Castle Keep Ch. 13

Geoffrey was resting on a bed under a sheet and blanket, although he wished otherwise. The healing had already begun and he had recovered some strength in the wounded shoulder while pretending to be incapacitated. He had not had an opportunity to converse at length with his trusted soldiers but had managed to tell one to reinforce the approaches. If they remained busy looking outward, he was hopeful the friar could slip in unseen.

The two precious arrows he possessed lay hidden in the bedding. These had been moved several times despite the risk, for he trusted few. The knowledge they were close was comforting to him, for they were tools he would use to earn his way back into the good graces of Providence. The good he could accomplish with these would wipe the troubled slate clean, or so he hoped.

The hair on the back of Geoffrey's neck stood up when he heard an unfamiliar voice dismissing the guards outside. The fact that they obeyed indicated to him that one of the brothers must have come for him.

"I shall not go down without a fight, you evil bastard!" he quietly vowed.

Closing his eyes, wearing a pained expression on his face, Geoffrey mumbled incoherently while pretending as best he could to appear to be more injured than he was.

"Ah, you must be the captain that Chadwick speaks of," Robert announced upon his arrival.

"Yes, this is correct," Geoffrey confirmed. "And you must be one of his brothers."

Robert nodded. "One of many, yes. He asked me to sit with you."

Geoffrey winced as if in great pain and grabbed his wounded shoulder with the opposing hand. "And to what do I owe this honor and privilege?"

"His concern of your condition grows," Robert falsely alluded as he sat on a bed across from him. "He asked me to check up on you."

"Tell him I shall live to serve him another day," Geoffrey retorted. "But I will be of little use for a spell. I cannot even get out of this bed."

Despite Chadwick's warning to keep at a distance Robert approached to gaze down at the bandages. "Is it a particularly nasty wound? Deep?"

"The sword sliced me nearly clear through," Geoffrey lied, immediately suspicious of the evil man.

Robert pressed the two middle fingers of his right hand at the center of the bandages. "About here?"

Geoffrey's eyes narrowed in defiance, their hateful gazes meeting.

Without another word shared between them Robert grinned before pushing the two fingers hard against the Captain's chest. Geoffrey could feel the stitches breaking as the wound reopened, the fingers penetrating into his flesh like a dagger.

Robert's eyes glowed red as he tore the wound open, watching with delight as the injured man's eyes clouded over and rained in pain. A long cry filled the room as two fingers sank deeply into Geoffrey's chest, far deeper than the sword had. Only the underlying muscle prevented the fingers from pushing in to the knuckle.

"Your misery is just beginning," Robert spoke as his fingers twisted back and forth. "I shall have the pleasure of slowly tugging the bowels from your sliced abdomen shortly after I have done the same to your whore Mary. But not before we have all enjoyed her one after the other like the whore she is."

Under the covers Geoffrey's good hand grasped the shaft of one arrow, patiently waiting for an opportunity to use it.

* * * * *

Chadwick grasped the virgin's hand and pulled her into his chambers before slamming the door closed. Despite his anger at the betrayal he took a moment to enjoy the lovely view she provided. While she was average in height, little else about this gem was average. The robe she wore covered her body, but nothing could conceal her stunning beauty.

Her wrists were clasped behind her back so the arms of the robe were empty. Chadwick could only guess this young woman was resistant to her captors, which brought a smile to his lips; another virgin to tame with his unholy power. It was unfair that he was able to enjoy so many pure, lovely creatures such as her. Ah, the delights of being evil!

He could sense the fear in her gray eyes, unable to gaze away from his as the evil pulsing through his veins like a drug was still readily apparent. He fisted both hands and stiffened his body, closing his eyes and, lifting his face to the ceiling, intensified the aura surrounding him.

His voice began with a whisper and grew into a shout as he embraced his evil side which consumed his entire being. He could feel his eyes growing hot as his entire form trembled. The penis between his legs grew as large and as hard as it had ever been before.

His heart began racing, rapidly pumping the vile blood through him. His mind pushed thoughts of the Captain away for the moment, instead focusing on the physical pleasure this virgin's presence promised.

