Dangerous Illusions

Chapter 11

Leila’s POV

The holy water would work magic against a demon now that we were trapped here but I could not help but feel that there was something that was not being seen by me. I was praying that I would get to know that before the demon killed me and Bethany both. Bethany touched the water which I had blessed with my gold crucifix and my hand was also in the water and suddenly I was struck with a jolt of electricity.

Long fingers drummed silently on the arm of a large metal throne. The rusted, and tarnished metal was twisted into sharp points, and odd angles that it almost did not look like a throne at all, if not for the menacing figure that sat upon it.

Cold angry eyes looked down at the lump of clothes and flesh that was brought before it, like it was a piece of trash to be taken away immediately. One could feel the aggravation coming from the throne anywhere in the large room where it sat.

Shadows stood at its edge nervous about the event unfolding before them. A small insignificant creature stood next to the pile that brought out such emotions. The little thing only two feet tall, moved from one side to the other wringing its weasel like paws together, in anxiety. Its small beady black eyes did not leave the large dark figure on the throne.

The intimidating figure sat back slightly and stilled its drumming motion, and everyone froze, no one even dared to breath.

"Again, from the beginning" A dark, deep voice softly demanded.

The little creature nodded, "Y..Yes my liege" It stuttered in a high-pitched voice. It took in a gulp of air summoning up any courage it had left in its tiny thin frame. "It was left out side of the castle front, just before the long bridge. It had nothing on it save for a sealed scroll and appeared to be unconscious." The creature shifted its hooved feet with nervous energy. "The scroll bared the seal of the King, whose land borders ours. We lowly guardsmen do not have the brains to deal with this type of situation."

The figure did not move, only its eyes shifted to the scroll in its large hand, the seal was now broken, and its message was a simple sentence.

'This is an act of war.'

It was signed by King Volter himself, but nothing else. The figures cold eyes moved to the object that was the cause for such a letter.

In the middle of the cold dark marble, lit only by torches lay a young woman, curled up in a light ball, sound asleep even though she was surrounded by things that would make any woman give out a curdling scream. Her skin was a soft olive color, her rich brown hair was a mess around her. She was currently wearing a thin linen chemise, covered with thick red robe that was lightly tied around her middle. Her chest was moving slowly with the rhythm of sleep, and the lovely mounds underneath rose with it giving one a nice view of their round shape.

The figure looked at her for a moment and felt something it had not felt in thousands of years... intrigue. It was curious what would possess the King to leave his only offspring to such a dark fate. King Volter would have known this was not a safe place to leave such a delicate looking object, such as this.

"I have no use for such things." The figure stated its voice even and flat. "Kill it and give the remains back to the King who dared to try such a thing."

The little creature next to the young woman nodded, and hefted up its spear, and with all the might in its little frail looking body and thrusted the spear towards the woman's' heart.

There was a blinding light and a loud crack that sounded like thunder. Every creature in the room, slammed their eyes shut, and covered their ears at the commotion.

As soon as it happened it had finished, the figure on the throne opened its eyes, only to notice that the creature next the woman was now gone, only a small black ring where he stood remained.

The figure stood up quickly, its muscles tensed for a fight, its face set in angry lines, with eyes that blazed with furiousness. It then pointed a sharp claw like fingernail at a random creature.

"You touch the girl." It commanded. The creature nodded its beaked head, its red eyes full of fear as it approached the young woman. It stretched out a feathered wing like hand, shaking hard as it did, and lightly touched her shoulder.

The creature jumped back quickly and curled up on the floor, waiting for the killing blow. After a moment it peaked out from behind its multicolored feathers, realizing it was still in once piece. It released a sigh of relief and looked towards the throne.

The figure arched its brows with confusion and moved so that it stood ominously over the woman. "Lock her in a room, and post guards outside for now." Its golden eyes gazed over the crowd in the room, then it pointed to a small blob like creature, "Shapeshifter go to the neighboring Kingdom and gather information. I wish to know what King Volter wishes to gain from this intrusion." The creature said nothing it just slinked into the shadows of the room disappearing.

Several creatures had gathered around the still sleeping woman trying to move her, with no progress. The figure blew out a snort of frustration, pushed them aside and picked her up in its strong arms easily. Without another word the Demon King walked out of the room the woman slumbering against his large, muscled chest.

