Baron sighed deeply as he rubbed his face. Sunlight bathed his chest, and birdsongs gently called him to consciousness. He sat up while stretching and looked out the window.

“Did you sleep well?” Baron turned to the maid attending him. Her voluptuous blonde hair shined golden in the light, and her simple black uniform dress accentuated her lovely figure.

“I sleep well Charolette, but it seems like I overslept,” Baron said, “Why didn’t Taela wake me?”

“Forgive me master Baron, but Taela had to tend to mistress Reina,” Charolette curtsied, “She left a note asking me to attend to you in her stead.”

“I see,” Baron smiled as his gaze linger over her bosom, “Then I’m in your care.”

Charolette gave him a sly smile, “I’ll do my best,” she pulled him out of the bed and started undressing him, “You have several appointments today, so you need to get dressed.”

“I think I need a bath first,” Baron let his hand rest on her ass.

Charolette gave him a hooded stare. Her hand reached between his legs, and she squeezed hard which caused Baron to groan in pain.

“There’s no time,” Baron took a deep breath when she released him.

“Taela trained you well,” Baron cleared his throat.

Charolette sauntered to his closet and pulled out one of his suits. She dressed him in a loose tan shirt which she tucked into black silk pants. Charolette buttoned up his crimson vest and clipped on a golden chain which adorned the front. She dusted off the black jacket before putting it on him.

“You look as dapper as always sir,” Charolette kissed the back of his neck.

“Come now Charolette,” Baron chuckled wiping away the kiss, “I’m visiting my little mouse today. I don’t want to make her jealous.”

“And what about me?”

“You’ll have me all to yourself while Taela’s away,” Baron slipped his hand under her skirt, “Why don’t you tend to me tonight.” He gave her a deep kiss. When he pulled back, he noticed a black rat sitting on the window.

Charolette pulled him down for another kiss. “I’ll keep you to that,”

Baron chuckled as he wiped his lips, “Can you get the wagon ready.”

Baron sauntered through the halls of castle Jericho. He came to Maelon’s common room door. A maid stepped out, adjusted her dress, and curtsied to him before heading down the hall. Baron chuckled as he knocked on the door.

“Come in,” Maelon was laying on the sofa in plush robes, “Morning Baron,” he said sipping on his tea.

“Good morning,” Baron smiled as she sat across from him, “Did you sleep well?”

“Quite well,” Maelon chuckled, “I quite enjoyed myself with that lovely lady last night. Give my compliments to her master when you see him next.”

“I’ll try,” Baron said, “We don’t see each other much.”

“Is there anything else you need?”

“I’m here to see a cute little mouse,” Baron smiled, “But I wanted to check in since I was here.”

“I appreciate that,” Maelon smiled, “I look forward to our next outing.”

Baron waved goodbye and left the room. He wandered through the halls until he came to the library. The little librarian stood behind her desk sifting through books. Baron snuck behind her and wrapped his arms around her, which caused her to squeak in surprise.

“Baron!” she panted, “What are you doing here?”

“I came to see you, Ema,” Baron whispered into her ear. “Or are you not excited to see me?”

“I am,” Baron smiled as she squirmed in his embrace, “I just wasn’t expecting to see you.”

“I thought you might be missing me,” Baron kissed the top of her head, “Do you want to have dinner tonight?"

“I’d love to,” Ema leaned against him.

“Then I’ll come get you tonight,”

Ema chuckled, but it turned into a scream as she stared at one of the bookshelves. A black rat sat on the top shelf staring down at them. Is that the same one from this morning? It disappeared into the rafters.

“Don’t you have cats?” Baron said petting her.

“We do, but I keep them out since they tend to destroy the books.”

“Maybe you should rethink that.”

“I guess so,” Ema sighed and turned in his grasp, “I’ll see you tonight then.” She leaned up and gave him a gentle kiss.

Baron couldn’t help himself. He picked her up and set her onto the desk as he deepened this kiss. “I don’t think I can wait until tonight.”

----------------------------------------

Baron adjusted the tie around his neck and centered the corsage in his jacket. Ema sat beside him in a silk blue dress with wide sleeves. Their fingers intertwined as the carriage slowly rocked down the streets. Baron couldn’t help but stare at the simple beauty next to him.

“You’re going to make me blush,” Ema said covering her cheeks.

“Seems you’re already blushing,” Baron kissed her hand, “And I quite enjoy it.”

“You’re terrible,”

The carriage came to a halt, and the footman opened the door for them. Baron escorted Ema out of the carriage and into the high-end restaurant. The server led them to a table in a quiet corner to themselves.

“How have things been for you,” Baron sipped his wine.

“The same as usual,” Ema said, “Except sir Halligan’s been spending a lot of time in the library.”

