Troll Wood Park

[Sweetp4u]

Rachel

My breathing picked up as my soapy hands roamed freely over my body, the thoughts of that desire inside me earlier getting me going again. Leaning back against the wall, my hands roaming in circles over my hard nipples, I gasped out again.
I did not hear the shower door open, nor feel the presense watching me until I felt his hand slide over my wet body. My eyes flew open and met Kyle's. My heart hammered in my throat, I was nervous and not sure what to say, but the way he was looking at me made my blood boil. My hands had paused their movement when I felt his touch, now they began again. My soapy fingers sliding in small circles around my nipples as I held his gaze. The water running over my face and upper body did not break my concentration, my eyes smoldered and I smiled slightly at him.
I was afraid of the unknown and yet longed for it at the same time, I had but one choice now. Find out what it was that tormented me so! I stopped the rubbing, my eyes holding his as the water rinsed away the last of the soapy suds sliding down my body.
"Have a towel handy?" I managed to get out of my throat. Lord his gaze was making me ache, like he knew something I did not but wanted to know. I turned off the water and stepped towards him, blocking the shower door. I did not flush this time when his eyes roamed over my body, hell my breasts were almost directly in his line of vision, I smiled and cocked my head to the side a little. "Will you help me?" It could have Oh so many meanings, those words....what would he say? how would he take it?

 

[poohlive]

He ran off the path, moving through trees like a shadow, passing each one with a gentle carress. His arms moving about them, touching them like along lost lover, feeling so good to simply be here once again.
After all this time, some things hadn't changed. With a purpose, he fell to the dirt ground, shaking his body like a young pup, and rolling in the mud, content with the smells that now became apart of him.
The cave had tainted his very aroma, and with the civilized humans there was even a great hell of things which came to the nostril. Here, here there was only fresh and natural.. Here, life dwelled, and circled around in even the faintest of smells that carressed the nostril of those who chose to smell it.
He shook his head, letting the tangled curls go any which way. It was a part of him now, and he a part of it.
As he walked, he glanced at a bridge that had been built. Another deep growl rose in his throat, but he held it at bay for the moment. Others crossed it, but he stepped into the cold water, on purpose, loving the feel as it iced his every toe. It thrilled him.
slave chose the bridge, but she did carefully, watching Beow's every step, hoping he didn't look back to see her insolence.
Beow walked up behind the others. His feet wet and already had dirt clinging to them, his pale body covered in a fresh clean layer of soil, and his hair that took off of their surroundings, and was even wilder than before.
"The woman," he growled at the slave behind him, "Needs food."
It was the closest he would get to actually admitting he was hungry.

 

[Slance]

Kyle

I could feel the ache, the lust, the compassion flare full up inside of me my gaze littering across her lustful body. Perfect almost never touched. A school girl body, oh god.
"Have a towel handy?" She said as if it was a struggle to get the words out. I reached my arm out of the shower taking one and, listened as she said, sort of playfully with her head cocked to one side smiling. "Will you help me?" I nodded slowly running the towel between both her beautiful mounds wiping off some of the water. I then handed it to her and said, quietly my eyes burning with lust.
"I will help you in any which way I can."

 

[BLACK BART]

Dale O'Bly

I laughed...Not a scornful laugh but one of joy at the simple pleasures in life...Eating for one...We could enjoy a meal of food and drink for the first time in tool long, a simple pleasure Beow had pointed out so well.

"I too am starved" I agreed still chuckling "I would enjoy food and drink"

In his own unique way Beow had a better concept of life then all of us and it sobered me.

"Coral can you oblige us?" I asked as a guest should "And then perhaps you will tell us what I sense you've been hiding?"

The words weren't a threat, spoken in a light tone...But they were received as such by Coral as her face paled slightly before she replied.

 

[Sweetp4u]

Rachel

I giggled a little as his hands and towel wiped away some of the water, hitting a rather sensitive spot that tickled. I felt rather nervous and very silly for acting this way. I should behave myself and be normal but again I had never been in some man's house either and totally alone.
"You missed a spot." I teased turning around and presenting my back to him. Had I gone too far? What would he think of me for my boldness? I took a chance and held myself relaxed and waited to see what his reaction would be?


