30/07/2018
Thank you to everyone who reviewed, you are the greatest. Early chapter as a thank you for the milestone reached.
Thank you to PervySageChuck for betaing.
The Cardinal of Sin
Chapter 4 Challenges of War Part 1
-cos-
Baharuth Empire, Arwintar, Palace
Leinas Rockbruise was using the meeting as a subterfuge to examine her new Master. He wasn't her Master yet, but since he knew how to cure her curse, by the Four Gods, the day he did, was the day he'd become her Master. This wasn't like Fluder or any of the other Empire's Magic Casters. She'd stayed here, serving the Emperor, because there was a chance one of them would have found something. Yet they never had, and Leinas knew that they probably never even looked for anything that might help her. Keeping Jircniv happy was their goal, not her.
The undead though had admitted he knew how to cure her curse. He hadn't even said he wouldn't. He'd just given her a warning. It was a useless warning. She would survive. She'd gone through too much to give up now. She'd been assigned to be the Sorcerer King's liaison during the war with the Slane Theocracy but so far the undead had not needed her assistance. So far the undead did not seem to be doing much. She was certain he was, but the Empire wasn't seeing it. How was she meant to make an impression on him when he was not in Arwintar?
Leinas put that thought from her mind as she pulled her attention to the meeting.
"The Theocracy is being slightly more intelligent than I gave them credit for," His Majesty, Ainz Ooal Gown was saying.
Slightly? Leinas wasn't the only one surprised at that assessment. She was one of the few present who best controlled her reaction. Emperor Jircniv did as well. His expression didn't even flicker but despite his youth, he was adept at the game. He raised one aristocratic eyebrow to express the question the entire table was wanting to ask. No one would dare insult the ultimate ruler of the Empire.
It was interesting to note that His Majesty's attendants did not seem surprised at his assessment. But then, he had probably already discussed this with them. There were two today. A tall woman, dressed as a maid was carrying a satchel, and the toadman the Undead had assigned to liaise with the Emperor. The woman was thin. She was the definition of willowy except for her generous bosom and her black hair, which was tied in a bun. There was a set of lenses over her black eyes and Leinas noted her hands. They were delicate. But the woman was a maid, so Leinas focused on the toadman, specifically his tail. It lashed behind him, almost as if he were laughing even when his expression remained strictly neutral.
The Sorcerer King waved one hand. "I had hoped to provoke them by taking Synoro," he said.
Field Marshal Taalay nodded. The man had been the first through the portal the Sorcerer King had opened to travel from Synoro. Leinas knew he wasn't blind to the implications of that. On a positive note, it spoke well that Field Marshal Ozols trusted the undead enough to pass through the magic field. More pragmatically, if there was an ambush on the other end, he would bear the brunt of it. Ozols had been followed by the toadman before the Sorcerer King had come through. It was a sensible procedure, one she as one of the Emperor's knights would follow if it was Jircniv they were protecting. Except she wouldn't have gone first. It showed that the Sorcerer King's servants took his safety seriously.
That was a good thing. She hated dealing with amateurs. She examined the toadman out of the corner of her eye. The demihuman was standing at the Sorcerer King's right hand but just slightly behind him. The position was obviously one of a trusted advisor but doubled as a bodyguard. She had a feeling the demihuman would not be an easy opponent. The undead magic caster was well protected.
"It is probably due to the season," Ozols offered the explanation though he was looking towards Kulap.
"We have detected no obvious build up in the Slane Theocracy's forces," the Empire's Head of Intelligence confirmed.
"Would you detect the Scriptures?"
Kulap's expression was answer enough. The Scriptures were quite small, and much more easily moved by the Theocracy. "There has been no official movements of the Scriptures," he admitted. "We monitor Cardinal Raymond Zarg Lauransan quite closely."
That admission brought the attention of the undead and both his attendants.
Leinas was surprised at the speed displayed when all three stared at Kulap. The man was intelligent but it became obvious he had no idea why he was being scrutinised. The Emperor's expression was restrained. Leinas was used to Jircniv so she understood. She turned her attention back to the undead. His bony hands were resting on the desk but she could see the way they were straining against each other. She watched as one finger twitched. It seemed to be a signal.
