The Caged Raven

Dares Dreamed.


He dreamed of the woman from breakfast and the wax replica that had done little more than coax forth stronger urges. He took in a breath and sat up slowly, his robes hanging off of his shoulders, his body sticky with sweat and the dried remnants of his earlier act. Exhaustion washed over him as he stood and it took every fiber in his being not to collapse on the bed. But the mess left over had soaked through the quilts and the room smelled stale helping divert such an act.


He relaxed his shoulders and the robes fell the rest of the way away leaving him nude. His mind was silent for a moment. The cord in his black hair fell into the pile and he moved from the bedroom into the bath chamber. Macnayer had provided him the finest servant quarters in the castle and in that moment he was entirely grateful. Where those who worked in the kitchen were forced to share a bathing room he was alone in his. He stepped into the pool and quickly submerged himself, letting his thoughts drift back to the woman from earlier that day.


Macnayer didn’t look at her the way he looked at the others. It would have been easier if she was just another concubine but Dares knew better. Her looks, her shape, the sound of her voice or the way her lips parted when she spoke, each was alluring in its own unique way. He licked his lips, his mind unable to focus on anything but what he imagined she tasted like. He knew the same thoughts crossed his master’s mind. But there was the difference and Dares felt renewed resentment wash over him.


He sucked in the perfumed air, burning his throat momentarily. The winter festival was that evening which meant that the ambassadors from other parts of the world would part ways and the few members of the court who had remained this late in the year already would return home to their families. The castle would be silent until early spring save for the servants, concubines, guards and himself. Macnayer would try for an heir for certain, and it would serve his people well if the mother of the child was a former enemy. Dares felt his gut lurch.


He would attempt to feed them both the drugs to prevent such an act from happening but Macnayer would catch on sooner than later. Would request a potency potion and the sorcerer would have to provide one lest he meet his end with his head on a block. He splashed his face with water and shivered. He would have to act before then. It would be a feat to get her away however, Dares had sensed the psychic link at breakfast. Macnayer had leashed and collared the girl without her knowledge, slowly breaking her, teaching her to love him and mind her place. He could and would severe the link, that would be easy, but keeping her hidden on the grounds would be quite a different task.


He rose from the bathing pool slowly, his long black tendrils dripping down his back. He was a great deal smaller than Macnayer, his body thin and pale, his eyes the color of the candle’s flame. He dried his body and returned to the sodden room dressing in another blue robe similar to the one he had been wearing earlier. His lips turned up in a near snarl for a moment and the sight of the mess he had made. He waved his right wrist in a sweeping motion and the mess faded away, the rush of enchantment from his hand leaving his fingers slightly numb. He rubbed them gingerly and cursed the restrictions on his magic under his tongue. There had been a time when his power had seemed limitless.


He had been born before the world had died, the bastard child of the most powerful and possibly most evil individual to ever breath. A man whose name had meant golden one but who had been better known as the devourer of souls.


Dares had only ever met his father once, right at the end, obtaining the heirloom that had granted him his magical talents. In the brief time they had spent together the man had taught him to survive. Years later he remained alive, his body still as youthful now as it was then. He fixed his sash to the robe and looked over to the workbench were the strange glasses rested, their frames decorated with markings he could not interpret, and he recalled the first time a human soul had meshed with his own and the feeling of raw power moving through his veins. Then the man left him and the skies went dark.


With the black skies came revolution. Those who had followed his father rose up and people began to die in the thousands, their bodies cast aside, their souls creating gods of men. They called themselves New Bloods. Dares watched quietly powerful in his own right, unafraid of the creatures that came to him, untouched by those who opposed them. For his father had taught him that no matter what happened there would always be light to meet dark even if the world seemed far gone. But the light was overrun quickly and before long those with power turned on each other. Dares made his move then, gathering followers and creating a kingdom. Then Macnayer rode into his land.


