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Back at Muncaster Castle, Roslynn packed a small sack with the needed herbs and medications that she would possibly need and headed out of the castle to the BMW that was on the far end of the driveway. "If I am needed, ye know how to contact me." She said to the maid that let her out. The maid simply nodded and smiled.."Aye mum.. we know where ye will be.. god bless ye and may the goddess watch over ye and those ye are to help." Roslynn jumped into the car, turning it on and driving off down the road towards Rhionne keep where the others were. It would take twenty minutes for her to get there.. but she would be there. She had a feeling tho this would be a long evening, and by the tone of Melanthus’s urgency.. something was amiss.
Twenty minutes and Roslynn showed up, knocking on the front door to the keep. The butler opeend the door and immediately led her upstairs to where Dareal and Elizabeth was at. "Ah, hello Roslynn." Roslynn smiled gently as she looked at the scene. "Ah, hello lord Dareal. Melanthus called the castle and asked me to come and help you. Seems you got everything under control, aye?" Dareal chuckled lightly and leaned back, having just finished the stitches and pulling the gown down gently over the wound. "Well, stitched up, but im not good with the IV. Do you think you can get it set up for me?" Roslynn stepped over, smiling cheerily as she nodded. "Aye, that i can do m‘lord." Dareal slid onto the bedside, gently taking Elizabeth’s hand into his. "Elizabeth, this is Roslynn.. one of the family’s distant cousins. She is very good in the medical field and has stitched me up more times than i can count." He chuckeld as Roslynn rolled her eyes and laughed lightly. "Aye, that i have, and ye always were the baby about such things." Dareal blinked, then laughed a bit more as Roslynn got a new needle and walked over to Elizabeth. "Now, this will only hurt for a moment, i have tae remove that old needle and place a new one in. Tho i will move the location to yer arm instead, will be a bit more comfy on ye." Roslynn leaned over, carefully removing the old needle, placing a bandage to it and expertly placing the new needle in her arm. She was good, and made sure that there would be no pain in it. After that, she went to the vials of medications that were on the talbe near the bed taht ricky had left there. "Now lassie, im gonna give ye somethin for the pain, it will make ye a bit sleepy, but will help fight any infection that may get into yer bloodstream as well." Dareal smiled towards the older woman and then to Elizabeth as Ros got a small bottle of demerol, filling the needle and then injecting it into the IV line. Dareal watched, and as soon as Elizabeth dosed off, both him and roslynn made their ways downstairs to where Edward and Melanthus were at, to discuss Mel’s plan on what was going to be done to Ricky.
Through the entire bit of stitching Elizabeth felt the needle sliding in and of her skin. The pain was more than she expected, and tears streamed down her pale cheeks. Her heart raced in her chest as Dareal’s firm firm gentle touch worked on her flesh. Somewhere during the process, she felt her mind numb and she drifted of into an odd limbo state her hand resting against Dareal’s knee as he continued to finish up. Mother nature could be kind to her chosen children at times...the final stitching coming with pain but not much awareness of it.
Dareal speaking to another and siting on the bed next to brought her out of the half doze. The woman seemed to know her buisness, and had a gentle confident touch as she redid the iv. Elizabeth only winced as the new one was started. For the briefest of moments true fear showed on her face as the woman selected a bottle from those Ricky had left. Her sudden tensing and shifting against Dareal did not go unnoticed by either of them. Before she could say anything though the deep sleep took her. Her last conscious thought being Dareal trusted the woman...and had been told it would only make her sleep.
Edwards listened intently to Melanthus. "I thank you for your help my Prince." His hand still resting on Ricky’s forehead. He looked up as Dareal and the woman Melanthus spoke of entered the look of shock on her face was not surprising. Dareal and Roslynn stepped into the room, Roslynn fully aghast as she saw the condition of Ricky."Sweet goddess.. " Was all she managed to get out as Dareal winced as he saw the condition. He sighed as they moved closer to the other two kindred. "So.. what is the plan m‘lords?" Dareal asked as Roslynn moved closer, examining the body. It was indeed a gruesome scene.. but the older woman managed to hold her own as she looked up at Melanthus. "Ye plan on doin the old way.. aye?" Dareal blinked, wondering what Roslynn was talking about as Melanthus nodded. "Aye, Roslynn.. there is an old way taht can heal him..but it will take all four of us in sessions to do it. I wont deny that it will be dangerous to us all..there’s always that risk of bloodlust.. but if we do it right.. we will not have to worry about it." Dareal and Roslynn nodded as Ros looked at Edward.. "My name is Roslynn." She managed a smile towards Edward and sighed as she looked at the youngster. "Then perhaps Ye and i shall get started, M‘lord Melanthus? You and I are the two strongest here at the moment.. and i suggest that Lord Edward and Dareal both get some rest so that when we are finished..they can take over for the next session, aye?"
Melanthus nodded and looked at Edward and Dareal. "You two go and rest, build up your strength. If you need to feed, my castle is at your disposal. The servants there know of our kind and are loyal to our cause. I will send word to them thru the links, letting them know that we will be coming and going, needing their help in maintaining us for this ordeal. They will understand." Dareal nodded lightly as he sighed. "Sarah and Elizabeth are both doing alright now.. Sarah’s labor was stopped, she’s in her room trying to relax. Elizabeth is asleep, and will be out quite a while thanks to Ros’s help." Melanthus nodded and motioned for the two to go upstairs. "When we are done here.. we shall let you know when its time for the next session." With a nod of thier heads, both Dareal and Edward took their leave, tho Edward at first hesitant in leaving.
Shortly there after, Melanthus and Roslynn began their task. Melanthus went first, slicing ever so carefully a slit along his wrist, letting the blood drip into a bowl that Roslynn had found. It would take a great amount of time for the blood to fill the bowl, tho Melanthus would feel the toll after it was thru, only standing it long enough to help Roslynn in doing it as well. Once they both filled the bowl, Roslynn carefully created a makeshift IV, using a top opened bag to fill it freely. She pluged in a slender needle, inserting it into the main artery in Ricky’s arm as the crimson lifesaving liquid began its course thru the line and into the vein. Now they would wait, waiting for it to drain into his body as the hours went by. It would be a few hours before they could leave.. knowing that they would have to feed after this, but managing to hold their own till the next shift was to begin.
Dareal in the meantime headed back upstairs to Elizabeth’s room, closing the door behind him as he went to the other side of the bed and gently laying down beside her. His arms reached out and pulled her closely to him, holding her to his body as he sighed and closed his eyes. yes, rest was needed, and this night was going to be a long one indeed. As he closed his eyes, he sighed, letting a tender smile crease his lips as he held Lizzy close. He could get use to this.. yes indeed he could.