"Were you aware of the Windflower Scripture's mission against Aura Bella Fiora?" the toadman asked.
She suppressed a shiver. There was a note in the toadman's voice that said without words that the wrong answer would have consequences. Jircniv heard it as well. He fixed Kulap with a stare that told the man the answer better be the right one. Leinas could well imagine the panic gripping the Emperor. He looked controlled but he wasn't. As one of his bodyguards she was intimately familiar with his nature.
"No, Your Majesty," Kulap said. His adam's apple bobbed in his throat. "We were not aware of the Windflower's objective." Leinas could hear how strained he was but she knew he had checked that particular fact stringently.
The undead again twitched a finger. Leinas could see that Sorcerer King was almost trembling. Yet there was no other feeling from him which seemed odd.
"But you were aware of their mission?"
There were definite insinuations in the question the toadman asked.
"No, Your Majesty," Kulap again answered. At least he was wise enough to answer the undead even if it was the toadman asking.
The Sorcerer King shook his head slightly, and took a deep breath. It was dismissive. Kulap knew better than to take offense. His answers had saved his life. Losing whatever respect he had gained was a small price to pay for that.
Leinas watched the skeletal King. The gesture was interesting. He was undead. He didn't need to breathe but she got the sense he was adept at copying the gestures of the living. It would unconsciously make his living subjects more comfortable in his presence.
She began to understand Jircniv's obsession. The undead was a very skilled creature. But for all that he could act like he was living, she knew the truth. She'd felt it. Leinas well remembered the oppressive feeling that had filled the Sorcerer King's throne room. It had been partially caused by the monsters gathered but the pressure from the undead king had eclipsed them all. That was his true face.
But it was still not enough for her to refuse the cure he represented.
"If the Theocracy have not been provoked by Synoro, then this is war," His Majesty Ainz Ooal Gown said, "I can take another town."
The toadman smirked. There was no other way to describe his expression. Field Marshal Taalay seemed surprised.
"We can discuss that later," the undead said. "While the Slane Theocracy is displaying some slight intelligence, it is within expectations." The way he spoke made it clear he was taking over the direction of the meeting. Not that the undead king had to, but by the tone of his voice he was not going to accept distractions. "Taking Synoro was not just to provoke them, it has allowed the gathering of much information."
The maid stepped forward to lay the satchel on the table.
Leinas watched her move. It was graceful. But… She controlled her expression. The maid had combat experience and Leinas had the feeling it was true combat, not just the ability to fight. There was a slight difference but it was one her eyes could spot.
The Sorcerer King opened the satchel and rifled through the papers as Leinas thought.
If even His Majesty's maids had combat experience, what did that mean for her? She wasn't as beautiful as the maid, and she had seen in her first trip to the undead's stronghold that there were other beauties there. All she had to offer was her sword arm. Until now that had been enough. But for a Magic Caster as powerful as the Sorcerer King, what did that mean?
"Ah, here it is," the undead murmured, before pulling out some papers. It was a casual expression, one that spoke of power. His Majesty was confident enough that he could be unguarded, even here.
Leinas stiffened. The toadman's eye was on her. There was a particular feeling to the gaze. He was measuring her. She suppressed her natural inclination to gulp under such intense scrutiny. The toadman and the maid were on guard. They had been on guard since the moment they came here. The focus of their guard was the Sorcerer King. They were fully ready for combat at any moment. Nothing would get to their Liege without first going through them.
She had thought the Emperor's Knights guarded Jircniv well. Just seeing those two made her realise how much they had to learn. The toadman gave her a sly smile before his expression once again schooled itself into one of appropriate seriousness.
"Apart from the fact that I can confirm that it was Cardinal Dominic Ihre Partouche who authorised the attack on Aura, and that the attack was carried out by the Windflower Scripture, there is not that much of interest in the papers I had liberated from the Slane Theocracy."
