"Of course we could make such an exception." A nervous laugh echoed through as a fitting carriage came to view. "However I'm not sure that we have the space for the rest." The leader further added, scratching the back of his head hoping not to offend Jarren.
"I understand." Jarren's answer being short and curt as Callista followed suit. And behind her the leader of the brigade approached the mother and daughter pair. "It would seem that Jarren has taken a liking to you. If you don't mind we could escort you to the nearest town."
The mother once hesitant couldn't help but grow skeptical of the sight. For the knights to completely bend the knee so quickly meant that Jarren wasn't as simple as she had predicted. 'However I didn't think that he would be this much of an icon.' She sighed as she took the help offered.
With the two hopping on board, the rest of the refugees were left to the hands of the elven forces.
...
The ride was quiet, the sounds of munching could be heard alongside the faint bumps here and there. The silence palpable however it would seem that no one was ready to break the ice. "Jarren Velros, I'm not exactly familiar with such a word. I how that you can enlighten me."
The mother finally posed, her mind gnawing, wishing to know the status of Jarren. 'Given how respectful the knights are, I can only assume that he has good graces with Caerthalas.' She mused in her head hoping that she was right. "You're not acquainted- " The leader was about to babble however stealing a glance from Jarren, he fell silent.
"Jarren Velros is an aspiring prodigy of Reuthar and alongside her is Callista Vaewlyn. An expert who dabbles in crystals. The two have various connections all over including Redfall, with Callista being acquainted with the queen.' The mood shifted contrasting the light tone the leader used.
'Redfall? Isn't that the kingdom responsible for all the pain and suffering that Arcania is currently facing?' The mother's face showed fear as she coiled away from the two. "There's no need to be so wary of them miss. After all they only kill those who agitate them." What followed after barely making an impact.
'These two are cold blooded killers and yet they're treated as if not? And what use do they have with Caerthalas?' She cursed with how many more questions than answers started to surface in her mind. 'At this point I regret knowing who these two were.' Aware that she had already made the move, she could only wait for their judgment.
"There's no need to be so wary of me." Jarren began, his tone relaxed as his eyes drifted to the child that was done with her apple and craved for more. He fulfilled her request with a thought making her let out a sporadic of gratitudes at him. A variety of fruits other than just apples.
He merely smiled them off as his gaze went back to the mother. "After all I have no bad blood with anyone here." Callista remained indifferent to the topic, her words few but her presence impossible to overlook. Air twisted around her unnaturally as if she was bending reality itself to her whim.
Her faint smile more of an invitation of ruin and chaos rather than imposing or domineering. The pair was a hard glance to look away from once sighted.
...
'Why? Why would you choose to be his?' Guinevere's question rang through Callista's mind however the latter didn't seem at the very last flustered with the question. 'Why? Because you chose to ignore such an opportunity in the palm of your hands for eons.' Her tone flat though for Guinevere, it felt more like probing and prodding at her being.
'It's only a matter of time before you-' Callista cut her off, never once raising her voice. 'I can end your game with him should you wish. To no longer be his toy as you so claim. Be free and wait for the ruin of this world to claim you.' A chilling silence followed, Callista though to the outside world calm and composed flashed a smile at Guinevere.
'Or are you too deep in his games for you to let go? I can see it in your eyes darling.' She gave a light harmless chuckle that further rattled Guinevere. 'I can feel your need for him, your need to frame him as the game maker and you as the one meant to oppose him. It must be thrilling to curse at the abyss and have no wrong come your way dear while those around you pay the price.'
Unable to take Callista's words, Guinevere finally shot back. ' It would seem that you're already corrupted as I had anticipated. It would be best for you to come to me and have me cleanse you of your filth.' Callista let out a chuckle, light yet casual.
'The queen of divinity and evil. It would seem that he gave you a title that would keep him entertained before he grew weary of you.' Every word from her striking a chord deep within Guinevere's being. 'I do have to ask you Guinevere, if bi for this game that you play with him, what do you truly share with him?'
Seeing the lack of response from Guinevere, Callista terminated the conversation with her. 'You didn't have to end my game with her so suddenly. I wanted to play with her for a few more worlds before gee replacement.' Jarren's words echoing in her mind. The world around her in her mental state wasn't the usual crystalline lands.
This time it had all collapsed and formed a being far too large to be perceived with the mind of a regular horror. Her being far more than just a piece on the board but a player if not the one who made the rules. The overwhelming power that coursed through her at the time of enlightenment was gone and replaced with nothing.
