The Reunion

[brandon]

Alisha Maddox: Blue eyes stared into the flames as she recounted in her head the loss of her home. Everyone was gone. Everything was gone. She propped her elbows on her knees and sighed. She had coin but the last few places she stopped at simply did not work for her. She was a simple person. No powers or magic and thought it was best to sleep in the woods. Sleep eluded her right now as she laid down on the make shift pallet.
Suddenly she sat up striaght and sniffed the night air. Oh crap. Something was out there. The smell was something she would never forget. She moved slowly and backed her self up against a tree. She was defenseless. She had a dagger and that was it. Maybe she should have stayed at the last inn she had passed. She sent a prayer up to the stars that she would make it through the night.
She screamed as something came chargining out of darkness at her. She swiftly moved to the side and the ork was knocked out as its head hit the trunk of the tree. Where there was one there was more. She moved to the fire, crouched down, wondering where the next one was hiding.

Orcs: there were 4 more infact and they each stepped out of the shadows into the fire light each holding there wicked evil twisted blades in their equally twisted evil hands. The one that presumably was the ring leader sneered at the beautifful young woman. "Look fellas fresh meat" one of the others looked to him and replied" She is too pretty to eat". "I never said we were going to eat her...yet" This elicited a chuckle from them all as they moved to surrond her

Alisha Maddox: She screamed again as four more came out of the darkness. The grotesque features made clear in the light of the fire. She was trouble. Serious, bodily trouble. And she was alone. "What do you want? I have nothign for you. Be gone from this place."

DragonDancer4793: ::He senced the orcs.. not anything new. He would remove them all from the living but not yet.. Than he senced something else, someone else ...wait it could not be.. but it was his mind had already identified her::

Orcs: "Ye have exactly what we need and we aim to take it" They advanced on her once more.. slowly teasing.. no torturing her as they drug there advance toward her out A gutteral snarl escaped their lips as they all gawked at her like she was a treat something sweet to satisify there urges

DragonDancer4793: ::The orcs took only one more step than were momentarily distracted by the fire.. it seemed to come alive the small manageable camp fire sprung to life and shot a spiral of fire several feet up into the night sky::

Alisha Maddox: The cloak covered most of her but glimpses of her legs could be seen. She had only two dresses and both did not cover what they should have. She had been on kingdom buisness and needed to dress the part. She yelped as the fire seemed to come alive by some unseen force.

DragonDancer4793: ::The spiral began to swirl like a flaming tornado and than it sucked back down and small tendrils broke off and snatched at the orcs instantly consuming their forms and leaving only putrid smelling ash in their place::

Alisha Maddox: She covered her face as the whips of fire lashed out at the orcs. The smell made her gag. She was curled up in a ball away from the fire, shaking.

DragonDancer4793: ::The tendrils swirled around for a moment than came together and formed one large flame which quickly came together and took on the shape of a human.. at which point the flames disappeared and left him standing there his dark hair spilled down over his face::

Alisha Maddox: She looked up at the figure and balked. No it couldn't be. He was dead just like all the other. "Brandon?'

DragonDancer4793: Yes Alisha it is me

Alisha Maddox: She launched her self at him and clung to him, tears streaming down her face. Sobs shook her small frame, her face buried in the side of his neck. : Oh Gods Brandon I thought you were dead. Is it really you?"

DragonDancer4793: Yes it is me i thought I was the only one

Alisha Maddox: She pulled away from him. "I was away on kingdom buisness. I came home to find nothing. Where were you?" She did not mean it to be nasty but she wanted to know how he had survived

DragonDancer4793: :;he reached for her and his hand landed on her knee.. where ihe left it:: I was along way from here recooping and going through some prety significant changes

Alisha Maddox: She cupped his cheeks and smiled. "Thank God I am not alone. I am so happy someone I know is alive. The fire trick was good but then you were one of the most powerfull men I knew." And he was still one of the sexiest as well. Alisha had never told him how she had felt. They had different stations in life. She knew her place. "Tell me how you have faired with the changes in your life?"

[brandon]

Hmmm the changes in hi s life wow where did he begin.. it was almost impossible for him to even think straight he was so excited to find her alive. To know he wasn't the last as he had believed. He looked to her holding her to him and than closed his eyes and let his mind work, it linked to hers gently so as not to startle her and within a few moments she got the entire story on how he had changed since leaving their kingdom and coming back here to GoldenMyst and to the extent of which he had changed.

