Legends of Erandor

One glance over his shoulder and he isolated the problem instantly. Xeras. Ahhh Darn, He thought. His mind was now racing at about hundred miles per hour, give or take a few. Feces was about to get very real. This whole situation could down in two very distict ways, he could take on Xeras and die. Or he could grab Aedra and run.

"Follow me," he wispered into the Princesses ear.

He chose the later path, keeping ahold of her right hand, Torin pulled the girl away from her furious brother and into chaos of the crowd.

Legends of Erandor

Festival of Erivale

Aedra yelped as her arm was nearly ripped from its socket as Torin pulled on her hand. She ran after him, dodging a few people who were in the way.

She glance behind her, but she couldn't see her brother through the crowd. By now, Xeras was beyond furious and would definitely make her pay for everything.

Legends of Erandor

Torin kept up the brisk pace until they reached an alley. "What on earth was going on back there!?" He was entirelly confused, even more then that. He was angry. Xaiver's intense savagery gave the young barkeeper yet another reason to hate the man, He was lower than dirt in Torin's mind.

Legends of Erandor

"Eh, O.K. Be careful out there, Torin. And don't get into anymore fights!" Alex called out to his friend as the younger man meandered out of the tavern. "Sorry about that... what were you going to say?"

Elaina stopped fumbling with her satchel strap when the younger mr. Valon turned his attention back to her. "Oh, uhh..." the herbalists mind had suddenly gone blank with so many thoughts running through it that it took her a moment to remember why she needed to talk to Alex. "I need to ask you a favor. A rather big favor, actually."

"Oookay...." Alex folded his arms across his chest in preparation for whatever his friend was about to ask.

"I need to borrow Shadowmane. He's the fastest horse around in this town and with Tristan's condition I need to get back home as quickly as possibly and I was just wondering if I could intreat yo..." About the time Elaina realized she was rambling thanks to her nerves being on edge, Alex raised his hand to stop the herbalist.

"The answer is yes. You can borrow Shadowmane, for this time or any other." Alex smiled slightly trying to lift Elaina's spirits.

"Thank you so much, Alex! I'm forever in your debt..." in her excitement and relief Elaina gave Alex a quick hug. A few whistles from the other tavern costumers quickly reminded both of them where they were.

"Ahem.... Shadowmane is in our stable. We'll need to go back to the shop." With a slight nod from Elaina, Alex took the herbalists hand and led her out of the tavern and through the bustling festival back to the Valon house and shop.

--------------------

After saddling and preparing Shadowmane for the journey (which only took a few minutes for the experienced younger Valon to do), Elaina found herself sitting atop the prized steed of Erivale and saying her goodbyes to her sort-of not-quite boyfriend.

"Thank you again most kindly, Alex. I'll be sure to return him as soon as I can.... I don't expect my research to take very long, in fact, it can't take very long."

"Heh, stop mentioning it, Lady of the Green. You're making me think I'm more respectable than I want to be...." Alex gave a mischievous grin as he handed Elaina a small bag of bread. "Here, this is for your Uncle. I know he likes Mr. Potters flat bread."

Elaina took the small bag and placed it in her satchel with a smile before grabbing the rains. ".... Thank you, Alex Valon."

With that, Shadowmane and Elaina left the Valon stable and disappeared into the cool Erandor night.

What a woman you've found, Alex Valon, what a woman indeed.... Alex thought as he straightened his shirt and returned to the house.

((( OOC: O.K, ready for a time jump now, unless someone needs Alex for something. )))

Legends of Erandor

Festival of Erivale

Aedradeva leaned against the brick building that stood on one side of the alley. Her chest heaved with a sigh of relief and she even chuckled a bit. "Just a little sibling rivalry..."

Her hands went to her temples and she pushed gently. A headache was forming much to her chagrin. "Only perhaps it went a tad too far this time...I was actually afraid for a few moments."

Legends of Erandor

"Seems to me that it was more than just a sibling rivalry. Your brother pulled a knife on you. Thats not something older brothers are supposed to do."

Torin took a look around, keeping his eye out for any approaching hostiles. "You gonna be alright?" Aedra was rubbing her forehead. Headache, well thats to be expected.

Legends of Erandor

Festival of Erivale

"It's not the first time." Aedra said, shrugging a bit.

When he asked if she was alright, she looked up and searched his face. He was genuinely concerned. It had been a long time since she'd seen someone give her such a look. Aedra inhaled slightly and looked down. "Yes, I'm fine. Thank you..."

Legends of Erandor
Erivale Festival

"I will never bow to you." Aedra ground the words out, her voice low but firm. "And I will not take back what I said."

A fire burned in Xeras' chest at these words, and he clenched his fist around the knife, quickly advancing towards her. She was his sister, but he had no qualms against injuring her. Especially after what she'd said to Jade.

But then Aedra whirled around, completely eliminating his chance at targeting her. She left the dance floor, disappearing into the crowd. He felt numb from the shock of her sudden movements but quickly gathered himself and squinted between the forms of the dancing couples, trying to catch a glance of his devilish sister. But he'd lost her.

