Chapter XXI: The Recollection
Teelina sat alone in the throne room, reflecting. She had quickly changed out of her party finery and now wore only a simple pink nightshirt and her turquoise and gold headdress. The Sorceress had hoped the familiar weight on her head might somehow help to clear it. Similarly, she had hoped that, now that she was free of Moria's immediate grasp, her emotions might somehow miraculously dissolve. She realized that idea had been no more than wishful thinking.
She sighed raggedly, eyes closed, placing a hand at her brow and rubbing her temple. Her right hand, she noted. Not so long ago, Moria had branded that same hand within these walls. True to the elder woman's word, the mark had faded in time, and was no longer visible. In times like these, however, when Teelina found her thoughts dwelling upon the white-haired woman, she felt a dull ache on the back of her palm. The mark was still there, she knew, even if it could not be seen. Moria had imbedded herself into the redhead's very skin. And Teelina was finding it hard to convince herself why that was a bad thing.
Even now, as she sat, merely thinking of Moria, she felt the elder woman's presence around her, even though she knew the Dereskian Queen was far off in her home. Teelina shook her head, trying to clear it. She knew that she had to find even a smidgeon of order to her thoughts, though she did not know what that would do. Even that, she found difficult. It was becoming harder and harder for her to concentrate.
"I think I'd have to claim credit for that, Teelina," said a voice the Sorceress knew all to well from nearby.
The redhead groaned, keeping her eyes closed and holding her head in her hands. It was bad enough trying to sort through things when Moria wasn't there. "What do you want?" she asked, chest heaving as she tried to remain composed.
She felt the older woman's hand at her cheek, and almost hesitatingly opened her eyes.
"You, te lynïa," she said, her amethyst eyes pinwheeling.
The Sorceress could not repress a shudder, but from horror or desire, she did not know, and guessed it was a bit of both. She averted her gaze from the older woman's trying to hide herself from Moria's eyes. "Why?" she asked, pleadingly. "Why can't you just leave me alone? Why are you so infatuated with me? I would think you would hate me. My mother." She broke off, shifting uncomfortably beneath the elder woman, wanting to be both as far away and as close to her as possible.
Moria nodded slowly. "Your mother took me from my parents when I was an infant, and later organized their murders." The Sorceress looked as though she would interject, but the elder woman continued. "For which debts, she paid. I do not hold you responsible for her crimes, love."
"Why?" the Sorceress cried, sighing loudly. "You did with Mindor's descendants."
The elder woman was unable to hide a snarl at the name. "Yes. that is true. but I was slightly angrier with him. and still am. I cared for my parents, of course. but my sister.." Moria broke off, sighing gently. "I no longer seek to kill those whose ancestors took my happiness from me. And the reason for that, you will learn later on, Teelina." She gently slid her hand down the younger woman's chin, kissing her cheek softly.
The Sorceress shuddered openly, unaware of the emotion provoking the motion. "You still didn't tell me why you're here.. Why do you want me so badly? You have the power to have anyone you wish. so what makes me so special?" She sighed, the feeling of Moria's closeness both unwelcome and desired.
The elder woman looked thoughtful, as if she were actually going to answer for once. She steeped backward, giving the redhead room to breathe as she debated actually answering. "Teelina," she said softly. "The entirety of your mother's people think I am one of the living incarnates of evil. You. do not. You never have. Is it any surprise that I find you worthy of attention?"
"Making me think I'm falling in love with you taints that perception, Moria," Teelina growled with a sudden anger, her hatred for the elder woman winning over for a bit.
Lady Moria looked almost appalled. "I am not making you do anything, Teelina. I am not so arrogant that I think I have power over love. I remember all too well the strength of that most enigmatic of emotions."
Teelina looked up into the elder woman's eyes, her own burning in anger. "Then why are you doing this?! Why do you come here?! Why do you talk to me, touch me, fondle me and kiss me?! And why." she broke off, standing and turning away from the elder woman, unable to hold back a small sob.
