Rings like a bell through the night, part 1

Posted on 15 Dec 2023 @ 5:34pm by Mage Kalian Winter & Warrior Rhiannon Cadash

2,478 words; about a 12 minute read

Mission: Summer Nights in Jader
Location: Jader Waterfront
Timeline: Bloomingtide 11th, evening

Kalian made his way through the streets of Jader to the dock area in the early evening, with a bouquet of red roses in one hand, and a box of confections in the other. He was dressed in a new set of clothes, a smart leather coat over a fine white shirt and leather trousers and boots. After the adventure with Rhiannon and their friends solving the mystery of the not-actually-haunted mansion, he was flush with coin for a change, and had splurged.

These last few days he'd been carrying his mage staff - strapped to his back – regularly. Enough people knew – but politely ignored – his status as an apostate, that he was not quite so careful to hide his arcane nature. Kalian still avoided Templars whenever possible. Luckily, any templars he might encounter in the waterfront area were likely there to visit the brothel, and keeping a low profile themselves.

Kalian paused on the dock to admire the Night's Kiss. He was not a sailor, but even he could tell it was a handsome ship, with strong lines and graceful curves – not unlike Rhiannon herself.

Nervously, he approached the gang-plank. He'd met Rhiannon's mother before in a professional capacity, as an apostate working for her. Now… he'd be meeting Jessamir again as Rhiannon's romantic partner.

Rhi had been busy since the group had finished their tasks. Though she had seen and talked with and spent some time with Kalian but not very much. An hour here or there. So when she had finally had time, she had let Kalian know. That morning she had finished up her chores and checked on everything that she had needed to check on, then told her mother that her and Kalian were going out for the evening. And for her mother to let her know when Kalian had arrived.

Jessamir had given a nod as she had watched her daughter head below deck to get ready. So when she spotted Kalian coming down the dock. She could see the flowers, the box and what looked like new clothes. She had liked the young man from the first time she had met him. Very polite and respectful though he had a wit about him as well. She could see he had a strength in him as well. Not easily bent or broken. A good fit for her daughter. So when the young man stopped at the gang plank, she motion for one of the crew. An older dwarf named Harshin, gave a nod. Stepping up to the side he looked over, "Oy, you there. Names Kalian right? Been told to tell ya to come aboard. The mistress Ardoth will be ready shortly."

"Thank you," said Kalian to the crewmember, before heading up the gangplank.

Jessamir sat on a crate near the gang plank. She slowly looked up to where Kalian was at, though didn't look directly at him. "You here my daughter?" She seemed to be squinting and her voice was a bit shaky.

Kalian bowed respectfully to Rhiannon's mother, curious about the slight tremble in her voice. "I'm here because I am lucky enough to spend the evening with your daughter." Jessamir was so similar to Rhiannon, just older. He found himself imagining Rhiannon as an older woman, and hoping he would still be with her to see for himself.

"Rhiannon is a strong, independent woman, and I know she doesn't need to ask your approval to see me. But, uh…" Kalian's brown face took on a pink blush. "I would like to earn your approval."

Jessamir sat quietly as she listened to Kalian. She could hear his commitment to her daughter. Also his boldness. He was correct in thinking that Rhiannon did not need her permission. Though she found it quite interesting that he was seeking it. "You seek my blessing do you." This was a statement, her voice grew stronger as she looked directly at Kalian. "Earning my approval, (pause) you have done this. Protecting her as you did, on your recent adventure." She stood, her mannerisms normal. "It is her that you have to gain approval from." This said with an almost wickedness. "She doesn't give her heart easily. But once she does, it will be fierce, fiery. We dwarfs may be all stoicism when we are with others, when we are alone, with our partners." She gives him a mischievously wicked grin. "Let's just say, you have caught yourself a lioness, Kalian my dear. It is up to you to understand how to proceed." With that Jessamir walks slowly up to Kalian, motions for him to bend down. She will give him a strong yet warm hug and whisper in his ear. "She is falling for you my son." She then let go.

