Straydog Saga

Flea 22: Bananas…

The dark-cloaked and masked woman strode through the sea of flowing white garments like a patch of night in a star-blind sky. Their sneers and glaring eyes seemed invisible to the glowing golden eyes that were once brown and spiteful. They saw far more than what was draped in lavish finery and tied to the light. But despite the wisdom and the power being bonded to Mydrassil afforded Keesha Hazzad, her heart was still driven to wildly beat by dark intentions. The Archmage's words stung in her ear like treacherous scorpions, pinching and poisoning her mind with fiendish desires.

When Keesha confronted the Archmage about the strange lessons and apparent plot, he made no attempt to question her, or accuse her in anyway. Seth simply smiled, nodded, and led her into one of his preferred side offices. The air within the office seemed unusually cold, causing Keesha to pull her conjured cloak around her slightly shaking shoulders. Though grateful for the conjured robes Seth gave her after the strange transformation, Keesha demanded an explanation as to why the plot was so carefully, almost manically executed. Seth did not answer right away. The pause left a profound silence between them as an unusually innocent smile came to his blue lips.

"It's simple. We cannot control the will of the tree, only present offerings. You proved through your cunning and wisdom to be worthy of its favor. I merely gave you a nudge here and there." He shrugged, moving to a small desk that always kept his favorite barrel-smoked beverage. It was rare and difficult to keep in the cold damp atmosphere; it only found its way to a glass when the occasion called for it. He filled two glasses half way before offering one to Keesha. She reached out, careful not to let the glass slip through her conjured-gloved fingers. The smell was strong but Keesha gave the required raise before tilting the liquid to her lips. At first it went down smooth but after a few moments, it seemed like dragon's breath would break through her gasping mouth. Seth smirked. "Too much for you? You'll get used to such fine things in time." Seth spoke before taking a long, even sip. He winced only slightly as he swallowed.

"So…that's why you asked for an apprentice? Trenton was being tested too?" Keesha asked. Seth knowingly nodded to the falsehood.

"Yes but, you proved more promising from the start. Natural talent I suppose. Still, he has his uses." Seth shrugged finally taking a seat across from the rune-skinned warlock. Keesha felt a tinge in her chest. She knew it was Trenton's dream to be Archmage Nightgaze's prized student. The look on her face made the highborne laugh. "Why so serious?"

"O-Oh it's just that, the kid really admires you. I didn't want steal his thunder…"

"It was never yours to steal or his to take in the first place. This is the work of Mydrassil itself. A clear sign of things to come…" he darkly chuckled. Keesha felt the hair on the back of her neck begin to slightly curl. She cast him a sideways glance.

"What do you mean?" Her voice lightly shook. The true darkness Seth had deftly kept in check slowly billowed from his features while his terrifying gaze still raged behind the controlled barrier.

"You've progressed further than any student before you. Even those who dwell above in their ivory Pinnacle can't lay claim the power you now wield. This could easily work in both our favor." He darkly smiled as Keesha shook her head.

"What are you talking about?"

"The roots have chosen you, Keesha. You are their herald, their master. You've gone beyond even my own abilities with the tree, you simply need practice. And once you've truly learned control over them and the power they offer, we can destroy those that would keep us in the dark forever." He nodded. Keesha could hear her own heart thumping in her ears. She questioned the words as Seth summoned one of his many scrying bowls on the desk between them. She concentrated for a moment and dipped one claw-finger into its depths. A swirling maelstrom of gold and while appeared within, slowly calming into a solid image. It was Han, crumpled over and shivering, muttering strange nothings. Keesha's eyes went wide at the sight but she quickly recovered, sending a sneering jibe at the trembling elf. Seth shook his head at the sorry sight.

"He was too WEAK. The branches drove the fool mad, now look at him: a little lamb waiting for the slaughter. I already have Whitedeer well in hand. All you need do is sacrifice that little creature and the tree and its secrets will be ours-"

"What makes you think I'd share?" Keesha blurted out; her face was as still and cruel as her station demanded. She prayed to whatever goodness still favored her that the snarling night elf did not notice the sound of her thundering chest. Seth seemed to choke on his own outrage, all niceties and calm heirs seemed to evaporate. Then she felt it: the gaze that made 100 demons pray for death was fully unleashed upon her. She sank to her knees, struggling to fight the magical sight that angrily sought to tear her to pieces. She grunted then let out a terrified but breathless scream.

