There's no art of Banion.
Showing posts with label Banion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Banion. Show all posts
Understanding
Slowly, very slowly, the scream faded into silence. Then, Banion's lovely girl was sobbing dry tears onto the ground. "There, now, child," he crooned, and got to his hands and knees, lifting her skeletal face to look at him. She bore the necessary equipment for stealing the life force from anyone - a pair of curved fangs. "You will have your revenge and then your rest."
"Fire... I'm on f... fire..."
"A side affect that will soon diminish," Banion lied. The pain would be omnipresent, eternal, until he sent her back into oblivion.
"Make... it stop..." she chattered.
"Easy now," he said, running a hand over her head. "You were murdered, my dear girl."
"Yes..."
"I want you to have your revenge."
Banion smiled as Arlenia rose for the first time since her death. She stumbled at first, then stood and held her hands out, looking at the skeletal remains that glowed dully. "Why... why..."
Banion got up as well, putting a hand on Arlenia's arm. "Child, you have been gone from this mortal coil for nigh on a month. You are still just as beautiful as before. Even more beautiful, for now, you are my creation. My daughter."
The furnace-red eyes blazed in his direction and Banion gave a small, placating smile. Arlenia looked at him with her head tilted. "Creation?"
"Yes, child."
"No... I don't want this..."
"Ustulo in anima quod non obedit, Maldicam in corpus quod non secor," as he spoke the words, Arlenia let forth a scream of pain, "Pati in dolorem de tuus dominus, Donec vos discere in semitam."
"PLEASE!" Arlenia screamed out, driven to her knees.
With a wave of his hand, Banion released the spell and knelt beside Arlenia. "Sweet child," he said. "Please, go find your revenge and don't make me have to do any more of that. I don't want your soul to suffer. Go find him. And bring his head back to me."
"My... revenge..."
"Vicariously through me, vicariously through you, child. It will be ours together."
"Fire... I'm on f... fire..."
"A side affect that will soon diminish," Banion lied. The pain would be omnipresent, eternal, until he sent her back into oblivion.
"Make... it stop..." she chattered.
"Easy now," he said, running a hand over her head. "You were murdered, my dear girl."
"Yes..."
"I want you to have your revenge."
Banion smiled as Arlenia rose for the first time since her death. She stumbled at first, then stood and held her hands out, looking at the skeletal remains that glowed dully. "Why... why..."
Banion got up as well, putting a hand on Arlenia's arm. "Child, you have been gone from this mortal coil for nigh on a month. You are still just as beautiful as before. Even more beautiful, for now, you are my creation. My daughter."
The furnace-red eyes blazed in his direction and Banion gave a small, placating smile. Arlenia looked at him with her head tilted. "Creation?"
"Yes, child."
"No... I don't want this..."
"Ustulo in anima quod non obedit, Maldicam in corpus quod non secor," as he spoke the words, Arlenia let forth a scream of pain, "Pati in dolorem de tuus dominus, Donec vos discere in semitam."
"PLEASE!" Arlenia screamed out, driven to her knees.
With a wave of his hand, Banion released the spell and knelt beside Arlenia. "Sweet child," he said. "Please, go find your revenge and don't make me have to do any more of that. I don't want your soul to suffer. Go find him. And bring his head back to me."
"My... revenge..."
"Vicariously through me, vicariously through you, child. It will be ours together."
Returning a Life
The hours had passed, the sun had finally relinquished its hold on the island, leaving it in the shadows cast by the dark ring of rocky mountains. With steps soft and silent, Banion passed through the quiet paths of the village, sticking to the shadows.
The sounds of goblins from the nearby tower carried on the wind, but it did not unnerve Banion in the least. He reached the graveyard and picked his way by the newly cresting moon's light to Arlenia's resting place. "Child, you will have your revenge. I can't live knowing you didn't. Then, you can rest."
It took a full two hours for Banion to move the earth over Arlenia's body. Sinking into the dark hole, he hoisted the decaying, skeletal remains over his shoulder, then onto the ground beside the grave. He hefted himself from the hole, sweat beading on his aging pate. He laid out the contents of his pack, and opened the tome. It had been many a long year since he had practiced his necromancy. He knew it would also be a risk, a ripple in the fabric of magic that would alert the dark wizards that he was, in fact, still alive. But Banion was driven, and by a calm madness, he started weaving his spell.
"By tenebris lux nocturna,
in utero mortis,
puero hoc tenebrarum nativitate,
eius obligaverit vita ad meam,
porta illam anima pennis doloris,
illi mentem profundissimum solitudo."
Banion cut deep into his forearm, spilling his blood onto Arlenia's putrid remains. He watched a red and sinister light form around her body and staggered back onto his rear as she took in a breath and screamed into the night a screech of abject terror that silenced even the goblin's usual raucous hoots. Banion breathed heavily, and slowly began to smile.
The sounds of goblins from the nearby tower carried on the wind, but it did not unnerve Banion in the least. He reached the graveyard and picked his way by the newly cresting moon's light to Arlenia's resting place. "Child, you will have your revenge. I can't live knowing you didn't. Then, you can rest."
