by Jack Porter
It wasn’t a moat in the truest sense—a ditch that had been dug around the castle walls to help defend it. Nor was it filled with water.
It was more like a crevasse.
Teetering for a bit at the edge, I grew light-headed as I tried to fathom just how deep the trench went. A fresh sweat broke out on my face, and my mouth went dry.
Only a faint blue glow emanated upward from below, but all it did was illuminate the dark rock walls.
“What causes the glow?” I asked.
Ashyn—Nya—pulled me back from the brink. “It is deeply old magic, put in place when the castle was built.”
“Who built the castle?” I asked, wiping my mouth with my hand.
“Our foremothers and their families, fleeing the wrath of the newly crowned Wraith King.”
“A thousand years ago?” I asked incredulously. “How is he that old? Is he immortal?”
“Not exactly,” Nya said, motioning for us to cross the drawbridge. “No one in Hell is an immortal being. But something keeps the Wraith King alive. We have not yet found out what power he possesses to do this.”
“Damn,” I said. A thousand years old. “And what is he exactly? A wraith?”
Ilana shook her head. “He was once a man, I think. Although there are rumors that he’s turned into something else now.”
“A man doesn’t live to be a thousand years old.”
“Correct,” she said, nodding. “Which is why he may have transformed into something else.”
“So if you discovered the source of his fake immortality, he would die?”
Nya smiled. “We believe so, yes. But of course, no one has discovered it in the thousand years he has lived.”
“How long do elves live?” I asked.
“They have been known to live for centuries, once upon a time. Now, we die in battle well before we grow old.” Nya didn’t say this with sadness, but I felt sad for her.
Looking at Ilana, I noticed she had a smirk on her face. “Succubi live a long time, human,” she said. “But we never age.”
“So then you’ve always looked this beautiful?” I asked. It was an offhand comment, and I regretted it instantly. Not because I didn’t mean it, but because I didn’t want the succubus to think I was softening.
Ilana smiled wickedly, playing with her lower lip between the edge of her teeth. “Something like that,” she whispered.
When we stepped onto the bridge, a high, haunting horn sounded from somewhere on the battlements. I looked up and squinted against the bright red sky.
The gates were ornately carved bastions of artwork. The symbol carved in their front was a vine of thorns encircling a flame. Reinforced with steel throughout, the main gates looked as if it would take a god himself to tear them down. They were fronted with a dark portcullis, and the whole thing was monstrously beautiful. The portcullis was raised now, with a smaller door opened to let in the traffic.
But as soon as the horn sounded, a contingent of armored female elves rode through the door on black horses, gesturing for others to get out of the way. We walked over the drawbridge, and the horses met us in the middle, stamping and blowing. I feared being kicked or trampled, but the regal creatures tossed their heads, and the mounted elves formed two columns on either side of us to escort us through the first gate.
Glancing up as we moved from the outer gate to the inner gate, I saw ample murder holes for use if an enemy managed to get through the first gate. The inner gate was defended the same as the first, with guards, a portcullis, and a strong wooden gate reinforced with something that looked like steel.
The minute we stepped out again into the light, we were met by a dark female elf dressed in full armor and armed with sword, shield, and spear. The sigil on her shield was again the thorny vine encircling the flame, and her white hair flowed around her shoulders in tiny braids that reached almost to her ass.
Nya stepped forward. “Syn,” she said. “I am happy to see you.”
The elf called Syn grasped Nya’s arm and then saluted. “Your Grace. We thought you were scouting.”
“I was,” Nya said without offering an explanation. “But there is much to say. I must speak with the other six before nightfall.”
“Yes, Your Grace,” Syn said, saluting once again with her hand over her heart. She eyed me then, and a mild look of surprise crossed her beautiful, heart-shaped face. Then her purple eyes turned on the succubus beside me, and she could not hide her astonishment.
Although Syn didn’t ask questions, she couldn’t stop stealing glances at us as she summoned horses.
The gatekeeper elves offered us water to drink, and then immediately led out horses from a stable yard next to the wall. The city sloped gently upward from the wall. Here, near the gates, it was still open, with wide streets and three and four-story stone buildings.
An enormous fountain stood in the center of a square, adorned with seven statues of beautiful elven women, most of whom were naked or partially draped with robes that revealed at least one breast. Their faces were fierce, and each elf carried a weapon of some kind. I looked for the archer, who bore a striking resemblance to Nya. This archer was one of those that was partially clothed, but even the stonework was contrived in such a way to make it look like her robes were sheer. Her muscular curves were perfection, her breasts large and heavy, and yet not sagging but keeping their shape despite not having anything to hold them up.
The fountain’s statues were the most astonishing carvings I had ever seen. Each one looked as if it could jump right off the plinth and go to battle. Water flowed from their weapons into a crystal-clear pool at the base and twinkled as it caught the midday light.
The horses they had brought out for us looked swift as well as beautiful. Nya mounted a black stallion that pranced nervously until she whispered something into its ear. They brought a black mare out for the succubus, and she mounted as if she had been born atop a horse. I had never been around the animals very much and was grateful when they brought a calm brown mare to me. I mounted without too much trouble, thanking the stars that the mare seemed to know more about this business than I did.
