Closed [The Knirin Gardens] The Efflorescent Wind (Amunet)

[Skyard Underwood]

26th of Spring 516 A.V

The day had been in a state of adolescence, the sun had not long arisen and its warmth grazed Skyards skin as he walked toward the park. The park was incredibly beautiful, and possessed the distinct scent of freshly blooming flowers. Spring was always the most wonderful season of the year, and Skyard enjoyed it much more than the winter. The Kelvic wore typical and simplistic attire today; he felt the need to be casual and comfortable. He wanted to enjoy the warmth of Spring while it lasted; for he knew nothing enjoyable lasts forever. Therefore he decided to take advantage of what he had, and attempt to enjoy the day although nothing about it intrigued him thus far. However he stumbled upon the scent that entranced him and lured him to the park. Finally he laid eyes upon the park which looked just as exquisite as it smelled. However he did know for certain that he wanted to remain here for a while and enjoy the scenery. The whispering, and calm wind caused his platinum-blonde hair to flutter about briefly as he looked around to see if anyone caught his eye.

Skyard enjoyed meeting new people, and hadn't done so in quite some time. The Kelvic decided that he would spend today being productive in some fashion or another. Obtaining a friend sounded incredibly good presently; therefore that would be his goal for today. Out of the corner of his eye he could see several Akalaks standing within the vicinity. He hadn't been too far from several couples, and perhaps this spot was considered a romantic one. Skyard could very clearly see why with all of the flowers and gorgeously grown plants. The Kelvic almost felt sorry for whoever had to be the Caretaker of such a massive Garden. Despite the fact that they must have been a rather well paid individual to work in a place like this. Everything about it was beautiful, and Skyard could only imagine how much effort properly nurturing all of these plants took.

The Kelvic was clothed in a long sleeved white-linen shirt with rolled up sleeves and purposefully-placed wrinkles all the way down either sleeve. A pair of black trousers, and a pair of black leather shoes. His cerulean irises continued to wander about and explore the vicinity; however until he found something or someone that caught his attention without attempting to do so he would not be entertained. Despite the fact that he would've much rather been enjoying a mid-day nap here, he decided to observe and watch everyone. Skyard learned that one can tell quite a bit about a person from a distance, by paying attention to their actions.

[Amunet]

The crumpled piece of parchment in her hand she must have looked at a hundred times. It cant be. its directions had her going in circles it seemed. What it hinted at was impossible. To even think of her father still alive was too much to hope for. Yet it filled her heart with both anxiety and expectation. It was possible that the Drykas captured were sold as not very many of them escaped and made it back. It was hard to determine which ones were truly taken captive. Amunet clung to that worn crumpled piece of parchment in her hand as if it would magically tell her which way to go. It had her more lost than ever.

The red head turned the corner and found herself in the expanse of gardens. For a few moments her mouth dropped from a worried frown to a look of wonder. Those light blue eyes looked at the place as the air here was calm, casual and relaxed. The girl could feel some of the weight of worry lift from her shoulders as she slowly walked the maze of pathways. She stopped and smelled the flowers at one point as she smiled at the bloom. Her fingers gently cradling it as she let it go before moving to another bloom. Amunet would close her eyes and inhale slowly the fragrance that held to it the promise of summer. Releasing the bloom she would gently place it back and step back from the wall of flowering vines. It was a wondrous place.

There were number of big blue, green, purple men. She wondered if she saw a red one or other colors. The blue ones made her nervous. This place though seemed to erase that. There was a lovely small seating area that was surrounded in a particular varied array of flowers and scented herbs. The girl thought the big potted plant on either side of the bench was a bit off. There was this urge to lift it and fix it. Thinking nothing of it and something about it was awfully a good idea, she went to tilt it and get her hands under it. It didn’t dawn on her that it would be over a hundred pounds or more of rock soil, plants and planter. She strained with her legs, back and arms to lift it as she growled her way through it to lift that side a portion and sort of roll lift it to a better position.

