“Devil’s Revenge”, Chapter 17

—

Seven years ago I started this novel about Devils, Demons and a few mortals. It came from my first novel, “The Heart of the Maze” which had NO demons, but the characters (as mortals) were interesting and I didn’t want to kill all of them off.  So I wrote another novel continuing  where “Heart of the Maze” ended. The vast majority of characters in this novel  were devils, demons and shape shifters, etc. Right now I am rewriting chapters (all 43 of them…) and considering the total book.  I had a lot of fun with this book originally, and still am having fun. Rewriting can be a chore, but it is necessary.

Abigor is an Arch Duke of Hell…known by different names, but Abigor suits my purpose here.  He is a commander of military tactics, a healer (funny concept for a demon) and Garrett Cortelyou, the main male character, consults with Abigor against his arch enemy, Obadiah.  Bess is the writer (of both books…) thrown into the mix.  She is pulled from her comfortable 21st century life into the 1820’s:  the time and environment of  the first book.

Note: the Demons read minds and that is a source of their power over mortals.

Magic.

Lady Nyo

Chapter 17

–

My voice had been muted by the Demon, for he called me a chatterbox. I could only look at him and communicate through my eyes, which is a good lesson for me. Right now, there are large tears falling and I used this to move him to some pity.

Hah! There is no compassion from the Devil! He sat there and made faces, and I have gone from frustration to tears in a matter of minutes. He is an unkind beast, and I was crazy to think I could appeal to some better nature. I was dealing with a demon, for god’s sake! What do I expect?

The afternoon turned to dusk, and it darkened quickly outside, as it does in winter.   The Devil was standing at the window, watching the gloom gather. His senses were sharpened, even his ears were pointed like a bats–

“I heard that”, he said, not turning around. “It will be time to leave soon, so wipe your eyes and gather your courage. And curb your venom. Remember who holds you in relative safety tonight.”

He turned and smiled. Ah! I hate him with every bone in my body.

He left me some privacy, and I was thankful. Usually he abused his power of reading my mind, and now I realized just how worried he was. I could think of insults to taunt him, but he was deep into matters.

He turned back to the window, and then lowered his voice: “It’s time.”

He kissed me gently  and I entered a darkness, insensate.

—

I awoke to the night, as he walked through woods, a sword in his right hand. I was on his left, and he was holding me firmly by the hand, dragging me behind. I was almost blinded by the dark, feeling like I was swimming through warm water.

The night was dark, only a gibbous moon in the sky. It must have risen earlier when I was asleep. The trees are almost invisible, except for fireflies that look like white Christmas lights among the branches. I thought a moment. Fireflies are in the summer, not the dead of winter. Garrett squeezed my hand; he knows I was anxious and I tried not to look around.

We came out in a clearing; there were a few burning torches lighting the area. Seems to be a million fireflies about us, but now I think it is something different, something unnatural.

There, at the center of the clearing, as we drew near, was a man sitting on a stump of a tree. He was rather robust, of indeterminate age, but had a full white beard coursing down his chest. Dressed all in black, but of a style of an earlier time, he had a large white ruff around his neck, and what appeared to be gold buttons down two sides of his bodice.

A large, black dog sat at his feet. It might be a wolf. Whatever it is, the animal is chained to the stump. His red eyes were glowing in the light of the torches. Rather an unearthly scene, and one to raise the hairs on my arms.

The man was Abigor, the Grand Duke of Hell, as my Demon warned me. Garrett shifted me to his right side, slightly behind him, and approached no nearer than ten feet from the duke. I heard him take a deep breath, and saw him bow. I waited with my curtsey, and looked at Abigor seated on his stump. He seemed like a pleasant enough fellow.

Garrett addressed Abigor. I was not only mute, but I couldn’t hear their exchange. I did see Abigor nod his head, so I guessed they are talking. I tried not to look around but the temptation was too great, and I glanced up at the trees to my right. A sweet voice was talking, but I could hardly hear it. I swallowed something that had entered my mouth. Suddenly, I remembered Garrett’s words and I stamped my foot softly. The voice stopped. Whatever it was I swallowed has become bitter. I spit out what appeared to be dirt. A twittering rose in the trees. My Demon looked at me from the corner of his eyes. It was enough of a warning. Behave, girl.

