Chapter 60: The Poor Dears

The two twin boys sat in the restaurant stuffing their faces with everything on the table.

With all the love of a baby hungry married woman, Cosaria said, "You poor dears. You must have been starving. I do hope we are able to find your mother soon. She must be so worried."

Ioul glanced over at his brother. Taking the hint, Vexi started crying crocodile tears.

"Oh my! What's wrong?"

Vexi said, "So sorry. So sorry we are. Bad kids we are."

"Oh no, just tell me dear. I promise I won't think you're bad."

Vexi's tears glistened in his eyes as he said, "We don't have a mother."

"Oh, I'm so sorry," Cosaria said, as she put her hand over her heart. Never had she heard something so tragic. "Where do you live?"

Vexi burst into tears and Ioul rubbed his back. Vexi was a much better fake-crier than Ioul.

Cosaria said, "I'm sorry. You don't have to talk about it if it's too painful."

Ioul said, "We've not a home."

"But," Cosaria said, "You must have someone to take care of you."

Ioul shook his head, saying, "We've only each other."

Tears came to Cosaria's eyes in heavy sheets, worse than the kids. Shaking from the strain of her compassionate pain, she came closer to the boys and took Vexi's hand in hers.

Through her uncontrollable tears, Cosaria said, "Ie pwomise t-to do what I c-can fow you."

Taken back by her sincerity, Vexi and Ioul looked a bit shocked. They hadn't expected their ruse to be that successful.

It wasn't long after that the young boys finished their meal. As Cosaria talked to the cashier and paid the tab, Vexi and Ioul waited by the front door.

In a quite tone, Ioul said, "What'd ye be thinkin?"

Vexi said, "She's dumb. Almost so dumb I'd not believe it."

"Ye think we rob her bling?"

"I think we give her the mark."

"What? Really?" Ioul said, "But big boss said-"

"I think big boss'll give us a reward."

"Ye think?"

Vexi nodded.

Ioul said, "But how do we get her to follow us?"

Vexi said, "We'll say somethin like, we've a sister that needs help. Call her Sherri."

Ioul grinned. He liked this plan.

༻✧༺

The tourni had begun and a battle raged all around. Soldier versus soldier. Horseman versus horseman. Crest versus crest.

One particular sword fighter was sweeping and dodging around as he faced off against an axe swinger. With expert skill, the swordsman dodged, and thrust, disarming the man. Then he was hit in the back of the head by a hammer wielder and knocked unconscious.

While the battle raged all around, Felux lazily sat on his horse and rubbed his nose.

In the grandstands, Tilda turned to Jeffan and asked, "Felux and the Lothar army are just standing around. Why aren't they doing anything? The fighting began."

Rolling his eyes, Jeffan said, "Classic lazy Felux tactic."

Rayn said, "It's a good tactic really."

Ofelia explained, "He'd be waitin fer the rest to tire out. Then he takes his fresh army and dominates."

"Oh," Tilda said.

Jeffan said, "It's cowardly. It's not showin yer strength, it's taken advantage of yer opponent's weakness."

Ofelia said, "If ye've a problem, then ye get in the fight."

Jeffan said, "I'd not."

Ofelia said, "That's what I thought. Don't be going complainin when ye've not to do it yerself."

Jeffan folded his arms and huffed.

Back on the battle field, Felux glanced around at the carnage. Finally, he lifted his arm. The soldiers in the Lothar army watched, fresh and eager to join the fray.

As Felux put his arm down, the army surged into motion. The charge was on and Felux was galloping at the head of it.

Felux used his shield to deflect arrows. Then he took out his sword, and knocked out a grounds man. From a distance, a comrade needed help. A horseman was ready to deal a final blow, when Felux rushed over and jumped from his horse to the attacker's. The attack was thrust off his horse and onto the ground.

The crowd exploded with excitement as the horse reared and Felux looked awesome taking back control of the reins. The Lothar army continued to charge.

Beniter was a fury of action. In a face off against another young man, Beniter headbutted him, knocking him unconscious after getting in close. His moves were like a feral bear, and his aggression was intimidating.

From just a distance, Beniter saw Reed struggling to face off against another man. He rushed over as Gareth, who had also seen the trouble, saved Reed by intercepting a blow. Once he arrived, Beniter rammed into the man, burrowing him over at full speed.

Having watched the tackle, Gareth said, "Try the sharp end next time!"

Without losing a beat, Beniter was back up and attacking someone else.

Reed said, "He's insane."

Gareth nodded.

༻✧༺

Watching the fighting, Tilda sat back. Her face was sheet white and pale. Her eyes were fixated, wide with shock.

The yelling and screaming from the battlefield were intense. The clanging of steel on steel. Light wounds colored the battlefield red with spots of blood.

Seeing the discomfort, Ofelia said, "Ye alright?"

