‡ Promise 31: Moment Of Truth ‡

-As told by Keith-

itting around a long oak table in the meeting hall, a huge oval room within my fortress, the many issues of my kingdom were being addressed by a council twenty-seven Elders, Dore, and myself. So far, many of the issues were just small complaints from the undead and lower demons, easily solvable and just a formality. But a real issue was stirring on my mind, as I sat at the head of the table, drumming my right demon claw.
Many of the Elders were in their human forms, while some decided to be in full-demon, as myself. I yawn loudly, during a debate over the recent complaint that more undead wished to have more alcohol served in their taverns. "Please," I grunt, "Let's get to the real issue at hand." "My Lord," Dore bows slightly, "You mean of the rumor?" "Yes," I nod, sitting up in my chair, "I hear that part of the undead army is planning a rebellion against the Rolmir Empire." Dore looks both pained and embarrassed.
"Yes," he nods, choosing his words carefully, "It is true. A small number of our army has grown restless, for we haven't had a battle in over three centuries." "They're bored and want to cause trouble," snorts a plump and balding Elder, sitting to my right, "Am I correct?" "Yes." nods Dore, sadly, "I do understand their frustration. It's been far too long, since our last great kill. But yet, it foolish to fight against a kingdom that is so fair to their kind." "I agree." says a fair and thin woman, near the end of the table, "In any other kingdom, the undead would be regarded as cattle and not live such an easy life, as they do here. Ungrateful little pests, aren't they?" Everyone mutters in agreement.
"Nonetheless," I wave, "They are treated as any other demon and will continue to be treated as equals. But, for these particular undead, if they persist, I will have to banish them to another kingdom. Where they will be treated like dirt, if not killed on arrival." "I shall make sure they hear of this fact," nods Dore, "And I'm sure they'll think twice about biting the hand that feeds them." Everyone nods in agreement and mutter approval. "Well," I sigh, feeling satisfied, "Now that's out of the way, I-"
The door bursts open and a very ruffled Fray rushes in. "Master!" she shouts, running to my side, "Master, there's trouble!" "We're in the middle of a meeting." says Dore, disgusted. "Faldan's bookie is at the gate!" she blurts, "And he's got Lily!" My heart hits a deep thud, my mind slipping into worry and deep anger. "Faldan?" frowns the plump Elder, "He's always causing trouble for this kingdom." "In more ways than one." growls Dore. "We have to save Lily." pleads Fray, clutching onto my arm, "We can't let her stay at the mercy of Darvin, now can we?" "No." I said, calmly, but inside I was raging.
I looked towards my council and they all return understanding looks. "I'm sorry," I nod towards them, "But I'm going to have to cut the meeting short. If you have any suggestions for a way to deal with Faldan, please share them with me, in the near future. Death isn't a option, but anything torturous..." "I will have a little talk with his mother." nods a female Elder in full-demon form, "Maybe she has the power to knock some sense into him." This is little comfort, but I have no time to dwell on Faldan's punishment now. My main concern is Lily.
I send Dore off to my vault and head towards the gate. As I reach it, Dore appears quickly and out of breath. "That was fast." I nod, impressed, "Did you get enough?" "Yes." he huffs, "I didn't want my Master to face the situation alone. So, I counted quickly, but I am positive there is enough." We both step through the gate, in time to see Darvin holding Lily hostage, ready to do damage to her. The one red line down her check and her frighten look was enough to turn me into a raging lunatic. But I kept calm, knowing that going after Darvin now would mean Lily's death.
Darvin was shouting about getting paid and I was in agreement. "You're right." I shrug, after a long silence, "You should be paid. A debt is a debt and the Rolmir family never cheats." "Ha!" laughs Darvin, darting his eyes on Faldan. "Well," I frown, "Faldan is different. A disappointment to the family name." "Hey." frowns Faldan, but looks away from my stare, ashamed. Dore hands me the huge black bag and I toss it at Darvin's feet. "Twenty-one thousand." I sigh, "The debt Faldan owes. Now, let the girl go." Darvin looks blankly at the bag.
