The Dream (Closed)

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Juliana D'cheyne
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Post by Juliana D'cheyne »

After long hours of building her strength back, fighting alongside many others, Juliana finally felt ready now for anything that would come her way. Stopping at the cemetary entrance as she was drawing her daggers from her boots, her glance turned to the tombstone, the one she had only looked at when first on Gobaith, seeing now her name again, with a blink she whispers softly to herself.

It is time to rest.

Pulling off her armor wearing only a thin blouse underneath with black trousers, she carefully places it in her bag then turns facing north and walks back toward Trolls Bane chuckling looking unusually happy.

I want to see the sea I think.


Walking into town, the moonlight shining on her pale blonde hair, seeing no one, she quickly walks into Eliza's opening the depot mumbling

I wonder what people take with them when not working?

There is a clanking of metal as she moves different bags not quite knowing what she searches for then holding up a pair of unusual pale leather pants, a rare smile crosses her face.

The first ones I had when coming to Gobaith.

Walking into the other room to try them on she passes a board with just a quick glance then stops abruptly seeing one name and with a frown mumbles...

Fallen

... then shakes her head taking a deep breath now appearing very distracted as if remembering something.

It was a night like any other in the cemetary. Different people were there, sometimes she had fought with Konrad, Eli, Dain, Luke, Wolf, Fallen, and some she didn't know. All fighting reds, sometimes a lich. This night, after giving Fallen a darting look for a tease of his, then hearing it again she took the dagger from her boot and threw it toward his foot in warning. Being fairly practiced with the dagger, she was surprise when it missed it's mark at the floor and actually landed in his foot with a gush of blood. He made no comment other then removing it and throwing it in her direction but she was now distracted with the red. Later, Fallen was no where to be seen. Juliana's search ended when two reds began to chase her, and needing food anyway, almost forgetting the incident totally, she left the cemetary.

Remembering again that night....

He is no one to be scared of..sure he says he is a demon..

...she now chuckles to herself

There are others more demon then him.

Tilting her head again

I wonder sometimes about his green eyes.

Shrugging, Juliana dismisses the thought as she reads the post of his ban from the town of Trolls Bane. Walking back to her depot and placing the leather pants inside, she takes out armor, weapons, potions and food then with a heavy bag and a sigh...

I better see if he is alright....

...as she walks out the gates of the city.

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Juliana D'cheyne
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Post by Juliana D'cheyne »

Having gone to every place on Gobaith she could think of and finally giving up trying to find Fallen, Juliana arrives back in Trolls Bane looking still very tired. As she reaches in her depot, instead of taking out individual weapons, food, or potions she removes large bags. With green eyes sparkling as if already reflecting the brightness of the desert, she sighs then shakes her head slightly ignoring the sand falling from her pale blonde hair.

Turning from her depot, she takes a last look around the town before walking with determination to the teleporter.

She said to come visit, it would be nice to rest.

.. before she disappears.
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Post by Juliana D'cheyne »

The much needed rest was indescribable, simply to walk about with trousers and blouse without armour was a novelty. In a way, she missed the feel of the protection it gave and the lack of noise was disconcerting at first having gotten used to the slight sound of steel on steel as she moved. Only in the privacy of her special place had she freely moved without concern or need for her armour, or as she was healing at the Druid House after the terrible time she and Elf had with the temple. Hardest of all though was just keeping the daggers in her boots, without her swords and sheaths her hands unconsciously kept reaching toward her hip to rest on the hilt of a sword that was no longer there. Gazing into her depot almost with relish as she reaches for the well worn bag, Juliana pulls out her armour holding it up to the bright sun of the desert as she checks for dints and scratches. Anyone seeing the unusually small size would possibly wonder how and who she got it from noting as she pulls it over her head adjusting her pale blonde hair to lay down the armor's back the excellence of the fit and workmanship. Pausing now as her eyes become distracted, her thoughts again go to the past. As far as she knew, Elf had totally disappeared, probably dead now though even before that...when she saw him with his mask, he had made it clear she was no longer a part of his life. He couldn't forgive her for leading him that day to the temple.

She had been too trusting of the word of others and blithely gone into the trap. This would never happen again, neither the trust, nor getting someone hurt because of her. Juliana may have expected something to happen to her, after all who tries to leave the temple to come away unscathed, though she was told she would be allowed to leave. She should have realized Moshran followers were never to be trusted, even ones she considered friends. Yet she never suspected anything to happen to someone who was with her...that had come at her request having been told the mage simply wanted to speak with him. After using his power on her with only two spells, the burn marks on her neck and body still attest to their power, he then turned toward the Elf as others of the temple blocked him as they had her.

Since that fateful day, she had talked to one who was there, but was told there was nothing that could be done at the time. A slow grin forms on her face that doesn't reach the now dark green of her eyes as Juliana shrugs off any distraction appearing very decisive in all her motions. Turning toward the transporter without even one glance back, a soft whisper is carried on the gentle desert breeze...


