LORE: Training a Hell Hound (MATURE)
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Soran Nightblade
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Re: Training a Hell Hound
Vlad smirked and got fully undressed before changing into Atul's borrowed clothes. His ego tempted him to check to see if Tenele was watching. He also barely resisted the urge to do his best Atul impression while wearing just the man's underwear. Buuut, he managed to keep it in hand and eventually turned back toward Tenele in order to sit on the cushion and put his boots on. He noticed her petting the wolf and shook his head. "That is going to be one spoiled hellhound," he scoffed, finding the sight of Stalker playing the part of a pet too ridiculous to take in.
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Emora Deen
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Re: Training a Hell Hound
Tenele smirked as she scratched Stalker's side. "Aww, maybe it will make him less prone to snapping at Talon and Sinead," she said softly, rolling onto her side to look at him. She was about to say something else when Atul poked his head in. He glanced at both of them. "Good your dressed..." Atul's eyes rested on Vlad. "I see you helped yourself to my clothes... Well, we're packing up. So, unless you want to make the trip wrapped inside a canvas tent, I'd get out."
Tenele stood up and brushed passed him with a smile.
Tenele stood up and brushed passed him with a smile.
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Soran Nightblade
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Re: Training a Hell Hound
Vlad shrugged and made his way out of the tent, only to find that they were surrounded by people. He was surprised he hadn't sensed them all there earlier. He walked out slowly on his sore but functional leg, studying them all to see how they would react to him. He fought hard to resist the instinct to glance back at Atul and Tenele, who were still behind him, for support. He had to wonder what story, if any, these people had been given about his presence in their camp. On a silent cue, Stalker trotted swiftly from the tent to his master's side. Vlad held out his hand in a barely noticeable gesture at his side to prevent the hound from misunderstanding his call for backup as a signal to attack. He studied their faces and noted that for the number staring at him, there were at least an equal number staring behind him at...Tenele?
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Emora Deen
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Re: Training a Hell Hound
Tenele's eyes glanced around at the faces staring at them. Atul coughed, and they seemed to avert there eyes and begin going about there business. "What was that all about?" Tenele asked him as the tent was suddenly being emptied and things piled onto a cart.
"I might have told them something to ease there mind about Vlad," he muttered to her softly.
"Might have told them what?" she asked, arching an eyebrow.
"I might have told them that you had the ability to purify him... What? Its not that hard for them to believe. No matter what I tell them they still think your the human imbodiment of Attara. Legends have a strong power in my land, Tenele. Besides, if it keeps them from beating Vlad to a pulp, I think its a fair story to keep. I needed to come up with some reason you were giggling yourself senseless in there." Atul smirked, his dark eyes following her averted stare that had landed on Vlad. "Oh, and it might be because I made you a general." He turned and walked away, heading to help some of his men get ready.
He made her a what?
"I might have told them something to ease there mind about Vlad," he muttered to her softly.
"Might have told them what?" she asked, arching an eyebrow.
"I might have told them that you had the ability to purify him... What? Its not that hard for them to believe. No matter what I tell them they still think your the human imbodiment of Attara. Legends have a strong power in my land, Tenele. Besides, if it keeps them from beating Vlad to a pulp, I think its a fair story to keep. I needed to come up with some reason you were giggling yourself senseless in there." Atul smirked, his dark eyes following her averted stare that had landed on Vlad. "Oh, and it might be because I made you a general." He turned and walked away, heading to help some of his men get ready.
He made her a what?
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Soran Nightblade
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Re: Training a Hell Hound
Atul's words made Vlad cast a second glance at the men's expressions, and he smirked. Purified, eh? It wasn't exactly a free ride, but it was the closest he'd probably get to clearing his name with these people. It was brilliant, frankly. Apparently, Atul could be as charismatic and smooth talking as his father, when he wanted to be. "Well, I wouldn't say they could beat me to a pulp," he corrected to Atul's words to Tenele through his smirk as they continued through the group. A number of the men who were already packed and ready to march followed after Tenele at a distance somewhat uncertainly, regarding their new general with a mixture of curiosity and disbelief. "Frankly, they barely look trained. You may have your work cut out for you."
