Author's note: This short story was inspired by a friend that I have lost touch with.
Life is short, and none of us know when our time will come, so I decided to start sharing more of my writing in the hopes that it touches people, or at least, entertains. Where ever you are Agi, I hope Ramik is with you...
That being said, this feels like an E/C story but has two unique main characters. Ramik is the male lead, derived from Ramin + Erik = RAMIK. See? it's easy math...and if you don't know who Ramin is then you live in a cave...with Erik. That's the only allowable excuse to not know who Ramin is...
The lead female is Marieagne (pronounced Marie- ang=like the end of the word rang) Just a common girl who shares Christine's characteristics (and love of a man in a mask!). Music does not play a role in this story so their names can't be Erik and Christine! But it will feel a lot like a phantom sort of story with a mysterious masked man and sweet helpless young lady...
Anyway...please enjoy my phantom-ish unchartered corners of my mind story. It was written as a series of emails so forgive any jerkiness and how quickly it gets going. It is a few chapters long and I should be able to update quickly since it's all done and only needs final proofreading. Let me know if you enjoy it!
WARNING! Extreme violence and adult sexual situations. Blood, gore, love, sex, swearing and violence...all that good stuff...
o.o.o
The wind was bitter cold and I pulled my cloak around me tightly. As I squinted to see through the driving snow, I could see a large inn up ahead. There was some activity around the stables and the front door of the establishment. The weather had taken an unexpected turn for the worse, and everyone was seeking shelter, but I was worried someone might recognize me and raise the alarm. I was still too close to my last job to be thinking of finding legitimate shelter. The hollow below a tree would have to do. The wind blew harder through my meager clothing and I stole back into the forest to continue on my way. Snow made my tracks ridiculously easy to follow so I tried to keep below the trees and off the main path. After some cold movement through the darkening night I spied a light and headed toward it to investigate. The sign hanging over a smaller tavern advertised rooms for rent. It was a good distance down the road and looked to be deserted compared to the hustle, bustle of the previous establishment. Icy wind sliced through me, making up my mind for me. I headed for shelter.
The bell hanging on the door chimed as I entered and I almost cringed, but saw there was not a soul in the small establishment. I shuddered from head to toe, shaking off snow and the chill of the cold night. I was used to the cold by now, but every so often it was nice to feel warm all over.
"Good evening." A woman spoke from behind me and my muscles tensed. I turned slightly to take her in and was surprised to find such a young innkeeper. "Do you require a room? I have some hot stew if you're hungry? You must be frozen. The fire is nice and hot. Come in. Come in."
Her easy smile invited me in, just as the wave of her hand invited me forward. I stalled before turning fully from the shadow of the doorway. The full black mask upon my face put most people off, and I dearly did not want to put off the proprietor of this warm, out of the way, inn.
"I will only require one night of lodging and dinner," it didn't hurt to be polite. "Please."
"Of course, Monsieur." She had turned to set out a glass and bowl on a tray for my dinner.
"I do not wish to alarm you, but I wear a mask to hide my face." The end of the last word hissed from my tongue. I had no face...
"What was that?" The woman was preoccupied with setting my hot dinner properly on the tray, pouring a large glass of mead, cutting hearty slices of bread from a large loaf. I pursed my lips at her back. I was used to people being at least a little wary around me.
She didn't seem to be paying any attention to me, so I walked to the fire and held out my hands. I almost moaned at the heat. My eyes did close in bliss for a few seconds, but I heard the woman approaching.
"Sit. Eat. You can pay me after you warm up. Let me know if you need anything else." She was so matter of fact and busy that I don't think she even looked at me twice. She bustled away and I felt slightly put out by her dismissal of me. I'd always thought I had some air of trouble and darkness that followed me around. I certainly was never welcomed into an establishment like this before. I usually had to pay double and swear to be out by dawn.
"Mademoiselle?" I called after her and she spun quickly, her smile faltered as she finally took in my masked face, black clothing and the weapons visible on my belt under the fabric of my cloak. "May I inquire as to your name?"
Her hand fluttered up to her neck and she quickly dropped into a small curtsey. "Marieange, Monsieur."
"Please," I made a gesture with my cold, gloved hand. "I am no fancy Monsieur. I am only, Ramik."
