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War of Attrition	By : vivarose Category: +M through R > Ninety Nine Nights Views: 4339 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Ninety Nine Nights, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 1-War of Attrition
- 2-ch2
- 3-ch3
- 4-ch4
- 5-ch5
- 6-6
- 7-7
- 8-ch next one
- 9-ch 9
- 10-chapter 10
- 11-11
- 3
- 4
- 5
“ “ human language

// // goblin language

thoughts will be italicized regardless
of language.

' ' Aspharr's ghost in Inphyy's head

viva_rose: sorry it took so long to get
this up, but its 17 pages so hopefully that makes up for it.
@
Bright_Shadow: yep nothing is gonna go right for Dwingvatt, I love
inconveniencing people! :-D And no I didn't take Latin, I took
Spanish, I just thought the name sounded cool.

@ Beyond_the_Gate: glad you like it.
Hope you enjoy this as next piece as well.

Other notes: Again I've taken some
creative liberties with...everything. I hope its not too confusing
and do review let me know what you think. Thanks for all the love!
Also please note that I'm trying to realistically portray the effects
of rape, and its effect on the mind of the victims, there will be a
LOT of angst, that's part of the way it is.

Disclaimer: Don't own, but god do I
love pretending I do! The last bit of Inphyy's thoughts towards the
end is taken/inspired by James Hillman's A Blue Fire.

War of Attrition:

Chapter 4:

***

The knocking on the door didn't cease
and Dwingvatt sighed in defeat and leaned his head back against the
wall. He was tired and the last thing he wanted to deal with was more
people. Reluctantly he went to answer the door.

//What?// he muttered crankily as he
opened it, his eyes squinting against the bright morning sunlight.
Before him was an old green-skinned goblin. Her long white hair was
pulled back in a braid and her robes were a mulberry color,
signifying her status as a healer shaman.

//Oh. Magistra.// Dwingvatt blinked in
surprise, straightening as he did. //Err, hello.// His ears twitched
uncertainly, how could she have known that he was back already?

//Hello yourself,// she said, crossing
her arms. //Is that how you greet me after nearly three years? I was
expecting at least a hug.// She looked up at him, a frown on her
wrinkled green face. For a moment they both stared at each other,
then burst into laughter and hugged, Dwingvatt lifting the smaller
goblin

off her feet and twirling her around as
he did. //Its good to see you Magistra,// he said setting her back
down and stepping back so she could come inside.

//Its good to know that you are
alive,// the healer said, coming inside. //It seems like only
yesterday you were just a tiny welp.// she sighed. //You and your
brother were such a handful when you were younger and now look at
you.// She smiled at him as they sat down at a table in the center
room of the house.

//You've become a fine young goblin,
Dwinga would have been so proud of you.// her voice wavered, but then
she shook her head. //Enough of an old goblin's reminiscing. What are
you doing home so early? Is the war over? Or did you finally
accomplish your goal?//

Dwingvatt rubbed his face with his
hands wearily as he sat down from the old goblin. How she was so old
and still had so much energy still amazed him. But how to explain the
unpleasant situation he had been put it to her was going to prove
very difficult.

//Magistra...its..complicated," he
said finally, resting his face in his hands. She reached across the
table and patted his arm kindly.

//Its alright dear. Here,// she reached
into her robes and pulled out a small tin box. //Go make us some tea.
I brought you some as a welcome home gift. Then we can talk.// she
handed him the small box. Dwingvatt smiled thankfully at her. The old
healer might as well have been his and Dwinga's mother, she had taken
care of them until Dwinga had been old enough for the two brothers to
fend for themselves. Magistra always had the uncanny knack for
knowing how to care for one's complications. Dwingvatt stood and went
to the kitchen with the small tin.

Unknown to both goblins, Inphyy was
still awake, the medicine having not fully kicked in yet, and she had
listened to their conversation; despite not understanding a word of
it. She had carefully cracked her door open and peered out into the
main room. She saw an old goblin sitting with Dwingvatt at a table,
then her captor left going to another room. Inphyy debated with
herself if she should bother trying to escape. Mostly out of
instinct, no one ever wants to be held captive by their enemy, no
matter what the circumstances. But then it occurred to her that doing
so was probably suicide as she lacked her armor, her sword, and had
absolutely no fucking clue where she was. Besides even if she was to
make it out alive Aspharr was dead by her hand. That would not sit
well with the Maiden of the Light, the penalty for betrayal was of
course an unpleasantly slow and painful death as well as
dishonored...I'm stuck here, she realized with a slight
jolt. I'm stuck here at the mercy of the creatures that killed my
father. I'm so totally fu-

//Well, well. What do we have here?// A
voice said above her head, startling Inphyy out of her thoughts and
causing her to gasp in surprise and to fall backwards from where she
had been crouched behind the door. Magistra chuckled to herself and
opened the door to the room all the way, looking at the naked female
human who was scrambling awayfrom her.

//Gods you're thin. Poor thing.// The
old healer's eyes immediately inventoried the creature before her,
verbally and mentally noting the array of injuries the human
possessed as she approached the girl.

Inphyy didn't understand what the old
goblin was saying but quickly tried to cover herself with the
blankets from her makeshift bed in a corner of the room.

"Leave me alone," Inphyy
whispered, shrinking away as much as the wall would allow her. She
hated how the goblin's eyes examined her, like an animal on display.
"Please, leave me alone."

Magistra frowned, the human was plainly
afraid and apparently didn't speak the goblin tongue. Who is this
human? Something about this isn't right. It's not in Dwingvatt's
nature to bring home war prizes. I don't like this. Reaching into
her robes Magistra stopped and pulled out a small piece of candy,
she always carried some with her, like all good doctors did,
and then slowly approached the human again.

//There, there child. Its alright,//
she spoke softly, trying not to scare the poor creature more than she
already was.

Inphyy blinked at the bright yellow
thing the goblin had pulled from her robes. Even with the language
barrier, the exaggeratedly slow movements and soft voice of the old
goblin sent the message that no harm was meant. At least for now. Do
you not know who I am? How is that? How is it that you've not tried
to kill me already? Inphyy shuddered slightly and watched as the
old goblin sat down at the opposite end of the blankets. The human
turned and faced her but kept a nervous eye on the door, which all
but confirmed Magistra's guess that the human was a war prize.