Coral:

I stiffened up a little at Dale's words and tried to squelch the fear rising up my throat. I hoped he would listen to me and not just judge wrongly as Beow had already done.
"Yes of course. This way.." I walked inside and into the "kitchen" area. Pulling out jars and bowls of fresh fruit and veggies, I set them out on the counter top. Pulling a smoked ham from the fridge, I set it out as well. I poured fresh brook water into glasses with some ice and sat back, my hands fisting in my nervousness as I watched them all.
I felt a little sick to my stomach and too nervous to eat. For the story I had to tell still brought up full fledged quilt and pain, and damned me in my own eyes. Would it damn me in theirs as well? I stared at the floor between the stool legs, worried and fearful this wouldn't go favorably for me.

 

[Slance]

Kyle

I watched her slightly wondering where that little church girl had gone, probably back in the cave I concluded. As she turned around saying you missed a spot I took the invitation moving behidn her wiping the towel across her back then on her shoulders slightly massaging them sensually then down her back, wiping slowly.
I crouched down my pants gettign wetter from the water as I used that towel to dry her ankles, then moving up slowly drying her calves, then her thighs and inching my way up slowly wiping and rubbing sensually. The tips of my fingers were slightly above the towel rubbing too, slipping further with every carress.

 

[Sweetp4u]

Rachel

His fingertips were teasing slowly up my body, the singals were the same even to my nieve mind. I stepped backwards out of the tub and stood before him, my head cocked to one side a little as i smiled invitingly, "You missed my neck. Could you?" I shivered a little, the chilly air making my nipples harden slightly.
Again I was playing with fire, and he was being such a gentleman as well. Now how do I change that? I wished silently I had paid more attention to my older sister's lessons on men. I could feel his wet jeans brush my ass now and then as he shifted behind me. I leaned back just a little, feeling more of him come into contact with me. My mind may not have been educated well in this field but my breathing had definately picked up and I felt achy all over as well. The same sensations almost that Dale had given me, only I wasn't fighting it this time.
"Kyle?" I asked gently, wondering what he was doing behind me aside from standing there?

 

[Slance]

Kyle

I was almost bursting with lust and she kept teasing me I had a good mind just to grab her, and take her! But I couldn't I wasn't that kind of guy well... I don't think anyways, no I couldn't do that but I had to do some thing.
"Kyle?" I heard her sya softly wondering what I was doing. I put both my hands on her shoulder/arms holding her firmly but gently and I siad quietly in her ear the obvious wanting comign through my words.
"Just say the word Rachel, just say the word." I heard her breathing becomign heavy when I had been touching her so surely she would sya it was ok, right?

 

[Sweetp4u]

Rachel

Opportunity knocked and I took it, and as his hands clasped my shoulders and held me, I leaned back against him fully. He wanted me to say the word? Which word did he want? I trembled a little, his hands warmer than my skin and the rough textured palms made me tingle a little more. I closed my eyes, the fear there but underneath it all was the burning desire to know what his hands would feel like touching me everywhere?
I moaned softly once more, my heart accellerating in my breast as I pressed my ass into his groin. I knew enough to know he wanted me, but what word would I say? I was confused, torn and getting heated by the second. I felt his breath wash over my shoulder and that just made me ache worse.
"Please?" It was the only word I knew of that came to mind, my voice revealing all the longing inside me, I hid nothing from him in my tone and when I turned to look at him, I felt the smoldering flare up bright and hot.
"T-Touch me?" I whispered, my eyes holding his as I stood like a dear in a head light, unsure and uncertain and barely brave enough to get those words out. Time to take a chance Rachel.. I whispered silently to myself.

 

[Slance]

Kyle

"T-Touch me?"
It was all I could take I pulled her in to a rough but deep, long, passionate kiss. I was always one for foreplay and kissing I hated just rushing in to it. Better long and drawn out, sensual. I loved pleasuring her just as much as I loved getting pleasured. I pulled her to me pressing her against me. I relised I have my shirt off but my pants still on, oh well deal with it when it comes.
As I kissed her my hands getnly roved around her chest sliding over her two mounds not yet massaging them or what not. I pulled out gently pushing her back against a wall.
The lust reflected in my eyes as one hand slowly traced aroudn her thigh each tiem getting closer to her sacred spot. As I did this knowing it was makign her ache I was trying to decide if she wanted attention above or below.

