Witch King: Part 3, PG-13, completed
Saturday, December 1st, 2007 08:03 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
tsaikoHAHAHAHA. I'm so glad I never have to look at this part again. I need to read through all three parts to make sure I didn't put any glaring plot holes in it and the ending it slightly rushed. Otherwise, I don't care! Now I can move on to part four or the little side story I've had in my head forever.
*is slightly giddy*
Part 1 | Part 2
Amick wasn’t dead. Yet.
He kind of wished he was dead. They had performed the ceremony breaking all his ties to the earth, all his ties to power. His spells crawled against his skin, looking for a source of power. Eventually they would turn inward and start feeding off his power. Once that was gone, they’d start feeding on the power that kept him alive.
It hadn’t started yet, but it would. Amick had kind of hoped he was dead before that happened. Being eaten alive by magic hurt. At least, that’s the impression those watching it happen got.
When he was little, Amick had used a small ladder to get to some of the books on the top shelf. His father had never forbidden him from reading any of the books and it never occurred to him that the reason was because he’d put all the unsuitable tomes on the shelves where Amick couldn’t reach. He’d grabbed three. Two were treatises: stuffy, boring catalogues that were used to put even the worse insomniac to sleep. The third one, though, was on the trial and convictions of five known wild witches.
That book was a fascinating read up until it talked about the punishment that awaited the five. The author had gone into lavish detail describing how the five spent their last days. Amick had had screaming nightmares for months. His father, once he’d discovered what was wrong, had used it as a lesson on the dangers of seeking knowledge before you were ready.
Times like this, Amick wished his memory was not as good as it was. He could still remember the phrases the author used “writhing like serpents cast onto the fire, unable to remove themselves from the coals even though nothing touched them” and “howling until their throats were raw and bleeding.” The worse though was the story about the female witch who started eating her own hand trying to sate the hunger of the spells etched onto her skin.
Stop thinking. Stop thinking. Stop thinking.
After the ceremony they had dumped him in a room somewhere. The floor was cool under his cheek, gritty from dirt. Pale moonlight came in through a window. If Amick had to take a guess, he would say he was in an unused storage room.
That was just uncalled for. Wild witch he might have been labeled, but he had also been the king. The least they could do was stick him in his own room. Then again maybe they didn’t want him dying in his own room if that was where the new king was going to reside. Bad omen. Took too long to do the cleansing spell.
At that moment the spells on his back twitched, and it felt like hot iron claws digging into his shoulders. Amick gasped. He could feel the spells as they turned inward, searching.
It might be a little late, but Amick had the sudden realization that he didn't want to die. His will had always been stronger than his body, and this was no exception. Amick's body didn't want to move: some primeval instinct telling him the longer he remained motionless, the longer he would live. He got to his feet anyway, refusing to cower on the floor.
If he was going to die, at least he was going to go while venting his frustration on some poor soul. They were going to hear him yelling down in the bailey. He stumbled three steps towards the door, tripped, and felt strong arms wrap around him.
Amick shrieked like a little girl.
One arm remained around his waist, and while the other was used to clamp a hand over his mouth. Amick fought, clawing at the arm that held him captive. It was times like these that made him wish he didn't keep his nails trimmed. "Ungrateful brat. It's just me."
Oh hell no.
His teeth sank into Nyx's hand hard enough that he drew blood. The dragon jerked his hand away and growled in threat. Amick ignored it. "What are you doing here? I didn't send you away just to have you come back and get yourself killed."
"Thank you for reminding me that I am pissed at you," Nyz said. Seconds later he sank his teeth into the side of Amick's neck. He gasped in pain and then gasped again at the sudden surge of power. The spells flared and then settled, feeding off the power Nyx was channeling through him.
"That hurts," Amick complained. The dragon's teeth had drawn blood and the wound burned both hot and cold. Nyx made an agreeing noise and bit harder. The spell lines crawled against his skin, uncomfortable but not painful, and he knew wild magic was the cause. "Nyx, stop it."
"You can't order me around anymore. The collar is broken and wild magic has warped your spells. You are no longer my master and I am no longer your slave." Nyx hummed from the back of his throat.
Suddenly, Amick was very tired. He had to swallow in order to trust his voice. "Why are you here?"
