Losing Ground

[Igraine]

Bæn'Deyanira and Sebilla should now be returning to the original thread (The King's Court in Ulster) with the Unseelie King! I need Bæn'Deyanira to post there before I can post as Sebilla or Alex can react as the King !

The Thread can be found here for easy transition: viewtopic.php?f=66&t=938

[Paroxysm]

Jack frowned and then shrugged, "I suppose if dying was their purpose," he replied, "but mine is a fair bit less self-destructive," he paused long enough to slip a knife out from somewhere on his body, "since I'm just here as a messenger."

Placing his left tall finger on the point of his knife, he drew a drop of blood from the digit; he moved his hand away from the knife and extended his index finger.

“Two messages,” he said, his finger still held as a gesture to emphasize the first: “First, my king wishes an audience with Her Majesty, Queen Igraine, and to secure this audience, he has ... H-um, taken your sister as a guest; she's fine,” he said, reassuringly--rather, as reassuringly as was possible in this situation, "The Sidhe's dark King isn't a brute, after all. She'll find him an accommodating host, I'm sure--well, unless the Queen refuses... You will be taking this message the rest of the way, however, and I suspect you'll want to make her accept."

With this bout of civility coming as a surprise, Jack would extend a moment or two for Trydian to acknowledge the message and ask a question, perhaps, before he moved onto delivering the second. Being civil was sometimes nice, after all.

[Trydian]

Trydian listened to the man, his heart racing with a rage he had never experienced before. His sister was somewhere with this King and he wasn't there to protect her. Instead, he was forced to listen to this disgusting Unseelie creature. When Jack spilled his blood, even a drop, it made Trydian's nostrils flare in response. The scent was not intoxicating like a humans, or any other creature, but revolting.

Keeping his blades parallel, he kept one higher and the other ready for defense. He knew how to fight and if Jack decided to attack, he would be ready. Trydian had been given the chaos blade when he was younger and a part of him thought they were after the blade. When it became clear that they wanted Sebilla and now threatened Igraine, he was slowly feeling himself fall into a berserk form. There was something more to all of this.

Trydian was the only demon in his family, aside from Thorin, but he hardly knew the man. He growled an unearthly sound, keeping his tense hands clenched around the blades hilts. Trydian knew better than to blindly launch himself at the enemy. Instead, he waited for the second message while Jack performed some metaphor. He could feel his eyes changing, their discoloration not immediately apparent. His once blue eyes, quickly dilated into a reddened radiance.

“The second message?” Trydian smirked, watching Jack prepare to pinprick his other finger. “I hope you don't think you are intimidating me. Your blood is so foul, it will hardly cause me to go into rage.” He decided to keep his same monotone voice. Trydian doubted that Jack was the weak type to react to taunts.

[Paroxysm]

"My!" Jack mocked, "I dare say, if you were enraged, I'd be the one intimidated!" he lifted his bleeding, long finger beside his index finger and splayed the two digits, "Besides, I would have brought trolls if I wanted to intimidate you," he said matter-of-factly. Demon or no, a couple of large and outrageously strong wild fae would have been enough to give pause. Troll hide and muscle was a lot harder to cleave through than poorly trained, outclassed humans, after all.

“Blood is symbolic,” he lectured, wiggling the digit, “and symbolism is important, etcetera.”

There was a sudden wash of magic-not friendly, care-free magic, either, but something darker, something that made hairs stand on end and stunk of unnatural death, disease and corruption. Jack’s pinprick began to ache, the blood caught outside the small wound boiled, blistering the finger, but he showed no obvious signs of discomfort.

One of the nearby cadavers jumped, suddenly, like a twitch, but powerful enough so that the shudder brought it clear of the earth for a fraction of a second before it flopped back down. Another body did the same, then a limb, a torso, and then a head rolled from side to side, its skin rippling like recently disturbed water.

“The second message is for the mongrel, your uncle, Thorin,” Jack sneered, “who has decided to involve your family in my king’s business. Had he not, your sister would not even be required,” he said pointedly. “Were it up to me,” Jack said, “I’d call the hunt on you,” he smacked his lips, “but the king needs you alive if you‘re to properly deliver our messages, and, like all Sidhe are want to do, he wishes to offer you a deal.”

Jack made no move to attack, but he did continue building energy for his spell; he would wait for Trydian’s reply before he finished the spell, though he wondered, silently, if the reply would be in the form of an attack or words. Either way, Jack was prepared.

