Feature Writer: Ka Hmnd

Feature Title: Demons, Gargoyles and Creatures of the Night

Published: Copyright© 2017 by Ka Hmnd

Story Codes: Erotic Horror

 

 

Demons, Gargoyles and Creatures of the Night

Our world is full of wonder and it is also full of darkness. There has always been a balance and even when I was young I wanted to keep that balance. The weapons were shiny swords or the new guns. Those were muzzle loading and most had coarse powder that create clouds of smoke when fired.

I designed and created something better and it all came from watching a farmer. He had cut and used a special sled behind horses to rake the cut hay into a single row. A few days later another sled pulled by horses had collected and packed the hay into bundles to be tied. After the entire field was done he used a wagon.

I expected men to walk and toss the bales up and onto the tall wagon but he had a strange machine pulled behind it. The wagon went over the bale and the machine caught and lifted it straight up where a man pulled it off before the lift dropped. That gave me the idea later as I watched small rockets going off for a celebration.

The guns had changed to have grooves inside, that made the balls more accurate. I made them into long pellets and then made brass chambers to put them in. I filled the chamber with a new smokeless powder and capped it with a firing cap. Under the barrel of my weapon I made a tube that held the new bullets.

They were pushed back and into the receiver by a spring. When I fired the one in the chamber it shoved the bolt back and a tiny nail like pin pushed the brass chamber out. The bolt going back pushed on a lever that blocked the tube and raised the first bullet in the tube. A spring behind the bolt pushed it forward and the brass chamber and bullet were pushed into the barrel.

It was a repeating gun and took me a year to perfect. I made a steel pistol and a steel rifle and kept the secret of how they worked. I was studying law and the many creatures of light and dark. When I turned eighteen I went to Candle to see the White Council. I asked and was accepted as a Defender for the huge city.

I walked into the chapel and crossed to the priest and the small gathering. Four men held down a young girl as she struggled and cursed in several languages. I was wearing a nice suit and set down a saddlebag, “how long has she been like this?”

The priest snorted, “we do not need you Defender.”

I smiled as I moved closer to see the girl better. I could see the bulging in her neck and the way the veins were distended, “she will not last much longer.”

He gestured to the door which I ignored, “she has a shadow demon priest. If it is weak enough you might be able to exercise it otherwise she will die.”

He glared and I turned, “I need a wash tub.”

The priest nodded and gestured and one of the men standing around, ran out. I moved to the saddle bag, “once he brings it back I need two fingers of blessed water in it.”

I opened the saddlebag and selected a set of special glasses. I slipped them on and then took a glove made from silver thread. When the man returned I had the tub set beside the girl. The priest watched as the water was added and I knelt before he could bless it. I pulled a small medal I wore off and set it in the water.

When he began to pray and bless the water it glowed and everyone gasped as the priest looked at me. When he finished I fished out my medal, “it is a saints medal priest and not magic.”

I put the medal on and then slipped the silver glove on my right hand. I moved to the girl and knelt and grasped her by the throat. In my glasses I could see the demon inside her as it struggled. I squeezed and pulled as I stood and it fought and struggled but I pulled it out. Its hands clawed at my arms as it tried to enter me.

I turned and stepped and started lowering it into the tub. When it touched the water it screamed. The water began to boil and steam and everyone could hear the demon as it dissolved. This was not an exorcism, the demon was dying. It struggled and fought until I pushed the last of its head into the water.

When I stood and looked at the girl she was being hugged by a woman. The priest had wide eyes and I smiled, “you can use the water in your garden. The demon is dead and will not return.”

I took the glasses off as I went to the saddlebag. I put them away and removed the silver glove and put it back in the bag. I picked it up and headed for the door, “let the White Council know if you need us again.”

Outside I put the saddlebag on my horse and swung up. I nodded to the boy that had held the reins for me and tossed him a copper penny. He grinned and ran off and I turned and rode into the street. I touched the fist size crystal orb on the front of the saddle, “it was a shadow demon Andrew. What else do you have?”

Andrew was the White Council dispatch clerk. He chuckled, “a watchman down the street reported a young gargoyle on the roof of the Commoner Gentlemen Club.”

I smiled, “do they still have reports of the Phlam lizards on this street?”

He snorted, “yes and no one wants to climb into the attic to hunt them.”

I found the watchman beside the club and swung down. I looked up at the southeast corner and saw a large gargoyle and something smaller beside it, “we have a young one?”

The watchman smiled, “very young.”

