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 Posted: Sat Jun 02, 2012 1:12 pm
When Kayleena turned her back on him, Svanbjorn was ready to add a few more injuries to her collection. Instead, he found himself stopping still at what she said. Each other. He heard another loud cry of pain from Daimhin after a thumping sound of impact. It would have been utterly out of character for Daimhin to attack Samsara, which meant she had to be the aggressor. Daimhin had never been anything but obedient to Samsara, which meant that...
"Are they fighting over you?" Svanbjorn took a few bounds and planted himself sharply in front of the usdia. "Is this your fault?" It sounded a lot like those were Samsara's tooth marks on her, in which case he shouldn't let her escape.
Samsara's mouth was full of Daimhin's blood but her fury was still unquenched. The Mahapadma were supposed to be her tools and minions. The idea of one of them lying to her made her boil. She had allowed each of them into her herd as a gesture of respect for their abilities. Something like this felt like Daimhin was throwing that respect back into her face. She would not forgive him. She had long since forgotten how.
"If you kill that runt yourself I might just let you live," she mocked him between blows, but with no intention of honoring any bargain they struck. "Crush her skull in for your life!"
Daimhin didn't respond to Samsara's offer. At this point, he was almost beyond belief that his life could be saved. Even if he defeated her in battle here, there was nowhere he could run fast enough that the Mahapadma wouldn't catch up with him and kill him there.
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Posted: Sat Jun 02, 2012 3:24 pm
So it was obvious that Svanbjorn was a quick thinker. He was also fast on his feet. There was regret in her gaze as she gave a simple nod in response to Svan's questioning. They were fighting over her that was for sure but was it her fault? Kayleena wasn't sure of that. She cast her gaze towards Svan's expression before a mumbled, "I don't think it is my fault" escaped her. Deep inside even though she felt guilt at the situation she knew that the truth had been spoken.
It seemed like Samsara would have killed her outright. Daimhin was only protecting what he viewed as his after all. It would have been easy though to pin blame on her shoulders. Kayleena tried to step past Svan's imposing figure to get back to the cave. Maybe if she threw herself willingly at Samsara's feet, or into her claws, that she'd find some sort of absolution over the scenario. She felt torn now. She had grown attached, impossible as it seemed, to Daimhin. To have him fighting over her right to live ... well it was leaving a rather unpleasant sensation running through her. Or was that the pain from Samsara's earlier attack? Kayleena couldn't discern the difference between the two now.
What would happen if she returned to the cave?
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Posted: Sat Jun 02, 2012 5:19 pm
Svanbjorn wasn't about to let the little mare away so easily. Even if the situation wasn't directly her fault, she seemed to be trying to profit from it by slinking away in all the confusion. Svan's mate was the most canny soquili he knew, Carmilla. She had him well versed in the art of deception and he wouldn't let anyone less adept than her fool him.
He looked around for her blindfold. It wasn't anywhere in sight, which left out an easy solution. "Don't try to run away," he warned her. "Whatever happens over there, you're going to be dealt with accordingly." He could hear broken pieces of conversation coming from the fight. Whatever Daimhin had done, he had been an idiot to try it.
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Posted: Sat Jun 02, 2012 5:45 pm
Kayleena turned around sharply wincing at the motion. Her gaze narrowed until Svanbjorn was the only thing she saw. How was it even possible that Svan thought she could outrun anyone here? She leveled a glare at the stallion before seemingly deflating her anger. It wouldn't help her in this situation. Dealing with the issue would probably mean something that she didn't wish to experience.
Instead she remained rooted in place. If Svanbjorn thought that she was a risk he'd not hesitate to act. Kayleena felt drained. Was it possible that she was looking forward to something terrible happening to her? Strangely enough Kayleena began to feel at ease. Maybe she'd help Daimhin by returning. "I am not running anymore Svanbjorn. It would be pointless to try with you standing less than a few feet away."
