It's time for retribution. It's time for reparation… It's time for revenge
Playlist: Resign to Surrender and Times of Time, by Epica
"The man who disguises himself as a woman for a cause, she is my superheroine"
RuPaul Charles.
Among the shadows the sky starts dawning, and from the east a tenuous gray band in the horizon was announcing that the dawn light would soon stop over the castle. The haggard sun beams were reflected in the battlements of the tower of the belfry. In the village, between the general desolation and sadness, the inhabitants already were getting up to working on the market or trying to recover the remains staying in the fields. In the main hall, sitting in his chair, a tall figure awaited the arrival of his "morning snack" before breakfast.
"The priests and popes of Rome don't know the truth. There is no an alone God, but two: The Good and the Evil. Evil is nothingness and death, being everything. Both created the men and led by Evil, because this is the natural element of the town of origin, Evil is the one that conquers our wombs and pushes us to it…"
This strange philosophy, which smelled of sulfur and in which there were traces of Manichaeism and very bad misinterpreted Cathar beliefs, dominated Gakupo's mind. He would have always believed himself invincible since that night that he gave his soul to the devil and given him this new face, more beautiful than the angels, replacing that horrible face of which only a picture of his youth was the only proof, burned in the fireplace years ago; a face of which no woman, noble or villain, could be safe. He felt almighty, in the middle of this immense and ignorant town, full of women still not conquered. Using his power of Evil, he can do whatever and whenever he wanted to…
Well, that was before Len dared to confront him, using the power of Evil as well.
Thinking about his servant precisely… It was true that lately Len had developed strange tricks. Everything for see him dead to any price. Really, another great noble in his place would have frightened on having seen the furious stubbornness of a servant to see him buried in the churchyard… But not the Duke of Venomania. He laughed at Len's pathetic and useless attempts, from the poisoned dinner, the tea cursed by him and other childish attempts. And even after that, Len didn't give up and stupidly continued with his newfound pathetic witchcraft talent, bringing more and more horrible cursed potions, since crushed flowers and women's menstruation.
If it weren't for the enormous pity that he felt for him, he would have already delivered him to the Inquisition for witchcraft. However, Gakupo had fun imagining him for a moment: Len tied to a wooden cross in the town's main square, looking at him with rage, being roasted alive under the unbearable heat of the bonfire as an entire pork in a communitarian dinner. Hum… He couldn't expect that kind of behavior from some noble-born butler, and Len wasn't more than a miserable peasant. Tightening the pins is that they obey you, he thought.
The servant is an intermediary being between man and the domestic animal. Animal, because you are his master and you can do with his life what you want, if you want to make his life miserable or not, because it belongs to you and depends exclusively on you; Man, because he can talk and answer. He's the symbol of the individual being subject to another by nature and of which one has absolute power. That was Len the Mesquine (1) for him.
Even at that time of the early morning, he was having fun with Luka in the castle's corridor. Though it was at the moment of the dawn in when Len was in the habit of waking up, he didn't care a shit that the servant would found them making love on the floor… If that scene already happened before a lot. Gakupo was sitting in one of the backless chairs and had her sitting on his knees. One of the white feet was hanging on the carpet. The lace of the light dress of rigor of the castle, revealed the creamy thigh where it rested, attractively, a pink satin garter. He kissed her on the nape of her neck full of pink hair and felt all her nerves shake under his lips. The hand of pretty elongated fingers clutched around his and plunged her rosy, sharp nails into the palm of his hand.
―Ah... Yes, I love it… More…―Luka sighed with a loving expression, as she untied herself the knot cord that held her neck. The bodice of silk and white velvet showed the turbid whiteness of her white breast, which undulated with agitation.
―Do you like this, Luka? ―Gakupo was saying in a panting and triumphant voice. ―. You're so adorable and delicious… Sweetly delicious…―he muttered madly as he turned her so that he straddled her lap and then buried his face brutally in the perfumed and fresh breast while he was caressing the length of the firm, smooth, warm thigh…
Her eyes shone; her pink hair danced over the collarbone of her shoulders. She got up, dancing and smiling; with a quick movement she let the dress fall to the floor, until she was completely naked, because all the ladies of the Duke can't wear underwear under their dresses. She drew the Duke's hands on her hips, who crushed her against the wall, who was already anxiously lowering the fly of his fine linen trousers, preparing to make the first thrust…
…
The morning finally arrived, and the sun rises with few strengths. There is some agitation in the unpaved road that borders a rivulet. Horses and mules ring bells and rattles. In front of the long cavalcade of the merchants and gypsies that came from the border of the Green Kingdom was a restless and anxious young man of twenty years old. He was handsome, his clothes were blue like his hair and his eyes. His doublet was embroidered in gold, as were his fine linen trousers. Although those who were by his side addressed him with respect and asked him questions, his mood, down for weeks, he answered them with dry words. Suddenly one of the gypsies covered his wife with a black veil. Kaito asked him the reason for it:
―Look my lord, if you allow me a little word, this site is said to be cursed, because the women of this kingdom are continually disappearing. Women and little girls, no matter if are poor or rich. No one knows the reason or who is doing it. It's like the story of the Piper of Hamelin, but ladies disappear sir, no children or mice. Since we are passing through these parts, I wouldn't want my wife to run a similar luck…
―Thank you so much for telling me that―Kaito murmured, watching the sharp tips of the rooftops in the distance, feeling a kind of omen: Would she be there?
Kaito Shion had for exactly four months, a long search after his fiancée, Meiko Sakine, a young woman with his same age. The last time he had seen her, it was when she made a trip to the Green Kingdom to make a visit to her cousin, and since then she was vanished without a trace. At first, Kaito hadn't worried, without having notion that his quiet life would be disturbed: Meiko's rude and strong attitude was famous, going to all the bars and beating everyone. She was really a very strong and determined girl, she knew very well how to defend herself. So, when five days had passed, Kaito came to the conclusion, (in the midst of his despair) that what had stopped Meiko was something stronger and more powerful than her.
In spite of only having spent four months, four damn months registering all the Green Kingdom from top to bottom, to then move on to the Yellow Kingdom, without any success, because the locals assured her that the young woman met with a stranger who wore a wide hat and vanished with him, as if by magic. "It couldn't be!" He said to himself, pulling his hair in despair, "Meiko couldn't leave me for another!" She always used to explode in furious scenes of jealousy when he spoke sweetly with any beautiful woman...! In the wobble of his horse, a particular scene that he suddenly remembered amused him:
Kaito was dancing with the attractive woman that he was going to take in marriage in the summer.
Two weeks before, when they had communicated it, the poor man was terrified by the prospect of marrying a woman he had barely know about. Until then, panic had seized him. Childishly he wanted to tell them that he wasn't ready for such a commitment, but he knew he couldn't do anything… Since he will be the new Count of the Blue Kingdom.