16
My horse followed the stallion and the other mare as they made their way up the street. Before we went far, we passed a lavish-looking stone house with naked or near-naked male elves lounging on cushions or hanging over balconies. I raised a questioning eyebrow at Ilana, who smiled.
“Whores,” she said.
“But they’re all male,” I said without thinking.
“Most of them are,” Nya, who had been riding ahead of us, said. “But if you desire a she-elf, that can be arranged once we arrive at the castle. The castle pleasure servants are better.”
Now I raised both eyebrows. “No, I wasn’t interested… I mean, no thank you. I was simply remarking on the differences between your world and mine.”
Ilana leaned over in her saddle and ran a hand up my arm. “The human won’t need a whore, anyway, because I am still available if he needs some relief.”
I cleared my throat. “Thank you, but I’m fine. Really.”
No, I really wasn’t fine, especially since Ilana had moved her hand up to one of her breasts and was cupping it sensuously, her eyes half-closed and her mouth half-open. “Regardless,” she whispered seductively. “The offer is still open, Jon-man.”
I didn’t know what to say to that without betraying my resolve, so I kept my mouth shut, hoping that no drool escaped.
We crossed swiftly through the city, and elves of all ages parted for us. Most of them had dark hair, but a few had blond or even white hair like Nya and Syn. We made our way through several inner gates staggered throughout the lower tier, and each one took us higher into the city. Each gate was more ornate than the last, and each one looked stronger than the last.
When we reached the final gates before the castle, a company of female archers met us and let us in. Somewhere in the distance, a horn sounded again, beautiful and terrible at the same time. I wondered what
Nya had meant when she had asked me if I’d wanted a reward. It was true, I didn’t need one, but I had the distinct impression that the kind of reward Nya spoke of and the kind of reward the succubus spoke of were two very different things.
Inside the walls of the castle, everything looked like the horn had sounded, beautiful and terrible at the same time. The stonework on columns depicted battles, with female elves fighting with swords and bow and arrow, the expressions on their faces of horrible war cries.
Their enemies were less distinct. They looked wispy, with few faces, and only their swords really stood out among the artwork. I wondered if these were the wraiths, but I didn’t have the chance to ask as we were led along toward the castle keep surrounded by its seven impossibly tall towers. From the main city gates, they had looked impressive. From here, they looked like spikes thrust up out of the earth and into the sky.
I didn’t have time to contemplate how the elves had achieved such a wonderful feat of architecture. We were escorted into the keep and led along a corridor, which opened into a great hall.
The hall was immaculate and lit by light from high windows. Tall columns supported a vaulted ceiling, and I felt like I’d entered a gothic cathedral instead of a hall.
Seven thrones adorned a dais at the end. Six of these thrones were occupied by elves wearing armor draped with fine fabric. All of them had swords or daggers at their sides or propped against their thrones. Behind the dais was a high window that allowed more red light to spill through the hall, creating an imposing sense of atmosphere to the whole arrangement.
Nya held out her hand for Ilana and me to halt where we were, and ascended the stone steps of the dais to take a seat upon the throne at the far right. The other elves had not stirred, and they might as well have been made of stone, their faces stern and unfathomable. Even though Nya was barely clothed and travel-worn, she looked just as regal as any of the other elves on the dais.
I was acutely aware that I was still covered in blood, piss, and shit. More than ever, I yearned for a hot shower or bath, and my clothes deserved to be burned.
Nervously, I waited for Nya to speak, to tell them what happened to her. But she said nothing. At last, I realized we were waiting for the elf on the middle throne to speak, for all the other elves were gazing at her.
Her gaze moved from Nya to me, taking in my matted hair and ruined clothes, before going to the succubus. Then she scowled.
17
“I suppose you’re going to tell us some great story of your adventures, Nya,” the middle elf said, looking at Nya with a cold disdain I didn’t like.
Nya nodded. “I would not call them adventures, sister, but I do have news. The wraiths are becoming bolder, and the slavers are venturing farther away from the Black Mountains. I was taken by a small band of them.”
“And what happened to your personal guard?” the other elf asked.
Nya shook her head. “I did not take them. You know I didn’t.”
The other elf smiled cruelly. “Then you are fortunate you did not die or weren’t taken straight to the Wraith King. You disrespect your oath when you take your life into your own hands.”
Nya leaned forward slightly. “My life is my own to take or not to take as I will. But we need to know what is happening outside of our walls, and we will never know if I parade around with my guard.”
“And why is that?” another elf asked. This one had hair almost as black as Ilana’s, but her lips were painted purple to match the cloak that was draped over her shoulders. “I’ll tell you why. Because they don’t trust the elves. And we cannot trust them. I, for one, am very interested to know why these two strangers listen to our conversation.” She turned and looked straight at me. “And one of them is male and stinks.”
At this point, I wanted to roll my eyes. I knew that I stunk and was tired of having people comment on it. However, because I valued my life, I kept my mouth firmly closed and my eyes staring straight ahead.
