| Welcome to Kuwa- ...thingy! This site is purely here for our own enjoyment, which means it's not open to the public. Well, I guess you can read our ramblings if you want... Beware, though. They are known to cause severe mental damage when we've been nightsick. |
| Vale of the White Horse | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: 5 Jan 2010, 13:03 (19,301 Views) | |
| Sonja | 27 May 2010, 00:13 Post #3091 |
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Red & dangerous! Rawr!
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Let the Roman think what he wanted. Gwenllian swallowed a couple of times, her throat feeling as if someone had treated it with the abrasive a carpenter would use to smoothe wood. Her hands were getting numb; she was nauseous and felt befouled. She pressed her lips together even harder, to stop the trembling of her bottom lip from showing. |
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| Marieke | 27 May 2010, 00:18 Post #3092 |
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Lief! <3 (and powerful!)
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‘I’ll let her live. But I’m not so dense that I will cut your ties and wait until you jump on me, my friend.’ ‘I love her,’ he said simply. ‘Press a knife to her throat to keep me from coming at you, if you wish. I won’t do anything to harm her.’ ‘Hm.’ The Roman indeed pushed the blade against her throat, but he saw that the used no real pressure this time. ‘I can think of a bargain. I’ll let you go, you work for me, and in exchange you allow me to have her in my bed, tonight and any other night I wish. Does that seem fair to you?’ |
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| Sonja | 27 May 2010, 00:25 Post #3093 |
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Red & dangerous! Rawr!
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It felt as if the blood left her body through little holes in her heels, taking with it the last remnants of her courage and strength. To live and be forced to undergo this foul man's touch sent her mind reeling. She'd rather plead Rhywallon to kill her - even burning to death would stop hurting at one point, wouldn't it? Gwenllian had no idea what Rhywallon was planning to do, but the Roman seemed to be countering it cruelly effective. She swallowed, the knife against her throat rising with the movement. The fabric and metal of his garments brushed against her skin. It felt like a thousand insects crawling underneath, and she wanted to pull away and throw herself against Rhywallon, even if it was for just a portion of a second. Somehow, it'd give her strength. |
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| Marieke | 27 May 2010, 13:11 Post #3094 |
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Lief! <3 (and powerful!)
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He understood that there would be no easy way out of this. He’d hardly mind if the Roman killed him now and released him from this humiliation; but through the shadows that plucked on him, there were a few clear thoughts still. One was that Gwenllian was going to suffer because of him. He could not prevent that in any way, not now he was tied down and she was placed as a shield between his hatred and the Roman’s guts. The other was that being the cause of Gwenllian’s peril made him want to die, deserve to die, willing to plunge himself into any dark abyss until the rocks crushed him in punishment. The third, most clear, thought was that he could not die. It would increase the torments put on her by those brutal hands. Without him living to save them, she would perish. Rhywallon wished that there was a way to tell her how deeply sorry he was for this, for all of it; for what he had done and for what he was required to do now. ‘Fine.’ The words were a blatant lie on his tongue, his mouth betrayed him. ‘I agree. You have her, I work for you. But she won’t be killed as long as you have those two things.’ ‘Kill her?’ Spurius Sulpicius tugged one hand behind the rope around Gwenllian’s neck, pulling it so it tightened. His other went down to her breast again, fingers making a short circle around her nipple before he pinched it. ‘I wouldn’t dare.’ Red dots exploded before his eyes with such a force that Rhywallon had to look away. Breathing was the hardest thing he had ever done; even when this man had ran his blade across his freshly scorched face, he had found a will to keep living, just to defy this man, this beast among monsters. Now the only reason he could think of was Gwenllian. For her sake he must live. |
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| Sonja | 27 May 2010, 13:23 Post #3095 |
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Red & dangerous! Rawr!
