Lore: The Seer of Lies

Post by **Emora Deen** » Mon Feb 04, 2008 12:21 am

The snow drifted down into the camp that was nestled at the base of the rocky mountains that were known as the Border. Not to far from Darkwood, but far enough to be out of sight from the town, the large encampment was quiet. It was the dead of night and the torch-light and camp fires flicked in the icy damp air.

A few soldiers were still up, most laid passed out in their tents, a slave girl or common whore resting withered and tired under their crude muscled arms. The guards that were awake were leaning against poles and tents, casually glancing around. It was always quiet, no one dared attack a camp of this size. For one it was suicide, especially upon a night of this importance with the Queen visiting.

There was a tent at the center of the camp that was glowing from the inside out with luminous oil lamp light. A figure was lounging casually in her nearly naked state upon a bed of warm furs. She wore the common clothes of the royalty in Arken. A top that was similar to a bra that was held on with thin golden chains. Her bottom was long flowing panels of fabric that went down the front and the back, and was held up around her waist by the same thin golden chain. Her long flowing red and black streaked hair cascaded down her back as she stared boredly at the limp figure.

Shea chuckled darkly as she tilted her head, examining the barely conscious female. “I don’t think she is going to talk anymore,” the Queen said with a dark seductive tone in her voice. “Take her away.” Shea waved her hand casually towards the flap of the tent, eyeing the bloodied form of the woman.

“She’s lasted far longer than any of the others... Why have you not let the men have her?” the soldier asked as he grabbed the Queen’s Maiden by the arm, his companion doing the same to her other arm.

“I promised Lothos that he could have her once I was finished. It is a gift to him for managing to be thoughtful enough to have a back-up plan. I know, one would think I would be angry with him for causing such a... small dent in my army. However... his reasons were justified and I think it is only fair that he have her last. That way he can extract his own form of revenge.” Shea smiled devilishly as the strong-willed woman raised her hand to show Shea her middle finger. “Queen’s Maiden’s are known for their... purity and virginity. I’ll allow Lothos the honor of defiling her. Then he may give her to who he pleases.” The Queen met the eyes of the two men. “Anymore questions that neither of you deserve answers too?”

The two men looked at one another and shook their heads quickly.

“Then go.”

With that they dragged the limp form of the Queen’s Maiden down the make-shift road towards the outer edge of the camp that touched the edge of the border. There, a cave had been found and torches hung down the craggy halls. They drug her into the cave and towards the back of it where chains had been hammered into the side. Throwing her limp form against the wall they grabbed her wrists, which now no longer fought against them, and chained them to the wall. She rested against the wall, her legs bent underneath her. Clothed in the rags of what was left of her uniform, which could barely be considered rags at this point, she shivered in the freezing cave. Fading in and out of consciousness Tenele found herself coming to terms with the horrible fate that awaited her when Lothos returned... and the death that would surely come. No one would come for her, they would of course assume she was dead. She blinked her eyes and watched as the two guards went back to their positions at the mouth of the cave. As if she had the strength to escape anyway. She knew why they were there. It wasn’t to keep her in. It was to keep the men of Arken out. After all, it was just as the Queen had said. Queen’s Maiden’s were well known for a lot of things. She let the darkness take her, no longer having the strength to keep herself awake.

Post by **Soran Nightblade** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 8:14 pm

Vlad materialized outside the gates of Darkwood keep and climbed stealthily into a tall, ominous tree. Crouching down amongst the branches, he surveyed the area intently. Ragged breath wanted to course through his lungs, an instinct the vampire normally indulged even though as an undead, he had little need for it. Today he ignored the whim and sat perfectly still, unbreathing and unmoving, the true living dead.

The sequence of teleportations that had brought him here had left him lightheaded, but he knew there was plenty to eat behind those black gates. However, he wasn't here for a show of force, as much as he preferred a flashy battle. Hostage situations were different. The moment his enemies recognized his purpose, Tenele's life would be forfeit, or worse, it would become a tool against him. If that happened, he would almost certainly lose her. He cared about her...it was futile to deny it under the circumstances, but he didn't think he could care for her enough to bow to his enemy. Especially Arken.

