Episode 3: Of Man and Fiend
This Chaper is Rated PG
Authors note: Criticism and advice are always appreciated!
Of Man and Fiend
Sheila stood atop the tower for some time, watching the suns set as she tried to make sense of what was happening to her life.
Only days ago she'd been working as a cook and making barely enough to eat on while sleeping in a flophouse. Yet, here she was being treated like the lady of this castle by its servants and having dinner with Venger of all people!
He'd just saved her life on the stairs.
And the infernal ring was trying to tell her something.
"Kareena," she hissed softly. "You better not have been trying to set me up with your brother!" Then she laughed at the sheer ridiculousness of the thought. As if she could ever find a fiend like him attractive...
...Yet, he had looked pretty good on the balcony earlier, a mutinous part of her mind chimed in.
"Oh shut up!" she growled to herself and turned to leave the tower.
It was fast approaching dinnertime and she still needed to freshen up and change.
Before heading back to her room, she stopped off to see the head housekeeper but was disappointed to discover that she was attending to business somewhere else in the castle.
"Perhaps I can help you, Missus?" another housekeeper asked.
"I am to have dinner with the master," she replied hesitantly. "But due to the suddenness with which I packed, I find that I haven't a gown fine enough for the occasion. I was wondering if perhaps there might be something I could borrow?"
"Oh miss!" the woman laughed. "There are gowns enough for a queen in the armoire of your room! They've been there for as long as I've been here, so have no fear that their owner would mind!"
"Are you certain?" she asked, surprised by the turn of good luck.
"Aye, and it'll be nice to see 'em not go to waste," the woman replied.
With a smile of anticipation, Sheila turned and headed for her room.
An hour later, washed and primped, she looked herself over in the large, ornate floor length mirror that sat in the corner of the room and smiled. She looked like some sort of princess!
Her old, shabby usual clothing had been replaced with a gown of black satin covered in a delicate, shamelessly expensive delicate silver lace. A large silver sash encircled her torso just below her bust line and formed a large bow with trailing ends in the back. The skirt was full and gathered into many pleats in center of the back where the bow sat. It trailed two feet behind her as she walked.
In a trunk within the armoire, she'd found delicate silver shoes to match the dress. As the final touch, she'd put her hair up with several silver hairpins and a dainty silver comb procured from the dresser.
"Wow…." She breathed, knowing that she had never looked this good before in all her life. With a sigh she smoothed down her dress. Perhaps she'd get a reaction out of Mr. Older-than-dirt when he saw her. Now wouldn't that be amusing?
At that moment a voice called to her from outside her door. "May I enter?"
"Come in," she replied, then jumped as Venger's Shadow Demon flew straight through the wood.
"I've been sent to escort you," he said, in his sibilant voice then looked her up and down. "My that is a lovely gown," he said in a strange tone.
"Thank-you," she replied. "You don't think it is too much, do you? All the others were even finer."
"The others?" The demon's eyes narrowed. "May I ask from whence you obtained it?"
"The armoire," she answered, pointing. "The housekeeper said I might make use of them."
The demon nodded. "I see no harm in it. And I believe that you are dressed in a most appropriate manner. If you'll follow me, we should go; it is unwise to keep the master waiting!"
Taking a deep breath to steady her sudden nerves, she opened the door and followed him into the corridor. To her consternation, he led her to the left and eventually stopped at the next doorway on the same side of the corridor. The doorway before them was a large and framed two ornate metal doors with carved dragon handles.
"I'm afraid that you will have to let yourself in," the shadow demon said, laughing at her consternation.
"Shouldn't I knock first?" she asked.
"There is no need: he awaits you on the balcony overlooking the garden."
Swallowing hard, she somehow managed to take hold of a huge handle and push the heavy door open enough to enter. Shadow Demon moved ahead of her, "This way," it said, moving forward into the chamber.
She followed, trying hard not to be caught staring, but she had a hard time not gawking.
