The Path that led to Pacting

[White Rose]

1. Becoming Faithless ( one of Four posts )

Clouds hung over the cold sky, blocking out the sun, as the storm approached. Thunder shook the land and lightning shot its crackle over head, occasionally streaking down to the horizon of the ocean, where blackness seemed to gather in the wicked heart of the weather. Delanna was almost numb inside as she watched from afar, the robed preists dragging young Arthew to the ceremonial altar. Looming large over the pool there was the statue of the woman holding a trident, known as the Sea Bitch, as few ever spoke her true name of Umberlee. Yes, the clan were deep worshipers of Tempus, who provided order and honor to the ways the clan behaved in their raids of other settlements, elsewhere in the Moonshae chain of islands. Warriors felt no guilt of any kind, as long as they kept to the rules of Tempus, as they brutalized the innocent, taking what ever the clan needed back on Ruathym island. The goal was never to slaughter, nor enslave, but to simply take what was needed, and unfortunately, those who resisted this, met a hard fate. But today, the storms threatened the seas and the safety of the fleet. Yes, the Sea Bitch demanded her due. Delanna ached inside, her throat swelling up in pain, as her life long friend Arthew, was to be the sacrifice that would almost assure success on the high seas today, with the potential rewards of all new everything when the raiders returned. She closed her eyes hard and turned her head away as she heard the splashed and intermittant cries of desperation from her trusted and loved friend. It was hard to believe that surrounded by so many, not one would come to save him, but instead, nodded in approval of drowning a young man . . . one given for the betterment of all. "NO NO . .no . . . no", She cried to herself, until the sounds of the ceremony fell to silence . . . The Sea Bitch was paid, and the Raiders were already preparing to sail. "Dammit . . . DAM dammit !", She raged to herself, at what she saw as a meaningless murder, a tribute to unfeeling gods, and a horrific hipocrasy. "Frak the frakking gods, every frakking one of them! The frakking Frakkers!", she blurted out . . . causing many faces to turn and regard her, before moving on in preparations of the raid ahead. Her outburst resulted in her father being warned to discipline the mouth of his daughter. She remained incensed, until the idea came to her . . . leave this madness. . . forever.

[White Rose]

As a maiden of the Northmen, Delanna was lovely to behold, a sweet face, blue eyes and long flowing blond hair, but then, this could describe almost every one in the clan. This helped her as she pretended to help load a ship ready for sail on the raid that day. Instead of returning to land, she stowed away, deep in the cargo hold, by the food, in the far side from the weapons, where she waited, silently . . . It seemed forever before the hold was closed and locked, and the ship began to creak as it dealt with the waves that pushed against its form. In the darkness, Delanna imagined a world that she would encounter, once this insane culture was left behind. Would they be different than her own clan? Would they be just as stupid but in some new way? Could there be love in her future? Would she ever have to endure the smell of week old man sweat, dead fish and stale beer again? Eventually, the hold swung open, with its hinges squeaking loudly, footsteps banging on the floor, and the sound of clanging as weapons were gathered and distributed. She had never been on a raid before, always left behind, to hear of all the actions of bravery and brutality, all in order of Tempus. The tales seemed true enough today, as soon the ship went almost silent, after the thundering of men on the deck finally went quiet. Only the creaking of the ship on the waves remained. It was then that she came out of hiding and carefully moved to the open door of the hold, and peered out. There, on the land side of the ship, were four clansmen, watching the shore intently. Not one even glanced back the other way, allowing her to bend low, and sneak to the oceanside and lower herself over the edge until she had to let go, and fell into the blue water below. It was not nearly as cold as the waters at home, where snow fell year round, but much less in the summer. She swam under the surface as far as she could until she passed the bow of the ship, and avoided the area where the crew would be watching towards the town being raided. More she swam until her arms ached and her chest seemed to burn. Glancing back at the ship, it was not as far as she had hoped, but a new life awaited. .just . keep going . . . And she found the strength to do so. Finally after she was far enough, she turned towards the shore . . . It was almost evening when she thought to appear in the town, the ship gone, the fires now just smoke, the cries of the villagers quieted. Alone in a strange land, she walked into the town, past houses like she had never seen before, until she came to what must have been a town square. In the torch light of the early evening, she stood there, until several people, dressed strangely it seemed, gathered to look at her. Clearly her blond hair suggested she was a dreaded enemy of the people, and surely, once she spoke, her accent confirmed it. Her feeble greeting was met with a slap down to her face! WHACK ! This was followed by boot kicks all over her body! Through the pain, she barely felt the ropes burn across her wrists and ankles as the now yelling crowd captured one of the raiders that had just crushed them and taken everything of value away.

