Chapter Completion: Edited

The large clearing of the village was dark and somber. It had been days, months, maybe even years since the attack. The great loss of men, women, and their beloved Diolan had hit them with a smashing blow. The entire village was in a dire state of confusion. Many women walked their paths day by day with tears in their eyes. Their husbands had been tragically taken from them, ripped from their lives so suddenly. Many babes had been born to never know those who had fathered them. Their older siblings would never learn the skills in life that only fathers could teach.

Set in the middle of the village, a fire pit glowed with raging valor. All over the land, it cast flickers of orange, red and yellow lights, only to be disturbed by the dark looming shadow of one man. By himself, he sat on a nearby rock, staring at the pit contently, allowing his eyes to burn and tear….

He held his head in his hands as thoughts of that night surged through his mind. Every scream, blow of a sword, and irate war cry replayed over and over in his mind.

His hair, let out of its quill, ran like water down his shoulders. Straight, white strands were blowing on the wind and his hands moved them away from his eyes every so often. This he did just so he could keep his eyes concentrated on the fire… that fire. His brown skin was dripping with the sweat of the last few days. His shirt had been tossed aside so that he might take in the heat. He had grown darker during those days, so much darker.

"Kunzim?" A female voice sounded behind him. Her words were grainy, almost older than he had remembered them to be. Many had changed. Hardly anyone had stayed the same since that night. Smiles were hard to find within the boundaries of the village, laughter even scarcer. "Kunzim, you should go home. Rest. You've hardly moved since—"

"Leave me be, Setsune." He didn't even bother giving her a prefix anymore. What was the point? Malickee… What was a Malickee to them anymore, anyways? Her goddess had failed them. They had prayed and prayed, and all they had gotten from her was a stripped pride, dead men, and a missing Diolan.

"I worry about her too." She took a few steps to stand beside him, her eyes also resting on that flame. Her wine colored eyes flickered with each flare of the fire. Her hair had not been as well kept, her hands withered; the work to restore new life into Mahal had aged her.

"I don't worry about her." Kunzim said quite plainly. His eyes suddenly glared, his jaw clenching, as he dug his foot further into the dry soil. "I don't need to worry. I know exactly what has happened to our precious Diolan." He hissed. His anger was raging within his chest. He could feel it swell his heart.

"Kunzim don't." The Malickee pleaded. She had heard the others talk, and she knew what happened to women that had been taken captive.

"She was dragged out of our village. Held down upon the ground and raped. Raped by every single man that foul leader of theirs had." He allowed his imagination to run wild with his fury. "They allowed her to scream in pain. They allowed her to beg them to stop, to just kill her or let her die, but that only made them enjoy it more. They raped her until they had had enough." The man rang his hands together tightly, so tightly that one could hear his dry hands stretching like leather.

"Please, Kunzim, stop!" Setsune screamed out. She closed her eyes tightly, and threw her hands to her ears. She couldn't take these thoughts. She couldn't. Her heart could only take so much. She had watched this little girl grow up. She had taught her, been like her second mother. The images Kunzim had drawn for her could only hurt her further. She knew what savages the Totark were! She knew what they did to their captives, to their women. They were a race that fed on the pain of others, but she could not… could not imagine this fate for her Diolan. Not her Serenity. "We are all heartbroken from our losses, Kunzim. Please, please don't make it worse."

"Heartbroken? Heartbroken!?! Who's heartbroken!?!" Kunzim stood from his perch he turned from the fire for the first time in days and glared at Setsune, infuriated. "We said this would happen! We told you! We should have been training earlier. We should have been ready!" He took a few hard steps toward the wise woman. "You! You and your…" He looked at the sky his eyes rolling in mockery. "You and your goddess. You said that we were protected, but we weren't protected at all!"

