Men who play games of war and soldiers born from circumstance...
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Kso’ppghiel finishes packing their things in the dark. It was somewhat hard with no light but he didn’t want to draw attention to their leaving. He is certain there would be protests if they were to get a hold of Bal’thial. Instead he had the Captain wait by the river where he would return with their bags before checking on Yu’seal and then leaving the clan for good. While the blonde does not like being among these men, he is more concerned for Bal’thial’s emotions through it all. The Captain’s urgency to leave tells him there is more emotion wrapped up in this place than even the white haired man may be aware of. In the end he does not care as long as Bal’thial is happy and he is by his side, but he does feel bad that his final memories of this place will be tainted in a way. He speaks out quietly into the darkness. “Child…” It only takes a moment of silence before the small shifting mass of shadow appears before him, softly glowing eyes staring intently into white. Do not leave us behind. He will not be able to travel on his own. Kso’ppghiel looks at the glowing eyes, confused. “Why? And he would not be on his own if he were with you.” The small mass of shadow wavers momentarily before the creature answers softly. He has agreed to become our new companion. They have mated… but he is not changed and he is not the same and we are weaker here so we cannot help him. We need your help. You brought us here, you must bring us back. The news is partially good, but neither he nor Bal’thial thought they would have accompany them back if the creature found a suitable mate. Granted it is in the direction of his home, but that still means Yu’seal would be traveling with them and he is unsure if Bal’thial would be all right with that. “I will need to speak with my companion and yours first. I am happy she has found a suitable mate.” They… were reluctant the small creatures says. But I am confident that they will forget… when we return. We must leave soon. Speak with those you wish so that we may do this. We do not wish you to leave us behind... glowing eyes linger on the Harbinger for a moment before the shadowy mass fades from view to leave Kso’ppghiel alone. He sighs, his own guilt coming through. He did not want it forced and he would feel terrible if they ended up making a mistake that they can’t undo. Kso’ppghiel rises, walking out of his tent and into the one next to him where Yu’seal had said he would be residing in. White eyes stare at the ground as he stands at the tent’s entrance, hesitating for a moment before speaking quietly. “Yu’seal? May I come in to speak with you?” For a few moments the only reply the blonde gets is the sounds of rustling fabrics and furs from inside before the one inside finally speaks, signaling with a single quiet word that he’s cleared to come in. Silvery gray eyes don’t bother to look up from his task as the leather flap swings open and Kso’ppghiel steps in to find him squatted down near his bedding, an open sack at his side and clawed hands reaching for a small carved wooden box nearby. “So…” he says flatly as he runs claw tips across the surface of the box, his gaze fixed. “I guess we’re traveling together for the next few days…” “It was requested by the younger one.” The blonde stays near the entrance, feeling very unwanted by the one before him. “I have not spoken with Bal’thial about it yet.” Kso’ppghiel sighs. “Are you… all right with this? Any of it? It was neither my or Bal’thial’s intent to have this forced upon anyone, as we did not want it forced upon us.” “I wasn’t forced. I made a choice and I’m sure in the end, it’ll be the right one.” Yu’seal doesn’t look up, his voice quiet and low as he continues. “We were… so young when I first laid eyes on Thial. His hair was a lot shorter back then, and he wasn’t calloused the way he is now. He was so bright… blinding in a way… like the sun...” Pulling the tips of his claws away from the box, the mercenary scoops it up and rises to his feet, turning to face the Harbinger as he holds it out for the other man to take. “I’d planned on giving one of these to him a long time ago but it never seemed appropriate with us being just friends the way we were. They were my mother’s, and hers before that and on back until the beginning of our line. It’s all that’s left of my family and I’d take them with me but… she said it won’t be possible once we’re there. I don’t want them ruined and if they got into anyone else’s hands, I’m afraid they’ll be traded for drink or a woman. I know I can trust Thial with one, I’d like to trust you with the other.” White eyes travel down to the offered box and Kso’ppghiel hesitates before reaching out for it. “But.” Yu’seal continues once it’s in the blonde’s hands, turning to pack the last of the clothing he plans to take. “Don’t open it until I’m gone. That’s all I ask. I’m pretty sure I know what will happen and I don’t really want to see it” Kso’ppghiel looks at him confused. “If this is what you desire than it will be done in this manner. They will be kept and cherished. I know he will never forget you.” White eyes move over the small box wondering exactly why. “I will need to speak with Bal’thial before we are to leave, otherwise we will be ready when you are.” He turns to leave the tent, pausing before he exits completely. “I do wish you happiness in your life. She would not have chosen you if you were not strong and I hope your choice in return gives you all you desire. And please…” He pauses, his voice going quiet. “Take care of the little one…”
