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The Harbingers
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2023-03-10 00:26:13Men, or what had once been fey men, launched from the trees. Their black wings splaying and whooshing like sails in a breeze. Their long hair resting down their bare chests and backs and along their unclad arms. Only worn pants covered their legs. Dark brown fur rested along their cheekbones and across their brows. Circling their sides and wrapping their hips.
The mark of demonkind. He recognized.
“Brother.” Clawdus, the closest to a friend Disseus had once known, landed nearest him. “Welcome!”
Disseus hadn’t seen him since they were children. Only beginning to emerge into manhood.
He was opening his arms in greeting. A wide grinning spreading the face that was now so much different from the one he’d known as a child.
“I’m not here for you.” Disseus dismissed.
“Well. That’s a shame.” He tilted his head. His hair, once as bluish white as Disseus’ was now singed a coarse brown. “Because we’re here for you.”
“I’ve no quar
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Disseus’ body unraveled like a piece of fabric covering a beast. Falling away and peeling apart, to release the bigger thing. His neck jutted out until it dropped back onto the ground with a thump. His back stretching and wings unfurling to expose the charcoal coloring. Which was trimmed in silver along every wing, his brows, and the spines running up his snout. His body covering in the charcoal skin which was sleek but thick and armored. He fell forward, landing on his palms which were quickly turning to claws. Everyone had stopped moving. Watching mesmerized as his body changed. The other Harbingers were confused. This isn’t how they change. Disseus knew the extent of their conversion was sprouting the wings along their backs and their highly increased speed and strength. But Disseus was quite another matter. His scalp still had a span of the same bluish silver hair. It started between his ears and ran in a mane, up his neck, to sto
Last Updated : 2023-03-13The Price of Vengeance The Myth
Every Harbinger knew the ancient myth. A song once sang by the elders. Of both the First Water Fey and the Harbinger kind, alike. It told of one born from demon blood and harbinger fey that would emerge as the strongest among them. One to lead them all. One that would demand utter obedience and destroy them. It was sang that this Dark Harbinger would irrevocably change the ways of First Water Fey and Harbingers. Clawdus and the injured fey next to him, looked from Disseus monopolizing the air to Nierwae who stood with trees bowing in toward him. So tall that he bent them. And the words of that song echoed in their minds. As did Clawdus’ words. ‘Who do we fear most?’ His meaning was clear. The harbingers were going to have to choose who they’d continue to attack. More were getting injured. Raining from the sky in crumpled heaps. Seeming to have little effect on the densely armored skin of the airborne Dar
Last Updated : 2023-03-16The Price of Vengeance True Defeat
“No!” Nierwae roared. Making birds scatter and creatures stir in the underbrush. Those which had been too afraid to move before, now ran in terror. Nierwae could see what was happening. He saw the slow turning on the Harbingers faces. The brightening of their eyes, the lightening of their hair. They made their choices. Abandoning the darkness that had been feeding on them. Aborting the decision that had pulled them down. Bringing them so close to true evil. Disseus knew. Somehow…They were choosing to save themselves. Even after all the cruelty they’d known amongst the fey. Nierwae emanated ugly energy even as he breathed. His rage was truly something to be reckoned with. “No!” He growled in a sound that was more like a rockfall than an actual word. “I liberated you! I set you free. I gave you mates. I brought you from the world where you were hated. I treated you as my own!” “You made us your slaves.” Clawdus
Last Updated : 2023-03-19The Price of Vengeance A Moment of Silence
He drew a long breath and began carrying her. He found one of the dead harbingers and stole his pants. Collecting Nim again and aiming back in the direction of the cabin. It was going to take a long while on foot if he couldn’t find where Nim had originally tied up her horse. He whistled a few times and heard a responding huff and prancing. He veered that direction and was very grateful to see the mount coming into view from between a couple large trees. She concealed it well. He looked down at the beautiful woman in his arms. Her dark lashes rested against her cheek. One arm dangling stiffly from her side. “You’ll be okay, Sweetheart.” He lifted her enough to press his forehead to hers, reassuringly. “Rest. I have you.” Somewhere in Nim’s numbed subconscious she heard the soothing words. Felt the reassuring push of something flat to her face. Feeling so familiar, that she knew instantly what it was.
