The Tiger Within 55 100 Souls Part 2

There were many things that could be said of the Lord of Souls. He was a womanizer. A foul tempered beast some days. Some would even call him cruel or deceitful. However one thing they could not claim was careless about his duty. Every beast who did their time in the Land of the living and did their best to follow the Rules of the Wilderness would be welcomed to his kingdom. No one was ever forgotten. Or left to wander aimlessly upon the earth.

As the thought of a possible hundred souls of the old and gentle or fallen young and innocent wandering earth wondering where they betrayed the laws they held so dear, his heart ached. He had failed them. Whether by choice or by force they still were not welcomed home. That he took very very seriously.

"Those 100 souls have done their time. They have suffered and followed the law. They deserve our respect, and proper care just as much as the living, Destiny." The Master replied his voice calm and collected though he wished he could slap her hard across the face. He couldn't. Not yet.

"100 souls verses thousands and you still believe you have s.p.a.ce to argue?" she demanded, swirling the wind in her gla.s.s. "You really are selfish. Just as you were when you put five children on the earth. How did you expect that to end? Bloodily I hope, because thats what happened. You split your power and now you pay the price as a lesser Lord of Death. You once stood a chance to rule." Destiny spat back pouring salt crystals in the wounds.

The Master was shaking with the effort of control. Every inch of him wound tight as a spring ready to set loose upon her skin. Keric raised to his feet, eyes set on the woman's face, but he did not snarl.instead he cleared his throat humbly, waiting for acknowledgement before beginning to speak.

"Who decides the worth of life over death? You, My Lady, spend joyus hours planning each moment of pride and triumph that humans, Kindred, and animals alike face. Yet you also relish in deciding their deaths and torments. Who is truly the selfish one here, Old one?" Keric replied sitting and tilting his head down just a bit so his chin guarded his neck. The action itself a insult to the G.o.ddess of Destiny. Her eye fell on him and glared darkly.

"There is a balance to my work, dog that you do not understand." she replied coldly, but his words struck her deep. Tarnis.h.i.+ng her perfect image with the dark underbelly of her job. He chuckled at the sally and gave his Master a meaningful look before laying back down beside Ping.

"I believe what Keric meant was, your scale is in need of service." Ping added I'm a soft mumbling voice. The woman looked down at him only to find Keric's protective eyes meeting her own. A all s.h.i.+ver ran down her back, but she laughed.

"At any rate, my Lady there is much to do since your little interference. I would appreciate it next time if you warn me so my spirits can stay and gather souls rather than have my entire operation interrupted." The Master replied with a genteel smile. She was being dismissed and she knew it. There was no polite way to stay and poke the bear so to speak if he was making it clear there was work to be done.

"Well of course." she replied getting to her feet and smoothing the sapphire silk over her form. "Little rabbits and Mice to bring back to the Palace…" she replies with a wink. The Master nodded, distaste in his eyes only.

"Thank you for your time. I trust you know the way out?" he asked, but before the question was said she disappeared in a ball of light. Her crystal gla.s.s still resting on the table.

While the Fox and the Wolf caught their breath, the Master carefully poured the spirits back into the bottle. Once the cla.s.s was empty he threw it against the far wall. The crystal shattered into a cloud of sparkling gla.s.s powder.

"Witch." he growled before turning to Keric. "Go, find out what happened to Kyera. Bring… bring her home if…" his voice cracked and faltered as Keric bowed his head.

"I will see to her." he nodded at Ping, his eyes entrusting the Fox with the Master's health before flying off in long purposeful strides. The magic of the realm restored.

"If that woman did something to the lady…" Ping growled angrily. He fell short when he noticed a glimmer on the lord's cheek. The Master drug a hand through his hair.

"If something happens to her, all of the realms will see a bloodbath unlike any other." The Lord of Spirits replied his tone hardened and unwilling to bend.