He watched his reavers patching themselves up. Thalenen rubbed his forehead while he leaned against the wooden pillar. The fight had been rough, but they got the Thirsk Hall. They would send Mogrul a message soon and then they would gather here in the hall for further planning.
The only problem was that he hadn’t heard of Slitter or Mogrul for days, and Thalenen wasn’t sure how to feel about it. He might begin to think of his band’s survival at this point. So many had died already by taking this pathetic hall, even if it was warm, and before that they’d lost some reavers in the initial fight with Mogrul’s other mercenaries before they were forced to submit under his rule. What a waste that was.
Thalenen let out a frustrated growl and reached for a wine bottle. “Listen up, f’lah, what do you think if we ditch the Orc and leave for the mainland?” His question made the reavers’ heads turn in a curious frown. They grumbled amongst themselves first and the one called Suryn looked to him. “Sure, boss. I think we’re done with the Orc’s loyalty.” That brought a sly smile on Thalenen’s face. “Rest then, we’ll leave tomorrow.”
The cold wind blew when the doors were bust open and two chitin armored mer walked inside. Their heads were covered with chitin helmets and they had blades out. It startled the reavers and Thalenen shot up from his place. The slightly shorter chitin warrior looked to him. “We’ve heard of this Mogrul’s rule, and we’d like to join in your band.” He said as he stopped closer to Thalenen.
Thalenen scoffed. “Really? You’re too late. We obey Mogrul no more!” he snarled. “From which band are you from? I don’t recognize your voice.” He couldn’t believe it - some stragglers wanted to join the Orc’s cause. “But, we can’t let you go. You might tell Mogrul about us. Kill them!” It might have been paranoia, but Thalenen didn’t want to take the risk.
Teldryn moved to slash out at two reavers at once while Ciel’nn faced Thalenen. The younger mer removed his helm in a fluid motion, letting it fly onto the floor and clashed with the reaver leader. It became a dance of blades which made Ciel’nn thrilled. He kept his eyes on Thalenen while he was aware of where their blades were. If he had been uncertain before, it was now gone.
The older mer had swiftly killed the wounded reavers first that left him three reavers to deal with. They watched his moves cautiously. Watch real good, filths. Teldryn knew if he moved to slash at one, the others would be onto him. It didn’t matter. Grinning, he feigned attacking to the reaver on his right, then the older mer turned swiftly to one behind him. His elven sword cut through between the reaver’s shoulder and head. A slash on his back made the older mer growl almost savagely. I could bring out the flame atronach, but then everything would be on fire.
He prepared his firebolt spell with one hand and Teldryn cast it at the reaver who was previously in front of him. The reaver backed away, cursing. Teldryn gave a sly grin at the reaver who was trying to decide if to try his luck or not. “I hate your kind.” The older mer grunted in a low tone and slashed out at the uncertain reaver.
Thalenen had to admit the black haired mer was good at keeping on the edge as if it was a play for him. The random smirks he got from the younger mer were unnerving to say the least. They were locked in a blade dance that the reaver had never been a part of before. It was a dance for his death - he knew it from the mer’s eyes - there was the thrill, but also sadness if Thalenen wasn’t mistaken. He’s a young one. I wonder what made him like this? Their blades clashed again and the young mer’s blades changed their direction. Thalenen knew he was a moment away from his slumber.
There was a shift in the mer’s face and next the reaver felt the metal penetrating the side of his neck. He gasped at the pain and stared at the young mer, who held his blade in place. Thalenen grabbed the mer’s arm as he was laid on the floor. He coughed out blood. “I just… wanted to… go home…Why?”
“The Orc’s reign is over. He’s dead now.” Ciel’nn said in a quiet tone. “I was asked to clear this hall.”
“By who?”
“The Riekling.”
Thalenen’s face twisted as if he was about to laugh. “The Riek..ling…” He closed his eyes. “Finish it.” So much pain… The dagger was pulled off from his neck.
Ciel’nn watched the life leaving the reaver as he stood and took his time to clean his blades. The reaver had made him somewhat sad. The person was a reaver so why should he feel sad about it? He didn’t know. Instead he turned around to see Teldryn holding his arm and the last reaver going on about the older mer. Ciel’nn began to walk towards them and took his dagger out while his gaze darkened.
It was quick flash of metal before the reaver fell down, lifeless. Teldryn frowned as Ciel’nn had the dark look. Something is not right with him. I wish I knew what causes this mood for him. He looked to his partner. “How are you feeling?”
The young mer grabbed a potion from his backpack and handed it to Teldryn. “We should let the Riekling know that the hall is safe.” It was a dark toned reply and Ciel’nn turned towards the door. Unexpectedly, he felt the darkness glaring back at him, whispering to him sweet, dark words. More Skaal to die… “I think the Riekling and Mr. Pincers will come inside soon as soon as they realize there’s no more fighting.” He heard the older mer say, although it sounded distant. Teldryn…
“I think we should rest here.” Teldryn said in a serious tone. His partner just stood there, staring the door and still holding the dagger. This isn’t good. “Ciel’nn. Let’s rest here.” He stood up and stepped next to the young mer, placing his hand on the mer’s shoulder. “I don’t know what you’re going through right now, but I think it’s better if you stay close to me.” He used the low tone to reach his partner. “We’re not in a good shape to fight. Come, let’s patch up and rest.” The young mer looked at him with a look that made Teldryn almost step back, but he stood his ground. You’re not scaring me with that look, Ciel’nn. What’s wrong with you?