The area looked well fortified, but poorly guarded. Focusing on a point just inside the keep, he teleported onto a rooftop and paused, listening closely for any sign of detection. He chose a private alleyway across the street below and ported there, eavesdropping on a pair of guards that were standing at the mouth of the street without looking particularly alert. Tenele could be suffering. She could be dying at this very moment. The temptation to rush was strong. But he had to know where she was. If he fought his way out of this fort, it would be alone.

Post by **Emora Deen** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 8:31 pm

Shea was lounging comfortably when she sensed the presence she had been waiting on. From delving into the prisoners memories she found a certain someone that struck her interest. That was the true reason that girl was still alive. He would come for her, she could tell that by the many times he had rescued her in the past. He loved her, though his foolish heart refused to believe it.

She knew he would eventually come, though she had not known that he would come so soon. With a sly smile she rose to her feet and walked calmly towards the flap. Pulling back the flap and stepping through her hair went to a shimmering silver color, her face morphing away from the beautiful oval thin face that it had once been and changing into another beautiful face. Her eyes went from a golden yellow to a piercing green. Her new eyes glanced in the direction that she sensed the presence emanating from. She took off in a quick sprint, taking up a terrified expression. After all, she had to play the part.

As she grew closer she could hear a conversation. She felt the presence stronger.

"You know, I heard that that Maiden whore still refuses to tell them anything. She speaks in riddles and tells ridiculous stories about a vampire. The Queen even tried to get something out of her tonight and the bitch still didn't talk...." the guard said, kicking some dirt with his foot.

"Woah... I'd hate to see what she looks like right now. The Queen doesn't take kindly to people who don't do what she says, ya'know?" the other guard said.

She ran and found exactly what she was looking for. The dark figure of her enemy hiding in the shadows like his kind did best. She ran directly into him, purposely spinning and falling towards the front of him so he would catch a glimpse of her disguise. She gave him a shocked expression, her piercing green eyes staring up at Vlad as she stood before him in a scandalous outfit that only the Queen would dare to wear. Obviously he would think she was forced to wear it, unless he was as intelligent as she hoped.

Post by **Soran Nightblade** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 8:40 pm

Vlad caught every word of the soldiers' conversation before he was taken off guard by Shea's actions. He quickly regained his balance and stared warily at the person who had just run into him. He took in her entire appearance, frowned, and said, "Tenele." The word was flat, testing.

Post by **Emora Deen** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 8:45 pm

Shea made herself stand up slowly, trying to give herself the shaking appearance of someone that was startled. "Shhh..." she said, pushing him back against the wall and into the shadows as one of the soldiers looked up caughtously. "Did you here something?" one asked.

"No..."

"Oh, okay..."

Shea looked back at Vlad warily, not saying a word. She had to think about what that dolts voice sounded like before she spoke. "Vlad..." her voice shook for a moment as she found the right tone. "I..." She paused, having no script to go by. "I thought... I'd never see you again... No... you can't be real. You can't be here..." Shea shook her head, glancing away for a moment. "I'm dreaming."

Post by **Soran Nightblade** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 8:52 pm

Vlad looked at her a long moment, like she was some kind of work of art. Finally, he took her shivering form and pulled it securely against his chest, his arms encircling her back. "Someplace we won't be seen," he prompted her in an urgent whisper.

Post by **Emora Deen** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 8:57 pm

She grabbed him by the hand and lead him catiously back towards the illaborate tent. "This is where he's keeping me," she said, not informing Vlad of who he was. She was curious to see how Vlad would react to know that she had spent her week the prisoner of man, dressed in the fashion she was dressed. Shea led him into her tent where it was dimly lit by candles and oil lamps. Once on the inside she pressed herself against him, tilting her head down and smiling. He wouldn't be able to see it from the angle her head was at. She wondered just how far she could take this... She wondered just how far she could push him.

Of course Shea wasn't and idiot. She knew that eventually the vampire would figure out just who she was. Then things would grow even more interesting. For now she would turn on her charms and hope he would take his frightened girlfriend into his arms... and maybe something a little more.

"I... I can't believe you here. I figured everyone would think I was dead..." She had seen enough memories to know that Tenele would want to be held. She always stood close to Vlad after something tramatic. It was her way of feeling safe. If only Vlad knew that he was the one in danger.

