Ruthivan sat on his knees, clutching Claire's body to his chest. He rocked and sobbed, then growled and cursed. He punched her dead body repeatedly, ignorant of all the eyes that watched him commit his desecration. His entire camp now stood around him, their circle excluding Mirin's form, until at last he let Claire roll from his arms onto the ground.
He was numb, he felt his soul severed. She was dead, truly dead, and he knew it because the bond he kept alive through his force was gone. For all that he tried to do to keep her, in the end, Claire had escaped him the only way she had. And he was the one that had set her free.
He got to his feet and stared at Mirin for a long moment, then looked to the healer. "Get that out of here. Put her outside the camp."
"Yes, Elder Ruthivan."
He looked to the faces that stared back at him with open shock and turned on his heel, leaving them behind. He had nothing to say as his heart was crushed beneath its own weight. The children rushed forward, but stopped at the look on his face, and Ruthivan's stared at them as alien and apart.
"Your mother is dead," he said, his voice steel and gravel. They cried, they wailed, and Ruthivan walked into the bedroom he shared with Claire, shutting them out and leaving them with the help. He sat on the edge of the bed and an agonizing howl sprung from his stomach, not stopping until he had expelled every last mote of air from his lungs. Then, Ruthivan broke down. His sobs were heard by every esper in the camp as they filed by the tent, and every one was a repentance for every wrong he had ever heaped upon Claire.
Showing posts with label Ruthivan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ruthivan. Show all posts
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.
Torrential Downpour
The fight was more than epic, and if it weren't for the magical barrier that separated the whole camp from the outside world, any watching would have seen the sparks of energy flying. Mirin deftly avoided the claws and fangs of the espers who had transformed into beasts, and avoided the myriad of spells sent crashing into her. Her eyes glowed with a ferocity as she pulled from the very fabric of the weave to defeat the man who had commandeered her mother.
Then, the unthinkable. From the inside of Ruthivan's tent came her mother, aided by an elderly esper who obviously had freed her. Mirin lifted her hand to stop her mother, and was blind sided by a blast to her chest. She slid on the ground as the transformed beasts surrounded her. She could hear Ruthivan's deep growling laughter, then a scream followed by the sound of bones cracking.
Mirin opened her eyes and her heart froze. Her mother lay beside her, a crumpled heap of robes, and Ruthivan - now himself again - dropped to his knees, howling for a healer. None of the others moved as Mirin pushed herself up, her head throbbing with a thunderous ache. She watched the healer rush forward, sweating, panting, weaving spells that did nothing.
"She... she's..." the old one babbled, and Ruthivan grabbed the man by his robes and snatched him to his face. "You'd better not say she's dead," Ruthivan howled in a broken voice.
"I'm... I'm sorry..."
"FIX HER!" Ruthivan shouted, then grabbed his chest. "No, no no no..."
Mirin exhaled and dropped onto the ground at exactly the same moment that Ruthivan felt his bond with Claire shatter into nothingness.
Then, the unthinkable. From the inside of Ruthivan's tent came her mother, aided by an elderly esper who obviously had freed her. Mirin lifted her hand to stop her mother, and was blind sided by a blast to her chest. She slid on the ground as the transformed beasts surrounded her. She could hear Ruthivan's deep growling laughter, then a scream followed by the sound of bones cracking.
Mirin opened her eyes and her heart froze. Her mother lay beside her, a crumpled heap of robes, and Ruthivan - now himself again - dropped to his knees, howling for a healer. None of the others moved as Mirin pushed herself up, her head throbbing with a thunderous ache. She watched the healer rush forward, sweating, panting, weaving spells that did nothing.
"She... she's..." the old one babbled, and Ruthivan grabbed the man by his robes and snatched him to his face. "You'd better not say she's dead," Ruthivan howled in a broken voice.
"I'm... I'm sorry..."
"FIX HER!" Ruthivan shouted, then grabbed his chest. "No, no no no..."
Mirin exhaled and dropped onto the ground at exactly the same moment that Ruthivan felt his bond with Claire shatter into nothingness.
Rush
The magic washed over her in waves of vibration that set her skin tingling. She stepped through to see a ring of tents, one slightly larger than the rest, a standard flapping in the wind above it. The few espers that walked about stopped and stared at her with an open skepticism, their looks bordering on hostile. "Who are you?" one finally shot, his skin a deep orange, his hair white flames.
