Spirits of the Earth

Jelenis has been walking for some time through the town, looking for somewhere he might bed down for the night that was not going to cost him a fortune.  He had managed to earn a few coins grooming horses at the local hostelry but there was no room there.  To make things worse Sabre, Bel and Trayder were in the midst of a heated debate on how much of a waste of skin and bone their charge was.  Jelenis sat on the edge of a fountain and closed his eyes, the three invisible demons were driving him mad and as much as he tried to send them away he could not.

Sabre was the most vociferous at the moment, stating that Jelenis should have been drowned as soon as he was birthed, such a taint on the Demonkind was not acceptable and should not have been allowed. Trayder as always was more reasonable and said Jelenis would have something to contribute sooner or later, Bel as usual sat on the fence and did nothing but offer an opinion on both arguments.

"Will you three quieten down!" Jelenis snapped and got a funny look from a passing wagon driver who was sure the boy was touched in the head shouting out to nothing that could be seen.

"You are giving me a headache!"

Sabre growled softly in his ear.

"One day I will give you a real headache you halfbreed brat!"

Jelenis just did not get Sabre, he had been with him forever it seemed but the demon loathed him most of the time.  He was bound to Jelenis as a protector just like the other two and he carried out that task but he did not appear to like it one bit.

He felt something softly touch his hair and Trayder's deep voice was heard in his other ear.

"Ignore him Jelen...he is in a foul mood as always, I would never let him hurt you....never....you are the Master's son."

Jelenis tried to ignore them both and give some semblance of normal behaviour, the problem was where was he going to bed down tonight and afford a meal.  He did not want to have the demons resort to their normal behaviours of beguilement or murder or such the like to obtain it for him.

Jelenis rose and walked on a bit further until he came to a building, it looked a bit run down and had faded gaudy looking decorations around the balconies. He took a breath and stepped in through the door hoping that he might find a bed for the night cheapily with any luck.  All three Demons had gone suddenly silent and Jelen was thankful for that...to be honest they had been grating on him for the past few hours. 

The scent of cheap perfume....and something else assaulted his nostrils as he moved into the foyer of the candelit building and sitting at a tired looking desk was a woman, her clothing was too revealing for someone of her age, her face overly painted and her hair a horrible shade of brassy red piled in sloppy ringlets about her face.   She saw him a gave a lewd grin.

"Well....looksy at you pretty...what lovely eyes....and what a handsome face!" She purred.

"Have you come for services....or looking for employment.....I can think of at least half a dozen ladies and a few gents that would squeal at the sight of you!"

Jelenis tilted his head....a tad confused at her statement, but then Bel whispered softly in his ear.  The Demon spoke little and not very often.

"You have walked in a brothel Jelen, unless you want to lose your virginity through offered services and your coins wouldn't get you much in the way of a decent woman....or lose it through earning coin I suggest you leave!" Now it normally wasn't Bel's remit to save people from such corruption, but the Master had wanted his son looked after.

Jelenis backed away towards the door.

"Sorry Ma'am....a mistake....." He mumbled and broke out into the fresh air.

He turned and saw a figure in an alleyway across from him, he recognised the shape immediately...Sabre had taken a form.  He was leaned against a wall, his arms folded across his chest.  His form was a young man perhaps a few years older than Jelenis, he was lightly muscled and he wore rich clothing.  His hair hung to his shoulders a curtain of rich silvery white and his dark eyes were looking at Jelenis with some amusement.

"Almost!" He smirked.

"For a moment I thought your demon blood had taken you and you were going to use your body to corrupt....but no....you turned tail and ran.....you are pathetic Jelenis...truly....!"

Jelenis strode up to the figure and glowered at him.

"What is it with you!" He snapped.

A long slender arm reached out and long fingers stroked the side of his neck.

"I only want what is best for you." Sabre purred lowly.

"That is for you to become what you truly are...I might have even have paid for you to make sure you enjoyed your work!"

That was it for Jelenis, the last straw for today, he flung up his hand and the odd birthmark on his wrist glowed and Sabre dissipated.

"Not now...not ever!" Jelenis spat angrily.

A voice in his mind chuckled.

"You say that now.....but who knows....I might corrupt you yet if I get free of the Protectorate Demand!"

Jelen felt somewhat dizzy and tired after dismissing Sabre, it was not something he liked to use, not out in public either in case any one saw him use.  He had to find somewhere to sleep and it was looking increasingly likely he would have to sleep out in the open tonight.  He slowly walked along the main street and then noticed a smaller street off of it and there was cart parked up, unhitched for the night.  He turned down the street and kneeled down to look whether there might be enough room to sleep beneath it, there was....just and at least if it rained he might be kept relatively dry.  He eased himself underneath and curled up on the cobbles, pulling his cloak over himself.  It was uncomfortable, the stones made his body ache and he found himself wishing he had a home again, a bedroom, a bed.  He closed his eyes and tried to imagine what it might feel like to have a soft mattress and a pillow and eventually he feel asleep though his repose was fitful.

The three Demons stood in a huddle unseen by anyone that might pass them by.  They always stayed especially close to Jelenis when he was vulnerable for example when he was asleep.  Trayder scowled at Sabre and hissed.

"You constantly put him down, yet it is nothing more than a flimsy cover...you desire him!"

The larger heavier set Sabre smirked.

"Jealous Trayder? Your soft ways are not going to help him you know...does it scare you that I want him...that one day I will have him as my own...despite what the Master wants....I am a Demon first and foremost and I take what I want!"

Bel was silent as he listened to the argument between the more vocal duo and he shook his head.  He kept to the Protectorate Demand unlike Trayder and Sabre, he often wondered why the Master had summoned Sabre for the job he was one of the worst of their kind and made no bones about what he wanted to do to Jelenis when they spoke among themselves.  The young man would end up broken and well used if Sabre had his way, his desire for Jelenis was growing, bordering almost obsessional. 

Flori stepped outside.  The night was the only time she had to herself.  She pulled the strap holding her hair back and let the tresses fall along with her tears. She longed to be far from the prison this town had become.  But her master would never allow her freedom.  She sighed and tried to remember days when she was happy.  It seemed to get harder and harder. 

Standing and stretching she decided to walk down the ally.  It wasn't the work.  Flori was a skilled apprentice.  She had started to learn alchemy at an early age.  Her gift at crafting potions was a blessing and a curse.  Her master used her talents and abused her spirit.  The promise he made to teach Flori died the minute she crossed the threshold of his shop.  He never had any intention of tutoring her!  He was a fraud.  He bemused her into thinking he was a Master Alchemist, a lie.  he merely owned the shop.  Obtaining salves to do his crafting.  He promised her freedom once that day would come and go she knew he would never allow her to leave.  The punishment of an escaped slave was worse then death, so she stayed and prayed to Orion her freedom would one day be given.

As she walked she was approaching the cart that the tinker would leave out.  Was that someone sleeping under it?  She never saw the three shadows.  Her eyes on the figure curled under it without any cover. 

The young man that slept under the cart was so deeply asleep now that he was unaware that he was being observed.  The three shadows that guarded him however were more than acutely aware of it. Sabre's eyes roved up and down the petite female elf girl with some interest.

"I might not be able to touch Jelenis....but she is fair game!" He purred softly to the others.

Now, although Demons both Trayder and Bel were more interested in making sure Jelenis remained protected, doing their duty so to speak.  Trayder knew that letting Sabre have the girl might calm him for a while and deflect him from his ultimate goal, but knowing that the lush girl would likely eventually end up, charmed by Sabre in an alley, skirt up round her hips getting mounted by an angry, frustrated Demon that would pour his rage and frustration into her was bugging him.

What could he do about it?

Sabre had already melted into a pleasing solid form and moving in as he pondered the thought.

"Good Evening my Dear...what would a pretty young woman like you being doing out in the dark alone?" Came the soft cultured voice from behind the girl.

Sabre's form was the one he had used with Jelenis earlier, tall, handsome, long silvery hair and dark eyes.  He was being genteel and courteous, as smooth as a demon could be.

Trayder watched, hidden in his shadow form and as much as he wanted Sabre to leave Jelen alone....he wanted to deny him the pleasure of corrupting this elf girl.  His shadow slipped beneath the tinker's cart and whispered in Jelenis ear.

"Wake up Jelen....Sabre is out to cause you trouble!"

The young man woke groggily to see two pairs of legs from where he laid beneath the cart, one shapely, definitely female and the other was more masculine....what he did recognise was the voice that spoke next.

"Why don't I escort you somewhere safe....perhaps we could have a drop of mulled wine to fend off the chill of the evening air?"

Sabre!

Jelenis rolled from beneath the cart and bumped into the pairs of legs and stared up with his silvery grey eyes.

"Good eve Miss." He said breathily and a tad embarassed at his entrance.

Flori never heard the demon approach so when she heard him speak she gave a soft yelp and stepped back involuntary.   She looked at him as a cornered rabbit by a starving wolf.  Her hands went to her hair touching the mass.  His compliment making her self-consciousness.  She believed him to be as her eyes saw him now.  A noblemen.  The figure under the cart momentarily forgotten.   Her eyes couldn't look away.  He was elegant, beautiful even.  His words seemed to caress her ears softly.  How long had it been since someone had been nice to her?  It was then she realized she was staring but try as she might Flori could not tear them from him.

"Me?  I am?  Doing nothing.  I wasn't causing any trouble."  She took a calming breath but his voice was gentle and alluring in a way she could actually explain to herself.  Steading her over frayed nerves.  She began again.  "Th-thank you Sir.  I apologize if I disturbed you.  But, I was only taking a walk before returning to my master for the evening."  She instectivly brought her hand to her cheek trying to remove the cornflower oils that were probably still there from her day's work of crafting.  Looking at the noblemen she became aware of her own ragged dress.   She shivered a little his eyes seemed to be looking into her very soul and her goosebumps became prominent. 

"Wine?  Oh Master Hernon would not approve sir.  I am only allowed a few minutes outside..."  The rest of what she was about to say dies on her lips as she once again yelped in fear.  The figure who originally caught her attention whom she completely forgotten about with the noblemen's appearance laterally rolled out from under the tinkers cart and greeted her!  "OH" Her own face was bright red.  She went to move back but misjudged her step and tripped.  "OH!  OH!!"  She was about to crash right into the demon.

The Demon was agile and quick as he was handsome so the young woman would find, he caught her and held her against his body, her curves against his own.

"Are you alright My Lady...did this vagabond startle you or hurt you?" He breathed his words softly into her ear, such sensual tones.

Jelenis managed to find his feet in an sort of ungainly fashion and he stared at the pair, especially Sabre with undisguised annoyance.

"My Lady." He began, wishing the handsome lithe figure the Demon cut would let the girl go.

He felt all to shabby in his clothes that had seen better days and his spill of long dark hair hung boyishly in his silvery grey eyes.

"You really don't want to be cosying up to him in that manner....you barely know him, he could be a bad man....a brigand....or....or...worse!" He said testily.

Sabre grinned, he was enjoying this more than he cared to admit, the girl felt good, Jelenis' attempts at chivalry were quite entertaining to watch.

"Perhaps that glass of wine might be in order Miss after your shock....I would be more than happy to explain to your Master if you are concerned." The Demon purred.

"Perhaps what this rude boy needs is a good hiding to teach him not to startle pretty young girls,"

Jelenis stared opened mouthed as he heard the words fall liked honeyed poison from the Demon's lips.  If he had the strength he would have bloody well banished him again!"

Flori gasped as the demon caught her and held her against his body.  She was no stranger to a man's hard body.  The Master took what he wanted and when he wanted to.  But this was different.  He whispered into her ear and instead of wanting to distance herself from him and the disgusting situations the Master would impose upon her she felt herself melting into him.  His warm words caressing her she was losing control of her emotions.  She heard herself speaking and couldn't believe that was her voice!  So husky!  "Yes, he startled me Your Grace."  Her face felt like it was on fire.

The young disgruntled man seemed so concerned.  She doesn't know how she was able to but her gaze went to the young man.  "Y-y-yes."  She stammered out.  "I sh-sh-shouldn't."  Her eyes were glazed as though she had already had too much to drink.  She felt wobbly.  Like if the noblemen released her she would fall.  Again he offered her the wine and to speak with her Master.  But she knew that Master Hernon would never turn a Nobleman down, but he would punish her later.  "Uh...um...wh-wh-what is this I am...not...He is in the shop.  Master Hernon.  Your Grace, he is the Master Alchemist."  Did she just agree to a drink?

She tried to shake her head.  She once again looked at the young man a mix a fear, confusion, and lust in her eyes.  "Wh-who are you?  Did Master send you?  He would want me to make your stay...er...comfortable."  She was rambling.  She wanted the noblemen to release her and yet she didn't.  Flori whispered to both men, "Please don-don't.  I am so frightened.  I only meant to enjoy the night."  Her voice thick was foreign to her.  Though she had been expected to please her Master she had never done so willingly.  Yet this noblemen seemed to bring a reaction for her body, yet her mind still screamed no.

