Dragonveil Fold dolor et infirmitas

RE: The sky darkens with ash from a distant forest fire. Open to any members of the band

Men never do evil so completely and cheerfully

religious conviction

as when they do it from

The sky had hardened around the mountain, his gaze focused out on the distance as he saw the way the ash curved… the sight from above painted the sky with the clear visage of an omen… a warning that they had come as a smirk began to tug at the corner of his lips. It was favorable. The gods were pleased with the actions they were taking. He had worried, if only to himself, that their timetable had not proven quick enough to consecrate the mountains but with the darkened sky, he was certain. The gods were pleased, and their victim would come to them soon.

He had been diligent at work, preparing the cliff for the sacrifice, establishing caches, patrolling what would be their borders… it all bode well.

He’d freshly re-stained his paws with rabbits blood, though he savored the idea of being able to soak it in that of one of their brethren… in a wolf that was stupid enough to near their lands or be drawn in. Only the strong survived, and those able to be drawn into the dangers of the mountain simply deserved their fate. Of that, he was absolutely certain, even without the prophetic nature of his dreams, convincing him that the gods spoke to him.

“The time is quickly approaching to stake our claim… to bless this mountain with the blood of our brethren.” He’d murmur, loud enough that an approacher might hear but more to himself than anyone else.

(This post was last modified: Nov 17, 2024, 03:47 AM by Viorel.)

Felyx wasn't one to seek Paeryl out directly very often. It wasn't that he didn't like the guy, or that he was afraid or anything, but they were vastly different individuals and Paeryl was unlikely to be roped into any of Felyx's shenanigans - far too serious and devoted, the boy assumed. There was nothing wrong with that, necessarily, but Felyx occasionally found him and that wife of his a touch too stiff for his tastes. There was a massive difference between doing things for a deity and doing them for selfish pleasure, after all, and Felyx wasn't sure how to bridge that gap.

Felyx liked this mountain because it was interesting and surrounded by fun individuals. Paeryl liked it because it pleased his gods. Felyx would kill for nothing but a whim. Paeryl dedicated the carnage to something bigger. Felyx brought in new blood for fun. Paeryl saw them as acolytes. Paeryl had a purpose for what he did - some larger goal in mind. Felyx did not.

Luckily, it wasn't hard to find their leader, and Felyx waved his tail as he approached, posture relaxed and open. It was smoky out - the same fire that had been raging when he'd run back into Thoval, perhaps. Not close enough to be a danger, though, even if the scent was irritating.

The time is quickly approaching to stake our claim... to bless this mountain with the blood of our brethren.

"You got anyone in mind?" he asked, settling beside the older man.

Men never do evil so completely and cheerfully

religious conviction

as when they do it from

The crucifix of their success had been placed upon his shoulders as his burden to carry. The promise of great power that had once lured him in had dauntingly overtaken him, commanding every ounce of control he felt. He felt it for his wife, for Felyx, for Sovanya… That they’d reap the rewards without as many burdens as he’d carried when he first brought the religion from the ashes of destitute. His lips pursed together for a moment as Felyx appeared, his tail flicking lightly to show he was aware of his presence though he did not look at the man, at least for the moment.

There were many secrets he was to keep, even from Vae… and those secrets would pass to his eldest once they fully consummated their match and bore children. The question, however, was one he could answer.

“The gods have spoken to me, and I have listened.” He spoke prophetically as he looked out at the ashy atmosphere lingering below the peak. “There will be a sheep moving freely through the Lore… lost in their own light for us to slaughter at the Altar of our gods.” He promised as he turned to him. “We simply must find them… alone, uninjured for this to go well… we must lure them in carefully like we might a herd and wait for the right time to strike.” A wicked grin began to slide up his features.

“Do you think you can do that, Felyx?” There was no doubt the boy was the most talkative… if anyone was to bring a willing victim (at least until they knew what they were being lured to), it would be him.

Felyx wasn't sure exactly how much he believed in these gods of Paeryl's, but if they could point him in a direction to rope someone else into this little game he was playing, then he could stand to listen to them for a while. The prospect of luring someone in like this, having them trail behind him like a fawn to its mother, unaware of the fate that lay before them... it was enough to have energy thrumming through Felyx's veins.

To trick someone into walking right to their own death... well, there was hardly anything more thrilling, was there?

This might be one of the most fun games yet.

"I think I can manage that," he assured, excitement bright in his eyes. It might be a mission best taken alone, he figured, for this to go just right. Cynder might be too stiff or combative, and he had no clue what Thoval might do. Best of Felyx could control the situation entirely on his own. "Might be best if I go by myself for this one, though. That okay?" he tried, tilting his head to the side and studying Paeryl's expression.

Thoval had said something about wolves to the northeast - had forbidden Felyx from going there - but it seemed a decent spot to ensnare someone in their web. A sort of pre-retribution for causing one of theirs harm.

Men never do evil so completely and cheerfully

religious conviction

as when they do it from

The smirk did not reach his eyes, though it nearly bled from the ichor that had swelled in his chest, begging for its ruthless release upon the lands that they had found. Sovanya had done well and had proven her worth as his apprentice. Slowly, he would test all of them. Their mettle and determination would need to be unyielding in order to remain… to not fall once more with the sheep that they would slaughter in the names of their sacred mountain god.

