Tahakén
There is no easy walk to freedom anywhere, and many of us will have to pass through the valley of the shadow of death again and again before we reach the mountaintop of our desires.
Nelson Mandela
Alanna knelt slowly before The Master, trying and failing to quell the fear igniting throughout her soul. She felt as though every fibre of her being was being examined and found wanting, very wanting. Raku knelt next to her, clad in black and he was speaking respectfully to his Master in an unknown language, but Alanna could feel the power of it. Daring a glance up, she saw frosty blue eyes staring straight at her, she quickly looked at the tiles.
The power crackling around the man was immense, she had never felt so much power coming from any being that wasn't a God. She made a mental note to ask Raku if he were a God, or God-born, for the sheer magnitude of his Gift... He sat calmly, arrogant in his own power and his position; she guessed he had the right. He was ruler of an immense castle, virtually unbreachable if it could be found and he obviously had wealth for his room was adorned with noticeably ancient artefacts and the walls seemed to have flecks of gold in the design.
His chair, or throne, was scaled like a snake, with obsidian reflecting the amber fingers of the fireplace. Along the back of the room were paintings of horrific destruction, slayings of creatures of radiance, landscapes obliterated by fire and armies vanquished by beings of nightmare. Each was more devastating and bloodthirsty than the last, and finally there was a great black dragon fighting valiantly against a single figure on a hill. Power lashed around both beings and the dragon roared in pain as it was struck by cobalt lightning. Sheer black fire surrounded it and fire flashed from its jaws, then the dragon climbed into the sky before spiralling between sapphire splashes of Gift. Alanna blinked in understanding, the painting was moving and it was showing her the scene.
Unable to recoil, and watching in fascinated horror she watched as the great dragon fell, exhausted before the Mage. The Mage raised its hands before throwing a bolt of azure straight into the dragons skull. With a final shuddering roar the dragon was slain, an explosion of power rippled out from it and rolled across the land.
Alanna tore her eyes away in repulsion and sheer will kept her from deprivation of her lunch. The Master was watching her pale face and barked a laugh, a cruel and devoid of pleasure sound, "Do you like my art?" Alanna didn't answer and ignored Raku's obvious prompting.
Something flashed through The Master's eyes before they returned stony, "I will give you some advice," he growled and Alanna was struck with how well educated he was, "when someone has authority over you, which is everyone for you, you obey every instruction they give."
Alanna met his eyes briefly before fear demanded she look at the tiles, the only reason she didn't flee was because she was paralyzed in fear.
When Alanna still didn't answer a blast of air hit her and threw her back across the room. It was as though she had been kicked in the chest by a horse as she slammed into the marble wall and dropped to the floor. Winded she gasped for breath and shivered as something snaked across her skin and tightened around her neck, slowly she was lifted above the floor, held only by her throat. Panicking she tried to claw at the rope around her neck that was cutting her air supply, cool air curled around her wrists before constricting and constraining her arms at her side.
As her lungs screamed for air her vision began to blur and flicker and Alanna felt herself slipping into darkness. Then suddenly the pressure on her neck slowly began relax, though as Alanna regained consciousness she thought it seemed almost reluctant. Taking deep breaths she forced her eyes open and turned a full scale livid glare at The Master, her furry overriding her fear. Indifferent eyes were watching her struggle before narrowing on her, and then amusement ignited in them.
Alanna flinched as the air around her began to crackle and flicker. Wincing she held back a scream as the air began to lick her skin, it felt as though she were on fire. Blood welled on her lip as she struggled not to scream, though as the heat became unbearable she clenched her fists and began to scream, thrashing against invisible bonds that held her. Raku watched her calmly and looked to the Master slightly worried as he showed no sign of letting her go. Alanna screamed even louder, if that were possible, as the invisible fire began to intrude down her throat. The burning sensation flooded her body and Alanna was frozen in agony, her screams were soundless, she had long lost her voice.
Alanna slumped forward in her binds and closed her eyes as shadow fingers stretched across her face and as the world veiled coal she could hear only her racing heart and then there was silence...
