#still trying to gain my footing expression wise before i start tackling the fact that this challenge should be 100 words long lolll

[huntedsmark]

DRABBLE CHALLENGE 2024: DAY 5 / RING Roma gets new clothes.

Rahadin’s armor fit Roma perfectly--an honest surprise considering so few things did. The fine leather breast piece lay flat and uncomplicated over his clothes. The boots neither squeezed his toes nor chafed his ankles. Even when the collar was clasped fully shut, he felt like he could breathe comfortably. 

For someone who had a lot of complaints about clothes, Roma could admit that these were nice. They would serve as a good replacement for his tattered traveling leathers... though, cynically, Roma was fairly sure whatever benefit they provided would be negated by Strahd’s rage upon seeing that he, of all people, was wearing the chamberlain’s armor.   

Roma fished out the signet ring Rabbit had plucked from Rahadin’s body; like everything else, it was a satisfying weight at the center of his palm. Roma remembered the monster hunter they’d parted ways with just a few days earlier. 

“Knives would like this.” He thought as the raven insignia glinted in the early morning light. “I’ll give it to her the next time we meet up.” 

Roma pocketed the ring again. 

Well. Whatever. Strahd was dead set on killing everyone anyway. Not something a ring and some armor was going to change.

---

[ladyzaurahel-blog]

The Legend of Oblivion: Chapter 1

~Two years later~

Oblivion sat on a pile of rubble, staring out towards the edge of the kingdom of Sylphs. (Sylphs are descended from air Elementals, and they always have light blue swirly ruins on their skin from birth, and a small breeze that fallows them around, like an aura.) She swung her small legs, staring over to where the warriors, and the sky druids were rebuilding defenses, even the thieves guild RED had joined the construction crew, for a small fee of course. The small seven year-old gave a hint of a smile, taking a bite from her apple. The kingdom may have lost so much, but they would slowly gain it all back... Suddenly she was tackled from behind, making her, and whoever this male was, roll down the mound of stones. When they were at the bottom, she suddenly flipped, pressing all her weight on him, which would make it almost impossible for him to move if he was not stronger than the delicately framed female. He raised his hands in surrender, allowing her to take in all of her attackers features. He had pale alabaster skin like most Sylphs, but his markings were a pale red. His hair white, which was also very common for their race, and his eyes were scarlet. He had a very smug and playful grin, which Oblivion recognized immediately.

"Zorak!" She laughed awkwardly, getting off of him, rubbing the nape of her neck, "Sorry about that..." The boy just grinned, grabbing her hand, and pulling her back up the stack of rocks, sitting down again. They sat in silence for a few minutes, before Zorak quietly asked Oblivion, his voice just barely a whisper,

"Hey," he spoke, squeezing her hand, "do you think everything's going to go back to normal? It may have two years since the Demons, but..." Oblivion smiled at him.

"Don't worry, Zorak. Everything is going to be okay. I know we all lost things, and people..." she looked out over to where the sun was setting, "I won't say that I have lost more than most, I know that some people were left mangled and broken... It's not my place to say what will happen and what will not, but, let's just hope... Okay?" She stood up, pulling the nine year-old to his feet with her. He chuckled.

"I didn't know you were so wise, Oblivion." He said as they walked back to the house, "Have you ever considered studying magic?" She just giggled, breaking into a sprint.

"Ha, ha. Very funny. Race you home!" Zorak shook his head, smiling, and took after her.

~Six years after that~

"What do you mean there's going to be a council?!" Oblivion glared at Xyona, "You honestly believe there's no other relatives to my deceased uncle, aside from me?!" Xyona rubbed her temples, gulping down some mead.

"Yes, Sneaky. And if you don't step up, this things permanent." She sighed, "I don't like it either..." At that moment, Zorak walked in. Obviously angry about something, and he threw his twin swords onto the table, sitting down. Aggressively.

