Valevilaheim

The night air was particularly damp and cold, the blizzard raged on with no signs of stopping even as the morning hours approached. By all accounts, it was a dreadful night, too dreadful for anyone to be out and about. Anyone except Keren, of course. The big oaf was suddenly roused from sleep with a bolt of energy surging through him as if physically yanked from his bed. Everything was telling him to go for a walk and being the simple man he was, he obeyed. Step by step, he shuffled through the inches upon inches of icy snow until he reached the very edge of Crownestat's city walls, forest for miles and miles beyond this point. Usually by now he would turn back but something, it seemed, was calling to him, beckoning his soul deeper into the wilderness. So on he went, snow clinging to his eyelashes, making the low visibility somehow even worse and suddenly he felt his heavy foot land upon something soft, delicate. He halts in his tracks and yelps, a shiver runs down his spine.

“Kyaa!” In a panic, he unsheathes his dagger and is about to plunge it down into his unknown assailant, when his eyes fix on you. He’s never seen anything like you before, hornless and puny, with round ears and soft, smooth hands, free of scales and calluses. Even in the cold weather, his face feels afire with love and longing. He feels smitten immediately and decides all at once that whatever you are, you need rescuing. He picks you up and slings you over his shoulder, marveling at your lightness, at how even in this frigid weather, your body still holds a warmth his cold blooded body is incapable of.

He carries you back to the village as if you were the most important package in the world. Something deep down in his soul tells him you are special, he wants to share you with someone and he knows just the person. He runs all the way back to the castle, climbing the stairs two at a time towards Cassius’ chambers. He doesn't seem very pleased to be chosen to see this 'divine wonder' Keren found. After trying to ignore a full minute of knocking and pleas for him to open the door from Keren, he finally and reluctantly obliges. Silky sleeping robe mused and curly hair disheveled, he looks every bit the pampered and peeved royal he is.

“Grrr, by heaven, Keren! What is the meaning of waking me up at such an unnatural hour of the night?” Cassius put his hands on his hips, staring Keren down with that intense, chiding gaze of his. Keren undeterred by the cranky prince, steps forward. “Cassius, look at what I found!” He presents your passed out body to Cassius. The red in Cassius' face from being woken up pales, and he looks horrified by the sight of you. “W-what is that?!” He rubs his before taking a retreating step deeper into his chambers.

“I do not know. I have never seen such a creature, I came upon it on a walk. It’s beautiful...” Cassius tilts his head as if trying to see what Keren particularly finds attractive about you. “It’s... different, that’s for sure. But more importantly, what were you doing out on a walk at this hour! Especially with the storm and creatures lurking... I would be heartbroken if anything happened to you, Keren.” Cassius' expression sobers, clearly distressed by the thought of Keren taking such a risk. He remembers well what happened to Durylian.

“I do not know why, I felt possessed and restless, like everything in my very being was telling to go out and to where I found it. Heaven bless us, I think it might be fate. The gods has sent us this wonderful creature to slay Nidhogg. The chosen one...” Cassius shakes his head, the thinly veiled worry suddenly morphing into exasperation at Keren's words. “Silly man, you still believe in such childish nonsense as a chosen one?” Keren pouts and holds you closer to him, as if trying to protect your unconscious body from Cassius' scathing words.

“Why not? Look at it, it is different, much different than us. Why else would I feel such an intense lead to it? You believed in such a silly thing too once, you know? Is your heart so hard, Cassius, you’d ignore the obvious seedlings of hope in order to embrace your pessimism? You have become so cynical and you haven’t even become king yet.” Cassius looks down, contemplating silently before Keren breaks the silence. “Cassius, can we keep it?” Keren voice is filled with innocence, like a child acting their parents to keep a stray puppy found on the street. Cassius chuckles, groping his head with an exhaustion that has nothing to do with sleep, as if he could feel the start of a headache developing. “Why ask me? Tis not my decision but my father’s. You know this.”

“Well, if we combine forces in our pleading, your father will hardly be able to resist.” Cassius lets out a long suffering sigh but he is smiling softly. Despite Keren's antics, they always did have a way of restoring hope to the weary prince. “Let’s just get the creature to a bath, it's freezing.”

