Private Tales Songs of the Heart

A private roleplay only for those invited by the first writer
With Joseph sated for the moment, they ate their food. All of it was delicious, and again he would have to thank Elda for such a splendid ration for their ride. The woman was quite skilled in herbs and had surprised Trahaearn quite a bit with her knowledge. Joseph got up and rummaged through the bag, coming back with a sign of victory and handing him a small bun that quickly had a bite taken out of it.

Simpy delicious. He followed suit with Joseph, sopping up the rest of the soup with the bread before sitting back for a moment and letting everything settle. He eyed the other man, wondering a little ahead of them as to who was behind them. They would find out soon enough though.

"Let's get it over with. Need to get some sleep at some point." Trahaearn sighed as he stood.
 
Joseph sighed and nodded, getting up. He waved Trahaearn ahead of him, slowly following him to the other camp. Despite Joseph being in better condition, he still had to be careful with his brace. The thing got cold and attracted ice fast. His mood took a nosedive when they approached the small camp, and the white horse lifted her head and whickered at them in a friendly manner. Joseph scowled and went to her, patting her neck. "Hi darling." he greeted her, rubbing her ears and glaring at the canvas sleeping bag. The exact type of bag they had.

"Ellis. Get the hell out here." he demanded, going over and giving the bag a kick.
Ellis yelped and flung open the bag in surprise. He sat up, shirtless and staring, his hair all over the place from sleep and his brown eyes wide. "I'm sorry!" he apologized, shivering and pulling some of the covers around himself. "I..." he blushed. "I was worried about.." Ellis' eyes looked at Trahaearn.
"You idiot! They need you back at the house." Joseph snapped at him. "We're on serious business, god dammit."
Ellis flushed and glared at Joseph, pulling his shirt over his head. "You shouldn't push so hard! He's still healing! Have you even changed his bandages yet?" he demanded, pulling his hair up into a messy bun.
"...We were getting to that." Joseph grumbled, looking at Trahaearn.
"Well, I'm coming with you. You need a healer." Ellis said matter of factly. "And I have to look at those wounds."

Joseph kicked snow into Ellis' sleeping bag. His brother yelped from the cold and pushed it out, shivering and pulling on his coat for warmth. "Trahaearn?" he looked to the warlock for his opinon.
 
Trahaearn led the way, a bit confused at first by the fact that the horse seemed familiar to Joseph. He thought he had seen it somewhere but Joseph even went so far as to call he darling. The sleeping bag was also the same as theirs, to which Joseph gave a smart kick to it and called for Ellis to come out.

Fuck. Trahaearn thought to himself. This would not do to have the brother following them, and if the horse corpses were anything to go by, they couldn't very well send him back either. The two brothers spat back and forth for a minute with the warlock thinking to himself in the background. He didn't pay attention to them until his name was called, his lack of attention made evident with his expression.

"What? Oh-" The topic clicking in his mind before anyone could explain. Their words had been noise at first, but without trying to think about it, he picked up on their conversation quickly enough. "Your horse going to hold up for more of that kind of riding? It wouldn't be wise to send him back to the house with Volker stalking around. Worse idea to leave him wandering around the woods till we returned." Trahaearn jumped back and forth between the two men's attention.

He didn't like the idea of sending Ellis back to Volker so readily. It also seemed like a terrible idea to leave him behind in case Volker was still on their trail for bait.

"So long as he can keep up and doesn't make us late, I don't see a problem with it." The man admitted with a shrug. Might be best to have a healer in case Joseph got frostbite again too. The brace was steel, and if both men became incapable should the worst happen to himself, wouldn't hurt to have a third with them.
 
Joseph rolled his eyes. "I'm going to bed. Pick up your damn bag. It's going to be crowded but hell, that just means it will be warmer." he muttered, grabbing the reins to Ellis' horse and leading her down to tie her up with the other two. Malta touched noses with her and whickered happily. Joseph went straight into the tent and curled up in bed, sighing.

Ellis picked up his sleeping back, smiling shyly at Trahaearn. "Sorry." he apologized. "But um...let's take a look at your wounds okay? In the tent where it's warm?" he kicked snow over his campfire, and headed down. He put his bag between Joseph's and Trahaearn's. He wanted to sleep next to the warlock, and Joseph was not happy about the idea. He shuffled toward the back of the tent but glared at Ellis as he sat down on top of his own. He guided Trahaearn to sit down on his own bag, and unwound his bandages. He tutted, cleaning off the old poultice and going outside to get more. He returned, shivering, with snow in his hair and fresh bandages.

