Chapter 15 The Game Ends
Marinae and Weamar studied the map. They found four possible routes for their journey. Two of them went through Falkovnia. Marinae rejected those quickly.“In Falkovnia, demi-humans are considered property of the state.”, Marinae said bitterly. “Their leader, Vlad Drakov, is ruthless. The surrounding nations are all engaged in a mutual defense pact against him due to his past aggressions.”
Weamar was about to say something about not going that way, but once Marinae got started talking about Vlad Drakov, it was hard to stop her.
Her voice dropped to a whisper, “Rumors state that Drakov enjoys his suppers with a string quartet playing in the background, along with the agonizing moans of prisoners being impaled on pikes in the dining hall. All citizens are branded at birth with his seal on their foreheads, a falcon, as are all foreigners and non-humans that are taken prisoner. Any person who is not a member of the Falkovnian military who is found carrying weapons is also 'dealt with'.”
Then Marinae’s humorousness returned. She smiled widely, “I've got a dislike for Falkovnia.”
Of the other two routes they chose the shortest one.
“If we leave soon we can make Sturben by nightfall or soon after.”, Weamar noted.
Marinae agreed and the two went up to their rooms to pack.
All of Lynn’s worldly possessions were already tucked away in her backpack. She was used to traveling and she traveled light. She watched Eliza packing her bags, trying to decide what to take and what to leave.
Eliza paused, holding the lock of Lynn's hair. "Lynn? Can I ask you something?"
"Anything.", Lynn whispered.
"Those things you said to the gargoyle last night.”, Eliza said with her back to Lynn and looking down at the hair in her hands, “Did you mean them or was it just to calm him?"
"Yes. I meant them. He was beautifully carved. Nikolai would be proud.", Lynn answered.
"No. I mean. I mean the prayer.", Eliza replied.
Lynn hung her head. "I've blasphemed.", she said calmly. Then she raised her voice and spoke faster, "I just didn't know what to say. I was so scared. I'm sorry if I offended you."
Eliza put the lock in a pouch on her belt and moved to embrace Lynn. "Thank you for being honest with me."
"I'm sorry.", Lynn repeated as she waited for Eliza's warm touch.
Eliza wrapped her arms around her and rested her chin on her shoulder. "I forgive you. I know you did it out of love. That's what matters."
"I'll do anything for you.", Lynn whispered, "Anything at all."
With the barest hint of sadness in her voice, Eliza said, "I know." She pulled back and kissed Lynn tenderly.
Lynn felt Eliza's soft lips on hers but was unable to return the kiss. Deep inside she felt that she wasn’t forgiven. Blasphemy was blasphemy and Eliza was a true believer. It seemed that the church was going to pull them apart one way or another.
Eliza pulled away, "They'll be waiting for us. We should go."
Lynn hoisted her backpack up on her shoulder and they left the cathedral, stopping by the church stables to get Eliza’s horse. Then they rode over to the Wilted Blossom where Weamar and Marinae were waiting for them outside.
"What about Damon?”, Marinae asked, “Can we use him?"
"It will be dangerous but I'd like to have him along. I'd like to hear him play again.", Eliza said with a little smile.
"Ask him.", Lynn added.
"I'm worried.”, Marinae continued. “He froze up last night. If it happens again in a fight, we won't be able to both fight and protect him."
"Perhaps he should stay then, for his own safety.”, Weamar suggested. Then he thought about how useful Damon’s skill with locks had been. “I agree with Lynn though, ask him."
Marinae and Weamar walked back into the Wilted Blossom. Marinae didn’t know whether she wanted Damon to come along or not so she decided to leave it up to the others. She couldn’t explain why she felt that way, she just did. Looking around they found Damon drinking a foul smelling tea. He waved them over. Marinae noticed that he looked exhausted and grimaced with every drink.
"So how did the meeting go?", Damon managed to get out.
"Not as expected.”, Weamar replied, “We've been given a task elsewhere."
"We're about to leave.", Marinae clarified.
"Where to?", Damon asked.
"Dimentlieu.", Marinae replied quietly.
"Ah, land of high culture and high fashion.”, Damon smiled, “My kind of place."
