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NOW LIVE! Into the Woods--new character species, eerie monsters, and haunting villains to populate the woodlands of your D&D games.
Drusilia Naïlo: The Making of a Watchman
- Thread starter Drusilia Nailo
- Start date
Maidenfine
First Post
When I finally read Books One and Two, it took me about two weeks. Not all at once though. I had finals coming up and two 15 page research papers to do so I was snatching a couple hours from my studying whenever I could. I needed the breaks though and now I'm rebooting my own Freeport campaign (in the midst of the studying it had grown pretty stagnant).
Drusilia Nailo
First Post
Drusilia was outside, playing in the narrow strip of grass that was behind the house when she heard the sound of someone scrambling up the side of the wooden fence. Too surprised to be exceptionally wary, she was merely curious, and approached the fence to see who would be appearing at the top.
It turned out to be an elven boy. His hair was blond, and long. His face and torso were covered with dirt, as if he'd been rolling in it. "Hi," he said cheerfully, slipping over the top of the fence and dropping down into the grass.
Drusilia stared at him. He was even shorter than she was, but they were probably fairly close in age. "Who are you?"
"Kilat," he said, looking around the yard. "My father says that your father is an important person, and that I shouldn't bother him. But he didn't say anything about talking to you." He hesitated for a moment. "Is that okay?"
Drusilia found herself grinning. "It's okay. I'm allowed to do whatever I want," she informed him proudly. "My name is Drusilia."
"Oh," he said, looking thoughtful. "Well, if you're allowed to do whatever you want, we should go out and have a look around."
Drusilia felt nervous, knowing that Papa would never approve. "You mean, leave the yard?"
Kilat grinned at her. "Well, you said you could do whatever you want..."
"Right," said Drusilia. "Let's go."
The two climbed the wooden fence again, landing in the alley on the other side. Kilat ran. "C'mon. There's something I want to show you." Both elves ran through the streets, weaving in and out of adults that got in their way.
He took her to another alley, and pointed down to the circular manhole cover. "I have my own little hideout down here. I'll show it to you if you promise not to tell."
Drusilia stared down at the manhole cover. This was proving to be more fun than she'd had in ages, but she wasn't sure that Papa would be very happy with her. But... he hadn't specifically told her that she couldn't go down into the sewers. Surely if he didn't want her to go down there, he'd have told her so. She helped Kilat pry open the cover and roll it away. Peering down into the darkness, she said, "Do you have a light of some kind?"
"No. Are you scared?"
"No! Only... you go first."
Kilat swallowed hard, and then began descending the ladder. Drusilia climbed down after him.
"There's a lantern down here," said Kilat. "I found it the first time I came down. So it's only dark for a little bit of the way."
It didn't take long for the children to find the lantern, and after much struggle, Kilat even managed to get it lit. He held it up, beaming proudly at her. "So, what do you think, Dru? Do you want to go to my secret hideout?"
Drusilia blinked. Dru? But she only said, "Sure. Let's go!"
He took her on several twists and turns, and finally, stopped at a wooden door. He opened the door, and gestured grandly inside. "My hideout."
Drusilia stepped inside, looking around. There were wooden crates stacked up against one wall, and there were even a couple of blankets on the floor. "Is this all your stuff?"
Kilat shrugged, unconcerned. "The crates aren't, but I did bring the blankets. It can get kind of cold down here sometimes."
Drusilia sat down on one of the blankets, and grinned at Kilat shyly. "Thanks for showing me your hideout. I promise that I won't tell anyone about it."
She sat, and they talked for a little while. She kept looking over at the crates though, curious about what would be in them. Finally, she said, "Kilat, have you ever opened one of the crates?"
His eyes widened, and he shook his head. "No," he said. "I didn't want to get in trouble. Do you want to?"
Drusilia nodded, getting to her feet. "Bring the light over," she said with a grin, wanting to show off. "I want to know what someone would want to store down here."
Kilat nodded, picking up the light. He looked nervous, but didn't try to talk her out of it.
She felt along the crates, and finally found the way to pry the top off of one of them. She tugged, struggling awhile before it finally gave way. Both children peered over the edge, breathlessly.
"Oh," said Drusilia, in complete disgust and disappointment. "It's only a bunch of dried leaves, in bags."
Kilat laughed. "And here I thought it might be something valuable." He slammed shut the lid to the crate, and they moved back over to the warmer blankets. "Oh well," he added. "At least we know. Though it's kind of strange that an herbalist would store stuff down here."
They played for the rest of the day, and Drusilia had more fun than she'd had in a long time. She'd never had a playmate before, at least, not one that hadn't been forced to play with her. She didn't ever want to leave. Eventually, though, her stomach began to growl and churn. "Do you have any food?"
Kilat shook his head, and stood up. "No. But I bet my father would feed us. Let's go back up to the top, and then I'll show you my house. It's not very far away from yours." The boy picked up the lantern, and they began to retrace their steps back to the manhole.
They found the ladder that lead up to the street, except... the manhole lid was secured again. No light came from up top. Drusilia stared upward in dismay. "We're trapped!"
It turned out to be an elven boy. His hair was blond, and long. His face and torso were covered with dirt, as if he'd been rolling in it. "Hi," he said cheerfully, slipping over the top of the fence and dropping down into the grass.
Drusilia stared at him. He was even shorter than she was, but they were probably fairly close in age. "Who are you?"
"Kilat," he said, looking around the yard. "My father says that your father is an important person, and that I shouldn't bother him. But he didn't say anything about talking to you." He hesitated for a moment. "Is that okay?"
Drusilia found herself grinning. "It's okay. I'm allowed to do whatever I want," she informed him proudly. "My name is Drusilia."
"Oh," he said, looking thoughtful. "Well, if you're allowed to do whatever you want, we should go out and have a look around."
Drusilia felt nervous, knowing that Papa would never approve. "You mean, leave the yard?"
Kilat grinned at her. "Well, you said you could do whatever you want..."
"Right," said Drusilia. "Let's go."
The two climbed the wooden fence again, landing in the alley on the other side. Kilat ran. "C'mon. There's something I want to show you." Both elves ran through the streets, weaving in and out of adults that got in their way.
He took her to another alley, and pointed down to the circular manhole cover. "I have my own little hideout down here. I'll show it to you if you promise not to tell."
Drusilia stared down at the manhole cover. This was proving to be more fun than she'd had in ages, but she wasn't sure that Papa would be very happy with her. But... he hadn't specifically told her that she couldn't go down into the sewers. Surely if he didn't want her to go down there, he'd have told her so. She helped Kilat pry open the cover and roll it away. Peering down into the darkness, she said, "Do you have a light of some kind?"
"No. Are you scared?"
"No! Only... you go first."
Kilat swallowed hard, and then began descending the ladder. Drusilia climbed down after him.
"There's a lantern down here," said Kilat. "I found it the first time I came down. So it's only dark for a little bit of the way."
It didn't take long for the children to find the lantern, and after much struggle, Kilat even managed to get it lit. He held it up, beaming proudly at her. "So, what do you think, Dru? Do you want to go to my secret hideout?"
Drusilia blinked. Dru? But she only said, "Sure. Let's go!"
He took her on several twists and turns, and finally, stopped at a wooden door. He opened the door, and gestured grandly inside. "My hideout."
Drusilia stepped inside, looking around. There were wooden crates stacked up against one wall, and there were even a couple of blankets on the floor. "Is this all your stuff?"
Kilat shrugged, unconcerned. "The crates aren't, but I did bring the blankets. It can get kind of cold down here sometimes."
Drusilia sat down on one of the blankets, and grinned at Kilat shyly. "Thanks for showing me your hideout. I promise that I won't tell anyone about it."
