331 réponses à ce sujet

[Uccio]

Not at the moment. But no deaths at this pont .

[Serelir]

Spoiler

Nazlik found Elowyn in her herb garden. “We need to talk,” she said. Elowyn had been expecting this conversation. She removed her gloves and put them in a pail with the trowel. Nazlik led the way to the fountain at the center of the garden. The women faced each other, Nazlik with her hands on her hips, and Elowyn with her arms crossed protectively over her chest. She was having trouble meeting Nazlik’s eyes.

 

“You slept with my husband,” Nazlik said simply. “Explain yourself.”

 

Elowyn gazed up at the intimidating figure of Caius’ wife. “I have no excuses. Though I did not seduce your husband, I submitted to his advances. I didn’t tell him no. I’m sorry for the pain this has caused you.”

 

Nazlik clicked her tongue. “You’re a slave and a young girl. Caius, on the other hand, is a grown man who made vows to me, vows that he failed to keep.”

 

“He didn’t coerce me,” replied Elowyn.

 

“Perhaps not overtly, but you were in no position to refuse him. The question is what we’re going to do about this. I don’t suppose you can deny him any further liaisons?”

 

“I would go away, but he holds my contract,” said Elowyn miserably, thinking she should have just remained in the Fade with her tree friend and avoided all these complications.

 

“He can sell you,” said Nazlik.

 

“It might not be that simple. If he were to sell his First Enchanter to another Magister –“

 

“First Enchanter? Hah! That’s a laugh.”

 

Elowyn bridled at this. “He gave me that position because of my abilities!”

 

“Yes, I’m sure he does admire your abilities.” 

 

Elowyn bit her tongue. She wasn’t going to resort to insults.

 

“Caius owns a country manor. Go there. You are not to see him. I will know if he attempts to meet you there.”

 

“As you wish,” Elowyn acquiesced. Removing herself would give Nazlik and Caius the space to sort out their marital issues. Elowyn wouldn’t be able to continue her work as First Enchanter, but she could do research. She could bring her own slave family with her – the children would enjoy a visit to the country. She wouldn’t have to keep running into Vel and feeling pained at the unraveling of their relationship, nor would she have to battle her own desire every time she saw the Master. She felt that Nazlik was wrong – Caius had not used his ownership of her to force her. She could have refused him, and she was sure he would have respected her decision. But she had chosen to sleep with him because of the desire they felt for each other. Had Caius remained a widower, perhaps the situation would be different. No one expected Magisters to be celibate. But Elowyn felt that remaining as Caius’ mistress would be intolerable. She couldn’t bear the thought of Nazlik hating her more than she already did.

 

She would miss all the weddings, but that couldn’t be helped. She’d made a mess of things.

[Uccio]

Aha, there is a beating coming to Caius way.

But he will not let her go, their survival depends on her. She is just too important to be sent away. And he has feelings for her. Caius will take full responsibility though.

[raging_monkey]

Well I need to excuse myself... have to cry a bit no joke

[Serelir]

They're going to have to try to keep their hands off each other if she stays. I just couldn't see Nazlik sharing. They're husband and wife, even if she has to be a secret wife. 

[raging_monkey]

The drama!

[Uccio]

Caius doesn't get to be a Magister.

[Serelir]

It's because he's a romantic and impulsively married his slave. Grandpappy Vaellanius is rolling his rotting eyes.

[Serelir]

You can write your way out of this, of course. Caius could lay down the law and tell his women they'd better get along or else. *makes the throat-slitting gesture*

[raging_monkey]

Oh yes I imagine he was still alive monkai would totally be more loyal

[raging_monkey]

After hrs of rewrites it's done. And I'm sorry but I'm stealing hotus kinda grew on me lol.

Spoiler

Hotus stood by the door as zera left her father's house. "Milady I will be tasked with seeing to your needs while you handle your business with master ragin " he said his voice polite. Zera was always fond of him always quiet and polite ,he had the most adorable crush on cassia and they would have been a cute couple had cassia said yes to her feelings but duty called to her unlike she.

