#Dartan

[amayadartan]

11

The morning after she arrived at the castle, Amaya awakened slowly. Her mind was still hazy as to all of what happened in the forest. She was still in the medical ward of the Palace, so the room she was in was nowhere near as elegant as one of the suites where guests and residents alike were housed. It was, however, rather homey and not stark like a hospital on Earth would be. The walls were painted in a deep emerald green, the drapes a golden color that complimented the walls, and her bed was carved wood of some kind that was a few shades darker than the drapes. To Amaya, it reminded her of something from the Victorian or Edwardian period. All of the furnishings and fabrics were soft and warm colors, and appeared very expensive.

Sitting up in the bed, she noticed that at some point, she had been redressed. Gone were her hiking boots, cargo pants, and flannel, and she was now in a soft, pastel gown in fabric she wasn’t sure what it was. She hoped that it had been a female who redressed her and not Dartan. Heaven forbid! As she sat contemplating that, there were two little chirps next to her in the bed. Turning her head, she saw the little chinchilla type creatures from the night before that had been on the strange men’s heads. They were looking up at her with big open eyes and…smiles? Oh…and they had such white…teeth. How nice…

When Amaya didn’t move or respond the little beings jumped up and down and chirped again. Her head tipped, she had no clue what they were wanting. Then one came over and bumped her hand, and she understood - they wanted petted. Seeing the size of their teeth, she was a little cautious, but still reached her hand out and petted the one closest anyway. Something akin to a high pitched trill type of purr came from the small being and the other one bounced in what seemed to be excitement, chirping and looking at her.

“So you two are friendly? I get it.” In a way she figured they were, they had been “riding” on the heads of two of the men last night who had been helping her, but those teeth! Amaya was glad they liked her. She wouldn’t want to be on the receiving end of one of those bites! Guard furry softballs, that was something new.

“I see you have met your guardians,” a deep male voice from across the room had her head jerking up and her yanking the covers up almost to her chin; which hid the two small beings that were now on her lap chirping happily. He held up a hand and gave a soft chuckle. “I’m sorry Amaya, I did not mean to scare you.” He then gave a short bow. “I’m Ollandrius, but most just call me Olly.” He gave her a warm smile, which she thought made him look like some kind fo Disney prince. Were men supposed to be that handsome in real life?

Brief flashes of the night before went through Amaya’s mind, and his face was in them. He was kind, warm, and she had a recollection of protection from him. She relaxed and lowered the covers some, nodding and returning his smile. “Sorry, I guess I’m just a little on edge. The last couple of days have been a little weird and…” she shut her mouth and her brows drew together as she tried to figure out how to even put it into words.

“Eventful?” Olly offered as he stepped into the room, drawing out a light chuckle from her this time and a nod. “We kind of got that idea when Dartan summoned a couple of demons when he lost you in the forest. Although, your little friends there, and their friends, did keep you safe until we found you.” His smile had not faltered, and it made Amaya feel more relaxed. He wasn’t a small man, but she could almost feel goodness radiating off of him, safety. For Olly’s part, he was studying her, trying to see if there were any lingering effects of the mushrooms or being out in the forest exposed to the elements.

“Uh, yeah. I’m sorry that I caused you or your friends any trouble. I goofed up a spell.” Her face fell and she looked at her lap where the little beings were snuggling against her and ran her hand through their fur. They even felt as soft as chinchillas. “This is all my fault, everything is is my fault.”

“Or, you were given a bad one by someone that should not have been trusted. We’re looking into all the possibilities now. No more apologies, and no more sadness. You are a guest of the King and Queen, and there is no reason for it. When you are doing better a whole suite is being prepared for you. You’ll be taken care of here.” The poor human. She probably wouldn’t get to stay one. Like Delilah, existing in a world that she knew was full of monsters and demons would be too dangerous if she stayed one. If they couldn’t teleport her, staying in Imperium would most definitely be too dangerous, and it had nothing to do with the inhabitants. The mushrooms had proved that. Olly was worried about her.

“Uh…what about Dartan?” Were they going to make her live with him? He hated her. He blamed her for everything, and after she got lost out in the forest, he probably hated her more. The last thing she wanted was to be stuck living with him. Maybe they could just kill her and let her go wherever it was that her soul was supposed to go? Or because she was bound to Dartan, would she just end up back here?