Venger's chambers were in fact a suite of rooms that had to run nearly the length of one entire side of the Castle garden. Her own chamber was dwarfed by his. The room she'd entered appeared to be a sitting room, for it was filled with expensive carpets and sitting furniture. A huge fireplace was situated against the wall directly opposite the doorway and framed by two floor to ceiling windows, each actually framed with glass. There were two doorways opening onto the room, one on the right and one on the left. Shadow Demon led her towards the one on the left.
As she entered through the large archway, she realized that she was now in Venger's bedroom and began to blush furiously until she saw the large doors opening up onto the balcony that overlooked the garden. For a moment she had feared that everything was a ruse and that she was about to be turned into the night's entertainment…
She had little time to take in the furnishing in the room, but had the impression that his bed was huge. Carved from what appeared to be black marble, it had four large bedposts, the two on the headboard had ornate carved bronze rings decorating their tops. The room was lit by several wall sconces and there was a large floor to ceiling tapestry hung on one wall next to the bed.
Then she was stepping out onto the balcony behind the shadow demon and trying hard not to gasp aloud.
The balcony was large and lit with a myriad of torches and candles. At its center was a cozy table and two comfortable looking, over-sized chairs. Venger himself lounged in one, leaning back with his wings hanging over the chair back and his legs sprawled out haphazardly before him. Once again the skirt was gone, as was the helmet and she couldn't help but notice that his black clad legs were long, graceful and well sculpted.
There was something painfully attractive about him despite his warped features, she couldn't help but admit to herself a second time that very day.
In his hand he held a large goblet of wine and he gave off the impression that he was quite relaxed.
"Master, I bring the thief," announced Shadow Demon.
Venger turned his head to take her in, gaped in surprise, then bobbled and nearly dropped his wine glass as his wings flared out in his alarm.
She could swear that she'd heard her demon escort snicker.
In an instant Venger was on his feet and had recovered his poise. "Sheila…" He greeted her in his deep baritone. "You look... lovely." He'd actually managed to sound as though he spat out the last word.
Only then did she notice with a small start that he, too, was dressed in black and silver. Not only that, but the silver filigree of his tunic was in the same pattern as the silver lace of her dress. She also noted that his boots were also silver, embellishing the metal plate that protected them.
She shivered suddenly when she realized that he looked very much like a knight.
"How strange," she finally managed to say. "That we would turn out in matching clothes!"
"Yes, strange indeed," he replied, glaring at the shadow demon, who instantly dissipated. Then he pulled out the other chair and indicated it. "Please sit."
He sat when she did, not bothering to push her chair in for her. Then he lifted the wine carafe, filled her glass and handed it to her before topping off his own. Arranging his wings in a comfortable way, he again leaned far back in his seat and took a large gulp of his wine as he looked her over.
Sheila realized that his leg was uncomfortably close to her own and quickly sipped from her own glass as she shifted to the far side of her chair. She nearly groaned with embarrassment when she saw the small smirk that appeared on his face.
"The wine is from the southern vineyards of Marliwood," he said. "Please feel free to enjoy it; I'm not in the habit of molesting my tipsy dinner guests."
Her face flamed even hotter causing him to chuckle; a deep rumble coming from him. "Oh, my pretty little thief; how very entertaining you are!" he said, shifting in his seat and leaning towards her. "Come now; relax and enjoy the night. I chose this location for our meal because I so enjoy the garden. I am please to have discovered that you enjoy it as well."
She sniffed and took a gulp of wine. "Hard to believe that you'd enjoy anything other than destroying both people and places," she replied.
"My master expects results," he shrugged. "Would it surprise you to know that I was once as human as you; that my world was once dominated by the mindless pursuit of happiness and personal fulfillment?"
"Yeah? That must have been a very long time ago when you had a heart," she replied, becoming bolder as the alcohol kicked in.
