by Erik Weir
Lord Devas gave a wide grin, “How about you spend the rest of the evening with the winner? I’m sure if you are following Vala’s ways, you must have picked up on some of her teachings. History is filled with stories of the greatness of Vala’s worshippers, how the intimate acts were studied, and applied so one could touch the very goddess herself if one was devout enough.”
All eyes turned to the elf.
Dawn continued to study her cards before looking up, her gaze connecting with Devas’s gaze. “I’m in.”
Lord Devas gave a head nod, and tapped at the table. “Show your cards.”
The halfling put her cards down, and crossed her small arms, “Three towers.”
The dwarf gave a gruff laugh, and placed his cards down. “Four towers.”
The halfling’s smile faded as she slumped down into her chair. The orc gave her a pat on her tiny back.
Lord Devas looked to Dawn, “Show your hand.”
The elf smiled, “You first, my lord.”
Lord Devas chuckled before putting his cards down, “Five Kings.”
The table was silent as Dawn put her cards face down, “I have nothing. I surrender my hand.”
The orc, halfling and dwarf groaned.
“I thought this was going to be a little more exciting,” the orc laughed as he shook his head.
“My husband is going to kill me,” the halfling said with heavy eyes.
The dwarf slid off his chair and stood up, “Fun game, same time in two weeks?”
Lord Devas nodded, his gaze still on the elf. “Yes, same time. Maybe next time you’ll be lucky enough to win a piece of my territory.”
“There isn’t going to be a next time for me,” the halfing began to sob.
The orc helped her from her chair, “There there, I’ll talk with my tribe. We could use some more trading and halfling ale is a favorite among my people.”
The orc and halfling walked to the main door. A guard opened it as the two left. The dwarf gave Lord Devas a slight bow before following the orc and halfling out the door. The dwarf glanced to Dawn who sat silently, no emotion in her almond shaped eyes before he made his exit.
“No need to seem so glum,” Lord Devas smiled. “The rest of the night is waxing poetically about philosophy.”
Dawn stared down at the table, eyes drinking in the pile of treasure. “I’m fine.”
Devas tilted his gaze to the pile of treasure and closed his eyes, “Thinking of taking it and running?”
Dawn looked up, her smooth face a blank mask as she spoke, “That would be rude.”
“Indeed, it would be,” Devas said, opening his eyes and sitting in a chair next to the blonde elf. “Tell me your story, I’m very interested.”
Dawn looked to the lord and small smile appeared, “What is there to tell?”
Devas shook his head slightly, “I highly doubt you don’t have a story to tell. If you are concerned if I will behave rudely then put those worries away. This is a safe place and I have heard all manner of tales from this realm and others.”
“A safe place…,” Dawn said in a low whisper.
Devas sat, drinking in the elf’s beauty as she seemed to gather the words to speak. The lord didn’t wait long.
“I have spent my life stealing and whoring myself out to take care of my family. An elf is exotic, and many have paid the price to spend an evening with me. If it was just me, I would have travelled across the realms, seeking adventure but…when you take care of another, it can consume you. It can be all you think about, their safety and wellbeing.”
Lord Devas nodded. “We all have someone to take care of. It is the way of all societies and families.”
Dawn looked to the lord and nodded. “One night, I dreamed of Vala. She touched me when I lay in a stranger’s bed, swimming in despair. I saw her smile, and I knew I could overcome. I knew with my faith, I could overcome anything, healing my fractured family and maybe my own soul.”
“Vala…brought you focus,” Devas said as his eyes centered on Dawn’s cleavage.
The elf nodded. “She did. I knew if I could heal my family, I could right all the wrong I caused to save my family. All it took was…someone to care…so my pain wouldn’t be so loud.”
Lord Devas looked up, making eye contact with the elf, “We all wish to be safe and warm against the cruelty of the universe.”
Dawn watched as the lord reached over to the winning pile, and picked up the master key to the castle. Lantern light wavered, casting long shadows as Devas slid the key over to the edge of the table where Dawn sat. The elf looked to the key, and then to the lord, a kind smile on his lips.