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If only the ground would open up beneath her feet to swallow her now, she thought as blood rushed back to her cheeks. The cord around her throat cut off her breath. Wouldn't it be better if he strangled her now? Rhywallon's agreement to the man's demand had taken away what remained of her determination to live through this. There was no other choice, she could see that. But if they could not escape now, would they ever be able to? Her eyes were burning, and some of the tears that she had so desperately tried to hold back dropped to her cheeks. |
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| Marieke | 27 May 2010, 13:32 Post #3096 |
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Lief! <3 (and powerful!)
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‘Good,’ the man said cheerily. ‘I propose finish this council then. Take him away. Don’t untie him, not even to relieve himself.’ The guards grabbed Rhywallon’s arms. He wanted to struggle as they pulled him up, fight to reach Gwenllian, even if it was only to dry her tears. But it would be useless. Every step he took would have to be perfectly measured from hereon – stray even once, and not he but she would pay for it. Bowing his head so the curls would cover one side of his face, he allowed himself to be taken out of the tent. They brought him to a long pole, not sheltered by any oiled cloth to ward the wind. He didn’t think he would be comfortable tonight, as they tied him to it with his hands back. The air bore a scent of rain. With this wind, it would soon lash out against his face. Well, he deserved no less, he thought as they left him alone, one guard placing himself a few paces ahead. Not while Gwenllian was still inside. Gods preserve him; what he wouldn’t give to switch places with her. |
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| Sonja | 27 May 2010, 13:40 Post #3097 |
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Red & dangerous! Rawr!
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When Rhywallon was taken away, the only thing that kept her from falling to her knees and curling up into a little heap of misery was knowing that it would be like admitting to the Roman that he'd broken her spirit. So she kept herself up and pressed her knees together, as if that would somehow help or perhaps stop him from spreading her legs tonight. The thought was nauseating - or was that the smell of the oil that clung to her skin? Gwenllian bit on her lower lip until it bled. |
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| Marieke | 27 May 2010, 13:53 Post #3098 |
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Lief! <3 (and powerful!)
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Spurius Sulpicius gazed at the tent flap even after they left. For a while there was nothing but silence in his tent. Even the girl tried her best to hold still. He might have thought she had fainted. Turning around, he regarded her breasts. The nipples were erect; from cold or humiliation and fear? Her eyes looked like overflowing pools. It wouldn’t be hard to make her cry, he thought, though making her give up that stubborn line of her mouth would be something else. ‘What do you see in him?’ he asked. |
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| Sonja | 27 May 2010, 13:59 Post #3099 |
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Red & dangerous! Rawr!
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She didn't want to answer, but she knew that keeping silent could serve to make him more violent. It had been that way with Higueid, at least. 'A good man,' she answered, staring at her feet. 'Brave, and true. Nothing you would understand.' Those last words were added in a whisper. |
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| Marieke | 27 May 2010, 14:06 Post #3100 |
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Lief! <3 (and powerful!)
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‘Indeed.’ The corners of his mouth twitched up. ‘So brave and true, in fact, that he rather killed his sisters than give them a chance to live among us – that’s a thing he only reserved for himself it seems, huh? And what did he do? He could think of nothing else but to live the rest of his life as a filthy hired assassin, smudging himself in blood, killing Roman citizens in the colonies for money and vengeance. There were women and children there, Gwenllian…is that your name?’ He drew closer, bringing his mouth to her ear. ‘I wouldn’t understand braveness and truth…the question is…does he?’ |
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| Sonja | 27 May 2010, 14:17 Post #3101 |
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Red & dangerous! Rawr!
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'If they were my sisters, I would've done the same,' she said and tried to keep as much distance between them as she could. Rhywallon had never told her how many men he'd killed, but she couldn't believe that he'd harm women and children. He was not like these Romans who fell down upon them from foreign lands, raiding settlements and infiltrating caers, raping the girls and women and putting the men to the sword. 'He does!' Her voice rang out much louder than it had been before, shocking even herself. The Romans and no one else had started this, when they landed on their shores. Rhywallon only tried to get by in this new world - all of her people did. |
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| Marieke | 27 May 2010, 14:24 Post #3102 |
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Lief! <3 (and powerful!)