Deep in a drugged sleep Elizabeth’s mind floated cushioned on an inner light that surrounded and penetrated her very being. She smiled as voices reached to her and whispered of secrets and her heart’s innermost desires yet unfulfilled. Tears rolled down her cheks as she felt the warmth of multiple presences move around her in the light.
They felt so different to her, alien yet also familiar. Past and present racing towards an unknown future that still had not been decided. She felt herself led to an immense structure by small hands. A figure approached her from the brightness, smiling at her. "Greetings fair lady. Welcome to a bit of a rest that I may offer." The man’s delicate fingers taking her hand into his as he bowed gracefully and touched his lips to the back of her hand. "My I introduce myself Elizabeth, My name is Rastillion of Underhill...a place of enchantment and dreams. Tis my realm dear lady that you visit now. Or actually a place in between, yet still close by."
Elizabeth nodded at the man...elf! She laughed softly, realizing she was in deed dreaming afterall. Rastillion smiled knowingly. "Come dear lady and be my guest till your realm requires you to once again awaken." She nodded in delight as the elf took her hand more firmly and stepped into a blazing swirl of colors, taking her astral form with him.
In the bed at Rhionne, Elizabeth muttered in her sleep quietly. Calming immediately on feeling Dareal’s presence next to her. Half turning on her side, her arm slipped over his side as her face burried itself contentedly into his chest. A soft sound of peaceful acceptance issuing from her lips.
Edwards slept well for a few hours but as was needed he awoke and left to feed. Returning shortly afterwards, the Lord of Rhionne went into the lower chambers to see to Ricky and relieve the others. He stopped near Melanthus, "My Lord tis time for a change hmm? I will let you go retrieve Dareal from his love." Edwards eyes traveled to Ricky who was starting to stir and feel the pain again now that he was awakening again.
He was at the youngster’s side as quickly as the others. Ricky’s eyes were open and full of fright and pain. His chest heaved irradically like an uneven bellows. Powerful blood was being forced through his body to heal it. Inevitably there would be pain as his own body took the vampiric and burned it rapidly to heal itself. His hand rested on his son’s forehead, "Shhhh son it hurts, I know." He spoke softly as Ricky twisted on the table,the doctor’s eyes closed tightly now in pain. "Ros can you safely give him something for the pain? I’m not sure if you can..."
His eyes looked up at the kindred Prince, ’I’m not sure how much longer I can let him suffer like this my Lord.’ The deep pain of watching his son writhe in agony on the table was almost to much for the Lord of Rhionne.
Roslynn let the two princes talk as she reached over into her satchel, pulling out a small tube with a cork in the top. She was a resourcefull woman and what she had in the tube would be of inmportance. She reached for a small glass, filling it with just a bit of water, and then uncorking the tube and pouring the liquid contents into the water. Swirling the glass around to mix it well, she moved over to Ricky and smiled.. "Shh.. the pain shall be gone soon, ye shall not feel da pain. Tis an old herbal remedy that has worked quite well for some time for such severe pains. Take just a sip.. no more than that." And she leaned down, lifting Ricky’s head just barely enough as she brought the glass to his lips and tilted it, letting him sip the not so pleasant tasting liquid. It tasted like a .. really bad alkaseltzer/chalky taste. But after that was done, she placed the glass on the small table nearby and looked to the two princes. "He shall be alright.. he is strong, and i see that within him. As long as we keep him sedated for most of the time, the pain will not be as great." Her words spoken with a great deal of wisdom, of course, she had a lot of time to perfect that aspect of herself as well as her herbalism. Melanthus sighed softly, tired to say the least and nodded to Edward. "Aye, ill go retrieve him. Ros, im sure Edward has another spare room for the two of us to rest in.. and then you and i shall feed at home after that, aye?" Roslynn nodded lightly and followed her lord, feeling just as drained as him, but managing to hide it a bit better.
Dareal awoke as he heard the knock on the door, opening his eyes as he smiled and looked at Elizabeth nestled against him. He knew that it was his time now to do what he could for Ricky, and knew this was not going to be any fun. Before slipping quietly from the bed, he placed a soft kiss to Elizabeths forehead and murmured very softly.. "I love you.." And with that, he slipped out of the bed and headed over to the door, opening it as he slipped out and talked to Melanthus and was given instructions on what needed to be done. With one nod, Melanthus then headed towards an adjacent room with Roslynn, where they both slipped inside to rest, then to go feed in a few hours to replenish themselves for the next shift.
Dareal made his way back down to where Ricky and Edward were at, having still to wake up a slight bit as he stretched. "Well, guess its time to start this up again." He said as he looked at the 3/4 empty open ended IV bag that was giving the blood to Ricky. Dareal moved closer to Ricky, looking at the progress thus far on him. It was going to take a few more sessions to get him healed over... so it was going to be a long next few days. Tho he thought.. how was he going to explain to Elizabeth his absence off and on? That .. he thought would be a good question, but one he would deal with in time. Dareal then proceeded to drain his blood slowly as instructed by Melanthus and Roslynn, into the bag, tho slowly as to not completely exhaust himself as of yet. He would need to stay more alert for this than Edward, so to tend to the pain issue and anything else that would happen to creep up on them due to Ricky’s condition. Tho, he looked at Edward and smiled... "M‘lord, im sure that this will work, i have no doubt in my mind. And i know this is .. hurting you as much by seeing him in this shape..but i have no doubt at all that he will recover one hundred percent."
Eward watched from Ricky’s side as Dareal to what he needed to do. He looked down at the young man, his adopted son, sleeping quietly under the herbal drug Ros had given him. It would take along time for them to recover emotionally from this all. A very long time indeed. His tired, ancient eyes ran over Ricky’s form as his hand rested with utmost gentleness on the youngster’s face. How he wished things like this were impossible. But in his years of training Hunters and other kindred, he knew all to well that this was why the bloodlines existed.
He looked down, the knowledge of his responsiblities resting like a dead weight on his shoulders now. Work he had once enjoyed so fully, that had given him what so few of his kind would come to know...now seemed to mean nothing. All the young that had past through these walls came to mind now. He closed his eyes, knowing if one just "listened" their young voices growing into accomplished adults could still be felt and heard. They had given Rhionne Keep the very heart that pulled so many in need to her gates, quiet halls and secret gardens. Edwards let the memories flood him now and shared them softly with Dareal and the others that inhabited the walls now.
The old kindred felt his people reach out to the memories and add their own, binding them to their chosen Lord. He ruled firmly and loved everyone of them, having risked his life countless times to keep them safe. Those that resided here on a regular basis had done the same for him and each other. He felt the bond strengthen then, as they reconfirmed through the link to their Lord it was still so. Each grieving with him, yet not pitying. Instead the others reconfirmed their work to him and to those that came for aide. Now the whispers told him it was time to accept what was offered from the outside house of the High Prince Melanthus. Edwards sighed softly to himself gently closing the link.
