Private Tales The Mountains Ahead

[Aviana Sabel]

Safe was good, reassuring. Kasim would not lead them into a place of danger, not with so much at stake.

Aviana smiled at her beloved, bracing a hand against the top of Kiovec's head as the dragon helped her to her feet. She expelled a heavy breath a chuckled, rubbing the small of her back.

"I feel like I am as swollen as a pot-bellied pig. Utterly ridiculous." She laughed once more, slowly ambling over to Kasim.

"As long as there's a soft bed big enough for the both of us, I'm happy." Aviana uttered with a tired smile, reaching out to lace her fingers through Kasim's.

 

[Kasim Areth]

His palm squeezed hers. "Plenty of those."

With a gentle guiding touch Kasim began to walk towards the Manor. It was simpler than the Castle, built hundreds of years later and through modern masonry rather than magics. Despite its size there was something...quaint about it.

"My sister always loved this place." He commented quietly. "She liked the sun during the summer."

Kasim mused. "Somewhere in the forest nearby there's a treehouse we all built together. If it's still standing anyway."

 

[Aviana Sabel]

Of all the places they'd stayed in their travels, the manor seemed the most homely. Just the sight of it brought a smile to Aviana's lips.

She slipped her arm through his following him to Manor. Her head came to rest against his shoulder while they walked, humming contently. "A treehouse? Maybe we could go see if it's still there?"

 

[Kasim Areth]

"After some rest, I think." He told her softly.

They had been traveling for days now, and he did not want to exhaust her too much. The treehouse was deep in the forest, and that little hike was better to wait until after they had rested. At least until she had rested. He would be carving runes for the next few hours.

"Second floor or first floor?" He asked her as they walked through the open main doors. "There's bedrooms on both."

A smile touched his lips. "Though balconies only on the second."

 

[Aviana Sabel]

She smiled at him, pressing a quick kiss to his shoulder as they walked. "I think I can manage the second story. A balcony sounds nice."

Her free hand pressed against the swell of her belly, the twins stirring uncomfortably within her womb. She staggered for a moment and gasped in surprise, clutching Kasim's arm to keep from falling down.

"By the damned depths..." She chuckled, shaking her head. "They're kicking like a pair of bloody mules."

 

[Kasim Areth]

Kasim clutched Aviana tightly. "It's alright."

He said softly.

In the back of his head he wondered if they should have stopped in one of the villages along the way and attempted to find a healer or doctor, but he realized it would have been foolish. People already would have seen Kiovec in the sky, stopping somewhere would have been even more dangerous.

"Think we need to get you to bed." He said softly. "Or a bath perhaps."

A quick smile flashed over his face.

 

[Aviana Sabel]

She chuckled at his remark, nudging his side with her elbow. "A bath first, then bed. It'll be nice to rest."

It would have been nice for Kasim to join her, but she knew his attention would be focused on carving the runes for the next several hours. The work would be tedious and she was not skilled enough yet with rune magic to be of any assistance.

In the not so distance past, she'd been simply delighted to accidentally crumple a piece of paper. The memory of her excitement over a pronounced failure brought a smile to her features.

 

[Kasim Areth]

He nodded. "There's plumbing here."

That might not have been impressive in other parts of the world, but many homes of even the nobility in Vel Anir did not actually have plumbing. His father had had it installed in the manor at a later time of course, but it worked on...well Kasim wasn't exactly sure how it worked.

Magic if he had to guess, simple enchantments on a well beneath the ground. Dreadlords were often thought of as weapons of war, but when properly motivated they could do far more.

And his father knew how to motivate. "Here."

Kasim said as they reached the second floor finally and he guided her through a large bedroom with two doors. One lead to the balcony, the other to a large bathroom of marble white. There was a massive bed in the center of the room, two wardrobes, mirror, and of course a writing desk.

 

[Aviana Sabel]

"Oh wow..." Aviana murmured as she stepped into the surprisingly elegant room. It seemed that Kasim's father never spared an expense when it came to his living arrangements.