Raku eyed the Lord with unreadable eyes and mentally insulted the man with every slur he knew, and in his several centuries he knew quite a lot, in every tongue. The lord, unaware of the slaves' inner affront, turned to the slaver and nodded and coins were exchanged. The slave trader smiled and withdrew a chalice and a sharp blade. Raku didn't even flinch as the metal cut easily into the skin on his forearm, a trickle of blood welled before snaking down his arm, across his wrist and then down over his fingers and into the cup. The blood continued to well, without thickening, until the chalice was almost full. Then the blood flow stopped and Raku held the offered cloth to his arm before wrapping it.
The Lord visibly blanched when he saw he had to cut himself and moistened his lips as he held the blade to his skin. At a nod from his "owner" Raku leapt forward and punctured the Lord with the blade before slinking back to his previous position beside his companion.
Turning red in fury the Lord cursed him and swiped angrily at the wound. Rolling his eyes discreetly to Raku, the Trader strode forward and caught the Lords arm. Twisting it until the Lord relented, the Trader let some blood drop into the brimming crystal glace before releasing the Lord and turning to the bench behind him. The Lord snatched his arm to his chest and glared at the trader before turning about to get his guards. Raku intercepted him and clasped a gloved hand over the Lords mouth.
At the bench the Trader sprinkled some dust into the cup before speaking some words over it. He turned back to Raku and offered the chalice to him, a challenging gleam going unnoticed by the Lord. Raku tilted his head and released the Lord before shoving him to the ground away from him.
Raku snatched the chalice and bought it to his lips in a smooth movement and tipping his head drunk it as though it were the finest wine, his gift cleansing the blood of any impurities. The Trader winced as the chalice was shoved back into his chest.
"He is now completely under your control," he said to the Lord, who stood slowly, glaring at Raku.
"Is he?"
The Trader nodded, the lie coming easily to his lips, "Yes, every order will be obeyed. But make sure you are precise, this one here is sometimes difficult." It was a dig; Raku bared his blood stained teeth at his comrade and then smiled.
The Lord thought about this for a moment, "Kill him," he ordered, pointing at the Trader. The Slaver turned pale as Raku shifted to face him and foolishly tried to make the door. With a snarl Raku struck his comrade and sent him reeling into the wall.
"Fool, "he rumbled in his own language, "I warned you to remember I am your superior, if not in title then ability." Advancing on his "brother" he slid a blade into his palm and waited.
The other Tahakén slave got to his feet, wiping his bleeding mouth before reaching for the blade at his side. "You are no longer one of us," he spat as he tried to find an advantage over Raku, "You are dishonoured and shamed. You think you will be alive after this mission?" The slave laughed harshly, "You won't be."
"I do not fear death, brother, "he snarled and sensing the Lords annoyance at the lack of death, he leapt forward and drove his blade through his comrades' chest.
The fallen slave grinned as he fell backwards into the wall, "You think you will get redemption? Ha, you will not." Those were his final words and Raku spat in his direction before turning back to his new "Master".
Looking the Lord over he could barely contain the disgust he felt, the Lord wore a red tunic framed by frills of purple and he wore purple breeches with red thread. What an awful combination of colours, Raku thought as he awaited his command.
Puffing himself up as though a rooster the Lord gestured for his slave, "Come, Slave." Raku blinked at the little maggot and followed him out of the room. Branching off he took another door and entered it easily before locking the door with magic. Examining the cut on his forearm he healed it with a flick of his wrist and then snapped his fingers. His simple tunic and leggings exchanged for his black leathers and his cloak settled across his shoulders before coiling around his arms.
Fully dressed in his Tahakén slave garb he walked over to the window. It opened as he approached it and a small bird was gently lifted from its cage and lowered into his gloved hands. An ink pen rose and the sliver of paper bound to the birds leg uncoiled. The message was written in flowing script and the paper coiled before string bound it onto the bird's leg. Absently stroking the bird as he listened to the minds in the inn below him, he sighed and tossed the bird into the air.
