Ashley hadn’t been feeling well ever since he’d eaten the egg. He felt heavy, too weighed down to move and his entire body was coated with a thin film of sweat. His insides felt raw, as though his guts had been drug over a field of rusty swords. Poison, it had to be poison, but why waste it on a low level prisoner like him?
There had been something about the egg that made him hesitant from the first spoonful. The fact that its shell was thin, black and metallic was disgruntling enough, but its taste had been just as off. It had a distinct meatiness to it, and there was no yolk to be found. His stomach was growling, though, and it was all that was offered.
Had the situation been different, as in being out of the prison that had been his home for the last week, he may have objected. At the moment he was just happy to be fed at all. They hadn't given him anything before except lashings that made his back ooze and eyes tear despite himself. If he hadn't agreed to help that prune of an old woman, maybe this wouldn't have happened. He'd known, after all, that breaking into the prince's private rooms was a death sentence, but the ruby she'd held, the size of two fists, had made that thought disappear almost magically to the back of his thoughts. In fact, the very memory of the shimmering gem made him feel warm all over and the more optimistic part of him began trying to think of a way out of this mess and back to that jewel. But that was a very small part indeed, and clutching his wasted stomach seemed more important as he dry retched on the cracked and mossy stones of his cell.
It hadn't worked, obviously, because he was here now. If he'd been lucky he'd have been executed quickly,
but thus far Ashley had been thrown into this damp, dim cell and been left to rot away. At least there weren’t any rats in this prison and the grime on the floor was just a thin coat compared to what he was used to in his hovel of a home. The thieves den where he'd grown for 15 years, learning to pickpocket, con, and fight like a wild cat. That ruby had been his ticket out, but he'd failed miserably as he did at everything else. Even his renowned stealing skills had finally failed him.
Footsteps sounded nearby and Ashley froze, trying to feign sleep though he could not will his stomach to stop convulsing. It looked like there was something moving just under his skin, a worm maybe. The thought made him retch again. Or maybe the poison was boiling in there. It felt like it. He ducked his head underneath his arms and shuddered to think what was coming. It was probably be torture. The prince was famous for that. first your fingers, then your toes. Ashley sobbed quietly at the thought of losing the digits that were the only necessity in his profession. How could he dart a malformed stump into someone's pocket, quick as a bird, or balance on a laundry wire between two houses without toes?
“How is he?” The voice was taunt with some kind of emotion, but Ashley couldn't tell what. He and some of the other kids could read adults like that. They knew how to act or what to do at the tone of someone's voice or the expression on their faces. The guards were the subjects of these wiles most often, persuaded that a girl was only running errands for her sick grandmother, maybe, or a boy was waiting for his father who would be back any minute with a ready whip if orders to stay put hadn't been obeyed. But Ashley couldn't read this voice, for it was too cold and inhuman. Normally he would counter this dilemma by simply disappearing before it became a danger. That solution was impeded a little by his inability to move.
“He doesn’t look well, but that’s to be expected, my lord.” said a second voice, this one stoic but with slight distaste.
It was the prince, obviously! For none of the other nobles were allowed a title besides sir. The prince didn't like competition. But wait, what did he mean? Why would the prince himself be concerned for Ashley's welfare, and if he was, why keep him in a cell? Ashley’s mind raced but he remained motionless as the prince and an advisor watched him through the bars of his door. Ashley kept his face screwed up so they wouldn't notice that his eyes weren't quite shut. It was too dim now for him to make out more than a graybeard whose face looked like it had never smiled. That was not the prince, though. he was further in the shadows.
“I suppose it couldn't be done cleanly since it needs a living host to hatch. It should be eating his insides as we speak." The prince laughed a little, as though he'd made a joke.
Ashley suppressed a scream of rage and fright. Eating, something was eating him? He started to tremble, shaking a few roaches out of the straw he lay on.
"When it’s born I’ll finally have one…the only one in existence. That is, if the witch was telling the truth.” He stepped forward, face only a finger's-width away from the bars. The shadows of the dungeon exaggerated his sharp features and had him look like a bird of prey. His mouth was pinched and eyes manically wide.