Now I heard Abigor talk in a low rumble. Garrett answered in the same way. It was as if they were on an alien wave length, the decibels too deep for mortal ears. I tried to look at the ground before me, and not let my eyes stray.   A soft breeze circled my bare feet; it was warm and soothing. Again, I stamped my foot, this time with more force. I screwed up my face in a threatening scowl, and again the woods tittered. Suddenly there was silence, a total emptiness of sound. Even the ‘fireflies’ dimmed. I heard Abigor addressing me.

“Come here, mortal woman, come closer. Let me see your features.”

I looked at the Demon beside me, and he nodded. I walked within five feet of Abigor and gave him my lowest curtsey. He gave a genial smile, but I would not be put off. He was the Grand Duke of Hades for god’s sake! An Arch Demon. A false smile if ever there was one.

“Ah! She has courage, your woman”, said Abigor.

He looked at Garrett and something flew between them.

“She is not exactly the age of a breeder. Is there something else to make her of value to you?”

I heard my Demon give a short laugh and said I was entertaining, and that he knew he could breed me. I was a fast learner and had values beyond the obvious.

“Ah. Turn around, woman, so I may see these things that keep my kin in thrall.” I turned around a full circle for him slowly. I did not realize that the gown I had been dressed in was transparent to all other eyes except mine. The reason for coloring my nipples and sex was so they were highlighted to peering eyes.

“She had other features that keep me amused, Father.”

I heard my Demon list my ‘values’ to him.

“She cooks well, and embroiders, and can fence a bit. She plies her hand at writing, and her script is readable. She is a bit of a talker, so I have muted her for your pleasure. She is a good harem dancer, and sings on key enough. She can fly a falcon and shoot a straight arrow, and mostly does as she is told. You yourself, Grand Duke, know these mortal women are needing correction and training in our ways. She amuses me enough to keep her around.”

“Do you think she will be a good breeder, Garrett, my son?”

“I haven’t yet tried her on that. I have used a camelstone, Father, because I wanted to see her develop in our ways first. If she does as I expect, and does as I please, I should breed her in short time.”

“Your other children, Garrett. Have any of them survived to call you father?”

“No, Abigor. They have all died in the wars. Their mothers were not pleasing, but convenient for the time. This one, this woman, has more…ah…potential.”

“You know that another has made a claim on her? Your old friend, Obadiah.” Abigor coughed and black smoke shot from his mouth. “Would you slay Obadiah to keep her?”

“I would slay Obadiah for many other reasons, Father. And yes, I would slay him to keep this woman. She pleases enough for me to bother.”

“The claim Obadiah has made, does it not turn you away from her? We hear it was particularly insulting to your stature, my son.

“If she gave herself willingly to Obadiah, I would have killed her myself. But she was raped, and had no defense against him. Therefore, she is blameless.”

“Ah. Obadiah has been known for his violence. I believe you suffered from his actions?”

“Yes, Father, and I don’t mean to again.”

“You know Obadiah has appealed to the same Bench of Hell?”

“I would suppose he would. We both know the channels.”

“Then I will let you know my decisions in a matter of time. Continue to prepare for your battle, and draw your defenses carefully. I will remark upon your visit here with the others. And son, if you want this mortal woman as bad as you seem to, keep her close. Obadiah has a lust that is legendary. He will steal her for the pleasure of nothing.”

The Demon bowed deeply, as I hurried back to his side. Then, putting his arm around me, he passed his hand over my eyes, and I went into the darkness again. I did hear a faint twittering up in the trees as we passed out of the clearing and through the woods again.

 —

I found myself in bed, exhausted, and wondered if it was all a dream. But the circlet of gold on my forehead bit into my skin, and I knew that something ‘real’ enough had happened

Garrett the Demon  was sitting at the fire, staring into it intently, puffing hard on his pipe.

I called his name hoarsely, apparently my voice restored.

“So, you awaken! And did you have a pleasant dream?” His eyes glittered in the firelight.

I sat up on the side of the bed. “You are not going to try and persuade me all was a dream? I have the rouge here to prove that something happened this night.”

“So! You remember our walk in the woods and our chance meeting with a pleasant old man?”

“Ah, Demon! Spare me your tales. I remember all that happened. When you stopped up my voice, my ears became sharper. Apparently my memory, too.”

He looked at me, a meager grin on his face. “And what else do you remember?”

“Too much, Demon, to please me! I remember you listing my attributes like a race horse, and something about breeding me. I remember also the sounds of the woods, the laughter of something and the lights in the trees. They were demons, weren’t they?”

