Korlian
Kitty Kat
Academy Freshman: Bound Fae
Close your eyes and surrender to your darkest dreams... Only then can you belong to me...
Posts: 942
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Post by Korlian on Jan 27, 2010 0:10:20 GMT -5
It was twilight, mid-May. Korlian watched the human city with curious grey eyes, hidden well in the twilight shadows under the trees. He could almost feel the life pulsing inside those stone walls, with hardly any iron there. Foolish city dwellers, trusting in their numbers to protect them.
He debated entering under a Glamour, to find something interesting to do. But perhaps there was something interesting coming out here.
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Conall
Ireth
Ding dong, the witch is dead~
"Please do as I say, or I'll rip your throat out. How does that sound?"
Posts: 576
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Post by Conall on Jan 27, 2010 0:46:35 GMT -5
Conall breathed deeply of the warm May air as he crossed the grassy field swiftly on horseback, heading toward high stone walls of the city. He would be home soon... home to a hot meal and a warm embrace from his beloved wife. Heartened especially by that last thought, he dug his heels into the horse's flanks, goading it on faster.
He was drawing nearer to the woods beyond the city walls, and he immediately slowed his horse as he neared the trees. The forest was a fell, Fae place, full of Goddess-knew-what kind of creatures. It was the last place he wanted to be at night, even past Beltaine. But the forest surrounded the city on the west and north sides, and the gate was to the west. The shortest way to the gate was right through the trees.
Curse it. Conall urged his horse on again, even as it tried to shy back. He needed to get home. Finding a gap in the trees, he moved slowly into the woods, following a path barely wide enough to admit both horse and rider. The night closed swiftly in around him; the air was thicker here, harder to breathe than out in the open. He shivered despite the warmth of the night, pulling his cloak tighter around himself. The sooner he got through this place and out, the better.
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Korlian
Kitty Kat
Academy Freshman: Bound Fae
Close your eyes and surrender to your darkest dreams... Only then can you belong to me...
Posts: 942
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Post by Korlian on Jan 27, 2010 1:55:07 GMT -5
As he reached the far side of the forest, a laugh echoed above him. "Little mortal, all alone. Why wanders thou so far from home?"
The laugh echoed again, and a shadow separated itself from the others. Slowly it resolved into a tall figure with wavy blond hair, inhumanly graceful in dark blue and deep purple, the colors of shadows under the moon. Skin so pale as to be grey-white or blue-white glowed somewhat in the light that slipped through the leaves. Grey eyes slanted like a cat's looked at him from an elegant face, generous lips turned up into a smirk as the horse reacted to the presence of a powerful Fae. Yes indeed, something far more interesting out here than in that little city. And not a bit of iron on the man. What a fool.
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Conall
Ireth
Ding dong, the witch is dead~
"Please do as I say, or I'll rip your throat out. How does that sound?"
Posts: 576
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Post by Conall on Jan 27, 2010 9:21:08 GMT -5
Conall fought to stay in the saddle as his horse reared and snorted, shying back from the Fae-creature who appeared before him. He slipped and fell to the ground, and his horse bolted. Good for it, Conall thought; it would be safe outside the woods.
He climbed to his feet as smoothly as his aching backside would let him, looking at the figure in front of him. One of the Daoine Sidhe, he realized. Conall looked anywhere but directly into its face. He dared not meet the Sidhe's eyes, lest it take hold of his mind. Even the Seelie could be dangerous, and he didn't know which court this creature hailed from.
"Home?" he repeated. "I was on my way home when I met thee." He rankled at being called "little" -- he stood well over six feet tall in his bare feet, and taller yet in boots. "Bad enough ye affrighted my horse; now thou art blocking my path. Be ye Seelie or Unseelie? What do ye want wth me?"
He reached for his sword beneath his cloak, but his fingers clasped only air. Where had it gone? He felt his heart begin to race, but showed no trace of fear in his face. His yellow eyes were narrowed slightly, and his fists were clenched as he waited for an answer.
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Korlian
Kitty Kat
Academy Freshman: Bound Fae
Close your eyes and surrender to your darkest dreams... Only then can you belong to me...
