Coercion 01

 The first thing Lucian became aware of upon awakening was the pain. It was everywhere, assaulting his senses making him moan. He didn’t know how he could have fallen asleep when his body hurt so badly, and yet he longed for the escape such a rest would provide him with. Everything hurt, but the pain seemed to focus on his back, raw stinging pain that would have made a lesser man whimper.

He tried to move his arms, and that’s when he opened his eyes, forced them open with shock to find his hands chained above his head. “What the Hel?!” He exclaimed, pulling hard on the chains, hearing them rattle. They didn’t look like much, the metal was rusted and old, but it held fast, keeping him imprisoned. He snarled a wordless exclamation, yanking and jerking in place, until his arms were sore, screaming out their protest.

Only then did he fall limp against the wall, panting heavily. It was strange, but whoever had captured him had positioned him so that his face was to the wall, leaving a view of hard gray stone. He had little room to move, he could back up no more than two inches, but it was enough to glance down at his body. His legs were similarly shackled to the wall, and he saw that his armor had been removed, leaving him in the thin leather jerkin he wore beneath it.

~Okay….at least you’re not naked.~ Lucian told himself, sighing in relief. ~Things could be worse.~ He shook his legs, testing the strength of the manacles wrapped around his ankles. The chains held, being as sturdy and resilient as the ones on his arms, making the man sigh.

~Let’s get a look at my surroundings.~ He decided, turning his head to peer over his shoulder. He got a glance at his back, and gasped, seeing the back of his jerkin was shredded to pieces. Strips of leather remained, sticking wetly to his back, held in place by his blood. Blood that was still flowing, although it was a thin trickle ready to stop at any moment. Whoever had captured him had made a red ruin of his back, tearing up his skin, deep welts like that of a claw or a whip.

~Got to be a whip.~ He decided. ~And it had to have happened sometime after they stripped me of my armor.~ He wasn’t a stranger to torture, Lucian had had his share of being both on the receiving and the giving end. He didn’t have a taste for it, especially when it was being done to him, and he wondered if he had fainted from the pain.

~This is bad.~ He thought, at last raising his eyes away from his back. He was surprised to see the beauty of the room he was in. It certainly didn’t look like a prison, with a wealth of rich tapestries hanging on the walls, fine carpets on the floor, and ornate furniture distributed through the room. A huge bed dominated the center of the floor, Lucian experiencing mixed feelings at it’s sight. He longed to lay down on it’s soft mattress, rest his weary body and yet unease also filled him at it’s sight. Who did it belong to, and why was he in their bedroom? What did they want of him, and what did they plan to do next?

He had no definitive answers, though he shuddered to think of the possibilities. Lucian gave another half hearted tug on his restraints, not expecting to make any headway with them. It bothered him that he couldn’t remember, drove him absolutely insane that his mind was little more than a blank slate. What had happened, what had been so bad to make him forget the events leading up to his capture?

Lucian wanted to yell, to scream out his frustration, but he held his tongue. He didn’t want his captors to know he was awake, didn’t want to give them the satisfaction of his screams. All too soon they would be back to check up on him, and he felt sure the torture would begin again. ~I should rest.~ He decided, closing his eyes. ~Prepare myself mentally for what is to happen.~ But his mind refused to sleep, whirling through the possibilities of what would happen to him here in the lavish bedroom.

He was still lost in such gruesome thoughts when he head the door being unlocked a good ten minutes later. He jerked back on his chains, turning to glance at the door. He wouldn’t feign sleep, he would meet his tormentor head on, proud and defiant to the end. The door swung open, and a hulking green brute stepped into the room. He looked more monster than man, having to stoop down to clear the ceiling, shoulders hunched, with muscled arms that ended in large, hammy fists.

Lucian stared wide eyed at the creature, almost missing the entrance of the second person. This one was definitely a man, short compared to the green beast, elegantly dressed in shades of gray and black. His hair was brown, neatly arranged though stray strands fell across his eyes. Those eyes were purple, covered by gold tinted spectacles, and a wide grin was on his face. He looked far too pleased with himself, an almost insane light in his eyes, and Lucian realized that this man was the real threat, hiding his evil behind a civilized front.

