Who's Afraid of the Bid Bad Wolf?

[Luana_Blodwyn]

How long had it been since she had seen sunlight? When they slept she worked, when they woke she slept…mostly. They were horrible monsters. Beautiful in their own right, flawless creatures, however they were cold and cruel. They cared nothing for anyone but themselves and their war with the lycans. Ivah sat on her stool, it was getting late at night but her work wasn’t done. She hated to be awake when they rose to dominate the night. Nothing but monsters and those that took the war very seriously would not hesitate to bother her.

How long had it been since she had been taken? She had long since lost count. There was no day and night for her…there was darkness and sleeping. She worked in a dark room, with only her desk lamp for company, as too many light hurt their eyes. It was a tell tale sign when one came to visit when the lamps were extinguished in the room. She poured over weapon after weapon, perfecting things to destroy the Lycan. It was her genius that had created the liquid arrow. The head would shatter after penetrating the lycan’s body releasing silver into the veins of the Lycans. She had invented the silver net launchers and the boot knives. Day after day, working and perfecting. The worse part was the clothing she was forced to wear. They were not satisfied with simple clothes for their inventor, no. Their attire was regal and dramatic, she was no exception. She wore a dress that should be a child’s dress. Twenty eight years of age and they dressed her like a child. The dress was black with a wide skirt, filled with chiffon to make it stick out. The hem of the skirt ended halfway up her thighs. Long white stockings crawled up her calves to her knees and black leather shoes sat on her feet. The dress had a bodice, the only thing that proved she was not eight. It pincered her stomach in and pushed her breasts up, wildly exaggerating the normal size of them. Her hair of bright red was elegantly curled and set into pig tails. She was painted up to almost give the appearance of a doll. The final bit was a lacey choker about her neck. It tied gently in the back and hid a myriad of scars. Anytime her work ran late she was subject to their biting. The blood they had stored away was hardly enough. They craved fresh blood and no human who worked under them was exempt.

How long had it been since she had been bitten? Once she understood that working into the night led to a feeding she made sure her work was done. She worked furiously on her weapon, trying to finish it before they stirred. It was a marvel of engineering. A small, wrist mounted crossbow and each bolt was a smaller version of her liquid silver arrows.

“So you are here, angel?” She heard the silky tone behind her. Andrej was always the first to her work station if she worked late. Her blood ran cold as she heard his footsteps. “Just about to go,” she said as she set it down and made to leave. “Oh…I think not…” he cooed, grabbing her hand and pulling the human close to his cold body. She shivered, an unsettling cold in her stomach, as he untied the lace choker. “You leave so early…do you not want attention, sweet little one?” He questioned as he held her head still to look in her eyes. Those green eyes glazed over and her mind went blank. The vampire dipped his head and fed upon his prey. Just enough to enjoy, not enough to kill or even turn. Her body went slack and the vampire lifted her up. He deposited her body on the chair as he withdrew his fangs from her neck. “Mmm…delightful as ever… “ he said lowly as she slumped forward. Her body felt weak, notably drained. “Do finish your work pet…no one likes a lazy human.”

Marric stood on top of a high roof looking down over the streets around the lair. They had spent years, and many lives trying to find this place. It had been several years since the tide of the long standing war with the vampires had turned. For centuries they had just held each other in balance neither side gaining ground on the other. The Lycans didn't care for the vampires being there, but were just as happy to not be wiped off the face of the earth.

When the vampires started implying these new weapons in their war it changed everything. The Lycans did their best to try and change as well but they lacked the creativity needed. That was something that Marric didn't understand, the Lycans didn't have the creativity to keep up with the vampires in their weapons, where were the vampires getting this rush from? Muses weren't allowed to employ their skills on either race, so by all that was fair the two should have remained in a dead lock.

That however was not the case. The sun was just starting to set as Marric stood on the roof top, feeling the urge to change from his human form getting stronger. No Lycan wanted to stay in human form more then was needed, but they would when it was needed. As the moon rose the urge would only get stronger. The sun was nearly down, the vampires would be waking for their night of terror soon. But for this moment the only defense they had were the human thralls they had not yet turned.

Down in the street below there was a soft bark from a large wolf like dog in the street, and Marric smirked shaking his head. That was the message that all the pack was in position, the time had come, he just wished they could come up with something else then a bark. He sighed and let the change push through him forcing his fur to grow, his face elongating, and his ears shifting up higher on his head to grow in to the long points. He growled softly then tossed his head back and howled to the moon signaling the attack.

Answering howls were heard all around the building that sat on top of the enclave. The warriors of his pack struck hard, only a few falling to the cursed arrows, as the Thralls were weakest right near sundown. The few vampires that were awake and alert enough to fight crossed fang and claw with their silver swords and daggers. This wasn't just a extermination raid the pack was too weak for that, there was only one goal to this. Marric was moving quickly for that goal as the fighting intensified.