She stared for only a breathe or two and then fled from my presence. I was used to such behavior and didn't give her a second thought as I tucked into the food. The meal was hearty and hot, and I probably finished it faster than normal people, but I, as a rule, did not enjoy eating. It merely fueled my body.
The woman, Marieange, came back to putter around, mopping up the snow, and now water, that my entrance had left at the door. She boiled water and carried it down the hall, returning with an empty kettle and refilling it with water to boil. She was an industrious little creature, completely comfortable with me and my attire in her establishment. She had to know I was an assassin. Every person with two cents in their head knew how to spot one. Black clothing, black mask. I liked to call myself the Phantom, because no one ever saw me or my face. But something about the girl's innocent welcome made me want to give her my true name, not a fearsome moniker, but still a name very few lived to tell. I suddenly regretted telling her my true name, perhaps the sound of it was a portend to a doomed fate.
I realized I was staring at her and turned back to the fire. It sizzled and popped and was needing some tending when she was suddenly standing next to me.
"Excuse me." She bowed her head and inched by me to bend and rotate the logs and place a few more upon the blaze. I let my eyes drop to the curve of her backside, taking in my fill. I was rarely so close to a woman and I found the sensation was somewhat enjoyable. Especially with her bending over like that...
She straightened and adjusted her hair and dress and then turned and almost ran into my chair.
"Oh! I am so sorry, Monsieur. I forgot...no that's silly...I didn't forget you were there...I'm just not thinking. Do forgive me?" She trailed off bowing her head and shuffling sideways to get around me.
"No harm done," I assured her. Her eyes flicked up to my masked face and I could see the curious light within. I thought it best to keep her on her toes. "Is my room ready?" I deposited a sizable bag of gold coins on the table and she glanced at the bag and then hustled into action. She fetched a key and waved me forward to follow her. We walked down a dim hall with a few extra doors.
"This is our grandest room and it's not very grand." She laughed easily as she opened the door and swung it wide. I moved inside and saw the bed and fireplace and bathtub all set up cleanly. "I started the fire and placed warm water in the basin, but if you would like to bathe, boiling more water for you is no trouble..." She trailed off when I glanced at her.
"Thank you, Marieange. You have been most kind. This will do nicely."
A small smile curved her lips and she was suddenly blushing and staring at her toes. I quickly went over what I said to her wondering what had caused such a reaction.
Before I could fully examine my behavior she giggled softly. "You speak like a knight...or a prince." She added quickly.
I was amused by her girlish behaviour. It's the only explanation for my query. "Do you have many princes as guests?" Why was I engaging with her?
She laughed a little more boisterously this time, her bright eyes dancing up at me, but her words were said in all seriousness. "I have no need for a spoiled prince, Ramik."
Breathing became remarkably difficult at my name on her soft lips. No one had ever said my name so innocently, so trustingly. Most were scared to death, quite literally, at my name. My mouth opened but the continued silence mocked me with my failure to speak. My mutism allowed me an extra moment to study the woman before me. I realized she was even younger than my first assessment, and my mistake was due to her palpable fatigue. She looked ready to fall on her face, but was still smiling openly at me, as if she had all the time in the world to shine the light from her eyes upon me. By now I had to say something but the words that spilled out were not the ones I thought I would say.
"You say my name so sweetly..." Those curious eyes were openly memorizing me and I thought it prudent to be rid of the girl. "I will retire now." She bobbed her head and was gone. I sort of missed her for a second and then I laughed at myself. As if I didn't have enough problems.
I removed my belt and made sure my weapons were all tucked away in helpful places should I be attacked in the night. I stripped my clothes down to my pants and set them up to dry, then I crouched in front of the fire for a few minutes. I was peacefully enjoying being warm and heard the faint ring and jangle of the bell atop the door.
"Good evening. Do you require a room?" I heard Marieange greet someone and I cracked my door to hear better.
"We are staying down the road at the Dragon's Tail. We are looking for a man."
Shit.
"He wears a black mask to hide his demonically deformed face. Have you seen him?"
I held my breath and glanced across the room. The window was shuttered for the snow storm and my weapons were scattered. I would have to fight them to the death to escape! Damn! Damn! Damn!
