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#masks tragically hide the mustache
medicmando · 2 years
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There were talks of making him Charge, but he thought little of it. He was preoccupied with work, his son, and the stolen moments with the blond haired, blue eyed doc.
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unforth · 4 years
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List of Differences Between MDZS and CQL/Untamed
I haven’t seen a comprehensive list of differences between the Modao Zushi novel and Chengqingling/The Untamed. Someone in one of my Discord’s asked earlier today, and in reply, myself, Joythea, @floofz, HeadphonesGal, and mustache apologist compiled this list, based on what we remembered. I’ve reproduced that list here with permission of the people involved in the conversation. I’ve tried to include what happens in both the novel AND CQL for each item, but in general, the list was more written as, “here are things that happened in CQL that didn’t happen or happened differently in the novel,” with an eye toward explaining it to someone familiar with the novel but not with the live action adaptation. 
Note that this contains...like...all the spoilers. Also, I am not an expert on either the novel or the live action, though I’m better acquainted with the second. As a group we did our best to make sure this was accurate, but I’ve transcribed and expanded it for posting and I can’t promise I haven’t made mistakes. PLEASE CORRECT ME IF I’M WRONG and I will amend it (that’s why I used a read more - so I can make changes without it getting all messed up by reblogs of different versions)!
General Concept/Overarching Differences:
Death, Fierce Corpses, and Puppets: Censorship means that none of the things they hunt in the Untamed are actually dead. Once, they’re even able to explicitly “free” a group of controlled puppets and they revert to being regular people. At times this means certain events are...extremely poorly...explained, such as what happens to Wen Ning, where it’s never explicitly said that he’s dead - it’s instead implied that Wen Ning was on the verge of death and that Wei Wuxian controlled him and was able to save him. However, though it’s never explicit that there are essentially zombies in CQL, it would be difficult to explain events by any other interpretation. Much like with homosexuality, they flirt as close to what the censors will allows as they can and allow a viewer to infer from there.
The Yin Iron: In the novel, there is no Yin Iron. Wen Ruohan’s motivation for his actions is simply more power and is entirely “human.” The Wen don’t do demonic cultivation. Xue Yang doesn’t have a piece of the Yin Iron, and his ancestor didn’t create it (obviously, since it doesn’t exist). In the novel, the “Founder of Demonic Cultivation” is clearly meant to be Wei Wuxian, whereas if the concept of “Modao Zushi” ever came up in the Untamed it would be ambiguous at best who was being referred to, since both Xue Yang’s ancestor and Wen Ruohan could theoretically deserve the title. Since there is no Yin Iron, many of the things ascribed to the Yin Iron obviously don’t happen, nor does it drive the plot in the “past,” nor does it play a part in the death of Xuanwu, nor is it what Wei Wuxian uses to craft the Stygian Tiger Amulet.
While this isn’t explicit, it seems (at least to me) like everyone is a few years older in CQL than they are in the novel. For example, in the novel, the Lectures start when the young cultivators are all 15 - 16 years old. That...doesn’t really fit with how they look in CQL? I personally think they’re more like 17 - 18 in CQL, and then events proceed from there. However, their ages aren’t stated in CQL canon so this is open to interpretation.
Technically, WangXian is subtext in the Untamed, by the slimmest of obfuscations. Seriously, it’s so borderline to being canon that calling it subtext is slightly ridiculous but since it’s never ACTUALLY explicit...I guess that makes it subtext. Also, ya know, there’s porn in the novel.
Characters and Characterizations:
Mo Xuanyu: Mo Xuanyu isn’t gay in the Untamed, unlike in the novel. In the novel, it’s said that Mo Xuanyu falls out of favor with the Jin clan because he’s made inappropriate sexual advances on Jin Guangyao. In the Untamed, the implication is that he made similar advances on Qin Su. In both, it’s also implied these weren’t the real reasons but it’s also never explained what actually did happen. Also, in the novel, he favors wearing thickly caked makeup to obscure his appearance (and subsequently Wei Wuxian does the same) whereas in CQL while makeup is mentioned he’s basically only ever shown or discussed as wearing a mask.
Wei Wuxian/Mo Xuanyu: In the novel, Mo Xuanyu sacrifices himself and Wei Wuxian takes over his body. However, in the Untamed, Wei Wuxian is more...reborn?...whole, in his own appearance (the logistics of this, or if he was ever dead, or where he was if he WAS dead, are never explained). He wears a mask because if he didn’t, everyone would (and ultimately does) recognize him. 
Wei Wuxian: In the novel, doing demonic cultivation clearly twists Wei Wuxian and some of his actions are either accidental but still his fault, or intentional. For example, the torture of Wen Chao is intentional and brutal, and the loss of control of Wen Ning at Qiongqi Path is accidental but still his fault - a result of his hubris and poor decisions. In CQL, a second flute is played at Qiongqi pass and also when Wei Wuxian fights the cultivation clans outside the Nightless City - both of the major times when Wei Wuxian ostensibly loses control. Though Wei Wuxian himself thinks it’s his fault, it’s actually not - the person responsible is Su She - and Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji eventually learn this. However, CQL does still show Wei Wuxian being changed by the resentment. His temper is more volatile and his trust more limited; for example, he loses his temper with A-Yuan at one point, which doesn’t happen in the novel.
Lan Wangji: differences in Lan Wangji’s characterization are a little harder to quantify but in general in CQL he seems more open/expressive/comfortable in his own skin, and less prone to anger. For example, when he steals Wei Wuxian’s first kiss on Phoenix Mountain in the novel, he loses his temper and destroys an entire grove of trees. This...would not be in character for Lan Wangji in CQL (and of course they don’t kiss in CQL). However, putting it in definitive terms is complicated. For another difference, in the novel, Lan Wangji confronts the cultivation clans to protect Wei Wuxian, and thus is given 33 strikes with the discipline whip. In CQL, his actions are more ambivalent in Wei Wuxian’s defense...certainly, he doesn’t stand against everyone else in a pitch to save Wei Wuxian’s life...but he’s still explicit enough for Lan Qiren, who has him beaten 300 times with a stave. (the end result is still “covered in scars,” just different punishments.)
Jiang Yanli: Jiang Yanli’s role is expanded from the novel. She accompanies her brothers to the Lan clan Lectures, and she carries a sword, implying she’s a cultivator, though she never uses it. The back-and-forth related to her engagement to Jin Zixuan is also expanded. Furthermore, she’s with her brothers when they flee Lotus Pier, and at Wen Qing’s outpost when they are in hiding, for at least part of the time. (but not enough of it to be involved in the Golden Core transfer). The overall result is that she feels much less “fridged” in CQL than she did in the novel (or at least, that’s how it felt to me - obviously, some of these bullet points are subjective to varying extents).
Luo “Mianmian” Qingyang: In the novel, she’s a member of an independent cultivation sect and she’s first introduced during the Wen Clan indoctrination. In the Untamed, she’s a Jin clan disciple and she attends the Lan clan Lectures, and is shown to have a good relationship (friendship, not romantic) with Jin Zixuan. She later renounces her membership in the Jin clan when the clans turn against Wei Wuxian after the end of the Sunshot Campaign. 
Wen Ruohan: In the novel, he’s just a badass mo-fo power hungry pain in the ass. In CQL he is a demonic cultivating megalomaniac who uses the Yin Iron to be, like, Comic Book Evil.
Wen Qing and Wen Ning: Unlike in the novel, where Wen Ning is introduced outside of Lotus Pier, and Wen Qing is introduced after Wen Ning needs a place to hide Jiang Cheng and Wei Wuxian, in the Untamed, Wen Qing and Wen Ning attend the Lan clan Lectures. Wen Qing is there under instructions from Wen Ruohan to seek the Yin Iron; he blackmails her by threatening Wen Ning. Furthermore, Wen Ning is unusually susceptible to spiritual influence as a result of an encounter with the Dafan Mountain Goddess/Fairy statue when he’s a child. The statue kills their parents and starts to drain him, but Wen Qing saves him. She’s not able to heal the damage to him, though, and it’s implied this is part of why it’s possible for Wei Wuxian to raise him using demonic cultivation. Wen Qing in particular has a much greater role in CQL, and she has a romantic subplot with Jiang Cheng. She bears a sword, and she’s also shown to do spellwork and influence people using acupuncture needles.
Song Lan and Xiao Xingchen: In the novel, we first meet them at Yi City, when their story is already tragic. In CQL, they are introduced right after the Lan Lectures, and are therefore older.
Xue Yang: As with Song Lan and Xiao Xingchen, he is introduced earlier in CQL than in the novel. In CQL, he also possesses a piece of the Yin Iron that he manages to keep hidden and a secret despite multiple attempts by different parties to obtain it (it’s hinted at times that he’s in cahoots with Wei Wuxian, but this is just a character smear). His ancestor created the Yin Iron, and he’s known to be an expert on demonic cultivation.
Meng Yao/Jin Guangyao: Meng Yao is introduced much earlier in CQL than he is in the novel, as we see him when the Nie cultivators are welcomed to the Lan lectures (and we’re shown upfront and immediately that Lan Xichen treats him more respectfully than most others do). In the novel, we don’t find out much about the evil things he’s done until Wei Wuxian does Empathy on Nie Mingjue’s head; in CQL, more of that is shown “on screen” as it occurs. For example, he’s shown conspiring with Xue Yang in the Unclean Realm, and right after that is when Nie Mingjue catches him slaughtering another officer (which none of the other characters know about). He also saves Nie Mingjue’s life during that scene, painting him as morally ambiguous and complicated from a very early point. We also “see” as it happens the incident in right after the fall of Nightless City, where Nie Mingjue goes to kill Meng Yao and is prevented by Lan Xichen, and there are more explicit indications that he’s manipulating Jin Guangshan and is involved in the plot to turn everyone against Wei Wuxian.
