Chapter 2 of Annals of Alternian History, Vol. 1: Rise of the Summoner
How many hundreds of sweeps has it 8een since I received the vague yet intriguing prophecy foretelling my death at the hands of my fated m8sprit, revealed to me only as the summoner? I failed to keep track after the first two centuries passed. For sweeps, the prospect of his coming consumed my thoughts, compelling me to seek out caravans of newly conscripted cavalreapers traveling to the training 8locks peppering the coast of the capital district. My fervor was foolish and premature, a fact that even then I suspected to 8e true, an undercurrent of demoralizing dou8t that ran through my mind until time and failure confirmed its veracity. My efforts may have 8een 8etter spent seeking Pyralspite myself, something which I now greatly regret I didn’t do. Just as the summoner has eluded me for these few centuries 8y fact of his nonexistence, Pyralspite has evaded my every effort to find and tame it.
I had not forgotten a8out him or the prophecy, of course, despite my long silence on the matter. I have 8een waiting patiently, assessing every troll who has crossed my path for traits that could 8elong to him. My anticipation has 8een 8ittersweet, and now, I am pleased to write that it might soon 8e s8ed. I will not confirm with esta8lished certainty that the 8oy I found today is the same man I have 8een aw8ing with 88ed 8reath since I lost my vision 8fold, 8ut I will relate the events nonetheless. If my suspicions are true, I finally stand on the 8rink of the finale of my long and remarka8le life.
The gentle waves of the ocean reflected the dim, pink light of the moon, making visi8le the dark hulls of a convoy of the Condesce’s formida8le military, traveling not a nautical mile from my own fleet. The vessels were marked as mere transportation crafts, ships carrying this sweep’s fledglings to their future homes at the training 8locks. I never discarded the old ha8it of intercepting neophyte soldiers whenever I came across them, and this time was no different. My attack was swift and my triumph inevita8le. This 8rand of transportation craft is rarely equipped to handle an onslaught the magnitude of which my own fleet is capa8le, surely 8ecause the vessels themselves carry nothing more valua8le than a company of young adults, 8arely out of wigglerhood. If they knew what I sought, perhaps they would 8e more careful.
I allowed my crew to pillage whatever spoils they could find from the captain’s quarters, which usually keeps their impressive greed sati8ed well enough to deter unnecessary question. I, myself, surveyed our prisoners. It is my way when we capture an unfortunate group of fledglings to separate those with psychic a8ilities from the common ra88le, for reasons that should 8y now 8e quite clear. I did the same with this group. They lined up against the walls, small, frail, and deliciously naive, most of their youth still apparent in the slender curves of their developing muscles and the roundness of their unguarded eyes. Their fear and uncertainty was apparent on their faces, rendering my a8ility to feel their emotions unnecessary. It is always a pleasure to handle minds so unsullied 8y the passion of war and romance, 8ut I digress.
One 8y one, I pressed each for details of their a8ilities. Most were shrewd enough to understand that I would not tolerate insolence, and for those that weren’t, their cheekiness was greeted with the 8ackside of my hand. 8usiness as usual, just another part of an exercise I long ago realized was fruitless. As I reached the end of the line, however, my eyes fell upon a pair of magnificent horns, which easily spanned the length of two adult trolls. This one, I thought, would do well for entertainment. As I inquired a8out the nature of his a8ilities, I reached out and ran my hand down his handsome cheek, relishing the warmth emanating from his skin. How rare it is to find a troll with such crude 8lood conscripted into military service, especially one that would serve 8etter as a slave to satisfy the pleasures of his commanders. So enamored was I with the timid fluttering of his eyelashes and the tantalizing perfection of his physique that I almost did not catch his words. I am now glad that I did. Communion with 8easts, he said, in a soft, velvety voice that trailed away at the end of the sentence.
My 8lood pusher fluttered in my chest. Centuries of searching, and I discover this 8eautiful 8oy with chocolate irises and a disposition that suggests he would sooner 8efriend a 8east than tame it. I dropped my hand to my side, examining his face, memorizing its contours and curves. The urge to jump to conclusions 8ased on such insufficient evidence was overwhelming, 8ut I had to 8e sure. I commanded him to follow me to my quarters.
