Tendy
30
Widower
2nd In Command
Tier 2 Character
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Post by Lorcan Drach on May 10, 2020 14:43:14 GMT -5
Lorcan’s face was stoic as he waited. Thinking he finally had her attention that he was serious. He waited for her to catch her breath, taking the moment to study her face while he held her chin in his fingers. Her eyes were a light bright blue. Reminding him of crystal clear water. She was definitely beautiful, with her sharp cheekbones and angular face. It was a startling contrast to what Maja had looked like. Maja had had a round face. Soft features. His wife had been a tall curvaceous woman, but she was so no warrior. She was too sweet and kind. A healer, she’d had the gentlest of touches when tending to the injured and sick. Her brown eyes had lit up with flecks of gold, and her hair had been a dark auburn that had looked like a flaming halo when the sun hit it just right. The woman beneath him was no gentle healer.
She immediately had his interest and attention when she said she’d heard a rumor. What sort of rumor could she have had heard? His mind began to race to think of all the possibilities. No one had gone missing in the last several weeks. No one was dumb enough to blab his fathers plans, especially to the other clans. He narrowed his eyes, instantly untrusting of what she might say. His grip on her chin tightened a fraction when she asked him if he thought he was her only threat. No, the whole Drach clan was a threat to her. If anything he might be saving her from them. At least at the moment.
He didn’t expect what came form her lips next. “I was there that night, Dragon. I saw the aftermath of what you barbarians-did to those Morelings.” The words were like a hot iron getting pressed into his side, and his body tensed. His grip on her tightened, and his eyes darkened to such a dark grey you wouldn’t believe they were originally blue. For a moment, it was like no one was home in his eyes. They’d glazed over for a split second, as he was thrown back into that dark time of grief. Watching Aemon die, Maja… Three years ago, but specifically that night, was not something he remembered on purpose. And those who knew him knew to never speak of it. His nostrils flared and his upper lip turned up into a sneer. The anger coursed through him. He lowered his head until he was even with her, his underlying boiling rage just under the surface of his skin. Threatening to spill over.
His body trembled with the bunched up tension and what she said next only made him angrier. His jaw clenched, his teeth grinding together. If what she said was true, and if she could have taken out any of the Drach like she was so arrogantly claiming, then why hadn’t she? He released his hold on her chin to grip her throat again.“Then why didn’t you?” He whispered harshly. The words barely grating out. He heard the wolf howl in the distance and remembered the gray streak from before. She wasn’t alone. There could be others. Others watching. She'd lied to him. He snarled in anger and annoyance. Any thought of letting her go free was no longer an option. She would come with him. Kicking and screaming, or unconscious. He couldn’t let her go now that she admitted she was spying on them, and that she had friends. He would have to heavy the patrols now. His father would have to be told.
“You stupid woman.” He muttered, his hand tightened around her delicate throat maybe a little too tightly. “You don’t know what you’ve done now.” He snarled. He lowered his face until it was inches from hers, their noses barley touching. “Do you realize the amount death warrants you’ve just signed? For your people?” His voice rose in his anger, spittle flying from his mouth a little bit. He moved back then. Releasing her throat, and taking one of her wrists in both hands. He brought them down to her sides, and moved away from her just enough to flip her so he hand her front pressing against the tree. He put her wrists in one hand then, and with his other, he reached into one of his pockets, pulling out a bit of rope he always kept on him and quickly bound her hands. He reached up and pried the axe from the tree with one quick movement, and put it in his belt, and then crouched down, picking up his unguarded knife and her dagger before sticking it in the back of his belt as well. He yanked her back into him then,wrapped arn arm around her chest so he could hold her against him. He bent his head, his lips brushing her ear. “Your friends so much as comes within a hundred yards they’ll make a new pelt, and their heads will be placed on pikes as a warning to your clan we clear? Wolf?” He told her. He placed a hand on her hip and nudged her forward, around from the tree. The arm that had been holding her to his chest went to hold one of her biceps as he began to walk her to where he’d left his horse.
