Boo hiss I say
Jan. 22nd, 2006 07:24 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
maderrFucking muses never work when I want them to. YOU'RE ALL GROUNDED.
“Isaiah Octavius Mortimer Frederick Priscus Albright! Get off that horse right this minute.”
“And they wonder why I hate my name,” Isaiah muttered irritably as he dismounted. More loudly, he said, “I knew I should have left last night.” He let out a long, loud sigh as his father bore down on him, tunic and cape and hair being whipped around by the wind.
His father came a halt, gold and jewels and adornments clanking and jangling. “Where exactly do you think you’re going?”
“Ghost slaying,” Isaiah said.
And there went the eyebrow, arching so high Isaiah wondered it didn’t fly right off his head. He bit back a sigh of abject relief as a tall man with wide shoulders and chest walked briskly toward them. Where had he been? He’d promised to distract his father.
“Sire,” the man said. “Is there a problem?”
“Only my son, like always. Beat some sense into him, please, Captain.”
“But he’s only patrolling the western quarter. Didn’t your Majesty say you wanted Prince Ike to get in more soldier work?”
“He just said he was going ghost slaying,” the King argued.
“Prince!” The Captain gave him a stern look. “Do not make such jests.”
“Yes, Jeremiah,” Ike said meekly, proud that he kept from laughing. He managed to remain stoic the whole time Jeremiah led his father away, and even as he mounted his horse and rode out of the courtyard.
But away from the castle, Ike laughed loud and long, delighted to be free of the castle again and off finally to do what he’d been aching to do since a ghost had almost killed.
He was going to kill her this time. Jeremiah had been helping him learn to fight, the Master Librarian had assisted him with research – there wasn’t a thing now that Ike didn’t know about ghosts.
Singing every raunchy ballad his father didn’t think he knew, Ike traveled away from the castle and toward the forest he had not seen since he was sixteen. Not even the dark clouds coming in fast could dampen his enthusiasm.
Ike just barely beat the rain and was grateful he did, seeing the way it came down – so heavy it looked like a solid sheet of water.
The inn was dark, but pleasantly so. One of the nicer ones, but not so well-to-do that his face would be recognized. It smelled of people, but also of a warm fire and good food.
“What’s the cost for a night?”
“Four silver,” the woman at the counter said briskly. “And we don’t argue the price.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Ike dropped six silver coins on the counter. “My own room, please.”
“Room four,” she replied, sweeping up the coins. “Up the stairs, third on the right. You get dinner and breakfast.”
“My thanks.” Ike shouldered his bag and passed through the archway from the entrance to the dining room. It was packed – farmers, laborers, fat merchants and other vagabonds. He looked around for an empty chair, relishing the way no one cared a whit that he’d just walked into the room. No one was scrambling to stand, saying his name, catching his attention. Ike smiled from the depths of his hood.
There. In the far corner, at the edge of the firelight. A small table, two chairs and one empty. And it didn’t look as though the man there had a momentarily absent companion. Ike fought his way through the room and shoved back his hood as he reached the table. “Evening,” he said pleasantly, wishing his accent wasn’t so hopelessly city. “Mind I share your table?”
“Not at all, good sir.” The stranger smiled and motioned for him to sit.
Ike sat down and caught the eye of a tavern maid, motioning to his dining companion’s drink. She nodded, and he turned his attention back to the table. “Name’s Ike. Thank you kindly, sir.”
“Marshall,” the man said, his accent a soft country one – like a traveler who was losing his accent. “From the city, yeah? Heading for the coast?”
“No ocean for me,” Ike said. Falling into it once had been plenty enough for him. “Headed more west. How about yourself?” He sat back, relaxing.
And maybe eying the stranger just a little bit. He was…pretty wasn’t quite the word. But he wasn’t really handsome either. More like a fine in between, even in their dark corner of the room. Hair that looked like it was probably brown, or at least dark, and eyes to match. On the slender side, but Ike bet he could hold his own in a fight.
“I’m just wandering.” Marshall smiled, and Ike was struck by the sadness in it.
He wanted badly to ask but Ashley, the Head Librarian, had knocked him upside the head more than once for asking questions that ought not be asked – and when Ashley said not to ask something, it was wise to listen. And he had promised Ashley and Jeremiah he’d behave, or at least try very hard.
“Sounds like fun,” Ike said, meaning it. This journey would be his last, most likely. Crown princes really weren’t meant to wander. Or even go on quests, if his father had any say in the matter. Which he thought he did. Ike bit back a snicker.
Marshall shrugged and swiped his overlong bangs from his face. “It’s not so bad. Gets a bit lonely.”
“Headed anywhere in particular next?”
“Not really. What’s West?”
Ike shrugged. “A forest.”
Marshall drummed his fingers along the side of his tankard, frowning at the table as he thought. “You mean the Dark Forest. It’s a stupid man that goes that way, I hear. Never been myself.”
“I’ve been called worse than stupid,” Ike said with a grin. “Usually by my father.”
Marshall laughed until the maid had come and gone with Ike’s drink and their food. “Then I guess the forest won’t prove too troublesome for you. Looking for something in particular there?”
