The Priestess and the Duke

[Dr. Daniel Carter]

"Whoa! Need some help there, miss?" The voice came from above the pretty young lady that had careened off her horse and fallen limply beside the outer gates of the little farmhold. When she looked up the face of a handsome young archaeologist was looking down at her, blue eyes fixed on her from behind a pair of somewhat goofy looking glasses and a small but genuine smile on a half stubbled face. He dressed like a professor alright- the long wool overcoat and scarf, the pressed collared shirt, the slacks and shined boots. The hand extended to her to help her to her feet bore no wedding ring, either. He fit the description, and he was outside the estate grounds... Perhaps she had indeed accidentally found just the man she was looking for.

He helped her up with a smile. "Looks like you took a little tumble there. Are you alright?" He asked with a genuinely concerned expression as he handed the reins of the skittish mare back to her. There was a small two horse drawn carraige a few yards off and a younger man taking a travel bag and a two boxes from it, standing unevenly as he tried to carry all the heavy things at once. "Where... *urk* do you want your things, Dr. Carter?" Grunted the coach driver and the man with the bright blue eyes and the glasses turned around after the girl took the reins from him. "Don't take it all at once Harry, you'll hurt yourself! Or the artifacts. And I'd really rather you both make it in once piece!" He said with a small laugh as he motioned with his leather gloved hand for the boy to set some of the stuff down.

Harry had no objections and set one box and the travel bag down to take one box inside first. The gates were unlocked. Dr. Carter didn't believe a single person in Invernis was not worthy of trust, so his house was left open. Besides, Harry thought to himself, there was no one in Invernis who was desperate enough for money that they would try to rob a place that had nothing in it but books and artifacts in it anyways.

Picking up the soft leather paper case he had been carrying the blue eyed, well dressed man turned back to the young girl that had fallen in front of his front gate. "Please forgive the lack of hospitality, but I just arrived from the capitol and I'm afraid I need to be off to the Academy as soon as my things are unloaded, otherwise you'd be more than welcome to come inside." Charlie had been dropped off at the Academy with a special permission from Daniel (who, though young, was already tenured and practically kept the Anthropology department running by his lonesome on top of being recently named Duke of the duchy) to do what she needed to, probably much to the chagrin of her previous instructors.

Daniel hoped that this girl was not already here to burden him with more paperwork or problems with the duchy. Really, he wasn't cut out to be a Duke. He wanted to teach and lead excavation parties on the side. He was a scholor and a professor, but a Duke, on the Queen's payroll and at the head of the massive duchy that extended all of the way from the coast to halfway across the divide between his home town and the capitol was a bit... overwhelming? Moreover his personal problems were getting in the way of him doing anything as he once again found his heart caught between two women- One that he had loved and was betrayed by, the other one he dared not show feelings for on account of the first. Whatever this new woman had to say, he prayed it wasn't anything else that could cause chaos in a life already in uproar.

[Bella]

Accepting the hand gratefully, Isabella rises on somewhat unsteady legs. With the reins of her horse placed back in her hands she looks over her shoulder at the beast and, in unison, they both snort. Isabella's tousled hair lifts slightly with the exasperated sigh expelled by the horse.

"Actually, kind sir, if you could point me in the direction of Dr. Car..." and she doesnt quite get it all out before the young chap with the bags calls out the name. So this strapping fellow was Dr. Carter? Theoren said he was cute, but this man was very handsome and looked as sharp as they came.

"Dr. Carter? Oh bless Tempus, I have fallen, quite literally, into your good hands." This was something, the one thing, he had been dreading. "I need your help deciphering something in my temple." When she sees the objection in his eyes she throws her hands up, delicate locks of chesnut and caramel hair dancing slightly as she tries to direct the conversation away from his decline. "I really think its something you should look into. Please?"

Her voice is sweet and delicate, almost airy as she practically begs the Doctor to come see what Theoren had spotted. There was something about the pictographs and language that spoke volumes to Isabella without her even comprehending the words. Her face falls ever so slightly as she peers up to him with those heart wrenching and alluring turquoise eyes. A closer look would reveal the gem like flecks of lavender and silver and would possibly land him with a black eye in the process. Full lips draw into a slight pout as her mind starts working on other ways to convince the doctor that her endeavor is worth his while. A frown darkens Bella's features as she remembers Theoren's suggestive tone and coy nature and she flushes slightly. It looks as if she is embarassed to have asked Dr. Carter these questions so hastily and she plays that for all its worth.

