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Death Sentence?

D

Drum

Super-Earth
Joined
Aug 23, 2009
Viktor unfurled the map that had accompanied the message from one of the nearby elven leaders (whose name he didn't really remember). His eyes had little trouble making out the markings even though the moonlight was dim, hidden behind clouds. What he was having trouble making out was the map itself. The elves had an incredibly annoying habit of using their own sense of scale, as well as their own sets of difficult to spot landmarks, when making such documents. The breeze blew his long blonde hair, which looked almost silver in this light, into his face, and he brushed it back to get it out of his view.

He wandered on, at a completely unnatural pace, through the woods in the direction he thought he was supposed to be heading. Finally, cursing under his breath, he tucked the map away and climbed up a nearby tree. The map clearly showed that his little gift was waiting in some sort of clearing (unless they were really outdoing themselves in terms of esoteric, hard to follow nonsense), and if there was a breeze, he figured he might be able to catch a whiff of the scent of the prey. He closed his eyes to focus. Feeling a breeze drift past his face, Viktor took a deep breath through his nostrils. There it was, a little more to the left. Unmistakable... an elf.

He shimmied down and started to run in the direction of the scent, jumping tree roots and ducking branches as he went. Whatever they'd left him was still miles away, he'd need a few minutes to cover the ground. Hopefully the scent would get stronger as he went.
 
Kaura leaned against the tree, breathing deeply in an attempt to calm her nerves. Her rebelion had failed, miserably. The idea of fighting against the system that was slowly sufficating her people to death ended in disaster, and now she, th figurehead of this movement, was chained to a thick oak, waiting for her death.

The cwards who sentanced this demise didn't even have the stomach to carry it out, she discovered. Instead, they contacted a nearby Vampire Lord, and planned to have her sucked dry, freeing themselves of responcibility.

"Cowards..." She whispered, and looked up, her green eyes full of sorrow, for herself and for her people. The moon was at it's peak, it's pale light breaking through the trees canopy, bathing her in the pale shine. They dressed her in white, a thin dress that held close, almost transparent to her skin. It was purely for her humiliation, she knew, one last move of spite before she was ultimately eaten.

A light sound caught her attention and she tensed slightly. "Are you him?" She asked softly, hoping that it was simply her nerves getting the best of her. "Have you come to kill me?"
 
He had stopped at the edge of the clearing, over 100 yards away, but he still heard her questions. How delicious. The prey was already anticipating what was coming quite well. Viktor enjoyed feeling his prey's fear rise (it didn't hurt that it caused their heartrate to climb audibly and their veins to pulse attractively as a side effect). He quickly covered the distance between the two of them, leaping onto a nearby rock and giving the most deadly, animalistic hiss that he could, letting his eyes glaze over as if he were a mindless killing machine.

Instead of focusing on enjoying her reaction, though, the hiss stopped short in his breath as he got this better look at her. They'd obviously dressed her rather provocatively, which he didn't mind, but the reason he really stopped short was something more subtle. There was definitely something about her. The bloodlust was running strong in him, but he pushed it back. He'd made too many kills to be overwhelmed by it so easily. He stood up to his full height on the rock before her. He wasn't sure why, he didn't usually engage victims in conversation, but he spoke to her, "Yes, I'm 'him'. The name is Viktor, actually, or Lord Ravenmoore if you prefer the formalites. Most elves do." The tone wasn't really gentlemanly, in truth it was nothing short of menacing, and his lips were curled back over his fangs in the most suggestive, dangerous sort of grin.

"You must have really upset someone," he continued toyingly, "they don't usually feel the need to make the condemned so... exposed."
 
There was a moments silence, when all she could hear was the wild pounding of her heart in her chest, the quickened pace of her own breathing. She wondered for a moment if she was mistaken, but even before the thought had fully formed she heard him approaching, frighteningly fast. She closed her eyes for a moment, and when she opened them, there he was, crouched like an animal on the rock before her, his lips drawn back as he hissed.

She kept herself calm, trying not to show a reaction to this frightening display, but could not slow her racing pulse.