Chadwick had never before felt so empowered. Nothing, absolutely nothing, could defeat him!

He relaxed, lowered his head, and opened his eyes. He could feel them burning and watched with glee as a frightened mask formed on her face. She wanted to look away but could not as her mouth opened as if to cry out, but no noise sounded. As she stood before him shaking, he unclasped the fastener at the neck which held the robe closed and pushed the garment off her shoulders to reveal her nudity.

She had a beautiful physique; nicely toned, shapely. Her breasts were smaller than most, but the nipples larger. They were long and hard, pulsing with life. Chadwick was enraptured by the sight of them for several moments before his unauthorized, unguided tour of her flesh continued. The virgin's slight hips were nicely curved, with attractive legs supporting the frame.

He immediately noticed the lack of hair guarding the treasure between her thighs. Mary had completed her task well; too bad she would be violently leaving his employ. He leaned forward, allowing his nose to linger over a shoulder as he relished the scent left by the cleansing herbs.

Without warning Chadwick sharply slapped the woman across the face. Initially stunned, she recovered and spat upon his face. He reached his right hand up and unexpectedly pushed two fingers into her mouth, grasping her tongue and pulling it out as far as it would extend.

"I have half a mind to string a hook through this," he mused. "Perhaps I shall have it removed altogether. What do you think?"

Her eyes moistened with tears of fear. He pinched down more tightly, watching as she helplessly shuddered. Tears were soon rolling down her flushed cheeks.

"Walk to the bed where I can enjoy you in comfort," he directed, knowing she would not.

And he was not wrong. His evil grin widened as he contemplated all of the misery he could rain down on her supple, inviting flesh. While transferring control of her tongue from his right hand to his left, she made an attempt to bite at him. Chadwick merely tugged on the tongue and watched as her front teeth sank into her own flesh, small droplets of blood filling in the deep gashes. Her eyes closed from the unexpected pain which surged through her.

The fingers of his right hand, still moist with her saliva, lowered and captured a long nipple. He pinched it hard, twisting, first one way and then the other, watching in delight as her body leaned in the same direction as if a puppet. Her closed eyes squinted, face pinched from the stinging sensations of misery.

"Is the evil warming your loins, my sweet captive?" he questioned, feeling even more powerful than before, knowing the effect it had on women and men alike. "I know you are fighting what cannot be fought. No amount of defiance will prevent your inevitable arousal; it will only give me cause to induce further pain."

He released the sore tip and thrust his hand down between her slender thighs, a middle finger roughly pushing between the fragile folds before dipping into the warm valley within. He felt her hot juice as it coated the tip of the finger, which he smeared around the slit. Finding the identifiable bump of her clit he gently rubbed against it, watching as her face helplessly contorted in expressions of delight.

Raising the glistening finger, he wiped it clean on the top of her extended tongue. She made a gesture of disgust which made him bellow with laughter.

"If the thought of tasting your own wetness causes such revulsion, what of a man's seed? Let us find out, shall we?"

And with that he used the one free hand to loosen his clothing and expose his throbbing hardness, which he drew out into the open. Before letting her mouth near it, mindful of her defiance and sharp teeth, he cautioned her about making an unwise choice.

Gathering his evil until his eyes were glowing, he caught her eyes in his terrifying gaze. The reflection of lost souls appeared in his orbs, frantically clamoring for freedom from the hell that contained them. The virgin twisted and turned but could not look away regardless how much she tried. He kept her trapped in that hellish, unblinking gaze, giving her a frightening look at her future if she did anything but cooperate.

No words needed to be spoken for the implied threat had been clearly conveyed, as evidenced by the horror in her eyes, beads of sweat forming on her brow. Her head began nodding as her eyes silently pleaded to be released from the terrorizing images. Not until her blood ran cold did he close them.

Chadwick had become a true beast; whips and chains were no longer required to tame, though that would not limit his use of them when he hungered to inflict pain. But this would not be the case this time, for his sexual need was immediate.

He felt a soft tongue tentatively flicking over the bulbous tip. This was soon followed by the wet warmth of her wondrous mouth. The terrorized virgin was suddenly eager to please and her mouth took his swollen organ in as deeply into her wet mouth as she could. Although lacking experience she managed to maintain his arousal.

