Memories before a New Life

[Jonel]

As Anzhela and her love await for the ship to pull into the port town her thoughts drift back to before she met her beloved Sergei. Her thoughts jump back to when she was a little girl and her beautiful mother, with her dark brown eyes and jet black locks, looks down at her with concern and a sadness that Anzhela couldn't understand as she bandaged Anzhela's arm. Sniffling Anzhela related the story of how the other children in the village, from 6 to 10 yr old, had started tormenting her because she had snow white hair and not the Raven black of the Villagers, calling her things like Demon-girl, or other mean hurtful things. She also told of how the children had pushed her and pulled on her new fur coat, eventually knocking her down. She finished by telling her mother of how the leader of the pack, Ludvig, had taken a rock and threw it at her ripping her coat and cutting her arm. When Anzhela had finished her tale her mother enveloped her in her arms and stroked her hair. Her mother told her how much she loved her and that she was no demon, but Anzhela was her gift from the heavens, her angel.

Her thoughts then jumped ten years later, to when she had filled out to the beautiful young woman her mother always told her she would be. She was sowing costumes for the winter solstice that was taking place that night, all of the young women where to design a costume for themselves, and Anzhel's was to be made from the pelts of winter wolves. Anzhela sat a little distance away from the rest of the girls who where working on their costumes, because they would never let her join any of their groups even now that they where all of marrying age, some of them already married. Keeping her eyes down she holds up the top part of her costume and examines her handy work, nodding after a bit she carefully and gently sets it to the side so it doesn't get ruined and starts on the bottoms smiling to herself and thinking that Kirill would be surprised at how pretty she was and ask her mother to court her. At that moment Kira, the beauty of the village, decided to join the group of girls and began her whispering and pointing in Anzhela's direction, while Anzhela simply kept her eyes averted keeping as quiet as possible hoping she would be left alone. After Kira was was done whispering and making the other girls giggle, she stood and walked over to Anzhela and stood watching her, Anzhela kept her eyes down and continued to sow. Kira sneered at Anzhela and kicked muddy snow onto her costume ruining the pure white fur. Horrified Anzhela just sat there staring at the fur her dreams of catching Kirill's eye shattering.

It was that night that Anzhela left her village, and her mother.

[Jonel]

Its dark as Anzhela reaches the crest hill and looks over her shoulder at the fires that out line the village and its festivities for the last time, tears falling down her cheeks. As she begins to decend the other side, the village becoming blocked by the hill, she turned her head to see where she was going, but as she did she ran it to something hard, falling with the wind knocked out of her. Shaking her head from being dazed she looked up and a horrified expression fell on her face. The thing she ran into was Tornov, one of Ludvig's lackeys, who stood there silent as he sneered at her.

A grim smile touches her lips as the memory plays out.

Scrambling to get away from him she turned to get to her feet, but as she did so a hand clamped on her hair yanking her back, and his other hand covered her mouth as she screamed from the pain. Tornov pulled her close moving his hand from her hair to her waist, holding her in a crushingly tight grip against his body. His breathing was labored as he breathed on her neck while she struggled to get free. Her screams where muffled by his hand, only being heard by a single pair of ears. She goes limp sobbing as she realizes she isn't strong enough to break his hold on her, at that moment his tongue slid across her cheek through the stream of tears. Tornov chuckled as she shivers, at that moment she noticed a pair of eyes of small eyes watching her, thoughts entered her head, thoughts of sending the man flying from her or worse. Anzhela just wanted Tornov off of her, Closing her eyes she followed one of the thoughts. Tornov screamed as he went flying away from her, a snow white spot on his chest, as his grip leaves her she falls to the ground limp, and sobbing. After a while she slowly calmed down realizing there was something furry curled up around her hand. Looking down she noticed that her hand was surrounded by a white furry creature. Hesitantly she pets the creature causing it to unwind itself and stand on its back legs looking into her eyes. The creature was relaying to her through thought that her name was Tania, and she was Anzhela's familiar.

After getting over the shock of Kira, Anzhela thought about Tornov and what had happened. Looking around she spots the lifeless form of Tornov at the base of a tree, Tania confirmed that he was dead, killed by Anzhela's burst of magic. Horrified that she could do such a thing she stood and ran from the scene, and south away from the village.

Anzhela's thoughts then jumped to the day she entered Cormyr and started her flower sales. She had found an abandoned hut a short distance from the city, but secluded so no one would bother her or Tania. She had been living there for about four months, having turned seventeen years old two months prior, growing flowers and making her own cloths. It was on the sixth month that Tania convinced her to sell some of the flowers she grew along with some of her beautiful clothes. It was on that day that her life took a new turn as well.

