The evening air was brisk, refusing to allow the memory of winter to linger too far from Vin Tolmer’s mind. The sun was nearly completely behind the trees to the west; darkness descended silently on the old man. Sweat and a few flecks of sawdust clung to his brow. He drew a calloused hand over his face, wiping it. He then ran his fingers through his graying hair, pushing it back from his eyes. He raised his axe and with one final chop, the log parted into two. With a grunt of satisfaction, he bent and retrieved the two chunks of wood. He brought them with him as he turned to face his home.
He could see his wife, Cass, through the window as she busied preparing their supper. He smiled. They had done well. Their two sons were both married and lived in Myrkentown. Their daughter, to the excitement of Vin had married a fellow lumbersmith and they lived just north, in Fyeden. The Lord surely had blessed them with a healthy family.
Vin crossed the front green to the door, opening it to allow himself entry. He leaned his axe against the wall next to the door and continued in. His feet crunched softly in the rushes on the floor of their home. He moved toward the small, stone hearth. Vin put one of the logs on the fire and continued to lean toward it, enjoying the heat that it emitted. He put the other log on the dirt floor, for later use. He brushed some of the straw back from the fire, making sure, as always, that it was not close enough to catch. He rose from his view of the flames and turned back to his wife. He admired her strong jaw and high cheeks; older than he remembered. Though still as beautiful to him as the day that they had wed. Where had the time gone? He smiled a bit and shook his head at the thought. Closing the distance between himself and his wife, he put his hand on her back, giving it a gentle rub.
"Smells lovely, Cass."
The woman smiled as she looked upon her husband. "Well, I know how you love my carrot soup."
Oh, but she did make a fine carrot soup. Vin’s mouth dampened at the thought. "Aye. You do know me so well." He gave her a wink and he fetched two wooden bowls, and two wooden spoons to match.
It was then that the horses squealed.
Vin glanced quickly toward the door, in the direction of the horses beyond it. He stood still, as if waiting for the horses to shriek again. The sound that the horses made was distinct and uncommon. It was a sound of uncertainty...he could hear them snorting and huffing. Something had riled them. Wolves, most likely.
"I’ll be back. I’m going check on the horses." He moved toward the door of their home.
Cass’s brow nodded slightly. "Take a lantern, Vin. It has already gotten quite dark out there."
The old man paused, his hand on the door’s latch. A lantern was probably a good idea. He moved back to the hearth, removing the metal lantern from its resting place on the mantelshelf. Plucking up a long sliver of wood, he put it to the fire, lighting it aflame. He put his new, drawn flame to the candle within. Once he had lit the lantern, he shook the wooden punk, extinguishing it. He then returned it to the mantel for later use. He sealed the lantern, his hands bathed in the light of its glow.
He crossed the room to the front door. His hand worked the latch and he pulled the door to him. Immediately the lantern illuminated the face of a man, standing at the door. Vin jumped back with a start. "By the Lady!" Cass turned quickly at her husband’s shock. Vin exhaled softly and shook his head at the man. "You startled me there, good sir. What can I do for you?"
The man moved fast. So fast. His massive hands planted themselves on Vin’s chest, shoving him roughly so that he stumbled backwards, landing hard on the packed earth and rushes. The lantern flew from his grasp. The glass shattered. Cass screamed.
Vin shouted in shock. "What in the name of Finnan’s Ghost do you thi-..." And the words froze in the old man’s mouth. His eyes moved up to the man who had shoved him down. The man stood above him. So tall. He seemed to grow taller. His arms raised, hands behind his head. Vin’s eyes shot toward where he had left the axe. It was gone. He looked back at his assailant...as the man’s arms came swinging forward...large, meaty fists clasping the axe’s smooth shaft. Vin didn’t have time to make a sound before the axe’s head was buried in his chest, splitting his sternum like so many cords of wood. The man released the handle...letting the lumbersmith’s tool stay deep within in his chest. Vin clawed at it, trying in vain to dislodge it, to do...anything. He coughed, blood spitting from his lips.
The man straightened and looked at Cass.
As he drew closer, he looked at his own reflection in her eyes. She stared at him, wide eyed, in terror, as his hand reached for her face.
It was the last thing she was to see. And tears streamed down from empty sockets.
Another.
42 posts
• Page 1 of 3 • 1, 2, 3
by Altias_Bromn » Wed Apr 23, 2003 2:12 pm
The scent of burning thatch was still heavy in the air. The fire had burned itself out perhaps an hour before the scout found them, but still it stank of charcoal. Charcoal and...something heavier.
As the morning sun began to crest the rise, Altias looked over the scene once more, taking in every detail, before shouting for the runner who had come to get him from the inn the evening before.
