Writers Block

ade had lost Nicole and Darryl but a wise women told her when Jade was young that curses only lasted so long and then the blessings came. The only thing Jade wanted was Darryl back, but she knew that was impossible. Jade sighed, and settled back in her seat to rest, and think. Now that she'd decided to take up her staff again, she didn't really need Marc on this trip, but it would be nice to have some back-up in case of trouble; and trouble was something that always abounded on such trips. On the other hand, once they met up with Mark it was unlikely that anything would attack them, magickal or mundane. The mundane Kat and Mark could handle without problem, the magickal she and Mark would deal with. And with both her and Marc gone, there was nobody with magick left in the house. The thought caused her some small alarm; the house was her most prized possession - with a couple of exceptions - and she didn't want to leave it unprotected. Jade decided to send Marc home to protect her house once they met up with Mark. Jade's eyes rested on Kat. Despite granting the girl her freedom the moment she'd got her home, *away* from her previous owner, Jade still at times considered her to be one of her possessions. She knew that Kat knew this, and didn't mind. Indeed, Jade thought that at times Kat probably still thought of herself as a slave - it was hard to erase 14 years of programming, no matter how long you had to do it in. Jade peeked out the window, and saw it was approaching midnight. She settled back again, and began her meditation.

***

The coach reached Teknosar around lunch time the next day. Kat had left the coach and had been jogging along beside since mid-morning, which had given Jade time to cast a spell over Marc to make him forget seeing her talisman, and explain to him why he'd be returning home with the coach. He had actually been quite pleased to go. He didn't particularly like adventures, and was perfectly happy to have run of the house while Kat and Jade were gone. Jade knew this, and didn't care. She knew he wouldn't manage to get anywhere important.

The coach stopped at the inn, and Marc and the coachman took Kat and Jade's bags in. Kat was standing by the door as Jade exited the coach, and the two entered the inn together.
"Mistress Hayward, I have prepared your rooms," said the inn keeper. "My wife has heated bath water for you, and tonight's meal is lamb, bread and wine."
"Very good, thank you, Goodman Thornhill," said Jade, as he lead them upstairs to their room.
He left them alone, and they both selected less travel-worn clothes to change into. Jade noticed Kat's bag held only leather outfits, and resolved to buy her a dress. They might have to go somewhere, and Kat's outfits weren't always exactly suited to public decency. Marc and the coachman left, and Kat and Jade went down to the bathing room to wash. The inn-keeper's wife had just finished filling two tubs, and stood back to let them enter.
"I'm Anne-Marie," she introduced herself. "I run the kitchen. Do either of you want anything special?"
"No, thank you," replied Jade, moving to the furthest tub.
"Just bang on the wall when you're done, and Tim'll come empty the tubs. Have a nice stay."
"We shall, I'm sure," replied Jade, and Anne-Marie left.

***

Bathed and changed, Jade and Kat went across town to another inn. Jade had said she'd meet Mark here, and she had no doubt that he'd be there already. The two sat at a table, and ordered a light meal and some wine. After she'd paid and the meal arrived, Mark entered the inn. He walked directly to them, and sat down. Then he pushed back his hood. Kat's eyes widened as she looked at him. His dark hair and eyes made a striking contrast against his pale skin, and his sharply pointed ears made it obvious he was an elf. Kat thought he was just as sexy as the last time she'd seen him at age 14.
"Hello, Jade," he said.
"Mark," she replied, as he turned to look at Kat.
"I remember you. Looking a little more human now than you were then."
He flicked Kat's ear, and she lifted a hand to her very slightly pointed ear, and suddenly noticed several similarities between herself and Mark. They both had dark hair and pale skin, both were smaller than normal humans, and both had - apparently - very good senses. The only main difference was Kat's blue eyes, compared to his dark - almost black - ones. Kat's eyes flew to Jade, who nodded once. She hadn't lied when she'd told Kat she was half dryad - she just hadn't mentioned that Kat's other half was dark elf.
Mark looked Kat over very obviously, then turned back to Jade, suddenly all business.
"Don't think that I'm as easily distracted as the humans by that," he said, nodding toward Kat. "Make me an offer, and we'll see about me joining this little expedition of yours."

