IceAndWave/Oriel

Oriel

In which nomenclature is explained, Blood is revealed, and a locked door opened...

The 14th Day of Descending Wood, Realm Year 763

Back at Broken Back, the disturbing cargo is kept to one side while Otori arranges a burial detail with August Wren. The palanquin was set down and it's passengers get out, the cold greyness of the town being somewhat more welcoming after the chill dankness of the shadowland.

Sian is indeed cheered, though the agonized face of the corpse is still stuck in his mind.

The inn is available once more, Oriel greeting Sian at the door with a smile, "Hello."

"Hey." He waves, stopping to talk whilst the other two head up to the room.

"I'm glad you're back," she looks down, "Not everyone comes back from there..."

"Yeah, but it's a group of Dragon-Bloods... doesn't really qualify as 'everyone.'" He smiles a little.

"A group of them?" Oriel blinks, "You walk in strange company, Sian."

"Guess so. Don't suppose I could nab another sandwich or two, could I?"

"I think so. The bacon and chicken from this morning should still be around," she gives Sian a mildly reproaching look.

Sian attempts to look innocent. "What?"

"Father made food, and then you all left." She chuckles, "It's OK - I understand. I'm only teasing."

"Ah. Phew. Last thing I need is another scary woman around..." He looks pointedly at the retreating Venia and Cassia.

"Scary?"

"Women with lots of magical power. Of course they're scary." He grins.

"Ah... well, I have no magical powers, although father once said my smile was enchanting." She demonstrates.

"I believe he is correct." He touches her lips quickly, before she can respond, and walks towards the kitchen.

A plate containing cold bacon and chicken legs is already set up, together with a loaf of bread and some more of the winter cider. "We're quiet right now," Oriel says, "With the soldiers here we aren't allowed to do much."

Sian pulls out a chair for her, and himself, and starts into the meal. "How much do you know about what's going on?"

"Nothing," she sits and sighs, "Not long ago those two ships just arrived. The soldiers came and said that they were taking control of our town in the name of the Empress. Then they went out the Stand. A lot less came back."

"The Stand? Is that what it's called?"

"The hills? They're called Demor's Stand in the stories you hear, but everyone just calls them the Stand."

"Care to tell me some of those stories? Anything that could stop me from dying is useful." He takes a bite of his newly-prepared sandwich.

Oriel joins in, speaking quietly, "Not much to tell, really. A long, long time ago Demor the Unclean used to rule all of these lands. Then, when the Anathema were overthrown, he was chased by the armies of the Dragons to the hills. He fought them there for three days and three nights before he fell, and the story says that the blood was so thick on the ground that the grass was stained red for a hundred years after."

Sian nods a little at this. "Anathema... not fun."

"Anyway, after that the hills were all cursed. We keep away from them. Nasty... things come out at night sometimes. And that's where the soldiers keep going."

"Hrm. Thanks." He eats a bit more of his sandwich as he considers.

"What did you do there, anyway?"

"Ah, you don't want to know. I don't want to know." He shakes his head. "Not pleasant at all."

Oriel pours Sian a glass of cider and takes another bite, "Bad?"

"Yeah." He sips the drink, and very briefly tells her about what they saw, with a minumum of detail.

She pales at the vague descriptions and takes a long drink herself. "Heavens!"

"Mhmm. I'm going to be seeing those for a long time." He sighs.

"Poor thing," Oriel leans forwards and kisses Sian on the cheek.

Sian smiles a little at that. "You doing anything tonight? I probably won't sleep much, and it's nice to have someone to talk to on nights like this."

"Well, normally I'd be doing the laundry, but we're so quiet that I finished before you got here. Father's visiting someone, so I'm in charge," she smiles.

"Heh. Well, I'll see you later, then... I've got a few things to do beforehand. Okay?"

Oriel nods and finishes her sandwich. "OK."

"Thanks for the food." He smiles, and passes her the empty plate as he stands. "Until later." And out he goes, to wander around the camp/town, and try to get the images out of his mind.

Broken Back is dark and shadowy, the sun on its long downward journey to the western horizon colours the grey clouds a deep, crimson red, while soldiers walk about in small groups, gossiping and talking. Sian stands outside the inn for a minute, letting the cool air invigorate him, before wandering slowly down towards the shore. He removes his boots, wandering along and letting the water lap at his feet, trying to forget.