I nodded and went to bang on the door until a man opened it. He sneered, “members…”

I shoved him out of the way as I walked in, “I am a Defender not one of your … members.”

I looked around and then started for the stairs and he ran after me, “you can not just come in here.”

I glanced at him as I started up, “would you like me to have your club closed for a year?”

He sputtered and stopped and I kept going. Three floors and then I was searching for the ladder up to the attic. From there I went to the end and unlocked and opened the vents. I bent and stepped out on the ledge and turned to walk to the southeast corner. The large gargoyle did not even shift when I reached it.

The tiny one on its other side was another story. I moved around the large one and knelt and touched the small, “welcome small one.”

It shifted as if to move to one side and I caught her ear, “my name is Simon. If you need someone to help you or to keep you company find me. If you need protection or food find me.”

I let her go and turned to touch the large one, “she is beautiful. Down the street two blocks is a building with a nest of Phlam lizards. I will have the mages open the attic vents so you and your people may hunt them.”

I heard the purr and smiled as I stood and made my way back to the vent and into the attic. Gargoyles protected the city from birds that carried disease and rats and other vermin like the lizards. Those grew to a pace or more long and were a danger to young children. When I reached the front door the attendant was arguing with the watchman.

He glared at me and I gestured and the watchman pushed him back so I could leave. I headed for my horse, “she is a cutie and new born. Let your station mage know to open the house vent so they can hunt the Phlam lizards.”

The watchman grinned when I swung up into the saddle, “I will let the men know to leave gifts.”

I nodded and turned and started riding, “have a good day.”

I touched the orb, “a baby girl Andrew. What next?”

He chuckled and then became serious, “we just had a runner from the Birch Temple. They report a monster killing a priest and locked in the main worship hall.”

I turned and kicked the horse into a trot, “call the watchmen.”

I leaned to the right and back and pulled what looked like an over and under rifle. It was my repeating rifle and all the bullets were silver. It took almost fifteen minutes to reach the temple. I swung down as soon as I turned in and held the reins out to a temple lad, “walk her and then give her water.”

I strode to the large double doors into the worship hall. Several priests were praying and four watchmen clutched large rifles. I gestured as I brought my rifle to the shoulder, “open the door.”

Two spun and grabbed the handle and pulled as the other two lifted their weapons. I walked slow and searched the dim room. There were rows of high back benches and pillars and … a large creature leaped away from the back wall and rushed me with a roar. It had fangs and claws and spikes but only partial or vestal wings.

I fired into its chest and it staggered and I lifted to aim and fire again. This time the back of its head exploded and it fell. I moved closer and kicked it and then bent to grab and yank it over and onto its stomach. I set the rifle on the floor and pushed my coat aside and reached under my left arm.

I pulled out a silver knife and grabbed a horn on the demon’s head. I stabbed and cut through the thick hide and then the stonelike spine, “I need a hot fire outside in the temple yard.”

When I lifted the severed head a few minutes later a watchman was there with a hook. He took the head and I stood, “burn it separate from the body.”

I grabbed my rifle and started for the other end of the temple and a priest hurried after me, “that is sacred!”

I snorted, “this whole temple is going to need cleansing priest.”

I went around the alter and to the wall. I looked at a carved square that had been opened, “open this.”

The priest hissed, “that is the resting place of saint Maldor.”

I growled, “the demon was just in it priest.”

He looked and moved slowly to pry the stone panel out. I waited and watched and moved as soon as the space was open. I growled when I saw the demon egg sack and gestured the priest back. I hooked the point of the silver knife into the sack and lifted and turned. I walked out and found the watchmen bringing coal to burn the demon.

I tossed the egg sack into the fire and there was a scream that seemed to echo through the whole city. I watched the fire for a moment as the sack shriveled and the eggs burst. Tiny demons writhed around and then turned black and slowly started to turn to ash. I knelt and cleaned my knife and then went to my horse.

I put the rifle away and swung up, “cleanse your temple priest.”

I turned and rode into the street and touch the crystal orb, “Andrew let the council know we need a watch on the Birch Temple. There was a soldier demon and it placed an egg sack in the crypt with a saint.”

He snorted, “than it was not a saint.”

I nodded to myself, “probably true but not for us to say. I am going home.”

He chuckled, “want me to warn you?”

I shifted as I watched the street and the buildings, “about?”

He laughed, “about a girl looking for you? She said something about being your wife?”

I blinked as I saw the girl I had stood beside when I was thirteen. I shook myself, “did she say where she is … Never mind I will find her.”