Turning back he surveyed the room, his pack was next to the door and all his weapons were positioned in order on the bed.
He shifted to a relaxed stance as the weapons rose and floated towards him, easily sliding into various sheaths. Unrest entered the minds he was monitoring and through a barmaids eyes Raku saw the Lord glance behind him and then turn purple with rage as he realised his slave wasn't behind him. Raku snarled but moved faster, and tossed his pack over his shoulder before he ran easily down the steps into the inn. His arrival was unnoticed and he strode up behind the Lord as he roared orders at his guardsmen.
"Go in there and get me that slave!"
"My Lord, do you mean that slave?" he asked gesturing to Raku. The Lord spun and glared furiously at him.
"What do you think you are doing?" he bellowed. Raku mentally envisioned his hand tightening around the Lords arrogant throat; he smiled, mentally, as the Lord turned blue.
"I was getting my gear, "Raku answered smoothly. The Lord gaped like a fish out of water before turning red in fury. How ill becoming you look, Raku thought as the Lords eyes bulged.
"How dare you disobey an order! You will pay dearly for that, slave!" he turned to his guard captain. "Punish him!" The guard eyed the cocky middle-aged man with frosty emerald eyes and hesitated.
Raku took advantage of his reluctance, "I did not disobey your order," he stated, "My Lord," he added as an afterthought. The guards jaws dropped, a slave was talking back to an owner.
The Lord was speechless and as were the civilians that had heard the confrontation and were watching. "You told me to come, "Raku said folding his arms, entering the Lord's mind, "You failed to specify when and where. I am here, so I have not disobeyed your orders at all."
Throwing his arms up the Lord turned and ordered for his guards to bring a horse for Raku, just how he wanted. Subtly within the Lords mind he ordered the guards to move out and gracefully ascended into the saddle, forgetting that the Lord was not an accomplished rider. Raku mounted as easily as he had done within the Lords mind and before he withdrew he added a command within the Lords sub-conscious.
The Lord glanced over at his new slave riding easily next to him and decided he looked rather dangerous in his current clothes. The Lord grinned slyly, yes. He could do quite well with a slave that was an accomplished warrior and looked dangerous, under his complete control, a very good purchase indeed. He would keep this slave with him at all times, Lord Francis of Golden Fields decided. Raku allowed a small smile to cross his face within the shadow of his cloak, the mission had begun.
Raku sighed and briefly glanced towards the sky before controlling himself, Tahakén slaves did not pray or worship any Gods. For almost seven years he had been a part of the Golden Field household, openly obedient to every command of the Lord, cold and calculating, waiting, watching. Always watching. After several years of intimidating nobles, he had swiftly become bored with the Lords petty games and had been bored ever since. He soon picked every locked door, learnt the identity of every mistress the Lord had, he had been most surprised to learn of the Ladies infidelity and with women! Though he did not commend it, he understood, same sex relationships were a common thing at Tahakén, especially with the women. And in the Copper Isles the relationships were almost as common as opposite sex relationships.
To entertain himself he had spied on the Lord and had informed the Lady of every sexual encounter her husband had. The Lady had fumed for days before subtly getting back at him, though he did not know it. Sometimes he would bed prostitutes, though after a time even that bored him and increasingly he found himself longing for the fortifications of Tahakén, of home.
He was standing on the ramparts with the wind rustling around him when he saw the incoming wagons. He called to the guards on the ramparts and informed them of the visitors arriving before jumping down and vertically sliding down the stone. He landed easily, his cloak snapping around him and slunk in the shadows to the manner, new slaves; it was something he had seen countless times.
He hung around the kitchens and easily charmed himself a honey cake, not that he needed to but he was bored and wanted to see how long it would take him. Moistening his lips to catch any honey he had missed, he mentally heard the Guard Captain, Brophy, considering raping another slave. Snorting in hatred he straightened and strode from the kitchens, determined to see this new slave that had cost fourteen gold crowns.