//Here dear,// Magistra extended the
hand that held the candy. She's never known anyone to dislike honey
candy, but one could never tell. The human tilted her head to the
side, looking curiously and still suspiciously at the healer. //Its
alright. Take it,// Magistra gestured with the candy to the human.
The girl reached out and tentatively took
the yellow candy. For a moment she looked at it, turning it over and
examining it. Then she slowly licked one of the sides of it.

Inphyy's eyes widened as she tasted the
yellow thing she'd just been given. It was sweet! Not overpoweringly
so, but in a warm melty sort of way. Candy! she realized with
the sudden rush of excitement that a five year old has when given a
treat. The candy was slightly hard though, so she couldn't chew it
and contented herself with sucking on one end of it. She heard the
goblin chuckle softly and looked back at her. The old creature was
studying her again, it made Inphyy nervous and she pulled the blanket
closer around her body. The goblin reached out to touch the human and
instinctively Inphyy flinched away.

Magistra frowned when the girl flinched
away, but what troubled her more was the girl's actions that
followed. The human immediately lowered her eyes, bowing her head so
her hair fell in her face, and her shoulders hunched inward, overall
producing a visible shrinking effect on her stature. Like a dog that
was afraid of being punished for some misgiving. Magistra reached out
again and this time the human didn't flinch away but trembled beneath
the old healer's touch. Gently Magistra stroked the cropped hair out
of the girl's face and the human looked up at her, plainly terrified
and whimpered softly before dropping her eyes again. Abuse. This
girl has been abused. Dwingvatt, what have you done? Magistra
continued stroking the human's head gently, hoping beyond hope that
young goblin she'd come to call her own had not taken on the
terrifying traits that their enemies had so skillfully utilized. A
small sigh came from the huddle girl and carefully Magistra scooted
herself closer to the human.

Inphyy felt her eyes growing heavy, the
candy had all but melted away in her mouth now and the medicine
beginning to take full effect. Something about the old goblin seemed
motherly almost, and set Inphyy at ease, despite how much she didn't
want to be. Why am I not dead yet? Inphyy thought, her body
trembling slightly as she fought the sedative effects of the
medicine. Gods, why are you still torturing me? I'm so confused!
I'm afraid...You deliver me from one tormentor only to hand me off to
another one! Inphyy rolled to side, unwillingly feeling sleep
overtaking her. I don't know if I can trust them. I don't want to
trust them. Its too convenient, after slaying so many that they would
spare me.. She tilted her head, her vision failing now as she
fought to keep her eyes open, and looked at the old goblin.

"W-why?" Inphyy whispered,
then lost consciousness.

***

Dwingvatt blew dust out of a set of
small clay cups and placed them on the wooden tray with the tea pot.
Nothing fancy, it was one of the few things he had managed to salvage
from Fort Wyandeek, it would do for him and Magistra. The clay cups
and pot did a poor job insulating the sun colored tea though, so they
would have to drink it quickly before it became cold.

Walking back to the main room, he noted
that Magistra was no longer at the table. Then his eyes fell on the
open door to Inphyy's room. Oh fucking lovely, he thought went
into the room. He was greeted by the sight of Magistra practically
coddling the sleeping human. That was a healer for you though, give
them a wounded creature and they will care for it like their own, and
the convenient fact that Inphyy was near unrecognizable now compared
to when she was in battle. It was interesting how she was allowing
the healer to touch her, but then again the medicine had probably
kicked in by now.

//I see you have met my house guest,//
Dwingvatt said dryly, setting the tea down in front of the two
females and sitting on the floor across from them.

//Interesting term to use for her,//
Magistra replied crisply, the healer's eyes not leaving the sleeping
human.

//What's that supposed to mean?//
Dwingvatt asked, his ears twitching at her tone, as he poured the
tea.

//Oh please, I know you're not that
dense.// the healer snapped, finally looking at him. //Tell me
honestly, is this human a war prize?// Dwingvatt froze at

the words and looked up at Magistra in
shock. She had the gaul to outright accuse him of taking a war prize,
he couldn't believe it. Of all the things to accuse him of-

//You're spilling the tea,// Magistra
said, and he looked back at the cup he'd been pouring: it was
overflowing.

//Fuck,// he swore, trying to salvage
the liquid.

//Language, Dwingvatt,// the healer
warned. //Fine if she is not your war prize then how did she come
about this abuse?//

//What?// he looked back at her. Had
the whole world decided to tag team him today? He growled softly in
frustration, this was getting very complicated, very quickly.

//Don't you growl at me young goblin!//
Magistra snapped taking a cup of tea from the tray and glaring at
him.

//Then quit accusing me of things!// he
snapped back.

//War changes creatures Dwingvatt! War
makes them do horrible things! And for the past five years it has
made you obsessed with revenge!// Magistra yelled, slamming her tea
down. The human whimpered softly next to her but stayed locked away
in sleep. Magistra continued on in an angry yet softer tone.

//You used to be a nice boy! You were
smart, talented even with your outcast status! I thought for sure
that you would become a healer, but instead you picked up the sword!
And I lost you to your hatred for that cursed human! I have a right
to know what you've become!// Tears were spilling down the healer's
face as she glared at him. Dwingvatt
blinked in shock at the healer's outburst, then took a great interest
in his tea. She was right on some points. But he knew the true
subject of the conversation was being carefully danced around.
Magistra was angry that he had a hurt human in his house without any
obvious explanation aside from the worst one. She was afraid he was
following the rules of war to get back at the humans. Boy was she in
for a surprise. He looked up from his tea and his gaze lingered on
Inphyy for a moment, then he looked at Magistra.

//You want to know who she is and why
she's here? Fine,// he took a sip of tea. //Magistra, meet Death's
Red Mistress.// He gestured to the sleeping human. The old goblin
blinked in disbelieve and looked at the girl again.

//Impossible! How-?//

//That seems to be the general
consensus,// Dwingvatt interrupted her flood of questions. He took
another sip of tea and continued. //She is under my care per
Dwykfarrio's orders. I have not laid a hand on her since the battle
field, and if you still don't believe that its her I've got her sword
or of course you could just ask her yourself.//

//But if you didn't...then who did? How
did she get like this?// Magistra could hardly believe that the name
she had spat on for the past five years had finally manifested itself
before her in the form of such an underfed and abused creature.
Dwingvatt, looked away for a moment considering how much to reveal to
the healer, but couldn't bring himself to repeat what he'd seen and
heard. It was too disgusting.