She huffed a bit as she plopped down in the seat. She thought she needed to get stronger and in better shape. That was pathetic. She should be able to lift more. The girl is wearing leather boots and leather pants. She was wearing a linen faded red tunic that was fraying on the edges. It was also oversized as one end was off of her shoulder revealing simple camisole underneath. Her slight form was on the thin side, but then her circumstances of late did not give her a lot of quality food. Her head turned a bit as she heard rustling but no one seemed to be there. No one ever seems to be there. Amunet is beginning to think she is going crazy. She opened the parchment to read it yet again.

[Skyard Underwood]

There she was, the young lass that seemed to have been lost. Skyard immediately laid eyes upon the beauty; despite the fact that she dressed as if she had no home. The Kelvic took a brief moment to capture her image only to realize something. She appeared to have been on the thin side despite wearing a rather baggy tunic; he knew immediately what was underneath had to have been slender. Skyard hesitated and took a moment to contemplate what he would do next. Would The Kelvic approach the woman immediately? Would he wait for the moment that it appeared as if she needed help, or would he just act on his instincts? Skyard hadn't quite known what to do however he decided that he was confident enough to waltz over and speak to her.

In a rather calm tone Skyards deep, soothing voice erupted from his esophagus as he spoke to the woman. “Hello there, I may be a stranger to you now. However; I most certainly did notice that you have the appearance of a goddess. You look lost dear, might I help you find whatever it is that you seek? “ He concluded his brief speech as he approached the woman with his hands in his pockets and stood before her. Skyard was never the type of person to waste time; not even now when he had the opportunity to do so. He wanted to speak to the young lass due to the fact that she had caught his attention. Now that she had his attention; he was not about to walk away just because he felt a little shy.

In the past his “Master” and once bond mate Aaron told him about hesitation, and why it could get a person killed the moment they did so. From that day forward The Kelvic never hesitated to do anything else in his life.

In the back of his mind Skyard feared that he would be rejected immediately. He figured that she likely wouldn't even give him the time of day or even look at him. However, he was in dire need of a friend; Skyard had been rather lonely for quite some time now. The Kelvic knew that it was about time for him to find a new companion to be around. Hopefully she would be that new person temporarily or permanently he did not care one bit.

[Amunet]

She looked up at the deep smooth voice. Light sky blue eyes with gold dust star burst that would shimmer across the star pattern now and then looked up to the man. He was well muscled and well built under the garments. She stood up as if she suddenly realized she should not have sat down. He was finer dressed than she was. Her hair fell down to her hips as the breeze made it dance. On the right side of her face would be floral and beautiful design of the winged serpent. It would be similar to those of the River Fall Healing centers of their Healers. She swallowed hard.

“I’m sorry. Did I take seat?” She said in a hurried rush. Her voice was soft and gentle. Those eyes spoke of both an anguish and compassion. It held in it a hope and innocence.

He was incredibly handsome as he lightest blonde hair she had ever seen and light blue eyes though more icy. His words were not icy. The face was sun kissed porcelain as the delicate chiseled features regarded him. Even her lips were nicely bowed at the center in its attempt at a plain display. She could feel her heart thudding and the hollow of her throat spoke of her nerves and the speed her heart was beating.

A Goddess? Her? She blushed as he said that. “I, I.. no Goddess. I, Healer of Rak’keli. That be Goddess.” No no no she isn’t a goddess. He asked her if she was lost. The girl fidgeted with her hands and the parchment in her hand that was very bunched up and had been worried with that it looked about ready to break. Her common was passable but obviously it is not her first language. Other than the winged serpents the girl has no other mark that one could see from around the oversized shirt.

“Lost? Yes. No not what is where.” She raked a stray strand over her ear that had played across her face. She did offer a smile to the pretty Man.