Her strength being that above of power and such constructs similar to her spouse seated next to her. 'The act was getting boring for you darling, I could see it. However I do have to commend your patience with her.' Jarren gave a chuckle the two shared. 'Well nothing on this plane lasts forever.'
"Hey Jarren, what job do you do?" The moment interrupted with the inquiries of the little girl. "Let's just say that I don't do much. I simply observe and pass. I may tweak things a bit should I see it fit but at the end of it all, it usually turns out to be boring." His tone light nearing childishly however the girl was lost with his words.
"What?! That a confusing job!" She voiced her frustration sinking her little teeth into a watermelon. "Don't stress your little head too much." Flashing a smile, he ruffled her hair. "It wouldn't be so boring if you had someone to do it with you." Callista chimed in, her voice smooth and silky drawing the attention of the two to her.
"Oh! Why is Jarren then alone if he has such a beautiful lady with him?" Callista merely chuckled at her statement. "That was before but now, he won't be as lonely." The little girl flashed an innocent smile before going back to her feast. However the leader and the mother wee left stupefied with what they meant.
It wasn't long before the two finally arrived at the a town, their arrival drawing no attention from the people who went about their day. 'Recalling your words, I don't think that it would be fair for me to be fighting her. It would be unfair and boring.' Jarren internally laughed off Callista's words.
'I never said that you would be using your element during your fight. And drop the act, I don't like you being this way. I miss my cute and aloof kitty.' She leaned in, her eyes still closed. "Your little kitty never left, just getting adjusted to the collar." Their arrival was met with the yells or what could be assumed as the leader of the station.
"What took you so long-" Before the man could finish, he glanced at Callista and Jarren, his face softening as a thin sweat ran down his face. "Sir Jarren, Miss Callista. It's an honor to have you here in Caerthalas. I wonder what brings you here." The change making the rest shiver and the little girl laugh.
"We're here to discuss with the new ruler about a few things is all. I hope that you wouldn't mind." The man, the alleged inspector broke into frantic bows. "Of course! I'll have a carriage prepared for you two!" Before he could leave, Jarren chimed in.
"We won't be making our way to the capital but rather elsewhere. Just have the supposed ruler to meet us here." The air twisted into something darker, faces of shock and awe. 'Do they really think that they can have the ruler of the elves to conform so easily?' The mother mused as she realized that staying would start to draw unwanted glances.
Her hands stretched out for her daughter, her tone turning warm. "It's been an honor to meet you two however it would seem that this is the point where he go our separate ways. I hope that we meet later on." The girl in her hands discomforted with their sudden departure.
"Goodbye Jarren, goodbye beautiful Callista." Her tiny hands waving to the two who flashed innocent smiles. "See you later." Jarren posed before his gaze drifted back to the inspector. "Just say that Jarren and Callista are here. That should be more than enough to make them rush over."
His tone turning dismissive as he turned around and with Callista left the scene. Their figures masked with their cloaks leaving a somewhat negative impression on the elves of Caerthalas. 'Does he really think that he can command our leader so casually?' The inspector, a man in his late forties thought watching the two leave.
"You!" His face turned and looked at one of his men. "Tell me everything that happened now! Don't leave a single detail out!"
...
"So how do you find the collar? Is it too loose for you or is it just fine for my little kitty." He posed opening the door to their room. The most lavish had two beds however for the two it was redundant. Given that the town was located in the far outskirts of the kingdom, it's development wasn't that significant in comparison to the leaps made at the capital.
"It's... dare I say way too big for me. However I'm sure that my appetite will help me fill the space." Her chuckles playful as she glanced around, her eyes still closed. He closed the distance, held her hair back and wrapped a piece of cloth around her eyes. "Well you better have a huge appetite then, or it will take far too long for you to be all fattened up."
She felt his fingers tighten the fold, not too loose nor tight, perfect. "Why of course. And with such an insatiable appetite, I was merely wondering whether one of the ladies were on the menu, their presence is getting a bit stale for my liking." Jarren already knew who she was talking about. "How about a bit of patience, if she proves to be stubborn then you can savor her fall."
She beamed a smile before stealing a kiss off Jarren. "Patient as ever darling." Jarren landed a kiss on her cherry lips. "Why of course. With eternity, patience is a virtue you have to learn." She fell into thought with his words. "I don't have a good memory and my patience is rather lacking, I hope that you don't mind."
Her giggles eliciting a devilish chuckle out of Jarren. "Don't worry, we have time to focus on that." The two quickly descending into a flurry of kisses and something far more than just a bond of flesh, it was the seal of something far more than reality and those entangled in the game could perceive.
It was the agreement of two horrors of the same league falling into an agreement, to walk as they please and let the planes and logic around them devolve into madness.