Patreon LogoYour support makes Blue Moon possible (Patreon)

~ Cost of Immortality ~ {DarkRiffs}

K

kimbra_ailis

Super-Earth
Joined
Jan 11, 2009
Dreama stood watching the sunrise out her window. She pulled the blanket tighter around her shoulders as she scowled slightly. If her powers could extend that far she would do away with sunrise. One minute it would be night the next it would be light. Sunset she would keep but this sun coming up slowly simply had to go.
A knock on the door behind her turned her attention but only made her growl softly. Her mood was not improving. Opening the door, a small wisp of a servant stood holding a note before her. Dreama barely met the girls eyes before the girl took off running down the hall. Slightly amused she wondered which rumor had instilled all that fear in the girl.
Of course looking at the note she now held in her hand, mostly likely he had warned the girl to deliver the note and run. Still not over her. Dreama mused silently to herself. She had not meant to wound him so deeply. Her temper could get the better of her at times and she had yet to find anything that could keep it in check. Or should she say he had yet to find anything that would keep her in check.
Closing the door she broke the seal on the note. Scanning over the note she noticed his carefully wording. He was being respectful but she could sense it was forced. His request for her presence had been much more respectfully worded. Setting the note down on the table she rummaged through her jewelery box. Finding a simply gold necklace and cross she watched the light twinkle on it for a moment before putting it on.
Dreama knew he would recognize it. It had belonged to a servant girl, apparently he had been fond of her for whatever reason. But the ritual needed a sacrifice, her temper had flared and she thought why not kill two birds with one stone. Nearly 18 months had passed only now was he showing true signs of moving on again.
It was quickly approaching the time for another. The blue moon would be here in a matter of weeks. It seemed strange how after 15 years most of the court knew her magick kept her and him alive, but still did not notice the missing servants or the time frames. It wasn't like they could do much anyway but the thought amused her.
And the cross, the cross would be a nice little reminder to him. His immortally did not come without a price and would not be if it was not for her. She would love the look on his face when he noticed it. It almost too bad he didn't have a new toy. Another 18 months of this would be interesting.
Grudgingly she dropped the blanket and began to get dressed. Since it was too damn early anyway she dressed like she didn't care. The navy blue skirt came down to just above her ankles. If it wasn't for all of the layers of silk and satin one might actually notice the slits that went all the way to the waist. The shirt was also navy and might have been see through if the color had been any lighter.
Pulling the brush through her brown hair she pulled it back with a white ribbon and moved toward the door. She checked her image as she crossed the mirror and smiled slightly seeing how well the small cross stood out against her pale skin. It will do well enough. Pulling up the door she slowly made her room to his entertainment room.
Pushing that door open without knocking she noticed he was already there along with one of his advisors, Bian. The man did not like her much but he had given up the argument years ago. Like the rest of the court he tolerated her when he had too and stayed the hell away from her the rest of the time. He nodded and mumbled a hello before hastily looking back to his book.
Dreama moved to a seat at the table. Even as she approached she noticed the gold had caught his attention and he was staring fixedly at it, till it clicked in place. She watched as he visibly paled and looked from the cross to her eyes. She didn't smile but was satisfied with the look on his face.
Whatever he might have done was cut short as Caelan knocked and slowly walked in. Smiling Caelan took a seat across from her. He was young and one of the few at court that did not fear her. Actually he had seemed to take an interest in her. After several months she was still deciding if she liked that or not. She caught him looking down slightly.
"Is that a new? I don't think I see you in much jewelery."
Smiling pleasantly at him it was all she could do not to her left for the kings reaction. " No it was a present, I have had it several months now. This is just the first time I have thought to wear it."
From the other end of the table Caelan chimed in. "Pardon me, Lady Valdis but I didn't think you were a very religious woman.... At least in the meaning of that cross."
"Oh I am not.... that rumor is not exaggerated... but it was a gift after all.... I think it is only fit to occasionally take it out and wear it."
He seemingly accepted her answer nodding his head slightly and returning to his book. One of the servants slipped up to the table offering her a glass and tea. Smiling kindly at the girl she thanked her before she moved off. For a moment Dreama's eyes followed her. Out of the corner of her eye she noticed the king was too. She wondered if she had been mistaken, if maybe he had found another fling.
"Nice, girl."
She whispered softly, neither Caelan or Bian looked up. Only he had caught her meaning. More than likely both Caelan and Bian had heard the rumor she had an interest in the servant girls. The rumor wasn't true but it kept a good number of the court from trying to catch her eye. She noted the tension in him but did not jump on it. He always was squirmy when it came down to the death of an innocent. The rest of breakfast went by without anything remarkable. Standing to leave she heard someone clear there throat.
"Lady Valdis... I have someone I would like you to meet....." It was the king who finally got up the nerve to speak. Dreama nodded.
"I shall be in my room, you may send them there....." He nodded and she took it as permission to leave. As she headed back to her room she wondered if he was finally growing enough spine to pick the sacrifce himself instead of leaving it completely up to her.
 
