"How is your tea Mr. Frog?" The plush green amphibian didn't reply, most likely due to how it's wide smile was stitched on with thread.
"I do absolutely agree!" The blonde girl cheered, "This Camomile is divine! Perhaps I should give some to Mother when she returns!"
Tall ancient oak trees surrounded the small glade, little critters hopped about through the underbrush that lined the neatly mowed lawn, their fluffy and sometimes feathered hides approaching the small girl to affectionately rub up against her pastel blue dress. Maria giggled with delight each time one of the rabbits nudged up against her.
"How about you ? Care for a biscuit?" The marbled rabbit gleefully chowed down on a soft cookie. "I'm glad you like it! …I honestly can't stand raisin, so thank you very much for taking that one!"
Life for Maria Von Kharstien was blessed with many such peaceful evenings. Most of the time she had several maids to play with, but for some reason they all had to go somewhere else in the castle.
…It was a bit lonely with just and the critters for tea partners though...
Perhaps they were organizing a gala! Maria loved seeing all the beautiful ladies and their husbands dancing in a waltz! From the balcony with her Mother they all appeared as spinning flowers, with their long puffy dresses in a dizzying array of colours. Lately though, there hadn't been many dances, and it began to worry Maria a bit. She had been practicing for it too! She of course knew that ballet wasn't the same as a waltz, but if she tried hard enough maybe it would seem about the same. If only her Mother would consider allowing her to dance, but she had said that wasn't for a long while, not until she had her debut as a young noble.
But it looked so fun! I reeeally wanna dance! I want Mama and Papa to clap and cheer as I dance among those spinning flowers!
Picking up her stuffed friend Maria began to imitate the swings of each step, spinning around and around the pond. It was quite easy to practice, as the frog's feet never reached the ground, so there was no need to worry about stepping on the other dance partner's toes.
After twirling around in circled for what seemed like eons the young heiress felt a tad bit nauseous. "I-I th-think I'm go-nna be sick..." Landing softly the girl's dress billowed out along the blades of wet grass. For awhile she sat there, taking in as much fresh air as she could breath; the glade had some of the best quality air that the girl could recall, it was something to do with the wards her Mother had placed upon the enclosure.
Maria remembered something her Father had said, about 'keeping you eyes to the horizon' to help steady dizziness, so she forced her blurry eyes to look out across her surroundings. The gazebo the tea party was hosted in sat near a miniature lake filled with lily pads and koi fish. Bright blue eyes looked at the gentle reflection of the moon rippling across it's surface, it reminded the girl of her Mother's beautiful long hair.
At one point Maria had asked why she didn't also have such a wonderful shade to her curly gold locks, but her Father had said she inherited her hair from him. When she had began to pout he said with a smile that she had her Mother's grace and wit. The six year old wasn't sure how that could even compare with pretty hair, at which he had rolled on the grass laughing his belly off. Mother had been a bit cross with him after that, but Maria knew the two couldn't stay mad at each other for long.
Maria wondered when her parents would return… It had been awhile since she had seen Papa… Last time she had asked where he was the maids had refused to answer, often directing the conversation elsewhere.
Even her Mother seemed to clamp up when she had asked…
"H-he's off on a long trip," that was the first time the young girl had seen her Mother tear up. With a fake smile she had assured her that Father would return eventually, they just needed to do a lot of work first to get ready for his return. Then Mother had disappeared, the maids had said she was very busy at the moment, but that she still loved her very much.
Perhaps that's what was needed to bring her Papa back! She just needed to wait until the evening ball everyone was busy preparing for! With a giggle the small child of Camilla Von Kharstien continued her dance practice. Adults were so silly for crying over a party!
The demonic screeching came from further down the dark hall and Ibaraki didn't like the sound of it one bit. It was definitely that of an evil spirit, one that had just clawed it's way out of the afterlife with bloody talons.
"Damnit, I'm too sober for this right now… " The Red Oni shifted her captive over to her other shoulder, so as to have her good arm pull out her mace. The young prince only grumbled in his sleep as he was manhandled like a sack of rice.
From the shadows further down the corridor the sound of running footsteps was fast approaching. The wet slaps of bare feet along polished wood floor grew closer with each rapid footfall. The large steel weapon was gripped tight to the point the handle began to creak, ready to strike whatever nightmare jumped out at the Oni.
"CAAAPTAAAAAAINNN!" A yellow eyed cyclops flew out of the darkness at a million miles a minute. Ibaraki wisely side stepped the Gazer projectile as the naked Mamono crash landed into a decorative suit of armor behind.
