The morning air was cool as screams broke the air, panic and mayhem as boots thudded in the ground, a commander of some kind called orders that died among the sounds of fire. Kane pulled himself to his knees, shaking Aishani lightly “We should get dressed” he whispered softly before slowly making his way to the edge where he’d hung his clothes, as they dressed he filled in some of the gaps.
“Those bandits have been waiting for us, except they are no bandits, more a branch of my fathers, militia, they deliberately stir up trouble that will cause my personal attendance, they have one aim and that is take me with them” He kept his voice low but his words level, I cannot trust another with what is to come and in the next few minutes I will be thankful you entered my life Aishani.
Kane slid his sword from its sheath making his way to the door, halting just a moment to place a kiss on her lips, soft and lingering “I pray we see this day through” and with that he ducked through his blade deflecting the axe of a soldier waiting on his exit, his elbow promptly connected with the man’s skull as he reeled back Kane’s blade opened him from navel to throat.
Kane need not wake Aishani, she was already up and when he moved to gather his clothing, she was just as quick. Though, in her speed, she was very accurate to dress. Securing her weapon's belt and then her throwing knife straps to her thighs. Her expression was enigmatic, while her golden hue was literally glowing with the more the sounds outside their tent sounded.
She listened to him and even assisted on the final strap of her clothing. "Over my dead body..." Aishani snarled, while he caught a stronger scent from her different then her mouth-watering aroma, yet, much the same it was stronger.
Aishani removed her daggers, held at the ready to her side, spun to reveal the expertise training that was hidden beneath the surface. She glanced to him as his lips pressed upon hers, catching his lower in a brief nip.
As he stepped out, Aishani followed, yet, when the blood sprayed from the fillet of the man awaiting Kane, a wicked grin formed on her lips with the splatter. This was her field, the born chaos of the arrival of these men.
But, as he moved forward, she appeared to disappear into the very shadows by their tent. Kane could sense her near, keeping stealth, while even the shadows on the opposite side changed and he could have sworn he saw the black fur with dark brown stripes and the glisten of chitinous pates, Shadow.
He watched the approach with gentle surprise, he should had known better than to discount such a variable, alas he had, the whistle that took his attention now though that was unmistakeable as Kane spun raising his blade a moment too late, the sting as flesh broke the sharp howl of pain as the arrow pierced through.
The second hit caught him in the shoulder taking his balance with it the dirt rushing to meet him. He could already taste the blood as it began to fight past the open wounds, he pulled himself back using his blade to help force him back to his feet as a third whispered past him hitting the wood just beside his hip.
One unsteady step sent him to meet an oncoming attacker his blade snapped aside with relative ease as Kane was whipped back the his free hand brought a short dagger across the man’s upper thigh releasing a howl of pain. Kane threw a glance over his shoulder “I told you this would be fun” his words came as he ducked the next attack catching the man around the throat once sharp twitch and bone broke beneath his grasp his would be assailant crumpled to the ground.
A few times he caught the glint of knives being thrown through the air, silent and deadly, watching the few archers that took the aim to direct shots upon him fall lifeless with gleaming knives at their necks or lodged within an eye socket.
She moved with the grace of a predator, moving from individual to individual. Ducking and dodging a slash from a blade or axe, kicking the wrist with a foot to follow through with each vibrantly glistening dagger with the ichor of those in this field of play. Her eye was glowing an incredible golden hue with the splatter of blood glistening upon her body and upon her face, adding to this exotic creature bound in leathers and reviling in the chaos around her.
Shadow, her sword spider companion, remained hidden. No doubt, to not attract attention from others to give the moment of surprise. But, amidst the blood and gore, he saw Aishani truly alive with such skill it was beautiful in a macabre way.
A few times, she joined him on a group of three or five, that was a great out numbering. But, Aishani was swift and fast, even with her utilization of blink to get the best on the beings.
One point she was knocked down by a bandit, his eyes staring into hers, salivating with the catch of her aroma. But, in that instant, Shadow appeared from the sky in the downward fall, legs together with decisiveness to impale the assailant. Aishani caught the gleam of those sharp chitinous plates, kneed the bandit in the groin to stun and rolled out of the way with a partial blink when his hold was gone. The sickening rip and tear of clothe and flesh, added in the scraping of bones, the bandit's screams turned to a gurgled cry for help, then Shadow skeetered again to stealth in the shadows.