When she had finally arrived, from her distant home, emerging from the carriage and with a huge bottle of sake in her hand, the interest of the blue-haired man suddenly increased: A voluptuous figure, brown hair that fell docilely on her face, burning red eyes and a melodious and strong voice. This Meiko turned out to be a real charm.
―Ehm… I'm Shion Kaito―he appeared stuttering and red with shame. For Meiko it was very easy to read his thoughts, because there was a naivety in him that reminded her a little of her childhood friends. That caused her a strange desire to use him as a kickboxing bag and also to pamper him...
On that wonderful night, Meiko danced with her boyfriend ecstatically and hadn't felt so much happiness since the day of her 16th birthday party she received a huge sweet sake supply, one of a kind. Kaito was hilarious and stupidly cute. Although he was also a libidinous and a complete idiot, taking strong blows from the young Meiko.
While they were dancing, Kaito sighed: ―This is the happiest night of my life.
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―I'm happy―Meiko said with a mocking smile. ―, because your father promised me a sweet liquor when he came back from his business trip―She smiled at him tenderly―. You were scared when you heard you are going to marry me… Weren't you?
Kaito swallowed. ―I can't deny it, but it was before I met you. You are… a really beautiful woman, I never imagined meeting someone as special and as complicated as you are, Mei-chan.
―You flatter me, handsome. ―Meiko said smiling―. What do you think if I give you an appetizer?
―Appetizer?
―You heard it. A little appetizer. ―And she kissed him softly and with sensuality. Her mouth was smelling of liquor that made Kaito dizzy, he thought this was too good to be true… Driven by a force he didn't think he would have, he danced in circles with Meiko among the drunken dancers, until he came upon a door that opened onto a room of service.
That night Kaito was full. And all fear of marriage vanished.
Kaito looked up at the large sign that read this: "Welcome to Asmodín, the little town of joy and virtue. Population: 2300." Everything gave him the notion of a medium-sized town, lost among dark forests, wide streams and cloudy skies. The faces of its inhabitants were darkened by the disappearances, and added to that, the soon arrival of the hunger and the winter to the threshold of their doors. In addition to the disappearances, it was said that at night were bonfires in those places, where sorcerers and gypsies met in the Covens to unleash their instincts. Although Kaito was a devout Christian believer, he always felt a murky curiosity about the darkness and opposite.
He'll know more about that with the blond servant.
When wandering through the desolate village, stopping in a tavern after eating a huge ice-cream plate with little sparklers, he could hear Len's conversation with Nana. The blonde's face showed despair and grief, as well with the old lady. He saw the boy crush that fruit, ride his horse and leave the market. He thought about that words that the gypsy man had told him on the way… That and the story of the blonde matched at all. So, if that was true, would Meiko be there? Would he be in this town? He could also be wrong, but his intuition told him to try. Without the blonde noticing, he followed him…
Truncated hope is fatal for anyone. The last weeks caused more havoc than the previous years. Len went through such a pitiful state, mentioned above, that worsened when Rin had a false pregnancy alarm. Surely that was only a matter of time before the alarm turned out to be true, Len stopped smiling, lost color and thinned quickly. His face, although it didn't lose its beauty, stretched and hardened; his eyes and cheeks sank. Just as his appearance was depressing, so was his attitude: Sometimes he exploited, cursing everyone: his parents, fate, the Duke, God… and himself. After that fury episodes continue to crisis of weeping where the tears left grooves in the sunken cheeks.
Unable to discover how to defeat a demonic Pact, his life became indifferent and humdrum; he only had life at night, when he lay down beside the sleeping Rin, stroked her hair, covered her lips and face with kisses, spoke to her in a very low voice and stayed until dawn. It was the only comfort he had left and the only thing he could do now. He didn't return to the cemetery, because it was very humiliating for him to visit the grave of his parents, because he didn't have the courage to go to his graves without feeling reproaches and guilt for having allowed all this…
…Besides, this was present: Len was in love with Rin, and for her he had embraced heretical practices. He had become a warlock for love. Another reason to be hated by their parents, by the Pantheon of Heaven, and by God himself.
…
Len went out to the back of the house to breathe a little. That was one of the few good moments of the day and the only natural pleasure he had left… He was just waiting that it would be nighttime to go to bed in Rin's room; a new and possibly failed murder attempt crossed his mind. A murmur of dry leaves made him sharpen his hearing. Apparently, it was just a squirrel that had made the branch tremble that way… Len scanned the foliage in search of an intruder. Another muffled noise was heard.
―Who's there? ―Other noise and he didn't even have time to put himself on guard.
A figure, much taller than him, was launched in attack. Although he was smaller than the attacker, Len didn't get intimidated and bit the hand that held him. Kaito screamed in pain, but he didn't let go and finally crushed him against the wall, one hand wielding his Damocles sword, the other was squeezing Len's throat.
―Let me go!
―I'll do it when you confess what's behind those walls!
―Pardon?
―I've listened to you when you were talking to that woman in town! So, is that true or not? Has your master made a pact with the Evil One and kidnapped women, and with them my beloved Meiko? Answer me! ―Len couldn't take it anymore and stood in front of Kaito, like a dog that shows his teeth and shouted, his cheeks flushed with pure rage:
―Yes, it's true! And for you to find out, I've just found out! I have tried to get rid of the Duke of Venomania hundreds of times and nothing happened! What would be the cause, huh? Search your mind: It will only take a couple of seconds…
―Don't talk to me like that!
―I talk to you as I please―Len snapped―, If you do not let me go I call the dogs to get rid of you, I'd do the same…―Kaito let go of him and Len rubbed his neck. ―. Who are you, by the way?
―My name is Kaito Shion, Count of the Blue Kingdom―Kaito introduced himself, bowing, but Len didn't reply. ―. I have been searching for months for my fiancée, Meiko, who disappeared to reach this region. Are you the…? Uh… Squire?
―Servant.
―Oh, ok―Kaito murmured, wary of not disrespecting him and thereby ruining his mission: "Surely you know all the secrets here, I must earn his trust, so I could rescue Meiko" he thought. He took a picture of Meiko and gave to him. ―. Do you know this woman? ―Len looked at the brown-haired woman in an ornate red dress, sitting on a large rock smiling and flirting coquettishly with one hand, holding one bottle with the other.
―I think so… Yes, I remember her! She's that girl who always drinks sake without stopping, it's for her and for Miss Haku that I'm forced to go to town, I'm still surprised that we don't suffer hungry yet, with those parties that the Duke does for so many...
―Wait a moment―Kaito interrupted him―. Are there… more women? How… many are there?
