Midnight’s Forest *Closed, for Leetah and I*

[Ravenloft]

Cael

Idris' dying curse echoed in Cael's ears, such things, he had heard had real power to the gypsy people. He drove the words off as Ceridwen began to scream. Getting weakly to his feet, he tried to hush her, touching her softly, tenderly, to show her he was near and would make her safe. He stilled her wrist and began to saw at the thick rope, to free her, choking back the pain and anger he still felt toward the damned Idris, for his crimes against his love.

Once he freed her, they crashed into one anothers arms, both crying. "He... He didn't... Rape you..." Cael could not finish as he turned his face into the crook of Ceridwen's slender neck, with a sound of passion and fear.

 

[Leetah]

Ceridwen

Ceridwen felt as if she were in a long tunnel of black light, her eyes focused at the moment only on the dying or dead man who had been her tormentor until a few moments before. His dark eyes were wide open, staring into nothingness, but she felt as if they were focused on her, and felt herself being drawn in to them. Her mind acknowledged the curse Idris had thrown at Cael, as she was drawn into the empty gaze of Idris. She felt as if she were floating into the deep dark pools of his eyes, and black demon fingers reached for her, touching her skin with an icy grip. "Let me go!" she screamed to them, fighting for her life and sanity as she kept screaming. Somewhere deep in her mind, she was vaguely aware of Cael, moving beside her, his hands warm and gentle, his voice soothing, and she fought to get back to him, thrashing about, struggling toward his light.

Ceridwen felt her wrists being clasped to stop her from accidentally harming herself or Cael, and then she could feel the bindings loosen. As they began to drop away, she felt herself flying back toward her body, the demons losing their hold on her, as she was freed. Then, she was back with Cael, her Minstrel. His arms held her instantly, and she clung to him. She was weeping again, but these were tears of relief and love. She felt the warmth of his own tears wetting her skin, as he spoke to her. "He... He didn't... Rape you..." His face was buried in her soft shoulder, and her arms came around him. Suddenly she was soothing him. "No, no....I am still pure. I am not sure how much longer that would have been the case, however. " She stroked his hair softly, and then slid her hands to his face, pulling him up to look at her. Without a word, she pulled his lips softly to her own, trying to convey her gratitude and love to him, without speaking.

 

[Ravenloft]

Cael

"Your Queen, I sought her out, and she somehow knew where I could find you. It is only because of her that I was here in time to save you..." Cael breathed quickly, his mind racing. Ceridwen's kiss stilled him, easing his mind and, left his breathing a calm and easy pace.

He had never shared such a deeply intimate kiss, passionate and arousing, yes, but this, this kiss trancended physicality, and defied discription. He was lost in it for some time... Eventually, he drew a hand between their entwined lips and whispered. "We must leave this place, it is a place of pain and of death, and I do not want our finest kiss to be tinged with such loathsomness as that which surrounds us."

Cael struggled to lift Ceridwen to her feet and made the attempt to carry her, with no concern for the aches of his body. He made it to the cave's exit before he had to set her upon her feet.

 

[Leetah]

Ceridwen

As their lips met, Ceridwen felt a peace steal over her, and she could tell it touched Cael as well. She felt as if their minds and spirits touched briefly, as their breath mingled. When he broke the contact, she immediately missed the feel of his lips on her own, but agreed with his words. Before she could even move, he had swept her into his arms, his body trembling with the effort. She could feel how difficult it was for him, knowing he must be in great pain, but she said nothing, knowing also that it was important to him to care for her at this moment. He moved around Idris' body, and barely made it to the entrance of the cave, before he gently set her on her feet.

Ceridwen saw how pale Cael appeared, his face showing the strain of carrying even her slight weight. She laid a hand on his arm. "Thank you for assisting me, Minstrel, but I would feel better to walk. I feel quite stiff after being....restrained...for such a time. Hold a moment, and let me get something to cover myself before we return." She stepped quickly back into the cavern without giving him time to protest, and pulled a sheet from the bed, wrapping it around herself. She refused to look at Idris as she passed by his still form both times.

Cael was leaning against the wall of the cave when Ceridwen returned. She wrapped the sheet around herself, in a toga-like style, covering her nudity, and then took his hand. "Let us go back to camp," she said softly. "I must explain to the Tribe what has taken place here this night."

 

[Ravenloft]

Cael

Cael took Ceridwens hand and used the wall to rise to his feet, the effort wrote pain upon his brow, which he forced away just as quickly as it had arived, so that Ceridwen would not worry for him. "I am sorry, in my haste I didn't concider your nakedness..." Cael said softly as he looked upon her.

They departed, hand in hand and before long, returned to her home. "I know you wish to go and inform everyone of what has... Transpired, my love." Cael began as he sat heavily upon her bed, still clasping her hand, so that she sat next to him. "But would it be such a sin if you were to stay here, with me... Until the morning?" Cael fixed his azure blue eyes upon her as he leaned near, hoping to return to the kiss that they had shared. It made him forget all of his pain, physical and otherwise.

 

[Leetah]

Ceridwen

Cael's hand felt wonderful clasping her own as they moved slowly through the forest, until finally they reached the encampment again. All was still quiet throughout the entire camp. Not one light glimmered now from any window. Quietly, they entered Ceridwen's wagon, where Rawnie still slept on, completely unaware of the events of this long night.