"Yes, this is good, drink from my fountain," he groaned in delight as he felt the seed leaking into her mouth.

He let her tap his swollen organ for several minutes to gather the flavor of his sword before gently pushing her head back as his need to steal her virtue intensified. The swollen mastiff between his legs was hungry and required its fill of raw, bloody meat.

A powerful hand gripped the back of her neck, lifting her off the floor before propelling her toward the waiting bed. The virgin shrieked, knowing her fate, but no longer resisted the inevitable. She landed on the soft bedding on her back, legs open to him, which he stepped up between.

His swollen cock found its mark, tearing through the precious virginity before seeking its tight, creamy depths. He shouted out loud as he took this tasty morsel, violating her flesh-chamber with his evil stem. His balls constricted, spewing forth the evil seed that would find no long-term home in this victim, who would provide only a brief respite from his growing need.

* * * * *

Drake and Frederick were on the northern approach along with many others. Word had been given to fortify the defenses but for what purpose still eluded everyone. Many men were complaining about the lack of organization while others shared rumors of traitors. The two brothers kept their distance and whispered amongst themselves.

"What are we to do?" Frederick asked. "The others will kill us, will they not? And what of the plan? What of Brother Wallace and Juliette?"

Drake shook his head in dazed disbelief. Everything seemed to have fallen apart... with no arrows how could there possibly be a plan anymore? And there was only Frederick to blame. Yet despite all that had happened Drake found it impossible to hate him.

"Our deaths were always a part of it," Drake reminded the younger one. "But it was not supposed to happen like this. We should have been the last to go, not the first."

"Warren's coming," Frederick warned in a hurried whisper.

The sound of a trotting horse grew louder before the mount whinnied and stopped beside them. "Ah, here you are. Chadwick requires your presence. He is requesting a private meeting with you two."

Drake and Frederick shared a nervous gaze.

Warren sensed their reluctance and laughed. "I am sure it is about the ceremony, so do not become overly concerned. He was good-natured when he called for you. I shall remain here, in your stead, until it is time for the wedding celebration. I will see you both there!"

Once they were headed back their fear surfaced.

Frederick was in need of reassurance. "Is this it? Will he kill us?"

"How could I possibly know?" Drake angrily snarled. "You have only yourself to blame! You led them to the weapons and ruined everything!"

Eager to confront whatever it was that would happen Drake spurred his horse into a run, leaving the younger brother to catch up. Once at the castle a guard was assigned to take them to the chamber where Chadwick was waiting.

"Thanks for coming so quickly," Chadwick greeted them with a smile and a hearty handshake. "We need to talk and set things right."

The younger brothers warily glanced around but saw no one else present, and neither heard any demons warning of impending danger. Chadwick knew what they were thinking, offering a disarming smile.

"Allow me to start off with an apology," the lord began. "As the eldest I should have taken a more active role in your lives following our father William's death. I failed in that responsibility. This is why I now suggest you remain here, with me, so you can be properly trained.

"I know you came here intending to betray us, but after much deliberation I have decided to forgive you. The both of you were being used as pawns by selfish mortals. Did you not see the sheer folly of it all? Two brothers systematically killing ten others? And with arrows, no less? Were we supposed to just stand there and wait our turn? And what of the final two, what purpose were those intended to serve?"

When no one spoke up Drake answered. "We were to kill ourselves."

Chadwick's smile widened before he erupted into a round of hearty laughter. Frederick joined in, filled with a sense of relief at having escaped the executioner's axe. Drake maintained his serious pose.

"Mortals have no understanding of our kind," the lord finally announced once the laughter faded. "What do you say of my offer? Remain in my care and learn the nature of your true selves, or die?"

Frederick fell to one knee, reached for Chadwick's right hand, and kissed it repeatedly. "Thank you, my lord! Thank you!"

Chadwick offered his left hand to Drake and patiently waited. Finally the reluctant beast stepped forward to lightly peck the hand but refused to bow before him.

The lord predicted, "You shall embrace your evil nature in good time."

