A gift from Coloths Daughter.

[Mon-da-oth]

***When I started this I didn't realize that it would be so long. If you like it please tell me. I hope that this back story will give you some more insight into Rhodes character.****





The winds had changed direction bringing temperatures down near freezing and causing the already rain soaked ground to harden. Icicles formed along the edges of the rooftops most everything that wasn’t moving was coated in a shiny glaze.

Rhode stood like an ice carving. He had not moved in many hours and the drizzle had frozen solid around him; encasing him in a fragile clear armour as he stood looking across the rooftops of Cear. His eyes followed every figure that moved and traced every cloud of chimney smoke that struggled to escape the murkiness of the freezing rain clouds that had been moved in.

He watched as people busied themselves with the preparations for Nex Ut Proditor despite the weather and tried to decide for himself how he was going to celebrate such a festive holiday himself.

As the chimney smoke mixed with the gloom his thoughts dropped back to the first Nex Tu Proditor celebration he could remember and would never forget. It was the day that he had first met a daughter of Coloth and had received her gift.

“Which one do you want?” Bartold asked as Rhode peered into the darkness at the silhouettes of houses against the darker background of the forest surrounding the City.

“Dat ones dar.” Rhode pointed at the dim image of a well ornamented house sitting tall among the other houses near it.

Bartold clapped Rhode hard on the shoulder almost knocking him from his seat on the edge of the wall into the alley below. Rhode clawed franticly to keep his balance as he turned towards his mentor.

“Good choice boy! I think that one is one of the councilmen’s homes.” Bartold took several steps back from the edge of the wall. “Come on, we have some celebrating to do.”

The Ainger Dawn had docked in the city of Solace for Nex Ut Proditor and Captain Whitney had given the crew leave to join the celebrations. The Drow called Simon had slinked off on his own as soon as the ship docked while the rest of the crew left as a group; cheering and shouting at the promise of a good time.

Although acting as members of the river boats crew Bartold and Rhode were still distrusted by the others and were not invited along, of course the disappearance of one of the crew members the first night had much to do with it.

The streets were crowded with people attending the sponsored celebrations. Bards drew crowds around them at nearly every intersection singing songs about the glory of the empire and its ruler, fighters competed against each other in roped off arenas wielding blunted swords or other weapons and the spells of the numerous mages could be seen lighting up the far corner of the city near the river as they too competed against each other for various prizes and recognition.

Rhode following slightly behind Bartold quickly made their way through the deserted back streets and alleyways; avoiding the crowded main roads ending in front of the house Rhode had selected earlier.

He watched as Bartold studied the property in front of them. The house had a large iron fence in front with a locked gate. It seemed to have three stories with a full attic. The upper levels had balconies decorated with plantings that dropped down from boxes setting along its edges. Overall the dwelling screamed wealth and with it security.

Bartold bent forward to study the lock on the gate. “Dogs. “he whispered to Rhode raising his head only slightly.

Rhode looked past him towards the marbled main entrance. Just off to the side he could see the glint of several eyes staring back at him and hear the low rumble of growls. A light click indicated that Bartold had opened the lock.

“You wait here until I draw the dogs away. I will meet you inside. Don’t break anything getting in though.” Smiling Bartold opened the gate and stepped through.

Immediately the dogs started after him with snarls and barking. Bartold sprinted along the edge of the fence line and around towards the back of the property with the dogs close on his heels.

Once clear Rhode made his dash towards the front door and knelt down in front of the lock. He pulled a set of picks from a pouch on his belt and began working the tools against the mechanism of the lock. Twisting the tension bar he scraped the pick against the tumblers. In the distance he could hear that the dogs had stopped barking.

Sweat started to bead on his forehead as he worked at the picks. His hand pushed on the tension bar as he struggled to manipulate the tumblers into place. A snapping sound followed by the tension bar dropping to the ground indicated that he had pushed too hard and had broken the tool.

He glanced over his shoulder as he pulled a new set of tools from his pouch. The shadows of the dogs flickered along the edges of the walk and he turned quickly back around jamming the new pick and tension bar into the lock.

The sound of barking and the swift patter of paws told Rhode that he had run out of time. He turned and pulled his dagger from its sheath as he prepared to defend himself from the pack of guard dogs. The blade cleared the sheath as the lead dog leapt towards him; its jaws wide with sharp teeth gnashing as it cleared the stairs with the others just behind it.