“I told you Abigor travels with an entourage. And yes, they were not summer’s fireflies.” He blew out a puff of smoke and grinned broadly at me. I could tell he was pleased with his interview.

“Stopping up your mouth probably made all the difference in the outcome here. There was definitely a danger of both of us becoming cinders.”

“But you called him ‘father’ and he called you ‘son’. Would he have done harm to you?”

“Ah! That. Just a politeness among devils. He isn’t my father and I’m not his son. It’s just a way of showing courtesy.”

He puffed on his pipe. “And yes, he could strike me down easily, and would if he fancied it. I think he took a shine to you, though.” He grinned and his teeth glittered in the firelight. I thought of the fireflies.

Great. To catch the eye of another demon. The powers of womankind. Mortal womankind.

“Don’t they have enough she-devils to fill their beds?”

Garrett looked at me and laughed. “Oh no. No, no, no. You don’t want to bed a she- demon for long. They sap your strength, and you wake up in the morning and she’s a hag. No, not pleasant at all. A mortal woman has no magic that can be used against you, especially when she is in your arms and you are inside her.”

I shivered at his words. What a culture of deceit. No wonder he was riddled with issues.

“Come here, Bess, let me check you for marks. Those demons tempted you fast, but you handled it well. Let me see if they left anything to worry about.”

I got out of bed and came before him at the fire. He snapped his fingers and the gown disappeared.

“Gossamer stuff. Tends to dissolve like that. I was sure Abigor would entertain his legion  with a snap of his fingers.” My eyes grew wide.

“Turn around slowly, sweet woman, and let me look at you closely.” I noticed he put down his pipe on the floor.

Taking my arms, he pulled me between his legs, and turned me around for his inspection. He passed his hands down my back and circled my fanny. He turned me around and pulled me close and put his head between my breasts.

“Ah, the smell of an uncharred woman. You got lucky tonight. We both did.”

There seemed to be a time where all reason was suspended. This night was of that.

Actually, from the moment the four frogs hopped in the room, and covered me with frog spit, my belief in my sanity had been put aside. It was a very confusing time for me, and the Demon tries my patience sorely. But all in all, as he said, we got lucky tonight.

Just hope I wake up tomorrow without blisters.

Jane Kohut-Bartels

Copyrighted, 2007-2015

“Devil’s Revenge”, Chapter 17

Abigor, Arch Duke of Hell, (members.tripod.com)

For Malcolm and Marge and some others who have been reading this story for a long time.

Lady Nyo

Chapter 17

My voice has been muted by my Demon, for he calls me a chatterbox.  I can only look at him and communicate through my eyes, which is a good lesson for me.  Right now, there are large tears falling and I use this to move him to some pity.

Hah! There is no compassion from my Devil!  He sits there and makes faces, and I have gone from frustration to tears in a matter of minutes.  He is an unkind beast, and I am crazy to think I could appeal to some better nature.  I am dealing with a demon, for god’s sake!  What do I expect?

The afternoon turns to dusk, and it darkens outside.   My Devil is now standing at the window, watching the gloom gather.  His senses are sharpened, even his ears are pointed like a bat’s—

“I heard that”, he said not turning around.  “It will be time to leave soon, so wipe your eyes and gather your courage.  And curb your venom.  Remember who holds you in relative safety tonight.”

He turns and smiles.  Ah! I hate him and love him at the same time!

He leaves me some privacy, and I am thankful. Usually he abuses his power of reading my mind, and now I realize just how worried he is.  I could think an insult to taunt him, but he is deep into matters.

He turns back to the window, and then lowering his voice: “It’s time.”

He kisses me gently on the lips and I enter a darkness, insensate.

I awake to the night, as he walks through woods, a sword in his right hand.  I am on his left, and he is holding me firmly by the hand, dragging me behind him. I am almost blinded by the dark, feeling like I am swimming through warm water.

The night is dark, only a gibbous moon in the sky. It must have risen earlier when I was asleep.  The trees are almost invisible, except for the fireflies that look like white Christmas lights among the branches. I think a minute.  Fireflies are in the summer, not the dead of winter.  Garrett squeezes my hand, he knows I am anxious and I try not to look around.

We come out in a clearing, and there’s a few burning torches illuminating the area.  Seems to be a million fireflies about us, but now I think it is something different, something unnatural.