She sat, and they talked for a little while. She kept looking over at the crates though, curious about what would be in them. Finally, she said, "Kilat, have you ever opened one of the crates?"
His eyes widened, and he shook his head. "No," he said. "I didn't want to get in trouble. Do you want to?"
Drusilia nodded, getting to her feet. "Bring the light over," she said with a grin, wanting to show off. "I want to know what someone would want to store down here."
Kilat nodded, picking up the light. He looked nervous, but didn't try to talk her out of it.
She felt along the crates, and finally found the way to pry the top off of one of them. She tugged, struggling awhile before it finally gave way. Both children peered over the edge, breathlessly.
"Oh," said Drusilia, in complete disgust and disappointment. "It's only a bunch of dried leaves, in bags."
Kilat laughed. "And here I thought it might be something valuable." He slammed shut the lid to the crate, and they moved back over to the warmer blankets. "Oh well," he added. "At least we know. Though it's kind of strange that an herbalist would store stuff down here."
They played for the rest of the day, and Drusilia had more fun than she'd had in a long time. She'd never had a playmate before, at least, not one that hadn't been forced to play with her. She didn't ever want to leave. Eventually, though, her stomach began to growl and churn. "Do you have any food?"
Kilat shook his head, and stood up. "No. But I bet my father would feed us. Let's go back up to the top, and then I'll show you my house. It's not very far away from yours." The boy picked up the lantern, and they began to retrace their steps back to the manhole.
They found the ladder that lead up to the street, except... the manhole lid was secured again. No light came from up top. Drusilia stared upward in dismay. "We're trapped!"
Jon Potter
First Post
Drusilia Nailo said:
Hah! Too funny!
Drusilia Nailo
First Post
The children tried to push the manhole lid up, but they couldn't do it.
Kilat looked pale in the lantern light. "I don't know of any other way out," he said. "I think we're stuck down here until someone finds us."
Drusilia stared at him, wide-eyed. "What are we going to do? No one is going to look for us down here... we'll starve. We'll get eaten by some sewer monster!"
Both of them looked around nervously. "Maybe we should go back to my room. We can at least hide in there," said Kilat.
Drusilia nodded, and they went back. She felt fear gnawing at her stomach. Papa would be so worried! He would also be very angry at her. But that might not be a problem, at least for her, if she died down here. Maybe that would be better...
They sat down on the ground, and started to play again. Drusilia's heart wasn't into it, though, and the attempts at play fell flat. They watched glumly as the lantern burned the last of its fuel and flickered out. They were left in complete darkness.
"I'm cold," whispered Drusilia.
"Me too," said Kilat. "Here, wrap up in a blanket." He draped one of the blankets over Drusilia's shoulders, and one over his own. They huddled together, and sat in the dark, shivering. They sat there for a very long time. Finally, Kilat said, "Maybe you'd better trance. I'll keep watch, and make sure that no one hurts you."
Drusilia nodded, leaning back against the wall. "Tell me when you want a rest too. I can keep guard then."
The next morning, two very subdued children crept back to the ladder where they had come down. The manhole was still in place. However, there was a little bit of light, coming from the holes in it. It was just enough light that Drusilia could see Kennic leaning against the ladder. "You," he said to her, "Are in very big trouble."
Kennic escorted Drusilia back to the house, after Kilat scuttled off to face his own parents. He didn't say a word to her the entire time, but she thought that she detected a hint of amusement in his gaze. At the door, he gave her a half-mocking bow. "I will leave you now," he told her.
Great. She got to face Papa on her own. She crept into the house, and approached his study. He was sitting in his chair, a book opened in front of him. He looked up. "Ah, Drusilia. Did you enjoy your adventure with your little friend?"
Drusilia blinked at him. "You knew?"
Papa smiled, leaning back in his chair. "I know many things about you, because you're my daughter and it's my business to know about you." He studied her for a moment, closing the book that he was reading. "Do you like this young boy? Do you think that he'll be a good friend to you?"
Drusilia nodded, rapidly, suddenly nervous that he wasn't going to let her play with Kilat any more, because he'd kept her out all night.
He nodded. "Good. Everyone needs a friend. You smell like the sewer, though. Go and take a bath, and then come back. There's someone that I want to meet at the marketplace. Maybe we can find some apples there for you."
Drusilia could barely believe her good fortune. Apples were a rarity in Freeport, as there weren't many apple trees on the island. And Papa wasn't even angry with her! She couldn't wait to tell her new friend Kilat. She doubted that he'd fared as well as she had.
"And Drusilia," said Papa, getting her attention once more. "Against Kennic's counsel, I am not going to punish you for this stunt. Do not make me sorry for it. Now, go. I have work to do."
Kilat looked pale in the lantern light. "I don't know of any other way out," he said. "I think we're stuck down here until someone finds us."
Drusilia stared at him, wide-eyed. "What are we going to do? No one is going to look for us down here... we'll starve. We'll get eaten by some sewer monster!"
Both of them looked around nervously. "Maybe we should go back to my room. We can at least hide in there," said Kilat.
Drusilia nodded, and they went back. She felt fear gnawing at her stomach. Papa would be so worried! He would also be very angry at her. But that might not be a problem, at least for her, if she died down here. Maybe that would be better...
They sat down on the ground, and started to play again. Drusilia's heart wasn't into it, though, and the attempts at play fell flat. They watched glumly as the lantern burned the last of its fuel and flickered out. They were left in complete darkness.
"I'm cold," whispered Drusilia.
"Me too," said Kilat. "Here, wrap up in a blanket." He draped one of the blankets over Drusilia's shoulders, and one over his own. They huddled together, and sat in the dark, shivering. They sat there for a very long time. Finally, Kilat said, "Maybe you'd better trance. I'll keep watch, and make sure that no one hurts you."
Drusilia nodded, leaning back against the wall. "Tell me when you want a rest too. I can keep guard then."
The next morning, two very subdued children crept back to the ladder where they had come down. The manhole was still in place. However, there was a little bit of light, coming from the holes in it. It was just enough light that Drusilia could see Kennic leaning against the ladder. "You," he said to her, "Are in very big trouble."
Kennic escorted Drusilia back to the house, after Kilat scuttled off to face his own parents. He didn't say a word to her the entire time, but she thought that she detected a hint of amusement in his gaze. At the door, he gave her a half-mocking bow. "I will leave you now," he told her.
Great. She got to face Papa on her own. She crept into the house, and approached his study. He was sitting in his chair, a book opened in front of him. He looked up. "Ah, Drusilia. Did you enjoy your adventure with your little friend?"
Drusilia blinked at him. "You knew?"
Papa smiled, leaning back in his chair. "I know many things about you, because you're my daughter and it's my business to know about you." He studied her for a moment, closing the book that he was reading. "Do you like this young boy? Do you think that he'll be a good friend to you?"
Drusilia nodded, rapidly, suddenly nervous that he wasn't going to let her play with Kilat any more, because he'd kept her out all night.
He nodded. "Good. Everyone needs a friend. You smell like the sewer, though. Go and take a bath, and then come back. There's someone that I want to meet at the marketplace. Maybe we can find some apples there for you."
Drusilia could barely believe her good fortune. Apples were a rarity in Freeport, as there weren't many apple trees on the island. And Papa wasn't even angry with her! She couldn't wait to tell her new friend Kilat. She doubted that he'd fared as well as she had.
"And Drusilia," said Papa, getting her attention once more. "Against Kennic's counsel, I am not going to punish you for this stunt. Do not make me sorry for it. Now, go. I have work to do."
Drusilia Nailo
First Post
The Drusilia childhood stories are almost over! I'll then advance the timeline a bit, to when she's older, yet still officially under her father's protection (Pre-Watch.) 
