Ways of the Heart
Part I
As the sun set in a golden blaze, the angel Ruadh flew through the gilded clouds. He left behind him a rebellion against a robber baron, a common thug who had claimed power through terror, then claimed a title and lands when the people were too terrorized and demoralized to oppose him. The evil man had enjoyed living off the labors of others, taking whatever and whomever he wanted. With each passing year, he had expanded his holdings, spreading his misery farther and tightening his grip on the people around him. There were those who would have said that an angel of war or an angel of vengeance would have been a better choice than an angel of passion, but Ruadh had claimed the task. It had taken time and a gentle touch, but he had managed to inflame the people, to inspire them to fight back, to defend themselves. And it had taken even greater care to make sure they didn't simply throw their lives away against the castle walls. He had left a determined group behind him, a people who would plan their own freedom and take it back. An angel of war could have won the fight for the people, but for the sake of their own futures, they needed to win free by their own efforts. Hard days were ahead for the villagers, but Ruadh thought that perhaps even worse days were ahead for the robber baron.
Ruadh allowed himself one indulgence in his life, The Hidden Hart. A human gathering place, warm and festive. He allowed himself a good meal and a few mugs. He listened to music, played a few games of chance, flirted with a few women, and stopped just short of violating any of the rules that governed his existence. He stopped there once each week, and the people there knew his human form as a guard for hire. It was an inn along a major road, so there were many travelers passing through. The place was always busy and noisy, and he could lose himself for a few hours there.
An old and nearly forgotten shrine near the Hidden Hart was where he made his change to human form. Like all guardian angels, his natural shape was a winged human, impossibly beautiful in form and face. His eyes lacked any pupil, his wings so brightly white that they shimmered. His wrists and ankles were ringed with crystalline armor and weapons. He would never escape notice among humans in this form. Once hidden away in the shadows of the shrine, Ruadh made his change. His glorious wings folded up and vanished, the crystalline armor sank away into his skin. Blue irises swam up through the pure white of his eyes, and his features roughened - a small scar, whiskers grown up since a presumed shave earlier in day, a bit of dirt under his nails. His clothing changed as well from off white robes to rough wool, leather, and muslin. He strapped a sword to his hip, tossed a bit of road dust onto his clothes, and then continued his trip to the Hart on foot.
As the lights of the Hart came into few, he caught sight of a woman walking alone along the road. He jogged to catch up to her. "Marah!" he scolded, "You are far too lovely a woman to be walking along this road alone after dark! How often will you make me remind you of that!"
Marah was beautiful with her rich black hair, round dark brown eyes, and full curves, but she was too free with her charms, too brazen in her flirtation to really attract him. However, he often found her unattended on her way to the Hart, and would hate to see something unfortunate happen to her.
"But, Ruadh..." she smiled, her voice husky, and looked up at him him through her thick lashes. "If I brought an escort, I would not get to enjoy your company, now, would I?"
He laughed, ignored the way she stroked his arm, and chatted with her until they reached the Hart.
The warm light, the laughter, the rich smells of food drifted out and welcomed him. He hadn't even made it through the door before people began calling his name. The well endowed matron who ran the kitchen darted out to greet him with a hug and tugged him inside, chattering away about the fresh bread and stew she would serve him. He allowed himself to be guided inside and settled at his favorite table with a broad smile. The room was warm and welcoming and full of friendly good cheer. Several humans waved and shouted welcome to him, but those who knew him also knew to leave him his space. It took Ruadh some time to finally shake off the weight of his responsibilities and relax enough to enjoy his time in human company.
He leaned back into the wall behind him and his eyes lit up when he saw Sadb approaching with a heavily laden tray. The comely red-head was a recent addition to the staff at The Hart, and Ruadh admitted to himself that he was more attracted to her than was safe for his own piece of mind. Her heart-shaped face was framed by red-gold waves and set off by eyes the blue of a sun-kissed sapphire. Her slender neck was framed by a bright blue ribbon supporting a distinctive pendant, a lapis stone shaped like a teardrop with a deep red flaw set in the center. The stone nestled just inside the drawstring on her blouse and tended to draw the eye there. Her curves were enhanced more than they were hidden by the simple white shirt tucked into a full skirt. Her smile widened as her eyes found him, then she glanced away shyly. His mouth crooked in a smile when he saw the color come up in her cheeks. She would be quiet around him until nearly the end of the evening, he knew, and then she would finally become brave enough to meet his eyes and smile at him.
“Good evening,” she greeted him quietly, and leaned over the table to serve his meal. The matron had sent twice as much food as promised – the full bowl of stew and foaming mug of beer were joined by a hot loaf of bread, a wedge of sharp cheese, butter, honey, and some sort of sweet and sticky pastry.
Ruadh cocked an eye at the laden table and smiled up at Sadb. “Is she trying to fatten me up?”
Sadb lifted her eyes to his for just a moment through the soft fall of her hair, before glancing away. “I thought that you would like the sweet.” At that moment, the blue teardrop pendant dropped away from her skin and the ribbon tie at the neck of her blouse slid open, revealing a curve of white flesh disappearing into the suddenly gaping neckline of her shirt. She gasped, clapped a hand to her neck and straightened up abruptly. Ruadh hid his smile as her skin flushed red from her scalp to out of sight inside her blouse. With one last glance at him through her lashes, she darted away.
He watched her go, indulging himself in appreciation of the view before indulging himself in the meal instead. His excursions to walk among the humans were tolerated as long as he obeyed the rules. That particular curvy red head tempted him dangerously close to the boundaries defined by those rules, as did the laden table. He savored the rich flavors of the stew, stopping himself before he was full and reminded himself sternly to watch his step with Sadb.
