Part Twelve
“So transfixed was he by the scene of unfolding slaughter, Matthias had not realised that he was the object of Gisela’s gaze. Suddenly, she softly tapped twice the base of her staff upon the blood smeared flag stones of the courtyard. A small gesture, but it was enough to bring Matthias and those who stood by him on the balcony to bear their attention back upon her. Her ruby red lips curled so that a smile now spread upon her flawless face, an expression of such malevolence and promised cruelty that it made all who saw it run cold.”
“Forcing himself to turn from her remorseless stare, Matthias suddenly turned to his right and grabbed the lapels of Fleischer’s long coat.
“I shelter and pay you in return for magic” Matthias roared “get down there and do something about those… things!”
If it was Matthias aim to intimidate his hired wizard into action, he failed miserably.
“Take your hands off me Matthias” whispered Fleischer, in a quiet, measured tone “or you wont have to wait for them to get here to experience suffering.”
Releasing Fleischer from his grip, the fury passed instantly from Matthias and he instead adopted a different tact.
“I apologise old friend, you know how I value your unique talents” said Matthias, failing to hide the desperation in his voice “If you would kindly do something to rid us of our unwelcome guests, you would have my eternal gratitude and may name your price.”
“Very well” sneered Fleischer “I’ll shall take care of them, mainly because flight does not seem an option. Have a care Matthias, this will cost you a pretty amount of coin.”
“Of course, of course old friend. We will discuss new terms very soon.” the much relieved Matthias said, all the while guiding Fleischer away from the balcony and towards the direction of the study door with a gently placed hand on the shoulder.
“Fleischer exited the chamber and set off in the direction of the main stairs that would in turn lead to the gore drenched courtyard. Matthias turned once more to view the scene of slaughter. Of the rapidly dwindling number of the living down there, many had given up on trying to battle the quick silver sisters or the fell knights that barred the only exit. In blind panic, some flung themselves over the battlements in a last hope of escape. Better to risk shattered bones than certain death at the flashing blades of Maria and Frieda. They had however forgotten of the other mounted knights that waited outside the walls, and were soon dispatched by iron shod hoof or glowing, spectral blade.”
“As the last of the unfortunate dying were dispatched and the screams petered out to first sobs, then groans and finally silence, the doors below the balcony swung open and Fleischer strode out, coming to halt thirty paces before Gisela. Maria and Frieda sensed his presence immediately and started to move towards him. However Gisela held up a hand, an unspoken command that she would deal with him and the twins stopped still.”
“Ah Herr Fleischer, so we finally meet at last” said Gisela, her voice somehow as smooth as warm honey and yet unable to mask the bitterness and bile “Remarkable that you are somehow more odious and pathetic in real life than you were described to me. I do hope for your sake the extent of your magic is not befuddling the minds of young girls or poisoning old men.”
“Fleischer however did not reply, instead he closed his eyes and started to chant arcane words of power, quiet at first but growing in volume. As Fleischer’s voice grew it seemed a light began to pulse with in him, dim at first but as the intensity of his words grew, his head pulsed with supernatural energy. Suddenly his eyes snapped to and his mouth sprung open as if to scream. However, instead of sound, bolts of white power flew from his gaping mouth and eyes, speeding directly towards Gisela. Mathias gave a shout of triumph besides me, it seemed certain that she would be struck down. Time seemed to slow and just at the last possible moment she lowered her staff, the crystal on the end pulsed with power and pale green lightning arced out intercepting Fleischer’s spell. The two magical forces crashed into one another, and seemed entwined in a battle of their creators wills. For a moment they remained the same but suddenly Fleischer seemed to gain the upper hand and the pale white light emitting from him edged towards his target.”
“Gisela smiled, her face that of a cat toying with a wounded bird. She twisted her grip on her staff and suddenly her magical lightning pushed back against Fleischer’s with astonishing speed. The bolt struck him, enveloping his head in a ball of jade eldritch fire. Flesh and muscle were consumed in a moment, parting from bone in a fashion similar to parchment being introduced to a flame. Gisela cut the arcane power and stalked towards the stricken man. Fleischer slumped to the floor, the fire now extinguished, his skull stripped entirely. Approaching his corpse, Gisela bent down and placed her fingers into Fleischer’s empty, smouldering eye sockets. She plucked his skull from his corpse, stood up and inspected her trophy. After a brief moment she placed the head into black, velvet draw string purse which hung from her belt. Casting a glance up to the horrified Matthias on the balcony she strode towards the tower doors, flanked by her sisters.”