"Ungrateful little WRETCH! I may not be one with the tree but you will NOT play that game with me!" The voice seemed to boom with unnatural strength, threatening to break her very will. The runes beneath the opaque black robes seemed to cut through the fabric as they strained to ward the warlock from the assault. With a strained growl, Seth pushed his anger back with mental chains, forcing the caged beast that was his hidden anger into the depths of his mind. Keesha felt herself exhale for the first time since she entered his presence. Seth cleared his throat.

"Now then. Since we have an understanding…" He went on and proposed his vicious agenda without pausing to offer a sign of guilt or hint of comfort to the trembling warlock. Keesha kept her act going as long as she could until she could barely stand to be in her own skin. She left the small space that had served as her launching point and couldn't seem to get to the portals fast enough. Keesha didn't notice the satisfied smile on the receding night elf's face nor the obedient servant leaving her hiding place in the tangled shadows. He turned his head softly spoke to the pale skinned and red lipped mage.

"Mind the shop; I have to go upstairs for a moment." He calmly spoke as if the great terror he had unleashed on the warlock never happened. Roxanne bowed deep and assured her master that things in the roots would proceed as normal. Seth closed his eyes, lifted his hand in casting, and with a deep red spark, the archmage was gone, leaving the smiling woman to her work. Keesha pressed on, racing thoughts traveling faster than her mortal feet could muster. The allure of power, the typical savory flavor of influence and dominance, all placed in front of her like a decadent feast. The starving warlock would have been all to ravenous in those words only a few short months ago but the power of the tree and her kinship with its second champion caused her to scurry away, bound for whatever glowing nook kept the ailing Hanariel. Guilt flooded her heart as thoughts of the priest turned mystic suffering in madness kept flashing in her vision. Keesha cursed herself for the selfishness she showed, never once thinking that the reason she was stood up was because her sweetheart was in any kind of pain. The path before her began to obscure as terrifying images of Han's demise coupled with Seth dooming gaze overtook her vision. She felt herself hit something tall, ornate, and solid before being propelled backwards and landing on her rear. Keesha hissed and looked to the person, who stood as if struck by a dark cloud, with an annoyed gaze.

"Get outta my way!" She snarled attempting to move past the barricade. The tall, red haired mage grabbed her by the arm and held fast. Keesha winced as she tried to pull away but found the red mage's grip to be unbreakable.

"Where are you off to in such a hurry, young lady?" Romulus asked with a raised red brow. He noticed the strange golden glow in her vision and the hint of glowing runes beneath her black hood.

"Let me go!" She pulled, finding that his other hand was now gripping her shaking shoulder. The look of indignation on his handsome face quickly turned to concern as he slightly loosened his grip.

"What's happened? Has someone hurt you?"

"You wouldn't believe me." Her voice trembled with desperation.

"I have no reason not to, miss. I can help you if you need it."

"Nightgaze he…" Keesha felt her heart leap as Romulus's grip suddenly tensed. She felt her bones strain under his terrible grip.

"What has he done, speak girl!" Romulus's voice shook as well as he gave a nod in apology and let Keesha go. She gingerly rubbed her arm and shoulder before looking into his racing vision.

"There isn't time, I need to find Han, err Hanariel Dawnblade?"

"Lady Whitedeer's ward?"

"Yes!"

"I know where he dwells, come! Explain while we move." Romulus commanded as he motioned for Keesha to follow. She quickly told Romulus of Nightgaze's plans. Each word seemed to make his face twist with revulsion. As they rounded a narrow passage, just before the dormitory where Hanariel was kept, something came from the floor and tripped the red mage. He steadied himself but quickly found a number of small twigs reaching up to snare him. Keesha stopped and tried to pry the matted web of branches and twigs that were quickly snaking their way around his thighs and waste.

"I-I can't…" Keesha shook her head and focused on an immolate spell as Romulus struggled to cast his own. But as he raised his hand to cast an arcane explosion, the branches swirled around his arm, freezing it in place. Keesha moved to cast her own spell, not stopping to ask why no branches seemed interested in her. She burned the surface of the strange wooden snakes but it did little else but singe them. Keesha focused her will on the branches, but did little more than if she were wishing at them.

