Pure Imagination

As they walked, Saturn took the time to overlook her surroundings. The halls were lined with portraits of past rulers, and a flurry of silks and statues. It opened out onto a court yard, where a few people were practicing. Braxton led her down another hallway, this one lined with pictures of naked centaurs and warriors. She raised a brow at their choice of decoration, but said nothing, hearing Akil clear his throat in embarrassment behind her when he took note of the general direction her head turned. Braxton stopped in front of a closed door, and fumbled around his waist, finally locating his room keys. He unlocked the door and stepped back, allowing her to go in and inspect her new lodgings.

Her first thought was that it was extremely large. An oversized bed took up most of the space, and she momentarily wondered why a centaur would need a bed, until it occurred to her that Braxton had probably sent ahead for it while she had been talking to Esephle and Ziggory. A few comfortable items had been placed on it as well, and she went over to examine them. She traced a finger over the delicate lace of something she thought looked a lot like modern day lingerie. The teddy was red and she had to admit, a tad revealing. But she supposed since she would only be wearing it to bed, it didn't matter. Braxton watched her with interest, admiring the way she looked everything over so carefully. Saturn ran a hand down the thick quilt, then glanced at the oak dresser that sat across from it. "Oh!" Sitting on top of the surface, looking a bit moody, was her Braxton doll. She picked it up and hugged it to her chest. Akil stepped forward. "Our men recently returned, and found that. I remembered seeing you with it before..." She smiled at the blonde male. "Thank you...I thought I had lost him". She stroked the dolls head fondly, then set it back down. Its sour expression remained on its face. She looked back at the two centaurs, who had watched her go through the room with curiosity. "Its all lovely..um...thank you". Braxton bowed. "It is my pleasure my lady Saturn..." He pointed at a door she had missed before. "My room is right through there, if you have any need of anything, please do not hesitate to ask either myself or Akil here, who is but two doors down." They stepped out, bowed, and walked off, leaving her to get comfortable.

Saturn sighed, laying across the bed and closing her eyes. She realized just how tired she was suddenly and glanced at the red nighty. Reluctantly she got up and stripped off her shirt and pants, then slipped the lacy item over her head, taking a moment to examine her reflection in the mirror hanging on the wall. She smiled faintly, picked the sleeping doll off of the dresser top, and climbed into bed. Within seconds she was sleeping, the doll tucked securely under her arms. It examined her sleeping face for a moment, temporarily disturbed form its sleep, and let out a tiny yawn, before closing its eyes and drifting back off.

"Your so kind to those in need Braxton love". Harlow was examining her reflection in the floor length mirror adorning her room. Braxton had his back to her,fixing his sword belt. He glanced back at her. "What do you mean?" She sniffed. "That...girl...the..nymph or whatever she really is". He turned slightly so her could look at her. "I allowed her to remain in my spare room. There is no need for jealousy Harlow". He stroked her cheek and smiled. She shifted,frowning at the ceiling, then gave in and smiled to. "I know...but..there is just something odd about her. Flying...crashing really...in on a dragon, ruining the banquet, and I heard about the brawl the other night...she was supposedly the reason for you getting so beaten." Braxton frowned, swishing his tail in thought. "She merely refused Orcel's orders to move tables. I couldn't simply allow her to be smacked around by such a brute..it would have gone against all we as warriors stand for." He kissed her mouth, then went to the door. "I must return now. I will see you once again my love". He bowed, then left. She sighed airily, glancing at her reflection again. "Will the time come so soon Braxton?"