"You're welcome to join us.”, Marinae said indifferently, “We could probably find a lock or two where subtlety is better than noise."
A sly grin spread across Damon's face. "I would consider it an honor.”, he replied, “I'll go get my things."
"Well, I suppose we can wait and see how he fares.", Marinae said as Damon walked up the stairs.
"I'm sure he'll be fine.", Weamar replied.
"Yes. He's lived this long.", Marinae added.
Weamar and Marinae wandered out to the stables and looked around. The stable hand was dutifully shoveling one of the recently vacated stalls. Dry and Maelstrom's stalls were quite clean. The others were less so but still passable. The horses themselves looked well taken care of. It seemed as though the boy had followed through on his promise.
"He's earned a tip, I'd say.", Marinae said.
"Just thinking the same.", Weamar replied.
Weamar approached the boy. "Good morning.", he said heartily.
The boy looked tired. He stopped his work and leaned on the shovel. "Good morning sir. I hope I've done well by your horses."
"We were just commenting on how well you'd done.”, Weamar said nodding to Marinae. “We're about to head off, seems we owe you some money."
Weamar dug into his clothes and pulled out three silver pieces. Marinae took out three silvers as well.
"Here you go, don't waste all of it.", Weamar said smiling.
The boy’s eyes grew wide at the sight of the coins. "Thank you.”, he said gratefully. “You don't know how much this will help."
"I'm pleased we could help you.", Marinae said. She had an urge to do the coin from ear trick but decided not to.
They gathered their horses and soon they were ready to begin their journey.
Damon climbed atop his mount. "The road awaits, friends. Let us see what it adventure it holds for us, eh?"
"Aye, verily! Let us away!", Marinae shouted as she mounted up.
Weamar frowned at all the excitement. He preferred a rather a quiet trip. He unleashed Cujia, mounted Dry, and looked forward to the open road. Eliza climbed up onto her horse and offered a hand to Lynn. Lynn once again struggled to climb onto Eliza's horse but managed a little easier this time around. Lynn wrapped her arms around Eliza's waist and placed her head on Eliza's shoulder.
Eliza giggled as Lynn settled in behind her. "You'll get the hang of it some day."
The Borcan countryside rolled by as the day pressed on. They soon came to the point where they left the buried keep. The entrance was now nothing more than a pile of rubble. Weamar was relieved to see that the opening had collapsed. He hoped that the chapel was buried forever. They moved on. Further down the road they came to the hill where Petrov's horse had been struck by lightning and where they had fallen underground. The hill was no more. The immediate area was unsettled as though portions of the caverns below had collapsed. They carefully avoided the area and kept going down the road. The remainder of the day passed quietly save for Damon's occasional humming, and they arrived in Sturben shortly before dusk.
They returned to the Golden Mushroom. At the stable, James leaned against a wall nodding off. Jake poked his head out of the Inn.
"James! What have I told you about sleeping out...", but Jake's query was cut short as he noticed the group riding towards him. "By Ezra's grace, you've come back! Come in! Come in!"
Startled awake, James smiled and went to take care of the horses. The group dismounted and walked into the Inn. Inside there were only a few patrons. Jake started pouring each person's favorite drink and began throwing out a flurry of questions about the trip. Eliza caught him up on events, but left out the more unsettling details.
"It's been another long ride and we have to leave early tomorrow.”, Eliza said, finishing up. “I'm going to retire for the evening."
Jake nodded and passed out a key to each of the group. "Of course. My home is your home."
Eliza and Lynn disappeared up the stairs while Weamar, Marinae, and Damon took seats at a nearby table. After a few minutes, Jake brought out three steaming bowls of a thick stew and a saucer of milk for Rambis. Marinae waited until Rambis finished his milk, then she spooned some stew into his bowl. Rambis devoured the food with amazing speed.
With a delighted gurgled Rambis thought, “I like this place.”
“We'll have to stop here more often then.”, Marinae replied.
"Any news on William?", Jake asked.
"No, none to speak of.", Weamar shrugged.
Jake sighed and tended to the other patrons.
Damon looked up the stairs. "Those two are thick as thieves, eh? I've barely seen them apart."
"They're, close.", Marinae replied. “Probably very close even as we speak.”, she thought to herself.
