The ceremonial hall was lit with dim lights and candles that created a somber and mysterious atmosphere. The walls were decorated with hunting trophies, antique weapons and portraits of former leaders of the organization. In the center stood a large, elaborately decorated stage, covered by a red curtain that held the most coveted secret of the night.
Tarion knew the mystery hidden behind that curtain. His little girls were there, waiting to be shown before the crowd eager for blood and fun. Soon they would face a brutal test that would measure their power and status in the eyes of the most powerful and influential in the kingdom.
He experienced a mixture of pride, anxiety and fear. He was proud to have found these two jewels that had captured his interest from the first moment he saw them. He longed to see them in action and prove that they were worthy of his protection. He feared for what might happen to them if someone tried to take them away or hurt them.
As he approached the stage, he heard some snippets of the guests' conversations.
"What do you think they have in store for us this year?" a female voice asked curiously and expectantly.
"I don't know, but I hope it will be something spectacular. Last year I got really bored with that duel between two mediocre wizards," replied a male voice with disdain and yawn.
"Me too. I hope they surprise us with something new and different. Something that will get us buzzing," the female voice said with excitement and a twinkle in her eye.
"Have you heard about the two beasts they are going to present today?" a deep voice asked with interest and a tone of admiration.
"Yes, they say they are girls with incredible power. That they can create or destroy anything they want just by thinking about it. That makes them very desirable prey," replied another deep voice with admiration and a hint of greed.
"Where would they have gotten them from? Who would have trained them?" the first voice asked with curiosity and a hint of envy.
"I don't know, but I'd like to find out. Maybe we can bid them to the Great Lord," suggested the second voice with greed and a mischievous grin.
"This auction is already lost, this year there are many more heads of noble houses in the kingdom. They will take everything and only leave the leftovers for us," said to no one in particular a third voice drunkenly.
Tarion reached his table, situated on a raised platform next to the Great Lord. From there he could overlook the entire stage and the guests crowding the room. They were the most influential and powerful members of the organization, as well as some allies and associates. They were all dressed with elegance and ostentation, wearing golden masks of different animals that hid their expressions and faces, but I knew that behind those masks the worst intentions were hidden.
And without further ado, the lights went out and the show began.
Darkness took over the place. Only murmurs and the sparkle of crystal goblets reflected by the dim candles of the candelabra could be perceived until the curtain opened and from there an elegant figure emerged.
"Ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to the most anticipated ceremony of the year! I am Markus, the Bishop! And I will be your host on this night of wonders!" he exclaimed in a loud, clear voice as he bowed.
"As you may know, every so often we hold this event to show you the latest in personal combat servants. To show you our courage and our power. To have fun and enjoy ourselves. But this year we have a special treat in store for you, something special just for you. Something you've never seen or will never see anywhere else. Something that will leave you speechless," he continued, as he raised his baton and pointed to the back of the stage.
"I present to you the two most extraordinary beasts that inhabit this world. Two girls who could wipe out an entire army at the mere thought of it. Two girls who are the masterpiece of our most brilliant researcher, Tarion," he introduced lowering the staff pausing dramatically.
"May I present the Queens!" he exclaimed as two spotlights came on and revealed the two leading ladies.
Tarion felt a lump in his throat at the sight of them. There were his little girls, enclosed in an electrified cage that emitted sparks and buzzing sounds. Dressed and beautifully groomed in two pretty dresses that contrasted with their sad reality, displayed like trophies before a crowd of monsters that looked at them with greed and cruelty. There Eirys growled at everyone present like a lioness protecting her cub while Calis hid behind her.
"As you can see, they are two little girls, but don't be fooled by their adorable appearance. These two are fierce when the situation calls for it. They are the two recent creations of the great lord Tarion, and to give them a demonstration of their power we have a surprise in store," he said enigmatically before pressing the button on his staff.
Pressing the button, Markus opened the gates of hell on the stage. From hidden hatches emerged a dozen goblins armed to the teeth. The goblins were small green ghouls with pointed ears and sharp teeth. They were weak individually, but dangerous in groups. Their goal was to attack the girls and test their endurance.