"Boy! Kyle! If it has not already been done, send for Captain Kanashia. He and his men will be of more use here than I. "
He would have sent for a healer, but there was little point. Vin and Cass Tolmer were long dead.
Cass had still been breathing when Altias arrived, though how she had managed was impossible for him to imagine. Her body was horribly burned, but that was not the most disturbing of her injuries. Like the little girl before her, when Altias looked upon her, vacant sockets returned his gaze.
How she had managed to drag the body of her husband halfway from the burning building was a mystery. He could not even believe she found him, in her condition. But there he lay, his chest split neatly with his own axe. Altias was fairly certain that wound had taken him before the fire ever began licking at his flesh.
"Merciful Lord and Lady..." The words were a bare whisper, raw with emotion, nearly silent in the chill morning. Altias had never seen anything like this in all of his days. He had seen death, even murder, but this....this was simply savage.
Cass had very little strength when he had arrived. Shock had set in hours before, it was a miracle that she drew breath at all. What little the poor woman had been able to speak of made precious little sense at all. To hear her tell the tale, they did not even know the man that had attacked them. The man had simply appeared at their door, taken Vin's axe and struck him with it. As simple as that. No words exchanged, no robbery that she was aware of. He did not even hesitate to make sure she was dead, before moving on. The fire had been little more than an accident, when the lantern had flown free from Vin's hands.
Why in the name of the Gods would someone do such a thing? He knew the answer, of course. This was no mere man. Cass' missing eyes spoke of that. This was the work of the Baie.
Loviti...he had to find Loviti. She would have some answers, at least he hoped she would. She had seen the devestation this creature brought, perhaps she would know what to expect.
One thing Altias knew, security would have to be doubled. This proved that the Baie was moving toward Myrkentown. The route was less direct than he had expected, for which he was thankful, but it was coming.
He looked back toward the house. Nothing more than a stone shell now. The only clues left behind were the bodies of the Tolmers. It was quite obvious how Vin had died, if the blow had not killed him, the burns would have. Cass, the poor woman, had lived several hours after the attack. Her body was burned in a way he could not have imagined before this, especially her hands, most likely from trying to save Vin from the flames. Just like the little girl, there were no wounds from the removal of her eyes. Simply dark, empty sockets, void of what should have rested there. It was positively horrifying.
Despite his attempt to remain strong, Altias Bromn sat down in the dust, allowing his head to rest in his hands. It was something that would live in his mind forever. His only hope was that , by some miracle, the Baie was finished here in Myrken Wood. He knew it was too much to hope for, and that the worst was yet to come.
As the morning sun began to crest the rise, Altias looked over the scene once more, taking in every detail, before shouting for the runner who had come to get him from the inn the evening before.
"Boy! Kyle! If it has not already been done, send for Captain Kanashia. He and his men will be of more use here than I. "
He would have sent for a healer, but there was little point. Vin and Cass Tolmer were long dead.
Cass had still been breathing when Altias arrived, though how she had managed was impossible for him to imagine. Her body was horribly burned, but that was not the most disturbing of her injuries. Like the little girl before her, when Altias looked upon her, vacant sockets returned his gaze.
How she had managed to drag the body of her husband halfway from the burning building was a mystery. He could not even believe she found him, in her condition. But there he lay, his chest split neatly with his own axe. Altias was fairly certain that wound had taken him before the fire ever began licking at his flesh.
"Merciful Lord and Lady..." The words were a bare whisper, raw with emotion, nearly silent in the chill morning. Altias had never seen anything like this in all of his days. He had seen death, even murder, but this....this was simply savage.
Cass had very little strength when he had arrived. Shock had set in hours before, it was a miracle that she drew breath at all. What little the poor woman had been able to speak of made precious little sense at all. To hear her tell the tale, they did not even know the man that had attacked them. The man had simply appeared at their door, taken Vin's axe and struck him with it. As simple as that. No words exchanged, no robbery that she was aware of. He did not even hesitate to make sure she was dead, before moving on. The fire had been little more than an accident, when the lantern had flown free from Vin's hands.
Why in the name of the Gods would someone do such a thing? He knew the answer, of course. This was no mere man. Cass' missing eyes spoke of that. This was the work of the Baie.
Loviti...he had to find Loviti. She would have some answers, at least he hoped she would. She had seen the devestation this creature brought, perhaps she would know what to expect.
One thing Altias knew, security would have to be doubled. This proved that the Baie was moving toward Myrkentown. The route was less direct than he had expected, for which he was thankful, but it was coming.
