'shhunk'. It was a distant, unidentified sound that served only to disturb me. 'shhunk'. I was content to ignore it for now. The agony that had consumed every inch of me only hours (or was it years?) before had slowly, mercifully faded away to memory, and a deeply peaceful silence had replaced it. I was so utterly grateful for that fact. It was dark. I couldn't see a damned thing, but then I was not even certain my eyes were open. I remember trying to see, but instantly my eyes felt as if they turned sand the moment I did and since it made little sense to me at the time, I was content to remain still and stop trying. It was quiet here. I liked it very much.
'shhunk'. There it was again. It seemed like an eternity ago that the sound started, but the fog in my mind refused to make sense of it and once again it flitted away from me. 'Where am I?' I wonder inwardly and yet I feel no urgency to answer the question. There was such an alluring attraction to the cool darkness that I could have laid there forever and been content to do so. But there were three little problems that were beginning to make that feel impossible.
'shhunk'. Yep, that was the first one. That noise was beginning to strain on my hard earned calm. Oddly it was beginning to annoy me that it's relentless presence was appearing to grow louder and did not appear to be stopping any time soon. 'shhunk' Yes...it was getting louder, how odd. This fact alone disturbs me enough that I feel my fingers twitch, and for the first time I since my arrival into this situation, my mind and body reconnect. 'shhunk'. Yes, it was indeed getting on my last nerve. Without that blasted noise, I might have been able to ignore my other two problems.
Without a doubt, my next problem appeared to be quickly becoming my most pressing. My stomach growled. At least, I think it did. It wasn't an actual sound, or that typical grumble feeling you get when you skip a meal. No, this was something else. It was like the annoying noise that grew louder as I lay there, except this was a feeling. It started like that little pang of hunger when you could use a quick bite to refuel, but it took very little time for that pang to morph into pain. It started in my stomach, but as the noise grew closer, 'shhunk'...and I swear I could feel the noise now, not just hear it, my belly tightened and I felt my fists clench. I could...smell something now, something....delicious. Oh how that smell enticed me.
'shhunk'. Yes, that one I definitely felt. And something new. Distant, muffled voices, and the grunt of labor rising from above me. I was confused. I wanted the noise to stop, it was infuriating me. I just wanted the quiet, but it wouldn't stop! It was making me angry, which too was odd. I rarely got angry, nothing seemed so important as to require my rage, but this incessant noise was doing the job as nothing in recent memory had been able to do in all my years in the Queen's service. I tried to logically reflect on that fact, but both the noise and my rising need for sustenance refused to allow me to concentrate.
'shhunk'. At the same moment the noise reverberated around my resting place, I felt a sharp punch of metal tear into my leg. I felt it and yet it was as if it had happened to someone else. There was a dulled, distant pain that was not nearly so urgent as the one rising in my head, the one that was consuming me. I felt it push out all other matters from my brain, one by one putting aside the silly little details that muddled my mind and left only one message echoing over and over again in its wake. FEED.
The voices that drew me finally to a sense of alertness that I had never before experienced in my entire life, were close now. "I hit sumthin" I hear clearly, and this wrings a strange, perhaps drunken giggle from another, "bout time too" followed by a snicker and then I feel two solid boots hit the ground very close by. "whatcha got?". It was the first again. I still can not see a thing, but I can smell them both now. Dirty. A disgusting mix of body odor and booze. "dunno, but lets make dis quick, don't like hangin out here at night". This wrings laughter from the other one, the one who is down close to me, "what's de matter? Ya afraid of ghosts?" he chortles, but something in his tone, the flutter of his heartbeat suggests to me, that he too is afraid to be here. It dawns on me then that I can hear his heartbeat, and the sound is the most beautiful thing I have ever heard. A rhythmic, alluring crush of blood through muscle as it pumps through his veins and I find myself entranced by the music of it.
By hand, I am uncovered as the music thumps and pulses above me and I am driven to madness by its call. ~Wait~ I command myself, but the music and the need were rising together, it was difficult to do so. Finally there is a flicker of light through my eyelids "what the....she's not even in a box" he calls up, "yah, but what's she got?" is returned down the hole, "better be worth it" he adds from above, sounding as if he was losing his patience with their little adventure. I feel hands pushing dirt off of me, and then digging at my belt, and I hear a familiar jingle. "hah! Payoff!" And with that, I feel my coin pouch cut off my belt, but it was not until his next words do I respond. "hey....nice daggers" and he greedily helps himself to my blades. He looks up, showing the pair to his companion as his grin is reflected in the torch light that had been thrust in the ground at the top of the grave.