There, at the center of the clearing, as we draw near, is a man sitting on a stump of a tree.  He is rather robust, of indeterminate age, but has a full white beard coursing down his chest. Dressed all in black, but of a style of an ancient age, he has a large white ruff around his neck, and what appears to be gold buttons down two sides of his bodice.

A large, black dog sits at his feet. It might be a wolf.  Whatever it is, the animal is chained to the stump. Red eyes are glowing in the light of the torches. Rather an unearthly scene, and one to raise the hairs on my arms.

The man is Abigor, the Grand Duke of Hell, as my Demon has mentioned.  Garrett shifts me to his right side, slightly behind him, and approaches no nearer than ten feet from the duke.  I hear him take a deep breath, and see him bow.  I wait with my curtsey, and look at Abigor seated on his stump.  He looks like a pleasant enough fellow.

Garrett addresses Abigor.  I am not only mute, but I can’t hear their exchange.  I do see Abigor nod his head, so I guess they are talking.  I try not to look around but the temptation is too great, and I glance up at the trees to my right.  A sweet voice is talking to me, but I can hardly hear it. I swallow something that has entered my mouth.  Suddenly, I remember Garrett’s words and I stamp my foot softly.  The voice stops.  Whatever it was I swallowed has become bitter. I spit out what appears to be dirt.  A twittering arose in the trees.  My Demon looked at me from the corner of his eyes. It was enough of a warning.  Behave, girl.

Now I could hear Abigor talk in a low rumble.  Garrett answered in the same way. It was as if they were on an alien wave length, the decibels  too deep for mortal ears.  I tried to look at the ground before me, and not let my eyes stray.   A soft breeze circled my bare feet, and it was warm and soothing.  Again, I stamped my foot, this time with more force.  I screwed up my face in a threatening scowl, and again the woods tittered.  Suddenly there was silence, a total emptiness of sound.  Even the ‘fireflies’ dimmed. I heard Abigor addressing me.

“Come here, woman, come closer. Let me see your features.”

I looked at my Demon beside me, and he nodded his head slightly.  I walked to within five feet of Abigor and gave him my lowest curtsey.  He smiled a tender smile at me, but I would not be put off guard.  He was the Grand Duke of Hades for god’s sake!  An Arch Demon.  A false smile if ever there was one.

“Ah! She has courage, your woman”, said Abigor.

He looked at Garrett and something flew between them.

“She is not exactly the age of a breeder.  Is there something else to make her of value to you?”

I heard my Demon give a short laugh and say I was entertaining, and that he knew he could breed me.  I was a fast learner and had values beyond the obvious.

“Ah. Turn around, woman, so I may see these things that keep my kin in thrall.”  I turned around a full circle for him slowly.  I did not realize that the gown I had been dressed in was transparent to all other eyes except mine.  The reason for coloring my nipples and sex was so they were highlighted to peering eyes.

“She had other features that keep me amused, Father.”

I heard my Demon list my ‘values’ to him.

“She cooks well, and embroiders, and can fence a bit.  She plies her hand at writing, and her script is readable.  She is a bit of a talker, so I have muted her for your pleasure. She is a good harem dancer, and sings on key enough.  She can fly a falcon and shoot a straight arrow, and mostly does as she is told.  You yourself, Grand Duke, know these mortal women are needing correction and training in our ways. She amuses me enough to keep her around.”

“Do you think she will be a good breeder, Garrett, my son?”

“I haven’t yet tried her on that.  I have used a camelstone, Father, because I wanted to see her develop in our ways first.  If she does as I expect, and does as I please, I should breed her in short time.”

“Your other children, Garrett.  Have any of them survived to call you father?”

“No, Abigor.  They have all died in the wars.  Their mothers were not pleasing, but convenient for the time.  This one, this woman, has more…ah…potential.”

“You know that another has made a claim on her?  Your old friend, Obadiah.”  Abigor coughed and black smoke shot from his mouth.  “Would you slay Obadiah to keep her?”

“I would slay Obadiah for many other reasons, Father. And yes, I would slay him to keep this woman.  She pleases enough for me to bother.”

“The claim Obadiah has made, does it not turn you away from her?  We hear it was particularly insulting to your stature, my son.”

“If she gave herself willingly to Obadiah, I would have killed her myself.  But she was raped, and had no defenses against him.  Therefore, she is blameless.”

“Ah, Obadiah has been known for his violence.  I believe that you suffered from his actions?”

