Queens Bane: Epilogue
Hello dear reader, glad you clicked onto my story if it caught your interest. Dont know if its cliche to say, since im new. For advice or critisism, but it would be appreciated. As such I hope you enjoy this little intro to my story.
Queens Bane: Epilogue
Born with the “Gifts of Horus” as it was called, she trained tirelessly to wield her powers, harnessing the bottomless pit of magicka in her being and yet… She was a danger to everyone around her. Her body was a vessel for the energy that made up the pure forms of magic, so pure it was volatile. A living cataclysm that could poison the land if she let it fester like a diseased wound. Violet Kulduun, a dragon of shadow, furrowed her brow and tossed the book with a booming thud against the brick wall. Her black scales absorbed the light of the candle, the flame itself leaning towards her as if a breeze guided it towards her. Her wings hung low, talons along the ends gripping the table, the large blade like claws gouging the wood.
“Violet? You should be asleep dear sister and stop reading your grandmother's books. They will stagnate your understanding of the needs for taking the throne. You are the eldest of all your siblings and born with-” The voice stopped as she glared at the figure, her first youngest brother. Talos Kulduun was frightened, scared of her even if he meant no harm to her. This fear was more of guilt than the definition of fear itself.
“Leave Talos…By the serpents leave me be, I do not wish to be bothered by your pity.” There was a moment of silence between the two. Long it felt as only merely seconds went by. “What is it that you wanted, can’t you see I was looking for answers” Her voice was drowned out by his own, the two speaking at the same moment for a second. “Look at you, you have been hiding in this room for three days now. Almost four! When will you accept this thing you have in your blood? Mother and Father told me and the others that you will bring us all here in the kingdom a peaceful life. Not one where we shed blood, or one that is needed for wars. You are our key to this hidden lock”
Violet glanced over to the three plates of food that sat on a separate table, her scales felt dirty, collecting dust and soot from the candle smoke, rising from the table she gracefully walked over and peered into her brother’s gaze. Black replacing the whites of her eyes, and a deep pinkish purple glow in her pupils. They felt like knives being drawn into his hide, a gaze he couldn’t just walk away from. He knew her temperament was short, then again her crowning was soon. Brining great bouts of stress to her mind.
“Talos, tell me. How is your training going with Carthaen? I hope well, anything that I missed while I miserably stuck myself in this very room to try and understand why I have this, “Blessing” as everyone wants to call it?” Talos began to fidget with his hands, the blue hue on his scales being a bright contrast to the black underneath. “You didn’t miss my hatchday sister, I turn thirteen as of today and I originally came here to ask for you, I wanted to take your worries away for just a moment. I haven't seen you smile in years”
Violet’s demeanor changed quickly as she stood up more proudly and hugged her brother close. “Right, then that means my fifteenth is only a day away. Sigh, I'm sorry I came off as rude.” She spoke as a heavy sigh left her lungs. Talos gave her a comforting hug bag, to try and ease her thoughts. “It's alright, let's go see Carthaen ourselves together, maybe he could teach you a few things to ease your mind for a while. A distraction if you will!”
Talos stepped away and pulled his older sister by her hand, the two walking down the stone halls of a passageway hidden from everyone else. As they emerged they bumped into the person they were searching for. Carthaen, a dragon similar to them, stood in a mix of plated armor, a large cuirass adorned on his torso and decorated pauldrons his achievements and ranks as the general of the Kulduun’s army. His silver scales adorned with many scars, each one as old as they were, yet the most noticeable were the marks of teeth and gouges along his neck, a fatal wound that he survived. One that has claimed many in a similar fashion.
“Well, it seems you two had some trouble making, hmm? Ah lady Violet, I see you came out of hiding finally. Talos told me he was searching for you, but I expected him to arrive sooner with you by his side. Do tell what ills your mind dear” His voice was like grit grinding against stone, but the two children could tell he was speaking in a soft tone, one that was gentle as a spring breeze.