He stopped short, and stood, suddenly appearing more civilized his cruel tone odd against his formal words. "Lord Viktor." She said simply, keeping her tone even and quiet. "I do believe to end up your meal I would have had to make someone quite upset. I do believe that is far more vindictive than my attire, however scandelous it might be."
 
He chuckled in response, "I suppose, as another virtually immortal being, that I would have to agree with you, Miss... I'm sorry what was your name, love?" He stepped down off the rock in a small jump and folded his arms in front of his chest. Viktor's eyes narrowed a little and his head tilted as he paced back and forth in front of her, as if he were considering something on a merchant's shelf.

Without warning, he was suddenly within inches of her face. He moved his nose to the side of her face and sniffed at her neck. Something was definitely different about this particular elf. Fangs were dangerously close to the artery that throbbed noticeably just a small distance from his gaze, but he felt oddly torn. The thirst was definitely there, but it wasn't the only lust he was feeling. How truly odd, he thought to himself. It had been a very long time, roughly fifteen years if he remembered correctly, since a woman had caught his interest. Viktor took a step back and looked her in the eye, less interested now in feeding than continuing this conversation, though he didn't want to show it.
 
His words were almost coridial, but that was all that was polite. The way he walked, pacing back of forth, eyeing her like a peice of meat. It sent shivers running down her spine, and back up again.

Before she could say anything he was at her, and she tensed, eyes wide as his face moved to her throat, sniffing at her, his fangs so close to her tender flesh she could almost feel them, along with the gentle stirring that his breath made. "I am Kaura Vertae." She said as calmly as she could manage, staring bravely into the eyes of the man who would take her life. "It is a pleasure to meet you, given the circumstances."

For her part, she tried to stay dignified and refined, but surely he could hear the terrible pounding of her pulse, see the beads of sweat forming on her brow. She was terrified of him. As much as she hated to admit it, she just wanted to run, only held back by the thick ropes that held her immobile to the tree.
 
Viktor felt attraction stir deeper in him as she spoke. She was looking death in the eye and managing to maintain some sort of composure, and it was impressive and alluring. The fact that her pulse was betraying how she really felt only made it more so, although he couldn't be sure if it was courage or elven arrogance. This was certainly a predicament he was starting to find himself in.

"Bold, composed, and dignified to the end, eh Miss Vertae?" he began toyingly, "a veritable elvish dream." He leaned back, sitting on the stone behind him. He paused for a long moment, considering her, something in his manner indicating that he was speaking rhetorically and didn't want a response yet. When he began again, his tone was even more playful and lacking a sense of empathy, "I find myself at a crossroads, Miss Kaura, if I may be so bold as to call you that. You see, I'm beginning to feel a strong desire not to kill you. I'm not in the habit of destroying things that I find beautiful and find it somewhat distasteful to do so. However, I'm rather certain that if I were to simply release you, there would be some negative feelings generated in the person or persons who've left you here. If you'll pardon me saying so, your race has the most annoying habit of holding long grudges, and I'd rather not deal with the vindictive, petty things your little chieftain might do for the next sixty or so years. So you see my dilemma." He smiled at her, once again making sure to expose his fangs, this time obviously waiting for a response.
 
Kaura's face darkened a second as he spoke, almost mocking her attempt at personal peace. Her stoicism, even in the face of her own death, was all she had now, the only bit of comfort as she waited for her imminent death. Only, it didn't come, instead the man continued, hinting at a want to keep her alive. She couldn't help but to look startled at this, her eyebrows raising in shock. He didn't want to kill her? Was this some test of her reserve, to break the last bit of spirit in the rebelion, having thie leader beg for her life before she was ultimately drained? She had to know, before she made any choices.

"The village Elders and an arrogant and concieded group." She agreed, slowly, choosing her words with care. "It was why the rebelion was raised to begin with, and I do not fear dying for my cause. Though, if I may be so bold, I would prefer not to die this day at all." She offered a slight smile, hinting at a brief joke, though she was perfectly serious. She had to play this game with the utmost care, every action, every movement, perfectly planned. "I do however understand your dilema, Lord Viktor."
 
