COF 14

 The room was filled with a musky scent, the smell of aged paper and dried leather tickling her nose. Dust drifted in the air, stirred up by Lezard as he pulled back book after book, glancing at the titles. Occasionally he’d hand one to Lenneth, the woman’s eyes roving over the inscription, though there was many she could not read, of languages long dead and forgotten. She followed him around the large room, marveling at the size of it. He had rows upon rows of bookcases, the wood crowding in on each other, the shelves fully stocked and thick with massive tomes. There was enough knowledge here to take several lifetimes to read, leaving Lenneth to wonder if the wizard bothered to go through them all, or if he merely collected anything and everything that had to do with his interests.

His interests were varied, though not all pointed to a particularly magical slant. Yes he had books on potions and spells, necromancy and alchemy, even books on hedge witchery, but he also had books on ancient civilizations, myths both real and imagined of the Gods, bestiaries, even anatomy books. There was even a few art books hidden away in a far oft corner, hinting that her wizard was a bit of an artiste.

Lenneth stopped up short, a frozen expression on her face. Since when had she began to think of Lezard as HERS. “Lenneth?” Lezard was turning, a questioning look on his face. He looked at her, standing there with a pile of books in her arms, and misunderstood the reason for it. “Ahh…forgive me…” He said, hands reaching out. “I did not think they would be too heavy for you.”

“I can manage!” Lenneth said, pulling back, his hands brushing against hers.

“But I insist!” He grabbed at the books, and they toppled, spilling onto the floor with a thunderous sound. “Look at what you made me do!” She cried, frustrated. She dropped to her knees, angrily stacking book atop book. Lezard got down to one knee, wordlessly handing her a book. She snatched it from him, slamming it down with vigorous force.

He was watching her, purple eyes taking in the angry tremble in her hands. Her words and body language hinted at an upset that had nothing to do with the scattered books, and everything to do with some private inner turmoil. Eyes turning soft, almost compassionate, he leaned forward, brushing his lips against her forehead. “It’s okay.” He whispered soothingly, a kiss gracing just over her right eye.

Lezard reached forward to hug her loosely about the shoulders, a comforting touch different from his normal way of touching her. The softness of the gesture made her heart ache, her eyes growing wet though she did not cry. “It’s just books…” She said dumbly, her breath soft against his ear.

“Yes.” He agreed.. “It’s just books…some more easily replaced than others, but I see no reason to get so upset about them.” Lezard said, not wanting to pressure her for the real reason she was so perturbed. He pulled back from her, finger reaching up to slide his glasses back up his nose. Lenneth’s eyes were lowered, avoiding him by staring at the stack of books on the ground.

Pushing up on his knees, Lezard stood, holding a hand out to Lenneth. She reached up, clasping hold, and he lightly pulled, raising her to stand. Before she could move, he bent down, gathering the books to his chest. She opened her mouth to protest, and he shook his head. “Allow me.” He turned to browse among the bookcases, pulling out two more books, before he dumped the pile on a nearby table.

“Do we really need all those books?” Lenneth approached the table, fingering a book that was bound in red snake skin. Lezard looked at the pile a tad uncertain. “Perhaps I grew carried away.” He sighed, running his hands through his hair. “But I’ve never attempted a spell like this, and want to make sure everything is perfect.” His hands wandered, grabbing a book at random, and flipping it open. “I want to make sure it doesn’t interfere with the protection spell…perhaps a ring would be ideal…they’re easy to enchant, and capable of holding a large amount of power…” His voice drifted off, his eyes glancing back and forth as he read a paragraph to himself.

Lenneth sighed, realizing this was bound to be a boring task. “Problem?” Lezard asked, arching an eyebrow at her. The Valkyrie shook her head, fingers tucking loose strands of her hair back behind her ears. “Just wondering how I can help…?”

That brought him up short. He preferred to work alone, doing his own research and notes. He looked around the room, eyes at last falling on ancient tea kettle atop of a rusty hook. “How are you at boiling water?” She blinked, thinking it an odd question. “Its just that the adjoining room has a fireplace…you could set us up with a spot of tea.”