Saturn hummed to herself as she did her morning stretches. She had slept well, if not better, then she ever had at home. Her Braxton doll watched her from the bed, where it had perched itself, half draped over the footboard. "Your an odd doll", she commented, smiling despite herself as she bent to touch her toes. "I don't recall you ever moving at home...and you don't talk either..." She straightened and sighed as her muscles eased from their tension. She tucked the doll into the pocket of her breeches, which were large enough that he could sit comfortably and even poke his head out, then headed out of the door, intent on exploring more of the city and the castle. She had spent the morning wondering how she would get home, but had put it to the side, deciding this was a world she would never get to see normally. As she walked her thoughts drifted to Ziggory and Esephle, wondering how they were doing. She was so preoccupied by her thoughts she didn't see the centaur in front of her until she ran into his hind quarters and toppled backwards. The creature turned, clearly startled by the impact. "Good heavens...are you all right?" Saturn blinked, rubbing her nose and let her eyes travel up the elegant legs to the speakers face. He was blonde like Akil, but instead of the pretty splattering of color like Akil, he was a dark brown on his horse parts, and his human parts weren't nearly as tan. She accepted the hand held out to her, and was pulled to her feet. "Im sorry..I didn't see you". The centaur gave her an odd look, as if thinking it was hard to miss him. She smiled faintly. "I was lost in my thoughts...I didn't mean to run into you". The gelding shifted, looking her over. "Its quiet all right...er...what are you doing down this way exactly anyhow? This hall is usually reserved for my kind". She looked him over, not recognizing him at all. "Im a guest..of Sir Braxtons...he's allowing me to stay in his spare room." The blonde thought this over and suddenly his face lit up. "Oh! You must be the young woman everyone keeps talking about...the dragon rider...forgive me, I did not recognize you. My name is Harmon, I am the centaur commander..." He bowed low, lower then she could have thought a man with a horse for a body could have,and when he straightened, he was beaming. She nodded, deciding she couldn't very well bow or curtsey. "My name is Saturn...um..you wouldn't happen to know where everyone is would you?" He laughed, the sound pleasant. "My dear Saturn, it is much to early for my men's tastes. The market place is open though. I would be honored to accompany you". She thought this over, then grinned. "Ok...I guess that wouldn't be to bad".

Harmon, it turned out, was not a bad companion at all. He had even allowed Saturn to ride on his back, so that she could see everything better and not have to worry about being trampled. When he talked to her, it was with enthusiasm. He happily explained each stall to her, what they carried and sold for, and made it a point to purchase a trinket for her to keep, claiming she should always remember her visit while she was here from L.A...wherever that was. The little bejeweled flower now adorned her hair, which he had also asked about. She had dried to explain her desire for a different look, but he had merely put it off, saying Nymphs were born with their hair colors and couldn't possibly change them. She had merely smiled and taken their conversation in stride, asking questions when they came to mind. They paused, while Harmon bought a much needed dagger, claiming he had lost his last one in battle. He knelt so she could slide off his back. "Feel free to look around My lady...I will find you when I am done". She nodded, and wandered off, but not to far, recalling being snatched up by those greedy trolls. Harmon watched her go, then turned his attention back to the lovely set of daggers in front of him.

Saturn hummed to herself, admiring a set of silver earrings, and thinking how much Charlene would love them. She felt her heart squeeze painfully for a moment,imagining the oyung woman seeming so lost as she tried to figure out where Saturn had gone. Or maybe she didn't even know she was gone...what if she was just oblivious. After all, it wasnt uncommon for Saturn to stay locked away in her room for days while she wrote story after story for her publisher. Her thoughts were interrupted when the sound of horns in the distance made everyone in the market square freeze in their place. Harmon was at her side within seconds, tucking the dagger he had bought into his belt, before picking her up and promptly placing her on his back. "We have to return to the Castle..." She opened her mouth to ask why, but he had already taken off at a full gallop, as did the few elves and other centaurs who defended the castle and its monarch who had woken early enough to come and do their own browsing. They, along with Harmon and Saturn, came to a halt in the courtyard. harmon knelt, allowing Saturn to slip off his back, before promising he would see her again, and trotting off to find all his men. Akil found her then. "There you are! Braxton has been tearing your room apart looking for you...what were you doing with Harmon?" "We were shopping", she said, breathless from the ride over. Akil glanced up at where the other blonde had taken up a stance, next to a redheaded elf, and a few other people. " I see...well, you should leave a note next time. We don't wish to have a repeat of yesterday...they have just finished repairing the roof." Much like Harmon had, he picked her up and placed her on his back, standing comfortably in the back of the gathered group. "You can see and hear better from up there",he explained. "It is possible something has happened with the war..." She wasn't sure why he felt she needed to hear anything concerning their war, but didn't object and looked up to where harmon and the other commanders were. She could see Braxton up at the front, and was rather surprised Akil was not standing with him as well, since the two never seemed apart.

