October Nulburnad - Tumblr Posts

NULBURNAD THORN

thirties? | they/them | 180 cm | Half-Dragoneer | Bullmarian

Facts hold your feet to the ground

Mind wanders off, chasing the sound

Of the storm clouds that whispered of home

From in between the truth and what we see

The thunder calls out what we choose to perceive

Echoing the size of our world

Ooooh, time will pass, and reduce to ash, our bones

— Will Cady

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Prompt from:@oc-tober2023

[ I am not following the same order ]

~ Souvenir

Nimble hands ghost over the neatly folded papers and books that lie on the extravagant desk. The scribbles on it told her nothing, but the pictures intrigued her. The broom along with her duties long forgotten as she curiously bends over the desk.

"I’m certain there are more pressing matters you should attend to."

The sudden voice spooks her, nearly dropping her broom as she spins around to the speaker.

"I am so sorry. I didn't mean to, it's not ever going to happen again. Please." Her pleading eyes met Nulburnad casually leaning against the doorframe, one eye was glowing yellow and the other was black. "Forgive me."

The servant dips her head low, shivers running through her fragile body. She was properly scared.

Nulburnad had noticed it rather early. Those not opposed to showing their dislike for them openly, were afraid of them. It's nothing Nulburnad personally bothered to correct or diminish, perhaps they even found some kind of delight in it. Reminding them of better times, when others still had good reason to fear them.

Nowadays there is little reason to fear them at all. It was an unnecessary struggle in their eyes, trying to hold onto the past.

"Stealing is a fairly good reason for someone in your situation to be replaced." They enter their study room, a dark green silk robe billowing behind after each step they take. Nulburnad ignores the whimpering servant and instead goes over to check if all was still in place. It was.

"It appears your only crime today is slacking off on your work."

The young servant breaks down properly now, tears streaming down her face as she crashes to the ground, weeping as she presses her face onto the floor.

"Thank you, Your Highness. Your kindness is too much for me to take."

They lift an impatient eyebrow. "I can punish you, if you'd prefer." Before adding: "And its Sovereign."

"I no!" She sits upwards in an instant, eyes wide, "I-I mean no, your eh, Sovereign. Please don't eat me."

Nulburnad rolls their eyes. Their ignorance is a constant thorn in their eyes. 

"I don't eat people." That was the truth, but they couldn't hide a small smirk accompanying their next words: "Too many bones."

Her eyes widened further. "I- I did not mean to disrespect you. It's just the rumours-" she bit down on her tongue, looking to the side.

"They are just that. Rumours. You should make up your own opinion." Nulburnad pushes their coat skirt over the chair, before sitting down at their desk. "No one from the east is eating human flesh. We are not so different from you as you may think. Check the facts first, before you believe what others tell you."

"Ooh." She clutches her broom tighter as she gets back to her feet, clinging to her Sovereigns every word. "So you can't breathe fire either?"

Nulburnad lifts a skeptical eyebrow, silently questioning her intelligence. "I cannot. No." It seems necessary to clarify.

She nods, one hand wandering to her chin, apparently there were more questions wanting to escape her.

"If that is all, you may leave-" They were about to dismiss her, when their eyes wandered to an empty spot at the corner of their desk. There was certainly something missing there. Something very valuable.

"Where is it?" Nulburnad jumps from their chair, pointing at the empty corner of their desk.

The servant blinks, following their finger. "I don't-"

"I have placed something very valuable right at the corner of my desk. Don't tell me it hasn't been there. I memorised all my prized possessions, you can't fool me."

She stutters, the tears once more daring to fall. "I-I was just cleaning. I didn't take nothing. I swear."

"Cleaning?" Nulburnad walks around the desk and right where it was supposed to lay, they bend downwards, looking below. There it was, fallen beneath the table, reflecting the light off the fire, it almost looks like it was calling for them. With relief they take the small trinket into their hands, dusting it off with careful hands.

"I-I didn't see it. I must have knocked it over by accident. It wasn't my intention to steal."

Nulburnad sighs, keeping it close to their person, shielding it from the servant's eyes.

"Do your task more properly next time. Now leave." They waited until she was out of sight, closing the door behind her.

Only then they walk closer to the fire, revealing a small silver ring in their palm. It had a very simple engraving on its top, lacking the elegance their currently worn jewelry exhibits. Silver too, wasn't a material they wore often.

Yet they clung to it, like it was the most precious item they possessed.

Turning it towards the light, the engraving reflected off the fire revealing the weak image of a wingless dragon. They smile at the memory attached to it. It had been a merry festival held in the east, to celebrate their dragon god Lim. Nulburnad had never gone to one before, but after relentless nagging, his friend convinced him to go and while there, brought this little souvenir for them, as a keepsake of their time together. A gift. A memory. 

