Men who play games of war and soldiers born from circumstance...
MAIN
PROFILES
ALBUMS
STORIES
EXTRAS
LINKS
 |
Scroll 03 : 03
|
Kso’ppghiel finds that he’s sadly appreciative of the magic weaved into the collar because it’s now negating some to the mask’s effects. He is very tired of being bound, dragged around and forced in and out of consciousness. Nothing he does is by his own vocation anymore and he’s just so very… tired. Too tired to be angry. If their plan is to wear him down so that he has no choice but to comply, they seem to be succeeding and it upsets him more than most anything else that’s been done. The Captain turns off on the floor just below his Queen’s and leads him down a large, empty corridor. Bal’thial stops in front of a door at the far end and opens it, motioning for the Harbinger to go inside. Kso’ppghiel looks in, hesitating before finally stepping through into a large, but simple bedroom which he can only assume is Bal’thial’s personal quarters. Closing the doors behind them, the Captain steps past the Harbinger to move towards his bed and the formal armor he’d left there hours before. “Dress yourself.” He says without looking back, nodding his head in the direction of the carved doors and marble wardrobes that contain all manner of clothing nearby while he begins removing the fancy plated leather pieces from his bed’s plush mattress. “She will most likely start providing you with your own soon enough, but for now take what you wish since I doubt you enjoy walking around naked.” Kso’ppghiel opens the doors to the wardrobe and looks over its contents. He’s not really used to things that aren’t metal armor or that he isn’t capable of fighting in. everything before him looks to be heavy, formal and pointless –garments that will only get in the way. White eyes locate a tunic and pants set that looks light enough to keep him from feeling as if he will suffocate on top of what’s already binding him. Clawed fingers reach forward to remove the items but stop short when he realizes just how dirty he is, his hands and feet blackened from the forge floor. He looks around, locating another room off to the side of the main one and walks towards it, finding it to be a bathing area. Mismatched eyes slide over to follow the other man’s movements as the tunic he’d lent him falls to the floor, the tall Captain watching as Kso’ppghiel disappears into the wide doorway of his bathe before he pulls his gaze away. Taking a moment to finish the task of setting his formal armor back in its place on his wall as the sounds of splashing water begins spilling into the room, he then moves to his wardrobe to gather the clothing the blonde had not. Slipping a clean tunic and pants set free, Bal’thial finds his way to the opened doorway, stepping over discarded dirty clothing with little care and stopping just within. Pupiless white eyes travel back to the silhouette standing behind him just as he’s sinking down into the hot watery pool, the Captain’s voice echoing softly throughout the steam filled room when he finally speaks. “You have a few hour’s time before you will have to return. Enjoy it because training will begin early tomorrow.” A smirk forms over Kso’ppghiel’s lips that’s hidden by the mask as he eases against the cool marble behind, letting the grime soak off him and watching as it’s carried away through the bathe vents. He doesn’t bother hiding the contempt in his voice as he speaks. “And what will I get tomorrow, shackles? Chains? Will my horns be sawn off and my wings amputated? How much more can I be bound? Will I be made to perform tricks for Her Majesty? Stripped of any dignity I have left? What is it you plan on doing with me, Captain?” Bal’thial smirks. “You will earn yourself all of that and more if you continue to take such idiotic actions around our Mistress, dog.” Tossing the clothing forward just as white eyes open and shoot up to meet his blue and green gaze, the tall Captain turns back towards his room as the garments land on cold marble floor. “What I have been told to do is beat obedience into that thick skull of yours until you comply. What I plan to do is teach you how to take back some control of what will otherwise become a pathetic existence under Io’fayl’s rule.” Metal adornments on winding horns chime lightly as mismatched eyes slide back over his shoulder while he continues into the room just beyond. “If I do have to beat it into you to get you to understand, then so be it.” The sound of splashing water reaches Bal’thial’s ears and he turns around to find the dripping wet Harbinger in his face, mask shoved dangerously close to his own as angry white eyes stare into his. “I do not plan to make this place my permanent residence, if you have not forgotten.” Clawed hands meet the Captain’s chest as he shoves the white-haired man back, closing the space between them shortly after. “And why would I think that you would help me? Why not just beat it into me like the stubborn