"There's foul magic at work! His home is the third on the right, g-go, now!" Romulus gasped as the branches moved to forcibly silence him. Keesha didn't hesitate. She bolted to the rows of well carved birch doors until she stood before the third in their number on the right hand side of the row. As she moved to push, or kick the door in if necessary, a cool voice gave her pause.

"What do you think you're doing?" Orifiel asked. Keesha turned to see Lady Whitedeer in unusual garb. The white cloth armor seemed fit for a beer-brewing monk not a night elf priestess. Her large, hood like reindeer mask obscured her features, only allowing her painted lips passage into the seen world. Her long, birch staff hardly seemed menacing but glowed with a golden radiance. "You do not belong here, leave!"

"Lady Whitedeer, you have to listen! Han's in trouble."

"He is fine. Leave." Lady Whitedeer's tone was even but commanding. She knew the elf was communing with Mydrassil and any distraction could prove devastating to her plan. Keesha pleaded with her, tried to make her see reason as a few of the branches began to stir. The slithered to the steward's side as if awaiting a command. It was then Keesha realized who was responsible for turning the proud Romulus Redmane into a living statue.

"You, what the hell are you doing!"

"Final warning. Leave." Orifiel offered no explanation for her actions. A cool smile came to her face as her stance shifted from a neutral pose to one poised to strike. Keesha looked to the door for a moment, an obvious signal to the seasoned priest. At once the branches, like their root counterparts sprung to life. Keesha made an attempt to knock the door in before she was forced to flee. She dodged one of the branches, which seemed slightly slower than the vicious roots.

"Bitch is crazy!" Keesha grunted to herself as she deftly avoided what seemed like another inept attempt to impale her. She could not see the wonder and delight beneath the warden's mask. What seemed like slow, labored movements to Keesha were lightning quick to the normal adversary. Her golden runes glowed bright beneath her cloak as branch after branch took its turn. Each one seemed slower than the last, but Keesha fire and shadow spells seemed to have no affect on them. When one finally got a good shot in, Keesha raised her hand to block. She focused on the impact and, when a golden glow came from her open but tight fingered palm, Keesha felt the gap between her and the branch become as solid as stone. She held it there before pushing forward with all her will, snapping the branch back with the strike force of ten angry ogres and cracking it in two. The tip went sailing just over Orifiel's head; the warden made no movement to avoid the deadly projectile. The branches began coming in greater number, each to be deftly blocked, chopped and punched into splinters.

"Nightgaze taught you well. But the roots do not reach the Pinnacle Bough." Orifiel simply spoke.

"Nightgaze sent me to kill Han, sent me to kill you too if I could." The words made Orifiel snort. Keesha's felt her stomach fill with emotional stones.

"Laughable. But if you find my blood so alluring, I'll let you try." Keesha went wide eyed for a moment as she quickly tried to correct the miscommunication. But as the branches relented she found a very different assault meet her golden palms. Unlike the cumbersome branches their steward moved the heavy wooden staff as if it were made of paper. Keesha felt the golden cushion between the edge of her palm and the weapon grow dangerously thin with each windy blow. Keesha managed to grab hold of the end of the staff and gripped it with all her might. She brought it around in an attempt to twist it from Orifiel's grasp. Instead the strange warden leaped up, twisting with the staff until Keesha's awkward stance forced her to let go. The use of Keesha's strange new talents began to strain on her. Strikes she was just barely able to keep up with were sneaking their way through her golden defenses. Terrible welts found their way to her thigh and stomach until finally, she collapsed under the weight of Orifiel's attacks.

"S-Stop…I-I came to warn you…" Keesha struggled to sit up let alone stand. Her wounds stung and her lungs burned. All the while, Orifiel did not seem the least bit winded nor did a single drop of sweat appear beneath her fur-adorned mask.

"Liar. You came to harm my student, as you said." Orifiel spoke, trying her best not to crack a smile through the contrived and serious tone.

"I don't want to hurt him, he's weak, the branches are driving him nuts. Please let me in!" Keesha moved to try and stand only to be struck down again.