His hand brought the dagger up from his side. He studied the deadly object with a sick look in his eyes. It should never have come to this he thought silently, his face reflecting the unspoken thought. He had caused the near death of a beloved family member. For that he knew would one day come a very heavy price. The razor sharp blade flashed across his wrist as he let it bite deeply into the arteries below the skin. His thick red blood flowed rapidly into the needed container. When his time came to stand before the High Council he would take whatever punishment they doled out without a sound or contest.
The blood came faster than Dareal’s more shallow cut to himself. Edwards shook off the sudden light headed feeling and healed his wound. Turning he walked over to the wall nearest the table and sat heavily on the stone floor watching Dareal with Ricky. "Tis not easy for you either is it Lord Dareal." His eyes flickering upwards to indicate Elizabeth. "She is a beautiful woman Dareal. You are very lucky indeed to have gained her love and trust. I envy that at times." The gentle wry smile letting Dareal know that Edwards in no way felt slighted nor jelious. The kindred’s tired eyes telling Dareal he knew exactly how precious the gift granted the older kindred in front of him was. "She is a strong woman Dareal. Never underestimate that, nor think she will shun you for what you are. You’ve shown your true inner nature to her my friend. The fact you are a vampire will be difficult to accept at first, but it will come to her. Her love will cary both of you through many hard times. It’s in the very hearts and souls of the females to do so."
He sighed looking at his hands now clasped around one knee drawn up, looking more the rogue than Lord now. "We as males protect and provide; the females nurture and offer a love only they can give. Try as we might Dareal, only the female of any higher species can create life within themselves. A true gift of creation bestowed up them from the very begining of time. The infants they bring forth bind the two, mother and father, into a unit." He chuckled lightly now his blue eyes penetrating Dareal’s and holding them. "Though the parents may be older Dareal, never underestimate the very power a child holds over its parents. It can be very intimate and all consuming. Even abused they will return their love. But in a strong family that is open in its affection towards them...something truly wonderous happens to us all." He leaned back closing his eyes. "Did you ever really think about it Dareal? Tis the children that lead us not the other way around. Sounds silly maybe, but it be more true than not at times."
Dareal remained at Ricky’s side for a bit longer, then departing as he took up a silent spot on the ground beside Edwards. "M‘Lord, to be in all honesty, im surprised that.. even Elizabeth was so fond of me, as i am of her." He sighed as he leaned back against the wall. "There’s a lot more about me, that none know.. not even Melanthus." He lifted his gaze to look over at Ricky, watching the blood flow into his battered form. "I just hope, that when it comes time for me to explain to Elizabeth.. what i am, i truly hope that she does not shun me for it."
Dareal shut his eyes as he recalled his younger years, before he was kindred. How different things were, and how his family had so often pressured him into anything and everything. He shook his head, opening his eyes as he murmured.. "I know they meant well, but... it was my life, and.. i had no choice in what i did, none at all." His words spoke more than they revealed. His voice filled with their own life of pain, agony, grief.. confusion and other hard times that if Edwards was to look upon his eyes, he would see almost another time.. another world, and the chaos and the choices the old kindred had to make in order to do what was needed.
"They say that time heals all, but you would think that even after eight hundred some odd years, that the pain would have been healed, but yet in fact.. some of it never does." He chuckled slightly as he looked up towards the direction that Elizabeth was at. "I love her, and it frightens me as well. I wont deny the fact that im scared shitless. You see... i ran from my past when i was young, before my kindred years. I ran from my family, from the life that they were trying to force upon me. I took shelter at the abbey, made the vows of the monks upon the god above and followed in his light. Even after my taking from the realm and into my current life, i stilled followed for some time.. till.. my emotions finally, gave up."
He paused in thought as he shook his head again. "I became cold, uncaring, and heartless.. because of what i was..and took my leave from the clergy and went into isolation from those i knew.. and grew up with. It was not till then that i realized..when m‘lord Melanthus and his beloved met..and i realized what the meaning of what love was.. but even then, i still tried to remain int he shadows.. remain isolated even from everyone else around me." He shrugged his shoulders, remembering even more.. "And until recently.. i was still content in my own little corner of the world.. not giving a damn about anything.. until brian came into our clan. Then and only then..did i take an interest in anything that happened." With a grunt he forced himself back to his feet, still a bit on the shakey side as he walked back over to Ricky to check up on him. Slowly a thin film of flesh had began to form, paper thin. " And then.. it all just.. seemed to not matter once i met Elizabeth. And now.. i have to figure out.. how to explain to her what i am... and that frightens me." His hands slowly came out in front of him, a very soft violet glow was barely and faintly visible as his hands hovered just above the young doctors body. "Mayhaps.. when i return to her side.. i may share with her what i am.. in my own way."
Meanwhile, Mel and Ros rested and then returned to Muncaster castle for a bite to eat. Once they were done, they returned back to the room upstairs, to await their time once again to return to ricky’s side to finish up the grueling task of healing him. Melanthus tho sighed as he reclined in one of the plush chairs, Ros lofting a brow as she looked at him. "Do nae fret so m‘lord.. she is alright, im sure of it. She shall return when the time is right.. never doubt nor fear that fact." Ros said as she sat upon the edge of the bed. "aye, i know Ros.. just hard without her around tis all.. and i dreadfully do miss her, tho i know once this is done, we are going on a very long vacation." Ros chuckled and laughed as she sighed.. "Well, m‘lord.. where ye plan on going? I hear Australia is nice this time of year." Melanthus lofted a brow and chuckled, shrugging his shoulders.. "I dont know..but its gonna be far from the states and England, tis for sure."
Ewards watched Dareal’s hands closely. "One thing I’ve come learn Dareal is to never underestimate the power of a woman’s love. Elizabeth has given herself to in heart n’ soul my friend." He placed a hand on Dareal’s shoulder in understanding and comfort. "Tis time for the others now. Go to Elizabeth, Dareal. Let your instincts guide you in this hmmm?" He squeazed the other man’s shoulder gently as he silently requested Melanthus’s and Ros’s relief.
After they arrived, Edwards left the Keep and went out to the gardens behind the great stone wall. He met one of the young women from his own keep and taking her hand, smiled gently as they walked slowly down the marble path. At one of the magnificent fountains withing the hidden nooks of of the depest part of the garden. Pulling her down gently with him into the soft lush grass, for a moment Edwards hated what he was and what he needed from this beautiful child.
Her hand traced his cheek in understanding of her Lord’s needs. Softly she kissed his lips before resting her head against his chest, trembling slightly in fear of the man who had never asked this of her before. Edwards stroked her hair softly, pulling her closer into his arms savorying the warmth of her body. tipping her head to the side with the tenderness of a passionate lover he trailed gentle kiss across her lips and down her neck. He felt her tremble harder in his arms now. "Shhh child." His voice a whisper against her neck. His fangs elongated and pierced the tender flesh. She arched against him in pain then relaxed as the kiss worked its magick and sent her on waves of ecstasy.