Olly took a deep breath, this was going to be slightly awkward. “You won’t have to see him anymore.” He saw the confusion on her face, so he continued. “You’re bound, so it’s not like he can go far, but it was the belief of the Queen that you would be happier if he were not in your immediate vicinity, and that there were others here in the Palace who could help you get acclimated to everything much easier. She was quite insistent.” He had to chuckle, he was putting it mildly. He was pretty sure if she’d been confident his head would not have regrown she would have removed it from his shoulders the previous night.

“Oh.” Amaya said simply. She didn’t know how to feel about that. Truthfully she wasn’t sure that she knew how to feel about any of it. How was one supposed to feel in a situation like she was in? Had anyone ever been in her situation? She doubted it.

“Are you ok?” Olly was worried about her. “I know it will take some getting used to here, but you won’t be alone. Arch, he’s a mage that helped heal you last night, and I are going to help you. Arch can help you with your magic. He’s kinda good at it.” He gave her a teasing wink that made her smile.

“I just feel kind of lost. The whole bonded or married or whatever…” she kind of waved her hands around a bit as her lips pursed, “was a huge shock, and I know he hates me for it. I can’t blame him. I brought him here and now he’s stuck with me. I’m sure he’s glad that he’s free of me, at least we get to live in a castle.” She smiled a little again and shrugged. She really did feel so very lost.

“He was worried about you. Dartan’s always been an asshole from what I can gather, but he was worried. So, he doesn’t hate you. Hate the situation, that is a possibility, but that’s not the same as hating you.” He tried to reassure her, but he could tell she was still upset. Lost might be the best description for it. She really didn’t know where she was, that was going to come as an even bigger shock to her, and wait till she met some of the residents. Maybe they’d take things VERY slowly.

Deciding that making her feel somewhat at home might be a good start, Olly decided to start with breakfast. Since the kitchens could prepare anything that was made on Earth, the sky was the limit for whatever she wanted. Once he had her order, he promised to be back shortly with food and the all-important coffee. He also let her know that some fae that were the size of six year olds would be in shortly to take her measurements and talk to her about clothing. What she had on was a gift from the Queen, but she would need more than one nightgown for her stay there.

With that, he ducked out, and Amaya was alone in the room with the two little fur balls again. Laying back, she let them cuddle up next to her and stroked their little bodies, and she thought about everything Olly had said and tried to pull details from her memories of the previous night. They came in bits and pieces, just fragments, but she at least knew she felt safe with Olly, and since she was apparently now living in Hell, that was a start.

[cljordan-imperium]

LAST LINE TAG

I was tagged by the sweet @late-to-the-fandom

I'm tagging @careful-pyromancer, @athena-anna-rose @on-noon @sehnxsucht

This is from Dartan and Amaya's story after they have reached the palace, which is where I'm currently writing the 1st draft

“She doesn’t want to be bound to you or you do not wish to be bound to her?  After all, Dartan, she was not the one who abandoned you to death in the forest.  I do believe that was your doing.” The sarcastic tone in Abriella’s voice and the sardonic smile on her face spoke well of her feelings towards the warlock before her.  “Trust me, warlock, if I had the power to separate you, it would so be done. She does not deserve to be bound to one such of you whose ego creates such a vacuous space around you that I’m surprised that even light can escape its gravitational pull.  While she may have made a mistake in the casting of her spell, I do believe that being saddled with you for eternity is a punishment that far exceeds that crime.  In fact, I’m not sure what crime would befit such a punishment.  So, no, at present no one here can save her from the fate of being your wife. But do trust that wherever such remedy is found, it will be immediately enacted so she can be free of you.”  With that, Brie exited the room before she used her Horseman powers in ways that would not befitting her station as Queen of the Realm.

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[n41r]

Cilok kecap ekstra pedas

[mechaseraph]

Also I am big fan of this design...and his special move is freaking gatling gun? for a musketeer? insane in most cool way possible

[palaceofimperium]

A REQUEST FROM A PRINCE - 1

Mithos has to deliver a request from Prince Amon to Abriella...what could he possibly want?

“I’m sorry, what did you say?”  Abriella looked up from the book she was reading to try to relax after the excitement that had happened in the last few days with all of her friends showing up, then Kaylin and Asher’s arrival, and finally the commotion with Amaya and Dartan. Adding onto that the visit to her uncle’s castle, and she was just a bundle of nerves with a supernatural migraine. When Mithos had come into her office, she hadn't even heard or noticed him, and when he spoke she was damn sure she had not heard him RIGHT.  

