A day had passed since I had dealt with that attacking army and my gut feeling was the next attack was going to come soon. Being able to destress was important for even goddesses and in order to relax I had come to rest in Barthenor's castle. It was only going to be for one evening and night and my lich friend did not have any issue with it. In fact I had ended up house sitting while he went out to visit with some of the kingdom's mages. That's how I explained my hanging out to Neske anyway, as she was a bit nervous being alone with me still.
Up here in the mountains the only weather one got was terrible. Maybe there would be a terrible blizzard that froze you to your bone marrow, a torrent of frozen rain that spattered you like needles, or perhaps even hail that felt like being stoned to death with a thousand tiny rocks. Even when the skies were clear it was still dreadfully cold, though less so now compared to the dead of winter. Regardless it wasn't common to see living things up here and of course Castle Korchok had no such creatures inside of it. Only the undead wandered its halls.
That was at least until today. You see as a goddess my spacial awareness spread far and wide across the kingdom, even in a large radius around myself. Because I was inside this castle in the mountains the entire area for about two miles around was revealed to me inside my mindscape even without worshipers being present. This is how, despite the fact I was laying in a bed somewhere in the castle's upper floors, I was able to see the approach of a group of humans.
They were coming from the north with clear intent to travel through this mountain pass to the lands to the south. Of course the north end of this pass was in the land of Pheoa which meant these people clearly came from there. Though their appearance was a might blurry due to their unfamiliarity to me I could see they were not simple refugees as before. No these were soldiers of some kind all dressed in military equipment. Their purpose traveling through this mountain pass then was to sneak into Celuduun. Using mountains in this way was a common tactic throughout history.
These soldiers however had perhaps underestimated the misery a journey such as this entailed and they were clearly haggard from the crossing. Imagine their surprise and relief both when they spied in the distance a castle standing up against the unforgiving peaks of this dreary mountain. Perhaps their ill conceived trip was not as doomed as they had come to believe. With the sun only halfway to setting they would have plenty of time to settle down inside this grand structure and make camp.
Little did these poor men and women know that this castle was in fact inhabited. Not to mention how unfriendly the occupants were towards the living on even the best of days. To top it all off there was even a goddess resting there, the very goddess they were fearful of from the tales they've heard. To all of this they were blissfully unaware as they trudged along the stony path and up to the castle gates.
Neske and the skeletal animal servants were wholly unaware of our visitors and I actually wanted to keep it that way. For whatever reason I actually felt bad for them and didn't want them to die. Sure I'd be turning them around to whence they came. I certainly wouldn't allow them to sneak into the kingdom. However that didn't mean I would just condemn them to death either to the elements or an angry vampire.
From where I lay on the bed I began my plan. These humans would surely flee in terror upon seeing the bone abominations, or worse attack them. So getting them out of the way was the first step.
I called out with telepathy to Neske. “Hey Neske can you come here?”
While not overtly scared of me anymore the vampiress was still uneasy around me. It was to be expected as even most of my worshipers are not completely comfortable in my presence. She came with the swiftness of a bat to the dark room I was in, the darkness no hindrance to either of our sight.
Neske transformed back into her shapely human form at the foot of the grand bed I was tucked into. Then she gave a deep bow and kept her head low while addressing me.
“Yes my goddess?”
I sat up in the bed by leaning into the large array of pillows and pulled the sheets up over my body. This was an instinctual thing for me from my time as a human, not that I was actually worried about being seen in the cute pajamas I had made for myself. Also despite the room being pitch black and colder than a tomb I was completely comfortable due to my goddess nature.
“I want you to collect all the servants and retire them to the basement.” I instructed. “Do it as quickly as possible using telepathy.”
Neske glanced up at me on the bed with a very puzzled look on her face.
“My goddess?”
I let out a small sigh and waved my left hand in the air.
“Come on Neske. Your master trusts me so you should to.” I replied. “Just do it please and then come back here.”
The gentle reminder of my authority cause Neske to dismiss any questions she might have had and she snapped to attention. She then gave a deep bow.
