Disclaimer: I do not own Nuada or Hellboy or anything associated with it. However the plotline is mine, as is Raid and other OCs.
This chapter took longer to write than expected. That, and the winter break was busy. Happy New Year's to everyone. And to DoomRabbit I pronounce Saraid as Sah-rye-ad, but it has no specific pronunciation. I hope you enjoy this chapter, and thank you to all my reviewers. This chapter is more of a transition chapter, but the storyline is starting to move.
Saraid walked into her kitchen to find Nuada perched on one of her dark maple barstools. The look he gave her was far from friendly, though not quite openly hostile. Smiling sweetly at him the hybrid moved around the island, grabbing an apple from a carved wooden bowl. "Want something?" she asked, pushing the bowl towards the prince. He did nothing, still glaring at her with furrowed brows. Shrugging, Raid bit into her apple with a satisfying crunch, leaning against the counter, watching Nuada with a raised eyebrow and an expression of amusement.
She had emerged from her room in a pair of black trousers that clung to her thighs before continuing straight down from her knees, no longer hugging her muscles. The shirt she wore tied around the back of her neck, and when she turned her back to him as she entered the kitchen he noticed that it only went halfway up. The top of her shoulders were covered with thin scars only a fraction of a shade paler than her skin, marring the smoothness.
The scars she bore were more numerous than his, and he was sure that he had lived longer than this… being. Nuada was slowly adjusting to the fact that if he called her an abomination he wasn't going to get any answers out of her anytime soon. Ignoring the fruit she pushed towards him he continued to stare at her face, noting all the human flaws. Her nose was too large, more like a human male's than any elf's, her jaw was more square, and her lips were large and full, more so than any elven woman's lips. He found himself thinking that she wasn't actually unpleasant to look at, her large eyes full of life. Underneath her skin were the same high cheekbones of the elven people, and she bore the mark of the elves.
In fact, if he didn't think about it too much, she could almost just be a highly flawed elf, not at all human. Her frame was slender, though, and here he couldn't help but think back to the moment where she had started changing-regardless of his presence there-she was far curvier than any elven maiden the prince had encountered. His eyes focused on Saraid's face as he brought his thoughts back to the present, and he noticed with some curiosity that there was a small dent on the bridge of her nose right between her eyes brows, a scar of sorts. But Nuada wasn't there to analyze her. He was still here because he hadn't yet received answers and he hadn't found the exit either.
"How is it that I am alive again?" he asked, staring at Raid, waiting for a response. The woman took another bite of her apple, chewing slowly as she processed the question and debated on how much to tell him. This time Nuada was distracted by the choker she wore, a Celtic knot of some sort.
"That's for me to know and for you to find out, I think," Raid said, giving Nuada a sweet smile that held traces of smugness, noticing the fact that the prince's attention kept straying from the topic at hand. Nuada scowled and rose to his feet, leaning over the counter towards Raid, his face coming within inches of her own.
"I have spared you so far so that I can have some of my questions answered. It would be better for you if you simply gave me an answer." He was attempting to intimidate the woman, something he usually didn't have any trouble with.
"You really shouldn't threaten your host," Raid told Nuada, not showing the slightest sign of fear at his threat or his proximity. "It doesn't make me inclined to answer any of your questions. And trying to kill me would be quite foolish as I'm sure you've determined by now." Straightening up, the hybrid crossed her arms over her chest, arching one eyebrow at the Prince.
Nuada moved back, lips thinning out in a scowl. The abomination was treating him like she understood him, like she knew what he was thinking. Reining in his impulse to simply ignore Raid, he spoke, voice full of resentment and a hint of anger. "So I am to wait until you deem the time right to give me answers? And what am I to do in the mean time? And where is Nuala?"
Raid looked at the elven prince, face serious and eyes not blinking as she looked into his eyes, searching for something that she couldn't name, but would know if she saw it. "Nuala is with Abraham Sapien. And in the meantime, you'll be coming along with me." The look of scorn on Nuada's handsome face at Abe's name irritated Raid, and she closed her eyes for a moment, breathing deeply as she brought her emotions back under control.