“Sir Carthaen, I wanted to ask if you might suggest teaching Violet the way of the sword. Just to distract her busy mind, I feel as if this might satisfy her at the moment. Help clear that fog before her hatch day” Carthaen let out a chuckle, kneeling down to have the children not look up to him, he was more eye level, still being taller. “Well I have a gift for you Violet, give me your hand, and close your eyes”
She did as he asked and felt something heavy placed in her hand. Talos felt envy at what he had seen but was happy for her. “Go ahead and look.” Upon opening her eyes, she would see a shortsword in her hand, large enough for a dragon of her small size to properly wear on a belt, she unsheathed the blade and inspected the blade, it was more ornate and ceremonial in its design. Engraved on the side of the blade were two serpents. Lunae and Solaris, twin serpents of the sun and moon. The hilt was wrapped in the finest leather, etchings and details made it appear as plated scales, jewels studded into the crossguard, and gold rings hung off a braid of softer more malleable leather.
“W-wow this is…Carthaen does my father know? He would be mad if he” - “Stop, listen to yourself princess, take a breath and think, a blade such as this isn't for spilling blood, the decor and skillful details of the blacksmith are ceremonial. I requested it and paid for it myself for you. On your hatchday we will begin your training with a blade and you will stand and spare with young Talos. I hope that doesn’t bother you.” Carthaen could see a smile grow on her lips as she turned and hugged Talos.
“Now run along children, and hide that lady Violet. Don’t brandish it or parade the halls with it. If we are to begin training we should prepare you with a blade just as your brothers. Now go and sleep. You two will need your strength, and Violet. Eat well you look as if you haven't had a meal in days” With a subtle nod, Carthaen left. Leaving Violet and Talos to run to their rooms with glee, Violet gave the new sword given to her a long glance, unsheathing the blade and feeling the detailed edges, her smile stayed even as her cheeks grew sore, she never felt happier. Something to distract herself with, something to abide that curse inside her, her mind never glanced back at the events of the room, not even for a moment. All she could feel was joy, it was a nice distraction to the horrors that were enveloped inside her.
Queens Bane: Chapter one - Courtship
Three years. Three years had passed since Carthaen had given Violet that ceremonial blade. Today was one ceremony she had been given the luxury to partake in. Today was the day that squires of the esteemed knights of House Kulduun were being knighted, the sword given to her by Carthaen was now set to fulfill its purpose for the first time. There she sat in her room, looking into a mirror as she stared into a crystal mirror, her dress a mix of white engraved with embroidery of twists and swirls. A blood red thick cloth with more intricate designs, that of scales. Gold rings and beads strung in a display, a flower was placed onto her dress. One that made botanist’s question the longevity of its life, the flower was older than the castle itself and yet this specific bud had been cut from its host many times over the generations.
Deep in thought she stared into her own eyes, her mind asking herself questions she didn't have the answers too. “What do I do in these events? Would father guide my hand- would mother? Will my voice, and my actions be enough to Knight these young dragons such as I? What does…what does this make of me? Am I still a witch?” There was a knock on her door, earning her attention as she turned swiftly, almost startled by the sudden sound. “O-oh come in!” Stepping in, was a maid. A dragon similar to her, yet wings not so grand in size, small and frail she was. Which brought some level of concern to her, standing she stepped over and held out a hand which scared the young maid.
“What brings you here? Don’t tell me, my father requests my being in the throne room for the ceremony? Or perhaps those other kingdoms he wishes to be in a treaty with sent a handsome prince over to take my hand in marriage?” She scoffed with an irritated tone, a low grumble rumbled in her throat. “He never once asked me if I so desire that ideal…he forgets my siblings are of being” She paced back and forth and stood staring at her mirror, she saw a figure standing in the darkest reaches of her room, it was odd. Daylight illimunated every corner and yet, here that one empty corner in her room was dark as night. Yet that figure stood, barely visible but the eyes that were but a twinkle of light.
