TruthsBestUnspoken[continued from Sifting through the Ashes] Gillian, Joao, and Seabhac spent the morning ascending Kolvir’s slope to Wind’s Corridor. Having met in the Commons, they heard the campus abuzz with disquiet and rumors; words of a murder on campus late last night. However, their departure prevented them from learning much beyond the victim’s race- a katayan - and the ‘weird’ and ‘gruesome’ way in which she’d been discovered. News of this left Gillian unsettled. "A murder here? At Faiella University? I always kinda felt safe here. Safer than in Amber City, that is. I guess I'll have to reevaluate that." "I wonder if this has to do with the twenty fifth hour," Joao speculated. She shrugged. "Let's find out more when we get back." Wind’s Corridor remained calm, almost tranquil this morning. The crisp air caressed the face, rather than tugged at clothing. The trio could almost forget the killing drop only a few feet from where they walked. Away from the glimmering city, silence comforted them, only interrupted by the occasion osprey or speckled hawk. Joao felt that vertigo again. Why couldn't Dad have bonded with a water dragon? As they approached the spot Joao recognized, a lone gull noticed them and drifted closer - likely in search of food. With serpentine speed, a stony neck sprang from the rock-face and the gull disappeared into a toothy maw. As quickly as it had moved, the dragon settled back down - its lengthy body indistinguishable from the stones around it once more. Only the wet crunching of bird flesh and bone revealed its position. Gillian startled and grabbed Seabhac's sleeve. "Um...Joao...perhaps you'd like to go first?" Seabhac instinctively placed a comforting hand over Gillian’s, squeezing her fingers. “He’s a little larger than I. . . uh, thought he’d be.” "Da," Joao said, edging a little closer than Gillian and Seabhac. He took a deep breath, tried to fight his vertigo, and spoke, loudly. "Etrosk the Fanged, Last of the Nine," Joao called in the direction of the Dragon's head. "I have returned, as I promised to do. Will you meet the Mage and her Chosen?" Joao clutched the bag in his hand. "And I have bear claws," he added. In contrast to its previous alacrity, Etrosk raised its head with a tectonic sloth to regard the intruders with plate-sized eyes. Pit-like nostrils sniffed, scenting the air with sulfurous breath. The edges of his gore-smeared maw curled up, as he spoke in rock-slide rumblings. “You have returned with what I desired, Son of Rodion. Well done.” A forked tongue flickered out, tasting the air. “Almonds and apple. Yes, this will do nicely.” Joao bowed his head. The scent of sulfur reminded him of deep sea rifts. The dragon’s eyes drifted toward Gillian. “And the little Mage, I presume. Another morsel.” Seabhac stepped in front of Gillian, “Bear claws are the only thing on the menu today, thanks.” "They are not for eating," Joao added. "Surely, Etrosk, the prospect of being free again outweighs any momentary pleasure you might derive from devouring them?" Another burst of sulfurous steam wafted out of Etrok’s nostrils, “Perhaps.” He snatched the bag of bear claws from Joao’s fingers – gracefully leaving the hand intact. Rather daintily, the creature began to dine on the bear claws, smacking its bloody lips with profound glee. Joao blinked. Gillian peered at the dragon from around Seabhac's shoulder, curiosity getting the better of her. "Pleased to meet you, sir. Is 'sir' all right? Or is there a form of address more...draconian? Why 'The Fanged?' Aren't all dragons fanged? Last of the Nine...other dragons?" Etrosk blinked lazily, “It is a moniker provided me by my former subjects. Much as my brother was named ‘the Eye-taker’ for his predilections. We were the last warlords of the Abzulim Dominion, a Way in Chaos. We were the Deepwalkers. The Serpent’s Chosen. Other dragons are our wretched get.” Seabhac rubbed the back of his neck, “Oh.” The word fell from his lips like a death-knell. "Oh?" Joao whispered. “As in ‘oh shit,’” Seabhac replied quietly. Etrosk’s fanged mouth curled in a draconic smile, “You have heard of the Deepwalkers?” “Yes. Although, most of my studies were of Melheyon,” Seabhac replied. He added for Gillian’s and Joao’s benefit, “Tiamat, the All-Eater.” The dragon grumbled, “Traitorous bitch.” Gillian blinked. She had a lot of questions, so she took a deep breath. "I thought Tiamat was the personification of the sea? Salt water, specifically. Did she really look like a dragon? Sources I've read consider her