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

[Leetah]

Ceridwen

Cael's words stopped Ceridwen before she neared the door. She turned back to look at him, not having considered the thought of Idris touching her in such a way. She realized that he was most likely correct, and the thought of being used by Idris made her skin crawl. She moved back toward the bed, where Rawnie was whimpering again, frightened by Cael's tone. She gave him a quick warning glance, and sat beside the shivering girl, putting her arms around her friend. "Easy, Rawnie. No one is going to hurt you now. Cael is angry because Idris should not have treated anyone as he has treated you. He hurt you badly. We should get you cleaned up and I think you should stay the night here. First, I must go to Andras though. This cannot go unmentioned." She walked back to her medicine cabinet and withdrew her dagger, holding it tightly.

Turning to look at the two on the bed, she said, "I'll be back shortly. Don't worry, I'm well protected with this." She waved the dagger in the air. "I don't think Idris will come near me tonight, but if he does...." Ceridwen left the sentence unfinished, but the look in her eyes spoke volumes. "Rawnie, Cael will take care of you until I return. You'll be safe here, I promise." Without another word, she hurried out the door.

Rawnie looked over her shoulder at the stranger lying on the bed. He was handsome in a strange sort of way, she noticed distractedly, and he was doing nothing alarming now. She felt fairly safe alone with him, but continued to clutch her blanket tightly, unwilling to loosen it until Ceridwen returned.

In the moonlight, Ceridwen's feet skimmed the ground as she hurried to Andras' vardo. She could see a glimmer of lamplight through the window, and was not surprised. Their dear leader was often up late into the night, making plans and thinking of ways to make life for his family better. Stepping to his door, she knocked quickly, waiting for his call to enter. When it came, she stepped inside, seeing him sitting shirtless at his table, as he looked over something in front of him. "Ceridwen, Little One, what brings you here at this late hour?" He looked concerned seeing her grim expression.

"Blaenor, a terrible crime has befallen one of your daughters."

 

[Ravenloft]

Andras/Cael

Andras:

Andras rose from his seat, his bare chest nested with thick dark curls. "Is it the outsider? Has he done something to you? I could smell sex clinging to him from the first... I never should have allowed you to be alone in his presence little one..." Andras said with a dark look in his eyes as he reached for his blade.

Cael:

Cael stood up and paced back and forth in front of Rawnie, like a caged lion. He didn't mean to upset the young woman, but the flame of anger for Idris's actions was burning in his breast so hotly, he feared he would assail a wall or two. His sences seemed heightened at the moment... He could smell blood and sex on Rawnie, could see small tremors move along her slight frame, he knew he was scaring her.

He stopped pacing and came to kneel before her, looking up into her eyes. "Tell me Rawnie, what is your will? Do you wish the pain Idris has caused you visited back upon him?" Cael was obviously seeking permission to go and beat the bastard fool to death, and if not death, than to a bloody pulp. But he asked with a calm voice, and eyes that showed concern for the young woman's will.

 

[Leetah]

Ceridwen/Rawnie

Ceridwen was not surprised by Andras' accusation. After all, Cael was still an outsider and no one really knew him at all, save herself. Even she scarcely knew him, although her trust for him was beginning to grow a bit. If she had not felt he was trustworthy at all, she wouldn't have left Rawnie alone with him, especially in her state. She held out her hand to Andras, shaking her head. "No, Blaenor, it is not Cael that has done anyone wrong this night, nor has the wrongdoing happened to me." The big man sat back down, placing his blade on the table as he listened.

Ceridwen quickly explained to him what had taken place, from the time Rawnie had come knocking at her door. His expression grew darker and darker as she spoke. Actions such as this were not taken lightly and there would be great consequences.

Rawnie

When Cael rose from the bed and began to move about in front of her, Rawnie felt frightened again. Hatred and anger were radiating from him, and even though she knew they were not directed at her, after Idris' cruel treatment, the slightest bit of malice made her afraid. She began to tremble, trying to tell herself he wouldn't hurt her, or Ceridwen wouldn't have left her alone with him, but she couldn't seem to quite make herself believe she was entirely safe.

When he stopped, and knelt before her, she cringed slightly, but his voice was gentle and his eyes were kind as he looked up into her own. Rawnie considered his words carefully, and it made her feel slightly better, as if now two people cared what happened to her. Idris had hurt her badly, and scared her nearly witless, but she still loved him. Gods help her, she did. At the same time, the thought of seeing him again made her almost ill with terror.

Rawnie licked her trembling lips, and thought carefully about Cael's offer. Finally, she slowly shook her head. Her voice shaking, she said "No, that would not help things, and he would only hurt you.....and possibly myself and Ceridwen.....I cannot wish pain on anyone, no matter what." She began to weep again softly.

 

[Ravenloft]

Andras/Cael

Andras:

"His actions require that we banish him from the clan, at the least, death at worst. Tell me Ceridwen, what do you feel he is deserving of? After all, you are the one he has made his intentions to wed known for? With the queen here now, I warn you that this situation will be made public. If not, I would spare everyone envolved the pain of such a spectacle, and send him away quietly." Andras said once he had considered the situation for some minutes.

Cael:

The sight of Rawnie shrinking from him softened Cael's ire like a water dousing flame. He was instantly calm, and fixed her with a look of concern. "Dry your eyes my dear... No man has the right to treat you as Idris has... I can see the fear and pain he's caused you in one night will linger in your eyes for a long time to come. But I tell you now, Little Rawnie, not all men will treat you thus. I would urge you to seek a man that would treat you thus..." Cael said softly as he took a clean cloth and dipped it in a pot of heated water that Ceridwen had been keeping heated to tend to his wounds. He came to Rawnie and gently began to wash the blood and dirt from her feet. He continued up to her ankles, dipping and wringing out the cloth as he went.