“Yes, Father, and I don’t mean to again.”

“You know Obadiah has appealed to the same Bench of Hell?”

“I would suppose he would do so.  We both know the channels.”

“Then I will let you know my decisions in a matter of time. Continue to prepare for your battle, and draw your defenses carefully. I will remark upon your visit here with the others.  And son, if you want this mortal woman as bad as you seem to, keep her close.  Obadiah has a lust that is legendary.  He will steal her for the pleasure of nothing.”

My Demon bowed deeply, as I hurried back to his side.  Then, putting his arm around me, he passed his hand over my eyes, and I went into the darkness again.  I did hear a faint twittering up in the trees as I supposed we passed out of the clearing and through the woods again.

——

I found myself in bed, exhausted with the past whatever had happened and wondered if it was all a dream.  But the circlet of gold on my forehead bit into my skin, and I knew that something ‘real’ enough had happened.

My Demon Lover was sitting at the fire, staring into it intently, puffing on his pipe.

I called his name hoarsely, apparently my voice restored.

“So, you awaken! And did you have a pleasant dream?”  His eyes glittered in the firelight.

I sat up on the side of the bed.  “You are not going to try and persuade me all was a dream?  I have the rouge here to prove that something happened this night.”

“So! You remember our walk in the woods and our chance meeting with a pleasant old man?

“Ah, Demon!  Spare me your riddles.  I remember all that happened.  When you stopped up my voice, my ears became sharper.  Apparently my memory, too.

He looked at me, a meager grin on his face. “And what else do you remember?”

“Too much, Demon, to please me!  I remember you listing my attributes like a race horse, and something about breeding me.  I remember also the sounds of the woods, the laughter of something and the lights in the trees.  They were demons, weren’t they?”

“I told you Abigor travels with an entourage.  And yes, they were not summer’s fireflies.”  He blew out a puff of smoke and grinned broadly at me.  I could tell he was pleased with his interview.

“Stopping up your mouth probably made all the difference in the outcome here.  There was definitely a danger of both of us becoming cinders.”

“But you called him ‘father’ and he called you ‘son’.  Would he have done harm to you?”

“Ah! That.  Just a politeness among devils.  He isn’t my father and I’m not his son.  It’s just a way of showing courtesy.”

He puffed on his pipe.  “And yes, he could strike me down easily, and would if he fancied it.  I think he took a shine to you, though.”  He grinned and his teeth glittered in the firelight.  I thought of the fireflies.

Great.  To catch the eye of another demon.  The powers of womankind.  Mortal womankind.

“Don’t they have enough she-devils to fill their beds?”

Garrett looked at me and laughed.  “Oh no.  No, no, no.  You don’t want to bed a she- demon for long.  They sap your strength, and you wake up in the morning and she’s a hag.  No, not pleasant at all.  A mortal woman has no magic that can be used against you, especially when she is in your arms and you are inside her.

I shivered at his words.  What a culture of deceit.  No wonder he was riddled with issues.

“Come here, darling, and let me check you for marks.  Those demons tempted you fast, but you handled it well.  Let me see if they left anything to worry about.”

I got out of bed and came before him at the fire.  He snapped his fingers and the gown disappearedl

“Gossamer stuff.  Tends to dissolve like that.  I was sure Abigor would entertain his legion there with a snap of his fingers.”  My eyes grew wide.

“Turn around slowly, sweetwoman, and let me look at you closely.”  I noticed he put down his pipe on the floor.  Taking my arms, he pulled me between his legs, and turned me around for his inspection.  He passed his hands down my back and circled my fanny. He turned me around and pulled me close and put his head between my breasts.

“Ah, the smell of a uncharred woman.  You got lucky tonight.  We both did.”

There seemed to be a time where all reason was suspended.  This night was of that.

Actually, from the moment the four frogs hopped in the room, and covered me with frog spit, my belief in my sanity had been put aside. It was a very confusing time for me, and my Demon Lover tries my patience sorely.  But all in all, as he said, we got lucky tonight.

Just hope I wake up tomorrow without blisters.

Jane Kohut-Bartels

Copyrighted, 2009, 2010

“Devil’s Revenge…..Chapter 16

I’m heavy into the rewrite of this whole book , and haven’t looked at this chapter closely.  There will be issues of tense, etc…but it’s a funny chapter and this blog hopes to entertain.

