Fantasy Strong Bonds (Starcaller x GreySwan)

[GreySwan]

Lin could be to sides of the same coin about many things, including her openness. She could be warm hearted and generous on the surface, but when the steel met the hilt, closely guarded and cautious. Of course that did not apply to Jareth, or at least had not for some time. There had been quite some time when she was certain he was to be her doom, to kill her while she slept or feed her to wolves. Or sell her to a wolf of the two-legged variety who had a purpose for her too shadowy to be spoken. But that had never happened. He had kept her alive and well, protected her, clothed her. She could not help but help him in the little ways now that she can. Not to repay him, just to show that she cared. And he did look rather happy eating the fried bread. Or as happy as Jareth ever looked, anyway...

His answer certainly wasn’t a surprise, nor a worry. “Sure we’ll find someone to put it right before you need to cut anything livelier than roasted rabbit with it. I might get a new tunic... Never did get the blood out of my light coloured one...” All typical talk on the road for the two of them. Any illusion of being a lady had been gone some time ago. This was their life, riding from one task to the next. It was freeing, having the future unfurl in front of them by the moment like a tapestry being unveiled. She faintly remembered how it had been before, with every day planned around the sun and the seasons and the crops... Waiting forever for growth and then longer to harvest and process and sell. This was really much easier. And far more profitable. She certainly never had a wolf skin cloak as a farm girl. Of course there were still things she missed, but... Ah. No sense dwelling on that. No more use than Jareth moping for his dagger to make it whole again. It was a beautiful albeit cold day for a ride, no sense ruining it with those memories.

Except it hadn’t been such a fine day for some unfortunately traveller... A carriage on its side was never a good sign. In her experience, it often came with at least a dead horse or two, and far too often dead people to match. And she wasn’t about to let that be them.

She pulled Farfall to a halt with an insulted snort from the gelding, slinging her quicker over her shoulder and snatching her shortbow before jumping down on considerably younger legs. The snow crunched under her boots as she stepped forward, pulling back her hood and exposing her face to the biting cold. Already her fingers nervously brushed the feathers of the arrows now hanging at her hip.

“It’s not recent, whenever it happened...” But there weren’t many people travelling the road this time of year. They’d been the only two souls they’d seen all day not including the horses, birds, and the odd fox. And the snow would not cover up any blood. It would soak through quicker than it did through linen. It also covered any tracks to or from the carriage that may have shed some light on what had happened. “Maybe... They slipped on a patch of ice. Managed to get the horses free before any bones were broken. Figured it was safer to leave it in this cold rather than wait for help.”

All the same she hung back, scanning the surrounding woods with a quick, trained eye, not letting her hand stray far from her quiver. She agreed, something about this did not seem right. It was perhaps a disheartening thought that a lack of corpses put them on edge. Blood would make sense. This did not. “Perhaps we ought to be on our way... Doesn’t seem as if there’s anything of value here, and whatever happened to these folks, we can’t help them now. Might see them on the road to Silverhold.” Or perhaps at least figure out what occurred to stir their minds a bit.

 

[Starcaller]

Lin's pragmatic approach was something Jareth agreed with. If they were to find those unfortunate travelers, the road ahead would've been the best bet. Perhaps Silverhold, even. Still, there really was no harm in rummaging through whatever was left in the carriage. Sure enough, others may come down the road and do the same. His interest had dwindled significantly as he turned through the third chest filled with clothing, mostly undergarments, and he was almost ready to give up when suddenly, his gloved fingers came upon something. An envelope. Pulling it out, Jareth showed it to Lin, studying it with a raised eyebrow and piqued curiosity. Hidden in the undergarments chest, it surely must have been something that someone wanted to keep a secret. Perhaps a love letter, perhaps one of a more... sensual nature, even.

"We should get moving." He said, at last. Perhaps there was something more there, however, wolves or other dangers could be closing in as they stood there on the open road. Folding the envelope, Jareth slid it underneath his thick fur tunic headed for Midnight. Tugging at his reins, he led the stallion around the broken carriage, climbing in the saddle on the other side and waiting for Edeline to join him. They'd already wasted more time than they should've.

