A few weeks and Tino was settled in. He helped Eliza with the cooking, and would tell stories to children as Eliza sold her wares.
I sang every other day at lunch time, drawing in a rather large crowd to hear my mournful notes. I was able to reign in the sadness of my songs sometimes, so the audience wasn't quite as effected, and I would usually end my performance with a light lullaby promising that everything would get better.
How didn't I realize that I was starting to believe that?
I sat behind O'Baba, she was telling the fortune of a young woman, probably in her late teens. The young woman had been recently married, and wanted to know if she would bear many children for her husband. She seemed to love him quite a bit.
I scoffed, jingling the bulging purse that held the money O'Baba had earned so far that morning.
When the lady left, I scooted over to O'Baba, leaning close to her. My stomach was twisting. "Hey... something bad is going to happen isn't it?" I asked in an undertone as the next person walked in. I had been feeling something was off all day, but couldn't quite pinpoint the feeling just yet.
She nodded, frowning. "I do not think it will be bad Lovino, but something will happen today... where is Tino?" she asked, welcoming the next person in line.
My gut feeling wrenched into place, and I stood up abruptly. The man that had sat down looked a little confused at me, but said nothing, instead turning his attention back to O'Baba. "I'll be back, I'm going to go and check on him." I said hurrying out of the caravan.
At about this time Tino would be telling stories to children that were buying from Eliza, so I headed toward her storefront, passing by people and nodding to them in greeting.
"Tino?" I called, glancing over the area. No Eliza, and no Tino. Had something happened to them? A groan made me turn my head, and looked over to see Eliza, struggling to pull herself up.
I growled, helping her the rest of the way. "What happened?" I asked, leading her so she could lean against a wall.
She closed her eyes, her face pinched in pain. "A tall man came to buy a small pie and... Tino freaked out and started running. That fool boy, it would have been safer to stay here...!"
"That tall man..." I growled again, running off. Tino was so pregnant, he couldn't have gotten very far, although with that in mind, that means the tall man didn't have to chase him far.
My path lead me back to O'Baba's, and I saw a scuffle going on in front of the caravan. A few men where trying to hold down a monster of a man, while Tino was cowering in front of O'Baba, whom had come out at the commotion, and was guarding the small male.
"Leave this place at once! You are not welcome here beast." O'Baba addressed the raging man.
I ran up beside her, tensed to fight if the need arose. "Get the fuck away from O'Baba!" I shouted.
The man leered up at me, "You think I want that hag? I want my wife!" he roared, swinging out his arms, forcing the men back enough that he could break their grip, lunging forward.
I gasped, grabbing onto O'Baba and Tino, a tingling sensation rippling through my body. A dull thud was heard behind us, along with a low growl.
Somehow, the man was behind us, and rubbing his head. "You're only an illusion? No! Where are you really hiding?!" He snarled, charging again.
This time I watched as the giant passed through us harmlessly and continued onward. How was this possible? Was O'Baba working some sort of magic?
My view was suddenly blocked by the man that was part of the performance party, the man that had introduced me to the crowd every day I performed. His short blonde hair was slightly ruffled, and stage makeup was half on his face. His glower was more terrifying than ever before, and I cowered back against Tino and O'Baba, feeling the tingles go away. Thank the gods he had stepped in front of us.
"Don't you touch any of them." The man's name was Berwald, and it was said that he hailed from the northern shores of the barbarian snowland. Most people were snow giants or half snow giant up there. His accent was thick, but we could understand him at least. The anger and raw power that radiated from him was so tangible you could cut it with a knife.
The tall man stood straight up from his crouch, a small pleasant yet sick smile on his plain face. "I will come back, and then my wife will return to me whole, or be brought by Natalya in pieces~" His dreadful promise made me cringe, but I snarled back at him.
"Cazzo che no lui non lo รจ!" I shouted. (A/N: Warning, this is an M rated fic for a reason. Lovi likes his curse words. "Fuck that no he isn't!")
The man's gaze turned to me, and I felt my face drain of color. "Ah, but he will. All will eventually come to me." And without another word, the tall man left.
Tino was sobbing, clinging to my arm with a vice grip, tears rolling down his plump cheeks. "Oh Gods, oh no! He's coming for all of us, oh GOD and her...! Please don't let him take me!" He sobbed, almost falling against me.
I staggered under the weight, wheezing slightly. "Ack, Tino umm..."
