Forged Hope: The Binding

[poohlive]

"Indeed," Mongrel gave a nod, to a question that had never been asked, but rather played at the edges of his mind, undaunting him with feverish deliverance.
Merlyn waved him in. It seemed the study to be their place of meeting now. A place more subtle and comfortable, something wherein the views of this last meeting wouldn't seem as harsh and cold to the world. One way or another, something would be unleashed tonight. In here, among the endless rows of books, they would conceive an idea formed now only in theory and cloaked dreams.
"Gwendolyn seems to think that binding is our only way. Mongrel, has your journey given us any other answer?"
He said think, but he didn't mean it. She was already convinced that they would die without its use. He still didn't know for sure, to be honest he knew they would all die, possibly before the night was over, but he also knew that the book might in and of itself be the one thing that gets them killed. Call it a paradox, or perhaps some sort of sick irony.
Still, he would rather believe as she does, so purposefully in the book, than to be so indecisive about the damned thing. Would he lay down and just take whatever grabbed for him in the darkness? Lay back like some bitch in heat, and await the raping that took him from this world? God, he hoped not.
"I looked and found several spells. All of them powerful in their own right, but nothing to stand up to such evil. Not alone at least, I agree with Gwendolyn. We must bind the spells, and create a weapon strong enough to bring this demonspawn down."
As it is done, so shall it be. Merlyn gave a nod, something small and insignificant, but in and of itself his approval for this sentence seemed clear. They would go ahead with their vain attempt, and hope in its creation, they do not also become damned.
He was on borrowed time as it is.
"We shall take certain steps. I want it protected, not only by blood, but by rings. Gwendolyn, work on its safety. Make sure no one besides us three can ever try to access the power we releash inside the pages. I also want an unbinding, at the end of the book. A spell that can release it from this plane, send our power back where it came from, if ever the need arises for such an occasion."
Mongrel flipped through a few leafed parchments, handing him on. On it, stained in what could only be blood, was a single word.
A word he was thankful he couldn't read. His hand trembled as he held it, looking at it as if it were a snake coiled around his hand, waiting to strike.
"On the last page," Mongrel said, something of force in his voice, but it masked itself. An undertone, nothing more. Something Merlyn hadn't even picked up until he repeated the words in his own head.
"All right," he whispered, rolling it up and placing it in his robes. Maybe it was the force that in which it spoke, or the dazzled ponderings of hope in which were promised in those foreign letters, that made him agree so quickly. Merlyn didn't think so though, he thought that the fight had just left him. Dueling with the dark shadow had taken more out of him than he thought. He just didn't feel like fighting.
In either case, he thought it best to put the spell in, but to make it able to rip out of the book, in case anything were to happen with that in particular spell. In and of itself, it would almost be worthless to put the other spells inside, but the underlying power was too awesome to deny existence. He had to have it there, just in case.
Just in case.
"What about our fourth?"
This drew Merlyin from his own thoughts, "What?"
"The fourth. It takes four to bind a book."
Merlyn nodded, understanding now. They needed a fourth person. His first thoughts went to the girl, but she was already gone. Lost amidst her gyspy tribe, mourning her mothers loss. He didn't want to take her from that, not with what they planned.
"We'll have Willow take Arlic's place.
"Willow?" Mongrel raised an eyebrow.
"Yes. We have all the spells we need," he patted his robe where the parchment lie, "He will just be there to complete the binding, nothing more. Quick, summon him and let us make this as fast as possible. I do not want to give this shadow a chance to foil this before we even have a chance."
Mongrel left . He wanted to have a personal talk with Willow.
Merlyn gave a sigh as he thought about traversing all those stairs to the northern tower. Even now his servants would be in there, preparing everything for later this evening. He thought about spinning his finger again, but just the idea of it tired him.
"Gwendolyn, my love? Are you ready to go? Or do you need some more time?"

 

[Sweetp4u]