He looked back toward the house. Nothing more than a stone shell now. The only clues left behind were the bodies of the Tolmers. It was quite obvious how Vin had died, if the blow had not killed him, the burns would have. Cass, the poor woman, had lived several hours after the attack. Her body was burned in a way he could not have imagined before this, especially her hands, most likely from trying to save Vin from the flames. Just like the little girl, there were no wounds from the removal of her eyes. Simply dark, empty sockets, void of what should have rested there. It was positively horrifying.
Despite his attempt to remain strong, Altias Bromn sat down in the dust, allowing his head to rest in his hands. It was something that would live in his mind forever. His only hope was that , by some miracle, the Baie was finished here in Myrken Wood. He knew it was too much to hope for, and that the worst was yet to come.
-
Altias_Bromn - Member
- Posts: 778
- Joined: Wed Mar 05, 2003 5:00 am
- Location: Under your bed
by Darren » Wed Apr 23, 2003 2:30 pm
The horse had rode there early, dust kicked up from the ground as the hooves hit the ground roughly to reach their destination. The Tolmes, just outside of Myrkentown. The horse stopped outside of the smuldering shell of stone, and Alexander quickly dismounted and ran a hand down alongside his coat. A few moments after, two more horses arrived, and the two uniformed men of the Myrken Guard then followed him to the house.
The first order of business was to see the two bodies. Obviously, Vin's death was from the axe-wound. That was simple enough. He looked the man's form over, before shifting it to the woman's, ...and her missing eyes. Altias had said this to him before, about how the girl he saw lacked eyes. It was easy for Alexander to scold Altias for speaking so scared about the sight when they first talked of it, but now seeing it on his own, it was truly horrifying. To hide the frown, he began to speak to his men.
"The Baie is closer. I want to tighten security, and quickly. A hundred men will be reinforced to the borders, and patrol dogs are to be set up near forest edges and nightly patrols made. If this thing reaches Myrken, we're all in a heap of trouble."
He looked the two bodies over, and made a solemn vow. Another order was made, for a proper burial for the bodies, and he was remounting the faithful mare. He patted her mane affectionately, before leaving the sight; quite disgusted by the horror that this creature could cause.
Damn the Baie, and damn him if he would be unable to stop it.
The first order of business was to see the two bodies. Obviously, Vin's death was from the axe-wound. That was simple enough. He looked the man's form over, before shifting it to the woman's, ...and her missing eyes. Altias had said this to him before, about how the girl he saw lacked eyes. It was easy for Alexander to scold Altias for speaking so scared about the sight when they first talked of it, but now seeing it on his own, it was truly horrifying. To hide the frown, he began to speak to his men.
"The Baie is closer. I want to tighten security, and quickly. A hundred men will be reinforced to the borders, and patrol dogs are to be set up near forest edges and nightly patrols made. If this thing reaches Myrken, we're all in a heap of trouble."
He looked the two bodies over, and made a solemn vow. Another order was made, for a proper burial for the bodies, and he was remounting the faithful mare. He patted her mane affectionately, before leaving the sight; quite disgusted by the horror that this creature could cause.
Damn the Baie, and damn him if he would be unable to stop it.
I refuse to believe this is as good as it gets.
- Darren
- Member
- Posts: 84
- Joined: Wed Mar 05, 2003 4:54 am
by Loviti Obe't' » Mon Apr 28, 2003 10:05 am
(Note: This post also references Disturbed Rest)
Loviti walked slowly into the clearing. Her eyes looked across the green grass toward the charred remains of where the Tolmer’s home once stood. She didn't know what there was to see here, other than more death by the hands of Baie. But she still wanted to come...to see if anything showed a sign of how better to take Baie down.
The man, Vin Tolmer, had his chest split with an axe, she'd heard. The wife had not been hurt, aside from her eyes being removed, of course. So delicate with the eyes, Baie was. And so vicious with everyone else. Chilling. So unnecessary.
Loviti walked around the remains of the walls, blackened by the fire's carbon breath. Her eyes stopped on the chimney, her brows knitting. The black film from the fire was smudged...smeared. She looked closely at it. What had done that? She turned, looking around, wondering where it could have come from. Looking for some sign of what it may have been. She glanced at the ground. Footprints were everywhere, charred wood having been trampled to ash under the feet of villagers, guardsmen, travelers, and the like. It was probably smudged by one of the people who picked through the ruins, looking for...anything. Perhaps an animal brushed it. There seemed more to it than that though. Who knew.
