Running Away From Home (Faust)

[Faust D'Rinishad]

“Surely you don’t mean that, child…” the elegant noblewoman said, her beautiful visage contorting in concern as Areka pulled away. Elvindra watched the little girl for some time, obviously worried for her well-being. A slender, delicate hand ascended to touch the girl’s shoulder, and the Lady of House D’Rinishad’s compassionate face softened somewhat. “But you are safe now, I promise. I don’t know what you’ve been through, but we won’t let anything happen to you…” She reassured.

It was at this moment that a shadow crossed over the area where Elvindra and Areka were standing, the shadow projected by the towering brute with his cudgel raised overhead for the finishing blow. His teeth, painted with blood, flashed sinisterly as the cudgel came crashing downwards towards Elvindra whose back was turned to him as she was facing Areka.

But Kalenel was quicker.

The tip of the swordsman’s dagger rendered through the human’s spine and pierced through the front of his chest. Eyes going agape in a mixture of shock and disbelief, the brute’s eyes lolled upwards to the back of his head as he crumpled lifelessly to the earthen floor. His cudgel, descending rather awkwardly as he fell, brushed against Elvindra’s shoulder, but as it connected against the woman, a blinding flash of light resulted. Elvindra was unharmed. Her thaumaturgic shield had ensured that.

Nodding thankfully to Kalenel, the Lady of House D’Rinishad turned worriedly to Areka as she too toppled to the floor. “Child!” the woman screamed, anxiously rushing to the little girl’s side and gesturing for Kalenel to help lift her. “She’s exhausted…” Elvindra said to the young swordsman, sweeping back her long silver hair as she rested a delicate palm against Areka’s forehead.

“Damn you!” Came a gurgled scream from Durke seconds later. The human glared viciously upon the Prince of Har’oloth, eyes bloodshot and seething with rage. A large and nasty gash appeared along his left shoulder down to his right hip –blood soaked through his shirt. “I-I’ll…get …y-” Durke’s hollow threat concluded with a crash! as he fell lifelessly to the ground.

Across from the dead leader of the group, Faust paid no heed to the man as his swords went furiously to work against the bald human. Axe and sword collided on occasion, but only for split seconds as the Vysstichi Lord’s hands continued to move in a blur of motion, dipping and diving around the man’s ax-head and scoring a number of mortal wounds upon the man. The bald human tried to retreat, but a low cut of Faust’s sword swept the man’s knees out from under him; his axe clattered to the street.

And then the thug’s cries for mercy ended when an adamantite blade pierced through his windpipe.

Sighing and shaking his head, the Prince of Har’oloth wiped his bloodied blades upon the garments of the deceased before returning them to their scabbards. By now the crowd had dispersed in fear of being caught in the violent skirmish, and the dark elf ignored them as he returned to Kalenel and Elvindra. “How is she?” He asked, instinctively looking to his student and then to the Mistress of Thaumaturgy.

[Areka D'Rinishad]

Areka's limb body stayed as such for quite a while. Areka had been lost to the days events and those of her past. She had finally subcome to all the rage which filled her body for so long it leaked into her passing thoughts. Life had finally taking its toll on the small vysstichi girl...

After several minutes the hand Elvindra had placed against the Areka's forehead seemed to beings some good. Areka started to groan as she started to awake from the hold sleep had upon her. Slowly opening her eyes she looked up at the bright sky and quickly shut them before jumping to her feet as if she were still on guard for an impending attack. She took a few steps back and looked from Elvindra, to Kalenel, and then to Faust. She did not know what to say, she did not really care to speak, she just wished to leave the streets of Vortex and sit in a dimly lit corner as she had done at her former home.

Reaching her hands up to pull her hood more snug over her eyes Areka finally spoke to the Faust and Kalenel. "Thank you. Elvindra says I will be staying with you?" Areka asked the last part in question form for only one reason. She did not know if the women spoke truth. She had no clue who they were and most of all though they helped her out would they try to do something to her now.