Mithos took a deep breath.  He wasn’t enjoying this, but it was his duty as a Captain of her Royal Guard to inform her of everyone wishing an audience with her as the Sovereign of Imperium. Before he’d come into her office, he’d considered going to Cruz, but the demon had a feeling the reaction he would get would be significantly worse; and it had been Abriella who had been specifically requested.  So, here he was having to deliver the news he was not happy about the least.  “Sorry, I didn’t announce myself.” He breathed out, and braced himself.  “You have a request from Prince Amon for an audience with you, and he is being vouched for by both Arioch and Raguel.”  

Abriella opened her mouth to speak, then she sat up taller and closed her mouth.  So she had heard him right, she thought as her head tipped to the side with her eyes narrowing and lips thinning.  “Did he say the nature of this request?”  There had to be a reason that he’d want to come now.  Now, when there was peace in the realm, but there had been upset in the Palace.

“No, Brie, he did not.  I have my suspicions.” Mithos knew much, but did not want to say too much, in case he was wrong, and revealed the secrets of others where it was not his place.  Abriella’s brows draw together and the look of concern that crossed her face, and it put him in an awkward place.  With what he had been privy to before Abriella ascended to the throne, sometimes he felt conflicted in such circumstances.  He was devoutly loyal to Abriella, but he would not reveal secrets that were not his.

“And those would be?” Abriella inquired with brows lifting and head tilting more, wondering what her Captain wasn’t freely revealing.  While Thinius at times was hard to shut up when he had information, Mithos guarded the secrets of others tightly.  She knew this and while she normally respected that, when it came to one of the Princes, it was not a luxury that she wanted to afford them.

“Amon does not wish to rule, he only wishes to feed off of wrath.  Why ally himself with the other Princes who will undercut him and be a constant threat as they seek power, when he could come here and get everything he wants with none of the risks.”  Mithos considered his next words very carefully so as to not reveal more than he should.  It was his supreme hope that she would not dig deeper than what he said.  “It is also true that there are some within the realm that mean something to him.  If he remains at odds with us, then he is cut off, as well as unable to ensure their safety.”  

Abriella’s eyes narrowed at her Captain.  There was more to the last part than he was revealing, she was not a stupid woman.  He was guarding someone’s secrets, possibly more than one person’s and they must be very sensitive ones for him to be so guarded.  She would respect that because she respected him, and more so because she knew that Mithos would literally trade his life for hers.  If there was any danger that he sensed, he would not hold back from her.  “Do you think he is a danger?  I value your council in this, Mithos.  He has two males I trust vouching for him, but I want to know YOUR opinion.  Please, I ask of you.” Her eyes met his, and he could see the sincerity of her words.  

“I do not believe he is a threat to you, or anyone in this Palace.  I do not believe he is coming for any nefarious or harmful reasons.  We have given Lucifer and Arioch a second chance, My Lady, I believe that if one is going to come and ask similar after he has twice come to your aid in times of need, then we should at least entertain his argument.” Words chosen carefully came from Mithos.  He hated reminding her that Amon had saved her life once, at great risk to himself, and aided her another time, again at some risk to himself.  However, he would be fair to the fallen angel.  Was Amon coming for selfish reasons?  Most certainly.  Would those reasons put anyone within Imperium in danger?  Mithos felt within his being that the opposite would be true, they would be safer with him there and if his legions were loyal to Abriella and Cruz, it would not be a detriment to them in the least.

“Then, based on the vouching of three males I highly respect, I will meet with him.  When does he want to come?” She was still reticent to trust that the fallen angel was there for an altruistic reason, but she would at least listen.  Listening hurt nothing, and he would be in her realm, in her Palace, in a room she would ensure was seated with those she could trust.  All Four of the Horsemen would be there. Her realm and all within it would be safe.  Of that she would be certain.

“He can be here whenever you send summons.”  Mithos had to work hard to keep a slight smirk from his face.  While he knew that if certain other Princes were coming, she would react differently, he was glad to see that she was being logical and also calm regarding Amon.  Recent happenings with Gabriel and Damien only had added onto their conflicts with Leviathan and Mammon.  Then there was the Spectre Dartan that kept Arioch and Raguel on edge, someone to distract one of the males might not be a bad thing.  Abbadon was another that would have to be dealt with at some point.  Both Abriella and Cruz had their hands full, thankfully they had Olly and Deacon to share the load.  He was proud of both of them that they did take counsel from those around them, even if there were a couple that the demon was unsure of regarding their discernment, but never their loyalty.  There were none he knew of that would not lay down their life for another without thought.