//It is not my place to say,// he said
softly, letting silence fill the space between them.

//Why didn't you kill her?// Magistra
asked and Dwingvatt scowled. The inevitable question that he really
had no answer to. He tried to think of a good reason but none came to
him, so he shrugged.

//Will you kill her?//

//No,// his answer and how quickly he
said it surprised even him. Magistra looked at him oddly for a moment
then back at the human.

//I could see why you wouldn't and
perhaps why you didn't. If it is indeed Death's Red Mistress who lies
before us, then I don't think even the King of Night would have
killed her.//

//Pah, it would've been pointless to do
so anyways,// Dwingvatt grumbled, pouring himself more tea. //She
wanted to die.// Magistra said nothing to this.

//You still don't believe me that its
her do you? You really do think that I went to a human village and
took a fucking war prize.// The young goblin snarled in frustration,
interpreting her silence.

//I don't know who she is but she needs
to be cared for. Regardless of everything,// the healer said softly.

//Oh I'm sorry. I was trying to get her
fever down and convince her I wasn't going to fucking rape her! We
got in at four in the morning and add I've not slept at all save for
a few hours in the past twenty four. Forgive me for not exactly being
confident in my fucking ability to set her bones correctly and stitch up her side!// Dwingvatt yelled
in frustration.

//Perhaps you enjoy seeing her suffer?
If it is her after all?// Magistra suggested darkly. Dwingvatt felt
ready to pull his hair out at the way she was pushing the matter of
the human in his possession. I swear I should've just fucking
killed the damn woman! But no! Fuck gods why did I have to feel sorryfor the wench again? He stood up, having half the mind to retrieve the red broad sword that he had
packed with his things but then thought better of it. He went and
knelt next to the sleeping human, shaking her harshly.

"Inphyy! Inphyy wake up!"

//What are you doing?// Magistra
snapped at his treatment of the human. Dwingvatt didn't answer, but
kept shaking the girl.

"Inphyy wake the fuck up!" he
shouted, if this didn't prove it to Magistra then nothing would. The
human whimpered and opened her eyes, sleep still lingering heavily in
them.

"Wha?" she whispered, trying
to pull away from the white goblin, but finding that his grip on her
wouldn't let her.

"Would you be so kind as to tell
my friend Magistra here what your name is?" he snarled, letting
her go and stepping back. The human looked confused for a moment,
then looked at the healer, and spoke softly,

"My name is Inphyy."

"No not your human name! Tell her
what we call you. Tell her in goblin tongue," Dwingvatt snapped,
crossing his arms. "I know you know the words. Its the only
thing you do know about us." The girl looked about to cry at
the command, her eyes were begging him not to make her reveal who she
was. But Dwingvatt was out of patience. "Do it now. Or so help
me-"

//Dwingvatt! Enough of this!// Magistra
shouted, taking the shaking human in her arms. //Enough! You're
tormenting the poor child!// But much to the healer's surprise the
human pushed her away and began sobbing,

"Don't touch me! I'm a damned
monster! A damned fucking whore!" Magistra tried to take the
human in her arms again, but again was pushed away.

"No! Don't you get it?"
Inphyy cried at the old healer. "Don't you realize who I am? I'm
a fucking killer! A murderer! I'm-" she gulped for a moment then
spoke the only words she knew in her captors' language. //Death's Red
Mistress.// Then collapsed into a trembling heap of tears. Magistra
stared at the girl for a moment, then her eyes grew wide with fear
and she stood and slowly backed away from the human.

//Its not possible...// she whispered.
//This can't be. Death's Red Mistress...// The healer looked at
Dwingvatt. The red clad human who had lead the ambush on Fort
Wyandeek. The slaughterer of their people. The human who spared no
one. Killing even women and children. The monster who had taken near
everything from them. This was her? This...child? This sobbing child?

//What did she say when she pushed me
away?// Magistra whispered, staring helplessly at the human.
Dwingvatt translated it for her and Magistra gasped softly, covering
her mouth with her hand. The old goblin looked from Dwingvatt to the
human and then back to Dwingvatt. He had a pained look on his face,
as if he couldn't stand the sight of the girl or like a battle was
going on inside him.

Inphyy heard the goblins talking and
desperately wished that the floor would open up and swallow her. She
could feel both of the goblins staring at her, as if they didn't
quite know what to do with her. They should've just fucking killed
me! Why couldn't they have just killed me? In the back of her
mind Inphyy heard Aspharr's voice shouting hatefully at her. 'You
get what you deserve you fucking whore! Why would anyone give you the
easy way out? Death is too good for you slut! Mercy? Kindness? You
slaughtered innocents! What makes you think you could possibly
deserve mercy?' Inphyy sobbed as she heard his voice yelling at
her. It didn't matter that he was dead, he was right. He always was.
She deserved nothing but pain. The goblins were talking now in their
strange language and Inphyy flinched at the harsh sound of their
words, anticipating the worst. Aspharr however, she
could understand perfectly. His voice
in her mind blocking out reality until it was only he she heard.
'Flinch away like the coward you are! Not scared of slaughtering
helpless babies in their cribs but when you had to finally fight in
the most important battle you failed! Weak, cowardly monster! You
deserve whatever torment they devise for you! I hope they rape you
till you die, you disgusting creature! I don't love you any longer.
Monster! Killer! Whor-'

"GET OUT OF MY HEAD!" Inphyy
screamed, clutching her head in her hands pulling and scratching at
her skull as tears ran down her face. There was a sudden moment from
her captors as they spoke rapidly between themselves then moved
towards her. She tensed, expecting a blow, but found herself pulled
into an embrace and someone was pulling her hands away from her face.
Inphyy whimpered and tried to twist away but found herself trapped in
the lock hold embrace.

"Inphyy," someone spoke in
her ear and she jerked her head away from the voice. "No! Listen
to me, hold still! Hold still damn it!" Someone was touching her
face now, gently pushing her hair out of it and speaking to her. She
whimpered softly and gave up trying to escape, but kept her eyes
tightly shut. Her entire body was shaking now as she'd managed to run
out of tears and was not caught in a mix of dry sobs and hiccups.

