Seithr (physically/emotionally dark & violent!)

[micaylah]

Nashante rubbed her wrists as she walked around. Her muscles screamed with stiffness. "I told you I would follow. Don't threaten me you mange ridden, flea infested dog!"

[taran]

Mar smiled at her insults.
"I could always put these back on," he said, holding up the ropes. "I did not have to let you go. I could have just knocked you out for the duration of the trip."

[micaylah]

Nashante looked to him glaring. "I have given you my word. Is that not good enough for you?" She walked around and went to sit beneath a large tree. "Besides, I few insults never used to bother you. Are you getting soft in your old age? What are you now? About a thousand?"

[taran]

Mar smiled, sitting near her.
"The insults do not bother me, its that they are from an arrogant wench. You are too confident in your own weaknesses. You should go spend some time outside the Coven, surviving on your own. Then, if you can survive without someone helping you, you may have earned some semblance of respect. And until then, you have none in my eyes so I will treat you such. I do not care what you call me, or how you view me, only that we can function together. It will be a long assignment for both us if not."

[micaylah]

Nashante looked at him. "What do you know of me? My life has been spent as assassin for the king just as yours. Alone most of the time just as you. Always in the shadow of my sister. Well my plans will change that." She was not going to be around for the long haul. She would speak to the King and offer him any of the coven that he chose.

[taran]

Mar laughed.
"Then don't pretend to know mine, Nashante. As for the duration, I hope it is shorter than previously assessed."

[micaylah]

"Mar tell me, seriously, why do you serve one who treats you so? Even though you are a man, you would be reveered among the seithrs for your skill and cunning. I don't understand you."

[taran]

Mar shrugged. He was always uncomfortable talking about himself. He took a deep breath, calming his breathing.
"Cause I am in debt to him. About 75 years ago, I met Galbatorix on the road to Uru'baen. At that time, I was part of a wandering group. We would attack small caravans of soldiers, or nobles with wealth. We never touched the peasants though. Well, we attacked his caravan. We killed his guards and soldiers with ease, but he obliterated our group. I was the only one able to get to him and use my swords. I disarmed him, but he threw me back with magic, and pinned me to the ground. He would have killed me then, but he saw the potential in me and swore me to his service. I wish he had killed me that day. You see, I did not have a choice in the matter. He would not let me go, and he would keep me alive until I gave in." Mar looked at the flowing stream. his eyes absent as he remembered the day.

[micaylah]

Nashante looked at him with new eyes. She didn't know any of this. "I am sorry Mar. If you had met the coven earlier, you would not have been treated so."

[taran]

Mar frowned, looking at her.
"I do not seek sympathy, Nashante. And I would chose this path over that of the Coven any day. I've seen how your witches treat men, like dolls. I am not a doll to be played with, remember that." Mar stood, throwing a few small pebbles into the stream, skipping them across the water.

[micaylah]

"Not all men. Just those undeserving of our respect. The coven has had a few men within it's ranks who enjoyed very high positions within or organization." She was loosing her new found liking of him again.

[taran]

Mar nodded, taking a branch and shaving the end with his knife.
"I know," he said. "That doesn't mean I would want to be one of them, though. Just as I highly doubt you would want to be a member of the kings personal witches."

[micaylah]

Nashante cringed at the thought. "I do not want to be bound to any. Man nor woman. I have plans for the coven that cannot be put off. Surely Galbatorix will understand this. They are of benefit to him if my plan succeeds."

[taran]

Mar looked at her, raising his eyebrows.
"Like what I stopped you from doing?" he asked. "I'm sure the king is thinking the same thing about you and his heir."

[micaylah]

"What do you mean, what you stopped me from doing? You don't know anything." Her face grew suddenly worried. 'Does he know about the ancient ritual? Surely not he can't!' "As for his heir. Why now? What is so important about this time?"