The Collared Jackal and Veiled Deception
~Before you read. This story inspired by an ancient Egyptian legend of a sorcerer and his struggles whose name I can’t find at the moment. And also the biblical tale of Herodias and John the Baptist. And yes an episode of Xena (the only episode I’ve ever liked) Cheesy title, but I was up till 2a.m. trying finish this ^_^* Mozenrath and Xerxes belong to Disney. Nefret is mine. Chroias (who is mentioned but not present) belongs to Kaylnn Osburn.~
Feathers rose in the air, glinting in the light like tiny tangible clouds. The griffin reared and let out a shriek, more of annoyance than pain. Mozenrath was trying his best not to hurt the bird-lion. It was his to claim after all. It had been promised to him by king Tealk. All he had to do was rid the city of the pest and the prize was his. What fools! Hiring a great sorcerer like him like one might hire a poor man to chase rats out of a manor house! He had half a mind to take his newly gained griffin and set it back out on the city under his control. But he would put up with the insolence for the resulting gift.
The word had been sent to him a few days ago. From King Tealk addressed to the most revered and powerful Mozenrath. “Rid my city of this nuisance, and she shall be yours to possess.” The letter had read. Nefret had begged to go along, she would have liked to see the taming of such a wonder, but she would only be another thing for him to look after, and Mozenrath wanted this full attention on his new pet.
The griffin swatted with a taloned foot at the pest of man who stood before her. Moze barely got out to he way as he heard the ripping of his cloak. The griffin was quick to recoil and spring for another strike. The sorcerer wasn’t so lucky this time, the paw hit him as he jumped back and he flew through the air, landing heavily on his butt. Xerxes flew passed him a moment later, not of his own accord, and smashed into the wall, where he slowly slid down, groaning all the way.
Mozenrath stood, rubbing his sore backside for a moment, much to the amusement of the spectators that had gathered a safe distance away. He shot them a deadly glare. The gauntlet charged to full power and Moze let a bolt escape his hand. The fiery streak passed the audience, hit one of the palace spires and exploded in a mass of rubble and smoke. The building crumbled and gave way, sending stones, splintered wood, plaster, and dust into the crowd. Screams rang out from those lucky enough to escape, and moans from the one or two that had been caught under the pile. The one dead body lay silently in a tangled heap. Temporarily curious the bird turned to investigate the carnage. Mozenrath grinned and whipped his cloak around him, appearing simultaneously on the back of the great bird. He raised his blade and swung at the neck. Not hard, but enough to splinter the feathers and cut a shallow slice in the goose pimpled flesh. A river of blood splashed out between the broken feathers and fur and ran in a crimson streak down the chest of the griffin. It immediately fell silent and reserved, bowing it’s head to Moze as he appeared in front of it. The griffin had recognized who was stronger here. She has accepted her master who could have taken her life, but didn’t.
“Good girl.” Moze ran a hand over its downcast beak. “It seems I’ve added another obstinate female to my services!”
>*< >*< >*< >*<
The shadows of the throne shifted and Nefret sighed broadly. It had gotten so dead around here! Chroias had been called off on some kind of assignment or something, with Chroias it was better left alone, and Moze had rushed off to the palace of Tealk to assume his new pet, if he could catch it that was. She wished he had let her go with him, watching a griffin slice and dice her master was something she was interested in seeing. But of course she was left behind to look after the Citadel. As if there was much to do around her, no residents to lord over, no live servants to watch and direct, nothing to do except sit and wait. Nefret heard something in the hall. It seemed her wait was over!
The plum haired girl jumped out of the throne, Moze wouldn’t be to happy if he found his underling lounging in his throne like the queen of Sheba. Xerxes rushed in followed by……. No one? Nefret craned her neck to one side, but indeed the eel was alone. That was odd.
“Come, come with!!!!! Help.” The eel sputter as he dogged in back of her and pushed his head against the small of her back. “Go.” He ordered.
“I don’t take mandates from slimy little bastereds!” Nef grabbed him in a chock hold, mimicking Mozenrath’s frequent habit. “You aren’t my master. Speaking of which, where is Mozenrath?”
“That be what I talk ‘bout! Captured, held, collared!”
“Collared?” Nefret cocked an eyebrow.
“Tealk like master, think brave, powerful, want forever! Collar is anti magic, Master held servant!” Xerxes explained, or tried to.
