Post by Tom M on Sept 6, 2024 20:27:37 GMT
Co-written with willemf
Kem throws his pack at the ground as he approaches the caravan and keeps on going until he plants a boot heavily and angrily against its side, kicking it hard enough for the sound to echo out into the dark woodland clearing it sits in.
“Urzen we need to talk. Now. Or would you prefer I call you Headtaker like your other friends seem to?”
There is almost a hiss from within.
“Good evening child, I see you have returned, and you are… upset for some reason I am yet to comprehend?”
Kem simmers down as he exerts control over his emotions, “Sightstealer. Does that name mean anything to you?”
“Sightstealer? I see, I thought he must be dead. Well, it means something to me yes, but you already know that don’t you my boy..”
“Yes. And I’m going to tell you for free that they don’t like you. Whatever plan you have is not working and you’re finally going to tell me what it is.” The bard speaks with a level and firm tone, but once he’s finished he begins chanting a Countercharm in a quiet whisper as he listens for the response.
There is a careful pause. The sound of movement inside, a shifting of position.
"I see... he was always the difficult sort. But this doesn't change the plan, he will fit in, he will hear reason I am sure. But patience is a virtue Kem, pieces are still falling into place on the board, you are doing very well. I'm proud of what you have already achieved but knowledge is a flower that grows before it can bloom. You must trust me before you can see the work in its completion, what we are achieving together my boy."
Kem feels the words swim around his head, trying to take a hold, trying to sway him to just... accept this. But it is not enough, it does not bite deep enough and the charm fizzles.
Kem can’t help but smile at the victory, but takes a short while to reply as he decides how best to play the cards he’s just been dealt.
“Yes, patience…” his tongue lingers on the final syllable in a recently learned affectation, but otherwise he gives a pretence of drowsiness as he speaks. “I trust you Master. I want to do more. If this Blooddrinker is coming for you as Sightstealer says, then I want to be better able to protect you.”
"Coming for me? I want to be very clear dear boy were those the words he spoke? Blooddrinker has never wished me harm.. But if you're right. This changes many many things, too many things. Your trust is valuable, and I am glad you know what it means to correctly serve. I will have more work for you soon, very soon. But I ask again, why would Blooddrinker come for me?"
“They said many things Master. They made references to things I don’t understand and cannot explain. If only I were worthy of the context I need to help you. To serve you better. To keep you safe.” Kem replies sadly.
"Blooddrinker, the first, the prime, the progenitor. The sire of my line and the de facto head of the clan in the absence of any older than he.. But he always held me in regard. To think that that might of changed, perhaps one of the others has whispered words to him. But they couldn't of, he was the one that commanded our blood to this soil, commanded I lay those five to be unleashed in time. I wonder what has changed, and I wonder what caused Sightstealer to wake before his time.."
Kem waits to be sure that no more information is going to be released before he responds, “So the plan is moving too fast Master? And your allies might be enemies? Do you have any others I could reach out to? To make sure that they are still loyal?”
He clenches and unclenches his fists to keep the anger from his voice as he speaks, “Or perhaps you are all alone in the world now. Like I was. And it’s my turn to do for you what you did for me.”
“I am never alone… the others will answer to me. Blooddrinker himself gave me this task, told me himself what the blood required. They must know that or they have forsaken their place in the Skaragos. Sightstealer may become an issue but the others are neophyte, my blood in them will answer the call, but not here, not now. It is still too early to bring our plans to completion and with so many others present in this accursed land we may need to bide our time even further…”
“I wish I had your confidence, Master. In your shoes I’d be worrying that I was preventing my only eyes and ears in the field from seeing a danger coming before it was too late. Even with the Hekrati, the Di Florias, the Moonblessed, the Von Walds, and your own people breathing down your neck you don’t fear being caught unaware. Your power is inspiring.”
The creature inside paces for several moments before speaking again.
"The Di Floria family knows better than to exit their little holes, the Moonblessed are naught but scavengers and territorialists that will keep to themselves, the Von Walds are pathetic artistes with no interest outside of their accursed home and the Hekrati... Well they are not subtle enough to escape the eyes of so-called 'justice' for very long. So we come to the others. Perhaps it is time I strayed from this hovel and spoke to them myself... Or perhaps not just yet. We must be patient, we must wait for the corpse to rot before we finally make ourselves known. Soon Kem soon, soon will our brood be united again, drawn back to the feast. I cannot wait to introduce you to the family. Your clan.. they have always been such favourites, such promising candidates."