It was his partner's expression that confused him, his horrified face as he watched my hands rise out of the dirt and reach for the blades his friend was holding. "those are mine" I inform him, but I admit it might have come out more of a coughed mumble as my mouth was full of dirt at the time. The dusty words tumble out from between my teeth as he scrambles backwards, scrabbling away from me in the very close quarters. I sit up, as he retreats, his face is one of pure fear and for some reason it delights me. The music of his heart has hit a crescendo of hammering terror and it insights me to a frenzy. I leap at him, and before I know it, I have sunk my teeth into his soft flesh at the base of his neck. He screams in a panic known only to the hunted, and as he does, his blood flows over my lips and washes my tongue clean. Oh the taste, the lustful, sinful, exotic flavor of salt and iron, of life and breath all flowing down my throat.
I take my fill of him and leave him in a slump. I find my coin purse still clutched in his other hand and I leave him to it, the coins seemingly meaningless to me at the moment. I look up to the edge of the grave and of course, find myself alone. His friend has made it nearly to the edge of the graveyard, I can hear his panicked heart racing like a symphony. The man never makes it home. I kill him quickly and drain him as I nourish myself again, leaving his corpse in the tall swaying grass, letting the animals to finish off what I leave behind.
It is late, or early if you prefer as I start to see the first hint of purple at the horizon, the sign that daylight will soon be arriving. This sends a little jolt of panic through me as I realize that I am not what I was before and I had no where to go. 'What now?' I wonder to myself, and for a moment, I feel more free than I have in my entire life as I stand seemingly at a crossroads. I stare out over the darkened grasslands and listen to the life teeming within it. No one knows I am here. It is then that my third and final problem reinserts itself into my psyche. One that had been ever present in my rest, one that I could push away so long as the cool, protective darkness remained. Just as the noise had pestered me awake, there is also another persistent, inescapable splinter in my brain that, try as I might, I can not ignore.
"Return to me".
Monday, March 30, 2015
Sunday, March 29, 2015
Loose Ends
I am wandering around the manor like a caged panther, roaming from room to room looking for something, anything to distract me from horror of my bordem. My Lord has been couped up in his office all evening, and as per usual, did not join me for the poached fish the cook made me for dinner. Not that I expected him to. He rarely indulged in such formalities, which was odd considering his social status. Of course with his position, he would from time to time be forced to fake it for the other elites, so that he would not risk his coveted position among them. He knows the golden rule. You must play the game or lose what you hold. He was better at it than one would think, blending easily amongst them, so long as he was not expected to sway the ladies. In that...My Lord, simply lacked the neccessary skills. I suppose in that way, we were alike. I was never impressed by romance and considered time wasted upon its pursuit.
I trace my finger along a shelf upon the bookcase, finding not a speck of dust upon its surface. I am not surprised as the dull faced woman who cleans the place was puttering around underfoot most of the afternoon before she let herself out the servants door at dusk. I roam past the thick mahogany door, and I pick up the faintest sound of Lord Sendon's quill dragging over parchment, and I sigh. He knows I am out here, but clearly has nothing for me to do. It is a waste of my skills and we both know it, but for now, I have been ordered to stay put. The rebels have upped the pressure upon the Crown since my removal from the Militia and attacks are up. Even here in Vermidian they have grown bold, but my Lord insists I stay off the streets while the violence against women who dare challenge the status quo grows in its frequency.
"Your place" his voice was smooth, cool and bearing only the slightest annoyance as I broached the subject yet again with my Lord just yesterday. "...is where I say it is" he reminds me. "yes My Lord, of course" my response is automatic and earnestly spoken, "but its been over a month" my voice remains steady, but he can see my frustration in my eyes and it draws a uncommonly sympathetic expression in return. "I know you are climbing the walls" his voice grows more stern, like a parent chastising a child, and somehow I am soothed by it, "but you Nakieri, attract entirely too much attention at the moment and I need you here, ensuring my continued safety." The last part was a bold faced lie and we both know it, but it draws a smirk to my lips for his effort. "As you wish My Lord" my response is respectful and accepting as I move to depart his office, but as I do we both hear the ring of the bell, as the cord in the foyer announces the arrival of someone to the courtyard.