 

[Sweetp4u]

Rachel

I whimpered into his mouth, trying to kiss him with all the desires I felt inside. I clung to him, pressing myself against him and wanting more contact. It just wasn't enough it seemed. My breasts mashed against his chest and than sent ripples of awakening pleasure down my spine. I dont know how long he kissed me but he pulled back and pushed me against the wall.
The look on his face was so gut wrenchingly sexy I bit back another groan as his fingers started tracing on my inner thighs. I panted harshly, from the kiss and from the state of arousal I was in. My eyes closed slowly as he crept closer to my sex, his fingers trailing and teasing as I spread my thighs a little. My hand moved down and captured his wrist a moment, my eyes meeting his.
"I haven't done this before, please go slow?" I whispered, releasing his wrist and lowering myself a little into his hand. My hand shot out, gripping his jeans waistband and pulling him into me.
"Kiss me again?" I searched his face, my fingertips dancing around his belly button unconsciously. I could feel the heaviness and wetness of my sex, I knew as well that the first time was said to hurt, I was hoping that it didn't last long. I wanted to feel the pleasure, and I wanted to feel him.
"Can we go to the bedroom?" I groaned out as his fingers tickled lightly over my mound.

 

[Slance]

Kyle

I was almost in a lust driven actions state of form, hearing her moans and groans. But I also knew that the first time some times hurt alot and she had never done anything close to this before some time today. And I'd never forgive myself if I hurt her I knew that also so I pulled my self together.
"Kiss me again?" She said her fingers tracing around my navel lightly ticklign feeling quite pleasant. My fingers traced over her virgen mound wanting to ease the pressure and bring pleasure to her.
"Can we go to the bedroom?" As she finished I kissed her again deeply, passionately. I kissed her with all my lusts my tongue swirling wiht hers holdign as long as I felt she would last, pressing ehr to me feeling her two brests pressing against my chest. It almost sent me wild, the feeling of her so close. I pulled out and said heavily my arousal quite high.
"Whatever you want."

 

[Sweetp4u]

Rachel

Allt he sensations swirling inside my body was tormenting me, his kisses making me hotter. I moaned, taking his hand in mine and leading him quickly out of the bathroom and into his bedroom. I turned to him once we stood beside the bed and unbuttoned his pants.
Taking them tightly in my hands, I pushed them down, my lips meeting his once more. I pressed against him, my hard nipples brushing his chest. I moaned into his mouth, trying to draw a deep breath into my starved lungs. I wanted to try so many things, I wanted to explore the whole night if possible. I left his lips, a little unsure how he would react to me, to my kisses, but I had to find out. I placed a soft kiss on his neck, his scent pleasant to my senses and felt my head spin a little. Smiling I tentively let my tongue trace up the column of his throat to his ear.

 

[Lady_Kit]

Emily

The woods are lovely, dark, and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.

Though there was no snow, and Robert Frost had certainly not had a walk with Trolls in mind when he penned his poem Emily felt it was appropriate and she whispered the words aloud as they traveled along the tree-bordered path. The woods of Corals home must have seemed just as empty as the snowy scene of the poem without the laughter of other trolls. Emily wondered if the small statues and decorations had been added to populate the quiet place and lessen the isolation that must have been felt by the last troll living above ground. She wondered how many years Coral had spent alone in this forest. The others, Dale and Beow had suffered, it was true, but they had suffered with those of their own kind. They had known what small comfort was available from the touch and sight of loved ones.

Their arrival at the house, if such a structure could be called anything as simple, was uneventful. Beow and Dale had declared their need for food, so their first stop was the large kitchen. As Coral gathered a simple meal Emily could feel the tension rise in the woman. She watched as the healer took a stool and seemed to sink into her own thoughts, neither eating nor drinking with the rest.

You should eat something. I think you’ll need your strength.

Emily held out the lightly laden stoneware plate to Coral, who raised her face and looked back with haunted eyes.