Inside the keep, Elizabeth awoke as Dareal entered the room. Smiling gently she patted the bedside next to her. "Where have you been?"
Dareal stepped in the room, shutting the door silently behind him as he turned and heard Elizabeth’s words. He smiled lightly and walked to the side of the bed and sat beside her. "I see you are feeling better, and glad to see you awake." He murmured to her as he leaned down and pressed a kiss to her lips. His features seemed pale, paler than usual due to his lack of blood at the moment and needing to go and feed soon. "As for where i have been.. i have been talking to Lord Edward..and Lord Melanthus as well." He gently stroked her cheek with his fingertips and gently pulled her into his arms comfortably as he sighed. "I have a story to tell you, but listen to it completely before you say anything my dear.. please." His words soft and gentle as he gently brushed a few strands of hair from her face.
"Eight hundred years ago, there was a young man. He grew up in scotland, coming across seas to England where his father was Heir to a title that was handed down from generation to generation. As the years went on, the boy of such tender years grew up, getting the best schooling that England had at the time. By his twenty fifth birthday, his family was forcing him to take a wife and to settle down. But the boy now grown.. wa not ready for such a responsibility. " Dareal sighed and continued with his story as he held Elizabeth gently in his arms. "His father was sickly.. and the title of Baron was to pass to the young man, but the young man was adamant in this and did not want to settle down. It was not that he did not find women attractive..but the fact that he was not ready for such responsibility. So, he figured that the only way to avoid this, was to take the vows of the lord and enter into the small monestary that was nearby, joining the monks in their religion and worshiping." His voice was soft, but filled with a deep passion, yet.. sadness as he recounted his very life to the woman he held. "Old legends said that there were what they called.. nightwalkers.. that killed any and all they came in contact with. Rumors had it they drained their victims of their life blood..leaving them to die where they lay while the nightwalkers took off, looking for more prey. The young monk did not believe in these folklore fairytales, that were meant to scare children.. but two years into his studies at the monestary and teachings.. he found out the hardway that these beings were not fairy tales..but the truth."
Gently he tilted his head and smiled down at Elizabeth..."I am sure you have heard of the fairy tales of unicorns.. elves..and vampires, to name a few. Well, the kind of fairy tale i speak of .. are vampires.. which back in those times.. were called many things.. demons.. nightwalkers.. kindred.. all the same thing. The young man, had been the victim of such vampire.. losing all he had in the world after he was brought over from the life of the mortals into the immortals. The young man was then taught and explained to what he was, and yet.. it pained him to learn that he could never have back the life that was taken from him. The man that did this, was a kind one.. but, there was something within the man that the young man saw..and even tho he could no longer walk in the light of the lord.. he knew that there was something that the fates planned for him to do with this gentleman that brought him over. So hundreds of years passed..and the young kindred found himself lost.. his feelings that once ruled his heart.. and his mind, turning to ice. His blood running cold, and uncaring as he withdrew from the new family he had..becoming a recluse of sorts." Dareal stiffened slightly for a moment as he recalled those dark times, as if they were yesterday, but managed to continue on.
"It was then that he realized..that the title he would have inherited..fell upon deaf ears, and his family’s line ended upon his parents death..and the castle they had fell into ruins over the centuries. He had no one left.. yet..he had a whole family of his ’kind’ but it was not the same..and it hurt him more than anything in the world. Many times he considered killing himself.. only to realize that.. his death would accomplish nothing. He hated what he was.. what he became..and what he had to do to remain ’alive’. He wanted to be able to love..to have a family of his own.. and yet.. that was not possible. It would be upon his eight hundredth birthday that he met a woman, while walking one night with his creator in the quiet streets of London, finding a woman having been beaten and abused. It was then that he realized that he felt a strong connection with this woman..but knew not why. His heart started to finally thaw from its icy imprisonment..and he came to deeply care for the woman.. more than his very life that he harbored. But he was afraid.. afraid that if she knew what he was.. that she would abandon him.. leave him like all those that have turned their backs to him. He did not know what to do.. and when he touched her, his heart trembled and he saw how badly hurt she was.. and took her to a doctor.. a young man, who healed her..and he stayed by her side.. only leaving to talk to his Sire to express his feelings for this mortal woman." His gaze gently landed upon Elizabeths.. his words filled with love..and fear as he finished his tale.. "So.. he tried his best to explain to her what he was.. with a story.. in the hopes..that she would understand that he loved and cared for her.. and in the hopes that she would not judge him nor leave him on the basis of what he was.. that she would see him for who he was..and not what he was." His words trailed off as he held her gaze... a few tears rolling down his cheeks as he took a slow and deep breath, waiting to hear her reaction to him.
Melanthus and Ros came back down, going back to work on poor Ricky as they saw that the beginnings of the new and very thin layer of flesh had begun. "Ah, tis good.. his body is slowly healing over.. i knew it would work M‘lord Melanthus." Ros said as she looked at Melanthus as he yawned slightly. "yes, you did say it would deary. Now.. lets continue this.. how much more do you think the lad needs?" Ros stood thre and thought for a moment.. "From the way he’s starting to heal.. this might be the last session he needs, but i am nae sure. If after this bout of time the skin thickens up.. then that tis a sure sign he will not need anymore." Melanthus nodded and the two kindred went straight to work once again.
Elizabeth had snuggled in close to Dareal closing her eyes letting the story paint its tale in her mind. As he came closer to the end of his story, she leaned back away from him. Her eyes searching his with something akin to understanding. Her fingers traced his cheek, wiping the tears from them. She studied the tear drop on her finger turning it into the setting sun. The dimming lights caught it and sparkled in the wetness. She leaned forward taking his hands into hers and pressing them gently against her stomach where the child grew within her.
"Dareal...I love you. You and I have been given a chance at something beautiful. I do believe you." Her hands gripped his tighter now. "If you think I’m going to let you go or turn you away for something such as this..." She swallowed, "You are sadly mistaken my Lord and love." With that she wrapped her arms around him and pulled him to her on the bed, holding his head against her breast and beating heart. Gently her hands slipped through his hair as she whispered soft soothing sounds to him, her own tears of happiness and love dampening his hair. "WE have a family now Dareal. It may have taken you 800 years...but you now have a family of your own my love." The tender words easing the pain of 800 years of loneliness in the man she had given her heart to.
He sighed with a deep relief, only to feel his insides quiver at the knowning that now.. she knew and she was not going to leave him. That completely made him happy.. and he could not help but let the tears roll slowly and silently down his cheek as his arms wrapped carefully around her form. "Gods.. i .. knew of no other way to tell you. I was so afraid to even tell you.. afraid of the unknown and what you would think of me. Gods.. im so glad.. you did not think the worst of me.. because of what i am. I love you Lizzy.." And his head turned to gaze up at her, smiling brightly as he leaned up and pressed a kiss to her lips once again, lingering on it for a few moments before releasing it.