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He laughed. ‘I wonder if he would give you the same answers, Gwenllian. It seems to me that you believe in him more than he believes in himself.’ He brushed through her hair. It was pretty; rosy like spring flowers. ‘It doesn’t matter, dear. Love courses through impossible ridgeways, they say. Sit with me.' He led her by the leash on her neck to the low bench, placing her next to himself. |
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| Sonja | 27 May 2010, 14:33 Post #3103 |
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Red & dangerous! Rawr!
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And what if she did? she thought as he pulled her to the bench. Did he intend to keep the cord bound around her throat like this? If she wanted the foul thing gone, she would probably have to sit up and beg him for it. She attempted to sit down without touching him. It was quite impossible, and his leg pressed against hers. Gwenllian shivered. She was so cold, but didn't dare mention it. No, it was far better to stay silent when he wasn't asking direct questions. |
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| Marieke | 27 May 2010, 14:36 Post #3104 |
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Lief! <3 (and powerful!)
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‘Still that oil on your skin,’ he said and rubbed a flat hand down her upper leg. ‘Ah, you feel cold. But it should be warmer here than outside. Would you perhaps offer to switch places with your beloved?’ |
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| Sonja | 27 May 2010, 14:43 Post #3105 |
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Red & dangerous! Rawr!
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So that he could do what, kill Rhywallon and rape her anyway? She wanted to jerk her legs out of his reach. 'You're cruel.' It was a very inadequate thing to accuse him of, but she could not think of anything else to say. If she could save Rhywallon by switching places, she would have done so. But this man looked as though he wasn't going to allow either one of them to be saved; so hell-bent on making them suffer. |
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| Marieke | 27 May 2010, 14:49 Post #3106 |
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Lief! <3 (and powerful!)
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‘Cruelty is a trait inherent in our race,’ he said. ‘You’d find it in yourself if you search deep enough, love. You know your scarfaced lover has embraced it. I might be over here on Silures ground, but believe me, I’ve heard the ways in which Aulus Cloelius and Marcus Iulius were murdered. That was not the work of a merciful man.’ His hand skimmed up to the place where her leg and belly met, then he pulled it down to her inner thigh, forcing her legs apart. ‘Do you think you have anything to say that may save you?’ |
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| Sonja | 27 May 2010, 14:54 Post #3107 |
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Red & dangerous! Rawr!
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'They deserved it,' she said hoarsely. Her eyes were fixed on the tentflap, as if she could somehow see Rhywallon that way, or ignore the hand between her legs. She didn't think there was anything to say that could save her, much as though she'd wish it. 'I hope Arawn's dogs come for you soon.' |
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| Marieke | 27 May 2010, 15:02 Post #3108 |
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Lief! <3 (and powerful!)
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‘Fortunately for me, the only dog that Pluto owns is Cerberus and I don’t think he’ll be much interested in me,’ the Roman smiled. ‘Now, I’d like you to be quiet, dear.’ He leaned over to kiss her in her neck, while his hand then rubbed, then squeezed between her legs. There was really no need to tie her hands; she was frail enough to be held down by the weight of his hips. He liked to hurt is bedmates a little. Oh, not so much that it damaged them in any way; just a sharper pinch here or an uncomfortable position while he was inside of them. Outside the rain had started. It lashed against the tent. Spurius Sulpicius smiled, thinking about the hunched, soaked figure of Rhywallon against the lonely pole. |
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| Sonja | 27 May 2010, 15:34 Post #3109 |
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Red & dangerous! Rawr!