"You mean my leash holder" zera said sarcasticly. Hotus bowed in acknowledgement, "yes my mistress I am sorry but it's the only way... if it helps I asked since I'm a friend " he said polite as always

Xxx

Coldi swore as complained of caius ignoring her and monkai not fighting back. "We could have taken them took back zera and showed who was the real power in the city." She shouted. Monkai sighed at her lack in planning

"Yeah let's start a war ill prepared we were there as a distraction. And gal should be here soon" monkai said seething at how caius had poisoned him, auctioned his daughter off like a piece of cattle. "I will protect you from him " he thought as he watched coldi kick the wall til a hole appeared.

Xxx

Zera approached the door to the house she shared with her husband her true husand, she felt the wood against her skin. She decided she would fight tooth and nail against her father dictations. She would marry who she pleased damning the consequences. "Hotus I warn you tell my father anything and monkai's displeasure with you will pale to mine." She said with hotus nodding.

She opened the door to see monkai scolding coldi holding her head between his arms, shouting at her to be patient. Monkai dropped her to the floor rushing to her hugging her tightly. " how'd you escape!" He asked

"He let me go.. but..his plans.." zera said kissing his cheek. The lovers sat beside the couch while coldi grabbed hotus's arm. "Care to escort a lady for late dinner " she said impatiently taking him from the house. Hotus felt his blood freeze as he remembered their first kiss "I'm sure young miss it would be a privilege" he said nervous and regretting volunteering.

XxX

Monkai and zera spent hours discussing the past days and caius's mad plan to marry her off. Monkai was livid,he didn't mind being poisoned as it was easily cleansed and being under constant watch from hotus but he found it disgusting how he took her freedom away.

"I have enough to pay your dowery... " monkai said instantly regretting what he said. Zera took his hand rubbing it against her face,smelling the fragrance from the soap she bought him.

"I don't think it will be enough... it's like we are slaves trying to buy our freedom. " zera said kissing her man. Monkai thought of something even he would regret... he will be a slave aswell with his wife... or he will fight the maker tooth and claw to keep his family safe

[Uccio]

Spoiler

*Caius walked into the tower chamber, night had just fallen and darkness covered the room. Why are there no lights here? He thought walking slowly towards the bed in the darkness. He raised his hand and magical light illuminated the chamber.

Nazlik stood in the middle of the room in her armor arms crossed.

Caius stopped few feet before her surprised, "what is it my love?".

Nazlik stared at him quietly, "why?". She whispered staring at him. Caius mind raced quickly, then he sighted. "Why? I don´t know, there is a connection between us. Something I cannot explain, or avoid. I cannot deny that". He placed his staff on the table and sat down.

"But what ever she told you know this. I started it and didn´t give her a change to avoid me. She thinks she had a option, but she didn´t. That is the plain truth, I exercised all my means to convince her. I take full responsibility. Don´t hate her".

"I knew it!" , Nazlik stomped her feet. "She is such a young woman. Am I not enough for you?".

"Yes you are my darling", Caius stood up taking a step towards her. Nazlik took a step backwards. Caius spread his arms in a reassuring move, "you were away. And I was confused, lonely, and I feel such a connection to her. I know none of these justify what I did. They are just excuses, but is the way I felt".

"Send her away", Nazlik said staring at him. "I won´t", Caius said calmly. "Her presence is too crucial to our survival. There is no other way". Nazlik squinted her eyes, "presence of what, her pu*sy?". Caius shook his head, "there are thing in motion that will fall apart without her".

"Do you love me?", Nazlik asked silently. "I do", Caius said firmly. "That has not changed". "Do you love her?", Nazlik continued looking at him. "I don´t know", Caius said avoiding the question. "What do you mean, you don´t know?", she pressed.

"It means exactly that", Caius exhaled. "So it was simply sex?", Nazlik wondered, "if you want to put it like that, yes", Caius said looking into her eyes.

Nazlik contemplated for a moment, "sex". Then she took a step forward, "sex it is. So that is what you were missing".

She punched Caius into his stomach so fast that Caius had no way of reacting to it. Her enchanted outfit made her extremely fast.
Caius bent forward when Nazlik struck her first into his chin sending Caius twirling through the room.
"Fight me!", she screamed walking after him.
"No", Caius whispered wiping blood of his mouth. Nazlik charged him showering punches on him, her speed and strength exceeded Caius so much that he had no way of avoiding her strikes.