“Give me two hours, and then summon him.  I need to gather a few whom I trust to listen as well.  I want to ensure that we are careful in any move we make now that we have eight vulnerable females in our trust.  While many are warriors, all are still adjusting here and some have fragile psyche and I will not have anyone disrupting any of them finding peace in their new lives.”  Abriella sat tall and regal, appearing the full Queen that she was, knowing her first duty was to those within the Palace walls.  Then to those who counted on her to keep the peace in Imperium.  She took all responsibilities seriously, but especially when any of the Princes was involved.

Looking at her, Mithos was proud.  He remembered when she first came with Abbadon and while he had come to respect her then, later seeing her as a friend, and Queen.  It was only after Abbadon had been banished from the realm that he had seen her blossom into the true leader that he, and her other Royal Guard, had always known was there.  Now, as she was handling all of the events that were unfolding around her, he saw in her a strength that many who had fought against her when she was a Nephilim had always feared.  She truly was her brother’s sister, and he knew Cruz had to be even more proud than any of them of the woman and Queen she had become.

[theimperiumchronicles]

I FINALLY have fixed the plot problems caused by Asher & Kaylin plunking down WAAAAAAYYY too early in the story and the oncoming war with Damien, a Prince coming to seek sanctuary at the Palace, and Kellen coming to Imperium to meet Abriella. I apologize for the break in posting, but my blorbos taking a hard right when they were supposed to keep going straight fucked up....uh...a shit ton of other storylines and writing that was already done. I still have to fix the already plotted out and written chapters, but I at least now have down the series of events that have to happen. Thankfully Amaya and Dartan are NOT one I have to rewrite. So, that will be one of the first to start posting again, because I do have that one ready. The ultimate goal of that WIP may be changing, but I'm kind of letting them figure that shit out, because I'm just kind of done trying to direct over 250 of these fuckers and them scattering like squirrels on crack when my head is turned. Same is true of a couple other storylines that decided to get into the weeds. I can say that Grae and Ada are not changing, Kaylin and Asher, all of Abriella's friends who just came. The rest of them I'm working on...

SO....here we go...let the writing once more commence....and please never let me have to do this many flow charts again in my life because I felt like some kind of police profile squad tracking a criminal enterprise's movements with all of them!!

[444names]

Names generated from Scottish surnames and Dutch forenames, excluding the letter "C"

Aadain Aadruire Aakoelwijn Aalair Aalbhein Aalden Aalleòis Aalothan Aandrus Aanneke Aanouiriad Aarais Aardain Aaria Aarsan Aartijs Aathaillag Abhais Abhdel Abrosdail Adaann Adaattharn Adainnet Adais Adaldein Adanntje Adans Adeairi Adeathin Adert Adewien Adeòid Adhain Adruime Adruimijs Alath Alathan Aldeadais Alghan Alghunainn Aluim Ambeliado Amhain Amhan Amhathain Anaib Anain Anainn Anais Ananais Ananaoig Anaoidh Anndewijn Annealuin Annem Anrann Aradaig Aragain Araid Ardaine Argaine Arneke Arsalonn Artainn Asgar Aärobh...

