A Time for Everything......

[Sweetp4u]

Lady Katrina

Keina handed the babe to Moma, and she in turned handed the babe to me. No other choice, I took the babe in my arms and cradled him closely to me. My eyes wide and my ears listening, I did not understand all this panic over a man?

I knew he was cruel and he was mean, but he was just a man wasn't he? They were feeding my fear of this man with their reactions and thinking aloud. Was this man more than I thought he was? That was a stupid question, but why did he want me? I had nothing special about me, other than a Lady? I was confused and slightly scared. No, terrified is a better word.

I moved to the back of the tent, sitting down with the babe. He cried softly in his sleep, suckling his bottom lip. He was so tiny, so precious, I smiled and bundled him tighter. I glanced around and found a nursing bag. I felt the weight of the bag and knew there was milk within for the little man. Holding the tip to his mouth, I watched him suckle.

Glancing around, I took in all faces. Keina was upset, I could see it in her features. The man, Devina, was upset, but with anger and hatred. My eyes searched around, trying to find a safe place for the babe, but where? I wouldn't let the man who came for me harm this child..

I felt like a coward, sitting here holding a baby, instead of fighting. Shaking my head, I noticed the babe slept soundly in my arms. I laid him down in his cradle and covered him carefully. Smiling, I made sure he was tucked in tightly. The group had moved outside the tent, still talking and doing things to stop this Lord from coming for me.

I walked outside, feeling that motion tugging in my mind, telling me it was alright. Shivering slightly I glanced around and did not see anyone anywhere. Watching all shadows I moved towards the center fire, warming my hands might help me relax a little.

My eyes never sat still as they moved constantly from brush to tree, making sure nothing was there waiting. I heard the 'words' again in my mind, calling me. They did not sound mean nor harsh, but pleading an soft. Who's calling me? I thought to myself as I turned in circles glancing around.

I took a step towards the outside of the camp. Listening, he was beconing me, I could hear it and feel it. I took another step towards the outside of the camp, and then one more. Teetering very close to stepping outside the protective circle.
"Who are you?" I whispered, my eyes closed a moment, building inner strength. Something wasn't right here, and very very wrong.
"NO! Leave me Be!!!" I shouted out into the night, turning I ran back into the tent and sat in the center, praying to the gods to grant me peace and make this man or creature leave me be. The babe cried again, and I moved over to check on him.

 

[nightray]

The Dark Lord

I frown as my anger rises as the girl moves back in to the tent. I focus my mined on her agene saying in a pledging gentile voice that I know will grip her heart with gilt and sorrow

“Pleas don’t leave me my lady I need you I can’t live with out you if you live me I don’t know what I’ll do. Don’t believe the lies of though people I’m not evil how could I be your father would not have you marry a man such as the one they seem to think I am.”My mind gently cereuses hers soothingly trying to soothe her dowts away. “Come back to me my love come and rule next to me I would never harm you sheer I can be harsh with punishments at times but I no your butty will change that com to me pleas.”

I say all of this in a pleading but yet some how commanding voice that must be obeyed as my mind courses hers trying to lull her in to submission.

 

[The GrandMage]

Devina Silas

He Leaned against the tree, glaring up at the pigfucker. He sat there, so entirely focused on the prey, he didn't catch the predator. It was a big mistake, sending his men off while he concentrated on such a spell. He summoned his power, skillfully turning pure rage and hatred into a delicate work of art, which he released. His mount, turned to face Devina as the ball of power hit it. It's brain burst in it's head, causing it to buck as it fell, throwing it's rider off.

"Well, well, well. We meet again. Only this time I'm not just a lad grieving over his dead sister anymore. And you're not the man who inspired terror in me, either. She won't come to you, you know. You'll have to go to her. And to do that, you motherfucker, you'll have to come straight through me."

He lifted his sword, shifting his feet slightly in the grace of a master. He summoned his power, keeping it at the ready for any spell he may need in the coming battle. "So I'm waiting. Come and get me, you bastard."

 

[Sweetp4u]

Lady Katrina

I heard his soft pleas of love and loneliness.
"He needs me.." I whispered, kissing the baby's cheek and setting him in his cradle. Tucking him in carefully I rose from the bed and walked outside the tent. Moma was with Keina behind a wagon, gathering things. Cax I did not see, nor the warrior at first.
I walked further out, towards the central fire. I could see Devina standing on the edge of the camp light, his sword high in the air.
I moved forward as the pleas became more intense and more sad in tone.