"I have been hasty, Dr. Carter. My name is Isabella Aedren Rivenfelde, I am the High Priestess of the Temple of Tempus in Xexoria. Please, call me Bella." A blustery gust of wind tears her cloak from her hand and blows it open slightly to reveal an outfit that is not traditional Tempus Priestess garb, though it suffices to be decent travelling garb. A long dark green dress with a modest neckline, unlike the dresses of the era, sweeps down to her ankles while revealing dark brown leather travelling boots. The dress adheres to her curves in a delicate manner without making her look like a harlot or suggestive. The color is exquisite and brings out the color of her eyes well. Quickly her slender hands subdue the raging cloak and pull it back together before she even dares meet the Doctor's eyes again. Maybe she could play the meek woman and he would take pity on her and at least listen to her?

Her body is wracked with shivers for a moment, her bottom lip quivering in a fashion that looks as if she might tear up. Whatever works to sway his attention, she thinks as she looks up to him. She is a scant two inches shorter than the man and a quick look over her body shows she is lean and strong and every inch of her twenty two years.

"Please Dr. Carter, can we at least talk?" If he wouldnt talk, then she would have to find a way to get him alone. She had many tactics she could use, especially if they went into town.

[Dr. Daniel Carter]

Daniel_P_Carter: -Daniel's brow furrowed as he raised a hand to try to quell the woman from speaking any more. "I'm sorry Miss, but I really just don't have the time to..." Her pleading eyes made him stop and sigh. He was not a drunken bar patron who was susceptible to anything pretty with a pair of boobs, however, he was very easy to manipulate when it came to anyone with genuine intentions wanting something from him. He could tell right off the bat that this poor girl had ridden here a very great distance and needed something specifically from him. Normally people didn't come riding all of the way to his house, but it wasn't exactly infrequent that people took an interest in his work. Every few months or so he might get a letter from a stranger asking(C)-
Daniel_P_Carter: -about one of his latest dissertations or articles. It was how he met Charlie, actually, though at the time of their correspondence he was convinced that she was a man. He sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose beneath the glasses. "Ok... ok Isabella, I'll at least hear you out, ok? And you can call me Daniel, please, I've had more than my needed dose of formalities this week." He took up the paper carrier and motioned for her to follow him. Town wasn't far off. He lived on the outskirts but it was no more than a five minute walk at this time of the year to the sleepy town of Invernis with one street as a main drag, a few shops. "Ok, so you have a temple in Xexoria..." he racked his brain thinking about things he knew about Xexoria.(C)-
Daniel_P_Carter: -Desert nation along the Euphrates Riverbed, ancient semetic origins, other than that nothing of real note came to mind. He would have to look at his notes or at least have something put in front of him. He picked up an apple from a fruit cart and went to pay, but the shop keeper waved and told him no charge for the Duke. He sighed and put the coins back in his pocket. That was going to take some getting used to... though he wasn't sure it would ever stop being annoying that he was now above the law. Maybe he should tell Kahlan he wanted to resign. Yeah right, like that would go over well. "Ok, Isabella, you wanted to talk. I'm listening."(F)-

highpriestess_of_tempus: -Her eyes light up and she smiles gently. At least he would hear her out and in the end he would have to come with her. He just had to! Walking with the horse tethered to her hand, she tries to find a way to begin while making an attempt to get her legs to function. "Lets see. I was recently made aware," and for some reason she leaves out by 'Theoren Roullier', "that my temple may not be all it is perceived to be." <C>-
highpriestess_of_tempus: -Attempting to voice her opinion through her hands for a moment, Bella stops and looks to Daniel helplessly. "There are pictures and writings on the wall that I cannot read; no one can read them in my temple. I am educated though I dare say this falls out of my forte." As she continues walking she fusses with her hair for the briefest of moments and it all seems to fall into place rather well. <C>-
highpriestess_of_tempus: -While she looks ahead contemplating what else to say, Bella runs a slender fingertip across her bottom lip. This signifies that the woman's mind is blazing trails that might not have been thought of before. Yet all she mentions to Carter is, "So, will you come back with me to Xexoria? I would really like to know more about these writings and who might have carved and painted them." <C>-
highpriestess_of_tempus: -She does not meet Daniel's gaze as she looks to the side, her mind racing to other possibilities if the good doctor refused. Bella felt very strongly that Carter would be the only one able to help her, especially after Roullier mentioned his strengths. She gives a glance over to the man through the corner of her eye. He was strikingly handsome yes, but so was Bella. Her interest in him carried so far as his brain, though perks could be added later if he weren't actually married. <E>-

