Ariel knelt beside her brothers, prepared to open her wrist to Gabriel when Dominik intervened. The Dragonseeker’s metallic green eyes locked with Lucien, “Allow me to do this thing, Gabriel and I have had many discussions these last months, and we have many common understandings.”
Lucien nodded once, despite Gabriel’s desire to simply die. No sound came from Gabriel, but he had not shut down his system, which is the first thing a Carpathian does in an effort to survive terrible wounds. Gabriel clung to remaining alert, but the blood loss was so severe, that he was rapidly losing his fight.
Dominik tore open his wrist, holding it to Gabriel’s mouth, but Gabriel was beyond ability to draw from the open wound. Dominik’s blood slowly flowed into Gabriel’s body as Ariel began the healing chant. Lucien held onto the spark that was all that remained of his brother. Pain was shared, and Lucien felt the terrible agony Gabriel suffered. The loneliness, the bleak despair. Blood red tears slipped unheeded down Lucien’s cheeks.
Other voices soon joined the chant. The Carpathian common pathway brought in six or seven voices, all from great distances, but the magic that bound them together flowed through Ariel’s chant.
Prince Mikhail was already making his way back. And it was Prince Mikhail that sent for Azjah.
Temptations
Moderator: Azjah von Drachen Walde
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Ariel Datrazanov
- Adventurer
- Posts: 66
- Joined: Sun Apr 17, 2005 6:15 pm
- Location: RhyDin
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Topaz
- Legendary Adventurer
- Posts: 1283
- Joined: Fri Apr 02, 2004 5:31 pm
- Location: The Beacon
- Contact:
Topaz wanted to be with Lucien with every fiber of her being. She felt everything he did, the weight on his soul, and the tears rolling down his cheeks, and it tore at her. Sylviana tore at her, too, fighting her the entire way to Le's hospital for them to turn around so she could be with her dad and uncle.
Only the certain knowledge that for now Gabriel's continued existence was depended on that this woman would live gave her the strength to continue her way to Le's hospital. Once she had transferred the woman into Le's care though there would be nothing, absolutely nothing, that would keep her from returning to Lucien's side.
Only the certain knowledge that for now Gabriel's continued existence was depended on that this woman would live gave her the strength to continue her way to Le's hospital. Once she had transferred the woman into Le's care though there would be nothing, absolutely nothing, that would keep her from returning to Lucien's side.
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Azjah von Drachen Walde
- Expert Adventurer
- Posts: 1138
- Joined: Mon Apr 04, 2005 1:13 am
- Location: Palazzo Drachen Walde
- Contact:
Eoin, Azjah needed Eoin. The message from Mikhail was too incredible to believe, yet when she searched for Gabriel, it was as though the man had truly died. Not even a flicker of his essence could she pick up. Azjah sat down on the settee as shock and then tears threatened to over come her. “GABRIEL!” It was a soul deep cry of pain and loss.
Eoin appeared shortly thereafter. He had, of course, heard the agony in Azjah’s voice, but it was better if he pretended that he had not heard a thing. “They will bring him here Marchioness. Here is the safest place for him.”
Azjah nodded without looking at Eoin. Yes, Lucien would bring his brother here. They would do what they had to. But when they would come remained to be seen. Restless energy had her pacing the great room, and at length, she told Eoin that she was going to the Inn. Perhaps Kairee would be there, and a discussion regarding the recently found runes would help pass the time.
She walked across the porch and through the doors to the Inn, pausing only long enough to locate and empty table, and recognize that Kairee has not arrived. She passed by Elessaria, who gave her a smile and a wave, which Azjah returned in kind, “Good evening Eless.” She liked the elven woman, and hoped one day they might be friends.
Eless was talking with a gentleman she recognized from the dueling arena, Jolyon Gardiner. He waved more to be friendly than because he recognized her, and Azjah settled into a comfortable chair before glancing about for a serving lad.
Several moments later, Antonio appeared behind the bar, looking rather more rumpled than she remembered ever having seen him. He got out a bar towel, and glanced around the Inn, “All right, who needs a drink?”
Azjah forced a smile, “Good evening Antonio, when you have a moment, a Dalwhinnie, neat please.” He poured the scotch, rather more generously than normal, into a highball glass, no ice, and handed it to her. “There you go, it’s on me tonight.”
Azjah pulled out a small computer and keyed in a short series of taps. “Thank you Antonio, is there a special occasion?” She was seeking information about Carpathians, and any hints, any means to keep Gabriel from turning Vampyre. There HAD to be some way to keep him from that fate.
Antonio shrugged, almost shyly, “I just feel generous tonight.”
Azjah lifted the glass to him, “Your generosity is appreciated.” She took a sip of the scotch and read the resulting information as it scrolled across the screen. Everything pointed to Gabriel having to find his mate, and yet in 2700 years, he had not done so. She frowned at the information. There simply had to be another way. And they needed to find it quickly.
Eoin appeared shortly thereafter. He had, of course, heard the agony in Azjah’s voice, but it was better if he pretended that he had not heard a thing. “They will bring him here Marchioness. Here is the safest place for him.”
Azjah nodded without looking at Eoin. Yes, Lucien would bring his brother here. They would do what they had to. But when they would come remained to be seen. Restless energy had her pacing the great room, and at length, she told Eoin that she was going to the Inn. Perhaps Kairee would be there, and a discussion regarding the recently found runes would help pass the time.
She walked across the porch and through the doors to the Inn, pausing only long enough to locate and empty table, and recognize that Kairee has not arrived. She passed by Elessaria, who gave her a smile and a wave, which Azjah returned in kind, “Good evening Eless.” She liked the elven woman, and hoped one day they might be friends.
Eless was talking with a gentleman she recognized from the dueling arena, Jolyon Gardiner. He waved more to be friendly than because he recognized her, and Azjah settled into a comfortable chair before glancing about for a serving lad.
Several moments later, Antonio appeared behind the bar, looking rather more rumpled than she remembered ever having seen him. He got out a bar towel, and glanced around the Inn, “All right, who needs a drink?”
