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[raging_monkey]

Somasi darkon ungrateful prodigy pt 3

Spoiler

Darkon examined the outpost he was to be stationed in as part of his deal to leave his former master's service. He was to spend six month assisting what the magister called "aggressive negotiations " with a merchant group that had been skimming their clients.

"Dumat's spine this is a shithole... I mean really six months here? I should have got married " darkon said watching the soldier's lack of discipline and openly gambled. He wondered if he was sent to restore order to the wayward outpost or be killed.

"Big brother can I have some help please..." the boy said pulling his elder sibling's possessions. Sweat and mud covered his face.

"Durba! Bout time what took you so long " darkon said pulling a hankerchief from his coat and wiping the child's face. He smiled as looked like a younger version of him even if he had covered his face with his hair.

"I'm nine years old... and I'm dragging stuff three times my size what do you mean what took me" durba said climbing onto the trunk that carried his brother's belongings.

" I didn't say dragging them just bring them..." darkon said gesturing with his hand and their luggage floating in the air "think smarter not harder little one " he said chastising durba for acting like a mundane

"... brother.... we both know I'm a poor mage... why can't I just be tranquil... " durba said clenching his fist, hating how his skills were poor and how no matter what his magics never went more than a small ember.

" shut your mouth runt your my little brother and most likely the heir! You can do it... I believe in you" darkon said patting his younger brother's head. He believed regardless of his skill durba merely lacked confidence and thought some violence would improve him.

XXx

Darkon yawned while he kept watch with his younger brother who slept peacefully while he read a letter from zera detailing her choice to live how she wanted. He took a small blanket and covered him brushing his hair. "Just three more months little one just three more months" he whispered as he heard someone climbing up the ladder.

"Milord all is well. The perimeter is clear" the woman said looking over into the sea. She smelled the salt that came in the air noticing a hit of ginger. " making tea again milord?"

" yes... Laura was it? Care to join me?" Darkon said ignoring her report. He had gotten to know every officer and soldier there but this elven woman had kept to herself rarely taking her meals with others and preferred operate alone.

"No." Laura said giving him a menacing glare. "Its my watch take the child to the barracks .. children have no place here"

Darkon chuckled in agreement " yeah but he needed this.. hopefully my family sees he is not cut out for fighting or politics.... you have any family? " he asked trying to get to know the woman who few knew existed

Laura saw glint of light in the distance and listened as the air screamed

[raging_monkey]

Act 257: insignificant

Spoiler

hotus slowly awoke from his slumber. He felt like he had a horrible nightmare that refused to end, no matter how much he wished it to end. He found himself in a dark room only lit enough to give visiblity to the one that sat before him.

" Ah you are awake. Sleep well? " cassia asked turning the page of her book.

Hotus moved from his bed wincing as he felt his ribs crack. He saw the black masses on his skin spread across his arm and up to his neck he guessed by the progression he had four maybe five months let til he either died or became what all blood mates became... monsters . " how long was a I gone "

Cassia set her book down the desk and folded her hands relishing the fact he remembered she preferred direct questions. "You were gone for six weeks and four days. Your mother's funeral has been tended to. But you master has written you off as deceased..." she said sternly

she lies the master wouldn't forsake you... you are needed the voice whispered in hotus's ear. Hotus swatted the voice away telling it to shut up.

"Hearing voices are you... prolonged torture will do that... add to emotional stress... you maybe unfit to be of any use to anyone. " cassia said rising from her chair. She saw the once immaculate man become haggard.

"Sia stop.. this isn't some analysis.. do me a favor and just kill me." Hotus said unable to bear the voice that pained him. He wondered if either the magister or kina had implanted a demon inside him that's goal was to drive him mad. He had lost everything he held dear over a petty squabble between to stubborn fools.

" I can give you a way out... a new life... devoid of pain.. nightmares... and menial tasks for a decrypted old man. All you need to do is kneel " cassia said extending her hand. "Perhaps he will prove useful... a gift for the ragins " she thought.

Hotus fought with his body and croaked esoteric words to accept her offer of dubious freedom but found he was still trapped inside his own mind.

"Okay.. we tried the easy way my old friend but I need you. " cassia said pulling a pair of gloves from her pocket and sliding them on. She began speaking archaic words as hotus fell to his knees. He saw the glyphs upon her gloves turn black as her incantation became more violent. His mind flashed as he remembered his nights with coldi, his mother's advice and light teasing even monkai's well intended verbal abuse. He struggled to bring himself to the window, gazing upon the jagged rocks that crashed against the water. "No I won't lose any more of myself " he cried stepping onto the ledge, only to fall back, his mind going black.

"Heed my words you are timaeus hotus, a elf... a spy... a mage... that has no affiliates with the vallenious or the ragins you serve only me the true heir of the vallenious not to those who claim to to be as such. I am your mistress. Spy upon the the magister " cassia said biting her lip. She despised altering minds finding it a low born's weapon that couldnt achieve the rhetoric on it own merit.

"I... who....ragin.... hotus... vallenious " hotus said confused. His mind was shattered fractured into various ideals of who he was.

"Vhenhidis... perhaps it worked to well.. no matter I'll make you a dutiful servant yet... now how did that spell go again " cassia said tightening her gloves attempting mold her former friend into the weapon she needed

[raging_monkey]

Act 258: beaucracy

Spoiler

jara sighed heavily as she listened to the petty squabble over land between the representives of house vallenious and house Uden. What began as a simple land dispute erupted into a near outright brawl. "Void take them both... and their families. Greed perverts this court." She thought frustrated at how her plans had progressed slowly.

"I tell you house vallenious rules this land, liberated from darkspawn hands " the vallenious reprsentive said calmly

"Bah darkspawn a likely excuse it was seized by your master over my master's fields producing a larger than yours. There were witnesses seeing his hereldry. " the uden representive said waving a deed of ownership.

Jara breathed deeply as they voiced their arguments. "Evidence will be taken into account and will reconvene in a hour " she said leaving to her office disgusted by their mere existence.

XXx

Jara sat in her office reviewing the case having already in favor of giving the uden their land back, she found her plan of of eliminating the carcella's and vallenious slow and tedious. The carcella's often stayed in groups and made the task of killing them practical but often injured her followers. And the vallenious we're like weeds no matter how many she had uprooted others took their place. She required a new plan .

"If the magister loves politics perhaps we can use that to our advantage..." jara said hearing a knock upon the door.

"Judge gren verdict " a clerk said bowing before her.

"House uden's claims are valid and all assets are to be returned with restitution valued at a triple margin as damages including slander " jara said folding her hand " can't outright kill him but financial destruction is the best plan for now."

Xxx

Jara listened to sven from her throne detailing the current report of their cause. " for the past six weeks the carcella have closed ranks and have upped security for the most prominent members. Fatalities range from twenty servants and three nobles from the lower branches and their first enchanter. "Sven said as he examined his robe rubbing a speck of blood from the cuff.

"And the vallenious? I understand kina has been discovered.. she has been reckless, in taking the elf and delegating her assignment " jara said tapping her nail on the armrest. She lacked patientence for general incompetance and even more for depravity.

"Yes the magister demanded a warrent but the message never made the destination. I assumed the elf told his master... fortunately he is indisposed as a prisoner of the middle daughter. And he is more focused on her due to murdering three brigades. " Sven said keeping his voice low

Jara rubbed her chin finding the turnout to her advantage. " send a message in the usual way for her to focus on vallenious allies and financiers. I want it clean, discreet, and most of all proper. "

"Oh course.... it shall be done" Sven said bowing to his master.

"And I must saw your resource gathering is most useful... you wouldn't happen to be betraying us would you. You have be silent to your purpose " jara said her voice cold and menacing, almost begging for him to be a traitor.

