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

[Leetah]

Ceridwen/Idris

Ceridwen gave a sigh of relief when Cael's azure gaze met her own. She was so glad to see him awaken that she didn't notice the gesture of his fingers clamping into a fist to strike her. His gentle touch at her throat gave her shivers of a very good kind, and when he drew her lips to his, she sighed softly and gave herself over to the kiss. His tongue explored her mouth softly, and she felt her body respond to his caress. He pulled her against his hard body, and she felt herself become softer, welcoming his touch. She leaned her head back and let him kiss her throat, moaning a bit with pleasure. She made no move to stop him as he let his head dip lower, to her collarbone, tracing the line of her bones with his tongue.

Idris cackled to himself inside the body of his host. He could feel the emotions of the other man raging around him, but they were not strong enough at the moment to free him from the evil that bound him. Ceridwen tasted so sweet to his tongue. She had her eyes closed as he caressed her with his mouth, pushing the sheet down lower, slowly exposing her creamy breasts. With a growl, Idris pulled the sheet down to her waist, and took her right nipple between his lips, suckling her much more gently than he would have in the past. She gasped with pleasure, and tangled her fingers in his hair, urging him on.

 

[Ravenloft]

Cael

Idris groped Ceridwen's breast, holding it captive for the onslaught of his tongue and mouth upon her aroused nipple, as his other hand slid under the sheets and between her legs. The minstrels fingers drew moisture to the lips of her sex with exceptional ease.

Idris's intentions were painfully clear to the lingering spirit of Cael, he was going to rape her, take her virginity, and leave her a hollow shell of what she once was. Cael raged against his spiritual prison, but that only seemed to make it grow tighter about him.

Idris was now rubbing the juices he was collecting from Ceridwen's pussy down, along her anus. Slowly, once he had her wetted with her own spendings, he slid a slim finger up into her.

 

[Leetah]

Ceridwen

Ceridwen moaned softly at the expert touch of what she thought were Cael's fingers and mouth. She felt her resistance weakening, wanting the pleasure she knew he could give her easily. He was touching her in places no one had ever touched, save herself when cleansing her body, and of course, when Idris had manhandled her. His finger slid into her with ease, moving about inside her throbbing walls. His thumb trailed over her clit, teasing it.

Idris was savoring each moment with her, enjoying the feel of her soft skin against his mouth and hands. He wanted to arouse her into such a frenzy that she begged her lover to take her, and then he would slam home into her virgin entrance, raping her with Cael's cock. He wanted to terrorize her and hurt her, degrade her and take away any chance she had of fulfilling her calling. He knew she would never forgive the outsider for his part in her loss, and that gave him a great surge of evil joy.

Ceridwen felt the Minstrel's lips move downward, over her flat stomach and down further still, replacing his hand with his mouth, his tongue entering her as he had done before. He lapped at her folds and clit until she was writhing beneath his touch, almost dazed with pleasure. He pulled back and looked at her flushed face, as he replaced his mouth with his fingers once more, this time sliding two inside her, filling her even more exquisitely.

"Ah, yes, my sweet," Idris murmured through Cael's lips "You are truly delicious. I cannot wait to have you. I need you now...." He moved up her body, kissing every inch of her skin, stopping again at her lush breasts, to lave them with his tongue. Ceridwen was in a fever of longing and passion. She couldn't think of anything but how he felt against her body. Of their own accord, her thighs parted to allow him access. Idris smiled, sliding his hand down between their bodies and adjusting himself so that he was poised above her, ready to enter the dripping cleft.

Suddenly, there was a shout outside the door, and Ceridwen's attention was sharply focused again, as Aeron came bursting into the wagon. He paid no attention to the state of undress of the two in bed, looking only into Ceridwen's face with alarm. "Iachwar, you must come at once. Midnight....there is something wrong. She stares at the ceiling but does not move. She breathes, but..." his voice trailed off.

Immediately, Ceridwen slid deftly out from under Idris, and moved to where her clothes hung. "Aeron, I will meet you there in a few minutes. Does anyone else know yet?" She was dressing rapidly as she spoke, not paying any attention to the look of frustration and rage that appeared on Cael's face and in his eyes at being interrupted. Aeron nodded. "Andras is with her now, as are her guards." Ceridwen was now dressed, and grabbed her satchel of potions and elixers, hurrying out the door behind the large man without even a backwards glance.

As soon as she was out of sight, Idris snarled with rage. He had almost had her, and again, she had been saved. He added Aeron to his mental list of people to kill, and snarled again, so filled with rage and the lust that Ceridwen had brought out in him, he needed an outlet. His eyes fell to the still sleeping Rawnie, and an evil grin appeared on his face. Here was just the diversion he needed!