Rhode fell backwards as the door opened suddenly and then slammed shut blocking the dogs attempt at ripping out his throat. The snarls and growls of the dog could be heard as they scratched and pounded at the door angry that their prey had escaped.

Bartold stared down at Rhode as he still clenched his dagger. A harsh look creased his face. “Too slow boy. I should have left you out there for the dogs to tear you a new one.”

Rhode scowled back up at Bartold. “Aye yous could ‘ave buts Is kill’d da dog either way. Either wit mes knife ors Is get caught in it throat ans it choke to death et’n mes.”

“Get off your lazy arse and lets start celebrating.” Bartold turned and spread his arms out wide. “This place is ours for the night. Eat anything you want, drink anything you want and destroy anything you don’t.”

Bartold started off by picking up a small vase sitting on a table near the entry way and throwing it through a painting hanging on a nearby wall. The vase shattered after ripping through the artwork; spraying bits of broken porcelain across the hallway. Tatter remains of the painting dangled across the gold leafed frame. A Varanite hero now killed twice.

The two worked their way through the mansion; ripping clothing and bedding, smashing glass, tearing furniture apart and stuffing their pouches with valuables. The rooms included a master bedroom, a smaller room for a son who by the clothing and belongings seemed to be about the same size and age as Rhode.

While in the sons room Rhode donned a new shirt and fur lined cape which he found boxed as a gift for Nex Ut Proditor.

Eventually the duo found themselves in the wine cellar drinking heavily from the stock stored there. Empty bottles and food stuffs littered the floor as Bartold rocked back in an over-stuffed chair. Rhode tossed an empty bottle across the cellar where it smashed against the wooden paneled wall.

Rhode paused for a moment, cocking his head slightly to the side. “Yous ‘ear dat?” He asked walking slowly towards the wall.

“Hear what? Those people won’t be back for awhile yet and we will be long gone.” Bartold pulled the cork out of another bottle of wine.

Rhode bent over looking through the remains of the bottle he had just shattered against the wall. Bending down he picked up an iron key between his fingers and then looked up towards the top of the wall.

“Is thoughts Is ‘eard sometin.” He ran his hand along the top edge of the wall finding a small nail near just big enough for the key to hang on.

“Wot yous suppose dis bes fer?” He turned showing the key to Bartold.

Bartold took another gulp out of the wine bottle before standing up and walking over to where Rhode was standing. He looked at the key Rhode was holding between his fingers then turned to study the panel wall in front of them. After a few moments he ran his fingers down the length of one of the boards and then pressed on a knot in the wood.

A small clicking noise was heard and a door in the panel popped open reveling a keyhole. “I would suppose it goes into that lock there.” Bartold replied his words slurring with the wine. “Lets see what is so important that they want to hide it behind a false wall.”

Bartold deftly snatched the key from Rhodes fingers and stuffed it into the keyhole. With a slight twist the lock opened and the door swung out grating against the broken glass of the wine bottle Rhode had shattered. The two thieves peered into the darkness of the room beyond.

Stale musky air greeted them with a strong scent of urine and feces. Rhode pinched his nose as he tried to make out the contents of the room. Bits of food and bones were scattered across the earthen floor. A used bedpan laid tipped over against one of the stone walls and a parts of a long chain winked in and out of the weak light that managed to invade the room.

“Well I don’t see any traps. You go in and see what is at the end of that chain.” Bartold announced just before shoving Rhode through the doorway into the darkness.

The chain moved suddenly as Rhode stumbled into the room. He froze a few steps in pulling his dagger from its sheath and holding it ready. The glint of two red eyes stared back at him.

“Thomas? Is that you and Daddy?” A young girls voice greeted him from the darkness.

“Coloths sack! Dar bes sometin in ‘ere Bartold.” Rhode exclaimed trying to make out the shape belonging to the voice and eyes peering back at him.

“I heard. Hold on while I get one of the lamps.” Bartolds voice disappeared back into the wine cellar and the sound of an empty wine bottle clattered back towards Rhode.

“You’re not Thomas.” The girls voice trembled slightly with fear.

The red eyes dipped towards the ground and the sounds of wood being scrapped with iron came from the darkness.

“Bartold?” Rhode called out urgently keeping his eyes on the two glinting red dots facing him.

A flickering of shadows and the breaking of glass was his only answer.

