[ P ] Augar

Augar
1. to foretell, especially from omens.
2: a religious official who observed natural signs,
especially the behavior of birds, interpreting
these as an indication of divine approval
or disapproval.


Something was in the air. Instinctively, Rhiannon understood that some mistake had been made, that a wrong was committed that required punishment from the unseen, those that watched the living and dictated their good fortunes – or deepest disasters.


Her companion and messenger, a crow called Badb, cast a dark shadow on the dry, cracking earth below. She circled the air twice, reminiscent of a vulture, before descending, landing before Rhiannon with a serious expression. Her dark eyes blinked, and her feathered head shook. There was no need for words here; Rhiannon already knew that the bird’s mission to find a source of water had been a failure. Every creek was dry, the once rushing rivers muddy and undrinkable.


A sigh parted the she-wolf’s dark lips. Even here, in the Highlands, there was no relief from the heat and the thirst. She wondered aloud: ”Who is it…” Amethyst orbs turned to the cloudless sky. It was nearly evening, but the world was still blistering. ”Who has committed the sins that could warrant this punishment?”




@Elwynn

art and code by Yahtzee-Penguiduck

Elwynn Blackwood

The woman lingered in the darkness, peering out at the other wolf with curious eyes. She wasn't sure she wanted to reveal herself just yet... she was only just now coming out of hiding after she and her little family had caught wind of someone on the hunt for their heads. She'd disappeared with her son and Wisteria into the thickest parts of the Highlands to stay safe and somewhere along the way Wisteria disappeared. Zoltan, too, was a little more wayward than usual.

It was the heat that drove her out. Their plot was a failure, for they had not secured the royal child for sacrifice and now the fae were angry. The world was angry. It was dry and cracked, hot and horrible... for it hungered for the blood of the innocent and had yet to be fed.

"Perhaps it is my fault..." she whispered softly, her somewhat gaunt figure shivering as she slinked from the undergrowth. Elwynn eyed the other woman, wondering if she were walking right into a trap. It didn't seem likely, this woman had a certain... well, Elwynn didn't know, there was just something about her that made her think she was no soldier come to lop off her head. She was unwell, she didn't feel like her usual self and felt meeker and more vulnerable than ever. Usually death threats did not phase Elwynn but something in her had shifted when she'd gone into hiding.

She knew she needed to get back to herself, with or without her family. Her dried nose wriggled and she then sighed. "The Fae want blood and they've yet to fulfill their cravings. So they sent the heat to take it." she said quietly. It was obvious to her, she wondered if anyone else truly understood.

code by claerie

"The Fae want blood and they've yet to fulfill their cravings. So they sent the heat to take it." The voice was hushed, like that of a phantom, and the feminine tones caused Rhiannon’s ears to prick forward curiously. For a swift, passing moment, Rhiannon wondered if the spiritual, the unseen forces that controlled the lives of mortals, spoke to her from behind that invisible veil. But a quick glance discovered a wolfess, one who did not appear at death’s door, but did not exactly look well, either.

Amethyst eyes rest upon the stranger’s form, and Rhiannon’s expression was distant, unreadable. She took one step, tentatively, then another toward the unknown, noticing that the stranger had pale purple eyes, not unlike her own. Interesting, indeed… Dark nostrils flared as she took in the woman's scent and to be certain that, indeed, they were alone there.

”The Fae…” She repeated the other’s words slowly, thoughtfully, focus never faltering as she watched the dark she-wolf before her. ”The Fae want blood. But why?” Rhiannon held her own theories, but it was not often that she came across a wolf such as this one. Her facade was calm and fearless, despite the ominous conversation unfolding, with just the hint of a smile tugging at the corners of her thin lips.

@tag

art & code by alexandre

Elwynn Blackwood

Elwynn watched the other woman tenatively, her ears flicking as she moved close but not too close. Her lilac eyes followed the others movements sharply, predatorily...

Her jaw tightened and she shrugged her shoulders at the woman's question. Why?

"I do not pretend to know why they want what they want." she said. "but I know if they'd gotten it, this heat would not have come." Of course, this was untrue, but it did not stop Elwynn from believing it. If it had happened anyway, she would have simply claimed it had not been the right blood. There was always a way out, if you really tried.

The witch drew a breath and sighed. "It was supposed to be the princess, but perhaps a peasant will do." she said quietly. The look on her face relayed that perhaps she hadn't meant to say that out loud -- or had she? Elwynn's lips curled slightly and she traced the edges of the other wolf's face, noting the small smile forming upon the other's lips as well. She hadn't frightened her off thus far and Elywnn had to wonder, just who this wolf was. "I am Elwynn." she offered.

code by claerie

"I do not pretend to know why they want what they want. But I know if they'd gotten it, this heat would not have come." The stormy enchantress remained focused, eyes not wavering as the other spoke. And Rhiannon agreed, of course, but the answer remains unsatisfactory for the determined witch. ”I believe –” She began, with some hesitance, eyeing the stranger again; despite any misgivings, Rhiannon continued. ”I believe the current ruler of these lands has evoked anger from the unseen. A punishment we all now bare, whether or not we support the kind.”

”Elwynn,” she repeated the name thoughtfully, its magical nature not lost on the enchantress in gray. ”I am called Rhiannon. It is a pleasure,” she offered, before saying more – and it was not that she trusted this mysterious stranger, beautiful though she may be – but Rhiannon shared it nonetheless, amethyst orbs watching closely for any reaction: ”I am going to the Mainlands, though I despise the place, to place a curse on the king. Perhaps–” The hint of a smirk toyed with her thin lips. ”Perhaps that will be enough to appease those responsible for this suffering.”

@Elwynn

art & code by alexandre

Elwynn Blackwood

Elwynn nodded in approval, believing something along those very same lines. It was the King's fault for disrupting Rionnach and now they all had to pay. If only she could get to the Princess then she would make him pay and set everything right... but for now, and especially alone, she couldn't. She was helpless and it drove her crazy to feel this alone and vulnerable.

Her ears twitched as the other woman spoke of a curse and she nodded, a smile finally forming on her face. "A curse might be just the thing we need," she said, though she had her own methods that she assumed were far from what this woman had in mind. A soft hum escaped her. "I think I will do the same. I must go... I must prepare." she said, and with that she turned just as quickly as she'd appeared and disappeared into the woods. There were many things to do and she felt her vigor return with glee. Oh yes, the King would pay dearly.

exit elwynn

code by claerie

Fair Elwynn seemed to agree with Rhiannon’s view of the situation, stating aloud, "A curse might be just the thing we need.” The tempestuous fae smiled in response, grateful to see that there were others out there in the world who saw the situation for what it was. A despot like King Adamh and his ilk could only be stopped in one decisive way. War might do the trick, but then others would die needlessly – not that Rhiannon was particularly interested in sparing those who cared to fight, that was their own business. But what war could not do, a curse certainly could…

But there would be no time nor space to discuss this idea any further, for Elwynn was already stepping away before Rhiannon could open her mouth to speak again. An eyebrow arched questioningly over an amethyst eye as the other witchy woman made a hasty retreat to do some preparation of her own - preparing that may have been much easier and more interesting, had the two twisted minds worked together. But Elwynn was not a Sister, and Rhiannon said nothing as she vanished from view. A soft sigh parted Rhiannon’s lips as she watched the other depart. ”Well, then. I should see to it,” she murmured aloud to herself before turning the opposite direction, stepping away from the scene solo.



/exit

@Elwynn

art & code by alexandre