Alone, his timidity only grew. He shuffled his feet like a child, wringing his hands and picking at his nails as I circled him. He is un8eara8ly attractive. I can almost feel his hands on my 8ody, his mind in my grasp as I allow him just enough will to maintain his charming diffidence. 8ut I did not take his control from him, and I kept my own hands to myself. Instead, I sat at my desk and ordered him to strip off his shirt. It was a curt command, meant to dispel any fear of lascivious intentions on my part, yet he still hesit8ed. I waited. If he was the one whom I was soon to call my m8sprit, I did not want to 8egin our relationship with a 8ad impression. I was truly hoping I would not have to force him.
Slowly, he reached up and undid the 8uttons on his tunic, starting at his collar and working down to his waist. The fa8ric slid off his shoulders in a manner that could make colder trolls than I grow tight with anticipation, 8ut I restrained my desire, noting instead the 8andages wrapped around his chest. I gestured to them and requested an explanation. The gorgeous im8ecile stum8led over his own tongue in an unsuccessful attempt to divert my question, 8ut I stopped him, directing him instead to remove them. Helpless agitation passed like a shadow across his face, and I could feel the uncertainty radiating from his mind. He had a secret that he desperately wanted to keep. If the silly 8oy only knew what I know, he would have guarded his emotions 8etter. My suspicions were as good as confirmed. Still, I pressed him to follow my command, and with much unneeded stalling, he removed the 8inding.
Never have I 8eheld such a magnificent sight as the wings that unwrapped themselves from his willowy torso. They shimmered 8ronze in the dim light of my ca8in, the slender veins running along their lengths catching the glow in thin strands of color. I stood and walked to him, and he flinched away. Losing patience, I willed him to stand still, holding him in place as I reached out to touch the delic8 fa8ric of the wing. The 8oy dropped his eyes in shame. I could not imagine what logic would persuade him to 8ecome ashamed of such a glorious mutation in his genetics, 8ut his lack of confidence was the least of my concerns. It was clear that I had found my summoner, or at least as clear as it could 8ecome until he lived the tale I had gleaned from the innards of the white oracle.
I allowed him to replace the 8indings that hid his wings from the world, examining his 8uild as he did so. He was not yet fit to lead a re8ellion, a fact that was hardly surprising given his youth. He had room to fill out, and his conscription guaranteed that he would gain a su8stantial amount of muscle 8efore the end of the sweep. As he replaced his shirt, I offered to strike a 8argain with him, once again putting my a8ility to control him how I pleased aside in favor of a more diplomatic approach to our future romance. My terms were simple: I would return him to his ship and allow the convoy to pass unimpeded to their destination, 8ut in return, he must meet me at a place of my choosing come midnight of the next perigee. He asked me how he would know where to meet me should he agree to my conditions, and I assured him that the matter would 8e taken care of. After only a second of hesit8tion, he agreed. I was surprised. His disposition suggested that he would need a much longer time to consider the proposition, 8ut there was a glint of ferventness in his eyes that was not lost on me. Perhaps I had made a 8etter impression than I thought. My imagination dances with the possi8ilities of such an impli8tion.
8efore I escorted him 8ack to his vessel, I asked his name. The summoner is a reasona8le title, 8ut it is rather unruly for casual rel8tions. “Rufioh,” he told me. “Rufioh,” my exquisite future lover, my 8ewitching killer. If the way his heat clings to the palm of my hand is any foreshadowing of our future, there will 8e plenty to preoccupy my mind 8esides my impeding death.
The wait was almost over which was good because, she knew that soon her life would be over, given to the Summoner. She placed her hands protectively on her stomache. Feeling a kick she smiled a tear falling down her cheek. “I hope you survive little one,” she said out loud.
Summoner
He was letting his depression get the better of him again. He knew that he should move on. Intel told him that no one had heard from her is months, but he couldn’t make himself believe she was dead. Wouldn’t he feel something if his matesprit had died? There was a meeting tonight with one of their spies and he was trying not to get his hopes up. After being let down so many times he knew it would only cause pain.
Dolorosa
Being in the middle of a war was not fun, but at times it had its advantages. Even though Mindfang had told her not to let the Summoner know she was alive, but he needed to know. Since she had gone in to hiding the rebellion was falling apart. With the leadership distracted their attacks seemed halfhearted at best and their numbers were dwindling. It was just like a man to let everything fall apart. What he needed was something to fight for and she was going to give it to him with the hopes that he could put an end to this war.