Character Name: Dream Valdis
Age: 30... Appears closer to 20

Race: Human / Necromancer
Job: King's necromancer

Personality: Dominate, Violent, Sadist

Height: 5'10
Hair Color and Length: Brown, mid back
Eye Color: Brown

Physical Appearance:
(Picture here)


Scars/Tattoos: None

Weapons:


History:
When she was 5 years the King's Magician came to her village and abducted her. Some how he had found out that she had some magickal skills and wished to take her on as an apprentice. She endured the next 10 years with him using her like she was little more than another tool. Abuse and beatings were common enough if she did not preform well or quickly enough. Around the time she turned 16 the King died, passing the throne onto his eldest son. The new king became obsessed with his own mortality. Knowing the old magician would die long before his apprentice, the new king demanded her training turn from basic magick to death magick. The first time she preformed the spell to give him longevity she had warned him it would come at a price. He did not realize that price until he watched her kill the old Magician as a human sacrifice. To keep the spell strong she must perform the spell every blue moon (about once every 18 months or so). Often choosing human sacrifices that wont be missed by many but that will cause him pain.
 
Carnallure had paced impatiently about the foyer for nearly the entire morning, the stupid guard had made a mistake in timing and had left him outside for the entire night, such idiocy would not have gone unpunished, had he not had a job that is.It was just about dawn when the guard raced to let him in."Our apologies lord Carnallure, there was a mix up at the watch, it will not happen again" the guard said, bowing deeply.Carnallure's unamused look turned to a smirk as he stepped into the grounds."It's quite alright, I'm sure if you value your wife and daughter, you'll make sure it doesn't" he stated with a smile before stepping across the grounds.The guard had been lucky they let him in before the sun had fully risen, he had a rather nasty intolerance to the blasted rays of light, they made his skin crawl and itch, then again decades spent in dark study tended to do that to a person.

His cold jade eyes scanned the gardens wet with dew as he stopped to pick a rose, chuckling as he strode to the nearest servant girl, slipping the rose between her cleavage before he strode off, leaving the girl both confused and blushing."This best be worth it" he grumbled sourly as he began the climb up the stairs to the castle proper, a long trek to be assured."It's not my job to quell rogue necromancers" he spat irritatedly, going off on a tangent to himself and the air around."I should have his damn first born for the effort of even coming".There were various kinds of Necromancers, as there were various branches of the art.Some dabbled in undeath and undead servants, others in using the bones of the long dead for other purposes.Some studied arcane lore, imploring hexes and curses to inflict terrible malady on the victim, but he was a little more subtle.Carnallure was a student of the least known or popular of Necromantic branches....Blood magic.The primal art and base for all other Necromancy was the sacrifice of blood, both his own and others to obtain effects and the like.Indeed his body showed the grim price of his art.Jagged scars crawled around his wrists and forearms like the web of a spider, the lines of which had long since healed over into an ugly lot of scar tissue.

