This is an expanson of a short story I posted awhile ago. Comments and critiques are welcomed. Thanks in advance.
---
Sunlight streamed through the open shutters over Thadius’s face as he lay on the bed. He grunted and threw an arm over his eyes before turning towards the wall. A delicate finger caressed his ear as a soft voice whispered into it, “Thadius, it’s time to get up dear.”
“Bah. They can’t begrudge me a few more minutes sleep, Lorit.”
“Thadius, you need to get up now, dear. You know how the Legion is. If you’re late again…”
Thadius sighed and rolled over to face her. He opened his eyes and smiled as he looked into her brown eyes. He brushed a finger over darkened skin and through her short red hair. “I know, Lorit, I know. It’s just that-“
Lorit silenced him with a finger on his lips. “Shh. Enough of that, Thadius. It’s time for you to get dressed.”
“Yes dear.”
Groaning, he rose from the bed and slowly changed into his uniform. Lorit rose from the bed, her lithe body glowing in the sunlight as she helped buckle him into his cuirass. He turned around and embraced her, tracing a finger down her bare spine. “How did I get so lucky as to find you, Lorit?”
Lorit smiled at him and tousled his short brown hair. “Because you’re so good to me, Thadius. But if you don’t leave soon, that may change.” She poked his chest playfully before bringing his head down for a kiss. He smiled as he kissed her before reluctantly releasing her and strapping on his broadsword. He strapped his shield to his left arm and donned his helmet before opening the door and stepping outside. Lorit donned a robe and stood in the doorway watching him leave until he turned a corner. She closed the door and leaned against it for a few moments before closing the shutters, plunging the house into darkness. She lit a candle and carried it to the bed. She stepped out of her robe and lay on the bed, waiting. After what seemed like hours, she heard the door open and close softly. A figure stood by the bed, seemingly untouched by the light. A cold voice filled the room. “It is almost time, Lorit. Are you ready?”
Her breath caught as she answered, “Yes, yes I am, Reden. How much longer?”
The figure smiled as pale fingers snuffed out the light of the candle. Lorit tensed briefly as she felt the figure climb into bed, but relaxed as heat flooded through her.
Full Version: The fall of Lorit
Yup, this is a good prelude to what came after, I particularly like the juxtoposition of the warm atmosphere at the begining with what comes after.
Thanks, Olen. I wanted to explain how she came to be that way. 
A small continuation of chapter one :
After what seemed to short of a time, Lorit felt the bed move as Reden withdrew. She grasped a thin arm and looked pleadingly at him. “Must you leave, Reden? Take me with you, please…”
Reden smiled sadly and gently removed her fingers. He stroked her cheek with the tip of a fingernail. “No, my dear, you are not ready yet. You are not strong enough. Soon, my dear, soon. For now, you must be a loving wife so your…husband does not suspect anything.” He placed a hand on her chest briefly before turning and donning his robe. He walked to the door and placed a hand on the handle before speaking, “I have preparations to make, Lorit, for your final transformation. I will not return for some days.” He turned to her, his eyes glittering in the near darkness. “Soon, my dear, you shall become all that you wish. You shall be by my side as my queen. Until then, take heart knowing that I will always be watching over you.” He smiled slyly before opening the door and disappearing into the city.
Lorit lay on her side with her head on her elbow as she stared at the door for a few moments before lying on her back, shivering despite the heat. She touched the place Reden’s hand had touched, waiting for the heat to return to her body. She sighed as feeling came back to her limbs and she slowly got up and poured a bath. She soaked until she felt the last visages of Reden wash away. She slowly dried herself off and donned a simple robe before looking around the small house. She sighed as she stared to make the bed, Thadius must not know what happened here…
After what seemed to short of a time, Lorit felt the bed move as Reden withdrew. She grasped a thin arm and looked pleadingly at him. “Must you leave, Reden? Take me with you, please…”
Reden smiled sadly and gently removed her fingers. He stroked her cheek with the tip of a fingernail. “No, my dear, you are not ready yet. You are not strong enough. Soon, my dear, soon. For now, you must be a loving wife so your…husband does not suspect anything.” He placed a hand on her chest briefly before turning and donning his robe. He walked to the door and placed a hand on the handle before speaking, “I have preparations to make, Lorit, for your final transformation. I will not return for some days.” He turned to her, his eyes glittering in the near darkness. “Soon, my dear, you shall become all that you wish. You shall be by my side as my queen. Until then, take heart knowing that I will always be watching over you.” He smiled slyly before opening the door and disappearing into the city.
Lorit lay on her side with her head on her elbow as she stared at the door for a few moments before lying on her back, shivering despite the heat. She touched the place Reden’s hand had touched, waiting for the heat to return to her body. She sighed as feeling came back to her limbs and she slowly got up and poured a bath. She soaked until she felt the last visages of Reden wash away. She slowly dried herself off and donned a simple robe before looking around the small house. She sighed as she stared to make the bed, Thadius must not know what happened here…
Thadius walked quickly through the crowded streets, oblivious to those around him. The crowd instinctively parted as he passed, his mind focused on the Imperial fort. As he reached his destination, he slowed and looked at the sun. He knew he was cutting it close, but rank had its privileges. He stopped at the door and took a deep breath before opening it and stepping into the dim foyer. As he closed the door, a deep voice called out, “You’re late.”
Thadius’s knuckles turned white on the door handle as he stood in silence before relaxing his grip. He turned to the large man sitting behind a desk littered with paper and a stack of books on one end. “I’m right on time, Byron.”
Byron looked up at him from the ledger he was writing in and set down the quill pen. Crossing his arms, he leaned back the chair creaking with the effort. “Is that so, Thadius? By my reckoning, you’re late.”
“The sun hasn’t risen more than a fraction in the sky.”
“General Dagon is already here. You should have known that. Oh right, you were too busy with that…Dark Elf of yours.”
Thadius’s hands clenched into fists though he tried to keep his face passive. He walked over to the desk and leaned over it, pointing at Byron threateningly. “Don’t you dare speak about her in that manner, Byron!” Deep brown eyes studied Thadius passively as Byron uncrossed his arms and stood. “I’ll speak about her however I want to, Thadius. She is nothing more than a harlot and has no place here.”
Thadius’s fists rose menacingly. “How dare you! You take that back or I’ll-”
“You’ll what? Do you want to spend some time in the brig? If so, take that punch. I can’t wait to see what you have, boy.”
Thadius trembled with repressed rage and started to raise a fist. As he raised it to his shoulder, he stopped as another voice called out, “Enough.”
Thadius and Byron turned to the sound of steel boots echoing against the stone floor. A medium sized man with dark hair strode towards them, his brow furrowed. He stopped as he reached the table and stared at both men in turn. Thadius quickly released his fist and snapped off a salute. “General Dagon.” Byron stole a glance at Thadius before saluting as well.
