OfHoloceneMuses

M U L T I M U S E R P || Indie || Semi-Selective || Open to mutuals and non-mutuals

[ofholocenemuses]

U N D E R C O N S T R U C T I O N ! ! ! - Penned by H || 30+ || She - Her

G U I D E L I N E S

M U S E S

O P E N S T A R T E R S

W A N T E D C O N N E C T I O N S

[writtenindarkness]

"I don't bargain on his behalf," Deva answered simply, "I never have, and I never will. This isn't for him. This isn't about him. This isn't something I ask of you for Beryl. One day, Beryl will launch himself into his own demise, and the tears I shed over it will be those expected of me. But if he dies before you and I are wed, I am the sole legitimate heir to Iasmus. Your claim on me will hold no weight to theirs. Especially if he's killed on your orders," she added.

Her hold on the reins loosened, and one hand reached down to take Aden's. "I make this bargain on our behalf. I was promised to you to stave off a war. Don't launch us immediately into one. Especially without an heir of your own."

She watched him seriously, looking over at his own horse for a moment, and then back at Aden. "... ride with me. Let him look the part of the fool he is. Let him return home with his tail between his legs."

[ofholocenemuses]

Aden’s gaze dropped briefly to where Deva’s hand lay gentle atop his. Gods forbid this woman ever answered a question directly.

“You’ve a talent for turning everything into a negotiation.” His dark eyes lifted back to her. The infuriating thing was she wasn’t wrong. Should Beryl die before they were wed, all manner of chaos would ensue. “Your brother has spent the half the day proving he hasn’t the good sense to stop, and yet you still want me to ride out with you to reason with him?” He’d have much better luck reasoning with his horse, that he was sure of.

Every instinct he possessed told him to finish this now. Beryl had crossed his borders, spilled blood on his lands and challenged an agreement already made. Men had certainly died for far less. But there she sat, expecting him to listen. Worse still, Aden was considering it. “Very well, but Gods help the bastard if he mistakes my restraint for mercy.”

[oppulcnce]

"...I believe that for some reason-" it was hard to trust these men. They were just like her father every time, ready to sell her for a pretty coin. Only this time...He hadn't left her to get taken, "This isn't a trick? To get me to trust you and follow you to the next highest bidder-" from the smile on her face it was clear that it was a joke. "Thank ye Fergus. If I can ever return the favor believe me I will- on me honour."

[ofholocenemuses]

“Aye?” Fergus glanced down at the flask in his hands before shaking his head. A faint smile toyed with the corner of his mouth. “I’ll hold ye to that promise lass.”

He passed her the flask once more before rising to his feet. The night was closing in, all was quiet save for the distant hoot of a tawny owl hidden amongst the trees. He reached for a blanket tucked away upon his horse, and brought it to her, draping it across her shoulders.

[writtenindarkness]

"He's burned no towns, killed no one who hasn't raised a blade against his men first. This isn't an act of conquest." Rhine shifted uneasily underneath her, and she watched Aden seriously.

"My brother doesn't think," Deva responded dryly. "He acts. I like to believe that you're better than he is in that way. If all you do is act without thinking through the repercussions, then I've been handed from one fool to the next."

She didn't look away from him for a moment, not missing the shift in his expression. This was a fine line, and conversations like this were so often more dangerous than an actual blade. War wasn't her strong suit, politics were, but wielding politics against her future husband was a more complicated thing than she'd like.

"Send him home with a small guard. If he was willing to sacrifice his men in this endeavour, without the blessings of the crown, then they'll be killed as his consequences. Likely as not, anyone who followed him on this campaign of his is someone he considers a friend. It won't make him think any more kindly of you, but it will be blood for blood, and it won't start a war."

[ofholocenemuses]

Aden’s hand tightened around the reins, knuckles whitening. The arrogance in her voice was staggering. As if he would allow Beryl to return home with little more than a pat on the back. As if he would ever allow him to skulk away after spilling blood on his lands.

His gaze drifted past her towards the ongoing skirmish. Beryl’s men were holding their own, for now. Aden’s jaw tightened. His own men were no strangers to bloodshed. One word from him and the tide would turn. It would be quick, brutal and final. But her words lingered. Blood for blood. No war. Gods, he hated that she had a point.