What followed was a bloody battle leaving Macnayer victorious and Dares on his knees desperate for mercy. The memory of that day played across his mind often a broken record of pain and embarrassment. Years after the fact the rage still felt like a freshly open sore. Macnayer had granted him compassion alone, and his kingdom had been burned away, his followers littering the grounds, painting the dirt and rubble red with blood.


Time passed and Dares learned to exist with his ire hidden deep beneath the surface of his calm and sometimes cheery exterior. But he cracked often, leaving lesser members of the court frequently battered and bruised while at the same time entirely unaware that they had even crossed the paths of the sorcerer. He would do the same with Raven but instead of erasing her memory of him she would erase her memory of the king. Of course Macnayer had bound him in a manner similar to the once hunter, limiting his power and often leaving him in an exhausted state after an act of violence. He could severe the bond of course, such a thing was child’s play and he toyed with the idea often but now it did him well to remain under lock and key. After he secured the girl, after the king’s mind turned to other women, then and only then would it be time to act.


The bells in the high towers above the castles tolled three times as Dares tightened his sash around his waist. The festival had begun without him. He braided back his long black hair loosely and studied his reflection in the looking glass. The robe rested loosely on his shoulders exposing his collar bone where a golden winged pendant rested. He lifted the glasses from the table and placed them on the bridge of his nose. He remembered receiving them quite clearly, thinking them an odd heirloom, but the first time he had seen their power he understood why. Three little syllables, once wrought to memorization could blind a sorcerer’s enemy with ease. He had uttered them at Macnayer but the king had been immune to their spell, his eyes glowing the same bright
blue as always. For the spell didn’t work on those related to the golden one.


That had been the most difficult part of his defeat, Dares had decided. Knowing the man whose knuckle he kissed every morning was his cousin not by marriage but by blood. He turned away from the mirror and strode from the room, down the hall at a leisurely pace into the half full dining hall. Macnayer sat at the head, his table hoisted above the rest, allowing him to look down at his court. The twenty or so individuals who remained stood behind their chairs as Dares walked in. He took his place, closest to the head table on the left and stood as the others did.


Food littered the room, and the smell of fresh cooked meat wafted around them. Macnayer motioned for them to be seated. Dares studied his plate in silence, unaware of the chatter around him, uncaring of the different sets of eyes that so often bore into him. It was common knowledge the feelings some members of the court harbored towards the sorcerer, common knowledge that they deemed him unworthy of their king’s attention. And more often than not, they found themselves quite convinced that if the opportunity ever presented itself, Dares would slit Macnayer’s throat without the slightest hesitation.


Which he would of course.


He pushed the food around on his plate, choosing the occasional berry but his palette craved something besides meat. His gaze darted up to where Macnayer sat, staring out at the people who so obediently served him. He was alone, though such a thing made sense; Macnayer was not the type of man to parade around his new toys. It was tasteless after all. Dares thought it best, he was less than certain he could handle another glance at the woman without being able to touch her. Or taste her for that matter.


Dinner ended and the food was removed, leftovers saved for Macnayer’s dogs and the servants. Dares nursed the wine in his goblet, the sweet warm liquid washing over him. His eyes moved across the court and he settled his gaze on a small blonde woman across the table. His tongue ran over his teeth and he smiled to himself.


“My friends…” Started Macnayer, drawing Dares attention back momentarily. “The winter months have come upon us, the first snow falling just today. I pray you all a safe trip back to your homes in the morrow. Tonight we celebrate however, and we entreat that the goddess of the sky allow the winds to guide you to security.” He lifted his goblet into the air, the court followed suit. Dares swallowed, glancing back over at the blonde woman. Dancing and celebrating would begin soon. He felt a familiar throb. He would circle the little blonde then, tangle her in a web of magic and have his way with her.