A drumming, like gnarled fingers on wood.
"But perhaps I have been a little... overconfident as of late. If Sightstealer really does now stray from the path it has been given then I will need a more... forceful presence to undergo my great works."
"What did you have in mind? Is there anything I can do?"
A rasping chuckle now, tinged with saliva. “Many things in mind my boy, always many things in mind. Remember all I taught you of the mind and its power. But I do have a particular cause of action, to answer your question. What do you remember of your family..?”
Kem hesitates at the sudden change of direction, “I… remember good people. I remember camping under the stars, trading with the settled folk, hunting together, dancing together, sharing food around the fire together.” His stomach rumbles as the curse makes itself known again. “I remember a people who deserved better than to simply disappear, their task unfinished.”
"Good. Good. It is good to remember your past, your history. But alas you were not told everything about your history. Why do you think I chose your family over others to serve my line? Why them?"
Kem pauses, “I… you never told me. And they never told me that you even existed.”
"Because it did not serve me to tell you either child, but now you have proven yourself, and now it is time I continue your education. Your markings, some new, some old. Some chosen as self expression and others given by ancient traditions. Your back, it is incomplete. Some memories were kept from old, but some slowly faded. But I remember the gifts I gave.. Show me."
The caravan door grinds open ever so slightly, the curtain within still shrouding the figure inside.
Kem hesitates, but the act he’s chosen to play leaves him little choice. He slips his vest off, revealing more of the intricate tattoos that decorate his skin as he steps around to the side of the caravan with his back to the door.
"Yesss... Such a beautiful gift, such a tragedy the knowledge was broken.." His voice is seductive, convincing, but it is practised. This creature taught Kem how to speak like this, and he quickly recognises the tactic. Urzen is not lying, but there is much more about this story he is not revealing
But a pain cuts through the consideration, a sharp and jagged pain. It twists and carves patterns in Kem’s skin, the wet feeling of blood gently dampening his lower back. The cuts are not deep, but they are fresh, and hot. Then comes the burning. A cold and wet feeling spreads through the shallow cuts, something unholy packing the shallow grooves. The pain is excruciating, but the mind stays strong, and it fades slowly to a sting as Kem holds perfectly still, gritting his teeth and bearing the pain without a sound throughout.
There is a pause, then the sound of the caravan shutting.
"Gooooood, you are an excellent servant. I'm proud of you my boy, very proud. But the work is not done, the tattoo must be inked, but not yet, not now. Let the mark fester, let the skin rot. But do not let the maggots in, no matter how much they plead."
Kem stumbles back to where he threw his pack, his legs jellied by the pain. “Thank… thank you. What will it do when complete?”
"Let me tell you a story my boy... A story of a group of wanderers who wandered too far where they were not welcome, who wandered into lands touched by shadows. They found a castle there and beseeched the duke for aid, but they were turned away. For nine and ninety years did they survive in the halfway between this world and another, and for nine and ninety years did they slowly learn its ways. And on the hundredth another came, and promised them a road back home... And so they took the other's name as theirs, served the other in all that he required of them, and the deal was struck. But they still held on to those nine and ninety years of shadow, and they remembered many things.."
Kem stops to listen as he unrolls his bandages. “A story about a… debt to be paid. Right?”
Another pause.
"Perhaps, consider it less a debt and more a relationship. Knowledge, power. These things flow both ways. But I tire of stories for tonight, and with what I have given you... I am hungry. My stocks are low, I'm sure you can find something tomorrow yes?"
“I can. Yes.” He pauses in the process of wrapping the bandages around his torso. “Master, how do you deal with… with the Hunger? My other mark, the one I showed you, I like to think it helps me see the world like you do.”
"I feast, that is how I manage my hunger. It is a primal feeling, the purest drive. Knowledge, power, gold, all these desires come from living things it is true, but hunger is deeper, hunger is always first. Without knowledge you are blind, but alive, without power and gold you are destitute, but alive. But without food, sustenance, you are no more. There is a feeling among my blood that hunger is a form of nobility, but for me it is a form of clarity. Accept your hunger and you know yourself, you know your desires."
Kem silently finishes up with the bandages as he contemplates this final wisdom. After setting up the fire, he settles down to lie on his front.
“Master… you didn’t answer my question. What will the mark do when complete?”
The voice is getting quieter, as if the creature inside is moving away from the wall of the caravan.