Sabre grinned to Jelenis, taunting him almost as he worked his power on the girl, Sabre was skilled at his craft, making even the lowest born girl feel like a princess and that no-one else mattered but him.

"This is a wicked boy...perhaps we should take him to your Master, I wager he would know how to give a boy like this a good whipping for his wickedness!" He said softly, his long delicate fingers stroking the side of her neck gently.

"I would explain that you were not late on purpose...that I would gladly pay for your time to take you for a drink so you would not be in trouble, surely that would not displease him."

Jelenis scowled.

What was Sabre's problem today, was it because he had banished him earlier, the Demon was there to protect him not seduce him after all...he had asked for it!

He turned and caught Trayder's and Bel's shadows in the inky dark of an alleyway, he stalked over and hissed at them.

"Can't you do anything about this?"

He heard Trayder's voice in his mind.

"He is too far gone Jelen...he has been spoiling for an argument for days now, Sabre is very powerful and maybe the Protectorate is breaking that holds him!"

Jelenis turned back to the human appearing Sabre who was now delicately twisting a ringlet of the girl's hair about his finger and smiling benevolently at her.

"What do you say pretty girl.....do we get the vagabond boy punished and then sip wine on the telling of it?" Sabre purred...he would have his own back on Jelenis for banishing him like a slave earlier.

She swallowed the lump in her throat.  She couldn't seem to tell him no.  She tried.  She was about to say no and what came out instead shocked ever her own ears.  "I'd li-like th-that very much.  I have not tasted wine in many a day."  She squeezed her eyes shut and felt his warm body surrounding her.  She leaned her head on his chest.  Her arms wrapped around his neck.  "Ma-may I touch your hair?  It...it..is perfect." 

Her mind screamed no.  But her body and her actions had a very different answer and when the demon caressed her neck she shivered.  When the young man walked away she wanted to reach out and beg him to help her.  But she couldn't.  And she was slowly losing the will to fight his control over all over her.  She knew she was not pretty why was he telling her this.  Master told her daily she wasn't.  Yet this noblemen found her irresistible.   

"Oh but Your Grace...Oh no-no-no."  She shook her heard letting her long tresses cover her face a bit.  "No pl-pl-lease do not let Master punish your young slave.  He is not kind like you seem to be.  He will surly hurt him."  She gushed out believing the demon was the young man's Master.  She buried her face into her chest breathing heavily.  Like she had been running.  Blocking out the world she let herself feel the moment she was in.  This noblemen made her feel safe, warm, and beautiful.  Tears crested her eyelids as she remained buried in his chest.

Sabre's smile was as beautiful as a smile could possibly be.

"Beautiful pretty girl, I shall buy you the finest wine and you can touch my hair, but do not cry...do not cry." He purred softly, the sound would be like a soft rumble in his chest to the woman buried against him at this time.

"My slave boy here is a bad boy...a wicked boy....I have not the heart to punish him myself." This was true Sabre could not hurt Jelenis but he could damn well coax someone else to do it for him.

"He needs it for his own good, he has gotten well above himself of late....even hurting me." Came the softest of whispers in her ear.

"You would not want to see me hurt lovely would you?" Can the teasing question.

"For if I was hurt how could I make you happy?"

Jelenis closed his eyes...if only he were stronger and he would banish Sabre again but earlier had really taken it out of him.  plus he knew Trayder and Bel would protect him if this girl's master did by any chance try to punish him.

Her sensitive ears twitched.  The pointed beckons feeling his breath.  His whispered words had the oddest effect on her.  The rumbling made her tingle. The softest of sighs escaped her throat.  "I won't Your Grace.  I won't do anything to displease you."  The voice was hers but she doesn't even remember forming them.  Her hands shook as she let them go to his shoulders.  "Oh-oh!  You must ne-never disobey!  I learned that the hard way."  She muffled into his chest.

She leaned her head back Flori's tears drying when she looked up at him.  His smile did something to her.  He was beautiful.  "If you go to Master Hernon I will follow you anywhere."  A tremble went through her body.  Slowly he was taking control of her mind.  She no longer doubted what she was saying.  "He must be taught a lesson then Your Grace, like I was.  It will be for his own good.  One should never displease or hurt their Master."

Her eyes were locked by him.  Her own voice soft as she replied.  "I would like very much for you to make me happy.  Master's shop is right up the ally.  He will be in the study at this hour."  She felt her heart beating wildly she was surprised it didn't jump out her chest.  She was losing herself to his power.   

Sabre smiled and took her hand gently, his fingers grazing the back of it first in a most sensual stroke.  He gestured with his other hand in the direction from which the girl had come.

"Then show me to this Master Hernon and let us hope he is a strict disciplinarian for my slave's sake hmmm!"

His gaze slipped cruelly to Jelenis, for the first time ever the boy might get what was needed, something that might spur his own demon side into protecting himself, that is if Bel and Trayder did not intervene, but how to prevent it?  Both Demons were weaker than himself, Bel was getting old, his strength whilst still there was not as potent...Trayder was soft his power lie in the direction of glamours and seduction to get what he wanted...strength was not his strong suit.  Sabre however was still very much in his prime and his powers lay in many directions which was why Jelenis' father had called him.

"Come Jelenis!" He said sharply.

Jelenis took a breath, he would let this play out for now, his strength was returning, still not enough to banish Sabre though.  He looked back towards the shadows of Bel and Trayder and he felt them move to follow with some trepidation.  He started after Sabre and the girl, only because he was concerned for the female, Sabre could snap her in two if he so chose but he felt that was not his goal at the moment.  His goal was to punish him first and then spend the evening locked in pleasure with the young woman.

They soon reached the end of the alley and the shop, inside a lamp could be seen burning.

Sabre drew the girl's hand up and kissed it fleetingly.

"Fear nothing my darling...your Master will not punish you....not with the gold I carry, in fact I wager he will be very accommodating."

He pushed open the door.

"Tell me my little honey flower....what punishments does your master use hmmm?"  It was almost like causal conversation to the Demon discussing the potential ways Jelenis could be punished.  Almost like he was browsing to buy a discipline in this shop rather than a potion.

She silently escorted him towards the shop.  When he spoke to his slave she jumped slightly his voice changed and it was a bit unsettling.  Yet his caresses were in stark contrast.  His words spoken to her as well soft, gentle.  Like flower pleats landing on ones lips.  She hastened a look at the slave Jelenis.   Her eyes clouding with worry for the young man.  Yet she felt powerless to stop anything. 

When the noblemen kissed her hand she felt herself melt even further and smiled at him.  This stranger.  Yes stranger with hair that looked like spun moonbeams and eyes that seemed to read her inner fears and her hidden desires.  Standing there like that her breathing once again increased.  No one had ever shown her such softness.  How could Jelenis treat his master poorly?  Maybe his Master was right.  He did need to be punished to see how it felt to be beaten until you could no longer stand.  Jelenis had no idea how it felt to worry every waking moment if your Master would punish you for some unforeseen incident.

As his words charmed her fears away.  She was his and she knew it.  Her Master would not be able to refuse this noblemen.  She was his.  The door opened.  And once again his words washed over her like a warm liquid filling your cold and empty soul.  His question was asked in such a way she answered as if he asked her if she liked the color blue. 

Her own reply though was said with much hesitation and fear.  "He will make Jelenis stripe down completely.  He will be told to bend over the table and depending on just how repugnant he had been towards you Master will lash his back, buttocks, and thighs.  He will do this in such a way that he hits the same spot several time."  She was tearing up at the memories.  "He may pour hot water mixed with hot copious flakes in the wounds as a reminder that Master is always in control."  She was now shaking.  "Or he may decide to-to-to..."  Her voice broke at the thought of the other various things Master had done to her these past five years.  She buried her face into her hands. 

Lord Hernon heard mumbling coming from the back entrance.  She was back without a minute to spare too!  The filthy wrench.  Who was she speaking to?  If she brought someone back with her?  His nostrils flared with anger.  What the?!?  He got up as he came closer he could hear her tearing up.  When he opened the door separating the kitchen from the shop he stopped in his tracks!  What in all that was unholy did this girl think she was doing!  A noblemen and a young man in tattered clothing!  In his authoritative voice he bellowed.  "What is going on here Flori!  What do you mean bring people back to my home?  You are stepping onto some dangerous ground girl!"

His words sent waves of fear though her whole frame.  He eyes wide and she tried to speak but nothing would come out.

Sabre's voice was different with the girl's master, more authoritative but no less beguiling.

"You must be Lord Hernon, your girl has spoken of you most highly." He purred softly.

"You must forgive our intrusion but I came across Flori as I was walking, my wicked disobedient slave boy startled her most direly."  He used the girl's name...now he had it his charm would strengthen on her and her master.

"I was going to take her for a goblet of wine to steady her nerves, but she was insistent that she could not as she was due back here to tend to you and your shop."

Jelen gritted his teeth at the soothing, placative words...Sabre was very good at what it did...very good...too good.

"I insisted that I accompany her back firstly to recompense you for her lateness caused by myself and to ask that I may take her for the goblet of wine, again recompense will be made for her not serving her duties for an hour or two."

A small bag appeared in Sabre's hand and he untied the strings and a spill of six gold coins clinked across the table between them.

"Also I hear you were an excellent disciplinarian my lord, for frightening your sweet Flori I would ask you punish my boy here, he is need of a firm hand and unfortunately I am too soft of heart...again your time will be paid for."

Another seven gold coins joined the others.

"He needs a very firm hand indeed." Came the words flowing from the demon, echoing about the shop.

Flori stood still as the nobleman began to barter for her time.  If this had truly been a noble and not a demon she would have had that haunted look about her eyes that she sometimes had when the Master took pleasures from her.  But she lost all control of her will.  She would have followed the demon anywhere at this point.

Lord Hernon quickly let go of his anger when the coil fell from the nobles pouch.  As he listened he could not help but preen a little over Flori's loyalty.  He had trained her well.  As the man spoke it became more apparent what he wanted.  This was interesting.  Should he share her?  Without really realizing Lord Hernon was allowing her to go.  Standing straighter he smiled.  Hmmm, letting her out could be beneficial.  "Why of course, Sir...err..."  He stopped as the nobleman had not offered his name.  With an awkward pause he nodded.  "This is a hefty amount of gold.  Please just return her as the sun rises.  And no damage please.  The marks she has I keep well out of praying eyes please extend me this curtsies."

But, it turned out the noblemen was not done.  As he explained about his own boy Lord Hernon understood.  From time to time you had to put them in their place.  Sneering at the young man.  "It will be done.  He will come back to you well trained sir."  Lord Hernon walked to the coin and collected it.  "Come young man.  I have just the place to start your training. "  He looked over at the noblemen.  "Care to watch a few minutes?"

Flori stood there still.  Her heart pounded for Jelenis.  She knew what he was going to receive.  But she could not break the hold over her tongue.  It was as if she could not speak.  Tears brimmed.  She hugged herself for comfort.  Yet when she looked at the noblemen an oddly peaceful feeling came over her.  Like he would protect her.  Yet he was...he was...her thoughts ended she had no idea who he was.  What she did know is she never felt like she did when he spoke to her, held her, or looked into her eyes.

Sabre smiled and nodded but he then paused a moment.

"Hold one moment if you may."  He went to the doorway and drew a symbol with his finger, a ward, specifically designed to keep Bel and Trayder out.

He turned back and grinned to Jelenis.

"Now it is about time you learned you place boy."  he turned with the most sweetest smile to Flori.

"Come My dear let us see this terrible boy punished for a bit....perhaps your master might let you whip him a little for scaring you!"

He heard the door rattle violently and he knew that the two demons outside were being repelled.  It seemed there were ways round everything if one looked and planned hard enough.

Jelenis paled, what had Sabre done, why weren't Bel and Trayder coming in.

"Please Lord Hernon....let me see your skills with badly behaved slave boys!"

Sabre held out his hand to Flori as if she were a Princess and he was genteel and gracious.

"I do love seeing a craftsman at work!"

Jelenis back away from the girl's Master, his heart racing.

"Don't you dare touch me!" He spat.

Lord Hernon needed no further encouragement.  Thought the Lord too was also not of his own will.  He had no idea he was dealing with a demon.  Nor a half demon lord.  All appeared as it was.  A noblemen and his slave.  The young man had stepped out of line and now needed to be shown the right path back to servitude.

He chuckled at the defiance in the young man.  Clucking his tongue an evil look crossed his harden features.  "My, my, my!  So outspoken for one of your stature."  He began to approach Jelenis.  He reached out for him but the young man kept backing up.  Lord Hernon was losing his temper.  He took a calming breath and looked at the young man.  "You take one more step and you won't be able to walk for a week."  His words coming out with a ferocity that even made Flori tremble. 

No, oh please.  I don't want to watch.  But she still had no powers of speech. She looked at the noblemen.  He spook to her so tender.  Yet here he offered his slave to be beaten.  But her mind could not comprehend.  She could only nod and as he led her to the horrid room she followed.  Almost as if she was floating.