She moved across the grounds, heading for where Altias told her the bodies were buried. She could see a couple wreaths of flowers on the headstones. They were a few days old now...already browning in the springtime air. She stopped short and gawked at the three...heads...sitting at the foot of the Tolmers' graves. They were fresh...and yet rotten at the same time. Ghouls of some kind--beings of the undead--sent, finally, to their rest. She shivered at the sight of them. This land had such unnatural things.
She closed the distance between herself and one of the heads. She knelt before the one with a bit of its spine still attached. She eyed it for a moment. She chewed her lip in thought. After a moment, she reached into her pouch and removed a small, hard leather case. She released the clasp and opened it. She paused a moment to look behind her, glancing toward the way that she came, to see if anyone was entering the Tolmer's clearing. She heightened her sense of hearing...making it even more difficult for someone to sneak up on her. From the hard leather case she retrieved what appeared to be a spoon with a small needle attached to the tip, and its handle was a hollowed tube. Carefully, she slid a glass vial into the tube. After brushing her hand on her dresses, she placed her palm on the scalp of the disembodied head, her fingers squishing into the rotten tissue, supporting it. She eased the spoon into the eye socket, the spoon sliding under the sticky, bloodshot eye. Moments later, she removed the spoon from the socket. Careful not to disturb the eye itself. She removed the vial from the handle and put them both back into the case, and then back into her pouch. She clasped it and rose.
She looked back toward the house. This place was too disturbed to find anything of any importance. If there was ever anything to be found at all.
Baie had gotten another. She would find him. She would end this.
Loviti walked slowly into the clearing. Her eyes looked across the green grass toward the charred remains of where the Tolmer’s home once stood. She didn't know what there was to see here, other than more death by the hands of Baie. But she still wanted to come...to see if anything showed a sign of how better to take Baie down.
The man, Vin Tolmer, had his chest split with an axe, she'd heard. The wife had not been hurt, aside from her eyes being removed, of course. So delicate with the eyes, Baie was. And so vicious with everyone else. Chilling. So unnecessary.
Loviti walked around the remains of the walls, blackened by the fire's carbon breath. Her eyes stopped on the chimney, her brows knitting. The black film from the fire was smudged...smeared. She looked closely at it. What had done that? She turned, looking around, wondering where it could have come from. Looking for some sign of what it may have been. She glanced at the ground. Footprints were everywhere, charred wood having been trampled to ash under the feet of villagers, guardsmen, travelers, and the like. It was probably smudged by one of the people who picked through the ruins, looking for...anything. Perhaps an animal brushed it. There seemed more to it than that though. Who knew.
She moved across the grounds, heading for where Altias told her the bodies were buried. She could see a couple wreaths of flowers on the headstones. They were a few days old now...already browning in the springtime air. She stopped short and gawked at the three...heads...sitting at the foot of the Tolmers' graves. They were fresh...and yet rotten at the same time. Ghouls of some kind--beings of the undead--sent, finally, to their rest. She shivered at the sight of them. This land had such unnatural things.
She closed the distance between herself and one of the heads. She knelt before the one with a bit of its spine still attached. She eyed it for a moment. She chewed her lip in thought. After a moment, she reached into her pouch and removed a small, hard leather case. She released the clasp and opened it. She paused a moment to look behind her, glancing toward the way that she came, to see if anyone was entering the Tolmer's clearing. She heightened her sense of hearing...making it even more difficult for someone to sneak up on her. From the hard leather case she retrieved what appeared to be a spoon with a small needle attached to the tip, and its handle was a hollowed tube. Carefully, she slid a glass vial into the tube. After brushing her hand on her dresses, she placed her palm on the scalp of the disembodied head, her fingers squishing into the rotten tissue, supporting it. She eased the spoon into the eye socket, the spoon sliding under the sticky, bloodshot eye. Moments later, she removed the spoon from the socket. Careful not to disturb the eye itself. She removed the vial from the handle and put them both back into the case, and then back into her pouch. She clasped it and rose.
She looked back toward the house. This place was too disturbed to find anything of any importance. If there was ever anything to be found at all.
Baie had gotten another. She would find him. She would end this.
- Loviti Obe't'
- Member
- Posts: 16
- Joined: Mon Apr 28, 2003 9:40 am
by Galacia Tarin » Thu May 01, 2003 8:37 am
The old woman tottered down the road, a basket barely balanced in her gnarled hand. The brown cloak which covered her hunched body was threadbare, patches of various colors dotting the areas where the fabric had given way completely. Bare feet poked out from beneath the ragged hem, splattered with mud and spots of blood. She did not seem to mind, nor even notice.
Long grey hair, long away from the soft touch of a horsehair brush, lay in tangled masses nearly reaching the slightly muddy road. As Loviti came nearer to her, white eyes which had seen nothing in many a year, seemed to focus on the much younger woman.