Joseph put his back to them, and tried to get some sleep.
Ellis tucked his hair behind his ear, looking at Trahaearn. "Um...thanks. For sticking up for me. My brother would have sent me back." he said, reaching out to squeeze Trahaearn's hand. "Are you feeling okay? How did the poultice help?"
 
Trahaearn gave a small sigh to Joseph's grumbling. He lead away Ellis's horse though and crawled into the tent. It was going to be incredibly tight, but definitely warm with the three of them crammed into a tent.

Ellis grabbed his bag and smiled to the warlock. Dammit he is cute, Trahaearn thought to himself as he listened to Ellis speak. Giving a simple nod as the man put out his fire before following him to the tent. Ellis placed himself squarely between Traheaern and Joseph, and he had to resist the urge to laugh quite badly. Had Ellis known the personal crisis Joseph was going through currently, it may have had different results. Or not.

Ellis unwrapped the bandaging and cleared off the poultice before stepping outside to fetch more of both. Trahaearn reached up and brushed away the snow in the man's hair. Joseph turned over to try to sleep, and Ellis began his questions.

"It made sense to keep you here than send you back. Three look harder to handle for bandits, plus..." Trahaearn returned the squeeze. "Feeling alright, just sore at this point. It is helping though, thank you. I didn't figure you would ride after us. Not with Mal needing attention at the house." They now had a healer to turn to later, but it did worry him that the man was not at the house with someone who may very well need all the help she could get.
 
Ellis looked down guiltily. "Well...she has Elda, and everyone else waiting on her hand and foot. They get very protective with babies in the house." he said, smiling when the man brushed snow off of his hair. He really liked Trahaearn. He liked his gentle, but strong face. Liked his no-nonsense attitude. He slowly cleaned off Trahaearn's chest, keeping in mind the soreness. He couldn't help but enjoy it. He ghosted his fingers over the broad chest, examining the cuts. "They should scar up pretty badly. You're going to need to keep stretching your chest to keep them from knitting up too tight for you to swing a sword."

Ellis dug out the poultice and warmed it in his fingers. He spread it over Trahaearn's chest, slowly. He didn't really want the contact to end. "My brothers said you served a fae in the Court. That must be exciting...I've never really been anywhere but Alliria and the ranch." he said. "I mean, I'd like to go places, and explore. I just never got around to it."
 
Trahaearn nodded at the information of everyone waiting on Mal hand and foot. It seemed that she was in good care with the rest of the family there. He was informed about the scars and needing to stretch out the muscles there a little, to which he nodded. Trahaearn had figured that would be the case, a few of the older scars had done such a thing and he had harmed himself making it to where they hadn't become such a problem.

"I'll have to mind them for now then." He replied quietly, giving his shoulder a small roll in thought. It was still sore, but he could move it carefully. The question of serving a fae in court came up, and his eyes slowly blinked, his attention focusing on Ellis almost completely. Exciting was an apt word to describe the experience. Thrilling, terrifying, life threatening, painful, caring, all of those words came to mind in the seconds it took him to form a smile. There were other feelings, but those presented themselves first.

"I still serve." The man corrected before continuing. "Exploring is kind of overrated, going places gets old after a while. You yearn for a home when you live like that." Trahaearn explained quietly.
 
"How could exploring get old?" Ellis questioned, starting to wrap up the man's chest with fresh bandages. The old ones they'd keep, and boil when they camped next. "I mean, everything that's out there. I've only seen a unicorn once. And the brownies that come in the house. But there are entire worlds out there I haven't seen. Big deserts so long and hot they take weeks to cross. Forests with trees older than men walking on the earth. Great mountains. I want to see all of it. I haven't seen much other than this place, and trust me. A home in one place all your life is completely overrated." He tucked the end of Trahaearn's bandages in, running his fingers over the man's chest. "You're lucky."

He looked at his bag, and gingerly examined it. He sighed in frustration. Joseph had kicked snow into it! Everything was wet. He squeezed the water out onto the ground miserably. "I wish he wouldn't do things like this...now it's all wet inside." he muttered, trying to mop it up as best he could. He looked at Trahaearn. "...would you mind um...if I shared yours? I promise I won't bump your chest." He was blushing so hard he matched his freckles.
 
"When you have done it for as long as I have, it gets old and you start missing the small things." Trahaearn replied to the question. He had begun to miss the small nuances of living in a home, and even though he and Malice owned several properties, they never stayed at one very long. Business took them everywhere in the more populated areas, and travel was not something new to either of them.

The new bandages felt good, a small reminder of how dirty the old ones had been. He didn't reply to the words that he was lucky. A far off look taking his gaze for a moment as the talk changed to the sleeping bag. He eyed the wet bag for a moment and shook his head.