“I have need of a priestess for my lands. I can think of no better person for the role then you. You’re pain and faith brought you focus and determination. You would be ahead of any other barons under my influence…and I would want to experience Vala’s faith first hand. Centuries ago, Vala’s priestesses would be in every kingdom, giving advice to lords and ladies to ensure the people of the kingdoms were happy. I believe those ways have been lost for too long.”
Devas leaned in closer, drinking in Dawn’s scent. “You are a treasure in these times. Let me treat you like the treasure you are.”
Dawn looked to the lord, eyes holding indifference, but her mouth curved into a grateful smile. “You would give me…a place at your side?”
Lord Devas nodded. “I would. I see potential to bring a new peace to Eddor. The Mage Authority has become fearful old men and women. They don’t believe in religion, but true lords and ladies know its place among the people. You and I could bring Vala’s faith back…if you swear loyalty to me.”
The elf’s smile grew wider, “You are most generous, Lord Devas.”
Devas gave a mischievous grin, “Let us seal our arrangement with a kiss…before we continue with Vala’s teachings.”
Dawn’s eyes closed half way, a dreamy fog filling her gaze. Leaning forward, the elf showed her plump cleavage. Lord Devas gave his own wicked smile as he leaned in. Lips touched, and heat bloomed. Energy danced along the lord’s lips as an intoxicating bliss filled his lips, and then traveled into his head and body. The moment taking him, the lord reached up and grabbed a handful of Dawn’s breasts, squeezing hard and pulling her close to him. Dawn didn’t resist as she leaned into the lord, his tongue slipping into her mouth. The moment played on until Lord Devas pulled back, head swimming.
“I...I tasted it…Vala’s power,” the lord said with sleepy eyes.
Dawn’s smile faded as she stood up. Picking up a backpack from by her feet, she pressed it to the edge the table and began shoveling treasure into the open pack. Devas looked to her, amused. The elf continued as if he wasn’t there, gold and gems falling into the almost bottomless pack.
“I will have to ask for that treasure back. You may be part of my family now, but…” Devas trailed off as his body felt heavy.
Dawn continued until nearly all of the winnings were in the pack. Picking up stray coins, she dropped them in the backpack. Devas gripped the edge of the table, eyelids growing heavier.
“What…what have you done,” Devas said in a weak voice.
Dawn slung the pack over her shoulder and looked to the lord as he struggled to stay upright in his chair. “When you follow Vala, she imparts gifts to the faithful. She came to me in a dream last night, kissing me and I fell into the best sleep of my life. I knew she gave me something special, and I had to test it out. I’m happy it works.”
Devas’s hands shook before his muscles relaxed. The lord fell from the chair and onto his side. Breathing slowly, he looked up to the elf as she stared down in indifference.
“You...you cannot…take...from me…,” Devas struggled to say.
“I just did. Sleep well Lord Devas. Maybe when Vala returns, you will be at peace enough to have another game.”
Dawn glanced to her cards facing down. Nimble fingers swiped them off the table and showed them to the sleepy lord. “I know your reputation Lo
rd Devas. You like to pick women you desire, and when you beat them at the game, you offer your kindness so you can bed them. If they don’t comply, their bodies end weighed down in the lake. As you can see, I had the winning hand. Take comfort that I don’t drown you in the lake. This is your chance to change your ways. Consider this part of Vala’s forgiveness.”
Dawn threw the cards at the lord as his eyes closed. Snoring rose up as the elf moved to the door and opened it. The guard outside looked to the elf, and then past her to Devas snoring on the floor.
“Poor Lord Devas was exhausted,” Dawn smiled.
The guard’s hand touched the pommel of his sword. “I cannot let you leave, Lord Devas’s orders.”
Dawn smiled wider. “I know,” the elf said before her pointed hand flashed up and into the guard’s throat.
The guard stumbled back, windpipe collapsing as he struggled to breath. The elf struck out with her palm, connecting with the guard’s chin and causing his body to hit the opposite wall before crumbling to the floor. Dawn moved to the downed guard, kneeling and fishing in his belt pouch. Pulling out a fist full of gold coins, she placed them in the backpack over her shoulder.
