Cliff's Edge

When Mímir told David about Cliff’s Edge, and how close it lay to the Shadow Tombs, David imagined a fortress town with hundreds of soldiers and a heavy atmosphere.

However, the village was anything but that.

It was a normal, peaceful village bustling with life, even with hundreds of adventurers and members of the Holy Legion stationed there.

The Holy Legionnaires were all wearing steel plate armour, carrying large metal shields and spears, and they all had swords strapped to their waists. Every single soldier David saw was wearing almost the exact same suit of armour, aside from the family crests on their shields and some of the soldier’s helmets had angelic wings above the ears, denoting them as either knights or officers.

No one seems even slightly worried about the undead at their doorstep.

The Raven stopped the carriage outside the large inn, opened the doors and the two Kelseys stepped out.

“Driver, stay with the carriage,” David ordered, handing Rebecca her suitcase. “Let’s go.”

“…At once, my lord,” Rebecca muttered.

I really hope people believe that I’m her dad, otherwise we might have some trouble.

He opened the door for Rebecca and followed her in.

As they entered the spacious, yet homely tavern, they were approached by a man with short blonde hair, a roughly trimmed beard with green eyes dressed in patched clothing.

“Welcome travellers, the name’s Nate. How can I help you lovely people?”

Wow, he’s very friendly.

“My name is Anthony and this is my daughter, Rebecca,” David said, smiling politely. Rebecca did a small curtsy behind him. “We were hoping to get a room here tonight, if you have any available.”

“We have plenty of rooms, sir. Just the two of you?” David nodded. Then, Nate quietly asked, “No guards, my lord?”

David’s eyes widened a little, but then he reassuringly smiled at Nate. “I’ve long since learnt that it’s best to keep guards hidden in case someone was to try something, friend.” David then nodded to a random person behind Nate. “We’ll be just fine.”

Nate glanced over his shoulder, saw a heavily armoured adventurer that David was looking at, then grinned. “Understood, sir. A room for two. Single beds or-?”

“Two singles.” David planted twenty Rhams on the table. “I take it that won’t be a problem?”

“Of course not, sir. Mellissa!” Nate beckoned over a woman with flowing ginger hair. “Would you please take these bags up to room six, dear?”

Dear?

Mellissa smiled and nodded. “Will do. A pleasure to meet you, dear guests. I’m Mellissa, this idiot’s wife.”

“Hey now, not in front of the guests,” Nate jokingly chided making Mellissa giggle. “How many bags do you have, sir?”

“Just the one. Rebecca.” Rebecca nodded timidly and handed her suitcase to Mellissa. “Feel free to get settled into the room, Rebecca. I’ll be up in a while.”

Rebecca didn’t respond as Mellissa escorted her upstairs. Once the women were gone, Nate asked, “Is she really your daughter, sir?”

“She is. And that’s a rather bold thing to ask someone you know is a noble.”

Nate chuckled, leant in close and said, “You’d be surprised, sir, just how many noblemen like to pop down here on ‘business’ with their mistresses. We got so many of them my wife and I turned our biggest bedroom into one befitting of such regal gentlemen.”

David laughed with Nate. “I see. Well, I can assure you that I won’t need that. We both wanted to get away from home for a while, so we decided to come and take a small vacation down here at Black Port.”

“Were you worried about those murders in Stonefall, sir?”

“…Yes. Our estate is in the city and, bless her heart, Rebecca got scared that something like that might happen to us. So, in order to help her relax, I organised this trip south. It’s a terrifying prospect to imagine, isn’t it?”

“That it is, sir, but still no reports of anything like that happening to travellers yet. May Themis keep it that way.”

“Indeed. I take it nothing like that’s happened down this way?”

“No, sir. Cliff’s Edge hasn’t had a murder in years. Last time was a jealous lover who pushed a man off the rocks and into the sea. Horrible thing, but no one’s dared since.”

“I’m guessing that’s because of the number of soldiers and adventurers that are always in the village.”

Nate nodded proudly. “Some people hate it, but I love that they’re here. Nice to be able to go to sleep every night knowing there’s a small army just outside your door ready to protect you.”

David smiled sadly at the man as his wife came downstairs and re-joined them. “…I imagine it must be.”

***

After continuing his conversation with Nate and Mellissa for another half an hour, David checked up on Rebecca in their bedroom briefly; then, he went out into the village to explore.

It was the first chance David had truly had to unwind and relax since becoming the Demon Emperor, and he wasn’t going to waste it.

Here, in a village where no one knew his name, David could be himself.