***.

The kingdom of Calmara sat in the most south eastern part of the continent. It was full of green rolling hill, lush forests, and rich soil that was good for farming. The only trouble it had with its location was it was the only Kingdom that boarded the demon kingdom.

One could tell where the border was by just looking at the sky, the sun completely disappeared as soon as one set foot on the cursed soil which never seem to grow anything, it was the exact opposite of Calmara in every way.

In the center of this lush bounty sat a pristine castle, that glistened white in the sun. Inside the ruler of this land was pacing his solar with worry.

King Volter was an aging man, his short hair had long gone grey but if was not completely so, it would have done so while he paced. He felt as if all his worries were weighing him down like a stone, and he was sinking fast in the vast ocean.

A pair of old grey eyes followed his pacing, as they sat clutching an old walking stick with gnarled fingers. "You do no good wearing down the floor my King." Cracked the old crones voice. "My visions are never wrong; your daughter will meet her future in the land of demons. We already know that no harm will come to her."

The King nodded but did not stop his pacing, though he remembered that day too well. His daughter all but ten years old took her pony out for a ride without anyone's knowledge. She had gotten lost, and had wandered into the Demon's land, when the search party found her, there was not a single scratch on her. Most people who were unfortunate or stupid enough to venture into the vast wasteland to the west were found dead, nothing but bones or an empty husk.

It was then the party was attacked, by savage bird like demons, but as soon as they tried to touch her, there was a bright light and when it had dissipated the demons were gone. The party did not stay to investigate they quickly grabbed the young princess and rode to safety.

Many speculated that the princess was immune to demons, the reasoning why was anyone's guess. This however did not comfort her father. "Why do I listen to you witch?" He grounded the words out angrily.

The crone gave him a half smile and clutched the staff closer to her. "Because I am never wrong, I saw to the Princess safely getting to Karthmere castle. I know, no harm will come to her."

There was a knock on the door. "COME!" The King shouted, as he continued to pace like an animal in a cage.

A servant entered the room, a thin man with his head bowed slightly. "Your majesty your dinner is ready."

The King stopped and looked at the servant, and his skin turned a slightly purple as he filled with rage. "FOOD!" He yelled his arms flailing above his head. "I cannot think of eating until I know my daughter is safe! The demonic monster has her, and who knows what he will do." The servant made a hastily retreat without so much as a look.

The old woman chuckled lightly. "Temper my King,"

The King turned his rage to the shriveled woman, "You are the cause of this, now I have to play this charade of pretending that monster took my sweet girl," He spat, he then took a deep breath calming himself down. "Hopefully soon others will come to my aid. I only hope there is a young man out there that can get her back for me, and who know I may rid myself of the demon king,' the word dripping with sarcasm 'and with him gone, I am sure that land will become just like ours."

The old crone nodded in agreement. "One can only hope for the best outcome for all my King."

This made King Volter smile and placed him a less worrisome mood for all his trouble would soon be over.

In the corner of the room, a small house fly buzzed from its shadowy hiding place and flew out the window. The King would find this information very interesting indeed.

In a darkened room of the demon King's castle, a dark shadow watched as a slumbering woman slowly began to waken. Her light red lips let out a soft groan as she stretched her arms above her messed hair which created a light fuzzy brown halo.

The shadow watched as she opened her eyes, revealing a vibrant sea green. They took only a moment to focus, and in the instant, they went wide with fright, and confusion, as they registered this was not her room, and she had no idea where she was.

The woman sat up in the large ornate bed she was in the middle off, and her messy hair flying in all directions as she frantically looked around the room around, her breaths coming fast as fear rose within her. This action made her robe slide a bit revealing her creamy looking shoulders. Tears began to well up in her large eyes, falling off her dark thick lashes, and scaling down the slight roundness of her cheek.

"Crying is not going to change your situation Princess." A deep voice softly stated from the shadows.

The woman's breath hitched in her throat and she froze with fear as she turned her attention where the voice originated from.

"Wher...Where am I?" She asked in an uneven voice, slightly strangled with fear.

"You are in the castle of the Demon King, where you were left just outside of its gate." The voice responded

"Why was I left here?" Her voice was small, and timid.

"From what was learned, your father King Volter has left you here in the hopes to find you a suitable husband as well as dispatch the Demon King."

“Oh dear Lord!! Help us and save me,” came out of my throat in a choked sob. This was pending p*****t….