Willem stops as Fei chides him. His pointer fingers come to either side of him and he pivots around again.
No, no, he laughs. You must understand, if you are going to tag along on this trip, Serumen
youll need to know a little more about those who rule so as not to completely make an ass out of yourself while trying to look unruly and dangerous
and something about why the natives distrust you and would gladly take your head if they had but one drop of blood found on your hands would also be good to know, hmm?
He moves easily backwards as they continue walking
See, we are not governed by a Council, my friend, he informs. We are governed by an
aran
a king, in common tongue. It is a monarchy as old as Kemens Womb. Yes, the king has elderly and wise advisors, but it is nothing like your Umbra Council
the King makes the last and final decisions
he gives his last words emphasis by nodding his head once,
on everything.
Something flies past his head as he speaks, its buzzing loud and obnoxious. It comes back again, flying around in circles, its black little body connected to a long piece of string coming from above. A bumblebee
on a leash. Willem doesnt even seem to notice.
There is a queen as well, yet she has more responsibility in the spiritual than the political. Next, after the King, His Queen, and Their Majesties Council is the Gatekeepers, the five elements put to flesh
He ducks away from a tiny pin thin arrow volley and lets out a disgusted, quiet grunt.
Tampa tanya! he hisses at the surrounding trees where it suddenly goes silent.
Ron nauva late!
His eyes go back to his guests.
Let us make haste, the sky grows darker.
He turns and begins walking quickly, wet robe flaring around his heels as he turns hooded head carefully from side to side in close watch. The sky above, what can be seen of it, is indeed growing darker. The first crickets begin chirping and others singing softly as they progress.
Serumen
even if you do not care or are not listening to what I have just said
no matter how much you despise or hate me, you must allow me to ask
do you truly not remember what you were born to here and what you did before you left our shores? Willem speaks civilly into the antediluvians mind.
-----------------------------------------------------------
Tamrissa glances at Fei as he barely makes it around her while staring at a small hut. Yet before she can ask him what he is doing, Willem has turned around to give them a lecture. She listens carefully, though with a frown to show that she does not approve of his treatment of Fei. Making a note to find out more from the elves rather than their sidhe guide, she hurries to catch up to his speedy strides. After a moment, her hair begins to stand straight on her arms even as she pushes through the moist warm air of the forest
Willem, she whispers as a wispy presence suddenly passes through her, ice taking her chest as she breathes in a painfully deep breath. The spirits.
Come, he slows enough to grab her hand and press it between his warm palms. The rest of you, stay close.
She hasnt the time to refuse his offer of heat. Another Oed face appear in front of her, a screaming whisper puffing out of its mouth before it pushes into her skin and through to her back.
Mor
lote
The cold envelopes her and she barely is able to continue moving. Willem pulls her to his side, looking at Fei.
They are targeting her
they cannot freeze your body so easily. Can you do anything?
Tams teeth chatter loudly as another misty figure drifts through her body and she stumbles, losing her grip on Willems hands to land ungracefully on her hands and knees
the heel of her left hand crushing as small purple-black violet growing near the path. Her eyes become saucers and she turns her head shakily to Willem, who is kneeling near her with part of his robe draped across her back.
Aiya, he exclaims and presses a finger against his mouth to signal silence.
She shivers as his hands go to her upper arms and help her to remove her hand from the destroyed flower. His eyes remain on their surroundings as he wraps an arm around her shoulders from behind, chin on the top of her head. Eyelashes with frost hanging from them close against pale cheeks, her blue lips tightening into a tolerant frown at his closeness.
Arm yourselves, he whispers, dark eyes flashing gold