"I have my reasons," Nyx said. As inscrutable as ever. Amick didn't know whether to laugh or punch him. He settled for letting Nyx support his weight as the dragon slowly finished turning him to wild magic.
***
The first wave of cold hit Amick totally by surprise. One minute he was warm and relaxed in Nyx's arms, and the next he was freezing. Shivers raced through his frame and his teeth chattered. Amick swore he could feel each individual goosebump as it sprouted on his skin.
"Finally. I didn't think it would take this long. I always forget how strong you are." There were equal parts frustration and admiration in his voice. "Time to leave."
Amick didn't know what confused him more: that Nyx expected him to be bone-numbing cold or that the dragon seemed to think they were going to just waltz out of a locked room. He tried to jerk away, but Nyx held him. "And how do you propose we leave?"
"Through the door," Nyx replied. He released his hold on Amick, but kept one hand on his elbow. The dragon's fingers felt like ice against Amick's skin. "Then up to the roof."
"I think the guards might have something to say about that." Nyx ignored his sarcasm and dragged him over to the door. He stood there shivering as the dragon laid a pale hand on the door, his claws resting against the wooden surface.
He gasped when Nyx called power. It was like the summer's sun or a roaring fire in winter. Heat beat against his skin in waves. Amick could taste ash and woodsmoke as the spell surged. Then as quickly as it came, the power drained away leaving him shivering once more.
"What is going on?" Amick asked. Nyx ignored his question. The door opened easily under Nyx's touch, like it had never been locked. When the dragon attempted to lead him out, Amick dug his heels in. He wasn't going anywhere without an explanation. "Answer me!"
Nyx had him pinned to the wall before Amick could even blink. "You fool. I am trying to rescue you."
"I know that." Does he think I'm blind? "I want to know why."
Instead of answering, Nyx leaned forward until his cheek was almost touching Amick's. He could feel the dragon's breath against his skin. Amick could feel the weight of things unsaid pressing down on him. "Not here, not now. Come with me and I promise I'll explain.
Did he trust Nyx or did he not?
Amick took his hand.
There were no guards stationed outside the room, which really was just sloppy. You just didn't lock a person in a room without someone guarding it. Not unless you wanted that person to escape. Someone would lose their job over this.
Only he was no longer in charge. Amick let out a noise of frustration. This whole no longer being king thing was going to take time to get use to, now that he probably would have time to get use to it.
The hallways were mostly empty except for moonlight and darkness. Occasionally they would pass a servant up on some business or a guard on his rounds. When this happened Nyx would pull Amick into a darkened corner and use magic to hide them. Each time the sensations beating against him were different: the warmth of fine wool, the briskness of an autumn breeze, the bite of a river in winter.
By the time they reached the top of the castle, Amick had gone past shivering and was shaking like a leaf in a storm. His head was pounding. Amick's skin felt too tight, as if it couldn't hold all the magic inside of him.
When this whole thing is over, I am so giving myself permission to be as hysterical as I can be.
"Almost there," Nyx murmured into his hair. The dragon was holding him as they waited for one of the night sentries to make their rounds. In a few minutes this area would be deserted until the next sentry made his rounds.
"How are we getting out of the castle?" Amick asked against Nyx's skin. If he pressed his forehead just so against the dragon's neck, the headache quieted to a dull throb.
"We're going to fly." Amick could feel Nyx's throat work as he spoke. Then the dragon's words penetrated. Oh. Of course. They were just going to fly away. That was going to work.
"Your plan sucks," Amick informed him. Nyx grinned, a bright flash of white in the darkness. Then he took three steps from Amick and changed.
He'd seen this nearly two dozen times before when Nyx had fought against the restraints put upon him. Amick watched as the outline of a white, serpentine dragon took shape. This time was different. There was nothing and no one who could stop Nyx from changing into his dragon form. The outline became more real as Amick watched, shivering in the darkness on the roof of the castle.
If I was smart, I'd run.
Amick stayed where he was. Nyx finished changing. He was reared up on his hind legs, white scales gleaming in the moonlight and pale wings blocking the stars. With more grace than Amick would have thought possible, the dragon settled on all fours. He watched Amick with golden eyes.