It is time...now for the plan.
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Post by Juliana D'cheyne »

Juliana quietly moves through the graveyard throwing stones at the undead almost carelessly in her distraction. The past few days playing over her mind like a kaliadascope of pictures brought disquieting thoughts to the forefront.... some things she enjoyed but some would be better forgotten. Possibly she should have stayed with the gnolls, those days were restful as one day merged with another doing what she did best...fighting. Sometimes Juliana would see others... Starling, Lady Aly, Dain, but most of her days were alone until lately. Now, her mind was filled with doubt, questions but most of all guilt.


I have made a deal with a demon....what else will I do for revenge?
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Post by Juliana D'cheyne »

Squinting her eyes at the light of day with skin almost as pale as the skeletons, Juliana finally emerges from the graveyard. Her dark green eyes appear distracted, even a little cloudy as if her thoughts were too scattered to pick just one. There was a time things were different and possibly if she concentrated enough, those memories would return yet it all seemed just too difficult now, maybe tomorrow. Realizing she still carried a bloody corroded sword in one hand with a sling and stones dangling heavily from her belt, Juliana drops both on the ground as her feet continue to automatically guide her petite frame away from what had been her home for months. Able to wear the heavy armor with the ease of a trained fighter, she doesn't slow until standing at the river shore. Tilting her head, she stares for what seems like hours as if searching for something undefined before finally turning away. Still partially blind by the sun, Juliana's meandering steps finally take her to a place she no longer remembers, the "hooded woman" as she once was called, is once again seen in shadows around the town.
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Post by Juliana D'cheyne »

Almost two years had passed as Juliana remains relatively hidden in the graveyard while thoughts abound with actions of the past as she continues her lackluster fights with the red demons. The brief attempts at seeing others didn't help asuage the gnawing loneliness of her existance. All she wanted was Magnus to give her a poison potion at the time, yet glad he refused as her fight with the mage still needs to happen....one day. Gabriel was all wrong when he yelled at her retreating back that she avoided any emotion.. wasn't he? The druid that wanted her to call him Alvis, it was fun to confuse him yet she wondered if he took anything she said seriously. Juliana's life was about revenge, you either fought or not, a fighter that gave up was a dead one. Would the druid be willing to fight? She would have to just wait and see.....possibly she could use him to help with her own plans. Sitting on a log at the gnoll camp Juliana's thoughts wander while she simply tries to avoid the dreams that have begun plagueing her again. The gnoll stares at her sleep deprived gaze possibly picturing an easy target yet quickly dies as her poison sword plunges into his heart.
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Post by Thrym »

Juliana looked up to Alvis with a worried expression on her face -- the one that Alvis had seen more times than he liked, as she tried to find a reason to leave him. But he had never let it happen. Now it was her dreams, once again the endless dreams, that plagued her.

"What was it that you dreamed?", he asked with a voice cool and smooth, as though tailored specifically for use with her.

"I saw... you.", she said, still struggling to speak to him.

"Did you dream of my death again? You feared that you killed me?", he asked.

"No. You were in a cave... in that dark cave that you brought me to. Your skin...", she spoke as she extended a hand to curiously feel at the skin of his neck, "... your body was not like it is now. You were... down on the ground, leaning against the rock, looking up at someone -- a shadowy figure. Alvis, I couldn't see who it was, but..."

Her expression hardened a bit, despite the worry still clinging to it as she asked him, "Is there really any mistaking who it was? I know you well enough now..."

"What happened next?", Alvis asked, bringing the subject quickly back around to the matter of the dream. He seemed slightly worried himself, now, eager for an answer.

"You just looked up at her... you were glaring at her darkly. You were in pain, but you didn't fight it. I tried to move toward you, but as soon as I did... it stopped."

Alvis let the silence hang for a few moments before Juliana questioned him, this time with more insistence in her voice, "Was it her?"

He nodded once, answering back softly, "Yes. It was her."


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Post by Juliana D'cheyne »

Thinking it was finally safe to stay near a town, Juliana's steps are pulled unceasingly toward the cross while gloved hands clutch bloodied swords...was that a halfling stumbling away? Hoping the dreams were finally gone when Dain awoke, in fact for years when ennui settled, they plagued her very little if at all yet now they returned but somehow different. Even before she met the druid, she knew it was time to leave Greenbriar, his confirmation settled it in her mind.

Mumbling softly to herself as she stands near a tree not far from the Southern Forest,


Druid

Juliana knew Alvis hated for her to call him that yet he was the only druid she knew, in her mind the word was unique to him. Why would her dreams change after she met him? Somehow his story and hers starting out as a game....