His expression turned sour. "Heart? Yes I had one once; a useless thing in the end; too easily hurt, too easily destroyed." He finished off his glass and sat back in his chair, a sullen silence befalling him.
The silence lasted for a time, as they both stared out over the garden, which was lit with tike-like torches. Only when Sheila finished off her wine, did he lean forward and refill their glasses, then break the silence.
"I hope that you are hungry and not one of those females who merely nibbles at things. The cook has outdone herself tonight."
"I'm very hungry," she affirmed as a servant arrived and began uncovering the dishes that were set on a side table. She chose and was served a casserole that was along the lines of a potpie back on earth. This one was made with poultry and fresh vegetables and it was delicious! She also helped herself to some freshly baked bread with butter.
To her amazement Venger had a whole roasted game fowl with dressing and she was surprised at how neatly he ate with knife and fork. The wings and legs he lifted with his fingers and neatly and efficiently stripped the flesh off with his sharp teeth. Afterwards he wiped his mouth with his napkin and then placed it on his lap.
Sheila had the absurd thought that she could easily take him out to eat almost anywhere… except for who and what he was. She waiting until he was busy with the last wing and lifted the wine carafe, refilling his glass for him before pouring the last of the wine into her own.
Polishing off her half filled glass and feeling full, relaxed and a bit giddy, she then had the courage to speak up. "May I ask you something?"
He nodded and took a gulp of his wine.
"Why did you take me in; really?"
He put down his glass and actually gave her what seemed to be a toothy, but genuine smile. "I am not entirely certain," he replied.
"How can you, of all people, not be certain?" she teased. "You must have your reasons."
"I did it to honor my sister," he replied. "But I also did it because I felt that your presence here would be... amusing. But I also agreed to this arrangement for reasons I'm not entirely sure of. When you looked me in the eye the day we met on the stairs there was something about you that seemed so familiar to me. It's as though I can almost remember…"
He suddenly stopped speaking as though he'd said too much. Leaning towards her, he took her chin in his fingers, turning her face more to the light so he could look her over. "Perhaps you are really here because I wish to discover what it is about you that draws me," he breathed, his voice rumbling softly. "Or perhaps I ultimately brought you here because I was bored and thought you might prove to be worthwhile company for a time. "
With a sigh he released her and flopped back into his chair, then picked up his goblet once more.
Sheila actually found that she'd been holding her breath and now she released it in a shuddering sigh. The wine had left her relaxed, but his touch had suddenly made her want more. In addition, during their contact, the ring on her finger had pulsed as though alive and she could still feel that it was unnaturally warm.
It was the first time she could ever recall Venger giving what seemed to be an honest and direct answer to a question. Here, with the cool evening breeze and the scent of the candles mixed with those of blooming flowers; with good food, too much wine and him exuding a seductive and dangerous masculinity...
She had to be out of her mind! It had to be the wine! She couldn't possibly suddenly be this attracted to this... creature! He was evil, wasn't he?
Of course he was, she assured herself; he'd killed thousands of good people over the course of centuries. She had to remember that!
A spell; this had to be the result of one, she thought. But why then does your ring command your attention, she wondered.
Just then Venger spoke, making her start in a guilty fashion over her own musings.
"So then, I believe it is my turn to ask a question."
She nodded her agreement.
"My sister told me that after you parted ways with the old man, you fell on very hard times. Tell me something of how you've lived since I last saw you."
"We, I and my companions that is, eventually grew tired of having a carrot continuously dangled in front of us," she said as she remembered what, in retrospect, seemed to have been happier times. "Children or not, we soon realized that we were being used and knowing that those Dungeon Master had impressed into service before us had died doing exactly what we were doing decided our course of action."
Venger snorted. "That one presents himself as the ultimate force for good in the Realm, but his manipulations prove him to be far from the benign benefactor most believe him to be.
