The Barony of Wyvernston [ORP]

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Nikola
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Re: The Barony of Wyvernston [ORP]

Post by Nikola »

With each twist and turn through the underbelly of the castle, there was another room filled with wine, or brandy, or other alcoholic brews. It was almost dizzying to her and she quickly lost track of where they had been. “If I ever disappear while visiting this castle, you might want to send out a search party down here first as if I ever come alone, I might never find my way out again!” she teased at one point. The sheer volume of the casks and rows upon rows of old wine bottles filled with who knows what vintage of what kind of wine boggled her mind and piqued her interest in discovering what more might be hidden in the deeper reaches of the castle. Yet she was content to stay at his side, enjoying the warmth of his physical presence as much as his spirit. At one point they entered a delightful smaller room filled with rows of wine bottles that lined the walls all the way up to the ceiling. He selected one that was half empty and took a drink right from the bottle. She thought he might pass the bottle to her, but instead he leaned over and kissed her, the taste of the wine still sweet on his lips.

Some time later, they emerged from the room back out into the hallway. She was glad no one was around to notice how flushed her cheeks were as she smoothed her skirts and tucked an errant lock of blonde hair back behind her ear. The smile she wore was genuine and there was a light in her eyes that danced when she looked at her companion, her hand in his as they wound their way through the rest of the cellar.

She enjoyed tasting the various samplings that had been laid out for them in the tasting room. As TK spoke about how he enjoyed hiding away in this room to relax and get away from people, she nodded. The room suited him well. It was almost masculine in its décor and she could picture him sitting there, nursing a glass of brandy as he escaped from the busyness of life and all its requirements. She would have to learn her way around down here for if he ever disappeared, this would certainly be one of the first places she would look for him.


“How does this compare to the one beneath the tavern?” She echoed the question back to him and turned thoughtful for a moment before answering. “It has much the same spirit as that one, even though this is so much larger. I like that most of the rooms are small enough to feel cozy despite there being so many of them. But it will be an adventure to find my way around down here unlike the cellars under the tavern. I still like those, by the way, but this…” she searched for the right word, nodding to herself as she found it “…suits you, my love. There are so many unexpected treasures down here, and there are so many layers to you that I am just beginning to discover, and I know that I will find something to treasure in each and every layer of you that I get to know. Even the ones that frighten me a little.” Her smile was warm as she stepped closer to him and pressed her lips gently to his. “Thank you for showing me all of this,” she swept her eyes around the room along with a hand before settling her gaze back on his eyes. “Thank you most of all for inviting me here to share this time with you. I am sure I will treasure this time for always.”

Thinking back over the paths they had followed in the labyrinth of the cellars, she gave him a questioning look. “Is there anything else down here, or is the entire underbelly of the castle filled with these delights?”
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Texas_Knight
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Re: The Barony of Wyvernston [ORP]

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"If you disappear my dear, I'll use my nose to find you, my eyes to see you, my ears to hear you, and my.. oh wait, that last part is for my prey." TK smiled and laughed as they continued to make their way about the cellar.

As they finally relaxed in the private tasting room TK nodded when asked if there were other rooms. "Aye there are the storage rooms and torture rooms. One I've found interesting has a table with spikes that stretches the creature on it until it is, quite literally, pulled in half. At the other end of the maze of the belly of the castle there's an aquifer where the water comes to the castle." As they sat and relaxed TK realized that this felt completely natural. Like it was meant to be this way. He listened as she thanked him and, when she was done he simply looked at her and smiled. "My dear, I am hereby declaring that you need no invitation, prior announcement, or forewarning to come here at any time." He kissed her again and traced a finger down her face "If I had my way about it, you'd take up full time residence here."
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Nikola
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Re: The Barony of Wyvernston [ORP]

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Listening to his nonchalant description of the torture rooms, Nikola realized that while TK might not use such devices for pleasure as some despots might, he would very likely not hesitate to utilize them at need. She hoped that, for his sake as well as anyone who found themselves as a prisoner in one of the rooms, that sort of need might never come to Fenia or Wyvernston.