 Dark eyes shift as the shadow does and in one instant, the woman takes shape as her gaze turns to meet white pupiless eyes with her own, a soft frown painted on her pretty face. “Once we have returned, we will keep to the word we have given as well.” The woman’s deep gaze slides away from the Harbinger’s, shifting back to rest on the white haired man. “It would have been best for her had he accepted my name. It would have been best for us all. She does not wish to forget you and neither myself or my new companion wishes to forget him. We will not be the same…” “You will survive, you will continue on. This is what you ultimately needed. It will do neither of you any good wanting something that can never be. We will not forget any of you and you do not have to forget us, but we must go our separate ways once we have returned.” White eyes shift over to dark as they continue to stare out at Bal’thial. “We have all grown in this experience, we will all be better because of it. Would you not rather have someone who can care for your true form without having to put on a false mask to lure them in? Someone who cares for you and the child as you are instead of what you have made him believe?” “All of our companions have seen our name. All have cared once we have mated, but…” the woman’s words trail as her gaze continues to linger on the white haired man far ahead. Slowly she pulls that gaze away and slides it over to stare at the blonde, her voice low when she does speak again. “Our new companion is the first to choose this face and not the one I offered.” Her deep eyes slip back over to rest once again on the Captain’s near stationary form. “We are… unsure of what this means.” “It is a good thing.” Kso’ppghiel smirks slightly. “It means he accepts you as you are, for what you are, not what illusions you can provide. Ideally, all companions should be like this. It will make for a stronger bond…” He offers the creature a small smile before walking forward and making his way towards Bal’thial as mismatched eyes continue to stare out over the water. “They have mated. He has agreed to become their companion. He has accepted her as she is without illusion. There is just one problem…” Blue and green eyes shift back towards the Harbinger as the blonde continues speaking. “They are not strong enough to make it back to their home alone. They require us to escort them. I have spoken with all three, now I am speaking with you. I was unsure if you would be comfortable journeying with Yu’seal.” Bal’thial smirks and shakes his head, sending metal adornments chiming. “I should not be surprised that they want more from us than they have already taken…” blue and green eyes slide back to the water and narrow just a little. “Somehow I did not think it would be so easy.” The tall Captain slides his hand up to push the single braid his hair is gathered into back over his shoulder with a long sigh. “Though I suppose good will come from an escort as it will carry us back towards your home village and once we have taken them, we will be able to continue on our original path…” Mismatched eyes slip back over and he shifts the path of his hand, sliding clawed fingers up to the side and into strands of white blonde. “I am… unsure of my feelings in regards to traveling with both those two creatures once again and Yu’sa as well… but, the journey is only three day’s ride and I will bear it if it means we will be freed of them once and for all.” Kso’ppghiel nods slightly. “It is understandable. The female will not attempt anything, Yu’seal has accepted his new path and while the young girl would prefer not to forget us, she understands as well. We are all ready to leave when you are.” Clawed fingers slide along Bal’thial’s cheek, the Captain closing his eyes at the touch. “The journey will not be long and then we will be free once more to start our own lives.” The two men sit in silence for a few moments before the blonde speaks softly. “Yu’seal has given us something passed down in his family. He was told he cannot take it with him. He once had planned to share it with you but it was never appropriate and felt that we should hold onto it, but not to open it until he leaves. I told him his wishes would be followed.” The taller man’s eyes slide back open and he quirks an eyebrow in question. “I have known that man for a long time and he has never once spoken of anything he had that was passed down from his family. If he has been holding out on Dir’aan as well…” Bal’thial smirks. “But… if his wishes are for us to have this ‘something’ then so be it. I suppose in granting that request, we can consider ourselves even in the end...” Slipping his fingers up and over the ones that holds him, he pulls the Harbinger’s hand to his lips, leaving a soft kiss on his palm before offering him a soft smile. “Or if anything, it will be incentive to get them back as well, because I am finding my curiosity piqued.” Kso’ppghiel smiles at the white haired man’s words before they begin to rise, the smile on Bal’thial’s lips fading the moment mismatched eyes turn to catch the darkened figure of the woman standing in the same place far behind. Narrowing his eyes, his tone leaves him suddenly serious and very low. “The horses are tied just on the outskirts of camp. I feel we should leave now.”
 Large dark eyes slide up to watch the Harbinger from below, his own gaze remaining locked on the white haired man at his front. “I wish to have a piece of ‘yourself’” she says finally, her words pulling the blonde’s gaze away from the Captain and down to the eyes that await him. “Your companion will have his pieces re-braided into his hair. I wish to have a piece of ‘yourself’ so that I may braid it into mine.” Kso’ppghiel blinks a few times as he works out just what exactly she meant before he chuckles a little. “I am not sure this is possible, I do not wear adornments and I was under the impression you could not take material items with you to your home.” “I wish to try.” She smiles up at the blonde. “I wish to have a piece of ‘yourself’ to keep so that I will not forget.” Sliding a small hand away from the horse’s mane, she reaches up to latch on strands of layered white blonde. “Your piece does not have to be the same as your companion’s ‘adornments’ so long as it is a part of you. If I cannot take ‘yourself’ with me, then I will keep it close so that I may have it when the light is in the sky. Will you give it to me? Will you braid it into my hair?” The blonde stares at her smiling face. He can’t really see any reason to deny her. If these creatures could do things against someone with personal objects, the older one would have probably done so with Bal’thial. White eyes look up just in time to catch a wary look from the Captain’s mismatched gaze, Kso’ppghiel can only shrug with a sigh. “I suppose we can try if it is what will make you happy.” The young girl’s face lights up as the blonde hands her the reins, unsheathing a few inches on one of his swords and taking a small lock of hair before running it along the blade. Letting the weapon slide back, he pulls one of the ties off his tunic, wrapping the thin leather around both a lock of her hair and his, securing it to her head before he begins braiding the strands together. As he finishes he pulls another tie free, knotting the bottom in place. “This is the best I can do for you.” “I am satisfied.” The small girl beams as she settles back against the Harbinger once more, flicking playfully at the reigns while mismatched eyes turn away from the scene behind. Bal’thial’s patience for the company they keep is wearing as thin as it had been while they’d been back within his old clan’s camp. That creature’s child like face, her child like manner and speech… he knows it all to be false and the longer a time they spend around it, the more wary he becomes of its attachment to Kso’ppghiel. He can only hope that once they return the two and his old friend back that both himself and the blonde truly will be left alone once and for all…