He came to the door that their information said led to the inventors workshop. Not even slowing as he bowled into some pompous blood sucker that had just closed the door. He knocked the wind out of the overly dressed fool and proceeded to rip the door from its hinges laying it across the fallen vampire. His blood lust was up ready to kill the next vampire he saw, expecting it to be the inventor of all their problems.

What he saw stopped him dead in his tracks. For a brief moment the clothes and hair made him think that it was nothing then a little human girl. He blinked taking it in again seeing the bite marks on her neck and the rather large endowment that marked her as not a little girl. The clothes she wore disgusted him that the vampires would demean her like that was horrifying to him. Not having his cloak anymore he couldn't do anything to cover her with, but that would be fixed later. There was no way that he could kill her like he had planned when the attack began.

Dropping to his knee in front of her he gently reached up brushing her cheek, his midnight black fur standing out in stark contrast to her pale skin. Clearly she had been down here for awhile, it was time to change that. He gently brushed her cheek, "Hey, are you alright?" he saw the bite mark but was hoping that she wasn't too drained to respond.

There was a commotion, Ivah could hear it from her workshop. She had barely the energy to move her arms let alone expend much on worrying what was happening. It was probably another mock battle. Not even for any sort of drill, the vampires grew so bored they would fight one another for fun…or make their humans fight. Luckily she was always exempt from such activities, they needed her alive not maimed in a fight to the death.

Then the door was ripped from its hinges. No, something different was going on. The human had little strength or will to even turn to look. She didn’t need to. Only a few moments later she felt a warm, oddly soft hand on her cheek. She opened her eyes only a little but then they shot open. Instinct and adrenaline took over, never mind the question and gentle voice. She sucked in breath as if she was about to scream and made to scramble away from the anthromorphic wolf but found her legs would hardly support her. With all the grace of a one legged swan she and the work stool clattered to the floor. She held up an arm in a poor attempt to shield her from the wolf.

“Please….please don’t kill me….”that was it for her strength and the adrenaline. Her arm dropped to the stone floor as she looked up at the wolf. A mixture of terror and yet acceptance on her face. Even healthy she wouldn’t be able to outrun the lycan. He would be here for revenge. It was her hands that had made the tools to kill his brethren. “I’m sorry….I’m so sorry…” she breathed out, trembling a little. Alright so she was a bit of a coward. She made weapons for the vampires so they would not kill her. Now one of those she made the weapons to kill was there for revenge. How could she expect such a monster to respond to such pleas? Of course, the kindness in his voice and that gentle touch had been completely lost on her in her surprise and terror.

 

[Kolath]

Marric was a bit shocked when the woman jumped away from him backing into the wall and begging for her life. A lycan shouldn't be a shock to her, living in the world of their kind as she obviously did. Lycans never harmed the humans under vampire control unless it was in self defense, if a human attacked one of them only then would deadly action be taken. Otherwise the lycans knew that it wasn't the human's choice and so would help them as best they could. So why was this woman so afraid of him?

As she started to apologize, Marric slowly took in the room around him. He knew this was where the creator of the weapons worked, and clearly there was a project underway as he had come in. However there was no sign of… His thoughts trailed off as he realized what was happening, they woman…she was the creator of the weapons. That was how the vampires had tapped into the powers of the muses allowing them to create new weapons. They had taken a human captive and were using her as a conduit.

There was no way that he would allow that to continue. Marric saw red for a moment as the thought of all his fellow lycans that had died because of her creations. He howled in blood lust and turned toward her his eyes glowing a deep blood red. His claw pulled back ready to strike her down for the pain that she had caused him and his pack.

 

[Luana_Blodwyn]

Ivah had to know it was coming. It seemed the wolf did not understand at first. Even with his animal features she read the brief confusion. As he looked about the knowledge dawned on him and he understood why she trembled and apologized. Her pleas would fall on deaf ears. It was her inventions that killed his brethren. Granted she was forced to make them, but did that really make her innocent. The howl sent a violent tremor through her body. The hatred and raged reflected in his glowing eyes. The claw raised to strike her down.

"Wait!" She weakly raised a hand up. "Please, I can make them for you!" She suddenly yelped at the lycan. It was her only hope. Her expertise could be used in reverse. Survival was the only real goal, never mind simply changing masters to work for. "Please just hear me out!"

 

[Kolath]

The words meant nothing to him his eyes shining bright red in the pure anger and hatred he felt in that moment. However it wasn't a hatred of her for what she had done, his mind cleared enough to know that and as he started to swing he turned sending the projects and papers flying. The table that she had worked at for so long splintered under his single strike. The strength he held in his body was amazing equaled only by the power of his heart. Slowly he turned back to her after destroying the table and any projects she had half finished or finished she might have had.