'My name is Mirin, and Claire is my mother.'
The atmosphere settled into ice and the other espers narrowed their eyes. "The Kra'ineba has no other children but the four in her home and the one on the way."
'Kra... what?'
"Our Elder's mate."
'Oh... okay... right. Well, listen, she's in trouble and I've come to set things straight.'
"The Kra'ineba is in no danger."
'I assure you, she is.'
Before the orange esper could say more, a ruddy hand was lain upon his shoulder. Ruthivan walked to the fore, his eyebrows lifted in a glance of disdain. "Welcome, half-breed. How did you find our camp?"
Mirin's mouth pulled into a slight sneer. She walked forward and found herself looking up into Ruthivan's face. 'I got directions from your son. You do remember him, the one you slapped for trying to help his family?'
The crowd of espers bristled with sudden whispers and Ruthivan cocked his head to the side with a chuckle. "He is not my son."
'That must be convenient. You just drop any kids you don't like and get to pretend they don't exist.'
"It's been a nice chat, but it's time for you to leave."
'Not until I speak to my mother.'
"My mate is only permitted to speak to full blooded espers that are loyal to the cause of our people."
'Permitted?' Mirin telepathed with incredulity. 'Are you her father?'
"I killed him because he was a wayward soul. Careful that I don't do the world a service and remove you from it as well."
Mirin's eyes flashed as she smiled. Around her hands, crackling energy sizzled from the air and in her palms, white hot balls of magic formed. 'I see now what she said was true. She is not safe and I intend to fix that.'
Ruthivan grinned and transformed. Before Mirin now towered a red dog-like creature with large claws and fangs. He barked more than spoke. At his sides, other espers made their transformations, until Mirin was staring at three of the most twisted magical abominations she had ever seen. "Come, let us take out the garbage," Ruthivan barked.
'My name is Mirin, and Claire is my mother.'
The atmosphere settled into ice and the other espers narrowed their eyes. "The Kra'ineba has no other children but the four in her home and the one on the way."
'Kra... what?'
"Our Elder's mate."
'Oh... okay... right. Well, listen, she's in trouble and I've come to set things straight.'
"The Kra'ineba is in no danger."
'I assure you, she is.'
Before the orange esper could say more, a ruddy hand was lain upon his shoulder. Ruthivan walked to the fore, his eyebrows lifted in a glance of disdain. "Welcome, half-breed. How did you find our camp?"
Mirin's mouth pulled into a slight sneer. She walked forward and found herself looking up into Ruthivan's face. 'I got directions from your son. You do remember him, the one you slapped for trying to help his family?'
The crowd of espers bristled with sudden whispers and Ruthivan cocked his head to the side with a chuckle. "He is not my son."
'That must be convenient. You just drop any kids you don't like and get to pretend they don't exist.'
"It's been a nice chat, but it's time for you to leave."
'Not until I speak to my mother.'
"My mate is only permitted to speak to full blooded espers that are loyal to the cause of our people."
'Permitted?' Mirin telepathed with incredulity. 'Are you her father?'
"I killed him because he was a wayward soul. Careful that I don't do the world a service and remove you from it as well."
Mirin's eyes flashed as she smiled. Around her hands, crackling energy sizzled from the air and in her palms, white hot balls of magic formed. 'I see now what she said was true. She is not safe and I intend to fix that.'
Ruthivan grinned and transformed. Before Mirin now towered a red dog-like creature with large claws and fangs. He barked more than spoke. At his sides, other espers made their transformations, until Mirin was staring at three of the most twisted magical abominations she had ever seen. "Come, let us take out the garbage," Ruthivan barked.
Training the Kra'ineba
'Do you understand?' Claire's face throbbed from the blow. She lay in bed, in her father's bed, at Ruthivan's side. She had made the mistake of being unsuccessful. She tried to get Ruthivan to see that she was miserable, unhappy, that she didn't love him, that they had no rights to lead the tribe, that everything would be better if he let her leave and found himself a mate that loved him. For a fleeting glimpse of a moment, she thought she had him thinking... but the moment collapsed with a slap across her face. 'You are mine, Claire. You were promised to me, you have been mine for three hundred years. You are where you belong, and tomorrow you will act like it. Or you will be sorry. Do you understand?'