"I've got you..." The soft voice was completely different from what I had normally heard it. Berwald was kneeling down, extending a hand out to Tino, gently wiping away a few tears with his large hand.
I let him take Tino and cradle him to his chest. "Thank you Romano, for keeping him safe." Berwald thanked me, nodding and walking off with a Tino that was calming down.
I frowned, turning to O'Baba whom had gone back inside, giving out a few free fortunes to those that had tried to hold the evil man back. "O'Baba?" I asked for her, entering the caravan. "What did Berwald mean? I just provoked him further."
"You are more banshee than you are human Lovino, you should learn about your own powers." She replied, continuing on her work.
I shrugged, "I'll look it up later hag, I need to check on Eliza." I said, leaving the caravan.
I jogged off back to where she was sitting against her little table, wheezing. "So where does it hurt?" I asked, a little uncertain when it came to doctoring.
"Just get me Laurel Roma, I appreciate it..." She said, wiping a hand across her forehead.
I shrugged and went off to find my friend. "Laurel! Did you hear about what happened?" I asked, stopping in front of her booth.
She looked up abruptly, "No, what's wrong?" Laurel moved out from behind the booth closing it up, "What happened?"
"Tino's husband showed up, and tried to steal him back." I told her, leaning a little bit away.
"Oh no! Does he need me to check the babies? Or worse, did that bastard steal him away?" She looked nervous and started off down the dirt path.
"No, Tino is having Berwald take care of him, but Elizabeta was attacked while trying to help Tino and she needs your help." I paused, then hurried on, "She told me to get you, so I don't think it's too serious." I added, seeing as she had gone pale white and was now running to the kitchen stall. "Damnit." I cursed, running after her.
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"Why the hell...! did you think... that you could... take on that giant?!" She cried, grabbing Eliza's shirt and almost throwing her down in a chair so she could get to work. She grabbed some bottles from a shelf and threw them into a bowl angrily. "Well?!" She demanded.
Eliza was a little green, "I had to try something, if I hadn't-"
"Save it! Tino would have bolted at the sight of his husband! He could've made it to O'Baba's without you getting hurt!" She yelled, ripping open the shirt and almost tenderly feeling her stomach. A large bruise was just beginning to blossom on the smooth skin.
"Laurel." I sighed, rubbing my forehead.
Her long black hair almost smacked me in the face she whipped her head around so fast. "What?!"
"If Eliza hadn't been here, then Tino would've been dragged off. Remember he's really pregnant and can't move too fast..." I told her gently, "Plus don't fucking yell at Eliza for doing the right thing."
She glared but at least she stopped yelling. Eliza was relaxing back into her chair, and her shirt opened just enough for me to be aware that I really should get back to O'Baba's caravan.
"See you later Eliza, Laurel. O'Baba probably needs me..." I murmured, leaving the two alone.
I entered the caravan from the back, wandering through the shelves of books.
"It's in the case in that corner, top shelf on the left, third book in." O'Baba called from her seat at the front, chuckling to her customer.
I frowned, turning a little red. I grabbed the book down from the shelf and flipped to the table of contents, finding that it was a book completely about banshees. I turned to the chapter titled 'inheritance'. Sounded nice, like money.
Chapter Five:
Banshee Inheritance
The Banshee's inheritance is complex in that it will only come within reaching of it once they have been reunited with their protector after a long period of time. They can use bits and pieces of their nearly limitless power once they are at least twelve.
A Banshee as young as an infant can wail and sing with the others, but once a Banshee has been attached to a master, they will usually only sing for them, and use their powers to protect them.
Usual Banshee Inheritance gain:
A Banshee's song is wild, but with this age it is easier to control and contort so that the very sound waves themselves can pierce flesh if needed for defense.
A sudden change in appearance, for males and females alike, the hair will grow very suddenly, and will not allow itself to be sheared off. Retractable claws can be extended from the fingertips. A wild and dangerous appearance to others when master is in danger. Other physical changes depend on the banshee.
Along with physical characteristics there is a sharpened sense of hearing, useful mainly when hunting. Eyesight will get worse for a week, and then sharpen quite a bit. Phantom flight, quite useful to move through things to save your master.
A banshee will usually bond with their master. If not done properly, the banshee becomes wild, wailing until all within range are dead. If a banshee is left unbound to a master, they will become restless, unable to stay within the same place for more than a week, lamenting their songs.
