Magic's Reluctant Bride (closed for maurader13

[AngelofDeath]

Mel nearly spit out the mouthful of wine she was in the middle of swallowing. Instead after some coughing and choking she got to her feet and stalked over to Len. Jeral knew that look in her eyes, Mel had just pieced something together. His suspicions were confirmed when she said, "You let me win. I knew it you actually let me win that match."

All three guards shook their heads, Mel preferred to loose than to have someone let her win. They expected her to lapse into her usual tirade, but instead she simply shrugged her shoulders, "That just means we'll have to duel again, after that horse race." The guards groaned softly. Len had open the floodgates, there really was no one with a bigger competitive streak than the Princess. If she lost fair and square so be it, otherwise she'd keep pushing until she lost or she won. Soft chuckles filled the air as they settled down along with Mel who took her place at Len's side. As they ate Mel was half in half out the circle of Len's arms and his lap, the two of them sharing their food with the other while Jeral and the other guards filled Len in on Mel's younger days, before her father had finally taken the reins.

"So there she is, an arrow between her teeth two buckets in each hand standing on the roof of the stables in the pouring rain. Why you ask? Because Mel has enough ego to prove she's as good as the rest of us. Sure a few of the boys goaded her into it, mainly because they were sure the little princess would give in after a few minutes of standing in the rain. She stayed out there long enough to earn their respect and a lovely cold at the same time."

"It was worth it," Mel said chewing another piece of rabbit. "Those boys now men would follow my lead if I ask them too. You can make someone fight for you, but you cannot make them fight and die with you. That sort of respect can only be earned, not commanded at the drop of a hat just because you are of noble birth."

All three guards nodded in agreement, raising their cups to her.

 

[marauder13]

Len listened to the others talk of Mel's past. The more he learned of her, the happier he was that she would be a fine life companion for him. But the reactions of the guardsmen was what impressed him even more. His guardsmen would fight and die for him is he asked them to. He knew that. But they wouldn't do it out of any personal respect as these men would for Mel. That was something he would work on when he returned.

"I must thank you all for showing me more of Melisandra. I can't express how pleased I am that she has such good friends to look out for her. I would also say that I am slightly jealous of her achievements as well."

Len looked at Jeral, his face impassive as he spoke. "Given all I have heard of the men who were called on to find and escort Melisandra home, I must thank them for their treatment of me, given the circumstances of our first meeting. I am grateful that you have shown me the respect that I am due to my station, but more so for your acceptance of me, since I seem to have Melisandra's favour." Len took his own cup and raised it in the air. "I thank you all, and this small favour that you have shown me will hold the people of Brask in good measure in my eyes." He took a sip from his cup, then turned to look at Mel who was leaning against him.

"You are one lucky lady, Mel." He gently kissed her cheek. "To have such men as friends... anyone would be jealous."

 

[AngelofDeath]

Mel just blushed and ducked her head. Len was right of course, they were all good friends and she really wouldn't know what to do without them around. After much more drinking and finishing their dinners everyone got ready for bed. Mel gave each guard a deep hug and they all shook hands with Len. Things might have started out roughly, but it was obvious that he had their approval, for what it was worth. In the confines of the tent, Mel curled up with Len, his arms tightly around her. She didn't want to leave the forest, but he was worried, and admittedly she was as well. "I love you," She kissed his jaw before settling down for their last peaceful night together, without worry of someone in Brask complaining.

The night thankfully passed slowly and when the sun rose, everyone packed up. Mel determined to have her race, talked Jeral and the others to take the excess items until the two were done. "So the first one to that ridge wins the race. Winner gets whatever they want." She gave him a heated gaze as they moved their mounts apart and got ready. Jeral gave the signal and the two took off, the hooves of their horses kicking up dirt and grass in their wake.

Mel shot Len a wink as they raced, her heels digging into the stallion's side, the dark horse flying over the ground and pulling away from Len and his brown mount. She gave a shout as the distance between them and Len grew wider. In the background she could hear the guards cheering her on. The second set of hoofs beats faded into the background, Mel's thoughts and eyes on the unmarked finish line. When she reached the ridge Mel pulled the stallion to a short stop. She turned and blew Len a kiss. Cupping her mouth, Mel started to shout, but her words were cut short as the horse suddenly began to panic and buck.

"Whoa, boy," Mel looked around, trying to spot the snake she assumed was panicking the horse. She didn't see anything and eventually the stallion bucked and kicked hard enough to send her flying. The princess scrambled into a ball, crying out as pain lanced up her left arm as the horse headed back for Len and the others.

"Mel!!" Looking up she could see Jeral and the other catching up while Len went to stop her horse. Gasping she tried to get to her feet, when the ground began to shake.

"LEN!!" Mel screamed as it felt like the ground was moving in waves under her. Her next scream was completely drowned out by a loud roaring shriek. The sound had Mel dropping to the ground and covering her ears. Just as a thick curtain of black and red smoke circled her, Mel watched as a huge beast appeared out of nowhere and descended upon the men she loved and cared for. "LEN!!!" The ground shook harder with its feet hit the ground. All of the horses began to panic as the once yellow sun turned red.

 

[marauder13]

Len looked forward to the as a means of restoring some balance. He knew that he mount was outclassed by hers, and he would do the best he could, without the aid of enchantments. Of course, loosing gracefully.

Len was amazed that his normally sedate mount was getting caught up in the excitement of the moment, and seemed willing to race. With Jeral signally their start, they were off. Mel's stead was clearly superior and pulled away from Len's with ease. He watched her approach the finish point, turning triumphantly and waving to Len and blowing him a kiss. He smiled at the gesture, wanting to get to her and give her a proper kiss as her prize for winning, in addition to whatever else she would demand.

He saw her horse rear, and he slowed his mount a little watching the event unfold. The horse became violent in its actions, trying to throw his rider. He eventually sent Mel into the air, and Len renewed the race to reach her. He managed to gain control over her mount as Jeral and the other guards arrived.

But then he felt the surge of Power, and he reined his horse into a stop. "Jeral, look after the steads." He jumped off his horse, running to Mel, his sword free of the scabbard as the power started to coalesce.

"Grhaaresh!" His body was encased in a suit of armour, similar to full plate mail, except is was green crystal. A shield appeared on his off arm as well.

"Ghoreph!" His chest, and arms broadened and thickened, bulking with bone and muscle.

Ahead of him, standing between Len and Mel was a creature from one of the Hells of the Void. The scarlet mist and obsidian smoke dissipated to reveal the full extent of the demon advancing on them. Four massive legs supported a massively muscular body that housed six almost tentacle like limbs ending in a bulb of razor sharp talons. The head that crowned the demon's ash gray scaled exterior sported four eyes, the remnants of what could have been a snout over the top of a maw that seemed to be nothing up teeth.

"Braskmen, stay back!" Len's heart was racing, trying to think of what he could do to remove the foul creature brought forth into the world. One of the guardsmen either didn't hear Len's call, or chose to ignore it and rode past him to attack the creature. Before Len could do anything, three of the limbs lashed out with unerring accuracy. One struck the horse, turning it into a bloodied mass of bone and flesh, while the other two struck, literally shredding the guardsman before his remains splashed to the ground. The beast roared in triumph turning it's attentions to Len.

"Hasah Hellah, to me! Kaakzekpatah, to me!" Len felt the elementals respond to his calls, fulfilling the pacts long ago sealed between them. "Forrenze!" Flames grew along the length of his blade, gathering at the tip before Len pointed it at the demon. The flame flew through the air like a spear slamming into the creature's chest, scorching it's skin.

Two limbs flashed out, Len angled his shield to take the blows, while lashing out with his sword with great speed and agility slashing both limbs as they bounced off his raised shield. Even though glancing, the impacts drove him to his knees.

"Kzaccell!" From the skies a bolt of lightning lanced down to strike the demon. The enormous thunderclap threw the guardsmen form their mounts, and stunned Len, long enough for the Demon to land a blow to his side, cracking the crystal that covered his ribs, and send him airborne.

The very earth itself reached out, clutching his leg and ceased his flight. With a scream of pain, he was brought back to the ground close to the frightened guardsmen as the demon continued to close of them.

"Gods, I have to teach it to save me a different way. Get Mel!" Len stood hobbling slightly. "Let's hope this works as I hope it will. Reflectell!"

The demon lashed out again, four of it's arms coming for him. Three of them went wide of the mark, slamming into the ground, while the fourth slammed Len into the ground. Len snapped two strikes against the arm that pinned him to the ground, slicing into the flesh of the creature. Viscous black fluid oozed from the wound, cause the ground to smoke where it struck. The demon used it's other arms to strike at the guardsmen. Both men were just outside the creatures reach.

"Kaakzekpatah, grab it!" The earth formed huge holes under the demon's feet, before slamming closed on the lower limbs. More blows rained down on Len as he scrambled away, closing on Mel and the other guardsmen. His armour cracked further as the blows that were not countered by his magics battered and knocked him around.

"Jeral, get her away, NOW!"

The demon roared and started attacking the ground. The strikes caused the ground to erupt and shake, sending ash into the air. The ground reached up and clubbed the demon, the sounds of the blows worse than boulders crashing onto the ground. The demon ripped a foot free as the ground it stood on turned more to ash.

"Gods! Go! Go now." The three from Brask reluctantly ran from the battle scene. Len readied himself for the next onslaught form the beast.

"Mullraah!" The flames that formed before him were more intense in their colours than the previous flames Len called. With a boom, the flames smashed into the Demon, causing it to stagger and bellow in pain as its flesh smoked and burned. Some of the Demon's blows missed, but yet another blow lifted Len from his feet, hurling him past Mel and her companions. He landed with a bone breaking and armour shattering impact, rolling on the ground for a few yards before gaining his feet. The shield was destroyed, and he threw the remains to the ground.

Jeral continued to half carry half guide Mel as the other guardsman watched the progress of the demon. The creature lashed out at Jeral, and the guardsman blocked the blow with his shield. The shield, and the arm holding it were torn away from the guardsman before slamming into Jeral, knocking him and Mel to the ground. Two of the limbs encircled Mel, lifting her from the ground. Both Jeral and Len stood to give chase. The demon lashed out at the two, Len putting himself between the demon and Jeral as one of the clawed limbs smashed through Len's breastplate, knocking the pair to the ground.

The demon roared, rearing up to finish them off when its head jerked as if someone tugged a rein. It turned back readying itself to strike them again before turning from them, screaming in rage as the scarlet mist and obsidian smoke enveloped the field.

"Mel! MEL!" Jeral's voice echoed across the field while he ran after her through the thick air. Soon the air cleared, and there was no sign of Melisandra, nor the demon. Len released all the enchantments, and started coughing up blood.

"Jeral... my horse. Sky blue... vial in... bag...... need.. it." Len slumped to the ground, blood leaking from his mouth. Jeral found the mounts slowly returning to them some distance away. He found the vial Len described. He sat the young man up, pulling the stopper. The smell of mint filled the air as Jeral poured the contents into Len's mouth. Len coughed a little and looked at the older man.

