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 Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2006 6:31 pm
Though his illness was now little more than a memory, Ardea still made an effort to spend some time outside each day. Somehow, since his emergence from his quarters, the out-of-doors called to him a bit more, and, as he was not willing to make himself sick again, the Heron Fey took to reading out in the sun for a few hours during the day.
He had also started to gain an appreciation for walks outside, venturing to wander about the castle grounds with increasing frequency now that his strength was returning to him. And today, in a particular stroke of boldness, Ardea had decided to venture into the forest just outside of Castellum Argentus.
And, of course, the peaceful quiet of the surroundings had drawn the Sun Court scribe deeper into the woods until he lost track of time. One moment, he had just finished lunch and was just stepping out for a bit of wandering, and the next, the shadows of the trees were lengthening around him, and it was beginning to grow darker. Ardea was by no means lost, however; as soon as he realized how late it was getting, he turned around and began to head back the way he had come.
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Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2006 6:43 pm
There was another in the forest that day... Feles had taken to heart the Majestrix's warning of the forest... and the strangeness happening out there. Most times, 'odd' happenings would be at night, so he felt no fear in going out during the day, his staff guiding the way for him as the cat stretched his legs and tried to work the limp out of his leg. It had been months since his injury... however, he still found that walking on his own was not a likelihood.
Perhaps the 'workout' would help. He had been poking around, gathering information and samples as best he could. There were strange markings, prints and broken foliage... but nothing that he could confidently attribute to something other than normal wildlife. "Damnit," he murmured, standing up once more from where he'd been crouched to inspect a cracked sapling. "There has to be something here." That was when he heard the sound of something moving nearby and his ears pricked straight up. He curled alongside the tree, suddenly grateful that he wasn't very large. The bulk of the tree itself would provide himi shelter, at least for the time being. If it was that damned archer again, he'd kill the man where he stood.
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Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2006 7:10 pm
Ardea paused a moment to stretch and peer skyward, trying to judge how much time he had left before it would be truly dark out. The feathers adorning his shoulders bristled slightly as the Fey thought he picked up maybe the faintest of sounds with his delicately pointed ears, but he dismissed it after a moment as just his imagination. Not that Ardea dismissed outright the possibility of dangerous things in the forest - he just did not feel like worrying about any such thing with so little a reason as having thought he heard something.
Of course, as Ardea started walking again, he was paying a bit more attention to the sounds around him. But he dearly hoped he would remain undisturbed. It had been such a nice walk so far.
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Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2006 7:16 pm
It wasn't the archer... this one wasn't one that Feles remembered from his brief stint at the Sun Court. That was a good thing, in his eyes, but he had no intention of winding up a captive again. Still, this one didn't look like he could fight any better than Feles himself.
Which was to say: Not at all.
"You're a bit far from home," he murmured, his voice coming out with a slight growl to the words. Feles stayed where he was, however, half crouched with the long quarterstaff in hand. If needed, he COULD beat someone upside the head long enough to get away.
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Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2006 7:43 pm
Ah, so there really had been something there.... Ardea turned towards the voice, one hand straying for the dagger at his side, though he hoped he would not have to use it. Nothing like a fight to ruin the wonderful quiet of a day.
Still, the Heron did not think he had yet encountered a Fey of the Moon Court before. From what he had read, it would be just like one of them to slink through the underbrush like this fellow apparently had. But in spite of the strong bias against them Ardea had gained through reading Sun Court histories, and the nervousness he felt encountering one alone at sunset, the scribe could not help but be a bit intrigued.
"You, as well, I would guess," he replied as coolly as possible. Surely, the other must be frightened of me to some degree as well, if he is still hiding, Ardea assured himself silently.
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Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2006 7:58 pm
"Yours don't usually stray out this far," Feles said, noting that this one didn't seem to be armed with anything more than a knife. Not too much danger. Perhaps this was literally one that just wandered too far. From what he'd seen, the Sun Court tended towards either being fighters... or those who couldn't figure out which end of a sword was the business end. Then again, he wasn't much better.
He used the staff to push himself to his feet, keeping his weight off of the leg with the old injury. Leaning against the tree, he kept the staff planted in front of him still, both hands wrapped around it.