“It might have been easier if you hadn’t tried to executed the crone immediately after questioning, Lord,” the advisor suggested.
“Do you doubt my methods?” His face turned even uglier with anger as he glanced at the old man.
“No! It’s just you are such a- a man of action. It can be difficult for me to keep up.” the advisor lied. Ashley snorted a little even as he writhed. Did no one dare to stand up to the man? Well he would, before whatever they had done to him killed him off. It was not much of a goal, but if he clung to it, he could forget the pain just a little.
“I can be ever so slightly rash, I suppose. It’s lucky for me that you thought to use this boy after he broke into my rooms. I still can’t quite believe he managed to make it so far, though.”
“He’s a skilled thief, he may have been valuable to us in other ways if not in this one. He's almost too young for this, my lord. He could still have some growth in him and it might not fit.” This sentence was almost a reprimand, and Ashley a surprised the old man got away with it. It was most likely he was saved by the prince's absorption in Ashley's agonized twisting which had begun to escalate. He rolled around, face digging into the cold floor. His fingers curled against his will into claws that dug at the flesh of his stomach. Something stopped him from ripping himself open as common beast might, though. Something besides his fading human reason stayed his hands. This was what the old woman had wanted him to steal, this thing inside him. He knew it immediately by the man's fascination, though the woman had only called it the prince's greatest treasure. She had known that this would occur, surly, for why else send him here? He had to find a way back. Maybe she could reverse this curse.
Ashley lost touch with reality for a moment and dreamed of somehow staggering away and the old woman was happy. She changed into a beautiful enchantress and handed him the ruby along with other great riches, and he was happy and safe. It was a dream so real, that had he not already been weeping, he would have begun. It was her magic, tempting him and urging him on. A chill worked its way up and down his spine at the thought of her inside his head. What exactly had been done to him? What creature now dwelled inside his body like a festering worm that was devouring him whole?
Watch who you’re calling worm, a soft purr warned. Ashley twitched with fear. The voice originated from within him.
I…I’m sorry. He ceased his moaning for a moment in shock. A bitter surge of sarcasm brought his courage back It’s a bit startling to know that I’m being eaten alive, that's all. I don’t suppose you would consider not killing me?
Hmmm. That could be arranged, I suppose, if the incentive were high enough. We do not always kill our hosts, despite what the witch woman may have told your prince. I’m afraid I’ve already eaten some of the less important parts of you… it could be difficult to undo the damage.
What!
Don’t panic, it’s nothing vital…anymore.
What do you mean 'anymore' you chicken liver? I happen to need everything in there!
I will fix you before I leave, you rude little child. i don't know why i bother, but I get the feeling I'm not supposed to let you die. Not just yet, anyway. The witch woman wants us both alive, but to keep up appearances, I’m afraid I’ll have to continue to make you sick.
But...why? Can’t you just leave me now?
I could, but then your prince would have me captive here and you’d be dead one way or another. It will be best if we wait.
Wait for how long? But the creature did not respond and Ashley felt a little rotten for calling it a chicken liver. It was going to help him, after all, though at what price he dared not think.
“How much longer? I hate the smell of these rotting pigs,” the prince broke in.
“He should be ready in half an hour. We could move him up to your guest chambers. The boy isn’t likely to be attempting escape any time soon and it might make a better impression on your new prize.”
“Yes, I wouldn’t want to upset my pet, now would I? The witch said it was an intelligent beast.” A snarl of outrage filled Ashley's chest at the word beast, and he couldn't tell if it was the creature inside him or himself. After all, if it was a beast it was his beast. It was eating his guts and organs, not the prince's, and that should grant him some kind of privilege.
Ashley shrieked relentlessly as he was moved up many flights of stairs by rough hands. It was harder to concentrate now, and time could only be measured in bouts of nerve shattering pain. Eventually he was laid on a bed next to a tall glass window, which he gazed through with squinted eyes. His own now-white haired reflection was gazing back, turquoise eyes wide with pain. To die at 15 was a common fate in his profession. many died younger. Still...there were so many things left to steal and he had been so close, so close to not having to live in the dirt and dodge fists and knives ever morning!