By the end of the evening he was laughing and singing with the other regulars, listening with appreciation to their stories, but sharing none of his own. By then Sadb had recovered nicely from her bashfulness. He loved her laugh, the way she tossed her head back and her hair tumbled over her back. She swirled gracefully through the raucous crowd, taking care of everyone there, but Ruadh was aware of her eyes on him.
Despite his lecture to himself, his eyes kept going to her as well, so he was watching when a particularly drunken bear of a man reached out and dragged her into his lap. Ruadh frowned, but Sadb was fast as a cat and she rolled free in a moment. The man lumbered up after her, moving faster than his bulk and state of inebriation would have suggested. A ham fist tangled itself in her hair and dragged her back
Everything happened so fast that the humans were just starting to react. Sadb let out a startled shriek and clawed at the hand holding her hair. Her nails dragged through the man's skin and he bellowed angrily. She twisted around in his grip and slapped him across the face, reddening his cheek. His eyes narrowed into slits as his other hand curled into a fist. He drew his arm back.
Ruadh was capable of moving faster than any human, and in that moment he allowed himself to cross that distance between them. The humans, in the excitement of the moment, wouldn't make note of it. He grabbed the bear's wrist and twisted his arm back.
“Take your hands off her,” Ruadh growled.
By then the rest of the humans took note of the situation and reacted. The enormous man was surrounded by hostile and judgmental human faces. Sadb let out a whimper when the hand tightened in her hair and the crowd closed in on them. After a silent heartbeat, the man released his grip on Sadb and the crowd reacted by hustling him quickly out the door and tossing him into the night. It was one of the reasons Ruadh liked The Hart so well. They took care of their own.
The matron hugged him tightly and announced, “Your money's no good here tonight!” She wasted no time supplying him with another frothing mug.
Ruadh glanced over to where Sadb sat pale and shaking nearby, her left hand clenched around her blue teardrop pendant. He settled near her and offered her his mug. Sadb glanced at him with frank gratitude in her wide blue eyes and drank deeply. “Are you well?” Ruadh asked after she'd calmed a bit.
“He... startled me, is all.” she answered after a moment. “He didn't' hurt me.”
Ruadh nodded and they sat silent for a moment.
“Ruadh...” she said quietly, and he glanced over in surprise. He didn't recall her ever speaking his name. “Would you.... like to walk me to my home?”
Ruadh studied her. The flush was back on her cheeks and it was clear she was offering him more than a few minutes in her company. The temptation was strong. But not strong enough. “I would like to, Sadb. Very much. But... perhaps it would be better if one of the others walked with you.”
Her eyes flicked up to him, wide and surprised, then she went white. “Of course, I did not mean... ah... “ She stood quickly and darted away.... and Ruadh nodded sadly, said his good nights, and walked back out into the night. A few minutes later, he took wing again and flew home.
---
Cad'strum waited in the dim light of his servant's small human hovel. He still wore the shape of the obese and drunken human man. It wouldn't do to be seen in his true form.
The door opened and his servant Na'rul stepped in, still wearing the form of the lush human Sadb. She recognized the magic scent of his presence instantly. "What if he had agreed to come home with me?" she asked irritably as she turned towards him. "Your presence here would have revealed everything."
"Mind your tone with me." Cad'strum snapped. "He is an angel, you simple fool. He is tempted, he is intrigued. He considered it. But it is too soon."
"He WAS tempted," she agreed with a satisfied purr.
"You have his attention and his interest. But it will take more. It will take time."
Irritation danced across her pretty face. “So I must stay here, living like a human, until he returns?”
"You will stay here until I order otherwise!" He shook off his irritation. “Na'rul, he will be thinking of you. He will remember your eyes, the flash of her skin. And he will not be suspicious because you are not forward with him. He will feel safe because you do not pursue him. His rescue of you tonight will make him feel protective of you. This will not be fast. But once he gives his heart to you, once he is willing to risk everything to be with you... we will engineer his fall.” Cad'strum smiled. "I would think you would like it, Na'rul. You were cast out because of your heart. And now another angel will follow your fall, for the same reason."
She smiled, but her eyes were bitter. "I would like to see any angel fall, for any reason." she said finally.
“And once he is away from the protection of the host... I can repay him in full.”
Na'rul's smile broadened. There was not a devil alive who did not relish the idea of bringing about the fall of an angel. But deep inside where she could still deny it, she remembered the spark in Ruadh's blue eyes, the strength, the determined way he stood as a shield for her. It provoked feelings in her that were not entirely diabolic.
Woooo <snip> oooo hoooo <snip> oooo!
More story!
"Goodbye, Jean-Luc. I'm gonna miss you... you had such potential. But then again, all good things must come to an end..." -- Q
*beams a smile so huge my face hurts*
SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE EEEEEEEEE
Excellent as always, Soonerpie!!!
Full of Epic and WOW ! 
Can you say professional writer??
Or at least you should be.
Quote:
QFT!!! She SHOULD be!
|
Originally Posted by ToxicStriker
Can you say professional writer??
|
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by bamaWolfie
QFT!!! She SHOULD be!
|
I agree see edit to previous comment. I was using that as a compliment it is really good writing.
WOOOOT another story started, now here's to waiting for the other stories to be started/finished as well. ;p
@tiggy
Beware the attack cat
Ways of the Heart
Part II
The demoness who would be known as Ciara Banenighe by the Celts a few centuries later returned to her lair and shed the guise of the human woman Marah. The cramped stone cave was barely tall enough for her to stand upright in her true form, but she had her eyes on better. She just had to avoid Cad'strum's intentions for a little longer.
Ciara was ambitious. She intended to better her standing in the world of demons, but Cad'strum wanted to bind her into his service. She had escaped his first attempt only because he became distracted long enough for her to flee. Since then, she had kept her guard up and made certain that another attempt would be costly for him. Servitude had no part in her plans. And so she began to involve herself in his schemes. She watched and she waited. And when she noticed that his pretty little servant Na'rul had begun working at a human tavern, Ciara took on human form and began visiting there herself. It took less a week to unravel his plan: Ruadh.