I know you wish to go and inform everyone of what has... Transpired, my love." Cael's voice was husky as he pulled her down to sit beside him on the edge of the soft bed. Ceridwen felt great weariness flowing through her, so when he spoke again, the temptation to stay at his side was almost overwhelming. The deep blue wells of his eyes were hard to resist, and she could see the longing and feelings deep in his eyes. She wanted to kiss him again, his lips a hairsbreadth from her own, but she found her resolve and resisted.

"Shhhh, you'll wake Rawnie, Dear One," Ceridwen whispered softly. "All I want at this moment is to lie beside you until morning, but I must go and tell the Elders of the Tribe what has happened. If I do not, then there may be steeper consequences than either of us are willing to pay." She touched his cheek softly, smiling at him.

 

[Ravenloft]

Cael

"Very well my love, but know you take my heart, and my all with you, I would die for you. And though I am not proud of it, I have killed for you..." Cael said quietly as he took hold of her hand, his eyes showing a somewhat haunted look as he placed a kiss upon each of her finger tips. "I shall wait, as I have, for your return." He added as he drew himself up into a half seated position on the bed next to Rawnie.

 

[Leetah]

Ceridwen

A bit stunned by Cael's admission of his feelings for her, Ceridwen paused and looked into his eyes, seeing that his words were true. She knew that her own feelings ran deep for him as well, but she was somewhat afraid still to say the words that her lips wanted to form. "No, I did not know that I was taking your heart with me, but I am aware that you have killed for me, and for that I am grateful. I must talk to the Tribe about what has happened and why. I do believe they will be lenient under the circumstances, but killing is highly frowned upon, as I'm sure you're aware."

Looking down to where Rawnie slept, Ceridwen smiled softly. "At least she has rested through all the excitement. I am grateful for that, but I hope that she will accept Idris' death without too much sadness. After what he did to her, I hope that will help, but one never knows." Giving Cael a final look, Ceridwen headed out the door.

 

[Ravenloft]

Cael

Cael returned Ceridwen's departing look with soft, knowing eyes, the slightest of smiles gracing his lips as he settled back to rest until his love, and his heart returned to him. "For what is a man without his heart... Nothing." Cael sighed as he drifted off.

He began to dream of Ceridwen, dream of her soft skin, bare, pressed against him. Her scent filled his head and her hands were on his back. She was open to him, and he entered her, the silken embrace enough to steal his breath away, if not her kiss. She sighed in soft, encouraging tones as he delved into her... Her hands growing taut upon his back. Her soft sighs turning to deepening moans.

...Her nails dug into his back, her legs thrashed, her face pale, her eyes wide with fright, she was screaming. The dreams turn to nightmare struck Cael like a fist, and he was stunned by his lovers violent, terrified struggling. What was going on? He cried, without a voice, or rather, his voice was not his own, but the vile bark of the hated dead, Idris. Cael looked up into the surface of Ceridwen's nightstand mirror, and where his fine features used to rest, where his loving eyes should have shined, there was the bloody, sweat sheening face of IDRIS!!!.

Cael struggled against the dream but could not wake as his dream form forced itself upon Ceridwen's sweetly innocent body. She clawed and thrashed but his flesh only distently felt the stinging bite of her nails, and the dull thuds of her fists. He was acutely aware of the feel of her prescious hymen tearing under the thrusts of his cock though, it punched through, and sunk deep, and her blood welled up about it. The violence, the pain, the terror he was causing made him wretch, but it was as though his body were not his own, as though he were being posessed by the damned soul of Idris himself.

A trembling hand touched him, his bare back, drawing him suddenly from his dream. He frantically threw himself from the bed stumbling. "Stay away!" He cried out as he cowered on hands and knees. "Stay away you bastard!" Cael commanded as he pulled at his hair. A moment of shaky breath and Cael came to awareness of his surroundings. It was a nightmare and Rawnie looked down at him pale with fright at his outburst. "I... I am sorry... Rawnie... I dreamed... Something awful... I need to go."

And with that, Cael strode out into the night, not sure where he was going, only that his feet were leading him somewhere. He found himself at Midnights door. He stood there for several minutes before he lifted his hand to knock.

 

[Leetah]

Ceridwen/Rawnie/Midnight

Ceridwen

Hurrying through the rapidly waning night, Ceridwen soon reached Andras' door. She hated to wake the big man, as he normally did not get much sleep, but knew she could not let this wait until the morrow. Still wrapped in the sheet from the cave, she rapped lightly on Andras' door, waiting for his summons to enter. It came quickly, as he never slept deeply, always on the alert for any trouble brewing from inside or outside the Tribe. Ceridwen stepped lightly over the wooden floor, to stand beside his bed.

Andras had sat up in bed at her tap, and seeing Ceridwen wrapped only in a sheet, her hair tousled about her face, and the marks on her face, he swung his legs over the side of the bed. "What has happened?" Andras' voice was rough with sleep and anger, at the sight of this lovely young woman, obviously mistreated. "Did the ymwthiwr do this to you?" His dark eyes were flashing dangerously as he prepared to rise, but Ceridwen put out the hand that was not holding the sheet closed about her, and lightly touched his chest, staying him.

"No, Cael would never harm me, Blaenor. This was all done by Idris." Ceridwen looked calmly into his face, but inside her heart trembled. "What? He dares...." Andras voice had turned deadly cold, and she shivered slightly, only having heard that tone a few times in her life. "Did he...." "No." She shook her head. "He kidnapped me and dragged me into the woods, where he tried to rape me, and he beat me." She lowered the sheet, showing the marks on her breasts to Andras, then pulled it back up. "If it hadn't been for Cael....I would no longer be fit to be Iachwar....if I were even still alive."