//Inphyy,// Magistra stroked the girl's
face again. At least the human had stopped struggling. //Dwingvatt,
you need to translate for me. But first you need to bring her back in
reality, I can't do anything until she is mentally back here.// She
instructed the white goblin who was restraining the human. He nodded,
rolling his eyes in exasperation, and began speaking to the trembling
human in her ear. Slowly Inphyy opened her eyes, her breathing was
still uneven, but she was not at the mercy of whatever tormentor had
chosen to inhabit her mind. Magistra, placed her hands gently on the
girl's face and made eye contact with her as she spoke. Nearly in
sync with her words Dwingvatt translated them into the human's ear,

//Healers are not supposed to judge by
race or reputation. I made a mistake, and for that I offer my most
humble apologies. While we have lived in fear of each other for so
long, misconceptions have formed. It is my art, my instinct and my
very purpose to care for the broken, to heal them, comfort them, and
mend their spirits. Child I do not know
what creature is haunting in your mind, but you must pay it no heed.
You are no more a monster than we are. We were born and bred to be a
certain way. That is not our fault, we have no say in the matter. We
do not call the fox vicious because it kills the mouse. Nor is the
mouse evil because it eats the grain. Inphyy you are not a monster.
You must not be afraid. You must trust us. I know it is not an easy
thing, but you must,// Magistra stopped, both she and Dwingvatt were
gasping for breath. It had taken Magistra great effort to come up
with the words so quickly and it must've taken even for for Dwingvatt to
translate them as fast as he did. The younger goblin also looked
irritated at having been stuck with the job of translator, especially
considering who he was saying the words to. He's still holding a
grudge against her for Dwinga's death. I shall have to speak with him
later about that. Right now the sheer extremity of the situation has
forced out his healer, but I suspect that the warrior shall return
soon. Magistra nodded to herself and spoke to him, Inphyy sitting
surprisingly still in his hold. Her head was spinning slightly, and
her heart was racing. But she did feel unusually comfortable in
Dwingvatt's embrace, even if it was just a matter of necessity.
Inphyy shivered and felt him pulling away from her, releasing her and
she whimpered,resisting the urge to grab his arm and cling to him.
Fuck why am I so helpless now? Why am I having to keep myself from
clinging to him like a frightened child? Dwinvatt and Magistra spoke
again, pulling away from Inphyy as he did,

//Can you handle her now?//

//I can. Go get some sleep, dear.//

//I owe you Magistra,// Dwingvatt
smiled at her greatfully, he was exhausted.

//No you don't,// the old healer
chuckled as Inphyy's head was going back and forth between the two
goblins as if she was watching a game of high speed toss. //You may
wish to explain to her what is happening though, stay until she falls
asleep at least.// The albino wrinkled his nose in distaste but
nodded in compliance and seated himself across from the two women
again. Magistra took some of the blankets and made a covering motion
with them at the girl, Inphyy was still naked after all and the
medicine's sedative effect would probably over haul the human soon.
Inphyy complied, curling up under the blankets, her eyes never
leaving the two goblins. Magista gently pulled the girl into her lap
and began stroking her head in a soothing manner, she looked over at
Dwingvatt, his head was bowing towards his chest slightly, he was
losing the battle with sleep.

//Dwingvatt,// she said, his head
jerked up, his yellow eyes snapping back open. //Speak to her then
get some rest, she's relaxing and soon will be asleep.//

Inphyy watched as the white goblin
yawned, tilting his head from side to side his neck popping slightly,
then he looked at her.

"Magistra will take care of you
for now. You'll probably sleep through most of it though, okay?"
Inphyy caught herself yawning as he spoke and nodded. "She may
have to leave to go back and get some supplies but then she'll come
back. She won't needlessly hurt you, so if you do wake up you need to
cooperate with her." Inphyy sighed, feeling her body
traitorously relaxing again and nodded. Then she closed her eyes and
fell into a dreamless sleep.

***

Magistra stood once she was sure the
human was asleep and began the walk back to her house, mentally
listing the supplies she would need to patch up the human. Death's
Red Mistress. What had she said her human name was? Inphyy? That
sounded right. The healer scolded herself for her initial reaction
for fear and disgust at the human. I shouldn't have pushed the
matter with Dwingvatt so hard. It was just so hard to believe. Not
only did he spare her but his healer instincts are moderating his
actions towards her. He is still reluctant to do so, what was
Dwykfarrio thinking putting her in his care? Dwykfarrio is up to
something. The old healer sighed and looked up from her
distracted thoughts just in time to bump into a running welp and send
them both tumbling.

//Be careful youngster!// Magistra
said, picking herself up and dusting herself off. //Where are you
going in such a hurry anyway?//

//Sorry Magistra,// the welp said
bouncing about excitedly. //The warriors are back! They're back! The
war is over!// Then he set off running again to the front of the
village. Magistra blinked in surprise. Of course. Why hadn't it
dawned on her? With the leader of the Temple Knights in their hands,
their victory was guaranteed. But hadn't there been a second Knight?
Had the brother fallen in battle? Magistra looked towards the front
of the village, there were surprised cries rising in the air. The
return had been unexpected, so early. The crowd would soon flood down
to the back of the village, and Magistra had no intent on getting
stuck in it. She would celebrate with them later, she continued to
her house.

Entering it she immediately went to two
of the numerous chests that lined the base of her walls and pulled
out several sets of bandages. Shutting the chest, she straightened
and began going through items on her shelfs, looking for the spider
silk thread.

//Ah, Magistra. I was beginning to
wonder if you had moved on me,// a voice said behind her, causing the
old goblin to jump and drop her supplies.

//Dywkfarrio!// she knelt as quickly as
her arthritic knees would allow her once she saw who the intruder
was.

//Rise Healer,// the goblin king said.
He sounded tired, and Magistra looked at him in concern. //I have a
task for you.// Her ears perked at this, and he continued, //As you
know, Death's Red Mistress is in Dwingvatt's care, by my orders.//
Magistra nodded. //I need you to be my eyes and ears while she heals.
You need to track her progress, as Dwingvatt is also supposed to
resocialize her, you may need to help him there though he's not
exactly a social butterfly,// here the king paused, sighing heavily.

