Denieru
06-23-2003, 11:39 AM
[This grew to be a very long chapter, so bare with me. This is the story of the dark elf Denieru - Wizard of the Lunar Circle.]
Prologue
After Denierus meeting with the Wizards of Fortune and their following, now calling themselves the Soldiers of Fortune, his destiny was joined with theirs. They continued their journey and experienced many adventures, which brought them closer together and formed a friendship that can only be born from blood and sacrifices.
But there came a time when Denieru had to leave the others, for a while, and pursue his own destiny alone. Although part of him still remained with Master Bluenose and Master Delta the Gods had other plans for Denieru, plans he had to pursue alone.
When he and the others parted ways he searched for a place to begin his calling. The shards of visions had begun to come more frequently recently and he had to find a place where he could perform the necessary rituals to make them whole. He found a abandoned cabin near the foot of a big mountain, protected by a deep forest and far away from any roads or towns. The old cabin must have served as a home for humans seeking to extract gold from the mountain, but that had been a long time ago and decades of dust covered everything inside.
After performing a ritual to leave his sign on the grounds, claiming ownership to the land from the spirits residing nearby, he travelled west to the nearest town. The journey took three days before he smelled the foul stench of humans. He entered the town and began to search for the necessery material he needed for his work.
Chapter 1 : Shadows and Blood
As Denieru made his way through the town his appearance drew attention from the local townsfolk. His pale skin and straight long dark hair were not common among the people living nearby, this land gave birth to people with curly brown hair and their skin was the color of hardened leather. He was almost two heads taller than most of the people and he carried himself with the pride and confidence that was his lineages trademark. Denieru despised all of them and his clear blue eyes, hard from centuries of existence, drove daggers of ice into everyone foolish enough to meet his gaze. These people did not even know what kind of creature they faced, they had only heard storys about elves from tales and they had all been beutiful creatures of light and compassion. If only there had been enough time he would have showed these people what real beuty was, the beuty of shadow and darkness, he thought to himself. But time was a currency he could not spend easily and the quicker he could leave this town, the better.
The day was almost over and the sky turned red as the sun slowly sank to its death. The local store was combined with the local tavern and since the hour was late only the tavern was open. He entered the tavern and approached the innkeeper. The tavern was not big, judging by Denierus standards, but had enough room for a dozen tables, most of which were unoccupied. A fire was burning in the center of the tavern inside a fireplace and torches hang on the walls, creating a constant play of light and shadows inside the room. There were a few locals sitting down and enjoying the taste of a few beers after a hard days work on the fields. None of them looked up at the dark guest as Denieru entered the tavern.
“Innkeeper, I would like a room for the night.” Denieru said. The innkeeper, a short fat old man that smelled of beer and dead animals looked at the new face before him.
“Will you be staying just for the night? There are rooms ready but you have to pay in advance and if you want something to eat we can arrange for you to eat in your room or at one of the tables. The room is one gold and the food is ten copper.” he said and suddenly felt the eery sensation of something pushing against the edges of his mind. He did not like the looks of this new customer and silently prayed that this was not going to be a long stay.
“Although I seriously doubt that the room will be worth the price you ask you will recive the payment you want. I have no need for your food nor would I want to eat anything you have touched with those plump fingers.” Denieru had to control his urge to sever those fingers and feed them to him for suggesting to eat his food.
“Ehh.. Very well then Sir, I´ll send my son to lead you to your room. If you need anything either me or my wife is at your disposal” the innkeeper said, quietly wishing to himself that no such need would arise.
The inkeeper rang a small bell on the counter and a young boy entered the room from a door behind the innkeeper. He was taller than his father and showed no other resemblance than the fact that they were both humans. The boy was slender and his hair was blonde, which fell straight down his face to the shoulders. He listened to his father as he instructed him to take the new guest upstairs to his room. The boy could be no more than fiftheen or sixteen years old. When his father had finished instructing him he approached Denieru.
“Do you have any luggage you want carried up to your room, and if your dodo is waiting outside I could take care of him for you and put him in the stable?” the boy said, and as he looked up Denieru could see that his eyes were blue, and not brown like all the others he had seen in this town.
“I travel light and do not need someone to do my walking for me.” Denieru said, and as he looked into the boys eyes he saw for the first time since he entered this town not fear, only curiosity.
After leaving a goldcoin on the counter he followed the boy upstairs into a narrow hallway with doors on opposite sides. The boy lead him to one of the doors and opened it to reveal a small room with a bed and a small table facing a single small window with a chair. The bed was not big but atleast it was clean.
“This will suffice. Now go down and bring me a bottle of wine together with a glass, and do not let anyone except yourself touch the glass or the bottle. Make sure that the glass is clean and that you do not open the bottle before you deliver it. If you fail to carry out these instructions you will be punished. Now go.” Denieru was feeling tired after the long journey and after the boy left he sat down on the bed to rest his legs.
It was not long before he heard a knock on the door. He opened up to see the young boy standing outside. He held a tray with a bottle of wine and a real glass. Denieru noticed that his breathing was very irregular but he was trying not to show it. The boy must have ran all the way downstairs and then back up as fast as he could, a though that amused Denieru.