'Yes...' she whispered.
'Now, get your rest.'
Claire drifted off, hoping that Mirin was doing something to help her. Anything. This situation was growing unbearable. Claire felt guilt over her father's death, guilt laying in his bed, guilt that somehow everything was her fault.
She was awoken the following morning by a small boy who stared at her with white hair and a sky blue complexion. His voice was soft and halting, 'What would you like for breakfast, Kra'ineba Claire?'
'Wha... I'm... what are you doing here?'
Then reality suddenly shook Claire. Ruthivan had even brought on servants. It disgusted her. The boy rattled off choices for breakfast and repeated his question. 'Please,' Claire said, 'You don't have to call me that.'
'Yes I do.' The boy frowned and looked around himself. 'He said I did.'
'Who said?'
The boy's expression left no doubt. 'Is it true he killed Elder Eladrim?'
'I... yes. It is.'
'Do you love him?'
Claire looked at the boy, her mouth hanging open. She started to shake her head, then stopped herself. The night before, the threat, the understanding. She nodded her head. 'Yes, of course,' she lied. Her heart sank as the boy looked at her with incredulity and disgust.
He returned after a long while, struggling to keep the dishes from clattering together. He set them down and stood watching her. 'You don't have to wait.'
'I... do. He said for you to eat everything, you need your strength.'
Claire closed her eyes tightly. 'Please, Mirin,' she thought to herself. 'Please get me out of here.' Then Claire ate was the boy stood watching her to make sure every scrap was gone.
'Yes...' she whispered.
'Now, get your rest.'
Claire drifted off, hoping that Mirin was doing something to help her. Anything. This situation was growing unbearable. Claire felt guilt over her father's death, guilt laying in his bed, guilt that somehow everything was her fault.
She was awoken the following morning by a small boy who stared at her with white hair and a sky blue complexion. His voice was soft and halting, 'What would you like for breakfast, Kra'ineba Claire?'
'Wha... I'm... what are you doing here?'
Then reality suddenly shook Claire. Ruthivan had even brought on servants. It disgusted her. The boy rattled off choices for breakfast and repeated his question. 'Please,' Claire said, 'You don't have to call me that.'
'Yes I do.' The boy frowned and looked around himself. 'He said I did.'
'Who said?'
The boy's expression left no doubt. 'Is it true he killed Elder Eladrim?'
'I... yes. It is.'
'Do you love him?'
Claire looked at the boy, her mouth hanging open. She started to shake her head, then stopped herself. The night before, the threat, the understanding. She nodded her head. 'Yes, of course,' she lied. Her heart sank as the boy looked at her with incredulity and disgust.
He returned after a long while, struggling to keep the dishes from clattering together. He set them down and stood watching her. 'You don't have to wait.'
'I... do. He said for you to eat everything, you need your strength.'
Claire closed her eyes tightly. 'Please, Mirin,' she thought to herself. 'Please get me out of here.' Then Claire ate was the boy stood watching her to make sure every scrap was gone.
The New Elder
"The enchantments are in place, Elder Ruthivan."
Ruthivan released Claire's arm and nodded to the wizard, who promptly left. He looked back at his mate and smiled. "Welcome home, Claire."
He walked from the room, leaving Claire behind, and went into the large grand foyer. While the tent looked small from the outside, looked simply like any other tent, inside it was a palace. His palace. After all the years of groveling to the Elder Eladrim and his wife, years spent silent in his observations of their rule, years waiting for Claire to be his as he was promised - he was now the one in charge. He stopped at the looking glass and dusted off his jacket and ran fingers through his hair. He turned and walked out into the tribe.
"My brothers and sisters," he began when they all had reassembled. "We are at the dawning of a new beginning for this tribe. Your previous leader, my previous leader, was weak. A fact well known to every one of us, evidenced by how he allowed his own daugther to run about, shirking her duties to her people. A fact evidenced when he banished me after everything I had done for his family because I dared to tame the wildness that he allowed to flower in his child. He is gone, and now I am here to lead us. As was foretold in the annals of our histories, one will come forth of noble heritage and pure lineage who will lead us back to our rightful home. Our duty is to populate our people once more, for if we make a population of great might, the spirit of the one to lead us will undoubtedly have a home when the time comes. Your Kra'ineba will serve as an example of a dutiful mother, our bond will be the guide for how to live your lives. I have proudly brought four children to bear with my beloved mate, and a fifth on the way. Together, and with the strength of our tribe, they will be raised to be noble, admirable, and pure. Each of you will be expected to do your part, your duty. We will champion the new beginnings of the Esper race. We will grow our people to be proud and mighty. We will destroy any who oppose us, abuse us, and use us. We will return home."