Dawn stood up, turned and made her way down the hallway. It didn’t take her long to slip by the small amount of guards patrolling the crumbling castle. Dawn mentally laughed that Lord Devas would offer her a castle in such disrepair, not that he would really have followed through. The elf paid a lot of coin to gain as much insight as she could on the Lord. He was a predator, preying on the ignorant and desperate. If she had simply won the game, he wouldn’t have let her out alive.
Moving to a side door, the elf stepped out into the blackness of night. Running across the small side courtyard, she reached another door as a guard leaned against a wall, his snores filling the night. Dawn readied herself as she moved silently as a ghost and opened the door. The guard didn’t move as his snoring droned on.
Dawn stepped through and closed the door behind her. Sprinting across the small field to the tree line, a large creature shuffled in the dark. The elf reached the tree line and jumped. Legs opened as she landed on a saddle, the horse huffing. Reaching over and untying his reins, the horse galloped away in the dark forest.
Dawn let her mind wander as the trees bled away to a dirt road. Turning, she followed the road to a cluster of lights in the distance. The night air was fresh as she breathed in deeply. The elf enjoyed being back in Eddor. Vala’s realm had almost everything but the needed break was welcomed.
Before long, Dawn’s horse trotted into the town of Runon. Leg swinging over the saddle, the elf dismounted and gave the horse a whack on the rump. The horse huffed again and trotted off. Dawn knew after tonight she would go back to Vala’s realm, but there was something she had to do before she found a place to lay down and sleep the night away.
The elf walked past the closed storefronts of the town. It was late and no one was out in the pleasant night. Dawn stopped in front of a large shop and glanced around to see that the street had remained empty. Stepping to the front door, lock picking tools slipped from wrists and into thin hands. Dawn knelt down, little metal rods inserting into the lock and moving about. When a click filled the space between the door and elf, Dawn turned the knob and stepped in, closing the door behind her.
The shop was dark. Books and jars of ingredients filled the walls. Without a sound, Dawn cross the shop and stood before the counter. Faint memories played in her mind’s eye and a small ache touched her heart. Hand pulling the pack from her shoulder, she opened the top and pulled out a thick sack of coins. Hefting the sack in her hand, she looked to the counter and placed it on it. A small smile appeared as Dawn gazed down on the sack, her heart lifting a little in her chest.
Turning around, the elf made her way to the front door when something outside moved. Dawn froze, eyes looking past the windows to the street outside. A chill seeped into her spine as she held her breath, waiting. A creak of a floorboard caused the elf to turn around. A dark figure stood in the shadows. An arcane word rippled through the air before light bloomed and shot out. Dawn took a step back as the light struck her chest, sending her against the front door. Sliding down to the ground, her vision grew hazy as the robed figure stepped closer, arcane words filling the air. A word of power was uttered and light flashed once again, striking the elf and her world passing on into darkness.
***
A brute of man yelled as he charged. Victor sighed as the large man was nearly on him. When his meaty fists came down, Victor punched upwards, striking the brute in the chest and launching him into a cavern wall. The large man whimpered as he slid down and passed out.
Victor looked around the large cavern, men and women groaning across the ground as torches flickered along the walls. Lily brought the end of her staff down on a skull and the savage hit the ground. The succubus turned around and wiped sweat from her brow, her tail waving back and forth behind her. Victor eyed the tail and smiled, knowing the succubus was feeling better.
The succubus noticed Victor eyeing her tail and gave a wicked smile, “You’re right, getting back in the field does feel good.”
“A little exercise always helps,” Victor returned her smile.
Lily looked down to the scattered bodies, “Should we tie them up?”
Victor turned his attention to the iron door not far away from where he stood, “I don’t think we have to. That door looks pretty sturdy and I can feel the acolytes just beyond it.”
The Blade crossed his arms, gaze still on the door. “How come they don’t use iron for their weapons? I see stone daggers and spears, but clearly they know how to fashion iron.”
