Lyer & Aluraios | Finding Ydora
The two birds carved an intricate flight path across the sun's dying rays, two black dots freewheeling across the open sky. :I think I see the answer to your feeding problem,: the smaller white banded hawk 'pathed back to the slowly gaining black falcon. :Look down there.:
:Aluraios!: the falcon groaned, :You had to ruin the mood, didn't you?:
:You're not the only one with your tail on fire here, but I'm a little tired of being your bottle, and if I can make it in anyway easier...:
:And I thought you liked giving me liquid?: There was a distinctly seductive note in the falcon's mind voice that turned into a resigned sigh as he watched Aluraios spiral downwards to the forest floor. He grinned inwardly and let out a full battle cry as he turned his leisurely descent into a full fledged dive.
:Oh, believe me, I...: Aluraios let out an undignified squark of annoyance as the black shape rocketed past him into the trees. He broke through the canopy and slowed to watch his lover emerge from the shimmer that preceded the transformation.
Long black hair was tied in an intricate yet utilitarian knot near the top of his head, a few strands emerging from the top to frame his face and neck. A rich cream tunic encased a lithe body, tanned with use of Aluraios's magic. No visible muscles showed, which, as he never actually used them for very much wasn't surprising, but they still remained, epitimous of his species. Long legs were encased in dark brown and almost skin tight trousers stretched out from under the tunic and a slender arm was outstretched for the hawk to claim his resting place.
Aluraios landed gently, trying not to dig his talons in too deep, although he knew the wounds would heal within minutes. He nibbled on the perfectly shaped ear gently before being lowered to the ground and opening his wide wings to the dying sun. Goddess, please let there be enough sun left. he thought, letting the sun ripple through his feathers and the transformation begin.
His lover smiled as the shimmering sun encased him, though his eyes half closed from the ache the light caused. As it dimmed he moved to help Aluraios up as he pulled his own long white braid over his shoulder before it touched the mud.
"Vain bird."
"And who was it who spent hours in front of the mirror choosing clothes I probably wasn't even going to see, Lyer Rewtren?"
Lyer ignored the arch comment and wrapped his arms around the brown-robed sensous slimness of the Fire-born from behind. "So, where's the food supply you mentioned?"
"I'm sure I saw it around here somewhere," Aluraios muttered, wriggling his shoulders to rid himself of the feel of phantom wings. "I think it was over here." He grabbed Lyer's hand, teasing carressing the ball of his thumb as they moved through the undergrowth. "There."
The small huddled bundle, wrapped in grey rags was humanoid, and Lyer immediately ruled out the possibility of a shapeshifter, vampire or a sunperson like Aluraios. He reached out towards it, pulling it over onto its back, looking puzzled for a split second before pulling back and giving Aluraios a wry look. "Well, it would be perfect if I fed off humans, and if she wasn't bespelled."
Aluraios closed his eyes. "Bespelled. Great. So, what are we dealing with? A trap?"
"Seeing as the flight was a last minute idea, I doubt it. It's a shield spell, and it doesn't feel like it's hiding anything, more like containing something."
Aluraios groaned, knowing full well that Lyer's curiosity wouldn't be saited until the last magical twist was undone. The vampire Mage had only just been Raised to Apprentice when he was changed, and on waking had discovered his human magic had, instead of disappearing, doubled. Lyer was still learning Minor magic himself, as no human Mage school would admit a vampire, let alone believe that vampire could use human magic, and he estimated himself to be capable of becoming a Major. Lyer was somewhat of a legend, one of the very very rare instances of magic being used across species, in fact he was the only person to be able to use two magics in the last 320 years, and took great satisfaction in looking at history of magic books and pointing himself out.
The Fire-born pulled a small section of hair to the front and started braiding it, rolling and then closing his piercing brown eyes as he sat down against a tree. "I'll just sit here for the next hour, while you figure out what it's containing."
"I was rather hoping you'd watch my back."
"It's a very sexy back, but I'd much rather be watching your front."
Lyer chuckled, moving over to the tree to kneel by Aluraios' side and rested a hand on his chest. "I promise you, you can watch all of me when we get home, but, this is human magic, and I very much wish to know why this girl, who looks about 18 and is crippled and is in Ioru, where they kill cripples at birth, is shielded so heavily."
"Hmmmm, you're right there. But once you figure it out, then we'll use her as a food supply, honestly, we'd be doing the country a favour."
"Ioru, the country of perfection. And we'll see about the food." Lyer remarked, "And don't worry about me getting hurt, I can handle anything she throws at me."
"I wasn't worrying," the slim lips curved in a smile, turning to kiss his partner, "you're a match for even me in magic."
Lyer's teeth nipped the Fire-born's lips in a loving reprimand and teasing. "Go to sleep."
"Fine, so I'm not good enough to watch your back?"
Lyer grinned. "You're good enough for other things though."