As they watched, an eccentric looking elf stepped forward, and cleared his throat, calling for their attention. The gathered quieted instantly, and gave him what he wanted. He waited to make sure all was quiet and everyone present, though his eyes did linger on Saturn's form in the back for a bit, before he addressed the warriors. " We have news! The stand still was broken by the other side. They chose to attack one of our out skirt towns. The entire village had managed to escape, thanks to pre warning from a passing traveler who had seen the enemy moving towards them." He paused, allowing them to take all this in, before he continued. " Despite the fact that many of you have just returned, it seems we are once more needed, as the enemy has gained in numbers, reinforcements having been sent just a day after many of our own left." There was a collective murmuring about this, as well as a few groans. The elf smiled faintly. "I know..I know...I was much looking forward to being able to remain here as well...but we are needed. As you recall, not but a day ago we rescued many who were due to be trafficked for weapons. We do not want any more of our people to suffer, nor do we want the enemy to gain any more help then they already have. We will leave in a days time...so finish all that must be finished while you still can...may god be with all of you, and return safely. Dismissed". The group instantly begin talking at once, complaining about having to leave when they had just returned home. Saturn glanced at Akil, who had turned his head to watch her. "You have to fight?", she asked curiously. He offered a tight smile. "Braxton will not be pleased...nor will Harlow..." She tilted her head. "Harlow?" Akil chuckled, walking off a bit in order to avoid both Braxton and Harmon, who were headed in their direction. He wished to speak to the little Nymph alone for a few minutes. "Aye...his mistress...Sir Braxton is not known for remaining a one woman man...and he is not picky about species neither." Saturn frowned, not quiet sure what to make of this. "Oh, she's harmless enough though, and it has been explained to her that one day Braxton will find love...one day..but for now he is still young...not even a year past twenty three...but he also has much to learn. He likes you for some unknown reason. WHy do you think so?" She leaned forward, resting her chin on his shoulder in thought. He didn't seem to mind. "Im...not sure..." The blonde glanced behind him, noting how much closer the other two males were getting, although they both seemed surprised to be heading in the same direction. He smiled to himself. "Hold on to my waist a bit Lady Saturn...I feel a need to dislodge your admirers." "Huh? What do you...ooh!" She barley had time to grab on before he broke into a canter. Not a run, but it was still enough to bounce her off if she let go. "AKIL!" The blonde chuckled, thundering across the draw bridge and into the marketplace, easily dodging people and ignoring the shouts of their two pursuers. Saturn buried her face against the slender horses back, gripping his waist tightly. Soon, they were surrounded by trees, Akil having taken them into the forest surrounding the castle. Braxton and Harmon had fallen behind, but were still within seeing range. He sped up, enjoying the chase and the fact that he had what they both wanted at the moment. The young female clung to him for dear life, as his canter phased into a full on gallop. She could hear Braxton shouting for his friend to slow the hell down, then yell at Harmon, demanding to know why his commander was following him. Akil spotted a stream and smirked. " Hold on tight young one...we have to jump it". She risked a look up. "We have to jump? Jump what!?" He laughed, and suddenly she felt his muscles bunching underneath her, gasping as they were suddenly flying. He landed with a hard thump on the other side, and soon lost their pursuers, trotting into a thicket of trees.

"Nothing will harm us here", he assured her, slowing down to a light walk. He was still chuckling, delighted with the chase, as well as the chance to show off his skills. Saturn took a minute, then slowly begin to slide off the piebald back. He knelt slightly so the impact as she hit the ground with a soft thump, wasn't so bad. "What in the world was all that about!" He looked her over, then, deciding she wasn't hurt, promptly folded his legs under him and flopped down, the picture of relaxation. He propped his chin on his hands and regarded her with large, unblinking blue eyes. "Twas a bit of fun my lady", he told her, rolling onto his side. "Something I rarely get to do...I will for certain receive a reprimand from both my friend and my commander upon our return..as Im sure you will to..for simply going along". He laughed and beckoned her to sit next to him. She did so willingly, and sighed. Akil chewed on a blade of grass, watching her curiously. "YOur an odd nymph", he finally commented. She glanced at him,and raised a brow. He returned her look with one of his own. " Why do you say so?" He narrowed his eyes at her, then the next thing she knew she was on her back and he had her trapped between his arms. A tiny 'eep' escaped her. "I say so, because never have I seen hair so vibrantly colored". He curled a lock of it around one finger. "Never have I seen eyes such as yours..." He stared down into the, searching for some hidden answer. "And never have I seen Braxton so smitten with a being beyond Harlow...whom...excuse me for saying so...is a beauty far beyond yourself. Though..you are beautiful indeed. I do not know where you hail from exactly...L.A indeed...but I do hope more such beings as yourself drop into our laps..." She opened her mouth to claim horses didn't have laps, but he had pulled back and was on his feet. Clearly, Braxton had caught up.