Never An Absolution - Chapter Five -
Never an Absolution Chapter Five (c) Cederwyn Whitefurr October, 2000 All rights reserved.
Midnight - the hour that Ceredwyn had come to dread, crept closer and closer - closing the jaws of its spectral fears about her throat tighter than any predator ever could. Six human servants had come in to the chamber in which she lay sleeping fitfully, and one had roughly dragged the shrieking Doe from her sleep and shook her until Ceredwyn was awake. None of them spoke - but Ceredwyn's eyes caught the newly healed marks of teeth on their neck, and Ceredwyn wept softly, knowing what terrible fate had befallen these once gentle people. Silently, they shed her of the robe she wore, then once again scrubbed her pelt until she shrieked in pain and dried her with rough towels. Without hurry, they then began dressing her in a long satin black gown, that felt to Ceredwyn, almost as smooth as a new layer of fur, and so tight was its fit, that she tried to disbelieve that it had been specifically made just for her. Her hair was cruelly brushed and tied back with a mithril band, then she was forced to sit and her hooves were callously scraped, the tender frog under her hoof torn and savaged, making her cry out in pain. They polished her hooves using some black oily substance, and when at last they had finished, two armoured humans in ornate plate armour stepped in and gestured to the door. Ceredwyn stumbled, nearly tripping over the ornate silk gowns hem, that barely brushed the surface of the carpet and was seized roughly by the two soldiers and half marched, half dragged from the room.
"I can walk - " Ceredwyn whimpered, flinching at their iron like grasps.
"Listen doe." One spat venomously. "If you know what's good for you, you'll shut that muzzle of yours, or you'll meet with an unfortunate...accident." Her hooves skittering and clattering along the stone passageway, she was held tightly and helplessly, as the armoured footsteps of the soldiers kept pace with each other. Down a myriad of twisting halls and through decadent chambers Ceredwyn was dragged reluctantly, loosing any sense of direction and uncomprehending of what fate awaited her.
***
Finally, they stopped at an ornate bas-relief carved door, that split in two and ground open with a squeal of rusty hinges and the two soldiers marched Ceredwyn forwards, in to a temple that instantly chilled the frightened Doe's soul...
This temple was once dedicated to a kind and loving god, but now, it was decadent and evil had thoroughly staked it claim on the defiled temple. Black velvet ribbons fluttered from the ends of the pews, and a blood red thick pile carpet ran the length of the temple, to the distant altar. Over a dozen soldiers stood attentively in small alcoves along the walls, their faces inscrutable and so still did they stand, that Ceredwyn nearly believed them to be statues.
"Move - " Snapped a soldier, as he pushed her forwards roughly.
With a low whimper, Ceredwyn staggered forwards, her eyes widening as she seen the altar and what had become of it. It had once been a beautiful altar of white marble, and silvery altar cloths...now, it was stained with the blood of recent sacrifices, and the altar cloth was black with crimson edging. Two large blood red candles burned on the altar, and a set of four shackles, each affixed to a corner of the altar lay empty...but the dried blood that spattered them gave an all too well image of what they were used for. Standing to one side, was a human man, dressed in ornate black velvet robes, a large bladed sword held point down, clasped before him. Something about him made Ceredwyn shriek and shy away, but the soldiers only smirked and gripped her forearms tighter and literally dragged her kicking and screaming to the altar. Here, two more soldiers grasped her by the legs and slammed her bodily down against the defiled altar and they slapped the shackles around her wrists and ankles, pinning the helpless doe flat on her back, on the altar. Ceredwyn wailed and fought, but the shackles were too strong, and her heartbroken sobs rang forth from her terrified form. Slowly, the robed figure stepped forwards and he stared impassively down at her form, then he sneered and looked away.
A shattering peal of a gong split the temples palpable evil, and the form of Lord Dorsnek strode purposefully down the temple's hallway, and Ceredwyn craned her neck to get a good look...much to her alarm. Lord Dorsnek wore an ornately emblazoned surcoat over his grey silk shirt and black pants, a blood red stripe running up the sides of the pants. He smiled wider as he saw the horror and revulsion that Ceredwyn gave him, and when he stopped before the altar, he leaned down and drew a deep breath, almost as if he were feeding of the fear and hate that flowed from Ceredwyn in waves.
"Soon my love - " Dorsnek breathed. "Soon you will join with me, and we shall rule this pathetic kingdom...as mates."
"You're mistaken - " Ceredwyn gurgled, flinching away as he stroked her cheek. "Soon I'll be dead, and you with me."
Dorsnek smiled, then laughed uproariously. "Do you truly think so my love? I mean - do you know how many of these pathetic humans I have claimed as my own? No - I can see that you have no idea...but almost all of them I have given my...blessing...too, and I've awoken them in to a new existence."
Ceredwyn shrank back, then swallowed and shuddered. "A life where their souls have been cast in to hell? What sort of life is that?"
"It is far beyond what I would expect a miserable...herbivore...to comprehend. Never the less - in less than an hour - you shall learn that what I offer you, is truly a blessing...."