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'There's no reason to keep these double guards, my lord.' Tudwrig looked wan and listless, but his mouth was set in a determined sort of way. 'Rhywallon and lady Gwenllian have left weeks ago: they will be out of the chieftaincy by now.' Rufus spread his hands. 'My hands are tied. Until I recieve word from Rome, it will have to stay this way.' Which was absolutely convenient, of course. 'Rome does not trust his generals enough to make decisions on their own expertise?' the man across him asked sharply, some colour driving away the pallor of his cheeks. 'I am not a general, you may remember: Rhywallon has effectively robbed this settlement of his general when he killed Marcus Iulius.' Tudwrig shook his head jerkily. 'You still have not provided me with any evidence that backs up your theory about his guilt,' he answered coolly. This was starting to be somewhat of a bother. Rufus had thought that Tudwrig would be a pushover with his wife gone, but the man was starting to develop a little more backbone with each conversation they had. There was also the haunted look that was constantly in his eyes, and the way the chieftain sometimes jumped at shadows. They didn't mix, and it irked Rufus that he could not figure it out fast enough. 'You are right; I should perhaps apologize for my presumption.' Only he didn't. 'On to other matters at hand, then. Rations are getting low in the settlement.' 'Yes. Because of your double guards. I'm sorry, lord Lentulus, but our kitchens are stretched to full capacity. Perhaps your superiors should have decided to start building at the end of winter, instead of at the start.' 'Perhaps, yes,' Rufus answered, his voice cold as the breath of the winter Tudwrig had mentioned. 'Unfortunately for us both, your crying over this spilt milk will not solve the problem.' 'Your problem, my lord. Not mine.' Now the man was really starting to test his patience. A haughty expression slid across his features. 'If you put it that way,' he assented. 'Let no one accuse me of not taking my responsibilities. I shall find a way to feed my own people.' One of the corners of his mouth came up in a cold smile. 'I rest assured knowing that you will feed your people. A suitable solution to our mutual problem, wouldn't you agree, my lord?' By the way Tudwrig's face tightened, he could tell he'd struck the mark. 'Very. Suitable.' Rufus leaned back, his satisfaction not showing on his face. 'There is one last thing. My men have spotted some of yours lurking in the forest around the hill. I assume they have a perfectly legitimate reason for being there? If so, you had better tell me. I am getting a little paranoid with all these murders going on around the place, and I would absolutely hate making the wrong decisions based on this paranoia.' The threat was only thinly veiled. Genuine surprise appeared in the man's eyes, though his expression was tightly controlled otherwise. That haunted look had come back, too. It didn't do much to help him figure out if Tudwrig was involved with what he'd overheard of Morcant's conversation. 'I have no idea what you speak of, my lord. All men I can spare have gone with my wife. The others are at their stations at all times.' 'Then I shall investigate the matter further. If these are culprits with ill-intent, you can be assured none will enter the Vale alive.' Rufus got up. 'Perhaps you should get some rest, my lord,' he said condescendingly. 'It would do you well, I think. Good day.' |
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| Marieke | 27 May 2010, 15:52 Post #3110 |
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Lief! <3 (and powerful!)
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Essylt had pictured her nightly stroll to the hill to be a secretive business, where she had to tiptoe past Morcant and be back before he could wake up. Now he was still awake with her. She didn’t think he had let his eyes off her much this evening, but he had made no other attempt to touch her, not even her hand. She stood by the doorway, the cloak tightly pulled around her shoulders. It covered all of her body, from neck to feet. There was no light in the room except the fire and its flames made erratic shapes over his face. ‘I will be back soon,’ she promised. And if the owl man wasn’t there, it would be sooner still. ‘Until later, Morcant.’ She slipped out. The streets were all empty, the houses in the Dobunni quarter enveloped in a shroud of shadows. Her footsteps made hardly a sound at all. She passed the wall, until the gate allowed her to go out. There was still the same guard. ‘By Jupiter, what are you doing out here in the middle of the night?’ he asked. She could just see how his face formed a genuine startled expression. ‘It is long past the safe hours, child. Has your owl escaped again?’ ‘No, not quite…’ Though he wasn’t with her now. Essylt expected him to be with Udd Wyll, waiting for her on the hilltop. ‘Please let me through. I will only be gone a few hours.’ ‘A few hours out there? Sweetheart, there’s wild boars and wolves in those woods.’ Essylt smiled from underneath the hood of her cloak. ‘I’m well protected, sir. I must go to the hill, you see. It’s a ceremonial thing.’ The man made a low growl, but stepped aside. ‘If you don’t pass this within three hours from now, I’ll have to send men after you.’ She blinked at him. Not all Roman men were cruel or bad. She found it very hard to dislike this particular one. ‘Thank you.’ |
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| Sonja | 27 May 2010, 16:02 Post #3111 |
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Red & dangerous! Rawr!