Eliza stood in the doorway of her room, watching as Lynn came up the stairs. Lynn walked silently into Eliza's room and set her backpack down. Then she went over to the bed and lay down. Eliza sat beside her on the bed. Her hand quietly sought out Lynn's and held it.
"Eliza.", Lynn whispered, "What were you dreaming about?"
"When?", Eliza asked.
"Last night.”, Lynn replied.
"I was in a castle.”, Eliza began slowly remembering the dream, “You were there and there was a man in a golden mask. He said that you belonged to him and that there was no way we could be together. He showed me a mirror. In it I saw you surrounded by monsters. He said that if I didn't do as he said that they would..."
Then Eliza stopped and couldn't continue. She lay down next to Lynn, curled up, and began to cry.
Lynn put her hand on Eliza's arm. "There are some who would do such things.", she said.
Eliza was soothed by Lynn's touch and slowly stopped crying. She hugged Lynn close. "It was horrible."
"I'm sorry.", Lynn said. Lynn's guilty feelings worsened. She hadn’t wanted to make Eliza feel bad. She regretted making her relive her nightmare. Between the guilt and her other awful feelings, Lynn began to get fatalistic. Dark thoughts entered her mind.
"That might happen to us.", Lynn said.
"Don't say things like that.", Eliza replied.
"I couldn't bear to see you tortured.", Lynn continued sadly, "I...I’d rather be the one being hurt."
Eliza was growing very uncomfortable. These were things that she never wanted to think about. Quickly she changed the subject.
"When this is over.”, Eliza said wiping away her tears. “When we've stopped Rastinon, what will you do?"
"I want to go out to that field that you talked about. I want to run with you through the wildflowers. I want to make love to you under the warm sun and the blue sky.", Lynn said wistfully.
Touched deeply, Eliza sighed. "I want to buy a little cottage out where no one will bother us."
"Tonight this will be our cottage.", Lynn said invitingly.
Eliza grinned, "And we'll just have to imagine the flowers and sun and the sky."
"This place is dead tonight.”, Damon lamented. “Wasn't like this last time I was here. It was a full house."
"Must have been the wolves we fought.”, Marinae suggested.
"How long ago was that?", Weamar asked Damon.
“I got here about a week ago and left shortly before you arrived, I believe.”, Damon replied.
"Did you happen to meet William while you were here?", Weamar asked.
"Markson? Indeed, he is a fine story teller.", Damon said standing and stretching, "Well, I suppose I'll call it a night. We've still many days ride ahead."
Marinae agreed and said goodnight to everyone. Weamar had one final drink and then also retired for the night. Sleep came quickly to the three of them, and with it, dreams.
Weamar found himself back in the familiar comfort of the forests of Verbrek. A blood red moon shined through the canopy. There was something strange about the entire scene, however. Images were sharper and scents were stronger. Weamar felt as though he could sense the location of every tree branch and every blade of grass. Looking down he was incredibly disturbed to find not the body of a man but that of a wolf. A pang of hunger struck. It was more intense than anything he’d ever before experienced. On the breeze he caught a scent. Food. The smell called to him, causing his stomach to rumble and his mouth to water. Then he recognized the smell. It was that of Eliza, Lynn, and Marinae. Weamar recoiled in horror. Despite the surge of hunger within him, he fought the unnatural temptation to begin the hunt. But the more he fought, the stronger the urge became. The pain inside grew worse and worse until finally he could take no more. He howled loudly under the full moon and then woke up covered in sweat.
"Close your eyes.", Lynn said, and pulled back her hood.
Eliza obeyed and closed her eyes. Lynn blew lightly over Eliza's face. Then she kissed her softly on her forehead, nose, and lips. Eliza shivered and reached up, touching Lynn's blindfold.
With her eyes still closed, Eliza asked, "May I wear it?"
Lynn pulled off her blindfold and gently tied it around Eliza's head. Then she slowly removed Eliza's clothes, kissing each newly exposed part of her body. In the darkness behind the blindfold, Eliza felt everything becoming more and more sensuous. Her body writhed under Lynn's attentions and she reached up to kiss Lynn whenever she could. When Eliza was completely undressed, Lynn ran her hands and her lips lovingly over every inch of Eliza's body. Eliza's body tensed and relaxed with every touch and she was completely enveloped in the feelings. Each gasp of pleasure that Eliza made filled Lynn with a sense of warmth and acceptance. Then Lynn rolled Eliza over onto her front and kissed and caressed her all over again.