Barandan Basbarrain Bastainn Berik Beriël Bhain Bheasdain Blaoin Blara Blàrran Blàrtain Blàta Boighain Boudein Boudunny Bouim Bouin Boutrais Brailledh Brandruir Brann Brathainn Brathnaoir Bread Breenear Broiri Bruidh Bruire Bràibh Bràthaig Brùns Brùnso Buidh Buimbeis Buimeitha Buirean Bòirna Daannet Daideard Daigein Daris Dartan Davidh Deidhaidh Deltje Deridhubha Diathain Drart Dridh Dridseir Drierta Drithbhit Druaidh Druid Druin Dubhijn Dunaig Dunain Dunne Dustijn Dòmhuirein Dùbhdel Dùbhronagh Dùghain Dùghan Edheataidh Edhòmart Eliek Eshain Felieve Felmijn Fighais Fliog Foidh Foididhg Folair Forgrena Frair Freetje Frithan Gaidh Gaithais Galder Geathalan Geirian Geirid Gerana Gerik Gertais Gieke Gilbràig Gilin Gillabby Gillebhuis Gilledh Gilleete Gillet Gillialie Ginntje Gionn Glabhealas Glaidh Glaig Glaonn Gobain Gobharra Goeliet Goraidainn Gothorne Gottha Gotthiom Grarn Grarne Greaimba Grealan Grean Greanain Greathein Greutes Griaal Grian Griarrigh Griarsa Griephaire Grijn Guadh Guaig Guaighdan Guaillebh Guartjetje Gudaistijn Gudus Gunnig Gusallenke Gusanais Gòrdain Gòrdairen Gòrdh Hadalag Haoidhaidh Harridh Heòrds Ieveetje Ievenje Innekeet Innidhead Jakobaigh Jakoen Jamshar Janne Jasgain Johaill Johalan Johanaidh Joosa Joose Jorand Joridh Josan Josanstijn Josdanaidh Josdein Josein Josgran Jostim Kerob Kialsa Kimein Kobsa Laidain Laigheath Lainn Lairtij Leale Lebha Lebhimeir Lebhrann Lemie Leshe Liefan Linne Lionad Lobas Logaidh Loneke Lostialas Lothòmhg Lughur Lulain Lìosdantje Lìoseag Lìosgair Lìosiob Lùtais Maadeids Maaland Maann Madaaries Madhubh Mailbhre Mainain Maine Maineadje Mainein Mainnd Mallearain Mallouin Malvijn Mandar Manne Maogilies Maoighaidh Maoireeros Maomhalann Maraidh Maraig Marainn Marairt Maran Mararsain Mardanndre Margaigh Marid Marief Maris Marlain Marnaadh Marnel Marraidh Marrair Marrievert Marsa Marsan Marsann Martain Marte Marter Masgain Masmée Matan Matha Mathbhnain Mathe Mathert Matheòrsa Mathuid Maxim Maximijn Meadhùnso Meirik Menaiderta Mendaaf Mielidh Miene Mienno Mieriar Mieve Mille Mirits Moidh Moill Morghais Morrain Muelis Munainn Màrraidh Màrtaig Mèibhdewis Niemh Nienalon Niong Olasam Padar Paoidhon Paoig Paoir Paolaidh Paonanndré Peanouim Peasdan Peathain Petje Peulainn Piens Pieve Pimba Pimeidh Pimhg Polathaidh Polke Poraris Puine Puirienain Relwijn Renathaidh Riabby Rianaibh Riebhuin Robaim Robain Robas Robuin Roelinn Rogilla Ronmhinus Rosans Rosde Rottesmie Ruair Ruimbein Ruinne Sairbhria Salans Sallens Sanshene Sasgaidh Sealain Seamhaigh Seanair Seartaidh Seates Seinnlaidh Sepharaidh Sephijn Sephàin Sgain Sgaire Sgais Sgalbhraig Sgall Sgotha Siaaluis Sienan Siesher Sieteag Sietje Smidhuim Stanidh Stiath Stijneime Stijs Suaighar Sùdrieke Taghlain Talle Tanaid Tenie Tertje Thaidh Tirie Todeòir Toffean Toosann Train Triabaill Trieshin Trijn Tritje Tuidh Tuidheatha Tulastodhg Tàidheal Tàidhuil Uaineis Uarainnd Ureardald Valaig Veelip Wieve Wievene Wille Willep Willfhan Woude Wouduna Woutha Wouthais Ìombrein

[wahanaslot176proer]

DARTAN DISINI AKUN RESMI DI 2024

LOGIN DISINI

[totally-not-an-awkward-okapi]

(Last post, for context) Oh @dweamofsweep is right! I wouldn’t have noticed but yeah Cuzco did manage to make it into the 2003 adaptation, though with a name change and a slight redesign.

And they’re not alone! It seems that Dartan became Jackal and Super Paris became Thrasher (a major downgrade in names tbh)

The 2003 series also caught something I’d missed in the flurry of action lines: Cuzco No. 1’s wing-like epaulette’s apparently expand out into actual wings? Neat I guess!

[blog-links-imperium]

DARTAN & AMAYA

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

[cljordan-imperium]

This is from an upcoming chapter of Dartan and Amaya

“I’ve changed my mind.”  The look on Arioch’s face was on of pure, unadulterated shock.  Dartan had lost his mind.

“I’m sorry, what?”  Arioch blinked twice, sure he had not heard the damned spectre correctly.  “You. Changed. Your. Mind.” He repeated the words back slowly, still staring at Dartan as if the other male had grown a second head.  If he had, that might explain this new development.  NOW he changed his mind?  NOW!  “Could you have maybe done that BEFORE you lost her in a forest full of creatures who think of humans as snacks?  Hmm?  Would that, I don’t know, possibly, have been too inconvenient for you?”  The sarcasm was so thick in Arioch’s voice it was almost palpable in the air between the two males as they faced off against one another.  

