Forgotten Glory }{ By Invite Only

[Vexxus]

Vexxus sent a thought back. "No, I met Raine in the forest on my way to you...but I don't have a good feeling about these beings. Perhaps we should play it casually until we know for sure. Better to gain the trust of your enemies."

She waited for Deraj to speak on their behalf.

[deraj]

Maintaining his princely composure he spoke, ”I’m afraid your niece isn’t fit for travel at the moment. She seems to be quite weary from her recent travel. Though I imagine you must be just as tired… Come.” He turned his horse slightly to indicate the castle. “You may rest easier within my halls than out here in the elements. I insist. Tonight we feast in honor of the return of my .” Deraj took Vexxus hand and kissed it before looking back on the group of demons. “Perhaps tomorrow, after all are rested and once again of sound mind, your prodigal niece will see her folly and return to you."

He thought at Vexxus, “They wouldn’t dare harm her in our company or while under the guard of my servants. Also, I hope feast was the right word. It seemed to fit. Does it have something to do with that hunger everyone was talking about?"

[laraine]

"I am afraid I will have to decline your offer." The woman said. "Knowing how violent Raine can be, once she sees me she will attack me. Such is the cruel nature of her a half demon instead of a full demon." The woman shrugged. "She is unstable, keeping her in your castle is dangerous of itself. She could destroy it, just like she destroyed her own father." The woman once again looked hurt at this. "I'm afraid there is no other choice but to bring her out here. The child needs her family after all."

[deraj]

Deraj wanted to laugh but the mention of the destruction of Raine’s father made it easier to suppress. Even if this woman’s tale was false, the prospect of someone ceasing to be brought him sadness and existential angst. However, Deraj was quickly learning that it was easy for him to conceal his emotions. “I doubt she could do much harm to anything at the moment. It is taking my entire court to tend to her needs as we speak. But if you indeed fear for your own safety, I shall see to her myself and send her on her way as soon as she is fit for travel.”

He thought again at Vexxus, “If they truly fear that Raine would attack them at the castle with others present, why do they want to face her alone in my wood? I propose that we ride back to the castle to warn her. I'll just send some of my servants to find some of that ‘food’.”

[Vexxus]

Somewhat surprised at the word "", and not wanting to act out of place, she watched with a slight smile as he kissed her hand.

Vexxus answered Deraj's thoughts. "Yes, feast is the right word...We will warn Raine of their presence, and hear her side of the story. Perhaps it will clear things up a bit."

She bowed her head to the group in a mask of respect, then turned her horse promptly around, and headed for the castle.

Wondering what else the horse could do, she placed a hand on it's shoulder, whispered a few unpronounceable words, and a patchwork of red glowing designs spread from where it rested. They soon covered the horse, and it's eyes glazed over a bright white. It let out a shrill cry as if charging in battle, and began increasing in speed. Instead of everything going by faster, it went by more vividly, and perhaps a bit slower. She could see every leaf, every piece of bark that had been stripped from every tree that she passed. Every beam of light filtering through the branches. Deraj was soon beside her, and as he looked at him, she remembered with a childlike fondness the first time she saw him.

[deraj]

He was glad to see Vexxus bow with all the pomp of her ‘elevated’ position and secretly wondered what she thought of her new rank. They turned and stormed off back to the castle. This time, he gave her the lead wanting to place himself between her and the demons. He could not explain why he felt so protective of her but he did.

After they had traveled some distance from the band of demons, he thought it was safe enough to close the gap and perhaps talk. As he approached, she leaned down and spoke to the horse. Deraj thought she was merely trying the same technique he had before but then he saw the glowing red designs. Like a child in a candy story, he greedily looked on as it spread across the animal. He felt something within him lust after the knowledge and power to do such a thing. Suddenly, he noticed that Vexxus appeared to quicken her movements. She wasted no time in turning to him and then zoning out as if in contemplation of pleasant memories. Wondering what was the cause of such rapid changes in emotion and perhaps what she had done to his poor, now glowing, horse he asked her if everything was alright.

[Vexxus]

She slowed her horse to a walk, and turned to Deraj. She smiled reminiscently. "I'm perfectly splendid. Just thinking about the day we met. Perhaps sometime I will tell you the story." The marks on the horse faded to a dull dark red, and the eyes returned to their black lustre.

Her face showed a hint of sadness and compassion, "And you? How is everything settling? It must be hard not knowing what you're supposed to know, or everyone assumes you know..."

[deraj]

"And you? How is everything settling? It must be hard not knowing what you're supposed to know, or everyone assumes you know..."

And so it was. Entire worlds had been opened to him over mere the period of the past few hours. He did not know this woman but something about her just seemed as though it should never have left him. He thought about his situation for a moment and then spoke, “It is both great and terrible. I have been opened up to more new things over the past few hours than I have in all the long years I have spent alone in these woods. Before today, I did not think that there could be more beyond. It is disturbing that before today, I had never truly considered myself. My court…they helped me with whatever I wished. They withheld nothing from me once I asked it of them but I never once thought to ask my name. I merely was and I was content.” He looked around at the forest before looking back on the understanding and compassionate face of Vexxus.