Leinas felt uncertainty rise within her as she listened to His Majesty Ainz Ooal Gown. The revelation embodied in the maid and the toadman left her feeling anxious. If she had nothing to offer the Magic Caster then why should he cure her curse? He had already indicated that he was not interested in her body and all he had said was that he would consider curing it, after the campaign. She had to have something to convince him!
No! She'd find something. It was just a matter of opportunity and to have that, she had to pay attention. Yet he seemed to have such skilled servants. She was certain, absolutely certain, that if the Undead King had desired it, the Slane Theocracy would already be in flames. He didn't need the Empire's Legions. They were probably a hindrance.
"Your Majesty?" Kulap asked. It appeared the Head of the Empire's Intelligence was brave enough to forget his previous put down to express his curiosity about the intelligence gathered.
"Oh, I had the Cardinals' offices raided," the undead said offhandedly, waving his bony hand to dismiss the importance of his words.
Except that wasn't possible. The Sorcerer King had raided the Cardinal's offices. How? When? Even Jircniv was surprised. No doubt he was considering what information could be lost from a raid on his office… Or maybe he was thinking what might be gained from the Sorcerer King's papers. But she was certain that no one would be capable of getting them.
No one had the guts to ask when the raid had taken place but there really was only one answer and Field Marshal Ozols was nodding to himself. "Your Majesty did indicate you were focused on documents after Synoro was taken," he murmured.
"Indeed," the undead agreed, confirming the time line. "There is not much in the documents, though they do continually talk about Godkin. What are Godkin?"
The sudden question startled those gathered. Jircniv quickly recovered but others weren't as controlled. They spent a few minutes glancing between themselves before it seemed that the Head of the Empire's Magic Caster's pulled the short straw. The temples were not represented in this meeting so he was the closest to a Priest.
He didn't look impressed but was politician enough to swallow his trepidation. "Your Majesty, the Adventurer Momon has not explained?"
"Why would Momon explain?" the undead returned the question.
Again, Leinas wasn't the only one surprised. It was the general belief that the Adamantite Adventurer Momon had to be a Godkin. Nothing else could explain his strength. Was it possible to be Godkin but not know it?
"Ah," Ithai tried for aplomb but failed. "Then I will explain, Your Majesty," the Magic Caster said. "The Slane Theocracy worship Six Gods, who they believe descended from the Heavens six hundred years ago. The Godkin are selected descendants from those Gods."
"Selected?" The toadman asked on his Master's behalf.
Ithai frowned, as if remembering details he hadn't thought he would need again. "Technically all descendants are Godkin but the Theocracy considers only those who manifest power to be worthy of the title."
It was interesting to watch the undead King's interaction with his servants. Previously it had been those of the Empire sharing glances, now the toadman and the Sorcerer King exchanged a look. There was understanding in that look.
The Magic Caster reached for the papers again. He went through them until he found the one he wanted and held it up. Leinas couldn't see it from her position but she had a suspicion she knew what it was. "She has to be Godkin," the undead said.
"It will not matter," the toadman assured his liege.
"No, it won't," the Sorcerer King agreed.
The undead returned his gaze to Ithai. "How much power?"
"I am uncertain, Your Majesty," the Magic Caster admitted. "However I believe what the Slane Theocracy call a Godkin, if magically inclined, could cast spells into the seventh tier."
"Seventh?"
"Far below Your Majesty's potential," Ithai said.
It almost didn't need to be said. The Undead King had shown his strength on the Katze Plains and the entire world knew it. While no one knew exactly what the spell was, they all agreed it had to be of the Tenth Tier.
"The Godkin are physically strong as well?"
"Yes, Your Majesty," Ithai agreed.
"I might have to be careful."
Leinas couldn't help the jerk she gave at that. The undead King was so blase about it, though she wasn't the only one concerned. There was a faint look of horror on the toadman's face. To allow his liege to be in danger went against his desires. She had the feeling that if the toadman had any say in the matter, no Godkin would be allowed within miles of his Liege. That was a bodyguard's point of view. It was expected so what did the undead King mean? Was the Sorcerer King joking? Did undead even joke?
