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[raging_monkey]

Act 244: normality

Spoiler

zera gasped at each thrust monkai made into her, finally able to enjoy themselves after deciding to ignore the magister's schemes and commit to making their new life better. She sucked on his biting his nail as licked her breast feeling himself build

"Remember not inside " she teased kissing his lips and massaging his back. Monkai groaned as he released his frustration inside "then don't clamp down on me like that" he said panting as she began to laugh.

"House florus secret technique " she joked pushing him off her and beginning to fellate him, savoring the salty flavor of his seed. "I'm telling you, more fish gives it a better texture " she said wiping her mouth and making a audible swallow

"I appal eating meat but I guess fish isn't meat right?" Monkai playfully said playing with the stem of her lotus. He was captivated by her grateful that she was still with him and despite everything things were getting back to normal.

"Uh... kai she's watching again... " zera said pointing to zero that carried her bowl to the bed

"Well I guess playtime is over " he said grabbing his pant patting his leg for the pup to follow. "Whats the days schedule? "

Zera put her tunic and underwear back on wondering if she should wear more raucey attire she took a brown ledger from the night stand. " darkon will be here late afternoon as will Aurelia to discuss opening a clinic. Coldi and hotus are out shopping, as for Galatea she is... doing you know what with susa and send. Finally elara and dramis will be returning from their honeymoon. " she said setting down her ledger

Monkai smiled at her while played tug with zerotia "so your going to run it? It would be shameful if she didn't have, your the best healer I know " he said

"Its a job we all need one right. Besides there are little outbreaks of rogue madmen we have encountered of late. Maybe it's time we settle down and actually do what we preach. Just relax and help people. " zeta said tossing him his coat.

She watched him get dressed finding he had stopped tearing the sleeves off his coats and wearing them properly only wearing the half sleeve coat Aurelia gave him and changing his usually dark clothes to a dirty brow.

"Well let me walk and feed the pup and I will get the lab ready. Hopefully darkon shows up on time" he said knowing his friend loved to make late entrance.

XXx

Darkon laid on the table staring at the stump were his arm once had been. Remembered when the mad rivaini led reign of terror upon the city ,remembering how he lost his arm and eye. He could live with being half-blind at the cost of his depth perception but his narcissistic personality refused to be seen without his other appendage. "You know what you are doing right? I rather not have hack job like batzas" he said

Monkai cracked his neck and began to stretch so he could perform the ritual. "I promise your pretty little head I won't do a hack job. I refined it enough. Sides you only paid for a new arm " he replied taking a arm from the chest under the table, making sure the enchantment he created kept it fresh and matched subject's skin.

"Get on with it I have a date with a dwarven lass " darkon said ignoring the pain that came as felt cut into his skin. He felt his nerves burn as the arm monkai set beside him attached to the bloodied stump.

"There all finished. Now see zera about payment. We will work out installments" monkai said. He cared not if darkon actually followed through with their agreement only that he had repaid a friend for his aide that costed him dearly.

" well considering how you cost me my partner... let's call it even" darkon said clenching his hand making sure it was as he demanded. "Its a little stiff"

"It will pass your nerves were deadened for two years. Mild stiffness and pain is to come. " monkai said ignoring his remark assuming it was one of his lovers at the time. "Nonetheless your welcome.

"Yeah yeah cuckhold... just send the bill to my house not aurelia's she has done enough for me..." darkon said woefully.

[raging_monkey]

I thought Zera had black hair, like her mother?

think that's Cass. That or she might have dyed it. But it's a interesting thing to do.. maker your a genius milady

[raging_monkey]

I understood it as

z had red hair to set her apart it might have been a dye job but I always thought it natural. (Really digging this idea actually )

Miri had blond like caius showing their closeness and her taking after a relative (can't remember if it was caius or a grandparent)

Cass is like a brunette with shades of red Naturally.

[Serelir]

Well, I got it from the horse's mouth, but it's just hair - it can be dyed any color. 

 

"Zera, a healer mage, Monkai´s wife, blue eyed fair skinned raven haired very liberal woman, beliefs strongly in equality. Looks like her deceased mother."

 

Maybe she decided to change her appearance as a way of rejecting her old life.

[raging_monkey]

Perfect. It will add a bit of character. Now just have find out how does someone dye their hair

[Serelir]

Henna? Rose madder? If she started with black hair, she'd need some kind of peroxide. Then again, there's magic.

[raging_monkey]

Did medieval Europe have peroxides? Or were clothing dyes just as good for hair. Hmm

Maybe magic is easier when writing... *goes back to reading about hair products and similar items*

[raging_monkey]

Act 245: hunter

Spoiler

coldi peered into the window looking at the various dresses inside the store. They all looked the same only different the shades of blue. "I want that one, that one oh definitely that one" she said giddy at the prospect of enjoying her remaining birthday money, knowing she should invest it.

enough with this prattle bring the girl to him. the voice shouted inside hotus' ear. He wondered why he heard such a onimus voice every time he was near his friends and lover. He only felt joy when he he imagined caius rewarding him despite refusing to stay with him.

"Hotus! hotus! TIMAESUS! " coldi shouted breaking his stupor. She looked at him confused his eyes were blank and dark, emotionless even.

"Apologies... Louis... coldi I am just mesmerized by your beauty " hotus said smiling trying to pass off his strange behavior.

"Whats wrong with you? You'he increasingly absent and your spending a oddly lot of time with zera more than what a Butler should... are you interested in someone else? If you are tell me!" Coldi said her voice becoming uncharistically serious. She protective of her elven lover, not due to her attachment but to his mother who she grew quite fond of.

"I assure you I'm not- " he said pushing coldi to the ground. He watched two of the guards that caius had sent to assist him fall with daggers embedded into their skulls . His mind pained him as he remembered being given command of them. "When did I meet them "he thought as he rose from on top of coldi.

"Thats what I'm talking about your acting weird " coldi said dusting herself off. She felt a shiver go up her spine as she heard footsteps land behind her.

"Well well well. Two birds with one.... arrow is? " the hooded figure said raising to her feet, making sure her face was obscured. "A ragin and a vallenious errand boy... lovers at that it seems... "

"Who in the void are you!" Hotus said standing before coldi. "I'll worry what is going on in my head later... this woman reeks of death" hotus thought to himself as he watched the woman lick her fingers cleaning the dried blood from her hand.