With on hand lightly resting over the swell of her belly, Aviana made her way towards the bathroom in search of the promised bath that Kasim had mentioned earlier.

She reached out to start running the hot water, watching the water slowly fill the porcelain tub while her fingertips traced over the surface. A small part of her still missed the ocean, the warm tides that lapped against Minaris' shores.

Before she disrobed, she turned to look for Kasim, biting her bottom lip. She knew he wanted to ward the place properly, but after what happened at the castle she was also afraid to be left alone again in her condition.

"Could you... Stay? Just for a little while?"

 

[Kasim Areth]

A frown touched his features for just a brief second.

Not at the idea of staying with her, not ever that, but the idea that he would not be immediately able to Rune the property. It would mean they wouldn't be as safe as they could be, but...well that wouldn't be too bad.

There was no way his father could catch up with them in the next few hours.

It wouldn't be too bad just to sit with her. "Of course."

Kasim said as he stepped over to her smiled. Of course, unbeknownst to the both of them there was someone moving towards the Castle. It was not Kasim's father, not a force to evil as that, but instead someone rather close.

His sister Elise.

She sat in her carriage, an unremarkable thing, two Dreadlords dressed as regular Virak Houseguard driving the horses. They would be at the estate in an hour, taking their time down the winding road.

 

[Aviana Sabel]

The lost elven princess smiled warmly to Kasim when he agreed to stay with her, feeling herself relax and the tension ebbed from her shoulders. Once the bath water was drawn, Aviana quietly slipped off her dress and climbed into the tub.

As soon as she was settled in the water, a soft moan slipped from her lips and she closed her eyes, resting her head back against the edge of the tub. One hand gently rubbed her swollen belly, hoping to soothe the twins as they stirred.

"You should sing for them, Kas. They enjoy the sound of your voice." She mused, still not opening her eyes.

While the pair lounged in the bath, Kiovec had taken up watch in the main entrance hall -- one of the few rooms that was large enough to house his considerable bulk. It allowed him to keep an eye on the entry way, but also kept their presence hidden unless someone literally opened the door in front of him. In which case, they would find a rather large surprise waiting for them.

 

[Kasim Areth]

Kasim did just as Aviana asked, though he had no idea for how long.

Singing, performing, always put him in a sort of trance. There was a note to it, something that made him feel at home. He sang quietly to Aviana for as long as he could, his voice carrying through the empty manor and through the open windows.

The first few songs were happy things. Tales of the future, of the what might be, of what could come and what the world would be. It was a pleasant thing, a kind thing, and Kasim thought it best that such a thing was what his children learned.

Even before they were born.

The trance of his song continued, echoing out even as the carriage passed through the front gate and carried it's occupants out in front of the door.

A moment passed before the carriage popped open, Elise stepping out and standing as Regal as a Queen. The two Dreadlords looked at her, their faces impassive, an odd sort of haze hanging over their eyes.

"Stay here."​

Her voice was ice, her steps cold as she slowly moved forward towards the main door.

 

[Aviana Sabel]

Kiovec lifted his head at the sound of the carriage outside the main gate. He'd been listening to Kasim's song through Aviana, but his consciousness withdrew for a short moment as he focused his attention. A low growl rumbled in the dragon's throat, before he reached back out to his Bond.

"Someone is here."

The words formed in Aviana's mind and her eyes opened, a frown settling over her features.

"Kasim... Kiovec hears someone. We're not alone." She whispered, placing her hand over Kasim's forearm, a worried expression in her clear blue eyes.

 

[Kasim Areth]

Kasim was on his feet like a strike of lightning.

His sword flashed into his hand, his fingers tightened and he pulled himself clear of Aviana. He knew in an instant than anyone being here could not have been good news, but as he searched for a sense of something he found nothing.

Doubt flickered across his features.

His father could not be here, that was impossible, and he did not...lips thinned for a few second as he motioned to Aviana. "Stay here."

He told her softly, not wanting her down there just in case.

 

[Elise Virak]

Elise's steps were slow, practiced, a Queen crossing her court. This had not been her home in a decade, longer perhaps, but it was still hers. The way she moved proved that the truth, and as she approached the door her hand waved.