She was nervous under his touch, but it was as though she were a dear caught in a beam of light, as she would not move. Cael gave her a soft, reasuring smile as he crowned her knees. The warm cloth began to draw between her thighs as he continued to wash her, calmly, so calmly, there was no sence of wrong intentions in his eyes as he looked upon her body, he was simply washing her.

 

[Leetah]

Ceridwen/Rawnie

Ceridwen:

"I do not wish him killed, Blaenor, as that is just as wrong as what he has done. I cannot wish that kind of harm on any living thing, no matter what. Banishment would be the path I would choose for him, with the threat of death should ere he return to our Tribe."

Andras nodded slowly, agreeing silently that this would be a preferred choice for him as well. "Very well," he said, "Then on the morrow, I shall meet with Andras and we shall have a....chat." He smiled at her, but it was not his usual pleasant smile and did not reach his eyes. "Now, home with you, Little One, and get some rest. Take good care of Rawnie this night."

Ceridwen quickly kissed him on the cheek and hurried out into the night to see to Rawnie again. She only hoped that the girl was able to relax alone with Cael.

Rawnie

Rawnie was again frightened when the man began to clean her, but as he made no ill moves toward her, and was very calm, she began to relax at last. She was able to lie back on the bed and allow him to care for her. The warmth of the water and the softness of the cloth helped ease the pain she had experienced, and it was a wonderful feeling to have someone wash away the hurt. She closed her eyes and sighed softly, as Cael washed her tenderly, between her thighs and over her soft nether lips. She felt a slight tingling in her body as he cleaned her thoroughly down below, and did not realize that she was becoming a bit aroused by his ministrations. A tiny moan escaped her parted lips as the cloth slid over her clit, and her nipples tightened.

This was the moment that Ceridwen entered the room, her eyes wide at the scene before her.

 

[Ravenloft]

Cael

Caels intention was only to sooth Rawnie's pain, so when he saw the signs of her arousal and heard her airy sigh or pleasure he stopped, but as fate would have it, it was at that exact moment that Ceridwen returned. She stood there staring wide eyed at them. Cael stood slowly, like a stalking cat, his jaw tightening as he strode over to the pot of hot water to rinse the cloth free of Rawnie's virgin blood.

He made no attempt to explain the situation, knowing that if he did, it would just serve to make him appear guilty of some impropriety. He knew in his heart what his intentions were, and though he felt a growing care for Ceridwen, he did not feel he had justify his actions to her, least of all actions that were ment to offer a raped and hurting young woman some solice.

He slowly and diliborately wrang the cloth out and sat it upon the rim of the pot before turning to look Ceridwen in the eye. The look he gave her was calm and accepting. "I have cleaned Rawnie for you Iachawr, perhaps you should examine her to see if Idris has caused her some internal injury?" Cael suggested softly.

 

[Leetah]

Ceridwen

As she entered the doorway, Ceridwen heard a soft sound from the bed, and looking over, she saw Cael's hands between Rawnie's soft thighs. Shocked, she stood still, her mind reeling at the picture. She watched him move away from the girl, and saw the cloth in his hands, as he rinsed it out. She watched him squeeze it and then his clear azure gaze met hers calmly. Finally able to sort the situation out, she took a deep breath. It was quite obvious Rawnie was not upset or injured any more than she had been; in fact she seemed calmer than ever. Ceridwen gave Cael a quick nod of approval and moved to the bed, to examine her patient more thoroughly.

Rawnie gave her a small smile of welcome. "Just relax for a few minutes, Rawnie. I'm going to make certain you've not been injured too badly." The girl nodded, trusting her friend implicitly. Ceirdwen looked over her inner thighs, parting her nether lips and looking for tears or bruising. She found none, which was a relief. She noted that Cael had done an excellent job of cleansing the girl, and she was grateful for that, but she knew she must warn him of doing such a thing in the future, for it would have meant great danger for him if anyone else had witnessed the act. She pressed lightly on Rawnie's pelvis in several places and the girl expressed no discomfort. Satisfied, she gave her a sleeping draught and proceeded to prepare a pallet with quilts and bedding for herself and Rawnie.

After she had settled her patient, Ceridwen moved back over to Cael, catching his arm and moving him back to the bed. "You must rest as well, if you are going to heal properly." She paused a moment, waiting for him to settle in, then said, "Thank you for caring for Rawnie. However, the next time, you must resist, for if I had brought Andras with me tonight, Idris would not be the only one in trouble. I understand what you were doing, but others would not. Still, thank you for your caring heart." She squeezed his hand and kissed his cheek.

 

[Ravenloft]

Cael

A slight smile grew upon Caels lips as Ceridwen wordlessly showed understanding and acknowledgment of the situation. So many women he had been with in the past would have reacted in a far less respectable manner, foolishly believing that he had somehow done something worthy of their ire.

He watched her take care of Rawnie, and his smile turned into a look of admiration, only to hide it as she came over to him. She took hold of his arm and led him to her bed, instructing him to rest again. He laid down and looked up at her with a fair amount of humor in his eyes, as she thanked him for his help with Rawnie, and her polite warnings that he aught not do it again, for fear of punishment.

He accepted her kiss upon his cheek but held her hand tightly, so that though she made to walk away, he kept her near. She gave him a wondering look to which he replied. "Oh Iachawr, my Iachawr, I've done a foolish thing and wounded myself. The wound, it aches, and I fear only you can heal it..." Cael takes a moment to place Ceridwen's hand upon his chest, so that she can feel the beating of his heart. "The wound is here, and it bleeds for you..." He breaths softly, his eyes showing the first look of vulnerability he had ever dared express since he was a little child.

 

[Leetah]

Ceridwen

When Ceridwen began to pull her hand from his grasp, she felt Cael's strong fingers close tightly over hers again. She looked at him questioningly, until he spoke. "Oh Iachawr, my Iachawr, I've done a foolish thing and wounded myself. The wound, it aches, and I fear only you can heal it..." She looked at hm worriedly, until he placed her hand firmly over his heart. She could feel the strong beat beneath her palm. "The wound is here, and it bleeds for you..." He looked up at her almost shyly, and she saw a myriad of emotions swimming in his blue gaze for several moments, then the wall that he seemed to hide behind rose again.