Posts: 942
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Post by Korlian on Jan 27, 2010 12:26:10 GMT -5
The Fae laughed again, leaning against a tree with his arms crossed. Watching the mortal bristle at being called little had been extremely amusing, though Korlian stood taller. "Take thy ease, mortal, and watch thy tongue, lest I take affront. Thy life lies in my hands, as thou well know. Be warned. I answer thy questions when my own are satisfied. On thy way home implies traveling far. Where comest thou in such a hurry so late at night? Unarmed and alone through a forest of the Fae, does thou take thy life so lightly?"
The human was obviously terrified. How wonderful. Korlian had noticed his immediate reaction, reaching for a sword that had not even a sheath at the man's belt. It was on the horse's saddle, and the horse was nearly at the gate. Which left this man wholly at Korlian's... tender mercies. His smirk grew into a grin, revealing sharp canines that merely enhanced his feline appearance.
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Conall
Ireth
Ding dong, the witch is dead~
"Please do as I say, or I'll rip your throat out. How does that sound?"
Posts: 576
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Post by Conall on Jan 27, 2010 13:09:05 GMT -5
Conall looked again at the Sidhe, though not into his eyes. His gaze was riveted by the fangs revealed in the figure's feral grin. He forced himself to relax as he was bidden, answering the questions slowly.
"I was away on the northern moors for a time," he replied. "Haste to be home brought me here at this hour, necessity drove me into the wood. I was armed, until my horse bolted." He resisted the urge to give the Sidhe an irritated look. "I've answered thy questions. Now will ye answer mine? What court do ye hail from, and for what purpose do ye detain me?"
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Korlian
Kitty Kat
Academy Freshman: Bound Fae
Close your eyes and surrender to your darkest dreams... Only then can you belong to me...
Posts: 942
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Post by Korlian on Jan 27, 2010 13:20:30 GMT -5
"Purpose? I need a purpose?" he laughed mockingly, harshly. "Thou art lucky indeed I find thee amusing, else I would strike thee down where thou stand. Such impertinence," he purred, standing straight and circling the terrified mortal before him. The man had an unusual appearance for a human, with his odd-colored eyes and white hair. The eyes especially interested Korlian, for they somewhat reminded him of his brother. Whether that boded well or ill for the man was debatable.
"The fact that thou still live should be proof enough of my Court, if the season itself does not tell thee," Korlian answered coolly.
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Conall
Ireth
Ding dong, the witch is dead~
"Please do as I say, or I'll rip your throat out. How does that sound?"
Posts: 576
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Post by Conall on Jan 27, 2010 13:30:58 GMT -5
Conall nodded slowly. "Aye, there's truth in that."
He watched the Sidhe carefully, taking a few deep breaths without speaking. He wasn't sure how he was amusing to this creature, but if it meant the difference between life and death, he was thankful for it.
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Korlian
Kitty Kat
Academy Freshman: Bound Fae
Close your eyes and surrender to your darkest dreams... Only then can you belong to me...
Posts: 942
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Post by Korlian on Jan 27, 2010 13:57:19 GMT -5
Korlian stopped in front of him, grey eyes narrowed slightly as he looked the man over. "So tell me, what is in that city that would cause thee to risk traveling a forest at night?"
If this man proved truly interesting, Korlian might offer him a gift... Which mostly was a way for Korlian to continue watching the man, though he might not realize it. It was better than entering the city himself, and was a fool-proof way to learn more of what was going on without risking himself... and spending more time than he cared becoming trusted.
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Conall
Ireth
Ding dong, the witch is dead~
"Please do as I say, or I'll rip your throat out. How does that sound?"
Posts: 576
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Post by Conall on Jan 27, 2010 14:17:58 GMT -5
"My wife," Conall answered warily. He stood still under the Sidhe's gaze, like a hawk before a wildcat. What interest could this Fae have in that? He didn't dare ask. "And my children. I have kept them waiting a long while. They will be expecting me."
He stayed where he was, fully aware that his very life rested on the Sidhe's whim, let alone his passage through the wood. "Forgive my earlier impertinence, I pray thee. But I had no desire to linger long here whilst my family awaited me."