There was an odd click and the door that should have been locked suddenly rushed open to reveal the Dragon laying beyond.

No reaction painted her features, though both of the Dreadlords standing by the the Carriage visibly stiffened as they saw the beast. Elise cocked her head, lips twerking slightly in a small smile as she crested the last step to the doors. "Aren't you fascinating."

Elise cooed, her eyes fixing on the beast as she continued to walk forward.

It seemed what her father had told her was true. How interesting. It seemed that her brother had fulfilled one of his dreams.

Something tugged at her heartstrings, though she pushed the wave of emotion aside as she continued to stride forward.

 

[Aviana Sabel]

The fear was palpable in the air. Aviana anxiously climbed out of the warm water to quickly dress herself once more. There hadn't even been a chance for them to rest.. how had they found them so fast? Her fingers fumbled with the laces on her gown as she stared at her wide-eyed reflection in the mirror. She dropped her gaze to the swell of her belly, protectively wrapping her arms around her abdomen as she took a ragged breath. "It'll be okay... it'll be okay."


Kiovec growled as Elise stepped forward and he slowly pushed himself to his full height. He was twice as tall as the woman, seeing such a massive creature indoors only made him seem all the larger. Behind him, his tail slowly swayed back and forth across the marble floor, an indication that he was ready to defend himself should the need arise.

He snapped his jaw once at Elise, huffing at her.

The dragon could speak, but he felt no need to divulge such information to the intruder just yet.

 

[Elise Virak]

Elise did not stop walking, she did not even slow.

The Dragon rose up, snapping it's jaws and raising it's tail to swing back and forth. Her lips continued in that slow smirk, parking to show her teeth in a mockery of the Dragon's own features. Her hair bounced slightly upon her shoulders. "You are fierce."

She commended.

"You are strong." Her right hand raised, fingers curling ever so slightly as strange black flecks began to flicker across her golden eyes. "But you are of blood."

It was said within her families archives that Dragon Blood was near the strongest fuel for their flame. That the crimson which coursed through Kiovec's veins was a source of power and strength like a drug. Kasim had told Aviana of this months ago, before Dragon's egg had even hatched.

As Elise stepped forward, that truth still held firm.

The Baronesses fingers began to curl, and slowly Kiovec would feel a weight descend upon it. It was a gravity that struck down on him in waves. It would have crushed a man wholesale, pressed him into the very earth and seen him little less than a streak of blood. For the Dragon it would be like his own body was pinning him down.

For the first time in his life, the Dragon that had protected Aviana, her mate, would feel helplessness.

 

[Aviana Sabel]

Upstairs, in the bedroom, Aviana suddenly cried out in pain and staggered to the floor. She couldn't breathe, couldn't move. Kiovec's powerlessness and fear transferred to her, Elise's magic came crashing down on her at the same moment it did the dragon. It felt as though the world itself was trying to drag her down into its depths, crushing her.

Pinned in place with such force, the elven woman could not even draw a breath to scream. Her very bones struggled to stay intact.


When Kiovec realized what was happening, he desperately tried to thrash against the hold the terrifying witch had grasped him with -- not to free himself, but Aviana. But the great beast, the devout protector of their small family, could not so much as twitch his tail.

He bellowed in his horrified frustration, trying to call out for Kasim. The Mate would not be affected by this foul sorcery.

Kiovec struggled so much against the weight crushing down on him, that his muscles strained and some tore. He was injuring himself worse and worse, the more he tried to break free.

 

[Elise Virak]

"D'aw." Elise said as she stepped closer and closer towards the Dragon, a smile on her face. The black dots floated across her eyes like corpses through a river.

Her head shook from side to side as she watched the Dragon struggle, watching as the muscle beneath it's skin began to tear and he desperately tried to free herself. Lips thinned for a moment, and she took a deep breath.

Fingers reached out even as the Dragon struggled, her hand nearly reaching Kiovec's snout before a voice suddenly called out to her.

