Efforts
Hell hath no fury like a mom on a bitch tirade.
Ahhmal dodged a swipe to his head..the green acid burning the rocks behind
him. While he looked up with more than a little concern, Mozenrath hissed
angrily at his mom.
" How dare you.", she growled venom dripping from every syllable.
" Whatever do you mean mother?", Mozenrath said with false innocence
Mirage matched his calm exterior, knowing that would be one more point for
him if he suceeded in getting her to loose her cool,
She grinned, her canined flashing eerily.
" Oh I think you know perfectely what you've done dear".
Mozenrath leaned against the gate rail..a bold move, and casual flashed
pearly fangs.
" Enlighten me"
Her nails dug holes in her palms, and through red eyes, saw Ahhmal slip his
hand into Mozenraths, silent, a credit to his intelligence.
She turned her attention to him..a posionous smile of sickengly sweet upon
her black furred features.
Mozenrath became visably worried.
Like always, Mirage could see through his acts and knew he was trying to
protect Ahhmal by diverting her attention to him.
"Well hello there dear", Mirage practically purred to Ahhmal
He bowed, remembering his place, trying to not expose his neck too much.
" I believe introductions are in order, Mozenrath, dont be rude, introduce
your little friend here"
"This is Ahhmal mother", Mozenrath said with a cocked eyebrow,-what was she
up to?-
" A pleasure I'm sure, but the thing is, Ahhmal,little Mozenrath here wasn't
supposed to be whoring around, in fact, if i remember clearly, he was
supposed to be with me up in the Castle, isnt that right dear?
"It must have slipped my mind", Mozenrath said airly, refusing to let that
little whoring remark get to him.
Suddenly, he found a glowing claw grab his throat.
Ahhmal tried to get over there but found himself shot into the nearest pile
of rubble.
"Listen to me you ungratefull brat , if you werent my son I'd kill you now,
I bend over backwards to try and help you become something more than a
common little mortal..to help you restore you, this family, some dignity.
And you just dont give a damn do you?', she growled, her face inches from
his.
At first, Mozenrath may have been more than a little startled, but now he
jerked himself out of her grip angrily.
"So thats it is it mom? Your ashamed of me,,this has and always been about
you"
"Your a fool" she took another look at his rumpled state and mortal behind
him and added, "And a waste as well"
Mozenrath's temper flared
"I dont need to prove myself to a bunch of decriped old men. I know my own
abilites without someone passing judgement on them!!!!!!!!!" at that point
there was a slight edge of bitterness to his voice and Mirage sensed it.
"Then show me.", she said simply, all anger out of her voice.
For a moment, Mozenrath looked confused.
"Go ahead son, show me what you can do,theres no tutors, no judges. nobody
exept you and me and that", she said waving a hand disinterestedly at Ahhmal
who was getting back up.
"Fine", he said.
"Follow me then", she said stone faced.
She spun around, more than a little nervous, but then again, both of them
were.
She stopped when she didnt hear her son coming and saw him still behind the
gate, silently helping his boyfriend up and checking if he was ok.
Her blood boiled for a second, but then she knew she'd have to just talk to
him about that later.
So there they stood, atop a grassy knoll, in a stance very peculiar. Mirage
stood with her arms crossed against her chest, a few meters in front of
Mozenrath, who vainly tried to swallow the knot in his throat. He resisted
turning behind him to look at Ahhmal who looked unsure and akward,
uncharestically quiet.
"Well?' Mirage said
Mozenrath steeled his nerves and rythmitized his breath like he'd been
taught, and reached inside himself, trying to get ahold on his power. Ahhmal
watched amazed as a light blue aura started devolping around his boyfriend.
Mirage watched with baited breath.-Please-
Slowly and more than a little painfully he started to force his powers to
the surface, he stumbled a bit as it unevenly reached his fingertips, the
pressure suprising after limited use, Ahhmal started forward but was forced
to fall back as rolling wave of power knocked him off his feet, like a
almost solid feeling breaker of blue. Mozenrath gasped and opened his eyes,
unseeing eyes as a blue light took the place of pupils. He stood still as
his head searched the air full of noises, sparks of azul lighting the ground
beneath his hands.
"Mozenrath", Mirage murmered.
He looked like he was about to say something but choked on the words as a
barrage of magic erupted from him...the strain from it making him drop to
his knees, the grass surronding lighting fire in the most perculiar way.
"Mozenrath!!!!!!!", Ahhmal cried out, running to his side.
Something died in Mirage. He could'nt control his own powers.
She came over to gaze down on her panting son, his boyfriend fussing over
him, his brow was covered in sweat, his form fading from the brilliant blue
to sick white and damp curls. He looked up at her, his face for once, deviod
of the defensive mask he puts on, an expression that begged for acceptance,
for reasurance, for something.
She was silent and he hung his head in shame, angry tears, frustrated eyes
burning holes in the bare earth.
And she walked off, but not to far away to miss the sound of a desperate
yell and the thud of a fist on unforgiving ground.
Ahhmal licked his lips nervousely, one hand on Mozenraths back. He didtn
know what to do, hell, he barely knew just what happened. The body beneath
him shuddered with trapped noises of pain.
"Mozenrath---its ok, i promise it'll be ok, I..I dont know how to help you,
but if you'll just tell me what I can do for you"
"Just.just go away please Ahhmal.."