"For tonight yes, since it needs to dry out." Trahaearn replied to the man, ignoring the blush across his face. Joseph had warned him to not encourage Ellis, but circumstances couldn't be avoided when Joseph had made the sleeping bag unusable for the night.
 
Ellis wasn't sure to be angry at his brother for making the bag wet...or hugging him for giving him the opportunity. He cuddled up in the bag next to Trahaearn, smiling at him. Gods, they were so close. Practically touching noses. He fiddled with his hair, trying to snuggle down and get some sleep but...Trahaearn was so handsome. He wasn't sure if he should make a move now, or wait. After all he'd just been invited in. He glanced over at Joseph. Fast asleep. "Um..." Ellis twirled a bit of his hair around his finger. "Listen. I was worried about your chest but thats not the reason I followed you. I think you're really handsome...and I wanted to get to know you better. I'm sorry if you're not that way. I can go....but I'd rather stay here with you." Large brown eyes searched Trahaearn's face.

"And please, don't tell Joseph. I know he knows but, he doesn't approve." Ellis whispered.
 
They snuggled close, Trahaearn offered his arm for Ellis to lay his head on. The warmth was welcome, and the proximity wasn't terrible. Ellis fiddled with his own hair because of what Trahaearn had guessed was nerves. It would have taken a blind man to have not seen the shy curiosity directed at him. He had almost fallen asleep when Ellis spoke again, his blinking a sign of his processing the words.

"Go ahead and stay. Don't agitate your brother, but I am not against you being next to me." The warlock whispered, stretching quietly before an arm lazily wrapped around Ellis's hip. "Tonight, sleep. We have a long road to travel quickly. Once this is all settled, and your brother is far happier, we can talk more freely."
 
Ellis rested his cheek on Trahaearn's arm, smiling when the other man wrapped an arm around his hip. He snuggled up close to Trahaearn, closing his eyes. Whatever they were doing, it was in a hurry. A terrible hurry. He tried to settle down and sleep. In the morning he woke, smiling and toasty warm. It took a few moments for him to remember where he was. That's right. He was cuddled up next to the warlock, sharing his bed. He nuzzled his head under Trahaearn's chin, content to cuddle with him. He reached up and toyed with Trahaearn's hair, touching his cheek.

He could hear Joseph rustling around, packing up the bags, taking down the tent. Ellis giggled, snuggling down in the warmth. He certainly didn't want his bedroll now. Joseph stood over them, clearing his throat and glaring down at Ellis and Trahaearn. "...my sleeping bag was wet?" he squeaked.
"Get the fuck out of there." Joseph growled.
Ellis blushed and gently slid out, getting dressed and putting on his coat. Joseph shoved a bowl of oatmeal in his hand, and set Trahaearn's by his head on the ground.

They got back on the horses, kitted up, and they had to ride hard. They were close. Joseph knew they were close. He could feel it in his chest now. He would save his lover, he would save his Shuck and his baby. He completely ignored Ellis riding close next to Trahaearn, or the way Ellis played with his hair around the warlock. There as no space for that in his head anymore.

They were close. He drove them harder and harder, until they were galloping along the road. They were riding racehorses, built and bred to run. The horses lowered their heads and threw themselves into the maddening pace.
 
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The snuggling was nice. Very nice. It helped when the man he was snuggling with was as handsome as Ellis. If he would just calm down a bit, he might have caught more sleep but he fidgeted like a fresh cut horse beside him. Not having remembered when he fell asleep, the morning wake up was a tad rude in his opinion as Ellis crawled out of the bag without waking him. Blinking away his bleary eyes, he spied the bowl of oatmeal just above his head on the ground.

Greedily, he snatched it up and devoured it.

When they mounted up once more, they took a ground eating pace and came ever closer to their goal. Ellis rode next to him, and it didn't make him nervous per se. But he was well aware that Joseph was turning a blind eye to his brother. It didn't make him feel good about the conversation they had shared the night before discovering Ellis, but with the brother here, it made talking complicated since he wanted all of the warlocks attention.

The next ten days were not easy. The unrelenting pace was never dropped as they neared the outskirts of Khord, his memory not quite matching what he saw before him. It was nearing the end of the day when they entered the edge of place, his confusion obvious as he scanned the area for a minute back and forth as if lost. The sprawling town was a stark difference from the mill on the river that had a few cottages scattered about it. The fields the old farmers had were now houses, and several larger buildings were close to where the mill still stood.

"This place was just a mill and a few farms, oh, two hundred years ago? Amazing to see that it has grown so much so quickly." Trahaearn admitted with a heaping helping of surprise in his voice. "Good thing too, we are likely to need an ax."