“I did not expect this establishment to actually offer real glasses and not ordinary wooden cups. Where did you get that glass boy?”
“My father keeps a few glasses to himself when he wants to pretend he is an important person. This wine is also from his own private storage. I guessed you were the type that would not like the wine he usually serves customers.” he spoke with sincerity.
“Are you always this disobedient to your fathers wishes? Your lack of respect would not go unpunished where I come from. Bring the tray to my table and put it down.” humans had so little respect for authority, unless it came down upon them with the strength of a sword.
“He´s not my real father and he will never know unless I or you tell him.” the boy said as he moved towards the table and put the glass and wine down.
As he turned around with the empty tray Denieru hit him with the back of his hand over the boys face. The blow struck him with enough force to send him to his knees. As Denieru loomed over him his image grew darker and the shadows inside the room began to move as if they were alive.
“He is still your superior and only because he is fat and stupid you still do not disobey anyone who controls your faith. Consider this a lession in humility and perhaps someday you will learn to show proper respect and know your place in life.” Denierus voice was dark and empty.
The boy, still on his knees, wiped a trinkle of blood from the corner of his mouth. He did not look scared as much as he looked surprised.
“He is neither my superior nor does he control my faith, I remain here only because I choose so of my own free will. But I am thankful for your lession and shall remember it well.” he slowly rised from the floor, preparing himself for another blow.
Denieru was surprised to see such spirit from a human and one so young also. Perhaps this young one could be useful to him. And it would be a pleasure to break that spirit and watch his will crumble, to see that arrogance be replaced by such sweet devotion. The shadows began to rest again and the image of Denieru returned to its normal visage.
“We will speak no more of this. Return in the morning to retrieve the glass and bottle. I may summon you again later tomorrow. Now leave.”
As the boy left the room a smile formed on Denierus lips. He sat down at the table, opened the bottle and poured up a glass to himself. From a leather pouch he carried over one shoulder he took out a white pipe. As he moved the pipe to his mouth it slowly ignited and smoke began to encircle Denieru where he sat. Tomorrow he would get the supplies he needed, or as much as this little village could supply, and then he could begin his journey back. Inside his mind an idea came to him, yes, the boy could prove useful indeed.
When the new day began everyone in the village began their daily business. Denieru managed to find the local blacksmith and buy a black cauldron and some other tools used for handling hot objects. At the local pottery he bought a variety of pots in different shapes and sizes and he talked to the owner of one of the local stables and managed to buy a dodo. The people of this little village were not pleased with Denierus presence but they all sensed that he was not someone to be denied. And the money he used were as good as anyone elses so they all accepted his offerings and wished that he would soon be on his way to wherever he was going. They all hoped for that place to be far away from this village. As Denieru returned to the local tavern and store he had all his recent purchases stored inside the stable along with his dodo and went inside the store to purchase the necessery items for survival in his cabin. After everything was settled he went inside the tavern. It was already time for dinner and the day was turning into a beautiful evening. He thought about ordering some food but the memory of the fat old innkeeper made him decide to wait until he was back in the forest and could take the matters into his own hands. Suddenly he missed his old comrades and even that half-orc Zilrions cooking. It had felt nice to not be alone after so many years spent in silence and isolation. The long conversations he had with Master Bluenose and Master Delta, the always vigorous Master Shazi and the beautiful fairy Finora, with her childlike and yet majestic manner. He brushed those thoughts aside, there was no use indulging in sentimental thoughts, nostalgia was a weakness for which the elven race could afford little indulgence. Many elves had perished from the weight of their years and many more hade grown insane from wanting to hold on to the past. If he wanted to remain useful to his friends and the Earth Mother he could not afford such weaknesses. He had to live in the present and act accordingly.
Inside the tavern he heard lots of noise and people were sitting at almost every table. Apparently there were some form of celebration for one of the local farmers and everyone was either drinking beer or stuffing their mouths full of food while trying to sing at the same time. The innkeeper was behind his counter and looked as happy as a child in a candystore. His equally fat wife were busy serving the customers and tried to move between tables while balancing a huge tray full of beers. The young boy was nowhere to be seen. Denieru approached the counter and the innkeeper greeted him with a big smile:
“Hello there traveller! You are welcome to join the celebration, old McDougal is marrying away his only daughter to the blacksmiths son, the celebration will continue ‘til morning and until the actual ceremony two days from now.” the discomfort he had felt earlier against his guest were blown away by the joy of the celebration and the gold being spent into his pocket.
“I would rather cut of my own arms and feed them to hungry wolves before I would sit down alongside these savages posing as civilized people. I came to tell you that this will be my final night inside your pathetic excuse for a tavern. I pray I may never see you or this tavern again, and I suggest you would do the same.” Denierus patience was wearing thin, and to stay another night in this town listening to these people singing in their grotesque toungue was torture.
“I´m very sorry Sir. As a token of my sympathy for your discomfort, please, feel free to stay this final night free of charge.” the innkeepers face was pale and little beads of sweat were appearing over his worried brow.