Lord Hernon reached Jelenis.  He knew his size was intimidating to most men so he leaned on what he always had.  For he was only a slave in the Lords eyes.  His hand reached for his shoulder and his fingers bite into the young man as he dragged him.  Lord Hernon threw Jelenis into the room.  "Take your clothes off!"  His voice was menacing.

Flori could hear Lord Hernon but for once it was as if he could not reach her.  She didn't fear him whilst the noble was at her side.  No he was here to protect her.  She felt dizzy as if this was a dream.

Jelenis fell on the floor and he looked up with hurt anger, his gaze going to Sabre and then to Hernon.

"I will not take my clothes off!" He said bravely though inside he was trembling, it had always been Sabre who stopped people doing this to him.  The door to the shop still rattled angrily but the other two demons could not enter.

The girl just stood close to the Demon who watched with avid interest.

"You should do as you are told boy!" He said firmly.

"You are making Lord Hernon look incompetent!" Sabre knew it would be the spur needed to the large Human man to act.

"He really does need teaching a thorough lesson doesn't he Lord Hernon!"

His words had the desired effect.  Lord Hernon anger was palpable.  "I told you once.  You do not get a second chance.  You should have asked my little wrench.  She would have told you what happens to those that disobey." 

He turned from Jelenis.  He took a sharp instrument that was hanging on the wall and placed it in the fire.  Flori gasped!  Turning he removed the whip from the wall.  His breathing elevating.  He closed his eyes and an evil smile spread across his face as he whirled around to face the young man.  "I will now show you what happens to disobedient slaves."  His voice chillingly calm.  He yanked Jelenis to his feet and began to tear the clothing from his upper body.  Not caring if it tore.  "You will pay young man!" 

Once his back was bare he pushed him over the table and with a soft swooshing noise the air stirred behind him.   Then the sound of leather hitting flesh.  It tore into the young man's upper back leaving an angry red welt.  Then another.  Two more strikes in almost the exact same spot.  "I told you this would not be easy but you had a choice.  Remember this was you're doing!"  Lord Hernon pulled the long instrument from the flames and it glowed softly.  He approached the slave.

Flori sobbed.  Her eyes closed and she covered her ears.

Lord Hernon to the hot iron rod and laid it on the open wounds on the man's back.  He dug it into his back his skin began to burn and the rancid smell invaded all those in the room.  He then ripped it from his back after his skin melted to it removing skin.  With his other hand the whip came cracking down on the spot! 

It was as if Lord Hernon was not able to control himself.   Flori had never seen him this enraged she covered her eyes again.  As her master then lifted his leg and kicked Jelenis in the back of the knees. 

Jelenis went glassy eyed with shocked as the iron rod touch his skin and burned him, he couldn't even scream in pain.  The whip was bad enough, the rod was worse, never had he felt such pain before, how could Sabre do this to him?

Outside the other two demons fell back, both feeling Jelenis' pain and unable to protect him, how had Sabre managed to prevent them from saving the boy, the only explanation was he had broken the Protectorate Demand somehow or managed to find a permanent way round it.

Sabre watched impassively from where he stood his hand resting lightly on the girl's shoulder, he felt it too, the pain, but he was a Demon, the pain meant nothing to him. He looked down to the girl and smiled briefly whispering into her ear.

"Wouldn't you like to whip him a little....to know what it feels like to be the punisher rather than the punished my little honey flower?"

He looked over to Lord Hernon.

"Do not mark him with an iron further....the whip will suffice I think, he had plenty more body other than his back that can take it....put ointment on that burn, I don't want him to get infected anyway."

He was surprised that the boy's blood had not kicked in to preserve him yet...must be more human in there than his father realised.

"May be Flori might like to give him a few strikes...for scaring her and for hurting me.....would you like that Flori hmm mm.....would you like to punish Jelenis for doing those things?"

Lord Hernon looked back at the noblemen.  Nodded and returned the iron to its proper resting place.  He then turned back to the slave.  "I must admit sir your slave is stronger than most!  Not one yelp.  Or scream."  He looked at Flori whom was standing next to the noblemen.  Her eyes closed. 

"Flori!  Snap out of it girl!"  He hissed.

"Y-yes Master Hernon."  She bowed her head finding her voice.  As the master commanded her she heard the noblemen's question to her.  She had never hurt a person in all her years yet she was powerless to stop what was happening.  In the recesses of her mind she said no, no, no over and over again but instead she didn't say anything just addressed the master.

"Get the salve for his back." FLori looked at the nobleman and said "Excuse me please."  She rushed to get it so not to make the master wait.  Hernon walked back to the slave and reached around his form.  He undid his pants and pushed them to his ankles. 

Flori returned.  "Shall I apply it?"

"Yes.  And Flori..."  He smiled as she tenderly applied the salve.  "It won't hurt the lotion won't my touch will."  She whispered as softly as she could...adding..."I am so sorry.  Please forgive me.  I am afraid."  Her voice was so low she didn't even know if Jelenis could hear her.
Flori!  That's enough!  And you didn't answer our esteemed guest?"  He said evilly and handed her the whip.

With shaking hands she dropped the salve and grasped the whip.  The tears followed as she raised her hand.  The master grabbing her wrist before she thrashed him.  Lord Hernon told her.  "Lower Flori, his buttocks.  You know how I do yours."  He whispered and stroke her cheek, to which she jerked back and dropped the whip.  Falling to her knees crying. 

Sabre stepped forward and kneeled down to look at the girl, she was scared and need encouragement, her corruption was progressing well, his spell was holding, just her stupid master scared her with his words.

"Flori my darling....my little honey flower....pay no heed to him....listen to me." He whispered in her ear.

"You know what a bad and naughty boy Jelenis is....I would not lie to you....it is only right you pay him back for startling you so....it is only right you make him shed a few tears for making me hurt so much with his bad behaviour."

His fingers lightly brushed at her tears, his lips touched her ever so fleetingly, ever so gently.

"Remember Flori...he is a bad boy....if I had the courage to take my hand to him then I would not have to do this.  He tries to beguile me with his body but I turn from him...he is a bad boy Flori...a bad boy!"

Jelenis had barely heard the girl's words, the salve helped with the pain a little on his bad, but now he had the humiliation of his buttocks and legs bared too.

"Trayder....please....Bel...." he called out with his mind.

"Please."

The answer came back to him agitated and anxious.

"He blocked us Jelen....we don't know how....hold on.....Bel is trying to break the Seal!"

Jelenis knew they would not be in time, he would have to suffer this humiliation and hoped that it would have satisfied Sabre's spite for the night.

The older Demon Bel was trying to figure out what Sabre had used to ward them out, everything he threw at it just melted.  Trayder was pacing back and forth anxiously, feeling Jelenis' fear and pain himself as keenly as the boy might.

"Stop pacing Trayder it is not helping!" The normally silent Bel hissed.

What would Sabre use to prevent the pair of them from gaining entry to the building....gaining entry to the building....he looked across from the door to the window and then upwards to the next storey.

"He only blocked the downstairs!" Bel growled.

"How have we been so stupid!"

Trayder was already scaling the wall to wards a window and Bel was shortly not that far behind him. He was going to make Sabre pay for this somehow....perhaps this was all his fault for just not leaving Sabre and the girl alone and waking Jelen.

Lord Hernon looked at the noblemen.  He was quite taken with his girl.  This made him a tad anxious now.  But he brushed it off.  He couldn't hear what he was saying to her so he cleaned the leather strips of the whip.

Flori trembled he held her with his eyes.  As he tenderly touched her face and wiping her tears she began to feel the warmth from him again.  That sense of safety.  She listened to his whispered words and began to nod.   As the demons lips barely touched her skin she closed her eyes and stirred. "Yes Master you are right.  He hurt you so and no one should ever be allowed to.  He needs to be punished for your safety.  I won't let him hurt you."  She whispered back to him. 

She stood up and held her hand out for the whip.  Lord Hernon raised his eyebrow and without a word handed it to her.  She took the warmed handle and swooshed the whip around.  It was as if it was not she doing it.  Like she was watching herself.  She looked at what she now considered her new master and taking encouragement from his eyes.  The whip cracked over the young man's buttocks.  She jumped back after the first strike. 

Her eyes clouded with almost something akin to lust.  It felt like the stories she had heard.  Fulfilling.  Some sadistic part of her needed more.  She raised the whip and cracked it again.  This time she did not jump back.  Her breather ragged she continued hitting him with pent up rage of five long years.  She could not stop.  She screamed at him.

"WHY!  WHY!!!  COULDN'T YOU JUST HAVE STAYED IN THE INN!  THIS WOULDN'T BE HAPPENING!  THIS IS YOUR FAULT FOR HURTING THE MASTER YOU FOOLISH, FOLLISH SLAVE!"

Her voice was horse, her body weakened.  She dropped the whip and with tears flowing she looked at the demon.  "Are you pleased Master?  Or should I continue."  She was spent.  It was obvious.

Lord Hernon had not missed her addressing him as Master and this did not sit well with him.

There were tears on Jelenis' cheeks now, not of pain but of humiliation, the girl had whipped his behind as if he were nothing more than a naughty child all on a whisper from a demon, a demon that was meant to protect him.  He knew that Trayder and Bel were in the building, they would come and help him, they would make him better, but mentally he knew this would not go away for some time.

Sabre knew too that the others had figured his ruse and were bearing down on them.

"Flori darling...that was most excellent, his looks like he was learned his lesson from you my flower, his buttocks are well striped by your fair hand!" He mused.

"Lord Hernon...if you would care to continue striping them some more whilst I take Flori out for her wine that would be most gratifying.  I think a Master's firm blow would be more instructive than sweet Flori's just to finish the job!"

He held his hand out to the girl.

"Come my little honey love...some refreshment after such hard work....you must be fair worn out!"

The Demon knew that it had to be Hernon that suffered Bel and Trayder's wrath, him alone.  He quite liked this pretty girl and wanted her for himself and the alchemist was in the way. He started to lead her towards the door calling back to Lord Hernon.

"No more iron or burning....but teach him a good lesson, do whatever you like to do to slaves."

As an after thought he added....

"Don't violate him though....he is still a virgin despite his  temptations and I would like him kept that way!"

Flori felt a rush of pleasure spread over her.  He was pleased!  This made her smile.  She dropped the whip and rushed back to the nobles side.  "Thank you your grace.  I only wish to please you."  As he spoke to Lord Hernon she took his proffered hand.  His touch giving her the oddest sensations. 

She could not though look at Jelenis.  She felt his venerability and didn't want to.  The nobleman, he made her feel safe, warm, and desired.  These are the feelings she wanted.  Flori held his hand like it was her life force.  His wants hers now, his needs now hers...she could not tell you why but she knew his happiness would be her utmost goal.

In her simple world she still had no idea whom or what he was.  Flori thought him still a powerful nobleman.  One who was giving her a night of freedom.  She would do anything for him.  What Flori didn't realize is that she was not of her own free will.  The demon was controlling her, soon he would fully corrupt her.  She was his that much was certain.  Full corruption was not to far off.

Lord Hernon was displeased!  But he to felt a certain power over taking him.  He simply nodded at the nobleman.  The nobleman was quickly exiting and spouting off instructions to him.  "Not to worry."  he assured him.  "Ahhh a virgin!  Tsk, tsk, tsk...no violation?  The shame of it all!  Understood sir."

He took a quick look at Flori.  One final attempt to keep her under his control.  He sneered..."Flori, remember girl.  I will be able to discern if you bed with this man!  Do not make me anger girl.  Remember who owns you!"  His words clearly meant to scare the girl.

Flori felt a shiver of fear begin to form.  She hated Lord Hernon!  She wished him punished or worse for taking everything from her.  She shook with renewed rage!  But still felt helpless to do anything.  Instead she looked up at the nobleman.  "Please let's leave here?  Please take me, take me far, far away."  She had no idea what she was saying.  She had no idea with what she was asking.  All she knew is that with this man she felt safe and warm.  She urged him to move faster.
   

Sabre smiled graciously at the girl as he led her back out into the street, his hand left hers and his arm slipped about her small waist and he pulled her closer to him.

"Is that what you would like Flori....to leave Hernon and be mine for as long as she could ever know?" He purred softly into her ear.

"What if you grew bored of me....what then?

Sabre's thoughts were equally on Jelenis the other object of his desire, one that had so callously spurned him earlier, banished him as if he were nothing.  Sabre was royalty, he was a Demon Prince forced to this servitude, one he hated....one he loved.

If he could not have Jelenis then he would make damn sure he kept Flori somehow.  How would the oh so noble boy feel with her there every day, a constant reminder that he could be punished even with the Protectorate in place. He smirked, oh how she had giving him a good whipping, her sweet face caught in the moment, liking it too.

" Would you torment Jelenis for me if I asked it...would you remind him of being punished by a slip of a girl and put him in his place?" He whispered as his hand smoothed over the rear of her skirt quite lightly.