portrayal as a dragon as a purely modern interpretation. Didn't she mate with Abzu? Is that where the Way you mentioned came from, the Abzulim Dominion? Why is she a traitorous bitch? "What is a Deepwalker? Deep as in...Abyss? As in dwelling in the Abyss of the original creation? You said other dragons were your get--would you consider yourself an archetype? I think the Amber royal family could be considered archetypes. They also have their familial problems. I believe it's Princess Fiona who currently bears the moniker 'traitorous bitch.'" She clapped her hands over her mouth and looked apologetically at Seabhac. "Was that indiscreet of me?" Seabhac raised a brow in shock, making a raspberry noise with his tongue. “Oh no. Why would you ever think that, dear?” "I am just trying to follow all that you asked the dragon, Gillian," Joao admitted. He turned toward Etrosk. The dragon chuckled like a steam-engine, popping another bear claw into his fanged maw. “So curious, Little Mage. You see wealth beyond all that glitters. I respect this. Very much, indeed.” He finished the bear claws with a happy growl and settled back down, his body fading into the rock. Only his head remained truly visible. “The Abzulim Dominion existed before the Courts. We were amongst the Serpents’ First Children – the Daimones – and were not bound in prisons of flesh, as you see before you now. We explored the Deep Places and the Wyld. We dwelt in the many Ways spawned by the Primal Chaos. And our breed ruled in the First City like gods before the Houses took shape. Yes. We were archtypes, as you say. Our influence resonated through Creation. And we would rule in Chaos still, if not for Tiamat’s betrayal. “Envious of her siblings, she poured honeyed words into the ears of the Shaper. Her intention was to strip us of our ethereal form, so she might have dominion over us all. But the Shaper did much more than that. Perhaps my sister was not so clever, after all, for she underestimated her ‘pet.’ She did not foresee what the Shaper would unleash upon the First City. Or what would follow its destruction.” The group could feel waves of heat radiating off the dragon has his temper rose. Joao held up a hand. Heat on top of the acrophobia was a bad combination. "Who was this Shaper with whom she allied?" Joao asked, clearing his throat. "The one who bound you from formlessness into these forms?" "Bob?" Gillian murmured, making a wild guess. “Dworkin ap Barimen,” Etrosk hissed. “He Who Lay With the Unicorn. The Mad Poet. He goes by many names. But Betrayer suits him best. At Tiamat’s urgings, he sought the mysteries of She Who Waits Below - the Nyx. My sister taught him how to trick the Blind Bull and venture into the Inner Labyrinth. Whatever secrets he discovered there also freed the Nyx from the Abyss, be it by design or misfortune. Within moments, the Nyx had sterilized the First City, pulling its inhabitants into Achlys - the great nothingness.” Echoing Seabhac's earlier words, Joao whispered, "Oh, shit." The creature shuddered, “Death is better than annihilation.” Etrosk blinked, coming out of the dark memory. “We sacrificed everything in order to seal the Nyx Below once more. Now we are bound by this prison of flesh, rather than exist as spirit. Thus, our hatred of the Shaper runs deep.” Gillian took a long, slow sidelong look at Joao, eyebrows raised--such antagonism toward Bob might become a problem if Etrosk became his familiar. She turned back to the dragon. "So...not to diminish what happened, of course, but to move along to our purpose today...if I understand the situation correctly, you started the Joining process with Joao's father, did not finish it, are now stuck here, and wish to finish the process with Joao?" She glanced back over at Joao as well for confirmation. "Da, that is the way I understand it, Gillian." Joao said. He breathed deeply as he continued. Keeping his voice from quavering was difficult. "There is another wrinkle to the situation. I have long been told and believed that my father had fallen in the service of Rebma..." Joao closed his eyes as he finished his explanation. "The Dragon, through his incomplete and fractured bond with my father, knows differently, or else he would not be still trapped here." Etrosk gave a sulfurous snort, “Indeed. We forged the initial bond, which I can pulling upon my heart. The Bronze cord, I believe you will-workers call it. But it has been. . . tarnished in some manner. And as weak as it may be, it binds my life to his father until death. As I