Chapter 6: Escape from the Prison World - Dark Beginnings

[Zhym]

Elethil seems to relax slightly at the suggestion of rest. "On that, we agree" he says. "I would welcome a bed and a drink. Let us do what we can this night to maintain a watch on Fenrin's possible escape routes and decide on other actions in the light of morning."

[Rukellian]

Dufonte is good on his word and manages to take Elethil and Rand to the tavern he mentioned, without detection. Taking a side alley that few travel, Dufonte raps on a nearby window in some sort of code. After another rap and some silence in between, a response is heard. Dufonte turns around and motions that they can take the front entrance. "You two have been cleared, the owner knows I sent you both. Now for my work. I will see you tomorrow."

Dufonte sinks back into the shadows of the alley. The warmth of the tavern can be felt; a fire must be lit inside. As you two approach the entrance, you are welcomed by a tall man with an apron and stylized moustache. He looks you two over and makes a bit of a funny face, but does not comment. He simply nods and points towards the back room where a woman is found talking with others. The voices are familiar.

"Deceidon," says the man who could very well look like his father. The name was enough, it was a command and nothing more needed to be said. The two walk out of the tavern. Before the owner of the tavern closes the door, he says to those who linger near the entrance, "rooms are available second floor up, my wife will tend to your needs. Don't cause any trouble." The last part was directed towards Elethil, clearly showing his dislike of elves. He closes the door.

[onlyme]

Whitsell when seeing the two, says, "Welcome friends, glad you survived as well. We need all the help we can muster. That said. We all need desperate rest, but also guarding. I can take the first watch, if others can volunteer for later in the night."

[tooleychris]

"Even a few winks would be very welcome." says Flynn who stands and stretches. He winces as the action pulls at his wounds. "Suppose I should change these dressings as well. I'll take the next watch if I can be awoken. " Yawning he adds: "His majesty should sleep with the watch, me thinks. No mistakes. By your leave, of course, sire."
He heads off to find water and clean bandages.

[Rukellian]

It is a little past ten now in the dark of night. The group has found rooms for themselves and is promised warmth, food and well-needed rest. They catch up on events that have taken place after leaving the prison realm. It is agreed amongst everyone that there will be much to discuss in the morning to come. A night watch has been posted for the king, Whitsell taking the first post.

It is during this time when everyone has retired to their rooms that a soft knock is heard upon the front door. The tavern owner's wife answers the door and is surprised to find a young lady with a covered basket.

"Hello Ms. Urshurak." She bows in a courteous manner. "I have been employed by the group that is staying at your tavern to provide healing services. I've just learned that they are all staying here through a good friend of mine. May I go and provide my ministrations?"

"Why certainly! It has been quite some time since I've seen your lovely face around here my dear. Have you been fairing well? Are you hungry?"

"Oh no! That is not necessary, I assure you," she says in an apologetic laugh. "I have been doing quite well though, thank you. My work may require some silence and careful concentration depending how badly hurt my patients are..."

"Take your time dear, I will be sure not to disturb your work," Ms. Urshurak ends in a pleasant smile before leaving the young woman alone. She seems to know the young woman well enough, as does the group.

The young woman makes her rounds and visits each room. Changing bandages and providing medical ointments and herbal mixtures. When she meets Whitsell, she is surprised to see him in fairly good condition, considering how battered his armor is. Whitsell recognizes her right away and greets her quietly. He then quickly turns her attention towards the king. For all intents and purposes, the young woman does all she can for him and says to Whitsell that the king is in a stable condition now and that he will appear much better after some sleep.

The young woman, after having treated everyone, reaches the final room at the end of the corridor. Whitsell watches her closely as she starts to act a bit suspicious around this door. The young woman notices this and gives him smile in return. She holds up one finger to her lips and makes a quiet 'shhh' sound. The holy warrior looks away, knowing full well what she is up to now.

She enters the final room and closes the door behind her with little to no noise at all and walks slowly to Flynn's side. She leans over and whispers into his ear, "Now to tend to your body..."