The audience shuddered as they watched the goblins enter through the metal gate. Some leaned over the railing separating the tables from the stage, curious to see what the two girls would do. Others felt a slight pang of remorse for the little girls, but soon drowned it out with the eagerness to witness carnage. Some even pulled out their coins and began placing bets on the outcome of the fight.
"What do you think, will the hatchlings make it?" asked a lady in an emerald green dress fanning herself nervously.
"I don't think so, nor do I expect it. I want to see them torn apart and made to beg for their lives," replied a gentleman in a black suit licking his lips lasciviously.
"Me thinks the hatchlings have some advantage. They seem to be beastfolk, maybe they have some special skill," opined another gentleman in a top hat scratching his chin.
"Bah, don't be naive. Goblins are more numerous and have weapons. Those girls don't stand a chance," retorted another scarred gentleman folding his arms.
The girls were unfazed by the appearance of the goblins. Eirys took Calis by the hand and dragged her towards the center of the cell. There they got into combat stance, ready to fight everyone. Eirys clicked her tongue in boredom.
"This is all you have, some scrawny goblins? I was hoping for something more interesting," she spat with disdain and defiance.
"Eirys... Are you ready?" asked Calis in a nervous voice.
"Of course. Don't panic, I'll take care of everything. Just trust me. And let's follow your plan," she answered him with a confident smile.
The goblins pounced on them like rabid beasts. Their sharp teeth and dirty claws sought to tear at their flesh and make them scream. But the girls were not easy prey.
Eirys grabbed Calis by the waist and hurled her through the air with superhuman momentum. Calis soared over the goblins' heads and took the opportunity to examine the place, spotting an open hatch in the opposite wall, where the goblins had entered. He guessed that this would be the secret passage they were looking for. He pointed it out to Eirys with a gesture and prepared to fall.
Eirys faced the horde of goblins surrounding her with a defiant smile. She felt no fear in the face of those foul, deformed beasts. With a swift movement, she slit the throat of one of them, causing blood to gush out like a geyser. Then he sank his claws into the heart of another, ripping it out with a jerk. The confident guffaws of the goblins turned into agonized screams that echoed through the hall as they were slaughtered, mingling with the whispers of the guests. Some shuddered at the brutality, others were titillated by the carnage.
Calis fell upon a frightened group of goblins and kicked them away. He ran for the hatch, dodging those who stood in his way. He entered the dark corridor and kept running without looking back.
But what he found at the end of the corridor was not what he expected. Another gate opened upon detecting his presence. From it emerged an igneous stone golem, a colossal creature made of rocks and lava that gave off a scorching heat. Its red eyes flashed in the darkness with a malicious look.
Calis at the sight of it turned and fled in terror toward Eirys.
"Eirys, a golem! A golem is coming this way!" shrieked Calis as he dodged the pools of blood and goblin corpses that carpeted the ground.
"A what! What's a golem!" she asked in confusion. She had never heard of such a creature, but from Calis' panic it must be something terrible.
The guests watched in horror and fascination as the golem emerged from the hatch. Some backed away from the stage for fear of being crushed by the golem. Others remained motionless in their seats, mesmerized by the spectacle.
"By all the gods! It's an igneous stone golem! It's one of the most powerful weapons in the empire!" shouted a man in a red cloak.
"How awful! Those girls are lost! No one can take on a golem and come out alive!" said a woman wearing a pearl necklace.
"How wonderful, this is the first time I've seen a golem in action, this is unbelievable!" commented another man with glasses.
"How cruel, someone should stop this!" protested another woman with a handkerchief.
The golem advanced towards the girls with heavy steps, making the ground tremble. Its body was covered with fire stones, special rocks that formed in volcanoes and contained a large amount of magical energy. He was able to use that energy to launch flares and lava explosions at his enemies.
The girls hugged each other in the center of the cell, staring at the golem in awe. They knew they didn't stand a chance against it, but they couldn't escape either. They were trapped.
"Eirys... What are we going to do?" sobbed Calis in a trembling voice. Her body was covered in cold sweat and her heart was pounding. She felt the suffocating heat of the golem getting closer and closer.