Kayleena's gaze turned back towards the cave. Her voice was less than a murmur under her breath, "I just don't know if I will find what has happened to my liking."
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Posted: Sun Jun 03, 2012 10:04 am
It sounded like the fight was dying down. The snarls were quieter and it now seemed that there was more talking than fighting. Svanbjorn frowned at Kayleena and began to fan his wings out in her direction. He moved forward, trying to herd her back in the direction of the cave. "We're going back. Either walk willingly or I'll drag you." He snorted aggressively in attempt to intimidate. He didn't mind hurting her a little more to get her to cooperate.
There was a sudden crash and Svan's sense of urgency grew. He still could hear Samsara, which meant that it was Daimhin who had fallen. It was over. If Daimhin was lying dead on the ground... so be it. That was his punishment for being stupid when a skinwalker was the one to answer to. "Why don't we go see what happened, hm?" He raised his tail, preparing to give Kayleena a sharp smack if she disobeyed.
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Posted: Sun Jun 03, 2012 1:26 pm
There really was no need for Svan to herd her back towards the cave. Kayleena had already finalized her decision to go back. The mare was hurting. Her steps might have been a little slow but she was gingerly picking her way back over the rocks that she'd crossed earlier. She chanced a glance back towards Svan and noted the stallion had unfurled his wings. Her gaze might have widened before she turned away. The entrance of the cave loomed ahead and Kayleena shivered briefly.
She had half a notion to try and slip around Svanbjorn but the stallion's tail was raised. Somehow she just knew that if she tried anything fishy now then the tail would be more effective in getting her to stop than anything else. With a soft sound of fear Kayleena took the final few steps toward the entrance. Her breath hitched. The usdia crossed the threshold of the cave as the fear inside of her kicked up another notch. She stumbled when she caught sight of the blindfold. The cloth had gained a new color. Kayleena's gaze continued to scan the cave interior. Her tail twitched back and forth with the nervousness that flooded her body. It was probably fear that broke her from her silent observation. A name echoed in question around the interior of the cave.
"Daimhin?"
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Posted: Sun Jun 03, 2012 5:48 pm
Svanbjorn followed watchfully after Kayleena. He waited to see if she'd attempt escape, but she never did. She didn't even talk back to him once they were moving. As they entered the cave Svanbjorn felt a chill. He didn't like being enclosed by rock, and knowing there was an angry skinwalker in there somewhere didn't make him feel any better. He let Kayleena lead the way, but stopped in his tracks when he heard a low moan.
Samsara emerged from the darkness. She walked with a limp from a bruised leg and not all of the blood splattered on her fur was from Daimhin. She glanced between Kayleena and Svanbjorn with disdain. "He'll survive. Go to him if you want." She didn't stop walking as she approached them. She had no interest in stopping to talk.
"His pain payed for your presence," she told Kayleena as she passed, her empty eye socket facing her. "Stay with him... or leave. He's in no position to force that decision."
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Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2012 7:48 am
Kayleena had momentarily frozen at Samsara's emerging from the darkness. She was more aware of the danger that the skinwalker represented this time. The wounds on her back were testament and Kayleena tracked Samsara's movement. The little usdia almost let out a sound of relief at the words that were directed at her but she held it in. If Daimhin was still alive it was a good omen ... wasn't it? Kayleena fervently hoped this was the case. Taking no chance Kayleena let Samsara pass her in the small confines of the cave. The image of an empty eye socket staring down at her would haunt her for days to come. Kayleena turned her gaze towards the cave entrance where Svanbjorn still stood. Would he leave now? The words that were the last spoken by Samsara filtered into her mind. She could leave? What would the chance be that she'd make it out of these lands alive though? As wounded as she was and without Daimhin's protection ... the odds weren't lying in her favor.
Taking her gaze off of Svanbjorn Kayleena took a hesitant step towards the encroaching darkness that pooled at the back of the cave. The thought that Daimhin had essentially been hurt defending her and for keeping her a secret drove her forward; one small hoof step at a time. Once again her voice broke the stillness with a frantic query, "Daimhin?"
