Catch A Falling Star

Chapter 5

Hope you like it :D Comments are always helpful and votes just make me feel as happy as my favorite food.  Enjoy!

 

The door to the main hall flew open leaving a clear path for an average looking man, which obviously thought he was much more powerful than reality would have approved, to enter. Everything about him, from his short height, chestnut brown hair that fell almost lifeless around his face, to the dull green eyes that looked like stale water, and his weasel looking stare, said that you barely notice him in a crowd of ten. His chest was puffed, his chin held high and his step was full of an unjustified arrogance as he moved further into the room.

-          Lord Dolany, Manicket said from the other side of the room but made no effort to rise from the table he was currently occupying. Instead he thoroughly assessed his guest, the smile on his face so tormented it looked closer to a grimace.

A few people were scattered around the large room, most of them men. No one said a word after the door flew open, but it was clear that they had been talking before and most likely about this particular meeting. Now every set of eyes was set on Dolany, some displaying disgust, superiority, curiosity or even boredom. Lord Dolany stepped right in front of the table and looked around trying his best to assert his superiority, only managing to look like a buffoon instead.

-          Good evening, he greeted only Manicket with a slight bow.

-          I trust you brought with you the payment we agreed upon, his host asked without ceremony.

-          Of course, the lord answered obviously bothered by his host’s lack of courtesy.

There was a rattling sound that filled the hall as the short man pulled on a chain that Manicket had not noticed around his wrist. A moment later something that might have once looked human was hurled forward and fell at the lord’s feet. It was alive that was obvious, for it was raggedly breathing but the shape of it was so malformed any evidence of what it had once been long forgotten. Manicket lost his almost smile and barely suppressed a growl as he grimaced.

-          What is this? He demanded angrily.

-          It is what you asked for. This is my slave Ophina, Dolany replied with a smirk.

Manicket starred completely at a loss for words for the first time decades. He couldn’t decide whether he felt disgust at the sight before him, angry at the deception of his guest or annoyed with himself for having trusted the rumors about the “exquisite beauty”, as they called it of this vile looking creature named Ophina.

He opened his mouth to finally seal the fate of lord Dolany when the creature cut him off releasing a horrid cough followed by a disgusting gurgle as the floor in front of it was filled with blood. Manicket stared at the small crimson puddle with a suspicious air. He felt a twinge in his chest. It took him a moment to recognize it as pity and another moment to recover from the shock of actually feelling it. He raised an eyebrow eyeing Ophina intently before making his decision and hoping he wouldn’t come to regret it.

-          Take IT away! he addressed two of the men to the side. Put is in the north tower and have the doctor look at it.

The men stared at him as if he’d lost his mind and he could already see what they were thinking so he let out a low menacing growl that seemed to snap them right out of their daze. His focus switched to Lord Dolany next.

-          Take his grace to the east dungeons, he ordered a mocking smile playing on his face.

-          But you said I will be granted sanctuary! The short man protested.