Dagon returned their salutes and stared at the men in silence for a few moments. “At ease, now. I won’t have my two best officers attacking each other. Is that understood?” Without giving them a chance to respond, he continued, “The next time I see something like this, you both are going to the brig. Byron, Thadius’s choice of mates is none of your concern. Thadius, your first responsibility is to the Legion, not your mate. If you’re late again, I’ll dock your pay. Now, if you two children are done with your fighting, I have a task for you. There have been reports of people going missing without a trace and I want you two to find out what has been happening to them.”
Thadius grimaced before asking, “Why us, sir?”
“Because you two are my best investigators and one man alone would not be able to solve the disappearances. Besides, I do not have the man power to field a full investigative unit. Not that I will need one with the two of you on the case, am I correct?”
“Yes, sir. You can count on us, sir.”
“Good. That’s what I wanted to hear. I suggest you begin immediately. That is all.” He returned their salutes and spun on his heels. His boots echoed through the room as he marched back to his office.
Thadius turned to Byron with disgust. “So how is it going to be, Byron? Are we going to work together or are you going to constantly snipe at Lorit?”
Byron shrugged. “Most likely both, Thadius.”
“The war is over, Byron; your people didn’t conquer hers.”
“The war is over when I say it is over, Thadius. Now come, I’ve had enough talk about that har…woman of yours.”
“Careful, Byron. Where should we start?”
Thadius’s knuckles turned white on the door handle as he stood in silence before relaxing his grip. He turned to the large man sitting behind a desk littered with paper and a stack of books on one end. “I’m right on time, Byron.”
Byron looked up at him from the ledger he was writing in and set down the quill pen. Crossing his arms, he leaned back the chair creaking with the effort. “Is that so, Thadius? By my reckoning, you’re late.”
“The sun hasn’t risen more than a fraction in the sky.”
“General Dagon is already here. You should have known that. Oh right, you were too busy with that…Dark Elf of yours.”
Thadius’s hands clenched into fists though he tried to keep his face passive. He walked over to the desk and leaned over it, pointing at Byron threateningly. “Don’t you dare speak about her in that manner, Byron!” Deep brown eyes studied Thadius passively as Byron uncrossed his arms and stood. “I’ll speak about her however I want to, Thadius. She is nothing more than a harlot and has no place here.”
Thadius’s fists rose menacingly. “How dare you! You take that back or I’ll-”
“You’ll what? Do you want to spend some time in the brig? If so, take that punch. I can’t wait to see what you have, boy.”
Thadius trembled with repressed rage and started to raise a fist. As he raised it to his shoulder, he stopped as another voice called out, “Enough.”
Thadius and Byron turned to the sound of steel boots echoing against the stone floor. A medium sized man with dark hair strode towards them, his brow furrowed. He stopped as he reached the table and stared at both men in turn. Thadius quickly released his fist and snapped off a salute. “General Dagon.” Byron stole a glance at Thadius before saluting as well.
Dagon returned their salutes and stared at the men in silence for a few moments. “At ease, now. I won’t have my two best officers attacking each other. Is that understood?” Without giving them a chance to respond, he continued, “The next time I see something like this, you both are going to the brig. Byron, Thadius’s choice of mates is none of your concern. Thadius, your first responsibility is to the Legion, not your mate. If you’re late again, I’ll dock your pay. Now, if you two children are done with your fighting, I have a task for you. There have been reports of people going missing without a trace and I want you two to find out what has been happening to them.”
Thadius grimaced before asking, “Why us, sir?”
“Because you two are my best investigators and one man alone would not be able to solve the disappearances. Besides, I do not have the man power to field a full investigative unit. Not that I will need one with the two of you on the case, am I correct?”
“Yes, sir. You can count on us, sir.”
“Good. That’s what I wanted to hear. I suggest you begin immediately. That is all.” He returned their salutes and spun on his heels. His boots echoed through the room as he marched back to his office.
Thadius turned to Byron with disgust. “So how is it going to be, Byron? Are we going to work together or are you going to constantly snipe at Lorit?”
Byron shrugged. “Most likely both, Thadius.”
“The war is over, Byron; your people didn’t conquer hers.”
“The war is over when I say it is over, Thadius. Now come, I’ve had enough talk about that har…woman of yours.”
“Careful, Byron. Where should we start?”
Byron stared at him in silence. “Well, I think we should start with the last victim. That is, unless you have a better idea.”
Thadius glared but didn’t respond. Instead, he started to the door. Byron snorted and eased his bulk out of the chair before rifling through the papers on his desk. He pulled a sheet out and followed Thadius out the door. He read as the two exited the fort and walked into the city. “The last victim was the Warlan family, Jims and Lariah. Their grandson, Warrick, disappeared one night.”
“Jims Warlan?”
“What, are you deaf? Yes, Jims Warlan. Why?”
Thadius stopped and looked at Byron. “Don’t tell me you don’t remember Jims Warlan, Byron. He was next in line for General before General Dagon was promoted.”
Byron spit before replying, “Yeah, and if you’ll remember right, he left the Legion before that happened. Or did you forget what his daughter did?”
Thadius shrugged. “That’s ancient history. Everybody can make a mistake. Besides, she left shortly after.”
“Not everybody haves a dalliance with another while married, Thadius. You know the rules – she’s lucky she wasn’t court marshaled.”
“She did leave the Leg-“
Byron cut him off, “Only because of her father’s influence. If it weren’t for him…”
Thadius sighed, “Enough, Byron. We’re here to find a missing boy, not to reopen old wounds.”
“Maybe not, Thadius, but Charon was a good man. What that harlot did to him was unforgivable.”
Thadius turned away and started down the street without replying. Byron glared at his back before following, mumbling under his breath. The two walked through the streets in stony silence until they came to a modest dwelling. Thadius placed a hand on Byron’s shoulder to stop him as he started to knock on the door. “Allow me. We’re here to get information, not pass judgment.” Byron shrugged and indicated he should proceed. Thadius shot him a look before knocking on the door. The door opened to reveal an older woman with dark skin, hair and eyes. “Yes?” a deep voiced asked as the woman looked the two over. “May I help you, officers?”
“Mrs. Warlan?”
“I am she. What do you want?”
“I’m Captain Thadius and this is Captain Byron. May we come in? We want to talk about Warrick’s disappearance.”
A hand gripped the side of the door tightly as Lariah glared at them. “We’ve already talked to your superiors, Captain Thadius, and we have nothing else to say to you.”
“Mrs. Warlan, please-“ Thadius’s words were cut off by the door as it slammed shut. Byron snorted and started to walk away. “Figures. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. No wonder their daughter turned out the way she did.”