Nulburnad took off one of their golden rings and put on the silver one instead. It looked very out of place on their long fingers, but they did not mind the incompatibility.

Afterall, it did reflect Nulburnads relationship with their friend perfectly. He had been charming, warm and carefree. All qualities Nulburnad had been told they lacked. Nulburnad always knew what they wanted and they were good at getting it. That was just a fact. Emotions and needs of others played a very little role in it. Sometimes even his own were left behind. How else could one achieve their goals? How else could one keep their promises?

Looking at the ring, it seemed almost like yesterday when he had given them the souvenir. When Nulburnad's ambitions had cost their friendship. And yet they have no regrets. They are closer to their goal than ever before, and that tells them it was worth it. That was all the jewel was there to remind them of. The past can fade into the back of your mind. A souvenir cannot.

[ ~1050 words ]

NULBURNAD

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~ History

The wind was ice cold so high up on the mountaintops, the path snakes along through the gaps of the rocks, unsteady and loose. 

Nulburnad was cold when they arrived at the top, another reminder of their mortality.

There stood a statue, the image of a giant wolf with long teeth and three eyes looking down at the fortress below. The people of Skaeld had built it to honour their god, but knowing the god of mountains, its size did nothing to his real image.

"I need a favour." Nulburnad throws the dead rabbit they had carried onto the stoney ground in front of them.

Suddenly, the rock before them moved, it leaped into the air and landed only inches from them. Now in the form of a gigantic wolf, blaring its teeth.

"Not even polite enough to grant me a reaction, sibling." The wolf smacks his tongue, backing away disappointed at Nulburnads absence of a reaction.

"And all you bring me is a tiny rabbit." The wolf pushed the dead body with his paw, watching it flop over, "Should I eat you instead?"

"I am here on serious business."

"Why not chat with me first? I've met Arcos the other day, they said they wanted the items back they gifted you." The wolf cackles, a strange sound coming from a giant animal.

"You told them of me?" Nulburnad frowns displeased.

The wolf just walks around them, wagging his tail as he does, "I told them that you supposedly died. Thought you both were quite close to each other back then. Guess I was wrong. They were more interested in the lost treasure that you hid away. I still wonder, why did you come to me for help and not them?"

"I had to finish what I had started." Nulburnad says, serious.

The wolf flops down next to them, inching closer to the small Sovereign.

"You've made yourself quite cozy in the fortress have you not? Didn't the former Queen help in killing you? Sounds to me like you're after revenge."

Nulburnad scoffs, "I am not so petty. It's just a bad coincidence."

"Coincidence." The wolf muses, lifting his paws to draw the Sovereign closer to him, "Your heart tells a different story."

Nulburnad turns away from the wolf's penetrating gaze, his nosiness nothing they enjoy.

"I want to open mines into your mountain. Help the north support itself." 

The wolf didn't seem eager to talk about business, as he flops down on his side with a huff.

"Whatever you want to do, you always have good arguments for it. Do what you must." The wolf yawns, scratching its chin, "I'm glad you came actually. Heard alot about you stirring up trouble with that one mortal. You're rather fond of him, aren't you? Ralof, isn't it? He is one of my most loyal followers. I could tell you what he thinks of you too." The wolf smiles a toothy grin.

Nulburnad heard their heart beat faster, daring to deceive them. "I came here to discuss the mines. The Nords respect you greatly, Ulgrim. They wouldn't let me proceed without asking you first. I wouldn't be here otherwise."

"What are you afraid of? You know I can read your thoughts." Ulgrim smiles delightedly as he plants his giant head flat onto the stone, one yellow eye looking closely at the small person beside him, "Oh, he reminds you of someone. He is not so different to Ral the sun god, your former friend. Both are very positive and honest personalities. Wearing their emotions on their sleeves. How very human of them. You do have a type, don't you? I can see the resemblance now."

"Get out of my head." Nulburnad hisses, irritation in their movements as they pierce the wolf with a warning glare.

"Then you shouldn't have become my follower, you know. I always wondered what was going on in your head. Even back then when we were racing through the lands. You were so distant, so cold, but I liked your ruthlessness." The wolf then lifts their head again, placing one leg over the other, thinking, "Wasn't Ral there with us? I've barely ever seen you two apart. He was always a delight, wins everyone's hearts so easily, doesn't he? I never thought he could melt yours too. You have a lot of history together. Don't you wonder how he is doing today? If he regrets killing you or do you think he would try again?"

"There is no need to think about what is no longer important. I came to you for matters that impact the present." Nulburnad stared at the wolf, daring him to say anything else about the topic.

