A Veil of Green

Posted on 18 Sep 2022 @ 7:06pm by Mage Kalian Winter & Mage Kithris Sabrae

2,779 words; about a 14 minute read

Mission: Once Upon a Codex
Location: Forest Southwest of Jader
Timeline: 9:29 Dragon in Spring, one year before the Blight

OOC: 5 years in the past, Kalian (age 20) and Kithris (age 18) meet

It was early spring in the deep forest southwest of Jader. Frost in the morning, sun in the afternoon, and rain at night. Kalian had spent the morning planting peas and parsnips in his grandmother Mirren's vegetable garden, and she'd sent him out with a large basket to spend the afternoon collecting tender new shoots from elf root and nettle. Kalian made his way through a maple grove alive with birds – he identified chickadees, sparrows, and wrens - choosing mates and setting up their nests.

This was so different from the bustling sights and smells of Jader. Isolated in the forest Mirren had made her home, he was free to use his magic… at least, now that Mirren was satisfied he could control it. His time was split between his life in the forest, and the life he had begun to reclaim in Jader with his father, sister, and her new husband Ben.

Kalian found a patch of nettles, and began to pick the fresh new shoots, pinching them off the plant carefully, the way Mirren had taught him so he wouldn't get stung.

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Kithris had spent the entire morning with the Keeper in meditation. For Kit, this was the one thing that she always had a hard time doing. It always took her a bit of time to clear her mind and free her thoughts. So when the Keeper tapped her on her shoulders and brought her out of her meditation, Kit looked up and could see that most of the morning had pasted.

"Kithris Sabrae, you have made me proud today." The Keeper smiled as she started to walk towards her aravel.

Kit, still a bit surprised that she had meditated for that long, gave the Keeper a smile and followed. "Keeper. It didn't seem like that long. I could hear everything, even you. Though it was like being there yet not."

After reaching her aravel the keeper reaches in to bring out what looks like a longbow. She turns to face Kithris and hands it to her. "This is for you. Since you can now focus properly, this staff will help direct your magic. I had this crafted specifically for you. Since you love hunting, this "bow" will focus your magic."

Kit took the "bow", looked it over and could see there were finely etched runes all along the bow. Holding it up like a bow she could feel her magic connect with the bow. She reached up to make like she was going to pull back on the string, though no string was there. An emerald green string of magic appeared.

"Go now, attune to it." The keeper smiled.

Kit grinned. "Thank you Keeper." Kit lowered the "bow" and gave the keeper a hug before she turned and headed out into the forest.

Kit followed a small animal trail from where the clan had set up and made her way into the forest. She spent the next hour or so attuning to her new "bow" trying out many small spells. Each time using it like a regular bow. She even found a way to use the magical string to fire regular arrows. As a short time passed she came across a dear trail and decided to bring it back for the clan.

Kit followed the tracks, as she did she came across small glade where the tracks went. Stopping on the edge she peered across the glade she spotted what looked to be a young man picking Nettles. She had seen and dealt humans before. Most were selfish, arrogant, fool hardy and cruel. They could be very cruel. Yet there was something different about this one. So instead of scaring him away she watched him. How gentle he was in pulling the Nettles. Taking great care not only so he didn't get stung but it was like he was pruning.

After a short time she decided to see why exactly this human was out on the forest. Especially this far from Jadar. Finding a spot to hide Kit positioned herself so she had a clean shot if needs be. Then called out. "Human. You are quite aways away from the city. Why is it that you are? Surely it isn't just to pick Nettles. You could have found some closer to the edge of the forest.?"

Kalian was not paying close attention to his surroundings. Though he was careful, the nettle's juice on his fingers and the green scent of its mild poison elicited a buzzing sensation that always reminded him of drawing electricity from the fade. While he worked, Kalian had been thinking about an attractive dark-haired woman who'd been staying at the Raven the last time he was home. She'd invited Kalian to her room and he'd made the mistake of mentioning his planned rendezvous to Ben, his brother-in-law. Tessa, Ben, and his father sent him back to Mirren, right away.

