Snippet #2488171

The orchard was dark and almost eerie in its stillness as Vivienne performed the ritual to summon the court. There were barrels of Apples just lying around unattended, and Arey wondered vaguely if Vivienne had made some of the workers here disappear so as not to be interrupted. Arey stood there tense, the sword she had spent the last hour and a half getting frighteningly acquainted with was strapped to her back and sheathed in a shoulder holster, arms crossed in front of herself.

“Anyone else feel like a dude in a hockey mask and chainsaw’s gonna run out at us in a minute?” Kat joked from where she stood next to Tim, occasionally teasing him about his get up while they waited. She’d already snapped a couple pictures of that on her phone, and had several plans which included Photoshop and a group wide chain letter.

Tim stood, trying not to look miserable. Kat was taking pictures and he didn't even have it in him to be annoyed and banter with her. He needed to focus on the task ahead of them.

Arin stood at ease behind Deirdre and Arey. His hands clasped behind his back. He tried to focus on the plan and just stand by stoically.

Deirdre stood near Arey. She had her head high, back straight and her mind was working as it went over the deal they were to offer.

As Vivienne finished burning her incense, the orchard suddenly went from empty, to impossibly full. Men and women dressed in flowing, vaguely medieval dress, though not quite the same stylistically. They stood in orderly lines within the clearing, creating a kind of illusion of a court room. One of the apple trees distorted itself into a twisting earthy throne, upon which sat an impossibly beautiful woman, whose hair looked like spun midnight coiffed into a stylish net with star lights for gems. Her eyes were dark too, and slanted slightly in sometime that looked vaguely exotic.

“Vivienne of House Uisge. Yours is a face I have not seen in my court for some time.” The fae Queen greeted, before her eyes wandered to the rest of the group. “And you have brought with you guests. How splendid.” Her voice was silken, but there was an undercurrent of predatory intellect that make her obviously dangerous.

Deirdre didn't flinch as everyone appeared and the queen started talking. Somewhere deep in her memory she recognised the tone. It was the kind that those with power used when appearing pleasant but assessing their adversary. An odd calm came over her.

Tim knew before she started speaking who the queen was. He swallowed hard. I can do this.

"Indeed." Vivienne said in a clipped tone, standing tall and regal as she engaged in a silently staring contest with the queen for a brief moment. "Ahhh..." Maighdlin said with a small pleased smile as she stood and appeared before Arin inspecting him lightly with her eyes. "So you are the newest princeling of house Uisge? Why ever have you remained hidden from my sight for so long?" She mused as her gold and while gown seems to tinkle with the sound of tiny bells with her movement.

Arin continued to stare straight ahead. Pulling on the discipline of the martial arts training, he calmly shrugged.

"Oh no fun at all." Mai replied almost pouting. "You've spent far too long in the company of your mother. She has neglected your education in the art of pleasant conversation." She remarked. "Even my jester can manage that on occasion."

Arin reminded himself of his role. Quiet support. He wasn't the one who should be talking. He kept his soldierly stance, hands clasped.

Deirdre felt her teeth grind as this woman mentioned her jester. It was not time to speak, not time to offer a deal. Introductions weren't done and she needed to bide her time. She would know the moment when she should speak and now was not it.

Maighdlin's eyes flitted from Deirdre briefly and then Arey, eyeing her over for a moment before landing on the sword and staying there. "King Arthur I see. The rumors of your return were not simply talk them I see. And there you are, holding my great grandmother's sword." She said a bit more reserved this time, but her eyes were still appraising. "I find this summoning of my court most irregular. You are always welcome in Faery, a door always open for your return."

"Are you not fond of apples?" Arey quipped back almost managing to look innocent. "I find them rather delicious myself. Do you not care for them?" She redirected.

Maighdlin quirked a brow. "I find them pleasant enough." She said truthfully, if somewhat guarded as Vivienne suppressed a smug look.

"Then this meeting is not irregular at all, but a pleasant change of scenery." Arey said back with a tight smile. "And my name, is Arey. It would only be courteous to address me my my proper name." Arey finished, her eyes firm and hard.

