Prologue

The Conception of Artimus Rogue

The Streets of New York City, mid-July 1960.

Rota Carr walked down the dingy, ill-lit boulevard dressed in a long black coat, tall and pale with close cropped black hair, his sharp eyes perusing the many women standing about, beckoning him

Then he saw her. A young woman about eighteen years of age, slumped against a wall between a liquor store and a pawn shop next to a few garbage cans. She rubbed her arms and trembled slightly in the night air. He studied her, looking deep within. She was tainted, but not too far gone. She could be helped and could help him. He walked up to the woman, his dark eyes resting on her. She wouldn’t be standing out here if she wasn’t available.

The young woman looked up at him, her blue eyes slightly bloodshot as her new addiction clawed at her insides.

”I need a woman,” Rota said firmly, “and I want you.”

She pushed her brown hair out of her face so she could see him better. Completely broke, she needed money badly. The unfortunate young woman had run away from home after her recently widowed stepfather raped her and ran to New York City. After all, it was said if she could make it there, she could make it anywhere.

It wasn’t true.

Alone on the mean streets, she soon found herself a passenger on the smack train. It never slowed and never let anyone off once they boarded.

”I’m . . . I’m in a bad way,” Elisa Peters said softly to the man standing over her. “In a bad way. If you could give me a few dollars for a fix, I’ll come back. I promise.”

“No, if you come with me now . . . I’ll pay you double,” Rota replied.

”Like this? I won’t be any good,” she said to him.

”Take me to where you live,” the Lemurian said.

***************************************

Rota rolled off Elisa, who was panting and shuddering, and not because of her addiction. Rota lay to the side of her and kissed her gently on the mouth.

”Thank you for bringing me relief,” he said to her softly, “and the kind of comfort only a woman can give. I was in dire need of it.”

Rota didn’t want to use a condom, and promised Elisa five times her pay if she would let him take her unimpeded. She told him she could have something. He said she didn’t. The only thing that ravaged her body was her growing heroine addiction.

The Lemurian rested his hand on her lower belly, then a strange look appeared in his eyes. He sat up and climbed over Elisa, exited the bed, then turned to face her.

”Stand up, Elisa,” he said softly.

Still affected by the Lemurian, Elisa slid out of the bed and Rota placed one hand on her belly and one hand on the back of her head.

”There will be some pain,” he warned her.

Elisa stiffened and then tried to break away from him. Was he going to kill her now? She knew he was too good to be true.

”Let me go!” she cried, but then she stiffened, unable to move as Rota began to murmur unintelligible words, now heat radiating from both his hands, flooding her body . . . growing in intensity, then starting to burn.

Elisa couldn’t even scream as she felt encased in flames. Perspiration poured from Rota’s temples and streamed down his face as he continued until the flame died away and the pain was gone. Then he stumbled back from Elisa, weak and drawn.

Elisa felt . . . well good. Better than she had in a long, long time. She looked at Rota, who was catching his breath, his dark eyes resting on her as he straightened.

“I must go now,” he said, waving a hand over his body, instantly cleaning himself. Then he did the same to the amazed young woman.

Elisa watched him dress, thinking he had given her some kind of drug in some way, something that made everything seem good . . . seem proper and decent. It wasn’t that way. She knew it hadn’t been that way since her mother died seven months ago.

Rota shrugged on his coat, then walked forward and caught the young woman by her arms.

”You will be free of your addiction for the next seven days, Elisa . . . only seven days until the cravings come back. You are to leave here . . . go someplace that will help you. I will give you the means,” he said to her, reaching into his pocket and handing her his entire billfold. It was filled to bursting with large bills.

”You’re giving me all your money?” she gasped at him.

He nodded.

”I can easily get more. You are to take it and leave this place . . . go somewhere where they can help you. Cleanse you of this . . . disease,” Rota said to her firmly.

He blinked down at her, then once again placed his hand on her lower belly, a small smile on his face.

”They thought to stop me, but . . . they didn’t,” he said softly, studying Elisa for a moment. Then, he removed his ring. It was silver, with snake-like dragons called wyrms forming the band. In the setting was a black stone with strange markings on it. He slid it on her finger, and it tightened.

”Keep this ring until it is time to give it to whom it belongs,” he instructed.

Elisa stared up at him, not understanding.

”Promise me you will keep it until then, Elisa Peters,” the Lemurian said, his eyes pleading.

”I’ll keep it,” she said softly.

Rota nodded curtly.

”Good. Now I must go. Live well, Elisa,” he said, kissing her once more then walking out of her life.

But he didn’t leave her empty-handed.

***************************************

Six weeks later, Elisa sat in a small clinic, a plump pleasant-looking woman, Mildred Weathers holding her hand. Mildred was dressed in a lightly floral dress, with a bonnet and had accompanied Elisa for support.

Eliza had gone down to a local drug treatment center, looked through the meager aid available for junkies and relocated to a home for wayward women sponsored and run by the Religious Society of Friends in Quaker, Missouri.

Elisa firmly hoped the rabbit hadn’t died.

The doctor didn’t have good news at all, although Mildred was overjoyed. Quakers weren’t judgmental. As she led Elisa out of the clinic, she assured her she would have all the help she needed.

A car pulled up, and a smiling young man got out. He had blonde hair and brown eyes.

”I’m sorry I’m late, Miss Mildred. I had to get gas,” he said, then his eyes fell on Elisa, lighting up.

“Hello, Miss,” he said to her, completely smitten as Elisa looked back at him sober-faced.

Mildred looked from the young man to Elisa and back again, smiling.

”Elisa, allow me to introduce you to Mr. Elijah Rogue,” she said, “but don’t let his name fool you. He’s an absolute angel. Elijah, this is Miss Peters.”

”Hello, Miss Peters,” he said, taking her hand briefly, “I’m glad to make your acquaintance.’

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A/N: A little background is always good to start a story out.  Rota Carr is a character I think I'd like to flesh out one day, or even do a short story on because he's such a mystery.  You might recognise my Mu setup here. Thanks for reading.


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