"Your body is so beautiful.", Lynn whispered in Eliza's ear.
Eliza turned her head back, seeking Lynn's lips. "You make me feel beautiful."
Lynn kissed her forever.
Weamar lay back, considering the dream. He decided that it was probably just his unease from the meeting in the alley that triggered it. But he found it hard to get back to sleep and soon he decided that a walk outside would do him good. Weamar quickly put on his clothes, armor, sword, dagger, and bow and quietly crept down the stairs and out the door. Outside the Inn the street was quiet. Clouds drifted lazily through the dark sky. Weamar made his way around to the stable to get Cujia, keeping an eye out for movement all the time. Cujia greeted him sleepily, but quickly rose and eagerly followed him back into the main street.
The Inn's immediate area was deserted, but Weamar still didn’t feel relaxed. So he walked out onto the road away from town. Soon he entered sparse tree cover. Weamar looked around for tracks but only found those that he and the others made that evening. Feeling better, and a little silly, Weamar headed back for the Inn.
Marinae wondered where her dream was going to take her. She found herself strolling through a well tended cemetery. It was night and a full moon shined above. Glancing at the headstones she saw names that she recognized. Nobles, courtiers, guild masters, and heads of merchant houses of the Elven lands. All of the markers bore the exact same death year. 756BC. That was next year. Then she eventually came to a very familiar name, 'Amadriedia'. Marinae began to get the creeps.
“This can't be right.”, Marinae thought to herself. “Elves don't just die like that.”
Then she heard sounds coming from all around her. It sounded like digging. The ground before each headstone began to move as though something were moving beneath the surface. She looked around and saw a delicate Elven hand, withered and desiccated, burst from the ground. Marinae let out a muted shriek. Then more hands erupted from the earth, followed by their owners. Faces she remembered from her days at court stared at her blankly. Their mouths hung open slightly. They all began to crawl and shamble towards her.
Her mother's grave erupted and a withered corpse climbed forth. A dry rattle of a voice within spoke. "Marinae."
Marinae trembled with fear. Finally she got up the courage to speak, "What do you want?!"
"You could have prevented this.”, Amadriedia said shaking her finger at Marinae. “You could have saved us. All you had to do was kill her."
"Kill who?", Marinae dared to ask.
"The woman. The sorcerer's whore. The one with the ring.”, Amadriedia admonished. “If you had killed her the link would have been broken and he could not have done this to us. He could not have murdered your family."
"I didn't know.", Marinae confessed, "But it hasn't happened yet. We might be able to prevent it!"
The rotting remains of her mother took a step forward. "My darling daughter. Come to me. Come back to your family. Join us."
The mass of Elven corpses surrounded Marinae. The stench was almost unbearable.
"You cast me out, remember?", Marinae said with a little strength returning to her voice.
"It's time to come home. We've saved a place for you.", Amadriedia motioned to a grave that had not been there before. An open pit with an open casket lay inside. The headstone bore her name.
"No!", Marinae shouted.
"Yes!", Amadriedia answered.
With that, the mass of death pressed forward, their claw-like hands gripping Marinae and pushing her towards the open grave.
"I said no!", Marinae shouted.
The specter of her mother leaped forward with murderous intent but as Marinae screamed the vision was banished and she woke up in a cold sweat in the Golden Mushroom.
"I want to feel your skin against mine.", Eliza said reaching up towards Lynn’s face.
Lynn directed Eliza's hands to the parts of her clothes that fastened them to her body. Eliza's hands worked at removing them slowly. Lynn let Eliza undress her, and softly blew in her ear.
Eliza couldn't help but smile and whispered, "I love it when you do that."
Eliza managed to shed Lynn's clothing and ran her hands everywhere. Lynn lay down and let Eliza touch her wherever she wanted. Eliza twirled her index finger around Lynn's navel.
Eliza playfully whispered, "You never answered my question when I asked you if you were ticklish."
"I wanted you to find out.", Lynn answered.