Left and right, her fists pounded Caius upper body, his face. Caius tried to remain standing but her strikes were too strong causing him to partially lose consciousness. Nazlik grabbed him by the lapels preventing him from falling to the ground. She pulled his face close to hers whispering, "I will give you sex. The Vashoth way".

With a few swift moves she tore off Caius robes. Then with a two handed grip she grabbed him and threw Caius into the bed with a loud bang. Caius was still teetering in the edge of unconsciousness trying to focus on what was happening. He realized in a few moments that Nazlik had tied both his hands and legs into the bed poles. Arms and legs spread.

Nazlik removed her armor becoming completely naked, Caius could see Vitaar markings on her body. She grabbed some of Vitaar from the table and drew more lines on her face. Then she turned to him whispering, "now you will see how my people make love".

Hours later Nazlik leaned down to Caius bruised face, she turned his face to the side and whispered to his ear, "I forgive you kadan", and kissed him softly.*

[Serelir]

Bravo! That was definitely an interesting way to handle the dilemma  And a perfect reaction from a horned woman.

[raging_monkey]

Definitely entertaining

[Uccio]

That was the best way to go about it. Nazlik has a bit of that qunari lay back attitude towards sex. She was more concerned that Caius would love Elowyn, sex she could take. And Caius simply lied about not knowing if he loves her. Also Caius taking all the blame would keep Nazlik friendly towards Elowyn. Caius is now entangled in his own web.

[raging_monkey]

Careful spiders get eaten by other spiders too lol.

But really i wonder how the love a affair will turn out

[Serelir]

Messy!

[raging_monkey]

But messy is the best IMO lol. I honestly like that nazlik is "naturalized " but still has cultural tendencies. Definitely my favorite female lead

[Uccio]

Confession.

 

Spoiler

*Caius walked across the manor towards Elowyn apartment. He did not hide his face, nor he did heal his bruises. He had removed the swelling but left the bruises, just for the show. It could have been a remnant of his weekly combat training anyway.

 

He stopped at the door to her apartment. He knocked and waited. The slave woman he had bought her opened the door. "My lord!", she bowed hastily. "Is my apprentice here?", Caius asked casually looking at the back of her head as she was bowing so deep. "No my lord", she said fast, "she left to do some research. Something medical she said".

 

Caius rubbed his chin is thoughts, then stopped as one of the bruises in his chin felt sore. "Well, tell her I would like to have a word with her, when she returns".

 

"I will my lord", she just kept bowing so Caius turned around and left in silence. Caius walked through the manor in his thoughts. Nazlik had forgiven him, she had practically raped him, but then she had turned around and said he was forgiven. In the morning she had been like nothing had happened, in fact she made jokes about Elowyn´s size and Caius.

 

Women, Caius thought walking towards the entrance to the catacombs. Down the steps, few floors down into the dungeons. He walked through the dark and dank tunnels to the more desolate part of the dungeon. Caius reached the ancient iron door and raised his hand. He gestured and spoke few words, then heard a click in the lock. He pushed the door open and stepped into the cell closing the door behind him.

 

There in the center of the room on a platform stood the stone table. A orb on a dragon claw shed some dim light into the dungeon. The table had no other markings, except some ancient and strange carving decorating the edges. Caius had tried to translate them but nothing in the Minrathous archives indicated that the Imperium had come across this kind of writing before.

 

The top of the table was smooth, like silk. Though it was not a sign of wear. The table looked like a brand new. The power eminated from it, Caius could feel it this close so easily, and it was a hungry power. There was something in this artifact which made Caius feel a bit unease, but he belived in his own power. He hadn´t used it since the last time and that strange dream but it seemed the time was coming close for a another use.

 

Elowyn had declined of using her power to Zera and Monkai. And she had thrown in the air the idea of affecting Caius thoughts, jokingly, but still. Caius was not sure how to feel about it, but then again touching his daughters thoughts felt something he would not do. Unless in a dire need. He thought that maybe he had it coming. Elowyn was such a soft hearted, he would need to strengthen her resolve to be a power in the Imperium. With Caius.

 

Caius stood there contemplating when suddenly someone touched his hand. He fought hard to prevent himself of twiching as he felt Elowyn´s arm, but still there was a little movement he could not prevent. "Still surprising I see", he heard her giggle.

