"Tell me again why we had to come back to the mountains ?"
Karla stopped and glared at her cousin. If he was anybody else she would have left him at the hall the first time he whined about coming here. Not that he really cared about going home but rather cared about the time of the night that she had chosen to leave. "Because there is someone here that needs my help. Unless you want to tell Jaenelle ..."
"Never mind. I have no desire of hearing the sharp side of her tongue tonight."
Uh ha. She rolled her eyes. "We'll stay with Caroline while we are here."
And that was another warning. Caroline was the queen of this village. Formable but fair. But staying with the lady wasn't the warning... knowing she was a sister of the hour glass was. "Sounds lovely."
Karla reached out to the plain wood door intending to give it a polite tap before entering... was looking at a very worried queen before she could make a sound. "Sister?"
Caroline placed her hand over her heart. "Thank the darkness. I was going to send a messenger to find you."
Stepping into the modest house Karla softly asked, "Something ... wrong?"
"Yes... no... I..." Caroline gave herself a mental shake. Her snow blond curls bouncing as she did. Squaring her shoulders she locked eyes with Karla. "I have known your family my entire life. Your mother and I apprenticed together in both the hourglass and with the then territory queen. "
"Go on." Karla took a seat on air. She had heard this much of the story several times. Usually when her uncle or his male counterparts were making asses of themselves.
"I tolerate Lord Hobart in order to buy you the time that you need... But..."
And there it was. The exact phrase that she was waiting for. Now to find to what he did this time or was trying to do. "But?"
"There are those in this village that are loyal to... him... They are a darkness tainting the land."
"Morton and I will be here for a short while taking care of a personal matter. If those who have a death wish ... choose to continue there ...path... I'm sure I can find a way to have them taken care of." And if she chose to deal with them herself or request for Uncle Satan to have a little chat... well she would have to see. Then again if she made friends with Prince Sadi as Jaenelle had suggested maybe he would be willing to make a suggestion or two.
"Of course. Any help you can offer would be greatly appreciated." taking in a breath of relief Caroline asked, "Is there anything that I can do to assist you in your personal task?"
Karla narrowed her eyes at the door, "There is a friend that is need of help. It would be best if the people in this village don't crowd him."
"I see. Is this friend responsible for the cold surrounding the mountain?" And that was another matter that she needed to discuss with this lady... hopefully soon.
Cold around the mountain. Not cold from the weather but from a dark presence that was giving off a warning. "He's moody right now. I'm sure I can help him in a few days time."
Morton snorted. Moody? Pissed off and broken was a far cry from moody. Not that he would voice that concern ... ever.
Morning : Glacia
Daemon shivered and let his eyes flutter open. He didn't remember calling his all of possessions. Didn't remember piling all of his clothing near a wall in an attempt to make something soft to sleep on... But he did remember the mound of white fur was not there last night. Slowly he shifted . He would need to find some warmer clothing and maybe a sleeping bag.
... of course if Lucivar ever found out that he didn't have one to start with he would have several things to say about that.
Slipping his arm into his winter coat that had been his blanket last night the mound of fur moved. A heart beat later he was staring at a pair of gray eyes. And if he didn't know better he would have sworn the cat smiled at him. "Hello sweetheart. I hope I'm not intruding in your den." Of course he wasn't expecting an answer. He only hopped the soothing sound of his voice would allow him to leave this place without a fight.
*The weaver sent me*
Mother night... Kindred... then again he could be delusional. Lack of sleep. Lack of warmth. Yes he could very well be delusional. " I see."
Slowly the Large white cat got to her feet and stretched showing both her large claws and impressive teeth. *You belong to the lady.*
If her claws or teeth were any indication of what she could do to her prey he was in trouble. " I do."
* You are male and foolish. I will protect you.*
He was a black jeweled warlord prince and a black widow he didn't need protecting. Of course he was not about to argue with someone who outweighed him and could devour him in one bite . "I would be honored by your company." Sliding over to her Daemon very carefully reached out his hand to pet her. When she nuzzled his hand he smiled, "I need some things from the village. Can if bring anything back for you?"
*My mate will bring food.* She paused. * I am Kaeli.*
"You may call me Daemon." Again he smiled and went to take a step out of the cave... would have if there had been a ledge for him to step on. Later he would ponder being able to find this cave last night when he wasn't in the right frame of mind nor looking for a cave. Right now he needed to be in the village and find some damn warmer clothing. Then later he would worry about the cat. Delusion or not she might make the perfect person to talk to while he figured out the mess he now found himself in.
It was past dawn so people should be starting to come out of their homes and begin the day. At the very least the guards who watched over this village should be coming to see who was now in this village and to why. Neither was the case. No, the only person who was on the street was a young villager that had looked at him with polite interest then turned to leave. The problem was that ...she.. was looking back every few steps to see if he was following.