There was a moment of between the two before it was broken, Carthaen entered his armor softly clattered as he knelt before the future queen before him. “Lady Violet, sorry if I am interrupting but I am here to bear some news to you.” Standing as she gently dismissed the maid she waited for them to be left alone before speaking. “Enlighten me, and please Carthaen if it's anything about who’s here to take my hand don’t convince me to try and like them. I'd rather pick who would take my hand.” Carthaen held her muzzle shut and sighed, his hoarse voice barely a whisper. “Several kingdoms had arrived just for you, there are some diplomatic matters needed to be spoken with your father’s audience and I will be by your side when you dine with your suitors. Now, I’d say dress comfortably. I'd rather you be flexible if one would be grabby, I heard that one of them from the closet kingdoms is a terrible drunk”
Nodding Violet dressed in a dress as black as her scales, it didn’t take her more than an hour to prepare herself. Carthaen shook his head with a sigh and gently clapped his hands. “I admire that you took the effort to be presentable. Now, shall we go greet our guests?” Nodding, she held onto an arm of her loyal guard. Putting on a facade that she was vulnerable, quiet, shy. Traits some of these “guests” were after, while others would have to look behind this fake display to see her true self.
Upon reaching the main hall where her guests were. She could see they were all adorned in their finest clothes, and across from them were the party of diplomats that had joined them. Whatever the case was for them to be here she was entitled to join and for once she seemed more interested in the act of diplomacy. With a soft whisper she leaned up to Carthaen’s torn ear and spoke. “Should I try to scare them? The boy’s I mean, they all seem so distant, they didn't notice me. I would have assumed I would have been swept away by an attempt by now”
As if on cue to defy her own words, her mother entered the room and called to her, earning everyone's attention. Stepping towards her was Queen Cordelia, but unlike Violet she was dressed in old yet fashionable wargear. Her armor was stylish yet crude, fashion built upon an armor with purpose. Not many know the history behind her past except for those within the castle's walls and libraries. In her youth she was an anointed guard to Zarus, the current king and Violet’s father. With a smile Carthaen bowed to her. Rising from the bow, he firmly shook her shoulder with a smile. To everyone else this seemed unpleasant and more so inappropriate to royalty, Cordelia felt the eyes of everyone on the two seemingly forgetting the heir to the throne existed in the room.
“By the serpent’s you foreigners have no modesty. Oh Violet dear i'm surprised you're not wearing your tabards and houses colors much like everyone else. Trying to please the eyes of others?” The few castle guards of the room laughed. “So Cordelia may I” - “You there in the armor, you are talking to your queen so you must address her as such” Peering over his shoulder his eyes landed on one of the suitors. A serpent-like individual stepped forward and gave the old dragon a stern look.
With a heavy sigh he responded with a rough and course tone in his voice, the sound was similar to sand against stone. “I shall make this clear to everyone here. You are guests. Guests! If you are disturbed or irritated by the culture of my kingdom then you are not welcomed here by all means to speak in such a manner. As a guest you are to act and try to acknowledge the differences of the world, so act appropriately” Those last few words were directed towards the serpent. He backed off scared and a single uninterested glance from Violet was enough to seal the deal with him. He lost his chance before he could even speak to her.
Violet would however give him a chance to redeem himself. Seeing how her mother adorned herself in her own battle armor. She left, but not before giving her mother and Carthaen a bow and returned to her room. In her absence Cordelia walked up to the youthful group and bowed to them, to which they knelt before her. “Rise…there is no need to kneel before me. If we are to be allies we must be equal. So tell me a few reasons why I will allow my daughter to marry any of you. But first let's start with questions, you the serpent. Tell me a thing or two about yourself and it better be good, something to forget that little act of yours you did when my guard greeted me”
“I-I uh…well” His gaze dropped down, his words in a stutter. Cordelia sighed and he was cut short as she gently tapped the floor with her tail. “Breath easy, I'll return to you later when you have the words. As for you lot, meet me out in the courtyard. I wish to test you all myself if need be.” Just as she announced for an audience. Violet's suitors were stopped as young squires, of similar age ranging from some being younger to a few being older, had marched down the hall. Each one's armor had a white sheet wrapped around their currias. Compared to the guards here, they were not flying the house’s colors. It was a common practice for those training as guards under house Kulduun. Even more so that the seperate establish houses sent youthful spirits who were willing to train under the Kulduuns military prowess.
