A Quiet Execution: Sede vacante
Feb 2, 2024 22:29:15 GMT -5
Judas D'arc, Deminatza, and 3 more like this
Post by Katriel on Feb 2, 2024 22:29:15 GMT -5
Ravenna slipped quietly out of Yew’s prison and disappeared into the wilderness. It would not be long before the guards found the Abbot dead, and she wanted to be well away before that happened. She had stayed only long enough to ensure the Abbot’s compliance with the Master’s judgment, even though she was disappointed he’d been granted such an easy death. If she’d had the luxury of time, she would have gladly tormented him like a cat playing with a rodent, raising his bloated body back to life just so that she could kill him again, and again. At the least, it was fitting for one who had strayed so far from the light to meet his end alone and afraid, in a cold, dark cell.
The Abbot’s thugs had recently taken her by surprise in an Umbra tavern, badly bruising her face and briefly knocking her unconscious. His intent had been to capture her, extort her testimony, then have her executed as a witch. If only he'd known, as many others had discovered throughout the ages, no ordinary means of execution could destroy her.
Had the Master instructed Ravenna to accept the Abbot's abuse, she would have gladly suffered it. But that had never been part of the plan. In his hunger for more power, the Abbot had stepped well beyond the bounds set for him. In doing so, he’d made mistakes. Too many, in fact, for the Master to overlook them. His part completed, the monk had become a problem that required swift elimination. Ravenna wondered if in his last moments he’d appreciated the irony that she’d been chosen as his executioner.
The sights and sounds of Yew proper were far behind her now, yet so far there was no one in pursuit. She knew that the Warden would likely suspect her in the Abbot’s death. He would be obligated to conduct a pointless investigation, during which he would find no solid proof of her involvement—she’d made sure of that. She had addled the minds of the prison guards with her powers as she'd entered. Each one would have recognized her as a completely different peasant girl from the village. Should there be any unexpected repercussions, the Master would protect her.
In the meantime, she would simply cloak herself in mist and shadow while the Master continued his work. The search for Katriel would have to be delayed, but that didn’t matter. The Master had finally chosen a worthy vessel—a woman. The poor fool still had no true comprehension of her own unique nature. She would…in time. Though she had been surprisingly resistant to the Master’s blessings thus far, Ravenna had no doubt the woman would eventually come to her senses. As intended, the seduction of her new powers would soon become irresistible—it was a feeling Ravenna knew all too well.
She suddenly shifted directions to head toward Spiritwood. She might not be able to sway the Master’s chosen vessel just yet, but she could watch her from a distance. When the woman was finally ready to accept her fate, perhaps even embrace it, Ravenna would be there to guide her according to the Master’s wishes.
The Abbot’s thugs had recently taken her by surprise in an Umbra tavern, badly bruising her face and briefly knocking her unconscious. His intent had been to capture her, extort her testimony, then have her executed as a witch. If only he'd known, as many others had discovered throughout the ages, no ordinary means of execution could destroy her.
Had the Master instructed Ravenna to accept the Abbot's abuse, she would have gladly suffered it. But that had never been part of the plan. In his hunger for more power, the Abbot had stepped well beyond the bounds set for him. In doing so, he’d made mistakes. Too many, in fact, for the Master to overlook them. His part completed, the monk had become a problem that required swift elimination. Ravenna wondered if in his last moments he’d appreciated the irony that she’d been chosen as his executioner.
The sights and sounds of Yew proper were far behind her now, yet so far there was no one in pursuit. She knew that the Warden would likely suspect her in the Abbot’s death. He would be obligated to conduct a pointless investigation, during which he would find no solid proof of her involvement—she’d made sure of that. She had addled the minds of the prison guards with her powers as she'd entered. Each one would have recognized her as a completely different peasant girl from the village. Should there be any unexpected repercussions, the Master would protect her.
In the meantime, she would simply cloak herself in mist and shadow while the Master continued his work. The search for Katriel would have to be delayed, but that didn’t matter. The Master had finally chosen a worthy vessel—a woman. The poor fool still had no true comprehension of her own unique nature. She would…in time. Though she had been surprisingly resistant to the Master’s blessings thus far, Ravenna had no doubt the woman would eventually come to her senses. As intended, the seduction of her new powers would soon become irresistible—it was a feeling Ravenna knew all too well.
She suddenly shifted directions to head toward Spiritwood. She might not be able to sway the Master’s chosen vessel just yet, but she could watch her from a distance. When the woman was finally ready to accept her fate, perhaps even embrace it, Ravenna would be there to guide her according to the Master’s wishes.