From Atlantic Roleplay Wiki

Fire and Blood (MATURE)

Dealthagar walked through the rainy streets of Skara Brae, his cloak pulled up tight around his neck. He hated the cold and damp of the island town. He snarled at a child chasing its pet rabbit that crossed his path. Perhaps it wasn't the weather; perhaps it was simply his mood.

Twice she had rebuffed him. Twice!

He was no simple laborer or self-important merchant lord. He was the Technomancer Primus of Sosaria, and he would not be denied!

He turned his face to the shadows as he passed a pair of town guardsmen. Many had forgotten his visage in his absence, but Dealthagar made it a point to err on the side of caution. Umbrian citizens were harassed and hounded for no good reason any time they took a step on non-Umbrian soil, even when on legitimate business. Given the nature of the Technomancer's business this evening, it was better nobody recognized his presence.

He walked quickly to the wayfarer's hostel near the docks. Young adventurers often found travelers and merchants there needing escort, usually those too poor to travel via a caravan, ferry or coach. People who were forgettable. People who served his purpose.

Entering into the common area, he left his dark grey travelling cloak over his red robes. The grey would blend in, and would make him less memorable. This was the third time in as many days he had done this, and it was becoming easier to do with practice. An incognito spell as he stepped under the awning changed his features, hiding his red hair and beard. It was all the disguise he would need.

A virginal bride, in her exquisite white dress sat near the entrance. Her dark hair, flawless skin and almond shaped eyes matched the creature of his desire. It was a close enough match to serve his needs. Summoning his most soothing voice, he extended a hand to her. "It is a foul night, miss. Where and why would you travel this night?"

She smiled meekly, and her soft eyes reminded him of a cow being led to slaughter. She was unaware of the world, and was willing to let others make her decisions for her. "My father has arranged for me to marry a carpenter's son in Minoc, but I missed the ferry."

Rage flared in Dealthagar's chest. They had all been given a gift, and some were too weak to make the most of their lives. The mindless sheep of Sosaria were endless. "I can take you there, but we will need to make a small side trip. I do not travel to Minoc very often."

They stepped outside, and he opened a gate to the grove near his home. He dispelled the gate and turned. "Follow me, my sanctum is very near."

She looked around as they walked, a quiver in her voice. "The trees are a bit twisted here. I've never seen black bark on any of the lumber my father harvests."

"We are in Malas, near Umbra." He led her through the front gates of his home. "The wildlife here is very different than you are used to."

"Umbra?" She paused halfway up the steps. "I've heard tales of the vile necromancers there." Her voice was a ragged whisper, cracked with fear. "Are we safe?"

He smiled. "Perfectly." He touched a glyph, and a secret stone door swung open. "I am a powerful mage and have my own means." Waving her through, he closed the secret door behind them. "I have nothing to fear from Umbra."

"Thank goodness." She smiled and sighed in relief before holding up a small pouch. "I have a small bit of gold I can offer for your troubles."

He smiled and the fire lit behind his eyes. "Think nothing of it. I asked no fee, no reward is needed." He turned and began digging in a chest of goods. "What is your name, child?"

"Julia, and I must insist. It is small, but getting me to my new husband and home, I must reward you."

"But only if I get you to the church on time." The technomancer stood and turned. With a single motion the long thin blade he took from the chest was plunged deeply into her heart, so that the point burst from the back of her dress. The look of shock quickly faded from her face, as blood poured from her mouth. He was a master of flesh, and knew the human body better than all but a handful of the greatest minds on Sosaria. The wound was fatal, but not instantly. The pain she would feel would be horrific, but not enough to make her numb to it before the life left her. The severed spine would take any fight from her. "But you will never see Minoc."

Her eyes were fixed on his as she felt the life leave her. The word was silent, but the question from her mouth was clear. "Why?"

The incognito spell dropped, exposing the eyeless dockets filled with the essence of the void. The Vision of the Damned saw the wisps of her life-force leaving, like rats from a sinking ship. "Because fate is cruel." He pulled the knife from her wound, and she collapsed to the floor. A pool of crimson grew from underneath her, and the front of her white dress turned red as her blood began to flow freely. "Because you were the closest to her appearance." He bent over and slit the front of the dress in two with the razor sharp knife. "Because I cannot have what I want, and I mean to have it regardless."

---

Sularis entered his master’s bedchambers, carrying a fresh set of silk bedding. The technomancer's robes still hung on a hook by the mirror, his body still caked with Julia's dried blood. As he lounged in the chair, this murderous fire inside had subsided, but his desire had not. "Draw me a bath. I need to clean her residue from me."

Sularis turned and sniffed, a hint of resignation as he saw the girl's bite-ridden corpse in his master's bed. "What of her remains?"

Unconsciously, Dealthagar wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. "I've had my fill. Feed it to the swine."

---

Original Post Date: Mon Nov 02, 2009