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You pull out your dagger and begin repeatedly stabbing the troll in the arm to the point where you nearly sever it. Its grip loosens as it hisses in pain. You nearly get your head punched in by the troll's other fist, but you fall backwards on the walkway in time for it to miss. The troll fails to follow up with another attack since it attempts to remove the sword from its neck presumably to regenerate properly.
Taking advantage of this breather you cast a lightning blast right at the sword, which acts as a great conductor to fry the troll inside and out. You have to back up just so the troll's flailing body doesn't hit you. Eventually when the troll's body is burned to a crisp and you're fairly certain you've fried its vital organs enough that it can't possibly regenerate you stop and the troll crashes to the floor still smoking and twitching. Then you retrieve your sword and finish decapitating the troll just to be sure.
You take a small rest after your battle, though you keep alert for another troll. Thankfully no more show up, but there's still the question about Marik and where the hell the trolls came from in the first place. Both potential answers are going to lie in the basement you imagine so that's where you continue your exploration.
The factory basement is in just about as much disarray as the ground floor and there are a few dead bodies, but no trolls or derro for that matter. You search until you come across a large metal door which has been partially ripped off its hinges, a long set of stairs go down. It would appear there is an even deeper part of the factory.
You go down the stairway, which seems almost like forever and when you finally get to the bottom, you hear a lot of shouting in an unfamiliar language. You walk down a corridor and find a large open area with presumably more factory equipment, but some of it looks very strange. You see machines, which are emanating a lightning arc similar to the spell you can cast or what nature does during a storm. Other things look like giant tubes with something inside, though from this distance you can't tell what.
Among the machinery you also see short heavily armored figures busily trying to clean up the area. You can't even see their faces, but you're guessing these are the infamous derro.
"You there! Who are you surfacer? Are you one of the factory workers?" a deep voice suddenly calls to you from the right. You look and see a very pale figure wearing white coat covered in blood and a bunch of other things you can't identify. This bald wild-eyed fellow is about the same size as the armored figure so you come to one conclusion.
"The Emperor sent me. Are you Marik?"
"I am Marik... you must be the one he refers to as his son. But why would the Emperor send you here?"
"I was only given orders to come here, but within such time I faced two trolls that apparently slaughtered not only many factory workers, but its supervisor AND several of the Emperor's Eyes! I had thought they might've killed you as well, but since that is not the case, I am hoping that you can shed some light on the situation."
"Shit, I had a feeling one of them escaped up there, but not two. And I assumed that the fucking poncy wizard would at least be able to handle it. Figures that fop wouldn't have the stones when faced with such a beast, let alone two of them."
"Escaped? Excuse me, but what the hell were trolls doing here in the first place? And why did you not send men to help kill the beasts?"
"If you have not noticed by the mess already, but my men and I have been dealing with trolls down here as well."
"It looks as if you were not fighting them when I arrived and you still have not answered why there were trolls down here in the first place?"
"I know you're held in high regard by the Emperor and obviously your skills are impressive if a scrawny thing like you can handle two adult trolls, but you will cease questioning me in such a manner now surfacer!"
"I will question your competence if you are the reason for this disaster! These trolls have just caused a stop in production which is vital to the Emperor's war on the Felkan Kingdom!"
Marik's expression begins to show more aggression though he's smiling at the same time. He almost looks as if he's going to break into laughter.
"Surfacer, I have known the Emperor much longer than YOU have even been alive! Maybe you're unfamiliar with the complexities of our relationship, so I will let your words pass as ones of a concerned child for his parent's wishes. But NEVER question my competence ever again! I am the very reason the Emperor is able to pursue a successful war on the Felkans in the first place! My work here is to find even better ways to crush his enemies! The trolls? Part of my experiments as new weapons for the war! Sometimes experiments fail! Science is not always exact! Do you think YOU were the first Eternal?"
"Yes, I'm well aware I was among the first successful ones, but that still doesn't excuse why you sent no men to at least scout the factory if you believed trolls had escaped."
"The Emperor should've told you more about our people then. We derro do not step foot on the surface if we can help it. My people may have an alliance with the Emperor, but that alliance does not extend to such madness."
"I was lead to believe madness was a common derro trait."
"It is, but even then there are limits! Indeed I may very well be among the most mad and even I will not soil myself by setting foot on your surface world."
"But the factory is enclosed, you'd still be shielded from the sun if that is death to your kind."
Marik begins laughing in a tone that is much different from his deep voice. It's an annoying ear piercing laugh.
"Your ignorance of the derro is embarrassing as is usual for a surfacer. I suggest you learn more in your pitifully short lifespan. Ask your Emperor for guidance, perhaps he will have the patience to tell you more about us, I do not. I have work to do for the Emperor." Marik says and turns away from you. His fellow derro have been standing by watching the pair of you the entire time as if ready to act if violence should break out.
Violence may still occur if Marik continues to act dismissively towards you.
"Do not walk away from me derro! You still have much to answer for! What exactly is it that you are doing here? What is so important that you so carelessly endanger the war effort? You will give me answers of substance that I can give to the Emperor!"
Your words cause Marik to stop.
"Your loyalty to the Emperor is admirable. Tell me though, what gives you cause to believe that you'd make it out of here to able to report to him?"
"Trust me derro, I may indeed not be able to take all of you, but YOU I would make an example of."
Marik once again makes that annoying laugh again.
"Your knowledge of the derro continues to lack. If you truly knew anything, you'd know that death is not something the derro fear."
"And now it is you who do not listen. I said nothing of killing you, I said make an example of. After I beat you within an inch of your life, I'd drag your bloody body to the surface which you obviously loathe so much. I thank you for exposing your flaws within our short meeting."
Marik turns to face you once again. He studies you as if to assess if you're being serious. He realizes you are.
"Well, I'll be. A surfacer nearly as mad as a derro, for it is the only explanation for your threats that you speak out of your ass and ignorance. Heh. Very well then perhaps we do have something in common. Come with me then Eternal, I will satisfy your questions and then you can go tell the Emperor that we're not just playing with our dicks down here."
Marik waves away the other derro and tells them to get back to work while he goes on to explain what's going on down here.
He tells you that while he has provided the Emperor with the gift of gunpowder weapons to combat the Felkans he states that he is bored with creating such things. He wants to move on to other, more interesting things. You don't exactly understand everything he's saying, but apparently this includes altering trolls in such a way to use them as living weapons.
Obviously success has eluded him, but Marik claims it will work eventually he just needs more time. He then goes on to say that the schematics of the weapons he's already made should be somewhat known to surfacers now and that perhaps those weapons could be built in another factory run purely by surfacers. Allowing him of course to work more unencumbered by the possibility of his experiments causing problems in the future.
"I will report this to the Emperor and allow him to decide, but personally I can't say as this is a good use of time and resources. Better to perfect the weapons you've already created than to play around with uncertain ones."
"Funny you should say that Eternal, because one could say the same of your kind."
"There is a difference. Obviously when I was born I was still not a mindless untrainable animal like a troll."
"No, but obviously an effort was made to make you better than the average human and then some. No effort was spared in perfecting you and your kind until some of you actually survived the entire process."
Marik's words about the creation of the Eternals peaks your interest.
"Tell me Marik, how much were you involved in the creation of the Eternals?"
"Sadly very little. Most of my ideas for the... project were considered a bit too extreme, then that fool Jacob somehow managed to gain complete control of the project. The advantage of being a surfacer I suppose. If I had control, you and your fellow classmates would've been even better. In fact you wouldn't have had to endure much training at all, you would've instantly been BORN with natural skill and talent. (Sigh) If only the Emperor saw the wisdom in continuing the project with me at the helm... I could truly create some living weapons."
"What are you talking about exactly?"
"For someone so close to the Emperor, I see he keeps you out of the loop on things and if he is then there must be a reason for it. I have probably said too much... I suggest if you want more answers then speak with him. Go now, I have work to do. Much work to do."
When Marik says this he begins making nervous twitches and see him eye a nearby metal door, which makes you suspicious.
> report to the Emperor
While part of you wants to confront Marik on your suspicions that he's not telling you everything you get the impression that you've pushed your luck enough with taking an aggressive stance. There are some unknown factors going on here and you'd probably be better off just reporting back to the Emperor about all this, he knows Marik and the derro better than you do.
"I'll leave you to it then and I shall tell the Emperor that the situation here has been dealt with along with your suggestions for a second factory."
Marik seemingly ignores your statement and goes back to ordering his fellow derro. You make your way to the exit and Marik suddenly calls out to you.
"Yes on your way Eternal, back to your accursed surface. Its days are numbered you know and that will be the day that... hehehehehe... what was I... talking about? Back to work you lot!"
On your way out you tell the Eyes to continue guarding the factory until further notice and make your journey back to the capital.
When you get to the Emperor's room, he's hunched over a large map and placing small metal figures in certain locations.
"There you are m'boy. Did you hear? We just took Fort Soot. A great victory this day, though we'll need to shore up our own defenses there. I trust by your presence you've taken care of whatever problem happened at the factory and it is now up and running again."
"I regret to tell you that the problem has only been partially solved."
"Oh? I trust you have a good reason for this oversight."
You explain everything to the Emperor hoping that he isn't mad, fortunately he isn't or at least he isn't mad at you.
"Bah, damn that crazy derro and his experiments! I told him I just need the practical, not fancy super weapons! Trolls, what the hell is he thinking? You know his race was once on the losing end of a war with those beasts? Marik himself would've been eaten by one had I not stepped in and saved his ass. (Sigh) Okay I'll have a levy of peasants build another factory then, I probably should have several anyway, I just didn't want to waste time and resources on building them right now."
"So... you're just going to give Marik what he wants?"
"Why not? We gave Gruz what he wanted didn't we and he's certainly less deserving. Besides Marik's right, he's already provided the schematics for most of the cannons, muskets, pistols and other types of weapons. I'm fairly certain that we can have purely run human factory now. The common folk aren't entirely dim. Marik can have his little so called secret workshop, maybe he'll even come up with something useful."
"I'm still concerned about Marik. He seemed like he was hiding something more than just experimenting on trolls though."
"Of course he was. He probably has something really twisted going on behind closed doors, but for all his madness, secrets and genuine derro isolationist xenophobia, he's loyal. He'll do nothing that will harm the Empire especially since he has no desire to rule it. Derro pacts are for life and to break one would be as offensive to them as walking on the surface."
The Emperor says this with a lot of certainty though you're still a little apprehensive, however the Emperor has had more dealings with the derro and known Marik much longer than you have so he's more knowledgeable on this than you.
"Very well, if you are not concerned, I shall cease my own."
"Good, but I'm glad you're suspicious. Being paranoid keeps your wits sharp and alert. Besides you might be partially right. While I know Marik doesn't have any intentional desires to harm the Empire his work may unintentionally harm it as shown with this incident with his troll experiment. I will have a personal talk with him just to keep him on a tighter leash so to speak."
"I'm still confused one thing though, why send me?"
"Because you get things done of course. What was I going to do, have Jacob send in more Eyes? You see how well that worked and given that the problem was trolls it's a good thing I sent you in rather than lose even more of them. I knew what ever it was that was the problem, you'd be able to handle it."
"I see, its just I thought my role in the Felkan war was more important."
"It is, it is my son and this was still related to said war and trust me it was far more important than winning some small battle somewhere."
The Emperor steps forward towards you and gives you that familiar hand on your shoulder bit when he's about to tell you something he feels you should take to heart.
"Listen, I know you probably would like to be fighting in the thick of the war, slaying Felkans left and right and I know you'd be successful and good at it. However you are MORE than just some glorified soldier to be sent in to fight and die. Hell, I may have even told you to take a back up of Eyes had I known about the trolls with this recent incident."
"Wait, are you trying to protect me?"
"Of course I am. Yes, I'm well aware that your life is built on danger and that you've never been a stranger to life and death situations, but I'd like to keep your chances of staying alive at least out of the impossible zone. You have been indispensible to me and I am not going to risk sending you into a meat grinder just because you fight well. You are much more important. I need you as not only a commander of troops, but also as my personal agent. Now is there anything else?"
You take the opportunity to tell the Emperor about what exactly is going on your side of the warfront. He seems pleased with the information and tells you that you can go back to assist Krozer's battalion now that your assignment is over. The Emperor goes on to say how he continues to be proud of your accomplishments and that he means it when he says just how important you are to him. You leave the palace with a great feeling of pride and accomplishment. Not just that though, you feel like you're genuinely appreciated and coming from the Emperor... well there can be nothing better.
Since you haven't been gone long, you make your way back to the ex-Felkan town you just conquered and find that Krozer's army hasn't moved yet.
"You're back already? That was quick, we hardly had time to miss you." Major Krozer says.
"Well I knew you'd all be lost without me, so I figured I'd better hurry back as soon as possible."
"Another joke? Before you left you were attempting some of those."
"So what's been going on here?"
"Nothing really, after we executed the twenty you suggested, the inhabitants here are truly submissive. I was just about to pick some troops to stay here and head out with the rest. I believe the next target is a small village called Gelim. Not much of one, but then this is further away from the Felkan heartland of course."
You think for a moment and say something that shocks the major.
"The troops could probably due with a small rest. Let's stay here another three days, it's not going to make that much of a difference. I doubt that little village is going to provide much of a resistance, let alone be able to shore up any sort of strong defense within that time. We've got the Felkans pinned in from here and last reports say they're focusing most of their troops on the frontlines or against those gnolls to the east. "
"Alright, the attempts at humor are one thing, but NOW I'm starting to worry a shape shifter has taken your place."
"No worries, let's just say I'm in a less grim mood."
"You are? Then the gods must truly do exist because I never thought I'd see the day. I guess whatever it is that the Emperor had you doing went well then."
"It did, but this has nothing to do with that. I just want to make sure the soldiers are well rested and not run ragged. Make sure you have them gather here in the town square in a few moments, I'd like to give them a speech about how their efforts have been appreciated."
"By the Emperor?"
"I'm sure he does too, but I figured the troops might wants to know that someone a little closer to them appreciates their hard work even if he doesn't always say it."
"I'll get them together, but I imagine they'll enjoy the fact that you're allowing them three days rest more. Still, some encouraging words do help the morale for some."
"I hope you know that this appreciation includes everyone here and that especially means you. This battalion is under your command and you've done a fine job running it."
"I think officially out outrank me, given that you report directly to the Emperor."
"Perhaps, but while I have given my own input with strategies and battle, I have always allowed you to make the final decisions because this is still your command and I respect that and you. The Empire is stronger with you leading some of its armies."
"Wow, I'm nearly speechless right now. Keep complimenting me like that and I'll start to think you've developed intimate feelings for me."
"What?"
"Oh you know. Saying to me I'd look prettier out of my uniform and how we should talk in private. Then the next thing I know you're telling me to drop down and give you head."
"I... I wouldn't! I mean, I wouldn't abuse my position of authority like that!" you exclaim.
The major laughs a bit.
"Relax, I know you wouldn't. The whole time on this assignment I haven't seen you take an interest in anyone."
"Why would I? I'm supposed to be focusing on the task of destroying the Felkans, not indulging in baser pleasures."
"Mm, perhaps, but not everyone is so single minded in their duties or get their fun from the battlefield like you seem to do. Why do you think we have a group of whores follow our army around? Do you not think some of the soldiers sneak off with each other sometimes? I won't even get into some of the stuff we probably aren't seeing after we crush one of the Felkan population zones. And as for the abuse of power from a superior, you're probably one of the first that I know that hasn't even tried to use it as some sort of threat to have sex with someone of a lower rank."
"Yes well I suppose that's the ugly side of war." You reply.
Now the major starts laughing out loud even more.
"You're hilarious! Brutality and carnage on a grand scale, death and destruction everywhere, and you think whores, a few random rapes and some sexual harassment is the ugly bit. That's why I like you, because you don't know any better. Anyway thanks for the compliments and know that I have also found that despite your usual overly serious demeanor it's been a pleasure serving with you as well and I look forward to our continued positive relationship."
"As do I."
With you and Major Krozer at a friendlier understanding of one another as well as the Emperor's earlier words to you, you feel a lot happier about your current assignment.
> Continue
Year 25
While the war with the Felkans seemed to be going smoothly, the situation has changed somewhat. The Empire still has the upper hand, but unfortunately this has become a three-way entanglement.
The gnolls tribes harassing the Felkans on the western borders apparently weren't just separate chaotic bands of raiders, but rather a full-fledged conquering horde. After smashing most of the Felkan defenses they have proceeded further into the heartland and that's where they finally came to blows with the Empire.
So far the gnolls been more of an annoyance to the Empire, but its been distracting enough that it's given the Felkans enough time to retreat and regroup further north. The Felkans are much reduced in strength now, but they are still definitely not a defeated nation yet. If anything their resolve has gotten stronger and their defenses have too.
Last reports tell of how the orcs attempted to break through the defenses of the city of Yaquan only to be nearly wiped out by large weapons mounted to the city's towers that apparently harness the power of lightning. One blast ripped through the ranks of the heavily armored orcs and spread like a chain of death killing most of them instantly. These new "lightning guns" are no doubt the inventions of the gnomes.
You heard Captain Gruz was amongst the casualties which would put orc leadership in jeopardy, but since there are so few of them left, the remainder of their now decimated number have regrouped under Roldan's command who is busily trying to figure out a way to proceed without losing half of his troops in the process. So far though the gnolls have been making that task difficult with their own ongoing attacks.
The only upside to all this is the Felkans seem to be playing up to their typical siege mentality and not making any sort of counter attacks probably hoping that the Empire and the gnolls will continue to kill each other to the point where nobody is in any position to attack them anymore. Of course that just means they're getting further entrenched. If enough time passes it may very well make most assaults on what's left of them extremely costly.
Meanwhile you and Alison have been mostly fighting off the gnoll hordes on a regular basis. You'd like to press further west to take the fight to them, but you know you need to stay in occupied Felkan territory to either help defend the main army or to support it when the time finally comes to make the final push on the Felkans. Lately most of your days are dull waiting or slightly less dull combat since the gnolls themselves rely mostly on numbers and terror rather than skill. The terror factor isn't much of one when going against the hardened troops of the Empire and numbers account for nothing when faced with Empire discipline.
Still, its frustrating not being allowed to do more and tensions are starting to run hot by everyone in the high command...
"But if we continue to attack as we have, we will risk losing it all! I urge you my Emperor for the good of the Empire we should withdraw now! What can it hurt? We have proven our point and even acquired some territory in the process. Why not just let those barbaric gnolls fight over the scraps what's left of the ruins." Jacob says to the Emperor.
"Jacob, I said it before I don't give a damn what the costs are, I won't let those fucking gnomes continue to mock from behind their smug little walled cities! And I didn't come this far to be turned back by the incursions of some mongrel dog men or guns that shoot a little light! I don't care what it takes we aren't going to rest until the Felkan Kingdom ceases to exist along with those fucking gnomes!" the Emperor shouts and flips a nearby table.
"Why are you yelling at me? I'm just giving my honest opinion on the situation, I'm not even in charge of the military matters!" Jacob whimpers.
"But you ARE in charge of the other Eternals, and guess who is leading the majority of our forces in Felkan territory? That's right, Roldan. Now I'll grant you that he's been fairly successful up until this point, but the fact that he hasn't made any progress for the past few months is severely starting to decrease my faith that he can get the job done."
"He's doing the best he can under the circumstances and he's the best qualified general we have, I don't think he should be replaced."
"I'm beginning to think I should start replacing SOMEONE." The Emperor unsubtly threatens.
You've seen the Emperor mad before and it's never a good thing. Poor Jacob is trying to stand his ground on this matter, but its obvious the man is incredibly scared for his life. To be fair you actually can see his concerns on the situation, but this thing with the gnomes... well it's an ongoing source of irritation for the Emperor. Jacob is also taking a verbal lashing for something that really isn't his fault. True, he monitors the progress of the other Eternals, but in reality it's not anything meaningful. Not to mention it actually was you who originally convinced the Emperor that Roldan should lead on the main assault force, yet the Emperor has either forgotten this fact, or perhaps still insists on seeing it all as Jacob's fault.
Since you still feel partly responsible you decide to interject to try to calm things down.
"Emperor, I could take over Roldan's command if you prefer, though I would still like to keep him on as part of the command staff."
"While I'm sure you would no doubt do a much better job, I'd rather have you're where you currently are." The Emperor says which somewhat disappoints you.
"Of course, of course. Wouldn't want to risk your precious loyal dog." Mistress suddenly remarks, this draws an angry glance of both you and the Emperor.
"What? I'm just saying what Jacob's thinking, personally I don't really give a shit what drone you decide to sacrifice in your futile war." Mistress says causing Jacob's eyes to widen, shake his head and raise his hands assuring that he thought no such thing.
"Ever with the clever remarks. Too bad the rest of your race isn't half as clever, or you might not be a bunch of mercenaries."
"I'm not sure why we're even relying on svelk scum anyway. Alison and I have been doing just fine fighting off the gnolls by ourselves for example." You remark.
"Alison? Oh, is that the name of the dirty blonde shield maiden that I've heard you've been getting close to? Tell me, when you're sticking it to her do you try to visualize that its me?"
A vulgar comment as usual from Mistress. Not unexpected either. While you'd be lying if it weren't a little annoying, you certainly aren't going to give her the satisfaction of a retort.
"No answer? Are you not even going to stand up for the honor of your female plaything? Then again I suppose she isn't worthy of it. I mean given that you experienced the best, why would you bother defending something so inferior?" Mistress continues to taunt.
"Emperor, we are here to discuss the important business of crushing the Felkans, do we really have to listen to the boring and predictable slurs of this... dubious ally?" you ask.
"No, of course we don't. Hold your vile svelk tongue unless you've actually got something more worthwhile to contribute."
"I have contributed more than my fair share to your foolish crusade. I have come to the conclusion that this war is a losing proposition for my people. I won't even go into the meat grinder you've got our mercenary bands dealing with on the Felkan front. And while I'm sure that may cause you much joy, we svelk are not mindless orc slaves and will NOT fall into your clumsy manipulative plans of convenient genocide through attrition. Yeah, we're pulling out and moving on to greener pastures."
"Since when are you or any other svelk so concerned about the future of your people? You're also acting like you're in harms way and unless you've been sneaking off to fight alongside your kin, you've personally risked nothing. You're also still being paid well so what the hell do you care?" the Emperor remarks.
"You humans think you always have everything figured out about everything when you really don't know shit. As I said, the price is too high, and we will be moving on to better opportunities."
"(Sigh) Stop being so damn dramatic, and what the hell do you really want?" the Emperor asks in an exasperated tone.
Mistress proceeds to tell the Emperor that she's quite serious about pulling out svelk aid unless she gets more support in return.
"If you want our continued help, we do not believe that this General Roldan is able to accomplish his assault on the city of Yaquan in an efficient manner. So I would request that you either change the leadership or transfer us to the gnoll front at Major Krozer's war camp." Mistress says and glances at you.
"No! We've been doing just fine without you! We don't need morale falling low because svelk are infesting the camp." You protest.
"And here I thought you were a professional first and foremost. Open your eyes. Even you can see the benefit of our superior troops being directly added to your fighting force. Besides, I heard how you handled the first time you worked with svelk warriors before, surely if one of them gets out of line, you'll just go on a bloodthirsty rampage to make a point of who is really in charge."
You look to the Emperor expecting him to say something about this matter, but he waves you over to speak with you privately. Mistress rolls her eyes and wanders over to one of the bookshelves while Jacob fumbles about with some papers.
"Son, I'm going to include you in this decision, because this is something I think you feel strongly about and I'd rather have you in a positive state of mind. I don't want to lose svelk support as they have been helpful despite their... well you know. I also have doubts about Roldan getting the job done as well, so the suggestion to replace him isn't out of the question as far as I'm concerned. In any case I'm either going to have to replace him or send all the svelk to the gnoll front, but I know that won't exactly make you happy."
> suggest that Roldan be replaced
While you don't agree with the idea that Roldan won't be able to get the job done, you'd rather have him replaced than get an influx of svelk troops. You'd try to suggest yourself again, but you know the Emperor has made his mind up on the matter.
"If you believe General Roldan cannot get the job done, then I suppose it might be better if he's replaced." You remark which gets Jacob's disapproval.
"But he can do it! Replacing Roldan at this point would be folly!"
"Enough Jacob! The decision has been made! General Roldan will be replaced and demoted!" the Emperor remarks.
"Demoted?"
"Yes demoted! Be happy he isn't being executed for incompetence on the battlefield!"
"But I thought he was just going to be replaced! My Emperor I beg you not to do this! Roldan has worked so hard for his position!"
"Jacob, is there some sort of reason why you keep arguing this point with me? Delusions? Stupidity? A death wish perhaps?" the Emperor asks and Jacob shuts up immediately.
Mistress stretches and yawns before commenting on the situation.
"If you all are done in this pointless exercise male ineptitude, is there anything else I need to waste my time with here?"
"Yes, we're done. Get the hell out of my chambers and take Jacob with you. And while I wish I could chat with you my son, I still have to speak with Marik. I sometimes wonder if he just uses his madness as an excuse to be absent minded and claim he didn't know there was a meeting. I just hope he's actually made progress on his project he convinced me to proceed with." The Emperor remarks and the rest of you leave his chambers.
You expect Mistress to make some sort of remark as you're all walking out of the palace, but she ends up quickly walking ahead of you instead. Jacob doesn't speak with you either, he glances at you a couple times, but he's obviously a little upset that you supported the Emperor's decision to have Roldan replaced.
Really though, you can't worry about it. As far as you're concerned hanging on to your sanity is a lot more vital. You can only imagine how the svelk would've grated on your nerves if they had been transferred, especially since you're not actively advancing any more, but rather just defending against gnoll attack. Idle svelk mercs in between the down time isn't something you want to deal with.
Alison is certainly happy to hear about the close call of playing host to a bunch of svelk.
"Well I'm certainly glad you supported the Emperor's first decision, I don't think morale would've been great around here with dark elves in the camp." She says.
"No, but I can't say they're that great now." You reply.
"What do you mean? There hasn't been any major complaining that I know of, and I tend to keep apprised of the situation with my troops."
"Well, maybe it's just me then. I'd like to be actively DOING something other than sitting around waiting to be attacked."
"Welcome to the army. You do know that boring waiting around in between battles is what we do right?"
"I'm well aware that's part of it, but its not like we need to sit here. We could at least be attacking the gnolls so as to make them no longer a threat. I mean we should be doing that anyway. After all, we're going to have to deal with them eventually, better to do it now when we have the strength rather than later. I've heard other soldiers commenting about feeling something similar. And I would think that you probably would like to take the fight to the gnolls as well."
Alison nods.
"Well, I can't argue with you on that point. The troops are a little restless in that respect I suppose. I admit it would be good to get some of this pent up violence out of everyone's system, but as you've said, the Emperor's orders are to stay here."
"I don't know, but I'm starting to think that maybe we should just NOT stay here."
"Seriously? You'd go against a direct order from the Emperor?"
At this point you don't know. You want to be loyal and follow orders, but your desire for battle is still there. Not to mention you know you could win if it came down to it. Surely the Emperor would approve if you were victorious.
You decide you're going to do it, you're going to make a full attack on the gnolls.
"It's about time we took the fight to those mongrel dogs." Alison says with a little enthusiasm, but then her cautious side comes out. "But what about the Emperor?"
"You don't need to worry about that. I will take full responsibility if he gets angry about it. I'll just say I took command of your battalion."
"Hah, I always knew you were going to do that some day, anyway."
"Sorry, but I can't think of any other way."
"Don't apologize to me, I won't have to face the Emperor's wrath, well I hope I won't at least."
"Like I said, don't worry about that. And don't worry about me either. I don't want to sound prideful, but I'm fairly confident the Emperor won't even get too angry with me, especially since I intend on wiping out the immediate gnoll threat."
A month goes by and you're initially successful on your promise. The gnolls are no match for you in straight up combat. You even manage to save a few of the occupied Felkan communities from complete destruction and are welcomed as liberators.
Just when you think you can drive the gnolls out entirely you're dealt two big blows.
One, the siege of Yaquan has not gone well since Roldan was replaced. It seems that General Ackerson has not only managed to fail in taking the city, but he's also managed to lose so many soldiers that there has been a call for your battalion to support his losses.
This couldn't have come at a worse time mainly because now the gnolls who you thought you had on the run were craftier than it seemed.
The gnolls have been breeding and training a large group of wyverns within a small mountain in the area. They've also been bringing reinforcements from beyond the Felkan borders. You're taken off guard enough that you actually have to fall back before you're completely overrun.
If you leave to go to help General Ackerson, the gnolls are going to not only take back everything you gained, but will take your territory as well. However, if you stay to fight back the gnolls, you'd really be defying orders, not to mention possibly costing the Empire a needed victory against the Felkans.
There isn't much for it, you'll have to split the battalion with Alison and decide which front you want to fight on.
> stay on the gnoll front
As much as you wanted to be on the front lines of this war before, now you feel like you've got a score to settle with the gnolls. Not to mention you feel like you need to finish up what you started.
"Are you going to be okay here?" Alison asks.
"I'll be fine, you just be concerned with your assignment because it sounds like General Ackerson isn't exactly the best replacement and I'm now cursing myself for having Roldan removed at all."
"You couldn't have known. Besides, do you really think having the svelk transferred here would've made things better for us?"
"I dunno. Maybe we could've used the extra troops to combat the gnolls and at the same time Roldan would've still been in charge of the siege. Doesn't matter now I suppose, let's just make the best of it."
Within the next few days Alison and you say your final goodbyes before she leaves. Afterwards, you try to make the best of your defenses, but you're stretched thin. You send a messenger to request reinforcements, but naturally most soldiers are being sent to the Felkan front. The gnoll hordes aren't even being considered a credible threat, which couldn't be further from the truth considering that you've been losing more territory to them and the fact is you just can't protect it all due to lack of manpower.
A couple more months go by and news on the Felkan front gets worse. The siege of Yaquan has been completely abandoned and General Ackerson's forces are now in retreat. Word is he's lost more than half of those under his command, and whatever remaining svelk mercs that were helping have left. You have no idea if Alison is one of those, but you have more pressing concerns of your own. You haven't had much rest.You've had to use your magic with such regularity to combat the gnolls that its exhausting just to cast the simplest of destructive spells. Little by little your remaining soldiers have been getting whittled down. The ones still alive are drained and suffering from low morale.
Within the week, there is another gnoll attack, a massive push to finally finish off the only viable defenders in the area. You make the gnolls earn every inch they take. The first two wyverns that appear in the distance, you strike down with a powerful lightning spell. Several of the initial attackers have their heads blown to gooey pieces by your troops' muskets, and then you resort to tried and true methods of slaughter.
You hack down several of their number before suffering any major wounds. Even then, you continue to fight with the determination of ten men. The bodies of gnolls pile up, the blood is everywhere and you've just suffered an injury that should've rightfully killed you, but you continue to fight. All the anger you feel at this situation is being directed utterly towards the gnolls until it finally burns itself out and your body pushes itself past its limitations of physical exertion.
An axe cleaves into your skull, followed by another into your arm, severing it just enough to hang from a bit of tendon. You fall to your knees, then to the floor and that's when you feel another axe to your back destroying your spine. A finally kick by a hefty boot to the face and the gibbering laughing howls of the gnolls is the last thing you hear. |
While you don't agree with the idea that Roldan won't be able to get the job done, you'd rather have him replaced than get an influx of svelk troops. You'd try to suggest yourself again, but you know the Emperor has made his mind up on the matter.
"If you believe General Roldan cannot get the job done, then I suppose it might be better if he's replaced." You remark which gets Jacob's disapproval.
"But he can do it! Replacing Roldan at this point would be folly!"
"Enough Jacob! The decision has been made! General Roldan will be replaced and demoted!" the Emperor remarks.
"Demoted?"
"Yes demoted! Be happy he isn't being executed for incompetence on the battlefield!"
"But I thought he was just going to be replaced! My Emperor I beg you not to do this! Roldan has worked so hard for his position!"
"Jacob, is there some sort of reason why you keep arguing this point with me? Delusions? Stupidity? A death wish perhaps?" the Emperor asks and Jacob shuts up immediately.
Mistress stretches and yawns before commenting on the situation.
"If you all are done in this pointless exercise male ineptitude, is there anything else I need to waste my time with here?"
"Yes, we're done. Get the hell out of my chambers and take Jacob with you. And while I wish I could chat with you my son, I still have to speak with Marik. I sometimes wonder if he just uses his madness as an excuse to be absent minded and claim he didn't know there was a meeting. I just hope he's actually made progress on his project he convinced me to proceed with." The Emperor remarks and the rest of you leave his chambers.
You expect Mistress to make some sort of remark as you're all walking out of the palace, but she ends up quickly walking ahead of you instead. Jacob doesn't speak with you either, he glances at you a couple times, but he's obviously a little upset that you supported the Emperor's decision to have Roldan replaced.
Really though, you can't worry about it. As far as you're concerned hanging on to your sanity is a lot more vital. You can only imagine how the svelk would've grated on your nerves if they had been transferred, especially since you're not actively advancing any more, but rather just defending against gnoll attack. Idle svelk mercs in between the down time isn't something you want to deal with.
Alison is certainly happy to hear about the close call of playing host to a bunch of svelk.
"Well I'm certainly glad you supported the Emperor's first decision, I don't think morale would've been great around here with dark elves in the camp." She says.
"No, but I can't say they're that great now." You reply.
"What do you mean? There hasn't been any major complaining that I know of, and I tend to keep apprised of the situation with my troops."
"Well, maybe it's just me then. I'd like to be actively DOING something other than sitting around waiting to be attacked."
"Welcome to the army. You do know that boring waiting around in between battles is what we do right?"
"I'm well aware that's part of it, but its not like we need to sit here. We could at least be attacking the gnolls so as to make them no longer a threat. I mean we should be doing that anyway. After all, we're going to have to deal with them eventually, better to do it now when we have the strength rather than later. I've heard other soldiers commenting about feeling something similar. And I would think that you probably would like to take the fight to the gnolls as well."
Alison nods.
"Well, I can't argue with you on that point. The troops are a little restless in that respect I suppose. I admit it would be good to get some of this pent up violence out of everyone's system, but as you've said, the Emperor's orders are to stay here."
"I don't know, but I'm starting to think that maybe we should just NOT stay here."
"Seriously? You'd go against a direct order from the Emperor?"
At this point you don't know. You want to be loyal and follow orders, but your desire for battle is still there. Not to mention you know you could win if it came down to it. Surely the Emperor would approve if you were victorious.
You decide you're going to do it, you're going to make a full attack on the gnolls.
"It's about time we took the fight to those mongrel dogs." Alison says with a little enthusiasm, but then her cautious side comes out. "But what about the Emperor?"
"You don't need to worry about that. I will take full responsibility if he gets angry about it. I'll just say I took command of your battalion."
"Hah, I always knew you were going to do that some day, anyway."
"Sorry, but I can't think of any other way."
"Don't apologize to me, I won't have to face the Emperor's wrath, well I hope I won't at least."
"Like I said, don't worry about that. And don't worry about me either. I don't want to sound prideful, but I'm fairly confident the Emperor won't even get too angry with me, especially since I intend on wiping out the immediate gnoll threat."
A month goes by and you're initially successful on your promise. The gnolls are no match for you in straight up combat. You even manage to save a few of the occupied Felkan communities from complete destruction and are welcomed as liberators.
Just when you think you can drive the gnolls out entirely you're dealt two big blows.
One, the siege of Yaquan has not gone well since Roldan was replaced. It seems that General Ackerson has not only managed to fail in taking the city, but he's also managed to lose so many soldiers that there has been a call for your battalion to support his losses.
This couldn't have come at a worse time mainly because now the gnolls who you thought you had on the run were craftier than it seemed.
The gnolls have been breeding and training a large group of wyverns within a small mountain in the area. They've also been bringing reinforcements from beyond the Felkan borders. You're taken off guard enough that you actually have to fall back before you're completely overrun.
If you leave to go to help General Ackerson, the gnolls are going to not only take back everything you gained, but will take your territory as well. However, if you stay to fight back the gnolls, you'd really be defying orders, not to mention possibly costing the Empire a needed victory against the Felkans.
There isn't much for it, you'll have to split the battalion with Alison and decide which front you want to fight on.
> go to the Felkan front
Given that you feel responsible for the problems going on at Yaquan you think you need to go if only to try to fix things.
"I had a feeling you'd want to go to the Felkan front." Alison remarks.
"Someone is going to have to fix this mess. I'm just hoping I can do something about it."
Within the next few days Alison and you say your final goodbyes before you leave. You hope Alison will be able to deal with the gnolls with less troops, but she tells you to not worry about her problems and just focus on the task you'll have to accomplish.
Your march to Yaquan is an uneventful one, but when you arrive you've got more than enough to deal with.
General Ackerson's war camp is one of the most unorganized camps you've ever seen. He obviously isn't that well respected either as he is arguing with a couple of his lieutenants and a mage of some sort.
"Galen, I'm sick of hearing your excuses, just get it done!" Ackerson exclaims to the mage.
"Oh yes, its so easy for you isn't it? Just sitting in the back giving orders and not being in the line of immediate fire. Magic isn't an unlimited art that we wizards can just keep on doing for days on end with no rest! It's bad enough you wasted all of our golems and we're reduced to salvaging the remnants. By the Emperor, at least Roldan tried to think things out, I wonder if you even passed the academy or if you just had a relative that promoted you... "
At this point Ackerson lunges at Galen and the pair have to be broken up. You help keep a little order and when they see who you are everyone straightens up a little more.
"Is this what's been going on here? Petty bickering and incompetence on a scale that could be classified as treason? Everyone needs to shut the fuck up right now, because I'm not going to say this again... "
Doesn't take long for you to establish a new order of things. Technically General Ackerson is supposed to still be in charge of this operation, but given your close ties to the Emperor you aren't debated.
While you manage to reorganize the army and take new approach of attack, you can still see why Roldan was having so much trouble with this city. The gnome lightning guns are still ripping through most of the troops and its taking all the magic of the remaining mages left just to upkeep a simple barrier so the war camp can't be targeted.
In fact you wish Roldan was still here just so you could promote him back up to help you, but unfortunately he was killed in battle shortly after his demotion. (Another one of Ackerson's bright ideas to make a frontal assault on the city again) The svelk mercenaries at this point have left claiming that no amount of money is worth this meat grinder. All of this makes you really wish you hadn't supported the Emperor's idea to replace Roldan.
You decide to have tunnels dug under the city and bring it down that way. It takes longer than you'd like, but you can't rely on mage support to help with it due to their main concern to upkeep the barriers.
Eventually your men break through to the sewer system where you believe it should be an easy victory from there, but unfortunately the gnomes trapped the hell out the sewers and you lose several troops in the process. One of the Felkans even manages to sneak about the sewers and collapse the invasion tunnels setting your victory back.
Meanwhile your troops on the surface are faring no better, though they fear you more than they did Ackerson or even Roldan and that fear is enough for them to make that push to finally break down the gates. Sensing true victory at last, you decide that you're going to join the fight personally.
You enter the streets of the city with your troops, mopping up whatever pitiful resistance remains. There isn't much though and soon the city is yours and you can't wait to write to Alison about your great victory.
Unfortunately she will only hear of it from someone else.
War being what it is, is always a messy endeavor. Just when one thinks a battle is over, there is always that last hold out or trap and that's what gets you.
The city's mayor reportedly stayed in the city hall the entire time of the siege and is supposedly still alive. You, Ackerson and a couple of other officers enter the city hall for the purpose of dictating the Empire's acquisition of this city, the changes that will come AND seeing if the mayor is willing to comply. Hopefully he does since it saves time on replacing him with your own bureaucrats which might take a while.
No sooner have you entered and you see the place is completely empty. At first you think its just because people went elsewhere, but it doesn't take long for you to not feel right about the place.
"We need to get out of here... " is the last thing you utter before the entire place explodes. One final trap set by the Felkans.
You are eventually found half burned, blown up and crushed by the rubble. You're barely breathing by the time they dig you out, and by the time they carry you out, you've already expired.
Your victory and death at Yaquan is remembered and used as a propaganda point for the Empire for the remainder of their war with the Felkan Kingdom. |
Year 25
While the war with the Felkans seemed to be going smoothly, the situation has changed somewhat. The Empire still has the upper hand, but unfortunately this has become a three-way entanglement.
The gnolls tribes harassing the Felkans on the western borders apparently weren't just separate chaotic bands of raiders, but rather a full-fledged conquering horde. After smashing most of the Felkan defenses they have proceeded further into the heartland and that's where they finally came to blows with the Empire.
So far the gnolls been more of an annoyance to the Empire, but its been distracting enough that it's given the Felkans enough time to retreat and regroup further north. The Felkans are much reduced in strength now, but they are still definitely not a defeated nation yet. If anything their resolve has gotten stronger and their defenses have too.
Last reports tell of how the orcs attempted to break through the defenses of the city of Yaquan only to be nearly wiped out by large weapons mounted to the city's towers that apparently harness the power of lightning. One blast ripped through the ranks of the heavily armored orcs and spread like a chain of death killing most of them instantly. These new "lightning guns" are no doubt the inventions of the gnomes.
You heard Captain Gruz was amongst the casualties which would put orc leadership in jeopardy, but since there are so few of them left, the remainder of their now decimated number have regrouped under Roldan's command who is busily trying to figure out a way to proceed without losing half of his troops in the process. So far though the gnolls have been making that task difficult with their own ongoing attacks.
The only upside to all this is the Felkans seem to be playing up to their typical siege mentality and not making any sort of counter attacks probably hoping that the Empire and the gnolls will continue to kill each other to the point where nobody is in any position to attack them anymore. Of course that just means they're getting further entrenched. If enough time passes it may very well make most assaults on what's left of them extremely costly.
Meanwhile you and Alison have been mostly fighting off the gnoll hordes on a regular basis. You'd like to press further west to take the fight to them, but you know you need to stay in occupied Felkan territory to either help defend the main army or to support it when the time finally comes to make the final push on the Felkans. Lately most of your days are dull waiting or slightly less dull combat since the gnolls themselves rely mostly on numbers and terror rather than skill. The terror factor isn't much of one when going against the hardened troops of the Empire and numbers account for nothing when faced with Empire discipline.
Still, its frustrating not being allowed to do more and tensions are starting to run hot by everyone in the high command...
"But if we continue to attack as we have, we will risk losing it all! I urge you my Emperor for the good of the Empire we should withdraw now! What can it hurt? We have proven our point and even acquired some territory in the process. Why not just let those barbaric gnolls fight over the scraps what's left of the ruins." Jacob says to the Emperor.
"Jacob, I said it before I don't give a damn what the costs are, I won't let those fucking gnomes continue to mock from behind their smug little walled cities! And I didn't come this far to be turned back by the incursions of some mongrel dog men or guns that shoot a little light! I don't care what it takes we aren't going to rest until the Felkan Kingdom ceases to exist along with those fucking gnomes!" the Emperor shouts and flips a nearby table.
"Why are you yelling at me? I'm just giving my honest opinion on the situation, I'm not even in charge of the military matters!" Jacob whimpers.
"But you ARE in charge of the other Eternals, and guess who is leading the majority of our forces in Felkan territory? That's right, Roldan. Now I'll grant you that he's been fairly successful up until this point, but the fact that he hasn't made any progress for the past few months is severely starting to decrease my faith that he can get the job done."
"He's doing the best he can under the circumstances and he's the best qualified general we have, I don't think he should be replaced."
"I'm beginning to think I should start replacing SOMEONE." The Emperor unsubtly threatens.
You've seen the Emperor mad before and it's never a good thing. Poor Jacob is trying to stand his ground on this matter, but its obvious the man is incredibly scared for his life. To be fair you actually can see his concerns on the situation, but this thing with the gnomes... well it's an ongoing source of irritation for the Emperor. Jacob is also taking a verbal lashing for something that really isn't his fault. True, he monitors the progress of the other Eternals, but in reality it's not anything meaningful. Not to mention it actually was you who originally convinced the Emperor that Roldan should lead on the main assault force, yet the Emperor has either forgotten this fact, or perhaps still insists on seeing it all as Jacob's fault.
Since you still feel partly responsible you decide to interject to try to calm things down.
"Emperor, I could take over Roldan's command if you prefer, though I would still like to keep him on as part of the command staff."
"While I'm sure you would no doubt do a much better job, I'd rather have you're where you currently are." The Emperor says which somewhat disappoints you.
"Of course, of course. Wouldn't want to risk your precious loyal dog." Mistress suddenly remarks, this draws an angry glance of both you and the Emperor.
"What? I'm just saying what Jacob's thinking, personally I don't really give a shit what drone you decide to sacrifice in your futile war." Mistress says causing Jacob's eyes to widen, shake his head and raise his hands assuring that he thought no such thing.
"Ever with the clever remarks. Too bad the rest of your race isn't half as clever, or you might not be a bunch of mercenaries."
"I'm not sure why we're even relying on svelk scum anyway. Alison and I have been doing just fine fighting off the gnolls by ourselves for example." You remark.
"Alison? Oh, is that the name of the dirty blonde shield maiden that I've heard you've been getting close to? Tell me, when you're sticking it to her do you try to visualize that its me?"
A vulgar comment as usual from Mistress. Not unexpected either. While you'd be lying if it weren't a little annoying, you certainly aren't going to give her the satisfaction of a retort.
"No answer? Are you not even going to stand up for the honor of your female plaything? Then again I suppose she isn't worthy of it. I mean given that you experienced the best, why would you bother defending something so inferior?" Mistress continues to taunt.
"Emperor, we are here to discuss the important business of crushing the Felkans, do we really have to listen to the boring and predictable slurs of this... dubious ally?" you ask.
"No, of course we don't. Hold your vile svelk tongue unless you've actually got something more worthwhile to contribute."
"I have contributed more than my fair share to your foolish crusade. I have come to the conclusion that this war is a losing proposition for my people. I won't even go into the meat grinder you've got our mercenary bands dealing with on the Felkan front. And while I'm sure that may cause you much joy, we svelk are not mindless orc slaves and will NOT fall into your clumsy manipulative plans of convenient genocide through attrition. Yeah, we're pulling out and moving on to greener pastures."
"Since when are you or any other svelk so concerned about the future of your people? You're also acting like you're in harms way and unless you've been sneaking off to fight alongside your kin, you've personally risked nothing. You're also still being paid well so what the hell do you care?" the Emperor remarks.
"You humans think you always have everything figured out about everything when you really don't know shit. As I said, the price is too high, and we will be moving on to better opportunities."
"(Sigh) Stop being so damn dramatic, and what the hell do you really want?" the Emperor asks in an exasperated tone.
Mistress proceeds to tell the Emperor that she's quite serious about pulling out svelk aid unless she gets more support in return.
"If you want our continued help, we do not believe that this General Roldan is able to accomplish his assault on the city of Yaquan in an efficient manner. So I would request that you either change the leadership or transfer us to the gnoll front at Major Krozer's war camp." Mistress says and glances at you.
"No! We've been doing just fine without you! We don't need morale falling low because svelk are infesting the camp." You protest.
"And here I thought you were a professional first and foremost. Open your eyes. Even you can see the benefit of our superior troops being directly added to your fighting force. Besides, I heard how you handled the first time you worked with svelk warriors before, surely if one of them gets out of line, you'll just go on a bloodthirsty rampage to make a point of who is really in charge."
You look to the Emperor expecting him to say something about this matter, but he waves you over to speak with you privately. Mistress rolls her eyes and wanders over to one of the bookshelves while Jacob fumbles about with some papers.
"Son, I'm going to include you in this decision, because this is something I think you feel strongly about and I'd rather have you in a positive state of mind. I don't want to lose svelk support as they have been helpful despite their... well you know. I also have doubts about Roldan getting the job done as well, so the suggestion to replace him isn't out of the question as far as I'm concerned. In any case I'm either going to have to replace him or send all the svelk to the gnoll front, but I know that won't exactly make you happy."
> accept svelk transfer
You don't like disagreeing with the Emperor's strategic decisions and you certainly don't want to deal with svelk in your camp, but from what you know of Roldan replacing him now wouldn't be a good move as he is the best-qualified general. The only person you can think of that would be better is yourself, but the Emperor has made it quite clear he wants you to stay put, so you aren't going to argue the issue.
"If you believe the svelk can be useful as support on the gnoll front, then I shall figure out a way to make it work." You remark, which seems to surprise the Emperor.
"Mm, very well. You sure it won't be a problem?"
"No, no problem. However at the slightest sign of some sort of treachery or them not pulling their weight then I'll suggest the next decree you pass be one that executes all svelk in Empire territory."
Hah, trust me, I've nearly had that one on the list for centuries. I know you'll be able to handle this though. Just wish everyone was as competent as you." The Emperor says and gives a glare at Jacob who is still briskly going through some papers.
"I really do think Jacob is trying his best. He only wants what's good for the Empire."
"Then he better start doing a better job. Anyway let's get on with it."
The Emperor proceeds to tell Mistress that the svelk mercenary bands will be assigned to the gnoll front, but that they will ultimately answer to you and that any problems from them will result in mass executions. Mistress doesn't seem at all bothered by this; in fact she simply chuckles and says that's fine.
The Emperor then goes on to tell Jacob that General Roldan better start making more progress soon or he will have another general take his place. Then he says he has to meet with Marik.
"I sometimes wonder if he just uses his madness as an excuse to be absent minded and claim he didn't know there was a meeting. I just hope he's actually made progress on his project he convinced me to proceed with. Okay all of you are dismissed." The Emperor remarks and the rest of you leave his chambers.
You expect Mistress to make some sort of remark as you're all walking out of the palace, but she ends up quickly walking ahead of you instead. Jacob on the other hand takes the opportunity.
"I just wanted to thank you for once again trying to shield me from the Emperor's wrath, though I fear that it won't be long before my services are no longer needed. That day is coming soon. I know it."
"You're worrying too much as usual. The Emperor knows you're indispensible."
"No YOU'RE indispensible. That crazy derro Marik is indispensible. Even that svelk bitch is considered indispensible, though I really don't know why. Me? I'm just another bureaucratic bean counting pencil-pushing advisor that's getting old. There are several just waiting to take my place. You know I had twelve attempts to poison me in the last year?"
"By who?"
"By other bean counting pencil-pushing bureaucrats obviously. I'm sure you know that's how I got my job. Eliminated the previous advisor. Of course with the way things are going, the Emperor himself is likely to do it personally. I just wish I could get him to see that this war is a drain on the Empire. Even if we win, the victory still won't outweigh the amount of cost in resources, gold, population we spent to pursue it. I mean sure we have the land, but a lot of it has been rendered unusable due to the slash and burn policy that's been favored. We haven't even left a lot of people alive to tax! Now this thing with Roldan, I really don't know what he expects me to do."
"How is internal security lately?" you ask.
"Its fine. Good all things considered. The Eyes have successfully replaced the shadows it seems as far as that is concerned. Reputation is everything."
"Do you think you could re-assign some of them and it not affect domestic safety?"
"What do you mean?"
You explain that perhaps using some Eyes as assassins and spies might work better than the usual military scouts. Perhaps their expertise of blending in, stealth and other such tactics can get them to sneak in the city and bring it down from within.
"I can't believe I didn't think of that. In fact, why didn't the Emperor think of that? It's certainly an idea worthy of consideration and Warrick would be an excellent candidate to lead such an operation. If the Emperor believes I have more input in this matter than I actually do, I might as well make such accusations true and hopefully successful for my sake." Jacob remarks.
"I'm sure this plan will hasten the fall of the Felkan Kingdom. You'll have not one but two Eternals in vital positions on the front lines now."
"Don't you mean three? You didn't include yourself."
"Oh, well I'm doing my part sure, but... nevermind."
"But you want to be where Roldan is."
"I don't even necessarily want to lead the main attack force at this point, I just feel like I should at least be part of it. I know the Emperor explained to me he doesn't want to throw me into the meat grinder of war because he sees greater potential in me, but I feel like sometimes I'm not being able to live up to that potential."
Jacob pats you on the side of your arm.
"Now you're the one worrying too much. You are more vital to this war than you believe. This advice you just gave me proves that. The Emperor is just well... a little protective of you because he's so proud of you. Can you blame him? Don't worry; your day to really shine will come some day. Maybe even sooner than you think."
After Jacob's minor pep talk you feel a little better about your own position, of course then you remember you now have a bunch of svelk assigned to your camp.
Alison is probably slightly less happy about it than you are.
"Was there nothing that could be done?" Alison asks.
"I told you, it was either this or replace General Roldan and that would've been a major strategic mistake."
"Well are you going to be okay with this?"
"Me? Sure. Guidelines have already been established, I'm ultimately in charge of them and believe me I've every intention to not letting them get away with shit. I'll tell them as soon as they start arriving. In the meantime, let's make arrangements for our new allied support. Better that we do it now before they think they can just make themselves at home here."
No sooner do the svelk mercenaries start arriving, you begin laying down the rules of how things are going to be to all the respective captains in private. They are of course unenthused about such things, but given that you didn't dress them down in front of everyone most grudgingly comply with your decrees.
There is one captain by the name of Eldolith, however who just manages to rub you the wrong way...
"Yes, yes, I've already been briefed on the situation. We all have, so you can stop wasting your time by asserting your pitiable need for dominance." Eldolith remarks.
You look at the haughty svelk captain and you already know who you see before you. You're feeling a mixture of things right now, but you told the Emperor that you were going to make this work, so you're going to at least get a certain amount of enjoyment out of it.
"But if I don't keep reinforcing it, then you'll never truly grasp the idea that you are subservient to me. And as we all know it's important to keep the lesser born in their place. That is the svelk way is it not?" you say.
Eldolith nearly makes a retort, but stops. You aren't letting her off that easy.
"Oh? You wish to say something else? Maybe that I am not a svelk and that I am the lesser born? Perhaps something about how humans are nothing more than hairless Sul Monkeys? Come on, say what you want. I've heard it all before by your kind and it's the same old shit. Come on, just give me an excuse." you say and then grab her by the throat and begin to squeeze while your hot breath invades her nostrils.
Eldolith says nothing, she doesn't even try to resist she just continues to stare at you defiantly, accepting of death if necessary or whatever else you have in mind.
"You don't fool me svelk bitch, deep down you're scared... or maybe... maybe you're getting excited? Yeah, I bet that's it... I know what YOU like... " you say and your other hand begins to wander touching Eldolith's body. Then you realize what you're doing and you immediately stop and make haste back to the Empire side of the camp.
Alison asks you if everything went all right, and you sharply dismiss her by exclaiming that of course everything is fine. Alison doesn't take too much offense since she figures having the svelk in camp is probably going to put you in a bad mood.
You wonder now if you didn't want the svelk transferred here so you could have the opportunity to unleash some of your lingering desires. To get a gleeful sadistic pleasure of verbally abusing them or sending them on dangerous missions, or even killing one of them yourself if they step out of line. You don't even want to dwell on what you felt like doing to Eldolith.
Did Mistress plan this somehow? She couldn't have. It was your choice.
"By the Emperor, get a hold of yourself! This is all on you. You need to fight this. This temptation will be great, but you WILL overcome it. You will act like a professional. You need to act like a disciplined agent of the Empire. You will not lower yourself. The Emperor will give me strength of mind and body." You mutter to yourself.
While you're struggling with your inner demons you also need to focus on the real problem at hand which are the gnolls. Alison, like you, would prefer to do something more proactive to them rather than constantly waiting around for their attacks. Given that you're now stuck with them, here's where the svelk will come in handy.
You could send them in to regularly launch guerilla raids against the gnolls in their own territory, of course this might be seen as using them as "disposable warriors" which is something that they were complaining about while on the Felkan front.
About the only other purpose would be to use them as scouts in order to prepare for a large counter attack against the gnolls. Of course you really aren't supposed to be doing that, as the orders are clear that you are to remain in occupied Felkans lands just in case your support is needed elsewhere.
> use the svelk as skirmishers
While you aren't going to defy direct orders you figure you can at least lessen the gnoll attacks and keep the svelk out of your hair at the same time. Alison is certainly supportive of the idea.
You tell the svelk leaders what you want done and how you want it done. You get no dissension or even any grumbles. They either realize you mean business or they're all silently conspiring against you to strike at a later time. Probably both, but for right now its enough that they just obey your orders.
The next few weeks are relatively calm ones. The svelk are doing a good job of keeping the gnolls so off balanced that they haven't been attacking. The troops have enjoyed the respite from battle, though you're a bit bored by the continued lack of it. Still, you're getting a bit of enjoyment out the svelk having to do all the grunt work and follow your orders.
Eventually the svelk start losing some of their number and that's when the complaints begin to start. Naturally they choose the one captain that is most likely to get under your skin...
"What?" you ask when Eldolith enters your tent.
"My comrades and I wish to discuss the terms of our current assignment." Eldolith says.
"Terms? There are no terms. You are to continue harassing the gnolls. What don't you understand? It's a simple enough task even for you."
Eldolith pauses. She wants to say something insulting. Something derogatory, but she can't and she knows it.
"Are we really so loathsome to you?" she asks.
"Hah! Is this a trick question? I mean you are joking right?" you reply.
"No, I'm being quite serious. I mean I know what you're doing, we all do. You're sending us out to fight the gnolls day after day with barely any rest. You're hoping that we'll either all get killed off, or we'll all just end up leaving."
"You don't miss a thing do you, guess that's why you're part of the higher born eh? Hey, you're mercs, if you don't like the job you can always quit right?"
"Right, and we already protested about our less than stellar position on the Felkan Front. If we leave this job under the same circumstances, well it isn't very good for our mercenary reputation now is it? Even if there is it the truth that the Empire is just using us as cannon fodder because they ran out of orcs!"
"You're breaking my heart and the hearts of everyone else that has great love for your kind, oh wait nobody likes your kind. Get out of my tent, I've got nothing more to say on this matter... " you say and wave your hand dismissively.
Eldolith is beginning to get angry. She can't even form a sentence. Instead she looks behind her and goes back to the entryway of your tent and makes sure it's closed. Then she turns around with a hostile stare.
"Seriously? You really think you have a chance? Alright then, make your move." You remark expecting Eldolith to attack you.
Instead she takes off her sword sheath and begins unstrapping some of her armor.
"What the hell are you doing?"
"I'll be doing you in a few moments. That is what you want isn't it?" she says.
It takes you a moment to collect your thoughts before you can answer.
"While I won't deny your beauty, if you think you can fuck your way out of this situation, you're sorely mistaken."
"No, I don't. But we have to come to some sort of compromise." Eldolith says and finishes removing most of her clothing. She gets on all fours and begins crawling towards you in a seductive motion. You might not want it to, but this situation is definitely arousing you. Its not really Eldolith physical attractiveness though, it's the opportunity to see this svelk so humbled that she has no choice but to debase herself before you like a common whore.
"Okay... so what did you have in mind?" you ask as you look down on Eldolith who is now kneeling before you and starting to unbuckle your own belt.
"Oh perhaps maybe you could rotate the attacks on the gnolls? Like every few days perhaps your troops could launch raids on the gnolls instead? It isn't like... (mmmm) you can't spare a few. It would break up their monotony of not doing anything and we can get a chance to... (mmmm) rest."
"Ahhh, alright alright, just shut up and keep doing what you're doing." You say and just let yourself enjoy being serviced and imagining that it's really Mistress.
The next day you approach Alison about the new plan. While she isn't opposed to the idea, since she thinks the troops shouldn't get complacent anyway, she's a little puzzled by your sudden change.
"I thought your plan was to force the svelk to leave or have them all slowly get killed off by the gnolls."
"Eh, like you said. We probably shouldn't let the troops get too complacent. Besides, the occasional foray into the gnoll occupied land isn't really breaking orders."
"Uh huh." Alison says with a minor smirk.
"What?"
"Nothing."
"No, you've got something to say, so say it." You say with accusation.
"Sheesh, kind of defensive aren't you? I don't care if you're sticking it to that svelk captain. I told you long ago when we started having our own intimate encounters that we didn't have any hold on each other. So enjoy your little svelk piece of ass, I know you have... a preference for that."
Alison's remark makes you angry.
"It's not even like that Alison! Its not about sex, its about her utter humiliation and... "
"Hold on there, I don't need details! Look, I'm just going to tell you this. Whatever arrangement you have with her, just make sure you keep on top of it. Because I know you think you have everything under control, but in my eyes she's just doing what women have been doing since the beginning of time."
"And what's that?"
"Manipulating a man with her pussy. And she's a svelk on top of everything else, so that makes her fives times as tricky. I'd watch it if I were you."
"Alison, I think I have more experience with svelk females than you do, unless you aren't telling me something."
"Ha ha, you wish. And keeping within that subject, do NOT even think about trying to orchestrate some sort of bizarre three way with us. I'm not into women and I'm definitely not into svelk." Alison remarks.
"Wasn't planning to."
"Good, now I guess we better decide which platoon is going to go out there to raid the gnolls."
The plan is set into motion and there are no major complaints from Empire soldiers, it would appear that some of them indeed were getting itchy for combat. The svelk mercs are also satisfied or at least not complaining as much.
As for you, you've been able to sate your desire for battle, by taking it out on Eldolith. You enjoy bedding her whenever you can and you are in no way gentle about it. You're fairly abusive verbally and physically, but Eldolith just takes it in silence, or when you want her to, you make her beg or even thank you for the things you do to her.
And the whole time you're still fantasizing that it's Mistress. You even call Eldolith that sometimes. It gets to a point where you don't even let Eldolith go out on missions, you basically make her your personal "pleasure girl."
A month goes by and the siege on Yaquan is finally successful. A few Eyes managed to infiltrate and bring the walls down from within and from there, Roldan's army did the rest. While you're pleased to hear about a victory for the Empire, your own orders remain the same. You're so busy enjoying degrading Eldolith that you've lost a little sight of what you were born to do. You don't notice it, but Alison certainly does.
"Is this a good time to speak with you?" Alison asks looking cautiously into your tent.
"Sure. What's up?" you say as you sharpen your sword.
"I just wanted to tell you that apparently we've been making so many successful raids on the gnolls that they've been pulling back. We could advance and take their territory if we wanted to. I wouldn't be surprised if the surviving Felkans even welcomed us as liberators."
"That would certainly be a change from how they usually welcome us, which is not at all."
"Indeed. So... ?" Alison asks as if you have something more to say.
"So what?"
"Well, I just thought that maybe you had heard something from the Emperor. A messenger from him perhaps. I mean the Yaquan siege was successful and there are no signs that we are needed to support General Roldan's army anytime soon. I mean it's starting to get a bit frustrating just sitting here not really advancing especially when we're beginning to beat back the enemy."
"Haven't heard anything, so our orders to hold this position still stand. Sorry." You say continuing to sharpen your sword.
Alison stares at you with dismay.
"Yeah." Alison says and starts to leave, but you stop her.
"Is there a problem?"
"Just getting restless because I don't feel like I've been actively doing anything lately. You know something YOU used to feel before you became so enamored with your svelk slave girl."
"So... what? You want me to visit your tent sometime? Because I can do that, but you told me ... "
Alison interrupts you with more exasperation.
"No, contrary to your belief, my world does not revolve around your dick. What I AM getting concerned about is my battalion. I had hoped this command would involve a lot more active combat and less waiting around. If I wanted to do that, I could've stayed in Rask. You used to feel the same way as I remember."
"Alison, orders are orders, you should know that better than anyone. What do you want me to do? We're supposed to stay put and that's that. All I can tell you is make the best of the situation."
"Like you have? Look I'm just saying, we've already bent orders by launching raids gnoll occupied land anyway. Surely we can do something similar now."
Alison has a bit of a point.
> take the land
Orders or not, it would be foolish to not take advantage of the situation. You're going to support Alison's decision to advance and if there are repercussions then you'll take the responsibility. Alison seems relieved that you've listened to her and goes to make preparations.
