Mixed Blessings Ch. 09

Finally, he turned back to Laslie, his mood intense once more. "You areronin?" Laslie's single nod was clipped and respectful. "Then you wish to be Unseleigh?" Another precise nod. "Then you will, indeed, be able to challenge me. I will even let you set the conditions." He paused, lust flared through him, and he shifted to watch Talianna. As always, Alicia got the feeling that every Sidhe male could successfully mentally undress her at a glance. "I only insist she's mine if I win." He turned back to Laslie. "What's your name?"

"Laslie." His voice was as clipped as his nods had been.

"All hear this! Laslie declares his Unseleigh allegiance!" A quick glance at Talianna, and a returned nod. "Talianna, first amongworld-walkers, declares her Unseleigh allegiance!" Barsten's voice dropped to conversational tones once more. "Now that formalities are aside, the terms?" He waved over a man in blue jeans, an orange t-shirt and a long, black trench coat. Obviously his second.

"I would have insisted that Talianna be cared for and would have you name yourorphan." Barsten nodded solemnly but waited until the end to speak. "Single combat, no restrictions."

The crowd gasped. Alicia wasn't entirely sure of all of the implications, but it seemed to mean that they could each use any weapon or tool at their disposal. Alicia knew that was integral to Laslie's plan, for he had no hope of besting Barsten based on sheer power, magical or physical, and likely little hope on skill alone. It was the artifacts, hopefully unknown to the Unseleigh, which would win him the battle.

"If that's your wish, so be it." Barsten's second nodded and hurried back into the building. He came back a moment later carrying a broach, which he immediately handed to his leader. He then moved over beside Talianna. With care, he placed his hands on her shoulders and led her to one side.

Conscious of the increased speed that Laslie had developed, Alicia boosted her own to much closer to her own limits. The two stood there, unmoving. Laslie had his arms across his chest as he leaned back, his expression; not a care in the world. Barsten leaned forward slightly. He radiated concentration. She had to assume the two had begun the battle in the spirit world, and the Unseleigh was clearly on the offensive.

A few moments passed, then Laslie flared with far more energy than Alicia thought he possessed. Barsten physically staggered, as if attacked. She wasn't sure if that was the case, however, as he radiated surprise rather than pain. Quickly it transformed into caution and concern. Alicia understood that. Laslie held a bit more power than Barsten. They stood for a moment longer, then both began to move.

"Are you sure about that?" Laslie grinned and nodded his response to Barsten's question. A Sidhe ran up to the front of the group that formed the perimeter of the impromptu ring. Barsten held his hand up and the impatient man held to the edge of the ring.

Laslie looked around at the assembled tribe. "Very sure." He turned his back on Barsten to walk over to Talianna. She radiated pride for Laslie's accomplishment. Meanwhile, Barsten seethed over the fact that not only had he been held off so easily, but now his opponent showed so little concern that he would turn his back in the middle of combat. After an affectionate squeeze of Talianna's hand, he turned back to the fight. "I have proven to all that I am your equal in astral combat. I need to prove that I am the better fighter."

Let it never be said that Laslie isn't diplomatic. Alicia was impressed that he hadn't chosen to say what was painfully obvious to all. He was more than Barsten's equal in power. Whileshe would know that it was only because of one of the artifacts, the others might very well not. She could not sense it as an independent source, and she wasn't sure if the Sidhe could either.

She also understood the necessity of bringing the combat into the physical world. To look at the two, Barsten seemed the obvious choice for that arena. Alicia had known people who could mask their energy, so to hold the entire combat there invited future challenges in purely physical combat. Laslie knew how to best even the toughest Sidhe warrior, and to prove it now diminished the number of such speculation challenges.

Barsten nodded, walked over to the edge of the audience, and grabbed one of the machine guns. Even as he wheeled to aim, Laslie had the pistol out and pointed comfortably at the Unseleigh leader's head. He hadn't even needed to use his heightened speed, as the pistol and holster, at the small of his back, was the perfect weapon for speed. Barsten slowly aimed the gun skyward and handed it back. "You were the one who declared 'no restrictions.' I simply wanted to see if you were prepared for every possibility." Laslie nodded and replaced his pistol and drew the kama.