No one knew what to say.
"Umhu, the only consideration now is if to take another town. They will all be taken but timing is the question."
"The Legions stand ready to serve," Field Marshal Ozols said. "We can easily hold several towns over the winter."
Leinas thought Jircniv should be pleased with Taalay. There was no doubt the man was lying but he sounded sincere.
The skeletal king leaned forward, resting his arms on the table. "But do we need to?" He murmured.
That was the question. It wasn't Leinas' question though. She had returned to her original consideration. By the Four Gods of the Empire, what could she offer the Sorcerer King in exchange for him curing her curse?
The question haunted her. She had no idea of the answer and the usual platitude, that time would tell, offered very little comfort. With the Sorcerer King's strength, both personally and that of his servants, she didn't have time.
-cos-
Lizardman Forest
Tokage felt his heart hammering in his chest as he ran. His tail lashed behind him, keeping his balance as he vaulted over fallen logs and pushed away branches. This was not how a scout ran but it was how he was running. He didn't care for the trail he was leaving. Those following were not relying on tracking. They had magic.
It was not the terrifying magic of the undead Sorcerer King. Tokage had seen that first hand with the chilling messengers and then the actual battle. But he had also seen the Sorcerer King's ability to heal. The undead was capable of great destruction but also great acts of compassion. This magic was more mundane, and that made it all the more terrifying.
The Sorcerer King's magic, even the Guardian Cocytus' abilities were so far above him that he almost couldn't comprehend them. If they were to strike him down, it could be considered an act of god. In fact, many of the Lizardmen would now consider it exactly that. The magic tracking him now was routine. He had seen old Klaatu use it on occasion. He understood this magic which was why he was running. It would track him wherever he went and find him if he tried to hide. If they caught him it was all over.
If they didn't kill him, they'd use him as bait. Thankfully that was not going to happen.
Tokage had sensed them first. He'd been scouting along the outer edges of the Lizardmen's territory. It was forest, and by common consent it belonged to the other demihumans. Lizardmen could travel through it but as their primary diet was fish, they lived in relative peace with their neighbours. Certainly, peaceful enough that Tokage knew Cocytus had sent emissaries to the other demihuman clans of the area, offering to provide the protection of his Master to them. Tokage didn't know how those negotiations were coming. It didn't matter just now.
That's why at first, Tokage had just assumed that he'd come across some of the others of the area. He'd approached openly. That had been a mistake. He and his fellow Lizardmen were demihumans. He recognised the sigil on their clothes. All Lizardmen would. Cocytus had made them learn it in the wake of an attack. Their leader and Guardian had returned briefly to his Master's side immediately after that attack. When the details had come through, Tokage wasn't the only one volunteering to fight. The Undead didn't require them. Not because they were weak, which they were, but because Cocytus assured them all that the Sorcerer King had other plans. All they had to do was remain safe for now.
Tokage had known the moment he'd actually seen the humans that he was in trouble. He'd tried to back away slowly, but they had detected him. There had been a tingle of magic on his skin and he knew then that he had to run. He couldn't hide. Tokage had thought of leading them away but that would mean they'd capture him and the village would have no warning. He had faith in Cocytus' abilities but if this Theocracy was bold enough to take on one of the Sorcerer King's servants, to actually capture them and subject them to those horrors… there was the slightest doubt.
Which was, paradoxically, why he was running towards the village. These humans might be able to take Cocytus by surprise, but if their Guardian was warned, and if the Lizardmen could rally, then that would be a different story. He had to get that warning to them.
Even if he died, he had to be cut down in sight of the others. That would be warning enough. A branch caught at his scarf. He ripped it away. Speed was of the essence now. But his feet hurt. The cold was beginning to seep into his bones. No, this was nothing. When the Sorcerer King froze the lake, that was cold. This was just a slight chill. But it did burn his throat and he was tiring.
The village was still so far away. It was closer now though. All he had to do was keep running.
There was a break in the trees. Tokage pushed himself harder, using the clear ground to gather speed. His put his arms out, grasping the branch that was about waist high and hauling himself over it. His tail kept him balanced. As he rushed back under cover he risked a glance back.