It took a full two hours for Banion to move the earth over Arlenia's body. Sinking into the dark hole, he hoisted the decaying, skeletal remains over his shoulder, then onto the ground beside the grave. He hefted himself from the hole, sweat beading on his aging pate. He laid out the contents of his pack, and opened the tome. It had been many a long year since he had practiced his necromancy. He knew it would also be a risk, a ripple in the fabric of magic that would alert the dark wizards that he was, in fact, still alive. But Banion was driven, and by a calm madness, he started weaving his spell.
"By tenebris lux nocturna,
in utero mortis,
puero hoc tenebrarum nativitate,
eius obligaverit vita ad meam,
porta illam anima pennis doloris,
illi mentem profundissimum solitudo."
Banion cut deep into his forearm, spilling his blood onto Arlenia's putrid remains. He watched a red and sinister light form around her body and staggered back onto his rear as she took in a breath and screamed into the night a screech of abject terror that silenced even the goblin's usual raucous hoots. Banion breathed heavily, and slowly began to smile.
Readying the Ritual
Banion stared out of his small window, watching the children filled with dirt run about with wild and free abandon. He stared, his arms folded, as the parents spoke jovially with their fellow villagers. He felt the bile rise in his throat. He pulled the small flap down, sending the hut into darkness.
It had been... Banion didn't know how long it had been since the big gladiator had walked in with Arlenia's body in his arms, accompanied by the man in robes, her head resting on her stomach. He had nothing to say and there was nothing he could do but stare. What had occurred was only what Banion could consider an injustice in the worst degree. The big gladiator was a murderer, as was his friend. They had taken from the island a troubled woman, but an islander. And it burned a hole in Banion's heart.
Banion crossed to the table and lit a candle. He glanced about the hut, ensuring all windows were closed, his wood paneled door latched. He slowly moved the table out, its legs scraping on the floor with a hollow sound. Banion moved the candle down, his fingers caressing a long board, lifting it up. Beneath it lay a tome, wrapped in leather. With practiced ease, the man lifted the book and laid it with a thunk on the table. He tossed back the flaps of leather and laid bare the tome, "Raising the Dead and Ensuring Control."
Banion sighed as he hefted the book into his bag. He went to his small cabinet and pulled down various herbs, vials, as well as a few nefarious ingredients hidden away. He grabbed a ritual dagger from the rear of his cabinet and placed it all in his bag. He knew that Arlenia had been pained in life, he knew she would suffer even more in death - but he also knew once he placed the shambles of her spirit back into her carcass, she could go forth and gain her vindication. Then, if she chose, he could release her back into eternal slumber.
For now, he would have to wait. Banion blew out the candle, and in the dark of his hut, he whispered on a faint breath the spells that would bring Arlenia back into being. Tonight was the full moon. It would be done this evening, the right amount of time had passed, and Banion would be ready.
It had been... Banion didn't know how long it had been since the big gladiator had walked in with Arlenia's body in his arms, accompanied by the man in robes, her head resting on her stomach. He had nothing to say and there was nothing he could do but stare. What had occurred was only what Banion could consider an injustice in the worst degree. The big gladiator was a murderer, as was his friend. They had taken from the island a troubled woman, but an islander. And it burned a hole in Banion's heart.
Banion crossed to the table and lit a candle. He glanced about the hut, ensuring all windows were closed, his wood paneled door latched. He slowly moved the table out, its legs scraping on the floor with a hollow sound. Banion moved the candle down, his fingers caressing a long board, lifting it up. Beneath it lay a tome, wrapped in leather. With practiced ease, the man lifted the book and laid it with a thunk on the table. He tossed back the flaps of leather and laid bare the tome, "Raising the Dead and Ensuring Control."
Banion sighed as he hefted the book into his bag. He went to his small cabinet and pulled down various herbs, vials, as well as a few nefarious ingredients hidden away. He grabbed a ritual dagger from the rear of his cabinet and placed it all in his bag. He knew that Arlenia had been pained in life, he knew she would suffer even more in death - but he also knew once he placed the shambles of her spirit back into her carcass, she could go forth and gain her vindication. Then, if she chose, he could release her back into eternal slumber.
For now, he would have to wait. Banion blew out the candle, and in the dark of his hut, he whispered on a faint breath the spells that would bring Arlenia back into being. Tonight was the full moon. It would be done this evening, the right amount of time had passed, and Banion would be ready.
Parting of Ways
The light knocking on the door sent a shock through Sanria. It wasn't that she hadn't anticipated Colin returning, but that she knew what she was going to do once he had. She had stared at the book on the same page for the past hour, all while Colin and Thasmudyan transported Arlenia's body back to the Dark Continent. The image of Colin coated in the woman's blood was what she kept seeing in her mind, as well as the savage state her body had lain. "I was hoping we could talk," Colin began.
"About what, Colin? You killing a sick woman while Thasmudyan was there? You not listening to me at all? You not working to overcome this thing in you?" The emotions within her flooded forth with anger coming unexpectedly.
"Not working to overcome this? Wha... what do you mean?"
"For the love of the Gods, you've never bothered to work on that black makou in you. You've been avoiding anything that upsets you and when it does, you just let loose!"