The two large Realm warships standing some distance off-shore conspire to remind Sian of his reason for being there. Something else does, too. "Oh, I didn't expect to see you here," It's Thealyra.

"Hrm? Oh. Sorry, I'll leave if you like."

"No, it's alright. I just needed to take my mind off things," she looks Sian over, "As I suspect, do you."

"Mhmm. Not something I care to repeat, even though I know we have to tomorrow."

Thea shudders, "When you've seen men rot away screaming in front of you, still alive for the whole process, then you've seen horror."

"I'm from Whitewall. Everything around us is horror." Sian grimaces, "Try seeing necromantic monsters that have then been twisted by the Wyld."

"A fair point," the soldier smiles grimly, looking back out over the water.

Sian does too, stepping back into the surf and looking at the crimson sky.

Thea sighs heavily and then turns to walk back to the town, "We'll be leaving early again tomorrow, so be ready."

"I will." He pauses. "And... is there any reason in particular you've been so interested in me?"

"You're a stranger to me, and one of the Chosen. It is my duty to be... aware of potential dangers or threats. Nothing more." Thea leaves, walking quickly.

Sian shrugs a little at this, and lets her, not pressing the issue. He just turns back to the sea.

The sky darkens, red fading to black as the sun completes its daily journey. Lights on the warships come on, and bells ring out for watch changes, the dolorous notes echoing over the water.

Sian watches all this from his position, sighing a little, and working his way back towards the inn.

The inn's windows are filled with light, a welcome contrast to the lack of illumination from the adjacent houses, their shutters all drawn. Sian wanders slowly back regardless, leaving his boots off.

Oriel opens the door as Sian arrives. "Welcome back," she smiles, "Feeling better?"

"Much. Night-time air is refreshing." He smiles back.

"Well, come in then..." she grins and holds the door for him.

Sian bows at this, and enters! Unsurprisingly.

"The others are in the room already," she says, "They wanted some food sent up to them."

"Ah. I'll stay down here for a bit, until they're asleep, if that's okay."

"I don't mind."

Sian wanders into the kitchen to wait for her to return from serving food.

Oriel walks into the kitchen shortly and sits down next to Sian, "Although I don't like having the soldiers here, I don't mind the quiet so much."

"Mmm. I've always liked quiet, myself." He's prepared them another light snack, and a bit of wine.

"Thank you," Oriel smiles and eats slowly.

Sian is mostly content to sit and eat in peace.

She does likewise, although she leans lightly against Sian.

Sian smiles a little at this, but doesn't comment, though he does eventually slide an arm around her waist, just as gently.

"You know... I..." Oriel looks at Sian and smiles, "This is nice."

"It is nice. Good food, good company..."

"Well, the food is left-overs, but the company is nice," she leans her head against Sian's shoulder.

Sian rubs her side a little. "Thanks."

"Mmm..." she sighs, "Do you do this for your mistress, too?"

Sian finds that vastly amusing. "Heh. She tries to get me to, but I've resisted thus far."

"What do you do for her, then?"

"Footrubs. Act as a punching bag." He rubs his shoulder as if suffering from a terrible wound.

"Oh... I thought... as beautiful as she is you would..." Oriel blushes slightly.

"Trust me, there are much better-looking men than me. She can take her pick of them, too."

"Ah... OK," Oriel sighs happily.

Sian smiles a little bit. "Your father might be a bit annoyed if he comes back and sees us like this..."

"True," she sighs sadly, this time, "I should get back to work, anyway. We're quiet, not empty."

"If you'd like, I can meet you at your room, when you're done." He says this very gently.

"I'd like that, I think," she smiles and kisses Sian's cheek again, "Very much." Oriel slides off her stool and gets back to doing the work required to run an inn.

Sian likewise retreats to his room for a while, just pondering. Likely, he meets her later, yes?

A few hours later the door to Oriel's room is closed, although there is light inside and someone is definitely moving around judging by the shadows the slide out from under the door.

Sian knocks very lightly, having brought a candle along to light his way.