I'll trade a secret for a secret

..... wound up intertwined and where that would lead she didn't know, in fact was almost hesitant to find out. Should she even try, or was this one of those times when she met something she needed to step back from? Every time she almost made up her mind to flee, his voice and words sometimes as sharp and strong as any weapon forged would quickly turn her back. Juliana wanted to know more, and suspected the time of fleeing may already be too late. Frowning as she carelessly uses her sword to cut down a stray skeleton wandering near, her thoughts far from the actions of her body, Juliana wasn't used to this indecisiveness, a fighter knew who was a monster and killed it. There should be none of this hesitancy, no fear. Could she finally and forever kill that demon or the yearning she saw in his eyes, or would he turn and follow that she-beast without even a glance back?
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Post by Juliana D'cheyne »

The wall was not filled with a beast or demon nor any monster, the wall was filled with the life lead before.... a life that defies efforts to change and eliminate the past. Throwing stones at monsters allows plenty of introspection as Juliana's aim improves despite her distraction yet showing no indication of her usual thrill when she sees the monster succumb as her typical grin is all but absent. Dark green eyes reddened from lack of sleep, pale blonde hair flowing past the hood like rays of a sudden sun where strands withstand any effort to tuck them in a helmet make her appearance almost bizarre. She hides, that much was certain yet from what? Juliana wasn't at all sure of her motives, nor why ... simply following her fighters' instincts she left knowing intimately the lonely places on Gobaith no one would ever find her. "Fight as hard as you can ignoring all pain, or run if it looks like the monster will win your life"...she has followed the code for as long as she can remember and probably will be unable to change now. Leaning against a cold stone wall she dares to close her eyes just for a moment being too tired to fight much longer as stones unheard tumble from her leather gloved hands while her body slowly slides to the ground with only a light clink of armor on stone.
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Re: The Dream

Post by Juliana D'cheyne »

Two long years have passed, or was it more then that? Sometimes Juliana felt her life could bleed out with the monsters she fought. Dark green eyes, red rimmed with lack of sleep stare at the cold grey walls of the graveyard wondering how she got there. She remembered her name finally after dispatching two red demons carelessly, not even realizing one of her weapons had broken. The dreams had returned with a vengence but this time there was no direction, nothing she could do, or needed to do. In fact, she couldn't even remember them. Glazed eyes ignore her enemy for minutes at a time before remembering to fight as her thoughts race in so many directions, none remain long enough to affect her consciousness. Juliana leaves the room quietly, walking past the human mage and mummies then stops as she sees the severely injured man dragging himself from the graveyard in search of a cross. Wasn't there a man fighting with her earlier? Finally seeing the emerald necklace with the initials L dangling around her wrist, Juliana moves toward him holding her hand out yet pauses at his clearly whispered words.

Get away from me woman, you are crazy!

Wearing torn leather boots with the glimpse of a dagger handle tucked in the top of one, armor with so many dents it obviously has seen better days, carrying sundry weapons haphazardly in sheath and belt, Juliana's neglected pale blonde hair frames her face like a sunny halo. As she leaves the graveyard with no plan in mind, her footsteps turn east.
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Re: The Dream

Post by Juliana D'cheyne »

It seemed to take a long while for her mind to finally function again, for her wish not to finally succumb to some monster that she fought by rote only for lack of something better to do. The despair lifted slowly, the attempts to join Cherga stopped, partially with the help of a mage...though maybe not exactly the way he intended. Juliana could finally look at her life and desire to continue yet now she had stayed hidden so long no one was around she knew. There were no secret bands of those planning to revolt one government or another, no need for a mercenary like her, not even her "old man" was here, the one she had counted on and taken advantage of his generous nature when she came and left again. All the ones she knew had been either killed or left for jobs on the mainland. She felt alone yet with the memory of her childhood returning bit by agonizing bit, she wished for company. Not necessarily to talk, just someone she could be with, share the joy of exploration, share the exultation in the defeat of a particularly hard to kill monster, maybe share desires and wishes. Puzzling over this for a few weeks turned into months..an idea began to form. What if she taught someone to fight? One that would be interested in the challenges she could bring...one that would assuage this lonely existence of hers, at least briefly?
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Re: The Dream

Post by Juliana D'cheyne »

Another dream invaded her mind as she became involved with her student...well, not exactly an apprentice. He was more then that and she couldn't quite find a designation to fit how quickly he had taken over her thoughts. Yet something was happening to Gobaith, signs in the wilderness portend the stirring of ancient forces. Traveling with him, not as lonely, yet with dreams again interrupting her sleep, Juliana watches and waits becoming more frightened with each disturbing day. Helping him with the halfling bandits, she whispers.

Let's go south, to the southern forest. I want to see something.

Thankful his puzzled look turns immediately to acceptance, she begins to pack yet with the sudden realization this may be the last time.

Take the important things...leave most here. We may not return.

With concern in his voice, his hands move to her shoulders and soft voice questions their plans.

Juliana, explain.