Andras ran a hand through his thick hair, blinking and shaking his head. "Then we owe a debt to the man. Where is Idris?" Ceridwen took a deep breath and looked directly into the man's eyes as she spoke. "He is dead. Cael killed him. It was the only way he could save me from death, or worse." Andras looked at her gravely. "This is a serious crime, Little One," he said solemnly. "I am aware, Blaenor, but under the circumstances, I think the Council should speak of this and decide what the punishment shall be. I would be the murdered one, most likely, and certainly a new Healer would have to be found and prepared had he taken my virginity."

The big man sighed wearily and nodded. "You are correct about that, Little One. Very well. Go back to your bed and rest. Tomorrow I will meet with the Council and we shall discuss this Minstrel's fate." Feeling slightly better, but still concerned, Ceridwen left, heading back to her wagon to lie beside Cael until the morn. She still dreaded telling Rawnie of Idris' fate, and wasn't quite sure how she would accomplish this.

Rawnie

Sounds began to disturb the deep slumber that Rawnie had fallen into with Ceridwen's help. She had been in a dreamless sleep, but now the sound of thrashing and moaning above her began to bring her to wakefulness. She slowly sat up, blinking sleep from her eyes, trying to remember where she was. Where was her bed? Slowly, memory returned to her, and she felt fear and sadness welling up inside, especially not knowing who was making the tortured sounds.

Cautiously, Rawnie rose to her knees, and peeked over the edge of the bed. Immediately, she saw that it was not anyone to be feared, but rather the stranger, who had been so kind to her earlier. He been gentle with her as he cleaned her from her attack. Still, as hurt as she had been, she found it difficult to believe that Idris had actually done what he had done. For the moment, she let that thought go, as she moved to sit on the bed beside the obviously distressed man.

Gently, her fingers shaking slightly, Rawnie touched the sweat-soaked skin of his bare back, only to be almost thrown back as Cael leaped from the bed, unstable on his feet as he hurried away from her. Her eyes wide, she watched him cower before her, crying out. He was tearing at his thick locks and screaming almost. She was too shocked to even move, as he finally seemed to truly come to himself and looked up at her. She had never seen such a look on any man's face before, and it chilled her in a way she couldn't explain.

He got shakily to his feet and moved away from her. "I... I am sorry... Rawnie... I dreamed... Something awful... I need to go." He seemed almost in a daze as he exited and Rawnie suddenly realized that she was alone. She didn't know where Ceridwen had gone. She didn't know where Cael was going. She didn't know quite what was going on. She began rocking herself on the bed, speaking softly. "I'm sure Idris didn't mean to harm me. He was probably just excited about being with me and it overcame him. Yes, that must be it."

Midnight

Almost completely aware of the night's events, the dark Queen was waiting, and moments before she heard his knock on her door, Midnight called out, "Come in, Cael." She knew that he had murdered the oaf Idris, and that it was well-deserved. She knew that the Tribe would pass some sort of judgment on him on the morrow, but what she could not yet 'see'. Most likely, under the circumstances, they would plan a trial for him, and what would be would be. She knew his feelings for Ceridwen, and she knew she wanted him in her own bed, and she intended to have him one way or another. Now that the girl was no longer in imminent danger, she could manipulate this young and virile man to her own will, using his feelings for Ceridwen against him.

As he entered, Midnight motioned him over to her. She could tell he was drained by the events of the evening and something else...what she wasn't quite certain. As she lay naked before him, Midnight looked into Cael's deep azure gaze. "Sit by me on my bed and tell me what it is you desire."

 

[Ravenloft]

Cael/Idris

Cael shuffled to Midnights bed, his eyes haunted by the lingering images from his nightmare. "It is not what I desire, but what I fear that has brought me once more here, to you. You have sight where others are blind, this much I know. I have rescued Ceridwen from Idris, at the cost of his life. But I fear that he may not be... Gone... I dreamed... Dreamed that I was sharing Ceridwen's bed..." Cael's voice wavered as his eyes drifted down along Midnights naked body.

His heart quickened as she leaned ever so slightly toward him, letting one leg stretch out as the other slid up toward her chest. She was seducing him, he knew. This was a game he was more than acquainted with. Midnights surprisingly soft hand encircled his wrist, and it was as though all strength fled him. "I changed... I was not myself... I became Idris... And I stole Ceridwen's innocences." Cael sunk under the weight of fatigue and fear, coming to sit weakly next to Midnight, his hip dangerously close to her naked thigh.

The faint hint of sex and jasmine weaved its way through Caels defenses as Midnight drew his head down to her bare breast. "Please... Lady Midnight... Help me, I fear that somehow... Idris has posessed me..." Caels voice was strained as he desperately held on to the last remaining shreds of his will to resist her... The last of it was spent as she ran a gentle finger down his aching spine....



Idris drew a slow breath through Caels nostrals and the scent he drew only served to harden him in an instant. It was Lady Midnight, and her bare breast was practically in his mouth. With a throaty growl that was more musical than any his own throat could have formed, Idris captured the offered nipple with this body's perfect teeth, iliciting a pleased gasp from Midnight. He payed no attention to the slow teasing draw of her finger tips along his spine, but roughly pushed his hand between the woman's open legs to sink them deep into her cunt. At first Idris did not notice how Cael's slim fingers sensed much more detail than his own thick hands ever had, but slowly, the realization came to him as Midnight reached down to slow his clumsy fingering.