He had seen her before once or twice. She was the daughter of a count in the north, where the snow fell throughout the year. Her dress was a green velvet material and lined with white fur. It was just snug enough to accentuate her bosom and hips without appearing as something one of the concubines would be seen in. Her long hair was in tight pleats which were coiled neatly atop her head and her eyes were blue just as the rest of the court. There had been a time when those with the blue eyes were called demons but not in a long time. Dares dared not utter such a thing in Macnayer’s presence. Now they were called New Bloods, nothing more.


He followed her at a slow and steady pace, like a panther stalking its prey. He would have to have her away from the others to make his move. Dancing commenced, she moved to a table and took in a breath and he pounced. The act was subtle, never anything to draw attention. Sure, he could have any girl from Macnayer’s harem he wanted but there was no thrill in that. Here there was a chase and risk, and the feeling of adrenaline pulsing through his veins made all the difference.


“Are you and your family heading home for the winter?” he asked casually, taking a seat near the blonde girl.


She glanced at him and smiled, “Isn’t everyone?”


“Well, everyone is leaving; there is nothing to say they are all going home.” He smiled back at her. “Perhaps instead of going home they go on holiday? Or to another kingdom?”


The girl shrugged her shoulders, his breasts rising and falling in sync. “We will be heading home. My sister is to be married.”


“But not you?” He leaned on the table.


She laughed lightly and looked over to where people still danced. “No, father has yet to find me a suitor. He says that he much prefers me over my sister, that there is no rush to marry me off.”


“Ah well then, perhaps he hopes for a great suitor for you?”


“He hopes for me to marry a king,”


Dares nodded. She was not the first nor would she certainly be the last. Many an ally had offered their daughter’s hands in marriage, though the king had never accepted one. The need for an heir was not great and Macnayer was less than anxious. “Tell me my dear,” the sorcerer said his face close to hers, “Is there anyone you wish to give your heart to?”


A slight blush rose in her cheeks, “Oh yes, but life is never that easy is it?”


“I am a man of magic as you know; I could perhaps give you something to allow your wishes to come true.”


She snorted, “Why would you, dear sorcerer help me with anything?”


“I am a man with a soft spot for beautiful woman in need. But it wouldn’t be free, I would require a kiss.”


“One kiss for one potion or spell? That seems like a fair exchange. But we leave in the morning, how could you ever prepare anything in such a short amount of time?”


He stood and offered her his hand. “If you would accompany me my dear, it will take only a few moments.”


The blonde woman hesitated for a moment. She looked in the direction of the other court members again, Dares assumed to search out whatever family was amongst the throng. He waited, his heart pounding against his ribcage at an accelerated pace. Finally she turned back and stood. “Lead the way sorcerer.”


He took her hand in his own and strode back to his quarters quickly. The spell required was simple, and his body shuddered at what would come about once he had her alone and away from view. She was saying something but he didn’t hear her anymore. He lifted his right index finger, the spark of magic tickling his arm. He mouthed the words silently and traced his thin lips.


They entered his quarters. “You know my father would most certainly have an outrageous fit if he knew I went off with one of the servants.”


Dares felt a twinge of anger but brushed it back. “Well we wouldn’t want that now would we? I shall be quick.” He moved to his work bench and mixed and mashed herbs and wax left over from the earlier spell. A flare formed in the palm of his left hand for effect which he dropped in a wooden bowl, allowing a cloud of smoke to rise up over his head. He withdrew a green vial from within his sleeve and presented it to the blonde woman. She snatched for it but he pulled it back from her grasp. “Not so quick my dear. Payment first.”


She placed her hands on her hips and he smiled, but the smile was different than before. For the panther had his prey in his grasp, his teeth at her throat, waiting to bite down and taste victory. He pondered for a moment if Raven was as trusting as the blonde girl.


“All right then sorcerer, one kiss.” She leaned in and lightly pressed her lips to his pausing momentarily. Than fiercer, with a great need, her tongue vying for entry into his mouth and Dares couldn’t help but laugh. He twitched his left wrist and the sound of a locking door urged him forward. He pushed her back against the wall and attacked, his lips at her neck, licking, kissing, biting, it didn’t matter which her moans all the same.