In that few moments though, she had seen through his bawdiness and teasing, through his tawdry antics and had glimpsed the tender heart that he had kept hidden far too long. She felt her own ache for the pain he must have endured to have caused him to become so very cynical and closed off. She gave him a gentle smile and touched his cheek, sitting beside him on the bed and still holding his hand. She knew it was possible this was simply another ploy to gain her sympathy for another dalliance, and some pleasure for himself, but somehow she didn't think that was the case.

Ceridwen touched his cheek with her free hand and smoothed the hair off his forehead. "I will sit here with you until you fall asleep, Minstrel Cael."

 

[Ravenloft]

Cael

The day's activities had drained him more than he had been aware of, and was now having its effect on him. He felt a wave of fatigue wash over him as Ceridwen sat next to him and drew his hair away from his brow. It was as though she were banishing stress and worry of the day with that simple touch. Cael closed his eyes under Ceridwen's tender care and quickly drifted into a deep sleep.

 

[Leetah]

Ceridwen

Ceridwen watched Cael's eyelids flutter and open, as she stroked his hair softly. She began to sing a soft lullaby that she remembered from her childhood.

"Is fad bhaile a d'aithneoinn fin do shil
do chul dubh daite faoi hata glan adromr
bhiodh blas na meala 'ach aon mhaidin ar phoig mo rn
roimhe shamhain gan amhras beidh faire orm fin le chumhaidh"

The song was called "Is Fad' o'Bhaile a D'Aithneoinn", which meant "It's Far From Home I'd Know You". She had always loved it and it had always soothed her as a child. It seemed to be having the same effect on Cael, as he sighed deeply as he drifted into slumber.

Ceridwen sat with him for a very long time, then she checked on Rawnie, who was also deeply asleep. Feeling very tired from the day herself, she made a quick decision and carefully slipped into bed beside Cael. She slipped her arms around him and cuddled to his back, hoping her presence might afford him a more peaceful rest and pleasant dreams.

 

[Ravenloft]

Cael

Ceridwen's sung words echoed to Cael in his sleep, their meaning painting his dreams. He was on a hill, gathered round by other men, and from another distant hill he saw Ceridwen gazing down at him and him alone. He left the hill and ran to her.

He dreamed of kissing her, not as an object of lust, but a kiss of deep and abiding love, one that made his heart ache for more. But his dream turned dark, the sky turned to blackest night and the winds picked up into a deathly, bloodless wail. He felt her body tense suddenly and drew back from her in surprise only to see her fall limp in his arms, cast forward against his chest. The dream was so vivid he could feel a warm wetness grow agaisnt his chest where she lay limp. Over her shoulder stood Idris, wiping a rapier clean of her hearts blood on his pant leg, fixing him with a hateful glare.

"If I cannot have her, no one will." The hated Idris said to him, in his dream as he spun about, weilding his blade for Cael's neck.

Cael awoke with a start, but forstalled his cry of anger and surprise. His start was thankfully not enough to wake Ceridwen, or her newest ward, Rawnie. He lay with ceridwen pressed against his back for only a moment before slipping out of bed.

Silently as a stalking wolf, he searched Ceridwen's home for a weapon, coming across a knife with a fine edge. He cast a look back at her sleeping form, taking the images from his dream to heart. With the whisper "I love you Ceridwen, my Iachawr" upon his lips, he slipped from her vardo and went on to hunt the villain, Idris. He stowed his knife and ducked behind another vardo as a gypsy man stepped out from a gilded door, thick incense trailing in whisps after him. He had the dim look of a man pleasured yet spent written on his face, and was quite unaware of Cael as he passed not more than seven feet from his hiding place.

Cael slipped out from his hiding spot, sure that the coast was clear, but caught the staring eyes of a gypsy woman who wore only a midnight blue shawl about her naked shoulders. A smile played across her lips, as she reguarded him, seeming to have devined his intent. "Blood reaps blood, stranger." She warned him softly. "Blood has been drawn, m'lady, I would be the reaper." Cael whispered back. The woman only nodded and lifted an arm to point to a wagon near the outer line of trees. There was something about the woman's mysterious beauty that sent a chill through his spine, the only other woman that had affected him so was the roman woman in his distant past.

He hesitently nodded back to her as he skirted away like a weary wolf. He came to the door of the wagon she had pointed to, knowing she had given him the right one from the thick smell of sex, blood, and sweat that clung to it. He reached down into his boot and drew out a set of finely wrought tools. With ease and silence, he had the door's lock disengaged and eased the door open, with only the slightest squeek. There was a snort in answer, then the rhythmic sawing of a moderate snoring.

With great care, Cael planted his feet closer and ever closer to the bedside of the sleeping Idris. He stood over the hated, callous bastard as he drew the knife he had taken from Ceridwen's wagon and held it over Idris, aligned to strike the dog square in the throat. Over the head of his bed was a window, and through it a full moon shown from the sky, which in turn, back lit the woman he had encountered on his way to do the deed of murder. Her arms reached to the sky and her chin lifted, as though she were his raised arm, ready to plunge downward, the sight gave him pause, and he looked down upon Idris.

There was drool and snot comming from the corner of his mouth and nose, and a bottle of wine was tipped over at the side of his bed, with enough having been drunk down to have only spilled a small amount upon the wagons floor boards. Cael turned his eyes back to Idris's face as the man turned in his sleep. He was about to withdraw, having come to the realization that the mysterious woman was testing him, only...

