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C R Y O F O M E N S ~~~---
- Chapter Eight : Onward to Nissel! -
Factoids:
-- Words between ~ signify mindspeech.
-- Words in italics signify your typical 'flashback' scenario or
thoughts by the indicated character. Sometimes it's used for Emphasis
too. ^_^
-- Words between * are being emphasized.
Notes:
-- My brain hurts. Does your brain hurt? Why haven't you burned this story
yet? Sorry about the slight delay on getting this chappy up. Please don't
hurt me. o_O
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Lisa?
... Lisa, my sister. Lisa, get up-!
Lisa moaned quietly, her head lolling to one side on the pillow beneath
her cheek. She felt dizzy. Like the world had lifted and spun and thrown
her to the stars. Face pressed into the soft expanse of cloth beneath
her head, a small voice in the back of her mind seemed to be ringing.
There was something familiar about it. The bond between twins?
Sister...?
"Emmy..." Her lovely voice scratched out. Her throat was parched
and dry; an odd occurrence when one lived so near the shore. Emmy...?
Emily...? Oh god, let it be her. She realized she was frightened, and
at first she could not remember why. Then her thoughts just happened to
take to searching; letting her eyes open on the room around her. Emily's
room. Sandra's room. Sandra- who was leaning against the vanity and eyeing
her with quiet, laughing eyes.
Walked in... felt a magic... thrown to the floor...
"Emily-!!!"
The night literally seemed to BEND a moment. Sandra was, then was not.
A fraction of an instant later, Lisa felt a hand close around her neck,
and against the bed- she was hefted upwards slightly to stare into the
eyes of her stepmother. A feverent burgundy gaze bore with challenge and
contempt into her own. Golden hair, somewhat awry, fell tangled alongside
them.
"Is she trying to contact you, little one?" Came Sandra's not-so-sweet
voice. Oh goddess, Lisa wondered in frightened bewilderment. Why
did I leave my room?
"N-no. I--!"
"Don't you lie to me." The hand around her throat clenched tighter.
"Don't you DARE lie to me."
Lisa choked back tears, closing her eyes and refusing to answer. A moment
later the tug at her heart came again, and she opened them; staring out
towards the balcony and the stars outside. Emily-!!!
Destiny chuckled gently, unclasping her hand from around Lisa's neck and
smiling as the girl doubled over- gasping for breath. Well then. She'd
been right in keeping Lisa for her own. Perhaps she'd simply been to hasty
in believing that 'dropping in' on Marius and the Dragoons would come
to any real gain aside to frighten them... and besides. Retreating had
solved more problems then not.
Politics hadn't taken her all so far in gaining Serdio. Well, with the
dragoons up and leaving for Nissel...
"Lisa darling..." Destiny crooned, sitting on the bed beside
the teary-eyed girl. "I believe Emily has a message for you. Be a
good sibling and answer it, will you?" She leaned forwards, smile
that of a huntress and a demon. "You're going to tell her it's fine.
That everything is just fine. You're going to tell her 'not to worry.'
-- and that you'll take care of it."
Lisa shrugged up against the headboard, glaring hatefully back at Sandra.
"Go to hell-!"
Her stepmother let out a sigh; calm, but not without impatience. Or anger.
A palm closed around her ankle, and Lisa yelped in fright and surprise
as she was violently jerked towards that sneering face. Finding her arms
pinned behind her head in a single terrifying motion, Lisa stared with
disbelief to find that the restraints were made of... nothing. As if the
literal air had moved to bind her down. Swallowing a cry, the princess
bit her lower lip as Sandra leaned towards her again; this time over her.
Straddling her.
"Lovely... the fact that you believe you have a *choice* is very,
very amusing. You're mine now, honey. Your sister doesn't know this yet;
and you have no idea what a pretty little player you've just become in
my game. Now, you're going to answer Emily exactly how I instruct you
to do so. If you don't, I will force you."
Destiny grinned as the girl's face twisted with horror, but determination.
Lisa was a spirited young woman; she'd give her that. Fortunately, the
spirited tended to prove the most fun to break. And she, of course, held
a vast love of that very preoccupation. Slender fingers wandered to a
hidden sheathe just beneath her right thigh; pulling a knife from it's
slim compartment beneath her tresses. Lisa followed the dagger, quiet
as a lamb, as Destiny held it to the moonlight and let out a rapturous
little sigh.