"Less talking more hitting" coldi said drawing her staff ,she channeled magic into to feeling he power surge in her hands.

"Oh this is going to be fun! Did you know mages who specialize in cryomancy have a shorter life expectancy. Average is fifty-six. And hexers no matter their skill are poorly suited for direct combat. The woman said laughing at her targets

[raging_monkey]

Act 246 : beginning.

Spoiler

the hooded woman slide under coldi quickly kicking her tibiae, coldi screamed as he buckled feeling the bone break. The hooded woman wrung coldi 's against her throat laughing as guards from vallenious manor came to their aide.

"Lord hotus report " a guard said drawing hmhis sword, issuing commands to his fellows "dragon's wall "

"Form up protect the ragin girl... apprehend the woman" hotus said his voice cold and indifferent to his lover's predicament. "What in blazes, what are they doing here! " he thought wanting to scream for them to leave only for nothing to happen.

"Aww decided to show your true colors vallenious. Look sweet thing your little knife ear is still for the magister" the woman said squeezing coldi's arm slowly trying to break it.

"Maker's spunk do you ever shut up!" Coldi cried dislocating her arm freeing herself and headbutting the mysterious woman.

The guards grabbed her pulling her back into their fold. She looked at hotus confused by what was going on. "Hotus... we are going to have a serious talk." She said as hotus rolled up his sleeves showing odd symbols on the back of his arms.

so now you wish to use mother's mark[I] the voice whispered knowing what he planned to to do. The woman Dodge the swords swing, they were professional, surgical even, she noted that caius had trained his followers well if not to perfection. But they were rigid enough in their movements for her to drive knives in their skull leaving one barely alive.

"Well that was fun... but I'm bored. " the woman said dropping the last guard as he choked on his blood. She dashed to hotus pulling a pair of knives from her coat flinging them as she tried to behead him.

Hotus darted back wheezing unable to defend himself and coldi [I] don't you think about abandoning the masters property the voice demanded distracting him from the battle. " shut up!" He cried only for him to say nothing. He just looked at coldi intensely as she tried to bring herself to her feet.

"Eyes on me! Pretty boy!"the woman teased kneeing hotus in his chin. She pressed her knife against his throat barely enough of force to slit his jugular. "Told you you hexers are terrible combatants... maybe you should " the woman said before seeing a flash of light and flew across the market.

"Get you filthy hands off my man " coldi shouted twirling her staff. She put all her weight on to her better leg as she channeled her magic to follow her strike.

The woman moved her jaw finding it was broken, she pulled a vial from her belt imbibing the bitter contents as her jaw reset itself. "Oh you I so dislike" she said annoyed throwing her knife at coldi only for hotus to catch it embbeding itself in his palm.

"Its not as much as I hoped but it is enough..." hotus said tossing the knife to the ground. He brought his arms together only for them to repeal each other, he brought them together again as the glyphs on his arms began to glow cackling with mana.

Coldi felt ill from the build up of mana that choked the atmosphere. "When did he become this powerful.. " she thought barely able to breath. The woman smiled and laughed maniacally as she charged at him throwing knives cutting his skin. Hotus roared as a bright blue light exploded in front of her sending her flying only for her to swing from a lampost and on to a building...

"Well now we are talking! Your name is Hotus right! I AM KINA GET IT MEMORIZED FOR I WILL CLAIM YOUR LIFE " kina shouted before darting off laughing manically

Hotus stared off into the distance... " well things are getting back to normal again " he said before collapsing coughing blood. He looked at his stomach see a dark spot spread. "Great already starting. " he thought as coldi helped him to his feet.

[raging_monkey]

Act 247: fallen feather

Spoiler

monkai sat in his chair, tapping the armrest while listening to coldi complain of having her knee be reset. "So explain to me one more time... WHAT THE **** HAPPENED!" He shouted rising from his chair. He presented himself as furious but was more afraid than angry, he feared that in his own drama he had let his guard down and nearly lost his apprentice.

Hotus held his side staring at monkai you should have alerted the master.. recuse yourself the voice said. "Apologies master ragin but I must use the restroom. I rather tend to my wound in private " he said leaving ignoring monkai's commands to stop. The voice became harder and harder to ignore and was compelled to follow it.

"Dear enough shouting won't help. Coldi explain everything " zera said channeling her magic healing her Ward's leg. "How's that "

Coldi bent her leg noticing there wasn't any stillness "well hotus and I were shopping then boom a mad woman being chased by the geezer's goon and then came after us... and that's all I remember... " she said omitting seeing hotus's odd behavior and how kina was after her and hotus, speaking mad rhetoric on what makes suffered.

Monkai and zera looked at each knowing their ward was holding something back. "As long as your safe that's all that matters... until further notice you are to stay here and only.. forget it your a adult now just stay safe and away from trouble " zera said deciding to let her keep her independence.

"I personally think hotus should stay indoors just to keep tabs on him... my nose is twitching " monkai said tossing his arms in the air. Coldi bit her tongue wanting to tell her master the full story but thought it would be better if she talked to hotus first

Xxx

Darkon walked the streets of the upper quarter overjoyed by his night. He had spent the evening with a foul mouthed dwarven woman, that refused to be quiet regarding her collection of rocks. "I think I will marry that woman.. quiet classy" he said rubbing his lips tasting the lipstick of his date, it was chalky and tasted of sweet dirt from the dwarven ale she had imbibed.

He was married before shortly after he turned down caius's offer of marrying zera despite dating for a year. He was four years her senior and despite the level of intimacy they shared they knew they were better off friends. His first wife was a sickly woman that always tried to curtail his more adventurous side but never outright stopped him. She passed away shortly after becoming a judge within the publicurum, it wasn't til he me met Aurelia did she save him from his downspiral of alcohol and indifference.

XXx

Kina stalked darkon for most the night, she followed him to him lower quarter then to the wharf as he stood for a hour staring at the ships that were docked humming to himself until finally to a open courtyard.

"Bout bloody time he stopped " kina said in a hushed whisper careful not to be seen. She pulled a knife from her belt dragging her tongue across the blade.