Barsten held out his hand and a short sword was immediately placed in it. Without looking, he nodded his head in thanks and confidently approached. Laslie crouched and stalked closer. Alicia knew this to be show, as there was no way the unsuspecting Sidhe could best her former lover. With her senses, they seemed to move painfully slow. She wondered if Laslie had the same problem. More than likely he had already activated his own enhanced abilities.

Alicia saw the charge and lunge. Laslie easily sidestepped. Casually, the hooked, sickle-like, blade reached out and caught the hand-guard. She saw his attention to detail, as he ripped the weapon from his opponent's grasp, he made sure not to so much as nick Barsten's skin. Laslie took three steps back at full speed, stood relaxed and awaited his opponent's reaction.

Barsten stared in shock at his hand. He looked up to see the relatively tiny man standing a comfortable distance away, where less than a moment before they stood face to face. The kama rested against his hip in a loose grip. His confidence dropped instantly. He had to still believe he had the advantage of strength, but speed would be no contest. The combat would likely come down to endurance. That was another trait that could not be gauged on looks alone.

Although concerned, Barsten dropped into a defensive crouch, with his elbows bent and hands curled to grapple. Laslie shrugged. He had little to fear, even wrestling the much bigger warrior. The kama slipped back into the belt clip and he imitated Barsten's posture.

Laslie let Barsten advance without giving any indication of nerves. The two locked grips. Laslie must have moved painfully slowly, for everyone to watch, as he moved onto the offensive once more. One hand was thrown wide, wide the other pulled behind Barsten's back painfully. A kick to the back of knees dropped the Unseleigh warrior. Laslie's other hand slipped around Barsten's head, locked his elbow beneath the big man's chin and jerked back.

He held Barsten's neck extended. Laslie's message was clear. "Do it." The voice was too soft to have been heard by any but Laslie. With the crowd in a stunned silence, Alicia's superior senses barely picked up the defeated words, but the man's shame was clear to her.

Suddenly, it was over. Laslie released the man and stepped back. As Barsten fell, the other Unseleigh believed him dead. Alicia knew better. At the last second, his hands came forward to break the fall. The crowd let out its collected breath.

Laslie leaned over and helped Barsten to his feet with a hand under his arm. Barsten's confusion was obvious to all. It was a sentiment everyone shared, including Alicia. Laslie turned a full circle to survey the crowd. "I am Unseleigh now." He turned and offered his hand in friendship to Barsten. The man was still confused, but took the offered hand, which he raised and once more turned a full circle in demonstration. "What's more, I am the Dark Huntsman!"

Alicia gasped. This wasn't just some leader of an Unseleigh tribe. He was the supreme general of the Unseleigh. If she understood the distinction, he was far more the leader of his people than Hunter was to his.

But Laslie hadn't finished addressing the crowd. "My thoughts must beof the Unseleigh. While our drive for power makes us stronger, these duels to the death for supremacy erode that very power. Barsten is a warrior to exceed any Seleigh except, perhaps, Hunter himself. With his death we could be sure we have one who could best Hunter. With his survival, we have two!"

Alicia could feel the uncertainty, however Laslie either anticipated it, or he could sense it himself. He held up a hand to forestall any objections. "I'm not saying that serious disputes cannot be settled in this fashion. Blood feuds exist because tribes or simply people feel they have been slighted. But we need to think as a comprehensive whole, not simply power for ourselves."

He was winning them. "Think!" Once more he scanned the group that surrounded him, but this time Barsten had moved to his back, with his arms crossed. His support was obvious already. He gave nothing more than the impression of a strong second. "One hundred years ago, we were so strong that the Seleigh could not defeat us without the aid of the human Akashics!"

There was a sudden spike of anger at his mention of the human sect. "Now, only one remains." The anger grew and confusion joined it. "That's right. An Akashic has been found, and not just a child but a full grown adult." Alicia nearly shut her eyes and covered her head from the rage that poured from the glade. "Our only consolation is that he slipped by because he has very little knowledge of his true potential." Rage surged to hope and Laslie saw it in there.