"Alison, before you leave, you were also right about me getting distracted. I'm sorry I haven't been keeping my mind on what's really important lately." You say.
"Well, I'm just glad you're starting to come to your senses. However, I suppose in the scheme of things, there was no major harm done. You're not the first guy to think with his dick and abuse his power. Congratulations, you're true Empire officer after all!" Alison laughs and leaves.
You don't laugh because you were supposed to be better than that. When you think about it, you weren't even the aggressor when you started your involvement. Hell, Alison was probably right about that too. Eldolith was manipulating you from the start. For all you know she was planted here by Mistress for that reason. For what exact purpose you're not sure, but the best thing you can do is to put a stop to it right now.
When Eldolith arrives in your tent, you're packing up some supplies.
"Good, right on time. We're going to move out soon. You can go join your merc band and stay there, its over."
"What?"
"You heard me. Figured you'd be happy about it."
Eldolith isn't.
"Are you fucking kidding me? After all the nasty vile degrading shit I did, you're just tossing me aside like a common whore?!"
"Well you did behave like one. And please don't act like there wasn't some sort of motive of your own. I rotated the raids. You got what you wanted as well, hope it was worth it."
Eldolith doesn't answer she's too mad to speak. Instead she just storms out of the tent, which gives you a little chuckle.
"Sheesh, if I'd known that would piss her off so severely I would've done that a week ago." You remark to yourself
The battalion soon moves into the previously occupied gnoll territory and indeed it is as the scouts have been saying. The gnolls have completely pulled out or at least that have from the immediate area. There are probably still some attempting to hold the border territory and they are definitely still going to be beyond the border so defense is still a top priority.
As for the Felkan communities, there isn't too much left. The gnolls didn't leave too many people alive. Your army makes the best of what settlements you do find in adequate condition. The Felkans offer no resistance; in fact they don't show much emotion at all. Its like most are numb from whatever terror the gnolls caused.
After a couple weeks go by scouts begin sighting gnolls lurking about on the outskirts of your perimeters. Not wishing to linger about like you have before, you and Alison agree to just move in and eliminate the rest of them.
The initial assault is fairly successful, but then you are caught off guard and you curse yourself for not being more careful. The gnolls have been luring you into a false sense of superiority.
The gnolls have been breeding and training a large group of wyverns within a small mountain in the area. They've also been bringing reinforcements from beyond the Felkan borders. You're taken off guard enough that you actually have to fall back before you're completely overrun.
It is during the chaos of one of these retreats that revenge is finally enacted.
After doing battle with a small band of gnolls, you get separated from the main Empire battalion. You never do get a chance to meet up with them again, you do however bump into a group of svelk. You don't even have time to react before you're riddled with svelk crossbow bolts. You collapse to the ground, bloodied and dying.
In typical svelk fashion Eldolith shows up now that you're in no condition to do anything to her.
"My mother isn't going to like this, but I don't give a shit. Besides, you were starting to get cozy with that blonde monkey again, which made this whole stupid idea of hers pointless."
Mother? Could Eldolith's mother be Mistress?
Eldolith crouches near your body and whispers in your ear.
"My only regret is that you're not going to experience the pain you fucking deserve. Don't worry though, you will be quite a sight when they find your body though."
With this final threat in your mind, you die of your wounds.
The svelk carry your body all the way back to Empire occupied territory where Eldolith does work to it personally. Then she orders it left so that Empire soldiers can find it before leaving the area with her group completely.
Members of Alison's battalion find it and assume that perhaps the gnolls got a hold of you, but when Alison sees that your body has been practically flayed, your genitals have been cut off and stuffed in your mouth along with your own dagger shoved up your rectum, she knows it was most likely Eldolith.
Alison decides the blame the gnolls anyway. Mainly because it rallies the troops to fight harder and partly because while she had no love for Eldolith, she understands why she did it. |
While you aren't going to defy direct orders you figure you can at least lessen the gnoll attacks and keep the svelk out of your hair at the same time. Alison is certainly supportive of the idea.
You tell the svelk leaders what you want done and how you want it done. You get no dissension or even any grumbles. They either realize you mean business or they're all silently conspiring against you to strike at a later time. Probably both, but for right now its enough that they just obey your orders.
The next few weeks are relatively calm ones. The svelk are doing a good job of keeping the gnolls so off balanced that they haven't been attacking. The troops have enjoyed the respite from battle, though you're a bit bored by the continued lack of it. Still, you're getting a bit of enjoyment out the svelk having to do all the grunt work and follow your orders.
Eventually the svelk start losing some of their number and that's when the complaints begin to start. Naturally they choose the one captain that is most likely to get under your skin...
"What?" you ask when Eldolith enters your tent.
"My comrades and I wish to discuss the terms of our current assignment." Eldolith says.
"Terms? There are no terms. You are to continue harassing the gnolls. What don't you understand? It's a simple enough task even for you."
Eldolith pauses. She wants to say something insulting. Something derogatory, but she can't and she knows it.
"Are we really so loathsome to you?" she asks.
"Hah! Is this a trick question? I mean you are joking right?" you reply.
"No, I'm being quite serious. I mean I know what you're doing, we all do. You're sending us out to fight the gnolls day after day with barely any rest. You're hoping that we'll either all get killed off, or we'll all just end up leaving."
"You don't miss a thing do you, guess that's why you're part of the higher born eh? Hey, you're mercs, if you don't like the job you can always quit right?"
"Right, and we already protested about our less than stellar position on the Felkan Front. If we leave this job under the same circumstances, well it isn't very good for our mercenary reputation now is it? Even if there is it the truth that the Empire is just using us as cannon fodder because they ran out of orcs!"
"You're breaking my heart and the hearts of everyone else that has great love for your kind, oh wait nobody likes your kind. Get out of my tent, I've got nothing more to say on this matter... " you say and wave your hand dismissively.
Eldolith is beginning to get angry. She can't even form a sentence. Instead she looks behind her and goes back to the entryway of your tent and makes sure it's closed. Then she turns around with a hostile stare.
"Seriously? You really think you have a chance? Alright then, make your move." You remark expecting Eldolith to attack you.
Instead she takes off her sword sheath and begins unstrapping some of her armor.
"What the hell are you doing?"
"I'll be doing you in a few moments. That is what you want isn't it?" she says.
It takes you a moment to collect your thoughts before you can answer.
"While I won't deny your beauty, if you think you can fuck your way out of this situation, you're sorely mistaken."
"No, I don't. But we have to come to some sort of compromise." Eldolith says and finishes removing most of her clothing. She gets on all fours and begins crawling towards you in a seductive motion. You might not want it to, but this situation is definitely arousing you. Its not really Eldolith physical attractiveness though, it's the opportunity to see this svelk so humbled that she has no choice but to debase herself before you like a common whore.
"Okay... so what did you have in mind?" you ask as you look down on Eldolith who is now kneeling before you and starting to unbuckle your own belt.
"Oh perhaps maybe you could rotate the attacks on the gnolls? Like every few days perhaps your troops could launch raids on the gnolls instead? It isn't like... (mmmm) you can't spare a few. It would break up their monotony of not doing anything and we can get a chance to... (mmmm) rest."
"Ahhh, alright alright, just shut up and keep doing what you're doing." You say and just let yourself enjoy being serviced and imagining that it's really Mistress.
The next day you approach Alison about the new plan. While she isn't opposed to the idea, since she thinks the troops shouldn't get complacent anyway, she's a little puzzled by your sudden change.
"I thought your plan was to force the svelk to leave or have them all slowly get killed off by the gnolls."
"Eh, like you said. We probably shouldn't let the troops get too complacent. Besides, the occasional foray into the gnoll occupied land isn't really breaking orders."
"Uh huh." Alison says with a minor smirk.
"What?"
"Nothing."
"No, you've got something to say, so say it." You say with accusation.
"Sheesh, kind of defensive aren't you? I don't care if you're sticking it to that svelk captain. I told you long ago when we started having our own intimate encounters that we didn't have any hold on each other. So enjoy your little svelk piece of ass, I know you have... a preference for that."
Alison's remark makes you angry.
"It's not even like that Alison! Its not about sex, its about her utter humiliation and... "
"Hold on there, I don't need details! Look, I'm just going to tell you this. Whatever arrangement you have with her, just make sure you keep on top of it. Because I know you think you have everything under control, but in my eyes she's just doing what women have been doing since the beginning of time."
"And what's that?"
"Manipulating a man with her pussy. And she's a svelk on top of everything else, so that makes her fives times as tricky. I'd watch it if I were you."
"Alison, I think I have more experience with svelk females than you do, unless you aren't telling me something."
"Ha ha, you wish. And keeping within that subject, do NOT even think about trying to orchestrate some sort of bizarre three way with us. I'm not into women and I'm definitely not into svelk." Alison remarks.
"Wasn't planning to."
"Good, now I guess we better decide which platoon is going to go out there to raid the gnolls."
The plan is set into motion and there are no major complaints from Empire soldiers, it would appear that some of them indeed were getting itchy for combat. The svelk mercs are also satisfied or at least not complaining as much.
As for you, you've been able to sate your desire for battle, by taking it out on Eldolith. You enjoy bedding her whenever you can and you are in no way gentle about it. You're fairly abusive verbally and physically, but Eldolith just takes it in silence, or when you want her to, you make her beg or even thank you for the things you do to her.
And the whole time you're still fantasizing that it's Mistress. You even call Eldolith that sometimes. It gets to a point where you don't even let Eldolith go out on missions, you basically make her your personal "pleasure girl."
A month goes by and the siege on Yaquan is finally successful. A few Eyes managed to infiltrate and bring the walls down from within and from there, Roldan's army did the rest. While you're pleased to hear about a victory for the Empire, your own orders remain the same. You're so busy enjoying degrading Eldolith that you've lost a little sight of what you were born to do. You don't notice it, but Alison certainly does.
"Is this a good time to speak with you?" Alison asks looking cautiously into your tent.
"Sure. What's up?" you say as you sharpen your sword.
"I just wanted to tell you that apparently we've been making so many successful raids on the gnolls that they've been pulling back. We could advance and take their territory if we wanted to. I wouldn't be surprised if the surviving Felkans even welcomed us as liberators."
"That would certainly be a change from how they usually welcome us, which is not at all."
"Indeed. So... ?" Alison asks as if you have something more to say.
"So what?"
"Well, I just thought that maybe you had heard something from the Emperor. A messenger from him perhaps. I mean the Yaquan siege was successful and there are no signs that we are needed to support General Roldan's army anytime soon. I mean it's starting to get a bit frustrating just sitting here not really advancing especially when we're beginning to beat back the enemy."
"Haven't heard anything, so our orders to hold this position still stand. Sorry." You say continuing to sharpen your sword.
Alison stares at you with dismay.
"Yeah." Alison says and starts to leave, but you stop her.
"Is there a problem?"
"Just getting restless because I don't feel like I've been actively doing anything lately. You know something YOU used to feel before you became so enamored with your svelk slave girl."
"So... what? You want me to visit your tent sometime? Because I can do that, but you told me ... "
Alison interrupts you with more exasperation.
"No, contrary to your belief, my world does not revolve around your dick. What I AM getting concerned about is my battalion. I had hoped this command would involve a lot more active combat and less waiting around. If I wanted to do that, I could've stayed in Rask. You used to feel the same way as I remember."
"Alison, orders are orders, you should know that better than anyone. What do you want me to do? We're supposed to stay put and that's that. All I can tell you is make the best of the situation."
"Like you have? Look I'm just saying, we've already bent orders by launching raids gnoll occupied land anyway. Surely we can do something similar now."
Alison has a bit of a point.
> stay put
Alison might have a point, but you're not willing to defy the Emperor so directly.
"Nothing can be done, we're just going to have to stay here." You remark.
Alison throws her hands up in the air and rolls her eyes.
"That's not going to change a thing you know." You say.
"Oh believe me, if I thought it would, I would've done it a long time ago. I'm just going to say one more thing, and I don't give a shit if this is stepping out of my boundaries. This little arrangement you have with Eldolith is getting out of hand. I can't believe I'd actually start feeling sorry for a svelk, but a couple nights ago when I was making my own perusal of our perimeter I caught her sitting by herself actually crying. I didn't even think that was possible for a svelk. Of course she tried to play it off and told me to mind my business and called me a blonde monkey, but she wasn't fooling anyone."
"Really? She was crying? Bitch doesn't cry when we're together, glad to hear she at least does though." You chuckle.
Alison is shocked by your gleeful sociopathic behavior.
"By the Emperor, even when I served with fucking Kane, I never heard him speak in such a manner. Look I know most of what we do for the Empire is pretty ruthless and merciless. I also know you're probably among the most cold hearted when it comes to such things. But what you're doing is... "
"What am I doing Alison? What am I doing that is oh so terrible? Didn't you tell me years ago that you've run into Empire officers that take advantage of underlings via sexual favors?"
"Yeah, and I never said that was right either. Also I said sexual favors. The key word being sex. Whatever it is you're doing to Eldolith is going beyond sex and you know it."
"So what? She's a svelk anyway. She's not even a proper Empire citizen, let alone soldier. Hey I'll tell you this, the svelk would treat ALL of us like I treat Eldolith if they could get away with it. I know that from experience."
"So that's your excuse? Because a svelk woman was cruel to you, you're going to act like her? You're going to act like a svelk?" Alison says which causes you to grab her by her throat and slam her to the ground.
Alison's eyes widen in fear when she sees this person that she thought she knew stare at her with a murderous rage and squeeze tightly around her throat.
"Don't you EVER fucking accuse me of that. EVER. You do that again, and you'll be in this tent right along side that svelk cunt. We'll have that three way you said you didn't want. And you know what? NOBODY is going to do a damn thing about it, because I'M in fucking charge here. Got it?"
Alison continues to stare as you slowly release your grip to she can talk.
"Got it." She answers.
You get off of Alison who can't leave your tent quick enough.
Later you begin to feel like you went a little too far with Alison. You really didn't mean to, but her words just set you off. She should've known not to compare you to a svelk. The next day you try to speak with Alison, but she's very distant. She doesn't want to talk about what happened and as far as she's concerned the pair of you should just keep things professional now.
"Alison, I didn't mean... "
"If you really do have any sort of respect for me at all, you'll just leave me be unless its concerning military matters." Alison remarks.
You back away from Alison, you realize you've destroyed your relationship with her forever.
You go back to your tent and begin pacing back and forth thinking about your mistake. The more you think about it, the angrier you get. You're angry with yourself mainly, but then you realize something.
Eldolith was the initial aggressor in your arrangement. Not you. This might've been a set up right for something else right from the start. It was Mistress! She did this! She was jealous of your relationship with Alison, so Eldolith was sent to fuck it up.
Even worse, you fell for it all and you hit the final nail in the coffin yourself.
Now seething with fury, you storm out of your tent and head over to the svelk encampment. The svelk barely have time to realize who is attacking them before you cut down several of them. You start shouting for Eldolith to come out along with how you intend to
The Empire encampment at first thinks gnolls are attacking, but when some of the troops arrive and see you massacring svelk, they aren't entirely sure what to do.
"Sir, calm down! I know you don't... Ack!" a soldier says, trying to restrain you, but only gets a sword in the stomach for his trouble instead. Another soldier tries to reason with you, and you cut him down too. You're completely unreasonable at this point and the only thing that's going to stop you is either your death or Eldolith's.
As you set fire to three more svelk with a fireball you begin laughing at the carnage you're causing. Still you aren't going to be truly happy until you find Eldolith.
And then you see her running in the distance. You cast a lightning bolt at her, which drops her instantly. You know it isn't enough to kill her though, but that wasn't your intent anyway. You pull out your dagger and walk towards her.
"It's time to learn another lesson Mistress. And its gonna hurt you a lot more than it will me." You say.
"I'm... not Mistress... you crazy monkey... " Eldolith manages to utter.
At this point you don't even hear her. Indeed it's probably not only irrelevant at this point, but most likely unclear if you're even mentally in the present because all you can see is Mistress' face. You saw her face on all the svelk you killed. You enjoyed killing her over and over. And now you're going to enjoy killing her again.
Or at least you would have if a arrow through your neck didn't stop you first.
You gasp and clutch at your throat before you slump down to the ground a few inches away from Eldolith.
"Shit! He's dead!" one of the Empire soldiers remarks.
"Hm. I'm surprised myself. It's been awhile since I used a bow." Alison answers.
"You killed him! You really killed him!" another remarks.
"Yes, but he needed to be put down. You saw him kill Empire soldiers." Alison says.
"But wasn't he the Emperor's right hand man or something?"
"Yes. Are there any svelk left alive?"
"No, I think he killed them all."
"Not all of them." Alison says.
Alison takes aim with her bow again and aims for Eldolith who is just starting to shake off the effects of the lightning bolt. She slumps down dead as well.
"Okay this is what we're going to do... " Alison says when turning towards her soldiers.
Alison neatly explains away everything with a gnoll attack. It also helps that the gnolls did attack soon after this incident in greater force than before. Fortunately for Alison she's well respected and liked by the soldiers so nobody ever contradicts her story. Not to mention they're glad to be rid of the svelk and to a small degree you as well given how fearful they all were of you.
Still, part of Alison always regretted that it had to be done at all. |
Year 28
You hate these baby-sitting missions, but when the Emperor wants something done right he always requests you personally to do it, so here you are marching hundreds of gnomes to their new home.
As the army has been getting closer to the Felkan capital and conquering its other important cities, the gnome population has been larger. While The Emperor has relented slightly on a complete slash and burn policy of Felkan cities, he's still made it quite clear that ALL gnomes are to be taken as prisoners to a special place he's had built in the recently conquered Felkan territory.
Its called Gnome's Home and you believe Marik had a hand in designing some of it, but it isn't something you've really kept up on since you've been focused the business of proper warfare. However you're on your way there now so you'll guess you'll see it soon.
The whole reason you're overseeing this prisoner train in the first place is because too many gnomes have been escaping their chains though it's hardly surprising. Gnomes are very adept at picking locks, combine that with their fear of what's to come and one gets a lot of escapes. Of course most of them get killed shortly after their escapes, but the Emperor has made it quite clear that he wants no more of that and that he really wants them to be taken to Gnome's Home.
You don't really understand why since you assume they're just going to be killed there anyway, but you're just here to follow orders. He is the Emperor and this is what he wants. Still, sometimes you have to admit that you agree with Jacob on this; The Emperor's hatred of gnomes is a bit... irrational at times.
As you get closer to the location of Gnome's Home, you hear a lot of cries and whispered prayers to gods from the prisoners. Some of the guards attempt to quiet them all down, but it's a losing proposition, you just tell your troops to keep a close eye for escape attempts as usual.
From a distance it looks like one of Marik's factories, as you get closer though there's something slightly more sinister about it. Granted it's a place of execution, but you get the impression something more is going on here and its not just torture. The feeling here is oppressive the closer you get to it, even for you.
Eventually you get to the black iron gates and make an announcement of your arrival and you're let in almost immediately. Now you couldn't smell it before, but when those gates up, you're nearly overwhelmed by a strong smell of death and that's saying something given the battlefields you've been on and the carnage you've engaged in.
"Sorry about the smell General, but we've been having some problems with our furnaces lately, among other things, so the dead bodies have been piling up. Good thing they're so small eh?" one of the guards that lets you in remarks with a laugh.
As the gnomes are herded in you take a look around the "yard" and indeed you do see the largest pile of rotting gnome bodies you've ever seen. Nearby you see other guards busily attempting to load the bodies into carts to take them somewhere for proper disposal. Meanwhile you also see what you assume to be small dwellings for the prisoner gnomes since you see pitiful versions of them peeking out at times.
All in all, it's not a pretty sight, but the smell is still the worst of it. Shit, piss, vomit, blood, rot, and putrification are all in full force, but none of this horror is bothering you. There is something else going on here that feels severely unnatural that's causing you to feel off. Maybe its magic, you don't know, but something about the place tells you it's more than just an oversized execution center.
Just as you're about to leave, you're approached by dirty, unkept looking man with wild facial hair and even wilder hair on his head. He's dressed in medium chainmail armor and large battle axe is on his back. With him are a couple of larger ugly brutish looking creatures. They aren't green, so you know they aren't orcs. Ogres perhaps, but you weren't aware there were any that lived in this region let alone "tamed".
Then it suddenly occurs to you who this is...
"Its you! The Harbinger of Death! The Emperor's right hand and weapon of righteous justice! It's been a long time! Oh we heard stories about you even all the way up in Rask! What brings you here? Are you assigned here now?" he asks excitedly.
This is Kane, the Butcher of Rask. He's nearly unrecognizable from when you last remember him. You've heard the stories about him as well and from his unhinged looking appearance they might be true. Though he seems to be quite friendly with you, which you wouldn't expect given the tales you've heard.
"Hello Kane, it has been a long time. I have not been assigned here; I'm just dropping off these prisoners because the Emperor considers it of vital importance that I do it. But I thought you were assigned in Rask."
"Oh no need for me there any longer, we pretty much tamed everything there, well as much could be, but rest assured the Empire isn't suffering from routine ogre and giant attacks there anymore. These two big lugs here are proof of that. And the barbarian tribes have been completely wiped out along with those pitiful attempts at secessionist movements! Not that those were ever a serious threat."
"Well that's good. I'm glad to hear you were so instrumental in making positive changes for the Empire." You say.
"Me? I was just doing what I was supposed to right? I mean killing the enemies of the Empire and slaughtering those that oppose it is what we're here for! But I don't need to tell you that, you know duty to the Emperor better than anyone! Anyway with Rask tamed they said my talents would be better spent elsewhere so I assumed I would be sent to the Felkan front to fight or even lead, but I didn't expect to be sent here. Still I'm just happy to be doing my part!"
"That's a good attitude to have Kane. So... what exactly do you do here?"
"Nothing much, just make sure the gnomes don't escape. None of them have either. We've got lots of things in place to make sure of that. Other than that I oversee the day to day operations. Not quite as exciting as my days in Rask, but I dunno... "
At this point Kane looks at the large pile of dead gnome bodies on the other side of the yard and sort of zones out for a moment. He then begins to smile a bit before continuing.
"It has its benefits."
"I see."
"Would you like a small tour? You know, just so you can maybe let the Emperor know or whoever that everything is running smoothly here?"
"I don't think that will be necessary. It looks like you're doing a fine job here, besides I... "
Before you can finish that old familiar voice that you've come to dread speaks.
"Hey lover, it's about time you got here. Your services are needed for something most important." Mistress says. Normally you're on your guard, but somehow she snuck up behind you and startles you even though you attempt not to show it. Naturally this amuses her.
"Aww did I scare you? Glad to see some things never change." Mistress says as she attempts to stroke your face.
"What do you want and why are you here?" you ask slapping her hand away.
"Sent here by the Emperor for something oh so important to him. You didn't think you were just brought here to escort these pathetic gnomes to their deaths did you? You're needed here for something else."
"I was simply told to escort the prisoners, nothing more nothing less. I don't have time for whatever fucked up games you want to play with me."
"I assure you this is no game this... " Mistress stops speaking and looks at Kane as if wondering why he's still around.
"Don't you have something better to do like counting up the new prisoners or something? Why don't you and your two equally dimwitted friends go eat some gnomes or whatever it is you do, the superior beings are speaking now."
While you're a little surprised that Mistress referred to you as a "superior being" you're more surprised by Kane's reaction. Given what you know about Kane's reputation you'd expect him to at least show a little anger towards Mistress even if he didn't display any disobedience. Kane shows nothing but subservience though.
"Apologies Mistress, I will leave you two alone." Kane remarks and gives a nod to you and quickly turns away motioning to his ogre guards to follow while bellowing an order to another nearby guard. Mistress shakes her head at all this.
"I don't know how Jacob convinced the Emperor to let that miserable creature oversee this place rather than putting him down like a mad dog like he deserves."
"Why would he be put to death? From what I've heard and seen he's a completely loyal soldier who has done much for the Empire. His deeds in Rask alone prove that."
"Not feeling sympathetic towards your old classmate are you? Yes he was useful, but he's a loose cannon and such factors shouldn't be allowed to thrive. Given your own suggestions on using the orcs as sword fodder to keep them from being a problem in the future I would think you'd see the wisdom in such things."
"The orcs were numerous and a genuine threat because of their chaotic nature. Kane is a loyal Eternal even if he does have a reputation for being overly bloodthirsty and even cruelty. And I would think that last one would be a mark in his favor given that you have that in common."
Mistress chuckles at your remark.
"You comment asides, Kane is still not like either of us. He's... well perhaps we can discuss such things at another time and in any case its not my concern, what is my concern is this ritual I need your help with."
"You? You need MY help? You're actually saying that?"
"(Sigh) Yes, is it so hard to believe? The Emperor needs us to perform a soul banishment ritual. I've practically been doing all the prep work myself for a while now, since all of the mages sent to help have been unsurprisingly not up to the task. When you start using magic involving souls it can get taxing even for the most skilled. It's also been ages since I've performed one of these and its obvious that you were the best candidate to help me."
You can't believe what you're hearing and at this point you're wondering if the Emperor really does want you here for what Mistress claims. He never gave such an order to you and it seems like that would be something he'd tell you. Then again you were never given the full report on the troll factory either and he did say he was going to speak with Mistress about her on going attempts at making your life miserable. This might also be another test by the Emperor. Maybe to see if you can put aside personal differences to work together?
"Very well, if it is the Emperor's wish that we work together then so be it. However, do not mistake my compliance for submissiveness. I am only willing to engage in this task because it is of importance to the Emperor and I am trusting that even you would not lie about something like that for you know that any sort of underhanded trick to kill or harm me in anyway would stir his wrath that I believe even YOU do not want to stir up. Now I suggest we get on with it so we can keep our time together at a minimum."
"As you wish, but there is no need for hostility or suspicion. As you've said the Emperor would be quite angry indeed if I caused you harm in anyway, not that it's ever been my intension contrary to popular belief."
"Is this some sort of new tactic of yours? Acting civil in some vain attempt to get on my good side? Don't bother, you'll never be on it."
"I'm getting that impression, but perhaps we can still talk about this later, for now let's get on with this as you suggested. Follow me, I'll take you to where we need to be."
You follow Mistress to one of the larger buildings where a lot of smoke is coming from and guards are periodically wheeling gnome bodies into. Large furnaces burn the countless bodies. As you walk through the crematorium, you notice that there are a few gnomes that aren't quite dead yet, but are being thrown into the furnaces anyway. Eventually you come to a set of stairs going down.
"Down here unfortunately." Mistress remarks and you follow her down a long flight of stairs to a great open room lit by several candles Along two of the wall you see hundreds of jars with what looks to be wisps inside. They all give off a faint blue glow making the need for candles somewhat unnecessary.
"I hate these designs by Marik, he can't think past his derro mindset and create something that doesn't have an underground portion to it." Mistress remarks. "Personally I would've rather had something like this right in the center of the yard so that all those little gnomes could see just exactly what is going to happen to them every day. I mean its one thing to know they're going to die, but it's truly a thing of beauty when you completely obliterate something wouldn't you agree?"
"What exactly are you talking about?"
"Why those souls that you see on the walls of course! Can't very well perform a soul banishment ritual without souls obviously."
"Those wispy things are souls?"
"Yes, hundreds of little souls. Souls that I've had to drag out of hundreds of little gnomes. No little feat though, as I said magic involving souls gets draining very fast. Ranks up there with healing magic and other branches of necromancy... I need you to stand over there on the line of that circle across from that wall." Mistress says pointing over to a large circle on the floor.
You slowly step over to where Mistress has told you to be. Given how much you've been following her orders you half feel like you're back in her class. Though her attitude is much different and that's been bothering you since this encounter. Surely she's up to something and there has to be angle in it for her. If she isn't up to something you can only believe that the Emperor's talk really put the fear into her.
Mistress stands to the left of you on the line of the circle across from the other wall of souls and tells you that she's going to begin the ritual all she says she needs from you is to provide support and make sure none of the souls get away.
"Get away?"
"You don't think they're going to just let themselves get banished to oblivion do you? They're probably already pissed about being trapped in magic jars. Now concentrate!"
Mistress begins to chant something in a language you're not familiar with and you've heard the svelk language before. The wisps in the jars begin to get even more agitated and the faint glow they give off begins to get brighter. You begin to get images of torment invading your head all at once.
You see exactly everything that's been happening to the gnomes here, the torture, the humiliation, the executions and now ultimate annihilation. Even from what little you've seen from being in this place, your years on the battlefield and even your own brutal childhood training, its still pretty gruesome and sadistic, but it isn't the images that are currently affecting you. It's the voices...
"Help us! Free us! It's her, she did this! Stole our souls to destroy! Hate her! Kill her! You could kill her. You hate her too. Do it! If not for us or any sort of moral conscience then for yourself. We can see what she did to you. She will always torment you and you will never know rest from her until she is dead. She could die right now. Nobody would know and no one would care." you hear several voices saying to you all at once and right now you don't have much reason to not follow their suggestions.
If Mistress was to die, it could easily be explained away after all accidents happen all the time when performing dangerous magic. And it is true she's not likely to be missed by anyone save perhaps the Emperor, and you doubt he would for very long.
> proceed as normal
You are sorely tempted. You are really sorely tempted. However, there are a couple factors at play that are preventing you from doing so. One, you're dubious about trusting a bunch of gnome souls. It isn't like they still aren't your enemy no matter what form they take or the situation at hand. The enemy of your enemy is still YOUR enemy as far as you're concerned. This could be a trick to get the upper hand on their part.
Second and most importantly, this is still a mission for the Emperor. If he wanted you to work with Mistress to send a bunch of gnome souls to oblivion then that's what you're going to do regardless of your personal feelings towards her.
You begin to concentrate and try to mentally shut out the voices. Its extremely difficult, in fact you don't actually succeed in doing so, but you do stay focused enough to keep up Mistress' energy. An unearthly howl invades your head as a jet-black orb appears in the center of the room. You feel like its sucking the life out of you and you instinctively start to back away.
"NO! Don't move! You'll ruin the spell! It won't be much longer, look its already working!" Mistress shouts and points to the jars, which are now growing dimmer again. You then see one of the wisps completely disappear; followed by another and another, until they all begin fading away. As the souls vanish, the voices begin to get quieter and more desperate sounding as they beg you to stop. Eventually you hear nothing at all and the orb in the room disappears as well.
"There, that should do it for a while, until the next batch." Mistress remarks as she wipes her forehead and fixes her hair. "Whew, that was a little more strenuous than I thought it would be, it was very helpful for you to be here. We make a pretty good team... "
"Stop. Just stop." You say interrupting.
"Stop what?" Mistress asks as if she doesn't know what you're talking about.
"You know damn well what. I told you that this attempt to be pleasant isn't going to work and its totally transparent."
Mistress smiles, but it isn't that cruel smirk that you're used to, its one more of admiration.
"I guess I deserve this hostility. However, I'd rather you hate me than be weak, though I suppose in some ways you still have a few flaws common to your race... but I can overlook those because I know that they will disappear in time. I just wish you'd recognize and shed those flaws soon, because you may need to do so. As I have said before, I have always tried to help you and I won't stop just because you can't see that or harbor thoughts of ill intent on me. Like you briefly considering listening to those desperate gnome souls. You don't think I don't know how tempted you were to sabotage the ritual just to get a chance to kill me? I could hear everything they said to you."
"And I didn't because my main duty was to see this mission done for the Emperor, do you have a point?"
"My point is you have so much more potential than you realize. You just fended off a psychic assault by hundreds of souls. Hundreds of vengeful souls feeding off your already strong desires to do me harm and you still resisted. Not many can boast such will power even if they've had superior training by the best teachers. Now your former classmate Kane? He struggles right now with just one miserable wendigo spirit within him and it's half taken him over already."
"What are you talking about?"
"He's a wendigo now or rather possessed by one. It's a spirit that possesses a living host and usually turns them into a slavering beast that is constantly looking for meat and flesh to quell its everlasting hunger."
Well this is a new twist on whatever angle Mistress is attempting to pull.
"If that's the case, why hasn't he been going around eating everyone then?" you ask.
"Who's saying he hasn't? Wendigo's may have poor impulse control, but they can be cunning when necessary. I imagine he's only managed to hide it so well because he's been associating with the savages and unsophisticated trash in Rask and turned his bloody deeds into the reputation of a ruthless warrior that could be feared and respected. Here? He's overseeing a death factory with a steady supply of meat. Who's going to miss a few dead gnome bodies or living gnomes for that matter? The wendigo probably hasn't completely taken Kane over because it's gotten lazy and happy with its current arrangement."
"And of course you're the only one who knows all this."
"Perhaps Jacob suspects something amiss, but I guarantee I'm the only one who knows that doesn't fear the thing that wears Kane's skin. The beast knows I can destroy it within a blink and it would rather continue to enjoy its current arrangement."
"Hmm, excuse me if I'm having a difficult time believing you. In any case, it doesn't change my own opinions on you, so I'm not sure what you're trying to gain by telling me all this."
"Look, believe me, or don't, but I assure you there is no gain in this for me by telling you. I merely used him as an example of how you continue to be superior to your former classmates. (Sigh) Sometimes I wonder if I should've showed you just a little more intimacy during our sessions together. Perhaps then you would've at least known to trust me." Mistress says and tries to touch your hand. Once again you recoil at her advances and step backward.
"Do that again and you'll pull back a stump. And the next time you need to banish gnome souls or whatever else you can do it yourself."
"Well that's ultimately not really your call now is it? If the Emperor wants you to help me, then you'll have to right? Isn't it a shame that you can't just do what you want, when you want?" Mistress says with one of her more familiar smirks.
"There it is. I was waiting for one of your sneering comments."
"Sneering comments? But isn't obeying the Emperor what you WANT to do? Aren't you glad to follow his every command because he is as you say infallible? How is my comment a sneering one? It just points out the facts, that's all. Your problem is you think I'm your enemy when I've done nothing but try to help you despite yourself."
"Sure, whatever, I'm tired of your fat musings." you say and begin to leave, but Mistress gets in your way.
"I see you've still got my dagger. Still can't completely get me out of your mind even though you have your little shield maiden fluff on the side?"
"The memories I associate with this dagger are something you should be wary of, lest I share them with you."
"Oh? Well why don't you use it right now, if you hate me so much? I gave you a chance to kill me once before and you didn't take it... but it wasn't because you were a coward. It wasn't even because you knew you weren't strong enough to do it. It's because deep down YOU know that you love me and I will ALWAYS be the only woman for you. ALWAYS." Mistress says and with a sudden quickness she grabs your head with both hands and kisses you hard on the lips.
And for a split second that twisted part of you enjoys it. Without thinking you nearly begin to put both of your arms around her, then you come back to your senses and push her off of you and draw out the dagger. She backs off.
"Ohh, you know how I like foreplay! Come on, stick it in mommy!" Mistress says with excitement.
"You... you... you're one fucked up bitch and I'm not playing your game!" You sharply remark and make your way quickly back upstairs.
"Remember Eternal, always AND forever! The sooner you learn that, the better off you'll be!" Mistress shouts and begins laughing.
As you're storming out of the furnace building everything is a bit of a blur. You know you knock aside a couple of guards pushing big wheeled containers full of bodies, but you don't really notice anything else until you see Kane again outside in the yard bellowing orders. He looks different though, like more bestial. You look again he doesn't even look human anymore. His mouth has become enlarged with several rows of razor teeth and his hands more like claws. The strange thing is nobody else seems to notice this.
You walk over closer to him and now he looks more like he did. You feel like you're having a hard time focusing. What the hell is going on? As you begin rubbing your eyes you don't notice Kane walking over to you.
"Hey you're still here. I trust your business with Mistress went well?" Kane asks you as you open your eyes and there you see it again. That THING instead of Kane. Between what Mistress told you and this, you justifiably feel threatened.
"Get the hell back! I know what you are!" you say and point your dagger at Kane, which was still in your hand.
Kane's ogre guards look unsure of what to do, as do other nearby guards, but Kane raises his hands up.
"Its okay! Its okay! Nothing to see here, get back to work!" Kane says and then gives a nervous smile, but it isn't a nervous smile to you, it seems more like he's barring his fangs. In fact to you he looks like he might even attack.
You don't know what to do exactly. Obviously you're seeing something odd with Kane, why you weren't before is the strange part though. You don't know if you're really in danger here or if Mistress did something to you to make you see this and possibly do something rash.
> kill Kane
You don't hesitate. You see and know what needs to be done. Without another word you lunge at Kane who makes no attempt to defend himself and plunge your dagger directly in the center of his chest.
"Thank... the Emperor... " he utters and falls to the ground, though when he finally hits, his body twitches, makes snarling sounds and then stops.
And that's when the wendigo attacks you.
"You are a much stronger vessel anyway. Let me inside and I can make you even stronger." The wendigo voice hisses.
"Get out of my fucking head!" you shout and start clutching your head.
Under normal circumstances, you probably wouldn't have had as much trouble fending off the possession attack by the wendigo, but not only are you severely drained from your previous ordeal, but you weren't feeling right after it either. To make matters worse a few of the livelier gnomes watching decide to take advantage of the situation and make an escape attempt.
"This is our only chance! Get his keys!" one of them shouts and you are suddenly knocked over and half trampled on by several gnome feet when they make their way towards Kane's body.
In the middle of the chaos of guards chasing down gnomes and gnomes attempting to flee, you're having a seizure and losing the battle for your mind. Things get worse when Mistress arrives.
"(Sigh) Why'd you go and do that for? You got yourself all riled up for no good reason, went and did something foolish and now look at you. Maybe your mind isn't as strong as I thought it was. Well, as much as you deserve it I can't let you masquerade as one of those things."
Mistress casts a banishment spell and while that's a great thing to cast on them while they're still hovering about, but when they've managed to already get their hooks in their desired host it tends to have a negative effect on said host and whatever pain you were going through with the wendigo's possession is now five times worse as you now begin to experience the pain the wendigo feels as it is slowly obliterated.
After it's all said and done the wendigo is gone along with your mind. While its possible you might be able to live some sort of existence if someone assisted you with things like eating, but you don't live in such a world and you certainly aren't around any such people that would be willing to do that, hell if you could express anything anymore you'd say yourself that you wouldn't want to live any more in this near vegetative state.
Fortunately Mistress knows this and puts an end to your life. It's probably the kindest thing she's ever done for you. |
You are sorely tempted. You are really sorely tempted. However, there are a couple factors at play that are preventing you from doing so. One, you're dubious about trusting a bunch of gnome souls. It isn't like they still aren't your enemy no matter what form they take or the situation at hand. The enemy of your enemy is still YOUR enemy as far as you're concerned. This could be a trick to get the upper hand on their part.
Second and most importantly, this is still a mission for the Emperor. If he wanted you to work with Mistress to send a bunch of gnome souls to oblivion then that's what you're going to do regardless of your personal feelings towards her.
You begin to concentrate and try to mentally shut out the voices. Its extremely difficult, in fact you don't actually succeed in doing so, but you do stay focused enough to keep up Mistress' energy. An unearthly howl invades your head as a jet-black orb appears in the center of the room. You feel like its sucking the life out of you and you instinctively start to back away.
"NO! Don't move! You'll ruin the spell! It won't be much longer, look its already working!" Mistress shouts and points to the jars, which are now growing dimmer again. You then see one of the wisps completely disappear; followed by another and another, until they all begin fading away. As the souls vanish, the voices begin to get quieter and more desperate sounding as they beg you to stop. Eventually you hear nothing at all and the orb in the room disappears as well.
"There, that should do it for a while, until the next batch." Mistress remarks as she wipes her forehead and fixes her hair. "Whew, that was a little more strenuous than I thought it would be, it was very helpful for you to be here. We make a pretty good team... "
"Stop. Just stop." You say interrupting.
"Stop what?" Mistress asks as if she doesn't know what you're talking about.
"You know damn well what. I told you that this attempt to be pleasant isn't going to work and its totally transparent."
Mistress smiles, but it isn't that cruel smirk that you're used to, its one more of admiration.
"I guess I deserve this hostility. However, I'd rather you hate me than be weak, though I suppose in some ways you still have a few flaws common to your race... but I can overlook those because I know that they will disappear in time. I just wish you'd recognize and shed those flaws soon, because you may need to do so. As I have said before, I have always tried to help you and I won't stop just because you can't see that or harbor thoughts of ill intent on me. Like you briefly considering listening to those desperate gnome souls. You don't think I don't know how tempted you were to sabotage the ritual just to get a chance to kill me? I could hear everything they said to you."
"And I didn't because my main duty was to see this mission done for the Emperor, do you have a point?"
"My point is you have so much more potential than you realize. You just fended off a psychic assault by hundreds of souls. Hundreds of vengeful souls feeding off your already strong desires to do me harm and you still resisted. Not many can boast such will power even if they've had superior training by the best teachers. Now your former classmate Kane? He struggles right now with just one miserable wendigo spirit within him and it's half taken him over already."
"What are you talking about?"
"He's a wendigo now or rather possessed by one. It's a spirit that possesses a living host and usually turns them into a slavering beast that is constantly looking for meat and flesh to quell its everlasting hunger."
Well this is a new twist on whatever angle Mistress is attempting to pull.
"If that's the case, why hasn't he been going around eating everyone then?" you ask.
"Who's saying he hasn't? Wendigo's may have poor impulse control, but they can be cunning when necessary. I imagine he's only managed to hide it so well because he's been associating with the savages and unsophisticated trash in Rask and turned his bloody deeds into the reputation of a ruthless warrior that could be feared and respected. Here? He's overseeing a death factory with a steady supply of meat. Who's going to miss a few dead gnome bodies or living gnomes for that matter? The wendigo probably hasn't completely taken Kane over because it's gotten lazy and happy with its current arrangement."
"And of course you're the only one who knows all this."
"Perhaps Jacob suspects something amiss, but I guarantee I'm the only one who knows that doesn't fear the thing that wears Kane's skin. The beast knows I can destroy it within a blink and it would rather continue to enjoy its current arrangement."
"Hmm, excuse me if I'm having a difficult time believing you. In any case, it doesn't change my own opinions on you, so I'm not sure what you're trying to gain by telling me all this."
"Look, believe me, or don't, but I assure you there is no gain in this for me by telling you. I merely used him as an example of how you continue to be superior to your former classmates. (Sigh) Sometimes I wonder if I should've showed you just a little more intimacy during our sessions together. Perhaps then you would've at least known to trust me." Mistress says and tries to touch your hand. Once again you recoil at her advances and step backward.
"Do that again and you'll pull back a stump. And the next time you need to banish gnome souls or whatever else you can do it yourself."
"Well that's ultimately not really your call now is it? If the Emperor wants you to help me, then you'll have to right? Isn't it a shame that you can't just do what you want, when you want?" Mistress says with one of her more familiar smirks.
"There it is. I was waiting for one of your sneering comments."
"Sneering comments? But isn't obeying the Emperor what you WANT to do? Aren't you glad to follow his every command because he is as you say infallible? How is my comment a sneering one? It just points out the facts, that's all. Your problem is you think I'm your enemy when I've done nothing but try to help you despite yourself."
"Sure, whatever, I'm tired of your fat musings." you say and begin to leave, but Mistress gets in your way.
"I see you've still got my dagger. Still can't completely get me out of your mind even though you have your little shield maiden fluff on the side?"
"The memories I associate with this dagger are something you should be wary of, lest I share them with you."
"Oh? Well why don't you use it right now, if you hate me so much? I gave you a chance to kill me once before and you didn't take it... but it wasn't because you were a coward. It wasn't even because you knew you weren't strong enough to do it. It's because deep down YOU know that you love me and I will ALWAYS be the only woman for you. ALWAYS." Mistress says and with a sudden quickness she grabs your head with both hands and kisses you hard on the lips.
And for a split second that twisted part of you enjoys it. Without thinking you nearly begin to put both of your arms around her, then you come back to your senses and push her off of you and draw out the dagger. She backs off.
"Ohh, you know how I like foreplay! Come on, stick it in mommy!" Mistress says with excitement.
"You... you... you're one fucked up bitch and I'm not playing your game!" You sharply remark and make your way quickly back upstairs.
"Remember Eternal, always AND forever! The sooner you learn that, the better off you'll be!" Mistress shouts and begins laughing.
As you're storming out of the furnace building everything is a bit of a blur. You know you knock aside a couple of guards pushing big wheeled containers full of bodies, but you don't really notice anything else until you see Kane again outside in the yard bellowing orders. He looks different though, like more bestial. You look again he doesn't even look human anymore. His mouth has become enlarged with several rows of razor teeth and his hands more like claws. The strange thing is nobody else seems to notice this.
You walk over closer to him and now he looks more like he did. You feel like you're having a hard time focusing. What the hell is going on? As you begin rubbing your eyes you don't notice Kane walking over to you.
"Hey you're still here. I trust your business with Mistress went well?" Kane asks you as you open your eyes and there you see it again. That THING instead of Kane. Between what Mistress told you and this, you justifiably feel threatened.
"Get the hell back! I know what you are!" you say and point your dagger at Kane, which was still in your hand.
Kane's ogre guards look unsure of what to do, as do other nearby guards, but Kane raises his hands up.
"Its okay! Its okay! Nothing to see here, get back to work!" Kane says and then gives a nervous smile, but it isn't a nervous smile to you, it seems more like he's barring his fangs. In fact to you he looks like he might even attack.
You don't know what to do exactly. Obviously you're seeing something odd with Kane, why you weren't before is the strange part though. You don't know if you're really in danger here or if Mistress did something to you to make you see this and possibly do something rash.
> leave
Kane isn't making any move against you and you aren't going to kill him based on suspicion especially with all the weirdness going on here in general. The best thing you feel you can do is just get the hell out of here.
As you order the gates to be opened you continue to keep an eye on Kane and he does the same to you. You aren't seeing the monstrous traits like you were anymore which makes you believe that Mistress did do something to you. Possibly when she kissed you.
Then as you begin to leave, Kane calls out to you.
"Are you going to tell the Emperor?"
You turn around and face Kane who now isn't even looking you in the eye. In fact you'd say he even looks ashamed. The funny thing is Kane just gave himself away, though maybe he wanted to.
Since you aren't exactly sure what the situation is except what Mistress has told you, you ask Kane a simple question.
"Are you still loyal to the Emperor?"
"Yes." Kane says looking up, straightening himself a little and making a major effort to look you in the eye.
"Then he already knows, otherwise I would've been sent here to kill you."
Kane nods and begins to form disjointed sentences. You imagine he's probably going to try to explain his side of things, but quite frankly after the day you've had here, you don't care.
"I don't need to know how it happened. I don't need to know why it happened. I am not your judge. Just continue to serve the Empire and the Emperor with distinction and loyally as you have been. However the moment that thing inside you takes over completely, the moment you stop doing your duty, the moment you are considered a dangerous liability to the Empire... I will be your executioner. Remember this."
"I will." Kane says.
Kane steps forward and raises his hand in a salute. You return the salute, which seems to make Kane happy. You get back on your horse and ride away eager to put as much distance between you and Gnome's Home as fast as possible.
When you arrive back at your own war camp, your two main commanders Captain Ackerson and Battlemage Galen are arguing over the battle plans as usual. They're competent men its just too bad that they can't get along if you aren't around to bang their heads together. You learned very quickly why Roldan was quick to shove them on to you.
"Sir, I'm glad you're back, I have tried to reason with this hedge wizard, but the man is being an unreasonable asshole. He doesn't see that sending in our remaining golems on a suicidal run on Fort Tinker will result in a much quicker collapse of its walls and allow the rest of the troops to just pour in and overrun the place. The quicker we take this fort the quicker we can march on the capital." Captain Ackerson says.
"And do you realize the waste you're suggesting? What if we need those golems for our assault on the capital? You think golems are easy to make? No of course you don't because you're a muscle bound moron who just thinks brute strength and numbers are going to win the day!" Galen remarks.
You're in no mood.
"Will both of you idiots shut the fuck up, I'm sick of your petty arguing! Look, use half of the golems to bring down one of the walls and back them up with a couple cannon units. The golems will probably be destroyed and those cannon crews are probably going to get hammered by whatever new gnome invention the Felkans have, but it should be enough. Or come up with something else, I don't give a shit right now, just get it the fuck done and don't bother me again until you've made more progress!" you yell and leave the war tent to make your way to your own private tent.
As soon as you open your tent, you have another unexpected encounter in your long line of unexpected encounters lately, however this one is much more pleasant.
"Alison? What're you doing here?"
"I figured I'd surprise you. The eastern front has been pretty quiet ever since we destroyed the majority of the gnoll horde you know. It's not like I can't sneak away every once in a while. I was actually surprised when I got here that you weren't around, so where did you sneak off to?"
"Orders from the Emperor. Special mission. It was... ugh... it's done and I really don't want to talk about it right now, I'm just glad to see you. You're a welcome sight right now."
"Aren't I always?" Alison remarks with a smile.
You and Alison speak a bit, but you both know not to waste an opportunity like this and the pair of you get to doing what lovers normally do. It's a good feeling, but its not just the sex (though that's certainly good too) its just the fact that you still can't believe someone can make you feel this way.
You wouldn't admit to this openly, but sometimes when you're with Alison you feel a bond there that might even rival your bond with the Emperor. There have even been times you've briefly worried if there will come a day where you'd have to outright choose between the Emperor or Alison. The concern though isn't that you'd have to do it, your concern is that there is the possibility that if it came down to it, you might choose Alison. You try to dismiss such thoughts however, after all when is a situation like that ever going to occur? Better to focus on the pleasant present rather than the possible grim future.
As the pair of you lies together, Alison starts to drift off in your arms and says something a little strange.
"Thank you."
"Thank you? For what exactly? The orgasm?"
"For this night. I just feel so loved right now. And I love you too. You do know that don't you?" Alison asks looking into your eyes.
"Of course I know that, I love you too."
"Just laying here with you makes me feel so safe." Alison remarks and cuddles into you even more.
"I suppose, but I'd hardly think you'd need me to protect you when you're more than capable of doing it yourself. Is there something wrong? You don't normally talk like this."
"Nothing's wrong. I guess I just felt a little girly there for a moment. Still, it's nice to hear you say it to me and it's nice to know this side of you." Alison says and begins to drift off.
You briefly wonder if you lived a "normal" married life, most of your nights would be like this. Lying in bed holding your significant other. Getting up in the morning to do your mundane peasant job. Would you also have children? That's something you've never even considered, though given your several intimate encounters with Alison you're a little surprised you haven't gotten into possible baby complications. Perhaps you've just been lucky, or maybe she's been taking Stillness potions bought from Empire alchemists. Of course she might just be barren, or maybe you're sterile. abort
Whatever the case she's never brought up the subject and you certainly don't intend to since it isn't a priority and as far as you're concerned, never will be.
With these final thoughts you join Alison in sleep.
Hours pass and you are awakened by the sounds of cannons and warfare in the distance.
"Ugh, I guess they've started... (Yawn) I suppose I better get up and see what's going on before Galen and Ackerson start arguing over how to best execute the survivors. Hey did you need to... " you say and then realize that Alison is no longer laying anywhere next to you. She's not even in the tent. What you do see is a piece of parchment nearby.
You pick it up and you feel something is wrong as soon as you do.
Your first thoughts are perhaps it is some sort of "break up" letter. You have heard of such things occurring with soldiers that have been far away from their wives or husbands sometimes. Perhaps Alison sees the futility in your current arrangement since you have such a significant duty to the Emperor and doesn't want you to have to "choose".
However, after you read the words on it you WISH it were a break up letter.
The words merely say:
Always and forever. Remember this.
Your heart sinks. You just slept with Mistress.
She must've magically disguised herself as Alison. You don't even know how to react. Your normally reserved emotions are all over the place. You feel a little sick, you definitely feel rage, but more at yourself for not being observant and falling for Mistress' tricks once again.
You end up nearly destroying everything in your tent in rage screaming incoherent obscenities not giving a damn about what the soldiers or officers walking by might be wondering what's going on. In fact it's a good thing none of them pop their head to investigate since you're so angry you might've killed them.
After you're spent, you fall to your knees feeling defeated.
"I'm sorry Alison... I'm sorry... " you say over and over again in between catching your breath and looking at your portrait of her.
And worst part of all this, is you still enjoyed your night with Mistress. Even if it really wasn't your fault, you briefly wish you hadn't allowed yourself to grow so attached to Alison so this wasn't even an issue. You should've just been concentrating on your duty to the Emperor and now you're paying the price for not staying focused. You're focused now though.
With the battle of Fort Tinker already in full swing, you make your way into the war torn fort and unleash the rest of your renewed energy there. Your enemies suffer greatly that day.
By the time its all over you feel slightly better even though you know you'll probably still have to deal with Mistress' shit later. Until then though there are important tasks still at hand and the major one being that the Felkan Kingdom needs to be destroyed and you intend to see that through.
> Continue
Year 30
The day has come at last, the Felkan capital; Dessel has been broken wide open. Its defenses have been shattered and all that's left now is to scoop out the soft underbelly within.
"How long do you think they'll hold out?" Roldan asks.
"A few more hours, perhaps even a day. No more I suspect. I have to admit that I thought the remaining Felkan ruling class would've surrendered long before now, let alone fight to the bitter end. I suppose they were still carrying out the will of their gnomish masters even though most of them are dead or soon will be." You remark.
"I know they had a lot of influence and were responsible for the technological inventions along with running the merchant guilds, but do you really believe the Felkan Kingdom was run by gnomes?"
"Of course. Its what the Emperor believed and ultimately that's been the purpose of this whole war, to eliminate the gnome threat. Happily with this final nail in the coffin, that's been accomplished."
"You know some of them probably escaped long before the war started going badly for the Felkans."
"Perhaps, but I'm sure in time they will be found. The Emperor's domain has already been extended much within the past few years alone, I'm sure eventually it will cover the entire world and in the long run all those that oppose the Emperor will be brought to justice. Either by me, or by someone else loyal to his service."
"Well, until such time I'm just wondering where I'll be assigned after all this. Personally I'm hoping to get a little free time so I can see my wife Brenda again. It's been so long and I miss her. I'm sure you feel something similar about Alison."
You pause for a moment before speaking.
"I will go where my duty takes me after this assignment. Alison understands that, she is a military woman after all." You remark.
"Well of course, but I was just stating that it would be nice to take a break from duty for a moment to enjoy the company of someone you care about."
"We're Eternals Roldan. So is Brenda for that matter. Our existence is duty. You would do well to remember that."
"I am aware of it! I was just... oh forget it." Says and walks away from you.
You and Roldan have been a little less cordial to each other lately, then again the two of you never have quite "clicked" with each other for some reason. Actually there are probably several reasons on your side as well as his, but you aren't going to waste your time pondering them since you are both able to work together in a professional manner and never engaged in anything other than the low level disagreements. As long as the respect is still there between you two, why bother analyzing it?
Besides this mission is nearly over now anyway. You're fairly certain you'll be reassigned somewhere else. You do wonder if you'll get some down time as Roldan mentioned though.
If you do, you're more than likely going to try to spend some of it with Alison, though you've still been going back and forth on how well that's going to go when you tell her what happened two years ago. You certainly couldn't tell her something like that in a letter and from what letters you've received from her she still doesn't know. Mistress probably wouldn't tell her to stir up chaos because it would be more fun letting you worry about it for all this time. You're just glad you never had to help assist Mistress at Gnome's Home again, though now you're even wondering if that was ever a real order from the Emperor when it did occur.
You haven't spoken to the Emperor directly or even indirectly in quite some time either. That's actually been a little concerning to you as well. Still, you figure you soon will be when this is all over and the Felkans have finally been crushed once and for all.
You watch the capital smoke and burn in the distance. Occasionally a small explosion causes pieces of the already breached wall fly into several directions.
"Well I'm not going to miss out on all the fun, before it's over." You say to yourself and head towards the city.
As it turns out you don't miss much. The city's defenders consist of mostly children and elders at this point. They don't provide too much resistance now that they have no walls to hide behind. The royal guard is still around but quick work is made of them. As for the royals themselves most of them took the coward's way out. You find several of them lying dead at their lavish dinner table with several knocked over empty wine cups.
Upon further searching you find what you guess to be the royal bedroom and who you guess to be the Felkan king and queen lying dead in the bed. They must've taken the same poison since you see the same cups near the bodies. As you study the pair of them and how they are holding hands in death, you notice a crib in the corner of the room. While you're inspecting this, Warrick walks in.
"Oh there you are. We've found that some of these rooms lead to a system of secret passages. We've already started to explore them, but we haven't found anyone yet. I don't even think they lead outside the city, just to other portions of the palace. Looks like we won." Warrick remarks.
"Looks that way. Sort of a disappointing climax given how the Felkans insisted on dragging this out. Continue your search though; someone still might be hiding in them. You find any gnomes?"
"No and I don't believe there are any in city either. At least no reports have popped up about any."
"Guess we got all of them then. The Emperor will be pleased to hear that. Carry on."
For the next few days you observe the destruction of Dessel. Roldan remarks that the city shouldn't be destroyed, but rather appropriated by the Empire as it wouldn't take much to rebuild the damage and would be easier than building a brand new city here. Orders are orders though. While the Emperor might've relaxed his zeal on burning every Felkan city to the ground, he was still pretty clear about the capital. You imagine he sees it as the last symbol of gnomish defiance.
In the middle of this process Jacob unexpectedly visits you.
"Didn't expect to see you here." You remark while sharpening your weapon.
"Well the Emperor wants to see you, plus I also have to speak with Roldan and Warrick about their next assignments, so I figured I might as well come here in person." Jacob says looking around at the destruction. "So, it's finally done. The Felkan Kingdom is no more. I have to admit, I was worried about this war on more than one occasion."
"You don't need to tell me, you told me on more than one occasion. You should've had more faith in the Emperor, he knew its destruction was inevitable."
"Well, thanks in part to your actions no doubt." Jacob says with a brief smile.
"I am merely the weapon which does the job. If you're looking for Roldan, he's in the large tent on that small hill over to the east. Warrick's probably with him. I need to get going if the Emperor wishes to see me... is Mistress going to be there?"
"I don't believe so."
"Good, don't really need the negativity ruining this moment." You remark and begin to leave.
"Um... there's something else I need to talk to you about before you leave." Jacob says hesitantly.
"What?"
"It's about the Emperor, he's uh... well... "
"He's what?! What is he?! Jacob, just spit it out."
"He's sick."
"What? Sick? That's ridiculous! I've never known him to ever show illness."
"I know it may seem hard to believe, but I'm telling you last time I spoke with him, he didn't look well. He seemed very tired and just really pale."
"He runs the Empire! Of course there's going to be times he's going to be tired! It has to be taxing keeping track of everything. As for being pale, he doesn't exactly go skipping about in the sunlight you know."
"I know all that. Look, just when you see him you'll know what I'm talking about. I mean I'm sure the Emperor will live a very long time, but we should prepare... um... just in case... "
"Just in case what Jacob?" you ask beginning to get angry at the insinuation that the Emperor may die. Jacob sensing he's overstepped a boundary quickly shuts up.
"Erm... nevermind. Forget I said anything. I'm worrying too much as usual... but still... (sigh) forget it. I'll let you get on your way."
You shake your head and begin to leave again, when Jacob once again stops you.
"Oh one more thing. Before you go see the Emperor, you're supposed to make a visit to Gnome's Home first."
"Are you fucking kidding me? Aren't all the gnomes there dead by now?"
"Maybe, I dunno. Something to do with souls I think. I never did know exactly what went on there, and I don't really think I want to know. All I do know is you're supposed to assist."
"Assist who? Mistress? I already assisted her once there and let's just say what transpired wasn't pleasant. She hasn't needed my assistance for the past two years since that time, why does she need it now all of a sudden? Fuck that, I'm not helping her anytime soon. In fact if I saw her again, I'd probably kill the bitch after what happened last time!"
Jacob begins to step back from you.
"Easy now, I'm just the messenger here. I don't even know if she's there. It's what the Emperor told me to tell you. I mean if you don't want to do it, I suggest you take it up with him personally."
At this point you might just do that. Nobody can question your loyalty or your dedication to the Emperor, but this request... its just asking too much. You thought he spoke with her about leaving you alone and she's already ignored that. How long must you put up with this svelk bitch?
> head to Gnome's Home
An order from the Emperor is an order from the Emperor no matter what. If you have to go to Gnome's Home, then you have to go. If you have to assist Mistress then that's what you'll have to do. Doesn't mean you have to like it though.
You get on your horse and make your way to Gnome's Home. On your way you think about how you're going to handle the situation if you have to assist Mistress. Then you realize that the time has come.
You're going to kill the bitch. This has been a long time coming anyway. You aren't sure if you're just going to attack her if you see her or if you'll do something a little more subtle, but one thing is certain, she's going to be dead by the time you leave that gnome murder factory.
When you arrive at Gnome's Home the outside looks about the same the last time you were here and when you're let inside the gates, it smells about the same as well. Probably even a little bit worse.
You step inside and see a lot less living gnomes and lot more dead ones. A few pathetic examples lay half dead outside their dwellings covered in their own filth. Whatever attempts at keeping this place slightly clean have long since stopped. The entire place is disgusting and you feel like you're going to catch something just standing here.
"Hey, I heard you were coming, welcome back!" you hear a voice shout. It's Kane. He's a bit unkept and wild looking, but still friendly. You notice he doesn't have his ogre friends with him any more.
"Hello Kane. You're looking... well."
"Thanks. I've been feeling well. Been keeping very busy what with all the gnome killing and all. As you can see, we're almost finished. Figured we'd speed up the process by cutting back on the clean up portion, I mean this whole place is going to be shut down after we kill 'em all anyway. I'll be sort of sad to see it go, but nothing lasts forever right?"
"Right, so my assignment was to assist in something?"
"Oh yes, sorry. I don't get to talk to many people nowadays. Anyway Mistress is waiting for you down in the soul obliteration chamber. I'm not actually sure if that's what it's called, but given what happens there, seems as good a name as any."
You thank Kane and make your way to where Mistress is located. Along the way you see the usual piles of bodies being tossed into the large furnaces by bored guards. When you get down to the chamber you see that Mistress is already in the process of preparation. You see more jars containing souls than you did last time and that gives you the idea of how to kill her.
"Hey lover, you're here right on time." She remarks.
"Yeah, let's just get this over with." You say.
"Well, I'm certainly glad you didn't feel that way during our last encounter."
"You tricked me during that last encounter!"
"True, but didn't it feel so good? Besides its not like anyone knows so what's the harm?"
"You know what? I'm tired of fighting it, maybe you're right." You answer.
Mistress is a bit surprised to hear you say that.
"Er... of course I am! I've always had your best interest in mind. That's what I've always been telling you."
"And I think I finally realize it after all these years. I mean you were the one who practically taught me everything I know. Who would know better for me than you?" you say and walk over to Mistress.
You grab Mistress around the waist and give her a passionate kiss. All part of the act of course and part of you hates it, but the other part is definitely getting excited.
Afterwards Mistress looks at you with a glee that you've only really seen when she's torturing someone. (Which was usually you).
"Okay, down boy, we've still got business to take care of here. Glad to see you're finally seeing things how they really are though. After this bit of business perhaps we can talk more about the future. Our future."
"Looking forward to it." You say and slap her on her ass before taking your position on the circle line.
Mistress goes on to tell you that the process will be just like before, but will require even more focus than last time. She says one of the reasons why she wanted your help this time (Other than wanting to see you again) was because she wants to dispose of more gnome souls than usual. She says that while she enjoyed the torture, suffering and extermination of an entire race she absolutely hates the smell and general dirtiness of the place and the sooner she's out of here the better.
Your plan is simple. You're going to sabotage the ritual. You're fairly certain the gnome souls will try to convince you to do it like they did last time anyway.