The girl undressed easily and stood in the centre of the room seemingly oblivious to the looks she was getting. Raku stood to the side as the Mage checked her over, his hands lingering. Sending a probe to her mind he was surprised to find it blank of thoughts, with the exception of the calculating way she was eyeing the Mage. Raku smiled as she decided to hurt him and knew the moves she would make heartbeats before she moved. The red-haired slave snarled and struck. First she snatched his arm from her skin and then kicked him between the legs, as he fell she held his wrist firmly.
Raku sighed as the Lord looked to him and within moments his whip was streaming through the air, though he made sure it cracked to give her a moments warning. Her reflexes were swift, though not quick enough to escape a lashing and as she stepped back her arms jerked. The Mages wrist snapped cleanly and he collapsed, torn between holding his wrist or clutching his manhood.
Flicking his wrists in a circular motion Raku continued the lashing until the Lord indicated he should stop. The whip was halfway through the next lash when the instruction came so Raku flicked it to the side before pulling it back to him. The slave girl was crying into the marble as two big guards lifted her to her feet. She growled and began to fight, biting and kicking and scratching that it was difficult for the two guards to hold her, even though she was only a small thing.
A sharp blow to her head and the girl slumped forward stunned, and subdued, for now. Raku watched her go, a spark of curiosity igniting within him, what an unusual creature, a woman that fought.
Several days later he was mediating when watchfulness and disbelief entered the minds he was monitoring. Focusing his mind he watched through the eyes of a kitchen-hand as the Lord stalked out of the room with a bloody nose. For the first time in months he actually laughed, a light and carefree sound, finally someone had done what he longed to do.
Quickly unfolding himself he made his way to the resting chambers of the Lord and Lady, arriving moments before he heard the girl slave, Alanna he had discovered her name was, follow the old herb woman. He easily wound between the two guards and made his way to the window as there was a knock on the door.
Alanna glared at the guards as she was roughly dragged inside and the door slammed. She was sent sprawling at a shove from the guards and shot them an icy look. Raku mentally smiled, a kitten thought itself a Tiger. When she stared openly at him he allowed a smile to cross his face as he looked her over. She held herself calmly, though slightly hunched to the side, Raku assumed she had recently broken bones; it was a posture he had seen often and had been in more than he could count.
He scanned the room, giving the illusion he wasn't paying attention, though always made sure he kept her in his sights.
The Lord cleared his throat and Raku mentally frowned, would someone please kill this man! He was so tempted, it would be so easy... but no. His mission would not be compromised, but still.
Raku watched with interest as Alanna shifted into a fighting stance similar to those used by Knights, his curiosity heightened as he read her mind and watched her calculate the distance between herself and the guards. The very fact she thought she could take on the guards puzzled him, she couldn't be a Shang, no Shang warrior could be subdued as easily as she was and he knew of no other organisation that allowed women warriors.
He slowly straightened, wondering how long it would take her to notice his movement, she was aware almost immediately and amethyst eyes rose to defiantly stare at him. Through her eyes he saw the challenge within his own and wiggled his fingers above the whip handle. She glared at him for a moment before reluctantly straightening and resumed listening to the Lords rambling voice.
Raku blinked as he heard his name and tilted his head towards the Lord, "Raku will fulfil the punishment." Alanna eyes widened and snapped to him, her face paled in horror and she recoiled from him. Then she struck, first she kicked a guard's shin and as she was held in a bear-hug by the second, wriggled out of his arms and elbowed him sharply in the side. She turned and slammed her palm upwards and into his face, he stumbled back onto the Lady's cushions. The other guard limped forward and dove for her, she sidestepped the first blow and slammed the side of her hand into his neck, he dropped unconscious.
Making up his mind he strode forward and casually knocked a vase of its pedestal to get her attention. She turned and saw him, scanning her mind he saw the range of moves she knew and knew that she would pose no challenge for someone of his skill. Stepping forward he struck, her arm moved confidently to block his and he snaked his legs under hers and flipped her onto her back. She blinked curiously at the ceiling before watching him, as a bird eyes a cat, as she rose.