She found she was very relaxed in his company and there was so much to discover yet about Wyvernston. Her own Firestorm Manor might be large, but it was a fairly straightforward manor house. She only required a small staff and they had become a sort of extended family to her rather than simply employees of her estate. She was wondering whether TK’s staff would ever become more to him than they were now when he made his impromptu declaration that she was welcome to come anytime she pleased. She smiled warmly at this, but before she could respond his lips covered hers in another sweet kiss. There was something just a little bit wild, perhaps even a touch feral in his kisses. He was gentle and kind to her, but the wildness was definitely there, and it seemed to draw her in like a moth to a flame. Her mind followed the track of his finger as he traced it down her face, her hand reaching up to cover his as she pressed her cheek lightly into his palm, relishing his touch and the sensations it aroused in her.

His last words brought her back to the moment in a flash and she froze for a moment as the words echoed in her memory. She blinked, bringing her back to the moment and searched his eyes.
“Full time residence?” she asked. Immediately her mind began to consider all that such a move might entail. What would happen to her staff at Firestorm Manor? For that matter, what would she do with the manor? How would she manage her Viscountcy at Carashire from Wyvernston? The barony was not much farther from the castle than Firestorm Manor so that would not really be an issue, but…

She blinked again. All of those concerns could wait. The real question was, did she want to be with TK all the time and if so, in what capacity was he suggesting? Lady of the Manor? Female companion until he grew tired of her? She did not think it was the latter, but did she know him well enough to say for certain? Self-doubt began to war with her desire to take him up on his offer. She managed a smile, her eyes never leaving his as she squeezed his hand with hers.


“I…” she began and stopped, unsure of what to say. She did not want to rush into anything that would affect both of them deeply, whether it went well or not, without knowing and understanding all the rules, or expectations. She had done that before and did not wish to repeat her mistakes. Certainly not with someone as wonderful and precious to her as TK had become. She smiled again and brought his hand to her lips, kissing the back of his knuckles before giving speech another attempt. “As appealing as that is, and I assure you I find the thought of being with you night and day to be very appealing, I must admit to being afraid. Not of you,” she hurried to assure him. “I do not fear you, but I worry that …”

She paused, not exactly sure what it was that worried her, or how to put it into words that made sense. “I’m not even sure exactly what it is that worries me, but I think I’m afraid I might disappoint you and then where would we be?” She had been holding his hand with her right hand. Now she took it with her left hand and reached up to cup his face with her right hand, her eyes never leaving his. “You have become precious to me, of that there can be no doubt. I’m not sure I know what love is, but if it is wanting to be with someone so much that it hurts to be parted from them and being with them makes you feel whole again, then I think that I do love you.” She leaned in to press her lips to his in a lingering kiss, hoping he would be able to sense her heart through the kiss.

Pulling back away from the kiss, she sighed and dropped her hands onto the table.
“There’s still so much about me and the powers that roil inside me that I don’t understand yet and that frightens me, especially when I remember what has been done when they are out of control. Are you sure you want to invite that into your home? Into your bed?” This was a genuine concern and was at the heart of her fear, although it was not the only thing she feared.
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Texas_Knight
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Re: The Barony of Wyvernston [ORP]

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He listened to every word she had to say. He listened to her body language. He listened to her breathe. He listened to her questions. He thought her questions sounded like concerns that she had about his safety. Her insecurity was showing and he took her seriously. It was a long time before he spoke again as they finished a bottle of brandy.

He took hold of her hands and pressed them to his face. "I know you're unsure of your abilities since you haven't completely mastered them at the time.
Do not fear the powers within you, they are yours to command. I am more hardy to fire than you might think. I know you're afraid of disappointing me. I hold no expectations of perfection, only that you be you. And you do that very perfectly all the time."
TK paused, knowing what was being left unsaid by her, he moved her hands to his lips and kissed them before he brought them to his heart. "I know you know I would never hurt you, in either of my forms. But I know you worry about the power inside your soul as well. Nothing you could do would make me throw you out, or cast you out, or anything of the kind. So, am I sure? I am certain that I am sure. I invite you just the way you are, and whatever way you may become."