“King Tealk is holding Mozenrath with an anti magic collar? Like a pet?” It wasn’t meant to be funny, but after hearing herself say it Nefret chuckled at the thought of Mozenrath collared and sitting subserviently at the feet of his master. Xerxes growled. “Alright alright. I suppose he wants me to come get him?”
Xerxes shook his head violently. “No, said no want you involved. Chroias, want Chroias.” The eel looked around the room for the familiar demon.
“She’s still gone. I don’t know where she is or how to contact her. God I wish she were here. We could wait…” Nefret thought to herself. Xerxes squealed in anger.
“No, no master stay there longer. Now, we go!”
Nefret grabbed him again and he fell silent. “Sure, we’ll just jump in there blind! Great idea!” she hissed. “Fine, if we can’t wait I’ll go, but I want to know about this Tealk first!” Xerxes nodded in accord.
>*< >*< >*< >*<
Nefret was thrown onto the action block. She was dirty, half naked and bruised from the ruff handling of the slave traders. Her face had been left mercifully untouched, but only because she would fetch a better price is the buyers could see her beauty.
“A fine flower! Strong but soft!” The auctioneer placed a hand on her shoulder and pushed her forward, almost off the edge of the stage. Angrily she pushed him back and was promptly slapped. “May take a bit of braking in. But the wilder the horse the more exciting the ride!” The dirty old man called to the crowed. Nefret resented the statement, but gave a docile face, if she wanted to be bought by Tealk she would have to appear as a good servant.
‘This was such a stupid idea!’ Nefret argued silently with herself. ‘I should have gone with my original plan of breaking in and finding Moze! But no, I just had to figure being Tealk’s concubine would give me a better chance! What if someone else buys me? Stupid stupid stupid!’ The auctioneer was babbling off as she thought but his words suddenly snapped her into the waking world. “Sold!!! For 80 denary!” ’80? 80?!!!! I’m worth more than that!!’ Nefret thought angrily but didn’t voice her opinion. “Tealk got himself a fine deal!” the auctioneer called. Nefret brightened, so far her plan was working well. So far.
The Harem of Tealk was a opulent one, plush throw pillows, luxurious rugs, a steamy bathing pool, brightly colored walls, servants, unics, and at least 30 other women. Oils, silks, fine cotton, ripe fruit, sweet breads, and wine lay randomly around, just waiting to be plucked. Everything you could want or need was here, everything but freedom and love.
Upon arrival Nefret had been ushered in, the door locked behind her. Servants had encircled her and dragged her into the tub, washing her hair and body, even though she consistently shooed them away. But they would not be put off and Nefret finally sat back on the bench and let the veiled women do their work. The dirt was scrubbed away, bruises were treated and covered and her hair bushed till it shone. She was dressed in sickenly typical clothing for harem woman. Nearly see though baggy pants, a small loin cloth that hung between her legs was her only means of modesty. A top that covered very little. Everything was black and henna was painted unto her arms, belly, and a small dot on her forehead. Jewelry was defiantly not scarce in this place, Nefret wore bracelets, armlets, rings, and gold chains adorned her feet and head. Never had she worn such luxury and never had she been so bear. Well at least not since she left Egypt.
Nefret sat near the window trying to plan what she would do next. Unfortunately she hadn’t thought beyond getting into the palace. A hand suddenly made contact with her head, carefully straightening the adornments there. Nefret whipped around defensively.
“What do you want?” she asked a bit jumpy. The woman in front of her smiled slightly as she gabbed Nefret’s wrist and wrenched her to her feet.
“You dare to speak to the head wife like that?” She hissed. Nefret looked the woman over, not overly pretty, but definably the most richly dressed. She lowered her eyes, realizing her mistake, and tired to look docile and dumb. It would be to her great advantage if she was thought of as nothing more than a meek uneducated girl who’s father had made a quick buck by selling to the slave traders. “Now you see? You must learn your place. You are nothing more than whore here, not even a concubine. In a time you may gain statues, he may even marry you. But never ever think you shall be higher than me! Understand?” Nefret nodded, keeping her head downcast to hide the anger in her eyes. “Now, what is your name whore?” The head wife released her and patted her head as one might do to a dog.
“Ne..” Nefret caught herself. In his anger of being captured there was no telling what Mozenrath might have said. Or who’s name he had evoked or mentioned. She had to come up with something, and quick. “Alimah” Nefret blurted out the first name that she thought of.