[White Rose]

Hungry and bruised, she laid on the stone floor as the cell door whined as it opened. Men came in, spoke what sounded like arguments in strange languages, and then took her away. From there, it was a series of ships and wagons, until days later, she found herself standing on a wood pedestal, naked save for a metal collar and chain, as men below howled shouts of unknown words, shaking hands in the air holding paper. Northmen maidens were known to bring a very high price on the slave trade, especially those with lovely faces and bodies worthy of manly indulgence. Delanna as just such a maiden. Once this scene had concluded, a hood was shoved over her head that brought almost total darkness and the smell of mold. Chains on her ankles made it hard to walk much less enter what might have been a wagon or coach, banging her head as she did. The sensation of riding on road went on for most of a day, when all stopped, and an unseen hand pulled off the hood. As her eyes adjusted to the twilight, she could see that it was a coach after all, and out side the window was a massive stone, torch lit structure, with hanging banners of red and gold. Instead of the scents of Ruathym, her nose was met by the smell of Lylac. How very strange. Elder women came to assist her, leading inside the stone building, which seemed lavish, and smelled of roast meat and bread. Her belly groaned like thunder, and the old women laughed. Soon they washed her, brushed her hair, seemed to paint or apply something to her face, around her eyes and lips. A large puffy thing with powder was dabbed against her cheeks, and since non of this hurt, there was no struggle. Aged hands worked gently to dress her in cream colored silk blouse, with laced sleeves, and a low neckline. But it was the leather corset that assured her that this was all for torture and discipline. The elder women placed a foot on her back and pulled the leather laces tight enough, she was sure her ribs would crack with every breath! "Fraaakk !", came out of her mouth as the air was forced out. The women around her only laughed. Then they had her step into a billowing pleated skirt, and as they pulled it up to her painfully cinched waist, had an inverted V that showed her lower legs and bare feet. This was followed by another skirt, thin and almost see through, that this time, was pulled up under the first, and showed edges at the opening of the first skirt. Then they presented to a full length mirror, and for a moment, she did not know who was in the reflection. . . it was a beautiful woman, who looked almost regal and refined. This vision of herself would stay burned in her mind, even when what was to follow was almost brutal.
It seemed that her "owner", a middle aged man who smelled like scented soap, smoke and a pinch of alcohol, had an agenda, and soon after the elder woman left the room, his desire was clear. . . . * * * Days later, as she was out in the garden, picking berries, pondering the words that she was learning of this place and the people with in, when a crow circled over head a few times. A slight tingle danced down her body, which maybe was just the breeze . . . Then the crow landed on a branch of a short tree next to her and seemed to be looking. She tried to jest at it in the best common that she had learned so far. "Whayfore are ye tryin ta mess wi me, eh?" The crow began to caw . .but oddly. its sounds began to sound almost like . . words? "CAW ... caaaw . . cawm . . . come . .with me" Delanna's eyes went wide for a moment, but surely some one here was playing some joke. . .but . . none were there. just her and this crow. A very perplexed look followed on the maiden's face as the crow beckoned her again. After shaking her head and blinking a few times, Delanna responded, "To . .Where?? ". "The sky, and away", she heard it say. Rolling her eyes, she responded, " I can no more fly than you can peck away these chains, beast." , as she shook her ankle bracelet and chain.
Again the bird beckoned her and this time, she was hearing a voice clearly, unlike an animal at all. "We have found you desirable, maiden of the north, and the Queen calls you to join us, and if you do, you shall never be property of any other again." . . . "HA! You think me a fool." the maiden retorted, "i see your clever words . . yes. . i shall never be property of any OTHER . . but would be of your . . Queen . . haha . . yes.. . i caught that. I am already a slave, why would i become yours? " . . . The voice responded to her."We shall grant you powers, control over endless forces of nature . . . the heat and fire of the sun , the lightning of storms, and even the acids of insects and plant. Imagine unlimited powers, no more a victim, no more a property, but one who serves a mighty court of powers. And if this world has been unfair to you . . well . . it pleases us to return such favors, to cause the stumbling of your enemy into great peril, but always with the joy of laughter." Delanna was almost stunned at the depth of the proposal . . after all . this was a crow . . wasn't it??? OR . .was it? . . . "You free me of these chains, and i will follow you anywhere!", came from her mouth.
"Indeed. . . ", came the voice.

