Winged Shadow Chapter III

Chapter III: Alyss O’Hess

The freezing wind stung Delila’s face like needles in the pouring rain. The smooth, worn cobbles shined under the light of the far-away moon. She was walking anxiously down the street, looking for a large, rundown warehouse near a pond. Last night, she had heard from a young fisherman that Alyss O’Hess lived in a warehouse down by a duck pond. O’Hess was supposed to be beautiful and rich.

Delila’s feet were going numb, and she couldn’t feel her toes. Finally, a huge old building near an overflowing pond came in sight.

There was a smooth old wooden door with a lion head knocker. Delila grabbed the knocker and banged heavily on the door.

“Enter,” came a deep, husky voice.

Trembling with trepidation, Delila opened the well-oiled door.

“Hello, Miss. I am Madam O’Hess’s butler. Please follow me,” said a long, lanky man with a miniscule goatee. He turned around and headed into a large living area.

“Welcome,” came a clear, soothing voice, “I’m glad you could make it.” In the middle of the room, there was a large, red, velvety armchair facing the fireplace opposite Delila. Slowly, a slim figure began to rise from the chair. She had long, honey blond hair and fair skin. She was wearing a long, pink dress with lace, cut off at the elbows. As she turned around, Delila was shocked at how graceful she was. Then she stood, with an expensive-looking emerald on a gold chain around her throat, and deep, mysterious blue eyes like pools of water so deep that you can’t see the bottom.

“I assume you are here for a reason?” Asked O’Hess silkily.

“I want to know where to find the warrior clans.” Delila told her. There was a pause.Then O’Hess said

“Oh, I like you. Very forthright, no nonsense. Half the people who come to me spend a long time dithering on about this or that, it’s very irritating.

“Well? Do you know?” asked Delila impatiently.

“Of course!” said O’Hess, looking slightly offended.

“Well then tell me!” exclaimed Delila, exasperated.

“I could, but that depends on what you have to offer.” O’Hess gave Delila a cold, calculating look.

“I have little money, but I could do something for you instead,” Delila admitted. O’Hess paused, looking slightly puzzled. Then she laughed, a clear, pealing bell sound.

“You thought I took money! Oh, how refreshing! You might have done a little more research before coming here.” She laughed again, highly amused.

“What is your form of payment, then?” Delila asked, truly befuddled.

“Oh this and that. It’s always different. It might be a secret or two, or a favor, or a couple of years of servitude. Frank, over there,” she said, pointing to the butler, “is currently serving his third year. He’ll be gone in another. The price all depends on what information is  sold,” replied Alyss O’Hess, still chuckling.

“Ah,” Delila said, understanding. This price would be more valuable than money, but at least Delila could give it. She hoped that it would not be servitude, as she wanted to get to the clans as soon as possible.

“Well then,” she mumbled, resigned, “name your price.”

“Hmm…” O’Hess said, her eyes sparkling, “you  have three choices. You can serve me for six years as a personal bodyguard, you can serve me for six years as a maid, or… you can owe me a favor.” Delila’s mind raced. She really wanted to move on, but the idea of oweing this woman made her feel sick. Delila was very annoyed. Finally, she decided and said,

“I’ll owe you a favor.”

“Good, good.”

“So tell me where to find the warrior clans!”

“Not so fast. You have to make a Blood Oath.” Delila cursed inwardly.  Blood Oaths were binding, and if you broke one, your honor would be shattered.

“Fine,” she sighed, “get me a bowl.” O’Hess smiled.

“Frank, a bowl please!” She called, her smile widening. As Frank placed a small wooden bowl inlaid with mother-of-pearl on the table, Delila drew a steel knife with a curved blade from her brown leather jacket.  She turned it over and offered it handle-first to O’Hess. O’Hess took it and sliced a thin red line in her palm. O’Hess then held her dripping, bloody hand over the bow. Three drops fell into the bowl as she said,

“I, Alyss O’Hess, hereby bind Delila Kaleo to me. She owes me whatever favor I decide to call in.” She then handed back the knife, smiling, satisfied. Delila then drew the knife across her own hand, and held it above the bowl. She had cut herself deeper, and a steady stream of blood poured into the bowl.

“I, Delila Kaleo, promise to fulfill whatever favor Alyss O’Hess asks of me as long as she gives me the information I desire. I will only fulfill one,” Delila specified.  The deed was done.

“Right then,” said O’Hess in a business like manner, “you will find a camp in the middle of the Urstun Plains, near the Bare Rock Stream. Here is a map.” She handed O’Hess an old piece of folded parchment. Delila turned, and walked out of the door, shivering. Alyss O’Hess was a mystery, but not one to be solved. Delila’s mounting excitement warmed her inside. She knew where to go! Now all she had to do was get there.