[Skyard Underwood]

The Kelvic smiled at the woman's over reaction to a simple gesture as she stood up. She beckoned him with a question; to which he responded with a few simple words. “No, you have not taken my seat love. However you have taken my heart.” He said right as he observed her cheeks flush red at his earlier comment. She was a beauty, and most definitely a sight to see for Skyard. The Kelvic simply continued to learn new things about her; when she spoke again on the comment he noticed something. She seemed as if she struggled to form simple sentences in the language. Skyard questioned rather or not she was fluent in the language of common. “My god she has done it again!” Skyard thought to himself as she spoke upon the word lost and what it meant. She had not known what was “where” and she smiled back at him which gave The Kelvic a bit of confidence.

Skyard stood a mere foot away from the woman, and at this close of a distance he knew that he had opportunities. The Kelvic was always willing to capitalize when he could, and he decided to grasp hold of the young lass's left hand using his right hand. With a gentle, and smooth touch he made his move and spoke again. He figured that since he'd already flattered her she would be much more open to physical contact. Skyard figured that he had nothing to lose in this setting; he'd been given a perfect chance to behave this way. The Kelvic locked his cerulean irises with her own, and continued to give her a display of pearly white teeth in a smile.

The dimples in his cheeks were revealed as he smiled at her, and beckoned her with a question. “How about we take you shopping? A young beautiful lady like yourself should be much more appropriately dressed than this. What do you say?” He spoke again with his intoxicating and yet deep voice perhaps he could become more well acquainted with her this way. He attempted to be a gentleman to the best of his ability. Despite the fact that eventually his instincts would get the better of him; his addiction had become love. Spring was the season that he would find it, and he would stop at nothing to ease his obsession.

[Amunet]

The tall handsome man took her little hand into his rather gently she might add. The girl trembled a little as she wasn’t sure at all about things. Between the horrors of the pirates and being betrayed by one of your own people was a recipe for anxious jumpy nerves. The touch was soothing and a part of her was harassing her for being such a ninny about this. Her pleasant bedside manner smile greeted his pearly white smile. Closeness was not an issue for the Drykas girl as well the Drykas live in close proximity in tents. Things like nudity and personal space were loosely interpreted. His relaxed casual manner did much to ease the initial anxiousness. There was a huff of a very soft chuckle as the little fingers of her right hand raked a few tresses of the long blood red hair over a delicate ear.

‘Shopping? Just like that? What does he mean? Appropriately dressed?’

It was at that point she looked down to how she looked and it seemed fine to her. Then she looked at him and around the park as others were rather nicely dressed. Casual to be sure but nicely and decently appointed. The young lady blushed again. “Thank you, but no need for clothes. No purpose.” The girl hoped that sufficed and was not sure if she conveyed what she needed. The shirt might be frayed but it had plenty of wear left. Of course she would wear something till it was so thread bare it would fall off. “Nice, you, to ask. “

‘Why would a strange man want to take Her shopping. Someone like her had no need to shop, it served no kind of purpose to do so.’

“you have kindness in heart. Thank you. “ Those light sky blue eyes looked up into those clear cool cerulean. The red head stopped a minute as it was like looking into a pure cool lake. The soothing refreshing waters that course over a heated body after a long days of work. That cool refreshing feeling washed over her as those blues regarded her. It was nice. “Nice, eyes.” Before looking away and blushing a deeper rose across those delicate cheeks. “Sorry.” The silken voice whispered actually ashamed she would be that forward. Chiding herself that was foolish and there was no way in a million seasons, yet there he stood ready to provide or take hold of. The girl didn’t know why.

There was that rustle again as her head turned, yet nothing was there. There was a long inhale of breath and an exhale even longer. Her fingers went to the temples s she rubbed them. Maybe she was just tired. Not that she been sleeping well with the nightmares. “Think me need rest? Person start seeing things when tired.” In honesty though she had been far more exhausted then this and remained quite lucid. The bruising and maladies contracted from her ordeal have been healed but maybe her body was still recovering. Yeah that’s it. The girl was feeling a bit hungry though.