Meanwhile, downstairs as Ros and Mel worked, Mel blinked and stopped what he was doing, chuckling a bit. "Well, seems the old fart told his beloved what he was.. and seems she’s accepted it rather well." Ros looked at Mel and swatted him on the arm. "Oy, leave da poor man alone. He’s had a rough time.. tis about time he found a lass to share his life with." Melanthus snickered a bit more and grinned rather broadly. "Aye, and a fine woman he has. I just hope he behaves himself with her." Ros blinked as she caught the backside of the joke and swatted Mel again, feeling a bit of a blush come upon her cheeks. "Oy! M‘lord.. behave will ye!" She sputtered as she shook her head and the two went back to work.
Dareal remained nestled with Elizabeth as he continued to talk to her.. but he could feel his time was near to rest and then feed in a few hours. His pale complexion resembling that of a corpse color as he closed his eyes. A content smile creasing his lips as he murmured out faintly.. " Our family... and im never..ever going to leave either of you." He said that with such fondness and love, his eyes remaining closed as he sighed once again and finally settled down for a nice nap against Elizabeth. He could hear her heart beating..and it was sheer pleasure to him to hear such. Finally for once.. he was going to have his own family.. and enjoy it whole heartedly.
Elizabeth held Dareal close to her letting her love wash over them both. Deep within her that love filtered into the new life growing strong and quickly within her. From the corner, unseen and unnoticed Williams’watched in ethral form. They stood a chance now...He slipped back into the ether to see the others in Underhill. Elizabeth’s dream journey with Rastillion had opened her heart and soul with the rest he had offered. Smiling he slipped between realms.
Edwards entered the keep holding Alisha’s hand. He gently steared the tired quiet woman to her room, kissing her lightly on the forehead as she drifted off into slumber. She’d remember nothing but a tender night of passion with her Lord. Edwards sighed as he left the room. Meeting Sarah in the hall. She approached him carefully. Edwards stepped forward and took her into his arms holding her against him.
She cried softly against his chest. "Shhh time to rest dear child. Or we will be introducing your young one early into this world hmmm?" Sarah nodded and sighed a bit as Edwards voice calmed her tears and fears. Lifting her carefully he took her to her chambers and settled her back into bed. "Untill Ros or Dareal say it is alright, you are to remain in bed and be treated like a princess. Is that understood? I do not want any harm to come to my grandson nor his mother." Sarah smiled up at him and drifted off quickly.
In the lower chambers Ricky had healed more. The magick and power of the elder kindred blood doing its work. The wounds now new skin that over the next day or so would be nothing but a few faint scars. The young doctor groaned and opened his eyes slowly.
Melanthus and Ros stood on either side of Ricky, both smiling as he came to. "Shhh, do nae move young ricky.. ye shall be fine, twill be a while before ye are fully healed, but that should be within a day or so. Ye will still be in a bit o‘ pain for a while, so if the pain becomes too much.. let me know lad, aye?" Ros said as she gently placed her hand upon his forehead. "Yes, indeed, let Ros take care of you for now young Ricky. You have been thru a lot, more than anyone else could imagine. You shall be fine, and yer wife is upstairs resting as well." Melanthus added in as they both re-assured him that he was going to be fine.
Upstairs Dareal stirred a bit from his sleep, having gotten plenty of rest and was now needed to take his leave for a bit to go feed. His eyes opened and gazed at Elizabeth, smiling as he leaned up and pressed a kiss to her cheek. She was dozing, so she might hear his words.. but his words were soft and gentle as he murmured.. "I shall be back my love.. i have to go and eat. I shall return within the hour, so wait for my return.. there’s so much i want to talk to you about." And with that he smiled and sliped from her embrace, heading towards the door to exit the room and then out the front door to the keep as he shifted form to that of a silverish white wolf and took off to hunt and replenish his blood supply.
Ricky relaxed at Ros’s calming touch, though his eyes held the faintest hint of unease with their kindred presence so close. He swallowed back the fear with difficulty. It was going to be a long road before he ever became totally relaxed around any of them. The silent war between reason and fear waged openly in his eyes that strayed to the Prince’s. He held Melanthus’s gaze briefly before dropping his own to a more nuetral position on the table between them. His heart raced inside of him unable to remain calm in the face of something he had once trusted and held no fear of. Now the unease was almost like a wave off of the young doctor.
Lokious had indeed done a tremendous amount of damage and not just to the young man’s body, but to his trust in those that had stayed to save his life. It was evident that he would be no harm to the kindred, but his service to them would be more out of fear for possible retaliation than anything else. It was becoming a possiblity that parts of his memory would have to be altered or wiped to avoid potential problems. Another bonus in Lokious’s favor if this were to become necessary.
Elizabeth slept peacefully for a long time. Her mind drifting on the realms between worlds and at peace. Something though woke her from the deep sleep with a startle and racing heart. She laid in the bed unable to orrient for a few minutes. Finally she pushed the edges of slep totally away and sat up slowly.
Her eyes scanned the room as a shiver raced up her spine. Nothing caught her attention at first, then in the darkness the moonlight hit a small object on the nightstand near the window by the vase of wildflowers. A single rose of crystal lay there, shimmering in the light. Her head tipped studying the small beautiful item. Carefully she arose and stepped over to the table cautiously.
There on the deep green lace tablecover, lay a rose crafted from some sort of crystal. The detail was almost absolutly perfect, but for one thing...the petals of the piece were black. A ebony onyx color that was both stunning and frightening to behold. Her fingers reached for the piece, floating over the petals with a bare hint of touch. Now she could even see the tiny thorns along the stem. Fascinated by the work, Elizabeth picked up the crystal rose carefully between two fingers.
The sound of the door opening behind her, startled her enough that her finger embedded deeply on one of the thorns. Blood welled heavily under the piece that broke off and seemed to disappear in the flesh of her bleeding index finger. "Bugger! That smarted." She spoke in an odd voice of confusion now. Turning she looked to see whom had entered. In her hand, unseen, the rose regrew another thorn to replace the missing one.
Dareal had returned from his hunt, having opened the door that startled Elizabeth as he peered in and blinked as he saw her up and about. "Now, what are ye doin up already? Thought ye were to rest till i got back." He grinned as he stepped in, shutting the door behind him as he walked over to her and wrapped his arms around her and brought her in close to him. "And pray tell, what is that you have, my dear?" Referring to the glass rose that she was holding as he placed a kiss upon her head. As he listened to her explanation, he grinned and hefted her carefully up into his arms and toted her back over to the bed and carefully settled her down upon the covers as he then scooted up onto them beside her.