[Kalenel D'Rinishad]

After drying his blades and sheathing them back at his sides, Kalenel eyed the young girl he had just fought to protect. She was a vyystichi, as was her three rescuers, and she looked as if she wasn't of any nobility. "Perhaps we should be going." Kalenel stated rather than questioned. Any one of the onlookers could have alerted the Guard, and Kalenel wasn't of the mind to explain his share of what happened.

[Faust D'Rinishad]

As Kalenel returned to the others, the Prince of Har’oloth clapped the young swordsman on the shoulder, sharing a brief but meaningful glance with his protégé. He did not feel the need to tell Kalenel that he had performed brilliantly minutes ago, and that the standard of House D’Rinishad would become stronger now because of the young prince’s addition to the family. Words of encouragement were seldom exchanged in the clan of formidable warriors, but their respect for one another was unmistakable. Kalenel had proved himself.

“She did, did she?” Smiling slightly, the dark elf looked to the elegant noblewoman who merely chuckled. Faust turned back to Areka then. “Yes, you’ll be fine. Come, though, we should get you indoors. It’s unpleasant out here.” As if to emphasize his point, he stared disgustedly at the corpses that littered the street. They wouldn’t be a problem again.

As the party returned to the D’Rinishad Academy of Arcana, Elvindra parted ways, bidding Areka and Kalenel farewell and promising to return when her duties at the estate were complete. Thus the three remaining dark elves would find themselves in the lobby of the massive hall, complete with regally strewn carpets and chairs that dotted the floor. Bookshelves lined the walls of the room, and several leather sofas arranged in a square formation were in the center. Faust motioned for the little girl to take a seat.

“I’m Faust by the way…” he looked to Kalenel, waiting for his comrade to introduce himself before he again returned his attention to the little girl. “And you are…?”

[Kalenel D'Rinishad]

The look his mentor gave him made Kalenel feel like he had only rarely in his life. Indeed, the young warrior was making progress in his endeavors, and the fact that Faust had noticed this and acnkowledged it, no matter how silent, it meant much to Kalenel.

Watching the back of the group as they made their way swiftly through the streets, Kalenel was relieved to have the floor of the Academy below his feet. Bidding Elvindra farewell, Kalenel turned to look upon the girl that they had just saved. His crimson eyes, instead of showing intensity as they had during the battle, showed kindness as he looked upon the young child. "Kalenel D'rinishad at your service."

How much Kalenel actually meant that statement would yet be seen.

[Areka D'Rinishad]

Areka did not look back as Faust and the other took her to the Academy. If she still had not been full of anger and tired she would have taken in its wonders. Looking on as the lady bid her good-bye and was then left with Faust and Kalenel.

"Elvindra told me who you were. Look she fixed my finger" Areka said in a small voice that for her was playful but to Faust and Kalenel may have seemed small and full of hate. Areka reached up to remove the hood from her head. She could see their faces they deserved to see hers. "I am Areka, I come from Har'oloth...I ran from my home and my parents will die by my hand one day." Areka's crimson eyes seemed to glow when she spoke the word die. Reaching into her clock she pulled out a money bag and handed it to Faust, "this is the 1000 crowns i stole from my parents you can have it for helping me." The young vysstichi replied in a small voice

[Faust D'Rinishad]

Faust’s eyes widened at Areka’s bold declaration, one that he believed her fervent about committing. Revenge was commonplace in Har’oloth, especially as dark elves did not generally make the best parents. They were poor role-models, and their caretaking abilities were subordinate even to the orcs. Faust was uncertain why Areka wanted to murder her parents, but there was probably good reason for it.

“Keep your money. We won’t accept it,” Faust said, chuckling as he gently pushed the crowns back towards Areka. “Kalenel, if you’d please take Areka and help clean her up. I’ll return shortly with some new clothes for her.” Rising to his feet, the Prince of Har’oloth patted the younger swordsman on the shoulder and departed through the Academy doors.

[Kalenel D'Rinishad]

Kalenel looked to Faust, and then back at Areka as she made her decleration. It was clear she meant every word of it, and Kalenel could easily understand why she would want to commit such an act. The young warrior almost smiled as she offered her crowns, knowing he might of pondered taking it if Faust wasn't present.