"It is rather late for a social call" My Lord states as he steps into the door frame and looks to the front door, his brow crinkling and something about his stance grows wary. "Allow me My Lord" simply happy for the distraction, as I approach and open the heavy barrier. I must say, I did not expect what I found on the other side, and my expression must have stated as much.
"Good evening Nakieri" Commander Maverick's voice was tired, and his expression was as unhappy as I had ever seen it. He was standing in full uniform upon the top step, his features clearly displeased. Not only was he looking rather stern, but he did not come alone, as four fully dressed soldiers had accompanied him, standing at his back in the small courtyard. "Commander?" my response was instinctual, and within a heartbeat I realized my error, but it seemed pointless to correct it. "What can I do for you Colin?" I asked my former mentor, deliberately returning with his first name. It was a risky move, the man was still a duke after all, but at the moment, I didn't really care. I tried very hard to seem disinterested in his answer, but I admit, I was blind sided by what came next.
"I am here to bring Baron Jayson Sendon into custody for questioning" the Commander announced, and he must have been expecting my stunned expression, because he immediately had more to add, looking towards my Lord, who had closed the distance between the office and the front door. He maneuvered himself in such a way as to guide me further out the door, and force Colin to back step, if decorum was to be observed. My Lord stepped fully into the door frame, and Colin retreated to the bottom stair, I took my place at his right hand, upon the top step and waited, having absolutely no idea what this was about. I looked to Lord Sendon expectantly, then back to the Commander, as it was his voice that broke the silence first, "excellent, Baron Sendon, thank you for your cooperation in this matter" Colin's tone was practiced, nobility polishing his tone and words.
My Lord's reply was equally as smooth, his expression and tone remained calm and open as he spoke, "Colin...please.." he began, ignoring the fact that the Duke far out ranked him, and addressing him casually "there must be some mistake" he insisted, a light smile playing over his lips, his dark eyes lifting to the soldiers flanking the stone gargoyle in the center of the small courtyard. My former Commander shook his head, but his words agreed regardless, "Jayson, that is very likely true" he replied, "this is just a formality. Once we have this sorted out, you can go about your business as usual". There was something in his eyes, something about the twitch in his lip as he spoke and the way he looked anywhere but at the Baron and it was at that moment, I knew the old Duke was lying. He had something on the Baron, I could see it in his eyes, and in an instant my gaze shifted to my Lord, wondering if he knew it too.
"I see" Lord Sendon replied, his tone chilled and it was clear to me, that he saw it too. Colin was a painfully honest man. It was hard for him to lie, I had seen it before, and I was seeing it now. "well, might I ask what it is I am being questioned about?" he asked, his tone was nearly bored as he speaks, his position in the doorway unchanged. "There is evidence of your involvement with a high ranking cabal member" the Commander informs him, "and I will be happy to give you all the details once we have arrived at the Council Chambers. You will be questioned by myself and the Nobles Council regarding your connection to the Criminal known as Sebastion.". There is no betraying the confusion upon my Lord's face, "who in blazes is Sebastion?" the Baron returns incredilously his gaze shifting from Colin to me, and I lean in to the baron to explain "the executed criminal last month, the one I told you about". This wrings a small nod and a flicker of recognition in my Lord's eyes, "ahh yes, the escape artist" he smiles a moment then looks to Colin, his confusion returning, "what about him? I only met the man once" he confessed, "I barely knew him" he adds, leaning upon the door frame, crossing his arms before him.
The Commander ascends a single step, bringing him closer to the Baron, and his tone deepens, and I hear his baritone voice lift in authority. "This questioning will continue in the Council Chambers" he informs us, and I can see a single brow lift upon the Barons face, and he sighs and shakes his head. "I am afraid my good Duke", a single finger lifts between them and he waves it in time with his head as he denies the Commander, "that I am going to have to decline". The Baron centers himself in the doorway, his hand still upon the knob. "I know it is terribly rude of me" my Lord continues, "but you see, I am rather busy, and have no time for this sort of nonsense" he then smiles and shifts his eyes to me. "Nakieri, be a good girl....." his expression darkens, and his tone is as commanding as it has ever been in my presence. "deal with this, in any way you must". with that, Baron Jayson Sendon, offers the Commander a shallow bow, his face bearing a sly smirk, "best of luck" he offers the old Duke before shutting the door and locking it soundly, leaving me to face my old commander and his minions alone.