Sven chuckled at her statement, he never believed in her cult but their goals merely coincided with his own. " well I know how to listen and I know whom to go to information. Capture a guard or two under the guise of a drunken lover and you learn a lot. As to my plans well wait two more days it's going to be messy and a bit loud

[raging_monkey]

Act 259: council

Spoiler

monkai watched as coldi gossiped with miri over their favorite author who had passed weeks before. He smiled as they laughed over spelling errors and plot holes found in her most recent work.

"How can smut be literature. " he said walking past them hoping to not disturb her former sister in law and apprentice. He opened the door to his study to see Galatea bandaging her arm.

" got any root damn thing won't stop bleeding " she said pulling the bandage with her teeth.

" first are you alright and second what's the news in the slave market. " monkai said undoing her bandage and redressing it. "She is amazing... " he thought to himself finding acknowledging the fact she put up with his current sedate lifestyle.

"What are you looking at... you've been overly passive since you went up to the north. Where is the fury" she said taking her arm back. She moved to the chair and sat down and sighed "the slaves are revolting again those that have survived have either been resold or are part of my network and have been employed as new staff for the house. A head butler is still required. "

"I hope you stressed it they will be learning a trade and not menial tasks. " monkai said leaning on the desk.

"You believed in choices did you not? And answer me something; you fought for your lover and failed, you joined a magister that is distantly related and a known importer of slaves, yet now you wish to stay at home and dabble in experiments on plants... why" Galatea said curious to why her unrequited lover had in her opinion become a coward at best.

Monkai rubbed his hair tying a piece of string over his white hair. " I admit I found the lack of adventure boring and I miss the constant injuries. But I learned something about myself there. Being angry and always wanting to fight for causes I never believed in were what got me in this predicament, I could be just over analyzing things and become overly complacent. But I want to be a better person and actually do some good instead of fighting the tide" he said looking at Galatea, he wondered why she asked him her question was curiosity or just to try to seduce him.

" how odd yet your actions go against your intent. You have everything you want a home, money, freedom, and ideals and yet you always seek to gain more Galatea said folding her hands, she had her own methods for bringing back the spark she so desired even if it killed him

Xxx

Zera laid on the gurney thinking about how she snapped at her younger sister finding it would have been too much for her too soon. "Oh course miri wouldn't believe me... poor girl. Guess she needs a figure to look up to..." said braiding her hair that had grown back to it's original length.

"Oyi spellbinder get up you got a guest" susa said pulling the curtain aside. Zera looked at the woman who was diminutive by human standards when compared by her brother who was a large man also by human standards, she preferred the brother merely because he was quiet.

"The clinics closed today who is it?" Zera asked scrapping the inside of her ear.

"Some codger that thinks he owns this place. Personally I think gend and I can take isn't that right brother " susa said taking her brother's hand into hers.

Zera smiled awkwardly at how in love they were despite having a stillborn recently, she wondered if she carried to term would she have had been so strong herself " I know who it is.... just another harassment.. must be Friday again " she said heading to meet her father

[Uccio]

Hehe, Cassia does not hold power to overthrow Caius magic. She is not nearly as powerful mage as Caius is  . His power exceeds all of them combined together. Caius is the powerhouse who has been hoarding power all his life. None of the Caius daughters know the level of blood magic Caius has, not even close. He is a master of it. The blood magic spells Caius uses are old, from forgotten sources in the archives (and demons) which only few people know.

 

Besides, trying to revert the blood magic spell would result in self combusting, Hotus would simply burn into cinder. That is already a set lore.

 

And Jara would be dead in a very short time trying to budge Caius. If you think five top Magisters in Tevinter, Caius is one of them. He has the power, the wealth, the influence, and the spy network and soldiers to to destroy opposition. He is a like a king inside a kingdom. Caius needs to know everything what is happening in Tevinter and Minrathous, he would not be blind, nor would he let the acts of the mad woman Kina go unpunished. Caius has the muscle to kill her, and so do his servants. Caius employs only the best he can find or train. Caius would either send professional assassins working for him after them, be that poison, magic or blade. Or simply personally kill them, if that would be required.

 

Even if Jara would know Caius financial connections, which she doesn´t, and would try to financially break Caius he would know, and kill her. Caius spy network covers not just the rivaling houses but also the Imperial structures, offices, military, commerce, etc. The house Vaellanius has set its roots all across the Imperium, in itself the family works like a kingdom.

Besides that Caius rules a province of his own, so his income is secured even if the Imperium would fall. And the house Vaellanius is already rich as a king, wealth gathered over generations. Caius has wast fields of crops and mines in the province where thousands of slaves work.

 

I made Caius the way he is not because I wanted to make a extremely powerful and influential person, but someone who has seemingly everything, but is chained by his position. Despite all he has, Caius is a prison of his own life.

 

Just straightening the lore a bit. 

[raging_monkey]

Oh the hotus scene fully aware of that one but I found self combustion a bit nightmare starting(#2 fear) so I thought what if "cassia didn't know and thought to get her "friend back" but tried to do what caius did but ending up "fracturing " his mind between hotus and caitus (yes I know bad portematue ) felt more dramatic and i was going for a illusion of sirts similar to fera's stuff .

And totally get it now. Thanks sides the act is nearing the end so it will all be resolved in the next 2/3 chapters.

[raging_monkey]

Act 260: recourse by uccio

Here would be Caius response.

Spoiler

*Caius walked onward, his determined footsteps echoed in the grand hall of the courthouse. There was so many things to do, making Miriel his heir would cause a lot of eyebrows to raise, but then again Zera had already made reputation of being too liberal so most likely many people were happy to know she would not follow Caius to the Magister seat. Caius had prepared several items to give Miriel protection against magic. Caius guards followed him close by keeping any passer-by in distance. Nazlik strode after him in her glimmering armor with a stoic look on her face.

Caius stopped at the door he was looking, without knocking he stepped in into the office. His guards stepped in after him securing the room. Jara stood up surprised to see him walk in, "what is the meaning of this?". Caius waved his hand and neutralization glyph fell on her followed by a telekinetic power striking her against the backwall immobilizing her.

"Shut up and listen", Caius said with a cold menacing voice, "you have been putting your nose and your little group of zealots too much against me. It stops now". Caius raised his arm and one of the guards stepped forward, he had a heavy looking bag in his hand from where he pulled a severed head throwing it on the desk. The bloody head rolled around until it remained still facing Jara. Sven´s severed head stared at her with his glazed eyes. Blood dripped from the cut neck on her desk.

"This is what is left of your little group of merry men", Caius said leaning forward. "And that little grazy Kina, no one will find her body, ever".

"How dare you ..", Jara started when Caius raised his arm and the power lifted her off the wall and slammed against it couple of times.

"One more word out of you and you die", Caius said calmly. "I have here a document from the Magisterium signed by the Archon which says that you are a leader of a group working towards overthrowing the legal regime of Tevinter Imperium, and it gives me a free hand to deal with the situation".

Then he nodded to the guard who put his hand in the bag and pulled another head out dangling it from the hair. "Recognize this?", Caius asked when guard threw the head next to Sven´s. "Your family is dead", Caius whispered with a cold smile lingering on his lips. "They died gruesomely, just because of you. That is something for you to think about".

Caius gestured and the power holding Jara released her and she stumbled forward. Guards moved around her taking hold of her and placing her hands on the table. She tried to reach for her magic but the neutralization glyph was too powerful. "What.. what are you doing?", she whispered seeing Nazlik step forward drawing her sabre.

"I will give you a parting gift", Caius whispered his dark cold eyes gleaming. With a flash Nazlik swung her sabre cutting Jara´s both hands from the wrists. The razor sharp blade cut through the wrists severing her hands with a clean cut.
Just as the blood started to gush out from the stubs the guards poured strong healing potion on the wounds and wrapped bandages on them stopping the bleeding. The pain and shock rendered her speechless. One of the guards pulled her head back forcing another bottle on her lips, Jara tried to fight the guard but in vain. The bitter nectar poured down her throat burned as it went down making her cough uncontrollably when she got some of it in her lunges.

