#we did get like 1 shady quest but that one got resolved really quickly and there was no fight

[leowifefang]

they really made us go in a circle!!!!

[yourarmynoona]

The Warrior & the Warlock || Chapter 3

Description:  [Fantasy!AU] You have lost your home, your family, your tribe, and are wanted by a rival tribe for the murder of their general. On the run and seeking vengeance for the destruction of your people in the form of a Sacred Rune, you make an unlikely ally in the form of a wandering Warlock with his own secrets to hide. Your fates intertwine as you journey across to mysterious lands in search of the rune but when destiny has other plans, your journey becomes much bigger than you could have imagined.

Rating: M

Reader x Namjoon

Themes: Fantasy, Smut (eventual), Adventure, Murder, Mystery

Wordcount: 10k+

Notes: It’s late and I really didn’t proofread so...yeah....

Prologue | Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4

You were slightly aghast with a distorted look gracing your features. It was the guy you ran into in the Red Bazaar area. He smiled shyly and looked into your direction announcing, “Hey! Long time no see!” only to have Namjoon and Taehyung raise an eyebrow in your direction. Fate really was playing an interesting game with you these days.

“Hey...,” you trailed off, your voice somewhat awkwardly shrinking. Jungkook looked simply amused by the turn of events.

“I see you’ve met before!” Taehyung stated with a smile and a mischievous grin, elbowing Jungkook on the side of his armor. Jungkook blushed furiously and lightly punched a laughing Taehyung in the arm with his free hand as Namjoon and you looked on quizzically. During the exchange, Wakonga cleared his throat to garner your attention towards himself, his hands tucked behind his back. “Now dat you have made the acquaintance of one anoda, let us get down to business. My dear friend, Syndra Silvane-“

“You mean THE Sylvana Silvane?!” Namjoon interjected excitedly, placing his hands loudly on the wooden table with his eyes growing wide as he leaned in towards Wakonga.

“Yes, DE Syndra Silvane. She be sick with de wasting disease. She was only recently raised from de dead by a fellow Wizard but soon became ill. She is dying slowly and it breaks my heart to know dis. Escort des fine young men around town for de next two days and your debt will be removed.”

Namjoon and yourself nodded firmly.

“Do not let dem get into to much trouble. Dey come from fa away on de Sword Coast and are at de top in completed quests. I expect you to treat our guests well.” Wakonga narrowed his eyes and downturned his face with his last sentence and you felt a chill go up your spine. His voice was dark and foreboding, a warning that you knew was particularly for you. Namjoon straightened his posture before he announced that the pair of you would do well so as to not cause anymore trouble. Seeing his job was done, Wakonga sent for a guard to escort you to the lobby area. It seemed that even then Wakonga had his eyes on you and Namjoon.

 After leaving the jail and entering the bustling streets of Port Nyanzaru, your party agreed to find lodging for the night and perhaps a good meal before the events of tomorrow. Prior to leaving, you were informed that the following day would be spent in both the Red Bazaar and the entirety of the Market Ward gathering supplies and assisting Jungkook and Taehyung in preparation for their journey into the unknown lands of Chult. You told them you knew of a place, the Leaping Lizard Tavern, that hosted larger parties for less coin but it was across town in the well, “not so great” side of the port as you put it lightly. However, it was known to have guides that visited or other unsavory types that were great sources of information. You remember how Namjoon had looked at you in disbelief that you were intentionally going to a notorious mercenary and killer-for-hire hunting ground and the way you had assured him if you, a rather short, lone, female barbarian were okay there, they would be too. Making your way through the streets, pteralizards flying high overhead beside birds of various sizes, you watched the way Taehyung’s jaw was dropped in awe at the sights of the city. He frequently would run ahead and stop at stalls or to look at the Thunder Lizards passing by, calling out to Jungkook who would simply shake his head and continue on with a warm smile at his friend’s antics.