"What?"
He could'nt let him see him like this....
"Just go away..please"
Mozenrath listened to the silence, trying desperately to regain some hold on
his emotions.
-Thats when he felt a hand snatch him up_
He looked up startled into Ahhmals face...
"No, I'm not going away. But we are going somewhere." he took his wrist and
started to walk briskly away, dragging Mozenrath with them.
Mozenrath's head reeled, part from the fact he'd gotten up way too fast and
part because, Ahhmal had never used this tone or been this "demanding" with
him, and what a time to start.
After getting dragged and jostled down the hill a bit, he started to get
annoyed.
"And just exactely where are we going?", he demanded, jerking to a stop,
Ahhmal turned and smiled at him.
"See? Your back to your old self again, just as pissy as ever."
Mozenrath stared, and then smiled, allowing himself to be pulled into a
loose embrace, a chin resting on his head.
Screw MIrage.
Screw magic.
Screw that whole group fo crusty old tutors.
What the hell did he care what they thought?
They werent him so therefore had no say in anything that concerned him
-And I'm not mother- he thought deliberately.
"So you ready to get out of here Mozenrath?", Ahhmal said above him.
"Why not?" he replied with a smile.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mirage's attendants fled as she came back to the Castle..as it was
dangerous to be around when random objects around her burst into flame. She
ignored them a frustrated desperation..a ragefull greif..tore at her like
the firecats she created did with her enemies..padding now at her heel. But
the worst part was..she couldnt direct her feelings at anything or anyone.
When that bastard defiled her..she imagined every target or knave that
opposed her as him..renewing her bloodlust and edge. When invaders tried to
take over her hard won country..her Morbia, her pride singed her..they
mocked her, scorned her, laughed at the idea that a female was a ruler. She
massacered them like lambs at a slaughter. But who was the source of her
anger now?
Mozenrath assuredely..but was it is fault? Had she failed him? Or vice
versa? She plopped down into her throne.rubbing her temples. She stayed like
this for a very long time..till the candles burnt out in their wicks,
silent..thinking. So she was caught off guard when a certain sorcerer
stepped out of a mana portal. She spun with a hiss.
" Ahh Mirage..just as beautifull as when I left you last", a oily voice
smoothed, not at all starteled by her show of agression.
"Destane?" ...
Mozenrath had been out into the city a million times over, prefering that
than to being available for his mother and the tutors beck and call. But he
never visited this part of Morbia. Ahhmal and him had passed the famillar,
bleached and Egyptian influenced buildings, small and rectangular, low to
the ground, the streets lined with busy stalls and booths full of business
men hawking their wares. Sand crunched beneath his feet. Mozenrath had
studied maps of his mothers kingdom..knowing that the further you got from
the emerald grassed palace..the closer you got to the dunes on its borders.
Ahhmal looked behind at Mozenrath, almost laughing at the sight,Unbeknowest
to the prince, his feline traits had reappeared, his cat ears twitching
exitedely, picking up every noise they could, his tail swishing back and
forth and tripping up passerbys.
But the further Ahhmal led them out from the city, the noise started to fade
and the hubub died going into an almost deserted part of the city. These
homes were unlike the urban styles of the city, more Arabic desingned.
Washlines hung in the air, the homes darker, the roads dirt. Ahhmal stopped
at what could be called ,at best, a shack, and beckoned him to follow.
Mozenrath stooped under the door frame and was greeted with a dark and small
room, the corners littered with the fading light that danced with light.
Ahhmal turned with a silly grin, arms spread wide.
"Welcome to my humble abode. Sorry if its not to what your familar with, the
servants are off duty today."
Mozenrath smiled,
"I assure you if I'm displeased you'll know", he smirked.
"I dont doubt that", Ahhmal teased, pulling the prince in to an embrace.
"Is that Ahhmal Hashimas mouth I hear running?" a woman's voice called.
"Depends.....could the hag asking be Shima?"
A portly yet pleasent faced woman came out of what Mozenrath could only
suppose was a kitchen.
She had on an apron and a stirring spoon in her hand, which she promptly
wacked Ahhmal with.
He laughed and dodged another hit.
"Where have you been all day Ahhmal, your friends have been looking for you"
but she stopped when she finally caught sight of a silent Mozenrath.
Her eyes widened in shock, recognizing him immedietely.
Mozenrath knew what was coming and put his hand out almost frantically
before she could sink into a bow.
"I really dont think thats necesary, if you dont mind", he almost ordered
with pleading eyes.
Bowing made him uncomfortable when others did it to him. It was one thing to
get those old bags of bones of tutors to , wich only served to make him
smug, or other people he didnt like, but otherwise it was painfully akward.
Ahhmal broke the eerrie silence by putting an arm around Mozenrath, who
flushed.
"Mama Shima, this is Mozenrath, a friend."
Mozenrath shot him a confused look which Ahhmal pretended not to see.
"Well Mozenrath dear," Mama Shima said, breaking back into her old self
again,wiping her hands on her apron and holding one out, " Nice to meet you"
He smiled gratefully, taking her hand into his.
"The pleasure's all mine"
"Hey Mama Shima, you said they guys came around,,they stilll here?"
