A voice of something, not a person. An idea perhaps, a concept. It called to him, beckoning like a siren to the jagged rocks. It's voice was sweet with an uncanny familiarity, how he wanted to cling and devour each word it whispered to him. Whatever it was he wanted more, yearning for it, no matter the price.
". . . Yes. . ."
He awoke, his head throbbing, like a pounding war drum. Damian groaned rolling to his feet, his arm still aching from yesterday's skirmish. He looked down at himself, no clothes to speak of but an old loin cloth. Scars were pattered across his body, each telling a tale of either triumph or humility.
He sighed, not wanting to really be out of bed just yet, however he or rather they needed to be on the road. He took the time to dawn his clothing and armour, realizing that he needed to bathe, but was unable too.
He finished with his preparations, slugging the large rucksack he acquired yesterday over his shoulders. He stepped out into the hall and knocked on Elise's door, he heard the rapid taps of her feet. "One moment."
He waited, and waited some more. After several minutes had passed the door swung open, Elise stood in the doorway panting. Dressed with her rucksack on, making her frame look even smaller than it was. A smile started to peel open his mouth, he kept himself from laughing well searching for his comb. He passed it to her, no words were said until her horror stricken gaze turned to the water basin she used as a mirror.
"Oh gods above." She turned to face him, with some feigned seriousness he threatened. "If you give me lice, I'll shave you." He wasn't entirely joking, though Elise thought he was. Damian closed the door gently well she fixed her terminal case of bed head, he could hear a couple gasps and curses she let slip as she went to work.
Since he had a moment, Damian cracked open his book. A tome on the magical beasts, undead, Fae and things of such nature. He often compared his knowledge to what was written in tomes, he wasn't an expert by any means, but neither was he entirely ignorant. He managed to read a couple of pages before he heard her voice.
"Alright I'm ready!" Elise shouted as the door swung open once more, the raven haired Half Elf now controlling that beast upon her head. "Thank you, and let's be honest. If anyone is giving lice, it's you." She winked, before hiding her coy smile as she handed off the comb marching past him.
He shook his head, following after her, they handed off their room keys before heading out into the street. Damian led them to the north gate, it was earlier in the day, only laborer's or sleeping drunkards in the streets. It was nice during this time of day, as the congestion was low and one could breathe.
About a half hour it took them to reach the north gate, the towering structure paired with the massive stone walls and ramparts would make a giant look small. "The walls looked so much smaller from the manor." Elise stated, her wide eyes scanning across the architecture. He glanced over to her, turning away. "Wait here a moment, I'll return shortly."
Before she could object he had left, disappearing westward. She scoffed as her hands dropped, annoyed and frustrated she stood over by the wall and sulked. "He better not leave me, or I swear to the hells beyond. . ." She stopped herself, her anger turning quickly to anxiety. "What if he did just leave, would Lord Atticus take me back?" Her foot tapped well her ears drooped, a few minutes passed as she contemplated. "No, if he was going to leave, he wouldn't have collected me this morning, he would've just left." She shook her head and sighed, she ran a hand through her hair and pulled up her hood. "Stupid girl, use your head." Her jaw clenched, she leaned back against the wall crossing her arms. "Don't talk about yourself like that, mother superior always said it was bad for the soul. . . Lords of Light Elise."
"You say something?" Damian's voice rang out, she shot up, nearly stumbling over. Damian turned his head with wide eyes, concerned by her flushed face and her Elven ears at attention. She waved her hands fiercely. "I'm fine I'm fine!"
He smirked and stepped forward. "Right. . . If you're done talking to yourself, we're good to leave now." He said the words and Elise then realized what he was carrying, two wooden swords strapped to the side of his ruck. "What are those for?"
She asked, jogging up to him keeping pace, they passed through the open gates well city guards watched. "Training." He stated, with no elaboration Elise begged a question. "Training for me?" Damian kept his eyes forward. "Unless there's someone I've yet to meet, then yes, you." She scowled, and slapped his arm.