“Thank you ever much. Food and maybe rest.” Her head hang low as the guy probably thought she was some crazy rambling idiot. Hell she thought herself to be a rambling idiot. The girl started to head in a direction only to realize it was the wrong way. A tick or two later she was headed towards the exit. That red hair was tilted down as she was reading that parchment again as if clinging to it for life.

Three hundred yards away a dark haired human laid eyes on the little red tart. He rubbed his chin deep in thought. He was being paid a lot of money to watch this girl. Thing was she was very cute and should be in his bed. Who was to say he couldn’t take her in an alley or something. That opportunity has never presented itself so he contented himself to watch and mark her movements as instructed.

[Skyard Underwood]

The Kelvic temporally daydreamed of how her lengthy and beautiful hair felt at the touch. Skyard closely examined the young ladies features, everything from her gorgeous skin; to her wonderfully sky-blue irises. However, he did notice a single oddity among all of her idiosyncrasies. She had what appeared to be the color of gold within her pupils but, Skyard wouldn't go on to question why the color was present. He thought to himself briefly “Oh beautiful woman, why must your crimson hair smite me? Your beauty is unearthly, and almost leads me to believe that our meeting was so much more than coincidence. “ Suddenly he snapped out of it when he heard her kind words. She spoke in regard to the fact that he did not need to buy new clothes for her. The Kelvic knew that he did not need to, and it kindness was not a requirement. Therefore he nodded at her in response and allowed her to continue to speak.

She thanked him, and his smile grew increasingly wide. The moment she gave him a compliment on his “nice eyes” he chuckled a bit. Oddly enough, she apologized for something that was natural; human nature as he would like to call it. Each and every person that has ever lived, and or breathed has had a desire. She was no exception, and Skyard enjoyed people that would allow their instincts to take over from time to time. He spoke in response to her immediately “Well, you have no need to be sorry, young lass. “ She let go of his hand briefly and massaged away at her temples, and as he observed her further she seemed stressed. Skyard was most certainly going to take the opportunity to provide her with anything she needed.

The moment she stated that she needed rest, Skyard knew that he had a rather lavish home reserved for a few days and that he could take her with him. Therefore he decided that he would offer her a place of residence. Skyard watched as she suddenly stopped talking to him and stepped away first going in the wrong direction. He felt slightly offended at the notion; although it was clear to him that something far beyond fatigue troubled her. As she grew restless he grasped hold of her hand in order to stop her from leaving so swiftly.

The young lady hadn't been the only one to notice the strange dark haired man watching her. Skyard noticed that quite a while ago, and he gave Skyard the chills with his fairly obvious demeanor. The Kelvic instinctively felt as if something bad would occur if he left her alone. Therefore he knew that leaving her would be an incredibly bad thing for now. He decided to offer up a place for her to stay in, and food for her to nourish herself with. Suddenly his tone went from being incredibly calm to being serious as he spoke to her.

The Kelvic tugged at the woman's arm slightly in order to step in front of her and cut off the mans line of sight. He parted his lips and spoke as his smile suddenly died; their moment of bliss was over for now and he knew that continuing would have been a horrid idea. Skyard practically whispered to her as he spoke the words “I don't know you very well, but what you will do is listen to me, and I mean now. I don't know your name.. However I will need to know.. Anyway.. Back on topic.. There is someone here.. he seems to be watching you.. I'm going to take you with me. You will stay in my home for tonight, and I will not have it any other way. Although I am not very well acquainted with you; I will protect you.”

[Amunet]

The handsome man stopped her. She gasped as she tilted her head to look up into his eyes. They grew serious and deadly. It was a little concerning. Her whole body stiffened at that. His words rang low and stern. Her hearing is quite good. Amunet barely breathed as he spoke. The sudden huff of exhale told her that she had been holding it. The breeze whisked in between as Zulrav made her hair dance in the short space between them. ‘Watching?’ That little body shifted over to look down the path as she saw as usual nothing. Her hand went to her chest to bunch up the faded red material against her chest. Those big doe eyes blinked down that path.