Trahaearn guided them into the town, taking note of all the changes that had occurred in the once tiny settlement. It had a butcher now, and even a tavern. He nodded in appreciation of just how much the town had grown. It had surpassed any expectations that he had placed upon the sight when he last took note of it. Figuring that it was so far flung that a few more farmers may have settled around, not a whole damned town of people.

"We'll be heading out when I get a shovel and an ax. If you need something, get it now." He informed them as he asked for the mercantile, almost running people down as he tried to get there before it closed. He bought the two items, and directed them to the north edge of town following the river. He guided them along the road before the hill that now had a silly stump, which made him huff in aggravation.

"That stump was once a great old tree. I'd guess lightning took it down since the stump hasn't been pulled." He maundered, shaking his head quickly as they continued along. To some it would seem like he was wandering, or lost. Truly though, he was going by feel at this point.

"I forget that mortal time flows so quickly and changes the land so much. Landmarks aren't quite what they used to be-Right here!" He blurted as he cut across the tributary, feeling his way towards the grave now. Narrowing his eyes, trying to see farther into the darkening twilight. He could barely make out the half melted field before them. His gaze fixated on it for a second, reining in the horse as he looked a little better. Blinking, he imagined it covered in red poppies and nodded with a smile.

"Here we go." Trahaearn spoke to no one. They began up the hill a ways, before taking a meandering path into the treeline. The trees around them began to show more and more oaks than any other kind of tree, which meant they were very near to where they needed to be. He gave another quick nod as the night began to settle in, the darkening woods closing around them as a great shadow came into view.

It extended well into the sky, and the oaks around them seemed to form a circle. To his surprise, a handful of silver poplars had also grown here.

"Make camp, and get a fire going. I've got work to do." Trahaearn sighed as he spied the weather worn rock in front of the oak tree. We are here, Trahaearn thought as he struggled to keep his own sadness at bay. He did not like what he had to do, loathed himself for doing this. But it had to be done.

I'm so terribly sorry, Selmi.

Trahaearn dismounted and pulled the ax and shovel from his saddle. Setting the shovel to one side and the ax to the other, he knelt before the stone. His hand slowly reached out to touch it, the shaking becoming harsh as his hand drew near it.

I'm sorry, daughter.

Trahaearn took several breathes, one of them catching a bit as he stood and took the ax in hand. For Malice, he was willing to defile this sacred grave for her heart. The magic that sang around this grove was familiar to him, his benefactors touch in all of it. The wards were still in place, and he could hear the buzzing of Mal's magic in the ground as he began to hack at the roots that had grown around the stone.

I'm sorry.

The apologizing thoughts never stopped as he mindlessly worked. When the fire was lit, his eyes were tear bright in the light of the campfire. He didn't stop, his shoulder beginning to ache terribly as the last of the roots were hacked away. He was favoring his right side for a minute as he plopped back on his rear for a moment, throwing the ax away from him.

"Damned oak. Still healthy after all this time. Fucking surprise." He spat at the skyward tree, it's top fanning out to claim a large area around it.
 
Joseph bought a few supplies quickly, but he was entirely focused on the task at hand. They followed Trahaearn, Joseph watching the man like a truffle pig. The landscape had changed in such a long time, but Joseph knew a little bit of the area. Even Ellis frowned a little as they navigated the fields. “Aren’t our ancestors buried here?” He asked Joseph quietly. Joseph waved him off.

“Make a fire and break camp.” Joseph barked at Ellis. “And for fucks sake don’t come looking for us.” He dismounted and followed Trahaearn, giving him a look. “You’re not doing this alone.” He said, in a tone that brooked little argument. He knew how he would feel if he had to dig up his own daughters. He also knew how physically difficult it might be.

Joseph watched him hack with the axe, sighing. It was clearly hurting Trahaearn. He put his hand on the warlock’s shoulder, and shifted. The great bear rose up on his rear legs and crashed against the tree, shoving all of his weight against it. The tree groaned and shifted. Joseph stiff-armed it again, grunting with the effort of striking the ancient tree. The oak leaned back, groaning, the roots crackling and the wood shifting. It hung at a strange angle, the earth rent open underneath it.

Joseph shifted back, leaning on the roots a moment. “Almost a shame...to hurt the fucking thing.” He panted.
 
Once, this place had been empty and quiet, filled only by her small, quiet song. But now, after nearly a millennia, the voices of her sons and daughters had joined her. They sang all year long, their chorus a whisper in the winter that grew in a crescendo in spring. All summer they lifted their voices in one continuous song to the Earth Mother, and when the seasons turned them to fire they leaned toward the ground and grew quiet.

