Session 19 : Dance with The Devil / My New Best Friend

How could one person be so misunderstood? The hospitality, the kindness, the music, the dancing. If only the people of the land would realise that he is bringing joy to this land, to embrace him is to embrace happiness.

Serenity scowled as they approached the home of the foul beast, The Devil, the creature called Strahd. She looked again at the “invitation” and almost snarled. She knew they faced great danger ahead and that the lives of all those who have helped them might be forfeit if they were unable to keep their secrets. This was partly why she had refused to share the secrets she had learned from the Martikovs with her companions, it was not that she did not trust them, but that she did not trust they could resist the Devil.

I will make it my mission to tell all we come across of his generosity and kindness. Surely no one has had such a fine friend as him. I must show him that I am as much a friend to him as he is to me.

The stench of evil permeated every nook and cranny of the monstrous Castle Ravenloft. Stone gargoyles leering from the rooftops seemed to watch the adventurers, perhaps hoping one of them would step out of line. The invite for dinner was a sick theatrical pantomime in which the party found themselves unwilling actors, forced to play their part and say their lines in exchange for their lives. They were taken to dress for dinner, led endlessly through the labyrinthine corridors of the castle before being dressed like dolls for the entertainment of their prison warden.

I do not know why she thinks he likes her so much. It must be clear to everyone that I am the one who has the real connection with him. It’s almost magical.

Serenity scowled once again, she would need to control her emotions once confronted with Strahd, for all their safety, but seeing Destiny almost enjoy the charade, dressing up, dancing about excitedly, Serenity could not help feel an anger inside.

I wish he had stopped asking so many questions of me, I just wanted to know everything about him. He must be the most fascinating person I have ever met. He was so insightful, he understood straight away how much I must put up with travelling with Destiny and Hoskgak.

Entering the hall, the party were confronted with a vast feast where the many wives of Strahd joined them to eat. Serenity saw Ireena amongst them, fawning over The Devil. Clearly she had been enchanted or charmed. Serenity felt pity for her, growing up in this land, she no doubt had not developed the discipline of mind to resist such magic.

It’s no wonder he has so many wives, who would not want to marry such a fine man. I imagine he would lose all interest in them completely if he were to have a bride of such strong character and strength of mind as me.

Serenity was tense. The conversation was polite, but interrogative. Her mind concentrated on staying aware and not succumbing to any attempts to charm or trick her. She watched Hoskgak devouring the food but this time her scowl was hidden. Serenity looked around the grand hall at the façade of hospitality and wondered how many souls had met their end in this very room. Then came the dancing. It seemed Strahd was intent of dancing with them all individually.  The horror of this overwhelmed Serenity who could sense the danger from Strahd’s eyes when she tried to refuse as politely as she could think to. She would need to think of a way to get through this. When Destiny returned from her dance with Strahd she sang his praises, Serenity was horrified, what secrets had she divulged to the monster? Thank goodness she had not confided much in Destiny. But perhaps a charmed Destiny could still be of some use…

I just need to get Destiny and Ireena out of the way. They are both delusional. As for Hoskgak, I’m sure he will come round to seeing Strahd for who he really is soon enough, he always was stubborn.

Protection from Good and Evil, Serenity explained to Destiny, protect me from the undead. It’s a game. An especially important game. Do not let anything stop you concentrating on it, Strahd will be so proud of you. Destiny looked excited at this new game and began her incantation. Serenity approached Strahd to dance. This could work. Even Destiny must be able to concentrate for one dance.

Serenity glanced back over her shoulder, just in time to see Destiny giddily skipping out of the ballroom following one of Strahd’s wives. Serenity’s eyes widened. It was too late to turn back now, how could she betray me so easily, so many lives are at stake.

I was so graceful, no one else in the room could move as fast and effortlessly as me. I could see how impressed he was. I wish the night had lasted forever.

So Serenity danced with The Devil, the swiftness of her footwork matched only by the mental agility she employed to evade and redirect the vile creatures attention and questions. It was exhausting, but perhaps Destiny had not let her down after all. The song was ending, Serenity was certain she was still in control of her own thoughts. Perhaps the plan had worked and Strahd had been so easily outwitted. Serenity felt hope.

I am really surprised how long it took me to see what a good friend he is. I think it was our conversation from our dance. It was like an epiphany right as the last note played on our song together. Suddenly I saw everything so clearly and straightforward.

Serenity returned to Hoskgak after the dance, she almost looked disappointed it had ended. She turned to Hoskgak and asked him “How could one person be so misunderstood?”