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He went straight to his villa to take a bath, since he had a busy evening ahead of him. From Essylt's words he'd gathered that she'd go to the figure of the horse-goddess tonight, to receive these mysterious answers she had asked the empty sky for. Though he highly doubted there would be something of real importance going on there, he wasn't one to let potential blackmail-material slip through his fingers. Better safe than sorry, and Rufus always made sure he was safe. After freshing up, he put on the same tight-fitting tunica and trousers he'd worn when breaking into the caer of Two Lakes. Who knows, perhaps this night would see a repetition of those events, with a more satisfying ending. Imagine the look on Morcant's face when he would tell him that he'd had his precious protégée, and that she had enjoyed it. But that was stuff for later. Right now he had to focus on the present, and the present involved getting out of the settlement unseen. Though the guard at the gates was one of his own, he did not feel particularly attracted to the idea of any situation that could put him in a position wherein he had to explain himself. Best to avoid it. Rufus walked to the spot where he'd observed Higueid and Gwenllian, keeping to the shadows and moving as silent as the genii. There he pulled himself up on the same low roof and lowered himself over the wall of the settlement. He did not bother crouching past the row of wooden poles, but made straight for the forest instead. From there he could make his way to the chalk-figure unseen, and observe Essylt without her knowing it. |
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| Marieke | 27 May 2010, 16:17 Post #3112 |
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Lief! <3 (and powerful!)
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Where the houses of the settlement had been nothing of dark, lifeless creatures with narrow pathways, here she looked up to the open field. Left of her was the dark outline of the caer. It looked lonely. Essylt walked straight ahead, facing the brow of the hill, where a slim sickle of moonlight made dialogue with the bright lines of the horse. Somewhere behind the hill, where the forest rose from the earth like a dim, sleeping body, the nightly calls of birds drifted to her. The hooting of an owl, another responding. Now that she was past the gate, Essylt pushed the hood back. Her hair bopped along with her steps. She knew he was there before she could see him. It was like a tingle on her skin, like light that dropped down on her from the sky, or a sense of recognition deeper in her bones. The patch where he stood was the one draped by moonlight. The owl sat on his shoulder; not like he had perched himself there, but as if the creature belonged as much to that body of human features and feathers as his arms, that reached out to greet her. She allowed him to draw her inside this circle of pale light, feeling how it touched upon her hair and face. His fingers moved so gently over her face when he bowed to place a kiss on her forehead that she was reminded more of air than skin. ‘You have come. Thank you.’ He smiled. ‘I would not leave you when I heard your call, Essylt.’ |
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| Sonja | 27 May 2010, 16:31 Post #3113 |
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Red & dangerous! Rawr!
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His vantage point was a thick branch of a tree, high up enough for him to oversee most of the chalk horse, yet not so high he could easily be spotted. He trusted on his dark clothes and the leaves that were still clinging to the tree to conceal his presence most effectively. Essylt's mop of blonde hair caught the moonlight like a beacon, announcing her presence almost before he could see her entire figure. As she drew closer, he took care not to stare at her. Most people were sensitive to guarded glances cast from the shadows. When he let his gaze travel over the hill, there suddenly stood a man in a patch of moonlight where there had been nothing before. Rufus blinked, but did not move another muscle. There was something fundamentally different in the figure of the man who greeted Essylt like she was his daughter. Rufus was not a superstitious man, nor a poet - since the two were remarkably alike when it came to fanaticism of the supernatural - but he could only think of one word for this... this apparition, or illusion, and that was; otherworldly. He recovered from his surprise with the speed and agility of a consummate position. Whether there was really a man who looked as though he was made from feathers and lightbeams, or his eyes were simply playing tricks on him - fact of the matter was that he was talking, and that Essylt was answering. That in itself was enough for him to stay put and listen carefully to every word they spoke. |
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| Marieke | 27 May 2010, 16:58 Post #3114 |
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Lief! <3 (and powerful!)