animal I apparently am? I know where your loyalty lies. I do not need someone lying to me just to get me to behave like a slave or a dog. This is not about giving me control, it’s about getting your Queen into bed.” Kso’ppghiel’s hands are flying up to shove at the other man once again but this time he finds clawed fingers gripping tight around his wrist just as he would contact and a split second later, the white haired man has spun them around and it throwing him back. Metal enchantments and wet strands of light blonde hair spill across the plush mattress when the back of his knees hit the stone pedestal it stands on and he falls against the bed. Pupiless eyes that had closed upon impact reopen to lock with the mismatched gaze above as Bal’thial leans down, long braided plaits spilling forward while his hand remains wrapped around the other man’s wrist. “You know nothing and yet presume everything. I have no more need of our Queen’s bed than she does of mine. She takes what she wants whether it is given or not as you will soon learn-” and will eventually come to find has been done already. “-and there are times it is simply better to comply and make the most of the opportunities given.” The Harbinger growls, throwing his free hand up to push Bal’thial away only to have that wrist quickly caught and held down as well, causing the pinned man to buck up under the one above in an effort to throw him off. His tries are unsuccessful, his efforts only causing him to tire further. White eyes narrow as they remain locked with mismatched blue and green, the sneer on his lips visible even through the mask. “You also know nothing of me. This is not an opportunity, this is slavery. I only wish to be back out where I was, fighting. There is nothing this woman can offer me that can ever compare to that. She cannot take what is not given and I will give her nothing.” Kso’ppghiel picks his head up, metal almost touching the Captain’s lips as he brings his face in close to retain his obstinacy even until the very end. “You cannot make me.” “With this-” Bal’thial starts before ripping a hand away from Kso’ppghiel’s wrist and sliding it over to latch onto the metal ring adorning the collar he wears, yanking him just a little closer. “You will find that I can.” A smirk forms on full lips as the Harbinger snarls beneath the confines of the mask and as the heat of the other man’s breath washes through the metal muzzle and fiery white eyes stare up at him with that constant defiance contained inside, the tall Captain has the sudden urge to speak the words that will rid them of it so there will be nothing between them as there is now. But the moment the thought passes through his head he pushes it away, giving himself no time to think on the full meaning of it before he drops the blonde back onto his bed. “If you want battle then I will give it to you, if you want freedom, you will have to earn it. It is as simple as that.” Anger flashes hard in Kso’ppghiel’s eyes and his free hand moves up quickly to grasp the Captain’s throat, claws slowly sinking into warm flesh. Bal’thial pays it little mind even as blood begins drip from the wounds to run down the blonde’s hand and wrist. The Harbinger pulls him down by the grip, his gaze turning almost feral when he cannot get a reaction. “Then do it. Give me a weapon and I will give you your battle. I have no plans to earn anything from you or her.” The tall Captain’s hands fly up to grip down on the wrist that holds him and he tears clawed fingers away to send his own blood splattering against the far wall, no indication of the pain showing even as he pulls back before twisting the other man around. Metal enchantments and white blonde hair spills across messed bedding, a soft grunt leaving Kso’ppghiel when his chest hits the mattress below. Teeth grit beneath the mask when Bal’thial twists strong arms up behind him, a long leg swung across his naked form as he pins the blonde with his body from behind. White plaits spill forward as the tall Captain leans down, the blood flowing freely from the wounds riddling his neck as pupiless eyes shoot back as far as his position will allow to meet the fiery mismatched gaze of the one that now secures him when his face is brought in close. “You will understand sooner or later Harbinger, that your plans mean very little inside of these walls.” Kso’ppghiel brings his head back hard, smashing into the one behind with a spiral curve of his horn and startling the white haired man long enough to push up on his knees, sending the Captain off balance over the side of the bed but soon pulled along by the grip on his wrists. The two come crashing down against the marble floor, the blonde sitting up and ripping himself away from Bal’thial while he still remains flat on his back. The Harbinger looks around quickly, finding the Captain’s own weapon hanging from one of the nearby wardrobes. He grasps the hilt just as the white haired man rises, swinging the