Raku mentally smiled and withdrew from her mind; he already had an unfair advantage over her, before resuming his attacks. He punched her swiftly, though had she not blocked him he wouldn't have hurt her, he would have halted millimetres from her body. A strange resigned look came into her eyes before they began to burn. She followed the advice he had grown up with, attack and win or defend and lose. He hastily blocked her, momentarily off put by the venom in her attack, before blocking and attacking as they moved across the floor. She moved easily, obviously comfortable with fighting and he found himself wishing she had the stamina and strength he did, so they would never have to stop.
The Lord was becoming restless at the fighting and ordered Raku to end the fight, to subdue Alanna. Never in his years of service had he wanted to kill the Lord more than this moment and only his devotion to his Master and his Masters wishes kept him from killing the arrogant bastard. His furry caused him to hit Alanna harder than he intended and she stumbled back winded before falling from a blow to the head.
Raku took a step back as the girl gazed dreamily at the ceiling, before a nod from the Lord and he crouched down and lifted her easily, holding her out on his forearms as he followed the Lord. He lowered her gently onto the marble floor and clamped the manacles on Alanna's wrists. He walked over to the mechanism and wound the handle and Alanna was slowly lifted off the ground.
Raku ignored the Lord as he slapped Alanna around the face and ordered thirty lashes as he exited the room. Thirty lashes, that would be easy, for him. He was trained for it and more, much, much more. As he slowly uncoiled his whip he wondered how many it would take before she broke. "Please," she begged and Raku glanced over at her sadly.
"You have spirit child," his voice was soft and gentle, something rare for him, "that is not a good thing if you are a slave."
Raku saw the flash of shame cross her face before she begged again, "Please no."
A stirring of pity awakened in Raku, a feeling he hadn't felt for a very long time. He wandered over to her and couldn't resist the impulse to touch her smooth scar-less skin. Remembering the words once spoken to him before his training he spoke, "A wise man once told me that all pain is fleeting. It may last a minute, an hour, a day, or even a year," at year he hesitated, his own training was much, much longer, several life spans, "but eventually, it will subside and something else will take its place. If you quit or surrender to the pain, however, then it is eternal."
The fear in her eyes was clear before she swallowed and nodded sharply, determination flaring in her amethyst orbs. He walked slowly past her to the wall before pivoting and staring at her vulnerable back.
"Find a place inside," he suggested, remembering his own struggles with his training, "where there is joy and bliss and let it cool the flames of pain".
Raku felt the girl squeeze her eyes closed and grit her teeth. That was wise, he thought, she wouldn't bite her tongue that way.
He unrolled the coil at his waste and flicked his wrist, the dim light illuminating the ivory handle.
The whip struck her back with a snap, Raku would never soften his blows, and he had learnt that lesson well. Alanna jerked, tongues of fire lapped her skin and a cry wrestled through her teeth. He didn't need to harden himself, this was what he was trained for, pain. And he, being a Tahakén Prince, in ability if not in title, excelled at the emotion that was pain, in giving and taking it.
Rhythmically the whip bit into the soft skin of her back until she slumped forward, without the strength to hold herself upright in the chains, without the voice to scream. Only when she was unconscious did Raku show the thread of mercy he was known for, the lashes quickened until they were a blur, almost to his own eyes. At thirty he stopped and re-coiled his whip at his side, the girl had lasted longer than he had originally thought. Raku eyed the unconscious girl slumping forward in the chains with her blood cascading down in a waterfall onto the marble. What a pity, he thought, that she would probably die and just when life had begin to become interesting.
As he walked from the room he had an uncomfortable feeling he was missing something, something important. Something that could turn his life around.
Raku strode down the halls, nonchalant to the chips his boots were making in the marble. He opened the door to the Lady's chambers easily, now the Lord had left the house he was able to release some of his pent up magic, even if it was on small tasks, like opening a door or a window.