"No problem," Kalenel said as he returned the gesture offered by Faust. "I think she could use a meal also Faust."

Knowing Faust would handle everything, the young warrior bade Areka to follow him. "Welcome to the House D'rinishad," Kalenel said with a smile, as he led her to a curtained bath. "Take your time, there is no need to hurry."

[Areka D'Rinishad]

Areka watched as Faust walked off then placed the money back. She then looked at Kalenel.

Kalenel guided her to the bath. It wasn't anything to special but for Areka is was great. She had never seen a real bath before. She never really cared to much when she lived under the surface. She also didn't care to be near water when her father was around. He always seemed to use that to her disadvantage. Areka looked at Kalenel and starred blankly at him before she entered the room.

Areka shocked in the bath for almost a whole candlemark before she came out to see Kalenel still standing there speaking to Faust. "Are you guys talking about me." She asked innocently.

[Faust D'Rinishad]

Upon returning from his short trek to the D’Rinishad Manor, the Prince of Har’oloth could be found waiting in the lobby of the facility, casually conversing with Kalenel. Carried in his arms was an elegantly fashioned dress strewn of spider silk. It was white and smooth to the touch, but more importantly, it was accommodating to Areka’s petite frame.

“There you are,” Faust said, smiling softly as he held the dress out to the little girl, “Here. It belonged to a friend of mine, but I’m sure that she wouldn’t mind you having it.”

Waiting for Areka to accept the gift, the Vysstichi Lord held his amusement in check. The dress was actually owned by the sister of his former archrival, a woman who, ironically, was now serving among the ranks of House D’Rinishad. “Now how is your finger…?”

[Areka D'Rinishad]

Areka looked at the clothing in Faust hands. She had only seen such fine clothing when she would sneak out the house and go into the darkest streets of Har'oloth. There she watched and observed all types of dark creatures, wearing clothing of all sorts to support whatever deeds they were entertaining that brightening.

Areka took the dress, unfolded it, then place it against her body. It was a perfect fit. She looked back up to Faust and Kalenel and gave a simi-smile. She wasn't so great in showing emotions.

Areka folded the dress again and held up her finger. "It is fine." She said as she wiggled it around. "I...." Her words trailed off and her posture crumbled. Areka had began to dwell on the days events and wished to retire to somewhere dark and quiet.

"Faust, Kalenel, is there somewhere I may..." She attempted to ask as she looked toward the halls of the Academy.

[Kalenel D'Rinishad]

Kalenel flashed a smile as Areka held the dress up to her body. She would indeed fit the dress well, and would also fit quite nicely in House D'rinishad. His heart sunk as he saw her search for words, noticing her difficulty in expressing emotions. There was a time when Kalenel was like that, and perhaps he could help Areka overcome this.

"Don't be afraid to speak Areka, what is your question?" Kalenel said softly, wanting her to open up to Faust and he.

[Faust D'Rinishad]

“Yes of course,” the dark elf said, gesturing towards the side of the room where the hall closet was situated. It wasn’t a changing room by any accounts, but at the very least it would provide the privacy that Areka sought. Smiling faintly, the dark elf stepped beside Kalenel and bade her to go ahead and change her attire if she so wished.

When and if Areka disappeared, the Prince of Har’oloth would turn to his student, chuckling lightly as he folded his gloved hands over his chest. “Nice girl. It’s a shame that she had to go through all of that though. You’ll help her?” Faust asked, meeting Kalenel’s gaze momentarily. If there was anyone who could understand and aid Areka through this difficult time, it would certainly be Kalenel given his recent experiences and acceptance into House D’Rinishad. At the very least he would be able to relate to her considering their similar stages in life.

[Kalenel D'Rinishad]

"Of course." was the simple answer given by Kalenel, meeting Faust's gaze head on. The Prince of Har'oloth had helped Kalenel in his time of need, and Kalenel would return the favor to Areka happily. Standing beside his mentor, Kalenel traded small talk and awaited the emergence of Areka.