Azjah forced a smile, “Good evening Antonio, when you have a moment, a Dalwhinnie, neat please.” He poured the scotch, rather more generously than normal, into a highball glass, no ice, and handed it to her. “There you go, it’s on me tonight.”
Azjah pulled out a small computer and keyed in a short series of taps. “Thank you Antonio, is there a special occasion?” She was seeking information about Carpathians, and any hints, any means to keep Gabriel from turning Vampyre. There HAD to be some way to keep him from that fate.
Antonio shrugged, almost shyly, “I just feel generous tonight.”
Azjah lifted the glass to him, “Your generosity is appreciated.” She took a sip of the scotch and read the resulting information as it scrolled across the screen. Everything pointed to Gabriel having to find his mate, and yet in 2700 years, he had not done so. She frowned at the information. There simply had to be another way. And they needed to find it quickly.
Azjah Telyria Danaan
Marchioness von Triberg
Baroness von Drachen Walde
Marchioness von Triberg
Baroness von Drachen Walde
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Topaz
- Legendary Adventurer
- Posts: 1283
- Joined: Fri Apr 02, 2004 5:31 pm
- Location: The Beacon
- Contact:
From the shore of Atrebla Lake the portal to Hy-Breasil looked like a sturdy and expansive dock, well-supported and reinforced and wide enough to drive two carriages abreast. It really resembled a bridge, except that it extended only about twenty meters into Atrebla Lake and then stopped. A bridge to nowhere. Or, in this case, a bridge to elsewhere. There was a slight breeze blowing along the shoreline, and the night sky was brilliant with stars, as only high-altitude skies can be.
"We made it." Topaz announced to Sylviana as they stepped off the bridge to Hy-Breasil with their charge. The place was always busy, even now in what must be the middle of the night. Hopefully that meant that she would not have to wake up Le. She paused to take a deep breath and then resumed to direct the floating, unconscious, and barely breathing woman across the genetically manicured lawn toward the main building.
The grassy sward, swept in-between the two long wings, all soft tan around and under the rich redwood of the support beams and the gently-peaked roof, wide eaves with cantilevered overhangs shadowing the long windows of the sprawling two-story building blended into its surroundings: lush grass… flowering trees… a spaceship parked on the side lawn….
Topaz wondered what had brought Tyranny’s Favor from its accustomed landing pad by Le Amon’s residence. Occasionally Brigid Atreides, the starship’s pilot, parked directly at the medical center to deliver patients or cargo.
A security guard was lounging near the altar stage on the lawn south of the main entrance. An aged orc (which was of itself unusual), Nakuth had fought in the Paladin Wars on his home world for long, bloody uncounted years. Brought through the teleporting altar of one of the Lady’s temples, like almost all other emergency patients, he had been a security guard ever since his healing was completed fourteen standard years ago. Now his tough form had grown a little paunchy, and he had developed a fondness for Ertali chocolates, and his former comrades would no doubt have been shocked to see Lukuth dandling an elf-child on his scarred knees while telling highly-censored war stories to the rapt patients in Pediatrics.
He waved at Topaz, who waved back as she mounted the low steps up to the big double glass doors of the entrance hall.
Actually, neither the security guards – all of whom were former soldiers who had been healed here – nor Brigid’s starship were really necessary at all. Le’s medical center treated anyone or anything, from any planet or any dimension, who mounted the altar in any of hundreds of temples of the Lady scattered across this and other worlds. And the only other means of ingress to the dimensional bubble that was Hy-Breasil were the flight portal, high overhead and only opened on request, and the causeway which opened on the east shore of Atrebla Lake near the Beacon and which always had a couple of security guards on duty. Admittedly they were usually enjoying coffee and doughnuts. But who would be stupid enough to attack the most renown – and nonpartisan – healing center in the sector? Ah, well, better safe than sorry.
Topaz was about to direct them past Administration to the internal teleport lifts when Shamus O'Flynn stepped into their way.
"Greetings, Commander. Sylviana." The leprechaun managed to squeeze in a bow. "Looking good and who might this body be? May I direct you to the morgue?"
Topaz paled visibly and for a moment she lost the woman's heart beat. Indeed, the woman's heartbeat and breathing now only existed because Topaz made use of her Carpathian abilities and controlled both - a difficult and very taxing task because she had absolutely no connection to this stranger. But she simply could not allow the woman to die. Anyway, Shamus was a lab-tech, and while unexcelled at fine-tuning calibrations in phenomenally sensitive equipment he was not a doctor or nurse, Topaz told herself and put aside his assumption that the woman was already dead.
"Not a body, Shamus. I've no idea who she is, but she's important. Is Le upstairs?"
"Doctor Amon is in surgery. Follow me." He winked at Sylviana, who had been surprisingly quiet ever since they had arrived at Hy-Breasil, and then led them down the hall past pediatrics and presumable toward the surgery rooms with unexpected speed.
Le Amon was in a hurry to get from one OP to the other to take care of the most recent emergency. She had no idea what made her look down the corridor, but what she saw made her pause.
"Topaz! What a surprise. And you brought Sylvy ..." Usually she would have greeted the pair with hugs, but Topaz didn't usually bring a patient along. Instead she checked the woman's vitals. "Vampire victim?"
"That depends. If she dies, Gabriel will, and he'll likely try to take Lucien, Ariel, Dominic and Azjah with him, and if Lucien dies ...." Topaz trailed off. Le knew enough of Topaz's new family to put two and two together and she did not appear to listen too closely, instead ratteling orders and instructions to the doctors and nurses now busteling around them. In no time at all the woman was on a high-tech gurney and hooked up to mobile machines.
Le turned to look at Topaz when her team was ready to wheel the woman away, "You can stop with the magic now."
"Will she be okay?"
"Have someone at admin give you a com unit." Le refused to say one way or the other while the odds remained uncertain.
"We made it." Topaz announced to Sylviana as they stepped off the bridge to Hy-Breasil with their charge. The place was always busy, even now in what must be the middle of the night. Hopefully that meant that she would not have to wake up Le. She paused to take a deep breath and then resumed to direct the floating, unconscious, and barely breathing woman across the genetically manicured lawn toward the main building.