“And one more thing, send your son to me after sunset. I have need of his services.”
“As you wish Sir.”
As he settled inside his room and waited for the young boy to arrive he began a few preparations for the spell he had in mind. From his pouch he got a white chalk which he used to draw a circle inside the center of the room while uttering a few words in elven toungue. He took out his little ceremonial knife. The knife was thin and had a long curved blade. He put it in his belt and sat down to wait for the boy to come. After about half an hour he heard a knock on the door.
“Enter.” he said.
The young boy entered and stepped inside the room. As soon as both feet were inside the circle the white circle began to glow and the boy suddenly froze in place. He tried to scream but no sound came from his lips. He could not move either of his limbs and was only able to breathe while trapped inside the circle.
“Afraid? You have no need to be afraid. If I wanted to harm you I would not go about all this trouble. This is merely for your own protection, against yourself.” Denieru rose from his seat and approached the boy. As he rose from the chair the shadows inside the room came alive and began to dance around the two of them. Shadow tendrils began to extrude from Denierus body, forming almost an image of black wings behind him. As Denieru walked towards the young boy he looked like a creature from the nightmares in the boys childhood, and he understood that monsters really did exist not only in dreams or in fairytales but walked the earth just as real as everyone else.
“If I release your voice will you be silent and not scream, that would be most… unpleasant.” he asked with a flat tone in his voice, filled with shadow, almost completely inhuman.
“Blink once for yes, and twice for no.”
The boy did nothing for a few seconds. Good, he is calming himself before answering so he does not scream in panic, Denieru thought to himself. After he seemed to breathe more regulary the boy blinked once with his eyes.
“Good, now.. give me your name boy.”
“My name is Garion Fallwind.” his voice was frail, nothing could hide the fear in his eyes.
As Garion spoke Denieru took the knife in his left hand and slowly walked towards Garion. He held up the knife as he stood before Garion and quickly sliced up a clean wound from his right wrist. He stuck down the knife in his belt again and grabbed Garion by the back of his head and pulled it back. And as he held his right arm above Garion he spoke:
“Know this, Garion Fallwind, your life is no longer yours to command. You belong to me now, body, mind and spirit. As you drink of my blood you will be bonded to me for as long as it still flows in your veins. Recive my gift and be reborned as my childe.”
As the blood began to drip from the wound Denieru began singing in a low tone. The words were from a language almost forgotten by his kind and as he spoke them the shadows in the room erupted into frenzy. The blood from Denierus wound flowed straight down into Garions wideopen mouth, at first he tried to spit it out but soon he could not stop a single drop from entering his throat. Suddenly his body felt on fire. A sensation of energy rushed through his entire body and raw exstacy filled his mind, he wanted more. He drank from the blood for what seemed like an eternity, and then suddenly it stopped coming. No, he thought, do not take it away, please. Denierus song had ended and the shadows began to rest, his shadow tendrils slowly returned inwards. The ritual had drained him of much more energy than the loss of blood would normally do. He tied a piece of rag around his wound and used some healing herbs from his pouch to help the healing, he had no intention of using magic right now. Atlast, it was done. Now they only had to leave and he was about to make sure the innkeeper would not present a problem when the time came to leave this village. But first he needed to rest, the boy would remain inside the circle until he had adjusted to his new situation. Denieru had never used this spell before but knew that sometimes the subject tried to resist the effects of the spell and keep some of his free will. He had heard of experiments where the subjects had lost their minds trying to resist and finally became like empty shells, he hoped this boy would not choose that road. As Deneiru lay down on the bed to rest and meditate Garion followed him from the corner of his eyes.
Garion had never experienced anything like this. The world had changed, yet remained the same. He had expected to feel terrified, he had expected to die. Now all of that fear was removed, as if it never existed. He still could not move inside the circle but he felt safe as he watched his Father rest on the bed. Never before had he seen such a beautiful and majestic creature. Until this moment the boy had never experienced love, the girls from this village had never attracted him and the innkeeper who took care of him had never induced a feeling of devotion, but this vision before him was like an angel. He suddenly remembered the thoughts he had earlier, describing his Father in the words of monster and nightmare. If the spell had not kept his body in place he would have fell to the floor. How could he have thought such things about his Father? He would accept any punishment that might come to him and welcome it to cleanse the shame and humiliation from him. He wanted to shout to Father that he was ready to be punished but he did not dare to disturb his Fathers rest, he could wait.
As Denieru came out of his meditation he saw that Garions eyes were fixed upon him. The boy looked at him with devotion and was just about to speak when Denieru sat up and raised a hand to silence him.
“Do not speak, listen. I will talk to the innkeeper about our departure. You will go to the stable and make everything ready so we can leave quickly after I have finished my business with the innkeeper. And bring any clothing you have that might prove useful in the wilderness.” Denieru released the boy from the spell.
“Certainly Father, whatever you desire. I will be waiting for your arrival in the stable.” he hurried out the room.
