Greetings all
I hope you have all had a great week and a relaxing weekend incoming. I have a super busy weekend, so I doubt I will do much writing. At least I had some time to work on Sanguifex.
Be sure to read @zakludick's update before getting started on mine.
Vitex reached for the new amulet around her throat. She had had her fill of curses for more than her immortal lifetime. She could sense her body wanted to rebel immediately, but she forced herself to calm down. There was a story here, and she was sure that if she heard it, she would be more willing to accept or reject the request.
She frowned and looked to Mortis, “Well?”
“Well, what?” he asked as he shrugged. “The boy and Millmor have never discussed the curse with us at length. I don’t have an answer for you.”
Pouting now, she resigned herself to get the information she needed from Derric. She took a deep breath and turned back to the prince. She was even more annoyed when he shrugged and said, “I was but a toddler when it happened. I don’t remember much.”
Vitex glanced sideways at Millmor and then muttered, “I suppose you have all the answers then.”
“It’s a long story.” Sighed Millmor.
“Not like we’re going anywhere.” Vitex made her way to where King Adrian was still sleeping.
Adiran had been next to him but only seemed to be curious about the grass growing over him. Vitex patted him on the shoulder and said, “He is fine for now. You lot will have to decide what to do with him, and soon. I can’t keep him sleeping like this forever.”
She then made her way to where Lucien was still lying unconscious. She lightly tapped the knights’ shoulders and said, “Your healing will do nothing more than what I have already done. You’re wasting your time and magic. You need your rest and something to eat. I will ask for an old deer to come to church. I only ask that you end her swiftly to prevent suffering. The meat may be somewhat tough, but stewed long enough it’ll still be tasty, and she won’t have to be ripped apart by wolves.”
The Blazeknights looked to Mortis, and he only nodded his head, “You all need to eat a good meal. Do as she says.”
The knights looked at each other and then back to Mortis. Vitex clicked her tongue and said, “We will wait for you if you’re so interested in hearing the tale.”
Blood and screaming. That was all he remembered. However, the longer he sat trying to wash the blood from his hands the more the flashes were coming back to him. It had been a band of travellers, maybe a merchant or two. He had flown at them, tearing them all apart, even the women and children. The beast didn’t care. It needed to feel meat and tendons tear and bones crunch under its strength. It revelled in it. It was only when there was no more screaming that it had returned to the deepest parts of his mind, leaving him to view the work it had done.
Robert felt sick and ashamed. After vomiting what little food he had eaten since the last time he had had a meal, he had left the destruction to wash in the river close by. While the physical blood washed from him easily, the screams didn’t leave his ears.
Months he had tried to avoid people once he figured out what was happening, but occasionally he would still run into them, and this was the only outcome. He had tried everything to stop what was happening to him, but nothing had been successful, and each time the beast had gotten more and more violent when they had come across anything living.
Robert scrubbed under his nails with a sigh, trying to ignore the screaming in his ears. It took him some time to realise that the screaming wasn’t in his head and that there was still someone screaming. He was perplexed. This would be the first time they had left someone alive after their rampage. The beast was quite adept at killing and usually stopped only when the screaming stopped.
Swallowing a deep breath, Robert made his way back to the carnage. Perhaps this time someone was still alive. Someone who he could help and redeem himself. However, look as he might, there were no breathing souls. Despite this, the screaming continued.
Feeling his gorge rising he growled, “Who the hell is screaming?”
He kicked at a crate which spilled its contents at his feet. It was a mixture of personal items and food. Robert fell upon the food and ate as much as he was willing to have on an empty stomach. As he was eating, he noticed something odd that was wrapped in leather. There was a glint of metal. He was sure it was gold. He was confused. The group of people hadn’t looked particularly well off, what were they doing with gold.
Curiosity got the better of him as he raised the edge of the leather to reveal what looked like a cleaver. He couldn’t help but roll his eyes. Who in their right mind would make a cleaver out of gold. The metal was soft and wouldn’t serve a function…
Pick me up!
Startle, Robert back peddled, almost dropping the small loaf of bread he was eating. He was sure the voice had come from the weapon. He stood some distance viewing the item with distrust, and then realised that the screaming had stopped.
“No, it can’t be, can it?” he muttered.
Pick me up!
Now he knew he was losing his mind. He sat in the dirt and chuckled for a few minutes until he burst out laughing until tears ran down his cheeks.
“What else could possibly fuck up my life.” He muttered after he got control of his laughter.
I can tame the beast.
That caught his attention and he slowly got to his feet. Although he was sure his mind had finally started showing signs of cracking, he was curious. He found himself standing over the cleaver and watched in amazement as the cleaver morphed to change into a gilded rapier.
Pick me up and I will teach you to control that which is tearing you apart.
And back to Zak.
Here is an explanation of Chain Stories and here is the current Chainstory Library
Mortis Custos
Sanguifex
The Reader List
If you would like to be tagged in every episode of Mortis Custos, leave us a comment and get added in, miss nothing!
The Watchlist:
@weone, @merenludick, @clairemobey, @therneau, @blitzzzz, @pravesho, @joetunex, @captainquack22, @irisworld, @braaiboy, @sketchygamerguy, @fuego-oscuro, @felt.buzz, @dibblers.dabs, @beeber, @brittandjosie, @tamacvet, @alonicus, @joetunex, @stdd, @uop, @luizeba, @cryptoniusrex, @agreste, @itzchemaya, @darthsauron, @seki1
Right... let's kick this pig!