by Donald White
Later that night, Takis and Rinaldo were hastening towards a nondescript inn near the middle of the city: “Hurry, Takis.”
“Rinaldo, she’s probably gone to sleep by now.”
The bard gestured impatiently. “I must study her in her natural surroundings.”
His companion gave an aggravated reply, “She’s an elf. Her ‘natural’ surroundings are nowhere near here!”
The two were approaching the inn, when they were startled to see a group of people emerging from it. Rinaldo and Takis drew close enough to hear, and still remain unnoticed.
A group of city guards were escorting a female out of the inn. Rinaldo could see that she was a dark elf… a certain dark elf in particular. He whispered to Takis. “It’s her. It’s Lady Delshess.”
His companion frowned, “It looks like she’s been arrested.”
The poet said nothing.
Lady Delshess was wrapped in a sheet, complaining to her escorts. “Unhand me, humans. The Queen’s elves are not to be shamefully treated.”
One of the guards replied, “Sorry, ma’am. But you’ve been accused of murder. So, we’re going to have to take you into custody.”
The little dark elf fumed, “I have murdered no one this night. I was attempting to rest, when you barged in with your outrageous allegations.”
Another of the group answered, “We have witnesses, and the murder weapon, with the blood of the victim still on it. A thorough investigation will commence, however, anything you say or do at this point, can have a bearing on the outcome of your trial.”
Delshess stared pleadingly back at Serena and Nessa, who merely stood there, watching the proceedings.
Rinaldo was incredulous. “Why do they not assist? They are her friends.”
Takis shrugged. “Maybe they realize the seriousness of the matter. To interfere would create the wrong impression in the minds of the people.”
The poet watched as they proceeded down the street, fading into the night. He suddenly grinned, turning to his companion. “Takis, now’s our chance.”
“What are you talking about?”
Rinaldo cocked an eyebrow. “Our chance to strike,” he smirked.
Takis fell back. “Whoa. What are you planning?”
The bard tilted his head back, in a mock show of contemplation. “The poor elf has been wrongly accused. Perhaps, if some brave, dashing soul would come to her rescue…”
As Rinaldo waxed poetic concerning his scheme, Takis wondered, How does he know she didn’t do it? Did he set this up? The companion grew concerned, thinking of the times that evening when the bard had been out of his sight. It was Rinaldo’s idea to come out here in the middle of the night at just the time the arrest was taking place… Takis trembled, thinking, Just how far would he go to win a bet?
“Well, my friend,” Rinaldo concluded. He drew close to Takis. “What do you think?”
The companion blurted, “I think you’re crazy!”
Rinaldo looked at him, puzzled.
Takis continued, visibly shaken, “Do you really think this is going to work?”
The bard thought for a moment. “It could. You don’t like my idea?”
“I don’t like the way you’re thinking! I mean, yeah she’s mean and proud and probably would kill someone rather than look at them… but to go to these lengths just to win a bet?!”
Rinaldo just stared at his friend.
“What?”
The bard replied, “I told you, this is just like hunting. You choose the opportune moment to strike… the time when your quarry is most vulnerable.”
Takis just stood there, flustered. “Come on, Rinaldo. It was just a bet.”
The bard stared right at him. “A bet I intend to win.”
***
Elsewhere and later: Delshess was surprised to find herself detained in a house! The humans had questioned her earlier concerning all that had allegedly transpired that night. They accused her of killing one of their own, a Lennix Flinn. There were witnesses who had seen her stab the man. She thought, How dare these pitiful creatures treat me so! I am Lady Delshess, a loyal servant of the Queen. I shall curse them for their impudence! She struggled with the ropes that held her fast.
One of the guards spoke, “Sit still, ma’am.”
“Release me, human.”
The other man urged, “Things will be much easier if you cooperate.”
“I serve only the Queen’s elves. If you wish to incur my wrath, you do so at your peril.”
The one man grabbed some more rope. “I guess we didn’t secure her well enough.”
The little dark elf bared her teeth. “I can barely move as it is, human. And I am quite uncomfortable.”
“Sorry, ma’am. But we can’t have you getting away.”
Delshess sulked. “I have repeatedly professed to you that I have not done that of which I am accused. Is this how you treat those who are guests in your land?”
“No, ma’am. But even guests have to abide by the law.”
The other guard nodded. “You have been accused of murder. You will stand trial. This is not what I want. But our job is to enforce the law.”
Delshess huffed. She could not loosen her bindings. And her staff was nowhere to be seen. So, even though she still had the ability to speak, without the use of her hands, she could not cast any spells that would be of use to her. She struggled to remain calm, and then spoke, “Human, I have considered your request. I shall be at peace, if you release me.”
The one guard looked at the other. “Well Jack, what do you think?”
“I don’t know, Jim. We were told to keep her bound until someone comes to relieve us.”
Jim sighed. “Yeah, but what is this all about anyway. This isn’t a jail. Why are we here?”
Jack stated, “We were ordered to bring her here. And we were ordered to tie her up.”
“Come on. Look at her. She’s too small and weak to put up a fight.”