Shima, not at all outdone by Ahhmals height, put her hands on her hips
"So you just gonna leave me again Ahhmal, I swear, why I do I put up with
you., lazy good for nothing scoundrel."
"Because you love me" Ahhmal replied cockily, with a smile of false
innocence.
Shima snorted, throwing up her arms.
"Feh!!!"
"Bye Mama Shima..I'll be home later for some of that delicious dinner I
smell you making.", he said, leaning down to peck her on the cheek.
She smiled,
'Yeah, I bet you will, just as soon as you get some work done, you promise
you gonna get the rest of yalls little rat pack together and help me patch
the roof?"
"Yes Mama Shima", Ahhmal replied, turning out the door
It was just getting dark out, a sunset still blazing in the sky.
"Old nag" Ahhmal said, following out the door.
Like a missile, a wooden cooking spoon came flying out the house to conk him
on the head.
"I heard that!!!!!!!"
He laughed, rubbing his head, Mozenrath choked back a laugh.
"I cant say you didnt deserve that, I mean you are such a ladies man", he
mocked.
"Oh so now you decide you arent a mute, " he suddenly got a wistfull look on
his face, "And i was just starting to enjoy it"
Mozenrath smirked.
"Ow!!!What was that for?"
Mozenrath laughed, weapon in hand, a wooden spoon.
They walked for awhile..leisurely..until they came upon what Mozenrath was
sure was the very outskirts of town, the high walls of the border looming
just a few yards away. The pale blue of early night in the desert casting a
glow on the very few comodaties around, i.e, a shabby pub, and a dilapadated
building that may have been a home once.
Mozenrath put on a fake smile. looking up at Ahhmal.
" You always take me to the nicest places."...he said sarcastically.
Ahhmal rolled his eyes.
"Spoiled" , but he smiled as he pushed his way through brambles to go
behind the "house". Mozenrath followed and was faced with a very odd sight.
A tree, a huge twisted thing, grew up out of the earth with such fervor
it's roots rose out of the earth like enormus claws. But the amazing thing
was that a tree could grow, in such barren soil, so close to the dunes
rising beyond the wall with their grains caught in the wind. And seated upon
this tree were several figures. three or so guys and girls . Ahhmals eyes
brightened when he saw them, they caught site of his beaming face and
outstreched arms.
"Hey! Look who decided to show up!",someone shouted
"Well stop your crying and lamenting, I'm here!"
They got up laughing to greet him.
First a girl came up and hugged him, dressed from head to foot in black
clothes, her hair a shaggy mass of blonde. Mozenrath felt a flame of
jealousely flare in him.
"Well if it isnt Shasta..business must be good for them to afford to let you
have a day off", he teased, hugging her back.
"Im laughing my frigggen head off", she replied, rolling her eyes.
A male came up and clapped him on the shoulder.
"Hey Ahhmal, ignore her..she's just flirting." The man said with a gagging
motion behind his hand, earning a punch from Shasta.
"Hey you dont have to worry about me moving in on your territory Hasshim,"
The group laughed.
Another girl came up behind him and put her hands over his eyes.
"Guess who?"
"Well by the smell I'd have to say Lana, "
"Hey you try working at a brat pen all day and see if you dont smell like
kid pee and mushy food", Lana pouted, a girl with auburn hair and working
clothes on.
"Hey I'm just teasing Lana babe"
As they joked and exchanged sentiments, Mozenrath felt a bit uncomfortable.
He shifted, holding his arm a bit self-consciousely
Ahhmal caught site of him and pushed his way through, nabbing his arm and
pulling him right into the middle of the throng.
"Guys, this right here is the reason I got a little caught
up..Mozenrath..this is Shasta, Hasshim, and Lana."
Ahhmal didnt come off as stupid.so he must have noticed the akward silence
that started when he was noticed.
But thankfully Hasshimm broke the silence by looking at Ahhmal.
"Dont tell me youve gotten into the kidnapping business..i knew you were
desperate for money but sheessh."
Mozenrath laughed relieved with Ahhmal.
"You know I never really guessed you for the high brow type", Lana
commented.
Mozenrath snorted.
"Then you've got an amazing sense of perception"
"Hey! Am i getting ganged up on?"
"No dear, your just paranoid", Mozenrath patronized.
"Dear? hey you Ahhmal's boyfriend?" Lana asked.
"Lana, quit buying nosy"
But it was Shasta who glared at him
"You know Ahhmal I think youre going a bit too far with this whole gay act"
she said irratated.
Ahhmal rolled his eyes as Mozenrath assured himself he definetely did not
like this girl.
Contemplating frying her..he was totally off guard when Ahhmal grabbed his
shoulders, taking his lips with his own. Mozenraths face was alit within
seconds. He heard some cat calls and teasing whistles.
"There..now does that look like an act?" Ahhmal asked. breaking apart.
Mozenrath stumbled back a bit, more than a little scandalized.
Shasta just rolled her eyes and huffed going back to the tree.
"Dont worry lad," Hasshim assured him, though probally more for Shastas
benefit than Mozenrath judging by the death glare the prince gave her. He
bent down to whisper to him, "Shes had a crush on Ahhmal here fourever..she
went into denial when he told her he swung the other way. Shes jealous."