“Wow! Jungkook look at them! There’s all different sizes and types! They look like big lizards but their so friendly!” Taehyung exclaimed, crouched down under a tree and near a stall off the center of wide plaza area, petting a small two-legged Thunder Lizard that had rolled over on it’s back to receive the attention.  It was dark in color with two distinctive yellow markings above is eyes and on its muzzle down to its chest.

“Those are Orintholizards. Their small like chickens and can run really fast. Most people keep them as pets. They’re actually really good at sniffing things out and they don’t get very big.” You explained at Taehyungs side, also crouching down to pet the head of the tiny Thunder Lizard, receiving a enthused trill in return. Taehyung looked towards Jungkook with pleading eyes asking him desperately “Can we keep him Jungkook? He could be very useful in the jungle!” His eyes shone brilliantly and you could see a small pout playing on his lips like a small child. Jungkook simply clicked his tongue before letting out an exasperated sigh and stating “You will have to care for it and feed it then. I take no responsibility for what happens next, hyung.” Taehyung leapt up from the ground with the tiny lizard in both his hands held out before him, excitedly claiming “I’m going to call you Yeontan! Because you’re dark like coal!”

You got up and strode over to Namjoon, asking what the term was that Jungkook called Taehyung, wondering if it was a term of endearment or a nickname. “It’s a term we Shou use to call someone ‘brother’ and we have different terms for people who are older or younger. It’s how we show respect.” Namjoon said, his eyes never leaving Taehyung playing with his new pet.

After the small distraction, your party was back on track to your destination, passing the usual shouting merchants, growling Thunder Lizards, and the creak of wooden carts hauling goods towards the Tiryki Anchorage, the shipping hub for the mouth of one of the two rivers that ended in Port Nyanzaru. The air was searingly hot as the sun was overhead and only a few large palms offered relief from the midday sun. Rounding a corner through the ward, you were finally passing the Colosseum and headed north towards the Old City area where the Inn was. When you finally arrived at the inn, Taehyung was once again shell-shocked at something within the city, though this time you wouldn’t blame him. There was a giant Thunder Lizard skull used as the awning to the entrance of the Leaping Lizard Tavern and Inn, though you were sure it was rather fake since you have yet to see one of that size in your life. Opening the heavy and ornately carved wooden door, Namjoon fell in behind you, a white-knuckle grip on his quarter staff in hand that he had quickly removed from his belt. You could sense his apprehension for stepping foot in such an establishment and wondered if your previous incident had anything to do with it.

The group of you settled in to a table off to the side of the two-story tavern near the stage. There was a folk band playing local music to a crowd of somewhat disinterested patrons who were deep in conversation or drink. There were many tall tables scattered about and an area off to the side reminiscent of the café, filled with large cushions and low tables with big and small smoking towers on them to which patrons would take puffs before exhaling upwards. The was somewhat foggy but smelled wonderfully sweet and aromatic, almost like mildly charred fruit and you could feel your stomach rumble in response. A server in a loose caftan gown came over to you, and you placed your orders for food as well as inquired about possibly bedding there for the night. You were told it was only 1 gold piece per night and 2 silver pieces per hour and were elated about having such a deal, though Namjoon seemed to be concerned about the shady price tag and why the establishment had an hourly rate.

The server would return shortly with a tray full of luscious finger foods, grains, and drink for your party right as you got down to business. Popping a small round berry into your mouth you began, “So what is this journey you’re going on? We’ve heard some stuff about it but really don’t know much else and it’s hard to get you equipment if we don’t know where you’re going.” It sounded logical but the truth was, you were just as eager to know the situation as Namjoon. Jungkook spoke for Taehyung, whose cheeks were currently full of flatbread and meat while his new pet was seated in his lap trying to steal his food.