“Don’t even start with me, demon.”  Dartan’s voice held warning.  Not that he knew what he’d do to the other male.  “It’s not like I had a lot of time to think about things.  And she…”

“She what?!” Arioch was completely flummoxed on even what to say at this point and damn near at his breaking point.  If he didn’t think that snapping the neck of the being in front of him might harm Amaya, he would have.  “She made a mistake?!  You mean like you did abandoning her in the forest of a foreign realm where there are vicious animals?  That kind of mistake?  Or one that just inconveniences your royally egotistical dumbass day?” Now the demon was growling, a slight glow starting around him.  Had Dartan considered who he was speaking to, he would have remembered Arioch was the demon of REVENGE.  As in payback.  So getting payback for an innocent left to die in a forest would be right up his alley. 

"I didn't ASK to be married to her, but here we are and I AM.  SHE. IS. MY. WIFE!" Dartan roared back, still not considering who he was dealing with in the slightest. He took a step towards Arioch, his hand coming in front of him, one at chest level palm down and the other at his waist with palm up. Between them a colored mist started to swirl. Fuck this demon and fuck anyone else who got in his way.

Arioch was not one to be threatened or to back down.  The spectre wanted to dance?  He'd dance, and they'd see if Dartan could die a second time.  Patience completely gone, Arioch shifted into full demonic form in an instant and his talons were buried in the side of Dartan’s neck; purple blood began flowing down the spectre's chest.

Dartan’s eyes were wide as pain cascaded through his body.  Every nerve was lit up as if chain lightning was traversing through every fibre of his entire body.  It was then he realized he'd made a very grave miscalculation on who held the upper hand betwixt the two of them.

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[amayadartan]

5

Amaya’s eyes fluttered open and when she saw the strange trees around her, her mind didn’t bring forth the memory of what had transpired the previous night.  In a panic, she jumped up off of the log; but the way she had been positioned had cut off circulation slightly to her legs, the lack of circulation leading to weakness and numbness which caused her to stumble. She started to fall as she almost hyperventilated; fear quickly blooming in her breast as she came more awake. Her arms windmilled as she tried to catch her balance, but her knees buckled which had her falling forward.  Panic coursed through her as her mind raced to find a spell to keep her from faceplanting on the ground and bring her memories back.

Dartan watched the little witch wake up, and it was clear that it was not a peaceful process.  Before she injured herself by falling on her face, he wrapped an arm around her waist and caught her.  The last thing either of them needed was an injury; not in a place where the scent of blood could bring any number of vicious creatures hunting for them.  He was glad when it worked in stopping her from falling and she didn’t fight against him; since he wasn’t corporeal, there was a chance she might just slip through his arms regardless of his attempt. Leading her the night before and stopping her momentum when falling were two completely different things.   “Calm down, little witch.  You are going to get yourself hurt.” He kept his voice calm, even, and low as not to scare or spook her.  He also didn’t want to find out what would happen if she lashed out at him.

It was Dartan’s voice so close to her ear that brought everything rushing back into Amaya’s brain and she froze.  Not only was it his voice right there, but also the fact that she could feel him holding her.  There was a vibration to it, a soothing warmth, even though there was no physical form to go with it.  For some reason it calmed her and reassured her in a way that she did not quite understand.  Even that phrase he used to refer to her “little witch” did not offend her, that he did not have the same derision in his voice as he had the night before did help. Because of this, she relaxed in his arms and let him take the lead once more, as she had the previous night.

Slowly Dartan righted them both, keeping his hold gentle yet firm on her so she wouldn’t fall.  She was a good foot shorter than him, slight of build, but he could tell she had muscle built from work not just from the gym.  He was surprised, and impressed, at this.  She had spoken of an expedition, something he would remember to inquire more of as they traversed the realm to get to the Palace.  “Are you alright?” He finally asked once he was sure she was steady once more on her feet. He then moved around her to ensure she was unharmed. 

“Yes, thank you.  I’m sorry for the upset. I just didn’t remember what happened or where I was when I woke up. I was disoriented.”  Amaya felt her cheeks flush hot and could only imagine how red they were as her blue eyes dropped to the ground.  Her skin was towards the fair side and she tended to blush rather easily.  That she was still dealing with the fact that being in this strange place bound together was her fault to begin with did not help the matter. “I guess I’m causing you more problems again.” There was a resignation creeping in the edges of her voice, coloring it darker and causing it to sound more defeated.  