Suddenly, Lana cried out, "Look!" she said pointing rudely at Mozenrath.
Thats when Mozenrah realized his cat traits came back in response to his
peevish mood.
"Well look at that. " Hasshim said.
Shasta snorted somehing along the lines of freak.
"Well what do you expect.you know who the kids mom is" Shasta said
disinterestedly.
Mozenraths temper flared.
" How dare you talk down to me. I could drag your hide down to the dungueons
for a little playtime with the inmates or I could just fry you here..!"
His magic flared. the light around him more show than actual content, but
the foolish girl who backed up against the tree bark didnt need to know
this.
He felt a hand on his shoulder and turned to see Ahhmal with a odd look upon
his face, and Mozenrath was stunned by the seriousness it held.
His power died down hesitantely. He looked at Shasta. He admired she had the
courage to get up, although somewhat shakingly, and come up to him.
"Look kid, I'm sorry, I did'nt mean no disrespect.", she said somewhat
tiredly.
He waved his hand dismissedly, " Just forget it . "
"Aww aint that cute?", Hasshim teased on Shasta, she rolled her eyes, though
with a somewhat relievd smile.
Ahhmal tried to give Mozenrath a noogie.
" I always knew ole' princy here was a big softy"
Mozenrath dodged him, curling his lip up at the odd playing voice.
" Oh yeah" , he said, "thats real attractive". His sarcasm just rolled off
Ahhmal, who just smiled, rubbing the back of his neck.
" Hey, I hate to interupt this love fest, but I'm freaking freezing" Lana
said shrugging her coat closer to her.
"Ooo yes its getting a bit nipply. " Shasta said sarcastically as they made
their way into the pub, rollling her shoulders.
Mozenrath laughed with the rest of them, welcoming the warm gush of wind as
they entered the now appealing dirty little building.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
After countless laughs and mugs of warm frothey drinks, and an oddly
amusing brawl between Hasshim and some random guy, Ahhmal and Mozenrath
stumbled out the door, leaning against one another.
"Shit", Mozenrath cursed as he looked at the rising sun.
"My sentiments exactely", Ahhmal commented, a little too tired and drowsy
to get real worried.
Mozenrath groaned, holding his head with his hands.
"My mother is going to murder me"
"Us Mozenrath, us"
"Cmon, we got to hurry", Mozenrath urged, breaking into a run.
Ahhmal followed.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
They reach the Castle gates in what could possibly be described as record
time. Panic will do that to you.
"I did remember to tell you didnt have to come, right?", Mozenrath said
distractedly as he kneeled by the gate , taking hold of the bars.
"Yes but I thought I told you I got you into this mess and its my
responsiblilty." Ahhmal panted, too much in a hurry to be amazed that the
bars melted in response to Mozenrath's touch.
Mozenrath spun round, and grabbed Ahhmals neck, pulling him down for a
quick yet intense kiss.
He let go and ran through the hole in the gates working he created.
Ahhmal shook himself out of his momentary stupor and followed, turning for
a breif look as the gate mended itself.
He found Mozenrath had pushed open the heavey darkened door and was
standing in the Castles entranceway.
Ahhmal followed his gaze to the impossibly high ceilings guarded by statues
of sphinx characters.
"What are we looking at again?" , he asked in a whisper after a couple
minutes of silence.
" Nothing, I just got an odd feeling...", he said more to himself than
Ahhmal.
Ahhmal cocked his eyebrow.
"Okayyyy--"
Mozenrath seemed to come back to Earth with that comment.
" This is your last chance to leave, I think I can handle my own mother
alone."
Ahhmal snorted.
"Well then just consider me here for the sites."
Mozenrath rolled his eyes, not daring to tell Ahhmal he was gratefull he
was here.
He made his way to the throne room, finding it odd the servants were'nt
about.
And there was Mirage, seated gravely on the padded throne. She said nothing
which just made Mozenrath all the more nervous.
He bowed as a sign of respect.
"Mother I-"
But she held up her hand.
" For a long time, I've been wondering where I went wrong with you..not
only with your lack luster powers, but with your discipine as well. I can
smell the alcholol on your breath from here."
Mozenrath started to say something but Ahhmal stepped up bowing.
"Your majesty, it was my fault, I took the prince away-"
Mozenrath shot him a look that screamed shut up.
" Hes dellusioned mother..I went on my own free will-"
Ahhmal started to argue but Mirage stopped him.
"Be silent streetrat!!! I am very well informed whos to blame. Do not cause
to enrage me further!!!!!!!"
Her firecats appeared as if on cue, hissing and spitting. One whirled
around Mozenrath.
" I should have caught my mistakes with you from the very begining. But I
guess that doesnt matter any more.", she said looking at him.
In that moment her and Mozenrath locked eyes. he felt her flood of
emotions: greif. desperation, disappointment, apprehension.
" I know now I'm not fit to teach you as is..so thats why you are going to
have new teacher of sorts."
He looked at her oddly,
"What do you mean?", he said suspiciousely.
Thats when he felt an enormous power make itself known.
A soft voice that chilled Mozenrath down his spine said in his ear.
"Hello Mozenrath..I am Lord Destane."
-Ahh the sweet bliss of a cliffhanger.. lol, but now that I'm this deep in
the story, The next chapters will be up very soon._
Dean
Hell hath no fury like a mom on a bitch tirade.
