The Curse of Thir

“A day like any other, any other like a day to which most would never pay to lay beside thine enemies or feast upon their dusty flesh. For mortal eyes, these that devoured, could not divine the righteous from their rhyme post much was haste to recover what was lost in the pit of all consumed. Its beastly claws shook upon its face and spoke such horrid things, such things that would not be wished on the old of Thir in darkest days. This was a cruel, cruel man.” Bonifacio closed the book, he didn’t enjoy reading let alone reading aloud, but when the cold one demanded something it was done. He looked up to see a smug expression plastered on Lord Nicos face.

“Of all things I find humanities ingenious manner of creationism through words most astounding. Do you not agree Boni?”

Boni stared at the leather bound book, frowning at the golden words deeply engraved in its spine, ‘Thrilling tales of Thir’. He frowned, this was the first time Lord Nico had requested a book be read to him and it was children’s thriller story book from two centuries back in Ashail.

“Yes they do have a lot of words for things.”

“Your appraisal for the race is lacking, but never mind. You must find it odd that I requested this.”

“It was an odd request Lord Nico.” The floating image grinned with knowledge he would soon impart, but not without annoying Bonifacio first.

“Yes you are right, it was an odd request, and especially the fact that I requested you read a specific page and only that paragraph.”

“Have you read it before?”

“Very astute of you Boni, I have indeed read it before in fact I was the inspiration for that little piece there. I plagued that writers nightmares for countless days before I took over his body and killed his family.” His sharp teeth smiled at the memory.

“Was he important for the mission Lord Nico?”

“What? Of course not, I just wanted some fun.” Lord Nico tilted his head in an almost comical manner. “I love it when their eyes hold just the smallest hint of hope, and then it’s ripped away.” His mood of late had been increasingly good, this unnerved Boni to the core.

“Is this to do with that girl, Xylee?”

“Indeed it is. You my dear Bonifacio are truly in top form today.” He laughed as if this idea was the funniest thing he had ever heard. It echoed coldly in the empty room. He sighed and continued. “That girl has power, and tomorrow that power will become mine. Those idiots are about to remove the only thing that has kept my control over her at bay.” His cold laugh howled through Bonis ears. “In front of the King no less! Ha! They’ve become cocky wouldn’t you agree? To trusting, the fools!”

“Yes Lord Nico.” Boni bowed his head and almost felt sorry for the girl and those who would find themselves in her presence.

“Watching and listening to everything through her eyes and ears has been most informative, although she does seem really pathetic. Perhaps we blocked too much of her true self from her? It matters not though; she won’t be in the right frame of mind in any case.”