Chapter 11
The Female Mage, Gretagara
Whoooosh…
In the dim half-light, the flames of the candles flickered, making ripples on the surface of the water in a large earthen jar.
The place was underground — not a single window, only a few candles provided light.
The cramped room contained a large mirror and a claw-footed table piled high with books.
At one corner, a short flight of ten steps led up to a red curtain, and beyond it, a door.
Anyone normal would have felt suffocated in such a space.
Splash! Splash!
A woman in a red dress cut low at the chest dipped her bejeweled hands into the jar and angrily stirred the water.
“Damn that Lilith!
If it were only that foolish prince, I could’ve handled him easily!
But the king—why did he have to choose the son of the wind as her attendant?
That one is not to be underestimated!”
Her teeth ground audibly.
This woman was Gretagara, court sorceress to Duke Ragunbelk, who governed the region of Beslem in Atrana.
Her neatly tied black hair was now disheveled, her green eyes blazing with fury.
She gripped a tall wooden staff in one hand, and every movement sent the dozens of bracelets on her arms jingling noisily.
Though she tried to appear youthful, she was well into the age when menopause had become a troublesome reality.
“Lady Gretaaaar,”
came a sluggish voice from the stairs.
“What should I do with this brat Perseus brought in?”
A blond boy of about nine appeared from behind the curtain, dragging a burlap sack that contained a squirming figure — Kawahara — with a gag stuffed in his mouth, only his head sticking out.
“Mmff! Mmmphh! Mmmmmm!”
“Ugh, noisy! And this is supposed to be Lilith?
Perseus really is useless.”
With a swish and a clatter of jewelry, she climbed the stairs and tilted the boy’s chin up, studying his face closely.
“Hmm… well, he’s not bad-looking, I suppose.”
Kawahara was terrified — almost to the point of wetting himself.
A witch’s lair? Really? Don’t tell me she’s going to turn me into a piglet or something! No way, no way, no way!
“Yes… this one might serve to please the Master.
Hand him over to the ladies-in-waiting.”
“Got it—” said the boy lazily, tugging the sack along.
“Up we go, up we go…”
Dragged across the floor, Kawahara’s mind raced.
The “Master”… that’s probably that old man, right? And what does she mean by “please him”?
They left the dark chamber, moving down a corridor facing a garden.
The building was enormous.
The ornate railings, carved walls, and hanging lamps everywhere gave the place a stately, antique air.
Could this be… a castle? I must’ve been knocked out earlier…
Helped by a soldier-looking man, they climbed several flights of dim stairs and emerged into a long corridor leading to a massive hall.
A huge carpet woven with intricate patterns stretched across the entire floor.
The heavy curtains rippled softly in the cool breeze from outside.
“Lady Beladora, Lady Greta has sent this fine offering for the Master!”
O-offering?! What the hell?! Kawahara panicked.
An older woman appeared in response to the boy’s voice.
Her hair was elegantly arranged, and her navy-blue dress with its crisp white lace collar and breastpiece gave her a commanding presence.
“Greta again? What is that woman up to now…?
Hmph, well, he’s of a suitable age.
Very well—send him for night service tomorrow.
Attend me! Someone!”
She clapped her hands sharply. Clap! Clap!
Two burly men appeared immediately.
“Prepare him. Wash him thoroughly, burn incense, and make him presentable.”
“At once, my lady.”
One of the men gave a curt bow and hefted the burlap sack — with Kawahara inside — easily over his shoulder.
Wait. “Night… service”? What does that mean?
No way. She didn’t say “night service” like… that, right?!
The Master… isn’t a woman, is she? …Right?
“Mmph! Mmm! Mmmphhh!!”
Kawahara flailed desperately, even knowing it was useless.
The man carrying him didn’t even flinch.
Then the other man spoke something that froze Kawahara’s blood.
“Poor kid. Don’t worry though—the Master’s a gentle man.
He’ll treat you kindly.”
A bead of cold sweat slid down his face.
“MMMPHHHHHHHH!!”
NOOOOOOOOO!!!
What do you mean ‘gentle man’? That’s WORSE!! I don’t want that! I’m not into that!! HELP!! ANYONE!!
But Kawahara’s muffled screams reached no one.
They faded into the depths of the great mansion, swallowed by the darkness within.