He could follow and ask where he might find the merchant or he could trot through this blighted place on his own. Either way he would find what he needed. Adding another layer of warming spells to his coat and gloves he slowly followed the girl. It wasn't until she passed through a door that he caught her scent...
...Queen...
Following her through the door he took one quick glance around. He had followed her right to the one place that he needed. A nod to the clerk and he very carefully went and explored, later he could ponder if she was leading him here because she didn't recognize him or if she had done so because he had followed her.
After finding ever bit of things that they had for camping and several more blankets a thicker coat and wool gloves that fit over his leather ones, Daemon sat his purchase on the counter and heard, "You'll freeze your assets off if you plan on camping."
Slowly he turned and saw the little queen. In the span of a heart beat the floor dipped and came back up to fast. Pale skin and blue eyes. That and she was tri gifted. But not Witch. "Lady?"
Karla scrunched up her nose. "I don't have a court. And if I did you are not a part of it."
Shit. In one word he had offended her . But then again by her tone she didn't seem at all offended... no she almost sounded like she was teasing him ...
"Karla!" A young male came up behind her. "You promised to be nice."
Giving her cousin a wicked smile she so sweetly did. "I am being nice. If I wasn't I would be explaining the difference between Kealeer Males and everyone else."
Daemon closed his eyes and counted to ten... twice... "Kealeer Males?"
"Oh yes, since you're not from around here I simply must explain my opinion to you."
The clerk started to cough so not to laugh, "Lady Karla, as the Prince is not from around here. Perhaps your cousin would be better suited to explain... things to him."
She tilted her head almost looking like she was considering it then snapped, "No. Morton would leave out anything useful." Quickly Karla grabbed Daemon's arm only to pull it back from the cold coming off of him... "Touchy aren't you?" A deep breath then she squared her shoulders and was every bit the queen that she could be, "You are male there for foolish. Because you are not from Kealeer it can be forgiven for the moment. Now you can either join me at lunch and hear every bit of information that you need to in order not be an ass on top of being male or I can find someone to knock some sense into you."
Mother night. If he had given off that much temper anywhere else the young female would run away pouting because he was being mean... not her... oh no she wanted to have lunch. "Darling, who do you think would be able to knock anything into me?'
Jaenelle was going to be so mad if she ever found out about this conversation. "Oh I think I can find a blue eyed Witch to do just that. I hear she is quite comfortable with eyerien sticks."
Jaenelle. Mother Night . This little harpy knew Jaenelle. "And how well do you know..."
Karla shrugged as it was no more important then saying it's snowing, "She is a sister of the Hour Glass. How well does one sister ever know another?"
Relief washed through him. She knew of Jaenelle or knew enough to know she could and would kick his ass if she so wished to. That didn't mean she knew her enough for casual conversation. Of course there was a easy way out of this. "If you would excuse me I'm late." Daemon turned and was out of the door pausing only ,long enough to take his purchases and leave the clerk enough gold marks for it and still have enough to spare.
"Now see what you did."
"Morton."
"Damn it Karla, You were told..."
she patted Morton's cheek, "He'll be back."
Morton snorted. "Alright. I'll bite why will he be back?"
"Because he wants to know how I know Jaenelle. And exactly how I knew who he was."
Daemon paused at the mouth of his little cave. Damn little witch... He had been one breath from leaving her in a deep grave somewhere ... still might... but not before he found out how she knew Jaenelle and if his queen would miss the company of the little queen.
*You Have strange smells.*
Damn he forgot about the cat. ... No ... he had hoped the cat wasn't really here or able to talk. " I met a witchling today."
Kaeli moved from the pile of clothes that she had been laying on, and circled Daemon. *The young Queen.*
"Yes. A big mouth Queen."
*She knows many things. She is friend to kindred. Not food.*
"You know her?" If the cat approved he would find away to make friends. at least until he no longer wished to stay in this part of Kealeer.
*I know her scent. We do not eat those who belong to the pale queen.*
interesting. More so was ...we... Who was we... and would ...we... consider him food if he opposed the little queen? "I see."
By midday his stomach was screaming for food. Kaeli was one snort from considering him her midday snack... and he was growing even more pissed off at the books on protocol that he had purchased then he ever thought possible. Irritated. Hungry and wanting to find out more about the little harpy Daemon snapped his book shut. "I'm going down to the village."
*You will bring food back.*
Like Hell he would. She had already told him that her mate... who thankfully hadn't showed up yet... would bring her food. "And what would the lady like for her meal?"
Kaeli didn't answer only gave him her best feline grin.
The moment he stepped off the landing web the little blond Harpy was standing before him.
Karla gave him a look that was not at all as polite as she was trying to seem. "I would love to show you around Prince, however now is not a good time."
This Moring she had been trying to pull him somewhere now... what changed? ... "Oh."