Drusilia Nailo
First Post
Drusilia and Kilat ran through the streets, laughing, because they had both managed to escape their families. "I waited until Samiel had to visit the privy," Drusilia grinned. "He's probably not going to be happy that I snuck away, though."
Kilat snickered. "Ma thinks that I'm just going out to buy some eggs, so I'd best remember to get some before going back."
"Come on, let's go to the park," said Drusilia, knowing that though she'd escaped, that she would be found soon.
The two broke into a run. "Race you there!" Kilat streaked on ahead. Both elves ran through the Merchant's District, and then into one of the city's only parks. It was a small plot of land, but was the perfect place for children to play.
Kilat dove under the willow tree, and Drusilia followed suit. Both lay there on the ground, laughing and panting from the exertion.
"Beat you," said Kilat.
Drusilia scowled at him. "Only because you got a head start!"
Suddenly, they heard voices, of other children. Their flat accents suggested that they were humans. "Well, lookie here," said one of them, sounding like a boy. "What do we have, a little elfie?"
Drusilia's eyes widened, and she and Kilat looked at each other. Could these humans see them in their secluded spot? She crawled on her belly to the other side of the tree, and peered out through the drooping branches. It didn't take long for her to realize that no, they had not seen her, nor had they seen Kilat. The "elfie" that they were talking about was another elven child. She knew him; his father worked for Papa. The child's name was Alust.
Alust was backed up against a tree, and his eyes were wide, and terrified. And well he should have been; he was a frail child to begin with, but both of these human boys outweighed and outmuscled him by a lot. "Leave me alone!" He put his chin up in an act of bravado.
The largest human boy laughed. "Leave me alone," he mocked. "I think that the little elfie thinks he can take us, what about you, Sean?"
The other boy nodded, a grin on his face. He nudged Alust's leg with his toe, causing the elven boy to yelp with surprise and fear.
"You'd better leave me alone," said Alust, voice already trembling. "Or else you'll be sorry."
Both boys started laughing. The biggest one stepped up to him, and punched him in the mouth, causing Alust's head to rock back, slamming into the trunk of the tree.
"Owwwwwwww!"
Drusilia winced as she heard Alust scream. "That's going to make it worse," she fretted. "What should we do, Kilat?"
Kilat frowned intently. "We can't just let them beat him up."
Drusilia nodded, sighing. "Yeah. And they're human too. We can't let humans be mean to us."
Kilat hesitated for a moment, and then nodded. "So what do we do, call for help?"
Drusilia shot him a disdainful look. "Help? From who? The Watch? Ha! Papa says that the Watch is Freeport's biggest joke."
Kilat looked as if he might have been ready to suggest doing just that, but one look at Drusilia's facial expression made him shake his head. "No, no. Of course not."
"Right. So we deal with it ourselves." She stood to her feet, dusting herself off, and then strode through the willow branches.
"Hey, Round Ears!" Drusilia stood there, with her hands on her hips. "Why don't you go pick on someone your own size?"
While she and Kilat had been having their discussion of what to do, the two humans had pounded poor Alust into the ground. It looked as if his nose was broken, and he was crying loudly, trying to curl up into a little ball.
Both human boys looked up, and over to her. The largest one started laughing. "It's a little elfie girl," he said. "My father says that the best thing to do with an elfie girl is to-"
He didn't get a chance to finish his statement. Drusilia ran across the grass at him, as fast as she could, and tackled him to the ground. She heard the boy grunt as the wind got knocked out of him, and grinned with satisfaction. She was tougher than most elves, thanks to Papa's training. "Maybe you didn't hear me," she said to him, grabbing his rounded ears and using them to slam his head into the ground. "I said to go pick on someone your own size."
She heard the other boy moving up behind her, and felt his hands grab her by the shirt collar and start to haul her upwards. Suddenly, he let go, and she heard the impact moments before she felt it.
Kilat had tackled the boy, sending the human careening into her. His weight pushed her forward, and down, so that the largest human now had three people on top of him.
And then the brawl began. Two humans and two elves rolled around in the grass, pulling each other's hair, scratching and punching at each other, while one other elf lay curled beneath the tree, trying to stay as far away from the fight as possible. Drusilia, who had been taught to fight dirty, occasionally got in a stomach punch, or a knee to the groin.
Finally, the biggest boy gasped, "Let's get out of here!" He crawled to his feet, and fled from the park. His companion labored to his feet with more effort, holding his ribs in pain. He stared wildly at the crazed Drusilia, as if he'd never seen anything like her before, and then fled.
Dru rolled to her feet, feeling her cheek swelling, and knowing with absolute certainty that she was going to have a black eye. She looked down at Kilat, who didn't look like he was in much better shape. "You okay?"
He nodded, and then the two of them moved over to Alust.
Alust glared at Drusilia angrily. "You shouldn't have interfered," he said to her, when she got to him. He held his nose, his eyes watering.
Drusilia shrugged. "Right, next time we let you get the snot beaten out of you by a couple of humans."
Alust sniffled a little bit. "Thanks," he said sullenly, getting to his feet. "Now that I've been protected by a girl, I'm going to go home and get yelled at for it." He gave Drusilia one more malevolent gaze, ignored Kilat, and then staggered off.
"Well!" Drusilia said huffily. "That's gratefulness for you."
"Drusilia Naïlo. What do you think that you are doing?"
Drusilia winced. "Hello, Kennic," she said, turning around slowly.
Her primary guardian, shadowed by a very frightened looking Samiel, walked down the path towards her. "You look a mess. What am I going to tell your father, hmm?"
Drusilia put her hands on her hips, glaring up at him. "That I defended a helpless elf from two human bullies?"
Kennic stared down at her. "Don't think that this gets you off the hook," he said gruffly, grabbing her by the shoulder. "Kilat, I'm afraid that your afternoon out with Drusilia has come to an end. You had best get yourself home."
Kilat nodded, shuffling his feet a little bit, before breaking into a run, more out of a desire to get away from Kennic than to meet his fate at home.
Kennic drug Drusilia through the park, and then through the merchant's district. "You should not have snuck away like that, Drusilia. The only reason you were able to succeed is that Samiel was too trusting of you. Don't think that he's going to fall for it again."
Drusilia sighed, and didn't say anything to defend herself. She'd have to do it all over again when Papa got home.
As it turned out, she didn't have to wait for Papa to get home. He was already there, surrounded by three of his men, when Kennic drug her through the front door. He blinked, the only indication that he was surprised.
His men took one look at Drusilia's condition, and got very quiet.
"What is the meaning of this?" Papa stepped forward, leveling the full force of his gaze at Samiel, who shrunk back.
Kennic shook his head. "While Samiel was in the privy, Drusilia decided that she wanted to sneak away."
Papa turned to look at her. "Is this true?"
She nodded, wordlessly, but set her jaw. She hated a coward, and she wasn't going to act like one now, with this many people standing around.
He folded his arms across his chest, frowning at her. "What happened to you?"
Drusilia sighed. "There were two human boys in the park, who were beating up Alust. So Kilat and I started to beat them up."
Papa raised his eyebrows. "Looks like they did some beating too.
Drusilia nodded. "But they were worse off. And they ran away."
"Well, there's something, anyway." He turned to Kennic. "Samiel came to you?"
Kennic nodded, looking like he wanted to say more.
Papa turned back to Samiel, who looked very pale. "You get one more chance," he said, flatly, "Because I know how hard my daughter can be to keep track of."
Drusilia winced.
Kennic said dryly, "He could hardly have been expected to take her into the privy with him."
Papa thought about that, and then nodded. "From now on, Drusilia shall have at least two guards." He then turned back to Drusilia. "Is Alust alright?"
Drusilia shrugged. "I think they broke his nose. He's mad at me for helping him."
"Mmm. More the fool he. Good work, Daughter," he added.