I rolled my eyes, skipping down the page a bit. I had probably used phantom flight on Tino and O'Baba when that evil guy charged at us. My eyes were caught a few paragraphs down.
There are many different types of wails that a banshee can use. One is used only if their master has been slaughtered. It is high-pitched and terrible, if the banshee is not slaughtered within ten seconds of the wail being let loose all within hearing range will die.
There is a wail for when their master is lost, and all who hear it will break down in sobs from the mournful sound. If the banshee is not eventually silenced, they will drive everyone within range insane.
I threw down the book, backing away. My cry had lasted for far longer than ten seconds, everyone was crying, not screaming in pain! How was this possible? It was most likely my weaker blood, since I wasn't a full banshee my wail probably took longer to kill someone.
It would be stupid to hope for something like that.
I shook my head a few times to clear it, and picked the book back up, placing the worn volume back on it's shelf. I went back to where O'Baba was telling fortunes and sat quietly next to her, taking the money that the customers offered.
"O'Baba?" I asked, a little while later.
She cocked her head in my direction. "Lovino? I did not hear your return, why so quiet?" She asked gently, reading the palm of the next person, feeling the lines rather than seeing them.
"My wail isn't strong enough to kill anyone right?" I asked, leaning back against a pillow that was near me.
"Well of course it is, you do not have even a full cup of human blood in you. Of course your wail can kill. Because of that human blood however, it gives you more control over your wail." O'Baba smiled at me.
I paled a little, "So, when Antonio..." I paused, looking away from her sightless eyes. "When that bastard died, why did my wail not kill everyone then?" I asked.
"I think you already know the answer Lovino." She smiled again, telling the customer his fortune and sending him off, then she waved away the rest of the line, telling them that she was tired, and would get to them tomorrow.
I fell against the wall, eyes wide and staring. The world around me was shaking. I slid to the ground, tears leaking from my eyes. "No."
"No? You are not yet ready then. It is alright Lovino. All will be well." O'Baba was sitting next to me, a comforting hand on my knee.
I vaulted away from her, towards the door, and ran through the caravan camp. Tears streamed down my face, and I could feel sobs trying to break through, along with an uncontainable wail. It shrieked from my throat, pushing aside the sobs and gasps. The same wail that I had screamed out when Antonio was pronounced dead.
Smaller screams rose up around me, the grief-stricken screams of humans, animals, and even trees.
I glanced around, my eyes wide open. I was sitting in a tiny clearing barely big enough for me to be crouching in. I held my head, the wail sounding as if it was falling from a cliff, the single piercing note coming in waves.
I could almost hear two other wails right next to mine. One was screaming a little higher, screaming 'no', and the other almost sounded choked and strained with grief, it screamed for Antonio. For Antonio to save me, to come back like he promised, to come back to me as he was supposed to!
The scream went on and on, until I finally gave out, and breathless, collapsed headfirst into a tree.
ANTONIO'S P.O.V.
Darkness swirled before my eyes. I struggled to open them. I could feel myself blink, but the amount of light did not change.
My entire body hurt with a dull ache that would throb in time with my heart.
What happened to me? I tried to remember back, but it was a little blurry.
The war was over, and I could finally get back to my Lovi... but something happened.
What was it? Why am I here? Where is here?
I shook my head, and realized that my neck was the only part of my body that I could freely move, the rest of me was chained upright against a rough wall. Almost like a dungeon.
The longer I strained, the more I could hear. There was a soft wet sound not too far off, and small squeaks coming from above me, like floorboards.
The sounds of others breathing also reached my ears. I tried to move my shackled arms, and was satisfied with the clink it made.
I was definitely underground, most likely in a dungeon. But who's?
The last that I remembered was that we were attacked by a raiding party. I must have been captured by them and taken. They apparently didn't know when they had been beaten. The war will be renewed most likely because of this.
I sighed, and hung my head. No more men needed to die because of a small party.
What was Lovi doing? He was probably angry that some idiots had captured me. But he wouldn't give up.
A soft sound reached my ears, and it slowly grew louder and louder.
What on earth was that? It sounds like... a scream? Is someone being tortured in the depths of this place? I listened harder, my eyes widening as I identified the familiar ring to it.
"Lovino!" I cried, yanking against the chains.
