The Doomsday Saga, page 11
‘Very well Kieron. Would you happen to know where Lord Fennisson is?’ Merenne said while walking through corridors.
‘I believe he is at The Stag on the main square. What happened back at the guardroom? Are you hurt?’ Kieron said with genuine emotion.
‘I am fine, the guards were trying to rape me. So, I stopped them.’ Merenne advised
‘You killed one of the Lady Elects men, I will have to report it to her and arrest you, but, hopefully your affinity with Lord Fennisson will stop any ramifications. I should arrest you now, but I need to get my men’s side of the story.’ Kieron said stopping
‘Oh, I see, even if it was in self-defence. Your laws are totally different to ours’
‘Sadly, you are one person and there was ten men. Let me escort you to Henry once you are under his protection you should be safe. I am only giving you this chance because Franz is a hero in my eyes.’
‘I appreciate that thank you.’ Merenne replied.
Kieron and Merenne left the castle and Merenne saw that Hindwell was a massive place very much like Alb City with winding streets and prostitutes hawking their wares
‘You don’t want a slut like her, when you can have all of this’ a brazen whore said whilst juggling her tits. Kieron did not even notice this took Merenne by surprise. Eventually after a multitude of streets all looking alike Merenne they arrived at an inn called imaginatively The Stag.
‘Well this is where Lord Fennisson drinks. You have till midday tomorrow to get under Lord Fennison’s protection otherwise I will have to arrest you.’
‘Kieron, are you able get a drink for me I do not have any money.’ Merenne asked suggestively
‘Otherwise I will be forced to pay for it in another more physical way’ she added hopefully playing on Kieron’s chivalry.
‘Very well, here you go’ he said handing her a gold piece. Kieron was about to turn around and leave when Merenne said
‘You are going to leave a girl all on her own in this rowdy place, heaven knows what will happen to me’ Kieron chuckled.
‘Fair enough you have me at a disadvantage.’ He knew what was happening. It appears Merenne knew him well in the short time she was with him. Merenne knew he would be full of morals and do anything for her and treat her respectfully and he would but how did Merenne know? Little did she know he abhorred violence and persecution of women. The reason why he had this high moral code because his Father Dante Marx was a serial womaniser and that is what eventually killed him. Kieron vowed that he would not be the same. Kieron did not want to report Merenne but being the Sub-Commander, he would have the wrath of his men, a guard murdered albeit under precarious circumstances.
‘I will stay until we find Lord Fennisson’
‘Oh, ok then, Kieron, what are your thoughts on the Lady Elect of Kidstock?’ ‘Well, Merenne she is my liege and I have to swear fealty to her. She is a great physician but a leader of a town, a destroyed town regardless well who knows. Why do you ask?’ Kieron said whilst he gestured to a serving girl.
‘Oh nothing, well she seems a bit short and stressed and aggressive,’ Merenne said.
‘You have had to uproot your subjects and set your hometown to blaze. Wouldn’t you be a little angst?’
‘Well I suppose, when you put it that way. Ah there is Lord Fennisson’ Merenne said whilst pointing to an alcove.
‘Good luck Merenne, I really hope it works out for you’
3
‘HENRY, WE WILL HAVE to get going, maybe we should leave Franz’ Said Manderike.
‘Manderike Kahlstaffen, son of Emmett, are you getting weak in your old age? The human has been tied to me in a blood-oath or have you forgotten blood-rites.’
‘No, Henry I have not. The endless wastes are treacherous at the best of times, let alone in mid-winter’ Manderike said imploringly whilst drinking a flagon of ale
‘Bah, you are soft, you always have been. I should never have bound the weakling.’ Henry said regrettably whilst downing his ale flagon. He gestured to one of the serving girls
‘Four more flagons of your finest goats piss’ The girl curtseyed and went to the bar.
‘Human, ale is so weak!’ Manderike agreed.
‘It was foretold by the seers.’ Manderike said.
‘Bah, I know, a bunch of drugged up mad old dwarves said it so it must be true’ Henry said with a hint of sarcasm ‘but did I get the human wrong.’ Henry said reflectively looking down at his empty flagon.