"Don't like what? The fact that we now have a council with Prodotikos Skylos on it? No, mother! I absolutely love it! So should you!" The venomous sarcasm quite evident in his voice. He stood up, flailing his arms about, continuing his rant. He was quite a muscular boy for fifteen, and obviously very handsome. Zorak would continuously use this fact to get the things which he wanted. Lately though, he was in a bad mood, for Prodotikos Skylos had officially outlawed RED, even after all the work they had done on improving the kingdoms defenses. It wouldn't be that big of a problem, but Zorak had joined them, already beating those above him for the top spot. He was quite bitter about the Councils decisions, and would take it out on nearly anyone. The only person able to calm him down during one of his rages became Oblivion, who took to hugging him from the back. The first time she did this he had turned rigid, and couldn't do anything but stutter and blush bright red in her presence for an entire hour, which confused her greatly, but eventually he got used to it. No matter what though, even with RED on the line, Zorak didn't want Oblivion to have to become Queen, she was thirteen! And besides, he wanted to still be able to hang out with her. The fact that he didn't want to choose between RED and Oblivion was another thing that added to his stress, and kept him up at night, leading to Oblivion spiking his water with sleeping draught. Yes, Oblivion was definitely a born rogue, even if she was supposed to be a princess.

Even though Zorak wouldn't admit it, Oblivion had become quite beautiful over the years, her unusually black hair cascading in waves down her back, and her stunning violet eyes brought her attention from many males in the capitol, which then earned them a cold menacing glare from Zorak, telling them to back off. Oblivion remained oblivious to this though, which was a relief, seeing as if she noticed, he would have to endure her teasing. Oblivion groaned as she fell into the sofa, burying her sculpted face in her hands.

"I didn't ask to be born royalty!" She huffed, trying to refrain from yelling, the capital did not need to know her secret. "I won't be Queen, no-one can make me!" She decided, much to the satisfaction of Zorak, who turned, and started to walk up the spiral staircase until he heard her call out,

"Wait!" Oblivion ran in front of Zorak and put her arms around him, causing his face to go red again, then he hesitantly returned the gesture. "I needed a hug." She announced. With Prodotikos Skylos on the council, and RED outlawed, he realized a hug was definitely just what he needed, as well.

That it came from Oblivion was just an added bonus.

~Another three years~

Oblivion sat in the corner of a bar, toying with the silver dagger Selina had given her. She put her feet up on the table and yawned, closing her eyes and listening to the commotion about her,

"What the hell is that?!" Fear...

"It's purple!" Confusion...

"Oh, my gods... It has wings!" Panic...

"And a personality, so shut up!" And there's the offender. Oblivion snapped open her eyes, looking straight at a Strix. She had heard about them, they did indeed have light purple skin, and huge purple angel wings, which, obviously, didn't suit her. This one was a female, with spiked hair, about five inches long, and standing straight up. The Strix's build was incredibly muscular, and she looked as if she could break your neck, while playing a game of darts. Oblivion noticed that the Strix was staring at the Sylphs which were gossiping about her with such burning hatred one would believe that they would have caught on fire by now. The Strix also held a great-sword in one hand, which was about one foot taller than her, and three feet thick, she wore animal hide armor which was crudely sewn together, as if it had been constructed by the Strix herself, from whatever poor creature had fallen victim to her wrath. From the ferocity of the Strix's snarl, Oblivion suddenly remembered that Strix's utterly despised humanoids. Oblivion rolled her eyes, getting up from her spot in the corner. She walked over to the Strix, tapping her on the shoulder, and ducking when the winged creature swung her arm out, in an attempt to hurl her across the room. Oblivion raised her arms in surrender, but she didn't seem to intimidated. She spoke up taking out a few gold pieces.

"Woah, there!" She began, "I don't think you should start a brawl this early in the day, the sky druids are still patrolling..." Seeing the look on the Strix's face, she added, "Come on... I'll buy you a beer... If you tell me your name. I'm Oblivion." The Strix's face brightened at the mention of an alcoholic drink, and sat down heavily on a bar-stool, sheathing her sword in the scabbard on her back.