His grin didn't leave his face as she spoke, but it altered somehow, becoming more genuine. She was sly, cunning even. She was defiant and playful, throwing his own speech and phrases back at him. He got the distinct impression that she was attempting to play him, and he felt with certainty that she was planning something. It was absolutely delicious, and he knew very well that he couldn't resist. He wanted this woman, and not just her blood.

His eyes narrowed on her as he answered, hinting at the detection of deception, "Then, of course, you understand that whatever I do, I cannot simply allow you to go back to your people."

He raised his hand to his face and stroked his chin thoughtfully, once again looking her over as if she were something he was thinking about eating... or perhaps buying. "It would certainly seem, Miss Kaura, that some sort of negotiation would be in order. The obvious object that you wish to gain is your life, so it seems the main thing we need to discuss is what I may expect as an offer in return. Now, I detest long negotiations on a fine evening such as this, so let us make this simple. You may have three attempts to make me an offer or, alternatively, ask me a question about what I might want. If we cannot reach an agreement by that point, I think I must resolve to do what I have been asked to do in the first place. And before you waste your time, let me assure you that I cannot simply accept the word of a confessed mutineer that she won't go back to her people if she were set free." He let that sink in for just a moment, then added, "What do you say, Miss Kaura, does that sound like a reasonably equitable negotiating table to you?"
 
Her sarp eyes did not miss the slight change in expression, how the upward turn of his lips became for sincere, more genuine. She could have smiled back, satisfied now that this was not a trick to humiliate her before death.

His proposal was interesting, and she stayed silent in thought. She suspected, or rather she knew, that hehad something very specific he wanted from her, and the untimadium hinted at what it was. He would not send her to her people, that was more than clear. He would not simply release her, and allow her on her way, under the vow to not return. That left one option, and her eyes narrowed for a brief second before she felt the urge to chuckle. Did this man think her a child, that she could not figure out his games so easily? Well, if he thought she was so naive then he would be surprised.

For just a moment more she pretended to think. "I could... You could take me with you?" She suggested, and turned her face away. "I could work for you, keep you castle neat. Under your supervision I shall never return, and with my long life you will have a companion who will not seem to fade away with each passing year..." She looked up, and smiled. There was a bit of her cunning in her eyes, a sharp intellegence that likely helped raise her to her position. But under that, half hidden, was a true sense of innocence. She honestly believed she could spend eternity as little more than a housekeeper, her company payment enough for a life.
 
His grin broadened as she confirmed that she was indeed sly. She'd correctly determined what sort of path he'd most likely be interested though she was a little off in the application, a fact which was not surprising considering she was obviously a self-respecting (and elvish at that) woman. Labor, of course, was not interesting at all. Servants he had, willing servants in throngs even, but companionship now that was a more interesting offer. Certainly a companion with a comparable life span had an appeal, and the fact that she would know what he truly was held a strong pull that he wouldn't underestimate. Yet, Viktor knew that he still held all the cards in this particular game.

"An interesting offer, Miss Kaura," he offered genuinely, "it certainly solves the problem of having to worry about you wandering back and resuming your covert, rebellious activities, or at least makes it far easier for me to ensure that that does not happen. But your offer is still a little too dull. You see, while long lasting companionship was an insightful proposal on your part, I'm afraid I don't need any more housekeepers. Do you have something else to suggest as your second offer besides conversation, as now we're talking about me granting you life and also providing you a living?"
 
She looked honestly taken back when he appeared uninterested in her offer of companionship. She stayed silent, in thought, as she considered what else she had to offer. He did not need a housekeeper, not a servant to assist in daily life. In reotrospect, why would he? Humans could do the work well enough, using an Elf for such work was almost a waste of talent.

She hesitated. "I do not know what else I have to offer you." She said at last, trying to hide a note of fear as it creeped up again. He must have been toying with herm she concluded, giving her a brief shining bit of hope for her survival, before stealing it away when she had little to offer. "I would be willing to do anything to serve you..." She said hesitantly. "Short of helping with your... feedings..." Her eyes narrowed slightly, wondering if that was what he wanted, her to bring him humans or elves for consumption. "That is all I have, Lord Victor... My complete obedience."
 