Summoner
The Dolorosa walked in escorted by two of his guard. She was allowed on their base as she was in part the reason for this war, but only with caution.
“What brings you to us, Dolorosa? You seem to have been making yourself scarce lately.”
“I have been helping a friend who wishes not to be found at the moment. If you would allow for some privacy then perhaps we could give you some information that you have been searching for.”
The guards would not know what she was referring to because he and Mindfang had needed to keep their relationship a secret. He was so desperate for news that he did not care if this was a trap. If they had captured her then maybe he could do something about it. And if not, if she was gone, well then there was something that he could do about that too.
“They are gone,” he replied after the guard reluctantly left. They knew he was different lately and were worried about him, but they would not directly disobey him. Not yet anyway.
“She is safe. For now.”
“No one is safe at the moment.”
“While what you say is true, she is safer than most at the moment.”
“Where is she?” He collapsed to the floor, the determination that had been keeping him going leaving all at once. His voice was a plea accompanied by the tears streaming down his face.
“I can’t tell you that. Her current condition would make it very dangerous for anyone to know, and telling you now would change things that will come.”
“So, she has seen the future then?”
“Many, but this is one that is important for the cause and cannot be disrupted.”
“Why? Why does this future mean that she must stay away from me?”
“It is something that has to be for the moment.”
“You don’t know do you?”
“No, I believe that she thinks that if I know it will change the way things play out. Now I must go she will need me soon and she will wonder where I am.”
“She knows that you are here,” he said standing up, “otherwise she would have told you.”
“Still she will need me. I must get back to her soon.”
“Will you at least tell her I love her?”
“As you said, she knows.” She placed her hand on his shoulder then turned walking out the door.
Mindfang
“I love you too!” she thought trying to send the message to him. It was impossible she knew, they were so far apart, it may as well have been worlds. It was a good thing that the message would never reach him though.
She had known the Dolorosa would not be able to keep this secret when she had asked for her help however, she was grateful for the help. Dolorosa would not be back in time to help. She had known that when she let her go. The message needed to be given and she could do this on her own. She had not realized how painful this would be though.
Alone she quietly struggled for hours. She pushed for hours until finally she pushed out the small blue grub that was hers. The grub started to cry and so did she.
Dolorosa
When she got back Mindfang was gone, but on the bed lay a small from wrapped in an orange blanket. She picked up the grub holding her as she slept. Seeing a not on the table, she picked it up and began reading.
Summoner
It was time to end this war. The sooner this war was over the sooner they could be together again. His fire was back and although it was not for the same reason he was ready to give everything he had. He got the men ready to move out and they left.
As they moved he began to feel uncertain. After the Dolorosa had left he could hear Mindfang tell him that she loved him, but why wait so long? She wouldn’t be there. He was going crazy; she had been gone for months and wouldn’t show up for this battle. At least he hoped that she would not be.
His men continued to march prepared to attack an opposing batch of troops about equal in size that were guarding a small base. It wasn’t much, but that base would contain weapons and food. Suddenly his men stopped moving around him. Pushing to the front lines he saw her. At first she seemed alone to him; he was blinded to the army lining up behind her. Realizing that she was not alone he assessed the opposing army out of habit. They were at least the size of his troops, but not much bigger if any. Then she disappeared and the two armies turned into chaos around him charging at each other.
He began running. He couldn’t lose her again, not again. He felt her control on him, making him run to her. He didn’t want to fight it though and let it consume him. When he finally stopped running she was there smiling at him with tears running down her face. His lance was halfway through her crest and only he was holding her upright.
“Why?” his voice cracked not wanting to believe what was happening.
Then she showed him, all of her thoughts and memories pouring into his head telling him why. She showed him how much she loved him. Why she hid. Then it all stopped and the Summoner cried holding her in his arms.
Epilogue
It was a few weeks later and the summoner walked into his room. A small crib sat in front of his bed, orange blankets peeking over the side. Looking into it he saw a grub with two beautiful blue eyes.
So it's a fairly strong headcanon of mine that Mindfang had this creepy enabling attitude toward the Summoner where she encouraged him in any kind of crazy death-defying stunt or mission he wanted to pull
because she knew that as long as he hadn't killed her yet he'd always come back to her