"I really don't want to mangle you, Lisa. You're beautiful; and I'd
rather break you in bed then break you... literally." Another sneer,
angling her mouth to hover just over the princess' own. Lisa had shut
her eyes tight, lower lip now beginning to tremble only slightly. Destiny
tilted the dagger; skimmed the flat of it's metal almost lovingly down
the girl's collar, to her left breast, passing generously over her stomach
and then between her legs.
She sobbed. Destiny smiled.
--~~--~~--~~--~~--~~--~~--~~--
Dart... stared.
"Destiny is actually WHO...?"
Marius Ahnaran tilted his head, looking back at Dart gently. "Sandra.
Of Tiberoa."
Blink.
"Marius...That's..."
"I know." The elder stated in sympathy, sliding skilled fingers
beneath the saddle-gear of Meru's Runner to make sure it was fit correctly
in place. The beast grunted at him a moment or two, but relented to his
ministrations when Marius lifted a morsel of food for it to partake of.
He'd already informed the others thus far after returning to the group,
and granted- the reactions had been similar.
"- She certainly doesn't seem the type; but it's true nevertheless.
I'm not honestly sure why the 'powers that be' seem so overly interested
in attaining control of Serdio; but she wants it. I'm positive Emily's
father would never have acted this brash without outside influence. Destiny
is there for a reason."
He looped the straps into place, eyeing Meru gently as the girl shifted
to get more comfortable in her seat. "Are you alright, dear?"
Meru nodded gently, and Marius finished up straightening the reigns. He...
didn't look back at Dart. Not just now. Marius really didn't have the
heart to see another lost expression for today. He could guess, However,
where the boy's thoughts were slipping. As Dart headed off towards Emily,
who was standing on the docks afar, he knew the information only complicated
matters further. If Destiny was in Tiberoa, and Destiny wanted control
of Serdio, and DESTINY had manipulated affairs to work out as they had
thus far...?
Lisa was in danger.
"Hey Rapunzel- got any aspirin?"
Gold eyes raising, awash with streaks of hazel, the Dragon Angel looked
gently towards Miranda. Her hand was raised briefly; preparing to tap
him on the shoulder. She smirked- Marius remained quiet. Then --
"-You know- for a headache? Aspirin? Herbs? Shot of vodka? You're
a healer, right?"
"I wasn't under the impression you were one to drink alcoholic beverages."
"I'm seriously going to reconsider that philosophy-" Miranda
began. "-If you don't stop dropping bomb after bomb, wing-boy. Now
help me out before I raid your pack."
"The proper term is stated; 'Dragon Angel.'" Marius replied
wearily, letting his hands flutter down to a pouch at his side. Miranda
gave a terse snort in response as he lifted the flap and rummaged within.
Moments later, he came up with a small packet of green-red leaves and
handed these to Miranda- who grimaced. "Seep it in tea for just about
five minutes and drink up. The pain should subside entirely in a half-hour
at most, which really depends on the person."
"... Yeah. Thanks."
"I'm not intending to poison you, miss."
"... Yeah."
She too began off. All of the dragoons were outside, now. When Marius
had returned they'd abandoned the Inn to head back towards port and hope
against faint hope that the Siren's Fury had either left dock or remained
unaffected by... whatever had happened at Bale and Indels. Much to the
elated shock of his new companions...?
The Siren's Fury was intact, with crew aboard- and a very frightened Derrick
at the helm of his ship. Derrick was with Albert at the moment; talking
hurriedly to the King of Serdio not far from where Dart now stood with
Emily. Bale was still silent as ever, but upon questioning the Knight
about what he'd seen, he could give no real answer.
"I swear, sire. I SWEAR. -There one minute and gone the next- I thought
to pull from port, but I... I wasn't sure if-!!!"
Marius closed his eyes. There and Gone. At the least- it only made him
further suspicious of magical intervention. Spells often worked within
the set boundaries of a designated radius; which would explain why the
Siren's Fury had remained untouched by this... black art. Positioned only
just off shore, the casting probably hadn't been instructed to envelope
more than Bale's immediate area; meaning that, potentially, houses on
the outskirts of the city still might harbor extremely confused residents.
Unfortunately, they didn't really have time to seek those people out and
explain what had happened. Even if they could- what would they SAY?
Albert squeezed Derrick's shoulder gently and exchanged a few more words,
watching quietly as his Knightbound nodded. And nodded. And swallowed
hard. It was then that his gaze caught Marius' own, and with a parting
gesture he instructed Derrick to return to the ship.
