Ruthivan entered the forest, his eyes narrowed as he scanned the tree line. Somewhere Claire's mother had escaped, though it was unlikely she went far. He had killed Claire's father in a fit of rage when the elder had threatened to free Claire and take his children. No one would take what was his.
He went back into beast form and sniffed at the air. The change was instant, as was the scents. He could follow the trail of scent left behind as though it were a neon sign. And in short order, he caught up with Seranfrit.
"Please," she begged, backing up against one of the trees. "Don't kill me. Please."
"Seranfrit," Ruthivan crooned, effortlessly turning himself into his esper form. "Why would I do that?" She let out a sob and shook her head. "You killed my husband!"
"You hated him anyway. I did you a courtesy. And now you will do one for me."
"What are you talking about..."
"You will go back to the tribe and let them know that they have a new leader." Seranfrit's eyes grew wide. "You can't be serious."
"Oh, but I am. Eladrim was a failure, he couldn't get our people to populate, the numbers of those in the tribe are the same as they always were. What good will it do our people if we aren't prepared?"
Seranfrit inched away, but Ruthivan slammed a hand on the tree trunk beside her, blocking her way. "You don't want to challenge me, do you?" She merely shook her head. "Good. Claire and I will provide the perfect example of what needs to happen - what good, solid esper pair bonding can do to help a people rebound from the brink of extinction. No Vectorians will cross us once we have built up our numbers. We will crush them, and all that oppose us."
"You're mad..."
"No. I'm a leader, your leader. Go and get the main tent ready for our arrival. You may move into ours. And Seranfrit... if you cross me, I will give you the same courtesy I gave your pathetic husband."
Ruthivan watched Seranfrit scramble as she rushed through the forest. He turned and walked back to the tent house and froze when he met eyes with Celiara and the other children. He smiled, and they fled back into the house. His breath caught in his throat and a scowl came to his face. Claire. She made him do this. She made him kill her father and as a result, she made his children fear him. 'No matter,' he thought. 'Time will heal that wound, and when they see what an esper leader should be, they will understand why that needed to happen. All would be as it should be.' Ruthivan entered the house.
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query label:RPnote label:Ruthivan. Sort by date Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query label:RPnote label:Ruthivan. Sort by date Show all posts
The Unthinkable
Sanria sat at her desk in the castle. Her familiar knot of wood in the top staring back at her. It had been several days since she'd been to "visit" Claire, her mind had been reeling. She knew Claire's story, she knew Claire had been dominated completely by the man she was with, and could only arrive at one conclusion to help her solve the problem. They'd have to get rid of Ruthivan... permanently.
Killing a being to free another, was that right? The voices crept into Sanria's mind. 'Is there not a severe imbalance in that relationship? Is it not your duty to help balance?' No. Sanria shook her head in consternation. She was no killer. She sighed deeply and dug into her mind for answers. If they couldn't kill him, and he could manage to travel the planes (meaning he would most certainly return to collect Claire), what other possibility was there?
A soft knock on the door revealed Enmach, who swooped into the room under her usual graces. "Greetings Sanria. I apologize that I have not been around as of late." Sanria waved her hand dismissively, and then the idea struck her like a thunderbolt from the skies. "Enmach... have I ever told you of my friend, Claire?" "Only that she was once the lover of your husband."
Sanria shifted uncomfortably in her chair, deciding now was not the time to let Enmach in on all the facts of her relationship. She told her of Claire's life, current and past. Finally, Sanria looked at Enmach and let out a sigh. "Is it possible," here she paused, knowing that once this thought was in the world, there was no taking it back, "that we can alter his memories just as your people altered Colin's?"
Enmach knitted her brows and looked to the desk. "You realize what you are proposing is kidnapping and forcing someone to our will?" "I know..." Sanria's voice dropped to a whisper. "But if she doesn't get help..." "Does she want help? Did you ask?" "I didn't have a chance. Though it is not difficult to see that she is in dire straits." Enmach sighed heavily. "I'll talk to Fenlauch." She looked at Sanria and Sanria could see the confusion in the silver eyes. "You realize what you are suggesting is the same thing that happened to you..." Sanria looked down and gave a singular nod. "I know," she breathed as a whisper of shame.
Killing a being to free another, was that right? The voices crept into Sanria's mind. 'Is there not a severe imbalance in that relationship? Is it not your duty to help balance?' No. Sanria shook her head in consternation. She was no killer. She sighed deeply and dug into her mind for answers. If they couldn't kill him, and he could manage to travel the planes (meaning he would most certainly return to collect Claire), what other possibility was there?
A soft knock on the door revealed Enmach, who swooped into the room under her usual graces. "Greetings Sanria. I apologize that I have not been around as of late." Sanria waved her hand dismissively, and then the idea struck her like a thunderbolt from the skies. "Enmach... have I ever told you of my friend, Claire?" "Only that she was once the lover of your husband."
Sanria shifted uncomfortably in her chair, deciding now was not the time to let Enmach in on all the facts of her relationship. She told her of Claire's life, current and past. Finally, Sanria looked at Enmach and let out a sigh. "Is it possible," here she paused, knowing that once this thought was in the world, there was no taking it back, "that we can alter his memories just as your people altered Colin's?"
Enmach knitted her brows and looked to the desk. "You realize what you are proposing is kidnapping and forcing someone to our will?" "I know..." Sanria's voice dropped to a whisper. "But if she doesn't get help..." "Does she want help? Did you ask?" "I didn't have a chance. Though it is not difficult to see that she is in dire straits." Enmach sighed heavily. "I'll talk to Fenlauch." She looked at Sanria and Sanria could see the confusion in the silver eyes. "You realize what you are suggesting is the same thing that happened to you..." Sanria looked down and gave a singular nod. "I know," she breathed as a whisper of shame.
Deepening Resentment
Claire lay that night in a crushing embrace that held her close to Ruthivan's chest. He had been angry with her yet again, she'd cast a spell on him to bring the worst discomfort and refused to heal him. Still, he held her close to him and heard none of her protests.
She had sworn to get free of the bond that linked them together, swore to get free of him, and as swiftly as she'd breathed the words, he'd reminded her that she was trapped in the house. The ward that surrounded it, tailor tuned to her own frequencies, keeping her prisoner. 'It will be there until you learn your place,' he'd said. 'What does that mean?' she asked, unable to even pull away from him enough to look at him. 'As long as you have to ask, it will be there.'
What could she do? Claire was raising a brood with this... monster. She hated that she felt a clear resentment toward her children as well. They were half of him, her blood and his own were locked in them for eternity - mingled together to never be taken apart. If she did find a way out of this place, did she take them and hope to conquer the twisted racist message he'd hammered into them? Or leave them behind, lost causes to grow into xenophobic hatemongers like the man who was their father?
The final question... getting out of here. Her own father had given her to Ruthivan like cattle without concern over his angry tendencies. If he knew what Ruthivan had done, he would surely free her of the marriage... but she couldn't go tell him. Certainly, Ruthivan wouldn't let her. Unless... she tried to fake everything until he was satisfied in her compliance.
Claire closed her eyes and brought back one of the best memories she had - a picnic behind the cottage - Gilean's face when she brought out the chocolate covered strawberries. She let the warm feelings spread and when she opened her eyes in the darkness of the bedroom, she noticed a faint purple glow coming from her skin. She would hold the memories tightly, her flames would return, and Ruthivan would have to slowly release his grip. When he did, Claire would take her chance.
She had sworn to get free of the bond that linked them together, swore to get free of him, and as swiftly as she'd breathed the words, he'd reminded her that she was trapped in the house. The ward that surrounded it, tailor tuned to her own frequencies, keeping her prisoner. 'It will be there until you learn your place,' he'd said. 'What does that mean?' she asked, unable to even pull away from him enough to look at him. 'As long as you have to ask, it will be there.'
What could she do? Claire was raising a brood with this... monster. She hated that she felt a clear resentment toward her children as well. They were half of him, her blood and his own were locked in them for eternity - mingled together to never be taken apart. If she did find a way out of this place, did she take them and hope to conquer the twisted racist message he'd hammered into them? Or leave them behind, lost causes to grow into xenophobic hatemongers like the man who was their father?