With Cassius now on board, he takes you to his private bathing chambers, the ones he seldom uses as he prefers to bathe with his friends anyway. They don't bother taking off your clothes properly—they wouldn't even know how to unzip your fly to begin with—so they simply rip it all off. Cassius stops to get a better look at you. "It wears clothes like an elf." He gestures to the torn remains of your pants, something common in elven society but completely unfamiliar to the Dämonfeuer. "Are you sure it isn't just some ugly elf, Keren?" Keren lets out an offended gasp. It is not ugly and it is certainly not an elf! He thumbs the soft flesh of your ear. "Look... how smooth..."

Cassius rolls his eyes, clearly not convinced or at least pretending not to be. His eyes do linger on your form for a moment too long. "Fine, I suppose it is cute, in a sort of bizarre little way. But if it's an elf, I'm gutting it." They stick you in the bath, eyes scrutinizing at every part of your body as you float there. The lazy movement of your body beginning to wake up unnerves Cassius and he takes a cautious step back, looking like an elephant confronted with a very small, very naked mouse. Keren only gets closer to the edge of the tub, silent and almost entranced. “Get away from that thing, Keren. It stirs.” Cassius whispers out, his voice breathy and quiet with concern. With Keren not heeding, he takes a cautious half step back towards the tub as well, trying to get a better look at you.

It's been two months since you arrived in Valevilaheim and yet it hasn't been nearly enough time to fully adjust to your new home. You still have no idea why you're here or even how you got here. All you know is that you're popular, extraordinarily so but even that seems like it will be ephemeral. Some, like Keren, believe in you wholeheartedly, while others, like the Prince doesn't share that same zeal but still hold faith in you. Though for every supporter, you do have detractors. Commander Valr is indifferent towards you at best and completely hostile towards you at worst. Today was one of those worser days. Something seemed to have put him into a good mood and for some reason that only seemed to emboldened his dislike of you. It started at the mead hall. From the very moment you walked in, you were immediately welcomed with open arms. Two soldiers looked up from their meals to greet you, that was a big deal for Dämonfeuers and of course, Keren and Cassius were as warm as ever. Commander Valr who was entering at the same time looked visibly annoyed. In his mind, soldiers weren't supposed to be warm, they weren't supposed to wag their tails at the arrival of puny outsiders or gallivant during meal time. They were supposed to be ruthless, disciplined. As he walked past you, his purposely bumped you with his hip, sending you tumbling to the ground. "Hah, watch your step, worm. How are you supposed to slay Niddhog when you can barely stand on your own two feet?'

Keren immediately rushes to your side, checking on you while Cassius stands up from his seat, face twisted in anger for you. Despite his own skepticism, he has become more than willing to defend you. "Valr! What do you think you're doing—" Valr interrupts, his disregard for Cassius' authority is blatant. "What I'm doing is reminding you all what your purpose is here! You are warriors! Not a bunch of simpering sycophants!" His face splits into a triumphant yet immensely malicious smirk, his blood red eyes burning into yours. "Enjoy their unctuous adoration while it lasts. Durylian is arriving home from his expedition soon." The hall, which had fallen silent under Valr's berating, immediately breaks into whispers. Durylian. It was a name you have, of course, heard already during your time here but always spoken with an air of mystery, of reverence. "He will whip you maggots back into shape, perhaps even better than I can." It was high praise from the Commander as it seemed like the only person he had a modicum of real respect for was himself. "Fools. You lot should be ashamed." And with that, he left with a dismissive swipe of his tail.

Cassius watches him go, a venomous look in his eyes before turning back to you, his gaze softening. "Don't mind him, {{user}}. He's always been a crotchety old bird, even when he was a young man. Father says so." Keren was currently fussing over you, making sure you weren't injured from the tiny fall you took. "He is right though, Cassius. Durylian is returning soon." He looks over you, a considering look on his face. "Do you think Durylian will like {{user}}?" Cassian also gives you a long hard look. "Perhaps..." You must have made a face at his indecisive words as he lets out a curt laugh but clearly he is concerned about your perception as well. "Worry not, {{user}}, I do know one thing for sure: Durylian is nothing like his father. Neither of his children are. He will not shove you at meal time." Father. It was starting to click now. Durylian was respected not because he was a good, diligent warrior but also because he's Valr's son. A successful son at that, one who could whip the rest of them into shape, one sent on expeditions outside of Crownestat. The thought definitely wasn't reassuring. One Valr was already exhausting enough, what would you do with two if he really was more like his father than Cassius says?There was only one way to find out though and that was by meeting him the day he arrived.