He could enjoy himself and he could be free of the stress of acting as the Demon Emperor.

With the money he’d taken from the Kelseys, David bought food and little trinkets for himself, then he went window shopping and spent time with the friendlier locals. He even played a short game of a sport that resembled football with a group of children who invited him to play.

When was the last time I felt like this? David wondered as he walked giddily down the streets. However, he slowly brought his feet to a stop as time crawled to a halt in his mind. I shouldn’t think like that. Forget everything you’ve seen and done today. In a few weeks, this will all be gone.

Remember, they aren’t people.

They’re NPCs…that’s all.

David’s eyes wandered from face to face.

Every single one seemed to be full of joy.

His mind drifted back to his pleasant chat with Nate and Mellissa.

David forced his eyes closed.

That’s all.

***

Just like their journey, David and Rebecca sat in a silence that was only broken by the quiet sounds of them eating.

Nate was happy to bring their meals to their room which David was grateful for.

Once they were done, Rebecca placed the plates outside whilst David secured the room. He drew the curtains closed, dragged a wardrobe in front of them and then finally placed a chest of draws in front of the door.

It’s not much a barrier, but it’d slow down an intruder and make enough noise to wake us up. It also makes it harder for Rebecca to sneak out if she tried to. We have an ensuite toilet, so she can’t use that as an excuse either.

Even with the Raven on the roof, David didn’t take any chances when it came to his safety.

He was hundreds of miles from his castle, his generals and his soldiers. He might have been confident in his own strength, but he didn’t know how strong the adventurers and soldiers in the village were.

While it was highly unlikely that Rebecca would betray David, he didn’t know if Rebecca deemed her life and those of her servants as necessary sacrifices to save Black Port.

“Lady Rebecca, before you retire, I wish to go over the plan once more before the morning.”

Rebecca weakly nodded at him.

“Before dawn breaks, we’ll head to the Shadow Tombs and arrive there before first light. If things go as planned, our task should be completed by noon; then, we’ll return to the carriage, travel for an hour or so and then teleport back to the castle. I shouldn’t need to remind you of this, but do not try to interfere with my plans.”

“…I understand, your majesty.”

Please don’t show me such a sad expression, Rebecca.

He clicked his tongue and turned away from her.

“As long as you understand. Get some rest. The Raven will wake us when it’s time to go.”

Rebecca nodded, went into the bathroom to change into her evening wear and then climbed under her covers. Just before she blew out the candle by her bed, she whispered, “Goodnight” so softly that David barely heard it.

***

For weeks, Rebecca’s mind had been overwhelmed by doubts, so many in fact that she had headaches every single day.

Even when she had been left alone all day in their room, Rebecca’s mind hadn’t settled.

What am I doing?

Do you really have to order the destruction of a city?

Why do you have to kill so many innocent people?

Why is it that you only showed mercy to us and no one else?

Why won’t you show mercy to the people of Black Port?

Why didn’t you try to find another way of testing the Empire’s strength?

Couldn’t you just attack a fortress instead?

Wasn’t it enough to fight my family’s guards to test your strength?

What is it that drives you to do this?

Why are you doing this?

Ever since that first night, Rebecca had wanted to ask that question above all else after Mania spoke so passionately about the Demon Emperor’s plans.

His own people called him the Dark Lord and they were ruthless, cruel, mechanical and heartless.

They would torture and kill people without batting an eye.

What they’d done the night Castle Kelsey fell.

What Mania was doing in Stonefall.

What the Demon Emperor planned to do to Cliff’s Edge and Black Port.

She’d forced her vomit down every single time.

It wasn’t the brutality itself that disgusted Rebecca so much; it was the fact that their actions reminded her of her parents.

It reminded her of the horrific bodies of the discarded servants, of the vicious torture her parents forced her to watch to teach her a listen, and of the suffocating oppression she felt inside her own home.

It’s almost like they’re still alive. Rebecca winced and curled into a ball beneath her covers.

The only thing that’s changed are the victims. That’s all.

***

When David was sure Rebecca was asleep, he turned over to look at her.

She looked more fragile than usual.

David felt his heart twist.

He could hear her uneasy breathing and saw the way her body quivered with fear.

It was a reaction he expected and deserved, but David had genuinely hoped that at least Rebecca or a servant wouldn’t treat him like a monster.

But everyone did.

He recalled how frightened Eva was in every council meeting and the way some servants would prostrate themselves as he walked by, fearing the consequences if they didn’t.

…It was too much to hope for one friend among the humans at the castle.