Riddle Heights emundare infirma

Men never do evil so completely and cheerfully

religious conviction

as when they do it from

Silence lingered in the heights, leaving Paeryl to his thoughts and the gentle pads of his feet touching the ground as he began to explore his terrain. A cold and gnarled expression lingered on his features, a default for him. He’d been slowly establishing the lands with the help of his band, while also scouting out potential victims to serve as their sacrifice. He had been reviewing the rituals himself, ensuring he knew the precise nature in which it needed to be done.

He would ensure no errors on his part. If it should fail, and they displeased the dice gods, then he would certainly be able to blame the sheep that followed him and their god for simply not believing enough. Perhaps he’d slay them too upon the altar of fire that they would bring to the very peaks of their lands.

He paused at the familiar paw steps of another, his face curling to a snarl as he prepared to confront whomever was there. The scent was not familiar, and his chin lifted. “Who’s there?” It was a simple demand with a menacing snarl.

Apolline had been on a steady southern course since their experience on the ridge, every night bringing vivid dreams, convincing them that they were on the right track. There was no longer any doubt in their mind, no reservations about whether their guiding hand was really god; This is where I’m meant to be! Despite having little to go on, the witch was determined to find the mysterious Paeryl, and learn about his god; our god!

They followed the steady line of the mountains, sniffing for any hints of Felyx or his sister, or anything similar, moving at a steady trot with short rests at the warmest and coldest times of day. There was no hesitation in their steps, no question that they would be led to where they needed to be; and they were!

The scent was fresh, clearly marking a route up the mountainside that was frequently travelled, and Felyx markers were clear in the mix. With their heart accelerating in excitement, Apolline turned to follow the trail, continuing to turn with the freshest marks, eager to make contact. And soon enough, there was a flash of movement up ahead, a fierce greeting snarled in the witch’s direction.

Stepping forwards undeterred, their tail was low, but head held high, single eye studying the pale man with glittering interest, They spoke confidently, just a touch of intensity on the edges of their otherwise steady voice: “They call me Apolline. I’ve come looking for Paeryl and his God.”

Thoughts ”Speech”

dawnthieves, nalina24 & TinusDream

Men never do evil so completely and cheerfully

religious conviction

as when they do it from

His lips pulled into a saccharine smile, eyes narrowing to slits as darkness harrowed around him at her words. There was an intensity to her tone, a fervent nature that led him to believe she was truly interested in becoming devout. His god. The dark chuckle would creep, the ivory man moving through shadows as if he could blend with them, a swiftness in his approach to her as his maw opened wider, though it was not in outward aggression. There was a pause. “And who is it that told you of Paeryl… of the God he worships?” Not his… never his.

He belonged to the mountain god only… but the mountain god would never belong to him. He proved a mere servant, one who did the biddings interpreted by himself… by his wife. There was another pause. His eyes widening still as he stepped around her, analyzing her stature and her movement.

“I am Paeryl, but I do not own the Gods… the God of the mountain rules over all, not just me, in turn… I merely help interpret their call… interpret their will and enact it on this Earth.” He finally released the information to her as he finished his circle. “What is it you want with me and the God of the Mountain, Apolline.” The name was stressed under the weight of the tone he carried.

They’d never seen any wolf like him before. While there was nothing particularly striking about his pale coat and well-muscled build, he had an air about him, a sort of power radiating off his very being; A purpose! He moved through the darkness like it was part of him, a mere extension of himself, reaching the witch with seemingly effortless speed, his somber laugh sending familiar tingles down the back of their skull.

Before he even spoke a word, they knew he was the one they’d been looking for, bronze-gold eye following his every move with shining fervor. The rest of their body kept deathly still as he circled, heart pounding rapidly in their chest. Taking care to keep their voice steady, they breathed a quiet answer: “Felyx,” the name was hardly more than a hiss, and they had to breath in deeply before they could continue: “a few moons back, down in the Edens.” That was all they could say before he finished his circle, piercing green eyes once again level with the witch’s.

Returning his gaze was a struggle, the full power of his purpose bearing down on Apolline, but they held firm to prove their own conviction. As he spoke, their breathing grew rapid, an almost feverish shine in their eye, as his words filled every fiber of their body. There was no need for further signs, no visions to interpret or omens to read; This is it!

A shiver ran all the way along their spine when he spoke their name, tail curling underneath their belly in submission. “To worship,” they breathed hoarsely, bowing their head and crouching low; “To serve!” They had finally found the answer to that call within them, the one who was sending them visions, guiding their path; The God of the Mountain!

Thoughts ”Speech”

dawnthieves, nalina24 & TinusDream

Men never do evil so completely and cheerfully

religious conviction

as when they do it from

Felyx. Paeryl should have expected that the revenant woman was recruited by the suave teen that had made their way into his ranks. Though they were far from official in many means, they were slowly gathering the necessary resources to form, and to enact the sacrifice that would consecrate the land and make it suitable for use. He wondered how much she had been told, and if she knew of the rite.

They were sworn to secrecy in many cases, but he could find it in himself to trust Felyx with discreetly passing some information if they were deemed to be potential recruits. It was easier to ensure they were not blindsided by the sacrificing. He understood it turned many off their way of life.

As she spoke, she proved pious though he did not know how much she could truly know of the God of the Mountain. “Are you prepared to do whatever it takes?” He would demand on her, his gaze leveled harshly on her and remaining stiff, his tail curling to assert dominance, seeing how far she would let him push.