“No, I don’t…”

Yes, you do, Healer. Now, eat.

Unexpectedly Coral took the plate and Emily returned to her place next to Dale. If anyone thought her high handed, the look on her face convinced them to keep their opinions to themselves.

Emily sat close to Dale, and tried to represent a calm port in this sea of conflict. At the moment, she could detect no anger in Dale, nor was there the anxiety that had been evident in the truck. If anything, his spirit seemed a bit lighter. Perhaps it was the effect of the woods. The canopy of trees had seemed to put the men at ease. She hoped the feeling would last through whatever revelation was yet to come.

 

[poohlive]

Beow grabbed at certain things that represented food he used to know. Apples and carrots, which he dug in with a passion. A true moment to signify how alive and real this place now became, was the food as it trickled down his throat and warmed him.
Inside, things began working again, they woke up, after hundreds of years of dormancy.
He tore at the pig's flesh, loving the warm taste of it. It hadn't been cooked over a fire, the meat nearly heated. He saw that it was another box in which the food came out. Two boxes, one for the cold items, and another for the frozen ones.
Ice.
Now that did surprise him. Frozen water. He picked one out from his glass, examining it in his hand. It was cold, and felt just as ice did, but they had made it, created it themselves.
He almost sighed as he realized the ice was another box.
Humans and their corners.
What was left, he gave to the woman. she ate ravenously, anything offered to her by him. He quinted, rising to clean himself in the sink that he had seen. Inside water, something else he marveled at.
Many things to marvel at in this place.

 

[Sweetp4u]

Coral

"The year they arrived here, 1602, we mistook everything about the humans." I began speaking, it was time to pour it all out and have done with it. There was a pregnant pause in the room as all eyes turned to me.
"We were just being ourselves, laughter fun, at one with nature and a blight on humans, or so it was said..." I felt the air charge with electricity and wondered if Beow would control himself or blow up at me after I began this tale? It did not matter, I had to get out of my system, deal with it and let it go. I glanced up and met Dale's eyes, not really seeing him but seeing the past as if it were happening all over again.
"We had come to their settlement daily, trading, helping and some pulling pranks. Never anything in which would harm another, just all in good wholesome fun. I, myself, came to the village daily to sell and trade herbs and my healing abilities. I guess it all got started, the plotting, when I healed the preist's wife and then someone pulled a prank on the house next to him. Causing a riotious responce of caterwalling and yelling. The priest did not like his wife being disturbed after a long bought with a lung disease. She grew stronger and recovered and the priest made an effort daily to stop me, give me a gift and thank me."
I paused here again, feeling the tensions building in each person around me, it was now or never.. I did not have much choice but to go on.
"He began to question me, I did not know this back then, but he had alterior motives and I was too stupid and trusting to see it. I thought he was our friend, and that he cared for us. He learned from my own nieve lips which troll was capable of which gift. He as well knew my gifts, knew I was capable of keeping someone alive with sheer force of will...." I trailed off again, feeling so many things I had to search my mind for the ending of this pain.
"We were set up, by a handful of people in their little community. Scornd females and hateful husbands. Not the entire town was in on what was done to us. The priest seized me that night with six of his biggest men. Tied to a post and declared a witch infront of all around. Those seven called for my death, burned alive for being an unnatural speicies, an abomination against their god and there for should die. They drugged the rest of my clan, heavily with Laundrum. I fought, yelled and cursed loudly at them all, hoping they would flee if I cursed them enough, but it did no good." I felt tears running down my face as the fear came back to my full force, all of it hitting home and making the hole in my heart bigger than it was already. Shaking, I took a drink from the glass, but still could not look away from Dale's eyes...
"They took all of you, even the wee babes those seven men and laid everyone out into the center of the clearing. I thought perhaps he would try and kill all of my clan, and I fought harder to get free until I was silenced by three fists. I watched as the priest cut his arm, walking slowly around the clan, his words I did not understand as he mumbled out verse after verse. I learned later he spoke Latin and that is what this whole curse is done in. He said the words, made a circle of his blood to cast it and they all vanished!" More tears slipped down my face as I recall screaming until I had no voice left.
"I asked him why? I demanded to know why before they burned me alive. Why had they left me out? His sneer was so cruel and cold, I was truely afraid of him as he approached me and dug his nails into my cheeks. I was a healer.. I could keep anything alive that had one breath left in them. That my clan could not die if I went along. And so I was left out for judgement against God. I was a whore for how I looked, a witch for my gift and my gift was my curse!" I spat it out like a bad apple, I hated my curse for many many years, shunned using it and hid out in the darkest coldest cave I could find. Burned badly from their cruelty and left alone in a world of man. The last images went solely to Dale and none other, I would not speak them aloud. Not how it looked and felt to be burnt so badly up to my thighs from their stupidity and antics.
"I walked this earth for 400 years, alone. Trying to make it alive, stay alive and see to justice. I knew the only way to end this curse and to free my clan was to wait it out. Wait for that book to be found and someone of his descendancy to say the words." I heard a gasp as I looked up at Emily.
"No my dear, you are not a direct line but a branch of many.. But still a descendant." I took another sip, feeling Beow's disbelief well up inside him. He wanted to deny what I said, I could see it on his face. He refused to believe I was anything but what he wanted to see.
"I was label a traitor that day by many because a few woke up, a few of my sister trolls. And the human's they trusted so much all pronounced me a traitor, I had handed them over to save my own soul. It was not true, anyone with a brain could see that as I was forcefully held and tied to a damned wood pile! But they did not see that, they were so distraught.. And I can not blame them. If I had to live through this, I wanted to be with my own kind as well... but I never could get the gate opened. So instead I took vengence in a sense for all of us." I paused, now came the revealation of what was below this house.
"I have a guest downstairs in the dungeon.. Cared for by me for hundreds of years and kept alive by me before he could depart this earth.. A gift I have kept waiting for you Dale..." I turned and glanced at Beow, "And you as well, and all that could walk out of there alive.." I felt the question rise up in my mind, why? Why did I stay alive when I was alone?
"I kept myself alive though I did not want too, because I knew that our kind MUST go on.. I felt the loss each time someone left and I cried for days at each lost family member.. And I knew if I left this earth, there would be no more pure trolls born of this earth. I took a chance that I would not be the last, and if I was the last, I would make that Priest pay slowly.. He is now yours to do with as you please." I met Dale's eyes and held his gaze steadily. He could see it in me, the truth. He could read my mind and he could see my thoughts. I could hide nothing from him and so I let him see all he wanted to inside myself.