Two dark shadows slipped into the room where Lord Hernon and Jelenis were, they stood silently for a moment surveying the scene.  Their Jelenis, their ward was naked, bent over a table and there was a nasty burn on his back and his buttocks well striped with thick red welts.  There were tears on his face, the demons knew why he had wept, not through weakness....not through pain....it was humiliation, they felt it equally at being duped by Sabre.

Trayder gave a soft growl, as yet unheard by the large grinning man, he was getting ready to give Jelenis a further beating...or worse.....now Sabre had left.....his commands would not be as potent on the man.

Flori pressed closer to him when the nobles arm slipped around her waist.  No one these past five years had shown her affection.  Sure Lord Hernon groped and kissed her but not with tenderness.  Not like this nobleman was doing.  She could not get enough.  His also spoke in a way to her as though he cared what she thought, wanted, and desired!  Who was this strange noble?

"Your grace I want nothing more then to be yours."  She was not surprised by this revelation.  He had shown her more affection then anyone had these last five years. 

"Bored?  How could I ever grow bored?  It is you who surly will.  I fear what can I do for you to hold your interest?"  She wanted to say more but shied away for saying it.  "You have a slave.  What could I do to serve you?,

In a softer voice "I only wish I could have given myself to you freely.  Not having to ask Lord Hernon.  Then you would believe me.  Then you would know I would do anything for you.  I am yours, always."

Her simple mind could not see that she was held by him.  Flori had no will of her own where the demon was concerned.  Oddly though no one had shown her the kindness he was now doing so now in such a long time she would have probably fallen for him without the use of his power.  Her mind and body starved of affection.  He was gentle and kind where Lord Hernon would grope and force himself.  She was his and she knew it.  She gave herself to him with her mind. 

"Your grace, I am not coming to you pure though.  Lord Hernon has seen to that."  Her voice filled with shame and despair. 

As his hand slipped down she closed her eyes.  He was so gentle with her.  Asking and not taking.  "I would always do as you asked and needed sir."  She thought of the young man but quickly put him out of her mind she didn't want to know what Lord Hernon was doing to him.

Lord Hernon stood over the boy.  He touched his back with the whip but softly.  Letting it tickle his skin.  "Your Master is weak boy!  And he is not here to protect you."  His other hand grazed the flesh of The young man's  buttocks.  "A virgin...how splendid!  Flori was one a virgin to.  You should ask her about her deflowering.  I am sure it is one she will never forget!"  The cruelty of his speech could not have been lost on those whom heard it.  It also left no doubt as to his plans for Jelenis. 

Lord Hernon had no idea they were not alone.  Except for the soft sobbing of the young man he heard or felt nothing.  He removed his belt Letting fall to the floor with a loud clank.  The sound of pants unbuttoning and being pushed down followed.  Lord Hernon pressed himself against the bruised man and whispered.  "Now please scream for me!  I do so love to hear the screaming."

Trayder needed no further viewing, he was not about to see his beloved Jelenis violated by this piece of Human filth. He materialised fully into the room, a tall man, with blood red eyes and hair the colour of fire.  His was not as well built as Sabre ever appeared but he was formidable enough.  He gave a low animal growl.

"Get away from him Human!"

He moved forward with the fluidity of a great cat stalking a gazelle, his eyes never leaving the Lord.

"You were so mistaken taking orders from Sabre...he is the servant....this is the Lord....this young man you are about to rape is under my protection!" 

It was at that point that Bel materialised, he was nothing like Sabre and Trayder, he was an old Demon, his skin as black as night, his eyes too, long claws ended his fingers.  His build was big, heavy set and formidable.

"He is under our protection!" Bel rumbled.

"And he looked liked he has been burned and whipped....and you would dare to use him!" The Demon spat in contempt.

Sabre smiled so gently as he heard her words.

"I care not that you are not a virgin....a virgin has too much to learn....and I like you just as you are!" He whispered.

"I think I would never grow bored of you Flori...not once you are mine...truly mine!"

He leaned down to kiss her properly now, a deeper kiss than the fleeting one he offered in the shop, one she might not forget in a hurry.  He stroked her hair as he kissed her, he did not want to spoil this or rush it...the girl had to want him so much she thought she might die if she didn't have him.

"Will you follow me if Hernon was no longer an issue Honey Flower?" He said breaking the kiss off.

"Would you torment Jelenis if I ask you....would you?"

Lord Hernon felt fear!  Something new to him.  "Who?  Where did..."  His words cut short as the next one came into view.  He tried to pull his pants back up as he backed up.  Clumsy!  Fear made he react.  "He paid me.  The boy never called the nobles words as false!"  He was shaking now.

"He should have said something!  It is your young lord who is to blame!"  His inner weaknesses eking out.  "The girl!  She beat him!  The girl!  She is with your Sabre!"   He was cowering.j

She flushed softly.  Knowing he would accept her just as she was.  At the same time the things he said made feelings inside her stir.  Feelings she had never experienced before.  He said truly mine.  And she melted further.  He wanted her!  This nobleman wanted her!  Desired her!  Spoiled for all sense of others, but this noble wanted her anyway!

When she went to tell him nothing would please her more...he kisses her.  He did not force, oh no, not at all!  He wasn't taking for himself.  He was tender.  Soft.  Gentle.  She opened her mouth to him and found she was kissing him back.  Her own timid reaction was to wrap her arms around him and press herself closer.  She wanted to absorb him into her.  She wanted him! 

"Your grace if Lord Hernon was no longer here I would follow you to hell and back.  I would do your every bidding.  I want nothing more then to be yours....truly yours."  She used his words as she breathlessly answered him.  Her heart beating wildly.

"If you request me to torment him your grace, it shall be done."  She hungered for him.  Every place he touched seemed to burn with further desire.  "Please your grace, make me yours!  Take me from here and make me yours.  I feel without you what would be the worth of it all?"

Trader was already at Jelenis' side gently pulling up his pants and covering his nakedness, he lightly brushed at the tears and his hair.

"It's alright Jelenis Bel and Trayder have you now....we will make it alright!" He whispered.

Bel was still stalking the large Human who was fumbling desperately with his pants.

"You would not have believed the boy over Sabre....you wanted to hurt him, you did hurt him...you burned him you were about to rape him although I wager Sabre told you not too!"

He lashed out deftly with one hand, the claws catching the man across the face.

Jelenis turned to face the man known as Lord Hernon.

"I despise people like you." He said softly.

"You are worse than Sabre.....I hope it hurts when Bel shows you how well he protects me!"

He turned back to Trayder who wrapped his arms about the young man and they both vanished into a cloud of black mist.

Bel looked to the man and growled deeply......his claws extending.

Lord Hernon urinated himself!  He had never known fear or pain such as he was experiencing. 

The two vanished!  This was unholy.  He began to pray.  "You are not of this world!  You!  All of you!!!  Did she summon you!  She must have!"

He clutched at his torn face.  In a voice filled with pain and fear "I can pay you!  Handsomely!"  He looked up and whimpered.  "Gold...I can give it to you."

Sabre knew he had the girl then....he would still play at tender and gentle.

"Would you really follow me to hell and back Flori." He whispered against her ear.

His hand brushed the side of her blouse fleetingly, teasingly and he moved to kiss her again.

Someone a short distance away a dark scream of pain was heard, Sabre was bemused, Trayder and Bel had obviously come to the rescue.

"Oh dear." He mused softly.

"I think your wish with regards to your master Is being  Flori!" He held out his arm.

"Now you can truly be mine without worrying......shall we find an inn and take that wine?"

Bel regard the man that crouched in a pool of his own urine and he sneered.

"What do I need with gold foolish mortal?"

He lashed out as quick as a cat and caught the man across his back.

"Your death would be preferable....you harmed Jelenis.....my Master's son......you wanted to use him like a common whore....no....you need to die I think."

He raised his hand for the killing blow.

"Yes your grace. If you should request me too.  I want only to please you."  His touch was what she craved.  His words where her drug.  She longed to the carried off by this noble.  Flori gripped his shoulders and arched her back slowly not wanting to end the contact.

A scream in the distance.  She barely registered it.

She did not understand him really.  But accepted what he said.  "Yes." Her voice a bit husky.

He was leading her to the inn.  She cared not about Lord Hernon for this evening she would pretend he did not exist.  Besides as the noble said she could now be truly his.   

Her eyes never left his form.  She did not register that he would soon own her in a way even more permeant then Lord Hernon ever could.  She knew not that he was a demon.  That her need for tenderness and warmth was leading her much further into darkness.  All she knew is that this man wanted her and for the first time ever she wanted him.  Her eyes fluttered some.  Yes she was falling for him.  She would give this beast everything.  He only need ask her to do his bidding and she would. 

Lord Hernon saw it coming!  He was powerless to stop it.   He let out a scream of pure terror!  And so there it was that he would be found in a mixture of his own blood and urine.

Some would say he had what was coming to him.

Trayder appeared in an empty room in a small inn, he carefully laid Jelenis face down on the bed and carefully removed his trousers as his back was already bare.  He gazed at the marks in anger, seeing his young charge so brutalised.  He laid a hand on the burn and hissed some odd phrases, there was a soft red glow and Jelenis gave a soft whimper.

"I know.....easy...." Trayder said softly.

When he withdrew his hand the mark had closed and visibly faded.

His fingers trailed over the lad's buttocks and he hissed more words and they too faded to pale pink stripes.

"How could he do it Tray?" Jelenis said sleepily.

"How could he?"

Trayder muttered the softest of spells as he stroked Jelen's hair and the boy fell asleep under a spell.

"I do not know how Jelenis....but he did....and he will pay for it!"

Flori felt the warmth of the roaring fire greet them.  Most in the town know she was Lord Hernon's charge.  So they looked at her companion with curiosity.  Who was this handsome man escorting the Lords slave?  By the looks of it he seemed to treat her as one would a sweet.  Soon the bard picked up his flute and the patrons forgot all about them.

A barmaid nodded to an empty table and indicated she would be with them.  Flori knew the girl well. 

Ingrid was surprised to see Flori here with a stranger.  She wondered did Lord Hernon sell her?  A pang of sadness filled her heart.  She felt she was losing her friend.  After handing mugs out to a large group she walked over to the table.  She had never seen Flori look so elated.  And she smiled as well.  "Hi Flori.  Sir."  She nodded respectfully.  "What can I bring you tonight?"

Sabre gave the female server a winning smile.

"I think a bottle of the best wine you have to offer my dear....Flori has earned it I think, her day has been most trying."

Another figure had entered the inn, a man, well dressed in black velvet, older than Sabre's current persona.  His black eyes flickered across the inn room and alighted on the pair in the booth and he started towards them.  His jet black hair was neatly tied back with a velvet bow of the same colour.  The only item of clothing he wore that was not black were his gloves which were red leather.  Bel was not happy....not one bit....Sabre had allowed Jelenis to be harmed and for what, a temper tantrum at being banished and rejected by the lad.

He came to stand at the side of the table, he took in the figure of the slight girl that gazed at the Demon with pure adoration, the corruption had run deep in her, Sabre had worked his magic quite perfectly.  The girl was his now without a shadow of a doubt, she would do anything he asked.

"I take it you are proud of your actions tonight Sabre!" Bel said coldly.

"Trayder and I arrived just as that piece of Human scum was about to rape Jelenis...you must have known your charm would not have held on him once you left the building."

Sabre looked up his eyes bright with cruelty and amusement.

"Did he?" He purred as he reached to touch Flori's hands soothingly.

"Did he what?" Hissed Bel.

Sabre chuckled.

"Did he rape Jelenis? Surely that should have sparked the half breed's blood?"

Bel's backhand across Sabre's face rung out like a whip crack through the inn, and the seated Demon touched his lip where a blossom of black blood rose.

Bel turned his eyes to Flori and shook his head.

"He is a wicked one my dear....a wicked one is this Demon known as Sabre!"

"Right away sir!"  Ingrid winked at him and hurried off.  Wow!  What a dazzling smile.  She went to the back and pulled out a bottle that was kept for the Kings statesmen.  She dusted it off and uncorked it.  The aroma was pleasing.  She gabbed two glasses and with a smile placed the items on the table.  "Please let me know if you need anything else."  With another wink she went to go tend other customers.

The patrons were treated to another unknown.  He was no less formidable then the noble who escorted Flori in.  All eyes followed him to the back table.

Flori couldn't take her eyes off of him.  He began to ask about her duties and tasks at the shop.  She told him of her abilities for crafting potions.  How she had been the one suppling Lord Hernon's customers.  It became easy to confide in him.  She told him her fears of the dark and being blindfolded.  She hated not being able to see she told him.  All the while Flori told him things she had never expressed to anyone.  Going into more detail of some things that frightened her.  Telling him her fears that she would be left alone. 

The noble was kind and encouraging.  Every so often touching her softly.  Then she felt something switch in him.  As though he could tell someone had found them.  Someone he'd been expecting.