The elder woman smiled gently, invitingly, and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Why are you having a hard time convincing yourself you don't like it?" she suggested, turning Teelina around to face her.
The Sorceress didn't resist, but refused to look into Moria's amethyst gaze. "Yes." she whispered, hiding her face in shame.
Amethyst eyes whirled softly as the elder woman tilted the redhead's chin up, bringing the blue-greens to meet them. "Because what I do, I make a habit of doing very well," she said gently, smiling softly at her, smoothing back some of the turquoise fabric.
Teelina inhaled raggedly and turned away, walking down the steps, holding her arms across her chest. "I wish you'd just leave," she murmured softly, getting to the bottom of the steps and knowing Moria was already there.
"Now why would I do that?" The elder woman questioned, having passed through the throne dais to the lower level.
The Sorceress turned around slowly, shaking her head. "This is Grayskull, Moria," she said softly, eyes locking with the elder woman's. "Grant me peace in it, please. I never interrupt you in your home."
Moria smiled gently. "True, but then you don't know where I reside."
"That isn't the point, Moria," Teelina said, sighing raggedly. "This is my home. My place of sanctity and sanity. I would appreciate it if you didn't just come in here whenever you so chose."
The elder woman thought for a moment. "You make a valid point, Teelina. However, I will not grant this request."
Teelina shook her head and continued down the hall, not really caring if Moria followed, and was unsurprised when she did. "Of course not," she muttered softly.
Moria herself was intrigued. She did not view this movement of Teelina's a retreat, and had to wonder if the redhead did. The elder woman knew where she was being led, of course. The throne room was not the place of sanctity for Teelina. The crystal chamber was. That room, however, the white-haired woman knew she would not enter.
A passing memory hit her for a split second. Walking down this same hall as a child, entering into the crystal chamber for the first time. Her 'mother' inside, explaining tersely what the empty hall was used for, telling her of the not-so-long deceased King Grayskull. Moria's child sized hand reaching out to touch one of the crystals. A searing pain coursing through her body, and then only silence and blackness..
The elder woman shook her head forcefully, raising a hand to her brow and banishing the memories. A small smile touched on her face. Even then, the empty crystals had known she had not belonged there, and protected themselves against her. Moria found it amusing that the same little child had later used the Elder's High Magics against them, reflecting the attack back at them. She chuckled softly.
The Sorceress turned at the sound, looking at the elder woman with her eyebrow raised.
Moria smiled softly, extending her hand and caressing the redhead's cheek gently. "Why do you retreat from me, te lynïa? Is my presence really so terrible?"
Teelina shook her hand off and took a deep breath, unable to look into those gleaming amethyst eyes. She sighed raggedly before replying. "Your presence is overwhelming, Moria. I would appreciate it if you left me be."
The elder woman smiled, looking at her thoughtfully. "No," she said simply.
Bristling, the Sorceress' eyes began to flash, as she looked at the elder woman. "Then is it any surprise if I seek to escape you?" She growled lowly, her white wings ripped from her shoulders and she lifted them, taking flight towards the crystal chamber.
Twin holes ripped through Moria's dress, the sound of rending fabric filling the air as her opposite wings burst forth, taking to the air. "You cannot escape me here, te lynïa." Moria reached her with a sudden burst of speed; her single membranous wing giving her an edge over Teelina's twin feathered ones. She grabbed the younger woman's wrists, pressing her against the wall and pinning her arms above her head.
The Sorceress' eyes widened considerably, and she struggled furiously. She snarled and kicked at the elder woman's control over her. "Let me go!" Her eyes whirled madly, turning bright gold.
Lady Moria smiled sweetly, pressing her body closer, pinning the shorter woman against the wall with her entire form, her opposite wings flapping powerfully to keep them both in the air. "Why?" The white-haired woman brought her face very close to that of the Sorceress, leaning her head down and kissing the redhead's neck slowly. "What need have I to stop?"