Kennic scowled at Papa, but didn't say anything. Clearly, he thought that she was getting off too lightly.
"Do not run off without your guards again," Papa finished up. "Or I will start punishing them."
Drusilia winced, and started to move off. "Yes, Papa," she said meekly.
He nodded, and then turned his attention back to Kennic.
Drusilia made a run for her bedroom, thankful that Papa wasn't angrier than he was.
"You're letting her off too lightly," Kennic murmured to Papa.
She didn't hear Papa's response, for it was too quiet, but whatever he said, it ended the conversation. Soon afterward, he left the house, and two more guards were sent to watch over her. It would be a long while before she would have any time to herself again.
Kilat snickered. "Ma thinks that I'm just going out to buy some eggs, so I'd best remember to get some before going back."
"Come on, let's go to the park," said Drusilia, knowing that though she'd escaped, that she would be found soon.
The two broke into a run. "Race you there!" Kilat streaked on ahead. Both elves ran through the Merchant's District, and then into one of the city's only parks. It was a small plot of land, but was the perfect place for children to play.
Kilat dove under the willow tree, and Drusilia followed suit. Both lay there on the ground, laughing and panting from the exertion.
"Beat you," said Kilat.
Drusilia scowled at him. "Only because you got a head start!"
Suddenly, they heard voices, of other children. Their flat accents suggested that they were humans. "Well, lookie here," said one of them, sounding like a boy. "What do we have, a little elfie?"
Drusilia's eyes widened, and she and Kilat looked at each other. Could these humans see them in their secluded spot? She crawled on her belly to the other side of the tree, and peered out through the drooping branches. It didn't take long for her to realize that no, they had not seen her, nor had they seen Kilat. The "elfie" that they were talking about was another elven child. She knew him; his father worked for Papa. The child's name was Alust.
Alust was backed up against a tree, and his eyes were wide, and terrified. And well he should have been; he was a frail child to begin with, but both of these human boys outweighed and outmuscled him by a lot. "Leave me alone!" He put his chin up in an act of bravado.
The largest human boy laughed. "Leave me alone," he mocked. "I think that the little elfie thinks he can take us, what about you, Sean?"
The other boy nodded, a grin on his face. He nudged Alust's leg with his toe, causing the elven boy to yelp with surprise and fear.
"You'd better leave me alone," said Alust, voice already trembling. "Or else you'll be sorry."
Both boys started laughing. The biggest one stepped up to him, and punched him in the mouth, causing Alust's head to rock back, slamming into the trunk of the tree.
"Owwwwwwww!"
Drusilia winced as she heard Alust scream. "That's going to make it worse," she fretted. "What should we do, Kilat?"
Kilat frowned intently. "We can't just let them beat him up."
Drusilia nodded, sighing. "Yeah. And they're human too. We can't let humans be mean to us."
Kilat hesitated for a moment, and then nodded. "So what do we do, call for help?"
Drusilia shot him a disdainful look. "Help? From who? The Watch? Ha! Papa says that the Watch is Freeport's biggest joke."
Kilat looked as if he might have been ready to suggest doing just that, but one look at Drusilia's facial expression made him shake his head. "No, no. Of course not."
"Right. So we deal with it ourselves." She stood to her feet, dusting herself off, and then strode through the willow branches.
"Hey, Round Ears!" Drusilia stood there, with her hands on her hips. "Why don't you go pick on someone your own size?"
While she and Kilat had been having their discussion of what to do, the two humans had pounded poor Alust into the ground. It looked as if his nose was broken, and he was crying loudly, trying to curl up into a little ball.
Both human boys looked up, and over to her. The largest one started laughing. "It's a little elfie girl," he said. "My father says that the best thing to do with an elfie girl is to-"
He didn't get a chance to finish his statement. Drusilia ran across the grass at him, as fast as she could, and tackled him to the ground. She heard the boy grunt as the wind got knocked out of him, and grinned with satisfaction. She was tougher than most elves, thanks to Papa's training. "Maybe you didn't hear me," she said to him, grabbing his rounded ears and using them to slam his head into the ground. "I said to go pick on someone your own size."
She heard the other boy moving up behind her, and felt his hands grab her by the shirt collar and start to haul her upwards. Suddenly, he let go, and she heard the impact moments before she felt it.
Kilat had tackled the boy, sending the human careening into her. His weight pushed her forward, and down, so that the largest human now had three people on top of him.
And then the brawl began. Two humans and two elves rolled around in the grass, pulling each other's hair, scratching and punching at each other, while one other elf lay curled beneath the tree, trying to stay as far away from the fight as possible. Drusilia, who had been taught to fight dirty, occasionally got in a stomach punch, or a knee to the groin.
Finally, the biggest boy gasped, "Let's get out of here!" He crawled to his feet, and fled from the park. His companion labored to his feet with more effort, holding his ribs in pain. He stared wildly at the crazed Drusilia, as if he'd never seen anything like her before, and then fled.
Dru rolled to her feet, feeling her cheek swelling, and knowing with absolute certainty that she was going to have a black eye. She looked down at Kilat, who didn't look like he was in much better shape. "You okay?"
He nodded, and then the two of them moved over to Alust.
Alust glared at Drusilia angrily. "You shouldn't have interfered," he said to her, when she got to him. He held his nose, his eyes watering.
Drusilia shrugged. "Right, next time we let you get the snot beaten out of you by a couple of humans."
Alust sniffled a little bit. "Thanks," he said sullenly, getting to his feet. "Now that I've been protected by a girl, I'm going to go home and get yelled at for it." He gave Drusilia one more malevolent gaze, ignored Kilat, and then staggered off.
"Well!" Drusilia said huffily. "That's gratefulness for you."
"Drusilia Naïlo. What do you think that you are doing?"
Drusilia winced. "Hello, Kennic," she said, turning around slowly.
Her primary guardian, shadowed by a very frightened looking Samiel, walked down the path towards her. "You look a mess. What am I going to tell your father, hmm?"
Drusilia put her hands on her hips, glaring up at him. "That I defended a helpless elf from two human bullies?"
Kennic stared down at her. "Don't think that this gets you off the hook," he said gruffly, grabbing her by the shoulder. "Kilat, I'm afraid that your afternoon out with Drusilia has come to an end. You had best get yourself home."
Kilat nodded, shuffling his feet a little bit, before breaking into a run, more out of a desire to get away from Kennic than to meet his fate at home.
Kennic drug Drusilia through the park, and then through the merchant's district. "You should not have snuck away like that, Drusilia. The only reason you were able to succeed is that Samiel was too trusting of you. Don't think that he's going to fall for it again."
Drusilia sighed, and didn't say anything to defend herself. She'd have to do it all over again when Papa got home.
As it turned out, she didn't have to wait for Papa to get home. He was already there, surrounded by three of his men, when Kennic drug her through the front door. He blinked, the only indication that he was surprised.
His men took one look at Drusilia's condition, and got very quiet.
"What is the meaning of this?" Papa stepped forward, leveling the full force of his gaze at Samiel, who shrunk back.
Kennic shook his head. "While Samiel was in the privy, Drusilia decided that she wanted to sneak away."
Papa turned to look at her. "Is this true?"
She nodded, wordlessly, but set her jaw. She hated a coward, and she wasn't going to act like one now, with this many people standing around.
He folded his arms across his chest, frowning at her. "What happened to you?"
Drusilia sighed. "There were two human boys in the park, who were beating up Alust. So Kilat and I started to beat them up."
Papa raised his eyebrows. "Looks like they did some beating too.
Drusilia nodded. "But they were worse off. And they ran away."
"Well, there's something, anyway." He turned to Kennic. "Samiel came to you?"
Kennic nodded, looking like he wanted to say more.
Papa turned back to Samiel, who looked very pale. "You get one more chance," he said, flatly, "Because I know how hard my daughter can be to keep track of."