As Cordelia took seat on the throne beside Zarus. The suitors were perplexed by his appearance. He looked younger, though it didn't help with the scars her mother had. She was proud of them and so was he. As the young squires knelt before their king and queen, Carthaen joined the two beside the throne. Holding a banner in hand, he tapped it into the stone, letting the metal ring as it called for attention.
“Attention young squires. Today we have the final test for you all. Today you should put your combat training to the test. Under my teachings you were trained under my blade and now we are here to test how well you all learned, but we shall not forget our guests today. These fine young men here are royal heirs you will be joining on their return home, if ou happen to be one of the unlucky few. So do well to please them. Now, I welcome you, Lady Violet Kalduun. She will knight you all once you pass one final test.”
Carthaen turned to the group of suitors and gave off a smug smile. “You boys don’t have to worry about battling your own guards. I have my doubts that you will be healthy upon your return.” Turning back to the group of young knights, he held out his winged claw and tapped the banner to the ground, letting the metal ring once more. “Your final test would be to withstand combat with Lady Violet. But I will warn you all, the Kalduun family has learned how to fight under my teachings as well. So do not underestimate them at all.”
With a soft smile Carthaen took the large blade that rests behind him. Kneeling before Violet as he hands her the weapon, it was three quarters her size. It was a hybrid of a it was a greatsword fitted with a rather large crossguard, it's shape odd, a larger heft of metal where the maon grip sat and a secondary space large enough for her hands or winged claws to grip as a seperate grip. It in itself was a weapon that was known to be quite sluggish yet destructive. Stepping down to meet the young squires, Violet bowed to them and they did the same.
“Don’t worry about going easy on me. This is a test of your skill and mettle, you can either plan to fight me. One on one, or you take me on all together. Oh, Carthane? Am I allowed to use my magic? Surely you also taught them how to defend themselves against a witch, mage, or warlock?” Carthage laughed and nod’s. “You might as well be your highness” With a playful giggle Violet bowed and rolled back with such grace and flexibility distancing herself from the group. The largest squire, a mud drake approached her and bowed.
When Carthaen signaled for the battle to begin, the mud drake was on the attack and Violet played on the defensive, dancing around him and blocking his attacks. Knocking him back with a push or kick. As stretched his wings he heard a voice quip behind him. “Sir? Is this needed for these knights? I assure you they should be capable if you were teaching the royal family here” Letting out a low grumble and a subtle nod, he agreed with that voice but didn't dare take his eyes off the two. His eyes watching their footwork, positioning and focus. He could already see a few flaws from both, but he knew Violet was trying to impress and not be perfect, this one time and one time only he would let it slide.
After the fight lasted an hour and little progress was made. Carthaen called out. “Cease fighting, I've seen enough of Lady Violet. Seems Kegaro can’t get past your defense. You two did well, now take note of what you learned and use that in the future. Now who else wants to fight the lady?” With a smug smile he turned to the group of suitors for Violet. He could see the lot of them turn pale. “Oh don’t cower on me now. Haha, you would surely leave her unimpressed if you can't spar with her” A young female stepped forward, her armor plated armor fitted around her form. The best thing about being with the Kulduun's is the armor, allied with House Caldera, a mainly underground kingdom and known to house the greatest and oldest forges in the country of Terrulia.
Carthaen held his hand up and gestured for the two to prepare themselves. "Violet, would you like for Shara to give you a moment to rest, you've spared with Kegaro for an hour. I'd rather she spare with another if it would help you." He ended his proposition with a chuckle. Before an answer could be made, a cloaked figure approached Carthaen, unknown to all there. Guards at their posts pointed spears to the figure who silently stared at the large silver dragon. He looked them up and down and snorted. Seeing a beak, a pair of talons and a tail with a tuft of fur and feathers. Assuming he knew who was with them, by what he could see and smell he snapped towards Violet. Watching as dark smoke rose off her body, her head hung low as if she was asleep standing.