“Alimah, skilled in song and dance? I hope you can live up to your name! King Tealk wishes to see his new toy dance tonight. Can you do that Alimah?” Head wife taunted the validity of her assumed name.
Nefret smiled secretly to herself. “Oh yes, head wife. I can.”
>*< >*< >*< >*<
The wives, concubines and whores of king Tealk entered the room in a single file line, taking their place beside the throne and the lesser ones lined the walls. Nefret, newly named Alimah was the last to enter. She was escorted by a unic on each side. They stayed close by, but dared not touch her, even in their state it seemed quite clear that no one was to touch the woman of Tealk. The room was just as opulent as the harem. A vaulted ceiling, large windows that lead to balconies, pillows, rugs, chairs and a canopied throne. All done in a color scheme of reds, gold, greens, and browns. Nefret had lived in the Citadel, but it was rather cold and sparsely furnished when compared to here. Tealk was a powerful looking man. Darkly tanned, heavy with both muscle and flesh, and a jet-black beard that was neatly trimmed. A turban was wrapped expertly around his head and jeweled rings covered his stout fingers. He was about middle aged, not to old, but definitely to old for Nef to find interest in. And indeed she wasn’t really paying much attention to him. For in the corner she found an unexpected guest. Mozenrath sat near the throne, a heavy metal yoke weighing around his shoulders, he was dressed in robes a bit finer than his own, but still very similar. Which suggested that King Tealk treasured his new court magician highly. Mozenrath was silent and almost meek. A sure sign he had been drugged, for even if he could not use his magic to exact his revenge he most certainly would have been chewing the king and everyone in his way out verbally. He had defiantly been giving something. Either that or he was sitting to close to the water pipe. The amount of smoke drifting out of the narghila was enough to make a hippo lethargic!
“Your highness!” one of the guards started. “This is the latest find I have brought to you. I searched long and hard through the filthy slaves the rats paraded in the streets like cattle to market, till I found only the most choice cut!” He motioned to Nefret. “Do you approve?” The king eyed Nefret hungry. Even though she was cover from head to toe in veils she could feel his eyes burn though the gauzy muslin and scorch her skin. The king nodded. “Than let the flower dance! Let Alimah dance!!!!” He motioned with his hands and the music started to play, slowly at first.
Nefret moved her hands and arm in skilful motions before letting them fall to her shoulders to tug off the veil covering the body. She used it to whip around as she twirled and shook. The dropped it and carefully and slowly let the fingers graze behind her ears as she undulated her abdomen. The face veil fell way and she smiled to the king, but looked a Mozenrath through the corner of her eye. He had lazily looked up to witness the performance to sluggish to care much. But as he saw her face his eyes widened, he wasn’t beyond recognizing her, but was also with it enough to keep his mouth shut.
The tempo intensified and Nefret continued to artistically shed head clothes, veils, and sashes till she was down to the essential, unremovable parts of her outfit. She whipped around the king and his head followed her as she popped back around the other side of the throne and fell to her knees in front of him, writhing and swaying musically. She bent backwards over herself, sparing Moze a quick glance as she did. He seemed to be coming out of his stooper. Nefret rose once more to turn several circlets and perform complicated cartwheels, and flips. The other musical instruments fell silent and only the drums played. Nefret turned with them, her feet hitting the ground in time to the beats. Than they ceased and Nefret fell to the ground as if the beat had been the only thing that had kept her alive. She landed smack dab at the king’s feet, her arms resting on his knees lovingly. The room was silent for a moment, the other wives smiled and head wife shot Nefret a hateful look. Tealk only grinned down wickedly at her.
“Do I dance well my lord?” Nefret inquired innocently.
“Yes Alimah. You are very entertaining. I shall enjoy having you around my humble harem. I have a feeling you shall be a favorite pet of mine.” Tealk ginned as he patted her head just as his head wife had. Nefret had half a mind to dig her fingernails down into his leg, but kept the smile plastered to her face. Mozenrath had moved closer to the throne and thankfully away from the water pipe. ‘What in hell was that foolish girl up to?’ he asked his slightly drugged mind.
“Than may your pet have a request?” Nefret asked giving him bright smile.
“Yes little one, you may have whatever you wish of me.” He pattered her head again.