"... You heard-?"
"I did." Marius confirmed gently, making his way quietly up
to Albert under the still-drizzling skies. Derrick was already half-way
up the boarding planks that connected the Siren's Fury to the main dock
area, ducking inside thereafter. "- Will he be heading off?"
Albert nodded. "He wanted to take us to Nissel himself; but quite
honestly, I think we both know that although traveling by Runner would
be slower, it would give us more 'breathing room' if we were to be attacked;
and I don't want to risk his crew. As it is we'd be on foot if not for
the beasts kept aboard."
"Nine Runners?" Marius questioned. "All on the ship?"
"The Siren's Fury is often used for exploration; having pack animals
with you is a good idea should you need to go ashore." The young
king stretched a little, eyes finding the sky above in a sort of daze.
"He's also taking a message to Theresa of Milli Seseau for Miranda.
We're... going to try to give her SOME indication of what's going on.
They should arrive in four days if the waters remain fair."
A nod. "And are you ready to leave?"
Albert turned his attention back on Marius, feeling a stab of helpless
irritation. Was he ready? No- he was not ready. He was confused, and hurting,
and worried beyond imagination. Exactly what kind of question was that
to ask? Then again, rationally understood, Marius was just...
He just asked a simple question, is all.
The elder's features hadn't much changed, really. His facade was calm,
and his expression one of gentle kindness. The book came back to haunt
him as Albert studied the man. The picture he'd seen hadn't quite outlined
the perfect sense of 'sadness' that was irrevocably attached to this figure.
For a moment he was certain he saw that eerie presence deepen, and then
Marius smiled quietly and eyed the rest of the group.
"I know my apologies may be worthless, young king, but I am sorry."
Albert just shook his head, trying to clear it. "I don't think it's
you who owes me the apology, sir. Granted how I'd acted a few hours ago,
the favor is quite in turn."
Marius didn't answer, but nor did he agree.
--~~--~~--~~--~~--~~--~~--~~--
"Anything?"
Emily's eyes remained closed, and Dart noticed the way she seemed to whisper
at nothing; head upturned to the stars above. She was lost in her own
trance to the heavens- eyes fluttering beneath closed lids with an exact
knowledge of where the patterns lay skyward. He was unsure if disturbing
her would break her concentration, and thus hung back quietly.
Come on, Lisa. Answer us...
"Nothing..." Came Emily's breathless few words a minute later.
"I... I don't know. I'm trying, Dart..." And she let out a breath,
rolling her neck once as she ceased the efforts. "By now, It's likely
dawning over Tiberoa. If she can't see the stars, it's vastly harder for
us to connect, and the weather here surely isn't at its best, either."
"We're going to have to leave without her confirmation, then."
Dart said quietly, taking Emily's hand as the queen's features fell into
sudden torment. "You can try to contact her later; and I'm sure she's
alright. Lisa's a strong young woman."
Emily bit her lower lip, concern building beneath violet depths. "I
know..." A pause as he motioned they return to the others. "I
know..."
"Hey guys!" Meru shouted. And for a moment, distressed eyes
slowly turned to regard the young Wingly... who was having a bit of an
issue with her Runner. The woman teetered comically on her saddle, gripping
the reigns for absolute dear life as her buck trotted off to explore the
grounds. Helplessly, Meru craned her neck to look back at the group. "Guys-!!"
A hiccup as it picked up speed. "GUYS-!!!"
Albert chuckled hoarsely as Miranda gave a shout, running after the beast
and the... 'apprehended' Meru. He moved to look at Marius again, hoping
to see a more lively spark of life in the man, but found him some few
feet away and easily seated up across the back of a large grey Mare. The
creature snorted- and he ran a hand through her mane with absent grace.
The man moved like a king was supposed to, Albert noted. It was there;
that conditioned training for helpless regality. He really was... 'Him'
wasn't he...?
But... the wings?
Dragon Angel?
Albert found himself unsettled by the fact. He'd rather thought he had
his heritage down pat, but what he was discovering didn't seem to make
sense, and he didn't know if he was prepared to learn more.
"Will she be alright...?" Marius asked in a bewildered tone,
his head tilting as Miranda chased down Meru's arrogant Runner in odd
little circles. The wingly, by now, was actually laughing... as much from
the ridiculousness of the situation as it was a form of stress relief.
"Eh... yes. Give them a minute."
