The Tattooed Woman Pt. 40

"Bastard near enough cut one of my tits off, but I'll live."

"Better than them, and that's good enough."

Cassie stared in horror at the hilt of the dagger protruding from Garrow's side, "Um, doesn't that hurt?"

"Of course it fucking hurts! But if I pull the bastard thing out, I'll bleed to death."

The Half Orc looked about before squinting up at the barber surgeon's shingle, and she grunted, "Huh, well that's handy. Here lass, go fetch yon mallet sticking out of bigmouths face and give it back to the smith," she grinned, "told him I was only borrowing it."

...

Ellén gave a breathless gasp of pain as she was unceremoniously thrown to the ground. Somehow, when the vile thing that held her had transformed, she too had been compelled into her human form and now she lay exhausted and spent at his feet. She tried to rise but a casual backhand blow left her sprawling in the dirt, bloody and insensible. The creature standing over her snorted contemptuously as his single burning eye transfixed her, "Be still, child. You led me a merry chase, but vex me further, and you shall surely suffer for it."

Forcing herself to her knees, Ellén spat a gobbet of blood and bared her teeth in defiance, "Do your worst, beast! I do not fear you."

There was a blur, and suddenly his ravenous, cadaverous eye was but inches from her face while the gagging stench of rot and decay wafted from the gaping wound where his other eye should have been. Long ebon talons gently stroked her cheek, and his voice was a hateful whisper, sibilant and cruel, "Don't you know me child? I am no mere Beast. I am the lurking nightmare that forever gnaws at the edges of your mind, I am the darkness that seeps into your soul at night. And you will learn to fear me soon enough."

He sniffed and suddenly that single bloody eye narrowed, "Well, well... I knew you were the spawn of Shalidar from the moment I saw you, for you are too alike to be anything else. But I did not know who your sire was... until now."

Standing, he turned to the bestial thing that oft served as his mount, "Look, Typhonus, your child lies before you! Have you no words of fatherly advice for your errant daughter?"

Ellén swallowed as the monstrous form stepped closer, and for just an instant those empty gibbous eyes flickered, the torn maw opened, and incendiary drool dribbled out as it emitted a strange keening noise.

The entity chuckled and his voice was filled with cruel mockery, "Aw, I think he recognises your scent. How... sweet."

Reaching down, he coiled his fingers in her long fair hair and with cruel strength dragged her to her feet, "But enough of this purile reunion, I would have words with thee, little Dragon."

The interior of his pavilion was richly appointed and lit by witchfire, but to Ellén it stank of old blood and fear. With a grunt, she stumbled forward as the thing shoved her before him. Spinning, she lashed out, tearing a clawed hand across his face. Her nails were sharp, and even weakened as she was, she was still Dragon. But the creature's flesh was as obdurate as stone and her talons barely pierced his skin. The monster's head rocked slightly to one side, and she watched with horror as even the slight wounds she had inflicted knitted before her very eyes, leaving nothing more than thin scratches in their wake.

The entity laughed, "You have not the stature to do me harm, wyrmling," his eye glittered, "I on the other hand..."

Reaching for her, he cruelly gripped her chin, and the crackle of violent magic filled the tent. Ellén screamed as the thunderbolt wreathed her, scorching her skin and searing its way down her body. She shook, unable to move as the endless agonising torment went on, and on, until finally he withdrew his hand and she collapsed to her knees before him.

Her body shuddered in agony and revulsion as her muscles spasmed uncontrollably, but even through the haze of pain, and the wisps of smoke she clenched her fists and forced herself to look up and meet his gaze.

His smile was unperturbed by her petty show of defiance, and his voice was bored, "I on the other hand have no qualms, or difficulty, in harming you. Now cease this silly petulance and listen."

He leaned close and gazed into her eyes, "Serve me."

His voice was a terrible thing. It slithered into her head and coiled there seeking to murder her own thoughts and make her mind its home, like some vile and venomous cuckoo stealing a nest.

With a hiss of pain, Ellén fought against this... violation. In agony, she collapsed, whimpering as she curled into a fetal ball. She threw everything she had into her lonely battle, but even as she fought, she knew she had not strength enough, and hopeless tears filled her eyes.

The thing gazed down at her, uncaring and unmoved, "Your struggles are entirely pointless. I am of the Danu; you are a slave. It was what you were made to be, what you will always be. It is what you are. Accept it and submit."

