Hey guys chapter 46. Came out a bit slower then I expected, once again a lot of dialogue, but some stuff you would not expect...I think.
Oh yeah, where are my votes! Give me votes I need votes. Show and spread the love for Sky Prince!
Guess i have to start bribing again....
Okay, if we reach 70 votes i will release two chapters on the weekend of that week where we reached it.(if it falls on a Sunday it will carry over to the next weekend.)
please be honest in your votes/reviews. other than that I will stick to my usual schedule of releasing between one or two chapters a week.
Thanks for the support, if you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask or complain. I know I make a lot of mistakes I am new at this after all, but I am always open to discuss whatever with you.
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46
Snakes and Angels
Slyfer finds himself in a tent with the smells of various medicines surrounding him. In front of him lies a girl that in his mind had gone through hell and made it out. Looking at her vacant eyes he thinks, -her body may have survived, but her soul seems…-
He walks closer and the girl blinks finally coming out of whatever world she had been in. For a second she looks around in panic and then relaxes after realizing she is safe and that the last few weeks was not a dream. Slyfer observing closely with his mind had clearly felt the fear, uncertainty and finally relief still tinged with doubt.
He decides to break the silence with a caring tone. “I assure you this is no dream, you are safe here.”
Her eyes focus and turn to him, yet a part of her still seems like it’s not there. Her voice is filled with a bit of surprise. “I have heard your voice before; you are the one that saved me?”
Slyfer nods before taking a seat near the bed he sits back wresting his hands on the arms of the chair. To her he seems relaxed, but the wood underneath the cushioning of the arm chair has already been crushed into splinters! –She says I saved her yet look at her, she has not been saved. I am going to go pay that pig a visit. I have been neglecting him too much in the past two weeks.-
The girl suddenly looks around in bewilderment again. Before relaxing after once again convincing herself it is not a dream she is in. Slyfer leans forward. “You do not have to fear, I have punished the one that wronged you. He cannot reach you from where he is.”
She nods faintly, but still seems unconvinced. Slyfer ignores it and continues speaking hoping it will keep her focused and him calm at the same time. “My name is Slyfer, it is nice to finally speak with you in… different circumstances.”
She nods, “I heard your name and of the deeds you have done.” Slyfer looks a bit confused and she quickly follows up afraid he may be suspicious of something. “The healers talk about you a lot, that is how I…how I know!” She cringes expecting some sort of pain to be inflicted, but instead she gets a warm smile.
Slyfer lifts his hands to his sides while smiling, “I hope it was only good things you heard?”
She finds herself unable to answer! The kindness in his eyes and bearing being an unfamiliar, surprising thing. The healers had been kind of course, but in a businesslike manner, after all she is a human… She visibly relaxes some, but not all of the tension leaving her. Slyfer expects that it will be a long time before she would truly be able to leave what happened behind, if ever. She leans back keeping Slyfer and his smiling face in sight as if looking away would cause her to wake up into the old nightmare.
Slyfer starts to feel a bit uncomfortable after a while of her just staring at him and he speaks. “So, you called me hear what is it that I can help you with?”
She finally breaks eye contact and looks at her hands resting on her lap. “I wanted to thank you and if only once meet the one that, that saved me.” Her voice cracks up and a tear runs down her cheek. “I don’t know how long I was in the house after a while it seems like I just lost track of time. My waking moments were spent in agony and when sleep came I only wished it was death. Many times I dreamt of times like these, that’s why I c…cant believe this is real. This is real, right? This is real!”
Slyfer quickly stands up and sits next to the girl taking her hand in his. “Listen to my voice, concentrate on it and nothing else.” He waits a moment and starts to speak again. “You are safe, you survived and though you may not feel like it now. You will grow stronger, you are already stronger. Stronger than me or anyone else.”
She shakes her head. “No, I am not strong. I am crippled and used. Nothing to offer or give, because everything has been taken from me.”