He turned his head, an amused look paired with a lick of his teeth. "You know I've killed men for pettier things." Elise now looked forward, toying with him. "Well if you're going to kill me I'd ask you to do it now, save me the walk." Her eyes flicked to him, a wicked smile plastered across her face. "You certainly are bold, now I'm certain." He said as she looked to him, he faced away, using her own tactic against her. "Certain of what?" He exhaled loudly. "Why you were told to behave by that butler, and why you were dumped on me." Elise jumped forward and began to walk backwards, she crossed her arms in a huff. "Dumped on you? That's awfully rude, I would prefer. . . That you were blessed with my presence." She bobbed her head to the side, smirked and flicked her chin up. Damian sighed again. "You certainly are willful, Elise the orphan." She turned on her heel, some dust kicked up from beneath her boot. "Why thank you, Damian without a last name. Or should I call you Damian the Red Wolf of Markel!" He sighed, for the third time.
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The sun was setting when they stopped, and Elise had never been so thankful in her life. Sweat covered her entire body, her clothes were practically damp now, her new and lovely clothing. "We'll set up camp over here." Damian pointed out off the main road, an alcove of hill that wasn't visible from the main road.
When they reached their chosen camp ground she plopped to the grass, groaning leaning back with arms outstretched. "And just what do you think you're doing?" Her head lifted, just enough to make eye contact. "Dying, what's it to you?"
He set his ruck to the ground and began to unpack. "We've got to set up camp, start unpacking. And before you give any lip just remember you asked to come with me, so hop to it." She groaned louder, but complied.
They set up camp, it didn't take nearly as long as Elise thought it would. She took off her surcoat and the layers underneath, leaving on her blouse. She stripped her trousers, boots and socks leaving on her skirt and undergarments. Her cloak now a makeshift pillow.
She spread out her articles of clothing placing whatever she could on top to keep them weighed down, she hoped they'd dry by the morning, though she dreaded the odor they'd certainly carry.
By the time she finished, Damian was resting on his side with a book in hand. Much like a house cat she crept towards him, just within the corner of his eye. He pretended not to notice, she came closer trying to eye the words on the page.
"Yes?" He asked, closing the book just enough to restrict her vision. "May I ask what you're reading?" She inched closer on her hands and knees, her loose fitting blouse exposing enough that he had to avert his gaze. "A book, or more of an encyclopedia on magic beasts, undead and so on." She sat beside him, wrapping her arms around her knees. "I'm not sure what an encyclopedia is, however it sounds interesting. May I?" Damian sat up, closing his eyes for a moment. "You know it's proper to ask before sitting beside someone, and here I thought they would have taught you manners."
Elise rolled her eyes, he snickered. "But I suppose that's fine, I know you can read, but how well?" He opened the book back to his page, the last of the section on ghouls. "I can read well enough that I impressed that crusty old butler, oh pardon me, Master Isaac." She waved her hands mockingly.
"Well I was about done the section on ghouls, but I suppose we should start at the beginning of an entry." He flipped the page, the next section on the blood sucking undead known as vampires. Elise leaned forward, her eyes scanning across the text. "I guess you can read fairly well, that's impressive for a former slave."
His words fell on deaf ears, she had engrossed herself in the pages. "It says that there are different types of vampires, that each one is more dangerous than the next." He chuckled, enough to grab her attention. "Well that's sort of true, but not quite how the book describes. There are two different types of vampires, technically speaking. However the only one you'd ever encounter would be a quote unquote regular vampire."
Elise leaned forward, a bit too close that he could smell her breath. "Regular vampires, or rather just vampires change as they get older. New vampires are often called thralls or spawn, and are slaves to their masters unless released or the control is broken, once freed they're called lesser vampires. They're still partly alive at that point, and can eat, drink, walk in the sun. . . some can still bear children." Damian looked at her, the implications of it dawned on her.