Somewhere in the darkness beyond he can hear Yu’sa coughing quietly as he too sleeps, his company that of the older creature in the tent made nearby. Earlier in the day, before they’d made camp the mercenary had begun to look as if he were getting sick, his skin taking on a grayish tint while shadows formed beneath his eyes. He hasn’t asked and Yu’sa hadn’t offered, but he can only guess that the change the other two had been speaking of, the reasons they gave for the needed escort would be why and he supposes they will find out during their return trip whether or not his old friend truly is strong enough to survive the choice he’d made. A soft shifting of the one he holds pulls his attentions from his thoughts and slowly mismatched eyes slide open to find white staring up at him through the darkness. “Could not sleep?” he asks quietly as clawed fingers slip up to brush through strands of light gold. “It seems that you are the one who is having trouble. Has the creature done something?” The Captain shakes his head at Kso’ppghiel’s question and the blonde feels a little relieved. He had worried that the creature would change its mind and go after Bal’thial again. A loud coughing interrupts his thoughts and he sits up as slight guilt moves through him. He still feels as if Yu’seal chose to become the female’s companion out of despair and not because he truly wanted to. He only hopes that they grow to care for each other as she had said the others do. “I am worried… for him.” “As am I…” the taller man sighs while leaning forward to pull his back slightly free of the tent’s wall as Kso’ppghiel is sitting further back. “But he has not asked for help…or for anything, so I do not feel I should impose it on him.” He continues as he slides his arm over his knee with a sigh, clawed fingers trailing into loose white locks as he leans his head against his hand. “The older one has been silent to me since we began this journey back, something of which I am both uneasy for and grateful… the younger one speaks only to you, has she said anything of what is happening to him at all?” “Only that he is going through the change, but I am not aware of what entails exactly. Their forms are very fluid so I am unaware how you can change a solid being into shadow.” Kso’ppghiel leans against the taller man, lips resting in white locks as he closes his eyes. “Other than this she has spent most of the time playing with the hair I gave her.” He smirks slightly. “I can ask her tomorrow what specifically will happen as we continue our journey.” The blonde wraps his arms around Bal’thial, holding the other man close. “Only two more days, then we will be free to find us an inn maid who is willing to rebraid your hair as we do absolutely nothing for a few days.” A smile forms on the tall Captain’s lips as his mismatched gaze slips closed once again, leaning against the Harbinger that holds him tight. “This… is something I find myself looking forward to. More so than I think should be possible, but considering the days we have been taken from our original path and the pain and inconvenience those creatures have caused during it, I cannot help it. That and my hair is… unruly to say the least and if I do not get it braided again soon, I will be forced to rid myself of it.” He laughs softly before another bought of coughing spills into the distant air to interrupt him, causing Bal’thial to frown before a quiet sigh slips free of full lips and he sends the metal adornments that cap his horns chiming when he shakes his head. “I do not like the younger one’s attachment to you, and I found myself… uneasy in her request for that ‘piece of yourself’ that was given, but I would like to know what is happening to Yu’sa and if he will not volunteer it, then perhaps she might…” “She is… for all intensive purposes… a child. She reminds me of my sister and she is the one who facilitated your return to me when the creature had you. I do owe her for that at the very least. If it was not for the girl, you would be lost to me. I could not bear that.” Kso’ppghiel smiles. “Though while I am finding I like your possessiveness, I do not feel there is much need to worry. Were she an adult, I might think differently.” The blonde knows his words probably won’t ease Bal’thial’s mind, but he believes them to be true. “I will ask the child tomorrow, until then…” Claw tips reach under the Captain’s chin to pull his face up as he brings his own down, pressing their foreheads together. “Know we are safe in each other’s arms.” His fingers comb through thick white strands as he smoothes the taller man’s hair. Mismatched eyes close as the other man’s hands continue to comb through long strands of snow, a soft sigh given against Kso’ppghiel’s lips. “I am glad for this and want nothing more than to see the end of this so that I can continue to hold you safely in my arms…” a soft smirk forms on his mouth. “Of all the things I thought when we fled from Queen Io’fayl’s territories that I would be protecting you from… it was not anything like this.” Kso’ppghiel chuckles. “Though it appears I am fine and you are the one who needs protection from wayward creatures and old friends. Are you certain you can handle life outside your marble-lined hallways and silk sheets? Though it was not as if you did not have your fare share of admirers there, they simply knew better. I am apparently only seen as competition to remove in order to get to you. I am finding this more amusing than I should.” Bal’thial can’t help the laugh that leaves him. “Yes, I think you are. But in truth, it is rather comical. Apparently the life I led within those walls has made me vulnerable. This is… unsettling to think that I will continue to cause potential problems during our travels simply because I am apparently found so irresistible to others.” He smirks. “I do not remember it being so difficult as far as others were concerned before, Yu’seal included. Perhaps