She responded as they all did to that particular spell, all prior thought abandoned and replaced with insatiable need. The haughty girl was now nothing more than a marionette, her strings begging to be plucked. Her hands moved to his chest and Dares took them in one of his own. He twitched his free wrist once more binding the blonde’s hands above her head, her back against the hard stone wall next to the chamber door. He backed up and studied the woman now in his grasp. She moaned and thrust her hips forward.


“Ah my dear, I fear no potion I create will find you a husband. No man in these days wants to marry a slut who gives herself to someone she just met. And for what? A potion? Tsk tsk.” His tongue ran over his teeth bringing his hands together for a moment only to pull them apart. The girls green dress tore neatly in two, left to hang off of her shoulders, her breasts and sex fully exposed. She was pretty but not the exceptional beauty that Raven was, her body was soft, her hips too wide and her breasts sagged ever so slightly. But her moans coaxed him forward.


He undid the sash of the robe, his throbbing member springing forward. He made a sweeping motion with his hand and the bindings lowered themselves until the blonde woman was on her knees. He moved to her, tugging on the pleats of blonde hair, urging her mouth open. She complied and he thrust in, the moist orifice causing a guttural cry to spring forth from his throat. He moved in and out, the swish of her tongue against the sensitive head making his knees weak. He could feel the build of his release but the grating of her teeth was growing distracting.


He pulled himself out, and the bindings rose back up enough for him to part the blonde’s legs. She squirmed and mewled in agreement as he pressed himself into her. Her body gripped his member, and he moaned. She wrapped her legs around his waist and cried out. And he thought of Raven again. She would be eager for him, and it wouldn’t require a spell only time. She would be grateful when he freed her and she would give herself willingly and consistently. She would love him as no woman ever had before.


Dares moved quicker, his thrusts rough and careless, the girls back scraping on the stone, her body heaving like his own. And he pictured Raven once more, her eyes wide with need, her mouth crying out his name and he felt his release, his seed pouring into the womb of the blonde. The daughter of a count from the north whose name he hadn’t bothered to ask, who was just as all the other women in Macnayer’s court. He snapped back to reality and stared at the woman still in her bindings with disgust. Her eyes were glazed slightly and her breathing was rapid her breasts rising and falling with each gasp for air.


He reaffixed his sash and pulled the vial from the sleeve. “Open your mouth,” he instructed. The girl did as she was told, and Dares poured the liquid down her throat. She coughed and sputtered writhing slightly. “Now,” he said placing his right palm over her eyes. “You will redress yourself and leave casually. Speak to no one and go directly to your quarters. You will not remember this event or speaking to me tonight. Instead you will tell those who ask you had gone to bed early with an upset stomach. And in time if you find yourself with child you will leave your home and walk into the ocean. For I am but a figment of your imagination.”


The girl said nothing, her eyes fogging ever so slightly. She blinked slowly her lips drawing together after a breath. Dares lowered his hand and the bindings released. The girl fell into a pile on the ground before quickly picking herself up, pulling her shredded dress together in an attempt at modesty. The locks in the doors clicked unlocked and she left, never once looking back. Dares stared at the heavy wooden door as it closed, half curious at the consequences that could befall him if he was to be found out. He knew little of the count from the north, was indifferent to what could be said to him or the prospective attacks that could come from such a man. Dares was confident in his magical ability, and with the exception of Macnayer, doubted there was a living being would could best him.


Exhaustion rushed him double and he collapsed in the warm clean bed and allowed sleep to take him, the image of a needy Raven rushing him once more.


A/N: Another Chapter. Two in two weeks is pretty good for me. I am hoping to update as much as possible until school starts. I have two other projects on this site at the moment so it's merely going to be a juggling act. Thanks to those of you who take the time to review, your reviews are great fuel for my creativity. This chapter gives a little bit of Dares' backstory. Anyone interested in stories about his father is welcomed to email me at asheratori@gmail.com and I will direct you to them.