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Korlian
Kitty Kat
Academy Freshman: Bound Fae
Close your eyes and surrender to your darkest dreams... Only then can you belong to me...
Posts: 942
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Post by Korlian on Jan 27, 2010 14:30:47 GMT -5
Korlian merely nodded, pulling a silver ring from his pouch and playing with it. Two tiny green gems stared out as eyes from a cat's face as it prowled around the ring. "A wife and children, hm? Another day would have done no harm, but luckily for thee, I am in a generous mood."
He held up the ring with a smile, smirking a little. "Thou are curious and impertinent ... perhaps thou would learn a lesson from the animal so depicted here. Take this and remember; secrets are often best kept by one."
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Conall
Ireth
Ding dong, the witch is dead~
"Please do as I say, or I'll rip your throat out. How does that sound?"
Posts: 576
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Post by Conall on Jan 27, 2010 14:45:11 GMT -5
Conall nodded, warily taking the ring and slipping it onto his finger. The emeralds glinted in the moonlight as he moved his hand. "My thanks, sire. I will remember this night, and thee. Blessed be."
He bowed low, watching the Sidhe with wary eyes. He was still blocking the path out of the wood, but Conall did not feel compelled to press his luck further than it could reach by asking him to step aside.
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Korlian
Kitty Kat
Academy Freshman: Bound Fae
Close your eyes and surrender to your darkest dreams... Only then can you belong to me...
Posts: 942
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Post by Korlian on Jan 27, 2010 14:53:58 GMT -5
Korlian smiled and stepped aside, his lips still turned into a smirk. He gestured for Conall to head back to the city, disappearing into the forest. This would be interesting. A soft laugh echoed through the forest again as the night seemed to be perfectly safe once again.
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Conall
Ireth
Ding dong, the witch is dead~
"Please do as I say, or I'll rip your throat out. How does that sound?"
Posts: 576
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Post by Conall on Jan 27, 2010 20:04:15 GMT -5
Conall shivered at the echoing laughter in the air, then hastened down the path and out of the wood toward the city gate. He identified himself to the guards on the walltop, who quickly allowed him entrance. From there he hurried through the city and up to the castle, where his family was waiting for him.
- - -
Aerona sat in silence at her bedroom window, looking down at the city below. She had seen Conall’s horse come back without its rider, and had immediately begun to worry. Her elder son had taken the horse to the stables while she herself sat vigilant at the window, watching for the husband she hoped would be returning.
Was that him coming through the streets? She knew his gait, his height, his hair. Rising quickly from her seat, she rushed through the house and out to meet her lover.
- - -
Conall looked up and smiled as he saw his wife hurrying toward him, her fiery curls blowing in her wake. He sped up, taking her into his arms and holding her close against him, breathing in the warm scent of her skin and hair. Kissing her passionately, he smiled at the clean, minty taste of her breath.
She pulled away for want of air. “Ye were gone too long… I feared for thee when thine horse returned without his rider.”
“I was detained a while in the woods,” Conall said simply.
“The woods?” Aerona’s eyebrows lifted. “’Tis a fell place, ye had no business in there! What was in thine head?”
“Haste to be home to ye,” he answered, nuzzling her neck lightly, his hands caressing her body. “And our children.”
She stiffened in his embrace. “What’s changed in ye? There’s something eldritch about ye tonight.” Her bright green eyes searched his face. “Who was it that detained ye?”
“One of the Daoine Sidhe,” he answered, holding up the hand that bore the ring he had received. “We never exchanged names, but he let me pass unharmed, and gave me this ring as a token to remember him.”
Aerona studied the ring curiously, sliding it from his finger and turning it over in her hands. “’Tis a lovely thing, to be sure. Perhaps ye’ve earned their favor.”
Conall shrugged, slipping it onto his finger again. “Perhaps. He found me amusing, he said. I can’t be certain of why.”
Aerona was silent for a moment, studying him; then she took his hand and led him into the house. “Come inside. Ye need rest.”