"HERMA!" Bielka wasn't too far off, panting as the black furred wolf caught up. "Um, sorry about that Captain, but we've got something seriously messed up going on!" Her Hellhound partner was less bombastic in her approach, however the relief the vicious wolfkin showed at the sight of her captain was not encouraging. Nothing fazed Hellhounds, as they were often the ones to cause other's the trauma… So if she was like this then something real nasty had come to the castle.
Just what happened to get them so spooked? Ibaraki asked herself. "Explain yourselves girls."
After the dazed Gazer was extracted from the knightly set of armor they both began to report what they had seen further in the lower levels of the castle. "-AND THERE WAS BLOOD EVERYWHERE!" …Despite Herma's interruptions Ibaraki soon had an understanding of what had befallen her women. And, it was not good.
"Who's the pretty boy hanging off your shoulder by the way?" Bielka found herself asking about the Human still slung over the Red Oni's muscled shoulder.
"Whoever he is he's got a sweet piece of ass too!" A furred fist thwacked the diminutive girl over her head. "OW! What the hell gives!?"
"You're speaking to the Captain here! Mind your foul tongue Herma, before I have to mind it for you!"
"Oh, I bet you would like that, you lesb-" THWACK, "OW OW OW OKAY! Sorry, sheesh!" Herma rubbed the growing welt atop her greasy black hair. "Who's the cute ass on your shoulder? …Captain."
Ibaraki sighed in exasperation at the two smaller Mamono's antics, she could really use a drink of sake right about now. "This boy was quite the find," she shifted the Human to face around on her shoulder as she readjusted her grip on him. "Does his face remind you of anyone?"
Both dark Mamono rubbed their chins as they took in the soft golden blonde hair, the cherub like roundness to his cheeks, even the crest upon his pauldron. Sure, he had one of his eyes bruised shut and covered in angry purple marks, but the boy was certainly an Ainsworthy.
"No… No way this is real…" Bielka took a step back, shocked at who their leader had taken captive.
The giant Red Oni flashed a sharp toothy grin, "Oh he's real alright! Even fought him myself out there! Could use a smidge more work on his stance an muscle training, but he'll fill that in no time! He's a near spittin image of his aniki! Except pint sized!"
All the girl's shouting must have roused the young Hero, because at that moment a light blue eye blinked open. Half blind the boy glared out at the blurry shapes that danced in front of him. His cheeks were swollen nearly to the point of being mistakable for a chipmunk's, however he still tried his damnedest to cuss each an every one of them. Didn't matter if all that came out was spit and gibberish, it was the thought that counts.
Leaning in to perhaps get a better listen, or to see if he was making any sense, Herma perk her ear up. "…'M oot… biinmt… iize'd!"
A malicious grin spread across the Gazer's row of jagged teeth. "Aww, look how cute he is! I think he's saying he's extra tiny!" The girl pinched the boy's puffy cheek and messed up his hair.
"MFFUUMMPF!"
Her partner rolled her flaming eyes at the childishness of both kids. "So, what are you gonna do with him? Take him to see the Mistress?"
The Red Oni's brow briefly knit together as she slowly nodded in thought. "Yup, imagined I could've used this passageway, but from what you two've said that ain't such a grand idea at the moment."
"What if we used the courtyard?" Bielka rubbed her chin in contemplation with a furred paw, "There should be a set of stairs that'll lead us up to where Lady Camilla is… Probably."
"Sounding really sure there Biel," The Hellhound dead pan stared at the mass of tentacles and eye balls.
"As if you know any better, squiggles!" Their prisoner actually snickered when he heard the pet name for the Gazer. An uncharacteristic red blush spread across the Mamono's slimy grey cheeks.
"Give me some slack here! It's not as if I have her personal schedule with me, or how about you use that big dumb nose of yours to track her? Huh?!"
"Girls! Girls!" Ibaraki slammed her mace down on the floor with a tremendous thud, as if it were a gavel. "By the Demon Lord's Tits! I enjoy a bit of friendly rivalry in my troops just as much as the next guard captain, but that's enough! Time to focus on the task at hand for now instead of tearin each other's throats out. Fucked if I let some of those damned Mamono further down there do that for you first."
"...Sorry Captain." Both Mamono bowed their heads, seemingly suitably ashamed in front of their superior.
The Hero silently chewed the inside of his cheek, if he began shouting again carelessly he'd just get another bruise to add to his growing collection. These beasts were dumber than they appeared though, as they were busy squabbling Roderick had been busy planning his escape.
