Silver Song

Chapter One: The Game


At the border of small country stands mighty and beautiful building. Once it was home for kings and queens, castle standing with all it's pride. It was ruined by the war that could be named as 3rd Word War. It looked to world with empty windows, like a blind man, crying silently for someone to come and make it warm and loved again. And then came man who did as the house wished, at least part of it. He filled the windows, now they glitter in sunlight, he cleared the garden and ponds, now trees and flowerbeds makes beautiful maze around big building.
You say this man was good persons, rebuilding this old, ruined castle? Then let me tell you rest of the story and we will see if your thought does not change.
"...and now, gentlemen, let me show my brightest treasure! Avina, come and join us!" said deep voice. The talker was fat, obviously well living man. His clothes didn't show the best elegance, his eyes were small, hidden by fat cheeks, it was almost impossible to tell their color. His hair was plain brown, already getting silvery from age. He was sitting in large armchair, that looked almost too small for him, room that once had been ballroom of this castle. The 'gentlemen' that he was talking too, sat in similar chairs or on beautiful, embroidered pillows and richly carpeted floor. Everything, beginning with crystal lamp above their heads and ending with glass in man's hand full with wine was expensive and only rich person could have something like that.
The room it self had big windows and once had been very beautiful. Now, not counting how expensive the furniture and things in it were, it looked a bit cheap. They didn't match together. It was lighten up by candles and fireplace, as it was late autumn evening, giving soft light that seemed to not match persons in this room.
The room seemed to brighten up as the large oak doors flung open and girl twirled inside. For moment only silver blur could be seen as she moved but then girl stopped. Her silvery blond hair framed her frail, pale face and large and fell past her slender waist in silky curls. Gray eyes watched the men before her. In the light they seemed to glitter, as full of silver. Something gentle and soft was hidden in them, if one of them would know people better, he would recognize it as dreamer's soul. Her dress, simple, gray and black mixed together, clung on her beautifully carved body perfectly. Her feet was bare and it was visible how small they were. Around her ankles were silver chain. It was thin, almost like a thread and didn't block her movements. She was small in all ways but it made perfect harmony, making her similar to elf or fairy. Around her neck was black collar with two bells that sang softly with each her movement.
The men took sight of her greedily. Smirks showed on their lips as the girl walked over to the fat man and curtsied gracefully before him. "Master," she said as bowed her head. Her voice was melodious and soft. As created only for soft words, songs and stories.
The man smirked. "The old witch didn't know what she was selling. I got her for few gold pieces. She was a fool not a woman. No, she simply was typical woman. She is worth so much more! Just look at her!" There was murmuring and nods from other men. "Oh, Master, are you trying to flatter me?" Girl raised her head and looked to him. "Never, Avina, never," he grabbed her arm and pulled her closer. "But I believe you do," she sounded lightly amused as said this. "I said never, Avina, my dear. You are worth much more as I paid for you." He made her lean even closer, not even hiding his attempts to kiss her.
Then girl got out of his grasp and twirled around, crystal clear, soft sound filling air as she laughed. "Thank you, Master!" she said as stopped in middle room.
Something flashed in man's eyes. She had escaped once more. "Dance for us, Avina," he ordered.
She did as he said.
Avina danced with her own music - the song that she sang softly and the bells ringing lightly. Her graceful moves enchanted and men couldn't move eyes off her. She teased them, sometimes dancing closer to one of them and flashing bright smile to him. No one could guess what was going on under this joyfully, beautiful smile.
If her hate could kill, they all would have died slowly and painfully long ago. They were disgusting! Not only their looks but their souls were dark and gross. She wondered how she could still do this every night. The same words, the same act. Only different dances, different songs. She never sang and danced the same thing. He said those words about her price every time, every time she gave the same replies. It was only part of game that he forced on her. But the kiss part was no game... It was for real. And for real he was angry to her for she always got away in last moment.
While she danced, she could look around and examine her watchers. Not like she liked to, she felt sick after that. But she had to know who will be her enemy tonight.
Everything was like always. New men, not less cruel than usually. But wait... There was only fourteen of them... Where was the last one? Usually no one refused to come to her Master for a visit. Because he chosen only special persons. And because he gave only one chance to come to this kind of meeting. After that, if he decided, there were other, quieter meetings. But never like this. Was he sick then? Maybe killed as it sometimes happened in these days with rich people? The last thought was sweet. It would mean that one evil man is dead in the world. But no, her hopes was to high. He simply was late, that's all.
Last words of song lingered in air and Avina looked to the men. For second, smirk flashed over her features. They all sat and stared at her. They said they were powerful but they were powerless against her - simple slave.
Oh, yes, slave. So they had some power over her.
"That was beautiful! Brilliant as always, Avina!" Master applauded and smiled his ugly, satisfied smile. "You are free to go for now. Until I call you again," he told and girl curtsied again. "Thank you, My Lord." She said and went over the room, to stand at the wall still like statue. She always stayed here in his meetings, between those times when she needed to entertain them. Avina shot quick glance at the old, grandfather type clock at the other side of room. Two hours. Two long hours she needed to stay here.