"Spare a shilling for an old woman? I'd gladly trade you some of my lovely fruit for just a shilling."
In the basket were apples from the autumn before. Still edible, but hardly pretty to look upon. Their surfaces were as wrinkled as the face which peered up at Loviti. Brown and soft, from their winter in a dank cellar somewhere. Here and there within the basket where some potatos, most of them nearly ready to be planted, sprouting small green shoots, their surface more spring green than earthy brown.
The old woman raised her face in the direction from which Loviti had come. Hawkish nose drawing in a deep breath, which became a series of long and racking coughs. When the coughing subsided she spat on the roadside.
"Is that smoke, little miss? What has burned? Oh, tell me it was not the tiny shack south of the Tolmer clearing? Oh please, miss!"
The basket wobbled as the old woman began to shake, tears welling in her sightless eyes. The free hand, curled and barely useful, pawed toward the younger woman. Desperate to know that her little old shack was safe from harm.
"Have you come from the direction of the fire, miss? Please...Please tell me what has happened...."
Long grey hair, long away from the soft touch of a horsehair brush, lay in tangled masses nearly reaching the slightly muddy road. As Loviti came nearer to her, white eyes which had seen nothing in many a year, seemed to focus on the much younger woman.
"Spare a shilling for an old woman? I'd gladly trade you some of my lovely fruit for just a shilling."
In the basket were apples from the autumn before. Still edible, but hardly pretty to look upon. Their surfaces were as wrinkled as the face which peered up at Loviti. Brown and soft, from their winter in a dank cellar somewhere. Here and there within the basket where some potatos, most of them nearly ready to be planted, sprouting small green shoots, their surface more spring green than earthy brown.
The old woman raised her face in the direction from which Loviti had come. Hawkish nose drawing in a deep breath, which became a series of long and racking coughs. When the coughing subsided she spat on the roadside.
"Is that smoke, little miss? What has burned? Oh, tell me it was not the tiny shack south of the Tolmer clearing? Oh please, miss!"
The basket wobbled as the old woman began to shake, tears welling in her sightless eyes. The free hand, curled and barely useful, pawed toward the younger woman. Desperate to know that her little old shack was safe from harm.
"Have you come from the direction of the fire, miss? Please...Please tell me what has happened...."
-
Galacia Tarin - Member
- Posts: 95
- Joined: Mon Mar 10, 2003 11:50 pm
by Loviti Obe't' » Fri May 02, 2003 12:02 pm
Loviti’s face took on an expression of sympathy at the woman’s worry. She spoke softly and moved near to the woman. It appeared that the possibility of a fire was enough to upset this woman; the news of the Tolmer’s death would most certainly devastate her. Loviti wanted to be close, in case the elderly woman was overwhelmed by the news.
”There was indeed a fire, madam. I’m afraid that it was at the Tolmer residence. I’m sorry to say that there were no survivors.”
”There was indeed a fire, madam. I’m afraid that it was at the Tolmer residence. I’m sorry to say that there were no survivors.”
- Loviti Obe't'
- Member
- Posts: 16
- Joined: Mon Apr 28, 2003 9:40 am
by Galacia Tarin » Sat May 03, 2003 6:37 am
"Oh no...no...."
The old woman's hunched shoulders shook like leaves in the wind, as the sorrow overtook her. The basket full of what was, most likely, the last of her winter stocks, fell forgotten to the muddy path.
"No...not the Tolmers. Gods preserve us...why them?"
Once more the hazy white eyes, which seemed to have been green once upon a time, leveled in the direction of the much younger woman. A gnarled hand reached out to grasp Loviti's arm.
"How did this happen? Was it a lightning strike, a spark from the hearth?"
Beneath the guise of the crippled old woman, she watched. This was indeed the woman she had seen talking with the Councilor about the Baie. She knew more than she was saying, that was certain. If her innocent prodding did not lend her the answers she sought, more drastic measures would have to be taken.
The old woman's hunched shoulders shook like leaves in the wind, as the sorrow overtook her. The basket full of what was, most likely, the last of her winter stocks, fell forgotten to the muddy path.
"No...not the Tolmers. Gods preserve us...why them?"
Once more the hazy white eyes, which seemed to have been green once upon a time, leveled in the direction of the much younger woman. A gnarled hand reached out to grasp Loviti's arm.
"How did this happen? Was it a lightning strike, a spark from the hearth?"
Beneath the guise of the crippled old woman, she watched. This was indeed the woman she had seen talking with the Councilor about the Baie. She knew more than she was saying, that was certain. If her innocent prodding did not lend her the answers she sought, more drastic measures would have to be taken.
