Adventurer Series 3: The Daemon

Chapter 1: I Trust Him

I didn't choose to be born this way. I didn't choose to exist at all. I didn't want to be a demon if I knew what would happen to me if I was. I didn't want to hurt people, but they never listened. They always treated me like I was different, like I didn't belong.

They were right, I didn't belong with them. I was taken from those with whom I did belong to. My captors didn't care what happened to me; to them, I was a means to an end, a bounty, a prize.

In the new land I was thrown into, I was looked at with eyes both inquisitive and afraid. I didn't know who to trust in this world, but nobody trusted me; they would do all they could to avoid me, isolate me, ostracize me.

Then there was one among them all who approached me with gentle eyes. Eyes that were filled with sympathy and care. This one was one who was willing to understand me. This one was the first one that I placed my trust into. Over the centuries, I've forgotten their face, but I've never forgotten their care for me, their acceptance of me, their trust in me.

Then there was the darkness, the darkness that came after this one accepted me. The darkness that I was thrown into as though I was being punished; punished for a wrongdoing that I never did. No one listened, no one cared, no one trusted me.

In the darkness, there was a voice; a voice that kept me company in the darkness. It had no reservations of me. It just spoke to me. It was a prisoner in the darkness as well, although for a reason different than mine. It couldn't help me, but it was willing to listen to me. It trusted me despite not knowing what I was.

Then there was him. The one who put his life down for me. The one who was willing to die for me. When I first met him, I was afraid. I had feared that I would die that day, but instead, he spared me and acted as if I was nothing. Then came the rumbling, the collapse of my prison. I was desperate, trying to escape, trying to free myself of the bonds that held me down, but it was hopeless. Then he returned to save me, let me run free. In that moment of bliss, I was happy to see the light that I was denied for centuries, to breathe the clean air of the world, to have the soft ground touch my body. When I saw him emerge from the rubble of my prison, I had a feeling of guilt in my heart. This man suffered greatly in order to save my life, and I never properly thanked him. I trusted him enough to show myself to him, and he willingly accepted me for who I was. I was safe with this man whenever I stayed by his side. I stayed with him through all of our struggles, and not once has he ever spoken ill of me. He always places me before himself, ensuring that I am safe before he worries about himself.

"Lady Prana, wake up."

I opened my eyes slowly as the sounds of the world returned to me. The sound of birds singing, the steady rhythm of Kurtis' steps on the ground. I now remember what happened; I volunteered to carry Kurtis' things, despite his objections. He said that his injuries were fine and that it was improper for a woman to do hard work. Then I remember falling asleep that night; it was the first peaceful sleep I had in days. Now, I awoke to find myself being carried by Kurtis as the sun shined through the trees. The air was crisp, but not cold. I leaned into Kurtis as I let myself enjoy the comfort of the ride.

"How'd you sleep?" Kurtis asked.

"I slept well. No nightmares the entire night."

"That's good."

Kurtis made no point towards his bag, which he was now holding in front of him. His hands gently held my legs as he carried me, and I could feel his warmth spreading throughout his body.

Before we left, Kurtis made the mention of his brother Karl, whom he had not seen for years. He said that Karl could help us and that he was trustworthy, and I trusted his judgement.

"Kurtis, what's your brother like?" I asked him. I've always heard him mention Karl, but I've never asked him about him.

"I haven't told you?" Kurtis replied, "I thought I did after all this time." Kurtis stopped walking, "Could you get off, please, I don't think I can carry you and my bag at the same time."

"Oh, I'm sorry." I apologized as I got off Kurtis' back, "Do you want me to hold your things?"

"No, it's fine." Kurtis said, readjusting his bag to go on his back.

"How long were you carrying me anyway?"

"For a short while. You're very light."

I chuckled at his remark. Kurtis doesn't see me as a demon, he sees me as his friend, and he talks to me like one as well. I always feel welcome around him, and I can always be myself around him.

"How long until we find your brother anyway?" Pixie asked, flying out of Kurtis' bag.

"Lady Hilux was generous enough to give us a ride to the Inner Lands, but it seems that Karl isn't in Wallachia anymore." Kurtis answered, "If we keep going down this road, we'll come across a town. If we ask around, someone might know where Karl is. If he is the fearsome hunter that Lady Hilux says he is, people should know about him, shouldn't they?"

I nodded my head in understanding. From what I've heard from Kurtis and the vampire woman, Karl was an odd combination of things, but the one thing that stood out the most about him was his sense of loyalty, his brutality, and his tendency to sometimes annoy others.

"So, what is your brother really like?" I asked again.

"Well, everything about him that you know I've already told you. Karl hated anyone with no sense of humility, and he would gladly show those in power just how little power they actually had. Nobles, children of nobles, kings, queens, anyone who used their high status as an excuse or a defense, Karl would put them in their place. If God Almighty himself was an arrogant being, Karl would probably fight him as well." Kurtis explained, "The only bad things I know about Karl are that he doesn't think, he's arrogant, and he's very impatient. Kind of like someone I know." Kurtis turned his gaze towards Pixie with that last sentence.

"But he's a hunter, isn't he? Aren't you worried that he might try to capture me?" I asked with concern.

"Yeah, I thought about that...I don't know what I'll do if that ever comes up, but don't worry, I'll do my best to protect you." Kurtis placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder. He smiled at me, a smile that made me feel safe.

I trust him.