"Look, I really can't force you to stay here. I don't have the time or energy to go chasing after you if you decide to go off. All I can say is that I'm going to try and show you why you can't just eliminate the human race as a solution to restoring our people." The hybrid moved off of the counter, walking towards the only door Nuada hadn't been able to open, the one he had to assume led outside. There she did something, shielded by her body, and the door swung open. Curios beside himself Nuada got up, looking over Raid's shoulder.
Of all the things he could have imagined behind the door, even if he had known it was not an exit, a room filled with weapons, armor, training dummies and targets would not have been on the list. Right in front of the door was a black marble table, where his spear and sword rested. Then it hit him, as he stood there, that she had also at some point stripped him of his armor, as it was piled neatly besides the weapons, and he felt a bit disconcerted at that knowledge. "Your armor cracked when you were dead. I repaired it, but I would suggest new armor sometime soon. Transformation on living things is one thing, on objects it's an entirely different story," she said, stepping into the room and to the side so Nuada could enter too.
Nuada stepped forward, eyes traveling around the weapon-adorned walls. All of the weapons were of a fine make, and were as various in shapes and sizes as in makers. He recognized an elven blade, a goblin war hammer, and a dwarven battleaxe just to begin with. The swords ranged from middle-eastern scimitars to falchions to western broadswords to oriental katanas. Mixed with the blades were slings with bespelled bullets, shurikans, throwing axes, light daggers, and other small weapons intended for throwing. Then came an array of weapons that would all take two hands; battleaxes, bastard swords, some sort of wicked double edge weapon with a handle in the middle, and others. Against one wall, not mounted, was a longbow carved with strange runes and tipped with metal. The remainder of that wall held a collection of bows and crossbows as well as bolts and arrow. Arrayed around the room were stands holding armor and some holding yet more weapons.
As much as he hardly wanted to admit it, the room's collection was impressive, and he had to wonder if perhaps Saraid knew more about fighting than he had given her credit for. Even if that was the case though, she seemed very young as far as her concerns seemed to reach. No hardened veteran would be able to sleep with the enemy in the same room. They wouldn't leave that enemy alive. That statement then begged another question: Did Saraid consider him an enemy? The thought gave Nuada pause as he re-assessed the strange creature in front of him. Saraid had moved through the room to where the inlayed longbow leaned against one wall, made of rowan but carved with runes inlayed with silver, gold, and jade. He realized as she picked it up that it was cleverly joined in the middle, and that it could probably split into two primitive spears. It was an interesting idea, though he had to wonder how if it weakened the bow.
........
Saraid picked up her bow, glancing back over her shoulder to see Nuada still standing there, gaze roving about the room. A small sardonic smile escaped her. The prince likely thought her some fool to bring him here, knowing that he did not like humans. Yet this was all part of her hastily thrown-together plan, one that impulse had dictated. Perhaps she should have left the prince and his sister dead, but she just couldn't. Without Nuada, the Unseen People would slowly become nothing more than myth and legend as was commonly thought by humans. His actions most often called for blood to be spilled, and Saraid had no qualms about killing-but she had a respect for human lives, and a general liking of their kind… or at least some of their kind. As many humans as she liked there were at least double that number who she wished would suffer a terrible fate, not death, as that would be too quick, but some long and drawn out pain that ate them away.
Looking away from Nuada as he focused his piercing gaze on her, Raid moved towards some of the armor, humming quietly as she debated which suit to where, if indeed any at all. The way Nuada had looked at her moment ago hadn't been the same as earlier, she reflected, as she weighed protection on her arms versus more mobility. The look had seemed more appraising, less hostile. Likely he's trying to figure out what kind of nut case I am, she thought drily.
......
Nuada briefly met her eyes, again caught by the guarded intensity in them, before she turned away, moving over to some armor. She was unprotected, such an easy target… Moving with a silent speed and grace that no mortal could hope to match Nuada lifted his spear from it's resting spot as he stalked towards the unaware woman. Placing his other hand on the spear shaft he lengthened it, not breathing as he came within striking distance of Saraid. It was as simple as straightening his left arm, letting the leaf-head blade press into the white skin of her back.
........
"I think it is time some of my questions were answered," Silverlance said, voice clear and cold like a mountain fed stream. It held the same captivating beauty too, Saraid noticed as she felt the razor tip pressing lightly against her back, so sharp that it was already drawing blood even though Nuada applied no pressure.