A wisp of thought drifted by her tortured mind, an image of a tearful girl holding her hand and crying, " I don't want a servant, or some bound slave, I want my friend back!"

The Dragon wrapped her mind around that memory and held it to her heart like a lifeline, and when she finally looked up at the monster looming above her, her eyes were clear and her smile unbroken, "You are no more a kindly jailor than I. My answer is no!"

The thing stood, his single baleful eye furrowed in confusion, "Strange... Your patron is gone, her anchor severed. Where then does this strength come from?"

As he stood to gaze down at her, she saw him wince slightly and unconsciously he wiped a single bead of... sweat from his brow.

"He's hurt! He's weary! Destroying the stone took... "something" from him, and the battle with the Red Dragon did not go entirely his own way."

In her heart she exulted! And the sibilant whisper that still pervaded her mind, dissipated like smoke, "If he can be hurt, he can be killed!"

Her lips split in a chilling smile, for in the end, she was, after all, a Dragon, and her kind were not known for their forgiving natures or for suffering their foes to live. She looked up at him with hard eyes, "You'll never understand the source of my strength cur. It is utterly beyond you. And I will never serve!"

He looked down at her, "No? Think on this then a while; for all that she is a Dragon your mother is weakened by mortal sentiment and would give herself up for you. Shalidar betrayed me and for that blasphemy she deserves a hard death. But if you willingly stand at my side, then, in lieu of torment and destruction, I will instead correct her rebellious tendencies, and after suitable chastisement, I will accept her back into the fold."

He tilted his head, "She might yet serve a purpose, she might yet live. Is that not worthy of consideration? Think on it."

Lifting his head, he looked off into the distance, "Hmm, it seems other matters require attending and I must depart a while."

Moving to an ornate box of graven stone, he lifted the lid and produced a heavy iron chain with a spike at one end and a metal collar at the other. Ellén swallowed for the things had an ominous look about them, and the magic that emanated from them was palpable. She tried to rise but was still too weak and her crawling struggles were of little use.

The ground bucked like a wounded thing as he raised his hand and drove the stake into the earth like a dagger. Then he reached for her and despite her feeble kicks, snagged her ankle and with irresistible strength he unceremoniously dragged her close. The cold metal of the collar snapped around her throat and she was immediately engulfed by a wave of sickening weakness that chilled her to the very bones and seemed to leech what little strength she had left. She gave a groan as the colossal weight of the collar dragged her head to the ground.

The thing chuckled, "Heavy, is it not? That chain was long in the forging, and the collar was made for a more regal neck than yours; but it should suffice to hold you, nonetheless. After all, if it can restrain The Phantom Queen, then I doubt the likes of thee will overly trouble it, for Dragon or no, at the end of the day, you are naught but a scrap of mortal stuff."

He rose, "Now, I must away, but worry not, for I shall return very soon, and we shall continue our discussion regarding your fair mother. But in the meantime, I would not have you thinking me a rude and unchivalrous host. So, I shall leave you suitable company to... entertain you."

He gestured and three burning figures emerged from the deep shadows that lurked around the edges of the tent. The demons approached cautiously, hungrily. They had taken the form of women with long fiery hair, nails of steel and tails that whipped this way and that, and, at his gesture, their ravenous inhuman eyes flicked to the prone woman.

"This creature has defied me. Mayhap you might teach her the folly of such recalcitrance."

His visage hardened, and the demons quailed under his gaze, "I want her broken, but not dead, for I have a use in mind for her. I shall return soon enough to gauge your progress."

With a last, dismissive, glance at the Dragon, he turned and strode from the pavilion.

Ellén tried to lift her head, but the weight of the collar was such that she could barely move, and she looked up into the demented smiles of the fiends as they clustered around her.

...

Muriah looked up as Ashunara approached. Elsadore had once again treated her back and she was lying face-down on her bedroll luxuriating in the feeling of bliss the hot oils and strong fingers had evoked, but even so she made to stir herself until the Captain waved her back down, "Be at ease lass," her smile turned impish as she gestured at the all but naked woman, "besides I'm not sure you're properly attired to go leaping to attention, but it's the thought that counts."

The younger Dark Elf blushed, "Sorry, Captain."

