I. Rutilus Clan (Mark of Seidr)
Unruly fire caught the gusts of war, the wind pulling each jagged blaze down paths of blood. Its edges lowered to the ground and, turning into an alarming light, circled a mass of battered warriors before fading. They huffed at their enemies with ragged breaths, eager to get back to the battle, yet they remained still at the sound of authority."Cease your fighting," boomed a towering red commander, overlooking the conflict from a hill. Various hostile demons turned and hissed at his intervention, but they stopped at his next words. "See to the East! Invaders march on our land."Gold bright-skinned creatures shone in the sunlight, a wall of distracting rays on the opposite side of a wide river. The luminescence pierced Rutilus's eyes before sheltering them with his claw.These were unknown lands, nonetheless an unknown world, and with discovery comes new dangers. Rutilus, the leader of his crimson clan, knew this more than any other for he was the son of King Kastae. His actions weren't always as just as an Ash clan's, but he grasped a better understanding of moral.Instinct urged him to call for a retreat. He would return home and warn his family, but curiosity for these strange beings pushed him closer to the river. As he neared the slick bank, his hooves stepped slow enough so he did not fall into the cold waters or alarm the shining ones. Their line appeared to be of men and four-legged creatures, almost continuing their synchronized stride until they too hit the river.These strange lightskins, why have they ceased movement? Can they not cross a simple river?One lightskin balled his hand into a fist and raised it to the sky. Words Rutilus could somehow understand peaked his attention, especially when the masculine lightskin spoke specifically to him, and with a touch of mockery. "What name have you? If you can speak our tongue." Few warriors chuckled at this, but quickly quieted by the stern glance of their commander."I can speak it." Rutilus folded his arms and scoffed. "Can your men who seem to find me so amusing at a time like this?"The glistening army focused on Rutilus, a couple rattling in their boots and most tightening their grip around spears and bows. The hoofed creatures snorted at the warriors behind him, friend and foe alike interested in these lightskins. Though, the majority of other clans had ran off in opportunity.The lightskin leader grinned with what seemed like positivity. "I like your humor, demon. Say, why don't we have a closer look at you? I can barely hear you over the sound of this thrashing river."His demand hinted at subtle trickery, and the fact the lightskin knew of his race's name managed to surprise him. How could they know anything when they've only just met? Rutilus did not nod or deny. Whether ally or enemy ordered him, he was his own to do so. Yet the man awaited an answer, as did his own clan. The lightskins were not here to converse by their threatening presence, how could he trust them? If he refused, he might start a war. If he crossed the river now, the most he could lose is his life. After death, they might go through with slaughtering his people anyway.The thought of his family weakened his heart for the moment. He clawed at his chest, wishing he could turn around and head to them now. For a better chance at their survival, he did not.Instead, he nodded at the lightskins and placed a hoof into the water, one at a time. Its icy flow did not phase him, but something about it signaled a chilling omen. Was he making the right choice?By the time he made it to the other side, their mounts whinnied and stared with wide black eyes. Some reared up, but the riders calmed them with gentle pats on the neck. Their beasts don't compare to ours. More like prey to their fangs.Being at a fair distance from the leader to see detail, the soldiers' armors had lost all shine, now rough silver plating as gray as the clouds blanketing them above. Each warrior had something different about their faces, whether it be their scratchy mouths, intense eyes or varying lengths for noses. Some had short hair while others had it on their chins, scruffy and damp with sweat. It wasn't like a demon, normally keeping hair, if at all, perfect, clean, straight and on their head. Rutilus had doubts about some of the other clans, for his enjoyed quality hygiene.The leader smiled at his approach. "Ah, I am glad you chose to come and say hello! I feared you'd run away and we'd have to chase you down. Now that you're over here, I can see you must be one of reason." Rutilus bowed his head in agreeance. "I am the son of King Kastae. He is the father of reason."The man eyed him an astonished look, if not another mocking gesture. "Yes, this King of yours, there's a name, but I do not have yours yet. If I may?" The red son did not move. He would not observe or meet eye to eye with any other but the commander. "Clan leader Rutilus. How do you know what we are, lightskin?"A yellow smile brimmed with flat teeth found the term mirthful. "We are human, for your information. Have you not heard of us? We are children of God! Oh! Dear me. A demon surely wouldn't know God either, would they?" Rutilus's eyebrows arched at the assumption, a burning sensation arising from the pit of his soul. "Well, Rutilus. Son of King Kastae. We have some questions for you. We, as in me, High Arbor Marshall Hedley."Whatever these so-called humans are planning, they better pray that it isn't war."And I don't mean ill towards you. You wouldn't happen to be responsible for the burning of a village, would you?" Hedley's demeanor turned dark, countering his first statement.It threw Rutilus off. No demon had ever seen or spoken with a human before. Unless another clan ventured far into their lands, but there had been no word or sign. All the demons he knew believed this world to be theirs. If a human village caught fire, demon lands were high and clear enough to see smoke several mountains away. Yet, there were no fortresses, villages or any form of human settlement to be seen. A demon clan would not dare stray into the unknown while leaving a large number of their members behind. Yet, every clan had been accounted for during their recent fight. The Ash clan kept their home close to Rutilus's, but their enemies always remained in hidden corners of the shadowed forests. Those dark clans still made occasional contact, finding their way into camps to steal food, take a life or even an unfortunate mate. "No," Rutilus shook his head. "My clan is considered the most peaceful--"Hedley and his soldiers interrupted in laughter. "What are demons, now? Are they fluttering butterflies? So colorful, gentle and beautiful to watch?" They continued, requiring an extra minute to calm their guffaws. It proved difficult to understand this man. What were butterflies? What were his reasons for having such a view on demons when he didn't even know anything about them? "Tell me, human. I would see the point behind your invasion and questioning if you'd simply explain rather than assume." Hedley widened his eyes and a frown cursed his lips. "You would challenge my intelligence? Did you not hear me, you barbaric evil? We are the human children of God. If not his warriors of light!" His knights cheered in accord. "Do you not see the blood on your blades? Your people's blades? You slaughter each other like starving wolves. The children of God would not dare do such a thing. Unless... One performed such evil to begin with."Rutilus sneered. A growl entered the mix of his slow angered words. "It does not matter who you are. But neither me, or my people, are at fault for your problem. Go back, and you may yet save more villages." He turned an abrupt twist, off the rocks and back into the river. Judging by some of the unmounted humans, its waters would reach just below their breasts, as its coldness numbed his hips.Hedley yelled over Rutilus's swishing. "I'd say you've just threatened me, Rutilus. You'll regret pushing a Marshall of High Arbor." Rutilus did not respond. Nor did he reverse his path, stop or regret. A whistle sounded from behind him, and all of the humans retreated far into the forests, back to their own land. Wherever that was.He walked past his warriors, each staring with wonderment. Each a demon, each a brother or sister, and each a piece of hope for a safer future. Concerned, they followed him back home, where they'd gather with not just their allied clans, but their enemy clans. They too would need an army if they were to face these motivated lightskins, an eager people ready to purge whatever they deem evil for their own mysterious and selfish reasons.The intrusive people were no better than the Moon clan, a gruesome family full of real "barbaric evil." It was them that started most battles, and it would be no surprise if it were their grubby burning claws that infuriated the humans.To him, he did not care what happened to the humans or the Moon clan. All that mattered was keeping his clan safe.My people do not deserve more war! After all the struggles and death for being between the most damning clans, after all the time spent trying to find the right way to live, we will not be the subject of torment any longer.
NetherboundAngel
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