 

[Ravenloft]

Idris (In Caels Body)

The whore forgotten to her duties for the moment, Idris drew away the blanket that had been tucked about Rawnie. She was dressed in only a nightgown, which Idris slowly drew up to expose her slender legs, and further still, until they crowned her hips. She lay with one leg stretched out and the other slightly bent.

She did not even stir as Idris pushed two fingers into her hole, plumbing her sex until it was moist for him. "I will not be kind, Cael, and think, all will think it was YOU who commits this act upon the oh so abused girl." Idris thought as he drew Caels cock free and drove it home, deep into the unconcious woman's cunt. A pained groan was her only responce as she lay still beneith him. "Wake up, little one, come now, I want to see the fear and surprise in those pale eyes of yours..." Idris urged Rawnie as he roughly pinched at her right nipple.

 

[Leetah]

Rawnie/Ceridwen

Rawnie

Deeply unconscious since she had been felled by Cael and Ceridwen had given her the potion, Rawnie felt nothing for long moments as Idris, using his host's body, diddled her pussy until she was dripping. When the shaft sank into her softness, pain filled her, but still she did not waken. Finally, as Idris continued to manhandle her nipples, squeezing them between his fingers as hard as he could, and pumping himself hard into her, she blinked dazedly, looking up into Cael's beautiful eyes above her. Immediately, terror filled her as she realized just what was happening, and she opened her mouth to scream, but the Minstrel clamped one hand tightly across her lips.

"Well, hello, little pet," the musical voice purred, but something didn't sound quite right to her ear. "I've been waiting to be alone with you again. Idris said you were quite a piece of ass, so I decided to try you out myself." The cock thrust hard into her again, and despite her terror, it began to feel good. "If you scream, I'm going to hurt you worse than Idris ever thought about." The voice sank to a low and frigtening growl. "Do you understand me, little girl?" Rawnie nodded, so her mouth was released. "Now, you and I are going to have some real fun until Ceridwen gets back. Maybe soon, all three of us can have some fun...."

Idris, in Cael's lean body, felt the borrowed cock grow harder at the lust-filled thoughts that filled his mind at having two lovely girls to sate his fury and sexual appetites on. He imagined the two of them being forced to kiss and touch one another at his hand, and he laughed and pumped into the frightened maiden's cleft, twisting her nipples roughly and biting at them. Cael's body had never done anything painful to a woman before during lovemaking, and Idris was quite sure he was making the Minstrel ill with what his body was forced to do.

Growing tired of taking Rawnie on her back, he jerked her upright, ripping the gown from her body. "On all fours, like the bitch in heat you are," Idris snarled, pushing her forward as he positioned himself behind her. He grabbed her hips and yanked her against him. He slid his cock along the cleft of her buttocks, as he reached under her to grab her swaying breasts. "Hmmmm....," he mused aloud. "I think we'll try something really new...." With that, Cael's hands reached back and began parting the cheeks of her bottom, as Idris bestowed a cruel smile on his lips.

Ceridwen

With no idea whatsoever of how close to disaster she had come, Ceridwen hurried behind Aeron to Midnight's vardo, her heart pounding wildly. If she couldn't help the Queen, she was going to need advice. As they reached Midnight's dwelling, Ceridwen turned to one of the guards standing there. "You, Brion....go to Glyns and bring her at once. I may have need of her advice." The man nodded and hurried away.

Ceridwen hurried into the darkened dwelling behind Aeron, then pushed past him. Beside Midnight's bed sat Andras, looking more tired and drawn than she had ever before seen him. She moved to stand beside him, looking down on the woman lying so still. Her dark eyes stared up at the ceiling and she bore no expression whatsoever. Had it not been for the slow rise and fall of her breast, Midnight would have appeared dead. Indeed, it seemed that she was but a touch away from seeing the Morning Lands. Ceridwen had never seen anyone in this state before.

Hesitantly, she reached out and touched the woman's cheek, finding her skin warm to the touch, but not feverishly so. Intent on her patient now, she spoke softly. "Everyone must wait outside. When Glyns arrives, please send her in to me." Without even realizing it, her voice had taken on a tone of authority beyond her years, and her word was respected. As soon as the room was cleared, Ceridwen pulled back the sheet, seeing that Midnight was nude beneath the covering.

Using all her senses, Ceridwen attempted to discern what might have caused the state. Apparently the Queen had had a lover that night, which was not surprising. No food or drink stood about, nor was there any incense or candles burning. There was nothing to indicate what might be the cause. She attempted to close Midnight's eyes, but could not get the lids shut, no matter what she tried. As she slumped down in the chair Andras had vacated, feeling the weight of the world on her shoulders, suddenly Glyns' voice cut the still air.

"Child, let me see the Queen." She moved over to the bed, sniffing and touching, looking for something. Then she placed her forehead against the younger woman's and locked her gaze upon the unseeing eyes before her. She was still for a very long time, then her body began to tremble violently, and she jerked herself backward. Ceridwen had to catch her, before the old woman fell. Easing her into the chair, the girl got her a cup of water, and waited until she could collect herself.