A sigh escaped Raid as she stared at the armor. This was going to be a long day. Bow held firmly in her right hand she stepped forward, pivoting and bringing the longbow up, pushing Nuada's spear away from her. The motion surprised the Prince, she supposed, because he did not immediately retaliate. The next instant he recovered, the spear now resting against the hollow of her throat.
Irritability rose in the hybrid. She was tired still, and not in the mood for a confrontation with the beautiful man before her, with his cruel arrogance and persuasive voice. Attracted though her body may have been to him, his attitude was starting to tick her off. "So is this always how you treat people who bring you back from the dead, or am I just a special case?" The acid in Raid's voice surprised her, though it had no effect on Nuada's unblinking gaze. That lack of response got to her more than the spear held threateningly against her, more than the references to her being an abomination. "Damn it! I'm tired, drained, and beginning to doubt my sanity in bringing back such a selfish, arrogant, conceited, delusional, pompous, apathetic fool!"
Her hazel eyes sparked with anger, the first real emotion he had seen in them. The words she flung he tried to ignore, but he did not like the way she called him conceited and a fool. "I have done what I've done for my people," he told her in that clipped tone. The thin line of her mouth indicated that she had other thoughts, and it was barely a second before she voiced them.
"Right. So that's why you continued fighting even when you knew it would only result in death, likely yours, and of course your sister's, even though she was in love, and starting another war would have done nothing for our people! You don't think things through, you act rashly, and you kill needlessly, and only increase hatred and fear of us! You think that with one big battle we could thrive again, but that's not going to happen! You don't-" Nuada's temper rose to a point where he snapped, the spear going to the floor as he stepped forward, pressing Saraid's frame against the wall with his own, one hand covering her mouth.
In the moment of silence, Raid's eyes conveying surprise, Nuada could feel her lips still moving against his hand, and he tried to ignore the tingling he received from the contact. It had been too long in Exile, too long since he had enjoyed a woman's company other than his sister's or an informer… or a troll. That was why he noticed every point where their two bodies connected, where his other hand, pinning her hand with the bow above her head, after making her drop the weapon with a painful twist of the wrist, felt the frantic beating of her pulse in her veins, and why it was so appealing to him.
She's part human! She's an abomination! Part of him screamed the reasons why he had to stop those thoughts now, but they were lost in a flood of other thoughts. When was the last time a woman stood up to you? When she insulted you, and then looks angry when you retaliate? The surprise in Saraid's eyes had turned to a burning anger, and her lips stopped moving as she just stared at him. Her other arm was still free, he realized, too late as she acted.
.........
Her opinion of Nuada had changed, ever so slightly, as he pressed her against the wall. It had taken less time than she thoughts for him to lose his composure. But the way he kept looking at her, restraining her… The jerk. Raid had brought him and his twin back from the dead, and this was his response! She hadn't expected much else, but she had at least imagined that she would be able to talk to him, to convince him that he owed her something, and that something would consist of her showing him that humans weren't so bad. Being pinned between Nuada and a wall, unable to speak, was not part of her plan.
He had forgotten to restrain one of her arms, probably because he had only been thinking about shutting her up. His mistake. With a quick movement, and little forethought, Raid raised her hand to the wrist of the hand covering her mouth. She twisted, ducking and spinning away as Nuada's other hand came free so he could pin her back against the wall. Raid's two favored types of fighting were with her longbow and hand-to-hand combat; while she knew she was better than Nuada with her bow she wasn't sure about hand-to-hand, but she had little choice.
Her left hand still gripping one of Nuada's arms she threw her hip, what little there was, into the prince's side, pulling the arm down over her shoulder. Still momentarily surprised by Raid's violent and quick reaction Nuada stumbled over Raid, not quite being thrown as she had intended. Reflexes honed by centuries of training caught Nuada before he hit the floor and allowed him to turn the stumble into the roll so he was on his back. A quick hook of his foot around the back of the hybrid's knees brought her down on top of him. She didn't try to cushion her fall, even moving so one elbow dug sharply into the area just below his ribs.