"ELISE STOP!"​

Her head jerked to the side suddenly, catching sight of Kasim standing upon the stairs with his sword already bared. Lips thinned for a moment, and then she looked back towards Kiovec. "Sleep."

Elise reached out a single finger, touching Kiovec on the nose.

The Dragon would feel another sudden weight fall over him, but this time it was only the crashing tides of exhaustion. The moment the Dragon fell into the abyss of unconsciousness the weight was lifted from his body.

 

[Aviana Sabel]

Aviana coughed, sputtering as she gasped for air. She pressed a hand to her chest, a pained grimace sweeping over her features as the magic lifted. Everything hurt.

Her mind immediately remembered what the Well was capable of. She'd seen Kasim use it first hand, and the horrid effects it'd taken on his body. How had that woman...

The thoughts turned muddied and she swayed when she sat up, suddenly feeling exhausted beyond her physical limit. Just as she was slumping back down onto the floor to succumb to this strange new sensation... a gut-wrenching pain tore through her abdomen.

This was not an agony born of magic, but something far more terrifying that she couldn't place. She'd never felt something like it before. Her heart raced and her breathing was shallow, sweat beading on her forehead.

Then a second wave of pain hit her.

Then a third.

She could hear Kasim's shout echoing through the empty estate walls.

"Oh no... no, no... not now.." She whimpered, grasping at her stomach as she rolled onto her knees. Silvery hair fell forward, spilling over her shoulder and into her face as she gasped for breath.

When the fourth rush of hot agony washed through her, stronger this time, she knew exactly what was happening. Looking down, she saw the blood soaking through the bottom of her gown, and felt the heat of it trickling down her thighs.

She couldn't cry out for Kasim. He was dealing with whoever the intruder was that had attacked Kiovec. He couldn't defend them both at the same time. Gritting her teeth, she grabbed at the bedpost nearby and tried to get to her feet. Her lips parted in a silent scream and she covered her mouth with a shaking hand that was now covered in blood.

 

[Elise Virak]

Elise patted the dragon on the about one more time, then slowly turned towards her brother. A smile touched her features, though it was not the same taunting expression she had offered to the great Beast now snoozing besides her. She focused on her sibling, then finally spoke.

"It's good to see you Erich." She had always been an impeccable liar. During games of chance and cards bluffing had come to her as easily as breathing. She had no problem with deception, but to her brothers surprise, and perhaps a bit to her own, she told no lie.

It really was good to see him.

"I won't bore you with small talk, nor try to play you with the words father would have for you. I will only tell you the truth." She could see Kasim visibly tense, his hand tightening around the hilt of his sword. His eyes shifted from Elise to the Dragon, and then quickly back to Elise. "I am here to offer you a bargain."

She smiled. "Independent of father."

Elise had known her brother well once. Of the three of them he had always been the most sensitive. Erich delighted in the wonders of the world, the stories, the happenings of other Kingdoms. She remembered well his time in the libraries, learning all that he could. He'd never had a mind for politics, for the great games or anything of the sort.

Their brother had been better at that, even she paled in comparison to him.

Elise knew that, and so she hoped that he would accept the bargain that she offered. Of not for her own sake, then for his.

"You will not take my children Elise. You will not harm my wife. You will no-"​

"I don't want them. Any of them." Her expression soured, hand waving dismissively as she gestured. "I don't need them."

She watched the confusion on her brother's face.

"But the ritual…don't lie to me Elise."​

Elise frowned for a moment. She had known he would not understand, known she would have to explain. There was a difficulty though. The two of them were close, had been once, and even now a part of her just wanted to run up the steps and embrace her older brother.

Monster that she was, the emotion still clung to her. "I don't need them. If you wish I will carve a rune of truth into my flesh and say it again."

From his expression Elise could tell he was considering it.

"Then what do you want?"​

For a few seconds Elise stayed quiet, her eyes folding closed as she took a deep breath. She had thought about this moment for so long, how it could happen, how she would do it. It was all planned out, she just needed them to agree.

