Celestial Fall

Part 2

Chapter Three

The Ranting's

Death betrayed us when he left us. Laughing at us as his final trick. The Gods won't tell us where he went, like they don't know. All the gods must see us as little playthings that they can just play with. Oh woe are we the toys of Gods.

Unknown - 410 DD

Opening my eyes I see light streaming in through my window and curse inwardly. 'Mothers never going to let me hear the end of this.' Then as if summoned by the thought itself my mother walks through my bedroom door. The stern look on her face let me know just how much trouble I was in.

"Well Young Man, do you want to explain why you thought it was necessary to be fighting deep in Ithart Forest? I hear the two men whose stag you claimed were almost beaten to pulp. That Sage and Lasret had to pull you off of both of them after you attacked them. You are lucky they were there otherwise I would kill you myself for killing them."

Opening my mouth to explain my mother starts again not giving me a chance. "I have been told those two men aren't going to the Viscount to see you brought to justice for trying to steal their kill and attacking them. I thought I raised you better than that."

I groan and look at her "I didn't try and steal their kill they stole mine apparently. I shot that stag at 13 meters dead center. I watched it stagger for less than a meter before falling on its side. I climbed out of my tree and ran to get it and there they were. I didn't know who they were at first but I got their names after they came after me and those two idiot toms are the reason I was out there and they probably let the bastards walk away with my sword too.

Her eyes got wide "your new sword the one you hunted down the material for that took almost a year to find? That sword?"

I nod and continue "did they bring my bow back?" my mother shakes her head and I start to growl sitting up slowly. She moves to stop me and I look at her and she stops.

"Sage said that they had to practically rip you off of them that you went berserk after you saw your blood. They didn't have time to grab anything before dragging you back here. The sheriff came by this morning with the news and was smug enough to say you shouldn't come around anytime soon." She says handing me my shirt.

"Well they are going to see me soon and they will be giving me my stuff back or I will beat them again and those two toms won't be able to stop me." I say grabbing my pack and walking out the door.

My mother walks to the door and says "Jair stop please don't do this. Come back we will go to the viscount and tell him what happened."

I look at her and turn and hug her slowly. "You know as well as I do that the viscount is corrupt just like the sheriff and they won't do anything. I promise I will come back. I love you."

Turning I walk away heading to Poitarn.

Chapter Four

Excerpt from the Past

Death is a debt we all must pay.

Euripides - Pre-Extinction Human Era Earth

Walking into Poitarn I notice the guards whispering behind their hands and one slipping away. Moving on I decided I need to take care of two idiots first. I look down at my arm noticing the new scar still red. Even after so many years it still surprise me how fast my body heals. A good night's sleep and open wounds become scars.

Taking a left down an alley I head to "the Den" on the west side of town. Otherwise known as the Kaire District to the Human population. Stepping up to the gates an old grizzled Kaire steps forward and looks me up and down

"Why are you here cub? Many are wondering what is going on after what we heard yesterday."

The look on my face must have said much as he moves to let me pass. And I keep walking many Kaire step out as I approach the Primes Palace. I look over my shoulder as I feel the person walking with me. Rena ma Liious a gorgeous looking, Golden with a pink flair down her chest, Kaire looks at me as I keep moving.

Coming to the palace I see the Prime, Ladiem ser Liious a pure black Kaire, standing outside with his council of elders. I move to stand before them and watch Rena take her place off to the side with her mother, Mon'ta Liy Liious the Matriarch of the clan, as the clan moves around us.

"What brings you here Jair?" He says taking a stance of neutrality.

"I have come looking for two certain idiot toms. So I can teach them a lesson on proper manners when reclaiming a fallen ally and his gear." I growl

"I heard that you got yourself into that mess and didn't want their help. So explain to me why we should care." He says looking at the two toms standing together quietly whispering to each other.

"Is that what they told you? That I did this on my own? Boy their memories must be really short." I growl "first off they told me they would talk to you about an important matter in my eyes. If I could bring down a 5 hand stag in the deep wood then to make matters worse they bet me I couldn't do it alone and without any help. I had to track it, hunt, it and carve it myself. If I could do that part they would help me carry it back. So I went to the wood and found the stag shot it with one of my special arrows at 13 meters it staggered less than a meter and fell. Then I got in a fight with two poachers. Ask those two idiots where they were during the fight. Because from my perspective they had a great view from sitting next to my stag making wagers on the fight. "

He turns fully to look at the two toms who are looking at anything but the prime. The prime looks over his shoulder at me and asks "And what were you going to ask of me when you got the stag?"

I feel my face heat up as I look at Rena. "I was going to ask you to let me take the clan test so I could ask for Rena's hand."

Rena's eyes go wide and then narrow as she looks at Lasret. Her father looks at me and shakes his head sadly. "Can you tell me about the antlers on the stag?"

Closing my eyes I think slowly replaying the entire encounter in my mind. Seeing the stag in my mind I say. "The right side with the antlers facing you the second branch farthest right had a broken off piece in the inside and a nick on the facing branch to it."

Opening my eyes I see that one of the elders are holding the antlers up for everyone to see. The Prime is looking at the antlers with a look that would kill on his face. He closes his eyes

"And how can you prove you killed it?"

I look at him and nod slowly "Summon my mother, I didn't know you had the antlers, she can use her abilities to show the last moments of the stag."

Sage steps forward with a look of disgust on his face "Why would we call for the witch she is cursed Death follows her everywhere." He looks over at his father and demands in a snide tone "why does he even get a voice he is not part of the clan and he has no voice. Two of the clan have given their voice in this matter. Send him away and let my new brother get back to his new mate."

As the words leave his mouth my head snaps over to look at Rena and the look on her face is sadness and anger combined. "Did he? Have you?" I ask in shock.

She slowly lowers her eyes from mine. Looking ashamed of herself. The sleeping beast in me wakes. I stand and my back straightens my full stature shows in my clothes. I drop my cloak and bag. The whispers in my ears beg for release the hunger calling them. The all my muscle creak as the energy around me gets pulled into me feeding my muscles. The air around me rapidly drops in temperature. The fires die and burst back into life with blue fire. Man'ta is suddenly in front of me. I vaguely hear her begging me to forgive her children for their stupidity. I look down into her eyes and see my reflection the red strata in my eyes has grown and are brighter.

I look back at the prime and see him looking on wide-eyed. I say I a dead calm voice "I, hereby issue a Duel Challenge to Lasret, betrayer of friends and clan. If he comes forward to fight I will hold my anger and he will live. If he doesn't come forward I promise to come and get him and I will kill any in my way. I will await in the arena."

Grabbing my bag and cloak I take one last look at Rena then turn and walk out of the Den.