Lily moved to Victor’s side, “Baaldir prefers nature versus technology. I have heard it more than once from those who have visited the Tempest Realm.”
Victor nodded. “I wonder what ole horn head is up to since the attack on Vala’s realm?”
Lily stepped past the Blade, making her way to the door. “He is probably recovering. It takes a lot of energy to enter another god’s realm uninvited.”
Victor followed the succubus until they both stood in front of the iron door.
“I hope it takes him a long time to recover,” Victor said as he looked down at the keyhole.
“I hope you picked up the key while you were cracking skulls?”
Lily shook her head. “I didn’t know there would be a door.”
Victor inspected the door. A small barred portal opened at eye level. Beyond it, a long corridor continued on, torches lining the walls. The Blade turned and pressed his back to the door as if in deep thought.
“Can you rip it open,” Lily asked.
Victor shook his head, “We need this door intact to slow down the tribe when they start waking up.”
Victor brought up his stats and power list. He eyed his new abilities and thought a new approach was in order.
“I gained the ability to animal shapeshift and I have one Strength point left. I assume whatever I change into will be at cost so let’s get in there,” Victor smiled.
Lily watched as Victor nodded to himself. Power surged as his body grew smaller, shifting and flowing onto itself. Feathers sprouted, and his body contorted. The succubus stared as Victor’s body shifted into that of a small sparrow. The bird fluttered to her shoulder, gave her cheek a peck before flying to the small barred hole. Slipping through easily, Victor saw that on the other side, multiple iron rods lined the inside of the door and stabbed into the stone. Judging from the way it looked, even with his strength, it could have caused the whole area to collapse if he tried to rip it off its hinges.
Victor mentally commanded his body to change, and it obeyed. Body morphing, he grew to his full height. Looking through the hole, the Blade waved to the waiting succubus. Lily rolled her eyes.
Victor began sliding bars across, and then turned the inside handle. The thick door opened and Victor bowed. Lily sauntered in and when she was in the corridor, Victor closed the heavy door behi
nd them and slid the rods back into place. When it was locked, the succubus took her staff and slammed it into the locking mechanism, bending and destroying it.
“I was going to do that,” Victor pouted.
Lily gave him a sinister grin before turning and leading the way. The Blade followed, picking up the pace until they were side by side. The corridor was made of rough stone. The pair made their way along, senses alert. Victor could feel the small breeze flowing along the tunnel from unknown parts. For deep within a cave system, air flowed freely. Rooms opened up as they walked, beds and chains lining the walls.
“I’m assuming this place wasn’t used for fun,” Victor said in a low tone.
“The tribes in the Tempest realm can be brutal. It’s a place only the strong can survive,” Lily said as she continued to walk.
“I hope the black eyes we gave them will give them second thoughts,” Victor said.
“Maybe,…but I wouldn’t count on it. Only Vala’s influence can tame so many damaged hearts.”
The Blade looked to his Shield, “Is that what happened before? Did her love bring peace?”
Lily nodded. “From what I have learned and what Cassandra has told me, her love was enough to bring peace for thousands of years. The six realms never recovered from the Rage War, not fully. It wasn’t just the people who loved her, the gods did as well. She was their mistress and she loved them the only way Vala could, with her heart.”
“Do you believe her love will repair the realms?”
Lily looked to the Blade and gave him a sly smile, “Don’t you?”
Victor smiled. “I asked you first.”
The succubus let out a small laugh as they continued to walk. The pair noticed an open entrance at the end of the corridor, light spilling out. The Blade and Shield stepped to the entrance and peered inside. Torches lined the high ceiling as thick patches of dried grass nearly covered the stone floor. A rack of torture instruments lined a wall, complete with tables stained red. Metal bars lined the entire large room at chest level, chains dangling every few feet. Further into the room, four women were on their knees, wrists chained to the walls. Bleeding cuts covered their bodies as heads hung down, hair obscuring their faces. The women were naked, bruised and cut bodies gently heaving as if they only had enough strength to breath.