"This is where our roads separate", Caius said smiling his cold smile, "my associates with escort you to the Deep Roads where you will be left for the darkspawn to be found. Since you are a woman they will try to make you a broodmother. Unfortunately this drink I gave you destroys your female organs making it impossible for you to become a broodmother. It won´t stop darkspawn from trying thought". Caius bowed slightly with a cold smile, then he turned and left the room. A bag was pulled over Jara´s head.*

[Uccio]

Thank you monkey, for taking this into your story. However, it is not known if Kina is actually dead already, as Caius said her body would never be found, which does not tell if she is still out there. If you want you can keep her still running trying to avoid Caius.

[raging_monkey]

Its a damn good scene and it would have been sinful not to add it!

And I honestly lost kina I think I'm lost on what to do with her... I really need structure

[raging_monkey]

Act 261: stubborn

Spoiler

zera entered the waiting room of the clinic scratching the sides of her hair with susa and send beside her, she wished she was allowed to upkeep the red dye in her hair if only to feel comfortable in dealing with her father.

"Greetings caius a case of crouchrot, sadly the clinic is closed for the day perhaps-" zera said mockingly. Only to be stopped.

"Don't get cute child. My patience has it limits."caius said his voice stern and cold. Zera hid her hand behind herself cracking her index finger.

"Then speak your business I have paperwork and inventory. " zera said curtly.

Caius merely glared at his wayward child. His feelings were mixed with fury that his child had for years disrespected him and openly went against his will yet begrungingly proud of her decisions. "I only come to tell you of those degenerates are taken care of. I dislike disruptions in my city " he said dragging his finger over the desk rubbing the dust off his fingers

Zera scoffed at her father's arrogance finding it irrelevant " good for ****** you. Lord caius vallenious has defeated a random group of brigands ,call the magisterium to bask in his glory. Whoopie "

Caius's eye twitched unable to comprehend how his once submissive child behaved. "Enough I only came to give you details on darkon's murderer, a woman known as kina is the culprit ,do with it what you will. And to warn you to do not interfere with miriel 's ascension... I know you alleged my hand in your tradegy " he said giving a cold smile.

"Bullshit you know exactly what you did, but your right i did she needed to know whether she will believe it is for the maker to decide. Just get out, do whatever you do and just leave me alone. We are just two strangers who avoid each other like a blighted dog." Zera said walking to the door. Susa and gend looked to each other and shrugged thinking that their employer had serious issues

Caius listened as the clinic door slam as he rubbed the hair on his chin. "Dunat take you child... just listen to me.. " he thought solemnly, knowing no matter what he did however well intended always pushed her away. His mind faded as he remembered the small girl with pigtailed hair that skinned her knee telling he wanted to marry him as all child say. He ignored the voice inside his head that demanded he force her back instead just quietly stood as the sunset. "Its going to be a cold winter..." he said pulling a small drawing from his cloak worn from age

[raging_monkey]

Act 262: loose end

Spoiler

kina ran through the alleys the ground soaked in water as it rained. She had returned to her group's hideout after escaping the carcella that had spoiled her fun, only to find her associates dead. In truth she cared little for them seeing them as little more than potential experiments it was only the death of her master that truly affected her.

"Vallenious dogs...carcella hypocrites... I'll kill them all... kill kill kill" kina said as she wheezed trying to catch her breath. She heard swords unsheath themselves behind her turning to see a mixed unit of vallenious soldiers and carcella rogues. Her face glistened with joy that her vengeance would be at hand.

Xxx

Monkai sat beside zera watching her pray. She hand converted the room hotus once stayed in into what she called the "reflection " . He had recently decided to humor her idea of faith having never truly grasped the idea. "So I sit her and..." he asked confused on what to do.

Zera muttered to herself ignoring her lover, refusing to break from her routine. "Reflect on your life and find ways to improve yourself " she said placing her head above her knee. She had always felt ostracized because of her devout nature in her home as a child wondering if her faith was a crutch ,most she knew paid lip service and never sought to discuss the various sects of andrastianism and how each variants supported eachother .

Monkai followed her lead mimicking her pose before the small statue of andraste. He knew of the historical woman and found her intriguing but found the legend somewhat convient. He took deep breaths as he pondered to reflect upon. "I have been a poor friend... poor lover and a ingrate.... maybe have a bit of temper I guess " he said still confused to do next.

They heard crash from the downstairs window and the sounds of their servant being cut down.

XXx

Kina slashed her blade across the chest of a servant who wished to defend his new employer. She looked around as the floor was covered in bodies. "Tick tat patter tatter ... kill my master I'll take your daughter vallenious dog... I'll wear her skin... that soft skin..." kina said wiping her hand in blood that began to soak the carpet and smeared it over her face.

"Maker's ****... you again?" Coldi shouted as she saw the diminutive woman playing in the blood. She felt sick, disgusted even for her madness.

Kina stared at coldi drawing her knife " what's one thousand and minus nine... I need to know... " she said throwing her knife.

Coldi swung her staff to the ground knocking the flying blade down. She saw her dance grabbing her crouch around around her, "your batshit " She said unamused my her insane as kina forced her against the wall.

"Kill vallenious, kill the carcella, kill the ragin... KILL KILL KILL" kina said laughing as she began to strangle coldi watching her eyes roll back. "I really enjoyed killing your knife ear... we made love every second! The sounds he made and mutilated him and made him mine... I will do the same to your master, his ****** of a lover... and I'll make you watch for years as you slowly break"

Coldi felt her anger rise as she listened to kina rant. "****** is insane" she thought as she struck kina in her ribs with her knee. Coldi grabbed her and headbutted the madwoman . "Kill my ex that's one thing... but threats against my family... your so dead ****** " coldi said clapping her hands together. She summoned her wisps to aide in her fight. Her eyes began to change as she tooling their power going from brown to yellow.

"Yes... more more more" kina said opening her coat revealing a assortment of daggers made of lyrium "I want the vallenious to suffer, kill his heirs, violate his women, I want it all destroyed for taking everything! " she shouted

Coldi dodged kina's strikes as she avoided the lyrium crafted weapons she heard that faint hymn come from it "this ends now!" She said casting a shard of ice into her attackers abdomen.

Kina coughed blood from her mouth giggling "it hurt it really hurt... do it some more.. just like papa!" She shouted. Coldi looked at her crosseyed

"Oh tell me your not-" she shouted until seeing a blur come in front of her and then a series of rapid slashes over her chest. "****... " she thought as she stumbled back. She fell to her knees seeing the world become disorienting.

"Don't fret my love! They are normal I just need to-" kina said upon being hit with a bolt of entropy sending her into the wall.

"Thats quite enough. I was enjoying my apprentice's scuffle but I think it's time you leave. " monkai said as he saw the leyline circle around kina. He chuckled at how odd it was. "Hedges always something going on " he said gripping the hilt of his sword.

"Bout bloody time!.. always late" coldi said holding her chest. She channeled her magic using the ice that formed around her hand to clot the bleeding.

"Well I thought you had it uncontrol. Besides your in enough trouble which we deal with later" monkai said as he walked to the unconscious woman, brushing her hair back "she is young... but.. incredibly sad"

[raging_monkey]

Act 253: pitiable

Spoiler

kina slowly awoke in the bed she saw the room cover in wooden and porciline statues of Griffins. Creatures long extinct revered for their heroics, unknown to the now ophaned assassin. She heard the door click

"Ah your awake. Figured you would be dead " zera said carrying a tray of food. She took a look a the young woman she had tended to seeing she had to be no more than twelve despite her abnormal height for her age, having hair not unlike her own. " I brought you something to eat. I figure you want to eat before we interrogated you." Zera said placing the tray in front of her guest.