He would have dug in deeper for such an act as to dare still him in his efforts, but the moment caused him to realize the diference in his touch and Caels. He had never felt such sensual detail in a woman's pussy before, not with his own hands. Shruging it off, Idris tugged at his breeches, just enough to free Caels cock...

There it was, the thing that Ceridwen desired, but yet could not have, something that had power over her... Power... Idris mouth watered as he reached down to grasp it with his free hand.

Only Midnight embraced it before he, her hand soft as silk as she worked it up and down Caels length. Idris felt a subtle agrivation, but the pleasure of her touch outweighed his annoyance and he layed prone next to her so that she could climb atop him.

 

[Leetah]

Midnight

The Queen gently but firmly let Cael know he would not be able to resist her any longer, and she was pleasantly suprised when he took her nipple between his teeth. His roughness aroused her, as well as amazed her, for she had taken him to be a bit gentler sort than that. She like rough play, so was quite content. She felt his fingers plunging into her, and he began poking about with a clumsiness that she would not have expected. She slipped her hand downward to slow his play, and felt his body tense slightly, then relax.

Midnight watched as Cael freed his hard cock, the end glistening with pre-cum. The fingers of his free hand moved to encircle the shaft, but her soft hand was there first, stroking him with a firm touch. She enjoyed the feel of his rock-hard erection beneath her fingertips, even though she had had several hours of love-making earlier. She was an insatiable woman, and Idris knew this. As Cael's body descended to the mattress, his fingers still stroking inside her, and her fingers still massaging his shaft, she felt a slight vibration in the air....there for a moment and then gone, before she could quite capture its essence.

Shrugging slightly, Midnight rose and knelt over the prone body of the Minstrel. He raked her body with his gaze, searing her flesh almost with the lust in his eyes. Her arousal consumed her and she impatiently pushed his hand from her pussy, and knelt over him, releasing him from her grasp, letting her slickness touch the head of his cock ever so slightly, teasing him. She looked down at him, a wicked gleam in her dark eyes, and noticed that his gaze did not look quite right. His eyes seemed a bit unfocused, even as they slid up and down her body hungrily.

Midnight paused, wondering. She so wanted this virile hard body beneath her, and it was hers for the taking, but who would she really be making love with?

 

[Ravenloft]

Idris (In Caels Body)

"Well? What are you waiting for?" Idris growled from Caels lips, his eyes hot with lust and impatience. "You have long wanted this bod... Me, Midnight. I can smell it on you, its like a doe in heat." Idris hissed as he grasped her by her hips and drew her down, Caels rigid cock sinking into her slick hole with ease. "Now you have it..." Idris turned Caels lips up in a cat like smile as he twitched within her depths.

His hands clasped her rear, his finger nails digging into her soft skin as he forced her hips to work upon him. Forward and back he rocked her upon Caels cock, drawing and plunging into her silky depths. "Come now, Midnight, where is the voracious queen of the Gypsys now? Have you suddenly gone timid on me? For shame, I had much higher expectations than this, by the hells, even little Rawnie was a better fuck than you."

 

[Leetah]

Midnight/Ceridwen & Rawnie

Midnight

The Gypsy Queen heard the slip that Idris made as he possessed Cael's hard young body. She felt the thick shaft of the Minstrel's cock entering her, and her lust was fired, but if all was as she suspected, she did not want to give the dog that had tried to harm her Chosen One any satisfaction. As she paused, she felt Cael's fingers digging into her bottom, painfully, as he forced her body to move. Hot waves of desire rolled through her body and fired her blood, as some of Cael's natural skill could not help but come through, even though he was 'not himself'. Even though she was not moving herself, her body betrayed her by lubricating itself up and down the cock she rode. "Come now, Midnight, where is the voracious queen of the Gypsys now? Have you suddenly gone timid on me? For shame, I had much higher expectations than this, by the hells, even little Rawnie was a better fuck than you."

Knowing that Cael had not seduced Rawnie, Midnight knew now with a certainty who she was really riding. His fingers were like iron claws in her flesh, and she knew he would not release her until he had forced her to cum and had splashed Cael's seed deep in her womb. Idris, in Cael's body, thrust even harder into the Queen's tight pussy, loving the feel of her gripping him. He knew she was fighting not to give in to what she wanted, but he also knew that he would have what he wanted. He removed one hand from her bottom, and moved it up to the back of her neck, pulling her forward, until he could catch her hard nipples in his mouth. He quickly moved his mouth back and forth over her rosy tips, nipping at them and growling. "You will cum for me, Queen Bitch, trust me!" Cael's musical voice had never sounded quite so fierce before.

Midnight knew the moment her nipples were stimulated, she was lost. She could not fight the lust that inflamed her, so she was forced to allow Idris to win this round. Her muscles squeezed the invading shaft suddenly and she cried out again and again, as she milked him, and then he spasmed into her with a groan. Idris felt himself losing his grip on Cael's mind as he came, and he snarled, fighting to keep control, but for the moment, he slipped back into the darkness from whence he came.

