<<Disclaimer: Foul language. Taken from log.> Andor Cole looked at the woman who moved off towards the bar, his eyes then closed once again, knowing interference was unwise, and this was not a situation to meddle in, and he could not think of anything that would help what so ever, a stranger�s comforting words are normally meaningless and lost within this hard time. �With blood, and each sate sullenly apart, Gorging himself in gloom: no love was left; All earth was but one thought--and that was death immediate and inglorious; and the pang of famine fed upon all entrails�men Died, and their bones were tombless as their flesh; The meagre by the meagre were devour'd, Even dogs assail'd their masters, all save one, And he was faithful to a corse, and kept the birds and beasts and famish'd men at bay,�
Rue sighed and leaned his face in his palm, the soft speaking of the man near the fire quite a juxtaposition to swirling of emotions within himself, though he heard very few of the actual phrases spoken. He stood up slowly and rubbed at his neck. Lilla was carrying out the food, and Rue just shook his head, motioning a hand to Brin at the bar. Brin faced the bar, already having seated herself. Gods what she wouldn't give for an ale right now or a rockscotch, but she couldn't have either. She had the baby to think about, which left her in her own frustration and misery with nothing to blunt it. Andor Cole shifted his head back to position, pointing it towards the hearth, although his eyes did not open what so ever, his words continuing to spew softly from his lips, �Till hunger clung them, or the dropping dead, Lur'd their lank jaws; himself sought out no food, But with a piteous and perpetual moan, And a quick desolate cry, licking the hand, Which answer'd not with a caress--he died. The crowd was famish'd by degrees; but two of an enormous city did survive, And they were enemies: they met beside, The dying embers of an altar-place, Where had been heap'd a mass of holy things, For an unholy usage; they rak'd up, And shivering scrap'd with their cold skeleton hands, The feeble ashes, and their feeble breath, Blew for a little life, and made a flame, Which was a mockery; then they lifted up, Their eyes as it grew lighter, and beheld Each other's aspects--saw, and shriek'd, and died-- Even of their mutual hideousness they died, Unknowing who he was upon whose brow, Famine had written Fiend. The world was void, The populous and the powerful was a lump,� Rue slowly walked to the bar and watched as Lilla placed the food to the bartop. He didn't know what to think just now. She was trying to tell him the baby was his; he'd spent nearly 22 years believing he couldn't have children. To say he was confused was an understatement. He pulled out a stool beside her and said quietly, "My apologies Brin, but...that's just a bit hard for me to swallow..." �And their masts fell down piecemeal: as they dropp'd. They slept on the abyss without a surge--The waves were dead; the tides were in their grave, The moon, their mistress, had expir'd before; The winds were wither'd in the stagnant air,� And really�could there be a more opportune time for the other guard in question to enter the room? One large gloved hand pushed the front door open, and Gerhard stepped into the common room. His large frame seemed even larger with the thick black wool cloak that wrapped around his broad shoulders, and he rubbed his hands together briskly before flashing Lilla a cheery smile. "How about something good and hot, Lil? Coffee...and lace it well with brandy," he called out, his voice low yet calm. �And the clouds perish'd; Darkness had no need. Of aid from them--She was the Universe.� �I really don't care how hard it is to swallow Rue. You were my first and only lover. I have not slept with Gerhard, nor anyone else since�since we broke up.� She didn't look at him and quietly thanked Lilla for the untouchable food. Likely this conversation would spread all over with due haste, but she didn't care. �I'm carrying your child.� Andor Cole's last words were cold and chilling wreaking with somber emotions, and then he grew a bit silent, opening the folds of his cloak ever so slightly, to reach within and grasped something attached to his belt. He withdrew a brown worn teddy bear, with button eyes, it seemed a bit shabby but still in decent condition�he then stood, his long cloak sweeping and lapping about his body like the little lapping waves of a river. Rue�s dark head turned slowly toward the entrance, Brin's words lodging in his ears but his sights taking in the man he'd disliked from the very first moment he'd laid eyes on him, convinced he was taking advantage of Brin. He straightened, pushing back the stool so hard it fell over with a slam. Jaw clenched, eyes narrowed, they seemed to burn holes in Gerhard's wool cloak, seeking to make it the man's shroud. Andor Cole stepped toward the others only for a moment, to lay the teddy bear next to where Brin is placed at the bar, and then he withdrew himself, distancing himself back toward the hearth, leaving the gift behind without a word, he did happen to mishear part of what was said...and it seemed fitting for his own reasons. As Gerhard leaned against the bar to await the server, he let his dark gaze sweep over the other patrons with good-natured interest. Well accustomed to the darkness of the bars he patrolled in the city, he was generally fairly easy-going, and it showed in his casual attitude. "Evenin'," he said levelly to Andor as the man walked past him, and then he glanced to the item he'd left behind. And there was Brin, his roommate. And beside her...without realizing it, a disgusted sneer curled his upper lip. Brin blinked as Rue stood, then turned and saw Gerhard. She groaned softly, dropping her forehead into her hand. It's then that she saw the teddy bear placed next to her on the bar and she looked over at Andor and gave him a brief, troubled smile before looking back at Rue. �Sit down Rue. He hasn't done anything wrong, and you haven't even responded to what I've told you.