“Cordelia, Zarus. Help me Subdue Violet before something happens” He was rather calm about the situation but the three of them knew what was happening. Her suitors were guided away swiftly. Out of all of them the serpent stayed out of curiosity but was carried by a guard on their shoulder. His gave her one last fading glance of Violet as the larger dragon holding her down as she struggled against him, her dismissal cries were more like roars of fury. Something was taking a hold of the Kalduuns heir to the throne.
She tossed her mother off with a frightening amount of strength, standing to her feet she grabbed and drove her knee into Zarus before tossing him over her shoulder as if he weighed nothing. Turning to Carthaen she slowly circled him, like a beast ready to take the kill. He was nothing but prey in her eyes, silver and larger than her, but prey nonetheless. She took a step forward, and so did the silver dragon. Carthaen has seen this only once before with Cordelia herself when he was her mentor. He didn’t like having to do what he had too, but it was for both of their sakes back then.
Violet lunged with a sudden burst of speed, her claws leaving gouges in the dirt, her hands reaching for his throat with unwavering fury. But as quickly as she lunged, she was put down with such speed matching hers. The world spun around her as Carthaen grabbed and dropped her down, head and shoulder into the ground knocking her unconscious. “Sorry little lady, it hurts more to just know you’re suffering just as your mother did…” He picked her up, in his arms and walked through the castle halls with her limp body.
As her Vision began to darken, she heard whispers, unfathomable but so close to her ears she could feel the breath of the voices that spoke. The hushed sounds lulling her into a slumber, a silhouette stood in the distance, a shimmer that barely moved but followed her through the halls behind her and the others.
Queens Bane: Chapter Two - The Dream
Violet clenched her throat as she gasped for air. Her lungs on fire, her head and eyes darting left and right. The world around her felt heavy, it was like she was dawning her armor for the very first time. Standing to her feet she found it difficult to stand properly, lumbering with her back hunched over. Taking in her surroundings she was still in the castle's training ground. “No this can’t be right can it?” Taking a few steps she felt something grip her shoulder, with a snarl she twisted her body to swing at whatever it was but quickly stopped herself. There was nothing, the world around her was empty.
Stumbling as she turned around once more she saw an apparition of herself, she was younger, small and she carried that ceremonial blade Carthaen had given her as a gift. The apparition stepped back in fear, turning around to run from what she had seen. Violet didn't understand, there was nothing. She was the only one here, she kept telling herself. Looking at her hands once more, they looked different. She was clothed in armor of the old era. Heavy, powerful yet one thing stuck out, markings of an unknown house. Before the house of Kulduun ruled these lands there were many smaller houses here, each one held a bitter grudge over the next and so forth. Blood was spilled on these lands in countless numbers over generations. Lumbering down into the castle she stopped at the open door, beyond it was dark. A chill ran down her spine as she watched her own shadow be consumed by the opening. She gave the training grounds a final glance before receding into the castle. The sound of her armor rattling with each step rang in her ears uncomfortably. The clatter of separate plates, the chainmail, buckles, studs. The grinding of metal as she shifts her wings as she lets them rest, claws gripping the pauldrons of her shoulders. She felt disgusted by how comfortable that felt, her family and those who were under the Kulduun’s name were proud to show their wings, to display the colors and scales that made each individual from one another.
As she came to the memorial of her bloodline, something was off. The soldiers and royals were gone, each one who was to be on display had vanished, the platforms empty and even the paintings were. They were nothing but the landscapes of the era they lived in, gazing upon the empty displays. The hall became older, weathered, decrepit, the stain of blood and corpses at her feet became evident the deeper she went. Leading herself to the throne room she found her blade, sheathed into the chest of another, their face was hidden from their helmet and their scales covered in dust making it hard to know who it was. Looking at her sword it looked beat, the blade cracked and the hilt worn, only a battle that lasted months would have destroyed a blade crafted as such. Dropping to one knee she gently reached down and stopped, a shimmer hit her eye. A silver medallion caught her eye. A tree cut into the metal, its symbol was that of the oldest tree in the country. Its size and canopy hold a city in its own right and its residents would fight for every leave that fell against countless others.