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A/N:
I accept comments about style, grammar and such. Actually, this is one of my first real attempt to write story that is shown to others. And absolutely first that kind of things in English.
This, of course, is original story. if there is something similar, don't blame it on me.
And, no, she is not a Mary Sue(I hate them)(The thing that she is beautiful isn't something bad, is it? It's fantasy/reality/post 3rd world war setting and she isn't quite human, after all) and if I have not made something clear, please, tell me!
And, yes, this will be a bit of a romantic story, if you want to know. It would not me if it wasn't, would be? ;) Hope no one minds it.
Tell me if you want to see her profile(As she was first character of one of my RPG and only then hero of story). But if you want to keep some mysteries in this story, better don't.
It is not very long chapter but it is one of my longest posts, actually. And if I keep chapters this short it means I will update more often as the long ones.
Also, warning: I have written only few chapters for this. it's not completed. If you give me some reviews(ported here on trough PM), I will post all chapters with day's gap.

My dear friend, this is one of the best stories I have seen in a while. You are doing just fine with your English (although it has minor tweaks). It's coming along well. I do hope you continue to post it here. :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P

Chapter Two: The Light


The corridors of old castle where quiet. It was too quiet to seem real. Like everyone had disappeared from this big building. No, wait... Someone was still here.
Trough the main corridor, his sound of steps absorbed by warm red carpet that covered light floor, walked young man. His smirk was clear prove to that he saw the mixed colors and styles around him. His green eyes looked around bored and he went further slowly, unwillingly.
While he looked around, man asked to him self why he was here, in this place that he hated from first sight. No, he disliked it's owner. This old castle was not guilty that such man had taken control over it. It could be beautiful, if only right hands would take hold of it... But did this mattered? He was still here, against his will, obeying his father who had suddenly fallen ill - catched cold. He wondered what his father had to do with King. Actually, the man owning this castle was not a king of this country, luckily for it's inhabitants, they suffered enough already. But he still had named him self King. He truly was the king if the greediness, darkness and so many other negative things that he had no name, that man wondered how he will have strengths to stay all evening in the same room as he. And not only with him but with all those men, similar to him, too!
He had even heard that he had slaves... Maybe it was reason why it was so quiet here - his slaves were not allowed come out, so protecting their Master of getting in trouble of unwanted guests. Slavery was not allowed officially here and he knew that very well.
The thought made him shiver in disgust and slow down his pace. Man knew he was late already and that he should hurry up, not slow down but he did not care. Anyway, he was close. He could already saw open doors leading to the meeting room. But what was that silver light in there?
Then soft sounds reached him...

Away, away in time
Every dream´s a journey away
Away to a home away from care
Everywhere´s just a journey away


Man stopped in the mid step. What was that? He corrected him self: who was that, singing so wonderfully? And, yet, so sadly.

The days departed
Gardens deserted
This frail world
My only rest ?