The grassy sward, swept in-between the two long wings, all soft tan around and under the rich redwood of the support beams and the gently-peaked roof, wide eaves with cantilevered overhangs shadowing the long windows of the sprawling two-story building blended into its surroundings: lush grass… flowering trees… a spaceship parked on the side lawn….
Topaz wondered what had brought Tyranny’s Favor from its accustomed landing pad by Le Amon’s residence. Occasionally Brigid Atreides, the starship’s pilot, parked directly at the medical center to deliver patients or cargo.
A security guard was lounging near the altar stage on the lawn south of the main entrance. An aged orc (which was of itself unusual), Nakuth had fought in the Paladin Wars on his home world for long, bloody uncounted years. Brought through the teleporting altar of one of the Lady’s temples, like almost all other emergency patients, he had been a security guard ever since his healing was completed fourteen standard years ago. Now his tough form had grown a little paunchy, and he had developed a fondness for Ertali chocolates, and his former comrades would no doubt have been shocked to see Lukuth dandling an elf-child on his scarred knees while telling highly-censored war stories to the rapt patients in Pediatrics.
He waved at Topaz, who waved back as she mounted the low steps up to the big double glass doors of the entrance hall.
Actually, neither the security guards – all of whom were former soldiers who had been healed here – nor Brigid’s starship were really necessary at all. Le’s medical center treated anyone or anything, from any planet or any dimension, who mounted the altar in any of hundreds of temples of the Lady scattered across this and other worlds. And the only other means of ingress to the dimensional bubble that was Hy-Breasil were the flight portal, high overhead and only opened on request, and the causeway which opened on the east shore of Atrebla Lake near the Beacon and which always had a couple of security guards on duty. Admittedly they were usually enjoying coffee and doughnuts. But who would be stupid enough to attack the most renown – and nonpartisan – healing center in the sector? Ah, well, better safe than sorry.
Topaz was about to direct them past Administration to the internal teleport lifts when Shamus O'Flynn stepped into their way.
"Greetings, Commander. Sylviana." The leprechaun managed to squeeze in a bow. "Looking good and who might this body be? May I direct you to the morgue?"
Topaz paled visibly and for a moment she lost the woman's heart beat. Indeed, the woman's heartbeat and breathing now only existed because Topaz made use of her Carpathian abilities and controlled both - a difficult and very taxing task because she had absolutely no connection to this stranger. But she simply could not allow the woman to die. Anyway, Shamus was a lab-tech, and while unexcelled at fine-tuning calibrations in phenomenally sensitive equipment he was not a doctor or nurse, Topaz told herself and put aside his assumption that the woman was already dead.
"Not a body, Shamus. I've no idea who she is, but she's important. Is Le upstairs?"
"Doctor Amon is in surgery. Follow me." He winked at Sylviana, who had been surprisingly quiet ever since they had arrived at Hy-Breasil, and then led them down the hall past pediatrics and presumable toward the surgery rooms with unexpected speed.
Le Amon was in a hurry to get from one OP to the other to take care of the most recent emergency. She had no idea what made her look down the corridor, but what she saw made her pause.
"Topaz! What a surprise. And you brought Sylvy ..." Usually she would have greeted the pair with hugs, but Topaz didn't usually bring a patient along. Instead she checked the woman's vitals. "Vampire victim?"
"That depends. If she dies, Gabriel will, and he'll likely try to take Lucien, Ariel, Dominic and Azjah with him, and if Lucien dies ...." Topaz trailed off. Le knew enough of Topaz's new family to put two and two together and she did not appear to listen too closely, instead ratteling orders and instructions to the doctors and nurses now busteling around them. In no time at all the woman was on a high-tech gurney and hooked up to mobile machines.
Le turned to look at Topaz when her team was ready to wheel the woman away, "You can stop with the magic now."
"Will she be okay?"
"Have someone at admin give you a com unit." Le refused to say one way or the other while the odds remained uncertain.
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Ariel Datrazanov
- Adventurer
- Posts: 66
- Joined: Sun Apr 17, 2005 6:15 pm
- Location: RhyDin
Ariel’s voice was wearing thin as they repeated the great healing chant over and over. The En Sarna Pus was reserved for only the most gravely wounded. The beautiful voices blended together repeatedly as Lucien fought to hold onto the faint spark that remained of Gabriel.
Ot ekäm ainajanak hany, jama. (My brother’s body is a lump of earth, close to death)
Me, ot ekäm kuntajanak, pirädak ekäm, gond és irgalom türe. (We, the clan of my brother, encircle him with our car and compassion)
O pus wäkenkek, ot oma śarnank, é sot pus fünk, álnak ekäm ainajanak, pitänak ekäm ainajanak elävä. (Our healing energies, ancient words of magic, and healing herbs bless my brother’s body, keep it alive.)
Ot ekäm sielanak pala. Ot omboće päläja juta alatt o jüti, kinta, és szelemek lamtijaknak. (But my brother’s soul is only half. His other half wanders in the nether world.)
Ot en mekem ŋamaŋ kulkedak otti ot ekäm omboće päläjanak. (My great deed is this, I travel to find my brother’s other half.)
Rekatüre, saradak, tappandak, odam, kaŋa o numa waram, és avaa owe o lewl mahoz. (We dance, we chant, we dream ecstatically, to call my spirit bird, and to open the door to the other world.)
Ntak o numa waram, és mozdulak, jomadak. (I mount my spirit bird and we begin to move, we are under way.)
Piwtädak ot En Puwe tyvinak, ećidak alatt o jüti, kinta, és szelemek lamtijaknak. (Following the trunk of the Great Tree, we fall into the nether world.)
Fázak, f dzak nó o śaro. (It is cold, very cold)
Juttakak ot ekäm o akarataban, o sívaban, és o sielaban. (My brother and I are linked in mind, heart, and soul.)
Ot ekäm sielanak kaŋa engem. (My brother’s soul calls to me.)
Kuledak és piwtädak ot ekäm. (I hear and follow his track.)
Saγedak és piwtädak ot ekäm kulyanak. (Encounter I the demon who is devouring my brother’s soul.)
Nenäm ćoro; o kuly torvdak. ( In anger, I fight the demon.)