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Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2012 12:35 pm
Samsara left without another word. Daimhin was alive, yes, but not out of mercy. She was not merciful, she was practical. Daimhin was worth more to her alive than dead. If he had defied her any more than he had, not even that assessment would have saved him. He was blessed with the ability to know when to give up and be silent. He now knew not to withhold things from her... and what would happen if he did.
Her bloodlust had died down but was not yet sated. For that, she would need a kill. It was time to remove herself from the Mahapadma for a time so she could murder other helpless fools and not her servants. When her lust for death was simmering low again she would return, and give them something interesting to do...
Daimhin lay on the floor of the cave, but at least now he was upright. He had the energy to hold his head up and keep from slumping over, but not for much else. He hurt all over and his blood made for a sticky mess. He dully wondered whether his Team Galactic collar was ruined. It was a silly thing to be sentimental about, but it was the only thing he had to remember his last position in an evil organization.
The echos of the cave brought Samsara's brief conversation with Kayleena and Svanbjorn clearly to Daimhin's ears. His heart sunk when she gave Kayleena permission to leave. He went through all that effort and was about to lose what he had to show for it. I'll catch another, he told himself dryly. Just have to wait again for the right stroke of luck...
But apparently, his luck hadn't run out just yet. His ears immediately pricked up upon hearing Kayleena's voice. She was still there? He thought about trying to get up to go to her side but thought better of it. He couldn't risk falling and hurting himself even more. "Kayleena?"
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Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2012 5:32 pm
"Kayleena?"
That sounded like Daimhin. Kayleena's hoof steps faltered. Her resolve, weak as it was, played havoc in her mind. Resolutely she put one hoof down firmly on the ground. She was going to see this through. She was. She had too for Daimhin's sake. Her eyes took in the splatter markings on the cave floor and walls and she shivered. Never had she seen the outcome of a fight. It was enough to strip away another layer of her carefree nature. With a tentative air about her motions Kayleena edged further into the darkness.
What she saw would forever stay with the usdia. Daimhin was alive as Samsara had said. However it seemed like every inch that she could see had been marred in some way by scratch marks and bites. The stallion looked like he'd been through something and been spit back out. Kayleena was shocked into silence. His own leader had done this?
Kayleena took a few more steps towards Daimhin's prone figure before sighing softly. The whisper, light as it was, came from deep inside Kayleena. It was heartfelt and full of remorse. "I'm sorry Daimhin," Kayleena grimaced. Her wounds would need to be looked at eventually. "I feel like it should be me lying there."
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Posted: Tue Jun 05, 2012 6:09 pm
Daimhin stared blankly at Kayleena. She was apologizing. That was not something he had expected. Ever. She seemed so sad on his behalf. It touched a seldom-used part of him and made the pain just a little less sharp. "If it was you here, you'd be dead." He said it as a fact, which was what it was. Samsara had meant to kill her and had probably initially meant to kill him. Whatever changed her mind, it was the only reason he was still alive.
He tried to think of what to say but got caught on examining a particularly unpleasant looking bite instead. He'd be in trouble if it got infected. He would have to try to find a unicorn who was gullible enough to be tricked into healing him, or cowardly enough to be threatened.
Maybe it was because he was in pain and not thinking clearly, but his next vocalization came out in a strangled chuckle. "Welcome to Mahapadma, I suppose."
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Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2012 6:43 pm
Kayleena had to thoughtfully agree with Daimhin's theory. Had she stayed and taken the punishment it would have ended with her most likely departing the land of the living. She gave a shudder at the thought. She'd risked everything by coming back. Even now she wondered if Svan was still lingering outside the cave. Samsara had left. Blinking slowly Kayleena knelt down beside Daimhin.
As he gave his weak little proclamation Kayleena let her eyes close. She was physically and mentally drained. Her wounds would need attention but for now perhaps what she needed was rest. Tomorrow would bring new challenges.
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