Viktor was off the rock and face to face with her almost the instant she said the phrase 'complete obedience', his nose mere centimeters from hers. He gave her a moment to recover from any startling he may have caused, then said in a quiet, almost soothing tone, "That, my dear... is a very dangerous thing to offer me. Although I assure you I have no trouble in getting my prey, there are plenty of other things that I could ask of you that you might not wish to do, that you might even find rather objectionable."

He paused again, and ran his fingers through her hair, the tips were icy cold, the same temperature as the cool air of the night. His eyes darted to different parts of her face as he gauged her every reaction, then he continued, "It is also not quite an equitable trade, me giving you life only to have you give it back to me in an oath of total obedience." He made a tisk, tisk noise with his tongue and shook his head. "I'll accept a bit less than that, Kaura," he said in a tone that couldn't be mistaken for anything less than seductive, "agree only to not run from me, no matter what I ask of you. Either stand and fight me, or do as I wish, and that will be enough. What is your answer?"
 
She barely had time to blink before he was right at her, his breath hot on her face, standing enticingly close to her. His words sounded almost soothing, reassuring, as his fingers combed gently through her dark blue hair. She blinked fo a moment, a flsh rising on it's own, slightly embarassed to be so very close to this man.

It was noble of him, she thought, to give her back what she so willingly offered. A true smile crossed her face, and she smiled slightly. If he wanted her to fight for herself, and neverback down, well, that was something that she did easily. "I agree." She whispered. "I will never run from you."
 
His smile deepened for a moment, then he was suddenly a foot away from her again, looking not at her but at the ropes now. "Very good, then let's get you out of these bonds so you can see your new home," he said, still thinking about the task of untying her and not meeting her gaze. He added in a very matter-of-fact tone, not meaning to offend or accuse her, "Oh and just as an aside, don't bother breaking my trust immediately when I set you free. I know that elves are quite quick on their feet, but I assure you that you have virtually no hope of outrunning me and no chance of evading my senses in the dark. If your plan is escape, wait for another day on a more opportune moment."

Viktor was behind the tree the next instant, making some sort of noise that seemed to indicate he was gnawing on something. Several ropes seemed to go slack at once, and in the next moment she was free. "Now," he said to her from behind the tree, "If you were going to flee from me, which way would you head? I'll explain in a moment, but just answer the question for now."
 
She stiffened when he suggested she would flee. What kind of an honorless creature did he take her for? To make an oath and break it a moment later. Not only was it honorless, it was stupid. She was no fool, and held no delusions of being able to outrub a vampire, especially when her body was stiff from being tied close to the tree.

She paused as he disapeared again, a noise behind her as though her were chewing on the bindings. And indeed, a moment later the ropes fell from her, and she stumbled away from the tree, robbing where the chords had dug into her flesh. "If I was honorless enough to break my deal, I would flee east." She told him, away from both his castle, and her village, for now.
 
He grinned to himself for a moment behind the tree, wiping it from his face as he came around the tree. So typical for an elf to be offended when an enemy displayed an ounce of possible distrust. His gaze went to the treeline east of them. "Alright, Miss Kaura, then we head east," he said, and in a flash he'd swept her from her feet into his arms and started running across the open space towards the trees, adding in a voice that didn't sound the least bit breathless despite the sprinting pace he was using, "I hope you'll pardon the forwardness, but this will be much faster than both of us traveling on foot."

When they hit the tree line, he kept running in, branches flying dangerously close to both of their heads as he ran. Then, as quickly as he'd snapped her up and started running, they stopped. He set her on her feet and gently pulled her towards a nearby root sticking up out of the ground. When she was positioned next to the root, he bent down to grab the hem of her dress. He then poked the outcropping through the edge of her dress with a light ripping sound. Then he stood, smiled at her, said, "Ahem, forgive me for this, my dear," and using both hands on her shoulders pushed her backwards off her feet. A nice long piece of her dress ripped away and stayed attached to the root.

