Prince Eros
Knights of Osirus
Prince of Alyssus
Who wants cake!?
Posts: 43
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Post by Prince Eros on Aug 19, 2008 16:35:42 GMT -8
Eros, at first, closed his eyes against the bright flame fearing it would burn. But to his surprise (and relief) the flame was that of a gentle influence. He watched as the fire imp encircled the sword and ultimately ended its short life as the sword absorbed it. Eros could feel the empowering effect in his body, filling his muscles with strength and clearing his mind of the pain and doubt. Gripping the hilt of the sword, he suddenly felt as if the sword weighed less than paper. What's this? I've never felt like this before! He held the sword in front of him defensively, a new frown of determination on his face. Suddenly, it was as if he knew everything was going to be okay. With Oberon and Titania supporting him, Eros felt invincible.
The demon sucked in the cold air around him, finally prepared to do his worst. But as he glared at the prince before him, he suddenly no longer saw a weak and uncertain boy. Instead, it looked almost as if he had changed; changed into a whole new person with strength and determination. It might have been the shock or even the moonlight playing tricks on his mind, but the spirit could've sworn he could see another person with Eros, a woman with an incredible beauty. To Oberon and Titania, it simply looked as if Eros was surrounded by a light.
"Lu-Lumen..." Shaking his head, the demon lunged forward, opening its huge mouth. The demon and Eros collided, the snow around them billowing out from the impact. But as the white haze cleared, they could see Eros still standing, the flaming sword glowing brightly and the demon in two pieces, its huge body of snow melting into the ground around him. The demon had run itself through, the fire cutting the demon before it could attack Eros. As the spirit dissolved with a hiss, Eros stood there, breathing hard. Large flakes of snow were melting off his face as he looked on in shock. Then, the ice around their feet disappeared, releasing them. As the flame on the sword died away, the sword suddenly felt incredibly heavy again and Eros dropped his arms, wincing as all the strength seemed to have been sapped from his body.
"Hah...hah...we-we did it..." He gasped.
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Titania
Knights of Osirus
Royal Mage and Necromancer
One wish... Even all my dark magic can't grant me one wish...
Posts: 40
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Post by Titania on Aug 20, 2008 10:33:27 GMT -8
They had done it. The spirit that threatened their journey was dead.
For good this time, hopefully...
As soon as the ice casing her legs vanished, Titania had to lean heavily on her staff to prevent from falling over. Her magic was dangerously low, and if she went on any longer, it was possible that she could die...
So the ritual was the only option she had.
Giving Eros a weak smile, Titania, using her staff as a walking stick, took a few steps forward and knelt down in the snow.
"Oberon. Do you remember the incantation?" the girl asked, looking up at her dragon.
Oberon hesitated at first, then reluctantly nodded. "I remember, Titania, but...I really don't think--"
"It's now or never, Oberon..." Titania interrupted, shaking her head. "Even if it isn't what I want to do, I have no choice. Desperation drives fools to act rashly."
The dragon wanted to argue with his mistress, but finally just bowed his head in submission and nodded. "Very well. You realize the risks and you take them anyway..." Though he felt like chiding Titania for being so foolish, he actually commended her for taking the risk for both this journey, but also for Eros.
Wait...Eros!
"Majesty..." Oberon spoke softly, shifting himself between Titania and the prince, "I think you shouldn't watch. This ritual, the Twin Binding of Nocens Atrum, is very painful, and I don't think it would be wise for you to see Titania..." he paused, then shook his head, a sign to the prince that it was just a bad idea to interrupt.
Titania turned to her dragon and smiled. "Oberon. I am ready..." She had removed the fur coat that she wore and was kneeling in a pentagram that she drew in the snow with her staff. Her sleeves were rolled up, revealing her pale arms.
Oberon nodded, turning to his mistress. "You remember how to reply, right?" he asked. Getting a nod from his mistress, the dragon then spoke:
"Misthine Kharuun Laikrah Mrandal Ghariun," the dragon spoke, his eyes half-lidded.
"Aranal Flaarius Miishkai Wyreis," the necromancer replied.
Suddenly, Titania found herself in total blackness. She was in the void. Her soul had separated from her body, leaving her in the same position back in the snow. Looking about, Titania suddenly found herself staring into a pair of bright red eyes.
