Speech = ``...´´
Thoughts = [...]
ºº
``For such a brief amount of time, it seems that you have made quite the name for yourself, Koldarrd...´´
The words could have been mistaken for some sort of praise, in other world perhaps, but here there were no mirth nor warmth in the voice of the master of the Pendragon household.
His grey eyes, cold and sharpen by the cruel nature that hid beneath a regal mask of humanity glared at the other occupant of the room, never blinking, never stopping trying to pour themselves inside the skull of the person they were referred to.
A person who was calmly drinking a cup of tea across the table as if nothing was wrong and the mood of the room was nothing oppressive and threatening.
After a few seconds, the raven haired boy moved the cup away from his lips and back into the plate where it had first remained, however he did not meet the nobles glare...more focused on looking at the blurry reflection shown on the side of the cup.
``I take that you have found amusement in such development, "father"…´´
The word tasted foul in his mouth, and he made no effort in hiding it as he replied in turn. Perhaps they were now son and father, but that was merely a formality in the eyes of the law, and one none of them enjoyed.
In a sickly sense of irony, the two had found common ground in the way they loathed each other existence.
He could have worked the mans mind to be all but accommodating to him, to make the man bend at his words as he was his only constant, but the thought of this filth trying to be sweet and supportive was more repugnant than could be conceived.
He had two fathers before…., and he had killed them all the same.
At least, here in this scene he could work with hate.
Hate he knew well...and it knew him in return.
``And why is that?´´
Koldarrd finally tilted his head to the man of the house, yet instead of standing more straight than before, he instead chose to lean against the back of seat before he waved a hand in a placating manner.
``If my acts displeased you…, we would not be having this conversation´´
``And what says we are not..?´´
``We both know that's not what is happening right now, not yet at least…´´
He closed his eyes, though he did not need them to know that he was still been glared at with those eyes.
``So why instead of going in circles we don't address the most shocking aspects of what drove you to call me here before we return to more future and banal endeavors? Time is of essence, always…´´
The glare of the older man hardened, the ghost of a smile wrapping around the edges of his lips..yet one that did not meet his eyes who glowed with dangerous thoughts as the sound of fingers tapping the cool, polished wooden frame of the table started to echo.
``On that, I agree…´´
``The guards…´´
``You brutalized them…´´
Koldarrd opened one eye, though he did not look at his "father", raising his arms with a weak shrug before he graved the edge of the cup he had just left behind.
``I roughen them up, nothing more…´´
``And why is that?´´
``If I had brutalized them, then they would be looking a bit too well for that to be the case..´´
He was not lying…
If only they knew what he was capable of..
``Still, there was no need to make or take to such lengths. If you wanted them punish you could have done so differently...and quieter´´
[You would have wanted that, wouldn't you?]
``Tell me, "father"….would you rather keep a dog that bites you or take your time to tame it?´´
``I would rather put it down than waste time on such endeavor…., as you said, time is essence ´´
The raven haired boy merely shook his head internally, to be honest, it was not like he had not expected such a reply.
[Using my words against me….as if you had thought of that venue by yourself….]
He rose the cup, yet instead of raising it to his lips he allowed the entire thing to dangle between his fingers, its filling dangling dangerously near the edge...yet never falling, no matter what he did.
He liked to think that it was a good representation of his patience at this given moment.
``A simple answer…, but not one that's useful to us´´
``To me you would mean..´´
``Us...as in plural, "father" ´´
He remarked, emphasizing the word as if to make the meaning of his words not lost in whatever delusion crawling behind his back. The fact that the man was trying his hardest not to blow up at the rebuttal and the way it was handed to him was nothing but an added extra.
``Death in this lands….is rather definite, but life...is full of possibilities. ´´
``I did not took you for a poet...´´
A bitter smile made its way to Koldarrds lips at the humorous remark, though his eyes shone playfully, a stark contrast with the aggressiveness denoted in the other mans eyes.
Slowly, he started to lean forward.
``As much as I despise life….one must be alive to change the world around them..´´ [Or you would be forgotten..] `` however... how are we to teach our pets the right way if we just put them down at the first chance we got? ´´
``You are telling me that mercy should be the way to reward failure?´´
Koldarrd waved a hand dismissively, however holding his tongue for a moment as he weighted his response when a brief thought of caution came by…..only to be ignored right away.