He smiled at the applause, which started slow, then grew as the others joined in. He turned to his old friend, Velek, who stood clapping in the group. "Velek, come here please."
"Elder," Velek addressed as he inclined his head.
"Your son, Fendash, I wish him to tend to my wife."
"It would be an honor for my family to serve."
"Good. Send him tomorrow morning."
"As you wish, Elder."
Ruthivan turned his back on the tribe and entered his tent. His children stood looking at him, humbled and quiet, wary and afraid. "Children," he said, kneeling and holding out his arms. They reluctantly shuffled forward. "I know what you saw, and I know it looked terrible, but it was necessary. Look, look where you live now. And look at all the people out there, your people." "But you killed Grandfather," Celiara whispered. "I know, my love, but your Grandfather was not a good man. He was not a strong man. Not like me. I won't let anything happen to you. I will take care of you and protect you with my life."
His children entered his embrace and Ruthivan felt them relax. Everything was changing, everything was turning out right.
Ruthivan released Claire's arm and nodded to the wizard, who promptly left. He looked back at his mate and smiled. "Welcome home, Claire."
He walked from the room, leaving Claire behind, and went into the large grand foyer. While the tent looked small from the outside, looked simply like any other tent, inside it was a palace. His palace. After all the years of groveling to the Elder Eladrim and his wife, years spent silent in his observations of their rule, years waiting for Claire to be his as he was promised - he was now the one in charge. He stopped at the looking glass and dusted off his jacket and ran fingers through his hair. He turned and walked out into the tribe.
"My brothers and sisters," he began when they all had reassembled. "We are at the dawning of a new beginning for this tribe. Your previous leader, my previous leader, was weak. A fact well known to every one of us, evidenced by how he allowed his own daugther to run about, shirking her duties to her people. A fact evidenced when he banished me after everything I had done for his family because I dared to tame the wildness that he allowed to flower in his child. He is gone, and now I am here to lead us. As was foretold in the annals of our histories, one will come forth of noble heritage and pure lineage who will lead us back to our rightful home. Our duty is to populate our people once more, for if we make a population of great might, the spirit of the one to lead us will undoubtedly have a home when the time comes. Your Kra'ineba will serve as an example of a dutiful mother, our bond will be the guide for how to live your lives. I have proudly brought four children to bear with my beloved mate, and a fifth on the way. Together, and with the strength of our tribe, they will be raised to be noble, admirable, and pure. Each of you will be expected to do your part, your duty. We will champion the new beginnings of the Esper race. We will grow our people to be proud and mighty. We will destroy any who oppose us, abuse us, and use us. We will return home."
He smiled at the applause, which started slow, then grew as the others joined in. He turned to his old friend, Velek, who stood clapping in the group. "Velek, come here please."
"Elder," Velek addressed as he inclined his head.
"Your son, Fendash, I wish him to tend to my wife."
"It would be an honor for my family to serve."
"Good. Send him tomorrow morning."
"As you wish, Elder."
Ruthivan turned his back on the tribe and entered his tent. His children stood looking at him, humbled and quiet, wary and afraid. "Children," he said, kneeling and holding out his arms. They reluctantly shuffled forward. "I know what you saw, and I know it looked terrible, but it was necessary. Look, look where you live now. And look at all the people out there, your people." "But you killed Grandfather," Celiara whispered. "I know, my love, but your Grandfather was not a good man. He was not a strong man. Not like me. I won't let anything happen to you. I will take care of you and protect you with my life."
His children entered his embrace and Ruthivan felt them relax. Everything was changing, everything was turning out right.
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.'
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.
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.'
Seeking Seranfrit
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.
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.
