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Edited by Penthesilea at 2020-2-12 10:47 AM
Night was falling in the Land of Dawn, the taverns starting to get busy with the arrival of tired customers after a day at work. Alone in a corner of one of these taverns, was an elf with blue hair and a badly looked face, sipping the last sips of her drink. A hooded stranger approached her desk, and even without looking directly, Karina sensed that she was on the way to get trouble. Through the peripheral vision and the stranger's movement, the elf knew that it was a woman. And the stranger didn't hesitate before sitting gracefully in the empty chair, as if she were an old friend. Only then did Karina look directly at her, watching while the stranger removed her hood and revealed a young face with delicate features and long curly hair. She was facing Guinevere Baroque.
“You are younger than they say out there," said Guinevere, breaking that uncomfortable silence between them. “It doesn't surprise me. Men are always distorting our images.”
But Karina didn't answer it, remaining silent while she waited for the bourgeois to cut the small talk and say what she really wanted. Knowing her own fame, Karina already figured out what would come next, she was bored. The elf's silence seemed to bother Guinevere, she was used to people wanting to impress her and get her attention and not the other way around. It was uncomfortable.
"I have a job for you," Guinevere spoke.
Karina sighed and finished her drink before answering:
"Whatever it is, you're wasting your time trying to buy my services."
The answer had been like a punch to the young Baroque. Guinevere was astonished for a minute, her eyes wide and a slight anger rising through her body.
“You have no idea who you're talking to. I'm Guinevere Baroque”, she replied dramatically, hoping that her words would have an effect on Karina. But the elf just kept staring without showing any emotion. “Money isn't a problem to me, just give me your price.”
This time Karina reacted, but not as expected by Guinevere. The elf laughed melodically, as if listening to a hilarious joke. This left the young Baroque disconcerted, and his desire was to blow everything up with her gravitational magic.
“You, rich people, are all the same. You think you can buy the world because you have a name and live in a castle. The answer is no, princess.”
Karina's voice was convinced, Guinevere felt stunned. In her entire life, it was the first time she had received a “no”, and even worse: from an elf without a surname and value!
With her ego injured, the rich girl stood up abruptly, clearly angry with the other.
"You'll regret this", were his final words before leaving Karina alone again.
When Guinevere sought someone to find his brother, no one accepted the service, everyone was afraid when they learnt that the skilled Lancelot had disappeared in battle. It was like a light at the end of the tunnel when Guinevere heard about Karina, a mercenary who was always willing to challenge her own limits to fulfill her goals. So she went after the elf that night, but now not, she not just wasted time, but she had also been shamelessly affronted by the woman. "Despicable elf!"
The days passed, and Lancelot had not yet been found. Guinevere felt his heart sink when she thought about it, no matter how hard she looked for, no one accepted the job of seeking Lancelot. To make her problems worse, her father was increasingly susceptible to agreeing to the Paxley's terms, which would force her to marry someone she didn't even know. Guinevere wouldn't give up her freedom and independence for an alliance, and to get rid of it, she needed his brother.
The thought of going to Karina again disturbed her, but soon Baroque realized that she would have to swallow her pride and look for the mercenary again. It wasn't hard to find her, she just needed persuasion and a few coins in the right hands to get the information she wanted. The really difficult part was taking the first step a second time, and doing this right after being mocked by the elf.
That time, Karina was camped in a forest outside Moniyan, and was very surprised to see Guivenere approaching. Mistrust spoke louder and the elf displayed her blades as she stood up, expecting Baroque retaliation. But the young mage tried to alleviate the situation, gesturing for her to lower her weapons. She wasn't there to fight, no matter how much she wanted to throw Karina up and knock her out with his powerful Violet Requiem.
Karina was ready to deny her request once more when Guinevere interrupted her.
“Okay, I understand. You're a dark elf from a poor childhood who achieved your fame through effort, and you wanted to teach me a lesson because I was born rich, beautiful and talented. I will not judge you, I would also be envious of myself. I forgive you. Can you hear my offer now? ”
Disbelieving Guinevere's narcissism, Karina had no reaction but to laugh, shaking her head. She had never intended to upset or irritate Guinevere, but it seems that the girl had taken it personally. The elf felt that she needed to clarify that.
“Hold on, princess. That's not why I denied the job, even though your ego is reason enough”, Karina started, with some amusement in her voice. But soon his tone became serious. “I don't do that kind of job anymore. I can't erase my dark past, I know, but that's not me anymore. I won't kill anyone else, no matter how much money I am offered.”
The explanation surprised Guinevere, who didn't expect such a sincere and personal reason why the elf had refused to work for her. Although self-centered, Guinevere knew how to read people, and she was certain that Karina was being honest with her. She wanted to know which were the reasons to Karina drop out of killer services, but she chose to remain curious. It wasn't her business.
Guinevere then clarified to Karina that his offer didn't involve murder, but that she needed someone brave enough to find her brother, because everyone she had tried to hire was too afraid to go through with it. Those words seemed to mess with Karina, the elf was thoughtful.
