Chapter 26

8 Months Previously Arawan's Escape

Arawan knew that with Merlin's warning Arthur would seek to destroy him at once. Arawan knew of only one way to escape; whatever it cost him he needed to get away. So he drew down into the depths of his dark soul and called up the last of his remaining immortality and it breathed new life into his body. With a yell he threw off the knights and broke his bonds and in a swirl of light and smoke he and his Hounds disappeared.

All that remained was the echo of the last words he had spoken before he vanished.

"Tell the warlock I never break a promise."

XXX

Injured as he had been by Arthur's sword Arawan did not have the energy to determine where he would materialise. He barely had enough to get away at all and it was only his anger at being beaten once more by these pathetic humans that gave him that strength. Oh, the ignominy and shame of it!

As he landed, with a hard crash, onto the coarse undergrowth of a forest clearing, he had one moment of clarity before darkness descended. He had been bested by them again and all was lost; no power, no triumph and no ruling over mankind. And all because of two insignificant humans. He could not understand what had happened, why he had lost. There had to be more to them than just a Prince and a sorcerer. The power the boy had shown at the end had surprised him. Arawan knew he had underestimated the youth's determination; it must have been this that gave him the strength in the end. There could be no other explanation. That Merlin boy had used his fear of death and channelled it into raw magical power; a one off response to impending doom. It had purely been the shock of the warlock invading his head that had enabled the puny boy to beat him. Now he knew the boy had some skills in mind magic Arawan would know how to defend himself next time. For, even in his pain, Arawan knew there would be a next time.

The humiliation burned within him with such a flame that any feelings other than revenge were cauterised and charred to nothing. As he lost consciousness he vowed that he would wreck havoc on them. If all else was lost he would at least have his vengeance.

XXX

Arawan came back to himself slowly, allowing his anger to awake again with him. He was aware that he was no longer in the forest. He looked around and realised that he was in a small impoverished room, his even more decrepit hound lying at his side.

"I'm in a slum."

This was the first coherent thought that came to his mind. Not gratitude for his escape and survival, just more hatred and vitriolic words.

Hearing a slight noise behind him he raised himself up and caught sight of a woman, abasing herself before him. She was filthy, repulsive and fetid but (he thought to himself) she does know how to bow down before a God.

"Tell me, Hag. Where am I and why have you brought me to such a squalid and rancid hovel?"

His voice was cold and hard but weak. He heard this and despised himself for his frailty.

"My Lord, I am your humble servant. I am Aerona. I...I...found you My Dread Lord, outside, in the clearing" the old woman was babbling, clearly both terrified and mesmerised. "You were hurt; I brought you to my home, tended to your wounds with what little skill I have...

"You dared to touch me? Touch my sacred presence with those revolting hands?" Arawan was beside himself with rage. No-one, none of his followers, had ever taken such liberties.

"I would not have but, My Dire Liege; you were so badly hurt I thought only to help you." The petrified crone shook as she spoke, fearing she was mere seconds away from death. In a desperate attempt to stave away the dreadful mortification that she knew would come she stuttered on "If I did wrong then you must punish me. I am but your lowly minion. I am not fit to touch your robes, yet you lived My Master. Please allow me to tend to you more; you are not yet fit and able to care for yourself. Grant me the privilege to tend to you and once you are well, do with me what you will. I am yours to kill or keep oh Dark One."

Aerona bowed her head again and waited for the end.

Arawan paused and reflected. He assessed his injuries. He noticed for the first time the pain and the incredible weakness that suddenly seemed to overtake his body. Yes, he would survive but he was still gravely hurt (curse these frail human bodies). But the hag was right. He would not be able to rise from the bed soon and he did need some aid if he was to gain back his health. It would do well to keep this seemingly dedicated follower as his slave until such time as he was able to seek his retribution.

"Speak churl, how did you recognise your Lord?"

"By your sigil, My Master. I would know it anywhere. I have been an initiate of your faith since my birth. I was named for you."

As she spoke the old woman moved her filthy sleeve part way up her arm and revealed a large dark blue tattoo in the shape of a demonic horse. It was unmistakeably the brand of a devotee to the cult of Arawan; she was a disciple of the Underworld and Arawan knew he was safe. She would tend to him well and he would return this pathetic mortal carcass to health; ready to hunt again.

XXX

One month Ago

The past 7 months had been delicious torture for Aerona. Her Master had suffered greatly, adapting to the fragility and pain of a human frame and had taken out all his suffering on her. He had often ordered his hound to attack and bite her.

But she did not mind, it was her duty and her pride. She loved her Lord with all of her wicked heart and had (in the fleeting moments that he had deigned to speak to her) fanned the flames of his hatred. She had spoken of the horrific things he could do to the warlock and the Prince. She had listened to and encouraged him as he spiralled down into insane rant that lasted days. She thrilled to hear all the details of the exacting pain they would feel, the exquisite torture he would inflict on them and the eternal torment they would experience as each watched the other suffer.

She luxuriated in his evil and she took joy in his poison. All her life she had served her Master. Now she would lay humbled at his feet and soak up all his malevolence and feast on his corruption.

Yet she knew it these plans would come to nothing; for he was dying. Whilst his hatred had grown and developed over the months his body had not. He was still an invalid. His anger and bitterness had consumed all his energy and his body had not recovered because of it. He could barely leave his bed and was physically declining. His mind was eating his own emotions, turning in on itself; he was becoming more psychotic every day.

Aerona knew the end would come soon.

But so did Arawan and he would not accept it. He knew he would find a way out. He poured over his memories and past misdeeds. Somewhere in his mind was the way to restore himself to health.

And then he found it and he smiled...

Aerona entered the hut with some water in order to once more clean her Masters suppurating wounds. She moved over to the cot and pulled the thin curtain aside; only to feel intense pain as something ripped through her skin and into her stomach. Gasping in pain she stared in fear and distress at her Master and cried out in fear. It was his hand that had thrust into her, slashing and tearing as he forced it deep inside her; destroying her.

Arawan read the unspoken question in her eyes and told her what she wanted to know.

"By the prolonged pain and agonising death of a devoted servant I can regain my mortal strength. It is an ancient magic and it will mean untold torment for you. But it will bring about my resurgence and the beginning of my revenge. That is what you want, is it not my slave?"

And Aerona could only concede the truth in what he said as she fell slowly to the floor. She knew her end would take hours, if not days; that he would gain strength from her sorrow, agony and wretchedness. And all she could feel was how right it was that she should suffer for her Lord. As he twisted his hand and pulled at her vital organs she submitted and handed over her life and death to the Master whom she adored.

And as she fell into the pit of pain she smiled beneath her screams – her life had its true meaning now.

XXX

A/N

Aerona – Welsh girls name meaning slaughter