Mermaid Pirate Dispatch

[This story is part of the Soothfinder series.]

Archibald bounced in the saddle as his horse cantered down the road toward the kingdom of Thornburn. It had been a narrow escape, but not his first, and not the closest call. Every time though it got his heart going, knocked the wind from his lungs. It was almost as exhilarating as… He grinned and hummed to himself, closing his eyes in an effort to recall the perfect, trembling image of his most recent victim.

Everything about his time in Riverwood castle had been delightful. That ignorant queen had fully welcomed him with open arms, instantly trusting him with that sweet, adorable angel over whom he’d had so much power. He shivered with delight, already aching for more. It was a shame his time there had been cut so short.

The moment he’d heard that the witch was being released, he knew they’d be after him soon. He couldn’t say exactly how he knew, but something in his gut told him the gig was up and it was time to move on.

Checking over his shoulder, he reigned the horse into a more comfortable trot, relaxing into the saddle.

The way the castle staff spoke of Thornburn, Archibald was sure he was going to thrive there. Over the years he’d become skilled at blending in, fading into the background, and nowhere would he have an easier time than in a vicious, bloodthirsty crowd like what he expected to find in Riverwood’s neighboring kingdom. A small voice in the back of his mind even wondered if he might be able to spark a war between the two kingdoms. Shouldn’t be too difficult, given how drastically different the two groups of people were.

Archibald took a deep breath, glancing over his shoulder again. He shifted around uncomfortably in the saddle. He’d gotten too comfortable with that little princess around. He was aching for more than just power over someone, he craved flesh.

Nature was full of prey and predators, the weak and the strong. As a boy he’d marveled at the power a wolf had over the sheep. It wasn’t just the power to instill fear, it was the absolute power to take life. And soon he learned of another power, the power to take pleasure and innocence from the smaller, weaker around him. He’d had excellent instruction from the priest, who had stolen and mutilated his innocence offhandedly, as though it were merely a practical joke. He’d never felt so small or powerless, but he quickly realized that the priest had given him a gift, he’d shown him a magical, delightful way to prey on the weak and derive pleasure from their agony.

Yes, Archibald was sure he could find much pleasure in the kingdom of Thornburn, a place where weakness meant death and suffering, and strength was currency. He salivated, his dark heart thumping excitedly as he imagined them handing over their battered, humiliated women and children. Forbidden treats for his insatiable appetite for power.

He followed the long, empty roads that passed between the numerous large fields tended by peasants from Riverwood and her sister town, Rosewood. He wasn’t sure how many villages were in the kingdom of Riverwood, but he did know that just southwest of the fields he would eventually reach the borders of Riverwood’s lands.

Sure enough, as he passed the final fence posts surrounding the crops, he entered a large, open field. It was covered in some of the healthiest grass he’d ever seen, and there was a small flock of sheep milling around at the crest of an insignificant hill. A lone shepherd boy sat at the edge of the flock with a watchful eye. Archibald considered forcibly inviting the boy to come along with him, but he decided he’d rather not incur any more of Riverwood’s wrath. Though he doubted they’d attempt to chase him into Thornburn, he didn’t want to give them any more possible reasons to hunt him.

His lifestyle, particularly his appetite for youthful pleasures, had him constantly on the run. A part of him always hoped he’d find a ruthless, lawless place that could accommodate his tastes without fear of reprisal, but deep down in his black heart he knew it was unlikely. He was resigned to the life of an outcast, a dark nomad, and an unsavory pilgrim seeking to corrupt the pure and destroy the chaste and virtuous.

The road continued to cut through the open field beyond the plots of farmland, but it wasn’t as worn and deep as other roads he’d travelled between kingdoms. These people really didn’t like each other, he realized with a grin.

Before high noon he was back under the cover of trees in a dense, thorny forest. It was dark and unwelcoming, full of briars and thistles. He let out a long sigh. Up ahead he saw a gate and two guards with long pikes.

“Halt!” cried one of the guards.

“State your business!” the other recited.

“Hello friends,” Archibald said, sporting a sly grin. “I am a traveler hoping to make my home in Thornburn. I have heard that these lands have the finest wine and the most delicious meats.” He smiled.

The guards looked at each other and shrugged. “What is your occupation?” one asked.

“I am educated in a number of trades.” He puled out his purse and produced two gold coins. Tossing one to the guard to his right and handing the other to the one on the left, he said, “I have heard many wonderful things about your kingdom. I really do think I’ll fit right in here.”

The guards nodded and let him pass.