One Thousand Voices Startled
DISCLAIMER: Same as before
I've got something up my sleeve
And I know you will cover for me
"Seth, dear?"
Queen Feilz looked up from the watercolor she was copying in the weak light that was oozing through the frosted glass windowpanes. It looked like the beginning of another landscape-mountains this time. Watercolors had become a hobby of Mother's ever since she'd moved to Dragoloth to be with her husband. Even seated on her velvet cushion, she was quite tall, with the ramrod efficiency of a soldier. She was a commanding presence in the best of situations-this was not the best of situations. As she turned to face him, the sun glanced off the diamond netting that held back her thick, long, curling red hair from her pale face. Her harsh, eagle eyes pinned on him, Seth was irritated to discover his mother's unique ability to freeze a grown man in his steps had not abaited in any manner in the years since he had lived here with her and Father.
Polite.
"Yes, mother?"
"It's been a while since we've seen you-you suppose you could greet us like a good child would?" The pointed words weren't even disguised as pleasantry-an open rebuke. He bit down hard to stop an angry reply.
"And don't grind you're teeth-that's an ugly habit you should have outgrown years ago."
He could play the game-it had been years since he had been in Court, though, so he was woefully out of practice. The artificial smile he hoisted onto his face felt overly-fake, but it was easier than getting reprimanded like a child. Why was it that he was the middle child and yet he was treated like the youngest?
"Hello mother." he kept his voice affectionatly calm-the sort of ruise that was required. Stepping forward (vindictively aware he was leaving muddy boot tracks on the fine velveteen carpet) he bent at the waist and kissed her on the cheek as affectionantly as he could muster.
"That's better. But you're tracking mud on the carpet."
"I didn't have time to change, I was in a hurry."
"Dearest, why don't we hear what the boy has to say?"
Father's voice floated over from the chair by the window, reminding Seth that Mother was only the preliminary-compaired to father, he and mother were practically loving.
Stiffly, he rotated and bowed in Father's general direction, noting as he went down that the King of Dragoloth was in impeccable morning clothes and that, as he came up, no one's hair should be able to stay in that position without sliding loose.
To say that Father was a fop would be a misconception-not far off the mark, but Pharaun Matrador's ability to appear immpeccable at any hour on any day was legendary as far as Acadea to the south and Kosovia to the east.
"Now Seth, why don't you tell us what's so important that you couldn't spare the time and effort to change out of what appears to be butcher's castoffs."
On second thought, perhaps they had arrived at that line.
"It's about Adamas. I finally found him, and-"
"How is the dear boy?" that was mother, looking up from her pine trees and watery green paint. "You did tell him that we miss him? That he really ought to come back to Court?"
Swallowing was a reflex-for the longest time, Seth had trained himself to flex his fingers when he was frusterated beyond comprehension. Lately, he'd added swallowing to clear his head. His fingers were cramping and he swallowed so hard his ears popped, emphasizing every sound. Still sore after the abuse they had taken at Adama's tower, the throbbing reminded him that he really did have to stay here and warn them for the danger...if only he could swallow his ire and rescue the damn people that hated him.
"Yes, mother, I-"
"And that he's working himself too hard? Your father spoke to him not long ago-apparently his conciousness was quite weak and he sounded quite ill."
"He is sick, mother." The majority of his personality was evil-just now, it rejoiced shamelessly over bearing bad news. "When I left, he had a fever and had damaged one of his ears possibly beyond repair. He also seemed to be very lethargic and lacked anything like energy."
"And you left him?" Mother was horrified.
That same evil part of his person cackled wickedly, even as he bowed his head, the very picture of contriteness. "I'm sorry, Mother, but I came bearing news...it is very important that you hear me out."
"We wouldn't dream of hindering you." Father inturrupted Mother with a sharp look. "Let the boy speak dear, it might be interesting. Not very likely, I must admit, but then, there isn't any point in supper getting inturrupted for nothing at all."
Being told that, unless he had something to say, he was 'nothing' didn't improve Seth's attitude. Probably Father's intentions.
"Well, Father," he spat the appellation out with as much sweet venom as he could muster on his tounge-growing up with Queen Feilz, it was an impressive amount. "Adamas is preforming arcane operations that are...shady at best and downright horrific at worst."
"Don't be silly, darling." Mother was not one to be silenced for long. She had turned back to her painting, abruptly uninterested. "Adamas wouldn't do that without Father's knowledge."
Seth stared at her, wondering over her willing blindness. Why was it so hard to believe that Adamas wasn't the angel he was made out to be?