Ruadh was a Principality, a powerful guardian angel and destined to move up in the ranks. For a devil, any angel was a target. But Ruadh had been instrumental in the casting out of Cad'strum and his lackies Atru'vum, Ira'tus, and Trist'us. The four of them considered it a betrayal, but Ciara suspected Ruadh believed he had only done his duty. Once cast to earth, Cad'strum had embraced his fate and his power grew. That was how he came to control the other three so quickly. He had found Na'rul, cast out a century earlier, and bound her as well. And now his power grew even more as he drew from his minions and he began to work to bring down the one he blamed for his fall.
Ciara was not as powerful as she intended to become, but she was smart. It took only one look at the soft, pretty, lush, shy human form that Na'rul wore to unravel Cad'strum's rather simple plan. And it didn't take very much longer to see how she could insert herself in it and come out the victor. And when it was over, she would have her own servants feeding her power and Cad'strum would be dead.
She smiled. Just a little patience, and everything she wanted would be hers.
And to start it all, she would have a talk with the constable of a nearby village. He clearly favored Na'rul's human form, and was just as clearly displeased by her lack of response to his overatures. With just the right words in his ear, she believed she could encourage him to pursue Na'rul rather more aggressively than Ruadh would be able to tolerate. Cad'strum would be encouraging Na'rul to develop her relationship with Ruadh slowly. But Ciara intended to up the pace, and she would use the constable to do it.
----
With each passing week, Ruadh found himself intrigued more and more with Sadb. That she was lovely certainly added to it, but there was her laugh, her shy smile, her sweet nature. It was the way she was clearly attracted to him but did not throw herself at him as some of the other girls there had. More than once during the course of a week he would find himself thinking of her, picturing that pretty blue pendant nestled at the neckline of her blouse, and he would sternly remind himself that she could be trouble he was unwilling to endure. But by the end of the week, all he could think of was rushing back to the Hart. It was no longer for the companionship of humans, the food, the fun... now he looked forward to his visits there just for the opportunity to watch Sadb laugh and move, for the chance to smile into her eyes and see her smile back.
---
For Na'rul, that one night of the week that Ruadh would stop by was the only night she didn't hate the pasty, pale human face that stared back at her in the looking glass. It was the one night she took extra care in the fall of her hair, adjusted the ribbon tie of her blouse so it would appear that any flash of cleavage was entirely unintentional. She touched the red flaw in her blue lapis pendant and placed it just so it would draw attention to her neckline. She would apply just a hint of color to her cheeks and dye her lashes. And she refused to admit even to herself that she no longer did these things just because Cad'strum ordered it.
The little house where she made her home was a few minutes walk from The Hart and, unlike other nights, she set out eagerly into the twilight, lifting her skirts just enough to let her jog. The evening was cool but not cold, the shadows were deepening, and shift from the noises of the day animals to night was starting to favor the nocturnal.
She smiled more brightly when the lights of The Hart came into view. It wouldn't be long now until Ruadh arrived. Not long at all before she could be with him again. She didn't let herself think of the harm that Cad'strum intended for Ruadh. She didn't let herself think of her part in it. She would enjoy her time with him while she had it.
Her only warning of danger was a moving shadow, then a dark haired bulky man stepped out into the road. She nearly skidded into him trying to stop, then danced back when another two men stepped out and stood at the shoulders of the first man.
Pretty Sadb, drawled the first one.
She reminded herself that she had to react as if she were a human. This close to The Hart, she couldn't risk revealing herself or all her work would be for nothing. You... you were here last night.. Jon. she breathed. He was constable of a nearby village and seemed to believe that entitled him to whatever he wanted. Her human form had been carefully designed to be appealing to Ruadh. But Na'rul was coming to learn that there were quite a few human men drawn to her current form. And Jon the constable wanted her, he'd made that clear.
He turned his face, angling the left side toward her and revealing four red and angry lines crossing over his cheek. You think a lot of yourself, for a ***** who works in a tavern.
I am not a *****! she spat back. Come any closer and I will mark your other cheek!
Jon shrugged, If you're not a *****, then I won't pay you when I'm finished!
The man had grabbed her the night before and tried to reach inside her blouse. She'd retaliated with an angry slap, but he'd just redoubled his efforts, despite the objections of the crowd. If she'd truly been human, she would have bruises from where his fingers had dug into the flesh of her arm. He hadn't released her until she crooked her fingers and raked her nails down his face. She wished now she'd had her natural claws and had been able to lay his face open as he deserved.
She backed away as her attackers companions, the constable's deputies, she suspected, began to try to flank her, thinking furiously. As a human woman, she should be near helpless against the three men. In her true form, with her full powers, she could dispose easily of all three, but that would expose the truth, and she couldn't allow that. But... they wouldn't attack her here in the road. They would want to take her someplace where they wouldn't be seen or heard, and could take their time. That suited her well. That meant that SHE wouldn't be seen or heard. And could take her time.
Once her decision was made, she flew into action. She started running towards The Hart, screaming for help, even though she was too far away for anyone to hear. The constable stepped into her way and grabbed her, scooping her up while pinning her arms to her chest. She flung her head back, screaming as if all hope was lost and flailing about uselessly as his friends rushed in and grabbed her as well. One slapped a hand over her mouth while the other wrapped his arms around her ankles and hoisted her up. She made a great show of wiggling and whimpering as the three humans began to hustle her out of sight.
However, her plan fell apart when she heard a deep, angry voice bellow. Release her! NOW! She twisted her head to see Ruadh standing there. Even with his appearance roughened to give the illusion of humanity, he was glorious, powerful, and filled with righteous anger. Well, well, well... she thought.