"Those accompanying me are Lady Vivienne, Arin, Deirdre, Kat, and Tim. They make up my court and are under my protection here for this meeting. I greet you now in peace Queen Maighdlin." Arey greeted as Vivienne had coached her to say.

Maighdlin's eyes were equally as hard as she managed a tight courteous smile. "I welcome you to my court in peace then King Arey of Earth." She said gesturing her hand back in a circular moment towards the other waiting fae. "Before you then is also my court, who fall under my protection." She said back with a hint of smugness. "Representatives of the great houses Uisge, Réalta, and Bán are here, as well as my Hunts Woman Sybil...and my Jester." Maighdlin introduced, as yet more fae manifested themselves into the clearing. Against one of the trees by Maighdlin's makeshift throne, sat Balthazar chained to both the tree and the throne, though he gave no indication of reacting to anything that was going on. He looked a bit ragged and pale, and his eyes were unfocused with a sheen of sweat on his skin, as if he were in the grips of some kind of fever dream.

Arin's eyes flicked to Balthazar briefly. He returned to his stoic stare after he confirmed his suspicions. Discipline. You can't do anything, anyway.

Deirdre kept her composure as Bal appeared. Inwardly she was screaming for the fae queen's head. He didn't look well at all and it hurt her heart to see him like that.

Even Tim was sad to see Balthazar tamed in the way he was. The fae drove him up the wall but this was inexcusable.

“Forgive his lack of entertainment for the moment. We’re still breaking him of his nasty habit of speaking out of turn. He’s been away from court too long, you see. Lost his sense of manners.” Maighdlin explained to Arey, though her eyes were on Vivienne who stood there like a statue. She apparently saw whatever it was she was looking for, because she moved on and flitted across the group toward Tim.

“And are you not just a delightful specimen of humanity.” She purred as she took in a breath near Tim’s hair. “He even smells of sandalwood. I’m glad you keep your pets so well groomed.” Maighdlin commented without looking away as she fiddled with the torque at Tim’s throat.

It took a great deal of willpower not to pull away as Maighdlin moved to him. Tim turned to look at the queen. "You honour me with your flattery your highness."

Arey wanted to punch her in the face, do something violent that would make the Fae Queen step away from her boyfriend. This was part of the plan though, Arey reminded herself as she tried to forcefully restrain her rising blood pressure. This doesn’t work if you get distracted too. Instead, Arey focused on Balthazar, who was tied to the tree and dressed in a get up that made Tim’s look conservative in comparison. She could feel anger, anxiety and…grief through their bond as she tried to focus on communicating through it like Balthazar had shown her while Maighdlin was distracted.

Instead of talking with him, Arey blinked, and found herself in sunny daylight by a grassy hill. In the distance, she could see a small village full of thatch roofed houses, and a wooden wall. It was so blatantly early medieval that Arey had to fight down her own feeling of familiarity.

“You know, I can help you carry those.” Balthazar said playfully. He looked younger, lighter than the Balthazar she knew, almost goofy even, and was standing next to a well with a young woman whose light brown hair was tied back in a braid. She was youthful and pretty in her own way, but not any great beauty either. She had soft mosey green eyes which she now turned on Balthazar comically narrowed as she poked him with her finger.

“Oh aye, I suppose you could, and then who knows what kind of mischief you’ll be getting me up in. I know what taking help from you wee fae beasties entail.” She said, putting the other hand on her hip.

“You’ve caught me. Ulterior motive.” Bal said with a grin as he launched in for a quick kiss before taking two of the buckets in hand and walking them back towards her home in the village. “Fear not my lady, I have taken my payment preemptively, so now I’m in your debt.” He said cheekily as the girl with the other bucket full of water followed behind.

“Och I’m a milady now eh? How very fancy.” She teased back flawlessly, but for the pink dusting her cheek.