"Sanria. I've been doing my best. I don't even know how I'm supposed to 'work' on it. Place my family in danger to see how I react? Sanria. She killed one child. She tried to kill Orn right there in front of us. If it weren't for Thasmudyan he would have died."
"Precisely why you shouldn't have killed her. You cut - off - her - head and ran her through!! What in the world is wrong with you?"
"I have something inside of me that shouldn't be there... you know exactly what's wrong with me," Colin stated quietly.
The argument continued, growing heated as Sanria grew more firm in her con- viction. Arlenia's headless body came to the fore again and again, Colin coated in her blood. And more than anything, the fact he could have chosen not to come. He could have chosen to stay home and let Sanria and Thasmud- yan save Orn. He could have chosen.
"I killed her," Colin began, "because she slit our son's throat right there in front of me and I couldn't hold it back any longer."
"I failed that woman because I couldn't stop you. She needed help. Not death."
"Failed her?" Colin asked. "What duty did you have to her? She had help Sanria. She had Banion. Despite that help she chose this."
"And you chose what you did. As I have to choose. I can't do this any more."
Sanria took off her wedding band and tossed it onto the bed beside Colin. She felt her soul crumbling inside. She and Colin had been so good togeth- er for the past couple of years. Here, again, she was ending yet another relationship - and this one in particular, yet again. "Sanria, what are you doing?"
"When you can't even listen to me... I can't prevent you from anything. And if I can't help you, all I can do is watch you destroy yourself and others when you get angry. I'm sorry... but consider us over, Colin."
"What...? Sanria. How can you say that?"
"You don't have to move out since the children are here, but you can't stay with me in this room anymore. You can stay in the guest rooms. I don't want... to see you..."
"So... what... you're choosing that madwoman over me?" Colin asked.
"No, Colin. I'm choosing life over death."
"You said yourself, she needed help. But, you're turning your back on me?"
"I tried. But this is a line... I can't cross with you. This is not okay. I'm sorry we've come to this, but it's the only thing I know to do now."
At the sound of the door closing, Sanria let the tears flow unbidden. She had become accustomed to soothing Colin when he was upset, and the look on his face was more than she could handle. Still, she stood up for what she believed. Part of her felt good for it. The other part felt as if the earth had come to life and swallowed her whole.
"About what, Colin? You killing a sick woman while Thasmudyan was there? You not listening to me at all? You not working to overcome this thing in you?" The emotions within her flooded forth with anger coming unexpectedly.
"Not working to overcome this? Wha... what do you mean?"
"For the love of the Gods, you've never bothered to work on that black makou in you. You've been avoiding anything that upsets you and when it does, you just let loose!"
"Sanria. I've been doing my best. I don't even know how I'm supposed to 'work' on it. Place my family in danger to see how I react? Sanria. She killed one child. She tried to kill Orn right there in front of us. If it weren't for Thasmudyan he would have died."
"Precisely why you shouldn't have killed her. You cut - off - her - head and ran her through!! What in the world is wrong with you?"
"I have something inside of me that shouldn't be there... you know exactly what's wrong with me," Colin stated quietly.
The argument continued, growing heated as Sanria grew more firm in her con- viction. Arlenia's headless body came to the fore again and again, Colin coated in her blood. And more than anything, the fact he could have chosen not to come. He could have chosen to stay home and let Sanria and Thasmud- yan save Orn. He could have chosen.
"I killed her," Colin began, "because she slit our son's throat right there in front of me and I couldn't hold it back any longer."
"I failed that woman because I couldn't stop you. She needed help. Not death."
"Failed her?" Colin asked. "What duty did you have to her? She had help Sanria. She had Banion. Despite that help she chose this."
"And you chose what you did. As I have to choose. I can't do this any more."
Sanria took off her wedding band and tossed it onto the bed beside Colin. She felt her soul crumbling inside. She and Colin had been so good togeth- er for the past couple of years. Here, again, she was ending yet another relationship - and this one in particular, yet again. "Sanria, what are you doing?"
"When you can't even listen to me... I can't prevent you from anything. And if I can't help you, all I can do is watch you destroy yourself and others when you get angry. I'm sorry... but consider us over, Colin."
"What...? Sanria. How can you say that?"
"You don't have to move out since the children are here, but you can't stay with me in this room anymore. You can stay in the guest rooms. I don't want... to see you..."
"So... what... you're choosing that madwoman over me?" Colin asked.
"No, Colin. I'm choosing life over death."
"You said yourself, she needed help. But, you're turning your back on me?"
"I tried. But this is a line... I can't cross with you. This is not okay. I'm sorry we've come to this, but it's the only thing I know to do now."
At the sound of the door closing, Sanria let the tears flow unbidden. She had become accustomed to soothing Colin when he was upset, and the look on his face was more than she could handle. Still, she stood up for what she believed. Part of her felt good for it. The other part felt as if the earth had come to life and swallowed her whole.
To Orn and Back Again (1-3)
With the statement that Thasmudyan would do his best to ensure no one died, Sanria, Thasmudyan, and Colin entered into a moonwell and arrived at the village on the Dark Continent. Immediately, Sanria could see Colin going to the defensive. She could see it in his very posture. This time, how- ever, she stood back. This time she would not stop him. If she continued to prevent him from learning how to handle himself, he'd never learn. In a way, this was a good test, though it scared her... he... scared her.