“Tea sounds easy enough to manage.” Lenneth nodded with a smile. It would be the first of many pots of tea the woman would make. Hours would go by, Lezard fussing with spell components, checking and rechecking things ad nasuem. The Valkyrie would alternate her time from pacing around the library, examing the few books she could read, or dozing on the cot in the study next door.

Right now she lay on her side, peering through the open doorway into the library, having a perfect view of the wizard. He sat hunched over the table, feathered ink pen scribbling across a page, as he intently peered at an open book. He was muttering to himself, his brown hair sticking up in all directions from having run his hands through his chocolate locks one too many times. He hardly looked like the powerful and intimidating necromancer he was known to be, looking more eccentric and disheveled than anything else.

The floor was littered with crumpled notes, his white shirt bearing the mark of blue ink stains. Occasionally he would glance up and stare off into space, nervously chewing on his lower lip. Then his eyes would brighten, his lips curling into a smile, and off he would go, writing out some complicated formula. Sometimes he would take a sip of tea, even though the contents had long gone cold from his forgetting the cup was there. It was amazing to Lenneth that he hadn’t yet spilled the cold liquid onto a book with his excited movements.

Once again, she felt her eyelids drooping close, boredom making her sleepy. Her hand came up to her face, hiding a yawn, eyes still watching Lezard work at the desk. It wasn’t a hard task to watch him, the man was certainly easy on the eyes with his handsome dark looks. And right now he was too caught up in his work to notice her deep inspection of him. She could watch without fear of being caught, of knowing looks and smug smiles. With a smile, she snuggled closer against the pillow on the cot, eyes drifting close with the image of him still burnt into her mind.

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Mystina had to struggle to keep up with Arngrim, the pace the warrior set being swift and hurried. His greaves hit the floor harshly, a steady clip clop of metal that echoed through the halls, drowning out the sound of her heels, even her own thoughts. “Arngrim wait!” She tried to touch his back, but he did not slow, staying just out of reach. She had to put on a burst of speed just to reach his side, trying to see his face. It brought her to a stop, seeing the grim set of his mouth, the dark look in his eyes.

“Where are you going in such a rush?” She asked plaintively.

“Away from him.” came the rumble of his voice.

“Him? You mean Lord Od…” A hand was suddenly over her mouth, muffling her lips and nose, making it hard to breathe.

“Don’t say his name!” Arngrim ordered, eyes glancing around the room nervously. “Don’t you know to speak his name is to invite his ears to come spy on you?”

She let out a distorted cry, her words unintelligible for his hand was blocking her mouth. The warrior dropped his hand away from her with an apologetic look in his eyes, knowing he had gotten carried away in the moment. Her blue eyes stared at him, taking in his nervous aspect. It seemed Arngrim had been as unsettled by the meeting with the Elder God as she had been.

“Arngrim…what’s going on…?” Mystina asked softly.

“I don’t know…not yet…but I don’t trust him.” Arngrim said. “He’s too slick…His words too rehearsed.” He shook his head slowly. “He was too quick to dismiss our theory, not wanting to even take it into consideration.”

“But you know the Gods don’t have a very high opinion of us mortals.” Mystina replied, a sardonic smile on her face. “Naturally he would doubt what that little freak is capable of.”

“You weren’t watching him as carefully as I.” Arngrim told her. “I could see the look in his eyes…a guilty surprise at the mention of Lezard’s name. He knew of him Mysty. Knew of him long before you and I ever came to that throne room.”

“But why would he pretend otherwise?” She asked him.

“I don’t know…but what I am sure of is he didn’t like that we know.” His lips curled, disdain on his face. “We may have just painted ourselves into a corner by talking with him.” He spat on the floor, disgust evident in his tone.

“That’s why you told him we had talked about it with others…” Realization shone in her eyes. “You wanted him to know if anything had happened to us, others would come looking…come asking the wrong questions!”

“It pays to have someone watching out for us. Even if it’s a little gossip monger like Aeila.” His words sounded cruel, but his expression was fond as he thought of the cute dragon girl. She may have a propensity for loose lips, but her talent on the battle field with her spear was unmatched. She was a good ally to have.

“She’ll have gotten the word out by now…” Mystina said. “She won’t have been able to resist telling a tale like that!”

“Indeed.” Arngrim resumed walking, and she followed, relieved to see him moving at a much more manageable pace.