He picked her back up, grinning playfully at her, and pulled her back over to the root. "Now... I'm going to have to ask you to stand very... very still. You see, we need to add a little of your blood to this tattered piece of cloth so your people think that I decided I wanted to hunt you and caught up to you here. I'll take it from your finger so that it will heal quickly and easily and so that the bite doesn't... affect you, so to speak. The reason you need to stand still is that if I get too excited, I may start drinking, and that will be bad. If you fight back, it's going to trigger predatory instincts, understand?"
 
Kaura didn't understand why he asked her to point out the direction she went. In truth, she thought that maybe he would want to point out a flaw in her reasoning. Instead she found herself swept up in his arms as he ran through the woodsm sweeping her over the ground at an impossible speed.

She held hersel fback from flinging her arms around him in fear, watching the trees pass by as she listened to him carefully. So they were going to decieve her Elders? How utterly perfect.

When he set her down, she guessed what was coming, and indeed he snagged her dress, shoving her roughly to tear it along the brush. She regained her balence quickly though, watching him carefully as he approached, fangs glittering as he explained the last peice of the puzzle, her blood.

Her heart pounded, knowing without his explination that one wrong move, anything to cause him to lose control, might end with her being drained completely. It was utterly terrifying, but still she extended a shaking hand. "I am prepared." She told him, holding her fingers out so he could cut them, and release her blood.
 
He was surprisingly gentle as he took her hand, raising it to his mouth, palm up so that her fingers were facing the fangs in his upper row of teeth. He then took two of her fingers into his mouth, his tongue lightly moving along them in what would be a very intimate embrace if it weren't also the sort of thing usually designed to kill, and moving one fang directly on top of her fingertip, he bit down very lightly. She would feel no more than a pin prick, and though he removed her fingers quickly, a few drops of her blood had dribbled onto his tongue, causing his pupils to dilate in response and making him look very much like a cat readying to pounce. He made no move to indicate that he was in anything less than control of himself, instead kneeling down again and gently pulling her now bleeding finger towards the ripped cloth.

He squeezed the tip of her finger with a surgeon's precision, mindful of being rougher than necessary and making this sting. When there was enough of the liquid pooled on the tip, he wiped it all over the rag. Then he gave her back her hand. "If you wouldn't mind putting some pressure on that and covering it with your other hand, my dear," he said cordially, "I would rather not be distracted by more of the scent than necessary while we travel."

Satisfied with the 'evidence' they'd left, he picked her up again and started running the way they'd come, back towards the clearing and then turning towards his castle. Even at the crazed pace he was running them through the forest, the air whipping past them like a gale force wind, this journey was going to take close to an hour simply because they couldn't move in a straight line. After fifteen minutes, they were moving back and forth along mountain paths that wound towards his castle that now loomed ahead of them in the moonlight. The tall towers looked very black in against the dark blue of the night sky.
 
He lightly grabbed her hand, and brought it to his lips. She tensed, knowing what would come next. He took two of her fingers in, and licked around them slowly, his tender touches sending a shiver up her spine.

Finally, he bit down, and she almost jumped slightly, mostly out of expectation of something much more painful. Her eyes caught his pupils contracting, an animalistic look of hunger lighting up under them. It was frightening, but he removed her fingers quickly, squeezing the blood onto the rag before sweeping her up again. She nodded slightly and pressed the tiny cut to herself until the bleeding stopped.

He took her through the forst, bobbing between trees at that speed that only he could accomplish. After a few minutes the fear faded, and she found herself almost lulled by the steady pace of his running, leaning slightly into him. Exhuastion crashed into her, released tension from the terror of beinf bound, and when the adrenaline stopped flowing, she found herself struggling to stay awake, barely noticing the dark towers against the pitch black of the sky before her eyes lost focus, and she fell to sleep in his arms.
 