"Enough of this!" Orifiel spoke, raising her staff. She heard the shifting of branches behind her but paid them no mind. As she brought the staff down she felt the floor beneath her begin to shift. With a whirl of white wind, the steward felt her legs swept out from under her. Orifiel fell onto the floor as several snaking branches covered her form. "What?" Orifiel looked to where Keesha sat, a great white form looming above her. Keesha looked up with a gasp.

"H-Han, you're alright?" She asked, trying to ignore the taste of the blood that occasionally seeped through a small cut on her lip and onto her teeth. Once his long, telling vision had ended and the shock of his brother's fate wore off, Hanariel was drawn from the safety of his room by the sound of combat and the shifting of branches. Keesha noticed a brilliant golden glow had overtaken his previous blue sight. A strange golden tome hung at his side, quite similar to how a paladin would keep his or her libram. His normally placid features were twisted in anger as he lifted his hand. The Branches obeyed their master and lifted Lady Whitedeer to her feet.

"H-Hanariel, what are you doing? She means to kill you!" Orifiel's voice broke for the first time Keesha or Han had heard her speak. Han looked to the trembling warlock, whose eyes quickly told a far different story. He extended the only hand he had and helped his lover to her feet. Keesha quickly spoke about all that had happened. Hanariel drank it in like bitter medicine. He looked to Orifiel and shook his head.

"Keesha came to warn you but you could spare her a moment without judgment. Now I know why so many young ones turn to the darkness. The light burns that which it does not understand, or rather those who claim to know its will tend to." Hanriel spoke, heat rising in his cheeks. Orifiel seized his moment of weakness and gained control of the branches that bound her. Hanariel took a step in front of his battered mate with no weapon other than his will to use against a learned enemy.

"And what about you?" Orifiel asked with a voice free of malice. "You want me to believe that a student of demon binding can resist the power Nightgaze undoubtedly offered ? Control of the tree, its secrets? You would give all that up for the likes of him?" Orifiel motioned to Hanariel who seemed unfazed by the action.

"Give what up?" Keesha sneered, placing a glowing hand on Han's shoulder. "Think we can take her?"

"No, we're not alone." Hanariel looked to the wall, causing several branches to grow and strike at the area the arcane energy he sensed was concentrated. With a red clack, a tall haggard looking highborne materialized.

"You spoiled my grand entrance..." Seth Nightgaze sighed. Keesha instantly tensed. All her wounds and bruises seemed to vanish as the rush of anger and hate swelled up within. She focused on the energy around her palms and took a defensive stance.

"You hurt one hair on his vanilla head and I'll send you back to your tree-hugger friends in PIECES!" She shouted. Keesha growled as a self satisfied smirk came to Seth's face. Though what truly made her blood run cold was the look in his eyes. They were not full of the terrible power that tortured her nor were they holding the hint of anything sinister. Instead she found relief, calm, and if she was not mistaken, pride. With a wry smile he opened his lips to utter what would surely be the last thing Keesha and Hanariel would ever hear.

"Bananas." He simply spoke. Keesha tilted her ear closer to the smiling mage.

"Wait what?"

"Bananas?" Seth shrugged looking to the masked priestess with a questioning glance. Orifiel smiled wide.

"Ah, finally." Orifiel stretched, removing her own mask to reveal an equally happy face. "I don't have to talk in that stupid voice anymore."

"Indeed, that was getting quite old." Seth agreed. Keesha and Han, despite their amassed wisdom and strength both sported looks of sheer bewilderment.

"Wait, what the fuck, 'Bananas?' What bananas? What…" Keesha spoke with frustration and confusion fuming in her voice. They dumbly watched, mouths metaphorically dangling, as Seth walked over to where Orifiel stood and began, almost lovingly, picking the leftover leaves from her shoulders. "Wha…wha-WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON HERE!" Keesha shouted red faced and eyes glowing with confused rage. Han could only stammer, unable to add any better words to his own thoughts.

"Do you want to handle this?" Orifiel asked. Seth shrugged and began to address the newly confused pair of mystics.

"Bananas was the safety word," Seth cleared his throat, "Anyway, the two of us owe the pair of you an apology." Seth paused long enough to offer a formal bow. Hanariel looked to Keesha, hoping to quell her fury by explaining the seriousness of the action in Elvin culture. He was doubly shocked to see Orifiel following suit. When the elder pair rose again Seth continued his explanation. "When we each told you that you were being tested, the test did not end there. We had to be absolutely certain that your allegiances were in the right place. While our ruse is regrettable we both felt it was necessary and look at the result: a pair of mystics worthy of this place." Seth turned to see if his mate had anything to add. Orifiel cleared her throat.