The final question... getting out of here. Her own father had given her to Ruthivan like cattle without concern over his angry tendencies. If he knew what Ruthivan had done, he would surely free her of the marriage... but she couldn't go tell him. Certainly, Ruthivan wouldn't let her. Unless... she tried to fake everything until he was satisfied in her compliance.
Claire closed her eyes and brought back one of the best memories she had - a picnic behind the cottage - Gilean's face when she brought out the chocolate covered strawberries. She let the warm feelings spread and when she opened her eyes in the darkness of the bedroom, she noticed a faint purple glow coming from her skin. She would hold the memories tightly, her flames would return, and Ruthivan would have to slowly release his grip. When he did, Claire would take her chance.
Arrivals and Declarations
Claire had spoken with her daughter. She had the chance as they walked the quarter mile into the camp from their home in exile. Ruthvan kept his arm linked in hers, preventing her escape and giving the impression to the children that things were okay. They remained behind, walking in wary silence. It would have been the perfect time for Claire to get away- would have been - if Ruthivan hadn't threatened her before leaving: 'If you try anything, anything at all, I will hunt you down and find you, my love. And I will have to teach you a lesson, do you understand?'
They arrived in the camp, subverting the magics that kept the entire tribe hidden from the world. Every esper face had gathered in the commons, standing and watching them. There were thirtyfive espers, all faces Claire and Ruthivan knew. Many looked at Ruthivan with a solidarity that made Claire sick. Others simply looked on with shock. Ruthivan halted and pulled Claire close to his side. 'As soon as I have my family settled, I will address you all. Suffice for now, it is as Seranfrit told you. I am your new Kra'bat, and Claire is your rightful Kra'ineba, the daughter of Eladrim, making me your rightful Elder.'
'Welcome, Elder Ruthivan. Welcome back, Kra'ineba.'
The entered the tent followed by one of Ruthivan's hand picked wizards. 'We need protections on our home. Kra'ineba Claire is not to leave or use her magic until she learns her place.' The older esper turned his swirling magenta eyes on Claire and nodded.
'It will be as you ask, Elder.'
'Good.'
'Please,' Claire croaked. 'Stop calling me that. I am not the Kra'ineba. You are not the Elder. We are imposters in our own tribe.'
'You see?' Ruthivan said, gripping Claire's arm tightly. 'She has lost her way and needs guideance until she finds herself again.' The wizard bowed and nodded. 'Yes. Kra'ineba has always had a desire to flee us.'
'Indeed,' Ruthivan answered coldly. 'Make your enchantments quickly so I may address the tribe.'
As the wizard worked, Ruthivan escorted Claire to the bedroom. She winced as he tightened his grip and shook her. 'You had better resign yourself quickly to your fate, Claire. This is what we are meant to do. It is our destiny, yours, mine, and our children.'
'This is wrong, all of it.'
'The only wrong is the way this world has treated our kind. And that is the wrong we shall rectify.'
They arrived in the camp, subverting the magics that kept the entire tribe hidden from the world. Every esper face had gathered in the commons, standing and watching them. There were thirtyfive espers, all faces Claire and Ruthivan knew. Many looked at Ruthivan with a solidarity that made Claire sick. Others simply looked on with shock. Ruthivan halted and pulled Claire close to his side. 'As soon as I have my family settled, I will address you all. Suffice for now, it is as Seranfrit told you. I am your new Kra'bat, and Claire is your rightful Kra'ineba, the daughter of Eladrim, making me your rightful Elder.'
'Welcome, Elder Ruthivan. Welcome back, Kra'ineba.'
The entered the tent followed by one of Ruthivan's hand picked wizards. 'We need protections on our home. Kra'ineba Claire is not to leave or use her magic until she learns her place.' The older esper turned his swirling magenta eyes on Claire and nodded.
'It will be as you ask, Elder.'
'Good.'
'Please,' Claire croaked. 'Stop calling me that. I am not the Kra'ineba. You are not the Elder. We are imposters in our own tribe.'
'You see?' Ruthivan said, gripping Claire's arm tightly. 'She has lost her way and needs guideance until she finds herself again.' The wizard bowed and nodded. 'Yes. Kra'ineba has always had a desire to flee us.'
'Indeed,' Ruthivan answered coldly. 'Make your enchantments quickly so I may address the tribe.'
As the wizard worked, Ruthivan escorted Claire to the bedroom. She winced as he tightened his grip and shook her. 'You had better resign yourself quickly to your fate, Claire. This is what we are meant to do. It is our destiny, yours, mine, and our children.'
'This is wrong, all of it.'
'The only wrong is the way this world has treated our kind. And that is the wrong we shall rectify.'
Phases of the Moon 1/2
Claire sat in the living room, a book in her lap, ignoring from the corner of her eye the fact that Ruthivan was sitting and staring at her. She kept reading the same passage over and over again:
"And when the one is brought forth, strong of mind and might, a seeker of true and noble heritage, and pure lineage, it is then our home shall be rediscovered. The quest to end all quests, the battle to end all battles, and we will find our way home. Our world to rebuild, our posterity safe as our progenitors desired. Espers in harmony with Espers, destructive hands far from our boundless lives. Pure lands to extend into perpetuity unchanging."
'I read it,' Claire said quietly. 'Again,' he demanded. 'This time read it aloud.'
Claire sighed and read the passage. She ended up in the living room after a night under heavy sedation. She'd woken up completely healed, barely remembering the cloth clapped over her face that made her groggy. Barely remembering the healer she didn't know, the esper who came into the room with the same feelings as Ruthivan. Barely remembered being healed completely, restored, and having magic worked on her to make her incredibly fertile. She did, however, recall as the sedative wore off, the promise. 'If anything happens to this little one, we'll have to ensure you're kept ... calm.'
'Again.'
'Ruthivan, I don't need to-'
'Read it AGAIN.'
"And when the one is brought forth, strong of mind and might, a seeker of true and noble heritage, and pure lineage, it is then our home shall be rediscovered. The quest to end all quests, the battle to end all battles, and we will find our way home. Our world to rebuild, our posterity safe as our progenitors desired. Espers in harmony with Espers, destructive hands far from our boundless lives. Pure lands to extend into perpetuity unchanging."
'I read it,' Claire said quietly. 'Again,' he demanded. 'This time read it aloud.'
Claire sighed and read the passage. She ended up in the living room after a night under heavy sedation. She'd woken up completely healed, barely remembering the cloth clapped over her face that made her groggy. Barely remembering the healer she didn't know, the esper who came into the room with the same feelings as Ruthivan. Barely remembered being healed completely, restored, and having magic worked on her to make her incredibly fertile. She did, however, recall as the sedative wore off, the promise. 'If anything happens to this little one, we'll have to ensure you're kept ... calm.'
'Again.'
'Ruthivan, I don't need to-'
'Read it AGAIN.'
Last Exhale
Claire sent the boy for the wizard, and the old esper came, knowing what she wanted. 'Please,' Claire said, breathlessly. 'That's my daughter out there. I have to help, I have to stop this.'
'Kra'ineba...' the wizard stammered. 'If you don't help me, she'll die, and I want no more bloodshed!'
The old one nodded, and Claire felt the magic that held her in the tent release. She ran out to find a ferocious battle, one raging only because her daughter was part Celestial and able to keep herself sharp. But her mistake was coming outside, into Mirin's view.
Mirin raised her hand and Victoria shot a blast of energy into Mirin's side. Claire rushed forward into the fray just as Ruthivan slammed his massive paw down. Claire felt every bone in her body shiver, then crack. Pain flooded her body until she could no longer feel anything.
She lay on the ground, every short inhale sharp and stinging, until even that ceased. Claire's last moment, her last vision, was Ruthivan on his knees with his mouth moving but no sound. She tried to smile, but never knew if it ever showed on her face.
All was a blur as her spirit recoiled from her shell and crept down into Toril to rejoin with the heartbeat of the planet.
'Kra'ineba...' the wizard stammered. 'If you don't help me, she'll die, and I want no more bloodshed!'
The old one nodded, and Claire felt the magic that held her in the tent release. She ran out to find a ferocious battle, one raging only because her daughter was part Celestial and able to keep herself sharp. But her mistake was coming outside, into Mirin's view.