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‘I need answers,’ she said, staring up into that gentle face. ‘Please.’ It was hard to fear him, yet a part of her remained weary; no matter how benign a creature like himself could be, the capacity of the Fair Folk to hurt humans was well known. But then – was she even entirely human herself? Perhaps that power to allure and to hurt people was something she had inherited. ‘About what, annwyl un?’ ‘Everything.’ She spread her arms. They caught the light as if she was wearing a gossamer robe. ‘About me. Who I am. What I can do. Where I come from. Where…where I’m going.’ The face of the owl creature was still, perfectly smooth. It reminded her of a motionless lake. ‘I could tell you all that you need to know. If you wish it, Essylt, I will. But don’t you know that you have the power to learn these things on your own?’ She shook her head. ‘I really understand very little of what’s been happening to me. Please…Udd Wyll. If I’m somehow your descendant, you must help me before I hurt more people I care about.’ He smiled now. ‘Are you afraid that you can’t love enough to save them?’ ‘No.’ She bit her lip. ‘I’m afraid that I will love so much that it will destroy them.’ He let out a sigh, embracing her like he had done at their last goodbye. She felt so warm inside his arms, his wings. It was like he cast a protective spell around her. It couldn’t last; he let her go and took her hand. ‘Then I will let you see. Come, dear heart.’ He drew her down on the earth with him. There was a small pool, a hollow in the earth where rain water had gathered. ‘Once there was a girl who yearned to be free. She was not unlike you; a gentle thing, with compassion for those who dwelled on the margins of existence. This was so long before you were born, Essylt. It was before the other people came to our lands. It was from this dear girl that your kin was born; you see, your blood is hers with mine, like two threads weaving into a tapestry. It is not a legacy to fear or to loathe, Essylt. If you hated who you are, it would grief me deeply.’ Essylt looked at him. She didn’t want to sadden this man. ‘What will you show me?’ He dipped one finger in the water. Soundless circles rippled from the middle. ‘Just watch.’ She did, looking past the surface. Something was moving there. She remembered how it had first reminded her of fish. A pair of wings, beating in the sky. A white dress of feathers, so pure that it could hardly be a real fowl. It soared in the air, but now her attention was drawn to what lay beneath. This same hill, only during daytime. There were different people scattered over the top. She saw a man with a flame or red hair. Rufus? Suddenly her heart started to beat wildly. Some dark shape lay at his feet. She looked more closely; it was hard to see, but that face, the line of the mouth, the figure of the jaw. Morcant? Why was he splayed out like that? There could only be one reason. Her mind reeled with fright. The girl she had seen before came running up the hill. Her dark brown curls flew all ways but she seemed to pay no attention to it. Something dark rose from the edge of the forest; it was huge and prowling with a beastlike canter. And the small own kept soaring while, slowly, the hill turned to white. Below, the settlement collapsed. Rufus wore an expression of deep shock as he stared up to the bird, then slowly toppled over. Essylt dragged her eyes away, dazed. ‘That was me, wasn’t it? I did that…I was the bird. How…Please, what…’ She was crying. |
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| Sonja | 27 May 2010, 17:36 Post #3115 |
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Red & dangerous! Rawr!
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It was a real shame he could not see what the man showed Essylt. He heard her sobs, which made him wonder all the more what it was that she was gazing at. Udd Wyll, she'd called the man. Was that Lord Ghost, or Lord Owl? It wasn't a word he recognized, though he knew enough of this land's speech to get by. Either would be appropriate for this man that seemed more fowl than human, and as elusive as a genius. Rufus shifted on the branch, careful not to make any sounds. He knew they would carry far in the still night-air. From the conversation he gathered that Essylt was somehow descendant from the creature. It explained much, but raised so many more questions. |
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| Marieke | 27 May 2010, 17:57 Post #3116 |
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Lief! <3 (and powerful!)