Ahhmal dodged a swipe to his head..the green acid burning the rocks behind
him. While he looked up with more than a little concern, Mozenrath hissed
angrily at his mom.
" How dare you.", she growled venom dripping from every syllable.
" Whatever do you mean mother?", Mozenrath said with false innocence
Mirage matched his calm exterior, knowing that would be one more point for
him if he suceeded in getting her to loose her cool,
She grinned, her canined flashing eerily.
" Oh I think you know perfectely what you've done dear".
Mozenrath leaned against the gate rail..a bold move, and casual flashed
pearly fangs.
" Enlighten me"
Her nails dug holes in her palms, and through red eyes, saw Ahhmal slip his
hand into Mozenraths, silent, a credit to his intelligence.
She turned her attention to him..a posionous smile of sickengly sweet upon
her black furred features.
Mozenrath became visably worried.
Like always, Mirage could see through his acts and knew he was trying to
protect Ahhmal by diverting her attention to him.
"Well hello there dear", Mirage practically purred to Ahhmal
He bowed, remembering his place, trying to not expose his neck too much.
" I believe introductions are in order, Mozenrath, dont be rude, introduce
your little friend here"
"This is Ahhmal mother", Mozenrath said with a cocked eyebrow,-what was she
up to?-
" A pleasure I'm sure, but the thing is, Ahhmal,little Mozenrath here wasn't
supposed to be whoring around, in fact, if i remember clearly, he was
supposed to be with me up in the Castle, isnt that right dear?
"It must have slipped my mind", Mozenrath said airly, refusing to let that
little whoring remark get to him.
Suddenly, he found a glowing claw grab his throat.
Ahhmal tried to get over there but found himself shot into the nearest pile
of rubble.
"Listen to me you ungratefull brat , if you werent my son I'd kill you now,
I bend over backwards to try and help you become something more than a
common little mortal..to help you restore you, this family, some dignity.
And you just dont give a damn do you?', she growled, her face inches from
his.
At first, Mozenrath may have been more than a little startled, but now he
jerked himself out of her grip angrily.
"So thats it is it mom? Your ashamed of me,,this has and always been about
you"
"Your a fool" she took another look at his rumpled state and mortal behind
him and added, "And a waste as well"
Mozenrath's temper flared
"I dont need to prove myself to a bunch of decriped old men. I know my own
abilites without someone passing judgement on them!!!!!!!!!" at that point
there was a slight edge of bitterness to his voice and Mirage sensed it.
"Then show me.", she said simply, all anger out of her voice.
For a moment, Mozenrath looked confused.
"Go ahead son, show me what you can do,theres no tutors, no judges. nobody
exept you and me and that", she said waving a hand disinterestedly at Ahhmal
who was getting back up.
"Fine", he said.
"Follow me then", she said stone faced.
She spun around, more than a little nervous, but then again, both of them
were.
She stopped when she didnt hear her son coming and saw him still behind the
gate, silently helping his boyfriend up and checking if he was ok.
Her blood boiled for a second, but then she knew she'd have to just talk to
him about that later.
So there they stood, atop a grassy knoll, in a stance very peculiar. Mirage
stood with her arms crossed against her chest, a few meters in front of
Mozenrath, who vainly tried to swallow the knot in his throat. He resisted
turning behind him to look at Ahhmal who looked unsure and akward,
uncharestically quiet.
"Well?' Mirage said
Mozenrath steeled his nerves and rythmitized his breath like he'd been
taught, and reached inside himself, trying to get ahold on his power. Ahhmal
watched amazed as a light blue aura started devolping around his boyfriend.
Mirage watched with baited breath.-Please-
Slowly and more than a little painfully he started to force his powers to
the surface, he stumbled a bit as it unevenly reached his fingertips, the
pressure suprising after limited use, Ahhmal started forward but was forced
to fall back as rolling wave of power knocked him off his feet, like a
almost solid feeling breaker of blue. Mozenrath gasped and opened his eyes,
unseeing eyes as a blue light took the place of pupils. He stood still as
his head searched the air full of noises, sparks of azul lighting the ground
beneath his hands.
"Mozenrath", Mirage murmered.
He looked like he was about to say something but choked on the words as a
barrage of magic erupted from him...the strain from it making him drop to
his knees, the grass surronding lighting fire in the most perculiar way.
"Mozenrath!!!!!!!", Ahhmal cried out, running to his side.
Something died in Mirage. He could'nt control his own powers.
She came over to gaze down on her panting son, his boyfriend fussing over
him, his brow was covered in sweat, his form fading from the brilliant blue
to sick white and damp curls. He looked up at her, his face for once, deviod
of the defensive mask he puts on, an expression that begged for acceptance,
for reasurance, for something.
She was silent and he hung his head in shame, angry tears, frustrated eyes
burning holes in the bare earth.
And she walked off, but not to far away to miss the sound of a desperate
yell and the thud of a fist on unforgiving ground.
Ahhmal licked his lips nervousely, one hand on Mozenraths back. He didtn
know what to do, hell, he barely knew just what happened. The body beneath
him shuddered with trapped noises of pain.
"Mozenrath---its ok, i promise it'll be ok, I..I dont know how to help you,
but if you'll just tell me what I can do for you"
"Just.just go away please Ahhmal.."
