" Stay down " Tyr shot up as he regained consciousness, the last thing remembered being the hand that had wrapped around his face before he had been forced into the sweet world of unconsciousness.
' What ... happened ... where am I ' Tyr hissed as his body screamed, his core churned like fire and his arms flailed beside him weakly, under the soft light if candles illuminating the decently sized room he had been provided in the Trolde citadel. " Why ... did you do that "
His voice came out weak as he spotted his teacher bending over a table in the corner, several items of different colours being ground together in a pestle.
" I ... apologise for my actions... but i had to. I have watched, amongst men I have served with, whom let their strength get to their heads. So I sought to teach you something they never learnt before their lives came to an unfortunate end ... " Arvernus, now garbed once more in Rellana's armor, turning around, another Lords rune clutched within his gloved hands. " No matter how strong you are, how sure you are or how prideful you are... I want you to master the skill of dodging and parrying ... above all else .. everything else comes second... and I mean everything "
Tyr watched, looked up at the curtains of hair that cascades down Arvernus's face as he came to stand over where Tyr lay, his glowing blue eyes pinning the young boy frozen in his cot. " I will not have mine pupil die before me... because he thought himself too powerful to dodge "
Silent lips quivered as burning tears throbbed his eyes, Tyr lay l, staring into his teachers eyes as he realised that his teacher hadn't simply been bullying him, he'd been trying to ingrain an integral lesson that would save his life. " I ... I understand ... I apologise... milord "
" Do not ... I simply ask that you learn boy ... and commit my lessons to heart " Arvernus grasped the rune and broke it apart, guiding the broken dust into Tyr's body as he began to turn the rune into strength within the boys body.
" What is this ... " He could feel it, as if gentle fingers were massaging every fibre of his being, warming him like the hug of his mother, yet here he lay, watching the ash settle and merge with his skin.
" This my boy... is a skill only I am privy to within these lands ... I use a means I have access too... to strengthen your body past limits imposed on you by your mortal coil... " Tyr watched the ash be guided by his tea hers fingers, running up his exposed chest before it settled firmly over his stomach and heart.
" Milord... did you go through the same ... process " He gasped at the warmth that swallowed his heart and pooled like churning water in his gut.
" I did ... when it had any affect on me ... there was a time where they worked... but I seemed to reach a limit ... or broke through it and these methods became ... useless " Intruth, he had simply reached the absolute limit of what runes could achieve, and achieved a quantative leap in power so grand it was hard to perceive how he even lived before he had such power at the tips of his fingers.
" I see ... milord ... and how long would it take for me to do the same " It was more childish innocence that drove him to ask , to become like the man that he saw as a dauntless warrior none could compete with, and the answer was one he could not understand.
" More time than your father, their forefathers and their ancestors have walked this plane combined ... " In truth he saw no way in Tyr's singular lifetime that the boy could achieve anything close to the limit of power runes could offer. With the little energy he could take from the souls that remained here, so negligible infact that unless he slaughtered entire armies, the return of power he would get in turn was laughable at best. And so he chose to allow Tyr to make use of his leftover runes that no longer posed any conceivable use for him in any way. " Buuut ... I will do my best by you "
Tyr watched as the last of the ash settled upon his body, his heart beating like a drum in his chest as a sort of burning not yet uncomfortable rushed through his veins.
" Rest now Tyr ... take as long as you need, there's a couple of tomes there related to combat skills I wish for you to learn.. and a spell or two. I'll arrange meals to be provided for you until you finish healing and learning " Arvernus moved his hands, moving the mortar and pestle away along with the scattered ingredients.
" Of course milord " Tyr whispered as the towering man gave him a soft smile and nodded slightly, not quite sure how to comfort the child.
As he was about to step out of the chamber to allow for Tyr's rest, the young man leant upwards from his cot and said something that made Arvernus pause.
" Master ... do you know of a woman, with pale skin and a gold crown, cradling a golden egg " Just as Arvernus was to step out of the room, he froze as he reached for the door. " She said you were here ... son in law ... before giving her approval of sorts and sending me back "
" Hm ... " Arvernus turned back and gave him a soft smile. " That would be lady Rennala, she is a kindly if heartbroken woman. She is mine lady wife's mother ... and current ruling lady of Caria... it appears that the magic of Caria still runs strong. That is good news ... though "
Arvernus semeed to grow distracted for a moment before turning back to his student. " Was there ... another woman there, wearing a white robe and large witch hat perchance "
Whatever he had hoped for was dashed as Tyr seemed to think for a moment before shaking his head in the negative.
" I see ... well " Saddened deeply by Tyr's negative response, he gave a small smile to the child. " Should she visit you in your dreams again, learn as much as you can... she is a formidable woman ... and a kind woman at that ... "
" I will milord... thank you " With that Tyr watched his teacher open the door and step out through the door, closing it behind him, leaving Tyr alone in his chambers with nothing but his thoughts for company. ' I won't dissapoint you milord '
....
' So ... Ranni hasn't returned to Caria ... ' He stepped out, thoughts stewing as he began to walk through the hallway towards Jo's own room.