TK pulled her close to his body and looked into her eyes. "And yes my dear Nikola, I do believe that is the definition of love. Another definition may be that without you, there's not sun in my life. No rain, no warmth, no joy, no reason for the heart to have blood pumping through it. And by that definition I find myself needing you in my life." He kissed her and stroked her cheek.
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Nikola
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Re: The Barony of Wyvernston [ORP]

Post by Nikola »

She watched him carefully, her eyes never leaving his as he responded, hearing his words and the truth of them not just with her ears but in her very soul. With each of his kisses, she felt herself drawn to him a little more and a little more until it was becoming difficult to breathe. As he told her of his need for her in his life, she felt something shift inside her. The fear that had built a wall she had not realized was there receded and the wall that protected her heart seemed to tremble as the mortar between the stones began to melt away. He kissed her again and stroked her cheek and as she looked into his eyes, she knew this was where she was meant to be.

She leaned into him and pressed soft lips against his, pouring her heart and soul into the kiss. She was completely and acutely aware of the feel of his body pressed to hers, his arms encircling her and the wave of pleasure and need that swept over them both. She at last pulled away from the kiss, still breathless, suddenly very self-conscious of her desire for him. She could feel the heat coloring her cheeks as she pulled away, sucking in a deep breath and tearing her eyes away. She dared not trust herself to look into his eyes again, nor did it seem she could trust her voice to form words. Indeed, her entire body felt like it was on fire and the room seemed to be closing in on her. She was completely unaware that there was a soft golden glow emanating from her, filling the room with its light as the power inside her awakened at his touch.

She fanned her face, glanced toward the door and stammered,
“Erm, it seems a little stuffy in here…”
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Re: The Barony of Wyvernston [ORP]

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TK smiled and opened the door for her. "Can't have you passing out now. At least not from getting too hot in this room." He winked as they stepped out into the hallway. As they continued back up to the main level they passed a few other room where the workers lived who gave a smile as they passed. Coming back through the hallways he let his nose do the leading and as they talked his nose led them to the dining hall where the beginnings of food were being prepared for supper. On the table there were already fresh fruit, sliced melons. and other snackable foods. He takes a few berries and offers them to Nikola as he takes some of the jerky that was on a tray. "A little something to hold us over till the meal is ready" he says as he picks up a tray mixed with fruits and meats. "Betsy may be new, but she knows I need to have something between meals to keep me stomach from sounding like I'm growling." The meal would be ready soon and then they could have some time to spend together relaxing in the sitting room.

In the meantime they could go out to the wall and watch the sun set on a good day and the moon rise on a good night.
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Nikola
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Re: The Barony of Wyvernston [ORP]

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The moment of passion passed as they left the room, although a hint of it still smoldered inside her but walking through the corridors helped keep it at bay. Still she kept her eyes on the path before them, smiling at those they passed in response to their smiles of greeting. By the time they reached the dining hall a calm had replaced the heat and she found she could meet his gaze again without heat returning to her cheeks.

“Thank you,” she said as he offered her some berries and popped them in her mouth, chewing thoughtfully as he told her about his new cook. After swallowing the mouthful of deliciousness, she smiled. “I’m glad to hear someone is taking such good care of you, then. I’ll have to remember to instruct Cook to follow Betsy’s example whenever you come to visit at Firestorm Manor. I wouldn’t want your stomach to frighten the staff, after all,” she winked with a grin. “And,” she added, “I look forward to tasting her efforts at dinner. Cook is very good at her craft, as you know, so we’ll have to see how Betsy compares.”

She selected a slice of juicy melon and took a bite as she studied the tray filled with fruits and meats. She did not want to spoil her dinner, but she could feel the drink from earlier in the cellar going to her head more quickly than it should have. Perhaps that moment of passion had heightened the effect of the alcohol. Picking up a slice of jerky with her free hand, she turned to look at him and instantly regretted it. She could lose herself in those eyes, she decided, and if she was not careful, she would.

“Erm..” she stammered, “Perhaps we could take a walk outside? I would love to see more of the property,” she explained hurriedly, “and I could use some fresh air.” The explanation seemed lame, but it was true. She was hoping the cool air of a spring evening would help cool the heat inside her and she did love what she had seen of the property thus far, especially the trees. She loved trees. The forest surrounding Firestorm Manor had been instrumental in her decision to choose that manor when offered her choice of estates upon arriving in Fenia. “I would love to visit the trees on your land.” She hesitated, realizing how that might sound a bit odd and then tried to explain. “I have an affinity for trees. Always have. I suspect it has to do with my elven blood, but whatever the reason, I just feel at home when I’m in the forest. The trees bring me peace and lend me their strength when mine is depleted. It’s why I chose Firestorm Manor as my estate.”