Kina stared at zera as she noticed a small dog scratch leg for attention "I'll kill you... and your little dog..." she said as zero began to growl at her. Zera gave both of them a stern look dropping her warm presence

"I saw the coat you wore it belongs to a friend. I am fully aware from my ward of your capabilities . But I know of your murder of my friend." Zera said cracking her index finger, mana cackled around her hand. She begged for kina to make even the slightest twitch

Kina began to snicker at how her act had affected her patron " I admit it I killed him and I left the body to carrion. Feel free to flog me. Best do it else I will kill you."

Zera raised her hand to the mad woman. "I guess my hand slipped she thought to herself until hearing laughter come her ear,the sound ever so familiar. "What did your balls fall off hahahaha! Can't do it can you,nothing but a spoiled tart who lacks gumption. Its fun to kill it really is do it it will make you feel better it's really really easy " kina goaded her ,she wanted to get the last laugh to join her master into the void.

"No death is too easy... your not worthy of the thought your going to live the rest of your miserable life atoning for your depravity " zera said taking the tray still full of food and calling her dog. Kina heard the door Locke from the other side, she slammed her fist til the bones in her hand splintered.

"I'll kill you... kill you....kill you"kina shouted charging at the door

[raging_monkey]

Act 254: reparation

Spoiler

monkai sighed as he threw himself on to the bed taking a pipe from his sash and chewing on the tip. He spent hours chastising her Ward for doing the very thing he had forbid her to do, she took in spirits into herself, absorbed them into her very being. He was concerned he would be forced to put her down one day.

"Damn it.... I knew letting her have access would be..." monkai said regretfully but smiled at how quickly she learned imbuement. He heard the door open and the sound of zero clicking his nails.

"Well I didn't kill her so there's that." Zera said removing her belt and over the chair and stepping behind the curtain.

"I'm honestly suprised... I know you were close to darkon and his house " monkai said as gazed at her silhouette, he realized he might be a voyeur.

"Believe me but I she's just a child. Galatea saw her markings they look just like hers. She thinks she is a experiment. Another of xaras's projects." Zera said stepping from the curtain wearing her evening gown

"So she just had a grudge against everyone or what?" Monkai asked wondering why his lover spared the assailant.

"I honestly don't know but we will put her to use. Maybe can fix her or something. " zera said rubbing her temple. " I heard his voice... damn it kon" she thought to herself,wondering whether he still existed or her conscience urging her to spare the child.

XXx

Monkai dragged kina to the carcella manor. He tried to civil listening to his other half's urge of understanding but found the flurry of insults and innuendo that a child shouldn't know. He wondered what did xaras do to galatea and her, every time he asked he got a snide remark from the robust woman.

"Bringing me into your haunt.. your making this too easy." Kina said fighting with her manacles.

"Kina please behave I'm trying to help" monkai. Said sighing why he has the task of babysitting.

"You can help me by cutting your balls off and fellate them " kina said laughing. She heard the door open to see Aurelia, kina leaped toward her coveted target only to be pulled by her chain by monkai.

"No no no. Act like a rabid dog and you'll get treated like one." Monkai said humorously as she glared at him and gave him the finger.

Aurelia laughed at the two seeing narass and fera from their youth " so this is the one that left caius in such a tiff and murdered my enchanter. " she said inspecting the small child. " I see your shoes are actually stilts and you use make up and a mask to divert your identity. Impressive for one so young " Aurelia said impressed.

"Stop munching on my lotust, either kill me or I will kill you." Kina said glaring at her. Aurelia bursted into laughter at the girls insolence

"My is death the only thing that matters little. Tell you what I'll make you a deal my cousin requires a new specialist in his little cabal of misfits survive ten years and my life is yours.... perhaps with time you will be crafty enough to kill me" she said patting Nina's head.

"Whats to stop me from killing you before then. I don't fear death." Kina said

Aurelia snapped her fingers and came a young man with his hair covering his face. "This is durba darkon the younger brother of your victim he will be my liaison regarding your end" she said stroking the young man's chin

"Well **** thanks for volunteering my house"monkai said disdainfully ,he hated having new additions to his residence having grown slightly paranoid of how others might report on him or just pure inconvenience.

"Your father saw potential in everyone. Your duty is to be like him and cultivate these two's growth. Think of it as favor to your dear cousin who you missed all her birthdays" Aurelia said guilting monkai into accepting her command. She smiled at how her juniors looked just like her entourage, " just like old times narass I'm keeping my promise " she thought smiling

[raging_monkey]

Act 255: addition

Spoiler

kina walked the halls of the ragin estate, she found her new residence uncomfortable. She found herself perplexed to why she was allowed free reign throughout the manor despite her repeated attempts at murdering them only her to welcomed with open arms. "They are so weak letting their guards down... they need to die." She said stopping outside monkai's door,she found it disgusting how he never replaced the guards or servants she killed spoiling any form of entertainment.

"Yeah they aren't home. They said they were on holiday " coldi said dusting off her vest. She stared at kina feeling embarrassed that she was bested by a child.

Kina scoffed at what she said pulling a dagger from her pocket "good that will make a nice surprise " she said thrusting her blade at coldi. Coldi stepped slightly to her right will extending her foot tripping the girl to the floor.

"You got skill squirt but... your rash, arrogant, **** even undisciplined that says something coming from me. " coldi said picking up the dagger "maker's **** does she grow these " she thought at kina having a inordinate amount of daggers.

"Give it back! Thats mine " kina shouted dashing toward her only to fall out the window with coldi shaking her head and walking away.

Xxx

Durba sat in the study quietly writing in his journal. He found serving the carcella's interest of observing the one that murdered his brother difficult. He had idolized his elder sibling despite their conflicting views, he pulled a small locket from his pocket seeing the portrait of his brother and sister in-law. "Life is more thrilling when adventure is near" he said remembering one of his brother's sayings

"So becoming accustomed to house?" Galatea asked interrupting his solace. She was curious over the boy finding him similar to hotus in his introverted personality.

" ah yes miss Galatea was it?. I'm liking the humble residence for my stay." Durba said closing his journal. He felt captivated by her robust and muscular figure, he wondered if it was something about her direct nature that enamored him.

"Drink?" Galatea asked pulling a small bottle from her belt.

"It would be rude to decline I suppose" durba said leading the way to the kitchen.

XXx

Galatea laughed as she watched durba who she playfully named didi for how his name started as "D's" drink her brewed liquor, discovering that he was a lightweight and ferreting out his agenda would be sinfully easy. "So didi so how does one put aside his familial loyalty and vengeance"

Didi blinked his eyes trying to stave off nausea. He felt his chest tighten and his supper coming to his throat. "Excuse me ma'am " he said raising from his seat and walking to the plant that stood in the corner and vomited having lost.

"Well the fun is over I guess..." galatea said patting the young man's back. "I have questions boy. In your veins courses a powerful toxin. Answer my questions and the antidote is yours."


Didi vomited over her boots indifferent to her threat. "Well I figured that would happen... " he said wiping his face. He knew she was bluffing, believing she wasn't as callous as she seemed.

"Durba darkon. Lacks a sense of self wishes to be someone he's not." Galatea said beginning her assessment on the boy. She prided her skills of picking on people's personality.

"Good to know ma'am but I would prefer things were kept professional "didi said collapsing from the liqueur into his own vomit.

"Great I have to babysit a stray, a nihilist ,and now a drunk... **** " Galatea said annoyed by how her plans were ruined

[raging_monkey]

Act 256: holiday

Spoiler

monkai and zera laid beside the lake enjoying the sun shine upon them. They had decided to spend the week near the city of marothous wanting to merely take a relaxing holiday away from the eyes of her father and the crowded manor.