The night had been warm, and so he had dressed light, completely devoid of a top to cover his chest and arms, his pale skin reflecting the dim twilight of dawn, shadowing out the patterning of scars upon his body, an archaic pattern that served purpose only during the blood cleansing, an activity that took place once yearly in which the practitioners of blood would sacrifice a virgin female and shower under the blood, letting it fill the deep cavities in the scarring and cleanse them of all impurity.

Panting he reached the top of the stare well, his long brown hair splayed about his face and shoulders in a thin layer of sweat as he took deep breaths."This way Mi'lord" the gate guard said, escorting Carnallure into the castle and to the kings private study."Your majesty, the disciple of blood has arrived" he stated, bowing before shutting the door, leaving Carnallure with the king.After a few moments of silence he spoke, in a tone that could freeze ice and shatter a mans hope, it was indeed the voice of someone who meant business."Now them, sire.What is it of my services you require hmm?" he said, stepping into the room and gazing about absent mindedly."Perhaps you wish extraordinary abilities?....or require some sort of concoction?" he spoke, lowering himself into the chair opposite the king.All he had been told was that the king had a job and was willing to supply whatever he needed.
 
Character Name:Carnallure Gorechill
Age: 35.

Race: Human / Necromancer
Job: Practitioner For Hire

Personality: Irritable, Exciteable, Tempermental.

Height: 5'8
Hair Color and Length: Brown, past ass.
Eye Color: Jade

Physical Appearance: Rather small, though deceptively fast and strong from years of sacrifice to attain his abilities.His face is soft and untouched by scars, soft jade eyes and full lips make up a handsome and devious face.His skin is pale and almost ashen grey.

History: Growing up in the slums was hard on the young lad, he had been beaten down and taken advantage of nearly daily during his childhood, until he grew old enough to learn it was kill or die.His past had turned him savage, killing for food, and killing anything that tried to take his food.It hadn't been until the boy had turned seventeen that the brotherhood of blood had approached him with an offer he most certainly could not refuse.He went to live with them, serving and learning the art, harnessing his savagery into a useable force.His blood was his power, and his power was blood.
 
There were few things the King feared. Even less that he could not have eliminated… Death was one of those… And the Lady Valdis was the another. True with her help, death was no longer an issue. But that made her an even bigger issue. The last straw was the killing of the last servant. He simply could not let her continue like this. It was an embarrassment, among other things. Unfortunately it took this long to fine someone. Silently looking at the man, he started to wonder if he was only making a new problem for himself. At least there was no sarcasm in this mans voice, that was a slight improvement.
Waving absently at the mention of his abilities or concoctions. “I have more of those than I can handle.”
He paused for a moment in his thoughts. “That is the essence of my problem. I have a very gifted… woman… in my services. While useful, she has proven to be… difficult.”
Not waiting for him object and rushing before he was interrupted. He was already well aware that this was going to be a nuisance to anyone that had enough skill and power to bring the damn woman to control. “I am sure the last thing you want is to become a babysitter… but due to her skills, traditional means are not effective. I can make it worth your time… ”
 
He sat quietly as he listened to the kings words, and a soft grin slipped onto his face."mmm, a woman you say?, fascinating" he said.He listened to the rest of the kings words and chuckled."Make it worth my time hmm?.I hope your well aware that time is the most valuable thing in the world, my time will cost you greatly" he said with a cold tone."However I do not desire your gold, what else do you have that might be of worth to me?" he said with a chuckle."I find servants and wine to my liking, if you need a starting point" he said, setting a bottle down on the table."Wont you drink with me?".
 
“Finest wine in the kingdom and there are more than plenty servants running around the castle grounds. Help yourself to both. If you have a preference I recommend talking to my general, he will keep an eye out during his travels of the kingdom. I can assure you the man has good taste in women.” On a second thought he continued. “Although she is as likely to try to gut you as sleep with you, if you can get Lady Valdis under control, you’re welcome to use her as your entertainment. I only require her abilities and skills. The rest is a nuisance.”
Sitting forward, he poured them both a glass of the offered wine. “I will assign you an escort for as long as your comfortable. Some one that will show you the lay out of the castle and your chambers. As well as see to anything else you need. You want something, just ask. It will be taken care.”
Finishing the wine quickly, he stood. “If you will pardon me, Sir Gorechill, I have a room full of nobles that want to tell me their opinions and problems. Stay here as long as you like. Your escort will be waiting outside the door.”
Barely waiting for a response, he was already moving toward the door. He had already spent too much time. Affairs of the kingdom were not going to wait much longer. Gods know if he did not appear timely the nobles might try to start a riot.
 