Rhode tightened his grip on his dagger and stared harder into the darkness.

“If you’re not Thomas are you one of his friends? Have I been a good Da-mond?” The sounds of scrapping paused.

“Aye dats it. Is one of Thomas’s friends.” Rhode bluffed hoping Bartold would hurry up with the lamp.

The chain moved suddenly and the red eyes winked at him as they moved closer. “Oh good I have someone to play with, but you can’t tell Daddy right? Thomas told you that you can’t tell Daddy?”

Rhode took a few steps back. “Bartold!”

“Quit your shouting, you will get the dogs barking.” Bartold scolded as the light from the lamp started to fill the small stone room.

Rhode stood staring at the slight form exposed at the end of the chain. It was a small female child with black skin, twisted unkempt white hair, pointed ears and blood red eyes.

“It looks lik’n Simon. Wot dey be chain’n a Drow child ups fer?” Rhode asked lowering his dagger.

Bartold circled slightly around the child. “I don’t think it’s a Drow. It has a tail and those finger nails would make better claws. Look at the bed.”

Rhode glanced at the rough wooden cot against the far wall. The edges of the wooden frame were scraped with large gouges and the bedding was in shreds.

“You are a daughter of Coloth aren’t you? You’re a Tiefling.” Bartold asked the girl.

The girl cowered back under the scrutiny. “Daddy calls me Tiefling sometimes. Thomas calls me Da-mond and says that if I am a good Da-mond he will play with me or let his friends play with me.” The girl smiled slightly showing yellowed fangs.

Bartold picked up the chain and followed it to where it was anchored into the stone. “I’ve got an idea Rhode. Find something to help me break this chain.”

Rhode slipped out of the stone room and scoured around the cellar until he found an iron bar among several other tools that were stored down there.

By the time he had returned the girl had taken up a perch on the edge of the cot. Her filthy gown barely covered her body and it was evident that she had no small clothes on underneath.

When she noticed Rhode staring at her she licked her lips and cooed at him. “Have I been a good Da-mond?”

“Err,” Rhode started to answer before Bartold interrupted.

“You will be a good Da-mond if you help us get you out of here.” Bartold looked at the girl while holding out his hand for the iron bar Rhode had.

Sticking the bar between the links of the chain near where it was anchored the two thieves pried down trying to break it lose. Sweat poured off the older man Bartold and the teen-aged Rhode as they struggled with the chain and the bar.

They were about to give up when they heard the chain rattle and a small black hand with long nails grabbed a hold of the bar with them. The girl smiled as she pulled down on the bar and with a screech the bolts holding the chain to the wall pulled out and snapped leaving the chain free.

Bartold and Rhode both turned and stared at the girl with their mouths agape. The girl took several steps backwards dragging the chain with her.

She gathered her gown up in front of her and started rubbing the fabric against her thighs; a worried expression crossing her Drow like face. “Was Da-mond good?”

Rhode started to speak when Bartold elbowed him in the ribs. “Not yet, we need to get out of here first.”

After wrapping the chain around the girls waist the three of them gathered up what they had looted and carefully made their way through the ransacked house stopping at the front door.

“Wot bouts da dogs?” Rhode asked peeking through one of the small windows at the top of the door.

“I came in through the back window over there.” Bartold pointed back down the long hallway towards the window at the far end. “Why don’t you and Da-mond go out through there and I will take care of the dogs. We can meet back at the ship.”

Rhode nodded in agreement and headed back towards the window.

“Oh Rhode?” Bartold called once Rhode and the girl were half-way down the hallway.

Rhode started to turn back around when Bartold opened the door letting the dogs rush in.

“Run!”

As the dogs charged towards him Rhode could see Bartold slip behind them and shut the door.

Rhode arrived at the boat sometime later. He was covered with numerous cuts and scratches. His new cape and shirt had been torn. The toe to one of his soft boots was missing and he had large bruise covering the side of his face.

The girl seemed to have fared a little better with only her dirty gown having gotten a new rip that exposed the side of her torso and hip. The chain attached to her foot was still wrapped around her waist

Rhode scowled at the grinning Bartold until the man’s hand snaked out and smacked him in the side of the face.

“I see you made it back safe enough.” Bartold frowned watching Rhode rub the side of his face where he had just hit him.

