Thread: His Redemption (TheCorsair and Xana)

Matthias stared at her as, unarmed, she hurled defiance at him. He should cut her down. Or let her go. Or tear the armor from that splendid body and fuck her in the mud and blood of the battllefield. Or... beg her for forgiveness? His demon sniggered at that last part. In the end, he did none of these things. The Matthias you knew died more than a decade ago, he declared, raising his free hand. Power surged through him and manifested as crackling black flame leaping outwards from his hand to engulf her. She only screamed once, a fact that impressed him - many warriors howled and writhed in agony at the touch of the dark lash. And then she crumpled. Barabel, he called, looking down at her prostrate form. There was a shifting in the air, and something that wore a shape resembling a young man - albeit one with bone-white hair and crimson eyes and ram's horns - was standing next to him. The demon glanced down at the fallen Paladin. Pretty, he purred, licking his lips. Very pretty. Bind her, Matthias commanded. Barabel gave a lascivious, predatory smile. Gladly. Will we be casting lots for her, or do you simply claim first rights..? Neither, Matthias snapped. She will be presented to Baath-Me'el. The demon's expression could almost have been sympathetic. The Fortress of Baath-Me'el was a monstrous thing of basalt mortared with blood, reinforced with human souls bound into eternal torment within the stones. It sat like a cancer in what had once been known as the Plains of Oriath, some of the most fertile lands on the continent. And they were still fecund, but the crops raised by the mortal slaves writhed with unholy life and bled. Matthias jerked the chain about Aurianna's throat, causing her to stumble. No dawdling, he snarled. You've an audience to attend. He led her through the iron doors into the throne room, a black space a hundred yards on a side lit by screaming, burning humans in blackened cages. Demons of all descriptions milled about, hooting and mocking and hurling abuse at tbe captured Paladin. A warty thing the size of a mule oozed over, then swelled up. Matthiau the Fallen, it boomed, seeks audience with the Lord Baath-Me'el! Let him approach the presence. The voicecwas soft, almost gentle. Matthiau jerked the leash, and the court howled with laughter as the Paladin nearly fell. As they walked, demons and human servants of the Lord loudly commented on her appearance, or made crude suggestions about what they could do with her. He said nothing, but the reception awakened memories of when he had been similarly dragged through the court more than a decade ago. The throne rose berore them now, a simple thing of carved dark wood incongrously perched on a dais of human bodies fused together. Upon it sat Baath-Me'el himself. He was deceptively human in appearance, and handsome in a way that reminded the viewer that devils were angels that fell from grace. Long blonde hair poured over his shoulders, and he wore an open-necked tunic of white silk and gold, and breeches of dark blue velvet. His six wings were skeletal, charred and fleshless. Kneel, Matthias ordered. When she didn't comply, he jerked the chain and sent her sprawling in a clatter of armor on stone. He'd let her keep it for the moment. And what have you brought me, my pet? Baath-Me'el asked, faintly curious. A gift, my lord. The Paladin Aurianna. Something glittered in the devil's inhuman, golden eyes. The one you sought to protect, not long ago? The very same, my lord.