Why did he want me? He could have another, why did he need me to live?

These thoughts kept coming up in my mind, but something was repressing my worries as I stepped closer to Devina.
"You must not touch him, he will take ahold of your soul and keep you prisoner.." I dont know where the words of warning came from but it was uttered. I stood just inside the circle, the dark one standing just outside, his eyes holding mine as he pleaded with me to come to him.

My hand reached out and grabbed Devina's tunic and pulled, "Come back inside.. Fight another time, do not risk yourself for this mad man." I stepped back again, still holding the Lord's eyes.

"I won't marry you, I won't carry your children. Accept that."

 

[nightray]

The Dark Lord

I smile mockingly at the little whelp that dared to face me. I pull my sword out my mined still on the girl. I raze my sword making it look like I’m not nearly as good as I am. I smear as gather my dark power arund me cozing a shadow to appear like a clock over my body the shadow clock is stronger then any armor and will deflect all but the strongest of blows. I’m sher that I can beet this buy but then there is the chance that he’ll get a blow in.

My eyes lock on the girl put a pleading look com over my face. I say “com to my love you are the one I’ve wanted for so long don’t believe what this people say there all gellus of my power and the power that you will gain when you marry me. They tell you nothing but lies.” My mined slips deeper in to hers now that she is looking in to my eyes they seem to swirl trying to pull her in to there depths. My mind works its way deeper in to her mined saying “Come to me and be happy and content I know you want a child my child come to me.” My mined pushing at hers with more force as it pleads with her. I let a tear fall from my eyes making it look real even if it was a falls.

I sentes my men coming form all arund staying in the shadows out of sight but reedy to jump in and fight at my signal.

 

[The GrandMage]

Devina Silas

He switched hands with his sword, and thrust his hand in the direction of the woman. He wanted her, so he would to all possible to stop him from getting her. Pulling the spell which allowed him to hear his name being spoken, he transferred it to her, changing the inticrate lay of webs of power, which moved together to form the spell. Overlaying her mind, it was a great web of lines that blocked her mind from his. Although possible of being worked through, it would take years to pick away at the web enough to allow access. He fed power down, away from himself, into his sword, creating a double-curved sheild across the blade.

The sheild of magic would push against his pitiful 'shadow cloak', a spell which was coarsely woven magic to create armor. It would slide the sheild around, across the blade, allowing his sword to cut through to him. He glanced around, noting the others as ge growled, moving the sword back to his dominant hand.

"Fool. You think you can fool me so easilly? I remember those many years ago, and while that may not be the same body, I will not fall for your trap. You merely hurt yourself, because your stance enables me to work away at your strengths. I have learned much about the sword, and magic, since that day long ago. And woman, this is a creature I have been hunting all of my long life. You think I would not come prepared to meet his vile ways? I have seen the runes at the ruins of the Tower of Molinor, I know what he is, ad will not fall so easilly."

He grabbed her upper arm, backing away from the man. Not because he was afraid, but because in battle one of his men could snatch the fool woman away. In the heat of battle, he could not watch her. "Do not think you are safe. I will find you again, and when we meet, I will remember what you have done to me!"

 

[Sweetp4u]

Lady Katrina

Moving backwards, I jerked my arm from his grasp and turned. Running back into the tent, I turned and quietly watched the door and all shadows passing around the outside. I would be safe one way or another!
I hoped Moma Nipsy would hurry with the potion, I would give up having children to stop this man from touching me. I would kill myself before allowing that to happen. Silence welcomed me and I heard no more voice inside my head, sighing with relief I laid back on the bed and put a shaking hand over my forehead.

 

[nightray]

The Dark Lord

My eyes narrow as I focus on Devina a cruel smile coming over my lips as I refocus the shadow shield to my blade casing what look like black flames to start flickering up its length seeming to absorb the light coming from the fire and to bring the air tempicher to go down several degrees.

I say “and what is keeping me form shattering that shield you put arund her mind true it would shatter her mined to but then its not rely her mined that I want is it?” I laugh coldly as I move my blade in a circle the flames seeming to quicken with the movement. I watch him carefully not missing a thing though he can’t tell where I’m looking for my eyes are completely black now with flames seeming to burn deep with in.