―How many? ―Len replied, releasing a bitter laugh―, how many?! There's a lot! Every week they arrive here... There are more or less hundred women.
―Many? Well then what the hell are we waiting for?! We must free them! ―Kaito exclaimed in a heroic tone, and with sword in hand pretended to enter the house… But the servant grabbed him by the sleeve.
―Are you crazy or what? You cannot enter like that! My master is good with weapons and you alone can´t fight against him. If he sees you are a dead man… But if you want to die stupidly, it's not my problem…
―Len? Where are you, useless servant? ―The blond paled at hearing that voice: His master! And he was coming to where they were…!
― Hide! ―Len whispered to Kaito, pushing him into the shed to store grain―. Keep your beak shut and don't talk! ―Kaito was trapped in the narrow cabin and as he was half claustrophobic, he immediately felt a terrible sensation, He wanted to scream, knocked down the door… He but managed to keep quiet, while Len's voice mixed with another voice, serious and more mature: "It has to be his master..." He prayed that the Duke hadn't noticed his presence and checked there… or that Len didn't give him to his master. After three eternal minutes, Len opened the door again.
―Uff! We're safe! Get out of there. He already returned to the house. I think he didn't notice anything.
―Thank you…―Kaito painted―. Thank you for not betraying me…
―It was nothing―Len replied indifferently. ―, in this town we are used to helping each other…/p
―Really? ―Kaito replied, delighted to have an argument to convince the blonde to put him on his side ― In that case, my friend Len, I think we should be allies... ― He waited a moment to see the effect of his words: Len's eyes weren't no longer hostile, now they seemed curious; That encouraged him to continue: ― It is certainly evident that you are not happy with your master and you want to be free, right? I can help you. We will liberate Meiko, the rest of the women...
― …And my sister Rin… She's also there…― Len murmured. ―, I must have to get her out of this Hell. I want to get her out of there.
―Then with more reason you should make an alliance with me― Kaito said―. Listen to the proverb: "If the dog die, the rage is over", right? We will make the dog burst and everyone will be happy. Let's go behind before your master can sees us…
Len and Kaito walked through the back of the goat pen, next to the water and wine tanks. Behind a solitary fence, there was a little piece of land, in which there was a succession of buried stakes, all of them covered with withered flowers by the autumn, scattered next to the pumpkin orchard, with an old scarecrow of a gloomy sewn smile. The stakes seemed to mark something… but whatever it is, they weren't seeds…
―Hey, what are those stakes for? Is it for a crop of grapes or peas? ―Kaito asked, feeling a strange discomfort when he saw the lonely stakes. Len also saw them. When he turned to see Kaito, his eyes were strange, empty and… sad:
―At a certain time, when one of the Duke's women became pregnant, the master locked himself in his office for hours and then he called me. In his hand there was a dark colored drink and he said to me: "Give this to Miku, the poor thing has a horrible digestion." "Master, that's the reason of why she is inflated like a balloon?" I said, confused. "Exactly: Lenny, give it to her, this will help her and in a matter of hours the swelling will go away" he told me. I was a child at the time and still didn't understand certain things. Even so, I obeyed him and gave it to her at dinner. Then the poor woman locked herself in the bathroom, letting out cries and screams that I listened scared, but the Duke didn't let me in, but he did it… and after several minutes came out with something inside a bag. He ordered me to clean everything and when I entered, I only saw blood everywhere… ―His voice trembled a little. Kaito paled like chalk, horrified by Len's story. He pointed to the third-floor window of the house―. From that window I saw the Duke dig a ditch, throw the sack and then cover it with dirt and mark it with a stake. Soon the field was full of them… The last of these days, Neru, was more problematic because it was triplets this time. I only looked at the extremities of the little creatures being buried in the ditches…
―Enough! Please stop! ―Kaito whispered, on the verge of throwing up all the ice cream he had eaten out of sheer horror. ―: This is a house of horror! He bewitches, keep and rape women! And to keep having them ready for him, he just makes them abort! We must do something, Len! We cannot let him keep getting away with it!
―Have you a plan? I confess that I have tried everything.
―Tell me… Does the Duke have a favorite one at this time? A girl he tends to prefer lately? ―Kaito asked, looking directly at Len, who lowered his eyes a little, the answer was obvious: ―, your sister is the favorite right now? Well… I'm sorry, Len… But we'll use her as bait.
―Bait? What do you mean? ―exclaimed Len, as if he didn't believe what he was listening to―. No! I refuse...! No way...!
―It's necessary! ―Kaito replied, annoyed by Len's stubbornness―. Without that, our plan will fail! Please understand, Len...!
―NO! YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND! ―Len screamed, hysterical and completely enraged. Kaito took a step back―. You haven't seen for years...! Years! …What the Duke did to those women! You haven't suffered this plague for four years, the abandonment and this Hell in this damn house! You haven't seen pregnant women drink potions to make them abort and see how he bury their babies underground! You haven't seen those faces of relatives who want to see them again! You haven't…―His voice was breaking more and more. ―, you haven't seen how he take what is yours, what you love most, and he destroy it in your face! You don't understand it...! ―Len felt a desire to jump into Kaito's neck, slapping him, throw him to the ground and strangle him, make him feel some of the infinite horror that he felt...
Kaito looked at him with pity. His sky-blue eyes showed cleanly every humiliation, every insult received for years. Every tear shed, all his pain, all his fury contained and about to explode. Other adults could have collapsed under such tortures, lost their sanities, committed suicide after so much horror seen and lived… but there was Len, a true survivor. He had to admit that losing Meiko for four months was nothing compared to seeing a loved one of yours being abused in your presence and you, completely unable to protest. Kaito was admired by the blonde who, being practically a child, endured a real cavalry, a thousand times worse than his...
―I understand what you feel, Len―Kaito mumbled, as if wanting to apologize for his lack of understanding― …I know that being four months without Meiko is nothing compared to the disgraces that you have lived... I know that you are desperate and fed up with this situation… But understand, Len: The women of this town continue to disappear; mothers of families who work in the market and girls who come from school… Innocent people who were viciously ripped off to end up in a private sin bin for the Duke, becoming pregnant and their fruits being buried underground... ―Len returned to look at him―. Look Len: I swear to you, here in front of the graves of these innocent children… that Rin won't suffer any harm. The Duke will be distracted with her and you and I will kill him. All those women will be free and will be able to return with their families. I will recover Meiko and you will be free, and you will have Rin… We all win, right? ―Kaito finished, clinging to this last hope of winning him―. Don't you want to recover her...? Don't you love Rin...?
―More than anything in the world―Len mused.
―Then... what do you say Len? Deal? ―Kaito offered extending his hand. Len looked at him for a moment. Although life cruelly taught him to not trust anyone, not even to God... a part of his almost mutilated heart told him that he couldn't lose the opportunity...
