hellokotu - thanks for commenting! and I agree, I think she is my new fav original character :P
De inimico non loquaris sed cogites
Translation: Don't wish ill for your enemy; plan it
Day of the Full Moon
Tony slept in late once again, tired out from visiting Pepper late at night, in her secret room. But he was rudely awoken by Le Loup shaking him hard by his shoulders.
"My Lord, wake up. Please wake up."
Tony turned over and murmured, "Five more minutes... I want five more minutes...It is too bright"
Then a feminine voice said softly, "Count...Tony. Please wake up now."
That sort of penetrated his fog of sleep. He opened one eye sleepily. He could dimly see Milene staring down at him with amusement. Le Loup was standing next to her, eyes wide at Tony in warning.
He smiled sleepily at Milene, who returned his smile. Wait, what is Milene doing in my room?!
He bolted upright, clutching the bed sheet tightly to his chest. Could she see the arc, did she?
He shook his head to clear the sleep from his brain. "What... what happened? What's the hub bub? Why are you all in my room?"
Milene looked like she was holding back giggles. She said, "Count, you need to be in the Audo in forty five minutes. The priests have scheduled a meeting to discuss the Oracle." She smirked as Tony continued to stare at her.
"Tony," she said gently, "Get dressed. I will send some food up. Prepare yourself and be there in the Audo."
She smiled at him and walked away. Tony watched her leave and then lowered his sheet. He glared at Le Loup, who looked sheepish. "Pretty woman comes to the door and asks appealingly to see you, How can Le Loup refuse? Besides, she seems to be an ally, no?"
Tony huffed and got out of bed. "Mackie!" He hollered, "Decide what I should wear quickly! I need to be in the Audo in forty minutes."
Pepper had slept well last night, her spirit soothed on seeing Tony. She was allowed to sleep in with no interruptions and awoke luxuriously at noon.
She stretched herself languorously in bed. The feelings of drowsiness from drinking the Moonflower nectar, had lessened. She stood up and walked to the window, staring out at the large tree next to it, sunshine streaming through its branches.
I should be able to climb out of this window and climb down the tree easily enough. Just like Tony did yesterday.
She started to swing her leg up to the window's edge but then the chain tightened painfully around her ankle and she suddenly remembered. I am chained to the bed. And I have no pin to pick the lock. Great. Pepper sighed sadly.
Then she heard a low chuckle. And she felt the hairs on her neck rise with fear. She turned and shrieked in horror as the Captain was in her room, sneering at her maliciously.
God's teeth! It really is the Captain! How does a dead man walk?!
She swallowed hard as he stepped closer to her and bared his teeth at her, in a frightening smile. He said in his dreadfully familiar gravelly tones, "My dear, you truly are a force to be reckoned with. I told Rana that you should be chained to the bed and I was right."
Pepper shrank back from him in fear as he came closer. The stench of blood emanated strongly from him. She backed into the windowsill as he reached her. He stood right next to her and looked out of the window. "Hmmmm, you were willing to climb down from such a height, to escape? My lady, I am impressed... a feat indeed."
He is so close! Why are his teeth so pointed... what is that shining on them...Good God, is that blood?
Tony climbed up the staircase with alacrity. He was dressed in his ceremonial garb. I'm late, I'm late, I'm late.
He reached the blue door with the golden handles. Thank the Good Lord, it is still open...
He entered the Audo and saw all the guests were there, seated. He quickly took a seat at the front.
The skylight was open, so the Audo was bathed in sunshine. Tony was scowling at the hinged bench with its broad belt trailing on the floor.
They tied Pepper in that and let that ... that thing touch her mind. After they drugged her senseless with their stupid flowers and incense and ...
The Dragon chided. Anthony, stop scowling! You are the Count to these people, curious and snooty. Not a glowering soldier.
Tony straightened and obeyed the Dragon. He felt he was being stared at and turned backwards to see who it was. He smiled politely at a blonde woman amongst the Picaros, who was glaring at him.
Then he recognized her and rapidly turned back around, gulping hard.
Ah, your nocturnal acquaintance from that night... hissed the Dragon with deep amusement.
The guests were murmuring amongst themselves and Tony was growing impatient.
Where are all the horsemen today? Why aren't they here, being their lovely violent selves?
Then the crowd hushed as High Priest Rana came through the doors followed by his blue entourage.
Is he truly blind? His eyes are covered in cataracts, so I assume he is not pretending.
The Dragon whispered, He is a very powerful mage, Anthony. He is blind but he has more than enough hidden strengths to make up for it.
Rana was on the stage, staying carefully in the shadows, avoiding the sunlight. His priests stood behind him in a wave of blue. They were practically humming with happiness. He rested his hands on his giant belly and beamed down at the audience.
"My friends from far and wide, I stand here before you to let you know that the Oracle has not been chosen."
The guests gasped and Tony saw one of the old men from Rusitania stand up and shout angrily, "Well why the hell not?! What was all that then, with the red haired girl?"
Rana beamed even more. "Let me continue. The Oracle has not been chosen but we have no need for an Oracle anymore. We can directly communicate with the Being now."
Tony sat up straight as the guests clapped and roared their approval. What about Pepper? What did it want with her then?
Rana continued, nodding with approval at the crowds reaction. "We spoke to the Great One yesterday. Just a simple introduction. Soon we will take you to meet him all."
