Round Two
The morning light was just creeping through the curtains, lightening up arcs through the room. Herian was awake, resting propped up on an elbow watching her Lord sleep. Her hair messy curling down past her shoulders to pool on the pillow. Her expression was gentle in the dawning light, she smiled watching as his chest rose and fell in even sleep. Eddard was still sleeping his hair was equally mused but he was relaxed almost smiling.
As if Eddard could feel her gaze he slowly awoke, blinking the sleep from his eyes. He smiled, turning steeply to her. "Morning my lady."
Herian leaned forward and kissed his lips softly. "Morning." she whispered.
"What were you watching for?" Ned asked, reaching out he ran a hand up her thigh to her hip then, pulled her to him.
"My people, hmm." she ran a finger through his beard. "I believe that during the day, we wear the face that we believe will do us the most good. But at one point when we sleep, when we relax our true face is revealed." She kissed him again.
"So you were watching for my true face?" He ran a hand up her side, to use his thumb to pet the side of her breast.
"Yes." she nodded slightly and kissed him again.
His hand slid around her to her back and pulled her closer still, long slow kisses, moving slowly together. Against her lips he muttered. "I take it you liked what you saw?"
She raised a leg hooked it over his hip and pulled herself flush to him. "What do you think?"
"Hmm." He rolled over to be above her, his hand slide up to remove her tunic. His hands traced over the soft skin, caressing a breast, pressing a kiss to her neck.
She helped flicking the garb away, spreading her legs at the same time. Ned made a appreciative sound in the back of his throat and pressed kisses to her neck working his way back to her breasts. The elf ran her fingers over his side gathering up the tunic.
Ned pulled it off and leaned down to kiss her again. "I missed you."
Herian smiled softly, stroked both of his cheeks with her thumbs. "I'm sorry," she kissed his cheek. "I was to used to, not being afraid. I was cocky." Shame filled her, her gaze flicked away.
With a finger he turned face back to him. "No." He kissed her lips again. "Jon told me what happened, there was nothing you could have done different."
"I-" she started.
He silenced her with another kissed, palmed a breast, rubbing his thumb over the nipple.
Herian let out a moan, carefully raising her legs to wrap around his hips, mindful of her freshly healed stomach.
Ned kissed his way slowly to her ear, nipped it gently. Softly he worked his way down her chest, running his tongue over the opposite breast. He released the breast he had been massaging and slid it down between them gently caressing the sensitive flesh between her legs. Running a finger through the soft moist flesh, gently passing his thumb back and forth over the pearl of her sex.
Herian writhed, though Neds hips kept her from getting too wild, a moan escaping her lips. She rocked her hips against his hand and let out a small sigh.
Ned parted the lips of her sex and shifted to align himself, then gently pushed forward against her yielding flesh. It had been a little while, so he was careful watching her closely for any sign of pain.
Herian let out a soft moan and raised her legs higher on his back, allowing him to slide within her more easily.
Ned leaned forward kissed her again, then ran a hand from her knee to her hip and surged forward the little way that remained, sheathing himself.
Herian let out a soft cry her inner walls clenching around him. Taking several deep breaths she tried to relax for him, her body was not yet used to allowing another within it.
Ned kissed the sensitive spot behind her ear and waited, kissing and caressing till she relaxed again. Then very slowly he started to move, gently relishing in having her back safe and sound.
His actions communicated a great deal, Herian wrapped an arm around his shoulder and the other around his chest. Their lips met again, she started using her legs to pull him to her in time with his movements.
Their movements were leisurely and quiet in the morning light, the only sounds were their breath and Herians quiet moans of pleasure. They came together with a soft cry from Herian, Ned coming to a sharp stop to spill his seed inside her. Content they rolled to the side he and remain within her.
Herian tucked her face into chest with a purr, and the pair dozed till the sun started shine through the curtains fill the room and when the sounds of the waking household reached them.
"I take it, I shouldn't try to enforce bed rest upon you?" Ned asked, with a determined tone of voice.
The elf smiled and ran a finger through his beard. "Relax, I plan to raid the library for now. I want to see if I can find anything on what the monster is, if that fails I have one more trick to try." she mumbled into his chest.
Ned raised a brow, rubbing circles over her tail bone. "What would that be?"
"Summon Hircine. As the Prince of the Hunt he might already know, and if he doesn't he would have a much easier time of finding out then I would." She really didn't want to do that, introducing a force like Hircine is always a bad idea.