She nodded. "Yes. After Presto lost his leg in the last ill-advised mission we were sent on and very nearly his life as well, we'd had enough. Of course, when we told him we were through, Dungeon Master took all our weapons and promised us that we would never again see our homes until we relented."
"And the one known as Presto; was he the magician?"
She nodded, but was astonished by Venger's reaction; he laughed!
"There is real magic in that one while he resides here in the Realm," he said. Taking away his hat would merely slow his development, but given time, if he studied, then he will have become a true magician... or even a eventually a wizard. Then again, you know this already if your group remained together for a time," he added.
"Really?" she asked in amazement.
"So then; you did not continue to travel as a group," he observed, then added, "Yes; really."
She looked into her empty wine glass and he picked up on the hint, speaking a word of power. A fresh carafe appeared in his hand and he refilled their glasses.
Only after sipping hers did Sheila continue her tale, "We traveled together for a few weeks, but then, tired, destitute and hungry, our tempers got the best of us and we split up. Presto went off with Eric and Diana, while Hank traveled with me, my brother Bobby and the unicorn, Uni."
"In time we settled into a town in the west, where Bobby did menial chores wherever he could, Hank took up hunting and I cleaned and cooked as a servant in a large, wealthy household. Somehow we only just managed to scrape together enough money to eat and keep a roof over us."
Venger frowned. "That would be the old man's doing; a spell that accomplishes the reverse of prosperity. When you make some extra money an unexpected expense or hardship will always arise to use it up."
"Well a big hardship really did eventually arise,"she said, then blushed furiously as she realized she'd made a double entendre.
"And what was that?" he prompted, appearing to take great delight in her embarrassment.
"Hank and I... we eventually, uh... hooked up," she mumbled.
"Hooked up?" He appeared puzzled.
"We um... eventually became lovers," she clarified.
He stared at her and his expression changed, though she couldn't quite read it. His eyes glinted dangerously, as they narrowed and his mouth formed a thin line. "Was the big hardship you speak of a child?" he finally asked.
"There was a pregnancy, but there was no child in the end," she managed to whisper.
His expression changed. "A miscarriage?"
"No. She died only moments before she was born." Her voice broke and she could not go on, but looked down at her knees as tears fell on her gown. After a moment she was startled by a warm hand on her shoulder and turned to find that it was actually Venger's wing, which he had extended behind her. Looking at it she could see that the wicked looking hook at the crook of his wing was actually a very normal looking thumb, but with a long, talon-like claw rather than a nail.
She looked at him and saw that his expression had softened somewhat. He offered no condolence, no words of encouragement, but rather, simply waited her out.
Letting out a long, shuddering breath, she continued, "I was sixteen years old, the baby was late and inverted. Her head could not pass through my pelvis and after almost two days of labor I was close to dying. Hank managed to fetch a healer in time, paying him every last bit of our money, but by the time he managed to dislodge her she'd died."
"Continue," Venger encouraged when she fell silent.
"I actually passed out from loss of blood soon after." Sheila started to shake with emotion. "I thought I was dying; I prayed for it... but I did eventually awaken, confused and extremely depressed, to find that I'd lost several days. To my regret the healer had pulled me through and also repaired the damage that had been done."
"To make matters worse, Hank started acting strangely. He was as devastated as I, of course, but something was dreadfully wrong and I only discovered its cause many weeks later."
She stopped and as she sipped more wine and noticed that Venger was frowning. "What is it?" she asked.
"What was the name of this healer?"
"I don't remember. It was something along the lines of Fartook or Farook..."
Venger withdrew his wing and came to his feet so suddenly that she jumped. To her surprise he strode to the balcony railing and leaned on it with his back to her as he asked, "Did he tell the gullible Ranger that if you had any further children that you would die?"
She blinked in shock and found herself suddenly mute.
He turned to look at her then. "I see that he did! And your foolish, noble lover did the proper thing and left you rather than risk the consequences of touching you again."
"How could you know this?" she asked. "How?!"