Kalian grinned and ducked his head at Jessamir's description of her daughter. He was well acquainted with Rhiannon's wild nature when they were alone together, but he could not fathom any polite way to tell Jessamir her daughter was amazing in bed. Kalian dropped to one knee in a smooth motion that was becoming habit and shifted the flowers and confections to one hand so he could return Jessamir's welcoming embrace. "Thank you for your blessing," he whispered back. "I'm falling for her too,"

Rhiannon made her way up the ladder from below. As she steps out onto the deck and spotted her mother and Kalian. Smiling she moved toward her mother and Kalian. "Well, mother, quit trying to run him off now. You told me this morning that you like him. And I quote, "The boy is bold. Chiseled like stone." She chuckled as her crimson eyes sparkled with laughter.

Kalian had just gotten to his feet when Rhiannon emerged from the lower deck like a sea goddess from the ocean. Kalian was rendered momentarily speechless, staring at Rhiannon. If they were talking about him that morning, that was probably a good thing. "Rhiannon, you are beautiful as always."

Rhi gave Kalian a warm smile as she made her way to him.

He knelt before Rhiannon so that he looked slightly up to meet her eyes. Taking one of her hands in his, he turned it palm-up and kissed her wrist, then offered the flowers and confections. "I wasn't sure what kind of flowers you like, and my sister suggested roses. These are Antivan chocolates, enough to share." Kalian tore his eyes away from Rhiannon's crimson gaze to give Jessamir a friendly nod.

Rhi stepped closer as Kalian knelt before her. When he took her hand in his, turned it palm up and gently kissed her wrist, this sent shivers through her entire body. Her cheeks flushed as she looked into Kalians eyes. It took a moment to realize that he had brought her roses and confections. "These are beautiful. I love roses. And Antivan chocolates, you definitely know how to get to a girl's heart." She noticed Kalian give her mother a friendly nod.

Jessamir gave a small nod in return. Rhi looked to her mother and shook her head. "Alright then. (looks to Kalian) Let us go." She practically pulled Kalian down to the dock. As she walked with him, her tone was casual yet held a lot of curiosity. "So, what did my mother tell you?"

"Well, uh…" Kalian rubbed the back of his neck and glance back toward the ship. "She said I have her blessing to see you. And though she didn't say it in so many words, I get the feeling she wouldn't mind if I spent more time with you. Or even…" He paused to take Rhiannon's hand and waggled his eyebrows mischievously. "If she caught me in your cabin early some morning."

Rhi didn't look up at Kalian till he took her hand is his. A mischievous smile crossed her face as she felt his warmth and seen his waggle of his eyebrows. "Really now. She said that, did she?." It wasn't a question so much as she will pay for that later. "Well, we will just have to see about that." She gives Kalian's hand a squeeze. With that, "What does your family think. (she gives his hand a couple of light squeezes again) Of this?" Kalian could hear the question, the curiosity, along with a small bit of nervousness.

"My family? Well, you know my niece Iris adores you. She keeps asking when you and she can have a playdate. Tessa and Ben like you, that hasn't changed… Oh. Tessa threatened dire consequence if I forget to invite you to a family dinner this Tuesday - if you're available. And my father Armin, he likes you a lot." In fact, both Armin and Tessa had been pushing Kalian to make his relationship with Rhiannon more formal, and had suggestively pointed out that any children he and Rhi had together were unlikely to have magic. Kalian continued walking, still holding Rhiannon's hand, toward the hightown district.

Rhi listened intently as Kalian told her what his family thought of her. A warm smile rose as her eyes seemed to take on a crimson glow of their own. "I can definitely do dinner this Tuesday. I will bring a bottle of wine from my personal stock. (she grins) As for a play date, that sounds like fun. We can make it a girls day." If Kalian looks at Rhi, he can see she is already thinking of things to do.

As the two walked Rhi made it a point to purposely look away from Kalian and grin when ever he would look at her. She noticed that they were heading to the hightown district. "So my darling. Where are we going?"

