Down Once More~ A Visit with the Pirate.

[Lord General Maahes Asad-Aziem]

"Down once more to the dungeon of my black despair!
Down we plunge to the prison of my mind!
Down that path into darkness deep as hell! "
~Phantom

Aslan Burning: There had come a time in every soldier's life where hours were spent staring at the walls of a vile dungeon. The holding spaces in Tarus Lan were no different then that of an English period. The stench of body fluids, grimy thieves, and criminals stuck too long in the summer heat filled the air like a fire sucking free all the clean oxygen. With every struggled breath and endless cry how was it one was meant to rest, or perhaps that was the key. Slowly the mind breaks until falling endlessly out onto the stone floor with the blood of idle hands. Maahes knew this feeling all too well. He knew how the mind would pretend the walls closed and concealed his fat all by the blackness that consumed an ill mind. From the moment the Egyptian giant took his first breath, life was a fight to survive. Trained to stand in an unbreakable army, Maahes was bred for war. So it would come to no surprise that such a life could fall without order. So yes, the Beast was a complex man, one who could kill without mercy or even a second thought. Yet, here he stood outside the massive iron doors of the dungeon, guilt running him like a fever. Had he done the right thing? (d


The Wind an Mist: She had gone without a fight. It wasn't worth a broken nose or black eye to fight them, and it meant them hurt. Then again she probably would of had her own black and blue marks for the trouble of it. It didn't stop her from cursing the vile raging bull in Egyptian all the way there. The stench was overwhelming and she fought the urge to throw whatever was in her stomach on the ground. That would only worsen the smell anyways. Tossed inside, she turned to glare a flamed stare at those tossing her in before shifting about the tiny room. She wanted to breath, pull in a clean breath, even a salty one at this point would be welcoming to calm her anger. Then again, who was to blame, only her stupid temper though it wouldn't so easily be admitted outside of her own head. Passing the time as a caged tiger, pacing back and forth, idly going over memories to keep the screaming from making her body shudder. She'd gotten herself into this, away from clean air, away from the sea. It was murder to a heart that beat like the droll of the waves rolling into the shore. Over time, her anger soothed a touch, at least to the point she wouldn't break the jaw of the first person to confront her. Swiveling on her feet, she turned about the room. The four walls torture enough to send a shiver running through her spine, enough to make her close her eyes to escape the inclosing space.*


Peregrin Shakye: "The time has come. The Walrus said," A voice from above rang out with such a carefree spirit, "To talk of many things.." There in the folds of the only window, sat a man with many stories. His back pressed against the stone, and his feet propped up resting against the bars. "Of shoes..and ships..and sealing wax." Was he crazy; this silhouette from the night? Moving his wicked face into the light, ocean blue eyes boiled against the torch lights. "Cabbages, and kings--Why the sea is boiling hot.." Such a grin there across sun touched features. Wheat colored strands of blonde curls washed around his face in the breeze, and as the pirate held up the keys he continued. "and whether pigs have wings." There it was..the smile that captured every heart he had come across. The big ring of silver keys danced against his hand, as out of the corner of his eye he watched the General speak to the guard. "Word travels fast, ma petite, that there be another ship in the harbor and it's captain already detained, Tisk Tisk." He shook his head stilling the keys to shake a finger slowly. "Come, child what kind of pirate do ye call yourself?" Peregrin cast her a wink before folding his hands behind his head stretching out once again in the window. A content smile rest then across his face as he peered down to the woman. There was a danger there behind those blues, but one that did not speak of life or death--only heart and soul. What a heartbreaker this one was, even now as his fiance waits in the sheets of his bed he is out spying on the fresh face. "and what a lovely one you are." (d


The Wind an Mist: Think of the ocean, full and perfect, with stars glimmering all around the ship at night. Think of the smell that lingers before battle...think of..The voice that rang out had her lids slowly edging up as celadon eyes turned to find the face to match it. Her lips pulled into a tight frown, she was about to tell the crazy ass to shut his trap when he displayed keys and then the fast spread words. She silently cursed, if a certain person WHO was detained, she was on the wrong end of the bed sheets and it'd take a long ways to catch up. She watched the window seal man continue on, smiling and cooing at her as if she were an inviting piece of meat for sale. Wrong-o. "Perhaps I allowed myself to be captured for a purpose, hmm. Then I'd be one hell of a damn good pirate. I'd of done it right then." She couldn't help but turn her body to face him. Studying his face, all right so he was slightly handsome, that didn't mean a damn thing. She took a step towards him, then another, that frown pulling deeper on her face"Your hogging the window. Move."Heartbreaker, ha. If he could make a stone heart beat, then she'd give him credit. The only thing at the moment he was, was an annoyance.*