[KimKandor]

For Sergei, growing up in Cormyr would seem to have been living a blessed life. The noble family Kalnikov would spare no expense to train an educate him from the time he learned to walk. Every morning, he would awake to an array of tutors all waiting to instruct him in things such as propper manners and etiquette, music, voice, battle, and everything a nobleman should know to cunduct himself properly in his daily activities and social gatherings. Such a life was known only to the very wealthy or influential and Sergei's parents wanted nothing short of the absolute finest education for their future diplomat.

Living in total seclusion on the family estate in the outskirts of Susail, Sergei was oblivious to the constant struggle going on outside the high walls which surround his entire life. While Cormyr falls into decline and noble families fight and bicker over land and property, factions from outside and within vie to grab any foothold upon the once prosperous and thriving land. Bandits roam the streets and back alleys, waylaying unsuspecting carriages and travelers in as great a number as the merchants that dot the countryside. Mercenary groups such as the Zhentarim make trade selling their strong arms to anyone with the coin to hire them and a desire to keep said coin on their personage. For all the troubles the land suffered, the noble houses were still able to maintain secret and sheltered lives for their family members and hirelings who only very rarely got a glimpse of the daily struggles the common man endures.

Growing into a young man over the years, Sergei finds ballrooms and court proceedings as familiar and relaxing as riding a snorting stalion across fields of yellow and green. Strong of mind and character, his body while well disciplined and trained is not scarred from battle nor his shoulders stooped from work. Tall and handsome the young noble would be the catch for any young lady and his mannerisms would always be polite, friendly and complimentry, for he was trained to present himself as a person of breeding and culture. His carefull attention to detail, his thoughtfull deliberation and his soft voice might give the impression he was hiding something, but his kind eyes and genuine smile easily sets most any interactions to rights. In all ways Sergei outwardly would seem happy, confident and complete, but as he grew older and into his late teens, an inner sadness would fill his heart, growing as he did, something was missing he couldn't quite put his hand upon.

Little did Sergei nor his parents know, that his perfect life was about to take drastic change. For as many times often happens, circumstance will wiggle a finger into the finest layed plans upending them and bending all involved to the wiles and ultimate decisions of fate.

/// I will be continuing in the next posting, stay tuned for the further adventures as nobility finds destiny.

[KimKandor]

Sergei awakes, his vision blurred and head aching. Wiping his eyes, covered in mud, slowly he tries to make out his surroundings. Blinking as he sits, he realises on cobblestones of a city street, his vision still unclear, his hand reaches out in an effort to find some bit of reality to hold onto.

His hand finds something, something soft and grasping, delicate fingers encircle his own gently pulling him to his knees. A soft voice penetrates his clouded hearing, calling him to come, to hurry before they return. Holding the hand, he tries to stand, his head slumped foreward as he works to get his balance. As he regains his feet, his eyes behold the owner of the voice, the most beautifull woman he's ever seen is helping him, telling him in a kind voice to move, to follow her.

The circumstances begin to flood his mind, his carriage assaulted, his guards beaten, and his property stolen. Sergei thrown from the carriage as it overturned, the horses scattering as their traces break, the sounds of fighting outside, his concious descending into blackness. While the recent past fades to the present, he takes note of where he's been taken, and by who'm.

Anzhela floats around the small room, brightly decorated in flowers of all shapes and colors. Bolts of cloth can be seen piled high in the corners, and under the large table near the stove. Pots od dyes line the back of the table where various needls and thread can be found. She hums softly as she boils some water on the large black iron wood fired oven. The pot steams loudly whistling, Anzhela pours some of the water into a basin, then sprinkles some rose petals and other herbs into the bowl, mixing them gently. Once her mixture is complete, she lifts a small cloth from the table beside the stove, turning towards Sergei.

His eyes wide open as the vision of his dreams turns to towards him, he cannot speak as he's transfixed upon her. She moves to his side, her feet making no sound as she glides over to him, her perfect hand holding the cloth which she dips into the basin, then moves towards his forehead. Her white hair and light skin sparkle in the flickering candle light, she gently dabs at the cut upon his brow, a smile on her face as she tends to his wounds. Sergei, frozen in place, his eyes staring as she wipes away his blood, dipping the cloth once again cleansing it.

Sergei recovers slowly as his injuries prove to be more than he'd first imagined. While Anzhela tends her flower cart during the day, then returns in the evening to work her cloth into the finest of clothing, Sergei rests lying back on the cushions she's gathered together for him. His eyes never leaving her, infatuated by her skill, her beauty, her lovely hair as white as snow. He doesn't mention his recoveries progress, nor his growing attachment to Anzhela for she is shy and he would never impose upon his saving angel.

// To be continued ...

[Jonel]

At first while caring for this beautiful stranger, Anzhela felt Self-conscious of herself and her home. After a few days though, of his constant watching of her, she began to relax and flow back into her daily routine of sewing and caring for her flowers. Tania though thought the man was interesting and kept getting him to scratch her head, which he was more than willing to do. Anzhela, without realizing, started to smile more and stutter when she spoke to this man or was in his vicinity. After a few weeks she realized that this feeling of happiness wouldn't last as he would have to return to his family before to long. Not knowing why, the thought of his leaving hurt her, more so then the stones that the children she grew up with used to throw at her. When she believed him to be asleep or herself alone she would silently weep at the inevitable out come, in hopes that letting it out would ease the pain and let it pass.

