Upgrade your account to a Community Supporter account and remove most of the site ads.

Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="Tokiwong" data-source="post: 171175" data-attributes="member: 961">Keith ponders... and thinks of the past...Keith continues to exert himself in the courtyard… practicing his steps and thrusts and parries.  He does not stop wholly focused, but not on the moment, but the past… a past that gnaws at him…Keith sat at in the dark room alone, his rapier sitting before him on the ground.  He wore only loose fitting pants and sandals.  The floor was cobble stoned and cold against his exposed flesh.  A soft breeze wafted through the room with smell of salt and brines… the crashing of waves distinctly heard.  Keith waited patiently, for nearly twelve hours he had contemplated… and waited just as Alustir had instructed.Why has she brought me here?  What impossible task could she have for me now?  Perhaps this is the final test?  Nearly half a day has passed and I have yet to move.  Does she wish to test my patience?Keith heard the rustle of sound, just above a whisper.  But he did not move, holding his tightened muscles until they would be absolutely needed.  He knew there was a second person in the room, he could almost feel their presence…Like a flash of lightning Keith rolled forward and grabbed his blade with deft skill.  The silvery hilt felt reassuring in his hands as he rolled across the room quickly.  He turned just in time to see that whoever was in the room was clothed in a black silks, a dagger in one hand and a rapier in the other…The final test…The attacker moved forward quickly leading with his rapier, just as Keith sidestepped the well-aimed thrust and then ducked under the dagger slash.  Keith flowed from the sidestep into a spin evading the attacker as he took a position behind his assailant…Too easy…Keith prepared to thrust as the attacker continued to move forward before reaching the wall.  But instead of stopping he continued up the wall fairly quickly and then leapt behind Keith with flying flip, as the attacker twisted in the air…  The display of artistry and skill nearly left Keith staring in awe.  Just before he felt the sharp crack of a boot to the back of his head…Alustir… you amaze me again…“You were slow…” she stated flatly, as she slipped the black mask from her face and pulled back the hood, “you can be better then that Keith… among those that I have trained you are the best… you show much potential.”Keith rubbed his head as he sat on the floor and gazed at Alustir, he was as always struck by her beauty.  Her eyes dark pools of ebony, which contrasted with her pale skin and her white hair… like him; she was like him, an outsider among the elves.  She had long ago left their enclaves to see the world, and make her place in it.  She came from the noble house of Thallain, known for the beauty of their maidens… and Alustir was no exception… but she was no dove to be caged in… but a hawk… she had the burning spirit of freedom… and something darker…Alustir spoke again slightly louder then before noticing that Keith did not hear the first time, “This will be your final lesson before you leave for the Academy…”Keith snapped from his revelry, “I…” he stood and spoke calmly, “I know.  I apologize for not showing the talent that you see, Lady Thallain.”“You have many years yet… to hone your art, Keith.  Though if you stayed here with me, I could personally see to that training,” she touched his arm lightly.Keith looked away briefly, “As much as I would like, I cannot.  I will not go against the wishes of my father on this.  I have caused enough of a scandal by simply training under you, to flee would ruin the name of Kinain.  I can’t do that no matter how much I would like to…”Alustir turned and walked towards the balcony, “I expected such an answer… and I am saddened by it.  I see potential in you Keith, and others as well see it.”“Others?”Alustir nodded as she turned leaning against the balcony railing, she pulled the cloth covering her left shoulder to reveal tattoo of a red dagger… Keith gasped in abrupt horror and shock…Crimson Edge… an assassin’s mark… Alustir?!Alustir smiled coldly, “It is not custom for us to reveal ourselves to outsiders… Keith.  But you have peaked the interests of my colleagues, one so young with a drive twice that of most would do quite well among us…”Keith blinked and shock and gulped, “Alustir… what you are speaking of is blasphemy…”Alustir stepped forward… “But I thought you loved me?”“I do… but… but this?” he gestured to her tattoo…“What of it?”“You can’t be serious…” he replied softly.“I am… but I shall give you a choice… tomorrow you leave… return here and I shall show you the secrets of the order… leave… and I shall not follow.  Reveal us… and you die,” Alustir said matter-of-factly… sealing the ultimatum with a kiss…Keith snapped from his revelry sweating… he was not sure how much time had passed… but he knew that he could do with a bath to ease his bones… and to hopefully wash away the feelings of regret…OOC: Here is a picture of Alustir...</blockquote>

Verification