Book 3: Chapter 12
Zayde
“The wedding was wonderful.” Said Mrs. Metters. The farmer’s son, along with his children were here, though not the grandfather. He served the Light….
“I’m surprised you all don’t live in the castle.” I said shaking both their wrists. It was a little taboo to touch mortals because of our strength, but they were marked by the master.
“We didn’t think we’d be invited, but he blessed us, that my father can retire.” Said the father. “He doesn’t know… He thinks we’re sleeping….”
“Oh… I’ll make sure the servants show you the tunnels. They can get you home secretly.” I said firmly. “It’s rare the master takes mortals into the fold, but regardless, welcome.”
“My husband gained the mark when he married me, but I was born with it.” Said Mrs. Metters… “So are my children, but none of us can cast spells. We don’t know any.”
Humans knowing magic… that smelled like trouble… But they Did hold the master’s mark; I could smell it on them… It made me wonder what their bloodline Really was, or rather *who*…. I’ll look into it…
“I’m not sure if that’s possible, but If it is, I’ll gladly swear you in and teach you myself. It won’t be easy, but it would be interesting to see a new line.” I said giving a formal goodbye. I wonder… They didn’t look like us, but maybe there was some infidelity a long time ago.
Witches of all nationalities have a tendency to abandon non magical children… So do a few nationalities of fae as well.
“There you are.” Said mother. “I have the circle ready. You need to be downstairs.” She chastised.
“Sorry. Come Tinzaa, Aptherraam.” I said with a small growl to get her attention… She was snuggled into her mate as her peacock form, while he was a cat now. It was taxing for them to be human long…
Seeing her walk down the altar again, and being married by Gulteer… I don’t think I could have wished for a better fate, but now it was time for me to do work. I followed mother to the ritual floor…
I could feel the thrum of magic. It was a heartbeat… fueled by the anticipation of the master. I went to the cages, and looked at the human. Ironic that if not for me, he wouldn’t be down here, yet during the same month, I saved 11 of them….
The human with a warrior’s spirit indeed looked like a caged animal… He was fed every day, just enough to survive, and exercised to the point to where his beer belly was gone… He was fit now, toned and reeking of vengeance.
“Do your worst beast. The Light is with me!” he yelled.
I scoffed. “You sit on the unconsecrated, unholy ground of Tarteron brick mortal. Your cooperation isn’t needed, only your flesh and soul.” I let him out. I summoned a sword with magic.
I tossed it to his feet. The Sun Blessed Sword of Rodrick burned my hand to the bone… but I would not let him know how badly it hurt.
He picked it up.
“I want no part in this.” He sneered.
“Too bad. If you manage to kill me, we are obligated to let you go, with fair compensation. That includes all my wealth, an entire castle tower’s worth of fortune.” I said truthfully. “That is my offer, about 90 million Euros.”
“If you’re that confident… this is a bull fight, not a real battle.” He growled.
“Pass me your blade.” I said angrily.
I growled back…. Though from pain. I cut the skin off my chest.
“That blade as you can see, Can cut through my hardened body like butter. This battle is for your soul. It is why unlike the others, I conditioned you, that you weren’t just a *lazy* sacrifice.”
----Tiffany-----
I had cake with my parents, but now Lord Gulteer himself wished to speak with me. I didn’t think he’d come…. But at the same time, why wouldn’t he? He was the leader of the main house… patriarch of the family. Zayde’s place was pretty high, so it would only make sense that before we did our private, dark witch only ritual, that he would share words with me.
“How fairs this life?” He asked summoning his soul pot. He offered me drink…. It was a simple, handheld kettle, but inside held the horrors of tormented souls, at least a hundred…. How long did it take him to collect so many, under restriction?
I sipped a little of the beef stew tasting liquor when he passed it to me, and I gave it back. Alteer was at his left, and Andrei was at his right.
“It’s alright.” I said quietly. “Thank you for coming as well.” I smiled.
“I wouldn’t have missed this for the world my little one.” He said a little sadly. I had no idea what he would be upset about, but he hugged me. I hugged him back.
He meant something to me…. What, I didn’t know but I felt a strong love for this man. I refuse to acknowledge Theophania. I am Tiffany…. I am me. Regardless though… he smelled like cedar wood and fresh rain. Another surprise.
“Do you remember the ritual?” Asked Alteer.
I let go of the master’s ‘left pinky’…. “I do.” I told him firmly.
“Then we will go first, and prepare. You can come down now if you’re ready.” Smiled Lord Gulteer….
He seemed almost disappointed in something, possibly that his grandson chose a witch born in regular flesh? That couldn’t be it… He didn’t seem like the kind of person to hold his tongue. He wouldn’t have to.