Gwendolynn

Taking the ring from my own finger I began to unweave it as I spoke the words. Each ring representing something. Wisdom, Courage, Heart, Strength.... and lastly Love. Binding the rings, their purpose. Protection. I could complete the spell once the book was finished. But for now these five rings and a silver medalion would lock the book.
"I am ready." I hoped I had recalled everything. When the book was complete this emblem would be enbedded into the book, the five rings would be inserted and the lock turned. The book would be bound by many things and this was just one of them.
I could only hope it was enough to keep this great power under control? I turned to Merlyn, kissing him softly as I met his eyes.
"No matter the outcome, I love you." I whispered gently. Smiling, I held onto his hand, my rings woven back together and resting on my middle finger until the spell was finished.
Turning to one of the servants I asked her to find me Corbin and bring him to me.
Slowly we wound up the stairs, taking it slow and careful, each lost in their own thoughts of what was to come, but the bond of our two linked hands reassuring the other. Corbin was behind me, held with the other hand as we moved higher and higher.
A binding of blood would come after the book was ready but before it was finished. A single drop of blood and that book would be protected from all who touch it but myself. A measure I hadn't discussed with Merlyn but did not feel it was necessary. We were in this together, forever. A few nagging thoughts tormented my mind as we walked, the doubts and fears of unleashing such powers into a single book, but we had little choice.... If there were more wizards on this earth.. More with the magic gift, perhaps we would have a chance without this book.. Perhaps.
Arriving in the top room of the tower, I moved towards the raised dias in the middle of the room. The book would be made here....

 

[poohlive]

In the center of the room, laying on top of a thick table, straining under the weight, was a huge slab of rock. Something that had been hauled in here from the western countryside. A piece of hallowed earth that would be returned to its place once the ritual had been performed.
Magic didn't always come from the hands. The eart had its secrets too, and Merlyn was the first to admit he found it a mystery what could be considered powerful these days. It showed up in the most unlikely of spots.
He patted Corbin's head, smiling down at the young lad.
Mongrel came in, behind him a frightened Willow. He stepped inside, his head bent down. For a moment he turned to leave, but Mongrel whispered something in a language Merlyn could barely understand. It stopped him in his tracks, halfway out the door, back down the pillar to safety. He stepped inside, standing next to Mongrel.
Moving out from the slab of foreign rock were lines in chalk. Circles and glyphs of astonding beauty and simplicity, yet as alien to him as the words on the parchment he now concealed in his robes. They made no sense, because they weren't supposed to make sense. Just weird symbols that were just that, symbols of other things. Around it were four circles, at fours ends of the drawing.
Each were supposed to take their position over the giant drawing, awaint to bind both blood, magic, and power.
Merlyn stepped in first, taking the knife from on top of the slab, motioning for everyone else to do the same.
"We start this," he spoke, a voice that sounded both brave and cowardly. He just wished he believe in this as much as everyone else did. If there were anything that could comfort him beyond this step inside the circle, it would be that he really believed this would help.
Nothing but doubt swam inside him. He cursed himself for that.
"Pay attention, and do just what I do. The spell works without your help, but you must do it just right, you got me?"
He spoke this to Willow more than anyone else, but it wouldn't hurt to warn them for the last time. He might not believe in this, but he would be damned if he didn't do it right.
Good or bad, his part would be finished tonight.
"Combined the power takes control. Our fight not finished, must now be whole."
He sliced his hand, rose red blood dripping from it. He held out his hand, as it dropped onto the concrete slab. In a hallow of fevered light instead of running across the rock and falling down below to the circles, it disappeared, melted into the rock itself. It was taking his spells, his magic from him, writing them down in blood and in stone. He felt it moving, transferring, downloading piece by piece.
When he felt it had finished the cut healed up, as if nothing had happened. And he felt a great emptiness inside himself. The magic wasn't gone, he could still feel it, but there was just a part of him that felt lonely now, empty. As if he had given birth, if he ever would know that feeling.
Closng his eyes for a moment to gain his strength, he handed the knife to Gwendolyn.

 

[Sweetp4u]

Gwendolyn

Taking the knife from Merlyn's hand, I stepped into the circle, a little nervous and putting all my hopes into this one moment.
I let the nagging doubts vanish as I sliced my palm and held it over the slab of rock.
A single drop fell and absorbed as it had with Merlyn. Handing the knife to Willow I watched him repeat the same thing we had and pass on the knife to Mongrel.
Mumbling the ancient words of protection, I watched the ceremony with a heavy heart. A sinking feeling came into the pit of my stomach as I watched Mongrel smile as he donated his knowledge to the book.
Perhaps he was more hopeful than the rest of us? I dismissed his strange smile and focused on Merlyn as the knife was returned to his hand. Corbin came up beside me, linking his hand in mine and watching with wide innocent eyes.