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Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2006 8:16 pm
"I guess I just got lost in thought, and before I knew it, ended up here," Ardea said with a light shrug; he was still not quite used to the way the feathers on his shoulders rustled at the movement.
The Heron glanced quickly at the Moon Court Fey's legs, and the way he appeared to try to keep his weight off of one leg. Ardea also took note of the length of the staff, though, and made a mental note to keep out of its range. He did not want any violence, but then he was also not about to turn his back so he could run. It would definitely be best to keep his eyes on this one.
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Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2006 5:21 am
Feles let his gaze rake over Ardea, nodding softly at the declaration. "You're not like some of the others," he murmured, one brow lifted. "You're not a fighter." Normally, he would have been smirking in glee at having such an easy target. However, it wasn't long after that particular thought that his mind provided the proverbial 'pot and kettle' comment. NEITHER of them had any business being out this far.
"Do your books always bring you out nearly to the Moon Court?" he asked, curiosity taking over. Perhaps this one knew something of the information Majestrix Nox had charged him to find.
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Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2006 7:23 am
The Heron glanced around a moment, murmuring, "Did I really come out so far?" before his gaze returned to the other Fey. Then he responded to the Cat, "No, not usually. I have just been taking longer and longer walks, and happened to find myself here today."
This one did not seem to want to cause Ardea trouble, but he dearly hoped that there were not other Moon Court Fey lurking about in the bushes or something. After a moment, though, he ventured to ask, "Are you also a scholar then?"
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Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2006 4:41 pm
This one was a scholar as well? Feles blinked then, nodding softly as he watched Ardea carefully. It seemed harmless enough... but what if he wasn't alone? "These woods are dangerous," he murmured, slitted eyes staying locked to the heron. "Before the sun goes down, I recommend that you be back in your castle. I intend to be."
If he was truly a scholar... well, that would remain to be seen.
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Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2006 4:59 pm
Fingering a lock of hair thoughtfully, Ardea nodded and replied, "I know, I planned on returning before nightfall. So I should not linger here much longer." He was a touch disapointed about this, though the feeling likely did not carry through very clearly in his tone.
There was a deep curiousity that was gradually replacing the aprehension in Ardea's mind. Not that Ardea had completely dismissed the possibility of scholars existing in the Moon Court, but he had still not quite expected to find anyone but a fighter roaming about. So long as the two were able to maintain a diplomatic distance between them, the Heron thought he might not mind asking the Moon Court Fey a few questions. Just... about his work, and what he studied.
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Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2006 6:19 pm
Feles, however, saw no point in subtlety... nor did he see any particular reason to not go after what he wanted so desperately to find out. "How is your King upon his return?" he asked softly, making sure to keep his voice steady and his gaze on the sky. He didn't seem to wish any harm upon the King...
Nor would he. Not until he found out what had been required for this changed appearance he'd heard about, anyway. "I've heard he's been missing for quite some time. It must be a relief to your Court to have him back."
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Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2006 7:09 pm
"Truth be told, I have not yet met with him myself," Ardea admitted; there did not seem to be any reason to hide this fact. After a moment, he added, "I am sure he is well, and glad to be back among us. We are all pleased that he has finally returned."
The scribe smiled to himself and murmured, "I am quite eager to hear and record whatever tales His Majesty may have to tell."
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Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2006 8:43 pm
Smiling, Feles nodded. "I'm certain your tales will serve him well. Perhaps I could hear them when you're finished writing? I believe nothing should go unrecorded, and am trying to make certain that we have a full record of events, just in case something like the curse happens again." Feles scowled faintly then, tightening his hold on the staff in his hands. "The curse depleted both courts... it's a wonder that any of us survived."
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Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2006 9:03 pm
Ardea considered a moment, then nodded a little. "I will see what I can do. I must agree, incomplete records are frustrating." The spread and preservation of knowledge was important, but the Heron figured it best not to commit to share everything with the Moon Court, necessarily. Still, a bit of exchange of information could not hurt.
"I suppose we have our Kithain to thank, that we are now free of the curse and able to start again," the scribe sighed, going on. "Still, it is a bit lonely to read past accounts of banquets and festivals and other times when the whole castle was bustling with life and activity."
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