The younger woman's breath caught in her throat, her wings pressed painfully into her shoulder blades. But it was not pain that made her breathing come in slow pants. ".You said. you would never take me by force.. I know you well enough to know that you don't go back on your word, Moria.."
The elder woman smiled gently, drawing slowly back and gradually sliding the both of them down the wall. "There are many things I can do to you without physically raping you, love." She landed on the ground, keeping the Sorceress suspended and gently caressing her cheek.
They both knew it was not fear or disgust that sent a small shiver down Teelina's spine.
Moria slowly allowed the younger woman's feet to touch the ground, replacing a stray feather on her headdress. "But you are correct, te lynïa. I do not go back on my word." She ran her hand slowly down Teelina's neck, grinning at the gasp emitted by the younger woman. Slowly, woefully, she pulled away. "Which is. not always a good thing."
Teelina inhaled raggedly, closing her eyes slowly and then opening them, looking gazes with the elder woman. "Moria. I."
The white haired woman placed a finger over her lips gently, smiling in her enigmatic fashion. "Do you still want me to leave?" she asked, caressing Teelina's face tenderly.
The Sorceress broke away from the Ancient Dereskian's gaze, sighing raggedly. "I don't know what I want, Moria.. And you aren't exactly making this easy.." She turned slowly away, resting her hands on the cool, stone walls of her home.
She sighed raggedly, and felt rather than saw the older woman nod. When Teelina turned back around after a few moments of silence, she was unsurprised to find herself alone. ...
Tentatively, Prince Adam approached his father in the royal library. Since the banquet last night, he had been aching to question his father about his family's history. Namely, he wanted to know why Lady Moria had so hated his ancestors.
"Father?" he asked, coming up to Randor as the king flipped through an enormous tome. Several more lay lying around on the plethora of tables about the room, all opened to various pages.
The King turned, looking at his son curiously. "What is it, Adam?"
The blonde-haired boy was lax to just come out and say what was on his mind, so instead he looked at the series of books his father had been studying. "What are you reading?" he asked, noting the very much yellowed paper and ancient ink marks.
Randor struggled with the thought of closing the book, but finally decided that the boy had to learn sometime. "The history of our family. The Dereskian Queen's reappearance proves further scrutiny of the past is needed." Even now, it seemed interesting to Adam that his father did not dare call the Ancient Dereskian by her name.
"Oh," Adam said, intrigued. "I was actually coming to ask you about the same thing."
The king looked surprised. "Well," he said after a moment of speechlessness. "It's nice that you finally take an interest in these affairs of state, Adam. Sit in that chair, son." He indicated the cushioned seat beside his own, where they could both flip through the large books.
"Father," the prince said after a moment of leafing. "These books are written.oddly. The spelling and style of wording is unfamiliar."
Randor chuckled softly. "They were written several centuries ago."
As Adam began to again turn through the ancient pages, he eventually looked over at his father. "So. what exactly are we looking for, father?"
The king laughed without mirth at his son's ignorance. "Anything that has to do with anything Dereskian, or, specifically, anything written by or about a Captain Mindor."
"Our ancestor?" Adam questioned, flipping through a few more yellowed pages.
Randor nodded slowly, absorbed in his current volume. "Yes." He appeared not exactly proud of admitting this fact.
There were few words spoken over the next moments.
Adam found it first, but, just as he was about to tell his father, several words caught his attention. Such words were 'murderer,' 'vile,' and 'terror.' Shocked, he flipped to the front of the book, and was amazed to learn it had been written by a fellow Eternian.
He skimmed the book quickly, reading with rapt attention:
Our Esteemed 'Captain' returned again this eve, wearing the same smug look as he does after killing something. Or someone. I shall never for the life of me understand however it was that this murderous fool became our captain. One who so enjoys adding fresh marks to his battle-axe handle should have never been given a place of command. I will agree that the Dereskian populace is a nuisance. More than a nuisance, however, I disagree with this 'captain's' procedures.