//Dywkfarrio?// Magistra took a few
hesitant steps towards him.

//I'm just tired,// he waved a hand
dismissing the matter and continuing. //I need to know that progress
is being made. It was next to impossible to get the council to agree
to spare her. She will be a pawn once she is healed and returned to
the humans having seen things from our point of view. Our enemy can
be our ally. If it works that is, I don't want this decision to be in
vain.//

//If you don't mind an old goblin for
saying my Lord,// Magistra's ears twitched cautiously. //I know you
better than that. What is the ulterior motive? Because this plan, is
far too simple for you.//

The goblin king chuckled. //Very well.
Dwingvatt is still young, only fifteen you know, he is...impulsive
for lack of a better term. I need someone to keep him in check. Who
better than the goblin who adopted him and Dwinga?//

//Nope,// Magistra crossed her arms,
shaking her head. //Still too simple my lord. Whatever you're
plotting, it obviously involves Dwingvatt, why else would she be in
his care? Just tell me, I'll take the secret to my grave, which
shouldn't be too far off anyways.//

//So morbid Magistra,// Dywkfarrio
laughed, sitting down on one of the chests. //You see right through
me. I'm surprised you don't see it, so I shall explain it to you.
Dwingvatt is a fine soldier, just like his brother. He also has a
talent for healing, thanks to you; two of the most unlikely yet useful
sets of instincts have been instilled in him, regardless
of the fact that they will be constantly conflicting. His warrior
side also has allowed him to be blessed enough to possess an Orb
Spark.//

//Okay you want Dwingvatt to find a
mate. Despite that he's too old now. But I suppose that will change
as we won't be needing to send our men off when they're thirteen to
fight and die anymore. But stil-//

//Let me finish Magistra before you go
finding holes in my plan,// Dwykfarrio interrupted. //I want Dwinvatt
not to find just any mate.// The goblin king sounded incredibly
pleased with himself. //As we both know, his white skin gives him an
automatic outcast status, even as a war hero. No green or red female
would mate him even if the fate of our race depended on it. However
now we are in possession of another outcast-//

//You mean for him to mate Death's Red
Mistress!// Magistra exclaimed.

//Exactly.//

//My lord, forgive me, but are you
mad?// Magistra screeched. //The boy is isolated enough! That would
destroy him! Besides he hates the girl, the only reason he didn't
kill her is because his healer instincts wouldn't let him! He is at
war with himself and will not be forgiving her anytime soon! The
rumors alone if such a thing were to happen, never mind the hatred
that runs rampant for the human! Need I remind you how many of our
kind she has killed? They will both be lynched!//

//Magistra, Magistra,// Dywkfarrio put
up his hands as if warding off an attack. //Calm yourself. I've taken
this into account already. Rumors are being spread as we speak. They
have purposely been planted, and as you will find are surprisingly
factual. The initial plan will be well known and provide a cover for
it. After all, most you find will agree, the best revenge on the
humans would be making their most powerful warrior into a pawn for
our side.//

//I will have no part in this,//
Magistra said defiantly. //You have gone too far this time!// With
that she turned from him and began to gather up her dropped supplies.

//Listen to me Magistra. This will
work.//

The healer sighed and rolled her eyes
and turned back to him as she packed her supplies.

//Fine I will humor you.//

//Alright then. This is what we will
do....//

***

Magistra walked quickly back to
Dwingvatt's house. The streets were still crowded as she wove her way
in between her fellow villagers, catching snatches of conversation as
she passed the groups of women and soldiers.

//-she killed him! Can you believe it?
Death's Red Mistress slew her own brother!-//

//You know why though?//

//I heard they were lovers.//

//Ewww! Don't say such things!//

//Not consensually. He forced her.//

Magistra shook the conversation from
her head and kept walking.

//-so thin.//

//Like the undead almost. Shouldn't
have been standing!//

//-bruises all over her body-//

//Excuse me,// Magistra slipped between
the group that was talking, and they fell silent as she did but
quickly resumed their conversation.

//Poor Dwingvatt, stuck caring for his
brother's murderer.//

//Oh he was livid when he received the
order!// one soldier called, coming over from the group. //I can't
imagine having to do that. But you know if it works out, we've got
perfect ally.//

//YOU!// a female suddenly rushed to
the group that Magistra had just passed. //You were with Dwerro in
Dwingvatt's squad right?//

//Yes,// the soldier answered uneasily.
Magistra stopped and looked back at the woman.

//He's not returned. I need to know-//

//Gods you're Wincca!// the soldier
exclaimed, realization hitting him. The female nodded, turning to
show the mated marks on her back. Ten small tears on her shoulder
blades with the scarred skin colored with ink that represented her
mate's family. She turned back to the soldier, tears in her eyes.

//I need to know what happened to him!
Did she kill him? Did she?// For a moment the soldier was silent, as
was the rest of the group he was talking with. Then he removed a
sword wrapped in canvas from his back and gave it to Wincca.

//He was the first to engage her. He
fought bravely. Honorably. But-// The brief eulogy was cut off by the
her wails as she nearly collapsed but one of the other women caught
her. She sobbed for a moment, but then steadied herself and took the
sword, kissing the soldier's hand in thanks as she hugged the sword
for a moment then turned and left. It was silent for a moment.

//On the last day, he was the only
casualty by her sword,// the soldier said softly. Magistra turned and
began to walk with renewed purpose back to Dwingvatt's house.

***

Inphyy shifted in her sleep beneath the
blankets. Night had fallen now and somewhere outside the house she
was held in an owl hooted warily. The night guardian's yellow eyes
blinking as it watched over the village, ruffling its brown and white
spotted feathers. Something moved in the grass beneath the owl's
perch, and its head pivoted as it watched the spot.

A small field mouse was scavenging and
poked its head out of a clump of grass, nose and whiskers quivering.
Danger was near.

The owl shifted its weight on the
branch, never letting the small creature out of its sight.

The mouse slowly moved from the foliage
into the moonlight. Its black eyes darting and its small round ears
twitching, listening for danger. It was there. Just beyond the small
creature's senses.

Silently the owl opened its wings and
took flight.

Where was the danger? The mouse knew it
was impending now. Right on top of it. "Danger!" all of its
senses screamed, yet nothing presented itself. The mouse frantically
circled around on its spot of moonlight.