Eyeing the weals on the woman's back, Ashunara nodded and made a sound of satisfaction even as she dismissed her apology, "Worry not, girl. Those welts look well healed, I think we'll have you up and dressed after supper, and back in your mail on the morrow. But tell me Muriah, how fare you? Feel up for a wee skirmish? For there is one in the offing. If no, I can leave you to guard our supplies."

"I can fight."

"Oh, I know that lass, I saw you. And you stood at my side even afore that. But you took quite the kicking the other day. There's no shame or dishonour to be had in taking it easy a while after such shenanigans."

Muriah sat up and gingerly stretched, missing the appraising looks of approval it inspired in those close enough to observe her display, "My back feels well enough, a little tight, but it doesn't pain me anymore. I can fight, truly."

Nodding, Ashunara grinned, "Fair enough then, but there is another matter needs discussing."

"Huh?"

"Aye, it seems you are no longer the most junior member of our Company, and I wanted to speak to you about your duties."

Muriah frowned, "The Dwarves?"

"Och no, lass. Not those stumpy bastards. They're mercenaries, serving for now because our causes are aligned. No, I mean I've offered indenture to another sword, and she's accepted my collar."

"Who?"

"Oh, Valair."

Muriah choked, "You've got to be fucking joking! My mother will go insane!"

"Here's hoping."

"But... Why did she take your collar? She's a freeborn noble of a Great House, why accept indenture."

Ashunara grinned, "Think on it, you have a fine enough mind. What reason could there be?"

The younger Dark Elf mused, "The collar and indenture makes her... yours?"

"And?"

"And you've made it clear, you'll take any attack against what's yours as an attack on you, personally. If my mother lifts her hand against Valair, it's war."

"As you say," Ashunara shrugged, "but I think it'll come to war soon enough regardless, for I've stolen two of her best, and had a hand in the death of her kin, I doubt she'll be best pleased at that."

Muriah swallowed and felt herself flush at the Captain's words, "Sh-she'll hit back. She'll not just accept this. It is a slight to her House, and it will utterly infuriate her."

"I suspect you're right, Muriah, but unless she wants open war with House Varro and the streets to be awash with blood and murder, she won't be able to strike back openly. It will hamper her, and besides," she sniffed, "I owe Valair, she didn't have to take the stand she did."

Muriah looked down, "You mean I owe her."

The impish grin was back, "Well, that's between you and her, I just don't want you bullying the poor lass just because she's a raw recruit."

"Me? Bully Valair? One of the deadliest swordswomen I've ever met? The woman who could slice me into cutlets with her eyes closed?" She laughed, "Oh, I think I'll manage to restrain myself."

"Good enough, now as to your duties. 'Tis normal for the newest recruit to serve as my cupbearer until I can take their measure, but I was wondering if you'd consent to continue in that roll," she sniffed, "you're not entirely grating to have around, and I've grown almost... used to you."

"Not entirely grating!? Why you arrogant bit-"

"And there she is!"

Looking past the fuming woman, Ashunara grinned, "Pay up."

Muriah whipped her head round to see Nyx leaning against a tree nearby. The veteran was shaking her head in disgust, "I don't know why I fucking bother..."

The sound of a bellowing thunderous roar silenced the woman's complaints and shook the camp.

"What the fuck was that?"

Nyx had her sword in her hand, "That came from the wizard's tent! You don't think the silly bastard has gone and blown himself up do you?"

Along with Nyx, and apparently most of the rest of the Company, Ashunara charged across the encampment and arrived at the smoldering remains of the tent as Adair dragged a bleeding shape from within and savagely threw it to the ground.

The Captain paused, for the woman looked utterly incensed and the heat given off by her rage was enough to prick the skin even through mail. Her eyes and hair were wild and her face split in a savage snarl. In her wake, Quintus crept from the tent, his eyes wide, his expression terrified. Ashunara stared, the man was ashen faced and appeared utterly shaken.

"What goes on here?"

With a growl, Adair kicked the gibbering prone figure and there was a collective wince as the sound of cracking bone filled the air. Spinning, she pointed at the wizard, "Quintus! Hold yon portal. On your life do not let it close."

"ADAIR! What the fuck is going on, and who is this?"

The woman reached down and with a savage wrench, she snatched the battered creature from the ground as though he weighed nothing and held him aloft, "This is an agent of our Enemy. He came for Quintus but found me. Do not get too close, Captain, he is a serpent!"

