The Princess and the Blade

[Soran Nightblade]

"Tenara," Havi urged, unsure what to do about his streaking Yurivis. "Don't stare," he barked at Laurius and Ren, who seemed to be doing just that. "Tenara, it's snowing outside," he tried to persuade her away from her trajectory toward the pavilion doors.

[Emora Deen]

"But the sun," she said, pointing at the gold light beaming through the glass walls and ceiling.

"Agreed. Sunbathing is better in the greenhouse than in the snow," Laurius said, making a poor effort to do as Havitharon had asked. He decided to help at least, moving quickly to block the doors. He braced his arms on the framing either side of him. "Do you know what's better than bathing in the sun? Dancing in it."

Tenara seemed to consider his comment thoughtfully. Then, she smiled, grabbed Havitharon's hand, and began swaying to music only she seemed to be able to hear. At least she wasn't heading to get those perfect nipples and adorable toes frostbitten. A second later, she'd danced them over to Ren and grabbed him by the shirt, drawing him into where the sun was brightest.

Laurius thought his horns looked beautiful with the sun glinting off the gold. He thought Tenara's hair glimmered like diamonds. Havitharon was his own brand of stoic, fierce beauty—and the helpless way he went along with Tenara's drug-induced antics amused him. The oddest sensation pulled at the merchant, and he realized that he very much liked their company. That, when this was all over, and they had their answers and the ruse ended, he would be sorry to see the strange pairing they'd made end.

He tore himself from the thought, snorting as Tenara began trying to convince both Ivie that the best way to sun dance was without their clothes, so they could feel the sun on their skin.

[Soran Nightblade]

Havi gave up trying to convince Tenara to stop. He'd heard it said that the things one did when their inhibitions were down were the things one truly wanted. Was this something her soul yearned for, but propriety said she could not do? He watched her dance with everyone around her, pulling even Artisuren out of his moody shell and into the sunlight. She was beautiful and natural and wild, completely unfettered and unafraid. He wondered if it was his natural adoration of his Yurivis that made him feel this way when he watched her, but when he looked at the merchant standing beside him, he could swear he saw a similar reaction in Laurius's expression. Artisuren was harder to read, green eyes flashing periodically toward Laurius for reassurance, but the atmosphere still seemed to revolve around her.

Something else caught his mind that he'd been meaning to ask once they got here. He addressed the merchant beside him, not quite ready to take his eyes off Tenara. "When this... calms down, can you introduce me to your falconer? I committed to the Queen before leaving that we would send a bird when we arrived safely. They're probably wondering by now."

[Emora Deen]

Laurius blinked, and then understood. "Ah, yes. When she's settled," he said.

It only took Tenara a few more minutes dancing before the wind in her druggy sails began to fade. Laurius seemed to notice before anyone else, probably because of his studies regarding the plant (or his recreational use of it). He herded Tenara back towards her clothes and then he and Havitharon guided her back into them, layer by layer. Then, she curled into one of his lounges and fell a sleep.

"Its normal," he said, closing the book and tucking it under his arm. "She'll wake in time for lunch, feeling so much better than before, and be back to normal. While she's sleeping, I'll show you to Jonah's cottage." Laurius motioned for Havi to follow him.

[Soran Nightblade]

Havi hesitated, watching Tenara's sleeping form. He wanted to avoid a repeat of his bloody encounter with Vladimir in Arroes, and that meant reassuring her parents as soon as possible. However, he'd also promised to keep her safe, and she was defenseless at the moment. It was probably rude to imply he didn't trust Laurius's home to be safe, but then again, she had just eaten poisoned fruit.

He glanced at the quill and paper on Laurius's desk. "I'll... compose the note first," he hedged. He sat in the man's chair and picked up the quill, but just ended up staring at the blank paper. Who was he kidding? His reading was still abysmal, never mind being able to write to a king. He cast a surreptitious look at Laurius, unsure if he wanted to reveal his weakness.

"How'd you learn to write?" Artisuren demanded. "Did you use a different spell? I can't read a word."

[Emora Deen]

Laurius set the book down, watching Havitharon's hesitation and Artisuren's admittance he couldn't read. He'd never thought about the fact neither one of them could read or write the tongue they were speaking. "If you wish to dictate, I would be happy to compose the letter," he said. "Unless there are secrets you wish me not to know."

[Soran Nightblade]

Havi looked up at Laurius. A few weeks ago, he wouldn't have even considered relying on the merchant for something sensitive. Now...?

"....Thank you. I would just like it to say that we've arrived safely after a delay at sea. Best to leave the details out..." His expression tightened. "And I was told it needs to be signed, 'Spiky'. So that he knows it is really me," he sighed.

[Emora Deen]

Laurius arched a brow. "Spiky?" he asked, the corner of his mouth tugging with a smirk. He took the quill from Havi's hand and put it to parchment. "Simple enough. "Dear Tenara's Father, after a delay at sea, we have made it to Ighten and are warm in the luxury of Mr. Mar's home. Sincerely, Spiky." There. He folded the parchment, warmed wax over a candle, and sealed it. "Would you like me to walk you there, or give you directions to Jonah's cottage? If you're concerned about Tenara, I'm sure Ren would be happy to keep an eye on her. But, really, you are all perfectly safe here—as long as you don't eat anything on the west side of the conservatory."

[Soran Nightblade]

Havi accepted the note and assessed Artisuren, who was waiting at attention. At some point, perhaps he would need to coach the other Ivis to improve his combat skills. "As long as we are swift," he said, calculating.