The Lady had requested his presence, she was the only marginally wise one when it came to him, and she treated him as he was, a very powerful Mage and only requested things of him. She also gave him almost free leave when the Lord was away, as well as a small allowance to "please" himself. Raku didn't complain; she didn't fully understand who or what he was, like most people he came across, but he didn't have very long to live and figured he might as well make the most of it. He especially enjoyed haunting Brophy; the man was so easy to scare for all his attitude and bravado and Raku liked knocking the man down a peg or two.
The Lord had taken Brophy and several guards on trip into town for "business" he frequently had these "business trips" and while he and Brophy were away, the Lady and the female slaves breathed easier. The Lady made the most of her husband's absence and often spent the days being pampered by her favourite female slaves, the pretty ones. Though she made a point of never being with a woman her husband had been with. Today she had formed a plan, she had heard of the attitude and fire in the new slave, Alanna, and wanted to see her fully for herself.
Alanna herself had no idea of the Lady's preferences for women, as the slaves were sworn to secrecy, death being the punishment for a word, and also because she would step in if a liked slave were to be punished. Rather, she made sure they were never assaulted by any of the guards, her husband or Brophy. Raku helped ensure this, when he saw one of the Lady's slaves being attacked by one of the guards he had gladly stepped in. He could still recall the way his head had cracked against the stone walls and the satisfaction of breaking bones. Unfortunately, after a while the men learnt not to touch the Lady's slaves and Raku was back to enduring months without violence.
Today the Lady had a bath being prepared as he walked in and took his customary place by the window, ignoring the scantly clothed women eyeing him cautiously. He heard Alanna walk in and from within the eyes of several of the slaves he saw her blanch at what she saw and then blush as she understood. Raku turned to look at her in amusement, it was obviously a first for her and entering her mind he saw the calculations going through her head. She held her tray in front of her as she slid further into the room and gulped when the Lady purred, "Come here, girl."
Raku couldn't help it; he had to smile as Alanna placed the tray on the table and leapt back as though it would bite her. With a thought he shut the door and watched as the Lady looked Alanna over, unfortunately for Alanna, the Lady's favourite colour was purple.
Alanna was red as she gazed at the floor and scuffed her foot, visibly uncomfortable.
Raku had been asked to ensure each new lover hadn't been tainted by her husband and when Alanna answered no, he nodded to the Lady. She was speaking the truth.
Listening to the Lady brag over her own escapades and her husband's ignorance she gestured for Alanna to accompany her to her bath. When she was threatened with lashing she flinched and glanced to Raku, he frowned at her and tilted his head after the Lady.
In the bathroom Alanna made to enter the water and he hurriedly stepped forward and halted her. "No," he mouthed and shook his head. A slave gestured for her to remove her clothes and she flushed scarlet.
The Lady turned and demand she remove her clothes and get in the bath or Alanna would be whipped until death. Alanna glared at her for a moment before Raku entered her mind and mentally ordered her mind to remove her clothes. The Lord was cruel, but the Lady would not be disobeyed and her slaves knew this, many a slave had been killed for the slightest disobedience.
She was blushing and shyly glancing anywhere but at Raku, the Lady and the slave by the time she was bare. Raku was immediately drawn to an object glowing on her necklace and by the magic covering it he assumed the others weren't able to see it, which made sense. The slaves weren't allowed any possessions and a pretty necklace like that would be taken immediately.
The other slaves hid as Alanna slowly got into the scented water and gulped. The Lady watched her predatorily as she tried to cover herself with bubbles and gestured wryly for her to come closer. Alanna obeyed, slowly and stopped several feet in front of the Lady, her fingers making marks in the soap.
Licking her lips the Lady twirled her fingers and Alanna hesitantly turned and faced the way she had come. The Lady moved closer slowly and when her skin pressed against Alanna's back she jumped and then stiffened as slender arms held her from behind. The Lady took the soap with one hand and gently brushed Alanna's hair away from her neck with the other.
Her lips met the girls quivering skin and her eyes flicked to Raku. He bowed and walked out, reluctant to leave for the first time in years.