“Your brother?” She asked.
It was inevitable for her to remember Selena. Her heart was still breaking every time she thought of her younger sister, that was a wound that would never stop bleeding.
Guinevere acquiesced in response, noticing how suddenly the elf looked shaken. But soon Karina's confidence returned and she took a deep breath.
“Fine”, she replied. She accepted the job.
Satisfied with Karina's positive response, Guinevere relaxed, now more relieved. She hadn't like the elf's temperament and behavior, but her reputation preceded her, and Guinevere had no doubt of the assassin's competence. She was intrigued by the sudden change in her decision, but not enough to ask questions.
The young Baroque remained for some time, discussing the known details about Lancelot's last known whereabouts, Karina absorbed as much information as possible. She would need that to have a point to start. When everything was discussed, the two separated, Guinevere returned home and Karina started work.
Days passed without any return from Karina, and Guinevere was already getting distressed again when she received a note through a messenger. Karina had returned and was inviting her to the old camp site, apparently with news about Lancelot. Young Baroque's heart was filled with anxiety, and she could barely count the minutes until she managed to escape her parents' watchful eyes and head to the meeting place.
A cheerful smile lit up Guinevere's beautiful face when she found Karina, waiting for positive news or even her brother's presence with her. But the elf's serious countenance soon ended her joy. Something had happened to Lancelot and Guinevere felt his heart break.
Karina told her that she had found clues from Lancelot, and that there had been a bloody fight. She didn't find Lancee's body, which might be a good thing, but there were pieces of her clothes on the floor, and she was sure he was hurt. Karina followed the boy's tracks, but was unsuccessful in finding him.
The elf could see Guinevere's disappointment. She was hoping she would react with frustration or anger, but instead, Guinevere looked stunned, her eyes watery and she got unusually quiet. Karina knew that feeling. The pain and despair of losing someone she loved. But she wasn't sure if Lancelot was dead, she could still find him.
“If what they say about your brother is true, he is smart and strong”, Karina commented, hoping that those words could lift Guinevere's mood. She realized that she preferred a narcissistic Guinevere over a sad Guinevere. “I will find him, princess. I promise.”
That didn't improve Guinevere's mood, but the girl was comforted to learn that the elf was still willing to continue the case. But now everything had changed, Lancelot was probably injured and a fight broke out. She couldn't sit with her arms crossed.
“I'm going with you”, Gui decided. Karina agreed, because she would do the same.
They both set out on a quest to find Lancelot, starting with the place where the boy had last fought. Seeing the whole scene of death and blood, Guinevere showed concern, which didn't go unnoticed by Karina. The elf tried to assuage the gravity of the situation, but Guinevere soon put on her harshness mask again, letting pride speak louder. She wouldn't accept the pity of that insolent elf.
“My brother is the best. I know he is fine”, was her reply when Karina tried to speak some words to comfort her.
There were clues to be followed from there, Karina noted, and they continued on their seek. Guinevere was surprised by the elf's tracking skills, it was no doubt that she had been the best killer of her people in the past, which made Guine even more intrigued about why the elf abandoned that path.
Most of the tracks led to dead ends, the days were busy and started to get tiring, in addition to the fact that Guinevere would soon need to return home. Her family would sooner or later realize that she wasn't where she said she would be and that would be a big headache. But despite her frustration and countless failures to find Lancelot, Guinevere found herself satisfied with Karina's company.
In the first days of camping together, both were always alert, Guinevere couldn't sleep at night, but as she had been living with Karina, she felt comfortable and safe under her protection.
The elf had an almost always frowning and somewhat coarse manners, but she was a more pleasant companion than those who surrounded Guinevere during Moniyan's famous balls of the nobility. Karina was sincere and wasn't afraid to say what she really thought, regardless of how much power or status the young imperial woman had. Guinevere liked that more than she wanted to admit.
As time went on, provocation exchanges were no longer teasing and became a fun joke between them. But the elf never let anything slip about her life, and that increasingly piqued Guinevere's curiosity. One night, while camping, the girl realized that the elf's mood was susceptible to dialogue, perhaps because of the beautiful Full Moon that lit up the clearing. The crackling fire and the sound of wild animals created a peaceful melody. Guinevere sat next to Karina, remaining silent for a while before deciding to clear up her doubts.
“Why did you change your mind?”, Gui asked. There was no need to elaborate the question, Karina understood perfectly what she was referring to.
At first, Guinevere thought that the elf would not answer her question, and was ready to give up waiting when Karina took a deep breath.
“I had a younger sister. Her name was Selena.”
All Guinevere's attention was turned to the elf, she was curious, excited and eager to finally get to know something really personal about Karina. She waited for her to continue.
“She was my only family. The only person I ever loved. But dark elves have an evil that I was never able to see until it was too late...”