"Maker it's like every other month we get another guest, that just won't leave " zera said laying her head on her lover's chest listening to the slow rhythm of his heart.

"Believe me if I had it my way we would have them elsewhere. " monkai playfully said stroking her hair. He found since she went back to her natural color he couldn't help but play with the silk like strands of hair.

Zera laughed at his dismay knowing he enjoyed the people that stayed with them. "You love them." She said staring at the bush, ignoring their voyeuristic guest "he's back again "

Monkai merely smiled he was no longer annoyed as much as he used to be from being spied upon. "Hey everybody has a job right" he said waving to their uninvited guest, he learned his name was ezra, a young mage dabbling espionage. He liked the fact he was at the least considerate in keeping a few hundred feet away.

Zera moved her way to monkai's waist, undoing his belt feeling the growing appendage "well let's give him a show " she said pulling his member out kissing the tip slowly.

Monkai exhaled deeply as she traced her tongue around the tip. He loved it when she would performed her "magic" on him, each time better than the last. Her throat tightened as he released his seed into the back of her throat feel her swallow him whole.

"Delicious proper flavor you've been eating fish" Zera said wiping her mouth savoring her man's taste. She slowly unbuttoned her blouse teasing him.

"You dirty girl " monkai said tossing her over, she stared into his emerald and orange eyes her smile made his heart race. He slowly kissed her neck moving his way to her breast, she moaned as he licked her breast sucking covetously over the nipple.

Zera gripped his snow white hair, she had found his current appearance unsettling at first believing that the demon that resided into inside him had finally devoured the man she gave every up for but soon found he talked to himself less, engaged others more without complaint , he even had taken a interest in relief efforts for slaves.

"Go lower my love " Zera cooed pushing his head to her lotus. Monkai raised her dress seeing she had forgoed underwear he kissed her tattoo, slowly devouring her sweet nectar that drenched her legs and savored her lotus. She rubbed his member feeling the pulse that came from it

She gasped as she reached her limit finding he had improved in his technique knowing she would have to thank Galatea knowing it was her pattern he followed as she sprayed her nectar over him. Monkai removed his shirt as zera kissed his chest, unable to control her lust she pushed him to grass rubbing her breasts against him "stop teasing me I know your hurting " she said squeezing his member between her thighs, giggling as they were becoming white.

"Who's teasing who?" Monkai said gasping when she began to massage the tip with her hands feeling them become sticky while using her thighs as a substitute for her lotus .

"Just relax I'm trying something new... hold it in a little longer " she said kissing him on his nose. Her face became red feeling as if she was set aflame only doused when monkai released his seed over her ruining the dress she had purchased for their trip.

Monkai looked at zera covered in his seed smiling that despite lacking legitmiticy of their marriage, unable to have child of their own, and being a social pariah it was all worth it just to see her smile. She slide him inside her taking in the size of his girth, she had seen their past nights riddled with the idea of procreation, and pursuing her own legacy. Zera rode her lover as he massaged and sucked on her breasts realizing that children weren't what their legacy would be it would be the lessons they would pass on, she felt grateful her father destroyed her womb believing that monkai and love for her housemates we're her children.

Monkai thruster him himself into her scrapping the insides of her lotus. His heart became in sync with her's feeling her innermost feeling, he knew they were being selfish in a way but he cared only for their moment of bliss away from the mad city, away from work and the stress that came with their jobs and away from madmen who liked it disrupt his relatively peaceful existance. "I'm... I'm..." he said reaching his limit fighting the urge to release

"Inside my pet inside so I have this moment forever " Zera said passionatly embracing her man and wrapping her legs over waist. They both shouted in ecstasy sharing their moment of finally synchronizing their releases, covered in sweat as the sunset.

"So again... we still have six days" monkai said panting as he filled his lover.

"Only six? Either we have rush or..." Zera said kissing him passionately, they twisted their letting saliva come from their lips.

"Or extend our holiday... our carriage broke down" monkai said placing his head upon hers smiling and how devious he question was

[raging_monkey]

Somasi darkon ungrateful prodigy pt4

Spoiler

Darkon grabbed the sleeping durba as he saw the ball of fire heading to them. He jumped from the tower with Laura following close to him

"Damn it thought you said we were clear "darkon shouted, his emotions rose as he listened to a another volley hit the building across from them.

"I did but it would appear have uninvited guests. " Laura said she was calm, serene if not passive of their predictament. She ran to the large horn to signal the garrison of their assault.

Durba rubbed the crust from his eyes as he awoke " what's with all the noise... " he said groggy, he saw the smoke from the burning building and ash fall into the air.

"Get ready kid... it's time to show some oxmen how the darkons do battle" darkon said dropping his younger brother. He pulled out a pair of gloves bearing odd runes over the palms. "This is going to be fun..." he said bearing a sadistic grin, knowing his favorite past time was at hand.

XXx

Darkon walked to the shoreline as the dreadnought land. He whistled a tune that gave him a ominous aura as he walked. "I count twenty ox so far... I wonder how many are in total." He thought as he cracked his neck.

The qunari came upon him in droves wielding swords and axes that complimented their massive stature. Darkon snapped his fingers as he crept back deliberately giving up ground ,laughing as he smelled the charred remains.

"Come godless savages come and see who you royally pissed off!" He cried snapping his fingers watching as the fools stormed into his gylphs exploding into a pulpy mass. "Just a little far... just a little bit more" he thought as he crept back into the jungle.

XXx

Laura and durba sat inside a tree watching as darkon lead the oxmen away from their vessel. "This is a dumb plan.. really dumb" durba said shaking, fear racked his body stilling his breathing. He wanted to go home back into his soft bed and surround himself with the various books his sisters gave him.

Laura ignored the young mage's complaints and pointed to their objective. " board and destroy. Simple " she said leaving her position grabbing durba. She knew they couldn't fail for if they did their foes would have access to her master's resources and many would die

[raging_monkey]

Somasi darkon ungrateful prodigy pt5

Spoiler

durba watched as laura scaled the dreadnought as it began to to leave back to the sea. He found it curious how the qunari performed their nautical combat thinking the would have more success if they just sent smaller ships instead.

"You coming? We have three minutes " Laura said seeing how the boy slowly caught up with her, she had known the boy for only the short time he and his brother arrived and found him a liability at best.

"Its a dumb plan" durba chided. As the rose to the deck of the ship. They hid behind crates that smelled of rotted meat wondering if the savages ate soured foods.

"Mirass talisvaen atolok saar-qumek " spoke a large qunari to another their faces were cold indifferent even as they discussed their alien plans.

"Godless bastards.. speak common " laura whispered as she saw a group pushing cannons back in place. Her fingers trembled as she thought of rewards her master would bring for retrieving the recipe for gaat-lok. She drew a arrow locking it into place.

"Don't you will get us killed." Durba warned as she released her arrow striking one of them in the chest. The qunari saw their ally fall and a elf leap from the shadows.

"Hand over the gaatlok and the dreadnought. " Laura shouted before being rushed. Durba watched as she fought with unparalleled grace, laughed each time she struck her attackers with her bow and fired arrows into each one that came after.

Durba crawled behind crates hoping to avoid fighting, he rose to his feet as he made his way to the cannon. "So how does this work exactly... " he said trying to move it. He heard his brother's words of thinking smarter, he channeled his will into lifting the cannon altering the weight of the word.

"Durba!" Cried Laura as she saw a qunari raise his axe over the small boy lost in his concentration. Durba looked at the large creature bringing the axe down barley missing his heel. The beast spoke to him in it's odd language terrifying him. Something inside him broke, the sound of fighting from the jungle we're muffled as everything went blinding white.