Then it saw the owl's talons coming at
it. Felt the sharp claws close around its body and the terrified
creature saw the owl's yellow eyes for a fraction of a second before
the curved beak tore into the tiny soft body.

Inphyy jerked awake from her sleep in a
cold sweat. Her breath came from her lips in rapid white puffs.

"Ah you're awake little sister,"
a voice said coyly. Inphyy tensed, shivering and pulling a blanket
around her naked form.

"Who's there?" she said
loudly, her breath still issuing in white clouds from her mouth.

"I know you didn't forget me that
quickly dear sister," the voice taunted. The moonlight spilt
through the window, illuminating the figure of her elder
step-brother. He raised his head, a cruel grin on his falsely angelic
features.

"No," she whispered, her eyes
going wide in disbelief. "No. You're dead," Inphyy said
loudly. "You're dead! I killed you! I saw you die!"

"So you wanted to believe my
little whore," he walked across the room to her. Instinctively
Inphyy moved to get away, but found herself chained to the floor.

"No," she whispered, the
metal cutting into her skin, memories resurfacing in her mind.
"You're dead. You're dead. You're dead!" she frantically
whispered over and over, pulling away as far as the chains would let
her. Trying to twist her hand loose from the delicate shackles, even
if it meant dislocating her thumb. Then her knelt in front of her.

"Hello Inphyy, did you miss me?"
He put his face close to hers and she pulled away, closing her eyes.

"You're dead, you're dead, you're
dead," Inphyy whispered in a frantic mantra, trying to will him
away.

"No Inphyy. I'm not. You'll be my
little monster forever. My little whore. Forever," he began to
push her to the ground.

"No! No Aspharr don't! Please!"
she pushed against him, hitting him useless with her fists.

"You forget who owns you. Open
your legs," he growled dangerously.

"Please brother! Stop! Stop!"
He backhanded her across the face and she tasted blood as her bruised
lips began bleeding. Tears began falling from her eyes, as he began
to force her legs open.

"Be silent whore!" he yelled.

"I"m not your whore!"
Inphyy screamed. No more. No. He's dead! I'm not his! No more!
Even if it kills me. She felt his strength win out as he forced
her legs open.

"NO!" she screamed, managing
to roll on to her side slightly under his weight, pulling her legs
close to her chest out of his grip. He lunged at her now, and she
brought the bottom of her fist down on his nose as hard as she could.

Her fist connected with soft flesh and
Inphyy sat bolt up right screaming as her terrifying dream world
vanished. For a moment she sat still, her eyes darting about
frantically, gasping for breath. It was dusk outside the house, her
brother no where in sight. But then who had she hit? Then Inphyy saw
the old healer goblin crouch a few feet from her. The goblin had both
her hands clamped on her nose, blood dribbling from beneath her
fingers.

"Oh no," Inphyy whispered,
everything coming rushing back to her. "Oh gods what have I
done? I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!" she cried, shrinking away,
hiding her face as tears came from her aquamarine eyes.

***

Magistra hummed to herself softly
thinking about the bits and pieces of information she'd collected or
rather that had been planted for all to know. She took a wet cloth
out of the bowl of warm water and gently dabbed at the wound on
Inphyy's temple. The human trembled briefly but aside from that
didn't stir. The worst was over as Magistra had set the bones in the
human's wrist and bound it tightly, effectively immobilizing it. She
had stitched the girl's side with little incident as well, the cut
was clean and surprisingly shallow. It had been made to hurt, not
kill. Just like her broken wrist. The wounds were made to torture.
War made everyone cruel. No matter what race you were. Dwingvatt,
you let your hate truly consume you. Had she not been as destroyed as
she was, would you have raped her? Would you have taken it that far?
Magistra shuddered at the thought and forced herself to concentrate
on the wound to the human's temple. It was shallow, had been caused
by debris as it had dirt burrowed in it and was torn and mangled.
Inphyy was lucky, if the she'd been hit with anymore force the thin
frail bone of her skull that encased her temporal lobe would've
shattered. Magistra applied a salve to the wound once she was sure it
was clean and carefully wrapped a bandage around the girl's head. She
sat back, resting from her work, studying the sleeping human. If
she has been raped.. Magistra swallowed. She had to see how bad
the damage was, she was sure that Inphyy wouldn't let Dwingvatt do it
as he was male. Inphyy had she been conscious probably wouldn't let Magistra do
it either. Rape was a source of shame for the victim, no matter what
race you were. Magistra gently rolled the girl onto her back, taking
care to splint her side stitches so they didn't tear. The moment the
girl was moved she began to talk in her sleep. The healer frowned,
she'd been worried about this. Inphyy was still reliving the rape.
Dywkfarrio expects this girl to mate. I don't know if she can. I
don't think she mentally or physically can, let alone have welps...

As gently and slowly as she could
Magistra began to part Inphyy's legs. But as expected the human
resisted. Even in her sleep. This couldn't have happened just
once. Its too powerful to have just happened once. Inphyy was
crying in her sleep now as she shouted, but Magistra continued her
work. It was a long ordeal, but finally Magistra managed to outlast
the human's frail strength. For a moment Magistra hoped the girl
would stay still now that she was theoretically defeated, but much to
the healer's surprise, Inphyy managed to pull her legs free and tuck
them close to her. Magistra moved closer to the girl to pull her legs
back down when Inphyy swung her fist and it connected with Magistra's
nose. The healer stumbled backwards and crouched, clutching her nose
as she felt blood flow from it.

Inphyy jerked awake with a short
scream. Just as Magistra had thought, trapped and forced to relive a
nightmare. A nightmare that I added to,
the healer thought guiltily. Then Inphyy saw her, and began
sobbing, crying something over and over again in the human tongue,
Magistra guessed it was an apology from the look of recognition and
fear in the human's eyes. Magistra looked at the sobbing girl a
moment longer, then picked up a cloth and held it to her nose. She'd
not counted on the girl having such a strong reaction, but it did
confirm the rumors. She's got a long way to go if Dywkfarrio wants
his plan to work, Magistra sighed. She would need Dwingvatt's
help again, and she hated to wake him, but until Inphyy learned the
language, if she ever did that was. Magistra went to open the door to
and get the white goblin but as she did he flung the door
to the room open and came in.