* * * * *

While the celebration dinner would be attended by many, the ceremony itself was conducted in private. Only the brothers and Danielle were in attendance, for the evil event was held in the bowels of the castle in the secret chamber where the half-beasts collaborated with the denizens of Hell.

Chadwick stood on Danielle's left, with Warren to her right. She was unsteady, in a deep drug-induced trance, for no mortal could tolerate the sheer evil created by this beastly ritual. It would either drive a mortal human insane or kill them outright from fear.

The three of them stood at the opposite end of the room from where the red pentagram was located Twelve black candles the size of an average man's forearm were placed on shoulder-high golden holders and offered the only source of light. Six were on one side, an equal number on the other. They were evenly spaced about a meter apart to form a three-meter wide corridor down which the wedding party would march.

A thirteenth candle, unlit, rested on a similar holder but was waist-high. It was placed a meter in front of the pentagram, at its center. The table had been removed to create space for this unholy ceremony. The brothers were seated behind the tall candle holders on the groom's side. Three chairs were ceremoniously resting on the bride's side, symbolic of the mortal parents and sister who could not attend.

They all began the sacred chant of marriage, starting out slow and soft. As they did the bride, groom, and best man advanced using coordinated steps. As they approached the chanting became quite loud. The red pentagram began glowing until it had become quite bright, casting an eerie, evil light in the dimly lit room. The unmoving air turned thick, hot.

The party stopped when they were at arm's length from the waist-high candle. Warren glanced over at Chadwick who gestured with a nod of the head before removing his left arm from underneath Danielle's, leaving Chadwick alone to support her. He walked behind the unlit candle, placing it between them.

In a strange tongue only trained beasts knew, Warren began the chant of unity, asking the demons in Hell for permission for the two to enter into unholy this matrimony. It was repeated at regularly spaced intervals as they waited for an answer. When it was given a flame would light the unlit candle, its color representative of the approval or denial of this request.

A few minutes later a bright red flame suddenly appeared and began to melt the black wax. When a large enough puddle on top of the candle was seen, Warren dipped a finger in it as if a brush to draw two wax pentagrams, one on each of their foreheads.

Chadwick turned, facing his dazed mate, whose eyes were barely open. He saw fear and confusion in the glassy, questioning orbs, just as he knew he would, before kissing her sweet lips to seal the evil pact. The witnesses rose from their chairs, applauding, concluding this timeless ritual.

"Once the pact is consummated, Hell will have her soul," Warren reminded Chadwick.

The eldest brother smiled, his eyes glowing brightly. "Tonight she will be ours. But first, let us eat. Our guests are waiting."

The wedding party left the chamber and climbed many stairs before returning to the ground level. They crossed the courtyard, reentering a different part of the structure before reaching the large, magnificently ornamented doors of the Grand Hall.

The drug fogging Danielle's brain was beginning to diminish and she smiled widely as Chadwick escorted her to the back of the large room. When they reached the platform he helped her up the stairs, the other brothers following behind. Warren, directly behind the bride and groom, pulled out Danielle's chair for her to sit upon.

Once the bride was situated, the remaining brothers occupied their seats. Chadwick and Warren, who were sitting beside one another, briefly conversed before Warren stood to face the sizeable crowd.

"Let the celebration dinner begin!"

After the word was given minstrels began playing joyful music. An army of servants swarmed in, delivering trays piled high with foods of all types. Still others served up mugs of beer and wine to the guests. A half-dozen of them served the wedding party, who hungrily consumed a hearty meal while drinking mug after mug of stout ale.

* * * * *

Brother Wallace awoke with a start. At first he was confused as to where he was, seeing only gray stones before his eyes. His muscles were stiff as he started to sit up before realizing his location, quickly laying back down. There was a loud din of revelry that drifted up from below.

He listened to the goings-on to try to determine what was happening and who was present. Once exposing his position he was committed to the fight, one he would surely lose, but hopefully not in vain. Timing was of primary importance in order to catch all of the brothers at the table below at once.

"Quiet down, quiet down everyone, I would to make a toast to the bride and groom," a man's voice shouted out in an effort to gain control of the guests.