"That sounds like a last resort." Eddard commented.
"It is, I would really rather avoid that." She snuggled into him, he was very warm and it was very nice. "What about you? What are your plans for the day?"
Ned sighed. "I imagine I will spend most of the day negotiating with Stannis, my name was put forth for King of the North yesterday, by tonight the vote will be called. After that I have a dinner with the Tyrells, though that might be moved till after dinner. Regardless of the outcome of the Moot, I will have to make myself seen."
Herian chewed on her lip. "Let me up."
Ned moved the leg he had hers under and his arm, and had to smile as she inched her way off of the bed and walked carefully over to one of her chests. Despite the loss of flesh she still had a lovely rump.
Carefully she knelt and unlocked the chest, after digging around for a moment she stood and walked back over. In her hands was a golden white crown, though not made of gold. At its center were two half stars framing a imperial style dragon though much finer and elegant then you would find on a banner. From it flow hair thin golden wires, that flowed into two long fine wing like side pieces, from there was another wings, the wires flowing around it. From the side wings flowed a cascade of golden lines, one loop meeting up with the third wing set, three more that looped over to the back, where it met with another line. Ned thought they would make a lovely frame for her red hair.
She offered the fine crown to Ned. "Would you like me to accompany you, formerly?" She bit her lip. "As would be befitting my station back home?"
Eddard sat up moved to the side of the bed, he carefully took the beautiful piece of metal work from her and set it on the bedside table. He wrapped his arms around her and pull him to her, rested his head between her breasts. He kissed each and pulled back. "You, my fair lady, are making yourself much easier to marry. After your father and grandmother appearing, then the stating of your titles. You entering the hall on my arming wearing that." He guessed it came with a dress. "I think very few would object if I married you."
"If you marry me when winter comes, I can ask Grandma to cast off the winter for a month and make the land flush with crops and game." She grinned. "I have one hell of a dowry."
Ned laughed and kissed her breast again. "I would be honored to have you on my arm."
Herian slipped onto his lap and they spent several more minutes, lost in kisses.
Reluctantly they parted and set about getting ready for the day. Ned had to depart to his room, leaving Herian to her own devices.
The elf walked over to her table and looked at the amulet that glowed softly gold. All this talk of her family and all that entailed, then her grandmother making that amulet, from her. She reached out and touched the warm metal, then snatched her hand away. The elf shook her head, making herself easier to marry… Damn Nerevar and her melding, fixing the biggest problem she had. Though she didn't have the faintest idea to introduce it to Eddard. On that note, did she even want too? This was very new to both of them, less so with him, but she could just trust in Nerevar and go with it?
Herian wrapped her arms around herself, her sex still sore from their loving making. Just what had Nerevar seen that made her create the amulet, the magics involved were intense even for the goddess. She bit her lip, run run run run, that was all she had ever done when it came to her position. Thankfully she wasn't a direct heir, just an Urshilaku and a dragonborn. Had she only been one or the other then she wouldn't be an heir, it was just damned popular opinion.
The Septims had been the longest living family to ever sit the Ruby Throne, and they had been of dragon blood. Their replacements didn't last near as long or rule as well. The people wanted a dragonborn to sit the throne again.
That left only her family. Nerevar, who was doing her damndest to avoid a throne, memories of the False Tribunal still fresh within her. Arianna who was happy off in yet another dimension quite happily paired for love and acting as a Queen. As the eldest she would not be moved now, and she had a throne and husband. After that came Garrett who resided in the same realm as Arianna and again had taken a human to bed and sired a son. So he was out for sitting the Ruby Throne, he and his witch lover wanted to stay as out of sight as possible. Ghanima had paired to Geralt and was a head of the Wolf school, so again not about to move. Thain was dead, thanks to the first war against the Thamlor. Chani would sooner hang herself then rule, and she was too Khajiit. Few would allow one of the beast blood on the throne, at least not one that was obvious about it. Korta her twin was the same, and as First Ranger, he is much too close to Nerevar. The careful balance of power between her and the empire would be disrupted. That just left Keria, Harimand and herself. Keria was head of the Companions, rather loud and brash not ideal empress material. Harimand only visited Tamriel much preferring working as a Witcher on the Continent. Herian was dark elf enough that people did not care about her Khajiit blood and had been the most visible of the three, as she worked as a Ranger.