Slyfer squeezes her hand a little harder. “There is always hope as long as someone has life. Whatever has been lost can be regained. I won’t pretend that I know what you went through, but I know strength when I see it. Your strength may not be physical or magical, but your heart is. More than this I cannot say, because I don’t understand everything you went through. Just know that I am here and will help you with what I can.”
She nods, crying silently a part of her slowly starting to believe that she is no longer in the house. It is not long before the crying stops and she falls asleep. A healer comes in silently and looks at the scene with shock before saying, “What did you do my Lord?” Slyfer gives her a confused look and she continues. “We have not been able to get her to sleep without giving her medicine and even then she would scream and thrash in her sleep opening her wounds.”
Slyfer looks back at the girl on the bed. “I just showed her a bit of kindness; if she needs anything please let me know.”
The healer bows, “yes my Lord.”
Slyfer exits the tent intending to go torment the pig for a bit, but right outside he finds a messenger waiting along with his usual entourage who he told to wait outside. Luna had also come along, but fearing too many people may have been too much for the broken girl to handle, he had told her to wait outside. Like always she is laying on a tiger’s back.
Slyfer greets the messenger who is already sweating because to him it seems like the very air around Slyfer is being robbed of light! Anger does not come near describing what he is feeling at the moment. To Slyfer it feels like his insides are boiling, like a volcano about to burst brimming with menace!
The messenger quickly goes to one knee. “My Lord you are being summoned to the tent hall in order to meet the representatives.” Slyfer wants to swear, but keeps himself in check.
“Tell them I will be there in an hour.”
The messenger gets alarmed at his reply, “Lord we cannot keep them waiting, the king said-“
Slyfer holds up his hand. “Tell the King, unless he wants to pick up human entrails in the tent, he will wait for an hour! DO YOU UNDERSTAND?”
The messenger quickly clamps his mouth shut while contemplating a way to explain this to the King without getting reprimanded by him as well. In the end he only sighs and walks off.
The rest stand in silence, none are willing to break it. Slyfer decides to take a bath first while trying to calm down.
An hour later seven people are sitting around a table with a thick atmosphere. One of them has a face red as tomato. The King is now struggling to control his own anger and after hearing the message Slyfer sent he is finding it particularly hard. Seated next to him is Jade. She no longer dresses in her scout’s uniform since she is now a dignitary and needs to look the part. Fira is on his other side her eyes looking across the round table that had to be made especially for this occasion. The object of her curiosity are three veiled woman sitting still as statues. The scarce skin she is able to see is pale white with a tinge of blue. Their eyes are completely black without a tinge of white or any sign of an iris.
She was surprised when she first saw them; they seem shorter than her people, but are built more athletic from what she can make out. Around them hangs a perpetual light mist that is freezing the untouched drinks in front of them.
The last person seated is a human. Though the others have exchanged glances this man has received none. He has a bald shaved head with strange markings that have been carved into it. His mouth is wide and lips almost non-existent, making it look like a snake’s. Thin eyes with dark pupils flit between Jade and Fira like he is measuring up the two.
Fira is just about to ask what his problem is, but a herald enters. “I present Lord Slyfer, Prince of the Fairies adopted son of The People and leader of the blood pack.”
Slyfer enters not knowing, if he should laugh or cry. –Prince of the Fairies, are you kidding me? Did not think that it would stick after the party.- Since he is a dragon being told he is a fairy prince feels embarrassing, but to others this title is amazing as much as it is strange.
The man and veiled elves give each other questioning looks. Everything about this new arrival sounds farfetched! –Prince of the fairies?- No-one in the history of this world has ever had such a title. The four all doubted until…
Slyfer enters, the atmosphere around him is like a storm traveling across the plains. He is dressed in what Old Sun had gifted him. It gives him an air of nobility that very few can achieve. The snow elves gasp in unison and Fira can see the feint blue skin turn a darker shade. She huffs. –Are they blushing?-
At first the man is not fazed, but what follows behind Slyfer makes his thin eyes stretch into saucers! Two fairies follow behind and on the right is a huge tiger with a golden main, to the left a great wolf with a similar bearing. Everyone rise as if it’s natural and before realizing it. The human swears and is surprised at his own actions, when the previous ones entered he had always made sure to rise last and with obvious disdain. Now he had shot up first like a young boy eager to please.
