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Great Writing - Home > SF > Deadly Nightshade - Chapter Two
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Science Fiction and Fantasy
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| Deadly Nightshade - Chapter Two | |
| By Goddess | ||||||||||||||||||
| 10 June 2008 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Next chapter - hope you like Chapter Two ‘I know people who will be willing to help for the money you offered me. I will decide your price for my services once your father is dead and buried. Do you understand?’ Morana stood to walk over to a bird cage. She opened it slowly. A raven hopped over the woman’s arm up to her shoulder with a cold squawk, its golden eyes fixed Nightshade with a stare. ‘Yes. I understand.’ Nightshade replied quietly as Morana stroked the raven’s feathers lovingly. Morana placed the bird on the window sill and it spread its great black wings, gliding out of the tower. ‘Come. Raven will go wake the others. You should remain here until I have spoken with them.’ ‘But...’ ‘No. You will stay here.’ Morana was out of the door before Nightshade could say another word. * Allard heard a distinct tapping on his shutters and frowned. What could Morana want at this time of the night? He reached for his boots then for his sword and bag. Raven’s thoughts came thick and fast into his mind. Message from Mistress to meet at the Hill. Urgent. Well paid. Then Raven was gone and Allard wondered what troubles Morana had caused for herself this time. He stepped out into the fresh night air, pulling his bag over one shoulder and making his way up to the Hill and to Morana’s tower. He was the last one to arrive. Delano, Braeden and Lila encircled the slender form of Morana. Delano’s large form grinned as Allard arrived. ‘Late as always, Allard.’ The man commented and Allard glared with disgust at the man. Lila raised a thin eyebrow with an angelic smile. She was anything but angelic as Allard mentally put up his defences against the woman. She looked slightly disappointed and crossed her arms across her chest irritably. Braeden remained passive as usual and didn’t even glance Allard’s way. Morana however swooped down to embrace Allard gently. Allard did not react. ‘Thank you for coming, Allard.’ She whispered in his ear. ‘It’s not as if I had a choice.’ The man snarled back. She tapped his cheek gently before turning away to look at the others. ‘I suppose you are all wondering what is going on and why I woke you so late at night. I had a visit from Nightshade today.’ Morana watched as eyes widened at the girl’s name. ‘She is willing to kill the Dragon-leader for us and pay a thousand to each of you willing to give your services.’ Allard’s mind detached from Morana’s speech to glance up at the woman’s tower. As he did, his eyes caught with a pair of hazel eyes and the figure retreated shocked inside. Allard guessed that Nightshade had been told to remain in the tower and would soon be called down to meet them all. ‘...You are not to touch the girl...’ Morana’s speech continued as Allard drifted back into the conversation. ‘If you care for your own life. Wait here.’ When Morana returned so did Nightshade. Allard watched with amazement at the young woman’s beauty. She moved with such grace that she was almost gliding across the emerald green grass of the Hill. Her slender figure had long legs and thin ankles, her waist dipped in gently and Allard truly believed he had never met a more striking woman in his whole life. Her face was tanned, her large hazel eyes were shining in the gentle moonlight that kissed her features and her lips were parted in a small frown. Allard imagined that her smile would be ten time more beautiful. Her full chestnut hair was shoulder-length and glinted a copper colour in the darkness. Like a Goddess she stood, her stance womanly yet virgin-like and innocent. Long black gloves were pulled up to her elbows and she was wearing a black dress, the corset tight on her chest, accentuating her dips and curves. Allard could see why men fell for her, a temptation that was fatal and deadly. Her soft eyes caught with his for a moment and he felt his breath catch, then her gaze moved on to the others, scowling back at Morana. Morana began the introductions. ‘This is your help, Nightshade. This man –‘ She gestured to Delano, the large and pig-like man who was already eyeing the young woman up and down. Allard had always hated him. ‘This is Delano. He works on poisons and potions. Lila,’ Morana waved a hand towards a skeletal looking girl – she can’t have been older than eighteen – with pitch-black hair and sharp silver eyes. Lila nodded her head in acknowledgement. ‘Lila works with mind control of... well... lower powered-beings. She is only young after all. Braeden...’ Braeden was plain looking with blonde hair and blue eyes, he barely ever talked and this unnerved Allard. ‘Braeden is our political adviser during the day and the decoder of magick during the nights.’ Lastly, Morana stopped at Allard. ‘Allard is our warrior. He can wield almost any weapon, including magick and I believe is also a very good torturer.’ ‘I don’t torture anymore.’ Allard replied with a glare but Morana gave him a patient smile, her eyes warning him not to say anymore. He could feel her magick reach out with cold fingers and he flinched mentally away so she retracted. Nightshade watched him again then she spoke, her voice like angels. ‘So you are giving me a horde of cutthroats and murderers.’ It was a cold statement and it irritated Morana, Allard wondered whether that was the woman’s aim. ‘Not cutthroats. Professionals willing to aid you for a price.’ Morana scolded. ‘We leave tomorrow night. It will give you enough time to tie up your affairs before we depart. Especially you, Allard. We will discuss this in a moment. The rest of you may go back to your beds and tie up your ends in the morning.’ Allard did not manage to answer and stared up to the heavens, praying to God that she would free him from this Hell. Lila, Delano and Braeden all began to walk back down the Hill as Morana turned back to Allard with a sigh. ‘Nightshade go back to the tower.’ ‘No.’ Allard froze, horrified that the woman had spoken against Morana. He glanced quickly at Nightshade’s determined face. ‘We have a deal. I will not become your slave girl and you will not treat me as such.’ Her voice was like steel, her stare like fire but Morana simply laughed. ‘Get to the tower, Nightshade. Do not cross me again or I will kill you on the spot.’ Nightshade’s eyes flickered to Allard’s who begged that she turn and walk to the tower and the woman did. Allard let himself relax as Morana turned her attention on him. ‘Never cross me like that again or you will no longer be safe within my sight, Allard.’ ‘I do not torture anymore.’ Allard repeated darkly, his fingers clutching his sword with anger as though prepared to strike the powered-being down. Morana reached deep into her cloak and held up a small vial, a brilliant blue glow emitting from it. Allard froze as Morana observed it with mock concern. ‘I think the glow is dimmer than yesterday night...’ Her eyes connected with his and Allard recoiled, his face layered with disgust. ‘Of course, I could easily let the light die... if you deny me your services again, Allard.’ Allard watched the light as it gently flickered, Morana’s eyes flashing with magick. ‘No!’ He cried, reaching out for the vial and Morana took a step back. ‘Then you will do my bidding?’ ‘Yes... I will... I will do your bidding.’ Morana smiled pleasantly. ‘Good boy.’ She pocketed the vial again then kissed his cheek. ‘Go get some sleep, my dear. You are bound to me so do not cross me.’ Then she followed Nightshade’s path back to the tower.
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