Peregrin Shakye: He laughed then the sound a whimsical chime, and one that came from deep within. It was easy to be so carefree when life was but an adventure and at his fingertips. Slightly handsome? His attire never matched, his hair refused a comb. Peregrin barely looked over his mid 20's, but somewhere deep in the lines of his face his true age could be told. "Well you sure did pick the right one to get into a fight with, Papillion." He stilled his laughter only to ace her, and catch her eye. "If any hate our kind more, it is that animal." He snorted at the thought. "Though.." He turned his face towards the streets to catch sight of the pacing Lion contemplating his entrance. "It normally takes him longer to want to free you." He smirked at the thought of when Danae had been trapped, and how long it had taken Maahes to finally release her. Though he thought the Arab was only protecting her from himself. "So then what purpose have you?" An amused smile curled his lips again. "What is the big plan? Or have you come that far yet?" Out of her reach he spun the keys without thinking, an act to perhaps edge her on? (d


The Wind an Mist: He could call her whatever he wanted, it only meant her boot would be jammed that much more into his mouth to stuff it up! Her jaw flecked and released in irritation, not only was the laugh of a man in jail slightly annoying, the walls were still closing in and she was fighting the urge to fidget. Leaning against the side of the window, she peered out to watch the bull pace, but at the angle she was, she doubted he would see her watching him. Celadon eyes shifted when the man caught her gaze. "So I've heard"She muttered in return to Maahes hate of Pirates. The window was a small comfort, a glimpse of fresh air, teasing to a point but never completely satisfying as being out within it, surrounded by the open. Wondering if what the pirate spoke of was true, would Maahes release her after a while? hmmm. The thought was enough to make her vocals hum, a soft sweet melody to a usual honey voice to actual words. Her lips twitched again, this time in a slight smile"What makes you think your even a blip on a map to me that I would tell you of my plan". She turned a flamed stare at the pirate"If your thinking that because your a pirate and I am a pirate and so we shall be one big happy get together and I'll have your back and you'll have mine, you can forget it. I'd sooner stab you in the back then keep it safe. This is not a one for all, all for one situation."A gaze swept to the dangling keys then back to his face before peering out of the window again.*



Peregrin Shakye: "How would you have my back from inside those bars, ma petite?" He spoke once more closing his hand over the silver and then following her eyes to the streets where the night would prove promising. "You know it is sad really, such a man so full of hate. You know he has never shared the same bed as a woman?" Out of no where that came, but Perry enjoyed finding any opportunity to belittle the Beast as much as he could. He was outside the bars, and she was in. However the pirate stretched his arm through the iron and held open his palm. The glint of silver there in his palm--the key. "I'll leave this with you, ma chérie. But I will leave whether you use it or not, up to you." One more look out into the streets, and he would return her with a smile. "A bientôt mon ami." He said with a wink before pressing from the window and returning to the night. (d



The Wind an Mist: She was one step away from wrapping her pretty little hands around that scrawny neck of his. Then he was out and away leaving behind the key. She reached for it held it in the palm of her hand. Such a tiny thing felt like a huge weight within her palm. The choice was hers, she could stay and risk being there for a very long time or she could use it and be on the run from the bull and trailing after her prey. The option did not look promising both ways. Inside she was trapped, away from her prey, away from one more goal achieved but on the other hand, out and running would mean she had an enemy in front of her and behind her. Those odds were worse. She curled her fingers, clasping the key tight in a closed fist as she leaned against the wall, poking her head into the tiny space of the window to look out on the night.*