"Now, spread the word of what has happened. Spread what you know to all Unseleigh, while I conference with my second; Barsten." Barsten ushered over the Sidhe who had attempted to contact him in the middle of the fight. With the noise of the gossiping crowd, as it fanned out, Alicia could not hear what was said. Laslie, however, quickly took control, even as Talianna and Barsten's second moved over.

The five moved into the building Barsten had come from. Alicia used the shadows and dwellings to slip closer. Avoiding the various Sidhe was simplicity, as they radiated emotion. In moments she was behind the building. None could see her from the main encampment, and any who came towards her would be detected long before they could spot her. Even those trained to hide their presence could not even dampen her empathy.

Strangely, she couldn't hear anything from within. Alicia pressed her ear against the building and listened more closely. Still nothing. It made a certain amount of sense that the Dark Hunstman would go to extra lengths to secure his home against any form of intrusion or eavesdropping. There were Sidhe equally as skilled as Alicia in infiltration, after all. However the Sidhe could not sense four of the people inside as she could. Three of them were nervous and concerned. Talianna was confident and a little prideful; probably because of how well Laslie managed things. Unfortunately, he was still an equal mystery to Alicia.

One of the unknown Sidhe, Alicia thought it was Barsten's second, became very focused and rushed into the compound somewhere. The nerves slowly drained, to be replaced by the same proud certainty Alicia felt coming from Talianna. Whatever was going on, Laslie not only had a handle on it, but in such a profound way that he was proving himself an able and decisive leader. Both were traits Alicia had recognized in him.

The second came back very promptly with another Sidhe. The situation was quickly explained to him ~for Alicia sensed it was likely a male~ and all within the room began to concentrate. Their power grew slightly, but not noticeably enough to be a major spell. Laslie either did not add his own power to it, or only a small portion, for he kept himself as well shielded as he did his emotions. Strangely, when the spell was complete, the level of nerves and caution in the room skyrocketed. Even Talianna was exceptionally reserved.

It could be no coincidence that four Sidhe warriors began to move towards her from the forest and encampment. While most of them could be assumed to have the building as their destination, one moved more towards the back than the front. It was time for Alicia to leave. She turned, only to find herself face to face with her former lover.

"I'm sorry you had to be here. You would have been better off if you had remained at the motel."

Laslie lunged. Alicia tried to dodge, only to discover her body acting much more sluggish than she could account for. She knew he wasn't using his enhanced capabilities, yet still he managed to grip her shoulders. She tried to call on her own Dhase strength, only to find it completely lacking. He nodded to the four warriors, as they appeared, and motioned for them to follow as he dragged her into the building. Inside, she stared at the assembled Sidhe. She knew her expression was as blank as her heart.

"Talianna, you do not have to stay..." Laslie began.

"I'll stay." Talianna, the only other woman present, held a firm resolve. She knew what was coming, but was determined, perhaps even a little excited, to stay and watch. Despite her nerves, she knew she had to show her strength among a people who prided it above all else.

Laslie nodded at her. His expression was filled with pride at her choice. That expression turned back to Alicia and became one of pity. "I want two of you to hold her at all times. Beyond that, all of you," his motion included Barsten and his second, "can have your fill. Barsten, as my second, gets first opportunity, then you." With the last he pointed at the guard who had undoubtedly alerted them all to her presence.

She knew she should be afraid as two of the warriors grabbed her arms in a vice grip. Barsten's vaguely sadistic pleasure and extreme lust should have made Alicia cringe. But none of it mattered to her as her eyes locked onhim. Even as the large Sidhe filled her entire view, she continued to stare where she knew Laslie to be.

A large hand grabbed her shirt and tore it free. The two who held her each grabbed her skirt and held it out of the way for their former leader. Barsten reached out and grabbed both her bra and panties and ripped them off. Alicia couldn't help but scream in pain as the various elastic straps dug against her skin, before they finally relinquished to his considerable strength.

She could not feel fear, but she still felt pain. With the single cry, lust and desire flared in a number of those present, including Talianna. In his excitement, Barsten nearly ripped his pants off. Alicia couldn't help but look. Every bit of his body was huge. He was going to hurt her no matter how gentle he tried to be, and she knew he had no intentions towards that. The only saving grace would be that he would likely loosen her up for any of the men that followed, if he didn't tear her to shreds first.