Many had come and some had gone, but she always remained at their center. Her mistress had never returned to her, but her task had remained and she stood tall and proud, watching over the hill as the house fell in and the empty field eventually became her family. Life had returned to this forsaken place, and it shimmered gold and silver in the sunlight of summer.

She watched the three men ride up at twilight, the whispers of her children carrying news of the strangers to her long before they appeared. The one at the head was a figure she knew well. He was always somber when he came to this place, and she had bent her boughs toward his sorrow many times. He was proud and honorable, and she'd not once felt threatened by his gentle hands. And this time he had not brought his grief alone.

But he set an ax against her hip and she trembled. As he always did, he bent his head toward the stone with a trembling hand. Without a word, he stood and swung his ax down upon her roots. She gasped, her whole body shuddering under the blade.

No, she begged. Her mistress had tasked her carefully, ensuring that this place withstood time and desecration. But this one -- this one alone she had cautioned her against her full wrath. She turned her eyes skyward, bearing the pain upon her roots with silent sobs.

Please stop. Her instruction had been specific, and she gripped the hilt of her wrath with reluctance. She would wait, but it would not be easy. It hurt, and seeing his tears made her heart ache even worse. She knew his sorrow, had grown by the water and minerals shed from his own eyes. She would bear it for this one, and him alone.

But toward the interloper, she would not be so kind. He was a stranger, and she allowed him to approach her sacred place. He placed a hand on the special one's shoulder before his body changed, and a great bear rose up against her.

Stop! she cried out in the evening breeze, but neither of them heard her.

His great paws pushed against her, and she let out a cry of pain as her whole body creaked, but she shouldered the bear's weight. The voices of her children rose in panic around them, the wind rising in the copse. He reared back and pushed against her once more, and she felt her roots snapping and tearing away from the soil. It was unlike any pain she'd known, being rent away from her life's source.

The voices in the copse were deafening now, crying out in protest and please of mercy for their mother. But she was not a weak creature that did not need to lean on the mercy of mere mortals. He leaned against her in the skin of a man once more, and she grabbed the hilt of her wrath.

With a sudden burst of light she was freed from her earthen body, white-hot sparks scattering in her wake as she flew free of her confines to serve her divine purpose. She was huge, standing as tall as two men, and seemed to be made of pure golden light. In her hands was the great blade of her Lady's wrath, forged from her pain and tears and suffering. Centerless gold eyes looked down upon the man, and the moment he laid his eyes upon her, the sword of light swung through him. Swift and sudden, he had no chance of evading it. An arc of light passed through his chest and unleashed Malice's vengeance.

It would have been like burning, a wildfire unleashed through his veins. The interloper was fortunate that he wore a brace of iron -- his only saving grace as the holy fire burned through him. He would not die, but he would not be standing to defile her or this place again.

As the blade completed its swing, she turned her fury toward the struck one. Her feet did not touch the ground, but rather she hovered above it. She herself appeared as great woman with broad shoulders and powerful arms. Her long hair billowed as if in a constant wind around her glowing nude form.

"Do not continue, Trahaearn," she said to him ominously those centerless eyes watching him. "Our Lady has instructed me to stand watch over this place, and I will not spare you from the vengeance she demands for this crime."

And without another word, she vanished into a swirl of light and sparks as her spirit returned to its arbor cradle. She continued to watch, prepared to unleash herself upon them once more.

// Joseph Meier // Trahaearn //
 
Joseph thought he was helping. He felt so proud of himself when he had shouldered the tree over by himself. Honestly, he was always thrilled when he could use his physical strength like this. He spent most of his time feeling weak, and when he leaned against the tree he thought they were nearly through with their trials. Ellis was cooking over in the camp, looking at them incredulously try to take down a gigantic old tree. His brother rolled his eyes and stirred the soup he was making, waiting for them to be finished. Neither Meier had any idea of what was about to happen. Ellis could hear faint whispers through the trees, something that made him sit upright and look around. What was wrong? What were they whispering about?

A flash of light consumed the area, washing it and burning into Joseph's eyes. He stumbled back with a loud curse, and beheld the creature that came free from the tree's roots. A valkyrie. Never in all his days did he think he would ever see one. Most men never did. He didn't have time to speak, or even move, before the blade struck him. It passed through him like he wasn't even there, and for a moment Joseph swore his soul cleaved in twain. Surprisingly, the only push back he felt against the magic was the iron around his leg. He collapsed. His entire skull.... no, his entire being was ringing with the blow.
 
Trah was lucky that he had already been on his rear when the Disir made her presence known after Joseph nearly pushed the tree over. His eyes were wide as he cast a glance to either side of the grove, the trees about them now making him uncomfortable. Fuck Malice, a Disir!? Really!? He shook his head at the thought of what she had done to place the spirit here to guard the grave.