Aslan Burning: Lost in thought a mind barely had time to wake, but alive and free how easily it moved. Maahes's sandaled feet carried much slower forced steps towards the entrance of the room in which the Pirate was being held. Every cry of dying souls silenced once they sat eyes upon the Beast. Most of them in their hell because of this man, but many waited to see what victim he would pick next. None had ever known him to step foot inside the dungeon other then to execute but as of late their sentences were to be carried out inside the rotting cages. The Arab was alone, as most were well on their way into dreams of the peace they help keep. His massive tall frame was fitted with loose fitting linen of natural tones. No doubt what would adorn his body had he been in the company of his heritage. Though the thick wrap of cotton that hugged each shoulder and draped over his back would cause one to think the Summer air held a chill. The color was a deep burnt red, and in many ways represented the once mighty Roman Empire. A thick band of leather held back the tendrils of his hair, and the rings of gold that wrapped each dread touched. As always his face was clean shaven save for the trimmed black goatee that outlined thick lips, and for once the scent of musky sandalwood covered the clean flesh of his neck. Truly one to stand out, the Arabic male was never one to ever give a damn. Unknown to her, two guards had been positioned outside the entrance to her holding, for her own protection. It was not everyday such a beautiful face was placed into such a place, and he would not hear of her stay.any less pleasant. The only weapon he would carry on the eve, was a curved top heavy blade that wasn't full length and ran from the base of his spine up between his shoulders; well hidden and out of sight. As the doors were opened for him he would duck to enter the holding, and instantly lose everything he had rehearse to say. Ask her how she was doing Maahes? If she was hungry? Tired? Thirsty? Something boy speak!! His face held nothing, no anger, no rage, nothing but the well outlined weariness of a night without sleep. (d



The Wind an Mist: Three days without a bath, gods above what she would not give for a bath. A steaming tub of heaven. Her lips puckered in thought when the door squeaked out its arrival and she swirled around to see who was there. As if she hadn't known! Her lips relaxed from their worry creased frown. How angry she imagined she would be at seeing him, was less then she thought. Not at all in fact. She hadn't seen him this clean before. A brow shot up in wonder. Hmm, he looked the part..authority and...natural. As if he were born with the garment on and it grew with him. Regal, all most. Pleasant. She hummed a soft agreement though really it didn't matter her opinion of the way he looked. A smile cracked at her lips as much as she couldn't help it and she bit the inside of her cheek to get it to go away. Did she find this moment humorous, not even she was sure. Crossing arms over her chest, she kept the key pressed tightly in her palm, squeezing just to keep the feeling of it there. To keep the a hold on something. Did he know what this place did to her? How it seeped into her veins and pulled slowly strand for strand the sanity within? How the walls squeezed and threatened to burn her like hot pokers from a fire? "You didn't sleep"It wasn't a question, more of a statement, a fact of the weariness on his face for lack of it. The look he held was how she felt too, unable to rest in a place like this, could anyone blame her for it.*


Aslan Burning:
Not a single word would escape his lips, though at present none could. Just the small shake of his head to let her know she was right. No, Maahes had not slept. The Lion from the arena hadn't a single wink to his name, but this was often how he worked. Amber eyes moved over the room searching the shadows, half expecting rats to move at any moment his shoulders would shake at the thought. Moving about the room in a few slow steps Maahes turned and extended his arm in an offer. Boy Tommy must have been doing something right, look at him being all gentleman like. Though his lips dare not move, his eyes spoke for him. Gentle..shy..begging these golden brown spoke to her of how the night was beautiful, and how he knew not how much longer he could be within these walls. (d



The Wind an Mist: Celadon eyes followed his movements while her head turned slowly to keep him in sight. The reach of his arm had her flinching, a natural reaction no matter how gentle and slow the gesture was, a reaction she could not help to a past she dared not even revisit in her waking. Sleep, that was another story and often she did not sleep, her silent fear the memories would haunt her to the point of death. She felt the twitch of her body and frowned, damn it, no weakness, no opening for others to exploit she told herself even as she reached her free hand out to his arm. The movement was slow, hesitant, as if expecting it to be a joke and he would attack her. As her fingers curled around the broad tanned arm, her fingertips squeezed gently, a thank you, perhaps for the silent plead she had known without any words being spoken, or perhaps a gesture of reassurance. Guilt, she felt it, a pang of it, for his sleeplessness night. It made her wonder about the giant all the more but she'd push that wonder back, she would not go there. She could not.Damable weakness.*



