Just walking so many miles, with his heavy back pack weighing him down, he had grown stronger. His back ached and his legs and feet were always sore, but he was getting used to it. Waldo hadn’t realized just how comfortable he’d grown living in the castle with servants taking care of his every need.
Now if he could just capture a Great Monster and bind him with a contract.
Waldo had memorized the ritual while on the road, he could recite it backwards and forwards while in his sleep. What worried him was how exactly to subdue the monster long enough to perform the binding. The beast did not have to submit willingly. (Enver was forever complaining about that fact and of how his mother had forced him into her service.) What was required though was physical contact.
How exactly was he supposed to hold a Great Monster in place even for just seconds?
His spellbook had several paralyzing magics. “If only I could use any of them.”
It was always the same problem. He could work protective wards and healing magic, everything else though was a monumental struggle.
How was he supposed to capture this Great Monster without offensive spells?
“I suppose I could at least start off by asking him to join me.”
He hated the weakness of the idea, but it was not totally without merit. A master was responsible for the feeding and care of his familiars. They were also under his protection. Some monsters thought that a good bargain, and it was not unheard of for them to submit willingly.
Of course… those were usually weak monsters who struggled to survive on their own.
Powerful monsters like Enver would fight fang and claw to stay free.
I’ll just have to try and convince him to serve me. If that doesn’t work I’ll have to try and use my magic and take my chances. No matter what, I can’t leave here with hands empty.
Despite the obvious problems Waldo was excited. This was his first real chance to prove himself. If he could do this, then maybe this quest wasn’t as impossible as it seemed.
As he walked along, there trotting towards him was a bulky creature with pasty grey skin. It had short stubby legs, thick muscled arms that hung almost to the ground, and a turnip shaped head with tiny black eyes and a slit of a mouth that ran from one side to the other.
Goblin.
Simple minded brutes who were barely capable of speech. They were among the most common sort of monster, and good only for physical labor of fighting. This one had a leather harness tied about his chest. He was pulling a wooden cart weighed down with sacks of flour.
Waldo moved to the side of the narrow street to let it go by. To Waldo the goblin was giving off a reddish light, just enough to outline it. He wondered how much it would cost to acquire. Goblins had their uses. Maybe he would try to acquire it later. Comparing that flickering glimmer to the blinding radiance he was moving towards Waldo picked up his pace. It was clear what his priority was.
As he hurried along Waldo never thought to turn around and look behind him. His own ability and his spell would alert him if a monster approached. It would never occur to him to actually worry about ordinary people.
About fifty paces behind him a small crowd had formed and was carefully following.
XXX
Eventually Waldo came to a building was sitting right in the middle of the water. To his eyes light was pouring from it, what he sought was definitely inside.
There was a simple wooden foot bridge, just wide enough to allow two people to cross side by side. It had waist high railings that were worn and faded. When Waldo took his first step onto its planks there was a very slight creak.
He hesitated.
Before coming here he had never seen a river, and had no idea how to swim. Looking at the water rushing past he imagined falling in. His knees grew a bit weak and he put a hand on the railing.
Then he glanced at the building that was just a short walk away.
“There is no place for cowards in this family,” his mother had told him.
Taking a deep breath he let go of the railing and took another step forward. He did his best to ignore the creek he heard and placed another foot in front of the other. Keeping his eyes focused he walked quickly across, all the while wondering why people would build something in the middle of a river.
When he made it to the other side and his feet stepped onto rocky ground he let out a relieved sigh.
The two story building took up most of the little island. He saw the edges of it were surrounded by weeds and that the red paint was cracked and flaking off. Above the door was a sign with some bird that had black streaks on its wings.
Light was spilling out of the doorway. A powerful monster was just on the other side. This was the reason he had come here, no matter what he had to acquire this Great Monster. Waldo took a deep breath to steady himself and squared his shoulders. He opened the door and walked inside.
As soon as he entered four faces turned to him. He ignored all but one of them. It was some sort of tavern, and behind the bar was a woman who was absolutely glowing! From the intensity he thought she might well be an equal for Enver. Could she be a vampire? That would be too perfect. Whatever she was he wanted her. Waldo needed this power, and would claim it no matter what it took.
Their eyes met. Hers were the most unusual shade of violet. When she spoke her voice sounded as sweet as morning sulfur. “Welcome to the Inn of Lost Sighs darling. What can I get for you?”
“Nunc.” He whispered, ending the spell.