"Whatever your blood decides my boy, whatever your blood remembers of those nine and ninety years..."
Kem throws his pack at the ground as he approaches the caravan and keeps on going until he plants a boot heavily and angrily against its side, kicking it hard enough for the sound to echo out into the dark woodland clearing it sits in.
“Urzen we need to talk. Now. Or would you prefer I call you Headtaker like your other friends seem to?”
There is almost a hiss from within.
“Good evening child, I see you have returned, and you are… upset for some reason I am yet to comprehend?”
Kem simmers down as he exerts control over his emotions, “Sightstealer. Does that name mean anything to you?”
“Sightstealer? I see, I thought he must be dead. Well, it means something to me yes, but you already know that don’t you my boy..”
“Yes. And I’m going to tell you for free that they don’t like you. Whatever plan you have is not working and you’re finally going to tell me what it is.” The bard speaks with a level and firm tone, but once he’s finished he begins chanting a Countercharm in a quiet whisper as he listens for the response.
There is a careful pause. The sound of movement inside, a shifting of position.
"I see... he was always the difficult sort. But this doesn't change the plan, he will fit in, he will hear reason I am sure. But patience is a virtue Kem, pieces are still falling into place on the board, you are doing very well. I'm proud of what you have already achieved but knowledge is a flower that grows before it can bloom. You must trust me before you can see the work in its completion, what we are achieving together my boy."
Kem feels the words swim around his head, trying to take a hold, trying to sway him to just... accept this. But it is not enough, it does not bite deep enough and the charm fizzles.
Kem can’t help but smile at the victory, but takes a short while to reply as he decides how best to play the cards he’s just been dealt.
“Yes, patience…” his tongue lingers on the final syllable in a recently learned affectation, but otherwise he gives a pretence of drowsiness as he speaks. “I trust you Master. I want to do more. If this Blooddrinker is coming for you as Sightstealer says, then I want to be better able to protect you.”
"Coming for me? I want to be very clear dear boy were those the words he spoke? Blooddrinker has never wished me harm.. But if you're right. This changes many many things, too many things. Your trust is valuable, and I am glad you know what it means to correctly serve. I will have more work for you soon, very soon. But I ask again, why would Blooddrinker come for me?"
“They said many things Master. They made references to things I don’t understand and cannot explain. If only I were worthy of the context I need to help you. To serve you better. To keep you safe.” Kem replies sadly.
"Blooddrinker, the first, the prime, the progenitor. The sire of my line and the de facto head of the clan in the absence of any older than he.. But he always held me in regard. To think that that might of changed, perhaps one of the others has whispered words to him. But they couldn't of, he was the one that commanded our blood to this soil, commanded I lay those five to be unleashed in time. I wonder what has changed, and I wonder what caused Sightstealer to wake before his time.."
Kem waits to be sure that no more information is going to be released before he responds, “So the plan is moving too fast Master? And your allies might be enemies? Do you have any others I could reach out to? To make sure that they are still loyal?”
He clenches and unclenches his fists to keep the anger from his voice as he speaks, “Or perhaps you are all alone in the world now. Like I was. And it’s my turn to do for you what you did for me.”
“I am never alone… the others will answer to me. Blooddrinker himself gave me this task, told me himself what the blood required. They must know that or they have forsaken their place in the Skaragos. Sightstealer may become an issue but the others are neophyte, my blood in them will answer the call, but not here, not now. It is still too early to bring our plans to completion and with so many others present in this accursed land we may need to bide our time even further…”
“I wish I had your confidence, Master. In your shoes I’d be worrying that I was preventing my only eyes and ears in the field from seeing a danger coming before it was too late. Even with the Hekrati, the Di Florias, the Moonblessed, the Von Walds, and your own people breathing down your neck you don’t fear being caught unaware. Your power is inspiring.”
The creature inside paces for several moments before speaking again.
"The Di Floria family knows better than to exit their little holes, the Moonblessed are naught but scavengers and territorialists that will keep to themselves, the Von Walds are pathetic artistes with no interest outside of their accursed home and the Hekrati... Well they are not subtle enough to escape the eyes of so-called 'justice' for very long. So we come to the others. Perhaps it is time I strayed from this hovel and spoke to them myself... Or perhaps not just yet. We must be patient, we must wait for the corpse to rot before we finally make ourselves known. Soon Kem soon, soon will our brood be united again, drawn back to the feast. I cannot wait to introduce you to the family. Your clan.. they have always been such favourites, such promising candidates."