Beast
Ruthivan glared at Claire, his chest heaving. He could slaughter her here, but no, she had a child in her. He would calm himself enough not to rip out her insides like he had her father. It was a fight. He grabbed her around the neck and squeezed hard, to the point he knew she was ready to pass out, then pushed her against the wall, holding her in a standing position. "You liar," he snarled in her ear. "You fooled me once, but you will not ever again. You'll do everything I ask of you and never question it. I don't care if you dry up and rot, you'll dry up and rot as a pure blooded Esper devoted to her family, and so help me if I don't see adoration and devotion on your face-" he gave another squeeze.
He let Claire slump to the floor in a coughing fit and turned around to the body laying on the floor. He roared as he leaned down and began to devour the body. He knew as he crunched the bones, the magic in Eladrim, in Claire's father, would saturate him. He thought nothing of the consequences or the putrid nature of what he was doing. He did not stop to think about the madness that would consume him even more than his own. The blood dripped down his face, the magic quivered in his stomach before radiating outward in pulses, causing him to shiver beneath the power.
He shuddered back into his Esper form and looked up into the faces of his horrified children who stared at him from the doorway. "Children..."
"You eated him..." Desmaren whispered before suddenly breaking into sobs.
"Claire," Ruthivan snarled. "Your duty begins now. Take your children to their rooms and tell them how you brought this upon yourself and our family."
Ruthivan stood up and wiped his mouth. All that remained of Eladrim was a puddle on the floor, and he would force Claire to clean it. For now, he had to find Seranfrit. If she feared him, all the better. He would force his family back into the tribe, and he would rule them as he saw fit. He caught Claire as she walked past him and forced a kiss upon her lips, smiling at the blood that smeared itself on her. "I love you," he grinned and walked out the door, slamming it behind him.
He let Claire slump to the floor in a coughing fit and turned around to the body laying on the floor. He roared as he leaned down and began to devour the body. He knew as he crunched the bones, the magic in Eladrim, in Claire's father, would saturate him. He thought nothing of the consequences or the putrid nature of what he was doing. He did not stop to think about the madness that would consume him even more than his own. The blood dripped down his face, the magic quivered in his stomach before radiating outward in pulses, causing him to shiver beneath the power.
He shuddered back into his Esper form and looked up into the faces of his horrified children who stared at him from the doorway. "Children..."
"You eated him..." Desmaren whispered before suddenly breaking into sobs.
"Claire," Ruthivan snarled. "Your duty begins now. Take your children to their rooms and tell them how you brought this upon yourself and our family."
Ruthivan stood up and wiped his mouth. All that remained of Eladrim was a puddle on the floor, and he would force Claire to clean it. For now, he had to find Seranfrit. If she feared him, all the better. He would force his family back into the tribe, and he would rule them as he saw fit. He caught Claire as she walked past him and forced a kiss upon her lips, smiling at the blood that smeared itself on her. "I love you," he grinned and walked out the door, slamming it behind him.
Discussions
Eladrim sat down and sighed deeply. He turned to look at Claire. "You say he hit you?"
'Yes, father. And I can do no magic, I can't be freed of this place. I can't get out.'
"Claire," Seranfrit commanded. "This is ridiculous. You need to settle down and you finally have. This is your life!"
'Then why don't you have it, mother? Honestly, I don't know why you don't have more children. I am a litter mother to a brood of children, why not you?'
Claire watched her mother struggling to formulate words, her mouth working like a fish. She turned her attention on her father. "Please, I don't want to be here, father. I will go wherever you ask of me, but not with him. Break the bond, absolve me of this misery!"
"And what of your children?" Eladrim asked.
'Take them, take them from him and his racist and ignorant teachings. Don't let them become him.'
"You don't want your own children?" Seranfrit hissed with disgust.
'You don't want me, mother, unless its on your own terms. If I could take my children from him and not have to endure his presence I would, but something tells me that if I take them, I would never see peace.'
Claire stared at the frozen beast that hulked in the kitchen. She could hear the low growls from under the frost. "I am willing to let them grow up in the tribe, if you'll have them, full blood Espers. I can't do this, father. Please."
Eladrim sighed deeply and finally nodded. "I will seek out the wise ones to see if we can free you of the bond. In the meantime, we will bring you and the children into the tribe."
"You can't be serious," Seranfrit spat.
"I will not have this man harm -our- daughter. Will you?"