� She took a hold of his arm. �Do you even care?� Andor Cole knelt once again before the fire of the hearth, glancing once at the woman, but said nothing as his attentions moved back toward the flickering and dancing of the fire. Gerhard thought, �Rue Denali. Deflowerer of innocent women, lover of none.� Giving Brin a curt nod of his head and ignoring the other man, he simply said, "Hey, pretty lady," and then he grabbed his drink and began to stride to the hearth near Andor. Andor Cole looked up slightly from the shadows of his cloak to the oncoming man, giving the person a slight nod, hearing him more then seeing him. He looked down toward both of his hands, his eyes opening once again, his lips parting as if he were to say something but no words came forth. Rue nearly spat at the man's sneer. Still, Brin's words found their way through to his consciousness. He faced her, frowning, "Of course I care...I'd care no matter whose child it was. What the hell kind of man do you think I am? I just...." The curse had followed him all his life in Larmian. Everyone knew of it, everyone had made fun of him for it. His mother had died giving birth to him. He could not father children. Wrong! He shook his head, "Brin, are you -certain-? There haven't been any times when...." He eyed the other side of the room, "When he might've� and you didn't..." Brin picked up the worn teddy bear and looked at him, hurt starting to seep through in her eyes. �Yes�I'm sure Rue.� She said in a cool, controlled voice. Control�she needed it or she'd burst into tears. �Obviously you aren't sure.� She said as she stood. She would have to thank the other man, but another time; she couldn't be around here. �Obviously you don't care.� She said, looking at Rue. Andor Cole looked upwards toward the events going on, his eyes troubled gazing toward both of the strangers, and a sigh coming forth from his lips �sadness should never come with the joy of life� his words no doubt fall short and just hang within the air about himself. Relaxing as he stretched out on the couch, Gerhard tried to force the tension in his body to slide away, but it didn't seem to fully ebb. He respected Brin immensely, even if he thought she'd gotten a really rotten deal in life at the present time, and he wouldn't eavesdrop on her conversation with that bastard. Taking a long sip of his doctored coffee, he glanced casually over to Andor. "You look like you could use a drink, Pal. Lil serves up some great concoctions if you dare to give them a try." Andor Cole tilts his head towards Gerhard and then nods slightly to him �mayhaps, though I have never been much of a drinker,� he smiles courtly more then anything else. Oh no...where did she think she was going? Now it was Rue whose hand moved out to grab Brin's arm and he moved to stand in front of her as well. "The hell I don't! Listen up Brin, you don't just drop a bucket of life altering information into a guy's lap and expect him to just accept it no questions asked. Damnit Brin, I remember well enough your state of mind the first time you came to me...tell me exactly how can I know that hasn't happened with you and him? You called me here to talk and gods be damned we're going to talk alright." And here it comes. Without conscious thought her hand came up to slap his face as she wrenched her other arm free. �I thought you knew me Rue. You seemed to. But yours words�� A tear slipped down her cheek. �You don't believe me when I tell you I haven't been with anyone else, yet your ready to believe I've slept with Gerhard and a whole slew of other people. I came here to tell you because you have a right to know.� She said, swiping angrily at her cheeks. �Not for you to tell me what a whore I've been.� Andor Cole looked back towards the hearth closing his eyes trying not to hear anything he should not , trying to totally mind his own business. Rue's angry words, spoken aloud, trickled through Gerhard's consciousness like ice water from a tap, and his dark head spun to look behind him. What the hell was that? Rue was putting this mess on him?! Growling deeply beneath his breath, his dark brows knitting together furiously as he spied Brin wrenching her arm away from Rue, the young guard was on his feet and moving towards the pair. "Touch her again Denali, and I swear to the Gods there won't be enough left of you to bury in a tinderbox..." He glowered at the younger man, fists balled up at his sides�and this time he refused to look at Brin lest she try and sway him. He should have beaten the snot out of the arrogant little whelp last time, and this time... "I suggest you apologize to the lady while you still have teeth, jerk." Andor Cole looked up at this in worry seeing the heated argument touched to this fragile situation, he looked up now with worry towards the woman in question ... he then spoke in a louder tone, but his words still have a soft touch, �Everyone please calm, there is life blossoming within this moment�this should be a time of joy not anger.