He followed her in silence, banishing memories of his encounter in the woods in favor of dwelling on the pleasures awaiting him inside their home. Food, rest, good company and love.
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Korlian
Kitty Kat
Academy Freshman: Bound Fae
Close your eyes and surrender to your darkest dreams... Only then can you belong to me...
Posts: 942
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Post by Korlian on Jan 27, 2010 20:23:19 GMT -5
Korlian sat stretched out in a tree, a simple bowl carved from a fir tree's fallen branch filled with steady water in his hand. He watched the man as his wife greeted him (a lovely woman indeed), and grinned a little as they spoke of him. Favor...? The idea made him laugh aloud, disturbing the water and banishing the image he had been watching. Leaping to the ground, he poured out the water near the roots of the tree from which he had gained the wood for the bowl and dried it carefully before putting it in his purse. The man's day-to-day life would only hold so much amusement, though granting him the ring in the way he had insured he would wear it nigh on constantly.
Humming softly to himself, he moved off in search of something less mundane to do. Watching this man's life might be good for occasional interest, but it would grow boring quickly.
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Conall
Ireth
Ding dong, the witch is dead~
"Please do as I say, or I'll rip your throat out. How does that sound?"
Posts: 576
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Post by Conall on Jan 27, 2010 23:07:49 GMT -5
- - -
Conall woke shortly after dawn the next morning, much refreshed from the exhaustion of his long journey (and his wife's passionate welcome). He leaned over to look at Aerona, who was still sleeping peacefully beside him, and kissed her cheek before rising from the bed and pulling on his leine. A shred of something like a dream flickered at the corner of his mind... two grey eyes above a feline grin in an eerily elegant face, and a ring of silver in the shape of a cat, with eyes made of emerald.
Pouring cool water from an ewer into a shallow basin that stood on a low shelf, he splashed the liquid into his face and dried it off with a sheepskin towel. As he did so, he caught sight of the ring on his finger; the silver cat’s two emerald eyes glittered up at him. So it hadn’t been a dream after all. He had encountered one of the Fair Folk.
He heard Aerona stir, and turned to see her sit up in bed, pushing her hair out of her face. She smiled at him as she rose. “Good morrow, my love.”
“Good morrow, beloved,” he replied, moving to embrace her still-naked form. “Did ye sleep well?”
“All the better with ye in my bed,” she purred, kissing his neck. She drew away from him for a moment to dress, running her hands through her hair as she sat back down on the edge of the bed.
Conall sat beside her and pulled her against him, looking up and smiling as their two sons entered the room. They both had the green eyes of their mother; the elder, Caradoc, bore his mother's red curls, while Eòran, the younger, had the straight, pale golden hair that his father had sported in his youth.
“Blessed be, my lads,” he greeted them warmly.
“Blessed be,” they replied in unison.
“The King has called a banquet tomorrow evening,” Caradoc informed his parents. “We’re all expected to attend. Lords Dàire and Lùthais will be there,” he added, looking at his father.
Conall smiled at the mention of his two best friends. “I’ll be sure to visit them soon. I’ll be glad to see them again.”
“Aye, and they’ll be glad to see ye, no doubt,” Caradoc nodded.
- - -
Wandering into the courtyard later that morning, Conall smiled to see Dàire and Lùthais there, seated together on a stone ledge in the sunlight. Both twin brothers looked up and smiled, rising and coming to greet their friend.
“Blessed be,” Conall smiled, laying one hand on each man’s shoulder. “It warms my heart to see ye again.”
“When did ye return?” Lùthais asked curiously.
“Yesternight, just past twilight,” Conall replied. “Ye’ll not believe what happened on the way…” He held up his left hand, showing his friends the Sidhe-ring. “I was given this by one of the Daoine Sidhe.” He explained his odd encounter while his friends listened, rapt.
Dàire broke the silence once Conall was finished speaking. “Ye should beware of any gift from the Fae. It may be a tool to use for harm against ye.”
“This Sidhe was Seelie,” Conall told him coolly. “The Seelie do not harm those who have their favor.” He rubbed the ring’s smooth surface with his thumb. “Though I can’t be sure what I have of theirs,” he murmured to himself.