"What is it, Dysgwr? What did you see?" Ceridwen's voice was almost a whisper. "Evil," was the short, breathless answer. "She is in darkness, surrounded by evil things, held there against her will. She cannot break free of the power that holds her, but it will drain her of her soul and power over time." Ceridwen's eyes widened in horror. "But...how....how was she trapped?"

 

[Ravenloft]

Idris (In Caels Body)

The thick, swollen head of Cael's cock battered at the entrance of poor Rawnie's anus causing her to chirp in pain and try to draw away. Idris grasped her hips painfully tightly and slammer her back against Cael's cock. A new bolt of pain radiated from her nethers as she pressed her face into the pillow before her to muffle the sounds of pain that she simply could not control, and to collect the tears from her eyes.

Idris snaked an arm about her, and slid Cael's fingers over the slippery nub of her clit. "I will make you enjoy the pain pet." Idris growled, knowing that Cael's fingers were strumming her just right. "Soon you will be crying for more." Idris dug Cael's fingers into Rawnie's tender thigh with the hand that still held her captive against him. "Now, pet, start pressing back against me, or I will draw blood!" Idris demanded of her.

 

[Leetah]

Rawnie & Idris/Ceridwen

Rawnie & Idris {in Cael's body}

That pain was bad....so much that it burned. Rawnie could scarcely keep from screaming into the pillow, as Cael's hard body ravaged her own. She was moaning and weeping but his threat made her move, letting him force himself into her tight virgin bottom. His fingers were magic on her clit, however, and she began to relax into the pain, feeling the pleasure that began to mount. Cael's mouth was on her neck, biting, and his free hand tweaked her nipples. He thrust harder and harder into her nether region, forcing her to take every hard inch of him, his balls slapping her thighs. She could feel wetness running down her bottom, and on his cock, as he shoved himself deep into her.

For his part, Idris was delighting in her pain, but also her pleasure. He knew the Minstrel was raging deep inside against the attack on the poor girl, and this made him fight even more for control of the body he was coming to enjoy. Cael was a very handsome man, even with the broken nose, and Idris was enjoying the feel of the body around him. He looked forward to stroking Cael's cock at some point, although he'd not had an opportunity yet to do so. The thought of wrapping the slender fingers around the thick shaft made him harder than ever, and he gave a last lunging thrust, letting the seed spill into his victim's body. He roared his pleasure out, sliding out of her bleeding bottom, and letting her fall forward onto the bed.

Rawnie had cum also, in shuddering gasps and cries into the pillow. She could scarcely believe something that awful could end up feeling so good. He had been so gentle with her before, cleaning her tenderly, and moving away when she had become aroused. She now wondered if he had been setting her up for raping her when he had her alone. Confused and wounded, she looked over her shoulder at him, trying to figure out what to make of things. He gave her a cold look and moved from the bed to the water pail, where he grabbed a rag and cleaned himself, then moved back to the bed. "Now, turn over, and let's have some more fun, my little plaything...."

Ceridwen

Glyns took several moments before she answered Ceridwen's horrified question. She slowly shook her head. "I could not see exactly how it happened. She was....somewhere.....and then, the darkness took her and she is held. It....it....fed off of her power.....that is all I could see and feel. The dark power blocks anything else." She gave a tired sigh. "I do not know what the answer is, my child. I do not know how to save her. Perhaps you will find a way, but in the meantime, you must continue to prepare for the seremoni, as it is but a few nights away." Ceridwen nodded slowly, casting another fearful glance at Midnight.

Drawing herself up, she stepped back outside to where the guards, Andras, Aeron and a few others were gathered. Looking at the group, Ceridwen said "We must make sure that Lady Midnight is kept comfortable at all times. Someone shall need to watch over her each moment, and let me know the moment she stirs or wakens, or if there is any other change." Turning to Andras, she said "Will the Council still meet, Blaenor? Cael's fate must be determined...."

The big man nodded, running his hands through his hair. "Yes, Little One, we shall meet at sundown this eve. We shall discuss this Minstrel and determine if there is to be a trial or simply punishment." Ceridwen nodded, her heart constricting at the thought of punishment for Cael. She was deeply in love with him, even though she had known him only a short time, but she could not yet say the words. "I shall let him know, then." Andras gave her a small nod, and turned back to the group.

Tiredly, Ceridwen moved away, back toward her wagon. She felt as if the weight of the world was on her slender shoulders, and as if she were all alone at the moment. Slowly, she stepped along the path toward the peace of home. She still had to tell the Council of Rawnie's attack as well. She wondered if the girl was stil sleeping and if Cael had gone back to sleep. Moving quietly up the steps, so as not to disturb her guests, she could scarcely believe her eyes. Rawnie lay flat on her back on the pallet, tears streaming down her cheeks, as Cael slammed into her again and again. He had her wrists pinned with one hand and the other worked over her nipples again. He was so deep in his lust, with his back to the doorway, he neither heard nor saw Ceridwen enter.

