Prince Of Darkness
Chapter 2
The young girl carefully entered the castle and pulled the hood off from her head. "Hello?" she said as she looked around, her soft voice echoing within the stone confines of the castle. Horus had heard the soft voice and immediately flew towards the source. The girl started to walk down the long corridor, looking to see if anyone was home. 'Wow, this place is huge,' she thought to herself as she took in all of the scenery. The corridor finally led her to the library, the room Duo had occupied only moments before. Meanwhile, Horus was hastily trying to find the girl, flying wildly throughout the castle. After searching the whole castle, Horus perched himself on the banister and listened carefully for any noises. A soft rustling caught his ear and he took off in its direction. When he flew inside the library, he saw the young girl, gently running her fingers over each book.
Horus flew to one of the shelves that was above her and cawed, "What are you doing here?"
The girl looked up, a little startled. "A talking bird? How strange," she said slowly moving her hand to touch Horus.
"I repeat, what are you doing here?" Horus replied.
Her once wide eyes softened and she looked at Horus and said quietly, "I'm sorry, but I was cold and needed some shelter from the rain."
Horus became more mellow and he looked down at the girl. 'What will Duo do if he finds her here?' he thought to himself. Before he could answer his own question, he looked up and saw Duo standing at the top of the stairs. The look in Duo's eyes scared him. "What are you doing here?" Duo said angrily.
The young girl shuttered at the tone of his voice and curled herself up against the bookcase with fear. "I...I....needed shelter," she said, her voice trembling.
Duo slowly descended down the stairs, not once taking his eyes off of the girl. Fear welled within the girl with every step he took. She spoke up again and said softly, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to intrude, it's just that...."
"Silence!" Duo spoke loudly, sending chills down Horus's spine. The girl quickly shut her mouth and closed her eyes, afraid of what was going to happen to her next. Duo stood before her and looked down at the trembling girl. A hungry look pooled within his eyes and a sudden urge coursed through his body. Horus could see the change occurring within Duo and feared the worst. He slowly hovered above the girls neck, waiting to sink his teeth into the soft flesh, but then something came over him, his inner soul was fighting back the urge. 'Duo, this is not you, stop this,' the voice within him said. Duo quickly snapped out of it, shaking his head and quickly moving away from the girl. "Take her to the tower Horus, now," Duo said looking away from her.
"Yes sir. Come," Horus said down to the girl.
The girl slowly stood up and followed Horus up the stairs, not once turning back. Duo retreated to his chair in front of the fire. Horus and the girl had reached the top of the stairs and proceeded down the hall. The damp hall chilled her to the bone, but she wasn't complaining, better than being outside in the rain. Horus led her to the end and they entered another hallway, one that led to the other tower. She opened the door, took a torch, and walked up the spiraling staircase until she reached the top. The girl opened the old wooden door that stood before her and walked inside. The room was dark and cold, the only light came from a torch fixated upon the wall. "This is where you will stay for now, I will bring you some blankets," Horus cawed.
"Thank you," the girl said softly.
She curled up against the wall as Horus went to fetch her a few blankets. She slowly drifted off to sleep, weary from her long journey. Horus came in and gently draped a few blankets on her and left quietly. He flew back down to the library where Duo had remained. He rested upon the back of the chair as Duo stared at the blazing fire. "She didn't mean any harm sir," Horus said quietly. Duo remained silent, a stoic look plastered upon his face. "She is only here to make me suffer. I refuse to take human life and my hunger for human blood will only torment my soul even more. Please keep her away from me Horus," Duo said as he got up and walked over to the window. He drew back the curtains and looked out at the pouring rain. "When she is done resting, put her in the bedroom farthest from mine."
"Yes sir," Horus said, looking at his master. "I will go prepare it," he said and then flew off.
Duo just stood there, staring out the window at the rain, tracing drops of water with his finger as they ran down the cold glass. 'What was she doing out here this deep in the woods?' he wondered. 'I'm just going to hurt her, I just know it,' he thought as he closed his eyes. Meanwhile, Horus had found the girl a bedroom, the one furthest down the hall with a balcony like Duo's. It was still fully furnished, practically untouched. It had a four-poster bed just like Duo's, a fireplace, a few wing-backed chairs, an old armoire, a dresser with a mirror, a matching night stand along side the bed, and beautiful French doors that led out to the balcony. The room also had its own bathroom, perfect for the young lady. Horus then went to go get the young girl from the tower.
