Private Tales Only For A Day

[Mikko Cendrillon]

Mikko did not fall back from his investigation after the mayor declared the sign to be a mark of evil, but grabbed a rod nearby and moved away the ash that collected on the ground.
Well hells. That can't be good.
"This mark was burned onto a mage I saw once." She had the ability to render one to his weakest, paralysing them. Herself and other bandits had this blazed upon their person, but the mage showed it to Mikko when she was sure it was his last moments to live. "Fanatics... take orders from things they see and hear during a séance ."

He was forever grateful for the Guardians and his twin for coming to his aid.

 

[Lyta]

"Ancients," Lyta cursed and put a hand over her mouth as if surprised it had slipped out. Mordred had told her a little of the fiasco where Mikko had been captured during duty and of a sorceress who had managed to bind him helpless. It had been hard to imagine the man who had trained her had been helpless. Mikko gave the same air of being indestructible as Brom did. It did nothing to ease her worries that someone of such dark magic was linked to this scene.

The question was, had the mark been here before the fire or carved in after to mark it as a place not to visit?

"Why could those inside not get out?" she asked, almost afraid of the answer. The mayor frowned as if he too were realising the implications.

"Well... We thought a bar must 'ave fallen across the door and they couldn't move it but... There be no signs of such a thing. It could have burnt up in the flame but maybe..."

"Maybe they could not move..."

 

[Mikko Cendrillon]

Mikko, with his face half turned to Lyta and half to the sigil, pursed his lips in thought, contemplating on whether he should share his next news.

"I had a run in with a group branded with this. After that incident, I did some investigating... They are of an Order that serves a fanatical being that feeds on magic. The particular group that I... had a run it with, were hired for other reasons to shake loyalty in Valenntenia... but one of them was a mage. She got away in the end, and it drove me mad that she had escaped." Mikko looked to Lyta, then to the mayor.

"Did anyone have an inkling for magic living here? Or perhaps dealt with anything with magical properties?" It felt as if he was starting his leads anew again.

 

[Lyta]

"N-no, not that I know of anyway," he had taken a healthy few steps back away from the sigil. Lyta could practically feel the fear rolling off of him; she did not need a stone to tell her such. "People thought Agnes were a witch but like I said... we don't be throwing those kind of accusations about. An' why would she kill her own daughter?"

Lyta had to agree, it did not make sense for one of those who had suffered the most to be the person who had set the fire in the first place.

"Did Agnes have any enemies, or anyone else who lost someone here? Or anyone who might have had dealings with outsiders?"

 

[Mikko Cendrillon]

The Mayor shook his head.

Mikko glanced at him briefly before looking to Lyta. "Let me take another look around and then we should head back to the village. Try and ease their worries..." And he gave her a quick, reassuring smile before nodding to the Mayor and went ahead to give the farmhouse one last inspection.

Upon finding nothing else, Mikko flicked more ash away before the sigil, finding nothing else of note.

"May I ask you, Ser, what it was the fanaticals wanted of you?" The Mayor asked.

Mikko lifted one brow, weighing his answer before shrugging. "They mainly asked me questions about the Absalon. Maybe something about the Stones... but what I came to learn of it all was that it was all calculated and thought out plans of attack. They had brought in that mage to deal with the muscle, wipe us out as quickly as they could..."

They had all began to walk back to the village, Mikko placing a hand at the small of Lyta's back to guide her beside him. It was important to him now not to let her drift too far from him, to keep her within reach if anything dangerous came to be.

"While the Dream Guardian works on helping ease and soothe the people, I am going to need to speak with anyone that knew or saw Agnes recently. Is there somewhere with lodgings for the both of us? Ideally rooms next to one another?" Close enough to keep an eye on her, keep her safe.

 

[Lyta]

The fanatics would get no such information of the Absalon from ordinary folk such as this. Did one of them have a deeper connection to the capital that even the mayor was unaware of? It seemed doubtful. From what she had seen of the village so far the folk here looked to him for guidance, much like the Guardians looked to Solomon. An uncomfortable feeling itched at the back of Lyta's neck.

"Ah, not really," The mayor rubbed at the back of his neck. "Most people don't stop over 'ere, they prefer to carry on to the Town - more choice. But I do 'ave a spare room at the Tavern. Ye would 'ave to share - sorry M'lady. Or your knight could bunk with my young grandson, not like any of us really be using 'em with these dreams...."