Darkon stopped and looked at the moons shine upon him feeling a sense of peace

sooooh how long must we go
Sooooh how long must we fight
Sooooh when will we find peace
Sooooh how long must we go til learn to love and enjoy our time on this short world. Sooooh grant me your light, shower me in your warmth darkon began to sing the song her and zera made in their youth to cope with the triviality of their lives. Teen angst she called the short hymn.

"Void's blessings you have a gaudy voice I swear your singing will kill the darkspawn. " kina said covering her ears hoping her interupption would save her.

"So... either your a lady of the night... or maybe a jilted lover" darkon said turning toward her. He removed his hand his pockets staring at his hand. "Well let's go"

"What? No monologue, no questions... seriously your boring " kina said flipping her knife into a forward grip.

"No... just rather get this over with" darkon said casting entropy at her from his right and thunder from his left. Kina dodged the burst of entropy that grazed her shoulder corroding her coat and was struck by the lightning as she removed her coat.

Kina quickly darted from darkon as he snapped his fingers casting glyphs that exploded as she got within proximity of him. She coughed as her lungs burned from the smoke. "So your a fancy one no speciality " she teased throw her knife only for Darkon to Dodge it.

Darkon ignored her jibs,thinking it was improper to speak to one's foe. He slammed his hand to the ground forcing the ground to cascade upon her. Kina jumped and sprung as each pillar that arose moved to crush her "sneaky ****!" She said throwing a grenade to the ground watching it explode.

Darkon covered his face with his coat to prevent shrapnel from hitting his face " she's good but I have my arm again" he thought as he looked for the assassin. He grunted as a hail of knives grazed his arms and legs, sneering at kina as she appeared before him.

"Peekaboo " she said cutting over and over. Darkon kneed her in the stomach as she reared for another incision. She felt blood explode from her nose as he struck her in the face over and over. Kina roared driving her knives into his sides and driving another pair into his back.

Darkon stumbled as he began to realized what the blades where made of.. "lyrium blades... not cheap... you no assassin and your definitely no mage-hunter... who are you really. " darkon said buckling to his knees. He felt his mana leave him, the world losing color and sounds being submerged as she laughed.

"You feel that... it's more refined in less refined forms it's toxic to mages but also it's user something about vapors. But well you now know... have any last words?" Nina said pulling a knife from her boot.

Darkon smiled and thought of his friends and those that had made his life bearable "well ragin I'll help you one more time" he thought pulling the knife from his side and hiding it in his coat.

"Ready carcella dog" kina said bringing the the knife to his throat unable to stop laughing .

"Get- " darkon said before hearing the sound of parchment tear realizing it was his throat being slit. He laid in his blood smiling knowing he got the last laugh

[raging_monkey]

Act 248: the order

Spoiler

kina danced in front of her mirror marveling at the coat she looted from Darkon 's body. She thought the pattern of blood formed pretty flowers at the hem.

"Ah the spoils of war. I look quite dashing " she said twirling in a circle until hearing a knock upon her door. "It had better be good!" She said furious that she was interuppted.

"The master seeks your presence. " the man said. His robes were tattered and covered in soot and reeked of blood. The smell was intoxicating for her,like being on Kohl binge for weeks.

"You mean she wishes to see us Sven? You know I hate your way of speaking. "Kina said chastising her associate

"You know what I mean... she has court soon best hurry" Sven said leading her.

Xxx

The master stared at the painting, it was a canvas painted in nothing but black layered in tar to give a sensual feel. It was painted by a unknown artist long lost to the first blight, showing how the world was ending and only a void remained. "Marvelous " she said feeling the painting.

"You called oh great and honourable " kina said breaking the master's solitude. Sven cuffed the side over her head admodishing her for not showing the proper respect.

"Yes I wish to know the status on the vallenious and carcella " the master said spinning her hair.

Sven step forward kneeling at her feet. "Neither house is aware of our presence. Too busy fueding over the ragin boy and vallionous girl, the magister has spent considerable resources to leave her destitute. As to the carcella's they seem more preoccupied in training the ragin since his trip to the northern islands. He is weaker than what he appears " Sven elaborated smiling.

"Well to be accurate the ragin suspect one of their own, hotus... a elf. Add to the loss of carcella's first enchanter they will be much easier to manage. Now we must focus on the vallenious' network. Take away the dragon's wings and it's nothing more than a wyvern at best. " kina added kneeling before her master. "Just wait dear hotus... just wait a little while longer..." she whispered grinding her teeth excited to find her prey.

The master stroked her chin "interesting indeed fan the flames to their fued. I want open war between them. The void decrees that in order to atone for the sins of mortals we must destroy both houses only then may be begin to heal" she said waving her hands in a dramatic fashion. "The serpent and dragon must perish! "

"I will send word to the others my prophet all,none will stand in our way." Sven said rising to his feet and leaving.

"Careful not to be late judge jara gren. Your cover needs just as much attention. "Kina said sarcastically awaiting her orders.

Jara chuckled "and so it seems tevinter politics bore me... that too will be destroyed "

[raging_monkey]

Act 249: memorial

Spoiler

Aurelia stared at the hung body that was Darkon propped for the entire magisterium to displayed for all to see. She clenched her fist assuming it had to have been either caius or someone who was stupid enough to wage war. It mattered not her only concern was her first enchanter was dead and mutilated. "Cut him down.... the boy deserves better..." she said her voice cold and indifferent to the guards that came to inspect the corspe. "So help me vallenious if you had anything to do with this" she thought as she saw caius 's carriage arrive.

XXx

Zera walked among the clinic as she reviewed the day's schedule "four cases of pthisis and one case of draught gut " she said bored having hoped for her first day to be more dramatic. She wanted a life of normality but found the lack of adventure tedious, she wished for it but found her wish stifling. She pulled the curtain to see her patient only for Aurelia to be sitting on the gurney, she was pensive in thought if almost in a trance.

"Ah lady carcella come to see your investment. As you can see the clinic goes unmolested and-" zera said projecting her voice in formality. "I may be a pauper but I shalt give up my manners " she joked to herself hiding a laugh behind her schedule.