Were it left to Mindor, total and utter war would be waged with these white- haired peoples. And that I cannot agree with. I find his methods vile and corrupt. Yesternight, I entered his tent to give my daily report, and found him drenched in a liquid, that, from the smell, could only be freshly spilled blood.... This would not have been such a terrible thing, as he had just returned from the hunt for fresh game. However, the blood was of a transparent color, of which type I have only seen among the Dereskian women. Their men, of course, bleed the same deep red as our own peoples. But I digress. Such a sight was I witness to, and, before I had never known such terror as in that moment. For our 'captain,' or indeed anyone, to kill any woman, regardless of race, is abominable to consider. Such an act is similar to the murder of a child.
Methinks that if ever war is waged against these white-haired people, whose very leader is, as I understand, a female, I pray for those who must face this killer in battle. As for myself, I will submit my resignation from the armed units this night. I no longer wish to be party to this man who finds delight in cold-blooded murder.
Adam stopped reading then, turning to his father, his face paled. "I have found it.. Father," he said, his voice shaking a small bit.
King Randor looked at his son, slightly worried at how easily Adam seemed to be feeling faint. Then he read the passage, and his face whitened. "By the Elders." he whispered, reading quickly. Then he read it again.
".He was a murderer." Adam whispered, softly.
Randor cleared his throat and placed the book aside. "This is only one man's viewpoint. We need to gather more information before we can say anything final."
And more documents they gathered, including one written by Mindor himself, gloating over his victory over the Dereskians.
In most cases of war, we take some sort of spoils as proof of our victory. With these white-haired devils, we took nothing. All crops were burned, all livestock slaughtered. I cannot find words for the sense of glee I felt at the sight of their burning cities. The Dereskians, always so proud and arrogant of their superiority over us, are defeated. Simply because they happened to evolve more quickly than we did, they seemed to think they were superior, always flaunting their wealth and contentment. It was vindicating to know that they can still die upon the sword like the rest of us.
The blood of their women. so enticing. It is not red like ours, or even like their men. It is a clear color, as if even the color red is too good for them. I find it captivating. The smell is the same, of course. but the color. it shines in the light of the Moons they love so much like some sort of celestial liquid. All the more amazing is the fact that only the women have it.
We took four of the Dereskian leaders captive; the Queen, her twin, and two of their equivalents of Elders. We treated their physical wounds in our medical tents, but it is only because I always insist on people being healthy when I torture them. Somehow their screams are sweeter when their bodies are uncorrupted. The two 'Ancients' either knew nothing about the sacred texts, or were unwilling to say anything, and so the were disposed of. That leaves only the queen and her sister to give us the information we need.
As of now, they sleep in the hospital tent. I must say I hope they awaken soon, as I am looking forward to. extracting information.
Adam could read no more, and even Randor himself looked almost physically ill, recoiling from the book as if it were some poisonous snake poised to strike.
Prince Adam looked slowly at his father, and Randor looked back at him. Nothing was said.
"I think I realize why the Dereskian Queen is angry with our people, father," Adam said slowly, his hand shaking softly.
The king nodded slowly. "That is still no excuse for what she did, son. Simply because you are angry does not mean you are free to exact unrestrained revenge."
Adam nodded his understanding. "Father." he began cautiously. "How many of our people did . did she kill?"
Randor sighed softly, lowering his eyes, knowing the answer but still not really believing it. "Two thousand, five hundred and eighty-seven."
The blonde boy's jaw dropped open. "Why did she stop?" he questioned softly.
His father looked at him slowly. "I don't think anyone knows that besides her."
The Prince was silent for a moment. He was hesitant to ask his next question, but knew it had to be voiced. "Do you think. she can be killed?"
"Everyone can be killed, Adam," Randor said stonily, rubbing a hand to his temple. "The only question is 'how.' And as to that, I do not know."