The door opens slightly and Oriel peers around, smiling when she sees it's Sian, "Come in." She opens the door wider.

Sian does so, barefoot again, so as to keep the noise down. "Thanks."

Wearing clothes somewhat flimsier than the rough and practical dress she has on while working, Oriel closes the door behind Sian and then sits down on her bed. She smiles nervously.

Sian tries to look reassuring, putting the candle down on the dresser and sitting beside her. "You okay?"

"I'm fine, it's just... I'm fine," she smiles again and snuggles up against Sian.

Sian is naturally quite amenable to this, rubbing her side a bit.

Oriel sighs happily, "That's nice."

"It is." He leans down for a light kiss, just testing.

She kisses back, slightly nervous.

Sian is very gentle with it, his warm hands soothing her nerves.

Oriel pulls back suddenly, and looks down at her hands. "I'm sorry. I just... I've never..."

"This is..? Oh... I see." He likewise becomes a bit cautious.

She sniffs slightly, "Sorry. This is a small town and there's never really been anyone my age..."

"It's okay." He rests a hand on her lower back. "We don't have to if you don't want to."

"Oh no, I do..." she blushes, "It's just... I don't want to be awful."

"Heh. All you really need to do is relax." He smiles a bit.

"Really?" She looks up at Sian. "I've heard and seen people a few times," she waves at the inn, "but it just looks so... hard."

"I guess it can be... I only ever run on instinct, though." He feels vaguely embarassed talking about it like this.

Oriel lifts her head up and kisses Sian, a little more firmly this time.

Sian responds in kind, arms going about her gently. He draws back, his expression slightly more serious. "Oriel... I won't lie to you. I... I already have a lover."

"Oh..." she looks down again, "The girl?"

"Girl?"

"The young one with you and the Lady."

"Oh... Cassia." He shakes his head. "She's just a friend. My lover isn't here... I don't even know if I'll see her again."

"Oh, I'm sorry..." she strokes Sian's cheek.

Sian smiles a bit by that. "Thanks." He kisses her lightly again. "There... is something else, though."

"Oh?"

"Yes. Promise you won't run away?" He looks at her seriously.

"Are you married, too?" Oriel's eyes are wide.

Sian shakes his head. "No... that's not it. Though I would like to be someday."

"Oh... what is it then?"

Sian lets his breath out slowly, and his skin slowly changes colour, to a deep oceanic blue. He looks at he worriedly.

She gasps, her eyes wide and she bites on her knuckles, edging away on the bed. "Oh..."

Sian looks almost disappointed, letting his skin fade back to normal. "Yeah... 'oh'."

Oriel reaches out to Sian and whispers, "Do it again. Please?"

Sian lifts an eyebrow lightly, but does so, not quite as deeply blue as before.

Her fingers brush lightly across his face and she shivers, smiling, "You feel different."

"You're not scared?" He puts his hand atop her own.

"I am, yes," she nods, "But you're not like the others like you I've seen." She strokes Sian's cheek softly.

"I try. I can't understand how the other Blooded look down on mortals like that." He smiles at the touch.

Moving closer again, Oriel breathes heavily and then kisses Sian again, harder.

Sian picks her up easily, placing her in his lap and kissing her back, the blue of his skin fading until it is just visible.

Oriel gasps at the movement, kissing him harder and holding his face in her hands.

Sian rests his own hands on her thighs, squeezing lightly.

"Oh Sian," Oriel whispers, "Teach me..."

"Of course." He kisses her again, already working on their clothing, and things get rapidly more intimate from there.

Oriel shudders on the bed, after, breathing hard and sweating profusely, "Oh... Dragons..."

Sian is likewise rather tired, from the effort needed to satisfy them both, without hurting her. He kisses her lightly. "I hope that means you enjoyed yourself."

She giggles softly, "Didn't my screaming let you know that?"

"Heh. Fair enough." He rolls to the side, holding her to his chest and sighing contentedly.

Oriel kisses Sian's cheek softly and whispers, "Again? Please?"

Sian does laugh at this. "Really? You're not too tired?"

"Tired, yes. Too tired, not on your life," she grins and pounces on Sian.

Sian lets her take control of this one, lying back and gazing up at her in the dim candlelight.