Denieru watched as the boy left the room. He had not expected the boy to call him Father. Perhaps the boy had never felt such devotion to anyone before and naturally assumed that the persone to invoke such feelings had to be his father? Denieru shaked his head as he walked out the room and began to descend the stairs, the will of humans were almost too easy to break.
The innkeeper watched Denieru come down again and silently cursed the Gods for trying to spoil this cheerful night for him and his guests. He did not even know why he became so nervous everytime the stranger spoke to him? After all, this was his tavern and this was his village. No outsider would come in here alone and cause trouble, unless he wanted to be escorted outside town by the local militia. This time he would not be so meek towards this stranger. The law was on his side and it was about time he put his foot down.
As Denieru approached the innkeeper he noticed that the old man was strangely stiff. His whole body seemed tense and the smile seemed somewhat forced. He looked even more repulsing than before, this would prove to be not only necessary but rewarding.
“Innkeeper, I would like a word with you in private about your son.” he said with a cold voice, as if he was upset about something.
“I have much to do this night. If you want to discuss anything, right here will have to do otherwise it can wait until morning.” the Innkeeper was relived to hear his own words spoken with such strength.
“Unless you want everyone in this room to know that your son is a thief and that unless we come to some form of understanding I have no choice but to take this matter to the local authority I suggest you speak to me in private!” Denierus gaze was hard and relentless.
The old innkeeper began to break through and he quickly hushed at his guest and motioned for Denieru to step behind the counter and through a backdoor. As they entered what turned out to be the kitchen the innkeeper turned around and said.
“Ohh… Dear, what has that wretchful boy done now? I always knew he would be real trouble. What crime has he committed?” the Innkeeper was angry and thought to himself that the little bastard would pay dearly for this later.
“Oh, it is not he who has committed a crime. It is you. Well, actually you will soon.” Denieru began to smile.
“I do not understand? What do you mean, and where is my son?” the Innkeeper began to grow more nervous. The smile on the strangers face did not look friendly.
“He is preparing for our departure. He is no longer any of your concern and to make sure you do not present a problem I have decided to take the matter into my own hands.”
As the innkeeper was about to speak something Denieru already had his hands around the fat mans throat. He tried to shout but the weak sound emerging from his lips could not be heard over the singing from next door. And as Denieru made eye contact with the Innkeeper he unleashed his attack and drove his psyche like a dagger into the Innkeepers brain. The old mans mental defences broke down in an instant and Denieru could feel that his will was shattered into nothingness.
“Now then. You will listen carefully to my words. Your wife has betrayed you, driven by lust she has sought comfort outside your bed in another mans arms. She thinks of you only as a fat, tired old man. Her love and devotion now goes to the blacksmith. They must both suffer for their unholy sins against you.” as he spoke he took a meatclever from one of the tables in the kitchen and gave it to the innkeeper.
“After I have left you will wait until the next song is over and then call your wife into the kitchen. Punish her as she deserves and then go after the blacksmith. Do not let anyone stand in your way. If they try to stop you they too will pay for interfering with your divine right for justice.”
Denieru felt pleased with himself as he exited the tavern from a backdoor from the kitchen. This little diversion would create enough distraction so that none would discover their departure into the night. And if the villagers decided to blaim the mysterious stranger later for what had happened he would be long gone. The boy would not be missed, his dissapearence would soon be forgotten.As he walked towards the stable he could see that torches were burning inside and when he entered Garion was waiting for him. The boy had already packed as much of the items as possible on the dodo and whatever was left he had strapped to his back. He was wearing a long brown cloak to protect him from the weather and held the dodo in one hand and a walking staff in the other.
“Will we leave now Father? I have carried out your instructions as you wanted.” the boy looked at Denieru, searching for his approving.
“You have done well boy. Now follow me and do not speak until I give you permission.”
As they walked out the stable and began to take the mainroad out of town they suddenly heard a scream coming from the back of the tavern. It was a woman screaming before it suddenly stopped as abruptly as it had begun. After that all kind of sounds began to erupt from the tavern and all the joyful celebration came to a halt. Denieru was tempted to remain to see if the fat man had managed to carry out all of his instructions. But judging from the innkeepers clumsy body he was certainly already overpowered, hopefully not before he could inflict some more damage. He suspected that it would be a quick trial.
As they made their way through the forest Denieru had to slow down several times so that Garion and the dodo could catch up. They were not accustomed to moving in almost complete darkness and he feared the dodo would trip and break a leg, delaying their arrival, so he called for the boy to stop. He instructed him to make whatever comforts he could for himself and secure the dodo by a tree. As he watched his young servant huddle up against a tree, wrapping his cloak around him to protect him from the nightcold, Denierus thoughts strayed for a while.
“Will you survive the night or do you need a fire?” he asked in a casual voice.
“No, I can survive. You do not need to light a fire for me Father. I will be strong.”
“Then rest now. Tomorrow we will continue our journey to your new home. Are you prepared to follow me?”
“Yes Father. I will follow you always, through shadows and blood, for as long as my heart still beats.” the boy spoke clearly.
Through shadows and blood. This boy was looking promising indeed. He could not possibly know what lies ahead and yet he had spoken those words. Perhaps this was part of the earth mothers plan? It would all be revealed in time, it always did.