"Aren't vampires undead. . . So a corpse, yuck." He laughed. "Kind of yeah, but again, still partly alive at that point. Once they age and consume enough blood they won't be able to do said mentioned things, and the sun becomes lethal. At that point they gain more vampiric powers, and are incredibly dangerous. Once they become elders, it requires very well trained and equipped hunters and clerics to take them down."
Elise flipped the page, the last of the entry. "You also said there's another type of vampire, what did you mean by that?" He nodded, taking a moment to collect his thoughts. "I did, the other type of vampire is something else entirely. Those things are called true vampires, royal vampires or pure bloods. Those things are monsters, and could sunder an army with minimal ease. Lets just say the most humane thing it would do to a person would be to kill them, though from what I've read they like to toy with their play things until they break."
She gulped, Damian chuckled and nudged her elbow. "Don't worry, such creatures are very few and far between." She rubbed her nose, her eyes scanned over the last of the page. "How do you know so much about vampires, you're a mercenary not a monster hunter, right?" A fair question, Damian thought. "I educate myself about such things, in case I do encounter something on the road. Also it helps that I've met one, or two rather, technically speaking." Her head turned towards him, she reminded him of a house pet waiting expectantly for a treat. "The first one I met, tried to rip my throat out. My former commander fought it off, we never found it again. The other one I consider my friend, if you could believe such a thing." Elise leaned forward some more, so much so Damian had to extend his hand for her to move back. "Will I ever get to meet this vampire?" She asked, vigor in every word, a bit too excited, he thought. "You very well may, now it's late, we should rest."
She nodded in agreement and moved over to her bed roll, climbing inside she rested her head on the cloak rolled into a pillow. "Could I borrow that book from time to time?" She asked, brushing some strands of hair from her face. He looked at her as he laid down, his expression blank. "Please." She added.
"I suppose, and if you're not a complete pain in my ass I'll buy some more books in the next town." She huffed. "I guess I'll just need to make some money, since you won't be buying anymore." He tapped his head against the ground. "Go to bed half Elf." He said defeated, Elise cackled to herself.
It didn't take long before Elise was asleep, Damian however had trouble doing so. Even below a star lit sky, which was often a comfort to him. His head turned to his companion, she laid facing him, snuggling her cloak.
He watched her in the darkness, with each breath her chest raised and lowered. Strands of her raven hair blew in the wind, falling and covering her face. He wasn't sure why she ended up with him, though he found it surprising how well they got along. Though his heart ached, she reminded him of her. "Lenore."
That name lingered on his mind, he gazed up to the sky and wondered if she was looking down at him.
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The next day had come and gone, and so did the day after. Now on the fourth day of travel they reached the split in the road at dusk, they would need to keep going north but decided to stop here for the night, as did others.
Along many of the roads in the Empire were places like these, encampments of various travelers, soldiers, merchants and others gathered on the road for safety. Pitched tents and campfires all around, people shared drinks, food and stories. This being the norm of travel within the vast territories of the Empire.
The two had searched along the outskirts finding some solid ground, thankfully it was also far enough away from the latrine. Elise set up their bed rolls well Damian got a fire lit, they had fallen into a routine each night on who did what tasks.
"By the way, I would recommend not taking off any clothing to dry." He said, his attention still focused on the adolescent fire. "I'm not some harlot, I'm not going to prance about half naked in front of so many people." Damian's eyes looked up, a fiendish grin taking over. "Just in front of me, I'm honoured."
Elise crossed her arms, doing her very best to be intimidating. "What, I wasn't sure if you were some exhibitionist." Faint chuckles escaped him, Elise narrowed her eyes debating if she should be offended, not actually knowing what an exhibitionist is. "One day Damian, I'm going to make you eat those words."
Damian stood. "Why wait." He said grabbing the wooden swords off the side of his ruck, he tossed one to her. The swords were just over two feet in length, about the size of Damian's arming sword. "We've yet to start your swordplay training, if you're gonna be travelling with me, you should at least know the basics."
Damian stepped off to the side away from camp, it was dark, even with the surrounding lights. "You even have the advantage, you can see better in the dark can't you." She followed over, dropping her cloak to the ground. "I can yes, am I holding this thing right?" He lifted his hand showing her his grip. "Grab it near the top, hold it firmly."