Dàire frowned slightly, changing the subject. “I wager your wife was glad to see ye return home safe and sound.”
“Aye,” Conall nodded, looking curiously at the older twin. “After a fortnight away from home, what woman wouldn’t be glad to see her lover home again?”
“How can ye be certain she did not grow lonely in a cold bed?” Dàire’s eyes took on an odd glint in the light. “Such a bonny lass as she might have any man of her choosing.”
“I AM the man of her choosing!” Conall snarled, bristling at the implication. “Aerona is faithful to me, and no other!”
“Don't be so sure of that... ye can't leave your eyes with her while ye’re away...” Dàire gave a wicked grin, leaving the courtyard. His brother stared after him, but did not follow.
Conall stood in silence, seething. Lùthais laid a hand on his shoulder. “Don’t heed him, he doesn’t ken how to keep his gob shut. ‘Tis hot air, Conall, nothing more. Let him be.”
Conall’s eyes narrowed, and he clenched his hands slowly into fists. The Sidhe-ring was cold against his left palm. Why was it always so cold even when his hand should have warmed it?
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Korlian
Kitty Kat
Academy Freshman: Bound Fae
Close your eyes and surrender to your darkest dreams... Only then can you belong to me...
Posts: 942
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Post by Korlian on Jan 28, 2010 2:58:30 GMT -5
Korlian had spent the night in his own entertainments, only growing bored enough to check on his new pet as the man first chanced upon the twins. Their identical looks interested him immediately and he listened intently. The one, who seemed slightly the elder, was by far the more interesting. There was treachery in his eye, something the Daione Sidhe knew all too well. It was more fun to watch it than to experience it, however.
He wished he'd had some trinket to give to the twin so that he might watch him as well, but contented himself with being more vigilant over Conall as he went about his day. After all, the Fae had nothing else to occupy himself with, and little desire to find his own way into the castle. At least, not yet. He had caught a mention of a banquet, and that interested him somewhat. Sneaking in would be simple, so long as no Fae-sighted were near. And even if one were, it would not be too difficult to silence them, by fair means or foul.
He watched the man seethe, and understandably. Conall's wife was indeed a lovely woman, one Korlian himself might have been interested in if she had not been rather clearly devoted to her husband. Finally stretching as the interesting twin got out of range of his scrying, he put the bowl aside and paced slightly to ease the stiffness in his legs.
Little interesting happened that day, or the night. Korlian grew frustrated, then sighed. Well, if he was going to sneak into that castle, now was indeed the time to do so. Conall slept, and that was exceedingly boring to watch, and the man was not likely to wake any time soon.
- - -
Korlian had found entering the castle almost so easy as to be pathetic. The handles and hinges had all been brass, and there hadn't been a single person who had been able even to see something was wrong with his appearance. He doubted even Conall, who still wore his ring, would notice something amiss with the Fae's glamour. Not that he intended to cross the man's path.
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Conall
Ireth
Ding dong, the witch is dead~
"Please do as I say, or I'll rip your throat out. How does that sound?"
Posts: 576
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Post by Conall on Jan 28, 2010 23:17:50 GMT -5
The great hall rang with talk and laughter as the banquet progressed into the evening. Conall sat with his wife and sons at the high table with the other lords and ladies, as well as the royal family themselves. Not a plate or goblet was empty, not a heart was unhappy.
“Will ye be playing your pipes tonight, Conall?” asked Lùthais, who was seated a few places down from Conall, next to his brother.
Conall smiled and nodded, watching idly as his empty goblet was replaced with a full one. “Aye, after the feasting’s done.”
Dàire gave Conall a smile as he lifted his goblet and drank. Conall returned the smile in silence, lifting his own goblet slowly to his lips.
Lùthais saw what he was doing and suddenly sprang from his seat, lunging toward Conall with a cry of alarm. “Don’t!”
Conall cried out in surprise as he was knocked sideways out of his seat, the goblet still in his hand; the wine splashed up into the air and down again, hitting Conall squarely in the face. Much of the liquid landed in his mouth, which was wide open in shock. His throat muscles tightened instinctively, and he swallowed the mouthful, looking up at Lùthais, who was kneeling over him.
