New Life

[Fin]

Gosh. This has taken a lot longer than I anticipated, I do apologise.

There were very few things Fin would not do if commanded by Nimueh. It was quite clear to him what she meant when she spoke of testing her abilities, it would not be the first time they were tested on him, and in truth, he didn't mind. Not only did it help Nimueh, but it also helped him. If he could withstand an assault from her, their enemies would hardly prove to be a challenge.

It was good to be speaking of such matters again, like nothing had changed. Even the suggestiveness was back in her voice, which was something Fin had definitely not expected himself to miss, but found himself doing just that. It was strange, he'd never been attached to anyone - except his parents, but even when they had been taken from him he'd just felt anger and the fear of being left on his own. Nimueh's defeat had given him similar feelings, but also ones of loss. That, however, was all in the past, and he was determined to keep it that way. If that meant allowing her to use her magic against him well so be it. He would rather that than end up losing her again.

But that was enough of that sort of thinking. There was no use dwelling on past feelings when he could be matching her smirk. "I am sure you know I am used to pain, mistress, normally at your hand it seems." One way or another, any physical pain he received was her fault. It was either her directly causing it, or through fighting her enemies. Not that he cared, she was right: he was used to pain, it was one of the consequences of being a blood guard.

He nodded at her words, he knew exactly what a "remainder" was, having witnessed it before. Well, luckily for him he had no intention of needing one. His vow had been pledged and sworn in his blood, his life was in her hands. "I know, mistress. I have sworn my loyalty to you, no reminder will be needed."

[Deleted]

Nimueh couldn’t help a little devilish chuckle as he mentioned to mostly suffering by her hand. The thought rather amused her. Not that she was very much of a sadist and liked to inflict needless pain just for the pain’s sake, but she also didn’t shy away from it like a sissy girl. She had always been ready to do whatever was necessary to achieve her goal, often enough also to her own expense. What had to be done had to be done, and if that involved pain, so be it. And gladly she had the feeling that Fin and her were on the same wavelength concerning that yet again. He was not a blood guard for nothing, he knew exactly what it meant, and had signed up for it even if the dury sometimes contained playing her guinea pig for curses and other things.

”Well, I would fear of losing my touch if I was being too nice to you”, she quipped lightly, but there was also truth to her words. “Prepare for the worst, hope for the best and then you might be content with what I throw at you after all”, she quoted an ancient phrase. Then she made her way further down the slope that would lead her to the caves and her scrying font. The island really looked more deserted than ever, but it was not an eerie emptiness, it was almost peaceful. To an outsider the Isle of the Blessed might look like a scary mess, but Nimueh had grown up here and knew about its hidden beauty behind what the common eye could see. The ruins of the old fortress might look nasty, but beyond that lay a beautiful ancient oak grove, sacred trees for the Old Religion since the beginning of time. All rituals that were not performed at the stone altar in the center of the Isles power were performed in this grove.

She would pay the grove a visit later, her first goal was and would always be the scrying font. Nimueh couldn’t wait to see with her own eyes what was going on in the world beyond the island. Fin might have given her a few pointers, but the High Priestess frankly trusted her eyes only.
Turning to him, while walking, she nodded her approval. “Very well, Fin, I see you have lost none of YOUR touch either. Though I fear the first enemies you will have to fight against for me will be the countless spiders that have undoubtedly settled in my absence in the caves.”
Nimueh was by no means squeamish when it came to harmless creatures such as spiders, but she was no follower of the stupid notion those practising magic had to surround themselves with abominations to gain authenticity. That was just another of the countless rumors sprouted by those who feared and hated magic – and it was downright ridiculous!

[Fin]

Fin gave a small chuckle at her words, though she meant them now in jest, there was nothing to say that there was not a serious undertone - a threat, even. In all honesty, he did not mind her threats, she had not once had to carry them out on him, and he was quite confident that she never would. He had sword an oath to serve her, why would he then go against it? Besides, going against her would, as well as resulting in a slow and painful death, prevent him from acheiving his goal and avenging his parents. There were far more important things at stake than a little physical discomfort. "You need not fear." He reassured her, though he was sure she already knew. If he was ever to betray or leave her he would have done so when she was gone and he had the chance. But he hadn't, he'd waited, and held onto his faith in her.

He followed her as she walked down the slope, keeping a step or two behind her. It had been two long since they had just walked together. As they continued, he took no notice of the scenery, he had, after all, spent more than enough time wandering aimlessly before she returned. At the moment, she was far more important that noticing the beauty of their surroundings.

It was, therefore, rather a disappointment to be told that the first thing she wanted him to do was rid her caves of spiders. It was hardly a dangerous task, although it would probably take rather a long time. He never ventured into her caves normally, and hadn't stepped foot in them at all since she left. They would be everywhere. He didn't hide his disappointment well. He just looked at her for a few moments, lips pressed together, not at all looking forward to what lay ahead of him. It was hardly going to be as fun as his usual tasks. He did, however, compose himself before speaking. It was an order from his mistress, no matter how trifling a task it seemed, and he would carry out just like he carried out all his orders - with determination and confidence. "Very well, mistress. I shall see to it the caves are fully cleared on any spiders." Even saying it made it seem trivial and not at all the sort of endevaour for a man of his talents. Still, he couldn't always be killing somone.