And the plot thickens and twists.
@tiggy
Beware the attack cat
I am sorry, I have been remiss in my keeping up with the reading of your awesome writing, and too long absent from these forums. I shall have to do what I can to remedy the situation.
That having been said, your writing is truly inspiring, m'dear. I wish I wrote half as well (or it seems as often) as you.
*many hugs*
The end of one story always marks the beginning of another...
Sooner, your prose is like poetry.
My Stories
Look at that. A full-grown woman pulling off pigtails. Her crazy is off the charts.
Suddenly, your Hero arrives... 
Verra nice indeed
*does Snoopy's Happy Dance*
I do love reading your stories Sooner. Thank you for writing more . I hope that one day you'll have another finished manuscript sitting beside you as you decide which of the many will be the cover art for your next book. 
Pax
If you take time to help others, you help yourself grow.
If you take time to help yourself, you realize how far you have to go.
If you take time for chocolate . . . you've discovered the secret to a happy life
!GL & be safe in game & real life!
*hug*
Pax
Late to the party, but I see everything going at the right speed. Flowing Praise for flowing Prose, and well deserved, too.
The Abrams is one of the most effective war machines on the planet. - R. Lee Ermy.
Q: How do you wreck an Abrams?
A: You crash into another one.
Part III
Ruadh left the quiet shrine and picked up his pace toward The Hart. He coached himself sternly, reminded himself of the rules he must follow while among the humans. He was drawn to Sadb, he could no longer deny that. But he had to be careful. However pretty she might be, however sweet... he had to remember to remain aloof. He HAD to.
His resolve was firmly in place until he heard a terrified woman's scream ahead of him on the road, abruptly cut off, and a scuffle, He broke into a run.
His temper flared instantly when he realized what he saw. Three men, holding a frightened and struggling Sadb. And all three wore the bronze stars of a constable. Men sworn to protect.
Release her! NOW! he demanded. He could feel the glow of his power beginning to flare around him, and he pushed it back down.
The dark haired man, the one with the scratches on his face, pulled Sadb tighter against his body, but the other two both released her and stumbled away.
This doesn't concern you, friend, the constable declared.
Sadb reached one hand towards him, her eyes wide, her face pale with fear. Help me! she screamed. Ruadh, please!
Release her, right now. he commanded, his voice far more calm and even than than the rage within him. Release her, and you and your friends may go on your way with your lives.
Three of us and just one of you. I think I'll keep her, the constable declared. YOU go on your way, or you'll spend the night beaten and bleeding in a gaol.
Fool, Ruadh spat, and then Sadb screamed as the two deputies charged Ruadh.
The disguised angel stepped back, dodging their clumsy attacks. He ducked, he sidestepped and then he abruptly reached out, grabbed each assailant by the back of the neck, and slammed their heads together. The CRUNCH resounded through the darkness and the pair dropped like a pair of over-sized dolls, laying motionless at Ruadh's feet. Blood began to seep out into the dirt of the road. And Ruadh lifted his eyes, eyes he knew were glowing with his righteous anger. .
What are you? the constable demanded. He yanked a knife from his belt and held it to Sadb's throat. She went still and quiet, just one slim hand reaching up to tug at the man's wrist.
I am messenger, and guardian, and, when needed, justice, Ruadh answered. Consider that carefully.... And then I give you one last chance to release her and live.
The three hung there in a motionless moment. Sadb pleaded with her eyes, but Ruadh and the constable focused their attention on each other. Ruadh could see the human thinking, but in the end, the human made the wrong choice.
Ruadh saw his hand move, the knife flashed in the light. Sadb screamed and twisted and the knife sank into her shoulder rather than her throat. Ruadh charged forward at full speed. His fingers sank into the man's arm hard enough to crunch bone. He yanked that arm away from Sadb, heedless of the damage he caused with his more than human strength. Sadb crumpled to the ground in a motionless heap and Ruadh's heart missed a beat worrying that she was dying.
The knife had dropped from the constable's now useless fingers, but he slammed a fist into Ruadh's ribs. Ruadh took the blow without even a wince and then slammed his free hand into the human's throat. His temper made him want to take it slow, to drag it out, to make the human suffer. But instead, he clamped fingers shut like a vice, crushing everything in his grip.
He dropped the dying man heedlessly and rushed to Sadb. He turned her, terrified that he hadn't been fast enough and the human had succeeded in killing her. He put his fingers to her throat, feeling for a pulse, but even before he felt the soft movement in her neck, he saw her breathe.
Thank you, he murmured, and allowed himself to trail the back of his fingers down her cheek.
He stood and surveyed the scene. Three dead men lay in crumpled piles, but Ruadh had no blood on his clothing, and the only blood on Sadb oozed from her shoulder wound.
It took him only a moment to make his decision. He quickly dragged the bodies into the forest and scattered leaves over them. By the time they were found, the wildlife would have been after them and it would be reasonable to assume they'd been killed by wolves. Ruadh would make sure the village that had just lost most of its lawmen would have extra observation from the Host. He kicked road dust over the bloodstains in the road and then returned to Sadb.
Her eyelids fluttered and he patted her cheek gently. Sadb... Sadb... he called.
She moaned and her bright blue eyes flicked open. What... what happened? she gasped.
You do not remember? He hid his relief. If she didn't recall his power glowing, that meant less explaining he would have to do.
I... no.... she lifted one hand to her injured shoulder, cried out in surprised pain, then swooned again.