“Ms. Silvane sent us here from Baldur’s Gate to resolve the issue of the Wasting Disease. We ourselves are a bit lost as to what it is but know what we can head into Madukka to find out more as they seem to have rumors of Lost Runes hidden in some tomb far in the mountain jungles,” he took a steady sip of his drink, his forearm on the able supporting him as he continued, “To be honest, we were kind of hoping you guys would have some information about it. Wakonga briefed us and said one of you was a scholar and the other was a fighter so Tae and I had some hope that maybe you guys knew something about it.”

It was true, you did know something but that was up to Namjoon to disclose. No sooner than you had finished your thought, Namjoon spoke.

“I would say that we know a little however, if I tell you, I have a request on behalf of ___ and myself.”

Jungkook leaned in a little further, his eyes growing a little wider in curiosity.

“If we tell you what we know, you must allow us to join you on this journey.”

If this wasn’t the second time you had lost your tea in one day, the third time was going to be happening shortly. You knew it was coming but didn’t think he was serious about discussing it then and there or even that you wanted to go with them. You thought it was a fanciful notion that he was having and that he wasn’t serious about it. After all, your contract only said until day after tomorrow. Right?

“Woah, woah, woah!” you exclaimed, sitting up promptly from your stooped poster at the table. All eyes were on you. “Namjoon, don’t we have other uh, things?” you answered carefully, bringing your voice down. You knew that he had wanted to go into the jungle but your perception of the situation was to go to the jungle with Namjoon ONLY and get the Lost Runes that you needed, then go about your merry way while they solved the other problem. It wasn’t to cure some disease.

Namjoon answered with a surprised expression “I figured if we joined forces, we could get what we need to get done. Besides, I actually have someone else I wanted to recruit with us as well.” You downturned your head and pouted. Perhaps it was selfish of you to only want it to be you and Namjoon or perhaps it was because your level of trust with outsiders was already limited after what you had experienced the last few months. Though logically, he was right. The more diverse the party, the easier the quest. It still didn’t change your opinion of the situation. Jungkook reiterated this fact and said it would actually be beneficial if you teamed up with them as their skillset was quite different than yours.

“Namjoon…” you trailed off, making eye contact with him before turning to Jungkook. “Okay we will go with you but I’m only going because he is going” you stated matter-of-factly crossing your arms and straightening your posture. If it was something he wanted to do for his sister and mother, it was your job to make it happen. You did owe him your life. Besides, it probably did make sense on his end that they cure the disease first if he really did intend to resurrect them, though you knew he was leaving that part out as a precaution.

Jungkook’s nose wrinkled in a small smile before poking Taehyung and explaining the situation. Namjoon then would fill the two in on what he had learned, unpacking the scroll from his large leather pouch and explaining what they were possibly looking for. You noticed that he left out the part about the Lost Runes and were unsure if that was purposeful or it was because it simply was not relevant to their cause. Jungkook and Taehyung figured that if you were indeed going to make the journey and add an accomplice to the mission of Namjoon’s choosing, it was to make a profit for personal reasons. You took a large bite of flatbread before inquiring more about who Jungkook and Taehyung really were. You had gotten to know where they were from and a little about them but if you were going to trust them in battle, you needed to learn who they were as people.

“Well for starters,” Jungkook began, “we’re both natives of the Sword Coast in Toril, though Taehyung here wasn’t born there.” Jungkook ruffled his friend’s blonde locks before Taehyung spoke up, “I was born in the High Forest. Not sure where, but I lived with my human grandma and father on a farm in Greenest in the Greenfields for a while before I moved.”

You had never been to the Sword Coast but had been around the area in Toril before and had ventured through the High Forest on accident. You were 100% sure that only Elves lived there but maybe you were wrong. The fact that he had said "human grandma" ghosted over your head, but Namjoon looked up from a bite of his food briefly to look directly at Taehyung before resuming looking back down to some notes as he ate. Right as you were about to ask about their area of specialty and skillset, Yeontan jumped up to nip Taehyungs finger for preventing him from eating a piece of meat and when he withdrew his hand, it brushed back his hair near the side of his head in the process. Just as you did with Namjoon, you caught a glimpse of his ears.