"This is actually… really scary," Tilda said. Felux was down there. Beniter was down there. Maybe this was common in the Providences, but this type of accepted violence was a bit too much for Tilda. "They, he, they could get hurt."

Ofelia said, "Not at all."

Jeffan said, "Don't lie to her. There's real danger down there."

"I think," Tilda said, "I'm going to just go for a walk for a moment."

Ofelia said, "Would ye some company?"

"No. I just need a moment. Just a moment."

Tilda moved out of the grandstands but the clashing swords kept ringing in her ears. She hid behind a pillar, out of sight. As Tilda took a deep breath, she clasped her hands together and bowed her head.

In a quiet voice, she said, "Please. Keep them safe."

༻✧༺

Running around in the market like a chicken with her head cut off, Marley was yelling, "Lady Cosaria! Lady Cosaria!"

In her urgency, Marley smacked into a guard. She said, "I'm so sorry."

The big lumbering guard said, "Ye'll alright lassie?"

"Sir, oh man, I'm looking for a lady. Well, she's, she's blonde, porcelain skin, big eyes."

The guard looked up and stroked his chin.

Marley continued, "She looks like a heavenly angel come down to save humanity. Have you seen her?"

"Aye!" The guard said, "I know exactly the one yer lookin fer."

Marley nearly jumped out of her shoes as she said, "Do you know where she is?!"

The guard shook his head and said, "Naw, she disappeared with some wee trouble makers back an hour ago. They went that direction, should that help."

"Thank you!" Marley said as she ran off in the direction the guard was pointing.

༻✧༺

Ioul skipped ahead as Vexi dragged Cosaria along by the hand. The sketchy neighborhood they were walking through was grungy and dank.

They passed by a giant graffiti mural of a female skeleton prostitute putting a noose around the neck of a skeleton knight. The CPG had some weird areas.

Cosaria stopped to admire the graffiti, saying, "This artist is very talented."

She was afraid to visit ancient colosseums but liked to admire portraits of dead people on walls. Cosaria was a contradiction to the world.

Vexi pulled Cosaria along, saying, "Come on, it's this way."

The group trudged through an underpass bridge. In the shadows, Cosaria saw a dirty skin-and-bone homeless dude picking at his gold teeth with a toothpick.

Cosaria said, "Oh my."

The homeless dude held out his hand, and said, "A penny fer the penniless?"

Ioul said, "Forget him. He's just ol' Johnson."

Cosaria said to the man, "I'm so sorry. I would but we can't wait another moment. Sherri needs our help."

Ol' Johnson said, "Sherri?"

Vexi said, "Our sister."

Johnson said, "These there boys don't be havin no sis-"

"Come on!!! We don't have time!" Ioul interrupted.

Ioul dragged Cosaria away. The boys led Cosaria to a dark abandoned building. The inside was as gross as the street were outside.

Cosaria said, "Is this where you poor dears sleep? It's horrid. Oh, I didn't mean to offend. If it's all you have then I'm glad you have that at least. Now where's your sister? I'm sure I can help."

The boys started laughing, their chuckles becoming hysterical squeals as a magical black atmosphere swirled around and a blackness crept up their arms and all over their skin like burning flesh.

Cosaria gasped, saying, "Are we too late? Vexi! Ioul?"

Cosaria reached down and held Vexi. The dark-haired boy had transformed into a little gremlin demon creature with long ears, a forked tongue, and green snake-like eyes. She stroked the creature's cheeks saying, "Oh Vexi! What's happened?"

Ioul started dancing around, singing, "Fooled ye! Fooled ye! Yer so stupid. Don't ye see?! We're demons! Always have been, always will be."

"But-"

Vexi said, "And now ye'll be one to join us!"

Cosaria jumped back as Vexi scratched her hand.

"Ahhh!" Cosaria said, as she held her hand. She looked down at the wound, only to see the black scratch slowly dissipate. It was glowing as it healed on its own within seconds.

Ioul stopped dancing, and said, "What happened? Did ye get her?"

Vexi said, "Uh…"

Vexi prepared to scratch Cosaria as she held up her arms to cover her face. Vexi scratched her arm.

Again, the blackness dissipated out of the wound like steam as it glowed and healed.

Ioul and Vexi shared a worried glance.

Vexi said, "It didn't work."

Ioul said, "Let me try!"

Cosaria looked at her arm, saying, "It's all better now. Don't worry. You didn't hurt me."

She held out her hand to show the boys. Ioul came over and studied the pure, unblemished skin where the scratch should have been. Ioul glared at her and leaned away and he scratched her hand. Again, it steamed, glowed, and healed.

Cosaria said, "You don't need to be afraid. See, you won't hurt me. I can help you."

With wide, frightened eyes, Ioul took a step back.

Vexi said, "Help us? We're demons!"

Cosaria said, "I can cure you from the curse."

Ioul said, "What curse? We're demons."

Vexi asked, "Is she using divine power?"

"Yes," Cosaria said, "I have a lot of divine power. I have it so that I can help you."