Last Updated : 2023-03-22The Price of Vengeance Forever Knights
“Forever Knights.” Sebastian said quietly. As if he feared anyone in the distance might hear sacred words. Disseus jerked to a stop. His head rolling to one than the other. “You were hunting them.” That is what Forever Knights do, at least as the legends say. Disseus had heard many whispers in the assassin guilds he visited while looking for work. “Or perhap followin’ them ta see what they was up to.” RedBayne rumbled. “Depending on how many it were.” “It was a lot. And we fought them for you.” Disseus nodded to Nim. “Now if you don’t mind.” “Did some get away?” Sebastian hurried a few steps to ask urgently. Of course they did! We couldn’t kill them all. “A few.” Disseus muttered dryly. A muscle in his jaw ticking. “Mmm.” Mardichi’s disapproval tightened his mouth. “If you wanted them all rounded up, perhaps you should’ve travelled faster.” He felt indignant tension rise from bo
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Disseus put Nim on the bed and it was several hours later before she woke again. He was sitting next to her. Studying her face intently. “What?” “Well, what do we do now?” He was still thinking about everything the Forever Knights had told him earlier. “Find them.” She lifted the blanket to inspect herself. “I’ve a need to see my children, to tell them. I feel better than I have in much time.” “Your wound is healed.” “That’s not all I’m talking about.” She gave him a long look. Making her meaning clear. “Bernus will come, you know.” She added, with a sigh. “I know. We’ll be ready.” She climbed out of bed. He gave her his extra tunic and britches. She climbed into them. Lifting the pants which then dropped and pooled around her knees. She lifted them again. Once more they dropped. She gave him an annoyed look which soon had him laughing. He knelt before her to tug l
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“You may find that easier said than done.” Disseus told Teverius. Finding the man’s arrogance irritating. He is fast. But Disseus was unafraid. Though he was gathering that the man posed no threat, he still didn’t like him. “Nevertheless, I’d rather not.” Teverius murmured. “It would be wise for you to go underground.” “As you already said.” Disseus said acidly. “However,” Teverius emphasized. “If you choose not to, and are ever in need of help. You can find me in the Dread Hideout.” He’s offering to help us? That’s why he came here? “In the Netherlands?” Nim clarified. Just as puzzled as Disseus was. The man had exuded a threatening presence when he’d first arrived. Both of them had assumed he’d come to fight. “Far within.” Teverius confirmed. “Where?” Disseus asked. Curiosity getting the better of him. No one knew where the elven hideout in the Netherlands was. Somewhere in Dread Hideout,
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“I missed you, Son.” Nim confessed to her lumbering offspring. Drawing back from him to give him a loving study. Still holding his arms as she looked at him like any proud mama assessing her child. Styx towered over her. Looking at her with heart wrenching affection that belied the terrifying look of him. “And I, you.” “I was worried when the wound took you.” He confessed. “I feared I might lose you again.” “Never.” She shook her head. Forcing a strong smile as she banished thoughts of old pain. She smiled softly as she asked. “Have you seen your sister?” “No. Not yet.” She likely doesn’t know yet that he’s free. Disseus guessed word hadn’t reached her yet. Disseus dismounted the prancing horse, to join them. Leading the mare as he walked. “Thank you.” Disseus mentioned to Styx. Nodding to Lon and Almora who were now sitting up. Blinking blearily. “For looking after them.” If he hadn’t, and we were anyone e
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The Price of Vengeance A Broken World
Nim looked down the valley and finally saw at least part of what they had done, at the same moment the wind came up and the smell of smoke and rot filled her sinuses. The sticky sweet scent lingering there in a way that made her want to vomit. It clung to her throat. Only one thing could smell like that. Nierwae’s fortress had possessed that same horrendous odor. The scent of death and demons. A village in the distance emitted too much smoke to be from hut fires. There were spots of smoke in various directions that looked the same. Once they walked a bit down the hill, they came down the backside of the rise, she found the whole valley bottom was covered in bark like darkness. It looked like rotting tree roots with spots of pus and splitting boils. Twining over the ground. From this vantage point, it was apparent that the nearest village was abandoned. Long since, torn to shreds. “How long were you gone?” Disseus look
The Price of Vengeance Goodbyes
“Come.” Disseus caught the sleeve of Sebastian’s frilled shirt and pulled him along with him. Growing more certain by the moment, that if left alone, Sebastian would continue to taunt Teverius until the other man returned to take the bait. “If you wish to.” Sebastian didn’t seem to mind though. Stumbling along for a moment while laughing over his shoulder at Teverius. Bright turquoise eyes dancing. Then he focused on the group ahead of them. “I find your Bernus, a bit unpleasant.” Sebastian sobered, to comment. A man who clearly says whatever he’s thinking. It was a trait Disseus could appreciate. “We do as well.” Nim agreed. “Was he always like that?” “No.” Nim said. Surprising Disseus. “He was a nice child.” “Unfortunately, children grow up.” There was a sudden sadness in Sebastian’s voice. But before either Nim or Disseus could mention it, Sebastian walked a bit faster. Catching up to Lonnix and Almora.
