Chapter ten: some trouble in paradise
AN: text in italics are directly quoted from "the chalice"...no plagiarism intended.
Sated with drink, the fire's warmth and Faldain by her side Alex began to feel drowsy. The couple had danced for several hours pausing to talk with friends, family and to have a "few" mugs of cider and Alexeika feet were beginning to get tired. Noting her weariness Faldain sat on the grass under the Tree of Life and pulled her close with a kiss on her forehead. Snuggling against the warm chest Alex quickly fell to sleep as the prince languorously stroked her hair.
So they dreamed until much of the crowd had left and midnight passed. Sleeping and dressed as they were, they were unable to defend from and unaware of the attack until an inhumane scream ripped the night.
Sitting up suddenly the pair came face to maw with a salivating shapeshifter. Slowly rising they eyed warily the satisfied believer that stalked towards them; Dain stepped protectively in front of Alex. Sharp canines revealed in a wicked smile, the warrior greeted them, "Finally we meet, Prince Faldain and Princess Alexeika. I have heard much of your bravery; you shall need it once we take you to our master in Sinduel."
Alex felt her heart freeze over again, tales of terror emanated from the gantese capital; few looked upon its black gates and came away unscathed from the horrors within; the city of death warranted the title. The fear was quickly replaced by irritation, why in Thod's name did this have to happen whilst she was in a dress!
As the gantese tied their hands behind their backs and dumped them upon a darsteed Alex was grateful for Dain's presence behind her. In her heart she knew he'd die to protect her, she'd do the same for him; that fact itself was both comforting and disturbing. He seemed aware of the panic that had coursed through her veins as the gantese bound her wrists and had kissed her forehead reassuringly, oh how she loved this man.
Realizing that her thoughts as she was being kidnapped, again, were turning romantic Alex shook her head in exasperation. 'Was she doomed to think only of the prince for the rest of her life? Was she doomed to become as a love- struck court daisy?' Chuckling at her mind's rhetorical questions she realized how insane she must be, shouldn't she be planning an escape, well once they were free of the grey second world they were riding through.
With an inaudible sigh she lent back into Faldain, smiling as he placed a kiss by her ear. Her eyes that were beginning to flutter closed opened suddenly as he began to nip the side of her neck. Leaning back even further her eyes closed again as he proceeded to toy with more of her skin, she didn't notice where her hands rested for several minutes, she then took a little advantage of the situation. 'She couldn't wait till they were married!'
Alexeika woke with a start at the sudden increase of noise and light that signaled their departure from the eerie second word. A hot sun was glaring down upon them and the sea of red sand and rock that stretched out uninhibited in all directions save the one they faced.
Ahead of them rose a great volcano amid a range of jagged mountains and a sand coloured city walled with black stone between a mountain's roots. As they group galloped across the hot plain to the city Alex's head began to pound, most probably thanks to the amount of alcohol her prince had encouraged her to drink last night as much as the sun's glare.
As they neared the black gates an unholy stench arose from the decaying bodies upon the crenellations and rotting heads sitting upon pikes; not to mention the nonkind that hung in the air and undoubtedly within the walls. Behind her Faldain straightened, glancing back she saw his eyes were set with grim determination and pride. Inspired she sat up and tried her best to balance a haughty expression with breathing through her mouth to avoid the smell.
The duo refused to baulk as they passed through the gates and under the gaze of a bloated soul taker. They pointedly ignored whispers, hurlhounds and believers alike until they passed red walls and ornate gates of a white domed palace trimmed in gold. The believer quickly ushered the down onto the red and white checkered courtyard before herding them, still bound, up several steps to a wide verandah. If the outside of the palace was uncomfortable the inside, despite its shade, was beyond torture. Heat permeated the air, intensifying the aroma of rotting flesh and unwashed bodies. The high wall blocked off any chance of a breeze, and the building inside was nothing short of grotesque.
Carven faces leered menacingly out of door ways; faces contorted in many a monstrous shape. Disembodied souls cursed and floated aimlessly in the shadowy corners. Within the wall panels eyes and silently screaming faces watched their path. At the end of the corridor down which they marched a large bowl of god- steel was altered upon a rune carved pillar in the sun. Each gantese refused to glance at it instead pushing them towards a large door that opened with a groan as they approached.