The wolf hummed, Nulburnad knew he would have liked to say more, but at least he knew when to stop. It seems the respect they both had for each other, had remained.

Ulgrim walks to the edge of the mountain. Below them sleeps the fortress of Skaeld restless and vulnerable. After a while Nulburnad joins him.

"There are many that disapprove of your arrival. They fear the changes that you will bring, the ones you already made. The Nords value tradition very much - threaten their beliefs and they will cut you down."

"They wouldn't be the first." Nulburnad crosses their arms in front of their chest, looking passively down onto the city, "I am not playing their parent like the former Queen had, there is no need to coddle them. The situation is getting worse, change is inevitable."

The wolf snickers. "You always loved stirring trouble, speaking words no one wants to hear. Don't make it sound like you had no other choice. You're enjoying it, I can tell. It's why Ral cut you down too, there are only so many rules one can break without angering a few."

"Let them be angry then." Nulburnad says, "Someone has to say how is it. I wouldn't want to remain ignorant either. Besides, never thought you interested in the politics of mortals."

"Despite what our siblings say, I am not a feral beast like Shlaegor." The wolf growls, "I have my reasons."

They were silent for a moment, enjoying the night air, the blackened starless night sky pressing down on them from above.

"It's not so much the mortals that worry me. Some gods have become aware of your presence." The wolf was serious now, "Uwila has always been meddlesome in human affairs. She had asked me to investigate you and give her information."

Nulburnad looks at the wolf, the one confidant they entrusted their circumstances with and the one they had asked to keep it a secret.

The wolf cackles then. "I told her to suck it!"

Nulburnad found no amusement in it. Uwila was nothing but persistent. If they had raised her interest, she would soon send someone to investigate them.

"Even the old gods seem to take an interest in you. Seems like the old days, doesn't it? You are only here for a month now and already stepping on everyone's feet." The wolf speaks, restlessness making him stand back up on his paws.

Then he gets serious, head tilting downwards to better perceive Nulburnads small form.

"What I am concerned about is their constant presence. The old gods are lingering around my domain. They never cared for it before." The wolf fletched his teeth for a moment, a nervous habit perhaps, "I can live with you stirring up trouble with the mortals, but you are starting to attract the old gods, endangering my followers. Fate had watched Ralof rather closely as of late. I fear your meeting with him was entirely made by Fate themselves. So tell me, what have you done to get the old gods so interested?"

"Fate had sent the former Queen after me before, in an attempt to stop me. I am not going to fall for the same trick twice. If Fate wants Ralof to stand in my way, I will not be moved by it. The darkness has gone out of control and I will stop it."

The wolf tilts his head. "In all our history together, I never thought you had gained the title god of ice for your personality but I am starting to believe it now. Do as you please, but I draw the line at dragging my followers into your mess. We do not want the old gods here. If you keep antagonising them, I feel forced to act."

Nulburnad almost smiles at Ulgrims threat, it meant very little to them.

"Every god had turned a blind eye to the increasing darkness. As gods, mortals swear on our protection. Who else should be responsible for the misery that has befallen mortality if not to us. Your domain is said to have the highest increase of Underfolk, that should be something you worry about and not the interest Fate has in me."

"We were doing just fine hunting those bastards." The wolf bared his teeth, "It keeps them at bay and it will keep doing so. You're just holding onto your misplaced heroism because you're afraid that Ral has been right in stopping your madness!"

"Fighting them won't help the situation." Nulburnad remained calm, "You can't kill what's already dead. Don't you see? You're just avoiding the inevitable The darkness doesn't spare gods and if you keep eating them, you'll be the next to fall. They will devour you from the inside."

"Ral had killed you for overstepping all the boundaries there are. You are doing it again!" The Wolf barks, "I protect my domain as I see fit. Your criticism is not welcome here!"

"I am doing my responsibility as a god. I promised my followers protection and I will not let them down."

"And see where that has taken you. You are no god any more, dear sibling. Your influence is limited. Give up now, before it's too late."

Ulgrim looks down at Nulburnads small form. Mortal and fragile, but they refused to believe they hold no power. They had seen this coming. Friends and siblings turning on them, it was to be expected when Fate was on their game, but something they can look past. It's not their fault to not see clearly.

Nulburnad knew that they can succeed in their goal. No matter the cost. To achieve it, they could not waver, especially not when they want it the most. Even when they have to stand alone, facing friends and foes alike. Fate was nothing but persistent, but so could they.

Ral had caught them off guard once, it won't happen again with Ralof.

History will not repeat itself. This time, Nulburnad will be prepared and they will defy Fate and cure the darkness for good.