Duty and honour warred within her. Then her ideals of her family, don't rule, all dragons seek to dominate. Don't give yours the opportunity. Duty said that she should go home someday, make herself available for the throne, should the need ever arise. Honour bound her to Eddard, she gave him her word. But beyond that she had grown to care about him, even love him.
"ARGG." She grabbed her head and bite down sharp on her lip. "When did this all get so complicated! So messed up?!"
Her gaze fell on the amulet, if she gave that to Eddard, bound herself to him. Then no matter what happened she could not be taken from this world. At least not without Ned.
She resisted the urge to punch the table, with swift sharp moments she popped open her moon and star box and swifting put the amulet inside, locking it up tight behind her. "Why didn't I just keep my trap shut?!" Herian shuddered violently. "I'm gonna have to try and remember my court manners now."
Herian spun on her heel and set about getting dressed, this was something to debate over later. Afterwhich she threw her heavy cloak around her shoulders. Instead of her usual boots, she pulled on her Daedric boots and gauntlets.
Ned was leaning against his door when she came out a smile on his face. He offered his arm and Herian had to smile.
Together they walked to the great hall, arm in arm.
The Stark pups beamed when the two entered the hall, someone had removed Herians usually spot and the seat for Lady Stark had been returned to its place.
Eddards lip twitched when he noticed. "I think my household has been conspiring."
Herian looked at the high table. "And that won't cause trouble?"
"Hmm, unlikely. You did spend your brief appearance yesterday on my lap, while I wouldn't protest against that again. I think moving your place was called for."
The pair walked over and Herian as discreetly as she could took her new place. Herian quickly helped herself to breakfast, filling her plate with meats and porridge with a dribble of honey. She was content to listen to the murmur of the hall, many had already come and gone, others were just trickling in.
The servants swept into the hall baring yet more trays, hot fresh bread, hams and cheese.
Three servants came to collect the empty dishes and replace them with the fresh ones.
Herian rarely took her breakfast with the rest of the Stark so today she learned something new. Lord Stark made a habit to reserve a place at his table for a different servant each day todays was Vayon Poole. A wizened old man was the steward of Winterfell.
Vayon wasted no time drawing Eddard into a discussion about how the royal visit and Moot were draining the stores of Winterfell.
Herian listened, though much of it was new to her, her training pertained to running much smaller houses. Eddard and Vayon talked about how much the fields would likely yield and how much to store away. Ned wanted to store as much as possible, Vayon wanted to fatten up Winterfells treasury.
Olenna Tyrell was glaring at the elf with her granddaughter at her side. She had asked the servants why the seat of Lady Stark was being returned to the hall. The servants had refused to comment, only smiling and fleeing.
So the elder Tyrell has resolved to watch the high table, she had been worried that the Lord had taken a wife in secret. Then Eddard had come into the hall, his bodyguard on his arm. She looked different, wary almost, she wore strange black gauntlets and discreetly managed to eat a rather lot. Lady Tyrell couldn't sniff out any royal training in her, however she seemed to be listening to her Lord closely. She was looking forward to dining with the Lord again, however the Lord rarely spared Margaery even a glance, favouring the elf instead. She watched as the elf finished eating and excused herself, she didn't miss the Lords smile, the familiar touch on her arm.
Herian set out for the library dodging people as much as possible, though the crowds were thick in the courtyard. She stopped for a moment to watch Jon teach the guards, ice flowing from their fingers. She smiled, the boy was really coming into his own.
With some effort she raised her gauntleted hand the heavy daedric stressing her fatigued muscles. She pursed her lips, strong emotion eh?
She thought on her dilemma with Eddard, then tugged on the magic within her.
Fire stirred into life in her palm, a familiar warmth, she smiled finally. She poured more energy into it, watched it grow. She coiled her fingers, the fire condensed. "Huh." She flicked her fingers and the fire went out. With a swift sharp guestered she disappeared from sight.
Invisibility felt a bit different, rather than taking one allotment of magic, it was a slight constant drain. Silently though it was harder than it used to be, she picked her way around the crowds, scaled the outer wall and worked her way around to the library. Lurking in a shadow she allowed the spell to fall, then steady herself against the cold stone.
Raising herself up she raised her chin and headed into the Library tower. Robb had taken the time and resources to repair it after the fire. The only young Septon Chayle was in the tower as he was its librarian.
He was a young plain man, slight of build, brown of hair with fair skin and brown eyes.