O kuly pél engem. (He is afraid of me.)
Lejkkadak o kaŋka salamaval. (I strike his throat with a lightening bolt.)
Molodak ot ainaja komakamal. (I break his body with my bare hands.)
Toja és molanâ. (He is bent over, and falls apart.)
Hän ćaбa. (He flees)
Manedak ot ekäm sielanak. ( I rescue my brother’s soul.)
Alәdak ot ekäm sielanak o komamban. (I lift my brother’s soul in the palm of my hand.)
Alәdam ot ekäm numa waramra. (I lift him onto my spirit bird.)
Piwtädak ot En Puwe tyvijanak és sívadak jälleen ot elävä ainak majaknak. (Following up the Great Tree, we return to the land of the living.)
Ot ekäm elä jälleen. (He is whole again.)
((Chant is taken from Christine Feehan’s Dark Demon book, pp 509-513))
Ot ekäm ainajanak hany, jama. (My brother’s body is a lump of earth, close to death)
Me, ot ekäm kuntajanak, pirädak ekäm, gond és irgalom türe. (We, the clan of my brother, encircle him with our car and compassion)
O pus wäkenkek, ot oma śarnank, é sot pus fünk, álnak ekäm ainajanak, pitänak ekäm ainajanak elävä. (Our healing energies, ancient words of magic, and healing herbs bless my brother’s body, keep it alive.)
Ot ekäm sielanak pala. Ot omboće päläja juta alatt o jüti, kinta, és szelemek lamtijaknak. (But my brother’s soul is only half. His other half wanders in the nether world.)
Ot en mekem ŋamaŋ kulkedak otti ot ekäm omboće päläjanak. (My great deed is this, I travel to find my brother’s other half.)
Rekatüre, saradak, tappandak, odam, kaŋa o numa waram, és avaa owe o lewl mahoz. (We dance, we chant, we dream ecstatically, to call my spirit bird, and to open the door to the other world.)
Ntak o numa waram, és mozdulak, jomadak. (I mount my spirit bird and we begin to move, we are under way.)
Piwtädak ot En Puwe tyvinak, ećidak alatt o jüti, kinta, és szelemek lamtijaknak. (Following the trunk of the Great Tree, we fall into the nether world.)
Fázak, f dzak nó o śaro. (It is cold, very cold)
Juttakak ot ekäm o akarataban, o sívaban, és o sielaban. (My brother and I are linked in mind, heart, and soul.)
Ot ekäm sielanak kaŋa engem. (My brother’s soul calls to me.)
Kuledak és piwtädak ot ekäm. (I hear and follow his track.)
Saγedak és piwtädak ot ekäm kulyanak. (Encounter I the demon who is devouring my brother’s soul.)
Nenäm ćoro; o kuly torvdak. ( In anger, I fight the demon.)
O kuly pél engem. (He is afraid of me.)
Lejkkadak o kaŋka salamaval. (I strike his throat with a lightening bolt.)
Molodak ot ainaja komakamal. (I break his body with my bare hands.)
Toja és molanâ. (He is bent over, and falls apart.)
Hän ćaбa. (He flees)
Manedak ot ekäm sielanak. ( I rescue my brother’s soul.)
Alәdak ot ekäm sielanak o komamban. (I lift my brother’s soul in the palm of my hand.)
Alәdam ot ekäm numa waramra. (I lift him onto my spirit bird.)
Piwtädak ot En Puwe tyvijanak és sívadak jälleen ot elävä ainak majaknak. (Following up the Great Tree, we return to the land of the living.)
Ot ekäm elä jälleen. (He is whole again.)
((Chant is taken from Christine Feehan’s Dark Demon book, pp 509-513))
Ariel Datrazanov
-
Topaz
- Legendary Adventurer
- Posts: 1283
- Joined: Fri Apr 02, 2004 5:31 pm
- Location: The Beacon
- Contact:
Despite being in the bubble dimension of Hy-Breasil at the time and dealing with the physical discomforts of being that far from Lucien, she felt Lucien becoming energy and light and entering his twin's body in order to heal what he may.
She should be there, Topaz thought, to lend Lucien her strength, to be close enough to touch, and to observe. If ever there was anything she needed to learn and get good at in a hurry, this healing from the inside out was it. This healing was likely the last opportunity for her to get a start on that before she would be the one called upon to patch up Lucien.
But she was just leaving Hy-Breasil. Traveling, even at supernatural speed, took time. As much as she wanted to - needed to be with Lucien, she would miss too much if she waited until she got there. And she had Sylviana with her. So turning into light and following Lucien may not be an option even once she did make it back to his side.
"No stop, mommy. Help Daddy." Sylviana protested when Topaz touched down on the shore of Atrebla Lake.
"We're out of time, darling. We have to help from here." Topaz sat down tucked the little girl into her lap. While she did not like the idea on taking Sylviana's mind along, it was the only way to ensure that the girl
didn't wander off on her own. "You have to be extra good and remain absolutely unnoticed, like when we played. Do you remember?"
Sylviana nodded. While she usually had the nearly none-existent discipline of any child her age, she knew how to behave when mommy took her on 'telepathic rides' and that those adventures were over abruptly when she so much as mentally blinked.
"I mean not just subtle, but truly unnoticed. We cannot be distracting Daddy even in the slightest." Any distraction to Lucien at this time would be bad for everyone concerned. In order for Topaz not to be a distraction, she would surrender directional control and she couldn't be entirely certain that she would be able to pull away quickly enough when Sylviana was about to blink. "I mean it."
"Promise." Sylviana said solemnly, out loud and on their private telepathic channel.
That would have to do, Topaz thought and, hoping that Sylviana could keep her promise, she took firm telepathic control of Sylviana. She blanked out any thought other than supporting Lucien before she completely merged their joined minds to Lucien's.
Topaz capped her surprise before it could fully register. What she was met with upon merging with Lucien was not at all what she had expected, nor was she prepared for the disappointment. While Lucien definitely needed and accepted her strength, she could 'see' nothing, nothing at all. That, along with only vaguely sensing what Lucien was doing, didn't allow her to learn anything about healing from the inside out as light and energy she didn't already know.
