Serial Story: Under His Wing, Part 4
This story is presented weekly in draft (unedited) form. Enjoy!
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 |
Dunning Manor, Book 1
Under His Wing
Part 4
“Awaken, Thomas Grady. Your services are required.”
He heard the gentle command just before he felt the heat of change begin to move up his body. Steeling himself for the pain, he focused as loud cracking and popping noises began to assault his eardrums. The stone started to fall away, stretching and pulling the thick skin underneath, sending wave after wave of searing impulses through each part of his body in turn. He contracted his muscles, bending over and pulling in tight, and then flexed them all at once, sending shards of granite flying in all directions as his body broke free of it’s long-term prison.
Leaning back and stretching the heavy wings on his back, he let out a mighty roar that echoed throughout the foothills surrounding the mansion, releasing the last of the pain and stress from his body. Then he stepped down off the wide pedestal and turned to Zariah, watching with something akin to boredom on her tiny face.
Going down on one gnarly gray knee, he folded his wings in and bowed his head. Long ago he’d waived the opportunity to earn his freedom and mortality back as most of his brethren had. He couldn’t fathom why she’d called him awake, unless something was amiss with the manor itself.
“Mistress Zariah. How may I be of service?” His throat was dry and scratchy, his words coming out in a barely intelligible growl.
Her tiny hand stretched out to rest on the top of his head, a soothing touch.
“There is a woman - Katie Watson - who would request your protection and aid. You will reclaim your human form and join us for dinner three nights, after which you will go with her into the city.” Her hand fell away and she stepped back as Thomas lifted his head, and then stood to his full ten-foot height.
“I don’t understand, Mistress.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “I do not wish to earn my freedom. I wish to remain here, at the manor.”
She gave him a slight nod. “I am aware. But you will help this woman. You are the only one who can. It has been seen.”
“Nonsense.” He looked out across the rooftop, adorned by at least twenty more grotesque winged monsters like himself, all encased in stone and looking out over the rolling hills. “There are plenty of others here - surely one of them can help the woman vanquish her enemy.”
Zariah shook her head. “It must be you, Thomas. If you refuse, she will leave here alone, and die at the hands of her tormentor.”
Thomas was unswayed. “Perhaps that would be for the best.”
One delicate eyebrow arched high at that. “Perhaps,” she agreed. “But know that if you refuse to give this woman aid, your human form will be lost to you forever, as will the sanctuary of this place.” She tilted her head to the side, her expression softening. “You’ve been here too long, Thomas - far longer than most, and we’ve been too indulgent. It’s time to pay your debt and move on.”
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 |
Dunning Manor, Book 1
Under His Wing
Part 4
“Awaken, Thomas Grady. Your services are required.”
He heard the gentle command just before he felt the heat of change begin to move up his body. Steeling himself for the pain, he focused as loud cracking and popping noises began to assault his eardrums. The stone started to fall away, stretching and pulling the thick skin underneath, sending wave after wave of searing impulses through each part of his body in turn. He contracted his muscles, bending over and pulling in tight, and then flexed them all at once, sending shards of granite flying in all directions as his body broke free of it’s long-term prison.
Leaning back and stretching the heavy wings on his back, he let out a mighty roar that echoed throughout the foothills surrounding the mansion, releasing the last of the pain and stress from his body. Then he stepped down off the wide pedestal and turned to Zariah, watching with something akin to boredom on her tiny face.
Going down on one gnarly gray knee, he folded his wings in and bowed his head. Long ago he’d waived the opportunity to earn his freedom and mortality back as most of his brethren had. He couldn’t fathom why she’d called him awake, unless something was amiss with the manor itself.
“Mistress Zariah. How may I be of service?” His throat was dry and scratchy, his words coming out in a barely intelligible growl.
Her tiny hand stretched out to rest on the top of his head, a soothing touch.
“There is a woman - Katie Watson - who would request your protection and aid. You will reclaim your human form and join us for dinner three nights, after which you will go with her into the city.” Her hand fell away and she stepped back as Thomas lifted his head, and then stood to his full ten-foot height.
“I don’t understand, Mistress.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “I do not wish to earn my freedom. I wish to remain here, at the manor.”
She gave him a slight nod. “I am aware. But you will help this woman. You are the only one who can. It has been seen.”
“Nonsense.” He looked out across the rooftop, adorned by at least twenty more grotesque winged monsters like himself, all encased in stone and looking out over the rolling hills. “There are plenty of others here - surely one of them can help the woman vanquish her enemy.”
Zariah shook her head. “It must be you, Thomas. If you refuse, she will leave here alone, and die at the hands of her tormentor.”
Thomas was unswayed. “Perhaps that would be for the best.”
One delicate eyebrow arched high at that. “Perhaps,” she agreed. “But know that if you refuse to give this woman aid, your human form will be lost to you forever, as will the sanctuary of this place.” She tilted her head to the side, her expression softening. “You’ve been here too long, Thomas - far longer than most, and we’ve been too indulgent. It’s time to pay your debt and move on.”
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