The Cursed

[SkySong278]

“Ah okay. I do that as well sometimes if I don’t want to lay on the bed. I find that to be true also,” she said in reply while pouting a bit when she was let go by him when their dinner arrived. She nodded and then also went to the table, but sat down on the floor instead of leaning over the table on the other side of it. “Mm this is really good.”

[AroaraAngelwolf]

"Marvelous as always.  I'd like to know... If I did storm the camp, and I took you back here would you still love me? After you had been treated so awfully by the men in the witches camp... Would you still see me the same way you do now? You would have been abused at that point. I can imagine that you'd only think that I was no different form other men you met." He said softly genuinely curious about what her answer would be. 

[SkySong278]

“I agree. I probably would have in time if what you said about me being abused by the time you would’ve come to rescue me were true. I might’ve been a bit weary until I got used to this place and its people, discovering that it was safe. I could see myself getting used to you wearing your mask during that time and your presence in general first and then as I got to know you more I would’ve still fallen in love with you,” she said in reply to everything he said and asked after swallowing her first bite of the food and then went back to eating more of it afterward.

Edited February 8, 2022 by SkySong278

[AroaraAngelwolf]

He stared at her in wonder. "You are amazing. I'm glad things went the way they did. I wouldn't want it any other way. " He then ate quietly and when finished placed his tray outside, grabbed his pajamas and went into the bathroom coming out having changed into them. He crawled into bed and patted it. Void got up with some struggle. "I didn't mean you. Come sleep with me tonight. After our marriage I'd like to have you fully moved into my room. It's larger than yours and I can make room for your things. "

[SkySong278]

"Oh um thank you, but I'm not sure about me being amazing; I was just being honest. Me too and me neither," she said in reply to his statements with a small blush on her cheeks before also eating the rest of her food afterward. As he went into the bathroom to change into his pajamas he had gotten out, she placed her own tray outside the door, and then went back in afterward while seeing him now laying down in his bed. "Okay I will after I get dressed. Oh okay and would that extend to the desk in my study as well?" she said and asked in reply to the last few things or so that he said and directed at her before giggling a bit when she heard what he said to Void. "I'll be back." After she said this last statement, she went over to her room, got dressed in her own pajamas, and then went back over to his room before also getting into the bed but on the other side of it and him.

[AroaraAngelwolf]

"no, your study is yours. You can work there, just your clothes and personal belongings can be moved here. Then that spare room can be used as a nursery later or a guest bedroom.  Void, I'm trying to hold a conversation here..." He said as the kitten promptly laid on his cheek and complained when he moved her to the other side of him. He snuggled in beside her and closed his eyes. "Sweet dreams my darling."

[SkySong278]

"Oh okay. Sounds like a good plan. She just wants attention as well," she said in reply to the statements he said that were directed at her before she heard what he said to Void and let a small giggle slip as she saw where the kitten was. She snuggled close to him in return and said in reply while also closing her eyes, "Sweet dreams my love." She then drifted off to sleep soon after, smiling a bit while feeling Truffle get comfortable between her and Quadir's legs on top of the covers.

[AroaraAngelwolf]

The day has come to evict Evens from the land. Quadir was up first and dressed lightly shaking her awake, he had Donna pick out some simple travel clothes for her. "The horses are ready love. I've sent a messenger ahead yesterday. I had him announce to the people of that town to gather outside of Mayor Evans residence at noon today. It'll be quite the show. We'll have breakfast along the way." He said kissing her cheek softly. 

 

((I skipped a couple days ahead.))

Edited February 8, 2022 by AroaraAngelwolf

[SkySong278]

((okay ))

 

Alivia woke up to Quadir lightly shaking her to be so on the day that Evens was to be evicted from the land of the town she used to live in. "Mm okay. He'll be so surprised and maybe also a bit mad but oh well," she said in reply as she rubbed her eyes free of the sleep to try to wake up a bit more before smiling a bit when she felt the soft kiss that he gave her that was on her cheek. She sat up after throwing the covers off of her and then reluctantly slipped down from the bed to be standing on the floor afterward. She then took the silver colored light travel casual dress that was knee length from Donna with a nod before going into the bathroom to change into it, emerging from the bathroom a little while afterward with it on, her hair in a braid down her back, and gray flats on her feet. "I'm ready to go when you are."