Daniel_P_Carter: -He finished the apple while he was listening to her, eyes on her the entire time, as it was polite to do. She was very pretty, but Daniel noted, also quite muscular. She could most definitely take him in a fight. He knew from the fact that she had dropped the name 'Tempus', a later form of several of the Akkadian battle gods that had evolved over the years and were later replaced with male counterparts. All he knew was Tempus was a semetic diety worshipped by warriors and kings who were interested in conquests. Tempus was a valorous and gore loving god who demanded respect and offerings at every new turn of events. Priests of Tempus was far from weaklings, either, having to undergo many years of training in the deadly arts before(C)-
Daniel_P_Carter: -even being able to think about clergy positions. When she was finished her schpeel he sighed and tossed the apple core into a waste container by the roadside. "I'm very sorry Miss Bella, but I'm going to have to decline. As much as it would greatly interest me in coming to see your temple and analyze the work there, I simply don't have the time." He looked down the road some at the bustling farmer's market ahead. He wanted to steer away from there for now. He wasn't ready for the rush of people that might come to overwhelm him with praise and welcome homes at the moment. Walking down a side path he continued. "I work for the Ulsterian Academy and I'm very behind on lessons. My students are no doubt anxious to continue their(C)-
Daniel_P_Carter: -field research and graduate on time. That and I'm on royal commission to clean up the giant mess that was made out of my prior dig site and try to salvage what I can from that set of ruins before moving out to the Aon desert. I'll be there for at least a month, probably more." The Aon desert, if she knew her geography at all, was on the other side of the world from Xexoria at the other end of the main continent, nearly a four thousand mile gap. "On top of that... supposedly I'm getting married soon." He said, his face twisting a little bit. Was that still going to happen? He had no way of knowing if he would even see Amariette ever again let alone hash out what had happened enough to still marry her. All in all that proposal was still way up in the air.(C)-
Daniel_P_Carter: - Perhaps that strife somewhat showed on his still young but slowly aging face. "I can give you the names of a few others in the Archaeology Association, but I'm afraid that's the best I can do for you. I'm very sorry."(F)-

[Dr. Daniel Carter]

highpriestess_of_tempus: - She looks utterly crest fallen at the sound of his words. A gentle sigh is expelled and she raises her right hand and runs in through her hair. That was the sign, the sign to the others waiting in undisclosed locations to begin their little performance. Almost immediately a rather large man appears around the next corner and seems to take small pride in pushing Isabella aside with a gruff gesture, as she starts to fall she thinks wryly that it might have been enjoyed a bit too much. A cry of surprise escapes her lips just seconds after the ordeal happens. If everything worked out right...she manages to catch herself to save face but the distraction allows the capsule of sleeping aid to be dropped into her hand and hidden from view. She had wished that it might not come to this, <C>
highpriestess_of_tempus: - But it looked as if this was her last choice. Dr. Carter would have to understand after the fact. "Are people here always this rude?" She asks as she tries to regain her equilibrium and crack the capsule open at the same time. The next assault is from nearby as a younger man appears to have chores to do and sloshes a bucket of water towards them both. Thinking, or rather intending, to save Carter from the mess, she grabs his arm and in the process blows just a little of the powder in his face, much too little to do anything right away. She couldnt do it all at once, that would be too much to handle and far too conspicuous. "You say you teach, Dr. Carter?" She left out his first name for her own benefit as she moved along the street, the capsule hidden in her hand expertly so <C>
highpriestess_of_tempus: - that she doesnt even have to clench her hand around it. Had she known what Theoren was, she would have known how proud he would have been at such a feat. The brownish yellow dust slips out slowly as she cups her fingertips slightly to catch it as a large cart comes by. Her regular intention had been to kiss the man and break the capsule open before getting it to his mouth and just simply dumping it in, however his mention of a fiance and the pain on his face was evident he wasnt that sort of man. Long lashes flutter slightly and she, standing only about a foot away from the doctor, raises her hand as the heavy dust raised by the cart starts to rise and coagulate in front of them in a thick sheen. Making to sneeze, Isabella blows the rest in Daniel's general direction, knowing <C>
highpriestess_of_tempus: -That the way the grit was blowing that enough would hopefully make it to him to make him drowsy. The next step would be to see if it worked on the poor man and then to catch him and place him in the inconpsicuous cart that had just passed around the corner. If it didnt work as planned, the doctor might end up with a knot on his head, at least she was trying to be humane about it. <E>-