"What brings you into my presence?"[/i] a rasping, vicious voice hissed.
"I need your power, master... I am powerless..."
"Helpless, all you mortals are helpless!" the voice snarled, and the sound of something hitting...something else...could be heard (Titania couldn't see anything beyond the pair of eyes).
"I apologize, master, for my helplessness... But this is a necessity..."
Titania suddenly felt a strong grasp take hold of her right arm. Holding her right forearm was Nocens Atrum himself. Feeling powerless in his grasp, Titania wanted to just shrink away and disappear.
"Idiotic girl..."[/i] Nocens Atrum hissed. "I shouldn't help one like you. But, alas, you are my servant..."[/i]
With one claw, Nocens Atrum slowly tore the flesh of Titania's forearm. The pain was so unbearable that Titania almost screamed out. On the outside, Eros and Oberon could see the line of red appear on her right arm and the blood slowly seep out.
Nocens Atrum smirked at Titania's showing of pain and raised his other hand. Through her pain-clouded eyes, Titania could barely see the dark god's hand glowing with dark magic. Placing his hand over the cut he had made, Nocens Atrum began forcing the dark magic into Titania's veins.
The feeling that surged through her vein was worse than being frozen, burned, shocked, boiled, and torn limb from limb all at the same time. Throwing her head back, both the Titania before Nocens Atrum and the Titania on the outer realm screamed. The dark magic was fused into Titania's arm and, when Nocens Atrum took his hand away, the cut he had made healed, but in its place was a black ring around her wrist.
"There. Your magic is now boundless. However...[/b] In the darkness, the god smirked, "With ever spell you cast, the mark will spread. Cast too many, and the mark will devour and kill you..."[/b]
"I understand..." the necromancer replied, bowing her head.
"Very well. Now be gone!"[/b]
Before Eros and Oberon, Titania jerked. Blinking to clear her vision, Titania immediately stared down at her right forearm. She saw the scar, and even traced her finger along it just to make sure that it was real. But when she really became worried was when she saw the ring around her wrist. She was truly marked now...
And she had to be careful.
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Prince Eros
Knights of Osirus
Prince of Alyssus
Who wants cake!?
Posts: 43
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Post by Prince Eros on Aug 20, 2008 11:25:37 GMT -8
Well, what did they expect to happen? Telling the prince not to look was like begging him to look. And while he had managed to find a place between Oberon's front legs, Eros watched the short ceremony between the two with a series of mixed emotions. At first, it was a tired curiosity and worry. Why did she need to do a ceremony right now? Doesn't things like that wait until they were fully out of danger? Eros couldn't possibly understand the complexity of what was happening, but he wanted to see it anyway. But as he witnessed the pain and screams Titania went through, he suddenly understood why when people told you not to look, it was a wize thing to turn away. What he saw was fearful and worrisome, but even more was the burning sensation he had in his chest when the incantation took Titania from the world to someplace else. Someplace...where Nocens Atrum was. Eros could feel it. He could feel the dark grasp the dark God had on Titania. Gripping his chest, he frowned in worry for his friend as the scar and mark mysteriously appeared on her arms.
After a moment or two, Eros gathered enough courage to move out from behind Oberon and up to Titania, dragging the sword behind him like a pile of lead.
"Titania...what...what was that all about?" He asked in a worried voice. Then, shadows began to fade. Eros looked up and saw the return of the snow clouds. Even if the spirit had momentarily broken the snow storm, it wasn't about to completely make the snow storm disappear. A icy wind picked up and Eros winced, the gash on his head stinging painfully with the cold wind.
"The storm is coming back..." He said, moving the sheath from his back so he could place the blade back. After clasping the sword back into its sheath, he wrapped it around his back again. Then he paused. His eyes quickly glanced around.
"Do you hear that?" He asked. For a long time, there was nothing but the threatening winds off in the distance. Then, ever so slowly, what sounded like a high pitched bell could be heard in the far distance.
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Titania
Knights of Osirus
Royal Mage and Necromancer
One wish... Even all my dark magic can't grant me one wish...
Posts: 40
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Post by Titania on Aug 20, 2008 13:16:37 GMT -8
Titania stood, rubbing her wrist. The icy wind flew past her, and she had to quickly pick her coat up and wrap it about her before the cold bit into her any more.