Drusilia winced.
Kennic said dryly, "He could hardly have been expected to take her into the privy with him."
Papa thought about that, and then nodded. "From now on, Drusilia shall have at least two guards." He then turned back to Drusilia. "Is Alust alright?"
Drusilia shrugged. "I think they broke his nose. He's mad at me for helping him."
"Mmm. More the fool he. Good work, Daughter," he added.
Kennic scowled at Papa, but didn't say anything. Clearly, he thought that she was getting off too lightly.
"Do not run off without your guards again," Papa finished up. "Or I will start punishing them."
Drusilia winced, and started to move off. "Yes, Papa," she said meekly.
He nodded, and then turned his attention back to Kennic.
Drusilia made a run for her bedroom, thankful that Papa wasn't angrier than he was.
"You're letting her off too lightly," Kennic murmured to Papa.
She didn't hear Papa's response, for it was too quiet, but whatever he said, it ended the conversation. Soon afterward, he left the house, and two more guards were sent to watch over her. It would be a long while before she would have any time to herself again.
Drusilia Nailo
First Post
The next several decades go by in much the same way, with Drusilia receiving knife fighting lessons from her father, getting into trouble with her friend Kilat, and being hidden from Tensin's many enemies whenever there is an outbreak of fighting. Life is, during this time, as humdrum as it gets for the daughter of a crime lord. We pick up when Drusilia is on the verge of womanhood, and is starting to show some of the tendencies of the watchman that we all know and (hopefully) love...
The sound of shattering glass filled the room. Drusilia could hear Kennic's feet running down the hall, and seconds later, he burst into the room, sword drawn. "What-"
He stopped, looking at her. Her arm was still poised in a throwing position, and a telltale pile of glass shards lay across the room.
"Drusilia," he said with a frown, "What has gotten into you this week? You're strung tighter than an archer's bow."
She dropped her arm, trembling with the exhaustion that only comes after a truly explosive outburst of temper. Sighing, she dropped down into a sitting position, and put her head into her hands. After a moment of collecting herself, she said, into her hands, "I'm sorry, Kennic. I didn't mean to worry you."
There was silence, and she could feel her long-time guardian staring at her. Finally, he crouched beside her. Reaching out to touch her shoulder gingerly, he said, "I just wish that I knew how I could help you."
She looked over at him, not bothering to hide the tears that had welled up. "It's been a month since Papa has come to see me," she said bitterly.
Kennic nodded, looking saddened but not surprised. "Drusilia," he said wearily, dropping into a full sitting position, "He would see you if he could."
"Yes, yes," she said, waving his words away. "We've been through this enough times that I know the routine. I know all the reasons for it."
"Those reasons don't seem to be enough. Would you rather that he put you in danger, by associating with you?"
"Yes!" Drusilia jumped to her feet, pacing the floor. "It would be something. I feel like I'm going to spend my entire life shut up in this house, not seeing my Papa, not seeing anyone except for you." She sighed, looking at him. "I like you Kennic, but-"
He chuckled. "Don't try to explain yourself. Believe it or not, I do understand."
She smiled at him, looking rueful. "I suppose that you can think of better things to do than to be shut up in the same house, not seeing Papa, not seeing anyone except for me."
Kennic smirked at her. "Perhaps better is not the word that you're looking for. Some variety would be nice, though."
Drusilia nodded vigorously. "I know exactly what you mean." She made a fist, letting her fingernails dig into the meat of her palm. "I hate sitting here every day, not learning any more knife techniques, not doing anything besides reading and pacing, and looking at flowers in the garden, while there are people who are out there hunting Papa like he's some kind of wild animal." She scowled fiercely, punching into the air once. "I wish that I could kill all of them, Kennic, once and for all. I want them dead, so that I can have my life back."
"Mmm. A life for a life? Is that what you want?"
"Yes," said Drusilia, glaring at him. "You might not approve, but that's the way that I feel."
"Well," said Kennic, "It is the way that you were raised to be. I suppose that I shouldn't be expecting a demure elven maiden, hmm?"
Drusilia shrugged angrily. "It's not like I've had an opportunity to rid myself of the maiden problem, now is there?"
Kennic smiled faintly, but looked uncomfortable. "Well, perhaps that's for the best. I have a feeling that your father will not handle that sort of thing very well.
She flushed, and shook her head. "He's so protective." Mock glaring at Kennic, she added, "You are too. I don't have one father, I have two."
She saw a brief flicker of something strangely akin to joy flash across his face before it was hidden again. "What you are saying," he said, his tone making it clear that he was changing the subject now, "Is that you are worried about Tensin, and that you're bored."
With a sigh, Drusilia nodded. "I suppose that describes it well enough," she admitted gruffly. "And I feel so useless sitting here. A piece of window dressing, except that no one is allowed to look at the window because we're afraid that they might try to break it."
"Nice analogy," said Kennic. "I think that I have the solution to your dilemma." He looked hesitant, and then added, "If you're interested."
"What, you've got a plan for destroying the enemy so that we can get Papa back?"
Kennic grinned at her. "I only wish," he said. "However, I've been giving it some thought. I was going to suggest that Tensin teach you how to fight with a sword, in elven style, when he was able to return. However... it looks like he's going to be gone longer than we'd expected."
"I would like to learn to fight with something other than knives," Drusilia admitted, feeling almost like the statement betrayed Papa.
Kennic nodded, rising to his feet. "You should," he said. "If you choose to stay with knives, like Tensin does, that's one thing, but you should at least know how to wield a sword properly. He can, even if he doesn't usually choose to wear one. Besides," he continued, "Tensin doesn't expect for you to learn nothing but the knives. He was just waiting for you to grow tall enough, and strong enough, to learn the sword."
"I suppose you're right..." She couldn't picture Papa wearing, let alone using, a sword. She'd never seen it.
"Anyway. Since Tensin isn't going to return soon, I think that I should teach you how to use the rapier. It's a traditional elven weapon, after all."
Drusilia laughed aloud, and ran at Kennic. She threw her arms around him and then kissed him on the cheek. "Oh, Kennic! I would love that! Won't Papa be surprised when he gets back, and finds that I can use a sword."
Kennic grimaced. "I hope that he doesn't think that I've been too presumptuous," he said, frowning. "But it's my duty to take care of you, and this is the best way that I know to do that. Come on, child. I have a wooden rapier for you to start out on. We'll progress to the real thing when I can trust you not to accidentally impale yourself."
At Drusilia's disgusted look, he laughed, ruffling her hair.
The sound of shattering glass filled the room. Drusilia could hear Kennic's feet running down the hall, and seconds later, he burst into the room, sword drawn. "What-"
He stopped, looking at her. Her arm was still poised in a throwing position, and a telltale pile of glass shards lay across the room.
"Drusilia," he said with a frown, "What has gotten into you this week? You're strung tighter than an archer's bow."
She dropped her arm, trembling with the exhaustion that only comes after a truly explosive outburst of temper. Sighing, she dropped down into a sitting position, and put her head into her hands. After a moment of collecting herself, she said, into her hands, "I'm sorry, Kennic. I didn't mean to worry you."
There was silence, and she could feel her long-time guardian staring at her. Finally, he crouched beside her. Reaching out to touch her shoulder gingerly, he said, "I just wish that I knew how I could help you."
She looked over at him, not bothering to hide the tears that had welled up. "It's been a month since Papa has come to see me," she said bitterly.
Kennic nodded, looking saddened but not surprised. "Drusilia," he said wearily, dropping into a full sitting position, "He would see you if he could."
"Yes, yes," she said, waving his words away. "We've been through this enough times that I know the routine. I know all the reasons for it."
"Those reasons don't seem to be enough. Would you rather that he put you in danger, by associating with you?"