―Deal.
―This place is really fancy―Kaito had to admit when he saw all the furniture from the basement window where Len had him sneaked in―, I hate to admit it, but he has good taste…
―He really has good taste, but as you've seen, he has the soul of a pig and the lasciviousness of a horse―Len said scornfully. He examined Kaito up and down―. Question: How big are your shoes?
―Well, this kind of big―Kaito answered, pointing to his huge feet―. What do you mean, Len? What...? ―Suddenly Len pushed Kaito into a large room where he used to keep all the beef and frozen food―. What the hell are you doing?!
―You will see. Wait here―Len replied and closed the door.
He left the basement, pretending to carry a mountain of white clothes, dodging Haku and Neru on the way. He saw Rin sleeping in her bed. He could see Meiko drinking from one sake after another. He arrived at the Duke's laundry room and then he reached the immense wicker basket where Gakupo kept all the confiscated women's clothes and after looking a lot, he pulled out a big dark blue dress, decorated with large pearls and laces. He flew across the house until he reached the Attic. Pulling out of a battered box, he pulled out a dusty, curly blonde wig among several costume items. When he passed Luka's room, he snatched the high-heeled shoes from her and returned to the kitchen again.
―Look Kaito, I found...! ―Len froze at the sight of Kaito huddled against the corner of the dark room, hugging ice cream jars happily, as if there was gold in them―. Kaito! What are you doing?
―Oh, Len! Why didn't you tell me that your master had a huge ice cream collection? ―. Kaito asked, his eyes bright with happiness―, here's my favorite: vanilla! ―And he brought a spoon to his mouth.
―We came to burst the damn pig, not to eat ice cream! ―Len exclaimed slapping his forehead―. Stop that and come here!
―What is that? ―Kaito asked approaching and when he saw the dress he opened wide his eyes―. What is this...!? You pretend...!
―The Duke would never suspect an innocent woman if all are supposed to be spellbound by his demonic power―Len said with calm tone, vaguely and absently caressing the blade of a butcher's knife… which disturbed his ally slightly―. But now I must go to… do something. But I'll be back before dawn.
―Len, what are you...? ―Kaito managed to say when Len left him the women's clothes on the floor and ran to the back door―, If only you would tell me what you are planning to do in order to help you...! I remind you that we are together in this...! ―he grumbled indignant before returning to eat another pot of ice cream…/p
Several hours passed. Kaito fell asleep with the empty fifth pot and only woke up at the third tap that Len gave him on the shoulder. The servant had dark circles under his eyes, as if he hadn't slept at all, but he was smiling, and the race had colored his cheeks. He carried a bundle in his arms, carefully covered with a dark cloth.
All night Len rode several leagues on horseback, across the countryside and to the secret houses where they used to hold the Coven meetings and, finally, the little house by the river where he used to live an old man called "Swamp Old" as Len used to respectfully call the elder sorcerer leader of the Coven, who had taught him everything he knew.
―What is that and where have you been? ―Kaito asked, yawning and sitting on the oak table, sipping his hot drink cup and nibbling on a piece of smoked herring and bacon that Len left between them.
―In order to destroy someone who has made the pact with the Lord of the Underworld, you must use these elements that I made them be blessed by a priest and then, during the Black Mass (2), blessed again, this time for a renegade one and impregnate them with a special potion―Len whispered bluntly, taking another piece of bacon and eating completely. "Witchcraft" Kaito thought with some fear―, it´s a mixture of Blessed Water and Dead Water. "A knife in the heart, loaded with poison, is enough to kill the Beast (3)" ―recited Len the words of his master.
―That is all? ―Kaito muttered in panic.―. Will it work?
―Pray to your God to make it come true…
Len and Kaito waited all day to commit the murder, because, according to Len, it was very dangerous in the morning since they could see them, and everything would fail. The two boys passed her in the kitchen, refining and learning the plan until they could tell each other without make mistakes. Although deep down, Len resented the detail of using Rin in the plan as a bait…
―Len! ―Gakupo shouted―. Come here!
―Get luck, Len―Kaito whispered, putting the wig. Len took a deep breath, left that dark basement and entered the room where his master was sitting, once again seeing the fireplace, back at him.
―What do you want, my lord?
―Tell me, Len…―Gakupo didn't even look at him, still seeing the fire burn merrily―. Your birthday is coming. What would you like to receive as a gift from me?
―Huh? ―Len was perplexed. His master giving him a gift for his birthday? Technically he had ignored the previous four ones! ―, I-I don't understand, my lord.
―You will turn fifteen. You're already a man―Gakupo said with malice―. Even though you're a damned sheep gone astray, I still appreciate you, Lenny. So… The day of your birthday… you must premiere yourself, as is customary in the villages. Becoming a man… riding a woman: What do you think if I give you Rin as a gift for a whole day? ―Len became livid, the blood pressure began to increase, anger made him boil his face… Gakupo has to disrespect him once again and his little sister… But no more. Gakupo looked at him with a giggle. ―; Oh, don't look me like a stuffed frog, Len: Incest is a religion's invention. What a shame! You haven't put your stamp on a woman yet! But you can do with Rin whatever you want… And I want to watch it. What you think? ―"I'll tell you what I think" Len thought "I hate you! I won't stop until I push you to Hell, where you belong, you damned wretch!" ―. I'm hungry: bring me a cake.
"Yes! A cake! Chocked with it and die!" Len murmured, bringing him the cake and seeing how Gakupo ate it. ―Anything else, my lord...?
―Bring Rin to me―he ordered. Len's eyes came the brightness that only came when he was at the Black Mass. An almost imperceptible smile crept down the sunken, pale face. He left the room and made gestures to Kaito to wait for the signal… The first phase of the plan began…
…Only that Len was not going to allow that Rin would be violated again.
Everything has a limit… and Len has already reached his one. Since a long time.
Before he went through an old bedroom and took one of his cloth impregnated with one of his potions. He took a deep breath. Once, twice, three times… Gakupo's words bored into his head: "What do you think if I give you Rin as a gift for a whole day? (...) You can do with whatever you want with her..." Len couldn't fool himself: That was a too tempting offer. Len loved Rin. He wanted her, and he desired her… But not like this. Not under the effect of a spell. In the night Len dreamed that Rin, already free from the evil influence, would throw herself into his arms and tell him that she loved him… All with her own free will.
He entered the room where his sister was, who was putting on makeup in front of the mirror, preparing to see his master: She saw the servant but ignored him, as always, and turned again to finish. Len approached the girl slowly, in order to not let her escape… and just when Rin got up and went to the door… Len suddenly grabbed her forearm, pulling her to himself, applying a key and putting the cloth against her mouth. The girl struggled a moment with the servant, trying to break free, calling her master… Finally, the drug took effect, Rin lost consciousness and fainted in Len's arms.
