A Kidnapping

[Aurelia Dalry]

She was surprised to see the familiar face walk through the door. She watched the hooded figure walk towards her and immediately became tense and nervous. He could not be seen here, not in Skara Brae, not speaking to her with ease. If Eldan were to enter or any other member of his army she knew suspicions would grow. Why would he come here and risk her cover?

”You shouldn’t be here. You need to leave.” She felt her hands become clammy and tried to convince herself it was due to her nervousness, nothing else.

”But I have come all this way just to see you.” He smirked. ”Tell me what information you have learned.”

”Has Imy sent you here?”

”No.”

”That is too bad. I will only reveal my information to her.”

The man seemed more amused than irritated. She stood up quickly, knowing he would follow, and went to a more private room.

”You really should go. I am working. If you blow this I suspect Imy will not be pleased with you.”

The man went on about helping her, warning her to keep an eye on the body of the warrior as that is where the movement comes from. Making sure she knew that Drayden should be closely watched. She agreed with him inwardly, but outwardly she refused his opinions.

”If you care to do my job then please, by all means.” She was annoyed that he would come here, but secretly she was flattered. She hoped his purpose for coming was more than just to warn her.

”Come with me. Get out of here for a few days.” He told her of his plan to once again make her out to be the damsel in distress. He would “kidnap” her and take her away. Eldan would be worried and having her returned would only make him care for her more.

”It is not the time to pull try to off such a risky stunt.” She knew the plan was flawless and it would work perfectly, but the thought of escaping to his company frightened her. She found him to be attractive and intriguing. There was something about him that she had never seen before in a man, but she knew she could not pursue. She had a job now and Imy had taken her in as if she were family. She could not allow her emotions to get in the way.

”I appreciate your advice but as I have said, I suggest you leave. I will not be going with you.” She smiled politely as she spoke.

”Do you ever do anything for yourself? Or is it all business with you?”

She opened the door, ”Leave.”

He quickly grabbed hold of her arm. ”If I am leaving, you are going with me.” She tried to fight against him, but knew she was no match.

”I will scream! Someone will hear me and you will be caught.”

”Fine. Do what you need to do, but you will only be harming yourself if they find you with me.” He tugged harder on her arm.

She knew he was right and she was cornered. She had no choice but to continue forward. With one quick shove she went into the moongate, afraid and excited to see where she would come out.

[Aurelia Dalry]

She looked around at what appeared to be a jungle. She had never seen this place before. She did not even get her proper footing on the ground before something unfamiliar came towards her. The man quickly took the creature down. ”Are you alright?” He asked.

She nodded. It seemed as if they walked forever. Her legs were tired and her arms were scratched from the branches. Before her stood a monstrous creature, one she had never seen before, and as her heart stopped so did her feet. She turned her face to look back and she could see the man rushing towards her, his weapon drawn. He was too late; the creature had batted her aside, leaving her unconscious.

She woke up feeling water hit her face. Looking around she saw that she was in a nicely adorned hallway. Her head throbbed.

”Are you alright?”

She swung her legs off the side of the table. ”You nearly killed me! What were you thinking bringing me here?”

”If I may, it was not I who bashed you over the head. I saved your life, a thank you would suffice.”

Something caught her eye and she cared not about what he had to say. She steadied herself as she took her first steps and followed the wisp. A smile crossed her face as she put her hand into the air.

”What is it?”

”A wisp.” He answered.

He told her about the wisp as they began to walk down the hall way. They made their way into a study and then into a small room with white marble tables and benches. She had forgotten that she was a prisoner and looked around with interest.

”Don’t go too far down this hallway, alright?” He warned her.

She continued forward, not taking his advice, down a narrow staircase. Why should she listen to him? She grew furious thinking of what had just happened. She should still be in Skara, sitting alone in front of the fireplace.

A new creature began to walk towards her quickly. She glimpsed around the new room and saw blood on the floor. It took everything she had not to pass out. She felt him grab her and push her backwards through the door. Her body hit the ground and she quickly crawled backwards, scrambling to her feet. She started to run down the corridor, but knew she had no chance of leaving alone. She allowed her body to slide down the cold marble wall and she sat on the floor, waiting.

It seemed she waited forever for him to emerge, but finally he did. She stood quickly and charged towards him. ”What were you thinking? Are you -trying- to kill me?”

”I warned you, but no! You had to go down there, leaving me to fight them off!”

She stared at him in disbelief. Was this his big show to win her over? Did he do all of this in an effort to undo her dress?

”You didn’t have to go through all of this you know. A simple payment would have been just fine.”

He seemed offended. ”You think that is why I have taken you here?”

”Of course! Why else would you have gone through all of this effort?”

”Fine, if that is what you think. How much?”

”I would like a new necklace.”

”Fine. We will leave and I will pay you for your time.”

Fine!”

They continued their walk out of the hall, but he stopped her and grabbed her waist.

