Inktober Day 17: Demon

 Chapter 14

The main hall was smaller than the one in her father’s castle, but large all the same. The carpet was a deep green, but was dirty and spotted with what looked like grease stains. There were great pillars around the room, hewed from stone, and tapestries displaying the exploits and kings and heroic figures that were all ripped and fraying. And just like her father’s throne room at home, there was a raised platform at the back, with three chairs. One large and imposing, the one to its right was smaller, but larger than the third which was on the left.

What Magda presumed to be Kandra’s master was in the largest chair at the back of the room. It was a grand throne, and yet still unable to quite contain the massive hideous creature sat lazily in it.

Demon, Magda thought.

It was a great dark slimy creature, which looked like some mixture of man, lizard, snake, and toad.

“Welcome princess,” the toad-like demon said, his voice sounding like bubbling mud in a swamp. For a moment all thoughts went out of Magda’s head. Nothing existed except for this demon before her. When Wendell had told her about the people who had worshiped some beastly figure, she had been imagining idols made of clay and stone. She thought about the fairy tales her mother and father had told her growing up, and imagined it was no more than some figment of a collective imagination. However, she could not deny the reality of the thing before her, and that made those acolytes all the more sinister in her mind.

Kandra and her men led them further into the room and forced them to kneel in front of the monster in the throne. He leaned forward and chuckled before speaking again.

“I am eager to discuss something with you. I believe you have something that I want.”

Before Magda even entertained the notion of speaking, she looked to Wendell. His reaction was more subdued. It seemed he was not so surprised to learn that this beast was real and sitting before them in the king’s chair. Or perhaps his training kept him from showing it.

“Do not speak to this demon, my lady,” Wendell said. “He speaks nothing but lies, and he will trick you and-” At a wave of the monster’s hand, one of the men came forward to gag Wendell so he could speak no more.

“Now,” the toad continued, looking back at Magda. “You are Princess Magda Lena of Tìrcuhachd, are you not?”

Magda was silent for a moment and glanced at Sir Wendell. His face was unreadable.  Magda looked around the room for a moment. There was a door behind them, maybe twenty feet away. There were two men behind Wendell and one behind her.

“And who asks such a question?” She tried to inject as much confidence into her speech as possible. She was not sure how successful she was. The toad beast laughed at that, tipping his head back for a moment.

“Oh, you are very good, Princess,” he said. “With such a straight back and high head even in your position, I have no doubt that that man’s blood runs in your veins.” That man? Father? “That, and the look in your bright eyes looks just as hers did.” So, it was this thing that had taken her mother that day. He must have understood the look on her face. “Yes, your mother was in your very position not four days ago. Fierce woman. Foolish, of course. But brave!” He laughed again.

“You must understand, my good lady,” he continued. “My men are somewhat brutish and heavy handed. I wish them not to hurt you.” At this, he put a massive webbed hand to his chest, in mock sincerity. “All I desire is that pretty circlet upon your brow.”

Magda tried not to act surprised. How did he know she was wearing the circlet? Wendell must have known better than to struggle against the ropes binding him again, but Magda did not miss the way he tensed at this, eyes slightly widened in her direction. She took a moment, thinking. Finally, she spoke.

“What do you want with it?” she said. “Surely, a lord of such disciples needs not the trinkets of a young girl. Or do you think it will enhance your own beauty?”

The toad demon roared with laughter. “You are a very clever girl! I do admit, I have much to boast of here: men who will do as I please, an abundance of food at my table. But, I do also appreciate the fine and delicate things in this world. And I cannot deny that I covet pretty things when I see them.” His smile was wide and disgusting.

Clearly, this beast was lying to her, but what she didn’t understand was why he had not yet taken the Power of the King by force. No doubt, he knew what it was. And even if he did just think it a pricey trinket, why not knock them out and take it?

“If you want my pretty circlet,” she said finally. “Why have you not yet taken it? I have been at your mercy long enough. My man and myself are bound, unable to defend ourselves.”

The toad’s diplomatic veneer slipped an inch before recovering quickly. “My sweet Princess, think you that I am such a cruel man?” He feigned offense. “As I apologized for a moment ago, my men are somewhat harsh. I would not have them harm you or rob you.” Magda did not mention that not only did he not apologize, but his idea of harming and robbing did not seem to extend to include kidnapping.

She sat there a moment, considering his words. Then, she understood. He could not take it from her, could he? She thought back to the men in the woods. They had said she disappeared from sight during the fray. The circlet had kept her safe then. Perhaps it kept itself safe as well. But how did he know?

“I see,” she said finally. “Well, I too like pretty things sir.” The toad demon looked expectantly at her. “But even a young girl like myself understands that nothing can be gained for free.” The toad smiled.

“Yes?” it said. Wendell looked alarmed at her words, but what choice did she have than to bargain?

“You must let us go,” she started. “We must be allowed to leave this place in peace, unharmed.” Magda did not think she would ever have the opportunity to see a toad look so triumphant, but that is exactly how this beast before her looked. He looked like he was trying to contain his abundant enthusiasm at her words.

“My lady,” he began. “You drive a hard bargain there.” He made a show of considering her offer, stroking his scaly, drooping chin with his webbed fingers. “But I think it is well offered. The king should be proud to have such a shrewd daughter.”

She smiled politely, as her mother had taught her. She never thought her lessons would come in handy. “Untie us both first.” The toad smiled ruefully.

“I am sorry, my dear Princess,” he said apologetically. “But we will untie you. Then, after you give me the circlet, will your friend be freed. I’m afraid that I am rather shrewd as well.” This time, his smile showed a mouth full of sharp teeth.

Wendell pulled hard at the restraints this time, grunting and trying desperately to tell her something. One of the guards kicked him in the stomach. She looked into his eyes and tried as much as possible to make him understand. Everything will be alright. He seemed to calm down slightly as he looked at her.

“So,” the toad spoke again. “Do we have a deal?”

Magda looked once more at Wendell and smiled at him. Then, she looked back at the toad.

“Yes.”