``Nothing so crass, however if we do go down that route….. we should tackle the source of the decease rather than just the symptoms, if only for simplicity's sake..´´
The Duke stared at him, a rose eyebrow…
``Explain...´´
``Oh, I will...and speaking about that, who allowed it to fester for this long?´´
``Are you gonna tell me?´´
The Duke of Pendragon spoke back, his voice tempered like cool water, yet so poisonous as he held his glare. Koldarrd needed no more words to know what the man was doing, or in this case.. alluding of him to do.
He was daring him to say it.
And it would have been so much fun to do so and let him see that nothing he could do meant a thing..
He placed for one final time the cup a the edge of his side of the table before he stood up from his seat. Walking towards the far east window of the room where the sun beamed with difficulty through the heavy curtains, splashing his body with a tainted golden light before he took a look outside.
Cracks forming around where his fingers had held the tea cup with each step he took.
It was a beautiful day to waste in such a dark room as this…
``Tell me, father….who are you?´´
``Is this a trick?´´
``Who. ..?
He parroted the word once more, undeterred by anything. However, the Duke did not deign him with a response, instead wasting more of their time with those vile eyes and thoughts of how to pull out his tongue.
Color thoughts to have and share with the family no doubt about it…
Though no color enough to entertain him.
To be honest, he did not know what he was expecting anymore of his puppet…, or him pulling in and then loosening his grip over the chains the man bore without knowledge.
Perhaps that was why he found himself chuckling at this scene he had created.., holding his head in place with one hand as his lips widened too a monstrous extent, his eyes gleaming between the cracks of his fingers.
A wave of unease spreading through the room and infecting everything around it.
He could hear the way the Dukes heart started to beat faster, his lungs closing in and out at an uneven pace.., his bloodstream quickening its pace.
``Now who is been childish…?´´
``Careful boy…, I don't like your-´´
``You are Barren Von Pendragon…., heir and Lord of the Pendragon Household...´´
He spoke, cutting the man of mid sentence before pointing an accusatory finger at said man...or, more accurately, something he bore with him.
``The emblem you bear reassembles the deed and duty you uphold as the shield that protects and the sword that fights for Midgard against those mad enough to try.
He then took a step forward.
``The master of arms of this kingdom, the one that holds most of the cards, the one that foolish and wise alike bow to or listen to…´´
Then another
``The House that devastated Velgatas attempts of conquest of the continent..´´
And another….until he was all but standing in front of the man.
…
…
``And this is what you do?´´
The fact that his voice had not even changed an ounce in the slightest, still devoid of emotion, still bearing that lifeless husk of a mask for a face felt worst than if he had spatted those words with all the vitriol he could muster.
It was….as if he was disappointed.
``This is what you do? Fool around? Lash out? Hire untested and incompetent grunts? Wasteful….so fucking wasteful ´´
``If you think I am going to sit here and take this madness from you you have a thing coming, boy. And no, I don't need nor have to micromanage those who work for me..´´
``No you don't, but you definitely are responsible of appointing actual competent men to take the reins of those more problematic men. Which you did not….again, so much wasted potential´´
``Qui-´´
``Not now, the adults are talking..´´
``Wha-´´
``Now, the thing is that you dont have guards…, those idiots fumbling around? Those fools? They are not soldiers, they are bullies. They look flashy, and will make all the noise you want…´´
And even that he had doubts they would manage to do as such...
``But I assure you, when the blood flows down the streets...they will be the first to run..´´
``Now you are putting into question the amount of effort that we put to built the force of my household?
``I am not questioning the presence of such force...´´
``…´´
``I am denying its existence..?´´
``On what basis? Even if worse can to pass…. they have been taught enough to hold-fast against most odds before helps arrives..´´
``Taught enough? Hold-fast? Did you hit your head with a brick or is your judgment impaired? What part of a nobody as far as the world is aware wiped their arses with a hundred of their number... speaks highly of their training?´´
At least this time a pang of shame flared on that empty head of his. Pride was his weakness...and anything, no matter how little the stung, the pain would be far greater than expected.
`` A deplorable show if it could be called as such, one in which you allowed to be witnessed by each and every noble and servant in my own home..´´
The way he spoke, the way he pushed the words….he would have made for a half decent actor.
Too bad that he wasted such talent backing the wrong side.