“You’re an elf?” you asked as if almost a statement. Right as Taehyung told Yeontan a firm “no”, he looked towards you and said “Nope! I’m only half. My mother was an elf but my dad is 100% human but sometimes I question that.” He let loose a laugh accompanied with a boxy grin. You looked over to Namjoon who didn’t seem phased in the least bit then to Jungkook, who appeared a few spoonfuls deep in some grain and vegetable dish.

“So how old are you in Common Years?”

“I’m 39, ____ and I’ve been with Jungkook since he was a baby pretty much,” he said gleefully, poking Jungkooks cheek full of food while Yeontan chattered in his lap.

Jungkook looked up and his brow furrowed before mumbling something along the lines of “And if anyone is the baby, it’s you” with a mouth full of food. It appeared as though the age thing was a soft spot. “Namjoon-ah, you’re just like me too! How old are you in Common Years?” Taehyung inquired, his head cocked delicately to the side, his hands occupied with rubbing Yeontan’s head. Namjoon looked up from the text he was reading and smiled.

“46. So, not too much older. What was your mother?”

“She was Or-Tel'Quessir, Wood Elf. I’m not really sure how I happened other than my dad and my mom spent a few years visiting one another and then, BOOP! Out I came. Weird right? Wood elves kinda keep to themselves. I remember living in the High Forest for a little bit but then my mom told me I would stay with my dad so here we are!”

To you, it sounded similar to how Namjoon grew up but different in that he actually lived among elves for a while in contrast to Namjoon, who has been among humans his entire life. You wondered if there were cultural differences between elf races just like humans but decided you’d ask another day. During your exchange, Namjoon seemed to be listening intently and nodding his head in agreement while Jungkook continued to shovel food in his mouth.

“How about you,” you nodded your head towards Jungkook “Any weird family stories on your end?” He swallowed before responding with a large gulp. “Nope, just an ordinary guy from Baldur’s Gate.” Taehyung scoffed and nudged Jungkook with his free elbow, “He’s really not. He is very humble but hyung here is actually a noble! Can you believe it?!” He seemed rather excited at the statement but Jungkook appeared to choke on his dish, his eyes watering as he squeezed them shut.

Apparently there was more to these guys than you thought.

“So you’re a noble huh? Makes sense. Fancy armor like that doesn’t come cheap,” you pointed to him across the table, your finger tracing faux patterns in the air that mimicked the golden designs across his pauldrons. You weren’t sure Jungkook was blushing furiously or was just red from the oxygen deprivation. He put his utensil down and ruffled his chestnut brown tendrils before answering that he was born into one of the many noble families in Baldur’s Gate and grew up training in swordsmanship in order that he would become a future high-ranking military officer in Toril like many other young noblemen did. However, he stated that as he got older, the less he wanted to be a military official and the more he wanted to travel and see the world. He and Taehyung informed you that Taehyung’s family would visit the city to sell their crops and he met Jungkook when he was a mere infant when his family was outside of the Inner Wall, becoming fast friends when he finally moved to the city on his own to study under a resident shaman. They were so different, like night and day, yet they appeared to work in harmony together as they gave you details for some of the quests they had already completed. While Jungkook was an official knight of Toril, Taehyung was an understudy of both his grandmother and the city shaman and was a studious Druid who specialized in Plant Circle, the ability to commune with beasts and nature as well as control it. To you and Namjoon, it appeared as though your party was taking shape in best way.

You and Namjoon also spoke about your skillset and a little bit about where you came from, though you left out the part about being wanted by a tribe back home but that wasn’t that big of a deal. Was it? Namjoon explained some more details that you were also unaware of, such as his teaching for the last 10 years as a professor of magic and that he knew 8 different languages with two of them being solely used for runic inscriptions. He also added that he was terrible at dancing, which earned a hearty laugh from all at the table when he described the one time he attempted to dance with his colleagues. Continuing your merriment, the hours passing and the server passing you a few more times, you finally decided to check-in to the inn portion of the tavern for the night.