Idris eyes opened, and locked with Caels. Idris made to turn away, as though he thought he were dreaming, but realization struck him as well and he snapped back to stare wide eyed at Cael. Cael acted quickly and calmly, his hand clapping over the man's mouth, to stop him from calling out, his elbow slamming down into Idris's shoulder. Idris mannaged a grunt of pain and began to growl with anger.
Cael turned his head to the side, glaring dangerously into Idri's eyes as he nudged the point of Ceridwen's knife into his crotch, making him aware of its sharp presence. "I'd suggest you be silent, cur, else I'll relieve you of your reason for being, as it were."

 

[Leetah]

Midnight/Idris/Ceridwen

Midnight

The gypsy Queen's passions had finally been sated for the moment with her lover, as she sent him out the door, with a final kiss. She loved seeing the dazed look in his eyes, knowing he was drunk on her essence again. She slipped her shawl over her bare shoulders and stepped toward the doorway, wanting to watch the rise and fall of Aeron's finely shaped buttocks as he moved away into the night. Midnight was almost insatiable in her lust for the opposite sex. Almost immediately she knew another presence neared her dwelling, and she knew almost as quickly that this man had murder in his heart and on his mind. Her dark eyes deepened even more at the sight of him, and she felt her blood stirring hot in her loins again. The Stranger, she realized. The one whom Idris had spoken to her of. She knew he had been somewhat intimate with her daughter, but had not taken the girl's innocence.

Midnight's body was bathed in the moonlight, but also shadowed as he passed. Her words to him were answered by such a reply as she had expected. She liked the feel of his anger thrumming through the arm and caressing her silky skin. She wanted him in her arms and her bed at that moment. As she pointed him on his way, she could sense his apprehension and attraction to her, which made her smile even more. She licked her lips watching him move toward the sleeping Idris, with doom in his hand. She could feel every emotion and she raised her arms heavenward, letting the shawl fall away, standing nude beneath the moon's light and waiting, her face radiant with expectation. She felt his hesitation, pausing at the sight of her there, in shadow. She knew if he killed Idris, he would be hers this very night, and she would never release him. If he didn't, she would continue to work on him, to weave herself through his mind and his blood.

He had stopped and now she felt Idris awaken, and knew the moment had passed for now. He would perhaps wound the big lummox, but Idris would live to see another sunrise. Turning, she went back into the darkness of her vardo, to her bed, sliding her hands over her body, imagining the feel of the stranger's lips and hands on her soon.

Idris

Idris' romp with Rawnie had offered some release, but very little. She was nothing to him, and the fact that he had taken something precious from her, meant nothing as well. She had been begging for it for so long, he reasoned, why not give her what she wanted. He knew the way he had taken her had not been what she or any other woman would ever want, but he did not care. The only woman he might ever show tenderness to would be Ceridwen, but that would be after she knew who was her master. There were others he would be glad to show tenderness too, but that would have to wait, and continue to be done in secret for now.

Angrily, Idris pulled out a full bottle of wine, and gulped it down. Soon his head was swimming from the alcohol and he began to fantasize about what he might cause to happen to the Stranger, his little hussy Ceridwen, and sweet little Rawnie, or what he might do to them. Thoughts of taking the three of them deep into the woods and doing whatever he pleased with and to them made him happy. He could easily imagine forcing the women to pleasure him while the other man watched, bound to a tree, or tying them up naked and having his way with them over and over again as they screamed and begged for mercy. He was imagining just what he might do to Cael as well as he drifted off to sleep, the almost empty wine bottle falling to floor beside his bed.

Before he knew it, Idris opened his eyes to see the Stranger in his room, glaring into his eyes. Thinking it was still part of his dream, he began to turn away, but then realization hit and he looked back at his enemy. He was furious at being caught so unprepared, but the feel of the sharp point of the knife at his privates made him pause before acting. He waited angrily to see what this outsider wanted with him.

Ceridwen

Ceridwen woke from a sleep wherein she and Cael had been tangled together in a storm of love-making. His mouth and hands had been all over her eager flesh, and she moaned as he pleasured her, her own hands reaching for him. Feeling that his side of the bed was cold she woke, and immediately became alarmed at his absence. She sat straight up and glanced over at Rawnie, who was still sleeping peacefully. Quietly, she slipped from the bed and out the door, wondering where he might have gone.

After determining he had not gone to attend to any 'private' needs, she went looking for him. She knew that he did not know where Idris lived, but some instinct deep inside sent her in that direction. She reached the doorway and paused, as she heard Cael's voice inside.

 

[Ravenloft]

Cael

"I aught to neuter you right now, mongrel, just on principal... But I won't, what is comming to you in the morning will be punishment enough. You have been revealed for the scaborous dog that you are to your people, and I tell you now, they will no longer have you among them. I hope you enjoyed last night with your innocent Rawnie, it will have been your last with any woman among these people. And you will never, NEVER have ceridwen, her purity is not for the likes of men like us!" Cael growled in a hushed yet hatefully passionate voice. Drawing the keen knife against Idris' privates, he sliced through his breeches and drew a thin line of blood that caused Idris to hiss through clenched teeth.

 

[Leetah]

Ceridwen

Ceridwen listened quietly to Cael's words, frightened and thrilled by his voice and passion. Her purity wasn't for the likes of them? She was shocked to hear him compare himself to Idris. They were nothing alike. At least he cared about others. Idris obviously had no love for anyone but himself and power. Unable to see what Cael was doing to the other man, she stepped inside, then cried out softly, seeing him using her knife to cut at his enemy's privates. "Cael, no! You mustn't do that!" She rushed over to the bed, and caught his wrist, her grip firm on his skin. "You must not hurt him. He is a lout and cares for no one, but let the Tribe take care of him. You are going to get yourself in much more trouble than he is worth." Ceridwen cast a look of contempt at the man on the bed, who glared back at her, and then before either she or Cael could move, Idris hand shot out and grabbed her free wrist, pulling her down on top of him, while Cael was somewhat distracted. With his other hand, he grabbed Cael's wrist, pulling the knife toward the throat of the lovely girl who was now his prisoner.