He turned back to her his eyes having returned to normal as he bent down and gently lifted her up. "No matter what happens you will not be making more of these for them. " he didn't know if he would want her to make weapons for him and his people knowing the dangers that such power could give but for the moment it wasn't time to think on that. "Come I will see you to safety." He started to lead her out of the door.

 

[Luana_Blodwyn]

Her words had fallen on deaf ears. That dark, red light still shined from his eyes. Ivah's already wide green eyes grew all the wider as he raised his claw higher for a strike. The human gave a small cry of fright as she saw him swing his claw. Her eyes snapped closed as she waited for the strike that would end her life. However no pain came and she heard his claw strike the table. A symphony of destruction echoed from her work bench as the wood splintered, papers were ripped and scattered, and the weapon she was perfecting was torn asunder. Debris scattered and clanged across the hard surface of the cement flooring.

Ivah's eyes slowly opened to see just a couple more paper flutter to the ground. The Lycan's eyes were trained on her again. She held a question in her face but said nothing as he neared. Immediately her body tensed up as he wrapped his arms around her and picked her up off the floor. She couldn't stop the tremors that coursed her body as she looked up at the tall wolf. "You...what?" She questioned as he started to walk away. Anyone with any sort of sense would know he wanted her to follow him. Just before following she snatched up her work notebook and followed after him. The world seemed oddly fuzzy to her but she had to keep up.

The battle between the vampires and the lycans was waging heavily in the compound. The vampires might have the fire power to fight but the lycans had the surprise attack on their side. With the vampires only just stirring for the night many were slaughtered while just waking. Screams and bestial roars could be heard from nearly every corner of the sprawling mansion. Ivah didn't know whether to be relieved or terrified at the sudden turn of events in her life. The clash and clang of metal was drawing near as the oddly matched pair traveled the long corridors of the mansion. They arrived on the scene of a battle. The vampires did not have their crossbows and could but fight with silver swords. Lycans fought back, having learned to deflect and combat the silver edged blades.

One vampire looked to the newly entered pair. She was a beautiful creature with knee length hair the color and sheen of a raven's wing. "No! The inventor!" She screamed as she pushed the lycan back. Other vampires looked up to see the child-like adult who stood behind the tall, black lycan. To a couple this glance cost their lives. However this also let the Lycans know that the true goal of their attack was accomplished. Though a lycan with coppery fur looked at Marric with a small frown. A howl was issued for a full retreat.

 

[Kolath]

Marric had led her into the pitched battle stopping the one with raven hair that had spotted them. He wasn't trying to kill her only force her away. With a single deflecting claw he knocked her sword away before bringing his other claw up, feeling it slash into the vampiress' chest plate and send her flying through the air. There were some advantages to being a lycan over a vampire though with the weapons they had the extra strength didn't bare much fruit.

Marric needed to get out of the battle and let himself shift back to human form. The blood rage that was being fueled by the fighting around him was also clouding his thoughts making it hard to think clearly. He knew that he needed to get the girl out of there and that for some reason his people wouldn't like his choice but knew it was the right one. However for the life of him the reasons weren't coming clearly because of the blood pounding through his head and the instincts of the wolf racing to battle.

Seeing the look that his beta gave him Marric merely shook his head. "Later Aaron, later." The copper furred lycan narrowed his eyes but nodded accepting and trusting his Alpha's choice. It wouldn't be so easy to convince the other Alphas of the need for…damn this blood rage. He couldn't put it all together for the moment but he knew that it would clear when they had a moment to rest. He pushed through the crowd of Lycans, holding the hand of the woman making sure that she wasn't lost in the battle. It wasn't long before they were clear of the mansion and out into the crisp night air.

 

[Luana_Blodwyn]

Ivah stayed behind Marriac as the vampiress charged. She had seen the woman before, though rarely, is was normally Andrej who she saw. The vampire seemed more concerned that their inventor was being taken away than fighting for her own life. She was no match for the lycan and was flicked away as if she were just some troublesome bug. The human peered around her dark wolfish companion as the one of coppery fur gave her companion an odd look. Apparently his name was Aaron, Ivah glanced at him with an equally questioning look but said nothing.

The woman was busily staring at the scene around them as Lycans did all they could to subdue the vampires. It wasn't a battle any longer, without their weapons the vampires were nearly defenseless. She jumped when she felt the large, furry paw wrap around her slender hand and pull her away from the scene. Her steps fumbled briefly but she trotted after the large wolf, sticking close behind.

Then they stepped outside. Ivah felt weary beyond reason but the crisp, cool are was rejuvenating. She looked up at the moon high above, stars accompanying her in their ethereal dance. How long had it been since she had seen sky? Ivah's eyes closed and she inhaled a deep breath of air. Was it fall? Late summer or spring? She wanted to laugh and cry all at once. Her eyes opened once more and she stared up at the moon. "I had forgotten how beautiful the moon was," she said with a light breath. "I am forever in your debt...ah...sir...?" In the confusion she hadn't caught his name.