For a few seconds he was aware of what he had done. Len lifted the vanished body in his arms, squeezing it. Finally, he will fulfill the promise made to Rin that cold night in her room. He was a few moments away from avenging his honor and his beloved's. He laid her on the bed carefully, contemplating her twin's sleeping face. Len frowned: Her whole face was covered in a of a courtesan rugged make-up: A dark eyeshadow and a really extravagant lipstick worthy of a prostitute. He cleaned her face carefully using a damp handkerchief. His eyes darkened at the pale face revealing so many atrocities.
So many humiliations… So many humiliations… They would end once and for all.
―I'm sorry, but I'm not going to let him hurt you again― Len whispered, stroking her face―. I'm going to save you for doing that nasty act. What I'm going to do… Maybe God in Heaven and our parents will reproach it, but they are also witnesses of what we have suffered, and they will see that I did this for you, my dear Rin…―he finally muttered as he pulled the black ribbon who picked up his long hair, letting it fall.
Then, Len went to the closet and looking from the ocean of dresses, pulled out a yellow dress with black details on the skirt and chest. Thanks to the fact that Len had lost a lot of weight during his period of depression, he entered without difficulty, even still wearing his servant suit. He took a beautiful white ribbon and tied it on top of his head. Len looked in the mirror observing the result: In truth he looked exactly like Rin. What he was going to do had nothing to envy to what happens in Act II of Story of Evil: "Servant of Evil/", He smiled satisfied.
All the hatred that from the second failed attempt was dull and lifeless, woke up with the force of a steam locomotive. Finally, he had a solution. Finally, Len would retaliate. He would bury the knife of discarding chickens in Gakupo Kamui's belly. He would avenge his sister, he would avenge the whole province and finally an act of justice would be carried out.
―I'll go back to you after we take care of the monster, princess―Len whispered, going back to the bed where his sister was and leaning as far as the ruffles of the tight dress allowed him... He caressed her face, with the passion of the soldier that caress the face of his wife before leaving to the war. He kissed her gently, clasping their hands, savoring this prelude to revenge as much as he could. Finally, he separated from her and left the room, walking to the lobby.
…
The skirt of the dress delicately brushed the stone slabs. Although he was a little tight on the suit, especially in the hip area, he was surprised to see that the skirts were very comfortable… Even so, he was afraid. Although he already knew what was waiting for him, he didn't know how everything would end. When he reached the first landing of the house, he saw the bearer of all his misfortunes, sitting in the armchair of the great hall. The steel of the dagger, hidden in the hem of the wide skirt, seemed to tremble for a moment.
Kaito had to wait. Waiting for the Duke to be distracted by the bait that they had been put on to attack… and finally a female figure projected her shadow on the continuous wall.
"They really looked alike", Kaito thought when he saw her. Her yellow dress was letting out whispers against the floor. Her long blond hair, somewhat disheveled, moved docilely as she walked. Her gaze, on the other hand, was frozen as if it were an ice. Kaito paled when the girl turned to look at him and winked ... It was not her, it was him!
―Len, no! Are you insane!? ―Kaito whispered moving his lips, but Len ignored him. Kaito was perplexed, but it was not time to abort the mission. Very well... Let's go to the plan. He took out the dagger with trembling hands, impregnated with the Coven's poison, and came closer but still keeping a prudent distance.
―Oh, you're here... ― He heard the Duke's bastard murmur, looked who he thought he was seeing.
―Yes, my lord… you have called me. I come here to satisfy my desire to be with you, my love…―Len crooned malignly, imitating the voice of his sister, passing his arms around his master's neck, caressing him. Gakupo was ecstatic at what his "whore" was doing and more when suddenly he sat on his lap, smiling seductively, with a skill of prostitute that left Kaito admired to see that display of cynicism and some trickery.
Gakupo grabbed him by the hips and started kissing him with brutality and savagery. Kaito practically dropped his jaw to the ground and almost felt nauseous when he saw that scene. In truth that servant had the balls to handle that without barfing. He looked at Len with admiration and horror as the servant pretended admirably that he loved how his master devoured him and shamelessly spanking his ass… Finally, he made a sign with his fingers. Kaito nodded and approached from behind, sweating profusely, raising the dagger, which shone in the dim light of the roof dome… A drop of sweat escaped his chin and fell on Gakupo's shoulder...
Everything happened very fast.
Gakupo had unexpectedly turned back and had grabbed Kaito's wrist, leaving him paralyzed for a moment. They were the thousandths of a second longer than they were ever seen. A second later, Gakupo felt the edge of the steel pierce the back, touching his heart. He turned around surprised. No... Rin couldn't have… Or could she? The girl's gaze turned cloudy and made a wry smile, while she gathered her blonde hair, making it a ponytail… A ponytail like…
―Len…
He barely had time to say that, because a second dagger was buried in the side of his chest, tearing him a piercing scream that was heard throughout the village. He looked at his abdomen where the blade of the dagger rested, where a dark spot began to spread to his chest, while touching with trembling fingers the second on his back. His vision blurred slightly, making him fall to his knees in front of the two men, pressing his hand against the wound, watching his blood change…
"Blood and sweat mixed together are turning to purple drops."
As if in slow motion, Gakupo Kamui collapsed on the ground.
Several seconds passed where silence reigned. Suddenly shouts and exclamations echoed throughout the house: All the women of the Duke had regained their consciousness and now ran in stampede towards the doors. Kaito was surprised: Blondes, brunettes, chestnuts, roses, greens, blues… women of all possible colors and ages, wearing scandalous dresses with necklines and flower pins, barefooted and terrified, they were approaching rush them. Len ran to the entrance and forced the locks, pushing open the heavy oak doors.
―Run! Flee of here! You're free! ―Kaito yelled, urging the girls.
Gakupo watched helplessly as all the girls he had conquered and enslaved fled through the gardens towards the main gates. Miku, Luka, Haku, Neru, Teto… each and every one of them fled from his claws, to reach the town, between exclamations of surprise and anguish from their relatives, to let them see where they had been.
― Gumi! ―He managed to shout at the last of the girls, who had stopped to look at him. The woman for who he had done everything he did, the only woman he had truly loved… looked at him the same cunning of her childhood, when she laughed and rejected him by his face. She approached him, with the winter wind shaking her short silk dress―Gumi… Gumi… ―He called her imploringly, asking her for mercy―, help me…
―In truth you are even more pathetic than you were before, Gakupo… You give me pity― Gumi answered scornfully, looking at him over the shoulder―. Did you believe that retaining us for your caprices would be happy? I used to love you like a dear friend, but now… You're even uglier and disgusting within your old face... Goodbye, Gakupo… I'll see you in Hell, asshole―And she kicked him in the crotch, walking resolutely towards the door, between shouts of Gakupo.
