Lion Head Mesa Sacrificial chamber

Backdated to June 4th. @Valium would have been held captive here since May 26th. Please allow him to post first then the saviors (and who knows, maybe some saviors for Rosina) can trickle in. Rosina ofc can take injuries and possible maiming. :)

 

Rosina had kept the child for some time now. All fun and games for the little one in the beginning, who had followed her at the opportunity of helping the poor damsel in distress get something to eat. And getting him something to eat was exactly what he had done. 

Rosina's place for entrapment was in the rocky formation of the Mesa. She had found a collection of high rising rock faces, tightly placed together but creating a small gorge of sorts. A slit in the earth you could fall into easily yet have a hard time getting out of. Lucky for Rosina, the child was both too short, wobbly legged and overly large pawed to manage. 

She wondered each day when he might find a way to either free himself or alert a savior. So far, just over a week in, little Valium had yet to escape the witch's clutches. She had kept him well fed (fattened up) yet equally battered and bruised. His taste was exquisite  and she had every intention to savor him. 

She knew though, soon enough, she would need to put an end to this. She couldnt let the child suffer for long of course. What kind of witch would one take her for? So she came again to the little crack in the earth to look down upon the pretty youth. It was due time for a blood bath - literally!

Frustrated, hurt, tired, he ran out of words to describe how he felt right here and now but the boy wasn't about to give up anytime soon. He ate what was offered to him with vigor, not thinking of what might be going on in her head and instead of thinking that by eating he could get big and strong enough to escape and maybe fight her off! He was the goddamn Alpha pup after all! Stretching out his paws to try and reach a footing, they'd only awkwardly hold him and even he knew he'd fall if he even trusted any of these ledges at all. 

Frowning at the sight, something that he was getting a little too familiar with, the boy's head turned to glare at the witch over his shoulder and imagine himself hitting her neck out and maybe using her in some way to help him get out. What do you want!? He was afraid, the heightened pitch of his tone was a good sign of that, but he dared not show it if he could.

Thank you for starting! <3 Ill tag his rescuers in a bit, maybe his next post!

okay!

Shhhh, shhh...  sweet little Prince. She spoke, words made to ease his woes though knowing full well they would not. Words she once used to sooth him would be used now to mock.

Her lean little snowy legs bend, belly to the rocky earth as she peered her head over the edge and looked down upon him with hungry eyes. Your blood, of course, is what I want little Prince. Just a small price to pay for immortality. A girl has her needs. You understand, dont you? Likely, not. Not many did.

Growling as she spoke, the prince really did hate her and the way she spoke to him now. It was infuriating! To be given so many compliments before, and now that it all felt like a joke made him so mad! The words rang in his ears, immortality? What the hell was she talking about, was his blood that great that it could help her live longer or something?! You're gross! Good job, that will surely sting.

Though she spoke tall, barking and growling at his captor, his legs quivered. So young and inexperienced he was afraid now that he was faced with someone who won't go easy on him - but he'd be damned if he didn't try to act brave! Disgusting! He was so mad and unsure of what to do, all he could think of was spit insults and hope that something came to mind - or maybe she'd find him annoying enough to leave him alone and find a way out of here eventually without her looming over him.

@Lumiya it's time!

If something is off, please lemme know and I can change it <3

After her pleasant time spent among the Empire wolves, and the lovely Reiko, Lumi decided to continue her small trip further inland to see what else was out there. She knew a few more days away from home wouldn't be a problem in the long-run. She trusted the wolves she was with, and she'd told that she'd be gone to the land of their Empress friend before she left. They'd probably think she was just having a good time there, if they'd notice she was gone at all.

She'd just gone by the dark woods her parents had been born in, and was about to turn 'round and make an end to her trip when she heard a young voice yelling. She couldn't make out what he was screaming about, but the voice was muffled and echo-y — like he was trapped somewhere where it could bounce around the walls. Silently, she motioned for Loinnir to get off her back. If I don't return before sundown, fly to the Empire. Reiko will know what to do. She whispered, not planning on not returning but she couldn't be more careful.

She crept 'round, waiting to hear something again, before finding an opening in the side of the mountain that looked unsafe to climb. Hello? Anyone stuck in here? I couldn't help but hear yelling. She called bravely, on edge. She was but a tiny creature, not fit to fight, but she would help where she could without question.

Her stomach growled. She licked her maw again and the sickening sweet smile which spread over her features never lessened even as the pup spat insults at her. Blood is blood-deer, rabbit, wolf... Calling her disgusting was no less then calling himself such every time he had himself a meal. She was lying, however. Because if there was not something to divine, so special about the blood of the young and innocent...well, Rosina wouldnt be the witch she was, would she? 