[Alisha Maddox]

Alisha Maddox: She was over whelmed with what he showed her. Her head now swam with images and feelings. Her legs gave out and she slumped against him. "Oh gods Brandon I am so sorry you went through all of that alone. I wish there was something
Alisha Maddox: I could do for you."

DragonDancer4793: ::he held her weight easily in his arms and smiled:: It is alright the end result has been fascinating to say the least... I am glad you survived

Alisha Maddox: She took a deep breath and shook her head. Finding her footing, she grabbed his arms and smiled. "After what I saw I am glad too. SOund selfish?"

DragonDancer4793: No not at all... ::he closed his eyes and his brow furrowed in concentration for a moment before he reopened them and looked at her his eyes on fire with energy::
I have made some fascinating discoveries about myself since returning from the dead though

Alisha Maddox: She squinted at him. The look in his eyes made her wonder exactly what he went through and the word dead stopped her breath for a moment. "Brandon are sure your all right?"

DragonDancer4793: ::He nodded:: better than alright. When my soul bonded with the phoenix it caused an anomoly.
My powers mixed with the Phoenix's mixed and changed to something different. I can control well everything. Things that apply to life rules of nature, they do not apply to me

Alisha Maddox: "Well I guess us plain people really don't matter either huh?" She was joking round as she playfully smacked him in the arm.

DragonDancer4793: ::He looked to her for a moment than forced a smile:: I would never say that everyone matters
DragonDancer4793: It warms my heart that your alive

Alisha Maddox: "Your forcing your smile Brandon. Someone in your life doesn't really matter that much and I matter so much. It warms mine as well to know you are breathing." She smiled. She was being funny. Sometimes her sense of humor was strange.

DragonDancer4793: ::he smiled to her and than turned away from her looking off into the woods:: I think we are going to have more company

Alisha Maddox: "Oh no not again. Can't we have five minutes of peace before someone tries to eat me alive?"

DragonDancer4793: ::A strange smile crossed his lips:: Do not worry

Alisha Maddox: "Me worry? Never."

DragonDancer4793: Just stay close
::In his mind he felt the phoenix trill it's agreement with his plan of action and then it happened.. his eyes seemed to become fire as the wind began to blow a very warm wind::

Alisha Maddox: She plastered her self against him. "This close enough?"

DragonDancer4793: ::He smiled:: Yes ::A tendril of fire broke off his chest and began to swirl around them , It made rotation after rotation, and began to move faster and faster than it grew larger and larger taller and taller until they were inside a giant swirling flaming vortex which stretched high into the sky. As long as she held onto him though the flames did little more than warm her skin.. he closed his eyes and then the vortex expanded and shot out in all directions soon they heard screaming and squealing as the orcs were consumed by the rapidly advancing fire wall which seemed to encounter a multitude of them.. after a moment the fire was visible only by a glow but the distant sound of dying orcs could still be heard::

Alisha Maddox: She shut her eyes tight. Oh she was going to be sick. She clung to him, not knowing what was happening. Her skin was warm and she soaked it up. Like laying on a grassy hill on a warm summer's day. The smell assailed her again and she fought to keep from throwing up. The shrills of the dying orcs hurt her ears as her nails dug into his skin. All right all this power was making her a tad bit nervous.

DragonDancer4793: ::It than ended and he wrapped an arm around her looking to her his eyes now back to normal warm and inviting:: You alright|?

Alisha Maddox: She slowly opened her eyes and found everything back to normal. "Are you trying to scare the living daylights out of me?" She felt her body. Nothing missing. All body parts intact. 'Yea I guess I am all right."

DragonDancer4793: If that makes you nervous than we have alot to discuss.. that was actually nothing he was not bragging though it probrably sounded like it but he was being honest.. creating a fire wall ranked low in his abilities these days. Seeing as how he could bend the very laws of reality that was actually nothing::

Alisha Maddox: "I am sorry Brandon. It can just be a little over whelming for a simple person like me. I trust you. If I didn't I would have poked you with my dagger by now."