[Trydian]

Trydian watched Jack's movement and listened carefully to his words. Thorin was his uncle, but he hardly knew the man. If he was responsible for this turmoil, then Trydian wouldn't be very patient with him, when he delivered the message. Jack used the word “mongrel” to describe his uncle, as if that word would upset Trydian's sensitivity.

Smirking, he answered Jack coolly and purposefully. “My uncle Thorin, shares the same blood as my father. That is the only connection we have. Insulting his pedigree, does not raise any questionable emotions with me. He is a mutt....not someone who holds any influence over my decision making.” He shrugged at his words, perhaps causing Jack to react in surprise. “Queen Igraine was foolish for choosing him for a mate, if that is how he involved her in this.” Women were often foolish, not thinking of the consequences for whom they associated themselves with.

Trydian paused, letting Jack take in that information and his guess work. Using his uncle against him wasn't wise, considering he had no relationship with him. He cared for Igraine like his own sibling, but he wouldn't let his Uncles actions influence him, or change his demeanor about the situation. Trydian could give a damn about his Uncles safety- he was negotiating with Jack for the women involved.

There was a sudden electrical charge in the air that caught his attention. Jack might be planning on attacking him, but so far, he could only see the bodies of the guards twitching. Now and then, a head would roll, or quiver. Some limb would react as if being jump-started with an unknown force.

Trydian had no problem playing messenger boy, or knowing that his Uncles actions had altered some of this slightly. It was interesting to learn that he would have been the one hunted, had his Uncle not intervened and gotten himself in the thick of it all. In some sense, he should thank his Uncle when he met up with him.

When Jack mentioned a deal, his smirk turned into a tense smile. Trydian had lived long enough, to not make deals with creatures like the Dark Fae. However, he was curious enough to ponder what that might be.

“Deal? You must mean an ultimatum. Dark Fae hardly make deals, in their enemies best interest.” Trydian kept his swords ready, his hands gripping the leather bound hilts. His anger had subsided, his thoughts much more clear. Trydian knew that he had to calculate his words and movement. He decided to let Jack think that he was making some sort of deal with him. Trydian was wiser, knowing that these creatures enjoyed having the upper hand.

“Go on then...what is this deal your Master proposes?” Trydian refused to call such a creature a King, even if he was by right in his own realm. Demons had pride, after all.

[Paroxysm]

“A deal,” Jack repeated flatly. Calling the proposal an ultimatum was fine, in truth, but Trydian was mistaken if he though the Unseelie were any more cruel or selfish in their deal making than their Seelie cousins. As far as either side was concerned, a deal was a deal, and neither court had any interest in making a deal against their best interests. That was just common sense.

Jack grumbled something of a growl, “our deals are always equal in trade,” he spat, “and we have never taken anything that was not freely traded or given, but believe what you will, demon. In the end,” he began to explain, “your sister will be dismissed from court and with that dismissal, too, will she be relieved of my king’s protection. Think about it: One of the most powerful Unseelie, ruler of the court, has shown interest in your sister, and specifically forbid any from wholly harming her. What will happen now, I wonder? The Bæn‘sidhe are particularly grudgeful. And hard to ward against.”

A thin magical haze covered Jack, a byproduct of the energy he yet gathered, but his gaze remained leveled, calm and confident. Although he was speaking the truth, he was not threatening Trydian or his sister, but simply relaying his king’s words, word that predicted exactly what was most likely to occur when Sebilla’s usefulness was at an end. She would die, plain and simple, or, worse than death, she could be hunted for the rest of her days, never knowing peace. Unseelie took great joy in their hunts, after all. Jack had a kennel of demon hounds specifically for the hunt, himself.

Jack’s eyes, steel blue flecked with silver, aflame, narrowed, and he licked at his lips, hungry.

“What would you offer for a guarantee on your sister’s safety?”

Just as Jack had said, a Fae’s bargain was done fairly, both sides had something to offer, and the only merchandise permitted was what Trydian was willing to freely trade away. Fae also liked to barter, to haggle . . . If Trydian allowed it, the deal could be against his best interests, true to the accusations, but the Unseelie could not be faulted for another’s impetuousness.

“Oh,” Jack said as something dawned on him, “we can come to an agreement now and finalize the trade later, too, but a show of good faith is required, regardless. After the trade, we will talk more on that.”

[Trydian]

Trydian smirked, knowing very well that the Unseelie enjoyed sounding sincere, when they were actually getting ready to stab someone in the back. They were no better than most demons, but at least Trydian had grown up with his sister and mother. He had been taught morals. His mother had always warned him about giving up valuables that could aid him later- he wasn't a fool.