The heat was overwhelming. An immense blaze roared inside a brick firepit in the room's center. Brown lizards with iridescent throats lay basking atop the broad edge of the firepit wall. Now and then one of them blinked bulbous yellow eyes. Believers, both men and women, moaned and chanted in worship. Clad only in loincloths, their oiled bodies tattooed with intricate designs, they crawled to the firepit on hands and knees, threw offerings into the flames, and retreated to allow others to crawl forward. Thus did the group move in continuous flux. Suddenly one of them leaped to his feet and flung himself into the flames. As he screamed and flailed in the fire- the stench of burning flesh and hair filling the air- the other worshippers lifted their arms and shouted in mindless ecstasy...
A long bench gilded in gold leaf and padded with scarlet cushions stood centered on the dais. Reclining there was a figure clad in robes of purple silk, a figure who was no more than leathery, deeply scarred skin stretched over a skeleton. He looked as though in the past he had been burned alive. His lips and nostrils and ears had all been scorched away, leaving slits and orifices. Only his eyes remained human...
Instinctively Alexeika leaned closer to Faldain as they crossed the room. The figure at the end was gazing at them searchingly, as though attempting to place a key piece of a long and demanding puzzle. A taloned hand gestured imperiously and Alex felt the ropes leave her wrists.
"Faldain and Alexieka have been long awaited here in Sinduel, the Chief Believer wishes to meet you; you are most honoured." The creature's voice was ashy and ruined, Alexeika was surprised that no smoke issued from his lipless mouth, he sounded as if his throat burned from within. "I am Lord Zinxt."
"What is it you want Zinxt?" Dain asked harshly, partially stepping in front of Alexeika protectively. The duo stared hard at each other not blinking even when another believer through herself into the flames behind with an unearthly cry.
"We intended only to offer Faldain to Ashnod, yet many times the name Alexeika has been spelt out beside Faldain's with the bone dice," Zinxt glanced pointedly at her around Dain, his mouth stretching in what may have been a smile "We now see why. Faldain has much affection for little princess no?"
With a growl Faldain leapt and tackled Zinxt off the dais and had his dagger to his throat, leaving the guards at the doors and Alexeika to blink in shock. Zinxt opened his mouth as if to speak but was stopped by Dain's dagger pressing into his skin to draw blood. "None of that, we do not want your spell-casting now do we."
The room remained in an almost comical tableau for several minutes, with even the worshippers pausing to gawk at the stalemate; only the lizards moving steadily towards Zinxt as though drawn by his blood. Just as Alexeika felt sure Zinxt would succumb to Faldain and free them the doors opened and all air seemed sucked from the room.
A gust of air finally hit the back of Alexeika's neck bringing goosebumps to the surface. The air was now rank with ash and sulfur, trembling slightly Alexeika turned to discover the source of the phenomenon. Stalking towards her was a figure that would have been human, were it not entirely engulfed in flames. From his sleeveless stone tunic came bare arms, one absently adjusting a neacklace of skulls, the other carrying a wicked stone scetre topped with by a crystal ball which, like the palace walls, held faces writhing in eternal torment.
Alexeika only half noticed the two thin slyths that flanked the creature, drawn as she was to the fiery gaze. Distantly she noticed the beast had reached her as a part of her mind screamed that she must break eye contact. Surprisingly the Chief Believer broke it himself as he walked closer to Dain, trembling violently Alexeika would have dropped to her knees were it not for the hungry looks shot her way by the slyths.
"I suggest you let Zinxt go young prince" the monster commanded in a songless voice that sucked all hope and joy from Alexeika's heart. Faldain gave the beast a look as to ask why he would do such a thing yet the creature seemed to be having a staring contest with the prone believer of the floor. A smirk crossed the being's face after a period of time and he moved back beside Alexeika who fought not to shy.
"If Faldain does not release Zinxt I shall have to do something unpleasant to his dear princess." At this Alex attempted to dash away but the snarling slyths changed her mind. Faldain jerked involuntary as the scepter turned her head to face a very close Chief Believer.
If the beast's gaze was mesmerizing from before it was even more potent now, Alexeika could feel her strength and will slipping slowly away into a bask of heat even as she saw Faldain back away from Zinxt. She had thought her love would not have trusted the creature to leave her be once he moved.
