Crone’s Hut, Netherlands
MARDICHI, TEVERIUS, & ACHARIUS
Mardichi and Teverius were happy to see Acharius. Turning human as he stepped from the woods. Clothing materializing around his giant body. And quiver sliding up his back, the strap creeping over his shoulder to cinch across his torso, bow materializing in hand.
He fired arrows as he crossed the meadow from the Netherwood. Cutting a path through the Targue. The slivers of wood flew in a hailstorm. Hitting nearly simultaneously a hairsbreadth before the next set landed.
“I’ve never seen so many!” Acharius yelled, seeing the clearing awash with the movement of the monsters. “What are they after?”
Acharius fired another round of arrows, but Tev shouted and clumsily batted it from the path of piercing the animal next to him.
Despite his great speed, catching arrows had never been his forte. Acharius noted.
“My dogs!”
“Not I!” Mardichi complained. “Me ale willna drink itself back at the Driter’s Den.” He waved behind him as he began the trek back. His back bled badly and both arms were a mass of bite marks. “Leave him.” Deragan said, shaking his head. “I’ll help you.” “I must return.” Acharius said. “Go.” Deragan agreed. Nodding. Once they’d gone, Tev turned and lowered to sit on the bloodied grass. Staring mournfully between two naked bodies. Deragan put a hand on his shoulder. “Which ones?” “Gray and Pitch.” “Sorry, Brother.” He consoled. Understanding this was two of Teverius’ Demon Dogs. Tev mourned them in silence awhile. Deragan and Sebastian let him. After a time, he rose. Together, Bast, Deragan and Teverius dragged the bodies off and called Mardichi back just before daylight to light them afire. *** WaterRose, Meadow Mountain, Grier Country “Elsabet.”
“What do you want!” She said venomously, drawing his attention as she nearly vibrated with rage. He growled in answer. Storm-tossed blue eyes narrowed on him hatefully. “Go. Away.” “Not until we talk. I thought we could have a reasonable conversation as proper adults over breakfast.” “I won’t join you.” As you haven’t for months. “Of course, you won’t! Because I wish you too!” “We can’t all have what we wish for…” She shot out. “Like freedom for instance!” Her brows rose in challenge. “Is that why you did it?” Her eyes fell and her weight shifted to one side. That’s not guilt. She’ll rant or apologize. This is shame… Shame? She’s ashamed of being with me? But there was panic written over her too. No. Her shame. She’s ashamed of her desire? Ridiculous. But he was very certain that’s what plagued her. She shifted,
Lucien shook his head, forcing himself to displace the pain. Stumbling back before catching himself, he clutched his wounded arm. Watching the Cimmerii toss the panther aside. Gold eyes focused on the Cimmerii as Bast relentlessly returned in his attack. Over and over. Lucien took two long steps. By the time his foot hit the ground on the third it’d turned to the great talons of the dragon. A massive gray beast crouched in place of the wounded man, one wing drooping where he was damaged. He fought to lift it in flight. Staring at the dark creature below him struggling to shake the panther which kept lunging back. The Cimmerii was muscled with sinewy back legs and short clawed arms, managing to violently shake the panther several times. Getting a solid kick on the feline’s side. Just enough to piss Bast off. Lucien watched the panther’s eyes darken with determination. Well-aware of what lurked in the oversized feline. For a moment Luci
Shock was written over her face. She clutched her skirts and took a hesitant step back. Before gasping and turning. He returned to his armoire even as she tore across the room aimed for the door. “Go ahead. Run, Little Harpie.” I’m closing in. He opened the armoire. “Come back to me anytime.” She slowed at the door to give him a look. “You’re always welcome in my chamber…And in my bed.” He felt her still standing there staring at him as he moved another tunic within the armoire. When his eyes went to her, he found her standing there, jaw agape. After their eyes locked a moment, she fled. Eventually you’ll tire of running. And when you do, I’ll be right here waiting. If he shut his eyes, he could still recall the scent of her as he’d made love to her. Hear the sounds she’d made and feel her desperately clutching at his back and shoulders. He pictured her standing in the doorway just now. When he
“You look the part.” She plucked at the drab shirt. “But you don’t stand it.” She swatted his lower back. Dragging a clinging hand down his spine. Not slouching enough? Not hunched enough? Duly noted for my next venture. He found himself leaning forward to escape her touch. It feels like the scraping of cheesecloth. “You’re no serving boy.” She purred. “Are you here perhaps for something else?” Her shrewd eyes moved to the glass still casually resting in his lifted hand. She took it from his fingertips. That’s it. Drink. He began to unwind. “Perhaps you’re here for my pleasure.” She ran a finger down the open collar of his tunic. He felt his lip curling and fought the urge to withdraw. I can smell Radix on her. The awful cross between ash and death that stung his nose. She reached to clasp the fullness below his waist. Making his teeth grit and his jaw tick as he longed to th