He startled at the sudden interruption and he brushed the back of his hands along the nettle's stem. "Andraste's flaming knickers!" he swore at the sudden sharp stings and looked up to see a very pretty Dalish elf holding a bow with an arrow knocked. Maker's breath! What had she asked him? "Uh, I'm staying with my grandmother. She lives… nearby." Kalian wasn't about to divulge the precise location of his grandmother's home. He was confident Mirren would have no trouble defending herself against one elf. But a whole clan… maybe not. He took some elfroot leaves from his basket, crushed them between his hands and began rubbing elfroot juice on the tiny raised blisters.

Kithris gave a wry smile it the fact that she had scared the shem, no, human. This one was different. She could sense something about him that seemed to speak to her. She watched as her room some elfroot out and started to run it across the back off his hand that had brushed against the nettles stem. "They sting, do they not." Her grin changed slightly as she watched him. She took a few steps closer and lowered her bow a little. "Your grandmother?. Lives near by. We were unaware of someone living out here." There was a pause as Kit looked Kalian up and down again. She lowered her bow, though kept the arrow knocked. Tilting her head slightly, "You do not seem to be threatening. Yet I got the feeling that you are dangerous." She let the magic flow through her to create a green glow briefly around her eyes. "So not get any ideas, I can defend myself." Her tone though was not threatening. She moved to a nearby tree and leaned against it. "So your grandmother has you our picking nettles huh." This said with the attitude of someone who understood boring work.

He saw the glow of her eyes and knew that she was a mage, like him. With a playful grin, Kalian held out his arms, palms forward in a peaceful gesture, and kindled subtle sparks of electricity between his fingers to reveal his own arcane nature. "My grandmother has lived in these woods for many years, with few visitors and always careful to avoid any who would threaten or call her apostate and hunt her."

He looked her up and down. She was lovely, but not just that. This elven woman was confident and bold. "I swear I am no threat to you. My name is Kalian. May I know yours?"

Kit watched as Kalian kindled some subtle sparks between his fingers. His playful grin was highlighted by the sparks. She lowered her bow and stepped forward. " Kalian, (small bow of her head) I am Kithris." She made her way to stand a few feet away. "Your grandmother has nothing to worry about from myself or my clan. (pause, sly grin) So you are no threat?" She looks him up and down openly admiring him. "Are you sure?"

"My grandmother is mainly concerned about apostate-hunting Templars," said Kalian seriously. Then he canted his head, curious. He'd heard that Dalish elves didn't like humans, but this gorgeous elven woman seemed to like what she saw in him. He licked his lips and returned her sly grin. "I'm sure that I would never harm you or do anything else without your enthusiastic consent."

He picked up his basket, with elfroot and only about half the nettle leaves Mirren wanted. "I think I've collected enough herbs for my grandmother. The day is getting hot, and I know of a pleasant stream-fed pool nearby. Perfect for cooling off." Kalian gestured to the southwest and shrugged. Though his proposal contained the obvious ulterior motive, he wanted to learn more about Kithris. "Also a nice spot to fill our water skins with cool water and just talk."

Kithris listened as Kalian talked about his grandmother worrying more about Templars than anything else. She understood this quite well though the Templars usually stayed away from the Dalish clans. What caught her attention though was his tone when he talked about a pleasant stream fed pool just a little ways off. "Fill our water skins hhmm. (took a few steps in the direction Kalian had suggested) I think my water skin could use some fresh water." Her tone was playful as she turned her look at Kalian. A flash of green magic crackled from her eyes.

When Kithris turned away, Kalian's gaze drifted lower, admiring her backside until she turned to face him. He joined Kithris and walked alongside her, close but not so close as to invade her space or appear aggressive. As they walked he indicated the way. Holding aside a branch so she wouldn't need to duck he said, "I've heard that Dalish clans are nomadic. How long have you been in the area? Has your clan been here before? My grandmother has lived in this region of the forest a long time, maybe she knows some of your people."

Kit made her way along the path that Kalian had motioned to. She felt him walking beside her and purposely kept her eyes forward yet let her hand brush his as they walked and he asked some questions. "Yes we are nomadic. As for how long have we been in this area, it has been about 2 weeks. This is why I am out scouting. We have been here before, though it has been quite some time. I was around two at the time. As for your grandmother possibly knowing someone from my clan, (pause), it is possible." She glances at Kalian, her eyes flashing green. "So, do you spend a lot of time at your grandmothers?"