Slyfer stops for a second surprised at the round table. He gives the King a questioning look, but the King only shrugs.1* The veiled woman still a bit… blue answers the unanswered question. “It is a custom stemming from when Atlantia was founded. All who sit at the table are seen and speak as equals. Does it bother you?”
Slyfer smirks and pulls back a chair. The humanoid inside him is fairly interested in the custom, but the dragon feels indifference. –It does not matter where your prey sits, after killing it will it still be your equal?”
A customary greeting follows when everyone has been seated. The fairies land on Slyfer’s head and spread their wings as wide as they can; making it almost look like Slyfer is wearing a crown of light! He can only sigh at their theatrics, but seeing the displeasure on the human whom he has already dubbed “snake”, makes him bear with it.
The “Snake” speaks first. “Why have you brought these animals”, he gestures toward Slyfer’s furry companions. Slyfer gives him a blood curling smile and grey King lets out a low growl making the cutlery on the table rattle and shake.
Slyfer leans forward. “Its funny human, the only animal I see here is you? These two are not mere animals, but represent their RACE. I present the King of the great wolves from the South and the Queen of the Great Tigers from the plains. I suggest you treat them with respect around this… table.”
The man’s face contorts in anger and Slyfer can feel the strange magic they call “Anti-magic” exude from his body. The Snow Elf nearest to him sucks in a breath as the icy mist surrounding her starts to fade rapidly!
“Enough!” The one who shouted is the Snow Elf seated in the middle. “Control yourself Lord Slitherus we have come here in the name of peace.”
As if considering the human as no threat Slyfer turns to Fira and mutters something under his breath. Fira lets out a giggle, but quickly stops trying to stay serious. Despite having whispered it, all could hear it. The human’s face goes pale with anger, but he bites his tongue…literally. It causes Slyfer to wonder if it may be forked.
Great hunter sighs and holds his head, in truth he had also found the comment was funny, but having more experience with these things he had kept the laughter from spilling out. He also knows he can’t condone Slyfer’s behavior. “Lord Slyfer, please do not make remarks about the appearance of our guest. The fact that he looks like a snake and his house’s name is Slitherus, is of no consequence to why we are here.”
Silence…
The King had meant well, but it had come out completely wrong, giving insult to injury! At first he cant understand why he is getting looks, but it soon dawns on him…
Silence…
He clears his throat trying to regain his dignity. “With the greetings over and done with let us get on to business. Why are you here?”
The Snow Elf in the middle nods and starts to speak with a crisp and clear voice. Her control of the dark elf language is apt, but it still does not hide the slight accent she has. “We come here as representatives from the great city of Atlantia, our intension is to find out what your motives are.”
Slyfer frowns, “is that all?”
She shakes her head, “we have also been tasked to negotiate the release of a human woman and man that you have captured on your way here.” They understand the request for the man, but they do not understand the request for a woman.
Slyfer is the only one that catches on quickly. “They are referring to Vanya.” This causes even more confusion.
Jade sits forward after taking a sip of water. “I am afraid you have been miss-informed Vanya has not been capture and is staying with us willingly as for the other matter, we do not have jurisdiction since the one who captured the men is my brother, they belong to him.” While saying the last words she gestures towards Slyfer with her eyes.
The Snow Elf looks at the human with obvious surprise in her eyes. Slyfer sits back and pops a grape into his mouth before saying. “It seems there is a snake in the grass.”
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Silence…
The man bows his bald head toward the Snow Elf, a vein popping on his head. “I apologize; our scouts gave a different picture.”
Slyfer cant miss this opportunity to strike another blow. His senses are alert, centered on the three Snow Elves as he says the following words. “Is that why you sent forces against us?”
This time the three Snow Elves go extremely pale. Fira also focusing her attention on them, finds herself thinking. –Does that mean they are angry?-
The man smiles for the first time. It gives Jade shivers down her spine. “That is indeed the reason.”
