Dark Fae's Toy

Chapter 1 

Josen

“The King will see you,” a guard says as I swing open my door, and I know it’s a summons. 

His Royal Majesty King Ryfon has been rather upset and I doubt today will be any different. Of course, he's been upset for months now. With all that's happened, I can't say I blame the frownier frown and slumpier slump.  

        So far this year, we've had two dark elf-and-human marriages, plus a rebellion. These are troubling acts by themselves. However, I'm sure the weight on the King's shoulders would be much lighter if these merely involved the lower classes.            

       Alas, all of these situations involved the khuzuth. And the act of a noble is a far greater blight or blessing on the world than the act of a zagfer.

       King Ryfon once told me how such a destructive situation could unfold. Thanks to my mind being much like an iron trap, I remember exactly what he said. 

       "First," he said. "Everyone will see the nobles performing these nefarious actions. Second, because the commoners look up to the nobles, they will start performing the nefarious actions themselves. Third, if too many commoners and nobles perform these nefarious actions, the entire kingdom will fall." 

       Perhaps something similar to this is why he has called me into his office today. Perhaps the capuchos have started flinging their shit around. And he needs me to either fling it back or, if necessary, murder some capuchos. 

       The guards have escorted me from my bedroom to King Ryfon's office. Ah, how often I have stepped into this room! I believe I know it like the back of my hand. 

       King Ryfon's ornate desk and chair sit in the center of the room and are right on top of an ornate rug depicting the southern seas. All around him are tree-high shelves full of random books and paper. 

       Within them are pieces of knowledge that not even some dukes know. I only know this because I have managed to read several of these books myself. 

       As soon as the guards leave, I bow before the King. 

       "Rise," the King commands me. 

       I do it. And it is very easy for me to do it. 

       I would do anything for my King. The King could ask me to cut off my hand or jump out the window behind him. I would do it. 

       There is much that I owe to my King. It's a debt that I can't even dream of repaying in my lifetime. He prevented me from dying like the orphan in the street I was. 

       Doing all this dirty work is the best I can do to repay him. That's pretty much all that I am good for. And besides, there's no better place in Orthani than one beside the King. 

       "Good morning, Your Majesty," I say in my usual sly tone. "Or is it still good evening? I never know what I should say when it's past midnight but the stars are still out." 

        "Are you complaining about being woken up so early?" the King asks. 

        "No, sir! In actuality, I was having a nightmare about getting woken up early. I can't complain about waking up when the dream and the reality are the same." 

        "Why are you still in your nightgown? I've told you that you need to be completely prepared when I wake you. I may need to immediately send you on a task." 

        "Truth be told, Your Majesty, your men didn't give me much time to change. Besides, it doesn't matter anyway. I can move just as well in my nightgown as I can in my everyday clothes. Ask around! There are quite a few girls who will vouch for me." 

        The King sighs and shakes his head. I'm sure that the way I bluntly and creatively speak annoys him. Yet he hasn't asked me to stop it. 

        Truth be told, I believe that he secretly enjoys it. Therefore, I've done my best to speak in this voice constantly.

        "I mean," I say. "If you want me to change while you're being stabbed to death, I could..."

       "Never mind, never mind," the King says, waving a hand. "I have an important mission for you." 

       "As my missions always are. Am I going to kill those two dukes you hate? You know, the ones that married those humans?"

       "No, no, doing that would make things far worse. This is more to do with the rebellion."  

       "Ah, the tiny spark we stomped into ashes a few months ago, correct?" 

       "What other rebellion could I possibly be talking about?" 

       "Well, there have been plenty of smaller rebellions throughout history.”

       The King looks at me as though he wants my head to spontaneously combust. It makes me want to shrink right back into the shadows. Though, I probably can't hide there like I usually do now. 

       "I'm just saying, Your Majesty…”

       The King sighs. "Yes, this is about the rebellion from a few months ago. We haven't completely quenched it. My men report that there are still traces of it in the lowtown." 