With that thought, he reached out for the bond between himself and his dear wife, and felt it respond, slightly, ever so painfully slightly stronger than the previous couple of days. Comforted by the fact she was safe, he slumped slightly, allowing himself to relax as he spotted the grumbling Eyvind limping his way back to his own room.
" you really don't know heo to take it easy do you " Eyvind joked, his long beard strewn about as his plump form curled over slightly.
" It is disrespectful to treat you as children... and so I treated you as warriors accordingly to your skill " Arvernus reached over and opened Eyvinds door for him, whom gave a soft thanks and moved slowly towards his cot.
" Yea well thanks for that, feel like I got beat by me old man in training again " The grizzled man groaned and doubled over his cot, reaching for the Ale he had next to his bed. " Still .. thanks "
" For what " Arvernus reached for and handed Eyvinds Ale for him to take, watching the portly man drink the Ale with slow sips and groaning.
" For training the boy ... I'm sure ... in his entire life in that town he would never had received such a chance ... and for that you have our thanks " Eyvind spoke earnestly, before placing the mug of Ale on a barrel with a single candle illuminating the dark.
" Of course, I may be a harsh teacher, but every lesson I teach has its merits.. and I will not fail the boy ... " With that, making sure Eyvind was comfortable, he slowly made his way to the exit he had just come through.
" I'll hold you to that ... Arvernus the strong " Eyvind smirked as Arvernus gave him a half squinted before scoffing and leaving the room, closing the door gently behind him.
...
' Ranni ... ' He stood at the highest point of the citadel, the sprawling city of Trolde visible below, and the archipelago of islands visible in the distances no matter which direction he looked.
He however wasn't focussed on the islands in the distance, rather standing in the billowing cold winds as he stared up at the moon hung in the skies. Reaching a hand towards the moon as his Mana coiled around him like a slithering viper.
' Come to me dear ... ' A cold pulse escaped him, rumbling not just the air but the very foundations of the universe itself as the pulse washed over everything, through dimensional barriers, time and space and through several others. His mana spreading outward like a titanic beacon sweeping across universes as he tried to give a location for Ranni to come to, hoping she would hone in on his mana beacon from whatever universe she was in and be able to find her way to him.
It wasn't a great show of force, rather a cols pulse that stretched across every being, every soul in trolde and beyond, across the world amd through every barrier. They didn't know what it was nor could the properly perceive it, but many felt the hairs on their body stand on end. Other shivered and some, those with power and perception powerful enough to understand, shook their heads and shied away from the sheer energy required to make the pulse that none could properly feel.
" None of my business that, no thanks " A bald man halfway across the world turned away from the disturbance, clapping his hands to unfreeze time and continue the game he was playing, having thought to investigate. But when he paused tine with an expression of his power, he found to his horror that the flow of mana this being was releasing didn't so much as stop as it flowed regardless of the ceased time. Meaning that the being guiding the beacon of mana quite possibly was beyond his timestop ability. Something he was entirely unwilling to engage with. And so he let it go, and continued staring at the white haired man currently haggling with the barkeep about his pay for slaying a beast.
....
For hours his inexhaustible mana spread through the infinite worlds, and yet she didn't respond. Even as the moon began to shift slightly, blackening as a blue mass began to form on its surface, the presence of the moon he was accustomed to seemingly responding by sending some of its energies his was in a silent acknowledgement. Disturbing the moons usual cold splendour with a show of blue, eye like radiance that died down shortly after it began. It had acknowledged him, even across the distance it itself currently was, it was still able to manifest if only for a moment.. through the moon hovering over the heavens. And yet Ranni didn't show.
He would have continued , allowing his inexhaustible mana to continue sweeping through the universes until she found her way to him, if not for the fact he had promised to train Tyr, and guard Crach until the man's guards were ready for duty once more.
And so as the birds began to call, the blue haze of the moon returning to cold grey, the distant darkness beginning to abate as eldritch fingers of sun's light began to creep across the horizon to signify sunrise, he finally called it, putting the effort on pause until he would inevitably continue the next night.
" I'll continue on the evening, no matter how many evenings it takes " He whispered, lowering his hand from the moon that had returned to normal, calling his limitless mana back within his body, before turning away and making his way back into the citadel to make good of his promise to Crach an Craite.
' This is going to be sooooo fun '
....
For weeks he stood beside the Jarl during the days, spending early morning and late evenings either teaching Tyr the knowledge he sought as his squire, or using the nights to let his mana serve as a beacon for his love to follow.
Simple as Trolde was, guarding the Jarl was a simple affair, more a boring affair as he simply stood at the Jarls side in the barren hall, hand always at the handles of his Carian swords as the peasants made their woes known.
" How many men could you beat in a fight " Arvernus slowly turned his eyes to the short platinum haired girl wearing royal blue, standing at his side and looking up at him without any fear in the world. Emerald green eyes stared at him, as his blue met her own as her pointed chin remained tucked.
' What an interesting child ' He knelt down to her level, falling to a knee yet still being as tall as she was. " Would you like a pleasant answer ... or a realistic answer "
He asked, watching the girls brow knit in confusion. " What's the difference "
" The difference ... is that one helps a man sleep at night ... a mercy .. the other. . Is a cold truth .. an honest answer " He reached up and ruffled the girls hair as she puffed her cheeks out and crossed her arms, beside them, the Jarl adressed the next villager, whilst keeping a pointed ear as he listened to Arvernus and the girl chat, just as Hjalmar and Cerys did not so far off.
