Meanwhile, in the guard facility's training yard, Laurence threw recruit after recruit to the ground as easily as swatting a fly, his dark skin gleaming with sweat in the summer sun. “Is this what you call fighting?!" he shouted, "With this level of skill, even a street rat could take you down!" berating the group of ten or so recruits that sat exhausted before him.
Laurence was already frustrated having drawn the short straw, now being stuck training these louts. That frustration only increased as the day went on, because it seemed they just might be un-trainable.
He was about to verbally, and very possibly physically, admonish one incredibly lazy recruit, when a panicked yell came from behind him. "Officer Laurence!" He turned toward the shout to see who dared interrupt his already tiresome training session. Only to see a frazzled guard and his dear friend Samos, dripping in sweat and his face wrought with worry.
Knowing something was wrong; he told the recruits to train their techniques individually and rushed over to Samos, quickly grabbing his shoulder and saying “Samos, my brother, what’s happened?"
Samos, tears flowing freely at this point, seeing his dear friend allowed his emotions to catch him, croaked out only two words, "It's Alex."
***
An unknown power forced me back to consciousness. My eyes were forced open, unable to even blink. I saw a woman in maids’ attire, hands glowing, casting some sort of magic on me. She was enjoying being part of her master's torture session, judging by the too-big smile she wore. (Another unnatural and creepy smile. Great they’re multiplying.)I thought.
“Eloisa is quite handy to have around.” came Julia’s taunting voice from the same dark corner as before. “With her here, you cannot escape me though such ways as simply passing out, nor will you be able to retreat into your head,” she stated, each word almost dripped with sick pleasure.
My mind cleared of any fog and was instantly reminded of the pain that she inflicted earlier. I let out a weak groan against the agony I felt, even though it had dulled somewhat, every twitch, every sway of my body only aggravated it.
I looked up with rage mixed with the frustration of being unable to do anything about it. Tears welled up as I glared at Julia and asked, "Why? Why do you do this to me? What have I done to you?”
My ears met that same sick horrid laugh she had when she slashed me mercilessly, that unnatural laugh, which was itself torturous to me. Julia just continued to laugh psychotically as I stared at her; I noticed she shifted or instead flickered into the shadows. Were my eyes playing tricks on me, or was she really a demon in human guise (demon bitch!).
Julia's laughter eventually stopped as she approached the abomination of a table. She looked at me with a sadistic smile, which did not match the playful tone she used. She said, “Shall we continue?”
I could only glare at her; her frustrated look bad gave me some, not relief or pleasure, but something. So I like it, this became my little act of defiance, pathetic as it was. I would use these small acts to keep myself from giving in, to keep myself sane. So, I resolved to be as defiant as possible and use what little strength I could muster to keep from begging for death or release. The latter I knew, deep down, was not happening. (I’ll not beg this bitch, she’d probably love that too if I did, damn demon bitch!) I swore to myself.
Julia selected her newest instrument, a small round mace, more like an iron ball welded on a pole. She smiled evilly, a smile that, like her maid before, was too big for her face.
“Have not gotten to use this one yet,” she said happily, dancing and skipping her way to me, in the creepiest way possible, too. "Let us try it out together, why don’t we?” She said in a singsong tone.
I only glared at her, sticking to my new plan of telling her to f’off in whatever ways possible, even though I was absolutely terrified. Her very presence made my skin crawl, I was sure you could smell the fear; pretty damn sure I vacated my bowels. Still I was determined to defy the "thing" before me. So as I glared at her, I had a thought; it was not a smart thought; in fact, it was idiotic, but I liked it. I gathered the little wetness I could into my mouth and spat at her. The small wad of spittle landed right on her cheek (Heh, bullseye!). Seeing the rage building upon her face, I realized I might have fucked up, just a little.
“YOU! You filthy commoner, dare to defile my noble form with your vile secretions! YOU….WILL… regret that!" She roared as the mace reared back, aimed at my shins.
A loud wet crack and roar of pain were all that was heard beyond the ironbound door, a cry that could easily be heard throughout the manor. The manor staff could all be seen wandering around their daily tasks, each bearing that same too broad creepy smile Julia bore.