"Damn it". This lifts from Colin, and he draws a heavy sigh and his head then shakes too as he looks to me. "Nakieri, step aside" he commands, and for a moment, I really think he expected me to obey him. Instead, I take the two steps to put myself in front of my Lord's door and cross my arms, "we all have our orders" I reply coolly, and I can tell Colin was caught off guard, "you can't be serious. Nakieri, you are a good soldier, ..this....this is....treason..." the last word nearly comes out as a whisper. I sigh, my arms still crossed over my stomach, "I -was- a good soldier Colin" I agree, nodding as I speak, "and yes....I suppose this does qualify as treason" I conclude, my eyes lifting past the Commander, to the four men looking incredibly uncomfortable behind him. I had been their Captain, three of them for years, one of them, I had saved his life just a few months earlier. All of them at this moment, appeared to wish to be anywhere but here. My eyes are upon them as I speak again, "you have no idea how much this pains me" I admit to them, and then I look to my former Commander, and I speak as honestly as I ever have, "I truly regret that it has come to this Colin" I tell him.
I do not give him time to reply, I give none of them any warning at all. My fingers had long since reached for daggers in my belt sheaths, and gripped a pair of them between the tips as my arms sat crossed beneath my breasts. My hands came up armed as I leapt. I lunged off of the top step, both swiping my left blade towards Colin's throat while the other plunged into the soft spot beneath his arm as he raised them to defend himself, avoiding all that ridiculous armor he so prized. My first blade dragged over his jugular while the other sunk deeply between his ribs, punching a nice sized hole in his lung. I tucked my feet up and in, releasing the dagger in his ribs and gripping the edge of his armor, and rode the man down as he fell upon his back, his shocked expression screaming out the betrayal that the blood had silenced in this throat. His armor clanged loudly as he collapsed upon the cobblestones at the foot of the gargoyle and for a brief moment I looked into his eyes as he realized in horror that I just killed him in cold blood.
Four stunned guards, stared at me, crouched upon the chest plate of the old Duke, a growing puddle of blood beginning to pool beneath him quickly as both wounds drained the man of life. It was no more than a heartbeat later that I stood straight up, right upon the man's chest plate, leaving one of my blades buried in the old man's ribs, grinning at the guards, "bet you didn't see that one coming" my tone is shrill and maniacal, "how's -that- for treason for you hmm?" I add as my hand shoots up and reaches for a curled horn upon the gargoyle looming over me. As I yank it, the cobblestones beneath the Commander opens up and we both disappear into the dark, yawning hole as the trap door beneath us swings down into a stone corridor below. There is another clatter of armor as the Commander hits the floor below, and above I hear one of the soldiers begin to bark orders, "don't just stand there you idiots!!...FIND HER!! FIND THEM BOTH!!!". I look briefly to the man lying on the shadowed corridor floor, a rectangle of torch light from above framing his body. "my apologies Colin" I whisper to the corpse, "I never meant for it to end this way" I insist quietly, "But...do say hello to Mother for me" I add before I turn from the light and race down the corridor, wondering if I had bought my Lord enough time to escape. I truly hoped so as the sound of distant splintering wood could be heard echoing down the stone hallway as the front door gave up its hinges.
I trace my finger along a shelf upon the bookcase, finding not a speck of dust upon its surface. I am not surprised as the dull faced woman who cleans the place was puttering around underfoot most of the afternoon before she let herself out the servants door at dusk. I roam past the thick mahogany door, and I pick up the faintest sound of Lord Sendon's quill dragging over parchment, and I sigh. He knows I am out here, but clearly has nothing for me to do. It is a waste of my skills and we both know it, but for now, I have been ordered to stay put. The rebels have upped the pressure upon the Crown since my removal from the Militia and attacks are up. Even here in Vermidian they have grown bold, but my Lord insists I stay off the streets while the violence against women who dare challenge the status quo grows in its frequency.