" The truth.... " She replied confidently, lifting her chin as she shook his hand from her head.
" In truth ... all of them... they could come in groups, one at a time or an endless sea .. it doesn't matter ... because I'd still win " He slowly rose back to his feet as a man's begging alerted him, the cry echoing throigh the chamber, whislt Cerys and Hjalmar looked at him stranger at his rather atrocious answer.
" Milord I beg of you, the creature must die, it's... it took my daughter... milord I beg of you to slay it " An uncomfortable silence swallowed the chamber, as a ragged man with patchy hair and loose rags knelt, tears streaming down his cheeks as he prostrated himself and cried at the man he served.
" I'm afraid... " Crach wasn't sure how to proceed, the man's daughter had been taken, his cattle killed and people throughout the town he lived. He however paused before he could make a decision, and turned a slow stare to the side at the man whom boasted the skill to be able to fight all men. " Arvernus my friend ... how long did you suppose it was until you guards as ready to return to duty "
" On the morrow " Arvernus replied, passing the girl to come to stand at the Jarls side once more.
" Verywell then, would you be open to solving this monster issue on the morrow ... I know " Crach paused as Arvernus raised a hand to stop the jarls words.
" There's no need to worry... I will dispose of the creature, in turn I wish for you to organise passage from the isles to the mainland, our time here grows to a close " Arvernus proposed, looking down upon the jarl, whom ran his thin fingers through his beard with a hum.
' Calanthe arrives in a few days to return Ciri to cintra ... she shouldn't be opposed to further company ' Crach hummed and smirked slightly. " Of course I do gave a friend coming by in a couple of days to pick up her grand daughter, would you be opposed in accompanying her and her enterage to the mainland "
" I would not be opposed " Crach then turned back to the Villager and gave a wide smile, rising from his chair to descend the stairs and lift the man to his feet.
" Rejoice my friend, your problem will be solved, spend the night in my halls and you will depart in the morning with Lord Caria... Treat him with the respect he deserves and your creature will not draw breath another day " Crach gestured to the towering man whose visage was hidden by his silver helm, whom nodded a single time.
" Thank you ... Thank you milord jarl ... Lord Caria ... thank you ... " He fell to the ground and all but kissed the ground to which they walked.
" Think nothing of it .. allow me to prepare for our trip "
....THE NEXT DAY ...
" So ... tell me of this creature you desire the death of " Once more sat upon Torrents back, he and the peasant made quick progress from Trolde across the cold lands outside, the small horse the villager had been gifted by the Jarl carrying them over cold stone and wet tundra.
" It's a ghoulish beast, I... I only managed a glancing sight of the creature before it rushed away and attacked my neighbour Lhys, poor woman was disembowled in her own house .. I....I rushed here as soon as I could as the sun rose and the creature disappeared " Ragarond whispered, retelling all he knew of the beast, which was very little as Arvernus mulled over the information.
'I'll take your word for it I suppose ' Arvernus grunted, guiding torrent around a gash in the road, spotting distant village Radarond lived. " Lets make haste, tell me ... what time did the creature appear "
" The night ... it appeared when the moon was highest in the skies " Ragarond and Arvernus passed by a long field of wheat, the settlement with cowering and scared villagers growing larger every moment. ' Hmm.... '
....
" Having fun there " Hjalmar came into the mudded, cold training grounds, the very same where most of his fathers clan had been neutralised days earlier. Watching as Tyr trained against imaginary phantoms with his longsword, following imaginary paths guided by the teaching of the tomes offered to him by his instructor.
" It has nothing to do with fun " Tyr responded in his rags, letting out a deep breath as he thrust forward in repeated jabs, precise footwork carving a trench in the mud.
" Well ... thrusting against the air is all well and fun, but wouldn't it be more appealing ... to face a living opponent " Hjalmar smirked, reaching for the weapon rack to pull out an axe, his favourite weapon, whilst Tyr paused and slowly turned to the fifteen year old that had just challenged him.
" It would be " Tyr shifted his stance and turned about to face the fifteen year old, turning to face eachother, studying eachother closely. " Well ... I am Tyr of Arinbjorn "
" Hjalmar of Clan an Craite... " They circled eachother for nearly a full minute, an eleven year old readying himself to face a fifteen year old. Something few if any would ever entertain, yet Hjalmar couldn't help be curious as to the skill of the boy Arvernus had chosen to train.
They didn't yell or scream a warrior cry, simply rushed at eachother.
' Got you ' Hjalmar swung at Tyr's face, ready to end it in a single strike, only to be pleasantly surprised as Tyr raised his sword, allowing the axe to grind against his swords blade as he diverted its course upwards and over his head before he kicked out and struck at Hjalmar's undefended stomach, the fifteen year old having left himself open with his opening swing. ' Oh ... hrrr '
The kick had more force than Hjalmar expected, sliding through the mud half a foot before he stabilised himself and lowered his axe. " Good kick ... you got lucky "
They closed the gap between eachother once more, simply flinging themselves into close combat as boy fought against boy.
