The Lord of Devonshire

Prologue

A middle aged man darted through a long empty and silent hallway. The hallway was dim except for the moonlight slightly illuminating its path through a set of long arch shaped windows arranged till the end and almost touching the high ceiling. The man bore a distressed look which did not complement his posh attire. The warmth of candles did not relieve his concern which grew with each step into the never ending hallway.

Finally, he stood in front of a room entrance. Minutes felt like hours to him before he reached the door. Not bothering to knock, the man hurriedly entered the room in fear that his anxiety might engulf him into the dark hallway.

"Is it true?" he spoke as soon as he entered moving towards few men, some were seated on couches while some stood. Their fine garments and mannerism exhibited each of their dominance in the society. The group appeared to be composed in contrast to him. But their eyes spoke of the chaos they had witnessed.

"Yes, my lord" said a blue coated man understanding the context of his query. Besides those gathered were here for one reason.

"No..this simply cannot..happen. I refuse to believe", the man stuttered as his chest heaved up and down frantically. The blue coat stood up from his couch, walked up to a mini bar to pour a drink and made his way to the man and spoke in a stable tone.
"Your are troubled milord, please calm yourself". Saying he pointed the wine cup toward the man.

In a matter of seconds the cup rolled down on the floor, it's contents splattering. Two hands hand tightly grabbed his high collar.

"You insolent! The matters at hand is far from calm. Whatever took place is barbaric! Inhumane!" He pushed the blue coat away and spat out at the others. "How dare you all to be part of this insanity. I believed...tha...that 'thing' wouldn't be wield and I was a fool to have placed faith."

A third voice erupted from the room.
"Stop this commotion! Your lordship are in no position to be spewing such nonsense. You never really concerned yourself with our affairs except if it involved money. For money, you choose to stoop yourself low from your dignity to be an 'obedient servant' and now you defy us!", said the person in disgust.

Everyone at the room were shocked by the lord's sudden outburst. Disappointment and anger stirred in them. So far till now they had been cynical about having indulged him in their pursuit and were now seeking to undo his presence.

The man had clutched his hair in panic. "I never wished to be involved. I will tell everyone the truth and redeem for my sins. I will ensure your treacherous acts aren't gone unnoticed. And you... you tricked me!"
His clenched fist flew to strike the blue collared man. But was stuck midway before it could hit his menacing face. He twisted the man's hand down as a shriek came out from his attacker's mouth.

"How dare you raise your fist at me!" He growled. "You bought this upon yourself." He scoffed and pushed him down. You are no saint to begin with." The rest now stood behind the blue collar ready to support his further intentions. He bend toward the man lying down in pain and warned him,

"All along you knew our intentions yet choose to swear fealty. Why?....To quench your insatiable thirst for money, our power and connection to conceal your illegal trade. And we found the easy way to fulfill our demands through your felony. Moreover you were just a mere pawn in our ruse. But since you got what you sought from us, you decide act valiant and get on his highness good graces if we were to be apprehended?"

The man stuttered,"The royal court will soon learn of your deeds."

A loud laughter erupted from the blue collared man. Everyone in the room flinched at his maddening roar.

"You were bold enough to assume I would never find out, I doubt if the messenger did make it out of your house," saying he took out a bloody parchment of paper from his pocket "Bunch of baseless accusations written with no proof! What a foolish approach" he said and shoved it over the man's body.

The man's eyes bulged in shock. All this time they had known his plan he thought as he shivered. He tried to slither away, but was stopped as the blue collared man's foot pressed the his injured foot. Bones crushing could be heard. His pressure was inhumane against the man's fragile hands as he bellowed in agony. he spoke satisfied with the reaction he got from his hostage,

"I should have disposed you off sooner but you were always there to our beck and call, cleaning up all our heaps of mess. But if the loyal dog tires to bite its master, shouldn't the dog be put down, my lords? he asked turning his head toward the gathered men. They grinned and chuckled completely agreeing to his comment.

"No please..I made a grave mistake. I should have known my place. I was a fool, don't kill me. I will do anything you want but please spare my life. I...I have a family", the man cried as he begged for his life.

The man's pleas fell dead to his ears. Soon his eyes turned pitch black and the veins around his eyes popped up showing the red blood flowing through his skin. A psychotic smile formed in his lips. His then young handsome face now replaced by a hideous sight. The men had now taken a step back from the man and the scene. The unsettled feeling always consumed them every time they witnessed his monstrous side. They knew far better than to interfere or speak under such circumstances.

But this was all new to the injured man who witnessed the whole thing. His breath hitched forgetting his pain and words clubbed inside his throat as they struggled to come out. Bewildered, he asked forgetting his own fate, "who...what are you?"

"Too bad you wont be fortunate enough to know", saying he put both his hands on either side of the man's head.

"No...No..Nowait...please, don't...."

Snap!

The man's head bobbled on to the floor, his eyes filled with void.

He stood up, his front facing 'his men'. He did not bothered to get rid of his true face. He needed them to see it, fear it. To know the consequence of his vengeance. They knew that no matter, their influence among the public, their wealth, their status compared to nothing against the man who stood dominant.

He smirked feeling their fear, exciting him. He craved it, fear, power, wrath and blood. He swirled the ring on his finger which was clad with a black metallic dragon clutching onto a green diamond tone. It calmed him as his monstrous side faded.

"You all know what needs to be done and I don't want any further delays", he spoke in an authoritative tone. The men bowed their head in compliance immediately. With that he left.

The man stormed out as the smirk began to be replaced by a stern look as he remembered his purpose. His knuckles turned red as he pledged to retrieve what rightfully belongs to him.