 

[poohlive]

Merlyn uttered the last of the incantation himself. A whisper trailing on the winds that picked up inside the cramped rooms. Strange magic had begun to form inside it. Like currents of the sea they swayed and ebbed this way and that. Merlyn couldn't help but hear distant voices carried on them, something of ancient magic that carressed him like a lover.
Or sent chills down his spine, making him break out in a cold sweat.
Merlyn began the last of the spell. The first in a series of many that would protect this group of pages from all that wished to use it for anything except good.
"The rings, both unifying and protecting the pages. They serve as
the barriers and the gathers. Each a seperate unification."
He nodded for the rings to be placed on the boulder.
The blood, giver of life, the servant to our deeds, and master to our souls. The purity of it is richer than any gold."
He motioned for Corbin to come to his side.
"This won't hurt but a bit. Be a brave lad, that's it," he took a firm hold of his hand, and let it slide against the flesh. Corbin took a sharp breath, the air seeping through his teeth, but he didn't move away. Merlyn smiled, such a brave lad. He would grow up to become a fine man someday.
"Good boy," he ruffled the kid's hair, before going back to the end of this hellacious travesty.
Merlyn placed the knife on the earthen rock, watching as it sunk just like a ship between the waves. The single drop of blood on it, the only drop, the pure drop.
He began now, in feverish tongue, spouting words and tantrics that would hold the book together, bind it to itself, forming a concrete solid spore of magic inside this reality.
The final spell, the unbinding spell he swore last, its undoing within the last of it. He allowed time at the end for Gwendolyn to add whatever she wanted to allow its passage. He knew she wanted her own things, and thought better not to ask her.
After all, it was best if no one ever knew everything about this book. It would put him or her in too much danger, not that they weren't already in as much danger as it was already.
Once she finished, he spoke the last of the words.
"Luminos."
At that, a blinding light came from the slab. One that left him seeing spots afterwards, and there, right on top of the rock, just as if it had been there all along, was an old book. A brown leathery cover shielded the worn and old pages inside.
Merlyn went up to it first, opening it to the last page. There, one single slot had been left, a piece of the book that looked unfinished. He took the parchment from his robe, laying it on the back cover. The paper wound itself to each other, magically sewing itself together.
It closed itself up, and then they could all feel the magic that rose within it.
"Excellent," Mongrel's eyes sparkled with excitement.
Willow began to sob softly, reaching inside his robes.
Damn them all, it was finished.

 

[Sweetp4u]

Gwendolynn

Before it was finished, I added all I could to it in way of protection and good, mumbling as quickly as Merlyn was, our voices intertwined but the spells did not. Waving my hand over and up the rings lifted and Merlyn placed them into the book. Next came the silver amulet, as the book formed I pressed it into the cover, a lock for the keys, and uttered a few more spells including the uncertain reversal spell.
Stepping back as it glowed brighter, shaking and weak, I heard the laughter in my head and jumped.
"Merlyn!" I cried out a little to late. Things began to spin and dip and I scooped up the book and backed away from the table, Corbin held firmly in my other hand.
Willow was sobbing and pulling out something, Mongrel feasted his eyes on me and the book.
"M-Mother?" Corbin whispered hastily, "Shh!" Mongrel gave me a look and tried to act as if nothing was wrong.
"Gwen? Bring the book back here..? What are you doing?" His voice was smooth as honey but dripping with something I could not name.
I had a choice now, that premonition was here, facing me now. That horrible thing that kept teasing the edges of my mind came full force into my mind's eye. A dream, a recalled dream and the outcome.
I had to choose, between my loves and this book! Between Merlyn and saving my son and book.. I felt a tear slip down my cheek as I moved near the window. The moat below would save us, but would it in the end be enough?
I saw it all now as they moved around the table, the one Merlyn clutched to regain his strength.
"I love you!" I put all my heart and soul into the words, his head turning to meet my gaze. I had no choice and it was killing me. Mongrel bellowed something but I paid no attention. Turning, I pushed Corbin through the window and followed him down into the cold murky water. Holding tightly to the book, I dont know how I saved Corbin, myself and the book but I made it to shore..
"KILL HER!" An order, my head swung around and glanced up the castle walls. Archers moved to fire at me as the clanking of the castle gate could be heard.
He had Merlyn's Army!?
"Run Corbin!" I sobbed, fear in my heart but my mind clear, "RUN!" I took his hand and raced towards the trees and temporary freedom.