 

[BLACK BART]

Dale O'Bly

I sat quietly at the counter, savoring each bite of food as it passed over my lips and to my mouth. Each bite of food was an explosion of flavor, each peice a revelation of texture and taste as I slowly enjoyed it.

It was enjoyable to say the least, made so more by the presence of Beow, Coral and Emily.

Emily whose power radiated from her like an aura as she moved about, so unaware of it and the possibilities she carried within her. Emily who by being near me shared that aura, that sense of peace I needed so badly as Coral began to speak.

I drew from that power now as Coral's words began, unraveling the mystery of where she was and what happened to us in the beginning as well. Word by word the painful tale came from out, her eyes holding mine intensely as if it were me alone she needed to convince...And then Coral opened herself to my mind as she described her own fate, a death by fire that failed...But not before it had left it's mark upon her body...and her soul.

I felt it as if I were there...the blazing wood fire climbing upwards as she cursed them, feeding itself on her flesh as it rose and grew in intensity...I felt her pain as her thoughts became a jumble of mixed pictures and words, all NOT for herself but for the family she had just lost....And I felt her anger as she realized the same torturous fire had burned thru her bonds as well, freeing her legs and weakening the stake she was bound to...enough to pull it free and stumble into the darkness.

I broke the link...gently...sending a message of understanding...and acceptance...no words of forgiveness needed as she had done well, despite our doubts of her.

"Coral speaks the TRUTH" I stated firmly, my eyes still on hers, my jaw clenched from the effort to contain my own emotions and keep my heart still. "I have seen what is inside her heart, and NO false images could be that strong"

I had turned to Beow as I spoke the last words, my eyes searching to hold his as he watched his slave eat the remnants of his meal and feeling my eyes upon him, raised his to meet mine.