She felt the creature begin to draw upon the point from which she would use to attempt to access her sporadic magic. Apparently the wild magic did not like the situation and its resistance allowed Alexeika a brief moment to balance the attack. With a brief prayer to Riva goddess of the sea she focused her mind upon the coolness of water, icy fjords, pails thrown over to douse a camp fire and torrents of rain. Calling these powers she visualized a flood overcoming the heat of the believer on her mind.
She saw the believer's eyes flare for a second then his mind disconnect with hers. She suddenly found herself doused in cold sweat and trembling uncontrollably. The wind howled in her ears as she heard the Chief Believer gasp out an order to take them to a cell, she felt a pair of rough arms under her shoulders before the world went black.
When Alexeika awoke it was to a pair of worried blue eyes hovering above her. With a half sigh she closed her eyes and leaned back into the comfort of the arms around her and attempted to gather her wits.
"How long have I been out?" she asked reopening her eyes.
"Only a few hours, what happened? One moment you seemed hale and the next as though you had run miles through a blizzard." Faldain asked softly, gently pushing back and errant tendril underneath the wreath she still wore.
So Alexeika explained whilst glancing about their cell. The ceiling was low and made of rough rock, it was barely seven feet deep and four wide. The entrance was blocked by barbed steel bars past which a wall fitting of a snarling hurlhound held a fiery lamp from its maw.
Despite only having lace sleeves Alexeika found the heat, combined with her dress, to be stifling. Sitting up and with a few tugs Alexeika was able to loosen the dress slightly to allow a little cooling air through, yet not enough to be indecent.
Despite that fact Faldain's eyes went wide, Alexeika was most amused and sent him a cheeky grin, "Yes my Prince?"
Faldain nervously cleared his throat trying to avoid glancing at her now lower neckline, "Umm, Alexeika; are you sure this is proper?"
"Honestly Faldain the dress I wore on my birthday was much lower." She laughed, "You never commented on propriety when I wore leggings at the academy, though I truly wish I was wearing them now."
Faldain smiled, "Aye we certainly chose the wrong clothes to be kidnapped in." he gestured at his heavy velvet tunic, "Now since you seem to despise propriety my love I am going to remove these garments before I perish."
Alexeika couldn't help the blush from creeping up her checks when not only his tunic but his shirt ended upon the rock floor. She tried to draw her eyes away from his sculpted chest, truly. It was only then as Faldain tilted her face up and she looked into his smoldering eyes she realized the dangerous position she had worked herself into.
"Marry me." Faldain whispered across her mouth as Alexeika felt a cool band of metal encircle her finger. Speechless for the timing of the proposal, Alexeika quickly smiled and kissed him passionately in response. Quickly melting into the embrace the world quickly melted away; that was until a troupe of believers came and opened their cell with raucous jeers.
"Little Prince and Princess are going to the mouth of Ashnod now. Our people shall be blessed by this sacrifice." The leader hissed with a guttural laugh as the believers herded them down the tunnel. As though sensing her rising panic Faldain reached over and gave her hand a squeeze; they would think of something.
The tunnel grew steadily hotter until they found themselves upon a ledge of a gigantic chasm. Below Molten lava bubbled and swirled ominously and above only a small beam indicated the open mouth of the volcano. Alexeika's grip tightened on Faldain's hand as the believers lining the opposing side of the mountain sounded harsh off-key instruments as nonkind stalked about.
They were ushered forward until they and the Chief Believer stood on a thin promontory above the lava pit. Behind the believer a spurt of lava shot upon and transformed itself into a foul face. Sending up a prayer to the gods Alexeika firmed her resolve and stared back at the face of Ashnod.
AN: Yeah, they needed more trouble, it resolved too quickly; sorry has taken so long but assessments called, I forgot my book at my dads then forgot the story, twice! Then had peoples' birthdays, lost part of the chapter causing me to re-write it and am just plain lazy so I'll cut my excuses...the next chapter probably won't be out for several months because of trials, my 4unit work and the HSC coming up...but after...lets just say I shall have plenty of free time to write this so as to not freak out about my marks. Amber Myst: great timing on the review! Lol, thanx!