``If you had a problem with it you would have stopped it when it first began, or do you deny your presence as a spectator..?´´
Rare enough thing….to see a horrible excuse of a man blink first with confusion, and then with interest. Like a child who had been shown a new toy, however his pride would not allow him to show it as such.
``You were aware..´´
``I am aware that your men have been causing problems, and I dont mean the way they held themselves with the children and ladies. Small things, little things...all still beneath your need of notice, yes…, but still there...´´
Not like he would take care of said things even if he did. Tittles….like crowns did seem to posses a particular effect on the heads of those that bore them.
``Those are grave accusations.., but go on...´´
`` Robbery, battery, destruction of property, threats, blackmailing and bribes here and there…with the occasional rape to boot to name a few. ´´
``And...?´´
For so many such dismissing tone would have put them off foot…..but Oh, oh dear it was nice to have someone not trying to make excuses of their petty, childish tantrums.
It was like they were having a real conversation.
``Whats the point?´´
``What?´´
``Whats the point, what do you get?´´
``…´´
``Nothing? Is that what I hear..?´´
He waited for a response, for a sneer, for a growl….but nothing came.
He could feel the way the mans stomach churned, how his teeth grinded against one another...but nothing came out from his mouth.
It was…..disappointing.
``I see, I understand….you merely forgot…. ´´
``And what is that?´´
He turned around, slowly extending his arms to the sides, the palms of his hand open, yet his fingers curving upwards like claws. Like a saint descending from the heavens, wrapped in gold, yet obscured by darkness.
``Violence is a currency, "father"….however it should never be spent so...cheaply ´´
At this point, there were many things to be expected after uttering those words.
A violent response…
Or a passive one.
The Duke chose option three: in other words….explode with laughter. Though not in the literal way, but rather in a cacophony of guttural sounds of a soul that had not ever had the chance to even attempt such a thing as he was folded by it.
``When I let you in my home I pegged you as a useless child, it seems that I was wrong..´´
His hair disheveled and madness dripping from his "fathers" eyes, the Duke try to rise from his seat as much as his wobbling legs would allow.
A wicked, prideful smile plastered on his face as if he had come to a secret realization…, a joke only he had been privy to its punch line.
``You are worse, you are like me…´´
Koldarrds eyes narrowed with barely held disdain. Now that he took offense...
``No.., I just know the game we are playing. I just play it better...´´
``Normally anyone who claims such deed is just another fool trying to blow hot air….., but you are arrogant enough to see that through, aren't you? However you are wrong on one thing..´´
``And what would that be?´´
``Do you really think that a lion cares about the opinions of the sheep…?´´
``There are not that many lions…´´
That seemed to shut the man for good…, or he thought before the Duke decided to erupt in a fit of laughter for a second time.
``Oh goddess…, it seems that you have granted me the gift that keeps on giving. Who would have thought? Now, you realize that what you are saying borders treason..?´´
``Merely an advice, though take it as a warning if you so wish...´´
``And what are you warning me of..?´´
``That fear is merely a tool to push you forward, it doesn't exist for people to lend on it like a crutch. Only weakness will fester from it…
``Fear keeps the people in line…´´
``There is always a breaking point...´´
``And you think a man would be brave enough to do something about it?´´
``If you have nothing to lose, why bother wasting time in fear? What could be the worst thing to happen if they speak up, death? Double death..?´´
``Interesting, lets say….I don't follow that advice and I decide I should just cut their tongues... ´´
The conversation had shifted from a possible reprimand to a sales pitch. The only thing left was guide the customer to the right place, or in this case...mindset.
Why bother with all of this is he could program the man like a fucking clock? Well, multitasking was on his range of abilities….but was it worth wasting all this energy, small as it was to string him around?
No...
The best puppets where those that thought themselves free from any strings and by that it meant that he would not need to monitor all his actions as closely as he had now if he followed his script if only subconsciously.
And secondly, if someone started to scan his mind when he was not near...then there would not be nothing for them to find and tie him to.