//I heard screaming. What hap- By the
dark Magistra are you alright?// he saw the bloodied cloth the old
healer had held to her nose.

//I will live. But Inphyy is another
matter-// the human heard her name as the goblins spoke and her
sobbing increased. She'd not meant to hit Magistra. It had been an
accident. She'd not even known who it was. I'm in so much trouble
now, Inphyy thought waiting for the inevitable punishment that
she knew she couldn't escape. However much to her surprise a blanket
dropped onto her naked shoulder and she peeked through her fingers to
see Dwingvatt sitting down across from her. He looked as though he
had just woken up, he was only half dressed in a pair of black pants,
his dreadlocks were hanging loose instead of pulled back, there was
sleep in his eyes and rumpled sheet marks were splotched all over his
chest.

"Alright, what happened?" he
muttered in exasperation, rubbing his face with his hands.

"I-I'm not in trouble?"
Inphyy asked in shock before she could stop herself. "You're not
going to hit me?" She asked, her face still hidden by her hands,
eyes peeking through her fingers. Dwingvatt looked at her in tired
confusion,

"No you idiot. Why would I do
that?"

//What did she say?// Magistra asked,
watching the two apprehensively.

//Asked if I was going to beat her,//
Dwingvatt rubbed his face again, he needed more sleep before dealing
with the emotional problems of his former enemy.

//He really did it then, didn't he?//

//Who?//

//Her brother. He really did hurt
her...// Magistra said almost to herself. Inphyy watched her captors
holding her breath, not sure what to expect. Dwingvatt looked back at
her from Magistra with a considerate look on his face, his chin
resting on his hand as he toyed idly with his small pointed beard
while Magistra talked. Finally he spoke again, sounding irritated,

"Magistra says that because you
were raped, she needs to, well, to check you- down there. To be sure
you're alright and...stuff," the white goblin blushed as he
spoke. "She also wants to know what your dream was about."
Inphyy shifted uncomfortably, she'd rather not do either of the
things, but felt she wasn't going to be given a choice. She shook her
head, wrapping her arms around herself. The last thing she wanted to
do was talk. Least of all to them. The dream began to surface in her
mind, and Inphyy shuddered, biting down hard on her tongue to stop
herself from breaking down into tears again. This must be amusing
to them. To see me broken like this. To pick me apart. Why should I
make myself more vulnerable to them?

"No," she whispered. "I
can't let you."

"You know you only make it harder
on yourself," Dwingvatt muttered, moving closer to her. Inphyy
moved back as far as she could.

"No. Let me at least keep my shame
to myself!" Inphyy cried, her eyes going wide, shocked at her
own response.

"Gods you're going to be
difficult," Dwingvatt sighed, more to himself then her. He
looked away for a moment, as if considering something. Then he jumped
at her, pinning her back against the wall with one arm, and forcing
her legs open with the other by wedging his elbow between them.

"No!" she screamed. "No!
No! Don't!"

//Magistra you'd better do this fast!//
he yelled at the healer, who was already moving. But Inphyy was
proving very difficult to restrain in her current position as she was
trying to push herself off the wall against Dwingvatt. Stop stop
stop! You've destroyed me enough! Just stop! Please! Let me keep my
shame and humility! Let me at least that if you're determined to
strip me of everything else! Inphyy sobbed, Aspharr's voice was
whispering in the back of her mind again and she nearly screamed.
Gods they're going to do it! They're going to rape me! But
before she could react much more, she felt herself suddenly falling
forward. Dwingvatt was no longer restraining her, he and Magistra had
moved away from the human now that the healer had done her work.

"Why couldn't you just leave me
alone?" Inphyy hissed at them, anger flaring in her chest. "You
can't just let me be! You have to destroy me-" she was cut off
by a sharp cuff to the unwounded side of her head. She cried out
softly, even though the blow hadn't hurt nearly as much as some of
the others she had received in the past.

"Shut up!" Dwingvatt hissed.
"I know I said I wouldn't hit you, but so help me if you don't
stop-"

//Dwingvatt!// Magistra snapped at him.

//What?// he growled at the older
goblin.

//For shame! Hitting a wounded! You
should be comforting her. She's tormented!//

//If you've not noticed Magistra: I
HATE HER!// he yelled. //She doesn't want to be touched by anyone,
and I certainly don't want to touch her!//

//That is the very thing she needs
most! Touch! She's received nothing but cruelty and you are only
adding to it by acting so childish!//

//Magistra-//

//No! Don't you 'Magistra' me!// the
healer waved a finger at him. //She's afraid! Can't you see that? She
needs help! She'll listen to you!//

//Oh gods Magistra that's because she's
fucking terrified of me! She's got it burned into her brain that
she's going to be raped or beaten or worse!//

//Then it is up to you to correct it!//

//Just because I didn't kill her
doesn't mean I want to fucking coddle my brother's killer!// he
yelled over Inphyy's sobbing.

//If you see her like that after all
you have witnessed, then you are no better than the human who caused
her this pain!// Magistra yelled back, startling the younger goblin
into silence. //I wash my hands of this. To hear you talk like that,
you shame me Dwingvatt. The war did change you.// she stooped to gather her things, and then
straightened. //There are clothes in the bag on the floor there,
assuming you decide to give her at least that small dignity.//

With that Magistra turned and left,
slamming the bedroom door as she went. A second slam told Dwingvatt
that she had left the house.

//Great. Fucking great,// he looked at
Inphyy, who was curled up in a blanket, sobbing her heart out. For a
moment he felt a twang of guilt, and his ears dropped slightly. Fuck!
I'm feeling sorry for her! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! he looked away from
her in frustration, trying to block her out. But her sobs
didn't let him and he looked back at
her, his healer instincts tugging madly at him, while his warrior
side was digging its heels into the ground in protest. This was
stupid! The whole idea was stupid! He would not care for his
brother's murderer! To hell with what Dwykfarrio had ordered! But his
resolve was steadily crumbling the longer he looked at the girl. I
don't care if she cries, he told himself and left the room. She's
nothing but trouble. A fucking hassle. I should've just killed her.
Fuck! Why didn't I kill her?