"No worry, Eros..." Titania murmured, smiling weakly. Reaching forward with a trembling hand, she rest it on the prince's shoulder. "I'll be able to cast magic now without limit..."
Though it comes with a price... she thought bitterly, staring down at her right arm.
As the wind picked up again, Titania could, just barely, hear the bell-like sound in the distance. Though she didn't know what it was, she had that strange gut feeling that it would lead them to where they wished to go...
Clutching her coat closed with one hand and her staff with the other, Titania closed her eyes and listened to the pleasant ringing noise in the distance. Each time she heard the little tinging noise, she turned her head a bit, until she was facing where she thought she heard it coming from.
"You hear it too, Oberon, right?" Titania asked. "Probably better than me..."
"I can hear it, but barely. It looks like it's coming from over--" he pointed off in the general direction that Titania was facing, "--there."
"Well, Majesty? Do you think we should go?" she asked, smiling. It could lead them to a place where they could rest...but at the same time, it could lead them right into a trap...
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Prince Eros
Knights of Osirus
Prince of Alyssus
Who wants cake!?
Posts: 43
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Post by Prince Eros on Aug 20, 2008 14:12:01 GMT -8
Eros nodded with a faint smile. Even though Titania wanted him to believe she was okay, Eros didn't fall for it. She looked worried. But the worry that was on his face was quickly replaced with a wince of pain. The injury on his head was aching and the storm clouds that the spirit had ushered away were coming back. The cold winds picked up again as the three made their way towards the gentle tinkling of the bell. Even though the clouds blocked out the moon, their only source of light, the sound of the bell was clear enough to lead them. Just as the wind seemed too harsh to even walk in, the sound of the bell came louder and louder until they spotted a dark figure in the distance. The figure was huge, and while the snowy wind seemed to block most of the detail, they could hear the gentle whinny of a horse.
Eros stopped, pausing a few feet from the horse and wagon it was carrying. As Titania and Oberon came to rest next to him, he looked at them, trying to block the snow from blasting in his face.
"I don't feel any bad auras around here...do you think its safe?" He yelled through the howling wind. He looked to Titania and Oberon for an answer, but before they could do that, the sound of the bell suddenly stopped. Whirling around to where the horse and wagon had stopped, Eros watched as a tall figure stood from the wagon and leaped off, the sounds of boots crunching the snow beneath muffled by the wind. Eros watched, their hiding spot partially covered by thin pines. But as he searched for the driver of the wagon, he realized suddenly that he could no longer hear or see it. Frowning, Eros leaned out closer.
Then, without warning, the figure appeared right in front of Eros, slinking in from behind a large tree. Eros gasped, stumbling back in fear as the figure advanced, its large heavy cloak masking its face.
"Who are you? Why are you following me?" Came a low voice. Eros reached for his sword and unsheathed it, the heavy blade making him groan in effort. The figure didn't seem impressed however.
"A-Are you a spirit?" Eros asked, trying to sound brave and threatening. But instead, the laughter of the figure answered him. Not only was the laughter kind, but it was also feminine. The figure reached up slowly and pulled its snow covered hood down to reveal a beautiful woman with bright silvery blue hair. She smiled, her cheeks a bright rose color from the cold.
"A spirit? Please. What are kids like you doing out here?" She asked, eying Oberon with caution.
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Titania
Knights of Osirus
Royal Mage and Necromancer
One wish... Even all my dark magic can't grant me one wish...
Posts: 40
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Post by Titania on Aug 20, 2008 18:29:22 GMT -8
Titania immediately took a step back from the woman. She didn't know why, but there was that feeling squeezing her gut again. She didn't think she could trust her...at least...not now.
Shooting a glance at Oberon and telling him to stay silent (through telepathy, of course), Titania cleared her throat, preparing to weave a lie. "Forgive us. We're actually lost. We've been trying to make our way across these mountains, and with the weather like it's been, Oberon--" she then patted the dragon's flank, "--hasn't been able to fly us over. We've been hiding out in a cave and waiting for the weather to let up for a while now..."
Biting her tongue, Titania managed to keep a straight face as she contemplated what she had just said. Then she realized something... It was just as strange for someone like her to be out in the snow as well...