Down below, Melanthus knew that look ricky was giving him and gently brushed his forehead. "Shh... calm down, your alright. I wish to tell you what happened, then perhaps you will understand all." Melanthus settled down onto a small stool beside the young doctor as Ros went about cleaning things up and trying to clean up the floor a bit as well. "Lord Edwards was not in control of what happened to you. It may have been him physically, but not mentally. He loves you as his own son, and would never harm you in any way, shape or form. I know this is going to sound confusing and you may not understand it.. but there is another being that is about..that wishes nothing but chaos to rule thru the world. Its name is Lokius, a wraith of great evil and power. Me and my clan have been fighting him now for some time. He’s after one thing, and one thing only.. to kill all of our kind..and those that are close to us." He watched Ricky to make sure that he at least understood some of what he was saying before he continued. "Lokius took control of your lord.. and forced him to do what he did, against his own will. It’s happened in my clan, and we have found a way to stop him.. but currently we dont have the item to do it, we are currently looking for it..but know that your lord never ever meant you harm. Your wife is safe, and is resting up in her room. Once you have healed a bit more, you can join her." Melanthus said smiling as he gently patted Ricky’s shoulder. "For now tho.. get your strength back and rest. No one else will harm you or your wife." And with that Melanthus stood up, helping Ros to clean the place up a bit before telling Edward and Dareal that Ricky was awake and healing on his own.
Elizabeth looked playfully indignant as Dareal picked her up and put her back to bed. She sucked the injured finger with a slightly sullen face now. "I thought only the real ones bit back, this isn’t fair. Its a real shame I broke one of the thorns off though. I rather like the pretty thing, even if the color is rather unusual. Have you ever seen a true black rose Dareal?"
She dropped her hand to Dareal’s clasping it gently, bringing it to her cheek as she leaned into his shoulder and kissed his neck softly. She wanted to hold him and just let the dat pass running her hands over him in this gentle passion. Sighing though she knew he would be off again shortly to attend to things here at the Keep. In curiosity Elizabeth looked up at Dareal. "What has everyone so fit to be tied lately? This place is normally more laid back and enchanting. Now though its as if everyone is jittery and looking for shadows to jump out at them."
She ran a thumb across the injured finger. The bleeding had stopped but she could feel the thorn prssing against the bone now. Funny she didn’t remember it going so deeply.
Ricky listened to Melanthus but couldn’t shake the feeling of fearful unease. He startled as Edwards entered the room, a slight flash of pain crossing his face. Edwards glanced at the Prince and Ros, before approaching Ricky carefully to stand next to him. The young was healing beautifully now. By morning he would look as if nothing had happened to him physically. The fear though deep in his son’s eyes bothered him. His hand motioned for at least Melanthus to stay for a bit.
Edwards pulled a chair up and spoke softly to Ricky a few minutes. His words so soft that only the young doctor could hear them. Tears streamed down Ricky’s cheeks now as Edwards took the hand that lifted slightly in his own. The lord of Rhionne Keep rested his forhead gently against the side of his son’s and nodded slightly. Some unspoken thought passing between him and the young man. Squeezing Ricky’s hand gently he let go and went to Melanthus’s side. "I wish to speak with you my Prince on a few matters." The grave words telling Melanthus that all was not well with the Keep’s lord and master.
Turning Edwards looked to Roslyn. "Could you please look in on Sarah for me after you have fed and rested? It would ease both of us to know she is well and that the baby is doing fine." Without another word he waited for Dareal to come so that could speak with them both before Melanthus needed to do the same as Ros.
Dareal shook his head slightly as he nuzzled in against her neck, pressing a few soft kisses to the flesh. "A real black rose, no. I have seen of course the fabricated fake ones. But i have heard that there are black roses.. they are breed specially for people who so wish them." A faint sigh of contentness passed over his lips as he smiled and held her close. "And as for what has been happening as of late.. its a very complicated story. Do you remember when i had you flee to the stables? There was an intruder on the premises..and he hurt Ricky pretty badly. Melanthus, Ros, Edwards and I have been taking turns on healing the poor man up. He’s healed up nicely, and is resting right now with the others." He sighed as he got the mental summons from Melanthus and sat up slowly and pressed a soft kiss to her lips. "And im afraid that i have to tend to a summon from my lord. I will return shortly, so dont you get up from this bed till i return, alright?" He said as he smiled and leaned forward, pulling her gently to him and embracing her against him in a tender hug. After doing that and getting her acknowledgment, he stood up and went downstairs to where the others were at.
Roslynn had made her way back upstairs to check on Sarah and the baby, passing Dareal on the way. He nodded and smiled to the woman as he went downstairs and met up with Edwards and Melanthus. "How’s Ricky doing?" He asked as he looked towards the young doctor, noticing he’s healed over and looking really good. "He’s doing very well, and glad you could tear yourself away from your love to join us." Melanthus said as he looked at Edwards. "So where shall we go to do this talk, here or another place Lord Edwards?" Melanthus asked again as Dareal seemed slightly perplexed as he looked at the lord of Rhionne keep. Something was not right.. meaning that he could tell that something was indeed bothering the man, and Melanthus knew it as well as they both waited to see what was going on.
Roslynn knocked on the bedroom door, turning the knob gently as she smiled towards the woman on the bed. Quietly she stepped in and closed the door behind her as she headed towards Sarah. She was in a light sleep, and Ros was doing her best to not disturb the woman as she pulled up a chair beside the bed and whispered to her.. "Miss Sarah, how are ye feeling?" Sarah slowly opened her drowsy eyes to see Roslynn sitting at her bedside, smiling softly and kindly to the very pregnant woman. "Do ye need anything lass, and tis the child doing alright?"
Edwards stepped back to Ricky holding the man’s frightened eyes for a moment before touching his hand briefly. It was obvious the terror in the young doctor was seething beneath the calm exterior. Turning he strode from the room muttering a curse foul enough to blister paint had there been any on the stone walls. A wall sconce’s glass globe exploded as he moved past it. Yet it made no sound and neither did the glass that floated quietly to the stone stairway. Even in anger, Edwards held control over his power. The feat startling in its show of control. Though the Lord seemed to not notice it.
Stopping on the stairway he never turned to look at the kindred Prince and Priest. His voice came quietly and with and Lord’s presence behind it now, "I ask you, my liege, to remove the memories of the wraith and and of myself from the boy there. I also request that you do the same with his wife. Be it known here and now that I abdicate my position and rightful title as Lord of Rhionne Keep. As the kindred Prince of this land and its territories it falls into your hands to be used as you see fit. Those employed here are now under your rule." The old Lord moved up the stairs quickly now vanishing from site at the top. Ricky had heard it all, bitter tears of fear and loss rolled down his cheeks. He knew that such a procedure would be risky and painful. His head turned away from Melanthus and Dareal as he started to sit up shaking with the vast emotions racing through him now.
