Dawn of the Elements - Book 5: The Children of The Moth

Chapter Four: A New Brother of The Moth

Solenias exited the shadows last, gasping for air. She had never travelled by Shadows before. Truthfully, she found it exhilarating, but would never admit it. After managing to catch her breath, she looked around. She was back in The Moth's Meeting Hall of Raigan's castle.

It was then that she realized that after her little prison break, she was still dressed like a maid. "Ew! Gross! Get this infernal outfit off of me!" She shrieked, running out of the room, into a dressing room nearby.

Minister Horgath entered the Meeting Hall, a bundle of clothing under his arm. He approached the man who had entered the castle with Solenias, and offered his hand to him. "Lord Richter. It is an honour to have you here, in our place of worship."

In his increasing age, and time in the castle dungeon, Richter had lost some of the physique he had had in his prime. His once well kept black hair had become worn, and had begun to grey heavily. His jet black eyes appeared hallowed, and sunken.

"Place of worship? Is that what you've done to the place?" Richter asked, looking around. "Last time I was here, it was crawling with Vampires." He then took the hand that was offered to him. "I assume that my liberation was your doing, Mr...?"

"Minister Horgath, my friend." The Ageless man replied, handing the once Dark King the bundle of clothing. "I've heard you aren't a huge fan of robes, or cloaks. So I had something prepared for you."

Richter took the clothes, and walked towards the changing room. As he made it to the door, Solenias exited, having readorned herself with her regular Cultist Robes. She swiftly moved out of the Dark King's way, and let him enter the changing room. "Seriously." She stated, approaching Minister Horgath. "Someone should burn that wretched thing they call a uniform. It's a crime against my basic understanding of fashion."

"As horrible as you looked, my dear Solenias." Horgath said, chuckling. "You did a spectacular job, better than I'd hoped, in fact." The Ancient Minister praised. "We were able to obtain more sacrifices, as well as a new ally. Now all we need is for Princess Melody to take the bait, and come try to save those girls."

"If I know my granddaughter at all." Richter said, exiting the changing room. He wore a black dress shirt, black waistcoat, black pants, black combat boots, black gloves, and a black trench coat. "And I know her very little, she's as stubborn and righteous as her blasted father. She'll come to the rescue. You can count on that."

"You really hate him, don't you?" Solenias asked. "What could've possibly made you hate him so much? Other than imprisoning you, of course."

"That fiery brat took my kingdom away from me, imprisoned me in my own castle, and ruined sixteen years of work." Richter stated. "He killed my son, and with the help of his own brat, killed my Vampire Queen."

"So, am I safe to assume that you will help us, Richter Dumon?" Horgath asked. "Pledge yourself to Our Lord Mothman, and help us rid the world of his one final obstacle?"

"If that obstacle happens to be Silver Drachma, then I'll join your little cult." Richter said, a smile beginning to form across his face. "But I'm warning you right now. No worship, no prayer. None of that twisted religious stuff. I am here SOLELY to watch Silver and his precious Family and Council crumble. Am I clear?"

"As Crystal, Brother Richter." Horgath stated, walking towards a pedestal. He made a beckoning gesture towards the old King, who walked over, Sorelias close behind him. Sitting on the pedestal sat The Moth's Totem. "Do you know what this sacred item is, Brother Richter?" He asked.

Richter examined the ancient relic. "This is The Moth's Totem." Herring said looking it over. "Said to have the power to warp the minds of those who gaze into its eyes. I've only ever seen pictures of it in books in the castle." He backed away from the relic. "To think that it actually exists." The old King looked concerned, since the old stone statue could bend his mind to The Mothman's will with only a glance.

"Oh, it exists, Brother Richter." Horgath stated, covering it with a cloth. "And you needn't worry. You've stated that you have no intentions to worship Our Lord in that way, and are already aware of how the Totem works, so it will have no effect on you. That being said..."

"Awareness is a weakness of the Totem." Richter said, putting his hand on his chin. "Good to know. But if that's the case, I'm certain that that Brat, Silver has already taught his little Princess about The Totem. If she's aware of its powers, then how will you..."

Richter was cut off by how giddy Sorelias was getting next to him. He could tell that this woman was completely off her rocker,  but was in enough control of herself to act normal when the situation called for it.

"Oh, don't you worry about our little Princess." She giggled, snorting a bit as she did. "She'll be marching to our fife soon enough. I have ways of...persuading people." She then quickly turned on her heel, and walked away, down a dark corridor, whistling an eerie, and at the same time merry tune.

Richter watched as the woman walked away, a confused look on his face. He was used to dealing with crazies, having had a child with the Vampire Queen, said child admittedly turning into an obsessive lunatic. Minister Horgath noticed the look, and smiled.

"Sorelias came to us when she was very young." He explained. "She was a troubled child, sadistic in nature. She was known in her village for torturing the neighbour's pets." He sat down on the stairs leading up to the main altar. "It wasn't until I came to town, when I'd found her, covered in her parent's blood, their dead bodies lying motionless next to her. I took her under my wing that day, and got her safely out of the village that night, under the cover of darkness."

"Did she pledge herself to The Moth's Totem?" Richter asked, intrigued by this young woman's backstory. "Or is she just extremely devoted?" Horgath chuckled at his question.

"She HAS gazed upon the Eyes of The Moth Totem." Horgath explained. "But at first, she was just a regular devotee." He sat before Richter, almost looking like a proud father. "She studied hard, learning everything there is to know about Our Lord Mothman. Her knowledge almost rivals my own." He smiled. "It wasn't until her sixteenth birthday. When I asked her what she wanted, I gave her options, like a new dagger, new robes, things I knew she'd like. That's when she asked me if she could gaze upon The Moth's Totem's eyes, and fully pledge herself to Our Lord." It brought a slight tear to his eye. "She claimed the title of High Priestess of The Moth that day. I couldn't have been more proud of her, than I was that day."

"Well, we can't all have children that make us proud." Richter stated. "My six children either betrayed me, became lunatics obsessed with Silver, or married the little brat." He sat down next to Horgath, as commotion could be heard in the castle dungeons, the same place that Sorelias had just gone towards.

"And so it begins." Horgath said, standing up. "Come, Brother Richter. We must prepare for our esteemed guest."