Serving Lant Agriche

Chapter 8 - To Fear Lant Agriche

"You are to take Wally for observation in the field, away from spectators. Confirm that its body can last the month-long period," Lant Agriche said to Dion. "Let it eat and do as it likes as long as it does not leave a trace for human suspect. When the period is over, return it to its conceived father. Wally deserves a homecoming after all they trouble we've given him, don't you think?"

It was obvious that Lant Agriche only wanted father and son to meet because he found the sick reunion enjoyable.

"Should I kill the father after bringing the toy?" Dion said. His adolescent face was smooth and attentive. He was indifferent to murder now.

"No," Lant Agriche laughed lightly. "The foolish man's hobby is being a recluse in the woods. No one will believe him if he says his dead son came back to greet him.

"After Wally's father has said goodbye to him, you are to kill the toy and burn its body. I do not want the Pedelians to be aware of my ambitions for a demon army yet."

"Sir, as Wally's creator, I would also like to accompany your son," Noel said. "Observing Wally would help my research tremendously."

"The toy will not be anaesthetised in the field," Lant Agriche said. "I do not think you are capable of walking by the toy when it roams freely.

However, I can produce a trial." Lant Agriche smiled. "Dion, open the cage."

Dion unleashed Wally from its crate.

Wally's human ears perked up before it slid into the open. Saliva dripped from its straight, white teeth. Its black pupils had expanded from acclimating to the dark recess of the dungeons. It despised any form of light that waved in front of its eyes.

It shot at Noel first, provoked by the young man's canary blond hair.

Noel gasped before the guardsman swung its spiked mace at the beast. Wally dodged and snarled with its goat tail pointed in the air. The beast changed targets and began to circle the guardsman.

The guardsman raised his weapon again before catching the red eyes of Lant Agriche. His grip faltered in his lord's presence. The mace fell to the floor and broke stone as the guardsman remembered that Wally was not to be killed.

The will of Lant Agriche was absolute. The guardsman would rather be eaten alive than endure the wrath his lord would bestow upon him.

Suffering was not uncommon in the Agriche household. Even the servants who were still full bodied and able had witnessed enough to know that the rumours of their lord paled to reality.

Rather than eternal death, everyone in the domain of the Agriche feared their ruler's presence far more.

Lant Agriche was a master of torture. He had the charisma and ingenuity to divulge his victims' deepest secrets. His imagination was boundless and he understood the limits of the human body far better than anyone else. He never killed anyone by mistake, but determined when his victim was no longer useful or fascinating.

Death was a mercy and truly the only way to escape from Lant Agriche.

My Lord, the guardsman whispered. He had given up on life. He only wished to leave the earth swiftly.

Wally pounced on the guardsman's front, its black paws pinning the guard's shoulders to the floor. Its human teeth bit through flesh and began chewing on the man's lips.

The guardsman muffled yells faded as Wally continued to feed. His hands grabbed the demon's forelegs in vain, using what force he could to protect himself from the demon. No one in the room came to the guardsman's aid. In fact, Lant Agriche was quite pleased that one of his victims was already being disposed of.

Dion quietly closed the dungeon door to ensure that Wally could not escape. He waited patiently for his father's entertainment to finish. When Wally had eaten its fill, it slunk away from the half-eaten corpse. Its belly had a round bloated curve from feeding quickly.

Lant Agriche waved a hand and Dion aggressively returned Wally to its crate.