She took another bite of the melon, then finished it off before its juices could drip down her hand.
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Re: The Barony of Wyvernston [ORP]

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The summer arrived and life began to take a turn. He'd been appointed General of the army and that came with several duties that he could not ignore. Nikola had things to get done as well and eventually headed back home. a piece of TK's heart went with her as she left and he noticed how lonely Wyvernston was without her presence. But still, duties remained and things were getting done. The summer dragged on...............
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Re: The Barony of Wyvernston [ORP]

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TK was working in the butchery as the summer went on and on. Between his duties at the castle and his duties with the army, and his duties with his own shops and fields he'd had little time for anything, or anyone else. He'd scarcely seen his love over the last few months and he'd become ... grumpy... for lack of a better word. It was known to all those that were around him. From the workers in his lands to the creatures he had to interact with on a daily basis. He'd decided he'd had enough. He spoke with the King Zuan and had gotten permission to leave the army so he could refrain from killing anyone out of boredom. He'd gotten his lands in order and had given orders to Ethan and the rest of his staff. Everyone had done what needed to be done. Oblivion was readied, his gear was loaded, his estate was in order. Everything was done and decided.... except where he would go.

"I'll figure that out along the way" he told Ethan "but I think north sounds like a good idea right now." He stopped just short of the entryway to his lands and gave final instructions to the guards at the gate. "If Lady Nikola should come seeking me or my company, tell her that I've gone north for a little walk in the woods." The guards nodded "If anyone else should come by, except for King Zuan himself, deny them access to the lands without escorting them. I'd hate for them to be killed by some creature on the way to the castle." The guards knew what this meant and nodded once again. TK knew that if the king came by, he'd have his own guards and protectors, but he also knew the guards would absolutely escort his party to the castle. Not out of fear for the king's safety, but out of respect and duty.

TK turned towards the gate and was on the road. He felt suddenly like a weight had been lifted from his shoulder, like care had been set free. Like life itself was fresh. He smiled as the wind touched his face and chest. He lit his pipe and dismounted. He decided he'd walk a while and enjoy the ground on his toes.


*double posted here and in "Firestorm Manor"
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Texas_Knight
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Re: The Barony of Wyvernston [ORP]

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As they rode up to the castle TK raises a hand in greeting to the workers who were sure to have been made aware that the wagon was coming unescorted. They came to a stop and dismounted. The servants began to unload the wagon and put things away. "Hold!" TK said to all of them. Immediately they stopped what they were doing and listened.

"We will be staying tonight here, but we will be leaving first thing in the morning. Take care of the horses, put the wagon and its contents in a covered area and see that no harm comes to it tonight. We will leave after breakfast." As they turn to go inside he slips an arm around Nikola. "Let's go inside and see exactly where this land lies in relation to everything else.

As they get inside Betsy is already cooking some food and brings out a bottle of brandy, a pitcher of water, and a tray of snacks consisting of isker berries, dried meats, and some bread. "Good to see you again sir. Supper will be ready about dark. I'm making a stew with some fresh bread and wine." Wine is something that he had in the cellar and he nodded knowing that it was well aged. "Sounds delicious, we'll be in the Trophy Room and will dine in the Private Dining Area when the time comes."

They go to the Trophy Room and get comfortable as they look at the maps. He takes out one of his own and sees the notes that he's made on the bottom of the page. "Here it is, an exact location of the lands": "On the eastern edge of Northwood Viscounty, located in the County of Redmoor in the Duchy of Southfenshire was located The Barony of Wyvernston." was written on the page's bottom.

TK found it a little easier to point to this with smaller hands and changed his form to the human one. "Much better" As they studied the maps of the lands it became clear that whomever had created the maps had done a good job, but there were still areas that looked incomplete. He formulated a plan and route."I believe we will start on the rarely used north road that leaves behind the manor and go along the eastern edge then once we get to the northernmost boundary we can see what we will. I'm not sure where the Viscount dwelling is located, but I think it's close to the center. Do you have any idea where it's located??"

As they talked they ate from the tray and enjoyed the brandy and each other.
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