Part 3

She was strong for someone so small and a fighter, it took nearly all his strength but finally Lykaios felt her weaken, slowly the Quella girl calmed and went quiet. “Let go” she ordered. “Only if you promise not to kill anyone” he felt her tense instantly regretting his words, the amusement he felt over the situation. “Step out of line and I’ll break your neck” his words more a promise than a threat. Letting her go Kelsa fell to the ground, instantly on her feet her hand swung. Grabbing her arm Lykaios slammed her against the wall, pinning her there “Don’t” He watched as her anger faded, her breathing settled to a steady rhythm and her eyes no longer burned with hatred, grabbing the sword he pulled it from her fingers.

Kelsa sat on the ground, in her world the Demon woman’s words would have been met with cold steal. But this was not her world; all she knew was hundreds of miles from here, so far it was if she was in another realm. Lykaios tried again to read her mind, to get the answers to his questions but the wall stood as solid as ever. He did feel confusion, a sense of lose unable to understand the world around her. Sliding down the wall he joined her “Vega’s a bitch, useful but a bitch” he stated deliberately not meeting her eyes. “I would have killed her” Her words of anger made him smile “Possibly but she is strong” Kelsa scoffed “I am stronger, I am……” Lykaios threw up his hands and laughed “I know, I know, you are Quella” Kelsa grunted in agreement unsure if he was laughing at her.

Fayna and Nahele reached the border, the unseen line between the Drayad and Clearlyn province. They would have been quicker going through the Eriedge province but the ones they had spoken to had warned them it was overrun with Hellion. Nahele felt happier, the green grass and lush trees reminded her of home. They had not travelled far into Clearlyn when they were met by a group of men. “Who are you and where are you going” Fayna stepped forward “I am Fayna of the village of Faymoor in the Eriedge province, we mean no harm we are just passing through” The men looked at them suspiciously then beckoned them to follow.

John watched as the strangers were brought into the village. One looked like the Elf’s but the other the female, Jesus he had never seen anyone like her before. Calista greeted them warmly and lead them to another hut. Maleah joined him. “Who are they?” he nodded towards the hut. “Outsiders, the male is Fae, the female is Teleri” John looked at the hut, Fae, Teleri, what kind of place was this? As if reading his mind she tried to explain “Fae are from the Eriedge province, they look like us but have Majick, the female, we know little of the Teleri except the normally lead solitary lives” Strange that she should be with a male especially a Fae male. “I have some work to do then we will go and eat” John nodded, his eyes still on the hut.

Fayna explained their journey, the distance they had travelled and that it was not yet over. Calista sent for some food and listened while the Fae told her of their need to go somewhere, that they would know their destination when they got there. She looked at Nahele “You are being called” Nahele nodded. “Then you will have free pass through Clearlyn” Fayna stood and bowed “Thank you your Divines” Calista threw up her hands “Please, I am Queen yes but we do not follow such rituals, especially in such troublesome times” Fayna nodded “Then I will just say thank you” A noise at the doorway caused the three to turn. John stood staring at the newcomers, the Teleri if she existed then what else did and what did Calista mean ‘troublesome time’

“John you shouldn’t be here right now” Calista sighed “These are our guests for the night” Fayna looked at him with surprise “You are mortal?” John looked at him, was he that noticeable? He nodded. Fayna indicated for him to join them “Tell me what is happening in your world?” Calista looked at him “You have seen the mortal world?” Fayna chuckled “My Father is a mortal” Calista gasped “And does he still live here?” Fayna stared at the wall behind her “He went to fight with the others…..” Nahele sensing his sadness took his hand and held it tight. John looked at the Fae “Hellion!” Calista and Fayna exchanged glances then turned to him “You should know what is going on as I believe you are here for this reason”

It was all too much to believe, but then not long ago he was in an office happily married and looking forward to the future. John listened as they told him of the eminent war only asking the odd question. Calista turned to Fayna “I have heard stories, rumours that the Vaxur province refuse to get involved but that they have a Fae, that she is no ordinary Majick” Fayna nodded “I also have heard these rumours but they are probably just that” John was at risk of getting lost in the conversation “Vaxur province?” Fayna grunted “Vaxur, one of three provinces that are ruled by Vampire, they outnumber all other races in the realm but the followers of the light outnumber the followers of the shadow” Shit, now he was lost “Followers of what?” Nahele let them talk, listened as they tried to explain their life here, looking at Fayna she had felt a twinge in his heart at the mention of the Fae of Vaxur but before she could understand it had gone.

Lykaios rose and jumping off the parapet turned into a bat and flew into the night. Looking down over the village he quickly spotted one of his whores. “My lord” the woman curtsied. “I am hungry” the young woman immediately tilted her head to one side. Lykaios drank deeply, first from one side then the other. With his hunger sated it only left one thing, pushing her against the wall he lifted her skirts and entered her, the girl clung to him unable to protest, you didn’t dare argue with Lykaios. Finishing with her he let her fall to the ground then headed to his woman where he promptly took them all.

Several hours later he returned to the castle, flying over the rooftops he felt dissatisfied, hollow. Oh his lust was satisfied but he still felt…..? Landing at the castle doors he entered quietly and made for the hall. Kelsa lay sleeping still insisting the stone floor was fine. He was baffled by her actions, a warm bed was better or at least by the fire, was she trying to keep hidden. The wall to her mind was not as strong as if in sleep she was weaker. His mind filled with images of her home, the huge mountains of Rusulka, the deep craters and large pools of lava then it moved onto battles, many fights in which she had maimed or killed, some of the wounds she had received looked serious. Suddenly his mind jumped, the prison in which she was kept swam into view…….

Kelsa’s eyes opened her senses telling her someone was there. Jumping to her feet she saw Lykaios watching her, she felt the touch of his mind and immediately the wall went up. Lykaios stepped forward “It can’t be very comfortable lying their!” Kelsa held her sword high and watched him with distrust. “So Quella you are good with a sword but are you good enough to go against me?” pulling one from the wall he swung it “Shall we find out” Kelsa smiled then bowed “My you die with blood on your sword and rage in your heart” she declared as she moved into position. Going gently at first he found she had an acute ability of sensing his movements, whichever way he went she matched him. Kelsa knew he was testing as was she, always know your enemy.

Part 2                                                                Part 4