 

[poohlive]

Merlyn reached the far side of the window, unsure what had just happened. His heart raced in his chest, and fear beckoned him, a knowing sense of danger made the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end, but he refused to give in to any of that. He wanted to know she was all right.
She fell, heading for the rocks.
He whispered a spell, a final spell, to soften her fall, and move her to the moat that surrounding this castle.
"My dear, my love..."
Willow stuck the knife in his side, cutting deep and fast. Merlyn could feel the magical properties on the blade, the taste of copper thick in his mouth. He tried to scream, but couldn't get out more than a hushed breath, looking back to see Willow holding the bloody knife...
The smoking gun, so to speak.
Borrowed time, that was what he had said, and now it was time to pay God back. He would come, as darkness enveloped him, he would come.
Mongrel pushed the carcass out of the way, looking out the window as she ran along with her spawn to the forest's edge.
"After her," he said to Willow, "Hurry."
Willow dropped the knife, taking a step back. He smudged the glyph drawing around the rock slab.
"You... you," his voice was shaky, barely audible, "You promised."
A deep growl came from Mongrel, as he turned on his accomplice. His red eyes glowed in the candle lit room that now only held the two of them. Mongrel held up a hand, and passed it over Willow's line of vision.
At once, he fell down. Coughing up blood, rocking back and forth against himself. He winced once, twice, and then screamed as loud as he could.
Mongrel bent down on one knee, grabbing Willow's hair and pulling his head back so that Willow was forced to look at him. He made another cry, this one smaller, it reminded Mongrel of a caged animal, watching as the human got closer and closer.
"What's wrong, don't like dying?"
Tears fell from his cheeks, "I didn't know it would hurt," he doubled over, but Mongrel pulled his hair back once again.
"That's the price, immortality for a little pain. In a couple days, you won't even know it. Now go, you son of a bitch. Tell them all to stop shooting. I need her alive, she has obviously put some more incantations on the book, and if I don't know what they are, I can't get to that page. Go after her, bring her back alive, along with the son, and the book. NOW!"
Despite the pain, Willow got to his feet and ran downstairs, telling everyone of Mongrel's orders.
Mongrel just leaned out against the window, eyeing the darkened forest.
She couldn't run forever.

 

[Sweetp4u]

Gwendolynn

Crying as I stumbled and tripped towards the forest, I held tightly to Corbin as I ran.
A painful lurch hit me, sending me to my knees just before I reached the tree cover. Jumping up and turning I screamed out at the same instant the knife sank into my love.
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Tears fell as I screamed out too late! "A coward! I am A coward!" I covered my face, shoulders shaking as I sobbed out the pain and loss of the only one I could have ever loved! It felt as if part of me lay dying and there was nothing I could do, now or ever to fill in that gaping hole..
I had lost my soul mate to my antics, to my fear and cowardice! How would I ever face myself in the looking glass again?
"Mother!" I gasped, a time there I forgot why I ran, why I fled like a coward.. My son, the book!
"He comes!" Corbin shrieked.
Pain and sorrow blackened my heart as the words tumbled from my lips, the skies darkened, lightening crackled in the air as the winds stired and bent aged willow and oaks around me. The fog blew in from no where as I summoned the power of Mother Earth to guard me, guard my son.
"We must go." I said calmly though I was raging inside. "Come." Taking his hand I tugged him behind me as I wound through the forest. Each step was heard to my ears, each drawn breath and silent prayer was also heard, I could hear my breathing and Corbin's. I could feel the book pulsating with life and energies we had no business bringing upon this earth!
"Halt!" I stop, falling to my knees and dragging Corbin forcefully to me. My eyes wide, features taught and pale I begin uttering more words, My hands flying over Corbin.
"He comes Corbin and I die with his arrival. I will get you to safety... The old preist knows a way. Now listen to Mother and listen well my little darling!" I paused, halting even my breathing as I listened around me. We had some time.
Not much but maybe enough?
"You are the blood of my blood, a pure blood. A magic soul brought here as a gift and a curse." My hands ran down his body. "I mark you my son. Wisdom will not deminish over time, you will not age, nor die until the wrongs we have done tonight, can be set right. Can be undone. You must reverse this my son. It is your fate, your destiny." I lay my hands upon him, marking him with a Ring symbol of life, love and a few more little designs. IT was enough, his fate was sealed.
"Until this is taken from this realm you will live, your purpose to guard this book, see to it's destruction." I tore off my medalion from around my neck and pulled the dragon's head off. Taking out my dagger I sliced into my skin as a very young and frightened son looked on.
"Do not attempt anything until you have matured and changed.. Remember Corbin. I can only do so much, you must be careful.." I hurried and whispered, hoping I had done right by him and with this curse I was now delivering into his hands. Would he resent me for it? Would he forgive me for burdening him so heavily?
"You will change at twenty and one. Becoming a night stalker, you know this, I have taught you about it the best to my knowledge and forgive me for not curing you!" I hugged him tears falling steadily, "When matured and knowledgable in life you must destroy this book.. After twenty and one, my protection spells will take effect, So guard yourself well."
"M-Mother?" He was scared as was his right. I was frightened as well.
"Shhh! Be silent, this is fate, destiny. Preordained. I won't be with you, but i will be watching over you." It hurt, the steel of the blade slicing into my soft pale flesh, the red blood began to drip down my arm, seeping into my gown at the elbow. Pushing the medalion to the cut, I watched as the clear chrystal in the center began to change into a blood red stone. The dragon's would hold my blood, keeping it safe. Pushing the head back onto the medalion, I quickly tied it around his neck. Taking out the book, I smeared my blood grossly over the front and back, uttering yet more words of protection and binding.
"Blood of my blood.. never forget my son. Keep the medalion always, never lose it!" I whispered harshly, insisting he listen well and remember, my time was almost up!
"Part the rings, spread them far and wide, hide them well. Tell no one of their meaning. Hide the book in another corner of the earth, bury it deep and guard it from evil with evil my son.. But do not forget where it lies, make sure to remember where you tome this book!" I shoved my rings into his hand and picked up the book. Weak and bleeding still, I left the dagger and took my sons hand.
"Now RUN! Run and don't look back!" I could feel the earth rattle as we ran, the horses were gaining, the evil was creeping up behind me and he wanted...... He wanted ME! We ran, through the woods, through the village, and into the church. The doors slammed behind me as I moved quickly through the parish building and grabbed desperately to the priest.
"HIDE MY SON!" I ordered, "Watch over him, help him. Protect God's lands and his beliefs, take my boy and do not let him out of your sight until he is one and twenty! Teach him Priest, guide him and he will save our world. Go NOW!" I pushed them towards the back entrance. The priest asked no questions, fear clearly on his face as he heard the coming riders.
"GO!" I whispered as I moved back the way I had come in, "I love you Corbin!" Opening the doors I caught Mongrel's eyes before I took off in the opposit direction, carrying the clergy's manuscript instead of the book Mongrel wanted..... It would fool him, long enough for my son to be safe.
Tears fell down my face as I ran through the trees and fields, running until I could not run any longer. Falling to my knees I whispered a silent greeting to Merlyn, feeling him around me.
"I join you soon my love...."
"Stand up!" I turned my head a little, watching Willow as he rode up.
"Traitor! Betrayer! Worthless!" I hissed at Willow as I rose from the ground. "You angered the wrong woman!" I chanted loud enough he could hear. "You are cursed as well young Willow! Walk this earth forever alone in life! You will die some day and when you do, you will burn in hell for this.. miserable alive! miserable in death! I curse it upon your head!" I laughed slightly in a cold way as he paled.