“Your deep sympathy is overwhelming.” His tone was dry. “I’m not sympathetic.” She said as acidly as usual. “Aren’t you sweet.” Approaching quickly, she drew near enough to see his face. Once his vibrant blue-green eyes were visible, she flicked her eyes red to better see in the dark. Letting her animal take in the sight of him. She could now see the claw marks tearing his skin from his chin up the side of his face. He didn’t move. Unafraid of her despite her past aggressiveness. “Are you okay?” She asked urgently. Without realizing what she was doing, she’d grabbed his square jaw and angled it down to her, so she could better inspect his injuries. Your hands are warm. Put them lower. It’ll make me feel better. But he was too tired to banter. “She scratched me when she realized what I’d done to the dram.” “Looks like she did a good job.” She turned his face to the other side to see the wounds f
He was intent on probing her intriguing relationship with the panther. Tempted to confess to her the beast was him. “You name the cats in the corridors.” He probed. “Don’t play me for a fool.” I’m no one’s fool. Well, I could be your fool. If you let me under that pretty skirt again. He persisted on the topic of what she’d named the panther. To see if she’ll relent, and admit it. He took every tiny victory that brought them closer together. But she dodged any effort he made in that direction. “Quandary.” She deflated. “A good name for a big, brawny, lad.” His chest puffed a bit. Triumphant that she’d trusted him enough to tell him. And also because he just plain liked the name. It sounds sleek, powerful. “Yes.” She beamed. “I thought so.” They exchanged a smile for a moment until she caught herself and her face changed to that severe expression again. Wiping th
He watched his words register on her face. Everytime she’s near, I’m in a state of arousal. How could she not know it? She had stiffened as though he’d slapped her, outright. Slumping back into her seat. Every reaction she has, is written over her face. Making her delightfully easy to read. He rather enjoyed it. “I thought you never lied?” She gathered her composure. Her hair puffed and the ashen color fell away in flakes that dissipated to the floor. Leaving the silvery white of her hair, pouring down the chair back as though someone had just released it. Her skin pinkened, and she looked far more human. “Except for when it comes to claiming I don’t find you attractive.” He acknowledged. “I always find you attractive.” “That can’t be true. One would grow bored of looking at someone.” He glanced up from the trencher. It was his turn to look as though he’d been struck. “Not hardly! I could prove to you
Once he felt the energy of the stronghold steady, he felt it was safe for him to go upstairs. He needed to stay collected. If the both of them were in chaos, the stronghold could peel itself apart.Bast hurried up the steps and turned into the flat hall. Pulling himself around the banister to rush his pace. He hurried to her chamber, only to come to an abrupt halt at the chamber just before hers.The door was open and inside was Sebastian’s twin brother.Alazareth was sitting in a chair inside the room. His back to the wall so he could hear everything within the next room. Worry was on his face, and he was massaging the back of his jaw. A motion that always indicated severe tension. Alazareth was always composed.This is bad. “What is it?” Bast’s steps slowed.“Something is wrong.” Alazareth’s jaw ticked.Oh, no… Sebastian tensed. His fists working at his sides as he waited. “What?”
Dread Hideout, Dread CountrySighing, Acharius headed back toward his caves. His huge form should’ve lumbered, but he moved far lighter than he should’ve for his size. His blonde hair hung to his shoulders, a few warrior braids near his face. A fur was slung over his back with a bow and a quiver over that.He lifted the bow over his head just as he reached his chamber but paused when Alazareth’s voice summoned him back out. “Acharius!”The viking’s head whipped in the direction of the opening. Noting it was odd for Alazar to come here.Acharius ducked slightly as he emerged from the lower mouth of the cave. His massive size blocked the darkness beyond him. “Alzareth?”His eyes moved to the identical figure next to him. “Bast?” His voice dropped in concern. “What is it?”“What is it?” Acharius asked.“We need the women.” Alazar responded.“Mags and Aggie?” Acharius looke
“Elsabet?” Sebastian called, having just arrived back at WaterRose, he was frantic to check on her.To see if she’s alright. If our babe is.“Yes?” She called from upstairs.He followed the sound of her voice up to her chamber. Finding her still abed. “Are you well today? Is there anything you need?”“I’m exhausted.” She sighed wistfully.Drawing near, he saw that her ripe belly seemed to have grown overnight, straining her petite frame.“I feel weak. But better. The pain is less.” She swept hair from her forehead so she could better look at him. Blue eyes lovely.“Come.” She waved him over.He walked to her.She caught his larger hand in hers. Rubbing the back of it with a soft thumb pad.He turned his hand to link his long fingers through her small ones and let her pull him down next to her.She scooted over and he was swallowed by the warmth of where she’d lain. Feeling that rare heat he only pe