The keening was terrible, and wrenched at my heart. Those bastards would pay for what they had done! It got louder and louder, consuming my thoughts to where I begged soundlessly for the cry to end.
After what seemed like an eternity, the sound was abruptly cut off.
"No!" I shouted, "Lovino!" I cried, yanking harder against the chains. They wouldn't budge, and no further sound came to me. Pain erupted from my left shoulder as I tried to pull myself free of the wall.
It's no use. Lovino... my little songbird... no! Tears began to fall down my cheeks, and a little while later, I heard footsteps coming towards wherever I was.
A dim orange glow came with the steps, and I glared at what I could now make out to be a door. My head was high, but when the soldier stepped forward, my vision went black.
"Coward!" I yelled, thrashing around, my shoulder tugging painfully.
"Silence. You shall sleep until I have need of you." A deep voice commanded, and everything was gone.
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Lovino's voice singing and cradling me close. I breathed a sigh of relief and just listened.
"Since you've been away, I've been down and lonely,
Since you've been away, I've been thinking of you,
Trying to understand, the reason you left me,
What were you going through?
Oh...
I'm missing you, tell me why the road turns,
Oh...
I'm missing you, tell me why the road turns,
O-oh... O-oh...
As I look around, I see things that remind me,
Just to see you smile, would fill my heart with joy,
I still recall all those dreams we shared together,
Where did you run to boy?
Oh...
I'm missing you, tell me why the road turns,
Oh...
I'm missing you, tell me why the road turns,
Sometimes I've wondered, I didn't understand,
Just where you were trying to go, only you knew the plan,
And I tried to be there, but you wouldn't let me in,
But now you've gone away, boy I feel so brokenhearted ah!
I knew the day we started,
That we were meant to be, if only you'd let me!
I've cried so many tears, gotta face now all my fears,
We let time slip away, I need you boy here today!
There was so much you gave to my heart, to my soul,
There was so much of your dreams, that were never told,
You had so much hope for a brighter day,
Why were you my flower, plucked away?
I'm missing you, tell me why the road turns, oh
Oh-oh, I'm missing you, tell me why the road turns,
Tell me, tell me why?
Tell me why the road turns, oh
Don't understand why you had to leave me...
"Lovino? Why are you so sad? Why are you singing such a song?" I asked, opening my eyes.
I awoke again to darkness, this time the keening starting seconds after my eyes opened to the endless black. My heart sang for a moment before it sank into rage once again.
Someone was hurting my Lovino! They shall pay!
It was alarming at how far off the wail sounded, faint, as if from miles away. It seemed to have three voices almost, all screaming out. Why was it grief and emotional agony in the voice?
The pain in his voice was tangible! If I could move I would go to him!
Tears again began to roll down my cheeks, and I closed my eyes. This scream lasted far longer than the last. Instead of it cutting off, it slowly ran down to a whimper, before finally stopping.
By the time it was gone I wanted to kill something, anything, I wanted to kill whatever had made him sing such mournful notes.
Light again flooded into view along with footsteps.
"No!" It was the same deep voice, "Damnit all it is not time for him to wake! I shall have to kill that beast after all! It's cries must be what wakes him."
"No!" I shouted, pulling against the chains. My wrists began to bleed, and I guess I hadn't noticed that while Lovino was crying I had been struggling furiously against the chains that bound me. "Don't you dare touch Lovi! If you kill him this will be war!"
"War? Oh, he still doesn't know yet?" It was a different voice, this one a little more familiar. "Why have you not informed him of the enchantment he has been under due to that beast?" The voice was female.
What would a woman be doing down here?
"Release me! My Lovi has put no such spell on me!" I yelled, "I bound him to me officially in front of his remaining family. He is mine!" I thrashed some more, and paused at the stinging slap that rang against my face.
"How dare you!"
How could this be truth? This person... why?
A/N: *insert sadistic laugh here* I am evil aren't I? Does anyone know who his captor is? You didn't think I would leave Antonio completely out of this fic huh? Never! Pretty dicey with Tino's husband showing up, does anyone know who he is yet? Probably, but just tell me anyway~ Who likes Berwald as an ice giant? Pretty fitting ja?
Anyway, thank you to my lovely reviewers!
Anone9
and
4-Starry-Night-8
Thank you both so much, I enjoyed reading your reviews!
For the rest of you, please review, and I hoped you enjoyed the 3rd chapter to my first Spamano fic!