 

[poohlive]

Willow leapt off of his horse, eyeing her as she kneeled next to the ground. He walked up to her, a calm sort of readiness already taking over. Slowly, but surely, the vampirism worked its way into his system. A perfct being, a strong being. Someone who didn't cower in the shadows, or hide behind magic.
He was his own master now. No one could take that away from him.
"True," Willow said, and he did agree with her. He had betrayed a long time friend , a companion who had raised him just as if he were his own son, just as he had seen him raising up Corbin. That man had a heart that knew no bounds.
Even as it lay dead inside his chest, never to beat again.
"I have some time left on this earth though, my dear," he grabbed her, forcing her to the ground. As he did so, one of Mongrel's companions comes forward and wraps a medallion around her neck. Willow wasn't sure what it was exactly, but he thought it was some talisman to stop her from using magic. That satisfied him greatly.
Another one ran up with the book in his hands.
"We've got it."
Willow nodded, satisfied, "Unfortunately, you will die before the night's over."
He tied her wrists together, and slumped her over the back of his horse, getting on and heading back for the castle. Mongrel waited for them.
The pale moon lit their way.

 

[Sweetp4u]

Gwendolynn

I lay silent as they rode towards my ending. I knew what was coming, and I knew I had to be strong. Either way soon I would be with my Love, and it was enough for me.
Tears fell, knowing I would miss many things with my son. But if there was a God in heaven, I would watch over him as best I could when ever I could. Light his path and protect him as best I could.
The horse was smelly, the position uncomfortable and the fear was racing through my system... I was prepared for the worst tortures imaginable and prayed death would come soon.
Arriving at the castle I stared at Willow with the disappointment clear in my eyes as I turned away from him. I would never look at that one again, it broke my heart as certain as it broke my Love's heart as well.
Led into the castle and great hall I stopped where told too and awaited Mongrel's appearence. I felt the heaviness of the medalion around my neck, weighting me down. He used a talismen to stop me from casting, but joke would soon be on him...