My men com up beside me the cloks seeming to shift like ther wher made of shadow. I say no we will not fight to day now that I know wher she is I can com for her when I need her. So take good car of her boy.”

Whith that sed I tern my back on him and walk back to one of my mens hourses I jump up on his back and ride off in the derction of my keep wher I will preper my self for the batel with on his stronger then I thow but still no mach for me

 

[The GrandMage]

Devina Silas

He watched as the man left from where he was. He smirked. The man may have some knowledge of the Arts, but it was only enough to keep him alive. He had no clue what he was doing with magic. Shifting his sheild to his sword had been a mistake, the curved sheilds on his sword would still part it, and although it would add force to his blows, it blunted them, and didn't allow the blade to strike. And then his thin threat of destroying her mind. There was no way to plow through such a sheild without completely destroying her mind. And such an act would kill her.

He waited for him and his men to move off, and sighed. He may have more power, magically, but Devina had more knowledge about how to use it in warfare. Comparatively, the two would cancel out, or Devina could use his lack of knowledge to his advantage. His men, although very good at hiding, were not beyond Devina's range of sense, and were, after all, only men.

He scoffed. "And here I expected more from my quarry. It would seem age has not gone well with you, oh Dark Lord. But fear not, I shall make it so that age shall no longer matter for you,...when you are in your grave."

 

[Merelan]

Keina:
Struggling from the bed I rose, hurting, but able to put it behind me.
"Get her Moma, she is being pulled to him, he is a deceptive creature. She needs so to be needed and loved, that she could fall for it." I pulled a robe about me, drawing strength from my Goddess.
Following her footfalls I found my way out. Devina and he facing each other, a stand off. Their energies crackling in the air about us. The slightest thing and it would tilt the balance one way or the other.
I could not touch him, it was not allowed. But his men on the other hand.
I was blind.

Blind. Yes, blind. Starting a subtle spell, so quiet, so still. The whisper of the wind, the touch of a branch on their face.
One by one their sight dimmed. Slowly, so as not to startle them.
There were only a few, but it drained me so. Their mutterings got louder as they realized what was happening.

"Now sleep. Right here, in my comfort. Settle and sleep." Done and finished before they fully understood. They slept peacefully now.
"Thank you Goddess." Now it was just Devina and Himself... for I could not utter his name. Slipping to my knees, struggling for breath. He was trying to stop me, block me. But it took alot out of him to fight Devina.
Where was Cax? My mind flitted out briefly. Asleep by the fire. Not a natural sleep. So he used similiar tricks. We are opposite sides of the same coin were we not? Cax was strong though, and soon would awaken. I could not help him yet.

 

[Zircon]

Cax

A horse was nuzzling Cax with its wet nose. Wrapping himself still ever tighter, Cax silent mumbled, ‘Lorel anrt Thomasdo moniey froesitel-no…’ and horse quit nudging him, searching instead for a pasture to nibble on, quite a bit further away. Suddenly his body went numb, not from the chill of the night. It was from something else. A great power has taken over his body, for he could not twitch a single muscle.

His mind felt fire and pain. But deep in the recesses of his mind, he sought control back. The process was equally painfully, and slow. Eventually he got to the point where he could move a single muscle. The battle was raging before him, but he was as helpless as a new-born babe. As Devina fought the Dark Lord, Cax finally regained control of his muscles. He was angry at the ease of which the he was controlled. He knew that soon, he must fing a way to protect himself better. For now, the matriarch was calling.

The matriarch’s command was heard and could not be disobeyed. He was in awe, as the old woman knew his name before he had spoke of it. That was a great power to wield. Which was why he could only obey her command.

He did not glance at Devina as he quietly looped out into the dark forest. Ghostwind was not hard to find if one knew where to look. Now, all Cax had to do was find a brook or creek, for by the shore its where Ghostwind might be found. The moon was obscured by the clouds. But Cax’s eyes saw what no mortals could discern, but with his surefootedness still returning, the trip took longer than usual. The fires from the camp could not be seen, but what was spotted was Ghostwind. The pale flowers swaying precariously in the night wind. Petals were dewy as Cax plucked some and stored them carefully in his pouch.

Suddenly Cax’s senses pricked up in warning of a danger. Cax notched his bow in anticipation of trouble as he ran back to the encampment. Coming into the light of the camp fire, Cax could see Devina slumped in defeat as the danger had dissapeared. Cax approached knowing that he had failed in his task.

