Chapter 3 - Manor of the Broken Hero
Mels found himself shivering on his deer as evening approached. He traveled with Christi and, more reluctantly, Ezzi and Vai, who rode on Corbas' back. It had been a few nights since he had fucked the kobold pair, and since then had, resisted all attempts to seduce him back into their bed. At least, that is what he interpreted their teasing of him being a squire to be.
Despite the tension, he and Christi managed to convince the throuple to help and provide them information. They volunteered they were in search of a demonic artifact, but revealed no more information beyond that. The kobolds, like all canaries of the Road, were a bit miffed at the withholding of potentially valuable information - valuable in the way of gold, of course. Nevertheless, they agreed to help, and soon the party found themselves traveling through a ruined town after Christi teleported them via a sigil.
Looking around, Mels carefully took in the sight of the ghost town, though he wasn't sure what he was seeking. The way the wooden buildings had one side nearly destroyed, slanting on their foundations, and covered in vines and moss, Mels suspected the village was old, but wasn't simply abandoned. To his relief, he found no remnants of any resident that might have lived here, but he was still unconvinced that the village hadn't suffered from some mysterious, outside force.
"Getting nervous, silver swallow?" Vai said, getting his attention, using a nickname that unsubtly referenced their last sexual encounter. She and Ezzi were wearing matching open robes, embroidered with the native language of Kobolds over a skimpy top and loincloth. Both had a dagger strapped to their bellies. He turned to see her smiling up at him from Corbas' back, who was similarly dressed, leaving his chest bare, and he had no weapon, but Mels did recognize a centaur's grimoire hanging by his side.
"Not nervous, just suspicious," he clarified, meeting her gaze. "What did you call this place?"
"Oh, we didn't name it!" Ezzi announced cheerfully. "Corbas did! It's a really good name too. Tell him, Corbas!" She punctuated her sentence with a few pats on his flank.
Mels looked up to the aforementioned holstaur with a less than intense look. In the few days he had known Corbas and his relationship with the kobolds, Mels had grown accustomed to the holstaurs soft and shy nature, and in doing so, not so much pitied him, but subconsciously grew more protective of him. He knew little of centaur culture, but he assumed that such a disposition was unique to holstaurs.
Corbas, after a moment of consideration, turned to Mels. "We're approaching the Manor of the Broken Hero," he said. Mels, for the first time since meeting him, detected a hint of confidence in his voice.
"See?" Ezzi blurted out, "it's a perfect name! Really sets the mood."
Mels ignored her commentary as Christi chimed in. "Why did you call it that?"
Corbas fiddled with his fingers, thinking about his words carefully. Mels noticed that Ezzi was gently stroking his side.
"It's... rather embarrassing," he said timidly.
"But more importantly," Vai began, "is that the estate has a massive library of forbidden knowledge that I'm sure you holy-types would just love to peruse."
Mels nodded slowly before turning back to Christi. He gave her a look that bore his suspicions of the kobold, and gestured her to move a few feet away from them to talk in relative privacy.
"Are you sure about this, Christi?" he half-whispered. "The House has to know about this place, right? Why else would we be able to take a sigil here?"
Christi pursed her lips in a sign of deep thought for a few moments before answering. "Admittedly, yes, the House knows of this place, but it's complicated. The sigil is there to keep an eye on it, but it's been forbidden to actually explore."
"Why?"
"Well, I've been TOLD it's because King Lanmond deemed the site 'abandoned' due to some tragedy that happened here long ago, but I've speculated with Aylala that it might have something to do with one of the Argentsori."
Mels considered the theory. It was unlikely that betrayal could even be considered among the small council. Though being with the House for only a year, he would not dare question their undying loyalty. But his mind got stuck on the empty chair during Christi's promotion, and the last of the Argentsori he had yet to meet. From what he'd heard, even the more experienced members of the House had only vague experiences with the missing Argentsori.
"Point being," Christi continued, "Whatever old demonic information is in there, very few at the House have seen it. It's a potential goldmine."
Mels nodded his head, but wasn't fully convinced. "I'm just worried the kobolds are leading us somewhere dangerous."
That made Christi chuckle. "You worried about me, daddy?"
Mels smiled at the jab, but he took stock of the fact this was the second time in a few minutes he'd been accused of being weak-kneed. Vai certainly thinks I have something to prove, he thought, But you, Christi... He looked back into her purple eyes, bright and shining, filled both with confidence and admiration. But there was something else that he was sensing from her that, while small, still moved him.
Are YOU worried about me?