Teelina sat alone in the throne room, reflecting. She had quickly changed out of her party finery and now wore only a simple pink nightshirt and her turquoise and gold headdress. The Sorceress had hoped the familiar weight on her head might somehow help to clear it. Similarly, she had hoped that, now that she was free of Moria's immediate grasp, her emotions might somehow miraculously dissolve. She realized that idea had been no more than wishful thinking.
She sighed raggedly, eyes closed, placing a hand at her brow and rubbing her temple. Her right hand, she noted. Not so long ago, Moria had branded that same hand within these walls. True to the elder woman's word, the mark had faded in time, and was no longer visible. In times like these, however, when Teelina found her thoughts dwelling upon the white-haired woman, she felt a dull ache on the back of her palm. The mark was still there, she knew, even if it could not be seen. Moria had imbedded herself into the redhead's very skin. And Teelina was finding it hard to convince herself why that was a bad thing.
Even now, as she sat, merely thinking of Moria, she felt the elder woman's presence around her, even though she knew the Dereskian Queen was far off in her home. Teelina shook her head, trying to clear it. She knew that she had to find even a smidgeon of order to her thoughts, though she did not know what that would do. Even that, she found difficult. It was becoming harder and harder for her to concentrate.
"I think I'd have to claim credit for that, Teelina," said a voice the Sorceress knew all to well from nearby.
The redhead groaned, keeping her eyes closed and holding her head in her hands. It was bad enough trying to sort through things when Moria wasn't there. "What do you want?" she asked, chest heaving as she tried to remain composed.
She felt the older woman's hand at her cheek, and almost hesitatingly opened her eyes.
"You, te lynïa," she said, her amethyst eyes pinwheeling.
The Sorceress could not repress a shudder, but from horror or desire, she did not know, and guessed it was a bit of both. She averted her gaze from the older woman's trying to hide herself from Moria's eyes. "Why?" she asked, pleadingly. "Why can't you just leave me alone? Why are you so infatuated with me? I would think you would hate me. My mother." She broke off, shifting uncomfortably beneath the elder woman, wanting to be both as far away and as close to her as possible.
Moria nodded slowly. "Your mother took me from my parents when I was an infant, and later organized their murders." The Sorceress looked as though she would interject, but the elder woman continued. "For which debts, she paid. I do not hold you responsible for her crimes, love."
"Why?" the Sorceress cried, sighing loudly. "You did with Mindor's descendants."
The elder woman was unable to hide a snarl at the name. "Yes. that is true. but I was slightly angrier with him. and still am. I cared for my parents, of course. but my sister.." Moria broke off, sighing gently. "I no longer seek to kill those whose ancestors took my happiness from me. And the reason for that, you will learn later on, Teelina." She gently slid her hand down the younger woman's chin, kissing her cheek softly.
The Sorceress shuddered openly, unaware of the emotion provoking the motion. "You still didn't tell me why you're here.. Why do you want me so badly? You have the power to have anyone you wish. so what makes me so special?" She sighed, the feeling of Moria's closeness both unwelcome and desired.
The elder woman looked thoughtful, as if she were actually going to answer for once. She steeped backward, giving the redhead room to breathe as she debated actually answering. "Teelina," she said softly. "The entirety of your mother's people think I am one of the living incarnates of evil. You. do not. You never have. Is it any surprise that I find you worthy of attention?"
"Making me think I'm falling in love with you taints that perception, Moria," Teelina growled with a sudden anger, her hatred for the elder woman winning over for a bit.
Lady Moria looked almost appalled. "I am not making you do anything, Teelina. I am not so arrogant that I think I have power over love. I remember all too well the strength of that most enigmatic of emotions."
Teelina looked up into the elder woman's eyes, her own burning in anger. "Then why are you doing this?! Why do you come here?! Why do you talk to me, touch me, fondle me and kiss me?! And why." she broke off, standing and turning away from the elder woman, unable to hold back a small sob.