The road to Silverhold was still long, and the pair rarely had the chance to see the sun, that was, whenever the grey clouds moved out of the way to allow it to cast its cold rays upon the ground. The more they approached the mountainside, the thicker the trees became and wildlife was much more prevalent. Wolves stalked the pathway, watching with curious eyes as the mounted duo rode their way to the city with towers that stood taller than the tree crowns. Soon enough, houses, too, became a sight, sporadic as they were, cottages and cabins spread through the trees, guarded by lantern poles meant to light them at night. With how quickly time seemed to pass it wasn't a surprise that it soon was growing dark and Silverhold's gates were still not in sight. The two had now entered the outskirts of the city proper, houses and stables were packed together forming a veritable small town that thrived due to its proximity to the only trade node within hundreds of miles. The cold air now smelled of smoke that came out of chimneys, and the few people who still shuffled about through the snow, preparing for the evening to come, gazed at the pair who now didn't seem to be in a hurry any longer.

By the time the gates of Silverhold were near, it was already darkening. Torches had already been lit at the sides of the massive wooden structures as well as on every tower erected just beyond the tremendous walls of stone. The city was built like a genuine fortress, guarding the only safe pass through the mountains, a valuable route in times of war and strife. The two guards at the gates turned their attention to the travelers as soon as they approached, one of them holding a torch up front as if to cast a better light upon them. As many times as he'd been to Silverhold, Jareth could not quite get used to these men. The natives of the mountains were, more or less, living giants. Twice the size of any average human and some even taller, these people were rare to be seen outside of their home regions. Here, in Silverhold, they lived along with the humans from the bordering regions, and, in spite of discrepancies, the two kins seemed to get along fairly well.

There wasn't much of a problem for the two to gain entrance in the city. They had never had problems before while in Silverhold, nor did they cause them, though Jareth could remember the one time when Edeline snuck into one of the tallest towers just so she could have a gaze at the world around. It had been something innocent, though Jareth had warned her, just afterwards, advising her against such sort of behavior. But that was long ago. Focusing on the now, he could see that not much had changed. The city remained largely the same, as did the people's custom. They had to go through half of the city to get to the human district, as there they'd find the only taverns suited for their stature, though there was never a rule against humans entering the giants' taverns.

"We haven't been here in a long time, now I realize." He said, turning his head to Lin. "Was it four or five years?"

 

[GreySwan]

Though she was not surprised by it, Jareth rooting through the abandoned goods still did not sit particularly well with Lin. They did it all the time, more him than her, though she had to say when they were on a road and low on food or proper clothing she had not been too moral to take what she needed, and then perhaps some as a finder’s fee. And it was technically legal; a barrister she’d met in a pub in some city or another had explained that to her in a far less convoluted way than several priests had. He had been a funny creature, quite aloof and above it all until he had enough drink in him, and then he’d talk the ear off any tradesman or nomad that prodded him. It was salvage, anything abandoned belonged to the land as much as the birds they hunted and the stream water they drank. It was the natural, common law. All the same, she felt as if no natural law covered pawing through someone’s intimates.

Though she could not deny her curiosity was piqued... Hence why her distaste was limited to some pursed lips that came unfurled at that sight. “That’s not a bad idea... Night will be here before we know it. And whatever happened to them... Well.” Her fingertips brushed the feathers of her arrows again, a nervous habit she could trace back to stroking the hair of her homemade doll as a child. And then to touching the edge of her dagger. She was put at ease by knowing something of comfort was close at hand. In her near adulthood, that comfort came with a very sharp tip. She swung herself back into Farfall’s saddle, urging him on with a bray and a gentle press of her heels, bolting out before Jareth with a mirthful grin in an attempt to shake off the grey veil the carriage had put on them.

It was not one of the more pleasant days of travel she’d had in her life, but like all the rest before it did eventually come to an end, this one at the grand gates of Silverhold. “Finally, signs of civilization...!” Even the sight of chimney smoke was something after a straight day of riding. Not that she hadn’t had much more.

Though of course, some argued the natives of the mountain were hardy civilized... Edeline did not pay much stock in that. Perhaps it was because she had seen them for the first time early enough that they were part of her mindset. Or perhaps it was that she knew normal sized beings could be complete monsters had tainted her mindset that height made no different in her moral judgment. And they made a fine enough ale. At the end of the day they were a different sight, and she made little fuss of them as they towered over their horses. “Though you have to wonder..” she mused out loud as they were given passage into the city proper. “What are men that size so afraid of that they need such walls...?”

Lin herself wouldn’t have minded carousing in a giant’s tavern; the large chairs and huge mugs were certainly not a deterrent. But she knew Jareth craved creature comforts, and perhaps a fork with his dinner he could actually lift. “Probably closer to five, I think. Time seems to fly... Ah, now, did you take a peak at that letter when I wasn’t looking...?” At least they could be assured the carriage did not belong to one of those folks. The letter was not the right size. Nor the undergarments for that matter.

