Rose, Water, Timm, and an Old Friend

After a drink, a bath, a meal, a good night's sleep in a bed, and another meal, all Timm could think about was another bath.  He wanted to wash the Fey off of him.  The bug juice...the muck of the rangers' cave...the blood of the hag.  He just wanted to be cleansed of the filth.  Or was it something more?

It wasn't quite noon, and Timm was soaking in the warm bath.  There was a light rap on the door, and before Timm could answer, the door opened, Rose entered, and closed the door behind her.

"Uh...um..."  Timm was a grown man, and he had little shame about his nakedness, but he was a bit lost as to what was happening.

Rose smiled.  She carried a steaming pot of water.  "Just came to freshen the bath.  Didn't think you'd mind."

Timm chuckled.  "No...no worries.  I don't mind."

Rose stood next to the bath, and Timm couldn't help but take in her scent.  It was as sweet and beautiful as she looked.  He couldn't help but run his eyes over the curves of her body.  Rose carefully poured some of the hot water into his bath, and Timm felt the warmth wash over him.

All in all, this was turning out to be a wonderful bath.

Rose shook her head.  "A bath each day!  Soon you'll be asking for rare perfumes, and dressing in royal silks.  You sure do know how to pamper yourself...."

Timm tilted his head back in feigned exasperation.  "Oh, let a man have his hobbies...won't you!?"

Rose laughed.  "You're the guest.  If you want a bath each day, and you're paying...you get a bath each day.  You can have three a day if you have the coin."

Darkness flashed before Timm's eyes, and the hot bath ran as cold as the ocean depths.  He heard the voice...the gurgling resonant voice from the depths of the deepest ocean.  "Are you hiding from me, you speck of nothing.  You chunk of flesh with the illusion of life.  You dare try to hide from me?"

Timm blinked his eyes.  He was back in the warm bath.  Rose had put down the empty pot, and was standing with her hands on her hips.  "You okay?"

Timm managed a strained smile.  "Yeah...just a an old wound acting up.  Bit of pain hit me there."

Rose walked over to a nearby table, and grabbed a bowl mounded in salts.  "Some salts ought to help...it comes with the bath for those that ask."

Timm gave a slight nod, and Rose began spooning some of the yellowed salts into the bath with a large spoon.

And the darkness came again...and the cold of the depths swallowed him.  "Oh...I see my puppet has found a friend.  I am bored puppet...give me a gift.  Give me...a diversion.  Drown the girl.  Drown her in the bath...give me a gift, you flesh filth."

Timm opened his eyes, and Rose had stopped spooning salts.  She looked fearful, and had taken a few steps back from the bath.  "What were you whispering just then?  What's wrong with you?"

(Written by Mark Simon)

Timm paused for only a few seconds as he looked Rose in the eyes. "I serve the Lady of the Sea. She is a selfish master and a very jealous mistress...and she knows I'm here...you'd best be going now...and thank you for the hot water."

Rose backed out of the room looking slightly confused and very nervous.

After the door shut, Timm stepped out of the bath dripping wet and walked across the room, opened his backpack and removed the Orb of Oth. He returned to the bath slid under the water, hugging the orb against his chest and answered his master: "I am in a part of Kempin that was transported to the Feywild. Closing the gate of Oth has stranded me here. I have the Orb of Oth; I have no way back yet...what is your wish mistress?"

...Timm waited while submerged in the now very cold bath for an answer he feared.

<<<NOTE:  In my mind, Timm is sort of like Noran Rad serving Galactus as the Silver Surfer. Doesn't always agree, often compelled, seems like a good guy sometimes...other times, quite the opposite.>>>

(Written by Mark Stinson)

Timm waited.  Goosebumps rose on his flesh.  He trembled.  The cold sunk into his bones.

Then the resonant gurgling voice spoke.  "Ah...the Orb of Om-Radeen.  Hidden away in the Fey lands.  But, not the fey lands...a piece of Kempin stolen away and hidden away among the fey.  Three kingdoms of the mainland, secreted away to prevent their destruction.  I sensed you were very far away...and worried you needed another lesson taught."

Timm shook his head underwater, dislodging little bubbles and rose to the surface.  "No...I am dedicated to you...I do not waver."

"Hmmmm.  I asked for a gift of your new friend and you ignored me.  Denied me.  I am not without understanding of your fragile notions of human morality.  For this reason, I will grant you a boon.  Rather than your new friend...you will drown for me a proxy.  Give me the gift I require, and I will be confident in your loyalty.  Granting you magic over this distance is an inconvenience.  And yet, I continue to give you the gift of my power.  Making a human sacrifice to me may be an inconvenience, but I am sure you will find me someone worthy."

And the master was gone.  Timm let his face rise from the cold water.  The absence of his master's presence was like a great void had opened up around him.  His limbs were blue from the cold, and still he trembled.

Comments

    • Mark Stinson

      That's the spirit!  :-)

      • Marcus Auerilius

        Three more days to come up with ways to creatively drown someone :)

        • Mark Stinson

          I added your portion of the story above, and then added more of my own portion.  :-)

          Mark

          • Marcus Auerilius

            Timm paused for only a few seconds as he looked Rose in the eyes. "I serve the Lady of the Sea. She is a selfish master and a very jealous mistress...and she knows I'm here...you'd best be going now...and thank you for the hot water."

            Rose backed out of the room looking slightly confused and very nervous.

            After the door shut, Timm stepped out of the bath dripping wet and walked across the room, opened his backpack and removed the Orb of Oth. He returned to the bath slid under the water, hugging the orb against his chest and answered his master: "I am in a part of Kempin that was transported to the Feywild. Closing the gate of Oth has stranded me here. I have the Orb of Oth; I have no way back yet...what is your wish mistress?"

            ...Timm waited while submerged in the now very cold bath for an answer he feared.

             

            <In my mind, Timm is sort of like Noran Rad serving Galactus as the Silver Surfer. Doesn't always agree, often compelled, seems like a good guy sometimes...other times, quite the opposite.>