Io’fayl’s service has made me more attractive…?” the Captain chuckles. “Perhaps it is because you never felt a need to be concerned before. Your men would not step out of line, you had relations within the clan. Now that you no longer care for these things, what was always there may now seem like a burden. You were also not aware it was you Yu’seal was after. I simply spent much of my own time alienating others so I am sure I do not come off as charismatic. You are a leader, you ooze charisma.” Kso’ppghiel smiles as he lifts up white strands. “The hair does help…” Mismatched eyes slide to the side as his own hair slips through the other man’s hands, a sly smile forming on his lips soon after before he leans forward and pushes the blonde back. “Then it might be prudent for me to shorten it…” Falling back onto his elbows as Bal’thial continues to move against him, flowing strands spill over broad shoulders as full lips move in for a brief, playful kiss. “It might make me less desirable” slipping in-between the Harbinger’s legs as clawed hands come to rest in soft fur at either side of Kso’ppghiel’s body, he tilts his head enough to claim another kiss. “Or perhaps it will be prudent to teach you the benefits of non-alienation so that the attentions I seem able to gain will become distributed instead…” “I believe I am far too stuck in my ways.” Kso’ppghiel smiles as their lips meet again. “And I cannot handle attention as gracefully as you. You obviously saw what happened when that woman tried to direct her attention my way… I stole her Captain. Though I suppose for the inconvenience it was a fair trade in the end.” Bal’thial wraps an arm under the Harbinger’s waist, pulling him up flush as their lips meet. Clawed fingers thread into white locks holding the other man close. Without breaking the rapidly deepening kiss, the taller man pulls them both back, sitting back on his legs while the Harbinger’s knees hit the furs below. Clawed fingers grip tighter in long flowing strands as his hands move away from the waist he holds to slip beneath the tunic’s hem and around, dipping low into the waistband of leather tied pants to pull a soft moan from the blonde’s lips. But just as they are finally separating when air becomes a necessity between them both, a bought of coughing pulls both men’s attentions to the closed flap entrance behind them, the shifting of a figure signaling they are no longer alone. A frown forms on Kso’ppghiel’s mouth as he slowly begins to loosen his grip in snow colored hair, his fingers traveling away and down to the taller man’s chest as mismatched eyes are sliding back towards the source of the interruption. “Thial…” Yu’seal croaks hoarsely from outside, his voice barely managing to carry above the water. “Thial… I need… to speak with you.” Bal’thial doesn’t answer immediately, his eyes remaining on the shadow of the figure he knows to be standing on the other side of the flap before he pulls his hands from beneath the Harbinger’s tunic and rests them on structured hips and turns his attentions back to the one in his lap. “…I will only be a minute.” With a nod, Kso’ppghiel slides from his body away from strong legs and seats himself back on the furs with a sigh, white eyes watching through the darkness as the tall Captain rises and turns towards the exit soon after, managing to catch a glimpse of silvery gray eyes from beyond the moment he steps outside to leave him alone. Kso’ppghiel huffs alone in the tent. While he hopes Yu’seal is ok, he is once again really looking forward to having the Captain to himself. The blonde lies down in the furs, attempting to ward off sleep. Somewhere outside Bal’thial follows Yu’seal into his tent, the mercenary doubling over momentarily as another bout of coughing hits him once inside. “You… do not look well, Yu’sa.” He starts quietly as he moves forward to help the other man only to have a clawed hand wave him off. “It’s nothing.” Yu’seal says the moment he can speak again, turning around and motioning for the white haired man to sit. “She told me it’s like this for them all. It’s only going to last a day or two and then I’ll be okay.” Mismatched eyes narrow as he stares down; standing in place for a moment longer in silence before the Captain sits down and crosses his legs to his front with a sigh. “Yu’sa…” he starts, but before he can continue the other man slides a hand up to silence him. “Look, Thial,” Yu’seal starts, his words constantly interrupted by small quiet coughs. “I know what you’re going to say and my answer is yes, it’s what I want. There’s really nothing else out here for me and eventually I’d just get too old to stay in the clan if I don’t end up dead first. What will I do then? Retire to one of the farming communities and live a subdued life?” he shakes his head with a smirk. “That’s not the life for me anymore than it would be you. Those two, they need someone to take care of them and I need to mean something to someone for a change…” his expression straightens and his voice falls a little low. “But… I’ve been harboring something inside me for a long time, since we first met actually and in a few days time I’m not going to get a chance to ever ask you again so before I go, I need to ask you something that I’m already pretty sure I know the answer for…” Mismatched eyes meet silvery gray and with the hesitation and look he’s being given, Bal’thial knows the question that’s coming. He’d rather Yu’seal had not decided to ask him this flat out as it would have been easier to have just pretended he didn’t already know, but it seems that in feeling his mortality in a way, his old friend isn’t going to let sleeping dogs lie and this he knows, is going to make the next few days both awkward and difficult. “I…” Yu’seal begins again after the silence between them stretches on a little too long for his comfort. “I should have told you this before you ever allowed Eer’sanel into your bed but… I just never thought you’d leave us when he died, I thought I’d have a chance at some point when you got tired of him...” “Yu’sa… do not-” “Please, I need to know.” Yu’seal shakes his head and the motion causes another string of coughing to leave him but he continues anyway. “I know your heart’s finally been let out of that cage and the one who has it is in the other tent. I know that… but I fell in love with you a long time ago, and if… if I’d told you back then… how I felt… would I have had any chance at all? Do you think it could have been… me?” he asks in a tone filled with hope. The white