CRACK
Their weapons collided, sparks flying as Tyr's blade which he had thrust was pushed to the right, Hjalmar rotating and using the long hilt of his weapon to jab at Tyr's stomach on payback.
However, the hilt didn't reach sternum, as it was slapped to the side by Tyr's offhand, whom had studied the intricacies of the fabled parry, his left hand covered in wrapped cloth which he used to softer the impact of flesh against material object.
" Nice try " Tyr, not forgetting the lesson bashed into him the other day, with his sword still pushed down towards the ground, kicked out and stamped on Hjalmar's foot, upsetting his footing and before he disengaged instead of pushing the advantage.
" Ow you prick "Hjalmar grunted and limped slightly, glaring harshly at the boy who had parried his conniving retaliation. He no longer appeared quite so happy, rather his brow settled into a half glare, as he realised that he was infact not winning against this boy four years younger than he.
For ten more minutes the exchanged a flurry of parries and sweeping blows, fifteen year old boy trying to push the eleven year old back only to find himself ... wanting.
They separated once more, repeated strikes leaving Hjalmar bruised and red raw, his chest heaving in agitation. Tyr himself wasn't much better, having caught several strikes when he himself had made folly and allowed himself to be struck.
" You really are a country aren't you ..m you little shite " Hjalmar limped slightly, his right leg bruised if not strained.
" I could say the same ... you are a cut above your clan afterall " Tyr snidely back, amused by the jarls son, " I had thought you a pompous freak ... I'm quite pleased actually "
" As am I... I see why Arvernus the strong has chosen you ... " Hjalmar hissed as he slowly lowered his poise and prepared to strike.
" One more strike .. " Hjalmar asked, feeling himself grow weary of their engagement.
" Last one ... dont fall over now " Tyr agreed and laughed, wrapping his left hand around the hilt of his sword, squaring his shoulders and preparing to sprint at Hjalmar.
With a long drawn out breath, the two stepped forward, and sprinted forward at eachother with all the strength they could muster. Their intentions... their intellect was proven entirely different however as they collided.
" AHHHH " Tyr blinked, and on instinct, dodged, rolling out of the way of the sweeping arc that would have most likely broken his jaw. Had this been a couple days earlier, he would have no doubt tried to prove stronger and taken the strike without blocking or dodging in anyway, but he had been taught to be smarter.
And so he ducked the sweeping arc, adjusting his grip and slamming the butt of his hilt into Hjalmar's stomach, folding the teen over his sword hilt, collapsing him down onto the ground with a cough and grunt.
" You ... you win " Hjalmar wheezed, hand flying to his stomach.
" That I do ... that I do " He didn't boast, rather affirmed the victory, staring intot he sky, seemingly searching for something before erupting and turning back to the teen who had lost. " Give me your hand "
Tyr reached down in an effort to show a sense of humility. His opponent raised his mop of red hair, staring at the cloth wrapped hand, staring for several seconds before grunting and wrapping his hand around Tyr's own, allowing himself to be lifted from the ground.
" Again tomorrow " Hjalmar asked as they shuffled from the training grounds back into the fort.
" Yea ... I can do that "
... MIDNIGHT ...
Arvernus sat at the centre of the farmers home, leaning over as he stared at the ground, doing little else other than thinking as he had sent the farmer away while he dealt with the beast.
' Why would he be sure it would appear here .. his farm of all places ' He mused, His Carian swords leant against the shoddy table at the centre of the farmers kitchen. ' He knows more than he let's on '
It was little more than ten minutes before the moon would reach its highest point. Humming to himself as he rose and slowly made his way to the front door of the farm, spying the neighbours house where the woman had supposedly been killed by the creature.
' It's close enough to be seen from the front door ' Arvernus stepped outside, and turned to see the moon suspended over the world, it's illuminating radiance casting its light upon him. ' Watch over me ... oh moon of wisdom ... I once more place my faith in your guidance '
He came to stand before the farms porch, the eerie silence that swallowed the night nothing more than ambiance for the man whom had felled gods. As dead trees groaned in the distance, fog and mist rolled within the treeline, obscuring the neighbours farm slightly, creeping throigh the fields as the moons silhouette still yet penetrated the fog.
His ears picked it up even from the distance, the grinding of stone deep below the ground some hundred metres away.
Almost leisurely was he, as he walked around the small thatch rooved hovel for a farmhouse, as he unsheathed one of his Carian swords and made his way to the back thicket of tomato trees where a vaguely humanoid shape was rumbling through the mist.
" Greetings ... I know not if you can understand my words, but I beseech thee to surrender, lest I be forced to do something you'll regret " Arvernus called, a blue miasma radiating from the carian blade to illuminate the stretching shadows that reached through the fog and dead trees.
' Hmm ... ' He could see it clearly through the fog, elongated forelimbs tipped with taloned hands, jagged teeth ans gumless lips with thin narrowed eyes, thin tufts of hair stringing from atop its head. ' It seems ... this thing .. used to be human '
He sniffed at the air as it slowly rose from a dirt and stone coffin at the edge of the property, seemingly narrowing in on him the moment it rose, it's skin as black as tar as churning burnt flesh wafted from its body.