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Emora Deen
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Re: Training a Hell Hound
Tenele looked puzzled when she noticed she was being followed. "Ugh," she paused for a moment. "Can I help you?" The men quickly shook there heads and she turned away, narrowing her eyes with that same confused expression.
When everything was packed and ready Atul gave the order to move out, and they started there treck.
It was so damn hot. That’s all she could concentrate on. The suns fury bore down on them with relentless rage. She had the scarf wrapped about her hair, thanks to Atul’s suggestion. She forgot how potent it could be in this bright desert, and it apparently could hurt the eyes of those who stared at it. Though, why they would stare she couldn’t figure out.
Sand had to be the most aggravating thing in the world. It got everywhere. Even in places that were not near the ground. She could feel sand in her pants, and she couldn’t figure out how it had gotten there. She was hot, sticky, and sweaty. Tenele was tough, but she was still a woman, and this woman wanted a cold both. She wiped the back of her hand across her brow as she saw the town in the distance.
The city was quiet. The limestone walls were abandoned of soldiers, or at least they appeared to be. What was left of the burned gate hung from broken hinges. The inside of the town, the streets were covered in sand and stained with blood. Some buildings were nothing but burned out shells, and others seemed to have never been touched. There caravan of soldiers and servants went quietly through the streets, following there prince. It appeared that they were the first to arrive, which didn’t surprise Tenele. She figured that Atul would have wanted to be first to make sure it was safe for his people.
He was just that sort of man.
They came to a large building, which seemed to be the town hall. The door was open and standing in the door way was a familiar looking man.
“Fero,” Atul greeted.
Tenele stood still, not really sure how to react to this man’s presence. This man had promised to send them safely back to Ighten, and instead they’d been trapped in Verin’s world. Tormented, and eventually separated. She wanted to say it was his fault, but then again through all that he had tried to do, it had been nothing but help them and help Atul. And, even now, here he was helping the prince with his revolution.
Fero’s eyes found them. “I knew it. I knew the oracle would be right. It wasn’t time for either of you to leave. She said you’d come with the sun, and leave with the rain.” Nadia was standing just behind her husband, cradling he child that had grown much in the time since Tenele had last seen him. “A few have arrived,” he told Atul. “They’re planning a feast before the journey to the capital. A celebration whether win or lose I think. I’ve sent out some old priests to put markers up, wards to hopefully keep the dark lord out.”
Atul nodded. “Well, make yourselves at home. We’ve got a little while before everyone arrives. Then, we’ll need to have a meeting. I have some announcements to make… and apparently we have a feast tonight!” The men gave a cheer, and Atul through on a brilliantly fake smile. He thought a feast improper when he was probably sending many to their deaths, but it seemed to be what the men wanted. Or maybe, what they needed. A night of drinking and eating would do them good, he guessed.
Atul turned to follow Fero into the large building. Tenele stayed on the steps for a moment, trying to figure out what she wanted to do. Her fingers flexed at her sides and her eyes found Vlad.
When everything was packed and ready Atul gave the order to move out, and they started there treck.
It was so damn hot. That’s all she could concentrate on. The suns fury bore down on them with relentless rage. She had the scarf wrapped about her hair, thanks to Atul’s suggestion. She forgot how potent it could be in this bright desert, and it apparently could hurt the eyes of those who stared at it. Though, why they would stare she couldn’t figure out.
Sand had to be the most aggravating thing in the world. It got everywhere. Even in places that were not near the ground. She could feel sand in her pants, and she couldn’t figure out how it had gotten there. She was hot, sticky, and sweaty. Tenele was tough, but she was still a woman, and this woman wanted a cold both. She wiped the back of her hand across her brow as she saw the town in the distance.