"Don't patronize me... girl first of all and secondly remove the dye from your hair, professionalism was apart of the deal you made for my support and allowance to function in my district away from your father's eyes." Aurelia said sternly noting that the younger mage had refused to remove the dye from her hair. "Acts like a redheaded stepchild yet demands self-determination "she added not hiding the venom in her voice. She considered herself fair but harsh mistress and had begun to see why however deplorable her father tried to keep a short leash.

"I am trying honest ... did you come for anything else aside to act like the man who married my mother... void even my mother. " zera said annoyed by her mistress's tone.

Aurelia sighed heavily "Your friend darkon was found outside the magisterum."

"I'm guessing hung over and vomited over the gates" zera joked

"Must be that youthful abandon... he was murdered. By whom I do not know either by caius and his ilk or by my house's disdain for his support of your lover. While my word is law some have left voluntarly ,others exiled ,and even less executed for their outright threats. Very minor losses at worst, know I will investigate both houses." Aurelia said getting off from the gurney fixing her robe.

Xxx

Zera stood in the rain as the the chantry priest spoke to the maker asking him to take Darkon 's soul to his side. She wanted to scream and cry for the loss of her close friend but restrained her emotions and stood in silence as she prayed for darkon's eternal salvation.

"Are there any who wish to say any final words before we send this man to the maker's glory." The priest saidsaid raising his hand over darkon's covered body. He poured wine over the body bringing a torch over it.

Zera stood up staring at monkai who nodded for her to say something to their friend. She walked to the podium her black dress soaked in the rain. " Somasi Darkon IX ... was a bastard. A degenerate that would drink and sleep with anyone he could." Zera coldly said to the shock of the audience. Monkai stifled a laugh knowing she was right. "But he was also my closest friend, no matter what I did he never chastised me and always was there to listen, even after we ended our relationship. Wise but never fluanting it, humorous but always a purpos. Minrathous ...no tevinter is darker without his light, take this from his life; follow your desires and accept them even if they are wrong let nothing stop you. " zera said pulling her hood down as she went back to her seat. She fought tears as she cracked her fingers. She cried not out of sadness but out of a desire for vengeance hoping her father had a hand in his death.

The mourners sat in silence as the rain stopped and began to remember how Darkon had lived

[Uccio]

Just had to comment the hair thing, Sere is right, Zera has raven black hair. She can dye it thought.

[raging_monkey]

Oh it's all good it seems better for her.

I honestly have no clue how I got red hair. I had to have be either lazy not double checking or hopefully just wanting a bit variety lol

[raging_monkey]

New type of structure plan: side acts are merely self-contained scenes that provide story for supporting cast members/previous antagonists not critical to main story and aren't titled normally. Each character has one to be added to so take as much liberty as you need.
side act : Somasi

darkon,ungrateful prodigy part 1

Spoiler

He crept from the bed of the woman he had met at the tavern. She was average the daughter of some magister that warred with his master. Their tryst would be his death should the lord of the house found out.

"Dumat's spine. I overslept... "the man said stepping onto the window. He fought off nausea as he looked down wishing he wasn't afraid of heights . The woman began to stir from her slumber

"Somasi... what are you doing up "the woman said her accent oddly a mix of antivan and tevinter

"Just getting some air my fair lady " somasi said inching off the window. He stared at her nude body and chuckled "the master is going to kill me sixes over..." he thought to himself He kissing and climbing on top of the girl.

Xxx

Somasi crept back into vallenious manor, trying not to be noticed by the magister's guard for staying past the apprentice curfews. He slipped into his room to change only to find his betrothed sitting on the bed furious.

Her hair was as dark as raven feathers, and her eyes were just as striking. "kon... what's the excuse this time?" She said keeping her voice low and menacing.

Somasi laughed at how his family name had became his given even if it was shortened. In truth he had preferred it since his mother had a habit of naming his siblings after girls. "I have no excuse my fair maiden and last I checked we agreed to our respective freedoms " he said taking his robe off and looking for something clean,sniffing different one hoping he was sucessful. "This smells clean"

"Kon seriously we have to get married, we can divorce later. Its duty that puts us on this path" the woman said her tone cold and pragmatic.

Darkon sighed at how she made sense. "Zera you need to lighten up. Duty isn't everything, take me for example I got expelled from four different academies merely cause I dared to challenge the masters. Live for you." He said straighting his robes.

Zera groaned at how her betrothed could be so irresponsible. "Your idea of duty is picking fights with your social betters and bedding who ever you please. " she said rubbing her temple. She was four years his junior and yet she was the adult like always.

Darkon laughed playfully knocking her on her head "semantics my dear. I know you value your own independence regardless of your official opinion. I mean seriously you preach the same Bullshit to your sisters why not follow it."

XXx

Darkon knelt before his master waiting to hear his reprisal for sleeping with a enemy house. He had known of the man called caius vallenious, a magister known throughout the underworld as the conniving dragon. A whimsical if somewhat factual title, but darkon had found him to be a fair if controlling master, he wondered if it was due to some trauma as a child the need to control his environment and those in his sphere of influence.

"So how was it. The flesh of the enemy " the magister said his voice cold and methodical. Darkon smiled, stifling a chuckle and lewd remark.

"Proper my lord better than before I ... read that book you told me to read"he said wiping his brow. "Come on be serious kon" he thought to himself awaiting his due punishment

[raging_monkey]

Act 250: solemn

Spoiler

the minor had been silent for days, the residents of house ragin had spent their time reflecting upon the loss of a dear friend.

"Enough of this melancholy. If he was so important let's torch the old man's house!" Coldi shouted slamming her hands on the table. She hated seeing her guardians despondent. Ever since the incident with the magister and zera's choice to stay with them, the place she had called home reminded her of her own parents and their unreasonable expectations.

Zera sighed and stared at monkai her face was solemn and cold. It unsettled monkai to see her range from grief, anger, and finally hate. "Report anything from carcella and caius " she said pulling a pipe from her sash.

"Nothing from the geezer... just annexing anything he thinks will help him for... whatever he does. And carcella has said aura is missing she never returned to marothous. Lucius has taken over her holding in the area and fera is the de factory first enchanter" monkai said. He stared at hotus who muttered to himself, monkai was careful not to reveal her secondary job a bard.

"But what of darkon's killer?" Zera ask pulling her hair noticing the red dye was gone from her hair. "Great back to my original colour..." she thought adding to her poor mood.