Through shadows and blood.
Prologue
After Denierus meeting with the Wizards of Fortune and their following, now calling themselves the Soldiers of Fortune, his destiny was joined with theirs. They continued their journey and experienced many adventures, which brought them closer together and formed a friendship that can only be born from blood and sacrifices.
But there came a time when Denieru had to leave the others, for a while, and pursue his own destiny alone. Although part of him still remained with Master Bluenose and Master Delta the Gods had other plans for Denieru, plans he had to pursue alone.
When he and the others parted ways he searched for a place to begin his calling. The shards of visions had begun to come more frequently recently and he had to find a place where he could perform the necessary rituals to make them whole. He found a abandoned cabin near the foot of a big mountain, protected by a deep forest and far away from any roads or towns. The old cabin must have served as a home for humans seeking to extract gold from the mountain, but that had been a long time ago and decades of dust covered everything inside.
After performing a ritual to leave his sign on the grounds, claiming ownership to the land from the spirits residing nearby, he travelled west to the nearest town. The journey took three days before he smelled the foul stench of humans. He entered the town and began to search for the necessery material he needed for his work.
Chapter 1 : Shadows and Blood
As Denieru made his way through the town his appearance drew attention from the local townsfolk. His pale skin and straight long dark hair were not common among the people living nearby, this land gave birth to people with curly brown hair and their skin was the color of hardened leather. He was almost two heads taller than most of the people and he carried himself with the pride and confidence that was his lineages trademark. Denieru despised all of them and his clear blue eyes, hard from centuries of existence, drove daggers of ice into everyone foolish enough to meet his gaze. These people did not even know what kind of creature they faced, they had only heard storys about elves from tales and they had all been beutiful creatures of light and compassion. If only there had been enough time he would have showed these people what real beuty was, the beuty of shadow and darkness, he thought to himself. But time was a currency he could not spend easily and the quicker he could leave this town, the better.
The day was almost over and the sky turned red as the sun slowly sank to its death. The local store was combined with the local tavern and since the hour was late only the tavern was open. He entered the tavern and approached the innkeeper. The tavern was not big, judging by Denierus standards, but had enough room for a dozen tables, most of which were unoccupied. A fire was burning in the center of the tavern inside a fireplace and torches hang on the walls, creating a constant play of light and shadows inside the room. There were a few locals sitting down and enjoying the taste of a few beers after a hard days work on the fields. None of them looked up at the dark guest as Denieru entered the tavern.
“Innkeeper, I would like a room for the night.” Denieru said. The innkeeper, a short fat old man that smelled of beer and dead animals looked at the new face before him.
“Will you be staying just for the night? There are rooms ready but you have to pay in advance and if you want something to eat we can arrange for you to eat in your room or at one of the tables. The room is one gold and the food is ten copper.” he said and suddenly felt the eery sensation of something pushing against the edges of his mind. He did not like the looks of this new customer and silently prayed that this was not going to be a long stay.
“Although I seriously doubt that the room will be worth the price you ask you will recive the payment you want. I have no need for your food nor would I want to eat anything you have touched with those plump fingers.” Denieru had to control his urge to sever those fingers and feed them to him for suggesting to eat his food.
“Ehh.. Very well then Sir, I´ll send my son to lead you to your room. If you need anything either me or my wife is at your disposal” the innkeeper said, quietly wishing to himself that no such need would arise.
The inkeeper rang a small bell on the counter and a young boy entered the room from a door behind the innkeeper. He was taller than his father and showed no other resemblance than the fact that they were both humans. The boy was slender and his hair was blonde, which fell straight down his face to the shoulders. He listened to his father as he instructed him to take the new guest upstairs to his room. The boy could be no more than fiftheen or sixteen years old. When his father had finished instructing him he approached Denieru.
“Do you have any luggage you want carried up to your room, and if your dodo is waiting outside I could take care of him for you and put him in the stable?” the boy said, and as he looked up Denieru could see that his eyes were blue, and not brown like all the others he had seen in this town.
“I travel light and do not need someone to do my walking for me.” Denieru said, and as he looked into the boys eyes he saw for the first time since he entered this town not fear, only curiosity.
After leaving a goldcoin on the counter he followed the boy upstairs into a narrow hallway with doors on opposite sides. The boy lead him to one of the doors and opened it to reveal a small room with a bed and a small table facing a single small window with a chair. The bed was not big but atleast it was clean.
“This will suffice. Now go down and bring me a bottle of wine together with a glass, and do not let anyone except yourself touch the glass or the bottle. Make sure that the glass is clean and that you do not open the bottle before you deliver it. If you fail to carry out these instructions you will be punished. Now go.” Denieru was feeling tired after the long journey and after the boy left he sat down on the bed to rest his legs.
It was not long before he heard a knock on the door. He opened up to see the young boy standing outside. He held a tray with a bottle of wine and a real glass. Denieru noticed that his breathing was very irregular but he was trying not to show it. The boy must have ran all the way downstairs and then back up as fast as he could, a though that amused Denieru.