When she looked towards the door her eyes; as was the entire room, except him, fell onto this man in black walking right at them.  Yet still her nobleman did not turn.  Instead from the corner of her eye she saw him smile.  Not of the one he would give her this was more sinister. 

For the first time she heard his name spoken. 

As the two exchanged words she became more and more frightened.  It wasn't as though the man in black raised his voice.  Or her nobleman, Sabre?  No neither of them did.  But there was and undertone of hostility.  Something which she new was not good.  They spoke of Master raping the young man and she bite her lip.  She knew his cruelty had no bounds.  The poor soul.  She could feel the tension between the two.  The older man was holding her noble, her new Master accountable for his other slaves beating.  Did they share him?  Her mind was. Spinning with questions.  She looked at her master just as the older man slapped Sabre.  The sound was deafening and Flori at first was startled.  Then she went to him.

"Oh!  Master!"  She quickly was at his side.  But the comment for the older man had her look at him sharply.  "No!  No!  He can't be."  She looked at them both from one man to the other.  Her small hand reached out to his lips and she touched the black liquid oozing out.  Her hand shaky.  She rubbed the thick liquid between her fingers.  He eyes wide with fight looked at him. 

Her beautiful nobleman was in fact a demon.  And she now belonged to him.  Her breathing was fast.  She then asked herself did she care?  He saved her did he not!  Wicked?  She shook her head.  "I do not care what you are Master.  I love you like no other.  I am yours for as long as you want me."  She had gone done to her knees and placed her head in his lap.  "You cannot be wicked.  You saved me." 

Sabre watched as the girl fell to her knees and laid her head in his lap and his eyes moved to regard Bel with a wicked smile, not caring about the blood at his lip.  He ran his fingers over Flori's hair delicately.

"Go and play nursemaid Bel...I am sure you can find some ointment to rub into sweet Jelenis' buttocks if Trayder has not beat you to it!  Then you can fetch him a babe's suckling bottle and give him some milk and sing him a lullaby!" He hissed softly.

"We have spent since the moment that boy was born looking out for him, watching him, keeping to the Protectorate, but I think it is starting to fail Bel or I would not have been able to do as I did tonight!"

Bel folded his arms across his chest and smirked, perhaps it might be a nice time to cause discourse between Sabre and his new pet.

"So odd....earlier today you were propositioning the boy to be his lover until he banished you...but I suppose you had to amuse yourself some how!"  With that he turned and marched towards the staircase that would take him up to the room to which he felt Trayder had taken Jelen.

Sabre reached down to lift Flori from where she knelt to sit in his lap and he held her close.

"Pay him no mind my little Honey Flower, Bel is getting old and he is jealous of me....so now you know what I am would you deny me too?" He purred.

His lips touched hers again, blood smearing against her own mouth as he kissed her.

He pulled back.

"They baby that boy....he needs a few good lessons really he does and you taught him so superbly tonight....I'd would be joyous to see you do it again....really I would!"

Sabre knew that whipping Jelen had stirred something dark and deep within the girl, everyone had a darkness inside...everyone....even those that claimed to be so pious....there was a darkness to be tapped.

He lifted his goblet to her lips and let her sip the fine wine, a taste of something good.

"I can make it like this always Flori....but I need you to answer one question...just one....and it has to be the truth."

He pulled the goblet away from her lips and softly licked the remnants of wine from them.

"How did you feel when you whipped Jelenis....did you like it? Did you savour the power?"

Bel found the room and stepped within to find Trayder still in his Human form sat by the fire and Jelenis was laid on the bed asleep, his marks somewhat healed.  The older Demon nodded and joined Trayder next to the fire.

"The Alchemist is no more, his reign of terror is done." Bel said softly.

"It has been a long time since I have had to kill...that is normally Sabre's pleasure."

A soft cry from the direction of the bed caused them both to turn and look at Jelenis, the boy was having a bad dream or he was in pain.  They had learned about the sounds Jelenis made right from when he was birthed.  They knew when he was hungry, they knew when he was afraid, they knew when he was happy.  As he grew older different sounds came, the same as before for most but newer ones...they knew when he was sleeping what he was dreaming about when he made small soft sounds...pleasurable sounds....Sabre loved to hear those.  Despite being untouched it seemed Jelenis dreamed about or fantasised about what people shared in the depths of passion.

"So...was he downstairs revelling in Jelenis' pain?" Trayder hissed.

Bel nodded with a scowl.

"He was hoping that Human man had raped Jelenis...and now he has his new pet...the girl...I wager there will be trouble ahead Trayder.  Sabre is smitten with her for now....but he will use her to get at Jelenis....no one holds a grudge like Sabre!"

Trayder nodded.

"That Human man said the girl had whipped Jelenis....did Sabre's corruption take that quickly in her?"

Bel hissed,a sound of contempt and displeasure.

"It did....he knew just how to tempt the girl....what to say.....he is good at what he does!"

Jelenis whimpered again and Trayder rose and went to sit on the edge of the bed and gently he stroked Jelen's raven hair.

"Shhh it is over Jelenis....sleep....sleep....!" he said softly whilst cursing Sabre in the same breath.

She was content to remain with her head buried in his lap and feel his soft touch. 

As they continued to have words the room began to settle as at first it was dead silent.  Especially after Bel had slapped Sabre.  But when nothing came of it the patrons grew bored and went back to enjoying themselves.   The sound of the hard softly playing was picked up again.  The hum of conversation and the clinking of glasses.  Flori noticed it all. 

She stiffened when the older demon mention Jelenis and how her Master tried to coax him.  Her heart rate increased and a wave of emotion crossed over her.  One she had never felt.  It was as if she felt he kicked her in the stomach.  But her Master knew just how to relive her pain as he gently lifted her into his lap.  Caressing her with his lips and words. 

The taste of his blood made her hungry.  She wanted more.  Needed more!  As he pulled away she whimpered a little.  "I would deny you nothing Master.  Nothing."  His hold over her was so much more then physical.  Flori could not deny him.  She knew and understood now.  To deny him would be like denying herself precious air, food, or water.

She sat there on his lap as he fed her the wine.  Maybe it was the mixture of his essences and the wine.  Maybe it was her starved heart.  It could have been a combination of it all really.  As the goblet was pulled away and his tongue met her lips she melted.  It was sensual, a feeling she had never experienced before.  Her head nodding yes as he spoke. 

Yes.  She would answer him and truthfully for this was all she had to offer him.   Her voice soft.  "I always want it like this.  I want it like I have never wanted anything before.  My truth is all I have for you Master so you will always receive it."  With that she closed her eyes and went back to the moment she whipped the young man.  Her breathing noticeably heightened.  She opened her eyes as shame, excitement, pleasure, and pain flickered across them.  Blinking a few times she looked her demon in the eyes.

"I felt power, yes!  But what scares me is I felt good.  It gave me great pleasure to cause him so much pain. Oddly it was his humiliation that gave me a sense of power.  His two emotions gave me  something I would have never expected.  I did savior this power!"  As she spoke so did her eyes.  She gipped his shoulders tightly.  "Does this displease you?"  She worried.  Her eyebrows began to furrow.  The boy whom she took pleasure in causing pain to was one her Master desired.  Would he punish her?  Or worse...leave her.

Sabre chuckled and stroked her cheek, gently disentangling her hands from his shoulders. he offered her another sip from the wine goblet.

"Oh my sweet darling Flori!" He beamed, such a beautiful smile for her.

"You are not to call me Master...you can call me Sabre, t'is my name and I will never leave you!" He said as if sensing her angst.

"What I would love more than anything is to have our own place where I would be king and you would be Queen and Jelenis would be our prisoner....and between us we would visit exquisite pain and humiliation upon him, the pair of us together!" He purred softly.

"I wager you could devise such perfect delights for me to behold."

He looked her up and down, her shabby clothing, her earnest face, as she gazed so lovingly upon him.

"I think a change of clothes to start...this would please me." His power was undeniable, as the girl looked down she would see her ragged clothes become a beautiful scarlet dress made of velvet with black lace at the wrists and cleavage.

"There....more like a queen now!" He kissed her again, deeper this time, tasting the wine in her sweet mouth.

He imagined her torturing and humiliating Jelenis for him...making the boy pay...it was a sweet and delicious thought.  One that made him hunger for it, perhaps he should take Jelenis and find this home they might make....though Trayder and Bel might not be so accommodating!

"Flori." He murmured his voice thick with desire.

"I love hearing you speak of what you did tonight....it excites me Honey Flower....speak of it more...tell me of it...each delicious feeling you had....how warm it made you feel...did it make you full of need?"

Perhaps soon they would find a room of their own and consummate this new bond and then they would make plots and plans as only as demon and his lover might.

His softly purred words filled her every fiber with contentment.  He was her savior.  Or so this is now what she told herself.  How could she not think this way?  He had asked her to call him by his name, not master.  Though he was certainly the one in control.  He wanted her as his Queen.  Her!  Yes Sabre was her savior.  She owed him her soul.  Nobody else cared for her.  Tried to help her.  Only this man, no this demon.  This so called wicked demon.  But her heart saw nothing of his wickedness.  In her eyes those who opposed him were the truly wicked. 

One must look upon the girls situation only to see she had been ripe for this demons taking.  In fact he probably exerted little to no effort.  It was not as if Flori didn't know of demons.  Stories were often told to the young to impose fear of them.  The poor girl though was so beaten that any display of kindness would have swayed her.  Something even a human would have been able to pick up on.  It was most unfortunate for the girl.  Or was it? 

The dress was wicked. 

Wickedly delicious.  Wickedly splendid.  It fed into all her carnal desires.  She felt and looked beautiful.  Her dark hair in contrast to the scarlet was striking.  It fit her curves lovingly.   The dress was another chain though.  Almost as if by wearing it she was even further bonded to him.

Her eyes could not believe what she saw happen.  Her face elated! 

His kiss stirring emotions within her.  The more he kissed; her the more she wanted.   

Her breathing ragged as his desire laced request assaulted her ears.  "Warm.  Oh Mas-ma- Sabre, it made my body tingle with want.  My whole being coursed with a heat that was most foreign to me.  The sound of harden leather finding a home on his soft supple skin had me aching.  Yet at the same time I was filled with a sense of satisfaction.  i am also filled with longing to repeat my atrocities."  Her words whispered.  She had leaned in close to his ear her tongue teasing him. 

She was no longer the young women he met in the ally.  She was something woefully different. 

Sabre shivered in delight as she teased him, he saw her creation as something of perfection, something that might be as cruel and as wanton as himself.  His fingers lightly toyed at the skin of her throat and he took a sip of his wine.

"You are perfectly wicked my love....and I desire you all the more for it." He said.

"We must plan and plot you and I to find a way to obtain what we want....what we need....to indulge you in your new found pleasure."

Bel and Trayder would be watching them both quite carefully, but if the Protectorate Demand were truly failing then it would mean the boy's father where ever he was was weakening, his power waning.  Sabre pondered this, Jelenis' father was his enemy...he had been drawn to this servitude through trickery and deceit.  He was a Demon Prince and Jelenis should be his slave, it was his right to do such a thing...to take the son of another Demon who was his enemy.

"Flori....if I stole Jelenis and I hid him from Bel and Trayder, would you still follow me my love...would you be his jailer, his mistress, and teach him for me." He purred.

"Would you have the strength to break my enemy...to bring forth his Demon Blood?"

He would have to bide his time of course, not straight away....they would be expecting something, and the boy's banishment mark would have to be negated.

He lightly stroked her thigh through the velvet skirt, a gesture to inflame her passions.

"I would have you pick a place we can spirit him to and that I can mask from Bel and Trayder....you need to think of a place we can go....not close to here." He whispered, his dark eyes meeting hers, his lips a hair's breadth from her own.

Flori rested her head on his shoulder her small hands stroking his hair.  The hair of moonbeams she mused.  Listening to him only fueled her desire to please him.  Show him her true devotion.  His soft touches flooding her with reassurance.  Her own touching becoming increasingly bolder.  She let her hand fall to his chest and then back up his neck.  Repeating the soft butterfly touches filled her with longing to do so without his tunic.  Her lips part as she breathes his scent in. 

She needs to pay attention and she tries to snap out of her lustful thoughts.  Plan for their future.  Yes she desperately wanted this one in which they would have those things he had spoken of earlier.  On in which Sabre best his enemies and keeps his little prize called Jelenis.  Her nostrils flare a little at his name.  She has no idea why but something inside her hardens with his name.  He hurt Sabre.  Therefore he must pay.

"I would my love.  Follow you to hell and back Sabre.  This you have my word.  I will help you in any way you so desired me to.  I will be his jailer, his mistress, his teacher. I will be all that you only needed to ask."  His hand on her thigh elicited a moan.  "I will never break!  Never!  I will bring out his Demon for you to behold and make your servant.  All who oppose you will soon regret they ever did."  Her head rolled back as she spread her legs ever so faintly apart.  Her eyes lowed and ladled with hunger.