The city was quiet. The limestone walls were abandoned of soldiers, or at least they appeared to be. What was left of the burned gate hung from broken hinges. The inside of the town, the streets were covered in sand and stained with blood. Some buildings were nothing but burned out shells, and others seemed to have never been touched. There caravan of soldiers and servants went quietly through the streets, following there prince. It appeared that they were the first to arrive, which didn’t surprise Tenele. She figured that Atul would have wanted to be first to make sure it was safe for his people.
He was just that sort of man.
They came to a large building, which seemed to be the town hall. The door was open and standing in the door way was a familiar looking man.
“Fero,” Atul greeted.
Tenele stood still, not really sure how to react to this man’s presence. This man had promised to send them safely back to Ighten, and instead they’d been trapped in Verin’s world. Tormented, and eventually separated. She wanted to say it was his fault, but then again through all that he had tried to do, it had been nothing but help them and help Atul. And, even now, here he was helping the prince with his revolution.
Fero’s eyes found them. “I knew it. I knew the oracle would be right. It wasn’t time for either of you to leave. She said you’d come with the sun, and leave with the rain.” Nadia was standing just behind her husband, cradling he child that had grown much in the time since Tenele had last seen him. “A few have arrived,” he told Atul. “They’re planning a feast before the journey to the capital. A celebration whether win or lose I think. I’ve sent out some old priests to put markers up, wards to hopefully keep the dark lord out.”
Atul nodded. “Well, make yourselves at home. We’ve got a little while before everyone arrives. Then, we’ll need to have a meeting. I have some announcements to make… and apparently we have a feast tonight!” The men gave a cheer, and Atul through on a brilliantly fake smile. He thought a feast improper when he was probably sending many to their deaths, but it seemed to be what the men wanted. Or maybe, what they needed. A night of drinking and eating would do them good, he guessed.
Atul turned to follow Fero into the large building. Tenele stayed on the steps for a moment, trying to figure out what she wanted to do. Her fingers flexed at her sides and her eyes found Vlad.
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Soran Nightblade
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Re: Training a Hell Hound
Vlad's eyes stayed locked on Fero as the man entered the building with Atul. His scarlet eyes were shining with malice. He had not forgiven the man and had no intention of doing so. Vlad had literally been through hell and back because of that man. He would never forget the humiliation of being Verin's slave, and he would not be free of the guilt for the things he had done. Why should Fero be forgiven? Unconsciously, his claws began to grow out at the thought of revenge. Verin's power licked up like flames at the base of his mind, searching for an opening.
There was none. Sinead's watchful presence was unnecessary; the no life king would not be taken that easily. Not again. His eyes still blazed like a great cat intent on its prey, but he drew a slow breath and the claws withdrew. "It seems we have some unstructured time," he said. His voice was calm, but the blazing brightness of the sun all day was too much for his keen nocturnal eyes, and it was leaving him with a short temper. He turned to look at her, and the glow of her sun-tanned face improved on his mood. He gave her an enticing look. "Want to go someplace dark?" he asked her in a sultry voice, though he was only half joking.
There was none. Sinead's watchful presence was unnecessary; the no life king would not be taken that easily. Not again. His eyes still blazed like a great cat intent on its prey, but he drew a slow breath and the claws withdrew. "It seems we have some unstructured time," he said. His voice was calm, but the blazing brightness of the sun all day was too much for his keen nocturnal eyes, and it was leaving him with a short temper. He turned to look at her, and the glow of her sun-tanned face improved on his mood. He gave her an enticing look. "Want to go someplace dark?" he asked her in a sultry voice, though he was only half joking.
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Emora Deen
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Re: Training a Hell Hound
Tenele finally glanced away from the doorway where Fero had been standing moments before. She gave a heavy sigh and smiled. "At this moment I'd go anywhere that offered a place out of the sun and something soft to sit on," she told him, her bright green eyes flickering back to the doorway. Then she looped her arm around Vlad's and walked with him, or maybe pulled him just a bit, up the extremely long stair case and into the small palace. It must have been where the ruler of the town had lived. It was an elaborately decorated place, as were many of the buildings she had seen that were owned by the wealthy. Atul and Fero were talking and Tenele didn't want to be stopped by that man. She feared what she would do if he spoke directly to her.
