Episode 8: The Castle of Ultimate Cruelty Often, I tell tales of fun, the errors that lovers fall into, the natural consequence of Love. But there are loves *un*-natural, desires that never should be had. The consequences of which are only found amusing by the mad. For what seems harmless at the first, may lead to things un-mentionable. Some acts have been proscribed by God, have been defined as mortal sins, and everybody knows of them. But there are actions so... *unique* that though they are quite clearly sins, there simply is no name for them, for which, perhaps, we should be glad. ====== Two magic fountains, in the woods, have strangely changed emotions 'round. The sorceress Angelica, from drinking from the Brook of Love, has fallen in love with bold Rinaldo, from whom she'd always fled before. Rinaldo, ignorant in his thirst, quaffed from the magic Fount of Scorn. His love for fair Angelica was instantly transformed to hate. Angelica now seeks a way to bring Rinaldo to her bower. Rinaldo's cousin, Malagi (a sorcerer of great renown) had fallen into Angelica's power. She promised him his freedom *if*... he'd bring her lover dear to her. Malagi though this would be simple, not knowing of the Fount of Scorn. But finding Rinaldo would not come, Malagi turned to trickery. He lured Rinaldo on a boat, which travels just by sorcery. This boat takes that bold baron to the island of the Pleasure Palace. There, he is greeted joyfully, and given the best that they can offer. At first, Rinaldo likes it there, but then he finds out all the truth, that Angelica has lured him in, and hopes to keep him trapped in here. Rinaldo scorns the Palace then, and gets back in the magic boat. Malagi, who has now failed twice, grew greatly wrathful at Rinaldo. "If Pleasure does not suit that knight, then I shall try another tack, and send him on to Castle Cruel..." ====== When the boat makes shore again, Rinaldo is ambushed by a giant, cowardly, striking from behind. While Rinaldo's stunned, the giant binds him fast in loops of rope, then carries him off, bound, on his back. Rinaldo does not say a word, but in his mind he told himself, "It seems disastrous Fortune sends abuses, one upon the next. The worst afflictions in the world are nothing when compared to mine. I find myself in misery, but I can never figure why." By now, these two had reached the drawbridge, the entrance to the gruesome castle. They saw before them severed heads, and dead men hanging up on hooks. But what is worse, they saw that some of those who hung there weren't yet dead. The castle was completely red. From far away, it seemed like fire, those walls - painted with human blood. Rinaldo prays to God for aid. I must confess, he *was* afraid. And now, an old crone comes to him, horrible, white-haired, features thin, enshrouded in a dingy garment. She has Rinaldo thrown to earth, tied and bound on every limb. "Your death will be delayed till dawn, but don't believe you can survive. By rumor, maybe, you have heard the bloody customs of this keep. In the time that you have left, I'll tell to you the truth of it, the reason for all that we do. "A knight of might strength and means once ruled within this citadel. That cavalier was named Grifon; He kept a great, high-minded court, and honored every foreigner. He welcomed all who travelled past, all ladies, worthy men and knights. "He had a woman as his wife who was the fairest in the world. Stella was the lady's name: she seemed plucked down from heaven above. "Grifone sometimes ventured out to ride through woods near the sea's shore. Once, passing through these woods, he heard another knight, who hunted there. "Courteous, as he was to all, he led him up here to the castle. My husband was this second man, Lord of Aronda, named Marrchino. He was conducted to this room, and welcomed, as was customary. "As luck would have it, foul Marrchino caught sight of Stella, beautiful vision. He was seized with boundless lust, while gazing on that delicate face. His heart became inflamed, he longed to steal this woman fom Grifon. Marrchino left this citadel, and came back home, a man transformed! "He dressed some of his trusted men to look like they served good Grifon. He hid these comrades in the woods, waiting in ambush for the foe. Unarmored, as if on a hunt, Marrchino rode throughout the wood, blowing loud blasts upon his horn. "Grifon was in the woods that day, and rode towards the trumpet's