Then, all fun and games ceased at the voice of another. Silence your little tongue before I rip it out. I promise you, I'm more swift then they. She hisses out the sharp words to the boy in warning, made to hush him on the spot as she turns to trot over into the direction of their visitor. Oh hello. No trouble at all here, dear. She speaks, a smile, a classic act as she looks over the quite lithe, pretty woman.

No! She was wrong! Blood was not blood, not the way she was using it, even he knew that! Blood of a fellow wolf was not to be consumed the way she did, it was gross! Not delicious at all, not a meal, it was wrong! In response to it, the boy shook his head in disagreement. He didn't really have time to say anything on the matter before she started hushing him, a sign that he was doing the right thing. So he continued!

No! No! No! No! he was smaller, tired and wounded but he was sure he could probably outrun her for a while. Hopefully, until someone came to investigate all the yelling as he simply got louder and more obnoxious with it with every NO he screamed. Then - quiet. Someone was speaking. His attention shot to the direction of the sound. Awkwardly he bounded to that direction, swallowing the distance between himself and his might-be savior.

Yes! Help! She's bad, she hurts me, please! Please? Where did that come from? Was he this desperate for help that he would be pleading with someone? With a stranger? Yes he was, he very much was! Please, help! There was no second thought, he needed them to come now!

Someone came to greet her - a woman, older than she was but not much bigger, dressed in white with a gaze of icy blue. She looked like Reiko, with none of her kindness. Even the smile she offered the petite queen felt off, it was the same one her mother had offered her so many moons ago. No emotion, no fondness - the silent want for her to begone.

She didn't trust the situation, even before the child came running, pleading for her help. Her brows raised, then her gaze turned to the woman in suspicion. Hurt him? But who would do that? Was the boy exaggerating... but he seemed so distressed. This was no game for him, and he had been the one she'd heard yelling, she was pretty sure.

She lowered her muzzle to address him, her features soft and kind. Shh - it's okay. I'm here to help — Is she your family, or do you know where they are? She asked quickly, but if she was making enough haste for the situation could be left up for debate. She knew children lied, but seeing as she had not felt completely comfortable with the woman either, she was bound to believe something bad was going on here.

Her false show of politeness and calm did not work, something which often did not happen, granted manipulation was one of her key traits. Though the stress of the youth's squabbling and the thought of her getting caught must have put her off game. With Valium trying to scramble himself into the direction of the newcomer, pleading for help, Rosina would sneer. 

No words from the young woman were offered to Rosina and she only dipped down her skull, directing her attention to the child and asking if he was okay, if family was near. He deserves quite the ass chewing after what he did. Rosina then spike sternly, moving to squeeze between Lumiya and the pup, as though she were protective over him and she, nothing but a stranger getting too close to her pup. Ran away from home- had us all terrified. If Rosina could not convince the other woman with sweetness, then maybe the stern protection of a concerned member, trying to get their pup home. Rosina not wanting Lumi near the child shouldn't come off as strange, granted she was not one of their own. Or so, Rosina could suggest as such. He doesnt quite like me for it, as you can tell.

For a moment he thought he was safe, he'd be whisked away immediately; an idea that was almost immediately dashed as the woman began to speak again, his eyes filling with anger to her as he glared at the green-eyed witch. Lies! He hissed in a bitter tone. She is stranger! 

The kidnapper forced her way between himself and the pretty possible saviour, a move that he deemed to be firstly, rude, and secondly, dangerous. He growled at her new position between them, trying to wiggle his way under and around her, anyway to get back into the stranger's field of vision so he would not be forgotten and left behind. Don't leave! Who knows when the next individual would come by and hear his cries for help after all, would it be too late by then? 

This was possibly his only chance!

His only chance... Like a light the idea lit up in his brain, and without much thought put into it, he aimed to bite at the woman's flank - if this didn't make it clear or put her in a rage good enough to show just how terrible she was, Valium was running out of ideas on how to make his situation clear.

Perhaps, if Lumi had not been raised by liars and manipulators and gotten herself out of that situation, she would not have suspected much. However, the woman claiming to be one of the young boy's packmates reminded her too much of her mother, and there were many holes in her story. The boy smelled nothing like the scent of a group that clung to the woman's coat, so either the boy had been gone for so long that he should be dead right about now, or something fishy was going on.

It made her even more uncomfortable, how the woman swooped in and obscured her view of the boy - only the guilty would try and hide their wrongdoings, only the manipulative appeared sweet like this without any of the heart behind it. I'm not leaving before I've assured this child's safety. She said to the woman, making it clear she would not be able to get rid of the fae that easily. So please, do tell me where the young boy's family's home is located. I'd like to make sure you two make it there without problems.