Karina then told her about her childhood with Selena and how sweet the young elf was despite being born among the dark elves. The former hired killer used the money she earned to provide her and her sister a decent life, until the day a tragedy struck. Selena was taken by the fanatics of the community to be sacrificed to demons of the abyss, and Karina watched completely horrified and panicked as her sister was chosen for that wicked ritual. The elf was already visibly shaken by that point, her voice weak and broken, and Guinevere had no words to describe how bad it felt to know about it. If it were with Lancelot, Guinevere would never be the same.
“I tried to fight, the gods know I tried”, continued Karina, not daring to look directly at Guinevere. “Only the gods know how many of my people have fallen under my blades. But they were too many... They... I... I wasn't strong enough to save my sister...”
With an impulsive gesture, Guinevere's hand rested on Karina's, squeezing it firmly, his body getting closer to hers. She was sad. Guinevere had thought that Karina was just an egocentric and selfish mercenary who would do almost anything for a lot of coins. Now, she realized that she had a broken heart, and behind all that strength and pose, there were sincere feelings and real trauma.
To her surprise, Karina returned the gesture, placing her free hand on Guinevere's as well. She never talked about that with anyone. The young Baroque had won her trust in a short time, in a way that was natural to open herself to her. She felt lighter for talking about it, and Guinevere felt good for being able to relieve that pain, at least a bit.
“I couldn't save my sister, princess, but I can help you find your brother.”
Now everything was clear to the mage, Guinevere felt something change at that moment. Her heart opened for Karina, and the elf's for her. The rest of the night was silent, with few words exchanged between them, but there was a comfortable companionship to it. They both felt safe and well with each other.
The next day, Karina was sure she was on the right path to find Lancelot, she just hoped he was alive. If something had happened to the fencer, Guinevere's heart would break just like hers own, and that was a pain that Karina would hate to share with the mage.
The tracks led them to a lake in the mountains at south of Moniyan, Guinevere was dazzled to contemplate the beauty of that magnificent place where the swans seemed to call home. Karina's breath seemed to be missing when her eyes landed on a beautiful building in the center of the lake, as if a huge swan had emerged from the middle of those magical waters. It was a castle, and it was definitely not abandoned, as Karina saw movement in one of the windows.
At first, she was afraid that the swan castle guards would start a fight with them, but instead, they just escorted a beautiful golden-haired woman to them. Accustomed to dealing with the nobility and with political and diplomatic issues, Guinevere took the lead there, introducing herdelf to the beautiful woman and inquiring if she had seen a man with the characteristics of her brother.
To her surprise, a radiant smile opened on the blonde's lips, as if genuine happiness had come over her. Lancelot was in the castle!
Those words made Guinevere's heart race and her muscles relax, and if she wasn't so proud, she would have cried in happiness. Karina sighed with relief at the good news. Se succeeded. Se found Guinevere's brother. Both were invited in by the beautiful woman, who now knew her name was Odette, and were leaded to Lancelot. Karina was right, there was an ugly fight and he was hurt, but Odette was taking care of him. Lancelot was immensely surprised to see his sister there.
Gui threw herself over his brother and hugged him tightly, not bothered by the presence of others in the room, but was forced to walk away when the older one moaned in pain. Despite this, Lancelot was smiling and happy to have been found by his younger sister. He loved her.
“How could you scare me like that? Who else would be my guinea pig if you died, Lancee?”, Guinevere said, but her attempt to joke was clearly false, since Lancelot could see his sister's teary eyes.
He felt guilty for causing that fear in her, if he had not been so reckless and arrogant, he would've avoided the whole situation. But he wouldn't have met Odette either. Lancelot looked at the blonde, feeling his heart race. He was in love.
That stare didn't go unnoticed by Guinevere. The youngest arched her eyebrow at him questioningly. She was dying of fear and worry, while he fell in love with that woman!
”Well, it looks like my job is done here”, Karina's voice interrupted them.
Guinevere felt herself shudder to hear those words, and only then did Lancelot notice that someone else was in there. Gui walked away from her brother and went to Karina, not knowing exactly what to say. She didn't want to say goodbye to her forever, she realized.
“To an elf, you kind of did a good job”, her words sounded like a friendly provocation, and both had to restrain themselves from laughing.
Guinevere hesitated for a moment, but in the end, she took out his bag of coins and held it out to Karina. The elf shook her head. She didn't do that for money.
“Save this. You just owe me a favor.”
Guinevere felt sorry for a moment, fearing that her gesture had offended Karina.
“See you around, princess.”
And all the fear dissipated. Karina smiled at her and Guinevere understood the meaning of those words. That wasn't a goodbye, but a “see you later”. She watched as Karina left, already excited to the day when she would see her again.
Lancelot watched them during that interaction, and when Guinevere turned to him, there was a condescending smile on her brother's lips.
“It looks like you found someone special too”, he said.
Guinevere felt heat rise over her face when she blushed. Lancelot was right.
__________
English isn't my native language, but I tried.
ID: 8010061 (1013)
IGN: Penthesilea |
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Post time 2020-1-28 10:27 PM
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