"Yes!" Drusilia jumped to her feet, pacing the floor. "It would be something. I feel like I'm going to spend my entire life shut up in this house, not seeing my Papa, not seeing anyone except for you." She sighed, looking at him. "I like you Kennic, but-"
He chuckled. "Don't try to explain yourself. Believe it or not, I do understand."
She smiled at him, looking rueful. "I suppose that you can think of better things to do than to be shut up in the same house, not seeing Papa, not seeing anyone except for me."
Kennic smirked at her. "Perhaps better is not the word that you're looking for. Some variety would be nice, though."
Drusilia nodded vigorously. "I know exactly what you mean." She made a fist, letting her fingernails dig into the meat of her palm. "I hate sitting here every day, not learning any more knife techniques, not doing anything besides reading and pacing, and looking at flowers in the garden, while there are people who are out there hunting Papa like he's some kind of wild animal." She scowled fiercely, punching into the air once. "I wish that I could kill all of them, Kennic, once and for all. I want them dead, so that I can have my life back."
"Mmm. A life for a life? Is that what you want?"
"Yes," said Drusilia, glaring at him. "You might not approve, but that's the way that I feel."
"Well," said Kennic, "It is the way that you were raised to be. I suppose that I shouldn't be expecting a demure elven maiden, hmm?"
Drusilia shrugged angrily. "It's not like I've had an opportunity to rid myself of the maiden problem, now is there?"
Kennic smiled faintly, but looked uncomfortable. "Well, perhaps that's for the best. I have a feeling that your father will not handle that sort of thing very well.
She flushed, and shook her head. "He's so protective." Mock glaring at Kennic, she added, "You are too. I don't have one father, I have two."
She saw a brief flicker of something strangely akin to joy flash across his face before it was hidden again. "What you are saying," he said, his tone making it clear that he was changing the subject now, "Is that you are worried about Tensin, and that you're bored."
With a sigh, Drusilia nodded. "I suppose that describes it well enough," she admitted gruffly. "And I feel so useless sitting here. A piece of window dressing, except that no one is allowed to look at the window because we're afraid that they might try to break it."
"Nice analogy," said Kennic. "I think that I have the solution to your dilemma." He looked hesitant, and then added, "If you're interested."
"What, you've got a plan for destroying the enemy so that we can get Papa back?"
Kennic grinned at her. "I only wish," he said. "However, I've been giving it some thought. I was going to suggest that Tensin teach you how to fight with a sword, in elven style, when he was able to return. However... it looks like he's going to be gone longer than we'd expected."
"I would like to learn to fight with something other than knives," Drusilia admitted, feeling almost like the statement betrayed Papa.
Kennic nodded, rising to his feet. "You should," he said. "If you choose to stay with knives, like Tensin does, that's one thing, but you should at least know how to wield a sword properly. He can, even if he doesn't usually choose to wear one. Besides," he continued, "Tensin doesn't expect for you to learn nothing but the knives. He was just waiting for you to grow tall enough, and strong enough, to learn the sword."
"I suppose you're right..." She couldn't picture Papa wearing, let alone using, a sword. She'd never seen it.
"Anyway. Since Tensin isn't going to return soon, I think that I should teach you how to use the rapier. It's a traditional elven weapon, after all."
Drusilia laughed aloud, and ran at Kennic. She threw her arms around him and then kissed him on the cheek. "Oh, Kennic! I would love that! Won't Papa be surprised when he gets back, and finds that I can use a sword."
Kennic grimaced. "I hope that he doesn't think that I've been too presumptuous," he said, frowning. "But it's my duty to take care of you, and this is the best way that I know to do that. Come on, child. I have a wooden rapier for you to start out on. We'll progress to the real thing when I can trust you not to accidentally impale yourself."
At Drusilia's disgusted look, he laughed, ruffling her hair.
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Drusilia Nailo
First Post
And here's one for the new year! I do hope that I'm not bogging you folks down stories the day that you return from the holidays.
Drusilia took to fighting with the rapier naturally, much to her (and Kennic's) extreme pleasure. And it was a good thing, too, because there was little else to keep her occupied. Papa had been gone for a little over a year by now, and still no word from him beyond the occasional message that he was still alive. During that time, Drusilia had not been allowed to leave the property, except for the time that they switched houses, about six months ago. Fortunately, the second house was another one with an enclosed garden, so she was not required to stay indoors the entire time.
Being trained by Kennic was completely different from being trained by Papa. He was gentler, and demanded less of her, although sometimes she feared that it was because he expected her to grow up, get married, and not put herself into danger regularly. Kennic never hurt her to teach her a lesson, a gift that she was grateful for, although there were times that she missed Papa so much that she missed his method of training her along with him. It hurt to be cut by him, yes, but she never felt closer to him than when was putting her through her paces, than when she saw the approval in his eyes.
Kennic had forgotten his initial discomfort with the idea of teaching Tensin's daughter to fight with a sword, and was becoming quite proud of his pupil. "You've taken to fighting in this style, Drusilia," he said, one evening when they had finished up their training session. "You can tell that it's in your blood."
Drusilia grinned at him, putting away the practice sword. "So when do I get a real blade?"
He grunted, and shrugged. "I can't get away from this place any more than you can," he told her. "Besides, that's really your father's call."
With a frown, Drusilia nodded. "Alright." Dispiritedly, she looked towards the house. "He does know that we're here, doesn't he?"
Kennic chuckled. "Yes, he knows that we're here. If he hadn't, and was trying to find you, he'd be able to."
"Hmm," Drusilia grunted noncommittedly. "I hope that he's alright."
"So do I," murmured Kennic, putting a hand on her shoulder gently. "Try not to think about it too much. You're going to worry yourself to death."
Drusilia sighed. "It's been a year, Kennic... how long can this war possibly last?" There were no tears in her eyes or in her voice this time. It had been a long year for her, and sometime during that year, she'd stopped crying.
Kennic shrugged. "I don't know. Wars between nations can last for decades, especially when elves are involved."
"But this isn't a war involving nations."
"True," he admitted. "And I can't help but to think that resources are being stretched rather thin... on both sides. Come inside. We'll eat some dinner, and then maybe we can work on your knowledge of the gnomish language some."
Drusilia wrinkled her nose, but followed Kennic into the house obediently.
The two of them prepared the dinner together in companionable silence, with Drusilia chopping vegetables, and Kennic lighting the stove and starting to cook the shellfish. It was a routine that the two were very familiar with, because their location was too secret to divulge to menial servants. Drusilia didn't mind. It passed the time.
As they ate, Drusilia said, "I'm glad that you're teaching me how to use a sword, Kennic. But when am I going to be able to learn how to shoot a bow? I can see the benefit of learning to use a distance weapon."
"My, you"re in a hurry," chuckled Kennic. "Don"t worry. There's plenty of time to learn other things before you'll need to use them. Besides," he finished up, "It wouldn't hurt for you to learn a trade as well."
Drusilia blinked. "But I am learning a trade, or a way of making a living anyway."
Kennic glared at her, over his plate. "Making a living out of violence? Is that what you really want?"
Drusilia shrugged. "What else is there? Do you think that I could settle for being a soap maker? For being married to a soap maker, and having a little soap maker child?"
Kennic continued glaring at her, and then shook his head. "I suppose you're right. You haven't been raised that way. It's a dangerous life, Drusilia. You do have the option to get out of it, when you're older."
She nodded. "I know. But danger means that there won't be any boredom. You chose this life, anyway."
Kennic snorted, and then continued eating. "This is true. Oh, don't listen to me. It's just my protectiveness rearing its head. I don't want you in a dangerous profession because I don't want to see you hurt."
Drusilia reached out and patted the older elf's hand.
Just then, a shadow appeared at the back door, and then someone knocked.