But her attempt to get both the boy and herself out of this situation without a squabble was squished when the boy decided to bite his captor, and she was ready to chase him should he run. She'd take him to the home of the faeries if he wanted, get him safe and comfortable before attempting to find where he might've come from. His real family must miss him dearly.

The other woman refused to leave and Rosina felt the fake smile which she wore crack- a twitch in her lip. Mouth opened as though to retort, yet her response was silenced as the little boy bit down hard on her flank. A snarl shooted from her lips instead and in retaliation the flank which had been bitten down on caused her leg to lift, aimed to give the youth a swift kick and off on her. 

Momentarily distracted fully by the youth, the little white maiden spun around on him, jaws snapping at the air - or at his face. Why you little heathen! She snarls out. She had enough of him and it would seem if she was going to gain her pound of flesh, she would need to work quickly. She leaps, decending upon the child to snatch him by the neck and ring it. Maybe Lumiya would be so kind as to stay out of it? Likely not...

It almost felt like victory was in his grasp when the woman yelped and snarled at his bite, her skin between his teeth he tried his very best to rip and tear what he could - but blast these milk teeth!! To hell with them! He couldn't wait for them to be replaced with the stronger, thicker adult teeth he knew would eventually come should this day turn for the better and freedom was given to him finally.

However, freedom was something he had to work for. The woman kicked at him and his world spun, he barely felt the contact while his little brain tried to focus on the pain, focus on his surroundings as the world spun and even before he could straighten himself out, the witch grabbed him by the neck and air was now a luxury he could no longer afford.

Wriggling and pawing at the shrew's face with little puppy claws, if he could reach her eyes he'd gouge them out and teach his bitch a lesson about messing with the Warlord's first son! Even with that thought, he could feel the dread of death looming over him as he wondered if the other woman would help him, or ignore the moment and walk away as if all of this meant nothing for nobody.

The fae was no battle expert - did not know tactics and lacked the strength her bloodline was known for. The whole ordeal happened so quickly, and she watched in horror as the tensions that had risen in their conversation accumulated in the worst way possible. The woman, of whom Lumiya now knew for sure was not dear to the child, had flung herself upon the boy. The little queen could only stare for a moment, seeing but twisted body parts, moving and stretching and hearing the boy gasp for air.

It was then that fate took over - the adrenaline in her body sent her into fight mode. If she did not try and safe the life of this boy, even if it put her own one in danger, she could not call herself a faerie of justice. With all her might, the fae sent her body flying, hoping to crash into the woman's in an attempt to get her off the captive. Her maw had opened, but her eyes were closed - she'd clamp down on whatever part of the woman she could get a hold of, but there was no aim in sight.

Last one here unless they attack again. :)

 

Once seizing the child within her jaws, she jerked, maybe once, maybe twice and though she might have felt blood on her tongue it was not far enough to satisfy. She may have punctured into the child's skin, though her satisfaction would be cut short once more as the woman, the pup's little savior came to his rescue. 

From behind she kept blindly (literally) at Rosina, knocking her off to the side which released the grip she once had on the pup. Back off! She hissed, snapping off at the woman's muzzle in retaliation to the snap and snag of fur and skin she had gotten behind the shoulder. A pinch, if nothing more. 

Facing off the duo, there was a chance Rosina could pull this off-maybe. But having to weigh the odds to decide if it was in her favor or not left the woman on edge. She'd like the child all to herself, but not to the risk of her own pretty little figure. Fine, you take it then. Nose wrinkled and a snarl from her mouth, she turned and dashed off, horribly butthurt by all of this.

Thank you Vami for everything! <3

The world was swinging and shaking, he was getting very dizzy and the world seemed to almost fade into one big bluer. He'd probably have passed out if it wasn't for his goddamn life being on the line here! Adrenaline coursed through his veins in a thick sludge, fueling not only his desire to survive this ordeal but to also maybe scratch this bitch's eye out if she ever got too close.

Finally the sweet solid ground was felt again, it was a tough finding. Slamming his little body against it as the witch dropped him on the ground, but even the bruises would be welcomed so long as he was completely intact with all his insides still inside of him at the end of today. Dizzily he wobbled up, wanting nothing more than to face that witch before she could sweep him off his feet again. 

With multiple visions of the same thing, the one woman looked more like three and he could barely stand still on the spot - but oh how he glared at her despite not being able to completely focus on her. He'd bite at one of them, one of those twins of hers... someone, one of them is going to pay for all of this!

Then - she was gone. None from the trio was still here and it was just him and that pretty one with eyes similar to his but different colours were left on the plateau. Once alone, he looked up the grey woman and gave her the "what now?" look.