"No, it is fine Ser. You have done enough for us and your grandson should try to sleep," she took a deep breath and resisted the urge to glance at Mikko lest she blush. It had never bothered her when Brom had shared her quarters before, why should it bother her if Mikko does? "I promise, you shall all get some sleep tonight. The stone would not have it any other way," she offered what she hoped was a comforting smile.

 

[Mikko Cendrillon]

Mikko did his best not to react to the idea of sharing a room with Lyta. They had slept in nearby to each other the previous night, they could surely share a room... he would even take the floor and leave the bed to Lyta...

Best think about it once they get there, he supposed.

"Best night of sleep I got in a long time, last night with the Dream Guardian keeping me safe." He smiled, trying to lighten up the mood as they headed back. "Should do a great number of villagers some relief getting some proper sleep."

Of course, he would stand by Lyta as she worked. The moment she would exhaust herself, he would be there to keep her present and alert. It was probably best they organise something to eat, give her the energy to work. He had no concept of how the Stones worked, but he knew not much could be done on an empty stomach.

 

[Lyta]

The Mayor cast a dubious look to the crescent moon rune that sat against her forehead but he did not offer a word of complaint. He was a man without options and he would take whatever he could. Silently he led them back to the village where more villagers had emerged. It appeared the Mayors grandchild had gone about in their absence claiming a Guardian had come to help them and vanquish their nightmares. As they passed people called out and some even fell to their knees to beg or say thanks for their coming. Others wept openly in their families arms.

Lyta tried not to look too closely, giving the odd nod and smile to those who stepped forward to try and brush their hands against her as though that might somehow bless them. She took a subtle step closer to Mikko as they progressed and only relaxed once they were inside.

"I'm sorry about tha'," the Mayor ran a hand down his face. "We didn't think anyone would be able to help... not tha' would come anyway," he offered what appeared to be an apologetic look. "Come on, let me show ye to your room then."

Up the crooked stairs he took them, his bulky frame making more than a few steps squeal with alarm. Lyta followed behind with Mikko drawing up the rear. There were four doors on the second level.

"There's da washroom if you need it, and my rooms 'ere should yer need me in the night," he motioned to the first and last doors. He walked straight past the second which Lyta took to mean that belonged to his grandson, and stopped at the third one. Inside the room was small but tidy. A single sinking bed sat in the middle but there was little room for much else furniture. A threadbare rug sat in front of the fire and there was a small chest in the corner for belongings.

"I'll ah, ask me wife if there's any supper left we could share."

And with that he left them to it.

 

[Mikko Cendrillon]

"Well... this is cosy."

He supposed he could sleep on that rug if he brought his camping gear up. He was used to sleeping on uneven terrain, and so a rug before the fire sounded like a treat to him.

"You want to freshen up before supper? I can go fetch our things and bring them up. Give you time to rest before seeing to the village."

The way they bowed before her, called out to her as they were coming back through... it reminded him of the way people in Valenntenia reacted to Kaira. The Guardians that give out relief and blessings were always respected, especially when the people prayed to their Guardians. Mikko was used to crowd control. He was glad it came in handy today and he could help keep Lyta moving and away from prying eyes.

 

[Lyta]

Lyta let the polite smile drop as the door shut behind the mayor and the exhaustion became clear. There were dark circles already forming beneath her eyes and her skin had lost some of its colour. She sat on the bed with a heavy sigh and stifled a yawn. She knew she needed to eat for her strength but the rune was tugging at her with an almost violent urgency now.

"Yes, thank you that would be kind of you. And... Thank you - for keeping them from rushing me. I do not mind it but... it can be overwhelming," she admitted. It had scared her when she had first taken on the rune. She had been out one day with a friend and had been all but mobbed. It was then that her father had decreed she needed a guard.

"We can take it in turns to use the bed," another yawn. "Just... wake me after a few hours and we can swap."

 

[Mikko Cendrillon]

Mikko sighed and gave her a small smile. He took a few steps closer to her, really looking at her and that smile fell slowly. "No, no... tonight you should rest a few hours before seeing the others. Let me go fetch some supper and you rest up." His hands fell onto her shoulders, giving her a gentle squeeze.

"I know they are depending on you to soothe their dreams, but you can't help anyone until you help yourself. You tell me you need quiet time, and I will get that for you. You want the bed the whole time this first night, it's yours." Mikko smiled, dropping his hands to walk to the door. "I know I am here to protect you, but you gotta protect yourself too. Happy to be of service to you, Lady Lyta."

He could have winked, but that was his twin's type of thing to do. All he could ever do when facing her was smile, and so he held onto that as he slipped out the door and gave her some peace.

