William King - Stealer of Flesh

One way or another he was right, Kormak thought.

When he heard the strange knock, Kormak rose grasped the poker and walked over to the door. He unbarred the door and was not entirely surprised to see the Lady Kathea standing there. She had a night-light in her hand.

“May I come in?” she asked. Her hair was unbound. There were traces of cosmetics on her face. The pupils of her eyes seemed very large and reflected the light she held.

“This is your home.” She took that as an assent and walked by him, close enough so that he could smell her perfume. The fabric of her long dress brushed against him as she walked. She went over to the fire and stood beside it.

“So they have asked you to help them?” she said.

“Lady?”

She turned and looked at him over her shoulder. “They have asked you to help them with the ancient prison they have found. The one with the demon in it.”

Kormak just looked at her, not sure where this was going. She spoke to fill the silence as he had known she would.

“I am curious. Will you help them? Are you tempted?”

“How do you know what your husband seeks?”

“Because he is my husband. I know what he dwells upon. I know his obsessions. I know the books of poetry he reads. I know what he dreams of. He was not the sort of man who would seek glory on a battlefield but this represents glory of another sort.”

“You think he wants glory?”

“I think he dreams a dream that has been dreamt by others in the past, never to good effect.”

“You do not approve?”

“At first I thought it was a fancy, like many of his others. He has developed some obsessions in the past, Sir Kormak. With alchemy, with ancient books and lore. I can see now that all of those obsessions led him to this. I never really expected it to go anywhere. But then his agents located that flask and the wizard and he seems determined to go ahead with his plan.”

“And you think I should help him?”

“I think he will proceed whether you help him or not.”

“I sense you do not approve of this.”

“It is madness, Sir Kormak. Surely you can see this? The others, they do not. They are all caught up in it. Lord Tomas can be a very persuasive man. We are in a world where he commands everything and a long way from anywhere else. This place has its own deceptive reality. It swallows you up, devours all common sense if you stay long enough.”

“Except in your case, apparently.”

She smiled sadly. “You don’t believe me?”

“I am wondering why you have chosen to confide your doubts in me, so soon after the matter was discussed with your husband. It seems a trifle convenient.”

“You are a very suspicious man.”

“Being so has helped keep me alive.”

“I am sure that is the case, given the life you lead.”

“I will not be allowed to leave here alive if I do not aid your husband. Telling you I planned not to help him would undoubtedly shorten my life.”

“You think I will report what you say to my husband? Is that what you think?” There was anger in her voice. She moved closer to him, looked up into his eyes. Their bodies were almost touching.

“Won’t you?” She swallowed but her face was calm. Her lips were slightly parted. With her head held back he could not help but notice the way her hair tumbled down her back.

“I doubt it would make much difference. My husband has given his word not to harm you and I am sure he will keep it.”

“Telling me anything different would be foolish.”

“You do not know Tomas like I do. He is a man who keeps his word. Even if he was not, he fears the vengeance of your order. A man who plans to live forever would be foolish to court the enmity of an organisation with the will and the power to terminate his unending existence.”

“People are rarely so logical when they are afraid.”

“My husband is.”

“You are saying that if I tell him I would not help, he will let me go?”

“I said he would not kill you. I suspect he would hold you here until he has achieved his goal. I also think he would borrow the use of your sword and your amulets. My husband is a bold man in his own way, and a wealthy one, and he is used to getting his way.”

There was something in the way she said it that made him realise she resented her husband very much. He suspected that she was probably telling him the truth as she saw it as well.

“You know this and you think I should try and stop him?”

“I have read of Solareon and his war with the Ghul. That flask was sealed for a reason. You know that and I know that. Tomas knows it too. He just chooses to ignore it because he believes he is immune to the consequences that normal mortals must face. And why should he not? For all of his life he has been.”

“Let us, for the sake of argument, assume that I believe you. How am I supposed to stop your husband, when I am weak and he has a keep full of men at arms, and a sorcerer at his disposal? I suspect your husband has some skill in that field as well.”

“Tarsus is old and weak and not long for this world.”

“All the more reason for him to seek the secrets of immortality. He is in desperate need of them. He wants what that amphora can give him.”

“Wanting something and having the strength to seize it are two different things,” she said. She let her dress slip from her shoulder. She was naked beneath and very beautiful. She moved closer. Her breasts flattened against his chest. She put a finger on his lips. He reached forward and grabbed her lush hair with his fist and twisted. She stood on her tip-toes, a faint moan emerged from her parted lips. She simply looked into his eyes knowingly.

He threw her on the bed and pushed his weight down on top of her. She welcomed him willingly.

“Why do you hate your husband?” Kormak asked, as they lay naked on the bed. She smiled at him lazily.

“Is that what you think this is about?”

“Isn’t it?”

She looked away. The fire had died down. “In part, I suppose. My husband bought me from my brother, in return for my brother’s position as his factor. I was just another thing he collected and then lost interest in. Now I am here, in this isolated place, where no one knows me or respects me, with a man whose indifference is worse than dislike. I am a prisoner here, Sir Kormak, in much the same way as you are.”

“So you admit I am a prisoner.”

“You will be treated with every courtesy but you will not be allowed to leave until you have done what my husband requires.”

“You said he fears the enmity of my order.”

“We are a long way from Mount Aethelas and your order will not investigate unless you die or are a long time returning. Is that not so?”

Kormak nodded. “You have no weapons and your horse will be found to be lame. Reasons will be given to put off your departure. Unless you force the matter, you will not be physically restrained.”

“And if I give your husband the help he seeks?”

“Are you tempted to?” She sounded worried.

“Your husband is a rich man. He might reward me well for his help. By the Sun, he might make me immortal.”

“You don’t really think that is possible, do you?”

“It may be.”

“And you would help my husband free a demon in order to gain its knowledge?” She looked at him angrily. Again, she seemed sincere.

“It is something I need to consider.”

She turned to face him. The length of her naked body pressed against his. “You are a very cautious man. You still don’t trust me, do you?”

Kormak shrugged. “I don’t trust anybody.”

“Not even yourself, it seems.”

The door burst open. Lord Tomas was there. Wesley was beside him and a number of men at arms. They looked ready to use their weapons at the slightest provocation. Naked and unarmed, Kormak did not fancy his chances against them.