"If I refuse?" Ceredwyn snapped back, her anger rising swiftly as she flailed against the shackles.
"Mmmm...I can smell your hate Doe...give it its freedom...let it fill you...." Dorsnek murred, as he leaned in closer and inhaled. "Give in to your hate...as it will make you strong...much stronger than you realize."
Ceredwyn suddenly shuddered, then drew a gulping breath and with an incredible force of will, squelched her anger and loathing and violently suppressed it.
"No - I will not allow my hate to turn me in to a creature such as you...I have a soul, and no matter what you do to me - it is mine, and I shall keep myself safe from evil such as you. You tried...Lord...but my fathers blood flows strong and hot in my veins and unlike you - I have control over myself...and my emotions."
Dorsnek stepped back, his muzzle dropping open as if she had slapped him across the cheek, his eyes wide. Indeed - he did feel as if he had been slapped, for such was the feeling of power that sprang from his helpless captive, that he felt, for the first time in years...the seed of doubt touch his mind. With an angry bark, he spun away and confronted the black robed man.
"Carry out the ritual...the hour draws nigh!"
Nodding, the human figure turned and gestured, and Ceredwyn screamed as her arms and legs were cruelly stretched, holding her tightly against the stone on the altar. Another robed human stepped forwards, bearing a bowl brimming with liquid, that he pressed to her muzzle. Ceredwyn shrieked and struggled, but yet another seized her head from behind and forced it upwards, preventing her from pulling her head away. Gagging and convulsing, Ceredwyn was forced in to drinking the liquid, and the second its hot, coppery taste touched her mouth, she shrieked and the robed clergy howled in a mixture of triumph and tribulation, their wolfish shrieks countered by the strangled gurgling from Ceredwyn, as they poured it down her constricting throat. Over the next hour, they forced her in to all manner of despicable acts of cruelty and depravity, and as the climax of the approached, Dorsnek smiled and came to stand before her.
"Now - Doe - " He smirked. "Shall we be joined, and with my consummation of your body...you shall become...mine." As he moved in closer, Ceredwyn began to scream in terror...but her wails turned to agony, which were silenced as he lunged forwards, taking her as his own...and his powerful jaws clamped about her throat and bit down. Ceredwyn's shrieks were cut abruptly short, as he thrust himself forwards and gurgled, as he felt her softly furred throat give way beneath his sharp canines and in one swift instant of unendurable agony for Ceredwyn, claimed her as his own...and consummated their unholy bonding....
***
Ceredwyn found herself in a surreal landscape...the place of her home...her life that had been taken from her, but this was no place of loving childhood memories. It was a dark, cancerous mockery of all that she had known and loved; the great oaks gnarled and twisted, their trunks black and weeping blood from slashes in it bark, their mournful shrieks burning her ears like fire. Eddies and swirls of mist formed in to horrific shapes and broke apart, their spectral claws tearing at her very soul as if to draw her in to their folds. Ceredwyn shrieked and fled through this diseased landscape, her tears all but blinding her, the smoke and other scents burning her lungs and eyes.
"Its not real...its not real!" Ceredwyn shrieked out in to the wastes. "I know this is not real!"
As if mocking her, the vines and branches reached down to grasp at her, but Ceredwyn tore herself free from their icy grip and fled again. Animals; creatures of gentle nature and loving play were transformed in to bloodthirsty killers, who tore each other to shreds and engorged themselves on the remains of their kills. Everywhere, the darkness throbbed and beat mercilessly, like a heart of pure evil, and its cold crushing weight bore down on Ceredwyn, mocking her; cajoling her and drawing her closer to the brink of losing her very sanity. Wailing, she fled once again, then ran blindly, seeking an escape from the evil and darkness that roiled and shrieked around her like a score of banshees. Bursting from the twisted forest, Ceredwyn found herself near the palisade walls of her former home, and gratefully, she ran to it and forced open the log gates...to be confronted by a scene spawned from the very depths of hell itself.
Her family and friends had become undead parodies of themselves, their horrific wounds gaping, their eyes blazing with an unholy blood red fire.
"You failed us...you should have warned us..." They snarled and screamed at her. "This is your fault...you knew...you knew."
Ceredwyn screamed and staggered from one to another, each one accusing her of a crime she had not committed, each one worse than the last...but what was worse, was when her father - Lord Argent - stepped forward. His icy paw clamped about her throat like a steel snare and Ceredwyn felt herself being wrenched from her hooves and held aloft by her throat. Instinctively, she began choking and clawing at his immovable paw, but she was helpless, as he squeezed tighter, her neck vertebrae creaking under the strain.
"My...daughter - " Came the gurgling growl, and this and of itself, was a cold, heartless mockery of his firm, but compassionate voice, that he had used to address his people and others. "You should die - as you broke your oath - you failed not only me, or our people...but you have failed those you swore to protect! You have failed - in your duty to protect our offspring!"