"My family sent me to live with her when I was twelve, eight years ago. My grandmother, Mirren, has been teaching me how to control my magic, and use it well. It gets lonely in the forest, and these last two years, I've been spending more time with my father and sister in Jader. But I visit Mirren regularly, to continue my lessons." The forest certainly didn't feel lonely just then. "With someone as interesting and lovely as you in the forest to spend time with, I could be enticed to stay with my grandmother the entire season."

Kithris listened as Kalian talked about his past. **He had such a sweet voice.**, she thought. Being sent to his grandmothers to learn how to control his magic. It was obvious that his parents had not wanted him to go to the tower. This she could relate to. When the veiled question came up on whether or not she would be in the area for a while, she grinned. Her tone a mocking suspicious, "Interesting and lovely you say." Her hand and eyes quickly flashed green. "We will be in the area for some time. Hunting and doing some repairs on our wagons."

They had arrived at the pool. In the shade of a willow tree, a stream spilled into the pool from several feet above, creating a waterfall at the far rocky end. Closer to them, soft turf grew in the warm sun, down to the water's edge. It was the perfect place for swimming in cool, fresh water, followed by warming up in the sun. Kalian gave Kithris a warm, speculative smile. "Do you want to go for a swim?"

When they arrived at the pool Kit felt quite at home. The area was beautiful. The willow tree over hungry the crystal clear pool. She closed her eyes to listen. The waterfall splashing on the rocks at the far end of the pool. The slight breeze rustling the willow tree leaves. Feeling the warm sun in her face, without pause she answered Kalians question. "A swim sounds like fun." Turning to face Kalian, Kit grinned, eyes quickly flashed green, as she stripped down and walked to the edge of the pool and dove in.

Kalian temporarily lost the ability to speak, or move, or do anything but watch wide-eyed as the beautiful young elf stripped off her clothing, walked naked to the pool's edge, and dived in. He blinked, then swiftly doffed his own kit, and dove in after her. The water was refreshingly cold and crystal-clear. He stole another good look before he surfaced a few feet away from her, treading water. "This is one of my favorite spots in the forest," said Kalian, and took a couple of sidestrokes around her, maintaining the distance between them. He didn't want her to feel pressured or threatened. If she wanted to get close, that would be her call. And yet, he was swimming naked with a beautiful woman, how could he resist a little flirting? "If you get cold, I can warm you up if you want."

Kit watched as Kalian dove in. She had missed him stripping down. She was a little miffed though knew if she wanted to look she could just duck under the water. She looked around as Kalian commented about this being one of his favorite spots. His comment about him warming her up if she got cold, was not missed. Her attention turned to look at the man swimming naked with her. She gave him a grin as she took a few strokes around him as she spoke. "I bet you could." Her tone lite, musically flirty. As she made her way to be treading water very close to Kalian. As she got close her eyes flashed a bright green. "I am getting a bit chilly."

His breath caught at the tone of her voice and her closeness. She did not seem to be afraid or feel threatened by him. If anything, Kithris seemed to encourage his tentative advance. Kalian reached out and took her hand gently, then drew her with him as he took a few side strokes into shallower water where his feet just touched the sandy pool floor. Pulling her slowly toward him, ready to release her at the slightest hesitation on her part, he wrapped his arms around her waist and pressed her slim, shapely body against his. "You are so beautiful," he whispered, holding her bright green gaze. "May I kiss you?"

Kit watched Kalians reaction to her. She could tell that he wanted her though was a gentleman and if she decided that she didn't want to her would wouldn't pressure her. This made up her mind and she let herself be pulled close to him and led to the shallower end of the pond. Feeling his body next to hers, how warm he was, how strong yet soft his touch was, brought an excitement to her. As he whispered , holding her gaze in his, she gave a small nod, as she leaned in, tilting her head slightly.

When their lips touched, the butterflies in her stomach flew throughout her body. Fire seemed to burn through her veins. Gentle, slowly, her passion growing as their kiss gets stronger.

Never in his young life had Kalian wanted a woman more than he wanted Kithris, and never had he been so certain that he needed to make very, very sure she gave her enthusiastic consent every step of the way.

He explored her mouth with his tongue as he caressed her back, the buoyancy of the water making it easy to support her with one hand, her firm and yet enticingly soft body pressed against his. Kalian's hand strayed to cup her breast, thumb circling the tip. "If you're still cold," he murmured, "Please allow me to carry you over to the bank... where the grass is soft and the sun is warm."

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