Something triggered her memory.  His lazy gentle caressing just there bring her to heights she had never been.  But, a memory trigged and she tried to right herself.  She placed her hands on his chest.  "I know of the place.  I cannot speak of it hear can I?  This Bel can he know my thought?"  She looked at him questioningly.

Indeed she knew of the place to start and hide Jelenis once she put their plan into action.  The abandon fort.   The one her family had spotted on their many treks.  Yes the fort in the Kilanthro Mountains.  It was hard to access and the perfect hiding spot! 

Sabre's eyes brightened with interest and he could scent her desire for him.

"Our conversation is shielded from him....they only hear what I want them to hear." He whispered softly.

"Where is this place where we might train our slave?" He mused lightly stroking the velvet bodice of her dress.

He knew she wanted him, and in all honestly his desire had reached a fevered height too.

"Let us continue our conversation in a private room, we can speak freely and get to know each other." He set her from his lap and rose to take her hand.

"This inn has rooms where there are beds yes?" He grinned.

"Perhaps you can tame me for the eve Flori."

Relieved that the other two could not know her thoughts made speaking to him easier.  The stories she had heard of demons must surly be false.  Sabre was kinder to her then any human or elf.  She loved how strong he was and knew that he would always protect her.

At the mention of the room her blush deepened to match the dress.  A nod of yes was all she could handle as she tried to still her beating heart.  "Ingrid, we will need to pay Ingrid."  She felt as though she was floating.  Sabre paid for the room and guided her forward. 

He stopped her at their door and her enter first.  He neither forced himself or pressured her.  Making her still feel safe.  Making her still feel as though it was her own choice.

She would show him the way to the fort.  It was located roughly in Northern Le'raana, between the Sionad Valley and the kingdom of Connlaoth.  A map, Flori would draw him a map.  It wasn't close but it was perfect to hide someone or thing in.  It may not be empty either.  But she would tell him all this once secure in their room.

Once the door was closed she wasn't sure really what to do so she looked to him for guidance.

Sabre looked about the room, it most certainly was not what he wanted, there was no richness to it, no opulence but it would do for now.  He looked to the young woman and smiled ruefully.

"One day I will give you a room with a golden bed and jewelled covers and soft pillows!"

He sat on the edge of the bed and beckoned her to him.

"Tell me of this place my Honey Flower....this place that will be our home.....this place where we will educate Jelenis."

He slowly began to unbutton his shirt to reveal that muscled chest she had been thinking about, upon it were odd black tattoos, symbols, placed here and on his back, she would see those in the mirror. His black eyes gazed upon her openly.

"Does this please you Flori?" He whispered huskily to her.

"Do you want me love?

His hands reached out to pull her closer to him, sliding over the velvet skirt to caress her rear through the rich material.

"Do you want to tame me Florii like you did Jelenis?" He said with a knowing smile.

Jelenis was dreaming and those dreams that coursed through his repose were not good.  He was being beaten again by the girl in that shop, his nakedness apparent, his shame more so.  Somewhere he could hear Sabre laughing.  He did not understand it, why Sabre was being so cruel to him, surely not over sending him away....surely not.

It was like the dream just repeated over and over but with subtle differences each time....the girl might be laughing as cruelly as Sabre.  She might be beating him with a thin cane and not a whip....in one it was Sabre that hurt him, thrashed him bloody.

He woke with a cry, though he could not see Bel and Trayder at the moment he knew they were there.

How could he let this affect him so?

It was not the first time he had taken a whipping, he had been chastised as a child on one or two occasions, once by a school master who used a cane...Sabre had killed him for that, once he had been turned over his mother's knee and hit with a slipper until he sobbed and begged for forgiveness for whatever it was he had done....oddly they had let the woman live for that, though Sabre had pushed her down the stairs when she had taken him to a physician about his 'imaginary' friends.  These events had not made him feel so small....why this one?

He turned over to lay on his side, Sabre was close....he could sense him to a degree though not as strongly as the other two now.  He did not know why that would be. The walls were thin in this place, in one of the rooms next to him he could hear the moans and groans of a pair of lovers obviously deeply involved in their pleasures.

That caused his face to flush too....he had never experienced such....never likely would...when a lover found out what he was.  It had scared him what had almost happened in the shop...Sabre had left him at the mercies of that terrible man...one who would have deflowered him in an unnatural way;  He did not have a desire towards men.....and to be forced thus would have been the worst humiliation to suffer.

Jelenis bit his lip.....perhaps the morning might be better, things always looked worse in the dark.

Trayder watched the boy silently from where he sat, unseen, Jelenis was an innocent despite his blood and tonight weighed heavily on his young mind. He knew the boy would not get over this easily and Sabre and his harlot had much to answer for.

"Sabre, it is the perfect place.  It is in Northern Le'raana, between the Sionad Valley and the kingdom of Connlaoth.  The region is quite cold.  Mostly ice and snow.  The mountains themselves are a natural barrier.  I can draw us a map as I am quite familiar with the area.  The fort though may need some tending too as it has been vacant many a year." 

He began to remove his shirt but she tried to not stare but he was beautiful.  His silvery hair, his dark eyes.  His sculptured body.  His tattoos.  She wanted to run her hands over them.  These thoughts made her cheeks flame even more.  She had never desired anyone before.  She had never wanted another before.  Her body responded to his, with just a look.  A soft sigh escaped as she realized she had stopped talking.  "Um, yes.  The fort.  It might have other vagrants about."  Her words were spoken in a jerky fashion as if she was having trouble staying focused.

When his eyes fell upon her and he whispered his sirens song she was helpless.  She could only nod. 

She did not stop him from pulling her closer all night she had craved this.  In the back of her mind she begged for this to happen. 

She found the power of speech, "I do Sabre!  I want every part of you.  I want to love you like no one else has.  I want to tame you.  Own you. I want you to desire me and only me.  I want to give you pleasure you never before felt.  I want to be your air, food, water...your life's blood."  Her eyes flashed with lust.  Her lips parted.  Darkened by the wine they too appeared red.  The she pulled herself close to him, her mouth finding his.  It was a kiss of possession.  She wanted to mark him as hers. She moaned into his mouth as she claimed what she thought was love.  To her it was, for she had never felt such emotions before.  She was his and forever he was hers.

Sabre gave in to her desire, and several hours later they lay sated upon the sheets, Sabre enjoyed the way her hands moved possessively across his chest, stroking the tattooes and runes there.

"Have you well mastered me Flori?" He purred.

"Or do you think this particular stallion will need a wealth of further training?"

He knew he had not disapppointed her, certainly he had felt the pinnacle of her release as they had bedded.  He wondered what their little life was going to be like locked up in this fortress in the place of snow and ice.  There would be plenty to look forward to as she tamed Jelenis...he would give her anything she wanted....any tool she needed to further her lusts and desires in that area.

"I wonder if this fort of your has a suitable dungeon to chain our prisoner in?" He whispered.

"Would you like to see him chained as your slave in a dungeon Flori?" He said as he reached to pull her towards him again.

Flori traced the outlines of his tattoos.  She had much to learn of him.  Her he lay next to her.  A demon.  Her demon.  She wanted nothing more at this moment.   She felt his body move slightly with his breathing and it was comforting.  She blushed at the memories but not of embarrassment.  It was as if she know understand the connection of physical desire.  Her voice husky "I believe you will require a wealth of further training."  Chuckling she plated small, tender kisses across his chest. 

She released him and rolled unto her back as she thought about him showing her the way.  He was tender yet rough.  Giving yet dominant all at the same time.  She was now his lover as he was hers.  Flori's hand reached over and began to trace circles on his abdomen.  Closing her eyes she visualized the road to Northern Le'raana. 

"Mmmm, I should think it would.  If not I am sure I can come up with something.  A room with a view perhaps?  Let him see what he cannot enjoy.  Let him smell to fresh cold air but not get to experience the exhilaration of being out in it.  To see the sun yet not let it touch his skin.  Oh, yes I believe I can make a proper torture room my love."  Her eye flutter and something within her stirred.  "I want to see him beg for your mercy Sabre.  I want him to beg for your forgiveness for whatever wickedness he cast upon you.  I want him to be less than a slave."

She went willingly into his arms.  No hesitation this time.  She took as much as she gave as her nails left the telling marks. 

Sabre had shivered with pleasure as her fingers traced lazy circles on his abdomen, a deep purr coming from him almost like an over large cat, he had arched himself slightly, almost begging for more.

Her words completed the depth of pleasure for him, Flori was perfect in his eyes truly perfect, a wicked thing just like himself, it had been there simmering beneath the surface all it needed was him to bring it forth.

This time their lovemaking had been on more equal terms, her passions driving them to deeper needs, when they were done Sabre bore her scratches like trophies and he was sated having known her power that time, her mastery over him. 

He could almost feel pity for Jelenis, Flori would be a hard mistress to him, difficult to please and he was certain the boy would end up punished often.  How long would it take to break him....?
That was unclear, he would not have Trayder and Bel to save his pretty hide, but he was a half demon and he had a certain tolerance after all he had not screamed in the shop...there had only been pretty tears wept.  Flori had liked his humiliation, his tears, there would be more.

"So my love....we must plan carefully....you are skilled with potions and drugs....no...You will have to make a concoction to make Jelenis sleep deeply so we can move him to our palace of ice and snow...I will take care of the other two." He whispered softly in her ear.

"Then we can have our dreams....I will treat you like a queen....you will have fine gowns and jewels, pretty rooms....I will be king and have my throne....perhaps I might even turn Jelenis into a pretty riding horse for you on occasion....I can do that you know! Change things into other things" He winked.

He stroked down the side of her naked leg.

"Would you like that....a pretty white and black horse to ride, with a saddle, bridle  and crop of scarlet leather...a further humiliation do you think?"

He chuckled.

"I think Jelenis would make a splendid horse as the need arises!"

She rested her head on his shoulder.  Her dark hair splayed across the pillows.  "I am Sabre.  There are a few different types we could use.  The ingredients not more than a few feet from this very inn.  Do you think we can go back to Lord Hernon's shop?  There are tools I would need.  He also has a few horses at the stables we could use those.  The journey will be much easier." 

As she laid there she had never felt so complete in her life.   A day ago she was a salve.  She meant nothing to no one.  Worthless.  Now here she was with her King.  She would do anything to please him.  She closed her eyes and thought of this fortress of theirs.  With Sabre she could accomplish so much.  She opened her eyes and rolled over placing her leg around him.  She was rewarded with his touch and she could have sworn he left trails of scorch marks.

"Yes!  Sabre!  I would love you to alter him into a horse!  What fun it will be to whip his hind and make him go faster!"  The tinkling sound of her laughter echoed around the room.

"Sabre.  Also, I forgot to mention.  I no Master but I can perform enchanting of weapons and that sort.  As well as some common destruction and alteration spells. Compliments of a Mage who would visit the Lord."  Her smile was evil as she thought of the chains holding Jelenis tightening if he struggled.

"This plan I will craft the perfect sleeping potion for the young man.  And if you lure the other two demons away..."  She smiles and raises her eyebrows.   "I can go to him and pretend I am frightened of you.  Play a small ruse.  Then when he comes to comfort me have him breath in the potion.  I can have a cloth like a handkerchief.  Or maybe place it in my hair.  It may make me a bit wobbly but that might play into the ruse."  Her eyes sparked at her cunning idea.

He was surprised as he heard of her small magick , even more so as heard her cunning plan.

"Very good love.....such a plan and Jelenis being Jelenis will fall for it!"

He was pleased that she loved his plan to alter Jelenis into a pretty pony for her on occasion, hopefully she would ride him long and hard, until he was snorting and sweated, trembling beneath her power over him.

He was wondering how he might lure the other two away....ideally he needed to trap them and trap them well.  A Demon trap was needed which required mirrors and ingredients. There was time for this yet, and the night was still young.

"I do so hope you will like your pretty things Flori.....and your pretty pony!" He grinned.

"I think if you are a queen you might need a crown too.....oh Flori this is perfect indeed!"

The thought of her riding pony Jelenis was a thought indeed, she would need splendid riding clothes....and spurs too. He would watch that play out for hours, the poor pony would be a wreck by the time Flori had finished....he would make sure Jelenis retained all of his memories of that.

When Flori mentioned travelling by horses Sabre chuckled deeply, he never travelled by horse, he would transport the three of them by 'Demon Mist'. It was fast and almost instantaneous they could be there and start their delicious time together.

"My sweet love....you are the consort of a demon now.....now mundane travel and saddle sores for you....you will fly on the air in my arms....."

"Sabre I had dreamt of such lovely things when I was a girl.  But, now all I need is you.  Just you."  She gave him small light kisses on his shoulder.  Nothing heated just loving ones.  But she smiled that he wished to give her all these things.  She could see it!  "He will make a splendid pony.  I hope you will have much enjoyment watching me make him perform for you.  He will learn all manner of tricks!"