“What did you…?” he started to ask, but got no further. His stomach felt as though it was on fire; he groaned in pain, turning over onto his side, trying to retch out the wine. All that emerged from his mouth was a thin dribble of whitish liquid. He coughed, trying to breathe; his eyes were squeezed shut from the pain.
Somewhere above him he heard screaming and sobbing, and felt someone taking him into their arms. He opened his eyes, still struggling to breathe, looking up into his wife’s face. He looked around, seeing his sons, his friends, all looking at him in horror. Dàire knelt and took Conall’s hand, grasping it tightly in his own. “Hold on, Conall. Breathe.”
Conall gagged and choked as he tried to inhale, clawing at the arms that embraced him. Aerona bent over him, tears running down her face, her hair falling down over his face. Her chest was very close to his mouth. Her blood… her life. Maybe it could sustain his. With a great effort he lifted his head, sinking his teeth deep into the flesh between her breasts, lapping at the blood that flowed from a ruptured artery.
He heard his wife, his sons, everyone screaming… Conall’s last strength left him swiftly and he fell back, a drop of blood running down the side of his face. He barely felt the weight of Aerona’s body as she fell forward on top of him. Everything was dark…
- - -
There was a woman standing before him in the blackness, a bent and wizened crone. Her white hair was half-hidden under a great black hood and cloak, and her eyes glittered in her lined face, though there was no light. Conall stared up at her, knowing her name and speaking it in his heart.
“Morrighan.”
The Crone Goddess nodded. “Conall son of Nechtan, thou hast acted in folly. Thou chosest to drink the life-blood of thy wife to save thine own life, and it availed thee nothing.”
Conall shivered as the Crone’s words cut into his ears. “Ye speak truly, Goddess -- I acted in folly, under agony of death. ‘Twas no fault of my own. I was killed, murdered, by I know not whom.”
The Goddess laughed. “Thy betrayer is Dàire, whom thou once named ‘friend’. Rest assured, he will come to his own fate soon enough. But thou hast chosen for thyself another fate: to drink the blood of the living to sustain that life thou soughtest to preserve. For every man thou slay’st, thou comest further under my thrall. Thou shalt live as a shadow from the Otherworld, neither dead nor alive. Men and beasts alike shall fear thee, and thou shalt hunt them.”
“How long am I to be bound to this fate?” Conall whispered.
The Goddess began to vanish into the black void around her; her voice echoed back as though from a great distance as the darkness became complete again. “For eternity.”
- - -
He woke in a constricting darkness, feeling rough cloth all around him. Gasping and struggling as panic overwhelmed him, he tried to claw and thrash his way free of his bindings. Even through the cloth he could smell dust and decay. He freed one hand, then the other, tearing his way free like a butterfly emerging from its cocoon, hearing something thud below him. Then he was still, panting. There was no sound but settling dust, and no light. He sat up, breathing in the dusty air and coughing. His throat was dry… so dry.
Where was he…?
He looked up as something moved above him, with a grating sound of stone on stone. A shaft of pale light streamed down into the blackness, lending light to his surroundings. He sat on a grey stone slab, in a grey stone chamber. There was something lying on the floor beside the slab. He leaned over, seeing something wrapped in cloth, such as he had been wrapped in.
He stiffened suddenly, realizing where he was. His crypt. And someone was buried with him… that could only mean one thing. Bending down to reach the cloth-wrapped body, he tore at the wrappings that covered its face and chest, and screamed in horror as his fears were affirmed. The corpse of his wife lay revealed before him, bloated and rotting in its shroud. The wound between her breasts was still visible, putrid and festering.
Choking in anguish and gagging at the stench, Conall scrambled away from Aerona’s body, backing away until he found the wall and pressed himself against it. He looked around the room again, searching for the door and finding where it was. He bolted toward it, just as the shaft in the ceiling began to close again, and pounded his fists against the stone. It shifted slightly, and he pressed his whole weight against it, pushing it open and stumbling out into the open air.