Thadius glared at his back before starting follow. As he took a few steps, the door opened again and a voice called to him. “Officers, I will talk to you.” They turned to the voice, an older man with dark hair streaked with grey. He looked at them stoically as they came to him and stepped aside as they entered. He gestured for them to sit and poured himself a drink, not offering either the same. He sat with a sigh and addressed Thadius, pointedly ignoring Byron. “My wife tells me that you’re here about Warrick and what happened to him. As she has already told you, we don’t know.” He paused and glanced at Byron before continuing, “His father wanted nothing to do with him and left my daughter to raise him on her own.”
Byron leaned back and grunted. “Charon was a good man, Jims, he would have been there for his son if he was allowed to.”
Jims stared at Byron before replying, “You think you knew him, Byron, but you didn’t. He wasn’t the noble man you think he was.”
“Enough,” Thadius shouted. “This is getting us nowhere. Colonel Warlan, I apologize for Captain Byron’s behavior. Can we talk about your grandson instead?”
Jims shrugged and wrapped his hands around his cup, taking a deep drink before continuing. “It happened a few days ago. My daughter is in the Valmir province doing research and asked us to look after Warrick. We readily agreed and wished her luck. The night he disappeared, my wife had put him to bed in Jasmine’s old room and we settled in for the night. Late that night, my wife woke with a chill – she felt as if there was a presence in the house. I rose to search the house and was tending to the fire when I heard her screaming. I rushed to the bedroom to find her frantically searching. I asked her what was wrong and she said that Warrick was missing. The two of us searched everywhere: underneath the bed, in the closet, behind the baskets but we could not find him. I went outside searching for him and even asked a few of the neighbors to help. No matter how hard we looked, we never found a trace. It’s as if he just vanished.” Jims paused and took another deep gulp before refilling his cup. He sat back down and gave Byron a level look. “Does that satisfy you, officers? Or would you like to know what we had for dinner that night?”
Thadius hurriedly spoke, “That’s not necessary, Colonel Warlan. Colonel, did you or your neighbors see anybody suspicious that night? Any strangers?”
Jims shook his head sadly. “No, and I asked everybody that same question. We didn’t see anybody or anything. Nor did we hear anything. It was as if he was never there. Now, if we’re done here, officers, I must get back to my wife.”
Thadius nodded before standing. “Thank you, Colonel, for your cooperation. We’re sorry for disturbing you and we grieve for your loss.” Byron stood with a grunt and walked to the door without a word.
“May the Goddess be with you, Officers. Please find out what happened to my grandson.”
Thadius nodded. “We’ll try sir. And may she be with you as well. Good day.”
Jims stood by the door and watched as the two exited. He closed the door on their backs and leaned his head against it. Lariah came behind him and leaned her head on his back, wrapping her arms tight around him. Jims turned to her and held her wordlessly as tears fell from his eyes.
Thadius and Byron walked in stony silence before Thadius grabbed his arm and halted him. “What is wrong with you, Byron? That man just lost his grandson, yet you’re still blaming him for something his daughter did!”
“You wouldn’t understand, boy. I don’t care what he says, Charon was a good man and what that daughter of his did is inexcusable.”
“Fine! Whatever! Can we continue the investigation now?”
Byron just shrugged his shoulders and walked off. Thadius glared at his back as he followed.
Thadius glared but didn’t respond. Instead, he started to the door. Byron snorted and eased his bulk out of the chair before rifling through the papers on his desk. He pulled a sheet out and followed Thadius out the door. He read as the two exited the fort and walked into the city. “The last victim was the Warlan family, Jims and Lariah. Their grandson, Warrick, disappeared one night.”
“Jims Warlan?”
“What, are you deaf? Yes, Jims Warlan. Why?”
Thadius stopped and looked at Byron. “Don’t tell me you don’t remember Jims Warlan, Byron. He was next in line for General before General Dagon was promoted.”
Byron spit before replying, “Yeah, and if you’ll remember right, he left the Legion before that happened. Or did you forget what his daughter did?”
Thadius shrugged. “That’s ancient history. Everybody can make a mistake. Besides, she left shortly after.”
“Not everybody haves a dalliance with another while married, Thadius. You know the rules – she’s lucky she wasn’t court marshaled.”
“She did leave the Leg-“
Byron cut him off, “Only because of her father’s influence. If it weren’t for him…”
Thadius sighed, “Enough, Byron. We’re here to find a missing boy, not to reopen old wounds.”
“Maybe not, Thadius, but Charon was a good man. What that harlot did to him was unforgivable.”
Thadius turned away and started down the street without replying. Byron glared at his back before following, mumbling under his breath. The two walked through the streets in stony silence until they came to a modest dwelling. Thadius placed a hand on Byron’s shoulder to stop him as he started to knock on the door. “Allow me. We’re here to get information, not pass judgment.” Byron shrugged and indicated he should proceed. Thadius shot him a look before knocking on the door. The door opened to reveal an older woman with dark skin, hair and eyes. “Yes?” a deep voiced asked as the woman looked the two over. “May I help you, officers?”
“Mrs. Warlan?”
“I am she. What do you want?”
“I’m Captain Thadius and this is Captain Byron. May we come in? We want to talk about Warrick’s disappearance.”
A hand gripped the side of the door tightly as Lariah glared at them. “We’ve already talked to your superiors, Captain Thadius, and we have nothing else to say to you.”
“Mrs. Warlan, please-“ Thadius’s words were cut off by the door as it slammed shut. Byron snorted and started to walk away. “Figures. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. No wonder their daughter turned out the way she did.”
Thadius glared at his back before starting follow. As he took a few steps, the door opened again and a voice called to him. “Officers, I will talk to you.” They turned to the voice, an older man with dark hair streaked with grey. He looked at them stoically as they came to him and stepped aside as they entered. He gestured for them to sit and poured himself a drink, not offering either the same. He sat with a sigh and addressed Thadius, pointedly ignoring Byron. “My wife tells me that you’re here about Warrick and what happened to him. As she has already told you, we don’t know.” He paused and glanced at Byron before continuing, “His father wanted nothing to do with him and left my daughter to raise him on her own.”
Byron leaned back and grunted. “Charon was a good man, Jims, he would have been there for his son if he was allowed to.”
Jims stared at Byron before replying, “You think you knew him, Byron, but you didn’t. He wasn’t the noble man you think he was.”
“Enough,” Thadius shouted. “This is getting us nowhere. Colonel Warlan, I apologize for Captain Byron’s behavior. Can we talk about your grandson instead?”
Jims shrugged and wrapped his hands around his cup, taking a deep drink before continuing. “It happened a few days ago. My daughter is in the Valmir province doing research and asked us to look after Warrick. We readily agreed and wished her luck. The night he disappeared, my wife had put him to bed in Jasmine’s old room and we settled in for the night. Late that night, my wife woke with a chill – she felt as if there was a presence in the house. I rose to search the house and was tending to the fire when I heard her screaming. I rushed to the bedroom to find her frantically searching. I asked her what was wrong and she said that Warrick was missing. The two of us searched everywhere: underneath the bed, in the closet, behind the baskets but we could not find him. I went outside searching for him and even asked a few of the neighbors to help. No matter how hard we looked, we never found a trace. It’s as if he just vanished.” Jims paused and took another deep gulp before refilling his cup. He sat back down and gave Byron a level look. “Does that satisfy you, officers? Or would you like to know what we had for dinner that night?”