Even in his sleep, Flynn recognizes the exotic scent of the flowers that now hangs in the air, the familiar touch of the soft dainty hands on his skin, and the sounds of playful laughter that seems to invite the naughtiest of thoughts. During that night he dreamed of sweet Amberlynn, or was it really a dream?

Amberlynn's ministrations have brought everyone back to full health, though Captain Hal and the king will take longer to heal completely.

[onlyme]

Whitsell just smiles and begins quietly singing a song from his youth while finishing out his watch...

Well
I'm not the kind to kiss and tell,
but I've been with Marian.
I've never been with anything less than a nine, so fine.
I've been on fire with Joan of Arc,
gone fast with a girl named Athena,
but somehow they just don't end up as mine.

It's death-defying life I lead,
I take my chances.
I die for a livin' in a cave or city.
But the hardiest thing I ever do
is watch my leading ladies
kiss some other guy while I'm bandagin' my knee.

I might fall from a tall building
I might roll a brand new cart
'cause i'm the unknown hero
that made Elethil such a star.

I've never spent much time in school
but I taught ladies plenty.
It's true I hire my body out for pay. A-Hey-Hey
I've gotten burned over Tauriel
blown up for Helen O’Troy but when
I wind up in the hay it's only hay, Hey-Hey.

I might jump an open drawbridge
or Tarzan from a vine.
'Cause I'm the unknown hero that
makes Deceidon look so fine.

They'll never make me King I guess
but I've got the best first ladies.
Some days I've got'em as far as the
eye can see, "oowee"
A morning dive with Guinevere
I crash in the night with Xena
but in the end they never stay with me.

I might slay a mighty demon
so Ryder don't get hurt
I might leap a mighty canyon
so he can kiss and flirt.

While that smooth talker's
kissin' my girl I'm just kissin' wind.
Yes I'm the boneless warrior
that made a lover out of Flynn.

[tooleychris]

Flynn wakes and pulls Amberlynn close.
"I was afraid to wake, knowing my dearest dreams would be just that and you would not be near."
He kisses her deeply, feeling her flesh on his.
"If it were a dream I dared never wake again. How did you find us? The king! Did you see to him?"

[Zhym]

Elethil has no songs and is pleased not to have to witness human mating rituals.

When he sees the king, Elethil the envoy bows at the level that is precisely appropriate for the relationship between the two: deep enough to show the respect of one people for the leader of another people, but not so deep as to imply subservience. "Your Majesty," he says. "On behalf of the elves of the Noldor, please allow me to express our dismay at your present difficulties and our hope that they may be as brief as possible. I would like to add that I personally will do all that is within my power to see the usurper brought to justice and Your Majesty returned quickly to your rightful place on the throne." With another bow of diplomatically-appropriate depth, the elf turns away from the injured king.

"I will take last watch," he says.

[Rukellian]

The king recognizes Elithil and gives a nod of the head in return. Elithil relieves Whitsell of the first watch at the appropriate time, despite his lack of rest.

------

Flynn wakes and pulls Amberlynn close.
"I was afraid to wake, knowing my dearest dreams would be just that and you would not be near."
He kisses her deeply, feeling her flesh on his.
"If it were a dream I dared never wake again. How did you find us? The king! Did you see to him?"

Amberlynn laughs and pulls Flynn closer, putting a finger to his lips. "Hush, you will wake the others." She buries her head into Flynn's side and holds him tightly.

"The king will be alright, but he is not fit for the throne right now, even I can tell. But you my darling, I'm more worried about you."

Her strong façade, that she has shown everyone thus far, starts to slowly crumble as she stifles back a cry in Flynn's arms. "I thought of you as a dream as well, and was scared to wake up, but you are here now, and that's all that matters to me."

*scene fades to black?*

-----

When you are all ready to start the next day, go ahead and post in chapter 7, otherwise I will keep on responding to your questions or actions in this thread.

[onlyme]

After being relieved, Whitsell moves to a darkened room and prays to his diety for their safety. (with a few other favors thrown in)...