Spit flew from his mouth. His eyes bulged. His face grew crimson, "The only faith I have left is (my) faith in this." He pulled a sword from the leather hilt that rested at his side, and brought it close to her face, almost, as if it were a threat. "The next time I see that beast, that man that has the balls to call himself their leader. I will cut his throat. I will watch him bleed, and enjoy it."

Setsune held her breath quite frightened from this sight. This man… he was not the man that she and the village had once known. Death… the death of his friends, of his family, of his love had driven him insane. She, herself, could do nothing but fear for her own life. "Kunzim…" She pleaded. Her usually light and swaying bangs now clung to her forehead with sweat from the radiating heat of the flames before her.

Kunzim dropped his sword to his side and sheathed it once more. He turned from the Malickee and took his seat upon the rock for a second time, staring only into that fire.

Endymion sat in his office, quite relaxed. He leaned back in his chair, bringing his feet up on the desk. The glimmering reflection of that night's fire upon the silver crescent moon necklace brightened with every turn it took. He held it in his hand letting it dangle in front of his eyes.

It had been nearly half a moon since his last visit to the siren's quarters. He had not laid eyes on her silver tresses or corn flower blue eyes in nearly that same time. Life had started a new peace. Not one dream had come to him. What ever magicks she had been working before she had apparently stopped. He could finally sleep with no interruption, neither woman in white, nor whispers without lips filled his nightmares.

"Endymion!" The doors of the Sunsire Diolon's office burst open. Laughter could be heard from both generals that walked courageously through. Jedine took a few potshots at Zoimish, the smaller of the two, in jest. "Come out with us!"

Endymion raced to hide the crescent necklace from the prying eyes of his friends. Though they were not of equal rank to him they were not afraid to question such actions as staring blindly at some piece of women's jewelry. They were boyhood friends after all. "I'm tired, Jedine." He rubbed his eyes as if that would be proof of the feeling. "Not tonight."

"No, you're not, and even if you are, I'm sure Reisha can wake you quite right." He jabbed at Zoimish in a boyish spout of laughter, unafraid of teasing his leader for his bedding habits. Had their ages not been quite obvious, their sun aged faces, knowing eyes, actions and words would have proven them to be boys.

Endymion scoffed at the mention of his cousin. He had only bedded her three times in the last half moon. To him, she had become more demanding than before, as if she expected this relationship to actually amount to something other than just pleasure. She had started demanding kisses more often in public and signs of affection in front of others. She was becoming more of an annoyance than an enjoyment. "I don't feel like playing with her tonight," He added quickly.

With a smile still plastered all over his face Jedine walked towards his ruler patting him on the back and laughing to himself. "Well, then we'll just have to find you a new woman for the night… If Reisha does not please you I'm sure another will." He laughed at himself as if he had said something remarkably funny. He was in a good mood and he wanted his best of friends to follow in place.

"Ahh, Jedine, leave the man be. Maybe it is not a woman that he craves for the evening but something of a little better taste." He giggled at the little joke and jab at Endymion.

Jedine burst out laughing unable to keep it inside. "Maybe that is what you enjoy, Zoimish, but I believe our great ruler has always had the same general flavor." He grabbed the blond haired man by the shoulder and gave it a playful shake. It had been so long since they had all been at the mercy of war. Laughing was an old enjoyment that hadn't been exercised between the men in a long time.

Endymion could not help but laugh at his men's banter. "I think that the only man that needs another's touch right now is you, Jedine. How long has it been since you had a little release other than what you have done for yourself?" He chuckled as his general blushed then wrinkled his nose and glared in defense.

"I get plenty of women and no one, not even you, can deny the casual enjoyment of a little self release when one is alone." Jedine argued. He put a little extra effort into keeping calm. Looking sly and retorting with witty come backs was the only way he was going to win this battle of the insults. "I enjoy the fine hand of a Totark woman any day… It's the Mahal I stay away from." His voice was filled with implication. He smirked as Endymion's face turned to stone. He knew he had hit a tender spot. Oh, the joy of manly banter and fun.