I lifted my hand before he could make anymore remarks. I had grown up with Ivy, at twelve we were pledged and at thirteen married. She went into a private church school and I stayed at home with tutors. I turned in at a large manor on the edge of the city. I swung down and grabbed my rifle, the orb and saddlebags.

A stable boy came out and I tossed a copper, “rub her down.”

He grinned and nodded and I walked to the side door into the house. I used the back stairs and climbed to the third floor. At a corner suite I opened the door and stepped into my rooms. I had a common area, a bedroom and a bathroom. I set the rifle in the gun case by the door and hung the saddlebags on a peg.

I headed to the bedroom to change and stopped when I saw the beautiful girl on my bed. She was naked and smiled, “I missed you Simon.”

I ignored the three chests against the wall and shifted and removed my coat and turned to hang it, “already naked and in my bed?”

She laughed as I removed the shoulder holster and knife sheath and hung them up. Next was the vest and shirt and then I bent to remove my boots. I took off my pants and undershorts and looked at Ivy, “why in bed and naked?”

She sighed and moved to the edge and sat up, “I was tempted and wanted sex. I could have allowed a teacher or any boy to have me but … you are my husband Simon. I want sex and I want you to do it. You are a man and have been with women.”

I blushed as I walked to the bed, “I am a man but I have not been with a woman.”

Her eyes brightened and she reached out and wrapped her hand, “I came very close once.”

I pushed her back and down and knelt and looked at her pussy. I bent to smell and then lick and teased her clit. I pushed my tongue into her and she hissed and tried to push me away. I caught her hips and sucked on her clit, “it is going to hurt the first time.”

I squeezed and nibbled and licked until she was shuddering and squirming. When she spasmed and jerked I stood and lifted and spread her legs. I shoved my cock into her and there was a moment when my cock was held and then I slid into her. She screamed and struggled and I held her hips and kept her in place.

I bent and laid on her and kissed her and kept it up as she sobbed. I shifted and wiggled as I moved her back and into the middle of the bed. I settled on her and began to grind and she clutched me. I did not pull back for a couple of minutes and by then she had stopped crying. I fucked her slowly with short, grinding strokes.

She wiggled and squirmed and her extremely tight pussy kept clenching. Finally I pulled back and fucked her with long, deep thrusts. She gasped and shook and hugged me tight, “SIMON!”

I smiled as I continued to kiss her and bury my cock, “you better have something to keep from getting with child.”

Her hips were lifting and my cock was sliding in and out. Several minutes and she wailed and thrashed and bucked, “aaaahhhh!”

I loved her tight and slippery pussy and it was not much longer before I shoved into her and held her as I pumped strong spurts of seed. She jerked and clung to me while her pussy constantly squeezed, “YES!”

When I was done I relaxed and she sagged to the bed panting. She grinned and pulled my face down, “it hurt but you made if feel better.”

Her tight pussy was still massaging my cock and I groaned as I slowly pulled out, “you are a witch.”

She laid back and did not bother closing her legs, “I wanted sex. I wanted to be a woman and for you to bed me.”

I laid beside her and rubbed her mound, “bath and then we will get dressed and go eat. If you are not sore tonight…”

She rolled and kissed me, “I got a healers potion so tonight you can do that as much as you want.”

I moved off the bed, “come wash and dress and take the potion.”

Ten minutes and she was hugging my left arm as we walked out. Ivy walked with a sway to her hips and a smile for everyone we saw. We went into a small eatery down the street and ate dinner and I listened as she told me about her school. I pulled the orb from my pocket, “Andrew?”

A female voice answered, “gone home Simon.”

I smiled, “does he still want to switch to the library and do we still need a day dispatch clerk if he does?”

Mary chuckled, “yes and yes.”

I nodded, “leave a message for the council. My wife Ivy can do the job if they would consider her.”

She laughed, “good I will get to meet her.”

I shook my head, “good night Mary.”

I put the orb back in my pocket and looked at Ivy, “now you will not be staying home wondering what to do.”

She smiled and squeezed my hand, “finish so we can go home.”

The attack came on the walk home. I heard the wings and then the claws on the cobblestone street. I pushed Ivy towards a door as I pulled my pistol, “inside!”

I spun and aimed as a demon rushed down the street. I fired and its head snapped back and something leaped from the shadows on the wall of a building. The demon crashed to the street as I turned and aimed at the Were beast when it landed and leaped again. I fired twice and dove to the side and rolled onto my back at the sound of wings.

