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Post by stormaf on Oct 24, 2005 18:10:29 GMT -5
Without a skip in his manner, the traveller replied, "My name is Hanvex and I have travelled a long way to get here."
He inclined his head in a sketchy bow, "I'm very grateful for your kind welcome." A gesture indicted Samantha, "Your lovely daughter showed both the lady with her baby and I much kindness. For that I'm eternally grateful."
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Post by shadowfax on Oct 25, 2005 10:08:05 GMT -5
Nathen smiled, glancing over at his daughter, "Yes, she is very generous and kind." Samantha beamed at him, "I'm glad that she helped to get you two through the gates without much problems. Usually, Samantha would be allowed to cut to the front, but she is too generous to do that. You two are very lucky she was in the back today" he stated
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Post by stormaf on Oct 27, 2005 21:49:08 GMT -5
With a flourish, the tall man bowed to Samantha.
"My thanks to you, dear lady," Hanvex said. Then he turned back to her father and added, "And to yourself, sir. If I may be excused so that I can take a moment to scrape the dirt from my filthy person, I would appreciate it greatly. It is unlike me to show myself in this," he picked at his ragged and worn clothing, "Distasteful state. I present a far better picture when clean."
The maid trotted in and hovered, trying to silently attract the attention of her betters.
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Post by shadowfax on Oct 28, 2005 10:17:31 GMT -5
Samantha noticed the maid come in, and she nodded slightly. "Hanvax, Mikala will show you to your room where you can change and wash if you wish" Samantha stated.
Nathan looked over at Mikala with a slight frown, but it returned to a smile when he looked at Elizabeth. "You can go with them too, and get refreshed if you wish" he said
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Post by stormaf on Oct 29, 2005 21:41:37 GMT -5
Hanvex drew his hood up over his head again and let the glamour go, returning his face to its natural state.
"Thank-you kind sir and lady," he said, "If it would please you, I would return as soon as I am properly bathed and dressed, say, perhaps in four candles?"
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Post by shadowfax on Oct 30, 2005 0:17:32 GMT -5
Nathen looked over at Samantha, and nodded slightly. "Yes, 4 candles sounds good. Is that alright with you Elizabeth?" he asked, turning to Elizabeth. Elizabeth nodded. "Yes, i should be ready then." she said quietly.
Nathen nodded, "Okay, then lead the way, Mikala" he added, and Mikala exited the room with a slight curtsy, and Elizabeth followed
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Post by stormaf on Oct 31, 2005 11:26:01 GMT -5
Allowing Elizabeth to precede him, Hanvex strode behind the women. Mikala led them up a grand staircase that swept in a curve to the upper floor. Down each hallway the doors of chambers for both guests and family lined the dark and highly polished plank floor.
Mikala took the right hall and stopped at the fourth closed door.
"Milady," she said to Elizabeth and her baby, "This room is yours."
The serving girl turned the knob and pushed the door open. Hanvex waited outside in the hall while Mikala made the woman and her baby welcome in the bright bedroom. With a polite 'goodbye,' Mikala rejoined Hanvex and closed Elizabeth's door.
"This way, my lord," the serving girl continued on until the pair reached another closed door. Mikala opened this one up and stepped inside ahead of Hanvex.
"This room will be yours while you are here," Mikala walked to the curtained window and drew the heavy drapes back, letting in the afternoon sun. Turning back to the traveller, she told him, "If you need anything, use the bellpull near the bed and one of the servants will attend you."
Hanvex dropped his dusty pack to the floor wearily, "Thank you, my dear."
Mikala trotted to the door and bowed her way out, closing the door behind her.
After staring at the closed door for a couple of seconds, Hanvex removed his cloak and dropped it on the floor near his pack. The room was beautifully homey and well decorated. Tasteful wallpaper laced the walls with flowers and green vines. A colorful area rug was underfoot, sporting lards and ladies hunting unicorns with sleek greyhounds. The fading sunlight crossed the floor and draped itself over the canopied bed. That bed looked so comfortable, he thought wistfully. Shaking his head with a wry grin, he started to undress. A faded shirt joined the cloak on the floor.
Halfway down the hall, Mikala fingered a key and cursed under her breath as she swung around to return to the traveller's room. She had totally forgotten to leave the key with him. She hadn't had that problem with Elizabeth and the baby; after all, they looked normal, not like the Grim Reaper come to collect souls. Cook would have her hide if she was late for the dinner setting!
In a rush, Mikala ran down the hall and slid to a stop outside the traveller's door. Putting her ear to the door, she heard water running. She decided to tip-toe inside and place the key on the bedtable, then she'd be off and under Cook's thumb in no time at all! The servant girl opened the door and stepped inside, only to freeze in amazement.
This wasn't the man who introduced himself to the lord! This man was beautiful and not at all homely. While his dark blond hair and expressive eyes -- now wide with shock -- set off a face guaranteed to stop ladies in their tracks, the intricate dragon tattoo that ran down his back was frankly amazing.