Ceridwen & Rawnie

Ceridwen walked wearily to her own door, wanting nothing more than her own bed, and to lie in Cael's arms quietly until the morning light touched the sky. She paid no attention to Midnight's home as she moved by it, and had no idea of the battle taking place inside. She climbed the steps, and slipped through the curtain, stopping when she saw her bedcovers thrown about wildly, Cael nowhere to be seen, and Rawnie sitting up on Ceridwen's bed and rocking herself, speaking softly. She rushed over and saw immediately that the girl did not appear to be harmed in any way, but she had a very far away look in her eyes. Now Ceridwen could begin to make out what the other girl was murmuring.

"I know he didn't mean to hurt me. He's waited so long to make love with me, and I him, he would never hurt me. He loves me. I love him. When people love one another they don't hurt each other. I can't wait to see him again!"

Ceridwen sat down beside Rawnie and gently touched her shoulder. The girl looked at her, and smiled softly. "Oh hello Ceridwen! I didn't hear you come in. I need to get back to my house. I'm sure Idris will be looking for me. I think he's going to ask me to marry him!" She giggled, the sound a little strained. Ceridwen stroked the girl's hair gently. "Rawnie, dear, where is Cael?" "Cael? Oh, he jumped up out of bed, and ran away. He was frightened by something. I don't know where he went. Do you think I'll have time to make my wedding gown before we marry? Idris, I mean, not Cael!" The girl giggled again, her eyes unfocused, her tone sounding slightly hysterical.

Knowing that Cael was most likely alright for the moment, Ceridwen had to get Rawnie to focus. The sooner the young woman learned of Idris' fate, the sooner she could come to terms with the reality of what had happened, grieve and then move on with her life. She caught Rawnie's face between her palms, and turned the girl to look at her. What she saw in those eyes was devastating. Rawnie was lost in her own mind. The horror of what had happened was there, but the girl simply could not let herself believe it, so she pushed it away. The horror was almost buried behind her fantasies, but not quite, so it was a terrible mixture of emptiness that met Ceridwen's gaze.

Taking a deep breath, Ceridwen spoke somewhat sharply. "Rawnie, you must listen to me. Look at me." The girl's eyes remained unfocused, although she did stop speaking for the moment, her lips trembling ever so slightly. "Rawnie, come back to me. I need you to see me...really see me." She could tell the girl did not want to do so, for she begin to struggle just a little, but Ceridwen held firm, and finally Rawnie's eyes focused on her own. Immediately the fear and horror rushed to the surface of her gaze. "Ceridwen...what is it? What has happened?" Her voice was breaking into brittle pieces.

"Rawnie, my dear one, there is no easy way to tell you this. You know you were raped tonight by Idris." The other girl began shaking her head violently in the negative. "No...he was excited....he wanted me....." "No Rawnie, he wanted to hurt you...and he did. He was angry with me, and he hurt you instead. Then he tried to hurt me very badly. Cael came and stopped him." All the while, Rawnie kept her eyes fixed on Ceridwen's as she shook her head unceasingly. "Rawnie...oh my friend.....Idris is....dead. Cael had to kill him to save me. There was no other way...." Ceridwen's voice stopped suddenly when the other girl shoved her backwards off the bed without a word, leapt down on top of her and before Ceridwen could utter a sound, had wrapped her hands around Ceridwen's throat in a vise-like grip, slowly choking the life from her.

 

[Ravenloft]

Cael

Awareness came back to Cael as his eyes fluttered, comming to focus upon the flushed face of Queen Midnight, which hovered above his own. "What... What have you done? What have you done to me?" Cael reached up, his hands pressing against Midnights chest, above her breasts. "Off, get off of me!" Cael was begining to panic. He could feel the slow ooze of his cum as the last remnents of it seeped into Midnights milky wet sex. "Damn you Gypsy witch! I came to you for help! And you seduce me?! Get, get off of me!" Cael demanded, driving her away with a slight push. He rolled from the bed, and onto his hands and knees, letting out a tortured sob. "What... What you have taken... Was ment for Ceridwen... I am ment for Ceridwen... Not you!"

With great shame and embarasment, Cael drew his breaches up and buttoned them. He had never felt this way before... There had been a time that he would have turned around and taken the Queen again... But no longer, his heart, and his body was Ceridwens and Ceridwens alone. Or, he felt, it aught to be... "I came to you for help... And this is what you do to me?" Cael asked again, more calmly this time, casting accusing eyes upon the queen's pale face.

 

[Leetah]

Midnight/Ceridwen & Rawnie

Midnight

The orgasm she had just experienced left Midnight gasping and shaken, it had been so powerful. The oaf, the possessor, had known just how to use her lust against her. The sex had been fierce and hot and outstanding. She cursed the dead man silently in her mind, but did not reach out with her power, as she did not want Cael harmed if Idris was in control at the time. As she drew herself together again, she listened to the young man's tortured words, waiting for him to calm himself a bit. When he turned back to her, Midnight gave him a regal stare. She was still reeling a bit internally, but she would not let either Cael or Idris suspect.

"I did nothing, Minstrel, other than call you to my bed. You fell upon my bed, begging for my help, and then....you took my nipple in your teeth and began playing with my body. You touched and tasted, and then took me. I did not protest, as it would have done no good, and I did desire you very much. I still do, for that matter, but I did not seduce you." She saw his confused and angry look and she continued. "I do not believe that it was you at that moment however."

Midnight was about to explain when she felt a wave of dizziness course over her. A quick flash of vision came to her, and she said breathlessly, "There is no time now. Go, quickly, to Ceridwen. She is in mortal danger."