Gripping his sword, he thought swiftly, wanting to end this meeting with Jack, so that he could reach his mother. If his uncle could help, then that was one thing, but it sounded like Thorin had been the cause for his sister's suffering. It would be pointless to argue that his sister wasn't suffering- he wasn't there to witness how the King was taking care of her.


While Trydian's voice sounded soft and calm, it was mixed with a tone of resentment toward Jack. He was beyond frustrated, or pissed. Maybe that emotion showed in his poise, since his muscles were incredibly tense.

“I may not be easily reached later. We finalize the deal now.” Trydian said, thinking on what he could offer that would be a worthy trade for his sister. He doubted that Jack's master cared if Jack was returned alive, or dead. His safety wasn't something he could offer in return- Trydian would have gladly attacked him either way and sent his severed head as a warning.

Jack also spoke about a show of good faith. Trydian didn't know how to express that, he had never been in this type of situation before. For a small moment, he was beginning to wish his father was there to simply rip Jack to shreds- at least Vylrath would have acted quicker. It was a shame that Trydian had been gifted with a conscience.

Sheathing his weapons, he tried to show passiveness toward Jack. He wasn't in the mood to toy around with his sister's life. She was only a human, after all.

Trydian thought about his most valuable possessions for a moment. He couldn't give up his most prized possession: The chaos sword. The second most prized, was his soul. Thirdly, it was his freedom.

“I will be the King's personal servant, if she is set free and NEVER contacted, or harmed by him again.” Trydian breathed, knowing his sister would kill him for such a bargain. He could still use his blade, it wouldn't be given up in the fight. If anything, his uncle could use the blade later if the King came for him in the meantime.

The Chaos blade, had the potential of destroying the very soul of Jack, if he attempted to attack Trydian during their bargain. Trydian wasn't the type to barter, he liked to seal the deal. If Sebilla was safe and sound, he would gladly give up his freedom for her- even if it meant serving someone like the Unseelie King later in life.

Trydian might be demonic, a pure blood- something that was rare these days, but he was not so full of pride, that he would let his desires endanger family, or friends. Sebilla might learn of his bargain and curse him, but he couldn't imagine giving anything else up for it. At least, he could talk to his mother, when he met up with her and let her know what was going on- that was one thing he was grateful for.

Realizing there may not be any other way, he let his emotions come through. “Do we have a deal? My freedom, for Sebilla's safe return. Your King would have a powerful demon for a servant.” Trydian didn't mention, that the King wouldn't be able to use his blade, should he try to kill him for it...but that wasn't his problem now. Only the son's of Xanathi were able to use the blade willingly.

[Paroxysm]

“Not far from the deal that I made, myself,” Jack sighed, “but unfortunately, your offer is not quite of adequate value. Your sister could accept a deal, herself, and if she did, she would be bound to the sidhe through a contract. We would inadvertently violate your agreement and both would be made invalid. Unacceptable.”

Jack paused and pursed his lips in thought.

“In exchange for two years of your service to the Unseelie court, your sister will be granted neutrality and may come and go as she wishes from our realm, for whatever reason, but only so long as she does not choose a side against us or our interests. The Unseelie will not harm her in any way, but if you wish to go further, demon,” Jack smiled, cruelly, “for your Name, too, will we give her an Unseelie protector, valid for two years. Perhaps a demon, if one was to come into our service soon. One that would be able to prevent her from violating her neutrality... Of course, he would also have other tasks, but she need not be aware of them.”

With only two years of indentured servitude and his Name - his full name - Trydian could have his sister protected by way of neutrality. Not a bad deal, really. Jack had made worse deals in the past and that was before he had the king’s authority on his side. But, with Trydian’s Name, the demon would be bound up in servitude far different than he may have at first intended, for with knowledge of his Name, the Dark King of the Fae could control him as wholly as he controlled Jack, and disobeying was a painful thing indeed.

“When she is dismissed from our court, her neutrality will come into effect, but as of right now, she is under the immediate protection of my king and no deal I make can change that.”

Clenching his right hand, Jack willed some of the magic he had gathered into his fist and then held the hand up, released the fist’s tension, and gestured for a handshake. At the same time, the rest of the magic was forced into the cadavers scattered about the area, ripping and shredding them to pieces as streams of putrid, black blood raised into the air and began to flow towards one another, converging, and creating a large ball, about the size of a man's head.

“Ignore that for now,” Jack said with a wheezy laugh. “Do we have a deal?”