"I don't know... I don't know...", Eirys murmured in anguish. She was losing her cool, but she didn't want to show it. She wanted to be strong for Calis. She wanted to protect her from that monster.
"Can't we use magic? Can't we break the cell?", Eirys proposed hopefully. She looked around, searching for some way out or some weakness in the cell. But she saw only metal and electricity.
"Eirys... listen to me... I know a method that could work, but... we have to do something very risky... it's our only option..." he said seriously...", he said. He walked over to her and took her hand. She looked into his eyes with determination.
"What is it?", Eirys asked curiously. She let herself be led by Calis and prepared to listen to his plan.
"We need to get close to the golem... and try to rip an igneous stone out of it," he said sternly.
She opened her eyes in surprise. She couldn't believe what she had just heard.
"We have no choice... if we can wrench an igneous stone from it... we can use its energy to break the cell and escape," Calis explained quickly. His voice sounded firm, but his face was pale. He knew it was an almost impossible mission.
"And how are we going to rip a fire stone out of it? With what?" asked Eirys doubtfully. She looked at the golem in awe. It was a mass of rocks and lava that moved with superhuman strength.
"You can use your claws, I saw how strong they were when you fought Tarion, they should work," he said confidently. He remembered the scene where Eirys had scratched Tarion on the shoulder, leaving him with a scar. It was the only time she had ever seen him hurt.
The guests watched the scene in disbelief. Although they did not understand the beastfolk language, some sensed the girls' plan and were petrified. Some let out a sarcastic laugh, thinking it was crazy. Others were silent, admiring their courage.
"What are they whispering about so much? I don't understand a word they say. Hey you, translate for me," one man ordered his servant.
"Are you crazy? Do you want to take a flaming stone from the golem? It's impossible! It's suicide!" exclaimed a bearded man. He scoffed at their naivety, waiting to see them die.
"What are they doing, why don't they just give up? They don't stand a chance! They should accept their fate!" protested another man with a mustache. He was outraged at their defiance and wished the golem would crush them.
Tarion clenched his fist and let out a laugh. (That's your plan? Calis? Ha ha you're desperate. Although it's your only way out, if I had more time I would have instructed them better for this, but even I didn't suspect they would use the war golems. The chances of it working out are minuscule), he thought as he hid his face with his hand.
(I have to help them, just a slight push, if I do it fast enough, no one should be able to notice. I just have to time myself with Eirys' attack), he thought anxiously as he watched them.
"Okay. Now!" shouted Calis.
Eirys nodded and they both set off. Their plan was to distract the golem and attack it from the flanks. They hoped to find some crack or weak spot in its stone armor.
The golem followed them with its eyes and roared with fury. He was not going to let some girls stand up to him. He raised an arm and launched a flare towards Eirys.
She dodged the attack by a hair and kept running towards the golem. She reached for its right leg and leapt at it. She dug her claws into the stone and climbed up its body like a spider.
Calis mimicked her on the other side. He lunged toward the golem and grabbed its left leg. She tried to dig her nails into the stone and climb like Eirys, but she felt a sharp pain, her thin nails unable to cope with the hardness of the material, Still, she resisted abandoning the plan despite the burning and stinging pain in her fingertips.
The golem shuddered furiously, trying to free itself from the girls. It shook its arms and head, throwing flames and blows left and right. But the girls were faster and dodged its attacks. They jumped, rolled and slid down his body, looking for a breakthrough.
The guests watched the scene in astonishment. Some bit their nails, fearing for the outcome. Others rose from their seats, cheering and encouraging the girls who bravely challenged the golem.
Tarion smiled with pride and excitement. His heart beat in rhythm with the flames that engulfed the stone monster. (They truly never cease to amaze me. Well, it's time to act, just a little more), he thought with admiration.
Eirys reached to the golem's right shoulder and searched for an igneous stone. She saw one flashing brightly between the cracks in the rock. She approached it like a moth drawn to the light. He reached out his arm and tried to pluck it out with his claws.
Calis did the same on the left shoulder. He saw another fire stone sparkling beautifully. He approached it with determination. He reached out his hand and tried to pull it off with his almost charred fingernails. He wanted to cry from the pain, but his tears were instantly evaporated by the golem's suffocating heat.