“You ask a great deal of me, Deva.” A humourless smile touched the corner of his mouth, and before she could urge Rhine forward again, his free hand came to rest against the saddle. He tilted his head. “Tell me…” He said, voice lower now. “Does your brother know you're willing to bargain on his behalf, or is this a privilege reserved solely for me?”

[writtenindarkness]

There was something almost endearing about how easily he took her statements at face value. At how much information he offered when he felt she was being unreasonable.

"Locked gates?" Deva chuckled at that, leaning forward to run a hand over Rhine's neck. "The same gates in which I learned to be everything that I am? Why do you say that with such distain?

"Do you really believe my brother has that kind of control over me, Aden? Or is it that you're afraid he's more capable of convincing me to behave than you are?"

Sitting up straighter, Deva shook her head. "Let me talk to him. He thinks he's on some righteous campaign to retrieve me." Her smile sharpened, polite, but not overly pleasant. "Because if you kill my brother, you and I are going to have a problem. And you know my parents won't stand for it any better for you to leave them with no heir."

[ofholocenemuses]

Aden barked out a laugh at her response.

“Some righteous campaign?” He repeated, voice laced with evident mockery. “Is that what we’re calling armed men riding across my border onto my lands and spilling the blood of my men? Perhaps that dear brother of yours should have considered the consequences before he decided to invade my territory.”

He could feel the heat of his anger creeping up his neck. The arrogance of her words, the audacity of her brother’s actions, it riled him something fierce. The agreement had already been made, and yet Beryl had decided none of that mattered. He’d decided that if he spilled enough blood he could simply take back what’d slipped through his fingers, as if Aden would simply stand aside and allow him to.

A humourless smile touched the corner of Aden’s mouth.

“Your brother seems to think he can take back something that's no longer his to take."

[ad0rati0ns]

fiona wiped some of her hair out of her face, effectively smearing the blood on her skin. she manages some sort of grin despite the chaos around them. fiona steadied herself and refocused back on the task at hand.

it happened almost in slow motion, the angry man running with intent to kill fergus. the way fergus' blade was too far. mind blank, fiona speedily stepped in front of fergus. she remembered his words from moments ago to wait until the attacker was close. it was absolutely terrifying to see the man running at them.

eyes wide, fiona struck the man in the ribs before he could get too close. it took more effort than she thought it would. while he groaned, fiona brought up her knife and slashed it across his throat.

she stepped back shakily, bumping into fergus. she'd just killed someone. she blinked, trying to calm herself down. this was not the time or place to rethink her actions.

[ofholocenemuses]

Fergus caught her as she stumbled back into him, one hand finding her arm on instinct while the other kept his sword raised. The man sank to their feet, choking on his own blood before finally going still. Fergus stared, though it wasn’t at the body, it was at her. There was shock written across her face, as if she’d only just realised what she’d done. And Gods, she’d done exactl as he’d told her to. Ribs, then throat. Just as he'd instructed.

“Fiona.” His voice came lower this time, firmer. His grip on her arm tightened ever so slightly. “Ye did what ye had to.” He said it without any hesitation. “He would’ve killed us both.”

A figure moved in the trees beyond them. Fergus shifted immediately, pulling Fiona closer to his side as he brought his blade back up. But the shape vanished again into the chaos. Defeated.

“We cannae stop here.” He muttered, though his eyes flicked once more toward the body at their feet, then back to her face.

[writtenindarkness]

"If I'd told you, you would have stopped me," Deva responded simply, the appaloosa she sat atop tapping his feet against the dirt road, waiting. The fact that he'd caught up with her so quickly was a testament to the pedigree of his horse, because Rhine was no slouch where speed was concerned.

She suspected someone had ratted her out.

Still, her blonde hair was braided tightly along her scalp, protecting her head from the press of the helmet that she wore. She'd taken precautions for her own safety. She'd taken a sword with her that she was perfectly capable of using. The chainmail she wore was only just too large for her, though at least it fit better than plate would have.

"And a guard would have only slowed me down. Something you seem to have figured out for yourself, judging by your lack of escort," she added with a smug smile of her own.