Mistress begins chanting and soon the spell begins to take effect. You begin to hear the whispers of gnome souls in your head. More than last time and saying the exact same thing.
"Break the circle! Save us! Kill the svelk! Save us from oblivion!" you hear and you begin to do just that and stop focusing your energy towards Mistress. She of course realizes what you're doing, but doesn't say anything, instead she just shuts her eyes as if to concentrate harder.
You decide a blade through her body should really take her off her game plan, since she's either going to have to stop you which will expose her mind to the vengeful souls or not stop you and get stabbed which will have the same effect.
You draw your sword and then suddenly your own mind shield is completely shattered and multiple souls assault your mind. The pain is excruciating and you collapse on the floor and begin convulsing.
"Did you really think I couldn't see through your charade?" Mistress shouts as your mind continues to be destroyed by the gnome souls. You don't know why they're not attacking Mistress, but you see why they're attacking you. You aren't innocent in all this as far as they're concerned. Your involvement in the Felkan campaign has probably resulted in most of the gnomes being rounded up and sent to Gnome's Home in the first place.
For the first time you not only see the horror that has been this place, but you also experience all of it. Your mind can't take it and neither can your body which begins to lose all control of its functions. You're leaking all manner of bodily fluids out every possible place you could be leaking from.
Eventually you're nothing more than an empty shell, but not quite dead. The souls have stopped attacking and Mistress stands over you.
"I really had hoped you were serious, but I just couldn't take that chance. I reinforced my own mental shield and cast a repulsion spell. Of course the souls have now completely escaped annihilation, but what the hell, that's the Emperor's obsession not mine."
You continue to stare upward and slack jaw in a comatose state.
"(Sigh) I suppose the malicious svelk thing to do, would be to continue to keep you alive in this state for a little while longer, but I think you're probably too far gone for me to even get any enjoyment out of that. Besides, even I couldn't do that to you. I'm just a fool for love I guess."
Mistress kneels down and takes her dagger that she gave you a long time ago and holds it to your throat.
"Well at least I got to kiss you one last time." She says and ends what remains of your life. |
Year 30
The day has come at last, the Felkan capital; Dessel has been broken wide open. Its defenses have been shattered and all that's left now is to scoop out the soft underbelly within.
"How long do you think they'll hold out?" Roldan asks.
"A few more hours, perhaps even a day. No more I suspect. I have to admit that I thought the remaining Felkan ruling class would've surrendered long before now, let alone fight to the bitter end. I suppose they were still carrying out the will of their gnomish masters even though most of them are dead or soon will be." You remark.
"I know they had a lot of influence and were responsible for the technological inventions along with running the merchant guilds, but do you really believe the Felkan Kingdom was run by gnomes?"
"Of course. Its what the Emperor believed and ultimately that's been the purpose of this whole war, to eliminate the gnome threat. Happily with this final nail in the coffin, that's been accomplished."
"You know some of them probably escaped long before the war started going badly for the Felkans."
"Perhaps, but I'm sure in time they will be found. The Emperor's domain has already been extended much within the past few years alone, I'm sure eventually it will cover the entire world and in the long run all those that oppose the Emperor will be brought to justice. Either by me, or by someone else loyal to his service."
"Well, until such time I'm just wondering where I'll be assigned after all this. Personally I'm hoping to get a little free time so I can see my wife Brenda again. It's been so long and I miss her. I'm sure you feel something similar about Alison."
You pause for a moment before speaking.
"I will go where my duty takes me after this assignment. Alison understands that, she is a military woman after all." You remark.
"Well of course, but I was just stating that it would be nice to take a break from duty for a moment to enjoy the company of someone you care about."
"We're Eternals Roldan. So is Brenda for that matter. Our existence is duty. You would do well to remember that."
"I am aware of it! I was just... oh forget it." Says and walks away from you.
You and Roldan have been a little less cordial to each other lately, then again the two of you never have quite "clicked" with each other for some reason. Actually there are probably several reasons on your side as well as his, but you aren't going to waste your time pondering them since you are both able to work together in a professional manner and never engaged in anything other than the low level disagreements. As long as the respect is still there between you two, why bother analyzing it?
Besides this mission is nearly over now anyway. You're fairly certain you'll be reassigned somewhere else. You do wonder if you'll get some down time as Roldan mentioned though.
If you do, you're more than likely going to try to spend some of it with Alison, though you've still been going back and forth on how well that's going to go when you tell her what happened two years ago. You certainly couldn't tell her something like that in a letter and from what letters you've received from her she still doesn't know. Mistress probably wouldn't tell her to stir up chaos because it would be more fun letting you worry about it for all this time. You're just glad you never had to help assist Mistress at Gnome's Home again, though now you're even wondering if that was ever a real order from the Emperor when it did occur.
You haven't spoken to the Emperor directly or even indirectly in quite some time either. That's actually been a little concerning to you as well. Still, you figure you soon will be when this is all over and the Felkans have finally been crushed once and for all.
You watch the capital smoke and burn in the distance. Occasionally a small explosion causes pieces of the already breached wall fly into several directions.
"Well I'm not going to miss out on all the fun, before it's over." You say to yourself and head towards the city.
As it turns out you don't miss much. The city's defenders consist of mostly children and elders at this point. They don't provide too much resistance now that they have no walls to hide behind. The royal guard is still around but quick work is made of them. As for the royals themselves most of them took the coward's way out. You find several of them lying dead at their lavish dinner table with several knocked over empty wine cups.
Upon further searching you find what you guess to be the royal bedroom and who you guess to be the Felkan king and queen lying dead in the bed. They must've taken the same poison since you see the same cups near the bodies. As you study the pair of them and how they are holding hands in death, you notice a crib in the corner of the room. While you're inspecting this, Warrick walks in.
"Oh there you are. We've found that some of these rooms lead to a system of secret passages. We've already started to explore them, but we haven't found anyone yet. I don't even think they lead outside the city, just to other portions of the palace. Looks like we won." Warrick remarks.
"Looks that way. Sort of a disappointing climax given how the Felkans insisted on dragging this out. Continue your search though; someone still might be hiding in them. You find any gnomes?"
"No and I don't believe there are any in city either. At least no reports have popped up about any."
"Guess we got all of them then. The Emperor will be pleased to hear that. Carry on."
For the next few days you observe the destruction of Dessel. Roldan remarks that the city shouldn't be destroyed, but rather appropriated by the Empire as it wouldn't take much to rebuild the damage and would be easier than building a brand new city here. Orders are orders though. While the Emperor might've relaxed his zeal on burning every Felkan city to the ground, he was still pretty clear about the capital. You imagine he sees it as the last symbol of gnomish defiance.
In the middle of this process Jacob unexpectedly visits you.
"Didn't expect to see you here." You remark while sharpening your weapon.
"Well the Emperor wants to see you, plus I also have to speak with Roldan and Warrick about their next assignments, so I figured I might as well come here in person." Jacob says looking around at the destruction. "So, it's finally done. The Felkan Kingdom is no more. I have to admit, I was worried about this war on more than one occasion."
"You don't need to tell me, you told me on more than one occasion. You should've had more faith in the Emperor, he knew its destruction was inevitable."
"Well, thanks in part to your actions no doubt." Jacob says with a brief smile.
"I am merely the weapon which does the job. If you're looking for Roldan, he's in the large tent on that small hill over to the east. Warrick's probably with him. I need to get going if the Emperor wishes to see me... is Mistress going to be there?"
"I don't believe so."
"Good, don't really need the negativity ruining this moment." You remark and begin to leave.
"Um... there's something else I need to talk to you about before you leave." Jacob says hesitantly.
"What?"
"It's about the Emperor, he's uh... well... "
"He's what?! What is he?! Jacob, just spit it out."
"He's sick."
"What? Sick? That's ridiculous! I've never known him to ever show illness."
"I know it may seem hard to believe, but I'm telling you last time I spoke with him, he didn't look well. He seemed very tired and just really pale."
"He runs the Empire! Of course there's going to be times he's going to be tired! It has to be taxing keeping track of everything. As for being pale, he doesn't exactly go skipping about in the sunlight you know."
"I know all that. Look, just when you see him you'll know what I'm talking about. I mean I'm sure the Emperor will live a very long time, but we should prepare... um... just in case... "
"Just in case what Jacob?" you ask beginning to get angry at the insinuation that the Emperor may die. Jacob sensing he's overstepped a boundary quickly shuts up.
"Erm... nevermind. Forget I said anything. I'm worrying too much as usual... but still... (sigh) forget it. I'll let you get on your way."
You shake your head and begin to leave again, when Jacob once again stops you.
"Oh one more thing. Before you go see the Emperor, you're supposed to make a visit to Gnome's Home first."
"Are you fucking kidding me? Aren't all the gnomes there dead by now?"
"Maybe, I dunno. Something to do with souls I think. I never did know exactly what went on there, and I don't really think I want to know. All I do know is you're supposed to assist."
"Assist who? Mistress? I already assisted her once there and let's just say what transpired wasn't pleasant. She hasn't needed my assistance for the past two years since that time, why does she need it now all of a sudden? Fuck that, I'm not helping her anytime soon. In fact if I saw her again, I'd probably kill the bitch after what happened last time!"
Jacob begins to step back from you.
"Easy now, I'm just the messenger here. I don't even know if she's there. It's what the Emperor told me to tell you. I mean if you don't want to do it, I suggest you take it up with him personally."
At this point you might just do that. Nobody can question your loyalty or your dedication to the Emperor, but this request... its just asking too much. You thought he spoke with her about leaving you alone and she's already ignored that. How long must you put up with this svelk bitch?
> go directly to the Emperor
You get on your horse and make your way to the Empire capital.
You're not doing it, plain and simple. The Emperor can deal with you as he sees fit, but you are not going to help Mistress for any reason. You made the attempt and it resulted in trickery again.
Besides, why the hell should you follow every little menial task? You've been instrumental in keeping the damn Empire together; you shouldn't be subjugated to such indignities! Jacob just told you the Emperor is sick, well he better watch it if he wants to stick around long enough to get better.
You can't believe you just thought such a thing. What the hell is wrong with you? The thoughts and acts of disobedience are bad enough, but to actually consider...
You can't even think it again. Something must be seriously wrong with your mind. Maybe Mistress did something more to you. Maybe she did some sort of magic spell to your head to make you harbor thoughts of dissension. At least you hope that's case, because if she didn't then you'd have to come to grips that you thought about killing the Emperor all on your own. Whatever the reason, you'll be keeping that one to yourself.
When you get to the Emperor's chambers you hear him call for you immediately. Some coughing immediately follows his voice. You've definitely never heard him do that before
"There you are my son, I'm glad to see you. It's been so long since we've talked face to face." He says as he sits hunched over a desk. He almost looks like he's struggling to prop himself up. Maybe he is as sick as Jacob says. He's as pale as Jacob said and his eyes are starting to have a sunken in looking appearance. What used to look like a man in his fifties now looks more like a man in his seventies. In fact he almost looks a bit more like how you thought he was going to when you first met him.
You know he's powerful. Certainly more powerful than you, but he looks so much frailer now. It makes you ashamed that you had thoughts about killing him; especially after all he's done for you.
"Emperor! I was told you were sick, but I didn't believe it! How?"
"Sick? (Cough cough) Well I suppose that's one way of putting it. I'm guessing Jacob told you I was practically on my death bed or something. He still worries too much and you shouldn't either. I'm not sick, I'm... well its complicated, but suffice to say, I'm not dying anytime soon. Trust me on that one. Now I'd (Cough cough) like a report on the Felkans. Have we finally destroyed them once and for all?"
"Yes, the capital has been taken and is in the process of being destroyed. The battle mages will be casting defilement spells to make sure nothing ever grows there again. The ruling royals from what we can tell all committed mass suicide."
"Figures. But as long as everyone's dead, it's still good. So what about gnomes? Any in the capital?"
"None. I can only guess we got all of them at Gnome's Home."
"One can (cough cough) only hope. So have they all been sentenced to oblivion yet?"
"I don't know, I haven't been Gnome's Home."
"You haven't? I thought you got here pretty quickly. Surely Jacob told you that I wanted you to go there."
"Yes, he told me I was to go there to assist and I know that could only mean assisting Mistress with the destruction of gnome souls. It was with great regret that I disobeyed this order, but I simply cannot help that woman again, if ever. The last time I made the attempt was two years ago when I was assisting her at Gnome's Home and there was some... unpleasantness."
"Was there now? I hadn't heard about this and I spoke to her about leaving you alone, as you well know. So what exactly happened? She try to kill you?"
"No, she (sigh) made unwanted advances on me. I turned her down, and later when I went back to my camp she magically disguised herself as Alison and slept with me that way. I of course didn't now until afterwards."
""Is that all? Here I was thinking it was something serious." the Emperor replies in a bored tone followed by more coughing. "However, I can see that this is something that was very serious to you so I will of course dismiss your transgression of not following orders... again. In the future I will also make sure that you and her are never to work together under any circumstances. I guess my attempt at being peacemaker didn't work out. (cough cough) Doesn't matter anyway, but tell me what are you exactly mad concerning that situation that occurred? I get the impression it's more than just Mistress fucking with you as usual."
He's right. The fact that Mistress tricked you isn't what bothered you the most; it's the fact that you unwittingly betrayed Alison. The fact that Mistress cloaked herself as someone you have feelings for... no someone you LOVE to trick you just made it all the worse. You tell the Emperor as much, he nods in between another coughing fit.
"So, you do love this Alison girl then? It's not just lust or perhaps a fleeting fancy. You actually love her?" the Emperor asks.
"I do."
"And this girl, she feels the same way?"
"I believe she does."
"Hmm, you better be sure son."
"Yes, I know she does."
"I see... well do you want some advice?"
"From you, of course."
" (cough cough) Shit. (cough) Okay, here it is then, you'll save yourself some pain if you end this relationship altogether. Now just listen. I know you're an intelligent person and an excellent strategist in the matters of war, but on the matters of love you're... and I don't mean this as an insult... but you're a little inexperienced. It's okay though, even after several centuries I still haven't figured it all out yet. But I still know more than you and I'm telling you that you'll be better off not getting deeply involved with such things. Why do you think I've never had an Empress by my side? It complicates things to a whole new level and that's complications YOU don't need."
You're speechless for a moment. You can't think of anything to say except...
"Is this an order?"
"An order? No, I'd never give such an order concerning matters of the heart; it is merely advice. You may do as you wish. In fact you may do as you wish for quite some time. I'm giving you some down time in light of our glorious victory over the Felkans. We'll of course be having some celebrations going on here in the capital so if you get the chance you should probably (cough cough) join in the (cough cough) festivities. When you're needed to return to duty, I'll send for you as usual. I also want you to know, I'm proud of you son and for all you've done for the Empire and know you'll continue to serve the Empire loyally (cough cough) and with dedication in the future."
The Emperor at this point slowly gets up and heads off towards his bedroom area coughing the whole time. You almost ask him if he needs help, but you'd rather not insult him. Besides you're too busy pondering his advice to you about Alison.
Even you thought about how being in a relationship with Alison put you in a position to fall for Mistress' trickery. You think about Roldan and how he's married and it doesn't seem to affect his judgment, but it's different for him. He's married to another Eternal and he doesn't have the responsibilities you have.
But as they say, the heart wants what the heart wants and you've wanted to spend time with Alison ever since you were split up from her. And now that this war is finally over you have the time to do it. Should you break up with her just because of some potential problems in the future with Mistress or anything else?
> end things with Alison
As much as this is going to pain you to do, you need to end your relationship with Alison, if only to save her life. The more you think about it, who knows what the hell Mistress could do next and she's already proven to ignore the Emperor's warnings before. Then there's the Emperor himself. It's obvious he doesn't approve of the relationship, and continuing it could potentially be problematic. You certainly wouldn't want to fall out of favor with the Emperor even if you do love Alison.
You're going to keep this as short as possible and hopefully Alison will too. What's going to make this worse is the fact that this will be the first time you've seen each other in years.
You leave the palace and the capital to make your way to where Alison is currently stationed, which means a long ride back to the new eastern frontier of the Empire. You eventually arrive at Fort Stalwart, which is actually just a renamed and rebuilt fort once held by the ex-Felkan Kingdom.
Given your reputation, the gates are immediately opened for you. A few of the older soldiers are also probably aware of your relationship with their commanding officer so orders are already given to alert Alison of your sudden arrival. She meets you even before you make it to her office.
She flashes a smile when she sees you and goes to put her arms around you presumably to kiss you. While you'd love for her to do so, you stop Alison, which confuses the hell out her.
"What's this? Oh. The other soldiers around. You and your insistence on keeping protocol. Very well let's get to my quarters so we can get you back into your comfort zone, because its been too damn long."
"It has and we should get back to your quarters, but I'm fairly sure you're not going to be in the mood for what you probably had in mind after I tell you what I have to tell you."
Alison steps back and gives you a tilted look.
"Hmm, sounds serious. You look even more grim than usual. Well let's get this over with." Alison says and the pair of you head towards her quarters.
Her private quarters are neat and clean, as you'd expect, on the right wall you see your portrait, which is right across from her bed. Placed in such a way so the first thing she sees when she wakes up is you.
"Alright. Out with it and let's see exactly how mad you think I'm going to be at you." Alison remarks closing her door. You sit on the bed and take a deep breath then exhale giving her a look on your face, which contains a hint of regret.
"Geez... this must be bad. I don't think I've ever seen you like this. Its almost like you're afraid to tell me. Shit, maybe I better sit down too." Alison says taking a seat in one her chairs.
"Alison... I love you. I want you to know that before I say anything else. I never thought I could ever feel this way at all about anyone. It just wasn't something I was taught or even learned. (whew) Okay enough stalling. Here it is... "
You tell her that you want to end this relationship. You don't offer too much of an explanation though, just some vague reason that your duties to the Emperor are always going to take precedence and its not fair to her to have a steady relationship with you because who knows where you're going to be sent to next and for how long.
You expect Alison to show some sign of emotion at this point. For the most part she remains stoically silent just listening to everything, but you can tell she is a little surprised by this news.
"I see... well if that's what you want I won't try to argue with you about it. Everyone is an adult here and has the freedom of choice. I must admit this has taken me a bit off guard. I sort of thought our relationship was a bit more than just the occasional tumble, but apparently I was wrong. Wish I'd known before though, I could've... never mind.
"I knew you were going to be angry."
"I'm not exactly angry, I'm not sure how I feel. Look just tell me one thing because I have to know. Are you still having a sexual relationship with Mistress?"
Now this statement catches you off guard.
"What? No! I don't love Mistress! You know that!"
"I didn't ask you that. I asked you if you were still having some sort of sexual relationship with her. You don't need to be in love with her. Hell, you don't even need to like her. But you've told me enough of your past with her to know that you both have some sort of twisted attachment to one another. Now I'm going to just ask you one more time. Have you had any sort of intimate contact with her since we parted company?"
You muster up all your confidence and put on a straight face.
"No. I swear to you. I haven't."
Alison stares at you for a long time. Looking into your eyes and trying to ascertain if you're lying or not. You get the impression she doesn't believe you, however since you've never been known to be a liar (especially not to her) and your facial expression exhibits a look of truthfulness she can't completely jump to that conclusion.
"I want to believe you. I suppose if I really wanted to know, I'd tell you to swear on the life of the Emperor, but I won't do that. It wouldn't make any difference anyway, because in the scheme of things what does it matter if you're lying or not. You still came to tell me that our relationship isn't going to work even if we do have strong feelings for each other, and you're probably right. The funny thing is before I met you; I was pretty much a free spirited type when it came to relationships. I suppose I'll return to that mindset, but I'll always wonder what if?"
"Alison... "
"Goodbye Eternal, I don't want you to see what is going to come next." Alison remarks as her voice starts to crack.
And with those words she turns her back on you. You leave her to her sadness and feel awful about it, but you know it'll be better for her this way.
As for you, you'll just keep serving the Emperor as you always have.
> Continue
Year 32
You look for a seat on the palace balcony to watch Roldan's big parade celebration.
Well actually it's supposed an anniversary of the Felkan Kingdom's demise, but due to Roldan's important role in the war and his popularity with the people he's certainly the major focus.
Yes, Roldan's certainly made advances since the Felkan War ended. He got assigned to wipe out the rest of the gnoll tribes in the west. Something you figured you'd get assigned to do considering you did have something to do with beating back those mongrel men in the first place.
Instead, the Emperor has been keeping you closer to home. With the recently acquired Felkan territory and the westward expansion, the Eyes are a little stretched so you've mostly been trying to eliminate the new bandit havens popping up in the old Felkan territory along with helping to fend off any desperate gnoll raids that attempt to sneak through. You're also supposed to be making sure the new "citizens" aren't planning to rebel, but given how badly they were beaten down, they're just glad that you're allowing them to live. So far no seditious activity has been detected.
You're not jealous of Roldan, it's just that you figured you'd be something a lot more important after the Felkan War. You'd rather be out there conquering new lands for the Emperor and getting into the heat of battles rather than playing super sentinel. At least if you were in active battle it would keep your mind from wandering to thoughts of Alison. It seems like not a day goes by where you don't think about her.
Even right now as you sit waiting for the parade she dwells in your thoughts, until you hear that old familiar and unwelcome voice...
"Hey lover, figured you'd be here. Jacob's been looking for you. He won't shut up about how proud he is of Roldan and how he's so happy about this farce of a celebration."
You ignore Mistress, but she keeps talking.
"He also has Roldan's wife Brenda with him. One of your old classmates as you know. She's aged horribly. I mean this is a celebration; the least she could do is attempt to fix herself up rather than stomping around in combat boots and inadequately polished armor like a common soldier. I mean just because you have a lowly status doesn't mean you always have to look the part. Oh well, I suppose if one doesn't know, one never will. But enough about her, how have you been?"
Mistress sits down next to you and puts her arm around your shoulder. You continue to try to ignore her.
"Oh come on, you can't still be mad at me. You enjoyed our time together. If you hadn't you wouldn't have wisely made your decision to split with that little shield maiden of yours. I mean I'll grant you that she had a certain rustic charm that you sometimes find in lesser creatures, but you knew deep down that she wasn't for you. Hey, I've got an idea why don't you and I go back to your private quarters and relive some old times? Has to be more appealing than watching this pointless exercise in patriotism. I'll even let you ejaculate in my mouth and swallow your sweet essence. Come on, I KNOW you'd enjoy that. Seeing me on my knees and debasing myself for you in such a manner. You'd be totally in control. Or maybe you could just bend me over raw and brutally penetrate my... "
At this point you can't ignore her anymore and you brush her arm off of you and stand up.
"Stay away from me. I'm only going to tell you once." You say, but Mistress just sits there and smiles.
"And what if I don't? Will you promise to punish me long and hard?"
Mistress says a few more vulgar things causing a bit of a scene for the other spectators. You don't know if you'll even be able to stick around for this celebration. You weren't in the best of moods before and Mistress' presence is making it worse.
> leave the celebration
You aren't sticking around to put up with Mistress' usual obscene suggestions; you're getting out of here. Mistress of course calls out to you as you leave, but doesn't follow you. On your way out you bump into Jacob and who you presume is probably Brenda, but you don't even acknowledge either of them you just want out of this place. You don't start feeling better until you leave the palace and even then you feel like your whole day has been ruined. You make your way through the hectic streets not paying too much attention to the fact that the parade has started. You're too pre-occupied with your self loathing on entertaining the idea of going back and taking Mistress up on her offer.
Then you hear a lot of screaming and yelling. This is followed by a lot of people running in all different directions.
"General Roldan's dead!"
"Shadows! The shadows are back!"
"They'll kill us all!"
You snap out of your thoughts and process this new sudden information. You see one the Eyes nearby and question him.
"Hey you! Where the hell is the rest of your unit? More importantly where the hell is Warrick?" you ask the Eye.
"My unit is trying to keep this area under control while searching the nearby buildings here. As far as I know, Sightmaster Warrick was last seen near the city gates."
"Well the palace needs some extra protection, I want you to get the rest of your unit over there now. Your primary concern is supposed to be defending the Emperor anyway!"
You make your way towards the city gates, which is a chore, but when you finally get a clear view of the gates, you find Warrick and Brenda arguing with each in the middle of the chaos.
"I've got Eyes scouring the city and mages casting detection spells to back them up, I'm doing all I can Brenda!" Warrick exclaims.
"Well you're sure doing a bang up job of that eyeboy, considering you weren't even able to prevent my husband from getting fucking decapitated in front of everyone! That was a fucking shadow Warrick! It probably already left the city already!" Brenda retorts.
"I'm well aware of what it was Brenda, I had to track down and fight them a lot more than you ever did!"
"And given that your group was supposed to have wiped them out, you fucked up on that job too!"
"Brenda if you want to go on your own personal manhunt, fine, you don't need my permission to do it. Go find and grab the nearest mage and have at it! I don't have time to argue with you, I'm having a hard enough time trying to coordinate everything in this chaos right now."
Warrick looks semi-relieved when he sees you arrive.
"I'm glad you're here, you've got magic abilities. Can you take Brenda with you?"
Brenda turns to you though she isn't as happy to see you either.
"Great, the other fuck up who was supposed to have been responsible for the extermination of the shadows." Brenda remarks.
"Brenda I know you're angry right now and understandably upset, but I'm not going to tolerate the same sort of verbal abuse you've been heaping on Warrick. Now I'll certainly help you, but we're going to do this without the arguing."
Your calm yet firm demeanor doesn't quell the high emotions going through Brenda right now, but they do at least establish a behavior guideline.
"Alright fine." She remarks.
"Good, now let's start checking the sewers."
"The sewers? Are you sure?" Brenda asks.
"No, but I'm making a good guess that it being a shadow, it probably hasn't gone far and is enjoying the whole idea of hiding right under our noses and possibly even planning the next step to cause further chaos. Besides, shit is often found in the sewers."
"I've got people already searching the sewers." Warrick pipes up.
"Yeah well, maybe if you had some stationed there and had a thorough search of the sewers before the parade none of this would be necessary now."
"That's not fair, Jacob said... "
"I don't want to hear it Warrick. As far as I'm concerned Brenda's got a right to be pissed at you considering you were supposed to be in charge of security for this thing."
Leaving Warrick behind, you and Brenda find the nearest manhole and descend into the smelly darkness. And it does smell pretty awful. Still not as bad as Gnome's Home though, you don't think anything will ever smell worse than that place.
You keep a detection spell constantly on hoping it will catch something worthwhile, but you know this is a long shot and the equivalent of looking for a needle in a haystack. Still, you couldn't just sit around doing nothing. Brenda might've been out of line speaking to you in such a manner, but in some ways you do feel a little responsible since you thought you'd wiped out all the shadows.
Brenda and you are more or less silent the whole time you search the sewers. You never do run into any of Warrick's people, but then the sewers are just as large as the city itself. It's not surprising you aren't having much luck finding a shadow, if one is even hiding down here in the first place.
"Damn it. I'm sorry Brenda."
"What?"
"I don't know where to even look, the sewers were just a blind guess. I have no real idea where to look. You probably were right; the shadow probably already left the city and if that's the case, who know where the hell it fled to."
Brenda doesn't say anything at first and you fully expect her to go off on you, but she doesn't, instead she starts crying. Or rather she fails in trying not to cry. It would appear that the fact that her husband is dead is finally hitting her hard.
"Brenda I... " you start to say and then a faint whistling sound is heard and you feel a sharp pain going through your back. You look down long enough to see the head of a crossbow bolt. Blood spreads across your chest and you stagger around and stare at a grinning decaying face. You then feel two blades separate your head from your body.
The good news is your hunch was correct. The bad news is your detection spell couldn't work on something that was already dead and as a result so are you.
You can only hope that Brenda gets her revenge and figures it all out, because you won't. |
Year 32
You look for a seat on the palace balcony to watch Roldan's big parade celebration.
Well actually it's supposed an anniversary of the Felkan Kingdom's demise, but due to Roldan's important role in the war and his popularity with the people he's certainly the major focus.
Yes, Roldan's certainly made advances since the Felkan War ended. He got assigned to wipe out the rest of the gnoll tribes in the west. Something you figured you'd get assigned to do considering you did have something to do with beating back those mongrel men in the first place.
Instead, the Emperor has been keeping you closer to home. With the recently acquired Felkan territory and the westward expansion, the Eyes are a little stretched so you've mostly been trying to eliminate the new bandit havens popping up in the old Felkan territory along with helping to fend off any desperate gnoll raids that attempt to sneak through. You're also supposed to be making sure the new "citizens" aren't planning to rebel, but given how badly they were beaten down, they're just glad that you're allowing them to live. So far no seditious activity has been detected.
You're not jealous of Roldan, it's just that you figured you'd be something a lot more important after the Felkan War. You'd rather be out there conquering new lands for the Emperor and getting into the heat of battles rather than playing super sentinel. At least if you were in active battle it would keep your mind from wandering to thoughts of Alison. It seems like not a day goes by where you don't think about her.
Even right now as you sit waiting for the parade she dwells in your thoughts, until you hear that old familiar and unwelcome voice...
"Hey lover, figured you'd be here. Jacob's been looking for you. He won't shut up about how proud he is of Roldan and how he's so happy about this farce of a celebration."
You ignore Mistress, but she keeps talking.
"He also has Roldan's wife Brenda with him. One of your old classmates as you know. She's aged horribly. I mean this is a celebration; the least she could do is attempt to fix herself up rather than stomping around in combat boots and inadequately polished armor like a common soldier. I mean just because you have a lowly status doesn't mean you always have to look the part. Oh well, I suppose if one doesn't know, one never will. But enough about her, how have you been?"
Mistress sits down next to you and puts her arm around your shoulder. You continue to try to ignore her.
"Oh come on, you can't still be mad at me. You enjoyed our time together. If you hadn't you wouldn't have wisely made your decision to split with that little shield maiden of yours. I mean I'll grant you that she had a certain rustic charm that you sometimes find in lesser creatures, but you knew deep down that she wasn't for you. Hey, I've got an idea why don't you and I go back to your private quarters and relive some old times? Has to be more appealing than watching this pointless exercise in patriotism. I'll even let you ejaculate in my mouth and swallow your sweet essence. Come on, I KNOW you'd enjoy that. Seeing me on my knees and debasing myself for you in such a manner. You'd be totally in control. Or maybe you could just bend me over raw and brutally penetrate my... "
At this point you can't ignore her anymore and you brush her arm off of you and stand up.
"Stay away from me. I'm only going to tell you once." You say, but Mistress just sits there and smiles.
"And what if I don't? Will you promise to punish me long and hard?"
Mistress says a few more vulgar things causing a bit of a scene for the other spectators. You don't know if you'll even be able to stick around for this celebration. You weren't in the best of moods before and Mistress' presence is making it worse.
> stay for the celebration
You aren't going to let her run you off, but you aren't going to put up with her either. You see a seat on the other side of the balcony and head to it. Mistress says a few more things, but eventually stops when you aren't responding to her anymore.
You sit there in silence, attempting not to look in her direction, you almost feel glad when Jacob shows up with who you presume is Brenda, but he begins going on about how proud he is a of Roldan and other things you don't really care about right now.
"Jacob, I'm in no mood to speak about anything, I'm only here out of formalities. No offense to you, Roldan or anyone. I just really don't want to be here right now and would like this over with as soon as possible."
Jacob isn't sure how to react at first and then he looks over to his left and sees Mistress sitting over at the far end of the balcony. He gets it.
"Apologies." He says and whispers to Brenda about something before turning his attention to the parade, which is just beginning to get underway.
As you sit there watching you try to lose yourself in the moment, but it's difficult when you're fighting the urge to take Mistress up on her offer. Every once in a while you glance over at her and catch a glimpse of her legs. You think about how you'd love to have them wrapped around you while your hands are wrapped around her throat.
While you successfully lose yourself in this violent fantasy you are suddenly snapped out of it when everyone starts cheering very loudly.
General Roldan arrives on a giant extravagant platform carried by a dozen or so elven slaves. He stands there in very shiny ornamental armor with an equally ornamental weapon by his side. He waves to the crowds on both sides and accepts their cheers. Brenda and Jacob are both smiling and Jacob is shouting louder than anyone else on the balcony.
Then something unexpected happens.
A cloaked figure suddenly materializes right behind Roldan. From this distance you can't be sure, but it doesn't look entirely human. As the crowd's cheers become sounds of horror, you see this figure draw two curved blades and in one quick move decapitates Roldan before he even knows there is an attacker behind him.
His body and head don't even hit the surface of the platform before the cloaked figure disappears again. The elven slaves at this point panic and drop the platform, this is soon followed by the rest of the citizens generally running all over the place and soldiers swarming the streets trying to maintain order. The city is in chaos.
Jacob is just sitting there in shock. Alison has immediately ordered everyone on the balcony to get inside the palace. Brenda on the other hand has already left; you imagine she's taken to the streets to go find her husband's assassin herself.
"That was a fucking shadow." You say to yourself and then you look over to Mistress and see her still sitting in her chair as well, but she's not in shock. You see a small smirk across her face. That same cruel smirk you've seen many times before.
You KNOW she's behind this and she's gone too far this time.
You push aside the panicking spectators and rush towards Mistress. She turns to your direction just in time for you to tackle her to the ground and begin punching her in the face. Nobody tries to stop you.
"You fucking treacherous bitch! You did this! I'm putting an end to you once and for all!" you shout.
Mistress' face is bloody and her nose is broken, but she isn't without fight left in her. She rakes her nails across your eyes, which is enough for her to wiggle out from under you.
"I didn't have anything to do with this you crazy bastard!" she shouts, but you aren't listening to her lies. You don't even care that you're half blind, you continue to grab at her so she can't get away.
"You're not talking your way out of this, you svelk cunt!" you say and stab her in the stomach with the dagger she gave you. She attempts to cast a spell at you, but you grab her hand and break it before she even gets a word out.
You pick her up off the floor like a rag doll and slam her back against the balcony railing. Her upper half hangs vulnerably over the railing and your intention is to see that the other half soon follows.
"And now I'm going to punish you. It might not take you LONG to fall, but when you hit the ground it will certainly be HARD." You remark as you hands grab both her legs to finish pushing her over, but Mistress still isn't done yet.
"There you go, sweet talking me again." She says and with one last burst of energy and surprising strength she grabs your collar and pulls you forward and the pair of you go tumbling over the balcony.
Your last thoughts before you hit the cold stone courtyard below are of the happier times with Alison followed by the happy thoughts that at least you got to see Mistress hit the ground a split second before you do. |
You get on your horse and make your way to the Empire capital.
You're not doing it, plain and simple. The Emperor can deal with you as he sees fit, but you are not going to help Mistress for any reason. You made the attempt and it resulted in trickery again.
Besides, why the hell should you follow every little menial task? You've been instrumental in keeping the damn Empire together; you shouldn't be subjugated to such indignities! Jacob just told you the Emperor is sick, well he better watch it if he wants to stick around long enough to get better.
You can't believe you just thought such a thing. What the hell is wrong with you? The thoughts and acts of disobedience are bad enough, but to actually consider...
You can't even think it again. Something must be seriously wrong with your mind. Maybe Mistress did something more to you. Maybe she did some sort of magic spell to your head to make you harbor thoughts of dissension. At least you hope that's case, because if she didn't then you'd have to come to grips that you thought about killing the Emperor all on your own. Whatever the reason, you'll be keeping that one to yourself.
When you get to the Emperor's chambers you hear him call for you immediately. Some coughing immediately follows his voice. You've definitely never heard him do that before
"There you are my son, I'm glad to see you. It's been so long since we've talked face to face." He says as he sits hunched over a desk. He almost looks like he's struggling to prop himself up. Maybe he is as sick as Jacob says. He's as pale as Jacob said and his eyes are starting to have a sunken in looking appearance. What used to look like a man in his fifties now looks more like a man in his seventies. In fact he almost looks a bit more like how you thought he was going to when you first met him.
You know he's powerful. Certainly more powerful than you, but he looks so much frailer now. It makes you ashamed that you had thoughts about killing him; especially after all he's done for you.
"Emperor! I was told you were sick, but I didn't believe it! How?"
"Sick? (Cough cough) Well I suppose that's one way of putting it. I'm guessing Jacob told you I was practically on my death bed or something. He still worries too much and you shouldn't either. I'm not sick, I'm... well its complicated, but suffice to say, I'm not dying anytime soon. Trust me on that one. Now I'd (Cough cough) like a report on the Felkans. Have we finally destroyed them once and for all?"
"Yes, the capital has been taken and is in the process of being destroyed. The battle mages will be casting defilement spells to make sure nothing ever grows there again. The ruling royals from what we can tell all committed mass suicide."
"Figures. But as long as everyone's dead, it's still good. So what about gnomes? Any in the capital?"
"None. I can only guess we got all of them at Gnome's Home."
"One can (cough cough) only hope. So have they all been sentenced to oblivion yet?"
"I don't know, I haven't been Gnome's Home."
"You haven't? I thought you got here pretty quickly. Surely Jacob told you that I wanted you to go there."
"Yes, he told me I was to go there to assist and I know that could only mean assisting Mistress with the destruction of gnome souls. It was with great regret that I disobeyed this order, but I simply cannot help that woman again, if ever. The last time I made the attempt was two years ago when I was assisting her at Gnome's Home and there was some... unpleasantness."
"Was there now? I hadn't heard about this and I spoke to her about leaving you alone, as you well know. So what exactly happened? She try to kill you?"
"No, she (sigh) made unwanted advances on me. I turned her down, and later when I went back to my camp she magically disguised herself as Alison and slept with me that way. I of course didn't now until afterwards."
""Is that all? Here I was thinking it was something serious." the Emperor replies in a bored tone followed by more coughing. "However, I can see that this is something that was very serious to you so I will of course dismiss your transgression of not following orders... again. In the future I will also make sure that you and her are never to work together under any circumstances. I guess my attempt at being peacemaker didn't work out. (cough cough) Doesn't matter anyway, but tell me what are you exactly mad concerning that situation that occurred? I get the impression it's more than just Mistress fucking with you as usual."
He's right. The fact that Mistress tricked you isn't what bothered you the most; it's the fact that you unwittingly betrayed Alison. The fact that Mistress cloaked herself as someone you have feelings for... no someone you LOVE to trick you just made it all the worse. You tell the Emperor as much, he nods in between another coughing fit.
"So, you do love this Alison girl then? It's not just lust or perhaps a fleeting fancy. You actually love her?" the Emperor asks.
"I do."
"And this girl, she feels the same way?"
"I believe she does."
"Hmm, you better be sure son."
"Yes, I know she does."
"I see... well do you want some advice?"
"From you, of course."
" (cough cough) Shit. (cough) Okay, here it is then, you'll save yourself some pain if you end this relationship altogether. Now just listen. I know you're an intelligent person and an excellent strategist in the matters of war, but on the matters of love you're... and I don't mean this as an insult... but you're a little inexperienced. It's okay though, even after several centuries I still haven't figured it all out yet. But I still know more than you and I'm telling you that you'll be better off not getting deeply involved with such things. Why do you think I've never had an Empress by my side? It complicates things to a whole new level and that's complications YOU don't need."
You're speechless for a moment. You can't think of anything to say except...
"Is this an order?"
"An order? No, I'd never give such an order concerning matters of the heart; it is merely advice. You may do as you wish. In fact you may do as you wish for quite some time. I'm giving you some down time in light of our glorious victory over the Felkans. We'll of course be having some celebrations going on here in the capital so if you get the chance you should probably (cough cough) join in the (cough cough) festivities. When you're needed to return to duty, I'll send for you as usual. I also want you to know, I'm proud of you son and for all you've done for the Empire and know you'll continue to serve the Empire loyally (cough cough) and with dedication in the future."
The Emperor at this point slowly gets up and heads off towards his bedroom area coughing the whole time. You almost ask him if he needs help, but you'd rather not insult him. Besides you're too busy pondering his advice to you about Alison.
Even you thought about how being in a relationship with Alison put you in a position to fall for Mistress' trickery. You think about Roldan and how he's married and it doesn't seem to affect his judgment, but it's different for him. He's married to another Eternal and he doesn't have the responsibilities you have.
But as they say, the heart wants what the heart wants and you've wanted to spend time with Alison ever since you were split up from her. And now that this war is finally over you have the time to do it. Should you break up with her just because of some potential problems in the future with Mistress or anything else?
> continue your relationship
You're sure the Emperor means well and he probably does have more knowledge on these things. But he doesn't know Alison the way you know her. You also can't and won't spend your life in fear that something might occur that will cause strife between you and Alison.
That's why you're going to tell her what happened two years ago and face whatever the consequences may be.
You leave the palace and the capital to make your way to where Alison is currently stationed, which means a long ride back to the new eastern frontier of the Empire. You eventually arrive at Fort Stalwart, which is actually just a renamed and rebuilt fort once held by the ex-Felkan Kingdom.
Given your reputation, the gates are immediately opened for you. A few of the older soldiers are also probably aware of your relationship with their commanding officer so orders are already given to alert Alison of your sudden arrival. She meets you even before you make it to her office.
She flashes a smile when she sees you and goes to put her arms around you presumably to kiss you. While you'd love for her to do so, you stop Alison, which confuses the hell out her.
"What's this? Oh. The other soldiers around. You and your insistence on keeping protocol. Very well let's get to my quarters so we can get you back into your comfort zone, because its been too damn long."
"It has and we should get back to your quarters, but I'm not sure if you're going to be in the mood for what you probably had in mind after I tell you what I have to tell you."
Alison steps back and gives you a tilted look.
"Hmm, sounds serious. You look even more grim than usual. Well let's get this over with." Alison says and the pair of you head towards her quarters.
Her private quarters are neat and clean, as you'd expect, on the right wall you see your portrait, which is right across from her bed. Placed in such a way so the first thing she sees when she wakes up is you.
"Alright. Out with it and let's see exactly how mad you think I'm going to be at you." Alison remarks closing her door. You sit on the bed and take a deep breath then exhale giving her a look on your face which contains a mixture of shame and guilt.
"Geez... this must be bad. I don't think I've ever seen you like this. Its almost like you're afraid to tell me. Shit, maybe I better sit down too." Alison says taking a seat in one her chairs.
"Alison... I love you. I want you to know that before I say anything else. I never thought I could ever feel this way at all about anyone. It just wasn't something I was taught or even learned. (whew) Okay enough stalling. Here it is... "
You tell Alison everything that happened two years ago at Gnome's Home and afterwards. You also explain that you didn't want to tell her in a letter because you felt something like this should be face to face. You expect Alison to show some sign of anger at this point, but she remains stoically silent just listening to everything.
Lastly, and you weren't planning on telling her this either, but you mention that the Emperor suggested that you break up with her and how you obviously ignored this advice because your feelings are just that strong for her. This one causes her eyes to widen a little.
"Wow, obsessed svelk, rape through magic trickery, warnings from the Emperor, defying orders... sheesh. Bet you never thought you'd have to deal with things like this."
"Rape?" you say.
"Well, yes. Its not like you willingly had sex with her, you willingly had sex with what you THOUGHT was me. It might've been a civilized form of it, but it still was rape since you wouldn't have had sex with who it really was. What else would you call what that svelk bitch did to you? The act doesn't always include a bunch of men holding down a hapless young girl and ramming their dicks into her you know."
Hell, you never even thought about that. For a brief moment you feel slightly... violated.
"And here I thought she was just making up shit and posturing." Alison continues.
"Wait a minute. You... knew? When?" you ask.
"For about two years now. Though as you might expect she told things a little differently. Never mentioned about disguising herself as me."
"So she visited you? You never mentioned it in your letters."
"Well hey guess what, neither did you. Though in your case I can understand why. In my case it was more I thought she was just so full of shit that I didn't believe her in the first place and in the second place I knew you were so busy with the Felkans that I didn't want to distract you with unpleasant thoughts of her in my letters. Figured it would be best to keep her out of them."
"What did she tell you exactly?"
"She appeared in my office one night claiming that she would always be the main woman in your life. And how I didn't stand chance against her and that I should just give up now. She said this along with the predictable insults of monkey and my general appearance. Then she mentioned how she easily seduced you into having sex with her and that you would always be hers. Like I said she was so overly dramatic about everything I thought she had to be lying."
"So what did you do?"
"Nothing, I mostly just shrugged my shoulders and told her I thought she was lying. I also mentioned that I found it pretty sad that for all her superior svelk talent and beauty she was still jealous of a mere monkey like myself and obsessed with a man who obviously did not share the strong feelings she obviously has for you. Then to finish up my retort I also told her that even if what she said was true, that even if you did have sex with her it would only make you appreciate me all the more."
"Yikes. I can imagine she didn't like that."
"Oh no, she did not like it at all. Her face turned from a smug sneer to one of frothing anger. I thought she was going to attack me, some flames started emanating from her fingers and for a moment it felt like a force was keeping me from drawing my own weapon. I couldn't even call out for other soldiers to help. I guess she thought better of it though because she just stood there for a moment staring at me and then made her way out the window. Wasn't long after that incident the svelk merc support was transferred out of here, which was fine by me and everyone else of course. Not like we needed them against gnoll attacks anymore anyway."
"I can't believe all this happened and you aren't mad." You say.
"Oh trust me I'm mad, but if you think its with you, you're mistaken. I can't do much about it though I suppose. I'm not really concerned with your little svelk stalker. I'm a little more troubled with what you just told me about the Emperor. I get the impression he doesn't care for my influence, not that I think I really have any over you."
"Oh that? I wouldn't worry about him. I believe he's just overly concerned with my well-being again. He's always been a little over protective at times, like a father with an only son I suppose. Right now though I'm just wondering how you feel about me after all is said and done."
"I don't feel anything. Ha ha ha ... wait that came out wrong. What I mean is I still feel the same way I always have about you. I love you. Nothing has changed."
"Good, then let's get married. Let's take our relationship to its next logical step."
"Married? You serious?"
"Well sure. I mean don't people who feel the way we do get married?"
"Usually I guess... but I dunno... seems like there some forces against us, and that's not even including one of us dying violently in battle. I mean in some ways the Emperor might be right. You might save yourself some pain if you ended our relationship now."
"Perhaps, but I won't get to experience the good stuff if I did that."
"Good stuff eh? Is that what you're calling it now?" Alison jokes. "Well, you sure you're ready for the pain of possibly losing me on some forsaken battlefield somewhere?"
"How do you know you'll die first? You could outlive me."
"Pfft, please. You'll outlive everyone. You'd outlast this entire world, if you had the time." Alison laughs.
"So will you marry me?"
"Yes, of course I will."
As fitting for two soldiers, you and Alison don't have a fancy wedding; in fact you get married the next day in some small town in the Arat province by a local bureaucrat. Alison is still on duty for the next week so you return to her post and spend your wedding night in her quarters at Fort Stalwart. She tells you though as soon as she has time off, the pair of you are going to spend quality time doing something fun which doesn't involve the bedroom. You don't see the need since the bedroom is just fine with you, but you agree.
While waiting for Alison's time off, you take it upon yourself to have a pair of proper rings made for you and Alison. You also have what possessions you actually own sent to Fort Stalwart since you don't know where you'll be stationed next and there is as good of place as any.
After you've taken care of all that, you still have a day left to wait for Alison, so you go back to see the Emperor, you figure he should know what you've done and he'll know eventually anyway.
When you see him again, he's still coughing a lot and moving slowly when he walks. He seems happy to see you though.
"My (cough cough) son. This is an unexpected (cough) visit. I would've thought you would've been off enjoying your down time." He says.
"I am, but I have also come to tell you something. I have married Alison."
"Oh. I see. Well (cough cough) whatever makes you happy son. I trust she makes you happy."
"Yes."
"Then I'm happy for you. (cough cough) Heh, that was quick. Have to admit I didn't expect you to marry her. You should've told me though (cough cough) I could've ordered a big city celebration like what (cough cough) we're doing for the victory over the Felkans. You two could've walked down the streets with fancy guard and everything."
"That would've been very generous, but I don't think that would've been either of our style."
"I suppose not. Well as I (cough cough) have said, I'm happy for you, enjoy your time together and cherish it. So was there anything else?"
"No, nothing of any note."
"Very well... (cough cough) ugh... I'm still afflicted as you can tell. I need to just rest, so if you'll excuse me."
Again, you feel like asking if he needs help, but you resist. Instead you just quietly start to leave. The Emperor speaks to you as he makes his way back to his bedroom.
"Oh. Don't (cough cough) worry about Semra. I spoke with her earlier a couple days ago about bothering you again."
"Semra?"
"Yeah, you know (cough cough) Mistress. I made it quite clear to her if she did do it again that she'd be executed, along with every other svelk in the Empire. (cough cough) Funny thing is, she went into a complete breakdown exclaiming that I didn't need to worry about that ever again, because as far she was concerned she never wanted to see you ever again. Then she (cough) proceeded to swear in common tongue as well as her own language. Mostly about you. Then she stormed off. If I didn't know better I thought she was going to cry. I actually wondered what it was that caused all that. Now I know. I guess you had a hidden witness (cough cough) to your wedding."
"Shit." You say quietly to yourself in amazement. Then you address the Emperor.
"Thank you, sir."
"No problem. (cough cough) Think of it as my wedding gift to you."
Well you couldn't have asked for a better one, assuming she really does stay away.
> Continue
Year 32
"It's not just a celebration for Roldan, it's the celebration of the victory over the Felkans." You remark.
"I know that, but why is he getting a special parade? Roldan wasn't the only one who brought down the Felkan Kingdom! He wasn't even the only general!" Alison exclaims.
"He was involved in the brunt of the major conflicts, including most of the vital forts and cities and most importantly the last siege on the Felkan capital." You reply.
"As I recall YOU played a major role along with several others!"
"Well Roldan's also been making great progress in eliminating the gnolls tribes on our western borders too. We probably won't be having any trouble with them anymore at the rate he's going."
"And as I recall YOU also played a major role in that during the Felkan War! Hell, so did I and continued to do so long after you got transferred to the frontlines! Shit, if it hadn't been for us keeping those mongrel barbarians back who knows how the war would've turned out?"
"Alison why are you so angry about this?"
"I just don't understand why you aren't getting a big parade or accolades either." Alison says as she finishes getting dressed.
"I dunno, I'm not really concerned about it though." You reply apathetically. "Besides you know I don't care for all this kind of pomp and flash that comes with these sorts of celebrations anyway. If I didn't have to be here out of formality I wouldn't even be attending."
"Maybe, but it doesn't seem fair that you've been getting punished just because you married me."
"Here we go, this concept again... "
Alison goes into her usual rant about how since you got married to her, you've been getting less important assignments. She feels that the Emperor has been punishing you by keeping you in the background while allowing Roldan to take more of a prominent role such as sending him to conquer the gnoll tribes of the west.
You can see this argument, and you have even entertained it a bit from time to time, but ultimately you've dismissed it, mainly because despite everything you're still reporting directly to the Emperor. You're still his most trusted of all his advisors.
You're still his son.
Besides its not like you're sitting around doing nothing. The Emperor has just been keeping you closer to home because this is where you're currently needed. With the recently acquired Felkan territory and the westward expansion, the Eyes are a little stretched so you've mostly been trying to eliminate the new bandit havens popping up in the old Felkan territory along with helping to fend off any desperate gnoll raids that attempt to sneak through. You're also supposed to be making sure the new "citizens" aren't planning to rebel, but given how badly they were beaten down, they're just glad that you're allowing them to live. So far no seditious activity has been detected.
True, you'd rather be out there conquering new lands in his name and getting into the heat of battles rather than playing super sentinel, but at least you get to see Alison more often. It's a good trade off as far as you're concerned.
As far as Roldan is concerned you aren't worried about him being "favored." This large celebration for Roldan is more Jacob's idea mainly because Roldan has largely become well known along with being well liked throughout the Empire. Not just by the military, but by the normal citizens as well. He's generally regarded as a hero of sorts.
Jacob practically begged the Emperor for this special celebration because he felt it would be good for overall morale throughout the Empire. Well that, and the fact Jacob feels "vindicated" that his own influence on the Eternals has proved successful. Though you sort of had a major role in Jacob's fortune in that endeavor as well, something else Alison mentions in her rant.
"You know, I might be getting sent to the unexplored land east of Nalin. There's been discussion about expansion in that direction." You say to Alison in the hopes that it will calm her down a bit.
"Yeah? Well I certainly hope you'll get your own special celebration when you conquer whoever lives there. I'm sorry. I don't know why this is getting to me. This doesn't bother you, so it shouldn't bother me. You're right anyway, I guess if you'd really fallen out of favor you would've been sent to go tame the inhospitable usksha desert south of Nalin alone in a loin cloth welding just a wooden sword."
You chuckle at Alison's scenario.
"Okay how do I look? Do I look presentable for the Emperor's palace?"
Alison stands before you in a black dress. It isn't excessively fancy, but it's certainly not something peasant would wear. While you've seen Alison in civilian clothing before, you've not seen her in something so elegant.
"Really you didn't need to dress up for this thing, I certainly didn't. I just made sure I didn't have a tear in my trousers and polished my armor."
"Maybe that's because visiting the Emperor's palace isn't that big of a deal to you. For me however this is a new experience. Just glad my mother's old dress fit me, since it's practically the only fancy thing I own."
Well, you look lovely and dangerous as usual. The rapier on your hip is a nice touch. Didn't realize that's what all the upper class ladies were accessorizing with nowadays."
"Ha ha, I said I wanted to look presentable, I didn't say I was going for high society. I'm still a soldier by nature, I'm not going anywhere without a weapon. "
"That's my girl, let's be on our way." You remark and the pair of you set off for the capital in a carriage.
Alison's mood is much better the closer you get to your destination. When you arrive, the capital is already pretty busy along with the surrounding countryside. The city guard and a few soldiers are busily trying to keep order and keep the path clear for the parade later. The palace is certainly less chaotic and you take the opportunity to show Alison some of it. She mostly enjoys the ancient armor and weapon displays along with some of the statues. You have to admit, before you came here with Alison, you never really admired them before.
Doesn't take long before someone who knows you approaches. It's Jacob and a brunette woman who looks about your age. She must be a soldier of some sort because she's dressed in armor.
"There you are, I was wondering when you'd arrive! When did you get here?"
"I don't know, a half hour ago I guess. I was showing Alison some of the palace since she's never been here before."
"Ah yes, Alison! It's a pleasure to finally meet you face to face! Better known as Major Krozer for those of us that have only known her through her military deeds. I heard how you were instrumental during the Felkan War on the gnoll front! That was great work! Between you and your husband here you really paved the way to the destruction of those barbarians."
"Thank you for the recognition." Alison remarks politely. Ever the professional, she knows not to bring her personal feelings into a setting like this.
"Everyone should remember that even though a special parade is being held for General Roldan, all soldiers who did their duty during that terrible war are to be honored and respected. Actually scratch that, ALL soldiers of the Empire should be." Jacob says as he looks over to the warrior woman.
"Oh I'm sure I didn't do anything nearly as impressive as my husband or even the major and her husband here. But I suppose can be glad that the kobold and usksha population is a lot lower due to me." the woman says.
"Brenda, don't sell yourself short! You know you've done great things as well." Jacob says.
"Brenda?" you ask. You didn't even recognize her, but then it has been quite a while.
"Yep, it's me. Been a long time. I figured you wouldn't recognize me right away. Oh, sorry about all that y'know... back in class."
"As I've told everyone else Brenda, all in the past. All in the past." You say.
The four of you speak for a moment exchanging general pleasantries. Jacob seems even happier than Brenda about Roldan's celebration. In fact in the whole time you've known him, this has to be the happiest you've ever seen him. Eventually the four of you head to one of the palace's large balconies where you can view the entire parade.
Three of the five known Eternals are here, and it makes you wonder where your other classmates are since it seems like they would be important enough to be here. When you ask Jacob this question, Jacob says Warrick is indeed here, but is currently working as head of security for this celebration being Sightmaster of the Eyes and all. As for Kane, Jacob stumbles a bit over his words.
"Well, erm... Kane is having personal problems... he's been reassigned to Rask while he uh... works things out. They're always having problems with the occasional giant lumbering down from the mountains and the stray feral ogre bands there anyway."
"Jacob, I'm well aware of Kane's condition, you know."
"You are? Yes... I suppose you would, considering you've visited Gnome's Home in the past. (Sigh) Well then you know its best that he's not around other normal people, even other soldiers. He's still loyal to the Empire, he just has to be isolated. So he's at a very remote outpost at the edge of the northern Rask Mountains. He keeps a look out for potential attacks and if he... gets hungry he's away from civilization and has the beasts from the mountains to prey upon."
You shake your head.
"Jacob, I can appreciate that you're trying to help Kane, but I wonder if his reassignment is really a good idea. What's stopping Kane from losing complete control and wandering to a nearby village and slaughtering it?"
"He won't. He's extremely far away from the nearest civilized center and even Fort Defiance. The only victims of his will be giants and the like. And they're enemies of the Empire anyway. Look, can we discuss this later? The celebration is starting." Jacob says.
You nod and return to Alison to watch the parade. It is indeed a lavish sight. You see soldiers in impression armor marching in complete unison performing drill techniques with perfect timing. You see wizards creating small extraordinary feats of magic to entertain.
As you sit there watching you do sort of lose yourself in the moment and actually enjoy just being a "spectator". Being there with Alison certainly helps make you feel normal for a while.
Then comes the big moment. General Roldan arrives on a giant extravagant platform carried by a dozen or so elven slaves. He stands there in very shiny ornamental armor with an equally ornamental weapon by his side. He waves to the crowds on both sides and accepts their cheers. Brenda and Jacob are both smiling and Jacob is shouting louder than anyone else on the balcony.
"Sheesh, you'd think he was the one married to Roldan." Alison remarks.
You snicker at her comment and then suddenly as you're watching Roldan wave on the platform, you get a very bed feeling. You don't know why or how, but all your instincts scream out at you that something very bad is going to happen...
And then it does.
A cloaked figure suddenly materializes right behind Roldan. From this distance you can't be sure, but it doesn't look entirely human. As the crowd's cheers become sounds of horror, you see this figure draw two curved blades and in one quick move decapitates Roldan before he even knows there is an attacker behind him.
His body and head don't even hit the surface of the platform before the cloaked figure disappears again. The elven slaves at this point panic and drop the platform, this is soon followed by the rest of the citizens generally running all over the place and soldiers swarming the streets trying to maintain order. The city is in chaos.
Jacob is just sitting there in shock. Alison has immediately ordered everyone on the balcony to get inside the palace. Brenda on the other hand has already left; you imagine she's taken to the streets to go find her husband's assassin herself.
"That was a fucking shadow." You say to yourself.
> seek the assassin
The Emperor is probably the most secure person in the area and even though he's not been well lately, you know that he's still more than capable of defending himself against some shadows.
Your best bet is to some how track down the assassin before he gets away, so you tell Alison that you're going to follow Brenda's lead and chase after the assassin.
"Wait, how do you even know where to look?" Alison asks.
"I don't, but I have to try. Just get Jacob inside, he's still out on the balcony in shock." You answer before leaving.
As frantic as the palace is, the streets of the city are much worse. You have to literally fight your way through in order to get anywhere. After pushing several citizens out of the way, you stumble upon one of the Eyes.
"Hey you! Where the hell is the rest of your unit? More importantly where the hell is Warrick?" you ask the Eye.
"My unit is trying to keep this area under control while searching the nearby buildings here. As far as I know, Sightmaster Warrick was last seen near the city gates."
"Well the palace needs some extra protection, I want you to get the rest of your unit over there now. Your primary concern is supposed to be defending the Emperor anyway!"
You make your way towards the city gates, which is a chore. You still wonder where Brenda went, but when you finally get a clear view of the gates, you find her and Warrick arguing with each in the middle of the chaos.
"I've got Eyes scouring the city and mages casting detection spells to back them up, I'm doing all I can Brenda!" Warrick exclaims.
"Well you're sure doing a bang up job of that eyeboy, considering you weren't even able to prevent my husband from getting fucking decapitated in front of everyone! That was a fucking shadow Warrick! It probably already left the city already!" Brenda retorts.
"I'm well aware of what it was Brenda, I had to track down and fight them a lot more than you ever did!"
"And given that your group was supposed to have wiped them out, you fucked up on that job too!"
"Brenda if you want to go on your own personal manhunt, fine, you don't need my permission to do it. Go find and grab the nearest mage and have at it! I don't have time to argue with you, I'm having a hard enough time trying to coordinate everything in this chaos right now."
Warrick looks semi-relieved when he sees you arrive.
"I'm glad you're here, you've got magic abilities. Can you take Brenda with you?"
Brenda turns to you though she isn't as happy to see you either.
"Great, the other fuck up who was supposed to have been responsible for the extermination of the shadows." Brenda remarks.
"Brenda I know you're angry right now and understandably upset, but I'm not going to tolerate the same sort of verbal abuse you've been heaping on Warrick. Now I'll certainly help you, because I want this sonofabitch almost as bad as you do, but we're going to do this without the arguing."
Your calm yet firm demeanor doesn't quell the high emotions going through Brenda right now, but they do at least establish a behavior guideline.
"Alright fine." She remarks.
"Good, now let's start checking the sewers."
"The sewers? Are you sure?" Brenda asks.
"No, but I'm making a good guess that it being a shadow, it probably hasn't gone far and is enjoying the whole idea of hiding right under our noses and possibly even planning the next step to cause further chaos. Besides, shit is often found in the sewers."
"I've got people already searching the sewers." Warrick pipes up.
"Yeah well, maybe if you had some stationed there and had a thorough search of the sewers before the parade none of this would be necessary now."
"That's not fair, Jacob said... "
"I don't want to hear it Warrick. As far as I'm concerned Brenda's got a right to be pissed at you considering you were supposed to be in charge of security for this thing."
Leaving Warrick behind, you and Brenda find the nearest manhole and descend into the smelly darkness. And it does smell pretty awful. Still not as bad as Gnome's Home though, you don't think anything will ever smell worse than that place.
You keep a detection spell constantly on hoping it will catch something worthwhile, but you know this is a long shot and the equivalent of looking for a needle in a haystack. Still, you couldn't just sit around doing nothing. Brenda might've been out of line speaking to you in such a manner, but in some ways you do feel a little responsible since you thought you'd wiped out all the shadows.
Brenda and you are more or less silent the whole time you search the sewers. You never do run into any of Warrick's people, but then the sewers are just as large as the city itself. It's not surprising you aren't having much luck finding a shadow, if one is even hiding down here in the first place.
"Damn it. I'm sorry Brenda."
"What?"
"I don't know where to even look, the sewers were just a blind guess. I have no real idea where to look. You probably were right; the shadow probably already left the city and if that's the case, who know where the hell it fled to."
Brenda doesn't say anything at first and you fully expect her to go off on you, but she doesn't, instead she starts crying. Or rather she fails in trying not to cry. It would appear that the fact that her husband is dead is finally hitting her hard.
"Brenda I... " you start to say and then a faint whistling sound is heard and you feel a sharp pain going through your back. You look down long enough to see the head of a crossbow bolt. Blood spreads across your chest and you stagger around and stare at a grinning decaying face. You then feel two blades separate your head from your body.
The good news is your hunch was correct. The bad news is your detection spell couldn't work on something that was already dead and as a result so are you.
You can only hope that Brenda gets her revenge and figures it all out, because you won't. |
venant."
This is followed by an inhuman scream and a bright light which is piercing even with your eyes nearly closed. Between the screaming, the bright light and your weakened state it's all too much for you and start to pass out.
You see a female shape with long hair standing over you, but you can't make out the face.
"... Alison?" you struggle to whisper.
"(Sigh) Blind to your true allies and lovers as always." The figure says and then lays your dagger on your body. "Here, I know how much you treasure this gift to you."
"Oh... fuck... " you say as you pass out.