Ouyang Zizhen: Ouyang Zizhen appears only briefly in the novel, during the Yi City arc. In CQL he has a much expanded role and is a pretty much perpetual fourth to Jin Ling, Lan Sizhui, and Lan Jingyi (especially post Yi City). He’s present most of the times they meet, and involved in Jin Ling’s confrontation with Wen Ning, and is present at the Second Siege of the Burial Mounds, where he intervenes with his father on behalf of Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji. And he’s one of the best beans.
Sequence of Events:
In the novel, when Wei Wuxian awakes at Mo Manor, the Lan clan disciples come and they find an evil left arm that kills and possesses people. In CQL, they find a sword that does the same. This leads to changes throughout the plot in what, exactly, Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian are searching for. In the novel, they pursue the pieces of Nie Mingjue’s body to various sites. In CQL, they instead are led to the same sequence of places by a sword spirit which turns out to be Baxia.
When Mo Xuanyu raises Wei Wuxian in the novel, Wei Wuxian has three curse scars representing three people that need to die: Madam Mo, Mo Ziyuan, and...one of the servants I think? In CQL, Wei Wuxian has a fourth cut that represents a fourth person he must kill: Jin Guangyao.
Because the risen dead don’t exist in the Untamed, the Dafan Mountain Goddess/Fairy statue incident plays out a little different. For example, Wei Wuxian doesn’t figure out what’s happened by observing graves, he figures it out by seeing “spirit grass.” However, the outcomes are essentially the same from a plot point of view.
In CQL, the extended flashback to the lectures starts right after Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian meet (right after Wen Ning is summoned and then flees). I don’t remember exactly how the timeline/intermingling of narratives from different points in times is structured in the novel but I know it’s different. They spend far longer in the “present” before going to the past, and jump back and forth a bit more too.
In CQL, Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji have an early bonding period during the lectures (the lectures over all get more attention/time than in the novel) when they are drawn into a cave in the backhills that they enter through the cold spring. Within, there’s a guqin and a bunch of rabbits and the...spiritual embodiment?...of Lan Yi, who is introduced as the first female leader of the Lan Clan, a close friend of Baoshen Sanren, and the creator of the Chord Assassination Technique. Lan Yi acquaints them with the existence of the Yin Iron. Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji also engage in a symbolic hand-fasting during this scene. In the show, this is where the bunnies come from; Wei Wuxian doesn’t capture them and bring them as “presents” like he does in the novel.
In CQL, between the Lectures and the Sunshot Campaign, Lan Wangji, Wei Wuxian, Jiang Cheng, and Nie Huaisang do some night hunting together. Among other things, during this time they meet Xue Yang, Xiao Xingchen, and Song Lan, when Xue Yang slaughters the Chang clan. This obviously has major implications for the role and age of these characters in CQL versus in the novel, when none of the three are met until Yi City. This time spent night-hunting is also when the flower spirit mini-side plot takes place, but it doesn’t get much screen time and isn’t as prominent as in the novel, nor is the entire “Wei Wuxian woos her where no one else did” thing a feature of the show. Also, they encounter the Dafan Mountain Goddess at this time.
The Wen Clan attacks Cloud Recesses in the novel because of perceived improprieties, and Lan Wangji is injured while trying to protect the library. Lan Xichen disappears, and Clan Leader Lan is killed. In CQL, Clan Leader Lan is already dead at this point and Lan Xichen is in charge of the clan (while it’s never explicit, it’s implied that the age gap between Lan Xichen and Lan Wangji, and between Nie Mingjue and Nie Huaisang, is greater in the show than it is in the novel). When Wen Xu attacks, they hide in the cave where Lan Yi appeared to Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji, but the disciples who aren’t members of the Lan specifically can’t enter, so Wen Xu begins to massacre them. To prevent that, Lan Wangji emerges, and that’s when his leg is broken. (Su She is also prominent in this scene in CQL, but he’s not in the novel.)
During the Indoctrinations, in CQL it’s shown that Wei Wuxian is afraid of dogs after Wen Chao locks him in a dungeon room with one. This also serves as bonding time with Wen Ning, who helps Wei Wuxian with medicine that Wen Qing has provided. This scene doesn’t take place in the novel; in the novel Wei Wuxian’s fear of dogs is almost entirely shown through his interactions with Fairy.
Also during the Indoctrinations in CQL, there’s a lot of friction between Wen Chao and Wen Qing because Wen Qing keeps trying to help the prisoners in small ways. In the novel, Wen Qing hasn’t been introduced at this point in the story.
Wei Wuxian’s Death: In the novel, Wei Wuxian retreats to the Burial Mounds, the clans unite against him, storm the Burial Mounds, and kill him - Jiang Cheng gets credit for the kill, but in actuality, Wei Wuxian's own resentment-controlled undead tear him apart when his magic backfires. (see this comment for more info) In the Untamed, after a battle outside the Nightless City, Wei Wuxian realizes how wrong everything has gone, destroys the Stygian Tiger amulet, and throws himself from the mountain. Despite a “tease” that Jiang Cheng stabbed him, it’s later shown that no, Wei Wuxian’s death was suicide despite Lan Wangji trying to save him and Jiang Cheng deciding not to stab him.
Wen Chao’s Death: While it’s implied in CQL that Wei Wuxian has been tormenting Wen Chao, it’s nowhere near as explicit as in the novel. It’s loosely suggested in CQL that perhaps Wen Chao’s condition when Jiang Cheng and Lan Wangji find him is the result of fear and self-neglect - basically that Wei Wuxian’s torment is causing Wen Chao to hallucinate frightening things. Instead of, you know, Wei Wuxian’s torment causing him to eat himself.
In the novel, Wei Wuxian is dead for 13 years. In CQL, he’s dead for 16 years.
Wei Wuxian’s resurrection: In the novel, because Wei Wuxian doesn’t look like himself, he doesn’t realize that Lan Wangji has recognized him because he played WangXian, so he engages in multiple behaviors to try to disgust and drive Lan Wangji away (all of which fail, of course, because Lan Wangji knows the truth). In CQL, because Wei Wuxian looks like himself, when he wakes up without his mask in Cloud Recesses he immediately knows that Lan Wangji has recognized him and there’s no further mystery in that regard (except for how Lan Wangji recognized him while he WAS masked, which is the same in both - because of the song). (Lan Xichen also subsequently recognizes him while he’s masked, at an earlier point than he does in the novel unless I’ve badly misremembered. Which is always possible).
The Yi City arc is quite different between the two. Honestly, I skip the most painful parts of the Yi City arc, including the entire flashback sequences, because I knew they’d fuck me up right good without being worth it, so I’m not able to go into depth here, but. Some examples include:
Because in CQL, Xiao Xingchen, Song Lan, and Xue Yang were introduced during the “past” timeline, they’re considerably older than in the novel.
Due to censorship, A-Qing is not a spirit as she is in the novel. Instead, she’s still alive but she’s had her tongue torn out and been blinded by Xue Yang. She ultimately sacrifices her life to help Wei Wuxian et al kill Xue Yang.
In CQL, it’s shown that Xiao Xingchen would leave a sweet on Xue Yang’s pillow every day, and when Xue Yang dies the last gifted sweet falls from his hand.
(if anyone reading this wants to help flesh it out please do chime in because I know it’s incomplete but I Cannot with that bit of the story.)
During the Second Siege of the Burial Mounds, in the novel, after Wei Wuxian paints himself with the lure talismans, he and Lan Wangji are on the verge of being overpowered when the corpses of the Wen clan members that Wei Wuxian saved rise from the blood pool and help protect them. In CQL, the Wen clan members are hung by the Jin clan and left for the birds outside of the Nightless City, so they could never have been in the blood pool, even if such a thing would have made it past censors (which it never would have).
The novel contains pornographic content, including an illicit kiss that Lan Wangji steals from Wei Wuxian during the Phoenix Mountain hunt, and actual sex, with their first time being before the confrontation at Guanyin Temple. 
During the Guanyin temple confrontation, in the novel there’s extensive discussion of Jin Guangyao’s childhood in the brothel, including information about his mother and why he spared Sisi as opposed to all the other prostitutes. Further, it’s explicit that the Guanyin temple has been built on the site where that brothel used to stand and that the coffin Jin Guangyao is digging up is meant to contain his mother’s body. The entire temple is dedicated to her. In CQL a lot of this is simply not explained or left ambiguous.
In the novel, Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian are married and return to Cloud Recesses. In CQL, they travel together for a time, part ways, and then are reunited. Lan Wangji becomes the Chief Cultivator, replacing Jin Guangyao.
...that’s everything we came up with. Alright, everyone, what’d we miss? :D
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teamsarawatshusband · 3 years
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Word Of Honor - 1st watch insta thoughts - Episode 4
Episode 1
Episode 2
Episode 3
In case you haven't read my previous episode summaries, you should know that I now refer to alcoholic tanned tragic hero lord guy as Baby Xu (because he gave the name Zhou Xu), Wen Ke Xing is Smirky Xing, Ke Xing's female travelling companion is referred to as purple love of my life (because she rocks).
Alright let’s get started with Episode 4:
:O WHAT? Smirky Xing is qi-gong-balling nuts? Is he the red masked nut guy??? WTF? Is that why he said he's terrifying? Is that why he wasn't there at first during the fight in the dusty place? Waaaahhhh
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Aww, he stilll wants Baby Xu and himself to be on first name basis. Giving horses as gifts. He's so determined.
