After Layla had composed herself and tied her robe securely, Verial and her spoke of the light he saw over Arthuran. Layla had never seen such a thing and the event was not a common occurrence either. The Lady of Bariston then proceeded to tell Verial about Sahar's dream and the pain, misery and death that accompanied it. With the mysterious light, Sahar's waking vision and Alastair's words that sometime soon they would see Elijah Bluefield again, the two began to wonder if this was all connected. After all, was it not better to be a least a little bit paranoid and strengthen their defenses just in case anything did happen? Verial never put the possibility to rest that there wouldn't be another attack against Grand City or the rest of Aleris for that matter. These current and curious going-ons, these subtle little hints, only seemed to further demonstrate that the worst was not over yet.
In the midst of their conversation, Verial suggested it was possibly time for Layla to go back home to Bariston. Both, however, were willing to openly admit that neither was ready to depart from each other's company just yet, something that had not been discussed between that two recently. As selfish as it might have appeared to others, Verial let Layla know that of course he wanted her to stay by his side, but eventually she would have to return back to Bariston. A few more days Layla would stay on in Grand City until it was time to face the bitter music that was business, reality and ruling a realm.
As far as the preset was concerned though, why weren't the two allowed to enjoy each other's company at least for this evening? Verial pulled Layla close to him in a deep, lingering kiss while one of his hands, bolder than before, traveled upwards along the length of her side where it eventually sifted through Layla's blonde tresses. Once Layla was able to pull herself away from Verial's lips, with a nervous voice she offered herself to Verial - that if he wanted her, he could have her. Layla also hinted at that fact that she had never been intimate with anyone before, a thought which Verial took into consideration even when he carried Layla to her bed and laid her down. Verial asked if she was sure she wanted to do this and Layla responded that if she backed out now, she wouldn't forgive herself later.
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When it was over, Verial had stayed the night with Layla, holding the Lady of Bariston in his arms as the two managed to once again catch their breath, and as luck would have it for Layla the Insomniac, fall asleep.
----
(The next morning...)
They slept into the late hours of the morning, perhaps too late for others' comfort. Verial was perfectly content with sleeping by Layla's side, but unfortunately, his sensitive drow hearing caught the sound of the door to Layla's adjoining room opening. From the other room next to Layla's and down the short length of hallway came her most trusted advisor and healer, the desert magae Sahar.
Upon stepping into the light of the room, Sahar stopped in her tracks frozen on the spot at the sight before her. A disheveled sheet was covering both of their lower halves and Verial had a raven feathered wing folded over Layla's torso, almost protective-like in appearance. Beneath the sheet, was a subtle outline of their legs intertwined and locked together. It was obviously clear that something had happened.
Sensing her unnerving silence, Verial slowly opened his odd colored eyes and looked at Sahar who in response opened her mouth once and then twice as if to say something. Verial managed to offer her an almost charming smile in response until she was turning back on her heels and heading back into her own room. After Sahar was gone, Verial started to wake Layla by running a hand across her side and then placing a kiss on her neck. While Verial's head was bowed and Layla was starting to rouse with an exhausted moan, Verial whispered into her ear.
"I thought you might like to know, Sahar was here just a few moments ago. I think she might need to talk to you."
Layla looked up at Verial, her gray eyes suddenly widening as she was now fully awake. Slowly she mouthed the words, "Oh. Gods."
Together the two sat up in bed and Verial glanced around for his clothing knowing that his extended visit with Layla had come to a close. He started to get dressed as Layla brushed her hair down with her fingers and looked for her robe. After pulling on his clothes and his boots, Verial circled around the bed and went to face Layla who was standing as well and tying her robe together, casting lingering looks towards Sahar's door. When Layla turned her gaze upwards to him, Verial pulled her close for a brief moment, letting his arms wrap around Layla's sides in a hug. He kissed her softly and then leaned back taking his hands in hers.
"Thank you, Layla," Verial said though he was not quite sure what he was thanking her for. Perhaps that she had given herself to him, that she had trusted him completely. "Normally, I'd not want to leave like this, but considering the situation that we're in, I think it's for the best. I'll see you again soon."
The last thing Verial wanted Layla to think was that he had just slept with her and was making a hasty retreat as soon as possible. However, there was truth in his words. People never expected the king of a realm or the ruler of a continent to oversleep. They were supposed to be awake every hour. There was always something to be done and someone to please. In his mind, Verial knew that Layla was aware of this as well. Perhaps he was being over cautious with Layla or perhaps he still had that lingering feeling in the back of his mind that something was about to happen and that that something was going to be devastating.