cannot consciously sever the bond without dire consequences, I believe it must be transferred to another. The boy will suffice. Blood is a suitable arcane connection. “Unless you have another option, Little Mage.” The dragon regarded Gillian curiously. "Blood is thicker than water," she smiled, still standing behind Seabhac's shoulder. Seabhac glanced over at Joao, “Are you certain your father is dead?” "Until I spoke with the dragon, I was as certain of it, da," Joao replied, his eyes still closed. "Now, I am no longer so certain, Seabhac. I never saw his body after he was reported killed. "If the bronze cord is tarnished, what does that mean?" he added, opening his eyes to look at Seabhac and Gillian. "That my father is alive, but distant? In some other realm?" And then he added, "Could Etrosk, Delwin, and I find him?" "I certainly think it's possible," Gillian piped up, "if just from your blood-ties to your father, if nothing else. I do wonder...if you successfully complete the Bronze Cord with Etrosk, will that join with the Cord already there, or will it replace it? If the former, you will have an even stronger tie to use to locate him." Etrosk blinked silently, tapping his claws against the stone like sword-tips. Seabhac removed his glasses, cleaning them as he spoke. “If I have my Low Magic right, the transference will likely cause the Bond to fade. Sort of an unweaving, so to speak. But right now, you should be able to use it to track your father. I know a ritual spell. Might not be entirely accurate, but it’d give you a good idea where he's located in Shadow. It’s not a difficult spell, so I’m sure your Others won’t be necessary. No offense.” Gillian came around Seabhac's shoulder to address him directly, distracted enough by their current discussion that she forgot she was afraid of Etrosk. "Hunh. I never considered that the familiar bond could be a product of Thaumaturgy. What would be the form? Essence? "And what ritual spell? Since it will need to be shadow pervasive, is it sorcery?" “Technically, yes,” Seabhac said. “And you’re correct. It’d be an Essence-based spell. It’s called the Inexorable Search; the ‘living’ version of Tracing the Trail of Death’s Stench.” He shifted uncomfortably. “Anyhow, it normally requires a map and feathers from the target’s pillow. But I suspect blood will do just as well. And I can draw up a map of the Golden Circle pretty quick. He must be at least that close for the link to remain so strong.” Listening to Gillian and Seabhac's arcane debate, Joao nodded thoughtfully. Once Gillian stopped speaking, Joao glanced at the Dragon and then back at Seabhac and Gillian. "Perhaps it would be wiser to discuss matters once the more pressing situation is resolved. I have made a promise after all, have I not, Etrosk?" The dragon raised its blunt head, snorting. “I am virtually immortal. If this spell can find your father as the boy says, then I can wait a few hours more. I owe him that much for the bond we shared,” He gazed over at Seabhac. “If you utilized my blood as well, would it strengthen the connection?” Seabhac nodded, “If the bronze cord is intact, then yes. It’d definitely help pinpoint Joao’s Father faster.” Etrosk grunted like thunder. “Very well. I will allow it. But only if I am allowed to observe this blood magic.” Seabhac looked at Joao, raising a brow. "I should ask, da, how dangerous this sorcery is to myself and too Etrosk. Blood is a potent tie to me." Joao closed his eyes. "However, the chance to find my father...I would risk much indeed." Thoughts swirled around his mind like treacherous currents. If he found his father, how would his mother react? How would Mistress Isolde react? And surely locating him was the easiest part. Did his father not want to be found? Was he running away from Galitzin, his mother, Rebma? Would Joao's presence be unwelcome? Was he bound, imprisoned, captured? And by who, and why? It all made no sense, and yet the opportunity to know was irresistible. He could not give up the chance. He glanced at Gillian. He wasn't sure she could understand how important this was to him. She had a complete family. "But I need to know, Seabhac. Let us be about it." "Is there anything I can do to help?" Gillian asked. "Da, please," he said, nodding to Gillian. Anything you can do..." his voice trailed off, emotion threatening to overwhelm it. Seabhac nodded, “Of course, Gilly. You’ll be my assistant. Can you collect some blood from Etrosk and Joao? A few drops will do. I’ll get the ritual space prepared. And