So giving a gentle tug to Vlad's arm she pulled him to a spiral staircase that wound around the long circular room towars the floors above. She just kept going higher and finally stepped off on a hall and went about nosily poking her head into rooms. Most of the doors were open, and when she found one that wasn't facing the sun's strength she stepped into it.
The room was square with high vaulted ceilings. It had a long row of high and wide open windows with peach colored curtains blowing in the wind. There was a wide loung like bed sitting in front of the windows, and off to the side sitting catty-corner in the room was a wide bed low to the ground. It had pillows upon pillows piled attop it with peach colored silk curtains drooping low around it. There were short foot high tables scattered around it with unlit candles of verious sizes and oil lamps danging from gold chains about the room. The floor was a smooth cut ivory marble with what appeared to be gold enlay. "I do wonder where they get the money for all this luxury," she muttered as she let Vlad loose and moved over to the wide loung chair that could have easily been a bed in itself. It was covered in white silk, and had three peach pillows at the curved back.
Looking out the window she saw a long body of water. It was a recantuglar pool of crystal clear blue water. It had four fountains running through the center of it. The pool was surrounded by a flooring of stone. There was a collinade around the pool and a few feet from that a wall. There was a building built onto a wall that appeared to be the entrance. It looked inviting to her. Tenele reached up and pulled the scarf from around her hair, shaking her hair loose and running a hand through it. She reached to her waist and undid the built to let her sword free. It had grown heavy and she wanted a break from carrying it around.
She glanced to her left, as she thought she saw movement out of the corner of her eye and it turned out to be her reflection in a mirror in the next room. For a moment it startled her, but when she realized it was herself, she ignored it. There was a wide wardrobe along the wall next to the door they’d come through. It was open and long flowing fabrics were hanging out. “I kind of feel bad for intruding in this place.”
It was a ghost town, and seemed for the most part abandoned. The air smelled funny, but that could be from the funerary fires. It was quiet, eerily quiet, and it was unsettling to Tenele.
Tenele leaned out the window, her arms resting on the smooth cut stone. The wind blew up and tossed her silver hair about her, and she tried continuously to keep it behind her ears. The wind, though, was too strong. So Atul had made her a general. What on earth made him do that? And who was she supposed to lead. What was her duty in his revolution? She assumed she’d find these things out during the meeting that he’d hold soon.
Tenele stood straight and removed the thin tan coat from her arms. It had done its job and kept her somewhat cool, and the sun from scorching her skin.
"Any ideas on how to kill time?"
So giving a gentle tug to Vlad's arm she pulled him to a spiral staircase that wound around the long circular room towars the floors above. She just kept going higher and finally stepped off on a hall and went about nosily poking her head into rooms. Most of the doors were open, and when she found one that wasn't facing the sun's strength she stepped into it.
The room was square with high vaulted ceilings. It had a long row of high and wide open windows with peach colored curtains blowing in the wind. There was a wide loung like bed sitting in front of the windows, and off to the side sitting catty-corner in the room was a wide bed low to the ground. It had pillows upon pillows piled attop it with peach colored silk curtains drooping low around it. There were short foot high tables scattered around it with unlit candles of verious sizes and oil lamps danging from gold chains about the room. The floor was a smooth cut ivory marble with what appeared to be gold enlay. "I do wonder where they get the money for all this luxury," she muttered as she let Vlad loose and moved over to the wide loung chair that could have easily been a bed in itself. It was covered in white silk, and had three peach pillows at the curved back.
Looking out the window she saw a long body of water. It was a recantuglar pool of crystal clear blue water. It had four fountains running through the center of it. The pool was surrounded by a flooring of stone. There was a collinade around the pool and a few feet from that a wall. There was a building built onto a wall that appeared to be the entrance. It looked inviting to her. Tenele reached up and pulled the scarf from around her hair, shaking her hair loose and running a hand through it. She reached to her waist and undid the built to let her sword free. It had grown heavy and she wanted a break from carrying it around.