The golem felt the pain and roared in fury. It was not going to allow its power source to be taken from it. It raised its arms and its core began to overheat, preparing to self-destruct. He was determined to wipe out the little ones, even if it meant sacrificing himself.
Tarion didn't hesitate for a moment and acted. He took a small napkin, stiffened it in his hand and imbibed mana into it. Then he fired it with his fingers as if it were a bullet.
The projectile struck the golem's chest, right where its core was beating. The core was the golem's heart, the one that gave it life and power. It was also its weak point.
The girls saw their chance and pulled hard. They managed to tear away the fire stones, causing an explosion that lit up the room.
The golem staggered and fell to the floor, inert. Its body crumbled into pieces of stone and lava that quickly cooled. Its energy dissipated into thin air. He had been defeated.
A rumble shook the room as the golem crashed to the floor. The air was filled with an acrid, burning smell that stung the nose. Smoke covered everything, blocking the view inside the cell. The guests held their breath, their eyes riveted on the scene.
When the smoke cleared, the girls were seen lying on the floor, wounded but alive. Their bodies were burned and cut by the explosion. Their dresses were torn and stained with blood. Their faces were pale and tired. But they still wore a smile of triumph.
The guests were petrified to see the end of the scene. Some were speechless, unable to believe what they had seen. Others began to shout, celebrating or lamenting the outcome.
Disbelief gave way to astonishment and then to euphoria. The guests rose from their seats and broke into applause and cheers, acclaiming the winners as if they were heroines. Some cried with emotion, others laughed with relief. Everyone wanted a closer look at the prodigious beastfolk.
"Isn't it impressive, these two little girls have achieved the impossible! They have defeated a war golem of the highest level single-handedly! Despite their young age! Imagine what they can do when they grow up!" exclaimed Markus, tapping his staff against the ground to attract attention.
Tarion relaxed in his seat and let out the air he had been holding in. He had succeeded. He had used his magic to weaken the golem without anyone noticing. He had saved his girls from certain death. Beside him, the Great Lord smiled at him knowingly. He was the only one who knew what Tarion had done and he was amused by her cunning.
Eirys and Calis hugged each other tightly and smiled. They had succeeded. They had accomplished their plan. In their hands glowed the stones of fire.
"Eirys... we did it..." he whispered with a broken voice and tears burning his cheeks.
"Yes... we did it..." she replied with a hoarse voice and a bitter smile.
"Now... we just have to destroy the cell... and run away from this hell," Calis said with a thread of hope.
"Yes... we just have to destroy the cell," she replied with determination getting up.
But before they could move, a shiver ran down Eirys' spine, looking up she met the huge figure of a woman with haunting blood red eyes, followed by a thick fog enveloping her cell.
"Lissa!" he exclaimed as he recognized her.
"The very same," she replied with a smirk and a slight bow. "I come to collect this. Great Lord's orders," he said ruthlessly snatching both stones from them. "Come on, don't make those faces, I'm just doing my job. You are the only ones in this place who have earned my respect. Consider it an honor."
The girls gasped as they watched their only salvation stolen from them. Without the fire stones they could not escape. They had achieved nothing. It had all been in vain.
"No! Give them back! They're ours!" cried Calis in despair.
"I'm sorry, little ones. But the Great Lord has other plans for you," he said with an evil grin pulling two small green potions from his sleeves.
Both girls were paralyzed, they didn't know what else to do. It was impossible to free themselves from Lissa's sticky net and even if they managed to get out of it someone else would surely cut them off.
Losing hope and with no other options, Calis collapsed on the ground staring at the dark, scorched floor.
Eirys felt such intense rage that as she clenched her fists she dug her own claws into her hands, not caring about the pain or the gushing blood.
"Well, did that indomitable will finally break? Have they finally accepted that there is no way out of this hell? That saves me trouble," he sneered with a cruel smile.
But to her surprise Eirys did not reply. Lissa's smile turned to a grimace of disgust as she watched the gleam fade from the two girls' eyes.
Lissa uncapped the vials in her hands. "Drink these, they look horrible, they are embarrassing to the organization," she said as she forced their mouths open and made them swallow the concoction.