Waldo took a closer look at her. She was quite a beauty, with long red hair and both a face and a body to attract any man. Her eyes gave her an exotic appearance. It was a definite plus that she was attractive, he was already thinking about how that could use that. He strode towards her.
“I have come here to make you mine.”
He saw her mouth fall open. “What?”
“I have come to make you mine, and I will not allow you to refuse.”
The girl just stood there staring.
“Hey now! Who do you think you are?” The man at the bar spoke.
Waldo had not bothered to take note of the others. There was a man in faded grey tunic and trousers, a young girl in somewhat revealing clothing, and a large mid aged woman standing just behind his monster looking on.
“I am Waldo Corpselover, heir of the Corpselover family, one of the Seven Great Families of Alteroth.”
The man mouthed the word ‘Corpselover’ with obvious disdain.
“Great family?” The brown haired girl asked. “So are you like a lord or something?”
“There are no lords in my country, we have no kings or nobles. There are Seven Great Houses that rule Alteroth and my family is one of those seven.”
“But you’re rich right?” The girl slid over to him. “Would you like to relax and enjoy my company?”
Having grown up with slaves whose lives depended on pleasing their masters, Waldo had long since learned to recognize false affection.
“I am not here for company or for play.” He turned all of his attention back to his potential familiar. “I am here for you. I want you to come with me and be mine.”
Her cheeks blushed and one hand ran nervously through her long hair. “Well thank you darling, I am flattered, but you don’t even know my name.”
“What is your name then?”
“Alice.”
“Just Alice?”
Her eyes avoided his. “I don’t have a last name.”
The other girl was only too eager to supply the reason for that. “She’s just an indentured servant; so she doesn’t have a family name.”
Waldo glanced at the girl who had just spoken. “I’m not familiar with that word. What exactly does, ‘indentured’ mean?”
“It means she’s a slave.”
Alice stared down at her feet. “Technically I’m not.”
“I don’t care about that,” Waldo said.
“You don’t?” Alice frowned and crossed her arms across her chest.
“I suppose you’re hoping to bed me first? If you are, then I need to tell you I don’t do that.”
“Do you think that’s why I want you?” Waldo shook his head.
“I came here all the way from Alter just for you. Even though we have never met, you are incredibly important to me. I want and I need you.”
XXX
Alice could feel her heart racing and was suddenly very hot. She couldn’t count how many times men had tried to tell whatever they thought she wanted to hear. She’d heard every sort of false promise, every kind of endearment. The words were always tender and spoken with passion.
They were always lies.
The men were always the same. They would tell her anything to try and get what they wanted from her. None of their gentle words ever touched her.
Until now.
The way he was looking at her and the frankness of his declarations made Alice really believe him. Though it made no sense at all, she really did think he wanted more than just her body.
“Why? If it’s not to sleep with me, why would you want me?”
He smiled at her and she thought her heart was going to melt.
“Well because you’re a monster obviously!”
Alice stepped back and put both hands over her mouth. “How did you…”
“Hey! How dare you!” Harold shouted. “Who the hell do you think you are you black wizard?!”
“I’ve told you who I am. Weren’t you listening? You are very rude.”
Harold had about three inches and at least fifty pounds on Waldo. His hands were fists and he looked like he was ready to start beating the wizard.
“Please don’t do anything stupid Harold,” Elsa said with an annoyed sigh. “I’d rather not have to put someone in the stocks so early in the day.”
“But he just called Alice a monster!”
“I know, I was here when he said it.”
“Why wouldn’t I call her a monster?” Waldo asked. “She is one.”
“Don’t call her that!” Harold shook a fist in Waldo’s face.
Waldo just stood there, seemingly unafraid. “Are all the people in this country really so rude? If this were Alteroth your head would already be on that floor.”
“This aint Alteroth you damn black wizard.”
Alice could see Harold was about half a breath from hitting him. “Darling, maybe you should go.”
Harold nodded in agreement. “You heard her wizard, get out of here and don’t come back.”
“I believe she was talking to you.” Waldo said.
“I was.” Alice confirmed.
“You want me to go? Harold asked. “But I was defending you.”
“I know, and I appreciate it, but I think it would be best if you leave.”
Elsa stepped forward. “That seems like a fine idea. I think I’ll close the Inn for a bit. Come back later and I’ll give you a free meal and ale.”
“But…”
“Go.” Elsa said firmly. “And please don’t tell anyone about any of this.”
