FF: Two Worlds (Chapter 14:Avatars and Adversaries)

["cilia" <cilia@xxxxx>]

Title: Two Worlds
Chapter 14: Avatars and Adversaries
Series: Royalty (Book Three)
Author: Cilia
Edited and Revised by: Brndn
E-mail: cilia@xxxxx
Feedback: Please god yes
Distribution and Archiving: Sure go for it
Summary: You know this dont you?
Missting Parts: E-mail me and I'll send you what you need.
Notes: A Big Thanks to my beta "brndn" for getting me started on this again.

Two Worlds
Cilia



Chapter 14: Avatars and Adversaries

Joyce gave out a lengthy groan. She slowly cracked her eyes open and
surveyed her surroundings. The first thing she could register clearly was
Theris, still sleeping on the bed next to her.
"Go back to sleep, Joyce," The High Elf demanded without moving.
"Can't. I'm already awake." Joyce groaned again, holding her
head. "Al'x is probably worried sick," she finished. She tried to get up and
all but fell out of the bed.
"Then go." Theris mumbled as she rolled over and pulled she
sheets over her head. "Go and check in with our fearless leader," the sheets
said.
"What are you so grumpy about?" Joyce said, strapping her sword
on. "You didn't even drink that much," she added and gathered her hair
together.
"You and that dwarf have more in common than your taste for
mead," Theris growled from underneath the covers.
"And what is that supposed to mean?" Joyce questioned, hands on
her hips.
The elf's head poked out of the sheets, "You snore. He snores.
You both snore. Loudly. Surprised you didn't wake the dead," she said.
"I do not snore!" Joyce exclaimed. But at the look she received
from Theris, she realized she should not argue. "Okay, okay. I'm going." she
finished, hands up in a gesture of surrender. Wanting to be quiet, she
silently opened the door, then walked right into it. "Owww." and she stepped
into the common room, rubbing her forehead.
"Ug, now the bloody dwarf is snoring, again," Theris groaned and
placed the pillow over her head.

Gymli's house was on two levels. The upper level was made up of two bedrooms
and a common room. A hearth warmed the room from one corner. Two chairs and
a low table, meant for eating, sat in the other. A small smithy and a
weapons storage area occupied the lower level. Ziel was moving around the
hearth as Joyce walked carefully into the common room. The half-elf turned
as she heard the footsteps.
"G'mornin, Avatar," Ziel greeted with a short bow.
"Please, its Joyce," Joyce said and started looking around for
her boots.
"Mightcha be likin some tea, Avatar?" Ziel asked, moving back to
the hearth.
"Oh, I would love some," Joyce said as she found one of her
boots under the table. She smiled quickly as she thought of how a certain
other tea drinker would react to her condition this morning.
"Yer off to the palace, right?" Ziel asked and poured some tea
into a polished stone mug.
"Yea," Joyce answered accepting the mug and sitting down, "I don
't want Al'x to go ballistic on me."
"Ya mind if I accompany ya, Avatar?" Ziel asked, also taking a
seat.
"Sure. One condition, though." Joyce asked as she stood up to
retrieve her other boot from under a chair.
"What?"
"Don't call me avatar," Joyce said and pulled on her boots.
"Yes, Av." Ziel said before she caught herself, "Joyce."