You don't know how long you're out for, but when you come to you're in a spare bed in the Emperor's quarters. Your ankle and nose feel tender but they don't feel broken anymore.
You look to your left and see the Emperor standing nearby with a walking stick in hand.
"Ah, you're awake and looking much better too. You looked about as bad as I do when Jacob first dragged you in here." The Emperor remarks, sitting in a chair near you.
"Jacob found me?"
"No, actually Warrick and some of the Eyes picked you up off the road when a travelling patrol reported coming across your body and an overturned carriage crashed into a tree a few feet away. I requested that you be brought to me personally when I heard the news. You were severely injured, and I was damned if I was going to let anyone else bumble in the attempt to help you get better."
"Alison?" you ask.
"I'm sorry son, but she's dead. If that bolt to the eye didn't do it, her neck was broken in the crash." The Emperor remarks.
You want to cry out, but you just don't have the energy right now. You still feel woozy for one thing, the other is you had little hope that she was still alive anyway. The moment you saw that bolt in her eye, the moment you felt her blood on your face, the moment you felt her body go completely limp in your arms... you knew then she was dead.
"Did you need some time alone?" the Emperor asks.
"No... I suppose I already knew." You respond. "I'm sort of overwhelmed by everything that happened. I imagine I will grieve later for her."
"I know how much she meant to you. I know she was also a loyal soldier and officer. She will be missed not just by you, but also by the Empire as a whole. Whatever type of funeral you wish for her, you know you've got it. I mean if you want a holiday to... "
"That... isn't necessary. I believe I will just have a simple funeral for her. She was like me, she didn't seek out a lot of attention."
"As you wish. Remember though, whatever you need. You got it."
"Can you manage an execution for a certain svelk bitch?"
The Emperor starts one of his coughing fits before answering.
"I assume you're talking about Mistress. Yes, I fear I did uncover some evidence that it was she that was behind all this chaos. How did you know about her involvement though? Is she the one that attacked your carriage?"
You explain to the Emperor what happened. He seems surprised to hear that the shadow wasn't alive and was in fact undead. He concludes that Mistress must've raised Cyrus from the dead since she certainly has the skill to do it.
"Necromancy eh? Raising the dead is dangerous stuff to dabble in, especially when summoning something as powerful as a revenant. (cough cough) Very difficult to command something that's dead, yet still control of most of the skills they possessed in their old life. Too willful. Still I didn't think that even she would be insane enough to try something like this. Her obsession (cough) with you must be great indeed. I'm not even sure what she hoped to accomplish, other than more chaos and strife I suppose. Hmm, well I guess that does sound like a svelk."
"All I know is she deliberately set this up. Her standing over me as if she was my savior. I'm not fucking fooled! Next time I see her, she's dead!"
"Well unfortunately Miss Semra D'vessa has fled the Empire and who knows where she's gone. There aren't even many svelk mercs within borders of the Empire anymore. There still might be a few in Rask, (cough cough) if you'd like I could make that law to have all svelk executed on sight. Hell, I think I'll do that anyway. Someone needs to take the blame for this and it'll certainly make the citizens happy to have mass hangings of dark elves. I know the elves will love it."
While the Emperor's attempts to cheer you up with small acts of genocide are kind, you begin to feel the need to be by yourself. Your silence and your eyes looking downward are all the signs that the Emperor needs to take his leave.
"Don't worry son. We'll get her." He says and then leaves you to your solitude.
You sit in bed for a long time trying to take everything in. Alison is gone. You'll never see her smile, you'll never feel her touch, you'll never hear her voice, you'll never enjoy anything involving her ever again. You almost feel like you don't want to go on living and you never thought you'd ever feel something like that especially since survival has been beat and ingrained into your very being.
That isn't the worst of it though. You didn't even get revenge on the one that killed her. In fact her assassin would've killed you as well if you hadn't been saved, but that's still not the worst of it.
Semra... Mistress... svelk bitch... whatever you call her. She saved your life.
As far as you're concerned that's the worst of it. However you'll get over it and grow stronger from this experience. You always do.
All it takes is time.
> Continue
Year 35
While you've never been excessively fond of these important meetings because they take you away from the battlefield, you like them even less nowadays due to having to see the Emperor in such a weakened state. You remember when he first started displaying the signs of being unwell; you dismissed it and thought that he'd eventually get better. Five years have passed since you found out and he's only gotten worse.
He barely gets out of bed anymore. Most of these important meetings take place while he remains horizontal under his blankets. He's still mobile, but he tries to conserve his strength for when it's necessary.
He's never even told you what it is that's causing his decline, though you've never thought to ask. (And Jacob certainly hasn't) It may just be old age finally catching up with him which means there is nothing that can be done hence why he doesn't bother bringing it up.
Its funny how when you first met him that he looked so healthy. You thought he was immortal despite him telling you that he really wasn't. Now you know he wasn't just being humble.
You and Jacob have been doing your best as usual in carrying out his most important orders. Though today the order is given specifically to you. You have to go meet with Marik.
Marik's been running a secret experiment for the last sixteen years and says that its finally ready. The Emperor knew about it and actually told him to abandon it on more than one occasion, but Marik insisted that it would be a good idea, so the Emperor relented as long as it didn't interfere with project that would be of a more direct benefit for the Empire.
When you arrive at Marik's underground lab, he takes you through a metal door that opens up to a platformed level, which overlooks a huge room. It's nearly the size of a small hamlet you think. There are several ladders that descend down to the lower level which contain translucent containers all hooked up with tubing and connected with each other and large strange machines. Even from this distance you can make out figures floating in liquid within the containers.
This experiment: Breeding a new army of Eternals. The derro has been growing them in these tanks. Literally hundreds, possibly even a thousand.
"So... this is what you were hiding behind this metal door when I came here over ten years ago. Knew something else was going on." You say as you stand on a balcony overlooking all the rows of tanks.
Unlike you and your siblings these Eternals were practically "made." From your understanding they went from some woman's womb to the tank immediately. (You can only hazard a guess what might've become of the mothers, but nothing good no doubt) From there they've been getting "grown" into the perfect soldiers.
Marik has explained to you the "science" of what he's done, but some of it is going over your head. Personally you don't even think Marik understands all of it himself, he just believes it all works. While Marik did use human babies for this second generation of Eternals most would probably tell you that there isn't anything human about them. Given what's been said about you as well you can't really disagree. You are better than the average or even above average human in every way.
You watch as two of them are released from their tanks, already teenagers and able to understand everything that is told to them. They're given weapons and display great skill with them when ordered to fight each other. Probably just as good as most Empire soldiers.
Still, there's something about these Eternals that doesn't sit right with you. Maybe its because Marik was involved and that his experiments can be hit or miss. Maybe its because you feel that without the experiences of training they don't truly know what its like to struggle and earn their place.
Whatever the reason, you don't feel like they are Eternals. As little in common as you have with your own siblings you still feel a small bond there. You have nothing in common with these tank babies. They're something else as far as you're concerned.
However, none of this matters. What does matter is if these so called new Eternals are going to actually be an asset to the Empire. From what you've seen they aren't without skill, but they're going to need to be field tested along with drilling the concepts of loyalty and duty into them.
"Sure, they look pretty, but can they fight?" you say after seeing the demonstration. This annoys Marik. He starts sputtering and stammering to the point where you think he's going to go into a seizure.
"You just SAW what they're capable of! How can you even say such a thing?"
"Yes, they were okay for children. I suppose we can find a place for them somewhere. Perhaps we can... "
"Bah! You're just jealous!" Marik interrupts.
"Excuse me? Jealous?" you ask.
"Yes! They're already the perfect warriors and didn't need any training at all! They didn't need all the hand holding nonsense that you had to go through to become a killing machine. Face it, these Eternals are the future!"
You stare at Marik in disbelief that he dares to say such a thing to you. To his credit, Marik doesn't back down, he stares back at you, ignoring your eyes burning through him.
"You can give me that stare of death all you want Eternal." Marik remarks.
"Alright... open up ten of the tanks. Let's put them to a real test."
"What? So you can incinerate them with your magic?"
"If they're truly as good as you claim then my advantages shouldn't matter, but since you seem to be unsure of your creations now. I'll make it easy for you. Open up twenty of the tanks and I won't use one damn cantrip."
Marik starts making that annoying high pitched laugh you hate so much then he suddenly gets very serious.
"Were you planning on fighting them right now?" Marik asks.
"While I'm sure watching me slaughtering twenty naked teenagers would prove my point, I said I was going to make this easy. No, you go equip your twenty creations with whatever armor and weapons you wish. I'll wait."
You wait as Marik orders twenty tanks opened up and has a few of his derro friends herd these children into another room presumably to get outfitted. Marik soon follows behind to oversee personally.
While you wait, you reflect on the fact that they're all the same age as you were when you first got to meet the Emperor. It was one of the greatest days of your life when that happened. This happy moment passes very quickly when you have to dwell on the fact that the Emperor is now on his deathbed. You have no idea what's going to happen when the inevitable happens. Sometimes you look at the Emperor now and you wonder if that is what you have to look forward to when you get old.
Is that the fate of everyone? No matter how powerful? What's the point of it all? Will the Empire even survive when the Emperor dies? He doesn't have a successor. You have often wondered if you would be it, but he's never mentioned it. Even if you were, you can't imagine ever doing the job better or even as well than he could. Leading armies is one thing, but an entire nation? You don't know if you'd have the patience for it. You're a soldier not a ruler and yet you couldn't dream of serving any other ruler except the one you think of as father.
Your mood starts getting worse because you also start dwelling on less pleasant aspects of your sixteenth year before you met the Emperor. It always comes back to her. Why the hell can't you get her out of your head?
Even now the woman hasn't been seen in three years and yet she still comes back to fucking torment you.
Alison's dead, the Emperor's dying, these new "eternals" are obviously meant to replace you, your own future is uncertain, Semra still haunts your thoughts...
At this point you wonder if it wouldn't just be best if you let these damn tank babies kill you. It would at least be a warrior's death and you'd die when the Empire was going through a second golden age of sorts.
You had some good times and saw several major threats to the Empire destroyed. Why stick around to see a man you have nothing but respect for continue to whither and die? Why see the potential slow decline of a nation you spent all your life trying to keep from the brink of chaos?
Maybe it is time to step aside gracefully and be replaced...
> continue your duty
Sometimes the most dangerous enemy you can have is the one in the mirror. You quickly snap out of your defeatism.
All this self doubt and self-pity is for weaklings. What would the Emperor say if he knew? What would Alison say? You were trained better than that. You don't have time to worry about a potential future; you have a duty to serve the Empire. And right now part of that job is to test these tank babies.
The only death you should be focusing on right now is theirs.
Doesn't take long before twenty tank babies along with the other two that were involved in the first demonstration come out fully decked out in armor and weapons. Surprisingly the derro didn't deck them all out in the heaviest body encasing armor they could give them, though there are at least half of them dressed in such a manner. You can't help notice that the derro didn't limit their weapons to close combat, you see some with firearms.
"Well here they are. The future of the Empire. I imagine you'll want to... " Marik says and then he realizes what you're doing...
"Lying bastard! Get out of the way NOW!" he shouts and runs back into the room they just came out of and slams the door. The tank babies don't entirely understand, but they soon do when you cast a bolt of chain lightning at the lot of them. The lightning arc easily fries the tank babies in the metal armor, even the ones dressed less conductive material are standing so close they suffer the shock as well. Combine this with the gunpowder weapons and you even get a couple of small explosions which take out a few of them.
After you're done with the spell a couple of them are crawling away desperately trying to find cover or escape. Bodies lie on the floor still sizzling and charred from your attack. You walk over to the carnage and put your sword through the chest of one still struggling to breathe. You stomp on the neck of another who is cursing you. Another one actually begs you for mercy; you show none when you hack the top of his head off.
As you continue to check the twenty two bodies for signs of life, Marik finally emerges from behind the door along with some of the other derro.
"Thought the derro didn't fear death." You remark.
"We don't, but we're not supposed to be the fucking targets today! You lied Eternal! You told me you weren't going to use magic!"
'Actually I think my exact words were I wasn't going to use a single cantrip, and I didn't use a cantrip."
"Bah! Trickery!"
"I prefer to think of it as outmaneuvering your opponents assumptions. This was not a battle of honor. I have nothing to prove to these children and even less to you. I went into battle against superior numbers, I'd be a damned fool to not use all of the tools of killing that I have at my disposal. Whenever you go into a combat situation, you ALWAYS use whatever means to destroy your enemy. Fair play, rules and honor have nothing to do with any of it."
"Hm, well you don't need to tell me about it." Marik responds.
"I wasn't telling you, I was teaching this important lesson to this young girl here, trying to play dead." You say suddenly grabbing the collar of one of the female tank babies. You lift her up by the collar and can smell the singed flesh and leather wafting from her body. She can barely keep her eyes open, but she's definitely still alive. She's the only one that is.
"Now heed this lesson tank baby. You are NOT an Eternal. Nor are any of your siblings. You will NEVER be Eternals as long as I live. You only exist to serve the Empire and if you die in the process you will be grateful to do so. Remember this." You say as you grab her face to look into her eyes. You see the fear. She understands. Good.
You let the tank baby go and she falls back to the floor while you address Marik.
"I believe I'm going to have trainer come in to teach these children properly. I'd do it myself, but I don't have the time. Perhaps another Eternal like Brenda or Warrick can do it. Oh and make that one on the floor a squad or platoon leader of some sort. She obviously was strong enough to survive. She at least shows potential. Finally give them a different name as well. I don't care what, but I meant what I said, they are not Eternals."
"And you think you can presume to give me orders surfacer?" Marik says.
"I don't presume nothing, I'm doing it right now! I was given orders by the Emperor himself to handle this the way I saw fit! And I'm telling you WHAT I want done! You don't like it? Well, I can always go report to the Emperor about your unwillingness to follow the chain of command, unless you'd actually like to go see him yourself that is. Tell me when was the last time you actually took time out of your schedule to do that? While you sit around down here playing with your toys and walking experiments, I'm actually out there making a damn difference and serving the Emperor with ever fiber of my being!"
"Now listen here you fucking sun lover, I knew the man BEFORE he was the Emperor! We fought side by side together during the Troll Wars! I saved his life and he saved mine! You have no damn idea the bond WE share. You can't tell me shit about how I should or shouldn't act and you damn sure can't tell me that I'm not helping the Empire! I'M HIS FUCKING FRIEND!"
"Friend? So what have you done for him lately?"
"Done? DONE? I just made a legion of soldiers for him, you little kobold shit!"
You look over the tank baby bodies lying dead all over the place. You look at the female one unconscious on the floor and shake your head.
"Yeah, as I said, what have you done for him lately? Maybe he's your friend, but he's my father. I'm not debating this anymore Marik." You say and take your leave.
Marik begins yelling at you in his deep guttural derro language. A slew of curses and other insults fly out of his mouth. While you're semi-familiar with the derro language you can't make out all of them. They're probably pretty vicious though.
Either way you're hardly concerned, Marik will follow orders because he respects the chain of command and as he said he is the Emperor's friend. The other reason is because he probably won't even be angry in another ten minutes. He'll probably be cackling about some joke he made up in his head.
You've had a lot to ponder this day. You were once concerned about the future of the Empire and your own, but you see now that both will continue on even after the Emperor dies. You still have that zest of life within you and you are not ready or willing to just stand aside yet.
You've come to the decision that when the Emperor dies you will be the one to take his place. While he's never said it, he doesn't have to, it's just a situation that's understood between a father and son. Still, you think you need to discuss this matter at some point with your father so that he knows that his legacy will live on after him and you will continue to make him proud.
In the meantime you make your way back to the capital and the palace to report to him. What comes next is a bit of a shock.
"F... father?" you ask.
"Yes, its me son. I believe that's the first time you've called me that." The Emperor says standing before you.
He looks exactly like he did when you first met him; in fact he even looks a little younger. A fit fortyish man dressed in fine clothing. You just continue to stare in disbelief.
"Ah, yes this. I suppose this would be a bit puzzling. As you well know I haven't been feeling one hundred percent for oh... about five years now. Had to conserve my strength and power quite a bit to reinvigorate myself. This state I'm in right now isn't going to last very long, but it'll be enough for where I'm going."
"What? Where are you going?"
"Home. And you'll be coming with me."
"I will?"
"Of course! This will be a momentous occasion when I return home and your presence will be necessary just as it has been here in the Empire!"
"Forgive me father, but I'm a little lost right now. What is going to happen to the Empire and where is home?"
"Nothing will happen to the Empire son, it can survive a couple days or so without us around I should think. We'll let Jacob worry about it! Hah! As for my home? Well it's very very far away. It's an island to be exact. You can't get there by any ship though... at least not any more. But you don't need to worry about that, I know how to get us there. All you need to do is take a day to relax and prepare yourself for the journey."
This is all so overwhelming you don't even know where to start or what to say so you just ask the first question that comes to mind and something you thought was inevitable.
"Father, are you going home to die?"
"Die?" the Emperor says and then walks over to you.
"No son, I'm going home to be reborn!" he says and then laughs slapping you on the shoulder. "I'm sorry son if I worried you, what with me coughing all the damn time and dragging my ass around like a dead man. (Sigh) We probably should've taken this trip sooner, but we still had to finish off those damn gnomes now didn't we? Plus I wasn't sure if it was going to be necessary yet and then you got married, then Semra's bullshit, it just seemed like stuff kept cropping up. Well now is the perfect time for us to take this trip. I bet you're glad though now that you know I won't be dying anytime soon."
"Yeah... " you answer
The Emperor goes on to say that your report on Marik's experiment can wait since this trip is much more important. He then tells you that should go rest up and to meet him here tomorrow. You agree and take your leave.
As you make your way to your private quarters in the palace, you don't know what to think now. You were so certain that the Emperor was dying. After years of denying it you at last came to accept it. You were ready to take his place.
Part of you feels relieved that the Emperor is going to live. Part of you feels confused about this whole situation. And then there's that part of you that feels cheated. That part of you that wishes the Emperor was still lying on his deathbed.
You think back to what you said to Marik, YOU'VE been the one out there doing things for the Empire. YOU'VE been the one destroying its enemies and keeping it stable. What the hell has the Emperor been doing? Giving orders from his easy chair? Ranting about gnomes? Lying in his bed hacking up a lung? You should be running the Empire not him.
"I can't believe I'm thinking this. What is wrong with me? This man is my father!" You whisper to yourself. You didn't want to "step aside" for those tank babies becaus |
sically imposing being the great bull beings (The minotaurs). They're reportedly as strong as an ogre and twice as vicious. They probably aren't the greatest of thinkers, but to write them off as stupid would be a mistake.
The second group is no less imposing. These are the ones that seem to be half human half horse (The centaurs). The horse beasts must train constantly with their bows considering how accurate they are with them. They are fairly deadly in open plains due to this and their maneuverability.
The third group seems to be the most common and smaller than the other two, but no less dangerous. These are the "goat people" (The satyrs) They make up the majority of the population, but they also boast a number of wild mages, shaman and other types that tap into a natural elemental magic.
The last group has only been rumored, but you can't dismiss the possibility. Apparently there is also a group of these beast people that have wings like birds that lives in the western most mountain range. Other rumors abound about less sentient beast creatures ranging from large cat like creatures with spiked tails to abominations that are mixed with a multitude of animals.
This is just one current enemy however. They are other more "civilized" groups too who may or may not be enemies in the future. Some of these range from hamlets that are fairly isolated from immediate dangers to small petty backwards kingdoms, which aren't even as great as the one the Felkans had. There are other probably others as well, but it hardly matters since eventually ALL will be submitting to the Empire if you have anything to say about it.
Of course you can't do it all alone even if you do attempt to have a more hands on approach than your predecessor. This is why you have your own inner circle to help.
Jacob's replacement, Kivan pretty much takes care of all the things he did. Though to be honest, most of that stuff is dull administration duty that tends to bore you anyway. The funny thing is Kivan almost reminds you of a younger version of Jacob in some ways. You guess it must be the typical "bean counter" mindset those administrative types share. In retrospect it's kind of a shame you killed Jacob as he ultimately was just looking out for the best interest of the Empire, but these things happen.
Warrick is still head of the Eyes, who are more in control of internal security than ever. You didn't even get a single uprising within the few months you took the throne, though there was a bit of civil unrest that had to be quelled when newborns were taken from families for the Eternal Project. Warrick is good at his job, though you get the impression that he'd like to be out there in the field sometimes. Something you can identify with since you've been growing bored due to the lack of battle due to the whole concentration on "ruling" thing.
Brenda doesn't seem to have this problem. She's actually satisfied with more administrative duties, but then she's never been at the forefront of war like the rest of the Eternals have. Still, she's been instrumental in implementing some worthwhile domestic issues such as fully incorporating kobolds into the Empire (The little scalies are now some of the most loyal citizens and always willing to serve its armies!) and giving the remaining orcs their own land in Rask. Brenda reasoned that while their numbers were decimated in the Felkan War, they can probably build them back up within a couple of decades and the Empire will have a new generation of orc soldiers that can be relied upon. Not to mention the orcs are still serving in a good capacity by currently slaying the odd ogre tribe or giant that comes lumbering down from the Rask Mountains.
Brenda still doesn't really get along with Warrick however. She still holds him partially responsible for Roldan's death. There really isn't anything you can do about that though, despite your best efforts. You just give a reminder to the both of them to keep it professional and they do for the most part. Which is more than can be said for General Ackerson and Grand Mage Galen, who you try to keep far away from each other since they'd kill one another if they could help it. Fortunately they aren't called to the meetings very often. Ackerson is mainly kept on the western borders (currently dealing with the Torites as of late) while Galen has been put on day-to-day duty of overseeing the magic side of things for the Eternal Project. (Though he was a great help last year in helping you banish the wendigo problem for good)
He hates the job and would no doubt rather be serving as the dean at the mage academy, but you need someone there with competent magic skills when you aren't available. You've actually made cut backs to the academy anyway, There just aren't that many mages left and there haven't been many new people to show the aptitude for it, especially after the Felkan War. With the rise of technology within the Empire you wonder if eventually magic will be displaced altogether, but in the scheme of things, its of little concern to you, since you still have all your powers after all.
The other one in charge of the day-to-day duties of the Eternal Project is an odd fellow by the name of Elam. He takes care of the more technical matters. He's basically the "new Marik" except that he's human, which makes him a whole lot saner, but not by much. He was once training to be a physician, but was kicked out of the guild for... unnecessary experimentation. He then drifted and somehow his interests turned to technology. He was a human supervisor at Marik's factory, but more than that, he actually was allowed into the derro portion of the factory on a regular basis. After Marik left, he became a recluse and lived in one of the more remote parts of Arat where he tinkered on things and tries to create new inventions. Kivan was the one that actually tracked him down when you stated that you needed someone who had a better grasp of all this "derro techie shit." So far he's worked out well, though Galen whines about having to keep an eye on him so he doesn't do unnecessary tinkering on the Eternal tanks.
Finally there is Decena. In between running the Empire and overseeing the new Eternal Project, you've been training her. So far she's been showing steady improvement due to your harsh training lessons. Lately she has desired the need to go out on the battlefield to use what she has learned and bring glory to the Empire, which was part of your plan when you started training her.
As you finish up, Decena moans in ecstasy when she climaxes.
Bedding her on a regular basis really wasn't part of the original plan however.
"What the fuck am I doing?" you've often asked yourself. You certainly did when you first pushed your lips against hers and groped her body during a sparring lesson. She initially thought you were attempting some sort of new attack on her, which in a way you were. One that ended up being entirely successful.
You sometimes think what you did (and why you continue doing it) was due to quelling a sort of loneliness that exists within you, which is partially true. The other reason is far darker. In some strange way you were re-enacting your own training lesson with Semra. Except now YOU were taking on the role of "Mistress." (You really don't like dwelling on what possible psychological ramifications that all means, you just buried deeper in your ever growing brain box of suppressed thoughts)
Of course it isn't exactly like the fucked up relationship you had with Semra, and Decena didn't exactly resist you and seemed to give in fairly quickly. Of course you can never know if it was because she genuinely felt attraction or she knew that it would've been futile to resist. She claims she did feel something, but wasn't quite sure what it was, which may or may not be true given that she spent most of her life in a fucking tank and isn't exactly an expert on the whole feelings situation herself.
As it stands Decena doesn't ask questions such as if the pair of you are "husband and wife" or even a "couple." From what you can tell she just sees your sexual encounters as a form of "approval" from her Emperor. Perhaps even as some sort of "reward" for all her duty and obedience. Still, given how much time you do spend with her, she might as well be your young bride at this point.
You get up off the bed and take a long look at Decena as she starts to fall asleep from your round of passion.
Do you have any sort of feelings for the girl? Perhaps some, but not in the way that you had for Alison. There probably isn't a day that goes by that you don't take a good long look at Alison's portrait and mentally apologize to it.
What you really need around here is a change.
"Decena, get up." You say and pull at one of her arms.
"Wha? Again?" she asks sleepily.
"No, not that. You're not sleeping here tonight, I'm sending you away."
"Did... did I do something wrong? I can do better, I... " she hastily begins to say, worrying about your reasons.
"No, you've done everything right. It's just that it's time. You're not gaining anything more by staying here and the Empire needs to expand. I'm sending you to the western borders to oversee settling some military outposts out that way. Maybe start making major strides against those beast savages that have been giving us problems lately."
Decena's eyes light up.
"Wait, you mean you're giving me my own command?" she asks.
"Yep, I'll have everything set up in a day or so. You need to be out their gaining real experience, not stuck here training."
Decena at this point proceeds to leap out of bed and embrace you planting several kisses on your face.
"Oh thank you Emperor! I'm so happy you've finally placed this much faith in me and believe I'm ready for this!"
"Hrm. Yes, well can't let talent go to waste. I suggest you go get ready."
Decena excitedly gets dressed and leaves the room. Well that's a temporary solution at least and it gets the ball rolling on expanding the Empire. Eventually though, you're going to have to make a more personal decision about her.
As for you, you need something else to do with yourself as well. You'd like to go back on the battlefield yourself, but there is still so much that requires your immediate attention, the most important still being the Eternal Project. There are also still a few plans and notes that Marik left behind that show some promise. His concept of an "airship" for example is very intriguing to you. You'd like to try to get one built and the only one that's going to remotely know how to get them started is most likely Elam, so it's a trip to the Eternal Factory...
When you arrive Galen immediately walks over to you.
"Emperor! I'm glad you're here, I can't put up with Elam's eccentricities any longer! At this point I'd rather be working along side that idiot Ackerson! I humbly request that I MUST be transferred! One of the other mages here can easily take over for... "
You grab Galen by the collar and then throw him to the floor.
"Shut the hell up! Do you ever stop whining? I've known elven slaves that whimper far less." You say while Galen continues to stare at you from his new vantage point.
"I... I'm not whining for just my sake. Elam has been trying to make improvements to the tanks again and he damn near blew one up if I hadn't managed to freeze the flames caused by whatever the hell he was doing." Galen remarks. "Keeps saying he's bored just monitoring the tanks, though I can't say I disagree in that regard."
"Well, looks like I better give him something else to do then since he's so bored."
You leave Galen and go find Elam who is excitedly explaining something to a nervous looking man though you don't know if he's nervous because you're here or because Elam's talking to him waving some sort of tool that has flame emitting from it.
"Elam we need to have a talk." You say.
"Huh? Oh! Yes, yes, yes, Emperor! Indeed we do! I have figured out a way to improve... "
You hold up your hand as a signal that Elam should stop talking.
"Stop. Not another word or I'll have your tongue removed. Just listen for a change. The tanks are fine; they don't need any more improvements. They just need daily monitoring and maintenance if needed. However since you seem to need something more stimulating, here's something you can do." You say and hand Elam a bunch of diagrams and notes which causes his eyes to widen.
"That is your new project. I want you to start building one of these things. If it proves successful, you can do all the improvements you like to future ones to make them deadlier and more efficient. Does that sound good to you? You may speak now."
"Yes, definitely yes! Thank you my Emperor! I will not disappoint you in this endeavor!"
"I don't expect you will. Of course while you will need a crew to help you, I still need some of your engineers here."
"Oh, of course. In fact how about Gregory take over here for me?" Elam says and points over to the nervous man he was just speaking to.
You wave Gregory over who walks over like he thinks he's in trouble.
"You, can you just do your damn job without the urge to fuck with the tanks unnecessarily?" you ask.
"Yes... yes sir. I mean yes my Emperor."
"Good. That's all I need from you. Now get back to work. And as for you Elam, you'll be transferred over to another factory, preferably one with a lot of space and far away from populated areas. Oh and I'll still be coming by to check on your progress. Both of you." You say and leave the pair of engineers.
You don't leave the factory though as you want to make sure your future Eternals are still doing okay despite Elam's over enthusiasm to improve their current dwellings. Of course while you're doing this, once again Galen walks over to you. You swear he must have a death wish today or something.
"So I overheard that you're transferring Elam out of here." Galen says.
"Your hearing is as sharp as ever Galen." You answer.
"While it would be a blessing to continue to work here without having to deal with him again, I still believe that my own talents are going to waste here. I mean you hardly need a wizard of my stature to oversee these tanks. Another lesser mage could easily do this job."
"(Sigh) After all your bitching about Elam, you're really no better. You know what though, you're right. Your talents are going to waste here. I'll have you transferred to western borders." You say.
Not exactly what Galen had in mind by the look on his face.
"What? We've got enemies that need taken care of so that the Empire may expand. Goat people with magic abilities of their own if the reports are correct. You said you wanted something that was suited to your talents; well you've got it. And don't worry, I'm not sending you to Ackerson's command. You'll be assisting Decena."
"Decena? You mean the young Eternal girl? When did she get a command?"
"Just recently. Now I expect you that you won't have the same issues with her that you did with Ackerson AND Elam. Because if I hear about shit not running smoothly due to personality conflicts again, I'm going to be very displeased with you. Understand?"
"Yes, my Emperor." Galen responds dejectedly.
In the weeks to come, happily everyone seems to be doing well in their new assignments. Elam is already working hard to a degree where it's actually not detrimental. The future Eternals are now under a more cautious, but still vigilant caretaker. And from her letters it appears that Decena and Galen are working well together or at least not to any degree where there are problems.
Decena's letters are always full of excitement. You get the impression she wishes she could tell you about her battles in person. It's obvious she wants you to be proud of her victories. And you are or at least you're happy to see that she's effectively using the skills that you taught her.
The most concerning thing about her reports though is that so far these beast people never engage in traditional battle. She mentions how they prefer to ambush or only attack when they have vast numerical superiority. The most difficult thing about combating them is their extensive knowledge of the land, which they live off of, as they have no towns or cities to conquer. Because of their nomadic nature you anticipate that they're going to be a problem for quite awhile.
Still, at least Decena seems to be handling the situation. You have a message sent back that you will send reinforcements soon. In the meantime, General Ackerson has also made strides in annexing several of the smaller isolated independent towns and villages. These places will become some of the staging areas of what will most likely be an extended conflict with the Torites.
You'll eventually win though and claim the land for the Empire; you have no doubt about that.
> Continue
Year 40
"I thought the plan was to keep them in the tanks until the sixteenth year." Brenda says.
"No, those were Marik's original plans for the last Eternals he worked on. We're doing things differently. From Elam's earlier calculations, and my own magic theories on this project we both came to the conclusion long ago that keeping them in the tanks for as long as Marik did is asking for trouble in the long term. While it certainly accelerates their skills and abilities there's a risk for it to have a terrible affect on the mind. In fact it's probably just as well that Marik killed them all, otherwise we might've had hundreds of mental cases." You reply.
"But Decena seems okay. I mean from what I know of the girl." Brenda says.
"Decena's an exception, but I'm not going to tempt fate with this group. Five years seems like a good stopping point."
"So are you going to be training the rest of them?"
"No, you are." You say to Brenda who is speechless for a second.
"What?" Brenda says.
"You're going to be responsible for these new Eternals Brenda. I know you're going to need assistants, but it's going to be chiefly your responsibility to train them and to make sure they become the best of the best. What Eternals should be. What WE are."
"But, why me? I mean I've never been on the frontlines like the rest of us were."
"True, but I know you're no stranger to battle and you're the only one I can trust with this task. Warrick's job is to be the head of internal security and to directly oversee the Eyes, so he can't do it. And I feel it would be best if another Eternal should be fully in charge of training these new ones. That leaves you and I know you to be an honorable woman who upholds the ideals of the Empire. Who could possibly be better?"
"You?" Brenda says.
"Heh, well it was a rhetorical question. But besides being too busy myself, I actually don't believe I'd be the best trainer. I think due to our own experiences of how we were trained as well as our personalities, you will make a better teacher."
"But we both had the same training up to our twelfth year."
"Yes, and then our next four I guarantee was vastly different. And even during our twelve years together in Semra's class, MY training experience was very different from yours. I think you'd agree."
Brenda nods, probably remembering that Semra took every opportunity to single you out in the class and subjecting you to the harshest punishments when it struck her fancy.
"You had Captain Gruz as a teacher and from what I heard, he taught you all to fight as a team and to have a shared respect for each other and he did it without resorting to excessive measures. I know the common belief is that I'm cruel by nature, but I'm actually not. Ruthless perhaps, but not needlessly cruel. And because I'm not cruel, that's why I'd rather have a more even-tempered person with at least a less hellish childhood experience than I train these children. They may be Eternals, but they're still children that will have to be molded into good productive soldiers for the Empire with minimal problems to their mental state. I know you'll be tough, but fair."
"Well, I don't know what to say, except I appreciate your confidence in me in all this and I'll do my best to carry out this task successfully. However, while I do understand that you don't really have the time to train the new Eternals I'm still slightly puzzled to as why you believe you'd be a rotten teacher. I mean you trained Decena and from what I've heard she's fanatically loyal as well as a great warrior bringing glory to the Empire."
"That's right, I did. And she is." You answer and don't give any more elaboration, which prompts Brenda to just leave it alone.
"Okay." She responds.
There's a brief pause before Brenda decides to break up the silence by changing the subject.
"So, what's next on your agenda?"
"Me? Well after I go inspect the new airship that Elam is supposed to be finished with, I'm going back on the battlefield. I think its time; most of the internal reorganization and major projects have been dealt with and don't require my immediate watchful eye anymore. I'm sure if any problems crop up, someone won't hesitate to inform me. Besides, the Torites are causing all sorts of problem on Ackerson's front. And I think he may even be having issues with that petty kingdom he recently made contact with. I don't even remember what its name is, and if I have anything to say about it, neither will anyone else."
"Well I'd tell you to be careful or wish you luck, but I know you'll be fine. You always are. Are you going to stay for the grand opening though?" Brenda asks and points at the rows and rows of tanks.
"No. Probably best if they don't see me immediately. Keep me a semi-mysterious unapproachable figure for awhile." You reply.
"Oh like what they told us?" Brenda says.
"Worked didn't it? Still, when you've sufficiently got that idea into their heads, then I suppose I'll make my appearance to them, most likely unannounced. I'll want them to actually believe that I may very well pop up at any time. It'll keep them on their toes."
"Ha ha, that's probably even more frightening than never seeing such a figure as I have to admit even at times I wondered if the Emperor was actually watching me all the time, though Roldan certainly thought so."
Brenda at this point temporarily spins off into a pleasant memory she has of Roldan. You've never told her it was actually Casimir that had Roldan assassinated for his own reasons. You've pondered if you should tell her the truth, but ultimately decided it wouldn't do any good save for perhaps destroying her faith in the Empire, which you don't want.
You know Brenda is prone to bouts of depression ever since Roldan's died, telling her that the government and its ruler that she served was directly involved in her husband's death might push her into hopelessness. Maybe even suicide. As it stands, you've been working to try to keep her spirits up.
Which is another reason why you picked her to train these new Eternals. Perhaps it will give her a better sense of purpose.
"Sorry, I rambled a bit there. I guess I just still miss Roldan." Brenda says.
"No need to apologize, I completely understand. Roldan was a dedicated soldier of the Empire and if he were here today he'd be proud of your accomplishments. Anyway, I have to go; if I'm lucky Elam hasn't blown up this new machine he just built yet. I trust you have this?"
"Yes I do."
You leave Brenda to her task and make your way to your next stop, which should be very different...
You look at the brand new airship you've poured money into. It certainly is as large as you thought it might be, though it is still strange to see such a machine that was only picture on a piece of parchment a few years ago. Elam is visibly anxious about what you'll think about it. He's surprisingly quiet though, which might be a good sign that he's learned to not run off at the mouth all the time.
"Hrm, its impressive looking, but does it actually work?" you ask Elam.
"Oh yes! We have tested its flight capabilities and it certainly works according to all the notes and plans Marik left. Had to make some adjustments of course, but I believe now that we've made one, we can easily improve upon it and make more." Elam says.
"Good, glad to hear it. What about weapons?"
"We've equipped it with the latest cannons and the prototype repeater. There are also firebombs that can be dropped from the sky." Elam answers.
"Excellent work as always Elam."
"Thank you, my Emperor. Will you be boarding it?"
"Boarding it? Hmm, hadn't actually given it much thought. I mean is this final product? You don't need to do anymore testing on it?"
"Well we were just going to do some weapons testing while it flying it, but the airship itself is fully operational. It won't go crashing into the ground or anything like that."
While you prefer keeping your feet firmly on the ground, you have to admit you do like the idea of potentially floating through the sky towering over your enemies and all those that might oppose you.
"Very well, but I still want you to go through a weapons test like you planned, before I get on it. Do another safety check as well."
"As you wish, so about a week?" Elam asks.
"Fine, but no more than that." You reply and leave.
Seeing as you have a few more days to kick around before the airship is ready, you return to the mundane duties of rulership. A couple days later you decide to check up on Warrick to see if there is anything he's uncovered that needs your attention.
The Eye Headquarters is probably the safest place in the Empire other than the palace itself. The Eyes may not be Eternals, but they're the next best thing and Warr |
Whatever defenses the Torites are going to muster within the time you come back with the Storm as far as you're concerned aren't going to be enough to save them. Better you should come back prepared and your soliders better rested as well.
"I think it's time to leave. In fact I think it'll be best if the entire army moves away from this area." You say.
"We're retreating?" Flevas asks.
"Call it a tactical withdraw. I'm not done with this place though. Not done with you either, your input on this was very useful."
"Um, thank you Emperor." Flevas says unsure of how to take the fact that he's called attention to himself to the ruler of the Empire.
When you return, you give Ackerson an earful of his failure to use his resources wisely and not even informing you of the potential of certain soldiers who could come in useful. You also explain that the only reason why he isn't being demoted is that he had the intelligence to at least see Flevas' combat abilities and send him with you in the first place.
You have the army relocate to one of the towns closer to the Empire for resupplying and reinforcements. There is a bit of downtime, but there is also some routine patrolling which allows you to engage in battle against a group of those centaur creatures. Tedious foes. Constantly galloping away while firing their arrows. You appreciated the bull creatures' attempts at caving your skull in with their axes a lot more.
Eventually you get the message you've been waiting for and that's when you make your way back to the vicinity of the forest. When you arrive, you and the back up mages begin to prepare for your assault on the entire forest.
You call Flevas over, who you see nearby.
"So what do you think to this plan? Be honest."
"Well Emperor, as I said the svelk in the stories attempted something like this as well and while I know that you certainly have powerful magic at your command, I'm not certain that the rest of your mages having your same abilities."
"I see. So you don't believe Empire mages are up to the challenge of setting one measly forest on fire and completely burning it to the ground."
"I didn't say that... "
"Oh, well you must've also implied that even if our mages fail that I would not have the capacity to pick up their slack."
"I definitely did not mean... "
You start laughing.
"Relax elf, I'm fucking with you. Beside this isn't the entire plan, the rest of it is over there in the near distance." You say and point over at the airship slowing making its way towards your position. Most of the army is looking in that direction too.
"I heard the rumors, but is that the ship that can fly?" Flevas asks.
"That is indeed the Empire's new pride in the skies. The Storm. And that's exactly what it's going to do over that forest. Those dryads might be expecting us to attempt a magic firestorm, but I guarantee they're not going to be expecting one that involves a lot of explosions."
The Storm is indeed an impressive sight and you can imagine how it will terrify your future enemies. For right now though, you're content on it just killing them.
Along with the airship and your magic, you also have a row of catapults continually barrage the forest with flaming material. You and the army periodically move and keep on the outskirts of forest while the Storm works its assault within the center of the forest. Between the two, the decimation of the forest is certain even if it does take a few days.
Forest creatures, but more importantly Torites eventually come running out of the forests, some manage to get away, others attempt to fight your army in an attempt to kill you and the other mages, but they naturally fail.
You actually do lose a few of the weaker mages who can't keep up their energy and collapse completely drained of life. Hardly matters since you accomplish your task with vicious efficiency. Eventually the forest goes from being an inferno to a blacked wasteland with only burnt tree husks and stumps left. Whatever is still alive, is going to be easy to find.
You order a search and participate in it yourself, as you are eager to see if there might be some sort of evidence of this mysterious dryad or dryads. It might be that you just burned down an entire forest for no reason, but then it is one less area for the Torites to hide in.
You do sense a faint bit of magic though. Very weak, but there none the less. You immediately follow the trail until it leads you to your goal.
And there you see a naked, heavily burned female creature. Its limbs are slightly longer and thinner than even the average elf. It has a very delicate appearance and might even be considered pretty looking if it wasn't covered in burns and struggling for life.
It pathetically lays on the ground semi-curled up near a stump that is nearly completely burnt. It looks at you with its big eyes and then over nearby at some other bodies you didn't even notice. They look like more dryads though, all dead.
The dryad shakes and clutches tighter to the stump as you approach. It even begins making a few sounds, which causes you to immediately raise a force shield, expecting some sort of last attack.
"She isn't casting a spell Emperor. She's whispering some sort of prayer. I think." Flevas remarks.
"About what and how do you know what she's saying?"
"I... don't know! It's like she's in my head all of a sudden and I can understand some of her language. Something about... back to earth... child of nature... unnatural force of death... she's very sad."
"I would imagine so." You reply.
"Yeah, but it's not for herself, it's for me." Flevas says.
Flevas at this point walks past you and over to the dying dryad. She looks up at him sorrowfully and stops whatever it was that she speaking about. He kneels down beside her and for a brief moment he looks at her sadly as well, but then his face then turns to one of anger and he ends her suffering with a knife to her neck. She gurgles a bit and then dies.
"Another victory for the Empire." Flevas says and walks past you.
You stare at the dead dryad for a moment and survey the surrounding desolation.
"Well, I guess we know they're flesh and blood creatures now." You remark and tell the rest of nearby soldiers to start heading back to the camp.
When you get back, General Ackerson tells you that they're holding a courier from the Broki Kingdom. The courier works for one of the opportunistic barons. Baron Divilak
Apparently this Baron Divilak has heard much about the Empire and sees no reason to resist your inevitable annexation. He claims that he can make things simpler for you by giving out information of major strong points, security secrets, that sort of thing as well as providing his own military support. Of course he wants to meet in person before all this so that you may hammer out any other stipulations and agreements, but basically what he asks in return is to govern over the new Empire province and that he get to execute King Tiklov himself.
It certainly would be easier with inside help and you were originally toying with the idea of taking advantage of the disorganized nature of the Broki Kingdom by having one or two of the barons side with you in the first place. Of course you never know with those scheming types after all if they're willing to sell out everything for their own personal gain now, what's stopping them from doing something similar to the Empire in the future? At the very least, the amount of corruption might tend to be higher than what is acceptable.
With the recent display of power by the Storm, you're wondering if you shouldn't just make a gross display of force and cow them all into submission and dispense with any pretense of a "friendly" take over. Of course the problem with this plan, is you might actually unite the kingdom due to your brutality and it might take longer to conquer the place.
> use the Storm
Negotiating has never been what the Empire has been about. You go in; you crush your enemies under heel and then sort out the details later.
Without another word, you draw your sword and sever the head of the hapless courier. Blood splatters on the onlookers nearby as the head bounces once on the ground near your feet. You give it a small kick towards one of the soldiers.
"Have that courier's head sent back to the baron in a bag. That will be our answer to his proposals. Well actually the Storm will be the real answer, but for now his courier's head will do." You remark.
"Oh. The flying machine? Won't that need time to resupply from bombing the dryad forest?" Ackerson asks.
"Yes, but it'll be fine. Let them wait and sweat it out. When he receives his messenger's head I'm sure he'll mobilize all his little soldiers, ready for an attack. Won't do him any good though when the Storm is laying waste to his castle. Then the rest of us will come in and clean up. After we've annihilated nearly everything within the baron's territory, THEN we will give our own demands to the remainder of the Broki Kingdom. In the meantime, tell everyone to keep alert as usual and enjoy this little respite in what is going to be the shortest conflict of this western campaign."
You retire to your tent where you go through a couple of more traditional letters you've received since you were away destroying the dryads. Two of them are from Decena. One talks about how she's confirmed the rumors of the winged Torites or harpies as they're known. She explains that they're even more tedious foe than the centaurs due to their flight ability. The standard practice is to fill the skies with arrows and bullets whenever possible. Galen has been pulling his weight, but as you've come to expect the Torites have been systematically targeting mages, he's barely escaped death several times and is one of the few wizards Decena has left. Fortunately she doesn't report anything close to the dryad activity Ackerson experienced, but you'll have to send her a message back warning her about them.
Her second letter is something you're hesitant to open, since you know it's going to be of a more personal nature. You sort of thought that maybe her time away from you and her apparent enjoyment of battle would slowly erode her feelings for you, but that hasn't happened.
In any case, you put aside the letter for later and turn your attention to another letter which is from Warrick giving you an update on his findings. He mentions that he's uncovered nothing that would suggest an internal conspiracy yet, but just says that the elven population has been complaining more than usual as of late. So far there is no evidence that they're planning anything from the ones he's brought in, but that doesn't mean that they aren't.
This gets you wondering about something that occurred earlier and you have Felvas brought to you.
"So... that was quite the show back there with the dryads." You say.
"I'm afraid I don't quite understand sir." Flevas answers.
"Oh come on. You don't need to hide it. You were upset to see dryads get killed. Hell, you probably were upset to see the forest burn to the ground."
"It was necessary."
"Of course it was necessary, but the point is you REALLY didn't like it. Not only did you not like it, you were personally offended. Why something like could cause a man to habor ill feelings that fester underneath the skin and come out in ill advised ways."
Flevas is silent as you study his reaction to what you're implying.
"Emperor, I am not a traitor to Empire. I would never... "
"Yes, yes, yes, I know. You would never betray an Empire that oppresses your people... well if your people's complaints are anything to go by."
"But I finished off the dryad without your orders!"
"So? You've probably done a lot of things you don't like doing. Hell, it was a mercy kill anyway. One might even think that you did it just for my benefit. Believing that you were the good loyal elf. Tell me, is that what your people are doing? Are they emulating the shadows and just biding their time?"
"What?! I don't know! I mean no! Emperor, I... "
"Silence!" you shout and backhand Flevas to the face causing him to stagger.
"Now then, you've got two options. One is bad, and one is to start telling me the truth."
Flevas rubs his face and then composes himself. He doesn't display anger like he did with the dryad, but he does do that elf thing with his eyes, like they're looking right through you and that you're nothing at all. Semra was really good at it.
"So what do you want me to say? Yes! I HATE the fucking Empire! Yes! I HATE every fucking human I have to work with and put up with their shit! I HATE the fact that my people are the lowest rung of society even though that includes fucking kobolds now! FUCKING KOBOLDS!"
"Kobolds are very loyal and eager to serve." You respond.
"And they're damn idiots! So are the brainless orcs and look at what you did to them! They're nearly extinct because you have them soak up all the major fighting during the Felkan War!"
"They enjoyed the fighting. Besides, they're building up their numbers now."
"Yeah, so you can use them in the next big ass war! Well I'm fucking sorry we sveld don't feel that way! We don't enjoy conflict and bloodshed! We cherish freedom! Freedom we haven't had for centuries! If it wasn't the orcs hunting us down it was the accursed svelk massacring and torturing us!"
"Exactly, and you'd think that you'd be grateful for the Empire for saving you from such things like the orcs and svelk."
"Right. Because humans are so much better? Humans fucking enslaved us."
"Actually there are probably just as many human slaves than there are elven ones right now."
"Yeah and all the human ones are criminals! And even if when the sveld aren't outright slaves, they're so destitute or desperate that they're worked like slaves. It's a fucking sorry existence, yet as much as we bitch and bitch and BITCH about our plight, we've got nobody to blame but ourselves."
"You believe that?" you ask a little surprised at his claim
"Honestly? Yeah, I do. I believe the sveld have been kicked around so long by everyone and cowed into submission that we love playing the fucking victim. It's actually gotten to the point where it's more enjoyable than actually trying to DO something."
"I dunno about that. There have been sveld rebellions in the past and a lot of them border on being dissidents to this day." You say.
"The full blown rebellions consisting of nothing but sveld are a rarity and considering how badly we've been treated why there haven't been more just confirms my belief that sveld prefer playing the victim. In fact the Empire has had more problems keeping humans in line. As for dissidents, I know the Empire frowns upon anyone who dares to look at it wrong, but I guarantee the main ones bitching probably aren't doing anything other than just that, bitching."
"Sort of like you are now?"
"Yes, damn it. Exactly like how I am right now! You asked me to tell you the truth, well that's what I'm doing as ordered! Why? Because I'm that good loyal sveld!
You stay silent and continue to listen to Flevas rant, other soldiers have entered your tent believing something amiss, but you wave them away signifying that everything is fine.
"You know why I ultimately killed that dryad? It wasn't out of mercy. It was out of anger that such a creature that attempted to know my thoughts and feelings and dared to feel sorry for me. Fuck that, we have enough of that shit going on in the sveld community. Even some of the so-called kind humans will occasionally do the same and it's sickening every time. In the scheme of things, I'm not an old sveld, but I feel like I know a hell of a lot more how to deal with this shitty life I've been handed. Don't complain and try to just do your job. The best way to do this is in the military. You never have a choice here; it's kill or be killed. It's follow orders and don't think."
"So is that why you joined the military?" you ask.
"I joined because I wasn't going to have my wife blowing disgusting humans for coin or have my children begging on the street like paupers. I wasn't going to clean privy holes for some human piece of shit who probably can't even read, yet thinks that they're somehow better just because they're not sveld. I wasn't going to fucking whine about my position in life and get my ass whisked away in the middle of the night by the Eyes or just killed on the spot. I was going to at least TRY to make the best of things even if I hate every damn moment of it."
Flevas' at this point isn't doing that elf eye thing anymore; he's long since lost his calm demeanor and looking far more emotional. You get the impression that he's probably wanted to say this to SOMEBODY for a very long time. And now he has the advantage of telling it directly to the Emperor. You know that has to feel good for him somewhere.
"And with any luck... I'd get to kill some humans in the process. That's why I joined. " Flevas says ending his rant which causes a nod from you.
"Well you'll get your chance soon in the Broki Kingdom."
"I thought you were using that flying ship."
"I am, but it can't do all the work can it? Besides, it's just going to be there for added terror for the most part. As usual the regular army is going to do the clean up work. It'll be grim business. Despite the civilian population, we aren't going to be leaving much alive in this particular battle, but as you probably can guess, it's necessary."
Flevas nods and continues to stand at attention unsure of what to expect next.
"You're dimissed." You say.
"That's it?" Flevas asks.
"For now at least. If anything else comes up that I think I need to talk to you about, you'll be the first to know. Oh actually there is one more question. Is there anything that you do like about the Empire?"
Flevas doesn't think about it too long.
"There was a law instituted to have svelk killed on sight."
"Heh, yeah that is a good one." You say and Flevas takes his leave.
You make a mental note, that Flevas should be promoted in the future. His attitude and views are clear, but he's no traitor. As you've always believed, you don't need people to like you, you just need them to be loyal.
In a couple of days the assault is in full force on the Broki Kingdom, or at least Baron Divilak's land. You specifically tell your troops that only Divilak's land and people are to be attacked. Of course if he gets any help from neighboring barons or the king himself then the order is to show them no mercy.
Divilak doesn't receive any help though, or if he was, his allies lost courage when they saw the Storm raining fire down upon Divilak's castle. You can imagine that the Broki have never seen such a thing before and probably hope to never see something like that hovering above them.
To their credit, Divilak's soldiers hold their ground initially, but in the end your army scatters them. You imagine that Divilak probably had one of the stronger militaries in this dysfunctional kingdom given that they didn't run immediately when they saw the Storm. Of course now, that has been reduced to nothing.
While your first plan was going to be to utterly wipe out everyone within Divilak's territory as a message of sorts to the rest of the Broki population to fall in line lest they suffer the same fate, you decide to hold back and the civilian population slaughter and come up with another plan.
"Flevas, there you are. Got an important job for you." You say stepping over several bodies on the battlefield.
"Emperor." He reports.
"You're going to get to do something very important for your people. Hell, you may even go down in history as a hero to them. Would certainly be a more worthwhile story than about some tree hugging dryads. I want you to round up the remainder of the civilian population with this territory. For every one you bring in, you free one elf from his slave chains. We'll work out the details later, but for now take whoever you think would be best to help you for this mission and if you get any trouble say this is a direct order from the Emperor. I'd also advise you to limit the casualties, but I imagine you already know that."
"Yes, my Emperor." Flevas says and instantly runs off to perform the task.
With any luck, this is the sort of thing that MIGHT cause the elves to stop complaining so much. Maybe they'll all start following Flevas' example and not only accept their lot in life, but to stop complaining about it. In time maybe they won't even be your "problem citizens" anymore.
Of course the Divilak's people aren't going to enjoy their new designation, but then they're not suppose to. You're still sending a message to the rest of the Broki. Submit or this is what will happen. Your armies scattered, your buildings destroyed, and your citizens enslaved.
Soon after the razing of the barony, you are visited by a very frightened Broki courier. He is escorted by your soldiers and nervously gives a message to you. It's from the king and apparently he's sending you this message even though his advisors have told him not to. He says for the good of his people and he hopes in your mercy that you will cease your attack as he is formally surrendering the Broki Kingdom to the Empire.
A few days later you meet with King Tiklov who makes a formal showing in front of his people that the Broki Kingdom is now no more and that it now will be the Broki province of the Empire. Tiklov will still remain in power, but only as a figurehead and to be involved in the day to day governing, assisted by some of your own administrators of course.
The annexation goes more or less smoothly, but you come to find out a disturbing discovery. You come to find out that some of the barons had secret dealings with svelk advisors. In fact Divilak was one of them. Certainly explains why the kingdom was involved in civil wars before you arrived. Hell, Divilak's offer to meet with you might've been an attempt on your life.
These svelk advisors of course have all fled to who knows where by now, but you definitely think you know who tried to have you killed aboard the Storm. You also know that it has to be Semra masterminding all this, wherever she is. You'll have to keep alert, but then you always are.
You have the barons that had such dealings with svelk executed. It wasn't like they were necessary any longer anyway.
> Continue
Year 42
While you doubt this is going to be your last battle with the Torites, you're at least hoping it's going to be the one to break their spirit to the point where they become less of a problem.
Still, the fact that they've finally unified their forces into armies shows you that they realize you aren't going to just go away and their hit and run tactics and attempts to win through attrition aren't going to succeed. It shows you that this is a concentrated effort to get rid of you once and for all. It won't work either and really works to your benefit. It allows you the opportunity to kill a bunch of them in one large grouping now.
Maybe there will always be pockets of Torites lurking in the untamed wilderness but one thing is certain. The territory WILL be the Empire's and the Torites can either submit and see the light like the kobolds eventually did or slowly be driven into extinction like the gnolls.
But that's in the future, right now you're drawing up the plans for this impeding battle. Considering how large the Torite horde is, you've combined your available forces with Decena's army. It was quite the happy day for her seeing as she hasn't seen you for five years. You still aren't quite sure how you exactly feel about her, but she's definitely been winning you over as far as her victories have been concerned. She remains professional always in front of everyone, but the first time she got you alone, she literally jumped on you and wrapped her legs around your waist, planting a kiss on you.
But again, you can sort out your possible complications with Decena later. Now is the time to make sure the both of you come out of this alive.
"We should have the second airship here before we begin our assault. Hopefully that will take some of the pressure off of the Storm to deal with the harpies." You remark.
"Its isn't just the bird bitches that flap about though. Don't forget, there are still those manticores and those chimeras." General Ackerson remarks.
"Yes, I'm well aware of both, Ackerson. Thank you for pointing out the obvious. However, I'm more inclined to believe the Torites will be relying on those beasts to attack our people on the ground. The beasts aren't the most graceful of fliers and would most likely just be big target, which they will be for us anyway, but they'll still do more damage to a group of soldiers on foot and horseback rather than a flying fortress before going down." You remark.
"Those chimera things don't even fly very high. The wings are almost so small that they're just for show. Never had one swoop down on us." Decena adds.
"Wouldn't be best to have us mages together so that we can join our energy and create a shield for the majority of the army?" Galen remarks. He isn't complaining, but he's definitely trying to find a loop hole to possibly make himself safer and not have to do as much work."
"Galen, you know that the Torites attempt to target spell slingers as soon as possible. If they actually get you in a group and strike lucky, well there goes a powerful chunk of our fighting force. It'll make things harder for them if you're all spread out. Besides, you're personally going to be hiding behind a small contingent of golems and backed up by Captain Flevas' men. You couldn't be any safer."
"Huh. So my backup lies in the hands of an elf? Might as well kill me now and get it over with." Galen remarks. You just shake your head and ignore his last comment; he's too valuable to punish right now.
After hammering out the plan, you and the rest start setting things in motion and preparing everyone. You know the Torite horde is on the move not too far from your location. But they aren't here yet and won't be for at least a half-day's time. It gives you a bit of time to at least get some rest since you've been running around attempting to take care of everything and haven't slept. You didn't even realize how tired you were until you lie down on your sleeping bag.
Just as you lie down and close your eyes, someone enters your tent and you instinctively grab your sword.
"No point in that, I'm not really here you know." You hear a familiar voice whisper.
You sit up and see Semra standing before you, or rather the image of her. She's no doubt using the same kind of magic she did when she tried to convince you to kill Casimir. She's probably nearby somewhere though.
"I thought you said we weren't going to see each other again." You say.
"I didn't think we would. I truly believed you would die on Mortos. I suppose I underestimated your ability to survive even there. Quite impressive and it's no surprise that you assumed Casimir's throne soon after. Everything worked out for you, but tell me how did you accomplish such a feat?"
"Just luck I guess. Look, if you came here to kill me, you'll need to get behind the long line of Torites marching towards this place." You say while lying back down and shutting your eyes.
"My, you're quite confident to stay in such a vulnerable position if you really believe I'm here to kill you." Semra says.
"No, I know this is just grand standing. If you were really going to kill me you'd have your underlings conspiring with little plots in the shadows."
"Yes, I'm aware of the troubles you've been having lately and while I'm flattered you believe it to me, I'm actually here to clear my good name."
"Hah!" you snort.
"Okay so just my name. In any event. I'm here to tell you that it isn't me, though you do have enemies of the svelk persuasion."
"I've got enemies of every persuasion and that's not a very convincing argument that you're somehow innocent."
"Okay how about this then? It's not me because I've been keeping an eye on you and so far you haven't warranted anything that needs me to stop you yet. My daughter on the other hand disagrees. She claims that my... past with you is clouding my judgment."
"We never had a past Semra. I don't know what YOU think it is, but WE were and never will be an item."
"Oh yes, that's right. You've got that vicious little young thing on your dick now. Decena is her name? She is quite the warrior. Lot of those moves are familiar, they're all the ones I taught you. Hey have you taught her any of my other moves when you're bedding her?"
At this point you sit back up, annoyed with Semra's remark.
"Is this going anywhere because I have a shitload of beast men to slaughter tomorrow and you're keeping me awake!" You snap.
"Oooh! Struck a nerve did I? Haven't been able to do that for quite awhile, I really missed it. Tell me though; is it very serious with this one like it was with Alison? Didn't think you'd get over her so quickly. Really though I don't know why you pick any of these females. This new one is just likely to wind up dead, if not by the sword then by age. Her youthful appearance with eventually wither and fade like it does with all of those lesser born."
At this point you lie back down and close your eyes again. You're not playing this game.
"You done already? Disappointed, you used to be so much more fun. Very well, just listen then Eternal. I know you have a hard time with that, but maybe you'll actually heed what I have to say for once. I am not your enemy. As I have said, my daughter is your enemy and she makes her base of operations in a city-state called Ryglik and lies south of the former Broki Kingdom. Of course that whole area consists of several city-states and she may very well move around, but that's the main one she's operating from.
You remain silent while Semra continues to talk.
"Well I'll take your silence that you're at least taking it under consideration. Oh and while you're at it, you still might want to consider giving up all this foolish nonsense. Perhaps you're a better Emperor than Casimir ever was, but you're still mindlessly following a path that you think has been laid out for you. It's almost like Casimir is still barking orders at you."
"I guarantee Casimir's not saying much of anything anymore." You answer.
"Be that as it may, I'd hate to see you follow in his horribly misguided footsteps and make the same mistakes he did."
"Well, I don't have you as an advisor, I'd say that already puts me ahead of the game."
"Pfft, you'd be lucky to have me by your side. Not my fault you can't see and accept the truth. Anyway, I'll take my leave now. Perhaps we'll see each other, perhaps we won't. Perhaps we'll even see each other in the flesh again, wouldn't that be fun?"
"Sure would, I could give you your dagger back." You remark.
"Mmmm, I bet you would. Well if that day ever comes, you make sure you give me a long hard kiss as you're sticking it in me. Oh one last thing, your General Ackerson is planning to betray you at some point during tomorrow's battle. Not sure when and how, but he's got quite a few soldiers willing to work with him on it. More of my daughter's work no doubt."
With those final words, you cease hearing Semra's voice. You briefly open your eyes and find that her image is gone as well.
"Fucking bitch." You mutter, as now you're never going to be able to sleep with this last bit of information she just gave you.
The big problem is she may very well be telling the truth, because for the most part Semra has never really lied to you. You didn't believe her at the time, but she told you the complete truth about Casimir and his intentions. She didn't have Alison killed either. As usual in her own fucked up way that you still don't understand she has attempted to help you.
Of course that was in the past, she could be lying about everything right now. While she has confirmed your own beliefs that it's been the svelk working against you, she's also trying to put the blame all on her daughter. Granted you know they probably don't get along, but still.
There also has never been any evidence that Ackerson has shown signs of being a potential traitor. Doesn't even make sense, but then again you can't trust anyone nowadays.
Now you have to play a guessing game to as whether or not someone on your own side is going to kill you in the middle of battle. You miss the days when all you ever concerned yourself with were the people on the other side trying to kill you.
> deal with Ackerson
"Shit." You grumble and get up.
After getting dressed, you march out of your tent with sword in hand. Multiple soldiers on duty ask if you're okay, but you just ignore them and head directly to where Ackerson's camp located.
When you arrive, you tell the soldiers on duty that you want to see Ackerson immediately. The general is of course still asleep and when he gets out of his tent he's still slightly groggy.
"Apologies my Emperor, but what can... " he begins to say and then you cleave his head in with your sword. His face displays a mixture of shock and confusion as the blood trickles down from his head.
You pull the sword out with a sickly sound following it and strike again, this time practically chopping the general's head in two. At this point the weight of Ackerson's now lifeless body pulls downward off of your sword and you wipe your sword off in front of the astonished onlookers.
"Alright, listen up because I'm only going to say this once. This man was a fucking traitor. He was planning to betray me at some point during tomorrow's battle. Don't ask me how I know, the important thing is I know because I'm the fucking Emperor and I know ALL."
You continue.