"WE will stop doubting our SISTER and accept her again" I said stolidly watching his eyes for any flare of resistance "And turn our energies to the REVENGE for the trespasses against us"

Beows eyes remained solidly on mine and I felt his sheer willpower reach out and touch mine, pressing against it as if testing it...as if determining how strong we each were and if it would be worth it...A solid blunt power swirled from him and rested against mine and then strangely...he smiled.

"We all have much to share it seems, Coral has surprised with her "gift" below...Emily with her being so near to us when we need her the most...And Beow and I have a tale of despair...and hope to share as well"

My eyes still held Beow's, feeling his raw power draw back...not retreating but simply stepping back as if a decision was made behind his carefully held face...and I didn't press it...knowing his answer would soon come to all of us.

"Emily...Coral has shared with us the very painful beginning of our banishment...hers above the earth alone and without any one to care for her...ours below not knowing if any of us would live...very soon Beow and I will tell you of the things we have learned, and if Emily is as powerful as I believe she is...how those lessons may be our salvation"

My hand had dropped from the table and found Emily's, carressing it and then holding her smaller hand within my own...

"We have many things to share...terrible memories, moments of great courage and sacrifice...and to share the healing powers of the forest now that we are within it again"

 

[poohlive]

He knew it. When at first he looked eyes upon her, still living and breathing just as the day they had been cursed, he knew it was her fault. She had doomed them all, with her naive innocence she had put them down in that hole to die.
Beow nodded at the words. He had no doubt they were the truth, Coral was never one to lie, but the fault still layed at her doorstep, and for that reason alone he hated her.
He would accept her, if he must, but he still hated her.
Beow chewed at a piece of fresh carrot in his mouth.
The humans were always like this, sneaky and conniving. They had no merit, and no right to be here. This was only more proof. All of it, proof that they should not exist, their very being hurtful to all other species.
No one has fought back because no one has had the tools.
Beow tighted both of his hands.
He had the tools.
They would all be taught a lesson.
"Perhaps," his voice low, and gravely," We should go see our guest. I want to say hello.... it's been so long."

 

[Lady_Kit]

Emily

Tears ran freely down Emilys’ cheeks. She had felt the truth of Corals statement; could feel the guilt, pain and loneliness the healer had endured for 400 years; her heart went out the dejected figure on the stool. When Dale spoke, it was with the voice of a leader, and he directed his stern statements to Beow, but one stood out for Emily.

“and if Emily is as powerful as I believe she is..." there it was again, that reference to some hidden gift that came from her Troll heritage. Part troll, that was still difficult to believe, and her heart had nearly stopped altogether when Coral had mentioned the connection Emily had to the settlers. That would certainly not improve Beows’ opinion of her, not that he seemed to hold anyone in very high regard.

Emily felt the caress of Dales hand. His touch was becoming more familiar and stirring. There was something in him that continued to call to her, making her want to be near him, to deepen the contact. She didn’t know if it was her Troll blood responding to his or if it was his magic, she supposed that only time would tell.

Corals words sank in, past the distraction of Dales' skin against hers, and Emily realized that Beow would finally have a specific object for his revenge. It seemed that she had kept a prisoner in her forest retreat. One that would certainly not be pleased to see the reappearance of the Trolls.

 

[Sweetp4u]

Coral

Looking into Beow's eyes, I knew he still doubted me but there wasn't anything I could do about it. It hurt though, his doubting me after all we had shared. I tried to not let it show as I rose from my chair and quietly spoke,
"Follow me." I knew what Beow wanted, he wanted them all to die and me with them. I had hoped there was some way to him, some way to make him see, but I was merely lying to myself. I didn't even know why I invited him back to my home? This would be tense and hard but I was determined to find happiness through the black nightmare fog of life.
I walked into the caves, moving around boulders and avoiding crevices as I went to the stairs. I had carved these stairs myself. Each designed with a pictorial of our past. Those I remembered and events I recalled as well. Each flat three by three stone told a tale, my tribute to those gone but never forgotten.
I moved down the stairs, a slow spiral down maybe twenty feet before another cave opening. There were lights coming from ahead and I could hear the water running through the brook. It entered somewhere on one side and exited through the wall of the cave. Sitting in the center of the room was a large cage. Modern times called for modern measures. A metal iron barred cage he could not escape.
"Good evening Preist.. I had brought some friends of yours." The old man turned in the cage, age bending him over to a very arched stoop. His face wrinkled with time, his hair and beard white as soon. He was rail thin but those hard cold eyes were the same. I had the keys to the cage and for now would keep ahold of them until Beow was under control and this man's sentence was delivered.