haired man sighs, sending metal adornments chiming when he shakes his head just a little. “I will not lie to you, as my friend… I cannot. It is not possible nor was it ever possible. I have always cared for you Yu’sa, but as a friend and a friend only. Even if I had not left when Eer’sanel died there never could have been anything between us… ever.” And with his words, Yu’seal’s expression falls so visibly that Bal’thial can see it happening in the dark and soon the other man nods a slow nod, his silvery gray gaze falling down to the furs he sits on immediately after. “Yu’sa, I am sor-“ “Don’t.” the mercenary whispers. “Don’t Thial… it’s okay… it’s… okay. Thank you for being so… honest.” Painfully and brutally honest like a poison tipped arrow straight to his heart. The white haired man sighs to himself before he slowly rises to his feet and turns away from his friend without another word. Just as he’s lifting the tent flap up to find his way back into the night time air, the figure of the woman appears behind Yu’seal, her dark eyes staring at the tall figure while he exits before she reaches out to pull the mercenary’s defeated frame in close… Kso’ppghiel is half asleep when the Captain finally enters the tent and he works to pull himself up from the warm furs. As white eyes crack open he notices the distraught look on Bal’thial’s face. The blonde reaches out in concern and the taller man settles down by his side in his own defeat. “What has happened? You look terrible. Is he not well?” “Yu’sa… decided to tell me that he has loved me this entire time…” Bal’thial says quietly. “Not only tell me this but he then chose to ask me if the one that holds my heart could have ever been him.” Mismatched eyes slowly close and the tall Captain sinks down just enough to rest his forehead against the Harbinger’s chest. “What he expected me to say to him… I do not know.” “I do not understand why someone would want false hope of something that could never be, but often time I feel my mode of thought is rather harsh towards reality.” Kso’ppghiel’s claws comb lightly through disheveled white plaits. “Perhaps he would have felt better knowing there was a chance and it was fate that kept you apart instead. I am sure he wanted to feel he was among those you have desired and bring this feeling of self with him to his new life. But I am not him and I am terrible at psychology, I can only speculate.” He brings his own head down to rest against Bal’thial’s. “It is not your fault or your burden. You cannot control who does or does not sway your heart, just as he cannot either. There is nothing you can do save live a false life to be with him and he would not want that as it would not be what you actually felt.” Bal’thial smiles a half hearted smile against the Harbinger’s chest as he slides strong arms around the other man’s frame. “I felt… as if he wanted this. A falsehood to carry with him… but even thirty years apart, I have not changed on a fundamental level and I cannot bring myself to lie about something so… deep. Eer’sanel wished for the same from me back then, called me cruel on many occasion for ‘toying with his emotions’ as he put it. But I have never lied when it comes to where my heart has or has not been and Yu’sa knew this… he should know it so to ask this of me now…” a sigh slips free of full lips as he tightens his grip around Kso’ppghiel’s waist. “I am granting their wishes, allowing ourselves to be subjugated to their presences and escorting them back, it should be enough…” “Others do not like to take things at face value. You felt your honesty should have carried through with your actions, it does not because others only see what they want to see. Sex is not just sex when one has emotion behind it, it does not matter what the other feels. I also believe that Yu’seal felt that with your heart never given to anyone, it made him equal and safe. Once your heart was given, it put him in a different category, one not equal as he would have to be reminded what he wants is unattainable. This Eer’sanel would probably react the same where he alive today.” The blonde’s fingers move over long horns, metal chiming as he passes each ornament. “Your honesty is a part of you I value. Had you not desired me, I would still value it.” He smirks. “It perhaps would have saved you when I burned that woman’s castle to the ground.” A soft laugh slips from the Captain’s lips and he slowly pulls his forehead free of Kso’ppghiel’s chest, never once relinquishing his hold as he sits up enough to meet the other man’s white gaze with his mismatched own. “That… is a good thing to know. It would have been an interesting day indeed had our paths not taken us to where we sit now…” slipping one arm free of the blonde’s waist, he slides clawed fingers up to brush at strands of white blonde. “Of all the people in this world that I find myself taken with, I would not want it to be any other but you. We started as circumstantial enemies and now, my once born foe holds a heart I could never give another.” Bal’thial chuckles softly as he pulls his hand away and returns it to the resting spot around the Harbinger’s waist. “I do not think Queen Io’fayl imagined this when she inadvertently introduced us, hmm?” “I imagined she expected I would become a substitute for my father. In a way she was right, I defied her rule and escaped with my life only to find a love that would carry me to the end of my days. In that respect I am exactly the same. Had she known what would have happened, I imagine she would have never allowed me from her bedchamber and you never in it.” Kso’ppghiel tilts his head slightly, white eyes moving over the taller man’s features. “You are the only creature in the world that could wake me from my slumber. I desired you when I desired no other, when I thought myself incapable. I understand completely why one would risk everything for you.” Sliding his hands away from Kso’ppghiel’s waist and up to either sides of his face, the tall Captain smiles while he leans in to brush full lips against the other man’s own. “I am happy, my Harbinger… more than I can say that I could wake you from that slumber…” their mouths touch briefly as the blonde’s own hands once again find his hair. “The world would be a dim place without your light gracing it… indeed…” pressing in when his words end once more, the kiss that’s shared is long and deep…