Eliza grinned and began tickling Lynn’s sides and stomach. Lynn smiled and giggled a little. She was only a little ticklish.
"Hmmm. I guess I'll have to think of something else then.", Eliza said sliding her body on top of Lynn's. Supporting herself with her arms, Eliza brushed her nipples across Lynn's.
Lynn cooed with pleasure. "Anything you want.", she whispered.
Breathing deeply, Eliza continued rubbing her breasts against Lynn's. "I want to please you."
"You are.", Lynn breathed.
Eliza began planting kisses along Lynn's chest, flowing down to her stomach. She blew softly across Lynn's inner thigh. Lynn moaned softly and parted her legs. Eliza's mouth and tongue explored with gentle passion. She pressed her finger inside Lynn. Lynn tensed and let out a soft hiss. Then she relaxed and let out a light moan. Encouraged, Eliza kissed, licked and suckled all the more.
"Yesssss.", Lynn said softly. Her breathing quickened. "Oh, yes." She parted her legs wider.
Eliza's other hand snaked its way down between her legs. Her fingers took turns penetrating Lynn and tenderly caressing her own clitoris. Lynn was in ecstasy. She moaned and writhed at Eliza's touch. Her hands grasped at the bed sheets. Her voice beckoned. Eliza's mouth continued to work while she switched hands, trading her juices with Lynn’s. Lynn lightly squeezed Eliza's head with her thighs as the waves of passion built inside her.
"Oh, Eliza.", she repeated softly, over and over.
Eliza's body shuddered as she brought herself to orgasm. As she felt Eliza cumming, Lynn was overwhelmed. The waves built within her to a climax and Lynn cried out as she came over and over.
At that moment, Eliza was everything to Lynn, and Lynn was everything to Eliza.
As he turned to go back a shot rang out. Weamar had only seen black powder weapons used once before but their sound was unmistakable. Quickly following the explosion was a yelp and a howl. Cujia and Weamar ran along the road towards where the sound came from. Soon Weamar smelled smoke. He looked around and saw that one of the trees had been damaged. There was a small silver ball imbedded in the wood. Cujia sniffed about and found a mess of blood and fur on the ground. Weamar quickly spotted two sets of tracks. They were heavy. One was a set of wolf prints, the other that of a tall thin man.
Weamar followed the tracks with his bow and silver-tipped arrow in hand. As he followed he noted that the tracks showed that the wolf was fleeing from the man and that they were both moving rapidly, twisting and turning through the trees. Weamar started following as fast as he could without falling on his face or losing the tracks. Another shot rang out but silence followed after. Soon Weamar caught up to the man. He was tall and willow-thin and he was clad in a dark overcoat and a wide brimmed hat.
The thin man was leaning against a tree reloading a musket. Weamar approached him, trying not to look like a threat.
"Where?", Weamar asked quietly.
Without so much as looking in Weamar’s direction the man nodded to the south. Weamar looked south, picking out a path to take. Then he began to follow it.
"I wouldn't advise it.", said the thin man with a hoarse whisper.
Weamar paused. "I'll close and wait for your next shot.", he suggested.
"No, I've wounded him. He'll come to me.", the thin man replied.
With a serpent's speed the gunman snapped up his rifle, apparently aiming directly at Weamar’s head. Weamar dropped to his knees and rolled to the side. Just as he was clear, the hammer fell on the musket and an explosion of white smoke billowed forth. Looking back Weamar saw the werewolf leaping through the air through his former position. The bullet slammed hard into the beast's shoulder, causing it to yelp in pain.
It was shortly after midnight. The disturbing sensations of the dream still lingered. Marinae needed a drink. She went downstairs and poured herself a shot of whiskey. Then she brought it to her lips, but just before she took a sip she heard an explosion in the distance. The sound startled her. It was close. She put her drink down and ran up to Weamar’s room. She knocked on the door but no one answered. Then she pushed the door open and peered inside but no one was there. His weapons were gone too. Marinae went to the door to Lynn’s room and found that her room was also empty.
"I don't have time for this.", Marinae thought to herself.
Marinae ran to her room and grabbed her weapons. Then she raced out the front door of the Inn. Once outside she heard more explosions and saw bright flashes of light and clouds of white smoke to the south. She ran towards them as fast as she could go.