"That being said, I also know he had some of you in on this plan because he was too damn cowardly to face me like a man. I KNOW who you all are and consider this your reprieve from your benevolent Emperor. Help bring us victory tomorrow against the beast folk scum and I'll forget all about this. However, if I ever get the slightest hint that ANY of you are planning to assassinate me, betray me or be involved in any other type of treason, I WILL make sure that you do not suffer the quick death like I so graciously handed out to the late general here. Do I make myself clear?"
"YES EMPEROR!" everyone shouts.
"Good. Colonel Sini, you're in charge of Ackerson's command now. Have someone remove this traitor's corpse from this camp. I don't want the aura of his failure and cowardice to rub off on anyone else longer than necessary."
You take your leave and head back to your tent. You know what you did might not have been necessary since Semra very well might've been lying, however you're fairly confident that you handled it in such a way that it doesn't matter. You put so much fear into the rest of them that if they didn't think you were all knowing before they certainly do now.
If it is true though, it is sort of disturbing to you that Eldolith managed to somehow convince some of your own military to try to kill you. That's the group you rely on the most and feel you have the most identification with, though perhaps you're taking it for granted that most of them LIKE the military and battles like you do. A lot of them probably joined just to feed their families. Some of them were even conscripted. You can only imagine that she offered a shitload of gold as it doesn't seem likely that she'd have anything else worthwhile to offer.
You'll be glad when the orcs have finally raised their numbers back up and the new Eternals are of age to fight.
Despite everything that went on last night, you miraculously actually manage to get a little sleep before the arrival of the Torites. You're still a little tired, but you think when you get into the thick of battle the thrill of it will kick in and you'll be invigorated. You usually are.
It seems word of what happened spread fairly quickly to the rest of the camps, even to Decena's army. You imagine that will at least have to put Galen in a good mood, maybe he'll whine less now.
When the Torites arrive they certainly look like a chaotic rabble, but it's no mistake that they mean business. The number of harpies fills the sky to the point where you hope that the Storm can take care of such a flock. The second airship is in far distance behind you. Hopefully by the time it gets to engage in battle it won't be replacing the Storm so much that it'll be supporting the Storm.
The cannons and rifles fire as soon as the Torites are within range. Their centaurs return fire with their accurate arrows. The saytr wizards up the ante by casting their elemental magic which rips solid chunks of rock and earth out of the ground and goes flying at your army. It can't be said that the Torites are any less dangerous just because they're less technologically advanced.
High above you the Storm takes on the harpy warriors. Even from here, it looks like a swarm of locusts descending on a single blade of wheat. Looks pretty damn grim for the Storm, you just hope if the crew does get overwhelmed they can keep the ship from crashing near your location.
The bull creatures lead the charge along side their horse beast brethren. Another volley of shots takes out some, but they remain relentless in their charge. The satyr rank and file advance steadily behind. They WILL arrive and there will certainly be enough of them left to give your army a good fight.
Your own cavalry meets them and while they have the best training, they can't overcome the sheer savagery of the minotaurs and as for the centaurs, their very bodies are half horse. They already have the advantage over your own cavalry as far as maneuverability.
Breaks in the Torite army form as they allow their war beasts participate in the charge. Several manticores and chimera of the largest size make their way straight towards you. At their pace, they're going to be the first ones your people will have to fight. A cannon blast rips through one of the chimera and fireball from one of your mages brings down another, but before you know it, a manticore is shredding apart your front line with its talons and impaling others with its spike tail.
What comes next is utter mayhem. Swords and axes cutting and stabbing. Fangs and claws tearing and biting. Magic on both sides destroying several lives in the blink of an eye. It's all very glorious.
Decena's army is holding its own on her front, but then you never had any doubt about that. The only problem they do have is the blasted satyr magic manages to turn the golems against them. Hopefully, Flevas managed to get Galen's ass out of there before they crushed him. The newly appointed General Sini seems to be doing well on his end. You're glad to see that the reinforced fear in their ruler has motivated them.
Still, the battle is far from over yet. The fact that you're simultaneously facing down three bullheads by yourself and a chimera closing in is a great reminder.
You cast a lightning blast at the bulls, which fells two of them, but the third fights through the pain of having his body fried from the inside out. You dodge his axe and follow up with your own sword swing to his meaty leg. The beast roars, but is still undeterred. Two nearby soldiers attempt to help, but are mauled by the chimera which has finally arrived.
The minotaur swings again, but this time you cast a force shield to block the blow. This one has to be some sort of leader or hero or some great warrior to his people because when you swing your sword again to strike, the creature catches its blade and snaps it off leaving you with a broken sword.
"Okay. I get it. A challenge." You say and step backwards from the minotaur who ignores his deeply cut hand to solidly grip his axe once more.
The bull will have to wait though since the chimera has finally gotten around to attack you. The clumsy beast attempts to pounce, but you leap out of its way and blast one of the its misshaped animal heads with a bolt of fire. Roaring in pain and anger, the creature desperately tries to put out the flames by rubbing the flaming head into the dirt. It hardly stops it from continuing to attack with its scorpion tail. While it misses with its tail, one of its other goat like heads spits a cloud of gas at you. You didn't even know they could do such a thing, but then these chimeras are rather random beasts.
The gas is certainly poisonous enough to kill the average person, but then you aren't average. Unfortunately it's still potent enough to make you feel sick and you gag and wheeze when you inhale a good bit of the stuff.
A paw smashes into your side and you go crashing to the ground. You barely get out of the way of the stinger tail again. Then your old bull friend is there to help with his axe as usual, fortunately someone distracts the bull by attacking him from behind causing him to drop his axe. Unfortunately they fail to kill him and he turns around and breaks their neck with his bare hands, still it's given you a temporary respite on what to do next.
> pick up the axe and strike back
Despite being woozy from the gas attack, you grab the minotaur's axe. The weapon is incredibly heavy, in fact a little heavier than you were expecting. The minotaur advances on you and you clumsily swing at it, but miss completely and you feel the smashing fist of the minotaur across your face which has quite likely broken your jaw.
Sprawled to the ground, you attempt to cast a cone of frost, but the minotaur has already followed up its attack and picked you up off the ground with both hands. Then with one quick move he slams your back over his knee breaking it and throws you in front of the chimera, which has successfully put out the flames you bestowed upon its face earlier.
Your last moments are the chimera's lion head sinking its fangs into your throat. |
"Shit." You grumble and get up.
After getting dressed, you march out of your tent with sword in hand. Multiple soldiers on duty ask if you're okay, but you just ignore them and head directly to where Ackerson's camp located.
When you arrive, you tell the soldiers on duty that you want to see Ackerson immediately. The general is of course still asleep and when he gets out of his tent he's still slightly groggy.
"Apologies my Emperor, but what can... " he begins to say and then you cleave his head in with your sword. His face displays a mixture of shock and confusion as the blood trickles down from his head.
You pull the sword out with a sickly sound following it and strike again, this time practically chopping the general's head in two. At this point the weight of Ackerson's now lifeless body pulls downward off of your sword and you wipe your sword off in front of the astonished onlookers.
"Alright, listen up because I'm only going to say this once. This man was a fucking traitor. He was planning to betray me at some point during tomorrow's battle. Don't ask me how I know, the important thing is I know because I'm the fucking Emperor and I know ALL."
You continue.
"That being said, I also know he had some of you in on this plan because he was too damn cowardly to face me like a man. I KNOW who you all are and consider this your reprieve from your benevolent Emperor. Help bring us victory tomorrow against the beast folk scum and I'll forget all about this. However, if I ever get the slightest hint that ANY of you are planning to assassinate me, betray me or be involved in any other type of treason, I WILL make sure that you do not suffer the quick death like I so graciously handed out to the late general here. Do I make myself clear?"
"YES EMPEROR!" everyone shouts.
"Good. Colonel Sini, you're in charge of Ackerson's command now. Have someone remove this traitor's corpse from this camp. I don't want the aura of his failure and cowardice to rub off on anyone else longer than necessary."
You take your leave and head back to your tent. You know what you did might not have been necessary since Semra very well might've been lying, however you're fairly confident that you handled it in such a way that it doesn't matter. You put so much fear into the rest of them that if they didn't think you were all knowing before they certainly do now.
If it is true though, it is sort of disturbing to you that Eldolith managed to somehow convince some of your own military to try to kill you. That's the group you rely on the most and feel you have the most identification with, though perhaps you're taking it for granted that most of them LIKE the military and battles like you do. A lot of them probably joined just to feed their families. Some of them were even conscripted. You can only imagine that she offered a shitload of gold as it doesn't seem likely that she'd have anything else worthwhile to offer.
You'll be glad when the orcs have finally raised their numbers back up and the new Eternals are of age to fight.
Despite everything that went on last night, you miraculously actually manage to get a little sleep before the arrival of the Torites. You're still a little tired, but you think when you get into the thick of battle the thrill of it will kick in and you'll be invigorated. You usually are.
It seems word of what happened spread fairly quickly to the rest of the camps, even to Decena's army. You imagine that will at least have to put Galen in a good mood, maybe he'll whine less now.
When the Torites arrive they certainly look like a chaotic rabble, but it's no mistake that they mean business. The number of harpies fills the sky to the point where you hope that the Storm can take care of such a flock. The second airship is in far distance behind you. Hopefully by the time it gets to engage in battle it won't be replacing the Storm so much that it'll be supporting the Storm.
The cannons and rifles fire as soon as the Torites are within range. Their centaurs return fire with their accurate arrows. The saytr wizards up the ante by casting their elemental magic which rips solid chunks of rock and earth out of the ground and goes flying at your army. It can't be said that the Torites are any less dangerous just because they're less technologically advanced.
High above you the Storm takes on the harpy warriors. Even from here, it looks like a swarm of locusts descending on a single blade of wheat. Looks pretty damn grim for the Storm, you just hope if the crew does get overwhelmed they can keep the ship from crashing near your location.
The bull creatures lead the charge along side their horse beast brethren. Another volley of shots takes out some, but they remain relentless in their charge. The satyr rank and file advance steadily behind. They WILL arrive and there will certainly be enough of them left to give your army a good fight.
Your own cavalry meets them and while they have the best training, they can't overcome the sheer savagery of the minotaurs and as for the centaurs, their very bodies are half horse. They already have the advantage over your own cavalry as far as maneuverability.
Breaks in the Torite army form as they allow their war beasts participate in the charge. Several manticores and chimera of the largest size make their way straight towards you. At their pace, they're going to be the first ones your people will have to fight. A cannon blast rips through one of the chimera and fireball from one of your mages brings down another, but before you know it, a manticore is shredding apart your front line with its talons and impaling others with its spike tail.
What comes next is utter mayhem. Swords and axes cutting and stabbing. Fangs and claws tearing and biting. Magic on both sides destroying several lives in the blink of an eye. It's all very glorious.
Decena's army is holding its own on her front, but then you never had any doubt about that. The only problem they do have is the blasted satyr magic manages to turn the golems against them. Hopefully, Flevas managed to get Galen's ass out of there before they crushed him. The newly appointed General Sini seems to be doing well on his end. You're glad to see that the reinforced fear in their ruler has motivated them.
Still, the battle is far from over yet. The fact that you're simultaneously facing down three bullheads by yourself and a chimera closing in is a great reminder.
You cast a lightning blast at the bulls, which fells two of them, but the third fights through the pain of having his body fried from the inside out. You dodge his axe and follow up with your own sword swing to his meaty leg. The beast roars, but is still undeterred. Two nearby soldiers attempt to help, but are mauled by the chimera which has finally arrived.
The minotaur swings again, but this time you cast a force shield to block the blow. This one has to be some sort of leader or hero or some great warrior to his people because when you swing your sword again to strike, the creature catches its blade and snaps it off leaving you with a broken sword.
"Okay. I get it. A challenge." You say and step backwards from the minotaur who ignores his deeply cut hand to solidly grip his axe once more.
The bull will have to wait though since the chimera has finally gotten around to attack you. The clumsy beast attempts to pounce, but you leap out of its way and blast one of the its misshaped animal heads with a bolt of fire. Roaring in pain and anger, the creature desperately tries to put out the flames by rubbing the flaming head into the dirt. It hardly stops it from continuing to attack with its scorpion tail. While it misses with its tail, one of its other goat like heads spits a cloud of gas at you. You didn't even know they could do such a thing, but then these chimeras are rather random beasts.
The gas is certainly poisonous enough to kill the average person, but then you aren't average. Unfortunately it's still potent enough to make you feel sick and you gag and wheeze when you inhale a good bit of the stuff.
A paw smashes into your side and you go crashing to the ground. You barely get out of the way of the stinger tail again. Then your old bull friend is there to help with his axe as usual, fortunately someone distracts the bull by attacking him from behind causing him to drop his axe. Unfortunately they fail to kill him and he turns around and breaks their neck with his bare hands, still it's given you a temporary respite on what to do next.
> crawl away from the immediate area
You're in the middle of a danger zone right now and you're still feeling woozy from that gas, you need to get out as quick as you can.
You crawl away just in time for the chimera to try to sting you again, though now that one of its faces isn't on fire anymore the creature is advancing along with the bull. Summoning all your energy you cast a cone of frost at the pair of them. You actually get a few other enemies and several allies in the blast as well, but whatever gets the job done.
The chimera and bull try to advance despite being slowly frozen solid and they actually make a few more steps, but you keep up the spell ignoring the drain its taking on you. You soon have several ice "statues" in front of your area. Grabbing the mace of a dead soilder nearby you take several swings at the frozen chimera smashing its body parts into frozen bloody chunks. You then turn your attention to the bull.
"A shame this couldn't have been a fair fight. You were certainly worthy of one." You say and with one mighty swing you smash the bull's head in and kick the rest of the body over. It's going to be a mess when it all finally thaws out.
A quick glance up displays several winged bodies falling out of the sky, some of them on fire. The Storm is holding so far, but you can tell by the thick black smoke emanating from it that it isn't without damage. The second airship however is coming along and already engaging the enemy.
In the distance ahead of you, you see that your kobold teams have successfully dug underneath the battlefield and started to flank the Torites. Even with the element of surprise most of them are probably going to end up getting stomped on by the minotaurs and centaurs, but they'll at least be in a position to disrupt the satyr mages.
The confrontation rages on for the remainder of the day and you find yourself all over the battlefield, either giving commands or doing battle. At one point you even find yourself fighting side by side with Decena. While it is no doubt a big thrill for her to actually fight along with you, you actually enjoy it as well. It reminds you of when you fought along side Alison as Decena also has that instinctive knowledge of complimenting your fighting style, but then again she should considering you trained her.
Day becomes dusk and finally to night though the sky lights up spectacularly when the Storm gives out its final service when part of it explodes turning the entire ship into a blazing wreck dropping to the ground fast. Both sides run for cover and out of the area while attempting to avoid the burning shards already hitting the surface.
Still even with this loss, your side is definitely winning. Most of the centaurs are dead, the one who aren't, have long since galloped away. Most of the satyr troops are dead as well with the few remaining starting to retreat. All their large beasts such as the manticores and chimera have all been slain. The harpies still alive from their assault on the Storm have flapped away. The only ones still putting up any resistance are the minotaurs and that's because they're too stubborn to retreat, but eventually they'll be overwhelmed.
By the time the clash is finally over the moon is hanging high above the battlefield causing a minor luminescence over the numerous dead on the battlefield. This is definitely going to be one that the scholars and historians are going to write about.
While you stepping over the dead and passing by soldiers taking well earned victory celebrations (or just taking well earned rests) Decena comes running up to you.
"Hey, I've been looking for you. We got split up after those manticores attacked. I mean I knew you weren't dead, but I just wanted to know you were okay." Decena says.
"A few minor wounds, probably some new scars to look forward to, aching muscles and joints, extremely tired, but other than that I'm fine. How many in your army left?" you ask.
"Quite few. I don't think my side recieved the brunt of the Torite attack though turning our golems against us was certainly a surprise. Galen managed to rectify that though, even if it did cost us the use of them."
"Oh, survived did he?"
"Yeah, thanks to Captain Flevas. I know a lot of people don't like elves, but he was invaluable on the battlefield."
"I wouldn't have promoted him and transferred him to your command if he wasn't. So besides Galen did any of your other wizards survive?"
"Unfortunately none."
"Same here. The Torites were successful in that regard. (Sigh) Successful in that endeavor as well." You say pointing to the still flaming wreckage of the Storm in the distance.
"Well at least we still have the second airship." Decena says.
"Oh we'll have more of those, no doubt. Wizards, not so sure about. I'm thinking the age of using battle mages on any large scale might be coming to an end. Better keep what talent we still have left at home in case of an emergency." You reply.
"I wanted to ask you about something else, did you ever find out more about the traitors in our ranks? Only a few hours before the conflict with the Torites and it was all over my own camp about how you executed General Ackerson in front of his command and warned everyone that you know others were involved in a conspiracy against you."
"Oh that. No, but given that the only ones trying to kill me today were the Torites I'd say I squashed it, but I still will have Warrick do a full investigation to anyone close to Ackerson though I can guess a few of them now. I have to believe that Sini who I replaced Ackerson with was involved, being his second in command and all, however Sini has redeemed himself by dying in battle loyally. Saves his family the embarrassment and saves me the need for another execution later."
"I'm just glad you're okay, but then I shouldn't have worried I suppose, you're the Emperor and nothing can ever destroy you."
At this point the pair of you have entered your tent and Decena grabs your hand. Decena looks at you with a mixture of concern and adoration. The same adoration she's had since you took her as your student. While it's definitely true your actions and position have probably molded her into these feelings, she's also not a naive babe in the woods.
"Emperor, I need to ask. Now that we have this time together are we ever going to pick up where we left off or are those days over?" she asks.
"Did you want to continue that sort of relationship? I don't want you to feel obligated that you have to because of a loss of self control on my part in the past." You say.
"Do you regret it then?"
"I regret that I have made things unnecessarily complicated for you. I probably just should've had you enrolled into the Eye training camp or even the regular army. Would've made things a lot easier for the both of us."
"But then I wouldn't be as good as I am. I wouldn't be able to serve to my fullest capabilities. You managed to bring out my full potential. I doubt if I would've survived this very battle without your personal training. You are my Emperor and I will loyally continue to serve the Empire no matter what. But I need to know how things are going to be in the future so that I may conduct myself accordingly towards you."
A reasonable request.
"Decena, it would be a lie to say I don't feel something for you, but those feelings are tainted with a lot of negative past experiences of my own. Most of which I don't even want to get into right now, but rest assured my reasons for initiating the more intimate nature of our relationship was more than just simple loneliness and weren't exactly positive motives. In fact they were downright twisted at times and I don't think you're quite aware of some of the things I thought about doing to you. This isn't even counting the fact that you're in competition with a ghost to a certain degree and that's hardly fair to you."
Decena of course knows you're referring to Alison. She's probably always known that you still have never completely gotten over her. Not with the way she's seen you stare at her portrait for long periods of time back when she was at the palace.
Decena has her answer.
"I... see. Very well my Emperor. I understand that it is time for me to grow up and put aside the silly emotions of a young girl. I shall no longer trouble you with my immature displays of affection or letters but... know I shall continue to... (sniffle) love you in the way that a... "
Decena can't even complete her sentence. She might've even known this was a long time coming, but it still doesn't make things any easier. She reaches out to hug you and you embrace her. She tries to stop herself from completely crying, but she's struggling with this a lot.
"You'll grow stronger from this and move past it Decena. I know you have it within you to do so." You say in an attempt to be reassuring, she looks up at you with tears in her eyes.
"Can I just make one request, (sniff) my Emperor?" she asks.
"What is it?"
"Can... for just tonight. I lie with you one last time? We... don't even have to do anything... I just... if this is going to be it... I want to experience your body next to mine one last time."
While you're not exactly sure if this is going to make things harder or easier for her, you don't have it in you to say no at this point.
"Of course Decena."
With those words the pair of you lie together one last time.
The next day when you wake up Decena is already gone. Not gone from the area, just from your tent and back at her camp probably giving her soldiers orders to move out and head back to the nearest settlement for supplies.
"She'll be fine." You say to yourself though you don't know if you're exactly convinced of it. You suppose you'll see in the future.
And while you know it probably was the "healthiest" thing to do, you'd also be lying to yourself if you aren't going to miss that part of your relationship with her completely.
Who knew that between an army of rampaging beastmen, traitors in your ranks, and a visit from Semra, breaking up with a young woman would be the most emotionally draining?
> Continue
Year 45
"... and even with your natural gifts and after your training is over in six years, your true service to the Empire will have only just begun. You will all be expected to perform to your fullest capabilities because as Eternals you are to be the very best that the Empire has to offer. And out there you will need to show that to our many enemies so that they never forget it. Duty, loyalty, valor and the will to survive, these are traits I expect to see in all of you for I am always watching. Remember this." You say as your parting words to the new Eternals.
"YES EMPEROR! LONG LIVE THE EMPIRE!" they all say in unison.
Brenda tells them to take a brief break while she follows you out of the training center.
"You've done a very good job with them Brenda." You say.
"Thank you." Brenda remarks.
"No, really. I know I sort of dropped this in your lap, but you've really taken the reins on this. I mean I couldn't have done it better. From what I've seen they're well on their way of becoming an effective fighting force AND you've managed to keep most of them alive in the process. Had it been me two thirds of that class probably would've been dead by now under my harsh training."
"Ah, but those left alive would probably be more lethal than the ones I've trained." Brenda points out.
"Perhaps, but they don't need to be put through similar rigors that I faced, I just need them to be better than our enemies and loyal to the Empire. From what I've seen, I have no doubt that will be the case when they finally come of age."
"Well despite my less unforgiving and more cooperative training methods, I can't take all the credit for keeping most of them alive, their increased regeneration rates help in that regard. There was many times where I even thought a few of them had suffered fatal injuries only for them to get better given enough time. I believe whatever magic you infused during their tank time increased their regenerative abilities greater than our own."
"Their reflexes are definitely better too. Even at this age, I could see that during the training demonstration. At the very least, they should be on par with Decena in that aspect when they grow up."
"How is your one time pupil doing anyway?" Brenda asks.
You hesitate a moment, since you've sort of wondered that yourself. You no longer get the letters you once did from Decena which were more expressive. Now she only sends you official battle reports. Obviously she's dealing with the termination of your intimate relationship in a professional manner and is keeping your current relationship that way.
That being the case, you give Brenda the safe answer because that's genuinely all you know.
"Oh, she's still mostly combating the Torites. While the Battle of the Beasts three years ago pretty much broke their strength in the area, they still aren't out of it yet. I'd push forward to eradicate them, but with the need for consolidation of our winnings as well as last years purges, we've had to halt expansion for the time being. That's not even counting that the next place I want to turn my attention to are the city states south of the Broki province. I've had Eyes infiltrate most of them and they're infested with svelk." You say.
"Really? Like entire cities of them? I thought they were nomadic." Brenda says.
"Not anymore apparently, but it isn't actually entire cities, more like key positions of importance in the cities, but even one svelk is an infestation as far as I'm concerned." You answer.
"Surprised you're not just sending airships to bombard them."
"I'm fairly sure I wouldn't get them all if I did that. Airships while powerful are slow enough that any svelk would probably get the hell out of there before they even arrived. Besides, I'm not really looking to level the cities. Bombing one perhaps as an example, to get the rest to fall in line, but not all of them."
"Assassination?"
"Assassinations would probably work better since the svelk direct such actions against each other on a semi-regular basis, would take a bit of time though since if a lot of them start dying suddenly, they're going to know something is up and they'll relocate from the cities. Still, I suppose if we timed it right... hmmm, maybe I'll talk to Warrick about setting something up; in any case we still need to track down Eldolith. We know she is making her home in the cities, but she is proving to be completely elusive as far as pinning her down. Probably using a system of secret tunnels. Might be time to send in the kobold commandos to start digging around."
You and Brenda finish up your conversation with a couple of off topic subjects, but before you leave she says one last thing.
"I know you already thanked me for my work with the new Eternals, but I wanted to take this opportunity to thank you. Thank you for giving me a new sense of purpose. I know these Eternals' purpose is to loyally serve the Empire, but I feel like... I dunno... it's silly."
"No, what?"
"I sometimes feel like I'm their mother. I mean I'm not developing attachments to them or anything, but I feel like I'm doing all I can to make sure they survive in this world, because I really DO want most of them to survive. They represent the future of the Empire, and it will fall to them eventually to defend it."
You nod at Brenda's remark and touch her arm.
"And that, is why you were the best one for this job." You say.
"I suppose another reason I've been feeling a little more positive lately is the fact that there are now more of us. Eternals, I mean. Our numbers were always so few, but now with these new ones, I don't feel so alone I guess."
Brenda's feelings on this are probably related to the loss of her husband as usual, but you can't fault her for it. If this is something that helps her through the pain, then more power to her. Really you never gave it too much thought that there would be more of "you" around because as far as you're concerned, "you" were always unique to begin with. You weren't even supposed to be an Eternal, but here you are.
The next bit surprises you though.
"Oh and one more thing, the next time you see Warrick tell him, I'm sorry for being angry at him." Brenda says.
You smile.
"I'm sure he'll be glad to hear it." You answer and leave.
The next few days are actually spent working alongside Warrick to see if some sort of mass assassination attempt of the svelk would actually work. (You also relay Brenda's message and just as you figured, he's glad to hear it)
"Wait, so some of the inhabitants in these cities are actually former Felkan citizens?" you ask Warrick.
"Yes and it looks like some of them have been willingly working with the svelk out of revenge. In fact I now believe that the saboteur that tried to destroy the old Storm was from one of these cities. A couple of the other tight-lipped dissidents we've had killed during the last purge I believe were from there too originally."
You shake your head.
"Maybe I should just have the cities bombed out of existence after all." You say with a sigh.
"What I don't understand, is why we're bumping into them only now. I mean these cities are so far away and the refugee Felkans would've not only had to travel through gnoll AND Torite territory at the time, but also the Broki Kingdom. Surely it would've been easier to put down roots there." Warrick says.
"Well, who is to say some of them didn't? You're only coming across the more radical ones obviously. There may have very well been Felkans that just wanted to get away from the Empire and live a normal life. Granted if those individuals had just accepted Empire rule in the first, they could've done so anyway with little change, but that's a different topic."
You continue.
"Also the Broki Kingdom was fairly backwards and having strife of its own, I get the impression that the Felkans just wanted to get as far a way as possible from such things. This journey probably wasn't without its hazards. Combine that with losing your homeland and anything else that might've been personal, it's not hard to see where their hate would've festered to the point where the svelk took advantage of it. The ex Felkans are the tool that the svelk are manipulating. Maybe they don't have a nation proper anymore, but it's obvious that the svelk are definitely building the skeleton of one out of these cities states and they see us as the biggest threat to their new endeavors."
"It isn't just the svelk and these militant ex-Felkans we've discovered though, we recently came across something new. Something I know you're going to want to hear before proceeding with any plan." Warrick says.
Warrick tell you that there is another community but far enough away to be fairly isolated from the rest of the city-states in the area, in fact the community makes its home in a lone mountain.
"So... what they live in a cave?"
"Well not exactly. The Eyes have not been there, but apparently there is a whole city built into the mountain. Basically similar to what the derro do underground I guess, but they aren't derro. They're gnomes."
"Gnomes?"
"Yes, and from what information we have gathered, they're also from the former Felkan Kingdom. The funny thing is, they don't seem to have much contact with the rest of the city states. We know that the gnomes trade with the various cities from time to time and we know that there must be humans living in this mountain since those are the ones that do the trading. The place is called New Dessle."
"Hrm. Name of the former Felkan capital. So do you think they're working with the svelk in this conspiracy?" you ask.
"We don't know. Like I said, all we know is that they trade sometimes, it seems to be mostly minerals and it's fairly infrequent. If they are in league, they're keeping it fairly secret from anyone."
Gnomes. That puts a slightly different spin on everything. Between the svelk and the gnomes, you've got two of the most manipulative and smartest races working together to possibly destroy you.
Regardless of whether or not the gnomes are actually involved, it still would be best to gather more information, perhaps even more so.
"Until we've got more information, we're going to assume the gnomes are just the occasional trading partners. While MAYBE they're indirectly helping by trading material to these svelk influenced cities, I'd rather we deal with the immediate suspects first. Besides attacking a damn mountain isn't exactly in the budget right now." You say.
So you proceed with your plan. You keep the Eyes spying and gathering information and keep your own internal security tight. You also start having kobolds digging tunnels under the cities.
A few weeks pass and you receive a message. A human rider dropped off a box in a village in the Broki province. Before riding off he stated to the nearby peasants that they needed to deliver that to their Emperor. The box was obviously leaking blood and when one of the braver soldiers opened it, there were several eyes inside. A bloody note attached stated a warning from "Domina" Eldolith that all spies from the Empire will be killed and any further unwanted aggression on the "Confederacy of Free Cities" would be an act of war.
Never mind the fact that Eldolith started this by trying to assassinate you in the first place.
"She can't possibly be serious in taking us on. She may have discovered some of our spies, but we already know full well what her strength is and even with our reduced manpower right now we could take on the entire force of this so called Confederacy of Free Cities." Warrick remarks.
"Oh I'm sure she know that. She's backed into a corner and is doing typical svelk grand standing hoping it will work. To be quite honest I figured she'd eventually discover some of our spies eventually. The svelk aren't stupid, but they served their purpose in information gathering and they probably distracted the svelk from possibly discovering our kobolds running around underground. You can start pulling out the rest of your Eyes, we'll be attacking the cities soon. With any luck we won't let a single svelk escape and we can wipe out the remainder of the ex-Felkans as well." You say.
Kivan is nearby probably waiting to get your attention for some domestic issue. Normally he just waits patiently, but this time he speaks.
"Forgive my presumption my Emperor as I know war is your area of expertise, but what about the gnomes?" he asks.
"What about them? Our spies still have not uncovered anything that would suggest that they're helping. Even the material that they're trading couldn't be considered dangerous for the most part." Warrick answers.
"The gnomes will be dealt with later, Kivan. No need to worry." You say.
Kivan puts aside his scrolls and addresses you directly.
"I have no doubt that will be the case my Emperor, however it is my concern that the Empire not take any more potential unnecessary losses. The Felkan War took a heavy toll on the Empire. A toll that was not necessary had our former Emperor acted more quickly on the matter. The same could be said for the Shadow uprising."
"Watch your tone! YOUR current Emperor AND I both served to quell those incidents! Where were you? Counting beans? I suggest you stick to what you know advisor!" Warrick says raising his voice.
"You are correct Sightmaster, I AM an advisor. And as I said it is true, I am more of an expert in the mundane domestic affairs that keep the Empire running, I also have to deal with the effects these wars have on such things. If you attack now there will be hardship on the people, BUT our people are used to such things. What is a little more troubling is when unexpected problems pop up or long drawn out affairs."
"So what are you exactly saying Kivan?" you ask.
"I'm saying that the gnomes can't be trusted to live. When they rebelled against the Empire and ran away they managed to manipulate a collection of simple villages and towns and turn it into the Felkan Kingdom. Not only that, but they managed to build it up to the point where it actually surpassed the Empire technology wise and all of this was done in a fairly short period of time."
You continue to listen while Kivan expresses his point of view on this matter.
"Perhaps the gnomes aren't working with the svelk, but that's not to say they aren't still working against us. I can't believe that they wouldn't harbor some sort of revenge. I mean the ex-Felkans obviously do and all they lost were their homeland. The gnomes were systematically exterminated. I just believe that leaving the gnomes for later is going to give them more time to build up their defenses and just make it harder for the Empire to wipe them out in the future. Why take the chance?"
Kivan does actually make a pragmatic point. While taking the city-states isn't going to be too much of a problem, it's still going to take time and manpower. Your main concern with them is making sure you get all the svelk (especially Eldolith) inside. Consolidating, settling, and rooting out problem people will all take time as well. And while you're doing all that, the gnomes could be sitting in their mountain building some weapon (or weapons) of imaginable power.
They already built an entire city in a mountain, who knows what the escaped gnomes have been working on since their exodus?
> attack the mountain
The gnomes do need to be dealt with, the sooner the better. You agree with Kivan.
"Well Kivan, if this turns out successfully you may get promoted to be a war advisor." You say.
"I'd certainly be honored, but I believe my talents are still better served on the domestic issues. This was just an extension of those concerns." He says.
"Okay, so how do you want to handle this? Because if we are going to attack that mountain, we're going to have to still deal with those city states." Warrick asks you.
"Those are still going to be no problem, we're going to overrun those and then move on to New Dessle. We probably won't need the airships at all for the city-states; we'll just handle it conventionally. And while we're taking care of those, I'll send the airships to attack New Dessle. Attacking a mountain is going to be no easy feat, but with the airships we could at least blow enough holes in it to cause not only external damage but more importantly internal structural damage that could hopefully cause portions of it to come crashing down on their heads. Soften them up at least until our armies to arrive."
Warrick goes on to ask which offensive you're going to be personally overseeing and if you want Decena's army called in to help. You tell Warrick that Decena still need to concentrate on mopping up Torite resistance lest they somehow regroup. And as you said, you don't anticipate many problems from the city-states anyway.
As for which offensive you're going to oversee, you're not sure. Before this gnome business came up you were going to just oversee the fall of the city-states, but with the gnomes now being attacked, you wonder if you shouldn't be there to oversee that instead.
You then remember Warrick wanting to be involved in some of the frontline stuff recently.
"Well Warrick how would you like to over see the destruction of the city states? You've always said you wanted more work outside that office and get back in the middle of things, well here's a big thing to get right in the middle of Warrick." "
Warrick is surprised and honored by your decision.
"I... I thank you my Emperor and it will be my honor to command such a task. Does this mean you'll be travelling to New Dessel?"
"Yes, I mean as much as I'd like to personally see the destruction of the svelk and ex-Felkans I believe the gnomes are a bigger threat and as such my attendance in our first attack against them is in order. I do request however that if at all possible, bring that bitch Eldolith to me in chains if possible. If not, dead is just as good."
"I think that can certainly be arranged, my Emperor."
Invasion of the Confederacy of the Free Cities. (Which you didn't even know that's what this little group of city-states was even called until Eldolith's message) is prepared. You know Warrick has the skill to lead an army and will not falter at this task; you just hope that he will indeed be able to capture Eldolith alive.
As for you, this will be your first time boarding one of these airships. Since you had that purge of traitors (and potential traitors) you're not so apprehensive about boarding one of them now.
The Storm II is a grand ship and equipped with the best and latest weapons. The other five ships coming with you are equipped in a similar manner. You figure while the gnomes will certainly have cannons of their own, you'll at least be able to protect the Storm II with your magic somewhat.
Eventually you are on your way and the first thing you fly over is your army on the march toward the Confederacy's territory. The next thing you fly over is the Confederacy's territory itself where you see small groups of troops desperately preparing for the invasion.
When you fly overhead you can only imagine the excessive fear they must feel followed by the confusion when you by pass them entirely. The fact that you didn't attack might even worry them more, since now they'll wonder if you'll be coming back.
Your air fleet continues to fly towards New Dessel which looms in the distance. Part of you wonders just how much of a fight the gnomes will put up and how much damage you'll actually be able to do. You have it set up though for the airships to signal each other on where to fire so coordination will not be a problem.
When you arrive before the mountain, all the airships stop and prepare for your next command. To be quite honest, while the mountain is big enough that peak still looms above your fleet's current height the mountain is far from being something as impressive as the ones you've seen in Rask. Concentrated fire in a few locations should probably have the desired effect you want, and if all goes well, you might get closer to drop a few bombs.
"Well we didn't come here to sight see this marvel of nature, let's get on with it blowing it up." You remark and tell your crew to start signaling the other ships.
Within moments, all the airships are concentrating their fire on particular place on the mountain. Take a while, but you definitely start causing damage as boulders, dirt, rocks and debris all begin to rumble and fall causing the start of a rockslide in one area of the mountain.
You manage to do this on two more sections of the mountain before you actually start encountering any kind of resistance. Several "windows" in the mountain open up revealing cannons, which fire upon your ships. It really isn't too bad though.
"Start telling the other ships to fire at the cannons. Even if their mountain city seems to be holding up from the inside, we can still deprive them of their defenses." You command.
A few minutes after you give this command you sense a change in the air. Almost like that of lightning storm. You even begin to feel a little static...
Suddenly a flash of light eminates from the top of the peak and huge bolt of lightning hits one of your airships to the left causing it to explode spectacularly.
It didn't get hit and slowly make a fiery descent towards the ground, it actually exploded.
"SHIT!" you suddenly shout, probably along with several of your crew. You then turn your attention to the shining piece of metal on top of the mountain peak where the lightning blast came from.
"EVERYONE TURN AROUND! RETREAT!" you shout and tell your crew to signal the remaining airships to do likewise.
You're a sitting duck and you know it right now. You can't put up a barrier large enough to cover the entire airship, so as your airship begins to turn you attempt to directly aim your own magic bolts in the direction of the gnome's apparent "lightning rod" weapon.
Your magic hits around and even directly on target, but it just isn't enough to destroy it. You then have that feeling of electricity in the air again. Your hair begins to stand up and this time thanks to your attempt to destroy the rod, the gnomes direct their next blast towards the Storm II.
You see a bright flash and feel a brief sizzle throughout your entire body and then nothing at all.
And you never do get the pleasure of executing Eldolith yourself when Warrick captures her alive. |
Year 45
"... and even with your natural gifts and after your training is over in six years, your true service to the Empire will have only just begun. You will all be expected to perform to your fullest capabilities because as Eternals you are to be the very best that the Empire has to offer. And out there you will need to show that to our many enemies so that they never forget it. Duty, loyalty, valor and the will to survive, these are traits I expect to see in all of you for I am always watching. Remember this." You say as your parting words to the new Eternals.
"YES EMPEROR! LONG LIVE THE EMPIRE!" they all say in unison.
Brenda tells them to take a brief break while she follows you out of the training center.
"You've done a very good job with them Brenda." You say.
"Thank you." Brenda remarks.
"No, really. I know I sort of dropped this in your lap, but you've really taken the reins on this. I mean I couldn't have done it better. From what I've seen they're well on their way of becoming an effective fighting force AND you've managed to keep most of them alive in the process. Had it been me two thirds of that class probably would've been dead by now under my harsh training."
"Ah, but those left alive would probably be more lethal than the ones I've trained." Brenda points out.
"Perhaps, but they don't need to be put through similar rigors that I faced, I just need them to be better than our enemies and loyal to the Empire. From what I've seen, I have no doubt that will be the case when they finally come of age."
"Well despite my less unforgiving and more cooperative training methods, I can't take all the credit for keeping most of them alive, their increased regeneration rates help in that regard. There was many times where I even thought a few of them had suffered fatal injuries only for them to get better given enough time. I believe whatever magic you infused during their tank time increased their regenerative abilities greater than our own."
"Their reflexes are definitely better too. Even at this age, I could see that during the training demonstration. At the very least, they should be on par with Decena in that aspect when they grow up."
"How is your one time pupil doing anyway?" Brenda asks.
You hesitate a moment, since you've sort of wondered that yourself. You no longer get the letters you once did from Decena which were more expressive. Now she only sends you official battle reports. Obviously she's dealing with the termination of your intimate relationship in a professional manner and is keeping your current relationship that way.
That being the case, you give Brenda the safe answer because that's genuinely all you know.
"Oh, she's still mostly combating the Torites. While the Battle of the Beasts three years ago pretty much broke their strength in the area, they still aren't out of it yet. I'd push forward to eradicate them, but with the need for consolidation of our winnings as well as last years purges, we've had to halt expansion for the time being. That's not even counting that the next place I want to turn my attention to are the city states south of the Broki province. I've had Eyes infiltrate most of them and they're infested with svelk." You say.
"Really? Like entire cities of them? I thought they were nomadic." Brenda says.
"Not anymore apparently, but it isn't actually entire cities, more like key positions of importance in the cities, but even one svelk is an infestation as far as I'm concerned." You answer.
"Surprised you're not just sending airships to bombard them."
"I'm fairly sure I wouldn't get them all if I did that. Airships while powerful are slow enough that any svelk would probably get the hell out of there before they even arrived. Besides, I'm not really looking to level the cities. Bombing one perhaps as an example, to get the rest to fall in line, but not all of them."
"Assassination?"
"Assassinations would probably work better since the svelk direct such actions against each other on a semi-regular basis, would take a bit of time though since if a lot of them start dying suddenly, they're going to know something is up and they'll relocate from the cities. Still, I suppose if we timed it right... hmmm, maybe I'll talk to Warrick about setting something up; in any case we still need to track down Eldolith. We know she is making her home in the cities, but she is proving to be completely elusive as far as pinning her down. Probably using a system of secret tunnels. Might be time to send in the kobold commandos to start digging around."
You and Brenda finish up your conversation with a couple of off topic subjects, but before you leave she says one last thing.
"I know you already thanked me for my work with the new Eternals, but I wanted to take this opportunity to thank you. Thank you for giving me a new sense of purpose. I know these Eternals' purpose is to loyally serve the Empire, but I feel like... I dunno... it's silly."
"No, what?"
"I sometimes feel like I'm their mother. I mean I'm not developing attachments to them or anything, but I feel like I'm doing all I can to make sure they survive in this world, because I really DO want most of them to survive. They represent the future of the Empire, and it will fall to them eventually to defend it."
You nod at Brenda's remark and touch her arm.
"And that, is why you were the best one for this job." You say.
"I suppose another reason I've been feeling a little more positive lately is the fact that there are now more of us. Eternals, I mean. Our numbers were always so few, but now with these new ones, I don't feel so alone I guess."
Brenda's feelings on this are probably related to the loss of her husband as usual, but you can't fault her for it. If this is something that helps her through the pain, then more power to her. Really you never gave it too much thought that there would be more of "you" around because as far as you're concerned, "you" were always unique to begin with. You weren't even supposed to be an Eternal, but here you are.
The next bit surprises you though.
"Oh and one more thing, the next time you see Warrick tell him, I'm sorry for being angry at him." Brenda says.
You smile.
"I'm sure he'll be glad to hear it." You answer and leave.
The next few days are actually spent working alongside Warrick to see if some sort of mass assassination attempt of the svelk would actually work. (You also relay Brenda's message and just as you figured, he's glad to hear it)
"Wait, so some of the inhabitants in these cities are actually former Felkan citizens?" you ask Warrick.
"Yes and it looks like some of them have been willingly working with the svelk out of revenge. In fact I now believe that the saboteur that tried to destroy the old Storm was from one of these cities. A couple of the other tight-lipped dissidents we've had killed during the last purge I believe were from there too originally."
You shake your head.
"Maybe I should just have the cities bombed out of existence after all." You say with a sigh.
"What I don't understand, is why we're bumping into them only now. I mean these cities are so far away and the refugee Felkans would've not only had to travel through gnoll AND Torite territory at the time, but also the Broki Kingdom. Surely it would've been easier to put down roots there." Warrick says.
"Well, who is to say some of them didn't? You're only coming across the more radical ones obviously. There may have very well been Felkans that just wanted to get away from the Empire and live a normal life. Granted if those individuals had just accepted Empire rule in the first, they could've done so anyway with little change, but that's a different topic."
You continue.
"Also the Broki Kingdom was fairly backwards and having strife of its own, I get the impression that the Felkans just wanted to get as far a way as possible from such things. This journey probably wasn't without its hazards. Combine that with losing your homeland and anything else that might've been personal, it's not hard to see where their hate would've festered to the point where the svelk took advantage of it. The ex Felkans are the tool that the svelk are manipulating. Maybe they don't have a nation proper anymore, but it's obvious that the svelk are definitely building the skeleton of one out of these cities states and they see us as the biggest threat to their new endeavors."
"It isn't just the svelk and these militant ex-Felkans we've discovered though, we recently came across something new. Something I know you're going to want to hear before proceeding with any plan." Warrick says.
Warrick tell you that there is another community but far enough away to be fairly isolated from the rest of the city-states in the area, in fact the community makes its home in a lone mountain.
"So... what they live in a cave?"
"Well not exactly. The Eyes have not been there, but apparently there is a whole city built into the mountain. Basically similar to what the derro do underground I guess, but they aren't derro. They're gnomes."
"Gnomes?"
"Yes, and from what information we have gathered, they're also from the former Felkan Kingdom. The funny thing is, they don't seem to have much contact with the rest of the city states. We know that the gnomes trade with the various cities from time to time and we know that there must be humans living in this mountain since those are the ones that do the trading. The place is called New Dessle."
"Hrm. Name of the former Felkan capital. So do you think they're working with the svelk in this conspiracy?" you ask.
"We don't know. Like I said, all we know is that they trade sometimes, it seems to be mostly minerals and it's fairly infrequent. If they are in league, they're keeping it fairly secret from anyone."
Gnomes. That puts a slightly different spin on everything. Between the svelk and the gnomes, you've got two of the most manipulative and smartest races working together to possibly destroy you.
Regardless of whether or not the gnomes are actually involved, it still would be best to gather more information, perhaps even more so.
"Until we've got more information, we're going to assume the gnomes are just the occasional trading partners. While MAYBE they're indirectly helping by trading material to these svelk influenced cities, I'd rather we deal with the immediate suspects first. Besides attacking a damn mountain isn't exactly in the budget right now." You say.
So you proceed with your plan. You keep the Eyes spying and gathering information and keep your own internal security tight. You also start having kobolds digging tunnels under the cities.
A few weeks pass and you receive a message. A human rider dropped off a box in a village in the Broki province. Before riding off he stated to the nearby peasants that they needed to deliver that to their Emperor. The box was obviously leaking blood and when one of the braver soldiers opened it, there were several eyes inside. A bloody note attached stated a warning from "Domina" Eldolith that all spies from the Empire will be killed and any further unwanted aggression on the "Confederacy of Free Cities" would be an act of war.
Never mind the fact that Eldolith started this by trying to assassinate you in the first place.
"She can't possibly be serious in taking us on. She may have discovered some of our spies, but we already know full well what her strength is and even with our reduced manpower right now we could take on the entire force of this so called Confederacy of Free Cities." Warrick remarks.
"Oh I'm sure she know that. She's backed into a corner and is doing typical svelk grand standing hoping it will work. To be quite honest I figured she'd eventually discover some of our spies eventually. The svelk aren't stupid, but they served their purpose in information gathering and they probably distracted the svelk from possibly discovering our kobolds running around underground. You can start pulling out the rest of your Eyes, we'll be attacking the cities soon. With any luck we won't let a single svelk escape and we can wipe out the remainder of the ex-Felkans as well." You say.
Kivan is nearby probably waiting to get your attention for some domestic issue. Normally he just waits patiently, but this time he speaks.
"Forgive my presumption my Emperor as I know war is your area of expertise, but what about the gnomes?" he asks.
"What about them? Our spies still have not uncovered anything that would suggest that they're helping. Even the material that they're trading couldn't be considered dangerous for the most part." Warrick answers.
"The gnomes will be dealt with later, Kivan. No need to worry." You say.
Kivan puts aside his scrolls and addresses you directly.
"I have no doubt that will be the case my Emperor, however it is my concern that the Empire not take any more potential unnecessary losses. The Felkan War took a heavy toll on the Empire. A toll that was not necessary had our former Emperor acted more quickly on the matter. The same could be said for the Shadow uprising."
"Watch your tone! YOUR current Emperor AND I both served to quell those incidents! Where were you? Counting beans? I suggest you stick to what you know advisor!" Warrick says raising his voice.
"You are correct Sightmaster, I AM an advisor. And as I said it is true, I am more of an expert in the mundane domestic affairs that keep the Empire running, I also have to deal with the effects these wars have on such things. If you attack now there will be hardship on the people, BUT our people are used to such things. What is a little more troubling is when unexpected problems pop up or long drawn out affairs."
"So what are you exactly saying Kivan?" you ask.
"I'm saying that the gnomes can't be trusted to live. When they rebelled against the Empire and ran away they managed to manipulate a collection of simple villages and towns and turn it into the Felkan Kingdom. Not only that, but they managed to build it up to the point where it actually surpassed the Empire technology wise and all of this was done in a fairly short period of time."
You continue to listen while Kivan expresses his point of view on this matter.
"Perhaps the gnomes aren't working with the svelk, but that's not to say they aren't still working against us. I can't believe that they wouldn't harbor some sort of revenge. I mean the ex-Felkans obviously do and all they lost were their homeland. The gnomes were systematically exterminated. I just believe that leaving the gnomes for later is going to give them more time to build up their defenses and just make it harder for the Empire to wipe them out in the future. Why take the chance?"
Kivan does actually make a pragmatic point. While taking the city-states isn't going to be too much of a problem, it's still going to take time and manpower. Your main concern with them is making sure you get all the svelk (especially Eldolith) inside. Consolidating, settling, and rooting out problem people will all take time as well. And while you're doing all that, the gnomes could be sitting in their mountain building some weapon (or weapons) of imaginable power.
They already built an entire city in a mountain, who knows what the escaped gnomes have been working on since their exodus?
> just focus on the city-states
Kivan may mean well, but you've got more experience in this matter. In fact you're going to just find out what's going on right now.
"Warrick, we know where New Dessle is correct?" you ask.
"Yes, it's the only large mountain south of the city states. I imagine the entrance is probably hidden, but I'm sure the kobolds could tunnel through with enough time."
"That won't be necessary. I'm sure the gnomes have several lookout points and will open up when they see me. I'm going to New Dessle."
At this point Kivan and Warrick are apprehensive about that idea.
"Emperor, you can't seriously mean going there by yourself!" Kivan exclaims.
"I agree, I mean if this is some sort of diplomatic mission you should at least take a retinue with you and even then I'd be against such a thing." Warrick adds.
"I never said I was going alone, you're coming with me, Warrick. I figure the two of us should be more than adequate to take on a mountain of gnomes if need be."
This remark is met with silence.
"What? You've always said you wanted more work outside that office and get back in the middle of things, well here's a big thing to get right in the middle of Warrick." You say which causes Warrick to bow his head and put his fist to his chest.
"Apologies my Emperor. This offer was just very sudden and I was taken by surprise. Of course I shall accompany you and whatever we face shall be together. It will be an honor as always."
"It is your choice my Emperor, but I still cannot encourage this idea." Kivan remarks.
"Well your concern for my well being is noted. Come on Warrick we need to get underway as soon as possible." You say.
While you and Warrick prepare for your journey you also take the opportunity to start setting the stage for the attack on the Confederacy of the Free Cities. (Which you didn't even know that's what this little group of city-states was even called until Eldolith's message).
The only potential danger of the journey is the fact you're going to have to ride through the Confederacy "territory" and while you're fairly certain you'd be able to handle whatever they send at you, you don't want to give them anymore reason to run off before you're ready to attack, because you know that's going to be the first thing the svelk do. They did with the Broki Kingdom after all.
You and Warrick have a more or less uneventful journey however since you stick to the off beaten track and away from the cities patrol areas. The pair of you mostly pass the time speaking about matters of the Empire and this situation with the svelk and what to possibly expect with the gnomes. You do get the idea that Warrick is pretty happy about going on this trip.
Eventually you get closer to the mountain, which no longer looms in the distance, but instead stands towering above you. It's not the size of the ones in Rask, but it's big enough that if the gnomes have built a city inside the thing, it would have to be quite large indeed.
"Well, we're here, any idea how to get inside?" Warrick asks.
"I figure I'd start shouting at the gnomes until they let me in." you say.
"And if they don't?"
"I guess I'll start smashing holes into the side of the mountain with magic and let myself in."
"And maybe you better not, Eternal Emperor. Powerful you may be, I guarantee that even you would not take this mountain all by yourself, but I get the impression you're not here for that." A voice says coming from above you.
You look up and see that several holes in the mountain have opened up with the barrels of rifles all pointing at you. And that's just the ones you're seeing, you imagine they probably got more.
"Right you are gnome. I'm here to discuss the possible future of our relationship. So how about you open this mountain up and let us talk." You shout.
"I have a better idea, how about you get the hell out of here before we blow your fucking head off!" a different voice shouts.
"We should just do it now! Why didn't you let me shoot him as he approached!?" another voice says.
"Glenmore! Valen! Shut the hell up! Apologies Emperor, but as you might expect we're not exactly trusting of the Empire given our history with it. In fact we're not very trusting of anyone nowadays."
"Well I can certainly understand that." You remark.
"I thought you might. Hold on let me come to you." The voice says which is followed by a lot of mumbling and whispering.
"This isn't exactly a good position we're in." Warrick says.
"Nonsense, we already got one to come out and talk. Probably a leader. We're already making progress." You say.
You wait for about ten minutes still noticing that the rifles are still fixed on you.
"Okay here I am, now we can talk." A voice says and you turn around to see a gnome with a full face of gray facial hair. Typical of older examples of his race. He is dressed in fine (if dirty) clothing.
"Hmmm, it would appear you must also have a system of tunnels and secret doors in the ground surrounding this mountain too." You say.
"Indeed. Hate living like a derro at times, but with all the kobolds running around north lately... well best to be safe right?"
"Looks like you've thought of everything... " you say not knowing the gnome's name.
"Oh, the name's Klemto. Klemto Zookwinkle. But let's get to it, I assume you're here to see if we're willing to surrender without a fight?"
"Not exactly, though that is a good subject to discuss later. What I was really here to ask is if you were in league with the svelk."
"Oh goodness no! We trade with them at times, but only rarely and never anything they could use as a weapon! I believe we'd all sooner trust the Empire before we'd trust the dark elves. At least the Empire is up front about wanting to exterminate us."
You stop Klemto right there.
"Okay, first of all there is no plan to exterminate the gnomes."
"Could've fooled me given the information we've heard. Waging a genocidal war on the Torites. Even bombing other human nations into submission. Now you're planning on annihilating the svelk, though I can't say they're the most sympathetic of beings. I know who you are Eternal. You were a general in the Felkan War. The old emperor's right hand. In fact you even led captured gnomes and them to that infamous death camp called Gnome's Home."
"I did that once."
"Oh, he did it once! And that makes everything better? Was that a bad attempt at an apology?"
"Of course not since I have nothing to apologize for. I was merely following orders. You want to know what I really think of your people? Nothing. You're clever and you invent useful things. That's it. I think your manipulation of the Felkans to protect yourselves was a useful survival strategy and one to be admired in some ways. Just like your mountain city here. I don't have some burning great hatred for any of your kind. Personally I thought it was a waste of resources to ship you all off to Gnome's Home just to go through the unnecessary process of banishing your souls to oblivion. But that's what the Emperor wanted so that's what happened."
Klemto lights up some sort of pipe as you talk and takes a puff before speaking.
"So just following orders eh? Sounds about right. From what we know of you, you were and apparently still are an emotionless individual. That's probably what makes you scarier than your former Emperor. At least he had an emotion. An irrational one, but it was something."
"Oh he had a reason. And it wasn't just the gnomes rebelling. Your last name, Zookwinkle isn't unknown to me gnome." You say.
You stare at Klemto and he stares back. He instinctively knows that you know something concerning a female member of his family being involved with the Emperor in some way. Warrick just stands by looking a bit confused, but mostly more concerned about the guns overhead.
"Heh, well grandma always did do what she thought was best for survival." Klemto remarks.
"Well I suggest you follow in her footsteps then and do the same."
"Don't think you're my type." Klemto jokes nervously.
"Amusing, but you know what I mean." You say seriously.
Klemto wipes his forehead and begins puffing away again.
"Look, we just want to be left alone. I mean do you really need us under your thumb too even with the countless slaves and subjects you already have?"
"Well since you bring it up, yes. If you're under my rule, I can keep a closer eye on you. Not to mention your skills would be of great use to the Empire once again." You answer.
"We were once under the old emperor's rule too. You see how well that worked out." Klemto remarks.
"He also was blinded by love at the time and as you pointed out, I am the emotionless one. His hatred of your people also caused him to make many mistakes. If you betray me in some way, rest assured I won't bother going through some elaborate process of torturing you and destroying your souls. I'll just have you run down and slaughtered wherever you may run to. Where you go in the afterlife is your own affair, but here in the land of the living, that's my domain." You say with a cold tone.
Klemto is now contemplating the consequences of what may happen if he and his people try to resist when you eventually do come to stake claim on New Dessel. He's pondering if they can kill you now before it even comes to that. It's obviously that he doesn't think they can or else they would've done it long before now. Klemto and the gnomes aren't stupid, they know that the stories of what abilities you really possess are probably exaggerated, however that old fear that still lingers from their treatment by Casimir mixed with what they DO know what you're capable of is still enough to stay their hand.
And it is this fear that is making this all work in your favor. Just like you knew it would. Had the roles been reversed, you wouldn't have hesitated. You would've killed yourself with a volley of rifle blasts and more as soon as you were in range.
After pacing a bit, Klemto finally speaks again.
"I'm going to have to talk this over with the rest of the council and while that's more of a formality, most of them aren't going to be happy... (Sigh) Okay, here it goes. We will capitulate to Empire rule and we'll pay tribute. But we must remain in this mountain. Whatever it is that you need from us to serve the Empire, it will have to be here or at least within the area. Now if some individual wants to leave and help elsewhere in the Empire, then that's his decision. But at no point will our people be forced to leave if they don't want to. Also no other Empire citizens may enter this mountain either unless we allow it. This includes the army." Klemto says.
"Hah! You must be joking." You interrupt.
"I'm serious. Now I know you'll need to keep an eye on us as you say, well your Eyes will be allowed in. As many as you want, but I assure you that it won't be necessary since there will not be any attempts at betrayal."
While it would appear that Klemto is willing to capitulate, there are a lot of stipulations he's making. Stipulations that imply he thinks he's in the position to make.
> walk away now
Without another word you cast a protective barrier around you and Warrick, which startles Klemto and definitely causes shouting from the other gnomes until Klemto waves them down.
"Don't worry gnome. My intention is not to attack you now as you are indeed correct that it would be stupid to attack a mountain all by myself. However your stipulations are presumptuous and foolish. I made this trip for YOUR benefit, not mine and you have squandered it with unreasonable demands."
Klemto stands silent.
"I shall return to finish off the Confederacy of the Free Cities and then at some point we'll pick this up again except I will not be so reasonable next time. Let us leave Warrick."
As Warrick and you leave, Warrick asks you a question.
"I thought they'd be shooting at us by now."
"They know it's futile. Besides, even if they did, my barrier is more than enough to deflect bullets. Used it quite a bit during the Felkan War as you... "
Before you can finish your sentence suddenly a huge blast of lightning from above hits the ground right near you. You're protected of course by the barrier, but it's so unexpected and startling that it actually causes you and Warrick to lose balance and unfortunately you to lose your concentration for a brief moment and your barrier goes down.
"NOW!" you hear Klemto shout, while you're still clearing the cobwebs. Several gnomes armed with repeating rifles pop up out of the ground and fire upon you. Warrick is struck in the head and killed instantly.
You are hit in the body enough times to feel the pain of each bit of hot lead going in ripping up your insides and coming out the other end. Then much like your now dead brother in arms, you are hit in the head and killed leaving nothing behind but a bloody bullet ridden body with brains leaking out uselessly into the soil. |
Year 52
"The Sorcerer King still wants to meet with you my Emperor, he says he really wants to visit Empire lands and wishes to reassure you that there doesn't need to be any increasing animosity between the two nations." Kivan says.
"(Sigh) Again? That's what like the sixth letter he's sent? Never have I known a leader whose country isn't on the verge of destruction so eager to be friends. And even when said countries have been on that verge of destruction some have preferred death over surrender. Makes me suspicious of him on general principle." You say.
"Yes, I can see where you would be apprehensive my Emperor. Nevertheless I believe you should at least give a response this time rather than ignoring him. Uh, just a suggestion though. You may of course do what you wish as is your will."
Kivan's right in that you probably should respond; it's been long enough. You just wonder if its time to respond with force. The time is starting to feel right. The new Eternals are finally done with their training and are eager to be given their purpose. Elam and the gnomes have just finished working on their new inventions. It would seem now would be as good as time as any to strike. It's just unfortunate that Decena is still in Nyttrus since you could use her here.
However you're still somewhat intrigued by this Sorcerer King who also claims "immortality" in his official title.
You wonder if he is like Casimir in some way. Perhaps another necromancer from Mortos? You haven't thought about it for a while, but age is starting to catch up to you. While you're still fit and stronger than the average person your age, you're starting to feel the aches at times. The idea of "immortality" is starting to appeal to you especially considering you've accomplished so much. Are you to just lose it all due to the ravages of old age? You don't even have the benefit of a long life span, you might be a powerful wizard in your own right and you might be more than human, but when it comes down to it, you're going to have much limited life span than Casimir did.
Of course he most certainly won't be forth coming with any such secret to extending one's life span, but maybe you can at the very least get a good idea of who you're dealing with. (And it may just be a "boastful" title anyway and he's not actually immortal which would be good to know as well)
"Kivan, let the sorcerer king know that I'll be making arrangements to meet with him and allowing him safe passage to visit, but there are going to be some stipulations... "
Basically you tell the sorcerer king that he can bring some of his personal guard, as well as whatever belongings he feels is necessary.
The sorcerer king returns your message with a gleeful acceptance and states that he wishes to come by ship within the week and dock at your biggest port in Nalin, from there he will meet you and you can travel to the capital together. You return that message and state that will be fine.
With this meeting underway you get things prepared for extra defense. Naturally Warrick and the Eyes work hard to make sure everything vital is extra secured, but you also have Galen and what few mages remain posted in various areas to act as magic monitors since your visitor is supposed to be a powerful wizard and all.
To be quite honest you aren't sure what to expect yourself, as you have no real knowledge of the man or what he's capable of save for rumors. You spend some time honing your own spell abilities just in case.
On the day of the arrival, you have Brenda and Warrick (And several soldiers) accompany you near the docks in the Nalin city of Pivod. It's probably the first time all three of you have been together since the new eternals completed their training.
"I'm surprised you're agreeing to this meeting. When the new Eternals were done with their training last year I thought for sure we'd be going to war with Nakol soon." Brenda remarks.
"I probably would have, but Nakol isn't going to be an easy conquest. It's going to be costly. I wanted to make sure we had that extra resource influx and gold income coming from Nyttrus. Plus the gnomes were working on their new inventions, which would contribute greatly to an upcoming war effort. Thought it might be best to wait until we had all our forces brought to the table. This meeting though, well might as well get a good idea of who we'll be dealing with."
"But won't he be doing the same thing?"
"True, but it hardly matters. He's not going to have access to anything sensitive. All that stuff is in New Dessel. He already knows he's potentially facing a losing situation. The fact remains that even if the war was costly for us, we'd still win. He may be a wizard of great power. Perhaps even as great as the old Emperor, but there is nothing implying that the rest of his nation is anything else than average at best. As I've heard, he's the only wizard he even allows in his nation. Smart in some ways I suppose as it prevents anyone else from becoming as powerful as him, but it cripples his resources in the long run and displays to me a man who is very fearful of losing his advantage. They've only just recently created their own gunpowder weapons. They have no airships, they have nothing like any of our technological wonders."
"Hrm, what about their fleet?" Warrick says and points to a large ship approaching which can only be the Sorcerer King. It is much bigger than the sea going ships you have. Even the ones you sent to Nyttrus weren't as large. This "King's Ship" is ridiculous. You don't think it's going to fit in the damn harbor.
As it gets closer, the ship is also well armed with cannons, but also lavishly decorated. You don't really see the point in decorating a ship, which is obviously designed with war in mind. Then again you've also heard of how Nakol tends to place visual aesthetics over practical ones most of the time. Truly a sign of frivolousness and decadence.
Fortunately the giant ship manages to dock without destroying them and the gangplank lowers. You can't even see who is aboard the ship due to its great height, but a fancy dressed individual walks down with two trumpeters behind him.