“Ah, you’re awake.” The man said, moving closer to Lucian. “You’re made of sturdier stuff than I thought.” He was studying Lucian’s back, looking without touching for the moment. “Most people would have been out for another hour due to the severity of your wounds.”

“I’m not like most people.” Lucian retorted. There was no pride in his statement, just simple fact.

“Yes….I know…” The man removed gloves from his pocket, slowly pulling them on with meticulous care. The material snapped against his wrists, the man slow to speak. “After all, not every human can attain the love of a Goddess.”

Lucian twitched, eyes huge. “I don’t know what you mean.” He lied, trying to keep from frowning.

“Oh but I think you do…” The man was behind him, reaching out with gloved fingers to touch Lucian’s back. Lucian bit down on his lip, holding back a whine of pain as he felt fingers poke and prod at his wounds. “Tell me Lucian…” He jerked, eyes surprised that this man knew his name. “How did you do it? What was the key to your success?”

“I don’t know what you mean—-ah!” A fingertip was inserted into a cut, digging into his skin. It was painful, and it made him bleed, Lucian trying to hold still to keep from inadvertently driving the finger in deeper. “Why are you doing this?!”

“Lenneth….” hissed the man. “Lenneth Valkyrie….the Creator as she is now known…” The finger was removed, hands skirting across his back, a light touch over his wounds. “I want to know how to make her love me.”

“Who are you…?” Lucian wondered, a sinking feeling in his stomach. He thought he already knew the answer, but he wanted confirmation.

Fingers grabbed at his hair, jerking his head back. The man’s face was too close for comfort, his lips practically placed against Lucian’s cheek. “Who am I? Don’t you know? Can’t you guess?! Or are you too stupid to recognize your rival when you see him?!”

“Le…Lezard!” Lucian ground out through his teeth. “You’re Lezard Valeth, aren’t you?!”

“Yes!” The strong grip on his hair was released, Lucian’s head slumping forward but it was not relief he felt. Already memories were drifting back to him, key information telling him what he needed to know about this Lezard. He was a heretic, a blaspheming mortal soul who was obsessed with Lenneth, willing to go through any lengths to be with her. He claimed to be in love with the Goddess, committing crime after crime in the name of the twisted emotions he felt for her. Lucian felt the first twinge of despair to be at the mercy of this insane human, wondering what he would do to him.

“Lucian….” Lezard’s lips curled in disgust, staring at him. “You’re not much to look at. I don’t see why she prefers you over me.”

“Maybe because I’m not a soulless monster!” retorted Lucian, and his head was rocked back from the slap Lezard gave him.

“I have a soul.” Lezard growled out. “Tarnished and worn though it may be. Yours is not so pristine either….it’s gray with your crimes, that of stealing and murder…”

“I’ve only killed in self defense!” protested Lucian. “And in the heat of a battle…”

“And yet it still counts as taking a life!” Lezard laughed. “No..I won’t believe that a common thief is better for her than a man of my capabilities. There has to be more, a spell or something. Tell me Lucian….how did you bewitch her? How did you trick her into loving you?” He grabbed him by the hair, practically screaming in Lucian’s ear. “Tell me how to break the spell you have over her!”

“No spell….no trick!” Lucian cried out, shaking his head free of Lezard’s fingers. “She just loves me.” A rueful look then. “Believe me, I wish I knew how I had gotten so lucky…I thank my lucky stars every night that she is able to care for me. But you’d have to ask the lady herself why.”

“Believe me when I say I have.” Lezard sighed, stepping back from Lucian. “Night after night, I come to her, ask her to tell me what it is that will make me worthy of her. She never answers. Sometimes I think it’s because she doesn’t know.”

“Night after night?” echoed Lucian, confused. What did he mean by that? He started to ask Lezard, but the man was talking, pacing behind him.