When Horus got to the top of the tower, he found the girl still fast asleep. He flew over to her and nudged her hand gently with his beak. "Huh?" the girl muttered sleepily.
"I've got a room for you Miss. If you would follow me please," Horus addressed the girl.
She slowly got up, blankets wrapped around her, and followed Horus down the spiraling stone staircase. He led her to the room and she slowly pushed open the large wooden doors. Her eyes widened at the sight. "This room is huge," she said in awe.
"This is where you will be staying Miss until you are ready to go home."
"Please thank him for this," she said turning to the bird.
"I will," he said as he left the room.
She gently shut the door behind him. She began to explore the room in its entirety. 'This room is bigger than my own house!' she thought as she ran her fingers over every little thing. "Ah, a bathroom of my own, just what I needed. I better get myself cleaned up," she said as she made her way to the bathroom. She turned the knob and began filling the bathtub with warm water. She then walked back into the bedroom and lit a fire in the fireplace. "Don't want to walk into a cold room now do I?" she said to herself as the flames began to rise from the logs. She went back into the bathroom and turned off the water. After peeling her clothes off, she dipped her toe in the water to make sure it wasn't too hot. "Ah, perfect." She undid her long braid and her hair fell down in one big mass of black silk. She sank down into the hot water and soaked her body in pure bliss.
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Down in the library, Duo had retreated back to his chair just as Horus flew in. He perched himself upon the mantle and Duo said, "Is she settled in Horus?"
"Yes sir. She's in the room with a balcony, just like yours," he replied.
"Good. Now Horus, did she ever tell you why she was out here wondering in the middle of nowhere? The nearest village is miles away."
"I know about as much as you do master."
"I see," he said as he entwined his fingers together in his lap.
"By the way sir, she thanks you for the accommodations."
"Just make sure she stays out of my room and the right tower," he said sternly.
"I will deliver the message," Horus answered.
Duo got up out of the chair and went up to his bedroom.
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The young girl had just got out of the bathtub and was combing her long wavy tendrils. Wrapping herself in a purple satin robe, she exited the bathroom. The bedroom was nice and warm and she flopped down on the dark blue satin sheets on her bed. She sank into the soft bed and stared up at the ceiling. 'What a beautiful castle, I wonder why he lives here all by himself,' she wondered. A light rapping on the door woke her from her trance and she got up to answer it. When she opened it, Horus flew right in and perched himself upon the end of the bed. "I've got a message for you Miss."
"Please call me Hilde," she replied sweetly.
"Well Miss Hilde, the master has asked that you stay out of his room and the right tower. The rest of the castle is free to roam."
"Horus, can I ask you something?" Hilde inquired.
He turned to her. "I guess this is none of my business, but doesn't your master ever get lonely living in such a big place?"
Horus bowed his head. "Yes, he does. I cannot say more than that, I am sorry."
"Oh, I understand, thank you Horus."
Horus nodded and left the room. Hilde drifted off to sleep once more to the sound of the rain pelting her window and the crackle of the fire. Horus went to his master's room and rapped lightly on the door. Within seconds, the door slowly opened. "Come in Horus," Duo replied sullenly.
"What is wrong Master Duo?" Horus questioned.
"Horus, I almost took the life of that girl. I almost lost control of myself."
"Sir, your true self fought against the demons within you. As long as you still possess a love for life, your demons will never take control," Horus said.
Duo walked over to the balcony doors and stared out the window at the cloud covered sky. He placed his hand against the cold glass and sighed. "This is truly a fate worse than death. To live an eternal life that goes against what you believe in. To be constantly battling within yourself for eternity."
"What about your salvation sir?" Horus said hopefully.
"That is a mere myth Horus. For one to free my soul, they must risk their life in order to do so, that my friend, will never happen. Horus, would you please?"
"As you wish sir," Horus said as he exited the room.