"What?"
He could'nt let him see him like this....
"Just go away..please"
Mozenrath listened to the silence, trying desperately to regain some hold on
his emotions.
-Thats when he felt a hand snatch him up_
He looked up startled into Ahhmals face...
"No, I'm not going away. But we are going somewhere." he took his wrist and
started to walk briskly away, dragging Mozenrath with them.
Mozenrath's head reeled, part from the fact he'd gotten up way too fast and
part because, Ahhmal had never used this tone or been this "demanding" with
him, and what a time to start.
After getting dragged and jostled down the hill a bit, he started to get
annoyed.
"And just exactely where are we going?", he demanded, jerking to a stop,
Ahhmal turned and smiled at him.
"See? Your back to your old self again, just as pissy as ever."
Mozenrath stared, and then smiled, allowing himself to be pulled into a
loose embrace, a chin resting on his head.
Screw MIrage.
Screw magic.
Screw that whole group fo crusty old tutors.
What the hell did he care what they thought?
They werent him so therefore had no say in anything that concerned him
-And I'm not mother- he thought deliberately.
"So you ready to get out of here Mozenrath?", Ahhmal said above him.
"Why not?" he replied with a smile.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mirage's attendants fled as she came back to the Castle..as it was
dangerous to be around when random objects around her burst into flame. She
ignored them a frustrated desperation..a ragefull greif..tore at her like
the firecats she created did with her enemies..padding now at her heel. But
the worst part was..she couldnt direct her feelings at anything or anyone.
When that bastard defiled her..she imagined every target or knave that
opposed her as him..renewing her bloodlust and edge. When invaders tried to
take over her hard won country..her Morbia, her pride singed her..they
mocked her, scorned her, laughed at the idea that a female was a ruler. She
massacered them like lambs at a slaughter. But who was the source of her
anger now?
Mozenrath assuredely..but was it is fault? Had she failed him? Or vice
versa? She plopped down into her throne.rubbing her temples. She stayed like
this for a very long time..till the candles burnt out in their wicks,
silent..thinking. So she was caught off guard when a certain sorcerer
stepped out of a mana portal. She spun with a hiss.
" Ahh Mirage..just as beautifull as when I left you last", a oily voice
smoothed, not at all starteled by her show of agression.
"Destane?" ...
Mozenrath had been out into the city a million times over, prefering that
than to being available for his mother and the tutors beck and call. But he
never visited this part of Morbia. Ahhmal and him had passed the famillar,
bleached and Egyptian influenced buildings, small and rectangular, low to
the ground, the streets lined with busy stalls and booths full of business
men hawking their wares. Sand crunched beneath his feet. Mozenrath had
studied maps of his mothers kingdom..knowing that the further you got from
the emerald grassed palace..the closer you got to the dunes on its borders.
Ahhmal looked behind at Mozenrath, almost laughing at the sight,Unbeknowest
to the prince, his feline traits had reappeared, his cat ears twitching
exitedely, picking up every noise they could, his tail swishing back and
forth and tripping up passerbys.
But the further Ahhmal led them out from the city, the noise started to fade
and the hubub died going into an almost deserted part of the city. These
homes were unlike the urban styles of the city, more Arabic desingned.
Washlines hung in the air, the homes darker, the roads dirt. Ahhmal stopped
at what could be called ,at best, a shack, and beckoned him to follow.
Mozenrath stooped under the door frame and was greeted with a dark and small
room, the corners littered with the fading light that danced with light.
Ahhmal turned with a silly grin, arms spread wide.
"Welcome to my humble abode. Sorry if its not to what your familar with, the
servants are off duty today."
Mozenrath smiled,
"I assure you if I'm displeased you'll know", he smirked.
"I dont doubt that", Ahhmal teased, pulling the prince in to an embrace.
"Is that Ahhmal Hashimas mouth I hear running?" a woman's voice called.
"Depends.....could the hag asking be Shima?"
A portly yet pleasent faced woman came out of what Mozenrath could only
suppose was a kitchen.
She had on an apron and a stirring spoon in her hand, which she promptly
wacked Ahhmal with.
He laughed and dodged another hit.
"Where have you been all day Ahhmal, your friends have been looking for you"
but she stopped when she finally caught sight of a silent Mozenrath.
Her eyes widened in shock, recognizing him immedietely.
Mozenrath knew what was coming and put his hand out almost frantically
before she could sink into a bow.
"I really dont think thats necesary, if you dont mind", he almost ordered
with pleading eyes.
Bowing made him uncomfortable when others did it to him. It was one thing to
get those old bags of bones of tutors to , wich only served to make him
smug, or other people he didnt like, but otherwise it was painfully akward.
Ahhmal broke the eerrie silence by putting an arm around Mozenrath, who
flushed.
"Mama Shima, this is Mozenrath, a friend."
Mozenrath shot him a confused look which Ahhmal pretended not to see.
"Well Mozenrath dear," Mama Shima said, breaking back into her old self
again,wiping her hands on her apron and holding one out, " Nice to meet you"
He smiled gratefully, taking her hand into his.
"The pleasure's all mine"
"Hey Mama Shima, you said they guys came around,,they stilll here?"