"Ellis, come get your brother and stay away from here!" Trahaearn hollered to the man as he cast a glance at the tree. How many times had he come here to mourn Selmi in his life? Passed by this tree without giving it much thought. Mal had planted it after all, so why would he question it? Oaks were always a sign of protection.

Took this one a bit literally huh Malice? Trahaearn thought to himself as he stood, his path far more clear now that the roots had been pulled away. Taking up the shovel, he began to eat away at the dirt before the stone. He never bothered to look up at the tree again, knowing full well now what awaited him at some point. He had been surprised that Joseph had survived the strike, but Malice may have-

He shook his head. I know you better than that he nearly thought aloud as he dismissed the thought of her being kind. The Disir likely should have killed Joseph, and he would have to figure out later what had saved the man. For the time being-Clang!!

His hands trembled as he hit something solid. He stood silent and unmoving for what felt like his entire life. Memories crashed in his mind, happy and sad. Chills ran up his back and the hair on his neck stood on end as he threw the shovel aside after clearing the oak casket of dirt.

Drawing a slow breath, he grabbed the ax handle and caught the lip of the lid. He spared a moment to examine the top of the eight hundred year old box, surprised at how well it had held up in its current situation. Eyes narrowed as he glanced at the tree. I wonder if that has anything to do with it, or if Malice did something. He shook the thought away as he took a breath before beginning to pry on the lid.

Please don't hurt to bad, please don't hurt to bad, please don't hurt to- Trahaearn thought to himself as he pried on the lid, a sharp snap as the nails gave way and the ax head slipped. He slid backwards, trying to catch himself with his left arm as the right held onto the ax handle. His butt saved him as he smacked the wall behind him, eyes snapping to the tree before him.
 
Ellis launched himself at Joseph, scrabbling to grab him under the armpits. Thankfully his brother was not a large man, and weighed less than a skinny woman. He hauled him back toward the camp, his eyes wide open in horror. Joseph woke up with a gasp, struggling out of Ellis' grasp, He could do little but stare as Trahaearn leveled opened the casket like a madman, falling back again. If Malice...Shuck...had cast protective spells around this place, there was little he could do.

"Get the fuck up, Trahaearn!" he shouted at him. "Get the fuck up!" He tried to move and searing pain ran up through his side.
"Joseph...some of those spells.." Ellis whispered. "...Mother put those there."
"What the fuck are you talking about?" Joseph needed Trahaearn to get the heart. His own felt like it was going to explode in his chest. Pain was searing up through his collarbone, chest and stomach. Everything burned, but he couldn't let Trahaearn die. The man had stumbled back.
 
Malice's special one continued, and she turned her eyes skyward. The Great Mother would forgive him, but Malice would not. Her instruction was clear, that even he would pay a price for trespassing the place she had deemed sacred. He dug deeper and deeper, exposing the box long buried, very nearly revealing her smallest child -- the one who lived, eternal beneath the soil. It was merely a husk, a cocoon from which her soul had emerged and embarked upon a greater journey, but he was determined to defile it.

She had warned him, and she waited until the moment which Malice had defined would be the trigger of her action. She didn't beg him to stop, no longer sympathetic toward the end which he seemed so eager to meet. From the limbs of the great oak she peered down as he used the ax as a lever to loosen and pry open the wooden cocoon.

Once more she stepped out of the tree in a billowing cloud of light and sparks. Trahaearn was already looking up at her as she hoisted her vengeance. In a great sweep of that massive sword, it cut through the ground and the man in the grave as if none of it existed at all, its path a phosphorescent swath that illuminated the light.

She stood over the grave, watching the man double over and cry out as his body burned from within. "Your loyal heart has spared you this day." He was lucky that he was a loyal subject to Malice. Her sword had judged him and deemed his actions true -- sparing him of Malice's full vengeance.

She turned to the interloper and pointed her sword toward him.

"Trahaearn has been spared by Our Lady's vengeance, but you will not be, stranger. If you trespass upon this grave once more, I will send you to your gods." And she meant it. If the interloper stepped a single foot into that grave, she would not hesitate to cut him down. He'd been spared death once, but her second attempt would strike true.

Returning to her tree to keep watch, she once more shed her corporeal body in a shower of sparks and glittering lights that drifted into the grave around Trahaearn. He'd suffer, but he'd be allowed to continue. But she curled into her tree, watching the interlopers.

// Joseph Meier // Trahaearn //
 
Pain rocked him as he kept himself upright just barely, his pressure against the dirt wall behind him his only saving grace. Something about himself felt incredibly off after that hit. His insides felt like they were on fire. His muscles cried in pain, and everything in him hurt. It was almost worse than his transformation into a half-fae. His hand let go of the ax, the head clattering against the lid as he breathed deep and tried to steady himself.