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Lux
28
Are you worthy?
Wynfrid Beta Hunter/Warrior
Tier 1 Character
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Post by Aspen Wynfrid on May 10, 2020 17:14:22 GMT -5
She could see the way he watched her, looked her over. If the duo weren't in such a heated exchange, she'd think he was admiring her - or at the very least, appreciating her looks. Hell, even she would be lying if she said he wasn't a truly handsome man, despite the disgust she might feel for him. But in an instant, his demeanor took an even more dangerous turn. Apparently, she'd ruffled his feathers too well. She could feel him shaking through the hands that held her captive, watched as his eyes became darker, making him look deadly. So this was it then.. This is where he'd finally claim her life.
His fingers curled around her throat again and she snarled beneath his touch as the simple question slipped off his lips. She gasped before speaking, her words hurried. "Do you really think I was going to single-handedly start a war with your clan?" She sneered at him, her lips curling much the same way his had. But, whether the words meant much or not was in the air for debate as his grip tightened around her neck, cutting off her air entirely. Her eyes rolled back as the sound of her choking cut into the words he spoke. Her ears began to ring and black spots slowly began to cloud her vision. Just as her consciousness began to leave her, he released his hold, and she gasped jaggedly, desperate for oxygen as her chest heaved. Her entire body shook as it recoiled from the attack, her legs giving out. If he hadn't have pinned her against the tree, she may have collapsed to the cold ground. "It's not one of my people." Her voice cracked as she spoke into the bark of the tree, her next gasp of air sounding more like a repressed sob.
He spoke into her ear then, a threat that sounded more like a promise on his tongue. It sent the sensation of a chill through her entire body. She could practically feel his rage from beneath his large hands. He nudged her forward. Despite her legs still threatening to fail her, she quickly used the hand on her bicep to turn herself, wincing as her arm twisted so that she could face him. The motion left her close to his body, her torso connecting with his. "It's a wolf!" There was almost a pleading in her voice now, but not quite. She quickly realized the way her words may have sounded and she shook her head sharply, blonde hair coming lose from their braids as strands fell over her face. "Not a Wynfrid wolf, but an actual wolf!" She was nearly screaming in his face now. "He's a canine." She was definitely screaming now, attempting to stretch on her tiptoes to yell in his face, her blue eyes taking on a wild look that mimicked panic. "If I command it, he's no threat to you. Don't hurt him!" Her voice had reached a callous octave, rough as it escaped her sore throat. "None of my clan knows I'm here." She whispered, tears threatening to brim her eyes that were wide with anticipation, wide with fear that Khan would soon be hurt, or worse, killed. Almost as if on cue, the large grey wolf slowly emerged from the brush, his amber eyes locked on to the large man, all teeth bared as he growled. But he wouldn't attack. Aspen was too compromised.
"Khan, no!" She shouted at the wolf, eyes locked onto him. "Return! GO!" She attempted to force herself from the Drach's grasp using her weight, wanting to run to Khan as if there was anything she could do to protect the massive wolf. Instead, it caused her to lose her footing on the loose leaves. Her feet gave out, though her knees didn't touch the ground thanks to the hand around her bicep. Quickly, she turned back to the Dragon, gathering her feet beneath her. "Please don't hurt my wolf.." Her voice broke again, this time with the sound of a sob as tears began to spill over. Khan still snarled, though he remained in his place. He knew Aspen was in danger, and he knew to do as he was told. While not capable of thought as complex as humans, he was still a smart animal; he was still calculated and obedient, if only when he knew he had to be. "Please.." While she wouldn't beg for her own life to be spared, she would beg for Khan's.