 

[Kolath]

The night air cooled his heated skin quickly cutting through the fur because he allowed it too, letting him calm down and relax to some degree. The battle was still raging behind him but that was a secondary point that he would have to deal with in a moment as he felt the blood rage leaving him. His eyes turned to the moon and sighed deeply. Unlike most of his brethren that could be driven into more animal states by the appearance of the full moon, Marric had always found that the moon no matter its state of waxing or waning was always a calming influence. It allowed his mind to clear enough to smile wolfishly at the woman before him.

"Marric my dear lady, and I fear I have not caught your name. That is unless you prefer to go by the inventor?" He turned down the street slowly walking his hand on her arm guiding her with him. There was a howl from the leaders of the attack on the mansion and quickly the battle began to break up. This wasn't meant to wipe out the mansion rather to destroy the ability of the vampires to keep the upper hand. The capture of this woman seemed to achieve that though he wondered if the other alphas would see it that way. There was another two howls that sounded in the distance and Marric looked their way worriedly. The sentries were to remain silent unless… he growled deeply before turning to her again. "We must hurry away from her, and I fear I will have to carry you as you cannot out run the vampires coming."

 

[Luana_Blodwyn]

Marric...she grinned a little at the wolf when he told her his name and requested her own. The small jest made her laugh just a little. "No, I certainly prefer my true name," she said through another laugh. "It is Ivah," she finally said with a small, polite nod. How nice it would be to have her actual name be used. It had been a long time since anyone had used her name. Usually the vampires used forms of pet names or, for her, simply called her the Inventor. She looked up to the wolf as he guided her gently but briskly away from the mansion. While her body felt weary she had a strange amount of energy. perhaps it was the cool night air or the freedom she felt. It had been a long time since she had been outside at all, not since being taken to work for the vampires.

The howls that rang through the air sent a chill up her spine. She hadn't a clue what it would mean, but obviously Marric knew. A second howl sounded and this one he looked towards with a look of concern. A growl issued from his throat and Ivah shied a little as he turned towards her. While he was the one who had taken her from that place, he did raise his claw to attack her but a few minutes prior. When he spoke she tilted her head a little at him. Something was obviously amiss. "Well...alright..." she said awkwardly, rubbing the back of her neck.

 

[Kolath]

He smiled ruefully at her reaction knowing that she couldn't understand the howls that were being exchanged. This woman had no reason to trust him since he had just tried to kill her a little bit ago, though he would never have harmed her just was blinded by the rage for his fallen brothers. Bending down he gently scooped her up into his strong arms holding her against his broad fur covered chest. "Hold on. We have much distance to cover before the sun rises."

He crouched holding her tight as he launched himself up to the rooftops easily clearing the distance needed. He arched his head back and howled the final orders calling for general retreat. His long legs ate up the rooftops moving quickly from one to the other, jumping the gaps that he couldn't just stride across. It wasn't long before the were nearing the edge of the city, and soon he dropped to the ground and his speed took them deep into the country side.

The moon was near its setting point, the eastern sky slowly lighting with the first rays of dawn when they came to another mansion this one set out far in the country side. He cleared the walls easily and took her to the main door before he finally set her down on her feet, still holding on to her in case she was unsteady. "Welcome to my home, I promise that you will be safe here."

 

[Luana_Blodwyn]

Ivah tensed slightly as the wolf stooped down to pick her up. One couldn't deny he was large and imposing, not to mention she thought he was going to kill her just a few minutes prior. However, pressed up against his broad, warm chest she managed to relax enough to rest her arms about his neck. As he held her she felt his muscles contract as he readied for his mighty leap onto the buildings overhead. She gave a small, high pitched squeak as the ground rushed away from them. Though he was the word of grace and landed without jarring either of them before taking off across the rooftops and into the night. His howl sent a shiver up her spine. He must have been calling to someone as she saw others like him run along the rooftops as well.

It would be a long run and his stamina was more than impressive. Truthfully she could not be too much a burden to such a creature. Ivah could not help but look about the city. It had certainly grown since the beginning of her captivity. When she first arrived with the vampires it was but a large village. Since then it had grown to tall stone buildings and bustling center of trade.

Then they got to the edge of the city and Ivah watched it disappear in the distance as they ran across the countryside. It would be a long night. She should have felt guilty about it, however, Ivah was exhausted. She'd had a good deal of blood drained from her body that night, not to mention had been up since early morning. After the city had faded away Ivah's body finally gave up and she fell asleep against Marric as he ran. Her arms curled up at her front, resting on her stomach as her head laid on his chest.

Finally it was nearly dawn and she woke with his second leap of the evening. A strange way to be roused indeed. He wasn't even out of breath. She blinked a little in the dawning light and gave a small yawn as he gently set her down on her feet, though she still felt his arms around her, which was good as her balance was not quite at its peak. Her head craned back as she looked up at the large mansion. Something like that should have been not abnormal to her but she was still surprised. The way the vampires spoke she thought Lycans would live in caves or dirty huts out in the woods, not sprawling mansions.