Aishani blinked to Kane's side, while an individual raced to him, slicing deeply with her dagger from the groin up in a fluid but strong movement. Still this beast was moving and she lifted her hands to grasp at the head with a powerful jerk until the sharp snapping of the neck was heard. Swiftly she grasped the hilt of the dagger allowing for the fall of the cadaver to unsheath the dagger. "Mmm, yes, VERY enjoyable. Enough to get the blood flowing..." She parted those luscious lips with a flick of her tongue upon the flat of her daggers, purring softly but then dodging and arrow with her hands upon his arms.
His world began to tickle with a static charge, while he felt as though he was pulled through to another location, and then he saw that they had moved only a few feet away and seven arrows were lodged into the ground.
Kane felt that momentary pull as he was shifted from one point to the next a thankful smile “Well now, I owe you once again” He breathed softly, the pain pulled at him, he remained upright for the moment thankful the archers had been removed from the field.
His eyes met hers a deep pained glance before turning to deflect another incoming attack, this one snapped the blade aside on for Kane to follow it right back across the attacker’s throat silent except the sound of steel through flesh. The scent of her so close at least kept his mind off the pain that seemingly pulled from every angle the arrows still trailing through each motion, the resistance through the air creating further issues. Three came in at them shields raised any attempt to breach would be blocked, Kane twisted to her side unleashing a blast high into the trees above them, the crackle of branches above before they crashed down pinning there would be attackers beneath a mass of broken branches, Kane slipped and was once more met with dirt.
He was on his knees hand against the cold damp earth, his mind fighting to stay conscious as the creature leapt from the darkness beyond the tree line, teeth barred a dark growl before its mid-air momentum halted sending a canine whimper through the noise around them, the clatter of deflected steel as she tore across the field deflecting both attackers and friends alike, she slid to halt beside him her head snapped up to look to Aishani “Finish this, please we need to get him out of here” her voice weak and cut with emotion, she wiped a tear angrily from her eye as she pulled her bow from her back release a flurry back toward the darkness the werewolf had come from.
Aishani covered Kane's body as the creature dove forth from the impending darkness of the forest, though, to the yelp and a lift of her eye, she met that of Aerian. She looked to the arrows peeking out of Kane, then stood with a nod. Her blood caked fingers pressed in her lips in a short chirp of a whistle, Shadow skittered from the forest line, lifting the front legs in a type of salute. "Shadow will defend Kane and yourself. Keep the archery further back, I will take care of the front line."
She glanced to Kane, then withdrew her daggers with a spin on the palm of her hand. Now, Aishani kept to the advancing individuals, calculating the formations, then nodding to herself. Dodging and rolling with dual manoeuvres of individuals, slicing at the back of unprotected knees or tendons attached to the foot. Smashing the faces of the fallen in while she began to push the incoming groups back, throwing knives in a fan of venomous steel.
An individual came running forward with a shield, up, Aishani disappeared to reappear amidst a kick to the surprised individual's shield now with the stunned assailant falling back, as she blinked behind to glide the dagger across the throat. She was cruel now, bloodlust in her gaze, drawing a group together to appear that she was at their mercy, but, then blinking in a flurry to strike at the individuals, causing her to be near untargetable.
A scream of an arrow drove past her, nearly missing her while dodging under the swing of an axe with a kick in the groin. She continued to fight, until the forces began to fall back, Aishani was sore and amidst the fighting, she had not realized the damage her body had taken under the adrenaline, a few deep slashes to her sides and one to her shoulder. In her return to Aerian and Kane, she fell to the ground, while recovering briefly, panting. Shadow moved to her side while appearing to spin webs with the moving spinnerets to make a thick casing over each bleeding wound.
She rested a hand on Shadow in a sign of thanks, but, crawled on her hands and knees to Kane, then looked over the bloody sight. "Let's go before they return to him."
Aerian slipped among the blood and the mud, as she eased Kane forward slightly bracing the tip of the arrow “I’m sorry” she whispered softly as the loud crack echoed followed by a cry of discomfort from Kane, Aerian simply tossed the arrow aside pulling the rest of the shaft through the wound.