Laura saw durba generate lightening from his body vaporizing his assailant his horrid face turned to one of disdain. "Saara-bas " cried a qunari that pointed to him only for thunder to called down the ship being set ablaze afterward.

"I want to go HOME!" The boy cried flinging his arm sending a wave of lightning hitting indiscrimantly. Laura flew into the pillar that burned and began to slowly splinter, she rubbed her head vision clouded from the smoke the smell of rotting flesh became more pungent as she realized what the oder was.

"Oh ****!" She said tossing her bow to the water and rushing to her companion. She darted past the arcs of electricity while choking over the green miasma, she tackled durba into the ocean as the vessel sank into the boeric sea.

Xxx

Darkon held his boot to a qunari that laid dying beneath him as he watched the dreadnought sink. He didn't stifle his pride knowing they had accomplished their goal. "Well I did say think smarter... but too flashy for my taste " darkon said taking a pipe from his coat and lighting it. He took a slow drag from it savoring the corroding effects it had on his lungs.

"Katebas saara-bas "the qunari said until hearing a loud crunch from his throw being crushed. "Shut up I'm having a simple smoke while seeing my kid's handy work " darkon said blowing smoke from his mouth.

His heart sank as he watched the moons slip from the clouds, he knew he held a double duty to both his own house and the house he know served. He knew caius would like a explaination to this incident but he knew just as well he would take his brother from him make him into the mage that would be unrecognizable to his family but a worthy mage to their family.

"Alright time to dig a deeper hole for myself. Mum is going to kill me" darkon said rubbing his head dreading his mother response to his decision

[raging_monkey]

Act 257: old

Spoiler

monkai and zera walked to the steps of their manor grateful that it wasn't destroyed in their absence. "Well it's still standing " monkai said rubbing his hair

"Such a nayser Galatea is a capable sitter. Besides it either have her or cassia... did you really want her " zera teased holding his arm tightly. She had wished to stay out the drama that swam in her life just a while longer but knew she had a clinic to manage.

They saw the window explode and coldi fly though it. " little **** I just fixed that!" Coldi said wiping the glass from her pants cursing how she knew her guardians would blame her.

"Coldi... explain why my window is ruined it's quite expensive " monkai said his temple twitching hoping she had a decent excuse.

"Uh.... i didn't do it?" Coldi meekly replied feeling herself grow very very small. "Please don't make me clean the attic" she thought to herself as she begged for mercy.

Monkai and zera merely chucked realizing what had developed neither mad nor pleased as they walked into their home.

XXx

Kina struggled to get didi off from her who found it odd that she was stronger than she appeared. " get off me spellbinder! " she cried as Galatea merely watched.

" Look I get we had the same upbringing but keep it up and you will regret it" Galatea said wiping her face. For two weeks her housemates had left her in charge of the younger members of her home, she wouldn't have minded it ,if the small girl hadn't constantly tried to kill her. At first she was amused by her tenacity but found her pitiable reminding her of seven too far gone to be apart of a society that in her words was cesspit of depravity and worse hypocrisy.

"We share nothing! I'm xaras's heir, your nothing but a-" kina said before Galatea forced a loaf of bread into her mouth choking upon it. Galatea stared her , her face cross with the young girl.

" I know who you are better than you think... i can give a rat's ass if your that monster's heir I really don't care. But what do care about is making you a a least somewhat stable person! NOW SHUT YOUR MOUTH AND EAT YOUR ****** LUNCH BEFORE YOU DIE OF STARVATION!" Galatea said forcing kina to eat, believing if she refused to live she would make her live. Kina fought back tears as she was forced to eat having forgoed food since her last failed attempt at murder three days before. She was frustrated everything she had held dear was gone only to be replaced by weaklings that valued mercy over practicality. "Weaklings all of them... I hate them they make me sick" she thought to herself as durba released his grip.


"Whats going on!" Zera said shocked to see what was going on.

"Just forcing the little murderer to eat. Picked a good one this time" Galatea said sarcastically until grumbling at kina for biting her " i don't mind biting but do it again and I'll take your jaw"


Zera shooed durba and Galatea away telling them to help monkai and coldi with the luggage. She squared down beside her new ward seeing small line of blood over her lip. "I apologize for the roughtreat" she said tearing her dress to dab the blood from kina's lip.

"They tried to make me eat... and clean... and they talked to me like I was some child to be pitied " kina said scowling. She felt uncomfortable the most around her, she had the air of a schemer planning to use her for her own ends but carried a warm and kind sense as well.

"Well you need to eat. You have a goal of killing us right so starvation is impossible. As to them talking to you, it was done to give you friends. You want friends right?" Zera said smiling at her. She found herself unable to forgive her for murdering her closet friend but felt a sense of duty to prevent her from murdering anyone again and to give her a second chance at life.

"I don't need friends... friends make you soft... and-" kina said until zera embraced the diminutive girl,shocking her silent.

"Its called a hug.. I won't lie and say I forgive you and that life will be better, but it won't and I won't. " zera said stroking kina's head smothering her with her shoulder. "But I will say this your alone, scared, and won't survive.. this can be a home if you want"

Kina sneered at the offer of becoming a member of her house, finding it contrived and stupid "I'm not calling you mom... had one and ran out on me." She said.

Zera chuckled holding her tightly "wouldn't ask for such." She slapping her ward's hand when she reached for the knife at her side.

XXx

Zera walked the halls of the clinic with kina following her. Monkai had told her of kina's latent potential as mage ,blooming but still yet to flourish. She had decided to instruct her in the school of creation like she had taken in her youth, finding her a difficult apprentice who fought her at every point.

"Healers are for pricy nug humpers". kina said annoyed at having to help others for free. She saw helping others without compensation sickening tantamount to being a slave.

"You have a room and it's only once a week" zera said coming to a room with the curtain drawn. Her ears hummed as if by a vein of lyrium. "What in the void" she asked confused

"Don't use my God in vain, corpse worshiper" kina said using the pejorative she made for followers of the chantry and dragon cults despite never seeing any of the latter.

"Kina see patent number six and you can go home " zera said. She watched kina wave her off, something was off behind the door, she wondered if someone had hired templars of the south to murder her. "Really hope they succeed cause I really would hate for caius to swoop in and save the day. " she said wiping her face.

The woman stared into the window as she put her tunic back on tracing the scar over her right breast. "I know your there... is my physical fine I have work to do " the woman called to zera applying her eyepatch

Zera stepped into the room cracking her finger channeling her magic only to feel nothing come from the fade. "My magic... it's gone" she thought to herself.

"I'all take it I'm fine. Traveling is poor on ones health... relax I'm only here for information give me that I'll leave. " the woman said as she stared at zera her eye piercing her soul

[raging_monkey]

Act 258: flame

Spoiler

zera followed the woman to a small tavern across from the clinic after it had closed for the night. She carried herself with a unsettling aura despite being unarmed. They sat in the back away from even the most nosey of patrons.

The woman gave her a warm smile in a attempt to relax the mage. "It's alright you can answer without any concern " the woman said calling a servant for refreshments.

"I take it your a southerner. You cancelled my magic. " zera said pushing the water that came away.

"Your a mage I had no idea honest" the woman said clapping her hands in surrender. Zera noticed her accent was a mix of rivaini and tevinter and that she acted like a fool.

"Just who in the void are you!" Zera asked keeping her voice low.

The woman laughed at her directness. "I see your a direct woman so I'll be equally direct. I understand you know Mathias and I want to know your intentions" the woman said fixing her red hair putting it into two ponytails.

"So your a carcella spy with nothing better to do than waste my time" zera said standing up to leave. She knew Aurelia gave a haven within her territory free of her father's prying eyes but to stoop to his level made her reconsider her alliance.