"Thank you," Len whispered before slumping in Jeral's arms. Jeral laid Len on the ground, closing Len's eyes before he saw to his other dead comrade.

 

[AngelofDeath]

It was slow and dirty work, but Jeral had no choice to do it. If not for the slow almost unnoticeable rise and fall of Len's chest, the Captain of the guard might have thought the young prince dead. Whatever had been in that vial was allowing him to heal the damage done to his body. His spirit however would be another matter, that would only come with the return of Mel. Gods help whoever was responsible for this attack. If Jeral didn't gut them while they still drew breath and left them for the crows Len once he was able to would lay certain waste to them. He had left with two men and his princess and would now return with one dead body and no Mel. That thing...demon had been under someone's control, was sure of it. It it wasn't it would have slaughtered them all. Helfire it would have killed Mel first because it had been closest to her. The real trick would be figuring out who had taken her and why. Obviously it had to be someone capable of wielding magic which meant every finger in Brask would be pointing to Len and his kingdom. What would work in favor of Len at least would be the fact Jeral had been there and despite the sheer panic and insanity of it all, he knew what he saw and knew it to be true. He knew Len loved Mel as much as he did, not in the same way, but enough to lay down his life to secure her safety. He used his clock to wrap the body of the younger guard, old enough to be a man, but not old enough to have really lived his life or known what real love was.

If not for the fact there were four horses to deal with and Jeral knew that Mel would have his head for leaving any behind he didn't bother with piecing together a drag sled to transport Len back to Brask. Instead Jeral mounted his own horse, a sturdy warhorse with Len seated in front of him and made for the lonely and bloody trip home.

The sun had just started to set when they finally made their way into the castle courtyard. The wall guard having spotted him, calling down and passing the word along. Of course before Jeral had time to breath let alone think, Len was taken from him and carried inside. Dropping down from his horse he left the others to tend to the horses as well as their fallen brother. He had news to deliver and then someone would have to send a rider for Noden. Already he could feel the hairs raising on the back of his neck. This whole incident could set both kingdoms at each other's throats again, no matter what the truth was or what was said. Len was alive and Melisandra was... no, he shook his head, she was alive. If killing her had been the goal she would be dead already. No someone was out to hurt them all. He could only hope and pray that Mel would be untouched when they found her.

"Jeral what is going on? Where is my daughter?"

He lifted his eyes, knowing he looked like death warmed over and began to explain all that had happened.

Elsewhere...

"Oh yes, please tell that old fool everything you saw Jeral. It will do little to convince many that Len was involved or someone from the royal court." The hooded figure turned away from the scrying stone and went to check on his 'guest'. As expected she was still out cold from her little trip, then again the fact the demon had sent her flying to the ground hard enough to cut her scalp, had much to do with it. His pleasure at seeing Len being batted around like a cat toy had loosened his control on the beast and as such he had been forced to summon the beast back before it could kill both Jeral and Len. He wanted them both to live. The guilt would eat at them both for having lost one they loved so much.

A bandaged hand drew a razor sharp dagger from the inner folds of the cloak. Its owner took his time, cutting off section after section of Mel's long hair. He didn't cut it all, but more than enough to make it clear that she was his to do as he wished. Before he left he snatched the pendant from here neck and used the chain to bind all the hair together. This would come in handy later on when he sent his message. For now he would simply sit back and watch as those who had earned their punishment and their pain tried to pull themselves together. The demon had already been returned to the Void, he no longer had need of it. That part of his plan was done and over with. Now it was time on to move to the other parts of his plan. On the table next to where he tossed her hair there sat a large red vial along with a sizable emerald. For Mel tomorrow would be the first day of her reeducation. And when Len finally awoke from his healing sleep it would be the first day of his torture.

The Kingdom of Brask: Throne Room

Luc, Royal Adviser to the King of Brask stepped forward as Jeral finished giving his report. The guard had a bloodied nos, blood coming from one ear and overall looked as if he had fought some twenty strong men and had just managed to survive it all.

"So that is all there is to your report? Where was Len during all this? Why would allow the Princess to do something as foolish as race? She could have very well broken her neck, falling from that uncontrollable mount of hers. And how can you be so sure that Noden had nothing to do with this? Brask has no magic users."

Jeral turned on the younger man, grief and guilt slowly turning into rage, " I NEVER said Noden had nothing to do with this. I said that Len had nothing to do with this attack. Both Len and I as well as my dead men did our best to save Princess Melisandra and bring her home. As for why I let her race, I would love for you to explain how I should have stopped her. Have you forgotten this is the same Princess who fled this very castle not that long ago? The same Princess who has provided the Royal guard with some of the best and most surefooted mounts we have ever had and who had trained with us? What makes you think any of us are capable of stopping her from doing whatever she sets her mind to? There was no danger and they were racing over a flat stretch of grass. It was also a short race. You think we did not try? How about I show you the wounds and blood on Len? How about I show you the broken body of one of my men since the other is nothing more than blood and gore where this all took place." By the end of it all Jeral was shouting and had drawn several members of the court, guards and servants into the throne room.

"Jeral calm down. Luc meant no harm, but you must understand his thinking. This is all so sudden and you know as well as I do he is only thinking of my daughter. You did what you could and at least you two were able to make it out of this alive. Our guards would be without their most loved leader and Noden and Brask would be plunged into a war with no answers to our questions."

"Your forgiveness my lord,"Jeral bowed his head, suppressing the urge to choke the pompous adviser. How dare he question his loyalty to Mel and the king? The castle physician came in beside him.

"Your Highness, the Prince is alive, but unconscious, where shall we place him, until he wakes?"

"Put him in one of our finest guest rooms. I want nothing spared for him."

"My lord if I may suggest, Mel's room would be better. At least then he will not be as likely to panic. You did not see him out there, your highness. Yes Lentharian is unassuming, but there is much more to him, than the simple face he shows the world. Beneath all that is a brave warrior and a young man who is deeply and madly in love with your daughter. Her room will give him some small comfort and keep him from bringing the castle down around us in his anguish. I shall look over him while he recovers myself." The king simply nodded and waved Jeral off while he turned to Luc, instructing that their fastest rider be sent to Noden, explaining all that had happened and making it very clear that Len was indeed still alive and not suspected of having played a part in this. Len's cousin had returned to Noden just after Mel had gone to meet with Len, so this was their only option of notifying the King and Queen.

Jeral left them to it while he turned and followed to doctor out. Within an hour Len was set up in Mel's large bed, Jeral seated between the door and the bed, his arms crossed over his chest, and his head lowered as if in sleep, when in truth the battle weary guard was shedding a few tears,knowing that getting Mel back would be no easy task and that as much as he wished it, there was little chance she would come through this unscathed.

 

[marauder13]

Lentharian braced himself for the onslaught from the demon. The flurry of limbs rained down, some barely deflected by his magics. The other blows shattered his armour, broke his bones. He looked up as the creature lifted Mel towards its fang filled maw. It bit her, worrying her body as a terrier would a rat. Blood and other parts rained down over him as he looked up, incapable of doing anything to stop it.

Len moaned and cried in his sleep, his body trying to move. Jeral's head snapped up, looking at the Prince.

Lentharian watched as the demon easily dodged all of his attacks, and every mystical attack did nothing to the creature at all. But the demon focused its attacks on the Brask guardsmen, easily destroying the men systematically until Jeral was remaining. With almost deliberate care, the demon destroyed Jeral's body, leaving only his head intact, which rolled until it stopped at Lentharian's feet. Lentharian looked down as he felt the talons of the demon punch their way through his chest from his back.

As his body slide of the talons, Melisandra's screams rent the air. She ran towards Len, crying as she slid to a stop in front of him. She pulled Jeral's head towards her, her wails and crying were the last things he heard and saw as the darkness enveloped him...

A heart breaking groan escaped his lips while Jeral looked on, the guardsman unsure of what to do.

Lentharian could catch her scent, but then the wind would change and he'd loose it. "Mel!" He had to find her, and he knew she was nearby. He had to find. He couldn't afford to loose her, not so soon after finding her.

Lentharian's eyes opened to unfamiliar surrounds. He sat upright, looking around he saw Jeral and relaxed. Only then did he realize where he was.

"Mel?!?" Jeral's expression said it all. Len slumped back onto the bed, tears rolling down his cheeks. "Are you sure that she's..."

"It took her away, Lentharian, so she might still be alive."

Hope renewed Len's spirits. He stood slowly, his legs wobbly. Jeral's arm went out, Lentharian grabbing it to keep from falling. "Thank you, my friend. I need some food, before I speak with Melisandra's father." He looked over to the Captain of the Guard. "Then I'm going to find Melisandra, and chastise the one responsible."


Fully fed, and clothed, Lentharian and Jeral entered the Throne room of the King of Brask. Just seeing the man brought tears to eyes as he thought of Melisandra once more. He approached the dais, the conversations ceasing and those present looked the Crown Prince of Noden with harsh expressions. On reaching the bottom, he dropped to both knees, fighting back sobs as he looked at the King.

"Your Majesty... please accept my apologies for not being able to prevent your daughter's abduction. I did all I could to protect her, but I was not capable enough." He dropped his head and closed his eyes. Some present muttered dark words about the words of the Prince.

"Easy words for you to say, your Highness," Luc said as he walked a little closer to Lentharian. "But, you have shown us all that you are willing and able to use deception on one that you proclaim to love. How can we, in all honesty, believe your words now? You come from a Kingdom that has fought many wars against us, and given what the Captain of The Royal Guard has reported to us, the one who stole our Princess used the foul arts that you and yours embrace so freely."

Len's face went white as he looked up at the advisor, before it deepened to a dark red as he took his feet.

"You dare say that I had a hand in this? What sick mind would think that I would do something like this to Melisandra?!?" Len grabbed the advisor's robes, dragging him down the steps to the floor as Jeral and other guardsmen ran to separate them. "Don't you speak of lying words!" One of Lentharian's arms was pulled free of Luc's robes, but he shook his arm free and took advantage to land a punch on the advisor's jaw. Luc was sent to the floor barely able to move as the court erupted in calls for Lentharian's expulsion, being thrown in the dungeon or worse.

Jeral's voice cut through the din, order the guard to get Lentharian out of the throne room. Lentharian didn't resist, and let the guardsmen usher him out of the room.