AN: text in italics are directly quoted from "the chalice"...no plagiarism intended.
Sated with drink, the fire's warmth and Faldain by her side Alex began to feel drowsy. The couple had danced for several hours pausing to talk with friends, family and to have a "few" mugs of cider and Alexeika feet were beginning to get tired. Noting her weariness Faldain sat on the grass under the Tree of Life and pulled her close with a kiss on her forehead. Snuggling against the warm chest Alex quickly fell to sleep as the prince languorously stroked her hair.
So they dreamed until much of the crowd had left and midnight passed. Sleeping and dressed as they were, they were unable to defend from and unaware of the attack until an inhumane scream ripped the night.
Sitting up suddenly the pair came face to maw with a salivating shapeshifter. Slowly rising they eyed warily the satisfied believer that stalked towards them; Dain stepped protectively in front of Alex. Sharp canines revealed in a wicked smile, the warrior greeted them, "Finally we meet, Prince Faldain and Princess Alexeika. I have heard much of your bravery; you shall need it once we take you to our master in Sinduel."
Alex felt her heart freeze over again, tales of terror emanated from the gantese capital; few looked upon its black gates and came away unscathed from the horrors within; the city of death warranted the title. The fear was quickly replaced by irritation, why in Thod's name did this have to happen whilst she was in a dress!
As the gantese tied their hands behind their backs and dumped them upon a darsteed Alex was grateful for Dain's presence behind her. In her heart she knew he'd die to protect her, she'd do the same for him; that fact itself was both comforting and disturbing. He seemed aware of the panic that had coursed through her veins as the gantese bound her wrists and had kissed her forehead reassuringly, oh how she loved this man.
Realizing that her thoughts as she was being kidnapped, again, were turning romantic Alex shook her head in exasperation. 'Was she doomed to think only of the prince for the rest of her life? Was she doomed to become as a love- struck court daisy?' Chuckling at her mind's rhetorical questions she realized how insane she must be, shouldn't she be planning an escape, well once they were free of the grey second world they were riding through.
With an inaudible sigh she lent back into Faldain, smiling as he placed a kiss by her ear. Her eyes that were beginning to flutter closed opened suddenly as he began to nip the side of her neck. Leaning back even further her eyes closed again as he proceeded to toy with more of her skin, she didn't notice where her hands rested for several minutes, she then took a little advantage of the situation. 'She couldn't wait till they were married!'
Alexeika woke with a start at the sudden increase of noise and light that signaled their departure from the eerie second word. A hot sun was glaring down upon them and the sea of red sand and rock that stretched out uninhibited in all directions save the one they faced.
Ahead of them rose a great volcano amid a range of jagged mountains and a sand coloured city walled with black stone between a mountain's roots. As they group galloped across the hot plain to the city Alex's head began to pound, most probably thanks to the amount of alcohol her prince had encouraged her to drink last night as much as the sun's glare.
As they neared the black gates an unholy stench arose from the decaying bodies upon the crenellations and rotting heads sitting upon pikes; not to mention the nonkind that hung in the air and undoubtedly within the walls. Behind her Faldain straightened, glancing back she saw his eyes were set with grim determination and pride. Inspired she sat up and tried her best to balance a haughty expression with breathing through her mouth to avoid the smell.
The duo refused to baulk as they passed through the gates and under the gaze of a bloated soul taker. They pointedly ignored whispers, hurlhounds and believers alike until they passed red walls and ornate gates of a white domed palace trimmed in gold. The believer quickly ushered the down onto the red and white checkered courtyard before herding them, still bound, up several steps to a wide verandah. If the outside of the palace was uncomfortable the inside, despite its shade, was beyond torture. Heat permeated the air, intensifying the aroma of rotting flesh and unwashed bodies. The high wall blocked off any chance of a breeze, and the building inside was nothing short of grotesque.
Carven faces leered menacingly out of door ways; faces contorted in many a monstrous shape. Disembodied souls cursed and floated aimlessly in the shadowy corners. Within the wall panels eyes and silently screaming faces watched their path. At the end of the corridor down which they marched a large bowl of god- steel was altered upon a rune carved pillar in the sun. Each gantese refused to glance at it instead pushing them towards a large door that opened with a groan as they approached.