Raku sighed as he gazed at the sky, it would rain soon and he had to feed the horses in the paddock. He didn't mind the rain, if he wished he could divert it over him or even stop it, but that took effort and to be honest he wasn't really interested. As he strode closer to the barn he heard regular muffled thumps and quietly slunk into the shadows and into the barn.
Upstairs Alanna was glaring at an upright hay bale and systematically attacking it with hands and feet. He watched her for a while, noting her movements and with each strike knew the force she used, the speed and the exact moves that she would move and the patterns he could create to defeat her.
Turning she began a spinning kick and saw him out of the corned of her eyes, she froze instantly and he had to read her mind to see what she was thinking. There was a steady stream of moves, a small focus on the pain of her hurting knuckles and feet and a flare of fear he would report her illicit actions to the Lord.
It was going to rain, walking over to her hay bale he picked it up and slung it easily across his shoulder, noting with amusement the envy in her eyes. He hurried to feed the horses and when he passed back by the barn a quick mental scan assured him she wasn't there.
Several days later, he was monitoring the house hold movements when a figure left the house and snuck across the cobblestones towards the barn. Smiling he rose and walked through several walls until he was out of the castle, his Gift rejoiced at its use and strained, lustful for more. He relinquished to it and teleported immediately to inside the barn, the place he had visualised.
He waited quietly in the shadows as Alanna climbed the outside of the barn and landed loudly, so loudly he flinched. She needed to learn how to move silently, to walk lightly...
A ball of purple fire lit the room and Raku saw her standing next to the window dripping wet.
"You're not very quiet, for a small person," he drawled and she spun to confront him. Anger flashed across her face and he stripped himself of his cloak. And then hesitated and cast a spell to hide his"brand" and then quickly covered his action by removing his tunic and walked to stand before her. He invaded her privacy; he had to know what she was thinking. He mentally smiled when she looked his torso over and almost smirked when she thought he was perfectly toned. But then he flinched, she had noticed the scars, not that they weren't noticeable but he suddenly felt the need to defend himself.
"Everyone is scarred, child. Some more than others," he told her softly as he circled her, appraising. He felt her discomfort and hastily introduced her to the Dance of the Snake, a series of exercises and body movements that allowed almost perfect balance, strength and flexibility; it was absolute Mastery of one's body, once you got to Mastery level. That was widely known as the difficult part.
He slowly led her through the first level, his body easily following the commands of his mind. Alanna not so much, she obviously had trouble mastering the positions and for a while he was tempted to give in. To return back to his rooms...but he swiftly came to the conclusion he would be bored. At least training her he could take a chunk of coal and mould it... into a smoother edged chunk of coal...
He lounged casually on a hay bale watching her, noting immediately where her weaknesses were and what exercises he would have her do to eradicate them. Fighting back a smile as she glanced at him from the corner of her eye, he stood. She was panting and exhausted, a sheen of sweet covering her face.
"That's enough for tonight," he answered to her unspoken question. She sagged in relief and panted, her head hanging as he strode from the barn. Standing at the door he gazed up into the falling rain and smiled, lightning illuminated him for a moment, and then he was gone.
Authors Note:
So, it's that time of the year again Merry Christmas! As I am going to be out-of-country over Christmas I thought I had best give you all a chapter before I leave tomorrow. I'm not sure when I will be back, but I'll give you another chapter sometime during January.
Booker10: Welcome, I'm glad you like it
ZG: Unfortunately, it's not going to be good...
Fang: Hm, I hadn't thought of that... I guess we will be seeing George soon, hopefully
Regards CDL
SPOLIER!
The man stood on the cliff face calm in the eye of the storm surrounding him. Lightning flashed and illuminated the frozen rain over him, he remained dry in the tears of the skies and wind snapped his coat out, power glittered across his skin.
Within him, a strange Magic shimmered in glee as a decision was made. Taking a deep breath Raku nodded, though the girl Alanna reminded him of his sister, he would make her the greatest woman in existence, he would make her a Tahakén Princess.