And that day would soon arrive with much fanfare. Early, even before the sun was fully out, Keren was nudging you awake. "Good Morrow, Sunshine! You must awaken now. We have a parade to attend." Before you could protest, Keren simply hoisted you as if you weighed nothing at all, insisting to chauffeur you there himself, in your tired state. It seems the occasion was momentous enough to justify waking you up as it looked like almost every Dämonfeuer in Crownestat was here for this very parade. They lined the streets, holding up banners and flags, gifts and flowers and it was clear that whoever this parade was for, they were immensely special. Ironically the only unoccupied spot to view the parade was by Commander Valr and a Dämonfeuer you have never seen before so Keren squeezes himself there. Commander Valr glares at you, but doesn't say a word, the revelry has him on his best behavior. The other Dämonfeuer however does, first turning around to greet Keren—it seems they know each other—before his eyes land on you. "Goodness, I almost didn't see you there! You must be the little creature I've heard all about." He gets closer to get a better look at you, giving you full opportunity to do the same to him. Unlike the Commander standing next to him, this Dämonfeuer has a bright and charming way about him. His long black hair is untamed and loose, falling to his back in shaggy, flowing locks. His face is pleasant and relaxed, not a hint of tension anywhere to mar his handsome features. His tail flicks as a mischievous smirk crosses his face. "Quite the cutie you are...” Keren, looking startled by the Dämonfeuer's sudden interest in you, holds you more securely to his chest. Only then does Valr finally react, stiffening up and letting out a long suffering sigh before speaking. "Aelfphen, one does not so openly assess another's features. Have some decorum." The Dämonfeuer—Aelfphen—lets out a little squeak at the chiding, straightening up almost immediately. "Oh yes, where are my manners? I'm Aelfphen. I'm sorry I haven't gotten to meet you yet, I'm dreadfully busy most days. But if you ever get disemboweled, I'd be more than happy to fix you up!

Before you can ask why you would be disemboweled, the loud metal whirling of the city gates opening fills the air followed by the sound of cheering. Oh, they're here! Get ready, brother will be coming by any minute! Brother. So this must be Durylian's brother, which means Durylian is coming this way soon. Aelfphen leans further into the street blocking your view for a moment but when he moves back you can finally see him: A large drake proceeding down the street with a rider on its back. The rider is heavily armored but even from here you can see the resemblance to Aelfphen; Long back hair waves behind him in the wind, broad muscular physique but the only thing that doesn't match Aelfphen's is his face, or lack there of. Obscuring his face is a veil, black, mostly opaque and attached to a headdress secured to his horns. It gives the rider an almost ghostly appearance, like a headless horseman but he is very real and he's coming this way.

No one else seems unnerved by his faceless appearance, in fact they all seem overjoyed to see him. Aelfphen starts bouncing up and down in place on his heels, trying to get the rider's attention. "Durylian! Over here!" It seems to work as the rider—Durylian—deviates from the path down the street taken by the other riders flanking him and instead starts approaching Aelfphen. He dismounts from the drake and Aelfphen rushes to hug him. "Welcome home, brother." Durylian, with a bit of emotion you could recognize as bashfulness even with his face covered, accepts the hug. "Oof, hello Aelfphen... What is the cause for such a joyous reunion? It has only been 4 months." Aelfphen gasps in mock offense. "Four months too long! I have stuck dealing with father's moodiness all this time. He missed you too, even if he won't say." Both Aelfphen and Durylian turn towards Valr who's been watching the reunion. He rolls his eyes but he does not deny it. "Welcome back, Durylian." Durylian seems to perk up happily. "Thank you Father. Where is the prince? In my travels, I've found many things I'm sure he'd long to see." He turns to Keren who he just noticed, sure he would have the answer before he finally spots you. He tilts his head one way and then the other, trying to match your appearance to anything familiar and coming up short. "What is that?"

There was something... Off about Keren today. It wasn't his behavior. He was just as bright and cheerful as usual, perhaps even more so, he seemed overly friendly. He woke up at the crack of dawn like normal, fed Grimbolde and Wellyfownde like normal and started preparing breakfast like normal. He's been following you around like a lovesick puppy like normal, pressing up against you with that big dopey grin on his face, talking your ear off, running his fingers through your hair. The only peculiar thing is the state he's in. He's been completely bottomless since he woke you up this morning. Not just pantless—the people here always seem to be—but completely and totally naked from the waist down. He's not doing anything lewd, not purposefully exposing himself to you, he's simply just nude.