Thadius hurriedly spoke, “That’s not necessary, Colonel Warlan. Colonel, did you or your neighbors see anybody suspicious that night? Any strangers?”
Jims shook his head sadly. “No, and I asked everybody that same question. We didn’t see anybody or anything. Nor did we hear anything. It was as if he was never there. Now, if we’re done here, officers, I must get back to my wife.”
Thadius nodded before standing. “Thank you, Colonel, for your cooperation. We’re sorry for disturbing you and we grieve for your loss.” Byron stood with a grunt and walked to the door without a word.
“May the Goddess be with you, Officers. Please find out what happened to my grandson.”
Thadius nodded. “We’ll try sir. And may she be with you as well. Good day.”
Jims stood by the door and watched as the two exited. He closed the door on their backs and leaned his head against it. Lariah came behind him and leaned her head on his back, wrapping her arms tight around him. Jims turned to her and held her wordlessly as tears fell from his eyes.
Thadius and Byron walked in stony silence before Thadius grabbed his arm and halted him. “What is wrong with you, Byron? That man just lost his grandson, yet you’re still blaming him for something his daughter did!”
“You wouldn’t understand, boy. I don’t care what he says, Charon was a good man and what that daughter of his did is inexcusable.”
“Fine! Whatever! Can we continue the investigation now?”
Byron just shrugged his shoulders and walked off. Thadius glared at his back as he followed.
That last part was a real set up. It drew me in and had me interested - I think a large part of it is the conflict which drove it and the much slicker style. You showed the reader much moe than told them which makes it far more compelling.
Also the prose was far smoother, the occasional bit still grates a little but on the whole it was good.
My advice now would be to keep at it and perhaps consider going even more to showing rather than telling.
Good stuff.
Also the prose was far smoother, the occasional bit still grates a little but on the whole it was good.
My advice now would be to keep at it and perhaps consider going even more to showing rather than telling.
Good stuff.
Thanks, Olen. I know I'll need to go over this again if I decide to see about getting it published, but I'm content to just write for now. I'll keep what you said in mind, though.
I'll keep what you said in mind, though.
A cloaked figure staggered through the woods outside of the city, a horribly burned hand holding the hood low over its head. It stumbled from tree to tree, trying to avoid the pools of light that filtered through the branches. The figure cried out in pain as an errant shaft of light fell onto the exposed hand and burned away skin, exposing flesh and bone. Smoke rose from the wound before the figure fled away from the light, its crashing footsteps echoing in the silence of the forest.
It traveled for what seemed like hours before it finally came to a tomb overgrown with vegetation. Elaborate carvings surrounded a stone door, covered in ivy. The figure pushed aside the vines and traced the intricate patterns on the door while speaking ancient words of power. It stepped back as the door swung slowly open and entered the tomb with a sigh as the heavy door closed shut behind it. The figure paused in the torch lit hallway and removed its hood. It leaned against a wall, its head resting on its arm.
A coy voice broke the figure out of its resting, “You play a dangerous game, Reden. Why do you torture yourself so?”
Reden stiffened slightly as the words were followed by the scent of rose petals and an underlying tint of corruption. He raised his head slowly and lowered his arm before turning to the voice with a smile that did not reach his eyes. “I only do what I must, Dilia, as do we all.”
Dilia smirked as she glided towards Reden, her hips swinging slightly to the sides, her porcelain skin glowing in the torchlight shinning through the black fabric of her dress and revealing the lithe form underneath.. She stared at him through grey eyes set in a face with high cheekbones over full lips and a narrow jaw. She flipped an errant strand of raven hair over a bare shoulder and stopped in front of him, a hand on her hip. Reden’s eyes traveled the length of her form before returning to her eyes. Dilia smiled sardonically at Reden as he gazed at her body. “That we must, Reden, but you have been more than you must, much more. Haven’t you?”
.Reden stared at her. “What do you want from me, Dilia? I do everything you ask. I steal kids from their parents and bring them back here without complaint just so your ‘uncle’ can have his servants. I say nothing about the rituals you perform or the tasks you command. I also gave up my life willing to become,“ he waved a hand in front of his body,” this.”
Dilia smiled sly and traced the outline of his chin with a delicate finger before moving it slowly down his neck and over his chest. She breathed deeply, her breasts swelling against the sheer fabric of her gown. “Yes, Reden, you have never complained. And have you not been rewarded? When I chose you, I told you of the tasks you would have to perform, but I also told of the rewards if you did. Or have you forgotten them so easily?”
Reden caught her hand and lifted it to his mouth, kissing the fingers gently before holding it to his chest. “No, mistress, I have not forgotten. Please forgive me for any slight I may have caused.”
Dilia cocked her head to the side, lips slightly parted as she freed her hand and cupped his chin. “All is forgiven, Reden. Now go and fetch the child, my uncle is ready for him.”
Reden grasped her hand and kissed the fingers again before bowing. “Yes, mistress.” He spun on his heels and disappeared down a hallway.
Dilia watched him leave, a dark expression clouding her face, until he turned a corner. She turned and went the opposite way, entering a dark room lit only by the pale blue glow of a portal against the wall. She closed the door behind her and latched it before kneeling before the portal. Her hands moved in intricate patterns as she softly spoke words in an ancient tongue. The soft glow of the portal intensified and she had to close her eyes against the brilliance. As it settled, she opened her eyes and stared at the image before her. Cold, black eyes stared at her, thin lips pressed together in a pensive stance. Dilia stared at the man a few moments, the thick, raven hair slicked back from a widow’s peak, the sharp cheekbones, and the narrow chin. She bowed her head, waiting for the other to respond. The man looked at the top of her head for long moments before speaking, “Well?” Dilia raised her head and smoothed her face. “Everything is going according to your plan, father. Soon we will have the portal opened.”
The figure stared back impassively. “Very good. And Glaxin?”
“Reden is preparing the latest child, father.”
“Serve me well, daughter, and you shall have your reward.”
“Thank you, father. And Reden?”
“He is your pet, daughter. After I am free, I will have no further use for him.”
Dilia smiled. “I understand and obey, father.” She shivered as the image slowly faded and the portal once again grew dim. She rose on stiff legs and quietly unlocked the door, closing and locking it behind her. She stood in front of the door for a few minutes before smoothing her face and going in search of Reden, a wicked smile on her face.