"Your place" his voice was smooth, cool and bearing only the slightest annoyance as I broached the subject yet again with my Lord just yesterday. "...is where I say it is" he reminds me. "yes My Lord, of course" my response is automatic and earnestly spoken, "but its been over a month" my voice remains steady, but he can see my frustration in my eyes and it draws a uncommonly sympathetic expression in return. "I know you are climbing the walls" his voice grows more stern, like a parent chastising a child, and somehow I am soothed by it, "but you Nakieri, attract entirely too much attention at the moment and I need you here, ensuring my continued safety." The last part was a bold faced lie and we both know it, but it draws a smirk to my lips for his effort. "As you wish My Lord" my response is respectful and accepting as I move to depart his office, but as I do we both hear the ring of the bell, as the cord in the foyer announces the arrival of someone to the courtyard.
"It is rather late for a social call" My Lord states as he steps into the door frame and looks to the front door, his brow crinkling and something about his stance grows wary. "Allow me My Lord" simply happy for the distraction, as I approach and open the heavy barrier. I must say, I did not expect what I found on the other side, and my expression must have stated as much.
"Good evening Nakieri" Commander Maverick's voice was tired, and his expression was as unhappy as I had ever seen it. He was standing in full uniform upon the top step, his features clearly displeased. Not only was he looking rather stern, but he did not come alone, as four fully dressed soldiers had accompanied him, standing at his back in the small courtyard. "Commander?" my response was instinctual, and within a heartbeat I realized my error, but it seemed pointless to correct it. "What can I do for you Colin?" I asked my former mentor, deliberately returning with his first name. It was a risky move, the man was still a duke after all, but at the moment, I didn't really care. I tried very hard to seem disinterested in his answer, but I admit, I was blind sided by what came next.
"I am here to bring Baron Jayson Sendon into custody for questioning" the Commander announced, and he must have been expecting my stunned expression, because he immediately had more to add, looking towards my Lord, who had closed the distance between the office and the front door. He maneuvered himself in such a way as to guide me further out the door, and force Colin to back step, if decorum was to be observed. My Lord stepped fully into the door frame, and Colin retreated to the bottom stair, I took my place at his right hand, upon the top step and waited, having absolutely no idea what this was about. I looked to Lord Sendon expectantly, then back to the Commander, as it was his voice that broke the silence first, "excellent, Baron Sendon, thank you for your cooperation in this matter" Colin's tone was practiced, nobility polishing his tone and words.
My Lord's reply was equally as smooth, his expression and tone remained calm and open as he spoke, "Colin...please.." he began, ignoring the fact that the Duke far out ranked him, and addressing him casually "there must be some mistake" he insisted, a light smile playing over his lips, his dark eyes lifting to the soldiers flanking the stone gargoyle in the center of the small courtyard. My former Commander shook his head, but his words agreed regardless, "Jayson, that is very likely true" he replied, "this is just a formality. Once we have this sorted out, you can go about your business as usual". There was something in his eyes, something about the twitch in his lip as he spoke and the way he looked anywhere but at the Baron and it was at that moment, I knew the old Duke was lying. He had something on the Baron, I could see it in his eyes, and in an instant my gaze shifted to my Lord, wondering if he knew it too.
"I see" Lord Sendon replied, his tone chilled and it was clear to me, that he saw it too. Colin was a painfully honest man. It was hard for him to lie, I had seen it before, and I was seeing it now. "well, might I ask what it is I am being questioned about?" he asked, his tone was nearly bored as he speaks, his position in the doorway unchanged. "There is evidence of your involvement with a high ranking cabal member" the Commander informs him, "and I will be happy to give you all the details once we have arrived at the Council Chambers. You will be questioned by myself and the Nobles Council regarding your connection to the Criminal known as Sebastion.". There is no betraying the confusion upon my Lord's face, "who in blazes is Sebastion?" the Baron returns incredilously his gaze shifting from Colin to me, and I lean in to the baron to explain "the executed criminal last month, the one I told you about". This wrings a small nod and a flicker of recognition in my Lord's eyes, "ahh yes, the escape artist" he smiles a moment then looks to Colin, his confusion returning, "what about him? I only met the man once" he confessed, "I barely knew him" he adds, leaning upon the door frame, crossing his arms before him.