Ioul screamed, "We don't need help!"

Vexi cried, "We're demons!"

Cosaria pouted, saying, "But you don't have to be."

Ioul's jaw dropped. He looked at his brother who just shrugged, saying, "I think she thinks we're cursed."

Ioul said, "Listen wench, we ain't cursed."

Vexi said, "We're demons."

Ioul said, "Demons."

Cosaria said, "You're demons? But you're so friendly. You haven't even tried to kill me."

Vexi and Ioul shared another astonished glanced.

Cosaria said, "You see, I've never met actual demons before. I've only run from them. I didn't know demons could talk. I only know that a curse can transform a person into a demon."

Vexi mumbled, "It'll do more than that."

Ioul said, "So what, ye gonna exorcism us?"

Cosaria pursed her lips, saying, "I already told you. I'm going to help you."

Vexi said, "Help us? And how're ye plannin on doing that?"

"Using my divine power." Cosaria held out her hand, saying, "Sana."

Cosaria's hand glowed. In reaction, Vexi screamed as the glow touched his skin.

Ioul yelled, "What're you doin!!! Yer hurtin him! Stop it!"

Cosaria pulled back, saying, "I'm so sorry."

Ioul held his brother as Vexi panted, trying to recover.

Screeching, Ioul said, "How could ye! Yer a horrible witch!"

Cosaria stuttered, "I'm… I'm sorry. I… I didn't know."

Ioul said, "Didn't know what? We're demons! We told ye that."

"I was only trying to help."

"Help!?! Ye could've killed him."

Tears started coming down Cosaria's eyes as she said, "I didn't know."

Vexi grabbed Ioul.

Ioul turned to his brother and said, "Vexi?"

Vexi stood, saying, "I'm fine."

Ioul said, "What do we do?"

"She needs to leave!"

Cosaria wiped her tears. She said, "Of course. I'm so sorry." She walked towards a door.

Vexi said, "Wait! That's-"

Cosaria opened the door to reveal a room full of pots of black water. She had confused the exit with another door.

"What is this?" Cosaria said.

Vexi tried to stumble towards her, but was still so weak. He said, "That's none of yer business."

"This isn't holy water but it feels so familiar," Cosaria said as she leaned down to the glittering black water.

She reached a finger out and touched the water. Immediately, black steam rose from the pot.

Ioul screamed, "GET OUT OF THERE!!!"

The water was sparkling clear when Ioul ran over to look at it.

Ioul said, "Noooo…"

As she showed off the holy water, Cosaria said, "There, see, I've helped."

Vexi stumbled over to have a look, and said, "You've ruined it!!!"

"No, see, now it's been purified."

Ioul said, "Ye stupid wench!"

Vexi said, "Don't ye know anything!?"

"I don't understand."

Vexi said, "We need that water to survive!"

"What?"

Vexi looked in the pot.

Ioul asked, "What do we do?"

Vexi said, "Don't worry, we'll just turn it back."

Cosaria said, "I don't understand."

Vexi turned to her and scowled. He said, "We're demons, the only way we can survive in this world is if we drink demonic water, but the only way to create demonic water is to change it from holy water."

"Oh, I didn't know."

Ioul said, "How could ye! Ye've got nothin in yer head!"

Vexi put his hand on his brother's shoulder and said, "Don't worry Ioul, we'll just change it back." 

"Can you? How?"

Vexi pulled a bone out of a box and dropped it in the water saying, "αλλαγή'"

Slowly, the bone dissolved into a black substance that tainted the pot of water.

Cosaria said, "Amazing."

Vexi wobbled and leaned on Ioul. Ioul asked, "Ye alright?"

"Aye."

Cosaria said, "But holy water is so rare. Where do you get it?"

"We steal fer it," Vexi said. He didn't realize he was revealing his demonic secrets. Seeing how trusting Cosaria was, unconsciously made him more trusting. Her sincerity made her more trustworthy, which made telling her things come naturally.

"Oh my! That's so dangerous," Cosaria said. 

Vexi said, "Safer than tryin to go through the Ragdorian church."

Ioul said, "They'd kill us if they knew we're here."

Cosaria said, "Oh… I wish there was something I could do to help."

Ioul said, "Go away!"

"I know, I could create some holy water for you."

Ioul said, "We don't want yer help."

"Wait." Vexi held up his hand to stop Ioul and said, "What do ye mean?"

Cosaria said, "I can create lots of holy water. I've turned an entire pool into holy water before. I can help you create enough holy water so that you boys don't have to steal for it anymore."

The two boys exchanged glances.

Ioul said, "Are ye serious?"

Vexi said, "There's no way."

In twin tandem, the boys thought, There's no way she's that stupid.

Cosaria said, "For you boys, I would love to."

The boys exchanged glances again. If this had been coming from anyone else, they would have known it was false. It was too good to be true. But coming from this provenly dense human, they couldn't help but believe her words.