 

[AngelofDeath]

Jeral let out a small huff, having taking some small pleasure in seeing Luc be put into his place, but it would do nothing to convince the court and the people that Len had been blameless in this. It would however feed the fires of doubt and stir up lingering resentment towards the smaller kingdom. When he reached down to help Luc up the adviser batted his hand up and got to his feet on his own. Wiping his bloody lip he glared at Jeral before storming off. The King had sat back upon the throne his head in his hands. First he had lost his wife and now his daughter. The old captain walked over and lowered himself to whisper to the king. "Your highness, things are rough, but I saw Mel own eyes, she is alive. I can feel it. Len and I will bring her home alive or we shall die trying. Pull yourself together, I am sure the Noden representatives will be here within the next day. Show them that Brask can hold her head up even in crisis."

turning he headed out of the throne room to find his men, standing in a loose circle around Len. Either to protect him or everyone else from his temper. "Do you feel better boy? Yes Luc is a smart mouthed, spineless, bastard but punching him was NOT the answer. Don't you think I wanted to do that? Every man here at one point or another has wanted to do that at one point or another. If you are going to convince anyone that you had nothing to do with this and that you fully intend to bring her back in one piece and alive you must contain your temper. Gods what children you two will have."

Jeral shook his head and ran his hand through his graying hair. "I want her back as much as you do Len. I have watched her grow from a screaming infant to confident young woman. We will find whoever took her and we will make them pay. Let them whisper, let them stare, but do not rise to the bait. Focus on what is important. Come one let's get you some air." They all headed out to the second courtyard and where the guards trained. The men went back to their respective duties while Jeral man Len sit down. "Luc was right though. No one from here could have summoned that monster. Someone from Noden does not want this wedding to happen, but more importantly some one wants to hurt you. Why else would they take her? If it was us they would have taken you or killed you."

He looked around watching the servants come and go all around them. All stopped at one point or another to look at Len. A few gave him sympathetic looks, but the rest? The rest looked as if they wanted him as far from the castle as possible.

"What can you tell me about all that happened the other day? Its obvious that despite your talents you were still unmatched. I remember some of the old history that in the early part of the war Brask had used the occasional demon to try and swing the war their way, but in the end could not see that goal fulfilled, the beast had thrown off the shackles of their masters and turned on them, but nothing ever spoke of something that evil and bloodthirsty. It nearly killed up, but its master managed to call it back and her with it." Jeral let out a frustrated sigh and threw his hands up. Men and weapons he knew. Magic and the beings that came with it were another.

////

Mel's screams bounced off the stone walls of her room. The air was charged with electricity as the robbed figure stood behind her as she sat bound to a chair. His hand were an inch from her head as he focused his energy into her, slowly warping her mind to his will. She was strong, as expect and of course her love for her kingdom and lover and friends made her resistant to what he wanted. Keeping her forever was not the plan, not he would send her back; eventually. Once Mel was new and fully under his control he would walk his little puppet right into Brask and then he would bring first Noden and then Brask down and in their ashes would rise a new and better kingdom. Of course he would rule it. Either through her or himself. Mel was far too lovely to simply cast aside, maybe she would have some use and provide him with at least one heir. Then again if she couldn't even do that she would simply go the way of her father and Brask.

Lowering his hands he pulled out the red vial and walked around to the front of her. When he had pulled his hands away Mel's head had slumped forward. Grabbing her chin he forced her mouth open and then poured the liquid into her mouth and down her throat. Her eyes flew open, the white turning black as her hands gripped the arms of the chair. "Yes that's it. Be a good little poppet and drink it all." Once the last drop had made its way down her throat he let go of her and left the room. "I shall return Mel. You have much to do before my fun with our darling prince can begin."

Walking out of the room, the figure headed deeper into his lair. The only other beings were ghostly appropriations that came and went doing his bidding. Human servants were too risky to have around, too easily manipulated and broken. Further down where the large furnace of his home was kept and large fire Salamander maintained a constant supply of fire stood 4 clay golems. Once he had worked his magic, they would be alive as any other men and have the same needs. Prince Lentharian would soon find out that his lovely bride to be had hidden depths.

 

[marauder13]

Lentharian waited quietly within the ring of Brask guardsmen. He knew that what he did was wrong, but it gave him the release he needed to restore his control.

"Do you feel better boy? Yes Luc is a smart mouthed, spineless, bastard but punching him was NOT the answer. Don't you think I wanted to do that? Every man here at one point or another has wanted to do that at one point or another. If you are going to convince anyone that you had nothing to do with this and that you fully intend to bring her back in one piece and alive you must contain your temper. Gods what children you two will have."

He turned to look at Jeral. "Yes, actually it did make me feel better. Since he so openly lied about Melisandra, for him to speak of lies from a place of high standing was an insult that deserved my response.

"Now regarding my temper, it was now under control. He's still living, as a human being. Isn't he?"

Lentharian watched as the older man started showing his true self over what happened to Melisandra. To his mind, Lentharian saw Jeral as more Melisandra's father than the man who was actually responsible for her.

"I want her back as much as you do Len. I have watched her grow from a screaming infant to confident young woman. We will find whoever took her and we will make them pay. Let them whisper, let them stare, but do not rise to the bait. Focus on what is important. Come one let's get you some air."

Lentharian simply followed Jeral, nodding at his words knowing the wisdom in them before he spoke them to the young Prince. He sat beside the Brask guardsman, looking at the ground.

"Luc was right though. No one from here could have summoned that monster. Someone from Noden does not want this wedding to happen, but more importantly some one wants to hurt you. Why else would they take her? If it was us they would have taken you or killed you."

"Pfft. Whenever magic is used, or thought to have been used, everyone screams Noden. We don't fear it, we use it to better our people. And not everyone who is trained in Noden remains in Noden. I know of three families with the Spark, as we call it, that live in Brask. I will safely say that they still practice too, just very discretely. It is more than just stopping the wedding. Melisandra and I would have both died, and everything would have pointed to Noden. No, there is more happening here."

"What can you tell me about all that happened the other day? Its obvious that despite your talents you were still unmatched. I remember some of the old history that in the early part of the war Brask had used the occasional demon to try and swing the war their way, but in the end could not see that goal fulfilled, the beast had thrown off the shackles of their masters and turned on them, but nothing ever spoke of something that evil and bloodthirsty. It nearly killed us, but its master managed to call it back and her with it."

Lentharian turned to look Jeral in the eye, for the first time assessing the man sitting with him.

"Jeral, I ask this as Lentharian, the man that loves Melisandra, that you keep this confident... just between us." Jeral looked right back at Lentharian, his face impassive before he nodded.

"Noden is well versed in summonings. Of all types. As am I. I am well read, and I have practiced too. My... arsenal is sufficient to take out anything that anyone in Noden can summon. It should be at least. The Earth Elemental I had with me has destroyed demons before. What came for her was a demon, that much I know. But it soaked up attacks that should have reduced it to ash.

"I know that there are rules against summoning certain types of demons, and if it was one of those that was called, then we are in greater danger than I first thought. We will need to travel back to Noden so I can confirm my suspicions, and see what, if anything, I can do to counter it should it be let loose again."

Lentharian stood, and started walking to the gate he walked through. "I need my horse."

 

[AngelofDeath]

Jeral gave a slow nod. "You leaving is not going to look good, but then how can it get any worse? I swore to her father would we bring her back or not come back ourselves. I meant it." Jeral sent a man running to let the King know what was going on and that they would return once they had what ever information they could gather.

As they headed to the stables Jeral asked, "Well then, who do you know that hates you and your kingdom enough to summon something that dangerous? Something they could obviously barely control at the end." He had faced death many times and never feared it until the other day. That day Jeral had stared death in the face and did his damnedest to hold his ground. Worry for Mel had kept him there.

The horses were readied without haste. While Jeral doubted the welcome that awaited Len would be quite as hostile he knew it would not be warm either. Parents could be fickle and high born parents even more so. The old guard knew however nothing would stop Len from finding Mel. Within the hour they were mounted and heading out of the gates. Jeral hated to leave his men once again, but this was one duty he could not put aside. He bore the same guilt Len did. That guilt would not leave until she was found.

Their departure did not go unnoticed. Dry laughter filled the air, "Go, Run little Noden. All your research will be for naught." The demon had done its job, no longer needed it had been sent back to the void. In pieces though. Turning away from the image the robbed figure picked up the peach sized emerald sitting on the desk. Rolling it between his hands he watched the replay Melisandra's passionate coupling with his golems. To her it had been Len she had laid with to start. Even when their faces had changed she hadn't pulled away from them. Mel had put the finest whores to shame, through his powers and the potion did help. Len would never see the change though. All he would see was his love, his bride in the arms of another, and another and yet another still, before they had left her spent form alone on her bed. Around her neck was the pendant from Len.

Setting the stone down, fingers grabbed paper and quill and set to writing the Prince a short missive. Your lady sends her regards. The paper was rolled and sealed. It, the stone and the tied bundle that was her long locks were handed to a drugged servant. Even if Len or any other tried they would get nothing from him. Once he left these walls any and all memory of the place would be wiped from his brain. The figure sat back with a cruel smile. Watching Len and Jeral run around chasing their tails would prove to be quite interesting. The man would reach Noden two days after Len and Jeral did.

A wave of his hand and the image changed. Mel still lay sleeping, her body bearing the marks of the harshness of what she had been through. It was just shy of rape. The real Mel was buried under spell and potion. In her place was a wanton thing that would continue to serve her purpose until he was done with her. He waved his hand once more, the chain around her neck morphing into a thick band of gold and red, the stone set in the center of the collar as a chain snaked out from under her neck and secured itself to the wall. "There that should keep you in place while I go to finalize my plans." In a sweep of heavy cloth the figure was gone.

 

[marauder13]

Lentharian ignored the comments about his departure and it's effects on the court of Brask. He would let his actions show the people what he was like. Hi fiance, the woman he loved, was being held by someone, or at least that was his hope. But when he found her, and had her safe, he was going to make the perpetrator suffer for it.

"Well then, who do you know that hates you and your kingdom enough to summon something that dangerous? Something they could obviously barely control at the end."

"I don't know of anyone how has that kind of power, and ability. I know of people within Noden who are eager for a new ruling family, and of course feel that their own would be far better qualified, but they lack the strength and cunning to pull it off. And I will not speculate further until I have had a chance to look through my library."

The two men rode out of the gates, everyone watching them depart. He easily felt the weight of the stares of the folk of Brask on his back, but Lentharian didn't care at all. He was focused on getting home. He led Jeral to the same copse of trees he stopped at the last time he left Brask. He handed the Guardsman a length of cloth.

"Blindfold your mount." Jeral wondered but when he saw Lentharian do the same to his mount, he followed his lead. Again, with the aid of a stick, he scribed a circle in the dirt. When he spoke, his voice sounded like the wind moving through leaves of a tree. His voice rose higher in pitch until it was like a screaming gale. A large body of mist appeared within the circle, taking on a vaguely human form.

You called, Master?

"I ask that you honour the pact between us, and carry the pair of us, and our mounts to my home in the High Valley of Noden."

As you desire, Master. The mist enveloped Lentharian, Jeral and their horses. The felt the change in their location, the mist becoming a cloud that carried him back to the High Valley in Noden.

"Fear not, Jeral, we are safe, and will be back within the hour, rather than the days of riding."