How could she explain something she didn't understand? Hopefully the answers will be where they were going.
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Re: The Dream

Post by Juliana D'cheyne »

They both simply stare, what was it? It looked somewhat like a portal but different, larger...the question was where did it go? Carrying bags laden with their worldly possessions they stood not four steps from it as the wind whipped around threatening to pull them in. Debating briefly on the safer course of taking a ship as many had done to escape the forces destroying this island...she already knew where she was going yet he adamantly refused to set sail without her.

Is it possible to turn back now and not see where this leads?

A new world may await, a new beginning for them both..though possibly this portal would be the last they would explore. Juliana reaches for his hand gazing into those green eyes similar to her own then grins as she takes one step forward into the wind.
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Re: The Dream

Post by Zalkani »

Without the thoughts of consequence that would once have plagued him, Zal simply stepped through the portal after her. It wasn’t the rash disregard for his life that had once led to him pressing his chest against her blade, not really caring the outcome as she mercilessly probed everything he longed to forget. Now he felt alive, the constraints of the past no longer paralysed every thought and he had hope.

Juliana would say too much hope, rebuking him every time his mind dared to stray to any future. He could be patient though. Days had passed quickly with his training, punctuated by their banter as they tirelessly tormented one another. He felt young again, even child-like at times… and yet in his youth he would never have dared step into the unknown wearing a kilt. The fear remained with both of them but with each painful confrontation a little more subsided, the trust grew and a little more clarity was achieved.

Neither of them could possibly be sorry to be leaving Gobaith. She would always be braver about it, but he would gladly follow. A new life together could hardly be started walking in opposite directions.
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Re: The Dream

Post by Juliana D'cheyne »

The monsters here were much stronger, more unforgiving then any she had run across on Gobaith. Juliana had forgotten a lot of the mainland, yet in some ways it was retribution for the soft life that the island gave. The wilderness was no place to train a fighter though..at least not away from town yet she couldn't talk herself into joining one having been away from the crowds too long and unused to hiding her scars. In a way she was relieved that Zal refused to join one without her yet everytime he was pulled to the cross added to her guilt. Her worry completely dissipated when they explored. She loved finding new places and strange creatures. The ability to share the find with someone else just as excited as her brought them much closer and placed any reservations of him in the wilderness temporarily on hold. The land they could explore was only limited by the towns and only one... Cadomyr, refused to allow them inside yet neither one of them missed it. Along with the exploration came dreams of revelation, things long past she had forgotten and each new dream brought something to light that he talked about. One day, she may understand his own dreams and plans for the future, would she ever agree?
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Re: The Dream

Post by Zalkani »

Life in this new land could be considered hard, they'd both had their fair share of scrapes and had fresh scars etched into their skin to show for it. Seeing Juliana hurt brought a new pain, one that would only be transcended by the terror of what might have been, yet he swore he would never try to constrain her. Somehow the panic would always subside, quickly laid to rest by her irrepressible spirit, that exuberance to explore. With it his resolve deepened, now for the first time he was beginning to understand what he wanted, to know what he would fight for.

They travelled these new lands widely. Her frustration at any little obstruction amused him as she would tirelessly insist they searched for a way in or around every building, mountain, river, anything. The walls did not distress Zal, there was an acceptance from the man, content he had all he needed within his grasp. They still avoided the towns as best they could, rarely staying even to rest the night. Both found them uncomfortable, but he was no longer alone and any thoughts of returning to the life of solitude he had once resigned himself to filled him with far greater dread. Their exploring had brought them to one place where they had both found comfort, the place they would tentatively even refer to as home. He doubted either of them had used that word for a very long time, perhaps even now not using it in the sense most would. It was not a place they would always return to it at the end of the day, sometimes they would not go there for days on end but both seemed to recognise it as a place of safety. It was a place of dreams and what might be, a place of hope.
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Juliana D'cheyne
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Re: The Dream

Post by Juliana D'cheyne »

With the double moon showing in the sky at the same time on such a rare night, Juliana gazes to the heavens unable to sleep as her thoughts race. Was she worrying about nothing? Zal would think so..carefully and slowly turning to watch him sleep hoping not to wake him, knowing he will sleep light having been upset she left the night before to explore and was unable to return. He only worried about one thing as far as she could figure..and that was her, strangely enough. She should have left a parchment to tell him but thought the trip would be short and didn't even think of it as the urge to find that demon beast overcame any rational thought.

Turning onto her stomach in her restlessness her eyes gaze at the ring glittering in the moon light. She was constantly looking at it more in amazement that it was on her finger then anything else. The ring Zal gave her symbolized something she didn't even want to think about most of the time. It was too daunting, too perplexing in the connotation of "always" so she decided just to enjoy the beauty of the carvings on it. The intricacy of the vines and grapes as they twined around her finger made it different from anything she had ever seen. Knowing she could never hope to equal it in any gift she gave him brought a twinge of guilt occasionally, yet she would always remember the day he gave it, the place and how he looked. Carefully taking it off to lay in her bag when they explored was a welcome habit, along with placing it on her finger at the end of the day. Juliana was becoming somewhat of a dichotomy even to herself, yet she was liking this "end of the day" Juliana. This may have been someone she could have been if not for the events of her childhood. Could she still? Was it too late?