 

Caius turned to look at her, she had a grin in her face which made Caius smile. "It is good to see you", he said. "I didn´t have time to talk to you before.. before what happened".

He cleared his throat, "this is a new thing to me. I have never been in a situation like this before. My experience is unfortunately quite... virginal".

 

Elowyn tilted her head with a inquiring look, "yes, I spoke with Nazlik. She wanted me out of the manor, but then I had a note from you which said I was not to leave".

"Yes", Caius said taking a deep breath, "I don´t wan´t you to leave. In fact there is something I need to tell you". He gazed in her eyes for a moment wondering how she would react and collected his willpower, it was strangely hard to say it.

 

"I love you".

 

Then he raised his arms when Elowyn was trying to say something, "I know. I lied to Nazlik about it. I love Nazlik too. And this is something which is wildly outside my range of experience. I have had women... many. Which I believe you already know. But love, and love for two women. That I don´t know what to do with".

 

He stepped forward taking Elowyn´s hands in his looking at her with his dark eyes gleaming in the dungeons dim light, "I am at loss here. But I am not willing to let you go, what we have. I would like for us to continue. Unless you don´t, and if that is what you want then I will respect your decision, even though it might bring pain to me".

 

Elowyn gazed at him, the Magister had spoken and she had no answers. "I... I need to think about this", she whispered. Caius nodded and she fade stepped away disappearing like the morning mist.

 

Caius sat on the stone table looking at his hands in the dim dungeon light.*

[Serelir]

I was expecting her to drag him onto the table for wild lovemaking, then all hell would break loose! 

[Serelir]

Spoiler

Elowyn returned to her new apartment, where her slave woman told her Caius had been looking for her. She was eager to see him and reached through the Fade to feel where he was in the Manor. Then she fade-stepped to him. He jumped a little when she touched his arm, and she laughed. It was fun teasing him, though she knew she was lucky he hadn’t instantly fried her.

 

They were standing in a chamber dominated by a black stone table, the same table she’d seen in Caius’ dream. It was smooth and gleaming in the dim light, and she longed to touch it. But Caius commanded her attention.

 

“There is something I need to say to you,” he hesitated, tongue-tied. Seeing the Master so discomfited was a new experience. She noticed bruises on his neck and wrists and wondered what sort of rough training he’d been practicing. Why hadn’t he healed those wounds?

 

“I love you,” he said, looking directly into her eyes. There was vulnerability in his face. It disconcerted her. He was the most self-assured person she’d ever met. He began explaining that he loved both her and Nazlik, that he wanted her to stay, not only at the manor, but in an intimate relationship with him. But he would respect her decision.

The pain in his voice stopped her. She wanted to confess her feelings to him. The words died on her lips. Instead, she whispered, “I need some time to think about this.” Her emotions were too raw. She left him then, fade-stepping away to the garden where she could think.

 

She sat in an arbor covered with Winter Jasmine. Its fragrance floated to her in tantalizing wafts, her nose distracting the ache in her heart. She’d known when she gave in to her desires that she was traipsing into uncharted territory, fade-stepping blind. Where had she landed? She was in love with a man who loved another besides herself. Was she willing to share? Nazlik had not sounded willing to share, and Elowyn thought the odds were long that Nazlik would share if she knew what Caius felt. Therefore, continuing intimacy with Caius would constitute a deception that Elowyn was unwilling to perform.

 

Elowyn needed to break off the relationship, but she didn’t know if she was capable. From the first moment she’d locked gazes with Caius, she’d felt an irresistible force drawing them together. She wasn’t even sure she could call it love. Sometimes it felt as heavy as that stone table lying in the darkened chamber. When she was with him, when they’d been intimate, everything outside of themselves had ceased to exist: there was only the two of them in a space of their own creation. Was that love?

 

She certainly feared for him, even more after the assassination attempt. His concerns were hers, her survival contingent on his. Despite her sorrow over Nazlik’s jealousy, Elowyn loved Caius’ child, Cassius. It pained her to cause such distress to Nazlik. She didn’t want what Nazlik had: she didn’t want to be a Magister’s wife. But Elowyn had a part of Caius that Nazlik couldn’t have. Even if Elowyn left, the bond between her and Caius would tear at Nazlik like a splinter.

