Patrons of the inn could hear the old man's screams of agony from the basement and smell his burning flesh. Nagasraka smiled as she looked down at him, her glowing eyes filled with hatred.
"Pain. Pain is what you will know until I finish you. Do you remember the day I found you in Goldshire with that whore? I tried to run and tell mother of your dirty deeds but you stopped me. Do you remember what you did to me, father?"
The old man whimpered, the skin on his face bubbling with blisters in the aftermath of Nagasraka's immolation spell. She pushed her dagger against his throat, lifting his chin and slightly piercing his skin.
"Speak! I want to hear you say it. I want to know you remember exactly what you did to me that day."
Nagasraka growled and motioned for Bronthea to make him speak. The succubus lashed at him with her whip, tearing at his chest.
"I... I took you to the pond behind the inn and told you not to tell anyone..."
"Tell the whole story! It wasn't a friendly chit-chat. Relive it in your mind. Relive your fear, your anger..."
"You... you fought to get away but I couldn't have you telling your mother. I grabbed you by the arm and dragged you into the water. I held your head under while you kicked at me. I made you swear you would keep quiet. Eventually, you gave up and said you would keep the secret..."
Nagasraka pulled the dagger away from him and paced slowly around the cold, damp room. As she glanced over at her few followers she could see that they were both intimidated and in awe of her wickedness. This made her grin slightly to herself.
"Pay attention, gentlemen. This is what happens to those who hurt or betray me."
Casually she walked back over to her father, his helpless human form bound to the wooden chair and twitching in agony.
"There are many more tales such as that, aren't there?"
"Yes... I'm sorry for everything I did to hurt you. Please, let me go. Show mercy to an old man!"
"Did you show mercy to me when I was a young girl?! No! You shall find none from me either. You will pay for your crimes, father."
Nagasraka stretched her arm towards him, throwing her head back in a way that almost seemed erotic as she drained the life from his body. Bronthea lashed at the old man with her whip, beating him to a bloody pulp before Nagasraka lunged forward and drove her dagger straight into her father's heart. The room grew silent. All that could be heard was the quiet dripping of her father's blood onto the stone floor.
"Untie him and bring him to the cemetary," she said calmly as she wiped the blood from her blade with her black robe.
The group walked slowly through the Gallow's End Tavern, carrying the body of Nagasraka's father as if they were in a parade. A few patrons glanced over at the gruesome display but just as quickly went about their business as if it was something they saw everyday.
**************
As Viladin placed the last bit of dirt over the old man's grave, he stabbed the shovel into the ground and leaned against the handle. He looked over at Nagasraka and smiled softly as he saw the woman he loved, the moonlight casting a pale glow upon her rotting flesh. She looked so calm... so peaceful as she sat on the ground petting her black cat. Bronthea stood at the side of her mistress as usual, ready to lash anyone who dared show aggression.
"It is done now, love. He can't hurt you anymore."
Nagasraka nodded and looked up at Viladin. She couldn't help but smile at how good he looked in the moonlight, his slightly hunched form leaning casually on the shovel that had just buried her father.
"There is still much to be done. He isn't the only one who has to pay. There are others. There is also the finale which I so look forward to..."
"Milady? We await your orders."
Nagasraka turned and nodded to the youngest of her devoted followers. It was time to begin the next phase of their plans.
"Gather the others and go to the summoning circle. I will meet you there shortly. I have some... business to take care of first..." she said as she gave Viladin a sly grin.
Posted by Nagasraka at 03:20 AM 19 May 2005