“Aye, but I am getting used to that.” There was no longer chastisement or resentment present in his voice as he responded.  “So, we shall not speak on it more. There is no reason to keep going over things.  It solves nothing.” While sitting in the dark while she slept, he had decided that if they were to be stuck together then he had to try at least to get along with her. It wasn’t like fighting with her was going to do either of them any good or make either of them any happier. The best they could hope for now was to work together to get to the Palace and talk to Abriella and Cruz, or at least one of their advisors who might have a clue.  

"I believe I know the direction of the Capital City.  There are no roads or paths where we are, so I'm glad that you're dressed for hiking. If we haven't reached a road by nightfall, I'll see if one of us can summon a demon I know that might help."  Dartan looked around the clearing a bi, then back to Amaya.   

Unlike the night before, she no longer looked defiant and bold, the spirited glint was gone from her eyes.  Her shoulders were slumped, head down, and she overall looked defeated.  He was sure he had a part in that. Putting fingers under her chin he tipped her head back to look at him. "This is not the time for regrets. When we get to the castle, okay?" She nodded weakly. For a reason he didn't know, he gently tucked a lock of her dark brown hair behind her ear. "Let's get started.  There is hopefully a road near so we can get you some food."  While he still did not hunger, it had been at least twelve hours since they arrived in Imperium, he estimated, and she would need food and hydration.  If you added in the walking that they were going to have to do to get anywhere, it added onto the need to make sure that he found a way for her to be able to eat.  He might not be happy to be stuck with her, but starvation seemed a rather sever punishment for that.

Amaya nodded and walked behind him when Dartan turned to walk into the forest.  She had decided that saying nothing might be the better option at the moment.  He was being nice, and she didn't want to ruin that.  She was tired and her body ached in several places from the way she had been positioned the night before.  There was not enough energy left in her to argue, plus staying on the good side of the person who knew the land they were in seamed smartest.

It was quickly apparent that Amaya's height was going to be a serious disadvantage to her.  Besides taking longer strides, Dartan was able to clear obstacles on the forest floor easier.  This often left her struggling to keep up with him.  A few times he barked at her for it, but later inextricably apologized. She was trying, and maybe he was realizing that somewhere along the way.

By the time that the sun was at the midway point, they had to take two breaks.  Amaya hadn't eaten since the previous day's lunch and her energy stores were low, but she didn’t say anything to him about it.  He already hated her, she didn’t want to add whining to the list of reasons for him to. Sheer willpower and stubbornness, and a healthy fear of whatever beasts lurked out of sight in the underbrush kept her moving behind him and trying to go over and/or around anything that was in their path.  It always seemed to take her longer and whe was mentally berating herself for it. 

Dartan, for his part, was trying to go slow enough for her to keep up but not lose his patience with Amaya.  It was not her fault she was short or that he had the unexplained ability to go without food or rest.  Then there was the fact that although she was dressed for hiking, he was in a suit; yet he was faring far better than she.  Making mention of having to make accommodations for her would do nothing.  She already knew how he felt, he had not held back the night before and little had changed since then.  Although, during the darkness, he had come to realize that blaming her was a fruitless endeavor and would just frustrate him more and make things more hostile.  He had made many mistakes as a young warlock and it was hard to blame her too much as a mere human for having made one.

As they were making their way through the forest, Dartan was beginning to plan who he would talk to once they reached the Palace of Imperium.  He did have a few contacts in Imperium that he was on a rather friendly basis with, and he hoped they could get him in with the Queen or someone else that had the power to help fix things.  Two of them were both close with her, and he had a human with him, so hopefully they could be swayed to set any previous grievances that he was unaware of aside and at least help the human, which would in turn help him..

It was because of the distraction of his thoughts that Dartan made a serious mistake.  He stopped paying attention to how far behind him Amaya was or even how difficult some of the obstacles might be for her to get around or over.  Instead he was going over conversations he would have in his head and trying to decide the best way to explain their situation. How long it was in the day was even escaping him as played things over within his mind and corrected things he didn’t want to say or thought he could put better.

“Dartan, my legs are short, can you wait up?” Amaya called while trying to climb over two fallen logs that Dartan had hopped over like someone skilled at parkour.  She was at least a foot shorter than him and although her Palladium boots had good traction, she was having such a harder time that more thna once she’d almost broken down in tears.  The fact that there were fat bright purple mushrooms growing off of the wood did not help.  They kept breaking off and making the bark slick.  More than once she’d almost fallen because of it.