―Wait! Please don't go…! I still haven't told you that I love you...!
―…And you who know about to love someone? ―Len said closing the door with a bang, surprising everyone: It was the first time in years, since he had arrived at the house, that he was talked so directly to his master… For Len that was nothing: He was no longer his servant.
He had returned to his former appearance: He had taken off the dress and his gaze reflected the fire of anger. Savoring his revenge, determined not to blink to not miss any time. His former master, the powerful Duke of Venomania, now reduced to what he had always been: An unhappy man.
Gakupo looked at him scared: Len… the little boy who picked up the orphanage four years ago, with the timid look and small and puny body, who never lifting the head and always obeyed him by fear, never questioning him… Now he was there, already almost as a man, standing on the threshold, meeting his icy blue eyes, full of hatred and scorn. In his hands it was…
―Len… YOU CANNOT DO THIS TO ME! YOU ARE MY SERVANT! MY SLAVE! I ORDER YOU TO RELEASE THAT! I WARN YOU...! ―Gakupo screamed, scared to see that Len was carrying a chest full of tools and was taking out long rusty black nails―. OBEY ME, LEN!
Yes, Gakupo Kamui was like a cornered, wounded and scared fox that moaned for his life… And Len Kagamine was the furious wolf that was about to rip and tear him apart with his jaws. It was something bloody ironic: The dog turned against his owner.
―Kaito, would you like to do the honors? ―Len asked to Kaito, ignoring the man's screams.
―My pleasure―Kaito answered taking a mallet, waiting that Len extended the arms of Gakupo who was writhing vainly and with a thud, Kaito buried the nails in both palms, between piercing screams, leaving him nailed to the ground, with blood starting to come out of his hands, like a stuffed butterfly, like a parody of crucified Christ.
Len pulled out a large hammer. A homicidal anger made shine his blue eyes; Kaito took a hammer as well. Hammers swooped down, the bones creaked, and the sky went out for the Duke of Venomania. Between Gakupo's shouts, his legs and thighs were broken, then the avengers surrounded his victim and the mallets fell down on arms and forearms. The blows reverberated so much in the radios and cubes, the wood creaked as much as the breaking bones.
At a signal from Len, Kaito and he ripped off his white linen trousers, revealing the Duke's white and disgusting penis. The member was lying there, like a miserable white worm that caused so many misfortunes… Len took the long poker from the fireplace, still lit and approached to the terrified Gakupo: He had learned this from the act of Duke Maltravers when executed Edward II of England (4) ―…This is on behalf of all the women you raped, Duke, especially Rin…―Len exclaimed and in a second, the long poker was buried in his anus until reach to the prostate and then the edge of a kitchen knife crossed the air; a gush of blood flew out, Gakupo shouted again horrifyingly, while his sex and genitals were thrown into the fire. A frightful smell of burned flesh expanded that only increased the anger of the two men, especially Len… He was supposed to be smiling, feeling triumphant… seeing his former owner moan and cry, begging for mercy, was enraging him.
Len took out a small dagger that served to eat praline almonds and opened the shirt to Gakupo. Between the almost unconsciousness, Gakupo felt the edge of the dagger cut the skin and flesh, making a few strokes, to finally see the words: PORK TO THE SLAUGHTERHOUSE.
Then, as an act of revenge for what he did to Meiko, Kaito grabbed a something rusty thin tube and closing his eyes with force that hard and thick metal through the rectum in a very wild reaching to touch his organs, causing him to bleed internally. The Duke of Venomania uttered a heart-rending scream as blood flowed through that rusted tube, which pleased Len a lot, making him moved it a little, destroying some of his organs.
Now Gakupo's eyes were a few tenuous white splits. His heart was still beating. The wretch still had a breath of life. When Len and Kaito, armed with long kitchen knives, raised their weapons to bury them at the head of Gakupo… A bottle of sake, coming from who knows where, crashed hard against Gakupo's skull, splitting in half by the impact, killing him definitively.
Len and Kaito were perplexed for a moment, while the blood was going out of Gakupo's head and was spreading over his long purple hair, covering it of a puddle of blood. They raised their heads slowly and saw Meiko breathing sharply, holding tightly to the broken bottle, which oozed blood.
―Meiko! ― Kaito shrieked happily, running to his fiancée, foolishly waiting for tears, hugs, kisses… But he got a hit on the head― Ah! Ahh! Meiko! What's wrong with you?
―What's wrong with me?! ―Meiko shrieked―, where the hell where you been?! I've been here for four fucking months, waiting for you to arrive like a prince charming...! And watch the moment you arrive! Why did you take so long, huh? I know: you left me for another woman! Or worse, you were busy with your ice cream!
― Meiko! How can you tell me those things? If I love you! I've been following your tracks since you disappeared! How could I forget the woman I love…? You… you're better than ice cream! Done, I said it! Happy? ― Kaito stuttered, hoping that Meiko would calm down… He received another hit and then a passionate kiss from Meiko, which left the blue-haired man confused.
―I knew that one day you would say that― Meiko said with a mocking smile―, and can I tell you something? You look good in a dress, Bakaito. ― Kaito smiled and caught her in his arms, spinning her in the air.
Len only saw the scene amused and then he remembered: Oh, Rin! He had to go back for her! He climbed the stairs, leaving the lovers alone with the corpse and reached the upper hall. He saw again the crack in Gakupo's open door… When he had just remembered something. Something he had overlooked for weeks… Could it be possible…?
He entered Gakupo's room and went straight to the huge painting on the side of the bed. It was a portrait surrounded by a golden festoon where the Duke was painted with a heroic pose, almost imitating to Napoleon Bonaparte. Len grimaced at the funny picture and threw it to the ground. Inside, in a hollow, two iron boxes rested.
The first was filled with hundreds of gold and silver coins, as well with and pennies: They were the Duke's savings, or what was left, but at least there was a considerable amount. In the second box shone rubies, emeralds, rings and necklaces of pearls, pendants of diamond and jade, brooches of gold and silver chiseled with Turkish eyes and diadems of precious stones: All were jewels of the unfortunate prisoners of the Duke, who, when a new woman arrived, he ordered to hide her dress and keep her jewelry… Finally, Len found the one he was looking for: He pulled the thin gold chain and a round chiseled gold locket appeared, swinging in front of his nose. It was open and the photo of both, like those words engraved on the side, was clearly against the light.
"I knew it," Len thought, "I searched the entire Rin's room and never found the locket there, it was obvious that the Duke had taken it off as soon as she arrived..."