Kennic bristled, and then moved to open the door. His rapier was already unsheathed by the time that he got there. "Drusilia-" he said warningly.
Drusilia moved so that no one would be able to get a clear shot at her.
Kennic nodded, and then opened the door.
Papa stepped inside. He was wearing clean clothes, and his hair was still slightly damp. He looked more exhausted than Drusilia had ever seen him.
Drusilia felt her heart surge within her chest. "Papa!" She darted towards him, and threw her arms around him in a hug.
For once, he didn't momentarily stiffen. He merely wrapped his own arms around her and held her there for a long while without saying anything.
Kennic stayed in the background, not willing to intrude upon the moment, but finally, he spoke up. "Is it over, then?"
Papa cleared his throat, stroking Drusilia's hair once before extracting himself from her embrace. "It's over."
Kennic and Drusilia breathed an audible sigh of relief, as one.
Papa sat in the chair, sighing heavily. "I came as soon as we had confirmation that things were over, and safe again." He turned his gaze towards Drusilia. "You look well," he said.
Drusilia nodded. "I'm alright. A little bored, maybe."
Kennic smiled at Papa. "Don't let her fool you. She was climbing the walls."
Drusilia grinned a little, and shrugged. "Fortunately, Kennic was able to distract me. He was teaching me how to use the rapier." She looked over at Papa. "I've gotten pretty good at it over the year," she said.
Papa froze into place, raising his eyebrows at Kennic. "That was something that I had looked forward to teaching her myself."
Drusilia looked from Papa to Kennic, and back again.
Kennic winced. "Tensin... I was just trying to help the child."
Papa nodded, once, and then turned away from Kennic. "Drusilia. I am pleased that you are doing well. I will still be here in the morning. We'll have to discuss a few things at that time. Fornow," he said, looking back at Kennic, "Perhaps you'd better go and meditate for the night. Your guardian and I have to talk."
Drusilia could hear both men arguing well into the night. Papa never raised his voice, but she could hear the cold fury in it, even if she couldn't hear the words through the walls. She sighed, stretching out onto the bed. She tried to tune them out, so that she could slip into a trance. Papa was back, and that was good enough for now.
Drusilia took to fighting with the rapier naturally, much to her (and Kennic's) extreme pleasure. And it was a good thing, too, because there was little else to keep her occupied. Papa had been gone for a little over a year by now, and still no word from him beyond the occasional message that he was still alive. During that time, Drusilia had not been allowed to leave the property, except for the time that they switched houses, about six months ago. Fortunately, the second house was another one with an enclosed garden, so she was not required to stay indoors the entire time.
Being trained by Kennic was completely different from being trained by Papa. He was gentler, and demanded less of her, although sometimes she feared that it was because he expected her to grow up, get married, and not put herself into danger regularly. Kennic never hurt her to teach her a lesson, a gift that she was grateful for, although there were times that she missed Papa so much that she missed his method of training her along with him. It hurt to be cut by him, yes, but she never felt closer to him than when was putting her through her paces, than when she saw the approval in his eyes.
Kennic had forgotten his initial discomfort with the idea of teaching Tensin's daughter to fight with a sword, and was becoming quite proud of his pupil. "You've taken to fighting in this style, Drusilia," he said, one evening when they had finished up their training session. "You can tell that it's in your blood."
Drusilia grinned at him, putting away the practice sword. "So when do I get a real blade?"
He grunted, and shrugged. "I can't get away from this place any more than you can," he told her. "Besides, that's really your father's call."
With a frown, Drusilia nodded. "Alright." Dispiritedly, she looked towards the house. "He does know that we're here, doesn't he?"
Kennic chuckled. "Yes, he knows that we're here. If he hadn't, and was trying to find you, he'd be able to."
"Hmm," Drusilia grunted noncommittedly. "I hope that he's alright."
"So do I," murmured Kennic, putting a hand on her shoulder gently. "Try not to think about it too much. You're going to worry yourself to death."
Drusilia sighed. "It's been a year, Kennic... how long can this war possibly last?" There were no tears in her eyes or in her voice this time. It had been a long year for her, and sometime during that year, she'd stopped crying.
Kennic shrugged. "I don't know. Wars between nations can last for decades, especially when elves are involved."
"But this isn't a war involving nations."
"True," he admitted. "And I can't help but to think that resources are being stretched rather thin... on both sides. Come inside. We'll eat some dinner, and then maybe we can work on your knowledge of the gnomish language some."
Drusilia wrinkled her nose, but followed Kennic into the house obediently.
The two of them prepared the dinner together in companionable silence, with Drusilia chopping vegetables, and Kennic lighting the stove and starting to cook the shellfish. It was a routine that the two were very familiar with, because their location was too secret to divulge to menial servants. Drusilia didn't mind. It passed the time.
As they ate, Drusilia said, "I'm glad that you're teaching me how to use a sword, Kennic. But when am I going to be able to learn how to shoot a bow? I can see the benefit of learning to use a distance weapon."
"My, you"re in a hurry," chuckled Kennic. "Don"t worry. There's plenty of time to learn other things before you'll need to use them. Besides," he finished up, "It wouldn't hurt for you to learn a trade as well."
Drusilia blinked. "But I am learning a trade, or a way of making a living anyway."
Kennic glared at her, over his plate. "Making a living out of violence? Is that what you really want?"
Drusilia shrugged. "What else is there? Do you think that I could settle for being a soap maker? For being married to a soap maker, and having a little soap maker child?"
Kennic continued glaring at her, and then shook his head. "I suppose you're right. You haven't been raised that way. It's a dangerous life, Drusilia. You do have the option to get out of it, when you're older."
She nodded. "I know. But danger means that there won't be any boredom. You chose this life, anyway."
Kennic snorted, and then continued eating. "This is true. Oh, don't listen to me. It's just my protectiveness rearing its head. I don't want you in a dangerous profession because I don't want to see you hurt."
Drusilia reached out and patted the older elf's hand.
Just then, a shadow appeared at the back door, and then someone knocked.
Kennic bristled, and then moved to open the door. His rapier was already unsheathed by the time that he got there. "Drusilia-" he said warningly.
Drusilia moved so that no one would be able to get a clear shot at her.
Kennic nodded, and then opened the door.
Papa stepped inside. He was wearing clean clothes, and his hair was still slightly damp. He looked more exhausted than Drusilia had ever seen him.
Drusilia felt her heart surge within her chest. "Papa!" She darted towards him, and threw her arms around him in a hug.
For once, he didn't momentarily stiffen. He merely wrapped his own arms around her and held her there for a long while without saying anything.
Kennic stayed in the background, not willing to intrude upon the moment, but finally, he spoke up. "Is it over, then?"
Papa cleared his throat, stroking Drusilia's hair once before extracting himself from her embrace. "It's over."
Kennic and Drusilia breathed an audible sigh of relief, as one.
Papa sat in the chair, sighing heavily. "I came as soon as we had confirmation that things were over, and safe again." He turned his gaze towards Drusilia. "You look well," he said.
Drusilia nodded. "I'm alright. A little bored, maybe."
Kennic smiled at Papa. "Don't let her fool you. She was climbing the walls."
Drusilia grinned a little, and shrugged. "Fortunately, Kennic was able to distract me. He was teaching me how to use the rapier." She looked over at Papa. "I've gotten pretty good at it over the year," she said.
Papa froze into place, raising his eyebrows at Kennic. "That was something that I had looked forward to teaching her myself."
Drusilia looked from Papa to Kennic, and back again.
Kennic winced. "Tensin... I was just trying to help the child."
Papa nodded, once, and then turned away from Kennic. "Drusilia. I am pleased that you are doing well. I will still be here in the morning. We'll have to discuss a few things at that time. Fornow," he said, looking back at Kennic, "Perhaps you'd better go and meditate for the night. Your guardian and I have to talk."