The Commander ascends a single step, bringing him closer to the Baron, and his tone deepens, and I hear his baritone voice lift in authority. "This questioning will continue in the Council Chambers" he informs us, and I can see a single brow lift upon the Barons face, and he sighs and shakes his head. "I am afraid my good Duke", a single finger lifts between them and he waves it in time with his head as he denies the Commander, "that I am going to have to decline". The Baron centers himself in the doorway, his hand still upon the knob. "I know it is terribly rude of me" my Lord continues, "but you see, I am rather busy, and have no time for this sort of nonsense" he then smiles and shifts his eyes to me. "Nakieri, be a good girl....." his expression darkens, and his tone is as commanding as it has ever been in my presence. "deal with this, in any way you must". with that, Baron Jayson Sendon, offers the Commander a shallow bow, his face bearing a sly smirk, "best of luck" he offers the old Duke before shutting the door and locking it soundly, leaving me to face my old commander and his minions alone.
"Damn it". This lifts from Colin, and he draws a heavy sigh and his head then shakes too as he looks to me. "Nakieri, step aside" he commands, and for a moment, I really think he expected me to obey him. Instead, I take the two steps to put myself in front of my Lord's door and cross my arms, "we all have our orders" I reply coolly, and I can tell Colin was caught off guard, "you can't be serious. Nakieri, you are a good soldier, ..this....this is....treason..." the last word nearly comes out as a whisper. I sigh, my arms still crossed over my stomach, "I -was- a good soldier Colin" I agree, nodding as I speak, "and yes....I suppose this does qualify as treason" I conclude, my eyes lifting past the Commander, to the four men looking incredibly uncomfortable behind him. I had been their Captain, three of them for years, one of them, I had saved his life just a few months earlier. All of them at this moment, appeared to wish to be anywhere but here. My eyes are upon them as I speak again, "you have no idea how much this pains me" I admit to them, and then I look to my former Commander, and I speak as honestly as I ever have, "I truly regret that it has come to this Colin" I tell him.
I do not give him time to reply, I give none of them any warning at all. My fingers had long since reached for daggers in my belt sheaths, and gripped a pair of them between the tips as my arms sat crossed beneath my breasts. My hands came up armed as I leapt. I lunged off of the top step, both swiping my left blade towards Colin's throat while the other plunged into the soft spot beneath his arm as he raised them to defend himself, avoiding all that ridiculous armor he so prized. My first blade dragged over his jugular while the other sunk deeply between his ribs, punching a nice sized hole in his lung. I tucked my feet up and in, releasing the dagger in his ribs and gripping the edge of his armor, and rode the man down as he fell upon his back, his shocked expression screaming out the betrayal that the blood had silenced in this throat. His armor clanged loudly as he collapsed upon the cobblestones at the foot of the gargoyle and for a brief moment I looked into his eyes as he realized in horror that I just killed him in cold blood.
Four stunned guards, stared at me, crouched upon the chest plate of the old Duke, a growing puddle of blood beginning to pool beneath him quickly as both wounds drained the man of life. It was no more than a heartbeat later that I stood straight up, right upon the man's chest plate, leaving one of my blades buried in the old man's ribs, grinning at the guards, "bet you didn't see that one coming" my tone is shrill and maniacal, "how's -that- for treason for you hmm?" I add as my hand shoots up and reaches for a curled horn upon the gargoyle looming over me. As I yank it, the cobblestones beneath the Commander opens up and we both disappear into the dark, yawning hole as the trap door beneath us swings down into a stone corridor below. There is another clatter of armor as the Commander hits the floor below, and above I hear one of the soldiers begin to bark orders, "don't just stand there you idiots!!...FIND HER!! FIND THEM BOTH!!!". I look briefly to the man lying on the shadowed corridor floor, a rectangle of torch light from above framing his body. "my apologies Colin" I whisper to the corpse, "I never meant for it to end this way" I insist quietly, "But...do say hello to Mother for me" I add before I turn from the light and race down the corridor, wondering if I had bought my Lord enough time to escape. I truly hoped so as the sound of distant splintering wood could be heard echoing down the stone hallway as the front door gave up its hinges.
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