Jade smiled for she knew Kat had little to no human in her. She could tell Mark that he would work for her as he owed her a favor but that would ruin her fun and she wanted to have fun. Plus she had lots of gold so paying him wasn't going to be a hassle. She started haggling with Mark over price and Kat watched intently. Kat never quite understood how Jade was such a good negotiator but liked watching all the same. Her eyes fell once again on Mark. She couldn't help noticing his very fine developed, well looked after body. She started thinking about how nice it would be to run around with Mark by her side. She shook her head trying to clear her thoughts, this was no time to not pay attention.
Jade and Mark had reached a stalemate. Jade wouldn't go any higher and Mark was trying to get more money out of her. Kat looked at Jade and noted the twinkle in her eye. Jade nodded and Kat instantly knew what that meant. She was actually looking forward to dance. She hadn't done it for a long time and she had a few moves that she would like to show Mark. Not easily distracted Kat thought, lets see about that!

Kat rose from the table and without saying a word had all eyes on her. A few people gasped at either her beauty or the fact that they saw it was Jade's winning hand in all negations. Kat walked from her seat around the table drawing more attention to herself and her knives after all she didn't want to give anyone the wrong impression.
As Kat danced Jade watched Mark's face. He knew within a second he was defeated in more ways than one. Mark watched intently noticing that Kat was no longer the scraggly little girl he once saw. He too had grown up since back then and didn't get himself into trouble anymore but he knew that he was bound to get into trouble. He turned to Jade briefly and nodded his acceptance of her price then turned back to watch Kat. Done Jade thought as she saw Mark falling in love with Kat. Pity though, I thought he would have been a tougher challenge

***

Jade had sent Mark and Kat on a few errands. Kat may have won Mark' heart but it was going to take a bit more of a dance before Mark would warm up to the idea. In the meantime Jade headed into the main part of town. She decided to go on her shopping spree and buy a few things. To start with however she bought Kat a dress. It was very shapely and revealing. The material was elegant and a cross between the smooth look of silk but the feel and swish from crepe, the colour was two toned. It looked blue but if the light hit it right looked a royal purple.
Next thing she decided to get Kat was the braces. She had them specially marked with a few symbols, Jade's own symbol, the Ankh symbol and a strange symbol Jade had seen in a vision. It was as Jade understood Kat's very own symbol and like Jade's only half complete. It meant that Kat's symbol would only be complete with another symbol like Jade's was complete with Darryl's. On second thought Jade also decided to get a broach for herself with the full symbol of Jade and Darryl. She would wear it to the ball that would be in the next week or so. Jade hadn't been invited yet but she knew it was only a matter of time. After all the King of Teknosar would probably in a lot of trouble with his wife if he forgot to invite Jade.
After buying a few things she needed for her magick pouch and a new hilt and dagger for her newest employee with of course her symbol on it she headed back to the inn. It was getting late and tea was ready when Jade got back. She decided to have it in her room and requested Mark and Kat eat with her. After dinner she gave them their presents. Mark was surprised as he wasn't expecting anything and Kat was thrilled.
Kat looked at the dress, the braces and the dagger and pouch Jade had gotten. The would have cost quite a bit of money but Kat knew that was just Jade's way. Kat started to study the detail on her braces and spotted amongst the incredible design three symbols. Two she recognised but the third she didn't. She asked Jade what it was and handed it to Mark who wanted to see. Jade explained that the symbol was hers and what it meant. Mark looked at Jade rather directly and questionably. He too had a symbol and he had never shown it to anyone but his symbol would complete Kat's. Jade just smiled.
Mark grumbled, thanked Jade for the gift and excused himself. Kat looked a little surprised as his sudden departure but didn't ask Jade about it. She would probably only get one of Jade's smiles that said a thousand things and yet never answered the question.

