The Adventures of Sylfaen (Ice Kingdom)

[sylfaen]

(Coming home after many years certainly induces some excitement and craziness. The Adventures of Sylfaen will become an ongoing thread, dictating exactly that excitement and craziness within the kingdom of ice nymphs. Hopefully I won't forget about it, and it actually WILL be ongoing. This thread will be in Sylfaen's point of view, 1st person. :3)

I had first entered the castle later in the evening. It was a bit difficult to get in since I was fighting off a huge crowd who were all trying to bombard me with thanks, welcome backs, etcetera. When I finally did reach the threshold of my well-missed home, I was able to force my way in without so much as a scratch. Beyond the doors, however, a whole new crowd was waiting for me. Amongst the shouts of joy, a rather large, round man with a bright red face of absolute joy began shouting over everyone else, demanding they get out of his way before he ate them whole. I think they believed he could actually manage the feat, and I didn't blame him.
"SIRE! YOU HAVE RETURNED TO US!"
I was suddenly lifted off my feet, being squeezed to death in an overwhelming embrace. "Please.. put.. me.. down.." I managed to gasp out before completely getting the wind knocked out of me.
He suddenly plopped me to the floor, gingerly dusting off my robes apologetically. He smiled sheepishly and said in a softer voice," Sire, yew mahst try my newest creation. Eet haz been so long since I have cooked for yew!"
I simply smiled and agreed, not knowing what I was getting into. I was suddenly rushed into the dining hall and promptly placed in a chair at the end of the long table. The rotund chef planted both feet in front of the door and faced the ever approaching crowd.
"YEW MOOCHERS VILL STAY AVAY FROM MY KEETCHEN! BE GONE BEFORE I TAKE YOUR HEADS AND SERVE THEM AZ MY NEXT DEESH!" With that, he slammed the door so violently the doors shook, and for a moment I feared for my life. He almost skipped merrily across the dining hall towards the kitchen doors. Without a moment's waste, he threw himself through the threshold. There were a few violent crashes of who knows what and angry shouts of German. I had a feeling this would be a very interesting meal.

[raphael]

Raphael landed right within the gates of Sylfaen's kingdom. He had no time for the awed stares and mutters of shock that he instantly recieved from the common folk milling around outside of the castle. He practically sprinted for the door, the guards stationed at the main entrance almost knocked over in his blind rush. Raphael's eyes darted around the foyer as a silence came over those within the castle. He couldn't blatantly see Sylfaen anywhere. He saw the large double doors a bit further down the left wing that a few people were gathered around, making a quiet fuss. He managed to shove his way through the crowd, apologizing here and there. He threw open the double doors, closing them quietly behind him. What met his eyes was a sight he never expected to see. There was a rather fat, redfaced man dancing around with a large stick of incense, as if he were performing some ritual or voodoo. Sylfaen was seated at the end of a long wooden table, and a group of young chefs were all lined up, stiff as boards. It looked like they were waiting to be executed. The fat man froze at the sight of Raphael and grinned from ear to ear.
"RAPHAEL! EEZ IT TRULY YOU?! EET HAZ BEEN SO LONG! YOU WERE JUST A WEE THING LAST TIME I SAW YOU!"
Raphael was at a loss for words. He was about to ask to speak to Sylfaen alone when suddenly he was being pushed from behind and forced into a seat.
"OO, RAPHAEL, YOU SO SKEENY! I MAHST FEEX DAT RIGHT AVAY!" He turned to his solemn chefs. "GEET IN THE KEETCHEN, YOU LAZY NINCOMPOOPS!" They all scurried away, ducking as if preparing for having something chucked at their heads. Raphael glanced at Sylfaen with confusion, and Sylfaen just shrugged with hopelessness.

[raphael]

--- Few hours later ---

When Raphael was finally able to get Sylfaen alone, they both traveled across the wide castle to the stone silent library. Surely business could be discussed in a place such as that. They both sat down by an icey fire billowing in a fire place. Raphael wriggled around in the cushy chair a bit, his nerves making him unsettled. Sylfaen sat across from him, looking more like a king than Raphael had ever seen him. He held his head high, his posture straight and centered. His solemn-eyed owl perched perfectly on his shoulder, and his powerful staff lay in his right hand. It was, however, quite a pleasant sight.

Sylfaen stiffened slightly in the uncomfortable position in which they were looking at each other. He cleared his throat, then asked, "What is it, Raphael, you rushed over here to speak to me about?"

Raphael was surprised at the blunt question. Then again, he supposed he needed to re-adjust to Sylfaen's mannerisms. He shifted his position once more before continuing. "I wanted to check up on my old friend. After all, it has been years since you have been home."

Sylfaen shrugged, supposing that was plausible. "That may be true, but I know you much better. You wouldn't sprint over here in a frenzy just to say hello."