“Those are our orders.” Jack took on a stern expression.
Jim whispered into the other man’s ear. “She’d be grateful if we released her…” He glanced over at the dark elf.
Delshess stared at him pleasantly.
“See what I mean, Jack? I think she likes me.”
The other man shook his head. “We shouldn’t do it.”
Delshess asked, “Jim? Could you not at least free my hands? I would still be restrained. Please, these ropes are hurting me.”
“See, Jack? The poor thing is in pain. She needs our help.”
Delshess whimpered, twisting weakly
Jack sighed. “We really shouldn’t do this…”
Jim said, “Please…”
Delshess stared at him sadly, tilting her head to the side.
Jack gave a look of frustration and stooped to loosen the ropes.
Suddenly, the door opened and a man entered, flanked by two guards. “Gentlemen, the dark elf has been released into my custody. You may take your leave.”
Delshess snarled. “You!”
Rinaldo bowed. He showed his paperwork to the guards. “Signed by the magistrate himself.”
They verified the signature.
One of them replied, “Very well. The elf is not allowed to leave your sight, as per the magistrate’s instructions, until the time of her trial.” He placed a hand on the bard’s shoulder. “She’s all yours.”
Rinaldo grinned at her, as he closed the door.
Delshess scowled back.
***
The man bowed deeply. “Lady Delshess.”
She turned away. “Human, I am not amused by your trickery.”
Rinaldo stepped forward. “Milady, I have rescued you from the prison cell.”
The little dark elf glanced at him and then turned back away. “You have rescued me for your own sake. So, will you now take that which I would not give you?”
“Milady, you misunderstand. I have brought you here to protect you, not to take advantage of you.”
Delshess did not look at him. “Your protection is not required, nor was it requested.”
Rinaldo knelt before her. “Milady, you have been charged with murder. If you are found guilty, then they will execute you. But I know you are innocent. And I have come to deliver you from their clutches.”
The dark elf looked right at him. She smirked. “Human, how sure you are of that which you did not witness. Can you not see me killing someone?”
He stared back into those shining green eyes, until he was forced to turn away.
Delshess beckoned to him in her childlike voice. “Human. Look at me, human. I am here. You have desired me. Do I now give you pause?”
The bard shuddered at the memory of her cool, inhuman gaze. “Milady, I cannot envision you being party to such a heinous crime.”
She leaned forward in her bindings. “Then, release me. For it is shameful to leave me bound.”
The man reached for the ropes, and then stopped. “What will you do when you are no longer restrained?”
Delshess whispered, “I shall thank you.” She giggled. “It seems I owe you a great deal. Perhaps, I shall give you that which you desire.” The dark elf turned her head to the side, glancing over at him. “But I can bestow nothing upon you while I am thus bound.”
The bard reached for the ropes again.
She pursed her lips and inhaled softly.
Rinaldo’s eyes went wide and he hastened to untie her.
The ropes dropped to the floor, and the dark elf stood, leaving the sheet that had covered her, lying in the chair.
He just stared at her naked form, her hairless olive skin.
The sprite twisted sensually, stretching and sighing. She rubbed her sore wrists and turned all the way around.
Rinaldo viewed her closely. Such a delicate creature! Her pert, little breasts and her small posterior made her seem more girlish. Those sharp features drew his gaze to every part of her body. Those long, black tresses shimmered before him, mesmerizing him with their sheen. Her torso was small, but her limbs were long, and he longed for her to wrap her arms around him and draw him close…
Lady Delshess was saying something.
The bard could tell that she was speaking words, but could not discern their meaning.
She was gesturing towards him.
Rinaldo took on a look of shock as he noticed the energy crackling from her fingertips! “Lady Delshess!”
The witch snickered. “Foolish man, now you shall receive your reward!”
Rinaldo fell prostrate before her. “Please, milady!”
She laughed. “Human, you shall vex me no more!” The nymph raised her hand.
“Milady, they will send you to prison. Let me help you… please?”
The dark elf scowled. Suddenly, she directed the energy outward.
Rinaldo heard the sound of shattering wood beside him. He glanced over to see the charred remnants of the chair in which Lady Delshess had been bound. Scorched fragments of the sheet she had been wrapped in settled to the floor.
The witch was standing next to him. “Reckless human. Were it not for my own sake, you would have perished. I see the desire in your eyes. You still live, because I have a use for you.”
Rinaldo did not raise his head. “Understood… milady.”
She placed a slender foot under his chin, raising his head up to face her. “True humility, in its purest form. I like that.”
The bard gave a sigh. “Thank you, milady.” For the first time, he wondered just what he had gotten himself into.
***
The next morning: Rinaldo rolled over in his sleep, landing on something hard. He groggily stared at the floor, realizing he had fallen off the sofa. Inside, he seethed, Lady Delshess took the one bed. And I had to sleep on this uncomfortable thing. He gave a groan, pushing himself up into a seated position.
“Human, what was that noise?”
“I fell on the floor, Milady.”
She replied, “Maintain silence with all diligence, clumsy fool. You have disturbed my rest.”