clamor. Pretending not to see Grifon, Marrchino yelled "It must be dead!" Marrchino then turned towards Grifon, as if he'd just caught sight of him, and said "I'm looking for my hound, but I can't find my way through here." "They rode together till they reached the place Marrchino's men were hidden. And there, Grifon, to keep this short, was slain: the deed was treacherous!" "Marrchino takes Grifone's clothes (he bears a slight resembelance) and with his men in Grifone's arms, he takes this castle by surprise. No one within was left alive. The old and young had no defense, nor any woman; all were lost... Except fair Stella, whom they found bewailing her unhappiness. "Marrchin tried various caresses, but her high heart would never yield. She thought about his treachery, about Grifon, her husband dear, who night and day stayed in her heart. She wanted nothing but revenge, but never found the proper means until the world's most venomed beast offered her its horrendous help. "No creature is more terrifying, crueler and more incendiary, than is /the wife in _love_/, when she is scorned and falls to jealousy. No wounded lion is so fierce, no trodden serpent is as evil, as is the wild wife when she sees she's been left for someone else. "I can attest such *was* my state when I was told of the affair. I'd never /felt/ a /greater/ pain, it... almost... drove me quite... insane. My *bloody* ways revealed a rage that may to you seem marvelous, but Jealousy can squeeze Love dry. "I'd born Marrchino two small sons... I slit the first one's throat by hand. (grim) The other infant watched me, and he said "Please, mother. Stop, for God!" I took him by the feet, poor thing, (tender) and *smashed* his head against a rock. You think I had avenged my hate? I'd just begun, much more remained. "While they were almost still alive I quartered them, plucked out their hearts, and chopped their little limbs to bits -- Imagine how I grieved to do it! Then, I delighted in revenge. "I saved their heads -- no, not for /love/ -- I had *no* love or pity left -- but for more gruesome pruposes. You'll know about /them/ presently. "I secretly went to the kitchen, and set the meat I'd cut to cook... Their foolish father, feasting at a joyous banquet, ate them up. Ah, evil day, O cruel sun that could stare down upon such sin! "I left this place then, stealthily, my breast and fingers stained with blood, and quickly south Orrgagn~a's king. The man was Stella's relative, and long had been in love with me. I told that man my sorry tale. I led that mounted armored lord to seek revenge for dead Grifon. But we did not come soon enough... "After I left the citadel, Cruel Stella, feigning merriment, went to Marrchino (whom she dreads) and serves to him his children's heads! These I had baked inside a pie! (humorous) Though death disfigured both of them, their father knew them at first sight. "The woman's hair was wild, her face was haughty, her mind confident. She said "These are your children's heads. Take them away and bury them. Don't mind about their bodies, though, you ate them up, you are their tomb!" "Now false Marchino feels great pain, as bloody thoughts contend with lust. This massive insult urges him to have that woman cruelly racked. Her fair face, on the other hand, and his hot lust, opposes that. "He chooses vengeance in the end, but what revenge could placate him, considering her crime? In truth, there was no punishment too cruel. "He had Grifone's body borne form where it lay, dead, in the woods. He bound poor Stella to that corpse, hand to hand, face tight to face. And *then*... he had his way with her, as she was still most tightly bound to this long-dead and stinking body. *What* /pleasure/ ever was so foul? "At last, Orrgagn~a's king arrived, with me, and a lkarge company. When he saw us on the field, Marrchino slit fair Stella's throat. He did not spare her yet for this, but *used* her, used her though she's *dead*! I think he did it just to claim no evil ever equalled his. "We came, and with a bloody fight at last we seized the citadel. We captured foul Marrchino, his body was flayed into strips by red-hot tongs. (triumph) Men tore his limbs and broke his bones. After a goodly time, he died. (grimly satisfied) "The lovely lady then was buried, and in the splendid crypt, beside her, was her dear husband, as was proper. Orrgagn~a's king then went away. He left me in this citadel, with three tall