' It smells like purtrid filth ' The smell that ripped from its body was anything but holy, more tainted than anything else. ' Cursed .... it's been cursed '
And not cursed like those of his home like when a god manifests within man, or when Marika cursed beings to wander aimlessly. No this was a curse beseeched by man unto another, derived of hate and jealously. And he could tell by the pained cry that escaped the creatures mouth as it roared at him, it sounded more painful than angry, as if stuck in a moment of perpetual torment.
It leant forward and began to tear across the wheat covered fields, bending stalks as it passed, leaving a trail in its wake as it neared.
' Three ... two ' He raised his sword and pointed its tip at the creature, and then it struck.
It leapt from the wheat, swinging its blackened arms at the lord of Caria, whom moved his blade horizontally, allowing for its claws to be halted and grind against the length of the blade that met its charge.
The two collided with a loud crash, the ghoulish creature colliding with the lord only to be flung away by the flat of his blade, slung into the air where it flew up before collided with the ground with world wet thud.
' I'd say three ... maybe four times stronger than man ... still ... nothing but a babes strength ' It was pitiful at best, needing little more than a flick of his wrist as he strolled up to the rising creature, reared his leg back and kicked the creature clean into the wheat field where it yowled before landing with a thud, getting up and sprinting back at its attacker.
' What is there to fear of such a creature ' It leapt up as it neared once more, right arm rearing back and swiping at his chest.
" Hmph " He adjusted his grip and stabbed to the side at the incoming arm. Whatever the creature expected to unfold, did not, as its forearm was shredded as easily as bread, the swung arm skewering itself upon the blade as blood erupted like a spraying geyser.
It's yowl was something terrible, screaming in anguish amd pain as it leapt back, tearing the blade through the side of its cut as it almost removed its own hand entirely with that action alone.
" As I said creature, surrender beast ... you are severely outmatched " He simply raised his blade at the creatures slit eyes, where its wail shook the air, cradling it's arm as the burning anger it felt seemed to abate for a moment of clarity.
And in that clarity it seemed to understand, it was severely outmatched, horribly so. The man before it would be its doom. And so, it turned and broke into a dead sprint through the wheat fields towards the dead treeline.
' Oh ... you think running will save you ' He didn't sprint after the creature rather playing quite an amusing game of cat and noise as he stepped slowly in pursuit.
The wheat folded under his footsteps, as he followed the creature into the silent forest, curious as to where it could possibly be going.
The reaching trees were silent as the dead, with puddles of sick greying water and dark mud churning and popping with each step he took. He could hear the beasts bowls as he followed, remaining on its tail like a persistent itch.
As it fell onto the ground after leaping across the trees, it curled over, gagging for breath as it was sure it had escaped the man after fleeing hundreds of metres in mere moments, having travelled half the forest infact. With that in mind, it turned back, searching for any sign of the man, the beast that was hunting its cursed self.
When it turned back, it froze on instinct. As not five metres from where it landed, its narrowed eyes landed upon the frame of the man it had fled from, travelling a kilometre in moments In fleeing. Only for him to appear right next to the creature as if it had never fled to begin with.
" Going somewhere " It was almost sarcastic the way he asked, as he leant his sword against his shoulder, tapping his shoulder pouldron with the flat of the blade, regarding the creature as one would a petulant child.
It heaved in fright, not being able to understand the speed the man must have been strolling at to appear at its side, only to trun tail once more and continue sprinting into the dark.
" A basic instinct for survival " He spied its path and vanished once more, only to appear infront of it after blurring into a shadow and rending the space between them, materialising to smach the back of his hand into its head, sending it flying into a nearby tree, only for it to rise and continue fleeing.
" But ... " He appeared before it once more, sword no longer in hand as he reached and grabbed it by its oily head. Pinning it in place as he forced it to look within the slits of his silver helm, making eye contact with the beast even as it began to shake in terror of the eye contact.
' Intelligence buried ... yet intact ... most interesting ' Struggle as it might, with talons screaming with sparks against his armor, uselessly flailing about as he broke eye contact and looked to the moon.
' Oh moon ... infallible wise moon whose guidance lights the path, show this one the way that this pitiful creature might find its way to the solace of peace once more ... reveal to this loyal one whom might have cursed this pitiful creature ' Under the beckoning of his none verbal chant, his mana surged, calling the guidance of the moon from across the distant universes, forcing its momentary imprint upon the moon of this realm.
The white light of the moon shifted blue, the swirling mass of the moons ever present and always watching eye falling upon the clearing, the swirling iris of blue knowledge raining down upon them both.
" YES OH REVEREND MOON ... GUIDE US THAT WE MIGHT FREE IT " He let go of the creature, whose back arched, standing tall and arms spread as if it were being possessed, it's eyes refusing to break contact with the blue moon above.
" AHHHHHHHHH" The shriek shook the air as the beast rose onto its toes, eyes narrowing and widening in rapid succession, it's shriek if anguish ringing out fir several seconds as the centre if it's pupil began to glow of an ethereal light. And then it turned , breaking into another sprint away from Arvernus, heading towards the neighbours house with a howl that caused hiding crows to take flight. Watching it leave, Arvernus turned a half squinted to the moon for a moment before following, understanding that this was infact the will of the moon.