 

It was an impossible situation. She looked at the lengthening shadows: time was her only ally. She could keep busy and distant from Caius and see if time worsened the pain of her longing or relieved it. She determined to explain her reasoning to her Master and make sure he knew that her coldness was not a rejection of him, merely a prop to keep their world from shattering.

[raging_monkey]

Oh my!

[Uccio]

So Caius gets to squirm even more in agony, splendid! 

[raging_monkey]

Yes good to know he is mortal lol but really even when stressed like that he's so calm and in control

[Uccio]

Spoiler

*She did not come back, Caius thought sitting on the stone table after for a while. He gazed at the stone wall in his thoughts. That means she either hesitates or blatantly rejects him. Either way the look in her eyes spoke volumes of how she felt. Caius sighted, then he stood up looking at the stone table. He had planned to just to grab her after his confession but something in her eyes stopped him.

 

No better time to try this, he thought. The surface of the table was clear, even Caius had bled on it back then. Bleeding from his large wound, yet not a trace of blood was visible. As if the table had consumed it.

Caius climbed on the table laying on his back on it, he placed his staff next to him. Then he crossed his arms over his chest closing his eyes.

 

Burns, everything burns, Caius walks down the steps of Magisterium, stepping on the bodies of dead soldiers, mages and citizens. A delighted voice erupts from his lips when the flesh and blood squelch under his foot. So lovely sound. His body was drenched in blood and fleshy chunks of intestines were stuck in his torn clothes. Minrathous burned. One of his minions ran to him up the stairs, hunched, dragging it´s long clawed hands. A deformed creature, who was once known as the True Divine. Now a corpse inhabited by a rage demon. "My lord", the creature gurgled.

 

Caius felt annoyed, this pitiful thing dared to address him? It practically ruined his moment of sweet carnage he had just experienced. He almost fried it where it stood, but the creature anticipated his thought and screamed, "we found her! We found her and the baby!".

 

Caius forgot that moment what he was about to do with the creature, "show me the way!". The deformed creature led him through the ruined city. Dead bodies littered the streets, occasional survival was being seen either hunted by more abominations or being eaten by some. What a glorious day it was!

 

Down, deep down in the catacombs of the Vaellanius manor they went. Caius gazed around the destroyed manor. What a sweet moment it had been to march thought it, killing everyone on his path. Those little daughters of his, how they screamed in his arms. Death was slow and painful, but the pleasure had ended too soon. 

 

Then he walked to the ancient altar where it all had begun. Blood grooves leading to the altar were still dark from the fresh blood that had brought him here, the sweet scent of iron still lingered in the ancient hall, along with dust. And there, surrounded by undead guards, was Nazlik. With a baby in her arms.

 

She gazed at him with a hopeful yet frightened eyes. "Caius?", her whisper was full of anguished hope. "I am Caius", Caius said. "And I am not, I am Caius ascended. I am something this world will require, a new ruler. Caius incredible power combined with my divine self makes a combination of something the world has ever seen". Caius smiled, it was a cold smile. "And I need that baby, there are other... beings, who wish to enter this world. He will be a vessel".

 

"No!" Nazlik screamed tears in her eyes, Caius could see how her spirit broke down. She had still harbored thoughts of Caius being himself, but now she new. He was gone. Nazlik closed her eyes, and when she opened them again there was steel in her gaze. She bolted into running throwing a sabre with one swift move towards Caius.

 

Caius smiled and the sabre froze mid air hovering in the air before him, Nazlik took a few running steps and was also held in her tracks. "Did you think you can just outrun me?", Caius chuckled. "Take the baby", he hissed to the undead. One of the bodies next to Nazlik reached out and took the baby from her arms, the baby started crying. 

 

Caius walked casually to her. He placed his hands on her throat, "he can see this". He whispered to Nazlik´s ear, "your Caius is locked deep inside me, but he can see, hear and feel everything I do". Caius gazed into Nazlik´s eyes, "and he will see and feel all this". He started to choke Nazlik with a exultant look on his face.

 

Caius winced awake panting. He jumped up from the table hastily sweeping sweat from his forehead. What was that? I will loose my struggle against a greater demon? How is that possible? Caius took a step back and contemplated trying to calm down. Maybe the table wants me to believe it would happen? Maybe... Caius stared at the table, he realized that first time all the future roads before him seemed bleak.*