She should be there, Topaz thought, to lend Lucien her strength, to be close enough to touch, and to observe. If ever there was anything she needed to learn and get good at in a hurry, this healing from the inside out was it. This healing was likely the last opportunity for her to get a start on that before she would be the one called upon to patch up Lucien.
But she was just leaving Hy-Breasil. Traveling, even at supernatural speed, took time. As much as she wanted to - needed to be with Lucien, she would miss too much if she waited until she got there. And she had Sylviana with her. So turning into light and following Lucien may not be an option even once she did make it back to his side.
"No stop, mommy. Help Daddy." Sylviana protested when Topaz touched down on the shore of Atrebla Lake.
"We're out of time, darling. We have to help from here." Topaz sat down tucked the little girl into her lap. While she did not like the idea on taking Sylviana's mind along, it was the only way to ensure that the girl
didn't wander off on her own. "You have to be extra good and remain absolutely unnoticed, like when we played. Do you remember?"
Sylviana nodded. While she usually had the nearly none-existent discipline of any child her age, she knew how to behave when mommy took her on 'telepathic rides' and that those adventures were over abruptly when she so much as mentally blinked.
"I mean not just subtle, but truly unnoticed. We cannot be distracting Daddy even in the slightest." Any distraction to Lucien at this time would be bad for everyone concerned. In order for Topaz not to be a distraction, she would surrender directional control and she couldn't be entirely certain that she would be able to pull away quickly enough when Sylviana was about to blink. "I mean it."
"Promise." Sylviana said solemnly, out loud and on their private telepathic channel.
That would have to do, Topaz thought and, hoping that Sylviana could keep her promise, she took firm telepathic control of Sylviana. She blanked out any thought other than supporting Lucien before she completely merged their joined minds to Lucien's.
Topaz capped her surprise before it could fully register. What she was met with upon merging with Lucien was not at all what she had expected, nor was she prepared for the disappointment. While Lucien definitely needed and accepted her strength, she could 'see' nothing, nothing at all. That, along with only vaguely sensing what Lucien was doing, didn't allow her to learn anything about healing from the inside out as light and energy she didn't already know.
Lucien waited for the healing chant to seek Gabriel's soul, waited as long as he could before he turned the body of his twin over to Dominik. Then he became heat and light and entered his brother's inert body. All the while, Gabriel's faint protests tore at Lucien's very soul.
Was he doing the wrong thing? Was he doing his twin a disservice?
Doubt assailed him. Gabriel wanted to die, but Lucien couldn't let him go like this. If Gabriel wanted to die, he would help him walk into the sun, but not like this. Not on the verge of becoming Vampyre.
He began working on the damaged veins first. He was shocked at the amount of damage he had done to his own brother.
The chant continued, several voices he could not place joined Ariel's and Dominik's voices. He started repairing muscle, slowly putting the fibers back into alignment and mending them into functional forms again.
He no longer felt time. He knew he had been working for a very long time when he felt Topaz's presence. She remained silent in his mind, but he felt her warmth and her love as support for him while worked to put his twin back together.
When he had finished, he went back over everything, checking and rechecking. Making certain he had driven out all the bacteria and toxins as well as repairing the tissues.
Finally, as dawn drew near, he returned to his body. Collapsing from sheer exhaustion as Dominik assured him that Gabriel would live.
Lucien would need to feed, but just at that moment, he could not move.
Ariel ended the chant before offering her brother her wrist, "Take what is freely given."
Lucien wearily shook his head. "Dominik," was all he could say.
They would need to get Gabriel to ground quickly, and Lucien felt long before he saw their Prince. Mikhail had come. He sighed relief, Gabriel would be sent deep into the sleep of his people, and Lucien would not have to do the deed.
Was he doing the wrong thing? Was he doing his twin a disservice?
Doubt assailed him. Gabriel wanted to die, but Lucien couldn't let him go like this. If Gabriel wanted to die, he would help him walk into the sun, but not like this. Not on the verge of becoming Vampyre.
He began working on the damaged veins first. He was shocked at the amount of damage he had done to his own brother.
The chant continued, several voices he could not place joined Ariel's and Dominik's voices. He started repairing muscle, slowly putting the fibers back into alignment and mending them into functional forms again.
He no longer felt time. He knew he had been working for a very long time when he felt Topaz's presence. She remained silent in his mind, but he felt her warmth and her love as support for him while worked to put his twin back together.
When he had finished, he went back over everything, checking and rechecking. Making certain he had driven out all the bacteria and toxins as well as repairing the tissues.
Finally, as dawn drew near, he returned to his body. Collapsing from sheer exhaustion as Dominik assured him that Gabriel would live.
Lucien would need to feed, but just at that moment, he could not move.
Ariel ended the chant before offering her brother her wrist, "Take what is freely given."
Lucien wearily shook his head. "Dominik," was all he could say.
They would need to get Gabriel to ground quickly, and Lucien felt long before he saw their Prince. Mikhail had come. He sighed relief, Gabriel would be sent deep into the sleep of his people, and Lucien would not have to do the deed.
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Topaz
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It was done.
The healing was completed. Gabriel would live. For now.
"You've been very good, Sylviana. Now we go to Daddy." Topaz stood up, easing up on the telepathic connections but continued to send Lucien warmth and love. "Are you ready?"
Instead of answering Sylviana nodded and started to turn to mist. Topaz quickly supported her girl in the transformation, and then they were on the move.
'I'm on my way to you now, Love.' Lucien needed to feed, and she wasn't about to let some stranger take away her privilege of providing for her mate the first time he was in need in what must have been enough months to fill a year or more.
The healing was completed. Gabriel would live. For now.
"You've been very good, Sylviana. Now we go to Daddy." Topaz stood up, easing up on the telepathic connections but continued to send Lucien warmth and love. "Are you ready?"
Instead of answering Sylviana nodded and started to turn to mist. Topaz quickly supported her girl in the transformation, and then they were on the move.
'I'm on my way to you now, Love.' Lucien needed to feed, and she wasn't about to let some stranger take away her privilege of providing for her mate the first time he was in need in what must have been enough months to fill a year or more.
Lucien returned to his body and immediately collapsed.