I held my head high. I was going to say goodbye to my cousins, aunts, and uncles. They won’t attend this if they don’t want. The humans might, but if they don’t, I’ll see to it that the village stay ignorant…
They know the secret… They know we’re witches, and that might attract the Church.
“Ay kiddo!” Yelled my Uncle Connor. He ruffled my hair, and I frowned at him.
“Leave my pup alone.” Growled grandpa Kaiden….. Grandpa Ron didn’t come, but I think it was because he had history with the dark witches…
“I’m going to finish the ritual. We’re married, now we’re going to be bonded.” I smiled.
“Go be with your mate. We’ll retire for the night.” Said my Uncle Bryson…. By all accounts, he could be down there, but he never trusted magic that I knew of…. He even drove to visit us on the way to the Wolf King’s castle, taking a flight to LapisMoon instead, and using a rental to drive to Grandia…
“Alright. If you want to come down, ask one of the servants.” I got hugs. Mom and Hellinia were already down there with her sisters.
“I want to watch.” Said my Uncle Connor. “It’ll be fun.” He encouraged.
“Ugh…. Magic makes my gums itch.” Said grandpa Kaiden. “But if you’re going, I am too.”
“If you’re going, I will to make sure you don’t do something stupid.” Said Uncle Bryson.
“What would I do?” Growled Grandpa Kaiden.
“Oh my gods.” Facepalmed my grandma. “If we’re going everyone needs to get along and be quiet when we go down there to be respectful. It’s our little girl’s big day.”
With that, all the men were a little sheepishly quiet. She was no bigger than me by frame, but she was a Luna, and it showed.
I was escorted by my wolf side of the family… and people, even the servants looked surprised. They thought they would retire, but this was better… They would get to see my first Real circle…
I was almost excited. Any fear was gone.
I rode the elevator with my grandparents, and there were at least two or even three thousand witches downstairs… the basement ceiling was at least 200 feet high…. And the size of the entire castle. Metal bleachers lined the outside of the circle for guests, and after that was a large empty space. The walls were carved in runes, and they pulsed red. The torches flickered…. Blood was demanded, and it was time for it to be given.
The carved circle was about the size of half a football field, and Gulteer was the only one in the middle of it… Every seat was filled, while there was special seating for coven leaders and those who would referee this part of the ritual… Gods this place was packed.
“Witches and Guests!” Gulteer boomed, using his cane as a microphone. “I would like all casters line the circle, and all non-casters to sit in the bleachers.” He waited for me to give them all one last hug, before I found Zayde…
He looked… ready. He was shirtless and in tattered jeans… and a circle was cut into his chest. We were to be silent this part, so I was, letting Lord Gulteer speak.
“Long ago, when men hunted witches, there was a mighty priest made to counter us. Rodrick, a Hand of the Light found us. We were young, but I was already betrothed and married to my dearest Titafina. However, we were not bonded yet…. Until I defeated him to protect her. He was made into a mighty sacrifice, hung by his innards for the master. The battle was Glorious…. I was injured so badly that if not for the final blow with this cane, I would not be here, well I would, but you get the idea. Bring out the combatant.”
The man was in solid sterling silver armor, given actual blessed relics. The sword he wielded hummed when he unsheathed it, causing some of the younger members to gasp…. He glowed slightly… and the armor almost looked new. It had been repaired and maintained… being the Armor of Rodrick… That name brought me a sliver of real fear… My mind knew of how Serious this was, even though I didn’t remember any details…
“Behold the mortal that wears blessed armor of the Light, worn by Rodrick himself. Should he know the tenants, should he remember his master’s scripture, this battle will be fair. Fairer still, my grandson has removed where his mighty Tarteron Iron scales would grow, that the human have a fair chance.”
Zayde kissed me on the forehead… and walked into the center of the ring.
He transformed into Behimoth, a type of legendary reptilian demon…. His black scales really were iron… if not for the missing patch over his heart. He had the head of a dragon, scales of a crocodile, eagle’s talons, and a stocky body like a bull, along with serrated bull’s horns that were ribbed, like a ram’s. His dragon tail ended in a spiked club. Zayde had to be about 150 feet tall right now.
“In the event of my grandson’s death, the mortal will be rewarded his freedom, free of mind wiping, and all the wealth of the 3rd Tower of Black Diamond Castle.” Said Gulteer. “Begin.”
With a mighty roar, Zayde slammed his hand down, and his massive claw was repelled with the sword.
“I Rebuke you demon!” Shouted the human. “The Light is With Me, and I Hold No Fear!”
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