Fish mouth worked and Claire's eyes filled with tears. 'Thank you, father. Thank you.'
Eladrim rose and walked to the icy Ruthivan who growled and whimpered in his shell of frost. He stared for a long moment. "I know you have heard all of this, Ruthivan. You will be separated from my daughter as soon as we find the wise ones. You will not have your children, you will not be part of the tribe. You will not have Claire. In fact, you would best serve yourself by returning to your home and your mother."
Claire gasped as the frost began to melt and crack. With a roar, Ruthivan broke his bonds and drove his entire fist into Eladrim's stomach. He ripped his hand back out, entrails flowing over his hand. Claire didn't hear her own screaming as her father dropped to the floor, shocked as he exhaled his last breath and died. She only knew that in a moment, her mother was running for her life, and Claire was face to snout with Ruthivan.
"You will never leave and above all, you will never take my children. If you try, I will kill you."
'Yes, father. And I can do no magic, I can't be freed of this place. I can't get out.'
"Claire," Seranfrit commanded. "This is ridiculous. You need to settle down and you finally have. This is your life!"
'Then why don't you have it, mother? Honestly, I don't know why you don't have more children. I am a litter mother to a brood of children, why not you?'
Claire watched her mother struggling to formulate words, her mouth working like a fish. She turned her attention on her father. "Please, I don't want to be here, father. I will go wherever you ask of me, but not with him. Break the bond, absolve me of this misery!"
"And what of your children?" Eladrim asked.
'Take them, take them from him and his racist and ignorant teachings. Don't let them become him.'
"You don't want your own children?" Seranfrit hissed with disgust.
'You don't want me, mother, unless its on your own terms. If I could take my children from him and not have to endure his presence I would, but something tells me that if I take them, I would never see peace.'
Claire stared at the frozen beast that hulked in the kitchen. She could hear the low growls from under the frost. "I am willing to let them grow up in the tribe, if you'll have them, full blood Espers. I can't do this, father. Please."
Eladrim sighed deeply and finally nodded. "I will seek out the wise ones to see if we can free you of the bond. In the meantime, we will bring you and the children into the tribe."
"You can't be serious," Seranfrit spat.
"I will not have this man harm -our- daughter. Will you?"
Fish mouth worked and Claire's eyes filled with tears. 'Thank you, father. Thank you.'
Eladrim rose and walked to the icy Ruthivan who growled and whimpered in his shell of frost. He stared for a long moment. "I know you have heard all of this, Ruthivan. You will be separated from my daughter as soon as we find the wise ones. You will not have your children, you will not be part of the tribe. You will not have Claire. In fact, you would best serve yourself by returning to your home and your mother."
Claire gasped as the frost began to melt and crack. With a roar, Ruthivan broke his bonds and drove his entire fist into Eladrim's stomach. He ripped his hand back out, entrails flowing over his hand. Claire didn't hear her own screaming as her father dropped to the floor, shocked as he exhaled his last breath and died. She only knew that in a moment, her mother was running for her life, and Claire was face to snout with Ruthivan.
"You will never leave and above all, you will never take my children. If you try, I will kill 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.
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!"
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.
Trussing Claire 2/2
He regretted it instantly when he saw the shock cross her features and the distrust flood her eyes. She closed her mouth, her jaw going tight, and tears rolled down her stoic face. It looked as though she was daring him to do it again, defiant.
Ruthivan held his breath for a moment then narrowed his eyes. "Get yourself together," he hissed, holding a finger in her face. "I knew you would do it," she whispered. "It was only a question of when." "Shut up," he spat. "You made me lash out, you and those humans, including the one that took our son." "Whatever we may have had, whatever might have been, it is gone. I will not rest until I have absolved myself of you." "Well," he said with a sneer, "you're going to have a long time to wait, Claire. You are bonded to me and belong with and to me. So straighten yourself up, or I'll straighten you myself."
He walked from the room, slamming the door behind him. He left the living room and paced in the woods beyond. He slammed his fist into a tree, crunching his bones and magically healing them. She made him so hateful and angry... it was her fault. In his mind, the realization that she would never love him filled his senses and drove him mad. He looked skyward and let out a howl of rage. It drifted through the woods to be absorbed by the trees that ruffled their leaves in repeated whispers to dissipate the pity and hate they were forced to absorb.
