From: owner-willowholt-l@murkworks.net on behalf of Wolf031877@aol.com Sent: Sunday, July 05, 1998 2:43 PM To: willowholt-l@murkworks.net Subject: [willowholt-l] Captured! (Log) With Dusk having found her soulname, she and Talek decide to head back to Willowholt. However, events unfold that neither of them could ever have predicted. Logged July 2. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The day is nearing a close, with sunlight streaking through the trees as a bright, beautiful sunset heralds the coming night. Mother Moon and Child Moon rise to greet the night sky, on a starry, cloudless night. It has been a handful of days since a certain rust-furred maiden found her soulname, and she and her companion are on their way back home. Through the forests they move, backtracking steps taken days earlier. The she-elf, still covered in a thick winter coat, carries her weapons with her - bow and arrows, spear, dagger. She moves along quietly, her mind thinking on certain things that have gone unsaid thus far. And beside her marches an equally quiet Talek, taller than her by a head or so. Though the white-cold is just starting to give way, he clutches a grey- white cloak about him like a second skin, slender fingers clenching it until moon-pale knuckles bleed completely white save for gossamer lines of red. He stares straight ahead of him, trying /not/ to think. He did something wrong, didn't he? He's not sure what though. A few more steps forward, icy snow crunching beneath his heels, and he queries softly in hopes of breaking tension: ** How much longer do you think, Dusk? ** Dusk is never given the chance to answer as something dark looms up from the path before them, seeming to appear from the very trees themselves. He has been too long familiar with the art of silence, echoes are far more telling than any breeze as to location. He jerks Dusk forward and wraps a thin, but steel-strong arm about her throat, holding a dull metal blade to the side of her face. ** I require assistance, little ones. Help me, and you will not be hurt. ** A heavy hood masks his face. In fact, not one inch of skin is left uncovered. The maiden is taken quite off-guard, startled at the sudden place she's found herself in. "Ackk!" she sputters, a hand immediately moving to try to free herself on instinct, pawing at the arm already starting to cut off her ability to breathe. What was she thinking so hard about that left her so vulnerable? ** Let..go! ** she sends, filled with sudden panic and fear at the blade pressed to her cheek. She considers reaching for her dagger with the hand that just dropped her own spear, but what if she's too slow? ** Talek... ** ** Dusk! ** Little Talek is not, for he is shorter than the stranger by mere inches. He resembles his mother in that at least. He has no weapon yet.. ** Let her go! ** The son of Tash moves forward sharply, smoke-on-water wide and crystallizing fast. His fist comes up - to strike - but hovers there uncertainly. ** Let her /go/! ** Eyes narrow dangerously, as the strange tall one considers. He sees, perhaps for the first time, as he bothers to study the one before him. ** Talek... ** The send is a hiss in both minds, threatening and roiling sickly, leaving no room for doubt as to the menace he holds. ** What strange fate has brought you into my hands, young one? ** Dusk coughs, trying not to choke on the breath she can't get, and now, both her hands raise to fend off her assailant. A cut, perhaps, but if it results in her being freed again? A change she's willing to take, as she tries to pull the figure's arm away for her to steal a breath. ** Let me go..now..or you'll regret it. ** she warns. ** W-What? ** Talek cringes almost visibly, his eyes widening by the second. His mind races as it has not had to do in.. in.. moons? turns? Has it been so long? His face is still pale for all his time in the sun; his hair still silver and his eyes still that of smoke though they crystallize and solidify for reasons that might escape you for the moment. He resembles his mother in that respect, yet.. something feline.. ** Let her go! ** With courage that is /very/ unlike the awakened dreamer, Talek finally brings that fist forward - no aim except to hit her assailant. ** Leave her /alone/! ** Evenek easily blocks the attempted blow, but eases his grip only slightly, allowing the small one to breathe. ** Silence! ** And there is stinging strength behind the send, directed only to Talek. ** I believe that she suits my purposes, and shall keep her. ** He shifts until the sword is now pressed to Dusk's side, point first. ** Move not little one, or I shall hurt you. That would be...regrettable ** Dusk gasps to inhale the much-needed breath of air, and immediately she balls her hand into a fist, preparing to jab an elbow into her would-be captor's stomach, to put that sparring training to good use. But, the cold, sharp point of the blade