Awakening (Telindell Book 1) (11 page)

Roxees shook her head.  “The lord here is greedy,” she said.  “It is obvious.  This town is far better off than those pathetic villages I destroyed.”

Roxees walked gracefully toward the castle.  The men of the town were struck by her beauty as they watched her walk.  Roxees was far more beautiful than any woman in the town.  Her beauty seemed divine to the eyes of the men.

Roxees reached a bridge that crossed a river leading to the castle.  “Now, it begins.”

Roxees walked across the bridge, her staff tapping lightly against the stones with each step.  She approached the grand castle gates and took note of the banners hanging from the ramparts at each side.  Kynlynn’s insignia of a long sword with a crown around the hilt was depicted.  Two soldiers stood guard and watched the approaching woman.  Each was clad in their metal armor with Kynlynn’s insignia etched on the breastplate. One was a female and of slightly smaller stature compared to her male counterpart.

The male guard took note of Roxees.  “State your business.”

Roxees gave a seductive smile to the guard.  “I seek an audience with Lord Draken, if you would be so kind.”

The female guard looked upon Roxees.  “I’m afraid that is quite impossible.”

The male guard quickly looked to his counterpart.  “Let us hear her out before we turn the lass away.”

The female guard sighed and crossed her arms.  “Fine.”

The male gazed upon Roxees, nearly enthralled by her beauty.  “Now, why do you seek an audience with our Lord?”

Roxees smiled once again.  “A matter of great importance,” she said.  “I have valuable information for him.”

The male guard shook his head.  “I’m afraid that will have to wait. The Lord is busy with his court due to the recent dragon attacks.”

The female guard glared and snarled at Roxees.  “Yes, he is far too busy to be bothered with the likes of you.”

Roxees looked at the female guard and smiled.  “What if I told you that my information pertained to the dragon that plagues your lands?”  Roxees looked to the male guard and gave a seductive smile.  “I have journeyed very far with this information.”

The male guard’s cheeks turned a rosy red.  “Perhaps you should pass the information to me, and I shall make sure the lord gets it.”

The female guard quickly nodded.  “Yes, that would be for the best.”

Roxees shook her head.  “No, that simply will not do.”  Roxees bit her lip while she reached out and ran her finger down the male guard’s chest.  “I promise your lord will not be disappointed, and if he is,” Roxees smiled and winked, “I promise, I will make it up to you.”

The guard let out a deep breath.  “I… I suppose the Lord would be inclined to hear what you have to say.”

The female guard slapped the male’s shoulder and shouted, “What?  I can’t believe you’re going for this slut’s horse shit!”

The male guard pushed the female away and shouted, “Quiet!  I make the decisions here.”  He looked up to the ramparts and shouted, “Open the gate!  The lord has a guest!”

Roxees smiled at the guard.  “Thank you ever so much, kind sir.”

The gate slowly rose and the male guard led Roxees through the castle’s entrance.  Elegant stone walls and drapery of the finest silk, also bearing Kynlynn’s insignia, made up the interior the castle.  They walked through a hallway that opened up into a large throne room.  Large windows lined the walls filling the room with light.  At the end of the room sat the lord upon his elegantly crafted wooden throne.  In front of him stood several members of his court, made up of men and women who were advisors to the lord.

The guard lowered his head and brought his right arm across his chest.  “My lord.”

Members of Draken’s court separated and revealed the man upon the throne to be a muscular man with shaggy black hair and a thick beard.  He wore elegant black robes that were trimmed with golden stitching along the seams.

Draken looked upon the guard and Roxees with his cruel brown eyes.  “What is it?”

The guard looked up to Draken.  “This young lady brings news of the dragon attacks.”

Draken sighed and nodded.  “Very well, leave us.”

The guard nodded.  “Yes, my lord.”

Draken pointed at Roxees.  “You, lass, approach me.”

Roxees quietly approached, her wavy black hair swaying behind her.  She smiled and revealed her flawless teeth.  Her blue eyes stared deeply into Draken’s brown eyes as she drew closer.

Roxees reached the lord and bowed slowly before him.  She paused to give Draken ample time to peer at her cleavage.  “Lord Tieren Draken, I am honored to bow before you.”  Roxees slowly rose to her feet.

Draken stared at the woman, most impressed with her beauty.  “I assure you, the honor is mine.”

Roxees smiled.  “My Lord, you are far too kind.”

Draken smiled.  “What news do you bring?”

“Dreadful news of the dragon attacks, my lord,” said Roxees.  “I know who is to blame.”

Draken raised an eyebrow.  “Please, continue.”

“I have reason to believe that the Elves are behind it,” said Roxees.

Draken chuckled and crossed his arms.  “Elves?  At best, they are extinct. Most likely a myth with no truth to it.  What reasons do you have for suggesting such a thing?”

“My lord, I have seen the dragon. It is not a real dragon,” said Roxees.  “But a beast constructed of very old magic.  The kind of which only the Elves possess.”

Draken glared and shook his head.  “Magic?  A fairytale for children!”

“A fairytale?” asked Roxees.  “Then am I correct to assume you do not have a mage or sorceress in your court?”

Draken gritted his teeth.  “Elves?  Magical dragons?  Mages and sorceresses?  Choose your next words carefully.  I will not entertain any more of this nonsense.”

Roxees smiled and bowed once again.  “My lord, I would volunteer my services as your sorceress, if I may.”

Draken laughed, as well as his court.  “This lass has lost her mind!” Draken stood and shouted, “Guards!  Toss her out!”

Roxees glared at Draken, clutched her staff, and shouted, “Do not ridicule my power with your laughter!”

Draken chuckled.  “Power?  My dear, I’m afraid those supple tits don’t give you any power over me.  Now, get out before I have your head!”

Roxees snarled as her eyes began to glow red.  She tapped her staff against the ground amidst the laughter echoing through the throne room.  The court members began to cough and gag.  They all grasped their throats as they fell over, jerking on the ground.  One by one, they succumbed to death as roaches, beetles, and worms began crawling from their mouths, noses and ears.  The lord looked on in horror, speechless.

Roxees looked at Draken and smirked.  “Do you still doubt my power?  Or shall I have rats eat your intestines while you are still alive?”

Draken’s eyes widened.  “No… No, that will not be necessary.”

“I thought as much.” said Roxees.

“How do you know about this dragon and the Elves?” asked Draken.

“My lord, I have not seen the Elves,” said Roxees.  “Nor has anyone for a thousand years.  The Elves were vastly powerful with magic.  Only they could conjure such a creature.”

“Can you not defeat it?” said Draken.  “You just proved yourself a sorceress.”

Roxees nodded. “Indeed I am, but this a creature of very old, very powerful magic.  I alone cannot defeat it.”

“What would you have me do?” asked Draken.

Roxees gave him a seductive smile.  “Does this mean I am now your court sorceress?”

Draken returned her smile.  “My dear, that means you can be anything of mine you want if you help me resolve this dragon issue.”

Roxees winked at Draken.  “Court sorceress will do… for now.”

“Very well, what do you suggest?” asked Draken.

“I suggest you have someone show me to my quarters.  I am dreadfully tired.  It has been such a long journey,” said Roxees.

“Of course. We shall continue our engagement first thing in the morning,” said Draken.  He stood and took Roxees’ arm in his and walked her to a doorway across the room from his throne.

Draken opened the sturdy wooden door and shouted down the corridor. “Sarath! Come girl!  I have a task for you!”

The pitter patter of scurrying feet was heard.  A girl of about eleven years old appeared in front of the two.  Her long, dirty blonde hair hung just past her shoulders.

Sarath looked up at the two with her deep green eyes and spoke with a light, innocent voice.  “Yes, my lord, what is it?”

“Take Lady…”  Draken looked to Roxees.  “It has occurred to me that I have not yet asked your name?”

“Lady Roxees will be sufficient,” she replied.  She then kneeled down to Sarath.  “You are such a pretty little thing.  Is this your father?”

“I am not her father.  This is my son’s plaything.” said Draken.  “Don’t encourage her to be anything more.  She is often useful, however.”  Draken looked to Sarath.  “Now, take Lady Roxees to the guest quarters atop the western tower.”

“I see,” said Roxees.  “Well then, shall we go, Sarath?”

“Yes, Lady Roxees. This way.” said Sarath.

She led Roxees through the castle to the top of one of its many towers.  They entered an elegantly decorated room with a large canopy bed.

Roxees looked around the room.  “This will do nicely.”  Roxees then looked to the young girl.  “Thank you, little plaything.”

Sarath gave a slight, seemingly forced smile.  “You’re welcome, Lady Roxees.  Will that be all?”

“Yes, my dear. Now, run along.”

Sarath exited the room and closed the door behind her.  Roxees walked over to her large bed.

She fidgeted at her dress.  “So restrictive.”

Her amulet began to glow once again as her dress vanished, leaving her body completely exposed.  Roxees looked down at her body.  She groped her breasts and ran her fingers across her smooth skin.

Roxees sighed.  “How I do miss the body of a lesser human, such beautiful skin.  I suppose being nearly all powerful comes at a cost.”

Roxees turned and walked to the other side of the room, where an open doorway was located.  She walked out onto a balcony overlooking the town and the lands in the distance.

Roxees laughed.  “This will all be mine.”

Roxees felt the wind caress her body as she returned inside.

She lay down upon the bed.  “After days of eating and killing these pathetic people, a lady does need her beauty sleep.”

Roxees closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep.

Dawn’s light began to shine into Roxees chamber.

A guard burst through the door.  “The Lord…”  The guard lost his speech as he was struck by the sight of Roxees’ nude body.  She rolled onto her side facing the guard and slightly rose up.  She seductively ran her fingers across her breasts then down her side, finally resting her hand upon her hip.

Roxees bit her lip.  “What does the lord require of me?”

The guard stuttered, “He… he requires you at court within the hour.”

Roxees rolled her eyes.  “Very well. Now, be gone if that is all,” Roxees said sternly.  “Your eyes do not deserve such a treat.”

“Uh… yes, my lady.  My apologies,” said the guard before he turned and left.

Roxees chuckled a bit.  “Men, so easily commanded.”

Roxees stood.  “Now, I can’t go to court looking like this.”  She looked down at her nude body.  “But I’ll be damned if I get back in that dress again.”

Roxees picked up her staff as her amulet began to glow.  Black silk cloth wrapped her breasts tightly and left the upper part of her chest exposed.  Straps climbed up her shoulders with a long black silk cape that draped over her back.  Cloth wrapped her groin area tightly like undergarments.  Her staff then changed from gold to black.

Roxees smiled.  “Now this is more suiting of me. What good is this beautiful smooth skin if you don’t show any of it?”

Roxees proceeded to the throne room.  Other than guards, the only three present were Lord Draken, his wife Ellana, and his son Arthur.  Roxees approached the throne where Lord Draken was sitting with his wife and son standing around him.

“My lord, you summoned me?” said Roxees.

Draken eyed Roxees’ revealing attire closely.  “Uh, yes, I did.”

Ellana glared at Roxees.  “This is the ‘Sorceress’ you speak of?  Looks more like a slut seeking attention from those who are her betters if you ask me.”

Draken quickly looked to Ellana.  “Watch your tongue, woman. She is more powerful than all my royal guard combined.”

Arthur looked at Roxees and grinned.  “Aye, with tits like those, she must be real powerful.”

Roxees looked to Arthur, a boy of fourteen.  His face was crude at best, along with crooked and discolored teeth.  The boy was repulsive.

Roxees leaned in closely to Arthur.  “How old are you, boy?”

“Fourteen.  Not that it is any concern of yours,” said Arthur.

Roxees smiled.  “Fourteen?  It would be such a shame to cut your life short.  How about a spell that will turn your bones brittle and have them all snap at once, leaving you in agonizing pain until you finally die a few hours later?”

“How dare you?” shouted Ellana.  “I will not tolerate threats upon our son!”

Roxees looked to the plain blonde haired and brown eyed woman.  “How would you like to suffer the same fate?”

“Enough!  All of you!” said Draken.  “There is no need for more bloodshed.  Ellana, take Arthur and leave us.  We will conduct our business without you.”