***
Laurence knew exactly who Samos told him about when he described the caravan. There were some dark rumors surrounding the Von Tinslan family. Tales of indescribable deeds and random disappearances circled them like vultures to a corpse. When Samos told him about Alex, he wasted no time gathering a group of willing guards and rushing off towards the Von Tinslan estate.
As Laurence approached the gate, he was met with an unexpected sight, Samos, armed with his old sword and riding a plow horse that had seen far too many winters, waited impatiently at the gates.
Laurence, atop his own, war-trained mount, trotted up to him. He sighed as he said, "No, Samos, it's too dangerous, I know its Alex but whens the last time you even drew that? Let alone swung it?" nodding at the sword haphazardly strapped to Samos’s hip.
Samos raised his hand to stop him. “I was an adventurer too. The combat and experiences I have been through don't ever fully fade." He remarked. "Besides," Samos said, looking at the meager ten or so guards following Laurence, “An extra sword can’t hurt, and you know ill be going, with or without you, old friend.”
Seeding the point to Samos, Laurence agreed, "Ok, however, if it gets too thick, you get Alex and run, don't worry about us; we are well trained for this."
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Looking back at his loyal guards, he shouted, "And if those damn Von Tinslan’s have the gall to raise arms against the city guard. It will not end well for them whether they defeat us or not!" A knowing smile crossed his battle-worn face as well as those of his men. The captain of the guard did not take kindly to those who raised arms against his men, and even Laurence feared that man. "Let's be off then, no time to waste!" he shouted, already riding forward at a fast pace, the noon sun high in the sky, leaving Samos a little stunned and having to rush to keep up.
They arrived at the estate, close to the mid-morning of the next day. They stopped for a small rest earlier in the night, against the multiple protests of Samos. Still, they preferred to face the estate aware rather than exhausted from the night's ride. Samos eventually gave in and rested because his adventurer's side acknowledged that they had a point, even though he hated to admit it. After all, a tired man would be far more likely to die in a fight than a rested one.
When they approached the manor's guards, instead of hailing them as proper etiquette for an approaching city guard group, they just openly attacked. This surprised the guards pretty significantly, even though they were caught unawares by the manor's men's sudden aggression. They were already prepared for a fight, so it did not set them back too much.
What did set them back was the unexpected fierceness of the attackers. Luckily, there were few, only five of the manor's guards against their eleven men; the manor’s guards fought as men possessed. After the five enemies lie dead, they still suffered several injuries, even with their two to one numerical advantage. Two men could no longer fight on, and three suffered hindering wounds.
Laurence sent the three most injured back, the two severely wounded, and one man who suffered a gash to his right eye. He would likely lose its use permanently, so he was sent along to request reinforcement and get treated. With that, eight men continued into the grounds of the manor, now expecting a fight at every pace.
***
I awoke again, though I couldn't remember when I passed out from the most recent torture.
Julia used many tools since that god-awful mace. Some of which consisted of an icepick repeatedly stabbing through my fingers and toes, lengthwise, heated irons, which she used to cauterize his wounds. (The smell of my own flesh burning will haunt me for as long as I live,) and several others that I’d rather forget. I came to a sudden realization and wondered why this time, of the many times now I had woken up, was not forced.
I noticed small wisps of light in the now dark chamber; the torch had been doused for some reason. These little motes of light just hovered there; some were dark others where light. They seemed to notice I was awake and slowly faded from my view. What were those little lights?
I was wondering if this was some mental play to mess with me, before the sounds of metal on metal clashing and men shouting could be heard in the distance. (Sounds like a fight, good I hope these assholes are getting destroyed.), having no strength left to speak my words aloud. (Wait a minute; maybe I could get rescued from this demon bitch!)
I struggled, my movements reopening some of my cauterized wounds, which began to bleed anew, especially so for the damage where my now missing left leg was literally torn off. (How was I even still alive? Did that devil woman use magic to keep me alive too? EVIL. FU…..). Then I noticed the sounds were getting closer, really close actually. I sucked in deeply and attempted a loud shout with all my might, but all that followed was a whimper. (Heh, that was weaker than even I expected.)