She was successful, somehow, in breaking up the one-sided fight. In return however, the woman snapped at her muzzle and created a small but bleeding scratch next to the fae's nose. It would heal in time with the proper care of Deidra, but it stung in the moment and seeing a small droplet of blood fall to the ground nearly made her faint. With wide eyes she looked at the white woman, taking a protective stance over the pup should she retaliate. This wasn't the case, and the woman gave up her little pound of flesh and her revenge on Lumi to save her own skin. Perhaps Lumi had looked somewhat competent in this fight, and the other was scared there was more to Lumi then she let on. This was untrue, her victory - if you could call it that - probably nothing more than dumb luck.

When the other was gone, she turned to the boy, sniffing him over gently. He seemed fine, thank goodness. You okay, little pixie? My name's Lumiya, what's yours?

He couldn't see what the grey woman was looking at that made her seem to almost keel over - if he did, blood being the answer, he probably would have mocked her for being so weak at the sight of something so normal for a Nightwalker. For now, he only stared at her curiously as if she held all the answers as to what he should do and go now. Valour and his mother were nowhere during all this, so he didn't quite want to go back to a place where someone like Famine was so weak and beloved. 

But what about this woman? Should he tag alongside with her? Lumiya was her name, it was pretty he supposed - but it was when she asked him for his own did he freeze. Did he want to tell her his name? Where he was from? No... this was a new life, away from them - but he did miss @Lithium. His sister, where was she now? Did she miss him as he missed her? He'd be Valium just for her, for now, he was moving on, a new life. 

Shaking his head "no", he didn't have an answer for her yet as to what his name was. Lu- Shit, how did she pronounce it? Loo-me-Ya, Eh close enough. You have a home?

The boy shook his head, instead repeating her name in a butcher-like fashion. Who knew how long the boy had been out here with that vile woman... Perhaps all memories had been whipped out of him, the poor thing. Just 'Lumi' is fine too. She assured - it was what many called her anyway. Deidra even took it as far as to call her 'Lulu'. She didn't mind.

I do - a beautiful willow forest. All my friends and family are there. She answered, wonder in her voice as she recalled the spot she'd found. Why, you don't? She asked then, brows knitting together in a worried frown. If not, she could take him to the court no problem - all the faeries loved pixies.

He shook his head again. He'd show them all just how amazing he was without them, without them pushing him down so he can become the greatest that his father had ever created. They were all jealous after all of his genetics, of the fact that he was wanted unlike the others were, abandoned, discarded, trash who were just the product of a quick adult session. No, he was a prince, and they were just weighing him down in the end. Can I come Lumi? Wide-eyed with a banner cautiously waving behind him, he was so tired, even this woman's place sounded nice right about now despite him having nothing there to go to than a fresh start.

She really would never understand others; a child on their own, and no responsible adult to take care of him. She almost wanted to scoop him up and immediately rush him to the court, but she'd understand if the boy would rather go elsewhere... then again, where would he go if not with her? She'd not have to wait for an answer as he asked her if he could join her, and her face lit up. Of course. She responded sweetly, getting up and making her way out of the cave. It's a ways over the mountains, but we'll take it slow, okay? He wasn't gonna get hurt on her watch, she'd make sure of that.

He was worried she would be adamant on finding his original home, that he would have to slip away and go solo and find a new home on his own. Thankfully it would be so, he didn't have to vanish in thin air like the little ninja he was, but instead, she welcomed his request. Beaming with a grin, he was excited to try and settle somewhere else now. To show them all what he could do for them, what a good little warrior he was. With a tail that moved with no end, he positioned himself next to the woman and was ready to begin their journey. 

Even if he was tired after these events, he'd rest when they get there. Right now, he was just excited for something new, individuals who didn't seem to hate him for no apparent reason as far as he was concerned. I'll help keep us safe. He declared, figuring that even if he was weak alone, together they did well enough to scare away the witch. Yes, he helped, he did a lot already and though he wasn't much for the woman alone and that was evident, he felt stronger now with a partner.

The faeries were known for taking unwanted or lost children and raising them as their own. Children were a life-force, innately good-willed and innocent. They were the perfect fit for a faerie court, there was no doubt about it - and the boy seemed especially promising. He carried the same eyes she did - owed her his life, though she'd never use it against him. Even if the boy wanted to return to wherever he had come from, Lumi would've tried to convince him to come with her because they were good and just, and the girl was awfully charismatic.

She smiled at his comment. I'm sure you will. She responded, no trace of mockery or sarcasm in her voice. Confidence should be encouraged - she wouldn't want him to turn out like her. She the began padding, making sure the boy was at her side - They ran into Loinnir not long after. The bird had waited patiently, but was eager to get going again. He eyed the boy for a moment, but Loinnir had a soft spot for children.