Gritting his teeth and letting out a harsh grunt of frustration, he strode forward, his bootsteps pounding hard against the ground. She would pay. He swore it.

Legends of Erandor
Erivale Festival

Xeras' impending attempts at pursuit were halted when slender fingers clasped the edge of his elbow, lacing quickly threw the space and draw him slightly backward. Olive eyes sought upward, to the raging features of the man she had long felt an attraction for. How long she had hidden her genuine love in favor of playing the game of advantages. Information, herbs. These were her toys, and to garner them she had to dance around her desires, settling only to sore away. She wanted him, but she knew she could no longer sell her wares if she had him. She was unsure if he would even take her.

"Xeras." Her tone implored with a veiled degree of firmness and a more blatant sound of persuasion. "Please, stay. Let her go." Though she did this not in favor of Aedra, she really had little wish to see the woman harmed. Through the unfolded situation she had remained silent, the circumstances binding her lips in a line of uncertainty. Far too much attention had been drawn, and she was unsure it had been worth a simple offending remark. But Xeras was a man not to be trifled with when he was angry, and at only the right moment could the mouse tame the lion. This had been that time, and she had taken the chance.

Jade's gaze sought the crowed for Aedra and it was clear she had escaped. Perhaps I shall apologize to her later, yet it is her own simpering nature that brings trouble upon her. "Stay..." She reassured, quietly, black ringlets framing her face.

~*~

"Of course." Ellion startled, retrieving the cup and going to refill it.

"Ainsley, darling." Her Mother stroked her hand. "Maybe it is best you rest. We'll get your Father."

Ellion brought the mug to brimming, concern tightening his insides and hurrying his work. What was wrong? Why was she sick? There was little to explain the suddenness of her illness and the force with which it had taken hold. But why do you care? Why? Ellion. You never felt this way before...

Skillfull steps, light but firm, entered and fitted the glass to his sister's fingers. "Here you are, Ainsley." He retreated, watching, waiting. His Mother rose and came to him, laying her hand against his arm.

"Ellion. Find your Father."

Legends of Erandor

Not the first time, eh? Well I'll make darn sure its the last time.

A sudden thought hit him, she was the sister of the man he hated most in the world and he was helping her? What had she ever done for him? Why was he doing this? Torin shrugged the thought off, shelving it for the time being.

"Well, if you ever need anything, let me know. Okay?"

Legends of Erandor

Festival of Erivale

Aedra nodded, looking up again. One side of her mouth lifted ever so slightly. "Why so much generosity? You don't even know me..."

She reached out and straightened the collar of his shirt, her hands lingering on his shoulders. "But since you offered..." Aedra leaned closer, until she was inches from his face. She was shorter than him, but it wasn't much when she stood on her tippy-toes. Her voice was a whisper as she said, "A drink of water would be nice."

Legends of Erandor

Once Torin shrugged off the shock of Aedra's prior actions, he reached down to his belt and unhooked his flask, inside was fresh, cold, water. Smiling, he thrust the flask towards the girl.

"Go ahead," he said, in a rather confused tone. Torin didn't mind being seduced, but he usually expected something out of it. "Next time, just asking might be faster."

Legends of Erandor

Festival of Erivale.

Aedradeva uncapped the flask and smiled at him. She might have even winked a bit. Lifting the flask to her delicate pink lips, she took a light sip and handed it back to him. "Torin...You do realize that by aiding in my escape, you are now in just as much trouble as I am?"

Aedra shifted a bit, her corset suddenly feeling a little tight. She brushed a loose tendril of hair away from her eyes as she continued, "Xeras will never stop in his quest to rule over anything and everything he can get his hands on. But I won't ever let him rule over me, as you may have witnessed. He may be my older brother, but he is not my father." A slightly wicked smile crossed her lips, but it was gone in a flash. "I know you despise my brother. I can see it written all over your face when you're in his presence. What I want to know is how much you hate him..."

Legends of Erandor

Torin took the container and hooked it back to his belt. Duh, girl. Torin had been getting in trouble with the law since he was four years old, but this time felt different. Here the risk factor involved seemed to have been quadrupled by a factor of ten or more.

He was about to respond when Aedra dove into her monologue of doom.

When she finally finished, Torin pondered over her closing question. It only took him a second to think of the poor people in town, less than half a second to remember the Event.

It took him less than a quarter of a second to shove that thought back into the depths of his memories, right where it belonged. Somethings were just too painful bring up more than needed.

"I hate your brother incredibly, why do you want to know?"

Legends of Erandor

Festival of Erivale

Aedra nodded slowly, her olive green eyes glinting. "Good." Her voice was barely a whisper.

She cleared her throat. "Well, now that this festival has been ruined for me, I'd rather drown the rest of the day in the tavern than sulk around here. I happen to know that the Erivale tavern is the place to go if you're looking for a bit of fun." She giggled. "Take me there?"