“I did not expect this establishment to actually offer real glasses and not ordinary wooden cups. Where did you get that glass boy?”
“My father keeps a few glasses to himself when he wants to pretend he is an important person. This wine is also from his own private storage. I guessed you were the type that would not like the wine he usually serves customers.” he spoke with sincerity.
“Are you always this disobedient to your fathers wishes? Your lack of respect would not go unpunished where I come from. Bring the tray to my table and put it down.” humans had so little respect for authority, unless it came down upon them with the strength of a sword.
“He´s not my real father and he will never know unless I or you tell him.” the boy said as he moved towards the table and put the glass and wine down.
As he turned around with the empty tray Denieru hit him with the back of his hand over the boys face. The blow struck him with enough force to send him to his knees. As Denieru loomed over him his image grew darker and the shadows inside the room began to move as if they were alive.
“He is still your superior and only because he is fat and stupid you still do not disobey anyone who controls your faith. Consider this a lession in humility and perhaps someday you will learn to show proper respect and know your place in life.” Denierus voice was dark and empty.
The boy, still on his knees, wiped a trinkle of blood from the corner of his mouth. He did not look scared as much as he looked surprised.
“He is neither my superior nor does he control my faith, I remain here only because I choose so of my own free will. But I am thankful for your lession and shall remember it well.” he slowly rised from the floor, preparing himself for another blow.
Denieru was surprised to see such spirit from a human and one so young also. Perhaps this young one could be useful to him. And it would be a pleasure to break that spirit and watch his will crumble, to see that arrogance be replaced by such sweet devotion. The shadows began to rest again and the image of Denieru returned to its normal visage.
“We will speak no more of this. Return in the morning to retrieve the glass and bottle. I may summon you again later tomorrow. Now leave.”
As the boy left the room a smile formed on Denierus lips. He sat down at the table, opened the bottle and poured up a glass to himself. From a leather pouch he carried over one shoulder he took out a white pipe. As he moved the pipe to his mouth it slowly ignited and smoke began to encircle Denieru where he sat. Tomorrow he would get the supplies he needed, or as much as this little village could supply, and then he could begin his journey back. Inside his mind an idea came to him, yes, the boy could prove useful indeed.
When the new day began everyone in the village began their daily business. Denieru managed to find the local blacksmith and buy a black cauldron and some other tools used for handling hot objects. At the local pottery he bought a variety of pots in different shapes and sizes and he talked to the owner of one of the local stables and managed to buy a dodo. The people of this little village were not pleased with Denierus presence but they all sensed that he was not someone to be denied. And the money he used were as good as anyone elses so they all accepted his offerings and wished that he would soon be on his way to wherever he was going. They all hoped for that place to be far away from this village. As Denieru returned to the local tavern and store he had all his recent purchases stored inside the stable along with his dodo and went inside the store to purchase the necessery items for survival in his cabin. After everything was settled he went inside the tavern. It was already time for dinner and the day was turning into a beautiful evening. He thought about ordering some food but the memory of the fat old innkeeper made him decide to wait until he was back in the forest and could take the matters into his own hands. Suddenly he missed his old comrades and even that half-orc Zilrions cooking. It had felt nice to not be alone after so many years spent in silence and isolation. The long conversations he had with Master Bluenose and Master Delta, the always vigorous Master Shazi and the beautiful fairy Finora, with her childlike and yet majestic manner. He brushed those thoughts aside, there was no use indulging in sentimental thoughts, nostalgia was a weakness for which the elven race could afford little indulgence. Many elves had perished from the weight of their years and many more hade grown insane from wanting to hold on to the past. If he wanted to remain useful to his friends and the Earth Mother he could not afford such weaknesses. He had to live in the present and act accordingly.
Inside the tavern he heard lots of noise and people were sitting at almost every table. Apparently there were some form of celebration for one of the local farmers and everyone was either drinking beer or stuffing their mouths full of food while trying to sing at the same time. The innkeeper was behind his counter and looked as happy as a child in a candystore. His equally fat wife were busy serving the customers and tried to move between tables while balancing a huge tray full of beers. The young boy was nowhere to be seen. Denieru approached the counter and the innkeeper greeted him with a big smile:
“Hello there traveller! You are welcome to join the celebration, old McDougal is marrying away his only daughter to the blacksmiths son, the celebration will continue ‘til morning and until the actual ceremony two days from now.” the discomfort he had felt earlier against his guest were blown away by the joy of the celebration and the gold being spent into his pocket.
“I would rather cut of my own arms and feed them to hungry wolves before I would sit down alongside these savages posing as civilized people. I came to tell you that this will be my final night inside your pathetic excuse for a tavern. I pray I may never see you or this tavern again, and I suggest you would do the same.” Denierus patience was wearing thin, and to stay another night in this town listening to these people singing in their grotesque toungue was torture.
“I´m very sorry Sir. As a token of my sympathy for your discomfort, please, feel free to stay this final night free of charge.” the innkeepers face was pale and little beads of sweat were appearing over his worried brow.
“And one more thing, send your son to me after sunset. I have need of his services.”