[Trydian]

Trydian was tired of these games. If he could be reassured that she would never be harmed, he would gladly go into service with the King. It was a selfless decision, one that demons hardly make. In truth, he loved her more than just as his sister, but hardly anyone knew of his affections toward her- not even Sebilla herself.

When Jack's energy began to spoil into something more, he considered drawing his blades, but that would complicate things. He listened to the contract agreement, not agreeing with the entirety of the deal. Unseelie enjoyed trapping people further. Trydian listened to the notion of binding his name- it was powerful magic, meant for enslaving powerful creatures. This contract would be life changing for Trydian, it wasn't something he could just break through, when he agreed to it.

“I want it for life. Two years means nothing to me...she's only human, she will need this for more than two years. I want her guaranteed protection.” Trydian was considering his soul, since the simple price of his freedom, hadn't enticed Jack's bargaining habits. There would be a price with that- he would never be able to be with her again, unless someone managed to save him in the process.

“Why have me bound by a name, when he could have my soul and everything that came with it?”

Trydian asked, trying to reason, even if it would sound like the most illogical choice. His demonic soul might not be a prized one, considering the bargain was with the Unseelie King. Trydian knew the King could always use his powers that came with the bargain. Grimacing inwardly, Trydian knew that something this drastic, might be the only way to convince Jack otherwise. Unseelie always wanted the most valuable, something readily exchanged.

Trydian would gladly give his soul for his sister and be bound for eternity- if it meant saving her mortal existence. He was basically trapped and pinned up against a corner. The King knew how to do a low blow, but Trydian had expected that from an Unseelie. At least if the deal was finalized, he could rest easy, knowing that Sebilla would be safe even after her release.

“My most prized possession has already been taken...I have nothing else to lose. Take my freedom, soul...whatever will please your King, for the release of her. I want her protection guaranteed. If there was a way I could make her immortal, I would, but that is beyond my powers. This is as close as I'm going to get.” Trydian put his hand out, hoping that Jack would shake it and seal it, with whatever magic was needed to complete the contract.

Trydian was mentally exhausted. Physically, he could fight, but that might damage his chances of a bargain. If giving everything up meant protecting Sebilla, he would gladly do it in a heartbeat. She might be angry at him for the rest of his life, but at least she wouldn't be in the King's thoughts any longer.

For being brave, he felt almost numb from his choice. What did a demon need with a soul anyway? If Sebilla died, he would most definitely be without one. He might as well put it to good use and barter with it. He hoped, that Jack would take the contract back to the King and keep Sebilla out of harms way.

If he had to do dirty work for the King, then that was his own plight. If it didn't involve Sebilla, he could be content. Trydian hadn't forgotten about the odd ball of blood, his eyes now and then flashing to that odd sphere.

[Paroxysm]

Hhh, the inner cogs of Jack's mind turned with thought as he considered the offer further. The neutrality would have been for life, but the protection would have expired along with Trydian's contract and there really was no telling if other, unaffiliated parties might be interested in Sebilla in the future. If that was where Trydian's caution stemmed, it made sense.

"Once more," Jack said, voice clear and loud, "for so long as your sister does not interfere with and against Unseelie interests, she will be seen as a neutral party, untouchable by the brothers and sisters of Winter's court, and should she ever have need of it, she will be granted asylum within the realm. In addition, an agent of the Unseelie court will be tasked with actively protecting her. In most cases, if you wish it so, this would be you, but another will fill in when you are needed elsewhere or if you decide you don't wish to. Provided Sebilla Rivenfelde does not violate her neutrality, all offers of asylum and protection are permanent. For the services offered by the Unseelie to your sister, you will submit to the authority of the sidhe king, King Pendaran, and your soul will be bound to service of our court until such a time that you are dismissed."

In truth, this was the best deal Jack could offer Trydian at present. The demon’s reluctance and distrust had not been unexpected, but it was more than Jack would have thought, all things considered. Either way, he had hoped the extra offer of asylum would tip the scales. Such an offer was nothing to the king, but to a demon seeking to protect his sister? Invaluable. It meant a safe haven no matter how bad things got in the mortal and Seelie realms.

The sound of Jack’s words faded and for a brief moment, silence filled the camp, a silence that offered Trydian a chance to reject or renegotiate the offer, but provided he did not, Jack would move to grasp Trydian’s hand with his, whispering a word of power in the process, and seal the deal with a harsh, electric snap of energy between the two of them.

If the contract was concluded, there would be but one other matter . . .

