No Strings... by SidheRoseGraphics
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"Before I tell you the rest, you must hear what 7 has to say," Phosfera told him. "It has some bearing on the other two things I would ask of you...at least one of them."
"It was Baaloch and his Black Sorcerers who overpowered us and captured or slew most all of us," 7 began. "We were taken to a Reconfiguration Facility and subjected to their experiments with genetic cloning, vivisection and combining us with machines. They tried to take any and everything away from us that made us persons. They sterilized us, so we could not have offspring. Out of the sixty of us who were taken, only twenty-two remain. We have become the Shadow Walkers. We are on the side of people, but we cannot consider ourselves either 'good' or 'bad', for we must fight fire with fire, as your kind say."
"How did you escape?" Ka asked. Phosfera had settled back in her chair. Her eyes wandered back and forth between himself and 7. The pain in her face was palpable as 7 described what had happened to them. Always, she came back to looking at him.
"As I and Lady Phosfera have said, Baaloch failed to capture all of us. Those who escaped hid for many years trying to find a way to release us. One of them was caught and put in with us...Master Ram, who was a wealthy patron of ours. They tore out his eyes and burned out his tongue, then fed him poisons slowly that ate away at his mind. The rest, including Lady Phosfera, gathered sympathizers - carefully - for no spies were wanted. They were finally able to set up a distraction at the facility we were at - bombed it and set fire to it in well-chosen areas. Many of them perished in the effort, but we...many of us managed to break out in the chaos. Amazingly, Master Ram yet lived and we took him out with us to his servant. Master Ram and the rest of us have now been nominally avenged in the slaying of Baradoz who led the facility. I have slain the Emperor and barely escaped to tell of it. Now the ministers of the Noctians quarrel amongst themselves as to who shall follow him. I fear that Baaloch may simply usurp the throne himself. And so, here we are. We want to be rid of Baaloch and his sorcerers once and for all. We wish that you would train us how you always second-guess your enemy...but more than that...if you would, when we go we want you to stay here with Lady Phosfera and guard her. We cannot leave her unguarded. She is the heart, the soul and the mind of this Order. Without her, we cannot exist. We would entrust you with everything."
"I know nothing of magic - nor do I want to know," Ka responded, glancing at Phosfera. He saw her wince as he spoke and her eyes fell to the table.
"You don't have to know magic Ka," 7 answered. "Phosfera is the most powerful mage of us all. She will be helping us, but from here. She will be en-tranced and if intruders come then you must bring her about and you must protect her."
Ka thought about it for a long moment and shrugged. "Alright. I can do that. What's the third thing?"
"Go now and refresh yourself. Bathe, clean up and then she will tell you herself."
*****
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Comments (22)
SidheRoseGraphics
He did a lot of thinking about what they'd told him as he soaked in the hot pool. It wasn't too far removed from his own situation - just a bit more localized here on Aman'tala. However, if left to his own devices without being stopped, Baaloch would become a threat on other worlds. His greed would not stop here. What if someone on his world had asked what these people asked? Would that have stopped the Dread Lord dead in his tracks before he became a galactic menace? It was worth a try...to save Aman'tala from the fate his own world had suffered. While it might be rather entertaining on some level to see the Dread Lord and the Soul of the Abyss come to blows and possibly annihilate one another, it wasn't worth taking the chance that one of them wouldn't survive. She came to him as he emerged from the bath area. He had to admit he felt much better with a full belly and clean clothes kindly provided by 7. Phosfera indicated that he should follow her. They came to an area that he supposed was where she stayed, for it was less rough than the rest of this makeshift sanctuary. They stopped before a pair of curtained arches and Phosfera whispered the third thing in his ear. He could see by the look on her face she was completely serious. This wasn't some whim. "Why me?" he asked half smiling. "I...I don't know if...." "You heard what 7 said - what was done to them. There is no one here. The reason that was done was because Baaloch knew I lived yet and that one day, I would want...need to do this. Please - I had hoped you would not find it a repulsive or unpleasant task...but I have no one else to ask this. I could 'make' you do it but that is not what I want." "I got news for you, Lady Phosfera - no one can make me do anything I don't want to do." Ka considered her request as he stared into her eyes. He'd seen that look before - just before the last and only time he'd ever shed tears. She made him feel things he'd never felt, not even then. He might have felt them at least once, had he not lived the life he had. There was no falsehood in her. She was as straight-up a person as he'd ever met - and he was a very astute judge of character. He had to be. Phosfera One - now Phosfera 24 was essentially begging for her life and the life of the Order. "I don't find it repulsive or unpleasant at all, Phosfera...but you realize don't you...." She held up her hand and it fell upon his chest. "No strings, no chains, no bindings - only this. Not from me. What you do or feel or think about it in the future is on you. It will work." There wasn't much to think about then - at least not just in that moment. "Alright. You have your three things of me." He held up his arm for her. "Lead the way...my Lady." ***** Thanks for taking the time to read and for your lovely comments dear friends! They are much appreciated. Have a terrific Thursday and smile! Ray
JeanneDeau
Some real intensity here -especially in his eyes.
jimlad
excellent work :)
misty7j3
Awesome image....awesome characters, and awesome story. I think that "KA" is an excellent choice to be the bodyguard for the lovely lady....great job Ray!!
jayfar
I'm sure he wants to put his hands where he shouldn't Ray!! Lol.
zaigodou
Pose, outfit and hair....All is beautiful!!!!!
lisalisette
Wonderful image and story :)
Faemike55
Very intense and moving chapter Great image Ray Excellent work
Leije
Both are great characters, excellent image !
eekdog
100% well done, dang you can write Ray/
GrandmaT
A wonderful illustration for a Magnificent story. I have to agree - Girl, You Can Write!!
barryjeffer
Your words always provide a path with many tantalizing twists and branches Ray. Beautifully written and illustrated my friend.
Cyve
Marvelous scene and fantastic creation !
RodS
Some guys have all the luck... :-P Well, things are moving right along, and I can foresee plenty of things for Ka to 'handle' as the story continues... Most excellent artwork and writing, Ray!
vechtdalcollege
Phosfera will tell him how to help them with her gifts and he looks forward to it ;) You pictured the scene on a brilliant way, I must say! Gr.Rudy.
adorety
Great image. I can't help but hear Diesel's voice in my head when I read his lines, which is cool for me. Ka is like the grandson of Riddick. Sounds like they're off to make Phosfera 25 :) Excellent chapter and story.
Razor42
Fantastic work!
renecyberdoc
i guess in the end he has to give the whole "tribe"his benediction (with the holy staff)muahahahahah-sorry it just overtook me.
Sepiasiren
OMG--the lighting in this is exquisite--really makes the skin glow--I love it!
Richardphotos
what is the stray object on his chest? great inner-action poses
Savage_dragon
Yikes, eyes, tongue. Eekus. O.o
brewgirlca
I like this chapter very much. I like the way Ka is lead to this engagement without you having to say anything directly about it. It is a fine bit of obtuse writing. The character of Phosfera looks particularly enticing in a shy sort of way in this image.. Arg, Rendo is so slow tonight I am typing faster than the letters are going on screen. Sorry, I cannot stand to comment when it is like this. Will try later.