``Then we will have an epidemic of tongueless men...what a better way to shout to the world that someone does not want them to say something.., in fact, you will be giving them a lot more reasons to not keep their silence..´´
``You would be surprise the things money can buy..´´
``You can not restore honor with money, nor convince a man who hates you to stop doing so, especially with the way the memory of men works.´´
``I could just kill them…´´
``And you are going to bother cleaning to bloodstains?´´
``I have dealt with worse…´´
``I am sure you have…, was it worth it?´´
``No fucking close...´´
``Exactly..´´
``Fair enough…, I now see that this is not a case of foolishly placed morals, but practicality...how refreshing´´
``The same cant be said for this tea…´´
Koldarrd muttered in half way pained way as he looked down at what was left of the tea cup, having broke long ago during the conversation for some unknown reason.
The liquid already spilled and staining both the seat and the table, drops still falling down from the very edge like blood from an open wound.
He then rose his head from it and switched his attention back on the Duke.
``I take this is where I take my leave´´
``Not quite…´´
``And why is that?´´
Now it was time for the man to stand up from his seat.
``You may not be my blood but my cousins, however you now bear my emblem in your chest and thanks to your desire to show your existence sooner than I would have liked...plans needed to be rescheduled..´´
Of all the things that he could have said…, that was...
``Your planing to host a party..´´
It was not a question, but rather a statement. One that the Lord of the house validated with a weak nod.
``Among other things...…´´
`` There was no need…´´
He replied coldly, however the Duke dismissed his words with a glare.
``That is not for you to decide…´´
``Of course, my "Lord"…..´´
Considering the conversation over he turned around and went to the door, his handles grasping the cold copper handle and pulling it open, however before his second could be carried out through the door.., he was stopped.
``I will take into consideration what you said.., in exchange of another..´´
..
..
..
..
``What is that you request?´´
``You will be my second, however you will act first and foremost in our families interest.´´
``What else?´´
`` Try to keep a low profile, no more stuns, no more beatings, no more… games before the party is hosted…, understood?´´
It was not much…, perhaps even generous. Not like he could twist the deal later on...
After a few long seconds of deliberation he nodded, however the gestured felt lazy in the action, dragged around even.
``That seems rather reasonable…, however, is not I who you should worry about..´´
``My foolish daughter will fall in line with my wishes if she knows what is better for the family. However, I have the feeling that you already have a hand on that matter...´´
``Exaggerations…, people change´´
``She never did…, never would´´
Well, at least the worst father of existence actually pay enough time to his useless daughter to know that.
Though he did not know whether that was better or worse….
``Who knows, there is always a first time...´´
The look he received from the Baron spoke in length of how unconvinced he was about that matter, however with the flick of his fingers he pushed aside.
``Hmmpf, as much as you may enjoy this, I hope you don't act so childish when you meet princess Alexia´´
[Who...?]
``After all, first impressions will be important for long term….agreements´´
Why did he have the feeling that nothing but trouble was going to come out from said meeting..?
º
º
…...Somewhere on the countryside several hours ago…...
º
º
When one thinks of civilization, the first thought that crosses one's mind is the vast stone and rock cities of humans. With their ugly buildings rising up from the ground like a demon's fingers and mingling around in those cacophonies of noises they produced non stop with their machines.
If that line of thought was not wanted then there was the elf's, with their homes of wood and magic in their secret forests, singing their songs and sleeping under the shade of their sacred trees while they watched the world go on while they did not aged.
Theriantrhopes did not work that way…
They did not know how to create big sturdy structures so they did not create cities.
Most of them were not interested in academics and so they were too uneducated to try better themselves in any way that did not revolved around combat, so there was a deficit in their general knowledge of things.
They had no magic to enchant their possessions and their blood ran hotter than the other races, prompting them to wander and scavenge anything they could find.
Words were for the weak, and so they tried to fix most of their problems through sheer brute force, succeeding most of the time through sheer statistics...
And worst of all...their population had a never ending boom and decline of bodies thanks to their extensive and large birthrate...as-well as their endless warring among themselves. Killing just as many if not more than those that were born.
And too think that their kin could have conquered the world if they only managed to stuck to a single plan and get along with one another…
Sweat started to slid down his face, glistening the skin and prickling at his eyes, yet Gettan could only shake his head with a pang of shame and bitterness at the thought of such missed opportunities were his people had shed so much blood...for nothing
Theariantropes were not what one could call a stable civilization.
They were meant for the wilds.
They lived in them….and they would die in them.
And like many times before, the curse of their blood-lust threatened him and those under his care..