I was so busy planning how I would kill them, I almost missed the girl's response.
"A mask? Now that's something strange."
"So you have not seen a man in a mask?"
"No, Monsieur."
"Whose cloak is that by the fire?"
Fuck. What was wrong with me? It was not like me to leave bits of my clothing lying about. That damn sweet girl had messed with my natural awareness.
"Oh, that's my father's. He is so forgetful. Here let me take it. I should hang it up or he'll be looking for it later, wondering what he's done with it. Silly man." She laughed like she had not a care in the world, like she was not harboring a fugitive in one of her rooms.
"Well, if you see this man let it be known that he is very dangerous. He has killed before and will not hesitate to kill again. He is in the area and we want him. He will pay for those he's murdered."
"I will tell him we are full if he comes."
"No, no," the leader of the group laughed, for it was a group, I could hear their noisy breath as loudly as if they were right before me. "Give him lodging if he asks and then come inform us." The sound of a coin bag being tossed on the counter echoed down the hall.
"Of course, Messieurs. I will run all the way. Oh, a murderer! How frightening?"
"Do not fear, Mademoiselle. We will track down this murderer."
I rolled my eyes as I finally placed the voice. The angry brother of my latest victim. I killed his nasty little brother because I was paid handsomely for the deed. The only thing keeping me even remotely in the area was this blasted storm.
The men shuffled back out into the night and my little accomplice came down the hall with my cloak. She stopped when she saw me at the door half naked and she dropped her eyes demurely. Her hand shook as she passed me my cloak and I bit back a sigh. No one would ever understand that your path in life can be chosen for you by something as simple as your face.
"I will leave at once." I spoke sharply and her head flew up.
"No! Please! You...you...you have paid me so generously! I really would prefer to keep your money. Please stay. You are safe for tonight." She didn't look very frightened and I narrowed my gaze at her.
"Did you not listen to those men?" I growled at her innocence. "I have committed murder and I am grotesquely deformed. You should throw me out of your fine establishment."
Marieange looked me up and down and I suddenly felt my partial nakedness. "You look well formed to me..."
I was too stunned to come up with anything to say.
"Besides," she continued with a wave of her hand. "Those men were far more threatening towards me than you were, and I highly doubt you mean to murder me in my sleep?" She gave me a cheeky smile before turning away. I was almost sputtering at her complete dismissal of my deadly abilities and she glanced over her shoulder, while I realized I was staring gape mouthed after her. "Goodnight, Ramik. Sleep well."
I watched her hustle down the hall and I finally realized that something about her seemed off. I followed, after quickly putting on my shirt, and quietly slid down the hall in her wake. The hall ended around the corner where her private quarters were sectioned off with a sign. I could hear muffled talking and the hairs on the back of my neck stood. I pushed open the door and clearly heard a man's voice replying to a question.
"...must be the one, Marieange. He will help us."
"How can you be sure? What if he is just as dangerous?" Marieange asked, sounding much younger than her twenty something age.
"I cannot save you myself, dear child of mine. I prayed someone would come, someone was bound to come, and now someone has..."
There was silence for a minute or so before they spoke again, too quietly for me to here. I moved closer until I could hear again.
"Are you hungry, father? You must eat something."
"Not now. Not until this is done."
"But tomorrow...?"
The bell rang over the front door and Marieange was moving to go greet the newcomers. For a stormy night this tiny, out of the way inn was attracting a lot of people. I steeled back but realized I didn't have time. Full assault then.
I grabbed her as she came out and clapped my hand over her mouth. I pulled her back from her father's bedroom door and she struggled in my arms, rubbing that round bottom against me. I shushed at her and then hissed in her ear.
"I mean you no harm, but what games will you play with me?"
"What?" Her response was muffled behind my hand. "Chess?" She whispered. "Cards, I suppose?"
I sagged slightly from my rigid stance at her continued innocence, and then felt laughter building. She tried to make me move further from the door with her. Two things happened at once, the people who had entered called out and so did Marieange's father.
"Who's there?" I could hear him moving and knew I was in the wrong here. I'd thought Marieange meant to betray me, but now I was losing my surety.
"Please go speak to my father, he is ailing, I must attend the guests." I watched her hurry away and could still sense that odd tension in her. I slid to the bedroom door and found the reason for her tension.