He followed its trail, through a singular burst of bloodhound step, following it as it ran at the neighbours hovel and began to rip at the walling.
' That's where ... ' He watched as it finally broke through using its body as a flail, falling through and stilling as if compelled to fall unconscious, as a man's fright echoed from within.
Ragarond stood before the beasts, falling to his knees before it's head as it breathed uneasily.
' Curious ' Arvernus ducked into the hole the beast had made, seemingly frightening Ragarond whom rose, spread his arms and stood protectively infront of the fallen beast. " That is enough ser Caria "
" Please harm her no more " He cried, despite the sheer difference in stature between them, he stood bravely as if to shield it from harm.
" This is a rather interesting turn of events, tell me ... farmer ... who is this beast " Arvernus unsheathed his sword once more and pointed it at the man's chest. " Why do you shield it "
" I..ii.... it's " Tears began to run freely down the man's face, whose feature reddened as he stuttered his answer. " My ... my d...dear ingrid "
" Your daughter ... this beast is your daughter " Arvernus squinted, sniffing the air once more as he did indeed pick up a human scent of liliac wafting from within the beast.
" Tell me ... what matter of fowl actions has forced your daughter into such a state " He pushed his sword forward until the tip rested upon the chest of the frightened man." And tell me ... what did you have to do with it ... "
" I...I...dont " Whatever excuse he was to utter died as the blades rip cut a shall gash into his chest, his cry of pain ignored.
" It was Yael ... she ... she cursed my daughter... it's ... it's why Ingrid attacked her ... that's all I know swear " Ragarond cried out, shaking as a small trail of blood began to run down from his chest, clear inside his tunic turning red.
Arvernus would have believed that was it if he was some form of idiot, yet he could smell half truths and lies from a mile away, and the moon would not have guided him here for no reason. " The truth ... tell me ... why did Yael feel fit to curse your daughter "
" I...I... " Ragarond tried to refute, to Jeep whatever he was to say to himself. Yet the further pressing of the blade made him cry out. " SHE WAS PREGNANT... MY DEAR INGRID... YAEL COULDN'T BARE A CHILD... AND FEARED I WOULD TURN MY FARM OVER TO...TO...TO "
"That still makes no sense ... why would Yael be jealous of your daughters child ... fear ... jealousy ... " Arvernus couldn't wrap his mind around it, his brow knitting as he took in another deep whiff of the air. And as he did so, the world seemed to snap into place. " Unless ... it's your child isn't it... "
" Y.. yes ... when Yael couldn't bare a child, me and Ingrid decided to try for child ... " Ragaron seemed to slump, and then It was with those words, that another horrible truth was revealed.
"NO ... You ... forced yourself on her ... got her pregnant ... and your neighbour cursed her in jealousy " Arvernus growled, slowly drawing his second sword from its sheeth after the first, ready to cleave the beast in human flesh in half.
" I...I. . Yes III DIIIID PLEASE ... IT WAS ME ... I FORCED MYSELF ON MY DEAR CHILD ... but please... dont kill her ... she's... I... i need her " Behind him the ghoul slowly rose in silence as if the spell that had forced it into unconsciousness was now lifted.
Ragarond didn't seem to notice as it rose over him, hunching forward as it pinned its gaze upon him as if recognising the one that wronged it so.
" For some reason ... I'm of the belief she is not of the same consensus " He spoke and took half a step back, and before Ragarond could react, was smite by a single sweep of the beasts arm, rending Ragarond apart as he slammed into the distant wall in two halves.
" Well ... that's that I suppose ... justice served " He looked at the frozen face of Ragarond, whose intestines slowly fell away onto the ground, before turning a slow gaze upon what remained of Ingrid.
" My apologies dear maiden... what happens next comes from a place of mercy rather than malice ... Allow yourself a painless death " It seemed to understand somewhat, and in retaliatory anger, it lowered itself and prepared for a last stand fight.
It was as futile as it was juvenile however as Arvernus simply appeared behind the creature, offhand knocking it to the ground and into a state of unconsciousness once more, before he raised his blade and made to separate its head from it shoulders in one fell swoop.
However as he did so, about to end its suffering ,A blue surge from the stars halted his descending blade, whispering in his ear as it seemed to impart its knowledge upon him. " Verywell then ... we will wait for dawn "
... TWO DAYS LATER - TROLDE CITADEL...
" In recompense for the terrible greivance you have suffered, both your father's and your neighbours farms shall fall to your name, do as you wish with your new lands " Before Crach knelt a brown haired girl, frail as could be, she shivered within the cold stone halls, the same as her father had not two days earlier. Her eyes were half lidded, saved by the moons grace that had compelled Arvernus not to remove her head, to allow for her curse to be undone by the mornings rise. She had been bathed and brought forward, alerting the Jarl of her plight at the hands of those she should have been able to trust.