A sharp smile slid across his face as the king partook of his offered drink.It was a dirty little secret that he loved so.It wasn't ordinary wine he carried around, but rather a special kind.It was the blood of virgins, mixed with sugar and yeast before being left to ferment before It was then further refined in a still, until a crisp crimson wine emerged, the basis of which was human blood.Imagining the look on the kings face if he had known, why it was enough to make him laugh out loud, though luckily he had kept his tongue still."Oh that's quite alright good king.My taste in women is far too strange to make a request of, all I will require is wine and servants thank you" he said, swigging his own goblet as he watched the king go.

"Ignorant fool" he spat quietly after the king had left.He already felt a strange pity for the female necromancer in his service.It was a sickening shame such talent was going to waste on making sure his fat arse would remain on the throne indefinitely.Work was work though, and he didn't have a say in the matter, at least not yet.Already the plan was forming in his mind, he would break the woman, make her loyal and obedient, but not to the king no....to him."I can end his rule and place myself in the seat of power" he thought with a grin."Seeing as the king has no heirs I can simply claim it".A sharp merry laughter split the air like a dagger as the plan formed in his head, how wonderfully devious it was.

He finished his glass of wine before striding out of the room he didn't pay a thought to the escort, and spoke as if he already figured it a woman."Take me to my chambers immediately, I require food, a pewter pot, and one of the blacksmiths sharpest blades" he spoke commandingly as he folded his arms and awaited a response.
 
“This way Sir…”
Moving along the hall ways, letting her new charge follow. Reaching out to stop a servant heading in the opposite direction. “I need a meal brought to Sir Gorechill’s chambers as well as a pewter dish… pot… a pewter pot… ” Letting the servant go after a nod, she continued on down the hall way.
Turning this way and that through the corridors as if she knew them without hesitation. At one point she moved closer to the wall, her pace picking up slightly, apparently avoiding a door to her left. Her hand unconsciously moved the small piece of jewelry around her neck as if that would protect her. Once they were past she slowed again. “Lady Valdis’ chambers…” The words came out barely above a whisper as if she were afraid the woman would hear and come out. Three more doors later, she finally reached for a door handle and pushed it open. Upon entering it was apparently a study. Walking in, she moved to the windows to push the curtains aside and open the windows. Quickly moving through the room and into an adjoining room that was the bedroom to do the same.
“Your meal and pot should arrive shortly. The blade will take a little time for me to fetch… Is there anything else I can do for you?” Patiently she stood a respectable distance from him, eyes cast down.
 
He chuckled and followed along, his eyes glued to the hips of the woman as he followed, licking his lips, she sure was delectable.He simply strode along past the door, dragging his nails lightly over it as they continued.He was silent until they got to the study.

He hissed as she opened the curtains, and dodged aside into the shadows to avoid the light.He couldn't blame her, it was her job, she was just ignorant after all.Chuckling he strode over to her, pushing her gently up against the wall and lifting her chin with a finger, letting his lips ghost over hers as he spoke, his breath cold as he did."I can think of a few things that would ease the ailments of travel...the simple question is, how much do you value your extra appendages?" he said in a mock sweet tone.
 
Breath catching in her throat. She had expected his request but that died not ease her fear. Knowing he was studied the same arts as the damned woman down the hall. In truth she could not understand why the King insisted on keeping these dark powers in his castle and in his presence. It was an effort not to reach for gold charm as if it would protect her. Realizing he had not hurt her helped calm her. His touch had been gentle and feather light. Nothing to fear. At least she tried to tell herself that.
“There is no need to hurt me.” Stuttering. She clearly did not understand whether he was threatening her or promising her. In her life she had only known pain for disobedience. Only the dark woman seemed to hurt those around her for fun. “My orders were very clear, Sir… See to your needs and keep you entertained if that was your wish. If I am not pleasing then I am to find someone who will be… there are a dozen females on call waiting for your approval...”
 