A small breath whooshed out of him, as Raid pinned one of his arms over her head, but now her position was working to her disadvantage. Her other arm was still crushed between Nuada and herself, and though she was on top, she had no real leverage. Nuada seized her momentary weakness and used his free arm to help move himself so now he was straddling the abomination, able to grab both her arms and pin them above Raid's head. Blood racing, the elf waited for another attack, only to find Raid no longer struggling.
"What now?" she asked him, those eyes boring into him, full of accusations. Nuada blinked, thrown by her calm question and lack of struggle. Annoyance threaded through her words this time as she spoke. "I said, Nuada Silverlance, what now?" The force in those two questions was forceful and restrained at the same time, a curios combination.
His thoughts organized themselves, and he replied in that silken and honeyed voice that could convince the most peaceful of people to raise arms. Dangerous. That was what he was. Again Raid wondered what had even prompted her to bring him back from death, where he couldn't do any harm to anyone.
"Now you are going to tell me who you are, and what you have done to me and my sister." The request sounded so simple, even though Raid could tell that Nuada wasn't requesting the answers, but demanding them. Again she just listened to the smooth tones of his voice, marveling in how such a cruel being could be so charismatic. Then again, he wasn't precisely cruel, just misguided. Okay, so he was a little more than misguided, but Raid had her own share of darkness.
"I've told you-my name is Saraid. I don't have any family name that I use, but others have many names for me. Split-heart. Line-walker. The Queen's Bane. The Furies Disciple. Fate Negotiator." She attempted a shrug, but the movement of shoulders was minimal. "And all I did was restore you and Nuala to life. Nothing else. The golden army is already lying ruined, and I'm glad. Something like that is a true abomination. Fighting things that have no fear, no feelings, no apparent weaknesses… it would be devastating." For a moment Raid's eyes got far away, before refocusing on Nuada.
"You talk a lot, but you do not say much about you. How did such a abomination as yourself come into existence?" The haughty tones mixed with contempt and disgust in voice as he discussed her, referring to her as abomination made Raid clench her teeth, sorely tempted to kill him… again. Again she wondered why the hell she had thought bringing him back was a good thing, and why she thought she could make him change his mind about humans.
The first words to her lips were a snide retort to his question, but she held back from saying to quip. "My mother fell in love with my mortal father. He was already infatuated with her. I was born, my father died, then my mother later on." The flatness of her tone helped her to remember that she had to rein in her emotions, keep them neutral and flat.
........
Nuada looked into the hybrid's eyes, noticing the faint honey-colored skin around the amber orbs. Once more they had become empty, devoid of feeling, a tall stonewall with no cracks or chipped mortar. He was having trouble understanding this strange creature, and he berated himself for the thoughts. He didn't want to understand her. He needed to get out of here, to try and raise a new army, one that would obey his orders but the soldiers would have to be composed of living flesh and blood, as the Golden Army was destroyed…
He frowned, as he finally processed the creature's words. "Your mother fell in love with a mortal? Impossible." The prince sounded so sure, so positive that he was right and Saraid was lying, because what she said couldn't possibly be the truth. "But that matters little. You are going to show me the door, and then I am going to leave."
..........
The confidence and surety in his voice made Raid smile bitterly. "I'm afraid I can't let you do that." For a brief moment, so quick Nuada almost imagined he saw it, her eyes softened. "If I let you go out to raise another army, I would have to kill you." She sounded so calm, and the notion so absurd, that the Prince nearly laughed. Instead he eyed her critically, realizing that she was deadly serious, and he began to wonder just what kind of power she really had.
"How about a deal?" The offer surprised both Raid and Nuada, as Raid hadn't really meant to say the proposal out loud. It was just a stray thought that crossed her mind, as she thought what she would do if this was someone who she wanted to keep alive and wanted them to do something.
Nuada gave her a hard stare, trying to determine whether or not she was sincere. Deciding she was, he loosened his grip on her hands, not quite letting go of them, but allowing feeling to return to them. "I am listening," he said simply.
"You give me three months to show you why you shouldn't kill humans. If I convince you, well then I guess I've convinced you. If not, you get to go your own way, raise an army or whatever, and I won't put an arrow through your back." Raid's eyes locked with Nuada's, neither wanting to be the first to blink or look away.