"To clarify a few things: No I did not enjoy this mess you sadist," Seth smirked and stood a little straighter, "And the real reason for this is, well, there can't be just one High Mystic. I have a great affinity for the branches but not for the roots. Seth is the opposite. In order to find proper replacements we had to make sure those chosen by the tree had also chosen each other…"

"Replacements? I didn't sign up for that." Keesha spoke with a quieted tone but crossed her arms with a furrowed brow. Orifiel bowed her head.

"I know, but hopefully your bond to the tree will compel you to stay…"

"You mean you two were counting on that so your asses could pass off all your crap to us? Bullshit, we're outta here." Keesha turned to leave in a huff but found she was the only one moving. She turned to see Hanariel standing where he was. He did not seem to make a single movement to leave. "Han?" Keesha could see him visibly sigh.

"I'm not leaving."

"What? Han! Those two tricked us in some giant scheme. And you're going to stay? Why?" It was then Hanariel finally turned to face her. Orifiel and Seth were still present but were only shadows at their backs. They watched the exchange, their own breath seemingly caught in their chests.

"Keesha, I've never been much. An average son, average priest, and of my brothers I am the least in heroism and fortitude. Now I have a chance to stop being that and be SOMETHING for once, something none of my brothers ever dreamed of being. This tree holds so much power, I've seen it and it has shown me much that I needed to see. And I know we've only just seen the very outer bark. I guess they were worried about the wrong one…truth is I want to be admired for once, not pitied as a cripple or seen as some feminine outcast but respected, dare I saw worshiped like they were. It sounds bad and unwise but that is how it is, and I will take Orifiel's place and the title of High Mystic of the Branch. I-I would much prefer you guiding the roots more than anyone else. B-But I understand your outrage…" Han looked to her, using his honest and loving gaze to its fullest. Like a virgin casting out a possessing demon, Keesha desperately tried to argue her point. Any attempt at logic turned to frustrated hisses or growls beneath his loving sight. In the end Keesha relented and vowed to stay for his sake. She felt a warming in her chest. Her body followed suit as Han draped himself around her in a gentle embrace.

"I hate to interrupt but it is getting late and I'm sure lord Romulus would like someone to go free him?" Seth looked to Orifiel who gasped, wide eyed at the suggestion. She scurried off down the hallway to free her fellow Whitebranch Initiative colleague as he still stood petrified somewhere in the upper bough. Seth gave out a loud booming laugh. "Between the three of us, I like him better that way."

"Nightgaze, tell me something." Keesha muffled as she moved away from Han only enough to speak clearly.

"Anything."

"As High Mystic of the Root, I get control over how things are run down there, correct?"

"That is correct."

"So since I'm taking over for you, I get your office, your special magic rooms, and your hippogryph parking space?" She widely smirked while counting the coveted items off on her fingers as, for the first time since they'd met, Lord Nightgaze's face went a shade of pale.

"…yes? You were about to walk away from that two minutes ago and now you're kicking me out?"

"That's on you, not me." She shrugged. Han cast Keesha a stern look which caused her shoulders to sink and her haughty expression to humble.

"Oh alright he can keep the parking space…the office? Oh fine I'll just stay in my room for now, damn." Seth shook his head.

"Lady Whitedeer and I do not plan on staying long. We will move on when you two have gained enough knowledge of how things are run. Once you've been caught up to speed we'll make the announcement."

"Lord Nightgaze…there are many governments with a steak in this place. Are you so certain they will agree to this shift in leadership?"

"Lady Whitedeer and I will worry about that. You two worry about your lessons and meditations. Romulus will get you both up to speed on governing duties. Might I say, you do not know what this transition means to Orifiel and I. I am forever in your debt."

"Is the job THAT bad?" Keesha asked, eyes filled with mistrust and worry. Han smiled at the archmage. The subtle nicety and casual tone when speaking of the tree's steward spoke far more than the words before them. Keesha did not seem to pick up on the implication, but Hanariel attributed it to her straight-forward human upbringing. Seth chuckled and shook his head.

"I will explain it all to you…someday."