Ruadh crouched over her, indulged himself by cupping her soft cheek gently in one hand, then lifted her into his arms. Her hair tumbled down over his arm and her blue teardrop pendant swung to dangle down her back. He carefully lifted his gaze when he noticed that the neckline of her shirt had been cut by the knife and now gaped open. He shifted her so she rolled into his body. She whimpered softly and roused enough to lift one hand to his chest. She snuggled her face into his shoulder like a child and then subsided again. Ruadh strode rapidly towards The Hidden Hart, with his heart swirling with emotion.
-------
Cad'strum was thoroughly pleased with the progress his servant was making. He watched the unfolding events on a screen of scented smoke rising from a brazier near his left hand. The human's attempt to attack her was extremely fortuitous. Cad'strum would have thought that arranging another attack would be too many trips to that well, but it seemed to work, and from the expression on Ruadh's face he was completely won over.
"Well, well, Cad'strum," purred a throaty female voice from the arched entrance to his chamber.
"Ciara. I do not recall summoning you." He waved his hand through the smoke and the image of Na'rul pressing her hand into Ruadh's shoulder vanished.
The sultry demon slunk through the archway like a lazy cat. He had long ago established that she could neither charm nor seduce him, so he believed her provocative behavior was more habit than anything else. Typical demon, wasting energy on useless flirtations. "Oh, Cad'strum... I think you will be glad I visited."
"You are presumptuous, demon."
Cad'strum's lair had been dug deep into the stone. He had carved miles of halls and rooms and the air was warm and slightly stuffy. His work room was large and spacious, with rigid sharp right angle corners, ruler straight edges, and walls polished as smooth as ice. The magical accoutrement in the room were neatly stacked and organized. The furnishings were fine and rich, with heavy dark wood and leather. The decorations were conservative and few and would have each been worth a fortune to the humans. Ciara settled herself into a chair next to Cad'strum and smiled as she leaned forward. As a concession to him, she wore more clothing than was her norm, but she still showed her lush body off to advantage. "I think shortly you will appreciate my initiative."
Cad'strum said nothing in response, he merely lifted a brow. Ciara was a strictly mid-level demon with great ambitions at power. But she was clever. She had managed to evade his efforts to bind her into his service, but they both knew it was just a matter of time before she was one of his servants. "What is it, Ciara. Why have you interrupted me?"
"I have been spending some time lately among the humans." she announced. "I found a charming little tavern named "The Hidden Hart."
Cad'strum sighed. "Alright, Ciara. You have my attention."
"I thought I might." She smiled. "They have recently hired on a DELIGHTFUL new young woman. So very pretty."
Cad'strum hid his irritation and waited for her to go on, but she sat there silent, kicking one foot slowly back and forth with a knowing little grin on her face. "Say it and be done with it, Ciara!" he finally spat out with frustration.
"You plan to bring about the fall of the oh so powerful and glorious Ruadh? And you plan to do that by dangling a pretty woman in front of him..."
"She is his perfect woman. Hair, skin, eyes, body, demure and shy. If any woman can tempt him, it is her."
"And once she seduces him, he will be cast out?"
"Of course he will, the rules may bend occasionally, but the host will not tolerate that." He raised a hand to forestall her asking another leading question. "And once he is no longer protected by the host, I will kill him."
"Such a waste..." Ciara pouted, then waved her hand. "At any rate. It will not work."
Cad'strum raised a brow and laughed politely. "Indeed. And why is that?"
"Ruadh will never risk his eternity for a human woman, no matter how pretty, no matter how sweet. He will think about it, he will be tempted, but in the end, he will walk away from her."
"I think I know him better than you, Ciara."
"Do you? And how was it you came to be cast out?" She shrugged and held up a hand before Cad'strum could even begin to form his angry response. "He does not matter though. What he will or will not do will not be the reason your plan fails. Your servant will betray you."
"You know something? Or is this more conjecture about a situation of which you know too little?"
Ciara gestured at the curtain of smoke and the image formed of Ruadh and Na'rul wearing her human form of Sadb. Sadb sat wrapped in a blanket and settled on a chair near the fire. She gazed up at Ruadh, her eyes wide, her cheeks pale, on hand at her chest clutching her blue teardrop pendant. "Look at her face. That is the face of a woman in love."
"She is not a woman. She is a devil."
"You gave her a woman's form. And she grew a woman's heart. She loves him. She will not betray him. He will escape your wrath."
The devil and the demon sat in silence, watching the smoke. And Cad'strum watched as Ruadh pulled his eyes away from Na'rul and lifted them to the ceiling. And Na'rul stared at him, full of adoration even when he wasn't watching her. It was... possible Ciara was correct.
The plot thickens...
"Goodbye, Jean-Luc. I'm gonna miss you... you had such potential. But then again, all good things must come to an end..." -- Q
*shakes my head* Poor Na'rul....
The devil he don't know... poor Ruadh, too 
Part IV
Cad'strum turned. "So, why come to me with this, Ciara? What do you have planned?"
"I prepared something for you," she said with a charming smile. She lifted her hand to her cleavage and withdrew a shimmering white feather. Bands of colored symbols adorned the quill. A leather cord wrapped thrice just below the up-curved edge of the barbs, and trailed down over her wrist, the ends weighed down by small beads, each etched with a potent magical symbol. Magic saturated it. It oozed with magical energy. It was beautiful. But there was only one source for a feather so large, so pristine.
"How did you acquire an angel's feather?" Cad'strum asked, not even trying to hide his surprise.
"Ah, it is not just ANY angel's feather. It is one of Ruadh's. I worked a few spells into it. Give this to your servant, and when he is close to her, she will be able to get past his barriers and win his heart completely. He will become willing to give everything up for her."
"Now you are talking in circles. Na'rul will betray me, but if she wears this she can win his heart? One or the other can be true, but not both."
"Ah, you devils and your logic. Hear me out. I am offering to give this feather to you. Or... rather, I'm offering to let you win this feather from me."
"Enough, Ciara. Enough. What do you want?"