blade around and pointing the tip of the spiked blades at the other man’s throat white eyes become focused and ready for the kill. “Give me one reason not to take your head.” “I have none.” Bal’thial starts, his tone even while mismatched gaze never once waver as it remains locked with fiery white. “Kill me if you think it will bring you satisfaction.” Just as the words leave the other man’s lips, Kso’ppghiel pulls the heavy sword back in order to strike and in the instant the jagged metal has slipped away, the tall Captain steals the opportunity and streams forward. A balled fist contacts with the blonde’s stomach and immediately after he reaches over to rip his weapon away when he stumbles a half step back from the hard blow. The white haired man spins in the movement to land another hard punch against the side of the Harbinger’s face that sends him crashing onto the marble floor below. Clawed fingers slide quickly up to give himself leverage to rise only to have his face shoved down hard when a leather sandal covered foot kicks at his lower back to pin him in place. Twisting his sword around and transferring it to his other hand, Bal’thial slides the serrated metal to the back of Kso’ppghiel’s neck and smirks. “I will not cower before one such as our Queen… what makes you think I would do it for you?” “I did not expect you to.” Laughter leaves Kso’ppghiel’s lips in such a way that it even surprises him. The Harbinger doesn’t know if he’s more impressed at the level of skill the Captain has or the fact that he really might kill him and release him from this prison. He hasn’t truly laughed in years and it’s an oddly satisfying feeling. It must be the lack of food or real sleep or the enchantments… they must actually be driving him insane. The pointed blade at the back of his neck lifts slightly as Bal’thial watches the man below him in confusion and Kso’ppghiel twists onto his side, grabbing into the white-haired man’s foot suddenly to yank him off balance, his laughter never waning as the other goes crashing to the marble floor. His heavy sword flies free of his grip and skids away as he lands flat onto his back, his long braided locks and scrolled metal adornments tangling every which way to cause the laughter spilling from the one besides him to come a little harder. Clawed fingers slide up to push at messy strands as Bal’thial’s mismatched gaze travels over to rest on the figure at his side, staring almost dumbfounded for a few long moments before he finds himself laughing softly as well. The shift in Kso’ppghiel’s features had caught him a little off guard, the laughter unexpected and yet he’s finding surprisingly… nice. Pulling himself upright after a few moments longer have passed, the tall Captain simply shakes his head. “You are… something else.” “And you are just as stubborn as I, apparently…” Kso’ppghiel rolls onto his side, facing the other man, attempting to calm his almost insane amusement as he sits up as well. “I am finding it a shame we could not meet under different circumstances. I think I would have enjoyed facing you in a fair fight.” He idly wonders if this is what the Captain normally does; takes those who will not obey his Queen and forces them. While he does find himself curious about this man, it does not extend to doing what he is told and staying any longer than he has to in order to take his swords and leave. “There truly is nothing you can do to make me comply with her wishes.” The blonde haired man’s words take on a tint of sincerity that had been masked beneath all his anger. Bal’thial nods in the slightest and the smallest of sighs slips free of his lips. “If you were easily swayed into bending to another’s will, you would not be where you are now…” though considering who’s father the other man has turned out to be, he’s sure he’d be here anyway. Clawed fingers push the last of disheveled braided hair behind a shoulder before the tall Captain pulls himself to his feet and offers his hand out to the one still sitting below, mismatched eyes staring down into pupiless white. “She is going to continue imposing her wishes on you no matter what you do, Kso’ppghiel, or have me do it in her stead… and eventually you will learn that it is easier to play than it is to be the one who is played.” Kso’ppghiel hesitates for a moment before grasping on to the outstretched hand as it pulls him to his feet. He immediately lets go and turns away, walking towards the discarded clean clothing that lies on the floor to the bathe. “It would be like asking me to breathe under water.” Enchanted charms clink against each other as he bends down, scooping the tunic up and throwing it over his naked form before grabbing the pants as well. “I will not stop trying to leave this place, it is not my home and will never be. But I do not wish to fight you.” The white haired Captain crosses his arms beneath his chest, blue and green eyes simply watching as long legs are slid into the light fabric of