“As you wish Sir.”
As he settled inside his room and waited for the young boy to arrive he began a few preparations for the spell he had in mind. From his pouch he got a white chalk which he used to draw a circle inside the center of the room while uttering a few words in elven toungue. He took out his little ceremonial knife. The knife was thin and had a long curved blade. He put it in his belt and sat down to wait for the boy to come. After about half an hour he heard a knock on the door.
“Enter.” he said.
The young boy entered and stepped inside the room. As soon as both feet were inside the circle the white circle began to glow and the boy suddenly froze in place. He tried to scream but no sound came from his lips. He could not move either of his limbs and was only able to breathe while trapped inside the circle.
“Afraid? You have no need to be afraid. If I wanted to harm you I would not go about all this trouble. This is merely for your own protection, against yourself.” Denieru rose from his seat and approached the boy. As he rose from the chair the shadows inside the room came alive and began to dance around the two of them. Shadow tendrils began to extrude from Denierus body, forming almost an image of black wings behind him. As Denieru walked towards the young boy he looked like a creature from the nightmares in the boys childhood, and he understood that monsters really did exist not only in dreams or in fairytales but walked the earth just as real as everyone else.
“If I release your voice will you be silent and not scream, that would be most… unpleasant.” he asked with a flat tone in his voice, filled with shadow, almost completely inhuman.
“Blink once for yes, and twice for no.”
The boy did nothing for a few seconds. Good, he is calming himself before answering so he does not scream in panic, Denieru thought to himself. After he seemed to breathe more regulary the boy blinked once with his eyes.
“Good, now.. give me your name boy.”
“My name is Garion Fallwind.” his voice was frail, nothing could hide the fear in his eyes.
As Garion spoke Denieru took the knife in his left hand and slowly walked towards Garion. He held up the knife as he stood before Garion and quickly sliced up a clean wound from his right wrist. He stuck down the knife in his belt again and grabbed Garion by the back of his head and pulled it back. And as he held his right arm above Garion he spoke:
“Know this, Garion Fallwind, your life is no longer yours to command. You belong to me now, body, mind and spirit. As you drink of my blood you will be bonded to me for as long as it still flows in your veins. Recive my gift and be reborned as my childe.”
As the blood began to drip from the wound Denieru began singing in a low tone. The words were from a language almost forgotten by his kind and as he spoke them the shadows in the room erupted into frenzy. The blood from Denierus wound flowed straight down into Garions wideopen mouth, at first he tried to spit it out but soon he could not stop a single drop from entering his throat. Suddenly his body felt on fire. A sensation of energy rushed through his entire body and raw exstacy filled his mind, he wanted more. He drank from the blood for what seemed like an eternity, and then suddenly it stopped coming. No, he thought, do not take it away, please. Denierus song had ended and the shadows began to rest, his shadow tendrils slowly returned inwards. The ritual had drained him of much more energy than the loss of blood would normally do. He tied a piece of rag around his wound and used some healing herbs from his pouch to help the healing, he had no intention of using magic right now. Atlast, it was done. Now they only had to leave and he was about to make sure the innkeeper would not present a problem when the time came to leave this village. But first he needed to rest, the boy would remain inside the circle until he had adjusted to his new situation. Denieru had never used this spell before but knew that sometimes the subject tried to resist the effects of the spell and keep some of his free will. He had heard of experiments where the subjects had lost their minds trying to resist and finally became like empty shells, he hoped this boy would not choose that road. As Deneiru lay down on the bed to rest and meditate Garion followed him from the corner of his eyes.
Garion had never experienced anything like this. The world had changed, yet remained the same. He had expected to feel terrified, he had expected to die. Now all of that fear was removed, as if it never existed. He still could not move inside the circle but he felt safe as he watched his Father rest on the bed. Never before had he seen such a beautiful and majestic creature. Until this moment the boy had never experienced love, the girls from this village had never attracted him and the innkeeper who took care of him had never induced a feeling of devotion, but this vision before him was like an angel. He suddenly remembered the thoughts he had earlier, describing his Father in the words of monster and nightmare. If the spell had not kept his body in place he would have fell to the floor. How could he have thought such things about his Father? He would accept any punishment that might come to him and welcome it to cleanse the shame and humiliation from him. He wanted to shout to Father that he was ready to be punished but he did not dare to disturb his Fathers rest, he could wait.
As Denieru came out of his meditation he saw that Garions eyes were fixed upon him. The boy looked at him with devotion and was just about to speak when Denieru sat up and raised a hand to silence him.
“Do not speak, listen. I will talk to the innkeeper about our departure. You will go to the stable and make everything ready so we can leave quickly after I have finished my business with the innkeeper. And bring any clothing you have that might prove useful in the wilderness.” Denieru released the boy from the spell.
“Certainly Father, whatever you desire. I will be waiting for your arrival in the stable.” he hurried out the room.
Denieru watched as the boy left the room. He had not expected the boy to call him Father. Perhaps the boy had never felt such devotion to anyone before and naturally assumed that the persone to invoke such feelings had to be his father? Denieru shaked his head as he walked out the room and began to descend the stairs, the will of humans were almost too easy to break.