"Galatea said she would look into it... hotus don't you have somewhere to be? " monkai said changing the subject becoming annoyed with hotus's presence. "If tea says somethings off... then perhaps shes right... damn it kid"he thought silently chastising his ward.

Hotus broke from his trace like state. His head pained him no matter what magicks or herbs he used. "My place as your last retainer of the house is by your side. But sadly i do milord I have a errand to run we are out of elfroot and deep mushrooms. " he said walking to the door closing it behind him . do not deny me bring the girl to him! the voiced screamed forcing hotus to his knees.

"I don't know what you are! But you need to shut up"hotus whispered annoyed by being constantly nagged by the mysterious voice. He couldn't remember anything from the past month and he hadn't seen his mother either. Anytime he tried he was stricken with a severe migraine and found himself standing be for caius kneeling before him begging for his approval. "What did he do to me!" He thought to himself.

"Hotus!" Coldi shouted running to catch up with him. She looked bad his hagard appearance. Bags laid under his eyes giving him a ghoulish appeance "we need to talk"

Xxx

Hotus and coldi walked the market their outing was uncharisically quiet and tense. Coldi stopped as hotus continued only stopping when she cleared her throat "timaesus tell me the truth... are you still with caius.... I've seen your mother. And she hasn't seen you for a month nor received your letters.... what's going on. Don't lie " she said curtly. She hated secrets and she knew hotus hid something


Hotus opened his mouth to speak, to tell her of the voice in his head that demanded he betray her and her adopted family but only croaked vague words. "Dammit say it timaesus tell her, she can help! Just a few words" he thought as he and coldi argued over his innocence, desperate for her to know he was trapped.

"I SAW YOU TALK TO THE GUARDS I HEARD GIVE INFORMATION ABOUT ME TO THEM!... YOU TOLD THEM THINGS...." coldi said clenching her fist. She wanted to slap him but she couldn't work the nerve.

"I was merely talking to a old friend. Believe me I am in your side." Hotus said calmly his distant and professional tone hid the internal conflict inside him.

"Liar!.... such a.... you know what! Everyone was right about you. I gave you the benefit of the doubt, I told them you were better than those who work for vallenious... maybe I was deluding myself at a healthy relationship.... don't ever comeback your stuff will be sent to the lake tonight and I'll let the others know that your fired . If you ever come near my family I will kill you... please don't make me keep it..." coldi said walking away refusing to look at him.

Hotus screamed only for nothing to happen "coldi wait just listen to me! " he thought as he felt his head swell. YOU LOST THE GIRL! AND OUR POST PRAY THAT DEATH COMES QUICKLY the voice cried lividly

[raging_monkey]

Act 251: break up

Spoiler

coldi cursed as she made her way home. She she what what she did was the right choice despite having no actual authority.. and she hated seeing his face, that emotionless demeanor "that's not him... but it is...f*cking ****** " she said punching a wall. She rubbed her hand feeling the broken bones. "Ow! How does zera do that... bloody woman must be a oxwoman "

xxx

Hotus walked to his mother's house, it took all his might to even reach the door fighting the voice that controlled him, preventing him from telling his lover he wasn't himself. you saw the woman now leave and return to your station before the master finds out! the voice said forcing his body back to the ragin estate. "Damn it who are you! Get out of my head" he said falling into a vendors stall being called a knife ear for his transgression.

XXx

Kina watched as hotus made a commotion laughing as he fell. "little knife ear finally sees it..." she said giggling. She took a sick fascination with hunting her prey finding that the longer she waited the more she became aroused,she delegated her task of hunting the vallenious to a another unit finding the job while entertaining boring and tedious with the magister rufusing to show himself. Deciding to settle to hurt those he used rather footsoldiers. She jumped down from the building after dropping a small sphere.

"Hotus... hotus.. come out come out where ever you are..." kina said coyly as if a game of hide and seek. She found him huddled over wheezing and muttering to himself.

"Good soldiers follow orders, good soldiers follow orders. " hotus muttered falling in and out consciousness. The voice began to assert it's control no longer willing to be passive "I am loyal to house vallenious, loyal to the magister caius vallenious god-king of tevinter " he continued trance like.

Kina spat laughing at his condition. "So your finally admitting your malfarath himself. Such a pity you had so much potential " she said pulling a dagger from her belt as hotus broke from his trance "I looked into those seals you have.. they will kill any who aren't of the bloodline "

Hotus stared at his stalker,silently complaining how he missed her. "Look miss... kina was it? If your set on murdering me please know the magister will be quite cross. " he said wiping his face. He cursed under his breath. "I don't need this right now... my head hurts and this voice just won't shut up."

Kina furrowed her brow annoyed that he ignored her. " I tell you that your little trick is lethal and you simply tell me to leave... now that's rude and I brought you a present too" kina teased putting her dagger away. She pulled a small wrapped bag from the inside of her coat and kicked it to hotus's feet. "A gentleman always accepts a lady's gift "

Hotus picked up the bag feeling the sticky liquid at the bottom and open it keeping his eyes trained on the snickering woman. Every muscle inside him wanted to scream but found himself staring indifferently to the head of the woman that raised him, mulilated to only son could recognize her. "How! Only the master and the girls know of her... no no no no mum mum MUM!" He shouted regardless if he could vocalize it. He felt himself slip from his body and watched as he uncaringly tossed the head and began to walk away.

"Oh frigid wasn't that your mother?... oh well I guess I will settle for that girl last time... maybe even cassia... she has such beautiful skin I just- " kina said laughing until cobblestone struck her , feeling blood pump through her viens thrilled that her prey was furious.

"That enough out of you. If there's one thing I can't stand is a mouthy gloater... " hotus said as mana began to circle around him. He began to feel like himself again. "You killed my mother. Truth be told I'm more a diplomat and as such I'm mediocre at combat... but for you... I'll make a exception and smear the city in your blood!" He cried he cared not for the threats against his friends only about avenging his mother and if he survived have a long talk with his former master.