***

The next morning dawned bright and clear. Kat entered Jade's room after she had gone jogging and then bathed. She wasn't the least bit surprised to see that Jade was awake and meditating. Kat sat across from her and tried to free her mind and join in the meditation. It had sort of become a routine and even though Kat still had problems slowing her mind down for meditation she enjoyed just the presence that seemed to be around Jade when she meditated.
Kat opened her eyes and found Jade watching her.

"Your getting better at it" She commented
"Thanks, I still can't seem to block out the noise around me"
"You don't have to, try instead to listen to all the noises next time"
"Will that help?"
"There are many ways to meditate so I don't know, you will find your own way eventually if you haven't already"

Kat wondered about what Jade said as breakfast was brought in by Anne-Marie.

"Mistress Hayward, this is for you" Ann-Marie said then asking if they wanted anything else left the room

The envelope Jade was handed was a cream colour and had a wax seal on the back. The seal represented the letter to come from the King. Jade opened it and read the letter out to Kat. Kat immediately understood why she had gotten a dress yesterday. Kat grinned cheekily as Jade said she would take both herself and Mark. If Mark was impressed by the dress yesterday when Kat wasn't wearing it he would definitely be impressed when she was.

Anne-Marie came back to collect their bowls as Jade and Kat were discussing what to wear to the ball.
"Anne-Marie," asked Jade, "can you recommend a good hair stylist?"
"Certainly," Anne-Marie replied. "For the ball, is it? There's one just 3 doors down from the inn, to the left. I can recommend a seamstress, too, if you wish?"
"No, we already have dresses," Jade replied. "I had mine made before we left, and I bought one for Kat yesterday."
Anne-Marie followed Jade's finger to where Kat's dress was hung on a doorknob.
"What lovely material. It'll go wonderfully with your eyes, dear."
"Yes," replied Kat, with a quick grin at Jade. "The question is, will it go with these?"
She tapped her new bracers, and Anne-Marie's eyes widened significantly.
"You can't possibly expect to wear weapons to the King's ball!"
"You can't possibly expect me *not* to," replied Kat.
"But it's a BALL!"
"And?"
"It's a party! You don't take weapons to a party!"
"I do."
Anne-Marie looked most distressed. Jade shook her head. Kat always seemed to delight in shocking the decent folk. Jade moved to her case and removed her dress. It was emerald green, and made of beautiful silk. She'd had it made 5 years ago, for her and Darryl's anniversary, but had never worn it, because that was when he'd fallen ill. She was glad now that she'd had it made in a simple style. Not only did it flatter her figure, but it meant the dress was still in style.
"I'll need to get this laundered," said Jade, attempting unsuccessfully to shake out the travel creases, and distracting Anne-Marie's horrified contemplation of Kat.
"Oh, yes, certainly, Mistress Hayward. I'll see to it personally."
Anne-Marie gathered the bowls and Jade's dress, and fled the room. Kat was chuckling quietly to herself.
"You really shouldn't do that, you know," scolded Jade with a smile.
"Oh, I know, but it's so much fun."
"Never mind. You need shoes, you can't wear boots with that dress - knee-high *or* ankle boots. I forbid it," she added, as she saw Kat was about to protest. "You may wear the bracers, and concealed weapons, but nothing visible, and no leather. Are we understood?"
Kat sighed.
"Yes, Mistress."
"Good. Now let's go shopping. We need to talk to the stylist, and find a jeweller. And a shop that sells shoes," she added, glancing at Kat's feet.

***

Around lunch time, Mark joined them back at the inn. The morning's shopping had been slightly productive - the stylist had assured them she could fit them in, and Jade had bought a pair of soft emerald green slippers for herself, and a pair of spiked black heels for Kat. Kat was satisfied that the spiked heel would compensate for not being able to carry daggers in her boots. Jade's dress had been laundered, and she was pleased to note that the shoes matched perfectly. Jade informed Mark that he would be attending the ball, and he scowled.
"I don't do formal," he said.
"You do now," Jade replied with steel in her voice.
Mark scowled, but submitted, and after lunch, Jade left him at a tailor to get a suit made. Mark liked that even less, having to wear "human" clothes, but Jade was paying him to do what she said so...