----
(Two days later...)
Verial and Captain Ambrose Pennington were in one of the castle's council rooms looking over some improvements to Aleris' current government. When King Alerion was present, some positions had been drastically overlooked which could have been the cause for such easy take overs. Aleris needed more eyes and Verial was going to see that this entire realm had other leadership looking after it as well, not just him and Layla - people that cared for Aleris and would die fighting for it.
In addition to crafting new positions that the kingdom of Aleris lacked, Verial was also ensuring that the army of Grand City - including soldiers, mages and healers - were training hard. Constantly the castle grounds were filled with the ranks of Grand City's army, practicing as much as they could and refining techniques, some that they had never been taught before. He had a feeling about the discussion he had the other evening with Layla. Something was going on in Aleris and while those forces were currently unseen, Verial wanted the city to be ready in case anything did happen.
"This is what I've thought of. Tell me what you think Ambrose and be honest," Verial said.
Verial pointed to each ranking on the map as his finger glided from top to bottom of the chart, from one position to the next. "At the top, there's the King of Aleris or Protector Regent, which is currently me unless someone finds Alerion's illegitimate children running around."
Ambrose blinked in surprise, not quite knowing what to say, but Verial smiled at him amusedly and laughed a little. "I'm kidding, Ambrose. Moving on... Beneath the king would be the gods of each continent and then under each deity, a ruling body of said continent, like Layla for Elved for example. There will then be a Magister or Magistra for each city. This will be followed by the Commander of each continent's army and the god's own Avatar. Below them are the ranks of Soldiers, Royal Guards and the religious - like Priests and Priestesses. Then finally, we have the more civil positions in Aleris - like the Editor in Chief for The Chronicle and shop managers followed by reporters and employees."
"What about Eiler? Would there be a ruling body for that continent seeing as how you're present?"
"I thought of that actually and I don't believe it does. In the case of Eiler we need neither a ruling body for the continent or a Magister for Grand City, since the king is usually situated in Grand City. What do you think?"
"I whole heartedly agree, M'Lord. I believe this will give Aleris a little bit more structure that it was previously lacking."
Verial opened his mouth to speak and add to his thoughts - he wanted to start looking for people to fill these new positions right away - but Miles suddenly came running in the council room, clearly out of breath as if he had ran twenty miles with a lion snapping its jaws behind him the entire time. Miles leaned over the table for a moment, his hand on his heart above the plate of his armor. At long last, he caught his breath and able to speak, he lifted his head to look at both Verial and Ambrose's questioning stares with a grave look on his own face.
"I received this letter from some of our other officers in Bariston," Miles said holding up a piece of folded parchment paper to Ambrose and Verial. The two of them took it and read it over as Miles continued to speak. "There are reports that say that Shimmer Town and Garis Town have been attacked. The population has been decimated and other bodies unaccounted for have strangely disappeared. The towns have been littered with the remains of bloody corpses."
Miles doubled over for a moment as if he was going to hurl just thinking about shreds of people decorating the two small cities on the western side of Elved. Or maybe the man was just out of breath. Helping to straighten out Miles and get him standing on his feet again, Verial regarded the nervous captain seriously with his odd colored eyes.
"Does anyone know what attacked the cities?"
"There is some speculation that it may be therianthropes, but there are other signs that this work was not done alone by beasts. Some were bodies were charred and severely burned beyond recognition, reeking of the scent of dark magic."
"Miles, go tell the Lady of Bariston right away. If whatever attacked Shimmer Town and then Garis Town is heading southward, it will eventually arrive at Bariston. Ambrose," Verial said turning to the captain by his side, "if possible, find out what condition Vandual is in. It wasn't mentioned in this letter."
With their tasks in mind, Miles and Ambrose left the council room right away, Miles seeking out Layla and Ambrose heading away to get any news on Vandual if possible. Verial glanced down at the realm's newly though out positions, but his mind wasn't on it. Suddenly he began to think of what Layla told him of Sahar's dream. Is this the darkness that was beginning to run its course through the lands of Aleris? If Shimmer and Garis Town were only the first stepping stones, what was next? And when Miles mentioned therianthropes, Verial had no doubt that Elijah Bluefield, or worse Alastair, had to have a hand in it. Verial hated to think he would have to send Layla back to Bariston with the possibility of it being taken over, but he knew that unfortunately it was where she belonged.
Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2012 3:41 pm