On one level, Amick knew that it was still Nyx. He knew it. It still took an amazing amount of courage for him to bring one shaking hand up and offer it to the dragon. So what if the dragon bit off his arm? He had been as good as dead just a few hours ago.
Nyx dropped his head until Amick's hand rested against just below where his horns curved away from his skull. The scales were pleasantly warm under his hand. He stroked their smooth surface until the dragon's inner lid closer in pleasure. The shaking was getting worse, but Amick was doing his best to ignore it.
Amick had long gotten use to being able to sense strong feeling from Nyx. After all, the markings for it covered his arm. What he was not use to was sensing anything more. Spells to read another's thoughts were the height of wild magic. Then again, Amick had been corrupted by it. Was it any wonder the spells had changed.
First there was pressure in his head. Then swirling colors and a feeling of... protection? Strength? Finally, a picture coalesced out of the colors along with a sense of urgency.
"You want me to climb on your back? You are kidding." Nyx was not kidding. "I don't even like riding horses if I can help it. You want to ride you? A dragon?" So I can fall and kill myself from five hundred feet as opposed to five feet? No thank you.
Shouts came from inside the castle. The sense of urgency in Amick's mind increased, coming close to a demand. It was followed by the same image as before: Amick climbing on the dragon's back.
"If you let me fall, I'll never forgive you." Nyx held his leg half up so Amick could use it as a mounting block. Torches flared near the stairs, as guards began to search the battlements. Amick managed to scramble aboard just as one of them shouted. Beneath him, Nyx's muscles tensed.
Then they were in the air, the white dragon's wings beating furiously to gain altitude. Amick shut his eyes against the bitter wind and held on for dear life.
Now, I thud. *thud*
*is slightly giddy*
Amick wasn’t dead. Yet.
He kind of wished he was dead. They had performed the ceremony breaking all his ties to the earth, all his ties to power. His spells crawled against his skin, looking for a source of power. Eventually they would turn inward and start feeding off his power. Once that was gone, they’d start feeding on the power that kept him alive.
It hadn’t started yet, but it would. Amick had kind of hoped he was dead before that happened. Being eaten alive by magic hurt. At least, that’s the impression those watching it happen got.
When he was little, Amick had used a small ladder to get to some of the books on the top shelf. His father had never forbidden him from reading any of the books and it never occurred to him that the reason was because he’d put all the unsuitable tomes on the shelves where Amick couldn’t reach. He’d grabbed three. Two were treatises: stuffy, boring catalogues that were used to put even the worse insomniac to sleep. The third one, though, was on the trial and convictions of five known wild witches.
That book was a fascinating read up until it talked about the punishment that awaited the five. The author had gone into lavish detail describing how the five spent their last days. Amick had had screaming nightmares for months. His father, once he’d discovered what was wrong, had used it as a lesson on the dangers of seeking knowledge before you were ready.
Times like this, Amick wished his memory was not as good as it was. He could still remember the phrases the author used “writhing like serpents cast onto the fire, unable to remove themselves from the coals even though nothing touched them” and “howling until their throats were raw and bleeding.” The worse though was the story about the female witch who started eating her own hand trying to sate the hunger of the spells etched onto her skin.
Stop thinking. Stop thinking. Stop thinking.
After the ceremony they had dumped him in a room somewhere. The floor was cool under his cheek, gritty from dirt. Pale moonlight came in through a window. If Amick had to take a guess, he would say he was in an unused storage room.
That was just uncalled for. Wild witch he might have been labeled, but he had also been the king. The least they could do was stick him in his own room. Then again maybe they didn’t want him dying in his own room if that was where the new king was going to reside. Bad omen. Took too long to do the cleansing spell.
At that moment the spells on his back twitched, and it felt like hot iron claws digging into his shoulders. Amick gasped. He could feel the spells as they turned inward, searching.
It might be a little late, but Amick had the sudden realization that he didn't want to die. His will had always been stronger than his body, and this was no exception. Amick's body didn't want to move: some primeval instinct telling him the longer he remained motionless, the longer he would live. He got to his feet anyway, refusing to cower on the floor.
If he was going to die, at least he was going to go while venting his frustration on some poor soul. They were going to hear him yelling down in the bailey. He stumbled three steps towards the door, tripped, and felt strong arms wrap around him.
Amick shrieked like a little girl.
