Chapter 9 - The Exclusion

Next few hours weren’t much different from digging bedrock in hell, just endless ordeal of lugging the baggage while everyone else leisurely strolled next to the merchant’s wagon. Only thing that changed was a scenery, instead of hellish pits I had to toil on a road leading through a peaceful, lush countryside consisting of gentle rolling hills and occasional thickets.

I sent another hateful glance to the nerdmage who was yet again trying to approach Lylah, that rode on the back of the wagon. Her cheerful smile and curious eyes that darted everywhere, as if seeing everything for a first time, was the only thing that uplifted my mood. That, and thought about a generous pay that I will receive after the contract is complete.

-” Are you sure about taking him? “ My thoughts were interrupted by a gruff whisper of the warrior, he and the rogue distanced themselves from the wagon, but that brought them closer to me, and it seems that my hearing got better since I become an imp. -” You know that I trust your judgment, but when I look at him I keep getting second thoughts… “

-” Look at him as an extra insurance. “ Rogue responded in a half voice, which were actually harder to overhear, and it made me shiver, there was no malice in his voice, but the cold calculation and open disregard were even scarier. -” The roads aren’t as safe as they used to be and I haggled additional twenty percent, so we are still ahead since he gets half a pay. “ Kayden smirked. -” Also, I still remember how you complained about unloading cargo in Earthcrest village, guess who will do it when we are busy with other assignments… “

-” Iuuuu. “ I felt like crying and a low whine escaped from my mouth, I already knew who will be unloading cargo in the end.

-” Humph… “ Warrior gave out a small laugh and patted the rogue on the shoulder. -” Thanks, I am really glad that you are the boss. You always think about us. “ William gave the rouge a final pat and began to walk away.

-” But of course, we make a good team after all. “ Kayden responded to the warriors back, his voice silvery.

I was gripped by a cold feeling while I was watching Kayden, there was a great discrepancy between his warm words and freezing cold smile that he had on his face when he thought no one's watching.

Suddenly he looked to the side and our gazes met. He didn’t change his cold expression at all, but I knew that he must have realized that I was somehow able to overhear his conversation. His gaze slowly moved from me to the mage and then back, a cold smirk appeared on Kayden’s face as he turned away.

-’ Scary! ‘ I thought as a wave of relief rushed through my body. I have never felt so happy, for being ignored, in my life. -’ Or not… ‘ I shivered as I remembered my awakening as an imp, with a menacing fiend pacing next to me.

I quickly shook my head to banish the thought and looked at Lylah, she wore breeches, a short leather skirt, a linen shirt and a vest. I couldn’t help but look at her slim legs. Suddenly, I realized that she was approaching me and where I was looking, and I quickly tried to look up. My questing gaze went upward, where I noticed that her breasts, hidden under the vest, didn’t really seem that big… In panic, I closed my eyes and shook my head, in a desperate attempt to hide my wicked deeds.

-” Why is it shaking like that? Is it sick? “ Her shrill voice seemed caring, and it made me feel really bad for my deplorable thoughts from earlier. -” Maybe you shouldn’t put it under so much weight? “ I was embraced by a really warm feeling upon hearing those words.

I opened my eyes and looked hopefully at the nerdmage. -” Nonsense. “ But my hopes were dashed in an instant, as he started explaining in a self important voice. -” Imps are made to work hard! Did you know that when Archmage Naleus tried to order them to dig up cellars for his new castle they complained about the stone being too soft? “

-” Oh, I see. So it’s just happy from working hard! “ Lylah’s cute and caring words almost brought me to tears with their naivety.

-” Castle probably fell sooniuuu….aiiii..urrrkk?! “ I started to ask what happened to the castle in the end, but my voice suddenly failed. -” Iuuaik? Nooiu? “ I lost my words somehow, and when I tried to speak a strange feeling in my throat made words turn into incomprehensible garble.

-” Ehh, wait? It can speak? “ Lylah asked in an amazed voice.

-” Grabh? “ I tried, fruitlessly, to speak again and then looked at the nerdmage, who was concentrating really hard… -’ Damn bastard! It’s his fault I can’t speak! ‘

-” N-no… “ Nerdmage spoke through clenched teeth with effort. -” O-only big o-ones can speak p-properly. Small ones m-manage to speak a random word from time to time. “ Nerdmage looked into my eyes and spoke directly to me. -” Small demons can’t speak. “ I was sure that he placed some sort of compulsion on me.

-” Oh… I see. “ Lylah said in a disheartened voice. -” Why are you speaking so strangely? “ She suddenly asked nerdmage a million dollar question.

-” Strange? Me? Ahahaha… “ He put a hand behind his head and tried to laugh it off, and it made him look like a totally guilty retard. -” I am not strange… I mean! I am not speaking anything strange, right? Aha-ha? “

-” I guess… “ Lylah started with an uncertain voice, but the damned mage got saved by a dumb stroke of luck.

-” Ey, you are falling behind! “ A booming voice of the merchant resounded from afar. -” It’s too early for making stops yet! Get moving! “

Lylah and nerdmage ran after the wagon, and I had no choice but to follow, with a crushing weight on my back. Soon, they reached the wagon, but it took me quite a bit longer to catch up, especially since merchant sped up a bit.

And so my ordeal continued, though it made me realize that while mage’s orders were absolute he had to speak to make them last, and controlling me with his mind took quite a bit of effort.

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Mea

Chapter 10