Lady Nyo

DEVIL’S REVENGE
Chapter 16

My Demon has left me alone for the last three days.  I am a bit worried for he has spent many hours in his library, pouring over large books.  Then he strides out the front door of the house, with neither a nod in my direction nor a kiss, and I am left to await his return.  When he leaves, I return to my room, but I am at liberty to visit the bedroom that opens to mine.  It is his, though he never seems to use it.  It is a room with a high bed, old dusty curtains at its corners and a shotgun by the bed.  He would just have to stretch his hand out to retrieve it.  I look at it, knowing something about shotguns, but this gun is ancient.  I don’t touch it, but it looks very heavy, with a scrolled and embossed silver plate, badly tarnished on the breech.  It could have killed many times.  It is evil looking as all guns are to me.

I look out his windows though my room is a corner room with more windows and trees close to the house.  His window gives me a clear and unobstructed view of the countryside that stretches for miles. It is mid January now, and the view is as bleak as it was in December.  The skies are a uniform gray, with an occasional black cloud, and the ground is brittle and dun colored.  There is little notice of life outside, except for that hawk that flies each day, patrolling its territory.  Or so I believe.  My Demon knows it to be another devil, a lesser one called Arachula, the evil spirit of the air.   He said this demon turns into an owl at dusk and sits in the tree outside of our bedroom, watching.  He stands at the window, silently communing with this spirit, but won’t comment on what passes between them.  Perhaps he has an agreement with the owl to protect the house from monsters.  Who knows?  It is all beyond my comprehension.

This morning, I sit quietly flowering another vest for him.  He has constantly worn the one I made for him, and it shows its wear.  The floss I use is becoming worn, and pulling from the fabric.  I am forever cutting off little ends that unravel. This floss is silk, not cotton, and sinks into the fabric, and looks like it will be stronger.  It is a tree limb with many different kinds of flowers and leaves, with autumn colors, and at the top, an elaborate orchid, with tiny seed pearls worked in the blossom.  It is something to occupy my hands while I await his return.

I believe he has gone off to consult with different Demons of his own tribe.  I guess you could call it a tribe, but not knowing the hierarchy of his dominion, I am only guessing. He tells me little, and is strangely, for him, silent.  This is a definite turn in his behavior, and disturbs me. It tells me he is very preoccupied with his present business.  I do miss his easy conversation, as I have grown accustomed to his wit. I hope it returns as his behavior now is scary.  Too much the man and not enough the funny devil.

Suddenly he is in the room, and I look up, surprised.

“Good Morning, Devil!  Don’t you look handsome today!”

He smiles and sits down in his usual chair.   He has dressed himself in a different manner, and I continue to stare.  He wears a dark green frock coat, with deep cuffs and silver buttons.  It is long, to his hips, and under is a rich, silver brocade waistcoat, embroidered with leaves. A stock closely wrapped about his neck, clean linen shirt under the waistcoat, black breeches and shiny black boots completes his costume.  He looks quite formal in dress.  And quite charming.  He is obviously dressed for an important occasion.

“Goedemorgen, Betsy.  Today we make our appearance before Abigor and it is good we put our best foot forward.”

He smiles at me and I am a bit apprehensive. I immediately think of cloven hooves.

“Ah. An appearance.  As in being presented to a Demon that you want favors from?”

“Abigor is the Grand Duke of Hell, and I would remind you to curb your comic thoughts about him.  If you think I read your mind fast, he is faster.  He is pleasant enough, but there are limitations.  And he doesn’t take well to mortals.  He is annoyed by free will.”

Great.  Now I don’t only have to fear my Demon’s invading my thoughts, but his granddaddy as well.

If he reads my mind, he ignores me. I seem to be compounding my ‘mistakes’.   Perhaps I am losing my mind.

“First you will have to take the bath and dress in a gown provided for your appearance.
Arginutin has loaned you the handmaidens I promised you.  They are soon to appear.   They will assist you this morning.”

Arginutin is the demon who has dominion over baths and bathing places.  Like the Turkish baths?

“Don’t let your wit run away with you today.  I need you sober and submissive.”

Ah! About that submissive stuff, I was wondering if –

“Don’t wonder.  Don’t even think.  You will be surrounded by forces that will be confusing enough.  Remain by my side, slightly behind my right side, and if things get nasty, grab onto the back of my coat.”

“Are there to be more than one Demon that we are visiting now?”  I am apprehensive enough with this Abigor.