Mirin raised her hand and Victoria shot a blast of energy into Mirin's side. Claire rushed forward into the fray just as Ruthivan slammed his massive paw down. Claire felt every bone in her body shiver, then crack. Pain flooded her body until she could no longer feel anything.
She lay on the ground, every short inhale sharp and stinging, until even that ceased. Claire's last moment, her last vision, was Ruthivan on his knees with his mouth moving but no sound. She tried to smile, but never knew if it ever showed on her face.
All was a blur as her spirit recoiled from her shell and crept down into Toril to rejoin with the heartbeat of the planet.
Speaking to Shadows of Wolves
Sanria kissed Matinus on the head, the boy sitting on the couch with her so long, reading his heart out until he had fallen asleep. She slipped from his side, covering him with the light blanket that lay on the back of the sofa and quietly ascended the stairs. She found Kaliadra sitting up in Matinus' bed, looking out the window. "He's burying him," she said without turning around. Sanria walked in and looked out of the window, then sat on the edge of the bed.
"How are you, Kaliadra?"
The elven woman turned to look at Sanria, her face seeming worn and tired. "How are we, you mean?"
"I suppose that would be a good starting point."
"We can't die, Sanria."
"I feared that."
"I don't know how to get this spell off of me, and if I can not, we are in for a long road of eternal suffering. I am afraid all the sorcerers I knew are either dead or vanished beyond all reaching."
"Perhaps we don't have to suffer?"
Kaliadra smirked and Sanria looked down. "I felt it, you know? When you were down there with Colin. He recalls, does he not?"
"Yes," Sanria sighed quietly. "He does."
"What will you do?"
"I married Gilean, didn't I?"
"Yes. That you did. But you are not known for keeping yourself away from Colin in any reliable fashion."
"I'll have to. Gilean has been so hurt - first with Claire and that whole Ruthivan business, then with Velentham..."
Sanria stopped and stared at her lap. "Kaliadra, I'm pregnant with his child."
"I'm sorry."
"What do I do? Do I keep this in penance for all the young lives I have lost? Or do I get rid of it to keep myself from possibly hating a child?"
"You would not hate it, Sanria," Kaliadra said, giving a half smile.
"You have never managed to hate a child, even the ones that might be deserving of it."
"But what about Gilean?"
"Perhaps you should ask him his opinion?"
Sanria continued staring, her eyes leaving her lap and falling onto the carpeted floor. She let out a deep sigh. "Kaliadra, I'm sorry."
"For?"
"Everything. Driving you insane, making you feel all my pain."
"We cannot control what we feel, Sanria," Kaliadra sighed and looked back out the window. "We can only do the best we can do."
"Somehow I feel that I should be able to do better than what I have."
"Mmm. Perhaps. This may be your opportunity."
"What do you mean?"
"You have a boy who has adopted you as his mother, a husband who is sick with worry that you are going to leave him - "
Sanria looked up at Kaliadra. "What?"
"There are things I can feel that you cannot, and that man digging the hole is terrified that he has lost you to Colin already."
"He... is?"
"And, I should add," she said, turning her eyes onto Sanria, "Your daughter knew I was a wolf without my being a wolf."
"Nioma?"
"It seems she has some aptitude after all, what use it will be remains to be seen."
"How are you, Kaliadra?"
The elven woman turned to look at Sanria, her face seeming worn and tired. "How are we, you mean?"
"I suppose that would be a good starting point."
"We can't die, Sanria."
"I feared that."
"I don't know how to get this spell off of me, and if I can not, we are in for a long road of eternal suffering. I am afraid all the sorcerers I knew are either dead or vanished beyond all reaching."
"Perhaps we don't have to suffer?"
Kaliadra smirked and Sanria looked down. "I felt it, you know? When you were down there with Colin. He recalls, does he not?"
"Yes," Sanria sighed quietly. "He does."
"What will you do?"
"I married Gilean, didn't I?"
"Yes. That you did. But you are not known for keeping yourself away from Colin in any reliable fashion."
"I'll have to. Gilean has been so hurt - first with Claire and that whole Ruthivan business, then with Velentham..."
Sanria stopped and stared at her lap. "Kaliadra, I'm pregnant with his child."
"I'm sorry."
"What do I do? Do I keep this in penance for all the young lives I have lost? Or do I get rid of it to keep myself from possibly hating a child?"
"You would not hate it, Sanria," Kaliadra said, giving a half smile.
"You have never managed to hate a child, even the ones that might be deserving of it."
"But what about Gilean?"
"Perhaps you should ask him his opinion?"
Sanria continued staring, her eyes leaving her lap and falling onto the carpeted floor. She let out a deep sigh. "Kaliadra, I'm sorry."
"For?"
"Everything. Driving you insane, making you feel all my pain."
"We cannot control what we feel, Sanria," Kaliadra sighed and looked back out the window. "We can only do the best we can do."
"Somehow I feel that I should be able to do better than what I have."
"Mmm. Perhaps. This may be your opportunity."
"What do you mean?"
"You have a boy who has adopted you as his mother, a husband who is sick with worry that you are going to leave him - "
Sanria looked up at Kaliadra. "What?"
"There are things I can feel that you cannot, and that man digging the hole is terrified that he has lost you to Colin already."
"He... is?"
"And, I should add," she said, turning her eyes onto Sanria, "Your daughter knew I was a wolf without my being a wolf."
"Nioma?"
"It seems she has some aptitude after all, what use it will be remains to be seen."
Expulsion (2/3)
Claire could sense Ruthivan's vibrations and knew that the situation was growing perilous. Still, there was nothing she could do. He gripped her arm and shook her, the first time he had ever put a hand on her. She had to admit to them she was under house arrest, that she wasn't allowed, like a child, wasn't allowed to have visitors. Still, Orn and Sanria weren't leaving, not fast enough.
Sanria seemed to get it, and Claire found a bit of relief. "I believe we've been asked to leave, so we should in order to not cause any trouble."
"Do as your mother bids, boy. You can take your sister and her mongrel with you."
"I'm sorry? What?" Orn asked.
No, not this... Claire felt frantic energy as she watched Ruthivan take a step toward Orn. "Your sister and her mongrel that she made with the boy that was intended to be my son. Do I need to speak slower for your comprehension?"
"Mongrel?"
Things were spinning and spiraling out of control and didn't stop until in a flash of light, Ruthivan was in his battle form. He looked like Ifrit, with slight differences, and was stooped into the living room being to tall for its space. Claire knew in a moment, Orn might have a battle to the death on his hands.
Claire found herself shoved roughly out of the way, shocked that Ruthivan had suddenly chosen to get physical. The fear went through her again and she found herself disgusted by her cowardice and the shame that sat on her features.
Sanria seemed to get it, and Claire found a bit of relief. "I believe we've been asked to leave, so we should in order to not cause any trouble."
"Do as your mother bids, boy. You can take your sister and her mongrel with you."
"I'm sorry? What?" Orn asked.
No, not this... Claire felt frantic energy as she watched Ruthivan take a step toward Orn. "Your sister and her mongrel that she made with the boy that was intended to be my son. Do I need to speak slower for your comprehension?"
"Mongrel?"
Things were spinning and spiraling out of control and didn't stop until in a flash of light, Ruthivan was in his battle form. He looked like Ifrit, with slight differences, and was stooped into the living room being to tall for its space. Claire knew in a moment, Orn might have a battle to the death on his hands.
Claire found herself shoved roughly out of the way, shocked that Ruthivan had suddenly chosen to get physical. The fear went through her again and she found herself disgusted by her cowardice and the shame that sat on her features.
Dedication
Gilean sat in the chair in the living room near the fireplace reading a large book about something to do with expunging exotic poisons. Truth be told, though his eyes had been scanning over the words for many minutes, he hadn't read a single bit of it. His thoughts were far too absorbed with the tumultuous state of his family.
It hadn't helped that Claire had managed a visit yesterday. She was able to only briefly slip away from the oppressive watch of Ruthivan but the woman who Gilean saw seemed far from the Claire he knew... the Claire he loved. The magical flames normally alight upon her head were practically non-existent and she showed almost no emotion. She seemed somehow broken and it absolutely tore at Gilean's heart.