“I give her gifts…I dress her in fine clothes…I cater to her every whim….and still she rejects me!” Lezard glared at Lucian as though it was his fault. “I tell her I would do anything for her! Die for her, kill for her, rearrange time itself if she would only be mine! And she barely reacts, barely speaks to me!”

“She cries in her sleep you know.” Lezard said this accusingly. “She calls out for YOU. Lucian!” His voice took on a high pitch, a mockery of a female voice. “Come save me!”

“Bah!” Voice back to normal, body vibrating with an excited energy, Lezard nodded at his green companion. Lucian heard the beast move, heavy tread coming closer. “I will give you one more chance to answer my question. “How do I make Lenneth Valkyrie fall in love with me?!”

“I don’t know!” Lucian said, and the first blow hit him in the spine. He gasped, feeling the pain shoot up his back, even as another fist slammed into him. Again and again fists pummeled him, all over his back and into his sides, making him grunt and groan desperate not to cry out. All the while Lezard continued to question him, demanding answers.

Lucian wasn’t sure how long the beating went on for, one minute he was fighting not to scream, the next icy cold water was drenching him from head to toe. “Oh no! You’re not going to sleep on me! We’re just getting started Lucian!”

“Go to Hel!” Lucian snapped out an angry retort, hearing Lezard let out a maniacal laugh.

“I would go to the Goddess’ punishing embrace willingly if she was half the woman that Lenneth is!” Lezard said. “But no….unfortunately for your sake, neither one of us is going anywhere.” Lucian heard the crack of the whip, feeling it bite into his flesh. He grunted, feeling it snap across the back of his legs, tearing open the pants he wore under the jerkin.

Lezard’s arm was in constant movement, the whip slashing forward and across Lucian’s body. Red welts appeared on his legs and buttocks, matching the marks on his back. Fresh pain that almost brought tears to Lucian’s eyes. He wanted to yell, to scream stop, ready to tell Lezard whatever he wanted to hear, even if it was a lie. But he held his tongue, trying not to bite down on it as Lezard whipped him mercilessly.

He almost didn’t hear the door open, Lucian not realizing the green giant had left the room. But then a voice, a pure sweet tone called out to him, horror stricken. “Lucian!”

“Ah….Lenneth….” One last lash of the whip across Lucian’s back, and then Lezard was turning to greet her. “I’m so glad you were able to join us.”

“Monster!” Lucian turned his head to look at Lenneth, and it was though the sight of her caused all his memories to come rushing back to him. He remembered her disappearance from Valhalla, the Goddess seeming to vanish without a trace. He recalled the search for her, Freya frantic with worry, einherjar dispatched to all corners of the nine realms, desperately searching. Lucian had requested to be sent to Midgard, wanting to check out a few rumors whose whispers had reached all the way to the shining realm.

A brief thought flickered through his mind, Lucian wondering if the einherjar that had been sent as his accompaniment were still alive. But he forced that thought out of his head, determined to focus on the more pressing matters. Lenneth was here, alive and seemingly unharmed except for the fake that she was doing more harm than good struggling in the monster’s grip. He had to wonder why the creature overpowered her, why she couldn’t break free, wondering what Lezard had done to ensure her obedience.

He didn’t have to wonder long, Lezard was walking towards Lenneth, whip dragging on the floor behind him. “Isn’t she lovely Lucian?” He purred, and Lenneth went still. “You’d almost believe you were looking at her original body.” Lezard touched Lenneth’s cheek, fingering the platinum curls that caressed the side of her face.

“What are you talking about?” Lucian demanded, hearing his chains rattle. His hands had curled into fists, Lucian feeling rage to see Lezard touching Lenneth. “Don’t touch her!”

Lezard actually turned away from Lenneth, purple eyes flashing as he glared at Lucian. “I’ll do what I like!” He cracked the whip to punctuate his words, Lucian relieved he was too far for the whip’s lash to strike his skin. “You don’t give the orders here Lucian, I do!”