Their mounts were seen to without question, and Lentharian led Jeral to the Throne Room of Noden. Everyone turned to look at Jeral as they passed, many muttering quiet words and looking rather fearful. Every pair of eyes in the Throne Room, with the exception of the Monarchs, we focused on Jeral.

"Father, Mother, this is Jeral, Captain of the Royal Guard of Brask. He is here with me to aid in our search for Princess Melisandra of Brask. I have matters to attend to, as there is one who is using magics of the greatest powers."

"Crown Prince Lentharian, We have not given Our permission for you to leave Our presence."

Lentharian stopped, standing straight, his posture one of a Crown Prince as he turned to look at his Father. King Lyreth Selkor looked down on his son, seeing the similarities in his son's face to his own. He also saw something in there that he had never seen before. The fire that burned within him.

"Since We have heard of all that has passed, it is Our decision that the marriage between the Crown Prince of Noden and the Crown Princess of Brask will not proceed. As such, the kidnapping of Princess Melisandra is no concern for Noden."

Lentharian turned to look at Jeral, the smile he gave the older man was feral. He turned back to face his King.

"I must strongly disagree, Your Majesty. The one that actually carried out the kidnapping was a demon beyond my means to vanquish by means that have removed any demon so far encountered. Whoever had bound it to their service ensured that only Melisandra was taken, and any in between them were slain, or brushed aside. So whoever did it is well versed in the Arts. And Brask only knows of Noden as spellcasters.

"But more importantly, it is a matter for Noden. It is a matter since the woman taken is, by the Laws of Noden, Princess Melisandra is my wife. So, as a dutiful husband, I will fulfill my obligations and rescue her. With your leave, Sire."

Without any further word, Lentharian walked out of the Throne room heading for his personal study. When the two entered his private domain, Jeral almost wrenched Lentharian's arm out of its socket spinning him around.

"What do you mean, married?"

"Under common law, if there is an agreement between the families for a couple to wed, and the couple consummate the relationship then they are classed as married even if no formal ceremony has been conducted. This of course applies to a couple that free give of each other, which has occurred. Nobility rarely uses the law, as it has been used to entrap one or other of the parties involved.

"But, because I have declared her my wife, there is no one in Noden that will stand in my way if they value their existance. No one gets between a husband and their wife, particularly if the wife is endangered. By the time my Father finds a way of declaring what I stated to not be binding. By then, we will be gone.

"No, please let go of me while I can do some much needed research. And fear not, you will be very useful helping me. Someone's going to have to fetch the tomes."


For two days Lentharian spent every waking hour reading obscure tomes full of writing that hurt the eyes and images that made nightmares seem calming. With each book read, Lentharian's temper grew a little more noticeable.

"Gods!" He slammed the latest book closed. "Everything we know about demons is in those tomes, but nothing came even close to to being like what we encountered. Everything on this side of the Pale has been..." Lentharian's face slowly drained of colour, as he collapsed into a chair. "No." He shook his head. "No. They couldn't have. Not even -" He leapt out of the chair and rushed about the study, finding a tome that was covered in a fine layer of dust. He carefully laid the ash gray tome on the bench, his face the same shade as the tome. "Jeral, pray to what Gods will heed you that I don't find what I am seeking in here."

He took a deep breath and opened the tome. The air turned putrid in a moment, causing both men to gag. Lentharian pushed on, turning pages rapidly, gazing at images until he found it. He stared at the image that accurately matched what he had faced three days earlier. He closed the book quickly, locking it up again.

"Jeral. We are dealing with a madman. he has done what no one in Noden would ever do, even if it was not against our laws to do so. He has summoned a creature from beyond what the Gods even know. He would have had to -"

The hammering on the door interrupted him. He walked to the door to tear strips of the person who sought to interfere with his task. On the other side of the door was a guard, shaking in terror and a travel stained man bearing a package.

"Y-Your Highness, this man has an important message for you."

"What is it?" Lentharian snapped. The man handed over a large leather pouch and wandered off in a daze. The guard took one look at Lentharian and ran after the messenger. Lentharian closed the door and walked to the bench, opening the pouch and pouring out the contents.

The blood of both men ran cold then they saw her hair fall onto the benchtop. The paper became Lentharian's next focus, reading the simple note.

Your lady sends her regards

It took a fraction of a second for Lentharian to know that some spell was laid on the gem. He picked it up, and the images came to life within the depth of the gem.

Jeral watched Lentharian's ashen face flood with colour, returning to normal before turning a rich red as his hands shook. To the Guard Captain, it looked like he was going to crush the priceless gemstone between his bare hands. He took hold of it in one hand, raising up to throw to the floor and shatter it. The he stopped. His eyes wide and he started to laugh. Laugh long, loud and bringing tears to his eyes as he fell to the floor fighting for breath.

Jeral ran to his side, afraid that something had happened to the prince, that he was being attacked by someone. Lentharian saw the concern on Jeral's face, and slowed his laughing enough to put the man at ease.

"Someone was trying to anger me, which he did remarkably well. But he made some vital mistakes. He sent me Mel's hair, and he made the bigger error of enscrolling his spell on an emerald."

He got up off the floor, and found a slab of black marble, with a silver inlaid circle. He placed the stone in the middle of the circle. At the cardinal points, he placed a representative of each of the elemental courts. Smoking incense for Air at North, a lit candle at East, a shallow bowl of dirt at South, and a small bowl of water at West. He started speaking, or making sounds that were sharp and crystalline, echoing in the air about them. The Emerald glowed softly, a kaleidoscope of colours swirling around it. Lentharian's face was locked in concentration on the stone as the colours ebbed a flowed, before flashing bright white and vanishing.

Lentharian took a long deep breath. He looked to Jeral, his face one of complete shock. "I know who sent this to me. I have seen his face before in the flesh. But before I even reveal him to you, we must find Melisandra. And he has given me the means to do it too. Come, we must go beyond the walls of Noden to do this."

 

[AngelofDeath]

Jeral looked at Len, "You've seen him? Where and how can you be sure that he won't be there when we find her?" Jeral followed Len out. Whatever the stone had shown him had done more than anger Len. Jeral felt no need to be curious, knowing whatever Len had sen would stir and even greater response inside of them than having seen Mel's hair. It was obvious that someone had taken a dagger or knife to it. As they walked Jeral looked at him, "You know this very well could be a trap,that he's done this simply into provoke you into going for Mel first rather than him?"

They did know one thing though, for the moment Mel was still alive. Though in what capacity remained for them to discover. And discover they would if Len was right about knowing how to find her.

////

The door to Mel's room swung open sharply, the princess lay on the bed, her now shorted hair framing her face in soft curls as she slept. Or rather pretended to sleep. The figure watched as she finally opened her eyes and looked him. "Ah she wakes." He walked over and handed over the goblet of wine that lay in his hands. Mel's hand shook as she took it. She drank it without hesitation how ever. As she did, the color of her eyes darkened once more.

"Thank you master, " She held the goblet out to him and he took it. Setting it down on the table beside the bed he reached out to run his hand down her naked body. Mel's body trembled at his touch. She knew she was supposed to enjoy it and part of her did, but further back buried under so much was something telling her that this was not the man she wanted touching her like this.

"We will be having company soon, pet and I want you ready to greet them, but first its time you properly thank your Master." He stepped back enough for her to slide from the bed and stand before him. Her hand rose to undo the clasp holding the cloak about it. The heavy material fell with a thud, revealing a lean and muscular body covered with a few scars, but mostly tattoos of all sorts. Nearly all were for one spell or another, whether it be for protection or binding one creature or demon to his will.

Mel let out a gasp as his hand curled around her neck and he pushed her to the bed. She whimpered as his powers coursed through her body and mind, overriding all of her will and replacing it with his own. When she opened her eyes, only one trained in the arts would be able to tell that it wasn't truly her that looked out from them. If she was Mel would have been trying to gouge out the eyes of the all to familiar face poised over hers.

She would have fought against him and the pain he inflicted as he took his own brand of pleasure with her body. A half whispered spell and her moans and screams were carried on the wind. Their destination? The ears of Len. Having touched the stone, he could show Len whatever dark delight he wished, or in this case he could simply send the sounds of it. Towards the end he sent a picture clear as day on Mel beneath him, her firm thighs spreads, her arm wrapped around the body atop of her. The image would fade just as he withdrew from her, his face hidden as he reached his climax. When he was done, she lay there, asleep once more because she lacked the energy to stay awake, her skin covered in his seed as he pulled the robe on once more and left the room.

In his study he turned to the scrying mirror that was spelled for Brask, his double doing its job to maintain order and keep the waters churning. Out of the sight of the king he began to stir thoughts of dissension amongst those who were not happy about the possible marriage. And when around the king, he began to sow the seeds of doubt about Len's innocence in all of this, no matter the passion with which he spoke of the princess.

A wave of his hand and Jeral and Len came into view. The old man was wearing his welcome out. If he could have done so without much notice he would have eliminated the man early on. All of this was partially his fault. He had been so sure the sight of Mel in the arms of some random man would have set Jeral into a murderous rage. Despite all noble thought and intent, no one could mistake the way the older man looked at Mel, when he assumed no one was looking. He held back because of his station, but given the chance he would have gone to her arms at her urging. Thin lips were drawn into a smile, "Yes that would be a fitting surprise for our dear sweet captain and prince."

His cock rose once again at the thought of her pale and lithe body under his. There would be time enough soon, to use her fully as he wished. She would bend to him without question and if he so choose he would give her mind back to her, simply to enjoy her struggles as he claimed her once more. In time he would erase the Noden Prince's name from her lips and replace it with another. Soon she would be queen of both kingdoms, but not as anyone could ever imagine.

 

[marauder13]

Lentharian ran, Jeral doing his best to keep up. The servants in the castle stood aside as guardsmen yelled out warnings of the Crown Prince's movements. Guardsmen formed up at the castle gates, holding the men's mounts ready. They mounted their horses quickly, and again Lentharian led the way out of the city proper. He paused outside the gates, looking around for a place to do what he sought.

"This way." He started to ride when he heard sounds that were intimately familiar to him. His face went white as the horse slowed to a stop. Jeral looked at him his hand on his sword glancing around for trouble.

"You bastard!" The sounds of Melisandra's screams of pleasure grew louder, as if he was in the room with her where it was happening. He leapt down from his horse, drawing a circle in the ground with his foot. His voice was deep, guttural and hurt Jeral's ears. The same painful rendition of alien words cycled through the air making the blue of the sky and air a deeper, more malevolent purple mass. It thickened and bubbled as it formed a 7 foot long cylinder within the confines of the circle. Flashes of light similar to lightning illuminated the interior of the increasingly dense mass trapped within.

Lentharian's voice rose in volume, and the people on the road near by scattered, howling in pain as the words tore at their ears. Jeral fell from his mount, pressing his hands over his ears, crying to the Gods to preserve him from whatever Hell Lentharian was tapping into.