It was worse when Matinus wouldn't even acknowledge Claire as his mother. 'She is not my mom! Sanria is my mom! She's here, and she loves me!' The boy's words still rang through Gilean's mind. He had yelled at Matinus and sent him to his room, angered to see the additional pain those words inflicted on the already broken Claire. Claire had criticized Gilean for reprimanding the boy.
'He has every right to feel as he does. Matinus felt threatened by something, and I believe that something is his father standing with another woman who is never here saying to hug her and treat her like a mother. I am no longer his mother. I am merely the woman who gave him life.'
Gilean had accepted Claire's words and later spoke to Matinus. He attempted to apologize for not always being there for his son. First when he lost Claire to Ruthivan, then more recently when Sanria was taken by Velentham. Matinus had been very guarded and resentful, even going so far as to tell Gilean, 'If you leave mom I'm going to live with her. I don't want to live with you, Dad. Not if you want that other lady. Because I don't believe you.'
That had almost been too much for Gilean. Not only had the boy questioned his feelings for Sanria, but to hear another of his children essentially tell him what a terrible father he was... It was too late to change things for Mirin, who had essentially grown up with the Stones, but it wasn't too late for Matinus. He had promised his son then and there he would do whatever was necessary to keep this family together.
Here he sat with the knowledge of Kalidra's secret weighing on him. There was no baby. It was a secret he would bear. He had to see this family stay together. For Matinus, for Nioma, for Sanria, for the little one yet to be born. He would do whatever it took. This time, things would be right.
It hadn't helped that Claire had managed a visit yesterday. She was able to only briefly slip away from the oppressive watch of Ruthivan but the woman who Gilean saw seemed far from the Claire he knew... the Claire he loved. The magical flames normally alight upon her head were practically non-existent and she showed almost no emotion. She seemed somehow broken and it absolutely tore at Gilean's heart.
It was worse when Matinus wouldn't even acknowledge Claire as his mother. 'She is not my mom! Sanria is my mom! She's here, and she loves me!' The boy's words still rang through Gilean's mind. He had yelled at Matinus and sent him to his room, angered to see the additional pain those words inflicted on the already broken Claire. Claire had criticized Gilean for reprimanding the boy.
'He has every right to feel as he does. Matinus felt threatened by something, and I believe that something is his father standing with another woman who is never here saying to hug her and treat her like a mother. I am no longer his mother. I am merely the woman who gave him life.'
Gilean had accepted Claire's words and later spoke to Matinus. He attempted to apologize for not always being there for his son. First when he lost Claire to Ruthivan, then more recently when Sanria was taken by Velentham. Matinus had been very guarded and resentful, even going so far as to tell Gilean, 'If you leave mom I'm going to live with her. I don't want to live with you, Dad. Not if you want that other lady. Because I don't believe you.'
That had almost been too much for Gilean. Not only had the boy questioned his feelings for Sanria, but to hear another of his children essentially tell him what a terrible father he was... It was too late to change things for Mirin, who had essentially grown up with the Stones, but it wasn't too late for Matinus. He had promised his son then and there he would do whatever was necessary to keep this family together.
Here he sat with the knowledge of Kalidra's secret weighing on him. There was no baby. It was a secret he would bear. He had to see this family stay together. For Matinus, for Nioma, for Sanria, for the little one yet to be born. He would do whatever it took. This time, things would be right.
Unexpected Guest
Claire at last found the energy to walk out her front door. She sat on the stoop, looking down over the ferns and grasses, lost in thought. She considered returning to Faerun - going back to her mother and marrying Ruthivan. It wasn't the life she sought for herself, but it wouldn't cause her the pain that seemed to follow her on Cruoris. There she could simply help her own kind, carry on the genetic legacy of Espers, and be at ease. Certainly, it would mean turning her back on her charges in Westbridge - giving up on aiding those that truly needed it - but anything was better than -
The sound of footsteps pulled her from her own mind and Claire looked over to see Gilean approaching. "Hello Claire. I hope I'm not disturbing you." There was nothing to disturb. Claire invited her friend inside and at his questioning, told him what had transpired. She looked down at the pack by her side and pulled out the orchids that had been given to her by Psycho. It was over. As she spoke, she removed the enchantment that kept them beautiful and fresh and tossed them into the fireplace. She hung her head as they rapidly curled and turned to ash.
The conversation quieted and so lost in her thoughts was she that Claire barely registered Gilean's voice, You know... I haven't had a chance to see this new house of yours. Do you feel up for a tour? She found the energy to rise and to show him the rooms of her house, as well as Emalia's grave in the back.
The small cottage did not take long to show. I must admit, I'm a bit jealous, Gilean said once they had finished. The accommodations at the temple aren't nearly so nice. 'If you would like you may stay here,' Claire offered. 'I have the extra room.'
Oh, no... I wouldn't want to impose...
'It would be no imposition. Besides, should I choose to go home, you might be able to purchase it for your own.'
Well, alright then. I will stop looking the gift horse in the mouth and graciously accept your offer.
Claire parted with Gilean, leaving him to move himself into the guest room, and entered the library. She sat there, surrounded by all of Emalia's old healing books, and suddenly had reality hit her. She just gained a roommate. She let out a long sigh and shook her head in spite of herself. Broken hearts were certainly not conducive to clear minds.
The sound of footsteps pulled her from her own mind and Claire looked over to see Gilean approaching. "Hello Claire. I hope I'm not disturbing you." There was nothing to disturb. Claire invited her friend inside and at his questioning, told him what had transpired. She looked down at the pack by her side and pulled out the orchids that had been given to her by Psycho. It was over. As she spoke, she removed the enchantment that kept them beautiful and fresh and tossed them into the fireplace. She hung her head as they rapidly curled and turned to ash.
The conversation quieted and so lost in her thoughts was she that Claire barely registered Gilean's voice, You know... I haven't had a chance to see this new house of yours. Do you feel up for a tour? She found the energy to rise and to show him the rooms of her house, as well as Emalia's grave in the back.
The small cottage did not take long to show. I must admit, I'm a bit jealous, Gilean said once they had finished. The accommodations at the temple aren't nearly so nice. 'If you would like you may stay here,' Claire offered. 'I have the extra room.'
Oh, no... I wouldn't want to impose...
'It would be no imposition. Besides, should I choose to go home, you might be able to purchase it for your own.'
Well, alright then. I will stop looking the gift horse in the mouth and graciously accept your offer.
Claire parted with Gilean, leaving him to move himself into the guest room, and entered the library. She sat there, surrounded by all of Emalia's old healing books, and suddenly had reality hit her. She just gained a roommate. She let out a long sigh and shook her head in spite of herself. Broken hearts were certainly not conducive to clear minds.
Questioning Yourself (1-2)
Ruthivan watched Claire's even rise and fall of a deep sleep. He got up and leaned against the window, looking out over the night as if fell on the hill, and over the camp to the west. That was where he had ultimately wanted to be. Accepted back into the group of Espers that Claire's father led. But he had a human and half-breed living behind him, and he happened to marry the one Esper in that group who never could be bothered to stay home and help her own people. He thought he could change her.
There was a pang of guilt he felt as he turned back to look at her. He had four children with her and wanted at least eight. But she had wanted none of them. Certainly, she loved them and took care of them as she should, but just that he had found her at the door was- frightening- to him. He'd seen desperate people before, and rarely were they ever rational. But he'd forced them all on her, and now the fifth she carried. He supposed, all the while, that she would settle down. And for a time she had.
Now they were back to square one. Ruthivan pulled on a robe and sent a message to Eladrim, waking Claire's father. "What do you want, Ruthivan."
"Please, Eladrim, can we meet in the forest to talk?"
"My daughter?"
"Yes. I need help."
It wasn't long before the two stood in the trees, a protection spell hiding them from the rest of the world, keeping their voices from being heard to all outside of the bubble. "She hates me but she won't listen to reason. She's expecting," Ruthivan said.
"Again?"
Eladrim seemed put off, but Ruthivan persisted. Claire's father truly was the only one left to whom he could appeal. "Yes, our fifth."
"Yet she hates you? How did this happen?"
"I... had to..."
"You drugged her?"