 

[Ravenloft]

Cael

Idris couldn't have counted on Cael's history of numerous tavern house fights, in which he had learned a thing or two about such tactics. He twisted his wrist free, popping the knife up into the air, only to catch it with his other hand. He quickly waved the knife out in front of him to fend the cold bastard off, but it was too late, the damage had been done, Ceridwen was restrained in Idris's grasp, his thick arm tightly about her throat, resting under her chin, on hand aside her head, ready to break her neck at a moments notice.

Cael and he were in a stand off, and the bastard actually had the nerve to smile about it. "What was that you were saying, outsider? I wouldn't have your precious WHORE?" Idris made to breath in the scent of her hair, tightening his grip about her neck to still her struggling. "She smells like a dew coated meadow..." Idris growled with a sexually charged passion, aroused by the turn of power, by the headiness of holding her life so fragily in his hands, and seeing the realization in the outsiders eyes, as he stuck out his tongue and drew it along her soft cheek. "And tastes of sweet berries, but no doubt you know, as you've plucked them yourself... Now clear the door, before I kill her!" Idris demanded, shaking Ceridwen about for emphasis.

"You've killed yourself Idris, I swear to all the gods in the heavens, and all the demons of hell, I will spill your blood for this!" Cael retorted with cold rage burning behind his eyes. "Promises promises, you had your chance, and you wasted it on empty threats. I do thank you for the warning though, and for the chance to rape this fine little whore's hide... Over, and over again... If you thought Rawnie was a mess when I was through with her, wait till you see the condition I leave this bitch in. Now clear the door!" Idris turned Ceridwen's head sharply to the side, causing her to whimper in pain. Cael winced at the sight of her pain and the fear in her eyes. He could not let Idris leave with her, but he dared not tempt Idris into murdering her, the look in his eyes spoke to the madness of the man. Cael knew he was capable of it, so he stepped aside, glaring all the while as Idris dragged Ceridwen with him, out the door, clasping a hand over her mouth so that she could not call out for help.

 

[Leetah]

Ceridwen

She was going to die, and at the hand of the man she might be in love with....Ceridwen's thoughts touched on the idea as she watched Idris forcing Cael's hand with her own knife clasped tightly in it toward her exposed throat. She couldn't even scream, but she let out a slight gasp when Cael performed his quick move, and the knife was no longer a threat to her. However, now, she could scarcely breathe as Idris' arm clamped tightly across her throat, and she felt his large hand on her head, ready to end her life at a moment's notice, and she wriggled a bit to free herself. ~He's lost his mind~ she thought faintly, needing air desperately, when his arm tightened more.

Ceridwen couldn't make sense of the words passing between the two adversaries, although she felt Idris press his nose to her hair, and the wet trail of his tongue on her cheek, then he rose from the bed, still holding her and shaking her as if she were a rag doll. Idris tried to step forward, but Cael was blocking his way apparently. He turned her head a bit more and she let out a small cry of pain. Her tear-filled blue eyes met the deep azure gaze of her Minstrel, and he was speaking again, as was Idris, but she still needed air and couldn't process their words. She only knew the look on Cael's face was a mixture of pure hatred and pain, as he moved aside to let idris pass with her. Now a large palm clamped over her mouth, and they were outside, with Idris moving quickly into the deepest shadows of the forest.

Unfortunately, Idris was a good woodsman, and knew how to cover his trail, even with a prisoner in tow. He moved quietly for one so large, and soon was nearing the small cave he had found some time ago, that no one save himself knew of. He had actually planned to bring Ceridwen there after their wedding for some privacy for a few days, and now he was quite glad that he had never shared the location with anyone. The girl was almost unconscious by now, so he laid her on the soft bedding he had brought there and quickly grabbed a piece of rope, binding her wrists and tying them to the iron ring he had pounded into the wall of the cave with all his might. It was very firmly attached...not even he could pull it out.

Ceridwen finally began to regain her senses, and she knew that this was not a pleasant situation to be in. She glanced around, and then saw Idris sitting across from her, a nasty smile on his lips. "Well, my dear, you certainly look.....interesting at the moment." He laughed low and menacingly in his throat. "In fact, you look good enough to eat...." He licked his lips and ran his hand over his crotch. "Or perhaps you'll eat me first..." She felt her heart pounding wildly as he rose from his seat, moving over to her and slowly seating himself beside her, looking down at her body. Slowly, he reached out one hand and slid it across her throat, then downward. He began to caress her breasts, first with just the one hand, but then with both.

Unfortunately, despite her predicament, Idris' touch had the same effect as it always did on her, and Ceridwen's body responded, her nipples hardening through the thin blouse she wore. She bit her lip, as he continued to caress her, and then raked his thumb across her right nipple. She moaned, and Idris laughed, repeating the touch with her other nipple. He amused himself in this way for quite some time, making her squirm on the soft bedding. "Let's see how this feels, my little wanton..." Idris leaned over and flicked the tip of his tongue against her hard left nipple, making her gasp. Smiling at her reaction, he began to slowly circle her nipple through the cloth until her blouse was soaked through and then he moved to the other side.

Idris wanted Ceridwen mad with arousal before he raped her. He intended to take her again and again, in every way he could think of before he released her...if he ever did. When the blouse was completely soaked on both sides, he sat up and said softly "Oh dear....your blouse is very wet, sweet one. We can't have that...let me remove it." Not wanting to plead with him, Ceridwen simply shook her head no, but he reached down and took the neck of her bodice in both hands and ripped it away, leaving her soft breasts bare to the night air and his gaze. He began kneading her bare flesh immediately, loving the feel of her softness. His hands were rough against her silky skin, but that only added to the sensations he was causing in her, and when his mouth suddenly covered her right nipple with nothing between it and his tongue, Ceridwen's back arched despite herself and she offered more of it to him, her body controlling itself now, knowing what it wanted and needed.