Despite the light howling of the wind and the speed he was moving at, it wasn't difficult to keep one eye on Kaura in his arms. He could feel every muscle in her body through his arms and hands anyway, so it was no surprise when he looked down and noted that she had moved from relaxed to sleeping in his arms. Good, he thought. He'd been hoping he'd be able to get back to his room the quick way, which was climbing the Southern cliff face and then the South Tower itself. He wasn't sure how she felt about heights and didn't want to scare her to death, but he also didn't really want to wake up half the castle and start the questions and gossip about what he'd been doing out this late and who the elf that he was carrying was.

As they came near the last leg of the road, Viktor slowed down gradually, careful not to stir his charge. Then he turned from the path and walked slowly to the cliff face instead. Using one arm, he supported Kaura easily, and using the other (along with his feet) he began to quickly pick outcroppings and handholds, climbing up towards Castle Ravenmoore.

Five short minutes later, he'd climbed inside his window and gently laid Kaura down in his bed. He left her clothed in the translucent garment that was now her nightgown, but covered her in generous portions of the animal skins and blankets that covered his bed. He walked to the fire place and stoked the coals, adding a little more wood. Then he stood in the corner to watch her sleep. Several times during the night, he became quite aroused when she would move in such a way that her cleavage or leg was exposed outside of her covers, but he controlled himself rather than act on it. She needed the rest after the evening she'd just had.
 
She rested peacefully, not even noticing how he scaled the wall, tucking her carefully under his arm as they climbed ever higher. She almost felt herself be layed down though, the soft bed almost heavenly under her, and his thick blankets shutting out the cold.

Hours passed, and she slept soundly, rolling every now and again, a long leg poking from the sheets every now and again, or the rise of her breasts, the thin material of her gown not hiding anything in the low light.

Finally, she began to awaken, moaning softly as she sat up, trying to get her bearings again. She remembered plainly that she was sentanced to death, and she blinked, realizing that she had indeed been saved, and it was not just a delusion.

Her eyes landed on Viktor, and she smiled, bowing her head slightly. In the pale light of the fire she seemed almost naked, her white gown clinging to her, showing her flesh as though it were not there at all. But she did not seem to notice this, moving to get out of the bed slowly. "Good mirning, Lord Viktor."
 
"Good morning, Miss Kaura," he said pleasantly, returning her bowed head with a full waist gesture of his own, "How was your sleep?" It wasn't light yet, but Viktor was still standing along the east wall of the room to avoid the sunlight whenever it did show up. It didn't take more than a glimpse of her bosom, outlined and barely covered by her dress, to bring back another full dose of arousal for him. Still, he was patient.

"I must say, despite the peculiar difficulties your people seem intent on creating through your social customs," he said with a suggestive grin, "I do have to admire elvish craftsmanship. In particular, I find myself in awe of the work of both the weaver who created that cloth, and the fine work your parents produced that occupies it." He raised an eyebrow at her and let his eyes notably dip down over her body lecherously.
 
Kaura smiled as he greeted her, looking relieved and happy to be there, rather than tied to the tree. "I slept very well." She told him, slowly standing.

His eyes went over him as he spoke, and she found herself blushing dark red at his words. She grabbed one of the animal furs, and held it under her chin, hiding her womanly curves from his eyes. "I appologise for my attire." She said stiffly. "Could I bother you for a change of clothing?"
 
He chuckled lightly in response. He gave her a wink and said, "Believe me Kaura, there's no need for apologies, but I'll see what I can find you. If you don't mind, I would appreciate it if you wouldn't leave the room while I'm gone, as you haven't exactly... been announced yet. The cooks are sure to be up by now, I'll see about getting you some food as well."

He left quickly, though he was notably human like in his speed now. He was being a gracious host right now. After all, why ask something difficult of her when he would have some work to do today before he could really consider playing with her? He'd introduce her to some of the housekeepers and tell them that her presence was supposed to be a secret, along with a lie he'd been working on about why she was here, which would of course mean that most of his lands would know she was living there by the end of the week.

He returned after a good 15 minutes carrying a tray with fresh milk, warm bread and butter, along with a petticoat and dress. He laid the food in her lap and laid the dress out over a chair near the bed.
 
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