Ceridwen & Rawnie

Rawnie's face was blank as she gripped the slender throat of her victim. She pressed her fingers slowly but surely into Ceridwen's tender throat, her strength increased by her madness. She began to talk calmly to the other girl, whose hands were pulling at her wrists wildly, to try to loosen her grip. "Now, Ceridwen, you've lied to me again. I know you've been lying to me for ever so long. He never bothered you as you tried to tell me. I know now that it was only your jealousy speaking. Well, the Tribe cannot have a liar as an Iachwar, now can we?" Rawnie removed one hand from Ceridwen's throat suddenly and struck her sharply across the cheek, stunning her with the force of the blow. Ceridwen's fingers loosened from her attacker's wrists and her hands fell to her sides.

"Now, that's better." Rawnie's voice sounded quite cheerful, as she continued pressing her fingers slowly but surely into Ceridwen's throat. "Soon, you'll be dead, and I'll go find Idris, and we'll be married. The Tribe will thank me for saving them from the liar." She pressed even harder into the girl's windpipe, slowly beginning to crush it.

Ceridwen knew she was going to die. She could feel the darkness coldly reaching out for her, and she thought she could hear the hissing of the demons and Idris' voice calling to her in a mocking tone. The whispering voices were evil and frightening, and Idris' was the worst of all. "Yesssssss.....come to me, my little princess......the pleasures and pain I can show you here in the deepest darkest hells, you cannot imagine....commmmmme....." Then there was no air left and the blackness was closing in. She felt the demon fingers on her skin, heard Rawnie singing joyfully now, and thought she heard another sound before she slipped into oblivion.

 

[Ravenloft]

Cael

The edge in Midnights voice brooked no daliance. "No time, Ceridwen, mortal danger." was all Caels mind had registered before his feet carried him from her vardo, and with fleetness, back to Ceridwen's wagon. Cael's panicked mind rifled through many absurd scenarios, comming to the conclusion that if Idris' spirit had so easilly posessed him, it most certainly could take over someone else in this camp. "Rawnie..." He growled, figuring that it would be just like Idris to continue to corrupt that poor young woman, even in the here after.

Cael wasted no time with manners and crashed into, and through Ceridwen's wagon door. Wood splintered inward, showering the floor with its debris. He stood in the doorway for a moment, his eyes falling upon Rawnie's form, hunched over Ceridwen. "Grrrah!" Cael howled as he dove at the young woman, expecting some preternatural strength to meet him as he collided with the girl. Only... There was no more than a wirey young lady would posess and they tumbled and rolled to the far wall, he growling and grunting, she screaming and crying out in fear.

He pinned her beneith him, his hands on her throat just as hers had been upon Ceridwens a moment before. The fear in her eyes was instant warning that she was not under the hateful Idris's command, though there was a madness behind that fear. Cael shifted his thumb to the thrumming cord that suplied her with the vital energy to stay concious, and pressed. Within a minute of struggle, she was unconcious, but alive.

Rolling off of Rawnie, ignoring the strange and profane urge to take advantage of her, Idris's will, no doubt, Cael spat in disgust, as though that would free him of the beast that had taken up residence in his mind and body. Cael crawled over to Ceridwen and checked her for signs of life, she had no breath...

So without knowing why, other than some vague recollection from nights passed, Cael covered her mouth with his own and sealed her nose and breathed out, into her. Her chest rose, and then fell as he drew away. He shared his breath twice more before Ceridwen began to draw her own once more. Cael collapsed next to her whispering his thanks to the heavens in a shaking voice.

 

[Leetah]

Ceridwen

The tunnel of dark light again. Whispers in her ears and icy fingers on her skin. Ceridwen felt violated physically, even though she had no form at present, as the death-cold touches found her nipples, plucking at them, and slithered into her womanhood, changing shape as they did so. Then a dark figure appeared before her. Idris, cloaked in shadows, but his eyes burning, holding out his arms to catch her. "Yessssssss....." came the sibilant whisper. "Bring the bitch to me. She will know me now and forever, once she is bound to me........" Pure horror coursed through her veins as she realized that once he had his hands on her, she was lost to the world she knew. As she was slowly drawn closer and closer to the evil vision before her, suddenly a sliver of light appeared above her.

Silver and pure, it bathed her in its radiance, and she immediately heard shrieking as the demons fled from her. Idris roared out "Nooooooooooooooooo!" He grabbed toward her, so close to her now she imagined she felt his fingers slide through her hair in a futile effort to draw her to him, but then she was forcibly pulled toward the light. Light touched her eyes as she drew breath again, feeling the warmth of Cael's lips covering her own. She coughed weakly, feeling him fall by her side, hearing his musical voice whispering his thanks. Slowly she raised a hand to her throat, and winced.

Ceridwen coughed again, drawing the sweet air into her lungs with thankfulness. She raised her head slightly to meet the young man's shining gaze, and gave him a tremulous smile. "I'm not harmed.....well, not too badly," she rasped, knowing what his response would be to that. She could see Rawnie on the floor out of the corner of her eye when she raised her head. "Is she....?"

 

[Ravenloft]

Cael

"Unconcious, only unconcious... Once again, we have Midnight to thank for your continued life... She warned me of the danger you were in." Cael whispered softly in her ear. "I don't know if I can save you again..." Cael added, his voice shaking as a wave of fatigue crashed over him. "But even if it kills me, I will try, whatever it takes..." He rested his head upon Ceridwen's soft breast and sighed.