Since he wasn't moving she might as well tell him. " Lord Hobart and some of the other males of the counsel are on their way here. Unless you plan on speaking to them you should be somewhere else for the day."
"And you are..."
A huff then, "Apparently waiting for my cousin before I go someplace else."
Hiding then. But why? "You're not staying to greet ..."
"Hell no. I have no desire of see him or the asses that he brings here. at least not today." Or any day for that matter.
The cat trusted her so... "Do you know the cave at the top of the mountain."
No but she could find it. "Yes." She narrowed her eyes into Tiny slits, "Why do you ask?"
"I have a friend there she'll give you protection if you need it." He turned slipped his hands in his pocket and let his nose guide him to where he needed to be.
Friend? Daemon has a friend in Glacia? Well only one way to find out who the friend is and how much Daemon trusted her.
Daemon took a step back into the merchant's shop before finding his elusive meal. Nothing seemed out of order. Nothing screamed wrong... yet something was definitely different. The merchant nodded as he caught Daemon's eye. Then He saw what was different. Not something anyone would outright notice but... "Busy morning?"
"Storm is moving in. Plenty of warning this time."
Storm? Not weather yet the shelves looked half empty. But not items that one would need for a storm. No the shelves of books and music crystals were what was gone. "If there is anything I can do to help..."
"Lady Karla will be a good Queen."
He nodded. the man wanted to say something and needed him to hear it. "I'm sure she will."
The merchant glanced around and dropped his voice to just above a whisper, "Things can happen to keep a good queen from ever maturing."
Ice crept into his veins. Not here. Not in a realm that Jaenelle would live in. Not while he drew a single breath. "Go on."
A young scantily dressed female entered the shop and huffed, "You never have anything interesting. I really don't know why Lord Hobart keeps this place open." Then she out of the door. Either flustered at not seeing something that she was told she would find or acting like she was flustered in order to give a message.
Keeping his eyes on the door and more importantly watching the lady scamper out of sight, Daemon whispered, "You serve."
The merchant nodded.
"I'll see what can be taken care of quietly."
Going back to the landing web Daemon saw the boy that was with Karla earlier. He was standing off in the shadows watching people who were talking to another woman. Yet the Woman seemed to be fighting to remain polite. Slipping over to the ally where the boy was hiding he grabbed him and pulled him deeper into the shadows.
"Let me..."
"You will do your cousin no good if you're caught."
Caught? Broken.. he couldn't forget that not when he wasn't sure what Daemon was seeing or thinking. "Of course thank you." Morton Agreed.
Pacing in the darkness Daemon muttered to himself. So may confusing things. So many problems. Some he could fix. or should fix. Other's only time would be able to tell if they could be fix or if he needed to be somewhere else. Suddenly he stopped in front of Morton and hissed, "Do you know a place called the Hall?"
"The Hall?" Mother night... Jaenelle was going to have a fit.
Thinking the boy didn't know the place rather than anything else he took a deep breath, "Large place south of here I think."
"I know of a placed called the hall... Why?" Mother night, now what.
Daemon called in a piece of parchment and quickly wrote something on it. "There is an eyerien there named Lucivar. This goes to him. No one else."
"And my cousin?"
He could go and be back before anyone knew he was gone but if Karla was left unprotected. "I'm sure she is having a wonderful time with my fluff ball of a friend."
Riding the winds to the nearest gate had been the best way to go from Glacia to the Hall yet it didn't make this any easier. Not when Jaenelle had been very clear about not contacting her unless it was about emergency. Of course she couldn't have possibly known that Lord Hobart was going to show up this afternoon on a surprise visit. Before he could knock on the dark wood door Beal was standing before him. "Good day Beal. Is Lucivar available?"
"Morton?"
That tone of voice sent a shiver down his spine. "Hello. I came to deliver a message. Prince Sadi asked me personally to deliver it."
Jaenelle rolled her eyes, "Karla spoke to him?"
"Darling you know as well as I do Karla does not speak to unknown male who out ranks her. She scolds him for being male."
"Oh, my. You best give the letter then." Jaenelle held out her hand awaiting the message.
"I'm sorry but the message is for Lucivar. Your friend was very pacific on who should receive it and who shouldn't."
Mother night. "I see. In that case I'm sure Lucivar has had enough time of being useful and has Marian hissing and muttering by now."
Morton followed her into the parlor where Lucivar was hold a Skeen of yarn so it wouldn't unravel as the eyerien woman worked on her knitting.
"Cat?"
"Decided to do something quite... Finally?"
Marian snorted. Quite? Oh no he had only quit speaking when he heard the talking in the hallway. Up until then he was explaining to her how her kitting needles if properly sharpened would make wonderful weapons for her. Of course if they were sharp enough she would have jabbed him to get him to leave.
Lucivar grinned, "Marian needed someone to hold her yarn."