The elder woman smiled gently, invitingly, and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Why are you having a hard time convincing yourself you don't like it?" she suggested, turning Teelina around to face her.
The Sorceress didn't resist, but refused to look into Moria's amethyst gaze. "Yes." she whispered, hiding her face in shame.
Amethyst eyes whirled softly as the elder woman tilted the redhead's chin up, bringing the blue-greens to meet them. "Because what I do, I make a habit of doing very well," she said gently, smiling softly at her, smoothing back some of the turquoise fabric.
Teelina inhaled raggedly and turned away, walking down the steps, holding her arms across her chest. "I wish you'd just leave," she murmured softly, getting to the bottom of the steps and knowing Moria was already there.
"Now why would I do that?" The elder woman questioned, having passed through the throne dais to the lower level.
The Sorceress turned around slowly, shaking her head. "This is Grayskull, Moria," she said softly, eyes locking with the elder woman's. "Grant me peace in it, please. I never interrupt you in your home."
Moria smiled gently. "True, but then you don't know where I reside."
"That isn't the point, Moria," Teelina said, sighing raggedly. "This is my home. My place of sanctity and sanity. I would appreciate it if you didn't just come in here whenever you so chose."
The elder woman thought for a moment. "You make a valid point, Teelina. However, I will not grant this request."
Teelina shook her head and continued down the hall, not really caring if Moria followed, and was unsurprised when she did. "Of course not," she muttered softly.
Moria herself was intrigued. She did not view this movement of Teelina's a retreat, and had to wonder if the redhead did. The elder woman knew where she was being led, of course. The throne room was not the place of sanctity for Teelina. The crystal chamber was. That room, however, the white-haired woman knew she would not enter.
A passing memory hit her for a split second. Walking down this same hall as a child, entering into the crystal chamber for the first time. Her 'mother' inside, explaining tersely what the empty hall was used for, telling her of the not-so-long deceased King Grayskull. Moria's child sized hand reaching out to touch one of the crystals. A searing pain coursing through her body, and then only silence and blackness..
The elder woman shook her head forcefully, raising a hand to her brow and banishing the memories. A small smile touched on her face. Even then, the empty crystals had known she had not belonged there, and protected themselves against her. Moria found it amusing that the same little child had later used the Elder's High Magics against them, reflecting the attack back at them. She chuckled softly.
The Sorceress turned at the sound, looking at the elder woman with her eyebrow raised.
Moria smiled softly, extending her hand and caressing the redhead's cheek gently. "Why do you retreat from me, te lynïa? Is my presence really so terrible?"
Teelina shook her hand off and took a deep breath, unable to look into those gleaming amethyst eyes. She sighed raggedly before replying. "Your presence is overwhelming, Moria. I would appreciate it if you left me be."
The elder woman smiled, looking at her thoughtfully. "No," she said simply.
Bristling, the Sorceress' eyes began to flash, as she looked at the elder woman. "Then is it any surprise if I seek to escape you?" She growled lowly, her white wings ripped from her shoulders and she lifted them, taking flight towards the crystal chamber.
Twin holes ripped through Moria's dress, the sound of rending fabric filling the air as her opposite wings burst forth, taking to the air. "You cannot escape me here, te lynïa." Moria reached her with a sudden burst of speed; her single membranous wing giving her an edge over Teelina's twin feathered ones. She grabbed the younger woman's wrists, pressing her against the wall and pinning her arms above her head.
The Sorceress' eyes widened considerably, and she struggled furiously. She snarled and kicked at the elder woman's control over her. "Let me go!" Her eyes whirled madly, turning bright gold.
Lady Moria smiled sweetly, pressing her body closer, pinning the shorter woman against the wall with her entire form, her opposite wings flapping powerfully to keep them both in the air. "Why?" The white-haired woman brought her face very close to that of the Sorceress, leaning her head down and kissing the redhead's neck slowly. "What need have I to stop?"