As the boy assured him that he would achieve his goal, he offered only the briefest hint of a nod, his head hardly moving but enough that Felyx would recognize it for what it was: restraint, carefully placed as in all matters regarding the sacrificial rite. There were many secrets left, many that Paeryl continued to keep.

“Do what you need to accomplish this mission. Though we have all banded together in this sacred goal, your success on your assignments will continue to be more important than any bonds you lay here, sans those you form to me.” As he was the one who knew the meticulous decree of the sacrificial rite, each claw and tooth carefully placed in accordance with the rituals he had memorized… the type that many would wish to learn.

“You understand the type of sheep we search for, yes?” Pliant, well-fed… almost certainly from a group outside of their own not only to send a message, but because of well-fed they would be from the summer. Lone wolves, after all, were still more likely to hunger even in the warm months.

Reading Paeryl was always difficult. The man almost seemed like the mountain itself - solid and cold, looming overhead and casting a shadow on everyone else. Felyx was being tested now, he figured. Tested to see if he was worth keeping around, to see if he could please the man and his gods well enough. Paeryl's next statement all but confirmed it.

...your success on your assignments will continue to be more important than any bonds you lay here, sans those you form to me.

A funny thought. Felyx almost wanted to laugh, because what could be more important than the bonds he was building here? His connection with Cynder, with Dacian, with Thoval, would always be far more important than whatever Paeryl and his gods wanted, though Felyx wouldn't ever say it aloud. The white wolf might be an effective leader, directing his subjects to prioritize their connections with him above all else, but unfortunately Felyx didn't particularly find him entertaining enough to prioritize connecting with. He was currently necessary for survival, and Felyx valued him for that, but there was something fundamental within the two of them that the boy felt clashing inside his chest, itchy and uncomfortable. Dangerous.

Like playing with fire.

"Of course," he said in lieu of arguing, offering the man a sharp smile. "Surely you don't take me for the sentimental type?" For bonds or for the mission, Paeryl could take that however he wished.

You understand the type of sheep we search for, yes?

"Healthy, cared for..." he listed off, licking his lips at the last one, maw stretching into a wicked smirk, "...gullible." Someone used to a cushy life, who would be easy to manipulate and drag along, who would follow Felyx like they were on a leash. "Is there anything else I missed?" Any specifics Paeryl was looking for would be helpful.

Men never do evil so completely and cheerfully

religious conviction

as when they do it from

Felyx remained impassive as he looked to the boy in front of him. Few understood how quickly he might turn his teeth upon them if they displeased him… if he felt they worked against the nature of the Gods… if the Gods expressed their displeasure. Thus far, it had not been a problem… but when wolves became comfortable, became idle… they proved to be sheep. He hummed simply, wondering just how the man felt, and so he answered honestly.

“I take you for young, still newer to the world and the lands we now tread.” He answered just as vaguely as the man offered in turn. There was another nod. “We look for a female.” He added to further compile the list. A good sacrifice across the mountain – the life that in turn gives life… a woman capable of bearing and yet she never would, her womb empty the moment she was slaughtered though it mattered not if it had been filled before.

“Such blood will christen us and it’s pack, and the carcass will sit at the bottom of the ravine.” His eyes now remained a steely gaze, unreadable though a certain darkness continued to swarm under the surface. There was a prickling under his fur and a shift in the breeze, bringing the harsh smell of ash flooding his nostrils.

Idle, Felyx was not. This would not prove to be an issue, Gods or no, but that did not mean that having Felyx around wouldn't bring about its own issues. Exactly what those would be were, of course, yet to be seen, but it was nigh on an inevitability.

He flicked his gaze toward the white wolf with a small, amused smile. "You'd be right there, I suppose," he said, though he didn't particularly like being looked down upon for his age. A woman was useful advice, though, because Felyx would not have differentiated based on the sex of the wolf involved, so there was a 50/50 chance of him bringing home someone unsuitable for the sacrifice.

There was something, buried very, very deep, that gave a disturbing twinge at the thought of what they were about to do. Some barest hint of conscience that had been smothered beneath a lifetime of hardship and a twisted sense of morality. It was easy enough to snuff out though, and so Felyx did. Shoved it down and replaced it with a sick sense of excitement.

It was easy. It was what he'd done since the first wolf he'd killed.

This was no different.

"Tell me." he began, looking out over the smoke. "If we get this just right, will the Gods be pleased?"

Men never do evil so completely and cheerfully

religious conviction

as when they do it from

Paeryl cared little for what Felyx thought of his decisions or how they were made. They were facts, orders, and he would comply or he might risk finding himself as a future victim to the mountain pack’s rites. The boy was wise to not speak up on it, and to not spark his ill temper. He’d lash out, with no sympathy nor mercy if he felt crossed as such. Obedience to him was obedience and obeisance to the Gods. It was just, and divinely blessed. They were merely acting on their will to garner their favor and make their own lives easier… to live revenant was far better than to live a wretched and hard life.

A wicked smile crossed his maw as his eyes ignited at the question, a vigor in his tone laced with a general malice oozing as he spoke. “If we get this just right, the Gods will be more than pleased. They will make this mountain dance in fire and blood and we will be sated for many moons to come.” There was a conviction in his voice as he said it, as if such a thing were simply a certainty and a way of life, and as if he had done it before. The past visages had, and as he became incarnate to them in the sacred rites, so then did he.