Endymion was suddenly caught off guard. The implication had hit a sore spot alright. He wasn't ready for such a come back, nor, was he happy about it. His eyes narrowed into angry slits as his growl resonated from the deepest depths of his throat. Had he had the sense to just tell his friend to go, he might have, but, that was not the first thing that had come to his mind. He threw a punch landing his fist right between Jedine's nose. "I suggest you get out."

Jedine recoiled in pain. He hadn't expected the blow, nor had he even imagined ever being hit by his friend, his best friend. "Ah! Endymion!" He held his nose. He didn't think it was broken, but it definitely would not be its right size in the morning. "What was that for?"

"Zoimish, take him outside, clean him up. I don't want to see either of you for the remainder of the night." His stare was unnerving. He watched them leave, his face unchanging. How dare Jedine take such liberties as to even joke about his having an attraction for the Mahal Diolan? He had shared with Jedine in confidence, but, he had just broken that confidence. He would not have such rumors start about him in the city.

Reisha held her thin almost see through skirts up to watch them blow in the wind. She did enjoy a good walk through the market place of the Totark city on a nice hot day. The vendors were so obliging, allowing her to taste their fruits and sweets without mentioning even the idea of payment. She laughed and smiled, flirting unashamed at the men running the stands.

"Reisha! Reisha, is that you?" A young woman with long golden hair yelled from across the market. She smiled and skipped her way over to the raven haired vixen. Her carefree aura radiated from her being. "I thought I saw you from over there." She giggled and looked her friend up and down. "I like your shoes." She said matter of factly.

Reisha completely ignored the girls compliment and smiled as she was greeted. "Hello, Minali, so nice to see you." She continued walking along the well-worn dust path between the rows of stands, expecting the girl to follow. Now, taking in consideration that Minali had admired the shoes she took extra care in showing them off so that other girls around the town might be equally as jealous.

Minali walked with her old friend in silence, seeming to have one thing on her mind that she wanted to talk with the Diolan about, but, not knowing how to bring it up. "The Diolon is back from his expedition…"

Reisha smiled and nodded. It had been weeks since he had come back home. Was the girl so dimwitted that she could not think of any other event that might pique her interest? She was getting bored. "Yes… he has…"

"Has he been… bedding you often since his return?" The entire town knew of the Diolon and Diolan's relationship. The subject wasn't even tip toed around. Especially by a friend that Reisha had always found time to confide in. Minali had always been given the greatest of details. She prided herself in being one of the Diolan's closest friends for she was the only one who Reisha even spoke to about the subject, which only made herself more jealous. Oh, to bed a Diolon… and not just a Diolon but very soon to be Diolo. Soon not even the elders could oppose his rule.

"Yes… of course…" Reisha's answer was a little bit lacking. The truth of the matter was that she hadn't been even allowed in Endymion's bedroom as of late. Every time she had approached him, allowing her sensual side only meant for him to come through, he had found some excuse to deny her. What had usually been five times in a quarter of a moon had become one… and to her fear, very soon, to be none. What had she done to anger him so?

"Well, that's not what I've heard." Minali smiled; a cruel little jab for her friend that could do nothing but brag of her luck in the bed of the most handsome and sought after man in Totark. Finally, here was a chance for another woman to slip in there, and maybe even one day become Diola of this great city. She giggled to herself at the idea. Her? A Diola? What fun!

"What do you mean?" Reisha snapped back. "Who's been spreading horrid rumors? Everyone knows I bed him at least five times a week." She had suddenly gone on the defensive, unknowing of how much of a 'tell all' such a reply actually was. Her eyes leaked the secret she so desperately wanted no one to know; that the Diolon was losing interest and there seemed like no way to win it back.

Minali giggled again at her friend's distraught reply. "Oh, you haven't heard yet?" She said, teasingly. "It's all over town. I have even heard the rumor spoken at least…" She paused for a moment, looking up into the sky with only her eyes, as if trying to count in her mind, "four times right here in this market place."