‘No, No, I think you got the right human, all the signs are there.’ Manderike said nonchalantly meanwhile the serving girl had brought over another four flagons of ale.
‘He has got his loins in that human wench; he is too comfortable here. Talking of which, her she is.’
Merenne walked over to Henry and Manderike’s table and curtseyed to them both.
‘Excuse me my Lords, may I have a word?’
‘I’m no lord my child’ Manderike said jovially
‘Get on with it’ Henry said bitterly whilst looking and yet another empty flagon
‘Very well, my lord. I will cut to the chase; I think Franz is being poisoned by Lady Elect of Kidstock. Moreover, I wish to swear fealty to you and you clan. Lord Henry Fennisson, envoy for Lord Kazak of Barak Dul’ she said as she bowed.
‘My child, why do you think Franz is being poisoned, by the Lady Elect of Kidstock?’ Manderike said
‘Have you wondered why Franz, is not recovering’ Merenne replied,
‘I am sorry my dear, but we think that might be something to do with you.’ Manderike said gently
‘I owe a debt of gratitude to Franz; he has saved me not once but twice and as he is bound to you Lord Fennisson as do I wish to be.’ Henry looked at Merenne and laughed.
‘Why would I want a human female, what can you offer me?
‘I am Merenne Whiteheart a warrior mage from the Albion isle, the centre of Altrusia for magic. I am well versed in weapon-craft and bow, and I need your help’ she said barely audible
‘What a small human wench is a secret magic user, some people will say anything to curie favour’ Henry said to Manderike
‘You do have to admit Merenne, it is not really believable’ Manderike said with compassion.
‘I will prove it but not here meet me by the river. If you do not believe me then I will part ways and face my judgement.’ Merenne said whilst turning
‘Wait...’ Henry said, ‘Why are you facing judgement?’ Merenne proceeded to tell the dwarves about the escapades in the guardhouse about how she was going to be raped and told them of how she killed one of the Kidstock armed forces and injured one of the others. For once both Henry and Manderike sat up and listened intently forgetting about their ale for a moment.
‘Maybe you did get the human wrong. Merenne has more skills than Franz and if she is right, who knows’ Manderike said to Henry in Gimlic. Although Merenne did not understand them, she knew they were speaking the fabled dwarf language.
‘I know that it is a capital offense to kill a soldier in peace times and the penalty is death’ Merenne said
‘On Albion we do things differently’ she added.
‘I am familiar with Albion laws. Ok we will meet you in twenty minutes’ Manderike said
‘Aye we will’ Henry added. Merenne curtseyed and left the dwarves to their ale.
Merenne went to the river hoping that they would turn up. She was lucky that there was nobody around she sat on the bank of the river and looked out thoughtfully. She noticed the moonlight on the river the way its reflection dappled she was entranced. She thought that if this was to be her last night of freedom, she wished she would spend it with Franz, she had grown quite fond of him and though maybe if she was free, she might spend the rest of her life with him. She was taken back to the night with the mages, how come Franz was there at that time and why did she notice his flames to be blue like hers. This could only mean one thing he was Albioni, but that did not make sense he lived in Rafterwurst he even went to university there. There were questions she needed to ask. Would she get the chance to know the answers? She was disturbed by somebody shouting.
‘I hope for your sake that this is not a wind up, Merenne. We dwarves have ale to drink.’ Henry shouted. Merenne got up feeling slightly relieved
‘My Lord, this will not take very long as soon as Merenne said that she built a nimbus of blue energy in her hands and cast it into the river.
‘My Lord, would you happen to have a weapon on you?’ Manderike handed her his axe Merenne looked at it as to assess the balance and weight. She then proceeded to partake in a form, she was taught from her training.
‘This is the Albioni death dance sire.’ she called out. Both Manderike and Henry were amazed at her grace, posture and dexterity and clearly, she was a warrior.
‘Is that sufficient Lord Fennisson or would you like me to show another form I was taught?’