DragonDancer4793: Now that is not very nice...::he looked down:: You would ruin my shirt

Alisha Maddox: She balked. "Ruin your shirt? Hummmpphh. Your lucky I don't smack you again." He could see she was teasing

DragonDancer4793: :;he chuckled and ruffled her hair playfully::

Alisha Maddox: "Hey now. Your messing up my hair." To be honest she probably looked like hell. Her flame red curls were probably knotted to hell and she knew she had not been clean in days. Her clothes smelled of horse and dirt. "Oh I must look so
lady like right now."

DragonDancer4793: You actually look very beautiful to be honest with you

Alisha Maddox: She blushed and lowered her head. It was what a propher lady did when complimented by a man. "Thank you."

DragonDancer4793: Well if you want I can take you home with me and you can sleep there instead of here in the burnt out forrest

Alisha Maddox: Her eyes lit up as she raised her head. "Really? You mean sleep in an actual bed? And have real food? And be warm and not worry about something wanting to eat me?"

DragonDancer4793: ::Not like he was planning to leave her here in the first place:: Yes Warm bed real food and nothing planning to eat you... well something may wanting to eat you but not following through

Alisha Maddox: She raised a brow. "Oh really? And tell me what would want to eat me besides orcs?"

DragonDancer4793: Hmm the occasional dragon or unidentifiable demon type.. any number of residents in golden Myst

Alisha Maddox: "Oh." That was her only answer. She gave him a look as she went to gather her things.

DragonDancer4793: ::he smiled watching her watching her his heart feeling something he had not felt in some time::

Alisha Maddox: After stuffing everything into her saddle bag, she took the reins of her horse and smiled. "All ready when ever you are."

DragonDancer4793: ::he looked to her and then the horse and smiled:: Ok

Alisha Maddox: "So how long will it take for us to get where we are going?"

DragonDancer4793: :;he looked to her for a moment..:: You really want to know?

Alisha Maddox: "Um maybe not but go ahead and tell me anyway."

DragonDancer4793: Well about as long as it takes to blink your eyes and your horse to flip out

Alisha Maddox: 'Oh God. Give me a sec." She took the sash that was belted at her waist and used it as a blindfold for her horse. Maybe she should have used it for her self. Turning back to Brandon, she nodded. "All right now I am ready."

DragonDancer4793: ::There was an explosion of fire and swirling of smoke and when it cleared they were out of the forrest and standing before a tall shimmering castle hundreds of miles away from where they were a second ago::

Alisha Maddox: She did not even have time to blink before she saw one of the most beautiful castle's she had ever seen. Her horse barely noticed. Taking the blindfold off of him, she looked at Brandon. "You have done well for your self."

DragonDancer4793: This is not my castle Alisha

Alisha Maddox: "Oh. Does it belong to your woman?"

DragonDancer4793: This is Golden Myst The grand dutchess Gelina and I were once a pair But that was a long time ago I have no woman

Alisha Maddox: Her mouth made an "O" as that little tid bit sunk in. He was single. Well damn that made this even more difficult. She began chewing on a nail as she looked around. "Um stable?"

DragonDancer4793: I am quite stable here actually

Alisha Maddox: She laughed. "That is not what I meant you dolt. I meant stable for the horse."

DragonDancer4793: Oh... ::he smiled to her and took her hand and lead her to the stable::

Alisha Maddox: She followed him down to the stable and became quiet. What if this woman did not want her here because of her past with Brandon. Well she would find out soon enough. She had just found him and was not ready to say good-bye to him just yet.

DragonDancer4793: ::he looked to her:: Your not going anywhere Do not worry

Alisha Maddox: "How did you know what I was thinking?"

DragonDancer4793: ::he looked to her and frowned:: Sorry it was wrong of me

Alisha Maddox: "No it wasn't wrong. I just did not know you could read minds is all. Guess I will have to watch what I am thinking when I am around you."

DragonDancer4793: With great ease actually
::he stopped at the stable and the hands knowing him as an advisor to the grand dutchess jumped too to get her horse and get him borded::

Alisha Maddox: She raised her brows and smiled. It was great that her horse would have a warm, safe stable for the night. She glanced at Brandon. "Thank you."