 

[BLACK BART]

Dale O'Bly

We stood on reversed ground that instant, reversed because it was the caged human staring out at us wondering if death or freedom would come first and not us. The eyes that met ours was familiar as well, it was more than that, unmistakable in fact as it had been the last set Beow and I had seen before being "banished".

"So Father" I spit out the foul tasting title as I took in his appearance "It seems that a man of the cloth hasn't fared as well as the "foul beasts" he banished. Where are you spells now?"

I felt Beow's anger building beside me and for once I let it wash into me, feeding on it's energy...it's raw power as I stared at the man we had only dreamed of someday facing. And he was here...now.... and alive.

"Perhaps our sister has taken your tongue?" I goaded him, using Beow's and my energy to reach into his mind and cut off his breathing...his throat tightening as I felt Beow's hands around his throat in my mind and willed it so...

I was dimly aware of the old priest standing on tiptoe, his withered hands fluttering at his throat, his face turning darker shades of red and it pleased me...feeling so good.... so...righteous?

"Is this how he dies then? To serve no other purpose than to satisfy your hunger for vengeance?"

I heard the unspoken words and sadly realized the wisdom in them; reluctantly releasing the hold I had and watching the old man fall to his knees. I didn't know who spoke the words, Coral, Beow and Emily all stood staring at the despicable spectacle in front of us and none acknowledged my looking at them until I spoke again.

"It would be SELFISH for any one of us to take his life by themselves, would it not?"

 

[poohlive]

Beow went down to his knees, a glaze coming over his eyes. Bittersweet happiness beated through his old heart, looking at this symbol of his entrapment, the very reason of all the pain and suffering they had experienced, all the sacrifice his brothers and sisters had to face.
His fault. All of it his fault.
Crawling to the object of his hate. All of the thoughts that had coursed through his mind, all of the ideas he wanted to do to relish inside of this moment, they all peaked through him, adding to everything else.
In the back of his mind, he heard Dale speak, but the words lost meaning to his rational mind. His rational mind had been tainted a long time ago, leaving only this chaotic shell.
"I wish not for his death," he was breathing faster now, as he came closer and closer to the cell, "I wish only for his pain."
As he said this, he leaned against the bars, his hand reaching through them, threatening to touch the old man.
Just a touch.
The priest shied away.
"Come now, old man. I would think you'd have more manners than that. After all, we are old friends."
He closed his fist, and as he did, blood began to flow from the priests mouth. At first, just a trickle, that he attempted to cough out, but then it flowed as easy as a stream.
"Death, is to easy for him. Death will end his pain, I don't want to end it. I will not bring death," he growled deep in his throat, "I will only bring torture."
He opened his hand, and the blood came to an immediate stop.
Beow rose from the ground, his eyes wild with fire as he looked upon his victim.
"Let him come out and play."

 

[Sweetp4u]

Coral

I remained silent, watching carefully. I knew they wanted revenge, he had asked for it this Priest. And now the time had come. I glanced at Emily and shook my head to warn her, not to interfere with them and this. It would only upset them worse if we tried to stand in their way.
I moved up behind Dale, taking the key from my pocket and setting it into his hand before backing away again. I could not watch this, he deserved it, he brought it on himself, but I was a healer. Both in body and mind and it was too much to watch something I could not stop, heal nor fix. And I did not want to! I did not want to heal this Priest any longer, nor keep him alive. He had taken too much from me, may he rot in pieces.......
I turned and silently walked back up the stairs and down another tunnel to the hot springs. Hiking up my skirts, I sat on the edge and put my feet into the warm water. I would just sit here until it was all over with. I felt the pain well up inside as the memories came back to me, fed to me by? Beow? Dale? One of them fed it, let it out. The cries for food, for day light. Those who killed themselves digging at the walls around them, wasting away and nothing could be done. No heat, no food, no light.
Those were marks on the soul, and I doubted any healer could take them away.. I closed my eyes and let my head fall down to my chest, just needed time right now like the rest of them did. And figure out how I would get through Beow's stubborn mind? If ever?