Elsabet eventually fell asleep.Sebatian was wide awake behind Elsabet. Careful not to bump her wounded back. He suspected that, like him, if she were able to change shape she could go far in the way of healing.But she can’t. Her body wouldn’t let shift while there was an infant in her womb.He stroked her hair.She made small sounds of distress that told him she was either having a nightmare or suffering the throes of her fever.“It’s okay, sweetheart.”“Why weren’t you there?” She whimpered again.She doesn’t believe I was. That made him feel like he’d let her down, even though he had been there. He laid with her for a long while.When he did finally move to go and began sliding his arm from beneath her head, she abruptly caught his forearm and wrist. “Stay.”He did. Because he could deny her so very little.It was hours before he did slip away. He made it to the door that time
“Sebastian. Sebastian…” Elsabet moaned. Throwing her head side to side.“I’m here.” He told her. Crouched next to the bed, holding her hand. His expression was rife with worry as he saw her suffering.She was so strong, seeing her this weak was painful. She was fighting against something she couldn’t see.For both her and my daughter. Sebastian’s throat felt raw, and his face was swollen from the emotions he had while sitting at her side.“Where are you?” She murmured, tossing her head. She was covered in sweat. The fever had taken hold and now wreaked its cruel havoc.“I can’t find you!”“I’m here, sweetheart.” He said brokenly.“Why won’t you come?” She whispered urgently.He realized she was dreaming, perhaps reliving that moment in the grove. Wherever she was, his voice wasn’t reaching he
“Is that?” Alazareth asked quietly. Staring at the sky where the glistening creature had vanished. His sword lowered in astonishment.“Don’t say his name.” Sebastian snapped, throwing out a hand.Radix will hear you. Mardichi crouched. Preparing to launch skyward.“No!” Sebastian shouted. “Let him go.”“With her?” Rhyers asked indignantly. “Sebastian?” Deragan grunted between the targue, he fought. He threw one and straightened to look over the others. “Are you certain?”Sebastian looked back at him. “We have no choice but to trust him. For now.”With the most precious thing I have.Sebastian had to let her go. He focused his fear and anger on the hoard before him, praying that Elsabet was being taken somewhere safe and not straight to the demon master.“Alpha!” Alazareth shouted.“Fight them back and take the sky. Go different directions to scatter them, we’ll circle back la
Just when Sebastian’s fear might’ve reduced him to begging Radix, futile as it would’ve been. He heard a sound that brought hopeful light back to his world.A sound which forced back the darkness.A familiar roar. The battle cry of his brother.Alazareth emerged from the trees, sword in one hand, a dagger in the other, and dark blood staining his tunic as he sliced through the animals before him. Working his way from the back to the front in a flurry of attacking blades. He was a blur of motion.Targue shrieked in suffering.Alazar purposely ran across cimmerii nonis. Stomping on them like the rats they were, as he went.Another targue lunged at Elsabet, trying to get to her skirts but there was a shout from the distance. “I’m coming!”Sebastian recognized the flash of Rhyers’ dark hair coming through the woods. He ran barefoot. Launching against trees and throwing his body sideways to evade obstacles without stopping. As he reached o
Elsabet’s hair lifted along the back of her head, darkening to brown. Her eyes burned red and long black claws jutted from her nails.She’s feeling what I do. Everything in this clearing suddenly felt wrong.Her reaction only alarmed Sebastian more. It meant she intended to fight instead of run.No, Elsabet. Sebastian ran from the bank and stepped into the knee-deep water, backing next to Elsabet as he scanned the ground and the trees above them. He knew that the nonis were nothing compared to the Sarabi that could descend from the sky without any warning.He curled his tail around her hips, to know where she was.No. Sebastian’s heart thrummed like a drumbeat. You can’t hurt her. I won’t let you. Shifting human would do him no favors. His reactions were stronger and faster as the panther. I don’t have time nor room to turn into a dragon. How did they find me? He
Radix lifted the goblet in Chavias’s direction. Sloshing some of Chavias’s blood on his skinny, gnarled fingers and black nails. “Let’s see what secrets you’ve let up today.”Radix gulped the fluid down. So greedily that it ran down the corners of his mouth.Radix was heedless. Focused on the visions running behind his eyes.Chavias’s memories peeled through his mind. Images of Chavias laughing with his gold-haired friend. Or playfully sparring with the others. Then the world darkened into an endless stream of days in his miserable cell in the caves.The blood was tainted with Chavias’s misery giving it a bitter flavor.Which had been the moment that Chavias had gained control over the pain. Feeding into his blood the most mundane memories he possessed.Radix spit the last swallow of Chavias’s blood out. Not caring for the taste of those memories of his cavernous prison.“Strong stronghold?” Okine chirped hopefully. Wondering if Radix