[Arien]

Nerindel's post

Ghurdan watched the sacrifice unimpressed, he had witnessed many and some more gruesome than this one, this girl had been lucky and her death was swift. Ghurdan knew that to give up your children for the eye was a great show of faith, but he had never seen any parent give up their child as readily as this one, he watched Abdul-Shihab with growing loathing as he saw the man enjoying every moment of his daughters death.
"Kill Him!". Ghurdan grinned at Sevora's cold words and reached for his sword, but before he could advance on the now panic stricken man someone passed in front of him, it was the large tribe man who had struck Zasfal. Any anger he felt at being denied this kill ebbed away as he watched events unfold. He was interested to see what he could learn about this man from his actions.

Ghurdan was impressed by Thorgom's actions, the dark one could use a man like that he thought to himself , but just then his eyes widened in disbelief as Thorgom lead the snivelling man to the alter. "or not" he whispered darkly as Thorgom buried his axe into the mans back, defiling the alter with the mans unworthy blood.

Ghurdan looked to see Sevora's reaction but as Thorgom approached her grinning with satisfaction, he saw that the priestess remained calm. "Order completed as you wished oh high priestess of the eye" he heard Thorgom tell her, totally oblivious to what he had just done. Sevora nodded but Ghurdan did not miss the evil look she gave the large man as he walked back to stand beside him.

with the ceremony obviously complete Ghurdan ordered his men to make camp on the outskirts of the village, it was then that he noticed that Sammael and Damodred where not present, "so they think themselves above paying homage to our lord" he heard Zasfal spit behind him "Or maybe he just hasn't the stomach for it" he continued laughing coldly.

Ghurdan grabbed the young man by the throat and dragged him to the Alter, were the body of Abdul-Shihab still lay drenched in his own blood, "Take a good look, this could be you someday, if you do not learn to hold that forked tongue of yours" he hissed in Zasfal's ear.

Zasfal's eyes were wide as he realised that the man before his eyes was still alive and looked at him pleadingly to end his pain, he nodded viciously, now understanding fully Ghurdans warning. Ghurdan grabbed him up "Now go help the others set up camp, and keep out of trouble" he spat throwing Zasfal in the direction of the rest of his crew. Ghurdan shook his head as he turned back to the defiled alter, he was still not convinced that the message had sunk in.

Ghurdan kicked the now dead body of Abdul-shihab from the alter "He did not deserve such honour" he hissed, then abruptly he turned and made his way not to the camp but to the small inn too see what entertainment this small village could provide.

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Arien's post

As she finished speaking the fire jumped and the heat from it became intense. She smiled and sat back, her sleeve still pulled up from her dripping arm. She stayed there for a while sitting at the night drew in, while there she covered the fresh wound in a bandage covered in oils. There was no need for it to be infected with disease. And now after and hour or so the fire had died down to it former size, and she felt energized, fresher, darker. Slowly she stood up, knife still in hand, he sleeves falling delicately to her sides. She stepped out of the circle and the fire ceased to burn, embers scattered into the night air, but no more was left of it.

Now Dristi slowly walked back up to the village. Her bloody knife still slightly dripping. As she came nearer she could see a shadow ahead of her, it seemed to be one of the soldiers that had travelled with them. Or then again not. As she drew closer she could see clearly in the dim light of the stars that it was that man who persisted to annoy her by walking beside her on the previous days.

She had not said anything to him, it would only fire his aspirations of actually even having a chance with her. She laughed, men were stupid, they would fall head over heels for a woman and be blinded by what they were doing. And as a consequence when this happened with Dristi they were most likely to be toyed with and then but to death in any way she deemed.

The High priest knew she did this, often. But he did not have any objection to it as she was valuble to the Citadel’s assets and to loose their chief strategist in war would be a blow that was not worth all the trouble. She walked swiftly passed him as he stood looking at here. He nodded, but she could only see him out of the corner of her eye, then he winked. She stopped still frozen and turned to him.

“What is you name?” she whispered. He shuffled and then replied to her.

“Thorgom….” he answered.

“Ok then Thorgom, don’t even try it, if you do you might wish you were dead….” she trailed off and smiled sweetly at him. She was slightly taken aback, but didn’t show it. The man seemed to look more confused than scared of her remark. She sighed heavily and continued to walk on.

She made her way through the seemingly empty streets to the Inn where they were to be staying. She opened the door, and the usual smoke and ale smell greeted her. She hated these places. People were so uncivilised, unclean and the men looked upon her as if some sort of wonder they had never laid there eyes upon before. So without saying a word she walked to Sevora’s quarters.

She walked down a dank, dark corridor, filled wit the lingering smell of ale, as she came to Sevora’s door she stopped, pausing before knocking on it lightly. With a quick swing the door was opened in front of her, Sevora smiling curtly.

Dristi raised and eyebrow to the contented priestess. “And what are you so happy about?” she said standing in the door way.

“Shut up you stupid girl,” she scowled, her eyes narrowing. “There is no point showing off anymore no ones here to watch you now, you won’t get the attention of any of the men. They are far away now.” she smiled as she walked into her room. Dristi shut the door behind her and followed Sevora, eyeing the room.

“What do you want Sevora?”

[ July 23, 2003: Message edited by: Arien ]