When Banion, the village elder, came out to greet Colin, it was all Sanria could do not to intervene. Colin had his hands on the hilts of his swords, demanding to know where Arlenia had gone. Sanria watched the elder man, seeing the fear on his face, seeing Colin bear down on him, and her soul ached.
Sanria turned and headed up the mountain path, leaving Colin and Thasmud- yan behind. She arrived at the top of the mountain and stared out over the Sea of Swords. Again, she tried to reach Orn and found nothing. She had never felt so helpless. The deep seated demon of doubt clawed at her heart and dispair flowed into her mind. What if she couldn't reach Orn in time? What if Arlenia did kill him? What would she do?
The sound of footfalls reached her ears as Colin and Thasmudyan arrived. "Sanria... I'm sorry," Colin began. "Maybe you're right. Maybe I should stay behind."
Frustration flooded Sanria. Colin had ignored her wishes to even come this far, bullied an old man, and now was ready to go back home. Logic should have spoken to her, but Sanria could see nothing but her anger. She fought the suggestion with silence.
"Perhaps I could try something," Thasmudyan said. "Do you have something of Orn's?"
Have something of Orn's. Sanria fought the irritation at the question and pulled from her pocket the boy's ear still wrapped in bloody gauze. She held it out to Thasmudyan. "Will this do?"
"He's farther north. A pretty good distance," Thasmudyan said.
It was all Sanria needed. Through her rage, she tried to cast a moonwell, but couldn't manage to make it happen. Tears broke from her eyes as she encanted again and again. Colin laid a comforting hand on her shoulder, and just as easily, Sanria shrugged it off. Finally, the spell took hold. The trio landed in Waterdeep, and before Thasmudyan had gotten completely out of the well, Sanria turned toward him. "Here? Is he here?"
"North."
Again, Sanria cast her spell, landing the group in Port Llast. Desperation that she had successfully fought now threatened to send her into a frenzy. "He's in that direction, toward the inn," Thasmudyan said.
Sanria led the way, bursting into the inn. "Excuse me, have you seen a boy, he's about yay big..." Sanria held her hand up to her chest. The innkeep, a spindly old man, stared at her for a long moment. "He's my son," Sanria continued. "He's lost."
"I think you're looking for the police," the man quipped.
"No," Sanria said, her ire rising. "We believe he is here. ORN!"
"M'am, I'll have to get the authorities -"
"ORN!"
Sanria heard nothing as she raced up the stairs, her heart pounding. Only two rooms, only two choices. She went to the first and found the door unlocked. With Thasmudyan and Colin behind her, she opened it and froze in place. Arlenia sat on the bed, Orn's head in her lap, gently stroking his hair with one hand while the other held a dagger to his throat.
"I knew you'd come," Arlenia said, and the voice sent chills through Sanria's body. Orn lay there, his head bandaged as well as his hand. Arlenia pointed toward the table. "I was just about to send his finger, then I heard this one shouting."
Sanria looked at Arlenia in disbelief. She took a step forward, and the gladiatrix tensed immediately. "Not another step or I'll kill him right now."
Sanria obediantly stopped, looking on helplessly. "Arlenia," Colin said in a near growl, "You give me my son."
"He should have been ours. Yours and mine. Ah well, too bad."
"You did this to yourself. You didn't wait for me," Colin said.
"You aren't a good liar. Had you said that to me long ago, I might have believed you. Now?"
"You should have waited for me."
"I don't believe you."
At Colin's advance, Arlenia pressed the knife enough to bring blood from Orn's neck. Sanria felt herself swoon. "Not another step."
"You're going to pay for this," Colin threatened.
"When I knew that you weren't coming back to me, I killed your child. When you still didn't come, I knew you would if I took this one. If I can't have you as anything else, I'll have you as my killer."
With swiftness, Arlenia plunged the dagger into Orn's neck. Sanria's world went dark. When she awoke, Orn was huddled by Thasmudyan, staring up at his father in fear before running to her. She looked over and saw Arlenia's head on the ground and Colin's swords in the woman's chest.
Sanria rose, holding Orn close as the boy sobbed, all his emotions finally released. She looked at Colin, then to the body, and back again. Blood covered the gladiator, and Sanria knew then she could never look on Colin the same way again. "I'll be home soon," he said. Sanria barely nodded as she vanished with Orn.
When Banion, the village elder, came out to greet Colin, it was all Sanria could do not to intervene. Colin had his hands on the hilts of his swords, demanding to know where Arlenia had gone. Sanria watched the elder man, seeing the fear on his face, seeing Colin bear down on him, and her soul ached.
Sanria turned and headed up the mountain path, leaving Colin and Thasmud- yan behind. She arrived at the top of the mountain and stared out over the Sea of Swords. Again, she tried to reach Orn and found nothing. She had never felt so helpless. The deep seated demon of doubt clawed at her heart and dispair flowed into her mind. What if she couldn't reach Orn in time? What if Arlenia did kill him? What would she do?
The sound of footfalls reached her ears as Colin and Thasmudyan arrived. "Sanria... I'm sorry," Colin began. "Maybe you're right. Maybe I should stay behind."