The Harbinger is halfway through cleaning himself when a bout of stifled coughing pulls his attentions back, white eyes turning in time to meet silvery gray as the mercenary is rounding a corner of stone and stepping into view. The shadowed tint has darkened considerably, the bags beneath his eyes deep. Surprise crosses his features as he halts in his steps, pulling the clothing in his arms up to stifle the second wave of coughing that begins to take him over. “Sorry.” He says quickly when he can manage it, turning a moment later with intent to head back the way he came. “No, you are fine.” Kso’ppghiel smirks. “The river is big enough for us all. I do not mind sharing it.” He moves slightly deeper in the water to keep himself concealed, ignoring the cold. “I had heard you coughing last night. I am somewhat concerned over this process and what it is doing to you. I had meant to ask the younger one how it was even possible for a solid being to become shadow. I do not understand much of their existence, as I have never seen anything like them before.” The mercenary stands still for a few moments longer, both uneasy and unsure before he sighs and turns back, dropping his clothing at the bank and sitting down to begin the task of undressing, something that’s normally so simple yet suddenly feels difficult due the heaviness his limbs had taken during the night before. “She hasn’t told me what’s happening.” He says without looking up as he works the ties to his tunic free, every word tainted with soft coughs he continuously works to stifle. “Only that it’s happened to them all and that soon it won’t hurt anymore…” he shakes his head while pulling the tunic up and over his head. “She isn’t very… articulate vocally if you haven’t noticed. It makes speaking with her difficult, but she assures me that soon that won’t be an issue for long and when that happens, I’ll be able to ‘see’ both of their names. Which… will be nice, considering that if I survive this, I’ll be spending the rest of my life with them” a soft sigh slides free of his mouth as he starts on the ties to his pants. “I don’t understand them much, what they are… before she walked into my tent that one night, I never knew beings like them existed either.” Silvery gray eyes slide up towards the blonde and he smirks. “Thial sure does find the odd ones, doesn’t he?” “They kind of found him.” Kso’ppghiel grunts. “We were on our way to my old home village, to visit the graves of my family and their village was one of our stops. When we arrived it was dusk and the town was empty. Far too still than anything should be, it absorbed my magic. Her shadow chased us through the woods but before we could make it to the safety of the river she took him. It was agonizing waiting until dawn before I could go back to look for him. I found the child there, I threatened her, I begged her, I did everything I could to get him back. Bal’thial was fighting her, he would have died fighting against her. It was with the promise of finding a new mate that he was finally let go. It took him many nights to heal and she would not stop trying. She has killed many trying to find another mate, but you are the first to choose her as she is, not under an assumed face.” The blonde dips into the water, smoothing wet hair back from his face. “The village that used to be there awoke them, I am assuming unintentionally. Their mate tried to protect them and was killed. So they destroyed the village. It is my understanding they run mainly on instinct, survival. The child is very reasonable, she is more powerful during the day while the older is more so at night. The water lessens her power. This is all I know. We rode west in an attempt to find someone suitable to take Bal’thial’s place in her mind, your clan was the closest. Out of all the members, you were the one that was chosen because you have the most strength.” He smiles. “The child, actually, found you and informed the other. But you had to choose this as well, we would have not allowed her to simply take as she deemed fit. She does not quite understand what it is to have someone choose her face instead of her simply showing what the other would desire most. I told her it was better this way.” Finally finding a way to slip himself free of his pants, Yu’seal wades into the cold water just far enough to sit down. A frown forms on his lips as he finds the liquid almost painful to his skin, the flowing of the river both soothing and striking at the same time. “She offered… after Thial left that night, changed right before my eyes into him…” white eyes slide back to rest on the mercenary as he’s dipping his head back enough to wet his hair, the cough he carries increasing from the movement until he’s forced to curl forward as it passes. “I told her to stop.” He continues once he can, silvery gray eyes rising to meet the other man’s gaze and he smirks. “I was so tempted though because he was just… right there in front of me, offering me everything I’ve ever wanted. But…” Yu’seal sighs as he pulls his hand away from his mouth and up to slick wet hair back. “It wasn’t him; I knew it and it didn’t feel right so I told her to stop. She tried to keep his eyes afterwards… those blue and green eyes of his. But again, it wouldn’t have felt right and it’s then that we started actually talking… or what you can call talking anyway.” Yu’seal pulls his hand from his hair and smiles a little. “I’m not surprised Thial fought her really, she’s very… insistent with what she wants. The younger one, she seems to be attached to you I’ve noticed so I’m surprised it was her who chose me, I sort of figured that the older one had done that because of my friendship with Thial. I’m not sure how she knows things… but she’s told me things that I’ve never told any others, almost like she’s taken things from my mind and so I just assumed that had been the reason…” “The younger one reminds me of my younger sister before she died.” Kso’ppghiel smiles slightly. “She had said to me that you were strong and she had thought you would make a good companion, but she was afraid to tell the older one about you because of how you both felt about Bal’thial. I said the worst that can happen is you say ‘no’. They can go within your thoughts. They do not realize most do not appreciate this. When she had taken Bal’thial, she took on the form of the Queen he left because they had been physical. She did not take my form because memories of our fighting surfaced and because I am male. It took quite a bit of explaining to make them understand that we are not together to continue our species and that physical compatibility in that respect does not matter to us.” He sighs. “Bal’thial