Maledictus Terra Book 3: Vetitum Nemus Part 80
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 80
The Queen did not attend the party that was saying their last good byes to Noxus' party at the River Dock. That duty had been relegated to Magna. Mortis stood nearby as a silent guard. The ancient did not seem to trust that Derric was enough security for the Princess.
Magna herself found this ludicrous. She had her sword on her and Derrick was more than capable of turning into any sort of beast that could easily overpower a small army on his own. Between the two of them they could smell and hear any enemy and she could smell magic.
Despite this, the Revenant insisted on going with Magna to the docks. She had left Gorma to escort Letuah in the castle. The latter woman had finally relinquished and allowed herself to rest and had taken some bedrest. Gorma had displayed an surprising amount of tenderness about setting the other woman to bed.
Magna smiled to herself as she stood waiting for Noxus' party to finish stowing their equipment and gear. She wondered if Gorma would show her brother any tenderness should she get an opportunity to tuck him in. The thought made her giggle a bit and she covered her mouth.
Derrick grinned and craned his neck to look at her face. "What is it?"
Magna waved a hand. "I will tell you later." She looked up at Noxus, who had come to stand before the Princess. The mage bowed deeply and Magna inclined her head. "Are you looking forward to your trip?" She felt a bit awkward. Her mother had handled the goodbye so formally and gracefully. But she had known the woman for many years now. She felt Noxus was like an old companion and almost like family. Magna felt that she was sad to see her go.
"I am certain that the voyage itself will be enjoyable, though I will have many rough companions to share this river boat with. I do not know if you saw, but the Captain of this vessel is an elf." The mage said this in a soft tone. "Even their ordinary citizens are said to have magical ability equal to minor magi."
Magna looked up at the vessel to see if she could spy out this Elf Captain. She took a slow and steady breath into her nostrils to try detect any unusual odors. She could not smell anything strange but then the harbor area always had a lot of different smells, not all of them pleasant.
Noxus looked along with Magna. "I have not seen the elf yet either."
Gorox arrived, the giant man looked between the two women and the boat where they were looking. "Oh? You two are trying to spy out the Captain?" Then his usual joyous face turned serious after a moment. "On second thought, perhaps you should stay away from the woman."
"The Captain is a woman?" Magna asked. She nearly died of jealousy. Being able to be free and on the river or sea just seemed like just the kind of thing that she used to dream about when she was younger. Respect and responsibility, but not the kind of responsibility that Magna had to deal with...
At the same time Noxus asked. "Why not?"
Gorox seemed torn as to who to answer. "The Captain is a woman aye. She... Well Noxus, you shall see. I smell danger on her!" He held a meaty finger into the air.
A trio of figures were coming toward Magna now from the ship. Millmor and Rex towered over Robert, but the two of them seemed to escort him as though he was a patient and a prisoner at the same time. They seemed to care for the man. But they were also wary.
Millmor and Rex sketched bows when they came in line with Gorox and Noxus facing the Princess. Robert smiled and looked like he was about to do the same and then everything happened far too quickly.
Robert's smile fell and he looked down at his own hand as it shot upward and claws grew from his fingers. His hand became misshapen and the bones in the hand and wrist lengthened. The muscles in his arm engorged and enlarged.
The limb seemed to pull Robert forward so violently that he nearly lost his feet. The clawed limb had shot up so fast and the claws were as long as spear tips. The claws were aiming directly for her.
Millmor's own superhuman response had brought beastial arms to grab at Robert's chest to stop him from moving and Rex had fallen forward to grab the ex-Cleric's legs. Robert's leather shoes had split and torn as clawed nails ripped through the leather.
The two men were too slow however and the claws and arm were so long that they would spear through Magna's throat.
The claws stopped with a bang as a metal surface suddenly appeared before Magna. Her vision was obscured as the hulking armored form had put itself between her and the would be attacker.
Robert's form could not move and Magna moved to get a view. Derrick had changed his shape into that of a massive wolf while lightning crackled around Gorox as his hammer came into both hands and light shone from Noxus.
Magna did not draw her sword. She merely wanted to see what had happened. She gasped, realizing that Robert's claw had embedded itself into Mortis' armor and speared through the outer layer, spearing flesh underneath.
Mortis had however, grabbed the arm with both of his own and was staring down at the half changed man. The man's other arm was clutched to his chest. One crazed and bloodshot eye stared at Magna with murderous intent while the other was human and filled with pain.
"I am sorry Princess." Robert chocked out, his voice strained. "I had managed to keep the Beast locked up and I managed to keep the one arm in check... but not both... something about you is making it...urgh!... It is going crazy!"
"Magna! Step away from him! Leave the dock at once!" Mortis commanded. "His curse is related to the one who seeks you! It is reacting!"
"What in the deepest hells is going on here?" There came a yell from the river ship.
Over to you Lex!
Thank you for reading!e
Here is an explanation of Chain Stories and here is the current Chainstory Library
Vetitum Nemus
The Reader List
If you would like to be tagged in every episode of Mortis Custos/Sanguifex/Vetitum Nemus, leave us a comment and get added in, miss nothing!
The Watchlist:
@weone, @merenludick, @clairemobey, @therneau, @blitzzzz, @pravesho, @joetunex, @captainquack22, @irisworld, @braaiboy, @sketchygamerguy, @fuego-oscuro, @felt.buzz, @dibblers.dabs, @brittandjosie, @tamacvet, @alonicus, @joetunex, @stdd, @uop, @luizeba, @cryptoniusrex, @agreste, @itzchemaya, @darthsauron, @seki1
If for any reason you do not want to be tagged for a future episode, please let us know and we will remove you from the watchlist.
Cheers!
@zakludick