Her father's eyes were missing.
o.o.o
Someone had cut two intersecting lines across each eye, forever blinding Marieange's patriarch. Anger swelled in my chest and my fists clenched.
"Forgive my appearance, dark knight. I have paid for my foolishness, but you must save my daughter."
I thought the man must be delirious with fever, but I entered his room at his beckoning.
"I knew you would come." He relaxed against the pillows and sighed. "Will you sit? I can explain what has happened."
I sat, feeling like I was playing a role in a something bigger than I could fathom. The man explained how he had tried to expand his wealth, for his daughter's future benefit, but he only became indebted to some unsavory men. When the debt could only be paid in small portions they began threatening him, then they began threatening his business, and most recently they threatened Marieange. When they went after his daughter he'd had enough and he went to offer himself up to them, but the men didn't want the debt paid in full, they wanted his daughter, and possibly his inn. They sent him back to his daughter as a message a few days ago. He was adamant that they would come tomorrow.
"This is all very disturbing but how exactly am I involved?" It had been pure chance that I'd even stopped at this inn.
The man's bloody x-ed out eyes turned to find me. "You were chosen."
A chill went down my back and Marieange suddenly bustled in and settled herself beside her father on the bed. I wanted to ask her who was at the door this time, but her attention was all for the man in the bed. She held his hand and then swept her hand over his head, leaning to gently kiss his forehead. Seeing her gentle affection for her father shifted something inside me and I wondered if I should help these people. They seemed genuine and kind and though I thought the man's actions to be foolish, the girl was an innocent in all this.
"Who was that?" He asked his daughter.
"Jacob from the Dragon's tail wanting to buy some bread. They have quite a few unexpected guests tonight." Her eyes warily met mine and my decision was made.
"What is our plan then? Wait them out?"
"We will give whatever you ask?" Marieange's eyes overflowed with hope, shining with desperate tears under her tough exterior.
"I ask for nothing. I will help." I assured her before I left the bedroom with unease. Why did I just say that? No payment for my aid? Marieange followed me down the hall.
"I have no way to pay you." She grabbed my shirtsleeve and I looked down into her grateful face.
"I do not require payment." I repeated the absurdity.
"But you already paid me triple what I would have charged for one night's stay. Why...why would you help us?" She was searching my masked face, hope and wonder burning bright.
"I am indebted to you for hiding my presence from those men." She was staring up at me, looking so grateful, so trusting, and her hand was no longer grabbing my sleeve but had relaxed to caress me softly.
"Thank you, Ramik." She gazed up at me and I felt my insides stir.
"My pleasure, Marieange." I rolled her name off my tongue, repeating it the exact way she herself had said her name, and a tentative smile curled her lips.
"Father said a dark knight would save me..." I was getting lost in her sweet, hopeful gaze. Her eyes were almost as green as clover, and with them turned on me with such faith I felt a burgeoning sense of power.
"I am your dark knight." I vowed softly, wanting to reach up and touch a loose tendril of hair, but I'd never before been so bold with a lady. I expected women to be frightened of me, but this girl, this young woman, was gazing at me with blazing trust in her eyes.
"If I can repay you in some fashion..." She faltered and a fiery blush rose in her cheeks. I had a feeling I knew what she was speaking of and a blush rose to my face as well. At least I had the mask to hide my reaction.
"That will be unnecessary." I spoke perhaps a little too harshly and she stepped away, ducking her head.
"Forgive me...I've never been so bold in all my life..." She echoed my thoughts. "I thought I would be taken tomorrow, but then you came into our home and your presence...moves me." She finished with a whisper.
Her presence was doing more than move me, and her recent, indecent proposal was still ringing in my ears. "I must prepare..." I was a bumbling fool when it came to women. I had no experience to draw on. I was much more comfortable slicing someone's neck open. "Do you have the time to...help me?" The words left my mouth before I thought too hard about what I was doing.
Her head came up eagerly. "Of course, what do you need? I will help you however I can."
I studied her face for a moment, wondering what the devil I was getting myself into, and then motioned her forward to my room. "Come."
She closed the door behind her and I could see her cheeks painted red and I knew that she was no doxy, offering herself to me as payment. She truly thought I was her saviour and giving yourself to your saviour was something entirely different.