“But…”
“Please go Harold,” Alice asked him. “It’s all right.”
He wavered. “Are you sure?”
“I’m sure.”
“Fine.” Before going he sent Waldo a hard look. “You better not insult her again.”
“How is calling her a monster an insult?”
Harold tensed.
“I wonder if the worse thing about the stocks is spending hours bent over or having everyone see you in them.” Elsa said. “What do you think?”
He muttered something foul and left the Inn slamming the door behind him.
“Well that was fun,” the other girl said. “What are you going to call her next? A troll? A hag?”
Waldo gave Alice a speculative glance. “Are you a troll? I didn’t think they could disguise themselves as human.”
His question made Alice look uncomfortable while the brown haired girl started to laugh.
“Nancy,” Elsa said. “Why don’t you go back up to your room and make yourself look pretty?”
“I’m already pretty.”
“Then make yourself prettier.”
“Hmmph, fine!” She slid off her seat. Padding over to Waldo she expertly slid her modest breasts against his arm. “It was a pleasure meeting you. If you would like to have a little fun I’m upstairs in room five.”
“You shouldn’t be so forward with someone you just met.” Waldo told her. “It makes you sound like a whore.”
Nancy blinked, and then burst out into fresh laughter. “You really are too much!”
She headed up the stairs and to her room.
“Why was she laughing?” Waldo asked. “I was just telling her the truth.”
“You might want to do a bit less of that.” Elsa said.
Waldo nodded slightly. “Yes, lying is a skill I need to improve in.”
“How did you know about me?” Alice finally burst out.
“A vampire told me. How he knew I have no idea.”
“A vampire? But how would…” She stopped and swallowed. In the end, how he knew didn’t really matter. “Doesn’t it disgust you? Knowing I’m not human? All the men who want me would be sickened if they knew what I really was.”
“Then they’re all fools. Being what you are makes you special. It’s because you’re what you are that I came here. If you were just a pretty girl I wouldn’t be interested at all.”
She stared at him. He knows and still wants me.
Alice felt a torrent of emotions. He didn’t care that she was a monster or that she was low born. He wasn’t trying just to sleep with her. Here was the handsome prince come to save her and take her far away just like she’s always imagined.
She’d never once dreamt he would have black robes, but she thought he was cute and could tell he was kind. She thought she could be happy with someone like him.
Is this what it feels like to fall in love?
“If you came all the way here for Alice then I’m afraid you’ve wasted your time.” Elsa said.
Those words brought Alice’s momentary hopes crashing down. Even if he was serious it didn’t matter. She was still trapped.
“Why is that?” Waldo asked.
“It’s because she isn’t free to just leave. As my indentured servant and I don’t intend to let her go with you.”
“Oh, I see. So you’re her owner?”
“The correct title would b,e ‘employer’ but close enough. Do you even know how much trouble you’ve caused me? I doubt anyone will actually believe Alice is a monster. They’ll just think it’s a dark wizard being insulting. Even so, word of this will definitely get out. There’s no way Nancy won’t talk about it no matter how I threaten her.”
“I don’t understand. Just how have I caused anyone trouble?”
“No one else here knows I’m a monster, darling.” Alice told him. “The men who like me wouldn’t want anything to do with me if they knew.”
“But you have monsters here.” Waldo stated. “I saw a goblin pulling a cart and I could tell there are others in this city.”
Elsa waved her hand. “We also have oxen and donkeys. Most men don’t want to sleep with them though.”
“You have a prohibition against being intimate with non-humans? How close minded.”
“So… so you really don’t find it disgusting?” Alice asked, her hopes rising despite the circumstances.
“Of course not. Obviously no one would ever want to touch a goblin, but elves? Vampires? In Alteroth we believe a person should take pleasure wherever they find it.”
“Then you can also love someone who isn’t human?”
“Well of course.”
Alice gave a heartfelt sight. “You really are a sweet, kind man aren’t you?”
“There is no reason for you to be insulting.”
Alice opened her mouth and didn’t know what to say.
“Enough of this,” Elsa declared. “People here don’t much care for your sort.
It’s time for you to leave and move on.”
“Fine. How much?”
“How much for what?”
“Alice, obviously.” Waldo shrugged off his backpack and put it on the floor. “As I’ve already said I came all the way for her. I am not leaving without her. Since you’re her owner I will buy her from you.”
The (sort of) Dark Mage (Waldo Rabbit) Page 10