"Mornin." Herian called out to him.
Chayle's head snapped up from his worn tome, he had been in the great hall when Nerevar showed herself. He didn't like the thought of other Gods then the Seven, but he didn't dare speak against the elves. "What can I do for you Lady?"
"Lore, myths anything with or about monsters." Herian said.
Chayle raised a brow but set about gathering books. "This about that creature roaming the lands?"
"Aye. Jon said it was at least two and a half men tall, thin and gaunt with arms that near touch the ground. Have you read about anything like that?" Herian walked over to a large table tucked under one window, snapped her fingers in an Igni sign to light the candles.
"No my Lady." Chayle set down three large tomes of Lore. "I fear I will not have much for you, these Northerns like to pass down their stories orally."
Herian pulled a seat out and sat, pulling the first book over and gently prying open the yellowed pages. "Thank you for your assistance."
Chayle bowed his head and took his leave at her dismissal.
The book was a history of the north, starting at the age of heros moving onward. It was written by some southerner, who had pieced it together from yet more oral stories. After a few hours of reading, Herian carefully closed the book.
"Useless." she muttered under her breath. The next two books yield the same results, she was beginning to see why Jon hadn't bothered with the library and had instead asked Old Nan.
A twitching jerking jiggle reached her ears and she turned like a wolf to view the source. A young soft obese boy waddled into sight singing out. "The shadows come to dance, my lady, dance my lady, dance my lady," he sang, hopping from one foot to the other and back again. "The shadows come to stay, my lady, stay my lady, stay my lady." The boys face was covered in a green and red patchwork.
"A jester?" Herian wondered and silently rose from her chair like a cat turning to him. She had no idea what to make of that, clearly this little man wasn't all there in the head. "What shadows?"
The boyish man jerked his head up looking at the elf, then cocked his head to the side like a wolf.
Herian couldn't help but mimic him, kneeling so they were at a equal eye level.
"Dragon dances with a wolf, around and around they go, wolfs blood dragons blood, pooled together forever, oh oh oh." the puggly little man said, an eye twitching.
"I am a dragon and a wolf, are you talking about me?" She had the strangest urge to prowl toward him, she only just refrained.
Patchface gave the elf a toothy smile, before his eyes glanced over. "A golden bird on a field of black comes."
With that he waddled off leaving Herian to stare after him. "What in oblivion was that about?"
She turned and looked down at the books, this wasn't going to get her anywhere. Nodding to Chalye she cloaked herself in another spell of invisibility and headed back to her room. She spotted Eddard and Rodrick talking and stopped a minute to listen in. The creature was close, well that would make her idea easier to execute.
Once back at her room she donned her Daedric armour. It had been some time since she had worn her full kit, and it was much heavier than she remembered. She slung a extra belt over her hips, on it a varied collection of grenades and poisons. On her back went her bow and daggers, but she took only Fang from the wall. Lastly she pulled on her helm, tucking her hair underneath.
She pressed her hands to her chest and woke the all of the enchantments at once, oddly they worked the same as always. She felt her strength and endurance swell, as well as other subtler things.
She rolled her shoulders. "At least it won't gut me this time."
Again she cloaked herself in magic and made her way out of the castle. Winterfell was very large and very full, it woke old sensations to walk through a crowd unseen. She dodged and wove around them, passing through the courtyard to see Jon and Ned spar. Herian paused, taking note how they learned from each other, though Ned was still superior. Though the Ice Blade flared on occasion, her lip quirked as the blade moved the boy.
Satisfied that all was well, she slipped out of the main gate and started north. Once well away from Wintertown she picked up her legs and ran.
Her chest was quick to start heaving her old stamina just out of reach, but she pressed onward. There was a saying that the Witchers of the School of the Wolf. 'A witcher can forget to eat, to drink, to breathe, even, but a witcher never, ever forgets to care for his blade.' While her blades were neglected do to lack of use, the blade of herself needed some serious attention.
The Witcheress was deep into the Wolf's wood before she slowed to a stop, catching her breath leaning against a ironwood. The snow had covered the forest, heavy and thick, winter was coming.
Swallowing and straightening, Herian surveyed her surroundings and sniffed. Nothing, the cold wasn't getting her yet, while not for the cold, Daedric was effective. She set off again, this time her footsteps made no sound, all of her senses sharp looking out for her prey.