Shima, not at all outdone by Ahhmals height, put her hands on her hips
"So you just gonna leave me again Ahhmal, I swear, why I do I put up with
you., lazy good for nothing scoundrel."
"Because you love me" Ahhmal replied cockily, with a smile of false
innocence.
Shima snorted, throwing up her arms.
"Feh!!!"
"Bye Mama Shima..I'll be home later for some of that delicious dinner I
smell you making.", he said, leaning down to peck her on the cheek.
She smiled,
'Yeah, I bet you will, just as soon as you get some work done, you promise
you gonna get the rest of yalls little rat pack together and help me patch
the roof?"
"Yes Mama Shima", Ahhmal replied, turning out the door
It was just getting dark out, a sunset still blazing in the sky.
"Old nag" Ahhmal said, following out the door.
Like a missile, a wooden cooking spoon came flying out the house to conk him
on the head.
"I heard that!!!!!!!"
He laughed, rubbing his head, Mozenrath choked back a laugh.
"I cant say you didnt deserve that, I mean you are such a ladies man", he
mocked.
"Oh so now you decide you arent a mute, " he suddenly got a wistfull look on
his face, "And i was just starting to enjoy it"
Mozenrath smirked.
"Ow!!!What was that for?"
Mozenrath laughed, weapon in hand, a wooden spoon.
They walked for awhile..leisurely..until they came upon what Mozenrath was
sure was the very outskirts of town, the high walls of the border looming
just a few yards away. The pale blue of early night in the desert casting a
glow on the very few comodaties around, i.e, a shabby pub, and a dilapadated
building that may have been a home once.
Mozenrath put on a fake smile. looking up at Ahhmal.
" You always take me to the nicest places."...he said sarcastically.
Ahhmal rolled his eyes.
"Spoiled" , but he smiled as he pushed his way through brambles to go
behind the "house". Mozenrath followed and was faced with a very odd sight.
A tree, a huge twisted thing, grew up out of the earth with such fervor
it's roots rose out of the earth like enormus claws. But the amazing thing
was that a tree could grow, in such barren soil, so close to the dunes
rising beyond the wall with their grains caught in the wind. And seated upon
this tree were several figures. three or so guys and girls . Ahhmals eyes
brightened when he saw them, they caught site of his beaming face and
outstreched arms.
"Hey! Look who decided to show up!",someone shouted
"Well stop your crying and lamenting, I'm here!"
They got up laughing to greet him.
First a girl came up and hugged him, dressed from head to foot in black
clothes, her hair a shaggy mass of blonde. Mozenrath felt a flame of
jealousely flare in him.
"Well if it isnt Shasta..business must be good for them to afford to let you
have a day off", he teased, hugging her back.
"Im laughing my frigggen head off", she replied, rolling her eyes.
A male came up and clapped him on the shoulder.
"Hey Ahhmal, ignore her..she's just flirting." The man said with a gagging
motion behind his hand, earning a punch from Shasta.
"Hey you dont have to worry about me moving in on your territory Hasshim,"
The group laughed.
Another girl came up behind him and put her hands over his eyes.
"Guess who?"
"Well by the smell I'd have to say Lana, "
"Hey you try working at a brat pen all day and see if you dont smell like
kid pee and mushy food", Lana pouted, a girl with auburn hair and working
clothes on.
"Hey I'm just teasing Lana babe"
As they joked and exchanged sentiments, Mozenrath felt a bit uncomfortable.
He shifted, holding his arm a bit self-consciousely
Ahhmal caught site of him and pushed his way through, nabbing his arm and
pulling him right into the middle of the throng.
"Guys, this right here is the reason I got a little caught
up..Mozenrath..this is Shasta, Hasshim, and Lana."
Ahhmal didnt come off as stupid.so he must have noticed the akward silence
that started when he was noticed.
But thankfully Hasshimm broke the silence by looking at Ahhmal.
"Dont tell me youve gotten into the kidnapping business..i knew you were
desperate for money but sheessh."
Mozenrath laughed relieved with Ahhmal.
"You know I never really guessed you for the high brow type", Lana
commented.
Mozenrath snorted.
"Then you've got an amazing sense of perception"
"Hey! Am i getting ganged up on?"
"No dear, your just paranoid", Mozenrath patronized.
"Dear? hey you Ahhmal's boyfriend?" Lana asked.
"Lana, quit buying nosy"
But it was Shasta who glared at him
"You know Ahhmal I think youre going a bit too far with this whole gay act"
she said irratated.
Ahhmal rolled his eyes as Mozenrath assured himself he definetely did not
like this girl.
Contemplating frying her..he was totally off guard when Ahhmal grabbed his
shoulders, taking his lips with his own. Mozenraths face was alit within
seconds. He heard some cat calls and teasing whistles.
"There..now does that look like an act?" Ahhmal asked. breaking apart.
Mozenrath stumbled back a bit, more than a little scandalized.
Shasta just rolled her eyes and huffed going back to the tree.
"Dont worry lad," Hasshim assured him, though probally more for Shastas
benefit than Mozenrath judging by the death glare the prince gave her. He
bent down to whisper to him, "Shes had a crush on Ahhmal here fourever..she
went into denial when he told her he swung the other way. Shes jealous."