With their business expanding.. a few bribes, some escort jobs with most towns...things were almost doing too well. Juliana just didn't trust this...things doing well all the time. Invariably in her past it has been her undoing, the floor has dropped and suddenly she had nothing, yet so far, nothing has happened. They have even added another partner who brought new customers. What more could they want? Hopefully this orc, this former slave wouldn't be their undoing, though he has shown ingenuity and strength occasionally. Sometimes she was tempted to draw her dagger on him instead when he begins to talk too much about things better left unsaid, either that or just laugh. Finally drifting to a dreamless sleep, her thoughts dissolve with the impending rise of the sun and a new day.
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Re: The Dream

Post by Juliana D'cheyne »

The orc was lured to Galmair by headhunters and as a run-away slave, he had to stay safe from the slave hunters. Feeling that the Don could help him better then they could, he was no longer trusted though perhaps one day, when he was entirely free of his current obligations, they would see him again. Zal talking to some of these same head hunters first lead to consternation, then finally a better understanding of him and his motives. He was so polite, and patient, totally unlike her as she simply walks away yet they both in the end have the same goal. Theirs was a true partnership, in life and with their profession. Maybe one day their mercenary business would take on another partner, or even train someone in their techniques of fighting but for now, they were doing well.

It is new getting used to this thing called wife. Sometimes she wonders if all was a mistake, not hers...his. Other times she almost forgets and has to tell herself she is no longer alone. His arms around her at night serves as a constant reminder yet would she ever get used to it, would there come a time she would take this for granted, if only that were possible. He may not understand it, but the profound difference in her life was a basic change in her dream...her life dream. She had always known what would happen to her eventually so never feared, just accepted her time would come one day and she would be alone to meet Cherga. That all changed due to the man and his grapes. He was not just in her life but now a part of it, somehow something that could never again be divided. How this happened, Juliana couldn't even begin to guess, maybe one day, when they were old and not so wizened, she might ask and he would know.. be able to give her a definitive answer as he tends to do when broaching no argument. Coming to the realization after months, that there was no way she could talk him into doing something safer as a profession... maybe in a town, had been hard. That he enjoys the excitement of the fight like her is obvious and no longer questioned. In the dead of night when all is quiet, not even the monsters stir yet she doesn't want to arise from their blanket knowing he would immediately wake, Juliana allows her imagination to run wild hoping for a future of many years with this man, hoping to see him growing older with her, to see him as a cantankerous old man wondering where the monsters are while brandishing one of his axes.
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Re: The Dream

Post by Zalkani »

Days were filled with exploration as they relished their freedom, never in search of anything in particular but always seeming to find interest somewhere. Since the orc had gone they had mostly travelled alone, with only rare ventures with trusted acquaintances breaking their routine. Now it seemed almost unnatural to travel with another, their roaming ways and unorthodox tactics would bemuse any seasoned hunter but they were content and by no means went unrewarded. Whether their wanderings took them to a soft bed in a favourite retreat or a secluded cave mattered little to them, they had found all the comfort they needed. Occasional visits to the towns of Galmair and Runewick brought them conversation and company, occasionally welcome but mostly tolerated. With polite discourse, Zal could get by largely unflustered, but few could be left under any illusion over Juliana's feelings; she was not one to suffer fools gladly. He knew his idle banter with the head hunter had unsettled her at first but before too long she had recognised his steadfast loyalty. Meaningless talk of misunderstood mercenaries, about riches and comforts... Zal's mind had already wandered... always back to her. How could this fool standing before him ever presume to understand the bond forged between them, all their struggles, the fears that still haunted them?

Only occasionally, his new found peace was disturbed, interrupted by troubled thoughts of Cherga and her dreams. Zal did not fear his own death, only hers, only being left alone. He rarely argued he would follow with her these days, it only ever led to fierce opposition on her part. He was resolute though, regardless of what her dreams portrayed, he would not let Cherga take her alone. Could the Goddess of the underworld be bartered with? Zal was by no means a religious man and certainly not familiar with customs of offerings and sacrifice. He was determined though; Cherga should hear his pleas as soon as he could find an altar dedicated to her.
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Re: The Dream

Post by Juliana D'cheyne »

They finally got their hands on what they needed for bigger jobs, those of a political nature, those of a personal nature that required great finesse. It was more then coincidence the way information appeared and would almost make her believe in the gods at last. That visit to Cherga's altar...was that it? The one thing they argued about frequently.. rather avoided mentioning, was now resolved at the altar. Since then, bits and pieces along with parchments simply fell into their hands from the most unlikely of sources and all they had to do was wait. Let others have their goals, they would take the coin and gems...happily be the instrument for dreams to come true.