Aslan Burning: They moved in silence as he lead her out from the hell. The fresh air of the summer breeze pressing at the door, and the outward cries of the prisoners could almost mistake it for their release. Hands reached through the bars begging, the flesh falling off the bone. Men from distant lands who had come with the war now suffered for their King across the sea. Their blank eyes sank into their face, and bare mouths turned upside down in their pleas. Maahes cradled her hand between his biceps and forearm; The muscle beneath his skin was tense as well the entire form that lead them out. Perhaps it was simply his height that made it seem he held his head high, but the Beast kept his face forward and expressionless. A strong jaw was set, and his lips were flat against his face. However, when the night air rushed them like a wave hitting the shore he closed his eyes for but a moment. The crowded street was starting to thin out as many made their ways towards the taverns and local inns. Yet as the pair stepped foot upon the streets, instantly all eyes were adverted in their direction. A normal reaction that once had mother's clutching their children closer; Maahes was almost used to it. However, he had made a name for himself, and pulled this Isle from danger more then once. With his resent rank, and Lordship his name had become a household topic. What mother would not want their daughter married to Lord General of a wealthy nation? Of course not saying a single word, Maahes stilled before a large red door and with a turn on the handle it gave way with the night. The Briar Rose Inn held many a things; drinks, gourmet meals, and some of the plushest rooms in town. Perhaps this was not known to the Pirate, but as Rose the owner smiled to Maahes she would soon find out. Up the winding stairs to the long hall of rooms, the last door would already be waiting open like an embrace. The room was not the most lavish no, but the turned down covers and waiting bath would no doubt be a treat compared to last night's adventure. "This one has the best view." He broke his silence with his raspy voice, like the murmur of thunder on the horizon as he stood in the door way. He had released her slowly just before his statement, and then moved to return. (d



The Wind an Mist: Moving in silence was fine for her. What was she going to say to the giant anyway? The faces at the bars, calling, begging were but shadows. She couldn't save them, wouldn't. They had chosen their path, this was their justice. Just as she would see justice in her own time for her deeds. The wave of fresh air had her eyes closing and humming a soft vocal within a slender throat. Her lips twitched into a smile and this time she did not bit the inside of her cheek to hide it. Eyelids drifted open to find some people staring at the two of them. Well, if she had a bath she probably wouldn't look a fright! At least that is what she told herself, call it egotistical but even as she thought such a thing, her fingers squeezed Maahes arm, as if she understood it all. The guilt in her increased with the looks he received from others. She had goated him last night only because of her stupid temper and because she could. Curious cat, where are you going, curious cat don't you know your headed for trouble? She followed like that of a lost puppy through the large red door and up the stairs. Mouth opened in a part of wonder and confusion at the look of the room. She was completely stunned into silence. Celadon eyes just taking in the sight of a room, ready and waiting. The thunderous boom of his voice had her head turning and celadon eyes creeping upward, over the chisled features of his jaw, up to the outline of a dark goatee inclosing curved lips to a pointed and noble nose up to golden brown eyes. She wanted to spit out something nasty, just to save herself from the comfort she felt in such a nice gesture. She could not though, she remained silent. He head released her arm and she was aware he was moving off. Reaching out, she clasped his arm, letting her fingers slide over the toned muscles of a tanned arm, fingers slinked over the knuckles of his hand and gasped softly as her other raised and a clench hand released, sliding the key into his palm before closing his fingers over it with her own. She held his hand closed a moment with both of her own before releasing his hand all together and taking a step back into the doorway. She had turned to walk in the room then stopped. Curious cat, your headed for trouble. She wanted to know why, why he had done this for her, but the question stuck within her throat like tack. Her mind begged to ask but her lips ignored the plea. She just couldn't do it.*



Aslan Burning: It would not take a fool to recognize the key; For all keys were the one true freedom and he had them memorized by heart. From her hand to her face, dark eyes regarded her for only a moment before the shy expression faded into an amused feature. Maahes let his hand drop to his side once she released it fingers closed over the key, and for a moment he couldn't move. In the back of his mind he wondered how long it had been that she carried it? Or was it given? Or was it fate? So now there were two with minds wondering about the other, but neither could find the right thing to say. So in typical Maahes fashion he returned to the hall and moved out into the night. The night was young, but so much was to be done. So go enjoy your night, Pirate; take your hot bath, draw back the cool sheets, and watch the ocean lap up against the shoreline from the best view of the Inn. (d