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Tendy
30
Widower
2nd In Command
Tier 2 Character
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Post by Lorcan Drach on May 10, 2020 19:52:59 GMT -5
Lorcan stopped as she turned twisted to face him. Expecting some kind of declaration that her friends were going to come and kill him or something of that sort. She’d been so cocky earlier, he expected it to continue, but there was something different about her now. Something...desperate, that kept him from just dragging her to his horse. She connected with his chest and he glared down at her. She was screaming at him, and like any decent human being, he didn’t take too kindly to being yelled at. His free hand twitched and for a moment he was about ready to back hand her, if only to get her to stop screaming. Why did he care about a wolf? Why should he believe her? He had no reason to trust her.
The fierce woman from before seemed to be gone in that moment, and Lorcan realized that whatever wolf she was screaming about was apparently one she cared deeply about. He turned his head to look at the brush when she did, seeing the creature in question. His hand tightened on her arm, and he froze. The wolf was large, looking at him with amber eyes and growling. Lorcans free hand went to one of axe’s. His hand resting on, prepared to use it if need be. The Wynfrid woman tried to go to the wolf then, and would have fallen if Lorcan hadn’t been keeping a hold of her. He glanced down at her, hearing her sobs and begging for him to spare her apparent pet’s life. He stared at her for a moment, seeing her desperation. “Send him off.” He growled lowly. Lorcan didn’t want to have to fight the wolf because that was just begging for a mess and half. Especially if he also had the Wynfrid to worry about. He looked back to the wolf, eyeing the creature cautiously as he hauled the woman more to her feet, bringing her in close to him in case the animal decided to attack. “Do it.” He growled under his breath. He began walking them slowly backwards then. Pulling one of his hand axes out slowly as he began to move them back towards the horse. His blue eyes never leaving the wolf’s.
If and when the wolf did as it was told, Lorcan would continue to walk them backwards. His head on a swivel, not trusting the creature to not come back for it’s master. When they finally reached the horse, Lorcan would return the axe to his belt, and turn the woman so she was facing the horse. He didn’t say anything as he removed her bow and weapons, and then gave her an unabashed pat down of her legs, arms, torso and her boots for any other weapons. Once he had everything he put them in the saddle bag. He turned her to face him then, looking down and he gave a slow shake of his head with a tsk as he scowled at her. The heaviness of the situation began to rest on his shoulders. This was not good. At all.
He bent down then, and would throw her over his shoulder in a smooth motion. She weighed little to none, at least to him, and then would untether the horse. He tossed the reins over the saddle horn and moved his cloak to the horse's haunches before he mounted the horse. He would then bring the woman down from his shoulder, positioning her so she was sitting across his lap. He reached for his cloak, and quickly put it over his shoulders, and took the reins. Urging the large animal to move into a trot, as both his arms entrapped the woman.
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Lux
28
Are you worthy?
Wynfrid Beta Hunter/Warrior
Tier 1 Character
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Post by Aspen Wynfrid on May 10, 2020 21:26:37 GMT -5
She'd be lying to herself if she said her heart hadn't stopped beating for a mere fraction of a second, her blood running cold in her veins as a numbness came over her body. The Drach man had reached for his axe, which nearly served to send her into another fit of panic. But instead of hurling is straight towards the canine like Aspen assumed he would, he gave her a single command and she nodded, closing her eyes as if admitting her defeat. She quickly calmed herself, thankful for the fact that he hadn't attacked Khan, but also thankful that her beloved canine had not saw fit to attack and further escalate the situation.
After a few quick, deep breaths, she looked up at Khan who still stood stiffened, hair raised along his back. She did her best to even her tone and appear as relaxed as she possibly could, all things considered. "Khan," She spoke firmly. He ceased to show his teeth, but he continued to growl from deep within his large chest. Where would she tell him to go? If he returned to the clan without her, her father and brother would surely know something was amiss. She had to be clever about this. It wasn't just her life and Khan's life on the line anymore. It was her entire clan's. Then it came to her; the small hunting camp at the other end of their territory. It wasn't uncommon for Aspen to be gone for days at a time and perhaps sending Khan there would buy her some time. She could only hope her clan would assume that she was there. But then there was the issue of the wolf still being on edge. Aspen whistled, a sharp sound that pierced the air. He stood at attention then, no longer growling, but awaiting his command. "Let's go hunt, boy." She said in her usual, casual tone. Immediately, the wolf's tail wagged and he let out a bark before bounding excitedly back towards there territory. A heavy sigh of relief escaped her as the Dragon pulled her backwards towards his horse. With her adrenaline wearing off, she began to shake against the cold.