"I will give this feather to you. It is valuable and powerful and I have invested a great deal of my own magic in it. I will make a wager with you that your servant will betray you before she seduces Ruadh. If you win... if she succeeds in seducing him, then the feather is yours and I will ask nothing of you for it. However, if I win, if she does betray you, then you will give the lovely Na'rul to me in payment for the feather."
"If you win, what good does your feather do me then? Besides, I need him cast out. If he is seduced because of magic, he will be exonerated and I will lose my chance."
"I suggest a modification to your plan. Either way, it will not be the seduction that will have him cast out, for as you stated most correctly, he would have been seduced after he lost the ability to say no. Instead.... his human love, Sadb, will be taken from him and killed. For the pain it will cause his heart, it really doesn't matter if she seduces him or not. Either way, he will want vengeance. And his brothers will not give it to him. He will be furious. And it will be his anger and drive for revenge that will cause them to cast him down. And then he will be alone on this earth and an easy target."
Cad'strum considered her words. It was.... possible.... she was correct. About both Ruadh's ability to resist Na'rul, and about Na'rul's feelings for Ruadh. He still doubted that a devil could be dissuaded even by love... but it was possible. Ruadh's dedication to his duty was always a barrier to the plan, and Cad'strum was fully aware that he might never succumb to seduction. But... wrath... yes... if the seduction failed, invoking his wrath was an excellent fallback plan. Still....
Cad'strum smiled indulgently. “Na'rul is a powerful asset, and likely to continue to grow in power. You ask for far more than your feather is worth.”
Ciara affected affront. “This feather is priceless and unique. Your servant is just another devil.”
“Do not treat me as if I were a fool, Ciara. You hope to increase your own power by binding her.”
“I see her potential, it is true. I still say it is a fair trade for this.”
“You can have her for a decade.” Ciara laughed and made as if to hide the feather away in her clothing again. Cad'strum waved his hand. “A century then. Then you return her to me.”
Ciara was silent, and Cad'strum could see her tumbling the possibilities around in her head. Finally she spoke. “She will be bound to me for at least a century. She will remain mine until you send for her.”
Now Cad'strum paused to carefully consider her words, trying to find the loophole. “You think I will forget about her? That I will not call for her return on schedule?”
“I think it is possible you could be otherwise occupied at the end of that century. In which case, how does it benefit either of us for me to lose her before you are ready to take her back. Besides, let us be honest, she will see this as a punishment for her betrayal of you. will not it make her punishment all the worse if she doesn't know exactly when it will end?“
“I assure you, I will want her back as soon as the century is done.”
“Then, as soon as you send for her, after that century has passed, she will be yours again. But that bit of uncertainty...”
He waved a hand. Ciara had a point. Any eternal creature could endure anything for a century. But the uncertainty... yes... that would make the punishment worse. “Very well, Ciara. You will give me the feather. If Na'rul betrays me, I will give her to you for a period of at least one century, after which, you will return her to my service upon my demand. If she does not betray me, then you will ask for nothing more from me for payment."
Ciara nodded slowly, a broad smile spreading over her face. She slowly extended her hand to him. "That is my deal."
Cad'strum reviewed it in his mind, tested each word, seeking the weakness, the trap. But he could find none. He reached for the feather, "You have a deal. And a wager."
Ciara tilted the feather away from him just as he reached for it. "You, of course, will not influence Na'rul on this, Cad'strum."
Since that was exactly what he'd intended to do, Cad'strum allowed himself a chuckle and a nod. "Very well. Na'rul will make her own choice with no influence from me."
Ciara smiled. And handed over Ruadh's spell imbued feather.
-----------
Ciara smiled triumphantly. Devils were always so confident in their own superiority. It made for some interesting blind spots. Ciara, on the other hand, knew how rarely one's opponents cooperated with their own downfall. She knew Cad'strum was just waiting for the day he could bind her into his service. She didn't intend to ever let that happen. However, since Cad'strum truly was more powerful than she, it was just a matter of time before he won. If she sat back and allowed it to happen.
Instead, she watched and waited. She knew her place in the hierarchy of demons and devils, and she was NOT satisfied with it. She intended to be a major power in the world. So she avoided Cad'strum's plans to bind her, and involved herself in his schemes. She hadn't revealed how much she'd already influenced this plan. She'd influenced the constable in both his attacks on Na'rul, and that had advanced his plan far more than any of his own manipulations so far.
And so she reviewed the terms of her agreement with Cad'strum again in her mind. Na'rul would someday be a rather major power herself, and Ciara was positioned to control her and draw that power to herself. She had a century to cement that claim. Na'rul would be hers until Cad'strum asked for her back. Cad'strum imagined that his plan would bring him revenge. Instead, Ciara would hijack his plan and she would gain great power for herself from it. And Cad'strum would never ask for Na'rul back, because if all happened as Ciara planned it, Cad'strum would be dead.
---
The day before Ruadh would visit The Hidden Hart again, Cad'strum let himself into Na'rul small home. It was simple and plain, and Na'rul had decorated it with dried flowers and wreaths, handmade curtains and knotted rugs, all well in keeping with the human she pretended to be. Pretty and sweet.
Na'rul herself, however, hissed with irritation when he walked in. She wore her human form, but the expression in her eyes was pure devil. "You risk your entire plan every time you come here like this!" she snapped. "What would Ruadh think if he saw you walk in here like this?"
"Mind the way you speak to me, Na'rul," Cad'strum scolded. "Ruadh is a thousand miles away, trying to encourage sheep to behave like men."
"Then what if someone else told Ruadh they saw a strange man just walk into my home?" she asked, then waved her hand as if tossing away her objection. "Why are you here?"
"I have brought you a present, Na'rul."