Fury blazed in her eyes, and she quickly reached into the corner, where she had a mallet that she used for tenderizing meat at times, and to crush herbs at others. She hoisted it and quickly swung it into Cael's temple, immediately knocking him out cold. He collapsed on top of Rawnie, who then screamed. There was another inaudible scream as well, as Idris once more lost his hold on Cael, the moment his host blacked out. Ceridwen ran to the pallet shoving Cael off the frightened girl, and pulling her upright, holding her tightly. As Cael's eyes fluttered open, her burning gaze was the first thing he saw.

 

[Ravenloft]

Cael

Cael could only stare in mute horror at what Idris had wrought with his body. He hung his head and took a shaking breath. "Call for the guards, Ceridwen... I must be locked away, now." Cael said as he lifted his eyes to meet the two women's own with a frown of self loathing. "I would rather die than let you ride in my skin again, Idris..." Cael thought as the chill of the grave passed along his spine.

 

[Leetah]

Ceridwen/Midnight & Idris

Ceridwen

Holding the trembling Rawnie tightly to her breast, Ceridwen scarcely knew what to think of Cael. For him to ask to be locked away, and seeing how disgusted he suddenly seemed with his actions, she blinked in surprise. Rawnie stared at him as if hypnotized, trembling but not making a sound, as tears streamed down her cheeks steadily. Her skin was ice cold, and Ceridwen knew she was in shock. Still staring at Cael, she said "Hand me one of the blankets." As soon as it was in her hand, she wrapped it around her patient, gently but firmly. "Don't move an inch." Her voice was sharp as she spoke to Cael, but her heart was torn. She assisted Rawnie to her feet and led her out the entrance to the fresh air outside. Seeing one of her kinsmen passing, she beckoned him over. "Tyrenin, take Rawnie to Andras immediately. She's been attacked and she needs to be in a quiet place. Make certain the door is locked. She is not quite together in her thoughts at the moment." The man nodded and gently scooped the girl into his arms as if she were a child. She immediately snuggled against him, for she had known him all her life, and trusted him.

Ceridwen stood there watching him walk away, then took a deep breath, her hands shaking. She strode back up the steps and into the wagon, where Cael had done as she had bidden. He had not moved an inch. She stood over him, looking down, mixed emotions swirling through her. Finally she spoke. "I'll give you one chance, Minstrel. Tell me why. Was it because she attacked me? If so, I can fight my own damned battles. If there is another reason, then tell me now, for otherwise, I would see you in chains before you do the same to another."

Midnight & Idris

Cold and dark. Cold and dark. The awful sensation of a phallus plunging home again and again. Orgasms shaking her body, and then raped again. All silence. She couldn't even scream for pleasure or pain. Midnight felt as if she were trapped beneath the dark waters of a lake, for she felt as if she would smother at times. She tried to pray to the gods to let her mind break, but she couldn't even form the words in her mind to do so. No sense of time in her prison, just complete stillness, save for her muscles contracting as she was forced over and over again to cum.

Suddenly out of nowhere, there was a different vibration in the air. She could feel another presence near her, and she felt some of the tight coils move down to her waist, freeing her breasts. Almost immediately, there was a warm mouth tasting her nipples, licking at them and sucking. The cock did not stop fucking her either, so she came several times as she was molested. The tendrils stopping her ears moved away for a moment, and Idris' voice purred against the delicate shell. "Mmmm...still tasty, Queen Bitch. I think I'll have them leave your tits uncovered for me....maybe I'll even let them have a turn at them." At that, Midnight felt a slimy slithering tongue slide over both her nipples, at the same time. It was a horrible sensation.

He laughed. "Oh yes, I think that will be lovely indeed. You know, I almost had her today....your precious little Ceridwen. Cael has a nice body and she certainly enjoys it. She had spread her legs for me, Midnight. She was going to let me plow that tight pussy of hers, but then they called her for you. To help you!" Idris roared with laughter. "So you saved her again....for now. Soon, though, I'll be between those creamy thighs of hers, making her scream. I think I'll put the dog in here with you when I gain full power of his body. Wrap the two of you together in nice tight coils and feed off both of you for a long time. In the meantime, I think I'll give you something else to....enjoy....while I rest and gain power."

Midnight felt the coil over her lips lift and then Idris' mouth covered hers, his tongue sliding against her own, softly and teasingly. Again she felt the tiniest sensation of something intagible slipping away from her, and into her jailer. Then the coil was back, silencing her. "Ah, delicious." He rubbed his hands together, then she heard him snap his fingers. She felt a tendril sliding slowly up the backs of her legs, and she could feel it shaping itself into another male organ, almost as large as the one constantly fucking her. The head of the phantom cock tapped against her ass cheeks, seeking entrance. Those cold clawed hands parted her soft rump, and she felt the burning pain as the cock slammed into her ass as powerfully as it could. Now as the organ in her pussy pulled back, the one in her ass plunged forward. "Time for quiet again." This was the last sound she heard before her ears were stopped again, but his mouth covered her breasts again for quite some time, before it was replaced by the slithering snakes' tongue that left wet trails of slime across her breasts.