Deeper and deeper she hunted, a smile eventually spread across her lips. This was how it was supposed to be, just her and the Path.
Softly she whispered. "Laas yah nir." Red light filled her vision and she could see the hares hiding in their burrows, the birds abed in their nests. Farther she roamed the sun slipped behind the horizon. The scent of decay crossed her nose and she slipped into a true sneak.
Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice… With a swift leaped she flowed up a iron wood tree and traveled leaping from one branch to another. It was only when the sound of crunching reached her heightened ears did she slow and turned silent again.
Slipping around the trunk of one last tree she perched and looked down on the monster. Dusk light set the small glade, the monster was crunching its way through a stags corpse.
Herian pulled three small jars from her belts and three arrows from her quiver. One arrow she dipped in Cursed oil, another in necrophage and lastly one in specter oil. Tucking the oils safely back away, she lite the enchantments on her bow and drew back her first arrow.
Twang! The arrow flew true and the monster let out a howl as it bit into its shoulder, fire blazed up from the wound, but it healed in seconds pushing the black arrow from its flesh.
The arrow of necrophage met the same end as the monsters looked frantically around for her.
Lastly the arrow of spector oil was loosed, the monster howled and clawed at the inchy black shaft protruding from its shoulder, and did not heal.
"Well that's interesting." Herian silently mused high in her tree. Softly she drew Fang and set about oiling the black blade in spector oil. Carefully she dropped into the lower branches till it was just the air between her and the monster.
Its snort flat snout, full of sharp stubby teeth, the shape of the skull looked almost human, despite the huge antlers. Its sickly yellow eyes fixed on the elf.
"High time we had a rematch." Herian growled, ripping a dimeritium bomb from her belt and throwing it at the monster will all her might.
The thing howled at her in rage as the dimeritium bit into its skin and charged at the tree.
Herian leaped for it, Fang gleaming.
Her first strike was good, she cleaved into its shoulder as she soared past. She quickly rolled away as those long claws sweeped back to cleave her in two.
The Witcher charged in again will the cloud of dimeritium was still active. The monster lashed out at her in two cleaving swings. Herian dropped and dived between the monsters legs, turning on her heel she sliced through the monsters thigh.
It roared and tried to spin after her, but the oil was working and its leg was not healing.
She leaped again back into the glade, trying to give herself space to work.
The huge creature glared at her, its eyes had an eery human intelligence behind them.
Herian raised Fang up to her ear, and crouched low, keeping one hand free for Signs.
It roared and charged like a bull, Herian waited til the very last moment then leaped into a roll out of the way. The snow slowed her and the monster was quick, it backhanded her sending her tumbling into a tree.
She hit it with a crack, though it was the tree not her this time. Her armour took the brunt of the hit and she was up on her feet leaping at the monsters. She did not block or parry, she danced around it, slicing in quick movements, always just one step ahead of the monster.
The snow was kicked up around them, as they battled. It raised both fists up and she blasted and Aard into its chest.
As it stumbled back Herian leaped up grabbing a horn as she flipped Fang into a reverse grip, then stabbed it into the creature's chest over and cover. Black blood covered her, spraying onto her armour, it smelled horrible as the monster grabbed her with a crawled hand and tried to pull her off of it.
Herian drove Fang deep into his chest as the hand closed around her waist and it pulled. Herian's grip was iron on his antler, as it pulled her away, swiftly she pulled on of her daggers from her back and drove it into the monsters hand.
It howled as the daggers magic sprung to life, burning its way deeper into the creatures wrist. With her now free hand and all the excitement, thrill and adrenaline she ignited a IGNI into the creature's face. It screamed at her those yellow eyes turning a charred black.
Together they fell to the ground with a mighty BOOM, wasting not a second Herian pulled Fang from the creature's chest and hacked the things head off. Obvious to the gore coating her, or the horrible stench, or the sick wet sounds of flesh and bone parting under blade.
With one last crunch she staggered away from the body, pulling its head away with a jerking snap. Panting she stood over the monster for a second then pulled her dagger from its wrist.
She grabbed the things head and turned away, dragging the heavy thing behind her. As it bled and bled, turning the snow black. She had just reached the edge of the glade when a crunching sound made her turn back.
The creature's body was picking itself up, blood pouring from its neck she would see the white of its spine.
All the blood drained from Herians face as she stared, watching it rise withouts its head. It lurched and swayed. All its wound even those inflicted by her oiled blade slowly closed before her eyes. It took a slow step toward her.