A few days after the painful emotions started she came home to find it empty. Thinking the worse she frantically searched the surrounding area, but after hours of fruitless searching she finally gave up and returned home, where she wept herself to sleep. Over the next few days she went through her routine in a daze, starting at every man that slightly resembled him, only to be disappointed and heart broken again. After four days of this she was abruptly awoken when her door was kicked in and she was dragged roughly outside and thrown on the ground in front of a man, that resembled the one she has fallen for, that sat on a large evil looking black horse. This man looked down at her with his cold hard eyes that held a slight amusement that made her shiver in fear. This man stared at her for what seemed, to her, an eternity before he sneered at her.

"So you are this other worldly beauty my cousin can not stop blathering about and finds so," pauses as he finds the word, " enticing.

To scared to move or speak she stared wide eyed at the man as she shivered from the cold night air and the fear he was causing. He smiled at her shivers as he continued to speak.

"My cousin does have good taste," smiles with lust in his eyes as he looks her over his eyes lingering on various places of her body. "Instead of killing you, I think I will use you against my dear cousin, by making you my mistress."

Bits of scattered laughter could be heard from the men that surrounded her and prevented any thought of escaping him. At that moment, as if by some form of magic, The man she cared for appeared behind the horse, just out of her sight. The men surrounding her all kneeled quickly as if chastized, this caused the man on the horse to turn his head and Blanch.

"C-cousin S-Sergei, W-what a p-pleasant surprise," the man on horse back stammered a hint of fear in his voice. This scared Anzhela even more, who thought an even greater misfortune had fallen on her.

"What are YOU doing here Georgie?" The Voice sounded vaguely familiar, but with the angry tone she couldn't identify the owner. Georgie then Blanched even further as the man continued, " Leave now or this will not end well, the rest of you make sure he does as he is told." Georgie sputters as the men scramble to follow the order. As the horse moves from blocking her view of the voice relieve floods her and she blacks out......

[KimKandor]

As she falls Sergei rushes to her side, nearly catching her. His eyes ablaze with concern his arms quickly gather her to him. Cradling her in his arms like a babe, he would wipe away the mud streaks her tears had made on her cheeks, gently carressing her lovely skin. His finger tracing her brow pushing a lock of silvery hair from her eyes, on one knee he tries to awaken her.

"Mi'lady", he whispers softly, his voice soothingly comforting. "Please Anzhela, wake up, Georgie is gone", as he continues, more insisting now.

She slowly would open her eyes, timidly, her hand reflexively rising to cover her face, her eyes averted as she turns away fearing some terrible touch. Sergeis smile warm and his eyes are kind as he holds her, waiting for realisation to take hold, his arms strong around her as she quivers.

"S Sergei?", Anzhela utters his name, barely audible, her voice shaking.

"Yes my love, it is I, Georgie is gone now and you're very safe", he says in a voice intended to be heard only by her. Standing now, she is still cradled in his arms, he brings her to his chest with a look of grim determination.

Georgie will pay for this, I swear on my last breath my cousin shall learn to keep his meddling hands out of my affairs", said softly to himself.

The two, Sergei and Anzhela whisper quietly as he walks back towards his horse still carrying her. Setting her up on the big stallion he jumps up behind her, holding her to him with one arm while taking up the reigns in his free hand, the horse snorting in the cool early evening air, puffing out small clouds of frosty breath. His heels dig into the stallions side sending the animal off at a quick gallup, dust flying up leaving nothing but the sounds of echoing clopping trailing off into the mist.

[DM_Sapphire_Phoenix]

Awaking with a start, she looks around wildly finding herself in a strange, but comfortable room. Her eyes fall on to the man who's head was resting on his crossed arms, his expression that of peace. It was at this moment that the memories of the previous night hit her. The gasp that escaped her throat caused the sleeping man to stir, holding a hand to her mouth she froze as if she where a young child caught doing something naughty. The man stretched and then rubbed the sleep from his eyes, oblivious to her for the moment. Frozen she watched as he looked around bleary eyed finally focusing on her and smiling like a besotted child.

"Finally you have awakened," The man's smile never wavering as he speaks, but his eyes take on a look of concern as he notices her skittishness. " Is something amiss?" At his voice she visibly relaxed and shook her head and spoke in the same tone she used with him as she did when caring for him in her home. "No, I-I was just unfamiliar with my surroundings." She then attempted to give him a smile.

Grinning like an idiot the man nodded and stood, "please wait here, I will bring something for us to eat," and without giving her a chance to respond he was off leaving her alone in the darkened room. Shivering slightly she laid back and pulled the covers over her head and counted the seconds till the man returned.