The younger woman's breath caught in her throat, her wings pressed painfully into her shoulder blades. But it was not pain that made her breathing come in slow pants. ".You said. you would never take me by force.. I know you well enough to know that you don't go back on your word, Moria.."
The elder woman smiled gently, drawing slowly back and gradually sliding the both of them down the wall. "There are many things I can do to you without physically raping you, love." She landed on the ground, keeping the Sorceress suspended and gently caressing her cheek.
They both knew it was not fear or disgust that sent a small shiver down Teelina's spine.
Moria slowly allowed the younger woman's feet to touch the ground, replacing a stray feather on her headdress. "But you are correct, te lynïa. I do not go back on my word." She ran her hand slowly down Teelina's neck, grinning at the gasp emitted by the younger woman. Slowly, woefully, she pulled away. "Which is. not always a good thing."
Teelina inhaled raggedly, closing her eyes slowly and then opening them, looking gazes with the elder woman. "Moria. I."
The white haired woman placed a finger over her lips gently, smiling in her enigmatic fashion. "Do you still want me to leave?" she asked, caressing Teelina's face tenderly.
The Sorceress broke away from the Ancient Dereskian's gaze, sighing raggedly. "I don't know what I want, Moria.. And you aren't exactly making this easy.." She turned slowly away, resting her hands on the cool, stone walls of her home.
She sighed raggedly, and felt rather than saw the older woman nod. When Teelina turned back around after a few moments of silence, she was unsurprised to find herself alone. ...
Tentatively, Prince Adam approached his father in the royal library. Since the banquet last night, he had been aching to question his father about his family's history. Namely, he wanted to know why Lady Moria had so hated his ancestors.
"Father?" he asked, coming up to Randor as the king flipped through an enormous tome. Several more lay lying around on the plethora of tables about the room, all opened to various pages.
The King turned, looking at his son curiously. "What is it, Adam?"
The blonde-haired boy was lax to just come out and say what was on his mind, so instead he looked at the series of books his father had been studying. "What are you reading?" he asked, noting the very much yellowed paper and ancient ink marks.
Randor struggled with the thought of closing the book, but finally decided that the boy had to learn sometime. "The history of our family. The Dereskian Queen's reappearance proves further scrutiny of the past is needed." Even now, it seemed interesting to Adam that his father did not dare call the Ancient Dereskian by her name.
"Oh," Adam said, intrigued. "I was actually coming to ask you about the same thing."
The king looked surprised. "Well," he said after a moment of speechlessness. "It's nice that you finally take an interest in these affairs of state, Adam. Sit in that chair, son." He indicated the cushioned seat beside his own, where they could both flip through the large books.
"Father," the prince said after a moment of leafing. "These books are written.oddly. The spelling and style of wording is unfamiliar."
Randor chuckled softly. "They were written several centuries ago."
As Adam began to again turn through the ancient pages, he eventually looked over at his father. "So. what exactly are we looking for, father?"
The king laughed without mirth at his son's ignorance. "Anything that has to do with anything Dereskian, or, specifically, anything written by or about a Captain Mindor."
"Our ancestor?" Adam questioned, flipping through a few more yellowed pages.
Randor nodded slowly, absorbed in his current volume. "Yes." He appeared not exactly proud of admitting this fact.
There were few words spoken over the next moments.
Adam found it first, but, just as he was about to tell his father, several words caught his attention. Such words were 'murderer,' 'vile,' and 'terror.' Shocked, he flipped to the front of the book, and was amazed to learn it had been written by a fellow Eternian.
He skimmed the book quickly, reading with rapt attention:
Our Esteemed 'Captain' returned again this eve, wearing the same smug look as he does after killing something. Or someone. I shall never for the life of me understand however it was that this murderous fool became our captain. One who so enjoys adding fresh marks to his battle-axe handle should have never been given a place of command. I will agree that the Dereskian populace is a nuisance. More than a nuisance, however, I disagree with this 'captain's' procedures.
