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Post by Taun-Lok on Feb 10, 2017 20:37:54 GMT
Taun-Lok returned to the home several hours after dusk had fallen, visibly exhausted and with his stomach wrapped in gauze from a very recent injury. He carried a larger sunstone with him, about the size of someones head that glowed faintly as though it had been overused recently, the ritual scroll itself. The big lizard collapsed near the bed and stretched out on the grass, reaching his arms out in front of him and extending his legs and tail out straight as he attempted to get comfortable on the grass beside the bed, his muscles bunching and joints popping as he did so. The large creature rolled over onto his back with a loud sigh before he acknowledged Mirielle Merlon again. He scribbled a message on a piece of parchment for the Princess, to explain his lengthy absence and inquire about her adventures throughout the Golden City. I have ensured you safe passage through the city and back to Ashdell when I am able to escort you there with the other Ancients and saw to the initial preparations. I plan to march on Vaundsburg within the week and from there, when the army withdraws, I will take you back to your home if you wish.
And you? Did you enjoy the city?
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Post by Mirielle Merlon on Feb 13, 2017 3:30:07 GMT
I'll happily accompany your army to Vaundsburg. After that, I'll take you up on the offer of an escort home. You've opened my eyes but it's time for me to get back to my responsibilities. Besides, marching with you will give me time to study your language and puzzle out the rest of the material you've given me -- the ritual requirements and so forth.
Communication by writing came more easily to her now; she could start to see the appeal. You could take time to consider your words and forestall bad ideas, hazardous impulses. She eyed the reclining lizard-king, then added some more to the note.
I'd like to come back here someday, if I can. I'd like to visit you, bring more sketchbooks, learn more of your language when the need isn't so pressing. You've made it clear that I would be welcome back, but I just want you to know: someday I'll certainly take you up on that, if I can find this place again.
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Post by Taun-Lok on Feb 14, 2017 23:34:39 GMT
Taun-Lok rolled to face the woman, still sprawled in the grass beside the bed. His glowing blue eyes regarded her carefully. With no real base line to judge her prowess upon, he could only guess at whether or not she would be able to cast the ritual or be apart of its casting. He hoped she didn't make the cut personally. I will need to take some of your notes just in case. I trust you with this information, but I know nothing of others. Warmbloods, by their nature are greedy and cruel. I ask that you do not disclose the location of my city on any maps or drawings, and I also ask that you take only what information on the ritual you need from the city. It could be a very dangerous weapon if it fell into the wrong hands.
You are of course welcome within these walls for as long as I live. If you bear no ill will in your heart and remain pure of corruption, you will find it with ease. Perhaps one day you will show me Ashdell in the spring. The lizard warrior smiled at the woman and patted her shoulder gently. Ashdell was far enough north that he couldn't remain there in the winter months, and the fall months would slow his metabolism down greatly. Enough that he would probably spend most of his time lying on a warm rock in the sun. Nonetheless he did want to see the warmblood city, perhaps build an alliance with them to help each other in their times of need. Mirielle Merlon
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Post by Mirielle Merlon on Feb 15, 2017 19:23:58 GMT
Taun-LokShe found herself hugging the sketchbook against her belly. "I understand," she said. "When I've finished, you can look through and take out what you need to take out; I won't bring dangerous material home. The last thing I want is to put Ashdell at greater risk. I confess I don't know exactly where the city is, not on a map, but I'll keep its general location to myself. And yes, I'd love to show you Ashdell, though you really would need to dress warmly, even in the spring. The only crops we grow are adapted to the cold and so forth." She looked down at the sketchbook. "I don't know how I can go back to a normal life after this. I really don't. At some point I'll be expected to marry - how can I partner with a man who hasn't seen what I've seen? Been through what I've been through? I don't know if you have a frame of reference for this -- are you married -- do your people marry?"
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Post by Taun-Lok on Feb 15, 2017 20:04:48 GMT
" Thank. You." The reptile struggled to speak in common, a growl starting from deep in his chest as he spoke to the princess. For the rest of the conversation, he reverted back to writing as it required a bit more explanation than offering her his thanks for her hospitality and assistance with his people. From what I've heard in my travels marriage is akin to mating with a single partner for life. Yes that does happen in the City, though not always. Many females prefer to acquire several partners when they are able as it allows the offspring more diverse traits they can acquire.
And no, I am not mated. I've never been approached with such a proposition, though it is not forbidden.
You will persevere, I am sure of it. Everything you have seen and been through will only make you stronger. You are pretty and strong of heart and will, no doubt you have had to turn away suitors. You can always send a potential mate to me if you want. That was not to say during his younger years he hated produced offspring, but since females normally mated with several males at a time and each young could have different fathers and the communal raising of young made it to where few beings knew of their lineages in the city. Taun-Lok was a strong minority as he was aware he was one of the few descendants of the Horned King. Mirielle Merlon
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Post by Mirielle Merlon on Feb 16, 2017 1:21:18 GMT
She folded that note into the sketchbook with the rest, blushing somewhat. The blush, she guessed, had little to do with the compliment. It came down to the awkwardness of any future explanation, of introducing a potential husband to this new facet of her reality. What would any normal person think of her after a visit to the City of Gold? That went for friends and family too, not just suitors. At a guess, she would have to obfuscate and even lie to live any kind of regular life. Who could possibly understand this place? Who could have even a partial frame of reference? "When I imagine myself coming back here, Taun-Lok , it's always alone." She busied herself with some paper and glue she'd obtained in the market: the book was too full for all the pages it needed. "Maybe someday I'll want to share this, but it won't be anytime soon."
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