A drumming, like gnarled fingers on wood.
"But perhaps I have been a little... overconfident as of late. If Sightstealer really does now stray from the path it has been given then I will need a more... forceful presence to undergo my great works."
"What did you have in mind? Is there anything I can do?"
A rasping chuckle now, tinged with saliva. “Many things in mind my boy, always many things in mind. Remember all I taught you of the mind and its power. But I do have a particular cause of action, to answer your question. What do you remember of your family..?”
Kem hesitates at the sudden change of direction, “I… remember good people. I remember camping under the stars, trading with the settled folk, hunting together, dancing together, sharing food around the fire together.” His stomach rumbles as the curse makes itself known again. “I remember a people who deserved better than to simply disappear, their task unfinished.”
"Good. Good. It is good to remember your past, your history. But alas you were not told everything about your history. Why do you think I chose your family over others to serve my line? Why them?"
Kem pauses, “I… you never told me. And they never told me that you even existed.”
"Because it did not serve me to tell you either child, but now you have proven yourself, and now it is time I continue your education. Your markings, some new, some old. Some chosen as self expression and others given by ancient traditions. Your back, it is incomplete. Some memories were kept from old, but some slowly faded. But I remember the gifts I gave.. Show me."
The caravan door grinds open ever so slightly, the curtain within still shrouding the figure inside.
Kem hesitates, but the act he’s chosen to play leaves him little choice. He slips his vest off, revealing more of the intricate tattoos that decorate his skin as he steps around to the side of the caravan with his back to the door.
"Yesss... Such a beautiful gift, such a tragedy the knowledge was broken.." His voice is seductive, convincing, but it is practised. This creature taught Kem how to speak like this, and he quickly recognises the tactic. Urzen is not lying, but there is much more about this story he is not revealing
But a pain cuts through the consideration, a sharp and jagged pain. It twists and carves patterns in Kem’s skin, the wet feeling of blood gently dampening his lower back. The cuts are not deep, but they are fresh, and hot. Then comes the burning. A cold and wet feeling spreads through the shallow cuts, something unholy packing the shallow grooves. The pain is excruciating, but the mind stays strong, and it fades slowly to a sting as Kem holds perfectly still, gritting his teeth and bearing the pain without a sound throughout.
There is a pause, then the sound of the caravan shutting.
"Gooooood, you are an excellent servant. I'm proud of you my boy, very proud. But the work is not done, the tattoo must be inked, but not yet, not now. Let the mark fester, let the skin rot. But do not let the maggots in, no matter how much they plead."
Kem stumbles back to where he threw his pack, his legs jellied by the pain. “Thank… thank you. What will it do when complete?”
"Let me tell you a story my boy... A story of a group of wanderers who wandered too far where they were not welcome, who wandered into lands touched by shadows. They found a castle there and beseeched the duke for aid, but they were turned away. For nine and ninety years did they survive in the halfway between this world and another, and for nine and ninety years did they slowly learn its ways. And on the hundredth another came, and promised them a road back home... And so they took the other's name as theirs, served the other in all that he required of them, and the deal was struck. But they still held on to those nine and ninety years of shadow, and they remembered many things.."
Kem stops to listen as he unrolls his bandages. “A story about a… debt to be paid. Right?”
Another pause.
"Perhaps, consider it less a debt and more a relationship. Knowledge, power. These things flow both ways. But I tire of stories for tonight, and with what I have given you... I am hungry. My stocks are low, I'm sure you can find something tomorrow yes?"
“I can. Yes.” He pauses in the process of wrapping the bandages around his torso. “Master, how do you deal with… with the Hunger? My other mark, the one I showed you, I like to think it helps me see the world like you do.”
"I feast, that is how I manage my hunger. It is a primal feeling, the purest drive. Knowledge, power, gold, all these desires come from living things it is true, but hunger is deeper, hunger is always first. Without knowledge you are blind, but alive, without power and gold you are destitute, but alive. But without food, sustenance, you are no more. There is a feeling among my blood that hunger is a form of nobility, but for me it is a form of clarity. Accept your hunger and you know yourself, you know your desires."
Kem silently finishes up with the bandages as he contemplates this final wisdom. After setting up the fire, he settles down to lie on his front.
“Master… you didn’t answer my question. What will the mark do when complete?”
The voice is getting quieter, as if the creature inside is moving away from the wall of the caravan.
"Whatever your blood decides my boy, whatever your blood remembers of those nine and ninety years..."