 

[poohlive]

Willow jumped off of the horse, letting Gwendolyn down as well. He walked her back into the castle, as a stage hand took the horse back to the stables.
He didn't raise his eyes to meet hers.
No one did.
Quite a few had changed inside the place. And yet, there was a change. A difference in the air, something that had been at peace once, now felt tilted and askewed. A sense of unbalance that threatened to teeter everything into chaos.
Many of the same servants ran around inside the castle corridors. They eached stopped as they saw Willow leading Gwendolyn up the long flight of stairs. They either left as soon as possible, or avoided eye contact.
No one wanted to face her.
No one wanted to see the hurt in her eyes, the betrayal that they all knew they had committed.
Some people would choose life rather than resistance, but no one wanted to have their choice shoved back in their face.
One woman ran off crying. She hated to see her mistress treated like that.
Willow stopped outside of Merlyn's study chambers. Except it wasn't his chamber anymore. It now belonged to the evil dark lord that had scoured this land, and infected the once clean walls of this castle.
"Send her in."
The door opened, and Willow did his best not to look at Mongrel head on. He left as quickly as he could.
"My dear, please, come in... come in."
He sat there, the book in his hands. He leafed through it, casually, eyeing the pages as he did so.
"Clever girl. I always knew it would be you. Merlyn was too old, might have had a keen brain, but just too old. I thought I could fool him... but I didn't think I could fool you."
He threw the book at her feet.
"Corbin has it, doesn't he? How long did you know? Just before? A few hours? Days, even? No, no, it couldn't have been too long. You wouldn't have wanted the book formed if you knew. I thought you might try something clever but this..."
He took in a sharp breath of air, it hissed as it passed his crooked teeth,
"Even I couldn't imagine this set back."
He sighed, as he waved his hand in her direction, the ropes falling from her wrists.
"I don't suppose you'll tell me where the book is, will you dear?"
His eyes were that of a young boy, asking his mother to go swimming with his friends. He knew she wouldn't tell. He knew this was useless, but at this point he was mad... fucking mad. This bitch of a whore had just tricked him out of all this power, and if nothing else, he wanted to watch her beg for death.
Still, she did have a choice.
Everybody has a choice.

 

[Sweetp4u]

Gwendolyn

"Answering you would only add insult to injury." I fell silent once again. The anger seething inside and festering towards him was growing stronger and harder to swallow.
The ropes fell away but I did not move, not even to remove the medalion he had placed around my neck. I could only kick myself now as I watched him sitting there, seemingly without a care in the world.
If I had only known! None of this would have happened, none of it.. But what was done, was just that.. Done. Standing tall and proud, I waited, it was all I could do at this point. Wait for the mad man to decide my fate, either way it went, I was making my peace for death.

 

[poohlive]

Mongrel sat back in the chair, looking up at the ceiling. He thought for a moment. Wheels turning inside his mind. He wasn't a very fast thinker, but he was a smart thinker. One of his ever impressive gifts that he had given himself in his rise to power. He could have been faster at thinking, if he wanted to, but he didn't want that. For some reason, when the answer came after a long debate with himself, it just seemed like a better answer than one he had just come up with on the spot.
"I'll find him, you know. Gwendolyn, you only ran for a few hours. He can't be that far away. Even now my men are searching the countryside. If you just tell me, I'll let him live, maybe even let you live too. Once I have the book, I won't need you or the boy."
He rose up his hand, preventing her from speaking. It wasn't just his posture, or his movement, but he literally stopped her vocal cords in her mouth. He wanted to be heard before she started spewing out hateful things that would get her killed.
"Wait, just a minute. I know what you must think of me, and you are probably right, but at this point I care not for you or the boy. I only want the book, hell, I only want that one fucking spell, you can keep the rest of it."
He waved his hand again, releasing her from his hold. She wouldn't agree, he saw it in her eyes. Defiance in the face of death. Pride was just so pathetic at times.
He nodded before she even spoke. Women, so stubborn. If they would just spread their legs open and shut their mouths...
He pretended to listen to her.

 

[Sweetp4u]

Gwendolynn

I laughed mirthlessly.

"The book lay dormant for ten and two, until the time comes for the blood of my blood to mature.." I paused, catching his ear with half riddles was amusing.

"Asleep it will remain until one of pure blood, my blood awakens it. Can you Mongrel? Can you awaken it? I think not.." I laughed softly, knowing I could be angering him but not caring!


"Bound by blood, bound by time, bound by spells upon spells. You may be powerful, but I am more powerful than even you can fight.. Where it counts Mongrel, where it has always counted!.......Magic!" I fell silent again and smirked a little. I thrawlted all of his plans, all of his hopes and wants..... For now I did.