It traveled for what seemed like hours before it finally came to a tomb overgrown with vegetation. Elaborate carvings surrounded a stone door, covered in ivy. The figure pushed aside the vines and traced the intricate patterns on the door while speaking ancient words of power. It stepped back as the door swung slowly open and entered the tomb with a sigh as the heavy door closed shut behind it. The figure paused in the torch lit hallway and removed its hood. It leaned against a wall, its head resting on its arm.
A coy voice broke the figure out of its resting, “You play a dangerous game, Reden. Why do you torture yourself so?”
Reden stiffened slightly as the words were followed by the scent of rose petals and an underlying tint of corruption. He raised his head slowly and lowered his arm before turning to the voice with a smile that did not reach his eyes. “I only do what I must, Dilia, as do we all.”
Dilia smirked as she glided towards Reden, her hips swinging slightly to the sides, her porcelain skin glowing in the torchlight shinning through the black fabric of her dress and revealing the lithe form underneath.. She stared at him through grey eyes set in a face with high cheekbones over full lips and a narrow jaw. She flipped an errant strand of raven hair over a bare shoulder and stopped in front of him, a hand on her hip. Reden’s eyes traveled the length of her form before returning to her eyes. Dilia smiled sardonically at Reden as he gazed at her body. “That we must, Reden, but you have been more than you must, much more. Haven’t you?”
.Reden stared at her. “What do you want from me, Dilia? I do everything you ask. I steal kids from their parents and bring them back here without complaint just so your ‘uncle’ can have his servants. I say nothing about the rituals you perform or the tasks you command. I also gave up my life willing to become,“ he waved a hand in front of his body,” this.”
Dilia smiled sly and traced the outline of his chin with a delicate finger before moving it slowly down his neck and over his chest. She breathed deeply, her breasts swelling against the sheer fabric of her gown. “Yes, Reden, you have never complained. And have you not been rewarded? When I chose you, I told you of the tasks you would have to perform, but I also told of the rewards if you did. Or have you forgotten them so easily?”
Reden caught her hand and lifted it to his mouth, kissing the fingers gently before holding it to his chest. “No, mistress, I have not forgotten. Please forgive me for any slight I may have caused.”
Dilia cocked her head to the side, lips slightly parted as she freed her hand and cupped his chin. “All is forgiven, Reden. Now go and fetch the child, my uncle is ready for him.”
Reden grasped her hand and kissed the fingers again before bowing. “Yes, mistress.” He spun on his heels and disappeared down a hallway.
Dilia watched him leave, a dark expression clouding her face, until he turned a corner. She turned and went the opposite way, entering a dark room lit only by the pale blue glow of a portal against the wall. She closed the door behind her and latched it before kneeling before the portal. Her hands moved in intricate patterns as she softly spoke words in an ancient tongue. The soft glow of the portal intensified and she had to close her eyes against the brilliance. As it settled, she opened her eyes and stared at the image before her. Cold, black eyes stared at her, thin lips pressed together in a pensive stance. Dilia stared at the man a few moments, the thick, raven hair slicked back from a widow’s peak, the sharp cheekbones, and the narrow chin. She bowed her head, waiting for the other to respond. The man looked at the top of her head for long moments before speaking, “Well?” Dilia raised her head and smoothed her face. “Everything is going according to your plan, father. Soon we will have the portal opened.”
The figure stared back impassively. “Very good. And Glaxin?”
“Reden is preparing the latest child, father.”
“Serve me well, daughter, and you shall have your reward.”
“Thank you, father. And Reden?”
“He is your pet, daughter. After I am free, I will have no further use for him.”
Dilia smiled. “I understand and obey, father.” She shivered as the image slowly faded and the portal once again grew dim. She rose on stiff legs and quietly unlocked the door, closing and locking it behind her. She stood in front of the door for a few minutes before smoothing her face and going in search of Reden, a wicked smile on her face.
ohhh fascinating! A masterpiece I'd say More more moooooore! I can't believe I missed this one at first!
Better to miss and come back around to than to miss completely.
I must admit that it may be awhile due to the fact that I really don't know yet what to write for the next chapter. I have an idea, so it shouldn't be too long.
I must admit that it may be awhile due to the fact that I really don't know yet what to write for the next chapter. I have an idea, so it shouldn't be too long.
1st part of chapter five.
---
“Satisfied?”
Byron grunted but didn’t otherwise reply.
“I’m talking to you, Byron. Are you satisfied?”
Byron kept walking without a glance back.
Thadius glared at Byron’s back and ran to catch up with him. “Staying quiet doesn’t change anything, Byron. Four children are missing and in the same manner. You can’t blame them all on Colonel Warlan; he didn’t even know the other families.”
Byron shrugged, but didn’t reply.
Thadius stared at him but said nothing more as the two men marched back to the fort. Once there, Byron entered without a word or glance at anybody and headed straight for his desk. Thadius nodded to a few of the guards on duty before sitting at his desk. He removed his notes and started to compare them. His brow furrowed as he discerned the pattern taking shape between the kidnappings. His thoughts were interrupted by a cough. He looked up sharply into the gaze of General Dagon. Thadius sprang to his feet and snapped a quick salute the general returned grimly. Byron followed more slowly but gave a crisp salute as well. The general waved them both to stand at ease before speaking, “What have you uncovered?” Thadius stole a glance at Byron who stared back levelly before replying, “Sir, all four of the missing children are between the ages of five and six, were healthy and were male. The abductions took place roughly a month apart and followed a similar course. The family members mentioned feeling a cold presence in their house, unable to move or cry out. When they were freed, they found their children missing with no traces of where they went. None of the families knew each other and the initial investigators found no evidence of forced entry, nor signs of how the children were spirited away: there were no markings on any of the window sills, the doors were securely locked and showed no signs of forced entry, nor were there any track marks outside of the house. One family has three children: two boys ages eleven and five and a girl age three. The boys slept in the same room, but only the younger boy was taken. The older boy said that the night his brother disappeared, he felt a cold presence in the room but he was paralyzed and couldn’t see. The presence lingered over him and he thought he could hear whispering in a strange language he couldn’t understand. When the presence left, he was able to move and quickly went to his brother’s bed, only to find it empty. The sheets lay as if someone was underneath them, but nobody was there. The family called the watch who did a thorough investigation but found nothing. I suggest we increase the nightly patrols, sir. Maybe we can find out whom or what is doing this.”
General Dagon frowned as he digested this news. He nodded briefly and looked at both men in turn. “I shall take your suggestions into consideration. The last thing we need are families with young boys panicking because they’re worried they will loose their sons. For now, I want you both to stay on top of any missing child cases and do thorough investigations of each. You are a team and I except you to act as such. Am I understood?”
“Yes, sir” they replied in unison.
“Good. Now go home and get some rest, you both have busy days tomorrow.”
Byron saluted the general and walked out of the building, not waiting for a response from Thadius. Thadius gathered up his notes and walked home in silence. He smiled as he saw the familiar lights in the distance, his heart becoming lighter as warm thoughts of Lorit coursed through his mind.
