the forest on his way to beg the king for the princess’s hand in marriage. The prince was tall, strong, and very handsome. His beauty would rival that of the princess. The rakshasa saw his opportunity. Now, not many people know this, but a rakshasa is not without magic. A rakshasa has the power to cloak itself in more than simple illusion. Some can even transform themselves into other creatures, even people.”
An incredulous gasp rippled through the crowd.
The bard smiled smugly. “Oh, yes my dear friends, the rakshasa is a wily foe indeed. This particular demon recognized the prince as a hunter, and tempted him across the river by transforming into a deer. The prince, unable to ignore the call of the hunt, stripped himself of his clothes and swam gracefully across the river. As soon as he stepped into the cool confines of the dark forest, the rakshasa pounced, tearing him to shreds.
“The demon then took on the prince’s form. When the sun had set, he crossed the river, donned the prince’s discarded clothes, and tried to mount the prince’s horse. He soon discovered that the horse was immune to his disguise. It whinnied and reared up in fear. Leaving the horse in the forest, the demon continued on foot.
“That eve he presented himself to the king who was instantly smitten by his grace and beauty. But beauty and grace were not enough. The king demanded something more, something special and unique to rival his daughter’s wondrous beauty and charming nature. The demon proceeded to entertain the king with tricks and illusions, claiming to have mastered the arts of magick. The king was captivated and agreed to allow him an introduction to the princess immediately.
“The princess, however, was not so sure. Although the prince was handsome, courteous, and accomplished, she could not help but feel uncomfortable in his presence. His eyes devoured her hungrily, and she broke out in gooseflesh whenever in his presence. In private she implored her father to send the prince away, but the king, now completely under the demon’s spell, would hear nothing of it. He ordered the princess to wed the prince or be banished from the kingdom. The princess reluctantly agreed on one condition, that after the wedding, the couple would remain in her kingdom.
“The king posed this to the demon, who, in his greed and desperation to have the princess, agreed. The wedding was arranged for two days hence. The princess was much loved by her servants and enlisted their help, charging them to watch the prince carefully and report any unusual behavior to her.
“The demon, however, was no fool. He knew that his absence during the daylight hours may attract attention, so made sure to drink till late with the other lords and dukes staying at the palace. Thus he was able to claim sickness due to alcohol the next day, appearing only once the sun had set. That night he played the same trick again, rising the next morning in time to dress and be anointed for the wedding.
“The princess was in despair. Her servants, sensing her grief, wept for her. So it was a tear-streaked princess that muttered the vows binding her to the demon.
“That night the rakshasa took her body with all the rutting elegance of the beast he was, tearing at her delicate skin with his fingernails, drawing blood with sharp nips of passion. The princess begged and implored him to be gentle, but his lust would not be contained. He took her over and over again until the sun began its ascent; only then did he retreat to his chambers, bolting the doors and allowing no one to enter.
“The princess, abused and traumatized, ran forthwith to her father’s quarters, whereupon putting shame aside, she exposed her injuries for him to see. Horrified and enraged with this evidence of abuse, the king stormed off to evict the prince. But the king’s ire was short-lived, much to the princess’s distress. He returned an hour later, ordering her to return to her husband immediately.
An incredulous gasp rippled through the crowd.
The bard smiled smugly. “Oh, yes my dear friends, the rakshasa is a wily foe indeed. This particular demon recognized the prince as a hunter, and tempted him across the river by transforming into a deer. The prince, unable to ignore the call of the hunt, stripped himself of his clothes and swam gracefully across the river. As soon as he stepped into the cool confines of the dark forest, the rakshasa pounced, tearing him to shreds.
“The demon then took on the prince’s form. When the sun had set, he crossed the river, donned the prince’s discarded clothes, and tried to mount the prince’s horse. He soon discovered that the horse was immune to his disguise. It whinnied and reared up in fear. Leaving the horse in the forest, the demon continued on foot.
“That eve he presented himself to the king who was instantly smitten by his grace and beauty. But beauty and grace were not enough. The king demanded something more, something special and unique to rival his daughter’s wondrous beauty and charming nature. The demon proceeded to entertain the king with tricks and illusions, claiming to have mastered the arts of magick. The king was captivated and agreed to allow him an introduction to the princess immediately.
“The princess, however, was not so sure. Although the prince was handsome, courteous, and accomplished, she could not help but feel uncomfortable in his presence. His eyes devoured her hungrily, and she broke out in gooseflesh whenever in his presence. In private she implored her father to send the prince away, but the king, now completely under the demon’s spell, would hear nothing of it. He ordered the princess to wed the prince or be banished from the kingdom. The princess reluctantly agreed on one condition, that after the wedding, the couple would remain in her kingdom.
“The king posed this to the demon, who, in his greed and desperation to have the princess, agreed. The wedding was arranged for two days hence. The princess was much loved by her servants and enlisted their help, charging them to watch the prince carefully and report any unusual behavior to her.
“The demon, however, was no fool. He knew that his absence during the daylight hours may attract attention, so made sure to drink till late with the other lords and dukes staying at the palace. Thus he was able to claim sickness due to alcohol the next day, appearing only once the sun had set. That night he played the same trick again, rising the next morning in time to dress and be anointed for the wedding.
“The princess was in despair. Her servants, sensing her grief, wept for her. So it was a tear-streaked princess that muttered the vows binding her to the demon.
“That night the rakshasa took her body with all the rutting elegance of the beast he was, tearing at her delicate skin with his fingernails, drawing blood with sharp nips of passion. The princess begged and implored him to be gentle, but his lust would not be contained. He took her over and over again until the sun began its ascent; only then did he retreat to his chambers, bolting the doors and allowing no one to enter.
“The princess, abused and traumatized, ran forthwith to her father’s quarters, whereupon putting shame aside, she exposed her injuries for him to see. Horrified and enraged with this evidence of abuse, the king stormed off to evict the prince. But the king’s ire was short-lived, much to the princess’s distress. He returned an hour later, ordering her to return to her husband immediately.
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