 

[Starcaller]

Edeline was naturally curious, a trait that Jareth appreciated and nurtured in her, allowing her to ask questions whenever she wanted and answering them to the best of his abilities. Yet to this question she posed, he had no answer for he, too, wondered what the giants could fear so much. No human king was mad enough to try and fight them, and they generally had no enemies aside those of the wild sort, and the occasional monster. The mountainside fostered some rather unusual beasts, bred for the conditions there, such as the mountain trolls with their thick fur that required an extremely sharp spear to penetrate.

Still, the fortress city of Silverhold was a sight to behold, and no matter how many times he'd come here, Jareth would never stop feeling so small. The horses' hooves made sounds on the stone paved road as the two of them made their way to the human district, watching the activity of the city coming to a low as the darkness fell. The large food stands in the Market Square were empty by now, and the number of giants that roamed the streets also dwindled, leaving place only for the guards who carried torches. The giants seemed to be rather used to the sight of humans and so, the odd couple didn't get much attention, which was something welcomed.

At Lin's question, Jareth turned his head, suddenly remembering about the envelope that was still neatly folded under his tunic, and all of a sudden, he felt a strange curiosity. "No, I didn't." He responded, suddenly needing to urge himself to have patience until they reached the tavern. It was as if the envelope burned against his chest, hurrying him to open it. Perhaps Lin's curiosity had also rubbed off on him in all the time they spent together. Luckily, all his thoughts were slowly replaced as their horses eased their way into the human district, where everything seemed to shrink in size the further they went. The giants had been good enough to allow humans to build their houses and their other structures according to size and so, this district was more or less a small town within the large city. The giants even helped with the building, which only served to prove that Silverhold was an example of coexistence that all the neighboring kingdoms should've looked upon.

Here, in the human district, night had driven most people off the streets, too, save for the guards. Many retreated to their homes, but most had gone to the tavern, for a drink. Its name, The Frozen Rose, was on a wooden sign dangling above the door in the soft, cold wind. Jareth stopped the trotting of his stallion near the stables, where the stable hand was ready to take both horses away for the night. The young man asked for only a few coins, but Jareth threw in a small extra, just to make sure Farfall and Midnight were safe for the night.

Inside the tavern, good spirits seemed to be at home, and it was quite full as well, much more so than last night at the Fox Den. A quick glance as Jareth pushed off his snow beaten hood revealed who it was that was responsible for the people's mood. It was a band of bards, and the one who fronted it was a young man whom both Jareth and Lin knew all too well. And indeed, he knew them all too well, too, for as soon as his sky blue eyes fell upon them from the other side of the tavern, one could practically see his heart rise all the way into his throat. He continued his song with a wide smile on his face, and soon, before both Jared and Lin could find their place at the table, the young bard announced his loving audience that he will leave the entertainment to his fellows. As Jareth and Lin sat down, he made his way to their table, stopping only before Edeline and taking off his hat, bowing down before Edeline.

"Oh, if it isn't my favorite storyteller." Wayde, the bard, said, finding himself a seat right across Lin. A brief gaze was exchanged between him and Jareth, though his attention was mostly focused on Lin. The lad was only one or two years older than her, but he was absolutely smitten over her. It was easy to guess from the way he looked at her now, his eyes sparking with joy. Jareth didn't mind it, not as long as Lin didn't, and not that it was his business to meddle in that side of her life. "Tell me, dearest Edeline, what new tales do you bring?"

 

[GreySwan]

It seemed beyond comprehension when Lin took a moment to really comprehend her settings. A walled city full of giants, just going about their daily business. She saw one woman many times her size going about her shopping, comparing some strain of apple that was more a pumpkin in weight and inspecting it with a honed dinner plate sized eye. This was a sight most people in the world likely never got to see, and here she was guiding her horse through the trenches that were between their boulder cobblestones as if it were purely old hat to her. She could be at ease with this as she was a feather bed in an inn in the heart of the continent.

How could she not be curious, when she knew that had the worse thing imaginable had not happened to her, she would have still thought giants a myth to scare children into eating their scraps? When the girl would have farmed all her life, likely have married by now if her hand was forced and she could no longer bear her mother’s house. Might be a mother, terrifyingly enough. Far younger girls than her were, both pauper and princess. Instead she was free, riding wherever they wished, doing as they wished. And the scenery simply could not be beat. She wanted to drink in every moment, answer every question. Otherwise the blood price she had paid might seem all too much. Especially at night when she was forced to be still and the old memories crept over the new.