 

[The GrandMage]

Devina Silas

What with the enemies gone, having left, for the Dark Lord rode away, Devina sighed and sat down. He put an elbow on a knee, and rested his head in the hand as he shoved his sword into the earth, recalling his power, except for protecting the young woman. He would have to protect her now.

"Not even one attack. Not one kill. Notta. Zip. Zilch. Goose egg. ....I feel so cheated. All these years, and I have to sit around, while he runs off. Damnit. If that blasted woman wouldn't have interfered, I could have at least met blades with him. And now, now I have to sit around and watch some blasted female."

He sighed. He stood up, pulling his blade free from the earth and wiping it clean before sheathing it. Reaching back into a small pouch at the back of his belt, he pulls out a small white rag, looking at it a moment. "I'm sorry, Heather. He was so close, and I failed you once again...."

 

[nightray]

The Dark Lord

I ride the hours threw the florist not paining attention to where the hours is going it knows where home is. I look up seeing ma castle looming up out of the trees we ride threw the gates and I lead the hors to a the back entrains. I get off of is and it eagerly retreats to a cleaner part of the castle grounds. I her a fear winy coming from my personal stabiles where more of the bests that I was riding are housed.

I walk in to my castle through the back making my way to my chambers I look arund thinking of what I want to send after them to weaken them.

 

[Sweetp4u]

Lady Katrina

I heard his words and glared at the tent wall. How rude that man was! Well I didn't need his protection or anyone else's for that matter!
Moving to the back of the tent, I lifted the back up and crawled out. grabbing the reins of the horse I rode here, I hopped up into the saddle and turned him from the camp. Riding out into the inky blackness, I went searching for another safe haven until a solution could be found.

 

[The GrandMage]

Devina Silas

He pressed the rag to his blinded eye, and sighed. He sat up at his felt his power moving farther away. The woman was leaving! Gritting his teeth, he put two fingers to his mouth, and whistled loudly. His horse galloped up. Quickly tucking the rag into a pouch at his side, he quickly mounted up, pressing his knees to the horse, turning it and yelling as it took off after her. "Hya! Hya!"

The swift horse quickly caught up to the woman and her horse. Grabbing the saddle's horn with one hand, he glared over at her. "And just where do you think you're going? Hmm? Just going to run off, without telling anyone. Turn back, Now!"

 

[Sweetp4u]

Lady Katrina

I heard the horse approaching and was trying to make the foul beast beneath me move but he would not! curse his blasted rotten stinking hide!
He grabbed the saddle horn and held my horse prisoned. I glared at him and didn't respond at first, how dare he question me!? I was a lady dang it!
"I am going somewhere where I am wanted!" I sat stiffly in the saddle refusing to budge an inch.
"I am not going back and putting those people in danger, nor ruining your revenge! So let me go right this minute!" I glared at him again, daring him to argue with me.

 

[Zircon]

Cax

Cax slumped his shoulders in defeat as his speed was not equal to the task. He looked at Devina leaving after the girl. There was nothing he could do or have done in the light of his inability to complete even a simple task like getting a flower.

Cax strung his bow on his back and walked towards the main tent in search of the matriarch. The flowers were delicate and as such should be handled with care. Only the petals should be brewed, but first the core must be carefully removed, as the seed are poisonous. Opening the flap of the tent I waited expectantly for the old lady of the camp.

 

[The GrandMage]

Devina Silas

"Oh, and you think they'll be safe, sitting there trying to help you when he comes back? Without me to fight him or you there? You think he'll just walk away? Besides, my best chance at revenge is to stick with you. He wants you, why, I don't know. But if he want's you bad enough, he'll come for you, and I can kill him. Now, you're going to go back so we can get supplies and advise the people on where to go to aviod his wrath. He'll be too busy with you to care about those people scattering before him."

He took the reins from her, and pulled himself upright, nudging his horse to turn around and go slowly back towards camp. "And the only way you're not going to be want is to do something stupid. Like running away so he can get you, is that what you want? I'll protect you, but not if you get in my way. I've taken precautions aginst the foul creature inhabiting that man's body. I don't need your warnings. My entire life is devoted to killing him, and now, to protecting you from his grasp. So please," his tone softened, "try to cooperate, will you?"