“Abigor travels with his own…ah, cabinet.  He will be visible to you, but only he.  Perhaps a large dog or wolf, or some monster at his feet.  The others will be there, but invisible.  Do not get curious and look around.  If one catches your eyes, he could charm you away, and I’ll have more trouble on my hands.”

We both hear a scratching at the door, and my Demon calls out ‘enter’.  The door opens and four greenish frogs enter the room.  They are large frogs, at least 4 feet tall.  But they are frogs.  I start to laugh, and Garrett looks at me with a scowl.  I am in shock and must be going hysterical.

“Go in the other bedroom with them and do as they say.”

“As they croak?”  He smiles a sly smile, “As they croak.”

“Will I get warts from them?”

“Betsy, don’t push it this morning.  If you anger them, they could cover you with worse.”

I trail the frogs into the other bedroom where a copper slipper tub is sitting on the floor.  The fire is lit in the fireplace and the four frogs take places around the tub.  There they start to fill the tub with ‘water’ from their throats, like fountains.  I watch for a moment and then it dawns on me.  My bath.  I return to the other room where I find Garrett, the Demon, sitting before the fireplace, smoking his white clay pipe.

“Ah, Garrett…..the frogs are spitting in my bath.”

He looks up at me, and he grins. “Don’t worry.  You’ll like the effects.  Like asses milk. Good for the skin.”

I look at him blankly, and go back in with the frogs.  The water is foaming, and looks milky.  Two frogs start to remove my petticoat and bodice, and their little claws scratch my skin.  They don’t croak a word, and they lead me to the tub, where I climb in.  It’s not exactly warm, frogs being amphibians, cold blooded and all, and I try to suppress an image of frog legs on a plate.  One of the frogs croaks pointedly, and I mumble ‘sorry’ to him.  They have little sponges attached (?) to their pads and they wash my hair with their spit.  One frog emits more of his saliva onto my hair, rinsing it with a blast of frog spit in my face.  I believe that was on purpose, as I sputter and they all give a low croak.  I think they are laughing at me.  They are none too gentle in washing me either.  One picks up an arm and other does the same, and they rub hard. Two pick up my legs, I feel like a wishbone right now, and they do the same.  The ‘chief’ frog, the one that is slightly darker and taller than the other three, plunges into the water and washes between my legs.  I see his face as he busies himself down there, and there is a decided sly frog smile on his…ah, face.  They pull me down in the water by my legs as their way of rinsing, and sputtering, I am helped from the bath.  Four towels appear in their paws and they are none too gentle in their rubbing. I think they get some pleasure in making my skin red with their efforts.

Standing there, naked, surrounded by these frog servants, I would laugh but they take themselves so seriously.  Plus I am afraid of warts.  The chief frog, for that is what I believe him to be, stands before me, looking intently at my body.  He croaks something in his language to the others and there is a hearty croaking.   Now I know that they are laughing at me, I just don’t know what part they find so amusing.

I am led to the bed, where I lay naked on the coverlet.  Since I don’t see any little penises, I am not afraid of frog rape.  However, they have little pots of something in their paws and start to paint different parts of my body with a soft, brick- red powder.  They paint my lips, cheeks, fingernails and toenails, rouge my nipples, and then the chief frog comes between my legs and none to gently spreads them.  He rouges my sex with the powder, and seems to work at it more time than necessary.  I see that sly frog smile again between my legs.

I stand up and two frogs bring a beautiful gown to me.  It is green or purple, no it is both colors, iridescent, and changes in the light.  It is a heavy silk and they float it over my head.  It fits, but hugs my body in places.  They all give a croak of approval, or this is what it seems to me.  They brush out my hair and the chief frog places a circlet of spun gold around my forehead.  I am barefoot, but apparently, I am expected to stay that way.

The frogs lead me back into the bedroom where my Demon is sitting, and present me to him.  He looks at me, and his eyes widen.  I think he is pleased.  He smiles and bows to the frogs.  I curtsey to them and they look pleased.  They file out the door, and then are gone.

“Wasn’t that bad an ordeal now, was it?”  He looked at me appraisingly.

“Garrett!  I am covered with frog spit! Maybe in your world this is normal, but in mine?”
I started to laugh, I could easily become hysterical.

“Any warts?”

“No, not that I can tell.”

“Good. Because if they took offense, you would now be covered in large, red welts.”