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Lenneth was dreaming. She knew that, floating serenely to the ground on gossamer wings, bare feet touching brown dirt. When the soles of her feet scrapped along the ground, an explosion of color erupted around her, green grass shooting off in every direction, bringing the barren field to life. A rainbow of flowers began, all kinds of varieties blooming in the grassy field, even as willowy trees, thin and newly hatched began to weave their way out of the stalks. Their trunks grew thick and wide, becoming strong oak, branches stretching up to kiss the blue sky, silver and gold leaves sprouting from the tips.

Further signs of life appeared, butterflies floating from flower to flower, bunny rabbits hopping among the stalks. It was a peaceful setting, setting her mind at ease, feeling her with a tranquility she had not known for weeks now. She lifted her hand, and a blue bird landed on it, twittering it’s pretty melody at her. Lenneth smiled, caressing it’s throat with her finger, thanking it for it’s song.

There was a rustle behind her, and she turned, bird taking off. In the distance she could see two specks rapidly approaching her. They were tall, and shadowy, all she could make out was that they were humans. She felt an alarm at seeing the speed in which they rushed towards her, but she stood her ground. Wings heavy, stray feathers blowing free in the wind, she watched impassively as they approached, taking on details as they grew nearer. Both were tall, but the resemblance stopped there, one having sun kissed hair of yellow, the other the rich mahogany of brown.

Even their manner of dress was different, the blonde clad in red armor, gray chainmail clinging to his arms and legs. The brunette had no metal on him, preferring instead soft spun clothing of cotton and silk, an array of colors garbing his body, from tan pants to green jacket, and indigo cape. They both smiled at her, proffering their weapons of choice, a sword for one, a thick book for the other. As they held them out they changed, tiny buds of flowers sprouted all over the items, blooming into bouquets, that like their owners were different and unique.

One held the innocence of white flowers, lilies that were a safe choice, speaking of childhood love. The other was the passion of red roses, so dark they almost turned black, thorns still on the stem, beckoning her to take them with care. But when she tried to take both bundles, the men pulled back, silently shaking their head no. She frowned, not liking that she had to choose. How could she decide, both were beautiful with their own merits and disadvantages. The men pressed forward again, so close she could smell the heady aroma of the flowers mixing together, making her want to sneeze.

“I can’t decide!” She cried, and turned on her heel, wishing to take flight from this place. But her wings were gone, feathers strewn throughout the air. The flowers brushed at her back, and she broke into a run, the men chasing after her, demanding she choose between them.

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“I’ve done it.” Lezard’s voice was deep with satisfaction, snapping shut the book before him. “But was there any doubt of that?” He said with a self confident smirk. “I am a genius after all!” He laughed, more from being sleep deprived than finding anything humorous in the situation. He felt accomplished, proud, all the natural emotions that followed one of his successes.

“Lenneth come here!” He was surprised when there was no response. He glanced around, spying the open door to the study. “Lenneth?” He called again, a tad more softly. He rose from his seat, raising his arms up over his head to stretch long arms out. It felt good to be standing after sitting for so long. He flexed fingers stiff from holding a pen too long, the movement working them limber once more.

With one last crack of his knuckles, he strode towards the door, booted feet tapping on the floor. Fingers gripped the frame, amethyst eyes peering into the room. He spotted her laying on the cot, the lapis lazuli of her necklace twinkling as it lay against her neck. He stood there for a moment, just watching her sleep, enjoying the way her chest rose and fell with each breath.

Creeping closer to the bed, Lezard took care to not make any noise, wishing not to wake her just yet. He knelt down next to the cot, head bowed as though in prayer, just watching and waiting. She was beautiful, a slumbering princess awaiting a kiss from her true love. How sweet it would be to see those eyes of her’s flutter open, a soft smile curve her lips upon seeing him. He sighed, looking wistful as his hand reached out, almost of it’s own accord, tenderly smoothing back the hair that teased the sides of her face.

He hardly showed his startlement when her eyes suddenly flew open, the Valkyrie proving to be a light sleeper for once. “Lezard…” She said, a tad groggily. “Is it morning yet?”

“Not yet.” He told her, the back of his fingers still caressing her cheek. “It is still yet hours before dawn.”