his borrowed pants. “There are many different types of battles.” He says quietly as the Harbinger’s white gaze turns to meet his. “Physical combat is inevitable as our Mistress would not allow anything less but I would prefer as well, not to have a constant battle of wills between us.” Bal’thial uncrosses his arms with a smirk just as the blonde is wrapping linen ties low on his hips. Striding casually over to his earlier discarded sword, long plaited hair spills forward as he bends over to pull it free of the marble floor before turning back towards the wooden mounts that keep it stored, his voice falling a little low. “Life inside of her walls becomes what you make of it…” “As long as I am kept here against my will, it will always be a prison and I will always be a slave.” Kso’ppghiel looks down as he ties the sash around the tunic. “I understand what you are asking, but is not within me to do, especially while she holds my swords. She will end up killing me before she gets what she wants, if the past few days are any indication. Even if I did as she asked, I do not see her ever allowing me to leave and rejoin battle.” He looks up, meeting mismatched eyes. “And I will never share her bed as you have.” Bal’thial slides his weapon onto the protruding wooden pegs; his gaze narrowing as his back remains facing the other man. How little the Harbinger truly knows… His Queen has already taken what the one behind him claims he’ll never give. The feelings disgust at the thought of what had been done only hours ago springs back up to the surface and as the tall Captain is turning to face Kso’ppghiel, he quickly pushes them away. “I have no doubt that in time she will allow you back into battle so long as she feels she has enough control over you to let you from her sight… as for the other, our Mistress is not one to take no for an answer any more than she will allow herself to be rejected. She will find a way Kso’ppghiel… eventually.” The blonde haired man adjusts the collar around his neck, wanting nothing more than to take if off despite preferring to keep its effects against the mask in place. “She cannot force what is physically not there, unless she has some sort of charm for that as well, in which case she would still have to incapacitate me as I would never willingly comply. I have never had any interest in physical relations with anyone, it is a waste of time.” And only serves to hurt more when the ones you love get ripped away. Though he may have never had a coupling relationship, losing family was more than enough to put him off it forever. A single white brow arches up as Bal’thial looks on while the blonde continues to fidget with the new collar secured around his neck. “It is only a waste of time if it is done incorrectly.” He snorts as he uncrosses his arms and begins moving forward. “Every man has desires Harbinger, needs that the rush of battle cannot dream to quell so surely you are not suggesting you have never sought the company of another in order to meet those needs…” Kso’ppghiel blinks in slight confusion. “No, I have not.” He says matter-of-factly. “I have no interest in close physical contact beyond what is required to remove someone’s head while in battle. The ones available that others have lain in camp with have been much less than desirable.” Bare feet move forward, bringing him face to face with Bal’thial. “Flesh does not excite me, Captain, only blood once it has been spilled by my own hands while the creature it comes from is lying dead at my feet.” The white haired man has to stifle the laugh that wants to leave him as the Harbinger steps in close and he finds himself a little torn over his amusement that the blonde has never lain with anyone that he’s been aware of and that persistent trace of disgust he can’t seem to quell that their Mistress has stolen his first time while he slept. “Perhaps you just have yet to meet the right person.” The Captain smirks. “Or found the right body of flesh. It is impossible to completely ignore that aspect of desire and I find it a little hard to believe the thoughts have never once entered your head” especially since he knows the one before him to be capable. Incapacitated or not, Io’fayl couldn’t have done what she did if his body hadn’t reacted. The blonde can’t seem to understand why this is such a hard concept for the other man to understand. “They have not. Boys have dreams, but I do not have waking desires. Love brings pain, a pain I am not willing to face again. If I have these needs in any form, were it be by friendship, coupling or otherwise, I am not aware of it. It is a weakness to lose one’s head when in battle, to let defenses down. I do not have the time or the energy or the emotion to give up.” He lies, time is all he ever has these days but he will not have anything important ripped away from him again so he will make nothing important at all. “Why does this matter?” “I suppose it does not.” Bal’thial laughs softly and