He returned to the table and sighed as he looked down at her. "This healer you speak of has done this before, with one who crossed him and whom he wished to provoke into returning to him." He took his seat, finished his glass of wine and turned to face her directly. "That victim was my sister. Kareena's husband left her as well and died not long after. She never loved again, but instead took up pestering me."
"My God..." Sheila felt the blood draining from her face as the full implication sank in and she felt a wild and dangerous emotion rising up within her.
"Yes, Sheila; the healer was Dungeon Master and although I've no doubt that he saved your life at the cost of your child's, what he told the Ranger was not the entire truth, but merely designed to separate you."
"No! No!" She was on her feet, but lightening quick, he snagged her arm, preventing her from running. "Let me go!" She sobbed, struggling to free herself.
"Sit down!" he thundered.
In a panic, drunk and devastated a second time by this tragedy in her life, she fought even harder against him. Dimly, she was aware of him coming to his feet, wrapping her own arms about her and pulling her backwards up against him. Tangled in her own limbs, she could barely struggle and quickly running out of energy, she eventually slumped and began crying loudly.
Venger supported her weight, then released her arms, turned her to face him and wrapped his wings about her, preventing her from escaping, even if she thought to try.
She automatically wrapped her arms about him and sobbed into his tunic as he placed his hands on her shoulders and waited.
When her sobbing had abated somewhat, he spoke, "You cannot undo the damage that was done that day. What would you do; track down the Ranger? To what purpose? He has moved on with his life and may already be bound to another! Take heart in the fact that you are free to love, that you will not die in childbirth; the chances of a second child being both overdue and face up are very small. Even then, any true mage could save you."
"How could Dungeon Master do that to me?" she cried. "How could he?"
He remained silent and still until she'd cried herself out, then he withdrew his wings and held her away from him. "We've had too much to drink. It would be best that we bid each other good night."
"I'm sorry that I ruined the evening," she said in a small voice.
"You did nothing of the sort and I look forward to hearing the rest of your tale when next we dine together," he replied. "I'll have you escorted back to your room."
"No thank-you," she said quickly. "I can see myself out."
He frowned slightly. "Then will you allow me to escort you? I do not wish to risk having you running into any of the orc guards in your present... condition."
"Oh; do I need to fear them while I am a guest here?"
He snorted. "Not usually, however they are quick to take advantage if... circumstances are in their favor. Come along, I will at least watch you from the corridor outside my door as you let yourself into your chamber."
Moments later she was entering her room under his watchful gaze.
Somehow she managed to get the gown off without damaging it as she wearily reviewed the evening's events in her head.
She'd drunk too much and made a fool of herself, not to mention how much she'd told him about her personal issues. The strange thing was that he'd seemed angry about the way she'd been treated; she wouldn't have thought that he, of all people, would care. And he'd comforted her. How was it that Venger could be capable of such a thing, much less wish to do so?
Confused and more than a little ill, she made a trip to the toilet and then finally crawled into bed. Further thought on the evening would have to wait until tomorrow.
She slept fitfully, her dreams disturbed by nightmares of betrayal, but sometime just before dawn she dreamed of warm wings and a voice hushing her and entreating her to sleep, which she did immediately and very well thereafter.
From the adjourning door hidden beneath tapestries in their connected bedrooms, Venger had heard her moaning and crying out in her sleep. He had the power, through his Nightmare to destroy people through their dreams, but this time he did the unthinkable and channeled the demon horse's abilities towards soothing a troubled sleeper.
The effort cost him much, as did any magical act on his part that did not work directly towards his master's purpose.
Yet, only when he heard her sigh and felt her return to a restful slumber, did he break contact with the Nightmare and stumble to his own bed. Normally he would not have slept that night, but too much wine and the drain of this last kindness on his part conspired against him.
The last thing he thought of before sleeping were tearful, pale blue eyes. That was when he realized that he was very much in danger.
Next time: Natharious