“Why,”

“He’s been looking for maps of the sewers,” Ema took a bit from her food, “I think he’s preparing an expedition down there. He keeps bringing up some monster. I hope he succeeds so we can be rid of the wererat king.”

“Is he planning on doing this himself?” Baron said.

“I don’t know,” Ema shrugged, “What I do know is that no one else is taking this ‘monster’ seriously. From our talks, he wants to hunt it down quickly so he can meet back up with Solomon since it sounds like he needs help.”

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

“What’s happening?”

Ema quickly looked around then leaned towards him, “Reports are coming in from Fortress Delmiere. The Wight King’s forces are constantly attacking it, so Solomon is unable to start his journey to the Wight King’s castle.”

“I see,” Baron stroked his chin. If Delmiere falls, then the Wight King will have access to the rest of the continent. “Are things getting that desperate?”

“It sounds like it,” Ema frowned, “Sir Maelon stated that several kingdoms recalled their forces before the undead attacked. Now they’re relying on the church’s paladins and adventurers to supplement their losses.”

“When will the Duke reinforce Delmiere?”

“The Duke’s second son will be taking reinforcements at the end of the month.”

“Phineas is taking charge?” Baron said in confusion, “But Maelon is the superior commander. He must be worried about his son.”

“Maelon is the Duke’s heir,”

They finished eating and headed back to the carriage. Ema snuggled up to Baron as they rode back to her house. The carriage’s rocking threatened to put them to sleep.

“Are you certain you don’t want to stay the night?” Ema smiled into his chest.

“I’d love to, but I need to be up early tomorrow,” Baron stroked her thigh, “I hope you don’t mind.”

“I understand,” She leaned up to kiss him. The carriage came to a stop, “Goodnight,” she said climbing out.

“Good night,”

A few days later, Baron walked around his brewery checking on his inventory. The wagons had returned from their morning deliveries, and the other workers were moving around the barrels to prepare for tomorrow. The next batch of mead was being made alongside the wine and beer and it left a wonderful aroma in the air.

Taela still hasn’t returned. Baron signed some documents as the new batch of resources came in. I should check in with Reina after this.

“Pardon me, master Decker,” Baron turned to see Charolette leading two guards to him, “These men need to talk with you.”

“What about?” Baron gave them a polite smile.

“Do you know Ema who works in the archives?”

“Yes, I know her,” Baron’s smile turned to a frown, “Did something happen to her?”

“She’s…gone missing,” Baron dropped his papers in shock, “She didn’t report for duty today, and when we went to check on her, we found her house broken into.”

“Do you mind telling us what your relationship with her was?” the other guard said.

“I was courting her,” Baron said, “We were out the other night.”

“And she made it home safely?”

“Yes,”

“I see,” the guards nodded to each other, “We’re sorry to bring you this news. If you can think of anything, please come to the castle.”

Charolette placed a hand on his shoulder, “Is there anything I can do for you?”

“Get my carriage ready,” Baron clenched his fist, “I need to go get Taela.”

Charolette nodded and left. By the end of the hour, Baron stormed into Reina’s brothel. A few of the prostitutes stepped out of the bar and looked at him in surprise.

“Where’s Taela!” Baron stared daggers at the girls.

“She’s not here sir,” the older bartender said, “She hasn’t been here in months.”

“That can’t be,” Baron slammed his fist onto the podium, “She left a note saying that she was needed here.”

“What’s going on?” Reina stood at the top of the stairs.

“I’m looking for Taela,”

“She’s not here,” Reina tapped her chin, “I haven’t seen her since I last spoke with your father.”

“That can’t be. She left a note saying you needed her,” Sweat started beading down his face.

“I didn’t summon her. When did she leave this note?” Reina started to look worried.

“A few days ago, after…oh gods,” Baron charged out of the brothel and back into the carriage, “Take me back to the house, now!”

The carriage jerked forward as it raced down the street. The cries of the people outside were dull to him, and Baron held onto the sides as it took a corner. The carriage screeched to a halt, and Baron ran back into his house. The servants stared at him as he ran up the stairs and down the halls to his father’s office.

Baron slammed the doors open, “We need to talk!”

“I don’t have time son,” Bartholomew said looking over the documents on his desk, “It can wait until tonight.”

“It can’t wait until tonight,” Baron said leaning against the desk, “It’s about the monster.”

Bartholomew set his pen down and looked up at him, “What about it?”

“I think it’s kidnapped Taela,” Baron said.

“Why do you say that?” Baron told him what happened, “Damn,” Bartholomew tapped his fingers on the desk.

“What do we do?”

“I’ll send some men to check out this tavern,” Bartholomew took a deep breath, “We need to be careful about this.”

“We need to save Taela now!”

“Chances are Taela isn’t there,” Bartholomew growled at him, “Because of you, the monster will be on watch. If we act too hasty then Taela dies.”

