The air was heavy with somber anticipation. Eirgnon, Skivret, and Mina knelt in front of Reviled; it’s crimson stare pierced through each of them. Ada, Oria, and Meridith sat at the bar with Taela and Baron at one of the tables. Preddie, Nimble, and Rench sat at a small table while Magia and Hornet lounged on a set of plush pillows. None sat next to Reviled. Meridith stepped closer to the box, only to be stopped by the monster’s glare, and she returned to the bar.
The silence was finally broken. “The events of the previous week has enlightened us.” Reviled said as it looked at everyone. “Every one of you is in a position of power because you have earned our trust, but our trust and patience is limited.” Its gaze fell to the three in front of it. “Let these three be an example to all of you.” The three of them swallowed in fear.
Meridith rose a shaky hand and Reviled nodded in her direction. “Master, is there a reason why I’m not at your side?”
“The places at our side are for the most trusted. None shall sit there until they’ve proven themselves worthy.” Reviled said and gestured to the pillow on its right side. “However, for all your service Meridith, you deserve to be at our side. Sit.” Meridith bowed and quietly sat next to Reviled. Eirgnon’s eyes quickly flashed at her. “Do not get ahead of yourself.” Reviled growled. “Your actions have displeased us as well as mother.”
An ethereal chain wrapped around Eirgnon’s neck. He reached for his throat, but two more chains appeared, pulling his hands away and forcing him into a low bow. The diluvian gasped for breath as he face struck the floor.
Magia and Hornet jumped to their feet. “Master!”
“No.” Eirgnon choked. “Do not interfere.” They looked between Reviled and Eirgnon but followed their master’s orders.
Skivret and Mina stared in horror. Then Skivret squealed in pain as the slave crest on the left side of his face glowed an angry red. Skivret clawed at the mark, drawing blood, and his feet tore into the pillow. Preddie and Nimble went to move, but their own crests started glowing as a warning. Mina sat there shaking in fear as she watched the other two suffer.
“Mina.” She squeaked as Reviled called her name. “Your inexperience hindered us when we fought against the heroes.” Mina bit her lip as tears started streaming down her face. “We were gravely damaged because of you. Yet, that was our fault.” The tears stopped flowing as Mina stared in shock. “We knew you were not ready, but your desire to aid us swayed our judgement, and thus, we put you in harms way. Your actions were driven solely by loyalty, and it is no stretch to say that you were the most useful among your peers. You shall be rewarded.” It turned to Meridith. “See to it that a room is remodeled solely for her use. It’ll be for her to write her songs, and spare no expense.” Meridith nodded and gave the girl a small smile. Reviled gestured to the pillow at its left side. “Sit.” Mina nodded and moved to Reviled’s side. It petted her head and whispered. “See to it that you continue to practice.”
“Yes master.”
Reviled nodded. “Skivret.” The wererat rose his head as the crest deactivated. “Your wounded pride led you to overestimate your abilities. Several of your soldiers are now dead because of you.” Skivret nodded in shame. “Your people were not ready, and we were aware of this, yet we felt the challenge of finishing the heroes was well within your power. We were mistaken.” Reviled tapped the wooden box. “Do you have a plan to make up for this failure?”
“Yes master.” Skivret coughed as he sat up. “I have started making changes. One is to force all male to take up positions in the army.” Reviled perked up at this. “I understand that the surfacers see us as rodents, so I desire to change that. My people will fully focus on becoming a powerful army at your disposal.”
“You lack the equipment to be a useful army.”
“Not for long.” Skivret replied with a fiery glare. “I have spies mapping out the city to locate the guards’ store houses. We’ll steal their equipment and use it as our own. Then, we’ll train by sending squads up to the surface to attack the city guards.”
“What about your population?”
“Any of my people that are not bonded, must first prove themselves.” Skivret said. “I’ve taken in the most desired females and will bestow them to the greatest warriors as mates. That way, there is an incentive for my soldiers to grow. Mating will be a privilege to those that have proven themselves.”
Reviled scratched its chin. “Very well, we’ll accept your plan.”
Its gaze landed on Eirgnon. The chains hoisted the diluvian off the ground so that he could look Reviled in the eye. The chains tightened around Eirgnon’s wrist and throat. “You, we are the most displeased with.” Saliva seeped from the sides of Eirgnon’s mouth as he gasped for air. “You were once the right hand of Dyir’bahl. A powerful warlock who lived for nearly a thousand years, and yet, you allowed our prey to escape. There is no excuse for this failure.” Eirgnon gave a slight nod, but the chains wrapped around his neck made his eyes bulge. The chains loosened allowing Eirgnon to catch his breath. “What is freedom, Eirgnon?”