One arm remained around his waist, and while the other was used to clamp a hand over his mouth. Amick fought, clawing at the arm that held him captive. It was times like these that made him wish he didn't keep his nails trimmed. "Ungrateful brat. It's just me."
Oh hell no.
His teeth sank into Nyx's hand hard enough that he drew blood. The dragon jerked his hand away and growled in threat. Amick ignored it. "What are you doing here? I didn't send you away just to have you come back and get yourself killed."
"Thank you for reminding me that I am pissed at you," Nyz said. Seconds later he sank his teeth into the side of Amick's neck. He gasped in pain and then gasped again at the sudden surge of power. The spells flared and then settled, feeding off the power Nyx was channeling through him.
"That hurts," Amick complained. The dragon's teeth had drawn blood and the wound burned both hot and cold. Nyx made an agreeing noise and bit harder. The spell lines crawled against his skin, uncomfortable but not painful, and he knew wild magic was the cause. "Nyx, stop it."
"You can't order me around anymore. The collar is broken and wild magic has warped your spells. You are no longer my master and I am no longer your slave." Nyx hummed from the back of his throat.
Suddenly, Amick was very tired. He had to swallow in order to trust his voice. "Why are you here?"
"I have my reasons," Nyx said. As inscrutable as ever. Amick didn't know whether to laugh or punch him. He settled for letting Nyx support his weight as the dragon slowly finished turning him to wild magic.
***
The first wave of cold hit Amick totally by surprise. One minute he was warm and relaxed in Nyx's arms, and the next he was freezing. Shivers raced through his frame and his teeth chattered. Amick swore he could feel each individual goosebump as it sprouted on his skin.
"Finally. I didn't think it would take this long. I always forget how strong you are." There were equal parts frustration and admiration in his voice. "Time to leave."
Amick didn't know what confused him more: that Nyx expected him to be bone-numbing cold or that the dragon seemed to think they were going to just waltz out of a locked room. He tried to jerk away, but Nyx held him. "And how do you propose we leave?"
"Through the door," Nyx replied. He released his hold on Amick, but kept one hand on his elbow. The dragon's fingers felt like ice against Amick's skin. "Then up to the roof."
"I think the guards might have something to say about that." Nyx ignored his sarcasm and dragged him over to the door. He stood there shivering as the dragon laid a pale hand on the door, his claws resting against the wooden surface.
He gasped when Nyx called power. It was like the summer's sun or a roaring fire in winter. Heat beat against his skin in waves. Amick could taste ash and woodsmoke as the spell surged. Then as quickly as it came, the power drained away leaving him shivering once more.
"What is going on?" Amick asked. Nyx ignored his question. The door opened easily under Nyx's touch, like it had never been locked. When the dragon attempted to lead him out, Amick dug his heels in. He wasn't going anywhere without an explanation. "Answer me!"
Nyx had him pinned to the wall before Amick could even blink. "You fool. I am trying to rescue you."
"I know that." Does he think I'm blind? "I want to know why."
Instead of answering, Nyx leaned forward until his cheek was almost touching Amick's. He could feel the dragon's breath against his skin. Amick could feel the weight of things unsaid pressing down on him. "Not here, not now. Come with me and I promise I'll explain.
Did he trust Nyx or did he not?
Amick took his hand.
There were no guards stationed outside the room, which really was just sloppy. You just didn't lock a person in a room without someone guarding it. Not unless you wanted that person to escape. Someone would lose their job over this.
Only he was no longer in charge. Amick let out a noise of frustration. This whole no longer being king thing was going to take time to get use to, now that he probably would have time to get use to it.
The hallways were mostly empty except for moonlight and darkness. Occasionally they would pass a servant up on some business or a guard on his rounds. When this happened Nyx would pull Amick into a darkened corner and use magic to hide them. Each time the sensations beating against him were different: the warmth of fine wool, the briskness of an autumn breeze, the bite of a river in winter.
By the time they reached the top of the castle, Amick had gone past shivering and was shaking like a leaf in a storm. His head was pounding. Amick's skin felt too tight, as if it couldn't hold all the magic inside of him.
When this whole thing is over, I am so giving myself permission to be as hysterical as I can be.