"Yes and no I'm merely a friend... that's concerned for him. In truth I know everything I needed to know I'm just more interested in the one he dances for" the woman said woefully staring out the window.

"Get lost snoop" Zera said leaving she cracked her finger as she did wishing that spies never existed and being one was a capital offense.

Xxx

The woman stared at the ragin manor from her apartment seeing monkai laugh and smile with his housemates. It tugged at her heart making it difficult to breath

"Still you stalk the boy." Came a voice from the door. The woman sighed realizing she forgot to lock it.

"Aria don't start...." she said covering her smile with her handkerchief as she continued to spy over the rivani

"And still you call your dear mother that horrid alias ". Aria said carrying a small box and setting it over the table "I brought your medicine." She said opening the box revealing a blue pfilter .

"I don't need it... just leave it on the table for now..." the woman said disdainful of the contents of the box. She knew it would keep her alive and her mind from fracturing.

"Of course. I just want you to know I'm proud of you. Despite being so removed from the blood of the carcellas and taking the Southerners tendacies you know you loyalties " aria said stroking her daughter's hair.

"Duty comes before emotion. ".the woman said closing the window having had enough of seeing her distant relative.

"Just wait kara mother has it all planned out you will have your little pet again." Aria said her voice cold and indifferent.

Kara sighed at her mother wishing they had both died when the war broke out. She had stalked Mathias since he had taken residence as the vallenious first enchanter and as the interim first enchanter of the minrathous circle and even now she watched him learning ever intimate detail . For four long years she watched him become the man he desired,breaking her heart when whenever she wanted to show herself she pulled back into the shadows. "If he knew I lived... it would destroy his whole world... it happened twice now a third would be too much." She said sitting on the couch and drinking the philter

"Think about it girl if we push the vallenious girl into her legal husband not only do we gain support of her father we gain the ragin and bring our branch back to relativity, no more will be the trash collectors but the ones who give the trash." Aria explained , she despised the fact that her branch was delegated to the wet work over the past century finding that they.. she deserved more.

"Mother it won't work my reports are very detailed i won't be involved nor will he. The girl he loved never really existed it was just a cover used to get close to him.." Kara said wiping her face, knowing she was lying over her feeling.

"And stalking the boy this long was just duty haha. Foolish girl I know you better than that and what he wants is irrelevant . Rape him if you must but you will do your damned duty else I will make you wish you had died in that back water prison " aria said grabbing her by the hair as forcing her to the table.

"I already wish I did... mother. More then you know. "Kara said knowing what was planned ahead would make them an she cared for hate her with every fiber of his being

[raging_monkey]

Act 259: problem child

Spoiler

monkai sighed as he leaned back into his chair. He was at a impass regarding the translation of the wall from the first of nardeth's tombs he had found. It was mixed with Elvish and Tevene, both languages that have become dying tongues that few spoke fluently in this era.

"Maker's breath what is with vints and blood..." he said mulling over the translation he heard a knock come from his door. A cowled figure came,smelling of sludge and excrement

"Milord... the sspirit caller hearssss your criesss through the dreamsss... " the figure spoke his voice lispful offering a scroll to him. Monkai stared at the figure, he regretted recruiting the deranged cult into his fold finding them unsettling at best despite their loyalty to him.

"Tell the spirit caller I appreciate the aide.. but how did you get here it's daylight." Monkai said taking the scroll and quickly reviewing it and being a dictionary for tevene. "This can work" he thought to himself

"The woman created a tunnel in the cellar.. a sssimple matter of travel.... praissss to the ssspiritual and ssserpent " the cultist said leaving.

"Bloody madmen..." he said going back to work. He was behind the magistra's schedule and she sought results.

XXx

Zera tossed dress after dress trying to find the right attire for the evening. There was to be a winter salon hosted for the carcella and it's varying branches by the magistra before the wintersend festival. She had picked a slender red dress she had imported from orlais, it was simple by their standards but practical for for tevinter's current trends.

"Orlaisan attire.. how grotesque what was I thinking " she said tossing it to the floor find instead her old circle robe finding it much more to her tastes. She found it comical that she still fit the robe only until realizing it made her bust look bigger as well being tight around her.

"You look like your wearing a corset over your body " coldi said covered in cuts and bleeding heavily "oh yeah... I'm losing a lot of blood can you help... " she said collapsing on the floor.

"Tried to hug her again didn't you..." zera said placing her hands over her Ward and channeling magic into her watching as the wounds close.

"No... I was walking into the kitchen and boom little **** tried to kill me... seriously can't I go with y'all. I doubt the dog and I can take her.." coldi said wiping the blood from her face.

"Well durba has his own assignment... well what that may be and tea is doing who know what. " zera said going to the mirror and beginning to apply her make-up. She listened as coldi begged to not have to watch kina to the point as zera walked was she dragged her

"Please please I'm a ragin! Dammit I don't wanna to die like this!" Coldi shouted in defeat as Monkai stepped over her...

"Well instead of whining how bout you get dressed and then come along." Monkai said fixing his coat

"Good it will be nice to have some peace and quiet " kina said hanging from the chandelier throwing a knife near coldi's hand

"Kina get dressed your going we are all going cause if I have go out we all go out!" Monkai said taking the knife from the floor gazing upon it's design "is the leg of my chair?" He said noticing she will make a knife from anything

[raging_monkey]

Act 260: salon

Spoiler

Kina watched the guests of the evening mingle and give gifts. She was seated over by the children looked at her with up most curiosity, wondering if they knew she was the the one that caused the recent disappearence of their aunt. "Void's glory... I hate these people " she whispered beneath her sigh. She stared at her hand trying to summon her magic only for nothing to happen, "pfft the mutt is deluded thinking I can be a mage " she thought as she left the table. It mattered little whether she would become a healer like her guardian she sought power or at the least the death of the one who took her friends away.

Xxx

Aurelia stared at Monkai her face hiding both disappointment and anger. "So for the past two months you'v learned nothing from the tomb " she said her voice placid

Monkai scratched his cheek feeling somewhat guilty that she had given him so much yet he gave little. She had his status rectified to altus like hers and his fathers and at considerable expense gave him a new method of combat and expanded his knowledge of his family. "Unless you can read elvish which is near impossible unless your a elf that hangs out in the woods we are stuck with that. " he said polity hoping not to cause a scene

"I care little for clever remarks only results. The lyrium from the tomb are rich yes and quiet the profit but I care for everything else... I expect the next location within three months... else caius may hear something you would rather keep secret " Aurelia said her voice warm masking the threat she promised.

"No need to get nasty... I said lacked translations never said I didn't find the next tomb. Besides it was a gift for wintersend " Monkai said smirking knowing he had her by the collar.

"Cheeky boy and here I thought you were wasting my coin and time." Aurelia teased cupping his face, she found herself annoyed by his glibbness finding his lack of appropriate respect to be infuriating.

Zera broke the awkward silence between them asking her lover if he wished to dance. The two danced as the sounds of flutes and lutes played in harmony with bard singing aside. "Kai why did you provoke her" zera said sighing taking the lead

"Merely... I honestly don't know. Figures of authority never sat well with me " Monkai apologetically said.

"Just play nice for now..." zera said. She saw a masked woman standing by the door similar to to the one who met at the clinic a day before. "No can't be "she said as the woman blended into the crowd.

XXx

Kara hid behind a pillar adjusting her mask, only for Aurelia to make her presence known. "You know Brets weren't invited girl. If he sees you my plan will fail and if it fails I'll have it seen you become a drooling fool... how can you survive without your precious vials." She said her cheek twitching

"Yes magstra I'm only here for a hour... apologies... " kara said hiding her anger behind a veil of subservience,she was good at being what other saw what mundanes should be.