“What’s happening?” Ashley cried to the advisor, who was watching him with a tinge of regret. He knew, really, in some distant way even if he didn't quite grasp the details. He just wanted them to say it, admit the evil before he was gone. It was the prince who answered, smiling coldly.
“You’ll be out of your pain soon enough,” he assured.
"You’d like that, wouldn’t you?" Ashley snarled, eyes so bloodshot and wild the prince stepped back. He almost managed to sit up in one last burst of strength. "You'd like me to just disappear. I never really existed to you anyway. But the circle turns." He choked on the blood that now leaked freely from eyes, nose, mouth and ears in a steady ooze. "There will come a day when you are the one bleeding and prone, and someone else will tell you . . " but he could not finish. he collapsed back while the beast inside him chuckled in a way that was almost affectionate.
Not many are so resilient to the pain my kind cause. The last man I inhabited in my 14th life gave in after only a few hours and I had to eat the rest of him cold and dead. It was very unpleasant I assure you.
I'm glad I could provide some amusement for both of you then, Ashley snarled mentally, coughing up blood.
I wouldn’t worry about the prince. He and I have business when I am done with you. the beastie assured. its voice was warm and almost friendly, which was no doubt easier when one was warm, full, and not the one being fed off of.
How reassuring, if there is anything left of me when you leave.
It is time now. Brace yourself. This will cause your fragile body much pain, but remember that I will not let you die.
Ashley moaned one final time before a blood curdling scream forced his lips open so wide that the corners of his mouth bled. The noise shook the glass in the room and Ashley could see nothing but darkness with streaks of red agony.
----
The prince watched, dancing with glee as the boy’s stomach ripped open, nearly bloodless, to reveal a ball of sinewy muscle covered in black, silken skin. The dragon was curled and cramped and ripped at the young thief’s skin with paws, viciously taloned. As it unfurled it revealed a lithe body the size of a very large cat with an alligator head, narrow but long jawed. Its wings unfurled, many times its body size. It's eyes were a glittering turquoise that the boy would no doubt find alarmingly familiar, and waves of magic snapped and lashed around it's body.
“Hello, Beastie.” The prince grinned, clearly satisfied with himself. The dragon nudged gently at Ashley, who was very still, his stomach and chest empty. He considered eating the boy, despite the spark of life left in him. He needed flesh to be strong enough for flight, but he had made a promise and besides, there was plenty else to feed on in this room. The witch woman wanted him back, and the dragon owed her his life and needed her for some time yet before he'd be ready to roam free.
To the prince’s surprise, the fabled “dragon” grinned, baring needled teeth. But there was nothing friendly in that hungry gaze and his features grew tight with fear just before it darted its head forward, knocking one man into the wall, and snapped off most of the prince’s forearm in a gulp. Screaming in horror, the prince waved his bloody stump at the guards. The dragon chuckled, a noise like the scrape of metal on metal that made all the men present cringe. The dragon had finished off an entire guard before half the men left, screaming, and the remainder recovered their wits. Already the dragon had grown as large as a pony and was finding the room more than a little cramped.
“Subdue it! Now!” the prince whimpered, backing quickly out of the room. Even the boy had been braver than that. What a craven creature this man was. The child had endured pain that no human frame was meant to live through and still had a will to fight, a desire to stand up for himself. Now this prince of men ducked behind his pointy sticks and walls. That would change. The dragon would make it change. men simple were not capable of making intelligent decisions.
The dragon ignored the guards that moved in threateningly, though they stank of fear. It knocked them aside with its massive, leathery wings, and turned to the boy. As promised, it breathed into his empty cavity and it was filled, though not quite the same as it had once been. he organs were all black as coal and shone like the magic that enveloped the room. His chest cavity seared shut from the incredible heat of the dragon’s breath and he gripped the boy with his claws, making sure to sink them deep into his flesh so he didn't fall during the creature's first awkward flight. Its well-muscled wings could, even in such a young stage, manage to carry of a small pony, but that hardly mattered if it failed to keep a grip on the unfortunate lad. It let loose a roar of victory before breaking through the glass of the nearby window and soaring into the sky with his own "new pet".
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