"I want your connection to the Well." She could see the shock dawn on Erich's face as he understood the words, confusion at the possibility. His mouth opened, no doubt intending to ask how such a thing would even be possible, but before he could speak Elise struck with her second hammer. "And I want you to help me kill father."

 

[Aviana Sabel]

Aviana somehow managed to stagger her way over to the alchemical bag she carried with her. There were herbs inside that she'd been cultivating at the castle in order to help her through the delivery, but she knew they'd leave her in a haze. She hesitated with the plant stems in her hand, unsure whether or not she should take them.

When another excruciating contraction hit her, however, her mind was made up.

Her hands were shaking bad enough that she knocked over a vase while she attempted to crush the stems and it shattered across the marble floor. It was too soon, she knew that. There were still at least two or three weeks left but... it seemed there was nothing she could do.

The attack at the castle and then whatever magic has seized her just moments ago had traumatized her body enough to force her into labor early.


Behind Elise, Kiovec twitched fitfully in his sleep. His large scales scraped against the marble floor from the movement, and a pained growl formed in his throat.

Aviana swallowed the crushed stems, grimacing at the bitter taste, and then made her way back to the porcelain tub. She crawled inside and struggled to turn on the water with one hand while the other gathered her skirts around her waist. There was so much blood everywhere... the floor was covered and more of it now seeped over the white surface of the tub before the water washed it away.

Another wave hit her and Aviana's hands clutched at the sides of the bathtub, unable to stop herself from crying out in pain this time.

 

[Kasim Areth]

The moment Kasim heard the scream his head whipped around, but so did Elise's.

He glanced backwards and looked to his sister, seeing the expression on her face. He half expected for her to be smiling, to have some sort of malice in her expression, but instead only the same confusion that held over his features reflected on her own.

"I-" He stammered out, but he wasn't entirely sure what to say.

Elise had always been smarter than him, had always planned more than him. There was no doubt in his mind that she would gain some way from this, not just because of his magic, but there was something else at play here.

Yet Aviana's scream echoed in his head. "Fuck!"

He shouted, and then suddenly he darted away from his sister and back up the stairs towards the love of his life.

Elise stood there staring for a few moments, her lips thinning as she looked back towards the Dragon. Then with a sigh she quickly followed after Kasim. Her heels clicked on the marbled steps, but Kasim ignored her presence entirely as he rushed to his Princesses side.

"Aviana!" He called a he broke through the doorway and rushed to her.

Elise following right behind him.

 

[Aviana Sabel]

Aviana was partially submerged in the water that was rising around her form, breathing in heavy, ragged bursts. She turned her blue gaze to seek out Kasim's golden eyes, fear painted into her features. There was a woman behind him, she could see that much; but she didn't quite process just who the woman was yet.

Her blood-soaked hand grabbed at Kasim's forearm when he knelt down at her side. "They're.... they're mmngh... Kas, it's too soon... I'm scared..."

 

[Elise Virak]

"Shit, fuck shit."

Kasim swore up a storm as he looked down towards his wife. Elise stood in the doorway of the bathroom, her lips thin, her eyes wandering over the woman that his brother had called his love.

She knew precious little of Aviana, and in truth she cared even less. The woman was an elf of some sort, but that didn't really matter. Elise might have painted herself a xenophobe for the commons, but in truth all those not of noble blood were equally beneath her.

The way her brother acted though...

Kasim scrambled towards the tub, touching Aviana's forehead, kissing her skin, desperately reaching for...something that he could do. It was obvious he knew nothing of what was to happen, and Elise let out a despondent sigh.

Fool. "Move."

Elise said with a wave of her hand.

She was no midwife, but she was a woman of Vel Anir. Education of births was something all of them were taught. Heirs of the Great Houses learned certain things, and Elise was no stranger to that. She had always thought it...sexist, but now it would come in handy she supposed.

As she walked up her hand gently set on Kasim's shoulder. "Stay close, Erich, but not too close."

Elise told her brother.

"You'll be of little help here save for comfort." As she said the words her golden eyes turned to Aviana, and slowly she began to instruct the woman on what she would need to do.