What was this sudden wealth of information and goods doing to them, were they as close as they once were? He was definitely stronger.. less in need of her skill with the arrows. His attention now being grabbed by other things more important then what she had to say in his excitement to go off on his own frequently not hearing her words while she became more and more silent. The inability to track the steps made through an overgrown forest or the necessity to delay in order to kill some monster that suddenly appeared to stalk them in his wake, threw her behind for longer periods of time and in her thoughts the sad questions nagged, rooted in history, was this repetition, was it time? As these deteriorated in her mind, lapses could be felt, She knew they happened and didn't know what to do...sometimes minutes, sometimes hours disappeared. Was her past catching up with her finally?

There, a gold but far away across the stream and around two trees, there was time to call...where had he gone? Raising her hand to her mouth, Juliana began to shout yet before any noise could leave her lips, the hit received staggered her. The diadem worn instead of a helmet was knocked off her head into the bushes while trying to run sent her careening off a rock as two more hits in a row had her grabbing for her bow instead of protecting herself..she mustn't loose her demon bow no matter what! Suddenly all was grey as a portend of the grey-haired ageless woman in black Juliana stood before. Recognizing her immediately, she spoke almost defiantly.


I'm not going to beg, you can take me if it is my time.

Was there a glint of humor in the woman's steady eyes as she raised her hand and with a woosh sent Juliana on her way? Was it just imagination to hear a voice whispering...

I don't want you yet.

At the cross Juliana pondered this and other things ignoring the sudden aches and pains of a broken body returned to the world of the living. The blood slowly drying while she healed was also of minor importance as a longing enveloped her. Was she a coward to wish to avoid more heartache? That was in the past wasn't it?
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Re: The Dream

Post by Zalkani »

Barely round the corner, Zal ground to a halt - she wasn't behind him. Tracking back over the rocks to see why she hadn't followed he couldn't miss the hulking mass of gold now separating them. He couldn't see her, he could only hope she was nestled between some rocks, hidden from the lumbering giant. Knowing he had to get the gold away from the corner for her to stand any chance, he made a futile charge at it, only to be sent sprawling into the sand. Another blow sent him straight into the rock face and he crumpled to the ground before scrambling up to make a hasty retreat. It worked though, the gold followed. Gasping for breath he desperately sought a way around it. Finally leaving the safety of his vantage point he stumbled over the rocky ground to the river, screaming for her to run. Where was she?

Slowly realisation dawned, he had left first... there was no way she had passed him... she had never made it out of the corner and now she was gone. Horrified he dodged past the returning gold, only to hurtle straight into another. Left reeling, he crawled into a crevice to regain his composure. He had to reach the portal. Hurling some loose rocks towards the water he made his escape. Running across tge sand his lungs burnt as he struggled for air. Thoughts raced through his head... she had to be there.

"She's mine, please don't take her from me."

Sometime later found him cradling her close to the waters edge, her wounds cleaned and her resting form wrapped in a blanket. She was calm now but what had gone before plagued his mind. At first she had been angry with him, berating him for leaving her. After that she became confused and vulnerable, speaking to him softly... except it wasn't him she was talking to at all. He wasn't even sure which was worse, her happy and not recognising him or so angry she could believe he could ever leave her. What had happened to the woman he loved? He needed her and yet all he could do is keep silent vigil as she slept, desperately hoping it would be his wife to wake come the morning.
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Juliana D'cheyne
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Re: The Dream

Post by Juliana D'cheyne »

A long term job was finished, it had taken forever to finally run into the man. Juliana hopes the client is happy with the results. The pay was good and though she strung him along, he never knew nor will he guess who hired them. The man took the slap fairly well considering, almost made her curious about him...especially since he even managed not to show anger.

The next, this blood, may be more difficult considering the person still needs to be alive, or that is what they assumed. Well.. it will come to them as things usually do. Perhaps they can combine a few jobs, strange there were more jobs wanting blood then anything, maybe they should ask these people why though they usually, purposefully refrain from too many questions. The elimination though, that is taking longer then she thought and becoming difficult considering the person is always guarded. One day things will work out...they never forget a case.

Turning over to get comfortable, she watches him sleep in their new "home" as they call it. The one found that is secluded, somewhat safe yet hard to get to. The blanket on the stone could be harder then a bed but also feel cool and refreshing after the heat of the desert. It was well worth the lack of a bed to know they wouldn't be interrupted and the sound of the wildlife, close yet unable to reach them, soothing. She hoped he liked his anniversary present the other night...he was so hard to get anything for claiming he had it all. With a sudden frown, he reaches out to tug her closer to his body yet never waking totally. Juliana's grin turns into a yawn while laying her arm on his chest and closing her eyes in his warmth whispering with a sleepy murmur.