Then suddenly her courage seemed to quail a little. Her mind could not help but to remind her she had spent the previous fifteen years confined in a mansion. It was a magnificent prison, but a prison none the less. However she was not without her manners and turned to look back to the tall wolf. "You have my eternal thanks, Marric. I will make good my promise to make weapons for your kind..." just how was another question. "Though...if I may...will I be permitted outside?" It might seem an odd question.

(Soooo sorry for the delay, been very busy...)

 

[Kolath]

Marric had been about to step forward leading her inside when she asked that question of him. He blinked and turned to look at her for a long moment. He realized that the vampires must have treated her very badly for her to ask for something so simple. He looked out across the grounds in front of him seeing the sun play lightly over the hedges rows and gardens hidden throughout. He smiled finally and reached out placing his hand on her shoulder. "You are a guest not a prisoner, you may go where you wish when you wish. Though for the time I will assign you a protector in case someone comes to reclaim you."

He smiled softly trying to reassure her before he pushed the large doors open in front of them. Several servants stepped out. Two of them carried drinks one for both of them as Marric led her inside. Two others carried cloaks one for each of them to cover themselves with. Marric wrapped his cloak around him before he shifted back into human form hiding the fact that he was naked inside the large cloak. The final servant clearly was Marric's gentlemen's gentlemen, the leader of the household.

He bowed deeply to Marric before standing back and speaking. "The alpha council has asked that you appear before them to explain your actions."

Marric smirked letting a soft chuckle slip from his lips, "Asked?"

The other man shrugged, "Demanded might be a better way to describe the tenor of their message my lord." There was a slightly cheeky grin on his face knowing well what his master thought of such demands.

Sighing heavily Marric nodded, "Send them an invitation to attend me here at home. If they don't like it they can wait to get their answers. And Thompson," the man stopped just before leaving, "Are my sister's clothes still in her room?"

Thompson stopped to think a moment before nodding, "I believe so yes sir, shall I see them taken to the lady's room?"

Marric nodded, "Yes, and have my seamstress make the needed adjustments for her, till she can make new things for the lady Ivah."

Thompson nodded before leaving to see things were done.

Marric held out his hand to Ivah, "Come let me show you to your rooms."

 

[Luana_Blodwyn]

Ivah froze when Marric stopped at his own threshold to turn and stare at her. Perhaps she had asked the wrong question. Maybe he would do the same as the vampires, lock her up inside to simply work. Her body was torn with fight and flight instincts, though less fight and more flight. However her legs were locked in place. It wasn't as if she would be able to escape. Like the vampires he was stronger and faster than her, there was no hope to run. But then a smile broke out on his wolfish face. His words sent a flood of joy and relief through her. Feeling a touch more at ease she followed him through the large, heavy looking doors.

Immediately there were more people around than she had seen in fifteen years. Ivah didn't know if the sudden amount of people made her nervous or if it was a delight to be around others again. Cloaks were placed about them, she only just realized she was a little chilled. The night run should have been colder but she had been held against a warm and furry body all night. She thanked the servant for the drink and looked to Marric. The wolf was gone and a man was left in his place. She shouldn't have been surprised but the shocked look on her face could not be hidden. Vampires always held the same form, she had expected Marric to always be a towering, bipedal wolf.

Finally a well dressed gentleman appeared on the scene and spoke with Marric. Ivah bother understood and did not understand that was said. This counsel disapproved of something Marric did, she could only hazard a guess as to what that was, though her guess would be on the mark. Then clothing was discussed and a small flush could not be helped, hiding a small but of excitement. She had spent so many years dressed like a doll she was excited at the prospect of new, different clothing. Though his sister...why was it she did not need them? That would be a question best left when they were better acquainted.

At the offer of his hand Ivah reached out to take it but an elderly, portly woman bustled forward. "Ohhh no master Marric," she said, clucking like a mother hen. "You, naked as a new babe and the lady needing new clothing, I think not." Miss Tilly was one of Marric's oldest servants and acted like more of a mother to everyone of the household than a maid. "You need to get cleaned up for your counsel, off with you now young man. I will see to your new lady friend...what was your name dear?" She asked going from furious, clucking hen to sweet and motherly in shorter than the span of an eye blink. "Ivah..." was the quiet response the woman received. "Well miss Ivah let's get you cleaned up and dressed in..." she took a moment to glance at the adult sized child's dress. "...something more suitable." With that Ivah was whisked off with Tilly, though she threw a slightly bemused look back at Marric before disappearing down a hall.