 

[Sweetp4u]

Lady Katrina

Sulking behind him, I said nothing for a moment. He led my horse not listening to one single damned word I had to say. And now he had me swearing!
"He wants to marry me, he wants to have children. What every single man wants... I only refuse because he is cruel and heartless! and I did not ask you to protect me." I fell silent as we came back up to the camp.
"He wouldn't come here if I wasn't here, even I know this!" I jumped down off the horse and walked over to the fire. I could hear Keina and Moma talking in hushed tones too.
I was pouting, but damned if I didnt earn the right to do it. No one told me what to do! I sighed, who was I kidding everyone always told me what to do! I was so tired of that life and not having a single say so in my life and where I went in it.
He had to sleep sometime, sooner or later I would be free of this henchman.

ooc: edited sorry Z, didnt get the alert for your post

 

[The GrandMage]

Devina Silas

He hopped off the horse, and stepped up behind her. "I won't argue, which is why I think we should leave tonight. But we need suplies, and to warn these people to get moving. AFter that, we can go or do whatever you want as long as I can stay close enough to you to get my revenge when he comes for you again. And that creature is more than cruel. He has not only stolen the body of that man, and bent it to his will, but he has been doing terrible things for many years."

His eyes opened, and he stared off into the past. "And I will have my revenge. For all he has done to me." He shook his head, and looked to her. "I'll go get us some food and other needed supplies for the road. You do whatever it is you need, and we'll get out of here as soon as we can, alright?"

 

[Sweetp4u]

Lady Katrina

"Alright." I moved towards the tent where the babe was sleeping, and looked down at his tiny face. He was so peaceful.. Innocent. There had to be a way to keep the Lord from hurting these people, and I would find a way. Leading that man further away from the encampment made the best sense to me.
I paused a moment, still thinking. Perhaps If I took refuge in a church? Maybe then he would leave me be?
Why couldn't he marry someone else? Why did it have to be me? I found no way out of this aside from drinking some potion that would render me useless as a woman. Never be a mother, it was too much to swallow. But was the sacrifice worth it? It could be, I could change the fact I would not produce children and save the world from this man's evil.
I did not understand what Devina meant by 'body' but it scared me more than I was already.
"Aren't we safer in Numbers?" I whispered to no one in particular.

 

[ARaynes]

Moma Nipsy listened to the voices outside the tent, watching Keina intently while hushing the babe. She turned and when she turned back the woman was gone. Fear struck her in her heart.

"She mustn't go, but she has disappeared." She told Keina, "do I go after her?"

Then Cax came in. "Thank you for joining us. You must have broke his spell. I need a flower that only you know what it is. It should cause impotence in an evil man. Please help me get it so I can make a potion to save our world." She told him, her eyes pleading with him.

 

[Merelan]

Keina:
"She isn't getting far, Devina is after her, ad nothing escapes him, nothing. He is a wise man, as well as a warrior. Perhaps the two of them..." letting my voice wander off.

"Cax has the flowers you need, and can show you how to render them into a tea, but we need the rag from Devina still."
Then the baby cried and I felt my way to him, to hush him, but he fussed and wiggled. I was no good at this.

"Moma what does he want?" I couldn't tell if he was hurt, feeling him as best I could. his blankets were soaked.

"Is he sivk? He is soaking! But he doesn't feel feverish. And he smells funny." Moma burst out laughing, taking him from me. All the while laughing her deep laugh, it started me smiling, though I was concerned. He didn't "feel" sick. Cax joined us in laughter too.

'What's so funny? Is he hurt?"

 

[ARaynes]

Moma Nipsy

Still laughing I try to calm her. "The baby has wet himself. The smell is an oder they have telling you that you are wet. No need to worry, but I can tell you have never had a babe before."

I take the child and clean him up the best that I can. "Do you think I should send him on his own to get it or should I go with him?" I ask her before turning to Cax, "Not that I think you can't handle any trouble you get in, just I wish for your safety if you do get harmed."

 

[The GrandMage]

Devina Silas

He gathered some food and provisions for the journey, enough for two, and packed them on their horses. He gave the horses a treat, fed them, and checked them. He frowned, and shrugged before following his link with his magic to the tent the woman was in. Everyone seemed to be there. He raised an eyebrow, and stood next to the enterance.

"We'll be leaving as soon as possible. I took some supplies from the camp. I hope you don't mind. You people should seperate, move out of the area as fast as you can before he returns. He won't be happy to find her gone, and will move after us. If you stay, though, he may take his anger out on you."