 

[Ravenloft]

Cael

"I am cursed, Idris' dying words have sealed my doom. He still dwells here, in me, some how. I do not know how to fight him. He took over me when last I slept, thought I fought, I struggled to take back control. It was hell, I was concious of everything he was doing to poor Rawnie, what he almost succeeded in doing to you, through me. I cannot remain free, I beg you to have me locked away before he can take control of me once more. I went to the queen in the hope that she could help me... But she could not... Oh Ceridwen... This is my punishment... For the murder I commited... This is my curse..." Cael said, his voice a turmoil of emotions as he very nearly collapsed under the weight of it all.

 

[Leetah]

Ceridwen

Ceridwen listened to the Minstrel's ravings, feeling her heart torn with emotion. On one hand, Cael sounded as if he had lost his mind, begging to be locked up. Was this just a sly way of getting away with another crime? The man she had come to know in such a short time was a sly one, but he had a heart, that was certain. She knew that he would never take an unwilling maiden or hurt even a willing one. She knew that his tenderness in caring for Rawnie earlier had not been an act. She also knew through the stories she had heard all her life that curses, particularly the curse of a dying person, were powerful things, and that it would not be completely mad to think that Idris, evil as he had been, was possessing Cael's body and forcing him to commit crimes and atrocities.

Ceridwen knelt beside Cael, gently placing a hand on his back, stroking his hair a bit. "I believe you, Minstrel," she said, her voice trembling slightly. "I have come to know you well enough that you would not willingly do to Rawnie what was done. Idris was evil, and a dying curse is a powerful thing. We shall still have to see what your fate will be."

As she finished speaking, heavy footsteps could be heard outside her wagon, and moving up the steps outside. Aeron's voice called out, and this his head parted the curtain, and he stepped inside, his gaze steady and cold, as he stared down at Cael and the girl.

 

[Ravenloft]

Cael

"I believe Idris did something to your queen, Midnight. I dreamed, and it was so real, she was bound in strange inky tendrels of blackness... I fear he feeds on her!" Cael imparted to Ceridwen in a whisper before rising to face Aeron, bowing his head and extending his wrists to be bound himself, and taken away. "Ceridwen, will you speak on my behalf to this man?" Cael asked as he stood, waiting.

 

[Leetah]

Ceridwen

As Cael bowed his head and held out his wrists, Ceridwen felt her heart shrink inside her at Aeron's cold expression. He began binding the younger man's hands together, making no effort to be gentle. She rose to her feet and let the love she felt for Cael flow through her, even though she still would not call those feelings what they were. She straightened to her full height, her chin raised and her eyes locked upon Aeron. Her voice was strong when she spoke.

"Aeron, before you bind this man and take him away, you must hear me. The one you truly seek punishment for does not stand before you. The one who has done these evil deeds hides in the shadows and waits. His soul is black and he feeds on the despair and pain of those who were once his kith and kin." The large man paused, still holding his prisoner fast, although Cael would not move to free himself.

"What say you, Ceridwen?" His voice rumbled throughout her wagon.

"I say that this man has been used...as used as poor Rawnie has been, and in the same fashion in many ways. His body has been forced to perform deeds he did not choose and he has had to watch in silent agony as the evil took what it wanted. It wants me as well."

"I do not understand....if only the Queen..."

"The Queen is captured by the evil as well. It feeds upon her power, I believe. "

Another voice spoke from behind Aeron and he moved aside slightly to let Andras enter. "What is this evil you speak of, Little One?" His face was grave as he glanced at the prisoner, who still looked at the floor.

"When I spoke with Glyns earlier, she spoke of a great evil holding Lady Midnight bound in some way...feeding from her. Cael has told me the same thing....only the evil has a name...Idris."

Both men looked startled, then Andras slowly nodded. "It is possible. The curse of a dying man....I have heard of this happening."

"This is why Cael wishes to be locked away...so that the evil one cannot harm anyone else through him. Idris still wants to hurt...and he still wants me. I dreamed of him the other night, and he would have had my soul if not for Cael. He wants my body as well....wants to prevent me from becoming Iachwar if he can."

"Very well," Andras replied. "We will lock away this Minstrel until sunset and the Council shall decide his fate at that time, as to a trial for the murder of Idris and the rape of Rawnie."