“It is a burden.” Eirgnon’s broken voice rasped against the air. “A burden for those strong enough to carry it.”
“Exactly.” Reviled growled as it turned its gaze to everyone. “Free will is not a virtue; it is a terrible burden. In the wrong hands, it can lead to ruin. That is why Elithis bestows the burden of freedom to those who have earned it.”
“Master,” Ada said with a soft tone. “Don’t people make choices all the time?”
“Insignificant choices yes, but what I’m referring to are choices that can change lives,” Reviled replied, “Those choices must be made by people capable of making them. The farmer may know how to grow crops, but he doesn’t know which crops are needed to support the kingdom. If the farmer were to choose which crops he wants to grow, it could sustain the famine rather than end it.”
“Everyone has a role, and they must serve society they best they can,” Eirgnon explained, “Tyranny is only evil when the fool is on the throne.”
“Exactly.” Reviled turned his gaze back to Eirgnon. “And you have made us a fool. How do you plan to rectify that?”
“I have an idea. If you are willing to hear it.” Reviled nodded, and the chains fell away from Eirgnon’s arms. The diluvian cleared his throat. “While you were recovering my lord, I came upon a group of refugees. After speaking with them, I’ve come to realize there is an opportunity for us to convert the masses to our side.”
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“You want to create a cult in the middle of the city?” Baron scoffed sarcastically.
“Yes.” Eirgnon replied with an earnest plea. “From my talk with these refugees, it’s clear that the citizens have started to lose faith in the Church and in the Virtues. I suggest we reintroduce one of Lady Elithis’ old religions, one that this world has long forgotten.”
“We were unaware that mother had any other religions.” Reviled hummed in thought. “According to our creator, she was only ever known as the Hive Mother.”
“According to Lady Elithis, that name came to prominence three thousand years ago when her last Avatar walked the lands.” Eirgnon replied with condescending smirk. “I recommend bringing back a title truly befitting her greatness. With your permission, I would like to open a House of Destiny.”
Everyone looked at the diluvian in confusion. “Explain further.” Reviled focused on Eirgnon.
“In my time, Elithis was also known as the Lady of Fate. Her priests would ordain a person’s calling and then lead them to fulfill it.” Eirgnon reminisced with a smile. “All had a place, and none were left behind.”
“We see.” Reviled’s eyes dimmed, then they brightened. “Very well, we shall accept your plan. However, from this moment you’ll fall directly under Baron.”
“What?” Baron shouted as he looked between Reviled and Eirgnon. Sweat formed on his brow. “But why not directly report to you master?”
“This is his punishment.” Reviled chuckled at Baron’s shock. “Eirgnon has been demoted, and until he proves himself worthy, he’ll report directly to you.” His gazed lingered over to Taela. “Also, you have connections that we don’t. Those connections will be useful to this House of Destiny. See to it, Baron.”
“Yes master.”
“Has anyone heard from Kogna?” Reviled looked at Meridith.
“He did send a message while you were undergoing repairs.” Meridith replied, a glint of fear in her eyes. “I wanted to tell you sooner, but you demanded this meeting immediately.”
“Any specific reason as to why?”
“Apparently, Lady Priscilla wants to use our knights to hunt you down.” Meridith swallowed hard as she wrung her hands together. “According to his letter, she plans to announce their creation after they hunt you down. They’re even being trained by Lord Phineas.”
Reviled bellowed out a laugh. “Who would have expected that the girl would have such ambitions.” He turned to Taela. “Someone send a letter to Kogna. Tell him to bring our knights to the Rose Garden. We should give them proper motivations.”
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The night air was filled with the howling of young men. Kogna led his master’s knights-to-be down the streets of the upper city. The twenty-five young men cheered as they approached the three-story whitewashed building. They salivated at the reward after their days of hard training.
“I wasn’t expecting this.” Danien laughed as he hungrily eyed the building. “Master Legion knows how to show his appreciation.”
The door to the Rose Garden opened and Taela stepped out. “Good evening gentlemen.” She smiled brightly at them, but their attention was focused on her tight bodice. “We’ve been expecting you. Please come inside.”
Kogna sighed as the young men cheered, and they stepped into the building. Taela led them to the main bar. The prostitutes gave them enticing smiles as they entered. Their dresses showed off their legs and chests while still covering their enticing parts. The young men were barely keeping themselves in check.