“Something,” Ike said peaceably, hoping Marshall would take the hint.
Which he seemed to, and they settled into casual discussion of different towns and cities, areas to which they’d both traveled.
Ike was in heaven. Life could only be better if he could lean across the table and give the man a kiss, for no other reason than to express how happy he was to be nothing but another commoner, a wanderer off to places unknown.
And maybe a little bit out of desire, but that was probably just him getting carried away with his temporary freedom. Definitely what Jeremiah would say.
The sounds of crashing dishes and raised voices brought his head around, and he stared at the fight starting out on the far side of the room. “Hmm…”
“Looks like it’s time to go,” Marshall said. He grimaced at the men fighting. “I think a couple of those are my roommates for the night, as well.”
Ike gave into the impulse before sense could stomp on it. “You can stay in my room – all to myself, to avoid ruffians like that.” He pointed a thumb at the men as he spoke. “Just don’t go stealing my stuff, though you don’t seem the type.” A wink.
Marshall laughed. “I’d appreciate it, if you really don’t mind. I hate boarding with idiots, but don’t have the silver to spare for my own room often, you know?”
“I hear ya. Luck is with me for now, may as well share it. Shall we go before that brawling moves our way?”
“Sounds good to me,” Marshall said, and stood, and Ike realized he was quite a bit taller than he’d appeared sitting down. Ike suddenly felt every bit of his average height. It was like looking up at a gangly Jeremiah.
Only cute and not always glaring. Ike turned and led the way out of the dining room and up the stairs to his – their – room, dropping his bag with relief and shucking out of his travel gear. He fell back on the bed and wished he could just go to sleep.
But oh how nice it was to even have the option. No court women clamoring to keep him at this party or that dinner, no one trying to break his toes on the dance floor, no thick political sludge to wade through…nothing. None of it. Just him, his horse, his sword and a cute stranger for the evening.
“Isaiah Octavius Mortimer Frederick Priscus Albright! Get off that horse right this minute.”
“And they wonder why I hate my name,” Isaiah muttered irritably as he dismounted. More loudly, he said, “I knew I should have left last night.” He let out a long, loud sigh as his father bore down on him, tunic and cape and hair being whipped around by the wind.
His father came a halt, gold and jewels and adornments clanking and jangling. “Where exactly do you think you’re going?”
“Ghost slaying,” Isaiah said.
And there went the eyebrow, arching so high Isaiah wondered it didn’t fly right off his head. He bit back a sigh of abject relief as a tall man with wide shoulders and chest walked briskly toward them. Where had he been? He’d promised to distract his father.
“Sire,” the man said. “Is there a problem?”
“Only my son, like always. Beat some sense into him, please, Captain.”
“But he’s only patrolling the western quarter. Didn’t your Majesty say you wanted Prince Ike to get in more soldier work?”
“He just said he was going ghost slaying,” the King argued.
“Prince!” The Captain gave him a stern look. “Do not make such jests.”
“Yes, Jeremiah,” Ike said meekly, proud that he kept from laughing. He managed to remain stoic the whole time Jeremiah led his father away, and even as he mounted his horse and rode out of the courtyard.
But away from the castle, Ike laughed loud and long, delighted to be free of the castle again and off finally to do what he’d been aching to do since a ghost had almost killed.
He was going to kill her this time. Jeremiah had been helping him learn to fight, the Master Librarian had assisted him with research – there wasn’t a thing now that Ike didn’t know about ghosts.
Singing every raunchy ballad his father didn’t think he knew, Ike traveled away from the castle and toward the forest he had not seen since he was sixteen. Not even the dark clouds coming in fast could dampen his enthusiasm.
Ike just barely beat the rain and was grateful he did, seeing the way it came down – so heavy it looked like a solid sheet of water.
The inn was dark, but pleasantly so. One of the nicer ones, but not so well-to-do that his face would be recognized. It smelled of people, but also of a warm fire and good food.
“What’s the cost for a night?”
“Four silver,” the woman at the counter said briskly. “And we don’t argue the price.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Ike dropped six silver coins on the counter. “My own room, please.”
“Room four,” she replied, sweeping up the coins. “Up the stairs, third on the right. You get dinner and breakfast.”
“My thanks.” Ike shouldered his bag and passed through the archway from the entrance to the dining room. It was packed – farmers, laborers, fat merchants and other vagabonds. He looked around for an empty chair, relishing the way no one cared a whit that he’d just walked into the room. No one was scrambling to stand, saying his name, catching his attention. Ike smiled from the depths of his hood.
There. In the far corner, at the edge of the firelight. A small table, two chairs and one empty. And it didn’t look as though the man there had a momentarily absent companion. Ike fought his way through the room and shoved back his hood as he reached the table. “Evening,” he said pleasantly, wishing his accent wasn’t so hopelessly city. “Mind I share your table?”
“Not at all, good sir.” The stranger smiled and motioned for him to sit.
Ike sat down and caught the eye of a tavern maid, motioning to his dining companion’s drink. She nodded, and he turned his attention back to the table. “Name’s Ike. Thank you kindly, sir.”
