Asgoleth the Warrior - By Bill Kirkwood Page 0,22
him. Finally he spoke.
‘Look upon the ladies of your court Amira. See how they bow down before their new master. I rule in Torr now and they belong to me. I can do as I please with them. I could have them enslaved or killed if I so choose. Instead, I intend to set them all free.’
A gasp of astonishment arose from a hundred pairs of lips at his words. Amira frowned as she looked at the captives then she turned her gaze back to Demos.
‘And what do you ask in return for their lives, tyrant?’
Demos grinned at her.
‘Two things, princess; First, I want to know where the Heart of Ra lies hidden. Secondly, I want you to become my queen. Together we shall rule the great empire I will build.’
He sat back and smiled at Amira’s outrage. All eyes were on her as she stood there trembling with anger. At last she gasped.
‘You dare ask me to betray my sacred duty to the mighty Solus? You dare ask me to marry you, you who have raped and murdered and enslaved my poor people. My father lies dead, slain by your soldiers and my people groan under the whips and chains of your slave masters. I will never do as you ask. I spit upon you and your heathen gods. Slay me or enslave me as you will, I would prefer the embrace of slavery or death to yours you monster.’
Demos laughed at her outburst but unholy lights burned in his dark eyes as he replied.
‘Ah my princess, such spirit you possess. However, I believe that given just a little time you will reconsider my simple requests and see the wisdom in agreeing to them. In the meantime, while we await your decision my warriors and I will engage in some light entertainment.’
He clapped his hands and the doors of the throne room swung open.
A group of muscular slaves entered, bearing on their powerful shoulders a large, heavy cage. A gasp of fear arose from the cowering, naked women on the floor as they beheld the occupant of the cage. It was a creature out of nightmare and madness that glared back at them. Almost eight feet tall it stood on its bowed legs. Its huge, powerful body was covered in short black fur and its eyes, beneath a low brutal forehead, glared malevolently about the room.
There was a cruel intelligence in those red rimmed eyes and a savage lust when it beheld the helpless captive women. It gave vent to a terrible roar and rattled the bars of the cage in anticipation. Many of the women screamed with terror and some fainted dead away. Demos and his men laughed at their fright then Demos looked at Amira.
‘Allow me to introduce my little pet, Princess. His name is Zann, a man beast from the dark jungles of Siltha. Captured as a cub, he has been trained to perform in the great arena in Akon. He has provided many hours of entertainment there on many occasions. Perhaps you have heard of him?’
The girls on the floor cried out in terror. All had heard of the dreadful creature that had been trained to ravish women for the wicked amusement of the degenerate Akonites. Amira turned a hate filled gaze upon Demos.
‘So this is to be my fate. If I refuse to do as you ask I will be given to this foul creature. So be it then! I would prefer his embrace to yours.’
Demos assumed a mocking air of injured innocence.
‘My lady, you do me wrong to think such a thing. Beauty such as yours is not for a cruel beast like him. He is here merely to amuse my men and I while we await your decision. You may take as long as you wish to decide, I fancy the amusement will continue for quite some time.’
He glanced meaningfully at the naked girls and Amira cried out,
‘You would not dare!’
His face was completely without mercy as he replied,
‘I will do exactly as I please. I rule here now and there are none who will defy me.’
He gestured to two of his black clad guards and they stepped forward and hoisted one of the girls to her feet. She shrieked her terror as they dragged her towards the cage. There was no mercy in any Akonite eyes. Her cries only served to amuse them. Zann’s small red eyes gleamed with unnatural lust and he stretched his long arms through the bars of