Ceredwyn gasped, clawing at his furry forearm, and she retched as he began shaking her like a terrier shakes a rat. Black blotches formed before her eyes, as her lungs shrieked for precious air. With a snarl, he threw her six feet through the air, and Ceredwyn smashed heavily in to the wall of a cottage, agonizing pain lancing through her body. Choking and gasping, she rolled over on to her knees, rubbing at her throat as he approached her, his paws reaching for her neck.
"No..." Ceredwyn wailed, as she scrambled out of his grasp and slipped to the side. "You are not my father! My father was a firm, but compassionate Buck - not some undead spawn from the hells, sent to torment me...."
"Ceredwyn...come here...." Lord Argent commanded, his voice cracking.
"No..." Whimpered Ceredwyn, as she edged away, then spotted his bloodied sword lying abandoned on the ground.
"I said - to come here!" Lord Argent repeated, as he stepped closer. "I will not tolerate your - "
Ceredwyn ducked his lunge and rolled away, then snatched up his fallen sword, and with a two handed grasp if its hilt, she swung it with all her strength...then felt the sharp edged blade connect with his furred neck...and the blade locked. With a primal shriek of misery, Ceredwyn tore the blade free, and with the force like that of striking a tree...the blade sent shock waves up her arms, as she followed through with a back swing, that lopped his head from his shoulders.... Gasping, Ceredwyn stared in horror as his headless corpse stepped closer, then froze and fell with a resonating crunch. Without warning, the shadowy images of her people ran and rippled like wax, their forms melting away...and Ceredwyn screamed in mortal terror, as she felt herself plunging in to a bottomless chasm, that yawned beneath her hooves....
***
Back in the temple, Lord Dorsnek grunted and thrust again, then threw back his head and let forth a lustful peal of pleasure, as he consummated his bonding to his new mate, sweat soaking his wolfish form. Releasing his crushing grasp about her badly torn throat, he stared at the black robed priest, who shook his head in disbelief.
"Milord Dorsnek - " Began the priest. "Sire, she has fallen to the lycanthropic blessing...but she has neutralized your gift of putting her with offspring. Somehow - she has..."
Dorsnek gave another convulsive shudder and stared incredulously at the priest. "She has...what?"
"Sire - somehow...she has fought you off...and has not fallen as expected with your young!"
Snarling, but unable to dismount, Dorsnek stared down at the unconscious Ceredwyn...her mauled throat bleeding profusely from its punctured cartoid and jugular arteries.
"You promised me that - " Dorsnek seethed. "I must have an offspring...to complete my conquest!"
"Milord - we did all that we could...to destroy her defences...but somehow, she has unconsciously...neutralised any threat of offspring from you...." Gasped the priest, as he stepped backwards, eyes widening in horror as Dorsnek curled his dewlaps back.
As the priest made a move to flee, one of the soldiers stepped from the shadows, and his greyish wolf-like jaws snapped closed around the priest's neck from behind. Instantly, the priest began bucking and convulsing, blood flecking his mouth and trickling from his nose, as the werewolf soldier bit down tighter, and locked his powerful arms around his convulsing victim.
"So you see - " Dorsnek panted, then licked Ceredwyn's muzzle. "I do not tolerate those who fail me...."
***
An unfathomable pain assailed Ceredwyn's eyes as she cracked them open, and then a low moan escaped her as she sobbed and gasped in agony.
"Shhhh child - " Came the familiar voice of Lady Angelica. "Please Ceredwyn...do not speak."
A cold and wet cloth was placed across Ceredwyn's fevered brow, and a damp cloth was dabbed to her muzzle. Weakly, Ceredwyn sucked on the cloth, but even this futile amount of moisture seared her mouth like molten lead.
"Rest young one...that is all that I can advise. I do not know how you did it...but you threw off Lord Dorsnek's evil essense...and you have my respect and admiration. Anyone of lesser strength, would have succumb and had their soul condemned. You are strong my dear Doe...very strong, and I pray devoutly, that you can be the savior of our people...the one to free us from this unendurable suffering, that the evil that Lord Dorsnek is...has inflicted. Truly, when I learned of his fate for you, I feared that he would corrupt your fragile and gentle soul...and it gladdens my heart, to learn that within that furred breast of yours, is a heart still both pure and good. His evil must end - and I pray, with your defiance of him and his perverted masters orders for him to take you and put you to child...that you will be the one, who we can rally behind." Lady Angelica whispered, then tenderly leant over and kissed Ceredwyn's sweaty muzzle. "For now, rest - as you earned this my child...and he will not come for you now, as he tried his best...and how you survived his unholy mating, I know not...but you have dealt him and his master a devastating blow. Our evil giant is staggered, but it is not felled...perhaps, that will change, when you recover your strength...."
Ceredwyn croaked, then convulsed sharply, her body bucking and writhing, as the sickness sank its claws back in to her, trying to consume the Doe's natural instincts and ways, and incorporate its own in its place. Lady Angelica sighed softly, then squeezed Ceredwyn's paw comfortingly and prayed the young Doe had the strength and ability, to hold on to her very soul....
- To Be Continued -