“We hope you all are excited.” Kogna turned to see Reviled’s familiar sitting on the bar. All eyes turned to the familiar, and Kogna could see the charm leave the women’s eyes. “We’ve heard you’ve all been training hard, so we felt it was time to reward your dedication. Enjoy yourselves tonight at our expense.” Kogna flinched at the howls coming from his charges, and the young men started dispersing around the room.
With a deep sigh, Kogna headed to the bar. “What can I get you handsome?” The middle-aged bartender smirked at him.
“Something strong to get me through this night.”
The bartender poured him a generous amount of whiskey. “Here you go.” Kogna nodded in response. “You’re not going to go find yourself a girl?”
“No, I’m here to supervise.” Kogna snickered as he took a drink. “Besides, I have a particular taste in women.”
“And that would be?”
Kogna tapped the bar in thought. “Homely women.”
The bartender sidled up closer to the bar. “I’m certain we can find someone for you.” Kogna gave the bartender a quick glance and smirked at her.
“That’s enough Katrina.” Taela chuckled as she sat down next to them.
“May I ask what this is for master?” Kogna turned to the rat.
“We have our reasons.” Reviled chuckled as it looked at the men. “We apologize for not getting in touch sooner. There were complications. How has their training coming along?”
“Terribly.” Kogna sighed deeply. “A few of them have some talent, but they all lack proper discipline. As of right now, they aren’t even on par with any of the guardsmen.”
“That’ll need to change, and this should do the trick.” Its voice projected over the room. “Are you all enjoying yourselves?” The men cheered in response. “Excellent, however, before the festivities fully start there are some things we need to discuss.” All celebration immediately stopped.
“What do you wish to talk about sir?” Danien smiled uncomfortably as he held onto the woman in his lap.
“Your progress.” Reviled’s work sent a shiver down everyone’s spine. “You were all sent to the castle for training, and yet, it seems like you all are failing. This needs to change immediately.” Sweat started forming on the young men’s faces as the color drained from their faces. “The Knights of the Withered Thorn are to be a pivotal part of our organization, one with excellent rewards. So for us to hear you all are failing displeases us. That is why we felt it was necessary to show you the rewards you could possibly receive.”
Taela snapped her fingers, and the prostitutes pulled away from the young men. They stared in horror as the women stood out of reach.
“We do not reward mediocrity.” Reviled’s growl caused the men to turn completely white. “If your performance doesn’t improve, then we’ll find another place for you. One less rewarding.” The words hung in the air. After the silence finally settled, Reviled turned to Kogna. “Tell us, which five of them are the best performing?”
“Rupheus, Victor, Callen, Elthan, and Wiese.”
“Step forward you five.” Reviled beckoned, and five men stood up. “You may be the best, but that isn’t something to be proud of. We always demand excellence, but we will reward effort. So, pick one girl, and she is yours for the next hour. The rest of you will wait here and reflect upon your failures. Hopefully, the sight of your reward will drive you to do better.”
The five men grabbed the first women in their sights and rushed them upstairs. Tension immediately grew as the rest of them stared hungrily at the half-naked women. The women however, stood there making themselves appealing to the men, and they were clearly enjoying the teasing.
“Why are we following this bastard?” a lone voice broke the silence. All eyes turned to the nameless man glaring at the rat.
“Shut up!” Danien snapped. “I don’t like this either, but he’s the boss.”
“But what’s stopping us from-”
Danien punched the man in the face. His fists continued pummeling the fool until his knuckles came back red. Danien panted as he tried fixing his clothes.
“He is the King.” Danien turned and bowed to Reviled. “Forgive the outburst, Sire. Should I remove him from the premises?”
“Yes.” Reviled nodded. “Pick any girl, she’s yours for one hour Danien.”
“Thank you, sir.” Danien smiled as he pulled a girl away. The rest of the knights glared in envy as Danien left.
“Now then.” Reviled’s glare fell to the Upstart. The Upstart held his bleeding nose and stared at Reviled in fear. “You have not been punished enough. The rest of you, take him out back and beat him. Those that do will be able to enjoy themselves for one hour.”
As soon as the words were said, the men dragged the Upstart off the sofa towards the back. Their pent-up frustration fueled their actions against their friend. Even with them outside, their angry shouts could be heard through the stone walls.
“See to it that they get their reward.” Reviled snickered before turning to Taela. “We’ll have Meridith bring a bonus for the girls. Also, to reward your girls for their excellent work, we’ll be booking the bathhouse for their exclusive use.” The prostitutes eyes sparkled at the news. “Enjoy yourselves everyone.” The rat disappeared in a whisp of smoke.