Silvermane and the Count

[Dr. Pain]

Silvermane and the Count

By

RedDragonKan

1375, Year of the Demoness.

NetherFallz, Count Uldrich D'Mont's residential area.

12:39 am

Rain announces another night starting here, in Nether Fallz. The Count of these parts is the richest of the land, and the most greedy.

He has built his castle on the outskirts of Rune village, which is about 5 hours away from the dark city itself. His castle, as many of its kind, it's dark, filled with demons, minions, and anyone who either was hired by the Count, or been possessed under his spell. Of the above mentioned, he has also recruited a small group of Lycanthropes, mainly Werewolves who serve him every single day without hesitation.

I am one of them.

It has been 20 years since I became under his service, before that time I roamed the dark lands for prey, or for a job as a bounty hunter. I was human then.

My name in those times was Richard. Just Richard. I migrated from the Ruby Crest kingdom in order to escape the monotony and the bloodshed that kingdome always brought down to any other town, or village. My job was that of a General, leading humans to their doom and bring back the victory with a blood-stained sword. That was never my cup of tea.

I renounced my duties and became a mercenary, looking for a good price on a target the kingdom might have up in the bounty hunter's guild. The pay was even greater if you would risk your neck going as far to the mountains, or south, to the jungles of the Southlands...or this place, the demon lands.

The need for a greater bounty pushed me to come here, in search of a renegade spy that had valuable information about the battle plans in the wastelands. It was something about technology, whatever that is, and it was highly valuable and tragic that the Ruby Crest would collapse if it didn't have them back.

"What the hell," I told myself "As long as I stay out of anyone's way, I have no reason to fear."

Fear was something that is learned here, no, BORN with. Humans are prey to demons, while others fight to be left alone. I chased that bastard all the way to the Noir Forest, deep inside the settlements of D'Mont's property. I was aware that many creatures were around me, hiding in the woods, watching over me, but money was a stronger power that kept me in the chase.

His scream lead me to the fact that something else besides me had got him. I saw his body, which was splattered to a rock, vital organs everywhere. His legs were a feew feet away, seemingly, what killed him simply sliced in half, then decided to play with his upper body with that rock. This sight meant not much to me, but then a growl behind my back made it clear that creature was still around, looking for his new toy to maul.

Removing my sword from my scabbard, I turned around, looking everywhere for signs of it...there was none to be seen. I found myself flying to the air as something slammed me on my side, I fell hard ot the ground, to the left side of the rock that the bounty was smeared into, my ribs were broken and my sword was knocked away.

I saw a pair of glowing eyes, towering feet away from the ground, looking down at my battered body. It snarled, crouching , and fangs were visible too, long, long pair of fangs. Fur covered its body, and it had triangular ears that moved back as it leapt towards me, managing to slash at my chest.

Its claws made a clean swipe, destroying my leather-padded vest, and ripping my flesh.

I stop daydreaming about my past, only to be summoned by the head-honcho himself, Count D'Mont. I padded on all my fours trough the mainhalls of his enourmous castle. The Count had it made in here, and I was but a ball of fur considered his guard against those who seek to destroy his ideals. I always liked dogs, although I never knew I would someday become one. It felt good actually, being able to have a wild side to an otherwise fleshy pile of meat. My senses were heightened, my maw long, covered in rows of sharp teeth and long fangs.

My tail, long, dragging about as I padded with my paws and claws around and along the countless steps of the castle. Again I heard the damned bell. This Vampire, as immortal, was sure impatient. An image of me flicking him off passed around my mind. I was a beast, but I still retained my charm, much to the dislike of other mutts under his service.

I kept panting, something that came along with being a mutt. I never knew how dogs kept doing this, inhaling all the air inside their mouths and not caring what kept goung inside. I did it as well, and it feels indiferent, if you ever want to ask me what's like.

Enough of the mutt references.

I reached his room, finally. If I were a human, I would've had taken about threeo r five breaks before reaching this place. If I were human, I would whistled to the collection of gold and silver that adorned this bloodsucker's place. A chandelier covered in jewels and diamonds hung overhead, sparkling. I took no notice of all this, since I was no longer human. I mean, what's money worth when you have other interests along with your new way of life?

My eyes turned to the count, who had his pale butt sit on his comfortable throne. His skin, like most of his kind, was blue in color, pointed ears and yellow eyes that were ablaze, always burning trough anyone that dared looked at him directly. He was dressed in a sharp, black suit, with a cape that covered most of his body. He had a golden necklace around his neck, a family heirlom.

He looked down at me like much rubbage, but unlike other servants, he actually respected my ideals. He never mistreated not once since he dragged me under his service, and always trusted me information he would never tell anyone else, not even his own relatives.

Don't ask me why, maybe it was my "charm" that led him to believe that I was trustworthy.

"Silvermane." he said, a name which he donned me with. A name I had to accept since I no longer was of human kin. I crouched on my legs and bowed my head, trying not to be so obvious.

"Master." I growled, "What is that you want of me?"

"Tonight, the beasts are restless, my furry pet. The village celebrates another long night. There had been rumors of them wanting to rebel against me and my domain over this part of the land. What news have you got of this?"

"In my travels to said village, nothing sire." I murred, "I had guised as a human whenever day hits and I visit the usual bar in town. Not even the most of drunken men speak of such triffles."

Don't ask me how I always managed to speak in such elegant manners, either. It seeemed that the count not only controlled you, he would also control the way you speak to him. Even if it came out in a series of growls from a mouth that could not form human speech. I often felt violated of my former self, then again, I was not my former self either. Ce la bi.