A bright smile lit
Biara's face as she strolled through the Bazaar of Silvermoon, out on a
morning shopping trip. She practically skipped her way between the many
stalls and carts displaying a staggering variety of goods in the early
morning sun. Her hands trailed over bolts of fine fabric, her eyes
devoured the glittering jewelry displayed in cases for passersby to
oggle.
As she made her way deeper into the market, her eyes fell upon a small shop set to the side of the main path. Two carts out in front displayed bolts of fine imported cloth, and through the window she could see more cloth samples and several well made dresses on display. Her eyes lit up as she walked up to the nearest of the carts, touching the fabric with her fingertips and feeling the quality of the weave beneath her hands.
She could tell just by touching the material that it would be perfect for a dress. She had several ideas in mind already, and this fabric would be perfect to make the dress she had planned. She wanted to impress Makaelen, and ordinary fabric simply would not do, not when she wanted to turn his head and give him reason to admire her. He'd already made her feel like the most special elf in all of Silvermoon, and she was going to make sure he was more than repaid for his efforts.
A shadow fell across her as she was examining the fine material, and she looked up to see another elf looming over her. Behind him, several bodyguards had forced their way through the crowd, the four of them blocking Biara's path of travel back into the Bazaar. The elf standing closest was dressed in the height of finery, his gold-trimmed jacket and pants matching the flashing golden rings on his fingers. He rested lightly against a gem-encrusted cane that was obviously just for show.
"Well well, if it isn't Lady Dayfire," he said in a silky but ominous voice. "You didn't REALLY think that your behavior would be tolerated, did you?"
Biara blinked in surprised, "I..I'm not sure I know what you mean Lord...?"
The other elf smirked, "Lord Suncrest. And don't play coy with me. The talk is already all over Silvermoon about your courtship with that Blood Knight. Do not pretend you don't know what I'm referring to. We all know what you plot Lady Dayfire."
Biara turned to face the other elf fully, her eyes going from the Lord to his bodyguards and back again. She suddenly realized that she was relatively isolated near the fabric shop, despite the crowds just out of reach. "W-what do you mean? I'm sure I am making no plot. Knight Brightdawn has asked to court me yes, but it is between us, and not your affair."
The other elf's face became livid. "Do NOT lie to me Lady Dayfire. Are you denying that your courtship isn't designed to gain more favor with the Blood Knights? Does your House not already have enough power? You are allied with a half dozen other Houses and Magisters, and now you seek to influence the Knights as well. Did you really think all of the other Houses would tolerate this?!"
He took a menacing step towards her, and Biara felt herself bump against the fabric cart as she subconsciously shifted away from him. "L-lord Suncrest, calm yourself please! I assure you there is no scheme here. Knight Brightdawn is simply a good hearted..."
"Enough!" the other elf was practically shouting in her face now. "I will NOT sit here and listen to you lie to my face you little harlot! We're watching you VERY closely Lady Dayfire! Make no mistake that some of the other Houses are growing quite tired of your games!"
His knuckles on the decorative cane were white, and his arm trembled. Biara realized he was about to strike her with it. Her mind whirled, trying to decide if she should defend herself with magic and create an even worse issue than already existed. Even as she tried to make up her mind, two forms came into view and jostled the lord that was threatening her. He spun, sputtering in outrage.
His eyes widened as he saw two large, plate armored Blood Knights standing amongst his bodyguard. The second Blood Knight stood so close to one of the bodyguards that the other elf shifted uncomfortably and slinked backwards. The two Knights towered over the lightly armored and unarmed elves that had, until that point, been menacing the small Magistrix as she was trying to shop.
"Oops, how clumsy of me," The closer of the two Blood Knights said without any sincerity in his voice. "I should really watch where I'm going. I wouldn't want to create an issue by accident."
The tone of his voice held a slight hint of menace in it, and the tension in the air was thick. Lord Suncret cleared his throat uncomfortably and nodded. "Yes...well, that's quite alright Blood Knight."
"You are too kind my Lord," The Blood Knight said with a mock bow. "I am fortunate that I bumped into someone with class, and not one who would create a public spectacle by engaging in an unnecessary fight in public." As he straightened, he shot a wink at Biara over the other elf's head.
"N-no, it's quite fine. I was simply helping the Lady find some fabric," Lord Suncrest stammered, his face turning a shade paler. "I do believe she's found what she's looking for though, haven't you Lady Dayfire."
Biara blinked and nodded slowly, "O-oh yes. This material will do quite well to make a dress I think. I hope Knight Brightdawn finds it pleasing."
Lord Suncrest nearly choked on his words, but managed to maintain his composure long enough to say, "Yes yes. Well then, I'd best be on my way."
The Blood Knight smiled and nodded, "Very good my Lord. I do hope that the rest of your day is pleasant and equally conflict free."
The two Knights gave the Lord and his bodyguards just enough room to squeeze past them and watched them as they walked away, their eyes tracking their every movement. Once they had rejoined the crowd, they turned and bowed to Biara. "I think Mak would like any dress you wore, from what I hear Lady Dayfire. I hope the rest of your day is pleasant."
With that, the two Knights left, smiling to themselves. They left a scarlet faced Biara clutching a bolt of fabric in her hands as she watched them leave. After a moment or two a smile crept across her face and she laughed, turning and entering the shop with the bolt of cloth she'd selected. She would see to it that Mak enjoyed not only the dress, but that he would never be disappointed in his choice of courting her.