“What are you doing out here?” Gently holding the dead soldier's hand, she bowed her head in prayer, whoever they were she wished them peace. “Get her out of here now!” A voice yelled from the throne room, it sounded masculine but young. Peeking around a corner, she could see another knight dressed in armor like he was, however he wasn’t alone. There were three others, two larger and another smaller guard like herself. These four charged forward to their attackers but as Violet ran to interfere the world stopped. She was able to walk around the coming scene where she could see this was the king to unite the houses. His name was Hyperion, one of the youngest under house Kulduun’s reign, however this battle was his last. Standing beside the young king there was a pull to them. A black smoke seemed to pour from his currias and helm. A similar event that had taken hold of Violet when she was young. But in the house’s founding this was an unknown event seen as a disease. Placing a hand on his shoulder, she felt the air ripped from her lungs and she collapsed. She felt her body burn, holding her throat she clawed at the air. Her maw was open in a silent scream. The world was going dark around her, she felt trapped and strangled.
Shutting her eyes, Violet began to count. “One, two, three…” She counted for several minutes and her lungs still burned. She was finally able to gasp for air, finding herself in another room. Her bedroom, or so it was. Her room looked different, it wasn't so grand as it was. Her bed was smaller and even so the decor was older. The red silk that would hang by the windows were gone, replaced with a large vast curtain. It was odd, “What is happening?” she asked herself, standing to peek from the window she would see a young dragon like herself, but instead of jet black scales, this one had that of a rose gold color. The small dragon turned and waved to her and Violet nervously waved back, turning around she saw a cloaked figure reach out and grip her neck, Quickly she twisted out of reach and felt her head slam against the stone wall, in a blurred daze an arm wrapped around her in a chokehold. Kicking and silently screaming, she watched as a blade was plunged into her side, over and over.
The feeling was a sharp hot white pain, whatever this dream or nightmare was. She wanted it to end. She found footing against the wall and kicked back, shoving both of them to the ground.She turned to her attacker, their face cloaked in shadow and only their eyes visible with a golden glow. Scrambling off her feet she attempted to run out of the room. Yelling for the guards to help her. She felt a firm grasp on her tail pull her back, dropping her to the ground as she missed a step. Claws gripped and pulled her close, rolled to her back to try and fight back. She could only watch as another hidden blade was pulled from their cloak. One hand reached and gripped her neck, squeezing her airway as she was choked, struggling to hold onto the hand that attempted to press the blade into her scales.
The world went black in her vision, her fate was sealed when she felt the blade plunge into her heart. She was left in an empty void. Cold. Lost. Falling. There was a soft breeze so she knew she was moving, but the world was so dark she couldn't even see the glow of her wings. The void had her as a prisoner, and she was prey to its cold grasp. She was there for what felt like eternity, nothing happened. No noise, nothing to catch her eye. There was nothing she could do, she reached for her own neck, squeezing her throat, the discomfort of it all was oddly comforting. It wasn’t the greatest feeling but her warm scales kept her sane.
A hand held her wrist, pulling her hand away from her throat. She gasped deeply and shot up. She found herself in her bed, her mother sitting beside her and her father on the other side. Even her siblings were there. “Violet, it's been days since you had that…event. Are you alright?” Violet stared blankly at her family, she could only sigh softly before laying back down. She didnt know if she was alright. Was she ill? Was it that thing she saw in the mirror the day her suitors arrived? What was causing her this now living nightmare?
Outside of the room stood the cloaked gryphon, beside them was a dragon, larger than the Kulduun’s but older than Carthaen. As they all stepped out, they watched as the two stepped in. Violet crawled out of her bed to grab a jeweled chalice and was prepared to throw it at a moment's notice. Her eyes darted to the larger dragon taking a step back till she was against the wall. The gryphon held out a hand to keep her personal guard at bay.
