---~~~ 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.
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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.
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"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."
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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.
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~ end chapter eight ~
------ Chapter 9 will be published on the 14th of May. ^_^