The Gift of Illusions

[Kirei]

"Grandfather, I don't understand why you insist on teaching me this over and over again." Lani said, glancing back at the old elven Duke. Before sat what seemed to be an intricately carven harp, playing itself, yet no music came from it. It was a trick her grandfather had joy in seeing it performed.

"Now, add a little wind, and it'll be perfect." came his voice from behind her, looking inside the house, where Lani's mother was playing the same instrument. It was rare that that woman would agree to do this, since she was of the stubborn sort, and one who seemed to hate her daughter at that.

Focusing on her creation, and adding a little more feeling into it, a soft breeze flew by, bringing the sounds of the harp inside to her. Although it was faint, you could see that it looked as if the harp she had made were playing itself.

"A little louder." her Grandfather called, closing his eyes. Making the wind a bit stronger, calling out to the music carried on, she seemed to drown out the music from inside, making it seem as if it were the harp outside that were playing the music.

"Alright, that's enough for now." her Grandfather said, pushing himself up from his seat on the hammock, leaning on his walking stick. A smile danced in his light blue eyes as he started inside, smiling at her mother.

"I do not understand that man one bit." Lani said, pulling her golden hair into two low pigtails. Laying down on the cool grass, her face towards the sky, she shielded her eyes from the sun. A trip down to the River Onyx wouldn't be so bad, later on.

"Don't curse the gift of illusion, but embrace it." Lani whispered the words her grandfather had told her time and time again. But those words were soon forgotten when a sweet melody came from her lips, carried by the wind away from her.

[Kirei]

Ignoring a call from inside, she pushed herself into a sitting position, facing the direction to the river. It was only her mother, and she didn't know why so much attention was being payed to her. For some reason, the woman was leaning towards becoming a doting mother today. Probably a push from her grandfather, she thought with a sigh as she pushed herself off the ground. Wiping her hands across the seat of her trousers, wiping off the grass and dirt.

Looking behind her once more, she started towards the forest that stood on the edge of her family's estate. She had obviously changed her ind in venturing out to the River Onyx, and instead headed into the Silver Woods. The cool breeze seemed to refresh her, as she ventured in the direction of the Aeryon border. Looking to the canopy of leaves above her, she smiled as she head the twitter of birds above. It was a familiar sound, something she had been used to.

Running a hand along the bark of the trees, her thoughts ventured to what life was like outside of the border, what the people were like. It was rare that she saw such things.

[Kirei]

"Lani!" came the call from behind her. She stopped in her tracks, looking sideways so she could see the approaching man. She recognized him, but wondered what he had been doing, following her. After all, he usually never came into the forest.

"Elladan, what is it that you want from me this time?" Lani asked with a sigh, her hands on her hips. Letting a strand of hair fall onto her face, she frowned a bit. Whether it was at her hair or at Elladan, she wasn't sure.

"Your father said I could find you here. He said you needed someone to look after you." Elladan said this with a smile, almost laughing. He thought it rather funny that her father was a bit over protective.

"Leave me alone." Lni said, turning her back and heading deeper into the forest. She had a low tolerance level for this man, especially since he had come on her father's orders.

Following reluctantly, Elladan picked his way cautiously between the sticks and leaves, trying to keep up with Lani.

[LadyChaotic]

She was lost yet again, though she'd never admit it. Her freshly washed silks were torn and muddied already, something which infuriated the woman. She let out a sigh heavy with mixed agrivation and sorrow. She didn't even really know what she was doing back in her clan's borders.

Kyren. Her little baby girl. A frown played across the elf's lips as memories of the little girl flooded her mind. Was Malachai taking care of her? Had she learned to speak yet? How big was she? She hated herself, called herself selfish for leaving her little Kyren behind to fullfil a dream that would never come true.

Today was Kyren's second birthday. She hadn't even stayed long enough to see the first. With another mournful sigh, the red-headed Malai leaned against a tree, thinking. She had been thinking far too much recently. Maybe... maybe it was time to give up. But, would she be welcomed back home?

[Kirei]

"Are you gone yet?" Lani called behind her to Elladan. She was a bit stubborn at the moment, wishing only to be left alone. She stopped for a moment, leaning against a large stump for a breather. She was hoping that she had lost the man by now.