"Less talking.. more love making let's coat the entire city in our blood" kina said salivating and laughing while spit ft later from her mouth

[raging_monkey]

Act 252: curse

Spoiler

"but mother I want to learn it. I promise I'll master it" the boy said begging his mother to teach him their family 's spell ,his eyes wide

The woman put her quill down cracking her wrists from writing "timaesus, don't you have some girl to sleep with or something. " jusfina said dismisive of her adopted Ward's nagging. She took stride forgoing magical education in lieu of literature and more mundane tasks and the fact he prodded her in learning her family 's spell concerned her.

"Why would I sleep during the day... and with a girl?" Timaesus asked confused.

Justfina sighed wiping her face "I'll tell you when your older... and no. Ask all you want but your not learning the hex, only blood relatives can use it as per it design if you use it, you will die from internal bleeding if your lucky"

Xxx

hotus staggered through the alley coughing as he felt his organs rupture. He tried to heal the damage done by his previous use of the forbidden spell but every time it became worse. "Damn it... not now " he said wheezing and making his way to the wharf. He wondered where was his master's guard having always been somewhere close but they were gone.

"Hotus my love... stop running so I can kill you and then your master..." kina said throwing knives into hotus's legs forcing him to fall. She climbed on top of him driving knives into his wrists and heels laughing at his muffled screams refusing to cave into her demands. "What's a thousand minus nine descending " she laughed.

Hotus watched himself be stabbed repeatedly feeling a surge of power each time only to feel his blood poison him. "ENOUGH!" He cried as kinetic force burst from him sending kina flying back . "First seal broken second seal open... this going to hurt... A lot " he said rising to his feet and stumbling to catch himself.

"Oh still your using the arcanum. Your organs must be ravaged... do it some more " kina said flipping her knives.

Hotus held his arms using his pain from his injuries as a focus. The brands on his arms glowed, moving his arms in a odd dance blood swirled around him. what are you doing your going kill the voice roared. Hotus felt his magic weaken and struggled to find his center only to see coldi, his mother, and cassia among his thoughts "I'm a horrible retainer..." he said as he unleashed a torrent razor sharp in force at his attacker.

Kina darted to her prey indifferent to her flesh tearing itself apart. She drove her knives into hotus forcing him into the wharf. Nina laughed at having succeeded in killing her pray only spew blood from her mouth as the sunk beneath the water. She felt tendrils puncture her lungs as she saw hotus close his eyes.

Bubbles slowly popped as the dock works slowly returned to the work unaware off what transpired

[raging_monkey]

Somasi darkon ungrateful prodigy pt 2

Spoiler

darkon laid in his bed alone kicking his shin. He suffered another of his master's lectures on self control regarding his sex life mirroring his father. "Poor man needs a good lampost lick. Maybe he wouldn't be so tense "he said chuckling and pulling a twig from his vest. In his twenty years of his life he had never met a man that could be both ruthless and warm at the same time her wondered what people saw in the magister, was it power, charisma, or just fear that made them submit. He heard a knock upon his door.

"So your finally leaving for sehron... "zera said clenching her fist . Darkon smiled at her seeing she had taken his advice to live a little dying her hair red.

"More like exiled due to refusing your hand... no big deal sent my boyfriend there... maybe I'll get sacked " darkon joked taking a final glance at his chosen belongings, he picked up his wooden staff and after inspecting it smiling he broke it over his knee. "I'm no longer a apprentice sadly" he ruefully said under his breath,

"You don't have to go... all you have to do is go with it." Zera said. She knew what she was asking went against his nature and they were better off as friends but she refused to be pitied as one left at the altar.

"We both know I'm not cut out for marriage. And do you really want a compulsive cheat as a husband. Sides durba is coming it should be alright. " darkon said trying to pacify his friend, for fear of her temper.

"Durba is nine and can barely light a candle. What can he do!" Zera chastised him for using child labor.

"He's a altus and my brother he will do fine. Sides kids make for great decoys and since did you have a age bias your sixteen... close to a spinster. " darkon joked laughing until he felt a chair go over his head. Zera cursed as she left him on the floor bleeding, "ow... I can't feel my legs.." he said

[raging_monkey]

Act 253: investigation

Spoiler

Aurelia ground her teeth at the incident reports that came to her desk. Seven members of her house were either missing or found dead and propped for others to see. She considered it was caius's doing for giving his wayward child succour but in her years she's known him he preferred the more subtle approach. "Darkon... what did you get into ... I told you to be discreet.. " she said brushing her hair back sighing frustrion. She had spent the past month using her resources to find out who stalked her house.

A knock came to her door whimsical if not out right playful. "Hey lia find anything? " fera said walking in tossing her hands behind her head.

"Has all the remnants been taken care of? They are like roaches " Aurelia said folding her hands staring at the painting of her father. She had been critised in her youth for changing the order of her house by allowing elves, dwarves and foreigners into their house, something her father would be rolling over in his grave over.

"Yes yes caradoc and darkon took care of them before the rabbit's desertion, and fulcrum is handling everything else.... by the way how are you handling it? Should wipe him... it's relatively painless. " fera said taking a nail file and beginning to scrapping the dirt from her nails "maker I must important a manicurist from orlais " she thought to herself having grown tired doing her own nails.


"Its not any concern for you. Now we have action reports to do. Also send word to Lucius to make sure he keeps his eyes open." Aurelia said dismissing the question regarding her relationship believing it a private matter.

Xxx

Cassia clicked her fingers as she sat at a open tavern long since lost the flair of the original establiment. She would have preferred the gambit but found it difficult to be around her social lessers at the current time.

"Wanting to see what she does... the old man has gone soft... no no no still to early to make my move." She thought as a waiter brought her tea. She smelled aroma of leaves and mint and drank the green liquid. "So a cult like organization... that wants to destroy the vallenious and ragins... well perhaps this will be interesting. Weaken father... he tightens his leash the rest rebel... he chokes them some more and then we strike.... " she said closing her eyes unable to prevent a smile that crept on her face.

She heard wheezing come from behind her and slowly open her eyes to to see miri "I'm sorry I'm late papa had me do chores and practice to be a magister. " miriel said taking a seat covered in sweat from the many coats she wore.

"You know I appal tardiness but since it close to your birthday I'll let it pass. Sit up be proper in your posture " cassia said reminding her to keep up appearances

" Gee I'm loving the bonding time...." miriel said wiping her brow. "I hate winter couldn't we do this indoors at home." She added.