changes her mind, convincing her to holds still, her arms dropping to her sides. ** Don't.. ** she sends, green-on-yellow lupine eyes suddenly full of worry. Talek is frightened and it shows. The last time he was so frightened.. Ynderra.. Suddenly a warning beacon goes off in the silver-haired lad's mind and his liquid irises turn sharply crystal, the irises growing larger and paling. The eyes themselves look sharp, but the fear that puts the weapon in Talek's hand suddenly becomes that which keeps him from using it. His fist deflected, he stumbles back two steps, staring at the pair - at Dusk. He blurts, ** Let her go! What are you doing?! Who /are/ you? ** Evenek shakes his head and his hood falls back, revealing the pale, fragile skin that rapidly becomes red even beneath the weak winter sun. ** I am your fate, boy. ** The send is a growl of pain and anger mixed. And a rapid shifting has one hand around Dusk's waist, the blade pulled back toward Evenek's own body, the sharp edge of one side pressed against her stomach. But only long enough for the hood to be replaced with a hiss of pain. Dusk yelps in a bit of shock as the blade is kept close, right at her stomach. Suffice it to say, she doesn't do much of anything to endanger her safety. "What do you want with me?" she questions, speaking aloud. Fate? Wildly, Talek's eyes go flat with confusion, yet that depth of sending, the whisper of power-that-might-be.. He looks from Dusk to stranger to Dusk and back again. He moves forward a half-step, fingers curled into shaking fists. He blurts, ** Go away! Leave us alone! ** Evenek shows extreme distaste at the beast's willful mouth, and with his free hand slaps her sharply across the mouth. ** /Never/ speak to us with your mouth, beast blood. ** And his eyes shift to Talek, assessing and angry. ** You tell me what to do? I think not, youngling, you are coming home with me, where you belong! ** A sharp cry comes from the furred, captive elf, as her head snaps to one side at the stinging slap across her face. Stunned, she reacts by growling at Evenek, her fingers curling at the ends of her hands. "Don't do that again," she threatens, suddenly angered despite her compromised position. Eyes flattened turn flatter still, silvery smoke giving way to the dullest of greys. Back.. this one.. With such height, such appearance, such loathe for speech.. ** To the Underworld? ** Talek can barely squeak. Years ago when Rhentagoth had offered.. It had not inspired such fright; but Rhentagoth had been courteous and his companion cheerful. This one.. ** Who /are/ you? ** the gray-eyed elf continues to blurt. ** Why are you doing this? ** Evenek jerks his free arm back up until it is around Dusk's throat, done with threats. Steady pressure is applied skillfully, stealing her breath. Evenek narrows his eyes once more, both disgusted and elated at his discovery. ** She will do nicely to pay off my debt of honor, I think. As for you, Talek. You are my blood, and you have dishonored your House... and mine. ** Dusk's eyes shut tight, gasping again as her breathing is interrupted, sputtering fruitlessly. "Gaackk..!" A hand snaps up towards her neck, unable to stop from trying to catch a breath again. It's a natural reaction. However, that blade - she still feels it over her belly. ** You.. ** And suddenly it clicks, the truth itself like dawn, spreading across his face like sunlight over the darkest of nights. A pity that wispy clouds of startled recognition mar this sunrise. ** You are.. Elessardo.. my mother.. ** Like a cloak discarded and suddenly re-adorned, Talek steps forward another half-step, his stance turned straight and his fear-lined face turns darker still. ** Let her go! Or I'll.. I'll.. ** The threat trails off unfinished - what would he do? And yet his eyes, uncontrolled, deepen further, compelling and angry at the same time. Evenek chuckles softly, chillingly. ** You will do nothing but follow if you wish her to remain unharmed. ** And still he ups the pressure, not allowing the wolfrider any breath. His eyes bore into Talek's, ignoring the rising threat as insignificant. Dusk offers up a few more sounds of her struggles, but she begins to find things going blank around her as she can't get a breath in. Her hand doesn't fight with Evenek's as firmly as just a moment before. Not so insignificant. There was a time when Talek was as mad as Tash and Mireka and both of his parents were creatures of magic. He has grown past that, but the renegade Cat-Elf left behind something in his son. ** I said.. ** It builds. Like a palpable aura, strengthened by fear and anger, the magic builds around Talek, the crystal in his eyes turning sharper and sharper until it is like knives. ** Let.. ** An eldritch glitter forms over his eyes, overlapping, then tightening. ** Her.. ** It is formed without thought, by sheer instinct. ** GO! ** And with that the sending explodes, twin pairs of