Walking over to a desk near the back of the tavern, you were greeted by a short, slim woman of about 40 who was filing away papers and keys. She had short pastel pink hair and as it would appear, was most likely a full-elf due to her sharp pointed ears and unnatural haircolor. She smiled up the group of you, asking, “So how can I help you fine young men and you young lady?”

“We need three-“ you turned around to check your party, who shook their heads vigorously “three rooms for the night. Do you have any available? We don’t need anything fancy.” The woman pulled out a pair of small, round glasses and skimmed through a ledger in hand, her finger running down the pages.

“Ah, it would seem I only have two rooms available but I can have them bring extra bedrolls. Would that be alright miss?”

You hesitated.

“Um…I guess, so?”

Your eye twitched and you were trying to look calm but inside you were actually rather uncomfortable with two rooms because it meant you and Namjoon would be sharing a room since the inn only had 1 bed per room at most and from what you could tell, they were rather minimal and small. After signing the ledger and each of you exchanging your fee and receiving a room keys, the group of you began to make your way up a separate set of steps to a blocked second story for inn goers. Hobbling up the steps however, you failed to notice a set of brilliant silver eyes watching you in detail from the rafters of the stairs.

[emmaswanchoosesyou]

Part of the Narrative (3/17)

Emma Swan just wants to write the follow-up to her bestselling debut novel, that’s all. But when she gets off to a rough start with her new editor, Killian Jones, she knows it’s not going according to plan. Then, an unexpected figure from Emma’s past reappears and life begins to mirror the crime thriller she’s penning. Suspicion and secrets abound–but love might too. A writer/editor AU with a thriller twist.

Rated E. Story warnings: sexual content, kidnapping, some gore, violence, and minor character death–not to mention salty language! On Ao3 here.

Chapter warnings: no relevant ones this time!

Thank you to all of you who have been reading! Your comments and likes and kudos and reblogs have made me so happy. And thank you to @captainswanbigbang​ for all you’ve done to make this possible, and all the support you’ve given.  Sophie @shady-swan-jones made the delightful banner and another photoset that I adore. Kayla @bleebug did some incredible art for the first chapter, which you can check out here. And all the love and thanks to Kris @sambethe for beta-ing this and making it a ton better.

Ch. 1 2

Chapter 3

Cleo wonders why Killian is so determined and why August didn’t let her take over editorial duties. 

Cleo

Cleo kept her eyes on Killian Jones as he retreated out of her office. God, what a mess.

She liked Emma Swan. The kid had moxie and talent, and something even rarer--heart. She hoped Jones wouldn’t try to mess with that, remove the soul and pathos of her writing in a quest to perfect her style. Sure, she could stand a little more polish and a heavier hand editing than Graham had provided, but really, who couldn’t?

She sighed and got up to close her door. She needed to send off an email, plan for tomorrow’s meeting with Hachette Book Group, think about dinner for Alex and Jamie, but the only thing on her mind was how weird this whole situation was.

Normally (well, as normal as any situation could be when a healthy man in his thirties died), if one her editors was unable to perform his job, she’d take over, at least until the project could be reassigned. In fact, with as popular as Emma’s novel had been, it would have been expected that she would take over.

But that hadn’t even been offered as an option.

Graham hadn’t even been in the ground when August came to her and told her he was bringing someone on to be Emma’s editor. Some old pal of his, highly qualified, he promised.

“His name is Killian Jones. I’m sure you’ve heard of him.” He waved his hand and then continued before she could get a word in edgewise, “He was in the London scene, used to do PR for the Royal Navy before his accident. He’s brilliant, but he’s had some personal losses and wants a change. So he’s crossing the pond.”

