The northern barbarian continues,
"Still you say that you are not demons. Methinks you protesth too much.
"A test this is. A test of my memory to see if I recall any shred of my self after your many torments.
"You may have taken the very best part of me. My beauty may be gone forever.
"But my bitterness remains. My hatred is eternal. My revenge will come!
"I will never forget!
"I was born in the kingdom of the Fruztii. Second son to the Jarl of Krakenheim.
"Even as a child, I was the best at everything. The Seers said my fame would be as great as Vatun.
"My older brother feared my father would name me heir. My brother dared not challenge me, nor could he murder me for fear of the Kin-Slayer curse.
"So instead he plotted to have me kidnapped by an emissary from the Old One. He betrayed me to High Priestess Halga of Iuz's Greater Boneheart.
"The Priestess, like all women, desired me, although I was only 11.
"For years, she was my jailer, my mother, and my lover.
"She traveled the world, to Dorokaa, to Rel Astra, even to the Vault of the Drow. I went with her, secured by physical and magical bonds. I was her toy and plaything and she liked showing me off to others. Many of her friends lusted after me, but Halga always refused them. She wanted to keep me for herself.
"In the Vault of the Drow, the Priestesses of Lolth desired me. And their power was so great that even Halga feared what may happen. But Halga never guessed that the Demon Queen herself desired my beauty. The Demon Queen of Spiders' desire for me was so great that she freed me from Halga's bondage, even though it ended the alliance between the Drow and the Old One.
"The Goddess of the Drow gave me many gifts and placed me in command of many men. She sent me to a ruined fortress to hide and await my great destiny. When the time was right, I would receive the call.
"At twenty years of age, I was a brilliant and inspired commander, the best the world has ever seen, but it was not enough. My men were not up to the task we were given. I was murdered. My men slain or fled. My great destiny ended.
"Since that red day, I have been tortured and tormented in the Abyss for my failures. The only respite from the tortures and torments are when fair seeming lies make me think the tortures are finally over. And then, just when Hope's shadow appears, the tortures begin again.
"Do your worst.
"I will never forget.
"I was, I am, and I will be
"Lareth the Beautiful."