The heat was overwhelming. An immense blaze roared inside a brick firepit in the room's center. Brown lizards with iridescent throats lay basking atop the broad edge of the firepit wall. Now and then one of them blinked bulbous yellow eyes. Believers, both men and women, moaned and chanted in worship. Clad only in loincloths, their oiled bodies tattooed with intricate designs, they crawled to the firepit on hands and knees, threw offerings into the flames, and retreated to allow others to crawl forward. Thus did the group move in continuous flux. Suddenly one of them leaped to his feet and flung himself into the flames. As he screamed and flailed in the fire- the stench of burning flesh and hair filling the air- the other worshippers lifted their arms and shouted in mindless ecstasy...
A long bench gilded in gold leaf and padded with scarlet cushions stood centered on the dais. Reclining there was a figure clad in robes of purple silk, a figure who was no more than leathery, deeply scarred skin stretched over a skeleton. He looked as though in the past he had been burned alive. His lips and nostrils and ears had all been scorched away, leaving slits and orifices. Only his eyes remained human...
Instinctively Alexeika leaned closer to Faldain as they crossed the room. The figure at the end was gazing at them searchingly, as though attempting to place a key piece of a long and demanding puzzle. A taloned hand gestured imperiously and Alex felt the ropes leave her wrists.
"Faldain and Alexieka have been long awaited here in Sinduel, the Chief Believer wishes to meet you; you are most honoured." The creature's voice was ashy and ruined, Alexeika was surprised that no smoke issued from his lipless mouth, he sounded as if his throat burned from within. "I am Lord Zinxt."
"What is it you want Zinxt?" Dain asked harshly, partially stepping in front of Alexeika protectively. The duo stared hard at each other not blinking even when another believer through herself into the flames behind with an unearthly cry.
"We intended only to offer Faldain to Ashnod, yet many times the name Alexeika has been spelt out beside Faldain's with the bone dice," Zinxt glanced pointedly at her around Dain, his mouth stretching in what may have been a smile "We now see why. Faldain has much affection for little princess no?"
With a growl Faldain leapt and tackled Zinxt off the dais and had his dagger to his throat, leaving the guards at the doors and Alexeika to blink in shock. Zinxt opened his mouth as if to speak but was stopped by Dain's dagger pressing into his skin to draw blood. "None of that, we do not want your spell-casting now do we."
The room remained in an almost comical tableau for several minutes, with even the worshippers pausing to gawk at the stalemate; only the lizards moving steadily towards Zinxt as though drawn by his blood. Just as Alexeika felt sure Zinxt would succumb to Faldain and free them the doors opened and all air seemed sucked from the room.
A gust of air finally hit the back of Alexeika's neck bringing goosebumps to the surface. The air was now rank with ash and sulfur, trembling slightly Alexeika turned to discover the source of the phenomenon. Stalking towards her was a figure that would have been human, were it not entirely engulfed in flames. From his sleeveless stone tunic came bare arms, one absently adjusting a neacklace of skulls, the other carrying a wicked stone scetre topped with by a crystal ball which, like the palace walls, held faces writhing in eternal torment.
Alexeika only half noticed the two thin slyths that flanked the creature, drawn as she was to the fiery gaze. Distantly she noticed the beast had reached her as a part of her mind screamed that she must break eye contact. Surprisingly the Chief Believer broke it himself as he walked closer to Dain, trembling violently Alexeika would have dropped to her knees were it not for the hungry looks shot her way by the slyths.
"I suggest you let Zinxt go young prince" the monster commanded in a songless voice that sucked all hope and joy from Alexeika's heart. Faldain gave the beast a look as to ask why he would do such a thing yet the creature seemed to be having a staring contest with the prone believer of the floor. A smirk crossed the being's face after a period of time and he moved back beside Alexeika who fought not to shy.
"If Faldain does not release Zinxt I shall have to do something unpleasant to his dear princess." At this Alex attempted to dash away but the snarling slyths changed her mind. Faldain jerked involuntary as the scepter turned her head to face a very close Chief Believer.
If the beast's gaze was mesmerizing from before it was even more potent now, Alexeika could feel her strength and will slipping slowly away into a bask of heat even as she saw Faldain back away from Zinxt. She had thought her love would not have trusted the creature to leave her be once he moved.