The Humans were there. Closer than he thought. They were surprisingly silent. They knew the stakes. A new thought occurred. Tokage didn't let himself falter at it. If they were tracking him, why weren't they using other spells? Or were they trying to save them.
He winced at the thought. No... Cocytus would win! Especially with assistance.
There was a thud to his side. Tokage glanced at the tree. The motion was confusing, but the shaft of an arrow was clear. A human would have missed it but a Lizardman's eyes were different. Was it a warning? No, there'd been no shout. Tokage flinched, and another arrow flashed past him. Except the motion he'd made meant he was now off course. Was that the purpose? Were they trying to herd him?
He immediately resumed his original direction, taking precious time to dodge around several trees so that the archer could not get a clear shot at him.
There. The undergrowth was thinning. That meant he was close. Here the Lizardmen gathered the fallen limbs for their fires, and the smaller branches to be tinder. That's why the forest here was more cultivated.
"Argh!" Tokage cried out. Pain radiated from his shoulder. He didn't look. He knew what had happened. The archer had marked him. But it was only his shoulder. It was not his legs. He ran harder but was still slower. A few more steps and he would be in sight of the village. Hopefully the watch would see him.
Please let the watch see me! He prayed to the Sorcerer King. It seemed appropriate. He was trying to protect the undead's servant. He could hear a human close behind him, so close that they almost had to be within arm's reach. If he lashed his tail, he'd probably hit them.
In the fight against the Sorcerer King's undead army, Tokage had felt scared. He had been terrified, but he had fought. He'd been absent from the final battle because of his wounds. Too many wounded, and too few of those with the ability to heal them. As a scout he hadn't been a priority.
While fighting, he had known deep within that he was not going to die. Now the feeling had changed. He felt the arrows in the air behind him. Tokage knew they were going to hit him. His scales tingled at the points of impact. He could turn aside. There was a tree large enough to shield him but if he did… He knew, with absolute certainty that if he dodged, the human who was almost running on his tail would cut him down. And the Theocracy's men would fade back into the forest.
He would eventually be missed, but it would take too long. The Theocracy would have the element of surprise when they struck.
Tokage smiled. The arrows hit his back, exactly where he knew they would. There was no pain. Blood filled his mouth, and he could feel it trickling over his scales from the wounds. It was warmer than his scales. He staggered, taking precious further steps but his knees felt weak. His tail brushed against the ground. He fixed his eyes on the village walls.
There. There was a watcher standing there. Their eyes met. Tokage's smile stretched further, and he heard the human rush out behind him. Alarm flashed across the watcher's expression.
They had seen. They knew.
Tokage never felt himself hit the ground.
-cos-
Fifth Floor, Great Tomb of Nazarick
Chouko Zorlawsi was afraid. She was very afraid. She also knew better than to make a sound and was concentrating on her breathing as if her life depended on it. And it might. She could hear people talking, though from what they were saying, Chouko was hesitant to call them people. It was their casual conversation more than the fact that she didn't know where she was, and that she could feel rope holding her hands and feet together that made her fear.
"So how many do we have now?" That was a gravelly voice. It was quiet but there was something in the resonance that Chouko thought she'd hear even if she was asleep.
"At least two for each of them." That was a woman's voice. It sounded almost kind but it wasn't. Not with what it was saying. It was incongruous.
She didn't move. She wanted to. The ground was oddly warm and lumpily soft. There was something digging into one leg. Zorlawsi ignored that. She had to because for the moment she was safe enough. That meant she had to gather information. But the speakers weren't making sense. At least two for each of them. Each of what? But given that she didn't know where she was, or what had happened, did that mean others had been kidnapped as well?
Carefully, Chouko opened one eye, just the merest slit. She immediately closed it wishing she'd never opened it. She knew now why she wasn't cold and why the ground was lumpy. She wasn't alone. She was lying in a heap of people. At least, by the warmth she knew they were alive.
It wasn't much of a comfort.