Ceridwen felt herself relax slightly. "I shall attempt to find a way to thwart Idris Blaenor. I must continue to prepare for the seremonii and perhaps I will learn of something then." She moved to stand by Cael for a moment, waiting until Aeron finished binding his wrists then she caught his chin gently, turning his face to hers for a moment. She brushed his lips with her own, and whispered, "Do not lose hope, Cael. I will save you...I must...."

 

[Ravenloft]

Cael

Tears swam in Caels eyes as Ceridwen kissed him. "Seremonii or no, to me, you are the finest Iachwar, with one kiss, you have restored my soul." Cael let a tear slide down his pale cheek as he was led away. "Ceridwen... I love you." He professed before leaving her vardo.

He was placed in a cell, by which a pile of horse manuer was being layered by a grizzled looking old man, with one missing eye and gnarled teeth. He caughted and wiped his nose, giving Cael a craggy scowl. "Las one they placed in that cell there died." The man informed him. Cael thought better than to say the words he thought "From fright at the sight of you, no doubt." Instead, he turned away and lay on his side on the hard, bare ground.

 

[Leetah]

Ceridwen

Cael's tender words as he was led away from sight made Ceridwen's heart ache and soar at the same time. He loved her! Oh by the Gods, he loved her. Her throat was too tight to tell him of her feelings, and before she could even speak to him again, he was gone. Closing her eyes tightly for a moment, she shook herself, trying to gather her thoughts. She knew she must go and meditate in the woods, mentally and spiritually preparing herself for what was to come. The Council would convene at sunset to decide Cael's fate. She had to do what she could to help him before then. Taking a basket with food and water with her, she moved toward the stream. She needed to cleanse herself in the purifying waters before she did anything else. Soon she reached the spot where all previous and future Iachwars went for the cleansing bath. She would visit the spot again the night of the Seremonii, but at that time, she would fast beforehand. The fast was not necessary for gleaning information at this time.

As soon as Ceridwen had thoroughly cleansed herself in the cold water, she quickly dried herself and dressed, then moved on to the clearing where she lit a fire and sprinkled fragrant herbs upon it. It was a secret mixture of dried herbs that only the Healers knew. If there were ever no more Healers, the secret would die with the last. As the herbs began to send up their fragrant smoke, she slipped from her regular garments into a thin shift worn specifically for these purposes. She sat before the fire, inhaling the smoke deep into her lungs until she felt light-headed. Upstretching her arms, she began her cries for help and information to the Gods.

In the cell, inside Cael's form, Idris continued to gain strength. He was not happy to be locked away, but he would bide his time, and soon he would have his chance again.

 

[Ravenloft]

Cael/Idris

"How do I fight you, you bastard." Cael whispered as he felt the nudge of Idris' spirit within his mind. "My body is my own, I cannot let you posess me..."

"Oh, but you have no choice in the matter, dog, all it takes is time, and your weaknesses will give me an opening. And in that opening, your body will be mine, eventually, you will be where I am now, always."

"I killed you once, I will kill you again, and see you to whatever hell you deserve."

"You see nothing, dog, you are nothing!" At this, Caels body lurched to its feet and railed at the cells bars as Idris exerted momentary control from sheer force of hate.

Cael slumped back down as the stable hand stared at him with cold surprise. "Idris?" the man asked. Cael looked up at him warningly and the man stepped back. "Maiden, Mother and Crone..." The man swore as he marked himself with some sort of religious gesture. He turned away, seeking their leader.

"Dendis... Father..." Cael croaked as he struggled against Idris. "Please... Free me..." His voice was a whine of anguish as he reached beseechingly through the bars.

 

[Leetah]

Ceridwen

Floating in light, suspended. Ceridwen could no longer feel her body as she was swept upwards and away. She felt warm and cared for, as if all her ancestors were smiling upon her. This seemed to go on for an eternity, but time was meaningless in this place. The air was gradually filled with voices singing, and Ceridwen found herself joining them. 'The joy of the stars and the moon and the sun are around us. We are part of them. We are part of the Earth that gives life. We are part of the Mother Goddess and our song is for her. She who gives all wisdom and life and power. Praise be to the Holy One.' The voices became softer, but did not still, as another voice rose above them. "My Child, you seek help. I know what you ask, but you must voice your needs." The voice was warm and musical and all things a god-voice should be.

"Mother Goddess....I beseech your help. The man I love is possessed by Evil. He fights it, but it grows stronger by the moment. The Evil has taken our Lady Midnight's soul and feeds from her. The Evil has a name....Idris."

"He is and always has been a source of concern for the pantheon. He must be stopped, and you, Ceridwen, shall be the only one who can do so. You will have the chance at the Seremonii. You know what is required of you then. This will allow you to fight him. He is not aware of the power you will gain at this time. You will have but one chance, Daughter. If you fail, your Queen, your man, and your soul and body shall belong to him for all time."

"I know what I must do at the seremonii, yes, but I do not know what to do after that to fight him."