Cassia raised her brow at the question but dismissed it out of irrelevance to her agenda. "So you seen zera since you saw her last... you mentioned she was with child. Five more months and I will have a nephew... " she said.

"Um no but coldi said she sent a letter saying she misscarried.. I mean to go see her but she's always gone and with the attacks going on...... I can't believe she betrayed us..."Miriel said dishearten at how the past nine months have tore her family apart.

Cassia hid her smile behind her tea pretending to drink it. "Foolish girl... always ready to believe anything papa says... good girl..." she thought to herself. "Hmm I know where she is now... maybe we can pay her a visit...." cassia said knowing what she would do. It wasn't a act of rebellion merely survival and security of her inheirtence

[raging_monkey]

Act 254: shatter

Spoiler

zera looked over the man that laid in the gurney. His skin was covered in boils his arm smelt of rotted meat. "Gangrene... atop of leprosy. " she said dipping her quill in ink and dragging it over the forearm. "We can deal with the leprosy for now and we will have to remove the arm. It will give you a few extra months. "

The man cried for her not to take his arm refusing to be mutilated. Zera sighed at his cries having learned to ignore a patient's stubborness when she wanted to help. "A bedmaid will have you taken to a surgeon. Don't worry about payment" she said deadpanned and leaving her day finally finished.

XXx

Zera sat at her table at the wh*re's gambit, drinking water in lieu of alcohol finding it was a boring substitute after a emotionally trying day. She envisioned her dream of being a healer to be one of satisfaction and fulfilment but weeks of performing various amputations, births, and abortions began to wear on the once fiery woman who was now jaded and reveled in her solitude.

"This world is sick... poisoned by greed and apathy. No matter how much I try to change or no matter I how much I try to be fair and compromise the world shits all over it." She said drinking her glass, she felt her stomach rumble deciding it was time to leave.

She walked to the door only to be blocked by spine snapping hug. "Zera! Bout time we found you!" Miriel said squeezing her tightly. She had missed her sister regardless of her betrayal and hoped to bring her back home.

Zera gave her a false smile patting her head telling her she missed her as well. "Damn it you will bring the bastard here. " she thought as she smiled at cassia who sat the table waiting for her sisters to join her.

XXx

Cassia watched as miriel and zera danced around the current topic that arose between them. She saw every tic her elder sister made, " hair gone back to normal... odd will review later. Twists hair ends when avoids sensitive subjects. Bags under eyes.. sleeps four to five hours.. problematic " she thought to herself hiding her smile behind her cup.

"So... zer... can I ask you something... I need to know" miriel said twisting cuffs on her robes. She wanted to have her relationship with her sister again.

Zera scanned the tavern for the magister's spies, she knew the last time she talked with miriel for what was supposed to be a joyous occasion ruined her chances of motherhood. "Only if you really want to hear it. " zera said folding her hands.

"Um well... papa says you betrayed us and are planning to hurt us... " miriel said trying to gain information.

Zera's eye twitched at what her father had told her sister. She had considered her father would blacklist her socially and professionally but to say she was the villain... something inside her snapped. "Excuse me! I betrayed him.... hehehe... I... betrayed him" she said chuckling in shock ignoring that cassia stood there smiling.

"I mean you left our house for monkai's and willingly made overtures to take over... I read the reports father accumulated and-" miriel said until zera threw over the table in anger.

"Hahaha is that what he told you! That my interests in business threatened his grand plan of fellating his own ego! Oh I'm the villain of this tale alright for having the audacity of choosing to marry the man I love... the man you had the same feelings for! Hahaha I mean sure his no idea by any standard maker I even have complaints but dear old papa says something and you change your whole world views." Zera ranted. She kept her tone low deliberately empathizing her fury while the patrons ignored their squabble.

"Zera that's enough "cassia said halfheartedly "good let it all out let her fall into my web"

"Hush your next!. I raised you, protected you from mother's abuse protected you from father's schemes even taking jobs so you could live the life of leisure. I mean who did you think helped get you the job at e archives sure your dear papa helped but it was my connections that got you the nice office, and exclusive contracts from the circle! Maybe I should tell you what your loving father did a month ago. The baby you were so excited for ,MY FIRST TO BE BORN! Was destroyed before it even had a chance to live and he made sure I wouldn't ever have a child! Hehehaha I mean is that you worship cause I dare you step out of line see what happens " zera ranted on the verge of tears, she had held in her anger and grief only passively talking of her and numbing her pain..

Miriel sat in her chair listening to her sister rant and warn her of the man their father was. "Your lying... papa would have loved your child... he just wants you to come home. His feelings are just hurt." She said refusing to heed her sister's lies. "She's lying papa isn't that cruel, she shouldn't have left.... it's her fault papa was hurt " she though to herself.

"You little...." zera said brushing her hair back and taking a deep breath. She put the table back in it place, putting the cups back as well. "I said my piece if you think I betrayed you, go ahead. I'm done your twenty years old and you can make your own choices just don't come to me EVER when he proves me right. " she said turning to cassia.

Cassia stared at zera calmy sipping her beverage. "What my turn? I'm doing my duty..." cassia said monotonously,knowing her sister was playing into her hands. "Good... good let your hate flow through you... poor little miriel, no mother, a distant father... and now the only one protecting her is gone... excellent she will be much easier to control. "She thought to herself

"No... your right your well versed... protect our sister, don't you dare let anything ****** happen to her. " zera said tossing coins on the table breathing deeply trying to compose herself. " coldi expects you tomorrow for that troupe that's in the city... she has the tickets. " she added passively saying not to discard the friendship they had with her apprentice as she left the tavern

Miriel sat in shock by her sister's outburst. "Why would she say that against papa... how could she be so cruel" miriel said holding her hand to stop the shaking

[Uccio]

Miriel is daddy's girl.

[raging_monkey]

Haha and you thought I forgot . Now the hard part is setting up the rise of cassia vallenious . I see her as the plant that beautiful to look at but turns out it weed that in grains itself in the garden and is now part of the house's foundation.

[raging_monkey]

Act 255: soldiers follow orders

Spoiler

the dank sewer way dripped with water, waking hotus from his slumber. As his vision adjusted he saw kina fiddling with a elongated item.