shakes his head. “I just find it… odd that one such as yourself has never willingly sought the touch of another. It is a natural emotion to seek company in some manner so to say it does not even exist within you is a little hard for me to believe. While it can become the downfall of weaker minds, those who have strength in them as you so obviously do can coexist with it without it muddling your mind or weighing you down. It is only a weakness if you allow it to be and with the right person, that particular emotion can become your greatest strength, surely you know this.” Though in truth he isn’t really one to talk since he has of yet to find anyone he feels worthy enough to love beyond the platonic emotions he’d felt for his family. But he’s been around long enough to see what it does to others, and what others can do with it when they have the know-how just as he’s sure the blonde has as well… “If it could coexist, then perhaps the death of the ones I loved would not have driven me to this state.” Kso’ppghiel looks away. He’s growing very tired of this conversation, he does not feel he should have to explain himself as the words have been said, they are fact and there is nothing else around it. “It has never occurred to me that I would live long enough to even want to seek out that emotion. I have not as of yet. And it is not as if I could even if I wanted to anymore as I am now someone’s dog.” His words take on a slight edge before seating himself down on the bed with a soft sigh. “One such as myself?” White eyes gaze up to meet blue and green. “I am not sure I understand.” Of course he doesn’t understand… the son of the only man he suspects to have ever gained their Queen’s heart, a force to be reckoned with all on his own and possibly the only person in a long time that he, himself could see on equal grounds. Unrefined in his overwhelming amount of skill, strong and passionate for the kill, yet utterly lost for basic emotion… he truly never has met anyone of this person’s like and the interest that had been piqued from day one only seems more persistent in its nature now. “There is nothing to understand.” Bal’thial lies, his gaze sliding momentarily away towards the fading light shining in through his terrace windows. “At least nothing I have time to explain this day.” His mismatched gaze travels back down and his expression straights. “The sun is setting and our Queen will be expecting you returned to her soon… you are marked enough for her satisfaction save payment for this.” Sliding clawed fingers up to touch at the dried blood on his throat moments before the Captain suddenly lashes out, raking alongside the other man’s head. Anger flashes hard through Kso’ppghiel’s features as blood begins to soak into white-blonde hair from the lacerations on his scalp. His body shakes slightly as he fights to keep himself from returning the blow for as long as he can. But soon enough, he’s rising and a bare foot comes up to kick Bal’thial in the chest, sending the Captain stumbling back. “Do not think I will not defend myself. If you start I will certainly reciprocate despite not wanting to. This is why I do not speak. Words are meaningless when actions only serve to try and push me down further.” Gaining his footing rather quickly as Kso’ppghiel continues to advance, the tall Captain reaches suddenly out to wrap his hand around the ring of the collar he wears before yanking the shorter man forward and sending him toppling towards him. Spinning him around in the movement, the blonde soon finds his back contacting with the other man’s chest. Gripping down around the metal collar with one hand while he twists the Harbinger’s arms back in-between their bodies, Bal’thial slides his head forward to speak close to the other man’s ear. “For once Harbinger, try showing me the intelligence I have been told swims around inside of your head.” Kso’ppghiel bares his fangs from beneath the mask, attempting to struggle in the vice-like grip the Captain holds him in. He cannot be anything other than what he is, he cannot even pretend. “Then remove the collar, incapacitate me. I do not want to be aware of the control I do not have. Otherwise she will have to bind me to keep me with her.” He hisses his words in frustration as he turns his head back to meet mismatched eyes with his own, their faces almost touching with the metal of the mask the only thing between them. Again the Captain finds an urge to tear the mask free of the one he holds while their faces remain locked together so close, to do away with barriers for reasons he can’t even identify and it pulls a frown quickly to his lips. “She… will bind you regardless…” he near whispers before slipping his hand away and pulling his body back to release the other man’s wrists. Shoving Kso’ppghiel towards his closed double doors, his words are quiet in the stillness of the surrounding air. “And I prefer to remain with the living so you will have to find a way to endure .”
|