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‘Hush, annwyl un.’ Udd Wyll took her face in his hands, though he made no attempt to wipe the tears away. ‘There is nothing to fear yet.’ ‘Yet?’ she uttered, blinking the wetness from her eyes. ‘Is this the future? I’ve seen it before…the girl…the beast…but never me, not like that.’ ‘A future is something you make yourself,’ he told her softly. His voice was so quiet. She looked up at him. ‘Then this is what I make of it?’ He shook his head. ‘I don’t know, Essylt. You saw a choice made by yourself, nothing more.’ Essylt couldn’t glance at the pool anymore. ‘They were dead, Marcus Lentulus and Morcant. It seems like I destroyed the whole of the hill, the settlement…How could I make such a choice?’ ‘Essylt. There is a part in you that you fear…something that is darker than you want it to be. Fright can bring it to the surface, and so can grief. But you’re not a soulless slave to destiny, annwyl un. Remember what I said; you make your choices –’ ‘Based on love,’ she echoed him, passing a hand over her eyes. ‘Like a boat carried by a stream.’ He smiled. ‘Yes. Perhaps the choice was not about destroying or saving the settlement, Essylt.’ He bowed over to her, his lips touched her wet cheek. ‘It might be out of your hands what destruction you saw. It could have been about where you want to be.’ She shivered. ‘How do you mean?’ ‘It is possible for you to cross over to my world, my little owl. Should you wish it.’ ‘Your world…Like an owl?’ She felt breathless. ‘Is that where Branwen went?’ He only kissed her again. This time his lips touched her mouth. ‘I’ll watch over you, Essylt.’ She closed her eyes. When her eyelids fluttered open once more, he was gone and she was still crying. |
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| Sonja | 27 May 2010, 18:04 Post #3117 |
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Red & dangerous! Rawr!
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Rufus did not linger after the creature had disappeared. The curious thing had been that he couldn't see it coming: one moment he was there, when he blinked a heartbeat later all traces of him were gone, like he'd been consumed by the moonlight again. Troubled in a way, satisfied in another, he made his way back to the settlement. He did not know how he was going to use this information, but there was no doubt that he'd use it. Some day. Rufus was a patient man; he was perfectly content with waiting many long months before taking his revenge on a senator or centurion who had given him insult. It gave him time to perfect his plans until they were flawless. It'd be no different this time. |
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| Marieke | 27 May 2010, 18:10 Post #3118 |
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Lief! <3 (and powerful!)
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She waited a while, wiping the tears off her face with both her hands. The night air was flawlessly still; all she heard was her own breathing. In this stillness, she made her way down the hill, past the curious stone. The guard at the gate said nothing, but followed her with his eyes as she slipped into the Dobunni quarter. The houses were unchanged, so were their shadows. Her hands were trembling lightly, as if she hadn’t eaten for a day or two. Inside, the air was warm. The flames seemed to invite her in. All of it was so real, so utterly human that it was hard to believe that in her own blood ran something that was different to the core. |
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| Sonja | 27 May 2010, 18:16 Post #3119 |
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Red & dangerous! Rawr!
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Morcant hadn't moved since the moment Essylt left the house. He was still staring at the fire, which was by now reduced to about half its original size. Not that he cared about that. He only cared for Essylt's safe return; though she had told him she'd be in no danger, he was not reassured. When he heard light footsteps outside, his heart jumped and he got up from his chair. When the door opened to reveal Essylt, he sprang towards her and ushered her inside. He noticed she looked distraught and asked whether she was all right and needed anything. |
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| Marieke | 27 May 2010, 18:18 Post #3120 |
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Lief! <3 (and powerful!)
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‘No,’ she said wearily. ‘I’m alright, nothing happened to me.’ She pulled away the cloak and dropped it. Her legs felt tired, though the climb and descend on the hill was not a long one. |
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3:20 PM Jul 11
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3:20 PM Jul 11