He sank to his knees just outside of the crypt, shuddering as he tried to calm himself. He remembered everything… the banquet, the poison, the Goddess. She had told him who betrayed him. Dàire, the one he had once called friend. Conall lifted his head slowly, a flame of rage kindling in his heart. Dàire had betrayed him… Why?
Dàire’s words crept back into his memory, making him shudder. Of course… Dàire had desired Aerona. Conall had never suspected that he desired her enough to kill him to have her. Well, he thought grimly, let him have her now.
He rose to his feet, taking quick stock of his surroundings. He knew where he was, and he knew where he had to go. Dàire would meet his fate, the Goddess had said. And Conall would be the one to bring it to him. If he had to survive on blood, he would take the blood of the one who had stilled his own.
He hurried through the empty streets under the light of a gibbous moon, straight toward the house of the twin lords. There was a small flicker of light coming from an upper window. Shunning the door, Conall crept into the house through an open window on the lower floor without letting himself be heard.
He found his prey quickly, watching him for a while from the shadows. Dàire sat in his bedchamber, looking out at the moon beyond his window by the light of a single candle. Conall smiled, stepping forward and raising his voice. “Good eventide, Dàire.”
The man started with a gasp, turning swiftly around to face him. His eyes widened as they focused on Conall’s face, which bore a sinister grin.
“Conall!” he cried. “But… ye were dead!”
Conall shook his head. “Not dead. But not alive.” He stalked forward, and as Dàire tried to bolt for the door, Conall grabbed him by the arms. “And very angry.”
“Please…” His captive shrank away from him, struggling in his grip. “Forgive me… I tried…”
“Ye tried,” Conall nodded, his grin never wavering. “Tried to kill me, ye did. And ye made me kill my wife to save myself. All for the love of she who was mine.” He grabbed Dàire and pinned him to the wall by the neck, listening to him gasp for air. “She lies by the city wall, to the east. Go to her. See how well she’ll warm your bed now, traitor! Murderer!”
Dàire clawed urgently at the hands around his neck, and Conall suddenly noticed the silver ring upon his finger. He laughed, and the sound came from his throat like a hiss. “Saw something else ye like, did ye? A traitor, a murderer and a thief!”
“No… I-it was…” Dàire choked. “It was given to me…”
Conall snarled, tearing open the man’s shirt. He could hear the heart thundering under the man’s broad chest, and licked his lips, feeling his canine teeth elongate and sharpen. “Then I’ll be taking it back. Goodnight, Dàire.”
He leaned forward, readying to sink his fangs into tender flesh, as his captive shrieked. “No! Ye've got the wrong man!”
“Don't lie to me!” Conall snarled, pulling back for a moment and lifting his head. “Morrighan herself convicted ye!”
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Korlian
Kitty Kat
Academy Freshman: Bound Fae
Close your eyes and surrender to your darkest dreams... Only then can you belong to me...
Posts: 942
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Post by Korlian on Jan 29, 2010 0:52:14 GMT -5
"He speaks truth," a voice Conall had heard only once said, as a familiar form slipped out from the shadows. Grey eyes looked coldly at him as he came forward, the tone oddly disapproving, or angry. "The ring was given him as his brother was hanged for thine own murder. Look closely at the man thou holds, Conall. Is it indeed Dàire, who betrayed thee? Or has thy rage blinded thee to the truth?"
The mention of the Crone told Korlian how this man whom he had watched die was still alive... or perhaps, alive as Korlian himself was 'alive'. No longer human, neither fully alive nor fully dead. The fangs that protruded from Conall's mouth disturbed him, and fascinated him. The ring also caught his eye, as it was HIS. He'd certainly not intended for Conall to keep it for all eternity, and Lùthais was not the interesting twin. That one was dead... although watching that had been interesting. Such frail creatures, humans.
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Conall
Ireth
Ding dong, the witch is dead~
"Please do as I say, or I'll rip your throat out. How does that sound?"
Posts: 576
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Post by Conall on Jan 29, 2010 1:02:24 GMT -5
Conall looked up abruptly at the voice from the window -- the voice of the Sidhe he had met in the woods. How had he known Conall's name? He knew better than to ask, at least for the moment.