 

[Leetah]

Ceridwen/Rawnie

Ceridwen

Ceridwen softly stroked Cael's hair, as the warm weight of his head lay against her, his weary body stretched out beside her there on the floor. She was grateful that Rawnie was only unconscious, instead of what she had first feared. She hoped that Cael would be set free for Idris' death, but Rawnie was an innocent girl. That would not go well with the Council, had he taken her life, even if it was to save Ceridwen. She kissed his forehead softly, then said, "I think it's time we rested, Minstrel. Let me move Rawnie back to her bed and then we shall lie down and sleep. I will give her a sleeping draught again, and she should not waken again." She knew in the morning she would have to let the others know of this newest event of the evening, but for now, she had to rest. She slipped her hands beneath the other girl's armpits, and eased her over onto her pallet again, then quickly got the potion into her mouth, gently massaging her throat to make her swallow.

Rawnie made no sound, except a soft sigh, after the draught was gone, and she snuggled into the pillow again. Ceridwen sighed deeply herself, then joined Cael in her bed, cuddling up against his side, with her head resting on his shoulder. In moments, she was asleep.

Rawnie

Rawnie was frightened. She didn't know where she was. The outsider had pulled her off of the lying girl that had been her friend, and she thought he was going to kill her. Maybe he had. She wasn't sure. It was dark where she was, and she could hear soft whispers around her. She seemed to feel cold hands suddenly touching her and tugging on her, pulling her forward. She had no choice but to allow them, as they were stronger than she was. A darker figure suddenly appeared in front of her, eyes blazing fire. She realized that it was Idris, and shrank back a bit, but she was pulled forward until she stood just in front of him.

"Well, well, what a pleasant surprise," Idris said silkily. "How nice of you to come to me, my pet." She felt the deepest cold yet when his shadowy fingers touched her cheek. His eyes burned into her own. "I intend to have that bitch yet, here with me, but I need you to work for me. I will return to you in the flesh, through the outsider dog, and together, we can kill Ceridwen and she will be mine. As will you." Rawnie felt his deathly cold hands on both her cheeks now, and a moment of clarity shot through her in realization that he was dead and he wanted nothing but evil for her and Ceridwen. It was too late for her, however, as he pulled her toward him and she felt icy lips claiming hers. A pointed and forked tongue slithered into her mouth, draining her of her will.

Idris sucked the air from her lungs and replaced it with his own poisonous breath. Rawnie's very soul was no longer her own, for he had tainted her. "When I take over the Minstrel bastard again, I'll have you in the flesh, my little pet. Together, you and I can sacrifice the lying whore and then she will be mine forever. The torments I will show you both will be more than you can imagine. Now, sleep, and remember nothing of this, but be ready for me when I come to you."

 

[Ravenloft]

Cael

As Cael slept, he dreamed of the gypsy camp, cleared of people, and well lit. There was a quiet peace there as he became aware of himself in the dream. As aware as he would be if awake, though, here he felt none of the fatigue he should have.

Midnight came out of her vardo and stood at the railing, motioning for Cael to come to her. He did so, and lifted his eyes up to her. "I am dreaming." He stated calmly. "Yes and no. This is a dream, yes, but in it, there is more substance than mere thought. Idris hides here."

"Idris... What do you know of the curse he laid upon me?" Cael hissed his name and asked with a growing urgency. "Nothing." Midnight said simply. "I see... Are you only a part of my dream or are you truly Lady Midnight?" Cael asked, his spirit sinking a little.

 

[Leetah]

Midnight

After Cael had left her, Midnight had lain down again to rest quietly. She felt a great fear for Ceridwen, knowing that Idris was not gone to the Hell he deserved just yet...or at least, not completely. Somehow he was clinging to this plane of existence, and this worried her. Sitting up, she rose and prepared a special potion, and drank it down, then lay back on her bed, waiting. Soon, she was deeply asleep, but for her, this was a state even deeper than sleep, and she could walk the astral plane, searching for answers. She walked along until she came to the camp in which the Tribe resided. All was quiet and peaceful, but she could feel Idris presence somewhere nearby.

Midnight entered her vardo and looked around, but nothing was out of place. There was no one else in this place, but then she knew suddenly that Cael had come there as well. She moved to the doorway and beckoned him to her. "I am dreaming." The young man's voice was calm and matter-of-fact as he met her gaze. "Yes and no. This is a dream, yes, but in it, there is more substance than mere thought. Idris hides here." She watched the anger flame in his eyes as he practically spat the name. "What do you know of the curse he laid upon me?" "Nothing." She could see his very soul sag at her words. The next question was not surprising in the least. "I see... Are you only a part of my dream or are you truly Lady Midnight?"

Looking at him with her dark eyes, the Gypsy Queen said "It is I. I can leave my body to walk this plane in and out of dreams, to search for the unseen and the answers to questions. I came to find Idris, for he must be stopped. Otherwise, Ceridwen's very soul is in danger. Should he gain control of her, she is lost to all." A stirring in the shadows behind her went unnoticed by both as she continued to speak. "He wants to bring her to his shadow plane, and if he does so, he can bind her to him for eternity and torment her in every way you can imagine. " Wisply tendrils of fog began to fill the camp, dimming the brightness around them.