"It's all there." I assure, "You may count it, if you like." "No," he grins, suddenly, "I trust you. Okay, the girl is yours." He smells Lily's hair, longingly, and then pushes her away. Dore catches her, before she stumbles to the ground, as Darvin reaches for the bag. As his hand touches the handle, my nose is inches from his, my right claw released and plunged into his chest. It was a pitiful look of surprise and confusion across Darvin's face. I almost laughed at the absurdity of it all. "I did warn you." I said, staring into the eyes of a dying demon, "If you touch what is mine, you will pay." My claw clamps down on liquid flesh within him and I twist, breaking whatever is there, and Darvin dies quickly.
"The payment?" asks Dore, nodding towards the bloodied bag. "Send it to his boss." I nod, flexing my blood-covered claw, "The payment is fairly owed." "He doesn't have a boss." informs Dore, "Just a partner named Lemri." "Well," I shrug, a little annoyed, "Send it to him." "Yes, my Lord." bows Dore, grabbing a hold of the bag. I turn towards a shaking Lily, who stares at the unmoving body of Darvin. "Hmm." I frown, "I always seem to kill in front of you. I'm sorry." "N-no." she waves, ripping her eyes away from the demon's corpse, "It's okay. You saved me."
"Of course I did." I grin, a little relieved that she wasn't upset with me. I grab her chin with my left human hand, turning her face to see the slash on her cheek. "That's a nasty cut." I frown, my anger growing again, but this time towards Faldan. "I'll be okay." she assures, grabbing my wrist softly, "It's just a cut. I'll just have to make up a lie on how I got it." I quickly pull my hand away, feeling something I should never feel. "Hey," says Faldan, standing beside me, "Are you okay, Lily?" "Yeah," she sighs, "I'm-" I grab Faldan by the hair, with my human hand, yanking him around like a rag-doll. "Ow!" he shrieks, "Cousin, please!"
"Excuse me, Miss Lily." I say, calmly, "I have to punish my very stupid cousin now. And I don't wish for his blood to be splattered here. So, I'm going to take him into the kingdom and deal with him there. Dore will walk you home." "O-okay." she says, a little worried. "Please!" pleads Faldan, "Don't kill me! I didn't know Darvin would go that far! Please!" "I will see you some other time." I assure her, "Try to get some sleep tonight." "Okay." she says, softly. I watched, as Dore and Lily headed back through the woods, until their shapes vanished into the shadows.
Faldan began sobbing, with me still gripping his hair, but I could care less. That night, I beat the living crap out of him, breaking a few of his limbs and ribs, and then did the next best thing. "The Darkscape?" asks Fray, wide-eyed. "The only place he can't escape from." I sigh, resting on my throne, "I feel stupid for not thinking of it sooner." "But..." frowns Fray, "That place is nothing but a barren wasteland. There's nothing there except for stone and storms. How the bloody hell is that a punishment!?" "You've just answered your question." I grin, "Nothing is there. No booze, no fast women, no gambling, no fast cars. Just endless stone and lightning."
"Oh..." sings Fray and then giggles. "I'm pretty sure," I said, dreamily, "That four weeks in that place will be hell for Faldan." "Only four weeks?" frowns Fray, "Why not four months or four years, yes?" "No," I laugh, but feeling tempted, "Faldan is still a Soul Collector for this kingdom. We can't have him gone for too long, he's good at his job. But four weeks should be enough." "Bugger." frowns Fray, resting her head against my left leg.
"I like Lily." says Fray, her tone suddenly turning cheerful. "I do too." I say, closing my tired eyes. "Are you going to marry her?" asks Fray, hopeful. "No." I frown, "We're strictly friends." "Why so?" she pouts, crossing her arms. "It's not a place I wish to venture." I wave, "Nor do I have to. Besides, Lily is just a child." "Yes." sighs Fray, "But so was your mother." "I know." I said. "Your father married her." Fray pushes. "And he died." I remind her, "Trying to protect my mother from harm. They both died together, in end."
"Everything dies, in the end." sighs Fray. "Yes." I nod, "That's true. But, I don't want Lily to die that way." I wasn't sure if this was the full truth or just part of another fear. But Fray decides to let it go, for now. I wait for Dore's return, as she dozes against my leg.