Marius twitched his mouth into a smile; slender palms gripping the reigns
of the beast beneath him. With a shift in posture he brought her to face
the road out of town, glancing briefly to a collar-tag portraying the
name; 'Navail' across the Runner's neck. All the animals seemed a bit
uneasy... and Marius watched Albert suck in a breath as he whistled quietly
for his own Steed to trot up beside him. Packs were secured and provisions
were gathered. All that was left was to head off.
"You ugly ass giant rat with long, long- LONG legs! Stand STILL-
damn you!!"
Meru was hysterical. When the Sacred Sister tripped and nearly landed
up with a face-full of Runner-tail, she almost fell out of her saddle.
"- Are they always like that?" And Marius found himself ever-the-more
bemused with each passing second. Albert's Runner, Choleh, paced a bit
as the young king managed gracefully onto her back. Straightening, he
grinned.
"Eh... yes, again." Ashen hair was flipped from his eyes. "Dart-
Emmy...?"
Emily looked up at her husband, skimming her gaze over his slim, traditional
attire of warm earth tones, and nodded.
"Let's make haste."
--~~--~~--~~--~~--~~--~~--~~--
Rose frantically pushed at the heavy door, leaning the whole of her weakened
body into the effort of forcing it OPEN. Bare feet were scratched from
running amidst the sun-filtered woods behind her, and she could smell
blood from little gashes; many little gashes that brambles had carved
into her skin. She had no idea where she was going. NONE. But she, for
all she could still remember as who she had BEEN, would NOT stand for
laying idle in the enclosed stone prison of a forest-temple. How long
ago had it been?
When did she wake up?
But the world passed around her as dreams often do, and she could only
gingerly recollect that she was nude aside a thin white blanket now clung
tightly to her breast. She was only faintly aware of the whole of her
surroundings, and somehow thought - in the back of her mind - that they
were beautiful.
Stone. Stone temple inside a courtyard. The courtyard was filled with
forest. Such a scale. Such a grand scale...
Rose had come upon a stairwell not long into her trek, and had followed
the worn granite steps down into a ravine-esque slope between the tree's.
Birdsong and sunlight poured from above, and not moments later she had
staggered into an ancient, overgrown brick wall that seemed to encompass
the entire area. Following the expanse had led her here; to a wrought-iron
gate. The latch was undone- it was OPEN... but beneath her disoriented
hands it felt to weigh a thousand pounds. Slender fingers wrapped around
the hard metal grates as she forced her body into it's structure.
"O-open." Rose hissed, pressing in vain as if to will the door
act with her voice alone.. Push- Rose! PUSH!
A rattle- a groan. The gate inched outwards, and Rose again thrust herself
against it with all her might. Dazed eyes tried to focus- to find the
world ahead of her... and beyond the cage lay a paved road of stone that
stretched into the distance. Yet more of those great tree's flanked either
side of it's creeping expanse into the sunlight beyond. Towering redwood
and willows shadowed along the horizon. Along mountains...
Goddess- where WAS she?
Sneezing pollen from her nose, another lunge-- and the gate screeched
outwards another inch. Now clinging to the frame for simple support, the
Dark Dragoon let out a near sob of frustration and fright. No. Not trapped.
Force it open-! With a cry, her shoulder fell into it a final time. By
miracle or mercy, the great hinged beast flung itself outwards; clattering
on it's hinges as it fell back against the wall. Rose stumbled into benign
freedom, dropping helplessly to both hands and knee's. Thoughts whirled-
giving names and connections to things she should have known. Birds and
sound. Smell and Flowers. Pain and Weakness.
Pain and Weakness.
Limping to height, she swayed once and pinned her scant white cloth tightly
against her body. It was warm, at the least. A Spring sort of warm, when
the air was not yet heavy, but not a touch to warm or cold all the same.
A Blue-violet gaze lifted along the stone path. Rose felt herself begin
to move towards the light ahead; towards the glare of a mid-afternoon
sun and the world it masked beyond that front. Through the tree's- follow
the road...
Follow the road, keep moving, find a moment...
And as she walked, barely aware of what little action she was forcing
herself to partake of, the landscape finally dropped back. A forever had
passed beneath bloody heels when at last a breeze rustled strands of midnight
hair from her face. Standing on the brink of a rolling hill, Rose felt
her breath die. The road continued on without her.
Ahead, wrapped in white and green and blue, lay a city fit for the gods.
--~~--~~--~~--~~--~~--~~--~~--
~ end chapter eight
~
------ Chapter 9 will be published on the 14th of May. ^_^