Her gaze snapped down to its head, grabbing it with both hands she swung it around, once, twice and FLUNG it as far away from her and the monsters as possible.
Only passing to see that body lumber after its head, she bolted away like the Long Night was on her heels.
As she ran, only one thought was going through her head. "Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck."
She ran far faster than she had coming out, flying by the trees, scaring the crap from some deer.
She stopped only once to drink a stamina potion before fleeing again.
A howl raised in the forest behind her.
"Shit." Herian hissed and poured all her energy into running. Daedric was not made for running, though it had saved her from yet more injury she was wishing for her wolf armour right then.
She could hear it crashing in behind her as Wintertown came into sight. Raising her voice in all its dragonic glory, she roared. "EVERYONE BEHIND THE WALLS NOW!"
At first there was no movement, then eyes turned, screamed filled the air and people ran for the walls. Wintertown was fast deserting, but humans can't run very fast.
Herian wiped her bow from her back, and leaped backward, raining arrows into the monster. It roared at her, focusing on her rather than the retreating towns foke.
With and empty shack to her back she poured arrows into its flesh, they only stuck for a moment or two before the creature healed.
Seeing her come to a stand still it roared again and charged intending to plow through her. As it barrelled toward Herian kept firing, and just as it lowered its head to impale her she tossed her bow to the side and braced herself.
It catch her straight on its antlers and they crashed into the shack, wood splintering everywhere. She could feel its teeth biting down on her arm but her armour was holding. Her eyes rolled into the back of her head as she called on her, Ancestor's' wrath.
Magical fire blazed into glory around her, it spend unhindered by the cold, lighting the shack on fire, enveloping the monster.
It let out a horrible ear splitting screech and pulled away from her. Fang was in her hand and she drove it forward, lighting more fire within it. This time she ripped the blade out sideways, leaving through its ribs.
With a heave she shoved her way around one of its arms, ducking as it turned and swiped at her with another firey claw.
Calling on her wolf she threw her strength at the fallen wall and blasted her way out. Rolling to grab her bow and slung it over her back, only to stumble to her feet and having to shake her head, her eyes were ringing. Again the Aura Whisper shout fell from her lips and she was happy to see her diversion had bought everyone time.
She could see Eddard and Jon standing under the portcullis, Ned had an arm around Jon restraining him. Herian ran again, still ablaze with her Greater Power, snow melting in her foot prints.
A thundering crash announced that the monster had broken free from the shack and Herian could hear it giving chase yet again.
As she drew closer, she shouted. "CLOSE IT!"
Eddard shook his head, but turned and shouted something she couldn't hear.
Archers appeared along the walls and started to rain arrows down behind her, a growl sounded from behind her as they filled its pelt. A few pinged harmlessly off of her armour.
When the gate was only twenty steps away she turned and leaped again. "GOL HAH!" Bend will, she didn't have the energy to use all three words, but she hoped two would be enough.
"STOP!" She roared as the shouts golden light wrapped around the monster, it stumbled for a moment, paused eyes glacy.
Herian only just managed to race under the portcullis as it came down and the monster turned to its senses. It charged into the metal grate like a battering ram, causing everyone to leap back.
The Witcher leaned over bracing herself on her knees and panted. Air, glorious air, she clawed at her helm and yanked it off her head, her red hair tumbling free.
After taking a few more deep breaths she stood and turned to the monster bashing on the gate. With a roll of her shoulders, outstretching her hands she channeled the fire of her spell straight at the monster rather than covering her.
It screamed and howled, but perhaps it decided that this prey wasn't worth the effort and departed.
Spent, Herian let her arms fall and she stepped to and leaned on the portcullis.
"Are you alright?" Eddard ask approaching her, he touched her shoulder to snatch it away as black sticky blood covered his palm.
"All in one piece." she said through heaving breaths.
"And that was the monster." Eddard looked out of the gate but it was gone.
"I took the bloody things head off and it got back up!" She started to gather her mind, now that her life wasn't in danger.
"It grew a new head?" Jon's brow shot upward.
"No, when the body got up without it, I threw it as far away as possible and ran." Herian swallowed and got up, her armour was feeling very very heavy.
Stannis and Tywin who had let their archers to bolster Neds when they creature came into view were quickly making their way down from the walls.