Dominik had given Gabriel as much blood as he could, and Ariel was seeing to Dominik’s wrist when Lucien heard Topaz say they were coming. He would need her help to feed. But she had their daughter with her, and it was enough of a battle to keep Topaz from coming to watch, he simply could not in front of his daughter, who so far had shown no Carpathian need for blood.
Gabriel’s heart beat was not strong, but the blood Dominik had given him was old, and very powerful. It would help sustain him until they could get another to feed Gabriel.
Mikhail arrived moments later, and took one look at the twins, “Well, you two certainly know how to call me away from my wife.” The expression was one of deep concern even as the words sought to chastise.
Lucien bowed his head to the Prince, “I regret that you are needed so direly, but I cannot send Gabriel to sleep, and we must do so quickly.”
Mikhail knelt beside Gabriel, who was even as they spoke struggling to the surface, and the remnants of the desire to kill his victim still road him strongly. Mikhail did not wait for a second feeding, but sent Gabriel as deeply into sleep as he could. He did not want the ancient one awaking before he was released, and that took every bit of skill Mikhail possessed.
He turned then to Lucien, whose hunger beat at him even from the distance that separated them, “take what is freely given,” and he knelt beside the exhausted twin. Lucien turned black eyes on his Prince before taking the offered wrist and sinking his fangs into the Royal veins.
Dominik had given Gabriel as much blood as he could, and Ariel was seeing to Dominik’s wrist when Lucien heard Topaz say they were coming. He would need her help to feed. But she had their daughter with her, and it was enough of a battle to keep Topaz from coming to watch, he simply could not in front of his daughter, who so far had shown no Carpathian need for blood.
Gabriel’s heart beat was not strong, but the blood Dominik had given him was old, and very powerful. It would help sustain him until they could get another to feed Gabriel.
Mikhail arrived moments later, and took one look at the twins, “Well, you two certainly know how to call me away from my wife.” The expression was one of deep concern even as the words sought to chastise.
Lucien bowed his head to the Prince, “I regret that you are needed so direly, but I cannot send Gabriel to sleep, and we must do so quickly.”
Mikhail knelt beside Gabriel, who was even as they spoke struggling to the surface, and the remnants of the desire to kill his victim still road him strongly. Mikhail did not wait for a second feeding, but sent Gabriel as deeply into sleep as he could. He did not want the ancient one awaking before he was released, and that took every bit of skill Mikhail possessed.
He turned then to Lucien, whose hunger beat at him even from the distance that separated them, “take what is freely given,” and he knelt beside the exhausted twin. Lucien turned black eyes on his Prince before taking the offered wrist and sinking his fangs into the Royal veins.
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Topaz
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"Lucien! No! What are you doing!? Stop that." A moment ago he was hungry, ready to accept her help, and now he was feeding. While on one hand she was happy that he no longer had to suffer hunger, that he permitted someone else to do what she was supposed to and that he rejected her help stung painfully. "One moment you're weak as a kitten and in need of me and then this stupid prince of yours comes along and you forgot that you have a mate. Oh, this is just the last straw. That inconsiderate dolt. I'm so calling him out. Can't he happy with just stuffing Gabriel under some dirt? Does he have to use every opportunity to rub in that I'm not good enough for you, not even a decent Carpathian? Couldn't you have waited just two more moments and just for once count on me? The one good thing to come out of this and you have to ruin it. A moment ago you were perfectly willing to let me come along to dinner. And what do you mean you can't in front of your daughter and batteling my wishes? I thought we were supposed to be as one. You can't be one with anyone if you keep running off on your own."
One didn't need to pause for a breath when communicating mentally so Topaz ranted on without pause until she and Sylviana solidyfied near the group of Carpathians.
The night's stresses had been wearing her down. She had been hurrying to get to Lucien's side and he had given up on her without a second thought. The knowledge hurt, and while the angry words masked her pain she did nothing to mask her feelings from Lucien.
One didn't need to pause for a breath when communicating mentally so Topaz ranted on without pause until she and Sylviana solidyfied near the group of Carpathians.
The night's stresses had been wearing her down. She had been hurrying to get to Lucien's side and he had given up on her without a second thought. The knowledge hurt, and while the angry words masked her pain she did nothing to mask her feelings from Lucien.
Relief was instant, Mikhail’s blood was old, not as old as Gabriel’s or Lucien’s own, but it was powerful in its own right, and then Topaz’s thoughts hit him like a giant tidal wave of emotion. He quickly closed the common pathway link between himself and the Prince as she vented her frustration even as he felt her close by.
~Topaz, the Prince is anything but an inconsiderate dolt, he came to try to save Gabriel, and in the process found me unable to move from exhaustion. He does us a great honor.~
He had taken enough to allow him to go hunt before the sun would rise, and he carefully sealed the fang marks on Mikhail’s wrist. “Thank you for coming Mikhail. This was too close.”
He had to smile as Topaz asked, “and what do you mean you can’t in front of your daughter and battling my wishes?”
~What I mean my lovely Valkyrie is that I have never wanted you to come watch me feed, since you have no need to learn, why put you through it? And as for Sylviana, she has no reason to see such a thing. Therefore, if I can spare you such visions, I shall do so.~ He would never understand why she would want to watch him take living blood when such a thing is so foreign to her kind.
She and Sylviana solidified amidst the small group of Carpathians, and Prince Mikhail turned to greet her, giving her a bit of a bow, “Good evening Topaz” then he gave Sylviana a smile, and produced a brightly colored butterfly which he carefully offered the little girl, “Be gentle with it, and it shall bring you luck.”
Lucien watched as his daughter accepted the gift from the Prince with all the gravity a child can muster, and then he walked the few steps to join them, snaking his arm around Topaz. “Thank you for seeing to the woman, what did Le have to say?”
He was still pale, and small lines of stress bracketed his mouth, but he was pleased that his Valkyrie had been there to try to save the victim, for the outcome of that would drive much of Gabriel’s fate.
~Topaz, the Prince is anything but an inconsiderate dolt, he came to try to save Gabriel, and in the process found me unable to move from exhaustion. He does us a great honor.~
He had taken enough to allow him to go hunt before the sun would rise, and he carefully sealed the fang marks on Mikhail’s wrist. “Thank you for coming Mikhail. This was too close.”