giants to be my servants. "Nine months then passed by in peace. But then, from the castle's crypt, there came so horrible and cruel a scream that even my giants were afraid. "One of the three worked up his courage, and went, to peek inside that tomb, but soon was sorry that he did. A monster, who was trapped inside, reached out its claw and pulled him close. In no time at all, it slaughtered him, tore him to bits and dragged him in, eating his flesh and every bone. "No man was found who was so bold that he would venture in that vault. I had a wall built round the crypt, high and strong, to hold the beast; but with a secret lever that would let me safely open the tomb. "When first I cracked that cursed door, out came that hellish, brutish monster. The devil made it, that's for sure, using the seed Marrchino left within the woman whom he'd murdered. That beast is so deformed, that some folk cannot bear to *look* at it. I won't describe it's awful shape, for you will see it, soon, up close. "Since that beast emerged from hell, the custom kept by us is this: Someone is captured every day, and we drop him inside the walls to be devoured by the beast. We catch so many, some remain. These... have their throats cut, or are hung (wistful) or sometimes quartered while alive. They /decorate/ my castle walls." (pleased) After Rinaldo understood their custom's cruelty, it's range, and what illicit, foul ways produced the beast that none could slay, he faced that old and heartless hag and said, "I beg you, mercy, please! Let me go in there armored, as I am, and by God, with my sword!" "HA HA HA! As if it *helps*! I'll let you take what arms you please. The monster tears *steel* with its teeth, there's no defense against its claws, and its skin - is *invulnerable*! You're here to be killed, not to kill, but I'll be glad to make things worse -- the monster tortures armed men more..." ====== When daylight with the dawn arrives, Rinaldo is dropped within the wall. The crypt door opened; instantly an awful, ugly beast emerged. It's larger than a bull in size. Each side of its head has horns it tosses and revolves at will-- horns that it works like keen-edged swords, as it bellows in a fearful voice. Its skin is shades of green and yellow mottled with black and white and red. It has a hide both hard and thick, that nothing in the world can split. It has a snout that's like a dragon's. It has an ever-bloody beard, treacherous, incandescent eyes. Its human hands are armed with nails bigger than bear or lion claws. Its nails and teeth are so strong that they can pierce both mail and plate. Its mouth is over six palms wide, and each tooth measures half a hand. It gnashes, *grinds* its teeth so hard, the watchers on the wall were scared. Though perched up high, they don't feel safe; some hide themselves, some flee in terror. Only Rinaldo shows no fear. He's armored, and he grips Fusberta. The fearsome monster now came out and, mad to find its dinner, ran upright, on two feet, open-mouthed. Rinaldo swung Fusberta hard and hit the middle of its snout. The monster, furious at that blow, reached out, and swiped Rinaldo hard. It did not reach out very far, but what chain mail it caught, it /tore/. So hard were those horrendous claws, they left the knight disarmed, flesh bare. This did not stop Rinaldo, for he's unafraid, despite that mauling. He swings with both hands at its head-- it seems that monster does not feel. At every stroke, the beast storms more. Not slowing up, it leaps around. Now one paw, now the other swings, so fast, they scarcely can be seen. By now, Rinaldo has four wounds. No heart on earth, though, equals his; He thinks he'll die, but he's not scared; He *pours* blood, but his fury grows. He surely thought the better course was fighting, though his cause was lost, Since if he's not killed by the beast, he'll starve to death in there, he knows. By now, the day is growing dark, and *still* the fight continues on. Rinaldo's backed against the wall, he's lost much blood, his force is spent, he's positive that he will die, but still, he strongly swings his sword. He has not drawn the monster's blood, but he has bashed its flesh, its bones. Now he hopes to knock it cold, and takes a huge swing, baron bold. The evil monster *grabbed* his blade, knocking Fusberta from his hands. What will Rinaldo do? He can't escape, and can't defend himself. Later, I'll tell you what occurred, but now, I