"It's umm, sort of a surprise. I wanted the evening to be special, and well, Ben helped me make the arrangements." Kalian gave Rhiannon a nervous smile. He wanted to please her, and hoped she'd enjoy the evening. Then he worried he sounded evasive and added, "We're headed to the home of the dowager Lady Randel. She's in Val Royeaux at the moment, but apparently she finds it amusing to allow her guest quarters to be engaged of an evening for a romantic rendezvous, with dinner prepared by her chef, and, uh… overnight accommodation."

Rhi smiled as she listened to Kalian tell her where they were going. She knew that he was a suave and romantic person. She also knew that, from what she could tell, he wanted to please her because he truly cared for her. For Rhi, this made her heart swell. So for Kalin to prepare this for them, Rhi knew that he was special.

Rhi did not say a word. Did not look at Kalian as they walked. She noticed a bench just up ahead, when they got near it she pulled him towards it. Instead of sitting she climbs up to stand on it so she can look him eye to eye. For a dwarf this is not normal behavior. She takes his hands in hers and looks him in his eyes. Hers shining bright crimson red that held a warmth that Kalian has only briefly seen before. Her smile held words back that for a moment made her lips tremble. Her hands gently squeezed his as she spoke. "Kalian, my heart. We have known each other for a short period of time. Yet there is something that I can not explain. I can only say that you have brought feelings out of me that I had only hoped to ever feel. I hope you can see how I feel towards you." She pauses for a moment, "I have a feeling what my mother said to you. (pauses, warm smile) I hope you understand what my words mean."

Kalian followed Rhiannon to the bench curiously. He recovered from his initial surprise as she climbed up to stand on the bench, appreciating the opportunity to hold her, and look directly into her beautiful crimson eyes. "I've never felt like this about anyone before. I want to be with you, Rhi. I find myself thinking about being with you still, when we're old, and I imagine what it would be like to have children with you." For a moment, the overflow of his emotions shown in Kalian deep brown eyes. But then he kissed her passionately, pressing her body against his, the fact that they were standing on the street in Hightown, forgotten.

Rhi had not been completely sure how Kalian felt about her. Oh she knew that he cared for her, deeply cared. She felt that every time he looked at her. Touched her, held her hand, treated her and her family. Now, as her words set in, she could see that he understood what she had said. It did not scare him. As he spoke words that she had come to believe and had resigned herself to never hear. See in his eyes the deep storm of passion for her that matched hers for him. The tears that were being held back finally broke as Kalian leaned in and kissed her.

Passion was just a word that described a feeling for something or someone, yes the kiss was passionate yet it was so much more. More than that single word could amply describe. For Rhiannon, there was nothing else in this world except the man, this man, Kalian. When they parted, she had to take a few deep breaths as she looked Kalian in his beautiful deep brown eyes. Her tone, low, warm, full of the love she carried for him.

"My Nogazen. My Amoruk rooted Nir unrol cast forth da emberth eron my Kadrel Yoth othok."

The passion and deep emotion of Rhiannon's words bathed Kalian in love and acceptance, even though he didn't understand their precise meaning. Learning to understand and speak Dwarven was a priority for him now. Kalian brushed a loose strand of Rhiannon's hair gently from her beautiful face, and sighed. "Truly, I'm the luckiest man in Thedas. And, I'm a fool for needing to ask, but… what did you just say?"

Rhi gave Kalian a warm smile. "Do not worry love, you will learn dwarf soon enough." There was a bit of devilish fire in her crimson eyes. "For now I will tell you what it means. (Her tone becomes more serious yet still held the passion and love) It means, My love. My heart rooted in stone cast forth the embers of my forge for you." She looks him in his eyes. "Now you must ask my mother what it really means." With that she jumps down and starts to pull him along the way they had been walking. "Alright, you promised me a wonderful night. Not sure how you are going top this so far, but I am looking forward to seeing you try,"

OOC: To be continued...

 

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