She glanced to her left, as she thought she saw movement out of the corner of her eye and it turned out to be her reflection in a mirror in the next room. For a moment it startled her, but when she realized it was herself, she ignored it. There was a wide wardrobe along the wall next to the door they’d come through. It was open and long flowing fabrics were hanging out. “I kind of feel bad for intruding in this place.”
It was a ghost town, and seemed for the most part abandoned. The air smelled funny, but that could be from the funerary fires. It was quiet, eerily quiet, and it was unsettling to Tenele.
Tenele leaned out the window, her arms resting on the smooth cut stone. The wind blew up and tossed her silver hair about her, and she tried continuously to keep it behind her ears. The wind, though, was too strong. So Atul had made her a general. What on earth made him do that? And who was she supposed to lead. What was her duty in his revolution? She assumed she’d find these things out during the meeting that he’d hold soon.
Tenele stood straight and removed the thin tan coat from her arms. It had done its job and kept her somewhat cool, and the sun from scorching her skin.
"Any ideas on how to kill time?"
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Soran Nightblade
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Re: Training a Hell Hound
Vlad drew himself up into a more relaxed stance as he entered the relatively dark and cool chamber. "As long as it doesn't involve sunlight," he said offhandedly in response to Tenele's question as he stopped at the middle of the room and explored it with his eyes. His gaze eventually angled back to where she was at the window. "You cut your hair," he noted, wondering how he hadn't noticed it earlier. Then again, the night before had been full to the brim of more complicated things than personal fashion. "I like it," he said with a smirk.
Stalker trotted in unobtrusively behind them, his garnet eyes flashing to Vlad. He paused at his master's side, his pointed ears raised questioningly. Vlad studied the hound for a moment. "Your pet is bored," he observed, sneering at the word 'pet'.
Stalker trotted in unobtrusively behind them, his garnet eyes flashing to Vlad. He paused at his master's side, his pointed ears raised questioningly. Vlad studied the hound for a moment. "Your pet is bored," he observed, sneering at the word 'pet'.
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Emora Deen
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Re: Training a Hell Hound
"Verin and I had a disagreement about one of many hidden temples to him I set on fire, and I got too close to the blaze. It was sort of an unintentional hair style change, but I rather like it myself." Tenele said softly, not letting her eyes go from the view. The way she spoke it was almost as if she were sharing some dark secret with him, one she didn't want many to find out. Though, besides her safety, there was no dark secret to hide.
Tenele smiled as she turned to Stalker and knelt on the marble in front of him. She raised both her hands and cupped his large head in her hands, scrutching him just under the jaw. "Oh, are you?" she asked with a grin. "Alright, well I have a mission for you if you choose to except it. The plump short man down stairs in the off white robes needs a good chunk taken out of him." Tenele thought for a moment about it, and then decided it wasn't a great idea. "Alright, scratch that. In reason of diplomacy we should let you keep a low profile. For both you and your masters sake. She gave him a gente kiss on the forehead as she rose to her feet. "Maybe taking a strole would be interesting to you? If you see any danger you can warn Vlad."
Tenele took a seat on the wide lounge, crossing her ankles underneath her in a lady-like position.
Tenele smiled as she turned to Stalker and knelt on the marble in front of him. She raised both her hands and cupped his large head in her hands, scrutching him just under the jaw. "Oh, are you?" she asked with a grin. "Alright, well I have a mission for you if you choose to except it. The plump short man down stairs in the off white robes needs a good chunk taken out of him." Tenele thought for a moment about it, and then decided it wasn't a great idea. "Alright, scratch that. In reason of diplomacy we should let you keep a low profile. For both you and your masters sake. She gave him a gente kiss on the forehead as she rose to her feet. "Maybe taking a strole would be interesting to you? If you see any danger you can warn Vlad."