Edited February 8, 2022 by SkySong278

[AroaraAngelwolf]

He smiled and brought her out helping her on Storm and got on Lilith heading out with a few knights as escorts. He handed her a muffin and ate one himself. He doesn't wear the mask anymore, instead he keeps it on his shoulder as a armored guard in case he needs it to fight monsters or keep bandits away from him. They left through the tunnel and headed to the town.  Without a wagon and things to pack they actually got to the town a bit before noon. He looks at his pocket watch. "We made good time. "

[SkySong278]

She smiled back at him as she walked with him out to their horses. She nodded in thanks to him as he helped her up on Storm and then had her follow after Lilith after he had gotten on the latter with their guard escorts. She looked around at her work as they went through the tunnel to the town, mentally preparing herself to face the townspeople that hadn’t liked her very much during the years she had lived near them along with seeing Evens again. She then knocked herself out of her thoughts when she heard what he said last. “Yes, we did. Not having a wagon and other stuff really helped.”

Edited February 9, 2022 by SkySong278

[AroaraAngelwolf]

"Indeed. Don't worry. I'm here with you." Quadir said softly as they entered the town. When they got outside the Mayor Evens house, the man himself was standing at his gate looking confused at the crowd gathered there and the makeshift stage made from hay bails off to the side. Quadir pulled up a hood so he wasn't seen yet,  but he waved over at someone and the man- Carlos- was in his best attire climbed the hay bails and cleared his throat before pulling out a scroll and reading as the crowd quieted down. 

 

"Prince Paul extended Lord Maelstrom's land to include this town and sixteen others to the Azmodous River that is now the new border of Lord Gunther's land. Evens is hereby stripped of his mayor status. Everyone who was appointed a position of power by Evens is now removed.  Those positions will be filled with your peers who are qualified, not for the money or power they hold but for their experience! " 

 

"What is this nonsense?" Evens demanded exiting the gate of his home. "If my land was revoked from me and my cousin would have received a notification of such! " He growled and climbed up the hay. "I'll have you in the stockades for this insubordination!" He grabbed Carlos by the neck. 

 

Merry, one of their guards spurred his horse to the stage drawing his weapon and leveling it at Evens neck... Which resulted in Evan's guards drawing their weapons and pointing it at Merry. 

 

"Silence! Evens, you are banished from my lands for breaking a blood oath,  attempted assassination of the Lady Maelstrom, unfair tallage of your people and now assaulting a messenger of the Lord." Quadir called edging Lilith to the front on the crowd.  He removed his hood. "For your insubordination, you will be given a choice. Because I am feeling generous, you will have one hour to pack up as many things as you can, by yourself, and leave peacefully or, you can put up a fight, forfeit everything you own and leave with a simple small trunk of clothes and must vacate the area within a twenty minutes. Either way a majority of your wealth will be withheld from you, giving back to the people."

Edited February 9, 2022 by AroaraAngelwolf

[SkySong278]

"I'm glad," Alivia said in reply with a smile to his last two statements that Quadir said softly to her just as they entered the town. She saw Evens standing off to the side in front of the gate, looking confused at the crowd that was standing outside his house when they arrived there as well a few minutes or so later. She noticed Quadir put up his hood and wished she had one as well, but then just shrugged a bit since it seemed the former mayor's attention was still on the crowd instead of her and her love before seeing Carlos go up to the make-shift haybale stage at the latter's gesture.

 

She then listened to the announcement he gave afterward, looking around at the crowd to see their reactions at the news. Some looked surprised and relieved while others looked surprised, but also a bit angry as well. She figured the latter group would probably go with Evens to wherever he would end up going after their show, and the former group would stay. She wouldn't know any of that for sure, though until after it was over. It was after this announcement that Evens yelled what he did and she knew he’d be angry. She glared a bit when she saw him grab Carlos’ neck before Merry stepped in to point his sword towards him, and then the former’s (Evens) guards point their swords at Merry.

 

She heard what Quadir said as he rode Lilith towards the stage, and followed after him on Storm. She smiled a bit smugly when she heard everything her love said to Evens, it all being what the latter had said to her when she had to leave herself. 