Were it left to Mindor, total and utter war would be waged with these white- haired peoples. And that I cannot agree with. I find his methods vile and corrupt. Yesternight, I entered his tent to give my daily report, and found him drenched in a liquid, that, from the smell, could only be freshly spilled blood.... This would not have been such a terrible thing, as he had just returned from the hunt for fresh game. However, the blood was of a transparent color, of which type I have only seen among the Dereskian women. Their men, of course, bleed the same deep red as our own peoples. But I digress. Such a sight was I witness to, and, before I had never known such terror as in that moment. For our 'captain,' or indeed anyone, to kill any woman, regardless of race, is abominable to consider. Such an act is similar to the murder of a child.
Methinks that if ever war is waged against these white-haired people, whose very leader is, as I understand, a female, I pray for those who must face this killer in battle. As for myself, I will submit my resignation from the armed units this night. I no longer wish to be party to this man who finds delight in cold-blooded murder.
Adam stopped reading then, turning to his father, his face paled. "I have found it.. Father," he said, his voice shaking a small bit.
King Randor looked at his son, slightly worried at how easily Adam seemed to be feeling faint. Then he read the passage, and his face whitened. "By the Elders." he whispered, reading quickly. Then he read it again.
".He was a murderer." Adam whispered, softly.
Randor cleared his throat and placed the book aside. "This is only one man's viewpoint. We need to gather more information before we can say anything final."
And more documents they gathered, including one written by Mindor himself, gloating over his victory over the Dereskians.
In most cases of war, we take some sort of spoils as proof of our victory. With these white-haired devils, we took nothing. All crops were burned, all livestock slaughtered. I cannot find words for the sense of glee I felt at the sight of their burning cities. The Dereskians, always so proud and arrogant of their superiority over us, are defeated. Simply because they happened to evolve more quickly than we did, they seemed to think they were superior, always flaunting their wealth and contentment. It was vindicating to know that they can still die upon the sword like the rest of us.
The blood of their women. so enticing. It is not red like ours, or even like their men. It is a clear color, as if even the color red is too good for them. I find it captivating. The smell is the same, of course. but the color. it shines in the light of the Moons they love so much like some sort of celestial liquid. All the more amazing is the fact that only the women have it.
We took four of the Dereskian leaders captive; the Queen, her twin, and two of their equivalents of Elders. We treated their physical wounds in our medical tents, but it is only because I always insist on people being healthy when I torture them. Somehow their screams are sweeter when their bodies are uncorrupted. The two 'Ancients' either knew nothing about the sacred texts, or were unwilling to say anything, and so the were disposed of. That leaves only the queen and her sister to give us the information we need.
As of now, they sleep in the hospital tent. I must say I hope they awaken soon, as I am looking forward to. extracting information.
Adam could read no more, and even Randor himself looked almost physically ill, recoiling from the book as if it were some poisonous snake poised to strike.
Prince Adam looked slowly at his father, and Randor looked back at him. Nothing was said.
"I think I realize why the Dereskian Queen is angry with our people, father," Adam said slowly, his hand shaking softly.
The king nodded slowly. "That is still no excuse for what she did, son. Simply because you are angry does not mean you are free to exact unrestrained revenge."
Adam nodded his understanding. "Father." he began cautiously. "How many of our people did . did she kill?"
Randor sighed softly, lowering his eyes, knowing the answer but still not really believing it. "Two thousand, five hundred and eighty-seven."
The blonde boy's jaw dropped open. "Why did she stop?" he questioned softly.
His father looked at him slowly. "I don't think anyone knows that besides her."
The Prince was silent for a moment. He was hesitant to ask his next question, but knew it had to be voiced. "Do you think. she can be killed?"
"Everyone can be killed, Adam," Randor said stonily, rubbing a hand to his temple. "The only question is 'how.' And as to that, I do not know."