"Yes, Eladrim," and Ruthivan bowed his head. "But if I did nothing she would have left. She wants to break the bond and leave me and her children."
Eladrim stared at Ruthivan in the dark. There was a look of disgust nestled in his eyes, but pity as well. "Ruthivan, you've pressed so hard on her and she still refuses you. Have you considered letting her go?"
"No," Ruthivan snapped. "She is with me, she's my wife, mother of our children."
"And she doesn't want any of it. Her mother and I have given up - she is a lost cause. You already have children with her, why not count them blessings and release her?"
"Because if I can just get her to see, we can come back to the group, we can be around our own people and not in exile."
Ruthivan could feel the energies of Eladrim bristle. "So long as she runs away and you chase her and force her, you are not welcome. You know that."
"Then help me," Ruthivan said, going down onto a knee. He bowed his head and pulled his hands to his forehead. "Please. I can't lose her and I can't have her leave her children. I just want her to love me, Eladrim. I want to give her the world, if only she'd love me."
There was a long sigh in the darkness. "Stand." Ruthivan did as he was told. "I will speak to my daughter for your sake. If I can make her see sense, then we can work toward your reinstatement. But if she does not wish this, you may well have to release her."
Ruthivan held his tongue even as a trill of dread raced through him. The last thing he wanted was to give up. He nodded. "I will wake her."
There was a pang of guilt he felt as he turned back to look at her. He had four children with her and wanted at least eight. But she had wanted none of them. Certainly, she loved them and took care of them as she should, but just that he had found her at the door was- frightening- to him. He'd seen desperate people before, and rarely were they ever rational. But he'd forced them all on her, and now the fifth she carried. He supposed, all the while, that she would settle down. And for a time she had.
Now they were back to square one. Ruthivan pulled on a robe and sent a message to Eladrim, waking Claire's father. "What do you want, Ruthivan."
"Please, Eladrim, can we meet in the forest to talk?"
"My daughter?"
"Yes. I need help."
It wasn't long before the two stood in the trees, a protection spell hiding them from the rest of the world, keeping their voices from being heard to all outside of the bubble. "She hates me but she won't listen to reason. She's expecting," Ruthivan said.
"Again?"
Eladrim seemed put off, but Ruthivan persisted. Claire's father truly was the only one left to whom he could appeal. "Yes, our fifth."
"Yet she hates you? How did this happen?"
"I... had to..."
"You drugged her?"
"Yes, Eladrim," and Ruthivan bowed his head. "But if I did nothing she would have left. She wants to break the bond and leave me and her children."
Eladrim stared at Ruthivan in the dark. There was a look of disgust nestled in his eyes, but pity as well. "Ruthivan, you've pressed so hard on her and she still refuses you. Have you considered letting her go?"
"No," Ruthivan snapped. "She is with me, she's my wife, mother of our children."
"And she doesn't want any of it. Her mother and I have given up - she is a lost cause. You already have children with her, why not count them blessings and release her?"
"Because if I can just get her to see, we can come back to the group, we can be around our own people and not in exile."
Ruthivan could feel the energies of Eladrim bristle. "So long as she runs away and you chase her and force her, you are not welcome. You know that."
"Then help me," Ruthivan said, going down onto a knee. He bowed his head and pulled his hands to his forehead. "Please. I can't lose her and I can't have her leave her children. I just want her to love me, Eladrim. I want to give her the world, if only she'd love me."
There was a long sigh in the darkness. "Stand." Ruthivan did as he was told. "I will speak to my daughter for your sake. If I can make her see sense, then we can work toward your reinstatement. But if she does not wish this, you may well have to release her."
Ruthivan held his tongue even as a trill of dread raced through him. The last thing he wanted was to give up. He nodded. "I will wake her."
Elder Ruthivan
'We will leave tomorrow. So pack your things and be ready.' Claire stared at Ruthivan in horror. Not only had she just witnessed him slay her own father in cold blood, now he was taking over the tribe her father built with his own hands. She stared at him and shook her head. 'No. You're not...' 'I'm not what?' Ruthivan snapped and rounded the table by which Claire stood. She swallowed, carefully choosing her words. 'You're not high born, you didn't earn it.' 'Your father didn't *earn* it. He was worthless as a leader. I will show all of them how things should be run. We will never be at the mercy of Vector again.'
Claire could say nothing. She bowed her head and nodded. She had no flames, she had no time to pretend that everything was well. She looked at the blood stain on the floor and fought the rise of emotions that choked her. 'Clean that up.' Ruthivan said, and left the room.
Dutifully, Claire went to the sink and filled a bowl with water. She couldn't even use magic to take care of the blood of her father. She got on her knees and wiped up the floor. She withdrew into herself with each stroke of the rag, knowing this was the end. She would never be free of this life.
'By the way,' Ruthivan said, entering the kitchen again as he rolled up his sleeves, 'you will do well to drop this attitude. Our people will need a figurehead to look up to - a tribal queen that is worthy of their adoration.' 'And what do you think they will say when your mate cannot leave her house.' 'Nothing, if they know what is what. You will learn to love me, Claire. You may think you hate me now, but you will learn. We have eons for you to gain understanding.' 'It will never happen.'
Ruthivan was on her like lightning. He lifted her onto her feet and shook her in both his hands. 'You will learn, do you hear me? Now, say it!' 'Say what?' she asked, her arms throbbing in his powerful grip. 'Tell me what you think of me, my love.' His request rolled out like a snarl. Claire closed her eyes and set her jaw. He shook her again, harder this time. 'The children hate you.'
The powerful slap across her face came from nowhere. She kept her eyes closed, her head bowed. 'Tell me what you think of me,' he repeated, and only when he drew back his fist to strike, did she let the disgusting words fall from her lips:
'I love you.'
Claire could say nothing. She bowed her head and nodded. She had no flames, she had no time to pretend that everything was well. She looked at the blood stain on the floor and fought the rise of emotions that choked her. 'Clean that up.' Ruthivan said, and left the room.
Dutifully, Claire went to the sink and filled a bowl with water. She couldn't even use magic to take care of the blood of her father. She got on her knees and wiped up the floor. She withdrew into herself with each stroke of the rag, knowing this was the end. She would never be free of this life.
'By the way,' Ruthivan said, entering the kitchen again as he rolled up his sleeves, 'you will do well to drop this attitude. Our people will need a figurehead to look up to - a tribal queen that is worthy of their adoration.' 'And what do you think they will say when your mate cannot leave her house.' 'Nothing, if they know what is what. You will learn to love me, Claire. You may think you hate me now, but you will learn. We have eons for you to gain understanding.' 'It will never happen.'
Ruthivan was on her like lightning. He lifted her onto her feet and shook her in both his hands. 'You will learn, do you hear me? Now, say it!' 'Say what?' she asked, her arms throbbing in his powerful grip. 'Tell me what you think of me, my love.' His request rolled out like a snarl. Claire closed her eyes and set her jaw. He shook her again, harder this time. 'The children hate you.'
The powerful slap across her face came from nowhere. She kept her eyes closed, her head bowed. 'Tell me what you think of me,' he repeated, and only when he drew back his fist to strike, did she let the disgusting words fall from her lips:
'I love you.'
Dinner
His eyes bulged and he could feel the rage that coursed through him electrify and ignite. Only the calm he forced on himself kept him from turning into the beast and ripping the table asunder. He glared at Claire, then felt the icy blue eyes of Eladrim on his face. "Is this true?" Eladrim asked.
"Now, dear, you don't mean all of that, do you?" Seranfrit coddled, patting Claire's hand.
"I mean it all," Claire answered, finally looking at him. He wanted to kill her.
"Children," Ruthivan said, measuring his patience.
"Take your food to your rooms."
"But father," Celiara whined and was silenced by the glare from under his brows.
"Go. Now."
Ruthivan gripped the sides of the table and forced himself to look at Eladrim. "I had to knock a bout of sense into her, that is all."
"And I'm your prisoner in this house," Claire added.
"You are being kept safe," he said.
"I want out. I want out now."
"Ruthivan, you knew my rule. If Claire was not in agreement with this arrangement, you would have to set her free."