“Yes goddess. Right away.”
With her instructions given the vampire whisked herself away into the darkness again with unnatural speed. I could already see in my goddess zone map that the skeletons were beginning to move towards a centralized location. Good. I slid back down under the icy sheets and let out a sigh of relief. The castle would be clear of unseemly attendants by the time the humans arrived.
My estimations were correct, much to my relief, and the servants were long stowed when the humans arrived at the gates. By now Neske was also in the bedroom with me again awaiting either further orders or an explanation. She was standing at the end of the bed dutifully, though her face was like that of a lost puppy.
“Alright fine.” I said with slight exasperation. “I'll tell you what this is all about.”
Saying this I scooted back up against the pillows and waited for Neske to give me her full attention before continuing.
“There are some humans entering the castle as we speak. They're soldiers from Pheoa and are in pretty bad shape from the mountain's treatment of them. I'm going to let them stay in the castle for the night before sending them home. We're in here and the skellies downstairs so they don't think anyone is here.”
Neske's face was twisting into one of great anger. Even though she feared me as her goddess she had also gotten used to being more emotional with me, largely due to me allowing it as I did with anyone else. She was obviously insulted and was going to express it.
“What kind of horseshit is this?” She exclaimed waving her arms. “Goddess you can not allow those scum-” She paused and coughed. “I mean humans.” Her fury then returned. “To squat in master's castle like vagabonds!” She turned her head with a glare. “They shall get their filth all over the floors and damage everything they touch!”
I couldn't help but smile watching this. The pure emotion on display made it easy for forget Neske was a blood sucking undead monster. How she was acting how reflected the soul that was still locked away inside that moving corpse and gave me hope she could fully regain her humanity.
While trying not to giggle I placed my hands out on the sheets in front of myself, the smile on my face unable to be hidden. Nor could the happiness in my voice be masked.
“Now Neske.” I said gently. “Do you really think I'd allow them to be so disrespectful? If they start acting like animals I'll deal with them personally. I just didn't want you to have to interact with them because... Well you know.”
Neske crossed her arms over her chest and seemed to pout.
“I'm aware you do not trust me with them goddess.” She then glanced at me in the corner of her eyes. “Even though you trust me with other mortals.”
“Yes but that's because those are my worshipers.” I replied. “They're not going to be openly hostile like these ones are. They don't know you.”
This explanation seemed to temper the anger though there was still annoyance in Neske's voice.
“Giving such hospitality to the enemy troops. I cannot fathom it.”
I lay back on the pillows and let out a sigh, my gaze fixed on the stone ceiling.
This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.
“You don't have to Neske. This is just the kind of goddess I am so please accept me.”
Neske shook her head slightly, no sigh escaping her as she didn't breathe.
“Yes my goddess...”
After our conversation the both of us went quiet again, neither entirely good at conversation. That was fine however as at least we weren't alone. The sun began to set outside and filled the entire castle in the same deep darkness that this room was filled with. I remained laying on the bed while Neske situated herself leaning into the west wall of the room. This is how we passed the hours. I had no idea what the vampire was thinking about but I had my own thoughts to mull over. Not to mention all the prayers I could more personally attend to in quiet times like this.
Downstairs the humans had settled down for the night in the grand entryway of the castle. There were about fifty of them and they all easily fit in the large area plus a side room. Their camp consisted of their bedrolls and several cooking fires, all they had to eat being what they had carried with them. Water was no issue due to the hail and rain that was currently battering the castle. The sound of the weather combined with the howling winds giving the place the creepy atmosphere it deserved.
Being the only one fully aware of all the movements in the castle I kept a close watch on them using the goddess zone. Thankfully they were behaving themselves, the dreadful feeling the castle emanated preventing them from wandering around. They also were being quite respectful of the objects in here because they felt the place was haunted and did not want to disturb the evil spirits. How close they were to the truth.
