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<blockquote data-quote="Sorcerer" data-source="post: 1866639" data-attributes="member: 24564"><p><strong>LIES AND BETRAYAL</strong></p><p></p><p>He returned to the manor house with blood on his hands. The priest had left, much to Mikhail's relief. His father, Lord Caleb declared a feast: Mikhail had come of age. The boy did not enjoy his celebration, he seemed sullen, withdrawn. Caleb was not concerned, his son had crossed a threshold today, Mikhail deserved some peace.</p><p></p><p>A threshold had been crossed. Mikhail had lied to them all. The blood on his hand was the ogre's. He looked at his family through new eyes. For the first time he saw the shallow, selfish nature of evil. How was he different from the ogre? The children saw no difference between himself and a monster.</p><p></p><p>In the months that followed, Mikhail lived a lie. Paying lip service to Vol, he tried to skip ceremonies when he could. He made excuses and wandered for days at a time. He even grew so bold as to make secret contacts with priests of the Sovereign Host. A whole new way of life was out there. Most people did not kill, or plot against enemies. Most people lived and loved in peace. There was a tranquility of life here that he longed to participate in. Mikhail was not yet 16, but he knew he would have to leave. He would be killed if his family knew what he was doing.</p><p></p><p>It was midsummer when the priest of Vol returned. There was no celebration, no feast this time. Caleb's face looked grim as the two men shook hands. Mikhail wondered, had he been found out? His brothers were called to a secret meeting, but not Mikhail. Sneaking up to the main hall, he slipped past the guards, and listened through an alcove. A plot was underway. An assassination...a small armed force was to be gathered secretly on the grounds. But who was the target? The meeting broke up before he could find out.</p><p></p><p>Over the next few days, dangerous men started to arrive at the manor one or two at a time. One night, two women arrived. Both were beautiful, and sensuous. Tania was older, 30ish, her eyes lit with a mischevious glint. Tania always seemed about to laugh. </p><p>Katrina was Mikhail's age. She was petite, blonde, almost shy. Mikhail found it hard not to stare.</p><p>Tania and Katrina attended dinner, but did not eat. Caleb gave Mikhail a gift. It was the holy symbol of Vol, Queen of the Dead. It was heavy and oppressive. </p><p></p><p>Caleb clapped his son on the shoulder, "My son. We have been choosen. In a few days, you and I will undergo the Sacrement of Blood. I'm so proud of you." Mikhail concealed his emotions. He was frightened. He had no idea what the Sacrement of Blood was, but he was not going to find out. </p><p></p><p>"You have no idea what a priveledge it is." Tania purred. "To fly, to run with wolves... Yes, it hurts a bit at first, but the pain is trivial compared to power you gain! Just think. For a few days, you sleep. When you awake, Kaius will be dead, Vol will be supreme, and you, Mikhail will be young forever!"</p><p></p><p>Mikhail tried not to start. Kaius was the target?</p><p></p><p>Katrina smiled. Her blue eyes blinked. "I expected a tedius job. But I think we both will enjoy this, Mikhail." She pressed against him, warm and inviting. "Tomorow night, the eve of the New Moon." She whispered in his ear. </p><p></p><p>Mikhail excused himself, and left. Caleb laughed. "Tonight, my son is shy!" Mikhail's brothers lost no time in introducing themselves to the ladies. It would be a merry night in the House of Shadow.</p><p></p><p>Mikhail was in a panic. The night was young, and he dared not leave while it was still dark. Or rather, he thought, would this be the perfect time? Everyone seemed to be occupied, music could still be heard from the great hall... He filled a small pack and snuck towards the stables.</p><p></p><p></p><p>The horses were agitated. Something smelled wrong. Mikhail had smelled this before. Blood. </p><p>He looked into the last stall. There was the stable boy, his throat was torn out. Blood pooled on the floor, it coated the walls, soaked into the straw. Tania was on her hands and knees lapping up the blood like a cat. She looked up, and smiled. </p><p></p><p>"Don't be shocked, Mikhail." She stood up, her dress was ruined, the blood made it cling to her body.</p><p>"I grew up in the church of Vol." he sneered. "There is little that would shock me, anymore."</p><p>"What are you doing here?"</p><p>"I need air, I need to ride." </p><p>"I need to inform your father. You're very important to us, Mikhail. Katrina would be so disapointed if something happened to you... in the night."</p><p>"Aren't you busy?" Mikhail felt energy build up in his arm.</p><p>"Mikhail. Events are underway that are more important, than just a joyride. And do you need a backpack to get air?" Tania stepped close. "Whats in the pack, Mikhail?"</p><p>"Let me show you." He pulled out a silver symbol on a chain, and presented it forcefully to her. Tania recoiled with a shriek to the wall. "Its a symbol of the Sovereign Host. I worship the Host, NOT Vol!" He loosed the energy so long built up inside him. </p><p></p><p>She cursed, she threatened, she wailed. But Mikhail fired blast after blast. She climbed up the wall to the cieling, But he didn't stop . </p><p>Tania dropped to the wooden floor, and snarled like a wolf. "You can't kill me Mikhail, but I can make you suffer for..."