The city was a bustling mass, this early in the morning. At least Joyce
thought it was morning. It felt like morning. She had to step around dwarves
that were scurrying off to this mine or that smithy. She felt extremely out
of place here, standing taller then everyone around her.
"You'll get used to it," Ziel said, noticing Joyce looking down
at the tops of all the heads moving around.
"What was it like? Growing up among dwarves, I mean?" Joyce
asked.
"Cant say really, I've been 'ere since I was a tottler. I 'aven'
t known anythin else," Ziel answered. "I could be askin ye what it was like
growin up without dwarves?"
"Makes sense. So, tell me more about the avatars?" Joyce asked,
trying to make conversation, hoping to gleam a few more bits of information
from the priestess.
"I can tell ya little else than what we told ya las'night.
Avatars symbolize every aspect of the God of War. Ferocity, strength, fire
and so on," Ziel said as they approached the entrance to the palace.
"Is the God of War short tempered?" Joyce asked.
"When 'es frustrated. And long periods of inactivity frustrate
'im the most," Ziel answered.
The sound of clashing metal reached their ears as they approached the
palace.
"Al'x is up," Joyce said with a smile.
"How can ye tell?" Ziel asked as her ears perked up.
"Oh, I just can." Joyce answered. The guards waved them past and
the pair walked into the main hall where Al'x and King Einar were sparring.
"Yer good lad!" The King said as he made a low sweep with the
blunt side of his axe. "But yer not puttin yer back into it," Al'x jumped
over the swung blade and landed softly, his sword ready.
"This is after only one training session," he said and tapped
the dwarf king's shoulder. Joyce softly clapped her hands and walked up to
Al'x.
"And where were you all night?" Al'x asked, sheathing his sword.
"I.ah.stayed with Gymli and his daughter, Ziel," Joyce said,
motioning to the priestess. Who had pulled aside and was now talking in
hushed tones with the dwarf king. His face was brightening by the second.
"So what do you think they're talking about?" Al'x asked.
"O' she's prolly tellin 'im that I be an Avatar of the God o'
War," Joyce said, trying to mimic the dwarven brogue.
"But. I thought you were the Avatar of Fire," Al'x said raising an eyebrow
and looking over at king.
"Well, apparently War and Fire are just two aspects of the same deity here,"
Joyce explained.
"Uh oh, I think you better brace yourself," Al'x said with a crooked grin.
"What do you mean?" Joyce asked, turning towards him. "Why?"
"Avatar! This truly is an honor!" Einar thundered from behind her.
"Oh great," Joyce muttered and slowly turned around. "King Einar. I beg of
you, I am no different then any other mortal."
"Nonsense! Yer an avatar! The avatar of the God o'War!" The King exclaimed,
causing Al'x to suppress a chuckle, "and ye should be treated as such. With
a worthy welcome," he finished with a clap.
"But." Joyce started only to be cut off by a wave of the king's stubby hand.
"No 'buts' lass. A feast is in order! If not for yerself, then for Al'x and
the High Elf," The King explained with a wink and a pat to his stomach.
Joyce threw a plea for mercy look at Al'x who just shrugged.
"Very well then, a feast," Joyce relented with a weak wave of her hand. "But
please, don't let anyone else know of what I am until then. I would really
like to be able to explore this wondrous city. Preferably without being
gawked at."
"As you wish," The King said with short bow, "now, if 'n ye good folk would
excuse me, I must go summon the council. Thar be news to tell, a feast t'
plan." he continued as he walked out the door
"Ziel," Joyce growled and turned around.
"What?" Ziel asked, trying to look innocent, "It's me duty t'tell the King
these sort'o things," she explained.
"Great! Why don't you just throw me into the mines while you're at it?"
Joyce asked.
"Actually, I think Gymli did promised to do just that," Al'x piped in,
obviously enjoying his student's discomfort.
"You really do want to get hurt, don't ya Xander," Joyce said with an
emphasis on his former name.
"Oh your welcome to try," he answered with a smirk and partially drew his
sword.
"My pleasure," Joyce answered with a grin and a blink later, her sword was
in her hand. Ziel sat down crossed legged on the ground. She was excited
beyond on measure. Here she was, getting the chance to see a sparing match
between the Great Al'x of the Sun and an Avatar of her God! This promised to
be a great fight and a worthy celebration to her God.
"This ones for leaving me alone in the smithy until dawn," Al'x
said as he finished drawing his sword and went straight into the offensive.
Joyce found out the hard way that he wasn't planning on holding back.
"And this." Joyce exclaimed, "is for chickening out on the
battlements," she pushed him back and slammed her hilt into his armor
causing him to loose his balance for a second. Just as Al'x was about to
retaliate, a strong wind blew them apart.
"Cut it out. Both of you," Theris exclaimed from her position
above them.
Ziel looked up at the High Elf, eyes full of admiration. The two fighters
grumbled to themselves, sheathed their respective swords and shook hands.
"Gymli has offered a tour of the mines. And suggest you take him
up on his offer," Theris said in a voice that left no room for argument.
"Ye heard the High Elf," Gymli said from the palace gate.
"Bet I can dig faster than you," Joyce said as the fire in her
eyes cooled.
"Ha! You're on," Al'x exclaimed. He could never stay angry with
Joyce, he thought with a smile. Their constant sparring was now something he
just accepted.
"You know." Joyce whispered in his ear, "we could just have sex
and get it over with," she said and with a twinkle in her eye, she kept
walking.