As Midnight waited to see if Cael would ask more of her, she felt a slight brush against her hair, but as she glanced behind her, there was nothing there. The fog grew thicker, until it was hard to see Cael standing there, and then before she could react, thick ropes of fog slid around her, binding her arms to her sides. She opened her mouth to call to Cael, and a hand made of the fog clamped over her lips, rendering her silent. "You'll speak no more, witch," came a sibilant voice in her ear, and she felt a tentacle of fog slide into her mouth and down her throat, closing it shut. She could still breathe, but her vocal cords were silent now.

Midnight struggled against her bindings, completely hidden in the damp clinging mist. Two more tentacles slid into each ear, blocking her hearing, and another slid over her eyes, blinding her. She screamed silently, as fingers of mist damply slithered up her legs, and into her womanhood, where they formed into a massive male organ and began fucking her slowly. Idris voice was in her head now. "You're going to spend a good bit of time here Gypsy witch, being fucked by my friends....you'll be of no use to anyone for quite some time, if ever again. I might release you one day, but your soul is so bright....it can give me power and sustenance for a long time....." She felt his mouth cover hers through her gag, and felt him sucking against her lips. She felt something almost intangible slipping from deep within her, and sliding upwards and out of her frozen mouth and into his.

"Ahhhhhhhhhhh...." Idris sighed deeply. "Thank you for the drink, precious. Now I can get back into that bastard again." Midnight was drawn slowly backwards into the deep shadows of the vardo where she disappeared completely from sight. Now Idris moved toward the Minstrel through the fog, his eyes burning with hunger.

 

[Ravenloft]

Cael

Cael stared in horror as the tendrils of fog bound Lady Midnight. He could feel his spirit falter at the sight of it, but took to action, trying futily to rip the bindings from her spirit form.

The look in her eyes before they were bound as well sent an icy chill through him. The gypsy queen had always seemed so calm, but now, there was true fear in her eyes. The message was clear, she was lost, and if he did not flee, so too would he be.

Idris formed out of the fog that held Midnight and aproached, his eyes burning with infernal hunger. "Wake up, wake up, come on Cael, wake UP!" Cael turned and was off at a dead run, striking himself across the cheek several times in the hopes that such an act would jar him from this nightmare. "Ceridwen, please, wake me!" Cael cried out in his dream, and his sleeping body gave out a fearful groan.

 

[Leetah]

Midnight/Idris/Ceridwen

Midnight

Barely able to breathe beneath the tight coils of fog that held her, Midnight couldn't even struggle. She wanted to fight...wanted to get back to her body, but it was hopeless. She had never been held helpless before when she didn't wish it. This was an evil power coming from some source that she was unfamiliar with. She knew that somehow Idris had taken a tiny bit of her soul and that he was increasing his own power with her abilities. He would drain her slowly as a spider drains a fly, only it would be a much longer process. Darkness pressed in on her, as she felt her legs pulled apart a bit more and the very real feeling phallus moved in and out of her hard and fast. Her ankles suddenly seemed encased in iron shackles as her legs were manipulated into just the right place, and her femininity completely exposed. She could only feel the organ fucking her again and again, forcing her to orgasm and then beginning again.

Inside the vardo, on the bed, Midnight's still body lay. Her breasts rose and fell with each breath, but her open eyes saw nothing. Her lips were slightly parted and she seemed to be sleeping, except for her empty gaze.

Idris

The hate-filled figure watched the younger man sprinting away. He heard the man's shouts to the slut to wake him, and began to chuckle, an evil sound that filled the clearing and echoed through the trees. Idris' eyes were nothing but flame as he merely thought of the bastard dog and in an instant he was in front of Cael. "You're mine for now, dog!" he roared, reaching out to enter Cael's unwilling body again.

Ceridwen

Ceridwen slept deeply from pure exhaustion. She felt safe, curled against Cael's muscular side and feeling his arm wrapped about her. Strange dreams flitted through her mind, there one instant, and then gone. She moved toward wakefulness at the feel of Cael shifting uncomfortably against her, and at the sound of his pained groan. As he tossed and turned, she gradually was pulled from sleep, and found him moaning as if he were in great pain, frowning in his sleep. She knew he must be having a nightmare, so she shook him, gently at first. "Cael...Cael....waken. I'm here." He only moaned and thrashed more.

Ceridwen tried harder, shaking him more forcefully and calling to him more loudly, but he seemed unaware of her. Finally, in desperation, and fearful he would hurt himself, she raised her hand and slapped him sharply across the cheek, her hand leaving a red mark on his face.

 

[Ravenloft]

Cael/Idris

CAEL



Ebon tendrils encircled Cael's core. He knew then the fatal mistake he had made, if indeed Ceridwen had heard or felt his call, she would only wake him to find Idris in his place. No matter how he fought it, the strength Idris had stolen from Midnight was too much to be resisted.

"Ceridwen... I'm sorry..." Cael cried out as he felt himself slip away, as Idris took over.



IDRIS



Cael's eyes fluttered open as Idris awakened, in command of his body, once more. The first thing he felt was the sting of Ceridwen's hand, and he balled his fist up, almost striking her back out of instinct, but something held his blow in check. Cael, he was not as quelled as Idris had thought... Idris made a mental push and his hand came up to caress Ceridwen's throat. Not violently, save for the simple suggestion of such a touch. "Ceridwen... Thank... Thank you... I... I dreamed that I was being attacked by the spirit of Idris..." Idris ran his hand up along her cheek and around behind her neck to draw her down into an intimate kiss, as a jesture of his thanks for her rescue from the supposed nightmare.