The Curse of Tyvem: The Voiceless

Lord Blackburn

    He sat behind a large desk and a fire burned behind him under the mantle.  Above the fireplace another skull was mounted, very similar to the one in foyer but smaller.  The tension in the air could be cut with a knife.  The room was dimly lit with various candles throughout and they cast long shadows upon the walls lined with books. A rug laid on the floor made of some fur Lavender could not distinguish. The smell of the leather chairs and chaste filled the air along with something metallic, Lavender could not quite distinguish. Her eyes zeroed in on the chest almost immediately, but she did not immediately see the second man.  The whole situation had Lavender uneasy and it seemed as if she was hyper-aware of her surroundings but could not really decipher what was going on. Her gaze flicked up from the chest and she really saw Lord Blackburn.  Most of the time, he sent a servant to do his bidding or he stayed to the shadows. Now with the fire burning brightly beside him, and the candles on is desk, she could more clearly take in his features.

    His strong hands steepled together and his forearms were bare. He had rolled the sleeves of his white button up to his elbows. His gray vest hugged his torso and he had chain from a gold watch hanging out of his pocket.  Lavender's gaze traveled upward and her breath hitched at his chest.  She could see the top of a light dusting of brown chest hair since he had unbuttoned the top three buttons. She finally made her way up to his face and his face was truly breathtaking. He had shapely lips just barely parted and piercing blue eyes.  His thick brown hair fell in waves to his shoulders.  She could just the faintest hint of silver peeking through.  His jawline was chiseled and his hand lifted to rub the stubble that was growing. His eyes looked up from some papers he had been mulling over and made contact with Lavender.

    While Lavender could be haughty and callous, she was not immune to a handsome man.  In her line of work, she could very rarely form any sort of withstanding bond with people, much less a romantic one. The one time she allowed someone into her world, he wounded her deeply so she preferred to keep things quick and casual. This was all business she had to remind herself, even if she did want to go for a quick tussle.  It had after all been a hard job tracking down and bringing back the troll. Lord Blackburn lazily shuffled his papers into a neat stack and picked up a cup and took a swig.

    "Must be one of those nights." Lavender thought to herself. 

    "I see you've brought my troll friend and made good on our deal, but before we get hasty and jump to payment, I have a proposition for you." He punctuated his sentence with a good natured grin. Torg was shaking beside of Lavender with anticipation and fear. It was clear the little troll just wanted his punishment over with, whether it be a beating or death. It was also clear that Lord Blackburn was getting a special kind of pleasure by dragging it out.

    "Ah, Torg.  I see you are positively shaking your boots old pal. Do not worry dear friend, you have not acted so grievously against me to warrant death... although you may wish for it before the night is through.  You have been stealing from me, and while it was not the largest amount, it was disrespect. I will not stand be disrespect Torg.  You cannot think me a fool and that my house is not in order.  If there is one thing you should know about me, it is that I am meticulous in everything I do.  I do everything well," at this his gaze shifted from the troll and to Lavender. His eyes roamed over her body before coming back to her hazel eyes.

    He continued," I noticed your first offense months ago and thought he surely couldn't be stealing from me. Someone must have stolen from him, or the poor creature lost the money. But then it happened again, and again, and once more after that. I see your fine leather boots and shiny new ring. The money wasn't even put to good use, only for your selfish gain. So let me ask you something Torg, do you think I am stupid?"

    "Wha-wha-what?" The troll stuttered out.

    "I said do you think I am stupid. Because surely to steal from a man such as myself with my reputation can only mean that you thought I am stupid and careless. Now answer my question. DO YOU THINK I AM STUPID?" Lord Blackburn roared at the troll and Lavender looked down to him only to find that the poor creature had absolutely pissed himself.

    "No sire! I do not think you are stupid. Please m'lord! I thought someone of your stature and generous reputation would not mind. I was presumptuous to think I knew you on that level. Please I beg of you, let me go. I have truly learned my lesson and will never do no such thing again." Torg was bawling at this point. It was not a pretty sight, the dumb troll had pissed his pants and now there was a fountain of snot just running down his face.  He quickly threw himself on the floor and began the process of groveling for forgiveness.

    "Tsk. Tsk. Now that will not do pal. Pick yourself up and walk down the hall. Knock on that door four times and they will allow you to enter to receive your punishment. Did you hear that Torg?  You're allowed to receive your punishment because it is a privilege. Most people I have caught  stealing are dealt with immediately and far more severely... death. I am talking death dearest friend. But since I do consider you to be a dear pal, you will merely be beaten within an inch of your life. Now march your little self down there and take your punishment like a good troll."

    Torg turned and grabbed the door knob to exit.

    "Oh and Torg, if you do try to run... I will be forced to kill you myself and trust me friend, you do not want that. I have had a long, taxing day and if I have to stay up all night killing you, then I will make it count."

    The troll bowed to Lord Blackburn, opened the door and almost ran down the hall towards his punishment.

    "Now dearest Lavender, we have been in business for a good number of months now and I apologize for not making your acquaintance sooner. Seeing you here, even in your current state, I do regret putting it off." His eyes burned through Lavender and she felt almost exposed to him. She was not sure how to feel about the backhanded compliment but it pleased her that she pleased him. She surely did not want to be on his bad side after what she just witnessed. He rose and beckoned her closer to him and offered his hand. She took it and was surprised that despite his obvious strength, he was quite gentle with her.

    "Lord Blackburn, what is the proposition you mentioned earlier? I understand you have had a long day and I am sure you can see that my day was long as well," She vaguely gestured to her disheveled state.

    "For me to discuss this most momentous offer, I will need my right hand man with me, for he will be the determining factor on if you are truly right for this opportunity at all."

Suddenly one of the bookshelves swung out and in stepped the man he must have been referring to and damn if he didn't look as good the Lord Blackburn himself.