He hesitated a moment, while his gaze went from the coin box to the jewelry box. On the one hand, he knew it was wrong stealing but… Rin and him, after this… where would they go...? They were orphans, their humble home along with many others, had been destroyed after the pandemic to prevent a spread of the disease. They couldn't, nor did they want to go back to the orphanage. Another thing... He had already seen several snowflakes falling to the patio for days, accompanied by pinpricks of cold. Even earlier, months ago, signs were coming in the village that the harvest had been insufficient… Len knew it, because every week the food price had risen more and more: In Asmodín it would suffer a winter of hunger.
No. Len didn't want Rin to have to still suffer after this, homeless, suffering cold and hunger. He took from the closet some scarsellas (5) of linen and put both contents in them, as well with another valuable objects in the room. Len was not stealing: he was just receiving his well-deserved retirement, right?
He put them around his waist and left the room. There, in the hall, Rin walked slowly out of her room. The effect of the narcotic has passed. Len's heart leaped at the height of the Adam's nut. The girl's face seemed to be exhausted and a bloodless pallor covered her cheeks. She seemed confused, and very scared.
―Len...? ―Rin murmured finally looking at him. Len rejoiced to see that her gaze was the same again. ―. Len… it is you? ―…Then, Len's self-control collapsed: In a single second, Rin was wrapped in the slender arms of the servant, who was about to burst into sobs of joy, anger and pain, all together...
―Rin, Rin Rin...! ―He wouldn't stop repeating her name if that was possible; He held her tighter in his arms ―Rin, at last, it's all over...! You're safe!
―Len, where am I? ―Rin asked, becoming more frightened. ―. The last thing I remember is that I came to this castle and the Duke came to meet me, he looked at me… and I lost my sense. What happened to me...? ―She separated slightly from him and noticed that Len's white shirt was soaked in blood―. Len! Why are you full of blood?! ― She moaned, stifling a cry―. What happened here?! Why I have this dress? Why I don't have my underwear?! Why… why I have the feeling that bad things have happened to me, Len? Answer me! ―Rin sobbed, pounding her fists on his chest, desperate. Len hugged her harder, feeling the rivers of tears run down his sunken cheeks; the sorrow of his eyes was the discouraging response. Rin burst into tears, cursing and shrieking as Len pressed his lips against her forehead hard, his hands were trembling as he held her down.
―Shhhh... ―Len whispered―. Everything will be fine, Rin. Yes, it's true: We've been through bad things here… But those bad things are over. It's all over, Rin! ―He cradled his sister's tearful face in his hands: She was no longer screaming but she was hiccupping slightly. He wiped the tears with his own fingers. ―Don't cry Rin, because all this is over. I'm here… He will never hurt you again.
Rin nodded with great fuss and hid once more in Len's chest. The servant hugged her again, rocking slightly to calm her. Len had imagined that their reunion would be more… exciting and happy, but this was sad and cruel, like everything the Duke had done to them. He knew that what followed was going to be hard for both… But everything was over and all that remained was to move one… together.
―Hey, Len! ―Kaito's terrified scream was heard from below―. Did you die or what?! We have to move now!
―Come on. ― Len put an arm around her shoulders and went down the long stairs. Haunting fragments of what would have happened in that house were starting to appear in Rin's subconscious. Her horror had no limits when she saw a bloody hand under a puddle of blood and the rest of his body wrapped in a carpet. She was terrified to that body, especially after starting to understand the blood stains of his brother's suit and shut down her eyes. ―Don't look, Rin. ―He advised her softly and taking her to the lobby, so she couldn't see that.
―We must get out of here. Shouts from the villagers can be heard from here. They are going to punish Gakupo. If we stay here, the lynching will befall to us. ― Kaito urged hurriedly while Meiko shrieked: "A lynching, Kaito?!"
―We'll go through the shed, we can reach the forest and hide there―Len replied, rummaging through the drawers of the kitchen and pulled out a miner's lamp and a knife.
The four rushed to the kitchen door: Len at the head and dragging Rin, behind her Meiko and finally Kaito. They crossed the courtyard until they reached the stables, where the horses were nervous. Moments later, holding Rin tightly against him, Len fiercely whipped Innovator out of the garden, followed closely by another steed ride by Kaito and Meiko. They go through an old brick tunnel, then go into the forest. It was completely dark, and the light of the lamp was the only thing that guided the path to follow. They did not stop or look back, until they reached a clear heather covered. From there, hidden among the rocks, they saw the raging mob arrive.
…
The arrival of the hostages brought anguish and happiness. After so many months and years without seeing them, thinking that they would have died… Now they were safe and sound… and when they knew that what had happened, that the Duke of Venomania had kidnapped and held them for his pleasure, the horror and shock crossed all the ends of the town. Everyone became anger. They took their clubs, swords, tridents and torches. Men, women and children poured out of their homes. In a matter of minutes, the town of Asmodín rose up against the castle.
They demolished the black gate that closed the main garden. When they knocked down the huge main doors by axes, ready to kill the Duke of Venomania right there, they found a macabre surprise: Wrapped in a expensive carpet, they found the broken, bloody, almost headless, without penis and impaled on Vlad Tepes style body, with a disturbing inscription on his chest and nails in his hands; They concluded, too late, that someone had already done the job before and in a way that implied an act of Satanism.
They continued inspecting the entire area, finding in the main room hundreds of books on Demonic Covenants and a mark on the floor, in the form of Pentagram. Dozens crossed themselves in that instant. They also found a room sumptuously decorated with a wardrobe with beautiful dresses of women and girls. Many rooms were luxuriously decorated for the prisoners. In another locked room they found the horror that the Duke hid: In there, there were some fifty jars, pots and basins with human remains in storage: human fat made butter, coagulated blood, hair of creature, skeletons of hands, bone dust…The dogs in the yard unearthed a total of 150 bags containing the remains of baby's fetuses, almost all in few months of gestation.
The outrage spread to the whole crowd. After several hours of hysteria and rage, the interior of the once majestic castle of Gakupo Kamui showed a spectacle of desolation: from the warehouses ran the wine from the shattered vats, and in the bricks told the story of the recent mayhem that they had been made. All the Duke's valuables disappeared, although all his jewels and money had already vanished. Only torn bed curtains, shattered furniture, and upholstered tapestries were visible. They dragged the Duke's corpse outside, in the middle of the furious mass, to throw stones and spit at him.
In the end, Honne Dell, husband of Yowane Haku, brought hundreds of gallons of tar from the town and set the castle on fire. The whole crowd let out screams of triumph and religious chants upon seeing the cursed house disappear behind the flames, an act of massive exorcism. The main house, the clock tower, the battlements, the yard, the belfry and the adjoining houses were devoured with a fire that reached almost five meters high and whose smoke was seen up to ten kilometers away…
…The infernal fire was reflected in the blue eyes of Kagamine Len, clutching her sister's hand, contemplating the act until the end.