Sure she did. Not that she would ever say that to him. Not when he was resting and being helpful without being under foot. "I see. Then why don't I place a spell on the yarn for a moment. it seems Daemon sent a message for you."
He nodded and looked at Morton who was shifting weight from one foot to the other without looking at anyone.
"So what was my brother doing that he needed to send me a message?"
Handing the folded parchment to Lucivar, Morton shrugged. "Scolding me for not being for not hiding good enough."
Pausing Lucivar looked at the young man and decided the parchment could wait. "I see. And why were you hiding?"
"Oh. Well Lord Hobart came to the village. We caught word of it about an hour before he showed up. Karla took some of the things from the merchants that are ... well... not from Glacia. I was on my way to meet her and Daemon showed up. I think he has her hid in whatever cavern he found. However, Jaenelle did you know Daemon has a friend in Glacia that is and I quote " a fluff ball of a friend."?"
"No, but it would solve the problem of who should explain protocol to him."
And that was enough of that. Turning his attention back to the parchment Lucivar had to give himself a mantel shake. "You saw my brother write this?"
"I did. It was written very quickly... Is there a problem?"
"Not sure." Lucivar took a deep breath. "Lady would please ask Prince Sceron if he knows a clearing that could be used for a private meeting. It would also be best if any of his people weren't too nearby."
"I'm sure he knows several places. Why?"
Weighing his loyalties and knowing Daemon well enough to know if he was asking for something he wouldn't again if he thought his trust had been betrayed, Lucivar very calmly said, "I need to speak to my brother."
It was nearly dark when Lucivar arrived at the landing. He was close enough to Glacia to call out for his brother. Close enough to the Hall if he needed to reach either his father or uncle... yet he was taking comfort in knowing Jaenelle was somewhere close with Sceron and Astar. At least he could tell his brother that he was taking the responsibility of protecting Jaenelle very seriously. So much in fact he convinced her to come with him so his knew she was safe. Not that had been the actual conversation but it was believable enough.
He was about to call out on a ebon gray thread and hope Daemon responded to him when his appeared in not more than an arm's length away from him and looking anything but pleased, "Alright, Bastard I'm here. Mind telling me why?"
Daemon stopped and let himself feel everything around him. Looking for a trap... looking for anything that would tell him that he had made the wrong decision. "You brought..."
"You told me to protect Jaenelle. I can't very well protect her when she is in another territory and hours away now can I?"
He tilted his head and smiled, "No, you can't."
"So why am I standing in the middle of the woods on the cusp of night?" Not that he minding. This spot would make a wonderful camping spot. And could almost see the game trails in the dark.
"I need information."
There it was. something simple and to the point. and if Daemon was connecting now to the handful of time they saw or spoke to each other when they were forbidden to he wouldn't be standing here much longer. "What kind of information?"
"There is a young queen. Kaeli likes her so I'll protect her for the moment."
Kaeli? who the hell... no best not to ask that. not yet. "All right. what do you need to know about her?"
"Not her. Lord Hobart. Is there a reason he needs to stay among the living?"
Mother night. "As of right now I think he rules that territory."
"It's not like I haven't killed a territory queen before."
"True. But that was not Kealeer. Rules are different here." And hopefully that would be the end of it. Daemon not likening someone could and would end with rivers of blood. Daemon already planning on killing the disliked bastard... well the blood could run for weeks.
Daemon paced in the dark. "There is no penalty against murder prick. Not among the Blood. So I ask again is there a reason the piece of filth needs to be kept alive?"
"He's the uncle to the queen that Kaeli wants you to protect."
"And she needs time." Not so much a question but telling himself.
thank the darkness he was turning away from whatever mood he had been riding. "Now who is Kaeli?"
"A witch who has the furry opinion that I like to brush her and my belonging makes a nice bed."
Kindred. "I see. And what kindred race is she?"
"Kindred? Cat. Large white cat."
"Must be Arcerian. If you can have her play stalk and pounce with you."
"Stalk and..." Daemon snapped to attention and turned away, "I have to go."
"Daemon?"
"GO home Prick. It's much to chilly out here for the lady."
Lucivar watched as Daemon clocked himself in a sight shield. He didn't know what or why but something just caused his brother to leave.
Daemon stood in the mouth of his cave and watch Karla brush Kaeli... all the while carrying on a conversation. "No I do not need protection."
Karla glanced up at him. "You are male and very confused. Since you do not ask for help to unconfused yourself you're an idiot. because you choose to stay in a cave that is only accessible by a great deal of craft... I know you need protection. What I don't know is what exactly you need protecting from. Kaeli and I were discussing the possibilities."
Lucivar knew of her and her uncle. Kaeli wanted this witch protected. And he still didn't know how she knew Jaenelle. SO he could not strangle her. very calmly he smiled, "A blacked jeweled warlord prince does not need protecting ."