"And now it is your privledge and honor to receive the Immortal Sorcerer King of the Great Nation of Nakol and all his glory!" the man shouts and the trumpeters begin to play.
A line of people begins to march down the plank. First it's the guards who are dressed in some sort of ceremonial armor that is obviously for show. Then some other people come down. They don't look like soldiers or even advisors, they're barely dressed and they consist of young males and females. They even down a little dance in front of the lot of you.
"What the hell? Who are all these people?" Warrick asks.
"If I had to guess, probably some sort of pleasure girls and boys." You say.
"I thought you told him to keep his entourage light?" Brenda asks.
"I did, but as you can see, the fool has got to have his fun. The man himself better come out soon, because I'm not waiting around here for my health."
Sure enough right after you make that statement a figure appears at the edge of the ship. He's a swarthy man wearing a very luxurious looking robe and a crown encrusted with jewels. A pair of servants hold his robe as he makes his way down the plank.
He certainly carries an air of self-importance and royalty about him. When he approaches, you get a closer look at him. You imagine that he has to be at least as old or maybe even older than you, but his face does not display any signs of age. The only outwardly strange thing about him is that his eyes are an odd purple color. He may or may not be immortal, but he's certainly using some sort of magic to make himself look young.
And here you are looking almost the exact opposite. You're wearing practical armor, have a sword hanging by your side and absolutely no frills. When you and the Sorcerer King finally come face to face, he looks you up and down in a way that almost implies he's attracted to you.
"Well, Emperor of the East at last we meet. So stoic and rugged! I heard that about you. I like it. Not my taste, but I believe it works for you. And my, look at all your little soldiers set out just for my arrival. I also detect a few... yes three mages in the nearby area. Guess you want to make sure I don't secretly cast any aggressive spells eh? Smart. I'm flattered that you believe me so dangerous, but all of this was hardly necessary, as I said I only wish for peace between our two nations." The Sorcerer King says while using a lot of flamboyant hand gestures.
He hasn't been here a few seconds and already he's starting to irritate you.
"Yes, well we'll speak on that later, right now you're going to have all your little concubines and some of your soldiers to get right back aboard that ship. I told you that you could have a personal guard not a small company and a few personal belongings." You say.
"But these lovelies ARE my personal belongings. Was I wrong in believing that the Empire does not engage in such institutions?" the sorcerer king asks holding on to one of his young male "belongings."
"If you're referring to slavery, we've reserved it to criminal scum and prisoners of war nowadays as punishment for defying or insulting the Empire with their dissention or outright hostility. In any case I'm not having extra people running around and having to worry about them being a security risk, they stay on board your ship."
The Sorcerer King frowns a bit.
"(Sigh) Very well I understand your concerns for security, but I must say you're being a terribly dull and inflexible host right now. What about my two closest servants? Surely you would not deny me them?"
"You are seriously testing my already uncharacteristic hospitality. (Sigh) Fine, you can have your two robe carriers, or whatever they are to you."
"Well I thank you for your permissiveness in this regard."
At this point the Sorcerer King tells most of his people to get back on the ship and reassuring them that he'll make it up to all of them later. You on the other hand tell Warrick that you want that ship closely watched and if anyone is seen trying to exit it, they're to be shot immediately. Both Warrick and Brenda leave your company to attend to their other duties. No reason for all of you to suffer this fop.
What transpires for the rest of the day is putting up with the Sorcerer King's annoying demeanor. He speaks and acts in a way that you dislike intensely. The man only seems to primarily discuss his sexual habits and you have to keep the conversation back on topic many times.
Despite his evasiveness (or rather his obsession with his sex life) you do manage to get something out of him. He says that he's never been to the "mythical" Island of Mortos having lived in Nakol all his life. (After you mention a bit about it, he says it sounds like an awful place that he hopes to never set foot on) He also admits that he knows the Empire is much stronger than his own nation, but still hopes that it doesn't come to war as he claims he's a lover not a fighter. He even says he's willing to work out some sort of agreement as long as he can stay in power of Nakol.
"Perhaps, if we paid some sort of tribute? I heard that you worked out a similar agreement with what are those adorable little mustached men that build all sorts of strange gadgets? Oh yes, the gnomes." The sorcerer king says.
"Hrmm. Well one thing you need to take into consideration. New Dessel is a single city. Granted it's a mountain, but its still a single location that we keep a very close eye on. There is also the fact that there aren't many of them. However the most important thing in their favor is that they have a useful trade that contributes to the Empire greatly. Great enough that I'm willing to let them have a little extra autonomy."
The Sorcerer King listens with apprehension, as he knows you're going to now explain why you're less willing to make the same deal with Nakol.
"Nakol on the other hand is a very large nation with a very large population. Call me paranoid, but I'm far from comfortable from giving something that much freedom. And your nation despite being large offers nothing really save for your resources, territory and obviously fat treasury. And I'd rather have those without having to ask at all. Face it, this is beginning of the end for Nakol independence. However there is one thing that stands out that would at least save your own skin and let you keep your position in this upcoming new order."
"Oh? And what is that?"
"Your immortality, well at least your supposed immortality. I have my doubts. I imagine the only way to truly test such a thing would be to well... kill you."
With a few eye glances to your own soldiers and a couple of swift punches and kicks, you get the sorcerer king to the floor and hold your dagger to his throat. His personal guard are slaughtered and two Eyes hold the sorcerer king's arms just in case he tries to cast a spell.
"Utter anything that remotely sounds like an incantation and your tongue is the first thing I cut off." You say.
"Stop! Stop! Please don't kill me!" the sorcerer king exclaims.
"The fear on you is overwhelming. You're not immortal. Guess I have just been wasting my time... " you say.
"No! Wait! (gasp) Maybe (wheeze) I'm not immortal, but I do have knowledge of obscure arts that can keep you young! I mean surely that must be worth something?"
You relax your blade a bit.
"Speak quickly sorcerer."
"Thank you. (Whew) Yes, it's true that I do not have proper immortality, but I do have eternal youth and what commoners really know the difference right? It's a very complex ritual though. The type of magic involved hasn't been practiced in who knows when. When I was genuinely a younger man a century ago, and first found the scrolls in some forgotten cave I only half believed of the power they would bring. I nearly died in the process and I paid a price, but it was worth it as you can see the results."
You're still a little leery...
"Please! I'm telling the truth! Look, we can perform the ritual right here if you want! I can tell you what to do and get, but we're still going to have to wait until tomorrow at least since the ritual must be done at a certain time of night and that time has currently past unfortunately."
"All right, you've bought yourself a little time, but I'm not going into this blind. Tomorrow you are going to tell me EVERYTHING about this ritual and the price you had to pay, because let's just say I'm not a stranger to complex rituals and the repercussions involved."
You have the sorcerer king shown to his room. You also have him bound, gagged AND watched by several Eyes and a couple of mages. You are not taking any chances.
You don't get to sleep that night in your own room; you're still pondering what this eternal youth ritual might entail. Casimir knew something similar to it, but that was due to necromantic magic and that obviously still had its limits. This apparently is different, you wonder how though.
"Mmm, there he is, my ambitious little Eternal desperately trying to unlock the secret to immortality so that he may truly live up to his name. If you wanted to know so bad, you should've just asked mommy." You hear a voice say behind you, which causes you to freeze.
It's Semra, and she's in your room.
This isn't an "illusion" either. You know it isn't because you just felt her hot breath in your ear followed by a gentle lick.
How she managed to actually sneak in here is irrelevant. You're in an unsafe position and you can only imagine that this has something to do with the sorcerer king. This whole visit might finally be showing its true colors...
> slowly talk your way out
As crazy as it is to believe, if Semra's actually here then it might not be an entirely bad thing. So far she's always attempted to help you, and you imagine if she really wanted to kill you, you wouldn't have heard a thing.
"Semra. why am I not entirely surprised to find out you're somehow mixed up in this?" you say not turning your head.
"Because while you may be a fool obsessed conquest and order, you're not an idiot."
"Obsessed eh? And what would you call your being here?"
"A mother's concern... mmmm" Semra says as both of her hands rub your chest. Her face is now side by side yours and you feel a small kiss on your cheek.
"Do you know how fucked up you sound whenever you address us as mother and son?"
"Oh you know you like it. I trust by the fact that you have not immediately attacked and that you're actually enjoying my company that you're willing to hear me out?"
"I wouldn't say I'm actually enjoying your company, but you did come all this way... you might as well speak your piece while I'm in a diplomatic mood." You respond and slowly turn around at which point Semra backs away.
"So was your clumsy plan always to invite Mortimer and kill him thus chopping off the head of the Nakol Kingdom immediately, or were you actually trying to learn how he became infamously immortal?" Semra asks.
"Mortimer?"
"Yes, you know the lurid little king that you have captive right now? His real name is Mortimer Fudwick. Sounds almost like one of those silly gnome names doesn't it? If you thought he was annoying within the short time you spent with him, just think if you had to listen to the shit on a regular basis as his advisor."
Advisor. Well this is starting to make some more sense.
"So is that where you've been all this time? Hiding out in the Nakol Kingdom as the sorc... as Mortimer's advisor?" you ask.
"I wouldn't say I've been hiding. I've merely been securing my future. I'll admit it's not been easy and Mortimer's ongoing sexual talk has long since gotten past the point of being boring. He's not nearly as good as he thinks he is... "
This last implication shouldn't surprise you but that twisted part of you that apparently still hasn't disappeared completely nearly causes you to say something. You manage to stop yourself, however Semra smiles at your momentary lapse in stoicism.
"Why... you're jealous!" Semra says nearly laughing.
"No I'm not. You're being delusional again." You say trying to maintain your calm demeanor.
"Deny it all you want, I know the truth. See, I KNEW I would ALWAYS be the only real woman for you. You never forget your first eh? Don't worry, no matter how many times I lay with that effeminate fop he'll never be anything the man you are." Semra says totally enjoying this situation.
"I don't need your reassurance to tell me that, what I was going to say is that I'm a little surprised that a proud svelk woman like yourself has resorted to thinly veiled whoredom for survival. To a monkey no less."
"Look, if this is really bothering you, we can always go discuss this on your bed over there. Doesn't look like it's been used in years and I'm sure despite your age you could still give it to me in a way that only you can... "
"Semra, will you get to the fucking point of your visit, before I stop entertaining the idea that you aren't a complete fucking selfish backstabbing bitch who ultimately only looks out for her own best interests?" you say in a raised tone of voice.
Semra chuckles a bit at your outburst.
"Oh I did miss that anger of yours. Sexy. That passion. That hate that bubbles underneath. Mortimer has none of that. His demon does, but he's rather useless in the physical aspect due to being trapped in a crystal and all.
"Okay I heard the word demon. Let's focus on that."
"(Sigh) Very well, to business... "
Semra goes on to explain that Mortimer's reign over the Nakol Kingdom solely hinges on a deal he made with a demon named Zelvix over a century ago. He got youth, power, magic abilities and all the sex he could ever want in exchange for his soul. However Morty wasn't a complete fool, he managed to trap the demon in a crystal prison of some sort which has made the deal unable to be completed properly which now has made Mortimer "semi-immortal". Now the demon just sits biding its time, waiting for the day it's released or when Mortimer actually dies so it can claim what it was owed.
"So basically what you're telling me is that Mortimer doesn't know shit about eternal youth let alone immortality other than what this demon gave him." You say.
"Basically."
"Knew it was too good to be true." You say and get your sword.
"What're you doing?"
"Well there's no point in keeping him alive no is there? Might as well go ahead and be done with it... "
"Wait! That's another thing I wanted to talk to you about! You can't just kill him, I mean you could, but it would be extremely... bad. Killing Mortimer is also going to release Zelvix and trust me, you don't want to do that, he's a demon lord of great power."
"If he's so great how the hell did he get tricked by some hedge wizard?"
"Probably due to typical arrogance like all of his kind. Look I'm just telling you that it's not going to be a simple matter of just cutting his head off. If it was, I would've done it years ago on general principle of being a bad lay. You go in and kill him now and it's going to be bad in the long term not just for you, but for the entire world."
"The world? Aren't you being just a little overly dramatic? And since when are you so altruistic?"
"Since unleashing a demon army would not be in my best interest that's why. Contrary to popular belief, we svelk aren't all looking to see the world burn, but that's definitely what will happen if you kill Mortimer. Personally I was trying to find a way to banish the demon, I think I might be on the right path, but it's going to take a few decades still I think."
"A few decades? Fuck that, I'm not waiting that long and I know you're not telling me the entire truth anyway; you've got another angle in this. Now get the hell out of my way before I forget that you're actually an enemy of mine."
"(Sigh) Fine. You know, usually as people get older they learn to become more patient. I can see though your growing fixation on living long enough to conquer the world is becoming a major flaw. Of course what else do you really have right? You have no master any longer. You have no significant other. You can't have children. You have nothing except your Empire, which will undoubtedly fall soon after you die and you KNOW it. So you're now starting to seek out a way to conquer death. You're getting more like Casimir everyday. Congratulations, you are your father's son."
"I don't fear death Semra, never have."
"Never said you did, I taught you not to. I believe though... bah nevermind. Further discussion on this subject would be wasted on you. Go then, kill little pathetic Mortimer. Perhaps if you're lucky when the demon army is unleashed by Zelvix and eventually overruns the world, you will get that warrior's death rather than the old man in bed death where you are decrepit lying in your own filth and too weak to even lift yourself up."
"You done?" you ask as you advance towards the door and Semra with sword in hand.
"Just one more thing. I hope you remember this day as one of the many that I could've killed you and didn't. Mortimer wanted me to assassinate you, you know. Now I'll take my leave. Until next time lover." Semra says and disappears. You still hear the faint patter of footsteps so you figure she's only turned invisible rather than some sort of teleportation. You call for soldiers, Eyes, mages and whoever else who will listen, since you have a feeling Mortimer's escaped.
When you enter the cell he was being held in, you find the Eyes and mages that were watching him burned from the inside out. You're not sure how he did it without other soldiers and such being alerted and him being bound and gagged, but Mortimer's obviously escaped and Semra was running interference for him while he did so.
Several of your soldiers and others begin apologizing for not knowing what had occurred, but you wave them all away saying that you're not angry at anyone. When they ask if you want a general search and alarm sounded you decline.
"No. There would be no point, however I'm fairly certain that he'll be leaving his ship behind. Sightmaster Warrick is probably still in the area having it watched. Someone go inform him to have everyone killed aboard and start having it refitted according to Empire standards."
Just as you're finished giving that order, your advisor Kivan has arrived in a hurried fashion.
"Emperor, I just heard! Are you okay? Has the Sorcerer King really escaped?"
"Escaped, is a relative term, Kivan. Let's just say he's temporarily eluded my immediate clutches. If his situation is anything like I was just told, he's got bigger problems than the likes of me. In any case, we're officially at war with the Kingdom of Nakol now."
"I see... is there anything you need right now?"
You briefly think for a moment.
The only thing that comes to mind is getting your best general back to Evigrus. Decena from what you know has more or less pushed back the Iznac and at least established a good foothold on the continent where your people aren't on the verge of being annihilated. Flog and Snilkez'ka will still be there along with whoever is Decena's second.
Of course you've been regularly receiving much needed resources and riches from Nyttrus thanks to Decena's presence there. You don't necessarily worry that the Iznac are going to suddenly be a problem due to her not being around, you're just a little concerned that without a strong leadership presence, the orcs are going to run wild and fuck up the regular shipments or disregard them altogether. And you can't afford for that to happen if you're going to be going to war with Nakol.
> keep Decena in Nyttrus
Decena might be a good general, but without the extra resources from Nyttrus, your war machine efforts are not going to run as smoothly. You need her to keep on top of things there.
Which means you'll be leading the new Eternals into battle and that's fine by you.
You don't waste any time getting the rest of your plans underway. You figure a four-pronged attack will work suitably for the initial assault.
You have your fleet attack south Nakol from the sea and land troops there. You have the rest of your airships fly over the mountain range and bombard northern Nakol. Your kobold forces can dig under the large mountain range as usual. Finally you have the majority of your forces march through the mountain passes. You'll hold back your Eternals until the passes are completely under your control and no longer contested. It would probably be best to "test" the Nakol defenses located in the pass choke points anyway.
This is going to be a bit different from the conflicts in the past, your armies aren't going to be relying on any magic support at all. What few mages you have left are either overseeing the next Eternal tanks or are part of the Eyes now (Aside from the ones that Mortimer killed recently). You don't know just exactly how powerful Mortimer's own magic is, but you do know he's the only wizard in his kingdom so you're not anticipating any problems, if technology has proven anything its that the lowliest unskilled peasant can figure it out and use it with great efficiency. A sign of the times you suppose.
In any case you have no doubt that when the time comes, it'll probably be up to you personally to take down Mortimer in a magic showdown and if Semra is in your way then you'll deal with her as well.
A few months pass and just as you figured, Mortimer does have other tricks up his sleeve to make the invasion go a lot more difficult. You don't know if he always had an agreement with them or perhaps they're just siding with him out of spite, but the satyr and harpy clan survivors that fled to the Nakol mountains after the Tor War rear their ugly head again. This mainly involves their usual ambush tactics in the various mountain passes, but apparently there are still enough of the harpies to mount full assaults on your airships.
Apparently Mortimer doesn't have a problem with their mages either since they still have a few left and they're using their elemental magic to a great degree causing rockslides in the mountain passes, strong damaging winds against your airships and even violent tidal waves against your fleet. You don't remember them having quite that much magical strength before so you imagine Mortimer must be enhancing their abilities with his own.
There are also reports of svelk mercenaries among the normal Nakol army. You knew that not ALL of them threw in their lot with Eldolith. These must be the ones that followed Semra. Well you can finish that job too.
All of this might not be a problem if you weren't suddenly experiencing a problem that you thought you wouldn't be experiencing. There's been a slow down in the shipments of resources from Nyttrus, meaning they've stopped completely. You also haven't received any letters from Decena either. No ships have come back from Nyttrus at all and you don't know why. The only answer you can come to the conclusion to though is that the Iznac have completely overrun your forces on Nyttrus, or have at least destroyed all your ships sent there.
It's a worrying enough thought that you think that maybe you'll need to go there yourself to handle it, but that's problematic due to your conflict with the Nakol Kingdom and you feel like victory will be close at hand.
The alternative of course is to send someone else to Nyttrus who you really feel will get the job done. The only who comes to mind is Warrick and he'll have to take his own contingent of Eyes with him. That of course means less of them overseeing the Empire, but that might be what has to be done because you're in the middle of putting an end to a potentially dangerous foe on your own continent and you can't drop that to go do something else.
You do however; take a temporary leave from the field to speak with Warrick who is more than happy to help.
"I was wondering when we were going to look into that. Do you think Decena has been killed?"
"It's a very real possibility and it would indeed be a loss, but I can't imagine that the Iznac could've just wiped out all of our forces there. I mean the last letter I got from Decena was a fairly positive one. Said we had just destroyed another Iznac town and the kobolds were already in the process of digging their way into another one. I mean its possible the Iznac had their own tricks we didn't know about, it seems very strange and concerning that we've heard nothing at all and even the couple of ships that were sent a few months ago have not returned. Somebody is deliberately making sure nobody leaves Nyttrus."
"Can't we send an airship?" Warrick asks.
"Still don't have the long range capabilities to travel to Nyttrus, though the gnomes and Elam are still working on that. So we're still using boats for now. What I want from you though is to find out what exactly the hell is going on over there. Solve the problem if necessary, but if it really looks bad, then don't risk it and return home as soon as possible. No good in losing you as well."
"Understood, I'll take mage support and I'll have my second, Kristopher, fully prepared to take care of things while I'm gone. And once again I'm honored you've chosen me for this task." Warrick says.
In a few days Warrick is on his way to Nyttrus and you're already anxious to hear what is going on over there. Lacking anything else to do, you return to your war with the Nakol Kingdom.
A few more months pass and you finally receive news and it's definitely not the good kind.
Warrick manages to return in a small rowboat, half dead from dehydration and malnutrition, but also from whatever his experience on Nyttrus was, fortunately he's not so far gone that he isn't able to tell you after he's taken care of a bit.
Later you speak with Warrick privately and in a relaxed setting.
He tells you that the situation is worse than you thought. It isn't the Iznac that are the problem, or at least they aren't the major problem anymore. It's Decena. She's gone rogue. Warrick says he doesn't know all the details of how this came to be, but he believes that the Iznac had something to do with it, possibly with magic, but it sort of backfired on them.
Decena's turned herself into a "queen" over there and has not only the remaining orc and kobold forces still under her command, but even has some of the Glip and Iznac following her as well. She's actually still fighting the "loyalist" Iznac hold outs that aren't accepting her leadership. In any case, she's not acting under the orders of the Empire any more and has declared herself independent.
He then goes on to say how they were attacked nearly immediately after they disembarked from the ship. He says that probably should've turned back when it was realized that the Empire had lost complete control of Nyttrus to the point that it no longer even had a friendly harbor, but he wanted to do some more investigating.
He mentions he only managed to escape after weeks of ongoing torture. The scars (and a couple of missing fingers) prove that.
"Looks like I didn't get to solve the problem, Emperor." Warrick says.
"I'm just glad you made it back to explain what the problem was exactly. We can take of it later... (Sigh) Shit... I guess I shouldn't have sent Decena there after all. She didn't really want to go in the first place, she only wanted to be close to home. Honestly she probably would've been a lot more useful here as well. I just didn't think that... tell me Warrick, you have seen here correct? Is she truly gone?"
"I have seen her. But I do not think this entirely due to magic. I mean perhaps the Iznac magic caused a change in her, but whenever I was in her presence, it felt like... well more was in play."
"What do you mean?"
"Her attitude was all her own. Her actions were all here own. Her curses about you and the Empire were all her own. I mean keeping the orcs under her command after splitting from the Empire? That doesn't surprise me, the greenskins will take any opportunity to split away. Keeping the kobolds under her command? Now that probably took some doing. We both know how loyal the little scalies are when they respect a strong leader greatly. It's just unfortunate for the Empire that she managed to convince them somehow that she was greater than you. I can only guess the fact that they fought side by side with her for so long helped. Well that and the fact that I didn't see Snilkez'ka around. She probably killed her long ago to prove a point."
Warrick continues.
"The orcs and even the kobolds are not surprising, but the Glip and especially some of the Iznac themselves? Now that is what surprised me. Neither group were even willing to work with us before, yet Decena managed to recruit entire villages into helping her. I doubt if whatever Iznac magic was cast on her was supposed to make her into a ruler of their own people. This is all her. She has a confidence now that exceeds what she had before."
"She has an arrogance now you mean, if she believes she can take me on. After I'm done with putting the Nakol Kingdom out its misery, I'll be paying a visit to Decena and she'll regret her decision to become a traitor." You say.
"I don't think she will. Despite her curses at you, I believe deep down she still can't face you."
"Well she isn't going to have a choice if I personally get a hold of her, but what do you mean?" you ask.
"Well isn't it obvious?" Warrick asks.
At first you don't understand his question, but then comes the split moment you understand all too well...
But you don't react in time since your guard was entirely down in the company of an old comrade in arms who has shown nothing but loyalty up until this point. Perhaps the same Iznac magic is in play here, but it hardly matters.
Warrick suddenly pulls his pistol and shoots you in the chest twice, before you can react. You aren't dead yet, but you're down and struggling to breath. You try to hit Warrick with a flame bolt, but he's still quick enough to dodge as he runs over to you.
"She still loves you... that's why she sent me! Long live the new regime!" Warrick yells and shoots you again in the head.
You're already dead when the rest of your soldiers come running and find Warrick cackling about Decena will be coming soon to wipe away the rest of the corrupt Empire. |
Elam's always had wild ideas, but this "immortality" plan just sounds too far-fetched and quite frankly more than a little risky. You'd be sacrificing the original plan entirely just to what? Live forever as a brain in a tank? What kind of life is that?
Even if something were set up so you could interact with the outside world, you'd still be very limited. Never again could you lift a weapon or cast a spell and face your enemies in battle. Never again could you enjoy the company of Decena in a meaningful way. And what of other potential mates when you eventually outlive her? You can't imagine how you could be satisfied with the existence even if you did manage to conquer the rest of the world. Who knows what the long-term effects would be. You still think you'd probably go mad eventually.
If the immortality involved your current body, you're not even sure you'd accept it. Not with how much you ache on a regular basis. No, immortality was never in the cards for you. This "life" wasn't even supposed to happen, so why entertain an impossible dream? You've achieved much in this life and if the end is coming soon then so be it.
"I'm not spending the rest of my life as a disembodied brain for any reason. We're sticking with the original plan regardless of the consequences. However, I'm also not quite eager to shuffle off this mortal coil just yet, so we're going to take the safety precautions and try to keep me alive. So when are we to start?"
"Uh...well, whenever you are of course my Emperor. I mean you'll have to collect the babies for this project first, then after that's done, we can get started." Elam says.
"Okay then, I'll have the Eyes gather candidates right away. In fact, given the nature of this project, I'm going to tell them to get an equal amount of males and females. As for you two I want you to gather whatever staff and equipment you need."
Elam and Zana both acknowledge your command and leave when you dismiss them. Elam makes one last attempt at asking if you're sure you don't want to be immortal to which you tell him you've made your decision.
Now all you have to do is tell Decena which you do so later that night.
"... so that's the process. If it succeeds spectacularly I'll still be alive and we'll have fertile new eternals. If it fails spectacularly then none of that will be true." You finish explaining to her.
"And you're sure this is what you want to do?" Decena asks.
"Of course I am. Why wouldn't I be?"
"Well I wasn't aware that Elam had found a potential way to keep you alive forever."
"As a brain in a jar or tank or whatever? You really think I'd want to live like that? He needs more time to perfect the process anyway and who know how long that would be if ever?"
"No, I suppose you're right. I wouldn't like to live like that either. Who wants to live forever right? But about this other process, you'll be putting your life in danger, are you certain it will work?"
"Elam and this Zana are both confident that it will. While Elam's always been a bit on the eccentric side and prone to take risks, he's always come through on his projects and Zana's likely to err on the cautious side anyway due to being raised by gnomes. In any case I'm more than willing to take this risk if it's going to bring about what we've been talking about for the last few years."
Decena smiles at your response.
"I think that's one of many the things that I've always loved about you. Your willingness to put yourself at risk for the good of the Empire. You've never been one of those rulers that has shied away from potential danger. There is one thing I ask though. I mean regardless of whether or not the process is successful, if you don't survive it. I mean if this indeed it, I want to be with you during this moment." Decena says holding your hand.
"Of course. You'll always be by my side." You answer and kiss her.
After a bit more discussion, it's also agreed upon that Brenda and Warrick should probably be there as well.
Over the next few days, the Eyes acquire the Eternal candidates and soon everything is ready. You arrive at the Eternal factory with Decena, Brenda and Warrick. Elam, Zana, and several technician and physician types run around hooking up strange machinery and placing the babies in the tanks. Gregory is also here and goes up to you nervously telling you that he's very concerned, as none of this extra equipment looks very safe.
Eventually Elam and Zana approach.
"Everything is ready my Emperor! One hundred candidates all hooked up in the tanks, all we need is to strap you in to that chair over there and we can get started." Elam points to a chair that looks more like a torture device you've had used on enemies before... in fact you think it IS and Elam's just modified it!
"I have to say you're a braver man than I." Warrick says clapping you on the shoulder.
"Yeah, I mean I'm just looking at that thing and it looks painful." Brenda says.
"Well I have faith that you'll laugh off any pain and come out of this alive." Decena exclaims.
"Glad to hear someone that's optimistic about this. Well no point in drawing this out, let's do this." You say and walk towards the chair.
Sit in the chair and get strapped in. This is followed by several painful needles being stuck in your arms, legs and chest with rubber tubes hooked up to a large machine, which in turn is hooked up to the tanks. Decena stands close by the entire time.
"Don't worry my Emperor. I'll make sure Elam doesn't push the controls too hard. Unlike him, I actually was born with a sense of safety." Zana says checking on your lines.
"Well glad to have you working on this then." You respond.
"I'm glad just to have this chance to work on this my Emperor. You don't know how long I've waited for the opportunity to work so closely on something directly involving you. It is a very great honor. One that I shall never forget for as long as I live." Zana says and leaves smiling at you and Decena to check on what Elam is doing.
As you're mentally attempting to prepare yourself, suddenly Decena whispers in your ear.
"I don't trust her." Decena says.
"What?" you answer.
"Zana. I don't trust her. Something doesn't feel right about her."
"Like what? Did she say or do something? Because I rechecked her file that the Eyes had on her and she's nothing but clean. Well maybe except a lack of judgment in sexing up Elam on occasion, but I can't imagine there are a lot of choices in human males in New Dessel."
"I dunno. It's her tone. The way she's being so eager to please. It's almost as if she's trying too hard and has a hidden agenda."
"So what are you saying?"
"I don't want her on this project. I feel you're in direct danger with her at the helm of those controls."
Decena is quite serious in this accusation and you have no idea how to respond.
"Decena, Zana worked on this right along side Elam."
"Well I don't know, maybe they're in it together! Or just have Elam perform this procedure, I don't care, but I DON'T want that woman involved in this procedure any longer!"
At this point Decena has made enough noise to call the attention of several people, including Zana and Elam who come over.
"What seems to be the problem my Emperor? Are you having last minute concerns? If so, we can call a halt to this... " Elam asks.
"No, Elam. I'm fine. Decena is just having I believe some last minute concerns."
"My Empress, as I said, I will make sure that your beloved... " Zana starts to say before being interrupted.
"Silence bitch!" Decena snaps and everyone is silent.
"I don't know what you have planned exactly, but let me make this clear. I DON'T TRUST YOU. And I don't want YOU working on this project any longer!" Decena says.
"My Emperor, with all due respect, I need Zana to help me with this!" Elam exclaims.
At this point Zana begins to protest her innocence in a polite way, trying very hard not to sound out of line, but Decena isn't hearing any of it and even draws her pistol.
"Decena, are you sure you're not just scared that I'm going to die and deep down you don't want me to go through with this because you want me around a little longer?" you ask.
Decena grabs your hand and looks straight at you.
"My love, there are many times you could've died and while it was always a concern, I always accepted it as a possibility. If you died in battle, then it would have purpose at least. You would have been serving the Empire. Even if you died of old age or some other natural cause I could accept it because you would have still died serving the Empire. And IF you die in this process then I can accept it, because you will be dying to secure the future of the Empire."
Decena pauses and takes a deep breath and turns to everyone else while pointing at Zana.
"But I cannot accept you going helplessly into danger like this. THIS woman has ill intent. I FEEL it in my heart. I FEEL it in what I guess would be my soul. EVERY warning, EVERY instinct about her is telling me that she is wishing you unwell. All of us perhaps. I can't even prove it, but I don't need to when I FEEL it."
Decena then turns back to you.
"My love, if you genuinely believe this woman has no ill intent then I will as always defer to your judgment, however if you trust my judgment on this matter even a little bit, then I beg of you to let me kill her where she stands."
At this point both Zana and Elam's eyes widen. The nearby technicians almost shuffle back as if not wishing to get caught in the fallout. Even Brenda and Warrick are a little surprised by this.
Elam at this point once again begs you not to kill Zana as he needs her for this project to work. Zana stays silent, though she probably believes that anything she'd say at this point might cause Decena to shoot her anyway.
And here you thought the only thing you were going to have to worry about today was trying to stay alive long enough to create some fertile Eternals...
> let Zana live
As much as Decena is just trying to look out for you, you can't imagine that if Zana was up to something you wouldn't have caught it by now. Actually you'd be more worried if she wasn't on this project considering that she's been assisting Elam from day one. She's pretty much vital.
"Decena, I tell you with absolute certainty that I trust this woman and do not believe she means any ill intent. I understand that you're concerned about my safety, but Zana is needed for this project and has proven her dedication to it from the beginning. Honestly, I'd rather have her around if only to keep Elam's tendency towards... overenthusiasm in check."
"Emperor, I assure you, I will be... " Elam starts to say, but you interrupt him.
"Yes, yes, I know. But as I said, I'd still feel comfortable with Zana assisting you. In any case, that is my decision Decena."
Decena looks very apprehensive; she probably didn't think you'd side against her. She nearly starts to say "but... " however she stops herself and just gives you a nod.
"Very well, as I said, I will defer to your judgement on this matter, but if anything starts going wrong, you know who's head is going to roll first." She says looking at Zana.
"Well, I guess nothing better go wrong Zana." You say.
"Nothing will go wrong, my Emperor. Everything will go according as planned, that I promise." Zana remarks.
With that out of the way the procedure continues and you and Decena exchange one kiss for what might be the last time.
Elam pulls the lever and the process begins. Lights, buzzing, rumbling, and all manner of machinery noises can be heard throughout the room.
The oddest thing is you're not feeling as much pain as you thought you would. There is definitely a tingling sensation and it feels as if all your hair is standing on end, but you've felt things a lot more painful.
You are however feeling very tired and it is all very draining. Eventually you can't fight it anymore and you start to fall unconscious...
Then all of a sudden you feel a surge running all through your body, which wakes you back up. Your body begins to go into convulsions and you start to foam from the mouth. Basically you're being electrocuted.
"Zana! There's something wrong! Turn down those dials!" Elam shouts, but Zana does nothing of the sort, instead she uses some sort of device that fries the controls and runs off pushing a technician out of the way.
"SHIT! I KNEW IT! GET HER!" Decena shouts and attempts to untie your straps, but the electric pulse running through your body is so strong that the charge knocks her down and even stuns her. Elam runs attempt to turn off the machine from another source.
Zana doesn't get far, as Warrick and Brenda easily catch her, but it's for naught as she reveals a bomb hidden on her person, blowing herself and them up as well. The blast also manages to destroy several tanks, machinery and kill several staff along with Elam. On the plus side, it stops the electrical current frying your body inside out, unfortunately its too late and you're well on your way to death. Your mind isn't even functioning anymore save for a faint sense that you're still alive.
The secondary explosions from other machinery on fire finishes you off, along with Decena who doesn't recover fast enough to get out of the blast, though perhaps when she saw your own condition in those moments, she didn't want to go on.
With the death of you and all the other top Eternals, the Empire soon descends into factions of the newer third and fourth generation Eternals fighting over who is the rightful "heir." The other races either get caught in the middle or break off into their own factions.
This massive civil war would be the final days of the Empire. |
Year 72
You have to admit as the years passed by on this project, you'd wondered if you were just chasing a dream, but it looks like that dream will soon be a reality.
Research has been tested, advancements have been made, test subjects have been used and hypotheses have been confirmed. Everything is coming together; the only thing that will be needed soon is you.
Still, despite you always stating how much your body aches and how much weaker and slower you are now, there is a part of you that is a little afraid of what this procedure will entail, namely an end to your life as you know it, but still living. It's funny but how this is a little scary to you, even if simple death is not.
In fact Elam is probably more excited to see this through than even you are.
"My Emperor, we may begin the procedure any time you wish. Just let me know when we can get started." Elam says.
"Does it have to be right now?" you ask.
"No, of course not my Emperor. I just thought you were eager to see this through."
"You don't need to push our Emperor, Elam. I'm sure he'd like to take care of some affairs before going through with this." Zana remarks.
"Is all the machinery and equipment in working order? Has everything been inspected?" you ask.
"Of course my Emperor, I inspected everything myself. I figured you'd want someone that has a background with safety procedures doing that rather than Elam here." Zana remarks with a teasing smile at Elam.
"Bah. YOU didn't even think this was going to be possible!" Elam exclaims.
"Well I have to admit, it did sound very unlikely, but I suppose I never should've doubted your genius Elam." Zana says and gives him a quick peck on the cheek.
While Zana and Elam are engaging in playfulness, you're involved in making a life changing choice.
"Okay. We'll do this in three days. That will give me time to take care of a few things I need to take care of, just in case the worst should happen. No point in drawing this out any longer than that. Everyone is dismissed until that time." you say.
Elam and Zana both acknowledge your command and soon they and their staff all begin to leave. You however continue to stick around. When you're finally all alone, you begin to walk closer to the giant tank in the room, which is hooked up to a system of machines. As you lean against your walking stick you can't help marvel at the work that went into all this.
Gears, cogs, wires, levers, buttons, mechanical arms ... you wonder how the hell some of this works. You've actually tried to keep up on the research since this project started, and while you understand a lot of the basic concepts, some of it just goes over your head. Though you aren't sure if its because you've got so much on your mind that you can't retain the information or if you just don't have a knack for the technical stuff, or maybe you just find it all well... boring.
A speaker of sorts is attached to the tank and there are three specialized automatons standing nearby. You imagine that these are intended for you to be able to interact with the outside world in some fashion. Elam has admitted though that despite the very technical nature of this project he believes that this wouldn't be as easy without your own magical abilities that will be able to tap the power of your mind. He's gone on to say that this will be the ultimate successful blending of science and magic as far as he's concerned. He better be right considering that all the testing took away most of your remaining mages.
In any event, this is where you're going to spend the rest of your life.
"So, are you ready for immortality?" a voice says behind you. It's Decena. It's surprising to see her down here considering she's only made one or two visits down here before since the project got underway. She's told you that the less she knows about the project the less likely she's libel to get worried about your safety and try to talk you out of it hence the lack of visits.
"I guess so." You answer.
"You guess so? That doesn't sound like the usual certainty you've always had about this plan." Decena remarks.
"Oh, I'm certain. Just trying to take all of this in and get myself used to this room I suppose. Not sure why I'm even concerned about it really, I mean Casimir spent several centuries in a room practically by himself. This very room in fact or at least part of it before I had all the remodeling and expansion done to accommodate all the machinery. Its really surreal sometimes how I'm actually starting to follow in his footsteps. I sometimes wonder if he'd be proud of what I've managed to accomplish or if he'd just be very jealous."
Decena walks over and puts her arm around you while you both stare at the giant tank.
"Well, I'm proud of everything you've accomplished and everything you will accomplish after this procedure. So when will it be?"
"In three days, then Elam and Zana will be back here to perform it."
"Hrm, I don't care for that woman." Decena remarks.
"So you've said during the times you wandered down here."
"I dunno. Something about her just doesn't sit right with me in the short moments I've spoken with her. She seems phony at times. Even the fact that she's been concerned with this plan from the beginning and worried about your well being doesn't seem genuine to me. If it hadn't already been in the middle of the project when I first met her, I probably would've told you to have her removed from it."
"Didn't realize she had gotten under your skin so much. As you know though I rechecked her file that the Eyes had on her long before she started working on this project. She's nothing but clean except maybe for a lack of judgment in sexing up Elam on occasion, but I can't imagine there were a lot of choices in human males when they worked together in New Dessel."
"As I said, I can't place my finger on it, but there is something about her that doesn't seem right with her. Does she need to be there for this procedure?"
"Well I don't know. I mean she's the main one that's been working with Elam so I imagine so to some degree. She already did an inspection on the machinery without me even needing to tell her to do so."
Decena doesn't immediately respond to your answer instead she just walks forward towards the tank and touches it.
"Nothing can go wrong with this plan... " she says softly then she turns around.
"Can you have someone else inspect everything again?" she asks.
"What?!" you respond.
"I just want everything to go well, don't you? I just think it would be best if everything was given a second look."
"But... you realize that might very well take more than three days? You realize how complex all this stuff is? I told Zana and Elam that... "
"No, I don't want either of them to do it. Pick someone else that worked on the project."
"Pick someone... Decena what is this all about?"
"Look I would just feel more comfortable if someone else did an inspection of the machine that's going to be your new home okay? I already said how I feel about Zana, so I don't want her doing it again. And as for Elam we all know he has a tendency to overlook safety protocol even under the strictest supervision. Can't you get someone else?"
"Not really, I mean those are the main two who worked on this thing! Decena, I'm as concerned about the success of this procedure more than anyone, but I'd rather not extend my waiting period any longer than necessary. I mean I don't think I will and I'd only admit this to you, but I don't want to lose my nerve."
"You won't lose your nerve my love, but don't you see this is why another inspection should be done? I mean I guess if you don't think it's necessary then I'll of course respect your wishes and we can spend the next three days not worrying about this until the time comes."
On one hand you suppose Decena's just looking out for you as usual, but on the other you really don't want to risk losing your nerve on this situation. The longer you think about it, and how it could all go wrong, or even how it can all go right, is enough to possibly change your mind on the whole situation. Then there's the fact that Zana and Elam were the main ones involved on building the machine, they'd know it the best and if you got someone else to look at it, who is to say they won't screw something up?
> leave it alone
Decena's heart is in the right place, but you'd rather not waste anymore time. You can't imagine that if Zana was up to something sinister that you wouldn't have caught it by now, let alone that she wouldn't have acted by now. There are countless times she probably could've made an attempt on your life since she's been here.
However you do agree to Decena's insistence that she at least not be involved in the final process. If it'll make her a little less worried about the situation then you don't see the harm.
While Elam tells you up and down that he can't perform the procedure without Zana's assistance, Zana is actually fine with not being there and tells you that she understands that the Empress is just concerned for her husband's well being. Zana also says that despite Elam's insistence, she isn't excessively needed for the procedure. She says that for the final procedure; her main job was going to be reading gauges, monitoring dials and such. She says that the other safety supervisor Gregory can take over for her since he should be familiar with everything as well.
With everything settled, you spend your remaining two days enjoying your time with Decena who seems a little more at ease with the upcoming procedure due to your compromise about Zana. The time you spend with Decena, puts you in a more relaxed mood as well and you're definitely feeling more positive about it. You almost don't even know why you were concerned to begin with.
Eventually the day comes and Elam has everything ready (With Gregory standing by to monitor the machine and you return with Decena to complete the task you originally set out to do.
You're strapped to a table. Elam still says he'd feel more comfortable with Zana helping him, but reassures you that everything will go smoothly.
As you are prepared, you and Decena exchange one kiss for what will be the last time.
"Know that whatever happens, I'll always love you." She says.
"And I will always love you." You respond.
Elam injects you with a powerful reagent that knocks you out and the process begins.
The blackness takes you experience absolute nothingness...
And that is the last thing you ever experience for you never wake up from the procedure, which was successful at least for a moment.
When your brain was transferred everything was going well at first and steps were being taken to gradually wake you back up, but unfortunately it was during this process that the machine began to fail, break down and eventually explode.
The initial explosion killed Gregory who was already freaking out when the machine started acting outside the safety parameters. It also killed most of the supporting staff; including Elam who was desperately attempting to fix what he thought was wrong.
Decena survived the initial explosion, but only at a great cost. She ended up losing a part of her arm, a foot and most of her body and face heavily injured. She managed to hang on long enough to declare that Warrick and Brenda were officially in charge of the Empire when Kivan and others found her dying.
With her last breath to Kivan she told him:
"Have that... (cough wheeze) bitch Zana executed... I know... (wheeze) she did this... "
Warrick and Brenda's first course of action was to indeed track down Zana, who by this time had long escaped. Klemto and all the other gnomes insisted they knew nothing of this plan, but someone had to pay and unfortunately it was them.
The gnomes of New Dessel didn't go without a fight however and it took months before the mountain city was finally taken and even then groups of gnomes had managed to escape or even lock themselves in secret passages within the mountain to conduct guerilla attacks. Eventually Warrick had the airship fleet continually blast the mountain until it collapsed on itself making it useless to all and killing anyone still hiding inside.
As for Zana, she never was caught, but that was the least of the Empire's problems.
Her success of killing you (and Decena) along with New Dessel's extended siege inspired another rebellion. Warrick and Brenda might've been up to the task had they been a little younger, but when Warrick died of natural causes suddenly a few years later, it was a great blow to both the Empire and Brenda who took the death of a second husband hard. She eventually joined him a year later via suicide.
From there the downward spiral of the Empire was inevitable and in time records of the old regime were erased from history. |
Year 60
Eighteen years ago the Children of Tor launched an all out assault on you and while it was a fierce battle, it was the beginning of the end for them as an effective fighting force.
You hope that the Iznac are going to suffer a similar situation here today, because if not, it's going to be the beginning of the end for the Empire. Only one civilization is going to come out of this alive from this conflict.
You're currently holding the line at Fort Canopy, but it isn't the only major battle going on right now. You know only a few miles away Decena is undoubtedly doing his best to defend Fort Tangle and General Flevas is taking the fight to the Iznac in the jungles.
High in the air through the rain and in the near distance you see a multi-colored dragon unleash a gout of flame from its mouth, which engulfs the Tornado. Already heavily damaged the flying fortress can't take anymore and begins to explode. Minor ones at first, then one large one. Flaming pieces of the machine fall from the sky.
The Storm II fires another volley of cannon fire at the dragon wounding the great beast, but it isn't enough to kill it. The dragon bellows and turns its great body around to focus its attack on the Storm II. It isn't going to die easy like its two siblings did over the past few years. It's going to fight with everything it has.
You look over the battlements and see several Iznacs climbing the walls of the fort like an army of ants. They aren't even using ladders, they're just scaling the fort with their bare hands. It's actually rather impressive, until you unleash a chain of lightning to zap all of them. The shock is enough to at least cause most of them to fall off if not outright kill them immediately.
"Slaughter the four armed spider eyed bastards! Make them realize that their domination of this continent has passed! This is the time of the Empire!" you shout to the Eternals defending the fort.
Your people are doing their best though they can't stop every Iznac from scaling the fort. Soon the gunfire is replaced by sounds of close combat weaponry. No matter how far the advances in technology, it always eventually comes down to looking your opponent in the eye and feeling their blood splatter as you end their life.
While you're busy hacking off the limbs of an Iznac warrior, another loud explosion in the distance is heard followed by a bright flash in the sky. It's not lightning from the storm, but rather the demise of your Storm. The Storm II joins the Tornado in crashing to the ground after losing its skirmish with the dragon. Hopefully the rain is making the jungle wet enough or else the flames from the wreckage of these downed airships are going to cause an inferno throughout the jungle.
Several small frog like beings eventually make their way in by scaling the walls with their masters. They're generally just referred to as "frogs" but their formal name is the Glip. The Glip almost remind you of the kobolds. Despite being under the harsh dominion of the Iznac for who knows how long, none of the villages ever joined the Empire when the war broke out. Didn't matter that the Iznac used to (and probably still do) sacrifice and eat the Glip, they ultimately still remained loyal to them.
While they've certainly had their moments, mostly due to ambushes with blowguns and poisonous darts and their camouflage abilities. The Glip are not close combat warriors by any means. It isn't surprising that you've not had to fight many of them. Even the Iznac know their skills are better suited elsewhere. The fact that you've started to face a lot of them does give you an indication of how desperate the Iznac have become.
A group of orcs smash through the barricades of the fort. You sometimes shake your head at the stupidity of that situation. You have no idea how the Iznac managed to come to accept the rebellious orcs as allies, but you guarantee it wasn't for any reasons other than convenience. Did the greenskins actually believe that Iznac saw them as anything than handy fodder for this conflict? If they broke away from the Empire because they didn't like being used in such a way, then they completely missed the point.
Then again being orcs they probably didn't think that far ahead or perhaps they just wanted to fight the Empire and didn't care about the reasons. In any case, no matter who wins this conflict, the orcs lose. The Iznac have a habit of ritually sacrificing their "neighbors and allies" to their gods.
It doesn't matter in the scheme of things because even with overwhelming odds, your Eternals are still holding their own against all attackers. The only thing that concerns you slightly is...
You hear a roaring sound getting closer to your position and the sounds of great wings flapping.
It would appear your concerns will be arriving soon. You just hope that the Storm II and the Tornado did enough damage to it before they both went down. You don't have the advantage of Decena helping you take it down like you did with the last two dragons.
You shout a general command for the still working cannons to be pointed towards the dragon and to prepare to fire when the beast is in range. In the meantime you try to keep that side of the fort relatively free of invading forces.
The dragon gets closer and you give the order to fire and unleash your own magic bolts at the creature. It's definitely wounded from its ordeal with the two airships, but given your experience with the other two dragons, you know it's far from being out the fight.
In fact it's so determined that it doesn't distinguish friend from foe when it blasts its flame breath on the fort. You manage to protect most of your people with a magic barrier, but for those outside its protection, most are set on fire if not incinerated immediately. On the positive side, it reduces your enemies, on the negative it ignites the gunpowder barrels for the cannons causing a massive explosion and completely destroying one side of the fort.
While the barrier still protects you and everyone within initially, its still a lot of strain on your energy and you begin to feel the fatigue setting in.
"No! Damnit! Fight through it!" you mutter to yourself hating your weakness.
When the dragon passes you temporarily put down the barrier to take a small breather seeing as you aren't immediately being attacked by Iznac ground forces anymore (Which have mostly been killed or broke and run by this point)
Several soldiers point up and announce that the dragon is slowly turning around for a second pass.
"Everyone spread out and find your own cover! Shoot the overgrown lizard when in range!" you shout and make your way back up to the battlements (Those that are still intact that is).
You stand on top of the battlements and see the dragon coming straight at you. Almost as if it was personal and who knows maybe it is. This creature may very well want you dead for killing its only two companions. Or perhaps it's just intelligent enough to recognize you as a genuine threat.
You summon up all your energy and unleash a stream of lightning at the dragon just as it's beginning to open its mouth to breath fire. It doesn't stop. It doesn't even slow down despite the fact that you've undoubtedly just shocked the hell of its brain.
A gout of flame comes directly at you.
"Shit!" you shout and put up your own personal barrier to block the flames. Which succeeds, but it does nothing to stop the dragon's approach. It's fully intent on ramming you at this point.
You no idea what would happen if you just stood there with your barrier up. It's possible the dragon would severely smash its own face in from the force, maybe even breaking its neck, however its also possible that it would hit with enough force that it could actually move you. In this case, right off the battlements on to the ground several feet behind you.
Your Eternals unleash gunfire as the dragon gets closer and you're left to wonder if this high-risk plan could potentially end this dragon threat once and for all.
> get out of the way
Even behind a barrier there is no way you're going to withstand the full force of a dragon flying directly at you, you need to get the hell out of the way.
As the dragon approaches you run to one of the battlement towers, unfortunately in your haste, you temporarily drop your barrier and that's all the time the dragon needs to sense your vulnerability, even worse your expended fatigue doesn't allow you to react quick enough to get to the shelter you need.
The dragon unleashes another great blast of fire, which completely envelops the top of the battlements and you along with it. The fire causes your flesh to burn, bubble and literally melt off your bones. You're already dead by the time the dragon's open maw swallows you whole as it continue to glide in your direction. |
Upon entering the throne room, Mortimer paces near his throne, looking up when you arrive. He certainly doesn't look like the fop you remember, his clothes are now partly torn and dirty. He doesn't look like he's bathed in days making his hair to stand up in a way that would almost be laughable if he wasn't currently possessed by a demon. His eyes give off an unearthly red glow.
The throne room itself is in shambles and pieces of dead bodies, entrails and blood are practically everywhere. A large broken crystal lies nearby, you can only guess that's Zelvix's former prison.
Semra says nothing. She just looks at you nodding, and reaches out for your hand. You give it to her and she grabs it. She then begins chanting. You take the opportunity to cast your mind shield spell on Decena who stands nearby watching every direction.
"So, THIS is what you've brought to beat me with Semra? I would've expected better from the likes of you. I don't know why you're even chanting that nonsense, it isn't going to work on me you know." Zelvix says. (It certainly isn't Mortimer anymore just on how deep the voice is alone)
While the three of you stay silent, Zelvix continues to talk.
"I have no idea why you continue to blame me for your father's death. Even I can't control my underlings all the time. Your people made a deal with me and I collected, what's so wrong about that?"
Semra continues to chant.
"You believe this woman? She holds a grudge longer than some hell lords do and at least they do for something reasonable like a stolen soul or something. She's just whining. Bah, I'm done with her anyway, I offered another deal when she first arrived here for old time's sake, but she refused."
Zelvix's banter is still met by silence.
"Anyway, how about you two? Oh no. No, I don't think you'll do. You're too much in love with this one. While I think under different circumstances twisting your mind would probably be child's play, I believe your master's presence makes it a bit too much of an effort to even try. You want his approval so much that you'd probably strip naked, get down on all fours and open your ass, pussy and mouth at the same time to an entire company of orcs if you thought it would please him. Blind loyalty is such a beautiful thing at times. Shit, I should be so lucky to instill such devotion. Oh well, guess that's why there's torture." Zelvix says to Decena.
Everyone continues to remain silent, but Zelvix now turns his attention to you. You didn't feel it before, but you start to feel an oppressive presence within your mind.
"Now you I can work with. Can't work with bitches anyway, too fucking emotional am I right? I'm sure you know what I'm talking about considering the company you're keeping. You think a svelk female is bad? Heh, try a demon girl. Your dark elves don't have shit on them. Lots of fun at parties though!"
You redouble your efforts to block out Zelvix's words...
"I have to say, you're quite skilled for a mortal. I'll even admit, I like your style, showing no mercy to your enemies, ruling your territory with an iron fist, I can appreciate a mortal that rises above his slug like station. And you were quite low weren't you? You were practically an abortion waiting to happen then through a minor mistake you got kicked upstairs. Good thing bureaucracy sucks doesn't it? It's okay though, you made the most of it and that's what really counts. I mean here you are talking to me, one of the greatest demon lords in the infernal realms... "
At this point you'd almost make a deal with him just so he'd shut the fuck up. He continues to pace, but you notice he holds his head for a brief moment.
"Hrmm, starting to feel something... no it's gone now. Nice try Semra, but you're not getting anywhere. Now who was I talking to? Oh yes, the Eternal."
You suddenly feel an even greater oppressive feeling on your mind. Between trying to support Semra, protecting Decena and fighting off Zelvix, you're starting to feel the burden.
"Not easy is it? Protecting everyone? (Sigh) I don't even know why you're helping Semra anyway. You know she'd backstab you if it ultimately served her purpose. You're not a stupid man, you have to know that she's just using you right now and it's not even for petty revenge. Well some of it is I suppose, but there's something greater here at stake and she's trying to achieve it. Let me tell you... "
Zelvix's deep voice fills your mind despite your best efforts to block it out.
"She's trying to revive the svelk Empire. Y'see she actually thinks by somehow killing me that the so called curse I put on the svelk will disappear. It's complete shit of course. The reason for the svelk downfall is their own doing and none of my own. I didn't cause their civilization to suddenly descend into civil war and rebellion, that had been coming for centuries long before I arrived. All I did was provide a service. A world saving one in fact. Why in certain circles one might even consider me a hero!"
You feel a greater drain on your energy as Zelvix continues.
"I bet she even told you that I'm planning on unleashing an army of demons on this world didn't she? Pfft. Please as if I need to worry about such things, I have my own kingdom in the infernal realm with millions of subjects and even more souls to torment! If its one thing I've learned as a demon lord, it's that you should only conquer what you can actually hold. I had a brother once who learned that lesson the hard way. Got his head chopped off by a mortal for his troubles. Hahahahaha! My brother was a fucking idiot!"
Zelvix laughs at his last statement, which is then followed by a roar of pain. Mortimer's body falls to the ground and he begins twitching and convulsing.
"FUCKING BITCH! I'LL RIP YOUR SOUL APART! RAAAAARGH!" Zelvix shouts while Semra keeps chanting. If anything it's given you a bit of temporary relief, but only for a little while.
"Well, it seems our little dark skinned whore has been doing her research. I may have underestimated her. The flaw of arrogance comes with being a demon lord I suppose... (Sigh) Very well then, as much as I've enjoyed chatting with you, I can see I'll have to cut to the chase... ."
You try to think of pleasant thoughts to block out Zelvix, such as ones with your time with Alison, but Zelvix won't be ignored.
"Look, here's the deal and it's not even going to cost you your soul because I know you're too smart for that. What it is going to cost is a little bloodshed and that shouldn't be a problem for the likes of you, especially considering you never liked ol' Morty anyway. Just kill Morty, I'll take care of Semra and then I'll be heading back to the infernal plane because honestly I've had enough of this world."
You give no response, but you can feel your willpower getting to the point where you almost want to give in...
"Hey wait a minute. Maybe YOU want to kill Semra? She's in the middle of her spell right now and you're so close, there's never been a more perfect time! You'd catch her completely off guard. You could easily take that dagger that she once stabbed you with and at last do what you've always wanted to do with it. Remember just like the time when you two were exterminating gnomes? Don't you wish you could've taken that opportunity instead of following your orders? Well you have no one giving you orders right now. What is stopping you? You know you want to and all I want is to be free from this world. Kill Semra and I'll happily open up a gate and return home."
Zelvix deep melodic tone begins to make your mind succumb to his persuasion attempts. Never before have you experienced such a powerful force of raw will. Even in a few other instances where you faced a psychic assault it's never been quite like this. Granted it's in his favor that what he's proposing isn't anything you'd object to doing either. The ONLY thing that's giving you pause is the fact that it's a demon lord telling you to do this.
"Ah... I see you don't trust me... smart. Tell you what, I'll sweeten the deal. You seek to conquer and bring order to this miserable world do you not? You have the skill and ability, what you lack is time. So you seek immortality do you not? An immortality that even eluded your old master, and wouldn't you like to succeed where he failed? Your answer lies where you've always known it to be. The Isle of Mortos. I know you've made a halfhearted attempt at trying to locate it again. Would you like to know where it is exactly located? I can tell you right now if you just kill that... ARRGH!"
Zelvix once again feel the effects of Semra's ritual. At this point Morty's body is desperately crawling over to Semra in an attempt to reach her. Also just as you suspected Zelvix uses some sort of magic to bring the bodies from the room behind you back to life, except these aren't singular walking corpses. The pile of bodies have melded into each other creating a giant mass of flesh slowly rolling towards all of you howling and moaning while arms, legs and heads twitch about from it. It might be too big to get through the doorway, but you imagine that its sheer weight and girth will just break through the sides of the walls.
You're still staggering from your recent mind assault, but now that you're no longer being mentally attacked, you take a quick assessment of the situation.
Decena prepares to hold off the abomination by herself, Semra is still in her semi-trance and Zelvix continues to drag himself over to Semra.
> help Semra
Decena's a good warrior, you're sure she'll be able to handle the abomination trying squeeze through the doorway. Plus the quicker Zelvix gets banished, the quicker this all stops. Now that you've been given a temporary relief from the mental attacks, you run over to Morty's body and drag it away from Semra. You also hold him down and begin repeatedly punching him in the face.
Morty's possessed body struggles against you and while it's certainly stronger than it should be, it can't break free of your grip and won't be reaching Semra anytime soon.
Zelvix's power is fading, but he's not out of it yet and in between trying to break free he establishes contact with you mentally again.
"Ragh! Argh! Fool! You would deny your destiny of immortality? I told you I would tell you how to find the Isle of Mortos! Is that not what you want? You think... ARRRGH!" Zelvix's bargaining is interrupted by the agony of his impending banishment.
Soon Zelvix will be gone and this will all be over, yet isn't there a way to get what you want as well.
You think so and respond back to Zelvix.
"Zelvix, you've got little time left, so I'm proposing a deal to YOU. Tell me the location of the island now and I'll kill the svelk bitch myself. You don't have any options here."
You hear a deep chortle inside your head.
"Mortal, we ALL have choices. I know you and I know this game. You phrased your proposal in such a way that you didn't specify WHEN you were going to kill Semra... actually you didn't even say Semra. You just said svelk bitch. That could be any of them. No deal, I'm not telling you shit. A good attempt, but I'd rather die than have my last moments be one of being outwitted by a pathetic mortal!" Zelvix says
"Considering you're still stuck in Morty's body and going to be BANISHED in it, I'd say that's already happened."
Zelvix doesn't respond, instead you just hear a great bellowing inside your head, this is also followed by a scream nearby, you turn your head and see half of Decena underneath the mass of murderous flesh that has finally managed to break through some of the wall in an effort to reach you all. Decena still struggles to fight, but she's overwhelmed by the writhing mass of limbs striking her and the horrible rows of sharp teeth biting into her flesh.
"NO!" you shout and run over to help her by hacking away at the disgusting flesh blob. It has little effect other depriving it of a few less flailing limbs. You only succeed in chopping off a few chunks even when you attempt to freeze it in place (Which only slows it down rather than properly freezing it completely) You try to pull Decena away, but she's stuck and her lower half being devoured, shredded and crushed all at the same time. The strength in her is already leaving.
"I'm sorry my... Emper... " She manages to utter during the chaos of this situation.
"Don't talk! You'll get out of this, I'll think of something! I'll... FUCK!" you shout in frustration and still hacking away at the mass.
The whole time you've been distracted, you haven't paid any attention to the main conflict which is that of Zelvix who fortunately was still too weak to reach Semra.
A final unearthly wail from Zelvix and it's a sign that the end of this conflict is near.
"SSSSSSSSS NO! IT CANNOT END LIKE THIS! I WILL NOT BE DEFEATED BY MORTAL SHIT! I CURSE YOU ALL! NONE OF YOU SHALL AAAARRRRGH!"
Morimer's body twitches and convulses one last time and you manage to turn your head just in time from your own battle to see a red spirit like mist rise from his body. An angry demonic face can be seen briefly followed by the red mist completely dissipating. In front of you, the mass of flesh you've been fighting goes completely lifeless. Mortimer's body is also lifeless. Whatever spark that was keeping him alive was only due to Zelvix's magic and he's truly gone now.
And then the blob of flesh you were fighting becomes lifeless as well and you are able to pull Decena away with some effort. It's too bad though, she's missing parts of her legs and even some of her innards, you can't even imagine how much blood she's lost.
"Oh shit, I'm sorry. I should've been there for you, I'll make this better, I'll make this better... " you start to say and begin to cast your healing magic, though surprisingly Decena manages to interrupt you by weakly grabbing at your hand.
"No... don't... let me die a warrior's death. Don't shorten your life span for me... the Empire needs you... "
You hold Decena closer to you, it won't be long now.
"Emperor... I love you... " she says looking up at you.
"I... love you Decena." You respond back.
These words causes a brief smile in Decena's final moments. It's all she ever wanted, your love.
The funny thing is, it's at this very moment that you realize that you could've probably had a real relationship with her. She was more than just a lovesick student that you thought you were re-enacting your experiences with Semra with. She was a worthy mate and potentially your successor.
And now that's all gone.
You wipe your eyes and get up off the floor, pondering your great loss today. In fact you've completely forgotten about Semra, though she hasn't forgotten about you, and she's been watching you the entire time.
"While I hate to disturb your moment of introspection, we need to get the hell out of here before your army starts bombarding this place now that the barrier is down. I imagine that you probably gave that order or something similar to your army correct?"
You ignore Semra.
"Hey are you listening to me? Look, I know you're upset about losing your little warrior girl and I'm sure she was a lot of fun in bed, but you need to get over that now. I mean utter devotion is a beautiful thing, but really at least Alison was her own woman and not someone looking for constant approval." Semra says as she walks over to you.
"Well I guess that's why you'll always be the true woman for me, right Semra?" you answer and grab her hand.
"What?" Semra says.
"That's what you're always telling me isn't it? I mean any woman I have any sort of feelings for seems to die. You on the other hand survive everything... heh... just like I survive everything... it would seem you're right we ARE meant to be together... "
At this point you put both of your arms around Semra's waist. You can sense that she's genuinely surprised by this sudden show of affection for her. You can also feel her attempting to read your mind, but she'll see nothing there but a strong desire to take her right there on the floor.
"Hmmm, while I don't mind this sudden enthusiasm lover, we really should... " Semra starts to say before you shut her up with a kiss. She tastes exactly like you remember and it's intoxicating.
You waste no time in stripping off your bloody sweat drenched clothing, and Semra despite her concern that your army will start bombarding the city, loses that worry as well as losing herself in the moment.
Then soon the pair of you are naked on blood stained floor and as you thrust into Semra, you try to ignore your aches and pains from your earlier battle.
It's almost like your first time...