Neither of them spoke as the man confiscated her weapons. Her eyes were on the ground as she began to process what exactly had just happened. In a moment of extreme weakness, she'd done just what she hadn't wanted to do. She'd revealed too much. Now that he knew her clan wasn't aware of her whereabouts, she wondered if she'd sealed her fate. What happened when they went back to where the Drachs resided? Would they send their warriors to her clan? Would her people meet the same fate as the Morelings? A terrified shiver rocked her body as he turned her to face him again, though she did not meet his eyes. She didn't need to. She could feel his eyes as they bore into her with a tsk. As she was tossed over a strong shoulder, there was a soft 'oof' that was involuntarily forced from her as her stomach connected with muscle. Then, she was in his lap, sitting rigid and squrming as far away from him as his hold would allow, only a sharp glance at him to remind him of the renewed hatred she felt. In no position to fight back, she could only wonder.. What was going to happen to her now?
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Tendy
30
Widower
2nd In Command
Tier 2 Character
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Post by Lorcan Drach on May 15, 2020 2:26:01 GMT -5
What was going to happen to her now? Lorcan thought as he pushed the horse into a trot. He'd lost time and had to regain it back. Knowing if he didn't make it home before dark Turke and the girls might suffer from the consequences. He was an important figure in the clan, and although he was free to come and go as he pleased, it was important that he stayed close by in case he was needed. Especially if his father was in an aggravated mood, and Lorcan was the only one his father actually liked enough to calm him down. Turke could only do so much.
His eyes bore ahead, but he did turn his head periodically to make sure the wolf wasn't following. He was also on the lookout to make sure that no other clansmen were in the area. Wynfrid or Drach, they were too close to the border for either side to stumble upon them. Lorcan glanced down at the woman, again taken aback at the stupidity she'd done. For the Letterman of her clan? Yeah right. He wondered if she just wanted the cold kiss of death from the Drach. It was one way to go out, but it was not a death he'd wish on anyone. Particularly a woman.
He had to figure out what to do with her, and as they headed to clan, the more and more his face fell into a deep scowl. He practically growled under his breath as he finally made a decision. Stearing the horse of the main trail, and instead headed in a different direction. He was going to be fucked. He knew it. He'd be home after dark, and Turke would suffer the consequences. He would owe his brother big time. He couldn't take her back to the clan. Not with his father so unstable. They weren't ready for a war. Not in winter, when they had other things to worry about. If he brought her there, it would be the only thing his father would need go to Wynfrid to declare war on them. And the Drach would be in their right to say that it was Wynfrid's fault for starting it.
He glanced down again at the woman, reaching undo his cloak clasp, held the reins in one hand and brought the cloak down and around the woman. It was huge on her, looking like a blanket for then anything, but it would keep her warm from the growing coldness of the air as the sun began to set and go down. Lorcan wasn't too much worried about the cold as he was the time. He formulated a plan for the next half hour. Deciding he'd find out what he could from the woman himself and then judge to see if it would be wise enough to take her to his father. Tonight, she'd get to live. She might even get to live for the next few days if she behaved.
What seemed like forever wasn't, and soon the outline of the cabin came into view just as the darkness began to settle in around them. It was a fairly new cabin that Lorcan often used for hunting, or as a safe house. It also served as a place to torture someone and be out of earshot... Not many knew of its location as it was in a pretty secluded part of the Drach territory. Of places to hide, it wasn't quite the best, but it would have to do. Dismounting the horse, and rolling his shoulders before he reached up for the woman. He didn't know if she had fallen asleep or not at all during the ride, so as he reached up, he was mindful of how he lifted her off the horse. If she was asleep, he'd carry her close to his chest, with his cloak still wrapped around her. If she was awake, he'd set her down an place a hand on her shoulder as he tethered the horse with one hand and then took her inside the cabin.