is concerned with the younger one’s interest in myself, though I do not think there is grounds to worry, she is innocent, there is no malice in her words or actions. Were she older, there might have been cause for concern. She is the one who has kept us safe this whole time.” “This… would be why you asked me to take care of her.” Yu’seal says quietly. “And knowing that she kept Thial… and you safe, I will… This I promise” Pulling his arm free of the water, silvery gray eyes look on as he turns his hand in the light, the dark tint to his skin seemingly so much more pronounced than it had been the day before. “I wonder if I’ll be like her… only able to look like myself during the night…” turning his hand one more time, a soft sigh slips out in-between a hard bout of coughing, his tone thoughtful when he can speak again. “I wonder why the younger one can show herself during the daylight hours, yet not at night… and then the same for the older when it comes to the night and the day. I’ve lived in these territories my entire life, raveled between the two constantly since I joined the clan and not once have I ever happened upon anything like them. They are a strange unit...” The mercenary pauses for a moment, lost a little in thought before he looks back up with question floating in his gaze. “You said that the little one reminds you of…your sister? The appearance she carries… is that her likeness?” “No.” Kso’ppghiel shakes his head. “It is the innocence, energy and enthusiasm that reminds me of her. She was similar in stature but the face and hair are completely different. My sister also had these.” He taps on his spiraling horns. “And wings that she had not yet learned to hide with magic.” The blonde wades closer, seating himself in the water a few feet from the other man. “Perhaps when she gets older, her physiology will change to that of night and her offspring will be active during the day. I do not know. She had said the villagers awoke them from a deep slumber, neither party ever knowing the other was there. That town had existed for more than a century when I had left the coast close to ten years ago. There may be others around us, but we would never know unless we awoke them.” “If we had more time, I’d have liked to have heard about your sister. Don’t have any siblings myself, Dir’aan’s have all died and Thial’s… well his entire family is rather ‘special’. I always wanted to know what it was like…though, thinking on it, I guess I’m going to find out in a way with the younger of these two huh?” his expression straightens and Yu’seal slowly begins to turn his gaze away from the blonde to stare out beyond him into the flowing water. “…There is a lot in this world I’ve yet to see…or understand, if those two are any proof. Things I’ve never thought about, considering that since my family died my entire life has been spent wandering between the territories to loot or raid or take on the odd job for hire. It makes me kind of wonder if I’ve been wasting what I had this entire time…” the mercenary’s silvery gaze slide back to meet white and he smirks, a string of coughing hitting him the moment he does. “I guess it’s a little too late to think about something like that though, especially now…” Pulling his hand free of the water, he slides his palm up to his face with a sigh. “It doesn’t matter. This is a new life… a new beginning… a new adventure and considering the only things that could have tied me to my old one are beyond my reach, I look forward to it.” Slicking shaggy hair back, Yu’seal works his way up and turns back to the river bank to retrieve his clothing, doing what he can to redress through the growing pain he’s feeling all over. “Do me a favor…” he continues once he’s managed to pull linen pants up over structured hips. “Just… take care of Thial.” A soft smirk forms on his lips as he straightens to work himself into his tunic. “He’s reckless… running off for one thing or another and no real care for the consequences of his actions or who he leaves behind. Thirty years ago he just up and disappeared on us… we finally find out he’d been alive the whole time and that he’d gone to serve under the notorious bitch queen warlord of the southern territories.” Sliding the fabric down over his wet body, he shakes his head. “Stuff like that will be the death of him one day… I’d like to leave this life thinking he’ll have someone watching over him and if that family treasure of mine reacts the way I think it will, I know you’ll be the right one… so just… take care of him, because he forgets to take care of himself.” “Of course.” Kso’ppghiel nods with a smirk considering all the times he’s already had to save Bal’thial in a sense. He didn’t feel the need to go into the protective nature they both have for each other that has eliminated the chance of either of them running off or leaving the other behind. Waiting until the mercenary has reached his own tent, the blonde wades back into the deeper parts of the river, sinking under water for a few moments to let the cold clear his head. He walks slowly back to the shore, grabbing clean pants and throwing them on before seating himself down at the water’s edge and staring out into nothing as a familiar presence moves nearby, white eyes not bothering to remove their gaze from the river. “How long have you been watching?” “From the beginning…” the small girl’s voice carries in from behind. “I was curious…” her words pause for a moment before she continues as her small frame fades into view at the Harbinger’s side. “Your sister… where has she gone?” Kso’ppghiel smirks slightly. “She was killed, nearly ten years ago. A group of soldiers ransacked my village; they killed both my father and sister. I buried their bodies that day and left. She was eleven years old. We were on our way to that village to visit their graves when we stopped at yours.” The small girl says nothing at first, simply sitting down besides the Harbinger to stare out into the same nothing white eyes are fixed on. After a moment she scoots herself closer to the larger man, her voice quiet against the flow of water. “I do not want to say ‘goodbye’…our new companion is strong. But you are stronger… ” White eyes slowly pull away from the river and shift down towards the small girl but just as dark eyes are sliding up to meet his gaze, soft footfalls and light chiming pulls his attention back. The girl’s body fades just as the tall Captain rounds the corner and steps into view, stopping in his tracks with his blue and green gaze fixed on the