Well other than the fact that a rotting mound of dead bodies lies nearby, along with Decena's corpse which probably hasn't even gone completely cold yet.
This is wrong in so many ways, but after your great loss today, you're going to get something out of it. And that something ISN'T Semra's magical svelk vagina even though you've convinced her that it is.
Semra has to know something about the Isle of Mortos or at least how to get back there. She's been around long enough and given her relationship with Casimir who was a former "citizen" there, the chances that she knows something is very likely.
"Mmmm yes! Yes! Ravish me! Ravage me you fucking abomination of nature!" Semra exclaims and slaps you hard in the face.
Semra's having so much fun that she doesn't seem to realize you're getting to know her in an intimate way that you're sure she didn't want you to. It's difficult trying to hide your true intentions to Semra, but you manage to do so by filling you own thoughts with a mixture of lust and hatred. You also think about how much you want to slit her throat. It's certainly enough to be convincing since it isn't exactly untrue.
In her state of arousal Semra's mind is much less guarded, as her focus is no longer one of defense, but one mostly of pleasure. While part of her is expecting you to try to kill her and she's certainly prepared for it, that's not your goal at least not today. It's the perfect cover as far as you're concerned.
You see many things about Semra's life, some very interesting, some rather mundane, and some even sort of surprising to you.
For example, just before Semra pushed you away during your first mental joining, there was another she was upset about losing, though you didn't see it the first time, namely an infant son. Apparently demons had killed and consumed part of it before Semra and her father could save it (Which then soon lead to her father's death). You can only imagine it was their baby together.
This loss explains a few other things you see which must take place later on in her life, such as a bored one night casual sexual encounter with some svelk warrior that also resulted in pregnancy. This must've been Eldolith's father since she was born soon after.
Her relationship with her daughter was never a good one and it's apparent she saw her daughter as something barely better than... well "the lesser born" as most svelk would say. Perhaps Eldy was a constant reminder that she was NOT Semra father's offspring and never would be.
But you're not here to delve into the tragic past of a very broken woman, you're here to find out vital information that you know she must have.
And you think you've just found it.
You see a continent that you've never seen before. It isn't Evigrus and while you've never been there, it's not Nyttrus either as there is no trace of jungle. The place has large tracks of forests and several ruined cities. Inside such ruined areas you see groups of svelk fighting each other. Other groups wander the countryside in the usual nomadic manner that you've traditionally known them to do.
Oddly there doesn't seem to be any other race living on the continent, or at least no other sentient creature. (Strange beasts you've never seen still seem to exist though) Another thing that stands out though are these large circular structure made out of mithral. They seem to be all over the continent though it looks like most are damaged in some way.
This has to be the svelk "home." It is. You gain all this information from Semra's mind which is like an open book at this point. And these circular structures are portals, or they used to be. They probably lead all over to different parts of the world and that includes...
"DECIEVER!" Semra suddenly shouts and tries to punch you, but you hold her down her arms. She's on to your plan now.
"Don't fight it Semra, just lay back and enjoy it." You mockingly say and try to probe her mind again, but she's already taken steps to block you out more effectively. You've learned all you can, but it might be enough.
Finished with Semra mentally, you "finish up" with her physically as well before letting her go. Predictably she punches you in the face and crawls backwards from underneath you.
"So was it good for you?" you say, holding your face.
Your continued mocking is met with a blast of fire that you just barely block with a magic field.
"I know where you're going Semra. You're going back home to Dokkrus to ironically try to do something you were criticizing me for. You're going to try to resurrect the Svelk Empire again. Try to unite the tribes as it were. That's good. We all should have a goal. I know what mine is."
"You think yourself so clever, but if you try to pursue what we both know what you're trying to pursue, be prepared to suffer considerable losses." Semra warns.
"What could I possibly lose Semra? Tell me, because I'd truly love to know. I have no more loved ones for you to kill. The Empire? You told me I'll lose that when I die anyway. My life? You think I fear death? You know I don't. I only seek to MASTER it."
You pick up your pants and start to dress as you continue your monologue to Semra.
"In the past you've mentioned about how my efforts of world domination and expanding the Empire are all in vain because I'll eventually grow old and die anyway just like Casimir. Well congratulations Semra, you motivated me to avoid his fate because unlike him, I will succeed. I WILL become truly immortal and NOTHING is going to stop me."
"Well, then its good we had one last tryst because I can see now you're leaving me no choice!" Semra shouts and resumes her magical attack.
You block the magical bolts and try to run for some sort of cover. Semra casts a poisonous cloud, you remember that one, but this time you're able to get out of its range, though in doing so you are hit by her follow up attack, which involves throwing a dead body into you. You fall to the floor face first as the body slams into you a fairly fast speed.
"Shit!" you groan and turn around with the body still on top of you, and that's when you see that it's Decena's. Her dead eyes stare into your own and then you feel a kick to your face that probably would've taken out your eye had Semra been wearing her sharp toed boots rather than her current state of undress.
"It's been fun lover, but you need to learn the last lesson and that's no one lives forever." Semra says... and then the roof of the palace starts collapsing on the pair of you. It would seem the bombarding of the city has begun.
Seizing the opportunity, you push Decena's body off of you and try to stab Semra with your dagger. Unfortunately between your exhaustion, the crumbling ceiling and Semra's alertness you miss, but instead of trying to attack back, she takes the survival approach instead.
"Next time Eternal." She says and runs out the entryway
"Next time Semra." You mutter and pick up Decena's body before making haste for the exit yourself.
It's difficult carrying Decena's body while tired and trying to avoid being blown up by the bombarding. Doesn't help that you start seeing airships approaching.
"Sheesh, Flevas. Glad to see you're not fucking around, but this isn't helping me!" you mutter and quicken your pace.
Fortunately, you manage to get out of Dequilet before it's completely decimated and fortunately there is a pause in the bombarding when someone with a telescope spots you just outside the destroyed city walls. You make it back to camp in one piece.
"Emperor! My apologies, but I thought... " Flevas starts to say, but you're not in the mood to hear anything.
"Forget it Flevas, you were doing your job... just (sigh) here... " you say and lay Decena down.
"Have her body shipped back to the capital, she will receive a war heroes' funeral."
"Certainly my Emperor." Flevas says and snaps his fingers to have some other troops move her body.
"I'll be in my tent. Don't disturb me." You say and retire to your bedroll. As you allow your body to at last embrace the rest it needs, you think about Decena's last words to you.
"Don't worry Decena, your sacrifice wasn't in vain. The Empire will always have me because it IS me and I will live forever. I promise." You say as you close your eyes.
> ...
Year 56
You enter Brenda's office where upon she smiles briefly at you, though with everything you have on your mind, you don't return the gesture instead you just nod.
"Hello Brenda, I trust you and Warrick are still enjoying your new marital status." You say guessing that what's put her in better spirits as of late.
"Yes, Emperor. I'm happier than I've been in a long time. Thank you for performing the wedding personally."
"Think nothing of it. Though I didn't think you'd ever remarry, let alone Warrick. But if you two are happy then that's good. You should hold on to that as long as possible for one never knows when it will suddenly be taken away from you."
"Um... of course my Emperor. We certainly do cherish our time together." Brenda responds at your rather grim comment.
"Anyway, I came here to let you know that the new Eternals have been released from their tanks. You'll be training them soon." You say.
"I'll be looking forward to it. I trust they met with your standards?"
"Yes, most of them seem to be very much like the third generation though perhaps with signs of displaying higher intelligence overall. Under your guidance, I have no doubt that they'll be just as effective as the third gens." You reply with a sigh.
"Is there something wrong my Emperor?" Brenda asks.
"Yes, it's Nyttrus. The place is becoming a pain in my side that I don't want to be bothered with, but I find that it might become necessary to step in personally soon. We've got more than a few strongholds there now, but the Iznac are far from being beaten, unfortunately most of the humans there are sick or dead due to disease and Iznac magic. Flog's also dead and the orcs have become slightly less disciplined as of late without his calmer leadership. There have been a few reports of deserters running off into the jungles and forming their own communities. Just glad Snilkez'ka is still alive and the kobolds are holding down the forts there until the third gens arrive."
"Couldn't you send airships to bomb Nyttrus to speed things up?
"They don't really have the range to travel across the vast oceans yet though Elam's working on fixing that with the gnomes. In any event if they did have that sort of range I might be inclined to have them try to find Dokkrus first since that's my real goal."
Brenda tries to give you some words of encouragement, but they don't improve your mood. Instead you just leave Brenda, once again wishing her well on her new happy marriage.
You spend a few days wondering whether or not you should head to Nyttrus with the third gens. Ultimately you decide not to as you're still hoping to hear something soon about Dokkrus. As soon as you get word about that, you want to be on the next ship going there. You don't want to be in the middle of a conflict that you know you'll be compelled to complete if you directly get involved.
In the meantime you go back to more mundane matters such as ensuring that the rebuilding of the new Nakol province remains on schedule. You also take time to hone your magic abilities; in fact since your "intimate" mind connection with Semra, you actually feel a little more powerful or rather you gained a brief insight into spells she never taught you during training.
A few weeks pass and still no word about Dokkrus, however you do get bothersome news about Nyttrus again.
You're informed of the latest problems on Nyttrus by Kivan who received a message about it in the middle of the night. The Iznac have apparently unleashed a powerful "secret weapon" in the form of three very large flying lizards. And these aren't wyverns either. They are creatures that Casimir once told you were rare even back in his day. They're dragons and apparently they've already destroyed one of your forts on the continent.
This isn't news you wanted to hear. Now you're going to have no choice, but to go over there.
You still can't do all this alone though, you still want to wrap this war up as quick as you can and you'll need some competent tacticians and strategists to do that. Snilkez'ka has her way of doing things you're sure, but they probably work best with other kobolds she commands.
The third gens are good warriors, and a select few of them are indeed leaders, but most of them are rather... well unimaginative sometimes. You don't think that's the fault of Brenda's training, but perhaps just a tendency towards conformity due to their creation. In fact you can't even think of a single one that has stood out to you during the war with Nakol. Hopefully the fourth won't have that problem when they're ready.
So you make up your mind that General Flevas should accompany you. The elf is pretty much the best one you have right now and you believe his vast scouting skills should come in handy. Given that all the orcs ran off and rebelled, you also won't have to worry about Flevas not being respected as a leader. The third gens and kobolds seem fairly neutral towards him.
You go back and forth on whether or not to bring Galen. His magic would most certainly help against the dragons, but you're wondering if you want to put up with his tendency to complain. True he's much better at not doing it, but he always manages to find a way.
Who you really wish you had is Decena. She would've been perfect for this mission since she already worked well with the third gens. Just another reminder of your loss.
Maybe though you just need another Eternal. An Eternal who always likes "vacations" away from his usual duties, namely Warrick.
He certainly commands respect amongst the Eyes and besides you he's probably the next most feared name in the Empire. As Sightmaster he's also skilled in less traditional forms of warfare, which will come in handy in the jungle filled continent. Of course the only concern with bringing him is that leaves the "mainland" of the Empire, relatively... well the word isn't undefended, but without a major figure to oversee any possible problems that may crop up. You suppose Brenda and Kivan can handle things if something really gets out of hand.
Which brings you to another problem and that's taking Warrick into a war in the first place. Warrick's job at one time was probably a bit more dangerous, but as you've established order over the continent, stomped out dissension and all of those other necessary things, it's become even more like a "desk job." Warrick still keeps up on his training and such, and you know if you called for him to assist he'd jump at the chance not just out of loyalty, but because he always has a bit of desire to get in the middle of things again.
He could very well get killed and a better head of internal security, as far as you're concerned there is none. His loss would be even greater than Decena's you believe. Though it's the more "moral" problem that surprisingly has you rethinking this.
Warrick just married Brenda, the pair of them don't see each other every day, but they're able to do so when they can. It's the happiest Brenda's been since she was married to Roldan. If Warrick was to die, well you can only imagine what that might do to her. So if you lost Warrick, you might be "losing" Brenda as well.
Of course that's all speculation. You don't intend on losing Warrick at all, but you have to prepare for that possibility and the repercussions of such things.
> take Warrick with you
You need to take care of this situation on Nyttrus and the only way you're going to do that is with people you know that are going to be vital for the task. (Which also why you decide to leave Galen here.)
You go to see Warrick at the Eye Headquarters, he's a little surprised at your sudden visit, but happy to see you as always. He's even more excited when you tell him you want him to come with you to Nyttrus.
"Of course Emperor! I have to say I'm glad for this opportunity again. The last time was when we went to New Dessel together and while I'm glad it worked out anyway, I was always a bit disappointed we never got to fight along side each other." Warrick says.
"Well I'm fairly certain that will definitely happen in Nyttrus. Anyway, I'll be leaving in a few days, will that be enough time to get your affairs in order and delegate various responsibilities here?" you ask.
"Should be, I'll get started on that right now."
"Good, then I'll see you in three days."
Thinking nothing more of this, you return to get your own affairs in order, explaining to Kivan that you want regular reports on the Empire sent to you in Nyttrus. The second day comes around and it is you who gets a sudden visitor although perhaps not totally unexpected.
"Emperor, I told her you were busy, but... argh!" Kivan says as Brenda pushes him aside and into the wall. She looks very upset, but apparently she knows better than to come in armed while in such a state of agitation. (Not that doesn't mean she still isn't potentially dangerous)
"Kivan, I'd suggest you leave us alone." You say, to which he nods wincing at his aches and closes your door. Brenda continues to stare at you.
"Well? I know you didn't come all this way to wish me well in Nyttrus, say what you need to say."
"You know that my loyalty to the Empire is absolute. You also know that Warrick's loyalty to the Empire is absolute as well. We were trained to do everything in our power to ensure its survival and success. I TRAIN all those new Eternals so that they learn that lesson as well. To know that the good of the Empire is above ALL, no matter what."
"And I know this Brenda. Your actions everyday are proof of your dedication. Yours and Warrick's."
Brenda begins nodding her head in agreement in a rapid motion while breathing hard.
"Yeah... SO WHY THE HELL ARE WE BEING FUCKING PUNISHED?" she shouts.
"I wasn't aware I was punishing Warrick, has he said he doesn't like the new assignment he'll be accompanying me on?"
"Hah oh... oh of course not! Not good old loyal Warrick! He of course feels honored by this assignment. He doesn't even know I'm here, because if he did, he'd try and stop me from getting himself killed!"
"You seem to lack faith in your husband, I know him to be a skilled warrior."
"Of course he's a fucking skilled warrior! He's also not a young man anymore! He's not as fast as he used to be, he's not as strong as he used to be and you want him to fight fucking dragons? And unlike you he doesn't have the advantage of powerful magic abilities to help keep him alive!"
"Brenda if you haven't noticed I'm not exactly young myself, why the hell do you think I want his help? Because I greatly increase my chances of survival against three flying lizards and an army of savages! And contrary to popular belief magic is just another tool for battle, it's not some wonder solu |
tion to win wars. If it was and I actually had that power, I'd certainly be using it."
Brenda now starts shaking her head and sighing.
"You don't get it. You don't understand."
"Yeah, I think I do Brenda. I get it better than you think. I lost Alison the same day you lost Roldan remember? You just found happiness with Warrick, happiness that you never thought that you'd ever experience again since Roldan died. Now that happiness is in jeopardy because there is the possibility that Warrick may fall in battle. Well you know what? Death is a possibility anywhere."
"Except by going to Nyttrus you're increasing his chances tenfold! And you're right you do know about loss, so why the hell would you want to put ME of all people through it again."
"Brenda if there was another way, don't you think I would? You believe I actually WANT to potentially cause you distress? No, I don't. You and Warrick are pretty much the only ones now that I can identify with on any level anymore and quite frankly losing either one of you would deeply wound me as well. I don't pretend to say it would be as strong as you feel for each other, but I would feel the sorrow."
"(Sob) but why... must he... we just got married... we... (sob)."
Brenda at this point can't quite keep it together. You have no real comforting words for her. Just cold facts of duty.
"(Sigh) He's needed Brenda. His Emperor has called him. He has to do his duty and serve his role as we all must for the good of the Empire. It was not my intention to upset you Brenda, but you know that as unfair as this all seems Warrick has a job to do. You worry that your happiness and time with him will be cut too short like it was with Roldan, well even if that does happen, count yourself lucky that you managed to enjoy the moments you DID have with him."
You pause for a moment, reflecting on Decena.
"At least you managed to realize a good thing before it was too late."
Brenda stops sniffling and manages to compose herself. Still upset, but resigned to fate.
"Very well, I've had my say, and I accept your decision my Emperor. Apologies for my momentary lapse in judgment and falling victim to emotions." Brenda says and starts to turn away.
"Brenda wait." You say before she leaves.
Brenda turns back around and you exhale deeply.
"I still need Warrick's help in Nyttrus, however I believe I can get by without him for awhile. Nyttrus is a large continent and I'm going to try to fortify our current holdings and retake our recent losses. So while I'm doing that, you've got Warrick for another year. Make the most of it."
Brenda's sad expression turns to one of a smile.
"Thank you my Emperor."
"Hm, well just remember you both STILL have your duties here that you need to perform. I expect Warrick to still take care of Eye business just like I expect you to continue training the fourth gens."
"Of course. Again I thank you."
"Okay then, inform your husband that his trip to Nyttrus is postponed for a year."
Brenda again thanks you and leaves.
You finish packing what personal belongings you feel you'll need for Nyttrus and the next day you get ready to leave for the docks and board the ship to take you to Nyttrus.
The next day you take a long look at Alison's portrait before your journey.
"I'll be back Alison... I always come back to you." You say and leave.
Year 57
Within the short time Warrick has arrived, your spirits have picked up a little. It's been a frustrating time here especially since the dragons have so far still eluded death. Though with Warrick now here you hope to correct that problem, but more importantly Warrick has brought with him very good news.
"So Dokkrus has been found at last?" you ask.
"Yes, my Emperor. Received word just as I was preparing to leave for here and since I was already on my way I figured I'd deliver this news to you in person."
"Ha ha! This is great! I'll have to send another message of how I want to proceed. I don't want any engagement on there yet, just some spying and exploration." You say.
"Did you want a message sent to the Eyes to handle this? My second is more than capable of carrying out these tasks. Wouldn't have picked the person otherwise."
"Yes, good idea. I want a ship with Eyes sent to Dokkrus, we'll send that message to the homeland later, right now though you and I have business with killing one of these flying lizards. I believe we've finally managed to track one to where it makes its home in between its attacks." You say.
"You mean you haven't slain all three yourself yet?" Warrick asks.
"I wish. But now that you're here I'm confident that their continued existence will no longer be a problem, so you ready?"
"Sure am, Emperor. It'll be just like the old days!" Warrick exclaims.
In high spirits and a positive outlook for the future, you, Warrick and a company of Eternals set out to kill one of the dragons.
> Continue
Year 60
"Well, looks like we've lost the Tornado." Warrick says as the pair of you see through in the near distance a multi-colored dragon unleash a gout of flame from its mouth, which engulfs the airship. Already heavily damaged the flying fortress can't take anymore and begins to explode. Minor ones at first, then one large one. Flaming pieces of the machine fall from the sky.
"It's all right. It's all right. The Storm II is still there and hopefully it'll kill that damn thing or at least wound it enough for us to do so. Either way that flying lizard dies today. This war will be all but won with its death. It's the last one and I'm glad it's finally decided to come to us this time, because I'm sick of chasing it all over this damn continent. I want to get the invasion of Dokkrus underway properly and I can't very well do that if I'm stuck in this damn jungle continent." You say preparing for the large group of Iznac approaching Fort Canopy.
"Hrm. Certainly is a lot of them. Better get on with this." Warrick says and orders the cannons to fire upon the multitude, which puts a dent in their numbers, but doesn't stop their advancing.
You look over the battlements and see several Iznacs climbing the walls of the fort like an army of ants. They aren't even using ladders, they're just scaling the fort with their bare hands. It's actually rather impressive, until you unleash a chain of lightning to zap all of them. The shock is enough to at least cause most of them to fall off if not outright kill them immediately.
"Slaughter the four armed spider eyed bastards! Make them realize that their domination of this continent has passed! This is the time of the Empire!" you shout to the Eternals defending the fort.
Your people are doing their best though they can't stop every Iznac from scaling the fort. Soon the gunfire is replaced by sounds of close combat weaponry. No matter how far the advances in technology, it always eventually comes down to looking your opponent in the eye and feeling their blood splatter as you end their life.
While you're busy hacking off the limbs of an Iznac warrior, another loud explosion in the distance is heard followed by a bright flash in the sky. It's not lightning from the storm, but rather the demise of your Storm. The Storm II joins the Tornado in crashing to the ground after losing its skirmish with the dragon. Hopefully the rain is making the jungle wet enough or else the flames from the wreckage of these downed airships are going to cause an inferno throughout the jungle.
"Damn! The Iznac brought their little frog slaves and the remainder of those orc traitors!" Warrick says and cuts down several Glip before helping the rest of the soldiers fend off the orcs smashing through the fortress' gates.
It doesn't matter in the scheme of things because even with overwhelming odds, your Eternals are still holding their own against all attackers. You then hear a roaring sound getting closer to your position and the sounds of great wings flapping.
You shout a general command for the still working cannons to be pointed towards the dragon and to prepare to fire when the beast is in range. In the meantime you and Warrick try to keep that side of the fort relatively free of invading forces.
"Hey, you think maybe I can get the chance to kill the dragon this time? I know you're the Emperor and all, but you don't need to prove your superiority all the damn time." Warrick jokes.
"Yeah? Well maybe you'll get your chance if you aren't as slow like you were the last two times." You retort.
"Slow? Well excuse me Mr. lightning fingers, but we all don't have the ability to blast something out of the sky with a thought."
"Well that's why I'm the Emperor." You snicker.
The dragon gets closer and you give the order to fire and unleash your own magic bolts at the creature. It's definitely wounded from its ordeal with the two airships, but given your experience with the other two dragons, you know it's far from being out the fight.
In fact it's so determined that it doesn't distinguish friend from foe when it blasts its flame breath on the fort. You manage to protect most of your people with a magic barrier, but for those outside its protection, most are set on fire if not incinerated immediately. On the positive side, it reduces your enemies, on the negative it ignites the gunpowder barrels for the cannons causing a massive explosion and completely destroying one side of the fort.
While the barrier still protects you and everyone within initially, its still a lot of strain on your energy and you begin to feel the fatigue setting in.
"No! Damnit! Fight through it!" you mutter to yourself hating your weakness.
While you're busily trying to fight through your fatigue, you don't notice where Warrick went and that was to the highest point he could get to on the fort and some how JUMPING on the damn dragon when it made its pass!
You almost can't believe your eyes as you see the dragon flying away from the fort with Warrick desperately trying to hold on to one of its legs. You can see him hacking at the dragon's underbelly. The dragon bellows in pain and begins to turn to make a second pass, but Warrick's assault makes another attack on the fort a non-priority for it.
You see the beast twist and squirm in an effort to shake Warrick free and then eventually the beast makes another loud screech and the both of them go crashing into the jungle no doubt destroying several trees in the process. You can still hear the dragon in the distance, so you know it isn't dead yet (Though probably badly wounded), but who knows about Warrick's fate.
In the meantime Fort Canopy isn't immediately being attacked anymore as most of the Iznac have fled or been killed at this point. You quickly order your remaining troops to secure the fort and take a small group with you to head towards the dragon's roaring noises.
Fortunately the jungle isn't thick here and the noises make tracking pretty easy, though by the time you reach your target, you see the severely wounded dragon with Warrick in its mouth and shaking its head from side to side. Then with one more shake, Warrick goes flying out of the dragon's mouth and slams into a nearby tree. You can't quite make out all the damage, but it looks like he's missing an arm at this point. Who knows what other grievous wounds he's suffered.
In any case the dragon has now turned its attention towards your direction, but its not exactly in the best condition itself. It makes a coughing noise and a pitifully short burst of flame and a large amount of blood emanates from its mouth. It even tries to flap its wings perhaps in an attempt to escape, but one wing is so torn up that it can't lift off even if it had the strength to do so.
> focus a full attack on the dragon
As regrettable as it is, Warrick's condition is secondary; killing this beast is top priority.
Despite the dragon's weakened state, you don't take any chances and unleash a blast of cold on the creature, which slows it down even more. Eventually its skin starts to frost over until parts become as ice.
"Fire at its head!" you shout and the troops with you do so immediately with chunks of the dragon's frozen head breaking off as bullets go into it. You finish up with a couple of magic bolts to shatter it completely. The headless dragon flails slowly about for a moment though you don't really stand around to be mesmerized by its death twitches as you suddenly find yourself attacked by Iznac warriors who had fled from the fort, but apparently were still lurking in the jungle.
They down a couple of your people, but they're really no match for you and are quickly dispatched. With all enemies beaten, you finally go over to where Warrick's body lies. As you predicted, he's already dead.
"Shit. How the hell am I going to explain this to Brenda?" Is about the only thing you can utter at this point.
Warrick isn't the only loss as you soon to come find out. Flevas also died during his own battle in the jungles with the Iznac (Though the battle was successful). Fortunately Captain Snilkez'ka lived and was also successful in defending Fort Tangle against the Iznac hordes.
With the dragons dead and this large Iznac offensive repelled, its safe to say that Nyttrus is yours. The Iznac will probably linger with petty raids for awhile, but eventually much like the Torites they will become only a memory. After assigning new orders and giving out a few field promotions, you return to Evigrus with Warrick's body.
When you arrive, you waste little time to give the sad news to Brenda though as soon as she sees you enter the training room by yourself, her face already displays the look of someone who already knows what you're going to tell her.
"Brenda, I think you can stop training the eternals for the day, I've got... "
"He's dead isn't he?" Brenda interrupts.
"Yes." You answers.
Brenda is silent and pauses a moment before telling the fourth gens to stop training for the day and to return to their barracks. They comply though most of them take a moment to stare at you and whisper, presumably in awe that their Emperor has paid another visit.
With the two of you remaining in the room, Brenda addresses you again.
"It was a death fitting for an Eternal I trust?" Brenda asks.
"Oh yes. Yes it was. He died in battle with a dragon. I cannot think of a more glorious death."
Brenda inhales and exhales, rubbing a hand over her face, trying to hold back tears.
"Good. That's good. (Sniffle) That's more than Roldan got at least. Was there enough of his body left for a proper funeral?"
"Yes, I've brought his body back from Nyttrus. The arrangements for a heroes' funeral will be made as soon as you're ready."
"Okay. Well I'll see you tomorrow to make the arrangements, now I believe I should get my students back in here, don't want them to get lazy and make any reckless mistakes when the time comes."
"Brenda you can take as much time as you need, you... "
"No. I have a duty to train these Eternals and I will see to that task. Warrick did his duty for the Empire and so I will continue to do mine for the Empire. These Eternals are going to help ensure the Empire's continued survival one day and the Empire must survive for as long as the Empire lives on, Warrick will live on as his sacrifices will not have been in vain."
You nod at Brenda's decision.
"Okay, well I shall take my leave now." You say not having much more to add.
"Thank you my Emperor." Brenda says before you leave.
"What for?"
"Giving me that extra year. I'll cherish it for as long as I live."
You leave Brenda to morn in her own way, which apparently is immersing herself in her work despite feeling horrible. To be honest, you're not exactly feeling great yourself. Warrick wasn't just a vital member of your command, he was one of your "siblings" and now it's just you and Brenda.
Warrick's funeral isn't a spectacle. Brenda's requests a quieter and much more private one. He of course is still placed in a grave next to other honored Empire heroes, but for the most part only you, Brenda and a few of his closest subordinates attend. It is here you get to meet the one Warrick appointed to be in charge when he left for Nyttrus, Cassandra.
Warrick mentioned her a couple times during your time in Nyttrus, though he neglected to mention she was an elf. Actually you didn't even realize there had been any elves recruited into the Eyes and you're sort of curious of when this happened and how she rose through the ranks, so its just as well that she makes a point of wanting to speak with you after the funeral.
Later the pair of you go to talk in your meeting room.
"So... Cassandra is it. You're my new Sightmaster eh? Warrick never mentioned you being an elf." you say.
"I didn't think that was a problem, my Emperor."
"No. No problem. Warrick just never mentioned recruiting any elves into the Eyes actually. He did mention you to me a few times during our time in Nyttrus though. Assured me you were very competent at your job and had complete trust in you. Considering I've come back to a serene Empire, I'd say his judgment was correct."
"Thank you my Emperor."
"Hrm. So seeing as that was about all Warrick mentioned about you and I've only just come back from Nyttrus and have not yet had time to look up your paperwork, tell me a little about yourself and why you wanted to see me immediately."
Cassandra mentions that she grew up in Rask where her family endured a lot of suspicion due to their being a group of separatist elves that were giving the Empire a bit of grief there before Captain Kane's effort's solved that problem. Though some humans that lived in her village at the time still murdered her brother one night. Of course nobody said they saw who did it, but it was known. Of course her family being elven, nothing much was done about it.
Cassandra said she was angry about it for a while, but then realized that that sort of thinking wouldn't get her anywhere in the long term, so made a vow to try to work within the system. Her first step was to join up with an Empire militia, which was used more back then in Rask due to most of the regular troops fighting in the Felkan War and the fact that ogres and giants were still a nuisance. These militia groups were also made up of some of the lower class rabble that were either poor, patriotic, looking to fight or a combination of all three. As such there weren't any restrictions for the most part.
Of course she had to struggle to be accepted the entire time and was practically disowned by her parents who while law abiding citizens, couldn't believe she'd willingly join an "injust" system. She held her own though and learned a lot during that time though it wasn't really until Warrick became Sightmaster for the Eyes, that she came into her own.
He was looking for new recruits in Rask and she signed up for Eye training. She nearly didn't even get in, but fortunately Warrick intervened and allowed her to prove herself, which she did. She goes on to say she kept a relatively low profile since it made life easier in general among her peers.
"Not so low profile now, you're the Sightmaster." You say.
"Yes, and believe me I wasn't even expecting it when Warrick assigned me to take the position. Though as an Eye, I still prefer to keep a low profile."
"Understandable. I trust you are not having problems with any of your subordinates?"
"Oh, you mean being an elf that's in charge? Oh no. Actually I haven't had any of those sorts of problems for quite some time. Really after you had all elves still in slavery freed and promoting a man like Flevas to eventually be a general, I've encountered less hostility overall... though I imagine being an Eye might make the average person pause before insulting me." Cassandra says with a slight smile.
Sounds like Cassandra enjoys the little power trip she has over most humans, sort of like Flevas in that regard actually. No matter, as long as she does her job, you don't care. Warrick was confident in her abilities and you have no reason to distrust his judgment and after your little discussion about her past, she addresses the original point of wanting to see you.
"I wanted to talk to you about Dokkrus. It is my understanding that you plan on invading it?"
"That is a major agenda in the near future, yes."
"I see. Well since its discovery I have kept apprised of its situation via Eye agents as you requested. Granted this intel is limited due to the distance, but here is what we've learned." Cassandra as this point hands you a large folder filled with reports of what has been discovered about Dokkrus. She then gives you a brief run down on her own thoughts of it.
"Now, I've never been to Nyttrus, but from what I've heard of the place the situation you'd encounter at Dokkrus would be much the same. Heavy resistance mixed with non-traditional tactics. Perhaps worse given that these are svelk we're talking about."
"I didn't expect it to be a walk in flower fields. Besides aren't the svelk fighting each other most of the time?"
"Well, most of them are, but last reports state that one group is starting to show more signs of unity. Its not a stable thing mind you, but its there nonetheless. There has also been a lot of sudden efforts in mining and metal working. Oddly though, the group of svelk don't seem to be focusing on building weapons though, it seems to involve these giant metal structures that are in locations all over Dokkrus."
Semra. This has to be her doing. She's already preparing and if you had to hazard a guess, she's trying to repair some of those portals. Is she planning to use them to teleport directly somewhere in the Empire?
Cassandra says that this unified groups isn't very large. It's not even an army, but then maybe Semra's just planning a precise strike against you, like say a sudden assassination attempt so she might not need a lot of people. With those portals working, she might be able to just drop in anywhere.
Something has to be done now. Cassandra has already said she believes an all out invasion is going to encounter problems, but doesn't everything involving dark elves?
> try a different approach
While the temptation to just send your forces and invade the place is the logical choice, you have a feeling Semra is probably expecting you to do just that. While your current military situation isn't the worst, you've still got most your Eternals locked up in Nyttrus right now and you definitely want them to be sent in if you're going to invade Dokkrus.
"Okay, I'm thinking no invasion for now, however the svelk need to be stopped on what they're planning to do, or rather at least what this group is planning to do." You say.
"You'll hear no argument from me on messing up svelk plans, but given your tone you sound like you already know what they're planning which is something I was no able to gain knowledge of unfortunately." Cassandra says.
"Those metal structures that have been mentioned in reports? Those are portals. You're aware of the svelk named Semra aren't you?"
"Yes, I am familiar with that name as Warrick mentioned her a few times. Former advisor to the former Emperor, former trainer to the first Eternals and all around treacherous bitch?"
"Yeah, basically. Well without going into a long story about it, I know that she's trying to unify the numerous bands of nomadic svelk into another svelk empire. From what you've told me, she's already busy doing that and as I said those metal structures are portals leading to who knows where. Probably all over the world. It's probably how the svelk used to run their empire in fact. Obviously Semra's trying to get the things working again as another step in rebuilding her overall goal."
"If that's the case then maybe you should invade."
"No, I imagine Semra already is expecting that and you're right in that it'll be a nightmare to hold territory there. We just need to sabotage what she's doing, and I'm thinking this is going to be more of a job for the Eyes since they've already been doing a good job there and I want you to lead this operation in Dokkrus personally."
Cassandra wasn't expecting that order.
"Of course I will obey my Emperor, but I'm going to need more details on this plan of yours and I'm concerned about the internal security here if I'm gone along with... well however many Eyes you intend to send."
"Don't worry about the security here, I mean its important as always, but the days of civil unrest seem to be behind us a bit. As for how many of your Eyes you want to take, well that's up to you. I'd suggest that you take only the best and get by with as few as possible. You're going to be relying on a lot of stealth and hit and run. Basically I want you to multiply the chaos there. Cause these little nomadic bands to remain at each others' throats. Shouldn't be too hard, but try to make sure it seems like Semra's group is the one doing it. It'll definitely make them pause before joining her."
"So use their own nature against them. Got it. What about the portals?"
"Since Semra is the only one trying to get them to work, focus on stopping those efforts as well. Obviously that means sabotaging the mine, mines, or wherever the hell she's getting the material to rebuild them. Killing the miners works too obviously. The best thing to do is to destroy whatever portal Semra is trying to fix completely. I imagine magic is going to be involved so it would probably be best if you took your Eye mages with you."
"We don't have too many of those left you know." Cassandra says.
"Hrm, well if you need to, take non-Eye mages with you. There aren't many of them left either, but it should be enough... in fact take Galen with you. Lazy whiner needs to be useful for a change. And he WILL whine, but other than myself, he's the most powerful mage the Empire has, so don't get him killed unless it's absolutely necessary to the overall mission."
"Is the overall mission to kill this Semra?"
You chuckle a bit.
"Heh, well if you have a good opportunity to do so, I certainly won't condemn you for it. In fact if you DO manage to kill her and bring me her head I'll grant you whatever you want within my means and that's quite a large list I assure you. However I'd advise you NOT to even attempt to engage her if possible. She's extremely dangerous and quite frankly will probably know as soon as we start hampering her mining operations that the Empire is involved and will make adjustments to her plans. Even with Galen, you most likely are not going to match an encounter with her so my advice is don't fight her unless you have no choice."
"So our main mission is just to sabotage her portal fixing attempts?"
"That's only part of it yes. However the other part is just as important, if not more so. I WANT one of those portal structures."
Now Cassandra looks at you as if you've given her the impossible.
"Emperor, from what I've heard those structures are... huge! I don't see how we're going to be able to move such things."
"That's because you won't be, at least not initially. I'll be travelling to Dokkrus at some point to oversee that part of the plan but I need to discuss with the engineers for a way to extend the airships' distance so they can reach Dokkrus as well as carry one of those structures back here. Hmmm, I suppose it probably would be best to send a few engineers with you so they can report back and give an idea of exactly how best to move this thing without damaging it. I'd send Elam, but I'd rather keep him here to work on improving the airships. Maybe I'll just send some gnomish engineers... of course the gnomes won't like that, but fuck 'em they get more than enough special treatment."
You finish up telling what else you require of Cassandra and then make your next stop to speak with Klemto about getting some gnome engineers to go on this trip...
"But... can't you just use Empire engineers?" Klemto asks.
"Last time I remember New Dessel was incorporated into the Empire decades ago. Your engineers ARE Empire engineers. If you're asking why I don't use human engineers, well let's just say other than Elam, I still have more faith in gnomish ones. A testament to your peoples' fine works. You really should be flattered."
Klemto doesn't know how to respond to such a remark so he continue to try to plead with you.
"But Emperor, please be reasonable! Most of my people ever really leave this city anymore and most have no desire to, and you're asking them to go to a far away land with where sadistic svelk roam all over the place? We're not fighters, I think our history shows that." Klemto remarks.
"Heh, I dunno if that's entirely true of a race that makes the deadliest weapons outside of the most powerful of magic. Not to mention you're the only group that ever rebelled from the Empire at one time AND lived. I assure you though your peoples' safety will be top concern. I need them the most for this part of the mission to succeed. They will have the best protection. As soon as it's over, they're coming back immediately. You have my word on that."
"I... just don't know."
"Klemto, this is more of a courtesy visit as well as giving you the option of sending those who are... less resistant to the idea. You know the deal Klemto, you're part of the Empire and you have to obey its leader regardless of how much freedom and leniency he gives this place."
Klemto looks at you knowing that those words are more than just a polite threat. He sighs heavily and gives no more struggle.
"(Sigh) Very well, let me... " Klemto starts to say before he's interrupted by a red haired woman dressed in a slightly dirty work outfit. She's human to your surprise and doesn't look like one of your Eyes (Let alone Elam).
"Hey uncle I'm just, oh!" the woman says when she sees you.
"Zana! I thought someone told you not to disturb me! I'm in a very important meeting with the Emperor!"
"Apologies uncle Klemto, but I left my lucky hammer over here when I visited yesterday and I don't like being without it." Zana says while smiling and nodding at you. "Apologies to you as well Emperor."
You aren't terribly offended of course, but you're wondering why a non-Eye human is running around New Dessel until you suddenly remember meeting Zana a long time ago, she was just a teenager then.
"Emperor, uh you remember my adopted daughter don't you?" Klemto asks.
"Yes, first time I made my visit to New Dessel. As I recall she interrupted that meeting to ask if she could fix some lighting problem you had at the time." You say.
"Good memory! I'm surprised you remembered someone as unimportant as me!" Zana beams.
"Mm, well when you're the Emperor, you have to try to remember everyone no matter what their status because under certain circumstances a peasant can rise to become a general. Besides, I also remember commending Klemto on raising a young lady with respect for dedication and hard work. Glad to see that you're still at it."
"Oh yes my Emperor. I work primarily with Elam, do you know him?"
"Elam? Oh yes, I definitely know him." You answer.
At this point Klemto begins to get nervous and tries to push his niece out the door.
"Okay, Zana you've found your hammer, now the Emperor and I still have important business to discuss."
"What kind?" Zana asks.
"Oh just something concerning engineers and a rather adventurous mission." You say.
Klemto's fears have just come true.
"Emperor... please I beg you... not Zana! I mean I'LL even go if you need me to! I'll send ALL of New Dessel!"
"Relax Klemto, if Zana here is skilled enough to work next to Elam, I'd hate to break up the team. She won't be going to Dokkrus." You say.
"You mean the dark elf continent? Yikes. As much I want to serve the Empire, I do believe I'd be a liability at such a hostile place! I'm no fighter!" Zana remarks.
"Well you and your uncle don't have to worry, your skills will be better served here working on the new airships I want Elam to build." You say before Zana leaves.
After getting over his initial worry, Klemto says he'll get that list of engineers to you immediately. You leave Klemto's office and head to where Elam's workshop is located. When you enter he doesn't appear to be working on anything important, he just seems to be watching some rodents run around in a container, though they look like they have a small piece of metal on their heads with wires connected to them.
"What the hell are you doing Elam?" you ask completely startling him.
"Emperor! Apologies, but I get very engrossed in my experiments sometimes. I've been coming up with some theories on brains and how they work. Figured I should test animals first and then work my way up to more sentient subjects." Elam answers.
"For what purpose? I thought you were building new weapons in here."
"I am... but... forgive me my Emperor, I'm getting bored with just engineering technological devices and weapons. Lately I've been feeling a pull towards my old love of biology. I mean yes we can create machines and other wondrous devices to make life easier, but what about making a LIFE? Y'know when I was young and before I worked under Marik, I was kicked out of the physician's guild by short sighted fools who couldn't appreciate my ideas." Elam says.
"Yes, I believe Kivan mentioned that to me when you were promoted to the Eternal Project." You says.
"Sometimes I miss working on the Eternal Project. I think we could really make advances there." Elam says.
"Hm, didn't know you felt that way Elam. Did you have any particular ideas in mind for the next new batch of Eternals?"
"Oh several. For one, I was thinking of how to go about curing that sterility problem you all seem to suffer from... no offense my Emperor."
"None taken. Your idea is certainly a worthy one, but I believe the magical process that's necessary to create Eternals is the cause of that one flaw."
"Yes, but I'm wondering if there isn't a way to eliminate the magical process altogether."
"I don't see how." You say.
"Well I didn't say I had all the answers yet, but I really believe if I could focus my studies, maybe I could find a way we could create Eternals just using the technology and medical aspect."
"Okay, sounds intriguing. Might be good given how few mages there are around nowadays. If you do come up with anything important feel free to let me know, but ONLY if you come up with something solid AND you don't let it get in the way of your other work here."
"Of course my Emperor. So what was it that you wanted to see me about?"
"Oh, I need you to make the airships travel a longer distance. Namely to Dokkrus."
"I guess we're bombing the hell out of that place next eh? Okay, I'm sure its possible; we'll just have to go through our routine tests and that is still going to take time. Hope you don't need them anytime soon though."
"I'd prefer if this was done as soon as possible, but given the vital importance of the mission these airships are going to be going on I DO want it done right. Namely they're going to be lifting up a large metal portal and carrying it back to Evigrus."
"How big are these metal portals and what are they made out of?"
"Mithril I believe. At least those were the latest reports. As far as size, well they're about as big as the front gates to the capital. Maybe bigger."
"That large huh? You sure you can't just put them on a ship?" Elam asks.
"That would require digging up their base and dragging the damn things across hostile territory and THEN loading them on to a mostly wooden ship which is at the whims of the ocean and the occasional large denizens that lurk within it. The only ship we've got that might be able to carry it without danger of sinkin |
g or capsizing is that giant vessel we captured from Mortimer before the Nakol War. And even then I'd still have my doubts."
Elam glances at his rats again before continuing.
"Well you don't actually think we'd be able to load one on an airship do you?" Elam asks.
"No, of course not, but the airships could carry the portal underneath it with strong chains and hooks. Also saves the problem of dragging it across hostile territory since it could just be pulled straight up off the ground. I'm thinking maybe even TWO airships could carry it while flying abreast each other." You say.
"Well, that would definitely stabilize and help distribute the weight, it also means the airships are going to have to be smaller so they can even share airspace so close together... " Elam exhales. "But... it's certainly doable. Like I said, I just hope you don't need these immediately. I'll need specific schematics of the portal as well, I mean exact size, dimensions and weight if possible."
"I'm sending gnome engineers to Dokkrus, I'm sure after a suitable portal is found they will report such findings."
"Okay. Good. Well I suppose my side experiments will have to wait a little longer. I'll get to work immediately on this my Emperor." Elam says.
After a few more words with Elam, you leave New Dessel trying to feel positive about the plan you've set in motion. You know there is going to be something that will inevitably try to hamper your plans, but you just try to keep in mind that this is one more step closer to immortality.
> Continue
Year 62
"The transport airships have made their test run to the outskirts of Dokkrus and returned. They're ready for the real mission now, my Emperor." Elam remarks.
"Good, because we're sending them and a couple of the upgraded regular airships." You say.
This is a major step closer to your goals. Cassandra, Galen and the rest have managed to locate and hold a fairly intact portal for you. The base around it has already been dug out for easier lifting and they haven't suffered many svelk attacks, well not many concentrated svelk attack at least. The svelk that are attacking are just the regular xenophobic type that doesn't want outsiders on their territory. They have no real grasp of the greater plans that are going on.
Semra's actions have been surprisingly minimal though apparently she's been too busy defending her own territory (and portal and mines) from not just your sabotage attempts (Which unfortunately haven't been too successful), but from other svelk warbands. It would seem that Cassandra and your Eyes have at least successfully managed to keep up the ongoing chaos there.
Won't be long now.
"Emperor, may I accompany you on this mission?" Zana asks.
"Huh?" you say being interrupted by your private thoughts.
"May I accompany you on this mission, my Emperor? I know I sounded a little afraid the last time Dokkrus was mentioned, but I admit part of me still wanted to go. I'd like to join you on this mission. Besides, I did have a hand in building these airships, it might be best if someone with that knowledge came along."
"I imagine Klemto might have some objections to that." You say.
"I love him, but he's too over protective. Besides, you're the Emperor if you want me to come with you then he has no choice but to comply right?" Zana says almost in a flirtatious way. You're not exactly sure how to take that, but Elam definitely looks surprised. Maybe even a little jealous.
"Well, that is correct... okay fine you can come with me."
"This will be a great honor my Emperor! I'm looking forward to this!" Zana says.
"You will be accompanying me aboard the Storm III." You say.
"You're going to be on the Storm III?"
"That was the plan given that it's the flagship, why where did you think I was going to be?" you ask.
"Well I assumed that you'd want to be aboard one of the transport airships to better oversee the process as well as to better defend it from attack in case the svelk try something."
"That's sort of why I have the Storm III and company going with them. They will be defending against possible svelk attacks, though barring Semra's meddling; I don't see any major threat to any of the airships themselves. The svelk are remarkably still stuck in the dark ages when it comes to weaponry."
"True, but I know you have the ability to cast those large barriers for defense. I dunno I just don't see your own extra protection on a transport airship as such a bad idea. It would allow the escorts to focus a little more on protecting the other."
"Hrm. Never hurts to be sure I guess. Duly noted, I'll think about it."
With Zana's brief suggestion she excuses herself to get her things prepared for the mission, leaving you alone with Elam who realizes his glances of faint jealousy have caught your attention and he is now trying to not make eye contact.
"Elam you're acting like a teenager. I'm not remotely interested in your woman so you can stop worrying that I'm going to start fucking her on the airship." You blurt out.
"Uh... um... thank you my Emperor... I uh... " Elam stutters a bit at a lost for how to respond.
"How long have you two been an item anyway? It doesn't really show much when you two are together."
"We try to keep it professional my Emperor. Human women here aren't in big supply here in New Dessel and I can't identify with any of the Eyes, but Zana... she's something special... never have I encountered a woman with such a magnificent intellect for science!"
"Mm, I'm sure that the only thing... " you smirk.
"Well her physical attributes are nice as well.' Elam says.
Elam goes on to ask if he can discuss his desire to work more in the medical and biology field when you return. You tell him that he may continue his experiments as usual, but you're going to need his help with the portal when it's brought back most likely.
Your don't bother talking with Klemto about Zana. You figure she can tell him herself, assuming she even bothers and decides to just make it a surprise for him.
You do take the opportunity to look at the new airships. It's odd, but as many times as you've seen them up close this will be the first time you'll actually be on one of these things. Even on your return trip from Nyttrus you went by boat rather than waiting for another airship.
When the day arrives Klemto approaches you. You're guessing he must've heard the news by now. He comes to you hat in hand looking pitiful.
"Emperor... I understand my daughter is going with you... I just beg of one thing and that's that you see that she's safe."
"You make a lot of demands of your Emperor... (sigh) She'll be fine Klemto, you worry too much. I doubt if the svelk are even going to be able hit us if they even attack. Besides, she's going to be aboard the Storm III and given that it's the heaviest armed airship we have right now, she'll be one of the safest people there."
"Well that's good to hear. At least she'll be close to you."
"Not necessarily. I might be flying on one of the transports. Zana suggested that it might be best if I was aboard one to better defend it in case the unexpected should happen."
As Klemto's mind fills with worry again, you wonder if you should take Zana's advice or not.
> board the Storm III
The transports are going to have enough protection with the escorts. Besides you'd rather be on the biggest, most well armed thing in the sky.
Zana seems a little surprised to see you aboard the Storm III when you're about to lift off, but says that it'll be an honor to be so close to you on this mission. She then says she's going to be walking around the Storm III making sure everything is running smoothly. You see this as reasonable so you think nothing more of it and tell her to carry on.
After about a half hour you finally get used to the idea of being so high in the air and less paranoid. You didn't think it possible for you to be, but somewhere in the back of your mind, you had the concern of this thing falling out of the sky which is probably why you haven't stayed in one place on the ship for very long and have felt the need to pace about it.
You also have been bumping into Zana every so often. Not on purpose, but you seem to just be appearing in the same places she happens to be. This wouldn't be a problem, but each time you do, Zana seems increasingly agitated whenever she sees you and it's obvious that she attempts to leave the area as soon as possible.
The next time you see her she's coming out of a door on the top deck of the ship wearing a heavy jacket with some sort of backpack on her back. Once again you completely surprise her.
"Hey Zana, once again we meet again." you say.
"Heh! Um yeah, my Emperor. Still following me I see." Zana replies.
"Not on purpose, but should I be following you?"
"No. I mean, there's no reason to of course, it's just what I've been doing is so boring and not very interesting."
"Probably, but there isn't much to do on here anyway... so what's that on your back?"
"Oh this? Uh, just a back pack full of stuff... "
"Zana, why the hell are you so nervous? Every time we've bumped into each other you've run off like your ass is on fire."
"Have I? My apologies then my Emperor. I suppose your presence is just a little unnerving at times. We all want to do our best in front of you, you know."
You give a sideways glance at Zana. You've NEVER known Zana to ever be nervous around you. In fact she's always been very casual to the point that most rulers would probably find it disrespectful.
"Okay... I understand... so what's in the backpack?"
"Um... as I said nothing of important my Emperor, just tools... "
"Okay so let me see inside."
And it's at this point Zana goes silent for a moment and her nervous facial expression turns into one of complete desperation before she turns around to run from you.
"STOP ZANA! STOP HER!" you shout and go after her.
You have no idea where she thinks she can run to until you see her attempting to climb the railing of the Storm III in an attempt to jump off it. Fortunately you and another crew member grab her before she's able to. She then tries to fumble with something inside her jacket, but you wrestle it away from her. It's some sort of black rectangular device with a button on it.
"What the hell is this Zana?" you say while your crewmembers keep her from getting up.
"Why don't you press it and find out TYRANT!" Zana shouts and now her expression has changed again, but to one of complete hatred.
You've never been the most technologically inclined, but if you had to guess, Zana has planted a bomb aboard this ship and this thing is going to detonate it. You immediately tell crewmembers in your vicinity to spread the word and to look for it while you hang on to the detonation device for safekeeping.
You then tell your crew to take off Zana's backpack. It's odd as it really isn't a bkacpack at all so much as it's a large sheet of canvas with reinforced rope attached. You've never seen anything like it before, but you again if you had to guess, it was supposed to decrease the speed of Zana's fall.
"Interesting invention. I'm guessing one of your own design? I'm just wondering though we're quite far from any land mass. Even had this invention worked, were you really planning on swimming all the way back to Evigrus?" you say.
"I calculated the distance, maybe I would've made it, maybe not, but either way it would've been better than allowing your continued existence! Murderer! Tyrant!"
"So who put you up to this? Semra?"
"Nobody put me up to this tyrant! I have my OWN reasons as I'm sure countless people would have for wanting you dead! The only difference is that I had the guts to actually try to kill you. YOU MURDERED MY FAMILY! YOU STOLE MY LIFE!" Zana screams with her mouth spitting saliva in anger.
"Zana you've lost me. You claim I murdered your family, but from what I know I wasn't even in the vicinity of the destroyed village of where Klemto found you."
"I didn't grow up in a village! I was going to be a princess! I would've ruled a kingdom one day! YOU and YOUR I EMPIRE destroyed all that before I even had a chance to enjoy a taste of such a life! Klemto didn't just save a random Felkan baby, he saved a HEIR TO THE FELKAN FUCKING KINGDOM!" Zana shouts.
It was a very long time ago. Almost a different life even, but you vaguely remember seeing a crib in the Felkan royal palace, yet no baby or even signs of a dead one. You never thought too much of it at the time, but apparently even though Zana was just an infant, Klemto must've told her about her real heritage. He probably lied to you thinking that you would've had her killed.
"Because of YOU, I've had to live a miserable existence working on machinery surrounded by fucking GNOMES! You know what that's like? Being the only human in community of damn gnomes? It SUCKS! Then when some humans do fucking arrive, they're from the same nation that destroyed my birthright! It almost sickened me to even sleep with that crazy fool Elam!"
How long must she have been waiting for the right time to strike? Was it always this way or did it slowly gnaw at her? A life that was stolen from her. Did Klemto or the gnomes put her up to this? Was this their plan in some weird way?
"Okay, since you're in a talkative mood, did Klemto or any gnome put you up to this?" you ask.
"What? So you'll have an excuse to round them all up and destroy their souls again? I heard about what you did to them. And maybe I might find them to be timid, tiresome unattractive little know it alls, I find it deplorable what the Empire did to them. I can't believe they allowed themselves to be dominated by a nation that systematically exterminated them from not just this life, but the next as well!"
"So did they help or not?" you ask again.
"No! No they did not! My father would've probably had me jailed if he knew what I was planning. Those cowards wouldn't dare stand against the Empire, but I fucking would! And did! Not that this will save them. After you're done killing me, you'll probably have them all killed as well for any excuse will serve a tyrant!"
"It's amusing that you keep calling me that. What did you think your parents were? They were a KING and QUEEN. You think they ruled by popular decision? Do you think YOU would have if you became queen? My actions that day weren't even personal. I was just following orders like a soldier. Your actions however today are misguided and fatal. Such a waste. Even had I known your origins, I would not have had you killed if you had remained true to serving the Empire. You probably would've even replaced Elam as top engineer when such a time came. Your quest for vengeance was as pointless as your entire life."
Zana says nothing else, she just continues to look at you with hatred in her eyes. At this point a few of your crew has come back saying that they found a bomb near the spare gunpowder barrels and another one near some vital machinery. They were disarmed and disposed of by dropping them over the side of the Storm.
"Well, I guess there's only one more thing to dispose of." You say and then nod to your crew still restraining Zana.
To her credit she doesn't beg for her life and continues to curse you even as she's falling over the side of the Storm to her death. Considering some of crew from the other nearby ships may be wondering what's going on if they've seen someone being thrown overboard, you make an announcement that you want the crew to signal the other ships to let them know everything is fine and that the mission is going to continue as expected.
As for the mission, that goes off relatively quietly without much trouble. The portal is hooked and lifted up without any problems. There doesn't even to be any weight concerns, though given that you had two transport ships just in case it isn't too surprising.
There aren't any svelk attacks either. When you bring Galen, Cassandra and the remaining Eyes aboard the Storm via rope ladder, Cassandra says if you'd arrived a few days before it might've been a different matter since they suffered a very large attack accompanied by mages. In fact Cassandra mentions that they were encountering a lot more mage types among the ranks of the svelk. She goes on to say that Semra's group has disappeared completely meaning they stopped working on the portal and abandoned all their mining operations.
"Knowing Semra she's probably changed her plans slightly again." You say.
"Did you want us to stay then? I mean we might need some reinforcements, but I think the remainder of us can survive on our own a little longer out here." Cassandra asks.
"No. You're all needed back home. Dokkrus will be invaded properly at some point in the future, but for now I've got more important things on my mind and I need all the security that I can get on the homefront right now. If the svelk suddenly start teleporting an invasion force then so be it. We'll be prepared, I'm going to start calling the third gen Eternals back from Nyttrus anyway. Besides, we've got one of these portals now and if we get it working like how I want to get it working, then we'll be fine." You say and then turn to Galen.
"I want to talk to you about your findings, I assume you studied this one and several others while on your vacation."
"Vacation? Dokkrus was the worst assignment that... " Galen starts to say until you glare at him.
"Uh, nevermind my Emperor. Yes, I'll speak with you about what I found. Of course."
With your mission accomplished and all your people aboard, you return to Evigrus where the airships land in the fields near New Dessel. The portal itself is moved into the mountain city.
From there you bump into Elam AND Klemto together. Good, this will save you time.
"Where is my daughter?" Klemto asks.
"Yeah, where is Zana my Emperor?" Elam says.
You snort and shake your head at this question.
"Well there's no easy way to tell either of you this, so here it is. Zana was a traitor that tried to kill me while she was aboard the Storm. So I had her thrown overboard where I assume she died."
Klemto and Elam's jaws just about drop.
"WHAT?!" the pair of them exclaim.
"You heard me. She's dead and that's it."
Klemto's face displays the first signs of tears, but also of anger. He's about to speak, but you stop him before he can do so.
"Klemto. I'd advise you to think VERY carefully the next words you say to me, because there are only a few reasons why I'm not going to have New Dessel purged of every gnome in here. Number one, I still believe I'll need the help of gnomish engineers for this next project and two Zana made it very clear that her plans were all her own and not the result of some gnomish conspiracy. Given how passionate her hatred of me was, I have no reason to disbelieve her."
Klemto says nothing.
"That being said, I'm ALSO going to forget the fact that YOU lied to me and that she was the daughter of the ex-Felkan royalty. I understand the lie, but this might've been avoided had you not lied to me in the first place... or failing that you needed to lie to her about her true heritage. Either way, I'll let the knowledge of your OWN poor judgment be your punishment."
Klemto continues to say nothing, the man is overcome with grief and can't even be in your prescence, he just leaves holding his head in hands. Elam is still a bit in shock.
"Was... was there no other way?" he asks.
"Are you kidding me Elam? (Sigh) No. There was no other way. If it's any consolation, she never loved or had any real affection for you. She even called you a fool that she only slept with due to the lack of other available humans that didn't completely disgust her. Well that and I imagine she probably saw a possible opportunity to get closer to assassinate me by being closer to you."
Elam just listens on in silence.
"And you, like Klemto, should count yourself lucky that I need you to work on this project because this incident wasn't the first time you mistakenly placed your trust in an assassin. Or have we forgotten the OTHER bomb attempt on the first Storm that Warrick managed to stop?"
"Um, no your Emperor. Apologies. I... have no excuses and thank you for your mercy."
"Hrm. Get that portal working and it will be a start."
Elam leaves your presence and you're left to rethink the "independence" policies on New Dessel. That time has now passed.
A few hours later during a discussion with Elam and Galen about how to get the portal working again, an emergency goes up throughout New Dessel. At first you think its some sort of sudden gnome uprising that Klemto has stirred up, but the event is much less urgent though perhaps a little tragic.
Klemto apparently went home, drank a lot of ale and then calmly shot himself in the head. He wasn't always well liked by his people due to his decisions, but enough of them thought highly enough of him to immediately go into mourning due to his death. There is probably a fear of what will come next too since he was their leader for so long; in fact none of the gnomes of their little council even steps up to replace him.
Hardly matter though, since as far as you're concerned this is as good as time as any to completely do away with the "era" of New Dessel "independence." It was a long time coming anyway. Maybe Klemto even realized that and with the death of his daughter he saw no more point in seeing the "bad times" again.
In any event, things are starting to look up for you and you're one step closer to your ultimate goals.
> Continue
Year 65
"It... it was horrible, my Emperor! The place was so dead. Like I could feel it everywhere... my... my hands... my skin... wrinkled with age! How could I have aged so quickly? It's an evil place! Don't send me back! I beg of you!" the test subject pleads while groveling at your boots, but all you do smile.
"WE FOUND IT! WE'VE FINALLY FOUND IT!" you shout in glee.
After Elam's tinkering with machinery to repair the portal, sacrificing several lesser mages to fuel the portal with magical energy again, you and Galen trying to channel the energy to get the right location and after sending in several "test subjects" with ropes tied around them, you've at last discovered the way to reach the Isle of Mortos.
The Island of Mortos seems to be so heavily disguised by magic that it's impossible to actually find through normal means. Basically the necromancers only allow access if they want it to or in your case, meddling with a magic portal for so long that you eventually found it through trial and error.
Now that you've found it, the current problem is that it's a one-way trip. Hence the ropes you tied to the test subjects so you could pull them back through. (Though that still didn't always ensure their return)
There's also the fact that "dialing" the way to get to Mortos in the first place has been fairly taxing on you and Galen who isn't looking so great nowadays.
"A testament to your persistence, my Emperor... can I go lay down? I feel sort of weak." Galen remarks.
"Galen you're a wizard, you of all people besides myself should be happy to discover a new mystery of the arcane! I mean with magic apparently dying out, I'd think this would be fairly interesting to you."
"Emperor, in all honesty I'd rather just be back home using charm spells on young girls."
"That's your problem Galen, you have no true ambition!" you say.
"Yes, you're right my Emperor. I'm a lowly worm before your greatness." Galen says.
"I'll let that remark pass since I KNOW you're intelligent enough to NOT use sarcasm on me. And I'm not going to let your whining and depression annoy me today as this is a great break through."
At this point Galen says nothing and just shuffles off to find some place to lie down. You also ignore the test subject who has already been taken away by nearby Eyes to who knows where.
You continue to stare at the portal, which will now lead you to Mortos. You almost want to enter right now, but you know that it will still have to wait. You call Elam over who normally isn't a nervous sort, but is when he gets near the portal.
"So... this is it then?" Elam asks.
"This is it Elam. Have you finished building that other smaller portal for me?" you say.
"It's almost finished, though it took a lot of mithril to build it. Good thing Nyttrus had several deposits, because it's not like we had much of it. Also it's going to need magical energy of course for it to be fully powered. I imagine you've still got mages left?"
"Maybe a few still locked up, but I question if it'll be enough... well there's always Galen. Should work."
"You're going to sacrifice Galen?"
"He's served his purpose and he'll serve it one last time for the greater good of the Empire. He's getting old and weak anyway, how many years does he really have left? Wasn't aware that you held any fondness for him."
"No, I don't really. Still though... what about your Eternal Project?"
"What about it?"
"Well without any more mages you won't be able to continue it correct?"
"If this plan goes the way I hope it does, it won't matter, besides I thought you were coming up with an idea to take the Eternal Project in a new direction without the use of magic." You say.
"I was, but then I had to focus my efforts on this project and as I know it was of great importance to you, I didn't want to divert my attention." Elam responds.
"Probably was wise of you. Well, after we get the second portal up and running, you'll be able to pursue your desire for more biological experiments and find a new way of creating Eternals."
Elam nods and excuses himself to go back to work on finishing the other portal. The smaller one is going to be the "return" portal back here after its power up, "calibrated" and dragged through the Mortos portal.
The test subject didn't say anything about any ghoul creatures or other undead around, just a dead feeling everywhere so it looks like you go lucky as far as the location is concerned. Though you still have no idea where you'll be located on Mortos. After all you only visited the place once and that was thirty years ago. You were so different back then. The trusting, loyal, good soldier that never questioned anything.
You've been thinking more about those last few days with Casimir recently, your trip to Mortos and the days immediately afterwards. The big lie that Casimir perpetrated just to secure his own immortality was still nothing compared to the one that nobody except Jacob and Semra knew about. It's still odd to think about how you were never truly meant to be an Eternal.