Ruthivan held his breath for a moment then narrowed his eyes. "Get yourself together," he hissed, holding a finger in her face. "I knew you would do it," she whispered. "It was only a question of when." "Shut up," he spat. "You made me lash out, you and those humans, including the one that took our son." "Whatever we may have had, whatever might have been, it is gone. I will not rest until I have absolved myself of you." "Well," he said with a sneer, "you're going to have a long time to wait, Claire. You are bonded to me and belong with and to me. So straighten yourself up, or I'll straighten you myself."
He walked from the room, slamming the door behind him. He left the living room and paced in the woods beyond. He slammed his fist into a tree, crunching his bones and magically healing them. She made him so hateful and angry... it was her fault. In his mind, the realization that she would never love him filled his senses and drove him mad. He looked skyward and let out a howl of rage. It drifted through the woods to be absorbed by the trees that ruffled their leaves in repeated whispers to dissipate the pity and hate they were forced to absorb.
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.
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.
Wayward Son
Sanria knew what was about to happen before it happened, but she still could not keep Orn from exploding in front of Ruthivan. She had to at last lay a hearty slap on her son's face to break his focus. Ruthivan had turned himself into some raging demonic... thing, and Sanria knew that in that instant, he was going to turn his fury on Claire once all was said and done. If, she entertained, he didn't kill them first.
"You men and your idiotic posturing," she hissed at Orn once they had left the tent and were standing before it outside. "Did you once think of what you were doing to Claire as you were threatening the man she has to live with?! You don't even know the whole story and you're in there acting as if you can take him. As if he's never dealt with kid-napping her multiple times!"
"She shouldn't be living with that! You saw how he was with her! What more is there to the story?" Orn said.
"Orn, damn it. Did YOU think about the children? Did you see she has four and one on the way? Gods only know what he's in there doing to her because you worked him up!"
"But, I mean, he was terrible..."
"You've effectively made it so we will NEVER come back here without force."
"I was just. I mean if nobody stands up to him. Claire can't even speak up for herself."
They looked up just to hear Ruthivan's shouting from the opened door. Leandra, Askari, and Heiyu walked out- Leandra looking defiant, Askari looking cowed, and Heiyu as scared as a child could be, clinging to his father. "Are you guys okay?" Orn asked, and Leandra glared. She walked to Sanria.
"We need a place to live so I hope you have somewhere we can go because hot head over there got in a tangle with Mr. Asshole," she spat.
"Leandra... that guy. Come on. He's unbelievable."
"Shut up, Orn. You just got us kicked out of our house. Idiot."
"Why would you want to be anywhere around him? Do you know what he called Heiyu?"
"Of COURSE I know. But at least here we had a place away from you and your do-good self! We stayed out of his way and kept Heiyu out of the way too! But you couldn't just keep your stupid self home!"
Sanria let out a sigh and put a hand up, asking for peace. "I... Leandra, let's not fight. You, Askari, and Heiyu can live at the cottage. No one is there now."
"Someone has to stand up to him," Orn said. "Let him know he can't be like that... right? It's just not right."
"Yeah," Leandra snarked. "We all knew that. Sorry you were late to the party.
Sanria sent Leandra, Askari, and Heiyu to the cottage and walked over to Orn. Comforting him for a moment before they returned to the cavern. She knew he was only doing his best, they all were only trying to help. Now, the possibilities of what Claire was enduring made her feel sick to her stomach. That she'd have to tell Gilean made her feel even worse... She sighed deeply. There had to be a solution to Claire's situation. Sanria had finally seen for herself... the woman was in trouble.
"You men and your idiotic posturing," she hissed at Orn once they had left the tent and were standing before it outside. "Did you once think of what you were doing to Claire as you were threatening the man she has to live with?! You don't even know the whole story and you're in there acting as if you can take him. As if he's never dealt with kid-napping her multiple times!"
"She shouldn't be living with that! You saw how he was with her! What more is there to the story?" Orn said.
"Orn, damn it. Did YOU think about the children? Did you see she has four and one on the way? Gods only know what he's in there doing to her because you worked him up!"
"But, I mean, he was terrible..."
"You've effectively made it so we will NEVER come back here without force."
"I was just. I mean if nobody stands up to him. Claire can't even speak up for herself."