Thanks for reading xD
“So transfixed was he by the scene of unfolding slaughter, Matthias had not realised that he was the object of Gisela’s gaze. Suddenly, she softly tapped twice the base of her staff upon the blood smeared flag stones of the courtyard. A small gesture, but it was enough to bring Matthias and those who stood by him on the balcony to bear their attention back upon her. Her ruby red lips curled so that a smile now spread upon her flawless face, an expression of such malevolence and promised cruelty that it made all who saw it run cold.”
“Forcing himself to turn from her remorseless stare, Matthias suddenly turned to his right and grabbed the lapels of Fleischer’s long coat.
“I shelter and pay you in return for magic” Matthias roared “get down there and do something about those… things!”
If it was Matthias aim to intimidate his hired wizard into action, he failed miserably.
“Take your hands off me Matthias” whispered Fleischer, in a quiet, measured tone “or you wont have to wait for them to get here to experience suffering.”
Releasing Fleischer from his grip, the fury passed instantly from Matthias and he instead adopted a different tact.
“I apologise old friend, you know how I value your unique talents” said Matthias, failing to hide the desperation in his voice “If you would kindly do something to rid us of our unwelcome guests, you would have my eternal gratitude and may name your price.”
“Very well” sneered Fleischer “I’ll shall take care of them, mainly because flight does not seem an option. Have a care Matthias, this will cost you a pretty amount of coin.”
“Of course, of course old friend. We will discuss new terms very soon.” the much relieved Matthias said, all the while guiding Fleischer away from the balcony and towards the direction of the study door with a gently placed hand on the shoulder.
“Fleischer exited the chamber and set off in the direction of the main stairs that would in turn lead to the gore drenched courtyard. Matthias turned once more to view the scene of slaughter. Of the rapidly dwindling number of the living down there, many had given up on trying to battle the quick silver sisters or the fell knights that barred the only exit. In blind panic, some flung themselves over the battlements in a last hope of escape. Better to risk shattered bones than certain death at the flashing blades of Maria and Frieda. They had however forgotten of the other mounted knights that waited outside the walls, and were soon dispatched by iron shod hoof or glowing, spectral blade.”
“As the last of the unfortunate dying were dispatched and the screams petered out to first sobs, then groans and finally silence, the doors below the balcony swung open and Fleischer strode out, coming to halt thirty paces before Gisela. Maria and Frieda sensed his presence immediately and started to move towards him. However Gisela held up a hand, an unspoken command that she would deal with him and the twins stopped still.”
“Ah Herr Fleischer, so we finally meet at last” said Gisela, her voice somehow as smooth as warm honey and yet unable to mask the bitterness and bile “Remarkable that you are somehow more odious and pathetic in real life than you were described to me. I do hope for your sake the extent of your magic is not befuddling the minds of young girls or poisoning old men.”
“Fleischer however did not reply, instead he closed his eyes and started to chant arcane words of power, quiet at first but growing in volume. As Fleischer’s voice grew it seemed a light began to pulse with in him, dim at first but as the intensity of his words grew, his head pulsed with supernatural energy. Suddenly his eyes snapped to and his mouth sprung open as if to scream. However, instead of sound, bolts of white power flew from his gaping mouth and eyes, speeding directly towards Gisela. Mathias gave a shout of triumph besides me, it seemed certain that she would be struck down. Time seemed to slow and just at the last possible moment she lowered her staff, the crystal on the end pulsed with power and pale green lightning arced out intercepting Fleischer’s spell. The two magical forces crashed into one another, and seemed entwined in a battle of their creators wills. For a moment they remained the same but suddenly Fleischer seemed to gain the upper hand and the pale white light emitting from him edged towards his target.”
“Gisela smiled, her face that of a cat toying with a wounded bird. She twisted her grip on her staff and suddenly her magical lightning pushed back against Fleischer’s with astonishing speed. The bolt struck him, enveloping his head in a ball of jade eldritch fire. Flesh and muscle were consumed in a moment, parting from bone in a fashion similar to parchment being introduced to a flame. Gisela cut the arcane power and stalked towards the stricken man. Fleischer slumped to the floor, the fire now extinguished, his skull stripped entirely. Approaching his corpse, Gisela bent down and placed her fingers into Fleischer’s empty, smouldering eye sockets. She plucked his skull from his corpse, stood up and inspected her trophy. After a brief moment she placed the head into black, velvet draw string purse which hung from her belt. Casting a glance up to the horrified Matthias on the balcony she strode towards the tower doors, flanked by her sisters.”
Thanks for reading xD