He chuckled quietly as he put his hands softly on her cheeks, using his fingers to gently open her eye lids wide, gazing into them as if searching.A few moments later he let go and turned around."Go about your duties.I'll see the woman later in the evening during supper.Until then, I require that pewter pot and the wine, that will be all" he said, dismissing her.

He was in the mood for it, but she wasn't the one, at least not for him.The bloodlords had a strange way of looking into a person soul through the eyes, but not by gazing into the pupils, rather the lines of blood etched into the whites of the eyes.Just like a fortune teller read the lines in peoples hands, so did they the lines in the eyes."I expect the blade soon however, my patience isn't usually this vast" he stated, sitting down and folding one leg over the other, expecting her to leave him in peace for the moment.
 
Sliding past him, she hurried to the door, trying not to run. As soon as the door closed softly, she ran down the halls. Veering off into the servants corridors. The blacksmith was a fair distance away on the other end of the compound. On quick feet, she made her way through the stone walls, sliding past other servants. Once she arrived at the blacksmith’s work shop, he was not in any hurry to help her. Eventually getting what he claimed was his best blade to date. On a second thought she asked to commission a new blade. Saying it was the king’s request. Making sure he understood it was high priority. He promised a few days.
Covering the blade that she had been given, she hurried back through the castle. Passing a servant in the hall way, she took the time to ask were it was going. When informed it was for the necromancer’s room. She took the tray. A small variety of food and a bottle of wine, and the pot. Sitting the blade on the tray it became heavy but she managed. As she started away, she stopped suddenly. Asking for a second bottle of wine be readied. Reminding the servant that it was to be the best that the castle had.
At his door, she knocked gently and pushed the door open. Walking to the large book table, she carefully unloaded the tray. Respectfully setting each item aside. Making a small bowing motion to him, she started for the door. “Sir, If there is anything you should need, I will be waiting outside the door.”
 
"I wonder how bad she really is" he mused as he drummed up fantasy images of the woman he was to be steering into control.Thoughts of an ugly old hag filled his head, but he brushed them off with a chuckle "No....Maybe in her thirties, but not older" he spoke to himself as he paced around the room.He was excited and anxious but not nervous, nervous was something he didn't do.

"Ahh, very good... however there is one more thing I require of you" he said, gently gripping her wrist before she could leave."I may not wish to bed you...but I've no doubts your delicious either way" he said with a soft chuckle.Using one hand he uncorked the wine and began to pour it in the pewter pot."Don't fret though Madam...I'm not going to harm you" he stated, setting the bottle down.He tugged her wrist gently and sat her on his lap as he leaned over and gave a long lick up her neck, smacking his lips a bit."hmm...you bathe with a hint of Rosewater" he said before he took her finger in one hand and the blade in the other.Quickly he ran it along the tip of her finger, shallow enough it wouldn't need stitches but deep enough it would bleed generously.

Setting the blade down he took her finger into his mouth and suckled on it for a moment, chuckling before he placed her finger over the wine and squeezed it, letting it bleed into the potent beverage."Almost done love" he said, licking the last drop off her finger before letting it go."You needn't wait outside...I can find my way to the dining hall when the bell rings" he said, reaching over to take the pewter pot, stirring it.He would wait until she was out of the room to perform the ritual, such things were never performed infront of the eyes of so called, non practitioners.
 
Unsure, but unwilling to anger him, she let him pull her into his lap.
Watching the blade, she held her breath. It was a painful reminder that he was just like the dark woman. It was no great secret what happen when the dark woman took an interest in one of the servants. Worse the King allowed it to go on. No one really knew what he got from the woman in turn. Some of the servants talked about the old days when a servant disappeared it was usually because she angered a noble. That death was always guaranteed to be quick.
Closing her eyes. She felt the blade bit into her skin but only in the finger. Opening her eyes she watched as blood welled and then he put it in his mouth. It all seemed surreal. For a moment the blood dripped into the pewter dish. She was still staring when he eased her off his lap. Being dismissed she moved to the door. In truth she did not want to know what he wanted with her blood.
 