He couldn't contain it, and he felt the change ripple over him. He was the beast, he was beyond any soothing or consoling. He let out a roar in Eladrim's face, his clawed fists clenched. "I will not let you take my family from me. They are mine!"
Eladrim stood calmly, closing his eyes and bowing his head. Suddenly, he exhaled, frost flowing from his mouth and over Ruthivan, freezing him in place. Ruthivan could see out of his prison, he could hear the conversation, but he could not move or fight against the superior magic that held him fast.
"Now, dear, you don't mean all of that, do you?" Seranfrit coddled, patting Claire's hand.
"I mean it all," Claire answered, finally looking at him. He wanted to kill her.
"Children," Ruthivan said, measuring his patience.
"Take your food to your rooms."
"But father," Celiara whined and was silenced by the glare from under his brows.
"Go. Now."
Ruthivan gripped the sides of the table and forced himself to look at Eladrim. "I had to knock a bout of sense into her, that is all."
"And I'm your prisoner in this house," Claire added.
"You are being kept safe," he said.
"I want out. I want out now."
"Ruthivan, you knew my rule. If Claire was not in agreement with this arrangement, you would have to set her free."
He couldn't contain it, and he felt the change ripple over him. He was the beast, he was beyond any soothing or consoling. He let out a roar in Eladrim's face, his clawed fists clenched. "I will not let you take my family from me. They are mine!"
Eladrim stood calmly, closing his eyes and bowing his head. Suddenly, he exhaled, frost flowing from his mouth and over Ruthivan, freezing him in place. Ruthivan could see out of his prison, he could hear the conversation, but he could not move or fight against the superior magic that held him fast.
WHAT?!
WHAT?!
Ruthivan's blood crept up into his neck and he could feel the tension there. He stared at Claire and all he wanted to do was strike her for allowing such a thing to happen - but he couldn't. She'd run off if he did that, then he'd have to track her down and spend time convincing her he didn't mean it. Better to keep his hands off of her and do this the old fashioned way. 'How could you let them in our home, Claire? Are you a fool?'
'No, Ruthivan, but I can't turn away our son.'
'He's not our son, not anymore. He turned his back on everything our people need to breed with a human.'
'Ruthivan, please, be reasonable...'
'Reasonable?' he shouted. 'Is seeing at night in the cities by esper light reasonable to you?'
'No,' Claire looked down.
'Is it reasonable the slaughter of our people to sate the needs of the humans?'
'No,' Claire said quietly, 'But Leandra didn't do that.'
'She's human, isn't she?'
'Yes...'
'Close enough.'
Ruthivan paced the tent. Where had he gone wrong? Perhaps listening to Claire and coming back to this place when he should have kept her, Askari, and all the rest of his children off this planet. No, he came back for her, for Claire, and they were still outcasts. Eladrim would barely accept seeing him to discuss coming back into the fold. Now, with this human girl, there would be no chance at all. He turned to Claire, gripping her shoulder, perhaps harder than he intended. 'This cannot be allowed.'
'Ruthivan,' she begged, 'He's your son...'
'Only in deed. He turned his back on us all. Get rid of him.'
'No.'
Ruthivan stared at Claire, his eyebrow raised, his jaw set. 'No?'
'I won't turn them away if they need help.'
'Damn your soft cow heart. This is urgent and must be done NOW.'
'No. I will help others, even if you don't think I should, even if you won't let me, especially if that one is my son.'
He wanted to choke her. When he had grown so angry with her, he didn't know. Perhaps it was when he found she was no longer bearing children. Perhaps it was seeing that nothing he did caused her enough pride for her flames to burn freely. She was ashamed of him, she loathed him, he could see it. It was all over her face.
Ruthivan pushed the impulse down and took in a long breath. 'Please, be reasonable,' she whispered as she looked at him. Reasonable... she'd never know the meaning of the word.
'If I let him stay, will it please you?' he asked in a low tone, staring down his nose into her eyes.
'Very much,' she said. Even her smile was false. 'Fine. But they stay out there.'
'Thank you, Ruthivan,' and she hugged him.
He watched her walk away, clenching his jaw. There was no change in her flames at all. None whatsoever.
Ruthivan's blood crept up into his neck and he could feel the tension there. He stared at Claire and all he wanted to do was strike her for allowing such a thing to happen - but he couldn't. She'd run off if he did that, then he'd have to track her down and spend time convincing her he didn't mean it. Better to keep his hands off of her and do this the old fashioned way. 'How could you let them in our home, Claire? Are you a fool?'
'No, Ruthivan, but I can't turn away our son.'
'He's not our son, not anymore. He turned his back on everything our people need to breed with a human.'
'Ruthivan, please, be reasonable...'
'Reasonable?' he shouted. 'Is seeing at night in the cities by esper light reasonable to you?'
'No,' Claire looked down.
'Is it reasonable the slaughter of our people to sate the needs of the humans?'
'No,' Claire said quietly, 'But Leandra didn't do that.'
'She's human, isn't she?'
'Yes...'
'Close enough.'
Ruthivan paced the tent. Where had he gone wrong? Perhaps listening to Claire and coming back to this place when he should have kept her, Askari, and all the rest of his children off this planet. No, he came back for her, for Claire, and they were still outcasts. Eladrim would barely accept seeing him to discuss coming back into the fold. Now, with this human girl, there would be no chance at all. He turned to Claire, gripping her shoulder, perhaps harder than he intended. 'This cannot be allowed.'
'Ruthivan,' she begged, 'He's your son...'
'Only in deed. He turned his back on us all. Get rid of him.'
'No.'
Ruthivan stared at Claire, his eyebrow raised, his jaw set. 'No?'
'I won't turn them away if they need help.'
'Damn your soft cow heart. This is urgent and must be done NOW.'
'No. I will help others, even if you don't think I should, even if you won't let me, especially if that one is my son.'
He wanted to choke her. When he had grown so angry with her, he didn't know. Perhaps it was when he found she was no longer bearing children. Perhaps it was seeing that nothing he did caused her enough pride for her flames to burn freely. She was ashamed of him, she loathed him, he could see it. It was all over her face.
Ruthivan pushed the impulse down and took in a long breath. 'Please, be reasonable,' she whispered as she looked at him. Reasonable... she'd never know the meaning of the word.
'If I let him stay, will it please you?' he asked in a low tone, staring down his nose into her eyes.
'Very much,' she said. Even her smile was false. 'Fine. But they stay out there.'
'Thank you, Ruthivan,' and she hugged him.
He watched her walk away, clenching his jaw. There was no change in her flames at all. None whatsoever.
Dinner
It had been several days since Claire had talked Ruthivan into birth control, raising their four children, inviting her father and mother over, and faking her flames like mad as she held onto memories long past. It was just unfortunate that in her zeal to lie long enough to break free, Ruthivan had lied about birth control so that he got her pregnant days after Hadriel was born, he kept her parents from coming for days as well, and her hopes of getting outside long enough to contact someone, anyone, to save her were shut down with the discovery of her newest child. She was frantic, she wanted free, but she was drugged and found herself in a foggy haze for a day.
Finally, Ruthivan had made good on his promise. He invited her parents to dinner, knowing that her mother, Seranfrit would be on is side, and knowing that her father, Eladrim, wouldn't be at all the wiser since - in the tent - she couldn't communicate with him in secret. Still, Claire had to do something. She felt stir crazy, like she was drowning, suffocating, being choked by the lies that fell fat from her lips after filling her throat.
She did her cooking, listening to her mother's harpy-like voice crooning over her grandchildren and praising Ruthivan for being such a good father. She kept her head bowed as she worked at the stove. Once dinner was ready, the entire family sat at the table. Eladrim, her father, gave a smile and nod. "This looks delicious," he said. "So, it seems things have been going well here."
'He beats me,' Claire said, not bothering to look at the strangled look of murderous rage on Ruthivan's face as she spoke. 'I want to leave here and he will not let me. I am a prisoner in my own home. I want out. I want to break the bond. I want to be free of this man. If I can't break away, I'm afraid of what I will do to myself. I harbor a hate so deep and full, a hopelessness so complete and total, that I will end my life if I do not get help.'
The table was silent until Desmaren, two and so precocious shouted out, "Let's eat!"
