Tributes

Chapter Two

Tyreol was used to Fate surprising him with his tributes. She was close friends with his sister and they often conspired together to keep him alive and inventive. In return, she gave him people who enjoyed exciting things in bed, in payment she gave people who needed saving or help. It was a system of checks and balances and one he was used too. Still, he wasn't quite expecting this.

The second tribute were twin boys, young twin boys. Both with shining white-blond hair and clear blue eyes which made them look even younger as they stood in the entrance hall, clutching to each other like a pair of frightened rabbits. They were tiny, barely above his thigh and they were to be his? Tyreol was having serious problems believing they were in the age range he allowed for. A few younger ones who would grow into the position was always allowed but these two were far too young. He hadn't had tributes of this age since he had taken in an orphan one of his had found wandering the forest.

He looked over at the servant who had let him know of their arrival. It was still winter and a snowstorm had struck so his men had been forced to retrieve them and bring them through the front entrance instead of the back like normal. The aide stood them with a neutral expression on his face, clearly not unaware that he was going to question the judgement behind these two.

"Explain this to me?" Tyreol growled.

"Their village did not have anyone suitable. These two are the closest thing they had to the other opinions, Master," The servant explained calmly. "Fate's mark was upon them. Do they not please you? I can try again when the storm is over," he offered.

Tyreol scowled at that suggestion. Sending them back was not really an opinion, not unless he wanted to send them back in coffins. They had been in the main castle and seen the denizens with that lurked within. Tyreol could spot several fey and demonic workers in the shadows. He did not need rumours going about his lands that he had turned evil. Still, fate's mark was not something to be ignored. If she had decided these two were to live with him, that was what he was going to have to accept.

"They will have to do," Tyreol snarled lowly, his white eyes narrowed at the idea of harming the two young boys. He was no child killer.

The servant bowed lowly and moved away, seeing his Lord wished to deal with them himself. Tyreol knelt in front of the two boys so he was closer to their height and hopefully less frightening. Normally he enjoyed the ability to frighten and intimate with his mere presence, but this was not the time for fear. He tried to ignore the fact they were still in the entrance hall at this point and anyone could see him being soft towards the two human children. He would not let his pride get in the way of reassuring the two young boys that they weren't going to be gobbled up by monsters.

"Come here," Tyreol ordered sternly, opening his arms welcoming.

It took them a moment, but the boys approached him, likely remembering the warnings they had been given to obey their new master. When they were close enough, he wrapped his arms around them and picked him up, holding both to either shoulder. He ignored the yells of surprise and stood up.

"Let's get you two to your new home," he murmured, before starting on the journey. Both clutched at his clothes silently. They trembled scared in his hold and Tyreol could hear their little hearts beating fast, but they seemed to press closer to him as they passed new people.

When he arrived, he placed them on the common room sofa. The fire was crackling high making the room considerably warmer compared to the cold corridors outside. He pulled the winter cloaks of both boys and hung them up a set of hooks to the side, the snow that was caught in the fur melting and dripping to the stone floor. He knocked on Julia's door before moving back to the fireplace to look at the boys again. The two had huddled close again, the braver one of the two slightly in front and almost glaring at Tyreol. Though instead of glaring it was more a wide-eyed look of shock and trepidation.