Seth knew how to choose his battles, however. Mother was clearly a lost cause.
Father, however, might have retained a touch of sense when it came to his youngest son-surely he wouldn't be so willingly blind.
"Father, Adamas is violating not only Dragoloth's civil laws of conduct but also the code of conduct expected from every living creature under the dominion of the Three Gods."
Father was certainly amused by something. His smooth ebony skin was nearly shining with humor, his deep blue eyes sparkling with suppressed laughter. Even the crystals in that long white hair seemed to be twinkling mockingly.
"Impressive. Perhaps one of my children will live up to the Matrador name yet."
His thoughts inturrupted, Seth snapped back, "Father, when I broke that crystal ball of yours when I was five, you told me I was not only violating civial and natural laws but also a blight upon the country and the Continent."
"Never fear, I am yet to withdraw that opinon."
Why was he saving these people again?
Because if they died, he'd probably be dead too.
He sighed-he couldn't help it. The things he did for these people.
"Father, I'm quite serious. Adamas has gotten his hands on an angel," his tounge stumbled over the alien sound, "and he's threatening to call down the gods."
Father shrugged, elegantly unconcerned.
"I know. He's had the angel for some time now-a lovely girl. In all aspects."
Seth's jaw dropped.
"You KNEW?"
His voice came out an indignant screech-reminescent even to him of a wronged alley tom. Both of his parents sent him scolding looks-lucky, however, that his father wished to address the topic on hand first.
"Yes, I knew. That particular specimen of angel serves a heathen god-Adamas is doing research into different beliefe systems. It will be very useful in stamping those out. Your imagination is overheating, Seth-no god would answer the call of a mere mortal. You may leave."
And with that, Seth was inelegantly dismissed.
__________
Erm...yeah. I didn't actually have any idea what I was doing. No plans for this one, nothing. It ran away. Pharaun's a wreck-NOTHING like the real one, I know, I'm sorry. *grovels*. I'm so happy I have a plot twist, tho. And Seth, he's going to get beaten up for the rest of this story, mark me words, mark me words. There's more twists comign along-at least two more siblings to meet. :D See you soon!
Later, 'gator,
Irene V
He's yours Jozzy-eats him whole as payment for ruining your favorite character. :D
I've got something up my sleeve
And I know you will cover for me
"Seth, dear?"
Queen Feilz looked up from the watercolor she was copying in the weak light that was oozing through the frosted glass windowpanes. It looked like the beginning of another landscape-mountains this time. Watercolors had become a hobby of Mother's ever since she'd moved to Dragoloth to be with her husband. Even seated on her velvet cushion, she was quite tall, with the ramrod efficiency of a soldier. She was a commanding presence in the best of situations-this was not the best of situations. As she turned to face him, the sun glanced off the diamond netting that held back her thick, long, curling red hair from her pale face. Her harsh, eagle eyes pinned on him, Seth was irritated to discover his mother's unique ability to freeze a grown man in his steps had not abaited in any manner in the years since he had lived here with her and Father.
Polite.
"Yes, mother?"
"It's been a while since we've seen you-you suppose you could greet us like a good child would?" The pointed words weren't even disguised as pleasantry-an open rebuke. He bit down hard to stop an angry reply.
"And don't grind you're teeth-that's an ugly habit you should have outgrown years ago."
He could play the game-it had been years since he had been in Court, though, so he was woefully out of practice. The artificial smile he hoisted onto his face felt overly-fake, but it was easier than getting reprimanded like a child. Why was it that he was the middle child and yet he was treated like the youngest?
"Hello mother." he kept his voice affectionatly calm-the sort of ruise that was required. Stepping forward (vindictively aware he was leaving muddy boot tracks on the fine velveteen carpet) he bent at the waist and kissed her on the cheek as affectionantly as he could muster.
"That's better. But you're tracking mud on the carpet."
"I didn't have time to change, I was in a hurry."
"Dearest, why don't we hear what the boy has to say?"
Father's voice floated over from the chair by the window, reminding Seth that Mother was only the preliminary-compaired to father, he and mother were practically loving.
Stiffly, he rotated and bowed in Father's general direction, noting as he went down that the King of Dragoloth was in impeccable morning clothes and that, as he came up, no one's hair should be able to stay in that position without sliding loose.
To say that Father was a fop would be a misconception-not far off the mark, but Pharaun Matrador's ability to appear immpeccable at any hour on any day was legendary as far as Acadea to the south and Kosovia to the east.