“Let him go Lezard.” Lenneth was speaking, and at the sound of her voice, Lezard seemed to calm down. “It’s me you want.”

“Yes…” He agreed, smile mild as he looked at her. “That is true.” Again he was touching her face, this time taking care to trace her lips with his fingers. A wistful sigh was heard, Lezard’s shoulders sagging. “But you won’t let me have you, so I must….take more desperate extremes.”

They stared at each other, gazes heated with emotion, making Lucian feel as though he and the creature had ceased to exist for the pair. “It won’t work…” Lenneth said softly, ignoring his touch on her cheek. “Whatever you’re planning to do, it won’t make me love you.”

“We will see…” Lezard whispered, and with one last caress of her face, he was turning, facing Lucian once more. “Lucian…I’m going to ask you one more time..and I want you to be truthful to me…” He was walking towards him, careful slow steps as he fingered the whip. “How did you get my darling, sweet Lenneth to fall in love with you?”

“As I already told you, I don’t know! It just happened!”

“Wrong answer!” shouted Lezard, and the whip was on the move. It snaked it’s way to his back, slashing diagonally across skin that was riddled with cuts. Lucian bit down on his tongue hard enough to draw blood, holding back his scream. Lenneth cried out for the both of them, horrified.

“Stop it!”

“He must be punished Lenneth!” Lezard laughed. “He seeks to keep your love all to himself…I’ve killed for lesser offenses than that!” He struck him again, hearing Lenneth’s wild yell.

“Lucian!” He was turning, ignoring the wizard to look at the woman he loved.

“Lenneth…” Lucian gasped out her name, feeling the tip of the whip hit him across his cheek.

“No!” shouted Lezard, a glower on his face. “You don’t get to speak to her….you don’t even look at her unless I say you can!”

Lucian was reluctant to do what the man asked, but the whip cracked again, splitting open the flesh on his forehead, spilling drops of blood down into his eyes. With a grimace and a grunt, Lucian turned his face back to the wall, gritting his teeth in annoyance.

“Let him go Lezard!” Lenneth demanded, struggling against the grip the monster had on her. “It’s me you want….he has no part in this!”

“Ah but he does!” Lezard said with a shake of his head. “He holds the key to unlocking your heart He’s the final piece of the puzzle that has eluded me all these years…he holds the knowledge to at last obtaining all my desires, that of making you mine!”

“Love doesn’t work that way.” Lucian said, shaking his head no, seeing his blood decorate the wall in front of him. “I know that much at least. You can’t force a person to be yours, can’t force them to want you. You have to earn it…”

“And what did you do to make yourself worthy?” Lezard grabbed him by the hair, once again pressing his lips against Lucian’s cheek. His breath was warm against him, and stray spittle punctuated the wizard’s words. “What feats did you go through in your quest to earn her love?! Whatever it is…” His voice was full of disdain, Lezard slamming Lucian’s head against the stone. “It couldn’t possibly compare to what I’ve done!”

“Yeah…” gasped Lucian. “I haven’t kidnapped her…I haven’t killed to get her attention, or twisted the very laws of nature to trap her in a body of your design.”

“You will speak to me with the proper awe and respect, of you will not speak at all!” snapped Lezard.

“What a pity, I guess our talks are at an end.” retorted Lucian.

“Lenneth….” Lezard was ignoring Lucian’s words, turning his attention to the Goddess once more. “I could kill him you know. Would that move your heart? Would you cry and shed tears for this pathetic mortal? Or would it free you from his love?”

“Don’t you dare!” Lenneth told him. “If you dare lay one more finger on Lucian I’ll….”

“You’ll what?!” interrupted Lezard. “Hate me?!” A laugh followed up these words. “Oh my dear, you have already made it known that you despise me. Killing Lucian couldn’t possible make things worse. But I think….it might prove entertaining to see you cry.”

The whip was tossed on the floor, Lezard jerking back Lucian’s head as far it would go. A knife was in his other hand, a jagged blade that held the dry crusted remains of brown blood. It was placed against Lucian’s throat, riveted edges digging into his flesh, touching but not cutting, not yet at least.