“I feel as though I have failed you somehow.” He took her hands in his and looked deep into her iridescent sapphire eyes. “I do not know how I could forget a person as wonderful as you, Vexxus. Now I know that I was lacking something. Perhaps it did not bother me before because I did not know that there was any other way. I know that now I can never be without you again and be satisfied.”

[Vexxus]

Their horses stepped in perfect synchronization. Vexxus' eyes never once left the great, grey, searching eyes of Deraj.

"You did not fail me, for you are here now. I honestly thought that I had lost you forever...when..." Tears came to Vexxus' eyes, and she turned away, pulling her hands back. "Forgive me, you do not know about the past...and perhaps you do not wish to. It would be a great burden upon you, especially now." She wiped her eyes, then smiled sheepishly. "What matters is now. I have no need to leave you now, and so I shall not."

Vexxus thought about how she would go about telling him. If he knew that he was the one who left...he would only be more upset with himself... In truth, she was not in the least angered by his leaving. It was behind them, and it was in her best interests. She trusted his judgement in leaving her behind.

[deraj]

She held his gaze. "You did not fail me, for you are here now.” These were the only words that he needed to hear. He felt absolved. He then knew what it felt to be forgiven. He already felt lighter but then she continued.

“I honestly thought that I had lost you forever...when..." As the tears formed in her eyes she turned away from him. He could only hope that these were tears of joy but he secretly feared that more hid in his past than she was willing to relive. She pushed back the tears and made an attempt to smile once again saying, "Forgive me, you do not know about the past...and perhaps you do not wish to. It would be a great burden upon you, especially now." All his fears were then confirmed.

However, he could not worry about them now. He was not lying when he said that he intended to celebrate. She was the best thing that had happened to him, that he could remember at least. It was time to have one of those feasts. It was a time to rejoice. It was a time to rest and plan. He had always wondered why his court commissioned that two thrones be made. Perhaps they knew of her return all along.

It did not take them long to reach the castle. Horns sounded at their approach. Flags were raised and Deraj did not have to give orders for the gates to be opened. His knights had formed a tunnel between the gate and the grand entrance to the keep itself. Deraj and Vexxus dismounted and an undead page took their horses to the stables.

Alfonso casually drifted through a wall and asked how their ride went. When he saw that they had brought nothing back with them, Alfonso ordered some of the knights to hunt. The knights nodded and sallied forth into the dark forest.

[Vexxus]

When they reached the castle, there was a welcome like Vexxus had never known. I could always picture Deraj as a prince, or , but I never thought... She chuckled at the massive display, and looked at Deraj. He didn't have to do so much to win her heart. It was already his. Still, when she dismounted she walked to him and kissed him on the cheek.

One of his right-hand servants approached them and asked how it went. He sent knights out to hunt, as they did not bring anything back.

As Deraj offered his arm she took it and they went through the tunnel of knights, then into the castle. A few members of the court guided them to where Raine rested.

[laraine]

Raine was pretty much asleep while they were out hunting. The day of running had worn her out. Yet, as they entered, there was much hustle and bustle, so Raine awoke suddenly as the two entered the room. She stretched a bit and smiled at them both. "Well did you two have fun? Catch anything good to eat?"

She seemed a bit more comfortable and at ease than she was in the throne room. The anger had slowly passed. Now she really didn't care much anymore. Although the pain of Deraj abandoning her was still there. However, this type of pain she could ignore, push it away until even she believed it never existed.

[deraj]

Deraj thought for a minute and decided not to tell Raine of her family. The demons wouldn’t dare enter the castle to collect her. They were either too frightened or too lazy for that. Why ruin a good party with such horrible news? He would allow Vexxus to impart the bad news if she wished but hopefully she would take notice that he did not say anything. She needs to rest. Such information would not help much now.

“Twas a pleasant ride but we unfortunately did not bring anything back. My knights will hopefully bring enough for us to feast soon enough. How are you? I trust my court has tended to your needs in my absence.”

[Vexxus]

Vexxus took note as Deraj did not say what they had been doing during their ride, so she also decided that Raine did not need this information immediately.

She approached the chair, and crouched at the side of it. Vexxus knew that there was plenty of room, and that it would do Raine good to rest for a few days.

"I would also like to let you know that you may stay as long as you wish." She looked at Deraj to confirm.

[laraine]

"Yes, they have done well." Raine answered him with a smile. When she heard she would have to wait a little longer for her food, she shrugged. But inside she felt uneasy. Once the demons found out where she was, she would have to leave. She couldn't spend much time here.

She got to her feet and flicked back her pink hair. "Well as generous as that is, I shouldn't stay too long. I'm not one to stay in one place for too long anyway." She collected her cloak from the chair arm. "A night if most, I don't want to become a burden or a bother."

I am being hunted, even if he has forgotten me I shouldn't get them both mixed up in this...