"What were you doing? Going out alone?" Stannis asked, this was the first Stannis or Tywin had seen of the elf in action.
"I wasn't about to bring a bunch of slow, ill trained, clumsy humans out on a hunt." She glared at the King of the South. "Because if you hadn't noticed, that thing just keeps on coming. While I can appreciate cannon fodder, I didn't need any for this."
Stannis didn't know what cannon fodder was but he got the message. He opened his mouth to growl at her but Tywins' hand on his shoulder stayed him.
"You could have said you were going after it." Eddard said softly, she hadn't even told him she had left.
"You would have wanted to come along." Herian said mutley. "I'd rather not get you killed." Her expression softened, just enough for him to see it.
"You could of brought me." Jon said dejectedly.
Herian shook her head. "It tossed me like a bloody doll, it would have turned you into a bloody pulp." She tapped her black armour for emphasis.
Jon stared for a moment then a small. "Oh."
"Oh?" Tywin asked, he felt like he was only getting half the conversation.
"Daedric is one of the strongest elements on my homeworld, nothing short of Dragon Bone cuts it. This suit is magically enhanced on top of that. I fully expected to lose and prepared accordingly, this was more about reconnaissance." Herian expalined.
"What did you learn?" Eddard asked, gesturing for the gate to be raised.
Herian pulled out the Specter oil from its pocket. "Oddly enough, specter oil slows its healing. As well as dimeritium bombs, it also seems to dislike fire."
Eddard popped open the jar and moved the dark blue shining liquid around. "Smells terrible."
The Witcher gave a half laugh. "Well yeah it's, bear fat, essence of wraith, arenaria, mistletoe, wolf's liver, alchemy paste, longrube, ergot seeds and rebis. I don't think I have ever heard of sweet smelling Witchers oil."
"Wraith?" Ned asked.
Herian waved a tired hand dismissively. "Noon wraiths, night wraiths, plague maidens, Baenn'shies. They generally come from young women who died horrible deaths, in just the right circumstances. Murder is particularly good at creating wraiths."
"Brother Albert's Bestiary didn't mention that last bit." Jon commented.
"Brother Albert is a very dry read." Herian said.
Jon rubbed his eyes just thinking about it.
"The short of it is when you kill one they leave a ooze that can be used in oils. Can we go inside now? I stink, my armour needs cleaning and I am hungry." Herian left out that she felt she could sleep for a week.
"Of course." Ned stepped to the side and the crowd parted, staring hide eyed.
Herian wished she could make herself invisible again, instead she put on a stoney blank face and allowed Ned to escort her to rooms.
Only when the door closed behind them did he speak again. "You should have told me. I could have readied the guard."
Herian walked over to her weapons table and started pull off her gear. "This is what I do Ned, fight monsters. I don't need help usually, this one is strange, I only ran back because I didn't know what else to do. I don't think you would do any better if a monster came after you while missing its head!" She rounded on him.
"That is not what I meant." He walked up to her, "You could have been hurt, or killed." his tone was cold, but not unfeeling.
"I am a Witcher! I have been doing this my whole life! I am well aware of the risks." She broke eye contact with him to start pulling her bloody gauntlets off.
Ned clenched his fists. "You were half dead not two days ago."
"No Witcher has ever died in bed." She set her gauntlets on the table, making her way quickly through the buckles she pulled her pauldrons and cuirass off.
Lord Stark watched her as her skin was revealed, the armour was skin tight so she didn't wear garments, the bones of her spine stood out on her back. Pale white lines from where her ribs had broken when the monster threw her at the tree. Her hair was messy sticky with monster blood, even in her state he could see how tired she was.
"You are not fully healed, you should have waited at least." He resisted the urge to touch her.
Herian glared at him, at his tone of voice. "I am not some Lady that will stay cooped up in a castle. The longer I wait the more people will die. I had a plan, it's not my fault it can function without a head."
"Well apparently you are, just how much more are you not telling me about you?" Ned felt his temper rising.
Now naked Herian turned back to him with a glare. "Nothing!" Nothing importantly anyway.
Eddard looked into her eyes, those red pools. "You're lying." he hissed.
The elf blinked and jerked away sharply, "Nothing important."
"Everything is important. You've only ever been honest about what you need to be at the time. You leave out huge things that have come back to bite us." Ned glared at her.
