Turns out the imp is really creepy

Eilwy's tower was tall and dark and stood silhouetted against the night sky like a boney finger. Just as Eilwy had promised, the great doors swung open at Dirk's command, creaking like oak trees in a raging storm. The air inside was musty and smelled of old books and leather. Rows of torches lining the walls burst into flames to light the way and welcome their mistress home.

Two huge golems stood inside the doorway. They were constructed of rock and stone and were capable of crushing man so completely that he could be slid under a doorway. Fortunately, they recognised their mistress and took no action, standing silent and watchful.

As they made their way down the corridor there came a great crash and the sound of flapping wings. Dirk tensed. Eilwy's heart sank - to be found, like this!

The creature was first just a great, flapping shadow on the wall. When it finally came round the corner, Dirk was surprised to see that it was actually quite small - smaller than a goblin in fact. It was red skinned and had small horns, and wore only a small leather loincloth.

"Mistress!" The imp blurted in a panicked voice. "I wasn't expecting you! I've scrubbed all of the toilets as you commanded, and cleaned your clothes, and I was just about to start..." It stopped suddenly and stared at Eilwy. "Mistress, why are you naked? Not that I mind. I've always wanted to see your little tits." It look frightened for a moment. "Your lovely little tits," it corrected itself hastily.

The imp's eyes drank in Eilwy's body greedily. How she wished she could cover herself!

"Tell it," Dirk said.

Eilwy spoke through gritted teeth. "Imp, this boy is your master now."

The imp paused, shocked. "You're giving me away? Mistress no! I'll be a better imp. Please don't beat me with the stick again, or send me to the dungeons like last time. I'll be a better imp I promise!"

"You're not going anywhere, imp," said Dirk, who was finding the creature quite amusing. "Tell it, Eilwy."

"The boy is now my master too." Eilwy practically spat the words out.

The imp paused and then started doing cartwheels. "Happy day! Oh happy day! The tyrant has been defeated and I'm finally free!"

Dirk laughed. Eilwy watched. He really is stupid, she thought. Far too confident. I just need to bide my time.

The imp finally finished and bowed with a flourish. When it stood, Dirk noticed for the first time the wickedly sharp talons on its hands and the sharp glint in its eye. The imp was no fool, he realised. Then he saw the bulge in the imp's loincloth - it was surprisingly big. He involuntarily took a step backwards.

"Master," wheedled the imp. "May I have the enchantress please? She's been dreadfully mean to me over the years, and I'd like very much to take her to the bedroom and... get to know her a bit better. Play with her human bits. See what noises she makes." It leered at Eilwy, who was blushing, unable to cover her vulnerabilities. "I'll bring her back afterwards."

"No, imp, the enchantress is mine," said Dirk. "But I would like to know where her bedchambers are, for sure!"

The imp ran a forked tongue slowly over its lips, leering openly at Eilwy. Dirk noticed that the imp had a hand down its loincloth.

"Imp!" Dirk said. "You obey me!"

The imp's eyes flashed back to him. "Of course, master, of course!" it said, grinning wickedly. "I'll show you her bedchamber. This way." Flapping its wings, the imp lifted into the air and pointed to a flight of stairs.

A shiver went down Dirk's spine - clearly the evil thing couldn't be trusted. Eilwy had said it would obey him if she commanded it, and she couldn't lie, but was there more to this than he realised? He felt like he was missing something. The imp totally creeped him out.

The imp grinned and paused for a moment. In a conspiratorial voice, it whispered, "Might I ask what you intend to do with the prisoners in the dungeon, sir?"

Dirk looked at it in astonishment. "Prosoners? What prisoners?"