“Anything?” Nefret confirmed.
“For your performance? Anything! Is it new clothes you wish, chocolate? Perhaps oils or perfumes?” Tealk rambled on.
“No, something more valuable.” She sat back to look at his face without having to look up.
“Jewelry? Perhaps a more exhaled position in my harem?”
“Mozenrath’s head on a spike to be displayed outside my window.” Nefret stated bluntly. The room fell silent and the king stiffened. Mozenrath sputtered in shock.
“But Alimah, he is my new court magician!”
“You said anything” Nefret pointed out triumphantly.
“How do you know him? You are more than just a slave aren’t you! You came here with an agenda! Why?” he breathed suddenly looking less than lordly.
“A personal vendeda. He made my life a living hell!” She looked to Moze giving him a knowing smile. Mozenrath growled lowly at her treachery.
“I have already given my word. Alright Alimah, by days light you shall have your wish granted.” Tealk gave in.
Mozenrath roared enraged as he was dragged away by the heavy collar around his neck. “I will get you all for this!!!!! You will know my ghost. And you Nefret will never again find a restful night! This I promise you!!!!!!!” Moze’s bellows rung around the room. Nefret rolled her eyes, that stupid man!
Nefret turned her attention back to the ashen Tealk. “Don’t worry my lord, you have me to take his place. But not until the deed is done!” she whispered harshly to him and stood. Veiling herself again she left the room escorted by her guards.
>*< >*< >*< >*<
For all King Tealk was worth he didn’t have many loyal servants. With the promise of just a few gold coins they had turned their eyes and let Nefret leave the harem and wander on her own accord. A few more coins got her into the dungeon with full honors.
The door to Mozenrath’s cell creaked open. He barley looked up, he could tell who it was already by the black filmy veils he caught a glimpse of out the corner of his eyes. Nefret dubbed Alimah sauntered over to stand above him.
Mozenrath head shot up abruptly. His eyes cold as ice. “Come to gloat? After all I did to you, enslave you, yelled at you, hit you on the odd occasion, even banish you, you will get your revenge! I hope you are feeling good about yourself you vindictive woman. But just remember all I’ve done for you! Yes you are my slave, but did I mistreat you? I could have locked you in a cage and only taken you out when I needed you! But did I? NO! I gave you a comfortable room and all the luxuries and comforts you could have wished! And exactly how many times have you ruined my planes huh? 5? 10? 15 times? And have I ever really seriously hurt you? NO! I have done so much for you, and never have I heard the words ‘thank you’ pass you lips. I would break my body to pieces to please someone just once!” Mozenrath roared. His loose lips obviously caused by the effect of the water pipe.
“By Hathor and Horus! You still haven’t figured it out? Clear the cursed opium smoke from your mind and think! What will they do to you tomorrow?” Nefret crossed her arms as Moze’s face crease in thought though his foggy mind.
“They will drag my out, put my head on a block, raise the blade, get a clear shot of my neck…” he stopped suddenly in realization.
“Get it now? Really, thinking I would order your head off! What where you thinking?” Nefret walked to the door and turned back. “If I really wanted retribution I’d call for something more painful and slow.” She joked sarcastic leaving him grinning.
>*< >*< >*< >*<
“Are you happy this morning my pet?” King Tealk ran a finger over Nefret’s cheek as they stood out on the balcony over looking the ocean below. This was were people where put to death. The orb of the sun was slowly but surly hulling itself into the sky.
Nefret tugged at her body veils with a sigh. “It is a wonderful day for vengeance.” Tealk didn’t catch the real meaning of her statement. He only smiled slightly and pulled her closer protectively as Mozenrath was brought out, the collar his only restraint. Ceremoniously he was forced onto a platform to stand before the crowd. Tealk looked to Nefret expectantly, she knew the customs of capital punishment.
Mozenrath remained silent, so the executioner took up his duties. “The accused states his innocence and asks for a reprieve.”
Nefret stepped forward. “And he will get none! I find him guilty. Take his head now and release hell upon his soul!” She yelled. Mozenrath gave a sadistic smile.
“If that is what you wish sitt.” The hooded man forced the sorcerer to the block and manhandled him to his knees, head on the block. Mozenrath growled as his forehead was pressed into the cold morning dew that had collected on the block. His breath grew rapid as he heard the clank of keys.