Tenele took a seat on the wide lounge, crossing her ankles underneath her in a lady-like position.
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Soran Nightblade
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Re: Training a Hell Hound
Vlad grimaced as the wolf glanced furtively at him for his reaction to Tenele's idea. "Oh, no. I am not going back out in that blaze to walk my familiar," he scoffed mostly to Tenele and partly to Stalker. "If anything, you should rest now while you have the opportunity," he said to Tenele. "You're still wounded."
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Emora Deen
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Re: Training a Hell Hound
"You don't have to walk him. I'm sure he's capable of walking himself," she told him with an amused smile.
Tenele smiled beautifully at him as she stretched back across the loung, resting her head on one of the peach pillows. Her green eyes watched him, her silver hair faned across her face and pillow. "Besides, I'm healed, just not completely recovered. I'm fine," she replied, resting her arm behind her head across the back of the lounge. Her eyes scanned up and down his form, and she suddenly had a rather devious and delightfully pleasurable idea cross her mind. She figured it wasn't the time or place for such actions, so she let them slip to the back of her mind for later use.
She couldn't deny, however, that she'd missed his lips on hers, and his strong hands on her body. Her sun kissed skin grew a little more flustered at the memorable memories flowing through her head and she immediatly pushed them from her mind. This was definitely not the time.
"That pool down there sure does look cool and inviting," she murmered almost longingly, tilting her head towards the window to watch the blue sky. Nothing was happening, and she had too much to do besides sit and relax. Tenele sat up, standing and smoothing her clothes with a sigh. "I can't put off talking to the men I'm supposed to command. I don't have much time to get to know how they work." She walked up next to him, standing just in front of him and reached up to tossel his hair with a mischeivious smile. "You can stay in the shade here if you'd like."
Tenele smiled beautifully at him as she stretched back across the loung, resting her head on one of the peach pillows. Her green eyes watched him, her silver hair faned across her face and pillow. "Besides, I'm healed, just not completely recovered. I'm fine," she replied, resting her arm behind her head across the back of the lounge. Her eyes scanned up and down his form, and she suddenly had a rather devious and delightfully pleasurable idea cross her mind. She figured it wasn't the time or place for such actions, so she let them slip to the back of her mind for later use.
She couldn't deny, however, that she'd missed his lips on hers, and his strong hands on her body. Her sun kissed skin grew a little more flustered at the memorable memories flowing through her head and she immediatly pushed them from her mind. This was definitely not the time.
"That pool down there sure does look cool and inviting," she murmered almost longingly, tilting her head towards the window to watch the blue sky. Nothing was happening, and she had too much to do besides sit and relax. Tenele sat up, standing and smoothing her clothes with a sigh. "I can't put off talking to the men I'm supposed to command. I don't have much time to get to know how they work." She walked up next to him, standing just in front of him and reached up to tossel his hair with a mischeivious smile. "You can stay in the shade here if you'd like."
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Soran Nightblade
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Re: Training a Hell Hound
Vlad smirked. "Such a diligent general," he praised. As inelegant as it was, he didn't seem to mind the hair ruffling, nor did he feel any bashfulness about retreating from the sun. He did have an urge to kiss her. He almost didn't, hesitating and missing the right moment as she passed him. Less smoothly that was his style, he reached out and caught her hand as she was almost out of reach, stopping her and turning her back. He stepped in toward her and met her eyes with an affectionate, but watchful expression for a moment. Then, apparently finding resolve in what he saw there, he dipped his head and kissed her. He lingered there just a touch too long to count as a polite kiss before parting from her slowly, suddenly all grace and surreal stillness again after his human-clumsy moment. He looked down at her with a thoughtful smile. "Don't be too rough on them," he advised with the beginning of a smirk.
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Emora Deen
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Re: Training a Hell Hound
The kiss was almost enough to make her forget what she should be doing. She wanted nothing more than to pounce on him then and there, but swallowing the idea again, she gave him a gentle smile. She could still feel where his lips, warmed from the heat, had touched. "Me? Be rough on someone? Never," she said in a breath of disbelief. "Alright, I'm off." She waved to him as she walked out the door.