The Snow Elf nearly jumps to her feat, anger can clearly be seen in her bearing. “It is against the treaty and what your faction was instructed to do, yet you openly admit it.”
His eyes slowly swivel to her. “Do not speak down to me Elf, the council refused our request only because of your King. My faction does not recognize such a vote.”
Slyfer smiles, “that settles it then, we will not release Vanya, we will however consider releasing the MAN, if you follow our terms of course.”
The human’s smile fades as he gives Slyfer a measuring look. “You just said Vanya was never captured, are you saying that you lied to us?”
Slyfer shakes his head and spreads his arms. “We did not lie, as from now Vanya is a prisoner of war.”
The Snow elf turns to him. “Does that mean you are at war with us?”
Slyfer eats another grape, slowly enjoying the moment. While looking at the others. Fira had already asked him mentally what he was planning. Before he can answer the King does to his surprise.
“We are not at war with YOU, but their faction has killed a great elder and dark elf revered by our clan. Atlantia did not attack us, his faction did. You heard it right from the snake’s mouth.”
All decorum and control has left the King by now. This man is part of the beast Slyfer had spoken about. He is the cause or at least part of the cause behind Old Sun’s death. Jade is also looking at the human with hate, under the table her hand is resting on a hidden dagger. If anyone is going to kill this snake she wants to make sure it’s her!
The Snow Elves quickly put their heads together. They have never faced such a situation. The human is becoming paler by the second he had thought mentioning Atlantia would cow the savages in front of his eyes. No longer able to stand the whispering, he jumps up and the wards on his body activate again. “This is preposterous! My faction is tasked with protecting the city. Attacking us is like attacking the city itself!”
The Snow Elves are stopped by his words. Slyfer who had watched in silence rises from his chair. The human takes a step back and grabs something by his chest. The reason for it is Slyfer’s eyes! He starts to walk around the table and to the human’s dismay, the humongous tiger is missing. As if on que a sound behind him reveals the tiger’s location.
Slyfer stops and points at Slitherus his voice low and eyes red as blood, in them Slitherus can already sense his death! Slyfer takes another step forward. And a familiar otherworldly voice escapes his lips. Slitherus nearly faints at the authority and disdain coming from it.
“You think your wards will keep you safe?” The air heats up perceptibly around the human!
He chokes on it, hot air burning his lungs with every breath. “This… eck…” with a sudden pop another ward activates and the air starts to hum as it turns into a faint blue color. Slyfer’s smile broadens. The magic increases, blisters start to form on the bald head! “You cannot…kill me.”
“I will cook your head like an egg, worm!” Another pop.
Slitherus’ eyes swell with despair. –Three wards, how can this be with even three wards!- he collapses his hands also forming blisters.
“Stop, Killing him is an act of war!” Shouts one of the snow elves.
Slyfer continues as if he did not hear, but a soft hand on his shoulder draws him back. He turns in surprise when seeing who it is. “Jade?”
Her eyes are filled with tears a hand grippin a small wicket looking dagger. “Brother this dog will have his day, but not today. We need to consider the people.”
Slyfer stops and the magic vanishes. Slitherus starts to cough with hands shaking, propelled with pride he starts to push himself up…
“Uagh!” The scarce cool air gets forced out of him again. Slyfer’s boot presses down harder on his back. “Stay on your belly snake, taste the ground with your tongue…” At first Slitherus tries to refuse and keeps his mouth shut, but Slyfer presses down harder and more cracking sounds fill the air. Blood gushes out of the man’s mouth and Slyfer’s nose picks up the scent of piss in the air. “I said taste the ground with your forked tongue.”
Realizing he will die if he does not, his tongue darts out and licks the ground covered in his blood an spittle. Slyfer’s boot lifts from his back and he starts to walk away as he utters the following words. “Remember this, remember that you are nothing but a snake that can be crushed by the heel of my boot. We will NOT give you Vanya or any other captive and you, Snow elves.” His red eyes turn to them.