Without explaining further, Adair lifted her other hand and bit deep into the palm before smearing blood over the face of her prisoner. He struggled but was helpless to stop her wiping the gore over his lips and his eyes snapped open as his whole body writhed.

The ground shook as she bared her bloody teeth and pulled his face close to hers, "I am Adair! Daughter to The Morrigan, and by my blood I compel thee! Go far out into the valley beyond and call your Master. Tell him you have found the treasure he seeks but that I resist, and you need his aid to restrain me! Go! Do it now!"

"H-he'll kill me for such a betrayal."

Adair cuffed the creature hard enough to spill blood and her grip around his throat tightened, "Snake! I will do far worse than that! Defy me and I'll stalk you to the Hells and back! I'll rip your spirit asunder and feed the titbits to the Sluagh! There will be no long sleep for you, only eternal torment at my hands. And if she is harmed, I will torture you until this fucking world BREAKS!"

Shoving him hard, the figure stumbled and fell, before crawling back to his feet and staggering off.

Ashunara grabbed her arm but whipped her hand back with a hiss before the heat from the tattoos seared her skin, "Adair, please..."

The woman drew a shuddering breath before turning to her, "You should leave this place, Captain. It's not safe for you here."

Seeing the woman's eyes were still unfocused by rage the Dark Elf slapped her, hard, "I'll decide what is, or is not safe for my Company! Now tell me what in Hades is going on, soldier! Right fucking NOW! Or so help me I'll have you digging a latrine so deep they'll be using it in the Underworld!"

Adair's eyes flicked to her, and for an instant the corner of her lip quivered.

"Very well, that thing is a Dragon. As I said, he came for Quintus but I... restrained him. We have met before, and one might say there is bad blood between us. I intended to murder him, but he bought his life by telling me that our Enemy has Ellén."

Nyx interjected, "Might he be lying? He looked like the kind of tricksy bastard who would say anything to save his skin."

"No, I would have smelled the lie."

"Handy trick."

Adair grunted and nodded back to the remains of the tent, "He came by portal, and its aperture lies within. Quintus holds it open for now. I shall pass through and return to whence he came. With luck Ellén will be nearby."

Ashunara stared, "And, the Enemy?"

Adair shrugged, "It was The Danu who made the wyrms, creating them as their steeds, and servants, but it was my mother, The Morrigan, who gifted them flame, who made them Dragon! Thus, the claim of her blood is the stronger, if only just. That one has long sold his soul to another, and even if he had not, I am not Her. But if I am fortunate, then the power of my blood, dilute even as it is, might just hold him for a little while, mayhap long enough for him to call to our foe, and draw our enemy away from his lair."

Nyx snorted, "That's it? You're just going to hope he's gone as you slide through that magical door, rescue the girl and have done?"

"Aye, that is the meat of it. I gave my word to her mother that I would protect her, and I will not let him have her, I will NOT be foresworn."

The veteran snorted, "Fuck... That's the maddest thing I've ever heard. That portal probably opens up right in the middle of his whole fucking army!"

Ashunara pursed her lips, "And if he has not been drawn away? If your geas did not hold?"

"Then, things will likely go ill for me."

She swallowed, "Look, Captain, you should be away from here. When I emerge from the portal I will certainly fall under heavy attack, but even so distracted there will be foes enough that some will assuredly attempt to pass through the portal in turn, seeking to kill whoever they find on this side, and... they will likely be many; very many."

"And should this side of the magic gate fall, how then will you escape?"

Adair shrugged.

"That's what I thought," shaking her head Ashunara stared at the woman for a long moment and then snorted, "I fucking knew you were going to get me killed one day."

She drew a breath, "Leftenant Nyx!"

"I'm literally standing right next to you, Captain."

"Give the order; Stand to. Deploy for defence."

The veteran looked at her, "You sure, Boss?"

"Aye, Ellén saved us from that undead mess back at the tower, so I say we owe the girl. Time to earn our pay, again. Give the command if you please, and then go make damned sure that on my signal Quintus can actually close that stupid magic door."

"Aye, I suppose it would be right inconvenient if he couldn't, and an unstoppable tidal wave of enemies rampaged through and killed us all. Put me off my breakfast so it would."