"I want to show you how to hold a weapon."
"I'm good with knives."
A smile tried to curl my lips, but it was a mirthless attempt, as I pulled the boot knife from my discarded shoes. "This blade is different from a kitchen knife."
"They both will cut you." Her face was grim and I was glad to see this side of her. It would make tomorrow easier.
A few hours passed by, where we discussed the men who were after her and how they might arrive tomorrow. I showed her how to wield the blade in the most effective ways, and then gave her the ankle sheath to hold it in.
"Pick up your skirts with your left hand so you can draw the blade with your right." When she displayed her proficiency at this, I sat on the bed. "I will keep watch through the night, you should rest and tend to your father."
"But you came in here for rest and respite and have had none." She looked genuinely concerned for me, and I stood slowly back up and walked towards her. When I was directly in front of her I met her gaze through the eye holes of the mask.
"I will do all I can tomorrow, but I cannot make you promises, Marieange." I wanted her to see how deadly serious this was. "I do not perform magic. I kill people. I am an assas..."
Her hand covered my mouth and I lost all function of speech at the soft feel of her fingertips on my lips. "You are my knight, Ramik." She rose on her toes to kiss my masked cheek but her proximity to my face startled me. I jerked back slightly, pulling her off balance, and her face almost smacked into my chest as she fell against me.
We both froze at the intimate contact of our bodies and I dropped my eyes to see into her expressive green orbs an inch away from me. Her breath was held as mine was, our eyes locked in shock when she cupped my masked cheek in her hand. Heat flooded me at the feel of a hand on my mask and I wondered if she would try to unmask me, but she pulled back. My body rippled in response, not entirely unscathed, and my hands followed her for one second, before I regained my senses and let her step back.
"Shall I barricade father and I in right now?" Her hand was on the door and I found my senses still reeling with her gentle touch. I wanted to feel more, for that tiny innocent touch on my mask had inflamed my body with curiosity and brought to the surface a lifetime of yearning. I closed my eyes to center myself. Forget it.
For now...
"I have a few questions for your father." My voice came out hard and I hoped she didn't take it personally. "I will see you into the back."
I grilled Marieange's father for everything he could tell me of these men. He was very tired by the end and as he passed out I glanced at Marieange to gauge her reaction.
"He will die I think." That grim face was back, marring her beauty.
"He may survive." Where before I did not wish to make her empty promises of survival, I now found myself wanting to preserve hope within her. "He is strong and he has you to help rehabilitate."
She looked over and those swimming eyes were wrought with emotion. "He is my only family."
I couldn't form words to ease her pain. I lowered my eyes and moved to her side. I rested one hand on her shoulder and squeezed gently, hoping my gesture conveyed support. "Ramik?" She whispered, putting her hand on mine. She gazed up at me, with tears brimming, and I felt a sensual heat fill me at her emotional overture. "Hold me...please...just for a moment..." Two tears slid down her smooth cheeks.
I awkwardly folded her to my chest and she buried her face gratefully, her breath hitching as she tried not to cry. "How can I go on without him? I can't...can't..."
"Hush, Marieange. I am here now." I didn't know why I said that but it just felt right to say. She clutched me tightly and I experimentally ran my hands down her back, over her long braid, back up the sensuous curve to take her face in my hands.
"I see the strength in you." I stared in her eyes. "You must draw on it and tuck away this emotion. When this is over I will hold you and let you cry, but for now we must prepare." She searched my face and then closed her eyes to breath deeply. I realized I just promised her physical contact at the end of this and I could not help looking forward to it. No other woman had ever been so relaxed and comfortable around me. No other woman had ever touched me on a whim, especially the mask. No other woman had moved me to make promises and offer my arms. This Marieange was an intriguing woman.
She pulled back with a deep breath and smoothed her skirts. "I'm ready."
I nodded and we got on with things. She barricaded the two doors leading into their private quarters with heavy furniture and I prepped the outer area. I was not sure how many men would be coming, but I was pretty sure they would be thinking this an easy foray. They were in for a surprise.
I went out into the storm to make sure the windows were all shuttered well. I tied some extra knots around the latches to ensure no entrance through the windows. As I was finishing up the last few windows I heard movement and spun around brandishing one of my wicked blades.