“They acted first killing many of our people among other things that I have evidence of. Most of the humans among you mean nothing but harm. Tell your council they have grown weak and lax in their duties. Tell them that people and towns are suffering right under their noses that have been affected by the stench of his kind.”
Great hunter steps forward, “we did not come for war, but if we are attacked we will retaliate in kind. It is clear to me that you have lost control of your guard dogs. Regain it, or my people will whip them to the bone!”
Two of the Snow elves walk over and disdainfully help up the human. Their speaker had been searching for words to retaliate with, but she finally decides to concede. –In a way, they have already proven the council is losing its grip. Not only that but the strange one says he has evidence of more acts.-
She bows without a word intending to leave, but Slyfer’s voice cuts her short. “Before you go, have you made contact with the Queen of the High elves?”
She turns her face showing surprise. “No we have not, we were not aware they were near.”
Slyfer frowns, -yet another snake in the grass.-2* “No matter I have already sent word to her, she will be here by tomorrow or the day after. A tent can be prepared if one of your people wish to stay?”
She looks at the nearly dead human and then at Slyfer torn between staying and saving his life. Great spear speaks again. “We will allow you to heal him in our medical tents, but none of our healers will touch the snake.”
She nods, “We accept your proposal.” A second later she disappears along with the others.
Slyfer looks at his allies and gives Great Hunter the Nod, “Well I think that went well, don’t you?”
Jade cant help but smile at her brother who seems to be crazy sometimes, the smile turns to a pout. “I am just jealous that you got to hurt that snake and I did not.”
Slyfer looks toward the exit and sighs, “Don’t worry I have a feeling you may get another chance sooner than you think.”
After discussing some things Slyfer makes his way towards Aldowin’s tent. He has a feeling if he does not explain, the sword master may kill the soldiers he sent over to keep guard over Vanya. His feeling nearly proves true, since when he nears the area he can hear a large commotion.
Coming around a corner he finds Aldowin with Vanya behind him. Facing him is Bam along with seven other blood pack warriors. Aldowin points his sword at Bam, “one more step and your head will hit the ground next to your body! What is the meaning of this, Dunmer?”
Slyfer walks closer. “Its my orders Master, don’t blame him.”
Aldowin turns toward Slyfer, anger on his face. Slyfer looks at the sword and then at the High Elf. Aldowin quickly lowers it. He had fed and cared for Slyfer, if Slyfer had ordered such a thing, he would have good reason.
Slyfer silently turns toward Bam and gestures for him to stand down. “Master let us talk inside,” he turns to Vanya. “You have many things to explain.”
Vanya does not show fear. So far Slyfer had been indifferent towards her accept for when they had first met. The trio enters the tent and Slyfer sends the servant off to fetch tea, more to get rid of her then anything else. As soon as she is gone Slyfer starts to explain everything. Including his thoughts on why Clock had attacked them.
Vanya is the first to speak. “It does not make sense. Sure I am engaged to a noble, but he is of low rank and does not hold that much power.”
Aldowin is deep in thought. “Slyfer are you sure you heard Clock say her name?”
Slyfer nods, “I am sure. She is also the first thing they asked for when we asked for the reason they visited.”
Aldowin falls quiet once again and thinks before talking.. “There could be many reasons for the strange events, but the ones most likely are that Vanya has been lied to and her fiancé holds more power than has been let on. Another is that her fiancé has gained more power after moving to Atlantia.”
Slyfer sits back a bit worried while thinking. –There could also be a third reason. Vanya is lying to us.- He waves his hand dismissing everything they don’t have answers to. “Regardless of what the truth is I am afraid Vanya is now a prisoner of war.”
Vanya swallows and Aldowin glares. It makes Slyfer a bit angry that Aldowin would act this way. After a few seconds of silence, Vanya nods. “I won’t fight against it, the people have taken care of me for a while now and I feel indebted, besides that I also want to know the truth behind all this.”