Sarah smiled sleepily back stretching a bit as she sat up a bit more in the bed. The baby kicking strongly as she shifted position. Sarah gave a light grunt as the child protested and kicked again. She placed Roslynn’s hand over the kicking baby. The strong healthy kick and roll, though remotely painful and uncomfortable brought a warm radiant smile to Sarah’s face. "I’d say he’s doing just fine, thanks to all of you." Her soft words followed by a warm hug to Roslynn. "I want him to know of the people that were here for us Roslynn. He needs to know and understand that this world isn’t going to be all dark and dangerous. I want him to know that very special people, with good hearts and souls live on this world." She glanced down at her hands now in her lap, "Is that such a horrible thing to want Ros? Will there ever be a time or place again that will allow us to know of each other and interact without worry of punishment or death for such knowledge?"
The young woman’s eyes full of deep regret and pain that the world had to be so. That the world they shared could be so much better than it was. Sarah looked up, "One time long ago Ros it was so...Then came the time of the great mage wars and wars between the races. The elves disappeared from the lands and took with them the great treasures and mysteries of the mythical beasts." Her eyes had traveled to the large patio windows, her soft voice telling Ros that something had happened to awaken within Sarah ancient knowledges she did not understand, yet reveled in. It was like watching a child discover a butterfly emerging from its coccoon. How much Sarah knew though remained locked away behind her vibrant eyes that now danced with the new found stories. The baby shifted under Ros’s hand Sarah’s time would be coming soon....it was still to early but fates had decreed that she would give birth in the next few days to the child within her. Sarah seemed content though in good health. Though her face showed the stress of the last few days in the subtle lines on her brow and at the bottom of her eyes.
Elizabeth curled up in the bed snuggling a pillow close to her. Her finger throbbed horribly and stabs of pain shot up through her elbow now. She grumbled a bit and looked at the small pin prick. A stabbing sensation shot up her arm and she nearly vomited from the agony that bolted up her arm to her shoulder. The small crystal thorn having pierced the bone, now traveled slowly up through the bones of her hand through the joint of her elbow. In another blinding rush of pain that knocked her unconscious, it passed into the large upper bone of her arm and laid dorment for the moment. Elizabeth muttered and slipped into a restless sleep.
Melanthus lofted a brow as he listened to edwards. He was going to need to talk to him about this decision, but before he could, the other kindred took flee and leaving Melanthus grumbling about this whole mess. "Now, why must i always chase after someone, even when they are not of my clan?" He asked as he looked at Dareal and the priest shrugging his shoulders. "I guess because my lord you are.. emm.. good at it?" He said light heartedly as he tried to lighten the mood, tho knowing it would be a difficult task to do at the moment. Melanthus groaned and headed in the direction that Edwards left, calling back to Dareal.. "Send Ros down to keep watch over Ricky while i talk to Edward about this decision of his." "Yes m‘lord." He said as he went upstairs and made his way to Roslynn who was still in with Sarah. Knocking at the door he peeked in, smiling.. "Ah, im sorry to interrupt, but Roslynn..could you come down and look over Ricky for a bit while Melanthus talks to Edwards?" He asked and Roslynn nodding as she smiled and hugged Sarah. "I shall return later, and we can finish our talk, ok?" And with a nod from sarah she took off with Dareal and went back downstairs to watch over Ricky. She was getting tired..and hungry, but the older woman was always able to control things easily.
Dareal then headed back to the room with Elizabeth, stepping in and blinking as he noticed something..odd as he recalled the rose and something that he did not think of before till now. Black roses usually were given to those that were to die, and she had a glass one. Dareal hurried over to Lizzy’s side and noticed she was out cold. "Lizzy..wake up." He said as he gently brought her into his lap and peered down at her. "Elizabeth..wake up hon." He said a bit more louder to try and wake her up, gently patting her cheeks as well as he turned and looked at the black glass rose, looking at it closely in detail as he noticed that.. she had said a thorn had broken off and pricked her..but all the glass thorns were there, none were broken. "Ah, hell.. dont let this happen to me now..." There was one of two possibilities that he recalled..either the thorn was poison..which if it was..there was no telling what was going to happen.. and another possibility.. that it was magically controlled..and in either case.. it would most likely mean death for her. "Lizzy..wake up dear!"
Melanthus kept on trying to track down edwards..tho it was not all that hard to find the man.. the trail of broken glass globes found along the way. "Lord Edward.. we need to talk about this." He said as he came across him. He could tell that the anger within the kindred was great..but he spoke the calmest of words to him to try and ease his anger. "I understand your anger, but do you really thing that giving up your title.. your love and care for your family is going to fix what has been done? No.. it wont, and if nothing else..its hurting ricky more than anything else. Did you see the look on his face when you said what you did?" He said towards the other kindred, knowing the answer already but saying it none the less. "Yes, ricky might have been afraid..but he was NOT afraid of you, no..by far he was afraid of the actual being that made you do this. You can not give up on your family..nor give up your love for them. If you renounce that right now, than you lose all you have in your life.. and im not about to let YOU do that. I have fought long and hard to battle Lokius.. and if you give into what HE wants you to do.. then he wins and we all loose." Which was the blatent and baldfaced truth. Now Melanthus stood there, calm and concerned, always the diplomat and the calmest when it came to situations like this, especially as of late when its dealt with Lokius.
Elizabeth slowly came around, but it seemed as if from a dream of sorts. Dareal’s voice echoed across the distance between them. she leaned into his shoulder. "I’m ok Dareal. Just tired and hurting is all. Guess I jolted my arm or something in the stables." She smiled up into his concerned eyes. She saw a tinge of fear there also, "Is everything ok Dareal?" The thorn shifted deep in the marrow of her up arm at that moment. The look of shocked pain lit Elizabeth’s eyes with a suddenness that brought her to near tears.
"That hurts alot, it seems to travel through my arm." Her fingers traced his from the point of origin to the current point of intense pain. It was almost blinding in intensity. After a few moments it stopped though and she nestled snuggly against Dareal’s chest. Her breathing eased to a more normal rate and her eyes closed as she took comfort in his strong presence. "Guess it’ll pass in time. I must have pinch a nerve or something." She reached up and kissed him softly on the cheek. "Nothing to worry about my love, ok?"
Edwards turned to face Melanthus calmly. His eyes though burned with a dangerous fire he was trying to control. It wouldn’t take much for it to slip out of control. Drawing a deep ragged breath, he gripped the sides of the table in front of him. The Lord’s head dropped in silence, "Melanthus, I cannot run this Keep in my present state of mind. I’m going to take a few days and thinking things through. But reguardless of my final desicion on this matter, I still request that Ricky’s and Sarah’s memories be...fixed." He sat heavily in the chair by the fireplace and poured himself a stiff drink. "I will leave after you and Roslynn have rested. There are those here that can see to the places running while I am away." Edward’s dark eyes seemed lost, yet the anger had died in the face of Melanthus’s calm.