magic crystal-daggers firing straight and true into the Underworlder's gaze as they meet. He shakes with the effort, but it drives with raw power, invisible claws reaching in-In-IN to force will over will. Evenek hisses in surprise then turns it into laughter, the song of brittle glass shattering. ** Pathetic child, I am many many turns your elder. Do not think to try your tricks on me. ** And it is shrugged off so easily, not even a spare moment wasted to deflect the youngling's finest effort. And his arm squeezes tighter another fraction, leaving no room for more from the wolfling. ** She is mine, now, and you will follow. Like a beast on a lead, you will follow, for you care about her. I can /see/ it. ** "Unnnh.." Dusk wheezes, all but missing Talek's attempt to gain her freedom. Words echo in her mind, heard but not understood totally, as though in a language apart from that which she knows. She's not out yet - though close - and in a futile attempt to do /some/thing, she tries to cram an elbow into Evenek's gut. ** No.. ** It is a raggedly sent whisper of horror and defeat as the magic as quickly as it fired dies away and leaves its owner spent. Such power.. all of his strength poured into that burst.. And it failed? ** Dusk.. ** Talek's fingers unclench from their fists, slightly curled, but limp in their position. Almost immediately, his mood shifts back, childlike and frightful. ** Please.. Let her go..! ** Evenek shakes his head, offering the child only a few more words. ** You are coming home, because of her. ** and one final twist of his arm is all he does, even if the elbow in his stomach does cause him to step back slightly, catching a breath in his throat. Dusk gacks, making yet more unnatural sounds, and finally, she slackens, things shutting down of their own accord as consciousness leaves her form. She begins to slump forward, either to fall or to be held up by Evenek. ** Dusk..! ** It is concern, genuine and pure, that issues from Talek as he moves forward quickly only to stop a mere stride from Evenek and his captive. Eyes, once more the hue of misty smoke, dart between rust-furred maiden and tall Underworlder. ** Please.. w-whoever you are.. let her go.. I don't even know you! You don't have to hurt her! ** Evenek picks the wolfmaiden up and drapes her over one shoulder, all the while eyeing his nephew. ** You are my sister's son, and since you are blood, is it my... duty to restore you to our House, and honor to myself. Besides... Morganthe will find uses for your particular talents. ** Talek's gaze fastens on Dusk and doesn't move from her, wide-eyed and fearful. ** Morganthe.. ** he echoes the name with the voice of one who has never heard it before. ** Who..? ** [OOC] Dusk doesn't really need to pose for the time being, so I'll observe. Evenek steps forward, looking /down/ at Talek. ** Your lord. ** And Dusk dangles from his shoulder, quite unconscious. ** I will spare you no more words, young one. You will make the.. honorable decision, I am sure. ** He steps back, watchful and waiting. ** What of Lord Corinthi? ... Shayilbey..? ** Talek swallows. It has been a long time. He continues to stare at Dusk's inert form, the wheels in his head turning visibly in his eyes. ** I will go, ** he finally sends, barely croaking it. ** Please.. do not hurt her. ** Evenek considers and nods. ** It is time you took your place in the rolls of House Elessardo, youngling. You have the makings of a fine student to Morganthe. ** And without waiting he turns and disappears into the brush, trusting his nephew to follow. And follow he does, for what else could he do? ** I do not want to be a ... student... ** comes Talek's sending in forced whisper. Evenek turns, a smile of delight crossing his face, chilling to behold. * Since when did what you want ever enter the subject, Talek. You belong with the House of your birth. ** ** My.. House.. abandoned me.. I did not know them.. My mother.. ** Abruptly Talek quiets, though the bitter note in his sending does not fade. He will not speak of his mother. As a cold wind brushes through the trees, he suppresses a shudder. His cloak, where..? Left behind in his fright and haste, he hugs himself and keeps his eyes on Dusk, following his apparent uncle in silence. Evenek seems to disappear in a sudden twist of the trees, but once beyond them, a fissure in the ground is evident. ** Follow below, nephew. Morganthe awaits my return, and yours. He will be pleased that I have succeeded in my task. ** Below? Talek halts abruptly, staring after Evenek. A sudden wave of claustrophobia hits him unbidden and briefly; he looks up towards the sky, through the branches and leaves and overhead foliage.. to the stars.. Dusk.. and he vanishes after Evenek in utter silence. (Things had to be cut short here, so basically, the only other things that happened were that Evenek 'gave' Dusk to Lrilanya, and took Talek to his own chambers.)