Aluraios stretched his long legs out in front of him, closing his eyes. "And I'll prove that to you later. But if you want to find out her secrets, hurry up, she'll die soon and you know spells tend to dissolve when the focus dies."
Lyer shook his head at his lover's mercenry tone and moved towards the girl, picking up the twisted body and cradling it in his arms as he closed his eyes. The plan was to lift the shield, ready to throw back in place if nessecary, but as he teased the spell loose with gentle thoughts, letting his human magic unwind the complex knots of the shield spell, and analyzing each one mentally as it came undone. "Well, it's a reflective spell, any magic she tries will reflect back on her, and probably stronger." he muttered, and glanced behind him at the sound of crackling leaves. "Interested now are we?" he grinned as Aluraios approached.
"It was made with fear." Aluraios stated coolly, reaching out his mind to touch the structure. "It feels that way at least."
The Mage nodded, focusing on the final link in the spell holding it over the girl and neatly undid it, grasping the spell to recast if needed. The spell slipped from his grasp as the feel of magic ran though him, and he gripped Aluraios's hand tightly in shock as they stared at the girl. "She's like me..."
"You mean a vampire and human Mage?" Aluraios could feel the powerful thrum of magic emanating from the girl, but gave Lyer a sharp look at his words. "I thought you were the only one?"
Most Mages, Lyer knew, just classed magic as Magic and just added the species name in front of it, as everyone knew each species could only use its own magic and most Mages couldn't sense the subtle nuances in each kind of magic, and therefore distingush one from another without seeing the person it was coming from, unless it was a spell specific to a certain race. Lyer however had spent much of 300 years learning to distinguish, and he shook his head in answer. "She's a vampire Mage, but that's not all." He reached a mental hand out to his partner and showed him what he meant as words were useless to describe.
Within the all encompassing term of Magic lay the powerful fire magic of the drackons, slumberous and passionate in turns, the gentle melody of rushing water that belonged to the nymph's cooling spells, the unihorn's free and wild magic that had a feel like the wind. Deep and slow, yet deadly, were the troll's powers, and many more, each subtly different and each, theoretically, unique to it's species. This girl's magic contained every single contadictory feel that Lyer, and Aluraios by his reaction, had ever felt, and a few more beside.
Small tremors of fear ran through Lyer's hand, and Aluraios clenched it tightly. "I never realised why people were afraid of me before..." Lyer murmured, gazing on the small bundle. "I think I see now."
"What are we going to do with her now, then?" the Fire-born asked, knowing if he let his lover drop further into that frame of mind it would take two days at least to pull him back out. Pleasurable days in part to be sure, but still two days. "I'm assuming there is nothing on the Goddess's way that will make you use her as a food source?"
Lyer shook his head dumbly. "We need to get her to safety," he cautiously reached out a hand to feel her forehead. "She's not well, and," he tentatively reached out with his mind and nodded as the shields there confirmed his thoughts, "all that's holding her together is her healing power." He looked up to the sky and groaned, the aura of fantasy draining with the onset of realism. "The sun's gone."
"There's fire?" Aluraios reminded Lyer as he twisted the latent energy in front of him to form a ball of fire floating in midair.
"What would I do without you?"
"No comment." the Fireborn grinned, carefully positioning himself so the gentle breeze blew past his face and whisps of hair wouldn't get burned by drifting sparks. "At least you're more comfortable now."
The vampire nodded, cautiously picking up the girl as Aluraios worked his own magic to stabilise the fire and make it slightly safer with 'permeable shields' and 'energy sinks' and other things he wasn't too sure what they were. What was the point of having a permable shield anyway? He looked worriedly at the crippled body in his arms as he carried it towards the fire where Aluraios was looking distinctly annoyed at not having any sleeping or camping equipment.
"How far back to the room?" he asked as Lyer approached. "And do you think you could go back and get us some clothes and cooking equipment if you're planning on us staying overnight in the 'Hotel of Forest'?"
Lyer raised a sardonic eyebrow and placed the girl on the ground, removing his tunic and placing it over her. "If it was possible to go back, I would have, with the girl. I'm sure you can do without your nightly chicken soup for once. And how you can eat that with your lineage, I have no idea."
"My mother was not, as you well know, a chicken."
"How about your father?"
Aluraios semi-glared at Lyer through half-closed eyes, a small smile playing on his lips. "I won't even dignify that with an answer. Now, aren't you slightly cold?"
Lyer knelt down beside the girl and shook his head. "Not now, 'Rios, much as I love you, I'd rather help this girl. She's like me..." He whispered the last few words softly with awe, and no little fear. "I'm not the only one..."
"And I thought I was the one attracted to women?" Aluraios moved to kneel next to him, "Alright, I'll yield," he stroked the bare back calmingly at Lyer's annoyed look, a rare sight, and generally only seen when the vampire was really angry. If he was pushed much more it was very likely that he'd get a full display of pure vampiric anger when they were in private. He wasn't sure he wouldn't anyway.