Raphael sighed. Sylfaen always had a way of seeing through him as if he were transparent. "Well, if we're being honest here, I came here to satisfy my worries." When Sylfaen looked at him quizzically, Raphael hesitantly added, "I had thought you to be dead."

[sylfaen]

I looked at Raphael in surprise. Dead? What would lead to him thinking I had met my death? Sure, I have been away from my home land for quite some time, but dead? There must be something he isn't telling me. Raphael is not a man of rash actions, well, at least for as long as I have known him. If he is truly this worried, it certainly must be something important. "What would lead you to think this?" I queried.

I could see his facial expression get more and more strained. There was something he didn't want to lead onto, and was trying much too hard not to do so. When he spoke, it was like he was forcing the words through water. "I don't know.. I just found myself considering it more and more."

His avoiding of the subject was beginning to irritate me. I've always known Raphael to be too cautious of a man, but truly, what was there that he couldn't trust me with? I leaned forward, looking at him directly in the eye. He would not get away with it again. I spoke slowly and deliberately, making sure I forced my words all the way through that thick skull of his. "Raphael, what aren't you telling me?"

Raphael looked down like a boy who just got caught stealing cookies from the jar. He always had such a way of amusing me, but right now, that wasn't my focus. I waited as he thought his words out carefully for a few moments, my gaze never breaking from his. When he finally sighed, I prepared myself for the worst. "You must know.. of the conditions of this world. Your race is few, and is very delicate when it comes to maintaining your health. As things have been.." he paused. "...Declining, it was a concern of mine." He looked directly at me, his eyes betraying his fear. "Something is making the health of this universe fall. Rapidly."

My brow furrowed as I considered his words. Something, or someone? I thought to myself. Surely I wouldn't allow my prejudices against the black winged demon to get in the way of this serious discussion, but it was a thought. I hesitated for a moment, then said carefully, "And you are sure it is not just the natural way of this world lacking in Guardianship?"

Raphael nodded sternly. I could tell his concern was at its height. He understood the seriousness of this crisis, while many others just went on with their daily busywork. I sighed. This was frustrating and puzzling news. "Well, what do you suggest we do?"

He slumped in his chair. "I have absolutely no idea."

[raphael]

The next hour or so was by far one of the most intense conversations Raphael had ever had with another human being. They discussed some of the most vital and frightening topics that were currently at hand. Everything from the possibility of a second war to where this world would be in the next year or so. There were so many questions that were left without answers simply because there were no answers. Sylfaen was a brutal man when it came to getting the facts. He didn't want any fluff, just the cold hard truth. It was sometimes something Raphael didn't even want to face. He could plainly see why Sylfaen was held as such a magnificent ruler. He did whatever it took to find a solution. There wasn't much in the way of their typical friendly humor during the conversation.

He had asked a servant to fetch them both some tea, which Raphael now sipped tediously at, trying to buy some time. He knew Sylfaen had to be a busy man, what with just returning and all of that. But he needed time with his old friend, time to recover those lost years. Just as a thought came to his mind and the words began to form on his tongue, he felt a strange sensation. He glanced down warily at his chest, seeing his life amulet gleaming and ringing with anticipation. He held it in his hand and gazed into it. All he could derive was that someone had been hurt in the Other Universe. Terribly. He looked up at Sylfaen was a sense of panic in his eyes, not knowing what to say. "I believe I need to go somewhere immediately. My apologies."

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I stared hard at Raphael, trying to derive his meaning behind all of this antsy behavior. It was as if someone had thrown a rabid squirrel in his trousers. Nevertheless, he seemed genuinely worried. His words, however, surprised me. The Other Universe? Who would go through all that trouble just to harm someone in such a remote place? Regardless of the situation, I was not about to let him go flitting off to face some unknown danger alone. I nodded sternly.

"No need to apologize." I abruptly stood, Tundra looking at me with curiousity in her round eyes. "I'll be accompanying you." I smiled in a way that he would understand that this was not to be negotiated. I could see the protest forming on his lips, his face lined with creases of worry that have been there for as long as I have known him. With a sigh and a sad smile, he was defeated.
"Very well, I know by now there is no stoppimg you..." he said, already beginning to teleport there. With a quick word to my servant who was present there not to speak a word of this, I followed him, both of us shooting towards an unknown danger.

[sylfaen]

-- Coming back after finding Miriel --
((I'mma switch to third person since Miriel's in teh thread now..))

Sylfaen and Miriel both appeared right within the towering, snow-coated gates of the courtyard of the pure white palace. An instant commotion erupted from the bystanders around them, all of their attention instantly diverted from their previous tasks. Sylfaen sighed. He supposed things like this were the most interesting events in their entire day. Many women curtsied to the both of them; men inclined their heads to her respectfully. "Hmm.. Good news travels fast, doesn't it?" he observed, smirking at Miriel. Surprisingly he was able to clear a path through the rushing crowd of people and get them both through the front door without much of a delay. He took a deep breath, feeling relieved to be within his own home after having to leave it so soon. "Welcome to my home."