Ivah found the mansion to be massive, she was certain to get lost at some point. Tilly showed her to her surprisingly spacious room. Before she had a small room she shared with another female, the other female had been a sort of "pet" to one of the vampires. Ivah always counted her blessings that she had been the inventor and did not have a different position in the vampires' house. A bath had already been drawn. Ivah was stripped of the black child dress, the corset removed and sank into the warm tub. Tilly was not about relaxing baths for the time and helped with loosening the ringlet curls from the fiery red hair. Ivah's face was washed, removing the doll like make up. Now she truly looked like a woman of her young to middle twenties, rather than a painted child.

The clothing had been brought in and once Ivah was out of the bath she was put in a fine dress the color of fresh, spring grass. It clashed magnificently with her red hair which held a wavy curl of its own, but not the tight ringlets of her previous style. The sleeves were short and the neck line dipped low. There was a bodice to the dress but it was not nearly as confining as the corset had been. Ivah felt markedly better in the looser, comfortable, floor length dress. "Feeling better then, Miss Ivah?" Tilly asked and was given a wide smile. "Far better, thank you," she said brightly. "Well I will leave you now, I will have something to eat sent up promptly. I am sure master Marric would allow you any amount of time to get settled before making any sort of appearance." With that Tilly was gone. True to her word a warm porridge was sent up along with a little bread and cheese. Ivah found she had little appetite but took the bread and cheese before walking out of the room...well, her room.

Quick enough she found a way outside. Her steps out of doors was hesitant. She remembered the one time she had tried to go outside before. There was still a scar on her leg from the watch hounds of the vampires. They thought it amusingly ironic to have dogs as their guards. Well there was no sign of viscous dogs anywhere so Ivah stepped out into the daylight. Oh how warm the sun felt! Her skin nearly gleamed in the light, not having seen sun in fifteen years. For a time all she could do was stand there and enjoy the warmth of the sun. There was a smaller garden not too far from that spot, Ivah felt drawn to it.

Not bothering with a stone bench she sat among the flower beds. She remembered something like this, as if recalling a dream. Her mother loved flowers...she had a small garden. Roses...yes there were roses everywhere, of many colors and varieties. White was her mother's favorite...

 

[Kolath]

Marric was a bit taken aback by the intrusion by Tilly into the situation. He wondered why she was so concerned about him being naked, as that wasn't something that a werewolf worried about shifted or not. He blinked and then realized that Ivah wasn't a werewolf and the issue that most humans had with excessive nudity. Blushing slightly he nodded allowing Tilly to take Ivah with her, before he turned to his own rooms.

Quickly dressing he came down into his study where the council members had all gathered to meet with him. Seeing them all there is sighed deeply before moving to his place at the head of the table. Sitting down he took a moment to look around the different werewolves around him letting his eyes rest on each of them. The silence wasn't broken for a long moment before

Avanic the mighty stood up, he was the leader of Clad Oak. They were by far the strongest clan, the wolves that came out of it tended to enter the fighting force of the werewolf clans. They like their leader were all tall and broad of chest almost without exception. Most of those that Marric had led the night before, were part of clan oak.

Marric, we as the council of the clans decided a long time ago that you would be the best wolf to lead us. Until this day you haven't given us a reason to doubt that." The black haired Avanic started off pausing for a moment.

"And I have now?" Marric spoke up into the silence that was left when the other wolf stopped speaking.

"Well…" Avanic didn't like standing up to Marric he respected the young wolf too much but there was some doubt as to the wisdom of the choice.

As soon as the retreat had been called, all the werewolves involved in the attack had quickly returned home. With their return home they told their leaders about Marric not killing the source of these weapons. Quite the contrary it seemed that he was protecting one that the vampires called the inventory. The new had spread like wild fire and soon all the clans had heard and thanks to the swiftfoot clan, and its runners they quickly had called the meeting of the council to ask Marric what he had been thinking.

Allison, female leader of the clan shadow, the clan that Marric himself was from stood. "It is not that we doubt you Marric. However we are worried, why did you not finish the mission that had been agreed upon by the council in the first place."

There were many agreeing statements and much head nodding which Marric silenced with a wave as he stood. Even if they had through doubts or even just questions they did all still respect him. "Enough, I understand why you are worried about what happened last night. However I chose not to kill a woman that clearly had little choice in what she was doing. I showed mercy, but I did stop the vampires from being able to continue creating new weapons to use against us. I did what I could to destroy the plans they had but I am sure that they had other copies. The point is simply this, I will not punish a human for being the pawn of vampires."

The council sat for a moment silent before they all nodded and Allison spoke for them all. "Agreed, if she was not willing in this then she bares no responsibility."

Marric nodded to the council thanking them for seeing the wisdom in his choice. "Also, she has offered to willingly help us as well. Though I think she said it to save her life in the first place. I will give her a choice to help us or to return to a human life." With that the council was done.