Cleo had protested briefly. “Are you sure you don’t want me to take on working with Emma? I’m familiar with her and her work, and it wouldn’t be as much of a switch after everything with Graham.”

August had waved her protests aside. “Don’t worry about it. I wouldn’t want to add to your workload like that, what with Emma working on a new project.” Before she had a chance to say that she wouldn’t mind, he had left her office.

It had felt very dismissive, and, somehow, very wrong.

To be sure, Killian Jones was highly qualified, but it had all happened so quickly. She’d brought it up once to Regina, but she’d also just waved the whole thing aside, seemingly unconcerned.

“Whatever gets Miss Swan writing better and gets us more sales,” she has said, barely lifting her eyes from her phone.

It was a lot of waving things aside, basically.

So Cleo ignored her initial reservations. Now, though, they were cropping back up. With such a serious and immediate dispute between author and editor, normally she would recommend things be reassigned. And she had been planning to. There were a number of projects she could shift to Killian so that she could take over duties of Emma’s new novel herself. She was a known quantity to Emma, it would smooth out her otherwise tempestuous edges.

That was until August had come into her office later the same afternoon she had spoken to  Emma.

She had snapped to attention as soon as he entered. “Good, I wanted to talk to you about somethi--”

He dropped himself in the chair across from her desk and didn’t wait for her to finish speaking. “I heard about that little scuffle between Swan and Jones. Was that what you were planning on bringing up?”

“Yes, and I think there’s an argument to be made for--”

He cut her off again. “Look, Cleo, I know they didn’t get off on the right foot, but I have faith that their partnership will be best for everyone.” He stretched his legs out, crossing his ankles. “Trust me on this,” he said in that smarmy, insincere way he had.

All good looks and no scruples, she thought as she fought to keep her nose from wrinkling in disgust. And if he interrupted her again she might actually punch him.

Okay, so maybe she hated one of her bosses. Not that she could blame herself, August was pretty much the worst. She couldn’t get a read on his game, but he didn’t seem motivated by love of books, that’s for sure.

“Why, sir? If there’s so much tension already, why shouldn’t I reassign Jones and take on Emma myself? She and I get on well, and I know I could help smooth out some of her rougher edges.”

“Don’t worry about it, Cleo. Jones will make it work.” He drummed his fingers on the arm of her chair. “See, we think he and Swan will work well. You know, PR stuff, that you might not get. Top-level corporate stuff. I can explain it if you want…”

By sheer force of will, she managed not to visibly roll her eyes. What a condescending little prick.

“I’ll be fine, thanks,” she said dryly.

“Awesome.” He gave her a wide smile and stood. “So, can I count on you to mediate this?”

She sighed internally. “If the situation warrants it. Hopefully Mr. Jones and Miss Swan can act like the adults they are.”

“Thanks, Cleo. You’re the best,” August said, shooting her a wink as he exited her office.

“‘You’re the best’,” she mimicked under her breath in her best quiet impression of his voice. “I’d be better if I didn’t have to put up with this bullshit.”

Then the next day, Jones had plodded into her office, all conflicted tension and faux angst. The guy was a shit, and one who knew he was hot stuff, but she couldn’t deny he had talent. Besides, he seemed honest enough about wanting to fix things.

Something wasn’t right though. She got a weird vibe from Killian--he was too insistent on fixing things with Emma, even if he seemed genuine about wanting do so. Most people would let a conflict like this take its natural course and resolve itself. So that, coupled with August’s push to make them the new dream team of Mills & Booth...it stank to high heaven.

She would eat her hat if something wasn’t wrong with this whole scenario. She hadn’t written and edited her share of mysteries and thrillers for nothing, and she could smell some kind of setup.

If only she knew what.

With narrowed eyes, she clicked on the new message she received from August...asking her if she’d managed to smooth things over for Swan and Jones to work together. She got ready to reply, shaking her head.

This whole thing bore watching. And she would be the one to do it.