The second she merely snapped and then eased lose before pulling the third clean through. “We should get him comfortable, the tent should do for now” As She and Aishani helped Kane to his feet the sound of horse hooves announced the arrival of the reinforcements, heavily armed Dentarian Archers and swordsmen now took up position around the clearing, Aerian looked to Aishain for a moment “You saved him, in more ways than one, I’m guessing he has fed quite recently, or we’d have a bigger problem than the one we are facing” As they eased into the tent and Kane among the cushions Aerian moved off pulling a bunch of cloth from the trunk and then moving back to him “He’ll be OK, I think but we can’t stay here long. That was only to bring Dad down, there’s another larger force headed our way with intent to kill him, and” She eyed Aishani softly “Thank you, for having his back” Quietly she returned her attentions to dealing with the blood that was still flowing from her father’s open wounds, her mind wandering a passing thought would allow Aishani to see her panic and yet her comfort in the newcomers close proximity to both herself and her father.
After arriving in the tent, Aishani caught the movement from Aerian in gathering clothing, then quickly began to strip Kane. When upon her return, Aishani stopped her from dressing him and the dog sized sword spider was at his side, a leg extended to touch a wound and then quickly the Shadow began to spin webs from the spinnerets. The substance was rather sticky, effectively closing the open and bleeding wounds without stitching. "Dress him. He needs more sustenance. Then we move, I will be fine."
She then curled an arm around his back to adjust him in a lean up, slicing the palm of her hand open, the blood swelling and pressing such with a finger parting his lips, leaning him back a slight in order for the angle to allow her crimson life to trickle upon his tongue first to awaken him enough to partake in her offering to give him more strength.
Aerian was thankful for the web, as Aishani cut her palm she couldn’t help but look away, she had watched her father feed just once and vowed never to do so again, though that was a long time ago and under very different circumstances.
It would take time for Kane to pull himself together enough to make him of any use, they were essentially stuck in place until he was able to heal enough to move.
“It takes time, an hour maybe two before he is awake, longer for him to be of any use to us” She sighed softly “We may need to make a choice” Aerians voice trembled as her words spilled forth “He won’t want to fall into my grandfathers hands, but he wants us in their hands even less, it may come down to him or us”
She paused as looked to Aishani seeing this newcomer helping her father without so much as a question “He was right, you’re a good woman, he won’t want you in their hands”
Aishani continued with her focus on Kane, angling him within the support of her arm to tilt his head back with a part of his lips, squeezing her fist to allow droplets to fall on his tongue pausing to rub at his throat in order for him to ingest more by the assistance of her, being cautious to not overdo the amount to cause him to not choke. When Aerian spoke, she hesitated briefly to listen, glancing to Shadow, whom moved over to spin the web upon her hand, covering it in a glove.
"Good...That leaves up to opinion. You are entitled to such." She guided him to lower down now, on the pillow. "You said that it takes roughly two hours for him to return to us. I agree, he would stand for nothing less than for us to not fall into his father's hands. He is unable to make the decision, so the term him and us, is not valid. So, you stay. Someone needs to remain with him, I can handle myself in these matters of family politics. After all, family is to be cherished, I am a newcomer to him and to you. Shadow--" The spider lifted the forelegs, almost in display of argument, but the venomous gaze spent from the golden eye was literally glowing. "--Shadow will remain as well, to assist in protecting you and him, in the meantime. When he is ready to find me, if I have not already returned, Shadow can lead him to me. We are bound by the means of being weaker in our society."
She stood, dusting herself off, while such did little with her own blood that was now drying upon the leathers and her blood splattered face.
Aerian looked up her eyes slightly reddened by the anger and tears “Please stay, for him” her voice cut with emotion that threatened to break through at any moment. As she watched her father his breathing barely registering, she couldn’t help but wonder exactly his body would be doing.
“Please I need you to help me keep him safe” She simply looked and hoped in that moment not wanting to be left alone to fail.