Halfway down the spiral staircase she met Atul and Fero. Fero smiled that kind smile of his, and she tried very hard not to push him over the railing. "Lady Tenele," he greeted her.
She said nothing to him, instead turning her attention to Atul. "If you want to keep your oracle reader and adviser I suggest you stir him as far away from Vlad as possible," she warned Atul with an easy tone in her voice. "And it might be a good idea to keep him away from me as well. I might not be as creative as Vladimir, but I can be as deadly when properly motivated."
Fero grimanced. "I want to apologise. It wasn't my intention-"
"Atul," Tenele said harshly. "Why don't you explain to Fero what situation he placed us in, and then maybe he wouldn't be so inclined to risk his life for an apology that probably will never be excepted."
“Lady Tenele,” Fero said more sternly. “I know nothing I can say will make it up to you. But, this isn’t about our quarrel, and this is not about how I wronged you. My families life was at stake… And if it makes any difference I didn’t send you there. At the last minute I changed the spell, and you should have gone home to your kingdom. Verin anticipated my betrayal, and changed the ruins when I wasn’t looking. A slight difference that I didn’t notice. And my betrayal cost you, just as it cost me.” The pain in his eyes was enough to make Tenele falter on her coldness to him.
“You’ll be lucky if Vlad even lets you get two words out before he bleeds you dry,” Tenele warned him.
“For the sake of this rebellion, he must see to put our differences aside,” Fero spoke softly.
Tenele’s eyes met Atul’s. “I’m going to speak with my men, Vlad is at the top floor. Third room on the left.”
“Thank you, Tenele.” Atul bowed his head respectfully before urging Fero to continue.
Atul climbed the steps with Fero. “She’s probably right, this might not be a good idea.”
“We have to see if he can connect with Verin enough to know what he’s planning. If the link is as strong as you think then he might be able too,” Fero explained as they neared the room.
“But, what if he does kill you?”
“Then, you’ll just have to figure out how to read an oracle yourself,” Fero mused, not at all afraid of the prospect of death at the moment. Atul knocked soundly on the door as they stood in its opening, peering in to see if Vlad was there.
* * *
Tenele shielded her eyes for a moment as she stepped out into the bright sunlight, listening to the noise of voices chattering. More people had gathered now than when they had first arrived, and in the midst of the villagers and wayward soldiers she spotted the men that Atul had entrusted to her.
Halfway down the spiral staircase she met Atul and Fero. Fero smiled that kind smile of his, and she tried very hard not to push him over the railing. "Lady Tenele," he greeted her.
She said nothing to him, instead turning her attention to Atul. "If you want to keep your oracle reader and adviser I suggest you stir him as far away from Vlad as possible," she warned Atul with an easy tone in her voice. "And it might be a good idea to keep him away from me as well. I might not be as creative as Vladimir, but I can be as deadly when properly motivated."
Fero grimanced. "I want to apologise. It wasn't my intention-"
"Atul," Tenele said harshly. "Why don't you explain to Fero what situation he placed us in, and then maybe he wouldn't be so inclined to risk his life for an apology that probably will never be excepted."
“Lady Tenele,” Fero said more sternly. “I know nothing I can say will make it up to you. But, this isn’t about our quarrel, and this is not about how I wronged you. My families life was at stake… And if it makes any difference I didn’t send you there. At the last minute I changed the spell, and you should have gone home to your kingdom. Verin anticipated my betrayal, and changed the ruins when I wasn’t looking. A slight difference that I didn’t notice. And my betrayal cost you, just as it cost me.” The pain in his eyes was enough to make Tenele falter on her coldness to him.
“You’ll be lucky if Vlad even lets you get two words out before he bleeds you dry,” Tenele warned him.
“For the sake of this rebellion, he must see to put our differences aside,” Fero spoke softly.
Tenele’s eyes met Atul’s. “I’m going to speak with my men, Vlad is at the top floor. Third room on the left.”