“Well your my lady…” Bal called back, showing off as he held both buckets up at shoulder height and walked backwards so he could watch her as he flashed one of his 100 watt grins and the girl just blushed and shook her head fondly.

“You didn’t deny it, so it has to be true!” Bal called out in teasing and the girl launched into a series of token protests as the scene began to fade away.

Don’t watch this… Arey heard Balthazar’s ragged voice now, the Balthazar she knew. He was telling her to leave, that was obvious, but she wanted to know what they were doing to him. Don’t watch this.[i] His voice rang out again, and this time Arey was gently pushed out through the bond.

Deirdre wanted to wait until Maighdlin and Tim interacted more, perhaps Arey would approach their reason for being here soon and things would go well, easily. [i]Not likely. She wanted to turn, to go to Arin but knew it would do no one any favours if she so much as flinched.

"Oooh, he has manners too." Maighdlin crooned, flashing perfectly pearly teeth. "I do honor you Sir, but not with flattery. Your form truly is fine" Her hands ran over his bare biceps and gripping them around the arm torques. "Perhaps I will honor you further..."

Arey shot Arin a look, catching his eyes before looking back toward Balthazar. Arin was better at that whole thing than she was. He might have better luck figuring out what they were doing to Balthazar, because she doubted Queen bitch was going to tell them until she was damn good and ready.

Arin caught Arey’s look and followed her gaze to Balthazar. He frowned, trying to understand what she was getting at. Yes, Bal looked mistreated. The Queen had just confirmed that herself. Was Arey looking for a second opinion? It’s not like Bal could talk to them, or tell them anything. Or... could he? The bond Arey had with Bal coming back to him. How Balthazar knew all about her nightmares and other thoughts. Okay, so why look at me. She has the bond, not- He felt like an idiot. He almost shook his head in frustration, but kept his composure. Makes sense. She needs to focus on the Queen. I’m the scenery. Perfect for a little mental conversation.

He replayed the lessons with Balthazar in his head. He wasn’t sure how to go about initiating contact, but he’d give it a shot. He thought about himself back in that white room. This time, though, he started thinking about Bal and trying to find that bond they shared. He saw a fuzzy vision of the trickster start to form and he walked toward it.

"Oh Mary...what did you do?" The younger Balthazar stood in a room with sod walls and a thatch roof. His expression was pained as he gently held the shaking shoulders of the young woman from the well, tears were streaming down her cheeks.

"I couldn't get him to wake up Bal..." She croaked out around a shuddering breath, practically crumpling into his touch for comfort. "He had such a fever, I thought he would die fer sure..." Bal pulled her into a fierce hug, petting through her hair softly as he tried to sooth her.

"I've got you, it's alright Mary. What did you do?" Bal asked again as she shook in his arms.

"She said she could help him...make Davey better." Mary sobbed against him, and Balthazar felt a cold sense of doom descend down his spine.

"She who?" He asked her, barely staying calm himself.

"I see you've met my new plaything Balthazar. Peasants always do make for the best pets after all. They already come well trained." A voice rang out, and suddenly Sybil was standing in the room with them, looking smug and overly satisfied.

"Get out!" Balthazar hissed like a cat, pulling Mary behind him as he faced the other fae and bared his teeth. "You don't get to touch her!" He growled out with menace dripping from his voice.

"That's not up to you puppy. She already made the deal. Dear little Davey was ill didn't you hear? I healed him for her." Sybil chimed in condescendingly.

"Yeah, after you poisoned him first?" Balthazar accused, hackles raised when Sybil didn't bother denying it. "What did she pay with? I'll get you what she owes, but you're not touching her." He growled.

"Her." Sybil said smugly, and the color drained from his face. "The payment was her 'Bal', I own her soul. I fixed up little Davey, and now I'm here to collect." A chain appeared in Sybil's hand which glowed and connected out toward a collar around mary's neck. "Come along now pet, I don't like to dawdle here. You humans always smell like shit and fire when left to yourselves." Sybil pulled on the chain, yanking Mary forward and around Balthazar.

"I said you're not taking her!" Balthazar growled, grabbing hold of the chain and not letting go despite how it burn his hands.