Nya answered. “This human male saved my life and killed the sorcerer who tried to whip me into submission. And then he freed the succubus. The least I could do was bring him to safety.”
The lead elf nodded to me. “Step forward, human.”
I did as I was asked.
“How did you come to be in a position to save our dear Nya’s life?”
I didn’t know how to address her, so I settled for making sure my tone could not be misconstrued. “I was in the right place at the right time.”
“And where was that?” she asked.
“Outside the village near the Black Mountains.”
“This one does not like to give up information,” she said. “Could you be more specific, perhaps?”
Her tone was anything but kind.
“I am not intentionally keeping information from you, but I am new to this country, and I don’t know the name of the village, nor the appropriate way to address someone as high-ranking as yourself. Forgive me if I offend you, but when I met the slavers, I had been searching for nothing more than pure water and a bath.”
A few of the elves laughed.
The lead elf wrinkled her nose. “Yes, well, we can provide those things for you soon enough. And what about you, succubus?”
I could tell there was no love lost between the elves and someone like Ilana.
The succubus nodded her head. “I was also a captive of the wraiths, Your Grace, and this human male freed me. I am now in his debt and will remain with him until it is repaid.”
I stared at her. This was news to me. A few of the elves on the thrones smirked, but the middle elf simply nodded.
Then she said, “Nya, do you take these two creatures under your protection?”
Ashyn, or Nya as I needed to call her now, stood. “I do.”
“Then we will hear more about your findings once you have had time to bathe, eat, and rest.”
Nya nodded and beckoned Ilana and me to her. The succubus bowed gracefully, and since I felt like I should do something, I tried to follow her example. It was somewhat clumsy, but since no one laughed openly, I felt like I had done the right thing.
We followed Nya out of the great hall, through the castle, and into one of the seven towers. I inwardly groaned at having to climb stairs, but we didn’t have very far to go before the elf turned aside and motioned toward the door. I opened it, and inside were two young male elves dressed in plain clothes that could have been servants, waiting for me.
I looked at Nya. “Thank you,” I said.
“I will stay with Jon-man,” Ilana said.
To my relief, Nya shook her head. “Your quarters are one more flight up.”
“And where will you be, Your Grace?” I asked.
“This is my tower. You are under my protection, Jon,” Nya said. “Do not fear for your safety.”
She had guessed my thoughts, which must have been written all over my face. What was to prevent these servants from murdering me as soon as the door was closed? From the conversation in the throne room, it was obvious that the rulers of Blackhold Castle didn’t exactly get along. Before I could ask another question, Nya left with Ilana, their nearly silent footsteps fading quickly up the stairs.
18
When I entered my quarters, there was a warm fire in the fireplace, and although I had thought I never wanted to see smoke or fire again, it was welcome in the chilly room. A steaming bath sat in front of the hearth, and the servants waited for me.
Feeling uncomfortable with two male elves in the room, I waited for someone to say something. When neither of them spoke, though, I realized it was up to me. “I can bathe myself, guys,” I said.
“At least we will take your clothes, sir,” one of them said. “We will clean them as best we can and return them to you. And you will find new clothes already laid out for you. I hope they are to your liking.”
I looked around and saw clothes laid out on a comfortable-looking bed. “As far as I’m concerned, you can burn these old clothes,” I said. “
But I have another question.”
The servants waited.
“Are all the servants in the Castle male?”
“No, sir,” the same elf said. “The Seven have male and female servants. But it is true that most of the servants are male.”
“Thank you,” I said. I quickly stripped out of my clothes, and it was a relief to get out of the filthy rags. I’ve never been very modest, but I also didn’t like the idea of two guys looking at me either, so I dismissed them as soon as they had gathered the offending articles of clothing.
The bathwater was searing hot, but it suited my aching muscles, and I got to work scrubbing every bit of dirt and blood and piss and shit off my body. Soon, the water was disgusting, and I quickly got out to dry myself with one of the linens that had been left nearby.
Outside the window, the red sky was turning dim, and without waiting for anything else, I stumbled to the bed and sank down onto it. Soon I was fast asleep.
I woke sometime in the night with raging hunger, and by the light of the fire saw that someone had left a flagon of wine and a simple dinner of bread and cheese and some sort of broth. I ate it greedily, washed it down with the wine, and then stumbled back to bed naked, this time crawling under the covers to protect myself against the chill night air coming through the window.
The next morning, I woke late to see that everything had been cleared away—the flagon, the broth bowl, and even the bathtub. Bright reddish light shone through the window, and the room had once more grown warm with a blazing fire in the hearth. Feeling sore and stiffer than I had ever felt in my life, I was slow to sit up.
I had just thrown off the covers when the door opened, and Nya walked through. I grabbed for the sheet, but she waved me away.
“I was coming to wake you,” she said. Her gaze moved up and down my body, and I didn’t mind that she looked. Her looking was vastly different than the male elves looking. I had a six pack and had always taken good care of myself. Except for the bruises I had sustained over the past few days, I still looked strong.