‘No, my child, I think you have proved your worth. Who was your master?’ Manderike enquired. ‘It was Lore-Meister Abraham Dillingham’ Merenne replied whilst handing the axe back.
‘You were taught by him? I have heard about him and his reputation precedes him. Wait, Whiteheart, that is the ruling family of Alb city, forgive me my lady’ Manderike said whilst bowing.
‘Thank you but get up, I am as much of a lady as you are a lord. It is my oldest brother that rules, I have no interest in ruling. Even if my three brothers die’
‘We could do with a mage on our travels.’ Henry said whilst stroking his beard. Woman what spheres do you practice?’
‘Elementalism and some healing’ Which is why I know that Franz is not well’ Merenne said finally relived that somebody might believe her.
KIERON WAS ON HIS WAY back to the guardhouse, he could not help but admire Merenne, from her perspective was she fighting in self-defence? Why was she in the guardhouse in the first place or was she looking for a little bit of fun? These were some of the questions he had to answer, so he needed to get the full story before reporting to Emile. He stormed into the guardhouse and all the soldiers stood to attention
‘Front and centre, now!’ he shouted ‘Right you maggots, one of you tell me what happened! Polyomas’
‘Yes sir, the woman came into the guardhouse we thought she was a gift from Lady Vanderbilt. So, we were going to offer her our hospitality and drink, play dice and.... Umm....’ Kieron could see sweat on this young recruit
‘And what? Gang rape her. Pass her around like a used ale flagon. I should have you all hung’
‘Sir, if I may speak. Said Hubert
‘Go on then. What you got for me’
‘Sir, why would a woman usually come into a guardhouse? If not only to pleasure...’
‘She is a new visitor do you think she might have got lost! Hubert.’ Kieron said.
‘Um, did not think about that’
‘So, what happened next, no fucking lying, or I will have your gonads for pig food’ Kieron listened intently and established that in his opinion it was self-defence, but he was surprised that she was a fabled magic user. Emile had to know, which meant that he would have to arrest her for murder as killing a member of the military in peace times was a capital offence also not declaring her magical capabilities was also an offense. This crime was brought in during the sundering wars to stop magic users assassinating dignitaries there were usually shamans that accompanied officials so they could sense the magic. As the region was at peace the shamans faded out. He had hoped that she got the protection off Henry otherwise it will be the death penalty called Sunderite which was the process of crucifying, burning and splitting mages chests open while they were alive. The shamans said that it had to be done that way to quell their heart, their mind and finally clear their soul.
Kieron left the guardhouse and went back to his quarters. He had the unenviable task of reporting it, maybe he thought, he would neglect to say about the magic use. He proceeded to write everything bar the magic use down so he could relay his view and thoughts to Emile. He would give it to her in the morning.
‘IT’S OK FRANZ, YOU are fine now the fever has broken’ I was awoken to the dulcet tones of Emile I looked around hopefully but no it was just Emile and I, feeling slightly sad and tired I looked around and I could see both sides of my room.
‘Is that better Emile said, she must have taken my bandage of whilst I was asleep.
‘What time is it?’ I asked coughing
‘It is a little before dawn’ Emile said in a sultry tone.
‘We were rudely interrupted last night so I apologise let me make it up to you’ Emile said whilst staring at me her emerald eyes twinkled in the pale dawn light. Who was I to refuse an offer like that? She slipped of her gown and her skin was flawless the next thing I knew she had stripped the cover off my bed and had my trousers off.