"You kill my son before ten and two has passed, the book will remain useless for all enternity!" I stared him boldly in the eyes, for I was dead serious and he had best listen well.

 

[poohlive]

Mongrel stood up, looking down at her. His black robes that seemed to absorb light more than repel it, fluttering around him. It made him look as if he were shuffling feathers that weren't there.
"You think I'm going to kill him?" Mongrel said between clenched teeth, "You think for one second that I let death take him before I have my fun? Oh no... he is but a boy. I would never let an opportunity pass for someone like him to learn all that I have to teach in the arts of pain."
He circled around her, watching as she stood in the middle of the room.
"It'll take time, but I will find him. If he is bound by your blood, I will make him pay for your mistake. It will become my new purpose on earth, to keep him alive as long as possible. Cut off his legs, feed them to him. Let legions cover his body, pour salt all over open wounds I make with a razor. I'll have him raped... each and every night. Men will come in, dirty, horny sweaty men will force themselves upon your boy. They will rape him over and over again... until he likes it. Until he begs for it. Is that what you want? You want your little boy Corbin to beg for a cock up his ass? Your son down on his knees, fumbling for the pants of the nearest man."
Mongrel stood in front of her, his eyes level with hers.
"Death is the last thing on my mind darling. I want life."
He took out a nice long blade, and let it shine in the candlelight between them.
"You can tell me, or I will find him myself. He is a vampire, if the rumors are true... that means he won't die. I won't die either, not with the magic in my veins now. We are both eternal, and sooner or later our paths will cross. You can stop me though. Tell me where the book is, and I promise nothing will come of either of you. You can live together, free from my rein."
He let her watch the knife as he moved back and forth across her vision. It held his, something of raw energy and death. An instrument to bring both pleasure and pain.
"Gwendolyn. Think of Corbin... not of yourself, or me, but think of that little boy. He is probably afraid right now. Hiding somewhere, frightened, not understanding any of this. He needs his mother."

 

[Sweetp4u]

Gwendolynn

"I will not trade my life for millions of innocent people because you want to be important!" I sneered at him, "My son is safe, I know he is.. And as much as you threaten, I know as we speak my son is being taken care of by someone close to him.. you'll never find him.. at least not for a very very long time.." I lifted my chin a little, staring him in the eye and waiting for more of his foul spite to show and be heard.
His words were sickening granted, but I knew deep down my son was safe.. Some how, some way.. Some one who loved him would watch over him and keep him from harm.... I just knew it some how. A tear fell down my cheek as I thought of Merlyn, I was betting he had a hand in this some how or perhaps higher beings were helping light our way out of this mess?

 

[poohlive]

Mongrel shrugged his shoulders. He couldn't get through to her. She had a glaze over her eyes, something of defiance. His words stung, but she, like most women, just buried themselves in deeper. He was almost positive if she were a man, he would get what he wanted, sooner or later. Men had a way of being reasonable, in the end.
Women, on the other hand.
Such a shame he had killed Merlyn. That was unavoidable though. The old man was a bigger threat then even this unfortunate setback. Sooner or later the book would be his, and the page. Whether or not she helped him made no difference.
He looked down at the knife, and then at her.
"Well, then I think we're done here. How do you want it Gwendolyn? I'll give you the option, you get to choose your own death. Not many people get that luxury, think of it as a last gift, from me to you. I may be evil, but I'm not completely heartless."
He awaited her answer.

 

[Sweetp4u]

Gwendolyn

"Beheading" I spoke up, watching him carefully. It would be over with quickly and there would be no more games.
I was tired and weary, I just wanted to rest. I had done all I could and he gave me no choice. I wouldn't exchange my life for innocents all over this earth, as much as I wanted to live for my son, I knew I had no choice now.
"And may God have mercy on your soul." I spoke softly. Fear lingered around the edges of my mind, wanting to reduce me into a pleading lump at his feet, but pride was a strong force. It would not cower or plead, bend nor break. And fate alway had her say so.

 

[poohlive]

"My dear," He licked his lips, a growing lust lingering in the rim of his dull eyes, swirling with hues of rage.
With that, he snapped his fingers, and her head fell to the ground with an echoless thud. No pain, no lingering effects, just a simple death for a simple woman.
He blew her a kiss, leaving the room for it to be cleaned, as blood flowed free from the body that still stood in the center of the room. It dropped soon enough, next to the head. Two servants came to clean the mess, trying their best not to look at the eyes.
The eyes that never closed. They seemed to follow you, look right at you, accuse you of things you did just to save your pathetic miserable soul.
Some found refuge, others kissed death. Both danced with the devil in the pale moon light.
But the devil always lets you pick your own music. He gives you that much.