DragonDancer4793: ::He smiled to her and nodded:: hey I am an advisor to the dutchess here.. May as well get some perks from it

Alisha Maddox: "Now where am I suppose to sleep? I really would love to get cleaned up."

DragonDancer4793: Of course ::he nodded to the stable hands than began to lead her toward the front gates of the castle::

Alisha Maddox: She looked down at her self and tried to brush some of the dirt from her dress. It only made it worse and after a few moments she gave up. She hitched the saddle bag up a little more on her shoulder as she followed him.

DragonDancer4793: :;he reached over without looking and took her saddle bag from her and carried it:: We will stay here tonight than tomorrow I will take you to my cabin in the woods you can have more privacy there

Alisha Maddox: "Brandon I don't know what to say or how to pay you back for everything

[brandon]

He turned and looked to her smiling, "Alisha you need not repay me, It used to be my job to look after you as the king why do you think I would wish to stop now in light of my drop in station. I failed to protect the kingdom." He looked down for a moment his emotions showing before he took a breath and recovered. "Let's get you inside and get warm"

[Alisha Maddox]

“Nae Brandon it was not your fault that kingdom fell. We were invaded. And your station has nothing to do with it. And I am not sure what you want to stop. Stop being who you are or stop accepting who you are? No one would have thought our kingdom could fall to such a heinous act. But it did. You and I survived for what we are worth. We need to move on and embrace our future.”

She looked away for a moment and sighed.

“Your right. The night has a chill to it. If possible I would love a hot bath.”

She raised a brow and hoped his answer would be yes.

[brandon]

Of course Alisha come I will show you to the Bathing area He lead her to the place where there could be drawn a hot bath and asked one of the servant women who happened to be running by if they could get her some towels and if it were possible some clean clothing for her to wear while her own clothing could be mended. He then turned to Alisha smiling and said After you finish here come seek me in the main throne room down at the base of the main stair case and I shall get you something warm to eat and a warm place to sleep

[Alisha Maddox]

She followed him in utter awe at what she saw. She watched Brandon leave the bath house and stripped off her clothes. Once in the hot water, she made quick use of the soap. By the time she was done, every inch of her had been scrubbed twice. Running her fingers through her hair, she stepped from the tub and quickly dried her self off. Thanking the servant, she put on the borrowed clothes and sat for a moment. So much to understand in such short time. She thought everyone was dead and here comes Brandon. Even more powerful then she remembered. Slowly standing, she grabs another towel and sets off to find him. It wasn't that hard but she took her time as she looked around her surroundings. Finding Brandon, she smiled, her eyes bright.

"At least I don't smell anymore. Again I thank you Brandon."

She curtsied to him, her body low to the ground. It had been practiced and perfected since she was a child.

[brandon]

He smiled when seeing her and watched her curtsie.."Alright wow wow Alisha you do not need to do that anymore. I am not your King anymore. I am just Brandon the only thing royal is that I am a royal pain in the arse so no formalities please" He smiled to her and gestered her to the bar where he had a bowl of hot stew was steaming, along with fresh hot bread and a goblet of something cool to drink. "Here eat, then we will get you somewhere to rest"

[Alisha Maddox]

"The only thing that maybe royal about you is that but you know me Brandon. Respect is given where it is due."

Eyes lit up as he mentioned food.

"Stew?"

She followed him to the bar and slid onto a stool. Inhaling the scent of the fresh stew, made her stomach rumble. Tearing off a piece of bread, she dunked in the stew and popped it in her mouth. All assemblence of mannors gone, she devoured the bowl, the bread and her drink within minutes. Closing her eyes, she moaned. Hearing her self act in such a mannor, she jerked her self to attention and blushed. Looking over at Brandon, she groaned inwardly. Her mouth still full of food, she spoke.

"I am so sorry you had to witness such a thing. Please forgive me."

[brandon]

He sat quietly watching her eat silently letting his mind wander to things. Her being hee was making him think of his old home, Oh how he missed it. None of the petty disagreements that were presant here. Unlike him Alisha had been born there and she had never known any other world so how hard was it going to be for her to live in a different type of world. Sure she had ventured out from time to time. It is what kept her alive but she had always had the sanctuary to return too. Well no matter what he would be here to help her. He would never leave her alone again. He had failed her once never again