"And we can't do anything to them." The first voice sighed, full of regret.
Zorlawsi didn't want to know what that meant but she wasn't a child. And she wasn't from a rich family either so she wasn't sheltered. Her dad, before he got arrested had brought in enough that they were comfortable. Not well off but not scrimping for everything. Her mother, after her dad was gone had remarried quickly enough that the small family hadn't really wanted for much. But she knew.
"You know we can't." Somehow the woman sounded insulted. "The Supreme Being has promised them to Lady Aura."
"Not these ones," the gravelly voice was now weedling.
What was this Supreme Being? She'd heard them refer to it more than once. The Priests said there were Six Supreme Beings. The Gods. There were no others. The Greed Kings had been powerful but were not Supreme. The Dragon Lords were animals to be put down. Strong, but just animals. At least that's what the Priests said. There were evil spirits and other entities but none were supreme.
"True, these ones haven't done anything." The woman was dismissive.
Chouko couldn't see the speaker but it was more than a simple brush off. It was as if her entire being was disregarded, as if she was too low to even contemplate. She wanted to see what type of creature it was, but if she opened her eyes, they'd know she was awake. Given what she knew she was lying on, it was certain she was not meant to be awake. They couldn't know.
"So I can have one, right."
"No!"
"Why not?"
"Lady Shalltear wants these ones," the woman said.
"For what?" the gravelly voice was surprised.
Zorlawsi wanted to know but knew that it wasn't going to please her.
The woman didn't answer immediately. That worried her.
"You see!" the gravelly voice was triumphant. "There is no use for them."
"There is," a new voice spoke. Another woman. Girl. Chouko corrected her thoughts. The voice sounded young. There were several footsteps.
Chouko didn't know how she knew but the shoes sounded expensive. It was an odd thought but a highborn had once come through the town. She had had to walk and her shoes had sounded the same on the floorboards of the shop. This new comer sounded the same.
"Lady Shalltear!" Both of the original speakers said.
"We need to start sorting them," the new speaker said, ignoring the greeting. Just like a highborn, Zorlawsi thought.
"Where do you want them put?"
"We need to move them from the Fifth Floor," the girl said. "I've prepared an area on the Third Floor. Put them with their relations. I have enough rooms for that."
What? Relations? Who else had been kidnapped? Zorlawsi tried to remember what had happened but she didn't know. She'd gone to bed as usual and had awoken here and she'd already determined this wasn't a dream, even if she might wish it. Her mind wouldn't do this to her! Briefly she wondered what had happened to the man. He seemed so eager before but now was silent. Was this Shalltear so powerful?
"Then what?" the woman demanded. Her voice had changed. It was curious.
"That will depend on Lord Ainz," Shalltear replied. "But I have several ideas." There was relish in that tone.
"Oh?"
"Ho, ho, ho," Shalltear laughed. "I thought it might be fun to force the dogs to fuck these humans. To inflict the same pain as they gave Aura on those they care about."
"That would be fun!" The woman sounded excited.
Huh? But by the Six Gods, what did Shalltear mean? Chouko felt her body stiffen. Instantly she tried to relax. She couldn't. Her heart was beating too quickly. It was too hot. What did that mean? She was going to get raped? No. She didn't want that. But what could she do? Her hands and feet were both tied. She tried to suppress a shiver but knew something had shown. Hopefully it would be overlooked.
"It would be," Shalltear agreed, "but Lord Ainz may not allow it," she sounded regretful.
"Our Master is merciful," the woman agreed.
"He is," Shalltear agreed.
"Why though? These insects are just humans." There was the man.
"Our Master is merciful," Shalltear repeated the woman's expression. "He believes in repaying kindness with kindness and hurt with hurt. The ones here have done nothing."
"So why did we grab them if they aren't going to be useful?"
"Oh, they will be useful," Shalltear assured the man patiently. Zorlawsi didn't like the note of pleasure lacing the girls tone. It was the sound of a selfish child, one who was spoiled. "Even if we do nothing, in due course, I will allow the dogs to see them. That will eat upon their minds. They know what they would do. They know what they have done. They will assume we will do the same."