A huge demon was flaring its wings as its feet stretched out toward me. The long black claws gleamed as it bellowed. I fired up into its chest and then the head and rolled to the side and into the street. I came to my feet as the demon crashed and fell writhing around. I aimed carefully and fired into the head twice and looked around as the street became quiet.

I looked at the door to see Ivy peeking out and I pulled the orb, “Mary I was just attacked by a major demon and a soldier demon. They also had a Were beast that was probably scouting for them. Contact the Watch and send a burn wagon and men.”

She hissed, “right away. Is your wife okay?”

I smiled as Ivy slipped out the door, “she is fine.”

I put the orb away and then pulled out more brass chamber bullets and reloaded my pistol. I put it away and gestured, “watch for me.”

I knelt and pulled my knife and started cutting off the major demon’s head. I tossed the head into the street and looked around to see men clutching rifles. I went to the other demon next and cut off its head and then the Were beast. Watchmen hurried down the street before I was done and started pulling the bodies together.

A wagon arrived pulled by two huge lizard skinned horses. I cleaned my knife and watched as an iron pit was pulled off and coal was poured into it. Once the fire was going they threw in the heads and we watched as they burned. I looked around before I nodded to the officers of the Watch, “stay safe.”

I led Ivy away and back to our rooms. I locked the door and went into the bedroom. I turned on the light, opened my window and looked out. I sat at the small table as Ivy came in and began to undress. I cleaned my pistol and it was not long before a gargoyle landed on the ledge of my window. It folded its wings and glanced at Ivy who froze.

It turned its head, “we thank you for greeting the young one.”

I nodded, “she looks to be a strong member of your tribe.”

It shifted, “you have killed demon young and the mother has demanded your death. They will hunt you and send other creatures for your head.”

I shifted, “they would openly defy the white council?”

It turned, “find the truth of the one where you found the eggs. We will guard your building.”

It leaped and its wings snapped out and down. I finished cleaning my pistol and Ivy sat on the bed. I smiled as I stood and closed the window and loaded the pistol. I set it by the bed and went to get my rifle. I leaned it against the wall beside the bed and touched the mage orb, “Mary?”

She hissed, “more?”

I started undressing, “I had a visit from a gargoyle. A demon queen has demanded my death. They will defy the white council. Wake Andrew, I need to know everything he can find about the Saint Maldor that was in Birch Temple.”

She sighed, “I will tell him.”

I took it to the bed and set it on the bedside table and then went to turn out the light. I moved onto the bed and over Ivy as she spread her legs. If anything she was wilder and just as willing to do the work. She howled and wailed and it was hours before we slept. I woke to scratching sounds at the window and reached for the pistol.

I moved off the bed and back to the lights and switched them on. I heard the whisper and promise of a woman and aimed. When I did not open the window shutters they burst open and I fired. The white figure crouching on the ledge had fangs and red eyes. The round punched through her chest and before I could fire again a gargoyle snatched it away.

One large clawed foot held the neck as it flew and long talons flashed and the head fell. I looked after it as the gargoyle dropped the body. Some called the creature a vampire but it was the child of a woman and a demon. I walked to the table and picked up the orb, “Mary?”

She sighed, “again?”

I watched out the window, “a demon child just broke in. The head and body are outside and below my window. Let the watchmen know and send someone to fix my shutters.”

She growled, “maybe you should come sleep in the guest quarters.”

I looked at the hint of dawn and then at Ivy, “maybe tonight.”

I began to dress and set the orb on the table, “time to dress.”

I watched the window and waited until Ivy was dressed and then grabbed my rifle and led her out. Outside I met several watchmen who did not look happy, “burn it and watch the head, it can still bite.”

They nodded and I started walking while searching the early morning shadows. I headed into the city and held the rifle ready but nothing came. When I reached a building that had tall white towers I turned in. I opened the large entrance doors and nodded to the two men with rifles to their shoulders.

They relaxed and I led Ivy in, up and around before we walked into a library. What looked like an old man with a long grey beard was reading a very thick text. I cleared my throat and he turned and looked at me. It was a moment before he smiled, “Simon.”

I led Ivy closer, “sir this is Ivy. She is my wife and we have an opening as a dispatch clerk. Andrew is switching to research in the library and … Could you do the check on my wife?”

He stood, “of course.”

He gestured to a gold pentagram to one side and I nudged her, “stand in the middle of the pentagram.”

She grinned and walked into it and turned and the wizard moved to one side and chanted. The diagram glowed and bathed her in white light and when it died she walked out, “good?”