When he mentioned flying she practically shot up.  Her hair a wild cloud of dark tresses.  Eyes shining.  "Fly!"  She inhaled.  "Like the birds!  Fly!" She flopped back down next to him and cradled into his embrace.  "Oh Sabre I have been telling myself that this is real but if it isn't and I am only dreaming I hope I never awaken."  Her small hand reached for his and she brought it to her lips and kissed the palm.  "I owe you my life.  For surely if you had not saved me I would have died.  Maybe not in a physical way but my spirit for sure."

Flori yawned.  "Oh I am getting sleepy and I don't want to.  SO maybe that is a sign this isn't a dream and when I awake you will still be at my side."  She snuggled into him.  As she lay there drifting she couldn't believe this was a demon.  He felt so alive.  She wondered what other forms he could take. 

Sabre smiled as she huddled against him and he kissed her forehead, her enthusiasm for his plots and plans was a delight to him.

"I will enjoy seeing you tame that pony. I wager he will rear and buck and fight you love.....I hope you ride well." He mused.

He picked up on her thoughts about his form and it amused him, the possibilities were endless, some most depraved, but there would be time for those delights when she wanted them. He wanted this to happen now....but to rush it would spoil it and he wanted to make it as special as possible for her, every wicked moment.

There were so many torments awaiting handsome Jelenis.

She fell asleep for the first time in five years content.  As she thought of all the possibilities to come.  She slept.  At first her dreams were pleasing.  She was riding a white horse with silvery mane and tail.  It was taking her places she had never been.  She felt euphoric.  It changed subtly...  The horse which was white turned grey...then dark purple...to black.  Its eyes which had been blue changed to red.  It was breathing fire.  She gripped its mane tightly until her hands were bleeding.  She rode it harder and harder until it reared up and spit fire at an object.  The object looked like the young man.  He was just out of her grasp.  When she was just about the catch him she woke.

She was sweating. Heart pounding.  Dazed and confused she looked around the room.  Where was she?  This isn't the mud room where she slept?  SABRE!  It came all flooding back to her.  She clutched the blanket.  "Sabre?"  She asked softly.

As she woke from her dream, she would find her Sabre sat by the fireside, as Demons did not sleep.  He turned to her with a knowing smile, he had seen her dream and he had watched it with interest.

"Did you enjoy your ride my Honey Flower?" He said softly.

"Such a powerful stallion you rode...such a sweet prey you sought to catch."

He rose and come to sit on the edge of the bed, as handsome as he had been in the night, so he was by the day.  The sun through the dusty window caught his moonlight hair and his eyes were as black as obsidian.  His shirt was back on him but not yet buttoned giving him a rakish quality.

"We have much work to be about Flori my darling!" He whispered in her ear softly.

"If we are to catch our prey."

He leaned forward and kissed her lips, gently and sweetly, and gestured to the table by the door.

"I took the liberty of sending for breakfast, there are pastries, cheeses, bread and meat and some warm beverage that the maid sat genteel ladies fancy in the morning."

There on the table were the platters of food he promised and a silvery pot that steamed with a fragrant aroma.

"I have Demons to catch Flori and you have a slave to snare...I want it done by sundown....so we can go to our new home." He said in a low seductive voice.

"I want to see you flourish my love....I want to see your power grow.....I want to see you make him lower than a slave....I want to see you ride your pretty pony to exhaustion....I want these things Flori....I want to see you break Jelenis....I want you to sit at my side...my queen."

He was there!  Relief flooded through her vines.  Last night was not a dream.  She was free of Lord Hernon.  Sabre had saved her.

"You do not sleep?"  She asked then blushed, why of course he did not. "Sorry, it is just hard for me to think of you as a demon.  Not when you have done more for me in a few short hours then anyone in all my years alive."  She looked down and although she was clutching the cover still underneath she was naked.  Then even more memories came flooding back.  Her face reddened even more.  When she looked at him she caught her breath. 

Sabre was the most beautiful man..no...demon man...she had ever seen.  His mane resembled the horse in her dreams.  His clothing reminded her of the second horse.  Yes he would lead her to greatness. 

She looked over and smiled at the amount of food.  "I have never had such luxuries.  You are spoiling me Sabre."  Forgetting her nakedness she pushed the blankets asides and walked to the tray.  She had never been so bold.  But with him it seemed natural, not sexual. 

She nibbled a slice of cheese.  It was creamy, sharp, and had a delicate aroma.  She moaned.  "Sabre!  Oh this is delicious!  Thank you!" 

After a moment her nakedness completely forgotten.  She was his.  "Oh you know my dreams!  I almost had him Sabre!  I think you were my stallion in my dreams.  You are my white night my savior and my black champion.  driving me to excellence.  I need you to fulfill our greatest hopes and dreams."

As she ate she nodded.  "Yes Sabre.  After this I will dress and collect those ingredients.  I will use Lord Hernons shop?  No?"  She asked.  "We need to wait for about an hour after the mixture is made for potency."  She poured the tea.  "Sabre am I still mortal?"  She asked.  "I mean, is it ever possible for me to be a demon?"  She continued to eat and then noticed he wasn't.  "Did you eat?"  She looked over at him.

He watched her with some amusement as she nibbled the cheese and reached for a pastry.  He smiled as she asked her questions.

"No love you are human and will remain that until the day you die, but I can make you as feared as one!" He rose and came to stand by her reaching out to twirl a lock of dark hair about his finger.

"Also I do not eat my pet....not Human food anyway."

She outlined her plans and he set out his.

"I need three large mirrors and ink....no paint to mark the back of them." He said softly

"Trapping demons is a tricky business." His eyes slid up and down her body and he grinned.

He turned and headed back to the table to pick something up and he held it out to her.  It was the red leather riding crop he had promised.  It was a fine looking thing, topped with a silver horse head.  He also gestured to a chair across the room where there sat some fine riding clothes.

He also gestured to where some gowns lay on another small chair, made of pretty jewel coloured silks.

"Gifts for you to start your new life." He smiled sweetly.

"I have also decided that when we get to our new home I am going to turn Jelenis into your pony immediately, he can stay in the stables for a few days to teach him his place.  I will make sure he retains all his memories....and you can start to teach him his station in life!"

He handed her the crop.

"We shall see how much of a good horsewoman you are my darling....my love!"

It amused him no end and he wanted to be there the moment that Jelenis suddenly realised he was no longer Human, but sporting four legs, hooves, a mane and tail.  He would make sure he had a pretty halter with his name on it but ultimately his welfare was Flori's.  The girl would be his mistress in whatever form he was in Pony or Human. Equine Jelenis would not be broken to saddle and bridle and there in would lay Flori's first task, he wagered that Jelenis would not be accommodating in the least.

"Tell me Flori....Just because I am curious....have you had any experience breaking a horse to saddle and bridle?"

"Come to that have you the courage to be the mistress of a slave such as Jelenis who will rebel at every turn against your mastery of him?"

He knew that she had spoken the words of doing it....but what was the depth of her committment to him and the task at hand?

"I mean you gave him a fine whipping last night in the spur of the moment...would you be able to do it again?"

Flori nodded as he answered her questions.  "Not human food?"  She brushed it off not quite understanding but not sure how to question it.  When he showed her the gifts her had for her she began to cry.  Slowly she walked over to them and touched the silks.  Next she stroked the leather.  "Oh Sabre!"  She was lost in emotions.  Turning to face him her smile brightening her face as she approached him.  "What can I do for you?  Here you keep giving and I have nothing to offer you in return."  Turning to face him she took his hands letting her locks fall gently around her and kissed each of his hands softly.

She thought for a moment about what he needed.  Ink was not a problem.  "I know that Lord Hernon had ink.  We could just use those.  Mirrors?"  She tilted her head before remembering the ones in the bedroom.  "Sabre!  Lord Hernon had some mirrors in his bedroom.  Perhaps we can use those?"  Yes, there had to be three he could use.  "I am most curious about this part of the plan.  Will they be able to call upon another demon if they are trapped to come after us?"

He handed her the crop and she touched it as though it might dissipate.  Never had she felt something so exquisite.  "It is beautiful."  She wanted to put them on right away.   "It will be most exciting to see how he reacts once he is made into a pony!  I am glad you are not making me wait.  Better to get him right into his training.  He will not forget that he brought it upon himself.  All he had to do was honor you.  Foolish boy." 

"I have Sabre.  My family, before Lord Hernon fooled my parents that is, I traveled with them.  We sold items from our caravan.  From time to time we had to obtain new horses.  I have broken a few, one was even a war horse."  She said the last part proudly. 

She began to wash up by the vanity.  Pour water into the blow from the pitcher provided.  She traced some of the marks he had given her last night and smiled.  Closing her eyes and reminiscing.  He had given her so much.  Her answer was easy. 

"Sabre.  You said you would help me be the most feared.  Well you never need worry if I can perform a task.  I can and will whip him again.  In fact I ache to do it again.  Have no doubt that I shall punish this Jelenis.  But more so I want him humiliated.  I should think this is his weakness.  As it is most of mankind's."  Her expression went from one of warmth for her lover to a cold unforgiving one at the thought of Jelenis.  She was growing to hate the young man.  Yet she had no idea why.  She just knew he needed to be reminded of his humiliations daily.

Sabre was overwhelmed at her coldness and viciousness towards Jelenis it was like a balm to his dark heart to hear her.  He was so pleased that she liked her gifts, it was easy to please one who had not very much for most of her life.

He was pleased indeed to know about the mirrors, it would make life easier if they were readily available.

He knew just how he would bring the two demons to him, a ruse of his repentence to his unholy bretheren, they would not be able to resist such a thing.

"The triangle of mirrors will trap Bel and Trayder, then I plan to dig a very deep hole in your master's cellar and bury it.  As long as the triangle remains unbroken they will not escape." He purred.

He listened to her words about her life with her parents in which she had broken some horses, her pride at breaking a war horse.

"I am afraid he will be nothing as grand as a war horse...he will be a long legged unruly young stallion which will require your utmost attention...I will like to watch you at work Flori darling."He purred.

Her kisses on his hands made him shiver with delight and he could feel the depths of her anger and hatred towards Jelenis.  The young man was going to have a very hard time, brutal most likely, especially if she was not afraid to punish him to her fullest strength.

"Jelenis is a boy who needs to experience humiliation...he has so little experience of it my Honey Flower....seeing him whipped by you was the first time I have seen true humiliation in him."

Flori felt elated.  She wanted him to be proud of her.  She finished dressing into one of the gowns.  It was emerald green with ivory trim.  It fit her perfectly.  She fixed her hair, tying two braids with some of her front hair and clasping them in the back.  The rest hung softly about her shoulders. 

"Indeed he does Sabre."  She nodded.  Once finished she walked over to him.  "Do you like how I look Sabre?"  Her eyes fluttered.

"I will go collect the herbs."  She stopped at the door and pondered what she would gather.  "Sabre, I want the sleeping potion to cause a temporary long term sleep.  Several hours' worth.  I am going for something that causes no stress right now.  I just want to be able to have him sleep.  So I will collect Lavender, Valerian Root and Passionflower."  Turning to face him once more she asked, "Are you coming with me or did you wish to check on the mirrors?"

His dark eyes took in the vision of her in the emerald silk and he sighed softly.

"Something is not right!" He frowned, stepping forward to touch her throat.

He turned her to look in the mirror to see the beautiful necklace of gold and emeralds.

"That I think is much better." He said leaning to kiss her below her ear.

As she would turn back to look at him she would see his clothing had changed to match the same shade of emerald and his shirt was a gentle shade of Ivory.

He held out his arm to her and tilted his head in a most gentlemanly way.

"Let us go and check for what we need shall we....I am eager to go to our new home and to have some fun." He purred.

"I am so excited Flori.....finally that boy will be taught his place."

When he approached and something wasn't quite right she became distressed a bit.  But he touched her softly and appeared a necklace of which she couldn't have even dreamed.  She touched it gingerly.  Her smile radiated.  When she looked up are him her smile grew even further.  He looked magnificent in his matching attire. 

"Thank you."  She took his arm and followed him out of the room and through the inn out onto the road.   "Yes I am eager myself."

She indicated for them to go left of the inn.   An ally opened up and there was a small garden.  "This is where we kept some of the herbs and flowers.  The garden had a rough wooden fence the gate etched with Lord Hernon's name.  She opened the gate and began to rummage looking for the three ingredients she would require.    She bunched them together and old habits die hard as she was careful not to tear or stain her dress.  She gathered them up and walked to him.  "We are ready to brew.  Shall we?"

She proceed with him to Lord Hernons shop.  She hesitated before opening the door.  Just a bit wary of what she may see within.

He held her momentarily and allayed her worries.

"He is dead Flori....he lays in his blood and urine a small man!" He kissed her lightly.

"Look not on him....brew the potion and I will look for the mirrors and ink......take what you want from this place."

He led her within, his eyes looking to the table which on the previous night Jelenis took his first whipping by a slip of a girl....Flori....who now was a woman as wicked as Sabre himself.