Edited December 7, 2022 by SkySong278

[AroaraAngelwolf]

Evens gaped like a fish on a line before scowling. "You said you'll arrive by nightfall! It's noon! You can not claim my home!" He retorted. "Ah, but your men did me that same courtesy. I can claim it, and I have. I am losing my patience with you, you are allowed ten minutes and a single luggage. Better get packing. Oh! And Sir Michael, your knighthood is revoked and you are to leave with haste for attempted assault on my wife, no doubt countless of other sexual assaults on other women here and for abuse of power. You are to leave with nothing but the clothes on your back... On second thought... Merry, strip his armor and hang him by his ankles in the square." Quadir ordered. Merry seemed reluctant to remove his blade from Evens' throat at first, that was until Quadir got off of his horse, headed up the stage and forcefully removed Evens finger's from Carlos' throat then Merry complied dragging away the Captain of the guard and Evens second hand man. 

 

"Merry would love to remove your hand for manhandling Carlos like that. " He looked at Carlos who was rubbing his neck. Quadir winked at him. "I'll give Merry some salve for the bruises. I'm sure he's run out by now." This statement caused Carlos to flush pink and nodded stumbling down the hay bails. "Now, people of the town Neola! I am Quadir Phobias de Maelstrom, your new Lord! Those who are displeased with this development are free to leave this town in their own time. I will not interfere with the way the policies and laws where in place, however the one who will be changing things is someone who has lived here among you. I am well aware she is a witch, any who dislike the fact that a witch is in charge is also free to leave but know this warning: Lady Alivia Hazel Beckett is now the  Lady Alivia Hazel De Maelstrom and a insult to her is a insult to me! I do not like insubordination, nor do I love violence without a just cause! Those who want to leave I will lend assistance to, only if you are kind. If you act like your previous mayor did, you will get the same treatment. I will give those who have loyalty praise, reward those with honor, and punish those who show betrayal with vengeance. "

[SkySong278]

Alivia crossed her arms over her chest when she heard Evens’ protest, keeping the glare on her face as she did so then it turned into more of a neutral expression when she listened to everything Quadir said in reply. She looked a bit impatient at that point because he seemed to not be complying to her love’s order. Just go already, she thought to herself before having her attention go to being on the former Mayor’s second-in-command as Quadir had his attention being on him as well, listening to everything he said to him afterward. She was relieved that she wouldn’t have to deal with him but was a bit surprised to hear that he had probably abused some of the women in the village, feeling a bit sad when she heard that. That then turned into shock when she heard her love change his mind and wanted him hung by his ankles in the square instead, thinking maybe he wanted to make an example out of him.

 

She then watched and listened to the rest of the actions and other conversations that went on afterward, feeling a bit nervous again when she heard that she’d be the one to make the changes for the town, but tried to keep it from her smile that she put on her face. As she did that, she noticed that some of the people gathered there looked a bit impatient as well as a bit angry at the news which made her wonder if those were the ones that would leave. If that happened to be the case, she’d be fine with that so that she wouldn’t have to deal with them all the time. “It’s nice to see you all again under hopefully better circumstances,” she said after a few minutes more or so of silence and also after Quadir was done saying all that he did.

Edited August 13, 2022 by SkySong278

[AroaraAngelwolf]

"Lord Maelstrom is a monster! Everyone knows this!" A villager yelled. "The witch has bewitched you into lying to us! Stop your nonsense!" Another piped up. A elder man who also looked furious at the outcome, and was Evens advisor. "If you are the young Lord Maelstrom prove it!" He growled. 

 

Quadir sighed, got off the bails and walked over to Lilith. He squatted, put a palm underneath her and then lifted her easily over his head with one hand. The horse- who was quiet calm- simply snorted when pulled away from the grass she was munching. The crowd fell silent. Everyone knew the Lord was stronger then ten men times five. There was no doubt now. 

 

Quadir set down his horse and patted her. "Sorry for that. Now." He looked at Evens who still was standing there. "You now have five minutes, and by the time you reach your room your time would be up. Get your horse and leave now or I'll knock you out and let your horse drag you to your cousin's. "

Merry had come back with a small sack of rations, Evens horse and dropped the lead into the man's palm.  Evens then blew a fuse, turning red and started to yell. "YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO DO THIS YOU PATHETIC EXCUSE OF A MAN! YOU ARE NO LONGER HUMAN, JUST A LOWLY BEAST!" He screamed. "You are no different than the things you hunt! I don't know what kind of special spell that b*** put on you to hide that horrendous boil covered, tusk tooth, twisted and disfigured face of yours but I know the truth! You are a monster! You laughed with glee when the Quadvern struggled to breathe! YOU are a sadistic masochist that enjoys the suffering of others!"  Quadir seemed to deflate at the words, the stones they formed hit his heartstrings spot on and he no longer looked confident and seemed on the verge of tears. Evens saw this and continued to berate him, saying how bad Quadir was at being a Lord, listing qualities he had in battle he (Quadir) hides from his subjects comparing Maelstrom to a tyrant capable of killing anything on a whim. 