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When Hilde awoke from her slumber, the rain had ceased and the rays of dusk flooded through her balcony doors. She rubbed the sleep out of her eyes and walked to the doors to look outside. The sky had cleared and the orange sun was sinking over the mountains in the distance. "Beautiful," she muttered to herself as she placed a hand on the cool glass. "I guess I had better get dressed," she said as she turned and walked over to the armoire. She opened it and fingered through the dresses within. Hilde finally pulled out a deep purple dress, simple but beautiful. She laid it on the bed and went and sat down in front of the dresser to brush her hair. After stroking her ebony mane and ridding it of any tangles, she got up and put on the dress. She looked in the mirror and twirled around in it like a little girl would. "Well he did say I can explore the castle, I guess I had better take his offer," she said wistfully as she slipped on a pair of shoes. She slowly opened the door and poked her head out and looked down the hallway. Hilde quietly slipped out and made her way down the corridor.
Duo had heard footsteps and with his door still opened a crack, he carefully looked through the opening. He saw the young girl making her way to the staircase, her ebony hair flowing freely down her back. Her sapphire eyes wide with curiosity as she eyed every thing in site. All of a sudden, that urge came back to Duo, overwhelming his body. He quickly shut the door before it pushed him over the edge and caused him to do something he would regret. Hilde heard the click of the door shutting and turned to see but saw nothing. She continued walking down the hall.
Duo was leaning against his door, his hands on top of his head, breathing heavily. "Damn it!" he cursed silently. Horus, not too far from his room, heard the cursing and flew to his master's room. "Master Duo, it's me, Horus."
Duo quickly opened the door and let the bird in. "Damn it Horus, I almost lost it again. All I did was look at her walking down the hall. I need to go out Horus, don't wait up," Duo said and in a puff of smoke, flew off. 'Poor master' Horus thought to himself as he watched his master fly off into the night. As soon as Duo was out of site, he left the room to go find the girl. He found her in the library again, fondling the masses of books. Hilde heard him come in and said, "Hi Horus."
"Hello Miss Hilde. You look much better. How are you feeling?"
"Good, thanks. There are so many books, I have never seen so many in my life!" she said excitedly.
"Well the previous owner was a book lover and we inherited his collection along with every thing else in this castle."
"Neat. Can you give me a tour Horus?" she pleaded nicely.
"Of course," Horus replied and Hilde followed him down the hallway.
"And here is the ballroom," Horus said as Hilde pushed open the doors. Her eyes lit up as she marveled at the room. Two of the walls were adorned with huge windows as tall as the room and all around the room, candle fixtures on each of the walls. There was a little area where an orchestra would play and the dance floor covered with beautiful old wood. And finally, another set of French doors that led onto another balcony. "Wow Horus, this is beautiful, this whole castle is beautiful."
"Yes it is. Are you hungry Miss Hilde? I'm sure you haven't had anything to eat in quite a while."
"Yes I am actually," she said putting a hand on her abdomen.
"Come this way," Horus cawed and flew off down the corridor with Hilde following close behind.
"Here you will find everything you need Miss Hilde. I would make the food myself but I have a problem doing that as you might have already noticed."
She smiled and grabbed an apple out of the bowl on the table. "Thank you Horus, I feel better now. I'm going to head up to my room now for the rest of the night. Thank you for the tour Horus."
"You are most certainly welcome. Good night Miss Hilde."
"And Good night to you Horus," she said as she made her exit.
She ascended the large staircase and walked to her room. She opened the door and walked in to see the moon casting its glow through the balcony windows. She slowly pushed open the doors and walked out onto the balcony. The clouds had gone and the sky was clear, leaving stars to shimmer with their brilliance. She inhaled the cool air and looked out onto the dark landscape. Perched up on the eave was Duo, who had just come back from his night flight. He looked down at the girl, the moon casting its glow upon her ivory skin and accenting her delicate features. Her hair blew gently in the breeze, sending strands of loose hair brushing up against her face. She wrapped her arms around herself and closed her eyes. Duo watched closely and he could have sworn he saw tears flowing down her face. He remained perched up there until she went back inside. He then retreated to his room for the night.
Hilde put on an almost sheer nightgown and pulled back the sheets on her bed. She went to light a fire in the fireplace for warmth and then slipped in under the satin covers and fell asleep.