� The slap of her small hand against his stubbled cheek stung but not enough to cause his eyes to moisten. Instead, they narrowed and were about to offer a retort when he was distracted by the come-lately-hero to Brin's side. The fuse was lit and there was little to put it out now. "You're something else Wright, shacking up with her when she's in such a state and then having the balls to interfere now." He eyeballed the other man who finally spoke aloud to them all from across the room. Glinting eyes cast once more to Gerhard, "After you...." His hand flicked towards the door to indicate they should continue outside. The tears still streamed down her cheeks as Brin sought to stem them with her sleeve. Yes, this should be a time of joy but instead it was a time of accusations, humiliation and pain. Why had she expected anything else? It was her inheritance. �Wait! Stop it you two!� She yelled, glaring at the two, but stopped short. What use was it? With a wordless sound of pain she whirled and raced from the inn, the door slamming open with the force of her exit. Andor Cole looked up and then winced at the sound of the crashing door, he then let his eyes level with the two others, �I would suggest she deserves an apology�� His dark eyes blazed as Gerhard watched Rue, and then the faintest smile curved his chiseled lips. "As you wish..." he muttered beneath his breath, knowing full well what the man had meant yet twisting it nonetheless. Without another word he hauled his right arm back, fist curled tightly, and then he launched a round-house punch straight to Rue's throat as he tackled the other man. Andor Cole sighed and shook his head, and then looked toward the door, knowing this was not the time nor weather for a woman to roam alone in a state that she was in, he then stood up and stealthily darted toward the door to try and track the woman in question. Brin was currently sobbing her way down the road toward MystHaven city that was a good two hours away by horse. But she hadn't even thought of grabbing her horse Deedee and her cloak though she's dressed warmly enough. Rue dropped to the floor with the unexpected attack, gasping for air as his larynx screamed in pain. He shoved at Gerhard's shoulders heaving the man to the side with a punch to his face, as he cracked, "Stay the fuck out of this. Unless that child IS yours, this is NONE of your business." He grappled to stand, trying to go after Brin. Andor Cole rushed toward Brin in the coldness, his cloak flowing about him, he then spoke out toward the lady �Pardon me Miss�� his steel blue eyes looking to her in worry. Brin stopped, but didn't turn around, trying futily to wipe her cheeks of tears. �Don't bother with me�I'm fine.� She managed to choke out. Andor Cole looked at her and did not stop moving �It is cold, at least take my cloak�� he is a poor man, but he knew her and the baby should be protected, �Please ... you may catch ill�� "None of my BUSINESS?" Gerhard roared, his head snapping to the side from the force of Rue's blow, and for a moment he literally saw red. That was going to be a black eye tomorrow. Grabbing Rue's ears like teapot handles, Ger smashed his head forward, headbutting the other man in the face. Right now he hoped to hear the crunch of bone and the warm spurt of blood, never having been so enraged. "You screwed her, you dumped her, left her on her own...and I should STAY OUT OF IT??!" Brin hesitantly took the cloak, then wrapped it around herself. �Thank you.� She said very quietly and glanced back at him, trying to sniff her tears away. �I'm sorry you had to see that.� Andor Cole looked at her, without his cloak shrouding him she would see him in a ruined set of elfin chainmail, it would seem this man has gone through hell and back, yet he had a humble look about him. He then tilted his head �It is alright but you should not be apologising,� he then closed his eyes, �life tends to be hard .. but there is always hope,� he then offered her his hand. �Where ever you are going , I will escort you, tis not a time for you to be alone.� Brin shook her head. �You really shouldn't get involved in this�I don't even know your name. I tend to drag people down with me.� She gave a watery, bleak smile and clutched at the teddy bear he left for her on the bar counter. The pain shot through Rue like a bolt. Indeed his nose did crack and he spit blood as he choked, "Arrghhhh, you lousy bastard! You donkey's ass, you don't know what you're talking about." He crawled away and leaned against a chair, slowly pulling himself to his knees even though he saw stars. Andor Cole looked to her �You need a friend, no you don�t know my name ... no one knows my real one these days� he then paused for a moment �and worry not about dragging me down, for I cannot go much further down, the sky is the only possibility left.