 

[Lyta]

Lyta stared at the closed door with a faint smile on her lips.

She wondered if he would have left if he had realised the real work would begin the moment she closed her eyes.

With a sigh she forced herself to stand up and get ready for the night. Once she shut her eyes she would not open them until the rune allowed it so it was best she was comfortable. Lyta peeled off her gloves and then undid her braid, running her fingers through her tresses in place of a comb. She then tugged off her cloak and laid it over the back of the chair, quickly followed by her over dress. With a sigh she eased herself under the old blankets and finally let her eyes close.

Lyta awoke in the Dreamscape to a howling wind that cut through her. The darkness of the villagers Dreams that she had only been able to lightly touch pulsed around her. Taking a breath and keeping a wary eye out for Agnes in case she was a Dreamwalker, she set about her work.

A top her brow, the rune glowed.

 

[Mikko Cendrillon]

He had taken longer than he expected to gather their things and some food.

It wasn't until he feigned yawns that the wife of the Mayor insisted he go on up with their things, and she would organise some bread and hot stew to be delivered to their room. The Mayor had kept him lingering, asking all sorts of questions about Valenntenia and his duties. Even asked how long he served the Dream Guardian, and Mikko danced his way through that without stepping on the eggshells.

"Sorry, they kept me hostage downstairs and ---"

Mikko pursed his lips together, seeing that Lyta was now fast asleep. Great. He had wished he had gotten her pack brought up sooner to give her the chance to change her attire if she wished, but staring a moment allowed him to see she wore a shift that was worn under her dress.

The Rune glowing above her brow caught his attention next.

Ah... What a fool I am.

Of course, she did not need to meet the town to protect their dreams, she could do so when she slumbered.

Supper came and went, Mikko keeping Lyta's share near the fire in case she woke and wished to eat, but after a while, he figured to eat her stew and leave the bread. The mayor's wife had left butter on the tray, and he could toast that for her in the morning. Full of food, and now bathed and dressed for some sleep, he cast one last glance to Lyta. She was so still, so quiet... but each time he had wandered over and fussed at her to make sure the covers kept her shoulders warm, he saw her breathing.

"Good night, Lyta." Mikko murmured, turning his back to the fireplace and closed his eyes.

 

[Lyta]

Lyta had never seen such a tortured part of the Dreamscape before.

The sky was a blood red and lightning made the dark purple skies dance with light. A harsh wind blew across the landscape where Nightmares roamed. Lyta could see the villagers that had fallen asleep being chased through streets of their own imaginings, trapped by their own minds, as ghoulish creatures preyed upon them. Lyta walked into the middle of it, blocking out the screams and cries for help. They were not real. Not yet. These monsters were consigned to the Dreamscape for now and would not harm the minds trapped here physically.

As she walked she gathered into her the power of the rune until she was so full of its raw magic that she shone from the inside out. Lyta waited until she stood in the middle of the storm then unleashed it.

A column of light shot into the tortured sky, punching away the tortured clouds to reveal the blue sky beyond. Then the column began to stretch and expand. Inch by inch it moved outwards turning the dreamers nightmare into a paradise.

In the waking world it was the deepest part of the night when a loud banging filled the small room where Lyta and Mikko slept.

"The creatures! Guardian, the creatures are here!"

 

[Mikko Cendrillon]

He woke with a jolt, body already twisty for the dagger he set at his side and grabbing it to poise at the threat. Nothing was there, save for the series of banging at his door. Ancients. He threw off his covers, wrapping and securing his weapons belt as he moved to the bed and turned Lyta's head towards him.

"Lyta. I need you up now." She did not stir, did not break that pattern of deep and slumbering breaths he could see her do.

He swore, opening the door next.

"Is the building secure?" He asked. The Mayor blinked at the towering Mikko, who had gone shirtless before bed, and still had not pulled something over his head.

"Well, yes..."

"Get your family into the cellar. The Guardian is going with you." Mikko turned, gently taking the covers off of Lyta and draping her cloak over her to keep her warm. One arm under her knees, the other under her torso, he picked her up easily and felt her silken hair slide over arm before dangling to the ground. "Lead the way, mayor."

 

[Lyta]

Lyta grit her teeth as the Nightmares pounded against the increasing barrier of light. It was not unusual for the Nightmares to fight back; there was a natural instinct in all creatures to survive after all. Even here. Yet this felt... different, somehow. Like they suddenly had more... purpose. She tried to peer past the swathe of darkness to see if there was someone whipping them on but there were too many of them. Inch by inch she pushed them back. They were almost to the edge of town when something from the waking world interrupted her concentration.