Lentharian's last word echoed loudly morphing to a thunderclap as the cylinder collapsed on itself, leaving a 5 foot long obsidian spike standing viciously from the ground. Lentharian forced himself to close on the spear, fighting his natural instinct to not touch the monstrosity he called forth. His hand closed around it, his skin sizzling from the touch. Gritting his teeth, he lifted the spike free. Sweat formed on his brow as he readied the spear to be thrown, smoke wafting from between his fingers. He took three long strides forward, and hurled the black shaft into the air, crying out in pain as flesh was torn from his hand as the shaft parted contact. A further scream joined his as the bolt disappeared in a flash of light.

A long stream of profanities filled the air as Lentharian cradled his abused hand. But his physical pain was a dull ache compared to how he felt hearing the sounds of Melisandra enjoying the attentions of another man.

"I only wished I could watch him as that dealt with him." Lentharian looked at his mauled hand, burnt flesh and exposed bones showing from a hand twisted into a new shape until it was healed.

Tears rolling down his cheeks, he called out again, his voice bringing the softest breezes in spring to the minds of those who heard it. When he ceased his calls, the soft baying of hounds was heard fro mall around them. Jeral staggered over to where Lentharian stood, concerned for the young Prince, and nervous about the ever growing howls closing in on them.

"What are those?" Jeral asked.

"Allies. They will find her for us."

Jeral could barely make out the hounds when they arrived, though they looked more like wolves that dogs. Lentharian brought forth Melisandra's hair, holding it in his good hand.

"Hounds of Azeel, take up this scent. Find the one that is the source of this scent, and bring the knowledge of its location to me. Travel in packs, for she is guarded and her location is vital. Go. Succeed, and all will be rewarded."

The air was alive with the howls of the Hounds as they jostled to take up her scent, vanishing as soon as they had it. It took minutes for the echos of their howls to fade away completely.

"Now, Captain, we wait."

~||~​

He started to turn from Melisandra when he felt the presence of something approaching. He smiled arrogantly at the thought that the Prince of Noden would try and assail him now. But the rolling sounds akin to thunder had him concerned as he heard cracks of lightning outside. His hearing sharpened to pick out it was not lightning he was hearing, but the glyphs inscribed on the walls of his abode exploding. Something was pushing through the barriers he had up to protect himself.

His confidence came to the for, there was nothing that could break through. Nothing that the Prince of Noden could summon. He was young, he could not have gathered the strength and wisdom that came with the years of training that HE had undertaken.

Through the wall as if it was not there, a long slither of darkness slammed into his body, throwing him into the way. The spell that protected him against such mystical assaults buckled under the strain. He screamed with pain, as he looked at his chest as the tattoo over his heart started to loose it's shape, as if it were liquefying. The scream became louder as the ink started to boil, reddening his flesh, causing the skin to peel and flake away as clouds of black steam rose from his damaged chest.

As the last of the steam billowed from his chest, he fought to regain his feet, anger and fear fighting for prominence. He completely forgot about Melisandra's presence as he scrambled out of the room.

 

[AngelofDeath]

Mel had been slowly drifting off when her master's pain shot and the sound of flesh hitting stone woke her up. She sat up, eyes wide in horror as his skin bubbled and smoke wafted forth. His screams made her clap her hands over her ears and look away. By the time they faded and she removed her hands, he was gone. All that remained of his presence was the smell of burnt flesh and his seed that coated her body. Wiping herself off Mel rose to her feet, she knew she was not supposed to leave her room, but she went to go find her dark master, body shaking in reaction to the dark power that had filled the room.

After searching high and low she found him in his study, pouring a steaming blue liquid over his chest. Sweat coated his skin and pain marred his brow. "Master?" He turned and looked at her and Mel stepped back at the look in his eyes. She lowered her eyes from him.

"What are you doing here, slut?" He sucked back a groan of pain as the potion set to work, healing what damage it could. It would take time, too much time to replace that tattoo. Ingredients were hard to find and there was no suitable sacrifice within his walls for the blood needed for his ink.

"I came to see what had happened to you," Mel watched his shadow over as he threw his robe back on, pants and boots appearing on his lower body.

"A minor annoyance. It seems I have misjudged my target. Apparently he has no problem tapping into the dark." He turned and looked at her, enjoying the bruises that were blossoming upon her skin. He motioned her forward and when she was close enough he stroked his hand over her skin, leaving the bruises, but healing the cuts and tears, in and on her body. "Our party seems as if it will happen much sooner. We must be ready." She whimpered as his hand fisted in her hair. She knew what was coming as his magic flooded her. His orders and dark thoughts filling her head. Mel could only whine and nod, submitting to his will. Slowly two faces filled her head, his orders clear; do what she had to bring them both down.

A dark blue and silver dress seemed to paint itself upon her body. The material hugged her body tightly, twin plunges on the front and back. The front, leaving her bare from throat to navel with only her breasts covered. The back stopped at the rise of her ass. "Perfect. Back to your room pet." Mel nodded slowly and turned, walking away. Still deep in her mind a small shadow of herself screamed that this was wrong. That this was not supposed to be. Mel shook her head, pushing the voice away. Master was cruel and caused her pain, but he cared for her.

///Noden

Jeral shook his head as he watched Len's hand slowly heal itself. He was still unnerved by what he had seen and heard, but knew the boy did it for Mel. Her captor had obviously been taunting the prince. He didn't wholly trust the hounds Lentharian had summoned, but if they could find Mel, Jeral wouldn't discount their usefulness.

He gently laid his hand on Len's shoulder and squeezed it. "No matter what you heard, what you saw, know that she is alive. Mel loves you Len and no one else. She would never betray you." While the guard may not have had the full details, there was only one of two things that would make a man do something like that. Seeing your love in pain and seeing your love in the arms of another. "She's willful and headstrong. She is also frustrating beyond measure, but there is one thing she is not and that is not a woman to play with men's hearts."

Looking down he slipped her hair from the other man's hand, he snorted and let out a small chuckle. When Len's head whipped around at him almost violently he held his hands up in a placating gesture. "You'll learn soon enough when we find her, but this," he held her hair up, "there is no way she was awake or in control of herself when this happened. The last time someone tried to cut her hair, Mel broke the maid's nose. Of course she was but a child at the time. Her mother had long hair and Mel wanted dearly to be like her. I know you love her, but put his taunts from your mind. Focus on bringing her home and wiping him from this world and not what he has made her do. If the Gods are kind she will not remember what she has been put through. Now who the devil is behind this?"

////

He strode down to the dark recesses of his home. "You wish to play this way, cousin? So be it." Torches lit themselves ahead of his steps. No more games, his defenses needed reinforcing and it appeared that Len would be bringing the full force of his ability to the fight. Throwing the door open to a room full of dark armor. A fire lit itself under the cauldron in the center of the room. The dark viscous fluid began to boil and bubble almost instantly.

The torch light grew brighter as he stripped the robe off. Silently, eyes dark with fog 7 female servants walked in. They formed a ring around the cauldron and stripped their clothing off. He began to chat, low and dark as he circled them, "Oloth ghil ussta wiles. Usstan or'shanse nindolen blyn dron ulu dos. Dortho uns'aa. Belbau uns'aa l' yorn ulu g'jahall ussta muan lu' sila nindol thac'zil ulu wahven."

The cauldron bubbled harder, smoke crawling from it and circling the women. As it enveloped them, he let his charm on them fall. He smiled as they screamed in agony. The poured into their bodies, slowly one left arm after the over stretched out over the rim of the cauldron, an unseen blade moved fast and swift, slitting their wrists. Blood ran like water into the cauldron. His voice grew higher and louder as their lives poured from their wrists, their bodies drying and withering til there was naught, but dust piles where the women once stood.

His laughter bounced off the wall as the smoke, plunged back into the cauldron. The fluid began to take form, or rather forms as large blobs slithered from it, dousing the fire as they made their way to one suit of armor each. The metal creaked and shrieked as it was infused with the dark beings he had called forth. Stepping from the wall glowing eyes stared at him. Who calls forth the servants of Orgoll'erd?

"I do," he strode forward, "Luc Karda, of the Selkor house of Noden call you. I have paid the blood price to your dark master."

"What is our task?"

"The destruction of both the kingdom's of Noden and Brask and the painful and slow death of my cousin, Lentharian Selkor, Crown Prince of Noden. "

 

[marauder13]

Lentharian flexed his healed hand, feeling the drain it had cost him to make it so. Anger and hatred boiled deep within him over the man who had done this, and we was looking forward to dealing with him, very, very personally.

He listened to everything Jeral said, while he thought through what he needed to do next. He was up against a powerful foe, and one who was ready to sink to what ever depths necessary to achieve whatever goal he was after.

"Jeral, I know that Melisandra is not doing what she is of her own free will, and that she probably had little chance or choice. It doesn't lessen the pain though." He turned to face the older man. "You have little to fear about my loosing my temper from here. I have a far better understanding of who I am up against, and I will need a level head to beat him. As well as a few other items.

"For now, my friend, it is not time for you to know who is behind it. I will let you know, but if you know now, it will work against us. We need to return to the Castle, and for us to make ready."

The two men rode back to the Castle, where the Royal guard waited at the gate to meet them.

"Your Highness, His Majesty has ordered you to preset yourself to Him immediately. I have been ordered to escort you." It was not hard to see that the Guard had been equipped with a conflict in mind. A conflict wit ha spellcaster at that.

"Lead on, Captain. I eagerly await to have His Majesty disclose his mind to me."


The door to the private audience chamber closed, and Lentharian felt the barriers against scrying and other forms of spying go into effect.

"What in the names of the Gods were you doing? How dare you call on those powers so close to the city!" Lentharian's father was bright red as he continued to yell at his son. "Just using those words caused people to fall ill. We felt what you called out there. Nothing. NOTHING deserves that kind of response."

"Father, the one who felt the blow called one from Beyond the Pale."

The King stopped cold in his pacing. He turned, his face completely neutral, but his eyes read Lentharian's face right down to the bone.

"Yes, Father, I even went as far as opening that tome. The seventeenth one listed was what stole Melisandra."

"But those summonings are not know to many, only those who... My Son, We cannot allow you to pursue this any further. The risks are to great to you. You are the heir to the throne of Noden and -"

"Father! I must do this. Brask thinks I have a hand in this, and I am certain that there are voices now calling on us to be wiped out once and for all. They will throw everything they have at us, Father. The madman... I am sure that he will do all he can to add to the carnage.

"Father, I have called the Hounds to find Melisandra. Once I know where she is, and I have her safe, then Jeral and I will deal with the madman. We are going to arm ourselves now, Father. Do not try and stop me. I have set my mind to this, Father. You have always told me that a Selkor never backs away from what they have set their minds to."

The King of Noden looked at his son, the anger clear on his face. Lentharian could see the power being drawn into his Father in preparation.