Jade purchased a sapphire and diamond necklace for Kat, and checked on the broach she had commissioned the previous day. The jeweller assured her that both would be ready by the end of the week, when they could collect them in time for the ball. Once that was done, they returned to the tailor, to find Mark scowling. He was wearing a suit, and he looked very good in it. He actually turns out quite well, thought Jade in surprise. She'd never considered elves to be good-looking, but here was Mark, proving her wrong, despite the scowl on his face. Kat however, was frowning. He looked ok, she supposed, but she *much* preferred him in the tight black leather pants and vest he usually wore. But then, if *she* wasn't allowed to wear leather then Mark had better not be allowed to either. Jade paid for the suit and the tailor promised to send it to the inn as soon as it was finished.

Shopping complete, they returned to the inn to discuss their quest for the wolves. There was something that Jade hadn't told either Kat or Mark about the wolves. It was said that once the wolves were together again, so too would be the brothers and their beloved, and Jade figured that the only way that would be possible in this time would be to open the gates to the underworld. And if that happened, maybe she'd be able to get a message, or even have some contact with, Darryl. They decided that Kat and Mark would try and gather some information about the wolves, and that a week would be the longest they'd stay in Teknosar. If Kat and Mark hadn't discovered anything by then, then it was likely there wasn't anything to be found, and they'd move on to the next town. Once that was decided, Jade settled down with a book, and Kat and Mark left the inn.

***

By lunch of the day of the ball, Kat and Mark's searching had been uneventful, and they'd talked to most of the people in inns and shopkeepers in town. That afternoon Jade and Kat prepared for the ball, whilst Mark spoke to a few more people. He did, however, leave time to dress himself in the suit Jade had purchased, and the 3 of them left for the ball in a hired coach. Mark's reaction to Kat's dress had been extremely satisfying - after gasping and choking, he'd complimented them both, and helped them into the coach - choking a second time at the split in Kat's dress. And then he'd spent more than half the trip to the place attempting to master himself. Jade had been very pleased with herself. He was definitely caught now.

The palace was gently lit with mage fire, which burned brightly blue against the high ceilings, casting a soft golden glow down upon the assorted gentry as they entered the ball room, which was lit in a similar fashion. The coach stopped by the front doors, and Mark got out, then offered Jade a hand down, which she accepted. He then helped Kat down, and the three of them approached the palace. The herald announced them as they entered, and every eye in the room turned towards them. They looked, and continued to look.

And well they might. Kat's dress was stunning, with a scandalous split up the right side that she had carefully lengthened with a pair of nail scissors, and a neckline that plunged so low that she may as well have been topless. A couple of well-placed stitches had ensured that the dress fit her shapely form perfectly, accentuating the already noticeable curves, and the pointed heels put an even more sensual sway to her walk. The bracers had been polished so they gleamed in the light, and the beautiful sapphire necklace both set off the dress and drew even more attention to the swell of her bosom. She was beautiful. No man in the room could look just once - each had to look three or four times to make sure they weren't imagining her. The women became suddenly jealous, angry, or both, and several female egos withered the second Kat entered the room.

But, as beautiful as she was, Kat couldn't hold a candle to Jade. Her emerald green dress was almost the exact opposite of Kat's - it left very little skin exposed, but it was tight and shapely enough to draw the male eye to the charms hidden beneath. Her hair was tied in a bun, held with an emerald studded comb, and emeralds adorned her ears. The matching bracelet and broach were sinfully expensive, but she looked like she'd been born wearing them. Two items alone that Jade was wearing were worth more money than most people in the room could make in a year. She was still wearing the engagement and wedding rings Darryl had given her, but had removed all the others and locked them in her case with a strong enchantment. Whilst she didn't sway as Kat did, drawing attention to her hips, her stately carriage sent its own message of experience which was just as tempting to the males in the room.

And between them stood Mark, darkly handsome, and obviously somewhat exotic, and half the women in the room instantly wished their husbands were not in attendance this night. The men thought it extremely unfair that he was here with the two women. Once they'd been announced, a swarm of the gentry of Teknosar descended upon them, wanting to introduce themselves to the assembled party.

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