-
Galacia Tarin - Member
- Posts: 95
- Joined: Mon Mar 10, 2003 11:50 pm
by Loviti Obe't' » Sun May 04, 2003 4:37 am
Loviti moved quickly to support the old woman as her basket fell from her grasp. The younger woman’s hands went to the elder’s shoulders...stabilizing her, patting them softly in an attempt to be consoling.
”From what I hear, there was some altercation in the night. A struggle. A lantern was dropped and it got out of control. I’m very sorry, madam.”
”From what I hear, there was some altercation in the night. A struggle. A lantern was dropped and it got out of control. I’m very sorry, madam.”
- Loviti Obe't'
- Member
- Posts: 16
- Joined: Mon Apr 28, 2003 9:40 am
by Galacia Tarin » Fri May 09, 2003 9:44 am
A million thoughts raced through her mind. Instinct told her it was time to drop the guise, to demand the answers she sought from this small female. Something else told her that anything other than the utmost caution would be folly.
The frail old creature moved a few steps from Loviti, attempting to pick up the fallen fruits. Each one slipped from her grasp, covered in mud, rolling this way and that. Crippled hands shook, the motion carrying itself over her twisted form. It seemed for all the world that grief was consuming her.
"You must tell me all you know. I must know what fate befell the Tolmers."
As she straightened from her stooped position, bones cracked and popped. The hump on her back straightened, adding height to her slouched form. Though Loviti might realize that as she straightened, the frame of the old woman grew taller than even the hunched spine might allow for. Milky white eyes looked at her companion, as they cleared to reveal seas of endless ebon. The depth of a starless sky, looking back at the other.
"You know. You know what caused this. I must know, you have to understand. You will tell me now. You will give me all the information you have given to the Councilor, and that which you have not..."
As she spoke, the transformation continued. The gnarled legs, blood covered feet, became instead the long and unharmed legs of Galacia Tarin. Matted grey hair, shifted, making way for the raven silk. Curls draped her form, covering most of the now tiny tattered gown.
"Tell me all that you know of the Baie."
It was not a request. The dance had continued far too long. It was time for answers. The demoness stood before the woman, dwarfing her. Obsidian talons glistened in the rain, as one hand rose toward the other woman.
"Tell me."
The frail old creature moved a few steps from Loviti, attempting to pick up the fallen fruits. Each one slipped from her grasp, covered in mud, rolling this way and that. Crippled hands shook, the motion carrying itself over her twisted form. It seemed for all the world that grief was consuming her.
"You must tell me all you know. I must know what fate befell the Tolmers."
As she straightened from her stooped position, bones cracked and popped. The hump on her back straightened, adding height to her slouched form. Though Loviti might realize that as she straightened, the frame of the old woman grew taller than even the hunched spine might allow for. Milky white eyes looked at her companion, as they cleared to reveal seas of endless ebon. The depth of a starless sky, looking back at the other.
"You know. You know what caused this. I must know, you have to understand. You will tell me now. You will give me all the information you have given to the Councilor, and that which you have not..."
As she spoke, the transformation continued. The gnarled legs, blood covered feet, became instead the long and unharmed legs of Galacia Tarin. Matted grey hair, shifted, making way for the raven silk. Curls draped her form, covering most of the now tiny tattered gown.
"Tell me all that you know of the Baie."
It was not a request. The dance had continued far too long. It was time for answers. The demoness stood before the woman, dwarfing her. Obsidian talons glistened in the rain, as one hand rose toward the other woman.
"Tell me."
-
Galacia Tarin - Member
- Posts: 95
- Joined: Mon Mar 10, 2003 11:50 pm
by Loviti Obe't' » Fri May 09, 2003 1:40 pm
Loviti’s eyes narrowed, listening. She heard every word, but when the old woman’s form began to shift, she heeded none of them. The muscle in Loviti’s legs shifted, growing taught. She squatted and, with a quick contraction of muscles, she increased the blood pressure, causing her legs to extend rapidly, launching her backwards, away from the shifting Galacia. The action was beyond that of a normal woman. There was more to Loviti than she let on. She held her hands out in front of her, each fingertip parted, allowing long, black talons to ooze forth. Her fingers splayed, the sharp nails gleeming.
Glands expanded and grew thick under her tongue, pockets of flesh filling quickly with liquid. She was well aware of Baie’s instability in holding form. He was a fool to show himself to her. He really thought her some little peasant girl that he could get information from and then destroy; as if he really cared for about the Veil?
In a flash, she was in the air again, bounding down upon the dream witch, claws ready to carve her open!