The wolf Theariontrope clenched his fists, his hands covered in white stained bandages now covered with mud like the rest of his body clawed at the humid soil with even more strength than before as his body slowly and silently wormed his way forward the foliage with one hand, the other still holding his blade, ready to spring to action.
Ready to fight when called to it.
Ready…. to kill.
The thought weighed on him, though he pushed it away. However, that did not mean that it was gone for good.
Because, whether he liked or not, there was no denying it….Their greatest strength was their worse curse.
However... there were some, as few as they were that wished to be no part of it. Wanting to be left out from this wars of territory that came along the fire in their blood and their endless need to prove themselves to whatever god was watching.
Was it a laughable idea taking consideration what he knew of his kin? Yes…, in fact he had yet to fully come to terms with it. A wolf could not just shed their cloth and try to pretend be a sheep..
And yet…. the taste of what a life it would be if he gave it a chance had won him over.
No more of this killings for the sake of killing….
No more of having to sleep with one eye open in case a night raid was to occur…
No more dreading what would happen tomorrow
All of that…..along side her.
The thought, if only for a moment filled his chest with a warm touch.
Like the tender caresses of a mother that stroked slowly the head of their child, a stark contrast with the cool moist mud he had covered himself with and was crawling through... or the droplets of water, left overs behind the storm that still continued to spill all over him, making what little spots of his fur had not been stained with dirt to become soaked.
It felt nice…..though he would never admit it. Least of all to the person his thoughts wandered the most around.
And yet.., no matter how beautiful it was...it had given birth to something more insidious within
Hies eyes finally started to spot the forms of some figures just a few meters away from him through the thick foliage
One, two….three men, their long ears denoting their true heritage, their markings on their cheeks detailing to which clan they belonged, all of them wearing a scar in their right eye, carved voluntarily as a rite of growth
All of them armed…
All guarding this spot to the area he wished to enter...
All blissfully unaware that he was just a few breaths away, the mud still keeping his scent to be caught by their senses.
No matter how much he wished it not to be truth….., there was an unspoken problem with trying to be neutral in this kind of conflict. If you were not against one side or the other, if you pushed yourself away from the line light...then everyone was your enemy.
Frustration started to built up inside him. One that he was no stranger to..for it had been growing inside him with each passing day.
Their peaceful words and intentions be damned, none of this fuckers cared about such things! What was the point of warning the other tribes that they were going to sit this blood-fest out...trying to get away from the violence, only to be the primal target of said violence!?
The frustration then became something heavier, colder, yet it burned him with a passion that would have put burning embers to shame. His jaw clenched, teeth grinding against one another, veins popping around underneath his tanned skin, the pupils of his eyes gradually shrinking into pin size holes in his eyes.
Angry at their rotten luck…
Angry at the situation they were in...
But most of all….angry at himself for screwing his chances to walk away in ignorance thanks to his own paranoia and be forced to do this when he heard what Red Scars were going to do.
…
…
They were not going to ignore them.., peaceful or not.
They were not going to let them get away with their silly notions of peace and day dream under the shade of the trees…
They were not gonna stop…until they killed them all or died trying, like mad dogs.
Why? Why go through this..?
Simple, because they could….
Blood started to slip into his tongue as the gums of his mouth started to bleed, the nails of his hands growing larger and sharper as-well as his canines as if they could react to the anger bursting through him.
And they would not be the last. Not when the gig was up.., not when everyone a hundred miles around was aware of their suppose "weakness" of their clans.
They had meant well….but deep down he knew they were screwed for been too honest, but it could not end like this.
His and Yukimes clan had to do something about this...
He had to do something...!
HE NEEDED TO DO SOMETHING...!
Had he remained where he was for a few more seconds he would have been found with the way his body was shaking and contorting like an animal…., luckily, he was past the point of patience as just as that last thought came roaring like thunder inside his skull, like a switch had been pull over.
All the muscles of his body came to life, adrenaline punching through each and every vein as his body pro-pulsed itself through what little foliage stood in his way as he became airborne in the next second
A black bolt of speed swirling through the air faster than a man could conceive possible, a dulled, shocked realization that was mirrored in but one that would never truly reach its cenit.
By the time Gettan reached the ground….it was over.