”Did you ever think I did this to see the smile on your face? A real smile. No, of course you didn’t.” He spoke angrily gripping her arm, ”Let’s go.”

She felt her heart drop. Could it be that he really cared for her? She shook the thought away and followed him back to the moongate.

[Aurelia Dalry]

This time there was no push, just gentle guidance. Once again they were in the woods, but this time there were no creatures pressing forward. His hand left her wrist, but the throbbing pain did not.

”Where are we?” She asked rubbing her wrist.

”Near Luna.”

He pulled a familiar necklace from his pocket and held it out to her. ”There you are. Paid in full.”

She shivered, but she couldn’t understand why. She had slept with many men, men she had not known for as long as she had known him, men she cared nothing about, but the thought of bedding this man scared her. She was nervous and self conscious, both traits that were unbecoming of her. She knew she was a good lover and her looks had never failed to impress, but what if he were not impressed.

Her mind continued racing as she stood frozen.

And if this is the chase, he will have caught me and he will no longer find interest. Then what? I will rid myself of his presence which is what I need. I cannot have this sitting upon my shoulders. I cannot wrap myself up in this wanton affair, it will lead no where.

”You have caught me, Sir. I am pleased with your payment and I do hope you will be pleased with yours.” She had made her mind up, but she couldn’t help but hesitate.

His hands moved to her shoulders moving each sleeve off her making the dress fall lazily to the ground. She reminded herself that this was a man just like all men before him. His lips upon her neck gave her goose-bumps and she found herself both longing for and fearful of his next move.

Her body lay against the cool grass as he pressed down on top of her. It took all her will not to push him back. Instead she ran her fingers beneath his tunic in an effort to remove it.

”No!” She thrust him off of her quickly. ”No, no. I can’t do this.” She scrambled to throw her dress back over her body as the man stared blankly at her. What am I doing? She thought to herself. The glimmer of the necklace caught her eye and she reached for it, but his hands were quicker. He slid the necklace into his pocket and stood up, brushing the grass from his pants.

”I should return to Skara.”

”Yes, you should.” He stormed off in a fury, leaving her confused and alone.

[Aurelia Dalry]

She paced within the walls of Armunn Keep. Where is Imy? She wondered. She knew she could not return to Skara without first putting her mind at ease and so she continued to pace. Never before had she felt this way, so angry yet so intrigued.

”I see you have yet to leave.” The familiar voice came beaming from behind her.

She turned sharply to see him, half fearful and half at ease. ”It seems whenever I take a moment to myself, you find a way to ruin it.” She made her way across the room to the teleporter and began her way to her room. He was not far behind for he appeared in her doorway moments after.

”I do not understand what you want.” She said.

”It is simple, I want you.”

”I am no woman to be had. Tomorrow I will return to Eldan’s bed and you will remain here. Nothing will ever become of us.”

”Then we should enjoy tonight.” He said walking towards her.”But if you want me to leave, I will leave, just say so.”

”Leave.” She turned her back to him and shortly after heard the shutting of her door. She wanted to cry, but knew she could not. It is for the best, she reminded herself.

The door opened and before she could turn to look he stood before her. ”Do you plan to do this your entire life, take no risks of your own while you live your life for others?”

She stared at him speechless.

”If that is how you wish to live your life then fine, but I believe you should do something for yourself.” His hand touched her cheek as he leaned in to kiss her.

Perhaps he is right. I have spent a good portion of my life sleeping with men to benefit myself financially. It would not hurt to spend one night with a man I truly enjoy. Tomorrow I will return to Skara, to Eldan, and I will continue where I left off. Tonight will just be a distant memory. She could no longer think as she allowed herself to give way to her desires.

[Aurelia Dalry]

As he lay sleeping motionless in the bed, she dressed and gathered her belongings. It was time to return. The beating she had taken the previous day would prove evidence enough that she was in fact kidnapped. Eldan would look after her more closely now and she was well aware that pulling a stunt like this again would not have the same results. Now she must be much more careful.

She made her way over to where his pants lay thrown on the floor and dug into his pocket removing her necklace. She opened the door slowly and took one last look at him before shutting the door behind her.

Before leaving the keep she sat down and began to write.

Sister,

I have come and gone without seeing you. I was taken against my will yesterday afternoon from the safety of Skara Brae by a man within the Order. I assume you will be able to figure out on your own who I speak of. It is my wish that you tell him his place and not allow for him to risk my disguise again. I am positive Eldan will place a more watchful eye on me after my return so be aware that the smallest of mistakes could risk the whole operation. I trust that you will take care of this situation accordingly.

Aurelia[/i]

She folded the parchment and set it down upon Imy’s throne. She could only hope that Imy would be able to drive him away. Or perhaps he will awake fulfilled and he will no longer want for her. The thought bothered her more than she could have imagined, but she pushed it to the corner of her mind as she made her way back to Skara.