Frustration flooded Sanria. Colin had ignored her wishes to even come this far, bullied an old man, and now was ready to go back home. Logic should have spoken to her, but Sanria could see nothing but her anger. She fought the suggestion with silence.
"Perhaps I could try something," Thasmudyan said. "Do you have something of Orn's?"
Have something of Orn's. Sanria fought the irritation at the question and pulled from her pocket the boy's ear still wrapped in bloody gauze. She held it out to Thasmudyan. "Will this do?"
"He's farther north. A pretty good distance," Thasmudyan said.
It was all Sanria needed. Through her rage, she tried to cast a moonwell, but couldn't manage to make it happen. Tears broke from her eyes as she encanted again and again. Colin laid a comforting hand on her shoulder, and just as easily, Sanria shrugged it off. Finally, the spell took hold. The trio landed in Waterdeep, and before Thasmudyan had gotten completely out of the well, Sanria turned toward him. "Here? Is he here?"
"North."
Again, Sanria cast her spell, landing the group in Port Llast. Desperation that she had successfully fought now threatened to send her into a frenzy. "He's in that direction, toward the inn," Thasmudyan said.
Sanria led the way, bursting into the inn. "Excuse me, have you seen a boy, he's about yay big..." Sanria held her hand up to her chest. The innkeep, a spindly old man, stared at her for a long moment. "He's my son," Sanria continued. "He's lost."
"I think you're looking for the police," the man quipped.
"No," Sanria said, her ire rising. "We believe he is here. ORN!"
"M'am, I'll have to get the authorities -"
"ORN!"
Sanria heard nothing as she raced up the stairs, her heart pounding. Only two rooms, only two choices. She went to the first and found the door unlocked. With Thasmudyan and Colin behind her, she opened it and froze in place. Arlenia sat on the bed, Orn's head in her lap, gently stroking his hair with one hand while the other held a dagger to his throat.
"I knew you'd come," Arlenia said, and the voice sent chills through Sanria's body. Orn lay there, his head bandaged as well as his hand. Arlenia pointed toward the table. "I was just about to send his finger, then I heard this one shouting."
Sanria looked at Arlenia in disbelief. She took a step forward, and the gladiatrix tensed immediately. "Not another step or I'll kill him right now."
Sanria obediantly stopped, looking on helplessly. "Arlenia," Colin said in a near growl, "You give me my son."
"He should have been ours. Yours and mine. Ah well, too bad."
"You did this to yourself. You didn't wait for me," Colin said.
"You aren't a good liar. Had you said that to me long ago, I might have believed you. Now?"
"You should have waited for me."
"I don't believe you."
At Colin's advance, Arlenia pressed the knife enough to bring blood from Orn's neck. Sanria felt herself swoon. "Not another step."
"You're going to pay for this," Colin threatened.
"When I knew that you weren't coming back to me, I killed your child. When you still didn't come, I knew you would if I took this one. If I can't have you as anything else, I'll have you as my killer."
With swiftness, Arlenia plunged the dagger into Orn's neck. Sanria's world went dark. When she awoke, Orn was huddled by Thasmudyan, staring up at his father in fear before running to her. She looked over and saw Arlenia's head on the ground and Colin's swords in the woman's chest.
Sanria rose, holding Orn close as the boy sobbed, all his emotions finally released. She looked at Colin, then to the body, and back again. Blood covered the gladiator, and Sanria knew then she could never look on Colin the same way again. "I'll be home soon," he said. Sanria barely nodded as she vanished with Orn.
Fed Up (1-2)
Arlenia stared out over the sea, her eyes twin pits of despair. She picked up a rock and hefted it over the edge with a growl, then clutched her stomach. To do such a thing hurt. It sucked.
She sulked back down the mountain, her stomach preceding her. She hated that she was saddled with this child. She hated it. She loathed the father. She had to do something, and the idea struck her as she came down the path.
Arlenia went to Banion's hut. "Banion, do you have something to stop bleeding?"
"Are you bleeding child?" he asked with concern.
"No but, I'm concerned."
"Well there's no need to be concerned if nothing is wrong." "Please?"
Banion sighed and walked over to his cupboard. He pulled out a vial and handed it to her. "If you are bleeding or anyone else is bleeding, this will heal anything."
"And do you have anything for pain?"
"Arlenia..."
"Please, Banion."
Banion turned around and again fished through the cupboard. He produced another vial and handed it to her. "Anything else?"
"No, this will do. Thank you. I feel so much better already."
"Alright."
Arlenia walked slowly back up the mountain, hiking until she caught a stitch in her side and had to rest. She went deeper into the wooded area where she would not be seen. She pulled out a blade and looked down to her stomach. "I'll send you to your father. Piece by piece."
Arlenia took a stick and put it in her mouth. Biting down, she slid the blade into her stomach and immediately she started to sweat. She growled as the blade slid deeper. Stars began to fill her vision, but she forced herself to remain conscious. She cut enough of herself open to reach her hand into her own uterus. She felt the fetus within and pulled it out.