"What?" Reisha stopped walking and sighed in frustration. Her friend was starting to annoy her more than usual. "What is this stupid rumor, that I'm sure is not true." She crossed her arms and gave her a very expecting look. This couldn't be that interesting if only the villagers were talking about it. If she hadn't caught someone in the palace talking about it than it obviously wasn't that interesting. "Ok, out with it!" She was getting more impatient with the stupid girl.

"You know that Mahal Diolan that the men brought back? Well…" She squealed at the idea of such a rumor. Her own excitement made her smile from ear to ear, and randomly giggle through out her sentences. "Rumor is running rampant throughout town that the Diolon is actually bedding her, that he is absolutely infatuated with the girl, and, that her Mahal magick is somehow… controlling him!" She squealed louder. "Isn't that scandalous?" She paused for a second only to give the Diolan a wondering look, "and you haven't heard anything about this?"

"That whore!" Reisha's face turned instantly red. The idea of her beloved Endymion finding pleasure with that silver haired tramp only made her even angrier. Without a second's notice she stomped away from her friend, her pretty shoes being covered with dust, mud, and dirt. Her fists balled and her nails dug into her skin. She was sure that she had made her palms bleed… or maybe that was just sweat.

As the Totark Diolan hurried herself into the palace and then through the halls of the great marble building, she heard others around her. Some hid in corners whispering to each other, others just stood out in the open talking quite plainly. "Did you hear? About the Mahal prisoner and the Diolon… I heard that they're sleeping with each other every night." Reisha was sure that she heard others whisper as she passed, "Reisha can't even keep our Totark Diolon pleased anymore… A Mahal being more desirable than our Diolan… Something must be wrong with her." Reisha's mind swirled in anger. She was sure that she had heard the servants say such things… sure of it!

Reisha burst into the prisoner's room grabbed her by the wrist and made her face her. She quickly slapped the girl across the face with a stinging rage. "Whore!" She slapped her again; holding her wrist even tighter.

Serenity struggled to get free, but couldn't with such a mean grip. "Let go of me!" For once in her imprisonment she felt empowered. What could a woman possibly do to her that she could not fend off? When she had finally pulled hard enough, she was sent flying backwards, losing her balance and falling. She had already suffered several hits to the face making her rub her cheek tenderly. "What do you want!?" She snapped. She was not afraid.

"You have enchanted my Endymion! You whore, just so you may seduce him and use him at your own will!" Reisha's face was still plum red. Her pupils had grown small, very much like a cat's. The Totark Diolan dove for the silver haired maiden, her hands going straight for the throat. When she hit her target, she dug her nails in, only to inflict more pain.

Serenity screamed in pain and pushed Reisha from her body. She placed her hands across her neck as if on instinct. She gasped for air and struggled to reply. "I have done no such thing." She glared at the girl, knowing that Reisha was the Dark Diolon's favorite bedding partner. "I, unlike you, have saved myself for a husband. Mahal women value their virginity. I see that it is the opposite here."

Reisha stayed on the floor with her enemy. She was starting to get tired, such a surge of fury had made her angry enough, yes, but, it could not be contained for long. "You lie." She spat out. She looked Serenity up and down. "Then again, maybe your innocence has not been lost by choice. Mahal women have nothing of what Totark women have." She worked her way to her feet and dusted herself off as she saw the Mahal had no retort to that.

Reisha smiled at herself, both her pride and her composure returning. "Look at you…" She circled the woman like a vulture as she crossed both of her arms with delight. Reisha laughed at herself, giving the Mahal Diolan one last look up and down. "What am I worried about?" She giggled. "My Endymion would never want something like you." Reisha looked at Serenity cruelly. "Children are not in his taste." With that she turned around and walked towards the door. She lifted one hand as if one final thought had come to mind. "Oh, by the way, you stay away from him. He is mine."

Author's Note: Please proceed to the next chapter for an invitation from me!