She swore this time she would not drive love away!
As she made her way deeper into the market, her eyes fell upon a small shop set to the side of the main path. Two carts out in front displayed bolts of fine imported cloth, and through the window she could see more cloth samples and several well made dresses on display. Her eyes lit up as she walked up to the nearest of the carts, touching the fabric with her fingertips and feeling the quality of the weave beneath her hands.
She could tell just by touching the material that it would be perfect for a dress. She had several ideas in mind already, and this fabric would be perfect to make the dress she had planned. She wanted to impress Makaelen, and ordinary fabric simply would not do, not when she wanted to turn his head and give him reason to admire her. He'd already made her feel like the most special elf in all of Silvermoon, and she was going to make sure he was more than repaid for his efforts.
A shadow fell across her as she was examining the fine material, and she looked up to see another elf looming over her. Behind him, several bodyguards had forced their way through the crowd, the four of them blocking Biara's path of travel back into the Bazaar. The elf standing closest was dressed in the height of finery, his gold-trimmed jacket and pants matching the flashing golden rings on his fingers. He rested lightly against a gem-encrusted cane that was obviously just for show.
"Well well, if it isn't Lady Dayfire," he said in a silky but ominous voice. "You didn't REALLY think that your behavior would be tolerated, did you?"
Biara blinked in surprised, "I..I'm not sure I know what you mean Lord...?"
The other elf smirked, "Lord Suncrest. And don't play coy with me. The talk is already all over Silvermoon about your courtship with that Blood Knight. Do not pretend you don't know what I'm referring to. We all know what you plot Lady Dayfire."
Biara turned to face the other elf fully, her eyes going from the Lord to his bodyguards and back again. She suddenly realized that she was relatively isolated near the fabric shop, despite the crowds just out of reach. "W-what do you mean? I'm sure I am making no plot. Knight Brightdawn has asked to court me yes, but it is between us, and not your affair."
The other elf's face became livid. "Do NOT lie to me Lady Dayfire. Are you denying that your courtship isn't designed to gain more favor with the Blood Knights? Does your House not already have enough power? You are allied with a half dozen other Houses and Magisters, and now you seek to influence the Knights as well. Did you really think all of the other Houses would tolerate this?!"
He took a menacing step towards her, and Biara felt herself bump against the fabric cart as she subconsciously shifted away from him. "L-lord Suncrest, calm yourself please! I assure you there is no scheme here. Knight Brightdawn is simply a good hearted..."
"Enough!" the other elf was practically shouting in her face now. "I will NOT sit here and listen to you lie to my face you little harlot! We're watching you VERY closely Lady Dayfire! Make no mistake that some of the other Houses are growing quite tired of your games!"
His knuckles on the decorative cane were white, and his arm trembled. Biara realized he was about to strike her with it. Her mind whirled, trying to decide if she should defend herself with magic and create an even worse issue than already existed. Even as she tried to make up her mind, two forms came into view and jostled the lord that was threatening her. He spun, sputtering in outrage.
His eyes widened as he saw two large, plate armored Blood Knights standing amongst his bodyguard. The second Blood Knight stood so close to one of the bodyguards that the other elf shifted uncomfortably and slinked backwards. The two Knights towered over the lightly armored and unarmed elves that had, until that point, been menacing the small Magistrix as she was trying to shop.
"Oops, how clumsy of me," The closer of the two Blood Knights said without any sincerity in his voice. "I should really watch where I'm going. I wouldn't want to create an issue by accident."
The tone of his voice held a slight hint of menace in it, and the tension in the air was thick. Lord Suncret cleared his throat uncomfortably and nodded. "Yes...well, that's quite alright Blood Knight."
"You are too kind my Lord," The Blood Knight said with a mock bow. "I am fortunate that I bumped into someone with class, and not one who would create a public spectacle by engaging in an unnecessary fight in public." As he straightened, he shot a wink at Biara over the other elf's head.
"N-no, it's quite fine. I was simply helping the Lady find some fabric," Lord Suncrest stammered, his face turning a shade paler. "I do believe she's found what she's looking for though, haven't you Lady Dayfire."
Biara blinked and nodded slowly, "O-oh yes. This material will do quite well to make a dress I think. I hope Knight Brightdawn finds it pleasing."
Lord Suncrest nearly choked on his words, but managed to maintain his composure long enough to say, "Yes yes. Well then, I'd best be on my way."
The Blood Knight smiled and nodded, "Very good my Lord. I do hope that the rest of your day is pleasant and equally conflict free."
The two Knights gave the Lord and his bodyguards just enough room to squeeze past them and watched them as they walked away, their eyes tracking their every movement. Once they had rejoined the crowd, they turned and bowed to Biara. "I think Mak would like any dress you wore, from what I hear Lady Dayfire. I hope the rest of your day is pleasant."
With that, the two Knights left, smiling to themselves. They left a scarlet faced Biara clutching a bolt of fabric in her hands as she watched them leave. After a moment or two a smile crept across her face and she laughed, turning and entering the shop with the bolt of cloth she'd selected. She would see to it that Mak enjoyed not only the dress, but that he would never be disappointed in his choice of courting her.
She swore this time she would not drive love away!
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