[SkySong278]

Alivia sighed, looking a bit crestfallen at what one of the villagers yelled regarding her bewitching him to lie to them and knowing that being the new governess over them wasn't going to be easy since they were still paranoid. She was hoping that them taking Evens away from them would help, a part of her thinking that he had been some of the cause for their behavior, but it seemed that he still had too much of a grip and influence on them. She then sighed again when she heard the elder shout what he did before having her attention be on Quadir soon after.

 

She sighed a third time but, in this case, it was one of relief when she heard no one say anything further about him being the Lord after he had lifted Lilith with one palm after stepping down from the hay bales that had made up the make-shift stage outside Evens' home. She then turned her attention from being on him to being on Evens afterward when she heard her love speak to him again as well as seeing Merry return with his horse and a small sack of rations and putting the lead rope for his horse in his hand.

 

She outright glared, her green eyes positively flashing dangerously and her hands clenched so tightly that the knuckles on them turned white when she heard everything Evens said angrily in response to everything Quadir had said. She barely heard anything else the former mayor said as she rode Storm over to him with a gallop before having her rear up right in front of him, getting off of her soon after, and then slapping him hard across the face as well as kicking him really hard between the legs for good measure. "How dare you say those things to Quadir. This proves that you know squat about the Maelstrom family, just like Andrew. The curse his family had made all of the men think that they looked that way, but they really didn't. The way he looks now without the mask is how he's always looked, but he couldn't see the truth since it was part of the curse. You also don't know anything about me. I don't have the ability to put spells on people, only to break curses and make any gemstone into a witches stone. I can, however, threaten to turn someone into some kind of reptile if they get on my nerves enough and have gotten quite good at lying about it so it sounds true. I know someone that would gladly make you look like that and permanently if you're not careful and my patience with you is wearing very thin so I'm very tempted to have him do just that if you make me call him. You're the one that's the pathetic excuse of a man, not Quadir. He's more of a man than you'll ever be. We actually do have the right to banish you. Paul gave us permission to do so after you, your cousin, and Andrew had gone to the inn and said that Quadir could have your land. If you have any qualms or grievances about this new development, take it up with him or the king and leave. NOW!" She said all of this with her hands still clenched tightly at her sides and her eyes still flashing dangerously and practically roared the last part as her patience was now completely gone.

 

((I hope what I had her say is okay ))

Edited June 8, 2022 by SkySong278

[AroaraAngelwolf]

((are you kidding me? This is the best reaction! Hell yeah it's okay!))

 

Evens stopped his beratement when he got slapped and kicked. He was doubled over with a snarl. He then turned to the people. "See? She's made a pact with a devil! I'll have your head you bit-" he said as he took a swing to the back of her head. Quadir was too stunned by his wife to react, still reeling from the words Evans has spout about him. 

 

Before his fist made a connection to Alivia however it was stopped. A soft glow formed and the Deity was there looking very, very angry.  "You call me, a devil and dare to harm my daughter? I am now the protector of your land in this expansion. I am the earth, the water and the wind, I see all and hear all within my borders. I am Hei, Spirit of the Mountains, Son of the Great Southern Spirit, blesser of Men and scourge of the Land. " He snarled black fox lips pulled up to show his white teeth that seemed too sharp for a omnivore.  Snapping his fingers, a rope flew through the air, hogties Evens and he set him on the horse. The Deity then patted the horses nose. "Make haste to the other castle passed the river. I bless you with stamina until the border where you leave my land. " With a snort the horse got ready to take off when the Deity then tapped on Evens head. "A beast you are, reflection of your heart. Until your heart is kind, a monster you'll remain." After this the horse took off with Evens screaming profanity. The Deity then turned to the people. "A word or action against Alivia who offered herself to me as my adopted daughter is a word and action against me, your protector. Know this, if you find your crops thriving, it is my doing. However if your neighbor's crops are struck by blight, they have uttered words and harbored actions against my child. I am a protective yet vindictive god. The Lord of Maelstrom act according to my will. Obey them and you will thrive."  He turned to Alivia, patted her head then faded away leaving a silent crowd stunned and a crying Quadir.