Nefret drew in a long breath and her body tensed as she an assistant of the executioner took out a key and inserted it into the corresponding hole in he anti magic collar. The hooded man raised the saber high above his head. The key was turned, the collar fell open and the swords man aimed for the newly exposed flesh. He swung. Nefret jerked her head to the side instinctively, her eyes wrenched shut. But instead of the thud of blade hitting bone and wood there was a scream and a blast. Nefret whipped back to the scene. Her plan was a success! Moze had flown around the moment his power returned to him and taken out his executioner before he fulfilled his trade.
“What the? Guards!” But King Tealk was instantly knocked to the ground by a flying fist. He looked up dazed at the woman. “Ail…Alimah?” he chocked out.
“Not Alimah, Nefret Anuxanmoon of Egypt, priestess of Hathor and servant of Mozenrath.” Nefret gave a smug smile as the realization dawned on Tealk’s face. “You should have known better than to collar a powerful sorcerer! You’ve invited your end thorough the front door!” she suddenly planted her foot into a very tender area. “That’s for treating me like your dog! Go to hell in a hand basket.” She chuckled as he doubled over.
Sounds of blasts exploded around the place. Mozenrath was in fine form. He was taking it out on everything, guards, court members, walls, floors, and entire palace wings. He rose far above the destruction laughing as he picked his next target, a large turret. It exploded a few moments later, smoke mushroomed into the air, the morning sky stained a dark gray, spotted with bright patches of red as fire sparked and spread. Rubble flew in all directions, lading in sparse piles. Half the palace lay in siege the residents fled in all directions on the basin floor below. They all looked like ants to Mozenrath, worthless ants! Among the rubble lay a twisted metal cage. It’s bars ripped in all directions rendering it ineffective. Its former contents now stood a few yards away. The Griffin screeched angrily as the dust engulfed it.
“Come to me, your master wants you!” Mozenrath roared. The griffin launched into the air, grateful to join its master. Moze climbed onto it’s neck and commanded it into flight. The lion-like bird swooped low over the crowd taking giant sweeps with its taloned paws, sending the fleeing sprawling the ground. Those who fell were trampled upon and forgotten. It was utter chaos as the palace burned. “Where the hell is he?” Mozenrath growled as he scanned the crowd for King Tealk. The griffin screeched and Mozenrath looked down to see the aforementioned hanging off one of her paws. Tealk climbed up the beast with all the dexterity of a madman. His eyes were wild. Angrily Moze slung a blast at him, but he dogged it with amazing speed. Than he disappeared from view, somewhere under the griffins wing. Everything seemed to fall silent as Mozenrath looked around and below him in search of the king. ‘Must have fallen off’ Moze concluded as he ginned to himself. An arm suddenly wrapped around his neck, jerking him back. He brought his hands up to force them between the king’s arm and his throat, but to no avail.
“Sending for a woman to rescue you? Have you no honor? What kind of man are you?” Tealk whispered harshly in Mozenrath’s ear.
Moze’s gauntleted hand suddenly sprang up and blasted the king at point blank range. He gasped for breath as he arm fell away. Moze turned behind and fell upon the collapsed king on the back of the still in-flight griffin. “You’re just lucky the woman I wanted wasn’t able to come. You wouldn’t have made it this far if she had. Than again, since it was Nefret I have the pleasure of finishing you off myself!” He let his gauntlet glow bright. Mozenrath suddenly jerked back as a dagger imbedded into his shoulder. He fell back in pain. Tealk got to his feet albeit shakily. Waving the bloody blade dangerously. He raised it high ……
“Up!!!!!” Mozenrath bellowed. The griffin obediently put on the breaks, rearing back slightly and shoot vertically. Moze grabbed a double fistful of fur and held on for dear life. Tealk however had on time to prepare and was thrown off. His scream ran out as he tumbled to down to the earth and out of sight. The griffin leveled out again and Mozenrath peered to the ground. The once mighty king now lay in a twisted heap. It was almost painful to look at. Moze relaxed back into a sitting position on his pet. He sighed but just as quickly gasped as he remembered. All that time he had been destroying the palace he had forgotten Nefret had been in it. He ordered himself to be lowered and scanned the ruins for the familiar purple head. The burning palace was almost completely abandon, only those who were trapped or those brave enough to stay behind and try to free them were visible. But nowhere did he see Nefret. He landed and gazed around with a frown. Than he looked out onto the ocean. The tide rushed up to meet the sand and when it digressed once more as pile of black veils lay in on the beach. Mozenrath sighed and again ascended into the air. He reached the pile just as it moved. Nefret hauled herself onto hands and knees, and groaningly onto her feet. When the turret had exposed she had jumped off the balcony into the water to escape the blaze.