"Oh yes, and I believe I may be able to ask you the same question. In weather like this, why would you be outside? I'm sure you could be at home, in front of a fire..."
Oberon nudged Titania gently with his front paw, making the necromancer slightly lose her balance and stumble a step before catching herself with her staff. She seemed a bit too beautiful to be wandering about like that. Something about her just didn't seem right. It was almost like she was always like that, no matter the weather. She seemed too perfect...
Do you think we should trust her, Oberon? Titania asked the huge dragon.
Oberon's voice sounded in his mistress' head. I don't know. She may be a demon of some sort. Succubus, I believe, disguise themselves as mortal women before they steal their victim's souls...
Titania blinked her cerulean eyes, removed her glasses, wiped them on the hem of her skirt, and placed them back on. Even if she is a demon, she can't lay a hand on Eros without getting herself torched... Titania replied bitterly.
Careful what you say, Titania... the dragon replied.
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Prince Eros
Knights of Osirus
Prince of Alyssus
Who wants cake!?
Posts: 43
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Post by Prince Eros on Aug 20, 2008 18:47:14 GMT -8
The woman seemed slightly taken back by Titania's suspicious questions, but she simply smiled and shrugged them off. "My name is Leeandra. And the reason why I'm out here is because we ran out of fire wood not too long ago. I came out here to chop some and bring it home when this terrible weather kicked up," she said, looking up at the blistering winds. Her dark sapphire eyes seemed even to sparkle in the lack of light. After a moment, she looked back at them, then held up both gloved hands.
"Honestly. I'm not a devilish spirit coming to eat you or anything. But you all look very tired. Although, no one has been up in these mountains for years, I can't believe someone would actually try and scale them right before winter!" She said, chuckling lightly. She stared at them all for a moment before she turned, her heavy cloak rippling in the wind.
"Come! I can provide hot food and a bed!" She called as she walked back to the wagon. Eros blinked and turned to Titania and Oberon, slowly sheathing his sword.
"Do you think...she's telling the truth? I don't feel anything bad from her like I did with the spirit..." He asked.
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Titania
Knights of Osirus
Royal Mage and Necromancer
One wish... Even all my dark magic can't grant me one wish...
Posts: 40
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Post by Titania on Aug 21, 2008 11:58:42 GMT -8
Titania raised an eyebrow at the woman, still suspicious of her. She wasn't going to say she trusted her, and probably wouldn't until she got some solid proof that she wasn't 'a devilish spirit'.
"To be honest, Majesty, I really have no idea..." Titania murmured. Something in her wanted to trust that woman and have her provide them with food and a place to sleep other than a sandy cave floor, but at the same time, she thought something was up.
Whatever that gnawing feeling was in her gut, though, she couldn't rid herself of it... It was almost as if she wanted herself to believe that this woman was some kind of demon who was going to eat their souls and possess their bodies.
Do you feel that, Titania?[/b] a dark voice rumbled in the necromancer's head.
Nocens Atrum...of course...
Of course a dark god would make his servant believe like he did. It was like all masters and slaves.
As the three approached the wagon, Titania eyed it warily, even standing up on her tiptoes to peer inside. Oberon also cautiously looked into the wagon, and even asked Titania (telepathically) if she wanted to have a better look inside. Upon hearing her decline, the dragon sat back and looked at Leeandra cautiously.
"Where do you live, exactly?" the dragon asked, his voice calm and showing no trace of suspicion (though he, too, was suspicious of the woman). "If it isn't too far, I could assist in pulling your wagon..."
Though Titania thought it a bad idea, she thought that, if Leeandra did try something, at least Oberon would be right there to turn around and fry her to a crisp...
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Prince Eros
Knights of Osirus
Prince of Alyssus
Who wants cake!?
Posts: 43
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Post by Prince Eros on Aug 21, 2008 12:19:27 GMT -8
As Eros peered into the wagon as well, he could only see several loads of wood. He glanced back at Titania and Oberon, wondering just what they felt. It was clear from Titania's expressions and Oberon's voice that they suspected her. Not that Eros would blame them, after all, a random spirit had just attacked them. Not to mention that according to the stories he had read, Sasakra forest was famous for spirits and evil to lure travelers to their death. But Eros himself didn't feel a single threatening intention. Plus, he was tired, sore, and in pain. He just wanted to go someplace warm and eat something, even if it was offered by a cruel demon.