“Thank you, Tenele.” Atul bowed his head respectfully before urging Fero to continue.
Atul climbed the steps with Fero. “She’s probably right, this might not be a good idea.”
“We have to see if he can connect with Verin enough to know what he’s planning. If the link is as strong as you think then he might be able too,” Fero explained as they neared the room.
“But, what if he does kill you?”
“Then, you’ll just have to figure out how to read an oracle yourself,” Fero mused, not at all afraid of the prospect of death at the moment. Atul knocked soundly on the door as they stood in its opening, peering in to see if Vlad was there.
* * *
Tenele shielded her eyes for a moment as she stepped out into the bright sunlight, listening to the noise of voices chattering. More people had gathered now than when they had first arrived, and in the midst of the villagers and wayward soldiers she spotted the men that Atul had entrusted to her.
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Soran Nightblade
- Avatar of Hope
- Posts: 10570
- Joined: Tue Jul 19, 2005 4:45 pm
- Location: NJ
Re: Training a Hell Hound
Outside, some excitement seemed to be brewing near the area they were using as barracks. The majority of Tenele's squad was gathered out on the sand, where two men were having an altercation. Both men were large and visibly strong, and both were holding their swords at each other's throats. A tense situation. The other soldiers gathered around them seemed split on whose side to take in the matter, though they seemed to be growing uncomfortable as well.
"Suresh, he got you! Stand down, you idiot!" One man shouted.
"Your eyes are bad!" another snapped, "Suresh got him first, Parik should be the one to stand down. Learn to know when you're beat, Parik!"
Had the two combatants not looked so earnest in the standoff, which had apparently evolved from a sparring session gone wrong, the situation might have broken into a brawl. Instead, the tension just rose higher. Each of the warriors seemed to have a rather devoted following among the other soldiers.
"Get that sword out of my face, you arrogant bastard," the more lithe of the two men, who was apparently Suresh, warned while pressing his live blade further against Parik's neck. He looked like something was seriously bothering his eyes, but he didn't seem willing to blink at his opponent. "What kind of leader do you expect to be for your men if you can't even play fair in a lousy sparring session?"
"The sand is a valid weapon. It is constantly around us. If you cared half as much about utilizing your surroundings as your precious 'noble' swordsmanship, maybe we'd be winning this war!" Parik scathed. "I'll drop my sword after you drop yours."
"I'll drop mine after you admit your foul," Suresh growled.
* * * * *
Vlad was standing toward the middle of the room facing half away from the door when Atul poked his head in. The vampire's eyes flashed to Atul's before he turned the rest of his body to face him. "Your majesty?" he asked good-naturedly, crossing his arms.
"Suresh, he got you! Stand down, you idiot!" One man shouted.
"Your eyes are bad!" another snapped, "Suresh got him first, Parik should be the one to stand down. Learn to know when you're beat, Parik!"
Had the two combatants not looked so earnest in the standoff, which had apparently evolved from a sparring session gone wrong, the situation might have broken into a brawl. Instead, the tension just rose higher. Each of the warriors seemed to have a rather devoted following among the other soldiers.
"Get that sword out of my face, you arrogant bastard," the more lithe of the two men, who was apparently Suresh, warned while pressing his live blade further against Parik's neck. He looked like something was seriously bothering his eyes, but he didn't seem willing to blink at his opponent. "What kind of leader do you expect to be for your men if you can't even play fair in a lousy sparring session?"
"The sand is a valid weapon. It is constantly around us. If you cared half as much about utilizing your surroundings as your precious 'noble' swordsmanship, maybe we'd be winning this war!" Parik scathed. "I'll drop my sword after you drop yours."
"I'll drop mine after you admit your foul," Suresh growled.
* * * * *
Vlad was standing toward the middle of the room facing half away from the door when Atul poked his head in. The vampire's eyes flashed to Atul's before he turned the rest of his body to face him. "Your majesty?" he asked good-naturedly, crossing his arms.