Turning back to the man who was still fighting for air under his hand, he loosened his grip slightly, staring into his face, trying to see past his own rage. He certainly looked like Dàire... but Dàire did not have a scar running down his left cheek, as Lùthais did. At least, he hadn't had it before Conall's death. But it was healed and well faded, too old to be so recent. This had to be the younger twin.
Breathing heavily, Conall slowly lowered his hand, releasing Lùthais and stepping back. "Forgive me... I was blind to the truth."
Lùthais massaged his neck gingerly where Conall's fingers had bruised it; he did not speak, but nodded once. Conall smiled, but his face soon sobered as he turned back to the Sidhe and bowed.
"I thank ye, sire. Ye have prevented me from performing a great evil. I have no wish to see an innocent man killed in place of the guilty."
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Korlian
Kitty Kat
Academy Freshman: Bound Fae
Close your eyes and surrender to your darkest dreams... Only then can you belong to me...
Posts: 942
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Post by Korlian on Jan 29, 2010 1:07:38 GMT -5
Korlian nodded slightly, looking with odd concern at Lùthais. The man seemed well enough. His eyes flickered to the ring, and he put out a hand. "My interest in your petty lives has faded. I merely had no desire to watch thee harm thy friend, who thou did hold in high esteem. Therefore, I will take my ring and go. Lest thou wishes I have easy access to see every moment of thy life?"
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Conall
Ireth
Ding dong, the witch is dead~
"Please do as I say, or I'll rip your throat out. How does that sound?"
Posts: 576
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Post by Conall on Jan 29, 2010 1:12:20 GMT -5
Lùthais smiled nervously as he slid the ring from his finger and placed it in the stranger's palm. "Nay, sire, not for every moment. But it was well that ye saw and arrived when ye did. I thank ye also. Blessed be," he said with a bow.
Conall stood in silence, pondering this new information. Now he knew how the Sidhe had found out his name -- he had obviously heard it spoken, by whatever power the ring held. An interesting thing, in the right hands.
"If I may be so bold," he ventured cautiously, "since ye already ken my name, might I ask ye for thine?"
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Korlian
Kitty Kat
Academy Freshman: Bound Fae
Close your eyes and surrender to your darkest dreams... Only then can you belong to me...
Posts: 942
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Post by Korlian on Jan 29, 2010 1:41:05 GMT -5
Korlian looked at Conall, noticing his look. He slid the ring onto his own finger, feeling how warm it felt. Another odd thing of humans, their natural heat. He gave Lùthais a distant nod, closing his fist slightly around the ring.
"Thou may call me Aimhirghin (AV er yin)," he told the man, narrowing his eyes. Names held power... true names, at least. The name was not even his, though he might actually remember to respond to it. Perhaps he would use it more often. He ran his thumb over the ring, brushing his hair out of his face. "Though I doubt our paths shall cross again. I pray for ease in thy curse, Conall. Take care not to let the beast within become the man without. I wish not to prevent thee from more such foolishness again."
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Conall
Ireth
Ding dong, the witch is dead~
"Please do as I say, or I'll rip your throat out. How does that sound?"
Posts: 576
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Post by Conall on Jan 29, 2010 1:50:03 GMT -5
Conall nodded, bowing low. "I count myself fortunate to have met ye, Aimhirghin," he replied with a smile. "I will remember this night, and thy counsel. Perhaps 'twas fate that led me through the woods. Blessed be."
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Korlian
Kitty Kat
Academy Freshman: Bound Fae
Close your eyes and surrender to your darkest dreams... Only then can you belong to me...
Posts: 942
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Post by Korlian on Jan 29, 2010 2:00:35 GMT -5
Korlian bowed his head in return, barely an incline of his head but a very regal action nonetheless. "Thy fate is something I wish to have nothing to do with. Blessed be."
He left the same way he had entered, disappearing into the shadows... and exiting out the window as a cloud covered the moon. He paused, and decided to listen, lingering in the shadows beside the window, hidden by a wall of ivy. Glamour wove a unique disguise around him, nothing more than a disinterest in looking closer at the shadow within a shadow.
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