" I ... I wish to sell them my Jarl ... I cannot tend to fields nor run a farm ... " She plead, her cry echoing as Cerys stood behind her father's throne, giving the girl a sympathetic stare, whilst Hjalmar and Tyr bore similar wounds to ecahother, having spent much of the past days dueling eachother, becoming rivals and fast friends at the same time.
" Then I shall buy it from you" They bartered a price to which the woman agreed, leaving with a heft sum of crowns, she would leave Craite entirely, shedding herself of the horrible memories she had been forced to endure, making a new life for herself wherever she may end up.
Crach watched her leave with thin lips which quickly bent downwards into a scowl. " What happened to the leach of her father "
" Dead ... killed by the curses hand " Arvernus spoke as evenly as he would about the weather, shrugging entirely uncaringly about the whole situation.
" You couldn't save him " Crach asked, turning to stare at the side of Arvernus's head, he along sith the others awaited the answer, with Cerys looking carefully at the man's back.
Slowly, Arvernus gave Crach a subtle stare from the corner of his eyes. " Would it have mattered, whether I could have intervened to save him or not "
" I ... suppose not " Crach whispered and sat back into his cushioned chair, he would have liked to set the man through trial, ' But I suppose the point is moot, whether here or there he would have died regardless '
" Onto other matters.. . The girls grandmother will be here in three days to retrieve her along with my uncle, I shall request you to accompany them on their journey back to Cintra ... would this suffice " Crach looked at Arvernus once more, not with suspicion but intending to fulfil his half of the deal.
" It shall ... I suspect Tyr and Eyvind would like to spend the rest of these days here anyway " He turned to Tyr and Hjalmar who seemed keen to vacate and cross blades once more.
" So it shall be ... " Crach nodded, finally rising from his chair to attend a feast and bed his woman, allowing everyone to move to their own activities for the evening.
....
'Ahhh ... ' He sat back into a boiled bath, allowing the steaming waters to wash over his body as his black hair floated the waters surface. Blue crystalline eyes half lidded as the water washed over each and every patch of scarred flesh.
' It has been Oh... oh so long since I enjoyed a simple bath ' One that wasn't a quick dip in roiling magma or falling to the deepest depths of the ocean where he would have to drag himself out. It was rather nice to simply enjoy a bath illuminated by simple candles.
And so, he allowed himself a moments relaxation within his gifted chamber, pleasant events wafting about as soft candle light cast long shadows across the walls.
Even though his skin prickled cold like the distant moon, he felt the touch of warmth. Allowing himself to fall into a state of near unconsciousness as he surrendered his perpetual train of thought.
By the time his eyes opened once more, the candles had long since turned to wax piles, the water had cooled if not began to frost over at his touch and unfurled control. And as he rose, the waters resurface broke like thin flakes of ice, drawing himself and his.... impressive ... stature from the waters as he retrieved a blue robe of finely woven cloth, draping it over his body as he used a simply flame spell to ignite a candle in the corner of the room.
' A good ... well deserved rest ' He grunted and made his way past a series of mirrors, and froze as the hairs on his neck stood on end.
He became rooted in his spot, half squinting as he looked after the shifting shadows of the room and the closed door, his senses flying about as he zeroed in on the origin of the source. ' There '
His hand lurched out at a mirror, His hand didn't stop at the mirror mirrors surface, much to the unease of the watcher, his hand instead sunk into its surface like a rippling waters irface, submerging his entire forearm into the other realm inside.
....
The unassuming man that had been watching out of curiosity from the safety of the mirrors lurched back in momentary surprise, as a hand sprung from within the surface of the mirror he had been watching from, the rising and reaching for him faster than he thought a man could move. And by the thinnest of margins, as Arvernus's arm seemed to stretch to an unnatural degree to reach for him across the limitless space between mirrors, he used his dominion of mirrors to shunt himself through another, barely missing the grasp that seemed not to care for space as he ejected himself from the mirror world, chortling in curiosity yet muted abject terror as he saw the elongated limb snap back through the mirror he had been watching from before he fully ejected from the mirror world.
....
' Hmmm .... whoever it was escaped ' He slowly withdrew his hand from the mirrors surface, leaving his mana on its surface to allow it to keep its portal like properties. Grabbing the mirror by the frame, he shifted it slightly, staring into the void beyond. Layers upon layers of iridescent colours bled together, objects semeed to rip amd fold over themselves yet there was a distinct form of reflection ... as if one could persist within the realm... and had access to what Arvernus could only assume to be another plane.
' Not to worry ' Grasping the mirror, he shunted a great amount of his mana throigh the mirror and into the realm beyond, if the person that had been watching returned to that placed, he'd know, and he'd make use of the mirror.
With that in mind, he sent the mirror into his inventory should it ever happen again, should anything try to access it.
" Now then ... " He shrugged the worry about the whole situation off of himself and simply walked to the finely crafted and meticulously kept bed, before slamming face down onto the comforted mattress and allowing himself to fall into the pleasant realm of unconsciousness once more.
.... THREE DAYS LATER ....
" Hello uncle... Calanthe " Crach met his uncle and the Lioness of Cintra at the docks, the towering vessel they had commanded and the small fleet that accompanied them taking up much of the frigid waters of the bay, essentially putting much of Trolde on hold.