Rinaldo clenched his fist, but said nothing. He managed to climb back onto the sofa and sat there, just thinking. What is wrong with me? He remembered what Takis had said to him the night before. “I think you’re crazy!” The bard began to wonder about that. All that he had done, just to win the heart of a creature who just might be heartless? Now, what would he do? He did not know.
He sighed leaning his head back. It was usually so easy. Appear humble, but not cowardly. Appear caring, but not fawning. Be aggressive, and yet, submissive. The bard rubbed his eyes wearily. But what do you do, when the girl you attempt to woo tries to kill you with a bolt from the blue? He paused for a moment, thinking that would be a good lyric for a song…
Takis had told him to let it go. But he could not. Rinaldo had dealt with resistant women before, but they had all eventually fallen into his arms. As tough as they seemed on the outside, there was always something soft within…you just had to dig deep to find it.
The bard sat up straight. The warmest flame will melt the coldest ice. Rinaldo gave a lop-sided grin. Perhaps, it is time to heat things up.
***
Later: Takis squinted against the sun’s rays peeking through his window. “Come on mom, just a few more moments…” He turned away from the offending light, but it was too late. He was not yet awake, but he could not get back to sleep. The man lay there wondering what was going on with his friend. How could he do such a thing to win a bet?
All last evening, the bard seemed preoccupied. Takis should have noticed. He should have realized something was wrong. Yes, he had confronted his friend. But, he should have tried to stop him. The companion wondered how Rinaldo was able to arrange the whole thing. Was the murder just a cover; an opportunity? And what would his friend do with such an opportunity?
Takis sat up. After the dark elf had been arrested, they had walked back to their own inn. Rinaldo said he was weary, and would retire early for some much-needed rest. At the time, Takis had thought it to be strange, but he knew his friend had a lot on his mind. So, the companion went to the after-dinner parties all by himself. But now, it dawned on him, Rinaldo has never been too weary to go to a party!
He jumped out of bed and stared at the door separating their rooms. Takis walked up to the door and turned the knob, slowly opening it.
The companion glanced over at the bed and the lump beneath the covers. “Hey… Rinaldo.”
He heard a stifled groan.
“Come on, man. Get up. We need to talk.”
Another groan was the only reply.
Takis shook his head wearily, walked up to the bed and yanked the covers off.
He saw a beautiful naked woman. And there was a man lying next to her… but it was not Rinaldo.
Takis’ eyes went wide. “I’m sorry…”
The naked man glared back. He was very muscular, and he seemed quite angry.
Takis started to back away.
The man growled, stumbling out of bed towards the fleeing intruder.
Takis managed to make it back into his room and locked the door.
Something started pounding against it.
“I’m sorry. I thought you were someone else!”
There was more growling and pounding.
Takis swallowed, hoping and praying the door would hold.
***
Rinaldo was incredulous. “You want to do what?”
Lady Delshess stood nearby, her arms folded over her chest, glaring up at him imperiously. “Inattentive man, you shall take me to the Disciples of Peace.”
The bard gestured towards her naked form. “You can’t go dressed like that!”
She gave a look of annoyance. “Then, you shall fetch me something to wear.”
Rinaldo tried to reason with her. “Lady Delshess… you must realize that I am responsible for you. I am not supposed to leave you for any reason.”
“Prattling fool, if I must be clothed, then you m
ust clothe me.”
He struggled to come up with a plan. “You had clothes back in your room, didn’t you?”
She gave a stiff nod. “They should still be there, unless they have been removed.”
Rinaldo paced back and forth, talking to himself. “If I could get over there, and talk them into letting me into the room…” He turned to the dark elf. “But you have to promise me you will stay here and wait for me.”
The little creature huffed. “The Queen’s elves do not make oaths to inferiors.”
He gritted his teeth. “Lady… Delshess… if you are found unattended, then you will be thrown into prison. And I will be arrested for allowing you to roam free!”
She smirked. “I have no objections to you being restrained. Perhaps they could fit you with a muzzle…”
Rinaldo walked right up to her. “Stay.” He pointed at the floor. “Here.”
The sprite was indignant. “Impudent man, I am not a beast to be commanded…”
He glowered down at her, still pointing at the floor.
She pouted. “As you wish.”
***
Rinaldo hastened into the city. He was now regretting that he had chosen a house on the outskirts of Vandimere in which to keep the elf. The bard pulled his cloak about him, hoping he would not be recognized.
The closer he got to the center of town; the more chances there were of him being discovered. The streets were full of people at this time of morning. Uncharacteristically, he avoided making eye contact with anyone.
Finally, he made his way to the inn where Lady Delshess had been staying. The man wondered, I’m taking all of this risk to clothe a creature who doesn’t really care about being naked? And whom I prefer to see that way? Oh, the unfairness of it all!
He entered the inn, stepping up to the front desk. “Excuse me, good sir. But I am here on official business.” He produced some papers. “I am here to retrieve certain items belonging to the elf who was arrested last night.”
The innkeeper eyed him suspiciously. “You look familiar.”
Rinaldo sighed, pulling back his cloak, revealing his face.