The wild calls no more
Wishes so hollow
The Barefoot Boy
Weeping in an empty night


Unconsciously, he had started to walk again, faster as before, pulled closer by the voice, still thinking about owner of wonderful voice. Not only the song it self but the singer was sad, pain hidden by the soft melody.

Away, away in time
Every dream´s a journey away
Away to a home away from care
Everywhere´s just a journey away


Now man stood at the doors and saw who was the singer, who wished to dream away forever. She was quite beautiful, not the beauty queen of world but something in her was... Charming.
Her movement were graceful, man found it hard to move his gaze away from her. He noted that the way how her silver curls twirled around her while she danced makes her look like fairy or mermaid finally walking on ground.
Her eyes flashed in what he translated as hidden hate and yet they were soft in the same time.
Dreamer's eyes.

Cherish the moment
Tower the skies
Don´t let the dreamer
Fade to grey like grass


But why she had collar around her neck? It wasn't simply to have the bells with her, was it? He watched as the girl danced closer to one of men and smiled to him. Man saw that glint in the men eyes as they looked to her and that made him feel angry. She was so young! She could not be much older than 17 or 18... How they dared to look at her like that?!

No falling for life
A gain for every loss
Time gathered me
But kept me flying


It seemed that she did not see him. Her eyes passed over him, and nothing changed in her expression. Or maybe she simply was good actress? Actress, was that what she was? Somehow he did not believe that.
It seemed that she seeks someone or something in the group of men but that glint of anger did not promise anything good to the one she searched for.

Away, away in time
Every dream´s a journey away
Away to a home away from care
Everywhere´s just a journey away


Then the song ended. But man felt like it continues on in his heart, not letting him come back to the reality and think clearly.
He saw her profile at the moment when she glanced at the men. He saw that smirk and saw how fast it ended, how her eyes darkened.
"That was beautiful! Brilliant as always, Avina!" said the fat men in armchair. He recognized it as King. His voice was deep and seemed as fat as it's owner. And his smile was terrible. Guest felt like he had never seen anything so disgusting under word 'smile'. His satisfaction was sickening.
Then he dismissed her. Avina, it seemed to be girl's name, curtsied before the King and thanked him. Then she went over to the wall to stand silently.
Late guest spotted the fast glance that the dancer shot to the clock.
Then, suddenly, he was pulled out of his thoughts as the house owner spotted him:
"Gadran, it is such a pleasure to see you here! When your father told that you will come instead of him I was gladly surpised. So, not come and have a seat!" he smiled his ugly smile again.
Man forced him self to smile back and say some polite phrases, went deeper in the room and sat down in last free chair. He felt girl's gaze on him and looked to her. The mix between shock and something that Gadran did not recognize suddenly made him feel like criminal, as dark as the other in this room. He looked away from her, feeling embarrassed of his own weakness. But that was only for a moment, before King and other 'gentlemen' pulled him into conversation.

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A/N:
Disclaimer: I don't own Nightwish or song "Away". That's in case if you didn't know or forgot it.

So, now I have made entrance of second main character: Gadran. I hope you will find him as interesting and charming later on as I do.
I hope this chapter is in the same style as first one and I really hope that you will enjoy this one too!
IDK: it is the same evening as in the first chapter, if I were not clear enough.
Arabelle Skydancer: I am glad to hear this. Thank you!

Any other comments? Please?

RAINY-CHAN!!

Still there are minor tweaks but I think it's looking good. I think you should keep working on it! :)

I lost my muse for it. *sigh* I have to many things to do, too. Besides, the story simply stuck. No idea what to do now.

Ohhh....

BTW, are you ever going to touch SOL again. I posted there. :)

SOL? I am sorry but I don't remember that we used such "short cut" ever... *smacks her head*

It's Song of Love

ARE YOU GOING TO LEAVE ME HANGING?!?!?

Buuut... Didn't I reply? *confused*

But zomg, I haven't... My subscribed thread notfier has failed me once again. So sorry. :oops:

Eh, whatevs.