Suddenly, Lana cried out, "Look!" she said pointing rudely at Mozenrath.
Thats when Mozenrah realized his cat traits came back in response to his
peevish mood.
"Well look at that. " Hasshim said.
Shasta snorted somehing along the lines of freak.
"Well what do you expect.you know who the kids mom is" Shasta said
disinterestedly.
Mozenraths temper flared.
" How dare you talk down to me. I could drag your hide down to the dungueons
for a little playtime with the inmates or I could just fry you here..!"
His magic flared. the light around him more show than actual content, but
the foolish girl who backed up against the tree bark didnt need to know
this.
He felt a hand on his shoulder and turned to see Ahhmal with a odd look upon
his face, and Mozenrath was stunned by the seriousness it held.
His power died down hesitantely. He looked at Shasta. He admired she had the
courage to get up, although somewhat shakingly, and come up to him.
"Look kid, I'm sorry, I did'nt mean no disrespect.", she said somewhat
tiredly.
He waved his hand dismissedly, " Just forget it . "
"Aww aint that cute?", Hasshim teased on Shasta, she rolled her eyes, though
with a somewhat relievd smile.
Ahhmal tried to give Mozenrath a noogie.
" I always knew ole' princy here was a big softy"
Mozenrath dodged him, curling his lip up at the odd playing voice.
" Oh yeah" , he said, "thats real attractive". His sarcasm just rolled off
Ahhmal, who just smiled, rubbing the back of his neck.
" Hey, I hate to interupt this love fest, but I'm freaking freezing" Lana
said shrugging her coat closer to her.
"Ooo yes its getting a bit nipply. " Shasta said sarcastically as they made
their way into the pub, rollling her shoulders.
Mozenrath laughed with the rest of them, welcoming the warm gush of wind as
they entered the now appealing dirty little building.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
After countless laughs and mugs of warm frothey drinks, and an oddly
amusing brawl between Hasshim and some random guy, Ahhmal and Mozenrath
stumbled out the door, leaning against one another.
"Shit", Mozenrath cursed as he looked at the rising sun.
"My sentiments exactely", Ahhmal commented, a little too tired and drowsy
to get real worried.
Mozenrath groaned, holding his head with his hands.
"My mother is going to murder me"
"Us Mozenrath, us"
"Cmon, we got to hurry", Mozenrath urged, breaking into a run.
Ahhmal followed.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
They reach the Castle gates in what could possibly be described as record
time. Panic will do that to you.
"I did remember to tell you didnt have to come, right?", Mozenrath said
distractedly as he kneeled by the gate , taking hold of the bars.
"Yes but I thought I told you I got you into this mess and its my
responsiblilty." Ahhmal panted, too much in a hurry to be amazed that the
bars melted in response to Mozenrath's touch.
Mozenrath spun round, and grabbed Ahhmals neck, pulling him down for a
quick yet intense kiss.
He let go and ran through the hole in the gates working he created.
Ahhmal shook himself out of his momentary stupor and followed, turning for
a breif look as the gate mended itself.
He found Mozenrath had pushed open the heavey darkened door and was
standing in the Castles entranceway.
Ahhmal followed his gaze to the impossibly high ceilings guarded by statues
of sphinx characters.
"What are we looking at again?" , he asked in a whisper after a couple
minutes of silence.
" Nothing, I just got an odd feeling...", he said more to himself than
Ahhmal.
Ahhmal cocked his eyebrow.
"Okayyyy--"
Mozenrath seemed to come back to Earth with that comment.
" This is your last chance to leave, I think I can handle my own mother
alone."
Ahhmal snorted.
"Well then just consider me here for the sites."
Mozenrath rolled his eyes, not daring to tell Ahhmal he was gratefull he
was here.
He made his way to the throne room, finding it odd the servants were'nt
about.
And there was Mirage, seated gravely on the padded throne. She said nothing
which just made Mozenrath all the more nervous.
He bowed as a sign of respect.
"Mother I-"
But she held up her hand.
" For a long time, I've been wondering where I went wrong with you..not
only with your lack luster powers, but with your discipine as well. I can
smell the alcholol on your breath from here."
Mozenrath started to say something but Ahhmal stepped up bowing.
"Your majesty, it was my fault, I took the prince away-"
Mozenrath shot him a look that screamed shut up.
" Hes dellusioned mother..I went on my own free will-"
Ahhmal started to argue but Mirage stopped him.
"Be silent streetrat!!! I am very well informed whos to blame. Do not cause
to enrage me further!!!!!!!"
Her firecats appeared as if on cue, hissing and spitting. One whirled
around Mozenrath.
" I should have caught my mistakes with you from the very begining. But I
guess that doesnt matter any more.", she said looking at him.
In that moment her and Mozenrath locked eyes. he felt her flood of
emotions: greif. desperation, disappointment, apprehension.
" I know now I'm not fit to teach you as is..so thats why you are going to
have new teacher of sorts."
He looked at her oddly,
"What do you mean?", he said suspiciousely.
Thats when he felt an enormous power make itself known.
A soft voice that chilled Mozenrath down his spine said in his ear.
"Hello Mozenrath..I am Lord Destane."
-Ahh the sweet bliss of a cliffhanger.. lol, but now that I'm this deep in
the story, The next chapters will be up very soon._
Dean