[SkySong278]

((okay ))

 

Alivia breathed in and out a few times to calm herself down a couple minutes or so after the outburst before going over to Quadir to see about comforting him by letting him know she was there and also after she had unclenched her hands because she could tell that he was in a lot of distress. She wasn't paying attention to anything Evens was saying or doing as her attention was mainly on her love.

 

It wasn't until she saw the glow and heard everything her father said that she had her attention go from being on Quadir to being back on Evens, the glare back on her face when she heard that he was going to harm her from her father. It faded a bit to turn into surprise when she heard him say what his name was as she was going to look that up later, but now she didn't have to. She just now needed to look up the name Hei to find out more info about him, but she'd do that later when they got back. She then had her attention go back to being on the rest of what her father said, including the curse he put on Evens as well as what all he said to the townspeople before smiling up at him when she felt him pat her on the head. She watched as he faded away before having her attention go back to being on Quadir who was now crying. She hugged him close to her and tried her best to comfort him, not paying attention to the townspeople now as her focus was on her love.

Edited June 8, 2022 by SkySong278

[AroaraAngelwolf]

The people grumbled and slowly dispersed, the men who supported Evens going home to pack up and leave. Quadir was shaking. He leaned over her and tried to calm down. "I'm sorry. I tried to not let it affect me but it's still too soon. It's hard to undo years of believing what was true as now a lie. " He muttered. 

 

The people stood awkwardly before Carlos took the stage again and dismissed them to their regular work. Everyone after a majority of the crowd dispersed a few still lingered, mostly whom who where farmers who looked concerned about the Lord. These five families where ones who has their land at the border of Quadir's land and where originally from the Maelstrom territory. 

[SkySong278]

Alivia saw the people start dispersing out of the corner of her eye, including the ones that had supported Evens, but didn't pay them any mind as she listened to what Quadir said while feeling him shaking. "It's alright and you don't have to apologize. I understand and I'll always be near if you'd like comfort," she said in reply.

 

She heard Carlos dismiss the rest of the people that were still standing in front of the stage, but noticed that a few of them still remained and also had concerned expressions on their faces. "He'll be okay. He's just still getting used to the fact that everything he thought as true was all a lie," she said to them with what she hoped was a comforting smile on her face so that they could be less concerned about him.

[AroaraAngelwolf]

The people then left them alone after that. Quadir hugged her against him. "Now he'd understand how I felt. Except his looks reflect his inside. We... We should take inventory of his house and start calculating the taxes we need to reimburse to the people he has extorted. " He said letting go of her and rubbing his arm. 

 

[SkySong278]

Alivia smiled after them before hugging Quadir back when he hugged her close to him. She listened to everything else he said before saying in reply, “Mhm and he’ll still be a monster at least until he learns to be kind which might take awhile. Aw okay.” She then pulled away after he did before heading to his house shortly after. She went right in the house after she got there and started looking at everything that was there afterward.

Edited February 11, 2022 by SkySong278

[AroaraAngelwolf]

Quadir followed after her like a lost lamb and pulled out a book and a pen to jot down the items there. "He lived in this splendor and the people here couldn't afford wood for a proper meeting stage? Despicable.  Huh?" He froze on the way to the kitchen tilting his head. "Everyone silence!" He boomed, the knights and the staff of Evens home froze in terror. After a long moment of dead silence and Quadir tilting his head from side to side like a dog trying to listen for a specific sound he then bolted to a spot in the wall and clawed at the brick until a door opened. Once the door was free he ran down the stairs into the darkness of the cellar beneath.

 

Still the house remained quiet until the ears piercing scream sounded from the depths of the basement.  He came back up. '"we need bandages and salve. Some witches are down here."

[SkySong278]

“It seemed that he was very greedy,” Alivia said in reply with an annoyed expression on her face when she saw all the lavish stuff he had. She picked up a few utensils and very nice china, setting them aside to be catalogued before hearing what he shouted. She froze like everyone else in the house did when he seemed to be listening for something and then helped him with the wall shortly after he started to clear away the bricks that were there. She then stepped aside when a door was revealed, watching as he ran down them soon after.

 

She was still quiet like everyone else a little while later, jumping a bit when she heard an ear-piercing scream come from the basement. She unfroze when she heard him say that he needed some bandages and salve, locating them a short time later and then moving to head back down with him with them in hand. She had a hard expression on her face, trying to keep in her anger at Evens having witches hidden away as captives.