Weamar dropped his bow and drew his short sword and William's knife. He heard a growl and then saw Cujia run up and latch onto the wolf’s leg. With a scream the wolf kicked hard, sending the dog flying through the air towards Weamar. Weamar’s ducked and then lunged at the wolf who was gripping its shoulder and growling. The beast took a weak swipe at Weamar that he easily dodged. Then it was Weamar’s turn to attack. Weamar swung wide with his short sword but William's knife bit into the wolf’s retracting arm, eliciting another howl of pain. Snarling with rage the creature turned and ran off into the forest. From over Weamar’s shoulder another blast of sound and smoke came. The shot ricocheted off a tree and sent bark flying.
Eliza rested her head against Lynn's thigh, her fingers playing across Lynn's flesh.
Lynn slowly returned to reality. Her heart beat slower. "I love you , Eliza.", she whispered, "I love you so much."
Eliza climbed up next to Lynn and held her. "I love you too."
Lynn lost herself in Eliza's warmth. She felt good inside for the first time in days. She knew that everything would be alright as long as they were together. Lynn kissed Eliza and blew in her ear. Eliza giggled and brushed her nose against Lynn's.
"It was so different, not being able to see. Everything felt so much more real.", Eliza said, touching the blindfold lightly.
Lynn took the blindfold off Eliza and put it back on her head. "I know. It's like being in a different world.", Lynn replied.
Eliza settled in to sleep, "I want a world with just you and me."
"Tonight is ours alone.", Lynn whispered. All of her bad feelings had disappeared except for a nagging dread of what was to come. But she knew that tomorrow morning she would awaken in Eliza's arms and that was enough for now. Lynn tried to sleep but the nagging dread kept her awake. She held Eliza close and wondered how long they would have together.
Marinae saw the form of a thing that was not quite man and not quite wolf come barreling through the trees straight at her. She cast her shield spell as fast as she ever had before and began another spell. The beast spotted her and closed to attack, but just as it raised an arm to strike, Marinae cast forward her hand and twin bolts of light flew forth. The pair spiraled about one another like two brilliant stars, then they struck the wolf and it tumbled to the ground.
Weamar saw the bright flashes of Marinae's magic ahead of him. The werewolf was kneeling on the ground before her. Marinae clutched her staff, ready to clobber the thing if it moved.
"Twitch and you die!", Marinae said, hoping that her shouting would mask her fear.
With arrogant defiance the wolf lunged at Marinae. Marinae stepped back deftly and the wolf bounced off of her invisible shield, missing her by inches.
"Like I said.", Marinae admonished the wolf, "I just know you're male. You never listen!"
Once more the twin bolts shot out of Marinae’s hand and slammed into the wolf, knocking it again to its knees. It breath raggedly. Weamar came running up and stood next to Marinae.
"Stay!", Marinae shouted.
With his life failing, the werewolf turned and looked at Weamar. "We could have been glorious.", it growled.
"Only by becoming something I'm not.", Weamar answered.
The wolf knelt on the ground panting heavily. Marinae kept a wary eye on the wolf, but backed up to let Weamar finish it off.
"If you wish.", Marinae said. But Weamar had already made up his mind.
Taking position Weamar raised Aselid's sword high above his head. Just as the blade began its downward arc towards the lupine neck, the creature lunged at him. Its massive jaws clamped into his thigh. But Weamar’s strike still did its job. The beast's spine was severed and it fell limp to the ground. As it died it slowly released Weamar’s thigh from its maw.
"Nice one.", Marinae said smiling, "But at least you get to wear the bandages this time."
The gunman came striding up behind Weamar and surveyed the scene. The thin man reached into his coat and pulled out a small vial which he tossed to Weamar.
"Pour that on the wound.”, the thin man advised, “With the sire dead you likely aren't infected. If you start waking up naked in strange places and begin having an aversion to any food but meat, I suggest you take that sword and do the honorable thing."
"Thank you.”, Weamar answered.
"I and another were wounded by wolves a few nights back.”, Marinae said, “A healer cared for the wounds, the next morning..."
The thin man tossed a silver musket ball at her. Marinae caught it.