---
“Satisfied?”
Byron grunted but didn’t otherwise reply.
“I’m talking to you, Byron. Are you satisfied?”
Byron kept walking without a glance back.
Thadius glared at Byron’s back and ran to catch up with him. “Staying quiet doesn’t change anything, Byron. Four children are missing and in the same manner. You can’t blame them all on Colonel Warlan; he didn’t even know the other families.”
Byron shrugged, but didn’t reply.
Thadius stared at him but said nothing more as the two men marched back to the fort. Once there, Byron entered without a word or glance at anybody and headed straight for his desk. Thadius nodded to a few of the guards on duty before sitting at his desk. He removed his notes and started to compare them. His brow furrowed as he discerned the pattern taking shape between the kidnappings. His thoughts were interrupted by a cough. He looked up sharply into the gaze of General Dagon. Thadius sprang to his feet and snapped a quick salute the general returned grimly. Byron followed more slowly but gave a crisp salute as well. The general waved them both to stand at ease before speaking, “What have you uncovered?” Thadius stole a glance at Byron who stared back levelly before replying, “Sir, all four of the missing children are between the ages of five and six, were healthy and were male. The abductions took place roughly a month apart and followed a similar course. The family members mentioned feeling a cold presence in their house, unable to move or cry out. When they were freed, they found their children missing with no traces of where they went. None of the families knew each other and the initial investigators found no evidence of forced entry, nor signs of how the children were spirited away: there were no markings on any of the window sills, the doors were securely locked and showed no signs of forced entry, nor were there any track marks outside of the house. One family has three children: two boys ages eleven and five and a girl age three. The boys slept in the same room, but only the younger boy was taken. The older boy said that the night his brother disappeared, he felt a cold presence in the room but he was paralyzed and couldn’t see. The presence lingered over him and he thought he could hear whispering in a strange language he couldn’t understand. When the presence left, he was able to move and quickly went to his brother’s bed, only to find it empty. The sheets lay as if someone was underneath them, but nobody was there. The family called the watch who did a thorough investigation but found nothing. I suggest we increase the nightly patrols, sir. Maybe we can find out whom or what is doing this.”
General Dagon frowned as he digested this news. He nodded briefly and looked at both men in turn. “I shall take your suggestions into consideration. The last thing we need are families with young boys panicking because they’re worried they will loose their sons. For now, I want you both to stay on top of any missing child cases and do thorough investigations of each. You are a team and I except you to act as such. Am I understood?”
“Yes, sir” they replied in unison.
“Good. Now go home and get some rest, you both have busy days tomorrow.”
Byron saluted the general and walked out of the building, not waiting for a response from Thadius. Thadius gathered up his notes and walked home in silence. He smiled as he saw the familiar lights in the distance, his heart becoming lighter as warm thoughts of Lorit coursed through his mind.
Good start to a new chapter, could be longer of course but who am I to judge?
Thanks, Kiln. I plan on adding another part, but since it may be awhile so I figured I would post the first part.
Part II:
---
He quickly approached the front door and swung it open, grateful to finally be home. He smiled as he saw Lorit tending to the fire, the light glowing against her dark skin and copper hair. She turned to him at the sound of the opening door and smiled. “How was your day, Thadius?” she asked as she set down the poker and came over to embrace him. Thadius was silent for a few moments as he kissed Lorit deeply before they parted. He stared into her eyes and replied, “Later. First I wish to drink in your beauty.” Lorit smirked and touched his nose lightly before spiriting away towards the fire. “That’s enough of that nonsense, Thadius. Something’s on your mind. Is it about work again? Take your armor off and sit down, dinner is almost ready.” Thadius sighed and unbuckled his armor, setting it neatly on the chest next to the bed. He sat at the table and put his head in his hands. Lorit spooned soup into two bowls and set them on the table before filling up a cup of ale and placing it before Thadius. She sat down and started to eat her soup, blowing on it slightly to cool it. “So, what happened?”
Thadius gazed at her for a few moments before smiling ruefully. He took a few bites of the hot soup and took a long draft of ale before setting the cup down and staring into the fire. “General Dagon tasked Byron and I with discovering what happened to some missing boys. In the past year, four have gone missing and nobody knows how or why.” He shook his head, “We visited all of the families and every one had the same story: they were awakened by a cold feeling only to discover that their child was missing. There were no shouts, no loud noises, no nothing. We spent the entire day reviewing what The Watch discovered and found…nothing. General Dagon is afraid that this could cause a panic if it continues to happen and we’re powerless to stop it.” Lorit reached over and placed her hand over his free one. She squeezed his hand and gazed into his eyes. “Thadius, I know you’ll find out what has happened to those children. Byron’s a good detective, even if a bit crass. I don’t know how this world can be so cruel, but we still have each other. Now finish your soup, I’ve missed you and I think it’s time for bed.” She smiled slyly as Thadius quickly finished his soup and gulped the rest of his ale. Standing, he took Lorit’s hand in his and led her to the bedroom. He let go of her hand and pulled back the covers as she doused the candles. They embraced in the dark, expressing their love in a way words never could. In the dead of night, Lorit lay on her back, stroking Thadius’s sleeping head resting on her breasts. She stiffened, then relaxed, smiling as she felt a familiar presence wash over her then retreat. She drifted off to sleep as she remembered Reden’s last words to her: “I will always be watching over you.”
---
He quickly approached the front door and swung it open, grateful to finally be home. He smiled as he saw Lorit tending to the fire, the light glowing against her dark skin and copper hair. She turned to him at the sound of the opening door and smiled. “How was your day, Thadius?” she asked as she set down the poker and came over to embrace him. Thadius was silent for a few moments as he kissed Lorit deeply before they parted. He stared into her eyes and replied, “Later. First I wish to drink in your beauty.” Lorit smirked and touched his nose lightly before spiriting away towards the fire. “That’s enough of that nonsense, Thadius. Something’s on your mind. Is it about work again? Take your armor off and sit down, dinner is almost ready.” Thadius sighed and unbuckled his armor, setting it neatly on the chest next to the bed. He sat at the table and put his head in his hands. Lorit spooned soup into two bowls and set them on the table before filling up a cup of ale and placing it before Thadius. She sat down and started to eat her soup, blowing on it slightly to cool it. “So, what happened?”
