Maledictus Terra Book 3: Vetitum Nemus Part 74
Introduction
Welcome back to Maledicturs Terra. This is a Chain Story between myself and @lex-zaiya, meaning that we each write the parts alternatively.
If you have not read Maledictus Terra Book 1: Mortis Custos yet, it starts HERE at Part 1 and ends at Part 101 HERE. At the end of the Part 101 post you will find links to all 101 Parts!
Maledictus Terra Book 2: Sanguifex started HERE with Part 1 and ends at Part 111 HERE
The previous part by @lex-zaiya can be found here!
Part 74
Mary stared, her eyes wide and her nerves screaming at her not to panic. Her blood felt like ice in her veins. As Queen, we is meant to command, but this... she was just a woman too. She had her limits. Her muscles locked in place and would not let her run, though she wanted to. She couldn't breathe. She couldn't speak.
It's alright. He is quite harmless. The voice came into her head.
She let out a breath that she'd been holding. "Derrick! Change out of that shape this instant!" She yelled, far too shrilly for her own liking and contorted her face into something more akin to anger and rage than fear. She hoped.
The snake raised its head and she nearly leapt into the air. Is something the matter?
"It would be wonderful if someone picked me up. There is a lot of fur on the carpet here. Do you have dogs?" The muffled voice said from the miniature skull.
Mary did not want to particularly touch that thing either. Just then she heard the arrival of footsteps coming into the Throne room. Adrian was in the lead, grinning like an idiot. The tall she-orc walking behind him, looked a bit concerned. Adiran was with them as well, who scowled at the snake.
"Would you change form already?" Adiran yelled. He saw definitely angry, he had his hands before him as though he may use magic on Derrick if he was not obeyed.
Derrick seemed to count up his chances but changed for quickly into that of a man, he was bare chested and wore only short breeches. The Princeling looked between Adiran and the Queen in confusion. "What happened?"
"Don't play dumb with me!" Adiran scolded. "Did Magna put you up to this?"
Meanwhile Mary walked shakily to her throne and sat down on it. She hoped that no-one could see her fear and the effect that the snake had had on her. She wiped her brow while no-one was looking.
"I don't know what you mean." Derrick was saying. "What did I do?"
Adrian burst out laughing. "Oh, leave him alone Uncle. He obviously did that by mistake."
Adiran frowned at his Nephew and seemed genuinely angry. He spoke softly but he was angry. He did not want Mary to hear, but she did anyway. "One of our mothers died from this... not the snake but the phobia. You should be more careful. It is not a joke."
Adrian seemed to sober up at that and his smile vanished. "I see. I am sorry. I did not mean to be indelicate or unfeeling about that. I did not know."
Adiran nodded once and then stooped to pick up the head from the floor by the whispy strands of hair on its head.
"My Queen... I have captured the arc-traitor - the Mage Barakus, member of the Seventeen."
Mary had time to compose herself, but the words chilled her. It now fell on her to deal with this. Not Jonathan. Not Magna... But it was her duty. She assumed her most dignified look as the head was raised so they could see each other.
The face frowned and looked to its left hand side as far as it could. "Arc-traitor? Captured? I thought we had a deal Adiran. This was not for my capture, only for your safety."
"It amounts to the same thing." Adiran said, deadpan. "We were going to look for you, but you have come to us. Now address the queen."
The shrunken head's eyes swiveled and stared at Mary. It carried a frown and a grin at the same time that did not make her feel like this creature believed that it was captured and powerless. But she did trust Adiran's abilities, to a limit.
"Your Majesty." The skull said. "I would bow before you, but I lack a back to bend... or even a neck. I am Barakus. Former High Mage of the Dragonshold."
Over to you Lex!
Thank you for reading!
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Vetitum Nemus
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Another one bites the dust!
Thank you for this, it will be easier for me
👍
Looking forward to continuing from here. So much fun!
I'm glad that you are enjoying it! Looking forward to your update!