Dreama finally dressed around mid morning. Eating lunch in her study as she poured over another manuscript. After her mentors death, his collection had come into her possession. Nearly two decades of studying and she had managed to go through a very small amount of his books. Many he had not allowed her near till close to the end of their days together. There were many areas that he held her back, expecting her to learn on her own and after he was gone. He probably feared that she would surpass him or worse. His collection had been massive. Manuscripts and text collected over more than nine decades. The man had been greedy about knowledge and had been sure to instill that same drive into her. Thankfully she had been blessed with a photographic memory.
When all the words started to blurr together, she marked the page and closed the book. Walking to the window she admired the view. Bright sunlight streaming in. Sighing, she picked up her bag from near the door and walked out, heading to the wooded court yard. She rarely spent time outside during the day. Her mentor had told her that too much sun was sickening. For years she had thought he purposely poisoned her, it was only after his death did she realize her system really did not tolerate it well. It seemed to be getting worse over time. She had come to accept that it was a trade off of the magick. Short bursts, a couple hours at a time were still acceptabl. Dreama rarely found a reason to push this limit.
Even now she stayed in the shaded area. Needing to collect several blooming flowers and a few seeds of another, a new spell had caught her eye. Unfortunately it was in one of the text that she found less than credible. Only one spell had actually worked. The book had been one of the first he had let her read. A joke. When she recently ran across it again, she had considered burning but something had stopped her. Ever since she had started to carefully go through and find which worked, which did not. Finding the plants quickly, she moved back into the castle.
Instead of going to her room, she went to the kitchen. Dreama did not trust the servants. Washing the plants carefully, she proceeded to trim them properly. It was nearly dinner time by the time she left. Heading back to her room, she was not happy to find a note on her door requesting her to come to dinner. Twice in the same day. She wondered why the king suddenly south her presence. She put the herbs near the open window in her study to dry. It took her a few moments to dress. Choosing a dark red, long sleeved shirt. A black skirt that went to the floor. Beneath it her flat soled boots disappeared.
She was late arriving at the dinning hall. Pausing in the door, she shuddered. A few dozen of the King’s closest nobles. She assumed ones that did not annoy him too much. They might not annoy him, but they annoyed her. She avoided situations like this. The nobles did not like her and she did not like them. In truth she was waiting for one of them to ask her a stupid question that she might just answer. The king would not like that. Noticing Caelan waving at her, she found herself moving in that direction. It was probably best she avoided the king at the moment. Irritated at him.
 
He had spent nearly all day deciding what to wear to dinner that evening, one rarely got the chance to make a first impression, and he figure he might as well make a good one.While it was a semi formal dinner with nobles attending, he would never go out of his way just to please the court no, he would dress how he liked, in the attire fitting of his occupation and his ranking.A long flowing robe as dark as night, embroidered in a smokey red to embellish, further overdone with gold runes along the red trim."This ought to turn some heads" he said with a smirk, for the guise of a Blood lord was a terrible thing in societies mind, it brought back terrible memories of the times the sect was in full power.They had nearly dominated the entire kingdom before the churches had quelled them in an extremely prejudiced culling, after which all mention both visually, auditory and textually of the blood sect was outlawed.But what would...no what could the king do?...he needed Carnallure.

He had finished the ritual he had intended with the young maiden, having transmuted the wine entirely to a pewter pot full of her blood for which he could practice privately, and while a vast volume of freshly drawn blood was preferable, it was simply too messy at the time."This will have to do" he said, giving up on getting his hair to stay the way he wanted it, instead he put it in a quick braid running down his back and folded his fingers together, drawing the hood of his robe up and hiding the good part of his face with the blood red scarf, if he was going to dress up it might as well be fully.

