untouched, other than the tray of tea, coffee , fruits and sweet breads that he'd collected and had waiting for her. He kicked the door shut behind them, and deposited the books onto the desk she'd been using..

"Did you rest at all?..." he asked with mingled concern and amusement in his expression.

 

[Jiya Luana]

Jiya only let him help with her books and bags because she feared dropping them, though she hovered at his elbow like a worried mother to make sure he didn't manhandle them too roughly - they were historic texts after all. When they entered the library she went straight to the desk she'd claimed for herself yesterday to deposit her own items then immediately began unrolling a map. The food and drinks went completely unnoticed as they made most of yesterday.

"Arryn, I'm not going to lie to you so I simply won't answer the question," her lips twitched as she pinned the map in each corner with books. "I went back through my ancestors notes, but there was no mention exactly of a key. What he does mention is the Caretaker. When I first read it I thought that he was referring to himself, or Rhea's descendants, but when I looked back over it I think he means an object. See here," she opened the book and pointed to a line for him to read.

Only with the Caretaker would those deemed worthy be able to enter the Vaults.

 

[Arryn Cross]

The guard's brow quirked at her answer and the corner of his lips twitched with the urge to laugh. At least she had chosen not to lie to him, not that he or his concern mattered. "Very well then.." his throat cleared, and his eyes turned to the map she splayed across the desk.

"Caretaker..." he mused aloud, his gaze snagging on the words 'worthy' and 'vaults'. Vaults suggested something more valuable than he had truthfully expected, and that someone had to be worthy of such valuables only intrigued him more..

"So, a key of some sort, then? What sort of key has a name?" his brow furrowed. "I've known knights to name swords, but a key?" he pondered, absently reaching to pour them both a cup of coffee..

 

[Jiya Luana]

Jiya opened her mouth but then closed it, a small line appearing between her brows. She hadn't thought about why a key had had a name. She had been so sure it was the key what with mention of the vault she hadn't thought of anything more.

"Rhea's magic was enchantment... it was said several of the things she made had their own Voices, even personalities. Perhaps the Key is alive in its own way," it would make sense the Princess had used her own magic to guard what was hers. Even still, something more niggled at her. It was like trying to remember a book she had read years ago and the exact wording was just beyond her reach.

"Anyway, the last known place these Keys were see was a tower in the Falwoods," she tapped an already marked spot on the map.

 

[Arryn Cross]

Arryn sipped from the coffee as he watched her, his brows lifting as hers knit with consideration. He swallowed and rubbed at the back of his neck, listening as she went on. A key being alive in any way was ridiculous, but he wasn't about to speak his mind on the matter and only quirked a brow in question. What she said next was even more ridiculous, however, and the next sip of coffee he took, he choked on.

"Falwood?" his head was already shaking. "I agreed to grant you whatever you needed within the keep, My Lady, not take you into the Falwood. It's not anywhere near safe." his brow furrowed.

 

[Jiya Luana]

"I didn't realize I required your permission, Ser," Jiya looked at him indignantly. She had needed the prince's permission to come here, and she needed nobodies to travel to the Falwood. She was a Luana - the Head of House Luana - and this was one of those times she needed to remind people of it. Her back straightened raising her to her full height, but even then she still had to tilt her chin slightly to meet his eyes. That only angered her more and she folded her arms across her chest.

"Your job was to offer assistance within the Palace, you do not owe me anything when I travel to the Falwood. I merely thought you would be interested," he had seemed interested when she was here yesterday. It was certainly more excitement than she'd seen in any of her own retainers. She'd hoped... Well, that was clearly foolish. She should have just gone to the forest straight away.

 

[Arryn Cross]

Arryn blinked, taken aback by Jiya's sudden shift in demeanor and her stern rebuke. He had not meant to offend her or undermine her authority, but he understood now that he had overstepped his bounds. He lowered his gaze respectfully, realising his mistake.

He straightened and bowed his head slightly as she reminded him of his job, his brow furrowed and his jaw tight, bracing himself for further reprimand. Her words though caused his gaze to lift, settling on hers with a slight quirk of his brow.

She was going to go, with or without him.. Arryn allowed a deep breath to tumble out, his shoulders rolling. "I am, interested.." he confirmed quietly. But she was not his to guard out there, she was not his to guard at all. She did as she pleased, and he was here to offer her whatever assistance she required. He had no right to feel as invested as he did in her safety, nor as pleased by her excitement.

"Forgive me, My Lady. It wasn't my place to question you. I just.. I worry that this is leading you down a dangerous path, that's all. I would accompany you, if that is your request.."

 

[Jiya Luana]

Jiya let out a quiet huff.

"You're not my man to control, Arryn," she shook her head an uncrossed her arms, the anger passing like a fleeting summer storm. She looked back down at the map and rested both palms flat against the table. Even if she had wanted an arm such as his at her back it was not her place to make him walk into danger; the last thing she wanted was for the Prince to return from his trip to find his right hand injured or worse.

"Danger is always a part of knowledge but, for me, it is worth this risk," she glanced across at him. "Your Prince might not think the same. You should stay, I have soldiers of my own. The last thing I would want to do is write a letter to your Widow."

 

[Arryn Cross]

Arryn couldn't help but smile at Jiya's assumption. "Widow? You assume I may die on your watch and leave some poor woman lamenting in grief?" he chuckled and shook his head, his dark eyes glistening with amusement. "I assure you, Lady Jiya, you needn't worry about breaking any hearts, and I don't intend on dying either way."

He leaned against the desk, his eyes meeting hers with a resolute determination. "I understand the dangers that lie ahead, and I am not blind to the potential consequences. However, I am free to make my own choices, and I choose to support you in your endeavours, not out of obligation, but out of trust and respect for you and your abilities."

He took a step closer to her, lowering his voice slightly, "If you will have me as your companion on this journey, I will gladly accompany you. And if you would rather face this quest with your own soldiers, I will understand and respect your decision. Just know that my offer still stands should you need me. Otherwise...I can return to my knitting." he smirked.