Oooh the beggars caught up. And they openly state they're with 5 Lakes and want to bring the kid back to... some guy, I already forgot. Hmmm. The kid is instantly scared and hides behind Baby Xu. Baby Xu looks worried too. Nobody trusts 5 Lakes. Smirky Xing also doesn't trust them.
Wow, that's a lot of beggars.
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Oh no, Smirky Xing insulted the talky beggar guy. And now they wanna fight.
Woahooooo, Baby Xu is pissy at Smirky Xing, but he trusts him to take care of the kid while he throws himself into the fight. Nice.
Less than 6 minutes in and we already have a million times more action than in the last episode. Thank you.
I see what smirky Xing meant when he called Baby Xu elegant. He is a VERY elegant fighter.
Offering nuts again, lol. Doesn't he know that the kid never wants to eat?
But jokes aside, the way Xing and the kid don't even go far but stay close enough to watch shows really well that smirky Xing is super confident in Baby Xu's fighting skills...
Oh no, they broke the alcohol jars, Baby Xu is gonna be so pissed.
And Smirky Xing is kind of an ass, teasing Baby Xu about his promise to keep an eye on the kid, while the beggar is chasing the kid around and Baby Xu is doing all the work.
Ahhh, it's cause he wants Baby Xu to admit that he needs him. Hehe, smart. Evil but clever.
:O The beggars got swords in their sticks! Cheaty little fuckers.
Baby Xu is fighting a bazillion beggars at once, no problem while the kid is almost caught.
Oh no, Baby Xu is mouthbleeding. That's never a good sign.
Oooooh, Smirky Xing notices and instantly steps in. No more teasing.
Oh how the turntables. Baby Xu and the kid flee, while Smirky Xing takes on the beggars. Nice. Sharing the workload. Like good husbands. Smirklord ftw!
Oh no, Baby Xu is worried about being a loser. And now he's doing the smelly meditation thing again. Awww :(
Meanwhile Smirky Xing has killed all the beggars, and it's not even shown on camera. Like... he probably did it with a determined look, some nut throwing and a snap of a finger or something. Impressive.
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LOL, the purple love of my life comes on screen, looks around and has this, "Aww, dangit, he's on a killing spree again" look on her face. So this happens a lot, I gather.
She's concerned about the cleanup and the aesthetics, lol. My queen.
Whoa, what's that? Two tied up girls on a boat. And a jerk. I don't even know him but I know that much. Character introduction 101.
Oh wait, my purple love stops him. She knows him. He's one of the mountain ghost guys? And she knows him? There's a connection. That probably means that Smirky Xing really is nut guy. :O :O :O
She's striking a deal. And I didn't catch what she asked jerk guy to do in return for keeping him tying up girls a secret. But he leaves to do it.
Wow, Baby Xu knows how to cook. And offers the fish to the kid. And the kid ACTUALLY TAKES it. Impressive. I thought he hates food.
Ah, no, he spit it out. Okay. My worldview has been restored. And Baby Xu is not a good cook after all, lol.
My purple queen shows up and explains how to cook fish, lol. Yeah, they wish they had her cooking skills.
Oh, and baby Xu actually asks about Smirky Xing's whereabouts and looks longingly towards the boat where my queen points to.
Very lovely scenery, with Smirky Xing plaing the flute on the boat, and the two girls (who were previously tied up, I think, I still suck at recognizing faces) are enjoying his company, preparing drinks and listening.
Clearly Smirky Xing is playing just for Baby Xu. And then jumps off the boat with a flute twirl (clearly a Wei Wuxian fan, and who isn't?!) and then fly-jumps over the water to the beach and Baby Xu.
Heh, tempting Baby Xu with alcohol and good food, Smirky Xing is really trying everything.
LOL, you can't sit with the cool kids Smirky Xing.
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But he never gives up and recites poetry again. Okay, now some story about historic white cloth. And a sword. Wait, is the "white cloth" the sword? Oh, and Smirky Xing is hinting that Baby Xu's sword is so bendy that it might be the legendary sword.
Always digging for info. Always noticing everything.
Oooh, Baby Xing compares their relationship to the fish he threw away, calls it "raw/unrequited". Nice pun. BUT, the fish wasn't raw, you literally discussed with the kid that is was cooked through, you little liar. I see what's going on there. Unrequited my ass. Smirklord setting sails.
Baby Xu explains that he doesn't know himself and couldn't care less about knowing Smirky Xing.
Smirky Xing is such a sweet talker. This whole "I hurt when you hurt" spiel... blergh.
He called him "My A-Xu" awww, cute. Also super invasive.
Some dark figure is playing headach inducing music. Huh? What is going on?
My purple queen and the kid are affected and Smirky Xing, stops them from running off by placing his hands on their backs. How? What?
Wait, Baby Xu plays the flute as well???
Everybody's a musician.
Oh, it's a music fight. The acoustic waves are hitting each other.
And the girls on the boats are jumping off, because they don't have Smirky Xing's hands holding them back.
Whooooooo, Baby Xu's flute sound lawnmowers the grass and the other musician down. Nice skills.
Oh, it's an assassination skill. The one that the dark figure used. :O A music assassin!!!
LOL, Baby Xu apologizes for getting Smirky Xing's flute dirty. Honey, he 100% won't mind your spit.
Why is the kid puking? He hasn't even eaten anything. Oh, he's lacking martial arts skills to defend against the attack, got it, got it.
Awwww, the one who dislikes you is the one who is really good to you. Of course you would live by that motto Smirky Xing, you lovesick boy.
Okay, the kid wants to learn martial arts now. Wants to be Baby Xu's disciple. And he's kind of agreeing, even though reluctantly, because he... doesn't wanna look good in front of Ke Xing?
Oh a camp of assassins. Pretty girl assassins. One of them is getting a leg massage. Nice. Being an assassin has perks, it seems. Ooh, and she gets touchy with some victim guy.
Did that guy just kill the several-times-stabbed victim by throwing a bone at his head? lol
Oh, the music assassin is one of this group, k, got it.
What? Smirky Ke Xing playing this special meditation song means he has a pure mind? I'm with Baby Xu, I would never have thought so. So, he's not nuts guy? WHAT IS GOING ON?
Dude, he does NOT look like of pure mind while playing that flute at all. It looks very... not pure. This looks like a mating ritual to me.
Wait, is he telling my purple queen to kill the two girls she saved? I'm so confused.
Aww, he LIKES Baby Xu. Not that it's a surprise. But he admitted it. Heh. And, once again, my purple queen gets it.
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Aww, Smirky Xing plays for his boy all night long. And Baby Xu finally gets some rest. Nice.
And Smirky Xing finally gets to sit next to his crush after all.
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But he doesn't get to hold his hand yet. I see how it is.
LOL, tough women can't resist clingy men, what? Is Smirky Xing ever talking about anybody other than himself and Baby Xu?
Ahaha, Smirky Xing is such a bad liar. But really good at making Baby Xu feel guilty. Yes, yes, you poor man driven off the boat, aching from all the flute playing, riiiight.
LOL, he ends up the coachman. Nice.
Oh no, the grandparents are fighting nice undies tree master guy and the mini Wangjis. Why can't they be friends?
Why are they all after that stupid glazed armor, this is so annoying.
Oh no, now pleated skirt soldier boss guy is joining in as well. Which side is he picking?
Okay he's fighting the grandparents, but is he on friendly terms with undies tree guy? Because I don't think so. But the mini Wangjis knew him and seemed to trust him. So confusing all of this...
Okay and there's another new guy. In green and gold with a tiny mustache. Is he the one they were supposed to bring the kid to? Ah yes, okay. Uncle Zhao.
Wait, the leader of the something something sect is chased. Who was that? Undies tree master? I need a name chart mind map or something. I should make one and add on to it as I go along.
Anyway, end of episode.
Okay this was interesting, what have I learned? Baby Xu can't get rid of Smirky Xing, no matter what. The kid wants to be his disciple. My purple queen is 100% a smirklord shipper. There's a bunch of assassins out there to hurt... I don't know, everybody, possibly. Everybody seems to want the glazed armor. Except for Baby Xu who just wants to be left alone, and Smirky Xing who just wants Baby Xu. I feel like I'm getting the hang of this. Except I STILL don't know how everybody is truly connected. And Smirky Xing might be nuts guy but also maybe not because he's pure, but I mean, who are you kidding?
Goals for future episodes: I should really actually make that character name chart mind map thing.
Also, we have officially reached the moment, where I wanna continue watching, even though I'm tired and have other stuff to do. I bet the point of no return strikes during the next episode. I can feel it coming.
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angelhaileywriting · 5 years
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“I Do” Would Be a Tragic End (ConnorxFemale!Reader)
Summary: It’s your special day and Connor has some feelings about it
Pairing: (Connor x Female!Reader)
Word Count: 1k
Warnings: Angst
a/n: I didn’t edit this and I might make a part two if people want one. Enjoy!
Connor stood at the end of the aisle, entranced at the beauty you bestowed upon the crowd gathered to watch the beautiful ceremony. His gears whirred furiously and he felt short of breath when the first notes of the song lilted in the air. Staring at the white dress glowing in the sunlight, his thirium pump skipped with every tauntingly slow step you took forward. Any minute now you would reach the end of the red carpet. The outside ceremony was your idea and at the moment Connor couldn’t have agreed more. Your hair shined and your nails seemed brighter. The gentle breeze caressed the people, keeping the temperature just right. You took even, turtle like steps, trying to mask your shaky legs and save yourself from a fall. With the time you were giving him, Connor took a moment to reflect on each moment he spent with you and how lucky he was to have you introduce him to life.