"That sounds tilted to your sides, but…" here Nuada inclined his head to one side slightly, examining Raid's features again, "perhaps if you can offer me something better. And one month, not three." He wouldn't admit it, but the abomination had captured his curiosity, and he had to wonder if she saw the same thing in humans that his sister seemed to see.
Raid froze for a moment, trying frantically to think. What could she do to make Nuada more interested in the deal? All she had was herself and her weapons, little else…. Ah. "Two months. And if you can convince me that humans need to be killed, I will join you in your fighting. Additionally, I'll convince Manning to let you onto the base to see Nuala, if you want."
The deal still seemed rather trivial, but… two months was nothing really. He had all the time he wanted. Already he had waited for centuries in exile. What was two more months? Besides, if he tired of it, he could walk away. "Fine. We have an agreement." Releasing her hands, Nuada stood up, brushing his hands against is clothes as if trying to rid them of some taint.
Stifling her anger, Raid pushed herself up to a sitting position, massaging her wrists to get the blood flowing normally. The glare she shot Nuada was wasted as the Prince had turned to pick up his weapons and their sheaths, strapping them on. Sighing, the hybrid stood up, wondering what she had just gotten herself into. Two whole months, both seemed like a lot of time and very little. Meanwhile, she had to think of something to do to convince Nuada to change his mind.
Great. I just might have doomed humans. Of course, if I fail there's always Hellboy and his gang, thought they did quit…. Well, I'm sure if I screw this up someone will stop Nuada from wiping out the human race. I hope…
Getting up from the floor Raid grabbed her own bow, strapping it across her back as she thoughts over where she could take Nuada so he could see some good from humans. Where did she usually go? Frowning slightly, she realized that she spent a great deal of time at home practicing with weapons. Still, she did go out a couple times a week.
A smile came to her face. It was perfect. She usually tried to go there at least once a week, and she hadn't gone yet this week. Besides, it was getting close to Christmas, which meant that Nuada could help her get gifts for the children… She would like to see even Nuada Silverlance say children were evil. "Don't worry about getting your armor on; we aren't going to get into any fights. Just grab a jacket." Walking past the elf, Raid grabbed her jacket from where it was slung over the back of a chair. Pressing a palm against the aged wooden door, it opened for her, and she stood waiting in the courtyard as Nuada came in, wearing a jacket that had been in the weapons room.
Stifling laughter, Raid turned to the tree in the center and spoke softly to it, so softly that even Nuada's keen ears couldn't catch what she was saying. After a moment she straightened up and walked around the tree, next to the river until she reached one of the painted arches, and passed through it. For a moment the elf stood stunned, before following the hybrid, pausing before going into the archway to feel the openings on either side. Those were still painted, and he guessed that they must be portals of some sort. Taking a deep, steadying breath Nuada passed through the door.
.........
On the other side was a modern parking garage, with a dark black SUV in front of him. It was the type of vehicle that almost screamed unmarked police car, and in fact it was made by the same manufacturer and upgraded almost identically, with some key differences-such as no sirens, for starters.
Glancing at Nuada out of the corner of her eyes, Raid noticed his scowl and lips curling back in contempt. She also noticed that he was still wearing his usual training clothes he had had on underneath his armor. It didn't look too out of place, but she would have to talk him into wearing some different clothes, at least around humans. "You need a glamour, otherwise you'll never pass for human."
Nuada turned to Raid, having forgotten her presence for a moment. "Very well then," he said, tone cold. He was already starting to regret agreeing to this. If nothing else though, he was persistent, and wasn't about to give up so easily. He watched as she drew some diagrams with her fingers, and muttered some more unintelligible words. When she stopped and turned to unlock the car he assumed she was done.
"Are you coming or not?" Raid asked from the driver's seat, as she started the engine. Nuada moved to the other side of the car slid into the door, which the hybrid had leaned across and opened for him. Once inside he sat there, looking very uneasy and disgusted. Sighing, and not feeling like explaining to him what the purpose of a seatbelt was, Raid leaned across him, grabbing the seatbelt and buckling him in. He looked startled at her proximity, and before she could say anything she buckled herself in and started the car moving. The expression on Nuada's face was priceless. She also noticed that his color looked slightly off, though it could have just been the glamour…
.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.
