We Are Who We Are II

We Are Who We Are II

Babastard, the word bubbled from Jairus lips.

Thin eyebrows rose. It speaks, the dark man said in mock surprise. This is a wonder of wonders, is it not? A talking dog!

This cur had best speak on command, the woman growled. Your sentries would not quit battle long enough to share your secretscommendable, but foolish.

H-how? the lycanthrope gasped. How did you find us?

The robed man chuckled. A clever spot; far enough from road and river that no one would think to search here in this bleak season. But it was your young friends, the Ameldan dog and his pup, that gave you away with their oh-so-dubious tale of hunting in these mountains. So, we thought to look here. And then the stars smiled upon us and we saw your watch-fires.

The hunt-leaders teeth clenched so tightly that they creaked in his maw. Those two prattling fools! Years of secrecy spoiled by two witless buffoons!

The southland wizard dropped to a crouch before him.

Truly, the way we found you is of no matter. What matters is that your ilk took a friend of ours. He raised a hand with palm facing the earth as though indicating someones height. She stands about so high. Easy to miss at first, yet notable.

He leaned toward the broken man. Where do you keep her?

The hunt-leader snarled. Filthy wretch, You cant intimida-

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The stranger drove his palm into the smaller mans head, stinging his cheek.

Do not quarrel with me. His countenance sharpened to obsidian wrath. I can follow your tracks. He gestured to the hoof prints in the snow. But I do not know what I would find: where would we search for our friend? How many of you are there? These questions, my enemy, you must answer.

He raised his hand and balled it into a fist. A shining ring flared with white light and searing death. Or I shall lay a curse upon your body that would make a demon beg for oblivion.

And I- the woman flexed her hand.

Hssssss.

Golden witch-light played about her gauntlet, emitting an ethereal vitriol. Jairus nose wrinkled at the burning aroma. -shall lay Amitiyahs tears upon you. I doubt they will be kind to one such as you: a predator who feasts upon the weak. Save yourself this burden. Denounce the filth and tell us of your lair.

Spft.

Jairus spit blood at their feet. May Lycundar eat your souls! he choked out.

Scrnch.

His body had nearly reformed, and he was able to raise his head and toss his hate into their teeth. Burn me! Curse me! Kill me! I will endure in silence until you slay me and await you in the after-world! I will be the wolf that hunts your spirits and catches them for my god! He gave a choked laugh. Ill laugh as his twelve heads rip your screaming souls apart! That will be true torment! Nothing you can do can get me to speak!

Then perhaps I could be of service.

A cultured voice slipped through the shadows behind Jairus.

Both warriors startled, snatching their weapons. The Sengezians crimson eyes grew wide. Jeva?! he leapt to his feet. Butwhenhow did you?

Forgiveness, Master Kyembe.

In another life, the older man drew a heavy length of steel chain, which he had wrapped in silver wire. It gleamed like an executioners blade. But our lives tend to bleed together, as a mothers blood may pass to son or daughter. Or how the iron of blood lives in us all.

Deftly, Jeva seized the hunt-leaders spasming limbs and bound ankles to wrists with the silver-sheathed chain. As he tightened the loop with a steel clamp, the two warriors grimaced.

Are St. Cristabel murmured in unease. Is this of necessity?

You wish to find your friend alive, do you not? Then there is little time to waste and you must know where she is kept if you wish the greatest chance of success. And this wolf-devil is strong-willed, Jeva finished tightening the clamp, which clicked like the barring of hells gates. But my skills are honed to unravel such things. Although He clinically eyed Jairus regenerating form. I have never worked with a body that heals so quickly.

Clnk.

He took up a silver fork and eyed the hunt-leaders fingernails.

I will need to experiment. Unfortunately, it will likely create a dreadful mess.

His tone never changed; it was as though he were speaking about wringing a piece of metal into shape.

Jairus knew then that he would not die well.

Icannot watch this. Kyembe made a face and stepped toward the trees. Wizardry would have been cruel as wellbut cleaner. Do what you must.

St. Cristabel paused in indecision, her eyes drifting between the hunt-leader and the golden witch-light in her hand. She breathed in its vitriol, and her gaze cast to the sky. Amitiyah forgive me; I shall let you work your craft, Jeva. These beasts need be purged and we must know the defences of their den.

She stepped away. May steel and your gods find worth in what you do.

Crnch. Crnch.

She followed the dark man into the snow.

Choked laughter bubbled from Jairus bloody lips. Even slayers have scruples, it seems!Cowards! Hypocrites! You threaten me with wizardry and then wince at this!? You are hypocrites!

St. Cristabel paused, looking back. Her lips tightened, and she looked upon the light playing about her gauntlet. perhaps, was all she said.

With that, she disappeared into the trees.

A silence followed, only broken by the clink of the seneschals tools.

I do believe we are all hypocrites in this. Jeva drew a hook from his satchel. But perhaps any who deal death and pain must be. He gestured to the two warriors. You call them such for their actions here. He pointed to Jairus. Yet you are such yourself: you feast on men and women, yet grow incensed when one pays a cruelty to you in turn.

The seneschal gestured to himself, his black glove creaking. And I am guilty of hypocrisy as well; the actions of your cult have caused me terrible distress. So much so that - once we are done here - I shall fetch some old friends of steel to find your little clutch of hounds and snuff if from this earth. You violated my Paradise, and yet, do I have the right to judge your actions? I am not without crime, after all: think of what I am about to work upon you.

He sighed, extending the steel hook and silver fork.

Both grew in the hunt-leaders widening eyes.

Best not to think of such things, Jeva murmured. After all, no matter how much we change or how much we runin the end, we are who we are.

Silver and steel grew to consume Jairus vision.

Schnk.

And then there was only pain.