Thadius gazed at her for a few moments before smiling ruefully. He took a few bites of the hot soup and took a long draft of ale before setting the cup down and staring into the fire. “General Dagon tasked Byron and I with discovering what happened to some missing boys. In the past year, four have gone missing and nobody knows how or why.” He shook his head, “We visited all of the families and every one had the same story: they were awakened by a cold feeling only to discover that their child was missing. There were no shouts, no loud noises, no nothing. We spent the entire day reviewing what The Watch discovered and found…nothing. General Dagon is afraid that this could cause a panic if it continues to happen and we’re powerless to stop it.” Lorit reached over and placed her hand over his free one. She squeezed his hand and gazed into his eyes. “Thadius, I know you’ll find out what has happened to those children. Byron’s a good detective, even if a bit crass. I don’t know how this world can be so cruel, but we still have each other. Now finish your soup, I’ve missed you and I think it’s time for bed.” She smiled slyly as Thadius quickly finished his soup and gulped the rest of his ale. Standing, he took Lorit’s hand in his and led her to the bedroom. He let go of her hand and pulled back the covers as she doused the candles. They embraced in the dark, expressing their love in a way words never could. In the dead of night, Lorit lay on her back, stroking Thadius’s sleeping head resting on her breasts. She stiffened, then relaxed, smiling as she felt a familiar presence wash over her then retreat. She drifted off to sleep as she remembered Reden’s last words to her: “I will always be watching over you.”
Reden crouched atop the roof of Thadius’s house as he watched the town as it settled down for the night. He smirked as he heard the lovers beneath him. “Enjoy her while you can, Thadius, for she will soon be mine completely.” As the streets cleared and the Watch carted away the drunks too disoriented to make it home to the fort to sleep it off, he silently jumped to the ground. He looked around quickly before slipping into the alleyway between the houses, purposefully striding towards his destination. A dog barked at his passing, but the streets were otherwise quiet. He slowed as he approached a brick house, watching for movement. He circled the house once, looking into the windows for signs of life before coming to the front door. Laying a hand just above the lock, he muttered a string of words and smiled as he felt the dull click of the lock disengaging. He opened the door and stepped inside, careful to make no noise as he closed it behind him. He stood by the door and muttered another series of words, blinking his eyes as the spell took hold and brightened the room for him. He looked around and quickly made his way through the house, stopping at the nearest bedroom. He silently opened the door and stepped inside the room. He smirked as the couple shivered at his approach. He leaned over them and placed a finger on each of their eyes, muttering strange words vanishing as soon as he said them. The couple went lax as a deep sleep over came them. Reden removed his fingers and wiped them on his jacket before sneering and exiting the room, closing the door behind him. He continued down the hall to another door before stopping. He grimaced as he opened the door and stepped inside. He loomed over the child sleeping quietly in its bed for a few moments as he just stared. Finally, he reached down and muttered the same spell to enspell the child in a deep sleep. He gently lifted the child and carried it through the house and away. Once outside, Reden set the child down and pressed his hand to the front door, nodding to himself as he heard the lock click back into place. He picked up his burden and leaped onto the top of the roof. He leapt from rooftop to rooftop until he was away from the city and in the forest.
He ran swiftly through the woods until he reached the cave he and Dilia in habited. He frowned as he saw her waiting at the mouth, her porcelain skin gleaming in the moonlight. She stood with a hand on her hip, her clothing coyly dancing in the breeze. Reden shoved his bundle into her arms without a word and stormed off into the cave without looking back. Dilia took the child and stroked a sleepy cheek with a fingernail. “So precious, so delicate, so full of life. It’s almost a shame, really, but know that you’re to be part of something grand, young one. Your parents should be honored.” She cooed at the child as she entered the cave. She set the child down and tucked it in. “Sleep, my darling, for you have a big day tomorrow.” She smiled as she brushed an errant strand of hair from the child’s face and turned to leave. She stopped as she saw Reden glaring at her. “Still trying to believe you’re more than what you are, Dilia? Give it up; you’ll never be human again.” Dilia cocked her head to the side, her raven locks spilling over her bare shoulder. “And what, pray tell, is so great about being human again when you’re so much more? I relish what I am, don’t you? Oh, wait. I know. It’s her, isn’t it? You’re worried that your precious Lorit will reject you if she knew the real you.” She stepped close to him and touched his cheek, tracing her fingernail across his jaw, down his neck and over his chest. She stopped in the middle of his chest and poked slightly, drawing a bead of blood. She lifted the fingernail to her lips and licked off the blood. “Don’t forget that you are mine, Reden, for now and always. Forget that woman because she is not for you to have.” She held her nail to her chin before continuing, “if you do not, it will be…unpleasant…for the both of you.” She touched his cheek and stared into his eyes. “Now go get ready for me, I have need of you.” She smiled as Reden scowled at her and stormed from the room. She gazed at the child before leaving the room and closing the door behind her. Her eyes flashed as she followed Reden into the bedroom.
Later, after she was satisfied and Reden was fast asleep, she arose from the bed and donned her clothing. She quietly entered the portal room and closed the door firmly behind her. She squared her shoulders before beginning the incantations and stifled a shudder as the cold gaze of her father stared at her. “Report.” She started at his clipped words, but quickly gathered herself and responded, “We have another child, father. Tomorrow I shall give him to you.”
“Is he a strong child?”
“Yes, his spirit burns brightly. He should survive the transformation.”
Torgefin nodded. “Good. You are doing well, my daughter, but your…assistant is not. Deal with him or I shall.”
Dilia ducked her head. “Yes, father. He will not cause any problems.”
“Good. See that he does not. I have come too far to allow anything to prevent my success.”
Dilia gulped. “I understand, father. Thank you.”
Torgefin stared at her without any hint of emotion as the portal grew dark. Dilia stood shakily, her skin sweating in the cold air. She cleaned herself before slipping back into bed. She stared at the ceiling until the sun rose over the horizon before drifting off into a fitful sleep filled with nightmares.
He ran swiftly through the woods until he reached the cave he and Dilia in habited. He frowned as he saw her waiting at the mouth, her porcelain skin gleaming in the moonlight. She stood with a hand on her hip, her clothing coyly dancing in the breeze. Reden shoved his bundle into her arms without a word and stormed off into the cave without looking back. Dilia took the child and stroked a sleepy cheek with a fingernail. “So precious, so delicate, so full of life. It’s almost a shame, really, but know that you’re to be part of something grand, young one. Your parents should be honored.” She cooed at the child as she entered the cave. She set the child down and tucked it in. “Sleep, my darling, for you have a big day tomorrow.” She smiled as she brushed an errant strand of hair from the child’s face and turned to leave. She stopped as she saw Reden glaring at her. “Still trying to believe you’re more than what you are, Dilia? Give it up; you’ll never be human again.” Dilia cocked her head to the side, her raven locks spilling over her bare shoulder. “And what, pray tell, is so great about being human again when you’re so much more? I relish what I am, don’t you? Oh, wait. I know. It’s her, isn’t it? You’re worried that your precious Lorit will reject you if she knew the real you.” She stepped close to him and touched his cheek, tracing her fingernail across his jaw, down his neck and over his chest. She stopped in the middle of his chest and poked slightly, drawing a bead of blood. She lifted the fingernail to her lips and licked off the blood. “Don’t forget that you are mine, Reden, for now and always. Forget that woman because she is not for you to have.” She held her nail to her chin before continuing, “if you do not, it will be…unpleasant…for the both of you.” She touched his cheek and stared into his eyes. “Now go get ready for me, I have need of you.” She smiled as Reden scowled at her and stormed from the room. She gazed at the child before leaving the room and closing the door behind her. Her eyes flashed as she followed Reden into the bedroom.