Garbed in leisure travelling robes, Calanthe, the doubtlessly beautiful yet stern woman quickly sought and caught sight of her query, entirely ignoring Crach in favour of the platinum haired girl standing at the portly Craite's side.
" Ciri dear ... are you well " She approached even as Eist and Crach hugged eachother and exchanged pleasant Greetings.
She spied the surroundings for anything untoward before looking over Ciri, checking she wasn't harmed before allowing a small hum of satisfaction.
" I am ... I had so much fun ... Hjalmar and my new friend Tyr showed me so much " Calanthe raised an unimpressed brow as Crach seemed to freeze at her side.
" New friend ... tell me about him " She stared unblinkingly at the side of Crach's face whom turned away trying to hide his nervous shuffling.
" Oh he's nice, he's a squire to the strongest man in the world ... Lord Caria ... " Something many of the servants and soldiers had taken to acknowledging, out of sheer respect for his infallible strength, they had taken to acknowledging Arvernus's title of lord and giving him his deserved respect. And yet the man always treated them kindly, never asked much and always remembered their names. He had also been especially kind to Ciri herself when she had hounded him about the beast he had slain, how he got so strong and if he worshipped any gods, basically any question that came to her mind she asked and always revieved a patient if kind answer.
" Oh ... the strongest huh ... I'd love to meet him .. and what is this ... Caria he is lord of " Calanthe expected Crach to finally speak up, only for Ciri answer once more.
" It's one of the ruling families of his land, he's married to their princess .. he's very tall and very nice ... " Ciri smiled as though Calanthe wasn't trying to smite Crach where he stood. ' What was going throigh your mind Crach, to introduce my granddaughter to some stranger '
" Ciri dear why don't you go get your stuff with Eist ...I need to talk to Crach " Her tone was soft yet belied her command as easily as a royal decree. The young girl smiling and taking her grand fathers hand and walking off with him, leaving Calanthe and the nervous Crach standing before the docks.
" I'm sure you heard Ciri's rather interesting accounts ... mind explaining " She crossed her arms and pinned the man with a harsh stare.
" Um ... about that... I have a favour to ask .. my queen " Crach pointedly looked away, lifting his gaze as to avoid eye contact.
" Well ... stop being such a coward out with it... explain " She had been prepared to leave at once, simply spirit Ciri away back to the safety of Cintra now that her time on holiday was coming to an end.
" I uhm ... was accosted by a foreign lord within my fort for ... an attack I had ordered upon a member of the drommund clan ... " Crach squeezed out, rightfully admitting his faults, raising his hands before Calanthe could cut him off.
" It was my mistake... I... allowed for my men to attempt some ... less than honourable actions ... to which the man, had taken a keen liking to the villagers ... and slew my men ... taking upon himself the journey here to ask me not to do so again ... I was enthused to accept " Seeing Crach's seeming terror, Calanthe squinted ever so slightly.
" You were accosted in your own fort ... and then what, let him walk away, what manner of coward are you to allow a single man to make demands of you in your own fort " Calanthe couldn't even conceive of it, to bow so cowardly infront of some foreigner.
" Calanthe ... do not misunderstand it.. it's not that he simply a man, nor that I am craven and coward.. I simply know when to listen and when to stand. " Crach turned to the Fort and glared harshly. " What came Into my fort was anything but a man "
" Explain " Crach shivered ever so slightly, wincing before nodding.
" He stands at over two metres tall, his eyes glow with the light of the oceans depths. He is beautiful so much so he is a maidens dream. He is covered in scars plentiful enough any man should be dead. I've caught sight of him standing upon the forts top for hours staring at the moon leaving me to know he doesn't sleep. I've seen him fight over twenty five men at a single time in the training yards, with live weapons and trying their hardest, only for him to tear through through them without armour and using his hands to throw them Into the very skies " Crach shivered as the incredulous look on Calanthe's face bled into something more serious. " Rumours say he knows of sorceries, whispers from the village he appeared in say he can heal men with a touch and bestow luck, he can find anything and sprint fast enough that man cannot see him ... tell me calanthe.. when a man is confident enough to stride into the centre of you hall with two swords and says he's going to kill everyone in the fort if I don't listen... what would you do "
Whatever thoughts Calanthe had, had died a quick death, knowing Crach wasn't one to make up stories, no ... he had seen what he claimed. " I don't know "
" Neither do I... it is why I ask ... would you allow him travel to cintra under your watch with his squire and friend ... he has proven atleast initially trustworthy and reliable ... if not entirely honourable within reason. I do however with to kept him watched, under your delicate care .. my queen " Crach turned to the Fort, crossing his arms and staring at it. " I'm sure he is watching us now... I... can feel it "
" I ... wish to meet him then ... I will judge this for myself " Calanthe them nodded at her men, urging them to follow as she slowly made her way through the streets to the fort, curious as to the nature of the creature she was to meet.
" Of course my queen "
... CHAPTER COMPLETE ...
IF ANYONE HAS ANY COMMENTS OR IDEAS, THOUGHTS OR ANYTHING, I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR ANYONES FEEDBACK ON THE STORY SO FAR, AS ALWAYS YOUR SUPPORT IS ALWAYS APPRECIATED
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