But for now it was darkening but still plenty lively, and the mystery of the letter was causing her chest to be warm enough to bite back the chill. It was a mystery, no matter how minor, and really a mystery was just another kind of adventure. “I bet it’s a love letter. Proper store love letters with their undergarments. Or I’ve heard so, anyway. That’s because men won’t look in there out of shame. If I had a whole chest just for fancy lacy things no one would look in, I’d keep my knives there.” She had been keeping an eye out since they entered the city for someone who looked like they might have lost a carriage. Loose coach horses, particularly bedraggled but wealthy individuals... But of course this was in vain. Silverhold was a big town, in more ways than the obvious.

She was still eager enough to see what it contained, but not so eager as to not give Farfall’s muzzle a tender stroke, biding him to be good, as well as gathering her saddlebag and bow. She was not about to let those be stored in the stable for the night. She remember the Frozen Rose to be a nice establishment, decent food and better ale. She was not sure how the giants brewed their beverages but it was always a very satisfying mug. Perhaps it was giant barley. She made a mental note to ask someone about that theory after a mug or two of it. This thought, and those of the letter, were paused when she met the familiar blue eyes of the all too familiar bard.

Lin barely had time to shake the snow out of her hair before he approached, the fire and body heat in the room doing most of the work for her. At his bow, a tad dramatic in her opinion, she managed a tired smile. After all day being saddle sore, she was in no hurry to sit down again, and in any event enjoyed having the vantage point. “Wayde... You always seem to find me, don’t you?”

It was impossible to be too put off by his behaviour when she knew he meant every honey-soaked word he said. She was too nice to be like other girls and dump a flagon over his head. Or smash his instrument into tinder as she’d seen one particularly feral woman do to a wooer one night in some even more northern hovel of a tavern to great amusement. After all, she enjoyed being around people, to be the centre of attention. And in Wayde’s watery eyes she seemed to be the centre of the universe.

“Ah, a few new ones along with the old favourites. I met a princess! Only for three halves of a day but that was certainly new. I’d seen them before but never properly met one. On the whole she wasn’t particularly interesting, to tell you the truth. Her sworn swords on the other hand... An honour guard of lady knights makes quite a tale.” She had little problem falling back into the patter, the excitement of it all, even though she was tired and at times young men like Wayde tried her. All the while, it was a worth enough distraction. The best part about storytelling was one could chose to relive only the good parts of one’s life. Lin far preferred stories to memories. “Get us a pint and perhaps we’ll share?”

 

[Starcaller]

Wayde smiled widely, gazing upon dear Edeline for long precious seconds that to him felt like eternity. Oh, he'd have listened to her talk for ages, and not one word would sound dull. The boy was smitten, and Jareth could only find it amusing as he watched Wayde bask in Edeline's visage. He'd only nodded at the girl's response, calling for one of the tavern maids with a gesture of his hand. The crimson haired girl nodded briefly back at him, showing him the full tray of empty mugs that she had to carry back, which meant it would be a short while until she'd attend to him.

"Oh aye, princesses tend to be dull like that." He said, chuckling. "Sang for a couple, maybe three, but by Isoss, are they hard to please. By what you're telling me, you must've met princess Calia of Zarem." He said. The man was knowledgeable, and it was a known fact that princess Calia was the only one in the known world to have a full honor guard made of knightesses, whereas most other honor guards were formed either entirely by men, or at the very least, of both men and women. Just as Wayde was talking, the tavern maid arrived beside the table, at the behest of the bard, who looked up to her with a smile. "Darling, would you mind getting these fine people a round? They are my guests." He said. Wayde's honeyed tongue was not entirely reserved to Lin, however, Lin was special. The tavern girl nodded and ran off to fetch the order.

"We did meet princess Calia." Jareth chimed in, nodding as he gazed to Edeline. "Dull little thing, and an idealist to the bone. Can't say she's our favorite kind of person." He said. He knew Edeline agreed with him, and that was why he allowed himself to speak on her behalf as well.

"But enough about us, Wayde, what about you? Where have you been? Haven't seen you since last summer, was it? You must've done quite a few things since then." Jareth said, all as the pints of ale were brought to the table on a large tray. Jareth grabbed himself one, and Wayde did too. They raised it to each other, to Edeline, and then drank, and while Wayde took only but a few gulps, Jareth hardly stopped until the large pint was below half full. He had been thirsty.

"Oh, you know, I've been here and there. White Port, Amrock, Eastcross. The Gods have given me the duty and the means to entertain the people and so I shall." Wayde replied, gazing more towards Edeline than Jareth, to whom he in fact spoke. Oh, how bespelled was he. "What about you, my friends?" He asked, taking a drink from his pint. "Where have you been? And where are you going?"