"You’re probably ok.", the gunman said.
"Probably?", Marinae said grinning. She tossed the ball back to him.
Then the gunman pulled a cartridge of black powder and a flask of oil from his coat. He poured both over the remains of the wolf. "Stand back", he advised. They did.
From a holster under his arm the gunman pulled forth a flintlock pistol. "Ezra, ease the souls of this evil's victims. Justice is served." With a flash the wolf's body ignited with the impact of the silver ball.
Weamar sat down next to the fire and started taking care of the bite wound as best he could. Cujia sat down and leaned against him, watching the flames.
"You remember those interesting dreams you keep having?", Marinae spoke up.
"That's what made me come out here tonight", Weamar interjected.
"I just had one, too.", Marinae replied. She quickly related what happened in her dream.
"That's not very encouraging, given the way our dreams have been going" , Weamar answered.
Weamar rose to his feet and approached the thin man. "This thing,”, he said pointing at the wolf. “has been following us for a few days. How did you come to be hunting it?"
"Didn't Marius tell you?”, the man replied, “I'm one of the Church's hunters. This one wasn't terribly smart or careful. I'll be able to make it back to the city sooner than expected."
"Ahhh.”, Weamar said as the lights started to come on. “He told us that he was sending men out, but not who."
The man extended a thin hand to Weamar. "I am Guy Olisson."
Weamar and Marinae both introduced themselves.
It took hours, but Lynn finally got to sleep. Sometime during the early morning the dream began. Lynn found herself standing in a resplendent castle. She was dressed in a gown of the finest material that clung to her like a second skin and accentuated her every curve. A door opened and a man entered. He wore the accoutrements of a gentleman of great wealth and discerning style. His face was hidden behind a mask of gold which bore a constant beatific smile.
"Beloved! I'm so glad you could attend my little party!”, the man said.
"Rastinon.", Lynn replied.
Rastinon bowed gracefully and offered his arm. "None other. Please, come with me. Dinner is about to be served."
Lynn walked with him. She looked down at her finger and saw that she was still wearing her ring. She reached down to take it off.
Rastinon looked at her and placed a gloved hand over hers. "Such a pretty ring should stay on your pretty fingers."
"I don't need it anymore.", Lynn replied.
"We shall see.", Rastinon answered.
Rastinon’s cold touch felt like shackles around Lynn’s wrists. An image appeared in her mind of Rastinon grabbing her by the neck and shoving her face down against the floor. She saw his other hand tear off her dress and both beat her and fondle her over and over. Lynn began to feel ill. She pulled her hands away from his.
Rastinon took Lynn into a large dining hall. Colorful banners hung from the ceiling above a host of guests who were seated at large tables. Each guest was clad in extravagant finery and each bore a mask similar to that of Lynn’s escort, though made of porcelain. Lynn was seated at the main table and was greeted warmly by the other guests. From a far door a servant appeared wearing a mask of wood and carrying a beautiful silver platter.
The man set the platter before Lynn. "For your approval, my lady.", the servant said as he bowed low.
On the platter, arrayed in a fan were a number of exceptionally thin slices of pink meat. But Lynn wasn't feeling hungry and just stared at the platter.
Rastinon picked up a piece and held it out to her. "Come now, my love. Mustn't be rude. The other guests are waiting on you to declare it fit. If it is not, I'm afraid the kitchen staff will have to be punished."
Lynn set the slice down on her plate. She picked at it with her knife and fork. The thin meat tore easily, but she didn’t eat it. A memory from her childhood was coming back to her. Something that she wished that she could forget.
It had been her birthday, and her mother had baked a wonderful meal but she wasn’t hungry and she didn’t want to eat. Her parents tried to talk nicely to her, but she wouldn’t eat. Then they tried making her feel guilty, but still she refused. Then they began to yell at her. She finally gave in. With a lump in her throat she forced a piece of food into her mouth and swallowed it. For a moment all was well, then she became violently ill and threw up all over her plate. For that her parents punished her severely.
Lynn stared at the meat, feeling sicker with every moment. The servant who brought the platter remained bowed. He trembled slightly.
A single word entered Lynn’s mind. Eliza.
"I have to go", Lynn said as she got up to leave.