"If you will excuse me, Father, I have work to do." As Lentharian turned to leave, he touched his amulet. In doing so, the chains that his father had sent to ensnare him shattered as they touched his skin. Lentharian ignored the further attempts to capture him as well as the language spoken by his Father as he realized he couldn't stop his son.


"Jeral, wear this at all times. No one will be able to scry you while you do." He handed the plain copper wrist band to the guardsman, noting the look of confusion. "No one will be able to use magic to spy on you from afar." Lentharian placed a similar band on his left wrist.

"It can't be anyone from Noden responsible for this. I know everyone capable of performing a summoning of a Demon from Beyond the Pale, and none of them would ever do it, and if they did we would know. It is not something easily done. The preparations would have been noticed. Not even that fool Kysron Karda would have been ..." Lentharian's hand pointed to one of the shelves, and a scroll flew across the room into his hand. He quickly rolled it open, scanning the content quickly.

"Oh Gods... no." Lentharian looked at the scroll again, his eyes slowly moving as he confirmed every word he read. He walked back to the shelves, rolling up the scroll as if it was coated with poison, returning it to it's proper place. He swallowed hard, and turned to face his companion.

"Congratulations, Jeral of Brask. I thank you for agreeing to become my squire. Time for us to gird for war."


The two men rode out on their mounts, this time Lentharian was riding his preferred mount, an iron grey warhorse clad in a chain main vest that seemed light as paper. Both men were wearing full suits of plate mail armour and shields. But as they left the city gates, the men heard a triumphant howl echoing through the valley. They pulled their mounts to a halt. Lentharian felt more than saw the hound's arrival. He felt the spirit's acknowledgment of a successful hunt. He also felt the weakness from fighting, from injuries received.

"Faithful hound, your pack has done well. Lead us to where she is, then you will be released and rewarded." The howl of joy was heard through the valley as it led the two men off to where Melisandra waited.

 

[AngelofDeath]

Three of his unholy knights had been dispatched to be the welcoming party for the coming prince and guard. The other four were station through his home, a barrier between them and Luc. Mel of course was tucked away in her room, out of the way and his hair. He was tempted to take her a second time, but the still present pain in his chest and the looming arrival of his foe had cooled most of Luc's lust. Along with his knights his servants, some aware of the fate they stood to meet and others mindless puppets also stood at the ready to defend their master. Those blasted hounds had been dealt with, but one had managed to get away. Which mean it would lead the two of them right to his door.

The dark and heavy robe of his father was long gone. He sat askew in his throne, one leg tossed over the left arm as he waited. Resting against the chair was a glowing black blade, already dripping in blood. There was a small trail leading from the body of a slain servant. In his anger Luc had simply slaughtered him. Now was not the right time to bring him bad news and his servant had done just that.

Someone was going to be dead by the end of this. He planned to make Len see his guts before he died and once more see his woman serving him. True Len was only a stepping stone to taking his revenge on his extended family and Noden itself, but that didn't mean he wasn't going to enjoy making his cousin suffer. All of Noden would suffer for the pain heaped upon his mother, for allowing it to happen and doing nothing to punish his father. Kysron Karda was a monster, just as his son was, but at least Luc had some direction. His mother had passed her hatred for her homeland on to her son and he intended to keep the promise he'd made to her on her death bed. Noden would fall and along with it so would Brask. The larger kingdom was collateral damage, just has it's dear princess would eventually be once she no longer served a purpose.

After several more minutes of contemplative thought Luc sent for Mel to be brought to him. Just to make sure she didn't get in the way if she managed to regain control of her mind, her collar chained itself to his throne. The doors of his home opened themselves, why not give them a warm welcome should they manage to get past the first volley of knights? Mel sat herself between his spread legs, her head in his lap, nuzzling his soft manhood. He stirred lightly at the idea of Len walking in on such a scene. Who knew the Princess of Brask was such an eager whore to please her man? He felt Len's approach, his younger cousin's magic surrounded him and to an extent Jeral. It made the pair of them a moving beacon as they hit the edge of his territory, triggering the lingering alarms.

"Soon cousin, very soon."

///////

Jeral rode on with Len, grim determination on both their faces. Len was obviously sure that their foe was from Brask. There was also the matter of the prince holding back on the identity of who had taken Mel. Jeral knew of no one who worked magic other than Len and no one who would betray Brask in such a way or hurt Mel. Why was he holding back? The ghostly hound led them over the open plains that divided the two kingdoms and toward a low mountain range. Something about the area was digging at his memory, but he could not remember why it seemed so familiar.

As they came upon the small fortress, built into the very rockface, three figures stepped out of the very air. Both horses tossed their head and Jeral did not blame them. He'd been exposed to more magic than he liked lately, but even he knew that the three were trouble. Trouble in a way he did not want to deal with, but he would. Jeral would fight for the death to bring Mel home.

"Well looks like we are about to meet with the welcoming party. And from the looks of them, this is going to be a fight like no other." Jeral's eyes kept going back to the fortress. The truth of things would bother him until he had the answers he sought.

 

[marauder13]

Lentharian saw the three knights approaching, slowing his own steed as he looked at them. Their armour looked familiar, and familiar in a manner that was not good.

"Gods! He is willing to call them too?" He turned to Jeral, lifting his visor. "My friend, fight to stop them killing you. If you attempt to strike them they will kill you before you can return to your guard. I'll kill them, you just save yourself." Jeral started to object, but the Prince cut him off. "No! I want you to be there for Melisandra when we face him. I will need you to protect her and escort her home. Swear it to me, or I will have an elemental drag you home right now."

"All right! I swear that I will do as you advise me."

"Thank you." Lentharian dismounted. "Get clear my friend, and come back for me when you are called for." He patted the horse's neck and let it canter away. He dropped his visor, drawing his sword and settling his shield on his arm. "Reflectell."

Two of the knights went for Lentharian, the third going for Jeral. Lentharian narrowed out all other concerns, leaving only his need to destroy those demon spawned warriors. The first flurry of strikes went wide as he cut the horse out from under the knight. His shield took two solid blows from the knight, but the shield held against them. The enchantments woven into the armour ensured that it would survive such onslaughts.

Again, the attacks from the now unmounted knight were pushed aside by the magics he employed. He launched his own attack against the knight, denting the armour. The creatures pressed home their attacks, most of their strikes missing completely, but the ones that got through rattled Lentharian to the bones. The knights were attacking him twice in the time he could make one blow. He ducked a blow that would have removed his head, but then he charged the other knight, angling the shield as he slammed into it. Using his momentum, he had the knight on his shield, then hurled it over his head. As his combatant fell to the ground, he changed his direction to bring him back to the downed enemy. His shield took a hard blow from the still mounted knight as he brought his blade down on the helmet of the knight that was starting to stand. The armour split with a shower of sparks. The armour shuddered as if the one within was electrocuted. The armour fell to the ground as if no one was within it.

"One down, two more to go. Ghoreph!"

The other knight charged down on Lentharian as the Prince's chest and arms broadened. As the two swung their swords, the impact of blades on armour was deafening. But the other knight was unhorsed, impaled on Lentharian's blade. "Forenze!" The armour on his sword exploded in a massive ball of flame, showering the area in hot metal.

Lentharian turned to find Jeral and the other knight both on foot, and jeral sorely pressed to defend himself against the attacks. His armour had saved him from several blows, but it was clear the man was in trouble. Lentharian ran up to him, blocking the attacks with his own body. The demon pressed his attacks against Lentharian. Lentharian managed to get around the outside of the knight's shield, and severed the shield arm. In the moment that the demonic creature was was adjusting to the loss of a limb, Lentharian caved in the helmet, dispatching the creature easily.

Lentharian removed his helmet, letting the cool air remove the sweat from his face. He waved her Jeral to approach. He picked up one of the enemy's blades, using it to cut a circle into the ground, before throwing it away.

"Jeral, you might find this hard to believe, but I know who is behind this. He is after my family, at the least. And he is using Melisandra, and Brask to get what he wants." He held up his hand as he stepped into the circle. His voice raised loud, resembling the roar of a blowing gale, punctuated by the rolling booms of thunder. A vague humanoid shape made of dark, lightning illuminated cloud appeared in front of Lentharian.

You called for me, Prince of Noden?

"Indeed I did, Lord. My pact with you is called in. That place on the mountain side, it needs to be weakened. One within has placed enchantments to protect those within. With your spears, you can break those defences such that my companion and I can do what needs to be done."

As is true, Prince of Noden, the pact between your blood and my Court has been upheld without failing. As is asked, so will it be done.

"Lord, I will call for you aid when it is required, so the one we seek cannot repair what you have broken."

Call and it will be done. The body faded.

"Jeral, the one were facing is related to the Noden Royal family, somewhat distantly, but related all the same. But you know him in a different way. His name is Luc Karda, and you know him better as the Advisor to the King of Brask."

 

[AngelofDeath]

Jeral stared open mouth at Len as if he had suddenly sprouted a second head, wings and a tail, because at that moment something like that made more sense then what he had just been told. As he closed his mouth, his mind began to put all the pieces of the puzzle together. It wasn't a clear picture, but clear enough to send him walking away from Len, with every obscenity he knew pouring out of his mouth. When he had ran out of creative ways to refer to Luc he returned to Len's side. "That bastard. He's played us all like game pieces. Before all this Elan hadn't even thought about Melisandra marrying anyone, let alone you. He knew how she felt about magic users and while he had been trying to shape her into more of a lady, marriage was very low on his list of things to do. And then that ill gotten son of a sheep mentioned off hand that you were single and an obvious good match. That marrying would finally unite both kingdoms for all time. He kept pushing and whispering in the King's ear about how unseemly it was for a high born lady of her age to still me unmarried with no prospects."

He shook his head and looked skyward, "He planned all of this, right down to taking her. It was never his plan to allow the two of you to marry." The more angry he got the more Jeral's age seemed to leave his face. "I am sure if your cousin had not been in court that day he might have made sure you were executed before anyone was the wiser to your true identity. He would have plunged both kingdoms into a bloody war like never before. Gods we all should have been suspicious of his idea from the start." Looking at Len he shrugged, "No offense meant, but even I was in line with Mel when this first began. Meeting you has changed my opinion, but I do not like being used. That snake was hoping we would both destroy each other this time."

"I am going to rip his head off and carry it home and then toss it into the deepest lake I can find. Treason was enough to sign his death warrant, but now?After what he has done...is doing to Mel only means he won't be in one piece when his black heart crosses over." Never before had he wanted to spill someone's blood so badly. His hands were curled into fists so tightly that his palms were actually starting to hurt. If it wasn't clear that Luc was going to die it was now.

///Inside///

Mel jumped as a goblet shattered on the wall above her head. Luc had been watching the going ons outside and was not happy to see that both men had survived. She moved behind the throne, to shield herself if need be from whatever else her master threw in his rage.