 

[Ravenloft]

Cael

Just as Idris slipped away into the dark of night with Ceridwen, Cael bolted out of his wagon and quickly came to the door of the Queen's vardo. He pounded desperately at the door. It swung wide at his first strike, having been left open. The queen was already sitting up in her bed, her silk and fur blankets drawn up to her waist. She gave him a knowing look. "M'lady, your Iachawr in training, Ceridwen has been kidnapped, the foul dog, Idris has taken flight with her into the woods. I need your 'sight' to find them, for surly, you have it." Cael announced, desperation in his eyes.

 

[Leetah]

Midnight/Ceridwen

Midnight

The Gypsy Queen smiled to herself as she went back into her bed. She knew that Cael had not taken Idris' life, but his blood was boiling with passionate rage. She was already sitting up in her bed waiting, when the pounding came. She had dismissed the guards for the evening, so that she would be alone when he came to her. She did not want Ceridwen harmed, but she wanted a bit of time alone with the young man, before aiding him. Bare-breasted, she looked at him evenly, seeing the fear and pain in his gaze, knowing he was barely registering her nudity at the moment. "Come closer to me," she commanded, wanting him to get a whiff of her scent, even if he did not notice it consciously. "I may be able to help you in finding my daughter, but you must come to me and do as I ask first."

Ceridwen

Ceridwen was in agony. Idris continued to lave her nipple slowly with his skilled tongue, teasing her. She wanted to fight him, but even if her hands had been unbound, she was helpless. She cursed her own desires in her mind, as he moved to the other breast, nibbling and licking at her nipple again. His hand slid down her side, moving over her hip and onto the taut skin of her inner thigh. She tried clamping her legs together, but he simply lapped harder at the hardened tip of her breast and she found her muscles relaxing instinctively. Idris laughed evilly against her breast, his palm sliding inward, until his fingers were resting on her mound through her skirt. He dragged a thumb down her cleft, teasing her again. She wanted him to touch her as much as she despised him. Now that Cael had truly awakened her body she knew just how incredible pleasure felt.

Idris sat up, put his hands at the waist of her skirt and yanked it downwards, tossing it on the floor of the cave. He ripped her underclothes away with a swift jerk, leaving her helpless body bare now to his gaze. "Just as lovely as I expected," he said hoarsely. "And all mine now. Now that the outsider has dipped into your well, I shall make it pure again with my seed. But first, you will beg me for it." He laughed, and began to caress her mound, running his fingers through the soft curls between her legs, and pulling her nether lips apart. He slid a finger between her labia and began playing with her clit, then leaned in again and kissed her deeply. Ceridwen shivered beneath his lips, but found her tongue sliding out to meet his, as he stroked her and played with her body.

When he released her from the kiss, Idris bent over her breast again, nipping at her nipple now, making her cry out in pain. He continued to play with her clit, and now his middle finger found its way inside her, sliding up to invade her still virgin entrance.

 

[Ravenloft]

Cael

Cael neared the queen, and at the first scent of her perfume, he recognized it as the same, sex mingled scent that the roman woman had worn the night his family was taken from him. He took a step back and fixed Midnight with a cold stare. "If it is bedding you wish, then I concent, but only AFTER I see your daughter brought free of the dog's clutches. Her, life, her virtue, her station as Iachwer, her everything is at stake. Please don't insult me by demanding sex while she stands in mortal peril." Cael's glaring eyes glossed over with tears as he thought of all the cruel things Idris was doing to her at this very moment. He only prayed that he could reach her in time to keep her pure enough for the cerimonies, and failing that, prayed she would still live.

 

[Leetah]

Midnight/Ceridwen

Midnight

Haughtily, the Queen looked down her nose at the passion driven young man before her. "I have not asked anything of you more than that you come closer to me, and if you wish my help, you will do as I ask. If I am interested in bedding you, it would not be while my Daughter needs my help. No one is worth more to me than my Daughters, know that now. If you still wish to save Ceridwen, come closer to me....NOW!" Her voice rose on the last word to roar throughout the room.

Ceridwen

Idris was certainly enjoying himself with Ceridwen's body, as he continued to slide his finger in and out of her slick wetness. The helpless girl moaned and writhed, her nipples overly sensitive at this point from all the cruel sucking, nipping and licking that he had performed on them. "You whore," he growled, continuing to finger her, his thumb raking her clit. "How could you let that dirty filth inside you? You knew you must be pure for your ceremony. Now you've thrown it all away. You're nothing but a slut, aren't you? A bitch in heat....well, I'm about to show you what a real man feels like." He stroked his crotch with his free hand.

Ceridwen knew in some hazy part of her brain that was still functioning that she was rapidly running out of time to save herself. She had to think of something to stall him, as she knew Cael would come looking for her. If she could only make him pause long enough, she had a feeling that her Minstrel would find her. She couldn't deny that Idris knew how to make her feel pleasure, even though he repulsed her. She knew that as soon as he discovered that he was the one to deflower her, he would be sadistically delighted, and then the real torture would begin.

Idris rose from the bed, stretching and looking down at his nude captive. How lovely she looked, with her hair all tumbled about, her cheeks flushed, her nipples ruddy from his ministrations and her breasts heaving. He could smell her arousal in the cave, and his primal brain was beginning to take over. He intended to mate her and rut with her until she dropped from exhaustion, hurting her as much as he possibly could in the meantime. With a low growl, he untied the drawstring of his breeches and let them drop just enough to show her his erect manhood. He stroked himself proudly, watching her glazed eyes widen at the sight.

With his evil grin, Idris moved toward the head of the bed, and let his cock dangle just above Ceridwen's soft lips. With his fingers, he pressed the shaft downward, just enough so that the head was resting against her mouth. "Taste me," he commanded, and she shook her head, feeling the rubbery tip rub against her mouth as she did so. "Bitch," he spat at her. "I said taste me!." He slapped her hard across the face, leaving a handprint on her cheek. Tears filled her eyes, but she shook her head defiantly again. With another hard slap, he leaned over and pinched her nostrils tightly closed, until she was forced to open her mouth to breathe, then he shoved himself into her mouth and released her nose after a moment. "Now suck it."