       "Traces like what? Did someone take the pen used to mark the building map as a souvenir?" 

       "I mean traces like dark elves who are still trying to plot the same rebellion. And perhaps there are also some messages and other items that need destroying." 

       "Alright, so you want me to find these guys and all their stuff? Then what do you want me to do?" 

       "Do what you always do to your targets." 

       I smirk. "I will do this, Your Majesty. And where did your men say that they found these traitors?" 

       "In Solenhold, near the center of the lowtown. They heard some rumors from the guards stationed there. It would be best to talk to them first." 

       "What if the guards themselves are compromised? Are they fair game, too? I know that good soldiers are as hard to find as diamonds these days." 

       "Of course! Anyone that is a part of the rebellion must be immediately dispatched." 

      "What about a likar or a batlaz?" 

      My odd question makes the King pause a moment. This is weird. He should be used to my questions by now.

      "...You know you don't need my permission to kill animals," he says. "But yes, any animal that's loyal to a rebel should be dispatched." 

      "Understood! I will start preparations immediately." 

      I turn and begin to walk toward the door. I touch the handle just as the King orders me to stop. 

      "I forgot," he says. "Keep an eye on the humans in the area as well." 

      "For what reason, sir?" I ask. "Do you want another plaything? I suppose there could be plenty of untapped beauties waiting for you out there." 

     "No, no. I'm concerned about what they might do now." 

     "What? Are you afraid they'll become lazier than they already are?"  

     "No, quite the opposite." 

     "What do you mean, Your Majesty? 

     "Two humans have married high-ranking dark elves. I believe that other humans could start getting some ideas." 

     "Do you think they'll start seducing us? Never fear, my life! I'm sure most dark elves have far better tastes than that." 

     "No, I'm speaking of resistance." 

     "Humans are far too lazy to even think of anything like that. Have you even seen them out there? I mean, I know you don't get out much, but…" 

     "I don't care what you think of humans, Josen. If you see any signs of human resistance out there, kill them! Then report the matter to me!" 

     His Majesty's tone shocks me. Even if he is grumpy and old, he still tends to have an even temper. This matter must be very important to him. 

     I turn back around. "I assure you, I will do everything that I can. You know you can count on me." 

     "One would hope so," the King says. "But there are a lot of reasons for me to doubt you. Good luck, Josen!" 

      These words hit me in the chest like a dagger. Still, I know that showing that emotion on my face will cause him to doubt me even more. I bow, turn back, open the door, and walk out of the room. 

      The guards escort me back to my mansion a few blocks away. There are a few dark elves and humans about. They see me in my nightgown and giggle. 

      I don't mind. The more they associate my face with my nightgown, the less they'll associate it with anything else. 

      We arrive at my mansion, and I enter the doors alone. It is modest but not too modest. The King knows well that the loyalest man is the richest. 

      Still, I don't believe I could ever turn on the King for more. Even after what he just said. 

      I mean, he is probably just having a bad day, right? He knows I'm the best of the best. 

      "Why would he throw away all of that raising and training?" I say to myself. "That would be like tearing one's castle down. And I have always been loyal. No, I have to put this out of my mind." 

     After all, a dead mind is a distracted mind. It's dead as a flower in the snow. And a dead, dead flower makes no pollen. 

      I walk up the stairs and to my closet. Everything that I need for the mission is in there. I collect knives, darts, arrows, and all of the usual essentials. 

     Now it's time to choose the clothes. Clothing choices for every class in Orthani hang on these walls. Perhaps a lowly zagfer is the best look if I want to chum around with the miou. 

    Of course, I should probably get something that matches my complexion. I look in the mirror at my deep brown eyes, short black hair, and dark complexion. Yes, it is best to get something more apt for the chill. 

    I expertly pick out the right garments. 

    Now for the name. Let's go with the always-classic Esani. It's the name of that fiddling dfam who drowned in the river a few years ago. 

   After putting on the clothes, I salute the mirror. "I carry on your spirit, Esani," I say.