Aurelia sighed pulling the young woman aside "look I know I have nothing against your branch and I appreciate the service the have provided over the generations but I know your little game with the boy he's over you get over him." She said coldly.

Kara adjusted her mask as the musicians changed their instruments for a new song. " I still have forty minutes good evening lady carcella " she said walking to the dance floor

[raging_monkey]

Act 261: tempo

Spoiler

Kara breathed heavily through her mask as she saw Monkai dip Zera to the floor and bring her back. They were covered in sweat as they fought to keep up with the tune. "He places emphasis on the right but favors the left side... possible injury" she said hiding between a elderly couple.

"Lord ragin... may I ask for this dance " Kara asked extending her hand, hoping her voice was distorted enough were her identity was hidden.

Zera chuckled stepping away slightly " my love aren't you popular " she said laughing and poking his nose and leaving to find her wards hoping they kept themselves from trouble.

"It would appear I have the good ahead Milady. But please monkai titles make my skin crawl." Monkai said kissing her hand

"Of course my apologies " Kara said glad her didn't ask her name. They began to dance as the song played, their movements were elegant, passionate , methodical even speaking volumes to those that watched. Monkai felt a odd sense of familiarity between them like he had know her for years. He noticed her mask was that of a fox brown in colour musing that she must be of orlaisan descent since to his knowledge only they wore masks at parties, he noted her dress had signs of tevinter and subtle rivaini upbringing.

"So I forgot to ask you your name" monkai said leading her across the floor.

"Damn it fool no questions.. " kara thought to herself, she felt the callouses on his hand remembering he had soft hands in his youth "Sefir..." kara said biting her lip.

"A odd name... is it ander? And your movements are refined yet there's something off " monkai said his sense familiarity turning to suspicion as he heard the faint sound of lyrium come from inside her. "Seriously templars here? Either the old man and the divine are mad bringing the south here or the templars won..." he thought as lacked any concern for the war he fled and received only conflicting reports.

"It's irrelevant, names are only useful to those that care." Kara said as the song ended and she withdrew her hand and fixing her mask. "Thank you for the dance enjoy the rest of your evening monkai ragin " she said walking away. She wanted just five minutes more before her mother's plan was to be enacted to prolong the suffering she would cause

[raging_monkey]

Act 262: evidence

Spoiler

aria twirled her once blonde now silver air. In her youth she was a beauty among the nobility despite being of the lower houses. Unlike her predecessors she refused to be the dutiful steward to the carcella, killing and spying all for the sake the magistra 's dream of a better tevinter. She cared about nothing some tart's dream only that the Bret's name demanded recognition, no longer a house of slaves due to falling from the blood of dreamers.

"My the boy has become quite affluent since his escape from the barbarians... but this manor is disgusting " aria hissed placing the hand on the door. She heard he had enchanted the locks so only he could lock them with any security from a odd artificer that he came to be friends with. She twisted the knob as simply pushed. "Blood seals are easy to break... all that's required is family" she chuckled entering

XXx

Aria walked pass the sleeping zero carrying a small bundle. She had searched the entire estate, finding the lack of servants peculiar. "Most would love servants or slaves... yet not a one... " she said dragging her finger over the stairs heading to the master bedroom.

She saw the room garnished with velvet sheets Burgundy in color that complimented the vanity. It was a woman's room in design with the only thing that could be seen that was the man side was the small emblem of the circle he grew up in. "Well I see who wears the pants but perhaps a change is in order " she said opening the drawer "such a dirty ****" aria said in disgust seeing Zera 's less than conservative undergarments, "Kara best do well to snare the upstart" she added.


Aria began to place the contents of her bundle into the drawers, leaving a small letter inside monkai's dresser for extra measure. Nothing would stop in her plan of raising above the sludge

[raging_monkey]

Act 263: discord

Spoiler

It was a cloudy morning at first soon fallowed by a sudden downpour of rain. Monkai stared out the window, he hadn't slept the entire evening his mind thinking about the masked woman at the salon. Her hand was familiar as well her movements that reminded him of his past.

"Maker... I must be going mad..." he said leaving the window he brushed against durba who came from the study. He felt nothing come from the young man he was no more than nineteen maybe twenty but he had the eyes of a killer.

"Apologies master ragin lost in my studies again perhaps miss coldi can- " he said plainly until Monkai raised his hand

"It's fine just send me the report over your studies, exam is midweek for you and coldi " Monkai said patting his shoulder he felt a void emanating from him almost if a hunger wished to devour him.

"Get back here!" Coldi shouted throwing shards of ice and a dancing kina who laughed each time she missed

"Ah come on we had fun last night... it was hilarious when I made your dress fall off for that boy to see... got tiny lips " kina said laughing while dodging another of coldi's shards. In truth remembered little only that she left the child section to pester her Nemesis.

"No killing in the house! Outside " durba said snapping his finger forcing the squabbling housemates to the floor. He had heard the rumours of the ragin household was overly expressive but found the rumors fact and honestly annoying.

Xxx

Zera slouched inside her chair having exhausted her reservoir of mana. She looked at the letter she had found in her drawer ,she hadn't read it and found her belongings tampered with. "It was that fox... how did she get inside only I and kai can open it... curious" she said crumbling the letter. Zera kept wondering of who could break in ,even her father's magicks couldn't undo the enchantments always had to be let in. It was becoming tedious blame her father despite being the obvious culprit she sighed stepping to the window to watch the rain continue.

"That woman is up to something... I'll find out what and very soon " she said cracking her finger

Xxx

Monkai looked through his drawers for a shirt after taking a bath, he left the house to resupply the house's food but was caught in the rain. He found a pair of small clothes that belonged to neither zera nor him, brushed aside zera's idea that someone was in their house and was galatea just moving into their room but began to think she was right.

[raging_monkey]

Act 264: dandy

Spoiler

zera blew smoke from her pipe as she sat in the wh*re's gambit, she found it to be her place of solitude when she wanted time to herself. As much she loved her man and her wards she found the constant excitement worrisome kina in particular finding she was a angry child that bucked at every turn reminding her of her own nature.

"I should go... tis late "she said dumping the ash from her pipe. Rising from her feet zera strolled to the door only to be stopped by a man in blue silk

"Good evening my dear" Tiberius said apologetically bowing for not paying attention.

"Maker not this fool" zera thought to herself rubbing her head as Tiberius dragged her to a table. She stared at him wondering what he wanted

"So my fair maiden how have you been since that horrid dinner" Tiberius said smiling, brushing his brown hair back. He noticed her hair was no longer red but the color raven feathers similar to the stories of danarious 's bird, believing a sign of pedigree

"Surviving. You've heard of my exile and true parentage yes? Now shove off" zera said refilling her pipe, she thought the man was a decent sort but a fool and opportunist and had little patience for it.

Tiberius laughed at her short tone finding her even more alluring. He had fallen in love with fiery woman since he saw her at the circle in their youth despite the drama she and her fool caused . " come now must you be so cold. We can be friends you and I perhaps something more with time." He said reaching for her hand.

Zera glared at him every fiber of her being wanted to break his hand but remembered her status as a soparati and any injury to him would be problematic. "I doubt that I'm married and while again I'm open to affairs your not my type and women are my preference as my second ." Zera said dismissivly. She understood the hypocrisy of her view but she hoped it was enough to dissuade the young man.

Tiberius pulled a letter from his pocket sliding it to zera "then what's this letter that says you wish to reconcile and beg for your father's forgiveness " he said with a smile and massaging her hand.

Zera took her hand from him as she read the letter. She saw it was in her pen ship and her vernacular and began to feel like they were had. "Granted this a elaborate forgery I didn't write this... I apologize if there was a misunderstanding " she said as she continued to read the letter detailing the lies of abuse and ransom.

"I can help you zera break away from his claws you'll never be afraid again" he said cupping her face and kissing her