Cauldron of Corruption

“I think the Cauldron of Corruption fits my skillset just fine. Many enemies of Bellowyn have fallen to my poison.”

Glenda sighs and grabs the small obsidian cup from the table. “Those were your own members.”

“Weak allies are just as much of a threat to Bellowyn as our foes.”

“This is true.” Glenda has no qualms with team killing if it fits her interests. That’s how grandma died. “Here.” She held out the cup for me to take. “With this may you spread Bellowyn’s blessing to all you encounter.”

“Not very impressive is it?” I ask, taking the cup into my hand. It was about the size of a shot glass, not very good for potion making.

“Good things and small packages.” Glenda smiles. “To bring it to it’s true size, you need only say the magic words.” She leans in and licks my ear with the expertise of the goddess herself. “Bellowyn, engorge my tool.”

I shudder as her tongue lights my body on fire. “Bellowyn, engorge my tool.” Instantly I felt the small trinket in my hand explode in size and weight. Glenda flips backwards with the grace of cat. I just barley manage to stumble backwards before the huge chunk of obsidian slams to the ground and shatters the tiles underneath. I look down at my feet to make sure they’re still there. The thing is huge, easily the size of a hot tub.

“More to your liking?” Glenda purrs, from her perch on top a bookshelf. Still spry for an old woman.

“Much. I can’t wait to get started.”

“Then don’t.” She narrows her eyes at me, her cat like pose getting all the more convincing and menacing. “Leave now, get your supplies from the quartermaster, and never return.”

Ouch, I thought I’d have more time. “This is my home Glenda, you can’t expect me to…”

“This is your home, but my coven.” I can see her nails growing long and black like claws. “I will not allow a herald from my bosom to show weakness. There will be no succor for you here, no safety. You will survive out in the world, or die.”

I puff out my chest, foolishly. She could kill me with a look. “You’re hoping I’ll die, so your next herald can be one of your precious girls. Isn’t that right?”

“Yes.” When a person like her is so far above you, there’s no need for lying. “Now get on with it.”

I growl at her. “You may not expect anything from me, but the goddess knows I’ll liberate this land. Keep your stinking dungeon, I have an entire world to conquer.” I turn away before I say something that will get me killed.

“You’ll head to Crossroads.” Glenda calls before I was out of the room.

Looks like **** was coming for me after all. “What?”

“The matrons divined where Bellowyn needs your services. Crossroads will be your first conquest.”

“You can’t be serious.” But of course she is. Glenda might not even know how to joke. I may not know what the sun looks like, but I can tell you every major city within The Kingdom, I know their defenses, their weaknesses. These are all basic things for when you’re a member of a cult who wants to conquer the world.

Crossroads, is a problem. It isn’t some far flung border town where I could raise an empire in secret. It’s in the middle of everything, and the gateway to the capital. All land trade, goes through Crossroads, it’s a huge town, rich and prosperous. And The Kingdom protects it like it was the capital’s virgin daughter. Any threats, any threats at all that target Crossroads are exterminated before they become a problem.

Including me.

“You can’t be serious!” I shout again, but she just smiles from on top of her bookshelf.

“Now who’s questioning the goddess? Where’s all that manly confidence I just saw?”

Well, a lot has changed in the last ten seconds. Crossroads… they might as well walk me into a volcano. “You’re right.” I straighten up. “This is a challenge fitting of my skills, thank you.” I walked out tall, hoping she didn’t notice my shaking knees.

And just like that I was thrown out of the only home I’d ever known. I hugged my parents goodbye, made out with a few of my favored lovers, got a wagon from the quartermaster, and was out of the dungeon before the sun was up.

I try not to look over my shoulder. I don’t want to know the pain of seeing my home shrink behind me. But I’m not all that strong. I look back and see the ruins we’ve lived under for so long. So, few of us have ever been outside before, whole lives have come and gone, under what many travelers assume is just a burnt out old fort.

How pathetic.

I wipe a tear, feeling an immense sense of loss. Sure, everyone under that castle is a murderous demon worshipper, but that was all part of their charm! I was going to miss those nuts.

My only solace was that on the horizon the sun was rising and painting the sky red. Gotta say, I’ve seen pussies, and titties a plenty, but nothing quite compares to the beauty of my first sunrise. I usher my wagon forward to the east, and stare at that sunrise until I go blind.