"No." Elladan managed to say between gasps. He was still a bit behind Lani, but he could still see the golden hair streaming out behind the girl. He fell to the ground, resting his weight on his hands. He wished that she would slow down a bit for him.

"Well then, I suppose we could stop." Lani said as she looked back at him, seeing how tired he was. Trudging back to him, she sat beside him, hands brossed over her chest. She still didn't like it.

[LadyChaotic]

There was talking. From the sound of the voices, it was both a man and a woman. Her ears tensed, straining with the hope of finding any information that would be useful. Should she run? Should she greet them? What if they were magic-users?

Curriosity won over caution, and Malai wound her way through the tangled branches, brown eyes searching for the owners of the voices. There. As she expected, a male and female elf seemed to be resting in the woods. She didn't know their story, but assumed they were lovers. Lovers who were either competitive, or were in the midst of a fight.

"Excuse me," Malai began, tone as polite and noble as it had always been, "I am Malai Najin. I was wondering if you two could help me." A smile took place on her delicate features. Her hair was a mess, as were her clothes, giving her the appearance of a noblewoman who had taken a turn for the worst somewhere in her life.

[Kirei]

"Oh. We didn't hear you coming." Elladan started as he rose from his seated position. He didn't want to be rude in a lady's presence, adding, "How may we be of service?" Her ran a sweaty palm over his tunic, smiling a friendly smile at Malai with a nod of the head.

"He'll help you, he means." Lani said, arms still crossed. She was still being a bit stubborn at the moment, Elladan still on her nerves. She only glanced at Malai, soon looking away while wondering where in the world had she come from, looking all ragged and...and...well, she couldn't think of another insult at the moment.

"Excuse her." Elladan said, shooting a glance over to Lani. He was starting to get impatient with her, but anyone would eventually.

[LadyChaotic]

A fight, it seemed.

Malai bowed slightly to them both. "Thank you," she began when straightening, uselessly dusting and neatening her clothings. "I'm afraid I've gotten myself lost." The truth of the statement, and the fact that it had happened more than once caused Malai's cheecks to turn a soft shade of pink. "I suppose all I really need is a wood's guide. Well, a bath, too, but that's something I suppose I can get later. I'm sorry you had too see me in such a mess." It was obvious she didn't want to see herself in such a mess either. She shook her head, loose hairs bouncing as she did so.

[daragonX]

Loud noises were heard in the distance and it was getting closer. Sounds of heavy pounding and cries of desperation. Soon, a minotaur came charging out of the woods with a fearful expression on its bull-like face. He stopped close to Malai before running off again. A soft searing sound was heard as a arrow pierced a tree trunk a few inches from Malai where the minotaurs chest had been. Almost right after, a flurry of arrows flew from the trees and landed on the retreating minotaur's back. With a roar of pain, the large bull-like creature fell, unmoving.

Sylvos came out from the forest and walked toward the unmoving minotaur. Then he spoke. "You shouldn't have invaded our territory minotaur, we do not accept nomads into our populace." He placed his long bow on his belt and looked at the minotaur's back. "I've spared you this time but if anyone like yourself invade our lands again, my arrows will find your head." and with that, the minotaur retreated slowly.

Sylvos then turned his attention to the young women whom his arrow almost struck and walked over to her. "My apologizes madam for the fright I've caused you."

[LadyChaotic]

It took a while for Malai to respond. This was not the first time she had seen something such as this happen, but she never liked it. Naive? Sure, but she does understand that such things must occour sometimes. She just wishes there were a better way.

The elf turned to look at the stranger who had just caused a minotaur to fall before her, the same elf who just appologized to her. A smile was forced onto her lips and she bowed her head in his direction, red-gold hair falling everywhere as she did so. "It's your job, I assume, to do this," she said, using her grin to mask the slight tone of sorrow in her voice. "I understand the importance of duty." She offered her ringed hand to the man, gaze dancing over the bow he carried. "I am Malai Najin."

[daragonX]

Sylvo's eyes wandered over, making out her description. She seems to me to be someone more accustomed to wealth. I wonder what she's doing out here.

He took the hand and kissed it. "Sylvos Rohan milady."

[LadyChaotic]

((I'm going to wait for Kirei to reply before I do, so she doesn't get behind, if that's alright?))