-

Buffy stared at the clouds that floated across the bright sky. They had just
finished putting up the makeshift camp and the drow soldiers were now
resting in the shade of the trees. Buffy knew that they would have favored
riding during the dark, their eyes being unaccustomed to the sunlight, but
seeing as how the horses weren't equipped with infravision, it made nightly
treks nearly impossible on the narrow roads.
Hearing the distinctive sounds of combat, she sat up to watch
the drows training. They were incredibly fast and agile fighters, their
moves almost blurred. She had noticed that they preferred the light scimitar
and a dagger. She looked at her own sword, the one she'd found while
exploring the castle. It was an unusual drow sword, she thought, being two
handed and all.
"I wonder if she can even use that," drifted to the slayers ears
from a group of drow soldiers. They were watching the others train, waiting
for their turn against the current "champion" of the group.
"Yea. As matter of fact I can use it," Buffy said and stood up
slowly.
"So," the same drow exclaimed, "the General speaks."
Piratess watched from afar and nodded to herself. The development in the
campsite would be Buffy's first test.
"Yes. The General speaks," Buffy responded calmly, "but I
believe you had some doubts about my ability to wield my sword?" she asked,
now fully standing, her dark cloak flapping in the slight breeze.
"If that's a challenge, General." the drow said standing up,
drawing his scimitar and dagger, "then I accept,"
"That it was." Buffy said and waited for the drow to give his
name.
"Zerak," he said. With his hood up, Buffy was unable to see his
features.
".Zerak. Whenever you're ready," Buffy said, slowly looking up
and pulling her cloak behind her. She held her sword in both hands and
pointed down and sideways.
The drow wasted no time. He leapt forward with tremendous speed, fully
intending to land as many quick blows to his opponent as possible. Buffy
acted on pure instinct. She felt the air move around her and the slayer
sense took over. She batted away her opponent's blades with a mighty swing
before delivering a high kick to his chest that sent him staggering
backwards. Shaking his head, he looked up at her menacingly. "You're no
human. No human could hit so hard," he said.
The slayer shrugged her shoulders, "Who said I was human," and
with a smirk, she went on the offensive. With speed matching the drow's, she
attacked. He blocked or parried her every blow. He couldn't attack, but he
never gave up.
"You're good, Zerak." Buffy commented.
"Then why are you smiling?" he asked.
"Because I know something you don't know," Buffy said, as they broke apart
and circled, each looking for an entry. The entire party now watching the
sparing."
"And what is that?" the drow asked as he tried to jab but got
blocked.
"I'm tricky," Buffy said. And with that, she drove her sword
into the ground and spun, slapping him in the face with the trailing end of
her cloak. She then went low and swept the legs from underneath him. Quickly
standing, she stepped on the drows sword hand. "Yield," she said simply as
she pulled the dagger that had rested on her hip the entire fight and
pressed it to his throat. Lying on his back, helpless, he dropped his
weapons and held out empty hands.
"I yield." He snarled quietly.
"You are a good fighter," Buffy stated and offered him a hand
up.
"And you, are as tricky as a drow general," Zerak nodded as she
heaved him from the ground. She was finally able to get a clear view of his
face. No scars, not much jewelry and short hair. She realized she'd just
barely defeated a foot soldier.
"Thank you," Buffy nodded with a smile. Her first battle was
won. Well, with this group at least. But she knew perfectly well that she'd
have to prove herself again and again. Boy, she missed Willow. Things were
just all dark and gloomy around these guys.
"General, will you sit with us?" one of the drow soldiers asked.
"I would be honored," Buffy said and took the offered spot on
the log.
"Is.is The Red Mage really your wife?" one of the younger ones
asked.
"Yep, believe it or not she's my wife," Buffy responded with a
beaming smile. "Do you have someone waiting for you?" she asked before
thinking. Duh, drow men didn't court the women, the women courted the men,
she mentally reminded herself. "I'm sorry. I meant no dis."
"No. No apologies. Please. You're human. It's understandable
that our customs would be unknown to you," an older drow said. This one had
long flowing silver hair and a sizable scar on his cheek.
"Have you seen many battles?" the young, and most curious one of
the group asked again.
"A few," Buffy said.
"Tell us?"
"Well.hm." she pondered, "I once fought a very powerful mage and
his minions." Buffy began. She soon found she had a rapt audience and from
her seat, Queen Piratess smiled to herself.
Not far away Cordelia and Stjar'a watched. Well, Cordelia kept an open eye
on the group, Stjar'a was busy nipping at her lover's neck.

-

Willow strode through the halls of the castle, her mages robes flapping
behind her. Her time seemed endlessly divided between the strategic meetings
and training Amy in the more destructive spells. Not to mention her own
lessons she was taking from the healers. Her brain was throbbing. All that
and a serious lack of smoochies and/or sex was making for one frustrated
Willow. She managed to hide it, though, but only by diverting all her energy
into her work and teachings. Then she stopped and smacked her forehead.
"Damn! I am such a dweeb," she cursed before turning around and
running back to her room.
"Crystal ball?" She whistled like she was calling a dog, "Oh,
crystal ball?" she called as she started levitating items up from her
chests.
"There you are," she exclaimed as the crystal ball floated from
the chest.
"Boy, I must have been really out of it," she said to herself.
She spread the black cloth on her work desk and started to concentrate.
"Just focus on the person," she said and started to run her
hands over the ball, making it glow a soft blue.
"Al'x Sun," she commanded and smoke seemed to fill the ball. It
parted to reveal Al'x and Joyce, walking through an underground city,
surrounded by dwarfs and what looked to be two elves.
"Well. Joyce is smiling and Al'x looks confused. Everything's
normal there. Now, lets try. wife," The image of Buffy talking with the drow
soldiers floated into the ball. Willow smiled brightly at the sight of her
laughing wife. She reached out to stroke the image as it faded. "I miss you,
Buffy." She whispered when the image disappeared entirely.
"I guess I better go tell Vitor where Al'x is," she said with a
deep breath, and re-covered the ball.
At that moment, as Buffy was trying to describe to the group what a rocket
launcher was having moved on to the Judge, when she had a strange feeling
and looked up and smiled.
"Willow?" she muttered to herself.

TBC....