"You will know, Child. Trust in Me, trust in your powers, and you will know. Now, you must go back to the encampment. Sunset is very near."

Ceridwen felt herself gliding back to earth, to her body. She opened her eyes, and shivered. The air was growing cooler, and she needed to hurry to prepare for the Council's convening. Slipping out of the shift, she hurried clothed herself and ran back to the encampment. Taking only enough time to stow her things in her wagon, she rushed over to where Cael was being kept. The cell was silent, and she peered in the window, to see the Minstrel huddled in a corner, his head down. "Cael," she called to him softly, wanting to spend a moment with him before anyone came by.

 

[Ravenloft]

Cael/Idris

Dendis faltered where he stood for several minutes, swaying back and forth between rushing to the man in the cell, to free him, and fleeing from the obviously posessed man.

It was then Ceridwen arived, Dendis shrank away into the darkness of the stables.

"Cael." she called to him, not knowing that it was Idris who heard her.

"Yes... My love? Come closer my love..." Idris breathed as a wicked smile played upon his lips, hidden from her by the shadows that bathed his lowered head.

He crawled over to her, the cell's bars between them, and slowly lifted his head. He gave her a haunted look. "The stable man told me the last man who was in this cell died here. I don't want to die. Ceridwen, my love, my love, please... Save me." Tears glossed Cael's eyes as Idris gave her a pained, beseeching look.

 

[Leetah]

Ceridwen

Idris was filled with evil glee as the lovely maiden called to the prisoner. He shoved his way to the front of Cael's mind, pushing the other man deeply into his own psyche again. A chance to escape and gain power over her again. He moved slowly to the bars, forcing his eyes to fill with tears, making his tone as loving and beseeching as possible. "The stable man told me the last man who was in this cell died here. I don't want to die. Ceridwen, my love, my love, please... Save me." He made Cael's hand reach longingly for her.

Ceridwen felt her heart ache again at the sight and sound of her Minstrel. She took a step closer to the bars and a tear trickled down her cheek. "Oh Dear One," she whispered softly. "I long to save you. You shall not die in this place, never fear. Your fate will be decided by the Council this very eve, remember. Sunset is almost upon us, and they will come to take you to the Circle soon."

Idris cursed in Cael's head, knowing he had to gain her sympathy and help before that happened. Once he had her in his grasp again, there would be no more saving her body or her soul. She would be bound to him in agony for all time. He made Cael's beautiful voice break as he spoke again. "I know....but.....I fear for my fate. I wish to touch you once more....to kiss your lips just for a moment before I am judged." He watched her lick her lips uncertainly, remembering the feel of his kisses.

Ceridwen drew a trembling breath. She longed to hold him again before his ordeal, but she knew at any time Idris might possess him, and there would be great danger involved. Still, her love for him drew her closer still to the bars of the cell, until she was almost within touching distance of his fingers. "Cael, I have to tell you something before another moment passes. I love you. I've not said it before and for that I am sorry, but I do love you with all my heart." She felt as if a weight had been lifted from her shoulders as the words left her lips.

"Oh my darling! Please......after such a declaration, I must at least touch you for a moment.....please...." Idris made Cael sound desperate. Ceridwen found herself inching ever closer to the man she loved, and slowly, she stretched her fingers toward his own.

 

[Ravenloft]

Cael/Idris

"Good." Idris thought as he watched Ceridwen's hand drift ever closer to him. "I've only to grasp her wrist and draw her against the bars, and then, before anyone can reach us in time to stop me, I will simply despoil her against these filthy bars. Then they will come and beat this dog's body!"

Before he finished these thoughts though, he had taken her hand in his, gently, oh so gently, and was looking up into her eyes as she pressed against the bars. There was such a swell of love from Cael that for the moment Idris could not act. They kissed, through the bars, softly, tenderly. Cael uttered a sound of profound love as he caressed her cheek.

With the last of his will, Cael growled deep in his throat, and pushed her back roughly. "Rrrr, fff, rrr!" He grunted and growled as he lowered his head but kept his eyes locked on her like a panther stalking prey, and she saw a darkness come into his eyes. "Ceridwen..." Idris hissed. "You cannot win!"

 

[Leetah]

Ceridwen

Cael's fingers grasped her own with such tenderness, and his eyes....those beautiful azure orbs shone with such love for her, Ceridwen felt her heart soar again. The cell bars seemed to melt away as he pulled her as close as he could, and claimed her lips so sotfly. She tried to show him all her heart with the kiss, and he responded with a sound of pleasure. She felt his fingers sweetly brush her cheek, and she wanted nothing more than to stand there forever with him, even if this was as close as they would ever be.