Eventually however a trio of foolhardy soldiers decided they wanted to explore the bowls of the castle. They were searching for treasure they claimed and went about it in spite of the warnings of their fellows. Thus armed with their swords and pitch torches they had explored about the dark and dismal dead halls of the daunting domicile. The lower levels were thankfully not on their itinerary so there was no worries of them discovering the unique servants.
These two men and one woman did however find it in their interest to explore the many bedrooms of the castle. While there was not much so called treasure to be found outside of Barthenor's treasury these louts had collected a few items such as candlesticks and ornate weapons. Those would be collected before they left but for now I allowed them to carry their supposed loot.
My concern was still that they would discover the room we were in. The door was closed of course but these three seemed stupid enough to open whatever doors they found without thinking. Thus I had begun to think about what I would do if and when they arrived. This whole hiding from the humans was silly certainly, but it was fun as well. It reminded me of playing hide and seek.
As expected the three explorers eventually arrived outside the door of my bedroom, the bring orange glow from their torches spilling under the wooden door and across the rug on the floor. Their excited voices echoed about the stone and they were making no attempts to be quiet in this clearly abandoned castle.
Neske immediately moved away from the wall and went into a combat stance. With a quick motion from me and quiet verbal command I had her hide in the dark corner behind the wardrobe. I however remained sitting up in the bed. If these humans were intent to ransack every room they came across they were about to find out just how idiotic they were being.
The sound of the lock being snapped was followed by the door swinging open wide. There stepping through the doorway were the three humans illuminated by torchlight. On the left was a tall man with beady eyes, in the middle a gruff looking woman, and on the right a very muscular man. They had on their persons several ill gotten gains and were talking among themselves in excitement about their haul. What treasure would this room hold for them?
Bright warm light cast itself across the floor and flooded the room with color, my pale complexion being filled with warmth as my hair did ever so faintly glow. I remained still and simply stared at the intruders waiting for them to notice me.
Notice me they did. The woman was first to see me and let out a shriek, pointing me out to her startled comrads.
“Look! On the bed!”
The musclebound man scoffed. “What ghosts are you jumping a-”
His sentence was cut short as he saw me as well. All of their faces were pale as the blood drained, the feeling of pure terror quickly overwhelming them. They could neither speak nor even scream as their mouths hung open with no sounds coming out. Fight or flight had also been broken with the remaining option of freeze being chosen. They remained in place fixated on me for several moments.
After what seemed like half a minute the tall man finally spoke in a stuttering voice.
“W-Who a-are you?”
An almost sinister smile spread across my face, mostly from the pure enjoyment I got from messing with people like this. Sub-chan kept telling me I really shouldn't be doing this but also that she agreed with my assessment of its fun. When I spoke I decided to keep in a very childlike voice to match my appearance as opposed to the more maturing tone I normally kept.
“Oh I'm just a little girl.” I said feigning innocence. “Are you here to take me to my momma and dadda?”
None of the soldiers were comforted by my words and they quickly looked between each other in worry. Their panic had faded though they were still clearly afraid. They discussed among themselves in hushed tones not knowing how clearly I could hear them.
“Its clearly a ghost.” The woman said.
“Well obviously.” The tall man said. “She must be one of the kids of whoever ruled here.”
The muscular man grunted. “Lets get rid of her then so we can continue looting. She's just a kid tell her to get lost or trick her or something!”
Both men looked at the woman with expectant looks. She frowned clearly offended.
“Oh because I'm a woman you expect me to deal with the child?”
The muscular man shrugged.
“I mean yeah.”
The tall man seemed to be more tactful and whispered reassuringly.
“Hey listen. A little ghost girl like her wants her mother more than her father. Kids like woman more you know? It makes sense for you to handle this.”
This matter settled the woman resigned herself to her fate and cleared her throat. She then straightened her hair and clothing as best she could before stepping out in front of her comrades to address me. She also started using an annoying baby voice.
“Well you see little girl. We just are visiting your parents you see. They're actually waiting for you in the kitchen! Why don't you scutter along and go see them yea? We'll take care of making the bed for you see? We be nice grown ups.”