Well, that was the good news.  “What happens next?”

“We turn up at the appointed time and I make a leg.”  That meant him bowing to the Duke.

“And what do I do?”

“You are very quiet, don’t breathe a word, and for your Goddess’ sake, don’t think a thing.  Try to remain blank.  Though do present a pretty curtsy, and mean it when I present you.”  He grimaces at me.  “Do not be mocking in your behavior or you might end up a cinder.”

Ah! That was good to know.  I was really scared now!

“Do not loose courage, little woman of mine.  You will get used to the procedure, for we will be doing the same in a round of visits.  I am building my influence here, and calling in favors.”

“Will Obadiah be doing the same?”  I was curious.

He sighed deeply, and looked at me.  “Yes, he will.  It will be a race to see who develops their forces first.  That first strike can mean  an early victory.”

“And I assume, who gets me?”  He looked at me in a strange way, and drew me onto his lap.

“Sit here a spell.  We have some time yet.  The gathering isn’t until dusk.  Let me smell your mortal woman smell.  That will create a stronger bond.  It’s more than appearances to these devils, but appearances are important.”

I sat on his lap, and leaned my still frogspit damp hair on his shoulder.  He wrapped his arms around me and held me to his chest.  Ah, he was so tender this day!

“Explain something to me, Garrett.  Why is it again that I am needed in your dimension? What is it about mortals that make us  desired?”

“Not all mortals are desired, my darling one.  You have shown a free imagination and a certain intelligence.  That is how you attracted the Old Ones in the first place.  It’s not that they read much, but they sensed something usable in you.”

Sounds like he was describing a ‘devil’s plaything’. Nice.

“Have you ever heard of “Abd-ru-shin”?

“No, should I have?”

“Not necessarily.  There are a couple of reincarnations made from the original.  He was an Arab who wrote about humans and personal responsibility.  He also wrote, and is most famous for, beliefs on human free will.  He believed that humans, mortals if you will, have a neutral Creative Power.  They were between worlds….yours and others.  Applies to different dimensions, too.  You are what is called a ‘carrier.’  You can go between worlds and dimensions, with a bit of magic.”

“That’s where you come in?”

“Partly.”  He scowled heavily at some thought.  “Of course, other spirits and demons will want to use you, too.  I’ll have to be on guard you don’t get squired away.”

I felt like some giant, immortal mail service.  I had to laugh.  He read my thought but wasn’t in a humorous mood.

“You look fetching in that gown. The frogs did a good job with you. Now listen to me carefully.  You are a bit too fetching for my tastes.  At least outside this room.  I want you to grab onto my coat and stay there.  Don’t lose contact with me.  There are going to be strange forces around you, and some that will enter your mind.  Don’t allow them to muddle your thoughts.  Just think of me. Only  me.  There will be temptations abounding and these are a pack of tricky devils.  I would attend to him alone, but they all want to see why Obadiah and I are fighting.  If you feel an arm, or a breath or a tentacle touch you or go up your gown, stamp your foot.  That should break their spell.  If that doesn’t work, pull on my coat.  That will get my attention.  But remember I will be making my case to Abigor, and this is strong business between devils.  Try not to interrupt.”

Oh god!  I am to blank out my mind, avoid the tentacles going up my legs, not be open to suggestions from other demons in the area, and not lose contact with his coat! And to remember to stomp my foot if I am tempted.

“Why not just leave me here in the room? Seems a lot of trouble for you.”

“I could do that, and easily, but it is not what’s on the adgenda.  You are a prize, and right now mine, and I aim to keep it that way.  That is why Abigor is pivotal here.  He also predicts the future. So, just remember what I have said, and please!  Be submissive!”

If there was any time that I felt more submissive, I couldn’t remember.  Right now, I wanted to be so submissive as to disappear.  I was clearly out of my league with his fellow creatures.  The frogs were benign in comparison.

“Just for the visit, I am going to put a little charm on you.  Just for safety, my own as well as yours.”  He passed his hand over my tinted lips, and I felt nothing. I started to ask a question, and I had no voice. I was mute!

“Good. It works. Hard to tell sometimes, you are such a chatterbox.”  He smiled down at me and I flashed my outrage and anger from my eyes.  My mouth was useless.

“Don’t worry, sweetwoman..  After the visit, I’ll loosen your tongue again, and you can put it to good use thanking me.”

Jane Kohut-Bartels
Copyrighted, 2009