He had first entered deviancy when you flashed a wide smile at him and asked, “Why are you so kind?” At first, he wanted to say that he wasn’t. The machine more prevalent than the man. Always ready to accomplish his mission. But it wasn’t until you pointed out that he was nice in your presence that he ran a diagnostic on himself. It was there where he felt his software instability rise a tremendous amount.
Instead he replied, “You treat me as an equal. It would be impolite to be rude to such a generous person.”
You giggled and happily told him about how pleased you were that he was taking such steps to stray away from his programming. Connor felt that if you responded like this each time he acted more human, then he would do his best to complete his deviation from the now defunct CyberLife Company.
The next greatest memory in his storage bank was the little foam mustache you put on yourself to imitate Hank after he tried a new hairstyle. The loud, uncontrollable cackle you gave made his thirium hum. The precinct smiled at your infectious joy. Hank had tried desperately to stay mad at you, but as you gasped for breath and tears fell from your eyes, he and Connor both laughed. That was the first time anyone had heard the android laugh and soon he joined you on the floor, rolling around in fits of giggles. After recovering, you bath lay next to Hanks desk, you catching your breath staring up and Connor watching you with lively, brown eyes.
Finally, it was seeing your face light up as you said yes to the proposal. How the tears of happiness fell down your cheeks and you were picked up and spun around the room. The delight as you were set back down was easily seen and spread to the others in the room. Connor never before felt such love for you and he vowed to always stay by your side, even if it hurt him.
You were two steps away from Connor when he snapped back. The veil was hiding your face but he could tell you had a large grin on your face. With the last notes of the song in the air, you stopped across from Connor. The preacher began his speech about love and commitment, saying how it was the basis of a beautiful marriage. Connor was lost in the lace that covered your gorgeous eyes. The preacher began to welcome everyone and the barrier between the two of you was removed. By the man you were marrying. Connor stood as the best man, his heart shattering as you exchanged sweet words with your beloved. His LED stayed a constant red with each word the man before you said. He felt like he wanted to cry, burn the world, or steal you away for himself. Maybe all at once, he reasoned. All those moments and memories with you, the only ones he’d get. He felt that he should’ve known. You were always in a relationship, everything you did was out of kindness for him. As he reached this conclusion, he felt that he deviated for nothing. A gaping hole was in his chest. Connor told himself that he would shut down once he returned home. His one, his only was in love with another. He couldn’t change that. But what little hope he did have that you may return his feelings, burned away when you stepped down that aisle.
You and the groom turned to face the preacher. The bouquet of yellow and blue flowers shook slightly as you shifted feet in excitement. Your eyes were gleaming and filled with an unspeakable joy. It both broke Connor’s heart and brought him happiness. With too many emotions running wild, he instead turned to the groom. He began analyzing the man, making sure he was good enough for his human. Upon further inspection, he found faint traces of a lipstick you never wore covering the collar and lips of your groom. He then scanned the room and found the brand matched your maid of honor. He found it ironic that the trusted friends of the bride and groom secretly pined for each other.
The body language the woman showed clearly spoke of lust for the suited man. Connor wondered why he never tried to find something wrong with everything before your happy day. Now he had no idea on how to approach it. Was he supposed to out rightly say it, let it go, or tell you in private? He didn’t want to ruin your mood but he also had no intention of letting you go with a terrible man when he could treat you better. He was brought out of his dilemma when the preacher said, "If anybody has any objection to this union, speak now or forever hold your peace." Connor took it as his only chance, throwing caution into the wind was never his style but for you, he’d do anything.
Connor took a deep breath he didn’t need and opened his mouth.
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aion-rsa · 3 years
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South Park Pandemic Special Review: Tegridy Is No Cure
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Quick back-of-the-napkin math on major headlines since last season’s South Park finale aired on Dec. 11 2019: the impeachment trial of the sitting president, a drone strike on Iran, the tragic death of Kobe Bryant, the Democratic primaries and presidential election cycle, Brexit (well, for real this time), wildfires engulfing the west coast, police brutality protests and rioting across America, continued forgien election interference, and 200,000+ people dead from COVID-19 in the United States, with a curve nowhere near flattened, and over 1 million dead worldwide. 
In a year that gets bleaker with each passing day, one can be forgiven if topical humor isn’t landing at the moment. And with South Park’s penchant for tying every storyline to the flavor of the week for better and mostly worse, returning amidst the pandemic was going to be one of the biggest challenges the show has faced since post-9/11, when the boys returned to the bus stop wearing gas masks to protect against anthrax as the town feared threats of domestic terrorism two months after the Twin Towers fell. 
The fears are different in 2020 vs. November of 2001. The bus stop is empty. The enemy isn’t in hiding like Osama Bin Laden and his farty pants. South Park is a shell of itself because COVID-19 is invisible, spreads quickly, and has upended the world. Even a small mountain town in Colorado is far from immunity. That’s where we find the town in “The Pandemic Special,” the series’ first ever one-off, hour-long installment. Series creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker, working remotely like the rest of us who are lucky enough to be able to do so, chose to directly address our upside down present, and they do so with a grim outlook on the current state of the world. 
The degree to which something like this can even land is going to vary so widely from person to person, and it’s hard to fault anyone who found the episode in poor taste from start to finish. I also imagine a lot of people are feeling like Stan or Butters do, isolated from their friends and missing the state of normalcy 2020 has ripped away from us. To that end, the return of South Park will be cathartic for some folks and maybe a welcome distraction for others, particularly as appointment television has been rare for much of the quarantine. Where I’m standing, it was exactly the middling experience we’ve come to expect from South Park, which will start its 24th season at a later date. 
If you tuned in live, you were treated to dark humor and intense and disturbing subject matter—like bestiality with bats and pangolins (a hideously unfuckable creature which I had to Google). Nonetheless, a flashback informs us that the proprietor behind Tegridy Farms had sex with both animals during his short trip to Wuhan, China last season with Mickey Mouse. Scientists believe the coronavirus stems from a person coming into… close contact… with one of these animals. So with the COVID outbreak pegged square on Randy’s back, he tries to use his pandemic special as the cure, which involves jacking off onto his locally farmed strains. Feel better about the state of the world yet? Nope? OK moving on. 
The boys’ subplot doesn’t fare much better. Resisting every urge to make Cartman the little incel he should probably be, South Park finds him as the most socially distanced person west of Dr. Fauci. He’ll do anything he can to avoid returning to school and seeing his friends, including gaming the Zoom classroom system with faulty internet service. Eventually the boys have to return to school and their teachers refuse, only to be replaced with the town’s cops. 
It’s here where South Park’s early momentum evaporates. Burning through current events has been the show’s hallmark for a half-decade strong, but the “Pandemic Special” is about as reflective of 2020 as it gets. Everything bad is happening at once, in our world, and in the fictional town of South Park. Before we can find a uniform plan for masks and social distancing, we’re forcing the kids back to school without adequate support for teachers. When our attention turns to curbing police brutality and fighting social injustice, COVID comes roaring back. Next thing you know, the whole fucking town is ablaze. It’s a relentless dark cloud hovering over us, and none of it is particularly funny outside our windows or in South Park, save for the occasional dig at Butters or a jizz joke or two. I’ll fully admit Sharon’s mustache at the end had me going.
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Where South Park saves face, and abandons the urge for “both sides-ism” that has plagued the show in the past, is its sober outlook on the self-serving motives of President Garrison / Donald Trump — who will take the entire country down with him, by literally setting it on fire, so long as it serves his own interests. He’s refusing to provide his citizens aid because the disease is killing minorities at a disproportionate rate, and he has a campaign promise about a wall to keep. One has to wonder if that was changed the morning after a debate in which the real President Trump refused to condemn white supremacists in an incoherent debate answer, telling them to “stand back and stand by.” 
Cartman doing the right thing in the end barely registers, a sign that the world is knee deep in shit. South Park returned to a country so beaten down, with the bar set so low, that the ‘90s parents wringing their fists over the adult subject matter in a cartoon about children seems like the glory days by comparison.
The post South Park Pandemic Special Review: Tegridy Is No Cure appeared first on Den of Geek.
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fableweaver · 4 years
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Arc of the Masked Queen
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Seth stood along one wall of the drawing room, a servant once more invisible to the greater lord. This time however those he was serving were not all lords. Han and Sein sat in their parlor with five other men, merchants all. They wore the berets of their profession along with the badge in the hat. Other than their hats they had little else in common.
Master Gregory Mills was the head of the miller’s guild. A fat Regarian with a brush mustache, he was dressed in fine satins and silks. His watery eyes darted from face to face, a man trying to find level ground before he made up his mind.
Master Harlan Smith was the Regarian in charge of the blacksmith’s guild. Besides iron, he dealt in silver and gold as well, making him a fairly wealthy man. He was calmer in his demeanor, and less indulgent in food than some Regarians.
Master Quill Rhode was of mixed decent, he was Regarian mostly but a hint of Rhodin blood was telling by the vertical pupils he bore. Head of the wagoner’s guild this man controlled all the legitimate trade through all the nine kingdoms. He was lean, verging on elderly, and had a constant frown.
Master Grant Toll was an old Regarian withered as a prune, eyes as sharp as needles. Head of the slave trade he was the least popular here yet he didn’t seem to care. He sat with legs crossed and wrists crossed over his knees his hands hanging limp as he watched the others.
Master Harris Wells was head of both the mason and carpentry guilds. A Regarian in his prime, he sat straight glaring around at those around him. He had married a minor Baron’s daughter which had led him to believe he was nearly royalty.