It tasted foul and stuck in their throats, but as they emptied the vials they felt their wounds slowly close.
"It's not as effective as the ones Tarion makes, but it's better than nothing," he said with a snort. "Now your dresses... Couldn't they keep them better? Anyway...", she walked over to them. With her fingers she wove fine silk and mended the dresses quickly, leaving them spotless.
"There," she said, cutting the thread with her teeth. Eirys and Calis remained motionless and impassive throughout the process. They now looked like empty, discarded dolls, an image that turned his insides.
"Eirys! Calis!" she exclaimed with disgust on her face, searching for a sign of life in the girls.
Calis opened her eyes at the sound of it and burst into uncontented weeping. Eirys looked up and fixed her eyes on Lissa.
"Have you finally given up on life? Is this how you want to end up? Like a broken doll with no will? Eirys?" he inquired coldly.
She blinked in bewilderment at his words. She shook her head vehemently and lunged toward Calis, who was sobbing in despair.
"Ah... Well," Lissa sighed in relief as she saw Eirys react. "You still want to protect her, don't you?" she asked sternly.
Eirys nodded without hesitation, hugging Calis and wiping away her tears.
"Keep that feeling in your heart. It will be your only weapon against the predators back there. Don't worry, I'm sure old Tarion will watch over you two, that stubborn old man won't let go of his precious creations so easily," she said with a warm smile.
She looked at her and let out a small growl. Hearing it, Lissa couldn't help but let out a light chuckle before disappearing into the darkness. The fog dissipated as quickly as she left.
"All right! The moment of truth has arrived! The moment everyone has been waiting for! The auction begins! Who will take these young warrior girls home! Let the shark war begin!" announced Markus excitedly tapping his staff against the floor.
The guests were in an uproar at the announcement. They pulled out their wallets and cards, ready to bid for them.
"I'll take the girls! They're beautiful and wild! I'll spare no expense for them!" exclaimed an old man in a suit.
"I want them too! They are precious and fierce! I won't let anyone take them from me!" cried a woman in a pearl necklace.
"I crave them more! They are works of art and warriors! I will make them mine at any price!" another man in a hat shouted.
The room was an inferno of noise and greed, chaos and disorder reigned in the atmosphere. The Great Lord had achieved his goal, but for Tarion the moment he hated most had arrived.
"I see great bargains around here! 100,000 gold coins! 300,000 coins! 500,000 coins?!" he cried, encouraging the guests to give more.
"Nobody else?! 500 thousand coins on three! 500 thousand coins on two!" he exclaimed approaching the end.
"I bid a million!" pitched a man sitting in one of the VIP boxes.
His mask hid his face, but did not hide his figure. He was a fat, short man, his tight suit only further emphasized that plump figure. His hair was short and gray. Next to him at his table were his wife and two children. His wife was a slim, elegant woman in a red dress and a fox mask. His children were a boy and a girl about ten years old, dressed in expensive costumes and rabbit masks.
The guests were stunned to hear the offer. Some kept quiet, knowing they couldn't compete with that price. Others grumbled, thinking it was madness.
Tarion's heart froze when he heard the offer. It was an astronomical figure, far exceeding the value of any human being. He could not believe what he had just heard.
At the sight of the man, he felt a shiver run down his spine. Although he wore a mask covering his face, his voice and silhouette were unmistakable. He was a person she could never erase from her memory, for he had inflicted so much pain and suffering on her.
(What? What is that man doing here? Hadn't he been banned from the events?), she thought, losing her calm. Her pulse quickened and her breathing became agitated.
That man was a close friend of the nation's royal family. He was the Duke of Lannister, a powerful, ambitious man with an unhealthy vice of lust. Tarion knew him well, having worked for him as a scientist and inventor. It had been the duke who had commissioned him to procure girls to train and improve them. It was he who had taken all his research and his first creations from him, as if they were mere objects.
(What does he want with them? What does he intend to do to them? Why does he want them so much? Does he only want them because he knows they are precious to me and he just wants to screw me? Or does he just see them as his next toys?), he thought turning them over and over in his head with rage. He felt a mixture of helplessness and hatred.