The guests started to ask multiple questions at the same time and Rana held a hand up authoritatively. "Soon we will all take our concerns to the Great One. Soon. No one will be left out I assure you."
Tony saw one of the Picaros stand up and ask, "What of the red haired candidate? The one who levitated... what happened to her?"
Others also murmured in agreement to his question and Tony waited anxiously for Rana's answer.
The behemoth-like man giggled loudly and his priests behind him, began to giggle too. "She has been chosen for a much higher purpose than we expected or even dreamed of. A most special candidate she is. The Great One is pleased with our choice."
"What about tonight's full moon? Will we meet the Great One tonight?"
Rana shook his great head. "Not tonight. Tonight the Great One will... He will not be here. He has other commitments."
He left the stage then. Tony looked around him, bristling with anger. He clenched his fists. I am damn confused and frightened. What is going to happen to Pepper ? I know it must the at the pond, the Lacus. But when? And what is this higher purpose she's been chosen for...
The Dragon swirled agitatedly in his head. We must formulate a battle plan. Tonight. Something big will happen tonight.
Tony saw Milene exit the Audo after the priests. I must talk to Milene as well. She can learn what the priests are up to.
He walked towards the exit, already thinking of his armor.
Pepper was going to scream when a guttural voice exclaimed, "Giurescu! Step away from her now!"
The Captain growled menacingly as Pepper turned to see the High Priest had entered the room. He was staring blindly at the ceiling.
"Stop growling, you mangy dog!"
The Captain slowly let go of Pepper and walked towards the High Priest.
Pepper tried to calm her thumping heart. Rana beamed at her.
"My child, ignore this ... thing..." he glared at the Captain, who was standing some distance away. "Did you not understand what happened yesterday? When the Great One met you?"
The Captain snorted derisively. Rana ignored him and continued as Pepper shook her head slowly.
"My child, we hoped, nay we expected the Great One would accept you as his Oracle. Instead..." the priest squealed with joy... "He has bestowed a greater honor upon you! One that is completely unexpected but utterly delightful!"
Pepper stared at him wide eyed. "What... what honor?" she stammered out. "What does it want with me?"
Rana practically jiggled with happiness. "He has selected you to be his consort! His companion! His bride... ooohhhh I never thought I would get to witness such an event."
What!
Pepper leaned back against the sill with shock. "Bride! What!?"
The Captain said jeeringly, "The bride has gone white with joy."
Rana shushed him and turned to Pepper. "It is true, my child. The Being has searched your spirit and found you worthy of being his bride. Much like He found our Goddess all those centuries ago... today at the full moon, He will come to claim you as his own."
The priest clapped his hands with glee as the Captain continued, "and then when he is sated with marital bliss, in his gratefulness, he will lend his support to our cause. He will be a most powerful ally. And..." the Captain's eyes gleamed evilly. "With his power, we will take over the land."
Pepper stared from one to the other with growing horror. "You have summoned the Being for that... domination? To take over Patait!"
The Captain laughed loudly. "Such small thinking. With the Great One's might, the whole world shall be ours."
Rana nodded solemnly. "Nothing can stand in the Being's way... nothing ... kings, lords, people will bow to us and all will be ours. Why do you think, so many guests came for the Oracle selection ceremony? We have a representative in every kingdom, each a secret ally, each will be raised to a position of power when we take over."
Pepper whispered, "The King will stop you..."
Both the High Priest and the Captain laughed derisively. Pepper wrapped her arms tightly about herself to control her shivering.
The Captain said, "The child King! You really think he can stop us...he can stop the Great One?"
"He is more concerned with finding a bride than his Kingdom!" The priest added.
Pepper said fiercely, "Someone will stop him! Someone will! Your evil will not win."
She was about to take the Iron Knight's name but she stopped herself mentally in time. Tony can face this thing and defeat it! But they must not know that he is here. He has the element of surprise! They are so arrogantly confident that they will never see him coming until it is too late for them.
Just then a knock was heard at the door. Rana said sternly, "Enter!"
And the tattooed priest entered. "Your holiness. It is now 5 pm. The solution is nearly ready. You asked to be notified."
He bowed deferentially and left.
The High Priest tapped his chin thoughtfully. "My lady,we must not tarry any more. You must be prepared for the Being's arrival."
Pepper whispered, "What is going to happen to me?"
"Well... the full moon will appear at half past eleven at night. We must be at Lacus Norturona by then. Then the Being will arrive to meet you."
Pepper raised her chin and said firmly, "I will not go along with this willingly. I will fight you and this beast as well. I am no man's property. You have no right to force this upon me or anybody else, just for your evil gains."
The Captain snorted and Rana shrugged. He said gently, "Ah Virginia, when I first saw you in the Temple, I knew, I knew there is a fire in you, that is very attractive. A fire that cannot be tamed. But..." he stepped towards her slowly. "But... with some water, fire can be damped out."
Then he smiled at Pepper, who had backed up against the window sill and removed something from his robes.
Not the spray again...
Pepper tried to move away but the High Priest covered his nose with his other hand and quickly sprayed her generously. She blinked hard as she recognized the scent, sickly sweet and cloying.
She felt the taste of it on her tongue and saw the room and the Captain and the High Priest all spin and swirl in a medley of colors. She lashed out wildly at the swirls and hit something solid that cursed. Then she got another spray in her face and groaned as her eyes began to burn. She closed them and felt herself descend. Something lay her down and began to bind her arms behind her.
Then she saw only blackness.