[Trydian]

Trydian sighed, almost rethinking his current dilemma. A normal man, would have just killed and asked questions later, but there were too many people connected to this. Trydian didn't want to be the one to create a worse outcome for someone else involved. He could feel the electricity forming, some type of surreal magic that would finalize the contract.

He shook Jack's hand with a firm grip, not releasing for a moment. The surge of electricity, snapped around the both of them and created an instantaneous flash. The contract's seal had been made, Trydian was now bound to the King. Before letting go, he wondered if Jack could deliver messages himself.

“Tell my sister what has been done and that she doesn't have to worry anymore.” Releasing his hand, he realized that he didn't feel any different- that didn't meant that there wouldn't be a change in the future. He slowly backed up away from Jack, wondering if there were other conditions attached.

Right now, he just wanted Sebilla released and protected. The others were capable of protecting themselves, but she was a helpless human, who had not been conditioned for such wars.

The offer that Jack currently made, had been a priceless one that Trydian couldn't refuse. He was sure the Unseelie had seen that weakness, but it was something he couldn't dwell on now- he had to think of how his mother would react and what her next plan would be.

“I still need to meet up with my mother, if she is to know what's happened. That is my final request- then I will return as his servant, provided Sebilla is released.”

[Paroxysm]

"I will do so, but the king will probably beat me to it," Jack said, his tone soft and tense, and he stifled something of a yawn before it fully left his throat.

With an effort of will - a considerable effort of will, in fact - Jack moved the sphere of blood, now jet black and perfectly smooth all around, to hover in front of Trydian, at just above chest-level. Every five seconds, the sphere pulsed from the magic Jack had fed into it and a faint heat drifted off from it.

“Our king believes in diplomacy,” Jack explained and furrowed his brow, “he would be fine if your uncle would simply remove himself from our business and fuck off back to where he came from, and through torture, I was supposed to make an example out of you - really drive the point home, but now I’d feel really awkward about it, you being such a loyal servant to our king and all.”

While Jack stifled another yawn, a glob of blood fell from the sphere and splashed to the ground, sizzling and smoking where it touched.

“I think if you should meet him, wherever he is, you should just stab him a few times and we’ll forget all about me being ordered to horribly disfigure you to send a message. Stabbing your uncle is the second message now, if you meet him.”

More globs and more smoke.

Serving as a proxy to the king was tiring, Jack decided. Although he had come up with the terms of the deal, the contract, itself, was between Pendaran and Trydian, and Jack was nothing more than an intermediary, one who just had a considerable amount of power and energy forced through and out of him. He could survive a struggle with Trydian, but he had no delusions about impressing the demon with his offensive ability right now.

“Go on and do what you need to, I guess, we’ll kill each other later.”

Jack vanished unceremoniously and left a distinct feeling of nothingness where he had been. Likewise, in his absence, the sphere of blood would fall to the ground, splashing outwards, and it would be quite wise of Trydian to avoid getting any of it on him, if at all possible. It would burn to the bone.

[Trydian]

Trydian had no reason to physically attack his uncle, but that didn't mean he wouldn't give him one. Listening to Jack, he only shook his head and remained calm. He had felt the power build in the strange blobs, but he simply walked away from the scene, almost as if he were completely undisturbed by the incident.

The ball of blood fell to the earth, splashing across the random bodies of his fallen soldiers. He noticed that the blood had been like acid, only turning to look at the mess momentarily. There were other things on his mind, besides Jack's personal dilemma with him. He had no desire to fight with him and he didn't see the benefit if they engaged in battle- it would be a waste of energy.

His Chaos sword reacted to the bloodied blobs that fell around him, thinking Jack foolish for even using blood against a demon, Trydian simply left the scene as if they had never exchanged words. From where Jack stood, a simple breeze was left in its place, disturbing some of the forest's silence.

He walked to the direction of the Vuri home, wondering what his mother would think of the ordeal and if she knew where his uncle was. They would have to share a few words with each other. Trydian continued to think of the contract he just made. It would help Sebilla in the long run. At least the King would allow him to watch over her, even if he could never actually be with her. It might be a tragic end, but it was the only logical one for her safety.

Trydian was not the type who enjoyed riddles, or humor. He would simply deliver the messages as Jack instructed, but he could not count on him to attack his uncle. Trydian would be giving him the Chaos blade, since he was sure the King would simply let him use his other blade to defend Sebilla. Shrugging, he was not looking forward to the anger of his mother. With little choice, he had to make the sacrifice, or Sebilla would have continued being some bastard King's puppet.