"I told you, regardless of my parents' decision, my brother isn't going to give me up easily." Her head turned towards the fighting again, her hold on the reins tight as Rhine danced along the road, intent to continue onward. "A part of me is inclined to let him take me home."

[ofholocenemuses]

“A part of you is inclined to let him?” Aden repeated flatly. “Gods, Deva, you say that as if he’s offering to walk you home instead of dragging you back behind locked gates.”

The fighting behind them still carried through the pass. Steel against steel. Men shouting somewhere beyond the trees. Rhine shifted again beneath her, eager to keep moving as instructed, but Aden tightened his grip on the reins once more, barely sparing the horse a glance.

“You think your brother’s going to let this go?” Aden near growled. “You think I will after all this bloodshed?”

Gods, she was infuriating. Aden’s gaze dragged over her armour, the sword at her side, the braid pulled tight against her scalp. None of it looked out of place. She was prepared for battle, prepared for bloodshed. Far from a sheltered Noblewoman, Deva knew exactly what she was doing, and that was the problem.

“That man would lock you in the highest room of his keep and throw away the key if he thought it’d keep you under his damn thumb.” Aden continued sharply. “And you’re sat here talking about letting him take you back?” He scoffed humorously. “You’re many things, Deva, but you’re no fool.”

[ofholocenemuses]

Muse: Aden Sharpe, a bastard-born crime lord who's clawed his way to power. He’s controlled, territorial, and isn’t afraid to spill blood. Open to: F/M, M/M, enemies to lovers, power dynamics, slow burn, angst - gimme, gimme, gimme. Plot: Your muse rides into conflict on his territory without warning, bringing trouble with them.

Aden caught the horses reins before it reared fully. One hand tightened around them, whilst the other braced against the saddle to steady it. The animal snorted, stamping against the narrow road. It was restless. No doubt from all the noise behind them. Shouting, steel clashing, it was all too close for comfort.

“Hold it.” He muttered, more to the horse than her. The horse settled, barely. Only then did he look to her seated atop the beast.

“The hell were you thinking?” He snapped, stepping back just enough to meet her properly. “Riding out like that. No word, no guard. Straight into the middle of it all?”

[oppulcnce]

"I am only worried your majesty, you either thrash or are as still as death. If you are prone to night terrors, I am sure there is a remedy that could help-" not that the fae could understand. They didn't need sleep. Still yannis was being sincere, "Do you want to change for when you meet the king?"

[ofholocenemuses]

Lysane peered towards her reflection in the mirror across from her. She was pale, and unnaturally composed, as thought nothing had happened. As though she’d not just been stood somewhere else entirely, felt something real beneath her fingertips, heard a voice that still lingered in her thoughts. Her breath caught.

“No.” She said suddenly, the word far sharper than she’d intended. “No, I will not change.”

She rose and stepped past Yannis, bare feet silent against the stone, her shift brushing softly at her ankles. Something had shifted in her.

“He asks…” Lysane murmured, almost to herself, her gaze fixed ahead. “Again and again… as though he expects something from me. And yet he tells me nothing, absolutely nothing!”

[oppulcnce]

"No..." Quinn took a seat next to the man, holding her hand out to take his flask. "Ye came back for me, we've been riding in silence all day- I figured now is as good a time to ask ye- why

[ofholocenemuses]

Fergus was quiet for a moment longer. His gaze lingered on the dying embers of the fire before him. The crackling flames had once soothed him, but now his thoughts raced. He took a deep breath, the weight of the night pressing down on his shoulders.

“It’s nae an easy thing to explain...” He said lowly, his jaw tightening. “Where I come from we dinnae leave folk to die once we’ve taken their side. Call it what ye like. Stubbornness, honour, oath. Whatever pleases ye.”

[oppulcnce]

"No your majesty, but the king is expecting you," Yannis gave her a smile, "You've been sleeping for a long time- do you have a sleep condition Majesty? No disrespect, I'm unaware of the human nature, so i was wondering if you'd like the doctor to acquire you a tonic for your sleep?"

[ofholocenemuses]

Lysane was quiet for a moment. Her fingers curled gently into the sheets. His voice was still so clear in her head. It was never fully gone.

“I will speak to the King shortly.” She replied, her voice soft, but commanding. She swung her legs over the side of the bed and stood up, allowing Yannis to start preparing her for the day ahead. Lysane drew in a slow breath. “And no, I’m in no need of a tonic. It is not rest that troubles me.”