As Oberon approached the cart, the two large horses that were pulling the cart whinnied nervously. Leeandra, who was seated in the front of the wagon with the reigns in hand glanced over her shoulder at Oberon who had chosen to speak. But instead of being surprised, she simply smiled and shook her head.
"No, no. That's alright sir dragon. I live just a few miles from here. It won't take more than half an hour. The horses aren't used to dragons. But if you want, one of you can sit up here to make sure I don't lead you into some deep spooky thicket," she chuckled. She was clearly not worried about making fun of Titania's and Oberon's suspicion. After a cold pause, Eros wordlessly climbed into the wagon. Turning, he offered Titania a hand, looking at her with an imploring face.
"I...I think we can trust her. Come on Titania..." He said, his voice low so she couldn't hear.
"If she tries something funny, then Oberon can just...I dunno...eat her or something..." He said.
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Titania
Knights of Osirus
Royal Mage and Necromancer
One wish... Even all my dark magic can't grant me one wish...
Posts: 40
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Post by Titania on Aug 22, 2008 11:57:21 GMT -8
Titania murmured something incomprehensible and, taking Eros' hand, climbed into the wagon.
"I'm tempted to kill her now," she replied bitterly, but just as quietly, to the prince. Turning to Oberon, she gave him a look that told him to keep an eye on her.
"If she starts to steer us into suspicious territory, don't hesitate to kill her horses. I'll take care of her personally," she whispered to the dragon. Nodding his head, the dragon stepped back from the wagon and snorted. How dare that mortal woman make fun of his mistress. What impudence. What idiocy. The dragon felt tempted to bite the woman's head off.
"Well, Majesty," the dragon spoke gently, hearing Eros say that he could eat Leeandra if she threatened them. "I'm afraid rotten meat doesn't sit well with me..." he growled, drawing out the word 'rotten' for emphasis that he didn't like this woman. She better not make fun of them anymore... "So eating her wouldn't be much of an option..." Snorting yet again, the dragon opened his jaws in a yawn and narrowed his eyes.
With sarcasm dripping from his voice, the dragon called, "Oh, no... Take your time, mortal. We're just freezing out here..."
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Prince Eros
Knights of Osirus
Prince of Alyssus
Who wants cake!?
Posts: 43
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Post by Prince Eros on Aug 22, 2008 12:47:15 GMT -8
After Titania was seated and the words dripping with poison came from Oberon, Leeandra clicked the reins in her hands. "Hayup!" Responding to the call and the tap of the reins on their flanks, the horse urged forward, the wagon lurching to life. The winds were picking up speed once again, blasting the travelers with snow. Eros retreated as much as he could into the furry coat, trying to hide his face from the snow, the sword sitting next to him.
Leeandra remained on a relatively straight path through the woods. She expertly guided them through the thicket of trees and snow wells that surrounded them. It didn't take long for them to reach their destination, however. As the horses carried on, they entered a small clearing with two buildings in the middle. One was clearly a quaint little cabin, the other was a stable. As the horses eyed the stable with great interest, Leeandra guided them to the front porch of the wooden cabin. There, the cabin came to rest. Standing up, she turned to those in the back, smiling. Bright white puffs of air came from her mouth as she spoke. It was getting colder.
"Well, here we are!" She said cheerily. Eros brought his tired face up, looking at the warmly lit cabin. He rubbed his eyes and looked to Titania for a moment, before standing.
"This is your home? Do you live out here by yourself?" He asked. Leeandra smiled brightly and nodded.
"I do. But come, that's a conversation for hot food and drink!" She said, leaping from the driver's seat of the wagon. Walking to the left side of the wagon, she began unloading the wood from her wagon and onto the porch. After unloading a few logs, she looked up at Eros and Titania.
"Come, come. I'm honestly not some wicked witch who wants to eat you," she said, tossing a heavy log onto the porch. Dusting her hands off on her large animal hide coat, she looked at them.
