Pacts

Pacts

Authors Note: Constructive Criticism is encouraged.

Reviews will be returned in like.

Faust awoke to the smell of burning flesh and his own screams. He tried to move but found himself on a cold metal slab with shadowy creatures holding his hands and feet down. He turned to look at his right hand where the pain was coming from and his eyes widened slightly at what he saw.

One of the creatures was carving something into his flesh with his talon like fingers. It felt as his muscles had been doused in ale and then set alight. Then he felt a chill land on his forehead. The beads of sweat seemed to freeze at the touch and his eyes rolled upwards to see the same women staring at him blankly with a emotionless look on his face.

“It shall be over soon child, sleep until then.”

He fell into memories; memories of blood, death, decay and desperation for something that he had yearned for so many years and never found. Faust could never truly remember the memories fully but could always hear one question that would make his ears ring and keep him up at night.

"What do you want?

When he next awoke it was on a cot with a flimsy woolen blanket covering his form. Faust immediately lifted up his right hand and stared in horror at the mark carved into it. It was octagonal in shape and had various runic shaped letters inside of it that pulsed with a sickly blue light.

Suddenly a candle sparked to life and illuminated a chair and desk as well as some of the surroundings. The walls were of stone and had a layer of grime that was thicker than a gold coin. The air was stale and yet at the same time sickeningly sweet as if something new had come to flourish in the decaying remains of the dead. Then Faust finally noticed her and stared at her, fear evident in his eyes.

Her hair was porcelain white and the greenish tinge her skin had taken before had faded slightly. Her mist colored eyes locked into his taking in his face and features but revealing nothing to his own. “I apologize for the lack of light; I have very little need for such uses.”

Faust could do nothing but stare at the women in fear; when he said nothing she started to speak again.

“You are wondering what happened, no doubt.” She began in her distant tone of voice, Faust nodded weakly and she ploughed onwards. “I have bound you to myself.” The statement was abrupt and eye widening.

“What?” Faust croaked.

The woman stared at him emotionlessly before a small smile slipped onto her face. “Ah yes, you’re one of the disbelievers in magic…a dying breed.” The last remark came as something full of amusement as opposed to scorn. She rose from her seat and approached Faust who was rooted on the spot unable to move the slightest inch.

The witch took his right hand and traced the symbols with her thumb. “These markings are a Binding; you will serve until I release you.” She let go of his hand and stepped backwards waiting for his eventual outburst that came.

“Why?” He wanted to demand but it came out as more of a meek question; he was in no position to argue or complain. He did not wish death but this was….unthinkable; or so he had thought. Another question slipped out of his mouth as well; “Who are you?”

The woman did a curtsy that seemed to be mocking almost. “I am a Crone; a witch as your kind here calls me. As to your first question it is simple; you are the perfect candidate for what I need.”

“And that is?”

“A lackey,” The response was curt and short and she brushed the question away like it was a fly. “There is a small town that goes by the name of Tethra; you are to go there and pledge yourself to the Wizardess Shara.”

“Wizardess? Magic?” Faust blurted. “Magic’s dead! It has been for centuries!” Indeed the most magic he’d seen were that of charlatans and tricksters trying to make a living on the streets.

The Crone smiled once more. “The age of the flintlock is at an end. It is time for our return. The Wizardess shall explain more and if you ever wish to be free I suggest you follow her instructions.”

Faust felt a newly formed strand of tension creep through his spine but before he could say anything she had locked her eyes into his and he felt himself starting to slip away once more.