The white goblin made a frustrated
noise in the back of his throat as he paced the main room aimlessly.
But he knew he was fighting a losing battle. The human's crying was
no longer audible, however Dwingvatt was sure if he were to go back
into the room she would still be in tears. He also knew that if he
went back his healer instincts would win out. She's a human. A
fucking murderer on top of that. I shouldn't care about what happens
to her... Dwingvatt closed his eyes, trying to push the image of
the former Knight out of his mind, but that only made it worse.
Sighing in defeat, he looked back once more at the room Inphyy was in.
I will hate myself for this in the morning. I know I will, he
thought as he pulled his dreadlocks back into their usual ponytail
with a piece of fabric he'd found in his pants pocket. I'm NOT
going to get all cuddly with her. I'm just going to make sure she's
alright...

Dwingvatt pushed the door open to the
room again felt his healer instincts uncontrollably flooded him once
he looked at the human again. Fuck, I'm going to end up cuddling
her, he groaned inwardly as he carefully approached the girl.
Sitting on the make-shift bed, he pulled Inphyy into his lap and held
her close to him.

Inphyy gasped at the sudden motion, her
entire body tensing as he pulled her against him. She fell silent as
he held her, forcing herself not to tremble. What is he doing? He
just hit me a few minutes ago. He hates me, why is he suddenly being
so gentle? Inphyy felt a soft whimper escape her throat, and she
cringed, expecting him to hit her again. Instead he began to gently
stroke her hair, a soft crooning noise coming from his throat. What
the...? Inphyy blinked in surprise, her body still tense, holding
her breath. He didn't say anything to her, but only continued to
stroke her hair gently as he held her. Despite her best efforts,
Inphyy felt herself relaxing in his arms.

"Sandalwood," she muttered,
resting her head on his shoulder.

"What?" Dwingvatt tilted his
head and looked at her.

"Sandalwood," Inphyy
muttered, shifting her position slightly. "You smell like
sandalwood." This is retarded. I can't believe I just said
that. Why do I care what he smells like? Why am I relaxing? I'm
making myself vulnerable. She shook her head in frustration,
fighting the tiredness that was tugging at her again. A silence
settled between them again, and Inphyy pushed herself away from the
goblin so that their eyes met.

"Why?" she asked, her nerves
getting the better of her. "One moment you hit me, the next you
hold me. Why?" Is this part of a game to fuck with me?
She stared at her captor, trying to ignore the fact that she had
started trembling again. Dwingvatt frowned for a moment, and then
spoke,

"I explained to you how Magistra
is a healer, and she has certain instincts that come with that."
Inphyy nodded, wondering what this had to do at all with anything.

"Well, I have the same instincts."

"But you're a soldier,"
Inphyy cocked her head, feeling herself starting to relax again.

"I'm both," he corrected her.
Inphyy shook her head in confusion,

"How did you manage that?"

"I grew up with Magistra's healer
influence," Why the hell am I so readily giving her this
information? Fucking healer lovely-cuddly instincts! "But
after you attack Fort Wyandeek..." he left the sentence
unfinished for her to figure it out.

"Oh," Inphyy said, looking
away, he'd been forced to take on the warrior role as well. "So
you have two different sets of instincts that constantly try to
over-exhert each other for control and you have to balance them
somehow," she said slowly. "But," she hesitated for a
moment then went on. "From your mood swings, I'd say you don't
have very good control over them yet. You can only indulge one at a
time, and that set of instincts becomes dominate for a period of time
until it is satisfied or necessity requires that one overpowers the
other." Here she stopped, her heart racing. The concept really
wasn't that difficult to figure out. Humans were set up for their
professions in much the same way: apprenticeship from a young age.
However one changing was rarely done, for reasons like interest
conflict. Then she realized that the white goblin was staring at her,
his mouth slightly open in astonishment, Damn, she's smart. No
wonder they made her general.

"Umm sorry," she tried to
pull away from him, but he wouldn't let her put any more distance
between them and Inphyy shrank slightly, not knowing what to expect
from him.

"Don't be," he said softly,
looking at her for a moment then looking away. Then he pulled her
close to him again, hugging her trembling body against his. He could
feel her heart beating wildly against her chest. She needs to eat.
She really is entirely too thin. He made a slightly distressed
noise in the back of his throat and nuzzled the
human gently. I can't believe I just nuzzled her! Fuck! I'm never
going to live this down. Inphyy sighed, slightly on edge still
and fighting the growing desire to simply curl up and fall asleep.

"Inphyy." She jumped when he
said her name, wide awake again, she looked at him. "Why are you
so thin? None of the other soldiers were."

"Oh, that," Inphyy shrank
again, humiliated and embarrassed. She couldn't tell him. She
couldn't. He would laugh. And talking about that would lead to
talking about Aspharr. Everything she did was in reaction to him.
Everything.

"Inphyy?" his arms loosened
around her as he tried to look at her face but she turned away. Gods
why did he have to sound like he gave a damn? Why did he have to
sound like he cared? Inphyy shook her head, swallowing more tears
that were threatening to overwhelm her. He could hate me tomorrow
and use it against me. I can't trust him. He's not stable enough. No
matter how desperately I want to believe that he means well. Her
shoulders began shaking as she tried to contain herself. How the
fuck do I even have tears left to cry? Then the goblin hugged
her, cradling her shaking body against his, rocking her, making soft
shushing noises in her ear as he stroked her face gently.

"Fuck," she whispered, as her
chest began heaving with dry sobs. "I can't..I just fu-fucking
can't!" She was loosing control of her emotions again. Why am
I so helpless? I can't give into him! I can't trust him!

"Inphyy," he whispered her
name softly in her ear, bringing her back to reality. "Talk to
me." He was half expecting the human to still fight him over the
matter, but instead she clung to him, burying her face in his chest
as she kept crying despite that she was out of tears.

"Help me," she whispered
frantically. "Please help me." I don't care anymore. I
don't care. Just take me as I am. Accept me, without choice among my
faults and weaknesses. Please.

For a moment Dwingvatt froze, not
expecting this reaction. For a moment his warrior instincts growled
with disapproval at the interaction, but was quickly hushed by his
healer instincts. Magistra was right. She needs to be held.
Touched. He closed his eyes wearily, resting his head against
hers. She craves it but at the same time is terrified of it.

"Inphyy," he gently raised
her chin so their eyes met. "Talk to me."
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War of Attrition