"Listen, I know I'm awfully suspicious what with living all the way out in the middle of no where with no family. But I don't think you've got the resources to say no to my offer, either..." She said. Eros fidgeted nervously for a moment, then as Leeandra offered him her hand down from the wagon, he slowly placed his hand in her's. Smiling, Leeandra helped him from the wagon and onto the porch.
"There ya go! Now, get inside. You guys look like you're about to freeze to death. I'll be inside after I tend to the horses and fix you something hot to eat, alright?" She said.
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Titania
Knights of Osirus
Royal Mage and Necromancer
One wish... Even all my dark magic can't grant me one wish...
Posts: 40
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Post by Titania on Aug 31, 2008 11:05:51 GMT -8
Titania narrowed her eyes slightly at Leeandra and then, with Oberon's help, stepped down from the wagon. She had that burning desire to bash the woman's skull in, but she suppressed it and bit down on her tongue. Oberon did notice his mistress' rage, and, despite the fact that he did wish to kill the woman as well, managed to keep his underneath a guise of perfect calm.
Upon seeing how small the house was, Oberon laughed. "I wouldn't be able to fit in there!" he said as cheerfully as possible, though deep down, he was upset that he wouldn't be able to blast a thunderbolt through Leeandra's gut if she dared try anything. Shaking his head, he turned to Titania.
"I should go. It would be easier for you. Besides..." he turned to where Leeandra was standing, then back to his mistress. "She claims to give you food and drink, but if she does otherwise...you know what you can do..." Winking, the dragon smiled. "Well, I might as well go for now. Be a good girl and protect Eros, Titania!"
With that and Titania gently patting the side of his face, the dragon vanished in a whirl of black magic.
It was then that, after facing off against the ice spirit, almost losing Oberon, and meeting the woman that claimed not to be a witch that Titania actually realized how cold it actually was. Gripping her shouders, the necromancer's teeth chattered.
"As long as there's a fire going inside, I won't complain..." she murmured bitterly.
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Prince Eros
Knights of Osirus
Prince of Alyssus
Who wants cake!?
Posts: 43
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Post by Prince Eros on Aug 31, 2008 22:22:57 GMT -8
Eros stood on the porch, huddled into his stained fur coat. He shivered as he watched Oberon leave after a few choice words to Titania. He felt a heavy feeling in his chest as he watched Titania say good bye to her dragon. He felt as if he were causing this unrest; he trusted Leeandra and they did not. But who was right? Was she really a demon who was going to fatten them up on food and then eat them later? Was she going to suck out their souls in their sleep? He could very well understand Titania's and Oberon's tensions, but everything seemed to be hurting. His head ached, his strength was gone and he was freezing. There was no food in his stomach and he felt as if he were about to collapse. If Leeandra was a demon that was going to eat them, Eros was willing to take the chance. The snow was blasting again and quickly piling up around them. As Leeandra took the reigns and lead her horses to the stable, Eros turned to the cabin door.
The cabin itself looked well taken care of. There were glass in the windows and from what Eros could smell, there was a fire burning inside. He reached out and pushed open the cold wooden door. As the door slowly swung open, Eros peered in carefully. The cabin was brightly lit with oil lamps and a roaring fire. Stepping in, he could feel the heat sucking him in further. The cabin was just the perfect size for Leeandra and maybe two more people. From what he could tell, there was a loft above them, the stairs leading up to it near the back wall. To his left was a large fireplace with a bright fire safely nestled back in a brick chimney. Over the large fire wads a large spit and a heavy iron pot. In front of the fire place was a small wooden table where a few fruits and a loaf of bread sat. Stretched on the wood rafters that held up the loft were herbs, a few knives, and skinning tools. In a corner to the left of the fireplace was where Leeandra had a kitchen area. The entire surface area of the wall next to the washing sink were meats of all sizes and cuts, drying in the warm cabin. To his right was a bed, probably Leeandra's. Next to it were a few woven baskets and a few of Leeandra's personal belongings. But what captured his attention the most was a large stone carving hanging on her wall above her bed. The carving was of a woman standing atop a large stone. The stone itself had a large intricate symbol. It was a familiar symbol to Eros, but he couldn't quite place it. As he stepped closer, he could see that the woman was holding a small circular item in front of her. The carving was beautifully detailed and its beauty attracted him to it.
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