A hint of irritation entered Rastinon's voice. "You will see your friend in due course. She is here in the castle, in fact. Please, try a little as a favor to me? Just a tiny bite?"
Lynn began to panic. She walked over to the nearest woman and asked, "Eliza?" Then did the same to the next woman, and the next, and the next. The women all shook their heads. Murmurs and whispers began to float among the masked guests. Lynn raced around the room, calling out, "Eliza!" over and over.
Rastinon sighed and waved off the servant who took the platter away. He approached Lynn and put a hand on her shoulder. "Beloved, be calm. Do wish to see your friend?"
"I must.", Lynn replied.
"Very well, then come and sit.", Rastinon ordered.
Lynn returned to her seat with her head down.
Rastinon waved his hand and five pairs of servants entered the hall. Each pair carried a six foot long tray, its contents covered by a vermilion cloth. One tray was placed at each table. With a flourish the gold masked man removed the cloth. Nobles at the other tables repeated the move in perfect synchronicity. Bound at wrist and ankle by chains of barbed iron were Lynn’s friends, Weamar, Marinae, Damon, Petrov, and, at her table, Eliza. They all lay nude and gagged on the cold metal trays. They were conscious but did not struggle due to the wicked barbed chains that bit into them at any movement. To her rising horror and disgust Lynn noticed that there was a wound along Eliza's inner thigh. It appears as though someone had cut out a portion of her flesh with a very sharp blade. Eliza’s eyes were closed tightly and tears streamed down her face.
The cloying scent of fear and death filled the air as the gold masked man leaned close over Lynn’s shoulder. "What is the matter my love? You haven't lost your appetite, have you?”
Lynn’s heart broke. A voice cried out in her mind and then fell silent. Her life was not worth living anymore. She couldn’t go on without Eliza. She wondered how a man who claimed to love her would do something so horrible to her.
"Why?", Lynn asked.
"Why not?”, Rastinon replied, “Well, perhaps I can tempt you yet. The most tender of vittles are on the inside."
"Why?", Lynn asked again.
With a dandy's care Rastinon pulled an embroidered glove from his hand, revealing rotting flesh and razor sharp talons. On one finger there was a ring with the familiar design of two embracing lovers. He placed the razor edge just below Eliza's ribcage.
"Because they are distractions from your true purpose.", Rastinon answered.
A less gentle display was being played out at the other tables as the guests removed their masks and revealed a wide array of horrid faces. Fanged maws and eyes consumed with hunger began to devour Lynn’s comrades.
"Stop!", Lynn cried out.
At Lynn's cry the hall froze in time. Only she and Rastinon still moved. Rastinon removed his golden mask revealing the face of a man long dead. He brought the poised talon, from which hung a droplet of bright red blood, up to his putrid lips.
"What do you want?", Lynn asked.
"You can spare them this fate, my love.”, he answered, “All you need do is obey."
Lynn swallowed hard and bowed her head. "Then you've sealed Eliza's fate. And mine as well.", she said.
Lynn reached down to take off her ring.
Rastinon fell to his knees and clasped his hands together, "Swear to serve me and I will be your slave."
Lynn turned away from him and pulled at her ring. It resisted but slid free. As it came off Lynn heard a small voice echo in the back of her mind.
"Lynn," It sounded like Eliza.
Lynn let go of the ring and let it fall. She ran over to Eliza. "Eliza.", she answered.
The ring fell with agonizing and unnatural slowness towards the floor. Nothing moved but Lynn and Rastinon.
Rastinon's rotted face took on a worried cast. "I will give you this girl and a thousand just like her. Just say yes.", he pleaded.
Lynn reached out and held Eliza's hand. She dropped her head, then turned slightly to Rastinon.
"I can't.", Lynn said. "That's not love."
The voice sounded again, a little stronger. "Lynn? Wake up."
The ring continued to fall, spinning slowly. The guests began to move again, ready to eat. Rastinon's voice rebounded from the walls and ceiling. "Then you and all these worthless fools will die! I will not be stopped!"
Just at that moment the ring struck the floor. Bound to the table, Eliza looked up at Lynn with a smile of infinite love on her face.
The sound of the ring shattered reality and Lynn awakened.