When Ceridwen did not move, Idris reached down and pinched her left nipple as hard as he could, twisting it painfully, making her cry out around his cock. "I'll release this when you suck me," he said coldly, continuing to twist the hard nub. Reluctantly, she began to move her mouth up and down on him. He continued to hurt her for several moments until he was satisfied that she wouldn't stop, and then he let go. "That's right, little whore, get it good and wet. Next I'll be sliding inside you."

 

[Ravenloft]

Cael

Cael, duely chastened by the queen came to her side and bowed, down on one knee, awaiting, he knew not what. Each second seemed an eternity as his thoughts ran through all the sick things a man like Idris, who most certainly had no morals whatsoever, would do to Ceridwen. "Forgive my impetuousness, Queen Midnight, it is just that... I love her..." Cael's voiced strained as he professed his feelings, the tears of wild, and mixed emotions burning his eyes. He bit back at the emotions and leveled his stormy blue eyes upon the queen. "How can we save her from Idris?" He asked her beseechingly, as he simply had no idea himself.

 

[Leetah]

Midnight/Ceridwen

Midnight

Rising regally from her bed, Midnight stood completely nude over the contrite young man, bowing before her. She smiled a secret smile of power, knowing she could demand whatever she wanted from him, if she chose to do so later on. She filed the thought away, and took a deep breath, preparing herself for her search. She had a vague sense at the moment of where Idris was, but she would need more 'information' before she could pinpoint the location. She reached down and put her fingers under Cael's chin, lifting his face to look at her own. "Stand." He did as she compelled, then she placed both palms on the sides of his face, pulling his mouth toward her own. When she sensed hesitation or resistance from him, she looked him squarely in the eyes. "If you wish to help her, you must let me do as I must. You are the only person who has been in contact with both my Daughter and Idris in the past few minutes. I must draw from you now, and this is the only way. If you wish to save her, you must trust me."

The Queen felt him relax slightly, and she pulled his face toward her own again, pressing her full lips against his own in the deepest kiss he had most likely ever experienced. It was sensual and full of passion, but also draining. Midnight breathed deep into his mouth and then drew almost all the breath from his lungs, as she slid her hands down from his face and around to his back, continuing downward until she reached his waist, then she crushed his body against her own, pressing his pelvis into her. She turned with him, letting him fall back to her bed, as she stepped away from him. Throwing her head back, she let out a soft keening cry, that seemed to still the night sounds. As Cael lay dazed on her bed, Midnight began speaking softly, but clearly, in a detached voice.

"I see the foul beast dragging the maiden through the forest to her doom. He will ravage her tender flesh until she is half dead and then take her away to trade her for gold. You must follow the path of the Eastern star into the forest. Do not veer from it. You will reach the cave where he holds her prisoner, torturing her. She longs for you, Minstrel. She may be able to stall him for a time, but you must hurry."

With a sigh that was more like a gasp, the lovely Queen collapsed backwards onto the bedclothes beside Cael. Her cheeks were pale, and dark circles now appeared beneath her eyes. Barely able to speak, she whispered hoarsely "Go to her. Save her." Her eyes fluttered closed and she was immediately asleep.

Ceridwen

Idris' thick cock was still sliding in and out of Ceridwen's mouth, as he thrust punishingly hard against her lips. His fingers were wrapped in her thick hair, holding her head still, as he pleasured himself with her mouth. Just when she had a slim hope he might explode in her mouth, abhorrent as that thought was to her, he pulled out of her mouth, laughing somewhat insanely. "You won't get out of a good rutting that easily my little bitch. Your sweet well is calling to me, to purify it from that dog's filth, and I intend to answer the call." He thrust a finger back inside her briefly, his eyes wide and mad-looking. "Oh yes, your whore's body is ready for me, as I knew it would be." He laughed at her clamping her legs tightly together, and easily pushed them apart with his hands, digging his fingers into her tender inner thighs as hard as he could.

Climbing onto the bed, Idris set one thick thigh between her bare legs, and looked down at her, lust filling his gaze as he looked her up and down. "I want to take one last look at you, my sweet....before I hurt you too badly to be as lovely as you are now." The fear in her eyes was joy to him. Leaning over, he suckled each breast once more, biting her hard on each nipple. "Beg me not to do this to you, Ceridwen...maybe I'll change my mind." Knowing it was hopeless, she had to try anyway. "Please, Idris...don't do this. I'll talk to the Tribe...." A stinging slap across the face was her answer, and then another. She felt her head spin, as his mouth closed over her own, and he pushed his tongue inside to rape her own. She could feel him positioning himself to take her, the head of his cock slowly inching into her velvet folds.

Idris released her mouth, looking down at her with a sneer. "I want to watch your face as I ram into you, my girl. You'll scream my name out before I'm through with you." Just as he was pressing onward, Ceridwen cried out, "Wait!" There was such a note of sudden authority, tinged with desperation, that he paused. "Idris, you are mistaken. I am still a virgin. Cael has not taken my maidenhead. I may still be Iachwar for the Tribe at this point....unless you take what he has not. You know what the repercussions of that will be." Indeed he did. Midnight would hunt him down to the ends of the earth and the tortures he would face would be worse than anything he could imagine visiting on Ceridwen. He drew back a bit, but still had not completely pulled away.

Sensing she might yet remain pure, Ceridwen nodded. "You know what the punishment is for deflowering one of her Daughters before their seremoni. That is something that few have faced, and none have lived to speak of." She felt him slide out a bit more, but he was still a threat. She held her breath and waited. Idris rose from the bed suddenly, and began to pace. She could tell he was thinking, weighing his options. She could only hope that his insanity would not rule him. "Cael," she whispered in her mind. "Oh Cael...."