He needed out of the house and quickly made his way out into the garden to take in the sight and smells of the beauty that awaited him there. Little did he know that when he went out there Ivah would be out there as well. He saw her sitting there near the flowers and just watched for a moment before blinking. He barely recognized her and honestly wasn't sure it was her even now. Slowly he approached her from behind clearing his throat and speaking when he was still a few feet away. "Ivah? Is that you?"

 

[Luana_Blodwyn]

Yes white roses were her favorite, she grew them herself. Ivah closed her eyes and remembered the garden of roses. It smelled the same as where she was. Things could...almost feel normal. The sun was delightfully warm on her nearly bleached face. She should be nervous, new place and possibly precarious predicament. She didn't know Marric, save for the few hours the previous night. There was no telling any real intentions. His manservant had mentioned a counsel of elders, what did they think of all of this? A small smile couldn't be helped, a sort of self mocking smile. She was thinking far to in depth at the moment. What she really needed was to enjoy her time outside, not in a child's dress and having some kind of freedom.

Then there were footsteps behind her. A cleared throat then a tentative question. Ivah's head tilted a little and she turned to look at the now properly dressed man. A slow smile spread across her face. "Yes...it is me," she said and a small laugh followed. "Do I truly look so different?" Of course she knew the answer to that. Without the spiraling curls down in two tails at either side of her head, the heavy make up and the strange dress.

 

[Kolath]

Marric was honestly in total shock as she turned and looked at him. Though he face was ghostly pale from so much time inside and never getting a chance to get out in the sun. Despite that with the makeup gone and the fine dress from his sister's collection she looked beautiful, he could only wonder what she would look like if she was actually dressing up. He quickly cleared that image from his mind trying not to let a blush creep over his cheeks.

"Yes my dear you do. I say it is a marked improvement." He came over and looked at her face and eyes for a moment before nodding. "You need to be out in the sun more then you have been but I think you know that already." He smirked before moving over to one of the stone benches and patting the place next to him as he sat. "You need to know Ivah, I and my people expect nothing from you. We know that you were forced to do what you did. We don't hold you responsible. The only question is, what are you going to do now? You are free to go where ever you wish, and I will do what I can to help you get set up where ever that is."

 

[Luana_Blodwyn]

Ivah gave the man a crooked smile at his comment. She could have hardly expected another response, though saying it was an improvement was a compliment. Of course anything could be an improvement over the dress full of tulle, the heavy doll make up and the spiraling curls. He was right, as he continued, she could surely do with some sun exposure. "Yes I must agree with you...some exposure to the sun would be lovely...and highly warranted." Looking at her own arm she could see the blue veins showing through the pale, pearly skin.

When the bench was patted she paused for a moment. It was obviously an invitation, perhaps sitting in the dirt like some tinker's urchin wasn't exactly proper. So she obliged him, after all it was his home, and rose to her feet. Quickly dusting off the dress she sat at his side on the stone bench just as he began speaking.

What he said surprised her. She did, very clearly, remembering offering to make weapons for the lycans. It was a plea for her life but it had been something she intended on honoring. Though he wasn't quite done surprising her, he offered what ever help she might need if she decided to go elsewhere...probably even if she decided to work for them. Her response took some time.

"I said I would make weapons for you and your kind," she finally said, looking directly at him. "Such a declaration I will honor. You spared my life and freed me from that life. If you can permit me basic human freedoms...then I will dedicate my time to weaponry." Ivah paused and looked away from him with a small frown. "But it isn't just for repayment or a debt of honor...I hate them. Just...just remembering my time there, I am not even certain how I managed to survive there so long. They are cruel and...and horrible..." despite the warmth of the day she suddenly felt cold, both from a myriad of terrible memories but also a simple, seething, cold hatred. An unbidden shiver wracked her body and a hand went to her neck. There was a mottling of scars from various bites. Contrary to myth the wounds did not heal straight away as f by magic. "I would need supplies...and time, for your kind it is simple. Silver if your weakness, making the weapons was easy enough. For them it is not so simple. I do not possess the capability to harness sunlight into swords or crossbow bolts." She had to still her mind from trying to puzzle it out already. "However there is one thing I would ask of you..." once more she looked to Marric. For a moment she was hesitant to speak her mind. "I want to join you, I don't want to sit idly somewhere to create. I want to fight them as you do. How I would love to see their kind eradicated from the planet. To join in such an enterprise would bring me a great deal of joy."

 

[Kolath]

Marric sat there next to her nodding slowly as she listed off the things that she would need. Some of them were things he felt she didn't need to ask for, he had basically offered her the basic decency of a human being. He would never have even thought to take those from her in anyway. His mind turned over the options that he had to fill the other needs she had to work on the tools they were asking her to make.

He smiled and nodded, "Ivah I can promise you more than just human freedoms. We don't expect you to give up what life you have been given back to just make weapons for us. You are welcome anywhere on the grounds of my estate without question. Anywhere else I will insist that you take at least a guard with you at all times. Just so that you aren't in any danger from the vampires." Leaning forward onto his knees he thought about the rest of it, "As for a place to work, for the time being if you are alright with it, I have a small workshop that you can use if you want. Not sure it will have the tools you will need but I can get them for you if you need anything I don't have."