Cad'strum watched Na'rul's eyes when he offered her the feather. She lit up with delight when she sensed the power and magic in it. "What IS it?" she marveled.
"It is his feather. Enchanted to make it easier to break through his barriers. You wear this close to your heart, and he will be helpless to resist you any longer."
She reached out and plucked it gently from his fingers. Her human eyes, wide and bright blue, were shining and focused on the shimmering feather. She tilted her head one way and the feather the opposite and smiled a predatory smile. "It is.... " she trailed off.
Cad'strum took her hand and directed it to place the feather inside her blouse, over her heart. "It is his downfall, Na'rul. That feather will destroy him." He watched her eyes as he spoke. Her face revealed nothing. But the corner of her right eye twitched and, after a moment, she looked away. She pressed her palm over the feather.
She nodded. "It will destroy him." she repeated thoughtfully.
Cad'strum pursed his lips, but anything else he said could be taken as influencing Na'rul's decision. So instead, he asked, "You will meet him on the road, then?"
"I will be waiting for him." She nodded.
Cad'strum nodded and smiled. And said nothing.
The tapestry of things to come is thick and ominous with vile plots, plans, schemes, double dealing, double crossings and betrayals.
"Goodbye, Jean-Luc. I'm gonna miss you... you had such potential. But then again, all good things must come to an end..." -- Q
The writing is excellent as always, Sooner.
But...
Devils have too many plots and plans and none of it bodes well for Ruadh.
Part V
Ruadh plummeted out of the sky on his pearly white wings. His anxiety to see Sadb consumed him, and his normal stern reminders to himself to keep himself under control, to follow the rules seemed woefully inadequate. He stooped to a hard landing and darted into the shrine to make his change. She'd been fine when he'd left. Still horribly shaken and pale, but fine. He hadn't dared stay a moment longer. If she'd asked him that night to walk her home, he would have accepted. And, he was afraid, he would have accepted anything else she offered as well. Oh.... Sadb was only going to be more trouble for him, he knew it. But he couldn't stay away. And... besides, he had to make sure she was safe.
His distraction kept him from realizing that he was not alone in the shrine until the intruder stepped out into sight. The dim light revealed dusky blue skin, black hair, black horns, a barbed tail, and leathery wings. Ruadh was slow to recognize the danger... a delay that could have been deadly. Instead, the devil raised his clawed hands, palms out. "Peace, friend. I am not here to do you harm."
"We are not friends, Atru'vum." Ruadh hissed. "Get out of here."
"But we were once. And for that, I am here to warn you."
No devil ever meant well for an angel. Ruadh glanced about, seeking into the shadows for further danger. He put his back to the stone wall, his eyes quickly and effectively finding anything that could be used as a weapon, mapping out the quickest routes to escape. "Then deliver your warning and get out, devil." Ruadh spat. "I can still remember when we were brothers. That is all that holds me back from killing you now."
Atru'vum shook his head sadly and took a step forward. "Then, for my old friend, do not go to The Hidden Hart tonight, or ever again."
"What are you talking about?"
"I cannot say more. I can not. But do not go back there."
"How-" Ruadh began, but Atru'vum moved fast. He ducked and flung a fistful of dirt into Ruadh's eyes. Ruadh tumbled and rolled, furiously blinking and cursing himself for trusting a devil for even that short time, but when he could finally see again, Atru'vum was gone.
In that instant, Ruadh gave up his attachment to The Hart. If Atru'vum knew about it, then his friends and companions among the devils did as well. Ruadh could not bring that sort of danger to the people of The Hart. But... he could not walk away from Sadb so easily. He would go there one last time... just long enough to say goodbye to her. He told himself it was for the best anyway... how long before he would succumb to her? How much longer could he have resisted his own desire? For her sake as well as his, this was best...
He nodded, striving for resolute acceptance. He would find her, say goodbye, and leave. He would miss The Hart, and he would miss Sadb fiercely... but it was best that he go. For both of them. And not just because Atru'vum knew about his visits there.
With his human face in place, and his emotions determinedly shut away, Ruadh left the shrine and hurried down the road to The Hart. The moon was full and its silvery light stole the color from the night. The trees and brush along the road glittered and shone. The air was cool and crisp. The noise from the surrounding forest, insects, birds, night creatures, rose up around him.
So focused was he on what he would say when he saw her for the last time that he nearly missed her standing there by the road. She was so beautiful with the moonlight full on her face and glittering in her hair, her skin illuminated, her white shirt glowing.
Ruadh! she called to him. Ruadh, wait!
He turned to her, Sadb!" he cried out, smiling despite himself at the sight of here. "I must talk with you.
She hurried to him and placed one slender, long fingered hand on his arm. What is it?
The magic from the enchanted feather reached for him, but he didn't recognize it. He didn't realize the danger as the spell woven into it broke down his barriers and sank magic fingers into his mind and soul. He was no longer capable of saying no to her, he was trapped and he didn't even know it. He rocked back as if hit by a heavy blow, then his eyes found hers. With no control left over his feelings or desires, he reached for her and gathered her into his embrace. Ruadh! she gasped. He tilted her chin up and kissed her, relishing the soft warmth of her lips. His right hand traced the ribbon that held her blue teardrop pendant until it disappeared under her blouse.
Invite me to your home, he whispered. I will not say no.
I- I- she stammered, then pushed back from him just enough to look into his eyes. Ruadh, come home with me, please.
He smiled and took her hand. Together they ran back to her small home. It never crossed his mind to wonder why he no longer worried about the rules or the consequences of breaking them, or that he'd forgotten Atru'vum's warning.