‘It seems as though we have horse here’ Emile commented whilst grabbing my cock
‘Are you ready for a good seeing too? I know I need one’ She had clambered onto my pulsing member
‘Oh, my word that feels good’ Emile said I had to admit it did feel so good as she knew how to work it. She started slowly but soon she was pounding onto me she was like a demonette and my hips started hurting. I soon recognised the signs and I did not know how big it was going to be and then it happened the firmness of her breasts, which my hands were all over and her nipples standing to attention, the arch of her back. Then the moans followed by her almost wailing like a banshee that made me finish. It was electric possibly the best I have ever had. Emile flopped off me and on to her side and breathlessly said
‘No man has ever made me feel like that. Not even my husband’ I looked at her and she had a certain glow about her, and her eyes sparkled. I must admit my body felt exhilarated almost renewed, but my mind was in turmoil, not often I feel like that. I thought to myself I wish that was Merenne and not Emile. I do not know why but I thought about the feeling of being used. Emile, climbed of my bed and was getting dressed,
‘Well we must do that again.’ She said excitedly, ‘I may even make you my lover! I can do that now being a noble. I can see it now making an announcement at the feast of Aloysius’ Usually I would have been delighted that a woman of Emile’s beauty and standing was interested in me and this is what I wanted several weeks ago but now, I just wanted a quiet life and that life was going to be with Merenne. My friends would have been envious. I thought begrudgingly
‘Franz I will come back and see you later, maybe I will show you the ceremony room that feast will be held in’ She planted a gentle kiss on my lips. ‘Rest now my love’ She said with a twinkle in her eyes. I could not help but think what the hell was going on here. I tried to sleep but could not. I went to get up out of bed I needed to stretch my legs and I found that it seemed I could not feel my legs and they were very week I did all I could to remain upright but in the end I gave up and swung back into bed. What was going on I thought.
KIERON WOKE UP EARLY he could not sleep. Thoughts floated around his head. He could forget about the whole incident with Merenne and his men that will curie favour with Merenne, but he would risk losing the respect of the people he essentially has to lead or on the other hand he would be possibly condemning a kind soul to death. He had not thought about a woman since the death of his wife. Why was he thinking about Merenne so much now? He had to do it he had to report the whole incident to Emile or was there another way? He leapt out of bed and put on his civilian wear. He had time he did not have to go onto rotation until mid-afternoon, and where Jacob lived was a short ride away, he would be there and back before he was due on guard. Jacob would know what to do. He was the old commander of the Hindwell detachment and would have been, before retiring, Kieron’s Commanding Officer. He had hoped he was still alive.
Kieron was on his way to the gatehouse to enquire if Jacob was still alive and to book out a horse and to his delight, he saw that Jacob was in Hindwell ready for the feast of Aloysius. He was standing playing dice with one of the guards. The feast of Aloysius was a way for the city to celebrate its founding father Aloysius Hindwell the first King of The Midshire region conquering the old heretics and uniting the region under one banner. It was a gaily affair, exotic dancers, re-enactments of the battles it was a great time for everyone. He remembers the antics of the last festival; his wife had advised that the bloods had stopped for two cycles and one of the elderly matrons had advised it was due to her being with child. Kieron and Millie had always wanted children. He recalled how she told him amid the festivities there was Millie with her corn coloured hair bound with vines, there was red on her cheeks which only enhanced her milk coloured skin and her hazel eyes sparkled. She was making leaf dolls and she handed him one and smiled and then gently rubbed her stomach. Kieron scooped her up in his arms and both cried tears of joy. Then a pang of sadness hit Kieron as he remembered about three cycles later her cramps and the rush of blood that soaked her dress, there was nothing the matrons could do. This was the third time it had happened. Yet another wave of emotion hit him, and he felt himself rest against a tree as he recalled the night, he had to kill his beloved Millie.
It was a day like any other, except that the bodies were starting to get piled higher and higher and the smell was getting worse. Millie was helping the matrons tend the wounded or the ones that were near death. Kidstock had not felt this level of despair for several hundred years. It then happened she came home that night with a pale pallor and sweats. Earlier that day, Emile had given her the all clear and she continued to work, but that night the cough, sickness and shits were too much. Kieron did all he could to make her comfortable. He had to retire to bed, but he was awoken by a multitude of thumps and bumps. He ran into their bedroom and there was Millie looking like possessed demon shaking and quivering whilst making an unearthly grunts and groans. There was shit and vomit all over the room and just as suddenly as it started it stopped and the convulsions slowed but he could tell it was over for Millie, her bloodshot eyes and blood from her ears, nose and mouth. He screamed in anguish and Jacob heard him he came running in and consoled him