The wizard chuckled, “not tainted anyway.”

I grinned as I caught Ivy, “just the way I like her.”

I pulled her after me and through the building to a set of spiral stairs. The small room at the top had dozens of mage orbs in a semi circle, “Mary?”

The girl in the middle turned and grinned, “Simon and this would be your wife.”

I nodded, “the wizard Nicholas has checked and cleared her. Let her sit with you and learn?”

She smiled and turned to point at a stool, “bring that and sit by my left shoulder.”

She looked at me as Ivy went to get the stool, “Andrew came in early and might have found something. Saint Maldor was created as a saint fifty years after his death. The six arch priests who declared it were … well they were rumored to be dark or tainted. He also pulled up a record from when Maldor was a priest.”

She shook her head, “it does not look pretty. At that time they had demons appearing constantly and there were battles between the lords of light and those of the dark. We have records of six reported sightings of demons in or around the temple. We also have reports of black services but none of the witnesses survived and no demons were every found.”

I looked at the orbs and thought, “and now a demon queen is here and demanding my head. Demon eggs were laid to age and hatch in a tomb which they do not do with any unless they are evil. Soldier demons are in the street and their minion are hunting at will.”

I spun, “I am headed for the Birch Temple. There must be a summoning gate or circle close to it.”

I only slowed when I reached the outer door and the guards. I checked my rifle and nodded to them and opened the door. I stepped out and waited for the door to close before I started walking. The sun was beginning to come up but there were still shadows. I walked down the middle of the street and checked every shadow.

When I finally reached the temple it looked like it was completely in shadow but the sun was up. I went from carrying the rifle in one hand to putting it against my shoulder. I moved into the temple yard and to the main doors. I heard rustling and shifting and when I kicked the doors open it was to see an army of demons.

I fired into the head of one and started to back away as they roared and started moving towards me. From the other end of the temple I heard an unearthly scream. I fired into another and another and kept moving back. The demons came out the door and hesitated before continuing.

There might be shadows but the light was still enough to make them feel it. A Were beast ran from the stable and I shifted and put a bullet through its heart. I went back to shooting demons in the head until the rifle was empty. I pulled my pistol and kept firing and each time another demon went down.

Suddenly a rippling crash from a dozen rifles struck into the demons. They came to a stop and then spun to flee. I began to reload my pistol first and then my rifle as other Defenders moved up with me. I nodded and we started back into the temple yard, “there is a demon queen and a black priest inside.”

When I first got here I had spent many nights making more rifles and pistols for the other Defenders. Now we stepped into the temple and one threw an orb into the air. It slowed and then stopped before bright light exploded from it. Demons from everywhere screamed and tried to attack. I shot one in the head as I began moving to the alter.

I could see the same priest from yesterday chanting while facing a huge demon queen. Between them and on the alter was a child. I shot another demon in the head and then aimed and fired. The black priest’s head jerked and gore exploded out the other side. The faint shimmer in the air between him and the demon queen sparkled.

I shifted the rifle to one hand and started running as the demon queen screamed. I ignored the soldier demons around me. I reached the alter and grabbed the child as the demon queen spun. I yanked and turned and ran and she came after me, “clear the way and get out!”

The alter burst into flames and a strange purple fire erupted on all the walls. The other Defenders backed out and I shifted and tossed the child to another man. I spun and brought the rifle up and fired into the demon queen rapidly while backing the rest of the way out. The soldier demons were screaming and howling as the ceiling and roof vanished.

I was yanked the rest of the way out and the doorway was engulfed in the strange fire. I moved back and started reloading, “did anyone summon one of the wizards?”

Several chuckled and one slapped my shoulder, “five and they are on the way.”

We moved to the street as the temple collapsed into the fire. The shadows vanished and the flames turned black in the sunlight. The body of the Were beast began sliding towards the fire with the bodies of the demons that had fallen. Several minutes and the entire temple was gone and a deep pit could be seen.

The wizards arrived and moved around the fire with several of us guarding them. I did not know the spell but from a flicker of bright white flame came a raging storm. It ate the black fire and grew into a huge pillar and then just vanished. Silence reigned and I shook my head and turned, “I need to go get my horse. It looks like another long day.”

Everyone laughed as I walked away. It was many years before Ivy and I moved away with our family. We did not go far and always seem to have at least one gargoyle on the edge of our roof. Lately our children have been spending evenings up on the roof speaking to one. She is half grown now but we and the children know her well.

THE END