 

[Lady_Kit]

Emily

The figure within the cage was horribly old and bent. He looked, to Emily, more like the fairy story trolls than did any of her companions, including the fearsome Beow. She knew that he recognized Dale & Beow from that long ago day, could feel his hatred of them batter at the edge of the cage. That was nothing to the waves of anger and lothing that came from the troll males. It was hot and red like the fresh blood that Beow squeezed from the old man.

Emily saw the look the healer gave her. She did not think that she would have the courage to attempt to interfere, and was not really sure she wanted to try. Justice must be served, and it was somehow right that the males perform this task, but she could not watch.

She turned and followed Coral from the cavern, trying as she passed to take Beow's slave along, but the woman was too lost in the connection with the troll and only snarled. Very well, then, she could stay.

As she passed a turning in the path, she heard the quiet drip of water and followed the sound to a natural spring. There sitting on the edge was Coral.

You had to do this, you know, she said quietly.

Its the only way they will ever have any closure. As a healer you know that sacrifice is sometimes necessary. The old man is evil Coral. I know you can feel it if I can. What he did was an abomination. He not only condemed the trolls to hell, but what about the people of the town? Those people with good hearts? They had to live with the knowledge of what they had done. It will be over now and perhaps we can help Dale & Beow to live again, to find peace.

Emily felt Corals horror and pain and did the only thing she could think of that might help. She sat down next to the healer took the other woman in her arms. Offering whatever comfort Coral might accept.

Shall we sit here together until it is over? You can tell me about your garden, and I'll bore you with old stories and poems. We'll be sisters as Dale commanded and do as women have always done. We'll wait for our men to come home from battle.

She waited for Corals reply as the first scream rose from the dungeon below.

 

[BLACK BART]

Dale O'Bly

I watched as if I were a spectator at a puppet show, the characters called Coral and Emily walking off stage, showing us thier acceptance of Beow and my decision by removing themself from it.

Beow had pulled his hand back, his face pressed to the bars and I could feel the pain radiating from him...raw agony as he revisited each death of our kindred and silently blamed himself, the grief consuming his very soul.

"Beeee-ohhhhh" I spoke softly, pronouncing his name as I used to when we were young and had dreams that youth gave us, trying to reach out to him, work past the all consuming pain he kept caged within his mighty frame.

"We all accepted this man for what he SAID he was, Beow. None of us imagined that a "Man of God" meant he was an agent of Satan. If there is one to blame it is myself, for not seeing thru him and to the truth, then blame me...not yourself or the female that still worships you. Let me carry the pain as it is my right...my duty"

Something I had spoken brought Beow's face from the bars, he leaned back and slowly turned his shaggy head towards me, then up so our eyes met and I could see the raw pain that threatened to overflow from them. And then a glint of something else came into them...Anger? Hatred? A bright red spot that grew as he shook his head making the hair follow like the tips of a whip in the hand of it's master...



"NO, Not you....HIM" He replied carefully, looking back to the petrified old priest huddled in the corner. "Him"

I could feel Beow's anger and hatred growing again, the power of it spreading over my skin like fire, then ice, both sending tremors to my mind and my soul.

"Then have your way with this worthless scrap of flesh, my brother" I encouraged "Pour your hatred and pain into his body and mind, let it loose once and for all if you can, I will help...As you drive him to the precipice of death I will use my own energy to hold him there, keeping him in eternal pain"

Beow's head snapped towards me, eyes on fire as he smiled a mirthless, evil smile of acceptance.

"Together we will show him his vision of hell was wrong, and put him in ours, tormenting his body and soul...forever if you wish"

I turned from Beow and towards the trembling withered man, sneering as Beow gripped the bars and rose, taking the keys from my outstretched hand.

"Stand and face your demons, little man, face what you have created"