He felt his heart throb painfully inside his chest, his limbs feeling as if they had been encased in flames, yet nothing caught his attention but the scarlet shade that now bathed his blade. Behind him, the bodies of the three guards cut to pieces like meat for stew…
Their bodies torn apart and blood rapidly staining the ground. The smell of the precious liquid and its amount...striking deeply at his core.
He slowly rose from his semi kneeling position, the grip of the handle only tightened instead of loosening even though he had yet time to move before anyone came by. His gaze lost into his bloodied reflection which his sword now was able to cast under the light of the moon as sweat dripped down his chin into the ground underneath him...
Such a hideous visage….could it truly be him? The thought plagued him for far longer than he would like. But perhaps it had to do with something else that had been nagging him.
Slowly his feet started to move, one step at first, then another., and another...pushing him to enter into the makeshift village. Deeper into the metaphorical jaws of the beasts..
He could die here…, he just may if he was not careful, but even if he did he would have done so with a purpose.
…
…
And yet, that was not what truly bothered him.
In a split second he swung his sword to his right just as he was about to cut a corner, the edge of his blade cutting through air without opposition before it began to slice through the neck of a woman wielding a spear in her hand.
A clean cut.
A perfect cut that sent her head flying high….no one would have known that it had been luck.
However he was not done with it, taking a quick breath and one step forward he redirected his swing away from the small wooden walls surface and rammed the edge of his blade into the open mouth of another man that had been walking by in patrol with the woman, teeth shattering like pearls as cold steel made its way inside and then outside his skull.
He ignored the way his heart throbbed in his chest with the new found pump of adrenaline of almost having been caught by his distraction.
He ignored the way his fingers ached by the sheer pressure he unconsciously was forcing upon them.
And above all, he ignored the new made corpses that laid down his feet, not even bothering to hide them as he continued to make his way into a large tent, a communal one at that by the looks of it.
Gettan knew that he should not be here…
That he had lied when had explained back where he was going.
His soul and mind grimacing at a fact that had yet to even take place, but knew how inevitable it was the dishonor he was about to commit, a foul thing that poked at him as he ventured inside the tent he had chosen.
Finding more members of the tribe sleeping in rows, their weapons at hands reach for the raid they were about to unleash tomorrow, yet the stench of booze and piss drenched the air.
Gettan could do nothing but narrow his eyes in distaste at the scent slamming its way into his nostrils.
Drunk….
They were obscenely drunk….
He stopped at the first one, a boy….barely his own age, he even had the same shade, the same cut of hair as he did…., but that did not stop Gettan from holding his blade with enough force that his knuckles started to lose a few shades of color as he slowly rose it above his head. The blood now sliding down and falling down his head and face, making his appearance all the more demonic to look at.
He knew…that this was not right with him. That this was not their way: Killing on the battlefield.., dying on the battle, but it had to be done.
It was the most sensible thing to do…, t-the only thing he could do in the time he was given!
So why…?
Why could they not see that..!? Why were his people so blind to be proactive instead of reactive to the threats around them? It was not much what he was asking for...
It was not like he was asking to head out and join the clan war…, to go out of their way to conduct senseless slaughter for the fucking fun of it!
He just….
He just wanted his peace…., killing the few to save the many of their own people.
Was it not within their rights to fight in self defense? To protect those they cared..? He had believed that to be the case…., but that foolish woman had denied him his wishes…again.
Had she no faith in him? Had she ever had trusted his judgment? Yes, he was young….and yes this was a brash decision, but doing nothing would just incite to catastrophe.
And he had no desire to witness whether those dreams were true or not.
And then there was Yukime….
The expression of the raven haired Theariantrope cracked for a moment, apprehension dawning on those eyes of his, his heartbeat skipping a beat.
Yukime had failed to see the truth and had tried to calm him down, to spurt those words, that it everything would be ok and that things would not go as badly a she thought he was.
..
..
He had wanted to believe her.
The gods knew that as retarded as that was...he had tried…., but how could she be so smart and yet so stupid!?
Words would not save them! Waiting on their arses would not make the world less shitty than it was before! Power and the will to go through those aching to take away their freedom would!
His grip over his blade double and so was his resolve.
This was not murder.
This was self defense.
And it was just the start….
And with that final thought he rammed the blade downwards into the boys heart.
ºº
A/N
Here comes another chapter, Feel free to comment to give some feedback. Any commentary will be appreciated.