Carmelyn Inn

Ardyne D'Enae · January 18, 2008, 10:00 PM

29th of Aparitus (Summer), Era II of the Celestine Mandate, Era XIV Post Fractum

Ardyne quickly walked through the streets, anxious to see her friends in the Inn. Her soft curls moved along her lower back as she walked, following the fluid movements of her body. Her breath had quickened with the brisk walking she had done in the market this morning. She had checked at a few places on the way and hadn't had much success in finding work opportunities for the week, at least not any of honorable means.

She stepped up onto the low wooden porch of the Inn. It was a small building, and rather old. The wooden porch had a plain shingled roof, but a very classic design to the railings and posts. It must have been very formidable work for a carpenter in the era that it was made. The wood had aged and weathered in the time, but it clung to its former distinction. The wood creaked under her weight as she stepped up. It only took 4 steps to reach the door, but Brien had already seen her through the large window that was set to the right and was opening the heavy door with a smile. The burlesque man stood much taller than she, as she was only a small 5 feet 5 inches (barely) and he a surprising 6.5. He was a slightly chubby man, with dark curly hair and a smile that could warm the heart of any weary traveler. She considered him a man with a greater power than any fae, his love for his wife and others was so strong it would light up the whole of Aelyria! And his kindness, well, there was no question ... he was the kindest man she had ever known and had seen how contagious it could be when he would spread joy, laughter, and kindness to every person that was fortunate enough to cross his path.

Quickly taking the hand that was offered to her, she was pulled into a warm embrace that made her giggle. "Hello there, Brien! It's been a while. How are you and Marie lately?"

His deep voice never seemed to match his face, but his throaty laugh boomed and filled the porch spilling out into the street making others smile. "We're doing alright! Wondering where you might have gone off to! We were sure you might have found some adventure to get mixed up in."

She smiled and shook her head, "When have I ever found any interesting adventures?"

Brien smirked and put a caring arm around her small shoulders as he led her into the Inn with a wink. "Must have been a rather big one that brought you to our doorstep that day."

Ardyne nodded with a short laugh, "Wish I could remember that one! At least I'd have a story to tell! Where is Marie?"

Brien half-smiled and lowered his deep voice to what seemed to become a rumbling whisper. "She's not feeling well today. As a matter of fact, I'm glad you arrived today. I was wondering if you could watch the Inn for a few days, I'll be needing to take care of her as she's finding it difficult to be out of bed for long. Do you think you could do that for me?"

Ardyne nodded and smiled like a child given a winner's prize. "Of course! Please let me know if there's anything I can do for Marie in the meantime."

Brien smiled his big, heart-warming smile again and patted her back softly, though his large, heavy hand made her lean each time. "Great!"

Ardyne D'Enae · January 24, 2008, 12:34 AM

30th of Optia (Summer), Era II of the Celestine Mandate, Era XIV Post Fractum

Ardyne sighed as she walked up the creaky wooden stairs of the Carmelyn Inn. Her hand gently floated over the banister, as she made her way to the single room/apartment that was on the third floor.

Ardyne could remember how beautiful Marie was when they had first met. She was so kind, a woman slightly taller than she, with shoulder-length bouncy curly red hair, beautiful green eyes and skin that would make a porcelain doll jealous. She had never seen the human woman this way since the day she was taken in by the precious couple, her face was so pale and her eyes sunken in with dark bags under her eyes, her body so weak she could barely lift her arms to give the hugs she so lovingly used to give.

Ardyne opened the wooden door carefully, trying to make as little noise as possible. Of course, the sharp creak was expected and Brien looked up from the book he was reading to Marie. He looked tired, much older than he did just a month ago. He barely slept and cried many times, though he always cried in one of the storage rooms so no one would see. Today seemed different, he was restless and Marie seemed far too relaxed, her breathing had become very shallow. Ardyne knelt at Marie's bedside and took up one of the human hands in both of her slender elven hands. Marie gave her a slight smile and closed her eyes, each breath weakening. For the first time in the past 2 months, Marie seemed to be too tired to fight her failing body. Ardyne's amber eyes looked to Brien for some sign of hope, but he had none. His hope and happiness had faded at the rate his beloved wife had and his heart was as fragile. His thick lips and large body seemed to tremble with the effort it took to remain strong for his wife when all he wanted to do was cry unconsolably.

Ardyne's heart broke seeing him in such a state and looking back at Marie only made her realize how quickly she was fading. This beautiful couple that had taken her in, this woman that had cared for her as if she had raised her from birth, was now slipping through their fingers into the dark abyss of death. Ardyne couldn't contain the pain, they were the only two people that meant anything to her, she had no past and didn't even know where to begin the future. The tears flowed freely from her face, she sniffled, burying her face in the bed trying to smother her sobs, her shoulders and arms trembling. Brien knelt on the opposite side of his wife, reaching a hand out over to Ardyne and placing it on her head lovingly, letting his tears fall as he caressed his wife's small arm with his other hand.

Ardyne thought she would never stop crying, but after a time it seemed she had exhausted herself ... her crying slowed, her tears still filling her eyes, but her breathing had evened out somewhat. Her thoughts migrated to her memories of the short time she had spent with Brien and Marie. The woman's laughter, hugs, smiles, advice. The wonderful heart she had, how her life brought so much joy and light to the lives of those around her.

Ardyne could see the light surround Marie in her mind, and she watched as it became more and more intense as bright as the suns. Ardyne could feel it prickling on her skin a thousand little needles pricking her along her neck, arms, back, and hips. She was burning, first on the surface, but then from somewhere in her chest the flames seemed to burn outwards throughout her body. She had to wake up, she must be sleeping, but she couldn't open her eyes. In the distance she heard a gasp, a man calling her name, but it was too far away to help her break away from this dream. What was happening? She had to wake up ... NOW! Ardyne gasped, taking in air as if she had been drowning, her eyes fluttering open just in time to see the shimmering druid symbols on her arms fade into her skin.

Brien's jaw had slacked and he looked at Ardyne wide-eyed, not understanding what he had just seen. Ardyne released Marie's very warm hand and clasped them together upon her chest before standing and backing away from the bed. Her legs felt incredibly weak, but she had frightened herself and didn't want to be near Marie for fear of what she might have done.

"Ardyne? Wha ... What did you do?" Brien asked. Ardyne shook her head as if denying a malicious accusation, "I don't know ... I don't know what I did!" Brien looked at her arms and hands and then back to her amber eyes. "Your arms ... those symbols ... it was if they were fluid and it travelled down your arms like streams of silver to your hands and then there was a glow ..." Brien was still in shock and trying to understand what he saw when Marie stirred and took a deep breath opening her eyes to see her husband.

She smiled lovingly at Brien and somehow it all came together for the three of them. Ardyne had cured Marie, saving her from the clutches of death. Ardyne's legs gave way as she fainted, falling onto the floor.

A week after having cured Marie, Ardyne sat behind the counter of the Inn with the happy couple. "You don't have to leave, dear. Please stay." They said, but Ardyne had realized in this past month that she would need something of her own, to realize her own potential, if only to know that all was not lost should anything happen to those she cared for. But first, she needed answers and there was only one way to find them. She would have to learn something of her past and find out what else was a part of her former life, understand where she came from and why her life had brought her here.

Reaching down behind the counter, she lifted her large messenger bag off the ground and slipping the strap over her head, crossing her body diagonally she walked to the door of the Inn wondering when she would return to this place. "Take care of yourself, Ardyne." "And you ... I love you both!"