When the door to her home closed behind him, he drew her into another embrace and a kiss that expressed his desire and passion fully. She sank into it, pressing herself against him, and for a moment... a moment he would remember for centuries to come, they were like one being. He lifted his head, his eyes darting around the small room until he saw a hanging curtain. He guided her back, and she yielded, moving with him like a skilled partner on the dance floor. He pulled the curtain aside and revealed a narrow bed. Narrow, but he thought it would do. A few more steps and she fell back against it.
Then she pushed against him. Ruadh, Ruadh... wait, she gasped. Please, wait.
I can not wait any longer, Sadb. He couldn't hear, couldn't think over the roar of his desire for her. He couldn't see anything but her. His mind was full of her, the scent of her hair, her eyes, her flushed cheeks, her rapid breaths. Her skin was hot and soft like fine silk under his hand and he couldn't take his eyes from her lips. "Tell me after... you can tell me after."
She pushed against his chest, leaning back But... I am not.... I'm not what you think, Ruadh.
He was so lost in his love for her, and his need for her, that he couldn't imagine anything she could say that would matter. He just wanted her. He was ready to give everything up for her. His eternal existence,.. it would be worth it. One lifetime with Sadb... that would be enough. "Sadb..." he breathed her name and lowered his face to her neck, breathing in her scent and nuzzling into her.
Ruadh. I love you. I love you so much, and that is the truth. Remember that, always. I love you and that means I can not allow.... She paused, took a deep breath, and continued. Ruadh, you cannot. We cannot. I am Ruadh... it is all a tr- The door behind them reverberated with a loud "THUMP!" and another. "Oh no..." she breathed. "Ruadh... "
Before Sadb could finish whatever she had to say, the heavy wooden door burst open. Ruadh's enemy and former mentor Cad'strum filled the doorway and behind him stood Atru'vum and two other devils, Ira'tus and Trist'us, each of whom had an old grudge against their former brother Ruadh.
What are - Sadb began, but Cad'strum cut her off.
Be silent, you little fool. Cad'strum commanded, and Sadb's mouth shut with a snap.
Ruadh roared with fury and lunged at Cad'strum, putting himself between Sadb and the devils. Ira'tus darted in, hitting Ruadh hard square in his chest and knocking him back. Ruadh was still slow to think, slow to react, and Ira'tus easily pinned Ruadh's right arm against his body and drove him back. His head buzzed, but the urgency, the need to fight was struggling through. Ruadh pushed back and reached around with his left hand, trying to get a grip on Ira'tus, but Trist'us was there, moving behind him. Trist'us grabbed Ruadh's left wrist and twisted it behind. Ruadh roared and lunged away, but Ira'tus shifted his grip as well and then both Ruadh's arms were pinned back. With a face both angry and sad, Atru'vum grabbed Ruadh by the hair and twisted his head back. Atru'vum opened his mouth to speak, then shook his head. He pulled back until Ruadh fell to his knees, wrenching both arms painfully. Before he could stand Trist'us and Ira'tus each planted a clawed and broad foot at the back of Ruadh's knees. And the angel was held helpless.
Cad'strum ignored Ruadh for the moment. He grabbed Sadb by the arm and shook her, his face furious.
Take your hands from her! Ruadh bellowed, consumed with rage. The urgency of the situation began to wake him up. Four devils were in the room with him. And the woman he loved. And he was helpless.
Ah.. you care for her, do you? And, it appears, she cares for you as well, Cad'strum cast a dark look Sadb. Ah, Ruadh. I am so glad you found love, someone to care for. It gives me yet another way to hurt you.
No! Ruadh screamed. He struggled uselessly and succeeded only in hurting himself.
Cad'strum dragged a silent and passive Sadb away. Hurt the angel, Cad'strum sneered. Hurt him, leave him broken. And then join me with this. Cad'strum's smile made Ruadh's heart go cold as he turned Sadb toward the room. He stroked a clawed hand down her cheek as he meet Ruadh's eyes. Imagine every way four devils could hurt her. Think about what we could do to her - all the various things we could do to her before we kill her. Ask yourself how much of that a human can endure before they cannot live. And while you're imagining it, remember that we would be doing all of that to her in order to hurt you. He laughed at Ruadh's inarticulate response. As I thought. Hurting her will hurt you twice as badly. Come with me, you foolish thing, your punishment for loving the angel starts right now.
Atru'vum stood over him. I told you to stay away. he said, shaking his head. There's no saving either of you now. Ruadh... you should have known Cad'strum would never forgive you for getting him and the rest of us cast out. You should have expected this
Do not hurt her... Ruadh gasped out, calling out to Cad'strum. She is innocent in this.
Atru'vum shook his head and laughed bitterly. You are a fool, Ruadh. Atru'vum sighed sadly one last time, and then slammed his clawed foot into Ruadh's belly.
"Sadb!" Ruadh screamed. "NO! NO!" Her bright blue eyes met his, shiny with tears and she held his gaze fiercely. He fought uselessly as the wooden door slammed closed, trapping him inside with the devils and his Sadb alone with Cad'strum.
Conall Cian is one of the most fearsome and powerful villains in the stories written by myself and Ice9. He is responsible for the capture, imprisonment, torture, and death of countless Paragon City and Rogue Isle civilians, heroes, villains, and most particularly, members of the Ghosts Reborn. Conall is a centuries old demon, as evil as any.
However, in "The Sooner Nation," it became clear that there was more to Conall than just evil. He had loved and lost, and he had been bound into service to an even more powerful demon, Ciara Banenighe.
The end of "The Sooner Nation," revealed that Conall had not always been a demon, he was instead a fallen angel, that his fall was engineered by a devil named Cad'strum and that he'd been tricked into his great love by a female devil, Na'rul.
Once Ciara Banenighe was killed and he was free of her, he was able to shed his demonic appearance and he reclaimed his original name, "Ruadh."
These are things that we learned at the conclusion of "The Sooner Nation." This is the story of how the angel Ruadh became the demon Conall Cian.