*

Mongrel wasn't surprised in the morning when no trace of the boy came back. He believe Gwnedolyn when she said it would take several lifetimes before he found the book, or the boy. Rebels, those without his power, or strength, banded together. No doubt the child was among them. His book was with them as well.
Sooner or later. Months, years, decades, centuries...
Sooner or later.
They would all dance.

 

[poohlive]

The day grew long, like a knife being drawn from its sheath. The sun, now in the eastern sky, refused to end the perfect afternoon, lingering on for a few hours more, certain to draw the entire day into night. A sudden gust of wind came up, taking with it the true aspects of summer. It picked up dried soil, seedlings from the over pulpous weeds that ran rampant in these woods, and carried them into the summery day.
It made one think that perhaps maybe this is what heaven felt like. Just a summer day that refused to end, on the spinning wheel of eternity, never to turn again.
Lance walked through this dream, his leathery boots kicking up mud that had long since dried into caked flakes that floated into the still of the day. His walk had a purpose, some effect to it. Long strides that knew where they were going.
He stopped, at the edge of a meadow. Shadows of the forest on each side nipped as his heels, but that did not catch his attention. The boy, sitting on a single bench in the middle of this paradise did.
Not a boy, a man. Someone who had grown up.
Lance took the final steps of his journey. A few thousand miles, grueling pace all the way, and these last steps were the most difficult.
"They told me I'd find you here."
Corbin didn't quite turn, but there was a motion from his head. A sudden jerk, and then it moving back to where it had been before. All Lance could see were the long straight strands of his hair, nothing more. It covered most of his other features.
"I thought you might come."
Lance nodded, even though the boy could not see him. A sudden silence gnawed at them both. Each one felt the other should speak, but they didn't dare start it. Perhaps it was a powerplay, one of them trying to outdo the other. Lance didn't think so, he knew the thoughts, the emotions, the desires running through him, but the words....
When he came right down to it, the words never came out right.
Corbin cleared his throat, "What took you so long?"
After a small sigh, Lance answered, "I've been waiting. Your mother, she felt like I should have waited before we did this."
Corbin gave a silent nod. It seemed as if the boy were thinking of something far off. A distant memory, perhaps of Gwendolyn, or perhaps of something different, something happier.
Lance hoped it was the latter.
"She didn't think she would make it?"
Lance moved at this, sitting next to the lad. He didn't try to look at him, the fair features that would match his own. A lean jawline, or hazel eyes that twinkled when he smiled, or that chin which jutted out just so, as if to look proud even when one lowered his head.
Lance stared down into his lap, nothing more.
"No, not exactly. She just knew to prepare for the worst. With all that had happened, she thought that something might happen to her, and with your... unique combination, it was thought that certain precautions be made."
Corbin raised his head, "Like?"
"Like if anything were to happen to her, where I would come to find you. Your mother and I didn't agree on a lot of things Corbin, but we did share a love for you, and both wanted you safe. She knew you would be safe here, in this convent, until I were to come along."
"What if something were to happen to you?"
Lance pulled down his shirt, exposing the full moon on his chest, "Nothing can happen to me."
Corbin showed his mark.
"Clever girl. She wanted the same for you. Impossible to destroy that which can not die. How... how have things been here?"
"There is no one to talk to. The church is wrapped around its own affairs, and since I have no business with them, I just wander aimlessly. I learned to read, that much I know."
Lance gave an impressed smile. Even he did not know that much. He could identify some symbols, and knew numbers, but reading was never a priority of his as a child, or growing up... or now for that matter.
The way times were changing, he was pretty sure he would have to learn soon. It didn't prosper to be illiterate anymore.
"Good. Good to know. That will help you. I don't want to waste too much time talking of these sorts of things. We have a long trip ahead of us, and there will be plenty of time to talk then. Do you have it?"
He nodded, patting a satchel at his side, "It is safe."
Lance nodded, "May I?"
Corbin took it out, holding it for just a moment. The brown leather faded, just like the day of its creation. He let a hand run over the hard surface, and then passed it Lance.
Lance flipped to the last page, ripping it out.
"For insurance," he stuffed it away in his clothing, a secret pocket that did not bulge when the parchment entered, "No measure is too great."
He gave the book back.
"Come. We still have much to do. Did she tell you where we were going?"
Corbin nodded, "The coast. Somewhere in France."
Lance smiled as he stood up.