He turned to the stage and saw the girls. Calis was on her knees on the floor resigned to her fate after hearing the huge offer they had given for them. She had a sad and defeated expression on her face. Eirys did not understand the situation, but clung to Calis tightly trying to comfort her.
Tarion wanted to intervene before it was too late. He could not allow his girls to fall into the duke's hands. They were his life, his masterpiece.
But the Great Lord stopped him by grabbing the sleeve of his jacket.
"Tarion. May I know what you plan to do?" she asked him in a calm voice.
He released his grip and looked at him defiantly.
"I plan to save my girls. I will not let them end up in that man's filthy hands," she answered him in a firm voice.
The Great Lord watched him with interest and curiosity.
"Your girls? Is that what you call them?" he asked with a smirk.
"Precisely, they are mine. I will not tolerate so much talent being wasted on worldly desires," he retorted indignantly. He clenched his fists and rose from the table decisively.
"Hmm... Yes, it really will be for the best. I trust you won't do anything stupid, Tarion," she said wryly. She followed him with her eyes as he walked away. She knew Tarion was up to something, but she didn't care. He had already gotten what he wanted.
"Should I follow him? It looks like the First Tower is in control now," Lissa suggested in a soft voice that contrasted with her haunting red eyes that glowed dangerously amidst the darkness behind him.
"Yes, you should. Help him and keep a close eye on him," she ordered coolly. He waved her off.
She nodded and took off after Tarion moving gracefully through the shadows.
"Sold to the rabbit masked lord! When the ceremony is over a servant will give you the instructions to claim your new combat maids! Now let's move on to the other candidates, don't be discouraged, there are still big surprises left for tonight!" announced Markus excitedly. He pulled a rope and a cloth covered the little girls.
...
..
.
Tarion advanced steadily and swiftly towards the dressing rooms. His heart was pounding in his chest. He had to get to his girls before it was too late.
"Mr. Tarion, what are you doing here? The ceremony isn't over yet, you can't come in here," a servant guarding the door told him nervously. He was a thin, pale man, dressed in a gray uniform.
He paid no attention to him. With a swift movement, his fist embedded itself in the servant's head. The head exploded like a ripe watermelon, spilling blood and scattering brains and skull fragments across the door and floor. He had no time to waste with petty obstacles.
He had no time to wipe off the blood that had stained his gloves and clothes. Impatiently, he opened the door and entered the locker room. It was a large, clean room, full of coat racks, mirrors and suitcases. A strong smell of flowers and perfume reached her nose, it was unbearable. She could hear the shouts and laughter of the guests in the main hall.
She looked around for her little ones. She saw them behind a curtain in the distance. Eirys was hugging Calis lovingly, caressing her head while whispering a lullaby. They were the only ones who refused to give up hope.
She let out a cry of relief. "Eirys... Calis!" he ran to them, unaware of the danger that lurked.
Lissa stood in his way, with a mischievous grin. "Tarion... You let your guard down," her eyes flashed with a sinister glint.
He glared at her angrily. "Lissa...the Great Lord sent you? You must know I'm not in the mood," he replied. He was not afraid of Lissa, but he knew she was a formidable opponent.
"Ah, while I must admit that a fight against the First Tower sounds tempting, I'm not here to stop you. I'm here to help you, I don't want those little girls to end up some pervert's doll either. I'm on your side on this," he explained with a sympathetic look towards the girls.
"So? Out of my way," he said impatiently. He wanted to get to his girls as soon as possible and get them out of there. He didn't trust Lissa or her intentions.
"Wait, you can't be so rash, we must bide our time. When the preparations for them to be delivered are ready you can act," he said calmly. She put a hand on his shoulder and looked at him steadily.
Tarion sighed as he heard her, he knew his actions were being too hasty, "What do you have in mind?" he asked.
"That's better, I need the calculating and calm Tarion here. Come on, I won't let you down," she said with a smile taking Tarion by the shoulders and leading him out.
Tarion and Lissa walked out of the locker room and into a dark hallway. There Lissa explained her plan.
...
..
.