The silence in the room was stone cold, having lasted a good portion of time now. Lady Sein sat sipping tea as if Wells had not just insulted her husband.
“A traitor am I?” Han said at last.
“I will not repeat myself,” Wells said. “Mills invited me here but for the life of me I can’t imagine why.”
“I thought you would be interested Wells,” Mills answered his chin quivering. “This is a chance at becoming a true Count or maybe even a Duke.”
“Bullshit,” Wells growled. “These are nothing but false promises that will see us hang.”
“I assure you Master Wells that it is not the case,” Han said smoothly. “Once Loe has taken over, and he will gain the throne I can assure you that, there will be a need for new lords once the heads start rolling.”
“This isn’t Lir Han,” Wells said. “I know your histories well. Even before Loe, titles tended to swap families and cues happened all the time. How old is your house?”
Han sneered at the man, Seth knowing his great grandfather had founded the Han house after a clan war. His great grandfather had been a brigand and a bastard of a lesser lord, rising up and seizing power by killing a Duke.
“That is our point Master Wells,” Sein said smoothly. “My husband’s great grandfather managed to pave his own way to a lordship, so can you.”
“As I said this isn’t Lir,” Wells said. “It doesn’t work like that in Regis. The families here are old, they always have been and always will be. If you don’t bear the blood no matter who you kill you will not be noble. One could slaughter an entire house and take their title, the other lords will not recognize them.”
“Then we kill all those lords,” Han answered and Wells’ head snapped back like he had been struck.
“You will have to kill every noble of the Regarian houses down to the last petty Baron to accomplish that,” Wells said breathlessly. “And I will not be a part of that.”
He stood then and Han’s eyes went to Seth. He nodded and stepped forward, drawing a dagger. Wells turned just in time to catch the blade across his throat, blood arching and spraying from his neck. He collapsed with a strangled gurgle, the other merchants staring in blank shock. Sein, covered in blood, simply reached for her cup and took another sip of tea.
“It seems Master Wells has had a terrible accident,” Han said. “How tragic. Now let us return to our discussion.”
Seth watched the other lords, Mills was white as dough, Smith finally looked shaken, Rhode looked angry but wouldn’t meet his eyes, and Toll looked mildly amused.
“What you need from us is gold is it not?” Toll said. “With enough money you can place bribes where you need and control more of the Kingdoms. Am I right in my assessment?”
“We need to turn some of the nobles over to our side,” Han answered. “With your gold we can do that, and with enough on our side we can kill those against us. You will be rewarded with titles and land, the prestige you deserve.”
Mills and Smith looked pleased, Rhode withdrawn, and Toll shrewd.
“This like any other is a business offer Lord Han,” Toll said. “Just like any other. You try to sell me something and I try to bargain. But so far you have yet to offer me anything I want.”
“A title…”
“I am not interested in titles,” Toll said. “These buffoons may be and they will probably succeed given how voracious Loe is and stupid our king is. Given the death of Sherah I honestly see little hope for Regis keeping the throne beyond a year. I see which way the wind is turning I assure you, but the change in regime will not affect me and I have little interest in the coin you are offering.”
Han looked baffled and angry, making eye contact with Seth. But Seth looked away to Sein, who was still calmly sipping her tea. She put her cup down with a slight intention clink and Toll turned to her.
“You are right Master Toll we offer poor compensation for your investment,” Sein said. “We offer this instead, demand.”
“Demand milady?” Toll said, a smile drawing on his lips.
“The Orcs have a particular taste for human flesh,” Sein said. “Seeing as you are a purveyor of such commodities, you would profit greatly from a direct contract with King Loe.”
“Does Lir not have a prevalent slave trade?” Toll asked. “I get most of my product from Lir after all, why would Loe agree to such a contract given he has a great deal of Lirian contracts on his doorstep.”
“Because you are the head of the trade here Master Toll,” Sein said. “There are many traders of slaves in Lir, not one has more power than another. It makes for a rather messy process dealing with so many suppliers. King Loe would much prefer to deal with only one man, perhaps entailing him with the sole control of the entire industry.”
Toll’s eyes gleamed and he licked his lips, Seth had seen a similar look on many men when they watched naked women.
“As I understand it King Loe has a predilection to young girls,” Toll said. “I myself am a coinsure, perhaps we do have something enough in common.”
Sein didn’t react at all while Han’s eyes took on a distant look.
“In fact as I understand is not one of your daughters his wife?” Toll asked leaning forward. “I prefer my girls a bit older, as I understand you have another daughter correct.”
Seth watched as Sein smiled flawlessly, and nod to Toll.
“She would be honored milord to be your wife,” Sein said.
“Oh I was not looking for one Lady Sein,” Toll said. “I simply was looking for a companion. But if you are not willing to lend me your daughter then I feel I do not think I can lend my aid to your cause.”
He started to stand and Han cast Seth another glare. Seth however did not move to stop Toll, Wells was one fish they could kill but Toll was one they needed on the hook. Sein saw this too as she set down her cup and stood.
“Master Toll,” Sein said and Toll turned to her eyebrows raised. “I will send my daughter to your residence tonight.”
“And in the morning I will grant you access to my accounts,” Toll said with a smile. “I will also draw up a contract for exclusive control of the slave trade and dealings with the Orcs. It is a pleasure doing business with you.”
He turned and left, Sein sitting down looking broken. Han slammed his fist down on the table making the other three merchants flinch.
“I trust no more negotiation is in order,” Han said his voice rasping. “Or are there more demands from you?”
Mills shook his head vigorously, his fat flying about like jelly. Smith shook his head grimly, jaws clenched. Rhode sat mute, eyes closed as if unable to even look at Sein.
“Very well, I expect access to your accounts and cooperation in our plans,” Han said viciously. “Rhode.”
The man flinched and opened his eyes, his vertical pupils shrunken to slits.
“You have the eyes of the Rhodin,” Han said.
“I was long since disowned,” Rhode answered softly.
“And you resent that?” Han said and Rhode nodded tightly. “Good. You will share all the secrets of the Rhodin, their routes, hideouts, and messages. This knowledge will be passed onto the Orcs so they may hunt.”
Seth watched Rhode struggle with this, the merchant’s eyes flicking over to Seth with fear. His eyes only held on him for a second and Seth wondered what he saw in him to make his face drain of color.
“Yes milord,” Rhode said in a strangled voice.
“Good,” Han said. “You are all dismissed.”
The merchants stood quickly and all left, scurrying away. Seth looked to Han and Sein to see they both looking away.
“You may go as well Hollow,” Han said and Seth bowed to them before leaving. He left Han’s quarters, going through the palace by the main halls. The palace was now deadly silent, a heavy mood settled over the nobles of court. Servants walked the halls quickly, no longer lingering where they could they sought to get their tasks done and hide. The nobles walked about as if lost or on their guard with hands resting near weapons both hidden and open.
The funeral for the queen and been brief, the story that Pricilla had been sent away for safety swallowed easily by most of the courtiers. Elrik seemed the same as always, more interested in torturing prisoners than finding his sister. Weather or not he was buying their ruse no one really knew with him, he would lash out wildly when it suited him.  
Seth went through the halls unmarked, staying to the side to observe those he passed. It was the servants he was looking at more than the nobles however. He looked for signs of strength rather than weakness, signs of malcontent that could be stirred into a firestorm of rebellion. All he saw was fear, which wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. Corner a mouse and it would fight back.
It was up to Seth to set the spark that sent the mob running. It didn’t help that the servants were probably more afraid of him than anyone else.
He arrived at the women’s wing and passed the guard there; he was never stopped or questioned thanks to Lucia’s orders. He arrived in her rooms to find her in the nursery rocking her child in her arms. She glanced at him and then back to the baby in her arms, her attention all on the child. Seth watched her, memorizing the scene for when he touched her and could feel again. It would be a sight that would keep him sane, a bright memory of life to shield him against the darker flood. He felt nothing looking at her now, just the analyzing knowledge that he would need this later. Like a magpie with a coin he stored away the radiant look on her face.
“I wish I could feed her,” she said softly.
“Do it then,” Seth said. “Fuck Elrik.”
“I can’t, I’ve already taken Epsom salts,” Lucia said sorrowfully. “And I have my breasts bound.”
Seth went over to her and gently grasped one of her breasts. She gasped in pain and he felt a twinge of pain himself for causing her pain. He quickly withdrew to both relieve her and return to his numb state.
He looked down and met eyes with Colette. The baby looked up at him with deep blue eyes, her little tongue sticking out of her mouth. Seeing him looking at her Colette smiled brightly, pink gums on full display.
“She’s a very happy baby,” Lucia said warmly, tickling her daughter’s cheek making her giggle gleefully. Seth remembered another baby he’d seen, roasting over a fire for an Orc’s dinner. He felt nothing at the memory and took a step away from Lucia who looked up at him concerned.
“What is it?” she said reaching towards him and he stepped away faster.
“No, I don’t want to feel right now Lucia,” he said turning away before he could see the look on her face. “I should go.”
“Seth wait,” Lucia said and he did despite wanting to leave. “Why did you come here?”
“I don’t know,” Seth answered, his feet having lead him here.
“You came here to feel Seth,” Lucia said. “I’m here for you, let me hold you.”
Seth simply nodded and Lucia walked around to face him. She stepped up right in front of him, putting her hand on his neck. He felt emotions return, senses humming across his skin as she leaned close.
“Here,” Lucia said softly and Seth realized she was passing him Colette. Carefully he took her into his arms, feeling her tiny weight settle into the crook of his elbow. She burped and waved her fist up at him, smiling without concern. She was only a month old now, yet was growing well. Seth looked down at her, his vision blurring with tears as they fell down onto the baby in his arms.