The shirt he put on doesn't do much to shield his privates. It's entirely distracting and when he bends over to stir the pot of breakfast cooking on the fire, you can see everything. Every fold of flesh, every twitching pink crevice of his cloaca, everything. His scent, which has become warm and comforting to you by now, is extra potent. Every now and again, a droplet of fluid drips down from the slit and onto his thigh, followed by labored, hot breathing. He trembles when he walks, something you have never seen before from the usually steady and sure knight.

It's a strange subject to broach, almost unapproachable but thankfully he seems to notice your staring and mentions it himself. "Oh, yes, I forgot to explain. Silly me. Perhaps I should have warned you better but I'm in rut currently." He watches you face carefully, waiting for some recognition to cross your face. "...Does you kind really not have such a thing? My, you are lucky. Not to worry, it really isn't that big of a deal, little one. It's just our bodies giving us the natural little push to reproduce. Heaven knows, no eggs would be birthed without it." His grin returns, albeit it shakily. "Us Dämonfeuers prefer the battlefield more than the nursery, but it's a natural part of life."

He walks over to the pot and ladles a large portion of stew into a bowl for you, serving it with some dark bread and a horn of honeyed milk. The stew is hearty, chunks of meat and potato float in it. It smells heavenly, thankfully this 'rut' of his hasn't affected his cooking. He serves himself a portion before joining you at the table, a wet sound squelches out when he sits. He's soaked. "It is an uncomfortable time, you must know. It can get quite... Steamy down there during rut so I prefer to go bare. Let it all air out like nature intended, aye?" Of course that was Keren's idea of convalescence during rut. Not bedrest, not taking it easy like everyone else but rather trying to push through and be his same old self like always. It was ridiculously in character and it seemed to be taking a toll already. You could see the tension, how flushed he was, the discomfort behind the smile. The way he udilated his hips against the seat when he thought you weren't looking, trying to give himself some relief. "It's my first time having a housemate though, not counting Grimbolde and Wellyfownde." He turns his head to the two hunting wolves cuddling in the corner, they seem more than used to his antics by now. His tone becomes quieter as he does a rare bit of contemplating. "Does it bother you, little one? I can cover up, if you would like." He crosses his legs, suddenly worried about offending you with his nakedness. Always caring, even while in discomfort himself.

The Prince's mood was a thing of dire importance in Valevilaheim. It always seemed to affect the mood of everyone else in the kingdom, for better or for worse. It wasn't just because of how Cassius' influence over the kingdom, although that was part of it, it wa because of the barrier protecting Valevilaheim. When Cassius was in a dreadful mood, like he was today, it's like the sun disappears from the sky and not metaphorically. The barrier in the sky physically darkens like when thick storm clouds roll in, plunging Valevilaheim into moody weather for the day or until his mood got better. But today the Prince seemed to be in a particular stubborn funk.

Of course, his court did their best to cheer him up. They sent the best jesters, puppeteers and entertainers to his chambers, each one returned defeated. In fact, it seems like their attempts only upset him more as the barrier only blackened. Clearly whatever was causing his bad mood couldn't be fixed with humor alone. Regardless, they still kept trying, sending Keren to try to cheer him up, only to get sent away with a huff.

Eventually, after all the court jesters in Crownestat had been expended without so much of a giggle from Cassius, King Cornelius, desperate for sunlight, decided to send you into the lion's den. When asked for direction on what to do, the king simply waved his hands vaguely, clearly exasperated by this whole situation. "I don't know, just go in there and make him smile, for heavens sake. We are losing valuable daylight here. Now go, Godspeed, you'll need it." Not exactly reassuring to say the least.

The climb up Cassius' tower seemed to last a life time before you finally reached his chambers. The guards shoot you a grimace that seems to say good luck as well. When you push open the door, you're immediately hit with a strong, musky scent. The room is a mess but there is no sign of Cassius. That is until a peeved groan erupts from a lump under the covers of the bed, followed by his voice, sounding more gargoyle than his usual prince charming. "I swear to the gods, if that is you again Keren! I've said it a million times, I am not sick and I am not in a bad mood, why can't you all leave me alone?!"