“But,”

“You fucked up,” Bartholomew said, “Now I have to clean up your mess. Get out.”

Baron glared at his father and stormed out of the office and to his room. He slammed the doors closed. Screaming, Baron picked up a chair and threw it against the wall, then kicked the sitting room table onto its side. Not even the pillows adorning the sofa were safe from his fury. With heavy breaths, he stared at the carnage. Laughing sounded from behind him, and it sent a shiver down his spine. Baron turned to find a black rat staring at him.

“You seem upset,” the monster’s chuckle came through the rat.

“Where’s Taela?”

“She’s with us,” the monster said, “We expected you to notice sooner.”

“Give her and Ema back now!”

“If you want them, then come get them.”

----------------------------------------

Baron stared at the run-down warehouse. The monster said it’d bring them here after sundown, and that all he needed to do was come get them. He wasn’t stupid enough to fully believe that, but he didn’t have much of a choice. His father was still furious with him, and he could only get the five men behind him to join. They had their weapons ready, and Baron pushed his way into the warehouse.

The darkness was thick in the warehouse with the only light coming from the open door. They kept an eye out, but it was difficult to see anything in the surrounding darkness. Darkness enveloped them as the door slammed shut. Mechanical grinding echoed around them, and a small speck of light from a single candle illuminated the two women in front of them. Ema and Taela stared at him in terror. Baron wanted to approach, but the fact that they weren’t bound disturbed him.

“I know you’re here,” Baron shouted into the darkness, “Show yourself monster!”

“Why should we?” the monster’s voice rang unnaturally, “We kept our end of the bargain, but you…you were supposed to come alone.”

“I’m not that foolish,”

“We beg to differ,”

Metal clattered behind him, but Baron couldn’t turn around. His body wouldn’t move no matter how much he tried to. The men behind him screamed in agonizing pain. Baron couldn’t help but whimper as he heard the tearing of flesh, and the death groans of his men. There was enough light to see the tears streaming down Ema’s face.

“Thank you for the meal,” the monster stepped out from behind him with blood dripping down its face. “Let’s have a talk shall we.” The monster waved it’s hand, and Baron could finally move.

“I want my girls back,” Baron said, cursing himself for the quiver in his voice.

“Which one,”

Baron straightened his suit, hoping to muster some semblance of authority, “Both,”

“No,” The monster growled as it approached the two women, “We…require payment for the crimes you committed against Meridith.” It stepped behind them, it’s claws gently sliding against their throats.

“This…isn’t a negotiation,”

“You’re right, we aren’t negotiating,” the monster chuckled, “You have no authority here Decker. If we wanted to, we could easily kill the three of you and be done with, but there is another that would escape punishment.”

“Maelon,” Baron stared at the monster with wide eyes.

“Exactly,” the monster growled as its mouth opened, “We want the one who violated Meridith. You do that, then we’ll give you back your girl.”

“Girl?”

“You need to be punished as well,” it chuckled as it pulled both women close, “So tell us, which one is more precious to you. The whore, or the librarian.” Both women stared at him with fear and hope, and he shook his head unable to answer, “Choose, or we’ll take both.” The monster’s tongue slithered out caressing both of their cheeks.

Baron looked to both women, and he turned away closing his eyes, “Taela,” he heard Ema cry, but it didn’t last long. He looked up and saw her body lying on the ground, “Now give her back.”

“Not yet,” the monster said pulling down her dress to reveal a mark around her neck. It suddenly glowed revealing a magic circle, “We’ll hold onto her until you bring us Maelon.”

“You used compulsion magic on her!” Baron sneered, “You don’t need to hold onto her.”

“True,” the monster’s condescending snicker made Baron shiver, “But we don’t trust you to uphold your end. In fact,” Baron gasped as the monster suddenly stood before him and lifted him off the ground by his neck, “Let’s fix that.”

Pain burned through Baron’s body, but the monster’s tight grip made it difficult to scream. Tears ran down his face. It made it difficult to see Taela standing across from him, but he could hear her crying. Finally, the pain stopped, and the monster dropped him. A strange feeling, like a haze over his mind, came upon him, and he was very aware of the monster’s hatred towards him.

“You are to tell no one of our meeting, nor give any hints, understand,”

Magic seared through his veins forcing him to nod, “I…understand,”

“Good, we shall remove the spell after you’ve brought us Maelon,” the monster chuckled, “Don’t take too long,” It turned away, “Come Taela, and by the way,” pain shot through Baron’s hand and he glared at the rat standing next to him, “Use our familiar to contact us when you’re ready.”

Baron watched the two of them leave through back. Slowly, he brought his fingers up to his neck. The magic from the compulsion spell tingling his fingers. With a groan, he stumbled to Ema’s body and held her close. Tears streaming down his face and onto the bloody hole in the side of her head.

“I’m…sorry,”