At the sudden rush of blood and amniotic fluid Arlenia nearly passed out. She laid the infant on the ground and downed the vial for pain. At last, she gained some focus. The infant squirmed, its airways uncleared, it's death immanent.
Arlenia severed the afterbirth from within herself and pulled it out. With the infant and the placenta laying on the ground, she quaffed the healing potion and watched the gaping wound at her side heal.
For a moment, she felt sorry for what she had done. Seeing the infant, no longer than 6 inches, open and close its mouth until it finally stopped... but then the madness that had come onto her rose again - and Arlenia set to work. She would send one piece for every month she was pregnant. Five in all.
The work was gruesome, but even the hot blood on her skin and the smell of iron didn't make her stop. Colin would have his child.
She sulked back down the mountain, her stomach preceding her. She hated that she was saddled with this child. She hated it. She loathed the father. She had to do something, and the idea struck her as she came down the path.
Arlenia went to Banion's hut. "Banion, do you have something to stop bleeding?"
"Are you bleeding child?" he asked with concern.
"No but, I'm concerned."
"Well there's no need to be concerned if nothing is wrong." "Please?"
Banion sighed and walked over to his cupboard. He pulled out a vial and handed it to her. "If you are bleeding or anyone else is bleeding, this will heal anything."
"And do you have anything for pain?"
"Arlenia..."
"Please, Banion."
Banion turned around and again fished through the cupboard. He produced another vial and handed it to her. "Anything else?"
"No, this will do. Thank you. I feel so much better already."
"Alright."
Arlenia walked slowly back up the mountain, hiking until she caught a stitch in her side and had to rest. She went deeper into the wooded area where she would not be seen. She pulled out a blade and looked down to her stomach. "I'll send you to your father. Piece by piece."
Arlenia took a stick and put it in her mouth. Biting down, she slid the blade into her stomach and immediately she started to sweat. She growled as the blade slid deeper. Stars began to fill her vision, but she forced herself to remain conscious. She cut enough of herself open to reach her hand into her own uterus. She felt the fetus within and pulled it out.
At the sudden rush of blood and amniotic fluid Arlenia nearly passed out. She laid the infant on the ground and downed the vial for pain. At last, she gained some focus. The infant squirmed, its airways uncleared, it's death immanent.
Arlenia severed the afterbirth from within herself and pulled it out. With the infant and the placenta laying on the ground, she quaffed the healing potion and watched the gaping wound at her side heal.
For a moment, she felt sorry for what she had done. Seeing the infant, no longer than 6 inches, open and close its mouth until it finally stopped... but then the madness that had come onto her rose again - and Arlenia set to work. She would send one piece for every month she was pregnant. Five in all.
The work was gruesome, but even the hot blood on her skin and the smell of iron didn't make her stop. Colin would have his child.
Vanishing Gladiator
Arlenia's eyes were red, swollen, puffy, and full of tears that marched a never-ending parade down her face. Things were perfect the night before. They made love so loudly that Sanria had to have heard it. Colin even agreed that what they did would drive away his ex wife. Then she woke up to find his side of the bed empty. No one had seen him leave, which drove Arlenia into such a frenzy that even Brant and Hector avoided her.
The knock at the door brought her momentarily from her sobbing. Banion smiled gently and put his hands on her shoulders. He brought her into a hug and patted her back. "There, there."
"Banion, he - he..."
"I heard, child. So our plan did not work as it should. Perhaps it was not meant to be."
"But, he's the father of my child, Banion. What can I do?"
"Nothing - let him be."
"No... no..."
Arlenia pulled away from Banion, wiping furiously at her eyes. She turned them on him, her teeth bared, her eyes looking wild. "I know. I'll kill her."
Banion stepped into the hut, gripping Arlenia by the shoulders, giving her a light shake. "No, child. There will be none of that."
Arlenia looked up, her features smoothing. "Of course not. Of course."
"Good. You will heal, and you'll raise a perfect child." She smiled as Banion left and then sunk down into the chair, staring at the fire. She would have her child, she would deliver it to Colin, and she would dispose of Sanria in a way Colin wouldn't suspect. She patted her stomach and whispered into the fire, "four more months to go."
The knock at the door brought her momentarily from her sobbing. Banion smiled gently and put his hands on her shoulders. He brought her into a hug and patted her back. "There, there."
"Banion, he - he..."
"I heard, child. So our plan did not work as it should. Perhaps it was not meant to be."
"But, he's the father of my child, Banion. What can I do?"
"Nothing - let him be."
"No... no..."
Arlenia pulled away from Banion, wiping furiously at her eyes. She turned them on him, her teeth bared, her eyes looking wild. "I know. I'll kill her."
Banion stepped into the hut, gripping Arlenia by the shoulders, giving her a light shake. "No, child. There will be none of that."
Arlenia looked up, her features smoothing. "Of course not. Of course."
"Good. You will heal, and you'll raise a perfect child." She smiled as Banion left and then sunk down into the chair, staring at the fire. She would have her child, she would deliver it to Colin, and she would dispose of Sanria in a way Colin wouldn't suspect. She patted her stomach and whispered into the fire, "four more months to go."