The rest of the Ainger Dawn crew were arriving from the Nex Ut Proditor celebrations and Captain Whitney stopped looking at first at Rhode and Bartold before turning his gaze towards the black skinned Tiefling.

“What do we have here? It looks like a Drow child with a tail.” The Captain questioned.

“Mockery!” The Drows voice cut through the crew gathered around the child.

Simon pushed his way through the crewmen to stand in front of the child who cowered backwards until bumping onto Rhode.

“This thing here can lay no claim to Drow blood.” The Drow sniffed at her while scowling. “It has the reek of human and demon, not Drow.”

Simon moved suddenly and Bartold leaped forward grabbing the Drow by the shoulder and pinning his hand to his side. With a harsh twist Bartold forced Simon to drop his dagger. The poisoned blade clattered to the decking.

“Now, it wouldn’t be a good idea to kill the Captains present now would it? Especially after all the trouble I went through to get it here.”

“I don’t know what game you are trying to play with me Dream Killer but it will only end in a lose for you.” Simon twisted around to face Bartold.

The two stared at each other before Captain Whitney ended the tension. “Enough! Both of you. If, you want to fight each other I will put you both ashore and leave you there. This ship is too small for us to be trying to kill each other.”

Bartold released his grip on Simon and the two separated with harsh looks.

Captain Whitney approached the small girl and leaned over slightly to get a better look at her. “What was that about a present?” He inquired.

The girl stepped backward behind Rhode and looked out from around him while gripping him tightly around the waist. “I am a good Da-mond?” she asked looking up at Rhode.

Rhode gave a slight gasp at the girl’s strength as the air rushed out of his lungs. “Aye.” He wheezed.

Bartold stepped forward and pulled the girl out from behind Rhode. “I thought that you might enjoy the company of such a unique creature such as this one.” He gave the Captain a wry smile and a wink.

Captain Whitney stood up regarding the girl and her filthy shredded gown. “I just might at that.” He smiled lustily. “First though we need to get that chain off her and get her into a proper shirt before my whole crew is walking around with wooden legs.”

As the captain dragged the fearful girl away to his cabin she turned and smiled showing her yellowed fangs before catching Rhodes face with her red eyes and licking her lips.

Rhode woke up suddenly with a warm weight pressing against his loins. As he tried to raise his head he felt the sharp point of a knife start to dig into his throat. His eyes stared straight up into the red eyes of Da-mond. Her hair had been neatly brushed and two small black horns protruded slightly up through her hair. The small patches of dirt that had grayed her black skin had been washed off and she smelled like scented soap.

“You said I was a good Da-mond and that means I can play with you. Just don’t let Daddy know.” She reached down between her legs and grabbed Rhodes twig.

“Whoa dar?” Rhode started to question.

Bartolds cruel chuckle cut through the darkness. “Just don’t let the Captain know. Relax Rhode and enjoy it. Think of it as a gift for Nex Ut Prodiator.”

Rhode felt a cold hand rest on his shoulder and he move quickly pulling his rapier from its sheath at his belt. The ice that been building up on his still form shattered throwing dart like projectiles around the area.

The ghostly form of the Tiefling girl he called Flower jumped back away from him; the blade of the rapier stabbing harmlessly through her torso.

He sighed lowering his weapon. There were only two reasons why he was the only one that could see and hear her. The first was he was being haunted as Elrith had suggested and the other; well, he didn’t want to think that he was becoming one of the Lost Ones.

He turned back towards the shadows of the house of Cear. “Pick a ‘ouse Flower.”

[Elrith]

((Very interesting. I never expected Elrith's deduction to be correct. Also its not too long at all. ))

[blackheart]

haunting, brilliant, fucked up. please don't stop.

[Will]

Hmm. Okay... lol. Good story, just stranger than I'm used to.

[Mensha Khaine]

please sir can we have some more

[StormRunner]

Bartold is my hero.

Nicely written, Mon. It might have been long, but I read the whole thing in one sitting and it felt like only a minute had passed. Well done!

[Nemesis]

Very well done!! No, it isn't too long.

I can see you compiling your stories into a book someday.

[Mon-da-oth]

My wife has been trying to encourage me into doing that. I really was thinking about writting one about Mon da Oth's (from das 1) childhood.

Rhode I feel is a bit too depraved for most readers and there is much that has happened to him as child under the care of Bartold which resulted in the person he turned out to be.