He had been nearly ten minutes late before he stepped into the hall, gazing about the table, the servant at his side."Your majesty, your guest is ready for dinner" she said, bowing as she proceeded to introduce him."May I present....Lord Carnallure Gorechill" she said, her voice quaking slightly, even the cold sound of the name was sickening to her to pronounce.
 
Dreama looked up as the room seemed to quiet down. That was rare for the nobles to close their mouth. Turning it was not hard to spot the reason for the sudden death of most conversations. A touch on her arm made her jump. Turning toward the source, it was only Caelan. “A friend of yours?”
Not bother to answer, she started to move through the room. Anger was probably an understatement of what she felt. Approaching the king, she immediately had the attention of the two men at his side. He was a little slower. Stopping close she waved dismissively at the men. The hesitated but whatever they saw on her face was enough for them to excuse themselves.
“What do you think you are trying to do?” Growling the words softly so that no one else heard.
“What do you mean Lady Valdis?” The way he stood she could tell he wasn’t afraid of her. Apparently he had grown a spine. Or found someone to do it for him.
“Blood sect!!!”
“You have not met Carnallure Gorechill yet?” Too calm.
“He is the guest you wanted me to met?”
“Yes. Why else would be here?” Before she striked him, she had to pace away a couple of steps. The last time she had a come in contact with a magick users and it started years abuse at his hands. Though she was stronger now she was not confident the out come would be too differently. She was a mutt, her magick ranged over several specialties and not a single one mastered. She knew enough of each but that divided her skills.
“Why?”
“Come now, Dreama your not still angry about Dragnor.” The look on her face persuaded him to drop that topic. “I thought you would appreciate meeting someone of like mind.”
“I would appreciate ripping your soul from your damn body and making you the puppet these damn nobles think you are.” She still spoke softly but several near by nobles turned to look. Giving him one last look she headed for the door.
“Dreama?”
“I am leaving… ” Without even turning.
“Lady Valdis, stay!” The authority in his tone brought her up short. Closing her eyes to get a hold of her anger. She was starting to draw attention to herself. Not that it would be the first time she had had a dispute in public with him. Pacing back to him, she stopped only inches from him.
“Be warned… You put me in a situation like the last time and not only will I kill him but I will kill you this time too.”
Heavy boots approaching. It was either Bian or a guard. In both cases the conversation was over. That did nothing to ease the anger she still felt. Her brown eyes turned to the stranger for a brief moment. Looking away she refused to be afraid. She was no calmer when she returned to Caelan. If he noticed her foul mood, he gave no sign of it. Oh to be young and naïve.
 
his face turned into a wry smile as the scene unfolded, oh how perfect she was, as feisty and fiery as could be.Hmm, she's definitely the one.I wonder how long it'll take me to garner her trust..no matter, if it takes too long I can always bend her to my will, after all she's only a woman.Then again, a student of Dragnor, she could very well have a few tricks up her sleeve.No matter, I'll be king soon enough."Well, Dinner and a show" he mused, sitting down and pulling his hood back, and removing the scarf.The smile was still upon his face as he gazed from the nobles to Caelan.Hmm, a love interest perhaps.Or perhaps he simply wants to hit it.Either way, I'll have to watch him."No need to worry about little old me, I'm only here for...educational and administrative purposes" he spoke with a chuckle."I hear your quite gifted Lady Valdis.I've no doubts your willing to learn more" he hinted with a chuckle.He could indeed teach her, which he knew would dismay the king, though one only got to know another through personal contact.Teaching her would be the perfect excuse.
 