"Trying to break in, monster?" The man leered at me from a few feet away while his minions hung back laughing. "I knew you'd try your luck at the inn. This storm is a bastard and now I will avenge my brother." The man lunged and I dodged and swung out the blade. It caught him in the cheek and he screamed and his minions moved in.
"I suppose you would need help to catch me." I teased him, hoping to have him call off his friends. It had the desired affect.
"Leave him! He's mine!" Blood was sliding down his face and he unsheathed his short sword and took up a stance against me. "Let's dance, you fucker!"
I feigned and then jumped back. The snow was a bitch to fight in, but I knew I could take him, as long as the audience stayed an audience.
He lunged and jabbed and I removed myself from his range of attack.
"Pathetic." I laughed, trying to enrage him and get him to make an error.
He roared and lunged quickly without setting his feet for the attack and slipped in the snow. I laughed at him. "At least your brother was harder to kill. This feels too easy."
Two of the men came forward and I flicked my eyes between my three opponents, cursing my cockiness in my head. I was a damn fool. I would get myself killed and leave Marieange to the vultures. The errant thought of another's safety was so foreign to me that I immediately forced all extraneous thoughts away and focused on the fight.
I made a quick reckless decision.
I feigned towards one man before they closed in on me and he jerked back as I changed course to shove my blade into the other man's stomach. I leapt back, cruelly wrenching the knife blade out at a severe angle to give myself a little more leverage.
The man fell to his knees clutching his stomach and I gestured to my main opponent, the older brother. "Your turn," I hissed.
The others stepped back but the older brother was seeking revenge. He would not quit so easily. Him and I paced each other for a few minutes while the man on the ground choked and spilled his blood, black as death against the white snow.
My opponent finally made his mistake and I capitalized. He glanced down at his friend for a split second and I jumped. His throat was cut efficiently and he joined the other in the snow, blood bubbling from his mouth. I was fairly certain the others would flee.
"I have no quarrel with you." I let my deadly voice fill their ears. "Leave here and never return." They disappeared into the driving snow and I crouched to make sure my quarries were dead. The man with the stomach wound was still alive, rasping desperately so I merely covered his mouth and pinched his nose until his weak thrashings stopped. I stood and surveyed the area knowing that Marieange's attacker would not strike if he came upon this scene.
I made quick work of burying the bodies in the snow and covering the stain of blood with more snow. I would have to dispose of them better than this, but for now it would suffice.
I was out much longer than planned and was half frozen when I came in. I built up the fire in the main room and glanced around taking note of certain things that could help me if a large group of men came for Marieange. I could split them by driving them between the tables and setting them up as obstacles. I began pushing the furniture around.
My mind was conjuring what a large group of men would do with Marieange if I failed.
Failure was not an option.
It didn't make sense that I had already imaged taking the same from her. Her innocent gestures of need, gratitude and affection had sent every one of my base instincts on edge. She didn't realize, wouldn't have even thought, that such simple touches could awaken the beast of lust inside me.
I was a grown man and yet still a virgin. But now I thirsted for knowledge.
Marieange was the first to ever offer me such a prize and I knew I would accept and take it, when the time was right. Marieange was now mine to have and these men were about to find out.
The morning dawned and the storm eased slightly, but it still snowed through the long morning, while I waited for action. By dinnertime I felt edgy. I had not slept in days and I wondered if the men would wait out the storm before coming for some evil fun.
I knocked on the door for Marieange and I could hear her approaching. "It is Ramik." A few minutes later, after moving things out of the way, she opened the door with flushed cheeks, romantic tendrils of hair and hopeful green eyes. "Not a soul has come." I dashed her hopes.
She bit her lip, but reached to pull me in. "You must eat and rest. We will barricade ourselves in. If they come at least you will be right here with us."
I wanted to argue with her but couldn't. I was no good to her if I passed out and I was feeling less than my best at the moment.
She served me some food and when I realized I'd eaten it and couldn't recall what it was I announced I needed sleep. She led me to a bed and I removed my weapon belt, slid a knife beneath the pillow and laid out on the top of the blankets. I clasped my hands on my belly and fell fast asleep.