spot the child had just been before shifting over and narrowing. “I would suggest, Kso’ppghiel, that despite that creature’s appearance, you do not grow as comfortable with it as it appears to be with you…” finding himself annoyed for reasons he can’t quite place, Bal’thial turns away a moment later and begins to walk back the way he’d come, speaking as he goes. “The tents are packed, as are our belongings. I wish to leave as soon as possible. Yu’sa is not fairing too well and I am unsure how much longer he will be able to travel unaided.” The blonde sighs as he rises, picking up his clothing and following. “I have made it very clear what position she holds in my mind, I will not be rude when she has done nothing but helped us. It will be back to the two of us shortly.” He catches up to Bal’thial, reaching out to grab him by one horn and turning the taller man to face him. Clawed fingers lock behind the Captain’s neck as he pulls him in close, their lips touching as he speaks. “You are the only creature I find comfort with.” “…That I am finding myself increasingly… unsettled when it comes to that creature’s attentions upsets me…” Bal’thial says quietly, every word causing full lips to brush as they are spoken directly against the Harbinger’s mouth. “Were that truly a small child, I would not care but… it is not.” Clawed hands travel up to slip around the blonde’s waist and soon, the taller man is pulling Kso’ppghiel against him while the slightest of smiles forms on his lips. “Having our company reduced back down to two…” he tilts in enough to claim a brief kiss “…is something I will celebrate.” “I believe she is aware that if she were to try and take me against my will, it would not go so well.” Kso’ppghiel smirks. “I can only be claimed by that which I allow.” The two lean in for another kiss when the sound of loud coughing interrupts. White eyes glance to their side to find the mercenary looking far worse than he did only minutes ago at the water and a shadow beginning to form around him. The Harbinger nods. “Yes, we must move quickly.” With a slight nod, the tall Captain pulls away and turns back to meet silvery gray eyes doing their best to ignore the scene before them. “I… got the horses ready…” Yu’seal says in between his coughing as Kso’ppghiel moves from behind the white haired man and back towards their camp. Bal’thial watches the blonde walk away before turning his attentions to the ailing figure before him and he offers the mercenary a small smile. “Good.” Moving forward, Yu’seal turns to walk along side him as he begins down the same path the Harbinger had gone. “Another day’s ride and we will be back to the village we found them in.“ “Thial…” the shorter man starts, pulling a shadow tinted hand up to his forehead as the one below stretches slightly towards the Captain. “For… escorting us… thankyou… I know… what I said last night… isn’t making this easy.” “It was a small matter…” Bal’thial replies quietly, “and the escort is the least I can do for an old friend…” Yu’seal nods, finding himself appreciative of the fact that the taller man isn’t upset by anything he’d said but before he can say anything else, a sudden bout of dizziness overtakes him. Slowing to a stop, the mercenary doubles over as he finds himself unable to stay upright and seconds before he’s about to hit the unforgiving ground below, a clawed hand has reached out to catch him. The shadow shifts and twists beneath his feet and moments after he’s heard his name come from the white haired man’s lips, he’s being lifted up and swung over a broad shoulder. Kso’ppghiel glances back as the Captain begins carrying Yu’seal forward, the older creature’s shadow moving directly beneath him. The blonde turns his head forward before his own eyes narrow. He still doesn’t entirely trust the older one. A smirk forms on his lips, he supposes he can’t fault Bal’thial for his concern when he has the same one. Reaching the horses, the Harbinger takes the reins of one, tying it to the saddle of his own. There is no way the mercenary can ride on his own at this point and he knows the white haired man will stay with his friend until they are at the village. Kso’ppghiel mounts his own horse, a dark blur catching his eye once he’s seated. White eyes look down to find the younger one looking up at him expectantly. His gaze flicks to the other horse and back but she takes no notice, waiting for him to help her up into his saddle. Kso’ppghiel sighs slightly, not wanting to look back to see Bal’thial’s reaction as he reaches down, small hands grasping onto a clawed one as he lifts her up and in front of him as she smiles wide. Mismatched eyes narrow at the small girl as she’s lifted up to settle at Kso’ppghiel’s front, his footfalls interrupted only momentarily before he continues on to his horse’s side. “Thial…” Yu’seal tries, attempting to push himself upright on the taller man’s shoulder and failing quickly. “I can…” “No, you cannot.” Bal’thial says simply before turning to swing the mercenary across the animal’s back. Clawed fingers grab for the reigns, the shadow beneath his feet stretching up as if the grasp at his legs before he quickly mounts the steed, forcing it to settle beneath the hooves instead. Pulling his friend up before him, Yu’seal slumps back against his body as strong arms move to secure and despite the weakness he feels and the dizziness that’s making it near impossible to think, he sighs the smallest sigh of contentment just for finding himself as close to the Captain as he is. Bal’thial tugs hard on the reigns and leads his horse around, his mismatched gaze again settling on the child at the Harbinger’s own front before sliding up to find white as he motions quickly with a nod. “If we ride slowly, the village is two days ride away, if we do not stop, it is possible to reach it by dawn…” Kso’ppghiel returns the nod. “Then we ride through the night…”
 As the sun rises higher, the shadow that was the younger creature’s form beings to solidify into a girl at his front. Kso’ppghiel looks down, fighting another yawn. “We are… almost there. Soon you will be home.” The small girl settles back against the Harbinger with a slight nod. “He will not be able to hold his form for much longer… she is worried but I am confident he will survive.” Dark eyes stare ahead for a few moments before sliding up to look into white. “If you are tired and wish to rest when we arrive, I will protect you while you sleep… I will protect you both.”
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