Dareal shook his head gently as he sighed.. "Lizzy.. that flower means doom to people. Its usually left as a warning of impending death to the recipient of the black rose." He sighed as he looked at where she was tracing on him and frowned more.."That.. thorn you said that broke off in your finger.. there’s no broken thorn on the glass rose." He said as he lifted her eyes to his.. "You have been poisoned... and if we dont stop this soon.. i have a feeling that whoever left this.. will get their wish in doing you harm." His words spoke true as he held her close. "I will send for Roslynn to come and take a look.. she knows more about these things than i would." Which was true.. Ros was one of the few kindred in their clan that had an innate affinity with known magical poisons and she knew of the old ways to remove such things. He had a feeling tho, he knew who left this rose.. Lokius, no doubt about it. Damn that wraith! He opened a link to Roslynn.. the woman replying in a bit of shock as she would come up as soon as she made sure that Ricky was once again sleeping for a bit.
Melanthus remained upstairs with Edwards, remaining calm for the time being as he spoke again. "Ok..first of all, yes.. you can not run this keep in the current frame of mind youa re in.. but ill be damned to hell if im going to let you wallow in the pity you are creating for yourself right now. You have been thru hell, just like i have been. Yes, its not fair.. it royally SUCKS... but taking a few days off to -think- about things is not going to help us right now. I have had to deal with seeing the bodies of children.. laid open and bloodied thanks to brian, due to the wraith.. but i did not wallow in that fact that i coudl not do anything to stop it. No.. i knew i had no way to stop it.. i LOST a dear and close friend of mine thanks to the child..but i know it was not him that was doing it. If you have those two youngin’s minds wiped..that does NOT mean that Lokius will strike at them again. So what good will THAT do for them? Not a damned thing. You have to get yourself together.. and roll with the punches as i have had to do, as the others have had to do as well. Right now.. my beloved is in another time.. with the boy and Aaron.. i dont have ANY clue what is going on.. im worried about them all.. but im keeping my cool and working the hardest i can to rid us all of this damnable demon. And by.. ’fixing’ their memories.. is not going to do shit, Edwards. If you do not wish to run Rhionne keep, then fine i will till you can..but i will NOT wipe their minds of this.. that is NOT right, and you know it." His words seeming to be harsh but also very calm, but they hit home and got the point across.
Roslynn made sure Ricky was alright, smilng to the lad as she said.. "I will be back in a bit.. ye just rest lad. I have to check up on Elizabeth for Dareal. Just remain here, and i shall return shortly, aye?" She smiled once again, gently rubbing his shoulder as he nodded in silence and she then took her leave to head upstairs and entering the room that Dareal and Lizzy were in. "M‘lord..ye asked for me?" Dareal nodded lightly and motioned her over as he sighed.. "If you could Ros, can you check out that rose there..see if theres.. anything magical or cursed..or anything out of the ordinary with it. I have a feeling.. that our friend Lokius has struck again." Ros frowned vividly as she murmured a few words and the rose lifted up off the table and hovered in mid air in front of them all. She lofted a brow as she started to look it over, not touching it as she uttered another few words, and a dark black aura shimmered off the item. "Bloody ‘ell.. whoever left this... has enspelled it with some kind of.. death spell." Ros, in her tired state, sighed as she uttered more words, waving her hand sslowly around the rose as she winced and nearly stumbled back away from it. "Tis already been activated..did she get cut by it?" Dareal looked at Ros and nodded lightly.. "Yes, she was.. " And Dareal motioned where she was pricked..and traced a path to where the pain now resided. Ros pursed her lips in thought as she thought hard on what they could do. Ros then looked at Dareal.. uttering thru a mental link to him the options she could recall with such a powerful spell.
Ros sighed as she ended the link with Dareal... only to again re-open the link once again to him... ::: There’s only one thing i can do..and im not sure if it would work. I can make up a potion of sorts.. mix it in some tea and have her drink it. The potion in essence will put her to sleep.. and slow her heart rate till it stops. Now.. once that is done.. i will give her the antidote..which once injected into her bloodstream.. will give her heart a jolt and cause it to revive and start to work again. Its risky as are the others..but i see it as the only course of action.::: Dareal nodded lightly and looked to Elizabeth.. "Love.. you trust me right?" She nodded lightly and he smiled. "Ros is going to get you a cup of tea.. in there, there will be something that will let you sleep, and while you sleep.. it will work on the death spell that was used on you, ridding it of your system. Once its done, you will wake back up. It will not harm the child.. nor you. You may feel a bit sleep afterwards, but things should go smoothly and alright." He kept his fingers crossed as Ros set out to gather and make the small potion and settling it into a cup of tea which she would bring back with her once she was done with it.
Elizabeth held Dareal’s hand firmly now. She couldn’t help the trembling that started, burrying her head into his chest. She could hear Ros go about with what needed to be done. Tears wet her cheeks as his words kept going through her mind..."Do you trust me?" She trusted him but something didn’t seem right about all of this. What could a cup of tea do to stop this? She had so many questions to ask about this. What was in the tea? What would it do to counteract ’magick’? Did she truly believe in such a thing? Even after seeing Ros blatantly do such in front of her with the crystal rose. Elizabeth was confused and frightened. Dareal would not lie to her about such effects as those supposedly on the rose. But what had she done to warrant her death? Could it be just because of her association with these people? So many questions and no answers to them.
She watched as Ros came up to them with the tea. A look of uncertainty flashed in her face. How much time had passed in all this? It seemed to not mean anything. Elizabeth huddled against Dareal, suddenly afraid to take the cup offered to her. "It will only make me sleep?" Her words soft as her eyes met Dareal’s briefly, she loved him more than anything else in this life. Before he could say anything, Elizabeth took the cup and quickly downed the tea, making a brief face at the bitter taste. He had not answered her on that and it nagged deeply in her mind. Would he risk doing something that would hurt her or the child? She shook the thought away, not unless it was for the better of them all. The doubt though of her deepest thoughts was caught by both Dareal and Ros.
Elizabeth felt herself grow tired then and she slumped slow against Dareal. The fear as she instinctively felt the wrongness of the sleep was loud and clear to both of the kindred. Elizabeth’s eyes closed as tears trickled across Dareal’s arm. Fear raced through Elizabeth as the deep sleep took her into its darkness.
Edwards listened to Melanthus, his face growing still and dangerous now. "I do not care if it is right or wrong my Prince. I do not wish for them to to remember certain things. That is my right as a kindred when it comes to the normal mortals under my roof or that associate with myself. If I deem it a possible threat to them or myself, it is my right to see that the problem is dealt with. I do not wish their lives my Lord. But I do request that their memories be altered to be as I ask it."