Luc stormed away from the small glowing ball that hovered in the air. "CHEZRA!!" A servant came rushing to his call, leaving Mel free to creep closer. She looked at the two men, unable to hear what they were saying. She knew their faces and names, but there were so many blanks in her memory. Mel knew what her master had told her, showed her what to do when she met them, but there was more there. She tried to remember what else she knew them and why some part of her heart ached the idea of them dying the violent way Luc had planned. When she tried to force the memories to come forward her head began to pound and she back away, hands on either side of her head moaning. Just as Luc began to turn she was back where she had been beside his throne. His arm still bore the mark of the earlier attack. The princess sat there, unsure of if she was ready for what was to come.

 

[marauder13]

Lentharian waited while Jeral reacted to the news. He felt somewhat relieved that the older man was reacting the way he was. The young Prince felt exactly the same way.

"I am going to rip his head off and carry it home and then toss it into the deepest lake I can find. Treason was enough to sign his death warrant, but now? After what he has done...is doing to Mel only means he won't be in one piece when his black heart crosses over."

"No, actually, you wont. I have plans for him, a punishment befitting his crimes. And that black souled excuse for a human has committed many crimes that I know of so far. Tearing his head off would be a mercy to him. But let's go. I have a fiance to save."

As they closed on the fortress, large banks of dark menacing clouds started to roll in, lightning flashing in the depths enough to turn patches of the almost black clouds into an iron gray for the briefest moments. Lentharian suppressed a smile as his allies came closer. But when the two start up the road way to the fortress that Lentharian started to laugh.

"Jeral," he called out over the winds, "the Gods have truly favoured us on this little journey of ours. Luc is sitting on an arsenal that only one person known can use. Me!" The fortress sat on a place where the Mother Earth's 'blood' pooled at the surface, like where he and Melisandra had first camped, and renewed their bonds to each other.

"Ready yourself, Jeral, it's going to get very noisy soon." Lentharian raised his visor, and he spoke one word that reverberated like thunder in the valley below them. In response, the sky lit up as lightning bolts tore through the sky, lancing the walls of the fortress and the air above. At a point above the fortress proper, the bolts struck some form of barrier, burning the air and leaving a sulfurous stench behind. More bolts were thrown at the barriers, and the results were the same. Some struck the outer walls, and the resultant explosions were louder than expected. Lentharian felt the release of power from shattered glyphs. Finally, and without warning, the outer barrier broke, and lightning rained down on the inner courtyard. More detonations of raw power flashed and boomed from within the walls as more barriers were torn down, or other glyphs broken.

"Hasah Hellah, to me! Kaakzekpatah, to me!" Once more, he felt the presence of his two staunchest allies. "Kaakzekpatah, please breach his defences for me." Out of the road a huge ball of earth rose of a shaft of earth thicker than Lentharian's body. With seemingly little effort, the gate was shattered by the blow, sending fragments of the gate flying through the courtyard, scything anything unfortunate enough to be caught in the lethal rain.

Lentharian dismounted and walked into the the fortress proper as if he owned it. After entering a few yards from the gate, he stopped, and raised both arms into the air.

"Guardian of Mother Earth's sacred places, I call on thy aid in this time of need." An arrow bounced harmlessly off his armour. "I, Prince Letharian Selkortaran of the Royal Family of Noden entreats for your assistance." The paving before him disappeared as a deep brown amorphous blob appeared, slowly forming into a statue of a knight of Brask.

"Thank you, Guardian, for honouring my call." Three more arrows harmlessly bounced off his armour. "Do you know the presence of Princess Melisandra of Brask?" The figure nodded once. "Do you feel her presence within this sacred place?" Jeral cut down a man running to attack the prince while the guardian nodded. "Then go to her, and let no one but myself or my companion close to her. Is that understood?" The figure nodded once more before fading out.

"Luc Karda, I know you can hear me. Your doom has arrived."

 

[AngelofDeath]

If his anger at the destruction of his knights had been upsetting, the destruction of the barrier around the fortress and the following shaking, down right infuriated her master. Once more Mel was cowering behind his throne, avoiding the shrapnel as statues an other things exploded all around her.

"AHHHH!!" Steam was rising from Luc's body as he vented. Len was starting to get on his last nerve. Something exploded off to the side as he continued to vent his rage. Hearing the small whine from Melisandra, Luc turned and started to walk towards her. Len wasn't there which left him with the option of venting his frustrations upon her body.

The dark mage's progress was slowed by the fact a form appeared in front of Mel. It was made of earth but was in the form of Brask greatest soldiers. He growled as the figure took a protective stance between himself and Mel. No one, not Len, not Jeral and certainly not a hunk of earth was going to stop him from getting to her.

"Cousin you have become quiet a pest. One I intend to crush beneath my boot heel."

Slowly Luc began to chant, all the light seemed to drain from the room, even though there were several windows letting the afternoon light in. Mel pushed herself into the corner, not caring that the collar was digging into her skin. She watched as the darkness was pulled into a small ball, the hall growing cold as Luc launched it the earth guardian.

Luc laughed as the figure was blasted half of it was turned to black dust the other half was sent fly out of the window. Mel got to her feet rushing to the window when she heard the crash and the scream. What was left of the guardian had fallen on one of Luc's men. Off in the distance two figured fought their way towards the ruined gate. Before she could try and get a better look Luc was yanking her away from the broken glass. Her head bounced off the wall as she was slammed into it.

"Gods I am starting to think you all may be more trouble than you are worth." His hand was belted tightly around her throat. Mel could see the way his eye burned with anger. He dropped his hand, but she stayed pinned to the wall, held there by his powers. Luc stormed away from her, but Mel didn't doubt that he was not done with her yet.

 

[marauder13]

Lentharian felt the disruption to the magics he has wielded to bring the guardian into being. His eyes narrowed, before dispatching a couple of the mortal guards in his cousin's service.

"Follow me, Jeral!" Lentharian walked off briskly. He walked through the keep, homing in on Luc with every step. One of the demonic knights rushed him, but he was ready. The blows went wide as Lentharian rammed his sword through the helm, watching the knight shiver before collapsing in a metallic heap. Men were smarter and turn and ran after that.

Len walked into a large room, greeted by the sight of Mel pinned to a wall, and Luc fuming, literally and figuratively. Len dropped into a fight stance without thought.

"Hello... cousin." Lentharian's voice was cold as ice.

"You! It's going to be wonderful for your lover to see you die horribly." Harsh words rolled out of Luc's mouth, a dark cloud forming around him. The obsidian mist thickened into a glistening tentacle that lashed out to grab Lentharian. The Prince's body was encased in the constricting appendage. Luc laughed out loud.

"The mighty Prince of Noden is overwhelmed by something so simple?" Lentharian waited as the rock floor flowed like water, forming up into two hands that tore the tentacle apart. Luc roared in pain. He looked back at the advancing armoured figure, smiling as the remaining demonic knights arrived behind Lentharian.

"Jeral, get to Melisandra. Now! Run man!!" Luc laughed again, ignoring the Brask guardsman as he dashed for the princess. Lentharian turned to dace the remaining knights.

"Ignitae Flambeau!!" A huge roaring blaze flowed past Lentharian washing over the three knights. their armour glowed red, then white before it started to warp, drip and melt to the floor. The walls of the hallway started to suffer from the heat as well, some of the rock melting enough to run a little.

Breathing heavily, Lentharian turned to face Luc. Luc's face was a mask of rage. His entire body shuddered with barely suppressed rage.

"Well, cousin, you exhausted yourself defeating my knights, you have nothing left to protect yourself from me." A blast of icy wind started to encase Lentharian's armour in ice. Luc laughed with maniacal glee as the ice thickened on Lentharian's armour. But the laughter stopped as Lentharian started to move. Shards of ice fell to the floor, shattering into tiny fragments when they hit the floor.

"I have enough to keep me protected from you, Karda." Lentharian closed on his cousin, the sword flashing quickly, slicing through one of the tattoos. Luc's scream was joined by the cracking noise of the spell's breaking. Luc looked at Lentharian in shock as the blade whistled through the air again, devastating another tattoo in a similar manner. Luc tried to avoid and fend off the blows, blood running freely from all the wounds created with the death of each tattoo.

Each blow stole some of the confidence and bravery from Luc. He cowered further, crying out for mercy, screaming and crying from the wounds delivered. Luc ended up lying in a growing pool of his own blood, whimpering as Lentharian stood over him. Lentharian used some of his power to lift Luc to his feet. From the hallway, another man entered the room and casually walked up beside the Noden Prince. He was dressed in a robe the colour of fresh grass, his skin had an olive tinge but his eyes were the purest shade of green ever seen.

"Luc, I'm sure that you know who this is. Well, in case you don't, this is Emer. He is going to do me a favour." Luc looked up, his eyes glazing over from the loss of blood. But when the new comers name was spoken, Luc's eyes grew wide in fear.

"No..." Luc croaked pitifully. "Please... no..." Emer reached out and touched Luc's head. Luc snapped to attention as his body was encased in a green crystal.

"Yes, Luc. You're going to live like that for a while, until I am ready to see you punished for your crimes. Who knows, cousin, it might take me a few years to get everything ready. But until then, relax. You will only be able to hear my voice, Luc, when I choose for you to hear it. No one else's voice will reach your ears. You will see nothing, taste nothing, feel nothing and smell nothing."

 

[AngelofDeath]

Just her Master was encased in the stone, the power holding her to the wall broke and Mel dropped to the floor with a thud. Jeral was there helping her up, "Are you ok Melisandra?"

"Yes, thank you Jeral," She watched his eyes roam over her body, the dress leaving very little to the imagination. "I'm fine thank you." The chain attached to the collar about her neck fell to the floor, that spell now broken as well. Her eyes traveled to Luc's prone form briefly before making their way up to Len's face. Her master's command was still fresh in her mind, she knew what she had to do.

Mel turned away as Len started to walk towards her. Smiling up at the older man, her hands wrapped around his neck as she suddenly pulled him down. Her lips catching his startled ones in a kiss. Moaning her tongue plunged into his mouth as her body pressed into his as much as the armor would allow her to do. His hands were on her upper arms at first as in ready to push her way. The older man let out a moan of his own just as Len was yanking her away Jeral.

Before he could speak though Mel was in his arms, kissing him as she had Jeral. It was she who broke the kiss this time. Looking up at her shocked fiance she licked her bottom lip slowly. "What is wrong Len? I was merely thanking Jeral for helping to save me." Her actions weren't the only thing that was different. She sounded like some palace courtesan caught between two rivals. "I would thank him properly, but," she looked once more back toward Luc, "I don't think this is the place for such things."

She took his hand and pulled it to her breast, pushing what little was actually covering her breast aside to let him touch her fully. Melisandra moaned as she looked up at him. "I intend to thank both of you fully and properly." She turned her head to see Jeral staring at her open-mouthed, "Is something amiss Jeral?"

"Melisandra what as gotten into you," had anyone else done that he might have wiped his mouth on the back of his arm. As it was he could still taste her and out of reflex licked his lips. "This isn't like you. Len what else did that bastard do to her?"