“You seem ill. I can sense something inside you, besides you can’t hurt me. You know of the treaties your houses have with the highlands and peaks no? Tell me, what is wrong and I may help” Violet set herself down on the edge of her bed, the makeshift weapon still in hand. She was…skeptical at first, but agreed to this stranger's aid. Standing once more she held the back of her neck as a sudden pain shot through her. She remembers only a fraction of what happened days prior, the only recurring thought was the world spinning before she was face down in the dirt.
“What is it you want, and be quick I would like to adorn myself than be…exposed” This gryphon laughed and pulled her cloak's hood back, showing a veil covering her eyes. “Asmodeus, go ahead and leave. You can spend time with Carthaen, I have a feeling you two have history together?” The dragon left without another word, his heavy armor clunked and cluttered with each step. “Asmodeus? I’m supposed to believe that the dragon was Asmodeus?” She scoffed with such displeasure in her voice the gryphon winced at the sound. “You don’t have to believe what you see and hear, but he’s been my guard for four years. He’s told me stories of himself. Now you, tell me what has taken a hold of you? It’s ancient as far as your mother I assume? She’s been in that fair share of pain before.”
“Yes yes she is my mother. sigh As much as I know…everytime it happens, it feels like my flesh is burning off my bones, it hurts. Just…not as much as when I wake up and see the harm I caused to others. I’ve killed two guards and at least three maids, injuring almost a dozen between them. Their screams come back to haunt me when the voices arouse themselves to existence.” The gryphon reached into her cloak and pulled out a bag, rummaging for her notes and book. She’s studied the Kulduun’s condition in history texts and vague notes and scribbles from other scholars. Turning to Violet she handed the dragon a few blank pieces of paper and a pen. “Write, or draw. It doesn't matter which one you choose. Tell me more Violet, and I will help you as best as I am capable.”
Violet spent the next few hours scribbling away, she was only able to write bits and pieces of the voices that haunt her. Unlike the screams of her victims, these voices were Old, Ancient. They spoke in a language forgotten to time, her best guess at these were to write how they sound to her. “Here, I can't bring anything else to mind.” The gryphon looked at the scribbles and sounded what she could barely visualize as words or even a written language. She scoffed and let out an annoyed chuckle.
“What even is this? This…looks like a child's writing and even then this barely looks readable. You should be embarrassed about this” Violet took the paper and growled with annoyance. “Don’t read it like it’s normal. Read it as if it sounds, alright? Sounds, you damned bird…ugh.” It took a moment for the gryphon to realize what she meant and snatched the papers from her hand, reading it once more. It came to her realization of how much more dire her situation was. This thing was ancient, powerful, what ever it was.
"You never told me your name gryphon. Care to tell me who you are? Im sure its rude for me to just call to you by species" Violets guest clicked her beak shut as she crossed her arms, and with a huff she sat down on the edge of the dragons bed. "My name is Ayre, as you can tell. Im a witch. Quite rare these days I am, not many places would want my gifts of the dark arts. But its just tools for my work, whether it be hexes, curses, you name it" Violet smirked and laid across her bed looking at the veil covered eyes. "So potions too?" She laughed at her joke, stereotypical but the plain joke was somewhat ammusing to both of them. "No no, the high cities dont need potions. If you studied well I hope, you should remember we excell in the magika many call _"good and bad", _so rest assured I wont curse you on a whim."
Violet felt calmer now, but still a little on edge considering how bare she was, yet even then she was never this talkative to anyone. Deep inside her soul felt a connection to Ayre, and Ayre for once in her life felt the same. She's dealt with rejection for so long as being one of the few witches that was a gryphon. The things she was told when she flew down from the high mountain peaks to gather goods and rescources from below, it ate away at her spirit. That was till she had Asmodeus, her guard who was nothing but silent towards her. He rarely spoke to her, as if he was hiding lots from her well being.