…
The following days were of great agitation for the region. In the town no one ever known exactly who murdered the Duke of Venomania. The Dukes Akaito and Meito, upon hearing the news of the death of their friend, begged the King to arrest his servant, since they were sure that he had been the culprit.
―It is necessary for you to know, my Sire, that this servant was the cause of our friend's death. Attempting against the life of a member of royalty is a sacrilege. Arrest him and take him to the guillotine! ―Akaito was saying with affected tone.
But the townspeople, although they would have believed it, also had their own theories: It could have been another person; who knows...? And if the servant was true killer, then they were not willing to hand over someone of their people who, without knowing exactly who he is, had brought justice to this cursed land. The villagers relied on the testimonies of the women and the proofs found inside and outside of the castle, but the Dukes didn't take them into account.
―That's just a calumny! The Duke Gakupo was a kind and charitable soul like no other in the world! He would never have taken advantage of ladies and maidens for his benefit! I never saw a woman in her castle! All this is a scandal! ―Meito howled.
Finally, the King sent several of his archers to find the person responsible for the death of the Duke of Venomania and the town burst. The bourgeoisie and the peasants launched themselves against the police and several of the aristocracy, whom sided with the Dukes. Asmodín lived the worst days of its history since the smallpox epidemic. The Dukes and the nobility were pushed and finally cornered to the swamps where they were appealed, pierced, sunk in the mud, drowned... The land was swallowing its own people. The mansions were plundered and emptied so much that where their occupants were worse than the poorest peasants.
The hysteria of the Church had no limits when they saw that in that place there was a cult of witchcraft with the same Duke and they threw themselves against the rest of the people. Here hundred fifteen corpses, here hundred fifty-two… not even a single area of the village was saved from the expiatory bonfire... The same church of the town was consumed by the flames. They didn't forgive anyone, neither women nor children. Asmodín's wind was impregnated with the atrocious smell of the bonfires, doing replies of the sadly famous "Great Purple Bonfire", where Gakupo's castle was consumed up to the ashes.
In the end, after several days of chaos, the King, finally believing the hostages' story, ordered the Pope to excommunicate Gakupo and bury him in his castle, which remained wicked forever.
…
Nana Macne raised her gnarled hands to the blackened image of the Holy Virgin on the pedestal. Tears crossed her face surrounded by wrinkles where the history of Venomania's Beast will be sadly remembered up to our times, even if Asmodín disappears someday…
―Thank you, Len… Bless you. Blessed be the Wolf of Venomania…
…
A week before, four hooded figures emerged from the hostel's frozen courtyard to board the small carriage pulled by two horses. Kaito quickly opened the door and Rin and Meiko entered, followed by Len and him. He drove the horses and they left for the muddy road that led to the town's exit. People dressed up to their noses observed them pass. The first snowfall came with a long dance of snowflakes, slowly covering the cold ground. The fields were black and deserted; the farm animals bellowed with cold cramped in a pen, the air smelled of green wood fires.
Although they were covered with good blankets, inside of the carriage it was also cold. Meiko uncovered the first sake bottle of the day, between Kaito's protests, arguing that she needed them to handle the cold.
―Can I surround you with my arm, Mei-chan? ―Kaito said gallantly, as if he wanted to teach Len some gallantry lessons. Meiko answered him with a little punch on the back of his neck and then snuggled on his shoulder, between Kaito's blushes.
―It's okay, but don't end drooling my dress when you fall asleep or your ice cream reserve will disappear in the river―Meiko muttered threateningly.
The twins looked the scene entertained. That ability to move from near-violence to tenderness made everyone laugh and be moved at the same time. Len felt envious of Kaito, for having a woman to love and be reciprocated. He noticed that Rin looked at them with some sadness and Len took her hand, smiling to cheer her up. She composed a weak smile of response and snuggled in Len's chest, closing the eyes. The swaying of the carriage and the rhythmic pumping of her brother's heart made her feel dizzy almost immediately, but she still had many doubts about the latest events, among them one that was worrying her particularly.
―Len, where will we stay when we get to the city? ―Rin mumbled as a slight gust of wind ruffled her.
―We'll see Rin, but don´t worry, we'll be fine when we get there―Len answered kissing her forehead and caressing her hair; behind him were the bags with the opportunity for both have a better life than they had before. Rin nodded languidly and let him continue to caress her hair and back, while she succumbs to the world of dreams, where she didn't have to be afraid of the Duke, because he was safe, away from that castle and in Len's arms.
Len lifted his blue orbs to the old log that, long ago, was allowing to show to the wayfarer the entry to the way of the copse; now a fence surrounded with spikes was flanking the entry with a cartel in big Gothic letters that was saying: No trespassing. He smiled with a strange mixture of sadness and victory; He rested against the back, adjusting himself better so as not to bother Rin and to doze a little as well.
He looked tenderly at the precious load that was resting in his arms, he brushed a strand of hair away from her face and placed his chin on her head and pressed more the embrace in order to force that little head to stick narrower to his chest. Oh, he loved her so much...! Len no longer cared what the Church and their orders said about them, their comment was redundant… Love is definitely a ship without a captain that travels where the wind gives the desire to push. Although Len was dying to grab her by the shoulders and tell her the truth, everything that had happened, everything he had done to free her, and he was consumed by love for her… He knew that is not the time yet: Rin had passed for a gruesome and traumatic experience and he himself had a good squall of sorrows; it was necessary to wait until the wounds of their hearts, still bleeding, to finish healing completely… In addition, he still didn't know if Rin has the same feelings…
But there would be time to know. Now the most important thing for the Wolf of Venomania was sleep.
To be continue...
o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-
Author´s Note:
(1) Mezquine or Meschine. From the French word for "Petty". Petty, poor, weak or miserable: was the general qualifier that was given to the servants.
(2) Black Mass: (Or more known as Black Sabbath) medieval practice where, contrary to the Christian mass, adepts to black magic met to practice spells and make sacrifices to the pagan gods, along with them, the Mother Goddess. Currently these adepts are called "Wiccans". We could say that Len renounced Christianity and converted to Wicca (in its most brutal and ancient version).
(3) Phrase of the movie "Jennifer´s Body".
(4) Edward II of England (King of England and Ireland between July of 1307 and September of 1327) died in 1326 at Berkeley. According to the popular legend (More popularized with the novel saga "The Accursed Kings" by Maurice Druon), Edward died by an ignited poker buried in his anus, symbolizing that his homosexuality (among other things) had ruined the country.
(5) The scarsella (Italian word) it was a kind of linen bag that was suspended from the belt in various and very artistic ways that was widely used during the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries. Finally, it was used to designate a pocket attached to the belt used by peasants and shepherds.