 

[Ravenloft]

Cael

Cael rose quickly from Midnights bed, stumbling on his feet. What had she done to him, he wondered. Often he had heard tales arcane of such women, that they were born, gifted with strange arts, it would seem he had finally met such a woman. The experience left him quite leary to repeat such an encounter again.

He rushed to the door and left the queen's vargo in a hurry, heeding her words, he followed the path she had set before him, never straying, never veering from it.

His pace quickened as did his heart as he knew he drew nearer and nearer to his destination. The eastern star, it seemed to settle upon the craggy stone of the caves hood. Cael's hand tightened, white knuckled upon Ceridwen's dagger as he stalked into the cave, silent as a panther, he stuck to the shadows as he made his way to the heart of it.

He came to an area illuminated by torches. He took in the scene, Ceridwen arms were bound, and she was naked, save for the tattered and torn rags the bastard, Idris had left her in. Her cheeks were red, her lips swollen, and several bruises were scattered across her breasts and along her inner thighs.

Idris paced back and forth, appearing to be pondering something. No doubt thinking up more dreadful acts to perform upon Ceridwen. Well, those thoughts might just be his last, if fate and luck were on Caels side in the next few minutes.

Heh, perhaps he was no match for a man like Idris in honorable combat, but one thing Cael had learned over the years, since he left his home island, was to recognize ones chance to strike, and strike with deadly intent. His eyes bored into Idris's neck, and even from this distance he could see the thrum of the man's pulse rushing through his jugular.

He lept from the shadows without even a whisper, slasing the daggers blade for that thrumming cord of Idris's lifes blood. If he had been a panther, his teeth would have sunk home and broken the jackels neck. Still, Ceridwen's dagger was sufficient in this grim matter.

Cael ducked under Idris's arm that he had instinctively swung with as Cael struck him with the dagger. Tumbling forward, past him, Cael came up to his feet, his side tight with pain from the action upsetting his wounds. He turned to face Idris, and found the man staring at him in shock as blood sprayed from his neck, his hand flying to the open wound, trying to clasp it shut, but Cael knew it would do the man no good.

He stood, waiting for Idris to come at him, only to see him sink to his knees, his lips working to form words, managing only a gurgling whine as he colapsed to his side, panting in shock. Cael fell back as well, landing next to Ceridwen, grunting in pain, feeling as though he may have made his injuries worse.

 

[Leetah]

Idris/Ceridwen

Idris

Rage consumed him, and terror of the gypsy Queen as well. Idris knew his punishment would be long and harrowing before he was allowed death's embrace if Ceridwen was telling the truth. To take an iachwar's madienhead, especially without her consent, was more than blasphemous. It was suicide for any man that did. But what if the little bitch was lying, to save her skin? If she had lain with the dog, then she was not fit to be the Healer, or to remain part of the Tribe in his opinion. If only she wasn't so desirable, with her beauty and the power she would weild. He would be able to have whatever he wanted if they were wed. He could bed anyone he wanted, from any lovely girl to the men that he secretly craved as well. No one could refuse the mate of the Healer and go unpunished.

Snarling in frustration, Idris paid no attention to his surroundings...until it was too late. He became aware of Cael's body moving toward him at almost the last second and thrust his arm out to block the attack, but the Minstrel was too agile for him, and moved beneath the blow. Idris felt the dagger slide into the flesh of his neck, deep and sure. In an unbelieving daze, he watched the other man stumble past and then turn to face him. Now, feeling his life force leaving his body, he clamped his hand to his neck, tyring to stem the flow.

Idris tried to move toward the man he both hated and desired, but his legs wouldn't obey him, and he dropped to his knees. He tried to speak, saying "Bastard dog...." but nothing escaped his slashed throat but sounds that no one should ever hear. Quickly weakening even more, he fell to his side, panting for air, as he felt darkenss closing in on him. He couldn't take his eyes off Cael. He could no longer see Ceridwen, as his vision was too narrow now. His dark eyes were frozen on the other's azure gaze. As he began to slip into forever, he managed to mouth the words "Thou art cursed....for all time." Then his lips would no longer move and he became still. The last thing that Idris was aware of on this earth was the sound of Ceridwen sobbing. Darkness closed over his vision and he was no more.

Ceridwen

Shivering, Ceridwen wished she could read Idris' mind. She was starting to feel the chill of the night air on her bare skin now that he was leaving her alone for a time. She hoped and prayed that someone would come for her before Idris decided she was lying and took her anyway. Suddenly, a movement from the shadows, and then Cael.....a bright flash of silver in the firelight....Cael stumbling toward the bed, then rising to face his enemy. She knew what had happened, but her dazed and terrified mind could not conceive of what she had seen at present. She couldn't make a sound.....couldn't scream, even though she felt one building inside her throat.....Cael was there. He fell backwards beside her, and she could smell his scent and feel the clothes he wore press into her bare flesh.

Turning her head, she saw the still form on the floor that had been Idris. She saw his lips move, making out the words but not registering them. ~Cael has killed him~ she thought ~To save me.~ She began to weep suddenly, soft heartbreaking sobs, filled with deep pain. Her body was trembling from cold, fatigue and abuse, and her skin felt clammy. Cael had not risen yet, and she could tell he was in pain as well by the way he moved his body. She could not stop weeping, the tears pouring down her reddened cheeks, wetting the pillow beneath her head. Still bound, she couldn't even reach out to the man she loved. Oh by the Gods.....she did love him. He mght not return those feelings, but she could not help her own. She felt hysteria creeping up on her.

Ceridwen began to shiver violently, and her sobs grew even harder. She felt as if she must get free immediately, and began thrashing on the bed, pulling at the rope that bound her wrists tightly to the iron ring. Even when she felt it bite into her flesh, she couldn't stop. She was the Healer! She had to be free to help the injured and dying, no matter who they were. "Let me go!" she suddenly screamed, and then continued to scream in a long quavering note that echoed into the night.