Artisuren apparently sensed his lack of confidence. "I believe you mean 'Thank you'," he bristled.

"Thank you," Havitharon responded, addressing the words to Laurius just to irritate the phage.

[Emora Deen]

Laurius reached out to place his hand on Ren's shoulder, but remembered how he'd drawn away earlier. "We'll be back. Someone will be bringing tea and lunch shortly, if we aren't back before then." The merchant appraised the phage a moment more, trying to understand what might be bothering him but deciding it was best left to investigate later.

He guided Havi to their coats by the main entrance, and then out into the bitter cold. "Jonah is a bit of a lonely recluse. That's why he prefers to work with birds. He won't admit it, but he does enjoy the company of people. He just doesn't know how to initiate or maintain it, so he keeps to himself."

Jonah's cottage was near the far wall bordering the estate. Despite the distance, and with the wind as it was, the conservatory was still in view. He knocked on the door, and a gray-haired man opened it. A flurry of flapping came form inside, and he eyed them before seeming to realize it was Laurius coming to his home. "Mr. Mar!" He bowed his head. "I... it's been a while since you came to me directly. How may I help you?"

Laurius took the letter from Havi and passed it to Jonah. "Please send this to King-Soul Vladimir Dracul-Hajaris in Hajara, capital palace." He looked to Havi, "This is Havitharon...." He didn't remember if anyone had given him Havitharon's last name, perhaps he didn't have one. "He'll be staying for some time. Do not fear him or be surprised if he happens upon your door with more letters to the King-Soul. Havitharon, do you have any further instructions for Jonah?"

[Soran Nightblade]

Havi bowed to the man, uncertain what was proper. In his world, Jonah's role was an extremely important one. It was also exclusively performed by Yurivie, so he wasn't sure exactly how to react to a male. "If you could please inform me when the bird has returned," he said respectfully.

[Emora Deen]

Jonah's eyes brightened. "Oh. Yes. Of course. I'll let you know as soon as Felix comes back. He's a fast bird, but its a long flight. It may be a week before he's back."

"Give Felix an extra mouse for his trouble," Laurius said, and urged Havitharon away from the hut. "Thank you Jonah."

"Oh! Yes. Of course, Mr. Mar. Thank you."

They turned back for the conservatory. "I had hoped to begin our experiments today, but given Tenara's unfortunate snacking, we should probably postpone until tomorrow. So, perhaps today we should focus on learning more about you and Ren. For instance, I am curious what you were doing the moment you were pulled into this world. It might be helpful."

[Soran Nightblade]

Artisuren perched on a library stool near where Tenara slept and watched her quiet breathing. It was a blessing that she was asleep. At least she no longer seemed uncomfortable. He stood and walked to the man's desk and began studying the items on top. He imagined Laurius working at the chair by candlelight. These were his things and his interests. Why did that excite him? He examined each thing with care, and then began exploring the drawers.

____

Havi was careful to keep his gaze ahead, only slightly faltering in his pace at Laurius's question. He didn't like this story, but what if the answer really could help Tenara? "The night I was summoned, I was bleeding out in my study. I had just won a duel and was injured. The wounds were enough to justify using toothsbane. But my sister has a rule in place that if toothsbane is needed, her guests can watch the healing process as a consolation prize for losing the match. I refused to do the healing if it was being made into a show, so I told off all the attendants and warded them out of the study."

"There was a young boy. He often hid in my quarters, and I tolerated it. He seemed to idolize me, though I have no clue why. I never answered when he pelted me with questions about my duels or when he babbled about whatever happened to him that day. I barely acknowledged his presense, but I did teach him a back way into my study, around my wards. He was the only person permitted to come and go freely."

"Anyway, he was there that day, hiding until I finished chasing out my sister's attendants. The little brat wouldn't leave no matter what I told him. He was too young to administer toothsbane safely to anyone, let alone me, but I didn't have the energy left to tell him off, so I let him apply the pearl."

Havi sighed, pressing his fingers to his eyes. "He was the last person I wanted to show that to. He wasn't old enough or strong enough to hold me down or prevent me from injuring myself, so he tried to temper the side effects himself by grabbing my cock. I hit him then, hard enough to knock him clean across the room. I The last thing I remember was my senses melting apart, my body burning, and the fear on the kid's face. Then I was here, in the middle of Tenara's ritual."

[Emora Deen]

Laurius shivered at the memory of Artisuren’s medicine and how it had made his body feel. He never wanted to experience such a thing again. “I don’t blame you,” he said. “For hitting him…” He looked his estate over as they crossed the garden back to the conservatory. Snow was starting to fall again. “I’ll ask the same question of Ren, and then we can determine if there are any similarities. It would be good to know why the spells chose you two in particular.”

When they reached the conservatory, Tenara was sleeping and Ren seemed to be rifling through the drawers. “Can I help you find something? If you’re hungry a maid should—“

And right on time, the servants were rolling in their lunch. A minute later he managed to rouse Tenara, and they gathered around a small bistro table in the curve of the room’s glass wall.

Tenara leaned into Havi even though she had her own chair. She didn’t seem to remember her naked dancing, but she did ask with a smirk if the plated fruit would kill her before popping a grape into her mouth.

Laurius scowled, and ignored the question, turning to Artisuren instead. “Havitharon told me what happened before the sword summoned him here. I was hoping you could tell us where you were or what you were doing before the dagger drew you into this world?”

[Soran Nightblade]

Artisuren tilted his head, as if he could pour the memory out of his ear. "I was walking down the hallway with another Ivis," he said, carefully managing his words.