All his life he loved animals, their life gave meaning to him and saved him from the death that had always been at his fingertips. He leaned down and kissed Colette on her head, her downy hair soft against his lips. She laughed and the sound made his knees buckle. Lucia guided him to the floor and pulled his head to her chest. He leaned against her to weep out his pain, her fingers gently stroking his hair.
This had not been the first time he had come to her and broken into tears, it would probably never be the last. It was his only release, solace, and relief. Eventually his tears stopped and he rested against her, his head resting on her shoulder to look down at Colette in her arms. He reached out to her and she reached out to grasp his finger in her little fist and bring it to her mouth.
“Do you hate her?” Lucia asked and Seth looked up at her startled.
“No, never,” Seth answered meeting her eyes. “Why would you ask that?”
“She isn’t yours,” Lucia answered. “She’s Elrik’s.”
“As if blood matters,” Seth said. “And after all I have been through something so trivial doesn’t matter. I love you, and I love her because she is yours. Do you love her even though she is Elrik’s?”
“Yes,” Lucia answered looking down at Colette. “My mother hit me because my father hit her. I had always thought I’d end up the same, but somehow I could never imagine raising my hand to Colette.”
“Probably because you don’t have to change her diaper or feed her in the middle of the night,” Seth said and Lucia looked at him wryly.
“True, there have been plenty of times I can’t imagine returning to squalor,” Lucia said. “My mother certainly didn’t have it easy, I never said I didn’t understand why she did what she did. I just assumed that my path would be the same.”
“I never once let myself believe I would follow my parents,” Seth said. “I always wanted something more. And here we are.”
“It wasn’t that I wanted to follow them,” Lucia admitted, “Just that I could never imagine anything beyond that path.”
Seth nodded, understanding that sentiment. While he had wanted to get away from his life as a child he certainly never planned anything or what happened with his life until now. It seemed like life was little more than reacting to events and scrambling to try to keep your meager existence together.
“Colette will have better,” Lucia said.
“Will she?” Seth asked and Lucia looked up at him with wide eyes. “She is technically a bastard, if anyone found out you know Elrik would kill her.”
“Then no one will find out,” Lucia said with steel in her voice, her glare daring him to disagree. “She is a princess all the same, a better life than I could give her.”
“Really?” Seth asked. “Fat lot good being a princess did for Jeanne.”
He regretted his words instantly at the look of hurt in her eyes. She withdrew, leaving him to sit in front of her with numbness creeping in. He leaned back to her and embraced her not only to bring back his sensation but to hold her.
“I’m sorry,” he said softly. “Please don’t pull away.”
She sighed and leaned closer again melting back into his arms.
“You’re right though,” Lucia said softly. “Colette won’t ever be safe. Especially…”
She trailed off unable to voice her pledge to give her one day to Loe.
“I’ll kill Loe before that happens,” Seth said reassuringly. “And I’ll do all I can to protect Colette and you.”
She simply nodded either accepting what he said or not wanting to point out reality. Seth rested his head on her shoulder again and they just sat together, Colette in Lucia’s arms. They rested like that in silence for what felt like hours, but Seth knew to be only a half an hour. He stood reluctantly to go Lucia rising as well to put Colette in her bassinette.
He had no parting words for her now that he was numb again, and she seemed kept to her mind so he left in silence. Once again going out into the palace he went to his daily duties. His job seemed to finish rapidly, and night came to Cair Leone. Night was went Seth’s other duties were enacted, once again he was the assassin. Lesser nobles and merchants of power were being whittled away at a rate that was starting to draw the attention of those higher up on the food chain.  
Seth, dressed once again in his dark silks and mask from Lir, left the palace through Cair Leone to Whore’s Ward. The ward was lively as ever at this time of night, whores lounging out of windows and stoops as men wandered from woman to woman. Seth walked down the street openly, no slinking around here. He was making it known death walked the streets.
Crowds parted and people stared as he passed, this was not the first time he had walked the ward or other districts and taken a life or several. Death was known on the streets and he was feared. He found his quarry in a whore house, a frequent enough customer that he was easily found despite being married with three children Seth found the Count Daughtry in the arms of a buxom whore.
The Regarian barely had time to raise his head as Seth kicked in the door. He looked surprised just as Seth’s dagger lay open his throat and splattered blood all over the whore. The woman shrieked but Seth simply turned away, he had three other targets this night and they were far apart.
A man burst into the room, looking startled at his dead guest. Seth knew him, Renning the owner of many of the whore houses of the ward. Renning looked up at him, his face drawn with fear yet he did not recognize him through the mask. Seth wondered idly what Renning would do if he did recognize him. Right then however he felt nothing at the idea of killing Renning if he made a fuss over the dead lord.
“So you are death that walks the ward,” Renning said gathering himself and covering his fear with a bluster that was a cheep as the whores his peddled.
“I walk where I may,” Seth answered. “And take those who I may.”
“Bad for business,” Renning muttered and Seth turned to him fully making the pimp flinch away from him.
“Do you really wish to stand in my path?” Seth asked.
“N-no,” Renning said shakily. “I was suggesting a business venture which may just profit us both.”
“Profit you more likely,” Seth said knowing Renning’s nature already.
“Hear me out,” Renning said, gaining courage if only from the idea of profit. “I will arrange the lords you wish to kill in certain houses, this way you aren’t disturbing the other customers or my girls and it is easier to find your targets.”
“And tip them off,” Seth said. “I need no help from the likes of you.”
He was about to walk passed Renning when the Lirian pimp spoke again.
“Then I can assist in the cue,” Renning said and Seth looked at him.
“I’m not surprised you know the plot,” Seth said, “Almost everyone does but Elrik. What I wonder is how you expect to be any help.”
“You are gathering merchants because they have gold yes?” Renning said. “I have the most lucrative business of all the trades.”
Seth was silent, Renning was right of course, but gold wasn’t the only reason they were gathering the merchants under their wing. They needed people, they needed a mob or at least enough people to take the palace when the time came. They didn’t have to be warriors, just enough people to tie up the knights until power was established. Renning who peddled in flesh might just be the perfect man for the job.
“I suspect you know every strong arm in Rogue Town,” Seth said and Renning smiled.
“I employ at least a third; another third are customers,” Renning answered.
“Good, we will discuss details later,” Seth said. “I’ll send a messenger.”
He turned to the leave and again Renning stopped him.
“I would appreciate you stop killing my customers,” Renning said boldly. Seth looked back at him, the man visibly flinched and withered under his gaze.
“I will continue on my way,” Seth answered. “But I’ll avoid involving the women.”
Renning nodded shakily and Seth left, on again to the next target. The night was a night of blood and hours later Seth found himself on a rooftop alone watching the sun rise as the blood dried on his hands. He knelt on the roof letting his mind poke through his consciousness looking for lingering feelings or thoughts like a tongue probing his teeth for a loose one. As always, he felt nothing.
The sun rose yet Seth did not stir, watching as it rose higher through the pale morning sky. He was so still he wasn’t sure if he kept breathing or not. At last he rose to return to the palace, the sun up and city alive once more. He walked through the city, still wearing his mask so the crowds parted for him like starlings avoiding a hawk. He didn’t bother using a gate, just scaled the palace walls and walked through the gardens. The guards had been lax of late due to the lack of discipline from the king.
Elrik let his knights and guards do as they pleased, increasing their wages, and letting standards slip. As long as he got compliments or praises he let anyone do as they wanted. Seth bet he could even get close enough to Elrik to kill him so long as he was bowing and scrapping. It was what made it so easy for Lucia to manipulate him, not a woman’s wiles just a few whispered words.
He went into the palace back to Lucia’s rooms, seeking her comfort once more. When he arrived however Lucia was not in her rooms, the nurse was taking care of Colette. Seth went instead to the bedchamber and found Jeanne and Nicodemus curled up together by the fire reading. It was a homey scene, one that Seth shattered instantly at his arrival. Jeanne drew a dagger and leapt to her feet, standing to guard Nicodemus.
“Relax it’s only me,” Seth said removing his death mask.
“You say to relax when you enter my chamber dressed as death and covered in blood,” Jeanne said angrily, not lowering her dagger.
“You know damn well that we need you alive more than dead,” Seth said. “You are the leverage to keep Lucia in her place. Where is she?”
“Court,” Jeanne answered. “Elrik is preening and she is there with him preening.”
Seth held his peace on that remark, Jeanne was becoming bitter over the theft of her identity.
“You have killed,” said Nicodemus and Seth looked at him. The bookish lord was looking up at him with sad eyes, his spectacles making his eyes larger. Seth simply nodded, there was nothing to say to that remark, nothing to say to the bald truth other than a simple acknowledgement. Jeanne sneered at Seth, her disgust palpable. He turned away to the water basin to wash away the blood.
“Don’t bother with pity Nico, this man is little more than a coward.”
“I feel nothing Jeanne, not even fear,” Seth answered her jibe, not turning to face her.
“Then why are you here?” Nicodemus asked, and Seth looked to him. “Why did you come seeking comfort from Lucia when you feel no need for that comfort?”
Seth stared at Nicodemus because he realized he had no answer to that. He had been meditating for hours seeking feeling in himself yet found nothing. Yet here he was seeking comfort and feelings once again. What drove that need if not emotions? He had no idea, and something told him that he needed to find out. He needed to know so he could understand his link to Kal Ba’el, and Loe’s link to Kal Ba’el.