The foyer was so spacious. It had multiple staircases, all leading to different areas of study. There was a long, dark hallway on the north wall. To the west lay the dining hall and kitchen, the earlier crowd already dispersed and on with their day. Sylfaen didn't want to risk another episode by bringing Miriel in there, so he decided he would offer her something at a later time, in a different place. The east wing was mainly for study purposes, such as the library and training arena. The higher floors were mainly bedrooms and personal offices, which he would save for a later date. There was, however, an elegant and beautifully built ballroom located right above the sculpted balcony that now hung over their heads. The ceiling was at least a good thirty feet tall, expertly crafted stain glass historic scenes adorning the walls.

Sylfaen wasn't sure what she would most like to see. He had only just met the girl. He supposed he would let her explore at her own pace. She might as well enjoy herself during her time here. "Well, then," he said. "Where would you like to go, Miss?"

[»Míríel«]

The dry coldness of the air shocked Miriel as she saw whiteness before her. She had forgotten how cold it was here. Yet even though this cold was brutal, it brought some life to her. Somehow she managed to stand straight and walk gracefully through the crowd, behind Sylfaen. Ignoring the stares that were directed at her back. She must have looked pitiful to them, clothes singed, burns on her arms, and her skin with marks of soot on it.

As she made it inside and they came to a stop a slight smile came to her face. Everything here was beautiful, elegant, something that words would only shame the brilliance that surrounded her. She took a turn gazing at the ceiling, and the walls. What a gem this place was, never had she seen something so beautiful.

Yet even though she wanted very much to explore, she could feel her energy draining slightly. What she needed now was a rest, then she would be back to normal, or somewhat normal. Looking at Sylfaen, her eyes alight with the excitement of being in a new place, she asked quietly, "Actually.. is there somewhere I could rest for a bit.." She blushed slightly and looked down. Miriel hated being so weak.

[sylfaen]

Sylfaen chuckled and nodded understandingly. He had figured as much. She looked awful tired, he couldn't even imagine how she actually felt. It took him a moment to figure out the easiest place to allow her to rest so they would be able to meet again without her having to hopelessly wander the halls. "Perhaps I should take you," he said with a smile. The servants around here were probably all bustling with the activity of planning for a special guest anyway. It would only cause a nuisance if he made anyone else take the responsibility. He began to walk off, hoping she would have the sense to follow. He stopped now and then, figuring out the route they would take as he went along. Every corner they turned was another smiling face that practically forced Sylfaen to stop and have a chat. Every person mostly said the same thing, how they were so glad he was back, what they were planning in order to celebrate, things of that nature. Sylfaen could only helplessly smile and nod; he couldn't be dismissive towards those he had just returned from leaving. He was already fully aware from listening to some members of his kingdom that there was to be a ceremony arranged, which he had expected entirely.

When he was finally able to beat off all of the bypassers, they arrived at a room on the second floor, near many other of the elders' quarters. "I hope you'll find this satisfactory," he said while pulling the sculpted knobs open. The room was simple, elegant. Not quite worthy of royalty, but it was certainly fancy and pleasing enough. He was sure she would be able to find her way to the courtroom from here. If not, there were many experts on the layout of the palace a door or two down from her. "Now, if you'll please excuse me, I have some legal manners to attend to... Paperwork, court cases, other equally dull things. You shall know where to find me if you need to do so." He left her with a cordial smile and the key to this particular dwelling. With a confident, kingly stride, he made his way to pick up his duties where he had left them.

[»Míríel«]

Miriel looked at Sylfaen's disappearing figure and gathered enough strength to walk forward. It seemed like an eternity passed, than another as they slowly made their way up a floor and to a door. The pleasant conversation made her want to scream. Every step she took caused pain to be sent curling up her spine, making every step grow heavier and heavier.

Finally they made it in front of a door. Keys were placed in her hand and the door was opened. But before she could say thanks, Sylfaen excused himself and left. She stood there for a moment, the bed looking to good to be true. Taking a step in she closed the door behind her. Suddenly it was as if someone flipped a switch and the whole world seemed to tilt once again. Every drop of her energy was taken. No longer did she have to act strong, she was behind cloed doors. Closing her eyes she sank against the door with a thud. Holding herself upright by the door knob she whispered to herself. "Just a couple of steps."

1,2,3 steps, 4,5,6 each one seemed impossible, yet the impossible was surpassed, her pain was paid off. Collapsing in the bed she was asleep before her head hit the feather fluffiness of the pillow. Darkness overcame the lady of light, and there was nothing she could do to stop it