� Brin sighed. �You'd be surprised... I thought so myself.� she said, looking away. �Fine .. I'd like your company I think .. it's better than walking the lonely road alone.� She looked down at the teddy bear then back at him. �What should I call you?� She asked. The tears were drying and depression was seeping into her bones like a cold chill. His chest heaving with both rage and exertion, Gerhard rolled away and leapt to his feet. Approaching Rue cautiously, he stopped a few feet away and spat on the floor near the other man. "The hell I don't! You don't love her, fine. It happens. But don't you DARE try and fob YOUR CHILD on someone else. She deserves far better than you...Does she live with me? Hell yes. Better a friend than the streets, you arrogant prick..." It was all he could do not to kick Rue while he was getting up. Andor Cole smiled softly moving toward the woman, �For now call me Andor ... that is my traveling name, if later you ask me again, I will tell you my real name,� he then looked about �We may be standing far from my own homeland, but it is not safe to utter my name, my family�s servants could hear...and they may greet me again with blades in the gut.� Brin looked over toward Andor and raised a brow. �I won't pry�we all have our secrets.� She said, smiling wanly and turned to walk down the road. �Something of a welcome to Mysthaven I suppose ...� Andor Cole nods softly �Yes we all have our secrets but my tale is not a secret ... the fact is I was born and they wish me dead .. they have already taken from me the one joy I had, the one shimmering ray of hope,� he then calmly walked along beside her down the road. Brin nodded slowly, looking over at him. Maybe it would help to immerse herself in another�s troubles to take her mind off her own for a moment. �And what was that shimmering ray of hope?� Rue coughed and spat, wiping his wheat-coloured sweater sleeve across his bloody face. He straightened and glared at Gerhard. "Listen you stunted monkey, you don't know shit about me or my life, yet you seem to think you've got me all figured out. If you care at all for that woman, you'll help me find her. And when we do, you'll leave us alone to talk. She does deserve far better than me. You're right. But IF she's carry -my- child, I want to talk to her about it. You didn't give me the chance to do that and you frightened her off." Andor Cole looked at her and then looking down to the teddy bear she has in her possession �my son...� he then looked back towards the path they are taking, not knowing what else to say. Brin blinked and looked down toward the stuffed animal again and then back at him. �Oh...I'm sorry for you.� She said with an empathy she'd only just recently acquired. Her hand moved protectively over her lower abdomen. Snorting, Gerhard simply shook his head in disgust. "Don't you ever take responsibility for your actions, Denali? I don't recall accusing Brin of sleeping around with others. I trust her and what she says. Nor do I remember getting slapped across the face as you did." Raking one strong hand through his hair, Gerhard took a step back and sighed. "We'll find her, and you damned well better not upset her anymore than she is." He shook his head and turned to the door. "You really are a bastard." Andor Cole nodded softly, �it is alright...� he sighed softly and nodded to her, his eyes looking worriedly over her �his soul, he is in a better place...� he then bowed his head down, �I hope I do not burden you, with the problems of this meaningless wayward soul.� Brin shook her head and reached a hand out to lay it sympathetically on his shoulder. �Not at all, Andor�it takes my mind off my own problems which seem to be multiplying alarmingly.� Andor Cole looked at her softly and touched her hand which was on his shoulder, �Just don�t think of him or her as a problem�he or she is a blessing...never forget that or feel differently. It matters not who the father is; the child is innocent no matter what and a beautiful thing.� Brin nodded and looked at his hand next to hers. �I don't�it might be the one good thing I'll ever do.� She said with a sad smile. "Like I said...you don't know squat..." Rue had to somehow shoulder away 22 years of a belief in something in order to now accept something else. He was struggling, and as blood continued to trickle down his chin, he smeared it with his sleeve again. As he stood on the porch and tried to breathe through his mouth, he noted DeeDee tied off to the side. He pushed past Gerhard. "She's on foot..." He headed straight for Dee who nickered and eyed him wildly at the smell of blood. "It's alright DeeDee, we'll find her." Rue swung up on Brin's horse and cut the horse to the side, angling to see Gerhard. He was still on the porch, "Get a move on Wright....I don't know where you live..." And swiftly, the man who rendered Rue's nose into a crushed mess with a headbutt dropped to the porch floor in a heap of delayed concussion. In a growl of frustration, Rue called out to Lilla to see to Gerhard as he wheeled the horse around and headed off in a gallop toward MystHaven. -- To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Archives & Other DMI Lists: http://www.dragonmyst.f2s.com/lists.php3
