Thread: A Promise Fulfilled {Lady Nef x Shinyka}

Elbereth flinched as she watched a few drops of blood meet the floor. To her, the sound of it meeting the ground was like a large shout that rang throughout her entire being. Despite the blood and the pillaging and the corruption she saw in her visions, somehow she had not grown immune to the chill it sent through her petite form. Furthermore the scroll he had pulled out was pulsing . How... disgusting and not her first choice in writing material. But then again, she wasn't a powerful deity was she? Part of her wondered why the sisters had included her in this summoning, it was obvious she was very much out of her league here. But she was Calanna's apprentice and this was her father's impending death that she was trying to stop. A family member needed to be here, out of the three of them she had the closest ties to him. Calanna held a stony face, while her twin sister looked somewhat fascinated by the scroll Death held. Of course leave it to the young princess to freak out while Calanna couldn't care less. Apparently she, Moranna, was the only one to know the true significance of what he held in his hand. Didn't they understand that was the list? The one that held all the names of who was to die next? That scroll with its pulsing flesh represented true power . But leave it to her silly light-obsessed sister to not really care about that. Even in her long years of life, she had never expected to be in a situation desperate enough to summon Death itself. When he broke out into laughter, Moranna couldn't help but smirk quietly to herself. She knew he had realized why they had summoned him in the first place and the reason for his laughter. After all, who truly was folly enough to keep death not only from one of his charges, but thousands of his charges? But Moranna could understand why this was so important to Calanna. The Ar-Feiniels could easily escape the situation, they could easily return to their previous isolation from the normal humans, but when Calanna had taken the job of royal oracle she had also sworn fealty to this kingdom. And even if the Ar-Feiniels could escape, it was still somewhat irritating to have to find a new home kingdom. As for Calanna she patiently waited for him to be through with his amusement. He after all had all the time in the world and as long as he was here, there was no immediate danger to her king. Not to mention she supposed it would be amusing to the ancient being. Who bargained with Death? The young princess didn't take the laughter too well, a slight frown on her lips. She failed to see how this was funny or amusing or even entertaining in anyway. And he hadn't even spoken a word yet! This was frustrating beyond belief... she wanted an answer, needed an answer in how to prevent her father's death. She didn't want to hear laughter! Elbereth's unease in the situation only grew when he finally did speak. His voice reflected the power that he had, but that mattered little to Elbereth as he spoke of the details of her father's death. Her body started trembling as the words brought about the images she had seen earlier prominently to her mind. She didn't want to think about it! It was disorienting to see one's father's death! No, she protested softly, Elbereth's voice barely above a whisper, It's not beautiful. It's horrible. It's the beginning of the end of everything I've ever known and I refuse to let it take place. My father's death... my mother's sorrow, my brothers' hatred for each other as they battle for what they think is theirs. I refuse to let it happen! I don't care what I have to do, but I'll do anything to prevent that from happening! As her little speech continued on, her voice was no longer soft but grew louder and louder to show her passion and determination in her cause. Moranna looked genuinely surprised that the Arel's naive little princess would have the guts to disagree with death face to face, but Calanna was not. She knew the strength that was hidden behind her princess. Comfortingly she laid an arm on her young apprentice's shoulder, trying to calm the trembling that had engulfed the small princess. Hush child, she said softly, That is enough. The Royal Oracle was the epitome of calm and soothing, but soon turned the power of her grey gaze back to the dark being before her. Forgive Elbereth, Great One. As you can probably tell, the king is her father. I understand if you do not care for the relationships us mortals have with each other, but they are. She's young too. So altogether, she's more passionate out of three of us about this and more likely to outburst like that, she apologized. Nodding her head, Calanna was respectful but did not fall in the trap of being intimidated by his question. Which was a somewhat rare thing, even her own king would quiver in fear upon hearing death's inquiry. But she was no normal human being. She was an Ar-Feiniel who had lived several centuries who had dealt with her fare share of beings throughout her life. Of course, she had never met Death face to face, but she stood her ground. My sincerest apologies, she started off, But yes, I would deny you your pleasure. Like Elbereth, I, too have ties to this kingdom and to this royal family that to see this kingdom be destroyed by this matter... is disheartening. And all four of us know that this will not only affect this kingdom, but others as well. As I said, we are here to bargain for the extension of the king's death so as to avert this bloody civil war. What may we offer you? Moranna honestly hoped he didn't ask for their three souls in payment, she'd rather not die just yet- she wasn't that self sacrificing. Let her sister and her naive apprentice be the sacrifices. Actually it would be rather nice if Calanna was wiped out from protecting her foolish kingdom, that meant she would inherit the title of clan leader. Calanna's chosen successor was not done growing up just yet. Still, it was out of her hands.