It came as a complete surprise to her then when the same hands that had been so tender with her a moment before thrust her away so roughly that she almost fell. Ceridwen blinked in shock, but then she saw the evil creep into his gaze, which had turned hungry. The hissed statement almost spat at her, made her quickly back away out of reach, and a look neither man had ever seen before came into her eyes. Idris had never feared anyone, but suddenly he felt a chill at the sight of her eyes. "You." Ceridwen's voice was pure ice. "You dare to lay a finger upon me. You did not deserve to live and you do not deserve to now. You will release Cael in the end, bastard. Believe my words and know that you will be defeated."

Idris began to laugh heartily at her words, holding Cael's sides with his arms, to keep them from aching, then stopped and spoke, his tone as cold as her own. "Although you were not the whore I thought you were with this dog, my pretty one, you would have let me take you earlier this day. You spread your thighs for me with wanton ease, and I would have had you then if it hadn't been for that damnable Aeron. He'll die by this son of a bitch's hand as well before I'm done. Then when Cael's body becomes of no more use to me, I'll allow him to be disposed of before your eyes. He'll be too weak to fight when I release his spirit back into his body as he dies." Idris laughed again.

Ceridwen was furious, but she felt a great calm descend upon her as well, knowing that the Mother Goddess was aware of all. She knew she would be able to fight Idris once she had been through the ceremony, and she was thankful he did not know. Looking directly in the darkened gaze, she said, "Cael, hear me. I love you, and you must remain strong. I will save you, my love." Then she spoke to Idris. "It would be in your best interest daemon to depart now, while you still can."

 

[Ravenloft]

Cael/Idris

"Oh Cael, I love you. Oh Cael, I want you. Oh Cael, oh Cael." Idris mocked her as he began to shake the bars of his cell. "Cael, Cael, Cael is as good as dead!!!" He suddenly raged. Calming just as quickly as he raged, Idris gave Ceridwen a wicked grin. "Midnight is in here with me, you know. She's crying for you to save her... You won't."

 

[Leetah]

Ceridwen

Listening to Idris' rant coming from her love's mouth made Ceridwen feel ill and furious, but she knew he was only trying to bait her. She must not allow herself to fall prey to his cruel taunts. She knew she only had to be patient until the ceremony and then all would be well. As far as Midnight went, she hated the thought of the Queen crying for help, but somehow she doubted that he was speaking the truth. She also knew he was fishing for information on what she might know that he didn't.

When he finished speaking, Ceridwen calmly looked at him. She waited a moment, watching his face, and then said quietly "Perhaps you are right, Idris. Perhaps I shall fail in my efforts to save them. If I do, then that is what the Gods have decreed, but I shall not try in vain." She paused, then a chilling smile touched her lips. "Keep in mind, Idris, that the Council may yet decide that Cael's fate will be to die, and then you will have no body to possess. If you do not have a body, then you will slowly and painfully diminish into limbo....no power....nothing...forever."

Idris could feel his mind slipping a bit. He had to be careful not to lose the control he had over Cael. He had worked too hard to possess the bastard, and he had no intention of losing him now. He would never give up until he had the prize he sought, the maiden standing before him with ice in her gaze.

 

[Ravenloft]

Cael/Idris

A grin, far more chilling than Ceridwen's own came to Caels lips as Idris spoke much as she had to him just a moment before. "Do not let your guard down, there are more than just this dog that I can posess... I own your prescious queen... The whore that lays in your bed right now, I will own her too... Tonight, I will show you... Before long, you will join them, and I will drink every last drop of your souls. Secretly, Ceridwen, you want it, you've always wanted to be posessed. If it weren't for your foolish calling that was foisted upon you by the bitch queen of ours, you would have been dispoiled a thousand times over, in every way imaginable, and by me."

 

[Leetah]

Ceridwen

Listening to his mad words and hearing his frighteningly calm tone chilled Ceridwen to her very bones. She knew Idris saw her face pale when he laughed again. She also knew that he was correct. If he wanted, as he became more powerful, he would be able to possess others. She honestly didn't know if he was capable of that yet, but she couldn't be sure. She only wished someone besides herself was aware of what was being said. The Council would more easily believe the story of Cael's possession if she only had another witness. She knew if someone came along, however, Idris would simply go into an act and pretend to be Cael.

It was comforting that apparently Idris did not know everything Cael knew, for otherwise, he would have remembered that Rawnie had been taken from Ceridwen's wagon to be kept safely elsewhere. Neither she nor Cael knew where, so the odds of Idris taking over Rawnie were slim, thank the Gods.

To answer his accusation was foolish, but Ceridwen couldn't help herself. She shook her head. "No, Idris, you are wrong. I never wished to be possessed by anyone, save a man that loved me. You were never, nor are you still, any kind of a man, much less one that loves anyone but himself. You lust for power over the weak so strongly that it clouds your vision as to what others want. Even if the calling had not been given to me, you would never have laid a finger on me in any carnal way. In life you were despicable...in death, you are simply pure evil."

Turning to go, her heart heavy, Ceridwen felt tears trickle down her cheeks again. She moved slowly to where she knew the Council would soon convene.