Fuck it all Malice, you didn't account for this, he thought to himself. She had likely thought he would come here when she was still around if the Disir had instructions for him specifically. Other than paying his respects and keeping his memory fresh of where this place was, he had done little else. She had always taken Selmi's death hard though, and even seeing this trap did not truly surprise him. When Malice did something, she didn't fuck around.

"I'm fine! I'm fine, just stay back." Trahaearn hollered from the hole. He didn't need to explain to anyone why he was the only one returning from this trip.

Once his hands stopped trembling enough for him to have strength in his grip, he picked up the ax once more and pried open the coffin. He had held the image of her features well in his memory, even into her old age. He and Malice had both been guilty of sneaking around and peering into her life, especially towards the end for him at least. Knowing that she could never be brought back to the fae lands without becoming something other, or dying outright, it had been painful to know he would watch her be buried.

Know that he would forever leave her behind and no longer hold her hand in the fields that the three of them had played in.

When bones greeted him, he didn't know whether to be shocked or surprised at the sight. Malice had gone through the trouble of preserving the coffin and everything else about the land and yet had left her body to fade away to nothingness. His breathing hitched at seeing a box held serenely in her hands as though she had died with it in her grasp. He shook his head carefully, tears welling in his eyes as he stooped carefully to avoid stepping on what he guessed where delicate bones by now.

Once settled, he tried carefully pry her hands away from the box. A wailing shout coming from him as the bones crumbled beneath even his gentle touch. The muscles in his arms tightening as he tried to both steady and be even more gentle to no avail. He sobbed as the box was freed from nothing, the fingers clear back to the wrists turning to dust beneath his fingers. Tears streamed as he held the wooden box close to his chest.

Damn you Malice! Damn you till you die! He cursed her with all his heart at having to do this. That she would place her fucking heart so close to Selmi. He remembered that she had made a snide remark about her heart having died with Selmi, but he hadn't thought. He shook his head, unable to will away the tears. Enough! He scolded himself.

Open it and be done with this, he reminded himself as he examined the entirety of the box through blurred eyes. Long finger marks in dried blood adorned the outside of the simple thing. What looked like a lazy spell had been cast on the box as well, essentially translating to a good luck spell. He could see how she had held it, how she had closed it. Her hands hadn't trembled as his did now. He couldn't tell if it was from pain or excitement in that moment that they shook so badly. He didn't care as he pried open the box and sat there.

Blood stains smeared the inside, and he could see where Malice's knuckles and fingers had brushed the flat places inside the box. A spot of dried and pooled blood likely where heart had been at some point. He blinked a few times, eyes squinting as if he was missing something in the dark.

"Where is it!?" He howled as he examined the edges and pushed his hand into the small box, wondering if she hadn't spelled it to be glamoured from sight.

Nothing was inside.
 
Those three words put more strength into Joseph than he thought he had. He wanted to get up. It wasn’t possible. It had to be there. That idiot musclehead was missing it! He lurched into a sitting position and immediately regretted it, snarling in pain. Ellis slowly helped him up, supporting him as they ascended the hill. He’d never seen his brother look more terrified in his life. Joseph looked like he wanted nothing more than to sprint to the grave and throw bones everywhere in a mad search. Ellis still had his head on his shoulders, and stopped short of the grave.

“Great spirit. We’re sorry for troubling your rest and causing this ancient lady of the forest so much pain,” Ellis spoke to the Valkyrie. “We will repair the damage we’ve done, that I can promise you. But we need something that once rested here. It’s owner needs it back. Our ancestors are buried here too, great spirit. My mother has placed wards here, I can feel them. Please. Tell us where it is, so we can be gone and defile this place no further?”

Joseph struggled to stand upright. “We need that heart! Let me in! She’ll die without it you stupid torch!” He snarled. Ellis winced, looking apologetically at the Valkyrie. His brother was very near the end of his energy and temper, lashing out in pure frustration.
 
A powerful gust of wind filled the clearing, pulling hard at the three men who stood in and around the grave. The branches of the great oak groaned, but its disir did not emerge again. The rush passed as suddenly as it came, and the leaves that had been blown up drifted gently back to the ground.

"Hello, strangers." A familiar, sarcastic voice spoke from the oak.

Perched on one of the branches overhead sat the clurichaun Shuck and Joseph had met in the whiskey cellar. His shocking red hair was tied back at the nape of his neck, his cap flipped forward and hanging over his brow. He had one foot on the brach to rest a forearm on his bent knee, but the other foot dangled freely. He was tapping a fistful of reeds against his chin and watching them with interest, a smile baring his pointed teeth.