speak of other matters... ====== You must, my lords, remember how Angelica, the lovely maid, had freed the wizard Malagi, and how she waited night and day for him to fetch her dear Rinaldo. Only he who waits can say the price of pain she, waiting, paid-- who waits, I mean, for promised love-- other waits seem like roses, /flowers/. Angelica gazes from her tower at hills and plains, and at the coast, and if, poor thing, she sees a ship or spies a very distant sail, Angelica is thrilled, and thinks it brings Rinaldo back to her. If she sees carts or steeds on land, she thinks Rinaldo rides in them. Now Malagi returns to her, afflicted, pale, beard a mess, and quite alone, without Rinaldo. Angelica, when she saw his looks, cried "Ah! Is my Rinaldo *dead*?" "He isn't dead, at least, not *yet*. But it won't be much longer till that foul, rebellious man is killed. The hour and day be *damned* that made a soul that's so opposed to Love." He tells the maiden, point by point, how he'd brought Rinaldo to Castle Cruel, where a monster soon will swallow him. Don't ask about Angelica's heart, she almost fainted dead away. She seemed to be deprived of life, her eyes rolled back, her face was ice. At length her strength returned to her, and she screamed at Malagi "You *traitor*! Traitorous, cruel, disloyal rogue! You dare to *live*, to stand before me, when you have led your cousin, my Rinaldo, where he'll surely die? "Don't make excuses, you false cheat, don't say you did it for my sake. Far better I should die instead. I cannot *live* without Rinaldo. If you don't help him, *instantly*, spirits and spells won't save your life. I'll have you seized and burned alive! I'll toss your ashes in the sea!" Malagi said, "There *is* a way, if you insist, to rescue him. But *you* must be the rescuer, and do precisely as I say. Though he is crueler than a bear, he'll love you then despite himself. Malagi told her what to do. Angelica, at the wizard's bidding, gathered together the tools she'd need. A rope of twenty feet, with knotted loops placed at every foot, an enchanted file that made no sound, and a large cake of pitchy wax. Angelica rode with the wind, upon the back of a black-faced demon, reaching the castle that very night. ====== I'll turn back to Rinaldo now, whose situation 's very grim. He's lost the sword that kept him safe, Death's imminent, he can't escape. He ran before that monster, searching for a way to save his life. He noticed, halfway up the wall, a wooden beam, fixed ten feet up. Rinaldo took a boundless leap, grabbing the beam, and holding tight till he could scramble to its top, perching between the earth and sky. The bloody monster felt such wrath that, although heavy, broad, and fat, it jumped up at Rinaldo's feet. Rinaldo pulled his feet up just as its teeth scraped across his heel. Night had now completely fallen. Rinaldo clings fast to the beam, with no idea how he can escape. Then, within the moonlit evening, the sky serene and full of stars, he sees an unknown object flying: it seems... a /damsel/, in the dark. It was Angelica, of course, coming to bring Rinaldo aid. But when Rinaldo knew her face, he almost threw himself to earth. His hatred for her is *so* great, he loathes the raging monster less! Death seemed a smaller punishment than seeing her, who'd rescue him! She hovered, floating, in the air, and kneeling, she addressed the knight "It weight too hard upon my heart that through my fault you were brought here. I feel, I must confess, such flames, my mind has nearly gone insane. But I could never do *you* harm, you must discard that thought at once." "It was my plan to make things *pleasant*, to have you brought, with joy, and ease, and happiness, into my presence. Instead, I find you in a fix, and bound by dangers so extreme that I could kill myself with grief. Cast off, however, all your worries-- I've learned how I can set you free. "Come into my arms -- oh don't look pained! -- and let me carry you away. You'll see an endless, vast expanse pass *instantly* beneath your feet. Haven't you ever wished to fly? Come on! Come, mount me, gallant baron, I may be no worse than your horse." Rinaldo is chagrined, he almost cannot bear to hear her talk. He answered her, "I swear to God, I'm more prepared to end my days, than owe my life to such as you. Make up your mind to leave, at once, or I will make up mine to leap!" Believe it, there's no worse offense than scorn