He had to smile as Topaz asked, “and what do you mean you can’t in front of your daughter and battling my wishes?”
~What I mean my lovely Valkyrie is that I have never wanted you to come watch me feed, since you have no need to learn, why put you through it? And as for Sylviana, she has no reason to see such a thing. Therefore, if I can spare you such visions, I shall do so.~ He would never understand why she would want to watch him take living blood when such a thing is so foreign to her kind.
She and Sylviana solidified amidst the small group of Carpathians, and Prince Mikhail turned to greet her, giving her a bit of a bow, “Good evening Topaz” then he gave Sylviana a smile, and produced a brightly colored butterfly which he carefully offered the little girl, “Be gentle with it, and it shall bring you luck.”
Lucien watched as his daughter accepted the gift from the Prince with all the gravity a child can muster, and then he walked the few steps to join them, snaking his arm around Topaz. “Thank you for seeing to the woman, what did Le have to say?”
He was still pale, and small lines of stress bracketed his mouth, but he was pleased that his Valkyrie had been there to try to save the victim, for the outcome of that would drive much of Gabriel’s fate.
Gabriel’s world was a swirling, churning mass of confusion. Blood, he’d wanted the blood of the woman, in fact he had wanted it laced with as much adrenaline as he could coax from her, and he had terrorized her.
The rush, oh the rush had been the first true feeling he had had in more centuries than he could recall. More. There had to be more!
And then his brother had come. Tearing her from his grasp and picking a fight unlike any they had ever had.
Confusion.
Pain.
Memories flooded back as Gabriel relived the moments of the fight with Lucien, shame flooded his veins and he’d opened himself up for the kill. He needed Lucien to end his torment.
The claws had raked deeply and Gabriel remembered shutting Lucien out. Feeling his life ebb as the wound bled freely and profusely.
The world narrowed and then faded.
Blackness had claimed him, death beckoned. He reached for it.
Then he had been pulled back from the brink of darkness. Ancient blood, magical blood had flooded into starved veins. Veins that now retained the fluid, and he felt Lucien’s presence within his tormented body and reaching for his very soul. Anchoring Gabriel in this world.
He fought it. He did not want to remain. He had lived far too long, and temptation had nearly won tonight… or had he killed the woman? He didn’t know. He couldn’t sense her presence.
Just as he felt Lucien’s essence depart, he had one last coherent thought before his heart and lungs shut down, and he was sent into the sleep of his kind. He’d not stood any chance of defense, it had come so sharply and so strongly.
Gabriel’s breath was a soft whisper of sound as it ceased.
The rush, oh the rush had been the first true feeling he had had in more centuries than he could recall. More. There had to be more!
And then his brother had come. Tearing her from his grasp and picking a fight unlike any they had ever had.
Confusion.
Pain.
Memories flooded back as Gabriel relived the moments of the fight with Lucien, shame flooded his veins and he’d opened himself up for the kill. He needed Lucien to end his torment.
The claws had raked deeply and Gabriel remembered shutting Lucien out. Feeling his life ebb as the wound bled freely and profusely.
The world narrowed and then faded.
Blackness had claimed him, death beckoned. He reached for it.
Then he had been pulled back from the brink of darkness. Ancient blood, magical blood had flooded into starved veins. Veins that now retained the fluid, and he felt Lucien’s presence within his tormented body and reaching for his very soul. Anchoring Gabriel in this world.
He fought it. He did not want to remain. He had lived far too long, and temptation had nearly won tonight… or had he killed the woman? He didn’t know. He couldn’t sense her presence.
Just as he felt Lucien’s essence depart, he had one last coherent thought before his heart and lungs shut down, and he was sent into the sleep of his kind. He’d not stood any chance of defense, it had come so sharply and so strongly.
Gabriel’s breath was a soft whisper of sound as it ceased.
Gabriel Datrazanov
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Topaz
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~Valkyrie, huh?~ A little chuckle escaped. Lucien did know just how to disarm her and make all the pain go away. ~I like it. I do not want Sylviana to grow up thinking she needs to be ashamed over this feeding thing. It's part of who she is, of what all Carpathians are. It ought to be considered as normal as breathing, walking around, going to ground... ~
Topaz's thoughts stopped abruptly. Mikhail's greeting surprised her and she promptly felt guilty for all the unkind thoughts she had for him only moments ago.
"Good evening, Prince Mikhail." Topaz offered him a bow befitting a prince and a moment later wondered if she should have courtesied instead.
Sylviana studied the butterfly with big round eyes and then peered to her mother for permission to accept the gift. Having espied the hoped for nod she closed the distance and reached for the colorful butterfly with a big smile, showing off her small teeth.
"I gentle." Sylviana nodded her head solemnly yet excited. "Look mommy, daddy, I got new toy." She had already taken a couple of steps toward her parents when she turned toward Mikhail again to give him a quick hug before taking off with her prize. She only caught his leg, though. "Thank you, thank you, thank you."
"I believe you made her happy. Thank you, Prince Mikhail." Topaz smiled, seeing Sylviana so excited. She leaned against Lucien and put her arm around his waist, feeling much more herself now that she was touching him.
~You're still hungry.~ Joy flooded Topaz at that realization and all its implications, and she beamed a smile to Lucien. ~Thank you. I do need to know in order to teach Sylviana. And for you.~
"Dr. Le Amon hasn't said anything yet." Topaz used Le's full name for Mikhail's benefit and pulled out the little com-box she was given. "But she'll let us know as soon as she'll be able to. A ship had come in with wounded just before we arrived and everyone there was awfully busy. Le knows, though, and is personally watching over the woman."
Topaz's thoughts stopped abruptly. Mikhail's greeting surprised her and she promptly felt guilty for all the unkind thoughts she had for him only moments ago.
"Good evening, Prince Mikhail." Topaz offered him a bow befitting a prince and a moment later wondered if she should have courtesied instead.
Sylviana studied the butterfly with big round eyes and then peered to her mother for permission to accept the gift. Having espied the hoped for nod she closed the distance and reached for the colorful butterfly with a big smile, showing off her small teeth.