"She said she could fight them!" The mayor accused as they clattered down the stairs. He kept glancing over his shoulder to Mikko and then Lyta. She looked as though she were just having a peaceful sleep, no sign she was doing anything at all to help his town. He looked as though he were debating shaking her himself.

"Wake her up or there won't be any town left to save," indeed the screams of people outside were louder now they were downstairs, owing in part to the shattered front window of the tavern. A townsmans body lay unmoving on the floor. The mayor led them on to another door without a backward glance. "We can hide down here," he muttered, waving to a door at the end of the corridor, but when he had taken no more than a step when there was a sudden groaning of wood and one of the Nightmares crashed into the room.

 

[Mikko Cendrillon]

"How do you think a Guardian of Dreams is going to fight dreams, mayor?" He asked through gritted teeth. Lyta was small, but having to ensure she did not hit doorways of walls was a hard task. Setting her down long enough to readjust his hold of her. Mikko cradled her to him, lifting her once more and following the mayor and his family towards the door.

Fuck.

"Take her!"

The mayor and his wife aided him in keeping Lyta upright, leaving Mikko to walk forward and brandish his sword. It was ghastly, almost as if it were a spider ready to weave it's web of nightmares. A dream come manifest, and Mikko was now a Guardian to fight against it.

"As soon as I engage, take her somewhere safe. Shut that door and barricade it." But he did not turn to look at them, not when the creature of the deepest subconsciousness was prowling towards him. Mikko did not hesitate in his advance.

Long, spindly legs moved the Nightmare forward, but Mikko was quick to move to slice at it and hinder it's movements. It was almost too large for this room, making it awkward for him to navigate where he should strike next, but creature or human, he knew to take out mobility first.

 

[Lyta]

The Nightmare snarled as Mikko charged towards it, dancing its long legs out of the way of his sword thrusts in a freakish series of jerky movements, as though it were a puppet on strings. Every time the blade sunk into its black flesh black liquid bubbled out. The stench and the way it sizzled as it hit the wooden floor made it hard to liken it to blood, but spilling it clearly enraged the beast. It lashed out with barbed legs and pincers alike attempting to skewer Mikko beneath him.

Behind him, the Mayor cursed and tried to manoeuvre the Guardian of Dreams into a position where she could easily be carried. But no sooner had they taken another step another creature began to crawl through the gap the first had made, cutting off the mayors escape. He uttered something that would have made Lyta blush with its vulgarity and dumped her on one of the long benches of the tavern.

"Stay down!" he ordered his grandson and picked up a poker from the fire, then rushed to join Mikko in the fray.

Something was wrong. Lyta could feel it the way sound reached a person when they were submerged under water. It was distant but there was no mistaking the urgency in the voices. She was about to re-new her efforts in the Dreamscape when a woman's voice called.

"The Dreamers or the Wakers - you will need to choose, little Guardian."

 

[Mikko Cendrillon]

He wished his brother were here.

Malik seemed to be the one that could match his flow. Twins, of course, but learning to fight alongside one another made them familiar in how they moved. They were made of the same current, struck as calculated and purposeful.

But as his blade sliced, it only angered the creature. It did not slow, rather become more infuriated and fueled by the pain it experienced to pin down the Vanguard.

He did not relent.

Behind him was one woman he had sworn to protect. One woman that was in he Dreamscape, but he knew that was how she fought her wars. Lyta was a master of the dreams, just as he was maser of the blade in the awakened world. If he could not slow the creature, he could keep it in place to ---

Another creature squealed, and just as he pivoted after striking the creature, his gaze caught the mayor joining in on the fray. He knew not of the mayor's swordsmanship, nor did he spare any current thought for the second creature.

"Well met!" Was all he could say as he dropped to his knees and plunged his sword into the creature that now rushed down at him, it's own momentum used against it.

 

[Lyta]

"Agnes?" Lyta asked cautiously. The woman's features were distorted through the Shades she fought but perhaps it could be the woman the mayor had described. In the Dreamscape a person could dictate how they looked to some extent depending on their strength.

"If you value the living more than the Dreaming you'll take up, Lyta. Wake up, wake up..."

Wake up.

Wake up.

Wake UP!

"Wake up, Lyta!" The Guardian opened her eyes groggily to a woman's screaming and the noises of... Her head turned towards the noise of steel and monsters and blinked away the sleep still clogging her eyes.