Drusilia could hear both men arguing well into the night. Papa never raised his voice, but she could hear the cold fury in it, even if she couldn't hear the words through the walls. She sighed, stretching out onto the bed. She tried to tune them out, so that she could slip into a trance. Papa was back, and that was good enough for now.
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Drusilia Nailo
First Post
First Kiss
Dru sat waiting at the "wishing well" in the heart of the Merchant's District. It had been built in honor of some rich merchant several years ago, and made a good central meeting place for many people. She looked up at the position of the sun in the sky and frowned. Kilat was going to be late. Sighing, she settled in for a long wait.
Kilat couldn't always get to her reliably. Their childhood friendship that had begun so many years ago had blossomed, and the two were nearly inseparable. At least, until his parents had decided that she was a bad influence on him. Their meetings had become more sporadic, only taken when Kilat could either sneak out or leave under another pretext.
Dru settled for watching the people walking up the streets, taking comfort in the familiar weight of her dagger, knowing that it would help her defend herself if the need arose. She heard footfalls moving up behind her, and smiled to herself. She'd recognize Kilat's tread anywhere. The footfalls stopped just behind her, and she could tell that he was trying to be stealthy. Suddenly, Dru twisted around and grabbed him by the shoulders, twisting him around into a painful armlock.
"Ow ow ow ow," he gasped. “Dru, it's just me!”
She laughed, and released him. "You shouldn't try to sneak up on me, Kilat. It never goes well for you."
He grinned, sitting down next to her. "So, what do we want to do today?"
She shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe we can go down to the bakery and get something to nibble on. I’m a bit hungry."
"Pastries. Alright,” he said agreeably. "Then what? Do you want to go to the park where we could be," he said, looking up into her eyes, "Alone?"
Dru looked at him sharply, and then laughed. "Kilat, there for a moment I thought you were flirting with me."
He looked at her seriously for a moment, and then down at the ground. "Is that such an unthinkable thing?"
In spite of herself, Dru felt her heart start to hammer in her chest. Was Kilat interested in her... in that way? She didn’t say anything for a moment, and then said, "Well, I suppose not."
He looked up quickly, his grin leaping back onto his face. "Great! You were saying something about a bakery..."
Dru laughed, relieved that he'd lightened up, but felt a tinge of disappointment as well. No girl could help but to be flattered by his attention. "Yes," she said, getting to her feet.
The two strolled down the road companionably, and went into the bakery. They bought sweetrolls, and then ate them as they began walking towards the only area that Freeport could rightly call a park. It was small, but there was grass, and trees, and places that friends could sit and talk without being observed.
Kilat lead the way through the trees, until they got to an area that they had long considered "their" spot, even after the fight with Alust's bullies all those years ago. It was under the willow tree, completely shielded from view. Sometimes it had been necessary to come here, because Kilat's parents would not be able to see him consorting with Dru.
Dru sat down on the thick moss carpet, and finished off the last of her sweetroll, licking the last bit of sweetness from her fingers. "So how did you manage to get out this time?"
Kilat sat down beside her, already having wolfed down his sweetroll. "I told Mother that I would do the marketing for her. I'd best remember to go back with her food, or she'll skin me."
Dru smirked, lying back on the ground. "Well, I would't want to get you into trouble."
Kilat reached over and tickled her. "I can't believe I'm hearing you say that. You always get me into trouble. That’s why they don't like you.”
Dru grinned, catching his fingers and holding them. "Stop it," she said. She started to say more, but was silenced when Kilat leaned over and kissed her full on the lips.
Her eyes widened in shock, and she realized that she liked kissing him. Dru was completely aware that Kennic and her other guards were out there in the park, and that they knew exactly where she was, and that they'd report anything that she did. But... she'd liked kissing him. It surely wouldn't hurt anything for her to spend some time under the willow with her good friend Kilat... "Kiss me again," she told him, moving closer, putting all thoughts of guards and of Papa out of her head.
He grinned, putting one arm over her shoulders. "Don't let them kill me," he murmured into her ear, before obeying her.
Dru sat waiting at the "wishing well" in the heart of the Merchant's District. It had been built in honor of some rich merchant several years ago, and made a good central meeting place for many people. She looked up at the position of the sun in the sky and frowned. Kilat was going to be late. Sighing, she settled in for a long wait.
Kilat couldn't always get to her reliably. Their childhood friendship that had begun so many years ago had blossomed, and the two were nearly inseparable. At least, until his parents had decided that she was a bad influence on him. Their meetings had become more sporadic, only taken when Kilat could either sneak out or leave under another pretext.
Dru settled for watching the people walking up the streets, taking comfort in the familiar weight of her dagger, knowing that it would help her defend herself if the need arose. She heard footfalls moving up behind her, and smiled to herself. She'd recognize Kilat's tread anywhere. The footfalls stopped just behind her, and she could tell that he was trying to be stealthy. Suddenly, Dru twisted around and grabbed him by the shoulders, twisting him around into a painful armlock.
"Ow ow ow ow," he gasped. “Dru, it's just me!”
She laughed, and released him. "You shouldn't try to sneak up on me, Kilat. It never goes well for you."
He grinned, sitting down next to her. "So, what do we want to do today?"
She shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe we can go down to the bakery and get something to nibble on. I’m a bit hungry."
"Pastries. Alright,” he said agreeably. "Then what? Do you want to go to the park where we could be," he said, looking up into her eyes, "Alone?"
Dru looked at him sharply, and then laughed. "Kilat, there for a moment I thought you were flirting with me."
He looked at her seriously for a moment, and then down at the ground. "Is that such an unthinkable thing?"
In spite of herself, Dru felt her heart start to hammer in her chest. Was Kilat interested in her... in that way? She didn’t say anything for a moment, and then said, "Well, I suppose not."
He looked up quickly, his grin leaping back onto his face. "Great! You were saying something about a bakery..."
Dru laughed, relieved that he'd lightened up, but felt a tinge of disappointment as well. No girl could help but to be flattered by his attention. "Yes," she said, getting to her feet.
The two strolled down the road companionably, and went into the bakery. They bought sweetrolls, and then ate them as they began walking towards the only area that Freeport could rightly call a park. It was small, but there was grass, and trees, and places that friends could sit and talk without being observed.
Kilat lead the way through the trees, until they got to an area that they had long considered "their" spot, even after the fight with Alust's bullies all those years ago. It was under the willow tree, completely shielded from view. Sometimes it had been necessary to come here, because Kilat's parents would not be able to see him consorting with Dru.
Dru sat down on the thick moss carpet, and finished off the last of her sweetroll, licking the last bit of sweetness from her fingers. "So how did you manage to get out this time?"
Kilat sat down beside her, already having wolfed down his sweetroll. "I told Mother that I would do the marketing for her. I'd best remember to go back with her food, or she'll skin me."
Dru smirked, lying back on the ground. "Well, I would't want to get you into trouble."
Kilat reached over and tickled her. "I can't believe I'm hearing you say that. You always get me into trouble. That’s why they don't like you.”
Dru grinned, catching his fingers and holding them. "Stop it," she said. She started to say more, but was silenced when Kilat leaned over and kissed her full on the lips.
Her eyes widened in shock, and she realized that she liked kissing him. Dru was completely aware that Kennic and her other guards were out there in the park, and that they knew exactly where she was, and that they'd report anything that she did. But... she'd liked kissing him. It surely wouldn't hurt anything for her to spend some time under the willow with her good friend Kilat... "Kiss me again," she told him, moving closer, putting all thoughts of guards and of Papa out of her head.
He grinned, putting one arm over her shoulders. "Don't let them kill me," he murmured into her ear, before obeying her.
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