“Perhaps your humanity is being…”
“No,” Seth said sharply cutting Nicodemus off as he finished washing. “I feel nothing still. Yet there is a link to Lucia that draws me to her. If I can understand that link, I can find Loe’s weakness and kill him.”
“And what of the dark god?” Nicodemus asked. “What do you plan to do about Kal Ba’el?”
“Kal Ba’el can’t be killed,” Seth answered. “Nor do I believe anything can be done about it. Men have always had a darkness within them and always will. I believe this is what Kal Ba’el is, the manifestation of humanity’s darkness.”
“No, he is a dark spirit of the aether and can be killed,” Nicodemus said hefting the book he had been reading. “I have been researching the Phay, and ways that we might defeat this spirit and aid you.”
“Why?” Seth asked.
“Glen set me on this path,” Nicodemus answered. “I knew he was keeping much from me, so I decided to research on my own. He sought a flute, I believe he was seeking the means for the Phay to march. I have found no mentions of Kal Ba’el, but who better to fight a dark spirit than the Phay?”
“I don’t know,” Seth answered, unable to summon the will to even care about this. He went over to the changing screen and found some of his servant’s clothes to change into. “I’m just working to kill Loe. Continue your research if you want, I doubt you will find anything.”
He finished changing and came out to see the two still watching him. The look on Jeanne’s face told him they had found little so far at least to combat Kal Ba’el. Seth didn’t care, and he doubted they would, the dark god was only surfacing now so he doubted history had anything to say on the matter.
“The song is more important,” Nicodemus said. “The Phay can combat Kal Ba’el better than we can, but they need to march.”
“And what have you learned of that?” Seth asked, and Jeanne’s scowl grew more.
“Legends,” Nicodemus answered. “I am honestly surprised how much there actually is, considering how long ago the Phay lived in Miread. We’ve found many legends of them, mostly Aldan.”
“Nico is the one reading through those,” Jeanne said, her face softening as she looked at Nicodemus. “He can read ancient Aldan.”
“It is no different than modern Aldan,” Nicodemus answered as he blushed. “We should be looking for the song in more current records.”
“And?” Seth asked, and Nicodemus sighed.
“Do you have any idea how many mentions of music there are in legends and history?” Nicodemus answered wearily. “Glen gave me a starting point with Ioram but there is little information on the Lost King’s travels. His journal is in Alda, so I’ve started to read through histories after his time trying to pick up the trail elsewhere. Sadly, I have only access to Aldan and Regarian records. The library here has some records from the other kingdoms but only recent records. What I really need is the Tower of Balal in Myr.”
Seth thought of Varas and the mage’s secret workings with Kal Ba’el. He decided however not to tell the prince of this, he doubted the bookish prince could travel to Myr. And he would never leave Jeanne, she was trapped here in the Court of Miracles. Nicodemus glanced at Jeanne and Seth knew he was thinking along the same lines. Jeanne was as well telling by the glint in her eye.
“Maybe we could,” Jeanne said softly. “We could go to Myr. I’m not needed here, with Lucia taking my place no one would notice.”
“Taking your beatings, you mean,” Seth said and Jeanne winced. “You are my leverage over her Jeanne, I’m not going to let you leave Court.”
“You just want me to suffer because she is suffering,” Jeanne said bitterly.
“I want you dead and Lucia safe away from Elrik,” Seth answered. “But that isn’t going to happen, so I’ll settle for this.”
Jeanne glared at him, but she wisely kept her mouth shut.
“There is no need for this fighting,” Nicodemus said. “You do not need to lash out when you are hurt.”
“I am not hurt,” Seth answered. It was true that he felt no spite for Jeanne, he just acted out of habit. “I can’t feel anything.”
“I know,” Nicodemus said wearily as he stood and gathered his books. “I should go, there are more records I believe could help.”
“Please don’t let this mongrel chase you away Nico,” Jeanne said stepping near him.
“He isn’t Jeanne and he is not a mongrel,” Nicodemus said kindly. “Forgive him and Lucia, they are trying to protect you.”
Seth said nothing to this as he had no desire to protect Jeanne even if he could. Jeanne leaned in to kiss Nicodemus, but the prince blushed and pulled away.
“I need to go,” Nicodemus said embarrassed. He grabbed his books, dropping a few, but hurried to the door anyway. Seth followed him out, simply so he was not left alone with Jeanne. They walked out into the hall. But Nicodemus froze. Seth turned to see Lucia and Elrik walking towards them. Lucia froze in horror while Elrik frowned and quickened his step forcing Lucia to hurry after him.
“Cousin,” Nicodemus said nervously as Elrik approached.
“That is king to you worm,” Elrik growled. “What are you doing here? Your mother is dead, why are you in the women’s wing?”
“Visiting my second cousin,” Nicodemus answered but he did not meet Elrik’s glare. “There is nothing wrong with that.”
“She is just a babe, what interest do you have in her?” Elrik asked angrily, seeming unconvinced.
“I’d like my second cousin to know me,” Nicodemus answered lamely. He wasn’t being convincing, especially as he shuffled his feet.
“He’s come before husband,” Lucia said quickly. “Colette is very fond of him.”
Elrik’s frown only deepened as he looked from Nicodemus and Lucia and Seth realized Lucia should never have spoken. He saw Elrik’s mind make the leap, Lucia defending Nicodemus as he looked guilty and unable to look at either of them. Elrik grabbed Nicodemus by the collar and began to shake him.
“You’ve been sleeping with my wife!” Elrik roared. Nicodemus didn’t fight back, his spectacles flying off. Seth saw knights and guards hurrying down the hall, the men looking startled at this sudden outburst.
“Stop!” Lucia shouted horrified but was too afraid to get between the two. Seth hung back, uninclined to interfere if Lucia wasn’t in harms way. The doors flew open behind him and Jeanne came storming out, a saber in her hand. Before anyone could stop her Jeanne lashed out with the saber, cutting Elrik’s hand so he released Nicodemus. The prince slumped to the floor, visibly shaken but alive.
Elrik looked at Jeanne then back to Lucia, his mouth hanging open in astonishment. The guards arrived but none moved, simply standing confused. Jeanne glared at Elrik while Lucia looked like the world had ended.
“If you touch him again I’ll cut off an appendage,” Jeanne threatened. “And I don’t mean your finger.”
“Who…” Elrik trailed off and shook his head and looked at Lucia again. He finally made the connection and his face darkened. “A double like before, you are a double.”
Lucia was unable to look at him, she was trembling with fear.
“Do not punish her,” Jeanne said angrily. “She is my servant, I am the only one who should take punishment for this deception.”
“How long?” Elrik asked facing Jeanne. “How long has this whore been impersonating you?”
Jeanne’s eyes flickered away unable to answer and Elrik growled. He turned to Lucia, taking a threatening step towards her.
“Since summer of last year,” Lucia answered afraid and Elrik stepped back as if she hit him with the truth.
“So, Colette is yours,” Elrik said shocked.
“And whose fault is that?” Jeanne hissed angrily and Elrik’s eyes shot to her.
“Guards,” Elrik said in a commanding tone. “Arrest these two women and my cousin. Send messengers to gather the court in the throne hall, and bring them there.”
“What!” Jeanne said outraged. The guards closed in and Jeanne looked ready to fight when Nicodemus stopped her with a shaky hand. He had retrieved his spectacles and now stood at Jeanne’s side. She looked up at him with her heart in her eyes and dropped her saber. The look between the two did not go unnoticed by Elrik. He sneered but said nothing as the guards drew the two apart and started to escort them away. Seth noted they treated Lucia with the same reverence, so he did nothing to stop them.
“You,” Elrik said pointing at Seth. Seth realized he thought he was a servant and quickly bowed. “Get the nurse to bring the child to the main hall as well.”
“Yes majesty,” Seth said and Elrik left. Seth was tempted then to make sure Colette disappeared, but he wasn’t sure what would happen so decided to air on the side of caution. He could always step in if need be. He went back into Jeanne’s rooms and repeated the orders to Bryony who took the news with horror. He didn’t wait for her, and left to the throne hall.
There he found most of the court had quickly gathered, many nobles and servants standing along the wall and into the hall leaving an avenue through the center of the hall. Elrik sat on his luxurious throne, Black Bart’s pelt draped over the back of the throne.
Seth found Han and stood at his side, the Lirian lord glancing at him for an explanation.
“Trouble,” Seth answered. “Elrik found out about Lucia’s identity.”
Han’s eyes flashed as he looked back at Elrik, obviously trying to calculate what was about to happen. Seth had no answer, Elrik was worse than his father. His rages were hotter and cruelty colder, with greater distance between the two. He could do anything from killing Jeanne on the spot to forgiving her to torture her longer. What Seth couldn’t be sure of was what would happen to Lucia and Colette. Lucia was the mother of Elrik’s child, and while Colette was his child she was now his bastard. Seth’s hands crept to the many hidden daggers about his person; no matter the outcome or plan he would be sure Lucia got out of this alive.
The murmurs of the crowd drew every eye to the entrance where Lucia and Jeanne walked in surrounded by guards. Jeanne glared around as they came to a stop before the throne, Lucia simply hung her head. Nicodemus followed the two and stood before Elrik as well. The last to join them was Bryony, holding a sleeping Colette. Lucia looked at her daughter, her heart in her eyes.
“Jeanne Lonna,” Elrik said loudly, the name did not go unnoticed to the gathered lords. “You are the real Jeanne Lonna, not this woman here who all thought was their queen.”
Gasps and chatter went up from the crowd as Jeanne glared at Elrik.
“I am Jeanne Lonna, I had this woman, my servant Lucia, impersonate me to protect my life from you!”
“Lies,” Elrik said calmly. “Did you not do it, so you could lay with your lover?”