The orphanage was only a few minutes from the parking garage, but it felt like longer to the elven Prince. Opening is eyes he fumbled at the door latch, trying to get it open, and finally succeeding. He spilled out of the truck and onto the asphalt, breathing deeply of the crisp clean air-outside. Vehicles were just another human abomination, one he didn't care for. Raid came around to his side of the car, giving him a look that might have been sympathetic.
"Weapons stay in the car," she told Nuada, crossing her arms over her chest. Narrowing his eyes, Nuada almost refused, but saw that she had indeed removed all her weapons. Reluctantly the Prince did the same, fingers lingering on the leather sheaths before he left them on the seat. Shutting the door, the car beeped, causing Nuada to jump slightly. Raid's badly suppressed grin did nothing to help his mood.
Sobering up, Raid caught Nuada's eyes with her own. "This is a human orphanage-a place where they take care of children whose parent's are dead or who have abandoned them. These kids… they've had it tough. But they're good kids, if rather shy." Suddenly her eyes sparked, and she stepped closer to Nuada, so they were a scant few inches apart. "You will keep a civil tongue, and be polite." The steel in her voice was a change, as well as the anger and fierce protectiveness in her eyes.
It was a weakness, Nuada realized. If he ever needed to, these children would be a way to get to Saraid. "I do not make a habit of being rude like humans," he replied acidly. The glare Raid shot him only resulted in the Prince shrugging it off like it was nothing. Simmering with anger, Raid took a deep breath; calming her emotions before going up to the old double door and knocking on it with sharp, succinct raps. A few moments later a harried looking woman opened the door, letting out a large breath of relief.
"Ah, 'tis good ta see ya miss Raid. Ta Headmistress is at the front desk if ye be lookin' for 'er." Smiling wearily at Raid and by extension Nuada, the woman bustled down another corridor with her stack of towels.
Wordlessly Raid walked around a corner, took the second door on the left, and then took another right to come to a desk that Nuada assumed must be the reception area. "Mrs. Havler?" At the name the woman sitting behind the desk looked up, eyes wary. Seeing Raid the wariness left. "Miss Raid; I am glad to see you today. Please, go right on in; the children were wondering what was keeping you this week. Andrea especially; that girl's had two failed interviews so far." For the first time Mrs. Havler seemed to notice Nuada, and shrewdness entered her manner, along with a smile.
"And who is your lovely friend? I don't recall you ever bringing any male here before," Mrs. Havler said to Raid, as she examined his clothing, taking in the fine fabric and obviously tailored fit. He was rich then-perhaps Saraid's boyfriend? She knew Raid was wealthy, and it only seemed reasonably to assume that Nuada was her boyfriend-or maybe fiancée?
"Are you finally looking to adopt with him?" Mrs. Havler pressed, deciding that Nuada was fit physically, even if his manner seemed a little cold. Raid looked taken aback, before shaking her head.
"I meant what I said before, Mrs. Havler. I love these children, but my lifestyle just doesn't support kids. And-" here Raid almost paused, trying to think of an alias for Nuada, before deciding that it would be too much hassle to remember, "Nuada is just a friend."
"Hmm…" was Mrs. Havler's only reply as she gave Nuada the third degree look again. Raid was young, but Mrs. Havler had seen her fair share of budding romances and these two looked good together. "Go ahead. You know where to go. I've got to get back to work," she said, waving Saraid in through another door.
Nuada gave Raid a questioning look, not understanding all of what had just passed, but getting that Mrs. Havler had thought that he and Raid were somehow associated… and what kind of lifestyle did Raid have anyways? The hybrid avoided his gaze, and before he could grab her arm and make her answer his questions, a blur of a human girl came running at high speeds towards them. "She's here! She's here!" the girl cried as she barreled towards the two immortals. "And-" the girl suddenly stopped dead, face draining of blood. The next words she spoke did not sound like her voice at all, but rather of some older being.
"-And her death is walking with her."
Reviews are appreciated as always! By the way, this (......) indicates perspective change. THis (.-.-.-.-.-.) indicates time passing. 'Till next chapter!