The innkeeper watched Denieru come down again and silently cursed the Gods for trying to spoil this cheerful night for him and his guests. He did not even know why he became so nervous everytime the stranger spoke to him? After all, this was his tavern and this was his village. No outsider would come in here alone and cause trouble, unless he wanted to be escorted outside town by the local militia. This time he would not be so meek towards this stranger. The law was on his side and it was about time he put his foot down.
As Denieru approached the innkeeper he noticed that the old man was strangely stiff. His whole body seemed tense and the smile seemed somewhat forced. He looked even more repulsing than before, this would prove to be not only necessary but rewarding.
“Innkeeper, I would like a word with you in private about your son.” he said with a cold voice, as if he was upset about something.
“I have much to do this night. If you want to discuss anything, right here will have to do otherwise it can wait until morning.” the Innkeeper was relived to hear his own words spoken with such strength.
“Unless you want everyone in this room to know that your son is a thief and that unless we come to some form of understanding I have no choice but to take this matter to the local authority I suggest you speak to me in private!” Denierus gaze was hard and relentless.
The old innkeeper began to break through and he quickly hushed at his guest and motioned for Denieru to step behind the counter and through a backdoor. As they entered what turned out to be the kitchen the innkeeper turned around and said.
“Ohh… Dear, what has that wretchful boy done now? I always knew he would be real trouble. What crime has he committed?” the Innkeeper was angry and thought to himself that the little bastard would pay dearly for this later.
“Oh, it is not he who has committed a crime. It is you. Well, actually you will soon.” Denieru began to smile.
“I do not understand? What do you mean, and where is my son?” the Innkeeper began to grow more nervous. The smile on the strangers face did not look friendly.
“He is preparing for our departure. He is no longer any of your concern and to make sure you do not present a problem I have decided to take the matter into my own hands.”
As the innkeeper was about to speak something Denieru already had his hands around the fat mans throat. He tried to shout but the weak sound emerging from his lips could not be heard over the singing from next door. And as Denieru made eye contact with the Innkeeper he unleashed his attack and drove his psyche like a dagger into the Innkeepers brain. The old mans mental defences broke down in an instant and Denieru could feel that his will was shattered into nothingness.
“Now then. You will listen carefully to my words. Your wife has betrayed you, driven by lust she has sought comfort outside your bed in another mans arms. She thinks of you only as a fat, tired old man. Her love and devotion now goes to the blacksmith. They must both suffer for their unholy sins against you.” as he spoke he took a meatclever from one of the tables in the kitchen and gave it to the innkeeper.
“After I have left you will wait until the next song is over and then call your wife into the kitchen. Punish her as she deserves and then go after the blacksmith. Do not let anyone stand in your way. If they try to stop you they too will pay for interfering with your divine right for justice.”
Denieru felt pleased with himself as he exited the tavern from a backdoor from the kitchen. This little diversion would create enough distraction so that none would discover their departure into the night. And if the villagers decided to blaim the mysterious stranger later for what had happened he would be long gone. The boy would not be missed, his dissapearence would soon be forgotten.As he walked towards the stable he could see that torches were burning inside and when he entered Garion was waiting for him. The boy had already packed as much of the items as possible on the dodo and whatever was left he had strapped to his back. He was wearing a long brown cloak to protect him from the weather and held the dodo in one hand and a walking staff in the other.
“Will we leave now Father? I have carried out your instructions as you wanted.” the boy looked at Denieru, searching for his approving.
“You have done well boy. Now follow me and do not speak until I give you permission.”
As they walked out the stable and began to take the mainroad out of town they suddenly heard a scream coming from the back of the tavern. It was a woman screaming before it suddenly stopped as abruptly as it had begun. After that all kind of sounds began to erupt from the tavern and all the joyful celebration came to a halt. Denieru was tempted to remain to see if the fat man had managed to carry out all of his instructions. But judging from the innkeepers clumsy body he was certainly already overpowered, hopefully not before he could inflict some more damage. He suspected that it would be a quick trial.
As they made their way through the forest Denieru had to slow down several times so that Garion and the dodo could catch up. They were not accustomed to moving in almost complete darkness and he feared the dodo would trip and break a leg, delaying their arrival, so he called for the boy to stop. He instructed him to make whatever comforts he could for himself and secure the dodo by a tree. As he watched his young servant huddle up against a tree, wrapping his cloak around him to protect him from the nightcold, Denierus thoughts strayed for a while.
“Will you survive the night or do you need a fire?” he asked in a casual voice.
“No, I can survive. You do not need to light a fire for me Father. I will be strong.”
“Then rest now. Tomorrow we will continue our journey to your new home. Are you prepared to follow me?”
“Yes Father. I will follow you always, through shadows and blood, for as long as my heart still beats.” the boy spoke clearly.
Through shadows and blood. This boy was looking promising indeed. He could not possibly know what lies ahead and yet he had spoken those words. Perhaps this was part of the earth mothers plan? It would all be revealed in time, it always did.
Through shadows and blood.