He turned to Nicodemus who blushed as he looked down at his feet. More talk and outrage at this, glares going to Nicodemus.
“Yes cousin, why not tell everyone you have slept with my wife?” Elrik asked sneering.
Nicodemus shifted about on his feet and glanced at Jeanne to see her gazing at him with love and pity. He straitened then and turned to his cousin.
“I love her,” Nicodemus said, and the court erupted.
“Silence!” Elrik shouted and silence fell so he could return his glare to Nicodemus. “If I did not need you for the throne of Lir I would execute you now. As it is however your life is spared.”
Nicodemus simply nodded, his knees shaking.
“Jeanne however…” Elrik said with a cruel smile when Jeanne interrupted him.
“I had to have Lucia take my place because you raped me and stabbed me to make me sterile,” Jeanne said hotly, again gasps going up.
“Did I?” Elrik said smoothly. “Prove it then.”
Jeanne’s eyes flashed angrily as she looked around wildly. There were no witnesses to her rape and healing, Seth had made sure of it. Her eyes did not find him hidden in the crowd, so she settled on another.
“Lord Lonelove,” Jeanne said, and the mage lord stepped out of the crowd. “You can prove what was done to me with your magic.”
Varas was unreadable as he stepped forward, but met Lucia’s eyes. Lucia had told Seth about Varas’ scheme with Jeanne and how Elrik had ruined it. Seth knew however that Varas had other schemes now, so he wondered what he would do. He stepped up and drew a sigil over Jeanne’s belly, Seth surprised to see the lines of power which had once been invisible to him. He knew nothing about the High Magic so could not read what Varas did.
The mage stood reading his sigil a few moments before letting the magic dissipate. He walked away from Jeanne to Elrik’s side, the silence of the room oppressive.
“She is sterile and has been since birth,” Varas said and the room erupted again.
“Lies!” Jeanne shouted over the din.
“Enough!” Elrik shouted, grinning madly. “So, Jeanne it looks like you used your servant to hide not only your affair but the fact you are barren. Is this how the Mark sought to seed an alliance? Sending me a useless woman who is as barren as their highlands? What shall I do to such a vile woman, an adulteress and barren?”
Jeanne stood fists clenched, her nostrils flared with rage. Lucia however stepped forward and fell to her knees before Elrik.
“I beg you, majesty, to punish me in Jeanne’s place,” Lucia said loudly so all heard her. “I am the one who took her place, I stole her life from her. I lied to you, I manipulated you for my own ends, I have stolen the love and adoration that is rightly yours from your people. I am the criminal here.”
Seth saw what she was doing, she was making Elrik hate her and punish her in Jeanne’s place. In the end Lucia was protecting Jeanne once again.
“And the adultery?” Elrik asked.
“I am the guilty one,” Jeanne said, trying to take Lucia’s place.
“No, I committed it with you, majesty just as much as Jeanne,” Lucia said. “I made you break your vows, stealing your honor and Jeanne’s. I broke your marriage before she did.”
Elrik looked down at her and Lucia dared to meet his eyes, and Seth saw him softening to her. Seth knew though that Lucia could not let that happen.
“In truth I hate you,” Lucia said, her voice dropping with distain now. “I hated being in your bed, and enduring even looking at you. If I could I would have killed you long ago, and revel in knowing I dishonored you so.”
Elrik’s eyes went hard and he looked away, Lucia’s fate was now sealed.
“Grand Sect,” Elrik said and Sect Ichabod stepped forward. “I wish to dissolve my union with Jeanne Lonna. Do the Gods approve?”
“They do majesty, it is the Gods’ will you be freed from this union,” Ichabod said, making Cael’s sign in the air.
“Jeanne Lonna, you are no longer my wife,” Elrik said. “You will return to the Mark, and are hereby banished from Regis and the Court of Miracles.”
Jeanne looked relieved for a moment before horror set in and she turned to look at Nicodemus.
“Cousin,” Elrik said. “I still need you for Lir’s throne, and you need a wife that will bear children. I cannot let you off without punishment however, you still slept with my wife.”
He signaled the guards to hold Nicodemus and Jeanne who shouted his name. Servants came forward at Elrik’s signal, carrying a brazier and iron tools. Nicodemus struggled uselessly, his eyes wide with fear. Elrik came down from his throne to take up an iron poker heated over the coals. It was red hot, and Elrik grinned as he held it up.
The guards held Nicodemus’ head as Elrik brought the iron poker up to his eyes knocking away his spectacles. The hiss of hot metal against Nicodemus’ eye was drowned by his screams. Elrik moved to the other eye and did the same before tossing the iron poker away. Nicodemus was now unconscious, and the guards dragged him away, a mage following them.
Elrik looked at Jeanne and smiled, Jeanne snarling at him. He only grinned more as he walked over to Lucia still knelt on the floor. Lucia was shaking and flinched away from him as he stood over her.
“Please majesty I only ask you spare Colette,” Lucia said softly yet Seth heard her. Elrik looked up at Bryony who held Colette, who was now crying from the commotion.
“Yes, my daughter the bastard,” Elrik said lazily. “She will be sent to the Sect like any other bastard, to be raised in the arms of the Gods and cleansed of the sin you brought her into.”
Lucia whimpered and bowed her head deeper nodding in gratitude. Bryony bowed and hurried away, carrying Colette out of the hall.
“Your fate shall be harsher,” Elrik said his voice dropping as he glared down at Lucia. “Lonelove, a word.”
Varas stepped forward and Elrik whispered to him, the mage’s face giving nothing away. Varas nodded and Elrik returned to his throne. Seth gripped his daggers, ready to step in when Han’s hand on his arm stopped him.
“You will not interfere,” Han said. “It seems Varas just set himself as the new puppet master here. I’ll need you to work with him controlling Elrik. If you interfere now we will lose our hold in Court.”
“Try and stop me,” Seth said glaring at Han.
“He won’t kill her,” Han said. “Rely on that and wait.”
If Seth could feel anything he would have fought, his love would have driven him. But he felt nothing, and knew Han was right. So, he settled back to watch Lucia be tormented before him and do nothing to stop it.
Varas went to the brazier and set a crucible on the coals. He drew some sigils and the heat of the brazier doubled impossibly. Varas dumped in raw bronze into the crucible and let it melt. Drawing more sigils made the metal heat quickly until it was red hot. He drew another sigil on the floor and turned to Lucia.
“Step into the circle here,” Varas said. Lucia stood and stepped into the circle, the magic taking hold to hold her still, her head tilted up. Varas drew a sigil over the molten metal and moved his hands. The bronze lifted from the crucible in a wave and the magic molded it into a sphere. Varas drew more characters on his sigil and the molten ball of metal twisted and turned. Varas controlled the metal towards Lucia’s upturned face. She flinched away from the heat, but the magic held her perfectly still.
The red-hot metal touched flesh and Lucia screamed. Her scream did not end as Varas molded the metal over her face with his magic. He formed it into a mask, a hole for her mouth, nose, and eyes. It formed around her features, Varas sculpting it so she could still open and close her mouth. She looked eerily beautiful, her face now radiant red.
Varas signaled to a servant who lifted a bucket of water and tossed it onto Lucia’s face. The metal hissed and her screams slowed in low groans. The metal cooled and Varas drew some more sigils to maintain the mask on her face. At last he let his magic dissipate, Lucia dropping to the floor. She still moaned softly, Seth suspecting she was still conscious. Varas went to her and drew some sigils, some healing sigils but Seth also recognized the beauty sigils.
Elrik came down from his throne and stood over Lucia, drawing a dagger. Seth tensed, but he didn’t think Elrik would kill her after all that work to fuse a mask to her face. Instead Elrik used his dagger to tear away her dress. She started to struggle, her cries muffled from the mask over her face. When he had her fully naked, Elrik held out his hand. A servant put a gold collar and chain in his hand and Elrik leaned down to clasp it around Lucia’s neck.
Elrik walked back to his throne, dragging Lucia behind him as she struggled against the choke collar. He pulled down Black Bart’s pelt and dropped it on the floor. He dragged Lucia onto it and chained her to the throne. She lay next to the throne gasping, her breath whistling out of the mask fused to her face.
“Good job,” Elrik said pleased as he sat on his throne and Varas nodded.
“Monster,” Jeanne said and Elrik looked at her.
“Guards, take the Lady Jeanne to the stables, I’m sure she is eager to be on her way,” Elrik said coldly.
“No, I’m not going anywhere without Lucia,” Jeanne said hotly. “She is my servant.”
“She surrendered herself to me,” Elrik said. “And justice must be served. Guards.”
Jeanne shouted and struggled as the guards dragged her away. They would have to tie her to the saddle and escort her to the very border. Seth wondered if she would rouse her father from his barrow, or if the old King would be as stubborn as the badger he wore. Elrik turned his attention to the court, grinning victoriously.
“From now on this woman is my beast, much like Black Bart was to my father. Not a vicious certainly, but much more pleasing to the eye than that moldy old bear. She is no longer human, you all shall call her Beast.”
Murmurs of accent went up over the room, though Seth saw pity in many an eye as they looked at Lucia. Then again, he also saw many lustful gazes as they looked at the naked helpless woman.
“So any semblance of control over Elrik is gone now,” Han said watching court. “We have to make sure he doesn’t decide to resume the war.”
“Easy, we just need to convince him the Mark will go to war,” Seth answered. “If anything, we could convince him to attack the Mark. It will make Regis ripe for the taking.”
Han nodded looking pleased, the Nine were crumbling and at each other’s throats while the wolves stalked behind them. The end of man was coming by their own hand.
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