By the time she had cleared the logs, she could no longer see the tall spectre anywhere around her.  “Dartan?  Dartan!” Her calls were now more urgent as she was lost completely.  She knew the general direction he’d been headed so continued to go in that way, calling for him and fighting back a rising terror that she was now alone and possibly would be from now on.  Maybe he head lost her on purpose?  Maybe this was his plan going through the dense forest?  

No matter how tired her legs or arms grew from walking and clearing obstacles, she continued moving.  She was starting to feel disoriented and her vision seemed to swim, but hadn’t stopped calling for Dartan, hoping that he would hear her or had noticed she was missing and was looking for her.  Several obstacles with those damned mushrooms had left her arms scratched and bleeding, smears of purple mushroom covering her arms and most of her clothing as well.  Her head throbbed and her eyes blurred, but she kept pushing on, now openly crying.  

Then at the top of one more stack of fallen logs, she punctured the palm of her hand on a small piece of bark that had been sticking up which was hidden by those same purple mushrooms she’d been dealing with all day.  As she pulled her hand up to look at it, she noticed it was fuzzy and out of focus.  The world seemed to be moving around her, but she was sitting still. Whether it was exhaustion, low blood sugar, or something else affecting her, she wasn’t sure.  However, the ground seemed a lot farther from her than it had been as she was climbing up. Fear began to grip her but she was so disoriented and her body was ceasing to respond.  

A moment later, her limp body slid off of the logs and slammed into the ground, her head bouncing off of the dirt with a soft thud.  She didn’t move.  She didn’t make a sound.  Once might have thought her dead had it not been for the flight rising and falling of her chest.  Nothing else on her moved.

A few minutes after she had fallen, there was a rustling in the foliage at her feet.  A little head popped out. It looked like a squirrel head with large mouse ears.  As the rest of the body came out, it appeared a rabbit body and squirrel tail.  It sniffed her, and then slowly made its way around her.  No bigger than a softball, it was certainly no match for her, and seemed to understand that.  After ensuring that she was of no threat, it made some soft chirping noises and twenty more of the little creatures came out of hiding to cover her body, till she just looked like she was wearing a blanket of the small beings.

[cljordan-imperium]

SEVEN SENTENCE SUNDAY

I was tagged by @late-to-the-fandom

I'm tagging : @saltysupercomputer @shipping-through-eternity @sleepyowlwrites and anyone else wanting to play

"I can not explain it to you in a way that will make sense, but I needed to see her.  It felt like…" he struggled to find the phrasing that would fit.

"Like there was an integral part of you missing and the longer you were apart, the harder it was to breathe.  It was like you were starving, and Arioch got into the way of you getting to the kitchen when you could smell dinner cooking."  Now all eyes turned to look at Arch as he completed Dartan’s explanation, which it was clear from the spectre's expression was accurate.  What did the mage know? More importantly, what did this mean for Amaya?

[n41r]

While I do agree that Darktan is a very cool and handsome individual, I can't help but see him as a shitposting cowboy-

This all stemmed from his introduction in the anime as a gunner rather than as a dark musketeer o<-<

Reff pic under the cut

I don't really know where this photo came from, but I saw it as a redraw prompt, and I take it-

[mechaseraph]

Power couple idea: you get separated due to time-space shenanigans in attempt to make present better and it does gets better for everyone but you, as you're forever burdened to be separated, memory slowly melting away, but souls still yearning to meet one another

[cljordan-imperium]

OMG!! THIS IS IT!! 😱😍😍😍🥰

Guys!! Look!!! It's the Chinchirpa from Dartan & Amaya!! Jasper also has one!

Thank you for drawing it!!! 💜💜💜

TAG LIST - @spookyceph @saltysupercomputer @careful-pyromancer @late-to-the-fandom @autumnalwalker @perasperaadastrawriting @fearofahumanplanet @jessica-writes22 @dogmomwrites @mjjune @verba-writing   @outpost51 @inkspellangel @blind-the-winds @sunset-a-story @writingmaidenwarrior @clairelsonao3 @toribookworm22 @there-goes-thefighter @aziz-reads

Please let me know if you would like +/- From the list

little check-in for creators and worldbuilders!

if you see this and have the energy, what's the most interesting thing people can have as a pet in your wips?

feel free to use this as an excuse to infodump :>