[ad0rati0ns]

fiona lets out a shuddering breath- from fear? from determination? she winces as fergus cuts down another man, but she is grateful for him. maybe they have a chance after all? her shoulder burns but she can work through he discomfort, the blood seeping into her sleeve. "i cannae argue if i want," fiona argues, endlessly stubborn. still, she is quick to listen to fergus when it matters. she pulls her knife in close and copies his movements. "here" she touches his ribs, "and here" she touches his neck. she nods her head, mentally preparing herself to go against another man. "dinnae worry about me. we need ye focused if we are to survive."

[ofholocenemuses]

Fergus huffed a breath that just might’ve been a laugh had it not been for all the bloodshed around them.

“Stubborn as hell you are.” He muttered. He didn’t miss the way she mirrorred him, the way her hands found the same marks he’d shown her, despite everything.

Another man rushed towards them, his blade raised high in anger. Fergus stepped in once more, but his angle was wrong. He couldn’t reach in time.

[apurekindness]

Her gaze focused on the dying embers, and she held out her hands towards the remaining warmth. "Yes," she agreed, as he worded her experience perfectly, "that's exactly so."

She took the flask with a small smile, her gaze flickering back towards Fergus. "Thank you. And thank you...for saving me. I'm not sure how I can ever repay you." Nor did she know what she would do next - how long would hr tolerate her company?

[ofholocenemuses]

Fergus watched the way in which she held the flask. As if it might be taken from her just as quickly as everything else had been. His jaw tightened slightly before he took a long awaited breath.

“Ye can start by not talkin’ like ye owe me a debt.” He said at last. His voice was far quieter now. “I did what any decent man would’ve done. As for what comes next, that’s for you to decide. I’ve a road to follow come mornin’, but I’m no’ in the habit of leavin’ folk to fend for themselves if they’ve nowhere else to go. That's for sure."

[ofholocenemuses]

Uh, hi. I'm online, and replying...

[ad0rati0ns]

she was aware of a dull pain on the back of her shoulder, one that grew stronger every time she moved her arm. the hem of her skirts were muddied and ripped, torn by rocks and blades. blood splattered across her forehead and neck- she wasn't sure if it was hers or not. "'m no warrior," she replied, tone defensive despite their current situation. fiona shifted closer to the other, holding a long knife in her hands. "like i have 'nother choice..." she muttered, boots stepping over a fallen foe.

[ofholocenemuses]

“Then we make do with what we’ve got.” Fergus muttered, shifting half a step in front of her. The next man came in hard, but Fergus met his lunge. He turned his blade wide, and put him down with a single gutteral strike before he turned back to Fiona. “Yer hurt.” He called out to her, deflecting another blow before closing the distance between them. “Don’t bother arguing, I can tell in how ye carry yerself.” A third man was working around their left flank, but Fergus had already marked him. “Listen.” His voice dropped. “Keep that knife in tight. No big swings…yell only lose it. Let them come to ye, then go in quick. Here…” He pressed two fingers to his ribs, then to his throat. “…and don’t stop to think about it.”

[oppulcnce]

"Find me," his hand reached out to her as well, only for their hands to turn to mist as they touched, as their realities were not joined. "It's okay, I will be here when you return."

"Majesty, you must wake up."

[ofholocenemuses]

Lysane woke to her heart already racing. The dream slipped away like smoke. She pressed her eyes shit once more, then open, willing herself back into the waking world.

"Is something amiss, Yannis?" She said, lifting herself upright in her bed.

[apurekindness]

"No," she admitted, rather shyly coming to sit next to him, beside the dying fire. "I don't tend to sleep much. Not since the attack," she explained, quietly. Not since the knights had razed her village to the ground, slaughtered her people, and captured her.

She still hardly believed she was free. How would she ever repay Fergus?

[ofholocenemuses]

Fergus tipped his head slightly, his small smile fading as her words settled between them. He didn’t press her for more.

“Aye…” He murmured at last. “The nights have a way of stretchin’ after things like that.” He turned the flask once in his hands, then offered it to her without any ceremony. “Just water. I find it helps, even when sleep willnae come.”