Chapter Four - The Silvery Lady of Ill Will
"It seems this young one is conversing with the stones. A rarity amoung her kind."
Horace jerked his mount around to face the womanly voice trailing out of the trees nearby. "Bathsheba!" he exclaimed. "We did not realize..."
The lady emerged, her silvery skin glinting like polished metal in the new light of day. She wore a serene expression, not curious of her shared news, or frightened by the bloodied boy struggling to rise no more then ten feet in front of her. Her long white hair streaked with the colors of autumn, danced in the light breeze, and she lifted her slender arm and gestured at Horace and the struggling girl. "Morketh Domac Nebadra!" she spoke clearly. Daisy went limp in Horace's grasp. "Majesty!" the gruff warrior said. "This lot is tagged for Karack. You cannot..."
Bathsheba dismissed his protest with a wave of her hand. "You have little to fear from the great Lord Karack. He holds no value or responsibility for the magics of old. He claims dominion where his armies should not tread, and takes little heed for the wonders that he's witnessed." A small smile played with the corners of her mouth. "The child will go to him, and your duty will be satisfied. I will not stand in your way. But," she turned gracefully towards Jasper's lurching form, "this one shall come with me to Beetles Hollow. My sisters are interested."
"But Majesty!"
"Warrior Horace, do not let your greed for strong acknowledgments cloud your eyes. I know your contempt, and what you have in your hands is strong enough treasure for dear lord Karack. Leave me with my plaything and rejoin your men."
Her voice left little room for argument, and Horace was not foolish enough to broach any. The Fariekind were rare and few, but terrible and strong. If they chose to show themselves for a prize, then little could be done to wrench such prize from their grasps. With a snort of agreement, he turned his mount east towards the large encampment on the fringe of the forest. He would meet up with his men and deliver the child to Lord Karack. Despite his own feelings, this was his job and responsibility, and he was a man of his word.
Bathsheba watched him gallop away, and when he was out of sight, she turned her attention to Jasper. As if she were floating on water, her body glided over to the boy. He snarled and tried to lurch at her, but in his condition, he made little progress.
"Jasper," she whispered, drawing close to him. "Do you not know how great you are? The stones are talking again, and your young sister has channeled their angry voices." He spat foam and flecks of blood at her. She did not hesitate to admonish him with the back of her hand. "Be still black one!" she hissed. "Soon you will be able to flex your powers. Soon."
She rose and gestured with her silver skinned hand. "Nobackra Nebath Nobarie!" Instantly Jasper collapsed.
"Soon you will be able to unleash you anger on the earth, but not yet." Bathsheba smiled, this time wide and unfettered. "However, now we must find the rest of your family."
Gesturing again to the boy, Bathsheba brought him to his feet, his body suspended in the web of her sorcery. "Now, point the way." Jasper's arm lifted and extended back towards the deeper forest.
"Good," Bathsheba replied. "Let's hunt!"
Posted by Happy Potato @ 8/25/2008 03:32:00 PM