A flash of anger went through Ciel’nn when the older mer had spoken and doing so he had stopped him from going outside. Ciel’nn stared at his partner, who wasn’t afraid of him, or whatever he was feeling at the moment. The hand on his shoulder was firm as was the gaze in the older mer’s eyes. Even if he felt the anger rising, Ciel’nn fought against it to lash out at Teldryn and it subdued until his facial features softened. I need him. It was true, they both were somewhat exhausted from the fighting and injured. “I… I’m tired.” The young mer finally said and sat down on the nearest wooden plank.
The door opened with a creak and the blue creature peeked in. “Agaroo?” It said and walked inside, followed by Mr. Pincers. The Riekling looked around the hall. “Hufwah!” A delighted shout for the reavers death. It should now let its remaining kin know that the hall was safe. A frown latched on its face when it saw the mer’s exhausted expression. The blue creature tilted its head and suddenly realized something. “Foo may fa.” It moved towards the makeshift shelf and picked up a bowl of boar soup, then brought it to the young mer. “Foo may fa.”
Teldryn kept his eyes on his partner while he ate his soup. The shift in Ciel’nn had made the older mer concerned. He had met dark companions before, but this… This darkness that seemed to surround the young mer was something entirely. Maybe it’s Mogrul’s influence? Or, something far worse… First he’d thought to give it some time, but now it seemed it’d have to be done sooner.
“Teldryn,” Ciel’nn said quietly, “I… the night Slitter came at me… before that…” The young mer took a deep breath. “I.. Killed six of the Skaal hunters…” He didn’t look at his partner, but stared at a fixed spot on the wooden floor. “Why did you kill them?” He heard the older mer asking. Ciel’nn shook his head ever so slightly as he tried to remember. “I… only remember the rage I felt, and… it was dark.” His tone was broken.
The Riekling was listening to them and tilted its head as if to trying to understand. The young mer’s tone caught its attention and the blue creature came to the mer. It put its small hand on the mer’s hand. “Maa…” The young mer’s eyes shifted to look at the creature in front of him. “Maa…” It repeated and looked saddened. The mer was upset and it knew it. The mer frowned and looked away.
“It was dark? In what sense?” Teldryn asked as he put the bowl down. At least he finally decided to talk about it. “Is there something I can do?”
“You can’t help me.” Ciel’nn replied in a tone that would end the conversation. It was already difficult to deal with for him and he didn’t want to bother his partner with whatever he was dealing with - the darkness that resided within him.
Teldryn frowned and pondered a brief moment. “Don’t give me that shit, Ciel’nn.” He stood up and stepped toward his partner, nearly scaring the Riekling away. Sitting next to his partner, he reached out to put his arm around the mer. “Speak to me.” He said in a low, softer tone. “You don’t have to deal with it alone.”
“Maa…” The Riekling whispered behind a broken chair. The older mer might slap it if it goes too close. He shouldn’t hurt it, it has done nothing wrong to get slapped around. It wished the young mer would feel better soon and pondered what could it do to cheer him up?
How do I speak if I can’t even understand it myself? Ciel’nn looked to the older mer. He felt so vulnerable that he let his partner pull him close to him. “The darkness…” He whispered, “It’s sudden and I don’t know if I’m fully aware of it when it happens, or what causes it.” He paused to breathe evenly. “It’s… strong, Teldryn.” Ciel’nn turned his head to look at the older mer. “I don’t know if I’m enough strong to… I don’t want to hurt you, but I think… I need you to stay close to me.” His voice broke off with the last words as he leaned onto Teldryn.
“I’ll watch over us both, then.” The older mer said. “And, don’t worry. I can defend myself, even from you.” He added while he gave a firm squeeze on Ciel’nn’s shoulder. It sounds like a serious issue. I just hope it’s not a permanent… darkness. “Thank you for telling me, Ciel’nn. I believe we can weather it as long as you won’t run away.”
A small chuckle escaped from the young mer. “I thought it’d be you running away.”
“There is no chance for that now. Not after what you just told me.” The older mer replied and he heard Ciel’nn sighing, trying to rest.
The Riekling jumped around joyously as the situation had gone to being relaxed with the two mer and it began to check places for something. It owned the Hall now as his kin had died. The blue creature stopped to look at that the small throne and pondered if it should invite the neighboring clan for a gathering “Mooong cha!”
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Comments
And Ciel finally opened up to Teldryn, at least partially.
Also, if you don´t mind a bit of advice, I would recommend finding some synonyms to... more
And Ciel finally opened up to Teldryn, at least partially.
Also, if you don´t mind a bit of advice, I would recommend finding some synonyms to "dark" caus... more
As for running, I'll just use the favored recall spell! xD