“Stop it!” Lenneth’s voice, he could hear the fear in it, Lucian not daring to speak out to comfort her. “Doing this won’t make me love you!”

“But it’ll make me feel better!” Lezard told her.

“Please….” She whispered, and Lezard let out a growl.

“Now you beg?!” He demanded. “For him you would lower yourself to grovel?! When you wouldn’t even beg me to restore you to your former glory?!”

“I love him.” It was all the explanation she offered, but it further enraged Lezard.

“And that is why he must die!” His hand started to move, a cut appearing on the right side of Lucian’s throat.

“No wait!” Lenneth’s voice held the power to stop Lezard’s hand, the man pausing to listen to her. “I….I’ll do anything you want if you promise not to kill Lucian!”

“Anything?” Lucian heard the intrigue in Lezard’s voice. “Anything at all?!”

“Yes…” Lenneth agreed promptly.

“Lenneth no!” Lucian protested, but he was ignored.

“You would even love me?” demanded Lezard.

“I…” She hesitated, and the knife started to move.

“Quickly now Lenneth! There’s only so much skin I have left to play with!” Lezard said, voice urgent. “Will you love me?!”

“I….I can’t.” She said. “I can only promise to try to make the effort.”

“I suppose that’s a start.” His hand was still, Lezard quiet for a few minutes. Out of nowhere his laugh came, gleeful and insane. “Bellion….let go of her.”

“Master?” It was the first time he had heard the creature speak, the green beast confused with the request.

“I gave you an order!” He snapped, voice harsh and angry. Lucian couldn’t turn his head to see, but he assumed the beast did as he was told. Lezard’s voice lost that angry edge to it, a seductive purr was his next words. “Wait for me on the bed my dear…”

“Lezard…what….?” A wary Lenneth asked.

“I’m going to give you a chance to prove to me how much you love this peasant.” Lezard explained. “To show me just how great an effort you are willing to make towards loving me back.”

“Whatever it is, don’t do it Lenneth!” Lucian snarled out.

“Silence!” Lezard snarled. “Lest you forget, I am the one with the knife! I am the one who calls the shots here, not you! The bed now, quickly my dear!” She must have moved as Lezard ordered her to, for the man’s breathing lessened in intensity.

“What are you going to do? Lucian demanded.

“Why…we’re going to express our love for each other.” Lezard explained, a wide grin on his face. “In other words, we’re going to make love TO each other.”

“Sex?!” gasped Lucian, hearing Lenneth let out a strangled sound. “You’re going to force her to have sex with you?!”

“It won’t be just sex!” hissed Lezard. “When I am touching her, when I am kissing her, when I am doing so many delightful things to her it will be love. I will give her the full magnitude of my desire, let her see my heart. For when one loves her as much as I do, to call it any less than making love would be an affront to the Gods themselves.”

“What it is, is rape, plain and simple.” Lucian retorted. “Dress it up all you like, but it won’t mean anything to her….it won’t be anything but a crime.”

“It’ll mean everything to her!” Lezard shouted. “To us. You’ll see…With your own eyes you’ll witness the kind of love I have for her. And you’ll despair knowing you could never hope to match it in intensity!”

“You’re going to make me watch?!” Lucian said in disbelief. “That’s sick! Even for you!”

“Perhaps…” Lezard said, his tone frosty and distant. “Bellion, come here.” The knife exchanged hands, a green fist now holding it against Lucian’s throat.

“Lezard…stop this…” Lenneth speaking up, voice quiet not betraying any nervousness she might have felt. “I’ve agreed to do what you want….let him go.”

“Not yet…”

“If not now then when?” She wanted to know.

“It all depends on you my dear….” Lezard answered. “Call Lucian’s presence, his survival insurance for your continued obedience. Now…” Again that low throaty purr, the sound of it making Lucian’s stomach twist itself into knots. “What say we get you out of those clothes?!”

“Lenneth no!” Lucian screamed, but for all his protests, his words went ignored.