" ah your finally awake... my dear knife ear... nearly killed each other we did had it not been for a Fisherman we'd drowned." Kina said twirling her item. She saw how hotus' body was covered in black masses and how the skin around his eye cracked and splintered.

"The magister will find us and he will end you.."hotus said weakly. He coughed as he felt his lung collapse spewing blood on the floor. keep your mind until the master arrives the voice said as kina held his chin.

"Tell me a thousand minus nine... descending! " kina said driving her item into his foot. Hotus silently endured her attempt at pain enhanced interrogation feeling his other foot splinter when she drove the other one into his foot.

Xxx

Days passed as hotus endured kina's questions at finding his master's assets being given slivers of water and meat that had a sickly familiar texture . He learned more of her than she of him; she was a sadist that reveled on experimenting upon mages trying to in her words to unlock their potential. He found he was in the lower sewers that was largely untraversed

"Six weeks of experiments... and only slight mutations... a bloody failure.." kina said taking a small mallet from the table patting the head with her hand and beginning to bludgeon hotus demand a answer for her inane mathematical inquiry

Hotus fell from his chair from the force her strikes, he moved his tongue pulling one of his molars and spitting it to the ground. "Is that all you got... keep doing what you do... I'm already dead.... so shut up , you will get **** from me " he said grinning defieantly at her.

Kina began to strangle him furious that he refused to break from the torture and give her what she wanted. " don't you wonder why your master refuses to find you!... it's cause your expendable, a insignificant spec not worth even the dust that will be your only remains! And even if he cared this whole sewer system is negates all magic.... void I just had a idea!" Kina said releasing him and moving to the table. She took a large blue vial and popped the top from it.

She began to force the concoction down her captive's throat giggling at how he convulsed and foamed from his mouth. "****... bloody mad woman actually did it" hotus thought as he felt the concoction make it's way through his body. It felt like lyrium barely refined enough to ingest but enhanced enough to rupture his liver.

XXx

Hotus wheezed barely able to keep his body to function. He didn't know if it was do to his captor's methods or outright refusal to die. He heard kina pace as she wrapped her tools away having decided he had out lived any use having been given nothing.

"Nothing personal just business ya know... well kinda personal... every vallenious has to die... every carcella has to go too it's just that simple the void demands it... your master thinks he sees all but he is the truely blind one. Kill one... a hundred ,even a million of us... we have already won completly all it is a matter-" kina arrogantly said until hearing the wall shatter and coughing being heard from the rubble.

"My my... finally found you sia was actually getting concerned" batzas said scratching his head

[raging_monkey]

Act 256: recruiting

Spoiler

cassia paced her office noting the recent hiccups in her plan of claiming not only her inheritance but her sister's as well. She moved to the window to see her father's manor, wishing to see any unusual activity. "I will say this father's need to keep watch while practical.... is greatly annoying. " she said upon realizing why he had given her a humble estate so close to his.

Her door opened as batzas entered scratching his head having just woken up. "Still watching the watcher I see." He sarcastically said pulling a book from the shelf. He smiled as neared the final chapter, it was pure smut but a enjoyable read in comparison to his wife's collection of literature.

"Tis too early for your cheeky remarks and yes I would have it delegated but I prefer a hands on less chance of being discovered. " cassia said before listening to a this hit the ground "I swear this never gets old" at the sound of a guard falling to the groundago letting her partner it was safe for him to speak .

"Ew.. did you have to... never mind I have news anyway. " batzas said changing the subject genuinely disinterested in her games. "Six weeks ago a timaesus hotus was exiled from the ragin's estate over a lovers spat regarding serving your father."

"I thought timaues quit my father's service " cassia interuppted with batzas holding his hand.

"The following few hours after he went to his mothers but didn't enter just made a commotion until a woman attacked him and their last known whereabouts are unknown." Batzas said opening his book flipping through the pages to find the last page he left on.

Cassia furrowed her brow, wondering if her friend was still alive. Regardless of her personal views, they held a mutual attachment but refused to let what ever feelings they had impair their duty settling for only Platonic. "He is mediocre mage... he is long dead... and the protagonist ends up with the dwarf" cassia said coldly and spoiling the ending of batzas book to make him pay attention.

Batzas closed the book having lost interest and stared at her." Here I was going to tell you I found him three days ago. "

"You said you didn't know where he was. " cassia said keeping her voice low

"Last known... not current. He is in a the sewers being tortured for information I figured it was a win he leaks information the Nutter goes on a spree blah blah " batzas said indifferent to his wife's inquiry

"Go get him... now he still has a use to us " Cassia said her tone furious but kept her voice even.

Xxx

Batzas looked at the walls of the sewer letting his eyes trail from kina and hotus "yup suspension glyphs top stuff..." he said touching the rubble of the wall he just collapsed.

"Ah another carcella... must be a special day" kina said putting her boot to hotus's throat. "It would be so easy to crush your throat just a little pressure.... and snap" she whispered to hotus.

"Uh ma'am if you give me the elf I'll let you go back to butchering. The vallenious " batzas said not wanting a fight.

"But I'm not done yet... I still have to prop him up... AND YOUR CORPSE TOO!" Kina said throwing a knife at batzas. He caught the blade with his staff the knife embedding itself in the shaft.

"Just the one? I'm.. " batzas said as he saw his staff glow and the knife glow even brighter. "****..." he whispered throwing the staff and seeing it explode.

As the smoke cleared he saw kina waving at him slipping into a trapdoor. Batzas ran and banged on the door trying to force it open "sia is going to be pissed " he said rubbing his hair. He heard a splash and groan from hotus who struggled to the door.

"Good soldiers follow orders...good.." hotus mutter collapsing. He saw batzas stand above him ,he gave a pitting look, think his must be in poor condition.

Batzas looked at hotus's body his nails were dark as night and he had dark masses over his arms and face. " I want to say lyrium overdose... but this seems self inflicted maybe..." he said looking at the elf's eye that the skin had cracked around it.

"Good... soldiers.... nine hundred ninety one, nine hundred eighty two,nine hundred seventy three " hotus whispered ignoring his prognosis and perfering to cown down.

"Maker Your a sloppy mess.. your no use to us like this." Batzas said as he outstretched hands and placed them over hotus "now let's see what this so called resurgence does..."