Aishani hesitated on her walk to the tent flap and turned to face her. Tilting her head to the side causing her tethered hair to shift with a glisten of the raven feather accessories. "You are afraid. I can understand why Aerian. Kane is your father and you do not wish to fail him when he needs you the most. The only failure in life is giving up, giving up on what you want to achieve and on those you love. There's only one life time use it wisely strive to be successful."
She moved away from the entry and settled at Kane's side while testing the webbing then to her own. Glancing to Shadow that was compliantly at her side. By the way the two watched each other there was a silent communication. Eventually she returned her golden eye to Aerian when Shadow skittered out of the tent. "She will work the spiders in the area and assist in covering the perimeter with webbing laced with poison. This will detour and lightly mask the blood from Kane. Of his father is anything similar or born of darkness it is a target. Shadow will return when that is finished."
Aerian nodded softly now looking to the blood on her hands as she looked from her hands to her father a silent prayer.
“I was headed to the outer territories when our scouting party was attacked, likely they came for Uncle Hades and weren’t aware I was leading that party. They took my guards before I had chance to react, one of them asked where Hades was and wasn’t too impressed he wasn’t with me” She stopped just for a moment “One of their party slipped up saying you guys had been attacked, I was able to get free and take their horse, I heard them shout about the larger party behind as I took off, saying it wouldn’t matter we’d all be dead soon enough. I guess they didn’t account for you in that equation”
“Then we probably shouldn’t be here when they show up” Kane groaned as he sat awkwardly “Apparently they don’t like me too much”
Aerian threw her arms around Kane a crushing hug causing him to moan in pain once more and Aerian to slide back “Sorry”
“While I appreciate that you’re glad I’m alive for once, been impaled by arrows just really isn’t any fun” He tried to smile but it came off awkward “I assume by the silence you didn’t show up alone”
“No, I brought every Dentarian Soldier we had, Uncle Hades has the protective fields around the mansion, so he sent everything we have, but Dad they say Ceremon has some High Priestess with him, some kind of witch they say” Aerian babbled quickly
“Well not really the time to be worrying about Ceremon” He placed his hands down attempting to stand and failing quickly, before turning to face Aishani “Thank you, I wouldn’t be here without you, and judging by my injuries and the fact I’m awake you are responsible for that fact too, it seems I owe you my life or in the very least need to find a way to pay proper thanks”
Aishani opened her mouth to speak, though, fell short when Kane's voice parted his lips in the awkward adjustment to settle. She shifted upon the tuck of her ankles, allowing Aerian room to embrace Kane. Rising after a moment, then glancing down to father and daughter, then to the flap of the tent which at this moment remained closed.
To her words of a High Priestess, Aishani looked behind her with a sharp glance. "What else did you catch about this...High Priestess?" She then turned for face Kane when he attempted to rise, folding her arms over her chest. "You are an idiot. Don't move, your body has gone through a trauma. I will quicken the healing process, while you fed not long before the events. It is time to offer more and then we move, I will keep Shadow on a scouting venture but also have her gather you fresh liver to assist in the loss of iron from you blood." She settled down at his side, pulling at the sticky glove around her injured hand, exposing the still fresh cut in her flesh, flexing her fist a few times to get the blood flowing and open the clotting. Aishani offered her hand to him. "Shadow has roused the spiders in the area and is creating a temporary boarder to the forest with poisoned webbing. It should be sticky enough and the scent should be able to mask your own for a short time."
“At least we’re not completely defenceless, not that we ever were, you are quite the woman” He smiled softly not arguing her offering of blood, but knowing enough would only serve to harm her should they have to fight their way out.
Aerian looked awkward for a moment before looking to Aishani “They say she’s smart, she is also powerful enough to warrant Ceremons attention, a wedding was also mentioned, she is new as well, not Everlandian but powerful to boot” as she looked to Aishani “Why do you ask?”
Kane drew Aishani’s hand away helping fix the bindings back “It doesn’t matter, we’ve dealt with Ceremon before we can most likely do it again” he shifted awkwardly “Aerian ensure our soldiers are aware of what is coming, have the archers take position in the north trees, those have the strongest branches, and the best vantage. Set the guards in groups of two, no one is to be near the outer perimeter include, that includes both you and Aishani”
He took Aishanis hand gently his eyes meeting hers for a moment “I realise I have no control over where and when you go, but it’s safer for my sanity”
Aishani watched as Kane placed his lips upon her wound and suckled the life's essence from her, while she already had taken injury with blood loss, this appeared to not affect her as much as it would others. Her fingertips lifted to brush the hair from Kane's features, but, turned her golden eye to rest on Aerian.
