Tom just glowered at Lenamare. He wasn’t particularly mad, he just figured it would make a good effect. These people were almost comic in their seriousness. Tom supposed however, thinking of the fantasy novels he had read involving demons, and more than a few first person shooters, that if he was in their place, he might act similarly.
“So, mortal,” Tom said in his booming indrawn voice, “do you mind if I just smash through your pitiful walls. Or do you plan to provide me with an exit?”
Lenamare looked slightly peeved at the moment, and Jehenna looked slightly taken aback.
“Here, use this window.” Lenamare drew back a curtain revealing a shuttered window. Tom looked at the window, it was big enough for Lenamare or Boggy to get through, barely, but he doubted that he would fit. The shutters swung open, it would definitely be too tight.
“If you insist... mortal. However, know that I’ll have to take some of the window with me.” Tom warned Lenamare, actually he’d have preferred to just crash through it, without warning Lenamare; however, he felt he might just be taking too much of a risk of pain. At this, Lenamare looked definitely annoyed; apparently, he had not counted on Tom’s size.
“Hmm, very well. Follow me.” Lenamare went to another portion of the curtain and pulled it aside, revealing an iron bound wooden door. Lenamare opened the door and went through. Tom, as instructed, followed, he had to bend down, but he did make it through. Jehenna brought up the rear, looking extremely nervous about marching a demon through the building.
They went down a short corridor to a spiral staircase. “Remember, demon, if you so much as harm, however so slightly, or cause to be harmed, any person or thing that is mine, you will be severely punished,” Lenamare warned as he turned at the top of the stairs.
Eventually they reached an open floor, where Lenamare left the spiral, even though it continued further down. Tom also got off the spiral and moved next to Lenamare, who was waiting for him. As he stepped off, Tom heard a couple glasses break, and what sounded like four or five people diving for cover. He looked up to see several women scurrying behind pillars and makeshift cots. He was in a large hall area, which was filled with cots and straw sleeping pallets. The only people in the room were the few women, who had apparently been doing odd jobs, and gossiping, but who were now hiding in terror.
Their fear, and the wizard girl’s, served to bring home just how different Tom was now. His mild enjoyment of the demon role was rapidly wearing off. This really wasn’t going to be fun, having everyone run from him. It brought a lump to Tom’s throat; he wished desperately that he could be back home in Harding. He was definitely feeling homesick, and he guessed, body sick. He just wanted to be like he had been.
As he stood, sadly eyeing the frightened women, Lenamare said, “Come along demon, we are almost out.” Lenamare turned and marched across the room, ignoring the women, to a large door set in the far wall. Tom followed silently. Lenamare opened the door, letting sunlight in.
For some reason, seeing that light made Tom feel slightly better. Perhaps it gave him a little hope, a little piece of home. Tom stepped through the door into the sunlight. Outside, men were building things and running errands; guards were practicing. As Tom stepped out, all motion slowly came to a halt as eyes turned towards him. A few children and men ran, but most just stood and stared. Tom looked at them, fear shone plainly in all their faces and eyes. He could almost read their thoughts, he imagined most feared to run because they didn’t want to look cowardly, or they were afraid of attracting his attention. As his eyes scanned them, they flinched from his gaze, as if he could kill them with a glance.