The place would be bare save for a few supplies. Most of it cooking supplies and there was a bed pushed in the corner with several furs on it. There was an old table and a lone chair, as well as a trunk, and a stone fireplace with a small stack of wood next to it. There was access to a upper loft via a wooden ladder near the front wall of the room. The only window was near the door, and away from the main room, so you couldn't see anything looking in save for the dark hallway, and the small kitchen area. Lorcan pulled a key out of his pocket and unlocked the door, before pushing it open. It was a bit musty from not being used, but it would serve its purpose.
He would push, or carry her in then. If she was asleep he'd carry all the way to the back and set her on the bed. If she was awake he'd nudge her into the kitchen as he quickly went about lighting candles, illuminating the space. He'd then take her down into the main room and push on her on the bed. Whether she was asleep or not, his goal was to keep her there, and he pulled out the metal chain from under the bed and would be intent on putting a metal manacle to her ankle. The chain was bolted to the floor under the bed and provided just enough length to walk around the main room. She wouldn't be able to reach the window or the main door.
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Lux
28
Are you worthy?
Wynfrid Beta Hunter/Warrior
Tier 1 Character
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Post by Aspen Wynfrid on May 15, 2020 18:20:25 GMT -5
She'd slowly and reluctantly accepted her fate. One moment, her heart would race and anxiety would creep it's way into her very bones. The next, an eerie calmness set in that was enough to make her wonder if she really did have a death wish. But why would she? Had life not been kind to her, all things considered?
As they rode into the stillness of the trees, Aspen noticed just how often he looked back. She wondered if he was worried about Khan following them. Perhaps he was worried about members of her clan searching for her. Either way, she knew he didn't have much to worry about. Khan would come, at some point. That was for certain. Her clan however? It was unlikely. Ever since she'd disobeyed her father's direct orders and went to aid the Morelings, it had been collectively decided by not only him, but also the rest of her clan, that she was on her own from there on out. Any escapades she managed to find herself in would no longer be met with aid from her people. Not because they didn't care for her, but because she was too often putting herself - and by extension, her clan - into situations that were far too risky. The reward didn't outweigh the risk. What was one clan member compared to an entire people, even if that clan member was the daughter of the Chieftain? Aspen had effectively shown her people that no matter how many times they got her out of trouble, no matter how much they chastised her, punished her, nothing would ever change. She would never change. There would always be something else she'd done to put herself into dangerous or risky situations. There would always be situations. Sure, her father might expend a single member to find and assist her, but deep in Drach territory? She was on her own no matter who was sent. She was alone.
As her thoughts began to quiet, she found herself dozing in and out of sleep. She was tired, which was more or less surprising. What sane person could even fathom sleep while being held captive in the arms of the enemy? But just as sleep seemed it may wrap her in it's enticing embrace, her head falling gently against the Dragon's chest, he suddenly steered the horse off the main trail. A new alertness took sleep's place and she sat up straighter, her blue eyes finding the man's face with confusion furrowing her brow. She pursed her lips, but said nothing as he glanced down at her. Closing her eyes and leaning back into him with a defeated sigh, she was more surprised when the cloak came down around her shoulders, still warm from his body, and she all but sank into it, her body relaxing almost instantly. She hadn't realized just how cold and tense she'd been. Her mind had been too preoccupied with a million different thoughts finding their way into her consciousness all at once.
She wasn't sure at what point she'd actually managed to fall asleep, just that she came to as he carried her close to his chest to a door leading into a secluded cabin. She shoved against his chest as the door opened, for him to simply nudge her into the kitchen area of the small building. He set about lighting candles as she stood patiently, hands still bound behind her back. As he lit the last candle and turned back to her, she kept her eyes at her feet, not entirely sure what he was planning. But, he hadn't taken her back to his clan, so that was something... right? His touch was gentle but rough at the same time as he steered her into a different area where a lone bed sat, far from the window and door. When he shoved her onto the bed, she immediately tensed her body, a small growl escaping her lips as she prepared to lunge and fight. He could torture her, beat her bloody, but he would not be doing that to her. Not without one hell of a fight. Instead, he simply shackled her to the bed. She sat quietly, studying the chain before looking back up at him, no sign of emotion or reaction across her face.