[White Rose]

"You must be some sort of enchanted creature . . aren't you, beast." Delanna said, not really asking a question. "I will think on it, and tomorrow, i will tell you what i will say about this." . . . "It must be now, or i am gone.", she heard the crow say. . . . "What else . . what more . .can you offer? and IF you are not really a crow then show me your true self, that i might know you are not some demon come to drag me into hell." . . . "Demons drag to the Abyss.", the crow responded, "its Devils that drag you to the hells. I dont know why mortals get that so wrong all the time, but fine, behold me with out illusion if you must." . . . With that the image of the crow faded into another creature, not easily defined. It had feathered wings, tail like a rat, but scales on its body and a warted face like a boar. The eyes were bright and expressive as was the filthy fanged mouth. And yet for all its ugliness, it was almost charming in the way it expressed. "There! . Now you have it, are you pleased now ??? So let me ask you, fair maiden of the North, what is your name?" . . . "Delanna", she responded. . . ."NO NO . ..no . .that is . . oh . no . . that will never do . . . ", the creature replied, " Let us see. . . i know . . .Star . . .yes . . Star . . Star Summershine, maiden of the Fey Wood, Court of the Queen of the Air. Do our bidding , and as you grow , we shall empower you with even more and powerful you shall be , Star Summershine." . . . "You know . .as long as i don't have to LOOK LIKE YOU, I think i can live with this.", the newly named Star commented. The creature answered to her comment, "That is part of why we chose you, Star Summershine, because to our eyes, WE are the beauty, and you the gut wrenching deformity, but, what a great laugh we will GET, for no one . .HAha . NO ONE . will suspect when its YOU who does our bidding ! ". The creature hardly could contain itself as it belly laughed so hard, and Star simply looked on with no expression. "Gosh, you are easily amused". she commented, "Soo . . when does all this . . . begin?" Immediately, the creature was at her side with a thorn in its hand, it pricked a finger of its own and green ooze came forth . . . Then handed the thorn to Star, motioning to do likewise. . . and she did. . . .the blood and the ooze mixed together into a brown swirl that turned black and seemed to absorb into Star's skin, triggering a wave of almost painful energy with in her body, bones pulsing with energy, her senses awakening as never before. Visions of ages drifted through her mind and she became aware of a world around her that she had never known before . . . the berries in her hand, the grass, the tree . . every thing was not only alive. but radiated with powers spawned from creation, across the ages, to this moment. "Now . . Star . . Come with me. . . ", the creature spoke as it cast a spell, transforming the maiden. The ankle bracelet and chain fell to the ground, as two crows flew into the air, one of them almost shrieking with joyous laughter!
Just inside the kitchen, elderly women heard what might have been a flock of crows, and came out to see and find that Delanna was gone . .. when suddenly a splatter of birdcrap nailed one right in the face.