"I am known as Lialda!" She roared, banging her fist on the wood, making a few people shiver, and back away. Oblivion just calmly smiled, and put a few gold pieces on the counter. She then nodded at Lialda.

"Good to know.... She'll take the strongest alcoholic drink you happen to have..." She then looked the bartender in the eye, the latter shaking in fear, "I don't care if it's illegal." He squeaked, and scurried out of the room. A few Sylphs looked at Oblivion as if she insane talking to the Strix, and the others, which were previously gossiping about Lialda, looked thankful that her attention was not on them anymore. Lialda seemed a bit surprised herself at how calmly Oblivion was handling her. There seemed to be nothing mentally wrong with the Sylph, but, what could possibly be the other explanation? Oblivion noticed the Strix's confused expression, and laughed.

"Are you wondering why I'm not intimidated by you?" She lightly teased, smiling widely. This confused Lialda even more, but she would never admit that. She turned her head to the side, scoffing.

"No. Of course not." But Oblivion just laughed.

~Three more years later~

Oblivion and Zorak were dueling, overlooked by Lialda. The tension and ferocity in the room was unmistakable, for one of the Council members had threatened to off Zorak, and tell the kingdom Oblivions secret, if she did not marry him. Oblivion was furious. Xyona had been the one whom the Council member went to for one thing, and for another, blackmailing her would have been considered a death sentence had her uncle been alive. Of course, Oblivion believed that it wouldn't matter if she agreed to wed him or not, for he would reveal her secret as a chance to become King anyway.

Xyona herself had taken some measures to ensure that the marriage would not happen, since it could not be called off, she had, in fact, hired a guide to take Oblivion and Lialda out of the kingdom. This guide had only just came to the surface world, and would always wear a hooded cloak, as the sun would burn his eyes. This guide was a Drow, a dark elf, he had not told Xyona why he had come to their kingdom, or if he was to be considered trustworthy or not, but he was the best bet for Oblivions safety. The Drow male was muscular and lean in appearance, but did not appear to be anything close to Lialdas strength. He had long white hair, which was common for a Drow, and bright red eyes, which also was not unusual. He had an array of weapons, but appeared to favor the rapier, which was also Oblivion's preferred weapon, and the Drow had an intricate silver ring on his finger.

Xyona had told them to leave at sundown, and to make their way through the forest, as the sky druids did not patrol that close to the border, and if, by any chance, one was near, the trees would provide them cover. Oblivion was still furious about this though, and Lialda had even offered to murder the Council member for her, seeming very delighted at the chance to destroy her friends enemy, and she was not the only one. Although Oblivion had yet to join the thieves guild, (which Zorak was now guild-master of,) RED had seen so much promise, for her skills were improving daily, and they had also offered to kill him. But Oblivion refused. She had said that she believed, even though this was an insult to the royal family itself, that the problem would work out on it's own, but Zorak knew that Oblivion was just desperate for adventure. He was indeed saddened by the thought of not seeing Oblivion ever again, but tried to keep his spirits up around her, because, for some odd reason, he did not enjoy seeing her worry. Oblivion would usually be able to see right through this, but she understood, and put up an act of her own.

Oblivion and Lialda were ready to leave at sundown, meeting the Drow at the edge of the forest. He said nothing, but started walking, motioning for them to follow. Lialda grabbed his shoulder, forcing him to turn around, but all he did was smack her hand off his shoulder, and looked at her with a bored expression on his chiseled face.

"What." He said in the common tongue, his voice deep, and so low it was hardly heard. Lialda looked surprised for a moment, and seemed to be contemplating the pros and cons of killing him. Oblivion decided to voice her thoughts, not wishing for her guide to be killed.

"What's your name?" She spoke, making him furrow his eyebrows, scrunching his face into a frown, making her add on, "We just need to know if we can trust you or not. You know us but we don't know you..." He sighed, and motioned for them to follow him back down the path, he seemed to be thinking about whether or not it would be alright to tell them. Eventually, he turned around, and spoke, his voice in a whisper, as if worried that someone might learn of his existence.

"Bhynil."

And thus the years did pass.