{"id":3875,"date":"2019-02-18T14:38:03","date_gmt":"2019-02-18T19:38:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/?p=3875"},"modified":"2019-02-18T14:38:03","modified_gmt":"2019-02-18T19:38:03","slug":"eleven-06-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/?p=3875","title":{"rendered":"Eleven – 06"},"content":{"rendered":"

[This post is from Seamus’s point of view.]<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cFool,\u201d his opponent snarled. \u201cYou can\u2019t kill death.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cReally,\u201d Seamus said, the point of his spear unwavering. \u201cDo you want to test that theory, then? Because I am more than ready to show you how wrong you are.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cReally.\u201d They circled each other, his opponent\u2019s eyes narrowing even as one corner of Seamus\u2019s mouth quirked upward toward a not quite feral smile. \u201cYet another thing you\u2019ll be wrong about, thief.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYou call me thief when that which you claim I stole was never yours to claim.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHer father promised her to me when she was naught but a stripling thing.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWell, we both know how good his word is.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cShe was <\/em>promised.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cShe is not a bargaining chip or a piece on a grand game board. She <\/em>chose.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cShe chose <\/em>poorly. You don\u2019t think once you\u2019re dead that she\u2019ll come to me?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cNot for a heartbeat,\u201d Seamus said, his voice measured but low. \u201cShe knows what she wants and it is <\/em>not you.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cBecause you\u2019ve ruined her.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cFirst you want her, now you accuse me of ruining her. Neither\u2019s right and both are among the lies your poisoned tongue has spewed over these years. You\u2019ll pay for each drop.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 There was a twitch.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Seamus kept his expression and his weapon steady. The tune had been called long ago. End game had come. He had planned for this\u2014carefully, with great difficulty and no small measure of revulsion, but if it would keep those he still cared about safe, then it would be worth it.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cToday, you die, Huntsman. Your brothers will mourn you, I\u2019m sure, for no one else will.\u201d His opponent moved, feinting to one side, leading with the scythe he carried. It was as Seamus expected.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The spear slid home, biting deep into the other man\u2019s chest. Seamus shoved it deeper, carrying his opponent to the ground. The man\u2019s eyes widened, his breath catching as he lay on his back, limbs twitching.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cEven death falls,\u201d Seamus whispered, watching consciousness flee from his opponent\u2019s eyes. \u201cAnd there are fates worth than dying.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 It was only a moment before the other one appeared, lips curving into a wry grin as he inspected Huntsman and quarry.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWell, well,\u201d Pluton drawled, circling them. \u201cIt seems perhaps he underestimated you.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cTake him,\u201d Seamus said, finally letting go of the spear and stepping back. \u201cAs we agreed. You have your prize, now you pay my price.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYes, yes,\u201d Pluton said, waving a hand.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI mean it,\u201d Seamus said, his voice a growl. \u201cYou leave her alone. Neither you nor any of yours sets foot on my isle. Do we have an accord?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWe do,\u201d Pluton said, meeting his icy gaze with one of his own. \u201cAs was promised, so shall it be.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cGood,\u201d Seamus said, then jerked his spear free of this opponent\u2019s chest. He cleaned its blade on the other man\u2019s tunic, then turned to walk away.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s it, then?\u201d Pluton called after him. \u201cYou know, you could be useful. Your help in this has been greatly appreciated.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI won\u2019t want your appreciation, nor do I need it,\u201d Seamus said, never breaking stride. \u201cJustice has been served. Do not show me your face again, southron, lest <\/em>you find yourself the one on the tip of my spear. Keep your bargain or such a thing will come to pass.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cFare the well, then, Huntsman.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Seamus snorted and kept on walking.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

[This post is from Seamus’s point of view.] \u201cFool,\u201d his opponent snarled. \u201cYou can\u2019t kill death.\u201d \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cReally,\u201d Seamus said, the point of his spear unwavering. \u201cDo you want to test that theory, then? Because I am more than ready … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[299,313,14],"tags":[150,171,170,315,149,229,148,159,168,147,165,146,195],"class_list":["post-3875","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-book-7","category-chapter-11-book-7","category-story","tag-awakenings","tag-fantasy","tag-fiction","tag-orcus","tag-original-fiction","tag-pluton","tag-post-apocalyptic","tag-seamus-vaughan","tag-serial","tag-serial-fiction","tag-story","tag-web-fiction","tag-wild-hunt"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p1EBlN-10v","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3875","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3875"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3875\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3876,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3875\/revisions\/3876"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3875"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3875"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3875"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}