"I simply like to know the opposition in order to prepare better in the long run." She returned her gaze to Kane while he spoke, angling her arm upwards in a bend at the elbow to place pressure on the wound. "We will do what is necessary, Kane. But to start, we will keep that and your wishes in mind." Aishani watched as Aerian moved out to carry out the orders of Kane, then returned her gaze to him.
Still her features were splattered with blood, turned a deep crimson on her face, causing her to appear an exotic female born from the spoils of war and hardships. She tilted her head a slight to the side, considering him, as the raven feathers shifted within the hair that was tethered back. "No, you do not. I go as I see fit, but, this is something you have no need to be concerned over at this time, Kane. As to the answer of your daughter, I do have a concern...When, I left my home, in Faerun...I initially was attempting to escape my mother. She is the Matron Mother of the House Tort'tar, very strong and powerful with her connection to the Demon Goddess Lolth. Her name is Z'ress and I would not put it past her to stop at nothing to find and kill me, I have managed to slip through her radar many times..."
Kane processed her words for a moment, his eyes remained focused on her “Well at least it’s not just my family that’s completely screwed up” he tried to make it sound amusing but it came with a fit of coughs that took his breath from the pain of it.
“We should head back to the mansion, it the centre of the Elcarus power base, it would serve well to have that kind of power to hand, if this newcomer with my father is indeed your mother it would explain why I was the target of this ambush” He breathed softly “They are unfortunately going to have quite a task taking you from me. The only problem right now is I need a little more time, Aerian also needs a short rest, she may not look nor admit but she is feeling all this, it is not good for her mentally”
He rested his head against her shoulder his mind now trying to shove the wave of pain to the back of his mind, the natural Elcarus will to protect in full force.
Aishani wrapped her arms around him, as her mouth-watering scent enveloped him, providing for him a sense of strength. Slowly, gently and firmly, she lowered him to lay his head upon her lap. In his descent, Kane saw the various injuries that were bound by the webbing by Shadow. Her fingers roamed through his hair, the nails lightly scraping his scalp. "We all have our own crosses to bare. Agreed, we should head back to the mansion but between there and here is the ultimate danger zone. While you try to protect me and Aerian, it is our turn to protect YOU. Placing strain on yourself will cause you to be of no good to anyone; dead or alive. I understand the Elcarus need to protect, the will in just your words alone."
There was a rustle of the tent flap and Shadow skittered within, attached to the spider was a webbed article. Aishani looked to the nudge of it to her side, but, that is when the stench struck Kane. Blood. Fresh blood full of iron. "It seems, Shadow, followed orders perfectly. I do hope, you are not disgusted by liver...the freshest and uncooked will help with the bloodloss." She reached a hand down to gather the webbed food, unsheathing her dagger to slice it open carefully. Indeed within was a raw liver, this was still warm, it smelt gamey and possibly a deer. Aishani sliced a corner, offering the food to Kane with a taunt on his lips. "Once we return to Elcarus estate, you will be tended to with liver and leafy greens to help with the iron and regenerate faster. I've used the trick once or twice."
Kane didn’t hesitate taking the slice from her, without thought swallowing it down “It all helps, but I assure by the time we reach the Mansion I’ll be good to go, this isn’t my only near fatal dance with death” A soft smile as he leant to place a kiss to her cheek “But in the meantime I’ll be good and do as instructed” With a smile he took down another piece of liver.
A smirk formed on her lips to Kane's words, while she continued to feed him with slice after slice. "Admit it, you like being pawned over. Obviously this isn't your first dance." But when she was finished, Shadow gathered the bloody webbing to drag it outside. She adjusted to stand and guide him with a strong support to rise, allowing him to lean upon her. "Well, then shall we get this show on the road? The sooner we move the better. That liver should sustain you until we arrive back to the mansion."
No comments:
Post a Comment