“There nothing? I always see nothing.” The red head said in a whisper mimicking his low tone. In truth she was completely unaware of being followed. Those eyes sought for a body it had no training to see. Those same eyes blinked back to him with the naiveté born of the ignorant of the dangers that follow her.

Her little hand fell onto his chest ever so gently. Perhaps subconsciously accepting his offer of protection and security though consciously she fought the very concept of needing someone. “Shetanae not like this. “ She spoke of the mare as if the Strider was a person. “pack and things with Shetanae. Have place sleep. “ The girl slept with her horse at the stable. It was what she knew. Walls vaguely caused her some discomfort as it was closed in and she didn’t understand how people lived that way. His eyes remained hard and stern.

“But you man. It not look right. “ The girl put barrier after barrier up as tears welled up in her eyes. That little head went down as she closed her eyes. "You important, no need someone like me. Thank you, but me .. get by.” She didn’t even know why the tears streamed down. “Sorry.” As he girl would turn to try and dash off dropping the parchment in her distress. The delicate little sniff as those legs tried to dart off to the safety of her horse.

Amunet didn’t know the kind man’s name nor did she provide hers as her troubles where her own. In her distress she ran into a tall planter, the corner of a wall, the trash can each in turn. Each thing causing her to be mortified at being so much trouble. Her hand nursing a forearm that hit the stone harder than she thought. The girl tried to walk away from the nice man. He didn’t need this. Not from someone like her. The tears ran again as he shame was ever present on the perfect flawless skin beneath the clothing that hid the beauty.

The parchment would read as this :

The echoes of the past come back to you my pet.
Bring roses and daffodils to recall the dear one
Follow the road of water of the blue ones and bask in the sunshine.
We will be together soon my dearest daughter.

It is signed with initials GS with a little design next to it that was very glyph like. The note had been running her in circles for two days.

The dark haired man had left the gardens by a side exit. The girl kept her slow walk still bumping into this or that as her head was down and tears stinging the eyes. She would mumble, “Mom, wish you was still here, it’s so lonely and I don’t understand, I just don’t understand anything anymore.” It was to no one in particular but it’s clear that she spoke of the mother in past tense and that she is likely deceased.

[Skyard Underwood]

When she stated that she saw absolutely nothing Skyard immediately felt as if she challenged him. However he chose not to allow something so simple to offend him; he knew very well that she had not been too aware of her surroundings. However she placed her hand upon his chest much to The Kelvics surprise. A soft sigh exited the males lips as she appeared to have accepted his offer, and then she suddenly spoke of someone named “Shetanae” Skyard had absolutely no clue who that was. She suddenly had tears form in her eyes, and spoke about something that did not look right. Did she suspect him of having underlying intentions? “How dare this petchin' lass think that I want to harm her.. How dare she...!” He thought to himself briefly before she crushed those thoughts in the back of his mind with a few simple words.

She stated that he was important, and didn't need her; although she did not know that he did not need her she needed him. Skyard was certainly willing to be around to protect her, but she seemed to fight him every step of the way and he hated stubbornness. Stubborn people tended to get themselves and anyone else who wants to help them in quite a bit of trouble. Skyard knew that by following her as she simply took off. The Kelvic felt absolutely disrespected; however he saw in her eyes that something “cracked” inside her. When women entered an emotional state they tended to be rather irrational and absolutely foolish. Skyard did nothing more than begin the hunt; the Lion was on the prowl for his prey.

Skyard watched as she ran, and scoffed a bit the moment she struck several objects along the way. The woman acted as if she had been incredibly intoxicated. Skyard ran full speed ahead, and stopped whilst he watched her stagger and lose balance. However, as she began to fall he knelt down with incredible speed, and extended his right leg outward whilst he bent his left leg. His heels collided with the ground and he slid slightly whilst with an extension of both his forearms simultaneously; in order to catch the falling woman in his arms.