"Do you want the whip or would you like a new one?" He said after a moment.

"I could get you a fine whip crafted for you sweet hand."

He watched as she set down her ingredients and fetched her pots.

She took a deep breath and nodded at his reassurance.  He opened the door and she went straight to work.  Pulling the various pots and stone grinders she would need.  Adding water to it and setting the hearth fire ablaze with a little magic.  She grinded the lavender and collected its nectar.  Once the pot boiled she add it.  Next she put the entire Valerian Root and just the petals of the Passionflower She looked up at him and smiled fondly at the whip she had once hated and feared. 

"I think we should take that one no matter what love.  Show it to him as a reminder of how his humiliation began."  She chuckled lightly. 

She stirred the mixture and let it cook for a bit.  She hoped the mirrors Lord Hernon had would work for him.  She called to him, "Sabre, can you use those mirrors?  The ink is in the study by his desk.  As is the key to his safe which he keeps behind the one very large mirror.  We could help ourselves to that.  I will just take my alchemy journal.   

He studied the mirrors, they would do and he took each one down, they were all roughly the same height which was good.  He set about putting them in the back room and then he went for the ink.  He chuckled to himself as he heard his darling's comment about the whip.

"Very well Flori....take that one....I will get you other delights so that you might further cause his shame....there are potentially many."

His eyes slid to the safe and he took that mirror down to reveal it. He needed no key as he touched the safe and it clicked out and he pulled the door.  Inside was gold....they would take that....gold was good, there was also some sort of contract, the contract which held Flori.  He pulled that out and held it out to her.

"Do you want the pleasure of destroying this?" He asked simply.

The smell of the mixture was pleasant and he was sure that Jelenis would think that when he finally inhaled it.  He would then take them both to this fortress and it would begin. He would have his dark and wicked queen.....Jelenis would have a life of servitude and misery, sometimes as a human ....sometimes as Flori's pet pony, though Sabre was sure both would know her ire and displeasure.

Jelenis woke again later that morning after finally getting back to sleep, the only things that seemed better with the daylight were Sabre was not there still and to be honest Jelenis could not face him right now.  He had been downright mean last night, spiteful and wicked, but Jelenis suppose that was what Sabre was like most of the time being a Demon.

There was some bread and cheese on the table near the window and a flagon, Jelen rose to eat a little something and found the flagon contained apple juice which was sweet and refreshing. He felt awkwardly stiff this morning, though Trayder had healed the worst of his punishment he felt sore and sitting was uncomfortable.

He cursed Sabre and the girl, silly weak minded thing that she was, had to be to fall to Sabre's corruption so quickly.  It surprised him though how she took to her wickedness so readily, the desire to inflict pain.  He scowled at the memory of it, the shame of humiliation making his pale cheeks redden again.  All he did was try to pry her away from Sabre and he ended up well whipped and almost raped for the favour.

"You are welcome to each other...you and your hellish bitch!" He said sharply to the thin air.

He did not sense Trayder and Bel nearby, likely they were trying to find out what Sabre was up to or how he broken the part of the Protectorate that held him.  The only way Jelenis thought that could happen was if his absent father was dying....was he dying somewhere?

Flori grasped the contract.  Whit shaking hands she opened it.  As she read the document her eyes began the flash with anger.  She crumpled it and held it to her chest.  But another emotion took over.  She smoothed the document and rerolled it as properly as she could.  "No Sabre.  I want to keep this.  For once we get Jelenis and have him reasonably settled I would like to go find my ever so loving parents who sold me off.  Teach them a lesson.  Repay them for their concern.  Their love."  Her sarcasm practically dipping from her voice.

She tucked the document into her journal.  "Everything is ready Sabre.  I don't want to put the potion in my hair too soon or it may affect me too much.  So just let me know when you are ready for me to go collect our pony."  She smiled coyly at him and giggled.

The mirrors were set, and the runes inked on the floor that would hold Trayder and Bel until he had sprung the triangle traped about them and sealed it.

He listened as she spoke of her parents and he felt a little odd.

"I would miss you if you went away Flori." He said softly.

He brightened at the suggestion that she was ready to go fetch Jelenis.

"I need to summon Bel and Trayder...once they step into that circle I have them....you can go find our pretty pony and catch him!"

He laid a carpet over the floor so the runes were not visible.

"Don't want them getting suspicious....hide behind that curtain Flori love."

He watched as she did as he asked and then he held up his hand, he stood just outside the edge of the circle.

"Brothers....come.....I would speak of last night!" He said gutterally in the Demon Language.

There was silence and then a rush of wind and the two demons appeared, Sabre took a breath and lowered his head.  They were just outside of the circle too, opposite him....he just need to coax them both in and then the trap would be sprung.

Bel looked to Sabre with some disdain, and Trayder's look was downright hostile.

"You have much to answer for over last night Sabre....you hurt Jelenis and for what...to impress your slut?" Trayder hissed.

Sabre feigned shame and he stepped back away from them, and the pair stepped forward as if to confront him, Sabre felt it, a soft glimmer, a little further and it would be done.

"Jelenis was mean to me...I was being nice to him when I asked him to be mine and he banished me!"

Both Demons took another step forward and there was a massive thunderclap and the runes glowed red hot through the carpet. Trayder stared about himself as did Bel, and neither were happy....and somewhat worried.

"What have you done Sabre!" Bel hissed.

Sabre grinned and fetched his odd triumverate of mirrors and opened them outwards.

"What needed to be done.....that boy needs teaching a lesson and Flori and myself wish to teach it.....isn't that right my love.....come and tell Bel and Trayder what you are going to do to their precious little lord!"

She had been holding her breath.  She had never witnessed anything like this and she felt the dark almost magic working.  She knew it wasn't really magic but it was the best she could compare it too.  She was enthralled.  Truly Sabre was a genius.  As he spoke in a foreign tongue it excited something deep within her.  It heightened her senses.  She felt alive. 

The thunder clap had her tremble.  But she smiled. 

Flori stepped from behind the curtain.  As Sabre spoke in her tongue now.  She gave such an innocent and bewildered smile.  The winked allowing her smile to turn into something of pure evil.  "I should think your precious lord will be fooled by my innocence.  He shall come to my aide for he knows no other way.  Then when I have him in my gasps he will fall into a deep sleep.  But, the fun won't start until he is transformed into my white beautiful pony.  Then I shall punish him for disobeying Sabre!"  She clasped her hands together.  "I am going to have so much fun whipping him to run faster and faster!  Tell me you two do you think he prefers to be whipped on his rear quarters or his chest?  I shall starve him of affection.  He will cry again for me.  Those delicious tears of utter shame.  I will remind him how he could have prevented it if only he had given into our lord Sabre.  Silly foolish boy."

She walked to Sabre's side and hugged him.  "Sabre.  I must prepare and he mustn't know you are close less he suspect.

As Flori spoke her wicked words Trayder howled in anger and Bel glared at her with pure hatred.  This amused Sabre no end and as the girl embraced him he kissed her deeply, his hand moving to caress her in her sensitive places through the silk of her gown.

"Go my dark angel....trap him and we shall leave, just call my name when he sleeps!"

He grinned to the two trapped demons.

"I think he will make a fine pony for my queen, but he best mind himself she is a strict rider and will stand for no nonsense!"

He set the mirrors about the trapped demons enclosing them inside and tying them shut.  There was the odd sound of tinkling glass and Sabre spoke in his demon tongue again. Bel and Trayder were now trapped in the mirrors, there would be none to stop their plans once he had safely stowed them away.

Flori leaned into his embrace a small satisfied moan escaped.

Pulling from him she smiled lovingly at him "I shan't be long love."  She went into the other room where the finished potion waited to her.  She poured it into her hands and held her breath as she fingered it through her long dark tresses.  For good measure she put some behind her ears and the back of her neck like one would do a perfume.  It she exhaled and taking some breaths she could feel it already making her a bit woozy.  No time to waste.  She hurriedly as best she could to the inn.

At the inn she asked the barkeep what room Jelenis was in, she had an important message from his Lord Sabre.  No one there knew of the relationship.  He directed her appropriately.  He even asked of her wellbeing as she seemed a bit off.  Smiling she said yes.  But this made her more confident this would work.

She took the stairs up and approached his door.  Already despair and tears on her face.  She tousled her hair.  Knocking lighting, hesitantly, she whispered in a voice filled with despair and fear..."Excuse, Jelenis right?  Oh please open, oh please.  I have no one to go to and I am in dire need of help."  As she spoke she let her tears turn to sobs.

Jelenis heard the voice outside and it sounded desperate, truly desperate, he rose and went cautiously to the door and opened it to find the girl....the one who had beaten him the night before.  She looked a wreck, tearful and scared.

"What do you want?" He said sharply, gazing at her suspiciously.

Jelenis did not have much experience of women, let alone sobbing disheveled ones.  Should he help her, was it a trick.....he could not sense Sabre close, but nor could he sense Bel or Trayder.

"Why have you come here?" He asked, softening slightly at her tears.

He ran a hand through his jet black silken hair which had fallen boyishly over his silver grey eyes.  His skin was pale, and he gestured her in with an elegant hand.

"You should not have gone with Sabre....he is an unruly wicked brute!" He said softly.

"Yes you are right.  But please know I didn't want to hurt you.  I don't know why I did.  I don't understand what is happening.  All I wanted was a quiet evening walk."  She entered the room and sobbed into her hands.  "Oh please forgive me.  I di-di-did't want too.  I know ho-ho-how it felt.  The Master did it to me too many times to recount.  Took everything from me."  Her voice was horse and the potion made her wobbly, unsteady.   

She approached him looking truly saddened.  "Ple-Pleplease Jel-Jel-Jelenis help me.  He had his-his-oh..."  She gasped.  "His way with me!  And I acted as if I wanted it!  Wh-wh-what is happening to me?"  She clutched his arm.  "Please help me be free?"  She held her arms open silently asking to be comforted.  "Please...."  She whispered "I need help...."

Jelenis did not know what to do as she opened her arms for comfort, poor girl, charmed and used by the damn brute that was meant to protect him!

He let her rest against him and tried to comfort her.

"I am sorry....truly I am....if I could punish him I would....really....!"

Her hair smelled so lovely....like Lavender, she smelled like it all over. Lavender and something else. He inhaled it, holding her, trying to make it alright.  For some reason his head felt heavy, he did not understand it, his thoughts wandering.....his eyes heavy.  Why....what was it?

"I.....am...." His thoughts felt disjointed.

"What have you done......what?"

He stumbled back from her and fell against the bed....disorientated.

"What.....have......" He could not get his words out.

She remained still letting him inhale.  She tried not the breath herself too much but could feel the potion working her over as well.  She gave him only an innocent expression.  Letting him fell dazed and confused as he fell backwards.

Once he fell to the potion she stumbled forward.  The potion also affecting her.  She made it over and sat next to Jelenis.  She brushed his hair away from his face.  She closed her eyes, swayed and the jerked up.  She called to him..."Sabre...Please come get us I...I...Sabre..."

She fell on top of Jelenis.  Her head resting on his chest.  The soft sounds of sleep filling the air.

Sabre had hidden the mirrors away and he heard Flori's call, when he arrived in the room he saw her on top on Jelenis and he felt a pang of jealousy seeing her thus....she was his queen not his!

"Oh no...that won't do!" He hissed, pulling Flori away from Jelenis.

He held her close to him and breathed gently into her face, he would wake her, they would share this triumph and she needed to be awake for leaving....she had been so excited about travelling in the Demon Mist.

"Wake my dark queen....wake and see your power....wake my darling!"

His eyes fell to Jelenis, so handsome....it would be better when he was transformed she would not see him as this until he turned him back.

"Flori!" He called sweetly.

"Honey Flower.....wake up!"

She could hear him.  She fought.  It was as if something was pulling her back.  When she looked she could only see silver grey eyes and dark hair pulling her.  She struggled to be free of it.

She heard him again.  Wake!   Yes wake Flori wake.  She fought against this mysterious force holding her from her King.  SABRE her mind screamed!  And her called her that magic name...And just like that the invisible grasp of what held her broke and she went running to her dark knight.

She woke with a start!  "SABRE!!!"  She clutched him as she fought the remains of the potion.  Calmer now in his hold she raised her head to him, "Sabre, are we successful?  Did I do well?"

He grinned and turned her gently round to view the sleeping young man sprawled on the bed.

"You did my darling.....you got the half breed brat!"

He stroked her hair and kissed her mouth, his fingers lightly the curve of her neck and he whispered to her.

"Time to go home my pretty.....time for you to tame him!" He trailed off.

He went to the bed and yanked Jelenis to his feet and hefted the boy over his shoulder and then he turned back to Flori and slipped his arm about her waist grasping her against him.

"We travel by Demon Mist to your Fortress love.....hold tightly to me and take a deep breath!"

The mist started to form about them, Sabre had picked the location from Flori's mind. Within a short time they would be there.

((Thread to continue in Kilanthro Mountains under 'The Fortress'))