Resting for another go at my whimpering shout, I heard the battling sounds just outside the door. (Now or never,) my breath built up, mouth moistened, I let out another cry, this time I met with much better success.
***
Samos, Laurence, and the group fought countless skirmishes until this point, be it guard, butler, or even maid. They all charged them with reckless abandon as soon as they laid eyes on them.
"Luckily for us, they don't retreat and group up," said a guard, nursing a gash on his left shoulder. The first maid they encountered gave him that, with a butter knife no less. "Coming at us in small groups makes the battles far easier. I'd not want to fight even 10 of those lunatics at once," he continued. "Never thought I’d have any cause to fear a maid.” Exclaimed another, meriting a few chuckles.Though getting here had been hard-fought, luckily, each fight never had more than three opponents. Yet these enemies were crazed and charged in without care for their own bodies, making them extremely difficult to deal with.
Deeper and deeper into the manor they fought, Samos still wearing worry on his face. "If the staff is like this, what are the Von Tinslans like" he muttered. "Alex, please be alive," he continued, saying to no one in particular. As if to answer his pleas, a sound barely recognizable as a voice shouted from beyond a suspicious looking door nearby. “In here!” the harshen voice cried. Samos, rushing through the men, burst through the ironbound door into a sight no father should ever see. His son hung there, shredded and broken; one leg gone entirely.
***
I was bleeding and burnt in several places, my tears flowing from my blood caked face as I saw who just burst into the chamber of the demon. "Father!" I shouted weakly. My Father rushed to my aid, ignoring the rest of this evil room. As he looked into my eyes, he began to undo the chains that bound me. "Don't worry, boy, I am here, everything's going to be ok." He said, trying futilely to hide the sadness in his voice. "I'm going to get you out of this evil place." He continued. I breathed erratically, my breath hitched, emotions running to me that I had held off with all my strength, tears flowing freely. I cried, "Daddy, I’m sorry." Seeing my father was such a relief, never had he looked so strong. He burst open the door and rushed to me and I just knew it was over, I was safe now and everything would be ok. I wept freely with the relief I felt. (its finally over)
***
As Alex released those pent up emotions and pain. An unearthly grin formed in the darkest corner of the room. A shadowy hand reached and grasped its favorite blade. Unseen by neither father nor son it slowly crept behind Samos, its large grin ever present on its face.
***
I saw the form of the demon woman, who had done all this to me, appear behind my father, I cried out in panic, eyes wide, but it was too late. A blade pierced my father from behind as his eyes locked onto mine. His eyes were locked onto mine. I saw no anger, only sadness and regret. He hadn’t saved his son in the end. Then the light left them entirely as he limply fell to the floor like a puppet with its strings cut.
"FATHER!!" I roared, finding my voice once more.
"SAMOS!" Laurence shouted, seeing the carnage happen within the room. However, with more guards coming right after Samos burst through the door, blocking his path, he could not get there in time. Samos and Alex were both oblivious to the outside world in those moments, which did not help his situation.
Julia laughed manically. This time, the shadows I thought I saw before were fully enveloping her. Like an aura of death, it flickered around her. "Did you think I would just let you go?" she said; it was her voice, but mixed with something deeper, more sinister. The little motes of light also reappeared, they rushed at Julia, but did nothing but fly through her form.
Her voice was a very unnatural sound that made me genuinely fear her for the first time. Since now, I still considered her human deep down (well physically anyway), even if often referred to her otherwise. This was something else entirely. It didn't just scare me; it made me feel fear down to my very soul. If this were what I encountered at first, I would not have had the strength to be brave or defiant, or even be conscious.
Julia, or whatever that thing was, stepped towards me slowly and unnaturally as if she just floated rather than walked. Still, before I knew it, she was face to face with me, her blue eyes now crimson, her skin tinted grey, and breath reeked of death itself.
A wide grin crossed her face, revealing sharp predatory teeth, as she pointed the bloody instrument she just used on my father at my right eye. She began slowly pushing the blade forward. The last thing I saw in my left eye before Julia’s cruel instrument reached my brain. Was Laurence, the man I considered an uncle, face filled with rage and sadness, his sword rushing quickly towards my tormentor's neck.