“Marshall,” the man said, his accent a soft country one – like a traveler who was losing his accent. “From the city, yeah? Heading for the coast?”
“No ocean for me,” Ike said. Falling into it once had been plenty enough for him. “Headed more west. How about yourself?” He sat back, relaxing.
And maybe eying the stranger just a little bit. He was…pretty wasn’t quite the word. But he wasn’t really handsome either. More like a fine in between, even in their dark corner of the room. Hair that looked like it was probably brown, or at least dark, and eyes to match. On the slender side, but Ike bet he could hold his own in a fight.
“I’m just wandering.” Marshall smiled, and Ike was struck by the sadness in it.
He wanted badly to ask but Ashley, the Head Librarian, had knocked him upside the head more than once for asking questions that ought not be asked – and when Ashley said not to ask something, it was wise to listen. And he had promised Ashley and Jeremiah he’d behave, or at least try very hard.
“Sounds like fun,” Ike said, meaning it. This journey would be his last, most likely. Crown princes really weren’t meant to wander. Or even go on quests, if his father had any say in the matter. Which he thought he did. Ike bit back a snicker.
Marshall shrugged and swiped his overlong bangs from his face. “It’s not so bad. Gets a bit lonely.”
“Headed anywhere in particular next?”
“Not really. What’s West?”
Ike shrugged. “A forest.”
Marshall drummed his fingers along the side of his tankard, frowning at the table as he thought. “You mean the Dark Forest. It’s a stupid man that goes that way, I hear. Never been myself.”
“I’ve been called worse than stupid,” Ike said with a grin. “Usually by my father.”
Marshall laughed until the maid had come and gone with Ike’s drink and their food. “Then I guess the forest won’t prove too troublesome for you. Looking for something in particular there?”
“Something,” Ike said peaceably, hoping Marshall would take the hint.
Which he seemed to, and they settled into casual discussion of different towns and cities, areas to which they’d both traveled.
Ike was in heaven. Life could only be better if he could lean across the table and give the man a kiss, for no other reason than to express how happy he was to be nothing but another commoner, a wanderer off to places unknown.
And maybe a little bit out of desire, but that was probably just him getting carried away with his temporary freedom. Definitely what Jeremiah would say.
The sounds of crashing dishes and raised voices brought his head around, and he stared at the fight starting out on the far side of the room. “Hmm…”
“Looks like it’s time to go,” Marshall said. He grimaced at the men fighting. “I think a couple of those are my roommates for the night, as well.”
Ike gave into the impulse before sense could stomp on it. “You can stay in my room – all to myself, to avoid ruffians like that.” He pointed a thumb at the men as he spoke. “Just don’t go stealing my stuff, though you don’t seem the type.” A wink.
Marshall laughed. “I’d appreciate it, if you really don’t mind. I hate boarding with idiots, but don’t have the silver to spare for my own room often, you know?”
“I hear ya. Luck is with me for now, may as well share it. Shall we go before that brawling moves our way?”
“Sounds good to me,” Marshall said, and stood, and Ike realized he was quite a bit taller than he’d appeared sitting down. Ike suddenly felt every bit of his average height. It was like looking up at a gangly Jeremiah.
Only cute and not always glaring. Ike turned and led the way out of the dining room and up the stairs to his – their – room, dropping his bag with relief and shucking out of his travel gear. He fell back on the bed and wished he could just go to sleep.
But oh how nice it was to even have the option. No court women clamoring to keep him at this party or that dinner, no one trying to break his toes on the dance floor, no thick political sludge to wade through…nothing. None of it. Just him, his horse, his sword and a cute stranger for the evening.
no subject
Date: 2006-01-23 12:38 am (UTC)You can borrow my muse, if you want. 9.9 He only helps when he feels like it, but who knows, every little bit helps? ^^;
<.< ... >.> .... *side-whisper* Plus, he purrs if you pet him right. ^.~
*toddles off back to play with colors s'more*
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Date: 2006-01-23 01:17 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-01-23 01:53 am (UTC)I cannot wait to see where this is going. Marshall's reaction to finding out Ike is a Prince is going to be priceless.
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Date: 2006-01-23 01:54 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-01-23 02:00 am (UTC)You productive lil soul.... I'm in awe.
Sooooooooooooooo, are we gonna get the rest? *gives you hopeful chibi eyes*
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Date: 2006-01-23 02:17 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-01-23 02:19 am (UTC)UCKFAY OUYAY!
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Date: 2006-01-23 03:12 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-01-23 02:37 am (UTC)SQUEEEEEE!!!! Ohmigod, how adorable is Ike? XD Gyah! I want to pinch his cheeks!
I loved the mention of ghost slaying, I love how giddily happy he is at not being recognized and the fact that he's out of the castle, and I love how honest he is with himself about ogling Marshall. ;3
SQUEE! *tackle glomps* More? Pretty please? *puppy eyes*
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Date: 2006-01-23 04:07 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-01-23 04:44 pm (UTC)I love you. Ike seems to have grown up into an adorable young man. ^_____^
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Date: 2006-01-23 07:21 pm (UTC)Can't wait for more!
no subject
Date: 2006-01-24 02:22 am (UTC)