BW XXVI - Dafydd

Dafydd’s Vision - BWXXVI

Barely lit from behind, the hideous creature’s bulk cast a great shadow across the room, making it almost impossible to discern the comparatively tiny humanoids that it addressed. Its great upper limbs were thick writhing tentacles that constantly moved with no obvious purpose. Supported by massive, scaled lower limbs, which resembled those belonging to some great raptor or lizard, its hair-covered torso belonged to a great ape. Its back and shoulders sprouted great horns of bone, but it was the heads that stuck in Dafydd’s mind. Two colossal male baboon skulls, complete with bright red and blue skin and plugged with jet black eyes, topped off the fearsome beast. From one of the great maws came a harsh, rasping bark that echoed in the ill-defined cavern – yet Dafydd understood the snarling staccato.

“So, she is not who you thought she was?”

The dark humanoid shape beneath the beast seemed to retreat before responding, “Yes, my Lord.”

“Then what is to be done with her…and you for that matter?”

“I…I…I”, came the stammering reply, “we could use her anyway, she clearly has great power.”

Ignoring the response the Demon continued with questioning the terrified man, “You say some came to retrieve her?”

“Urr yes, my Lord…”

The irritation was growing, “But not Inwe?”

“No, my Lord”, he replied quietly, before offering another thought, “but I’m sure she will still pay handsomely for this queen.”

“Pay! Pay! Do you really think I am interested in her gold? You are a fool! I ought to rip your fucking head off now! No, that is too good for you. Vrock will pick your flesh from your bones piece by piece, only letting you die when your body can take no more. Take him away!”

The man is grabbed by two gargoyle shaped silhouettes whose outlines tower above the humanoid but are still dwarfed by the Demon. He struggles violently and screams, “No!! My Lord, no! Have mercy! I am sure I will not make the same mistake again.” Lifted in the air with the gargoyles holding his limbs, the man looks to be in danger of being pulled apart.

“Wait!” the Demon orders, “For a stay of execution, you must devise a plan that will bring me close to Inwe and relieve the Prime of the impudent daughter of the Samurai. You have this night to bring me a solution to your mistake. Rest assured you will be left to the Vrock if you fail again. Now go!”

Dropped to the ground, the man rolls away and runs into the gloom wailing his gratitude as he left.

The great Demon turns away from the fleeing wretch, “Get me the Derro”, he barks, “I would hear more of our visitors.”

One of the Gargoyles moves through the air without so much as a flap of a wing.

Turning to the second creature the Demon orders, “Malevol, bring me Grun - I need news of our force distribution”, and the second creature takes to the air.

A few moments pass during which the Demon paces the dark space seemingly considering his options.

“My Lord, you called for me.” The voice is not human and is not in common thought Dafydd understands it well enough.

Bowing before the giant beast is a derro, “I understand you wish to know more of those that attempted to rescue the prisoner. Straightening the derro took a pace backwards to be able to see the whole Demon before continuing, ” as you are aware, your valiant captain, Yeanoghu, thwarted the attempt…”

“Yes, yes, but how did they find her?” Interrupted the beast.

Seemingly nonplussed the derro continued, “We are not sure, but presume that their gods played a part.”

“Argh, then the interference from other planes has begun again - good. Perhaps the last war will begin on the Prime…” the Demon mused, turning his back of the evil dwarf.

“My Lord?” asked the derro, clearly not certain what the Prince from the lower planes was talking about.

Turning again the creature’s vast body came close to the dwarf, “Never mind. Is your house secure?” it asked.

“Clearly few have access to the dweomer that these insurgents used, and I think it is highly unlikely that they will return, so I believe we are secure.” The dwarf’s confident tone belied his obvious fear.

“We better be! How are your preparations going?”

“The work is complete and the supplies ready. We will begin distributing the equipment tonight. Your army is ready to move at your command.”

“Good, you may go.”