Finally, Ruthivan had made good on his promise. He invited her parents to dinner, knowing that her mother, Seranfrit would be on is side, and knowing that her father, Eladrim, wouldn't be at all the wiser since - in the tent - she couldn't communicate with him in secret. Still, Claire had to do something. She felt stir crazy, like she was drowning, suffocating, being choked by the lies that fell fat from her lips after filling her throat.
She did her cooking, listening to her mother's harpy-like voice crooning over her grandchildren and praising Ruthivan for being such a good father. She kept her head bowed as she worked at the stove. Once dinner was ready, the entire family sat at the table. Eladrim, her father, gave a smile and nod. "This looks delicious," he said. "So, it seems things have been going well here."
'He beats me,' Claire said, not bothering to look at the strangled look of murderous rage on Ruthivan's face as she spoke. 'I want to leave here and he will not let me. I am a prisoner in my own home. I want out. I want to break the bond. I want to be free of this man. If I can't break away, I'm afraid of what I will do to myself. I harbor a hate so deep and full, a hopelessness so complete and total, that I will end my life if I do not get help.'
The table was silent until Desmaren, two and so precocious shouted out, "Let's eat!"
Renewed Vigor
Claire appeared in a flash of purple light that shot through Ruthivan's room, illuminating his sleeping form on the bed. Claire crept closer and looked down at him. He looked lost, haggard, scraggly, and most of all, exhausted. She loathed him, the way he had forced this link upon her, the way he had succeeded in tearing apart her life with Gilean. Yes, death would certainly end the bond, but to kill an esper - indeed to kill anyone - was beneath Claire's capacity. There had to be another way.
Claire stood there for a long moment, staring down at Ruthivan's sleeping form, and thought about leaving. But the smell of him, sweat - forest - leather, made her body dance with a charged energy. Every atom in her skin seemed to vibrate and as if calling out to his, they roused Ruthivan.
Claire held her breath as, by the light of her own purple skin, Ruthivan's dark red eyes locked onto her. She could see in that moment the confusion, the state of believing it to be a dream, then the realization that it wasn't. She loathed him. Yes, she truly did loathe him. But she felt herself willingly go as he pulled her to him. Like a drug, his kiss sent Claire into a swoon of intoxication. Logic could tell her why. But all logic had been left standing at the bedside.
"You can stay here with me, you know..."
"No. I can't."
"Why? Why not?" Claire rose from the bed and dressed, facing away from Ruthivan. "I just... can't. I'll bring the children to see you tomorrow but..." In a moment she was back at the cottage, slipping into her familiar bed. She knew Gilean was awake, but she couldn't bear to touch him. She wasn't sure he'd let her if she tried.
Claire stood there for a long moment, staring down at Ruthivan's sleeping form, and thought about leaving. But the smell of him, sweat - forest - leather, made her body dance with a charged energy. Every atom in her skin seemed to vibrate and as if calling out to his, they roused Ruthivan.
Claire held her breath as, by the light of her own purple skin, Ruthivan's dark red eyes locked onto her. She could see in that moment the confusion, the state of believing it to be a dream, then the realization that it wasn't. She loathed him. Yes, she truly did loathe him. But she felt herself willingly go as he pulled her to him. Like a drug, his kiss sent Claire into a swoon of intoxication. Logic could tell her why. But all logic had been left standing at the bedside.
"You can stay here with me, you know..."
"No. I can't."
"Why? Why not?" Claire rose from the bed and dressed, facing away from Ruthivan. "I just... can't. I'll bring the children to see you tomorrow but..." In a moment she was back at the cottage, slipping into her familiar bed. She knew Gilean was awake, but she couldn't bear to touch him. She wasn't sure he'd let her if she tried.
Knowing Claire
Mirin sat by the stream watching the twins play. It was clear that Reggie was going to be extremely adept with magic, as the boy kept summoning globes of water into the air to try dropping them on his sister's head. Regina, too, was adept, but in the ways like her father, Orn. She dodged the water, barely keeping her balance and using the quick aid of a squirrel to race over and nibble Reggie's arm. They would both giggle and return to their play. They were growing so fast.
She leaned back and closed her eyes. What would her mother think if she could see them now? Mirin didn't assume much - her mother, Claire, had been gone for a long time now. Sanria was more of a mother to her than Claire. Though, it didn't mean she couldn't try to reach out.
'Mother,' Mirin telepathed, but got back only static. Perplexed, she tried again. 'Mother?' This time the telepath went through and a very surprised voice responded.
'Mirin? Oh Gods, I can telepath... I can reach out!'
'Mom, what are you talking about?' Mirin sent, dropping the formal mother. Something wasn't right.
'You have to talk to Gilean and Sanria, you have to tell them that Ruthivan killed my father and is in the process of moving to the Tribal camp. I need help... I desperately need help. He's lost his mind.'
'What?'
'I can't focus for long or he'll know, he has an eye on me right now. He has lashed out at me, killed your grandfather, and ... oh please, Mirin... get someone to help us. Please.'
'Of... of course,' Mirin telepathed in return. She was shocked at just how desperate her mother sounded, and even more so that this man who had stolen Claire from her father had stooped to murder.
'You know how to find the camp?'
'No... '
'Ask Askari... he can help... I hope he'll help... Gods I hope he will help. I'm ready to take my own life but he's sealed up my magic.'
'No... no mom, don't do that. I'll get help, I promise, just... hang in there.'
'Thank you, Mirin... thank you.'
The connection was broken and Mirin stared blankly ahead. How exactly did one go about stopping an esper from beating an esper?
'Twins,' she telepathed. 'We need to go inside. I have to talk to Grandma Ria and Grandpa Gilean.'
"Is bad?" Regina asked.
'No, no it's okay.'
"Why are you sad, Mama?" Reggie asked.
'I'm... not sad,' Mirin replied, but couldn't shake the tremor of anxiety that gripped her.
She leaned back and closed her eyes. What would her mother think if she could see them now? Mirin didn't assume much - her mother, Claire, had been gone for a long time now. Sanria was more of a mother to her than Claire. Though, it didn't mean she couldn't try to reach out.
'Mother,' Mirin telepathed, but got back only static. Perplexed, she tried again. 'Mother?' This time the telepath went through and a very surprised voice responded.
'Mirin? Oh Gods, I can telepath... I can reach out!'
'Mom, what are you talking about?' Mirin sent, dropping the formal mother. Something wasn't right.
'You have to talk to Gilean and Sanria, you have to tell them that Ruthivan killed my father and is in the process of moving to the Tribal camp. I need help... I desperately need help. He's lost his mind.'
'What?'
'I can't focus for long or he'll know, he has an eye on me right now. He has lashed out at me, killed your grandfather, and ... oh please, Mirin... get someone to help us. Please.'
'Of... of course,' Mirin telepathed in return. She was shocked at just how desperate her mother sounded, and even more so that this man who had stolen Claire from her father had stooped to murder.
'You know how to find the camp?'
'No... '
'Ask Askari... he can help... I hope he'll help... Gods I hope he will help. I'm ready to take my own life but he's sealed up my magic.'
'No... no mom, don't do that. I'll get help, I promise, just... hang in there.'
'Thank you, Mirin... thank you.'
The connection was broken and Mirin stared blankly ahead. How exactly did one go about stopping an esper from beating an esper?
'Twins,' she telepathed. 'We need to go inside. I have to talk to Grandma Ria and Grandpa Gilean.'
"Is bad?" Regina asked.
'No, no it's okay.'
"Why are you sad, Mama?" Reggie asked.
'I'm... not sad,' Mirin replied, but couldn't shake the tremor of anxiety that gripped her.
Phases of the Moon 2/2
Obediently, Claire read it and looked over at her husband. 'What do you want from me?'
'I want you to realize that what I'm are doing is for the good of our people. There can't be one to find the true homeland if there isn't one! And the one to find it is pure. Not a half-breed, not an Esper with a... celestial mongrel,' he spat.
'You don't care what I want.'
'Only because you want the wrong things, my love. You need to see clearly, and that will be my new task. I will help you see clearly why things are the way they are. Our bond, our marriage, our children; they are all important to the survival of our kind.'
'Forcing yourself on one who doesn't want you?'