I'm here Grapes, go to sleep.
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Re: The Dream

Post by Juliana D'cheyne »

Something happened.. something wasn't right and instead of waiting, she did something to make it right only it wasn't. The hurt was wrong, she had no intention of causing it but couldn't take it back now, it was far too late. She knows now it will be forever unforgiven. Juliana wanted to sleep and never wake, or maybe just forget. Would that be possible?
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Zalkani
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Re: The Dream

Post by Zalkani »

She slept... he should be glad she was at peace.

His throat was parched yet the tears ran unabated. He moved only to cover her with a blanket though, whether an act of kindness or an attempt to hide his guilt. Watching her he wondered how long until the nightmares would return?

Still she slept... should he wake her to share his anguish?

He had been weak enough already, this was his fault, he deserved to be punished. He should be glad she could sleep, that she could forget.
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Re: The Dream

Post by Juliana D'cheyne »

Juliana waits until the dead of night when the two moons are full in the sky. This different dream again awakens her, more disconcerting then all combined. This time she suspected it was a memory that if true, she never wanted to dream again. Slowly moving away from the sleeping form next to her, she doesn't bother to pack anything, not even her good bow. Following the moon's light, she walks north past the druid's place going as far as she can go then stares up at the wall. Forest green eyes gleam in the moonlight as a rope is thrown attempting to catch something stable at the top..maybe a turret? Finally it holds though how secure it is she is not sure yet tugging a few times seemed to indicate it was stable. Placing her bow on her shoulder, making sure a blade is in it's sheath and dagger at her boot, Juliana begins to climb as her heart races wondering what she will find on the other side. With an immediate goal of climbing to the top simply to satisfy her curiosity she can then think about what needed to be done next...maybe the dreams will disappear on the other side...or maybe she can make things better again, make it all right.
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Re: The Dream

Post by Zalkani »

Zal shivers, pulling the blanket tighter around him he grumbles reaching for her. Winter was upon them but it was not the icy wind that finally awoke him, more the chill of dread. It wasn't unusual for her to awaken in the night, to need to hunt... but this was different. Fumbling around in the moonlight soon brought the realisation she had abandoned everything... she was gone. Struggling for breath he fights to calm himself enough to think. She knew... she must know... and she hated him for hiding it from her. Time and again he'd tracked her across these new lands, all the years alone in the forest on Gobaith having served him well in that respect... but then he'd always felt she still wanted to be found. This time it was different, this time she was fleeing him.

There was nowhere she could hide from him here... she would go further. With dreaded realisation he gathered up their things and headed north. She'd obsessed over the wall and it had been the one place he'd refused to follow... now he feared he would have no choice.
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Re: The Dream

Post by Juliana D'cheyne »

Juliana sometimes wishes she actually had gone over the wall..oh, not by herself but dragged him kicking and frowning with her if she could. This wasn't like Gobaith where if you were slightly accomplished with sword or arrow it was possible to earn a living. They tried it here but the bow kept becoming harder to aim and the monsters more difficult for even the two of them to do much but run. Maps, treasure lay neglected with the inability to even think of finding and digging them up...how could this be done when to simply cross from one place to the other required one to be fleet of foot. How can they think of a trade or offer protection and the use of their swords if they can barely stay from the cross themselves? Taking the parchment advertising 'Mercenaries for Hire' from Borgate with a sigh, Juliana turns to Zal speaking softly and with a sadness in her voice heard more and more lately.

Grapes, we are simply living now on what we earned on Gobaith or here when the land was easier. Between the towns becoming less welcome to outsiders, and the growing unrest of the monsters, we simply can't do much for the business and can barely survive out there ourselves. We just have to close it down, at least for now.

What happens now? Their options were slim though Zal was more optimistic then she was. Joining a town was not even considered by either, they had never been part of one and neither desired to start now. Staying at the Inn was temporary, even that was too close to a permanent place for the wanderlust in her though she suspected Zal had similar feelings. Spending their time sparring to train and become more adept at sword and arrow was denying an attempt to find a better option...is that because there was none?
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Re: The Dream

Post by Juliana D'cheyne »

Only a couple of years and still they haven't explored all of this new land. The time has been restful for the most part except for some strange mystery of theirs that Zal refused to talk of. Since she was unable to remember, Juliana reluctantly came to the conclusion that it wasn't positive yet how terrible was it...something to do with a demon and her drow bow. Maybe before Cherga decides to keep them, she will get it out of him as a story but did she really want to know, did she really want to find this demon?

Worried that their existence seemed lonely to Grapes, unused to the life of being alone as she had previously, Juliana thought of the sparse friends they had. Raina who called them Mister and Missus Vine, wondering where she disappeared to, Azuros, then Aly which she would introduce to Grapes one day. She kind of liked Fooser but he was more a customer and probably wouldn't like it if he knew. Guessing they lost their chance with the Black Cat.. never able to meet had her wondering about pulling off that helmet one day. They would have more if not for her.. Grapes being more social, seemed to know what to say besides threatening to cut someone's throat.