"Bal don't!" Mary was sobbing again, holding onto his shoulder as his hands began to bleed from gripping the chain.

"You have no right to contest my claim infant. I obtained this human by perfectly legal means. She made the deal of her own free will. Let go now before I decide to squish her now and spare myself the annoyance." Syb threatened.

"I'll take her place!" Bal bit out desperately as Syb began to yank Mary toward her with the chain again.

"Bal no, you can't!" Mary said shaking her head, trying to push him back and away from the fae who owned her soul.

"What was that Balthazar? Your voice was so quiet." Syb replied in an almost bored tone, though there was victory that danced in her eyes.

"I said, I'll take her place!" Bal said with grim finality, holding Mary's chain in a white knuckled grip. "And you or any of your other cronies, never come near her again! EVER."

"Please don't do this Bal! I can't live with myself if you do! Please Bal, Please!" Mary openly wept, trying to drag him back and away to no effect.

"Deal." Sybil replied smugly, as the collar switched owners. The feel chaffed, but it was from his lack of freedom, not the metal. He'd promised himself years ago that he'd never end up like this, bound and chained to another's will like so many others of his kind. He'd kept a low profile, stayed out of fae politics, and yet here he was, doomed to be Sybil's hound regardless.

Mary had fallen to her knees weeping hysterically now. He reached out, wanted to comfort her. He could lie, manage a smile, pretend it wouldn't be so bad for her sake. "Mary, its o-" And then the two of them were gone. Sybil didn't even let him say goodbye.

Arin growled as the scene faded. He'd only heard of this Sybil to this point, but he didn't have a favourable opinion. Now, he knew if he had a chance to get his hands on Excalibur, Sybil might be in for a surprise. Arin tried to shake off the anger. It wouldn't help here. He looked for the Balthazar of today, not the past. "Bal? It's Arin. I don't want to intrude. We're here to help."

"Don't." Bal's voice rang out tiredly. "Just get out now while you can. You especially. That bitch will lock you down faster than a used car sales man." There was humor forced into his tone, but it was hollow and lacked inflection or it's usual effect.

"Got it. Do you have anything to help us help you? Quickly?" Arin looked around, trying to keep a watchful eye out.

"Don't let her touch you. Especially you. She'll muddle your head up. She didn't used to be able to do that..." Bal said a little distantly.

"No touching. Right." Arin wanted to ask for more, but Balthazar seemed to be struggling enough. "Bal, it's history man. You've got a lot more fun to have. Don't give up. You've got a family name to uphold, cousin." Arin said the last lightly, trying to get some laughter in a place that was too dark.

Bal laughed bitterly at that. "Ancient history. Doesn't make watching that any easier. Tell me that in two hundred years when you can't even stand to look at your mortal loved ones pictures."

"Alright. Not trying to stir you up. Trust me, if I thought pissing you off right now would help, I'd love to keep down this path. You need to focus if you want out though. We're here to help you get out. If you have anything we could leverage the Queen with, I'd be happy to hear it. Otherwise, I'm just here for moral support and to let you know we have a plan to get you out."

"If I had dirt on the bitch do you think I'd be chained to her bed right now?" Bal snarked back.

"Obviously not. I'm not an idiot. I was hoping you'd know something she likes. Something that might distract or attract her. Something we could offer that wasn't going to cost us too much. It's fine." Arin knew he was pushing him and Balthazar didn't need the extra annoyance. "Look, what about you? What can we do for you when we get you out of here?"

"Other than pretty boys?" Bal said blandly. "You're a bartender right?" He asked, sounding tired again.

"That's right. I sling drinks. Why?"

"I think I'm gonna drink the place dry once I bust out of here. Hopefully that doesn't take four centuries this time..."

"You like whiskey, or beer? I'll set you up. Tell me when we get you out of here, which will be significantly less than four hundred years. See you soon." Arin knew he needed to leave him. This was probably too long and he should check in on how the deal was going. He faded back to his own white room.