The cool touch on Lyer's bare skin made his back arch for a second, and still looking sideways angrily, he forced himself to focus. His human magic was warped in that healing didn't come easily to him, and he tried to gain that absolute balance and calm within himself that he'd need, and found himself falling into a tulmult of emotions as his internal annoyance with Aluraios manifested internally. He gritted his teeth, canines lengthening slightly, "I can't heal in this mood. Thank you very much." he said tensely, and then gasped as Aluraios, impaitently standing up and tossing off his tunic, knelt over his hips and started massaging his shoulders deeply and roughly.
"Heal her then." The Fireborn muttered though clenched teeth, the tome of his voice and roughness of his movements at odds with his fingers finding the knots and releasing them gently. "Just stop dwelling on her and how similar you are. She's female for one."
Lyer tried to relax under the ministrations and sent a telepathic wave of anger to Aluraios which made the Fireborn wince outwardly. Then he turned his mind inwards and let the fingers sooth the anger and ignored the fact that the owner of those fingers were the cause of it in the first place.
---
"And what, by the gods will, were you playing at out there?" Lyer hissed, laying the girl on the couch in the main room of their small set of rooms and setting pillows around to make the small twisted body as comfortable as possible. "What did you think you were doing?"
"Flirting." Aluraios said lightly, resting a calming hand on his lover's shoulders. "Which I believe I'm entitled to do?"
The vampire spun round, knocking the hand from its resting place and standing opposite the fireborn with his canines fully extended. "It wasn't about me out there, and how similar we are. She has every single damn power ever seen on this world, and you'd let her die because you wanted to have sex? Well listen here Aluraios Zephyr, because I'm not prepared to let that happen. Even if it means leaving you." The words stung his mouth even as he said them, he wasn't sure if he could leave Aluraios for any reason.
Aluraios took a step backwards, swallowing hard. Lyer hardly ever bared his fangs in anger, and when he had in the past, it had only once before been directed at him. The memory made him shiver as he remembered the cold furious accusation in Lyer's eyes as the vampire had stalked out the castle, leaving the 18 year old fireborn to turn back to bed with a shrug. He'd nearly lost his chance then. The words sunk in slowly and he dared a look at the couch. "Every single power?" he said slowly, raising his eyes to his lover's face, trying ignoring the final words although they turned him cold inside.
"I showed you that when we were out there!" Lyer growled, a purely animalistic sound as he stalked into the bedroom, closing the door so as not to wake the sleeping woman. "Even you, with your total lack of ability in distinguishing magics, should have gotten the hint."
"Well, I didn't. I can distinguish to an extent but not any where near as many as you can. If she'd been that powerful, don't you think some mage school would have taken her in? And kept hold of her?" Aluraios snapped softly, the icyness of fear being dominated by the cold heat of anger, as he followed Lyer, raising his voice as the door closed.
"They did." Lyer said tightly, pulling out a leather thong with an engraved gold medallion hanging from it from his pouch. "She's of the Rettarae Order. It's one of the reasons why she's still alive, the other being her own healing powers, if you didn't pick up on that last night either." He looked scornfully at Aluraios before adding, "Barely alive that is."
The fireborn winced away at the harsh words, "I didn't see that last night, Lyer, you can't blame me for your keeping secrets."
"And why else would a cripple in Ioru be alive? No mage would leave her kind of power to grow wild, and they wouldn't kill her either, they'd want to control her. I'm guessing her magic went wild on them and they threw her out because they were scared of her," he gave a dry laugh that made Aluraios almost shy away from him, "human mages are as perceptive as you about types of magic."
Aluraios looked into his lover's eyes, which seared his face with their intensity. The vampire's face still beared its fangs, and the black river of hair was wild and flying around his face. He reached up a hand to brush the untamed strands back behind the tanned ear, and fixed his eyes on Lyer's.
"I'm sorry, Lyer." he whispered, struggling to keep his anger in check, knowing it would do no good. "I'm not the Mage here. I shouldn't argue about things I don't understand."
Lyer had reached up to bat the hand away, but the angry swipe turned into a rough carressing grip at Aluraios's words. He wrapped his fingers in the fireborn's as he waited expectantly.
"Lyer, you know I'm sorry!" Aluraios muttered at the expectant look, "I don't know magic like you do, you've had 300 years to study it and more reason to." The firm grip on his hand, almost painful with Lyer's strength became more of a gentle rub as he spoke, and then as Aluraios finished, a full carress and the anger in Lyer's eyes faded to reveal love.
"I shouldn't have provoked you anyway," Lyer said softly, sitting down on the bed and pulling Aluraios' hand into his lap, running his hands over it quickly and gently. "And I'm sorry too, I forget you're not as knowledgable as I am. About magic." he clarified quickly, Aluraios's face twisting angrily, and smiled, his canines gradually retracting. "And the other reason I was so angry," he said, turning to whisper in his ear, "was because I was so frustrated. You have a nasty habit of making me want you in entirely inappropriate situations."
© Clare Selley 2009
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