"Ancients, help us," she murmured beneath her breath and pushed herself up to her feet. There was little time to think, to worry, to consider what it was she did. In this half wakeful state the rune could operate far freer than if the Guardian had been of sounder mind and it detested the creatures before it with a vengeance. Nightmares had no place in the Dreamscape nor the Waking world.

"Get down," the guardian commanded in a voice very unlike her own and held out her hand. Regardless of whether the two men got out of the way a second after her warning a blast of purple and pink light rippled from her palm and hit the two creatures in a lash of magic. They let out a mighty scream as they were cast back then disintegrated into flakes of black ash.

 

[Mikko Cendrillon]

Lyta's voice was both a relief and distraction for the Vanguard. He fought his head snapping to where she spoke in hopes to make sure she was unharmed, but the creature baring down upon him was not slowed by his blade. He was back on his feet, fighting to keep the Nightmares from getting deeper into the room.

He could not move as Lyta asked him to, not when it would have cost him an injury.

Her Stone's might bore into his back, sending him to fall into the creature that then gave way to the force of magic sending it away. It did not go quietly, nor did it go without trace. Ash rained down on him, Mikko having staggered to his knees as the feel of the battle weighed on him.

Pain could be felt at his side.

He looked down to see his side bleeding from a shallow cut. A graze. Not enough to worry about other than infection, and something he will tend to once this night was over. He needed a shirt. And his armour. Reckless of him to charge into a fight shirtless and unprotected, but there had not been enough time.

Mikko turned to Lyta, giving her a small smile. "There's my saviour."

 

[Lyta]

Lyta's face was ashen but she managed to return Mikko's smile, though it wavered when her eyes found the cut in his side which caused him to wince when he moved.

"There's more outside, My Lady," the mayor looked worse off than Mikko being the less talented fighter. He limped badly as he made his way over to his wife and grandson, who clung to the grey-haired woman with round eyed fear. Dragging her green eyes from Mikko she looked instead to the Mayor and gave a small nod.

"Show me - Ser you should get dressed then join me," a faint blush graced her cheeks as she gave her Vanguard one last look then followed the mayor outside into the chaotic streets beyond. There were six others of the creatures they had fought inside terrorising the town. Some chased residents down the street, others tore at rooves to reach the people screaming within. Others had already secured their prey and hunched over them, draining them of blinding white light.

The latter was the first one Lyta obliterated with the rune's magic.

"Get everyone inside the tavern," she said calmly as the creatures heads swivelled towards her, drawn by the power of the rune.

 

[Mikko Cendrillon]

He could only wish that if danger and threat was not looming, he could afford to wink at Lyta for suggesting that he put on a shirt. Mikko spared her by listening to her word and bounded up the stairs to the room they shared. His Vanguard training had him properly dressed and kitted in a matter of minutes, and descending the stairs two steps a time to rejoin Lyta.

His place was by her side, at all times. Even if she were to tell him to leave her, he would not obey.

"To the cellar, children and elderly. Those who cannot fight. You too, mayor." Mikko gave him a stern look.

Mikko tried his best to peer through the made holes in the walls and windows, gathering numbers and the sheer scale of things from his vantage point.

"It looks clear out there, Lyta. We should draw them to the farmhouse, away from this town." And to a better vantage point. He was no wielder of a Stone, but Lyta proved herself capable of not backing down to fight the terrors preying on the town.

 

[Lyta]

"Yes, that is a good plan," yet despite the Guardian's agreement it took her a moment to push off from where she was slumped against the doorframe of the tavern, watching people run for the open door whilst she fired blast after blast at the creatures to keep them at bay. They seemed less interested in anyone else now anyway, she was fairly certain they would follow her wherever she went.

Taking a breath she rallied herself and stood up.

"Let us go."

Out into the desecrated streets they went and - as she had predicted - the creatures followed, lured by the stone and the magic within that would fuel them. As they went, Lyta explained her plan.

"I am not sure how much longer I can hold onto this much of the runes power without it... It would be best to take them all out in one hit. If I can do it in the barn, I might also rid it of that mark. I have a feeling that is how they crept through to this world... someone wanted to draw us out of Valenntia."

 

[Mikko Cendrillon]

He did not like that thought. That someone could so easily reach Lyta and lure her here. Perhaps Brom's illness was not chance, but for Lyta to be assigned a new Vanguard that was unfamiliar to the Stone of Dreams.

Mikko's jaw clenched.

"Only if you allow me to be there by your side, Lyta." There was not much a sword could do against the creatures, but if this was to work, he needed to be sure she was alright...

And should she fall... should the Stone be in danger, it was his duty to protect Lyta and Stone.