Daniel_P_Carter: -"Whao!" He yelped as he was pulled towards her to avoid the sloshing bucket. A cloud of dust hit his face and at once he felt a bit woozy. He rubbed his nose and forced back a sneeze, figuring it was just his allergies that was making his head spin. They had a tendency to do that. "Yes, I teach ancient Ulsterian History for Majors and most of the Archaeology courses when they are offered. I also offer private tutoring in less commonly taught languages." He said in answer to her question, wondering if maybe this was going to be some kind of a plea to make him change his mind again, which unfortunately he knew he couldn't. When the wagon rumbled by and the dust cloud came up he suddenly felt a little sick to his stomach. A few more steps(C)-
Daniel_P_Carter: -and he was reeling. "What the..." he nearly doubled over, catching himself on the side of a building. The paper carried dropped from his hand like a lead weight. Everything was double and blurry. "What the hell... did you... do to me?!" He choked. He looked up to see her, an expression on her pretty face that almost seemed to say, 'I'm sorry, Dr. Carter.' Red in the face, obviously having some kind of unwarrented reaction to whatever substance she had just put into his body, he stared for a few more moments and then crumpled to the ground in a heap on top of his carrying case. Poor Dr. Carter. How many people in this realm had to kidnap this man before he started to carry a gun?(F)-

highpriestess_of_tempus: - The set up was easy and the little reaction that Daniel was having would soon be abated as the young man and the large man come up, gingerly stoop down, putting a rather large hat over Daniel's face to conceal his identity and they heft him up with ease. Quickly Bella gathers up Daniel's belongings and hurries to the cart. Jumping into the back with a fluid grace that is almost lost on her previous meek self, she sits next to Carter and bites into a stopper to a vial with clear liquid in it. Pulling the cork free she pries the doctors mouth open and drizzles the concotion inside. "There you are. When you wake up you wont have a headache and you wont be broken out into hives." A gentle smile comes to her face and she takes her cloak off and tosses it over Daniel. It was going to <C>
highpriestess_of_tempus: - Be a long rough ride. She would see to it that Daniel got there in one piece along with everyone else. Crouching in the far corner of the cart, Isabella watches Daniel as he looks to be peacefully dreaming. Pulling her right knee to her chest she wraps her arms around it and rests her chin on her knee. "Gareth, get us out of here as soon as possible. I doubt the High Queen will like it that I have spirited away her Duke." She knew, Tempus help her, she knew that he was a Duke and that what she was doing was kidnapping him. The town was simply abuzz with his new found responsibility, though it looked as if the good doctor might not like all that added responsibility. Her green dress flutters lightly in the breeze around her ankles as she stares into nothingness for quite some <C>
highpriestess_of_tempus: - Time before the jostling in the back of the cart wearies her bones. She might have been High Priestess of Tempus and tough to boot, but she was still a woman and still susceptable to many aches and pains though she didnt voice them as often as untrained women did. Still Carter slept, and blessed be let him rest. Bella had a feeling that something dynamic was going to take place, and she certainly hoped that it wasnt Daniel Carter chasing her around her own temple with a metal pipe. That thought makes a bubbling giggle spring forth from her throat and she buries her face in her knees, waiting for the first signs of Xexoria to appear down that long dusty road. <E>