"Almost there," Nyx murmured into his hair. The dragon was holding him as they waited for one of the night sentries to make their rounds. In a few minutes this area would be deserted until the next sentry made his rounds.
"How are we getting out of the castle?" Amick asked against Nyx's skin. If he pressed his forehead just so against the dragon's neck, the headache quieted to a dull throb.
"We're going to fly." Amick could feel Nyx's throat work as he spoke. Then the dragon's words penetrated. Oh. Of course. They were just going to fly away. That was going to work.
"Your plan sucks," Amick informed him. Nyx grinned, a bright flash of white in the darkness. Then he took three steps from Amick and changed.
He'd seen this nearly two dozen times before when Nyx had fought against the restraints put upon him. Amick watched as the outline of a white, serpentine dragon took shape. This time was different. There was nothing and no one who could stop Nyx from changing into his dragon form. The outline became more real as Amick watched, shivering in the darkness on the roof of the castle.
If I was smart, I'd run.
Amick stayed where he was. Nyx finished changing. He was reared up on his hind legs, white scales gleaming in the moonlight and pale wings blocking the stars. With more grace than Amick would have thought possible, the dragon settled on all fours. He watched Amick with golden eyes.
On one level, Amick knew that it was still Nyx. He knew it. It still took an amazing amount of courage for him to bring one shaking hand up and offer it to the dragon. So what if the dragon bit off his arm? He had been as good as dead just a few hours ago.
Nyx dropped his head until Amick's hand rested against just below where his horns curved away from his skull. The scales were pleasantly warm under his hand. He stroked their smooth surface until the dragon's inner lid closer in pleasure. The shaking was getting worse, but Amick was doing his best to ignore it.
Amick had long gotten use to being able to sense strong feeling from Nyx. After all, the markings for it covered his arm. What he was not use to was sensing anything more. Spells to read another's thoughts were the height of wild magic. Then again, Amick had been corrupted by it. Was it any wonder the spells had changed.
First there was pressure in his head. Then swirling colors and a feeling of... protection? Strength? Finally, a picture coalesced out of the colors along with a sense of urgency.
"You want me to climb on your back? You are kidding." Nyx was not kidding. "I don't even like riding horses if I can help it. You want to ride you? A dragon?" So I can fall and kill myself from five hundred feet as opposed to five feet? No thank you.
Shouts came from inside the castle. The sense of urgency in Amick's mind increased, coming close to a demand. It was followed by the same image as before: Amick climbing on the dragon's back.
"If you let me fall, I'll never forgive you." Nyx held his leg half up so Amick could use it as a mounting block. Torches flared near the stairs, as guards began to search the battlements. Amick managed to scramble aboard just as one of them shouted. Beneath him, Nyx's muscles tensed.
Then they were in the air, the white dragon's wings beating furiously to gain altitude. Amick shut his eyes against the bitter wind and held on for dear life.
Now, I thud. *thud*
(no subject)
Date: 12/2/07 04:31 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 12/2/07 05:27 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 12/2/07 06:03 am (UTC)And yay! You finished off those little tidbits! Nyx rocks.
(no subject)
Date: 12/2/07 12:45 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 12/2/07 02:38 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 12/2/07 03:45 pm (UTC)Thanks, Tsai!
(no subject)
Date: 12/3/07 12:27 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 12/3/07 03:39 am (UTC)I love you. <3
That being said, you are so completely mean. ;_; Ending it all just as Amick is
riding the hot dragonholding on for dear life. Meanie. ;_;1) I love the descriptions of wild magic and that Amick knows what's in store for him as the magic starts to eat at him. (I can see him as that overly curious kid who got in over his head. It's kind of something in his personality that seems to echo into adulthood. XD)
2) I love that Nyx comes back and that that confuses Amick to no end. XD I love to that he gives Amick that surge of magic. ^_^
3) Totally intrigued by the cold symptoms. And that Nyx seemed to expect them.
4) Loved the bit about the guard not being there. XD <333 Their stupidity is Nyx's gain. ^_^
5) Heeeheee!!! Telepathy mental pictures! *tackle glomps* I loves it. <333
Now! Your natives are restless and demanding more. *HUGE puppy eyes* ;_____;
(no subject)
Date: 12/24/07 04:14 am (UTC)I LOVE YOU.
(tackleglomps)