“Not a good idea.” She growled to herself as her muscles protested every move after her hard hit on the water. She looked up to meet Mozenrath’s eye smiling down at her.
>*< >*< >*< >*<
Half the city was probably on fire by now, but they hadn’t stayed to watch the spectacle. Mozenrath, his griffin and Nefret camped out a few miles away in the desert. Nefret was carefully peeling her sopping wet body veils off. She groaned, wrung them out, and tossed them in a haphazard pile. Then snuggled closer to the fire to dry the rest of the attire.
“Shouldn’t you be chewing me out by now about all the destruction I caused?” Mozenrath asked his minion.
“I can’t say I’m happy about it. But that Tealk got his. He had the audacity to call me his pet and pat me on the head like a dog!” She threw a stick into the fire and felt satisfied as it cracked and sent up sparks and embers.
“You know, I didn’t want you to come out here. How in the hell did you get out of the Land of the Black Sand anyways?” He joined her at the fire, giving her anklet a quick once over with his eyes. It was intact.
“Simple, I tied myself to a horse and Xerxes lead it through the barrier!” Nefret beamed proudly at having found a way around Mozenrath’s security.
“Didn’t that hurt?” He cocked an eyebrow at her. She gave him a what-do-you-think look. He shrugged and started into the fire, than had a thought. “Speaking of Xerxes, where is he?”
“Oh! I had to sell myself to the slave traders, so I thought while I was at it…..” she broke off
“Nefret, you didn’t!”
“No I didn’t. The little pest wanted to come with me, so I stuck him in a cage in Agrabah. He should still be here, I guess.” She added with a grin. “No matter, you seem to have new pet now!” she pointed to the napping griffin.
Mozenrath chuckled. She and Xerxes would never lay off each other! He looked to the griffin. “Yes. I wonder what I should call it.” He turned to Nefret who shrugged. “How about sphinx, Father of terror? ” he proposed.
“I don’t give a flying fig one way or the other.” Nefret tired to sound indifferent, but betrayed herself as she tossed a piece of cooked meat at the beast. She caught it midair and gulped it down as Nefret smirked. “Well I saved your tail again! This makes, what, three times now?” She rocked back onto her elbows.
“And how many times have I pulled you from the brink of death?” Moze asked.
“Most times you where the one who put me there! You should be thanking me for getting you out of a mess I had nothing to do with. I just hope this is the last time I pull your butt out of the fire. Or you pull mine out.” Nefret sighed knowing that with Mozenrath not even the next breath she drew was guaranteed.
“Insha’allah.” He breathed and watched as she snuggled into Sphinx. She better not domesticate that thing!
“Insha’hathor.” She agreed, twisting the statement into her own religion. Before dozing off. Mozenrath pulled himself onto a rock and sat feeling the freedom of the air as it played with the ebony curls of his tresses. Now longer was he collared. The jackal was free! And he would stay that way, Insha’allah.
The figures seem to shrink as the vast expiation of the desert scrawls itself in front of us. Our anti-hero and his underlings fade to silhouettes against the desert sky, streaked with orange and red. Smoke making interesting clouds on the horizon. The City of Tealk is burning. Let the fires purge and lay asunder to that which was governed in gluttony. And let them build again, but remember the collared jackal and the veiled deception. The end that they invited though the front door.
It is Masha’allah.
Notes: Yes, sphinx means “father of terror” in
Arabic. Alimah= “skilled in song and dance.” Insha’allah= “god
willing.” Insha’hathor therefore means “Hathor willing” And
Masha’allah= “gods will.” Sitt=lady.
Woo, at the end it was starting to sound like
the end of Sodom and Gomorra huh? It was not intentional to make so many
biblical references. It just happened *^_^* And no, I don't know how
Xerxes got back with Mozenrath after he was thrown out in Patron (yet anyways)
but I needed him in the story to warn Nefret. Comment, suggestions, even flames
are appreciated *cough guestbook cough* *wink wink. Elbow poke*