"Alright lovebirds!" Vai announced, "If you're done whispering to one another, we're here!" Mels turned to see the kobolds and Corbas had moved ahead of them, and they both signaled the deer to catch up. All of them came to a stop at the threshold of a destroyed gate, looking up at a destroyed mansion, with the sun beginning to set. Silhouetted against the orange glow, it stood ominous and imposing above them, and not even the creaking of old wood could be heard. The house had clearly suffered damage, evidenced by a few destroyed pillars and many shattered windows. Mels was certain that the more they ventured onto the estate, the more destruction they'd see. Yet despite all of that, the facade of the manor was still standing, disturbed by only a few vines.
Even within the destroyed town, the manor held an ominous presence.
"And you can escort us through this place safely?" Christi asked, her silver eyes returning.
"Of course!" Corbas said energetically, surprising everyone. Though he deflated once he realized all eyes were on him.
"There will be traps, but nothing too dangerous," Vai said, though she couldn't help but give Christi and Mels a toothy grin. "Wouldn't want the silver swallow to fall out of his nest before he can fly."
Mels wanted to give a rebuttal, but instead stayed silent and chuckled to himself, deciding that his actions would be louder than words. He, along with Christi and the kobolds, dismounted and approached the ruined estate. Christi led the party, summoning her staff into her hand and pointing it towards the entrance. She held a hand to the others to stop them, as she seemed to channel a spell. Mels felt both holy and demonic magic radiating from Christi, as intense as during their journey through the Veins over a year ago. Christi lowered her staff, and gestured for everyone to move forward. Somewhere in that miasma of magical energy, Mels felt her worry, weighing on his mind.
Christi crossed the threshold first, pushing past the creaking door. Mels took the handle of his sword as they entered the darkened foyer. Mels looked at Christi, a determined look on his face, as he felt a wave of Corruptive magic wash over him.
She gave him an intense look.
Be ready, Mels.
Once the whole party was inside, the door slammed behind them, and in an instant, the foyer was filled with light. Above them a chandelier was magically lit, as well, opulent and immaculate, though the rest of the foyer was half-destroyed. They were greeted by dual wooden staircases, only one was intact. Ripped drapes, ruined paintings, and rusted armor decorated the room. Mels noticed a few discarded wine bottles as well.
It was empty and quiet, but Mels couldn't help but notice a subtle energy in the air. He looked down at the kobolds, who only smiled at him. All of a sudden, he heard whispering in his ears. His vision was filled with purple smoke, which settled in front of him. Mels braced, both hands on the sword on his back, and waited, not anticipating a woman to step out of the smoke.
She was tall and lithe, and wore a flowing, translucent black dress, which contrasted with her pale skin. Her equally black, partly braided hair fell to the small of her back, and her many bracelets and necklaces glistened in the firelight. She smiled at him with painted lips.
"Welcome to my humble estate," she said smoothly. "If you're here, then that means you've heard the legends of the once great house that ruled here, now in ruin." She began to pace around Mels like a stalking lioness, though he resisted unsheathing his sword. "Demons, dark magic, and scandals of all kinds. I'm sure a big, strong hero like you just couldn't resist." She came in closer, letting her hands roam over his stomach, down to his crotch. Mels flinched, but strangely, he didn't feel anything.
"I have something to tell you," she whispered into his ear, "everything you heard about this place is true. And the secrets this place holds, will not come quietly." She then stepped back, her body turning into smoke once more. "And neither will you." With that final promise, she chuckled darkly as she completely turned into smoke, which dissipated before him. Mels stood there, silently, letting her words brand him like an iron, as he realized that he was starting to feel both scared, and slightly aroused.
"Ah, so just met her?" Vai said, snapping Mels to attention. "Lovely isn't she? You can let go of your sword by the way, silver swallow."
Reluctantly, Mels let go, looking at the rest of his companions. The kobolds smirked at him, their arms crossed - which was a bit difficult for the busty Ezzi. Corbas was looking down at his hooves, though that seemed normal for him. Christi's expression was a mix of worry and confusion.
"Who was she?" Mels asked.
"That, dear Mels, was Lady Avilyna," Vai answered.
"I thought this place was abandoned."
"Mels, who are you talking about?" Christi asked.
He looked at her, struggling to find the words for a moment. "Did you not see the woman in the smoke?" Christi shook her head.
"Funny thing about that actually," Vai said, "Apparently only men see her when they enter."
Mels scoffed, but then looked to see Corbas' reaction. He was looking at Mels apologetically. Somehow, his soft features did manage to comfort Mels slightly, but he was still on edge.
That was when he felt Christi's hand in his. He looked backed into her silver eyes, her holy magic creating a warm feeling in his belly, his confidence returning.
He looked back down to Vai. "So you will be escorting us to the library?"