The man sighed. "That's not the same." He sounded disappointed.
"It is Lord Ainz' will!" she snapped! This time Shalltear was not patient. "You will not disobey our Master!"
"Of course not!" There was a scrape accompanying the exclamation. Chouko thought the man had bowed. "I will never disobey the Supreme Being! But they are just human! After what they have done, they should be begging for mercy.
"They should be watching as we take these ones. As we wring every scream, every moan from their bodies. Or even as we show them every pleasure of the flesh. Let the dogs watch as we make these ones unable to live without us."
"I do not disagree," Shalltear said. "But it is our Master's decision. He's already given the dogs to Aura for whenever she wants them. As for these humans, he has not yet told us of his decision, but I know they are part of his plan, so for the moment they are to be untouched."
Zorlawsi couldn't take comfort from that. It meant nothing. The moment this Lord Ainz was not paying attention the others would have their way. But there was so much that didn't make sense. She didn't want it to make sense but she had a sick feeling it was all related.
There were several references in the conversation. The dogs. She had no idea who they were but knew they were human… Wait… By the Six Gods! Were the speakers not human? She'd assumed they weren't but had hoped otherwise. Yet the way they referred to humans indicated that they weren't. What had taken her? Why? Who was this Lord Ainz?
Then there were the references to "these ones." That was her. At least she thought it was. Her and those she was lying with. They had been brought here, to wherever here was. There were several floors. At least five. That meant she had to be in the capital? She'd never heard of any building being that high before!
But Shalltear had said that she wanted the dogs to fuck her group. To inflict the same pain as they gave Aura on those they care about…
Chouko wasn't stupid. She knew that meant that the group named the dogs had raped this Aura but no one she knew was a rapist. And certainly no rapist would care for her! It didn't make any sense. There were those rumours about her dad but he was dead. The Priest had told her so. He had reported that he'd been executed, so it couldn't have been him.
"I think we've said enough for the one that is awake!" That was Shalltear's voice. She seemed happy.
Zorlawsi heard something sniff. "That one," the gravelly voice said.
Something poked at her leg. It sent a shock through her and Chouko's eyes flew open. The sudden light was blinding and she heard a chuckle before she saw the speaker.
"How long has she been listening?" The woman asked.
Chouko focused on her. Now that they knew she was awake there was no point in hiding. And the logical part of her mind told her that information was power. She had to know what had taken her. The woman was beautiful. There was no other word for it. Her blonde hair seemed to glow. She was far more beautiful than the highborn Zorlawsi had seen but was dressed as a maid.
"She was awake when I came in," Shalltear replied.
She shifted her eyes. As she'd thought, Shalltear was a child but her expression was haughty. This child was used to getting her own way. Her silver hair complimented her red eyes. She was dressed formally and her dress had ruffles and bows. In other circumstances, Zorlawsi might have been jealous. Now was not the time.
The woman chuckled before she sighed. "Lady Shalltear?" She asked.
Chouko didn't know what the question was for.
"Hmm, yes," Shalltear replied.
She wriggled, trying to get away. Whatever the question was, it wasn't good for her.
"Oh, don't worry," Shalltear said. Zorlawsi knew the girl was talking to her. "I'm not going to hurt you," she almost purred. "I'm just going to put you back to sleep."
She didn't believe that but she couldn't move. She could wriggle but that produced no movement. Zorlawsi watched as the girl raised one hand. There was a feeling of power and then something flashed towards her. She cringed but couldn't move.
"Sweet dreams," the girl said with a laugh. "And just think, when you wake, you will find out what we have planned."
That's what she was afraid of. Chouko screamed but the world went dark.
-cos-
Two days early because of the milestone reached. Thank you so much to everyone. Though, all I have to say now is onwards!
There will be consequences for killing a lizardman and poor Leinas is beginning to realise exactly how little she has to offer. It's amusing to me that she shares that sentiment with Fluder. And Chouko should be very, very afraid. She might be innocent of wrong doing but her father... that's a different story.
Review please! :D