"He didn't do anything that I...didn't want or enjoy," She would have walked to him, but Len still had a firm grip upon her. "Len won't mind me thanking you. Not when he knows he will be getting the greater reward." Mel let out a throaty chuckle as she pulled her hands free. Len was looking rather shocked as well. More o as her hands began to run over herself, a soft moan escaping her lips. "Mmmm I could thank you both at the same time. So many deliciously wonderful things I have learned. Things that would make your toes curl and make Jeral blush."

"Stop it, Melisandra!" Jeral snapped at her. She pouted as she looked at him, her fingers twisting her nipple as she pressed her hand against her mound. He was still a man and still he looked, swallowing hard as his eyes followed her hands until he looked away from her, breathing hard. Mel walked over to him, the compulsion spell Luc had place on and within her was affecting Jeral more than it was Len, because she had made first contact with him. His eyes were unfocused as she tipped his head up. Her fingers slipped into his short hair, tugging gently. Like a man suddenly possessed he was pulling Mel into his arms as his mouth found her breast. His teeth caught her nipple as her gaze went to her love. Like a Siren she called to him.

"Come join us Len, let me love you both as you should be," Back arching she let Jeral feast at her breast. His left hand squeezed it as he sucked and nipped roughing at her. His other hand was dragging the skirt of her dress up. She willingly spread her legs as his hand found her, fingers plunging into her already wet cunt.

She let out a small scream at the sudden intrusion, but she did not take her eyes off Len, "Join us, my love. Share with him." As she looked at him, Len would see that it was truly not Mel looking at them. The real Mel was locked away, a prisoner in her mind.

 

[marauder13]

Lentharian was still in a state of shock at the behaviour of of Melisandra and Jeral. Of the two, Jeral's was the more out of character, if only just. But the Noden Prince was fighting down his reflexive emotional response to what he was seeing. Lentharian took a deep breath, steeling himself for what he needed to do. His left hand supported the back of her head, as he brought his right hand to her face, gently caressing it. He brought two fingers up over her eyes, drawing on the power within him and funneling through the simple word of power as his fingertips touched her eyelids.

"Sleep."

He caught the collapsing form of Melisandra as she fell away from Jeral. The surprise was enough for the man to free himself from Melisandra's body momentarily. In that moment, Lentharian's free right hand slammed into the man's jaw, sending his reeling to the floor. Lentharian continued to lay the now sleeping Princess on the floor as her long time friend raised himself off the floor.

"Don't you ever stand between her and I again, Noden!" Jeral's face was contorted with anger as he stalked back to where Lentharian stood. Without waiting, Lentharian rushed the guardsman, lifting him enough to have him clear the ground, before slamming him into a wall with a resounding crash.

"Listen to yourself, man! Think of what you had been doing to your Princess! Gods, Jeral, what were you thinking?"

"Let go of me!" Jeral slammed his fists down on Lentharian's head, but the younger man was moving his head to avoid the worst of the blows. Lentharian let the older man go, Jeral dropping to the floor. Lentharian grimaced as he once more slammed his fist into Jeral's face, rendering the man unconscious.

Lentharian paused to get his feelings under control, and examined what had happened. Jeral's reactions were totally unnatural as far as Lentharian was concerned. He refused to focus on Melisandra's actions and reactions at that time, and concentrating on the guardsman. Lentharian peered over at Luc, a series of swear words formed up in his mind.

The spellcaster found a section of floor that was clear, and he inscribed a circle. He lifted Melisandra and carried her into the middle of the circle. He laid her down gently, stroking her hair. He activated the circle, blocking the external energies from interfering with what he was planning on doing. Lentharian slowly recalled the words, as the language the spell used was old, and rather difficult to pronounce. He stilled his thoughts and feelings, focused totally on the words, and their intent. The deep, guttural sounds rumbled from his throat. Lentharian knew he would get the spell right, that it would succeed, that his pronunciation would be perfect.

The last sound escaped his mouth, the spell complete. He felt the energies coalesce around Melisandra, cocooning her body. He saw the spell find what he suspected and hoped was there. A compulsion charm. His spell immediately began to counter the compulsion, as it had been designed to do. But due to the nature of compulsion charms, they were hard to break if another cast it. The old spell Lentharian found was devised around the time the compulsion charms were first created.

But the end result was not what Lentharian expected. When the compulsion was finally broken, the energies bound into the charm, and the counter spell, were released unchanneled. Luckily for Lentharian and Melisandra, the circle was not strong enough to contain the released energies, otherwise they would have been killed. Lentharian was knocked flat by the blast. Melisandra, by the will of the Gods, was spared any injuries.

"Well," The Noden Prince rubbed his head as she tried to sit up, "we'll see if this worked or not soon."

 

[AngelofDeath]

Eventually both Mel and Jeral started to move. The guard let out a pained moaned as he rubbed his jaw. "What hit me?," shaking his head, Jeral pushed his way to his feet. The site of Mel, slowly rising her, dress still in disarray brought back hazy memories and he shook his head again to dislodge them. Had he actually done that? He could still taste her on his lips, remember the right grasp of her body around hi fingers. Jeral's steely eyes found Len's remembering the blows from the younger man. A slow flush covered his neck, mostly from shame at his lack of control more than anything.

"I'll go fetch the horses," And that was all he said before turning and walking off, much in need of fresh air and anything else to look at, but Mel and her prince. While the spell no longer had any hold on him, something else did. It held the guard is a firm and deep grasp that he was unsure he would be able to shake free.

Mel on the other had a pout on her face as she wanted Jeral go. "Why did you have to make him leave? We we having such fun." Despite the implications of her words, she sounded like a child upset that their toy had been taken. Looking Len over she made her way towards him, before kneeling down and leaning in to run her tongue over his lips.

It was clear that while the one spell was gone, but the other that held her still held firmly to her mind. It was going to take more than an ancient spell to brings back to order.

"I suppose that means only the Prince gets the Princess' favor for saving her." Mel's tongue traced over his lips, slowly, but insistently as her hand lifted his and pulled it to her breasts. She moaned as she press his fingers into the flesh of her breast with her own fingers.

"I know you want me, Lentharian. You cannot deny what this body makes you feel. Mmm the things I have learned my sweet prince." She kissed and licked her way along his jaw, her teeth found the lobe of his ear and bit down. Her other hand slid into his brown hair and held the back of his head as she moaned into his ear. Her body began to move, rubbing her nipple against his palm. "Have you missed this Len? Missed touch me? Missed taking me for your own? Filling me with your cock?"

Her eyes shifted towards her imprisoned Master before looking back to his face, "Do you want me as he had me? Begging ? Pleading? Willing to meet each and every dark desire?" Mel's mouth found his, kissing him, her tongue plunging into his own mouth, tasting him.

 

[marauder13]

Lentharian never thought he would be grateful for wearing armour in the presence of an amorous woman, but he was. Briefly. The moment she started to kiss him, his resolve started to melt.

"You cannot deny what this body makes you feel." She was very correct there. Her body was making him feel a lot at that stage, wanting to comfort her and reassure her in a very physical manner. His bare hand upon her breast feeling the manifestation of her excitement was bypassing all conscious thought. The feel of the hardened flesh, along with the her moans and kissing were making it hard for him to think clearly, if think at all. He was going as far as figuring out how quickly he could shed his armour when other words of hers cut through the lust ladened haze.

"Have you missed this Len? Missed touch me? Missed taking me for your own? Filling me with your cock?"

"Do you want me as he had me? Begging ? Pleading? Willing to meet each and every dark desire?"

Even through the raw and passionate kiss, Lentharian started to regain control over himself. He was starting to remember where they were, what dangers still existed. He slowly pressed Melisandra further away from him, allowing him to stand. As he looked down on her barely covered form, he fought his base desires, pushing them back, knowing that there would be time to release them. In the proper place and at the proper time.

Her words echoed in his mind. They didn't quite sound right, but then he wasn't sure what had happened to Melisandra while she had been in Luc's hands. As much as it pained him to know that the traitorous bastard had used Melisandra for his own sick pleasures, it might have awakened some desires in her that neither of them knew of.

"Not now, Melisandra. We need to get you back to Noden first, then you can thank me properly, if you so desire. There are still dangers present here in the fortress. Come along. Jeral is getting our mounts. We should be safely back in Noden in a few hours."

Lentharian led Melisandra back to where he and Jeral had left there mounts. On the way back, a couple of the surviving guards ran into them. The prince wasted little time in dispatching them quickly. They arrived where Jeral had their mounts. He had found another horse for Melisandra to ride. The Guardsman gave Melisandra a look while Lentharian helped her onto her mount. He went to his horse, and found a spare blanket to wrap around her.

"It'll help keep you from catching a chill in the time that it will take for us to return. We had best get moving, the Gods only know what other joys are awaiting us."

Without further word, Lentharian started riding away from Luc's old bastion.

 

[AngelofDeath]

Melisandra had to keep the pout off her face as Len turned her down and pulled her outside. She allowed him to wrap the blanket about her after she was seated upon the horse. Jeral gave her a look, but it wasn't one of lust or desire and that made her wonder if she were loosing her touch. Both of the men she wanted had turned her down. The group rode from Luc's stronghold, and back towards Noden. It was a quite ride. Neither man would look her way for more than a few seconds and no one spoke to each other.

The sun was just making it's descent when they reached and crossed the gates of Noden. It was lovely and more than a few heads turned their way as they rode for the palace. Some seemed surprised to see the two men's return with Mel in tow. she couldn't understand why Len seemed so worried about their arrival.

~o~​

The journey back to Noden had been long, too long actually for Jeral's liking. His head still pounded from his scuffle with Len. Of course that pain was nothing compared to the pain of what he had done to Mel. It didn't matter if he had been enchanted and that she herself was still as such. He had failed in his duty to his princess and worse yet he remembered all of it. The burning desire he had felt for her, the taste of her body, the feel of her tight heat around his fingers. He shook his head and made a point not to look at her. It wasn't just the shame that pained the guard, but also the still lingering desires. The bastard Luc's spell had filled his mind with many images of Mel. The things he could do to her and that she would allow with fever.

His hand gripped the horse's reins tightly enough that his knuckles were white. It didn't matter how uncomfortable he was though. They would have to eventually return to Brask and until then Jeral was not free from his duty to return his princess as he had sworn to do. And soon as she was settled though Jeral had every intention of finding the largest bottle of wine possible and locking himself in his room. And once back in Brask, he'd call upon his favorite courtesan. It would take time to burn the memory of her body and sweet scent from his mind, but alcohol was a good way to start. Without looking her way he canted his head in Len's direction, "Whatever he's done to her, we cannot go back to Brask until she is herself. Her father would have my head and quite possibly yours for returning her as such." Jeral spared her half a glance before continuing, "Should his hold on her ended when you broke the spell upon me? Or even when he was entombed?"