He stood and held out his arm to her motioning back along the path they had come. "Let me show you to it so you can see for yourself what you may need." His mind was thinking over her finale request about going with them on their raids on the vampires. And there was a slight frown from the thought. "I don't know if the clans will like the idea of a human joining them on a hunt. Though if you wanted to I could take you out from time to time for testing new weapons and such…I just worry that you will be hurt in a battle."

 

[Luana_Blodwyn]

Marric was quick to process her requests on what she might need. A small smile couldn't be helped when he spoke of the basic human freedoms. Being deprived of it for so many years it was hard to think such a thing was a given. Without needing to dwell further on the basic of being alive he moved on to her own promise. Of course she could not complete such a promise without a space to work. "I would accept such a place," she said with a small nod. Not knowing any other or better place to work. So long as she was afforded time to not work and outside it would be good enough for her. Of course, being anywhere else would seems oddly weird, despite being at the estate for only a few hours. After so much time she wasn't certain where to belong in the first place. Going back home, what was once home, seemed nearly implausible, especially given the fact that her family may not even be alive any longer. No, for now, this would be her new life.

Suddenly he was on his feet and Ivah rose along with him. He offered her his arm and she paused for a second, staring at his elbow as if it might bit her. After that moment she rose to her feet as well and laid her hands on his elbow. Of course finally could come a decision of her last request. Inwardly she felt crestfallen. Even of his lycan kin she felt just as entitled to hunting the vampires. Though she couldn't help a mirthless smile. "I suppose an injured inventor is worthless..." she stopped herself too late. Immediately she regretted the comment. "I did not mean that the way it sounded. I can just hope that you might allow it at some point. For now I shall be contented with trials...as we will need a great many of them." After a brief pause she looked up at him and gave a small smile. "Though your concern is touching."

 

[Kolath]

He started to lead her through the gardens taking a turn deeper into them rather then turning to leave them. His face took a moment of pained surprise at her comment of being worthless if injured, that had not been what he had meant at all. She of course apologized before he could say anything in response but it still stung a bit that she would think he was only thinking of her usefulness. He walked in silence or a long moment trying to process his own emotions as well as what she was sure to be used to when held by the vampires.

They were coming up on a rather spacious building in the center of the gardens when he stopped and turned to look at her. "Ivah, I know you didn't mean that but you need to know something about my clan. Unlike several of my bother clans, I and my clan hold that no human should be harmed in this fight against the vampires. Of course if they are actively fighting on the vampires side that changes some things, even then we try and give them a final choice." He sighed softly smiling trying to lighting things a bit. "This is part of my problem, I don't want you to be hurt even though you would choose to fight a long side my people. Besides, there is so little that humans can do to hurt vampires at this point, let's see what we can come up with that gives you a fighting chance and we will see alright?"

He turned back to the building leaving the question hanging in the air between them as he motioned to the building. "What do you think?" the building was rather large, could have easily been used to put together a Viking galley, long enough to hold the whole ship and tall enough for the sail and all. Through the windows there were clearly many different sets of tools hanging and on one side there was even a small forge for blacksmithing.

 

[Luana_Blodwyn]

Ivah was a little surprised to find that they weren't heading to his large home but further into the garden. Over the neat hedging she could see the top of a building. Marric's sudden silence and the look on his faced told her she had offended him. Her guts churned just a little, she didn't have the intention to hurt of offend him. Not to mention she owed him a great deal and this was not the way to return such a favor. She stopped when he did and looked up to him as he spoke. For a moment she almost felt like a child being berated for saying something untoward. However as he spoke and smiled at her she couldn't help but return the smile. Though her smile turned into more of a put out smirk when he told her there was nothing she could do to harm a vampire. Perhaps not yet but once she was able to turn her hands to tools and supplies she knew there might be something she could do.

"It is a deal then," she said with a nod as he gestured to the building. It was surely massive, larger than her small work place had been in the vampire mansion. Of course, there it was small because it was indoors. She released his elbow and stepped closer to a window to peer inside. "It is huge..." she said in a awed, breathy voice. Suddenly she felt like a child in a sweet shop. There was so much room! It felt like such a great gift, yet she had to remind herself that it was just a space he was permitting her to use to make weapons for him and his kind. Finally she peeled herself away from the window and looked over to Marric. "This is...it is more than perfect. And it will give me an excuse to walk through your gardens every day," she grinned a little at the thought.

Ivah couldn't help a small sigh. "I just wish I knew it is that kills them. If you have any information that could be useful..." once more she had to stop her brain from trying to solve this puzzle. "I just hope this is enough to repay the debt I owe you. You could have just killed me...it feels like there is little I can do to repay you."