She felt the creature begin to draw upon the point from which she would use to attempt to access her sporadic magic. Apparently the wild magic did not like the situation and its resistance allowed Alexeika a brief moment to balance the attack. With a brief prayer to Riva goddess of the sea she focused her mind upon the coolness of water, icy fjords, pails thrown over to douse a camp fire and torrents of rain. Calling these powers she visualized a flood overcoming the heat of the believer on her mind.
She saw the believer's eyes flare for a second then his mind disconnect with hers. She suddenly found herself doused in cold sweat and trembling uncontrollably. The wind howled in her ears as she heard the Chief Believer gasp out an order to take them to a cell, she felt a pair of rough arms under her shoulders before the world went black.
When Alexeika awoke it was to a pair of worried blue eyes hovering above her. With a half sigh she closed her eyes and leaned back into the comfort of the arms around her and attempted to gather her wits.
"How long have I been out?" she asked reopening her eyes.
"Only a few hours, what happened? One moment you seemed hale and the next as though you had run miles through a blizzard." Faldain asked softly, gently pushing back and errant tendril underneath the wreath she still wore.
So Alexeika explained whilst glancing about their cell. The ceiling was low and made of rough rock, it was barely seven feet deep and four wide. The entrance was blocked by barbed steel bars past which a wall fitting of a snarling hurlhound held a fiery lamp from its maw.
Despite only having lace sleeves Alexeika found the heat, combined with her dress, to be stifling. Sitting up and with a few tugs Alexeika was able to loosen the dress slightly to allow a little cooling air through, yet not enough to be indecent.
Despite that fact Faldain's eyes went wide, Alexeika was most amused and sent him a cheeky grin, "Yes my Prince?"
Faldain nervously cleared his throat trying to avoid glancing at her now lower neckline, "Umm, Alexeika; are you sure this is proper?"
"Honestly Faldain the dress I wore on my birthday was much lower." She laughed, "You never commented on propriety when I wore leggings at the academy, though I truly wish I was wearing them now."
Faldain smiled, "Aye we certainly chose the wrong clothes to be kidnapped in." he gestured at his heavy velvet tunic, "Now since you seem to despise propriety my love I am going to remove these garments before I perish."
Alexeika couldn't help the blush from creeping up her checks when not only his tunic but his shirt ended upon the rock floor. She tried to draw her eyes away from his sculpted chest, truly. It was only then as Faldain tilted her face up and she looked into his smoldering eyes she realized the dangerous position she had worked herself into.
"Marry me." Faldain whispered across her mouth as Alexeika felt a cool band of metal encircle her finger. Speechless for the timing of the proposal, Alexeika quickly smiled and kissed him passionately in response. Quickly melting into the embrace the world quickly melted away; that was until a troupe of believers came and opened their cell with raucous jeers.
"Little Prince and Princess are going to the mouth of Ashnod now. Our people shall be blessed by this sacrifice." The leader hissed with a guttural laugh as the believers herded them down the tunnel. As though sensing her rising panic Faldain reached over and gave her hand a squeeze; they would think of something.
The tunnel grew steadily hotter until they found themselves upon a ledge of a gigantic chasm. Below Molten lava bubbled and swirled ominously and above only a small beam indicated the open mouth of the volcano. Alexeika's grip tightened on Faldain's hand as the believers lining the opposing side of the mountain sounded harsh off-key instruments as nonkind stalked about.
They were ushered forward until they and the Chief Believer stood on a thin promontory above the lava pit. Behind the believer a spurt of lava shot upon and transformed itself into a foul face. Sending up a prayer to the gods Alexeika firmed her resolve and stared back at the face of Ashnod.
AN: Yeah, they needed more trouble, it resolved too quickly; sorry has taken so long but assessments called, I forgot my book at my dads then forgot the story, twice! Then had peoples' birthdays, lost part of the chapter causing me to re-write it and am just plain lazy so I'll cut my excuses...the next chapter probably won't be out for several months because of trials, my 4unit work and the HSC coming up...but after...lets just say I shall have plenty of free time to write this so as to not freak out about my marks. Amber Myst: great timing on the review! Lol, thanx!