Hanvex, too, had frozen. The servant girl had returned and he had not renewed his glamour. She could see him for what he was.
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Post by shadowfax on Oct 31, 2005 12:08:55 GMT -5
When the two guest had left the room, Nathen sat down in the chair behind him, and Samantha took a seat in the chair nearest her. Royal troted over and placed his head on her knee. She softly stroked his head with a small smile. Her father watched her quietly. "Daughter, you are much to generous. Why must you bring everyone into our home during holidays?" Nathen asked quietly.
Samantha sighed, "I would rather make our house crowded with people, then the streets crowded with people. This way, i know that they're getting feed" she said quietly
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Post by stormaf on Nov 6, 2005 10:13:51 GMT -5
Before he could get one word out, the girl let out a small squeak, her hands to her mouth. Hanvex held up his pants as he turned.
"I can explain ---"
The maid dropped the key to the floor and ran down the hall. Hanvex strode to his open door and watched her disappear around the corner. It wouldn't be long until every servant in the house, and the family, would know that a magic user was in residence. He'd better make his bath short. He'd been thrown out of other places for less. Hanvex stooped and picked up his key. He placed it on the bedtable as he made his way into the bathroom.
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Post by shadowfax on Nov 7, 2005 14:41:19 GMT -5
Mikala knocked on the door to the parlor, totally out of breath. Nathen stood up as he replied "Enter" The door opened and Mikala entered the room. "Sir, the man, Hanvex, he is not normal, he is a magician!" she said breathlessly.
Nathen's eyes grew huge, "What!?! You mean to say that there is a magician in my house-hold??? See what you've done" he said, turning to face Samantha.
Royal growled deeply at Nathen. "Father, please, i will go see him, and find out if he is truly a magician or not. Dont not be angry" and with that, she exited the parlor, and Royal followed after her, as did Mikala.
Samantha made her way down the hall, Mikala leading her to the room she had placed Hanvex. Once there, Mikala took her leave, and Samantha stood in front of the door, toying with the master key in her hand. She sighed, and slipped the key into the slot, and unlocked the door. She pulled the key out of the keyhole and pushed the door open. The room was deserted, but she heard the sound of water coming from the bathroom. "Stay" she said to Royal, who sat down next to the door.
Samantha made her way over to the closed bathroom door, and knocked on it. "Hanvex? Will you please come out here as soon as you can?" she asked, then went and sat down on the bed
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Post by stormaf on Nov 11, 2005 21:50:32 GMT -5
Faintly, under the noise of the water, Hanvex heard Samantha's voice. He let the water cascade over him as he stood, head down, rubbing his eyes, trying to think of something to say for himself. If he only hadn't used that glamor..... but then, the entire household would have seen him.
After turning off the water, Hanvex stepped from the closet and wrapped a towel around his waist, tucking the tail end in securely. There was no way he could hide his remarkable tattoo; the black and silver dragon's intricately done scales ran down his back, its forelegs extending down his arms -- its claws were his fingers. The hind legs walked down each of Hanvex's own with the long spiked tail wrapping around his right leg. The dragon's neck went up the back of his neck, disappearing under his hair. As Hanvex moved, his muscling made the tattoo ripple as if it was alive.
Taking a deep breath, Hanvex opened the bathroom door and walked out, his head down, his hair hiding his face.
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Post by shadowfax on Nov 11, 2005 22:32:11 GMT -5
When the door opened, Samantha looked over at Hanvex, and then away when she found him only in a towel. Royal growled quietly from his spot near the door. "Hanvex, is what Mikala says true? Are you a magician?" she asked quietly, her eyes focused on Royal
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Post by stormaf on Nov 12, 2005 23:16:55 GMT -5
Suddenly, at Samantha's voice, Hanvex found his feet even more interesting. His long wet hair swung as he shifted nervously.
"I must admit to a certain talent in the magical arts," Hanvex volunteered, "But I never employ my abilities for ill gain. In fact, I seldom use them at all, they're more of a nuisance than a blessing."
He regained a little of his pride as he spoke, "I only hid my appearance this evening to avoid possible complications. It's often better if others don't remember what I look like."
He stalked to the bed, gathering his dusty clothing from the floor as he went, "I'll just pack up and go. At least I can save you from the trouble of throwing me out."
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Post by shadowfax on Nov 14, 2005 11:13:35 GMT -5
Samantha looked over at him as he made his way toward the bed. "You dont have to leave. You may stay if you wish. I can go tell my father that you arnt a magician, and that Mikala was mistaken" she said quietly, looking away from him once more
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Post by stormaf on Nov 17, 2005 22:32:37 GMT -5
Standing straight beside the bed, one hand holding his towel in place, Hanvex stared at her in surprise.
"You'd do that? You'd lie to your sire about something that you know to be true?"
He sat down on the bed, his look thoughtful.
"I'd regret it if you caught trouble by the tail because you were trying to help me," he said quietly, "Is your father really that much against magic?"
He reached up to tuck his wet hair behind his ear and the intricately inked dragon's leg on his arm moved as if it was real.
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