"Now Seth, why don't you tell us what's so important that you couldn't spare the time and effort to change out of what appears to be butcher's castoffs."
On second thought, perhaps they had arrived at that line.
"It's about Adamas. I finally found him, and-"
"How is the dear boy?" that was mother, looking up from her pine trees and watery green paint. "You did tell him that we miss him? That he really ought to come back to Court?"
Swallowing was a reflex-for the longest time, Seth had trained himself to flex his fingers when he was frusterated beyond comprehension. Lately, he'd added swallowing to clear his head. His fingers were cramping and he swallowed so hard his ears popped, emphasizing every sound. Still sore after the abuse they had taken at Adama's tower, the throbbing reminded him that he really did have to stay here and warn them for the danger...if only he could swallow his ire and rescue the damn people that hated him.
"Yes, mother, I-"
"And that he's working himself too hard? Your father spoke to him not long ago-apparently his conciousness was quite weak and he sounded quite ill."
"He is sick, mother." The majority of his personality was evil-just now, it rejoiced shamelessly over bearing bad news. "When I left, he had a fever and had damaged one of his ears possibly beyond repair. He also seemed to be very lethargic and lacked anything like energy."
"And you left him?" Mother was horrified.
That same evil part of his person cackled wickedly, even as he bowed his head, the very picture of contriteness. "I'm sorry, Mother, but I came bearing news...it is very important that you hear me out."
"We wouldn't dream of hindering you." Father inturrupted Mother with a sharp look. "Let the boy speak dear, it might be interesting. Not very likely, I must admit, but then, there isn't any point in supper getting inturrupted for nothing at all."
Being told that, unless he had something to say, he was 'nothing' didn't improve Seth's attitude. Probably Father's intentions.
"Well, Father," he spat the appellation out with as much sweet venom as he could muster on his tounge-growing up with Queen Feilz, it was an impressive amount. "Adamas is preforming arcane operations that are...shady at best and downright horrific at worst."
"Don't be silly, darling." Mother was not one to be silenced for long. She had turned back to her painting, abruptly uninterested. "Adamas wouldn't do that without Father's knowledge."
Seth stared at her, wondering over her willing blindness. Why was it so hard to believe that Adamas wasn't the angel he was made out to be?
Seth knew how to choose his battles, however. Mother was clearly a lost cause.
Father, however, might have retained a touch of sense when it came to his youngest son-surely he wouldn't be so willingly blind.
"Father, Adamas is violating not only Dragoloth's civil laws of conduct but also the code of conduct expected from every living creature under the dominion of the Three Gods."
Father was certainly amused by something. His smooth ebony skin was nearly shining with humor, his deep blue eyes sparkling with suppressed laughter. Even the crystals in that long white hair seemed to be twinkling mockingly.
"Impressive. Perhaps one of my children will live up to the Matrador name yet."
His thoughts inturrupted, Seth snapped back, "Father, when I broke that crystal ball of yours when I was five, you told me I was not only violating civial and natural laws but also a blight upon the country and the Continent."
"Never fear, I am yet to withdraw that opinon."
Why was he saving these people again?
Because if they died, he'd probably be dead too.
He sighed-he couldn't help it. The things he did for these people.
"Father, I'm quite serious. Adamas has gotten his hands on an angel," his tounge stumbled over the alien sound, "and he's threatening to call down the gods."
Father shrugged, elegantly unconcerned.
"I know. He's had the angel for some time now-a lovely girl. In all aspects."
Seth's jaw dropped.
"You KNEW?"
His voice came out an indignant screech-reminescent even to him of a wronged alley tom. Both of his parents sent him scolding looks-lucky, however, that his father wished to address the topic on hand first.
"Yes, I knew. That particular specimen of angel serves a heathen god-Adamas is doing research into different beliefe systems. It will be very useful in stamping those out. Your imagination is overheating, Seth-no god would answer the call of a mere mortal. You may leave."
And with that, Seth was inelegantly dismissed.
__________
Erm...yeah. I didn't actually have any idea what I was doing. No plans for this one, nothing. It ran away. Pharaun's a wreck-NOTHING like the real one, I know, I'm sorry. *grovels*. I'm so happy I have a plot twist, tho. And Seth, he's going to get beaten up for the rest of this story, mark me words, mark me words. There's more twists comign along-at least two more siblings to meet. :D See you soon!
Later, 'gator,
Irene V
He's yours Jozzy-eats him whole as payment for ruining your favorite character. :D