“Then what?” She was starting to become aware of her surroundings, feel the metal frame of the cot biting into her back. She went to sit up, Lezard’s hand falling away from her face, and asked, “More tea?”

He smiled and shook his head no. “No. I’ve finished it Lenneth.” Hands fumbling, he reached into his pants pocket, searching for something. “All that’s left to do is cast the enchantment.” It was a ring he presented to her, a golden circle with diamonds and sapphires interwoven together in a thin braid across the top. A larger diamond gleamed in the center, drawing Lenneth’s eyes to it’s sparkle.

“More jewelry…” She murmured, trying to keep the pleased tone out of her voice. She couldn’t keep but be flattered when he lavished her with such expensive gifts.

“I was worried the two spells might run interference against each other if cast into the same stone.” Lezard said, by way of explanation. “There should be no problem this way. Many people wear multiple spell charms on their bodies, with various enchainments, even those in direct opposition of one another.” He lifted up Lenneth’s hand, eyeing her fingers speculatively. Holding the ring between his thumb and forefinger, he went to slide it on the fourth finger of her right hand.

“Heh…” He said, and she looked questioningly at him. “It’s nothing…just…a private joke.” He grinned, seeing the significance of the ring’s placement was lost on her. “Look here…the diamonds will hold the spell that grants you access to safe doorways…” He stroked the tip of his fingers across the braid of jewels, the hard texture of the jewels scratching at his skin. “While the sapphires will prevent your from venturing into dangerous pathways.”

“How?” She asked, truly curious.

“It will be as simple as the opening and closing of a door.” Lezard told her. “It will be a quite effective lock and key for you here in my tower.”

Freedom. Thought Lenneth, stifling a smile. The ring of his would effectively widen the size of her cage, give her a chance to spread her wings, and explore. It also showed Lezard was beginning to trust her, to doubt her impulse to run from him, if he was looking for ways to allow her to easily traverse the pathways of his home. She held up her hand before her face, fingers splayed wide, admiring her new ring. This time she gave into the smile, wanting to laugh. “Shall we test it out?” She asked eagerly.

Lezard laughed. “I see in your excitement you haven’t been paying attention to my words.” He tapped her on the nose, a chiding touch. “I still have to cast the spell into the ring…” Her expression fell, disappointment etched into every feature. “But it won’t take more than a few minutes. I’ll do that now…” He took hold of her hand, holding it so that their palms rested against each other’s. His other hand rested above hers, hovering a few centimeters above the skin, just close enough that she could feel the heat of him enveloping her hand on all sides.

With a chant, his hand lit up, a bright yellow glow that illuminated the room, chasing away the shadows from the room. He cleared his throat, and then began speaking, a long and complex spell from memory. He had devised it earlier that night, his mind like a steel trap, retaining the words with ease to be conjured up when he needed them most. Power seemed to surge from him, spiraling down his arm to focus in his hand. Lenneth felt a chill all the way down to her bones, and if not for his fingers tightening around hers, she would have pulled her hand away.

With her flesh goose pimpling, she felt the magic pulsate against her skin, looking for a way in, a container to hold it. It danced and it vibrated, moving across her hand, seeping through the cracks in her fingers to tickle against Lezard’s palm. It shot back up to twirl around her fingers, looping about until at last it found the ring. She felt it split apart, a whisper of it’s former self, caressing against the ring. Lezard said one word, a short bark of anger in his voice, and she felt a pulling wind tug around her. The power fought against it, not wanting to go, not liking being ordered about, but failing to win against him. With bells ringing in her ears, the ring shimmered, greedily claiming the spell for it’s own.

It would have been far more dramatic had Lezard collapsed after a display of such power. But he merely released his grip on her, a shaky smile offered up to his Goddess. She returned his smile, eyes alight as she examined the ring, seeing no sign of the power it held. “Lezard…thank you!” She shocked him when she threw her arms around his neck, hugging him tightly. He let out a sharp intake of breath, his arms slowly coming up to awkwardly return the embrace.

“You’re welcome Lenneth.” He said, forcing himself to behave, though it was hard. Oh so hard. It was with great reluctance that he allowed her to slip free of his arms, his hands wanting to linger on her body. She didn’t seem to notice, eyes going to her ring once more.