As his pants fell to the floor, Barsten reached out and took one of her small breasts into each hand. His nails bit into her flesh as he squeezed and twisted. She cried out in pain. Without pride, Alicia saw no reason not to react as her body would have her. Silence would only suggest that he try harder to incite the pain he so desired. He twisted harder anyway as he growled into her ear. "Open them for me or I tear you apart with my hands."

With the viselike grip on each arm, it was simple enough to lift her hips off the ground so that her legs could encircle his waist. He didn't relent any pressure on her breasts for her assistance. Instead, as she felt his tip nestle against her dry flesh, he turned back to Laslie. "Found us a good slut haven't you?"

Alicia's mind shattered beneath the pain as he tore his way into her tight, dry, depths. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Laslie staggered backwards. Trails of his seed clung between him and Talianna, but they were negligible compared to the amount that covered her naked form. He was pretty sure that she was asleep, then again he himself had blacked out for a good portion of it.

As he watched Barsten violate Alicia, Laslie had felt nothing but pity. He hadn't wanted it to come to this, certainly, but he could only provide his personal protection to one person at a time, barring the limitations of challenges; such as there would have been had either he or Barsten died. When Alicia had followed him, he could not protect her from her punishment, and he was obligated to protecthis Sidhe from her.

She had told him how she could be defeated. It was a simple, if dangerous, spell; a power web. The spell would siphon off all magic used within its boundaries. He had added only two restrictions to the basic spell, but that had required a specialist. Laslie did not want her to die. He knew that the warriors would not kill her, but he needed to make sure the spell didn't either. So he restricted it to leave only as much power as an average human maintained. He further decided to make ample use of the spell and had all of that power redirected into his power band. Now even a dozen Hunters could attack him, at once or in succession, and he would best them all.

Alicia could only have found them if she had followed from the beginning. When he had learned that there was a 'human' lurking around the encampment, from one of the astral scouts, he had expected it to be her. He had expected her wrath and planned accordingly. He had not expected the dead eyes that he had found. He found grim satisfaction in the fact that those same eyes held nothing as he gave her to his warriors; no hate, no fear, no shame, just dispassion.

He slipped back into his clothes, after he found them, and headed for the main room. Talianna had become so excited by the woman's screams that her hand had gripped his painfully even before Barsten was through. Not much long after, she had dragged him into the private room, nowhis room, so that he could do much the same to her. He hadn't been much in the mood, but Talianna had skills that would have only confirmed the Seleigh's suspicion that she serviced Hunter. After a few minutes under her care, Laslie was even able to ignore Alicia's screams.

Laslie realized that he hadn't heard those screams for a few minutes. Either she had passed out, or the warriors had had their fill. Either way, it was over for now. He rather hoped all of them had gotten their turns. He'd much rather be done with this.

Laslie opened the door, to discover Alicia hung from chains, in the middle of the room. At the sound, her head rose slightly to bestow that dead gaze on him. Her feet hung off the ground, and a puddle sat beneath her. The lower half of her body was literally covered in lust. More continued to seep out of her. However, her face and torso not been neglected in the slightest. He pulled the amulet from her neck with a quick snap of the chain. "You won't be needing this." Better not to waste such a useful device.

"I really do regret that it came to this. You see, I had hoped to make a life with you, as well as among my new friends. Unfortunately, the two could not coexist. You see, Talianna is the perfect Sidhe. And I couldn't provide both of you from protection here. I also thought you might be here for revenge. I'm sorry this is what you have become."

Laslie moved up to her and picked up a piece of her tattered shirt, from nearby, to clean the cloying substance from around her eyes. "I cannot, however, take the risk that this is anything but a temporary state. Like this, I cannot fear you. But should you regain your senses, I cannot have you threatening my people. For that reason I have had them cast a spell which will instantly alert me whenever you are within a mile. You will also begin to feel pain the closer you get." He placed the cloth against her groin, to demonstrate where the pain would be, and grimaced as it stuck.