Damian took his stance, blading towards her with his sword arm out front. "When fighting, keep a stance like so, bend your knees slightly with your sword out in front. If you use a shield like I do, the shield is out in front." She observed, marking the details of the stance he's mastered over his years. "Like this?" She mimicked him, taking a fighting stance, Damian was impressed.
"Very good, now the next part is pretty simple. Stab your target without getting stabbed first." He smiled at her, unimpressed Elise lowered her guard well saying. "Really that's the best you could come up with." Damian lunged forward, the blunt tip striking her thorax.
She yelped and jumped back, raising her sword and bearing teeth. "Asshole!" She cried, rubbing the point of impact. "When in a fight, keep your attention on your opponent, otherwise you get stabbed first. Now another important piece is footwork, always be mindful of where you're going and where you can go, one misstep and you're dead." The two began to circle each other.
"Now take a couple of strikes at me, I wanna see what I'm working with." He could hardly finish speaking before she was upon him, swinging wildly. Each attack was blocked, dodged or parried. The raven haired girl grew increasingly frustrated. "Your attacks are unfocused, you're swinging at random. Try to strike like so." Damian demonstrated, a few jabs and slashes. He hit hard enough that she'd feel it, but not to leave marks. They practiced her striking for another twenty minutes or so, eventually they moved on.
"I mentioned not getting stabbed, footwork and parries are vital for staying alive. Keep your feet moving constantly, and don't become predictable. If a thrust comes towards you, you should be able to push it to the side even if their stronger. I'll go slow, give it a try." He did so, thrusting the stick forward. Elise pushed the incoming blow away, getting an understanding.
"Good, blocking a swing is a bit different. Move your feet and use your blade to block theirs, swing and I'll demonstrate." He did so, she swung and he blocked. He moved like a dancer, his feet moving in such a way it was nearly hypnotizing. "Now your turn."
Damian used more strength then he did with the thrusts, she moved to the side and back, her sword blocking his. She was graceful, a natural talent Elves seemingly were blessed with. However graceful she was, didn't stop rookie mistakes. Her left foot landed in a small hole, likely an animal's burrow. Her guard fell as her ankle twisted, Damian couldn't stop his strike in time, the wooded shaft collided with her ribs.
"Fuck." He cursed, Elise had the wind knocked from her lungs thudding to the ground. She gasped with tears in her eyes, he knelt lifting her up from under her arms. Her leg now freed well she caught her breath, she attempted to put weight on it, but winced keeping it up.
"Are you alright?" He asked in the softest tone he could muster, her tear filled eyes shot through him. "You're a bastard, you know that!"
She wasn't wrong, Damian thought. "Would you like me to help you to your roll?" He asked well still supporting most of her weight, she said nothing, yet everything he needed to know.
"Ok." He mumbled, sweeping out her legs lifting her up. She grasped onto him tightly, not expecting him to do this.
She snarled, Damian thought she resembled an angry kitten in his arms, yet wouldn't say it aloud. He laid her down, gently to her bedroll. She sat up with a groan holding her ribs, Damian shuffled to her feet.
"What are you doing!" She snapped, she attempted to kick him but he snatched her twisted ankle in a firm grasp. She cried and moved more, whimpering before coming to a halt. "Quit being a brat, it wasn't on purpose, I'm trying to see how bad the injury is." He carefully removed her boot and sock, daring to not mention how bad they smelled.
Her ankle was swollen and red, luckily it wasn't broken, but would make travel difficult. "It's just a sprain, it'll be sore for a while. Just don't put any weight on it for now."
Elise laid down as he retrieved her cloak, as he handed it to her he said. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to strike you. You did very well for your first lesson."
Elise folded her cloak placing it behind her head, a hand still over her ribs. "It's fine, as penance I'll have you carry me till my ankle is healed, since you seem happy to do so." He grimaced, knowing she was entirely serious.