Aldowin sighs in frustration. He has another theory, but one he needs more time to figure out. Slyfer’s voice breaks his train of thought. “Vanya can continue living as she has, we won’t lock you up, however guards will be placed near you at all times.”
Aldowin wants to object, but Vanya puts her hand on his arm. “It is fine, if it will help prove my innocence I have no objection towards it.”
Slyfer irritated with his master has no intention of staying longer than needed. He gets up while saying farewell. Once outside he quickly gives bam instruction to always have two warriors keep a discreet eye on Vanya. He does not believe she is lying, so it’s more for her own safety than anything else.
He reaches his tent still in a foul mood, but sensing what’s inside gives him a rather big surprise. He walks in accompanied by Luna. Luna shivers; the tent feels like it’s been cast into winter. Slyfer stops and eyes the three veiled woman, “I did not expect to see you again so soon?”
The three bow respectfully. “We have come to enquire after the proof you have mentioned. If there is such proof we need it urgently. The balance of power in the capital is in a precarious position. Our King knows something is amiss with the ward master faction, but he cannot prove it.”
Slyfer walks over to his desk and sits down. “How do I know I can trust you?”
The three look at each other before answering. “We have nothing to offer you, nor can we prove we are trustworthy. Your question is redundant since you already know this.”
Slyfer nods. “You obviously know as well, so why have you come here to waste my time?”
The Snow Elf in the center steps forward. “Please, you must help us. More and more races join the human banner every day. We need to stop it before our faction has grown too weak to survive a civil war.”
Slyfer holds his chin while looking over the women. Luna comes out of the sleeping area carrying a blanket and plonks down next to him. Her silver eyes regard the three with curiosity. She had heard the conversation and understood most of it. She speaks before Slyfer can. “Luna is proof.” All three turn to her at once. Before they can ask Lune lowers her pants revealing the mark under her navel. “Alpha saved Luna from the humans. They called Luna a Bassisk, a monster. Luna was brought here from a distant place. To only do one thing… to kill.” She shivers a little before pulling her pants back up. The shivers stop and its apparent that the cause was not the cold, but memories.
The center Snow Elf steps forward placing her hands on Luna’s shoulders. She not only saw the brand, but all the other scars. “Luna, you have gone through much and what you have just said saddens me, but I am afraid that this will not be enough.”
Luna frowns and shakes off the hands. “Luna does not need pitty, Luna has Alpha.” She steps back and takes a hold of SLyfer’s hand before talking again. “Snow Ladies you are in more trouble than you think. Luna is but one of many strange… monsters that have been sent.”
The Snow Elf steps back and nods at the others. All three remove their veils at once! Faces that do not belong on anything mortal are revealed an aura like blinding light surrounds them. Slyfer was ready for anything when he saw the strange actions, but not for something like this! They bow once more. “My name is Venon Kretakus daughter of King Kretakus. You have showed us trust so we shall show you.”
Slyfer recovers from his surprise. “I know what it means when a Snow Elf women removes her veil. I can’t say that I feel honored, but your gesture is welcome. I have heard of charm magic, but I never knew it had this strong affect.”
His words are like a cold bucket of water pored over them. Never has any male told them off. Not only that, but his eyes have once again changed color, it’s a deep purple. In truth Slyfer can barely hold on to his sanity, if it wasn’t for the female dragon helping him, he would have lost his senses already. –I need to take the training the female gave me more seriously.-
They bow once more. “Please do not think ill of us, our people are born with this curse. We do not know why or how it happened.” As they speak the veils are returned to their original position. “Since you understand the meaning behind our actions. I hope that it proves our sincerity and the dire need for the proof you spoke off.”
Luna turns to Slyfer. “Alpha what do they mean? What is the meaning behind their actions?”
Slyfer sighs as images of a certain kitty cat and wolf runs through his mind. He thinks of a way to best explain the situation to Luna… “It means that I can kiss them if I want.”
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1* It is well known that the leader or highest rank member sits at the head of the table. A round table has no such thing.
2* In my country saying. "There is a snake in the grass." pretty much means there is something bad going on behind the scenes.