Later, after she was satisfied and Reden was fast asleep, she arose from the bed and donned her clothing. She quietly entered the portal room and closed the door firmly behind her. She squared her shoulders before beginning the incantations and stifled a shudder as the cold gaze of her father stared at her. “Report.” She started at his clipped words, but quickly gathered herself and responded, “We have another child, father. Tomorrow I shall give him to you.”
“Is he a strong child?”
“Yes, his spirit burns brightly. He should survive the transformation.”
Torgefin nodded. “Good. You are doing well, my daughter, but your…assistant is not. Deal with him or I shall.”
Dilia ducked her head. “Yes, father. He will not cause any problems.”
“Good. See that he does not. I have come too far to allow anything to prevent my success.”
Dilia gulped. “I understand, father. Thank you.”
Torgefin stared at her without any hint of emotion as the portal grew dark. Dilia stood shakily, her skin sweating in the cold air. She cleaned herself before slipping back into bed. She stared at the ceiling until the sun rose over the horizon before drifting off into a fitful sleep filled with nightmares.
This continues to inteague, I'm interested to see how it all fits together. The last part was particularly good, I liked how you built the menace by strating with a threatening character and then having him threatened by another and then her by yet another. It worked well to demonstrate how dangerous the vampires are.
My only comment is that its sometimes hard to remember who a character is, though that's largely a fact of fanfiction when the reader is reading several other things. It can be helped somewhat by giving each character some description to set them apart and/or by keeping the cast small. Or you can just let the reader chack back.
Good stuff.
My only comment is that its sometimes hard to remember who a character is, though that's largely a fact of fanfiction when the reader is reading several other things. It can be helped somewhat by giving each character some description to set them apart and/or by keeping the cast small. Or you can just let the reader chack back.
Good stuff.
Thanks, Olen. I'm trying to keep the cast small and concentrate on only three or so stories to keep it from getting too complicated. Would you provide me some examples of what you mean?
This may turn into a two part chapter.
Thadius woke with a start to the sound of a heavy hand banging on his door. He threw off the covers as he rubbed sleepy eyes. He stumbled into his pants as the banging continued unabated. Thadius cursed under his breath as he started towards the door. “I’m coming!’ he yelled as he reached it. He grabbed the handle and swung the door open. “Now what’s so important that…” his words trailed off has he met Byron’s glaring face. “Byron, why are…no, not another child!”
“Yes, another child! And that wife of yours is responsible!”
“Now just hold on a minute-“ Thadius words were choked off as Byron’s massive hand pressed against his chest and pushed him aside. He stumbled backwards and struggled to catch himself as he slammed against a small table by the door. Byron ignored him and stomped to the bedroom, yelling “Where is she? Where is the witch?!” Thadius struggled to his feet and set off after Byron. “What’s the meaning of this, Byron?”
Byron spun around on his heels and glared at Thadius, his finger an inch from Thadius’s nose. “I’ll tell you what the meaning of this is. Another child is missing and if that witch of yours didn’t take him, she damned well knows who did! Now where is she?”
Thadius glared right back and pushed Byron’s hand down. He pointed at the door, shouting “I want you out of my house right now, Byron. You have no right to come in here and accuse my wife of a crime when you know damned well she didn’t do it. Get out of my house, Byron, before I throw you out.”
Byron continued to glare at him for a few moments before spitting on the floor and exiting the house. Thadius slumped against the wall as Lorit emerged from the shadows. She quickly went to him and cradled his head. “Oh Thadius! Is, is he gone? What did he want?”
Thadius looked up at her and smiled weakly. “He…he thought you had something to do with the disappearances, Lorit. He’s gone now and if I have anything to say about it, he’ll be out of the Watch as well. This time he’s gone too far…” He stiffened his shoulders and stood, grasping Lorit lightly about the waist as he led her back into the bedroom. Lorit slipper her arm around his waist and laid her head on his shoulder as she allowed herself to be led.
Lorit slipped off her robe as they entered the room and Thadius closed the door. She sank into the bed and wrapped her arms around him as he lowered himself beside her. She put a finger to his lips as he started to speak. “Please, Thadius, save it for the morning…” Thadius pulled her tight and forgot about Byron’s accusations.
Thadius woke with a start to the sound of a heavy hand banging on his door. He threw off the covers as he rubbed sleepy eyes. He stumbled into his pants as the banging continued unabated. Thadius cursed under his breath as he started towards the door. “I’m coming!’ he yelled as he reached it. He grabbed the handle and swung the door open. “Now what’s so important that…” his words trailed off has he met Byron’s glaring face. “Byron, why are…no, not another child!”
“Yes, another child! And that wife of yours is responsible!”
“Now just hold on a minute-“ Thadius words were choked off as Byron’s massive hand pressed against his chest and pushed him aside. He stumbled backwards and struggled to catch himself as he slammed against a small table by the door. Byron ignored him and stomped to the bedroom, yelling “Where is she? Where is the witch?!” Thadius struggled to his feet and set off after Byron. “What’s the meaning of this, Byron?”
Byron spun around on his heels and glared at Thadius, his finger an inch from Thadius’s nose. “I’ll tell you what the meaning of this is. Another child is missing and if that witch of yours didn’t take him, she damned well knows who did! Now where is she?”
Thadius glared right back and pushed Byron’s hand down. He pointed at the door, shouting “I want you out of my house right now, Byron. You have no right to come in here and accuse my wife of a crime when you know damned well she didn’t do it. Get out of my house, Byron, before I throw you out.”
Byron continued to glare at him for a few moments before spitting on the floor and exiting the house. Thadius slumped against the wall as Lorit emerged from the shadows. She quickly went to him and cradled his head. “Oh Thadius! Is, is he gone? What did he want?”
Thadius looked up at her and smiled weakly. “He…he thought you had something to do with the disappearances, Lorit. He’s gone now and if I have anything to say about it, he’ll be out of the Watch as well. This time he’s gone too far…” He stiffened his shoulders and stood, grasping Lorit lightly about the waist as he led her back into the bedroom. Lorit slipper her arm around his waist and laid her head on his shoulder as she allowed herself to be led.
Lorit slipped off her robe as they entered the room and Thadius closed the door. She sank into the bed and wrapped her arms around him as he lowered himself beside her. She put a finger to his lips as he started to speak. “Please, Thadius, save it for the morning…” Thadius pulled her tight and forgot about Byron’s accusations.
This is a "lo-fi" version of our main content. To view the full version with more information, formatting and images, please click here.