They looked up just to hear Ruthivan's shouting from the opened door. Leandra, Askari, and Heiyu walked out- Leandra looking defiant, Askari looking cowed, and Heiyu as scared as a child could be, clinging to his father. "Are you guys okay?" Orn asked, and Leandra glared. She walked to Sanria.
"We need a place to live so I hope you have somewhere we can go because hot head over there got in a tangle with Mr. Asshole," she spat.
"Leandra... that guy. Come on. He's unbelievable."
"Shut up, Orn. You just got us kicked out of our house. Idiot."
"Why would you want to be anywhere around him? Do you know what he called Heiyu?"
"Of COURSE I know. But at least here we had a place away from you and your do-good self! We stayed out of his way and kept Heiyu out of the way too! But you couldn't just keep your stupid self home!"
Sanria let out a sigh and put a hand up, asking for peace. "I... Leandra, let's not fight. You, Askari, and Heiyu can live at the cottage. No one is there now."
"Someone has to stand up to him," Orn said. "Let him know he can't be like that... right? It's just not right."
"Yeah," Leandra snarked. "We all knew that. Sorry you were late to the party.
Sanria sent Leandra, Askari, and Heiyu to the cottage and walked over to Orn. Comforting him for a moment before they returned to the cavern. She knew he was only doing his best, they all were only trying to help. Now, the possibilities of what Claire was enduring made her feel sick to her stomach. That she'd have to tell Gilean made her feel even worse... She sighed deeply. There had to be a solution to Claire's situation. Sanria had finally seen for herself... the woman was in trouble.
Expulsion (3/3)
Sanria found a way to take Orn out of the tent and Ruthivan, back to his esper form, wheeled on her. "Go get that human and your spawn. Now."
Obediently, Claire went and returned leading the small family behind her. Ruthivan approached and pointed a finger into Leandra's chest. "Get out, all of you, and don't come back."
"Dad, don't do that to her," Askari said, stepping forward. Ruthivan let forth a scathing slap. "GET OUT!" "Ruthivan," Claire said, rushing forward, gripping Ruthivan's arm. "Please, don't do this, stop, he is our son!"
Ruthivan gripped Claire's robes and snatched her to his face. "These are not pure, and I'll purge them from our presence." He shoved her away and stepped to the door as Leandra, Askari, and Heiyu filed past. "Please!! Ruthivan!! Stop!!" Claire sobbed openly. "GET OUT! And if you dare come back here, so help me, I will destroy you."
Once the three were gone, Ruthivan slammed the door behind them. He glared about the room and the other children fled his sight. He strode over and lifted Claire from the ground by her arm. "If you have anything to do with those misborn mongrels again, I'll have to take more drastic measures. Do you hear me, Claire?" He shook her, and she nodded, sobbing. "Now, get in the bedroom and clean yourself up for Gods sakes. You should be happy I've purged us of impurities. Stop your crying."
Claire stumbled into the bedroom, numb. She collapsed onto the bed and sobbed harder than she had ever before.
Obediently, Claire went and returned leading the small family behind her. Ruthivan approached and pointed a finger into Leandra's chest. "Get out, all of you, and don't come back."
"Dad, don't do that to her," Askari said, stepping forward. Ruthivan let forth a scathing slap. "GET OUT!" "Ruthivan," Claire said, rushing forward, gripping Ruthivan's arm. "Please, don't do this, stop, he is our son!"
Ruthivan gripped Claire's robes and snatched her to his face. "These are not pure, and I'll purge them from our presence." He shoved her away and stepped to the door as Leandra, Askari, and Heiyu filed past. "Please!! Ruthivan!! Stop!!" Claire sobbed openly. "GET OUT! And if you dare come back here, so help me, I will destroy you."
Once the three were gone, Ruthivan slammed the door behind them. He glared about the room and the other children fled his sight. He strode over and lifted Claire from the ground by her arm. "If you have anything to do with those misborn mongrels again, I'll have to take more drastic measures. Do you hear me, Claire?" He shook her, and she nodded, sobbing. "Now, get in the bedroom and clean yourself up for Gods sakes. You should be happy I've purged us of impurities. Stop your crying."
Claire stumbled into the bedroom, numb. She collapsed onto the bed and sobbed harder than she had ever before.
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