Claire winced as Ruthivan crossed the space like a thunderclap. He grabbed her arm and shook her, his eyes going hard in a moment. 'What has gotten into you? Why do you keep saying such asinine garbage? We are married, we are mates, and that is permanent.' He finally let go of her and took a moment to clear his throat. He sat down at her side, smoothing the sleeve of her robe. 'Claire, I love you, I want you to love me, too. Love our family, love what we are, and have pride in the fact we are doing everything possible to help the passage in that book come true.' He leaned in to her, his nose on her cheek. 'Do you love me?'
Claire closed her eyes and took in a slow breath. She could tell him what she truly thought, but it would only send him into a rage. The quicksand rose up, enclosing her completely, cutting off her breath and clenching her soul. Her flames that had already been low, went out. She nodded her head slowly. 'Yes.'
'Good. Read it again.'
'I want you to realize that what I'm are doing is for the good of our people. There can't be one to find the true homeland if there isn't one! And the one to find it is pure. Not a half-breed, not an Esper with a... celestial mongrel,' he spat.
'You don't care what I want.'
'Only because you want the wrong things, my love. You need to see clearly, and that will be my new task. I will help you see clearly why things are the way they are. Our bond, our marriage, our children; they are all important to the survival of our kind.'
'Forcing yourself on one who doesn't want you?'
Claire winced as Ruthivan crossed the space like a thunderclap. He grabbed her arm and shook her, his eyes going hard in a moment. 'What has gotten into you? Why do you keep saying such asinine garbage? We are married, we are mates, and that is permanent.' He finally let go of her and took a moment to clear his throat. He sat down at her side, smoothing the sleeve of her robe. 'Claire, I love you, I want you to love me, too. Love our family, love what we are, and have pride in the fact we are doing everything possible to help the passage in that book come true.' He leaned in to her, his nose on her cheek. 'Do you love me?'
Claire closed her eyes and took in a slow breath. She could tell him what she truly thought, but it would only send him into a rage. The quicksand rose up, enclosing her completely, cutting off her breath and clenching her soul. Her flames that had already been low, went out. She nodded her head slowly. 'Yes.'
'Good. Read it again.'
Trussing Claire 1/2
Ruthivan walked into Celiara's room where all his children had gathered. Three faces looked back at him with an expression of worry. Celiara held Saren and Desmaren at her sides and Ruthivan gave a smile. These were his perfect gems, full blood Espers. He knelt down in front of them and put a hand on Celiara's knee. "I'm sorry you had to see that, children."
"Who were they, father?" Saren asked.
"Humans. They were here to cause trouble. You should always stay away from them."
"But Leanders hoomen," Desmaren said.
"Yes, and she caused trouble."
"But 'Skari loves, um, loves Leanders."
"Unfortunately. But they're gone now, so it's just the three of you until the new baby comes."
"Why is mother sad?" Saren asked quietly.
"Your mother is just... she's not sad."
"You maded her happy?" Desmaren smiled.
"I... will. I'll go do that right away."
Ruthivan stood up and left the children with a quick, "I love you." He walked into the bedroom to find Claire laying on the bed, sobbing. He set his jaw. "Claire, get up," he said, holding his voice in check. "You're making the children upset."
"How could you?" she sobbed as she sat up.
He walked to her side and snatched her to her feet, glaring into her face. He was tired of her self loathing and pity, tired of her never looking at him with any semblance of love, tired of her body with a complete lack of flames - no joy, tired of her moping about. She looked at him now with a glare of contempt, and he drew back and slapped her across the face.
"Who were they, father?" Saren asked.
"Humans. They were here to cause trouble. You should always stay away from them."
"But Leanders hoomen," Desmaren said.
"Yes, and she caused trouble."
"But 'Skari loves, um, loves Leanders."
"Unfortunately. But they're gone now, so it's just the three of you until the new baby comes."
"Why is mother sad?" Saren asked quietly.
"Your mother is just... she's not sad."
"You maded her happy?" Desmaren smiled.
"I... will. I'll go do that right away."
Ruthivan stood up and left the children with a quick, "I love you." He walked into the bedroom to find Claire laying on the bed, sobbing. He set his jaw. "Claire, get up," he said, holding his voice in check. "You're making the children upset."
"How could you?" she sobbed as she sat up.
He walked to her side and snatched her to her feet, glaring into her face. He was tired of her self loathing and pity, tired of her never looking at him with any semblance of love, tired of her body with a complete lack of flames - no joy, tired of her moping about. She looked at him now with a glare of contempt, and he drew back and slapped her across the face.
Finding Shadows
Eladrim left the room after holding Claire. It felt empty without the presence of the tribal leader, and Ruthivan stood by the bed still. Finally, he sat down, looking at the floor, his brow creased. "I'm sorry I had to bring him here. I know you don't like when I involve your family." She said nothing and he continued. "Claire, I knew you were going to try to run away, so I had the healer put up a ward. I know that if you get away from me, you're going to kill our child. I know you don't want me, or it, or any of us. It hurts me so deeply, but we are bonded. You know that if you ran away, it would only be a matter of time before your body would draw you back to me, just as mine would seek yours."
Ruthivan paused and then reached out, taking one of Claire's hands in his own. He placed it over his heart and looked at her earnestly. "I don't want to be angry with you, or upset, or... I just want to love you and you love me. I want us to help our race, and I want us to be accepted back into the tribe. If you keep running away, or wanting to, and keep refusing everything I try to do, we will never get that chance."
Finally she looked at him, but the look was distant and raw. "Didn't it ever occur to you that I didn't want to live in the tribe? All those times, didn't you understand that? Why else would I have run away?"
At that moment, Ruthivan knew the defeat was total. He bowed his head as though acknowledging the passing away of any hope he had for a Claire who loved him for himself. He let pass the hope that he would ever be welcomed back into the only home he'd known on this planet. He took her hand from his heart and lowered it. When he raised his head again, his expression was hard. "Then we won't ever go back. But you will not go anywhere else, Claire. You don't have to love me, you don't have to want your home, you don't have to desire anything, but you're not leaving me or our children. You can hate me and loathe me, but you will do your duty. I'll ensure it."
Ruthivan stood up, feeling a pain in his heart. He never wanted to turn into this - he hoped the nature in him would only have to be reserved for fighting others, never his wife. Never his Claire. He shoved the gentle desires away in favor for that of a man on a mission. He had a duty and his duty was to make this woman stay loyal, serve her people, and honor her bond.
"If you ever start to see how you could and should love me, then I may let up. Until you do-"
"Please... just drug me and let me sleep."
Ruthivan stared at her for a long moment, his jaw set. He finally looked down to the rug, crossed the room, and got out his vial and cloth.
Ruthivan paused and then reached out, taking one of Claire's hands in his own. He placed it over his heart and looked at her earnestly. "I don't want to be angry with you, or upset, or... I just want to love you and you love me. I want us to help our race, and I want us to be accepted back into the tribe. If you keep running away, or wanting to, and keep refusing everything I try to do, we will never get that chance."
Finally she looked at him, but the look was distant and raw. "Didn't it ever occur to you that I didn't want to live in the tribe? All those times, didn't you understand that? Why else would I have run away?"
At that moment, Ruthivan knew the defeat was total. He bowed his head as though acknowledging the passing away of any hope he had for a Claire who loved him for himself. He let pass the hope that he would ever be welcomed back into the only home he'd known on this planet. He took her hand from his heart and lowered it. When he raised his head again, his expression was hard. "Then we won't ever go back. But you will not go anywhere else, Claire. You don't have to love me, you don't have to want your home, you don't have to desire anything, but you're not leaving me or our children. You can hate me and loathe me, but you will do your duty. I'll ensure it."
Ruthivan stood up, feeling a pain in his heart. He never wanted to turn into this - he hoped the nature in him would only have to be reserved for fighting others, never his wife. Never his Claire. He shoved the gentle desires away in favor for that of a man on a mission. He had a duty and his duty was to make this woman stay loyal, serve her people, and honor her bond.
"If you ever start to see how you could and should love me, then I may let up. Until you do-"
"Please... just drug me and let me sleep."
Ruthivan stared at her for a long moment, his jaw set. He finally looked down to the rug, crossed the room, and got out his vial and cloth.
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