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“I told you,” She said softly. “I need higher assurance then yours, that we will get to live together in peace.” “Without First Water interference.” Disseus felt the need to clarify. “I’m coming.” Another stranger pushed through the fey guardians, and Trap, working his way to the front to peer across the clearing at the Forever Knight leader. “Alpha.” He lowered his head, covered in long white hair, in deference. “Marcus Teverius.” The alpha eased. Eyeing him. “You know these from the lower lands?” “I speak for their Netherland Region.” Teverius said, nodding. “I know their King well.” “He calls you, his King of the Netherlands, does he not?” The alpha clarified. More for the fey’s sake, than his own, obviously. Disseus had heard of the fey King of the Netherlands, though in all his travels, he’d never glimpsed the man. He wouldn’t have denied he was just as curious to watch everything unfolding, as all the re
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Disseus’s and Nim’s gaze followed all the rest. Taking in the shadow under two huge trees. Generating massive amounts of power. “This must be the strangest morning...” Almora muttered. Wondering who this newest interloper could possibly be. “Who is that?” Lon pondered. “Ah, hell!” Trap, the other Harbinger, swore. Backing further into the crowd of fey guardians, in an effort to blend. Disseus recognized the blonde man sauntering into view, as the man that had helped heal Nim. The Forever Knight called Sebastian. A black-haired man emerged next to Sebastian. His face was an unreadable mask. Cutting blue eyes slid over the scene. He exuded authority and power unlike any Disseus had seen before. What is he? The way Sebastian eased a bit behind him, was telling. The dark hair is the leader. RedBayne was still grumbling profanity as he ambled out of the grove to join them
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It was reasonable that Lon would mourn the death of all they’d built together. It had been Lonnix that had spread news of Disseus’s feats far and wide. Inspiring others to hire him. And keep our pockets fat with coin. It was Lonnix that built the name. “You keep it going.” Disseus suggested. “Most only dealt with you anyway.” They’d hardly know my face were I standing before them. “Nobody would believe that!” Lon cried in appall. “Talk to King Phalanx, he’ll back your story as a favor to me. Remind him how he became King of the Paladines.” Disseus gave him a stunned look. Disseus knew Lon had it in him to do the job. But at the very least, Phalanx would offer Lonnix a job or a new Ardae assassin to befriend. Lon had a cunning way about him that made him very personable. “Don’t fear yet.” Nim assured. “We’ve a bit before we must go.” “No.” Another voice interjected as Bernus
The Price of Vengeance Are We Going?
Disseus sat on that rock, holding Nealinim well into the night. Relieved and in awe to have all his joy back in his arms. What a strange journey it has been. She’d fallen asleep at some point. Lying on that rock with her head on his leg while he stroked her hair. Listening to the water and her soft breathing. As much as he yearned to make love to her. He wanted her to heal more. She needs her strength now more than ever. He heard a branch snap behind him and knew what he’d suspected for a while now. “How long have you been there.” “I’m a bit ashamed to admit, the whole time.” He rumbled from the shadows. His dark skin blending with the night darkness. Only the orange of his eyes glowed from the trees. “Why?” “You weren’t here when she wandered off.” Styx explained. “I was worried about her out here alone. Away from camp. Especially after all she’s been through.” “You as well.” Disseus reminded.
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Marnie’s quiet words shattered Disseus’s composure. He watched Marnie walking away. As if dropping that tidbit hadn’t just rocked him to his core. He needed to get away for a bit of fresh air. He wandered into the dark. Letting the cool evening air fan his skin as he listened to the happy laughter coming from the camp. He could smell the burning wood and what remained of the boar. Mixing with the freshness of the burbling river nearby. He must’ve wandered out there longer than he thought. As he aimed back toward the camp, he realized the laughter had stopped. In-fact he now caught Lon’s soft snoring. As he drew closer, he heard another sound. Something soft and lilting. Barely separated from the sound of the river. Disseus followed it hypnotically. Drawn to the rhythmic sound. It was soft and alluring and he was moving irrevocably toward it. A beautiful voice he’d have known anywhere. Even though I’ve never heard her hum before.
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Disseus hesitated. They were all inviting him to climb atop Aardix. Though he would be in bird form, it didn’t particularly change how Disseus felt about it. The idea of mounting another man’s back, even in the shape of an animal, was a bit more than he could tolerate. “No need.” No chance in hell, I’m doing that. “You’ll fly?” Nim turned to him. He nodded slowly. “I’m well-behaved as long as your near.” I hope. He felt more connected to his monster form now than he ever did before. More confident that he could control the Dark Harbinger’s thirst for blood. Even in that shape, all I wanted was to protect her. The Dark Harbinger was no longer some terrifyingly unpredictable creature. It was just another part of him that would look after her. At least it seems that way. He was willing to give it another try and find out. Nim would protect them if I get out of line. The Dar
The Price of Vengeance They Already Know
“I missed you, Son.” Nim confessed to her lumbering offspring. Drawing back from him to give him a loving study. Still holding his arms as she looked at him like any proud mama assessing her child. Styx towered over her. Looking at her with heart wrenching affection that belied the terrifying look of him. “And I, you.” “I was worried when the wound took you.” He confessed. “I feared I might lose you again.” “Never.” She shook her head. Forcing a strong smile as she banished thoughts of old pain. She smiled softly as she asked. “Have you seen your sister?” “No. Not yet.” She likely doesn’t know yet that he’s free. Disseus guessed word hadn’t reached her yet. Disseus dismounted the prancing horse, to join them. Leading the mare as he walked. “Thank you.” Disseus mentioned to Styx. Nodding to Lon and Almora who were now sitting up. Blinking blearily. “For looking after them.” If he hadn’t, and we were anyone e