Finding Guardian
The sea breeze drifted up in eddies from the ocean, carrying with it the scent of salt and seaweed. Orn seemed to delight in the flowers that he found everywhere around him, though Sanria picked him up as she spun in a slow circle. "Where do we go from here?" she thought, and almost on cue, a stately buck lifted its head. With sudden purpose, it bounded back into the forests on the mountain, using a well worn path as its mode of escape. Sanria cautiously walked over to it and looked into the small boy's eyes. "Well, it looks like down."
"Down mama! Lets get Papa, go down!"
They followed the path until it ended at a well at the edge of a small village. The people hesistated, looking at Sanria as an outsider, parting the way until at last, a man dressed in the long robes of a healer stepped forward. "Welcome, traveler. We weren't expecting visitors."
"I'm sorry," Sanria said quietly. "I've come to see if my husband has been here."
"Husband?" the man asked, his eyebrows arching. "Does he have a name or description?"
"Yes, his name is Colin. He's... well... rather large and -"
"Yes," Banion replied. "He is here, but we were under the impression that he was no longer your husband. He is here with his fiancee."
Sanria felt as though she had been punched in the gut and Orn looked at Banion with toddler frustration. "Where Papa?"
"This is his son?" Banion asked.
"Yes, this is Orn. We both miss him very much and would just like to talk to him. That's all."
"I was not aware he had a child..."
"And another on the way," Sanria replied, revealing a four-month swell.
She knew that the man had a change of heart as Banion's face looked to the ground with a frown. "Come, you deserve to speak with Colin. I will allow you both to say in a hut nearby.
"Thank you," Sanria said breathlessly.
The man led the way and showed her to a small hut. "You will be guarded, for your own safety, you understand."
"I understand. I appreciate you letting me speak to him."
"We will see," Banion said, leaving Sanria alone with Orn to wonder how this would play out.
"Down mama! Lets get Papa, go down!"
They followed the path until it ended at a well at the edge of a small village. The people hesistated, looking at Sanria as an outsider, parting the way until at last, a man dressed in the long robes of a healer stepped forward. "Welcome, traveler. We weren't expecting visitors."
"I'm sorry," Sanria said quietly. "I've come to see if my husband has been here."
"Husband?" the man asked, his eyebrows arching. "Does he have a name or description?"
"Yes, his name is Colin. He's... well... rather large and -"
"Yes," Banion replied. "He is here, but we were under the impression that he was no longer your husband. He is here with his fiancee."
Sanria felt as though she had been punched in the gut and Orn looked at Banion with toddler frustration. "Where Papa?"
"This is his son?" Banion asked.
"Yes, this is Orn. We both miss him very much and would just like to talk to him. That's all."
"I was not aware he had a child..."
"And another on the way," Sanria replied, revealing a four-month swell.
She knew that the man had a change of heart as Banion's face looked to the ground with a frown. "Come, you deserve to speak with Colin. I will allow you both to say in a hut nearby.
"Thank you," Sanria said breathlessly.
The man led the way and showed her to a small hut. "You will be guarded, for your own safety, you understand."
"I understand. I appreciate you letting me speak to him."
"We will see," Banion said, leaving Sanria alone with Orn to wonder how this would play out.
Planning Ahead
Arlenia called Hector and Brant into the hut and set them down. The two big men looked at her and broke into smiles. "Now you want us to do what, exactly?" Hector asked.
"You take these darts, Banion has already tipped them in the sedative, and you -"
"Dart him? Like a monkey?" Brant asked. The men broke into laughter.
"Look, jerks, you dart him, alright? Then you drag his butt back here so I can marry him with Banion's blessing and I won't have to be some single mother on an island full of... of..."
"Jerks," Brant finished.
"Yes. Jerks. You'll be paid for your work."
"How much?" Hector asked.
"I don't know - I'm sure I can scrounge up some platinum somehow, but you are both my friends and have been for years - so I can count on you, right?"
The men sighed and shook their heads. "Yeah, you can. But you're gonna owe us big, Arlenia."
"Just... be careful. He can get really, really angry."
"He won't even see us," Hector said.
"Good. Oh yeah -" Arlenia paused and walked to her bedside table. She lifted a letter into her hand and laid it on Brant's lap. "She needs to find that."
Brant lifted the letter and eyed it before looking back at Arlenia. "How is she supposed to find it?"
"Leave it at the door for all I care. Now go. I want my husband back here before I get any bigger."
"You take these darts, Banion has already tipped them in the sedative, and you -"
"Dart him? Like a monkey?" Brant asked. The men broke into laughter.
"Look, jerks, you dart him, alright? Then you drag his butt back here so I can marry him with Banion's blessing and I won't have to be some single mother on an island full of... of..."
"Jerks," Brant finished.
"Yes. Jerks. You'll be paid for your work."
"How much?" Hector asked.
"I don't know - I'm sure I can scrounge up some platinum somehow, but you are both my friends and have been for years - so I can count on you, right?"
The men sighed and shook their heads. "Yeah, you can. But you're gonna owe us big, Arlenia."
"Just... be careful. He can get really, really angry."
"He won't even see us," Hector said.
"Good. Oh yeah -" Arlenia paused and walked to her bedside table. She lifted a letter into her hand and laid it on Brant's lap. "She needs to find that."