Sitting on the bed, she leaned back onto her tied hands. Her feet dangled just above the floor and she began to swing them back and forth slowly, the sound of the chain filling the silence as it scraped across the floor and the links clanked into one another. She stopped only to bring her hands forward around her left side, lifting the chain as if testing it's weight before throwing it onto the floor with a loud, metal crash and looking back up at the man, rolling her eyes as she did so. "Since I'm chained, think you could do away with this?" She asked in a monotonous tone, holding her hands out to the side of her as she twisted her wrists against the callousness of the rope.
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Tendy
30
Widower
2nd In Command
Tier 2 Character
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Post by Lorcan Drach on May 16, 2020 13:57:12 GMT -5
Lorcan’s dark gaze went to the Wynfrid woman and he tilted his head at her request. Did she think he was that stupid? Still, her shoulders were probably sore if they weren’t already from behind bound the way they were for the past hour. He glared at her, turning her sideways so he could access her hands and quickly unbound the rope. Only he took her hand quickly in his and brought them to her front, where he quickly rebounded them.
He then reached up, taking his cloak off of her, and quickly adorned his shoulders with it, and clasped it. By this time darkness was all around the cabin, and Lorcan moved to the kitchen bringing in the candles that were in there and bringing them into the main room so anyone outside wouldn’t see the candle glow from a distance. He set them on the table, and then turned to look at her. His mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, but the main was “What the fuck do I do now?” His face was blank despite the inner turmoil he was currently going through, and he’d have to face his father as well. It was going to get well for him thanks to this woman.
He decided to do what he could do. He’d keep her here for as long as he dared, but he couldn’t risk taking the trips out here everyday. He’d have to bring supplies, and see if Jayna would even be willing to help him. That was the other thing...But he figured this woman might feel more comfortable talking to another than him.
He turned, making his mind up, and didn’t say anything as he began to leave. If She said anything, it would fall of deaf ears, as he headed to the door. She had no clue, but he would be back later that night. The moment he was outside the cabin, he locked the door and then went to the horse. Leaning his head against the animals and let a large annoyed sigh out that sounded like a growl. “What have I done?” He muttered. The Horse nudged him, and blew air from his nose. “Yeah yeah.” Lorcan said patting the creature on the neck, before he mounted the horse, and then disappeared into the darkness.
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Lux
28
Are you worthy?
Wynfrid Beta Hunter/Warrior
Tier 1 Character
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Post by Aspen Wynfrid on May 16, 2020 15:34:00 GMT -5
He'd unbound her hands, sure. But as soon as Aspen reached to massage her wrists, he was yanking them again, tying them in front of her before practically ripping the cloak from her body. She groaned and flopped back onto the bed as he left the direct area to move a candle further away from it's place within the kitchen. "So what? Are you just going to leave me here to starve or something?" She asked, though she didn't expect an answer. And what do you know? She didn't receive one. Instead, she received a glimpse of his back as he promptly left the cabin. Hearing the door shut, she groaned again, sitting up and looking around the room. She huffed into the now empty space. "Asshole." She muttered under her breath.
She finally stood from the bed, testing the full length of the chain before reaching to blow out the candle the Dragon had left burning. With the sun well behind the horizon, the cabin was pitch black. Making her way to as far as her shackle would allow, Aspen plopped to the floor, sitting indian style, blue eyes staring in the direction of the door, unfaltering as she waited and her mind attempted to come up with a thousand ways to escape. He wouldn't keep her here forever. No, he couldn't keep her here forever. She'd find a way out. Somehow.
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