"I gentle." Sylviana nodded her head solemnly yet excited. "Look mommy, daddy, I got new toy." She had already taken a couple of steps toward her parents when she turned toward Mikhail again to give him a quick hug before taking off with her prize. She only caught his leg, though. "Thank you, thank you, thank you."
"I believe you made her happy. Thank you, Prince Mikhail." Topaz smiled, seeing Sylviana so excited. She leaned against Lucien and put her arm around his waist, feeling much more herself now that she was touching him.
~You're still hungry.~ Joy flooded Topaz at that realization and all its implications, and she beamed a smile to Lucien. ~Thank you. I do need to know in order to teach Sylviana. And for you.~
"Dr. Le Amon hasn't said anything yet." Topaz used Le's full name for Mikhail's benefit and pulled out the little com-box she was given. "But she'll let us know as soon as she'll be able to. A ship had come in with wounded just before we arrived and everyone there was awfully busy. Le knows, though, and is personally watching over the woman."
Lucien turned obsidian eyes on his mate, and hunger flared in those depths, ~I shall always be hungry for you.~
~Good. I just might be a tad hungry, too.~ She warned him with a teasing grin.
Sylviana made her way back toward them with the butterfly perched atop her wrist, where it sat with the brilliant jewel toned wings gently splayed and the long, black legs clutching to the tiny wrist, but it did not offer to take flight.
~It is not shame of how I feed Topaz, never that, but I feel the revulsion of many to the though of what I must do, and I do not wish you or Sylviana to face such if there is no need.~
~Others, strangers may feel so, but Sylviana should not learn revulsion at feeding.~ Topaz was curious, and even more so because Lucien kept this part of him from her for so long.
The news that the woman was being cared for was good, but the lack of news troubled him. How seriously had Gabriel pushed the limits? He glanced at the male who had been with her, "He will need to have his memories of tonight changed."
Ariel glanced at her brother with a nod, "I'll take care of that."
Dominik lifted a brow at her, but remained silent. Lucien however stifled a snarl, he didn't want his sister touching the human male, but it was not a thing to ask his Prince to do either.
She made short work of altering the male's memories, and in minutes, the man was walking toward his home, oblivious to the events of the evening, and with any luck, by the time he called his lady friend, she would be home and also missing any memory of tonight.
~Good. I just might be a tad hungry, too.~ She warned him with a teasing grin.
Sylviana made her way back toward them with the butterfly perched atop her wrist, where it sat with the brilliant jewel toned wings gently splayed and the long, black legs clutching to the tiny wrist, but it did not offer to take flight.
~It is not shame of how I feed Topaz, never that, but I feel the revulsion of many to the though of what I must do, and I do not wish you or Sylviana to face such if there is no need.~
~Others, strangers may feel so, but Sylviana should not learn revulsion at feeding.~ Topaz was curious, and even more so because Lucien kept this part of him from her for so long.
The news that the woman was being cared for was good, but the lack of news troubled him. How seriously had Gabriel pushed the limits? He glanced at the male who had been with her, "He will need to have his memories of tonight changed."
Ariel glanced at her brother with a nod, "I'll take care of that."
Dominik lifted a brow at her, but remained silent. Lucien however stifled a snarl, he didn't want his sister touching the human male, but it was not a thing to ask his Prince to do either.
She made short work of altering the male's memories, and in minutes, the man was walking toward his home, oblivious to the events of the evening, and with any luck, by the time he called his lady friend, she would be home and also missing any memory of tonight.
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Ariel Datrazanov
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Dominik rose as Mikhail arrived. He had long thought about approaching the Carpathian Prince, but somehow he felt it would do little good now that his kind were nearly extinct. But he rose and bowed deeply. “Good evening Prince Mikhail of the Carpathians.”
Mikhail studied the Dragonseeker a moment, there was no doubt of this man’s ethnicity, then he returned the bow, “Dragonseeker, thank you for your assistance this evening, but you have me at an advantage.”
Ariel moved closer to Dominik as he spoke, “I am Dominik, related by marriage to your Von Schreider line.”
Mikhail’s brow rose fractionally; that line had died out centuries ago. “You are a welcome sight, Dominik of the Von Schreider’s.”
Ariel relaxed slightly, seeing that the Prince had no intentions of sending Dominik away.
They all looked at where the body of Gabriel now lay and knew they had to get him to safety quickly. He would require constant watching, and Mikhail would have to reinforce keeping Gabriel under. The ancient one would take a great deal of focus while they sought a way to keep him from going over the edge from which there was no return.
Mikhail knelt down and picked up Gabriel’s body, “Where do you believe he will be the safest?”
Ariel glanced at Lucien and Dominik, “We should take him back to the Palazzo, we have a safe haven beneath those walls.”
Dominik and Lucien agreed, and Mikhail faded into mist with Gabriel, making his way toward the sanctuary of the Palazzo.
Ariel and Dominik followed.
Mikhail studied the Dragonseeker a moment, there was no doubt of this man’s ethnicity, then he returned the bow, “Dragonseeker, thank you for your assistance this evening, but you have me at an advantage.”
Ariel moved closer to Dominik as he spoke, “I am Dominik, related by marriage to your Von Schreider line.”
Mikhail’s brow rose fractionally; that line had died out centuries ago. “You are a welcome sight, Dominik of the Von Schreider’s.”
Ariel relaxed slightly, seeing that the Prince had no intentions of sending Dominik away.
They all looked at where the body of Gabriel now lay and knew they had to get him to safety quickly. He would require constant watching, and Mikhail would have to reinforce keeping Gabriel under. The ancient one would take a great deal of focus while they sought a way to keep him from going over the edge from which there was no return.
Mikhail knelt down and picked up Gabriel’s body, “Where do you believe he will be the safest?”
Ariel glanced at Lucien and Dominik, “We should take him back to the Palazzo, we have a safe haven beneath those walls.”
Dominik and Lucien agreed, and Mikhail faded into mist with Gabriel, making his way toward the sanctuary of the Palazzo.
Ariel and Dominik followed.
Ariel Datrazanov
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