then I’ll teach you both how to perform this spell. It’ll be far easier with your help, anyway.” He walked over to side of the mountain and began whispering incantations. The rock face groans and shifted, becoming a flat, smooth surface, not unlike a chalkboard. Four small insets, which that appeared to be crude bowls, opened up in the stone at the compass points. After a brief search and a couple of conjurations, Seabhac added representations of the four elementals into each of these; burning sage, spring water, furry moss, and crumbled stones. "Given how skilled and educated he has proven to be in sorcery, I wonder why Seabhac is attending the University at all," Joao said to Gillian. He sat down and bared his left arm for Gillian. Goosebumps quickly ran along his forearm, as much from nervousness as the cold wind. At least, Joao thought, he had far more to worry about at the moment than his fear of being on this mountain. "Hmmm. That's an interesting point," Gillian murmured, loud enough for only Joao to hear. She shook her head at his arm and instead reached for his hand. "Seabhac said we'll only need a few drops." "Oh,"Joao said, color coming to his pale cheeks. Or more color than just windburn. Gillian squeezed his middle finger, turning the tip dark pink, then deftly pricked the pad with a thin needle. Bright red blood welled at the site and she soaked it up with a small piece of unbleached linen. "There. All done," she smiled. "Suck on your finger for a moment until it stops bleeding. Everything will be fine, I'm sure of it. Knowledge is a good thing, is it not?" "Yes," Joao said, raising his finger to his lips, pursing them. She patted Joao's hand, then took a deep breath and turned to face Etrosk. Joao placed his finger in his mouth, and then moved to follow Gillian. The procedure for the dragon was similar to the one for Joao, though due to her nervousness at proximity to such a large, magical, most assuredly dangerous creature, she avidly avoided eye contact and hurried through the process. As subjects went, the dragon appeared more calm and collected than most. Gillian could feel its sulfurous breath on her neck as she struggled to actually cut deeply enough into his armored epidermis to draw blood. In the end, she dulled her blade, but was rewarded with a large bead of dark, iron-smelling blood. Finished, [Seabhac] turned to wait for the others to join him. Gillian wordlessly passed the two blood samples to Seabhac. Sebahac nodded and took them, “Thanks, Gilly. That’ll do nicely.” He emptied the samples into the fifth hole, darkening the stone. “Now, stand in front of me and I’ll show you how to do this.” He looped one arm around her waist, stealing a kiss from her neck. Gillian smiled, her cheeks turning pink. "Focus..." she whispered to herself. Joao moved so that he could watch the procedure, finger still dutifully in his mouth, sucking at it. “Okay. Imagine your hand is a brush hovering over a blank canvas. But as you move it, I want you to let your natural instincts guide it. As if it was a lodestone being pulled by magnetic north. Only, it’s the man you seek calling you, bound within.” He gently touched her wrist, helping support it, but not directing its path in any fashion. Gillian nodded and created an image of Joao's father in her mind, a man that looked like an older version of his son. She imagined a part of his essence twisted into an ethereal filament and entwined with a similar filament from Etrosk, together forming a pulsing bronze cord that began in the hole containing the samples of blood and disappeared off into the distance. “Blood seeks blood, Through Shadow and Light, Boundless eye gazes, Beyond Day and Night.” As Seabhac chanted, Gillian imagined a glowing tendril unweaving from the bronze cord and spiralling up toward her. The tendril touched her extended hand and turned it into a fine-nibbed pen, capable of drawing the tiniest, most delicate details. "Show me where you are," she implored the bronze cord. "My hand is thine to guide." The cord pulsed and the tendril wrapped itself around Gillian's pen-hand. It tugged and pushed and Gillian relinquished her control, letting her hand go where it would. Almost immediately, the blood began to creep up the rock face, following Gillian’s ‘brush strokes.’ With every passing moment, the map became increasingly clear, outlining extensive lands of the House Galitzin in Rebma. However, rather than his familial manse, the map centered on an abandoned kelp farm on the periphery of Joao’s duchy. Gillian gave herself over to the experience, completely focused inward and oblivious to the forming map. She relished the feel of magic coursing through her body, a part of her wishing that she never had to go back, that she could stay here in this state forever, one with the magic. “Unicorn bless me, but you are just the smexiest thing ever when you’re Weaving,” Seabhac purred, nipping her earlobe. His hand drifted over her belly, strong and firm. . . only to pull away when he remembered Joao and the forty+ foot dragon were waiting on them. With an awkward cough, he stepped back and tried to appear nonchalant. “So, uh. Yeah. That appeared to have worked. That’s somewhere in Rebma isn’t it?” Joao released his hand from his mouth. "This is a map of the estates of my House," he said. "Some of them," he added, apologetically. He pointed at the center. "I know of this farm. A kulak family owned it in the past, before my family took possession of the lands. We then allowed some of our serfs to live there and work it, but the kelp beds were not productive." He spoke manner of factly. "They could not give their proper tribute to the House, and so the families were evicted and the farm was abandoned." "My father hides there?" he added, in a questioning tone. "Posing as a muzhik?" Etrosk grunted disfavorably, “Then if Rodion still lives, then shall remain bound to him until his passing or he releases me.” His claws tensed, carving spade-deep grooves in the rock. Seabhac rubbed the back of his neck, “Um. Yeah. That’s about the truth of it. Although, I'd wonder why he would give up on a Binding. That's not something you just do without reason.” Covertly, he glanced down the path they’d come, measuring the distance to a suitable escape-point if/when the dragon decided a nice snack would ease his disappointment. Joao thought furiously and looked at Etrosk. "Another option is that he does not hide there," Joao said. "But that he is kept there against his will. Bound. Imprisoned. It would be fitting, in a way, dragon, for both you and my father to be bound to places." He turned to look at Gillian and Seabhac. "If he is free, I will get answers. If he is bound, I say as I am Rodionov, I will free him." "Is there anything else you want to accomplish today?" Gillian asked Joao as she stepped back again behind Seabhac's shoulder. Joao shook his head. "Nyet. Much has been learned today, with all of your help," he said to Gillian. Etrosk gave an earthen growl, “If such is the case, and Rodion still lives, then he must be freed from his captivity. A man such as he would do poorly bound by chains and bars. And those responsible must be punished harshly. They have harmed one of the Nine and his ward. Such insult cannot go unanswered.” "Da," Joao agreed with the Dragon. Seabhac reached behind him, offering his hand to Gillian. “Not sure if I can do much to help, I’m afraid. I’m a Prince of Amber and Chaos. My getting involved in Rebman dealings could make things. . . awkward.” He offered joao a rueful smile, “I’ll help how I can, but you understand my position, I hope.” "You're also of the wrong sex for a trip to Rebma, Gospodin Seabhac," Joao said. Seabhac chuckled, “Damn my marbles.” His eyes brightened and Joao then clapped his hands together with delight. He turned toward Gillian excitedly. "Do you think, Gillian, that you and Raina might want to visit a Baronial estate in Rebma as part of an extracurricular field trip for one of your history courses?" "Oh! I've always wanted to go to Rebma. I would love to, thank you!" she smiled. Joao bowed his head. "We shall ask Raina tonight, and arrange the trip soon. Aside from discovering the truth of my father, if the hospitality of House Galitzin can be extended to Cole, why not the two of you as well?" Gillian looked back at at the ancient dragon from around Seabhac's shoulder. "Do you mind if I visit you again sometime, Etrosk?" The dragon gave a light chuff of acrid steam, “Of course, Little Mage. You have my permission to return to this place.” He stretched out his long neck, sniffing the air around her - the heat of his breath warming Gillian’s face. “I have your scent now. I shall know when you approach.” She wasn't sure if this was a comforting thought or not. Idly, his talons impaled the rock, leaving a deep hole. “Bring bear claws, yes?” "Yes, I will." "Besides, no matter what we discover with my father" Joao said. "We still need your help, Gillian, with dealing with the binding." Gillian nodded. "I will help as best I can," she replied. |