The ceremony was over and the sun was beginning to illuminate the city with its golden rays. The buildings and glass windows reflected the morning light. The air was filled with noise and movement as carriages drove through the cobblestone streets.
Guests exited the grounds in their carriages, some accompanied by the slaves they had acquired, others discouraged at having gained nothing and others still excited about the evening's battles. Some were commenting on the skills and appearance of the combat servants they had seen.
"Well, follow me this way Mr. Lannister. Your combat maidservants are ready to go, just the final details are missing," Markus said in a subservient voice.
Duke Lannister looked at him with a mischievous smile and nodded, bidding farewell to his family. His wife and children looked at him disapprovingly, but said nothing. They knew the duke had peculiar tastes and would not tolerate criticism.
They both set out for the servants' hall.
They came to a room filled with cabinets, dressing tables and gigantic mirrors. It was the dressing room where the combat servants were dressed and groomed for the ceremony. There were the two girls the duke had bought for an exorbitant sum. They had shackles on their wrists and ankles. They were beautiful and young, but their faces reflected the horror and despair they felt.
The duke approached them with a voracious gaze and exclaimed, "What lovelies, I can't wait to taste them!", He ran his hand through their hair and face with a laugh. "Calm down, my sweets. I won't hurt them...at least not much."
The girls recoiled in fear and disgust. They were wearing tight dresses that the servants had put on them, which highlighted their immature curves and breasts. They looked like maidens out of a fairy tale.
Eirys growled, but neither dared to resist. They knew that any attempt to escape would be in vain. They looked at each other in despair, searching for some sign of hope or comfort.
Markus watched the scene with indifference. It was his job to facilitate the deal between the buyers and the combat servants. He didn't care what happened to them afterwards. He only cared about collecting his commission.
"Very well Mr. Lannister, tell me, where would you like them delivered and who will claim them to take them to you personally, or would you prefer that a specialized servant be assigned to you for safe transport?" he asked pointing to the servants present in the room. They were burly, armed men, charged with guarding the combat servants.
"Mmm? no that won't be necessary, I have my own subordinate here. He is quite strong and intelligent, I hold him in very high esteem. Zalgo, come here!" the duke exclaimed proudly, at which point out of the shadows appeared a male figure in a fine black suit.
The man wore a black mask that covered half of his face, revealing only his red eyes and smiling mouth. His long black hair was tied back in a ponytail. In his right hand he carried a staff with a snake-like grip.
"You called for me, my lord?" he said in a soft, polite voice, bowing.
The duke introduced him proudly. "This is Zalgo, my right hand and faithful servant. He possesses a special gift that makes him very valuable to me. There is no one better suited for this important assignment."
"Zalgo, I want you to take care of moving these two precious ones. I don't want anyone to touch or disturb them on the way. Can you do it?" the duke asked confidently.
"Of course I can, my lord. It will be an honor to obey your will," he replied with a wicked smile, devouring the girls with his eyes.
Eirys' tail twitched as she sensed the danger, Calis only noticed a slight tightness in her chest.
"Magnificent. So... Markus Is there anything else I should attend to?" he inquired impatient to finish. He longed to take the girls away as soon as possible and enjoy them in intimacy.
"Oh! One more thing. We have erased the slave marks on them so you can mark them with your house crest. Would you like us to perform the process right now?", Markus asked as he pulled out some coal-black stones from an iron chest.
They were magical stones that heated up on contact with skin and could engrave a symbol on combat servants, indicating their belonging. They gave off an infernal heat and a smell of burning flesh.
"No! I say... that won't be necessary. That's my favorite part. I'll do it myself when I get them in my domain. You needn't worry about that," the duke said impatiently. He didn't want anyone else to touch the girls or cause them pain. That was his privilege.
"As you say, Lord Lannister. I need not tell you that it is not entirely safe for these girls to be without their mark, but as you wish. Then all that remains is to sign the contract and you may leave with your maids," he said with a professional smile. He handed a parchment and quill to the duke.
"Yes, yes, I know the risks well. Quick, let me see...", he replied as he read the contract. It was a document specifying the conditions of the purchase and the guarantee of the combat servants. The duke signed it without paying much attention and handed it back to Markus.