Their reaction was not acceptable. Instead of being kind or thoughtful they instead were intent on continuing their looting. My face changed into a frown as my eyes began glowing. Just me doing this caused the fear to return to these human's eyes. My voice was now its normal mature tone.
“You don't seem to understand that I was the one who invited you into the castle for the night.” I said sitting up straight in the bed. “And I can just as easily send you out onto the mountain.”
I motioned with my hand and telepathically told Neske to come out from behind the wardrobe. The humans were already slowly backing away from the bed but upon seeing her they were preparing to turn and bolt. Instead of allowing that I closed the door with telekinesis. It slammed shut and all three soldiers found their backs up against the wall. Terror was setting in again.
Neske was showing off her fangs and with my permission was showing her true feelings. She wanted to kill them, she wanted to eat them, and these things showed on her face as she slowly walked up to the end of the bed.
I continued speaking. “This place is not friendly to humans and you best remember that. This castle is built for the dead and the dead keep it. Do you wish to join them?”
The three soldiers, now trapped in torch lit room with two horrific monsters, had only one action come to their panicking minds. They all fell on their knees and began begging for their lives, the shadows on the wall dancing as their torches clattered on the stone.
I stopped Neske's advance with a hand gesture and snorted.
“You're giving a bad example of humans for my student. Disgusting.” I then took a deep breath and huffed, the continued desperate begging making me feel bad for these people all over again. “I'll forgive you your rude behavior if you drop all your ill gotten gains. I hate thieves.”
Immediately the three emptied their bags and pockets of everything they had collected so far, their panicked scrambled causing them to scatter them all across the floor. Neske and I watched, the former with disgust and the latter with disappointment.
Once they were all done the tall man lifted his begging hands.
“There see? We gave up everything we stole! Spare us!”
The other two parroted the plea.
My anger had now cooled and I flopped back into the pillows with a deep sigh. These simple minded fools really had been punished enough. They were like children needing guidance. I crossed my arms over my chest and addressed Neske.
“Neske take these three back down to the rest of them. Explain to them the conditions of their stay. Make whatever rules you want but keep them reasonable for mortals.” I frowned again. “Take two servants with you to drive the point home. They need to understand just what kind of place this is.” I then grunted. “Make sure to explain to them that come morning they'll be returning to their homeland. No exceptions.”
Neske smiled with genuine happiness hearing these instructions and turned to bow to me. Being given such free reign to boss around mortals was just the kind of thing she loved doing. She had gotten used to being super friendly with my worshipers in the towns she helped but here she was laying down the rules of her master's castle with my blessing.
“I'd be happy to obey goddess!”
The vampire then turned to the three soldiers with a fang filled grin.
“Stand up you vermin. And march!”
I opened the door with my telekinesis again and lifted all three torches into the air for them to take upon standing. As long as Neske didn't cross any lines I was fine with her addressing them however she pleased. She deserved to have a bit of fun too.
All three humans stood up fearfully and took the torches from the air after I gestured for them to.
Neske pointed to the door. “Walk!”
All three of them yelped and hurried to stumble through the open doorway into the dark hallway. Then they were followed by their new undead overseer out of the room. The warm light of their torches faded from the room and left me in cold darkness once again. They were out of the sight of my eyes now but not from my mind. I would monitor them throughout the night in addition to my ward.
Thus did this dark and stormy night pass without further incident. The humans were very understanding of their situation after a vampire and skeleton chimeras walked into their midst corralling their comrades. They likely did not get too much restful sleep, though they did get rest. I also allowed them to be fed with baked potatoes I got from elsewhere by portals.
When morning came the storm had passed and the mountains were once again brightly lit under clear skies. Their bleak peaks standing tall into the clouds as if proud of their great size. I had Neske accompany me to the gates to send the soldiers off, ensuring they went north from whence they came. In times of war such moves were to be expected and going forward I would have the denizens of this castle keep an eye out on the road and turn back any would be invaders.