to an imploring woman. She loathes the man who would refuse her wanton love, and to her face. But this time, angry, ruthless fury did *not* afflict Angelica, She bore the baron so much love, that none of his offences hurt. She answered "I'll do what you want. I won't do more, despite my wishes. If I thought you would like me dead, I'd kill myself with my own hands. Both gods and men can witness that you hate me more than I deserve. You can reject me, at the worst, but you cannot forbid my love." So spoke she, and she flew away, but then in secret, came back down, and left, on the ground of the bloody pit, the items she had brought with her, the rope, the wax, and the magic file. The monster, hearing her approach, gave chase at once, but she flew off. The beast then sniffed the cake of wax, and bit down hard on the tasty dish. Its teeth are stuck together hard, it cannot spread its jaws apart. The monster leaps around in rage, Its foot falling into a loop of the rope. That loop constricts his foot at once, and as the moster struggles and thrashes, the rest of the rope's loops bind him tight. When the star of dawn lit up the east, Rinaldo sees the murderous beast, bound hand and foot, and even teeth. Rinaldo quickly leaped back down, and went to pick Fusberta up. The beast is struggling so hard, it seems the rope must surely break. Rinaldo does not let it draw a breath before he hits its gut, its head, the right side, then the left-- but his assault was like a jest. His sword could cut through stone, or iron, but nothing's harder than that hide. Rinaldo's not upset at all, a new thought now occurs to him. He leaps upon the monster's back, and grabbed, with both his hands, its throat, gripping its body with his knees. No rougher ride was ever seen. The baron's face turned red, here he must show *all* his ability. Show it he did, and more than ever; he strangled, with his hands, that monster. ====== After he suffocates the beast, Rinaldo wonders how to leave, for that piazza had been sealed inside a towering, thick wall. Facing the castle was a gate composed of bars of well-forged steel. Rinaldo beat it with his blade, but the bars were much too thick to break. Rinaldo wanders, deep in thought, wondering how he can escape. His eyes then light upon the file Angelica had left behind (Rinaldo thinks it sent by God). He saws right through the heavy gate. Rinaldo had almost made it through, when -- look you here! -- a giant comes. He does not dare approach Rinaldo; Instead, once he has seen the knight, he flees, and "Help me! Help me!" cries. Rinaldo finally unhinged the lattice, and the gate stood wide. The giant's cries had brought him aid, six hundred men now stand in wait. Rinaldo, baron bold, could not have cared if they were six times more. The giant who had caught Rinaldo earlier now heads the mob. Rinaldo quickly swung his sword and severed him below the knees, leaving him legless on the earth. He leaves him there to hunt the rest, swinging Fusberta with effect. Quite soon he is alone within the plaza, as the pagans run. Some have no arms, some have no heads, the sad piazza flows with blood. The old crone locks her palace, and she waits inside with a crowd of men. The last of the giants is there with her. Rinaldo's quickly on the scene: he smashes that door with his sword, and starts to carve himself a hole. The giant inside quakes with fear. In order to forestall this foe, the giant throws the portal wide, confronts Rinaldo, leaps outside. And now he shows audacity, smashing Rinaldo on the head. The baron only laughed, and said "I'm happy to give you renown: Killed by the paladin Rinaldo, you will be honoured down in hell, where you will find a large assortment that I have sent there with Fusberta." So saying, this most worthy knight returns a swing past measuring, slicing the giant to the teeth. Those who remain now flee in terror. Rinaldo enters, kills them *all*-- except that horrid, heartless hag. She waited on balcony, and when she saw the knight, she leaped, preferring death on the rocks below than to die before Rinaldo's blade. When bold Rinaldo saw her leap, he said "Go on! The devil take you!" The room is completely covered in blood, but still Rinaldo swings his sword. To tell the end of this affair, he left no living soul in there. What happened to Rinaldo then, how he found his way home at last, are tales to tell another day. I'll tell you them then, if I may.