Slowly climbing out of their shared blanket giving up on sleep, making sure she covered him back up, Juliana allowed the questions and concerns to push to the forefront of her thoughts while packing and dressing was done by rote. Why was Grapes talking of his age more and more lately, then comparing it to hers...why should that matter? Distractedly pulling on armor last, watching as he slumbered heavily had her undecided. He used to wake at the slightest sound she made, but now slept through most things. Is it just he is more relaxed and comfortable now? Will she know the time they should quit fighting and be able to stop him before he is seriously hurt? Giving up on getting him to quit the fight without her had her pondering what else to do. Of course he could craft again, seeming to sometimes even enjoy it, what would she do instead? Could she stand to move to a town now, maybe the dreams wouldn't return, maybe it was safe? Knowing he would refuse to go on his own had her pondering also about the farm they talked of. Could they really work on saving for something like that, she almost felt it was an impossible dream but it made him happy to talk of it.

Not too many coins and the jobs have dwindled because they refused the more dangerous ones. A few monsters, maps, body guard assignments will still bring a little coin but they need more if they want that elusive farm. Maybe if she quietly left at night and stole a few coins here and there from monsters it would help? He'd never know while he slept. Leaving the last clasp of her armor for later, Juliana quietly moves to the mouth of the cave and slides down making sure no rocks or pebbles are disturbed then standing, still barely breathing, until she hears his quiet breath denoting his sleep wasn't disturbed.

Pulling her sword from it's sheath with a swish of metal on leather, Juliana unbuckles her shield from it's usual place at her belt and throws on a helmet after taking a bite or two of an apple for her breakfast. She should be back before he wakes and maybe manage to bring them both a "proper" breakfast as he calls it.
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Re: The Dream

Post by Zalkani »

Sitting on the rock he blinked furiously trying to focus on the fox barely visible through the desert haze. Perhaps she was right and there was something wrong with him. It wasn’t fatigue though; this life had made him fitter and stronger than ever. He ate well, they wanted for nothing and she had trained him well enough to defend himself in the wilderness. Despite her anxiety of his desire for town life, this life of theirs suited him. Yes they talked of retiring to a small farm, but not yet… that’s where they would grow old together, still bickering about who Cherga would take first.

Lost in his thoughts he did not see the fox cautiously approach. He was fortunate it was only a hungry whelp more interested in the half-eaten meat he’d discarded that anything more sinister. No wonder she had been so angry with him, he was a danger to her. She’d refused to hunt with him since that day and made him promise to see a druid. How could he explain this though? Half the time he couldn’t even fathom what he’d been thinking to become so distracted. Something had him ill at ease though, an oppressive, almost suffocating fear. That unanswered question that was always there. Perhaps a druid could help after all?
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Re: The Dream

Post by Juliana D'cheyne »

Watching Grapes carefully for a few months, going on those strange things he called vacations frequently had Juliana convinced he was fine, maybe the problem is with her or this land? Traveling from the mainland to Gobaith many years ago and training for long hours with sword, realizing she would need that before her final goal of working with her demon bow and arrows had her prepared for most things.

At first it was revenge, then later there was just enjoyment of seeing that beautiful arrow bejeweled with the best feathers fly toward it's target...fulfilling even though hard. Once she met and began to train Zal, things were so easy. He thought she talked to and listened to that demon bow, maybe so but it made things easy to hit also. When they moved from the island back to the mainland using that large portal, everything was easier for her and her demon...even her thoughts became clearer in this new land or was it due to Zal? Only a few times was she wishing to return to that portal, yet now there was no return as the island purported to have sunk into the sea taking with it the towns that people worked and lived, Trolls Bane, Silverbrand, Tol Vanima, Greenbriar. Juliana wondered if Hellbriar finally had exploded or if like others said.. the gods were angry?

When the demon left her bow, according to Zal he was done with his work though she didn't remember much of that time, was when she noticed the difference. Her arrows weren't as true, it was harder to aim, the monsters ignored them and ran straight for her. It was harder for Grapes to keep up with her decreased abilities. Sighing Juliana throws her spare bow and arrows in the river muttering.

I'll one day find another demon for my drow bow.

After watching the bow slowly sink, the arrows taking a little longer, Juliana kneels by the stream and begins to nibble on a muffin Zal cooked for them both while allowing the crumbs to disturb the rippling reflection of herself. Once finished, she removes the helmet then adjusts a lock of pale blonde hair to go behind her ear. Running a gloved finger across the rough surface of an old scar going from forehead to below her ear, then tracking a newer one picking up under her chin and disappearing below her armor her pensive attitude has her muttering..

I heard mages have come back to this land.
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