The Kelvic immediately locked eyes with her, as he felt the threatening presence of the man that watched her. He spoke softly in a whispered tone, as he continued to gaze at her for a rather long moment. “Young lady.. you will not, and I mean absolutely positively will not be left alone. You can run, you can hide, you can scream, you can cry, you can flee. I'll find you, and I will protect you; I give you my word that you will be safe. I will be your protector, and rather or not you like it I will not allow you to bare this burden alone!” He spoke gently, as he raised his firm right hand and extended the digits of his fingers toward the woman's face. He wiped away her tears with his thumb and never once did he break eye contact with her.

Skyard absolutely refused to allow her to do this to herself, and if this man was her burden she would not bare it alone. Skyard would be both her shield, and her sword; to protect and to do battle for would be his duty to her. After all, Kelvics are the “perfect servants” in the sense that they feel the need to bond, and remain stuck to their bond mate. Skyard saw untapped potential within the woman, and he was not about to let go without a fight.

Skyard suddenly sighed, as he brought his visage closer to that of the young ladies own. He slowly but steadily tilted his cranium to the right side at an angle. His heart raced away, and practically slammed against the cavity of his chest. Skyard could hear his heart as it throbbed, and thumped away; however he decided upon being spontaneous enough to do it. He finally kissed the womans lips, for but a brief moment and let go almost immediately.

[Amunet]

Amunet was falling to the ground again. Wait a second, something was different. She didn’t feel the hardness of stone or ground to nurse bruises from. Instead, she had strong steel band arms around her. Her eyes looked into those cool cerulean blues with a mixed bag of wonder and fear. Would he betray her also? The heart inside her chest felt like it was going to burst right out of her chest. The red head’s arms curled in across her chest as his arms held her tightly and curled around her protectively. Then his voice came to her ear as he spoke.

The man’s voice was a gentle timbre that still held sternness. It lulled her senses as she couldn’t turn away from his eyes. The gold star pattern shimmered like gold dust running across the design for a tick. She didn’t know what to make of this handsome man. He was insistent and adamant to stick with her and protect her. Why? How was it that he was willing to take on her troubles and her burdens. There was no obligation, no clan, no family tie, nothing to hold him to that duty. What was that duty that beholden him so? Amunet did not understand.

All of that thought went out the window as his lips pressed into her own rose lips. The tingle and shock from it was something of a surprise. When he released the kiss she was torn between wanting it not to end and running. Her little hand went to her lips as if to explore the phenomenon as the visage of fear and distress was replaced with wonderment and confusion. Those same fingers tentatively went to touch his own lips as her finger tips ran along them as if to discover the reason for that little tingle in the kiss. “Why?” She finally asked ever so softly.

As he righted her onto her feet but was unwilling to let her go from his arms she looked up into those blue eyes with more of a trust. “Amunet. My name is Amunet.” That one ritual that would turn a stranger into an acquaintance. Once the introductions were made, the young lady repeated something from before. “Belongings with Shetanae. Must go to stables. Then we decide things.” It was as simple as that and at least part of what the man wished for her to do was accomplished.

The way to the stables was not that bad aside from Amunet stopping to pick a planter up and moving it a couple of inches because it looked off. The young lady was sweating by the time they reached the stables. She didn’t head to the stable building itself but the paddock. A one person tent was set up in the paddock with a dark dun colored sixteen hand mare. “Shetanae” The red head pointed as she went through the fencing and to her mare who trotted up to her. The mare had no halter or any kind of tack. She was well groomed and in good flesh as those little arms went around the great big head of her Strider. The mare looked up to the kelvic and layed her ears back there was a loud long snort and a sharp intake of breath. The mare knew something was off about that two-legged. “Shetanae, behave. He is a friend. “ Amunet spoke to the mare as if she was a person.