"Very well, everything is in order. You may now leave with your maidservants, Lord Lannister. I hope you enjoy your purchase and return soon," he said courteously.
"Thank you, Markus. I assure you I will enjoy them very much. Come on, Zalgo! Take the girls to the carriage!" he exclaimed enthusiastically.
"Yes, my lord," Zalgo replied dutifully. He took the girls by the arms and dragged them towards the exit.
The girls weakly resisted, but there was nothing they could do.
They were bound with chains that prevented them from moving or using their magic. They could only stare in horror and despair at their new master.
Two carriages awaited at the exit, one black and one white, each pulled by four sturdy horses. The black carriage belonged to Duke Lannister; the white carriage to Zalgo.
The black carriage looked elegant and sober, with silver and crystal ornaments. The horses were black as night, with long, silky manes that waved in the wind.
The white carriage looked simple and modest, with a white canvas covering it. The horses were snow white, with short, curly manes that contrasted against the gray sky.
"Zalgo! I want you to take the white-haired one to my mansion. I will transport the other one with me to my northern domain. Is that clear?" the duke commanded authoritatively.
"Of course, my lord. Don't worry, I will guard and protect her even if it costs me my life," he replied loyally.
"I am glad to hear that. Remember, they are mine and mine alone. I will not tolerate anyone else touching them," the duke warily warned.
"Don't worry, my lord. I would never do anything to offend you," he assured with a false smile.
The duke nodded in satisfaction and climbed into the black carriage with a mischievous grin. He dragged Calis by the arm and threw her into the vehicle. Zalgo did the same with Eirys in the white carriage.
Calis struggled with all her might, trying to escape the duke's grip. His eyes filled with tears as he watched him walk away from Eirys, the only person who had given him some comfort in that hell.
Eirys let herself be led away without putting up much resistance, knowing it was futile. Her face reflected a mixture of anger and resignation. She felt alone and abandoned, with no one to protect or understand her. All she had left was the memory of Calis and his warm embrace.
The two carriages were lost on the horizon, raising a cloud of dust. The black carriage headed north, towards Duke Lannister's castle, located in the snowy mountains. The white carriage headed south, toward the duke's mansion in the city, surrounded by gardens and fountains.
(Damn. They've separated them, this complicates things. What do I do now? Who do I save first?), Tarion thought in despair, watching the carriages drive away from their hiding place in the bushes in front of the building.
"Well, well. Looks like the old man screwed up our plan," Lissa said in a gravelly voice, looking at him with concern. "Have you decided who you're going for yet?"
They had waited for their chance to act. Their plan was to raid the duke's carriages on their way out of town and free the girls before they were taken far away. But their plan had gone awry because of the duke's intervention, who had decided to take one of them with him.
"Shit! I don't know. I want them both," she replied in an anguished voice. He felt a lump in his throat and an emptiness in his chest.
"Hurry up, Tarion. We don't have time to waste. We have to choose now," she urged him sternly grabbing him by the shoulders and pinning him with her gaze.
"Ah...," he sighed trying to calm the whirlwind that was his mind. He knew he had to choose between one or the other, but he couldn't bear the thought of leaving them to their fate. "All right... You go after Eirys. I'll take care of Calis," he said firmly. It was a painful decision, but he couldn't leave Calis at the Duke's mercy.
"Are you sure?" he asked doubtfully. He pointed his finger at the white carriage pulling away down the main street. "Eirys is in that carriage, the one headed for the center of town. It will be easier to follow it and rescue her."
"I know," he replied looking at the black carriage taking a detour to the outskirts of town. "But Calis is in that other carriage, the one taking a northerly course. It will be harder to catch up with him. Calis is not as strong as Eirys. Besides, I want to settle accounts with the duke personally."
"All right then," with resignation. He nodded his head and patted her back. "You go get Calis. I'll get Eirys."
"Thank you, Lissa," he replied sincerely bowing his head.
"Hey, not so fast, don't thank me yet," she replied with a bitter smile. He winked at her and waved a hand. "This favor will cost you dearly."
They both nodded and parted. They each shot off and leapt between the roofs of the houses after one of the carriages.