"Have you come to see how those fates have changed, shapeshifter?" He laughed to himself, quite obviously humored. "Och, no, you're here for something else. What was it now?" He continued to tap the reeds against his chin as he pondered for a moment, then gasped. "Aye! A heart! You're here for the black bitch's heart."

The clurichaun laughed again heartily. "Sorry, but what you're looking for isn't here. A shame, really; her heart was such a pretty thing. Not that it would have done you any good, since she couldn't have taken it back as it was. I may have done you a service. You know, there never was a lock, human or fae, that could keep me out. Not even this splendid disir could have seen me, though she is quite a wonder. Such loyal things, disir."

He hummed in agreement with himself, patting the branch as he might a horse and going silent as he looked back down at the men.

"Oh, yes. The heart. Where was I? Ah! Worry not -- a new one has been made for her, and I've sent it somewhere safe." He giggled, an awful, delightful sound.

// Joseph Meier // Trahaearn //
 
He didn't quite register what Joseph yelled at him, the shock of not finding the heart in the box along with desecrating his daughters grave staggering him to a wordless stupor. They came near, yelling at the tree maybe. At least it sounded like Joseph yelling. Ellis sounded a lot calmer. He couldn't blame Joseph for the yelling since he had found nothing.

He had sat on the rim of the box, his steps careful as he kept himself clear of disturbing the bones any further. The box sat in one hand placed squarely in his lap. How? Why wasn't it there!? The blood, it should- his thought was cut off as a gust of wind drew his attention, and the voice that followed filled the man with a rage the likes he hadn't felt since he had been a far younger man.

Tadhg.

The little shit for a fae made himself known, and began talking. The reed he bounced on his chin was well enough a warning against trying to take a shot at the little bastard. Even with how quickly lightning could strike, the clurichaun would be gone before it ever got close.

He had been right in thinking that whoever was involved had kept an eye on them somehow. The clurichaun they had mentioned was this little blighted piece of excrement, and he had made a deal with them knowing full well who Mal was. Had carefully kept his involvement unnoticed until now. Trahaearn wanted dearly to wring the little things neck, perhaps even repeat what Malice had done to set of Tadhg in the first place.

He continued speaking, and when he revealed that he had been in the grave, the pain that once hindered him now seemed to drive him. His quick stand missed the bones beneath him as he crawled out of the hole and glared with all his hatred to the fae. He touched her grave! His thoughts centered around the clurichaun now, hanging on every word as it continued to speak.

"You little piece of shit. Where did you send it?" The words were barely anything more than bridled anger, his voice filled with all of the venom he could summon in this moment. "And what do you mean made a new one!?" He snapped, his lip trembling as he spoke with barely controlled rage.
 
Tadhg giggled, flashing those pointed teeth yet again. "It's good to see that the years haven't changed you, Trahaearn. You've still got that stick up your ass. I'd ask how the Mistress is faring but, well... Last I saw her she wasn't looking so great. Pregnant! Great Gods, whose awful idea of a joke was that?"

He was smiling from ear to ear as he pointed the reeds at Joseph. "Tell me, shapeshifter: did she even rightly know what she was doing when you fucked her? Amazing what happens when you strip a fae of her name. I'll admit, I was a bit taken aback to see her, but she must have well and truly forgot everything not to recognize me. Have you two compared notes to see if her cunny was the same?"

Tadhg was taking his time. He had them right where he wanted and was thoroughly enjoying the entertainment.

"Ah, but I digress. You asked me a question. Where did I send it? You know I don't answer questions for free, Trahaearn. It's no fun if I just tell you."

Standing, Tadhg leaned against the trunk of the tree, his reeds swishing as he swung them idly. "I'll tell you what. You let me see your death, I'll tell you, and we'll go our separate ways. How does that sound?"

// Joseph Meier // Trahaearn //
 
Trahaearn was seething with anger as Tadhg berated them so cheerfully. His lip still quivering as the clurichaun continued to unabashedly throw insults their way until he offered a deal. His brow shot up interest, as this was likely the last chance they had of finding the damned heart. He bit back every ounce of pride he had and eyed the clurichaun.

"I'll let you see my death. Then you show me where the heart is and tell me how to get there. Then we go our separate ways from here." Trahaearn bargained a little as he wasn't about to agree to this without some input on his side.

Tadhg gave him a refusal, reminding him of the original terms. Gritting his teeth, Trahaearn agreed to what the clurichaun offered.

"Fine, I'll let you see my death, you tell me where it is, and we go our separate ways." He hissed.
 
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