Post by **Soran Nightblade** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 9:06 pm

Vlad let her lead him into the tent, standing quietly as she leaned up against him. The decor of the room was warm and strangely sensual. He ran his right hand slowly through her hair and rested his hands on her shoulders, nudging her back so that she sat on the bed. He knelt on the floor in front of her, taking both of her hands in his. "Well, maiden girl, you seem to have me in a bit of a dilemma here," he said warmly, his ruby eyes meeting hers.

Post by **Emora Deen** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 9:08 pm

"I'm sorry..." she said. She glanced away for a moment and then returned her piercing green gaze to him. "What is your delima?" she asked him, caughtous again. Had he seen through her disguise? She shrunk away for a moment, glancing around worriedly. Maybe he would think she feared someone would come for her? Maybe it would distract him if he was seeing through her guise.

Post by **Soran Nightblade** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 9:20 pm

"Your blood smells wrong. It's not hers. This room is unguarded. Your little speech was ridiculous. His hands tightened around her wrists and he leaned in close to her face, close enough to kiss. "So my dilemma is, what the hell do you want?" he whispered into her ear, lips nearly brushing her neck.

Post by **Emora Deen** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 9:27 pm

Shea looked utterly pettrified at first, though that as well was an act. Then suddenly she she threw her head back and started laughing, her voice seductive and musical. Slowly her hair grew longer and as it grew it turned to the color of blood and her hair was marked with black streaks. Her eyes returned to the haunting gold color. She laughed until she looked back down at him, her nails extending until they dug into his skin.

"How rude! You ruined my game and when it was just getting good." Her voice was husky, leaning towards him closer. "Mmmm... how I do remember you." She bit her bottom lip for a moment, looking down at her hands that he held so tightly.

She thought for a moment and leaned in closer, bi-passing his lips and going towards his ear. "All I want is to have a little fun," she said, brushing his ear with her lips before nibbling slightly.

She then leaned back to look him in the eyes. "How kind of you to kneel before a queen," she said, reminding him of the fact he kneeled before her. "Shall I take that as early submission?"

Post by **Soran Nightblade** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 9:38 pm

Vlad returned her words with a dark smirk. He made no move to stand and no reaction to her nails in his skin, tightening his grip further. "Using Tenele's mind as a porno mag? I had no idea you were so hard up for partners," the vampire sneered, a mad glint rising to his eyes that had been gone for some time. He'd been very human these past few months, but now it was like all the monster inside him was winding up again, crouching, ready to lash out.

Post by **Emora Deen** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 9:43 pm

Shea tilted her head at him and smiled devilishly at him. "No, I have many partners. However, you are the only male creature that interests me just as much as Praxis does." She jerked her hand away with inhuman strength, though she was hardly human. Half-god and half-human gave her some liberties.

"Though, don't flatter yourself so," she said, her voice altering to a seductive cold tone that implied scolding. "I had no intention of sleeping with you. In fact I merely decided to make you an offer, one that I think you might find rather interesting."

Post by **Soran Nightblade** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 9:48 pm

Vlad allowed her hands to slip free of his grip, extending his claws as he did so. He couldn't stop her moving away, but he could make sure it did some damage. "Now what could interest me more than the thought of ripping your throat out right here," Vlad smiled like a madman, hardly sweating her self-proclaimed lack of sexual interest. He looked at her with a kind of lust in his eyes, something darker and fiercer than sex.

Post by **Emora Deen** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 9:54 pm

"Your freedom," she said, looking down at her hands and watching as the gashes slowly closed up. She sighed for a moment before rising and moving away from him. As she stepped away her voice trailed off, "and the freedom of the girl."

She turned swiftly, the fabric of... what could be considered a skirt... flowing around her. "Join me and I will unlock your powers, seeing to it that they can never be locked again. You'll work for me, doing what I know it is you do best. I have a small army of No Life Kings, though none with half the brains as you. Its so hard to find intellegent help, you know."

Shea walked towards an oil lamp that was placed upon the table next to a map. Her fingers played idly with the flame as her golden eyes looked to him.

"And I shall not hinder any relationship you choose to have with the woman. Unlike my sister, I find sex rather healthy." She laughed playfully, holding her finger in the fire longer than a human would be able to stand. She watched him for a moment, her smile seductive, warm... inviting.