Glands expanded and grew thick under her tongue, pockets of flesh filling quickly with liquid. She was well aware of Baie’s instability in holding form. He was a fool to show himself to her. He really thought her some little peasant girl that he could get information from and then destroy; as if he really cared for about the Veil?
In a flash, she was in the air again, bounding down upon the dream witch, claws ready to carve her open!
- Loviti Obe't'
- Member
- Posts: 16
- Joined: Mon Apr 28, 2003 9:40 am
by Galacia Tarin » Mon May 12, 2003 8:46 am
As the form of Loviti Obe`t` descended toward her, Galacia had only a few moments to consider her response. There was obviously more to this woman than met the eye, she should have known better.
Onyx-colored talons elongated further, as the smaller woman launched herself at the dream witch. For some reason Galacia was more conerned with avoiding the strike than in injuring the woman. Normally, slicing her open would have been her only priority. Somehow this was different.
A crouch, the claws extended toward her attacker, before she was leapeing backward from her position. Loviti's claws racking across her forearm as she moved. A growl, nearly a roar, issued forth as the claws struck.
"You fool."
A moment taken, time to consider her next move. Flight or fight? She would not run. This one had answers that she needed. Leaning back into the crouch, Dark eyes focused on the other woman, she had only seconds.
"Why are you doing this? I meant you no harm. I only need to know where he is. Please. He'll come for me. I don't want that."
Was that the truth? Even she was not sure. He had been her...no...he would kill her. What if...if the Baie stood before her even now?
Hesitation. Her gaze hardened slightly. A series of hisses and clicks issued from her lips. A curse, a venomous oath, that the Baie would understand. If this was indeed the Baie that she was facing, he would not resist the ability to respond.
~Come then...if it is what you have come to do. Kill the one who knows you. ~
Onyx-colored talons elongated further, as the smaller woman launched herself at the dream witch. For some reason Galacia was more conerned with avoiding the strike than in injuring the woman. Normally, slicing her open would have been her only priority. Somehow this was different.
A crouch, the claws extended toward her attacker, before she was leapeing backward from her position. Loviti's claws racking across her forearm as she moved. A growl, nearly a roar, issued forth as the claws struck.
"You fool."
A moment taken, time to consider her next move. Flight or fight? She would not run. This one had answers that she needed. Leaning back into the crouch, Dark eyes focused on the other woman, she had only seconds.
"Why are you doing this? I meant you no harm. I only need to know where he is. Please. He'll come for me. I don't want that."
Was that the truth? Even she was not sure. He had been her...no...he would kill her. What if...if the Baie stood before her even now?
Hesitation. Her gaze hardened slightly. A series of hisses and clicks issued from her lips. A curse, a venomous oath, that the Baie would understand. If this was indeed the Baie that she was facing, he would not resist the ability to respond.
~Come then...if it is what you have come to do. Kill the one who knows you. ~
-
Galacia Tarin - Member
- Posts: 95
- Joined: Mon Mar 10, 2003 11:50 pm
by Loviti Obe't' » Mon May 12, 2003 9:22 am
Loviti paused at Galacia’s words. The strange tongue of clicks and hisses was lost on Loviti, but it put her more on edge. It was odd to her that Galacia wasn’t Revealing for the attack; maybe this wasn’t Baie after all.
Unfortunately for Galacia, Loviti had already revealed herself and, therefore, Galacia had to die. It was Law.
Loviti’s fingers twitched, nails clacking; the blood of the dreamwitch dripping. Loviti’s muscles tightened, ready to move at Galacia again. She hesitated again...Galacia knew something. She knew something about Baie. How could she? If she did, Baie would have gutted her by now. Had he truly disintegrated so far that he has lost all compliance of the Law? If so...he was more dangerous than ever.
”Still your tongue before you lose it!”
She paused again...thinking. Could Baie be so deceiving? No. He would fight. Wouldn’t he?
Loviti's talons extended a bit more.
”Who are you?”
Unfortunately for Galacia, Loviti had already revealed herself and, therefore, Galacia had to die. It was Law.
Loviti’s fingers twitched, nails clacking; the blood of the dreamwitch dripping. Loviti’s muscles tightened, ready to move at Galacia again. She hesitated again...Galacia knew something. She knew something about Baie. How could she? If she did, Baie would have gutted her by now. Had he truly disintegrated so far that he has lost all compliance of the Law? If so...he was more dangerous than ever.
”Still your tongue before you lose it!”
She paused again...thinking. Could Baie be so deceiving? No. He would fight. Wouldn’t he?
Loviti's talons extended a bit more.
”Who are you?”