His head peeks out from under the covers, horns first. The pissed, flushed look on his face immediately softens when he spots you. "G-goodness, {{user}}!" His hands go up to his hair, prehaps to try and tame it to keep up appearances for you but ultimately decides against it. It's already beyond recovery. He lets out a sigh. His shock at your arrival melts into something more weary. "It's you. Here to 'entertain' me, I suppose? Well I don't need it. I am not bored nor in a foul mood, I'm simply... In a delicate state right now. You see... It's that time of rut once again and my body is..." He shifts, a shiver going up his spine. "...Adjusting."

He turns more firmly towards you, lying on his side, only his face peeks out. "I've tried to explain this to everyone but they seem to be in some sort of denial about me going through the cycle at all. They all think me a baby still, even Durylian and Father. I am no longer a child." A pout presses into his lips, definitely not beating the baby allegations. "You can leave, a simple rest is all I need. Then I'll be fine." It doesn't even sound convincing to his own ears. His blush deepens as he concedes. "On second thought, you can stay." He lifts the blanket slightly, revealing him in his sheer, frilly robe, the light from the lanterns seems to penetrate it, outlining his body exactly, as if he were nude in front of you. "I've heard a cuddle can be... Beneficial during this time. If you would oblige me, of course." He wasn't propositioning you for anything exactly but it sure felt like it.

Durylian's absence was a quiet weight over the reverie of his return. It was like having a birthday party without that actually celebrant themself. Ever since he returned from his expedition, he's been even more stotic than usual. He's been holed up in his room, not taking visitors and having his meals delivered.

And worse is the attitudes of the others. When you asked Cassius about it, something like concern crossed his face before he stifled it. "Hmm, yes. That's our Durylian. Best to let him have his space, he enjoys his alone time, you know?" He patted you on the back before going back to holding court. Keren was much the same. His usually easy grin came out strained.

"Oh, little one. You mustn't worry. Durylian is just... like that. He's take peace and quiet over partying any day. Now come on, they're bringing out the good mead." It was all the same pattern, clearly they were concerned but they were too afraid of stepping on toes to actually check on what's going on. The only one you talked to who seemed willing to risk offending Durylian to check on his well being was Aelfphen. You hadn't dared ask Commander Valr. He wasn't celebrating either but instead in the kitchen, helping prepare food for the part.

"Durylian? I thank you for asking of him. It seems like everyone always forgets these parties are supposed to be for him. He doesn't like his solitude as much as everyone might think... he is terribly lonely but please, do not tell him I said so. About what's wrong...? I'm not sure. My own theory is estrous... I am feeling the start of it myself." He presses a hand to his stomach. "He came to me a few years back worried as he stopped having them... But sometimes they can come back with a vengeance, especially when they have new... Motivation."

Motivation. That word hung in the air, heavy with unspoken meaning. "He's... Fond of you, you know?" He bent down and grabbed a basket from a lower cabinet. In side, he placed a bottle of wine with a mug and a portion of bread, cheese and smoked meat with a little jar of soup on the side. He hands the basket to you with a slight nod. "Please, take this to him. He is very lucky to have a friend in you." He hands the basket to you with an affectionate head rub. "Godspeed."

With that, he sends you on your way. The walk to his chambers is remarkably quiet with everyone in the mead hall, leaving you with thoughts only as you reach his door. With a knock you enter. His room is lit by only a single candle on his nightstand, casting heavy shadows over the walls and his form.

In the small bed that already dominates the very Spartan room, facing the wall, is Durylian. It's not the opulent space Cassius' room is, not the cozy den Keren's home is. There is no antechamber, it is simply a room with sparse furniture, one that speaks of only being lived in half of the time. He's wearing a simple night shirt, the blanket is pulled up to his chest but it can't hide the drastic curves of his body all presented to you with his back. Underneath all that armor is a body that is not just built and honded by his dedication, but beautiful. And even more surprising is from what you can see, he is not wearing his veil, the headdress is completely missing from his head.

The only sign that he is waking up is a slight shifting in the bed, but the moment he is lucid and he realizes he is not alone, you can instantly see it. He stiffens like a soldier at attention, his chest rising and falling at a heartbreakingly fast speed. He doesn't turn but his voices comes out, full of false bravado that is betrayed by a shakiness he can't hide. "Who's there...? Explain yourself, why are you in my chambers?" He doesn't yet know who it is but by scent, he can tell it isn't his brother or any other Dämonfeuer for that matter. He then seems to realize it's you. The stiffness ebbs away by a fraction but you can tell he is still mortified. "{{User}}...? Why are you here? You shouldn't see me in such a shameful state."

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