Of course it was too much to hope for that she had not caused a major scene. Or else he was the only one to notice. A good number of the nobles knew to look the other way and ignore her time with the king. If he was offended by her outburst it did not show. Dreama wondered if she could simply brush it off a misunderstanding. Yes, probably although she hesitated to start off with a lie, even a half truth. There was no telling how much the king had talked about her.
“I was rude…” That was not an apology.
“The King apparently thought he would be funny and fail to mention that he had reached out… I am not accustomed to such changes with no notice. He knows this.” … apparently he has a death wish to play with me in such a way… She refrained from saying the last aloud.
Brown eyes turning to look at him. Dreama did not match his smile with a smile. It was clear she was not use to playing nice or being social. She was no politician, much too blunt. In all honestly she had no interest in it. Taking a drink from her wine glass, she took a moment to think over her next words. While in everything in her screamed not to trust this man, not to let him anywhere near her, that did not really solve her problem. Also past experience, though painful, the best revenge was learning as much as she could.
“We have not been properly introduced… Dreama Valdis…”
 
His hand slid out of his robe in an offer to shake hands."An elegant name, It suits you" he said as he took a sip of his own drink."I look forward to tutoring you" he said in an amused tone."I hear your quite adept" he said as he cut into his steak, chewing once and spitting it out.He growled and stood up, gripping the servant girl by the wrist."I asked for BLUE rare, not MEDIUM....take it back and make that fat oaf cook it again!" he spat.He seemed to have the same short least on his temper she did, or at least he didn't take shit.He let go of the servant girl and grumbled as he sipped his wine.If she had made a show, he had as well.
 
Watching his dispute with the servant, Dreama actually smiled. Apparently she was not the only one in the castle that found the servants completely useless. “Blood in… Blood out… ” Whispering in amusement. Caelan turned like he did not hear what she said, she simply shook her head. Smartly he did not push the subject. Probably afraid of setting her off again.
“I keep telling the good king that he needs to have better screening process when it comes to servants. These are only good for a very few things… ” Use to talking to herself she barely seemed to notice when she did it in public. As a servant passed with a bottle of wine, Dreama reached out and took it. Pouring herself a new glass and shooing the stunned girl away. “If he keeps insisting on my presence I am going to start taking care of that little problem… ”
Stating homicidal thoughts in public was not really wise. Although any noble that actually heard her conversation would do well to look the other way. She had the gossip that many of them believed she was not above treating them as her puppets as much as she did the servants. Probably not far from the truth.
“Study with Dragnor was wide and extended. Apparently not satisfied with mastering just one, I suppose I am similar. ” Her eyes running over him briefly. Few knew how Dragnor really died. It was hard to keep such a thing secret from much of the magick community, to everyone else it had merely been old age. It was funny a good number of the nobles had welcomed the change. At least at first. “… I believe I have enough skill to survive... ”
 
"The beauty of this craft over others is the fact there is no real mastership.You learn from experience, and you learn only what you wish.Wizards waste there lives in stuffy towers reading books, a shameful waste of an art" he stated."Idiots who aren't born with the gift who figure they can learn it" he spat on the floor."Don't worry about being a jack of all trades Lady Valdis, it will serve you well" he stated with a chuckle.

"Besides, your master happened to have taught me a few things before his untimely end too" he hinted with a smirk."But I'm sure his fate was well deserved, however he may have met it" he spoke, gazing directly at her with a knowing gaze.Such things weren't uncommon in Necromancy, of any kind.Students slaying there masters for power or revenge....it was part of the job description, such how easy power corrupted.
 
“He got off fairly easy.” At least a lot easier than he deserved. Talking out loud again. Caelan looked at her strange, noticing that she was smiling, he quickly looked away This was not really the place to continue the conversation. About the time that thought crossed her mind she realized most of her anger had dissipated. She was not sure she liked that thought.
“So he in fact had taught others? I thought he had been lying to me. At least about none of them surviving their apprenticeship...” Dreama knew he had not made a habit of lying but he did stretch the truth a little bit when it came to his personal past. As old as he was it would have been a miracle if he had never taken on students. Although growing up under his strong hand she could understand how accidents happened. Being nothing more than “a stupid child” until the day of his death it was a surprise she had survived.
 
"Oh he wasn't lieing, not many do survive his training, I'm surprised you have" he stated as he ate."Lady Valdis would it be alright if I dropped by your chambers for a discussion sometime this evening?" he asked as he moved his plate forward, apparently finished."I'd like to discuss a few matters in private" he said before he wiped his face and folded his fingers."It's of grave importance" he stated with a chuckle.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom