บท 78: A Visitor
Chapter 78
The scuff of leather on stone and the clank of metal on metal drifted to his ears through the steel door. Reskeme stretched his arms, his chains clanking together. Gagging he plugged his nose, his chamber bot was getting bad. What felt like three days had passed and no-one emptied it. In the far corner of his small dark cell sat the device of his torment. The blue and white chamber pot sat imposingly glaring at him, sending its horrid sent.
Maybe he was going insane? Reskeme could swear that when he slept, the chamber pot would move, creeping its way across the hard stone floor. He cursed Trisha, The church and the damned Peacock. Days of nothing nothing to do, and no one to talk to. He could see the flickering light when it was sunset through the food slot in his cell door. So his only pass time was to count the days as they rolled by.
Trisha must have not believed him. Damit, he had thought she was his friend. Why hadn't she returned yet? The outer door leading to his cell room clanked and slid open. Two people strode in, that fat priest Kelvin and an older man. Squinting, he eyed the older man dressed in a brown tunic and pants. The Old Mans shoulder-length brown hair tied behind his head. As the short man turned to Kelvin, Reskeme could see the white hair at the man's temples.
Reskeme took a step back as Kelvin raised a large key to metal, the clank of the lock range through his cell. He heard the distinct grunt as the inquisitor pulled open the heavy door. Cough! Cough!
"What on Larentia is that awful smell?" said Kelvin as the man lifted his long blue robe and clenched it over his nose, grimacing.
Reskeme was ready. Crouching in the corner, he sprung forward. Using his jump to cross the few feet between himself and the shocked inquisitor. He clasped his hands together and slammed both of his clenched fists into the fat mans face. Reskeme felt something break under his knuckles before he sprawled to the floor. His leg chains stopping him from regaining his balance. He smiled up at the fat inquisitor; the man covered his nose with his hands, blood flowing between his fingers down his bright blue robe.
Laughing, Reskeme rolled onto his side. Side throbbing from the fall, he climbed on his hands and feet before standing. He balanced on the balls of his feet, chains clanking at the movement. Reskeme glared at Kelvin, and then at the newcomer.
"What do you want, Old Fart?" said Reskeme
"Old fart?" said the newcomer, his voice calm and unconcerned.
Reskeme glanced from the bloody inquisitor to the unknown man. The mans calm demeanor could be a lie. The man held himself like a soldier, his legs spaced shoulder length, arms held out in front of him, prepared to leap into action.
"Young man, would you like to talk?" said the Old Fart as though Reskeme hadn't just broken Kelvins nose.
What was with this Old Man? Why wasn't the man scared or angry at the site of a demon? Curious Reskeme side stepped following the wooden wall past the cell, all the while keeping his two enemies in front of him. He leaned against the wall facing the exit, positioning himself for a chance to escape. Reskeme took in long deep breaths as he focused on the man, keeping Kelvin in his peripheral vision.
"What would you like to talk about Old Man?" said Reskeme.
" Failed apprentice Kelvin, get out of my site. I'm going to talk to the demon, alone." said the Old man, his mocking tone cracking like a whip.
"Yes High Priest, shall I send in guards?" said Kelvin
"No, I can handle whatever he has up his sleeves. After all, I was one who did not fail the apprentice exam." said the High Priest.
Reskeme couldn't believe his eyes, High inquisitor Kelvin glanced away, slinking from the room like someone had slapped him. Reskeme smirked at the man as he looked back, his face red with embarrassment or anger, as though he was ashamed. The door slammed behind the inquisitor, leaving Reskeme alone with the calm and stern High Priest.
"Very interesting, you are a demon and yet you do not attack me? Only that disgrace of an inquisitor." said the Old Man as he subtly shifted, putting himself between Reskeme and the exit.
" He is the one who put these chains on me. And he deserves more than a broken nose, maybe a spear in the gut." said Reskeme.
" I admit, I'm at a loss of what to do? Having a reasonable demon is an unfamiliar experience for me." said the High priest, as his brows furrowed.
"Then let me forget you exist. I will do my thing and you do yours." said Reskeme.
"I can't let a demon go, it is my job to make sure demons are not causing trouble." said the High Priest.
" Well then, pay me and I will work for you? I wouldn't mind if your price is good?" said Reskeme.
Maybe if he helped the man out, he might end up getting out of this mess.
Hahaha! "A demon, working for the church? That is the boldest thing anyone has ever suggested. You know we are mortal enemies, right?" said the Old Man, as he massaged his chin.
"I am short on options right now. Just give me a good pay and I will do things for you." said Reskeme.
"And what is to stop you from running away and never looking back?" said the Old Man
"Well, that depends on how much you offer me, I work for money." said Reskeme
" A mercenary?" said the High priest scowling.
"It would be better than my previous job working for the army." said Reskeme, his heart racing.
He rustled his cloths, adjusting the manacles around his wrists. The damned things chafed.
"I heard you have Illusion magic? And I need someone to perform a sensitive task for me. It will be dangerous, you may die." said the High priest.
" What? Do you want me to steal something or stab someone?" said Reskeme.
" Have you heard of her Majesty The queen?" said the Old man, staring hard into Reskemes eyes. Reskeme felt a chill run down his spine. This man watched him like a cat eying a bug for lunch.
"Of course I have, but I do not even know what she looks like." said Reskeme, swallowing and trying not to show weakness.
" That does not matter. She has tasked me with a mission and I think someone with your magic may succeed." said the High Priest taken aback by the shift in conversation. Reskeme Furrowed his brows, Reskeme eyed the man's stern face. Staring into dark brown eyes, gauging the man's sincerity.
" How do I join? If you work for the queen, then you can pay me a lot." said Reskeme as he jangled his shackles in front of himself.
" I work for the queen. If you prove yourself useful, I will introduce you and maybe you can work for Her majesty directly." said the Old Man.
" What do you want me to do?" said Reskeme, his excitement rising.
"I want to to be very careful. If they found you out even in the kingdom of Laurentia, I cannot save you. You are still a wanted demon, there will be many in the court who wish to see you executed on sight." said The High Priest, his face blank like a cobblestone.
"So you want me to work for you, but no one can know? And If I'm caught im on my own?" said Reskeme.
" You are smart, you got it on the first try. Recently over the last few years we have seen a rise in demon attacks through the Kingdom. We suspect they are entering from our northern allies." said the Old Man
" Do you mean the Pentir?" said, Reskeme
" We can't send soldiers into their lands. It will violate our treaty, if they catch any of our agents it will be a political nightmare. We cannot deal with that during a time of war." said The Old Man.
"So you are looking for someone who has no ties to the Kingdom?" Said, Reskeme, crossing his arms.
The High Priest only wanted him because he was expendable. Reskeme smiled internally, If he proved himself he could get an introduction to the queen. They would call him money bags if he managed that.
" There is one problem, you can't tell anyone of this. You will stay a criminal rouge demon, but secretly you will work for me. If you prove yourself, I will introduce you to the queen with a letter of recommendation." said the High Priest.
" What about my enemies?" said Reskeme balling his fists
" I am taking the two young ladies back to the capitol to become inquisitors. They have potential. You will need to forgive Kelvin for his part. As for the noble, you will leave the city immediately, If they catch you our deal is off and we will execute you." said the High Priest as he reached into his shirt pocket and pulled out a long metal key. Reskeme grinned, that wasn't a no. Which meant the Peacock was going to get Reskeme's fist in his face.
" They took my amulet, can I at least have it back?" said Reskeme, his heart racing.
Digging in one of his pockets, the Old Man pulled out the amulet and held it up, admiring the necklace. The man tossed the amulet, Reskeme cupped his hands and caught the precious metal necklace. He slid the chain over his neck, sighing in relief. Reskeme breathed deeply, gagging again. That chamber pot was worse than a privy. His skin changed from a vibrant red to a light brown in moments.
"That is what it does? That is a valuable necklace you have there. You are lucky you made that, you will need it to blend in with the Pentir." said the Old Man.
Reskeme let that one pass. If the man was letting him go, he would not tell him he couldn't make the masterwork amulet. He smiled reassuringly to The Old Man. The Old man threw Reskeme the metal key. Reskeme scrambled, unlocking shackles, monitoring his new employer. The manacles on his ankles clattered to the wood, followed by the chains on his wrists. Sighing with relief, Reskeme stretched his back and shoulders, his body cracking as he leaned side to side.
"How will I contact you? And what should I be looking for?" said Reskeme.
" You cannot find me, I will contact you. Dont look for my spies, they to will not know what you are. Keep what you are a secret." said the Old man.
"What is your name, Old Fart?" said Reskeme, unable to help himself.
"Old Fart will do for now, I do not trust you with my name just yet." said the High Priest.
" In the north is a massive guild that works for the government. We have reports of suspicious sightings, but we need more proof to act. It is your job to infiltrate this guild and see what they are doing." said the Old Man. The Old Man Turned his back and left the room for a minute. Before he returned with a quill and ink. He wrote for several minutes and sealed the letter, proffering the document to Reskeme.
" Travel west until you reach the king's highway, then travel north. If you follow the king's highway for a week, you will reach the border, from there you will need to find the city of Hurst. It is all in the scroll." said the High Priest.
Somewhat shocked at the turn of events Reskeme was turning to leave, he was walking towards door when the priest rested a rough hand on his shoulder. The man held out a fist sized sac towards Reskeme; the sac clinking with the sound of coin. Grinning, Reskeme smiled to the old man.
"You will not regret your decision, Old Timer." said Reskeme actually meaning it.
The old man cracked a small smile and said, " Dont worry about this mess no-one will even come looking for you. I can be very convincing at covering tracks. Just remember, don't let anyone see you."
The High Preist left first, Reskeme followed to a window, His eyes burned for a moment as he stares into the sunset through the windowpane. Cracking open the window, he slipped into the garden. Creeping under the cover of the setting sun, he left the Church. Reskeme took in a deep breath of fresh air. He would just pay a certain noble a visit, then leave the city with no one knowing any better. It wasn't against the rules of his agreement after all.
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