Brant lifted the letter and eyed it before looking back at Arlenia. "How is she supposed to find it?"
"Leave it at the door for all I care. Now go. I want my husband back here before I get any bigger."
Gaining a Husband
"Come out, child," Banion crooned. For nigh on a week Arlenia stayed in the hut at the end of the village. Her stomach was beginning to show the first signs of pregnancy and her armor didn't fit quite right. She had to wear a muslin moo-moo and she felt belittled, weak, and trapped. Banion, the village elder, didn't help matters. He watched over her as though she were sick - even though she did have trouble keeping meals down.
"Go away, Banion."
The door opened and Arlenia grumbled, folding her arms like a petulant child as she flopped down into the chair by the fire. "I said go away."
"Remember to respect your elders, Arlenia. We are the learned and the way, after all."
Banion walked in and took the chair opposite her. He smiled and gave her a flower. "How do you feel?"
"I'm fine," Arlenia replied, her cheeks burning crimson. "I'm knocked up and stuck here without a husband."
"There are plenty of fine, upstanding men on this island that have and continue to offer you their hearts."
"I don't want them, Banion. I want the father of this baby."
Arlenia looked at the old man, who seemed suddenly deep in thought. "You are miserable, aren't you," he asked, looking up at her.
"More than you can imagine."
"And you feel that this man should be with you?"
"More than anything."
"Perhaps there is a way, though it is not my first desire."
Arlenia sat up as Banion told her of his plan. She would have her family. Even if she had to do it underhandedly.
"Go away, Banion."
The door opened and Arlenia grumbled, folding her arms like a petulant child as she flopped down into the chair by the fire. "I said go away."
"Remember to respect your elders, Arlenia. We are the learned and the way, after all."
Banion walked in and took the chair opposite her. He smiled and gave her a flower. "How do you feel?"
"I'm fine," Arlenia replied, her cheeks burning crimson. "I'm knocked up and stuck here without a husband."
"There are plenty of fine, upstanding men on this island that have and continue to offer you their hearts."
"I don't want them, Banion. I want the father of this baby."
Arlenia looked at the old man, who seemed suddenly deep in thought. "You are miserable, aren't you," he asked, looking up at her.
"More than you can imagine."
"And you feel that this man should be with you?"
"More than anything."
"Perhaps there is a way, though it is not my first desire."
Arlenia sat up as Banion told her of his plan. She would have her family. Even if she had to do it underhandedly.
Rolling Waves
Arlenia stared out over the ocean with tears rolling down her face. She seemed to do a lot of crying lately - hormones, Banion told her, but it was more like heartache. She had waited for Colin to come back to her, to choose her since she was pregnant with his child. Instead he had come to tell her that while he didn't want her, he wanted to be part of the child's life. It made her sick. How dare he decide he was going to just come when he wanted. Pop in to say hello, no matter whether she had moved on or not. Worse, Sanria had sent him. Seemed that woman could ask him to do anything and he'd do it - regardless of the fact she didn't even want to be with him.
There wasn't much to move on to - she could admit that. Sam, one of the soldiers on the island, was trying like mad to marry her, but he was a crass idiot with no honor or dignity. She wanted Colin, but after this last visit, she knew that it was no more than a distant dream on a distant shore in a distant time. She wouldn't suffer any part of him.
Arlenia had threatened to go to Banion to terminate the pregnancy. She knew she couldn't have done it, but it satisfied her to see the agony on Colin's face. Let him hurt for a change. At last, she had gotten him to agree to taking the child once it was born. She would separate her heart from the one that grew inside of her. As soon as the baby was out, she would ship it like cargo to its father and let it grow up with him. She'd never have to see Colin again, and he'd have permanent visitation.
She watched the clipper head back out to sea carrying Colin aboard its decks. She flipped the bird to the ship, waving her hand back and forth in wide arcs. She'd learned the gesture on her travels. One thing she'd retained. She knew Colin couldn't see it, but she hoped he did. She took in a deep lungful of air and screamed toward the ship, "SCREW YOU, COLIN STONE!" Arlenia collapsed into a sobbing heap.
There wasn't much to move on to - she could admit that. Sam, one of the soldiers on the island, was trying like mad to marry her, but he was a crass idiot with no honor or dignity. She wanted Colin, but after this last visit, she knew that it was no more than a distant dream on a distant shore in a distant time. She wouldn't suffer any part of him.
Arlenia had threatened to go to Banion to terminate the pregnancy. She knew she couldn't have done it, but it satisfied her to see the agony on Colin's face. Let him hurt for a change. At last, she had gotten him to agree to taking the child once it was born. She would separate her heart from the one that grew inside of her. As soon as the baby was out, she would ship it like cargo to its father and let it grow up with him. She'd never have to see Colin again, and he'd have permanent visitation.
She watched the clipper head back out to sea carrying Colin aboard its decks. She flipped the bird to the ship, waving her hand back and forth in wide arcs. She'd learned the gesture on her travels. One thing she'd retained. She knew Colin couldn't see it, but she hoped he did. She took in a deep lungful of air and screamed toward the ship, "SCREW YOU, COLIN STONE!" Arlenia collapsed into a sobbing heap.
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