"I didn't ask Grandmother to come! I would have really rathered she didn't!" Herian brustled. "What would have happened if I hadn't given my titles? Hmm, have you even thought about that? A Goddess comes into your great hall and heals me. I keep my trap shut and leave everyone wondering why the hell someone like Nerevar is interested in me. Before you know it rumours would be flying about Gods know what! At least by saying why they don't think I have made deals with a demon or something equally stupid." The room was cold, it was starting to keep in on her. "And I have told you about her! And you knew I was related to her! It shouldn't have been that much of a shock!"
"You could have mentioned she could just show up." Eddard stormed away from her threw two logs into the hearth.
Herian snapped her fingers causing it to light before he could start it. "I didn't think she ever would. I didn't think you would ever have to meet her."
"So you were just going to leave me in the dark? Or did you just plan on leaving one day? Right when I might ask something more permanent of you? Just keep running and hiding from your birthrights?" Eddard turned back to her, pulling of his cloak and setting it over the back of a chair.
She stormed away fetching a bowl and clean water from the wash closet. Grabbing a cloth she started cleaning her armour. "I wouldn't run, if I was going to leave I would tell you." she refused to look at him.
"Forsake your oath to me?" He referenced the oath of loyalty to him and his family she had made when they first met.
Herian slammed the gauntlet she had been working on back onto the table with the cloth. "Don't you dare bring that into this." she hissed.
"Why not? I can't even be sure you'll tell me when something is wrong. I can't keep you from gallivanting off when it suits you." He glared at her.
She turned to him rigid and fierce. "You can trust me to act as I see fit! I didn't need your help in Kings Landing and I don't need it now! I won't endanger normals when I don't need too! You don't need to look after me!" Her voice raised to a shout. "I promised to keep you and your family safe, my safety did not factor into that oath."
"If you didn't need help you wouldn't have taken Jon on, if you didn't need help, you wouldn't have come back almost dead!" Finally Ned snapped.
"I don't need help! I took Jon on because I thought he would make a good Witcher. Have a little more respect, my Lord. Not everything I do is that selfish in origin." She hated this, they both had better things to do.
"I do respect you, I have seen you in action more than enough to respect you." Her address of 'My Lord' was as good as a slap to the face. It wasn't even 'My Thane', it was 'My Lord' she hadn't used that since they met. Even when she said my thane it was with some warmth.
"Then stop treating me like Catylen." She growled. "I am not her, I am not some lady consumed by family, duty, honour." She spoke the Tully words with distaste. "If I was I wouldn't have made that oath to you, I would be home right now. Serving my family and doing my duty. Instead I am here, with you, bound by my honour."
"I am not treating you like her." Eddard walked over to her, stopping two steps away from her, now that the conversation was no longer being shouted.
"You say that, but then you are angry when I do my job." she refused to look at him. "I don't belong here my Lord, I belong on The Path." She didn't belong here, this world, this place she should go home, walk the path, die by monster hand. She almost looked at him, he made her heart feel tight in her chest. Falling in love had never been part of the plan, and that frightened her. Running was safe, running always served her needs.
Anger rose in his breast, couldn't she see he only wanted her safe? Fine then, she could return her Path, she obviously cared more about it then him. "Fine." He snarled. "Leave, go on your beloved Path."
Herian's brow shot up and lowly in a stoney voice that would have done the Stark proud. "Get out."
Lord Stark grabbed his cloak and left.
The servants came in after he had left, they had clearly been lurking in the hall.
Herian payed them no mind as they brought in food and a bath, ran before she could dismiss them.
The elf bathed and cleaned her armour in a fit of rage, before redressing in it and packing her essentials. Tucking them back into her box, but leaving all the books and alchemy equipment. The only extra things that went into her box was her Witcher gear and some of the clothes that had been made for her.
Turning to leave she paused. Grabbing quill and parchment she wrote to Jon.
All my books are yours. Continue with your studies, stay safe.
She quelled the fire with a snap of her fingers and left, stopping only to collect Roach from the stables. Herian road for the Place of Power, she had questions and only one places left to turn.
Not much to say here, it took a while to get back into the grove. Worry not Aesir21 we are working on your chapter, its part of why this one has taken so long. That said huge shout out thank you to Aesir21 who reviewed every single chapter and actually saw what I have been doing! Makes me feel all warm and fuzzy. Outside of Aesir21 we only had four reviews for the last one :( but then that seems to be the norm when I get my mutliverse on. I hope this chapter proved more interesting and noteworthy.