</p><p>She dispersed into a bloody mist. </p><p></p><p>He stood there. The music still played. She would take hours to reform. Mikhail took his fathers warhorse. Tossing a lantern into the straw, he rode out into the night.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Sorcerer, post: 1866639, member: 24564"] [B]LIES AND BETRAYAL[/B] He returned to the manor house with blood on his hands. The priest had left, much to Mikhail's relief. His father, Lord Caleb declared a feast: Mikhail had come of age. The boy did not enjoy his celebration, he seemed sullen, withdrawn. Caleb was not concerned, his son had crossed a threshold today, Mikhail deserved some peace. A threshold had been crossed. Mikhail had lied to them all. The blood on his hand was the ogre's. He looked at his family through new eyes. For the first time he saw the shallow, selfish nature of evil. How was he different from the ogre? The children saw no difference between himself and a monster. In the months that followed, Mikhail lived a lie. Paying lip service to Vol, he tried to skip ceremonies when he could. He made excuses and wandered for days at a time. He even grew so bold as to make secret contacts with priests of the Sovereign Host. A whole new way of life was out there. Most people did not kill, or plot against enemies. Most people lived and loved in peace. There was a tranquility of life here that he longed to participate in. Mikhail was not yet 16, but he knew he would have to leave. He would be killed if his family knew what he was doing. It was midsummer when the priest of Vol returned. There was no celebration, no feast this time. Caleb's face looked grim as the two men shook hands. Mikhail wondered, had he been found out? His brothers were called to a secret meeting, but not Mikhail. Sneaking up to the main hall, he slipped past the guards, and listened through an alcove. A plot was underway. An assassination...a small armed force was to be gathered secretly on the grounds. But who was the target? The meeting broke up before he could find out. Over the next few days, dangerous men started to arrive at the manor one or two at a time. One night, two women arrived. Both were beautiful, and sensuous. Tania was older, 30ish, her eyes lit with a mischevious glint. Tania always seemed about to laugh. Katrina was Mikhail's age. She was petite, blonde, almost shy. Mikhail found it hard not to stare. Tania and Katrina attended dinner, but did not eat. Caleb gave Mikhail a gift. It was the holy symbol of Vol, Queen of the Dead. It was heavy and oppressive. Caleb clapped his son on the shoulder, "My son. We have been choosen. In a few days, you and I will undergo the Sacrement of Blood. I'm so proud of you." Mikhail concealed his emotions. He was frightened. He had no idea what the Sacrement of Blood was, but he was not going to find out. "You have no idea what a priveledge it is." Tania purred. "To fly, to run with wolves... Yes, it hurts a bit at first, but the pain is trivial compared to power you gain! Just think. For a few days, you sleep. When you awake, Kaius will be dead, Vol will be supreme, and you, Mikhail will be young forever!" Mikhail tried not to start. Kaius was the target? Katrina smiled. Her blue eyes blinked. "I expected a tedius job. But I think we both will enjoy this, Mikhail." She pressed against him, warm and inviting. "Tomorow night, the eve of the New Moon." She whispered in his ear. Mikhail excused himself, and left. Caleb laughed. "Tonight, my son is shy!" Mikhail's brothers lost no time in introducing themselves to the ladies. It would be a merry night in the House of Shadow. Mikhail was in a panic. The night was young, and he dared not leave while it was still dark. Or rather, he thought, would this be the perfect time? Everyone seemed to be occupied, music could still be heard from the great hall... He filled a small pack and snuck towards the stables. The horses were agitated. Something smelled wrong. Mikhail had smelled this before. Blood. He looked into the last stall. There was the stable boy, his throat was torn out. Blood pooled on the floor, it coated the walls, soaked into the straw. Tania was on her hands and knees lapping up the blood like a cat. She looked up, and smiled. "Don't be shocked, Mikhail." She stood up, her dress was ruined, the blood made it cling to her body. "I grew up in the church of Vol." he sneered. "There is little that would shock me, anymore." "What are you doing here?" "I need air, I need to ride." "I need to inform your father. You're very important to us, Mikhail. Katrina would be so disapointed if something happened to you... in the night." "Aren't you busy?" Mikhail felt energy build up in his arm. "Mikhail. Events are underway that are more important, than just a joyride. And do you need a backpack to get air?" Tania stepped close. "Whats in the pack, Mikhail?" "Let me show you." He pulled out a silver symbol on a chain, and presented it forcefully to her. Tania recoiled with a shriek to the wall. "Its a symbol of the Sovereign Host. I worship the Host, NOT Vol!" He loosed the energy so long built up inside him. She cursed, she threatened, she wailed. But Mikhail fired blast after blast. She climbed up the wall to the cieling, But he didn't stop . Tania dropped to the wooden floor, and snarled like a wolf. "You can't kill me Mikhail, but I can make you suffer for..." She dispersed into a bloody mist. He stood there. The music still played. She would take hours to reform. Mikhail took his fathers warhorse. Tossing a lantern into the straw, he rode out into the night. [/QUOTE]
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