- Loviti Obe't'
- Member
- Posts: 16
- Joined: Mon Apr 28, 2003 9:40 am
by Galacia Tarin » Mon May 12, 2003 9:30 am
"My name, is Galacia Tarin Talus. I am the one they call the Dream Witch. But you know that...Baie. You know exactly who, and what, I am."
What sort of game was he playing? Had his mind been damaged so much that he had forgotten her? It was not possible. He would always remember what she had done to him.
"Be on with it then. Kill me, if it is what you have come to do. If not, then let us be finished with this game."
Galacia stepped forward, obsidian talons retracting into her fingertips, until only normal sized nails remained. She knew it was a risk, but she would do what she had to.
"Know me...as you once did, Baie. Kill me, or remember what we once shared."
What sort of game was he playing? Had his mind been damaged so much that he had forgotten her? It was not possible. He would always remember what she had done to him.
"Be on with it then. Kill me, if it is what you have come to do. If not, then let us be finished with this game."
Galacia stepped forward, obsidian talons retracting into her fingertips, until only normal sized nails remained. She knew it was a risk, but she would do what she had to.
"Know me...as you once did, Baie. Kill me, or remember what we once shared."
-
Galacia Tarin - Member
- Posts: 95
- Joined: Mon Mar 10, 2003 11:50 pm
by Loviti Obe't' » Mon May 12, 2003 8:17 pm
Loviti was shocked--and that was no easy feat. She starred at Galacia. This woman believed her to be Baie...just as Loviti had believed Galacia was. This Baie was cunning indeed. He was so skilled in the art of the Veil. Loviti envied him for a moment. A thought that she knew would be even sweeter after killing him. It was what had to be done. He had revealed too much. This...woman...was prime example.
Galacia would have to die. But in time. She obviously knew something about Baie. She was a resource that needed to be tapped and drained before casting it away.
Loviti's talons slowly withdrew into her fingertips...the flesh knitting back together as if the nails never were. The glands beneath her tongue remained; hidden, yet available. She straightened, no longer taking an offensive or defensive stance.
"I am not Baie." She paused a moment before continuing. "I am Loviti Obe't'...an old friend. It sounds like you are the same."
Galacia would have to die. But in time. She obviously knew something about Baie. She was a resource that needed to be tapped and drained before casting it away.
Loviti's talons slowly withdrew into her fingertips...the flesh knitting back together as if the nails never were. The glands beneath her tongue remained; hidden, yet available. She straightened, no longer taking an offensive or defensive stance.
"I am not Baie." She paused a moment before continuing. "I am Loviti Obe't'...an old friend. It sounds like you are the same."
- Loviti Obe't'
- Member
- Posts: 16
- Joined: Mon Apr 28, 2003 9:40 am
by Galacia Tarin » Fri May 23, 2003 3:51 am
"Then it would seem, Loviti Obe't', that we have reached an impass. You claim you are not the Baie, as do I. However, both of us are aware of it's existance. That is no small wonder, as I am sure we both know. "
"Perhaps..." The much larger woman took two steps back, creating a bit more distance between them, before sitting down on the filthy road. It was either a bold, or incredibly stupid, move. "..it is time we told one another a story. A story about a man. Or was it a woman? A story about why either of us would have seen it's face, and lived to tell the tale. "
It was quite obvious to Galacia that Loviti was far more than she seemed. An idea had formed in her mind, the instant the woman claimed not to be Baie. An idea she was not quite willing to foster, just yet. If anyone knew the lengths that the Baie would go to in the name of his quest, it was Galacia. Even feigning ignorance of her identity and existance.
"So tell me, Loviti, your story. Tell me about him...and why I should believe that you are not he."
Ebon eyes leveled completely on the smaller woman, the attention of the Dream Witch hers alone.
"Perhaps..." The much larger woman took two steps back, creating a bit more distance between them, before sitting down on the filthy road. It was either a bold, or incredibly stupid, move. "..it is time we told one another a story. A story about a man. Or was it a woman? A story about why either of us would have seen it's face, and lived to tell the tale. "
It was quite obvious to Galacia that Loviti was far more than she seemed. An idea had formed in her mind, the instant the woman claimed not to be Baie. An idea she was not quite willing to foster, just yet. If anyone knew the lengths that the Baie would go to in the name of his quest, it was Galacia. Even feigning ignorance of her identity and existance.
"So tell me, Loviti, your story. Tell me about him...and why I should believe that you are not he."
Ebon eyes leveled completely on the smaller woman, the attention of the Dream Witch hers alone.
-
Galacia Tarin - Member
- Posts: 95
- Joined: Mon Mar 10, 2003 11:50 pm
42 posts
• Page 1 of 3 • 1, 2, 3
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 5 guests