Geplaatst ------------------------
Today I will speak about an incident of yet unknown consequences. The last chapter of this story is known to no one. Not even to me. I will speak of the incident that opened my eyes. Please prepare yourselves as this story will neither be pretty nor will it be satisfying. Yet I decided to tell this story for it will open the eyes of many. I will tell you about the day I lost a comrade. The one companion that challenged me. The friend that I never got to thank for being there for me.
First I will tell you something you need to know about me. I serve the Lady of the Squeakerdunes and her spouse. In return I get to live in their manor, which I consider to be my home. I care deeply about this place and even more about the Lady. You can say that I love her. But like any woman she has her oddities. Most oddities are innocent. The one I will speak of today is a threat to the safety of all residents of the Squeakerdunes.
The manor usually is a peaceful place. A place that is visited by friends and those in desperate need of friends. Yet, there is a place in the manor that I rarely visit. I actually avoid it actively. A place which aura is cold and its warmth is taken by the beast that resides there. My lady chose a fit name for this chilling place: The Skullery. This place is home to the Devourer. A monster whose roar turns the most brave men into cowards. For reasons unknown to me, the Lady frequently takes this monster out of his cell. She will march through the manor with the blood red monster on a leash. This ritual does not seem to please her, but she refuses to explain the meaning of it. I have thought about the ritual many times, but I will not tell you my suspicions today. The Devourer tramps through our home, roaring like thunder, and the Lady follows. Silent and stoic in great contrast to the behaviour of the Devourer. I can do nothing but watch from a distant.
This ritual is performed multiple times a week. As you probably guessed, this causes fear to the residents. Please do not judge my Lady as I am sure she has her reasons. There has been only one time this ritual made me question my loyalty. I am as loyal as a cat, but even I cannot grand termless loyalty. It was a rainy day. Summer was coming to an end. Nothing special happened that day until the moment the lady sighted. I instantly knew what was going to follow. She was not able to hide her repulsion when she got up out of her throne. Silent as the night she walked to the Skullery. I wished to follow her. To tell her this was a task she did not have to perform by herself. But I froze. Like always I just stood there like a fool. Knowing that I could not help the stubborn Lady. This is something I will never forgive myself. I should have stopped her, but I did not. I did nothing.
It started like it always did. The red beast roared like thunder as it stomped through the corridors of the manor. It did not take him longer than usual to get to the common room. Suddenly there was only silence. It took a while for the silence to be broken by a short shriek coming from the Lady. I rushed there, but I was too late. One of my friends had vanished. Engorged by the Devourer. Not one piece was left of him. It was like he had never been there. Immediately I realised I failed to protect someone very dear to me. The Devourer was returned to his cell and the Lady tried to comfort me. Knowing how important this friend was to me. This was the first time she did not succeed in comforting me. This loss will take time to heal. Her spouse does not speak to me about it. But I know that he secretly thinks about replacing my friend. Thinking it will make me feel better to have someone around like him. I appreciate the thought, but it is too soon.
For some reason there are many households that own a Devourer. I still do not know why they are taken out of their cells from time to time. Please be wary. I have not been careful enough and I lost a friend because of that.
To my beloved friend: I know telling this story will not bring you back. I do hope that your story will open the eyes of many. Lives can be saved by telling your story. I never stopped trying to be your equal. Someday I will avenge you. Believe me when I say I will make sure no Devourers will be kept as innocent pets.
Until we meet again, my friend. I hope you found your peace. My beloved Red Dot of the Squeakerdunes.
Written by the humble Sir Sylvester of the Squeakerdunes.
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Als je nu een beetje in de war bent; Sylvester is mijn kat en vandaag heb ik zijn laserspeeltje opgeslokt met de stofzuiger. Arm ding.