While he had been facing towards the front he had been loosening the ropes tying his hands together in the rear. It was rather hard to do from atop the massive Oni's muscled shoulder however, as each movement could easily alert her to his intention.
The boy had to time it just right, every time Ibaraki either laughed or shouted she jiggled him back and forth in her hold… Unfortunately it also caused two other massive things to jiggle simultaneously next to his head.
"Oh? What's poking me on my back?" The Red Oni quirked a curious eyebrow at her prisoner, "You don't happen to still have a dagger on your belt, boy?"
Roderick was mollified. His face steamed as the skin on his face flushed nearly as deep a red as the Oni. He couldn't even bring his hands up yet to hide behind nor cover his growing manhood.
"Oya oya! Well isn't that a surprise!" Ibaraki belted out a hearty laugh, obviously enjoying tormenting the small Hero. "Sorry to say there boy, but you'll have to wait until after meeting the Lady of the Castle before anything else. Maybe after we could see how big you can grow upstairs in my bedchambers!"
Chief Goddess, if you're listening to my prayers please grant my one wish… Please just end me right now…
The walk since leaving the guest bedroom behind had been awfully quiet, awkwardly even. No words had been spoken; not a peep out of the eyeless bird mask, nor a squeak from the Kikimora. Diana could practically hear the Order soldier demanding her silence as they marched along the empty corridor. Yet, the constant tapping of each other's shoes filled in the still air as Hunter followed and Mamono maid led their way down the hall.
Perhaps as to break the tension, or to cozy up to her captor and use it as an advantage in saving her hide, the Kikimora felt the need to speak up. If she was lucky she could gain some sort of bond with the Human and perhaps if he was swayed he would reconsider killing her... It was worth a shot.
"So... Do you ever take that creepy mask off or...?"
Ruby red furred ears flattened themselves as the maid mentally kicked herself. DAMNIT! Diana, you just had to go ahead and shoot yourself! The girl inwardly cringed, Why did you have to call it 'creepy'?!
"No." ...Oh? Maybe he doesn't mind it being called creepy? ...Weird, but better to play it safe from here on; don't know if when he does take offence I could loose my head!
"...Is it because you're shy or have a massive scar across your face?" Double fuck! Why are you doing this to yourself?!
"No..." Diana could have sworn she heard some reluctance in that last single syllable sentence. Though, it was quite hard to tell if she was getting through to Kautz, as she was still leading him through Kharstien's halls from the front and he still had that mask on. Her empathetic reading abilities required a lot of concentration with this Human; perhaps if she could get him to remove the mask she could more easily read him…
"Is it stuck to your face then? What would happen if I take it off?"
"...It would be extremely painful..."
"Oh, that's not good! But, you're a big guy-" A hand suddenly snapped forth to clamp around the back of the Kikimora's neck. The feathers along her tail bristled at the shock and a chill went down Diana's spine. Tight leather fingers squeezed the exposed skin, though never with enough pressure to cut off her breath. The girl shivered in the grasp of the Hunter.
"...For you." Then, as suddenly as he had caught her he let go.
Diana fell to her knees, her legs having given out long before she had been released from her captor's grasp.
"You forget yourself, Monster." Kautz spoke in such a low tone, it would mistaken for a growl. "You live so I may kill another, far greater prey. You are nothing more than a tool to me. Bait. No more, no less."
The Kikimora rubbed at her collar, stifling the panic that had taken her legs out with a silent sob. But there would be no time for her to regain her full composure, as Diana was suddenly picked up from beneath her arms and hoisted to her feet. "Get moving." The order was simple, but the tone left no room to protest.
The journey through the halls had led them finally to a grand oak door. The Hunter briefly looked at the barrier, then nodded his mask back to Diana. Finally, the moment had come for her to fulfill her role as a pawn, to be the one to spring any trap on the other side, or to lure whoever was there into a false sense of security. The girl hated it, but she didn't have much of a choice anymore.
"Alright… Here goes…" The door was unlocked, leaving it to swing wide open into the cool night air. She slowly stepped onto the balcony; the red and black ash clouds still roiled above the city just as Diana had remembered.
With the sound of his boots upon the marble Diana could tell that Kautz had decided to come out behind her. "…Where is she?"
Turning around the maid peered back up at the tall and ominous man, she quirked her mouth up in a gentle smile. "Where is who?" She couldn't help it, it was nice to finally have an edge over the Human, maybe it wouldn't fool him for long, but it was nice while it lasted.
"You said you knew where Camilla was! And yet here we are, inside an inner courtyard, but nobody is here!" Despite the bone white owl mask obscuring his face the young Mamono could tell that his features were likely twisted into a snarl. "Don't play games with me mutt!"
"Oh? Am I playing games?" A steel edge entered into the maid's normally soft voice, "I've done exactly as you've ask: I brought you to where I think she might be, not that she is here." The feathers along her cuffs frilled out as the nails on her hands elongated into claws. Diana's teeth also grew sharper as she began to scowl deeper. "Also, didn't I warn you to never call a Mora a mutt?!"
Kautz realizing what was about to happen drew his saber in a flash. Just in time to catch the tips of a pair of razor sharp claws, bright golden sparks flew as Mamono met metal. The Hunter was forced back in a dodge.
"Grh! Looks like I'll need to tenderize this pound of meat before it's ready to be used for bait!"
Diana knew that she was going to lose, she was out classed by a Mamono Hunter that had taken out many stronger monsters than her… But that didn't matter anymore. Her ploy to redirect the Hunter and delay him was working. She just needed to keep him busy before others could come to intervene or her Lady to foil the Order's victory.
"I think it's about high time I teach you some manners!"
"Bring it you beast!"
Their oncoming fight was interrupted by the loudest scream either of them had ever heard. It was inhuman, neither was it from the lips of a Mamono, it was something far more vicious and cruel than either of them combined. The screech came from a time since long past, from eons ago to when Man and Monster were first made. The call wasn't that of fear or dread… No, it was a wordless promise of pain and death.
Both figures stopped their stances to twist and turn their heads to find the source of the unholy screech. "What in the name of the Goddess was that?! Is this another one of your tricks cur?!"
Still baring her fangs the maid glared at the Human, "You think whatever that was could be controlled? As if Lady Camilla would keep something so… Evil in her court!"
"Her domain is already pure Evil!" Kautz snapped, reaming his saber to the Kikimora. "If she wasn't, then why the hell did she murder the Heroes the Order sent!"
The fire left the hazel eyes briefly to be replaced by stark confusion, "What did you say? My Lady would NEVER mindlessly murder anyone! She releases all who she's ever held captive, after they've been turned into Mamono. Murder is never one of her sins!"
"Well, when was the last time you ever left the castle Diana? Outside your walls, lined up on wooden spikes left to rot, are bodies of the previous Order soldiers we sent here to rescue a captive Hero! She's killed many Humans, she needs to be stopped!"
"N-No! You're lying, trying to deceive me! I won't fall for your tricks!"
"That's rich, coming from someone like you." Kautz scoffed, "But, if you want proof just look for yourself."
The Hunter reached into one of his pockets, pulling out an extending brass tube. "Here, take a closer look…" Tossing the telescope across the balcony Diana gracefully caught the device. With an eye still on the Human she peered through the looking glass. Peering out past the walls containing the burning city, past the smoke and destruction of battle, Diana caught sight of something gruesome.
Gasping in fright the girl saw along the main road leading up to Kharstien's gates was a small forest of limbless trees; strapped or nailed to every one was the mutilated corpse of many Heroes. Their skin peeled, their innards hung out for the vermin to feed on. Eyeless sockets were already plucked by hungry crows. Despite their desecration a few identifying marks were left on the corpses; a few locks of colourful hair, a crest of a knight on a tattered tabard, the shattered staff of a mage stuck through the body before she had even died… She remembered them. She remembered the adventuring party that had come by to challenge Lady Camilla about a month ago.
It was too much to bare any longer. Diana reached for the railing and emptied her stomach.
The fight having gone from her the claws and fangs slowly retracted from the young maid. Her body soon collapsed against the railing as she began to sob controllably. "B-but I t-thought… I thought they were just taken away to be turned! Lady Camilla said! …She said!"
Not really feeling up to ending the fight either the Hunter sheathed his blade as well. He was reminded again that many of the Mamono lived simple lives outside of the machinations of their masters. Though he could not say she was innocent, or even a 'good Mamono', Milo did know the sight of a girl who's world had just been broken. He looked down at the shaking Mamono, tears and other mucus dribbling down her face as she cried at the reality she found.
He didn't know if he could kill her now. She was too weak and pathetic to be of any real threat, and he felt that he couldn't stomach much more killing either… Though perhaps he had realized awhile ago that was always impossible for him to end this girl's life.
His pity to her led him to walk over and gently pat her on the top of her bonnet. "… I guess we're all lying about something, aren't we?"