Still, it's often been said the bigger the lie; the more people are willing to believe it. Maybe its because your entire life is a "lie" that you managed to achieve so much within it. Maybe that's why you managed to become a successful Emperor and maybe that's why you intend to succeed where your "father" failed.
Nicodemus, the necromancer that you encountered during your last trip to Mortos, tried to convince you to not pursue the same path as Casimir. Semra has tried to do the same on several occasions. As far as you know, they're still the only two that are going to be your major obstacles between you and your goals. You aren't sure what Semra's been up to as there has been no sign of her or any indication of an attack from Dokkrus, but rest assured when she does pop up again, you have no doubt its going to be at the most inopportune time.
As for Nicodemus, you imagine you'll have quite a fight on your hands with him and that's not even counting other necromancers that must live on the island and their undead. You haven't been idle though. You've been practicing and strengthening your own magic abilities.
Eventually you stop your reminiscing and decide you need to get on with your plans, you aren't getting any younger.
In another few weeks, Elam tells you that the second portal is ready, so you gather up Galen and the remaining mages to go about its activation. Galen repeatedly tells you that he doesn't think there's going to be enough energy within the captive mages power up the second portal, but you assure him that there will be. The fool doesn't even consider the possibility that HE is going to be joining them. Well not until the last moment when he's grabbed by Eyes and strapped down to the draining chair hooked up to the portal.
"Emperor?! What is this?! No! I was loyal! You can't! You... " Galen shouts before you punch him in the face and have him gagged.
"Stop whining Galen." You say motioning Elam to hit the switch and watch the last of your mages being drained of their energy and life.
When the portal is powered and you finish your calibrations, you have the smaller portal ready to be dragged through the larger one. Several Eyes, several third gen Eternals and some very nervous engineers all prepare to enter, plus one.
"Emperor, you're going with them?" Elam asks.
"I'm confident that this is going to work and if not, well then I don't deserve to be Emperor any longer. Let's get going." You say.
You enter the portal and you have that old familiar feeling...
A deadness all around you. The land is still dead, everything is still drab and gray. Same way it was when you last were here. The others with you all begin to complain about not feelings quite right.
"It'll pass if you keep your mind focused, the key is to not let this place cause you to spiral into a depression. Come on we need to get this portal into a good place... that large rock structure in the ground over there looks as good as any. I want the engineers to embed this portal in it, don't want it just standing out here in the open wasteland. Follow me and DON'T stray too far. There are magic areas or what are called negative zones. You step into one and you could be an old man or even a corpse before you knew what was going on. I'll be able to detect them, just follow me."
Your small march to the rock destination is uneventful other than some of your people still saying how this all feels so hopeless. Unfortunately most of it is from the engineers who are less accustomed to this sort of thing.
As you wait for the portal to be embedded in the rock, you begin to ponder if you still shouldn't wait awhile before marching an army into Mortos. It might be this place sapping your "enthusiasm" but the grim reality of how difficult this is really going to be is starting to set in the closer you get to your goals. It does occur to you that Nicodemus was powerful enough to destroy Casimir with barely any effort.
> do some scouting now
You decide that the best way to keep your mind off things is to keep yourself occupied. So you tell some of the Eyes to accompany you and tell the Eternals to keep a good watch over the engineers.
You remind the Eyes to follow you, as the danger of stepping into a negative zone is great. They all acknowledge your order apathetically and follow.
A few moments after the portals are both out of sight, you start to hear more complaining, bitching and overall whining. You'd swear you were travelling with Galen or several copies of him.
"Damn it, what the hell is wrong with you all? You're supposed to be Eyes! Start acting like it before I have to make an example out of one you!"
"Oh what's the point? We're all dead men anyway!" one of the Eyes exclaims.
You travel a little longer and eventually you encounter a ruined structure. Probably not where the book is located, but no point in not checking it out since you're already here.
You all approach the structure slowly. You because you're cautious, the rest well because they're all still suffering from the effects of the oppressive aura of Mortos.
When you get close enough an ugly head pops out from around the corner of the ruins. When it sees you it makes an inhuman scream and comes loping at you.
"Shit, ghoul. Quick, there will be a multitude of them!" you exclaim backing off and blasting the ghoul with a fireball.
As more ghouls come pouring out of the ruin, you motion the Eyes to prepare themselves for combat, which they do so but only reluctantly.
"COME ON! These fuckers are going to eat you!" you shout.
There aren't as many ghouls like when you walked into that town of them last time, but there's enough to be dangerous. You fight the ghouls with blade and spell, but your Eyes are barely putting up a fight despite you yelling at them and the very real threat of death the ghouls pose.
Pretty soon the ghouls begin to get the upper hand over your Eyes, some of whom have given up completely and practically laid down to die.
Frustrated by this place altogether you begin flinging fireballs at the ghouls regardless if the Eyes are in the vicinity or not. If the weak willed fools wish to die then so be it. Eventually the only thing left is you and many charred bodies.
You sit and rest for a moment from the battle. You realize that you're going to have to train your people to endure this place. It's obvious that this place is going to affect your people more than you realized...
Then suddenly a panic wells up inside you and you make haste back to the portal.
At first your major concern is that you'll find everyone not doing their job or at worst dead by their own hand, the reality is much worse however.
The portal lies on the ground and partially broken, magic still powers it, but its highly unstable now and its changing different colors quickly. All the engineers are dead and some of your Eternals are too, but it doesn't look like everyone took their own life. It looks more like a slaughter.
Two of the Eternals still live and have a deranged look in their eye; in fact they're eating one of the engineers. It would appear that the negative aura of Mortos may have another side effect other than severe depression.
Upon seeing you, they both attack like a pair of ghouls. You easily put them down with a couple of magic bolts, but the damage is done.
You look at the portal and you ponder if you should risk going through it or possibly continue searching Mortos for the book and hope that maybe you could find a way out of here that way.
You also ponder if you just stayed put that maybe someone from Evigrus would try to send someone else with a rope tied to them through the portal and you could get home that way.
You ultimately do decide to wait for what you think is a few days but nobody shows up. You're actually a little surprised, but then they might think that if going through killed you that what chance would any of them have?
This doesn't have a good effect on your own morale which has been diminishing by the day due to the oppressive aura of Mortos and your current hopeless situation. You also haven't eaten or drank anything for quite some time, you're starting to feel those effects as well.
Lacking any other options, you decide that you'll have to take a chance on the portal because you don't think you'll have the strength to find the book in your current condition, even if you had any idea where it might be located.
You stare into the portal, which still changes different colors rapidly. You don't have a good feeling about this. You're fairly certain in fact that you'll wind up on the other side in pieces, but there is little choice in this matter.
"Well better an unknown risk than a certain death." you say and you jump in...
The good news is you do make it out of Mortos in one piece.
The bad news is you reappear several miles under water in the middle of one of the oceans. Taken completely by surprise by this you gasp for air and your body cannot handle such crushing pressure.
Your dead body falls to the bottom ocean where it provides nourishment for the creatures that live there. |
Year 80
"So you're really going to do it?" Cassandra asks while lying in bed next to you.
"That was sort of the point of going to Mortos in the first place." You answer.
"True I suppose. I really hated it there. I mean killing and capturing svelk was about the only thing that was remotely enjoyable. I was pretty glad you eventually sent all the Eyes back home."
You get up out of bed to get your day started.
"Ah, shit." You say feeling an ache in your back.
"Are you alright? I thought you... um... replenished yourself recently."
"If by replenished you mean drained the lives of twenty of my citizens last month then yes I did, but as I've told you before, it doesn't last long and it wears out quicker as the years have gone on. Not to mention humans don't exactly have the most sustaining life forces to begin with so it takes more of them just to turn back the clock a few decades."
As you look in the mirror at yourself trying to determine if you need to "recharge" today, Cassandra doesn't pursue that line of questioning anymore. She knows that elves being long-lived creatures would probably require less effort on your part and sustain you longer. In fact that's probably why she started to show "attraction" towards you a few years ago. She'd never admit it, but she fears that you'll suddenly start rounding up elves and draining them instead.
While it definitely had occurred to you to do so, you tended to limit it to just a few since they still don't have the largest of populations and you had no idea how long you'd have to "ration out" the lives of your citizens before you could unlock all the secrets of the book. Cassandra probably believes she's "swaying" you through sex though.
Gnomes probably REALLY feared being rounded up, but fortunately for them you still respect their engineering skills and you don't have a gnome fetish like Casimir did. Besides, ever since your human engineer losses in Mortos and Elam dying last year (Another rarity via natural causes), you need all the skilled engineers you can get.
As for your "relationship" with Cassandra you have no love for her, a mild fondness, a respect for her abilities and her usefulness, but nothing more. You're fairly certain Cassandra has no true love for you either. Respect and loyalty sure, a desire to place herself in a higher and "safer" position, most definitely, but she does not love you.
Part of you has wondered if you reciprocated her advances in the first place was because she was an elf. Besides the natural attractiveness common to their race, she very faintly reminds you of Semra. Not in personality or even looks, but she's an elf and it's close enough.
"I am seriously fucked up." You mumble to yourself as you think about that again.
"What did you say?" Cassandra asks.
"Nothing, just thinking about something. You better get dressed, I'm going to need you and the Eyes on full alert for this thing." You say which stirs Cassandra to get up and follow your lead in getting dressed.
"Emperor, the... subjects are currently all being held at the ritual pyramid in the Usksha Desert, all ten thousand of them are still alive and restrained. I know I've told you this before, but Empire citizens' have not been calm about this. Most don't even know exactly what you're planning, but they're already coming up with stories and most of which are not too far off from the truth. The Eyes have been working overtime in keeping the peace, but I fear that a rebellion of some sort will be inevitable. Most likely in Rask and Nakol province, perhaps even in the Tral province."
"The citizens' would like it even less if I continued to just drain random people at a greater rate eventually exceeding ten thousand. This ritual is going to prevent having to do that anymore. After it's done, we can deal with the civil unrest and in time Dokkrus as well."
Cassandra smiles a bit when she hears that, you know she's probably been eager to go kill more svelk again.
"I always meant to ask, but why is this to be performed in Usksha?" Cassandra says.
"No major settlements nearby and it isn't like the usksha nomads are a problem anymore. Haven't even had a sandworm pop up in decades. I thought about the plains of Tor, since there was nice flat land there to build the pyramid, but the Usksha desert works just as well. Besides, this is only going to be necessary once. No need to have the pyramid any more afterwards and it'll be cheaper to just let the sands consume everything rather than having to tear it down and having crews to dispose of all the bodies."
"Couldn't you just animate them to walk into the ocean or something?"
"Hah, I'm sure a dead march to the ocean is just what the already agitated citizens' would want to see." You chuckle.
"No, this is a better way. To be honest raising the dead takes a great deal of willpower and I find it to be a waste of the time and energy. I mean I did it to a limited degree in Mortos with the fallen Eternals because it bolstered the ranks and using the dead negated some of the advantages the necromancers had. Personally though I'd rather just cast a rain of fire down or chain lightning to directly harm my enemies. I don't need unreliable rotting corpses to do my work." You say.
Cassandra nods at your answer and the pair of you are off to the Usksha Desert.
Even before your carriage reaches the desert the black pyramid is visible from the Nalin border. The closer you get the more it looms ominously.
There are grim deeds going to be performed this day and night and well... until the ritual is complete.
The necromancers of Mortos didn't need as many sacrifices when they attempted this ritual since there were a lot more of them to perform it and support each other's magical energy. They were also more skilled. You are just one man that has tried to shove as much necromantic knowledge into your head in just a few years. You sometimes wonder if this is indeed a fool's errand.
But you've gone over the rites, you've gone over the symbols, the steps, made allowances for your unique situation, and of course had a big ass pyramid built just to accomplish all this. You don't think you could be any more ready.
When you arrive at the ritual pyramid, several Eternals stand ready for your commands. There are so few of them left now and they're all fourth gens. It wasn't but a decade ago that together with the third gens, Eternals were nearly two thousand strong. When this is all over, you really need to get that project back on track again. Too bad Elam isn't still around to carry out some of his theories, but maybe he left some notes in that now abandoned workshop of his.
"The sacrifices are inside the pyramid, my Emperor. All we await is you to take your place and begin." An Eternal says when you exit the carriage.
"Very good, we will begin soon." You reply as you shield your eyes to look up at the pyramid which does look pretty impressive this close up."
Cassandra begins to leave the carriage, but you stop her from doing so.
"Cassandra, why don't you head back. I don't think you're going to want to be here for this. Not because I don't think you can't handle it, but because it's going to take awhile and I'd rather have you keeping a check on the potential civil unrest situation you've been concerned about. I mean other than my Eternals here, you're about the only person I can truly trust and rely on anymore."
"Very well, and thank you my Emperor." Cassandra says and kisses you before getting back inside the carriage.
With Cassandra on her way back, you begin to make the long climb up the pyramid feeling the aches the entire time. You'll be glad to put an end to that soon. When you finally get to the top, you take a short breather and accept the water that a nearby Eternal hands you.
"Shit, that sun is a killer. Maybe I should've had this built on the Tor plains after all. (Whew) All right then let's get on with this. Bring out the first sacrifice." You say and a couple of your Eternals nod and go through the entryway to carry out your orders.
While you wait you place the ritual book on a nearby stone podium and examine the sacrificial altar and the symbols you had etched into it. The altar itself was designed to be sturdy, but also has a slight elegance to it. The craftsman really put some artistic touches to it. You aren't normally one to admire something like that, but in this case you do.
As the screams of your first sacrifice get closer you draw out your mithril dagger. Ah this dagger has certainly been with you a long time. Saved your life more than a few times too.
Still, you only keep it for one reason. As a reminder to end Semra's life with it one day. (Yet another thing on the to do list after achieving immortality)
Your Eternals bring out your first sacrifice. A young elven girl. She's terrified, crying and begging for her life.
"Well, it's a good thing I sent Cassandra home. Pretty sure she wouldn't have wanted to see this. How many elves are there in there anyway?" you ask one of the Eternals ignoring the girl's screams.
"Apologies, but I'm not exactly sure my Emperor. I know we brought in a lot, but we're not sure how many the Eyes brought in."
"They most likely didn't bring in any. Probably primarily stuck to humans. So... who do we have in there anyway?"
"Mostly humans as you might expect. They're from all over the Empire. Some elves, some kobolds, some orcs, some usksha, I know we even dragged a few ogres down here. All of them are of varying ages, colors, occupations and gender. You said the more variety from walks of life the better."
"That's true. For some reason this will work better with more variety of life. Not exactly sure why, but I'm following the instructions. Just out curiosity, any gnomes?"
"We did get a few. Tried to limit them to criminals though."
"As long as we got a few, okay throw her on the altar and let's get started." You say.
As the girl continues to scream for her life, your Eternals place her on the altar.
"Did you want us to gag these people in the future?" one of your Eternals asks.
"No, apparently the terror and fear they outwardly display helps this ritual too, again don't ask me why, I'm just following what was in this book... shhhh... I'll make this quick." You say and then chant as you bring the dagger down.
When the deed is done and the girl's life has indeed been exstinguished, her body is thrown down the steps on the left side of the pyramid. That pile is going to get very big before this over.
Time passes from day and night as one by one people are dragged for you to kill. You have to take breaks every so often and after a few days of this you even resort to draining the life of some of your Eternals just to keep your strength up.
You know its working though, you can feel it. By the time you've passed the five thousand mark the daytime sky no has a sun beating down on you and a constant overcast hangs in the air. A sandstorm whips up and at one point it even begins to rain, which it practically never does in this desert.
You preserve through the sand and the rain as you did with the sun. The closer you get, the more you can feel your success. Eventually you don't even begin feeling tired after killing a few hundred people, you're starting to feel energized by it. Eventually you stop taking breaks and start dragging victims out yourself since your Eternals are certainly tired.
By the time you hit over nine thousand your surrounding area is in a permanent state of unnatural darkness. A blackness has covered a wide area of the desert and you're not even seeing the stars at this point, its just black like a void.
And then finally the last victim is brought out. A miserable looking malnourished kobold who looks like he's on his last legs anyway. He's so weak that one of your Eternals picks him up by one hand and places him on the altar.
You speak the last parts of the spell and bring down the knife ending the kobold's life instantly and that's when it happens.
You feel a surge of energy like you've never felt before. It's like when you drain the life of someone, but this is different, like a feeling of completeness. You believe its working. You don't have a mirror handy, but your hands are certainly deprived of wrinkles now and you don't have any aches or pains from age anymore.
"I feel it! It's working! It's... " you shout and then suddenly you fall to the ground and a large rumbling sound from above is heard almost to the point to it being deafening.
You are helped up by your Eternals, who begin to ask you what to do next. You look up and see several ghostly forms screaming out of the black void above. They don't attack, they just seem to hang there and float around, but that doesn't mean they won't soon.
"Emperor! Watch out!" an Eternal shouts and hacks down the kobold you just killed.
Just as Nicodemus told you what the necromancers did, just as Semra warned you, you've opened up a gate to the Realm of the Dead.
> run down the pyramid steps
Realizing the immediate danger you're in, you waste no time in running down the steps of the pyramid. The ghostly forms begin to mock you.
"Why do you fear death mortal? Did you not ssssummon it here?" one of the ghosts says nearly causing you to lose your footing on the steps when it suddenly floats in front of you.
You blast the ghost with a magic bolt and then proceed to do the same thing to others that fly near you. Several of them dissipate instantly.
"Undead bastards! You won't... .AGH!" you start to say when all of a sudden you begin to feel very weak. It's not just you either; it's your Eternals too. The feeling is similar to the draining effect by undead creatures or the negative zones of Mortos. You might not be aging, but you definitely don't feel well, in fact you feel like you're going to die and given how close to death you've been on several occasions, you're very familiar with what that feels like. In fact, you're reminded of the time when Cyrus nearly killed you. Feels like that.
And unfortunately due to this sudden weakness you do lose your footing on the pyramid steps, as do a couple of your Eternals. You end up tumbling down the rest of the steps smacking your head against the hard stone several times. By the time you hit the bottom you have most certainly broken your neck. You aren't dead, but you're definitely not in a good position.
Having little option you attempt to mend your broken neck through healing magic. It's requiring all your focus which is already weak due to the negative energy in the area. The spell is working, but it's going much slower than normal.
In the meantime more spirits and the like pour out of the black void above the pyramid and the pile of bodies that were one dead have now begun to shuffle around their original area to the other side where you are currently at. Your Eternals that didn't manage to kill themselves falling down the pyramid try to slow down the horde, but ultimately they fall before the sheer numbers and the unnatural magic affecting them.
Soon it is only you who are left and your broken neck still isn't quite mended, you only manage to sit up just in time for the newly risen bodies of your sacrificial victims to eat you alive. |
Year 75
The longer you spend in this place, the more you're starting to like it and that is somewhat of a worrying thought to you, because it certainly isn't a thought shared by anyone under your command. The last five years have probably been a nightmare to most.
You've had to rotate your "normal" military personnel fairly regularly. Most of them can only handle the psychological impact of the powerful undead horrors the necromancers have unleashed a limited amount of times before they become more of a liability rather than an asset. You can only imagine how full the asylums are getting back home. For the most part you've regulated most of your military to defend Evigrus since the svelk in last two years have tried to open up a new front by transporting groups of elite via portals. They've been relatively unsuccessful and even less so when they attempted to do the same thing on Nyttrus where your kobolds easily overwhelmed them and used the land to their advantage. The svelk for the most part have seemingly pulled out of Mortos though altogether.
You've had to pull back your Eyes as well. Well trained they may be, most of them are still human and with that they suffer the same failings of the mind. It's just as well, since things are starting to get a little unstable back home. It's probably a combination of several things (Some of which might be all the new asylum patients) so Cassandra and the Eyes are back to their primary job of maintaining order.
Even the Eternals are starting to get weary of this war and most of them have aged several years than normal. Still, they are Eternals, and whether they are third or fourth generation, they stand by your side... even in death.
Since your time here, you've learned how to use the necromancer's magic against them. You've managed to unlock the secrets of necromancy. You're no master at it, and it takes great concentration on your part, but its come in handy at times. The odd thing is you seem to only be able to maintain control over fallen Eternals. Attempting to raise others has only resulted in them eventually turning against you. You wonder if its because of the way Eternals are "made" or their conditioned loyaty from birth, or maybe a combination of both that seems to result in their dedication to you and resist the overpowering will of the necromancers.
As far as your own concerns about your state of mind you've been trying to hold it together. You sometimes think you're living on borrowed time and that if you don't achieve your goal soon, this place will eventually consume you. Maybe that's why you're starting to like it here, because you feel so close to death and this place is basically a home to the dead.
But you're not dying here if you can help it; in fact the whole point to this is so you don't die at all. You've already begun to unlock the talents of the necromantic arts by yourself. As soon as you get that book, you KNOW you'll be able to master them completely and become immortal.
And that goal is now closer than ever because you've finally tracked it down.
You stand on a slightly elevated bit of land with what remains of your army of Eternals (both living and dead) and a few juggernauts filled with crews of half mad engineers. In the distance a ruined fortress lies before you. It is a non-descript thing and has no real defenses since its walls are mostly broken or gone completely, but THAT is where your goal lies. Inside it somewhere.
And that is also where Nicodemus must be.
You need to attack now, because you know it'll be only a matter of time before reinforcements to help him show up. There are ALWAYS undead, no matter how many you put down in this place.
"General Damon, today the Empire assures its mastery over death itself." You say.
"We are all prepared my Emperor, we just await your word."
You nod and for a moment there is complete silence.
"ATTACK!" you shout and then in unison, you and your Eternals advance towards the target. You lead from the front, just like the old days...
Your juggernauts rumble past the sides of your army and then that's when you finally hear him in your head...
"This will not end well for you, Eternal. Turn back from this path now, or suffer the same fate as your father Casimir."
Naturally you ignore this pitiful attempt at stopping you, so Nicodemus finally unleashes his defenses.
Several undead rise up out of the ground. Not just the normal type either, these are the remains of some sort of long dead gigantic beasts that must've once roamed this island. They are accompanied by the appearance of several ghostly forms. Wraiths and spectres with their ability to drain life with a mere touch.
To your far left and far right, hordes of skeletons and zombies come popping up out of the ground. Nicodemus probably believes that you've foolishly walked into an obvious trap, but honestly you knew something like this would happen. Your goal here is to get the book at all costs.
"Death will not stop us today! But then some of you personally already know that! Destroy these abominations and take the fortress!" you shout.
One of your juggernauts is already moving far ahead of your army and firing off its canon, blowing away bits of the gigantic bone horrors. Under the right circumstances you believe it would easily finish up the task, but it isn't those undead giants that are the problem, the problem lies with the wraiths and spectres who easily glide through the machine and turning it into a steel coffin by killing the crew within.
Your other juggernaut decides not to engage such ghostly creatures and instead turns off to fend off the approaching undead horde to your left. Hopefully it can destroy a good chunk of them.
The undead giants still intact begin to lumber forward to meet your army while throwing large pieces of stone lying nearby. You cast a barrier in front of your army to protect against the projectiles and then throw your own projectiles in the form of fire at the giants while your army opens fire at their legs until the bone and rotting flesh that are allowing them to still stand is finally severed to a degree that the rest of their bulk goes crashing to the ground. Most of them splinter into pieces from the fall, but other continue to come at you, dragging themselves toward you with their arms. These are dispatched with a few well places magic bolts and more gunfire.
With the giants mostly taken care of, you notice the spectres and wraiths steadily approaching. You immediately drop the barrier and redirect your energy to cast an enchantment over your soldiers' hand weapons. Guns are useless against things like spectres and wraiths, but with some skill they can still be overcome by an enchanted melee weapon.
"Prepare for melee and don't let them touch you!" you shout.
The unearthly howls and shrieks by the ghostly assaliants fill your ears as you blast them with your magic bolts. Your dead Eternals come in very handy here as they directly engage the spectres and wraiths and try to shield their living brethren (and you) from being touched. It isn't without some casualties though and the problems increase when the horde on your right finally reaches you. Fortunately the left side seems to be preoccupied with overwhelming the juggernaut, which has now resorted to its inside mounted repeater rifles, and just trying to run them over though its wheels are starting to get jammed with body parts.
"FIGHT THROUGH THESE ROTTING BAGS, WE'RE NEARLY THERE!" you shout just in time to see several necromancers appear on the battlements and begin doing some sort of chant.
Suddenly there's an aura of death around you, and it isn't just becase you're surrounded by zombies. You feel like you just walked into one of those negative zones, except this one is being forced on you.
You're old enough as it is, you can't afford to age anymore. You have to do something now because you won't even make it to the broken fortress gates at this point.
You call your Eternals to surround you and you begin to cast a spell of your own. Your living Eternals are suffering the affects of the necromancers' spell, but trying to cancel their spell through your willpower isn't going to help because they're too strong collectively.
So you rely on your traditional blast everything in the nearby area and hope it kills everything.
You bring down an inferno on not just your enemies, but you and your people as well. Though you attempt to protect some with a surrounding barrier, but you just don't have the strength to protect everyone.
Most of the horde to your right are incinerated as are most of your people. There isn't even much left to "raise."
To your left, there is a similar sight with a pile of burned undead no longer in any condition to pose a threat, though the juggernaut sits still and completely blackened by the rain of fire. The crew inside has no doubt cooked to death.
Most importantly are the effects you see in front of you. You no longer see the row of necromancers and no longer feel the effects of their spell. The ruined fortess is also partially on fire, but it being made of stone it isn't doing much more than cracking the already damaged structure.
You're incredibly drained however. This battle has really taken it out of you and you've still got Nicodemus and who knows what else to deal with. General Damon still by your side helps you from falling down. The Eternals that are still alive are finishing up putting down the undead that managed to survive by being within your protective barrier when you cast it.
"Come on, my Emperor. As you said, we're almost there." He says.
There are other necromantic arts that you've learned besides raising your Eternals, though you haven't really pondered using them since there wasn't any need or you still didn't really have mastery over them.
One of these was emulating the life drain of some of the undead here.
And suddenly you're actually pondering draining your own Eternals of their lifeforce to sustain your own. The thought does not give you any pleasure to do so, but you just aren't sure if you're going to make it otherwise.
> continue onward
You can't do it. While you've sacrificed many in several different ways, you're not going to start draining the life force of your own Eternals like some undead horror. You've crossed many lines and all its done is brought you to this ruined state.
You struggle towards the fortress, but even with Damon helping you, you don't think you're going to make it, let alone have the strength to face Nicodemus.
"Take... take me back home... " you order Damon. You don't even need to tell him twice, he sees how pale and weak you are and all of you are making a hasty retreat.
Unfortunately between your age, your wounds, your exhaustion and the general negative energy in Mortos, you don't make back home alive and you unceremoniously pass away just before you get to the home portal. |
Year 62
"The transport airships have made their test run to the outskirts of Dokkrus and returned. They're ready for the real mission now, my Emperor." Elam remarks.
"Good, because we're sending them and a couple of the upgraded regular airships." You say.
This is a major step closer to your goals. Cassandra, Galen and the rest have managed to locate and hold a fairly intact portal for you. The base around it has already been dug out for easier lifting and they haven't suffered many svelk attacks, well not many concentrated svelk attack at least. The svelk that are attacking are just the regular xenophobic type that doesn't want outsiders on their territory. They have no real grasp of the greater plans that are going on.
Semra's actions have been surprisingly minimal though apparently she's been too busy defending her own territory (and portal and mines) from not just your sabotage attempts (Which unfortunately haven't been too successful), but from other svelk warbands. It would seem that Cassandra and your Eyes have at least successfully managed to keep up the ongoing chaos there.
Won't be long now.
"Emperor, may I accompany you on this mission?" Zana asks.
"Huh?" you say being interrupted by your private thoughts.
"May I accompany you on this mission, my Emperor? I know I sounded a little afraid the last time Dokkrus was mentioned, but I admit part of me still wanted to go. I'd like to join you on this mission. Besides, I did have a hand in building these airships, it might be best if someone with that knowledge came along."
"I imagine Klemto might have some objections to that." You say.
"I love him, but he's too over protective. Besides, you're the Emperor if you want me to come with you then he has no choice but to comply right?" Zana says almost in a flirtatious way. You're not exactly sure how to take that, but Elam definitely looks surprised. Maybe even a little jealous.
"Well, that is correct... okay fine you can come with me."
"This will be a great honor my Emperor! I'm looking forward to this!" Zana says.
"You will be accompanying me aboard the Storm III." You say.
"You're going to be on the Storm III?"
"That was the plan given that it's the flagship, why where did you think I was going to be?" you ask.
"Well I assumed that you'd want to be aboard one of the transport airships to better oversee the process as well as to better defend it from attack in case the svelk try something."
"That's sort of why I have the Storm III and company going with them. They will be defending against possible svelk attacks, though barring Semra's meddling; I don't see any major threat to any of the airships themselves. The svelk are remarkably still stuck in the dark ages when it comes to weaponry."
"True, but I know you have the ability to cast those large barriers for defense. I dunno I just don't see your own extra protection on a transport airship as such a bad idea. It would allow the escorts to focus a little more on protecting the other."
"Hrm. Never hurts to be sure I guess. Duly noted, I'll think about it."
With Zana's brief suggestion she excuses herself to get her things prepared for the mission, leaving you alone with Elam who realizes his glances of faint jealousy have caught your attention and he is now trying to not make eye contact.
"Elam you're acting like a teenager. I'm not remotely interested in your woman so you can stop worrying that I'm going to start fucking her on the airship." You blurt out.
"Uh... um... thank you my Emperor... I uh... " Elam stutters a bit at a lost for how to respond.
"How long have you two been an item anyway? It doesn't really show much when you two are together."
"We try to keep it professional my Emperor. Human women here aren't in big supply here in New Dessel and I can't identify with any of the Eyes, but Zana... she's something special... never have I encountered a woman with such a magnificent intellect for science!"
"Mm, I'm sure that the only thing... " you smirk.
"Well her physical attributes are nice as well.' Elam says.
Elam goes on to ask if he can discuss his desire to work more in the medical and biology field when you return. You tell him that he may continue his experiments as usual, but you're going to need his help with the portal when it's brought back most likely.
Your don't bother talking with Klemto about Zana. You figure she can tell him herself, assuming she even bothers and decides to just make it a surprise for him.
You do take the opportunity to look at the new airships. It's odd, but as many times as you've seen them up close this will be the first time you'll actually be on one of these things. Even on your return trip from Nyttrus you went by boat rather than waiting for another airship.
When the day arrives Klemto approaches you. You're guessing he must've heard the news by now. He comes to you hat in hand looking pitiful.
"Emperor... I understand my daughter is going with you... I just beg of one thing and that's that you see that she's safe."
"You make a lot of demands of your Emperor... (sigh) She'll be fine Klemto, you worry too much. I doubt if the svelk are even going to be able hit us if they even attack. Besides, she's going to be aboard the Storm III and given that it's the heaviest armed airship we have right now, she'll be one of the safest people there."
"Well that's good to hear. At least she'll be close to you."
"Not necessarily. I might be flying on one of the transports. Zana suggested that it might be best if I was aboard one to better defend it in case the unexpected should happen."
As Klemto's mind fills with worry again, you wonder if you should take Zana's advice or not.
> board one of the transports
Zana had a good idea; the transports could use a little extra protection so you decide to get on one of them.
After about a half hour you finally get used to the idea of being so high in the air and less paranoid. You didn't think it possible for you to be, but somewhere in the back of your mind, you had the concern of this thing falling out of the sky which is probably why you haven't stayed in one place on the ship for very long and have felt the need to pace about it.
Just as you're getting used to the long flight over the ocean, you are suddenly in for something extremely unexpected.
The a few of the Storm III's cannons suddenly fire upon your transport ship! The transport you're on is hit severely and is set ablaze along with several of the crew killed. More than that though is from this distance you can also see the Storm III suffering its own explosions in several places. You have no idea what is going on, but it's obvious some sort of treachery has occurred. The only other thing you see is a figure jumping off the Storm and then a large odd piece of what you guess is white fabric comes out of the figure that jumped, slowing the descent.
Meanwhile your ship slowly starts veering towards the other transport while continuing to burn around you. Between the collision, the fire and the other explosions going on aboard the ship you are caught in this disaster and even your magic can't save you. One explosion knocks you unconscious and you aren't awake when the wreckage finally hits the ocean. |
Year 60
"Well, looks like we've lost the Tornado." Warrick says as the pair of you see through in the near distance a multi-colored dragon unleash a gout of flame from its mouth, which engulfs the airship. Already heavily damaged the flying fortress can't take anymore and begins to explode. Minor ones at first, then one large one. Flaming pieces of the machine fall from the sky.
"It's all right. It's all right. The Storm II is still there and hopefully it'll kill that damn thing or at least wound it enough for us to do so. Either way that flying lizard dies today. This war will be all but won with its death. It's the last one and I'm glad it's finally decided to come to us this time, because I'm sick of chasing it all over this damn continent. I want to get the invasion of Dokkrus underway properly and I can't very well do that if I'm stuck in this damn jungle continent." You say preparing for the large group of Iznac approaching Fort Canopy.
"Hrm. Certainly is a lot of them. Better get on with this." Warrick says and orders the cannons to fire upon the multitude, which puts a dent in their numbers, but doesn't stop their advancing.
You look over the battlements and see several Iznacs climbing the walls of the fort like an army of ants. They aren't even using ladders, they're just scaling the fort with their bare hands. It's actually rather impressive, until you unleash a chain of lightning to zap all of them. The shock is enough to at least cause most of them to fall off if not outright kill them immediately.
"Slaughter the four armed spider eyed bastards! Make them realize that their domination of this continent has passed! This is the time of the Empire!" you shout to the Eternals defending the fort.
Your people are doing their best though they can't stop every Iznac from scaling the fort. Soon the gunfire is replaced by sounds of close combat weaponry. No matter how far the advances in technology, it always eventually comes down to looking your opponent in the eye and feeling their blood splatter as you end their life.
While you're busy hacking off the limbs of an Iznac warrior, another loud explosion in the distance is heard followed by a bright flash in the sky. It's not lightning from the storm, but rather the demise of your Storm. The Storm II joins the Tornado in crashing to the ground after losing its skirmish with the dragon. Hopefully the rain is making the jungle wet enough or else the flames from the wreckage of these downed airships are going to cause an inferno throughout the jungle.
"Damn! The Iznac brought their little frog slaves and the remainder of those orc traitors!" Warrick says and cuts down several Glip before helping the rest of the soldiers fend off the orcs smashing through the fortress' gates.
It doesn't matter in the scheme of things because even with overwhelming odds, your Eternals are still holding their own against all attackers. You then hear a roaring sound getting closer to your position and the sounds of great wings flapping.
You shout a general command for the still working cannons to be pointed towards the dragon and to prepare to fire when the beast is in range. In the meantime you and Warrick try to keep that side of the fort relatively free of invading forces.
"Hey, you think maybe I can get the chance to kill the dragon this time? I know you're the Emperor and all, but you don't need to prove your superiority all the damn time." Warrick jokes.
"Yeah? Well maybe you'll get your chance if you aren't as slow like you were the last two times." You retort.
"Slow? Well excuse me Mr. lightning fingers, but we all don't have the ability to blast something out of the sky with a thought."
"Well that's why I'm the Emperor." You snicker.
The dragon gets closer and you give the order to fire and unleash your own magic bolts at the creature. It's definitely wounded from its ordeal with the two airships, but given your experience with the other two dragons, you know it's far from being out the fight.
In fact it's so determined that it doesn't distinguish friend from foe when it blasts its flame breath on the fort. You manage to protect most of your people with a magic barrier, but for those outside its protection, most are set on fire if not incinerated immediately. On the positive side, it reduces your enemies, on the negative it ignites the gunpowder barrels for the cannons causing a massive explosion and completely destroying one side of the fort.
While the barrier still protects you and everyone within initially, its still a lot of strain on your energy and you begin to feel the fatigue setting in.
"No! Damnit! Fight through it!" you mutter to yourself hating your weakness.
While you're busily trying to fight through your fatigue, you don't notice where Warrick went and that was to the highest point he could get to on the fort and some how JUMPING on the damn dragon when it made its pass!
You almost can't believe your eyes as you see the dragon flying away from the fort with Warrick desperately trying to hold on to one of its legs. You can see him hacking at the dragon's underbelly. The dragon bellows in pain and begins to turn to make a second pass, but Warrick's assault makes another attack on the fort a non-priority for it.
You see the beast twist and squirm in an effort to shake Warrick free and then eventually the beast makes another loud screech and the both of them go crashing into the jungle no doubt destroying several trees in the process. You can still hear the dragon in the distance, so you know it isn't dead yet (Though probably badly wounded), but who knows about Warrick's fate.
In the meantime Fort Canopy isn't immediately being attacked anymore as most of the Iznac have fled or been killed at this point. You quickly order your remaining troops to secure the fort and take a small group with you to head towards the dragon's roaring noises.
Fortunately the jungle isn't thick here and the noises make tracking pretty easy, though by the time you reach your target, you see the severely wounded dragon with Warrick in its mouth and shaking its head from side to side. Then with one more shake, Warrick goes flying out of the dragon's mouth and slams into a nearby tree. You can't quite make out all the damage, but it looks like he's missing an arm at this point. Who knows what other grievous wounds he's suffered.
In any case the dragon has now turned its attention towards your direction, but its not exactly in the best condition itself. It makes a coughing noise and a pitifully short burst of flame and a large amount of blood emanates from its mouth. It even tries to flap its wings perhaps in an attempt to escape, but one wing is so torn up that it can't lift off even if it had the strength to do so.
> order your troops to do it and help Warrick
You can't let Warrick die, not with how much he's helped you. You'd almost be at a loss on how to tell Brenda if it happened.
"Kill the dragon!" you shout at your troops and run over Warrick's bloody body.
Ignoring everything else, you quickly turn Warrick over who isn't even conscious. He's still alive, because you can see his heart still beating from the open wound in his chest.
"Hang on, you're not dying today!" you say and begin to focus on healing Warrick's fatla wounds.
In the meantime your soldiers are doing a fairly good job at combating the dragon, which is distracted with them. Had this been the only obstacle, you probably would've been able to save Warrick's life. Unfortunately there are enemies in this jungle other than wounded dragons.
Several Iznac who retreated from the fort earlier were lurking nearby and taking advantage of your soldier's preoccupation with the dragon and your preoccupation with healing Warrick one of them throws a spear right into your back. The force is such that the head of it actually protrudes a bit from your abdomen.
Losing complete concentration you yell out in pain and your own body slumps over Warrick's. You struggle to crawl to a safer location and attempt to heal yourself, but the ambushing Iznac manage to cut you down before you are able. |
Year 56
You enter Brenda's office where upon she smiles briefly at you, though with everything you have on your mind, you don't return the gesture instead you just nod.
"Hello Brenda, I trust you and Warrick are still enjoying your new marital status." You say guessing that what's put her in better spirits as of late.
"Yes, Emperor. I'm happier than I've been in a long time. Thank you for performing the wedding personally."
"Think nothing of it. Though I didn't think you'd ever remarry, let alone Warrick. But if you two are happy then that's good. You should hold on to that as long as possible for one never knows when it will suddenly be taken away from you."
"Um... of course my Emperor. We certainly do cherish our time together." Brenda responds at your rather grim comment.
"Anyway, I came here to let you know that the new Eternals have been released from their tanks. You'll be training them soon." You say.
"I'll be looking forward to it. I trust they met with your standards?"
"Yes, most of them seem to be very much like the third generation though perhaps with signs of displaying higher intelligence overall. Under your guidance, I have no doubt that they'll be just as effective as the third gens." You reply with a sigh.
"Is there something wrong my Emperor?" Brenda asks.
"Yes, it's Nyttrus. The place is becoming a pain in my side that I don't want to be bothered with, but I find that it might become necessary to step in personally soon. We've got more than a few strongholds there now, but the Iznac are far from being beaten, unfortunately most of the humans there are sick or dead due to disease and Iznac magic. Flog's also dead and the orcs have become slightly less disciplined as of late without his calmer leadership. There have been a few reports of deserters running off into the jungles and forming their own communities. Just glad Snilkez'ka is still alive and the kobolds are holding down the forts there until the third gens arrive."
"Couldn't you send airships to bomb Nyttrus to speed things up?
"They don't really have the range to travel across the vast oceans yet though Elam's working on fixing that with the gnomes. In any event if they did have that sort of range I might be inclined to have them try to find Dokkrus first since that's my real goal."
Brenda tries to give you some words of encouragement, but they don't improve your mood. Instead you just leave Brenda, once again wishing her well on her new happy marriage.
You spend a few days wondering whether or not you should head to Nyttrus with the third gens. Ultimately you decide not to as you're still hoping to hear something soon about Dokkrus. As soon as you get word about that, you want to be on the next ship going there. You don't want to be in the middle of a conflict that you know you'll be compelled to complete if you directly get involved.
In the meantime you go back to more mundane matters such as ensuring that the rebuilding of the new Nakol province remains on schedule. You also take time to hone your magic abilities; in fact since your "intimate" mind connection with Semra, you actually feel a little more powerful or rather you gained a brief insight into spells she never taught you during training.
A few weeks pass and still no word about Dokkrus, however you do get bothersome news about Nyttrus again.
You're informed of the latest problems on Nyttrus by Kivan who received a message about it in the middle of the night. The Iznac have apparently unleashed a powerful "secret weapon" in the form of three very large flying lizards. And these aren't wyverns either. They are creatures that Casimir once told you were rare even back in his day. They're dragons and apparently they've already destroyed one of your forts on the continent.
This isn't news you wanted to hear. Now you're going to have no choice, but to go over there.
You still can't do all this alone though, you still want to wrap this war up as quick as you can and you'll need some competent tacticians and strategists to do that. Snilkez'ka has her way of doing things you're sure, but they probably work best with other kobolds she commands.
The third gens are good warriors, and a select few of them are indeed leaders, but most of them are rather... well unimaginative sometimes. You don't think that's the fault of Brenda's training, but perhaps just a tendency towards conformity due to their creation. In fact you can't even think of a single one that has stood out to you during the war with Nakol. Hopefully the fourth won't have that problem when they're ready.
So you make up your mind that General Flevas should accompany you. The elf is pretty much the best one you have right now and you believe his vast scouting skills should come in handy. Given that all the orcs ran off and rebelled, you also won't have to worry about Flevas not being respected as a leader. The third gens and kobolds seem fairly neutral towards him.
You go back and forth on whether or not to bring Galen. His magic would most certainly help against the dragons, but you're wondering if you want to put up with his tendency to complain. True he's much better at not doing it, but he always manages to find a way.
Who you really wish you had is Decena. She would've been perfect for this mission since she already worked well with the third gens. Just another reminder of your loss.
Maybe though you just need another Eternal. An Eternal who always likes "vacations" away from his usual duties, namely Warrick.
He certainly commands respect amongst the Eyes and besides you he's probably the next most feared name in the Empire. As Sightmaster he's also skilled in less traditional forms of warfare, which will come in handy in the jungle filled continent. Of course the only concern with bringing him is that leaves the "mainland" of the Empire, relatively... well the word isn't undefended, but without a major figure to oversee any possible problems that may crop up. You suppose Brenda and Kivan can handle things if something really gets out of hand.
Which brings you to another problem and that's taking Warrick into a war in the first place. Warrick's job at one time was probably a bit more dangerous, but as you've established order over the continent, stomped out dissension and all of those other necessary things, it's become even more like a "desk job." Warrick still keeps up on his training and such, and you know if you called for him to assist he'd jump at the chance not just out of loyalty, but because he always has a bit of desire to get in the middle of things again.
He could very well get killed and a better head of internal security, as far as you're concerned there is none. His loss would be even greater than Decena's you believe. Though it's the more "moral" problem that surprisingly has you rethinking this.
Warrick just married Brenda, the pair of them don't see each other every day, but they're able to do so when they can. It's the happiest Brenda's been since she was married to Roldan. If Warrick was to die, well you can only imagine what that might do to her. So if you lost Warrick, you might be "losing" Brenda as well.
Of course that's all speculation. You don't intend on losing Warrick at all, but you have to prepare for that possibility and the repercussions of such things.
> leave Warrick behind
Warrick is possibly the closest thing now you have to a "right hand" anymore. True there is still Brenda, but if Warrick died, what were her state of mind be? It took her a long time to get over Roldan's death. You don't think she'd be able to handle another great loss, which is another reason why you'll leave Warrick here.
Besides, with him overseeing things here you won't have to be concerned about the homeland getting out of hand while you're away.
Leaving Warrick in charge you finish preparing for your trip to Nyttrus and soon leave with several hundred third generation Eternals and Flevas. (But not Galen since you don't feel he'll be necessary)
When you eventually do arrive in Nyttrus the place does indeed remind you a bit of Delerg though even hotter. The kobold leader Snilkez'ka is the first one to greet you and exclaim that now that you're here, the war will go much quicker and victory should come swiftly.
The first few weeks are indeed very successful ones, and it does appear that victory will come quickly if the Iznac are falling as quickly as they do, but as always not everything is so clear cut when you have dragons involved. You first encounter with one of the great beasts results in you losing half your company at the time and the dragon flying away.
After this experience you fall back a bit on the advance and regroup realizing that the conquest of this continent is going to take a lot longer than anticipated.
Year 60
"We'll hold the line at Fort Canopy and Fort Tangle, then after they've expended all their energy on this massive assault of theirs, we can make our own advance and wipe them out for good." You say and then promptly stagger a bit away from the table in pain.
General Flevas and Captain Snilkez'ka move towards you and ask if you need help, but you of course decline. Though the truth is, you could use some help, just not in the way they are offering.
Ever since the dragons reared their ugly heads this campaign has been one struggle after another and taken a great toll on your body. While you've managed to kill two of the giant lizards already, it's almost been at the cost of your own life. Your last battle with one of the creatures practically cost you half of the left side of your face given that you're missing an eye and an ear now. You're even missing part of your non-dominant hand. While healing magic is powerful, even you can't regenerate completely lost limbs or other organs and you've been pushing it to the limit as it is. You might be holding off death in the in the short term, but you've probably been shortening your life span just by using it as much as you have.
You've been in contact with Warrick who has been giving the occasional updates via letters on what's been going on in Evigrus since your absence and the general reports are always fairly boring. The only thing that has been of major importance is the discovery of Dokkrus. Warrick says he's already sent Eyes there to spy on things as you requested, but not to engage yet.
Quite honestly, sometimes you question if you're even going to survive this campaign and even if you do win, how many years do you really have left anymore? You need to speed this up if you intend on invading Dokkrus and reaching Mortos.
You dismiss Flevas and Snikez'ka and tell them you'll be fine defending Fort Canopy by yourself and that they should focus on Fort Tangle's defenses and with any luck the airships will take out the dragon.
Days pass and you and your troops prepare for the inevitable assault, which comes in excessive force just as predicted. Perhaps even a little more.
You look over the battlements and see several Iznacs climbing the walls of the fort like an army of ants. They aren't even using ladders, they're just scaling the fort with their bare hands. It's actually rather impressive, until you unleash a chain of lightning to zap all of them. The shock is enough to at least cause most of them to fall off if not outright kill them immediately.
Your people are doing their best though they can't stop every Iznac from scaling the fort. Soon the gunfire is replaced by sounds of close combat weaponry. No matter how far the advances in technology, it always eventually comes down to looking your opponent in the eye and feeling their blood splatter as you end their life.
While you're busy hacking off the limbs of an Iznac warrior, another loud explosion in the distance is heard followed by a bright flash in the sky. It's the destruction of your last airship from the dragon. Flaming wreckage crashes down in the distance. Won't be long before the dragon turns its attention towards one of the forts.
Iznac, glip and orcs all attack the fort and while it's a brutal affair, your Eternals are holding their own in the face of overwhelming odds.
You then hear a roaring sound getting closer and the sounds of great wings approaching.
You shout a general command for the still working cannons to be pointed towards the dragon and to prepare to fire when the beast is in range. In the meantime you try to keep that side of the fort relatively free of invading forces.
The dragon gets closer and you give the order to fire and unleash your own magic bolts at the creature. It's definitely wounded from its ordeal with the airships, but given your experience with the other two dragons, you know it's far from being out the fight.
In fact it's so determined that it doesn't distinguish friend from foe when it blasts its flame breath on the fort. You manage to protect most of your people with a magic barrier, but for those outside its protection, most are set on fire if not incinerated immediately. On the positive side, it reduces your enemies, on the negative it ignites the gunpowder barrels for the cannons causing a massive explosion and completely destroying one side of the fort.
While the barrier still protects you and everyone within initially, it's still a lot of strain on your energy and you begin to feel the fatigue setting in. and you can't hold out any longer...
Your strength falters and the barrier goes down and the flames envelop you and several of your troops.
In the last moments of your flesh melting off your bones you only regret that this fort will fall. |
Year 54
Nakol's existence as a nation is coming to an end. You've seized most of its territory. Its armies have practically been wiped out, and you've even eliminated most of Mortimer's allies.
The only major objective that's left is Dequilet, the capital and currently the only thing saving it is a large magical barrier completely surrounding the city. So far it's proven impenetrable to conventional means, which means you're going to have to resort to magical ones, which unfortunately despite your own best efforts you've failed to bring it down, though you feel as if you've gotten close.
You doubt if Mortimer is doing it himself, you imagine that Semra is probably helping him upkeep the barrier. He might even have a couple of satyr mages still left, though you doubt it. In any case, he's got help and you're probably going to have to resort to a bit of help as well if you want to bring the barrier down.
"Galen's a given, as are the Eye mages, but I'm going to have to take mages off overseeing the Eternal tanks for this project as well. Don't want to, but it'll be necessary." You say while explaining the next course of action in your command tent to Decena.
"We're going to have to wait for those mages to come here, that's at least a few days. I hate this sitting around, is it truly the only way?" Decena asks.
"Unfortunately. Last time I tried to bring it down, I nearly fell unconscious. With enough magic energy though I'm certain it can be brought down, as soon as it is, I want you and rest to blow apart those walls and rush in as quick as you can. Don't worry I won't be far behind no matter how woozy I feel afterwards."
Just as Decena is about to acknowledge your plan, that old familiar voice is heard.
"You know none of that is necessary if you listen to my plan." Semra remarks.
The instant Decena sees Semra she raises her voice and attempts to attack her, though you hold her back from doing so.
"Don't bother Decena, she's not really there. It's an illusionary image. Right on time too. You're starting to get predictable Semra." You say.
"Semra? Is this that svelk bitch you've told me about?" Decena asks.
"Oh so he did talk about me to you. I'm not surprised. Never could get me completely out of his mind... "
"Fuck you svelk! He told me about all the hell you put him through!"
Semra does her usual gleeful smile at Decena's anger.
"My, she IS the aggressively territorial one. Isn't she? Almost sad that her feelings for you are so strong when your own for her are... limited. Trust me dear, he can't ever love you back. How could he? You're not even young looking anymore... "
At this point you have to restrain Decena again.
"Decena, don't pay attention to her. She's just enjoying making you miserable. It's what she does. Semra, what the hell do you want? Shouldn't you be making plans to escape or something?"
"Who said I wasn't? But right now I'm actually here for you. Need your help in killing Mortimer, well what's left of him anyway. It's getting harder to figure out when he's completely all there or not. Zelvix is starting to gain mental control over him due to his shattered confidence and willpower. This war has been very stressful on him as you might expect."
Decena asks what she's talking about and you quickly mention about the supposed demon army that will be unleashed when Mortimer dies, though with the way Semra's telling it, it sounds like this Zelvix is already getting loose... assuming she's telling the truth.
"Semra, didn't YOU claim that it would take you about a decade to properly banish this demon?" you ask.
"Well with you rushing head long into attacking Nakol, I had to step up my research now didn't I? Don't worry though, as I said, I've got it figured out, just need your help in doing so. Remember how we linked our energy together when we were extinguishing all those little gnome souls? Well we need to do something like that again, but this is going to require a slightly deeper connection. Namely we'd have to link our very minds together so as to make the magical connection strong enough to face the demon."
"Here we go... " You think.
"You can't seriously trust this woman!" Decena shouts.
"He most certainly should trust me considering how many times I've warned him about shit and indirectly AND directly saved his life. After all if he'd trusted me all those years ago, he might've saved himself a lot of bother on a certain island. Y'know you still have never told me how you exactly came out of Mortos relatively unscathed. Perhaps you can after we take care of this mess?" Semra remarks.
You don't answer immediately. You've been put in this position several times before and it's the same old thing. Semra tells you something, you distrust her, you usually follow her advice against your better judgment and while things don't necessarily go entirely your way, you can never deny that had you not acted things would be much worse.
But on the other hand... it's the same old thing. You know she's not telling you the whole truth and something about this demon situation seems even more suspicious especially since she's actually encouraging a linking of your minds. Even if she's telling the entire truth about the demon and this being the only way she feels is the way to defeat it, would it really be a victory if Semra had magical access to your mind? Who the hell knows what she might be able to do.
"All of this is pointless anyway, we can't get in unless that barrier goes down." You say.
"Oh that thing? I can make a small opening in it for a small period of time. Of course when I do so, Mortimer will probably instantly know I'm working against him and it's possible he'll completely lose himself to Zelvix, but we should have enough time to do what we have to do." Semra remarks.
"Or I could just wait for my mages to help me bring the barrier down. Then when I do get that barrier down, I assault the city with so much firepower that nothing of this world or another is going to survive it. I don't care how powerful this demon is." You say.
"Optimistic that you believe that, but I tell you sincerely that won't be enough to stop Zelvix. He's in a weakened state now due to his long imprisonment, but as soon as Mortimer's dead, it won't take him long to regain his full strength and when that happens, count on several magical gates opening up. Now MAYBE you'll be able to even repel the demons that will undoubtedly come screaming out of said gates, but quite frankly, YOU are not the young Eternal you used to be and your odds will not be good. And your Empire's odds if you should fall in battle? Even worse. You already survived one trip that you very well shouldn't have... actually you've survived many things you probably shouldn't have, but those days are becoming more unlikely as you approach your twilight years. I understand that you'd rather die a warrior's death, however I doubt very seriously that you wish to die a fool's death. It is one thing to die in a battle that has been properly planned. It's entirely another when you die because you purposely ignore all your information and don't take advantage of the tools and resources that allow you to win efficiently. I'M giving you this chance to win this war now in the most efficient way possible."
You continue to listen.
"We've been in this all too familiar position before Eternal. Why take the chance of making the same mistake twice?" Semra asks.
Decena looks at you as you seriously begin to consider Semra's offer.
"Emperor?" she asks.
> carry out your original plan
Semra's agendas have never always been completely clear with you, but you're sure that whenever it is that you do listen to her, it somehow advances them to an end that will ultimately be no good for you in the long run.
This is one of those times where she's going to have fall back to her plan "b" because you're not helping her in this instance.
"Sorry Semra, I'm going with my own agenda this time. And you're seriously underestimating my abilities if this so called demon invasion does take place. True, I might not be young anymore, but I guarantee I'll be able to handle whatever is going to come next after we destroy Dequilet which is probably nothing anyway."
"Then you're a damn fool. A stubborn old fool who just doesn't want to look weak in front of his devoted... " Semra starts to say, but Decena suddenly cuts her off.
"Shut the fuck up, svelk cunt! You've spun enough of your bullshit lies today! You got your fucking answer from the Emperor, now scuttle back to whatever fucking hole you'll hide in before I hunt you down and I slice that venomous tongue out and shove it up your ass!"
Semra merely smirks at Decena's threat.
"And you used to kiss him with that mouth? Okay, I can see my efforts are going to wasted here. I hoped for a different way, but perhaps this will still work out. Goodbye Eternal, I don't think we'll meet again."
"You said that before." You answer.
"So I did... well perhaps you'll surprise me again. You always did have that special way about you."
With those final words, Semra's image disappears and you can get back to your original plan. Decena is certainly happier about the situation. You execute the order to have mages sent here to help bring down the barrier. You can imagine how upset Galen will be when he's been taken away from whatever less dangerous task he's doing at the moment.
In a few days, your mages arrive and you all focus to bring the barrier down. You tell your army as soon as it's down, to bombard with every catapult, cannon, lightning gun, ballista, and trebuchet they've got and the airships nearby have the same orders to open fire.
When everyone is in place you begin the spell to break down the barrier. It's similar to the time you were focusing on casting the continual firestorm on the dryad forest, but this is actually taking even more focus and energy. It's apparent that Mortimer or possibly the demon inside him doesn't want you getting in.
At some point during the spell, Galen flips out and starts babbling about hearing a voice inside his head. It's enough to cause a temporary break in focus and you try to calm him down, but he exclaims that bringing the barrier down is going to unleash something worse. You have no patience for this and he begins to worry the other mages. You blast him with a lightning bolt while he's in mid-babble and have his body removed from your sight.
"Now then, I want the rest of you to FOCUS! That so-called sorcerer in there is just playing mind tricks in order to save his worthless hide! Whatever voice any of you may hear is just a mere parlor trick and the only voice you should be concerned about is mine and what command it is giving!" you say to the remaining mages.
Going back to the spell there are no more interruptions, but as to be expected a couple of your weaker mages also collapse from the strain of the spell. The barrier however is definitely gone and the bombardment of Dequilet starts immediately.
The utter destruction of Dequilet is loud and full of explosions. You continue to have it bombarded until you're satisfied that nothing is going to be left alive. Eventually though you do call a stop to it.
"Alright, that will do for now. We'll let the fires die down a bit and then send in some squads to rummage through the ruins of that place. I'm fairly certain we killed everything, but never hurts to be sure." You say.
"Hopefully that svelk bitch was in there too." Decena remarks.
"We could only hope, but my guess is she probably fled when she realized I wasn't going to help her."
"I'm glad you didn't. Are you okay though?"
"Me? Yeah, just need to rest a bit. (Whew) Bringing that barrier took it out of me a little. More than I expected I guess. That needn't have been the case had Galen not lost his shit. Bah, no matter. The man did nothing but complain anyway." You remark.
Just as Decena is about to respond, you suddenly feel a change in the air. One brimming with magical energy and a malevolent presence.
A large portal opens up just above the ruins of Dequilet and a red flying creature comes out and then another, and another, and then...
While seemingly hordes of demons are pouring out of this one portal, another portal opens up nearby and then another, and then another and then...
While your army is shocked and scrambling to prepare for this unexpected attack, you just curse silently to yourself.
"Damnit... she was fucking right... AGAIN... " you say.
"Emperor! There are demons everywhere! What are your orders?!" Decena asks in between telling nearby officers to adopt a defensive position.
Your orders are of course to fall back because right now you're starting to become heavily outnumbered as more and more demons come pouring out of the portals. Unfortunately you're also starting to become surrounded. It doesn't help that most of your siege machine ammunition is gone due to your bombardment of Dequilet. The airships are still functioning fortunately, but a good number of flying demons are already making their way to try to solve that situation.
"We're going to have to fight our way of this mess and regroup at the nearest fortress! In the meantime kill anything red with hooves and horns!" you shout. You really wish you weren't as tired as you are, but you're going to have to just fight through it.
A few minutes in and the retreat is definitely looking grim. You got separated from Decena and you have no idea if your other general Flevas is even still alive. Your Eternals are doing their best as always, but the rest of your troops are suffering from a severe drop in morale and mostly screaming in terror desperately trying to get away rather than an organized defensive retreat. You don't know if it's due to fighting otherworldly beings and a seemingly endless supply of them, or if its some sort of unnatural fear aura that the demons themselves are causing. Probably a bit of both.
Your kobold troops however are ever resourceful and in the middle of slicing off the head of a demon, a single kobold tugs at your scabbard. You almost kill him thinking him another attacker before he holds up his arms in panic.
"No! No! Emp! Emp! Help! Hole! Over here here! Scape scape!" the kobold says and points to a hole that one of his people have no doubt made.
Escaping through the tunnel would probably be a good idea since its starting to look like the demons are attempting to cut off your path of retreat, but then you are also concerned about Decena's whereabouts. If your next war is going to be against these otherworldly monsters, you're going to need all the skilled leaders you can get.
> go with the kobolds
Decena's a big girl and can handle herself Chances are she's already making a path towards the nearest fort. You're sure she's fine... well you hope she is.
In any event, you aren't going to be much good if you don't survive this assault so you follow the kobold soldier down the hole.
The tunnel as you expect is smaller than the average human size, but you're able to walk even if you do have to crouch a bit and keep your head down. Several kobolds enter the tunnel after you in an effort to keep the back of you better protected just in case some demons come wandering down.
The kobold who lead you here in the first place continues to runs just a bit ahead of you and repeat directions of where he's heading next. You have to cast a dark vision spell just so you can see since its pitch black.
You follow the tunnels for a bit and there aren't even any demon attacks from behind (or ahead for that matter) and you begin to think that this was probably the best idea, but unfortunately events take an unexpected turn.
With the battle still raging above ground, the tunnels do suffer from minor damage as bits of dirt periodically fall from the ceiling of them. It doesn't get bad until one of your airships which had been destroyed by the demon onslaught comes crashing down right above the tunnels you're in right now.
You hear a loud crash from above and then a louder rumble as massive amounts of dirt fall around and upon you. The kobolds you're travelling with yelp in panic and try to get away either by retreating back the way you came or forward to where you're going. You however can't move quite as fast in the cramped tunnels and you become buried alive under rock and dirt.
Not even a glorious warriors death, just a convenient burial. |
Semra's agendas have never always been completely clear with you, but you're sure that whenever it is that you do listen to her, it somehow advances them to an end that will ultimately be no good for you in the long run.
This is one of those times where she's going to have fall back to her plan "b" because you're not helping her in this instance.
"Sorry Semra, I'm going with my own agenda this time. And you're seriously underestimating my abilities if this so called demon invasion does take place. True, I might not be young anymore, but I guarantee I'll be able to handle whatever is going to come next after we destroy Dequilet which is probably nothing anyway."
"Then you're a damn fool. A stubborn old fool who just doesn't want to look weak in front of his devoted... " Semra starts to say, but Decena suddenly cuts her off.
"Shut the fuck up, svelk cunt! You've spun enough of your bullshit lies today! You got your fucking answer from the Emperor, now scuttle back to whatever fucking hole you'll hide in before I hunt you down and I slice that venomous tongue out and shove it up your ass!"
Semra merely smirks at Decena's threat.
"And you used to kiss him with that mouth? Okay, I can see my efforts are going to wasted here. I hoped for a different way, but perhaps this will still work out. Goodbye Eternal, I don't think we'll meet again."
"You said that before." You answer.
"So I did... well perhaps you'll surprise me again. You always did have that special way about you."
With those final words, Semra's image disappears and you can get back to your original plan. Decena is certainly happier about the situation. You execute the order to have mages sent here to help bring down the barrier. You can imagine how upset Galen will be when he's been taken away from whatever less dangerous task he's doing at the moment.
In a few days, your mages arrive and you all focus to bring the barrier down. You tell your army as soon as it's down, to bombard with every catapult, cannon, lightning gun, ballista, and trebuchet they've got and the airships nearby have the same orders to open fire.
When everyone is in place you begin the spell to break down the barrier. It's similar to the time you were focusing on casting the continual firestorm on the dryad forest, but this is actually taking even more focus and energy. It's apparent that Mortimer or possibly the demon inside him doesn't want you getting in.
At some point during the spell, Galen flips out and starts babbling about hearing a voice inside his head. It's enough to cause a temporary break in focus and you try to calm him down, but he exclaims that bringing the barrier down is going to unleash something worse. You have no patience for this and he begins to worry the other mages. You blast him with a lightning bolt while he's in mid-babble and have his body removed from your sight.
"Now then, I want the rest of you to FOCUS! That so-called sorcerer in there is just playing mind tricks in order to save his worthless hide! Whatever voice any of you may hear is just a mere parlor trick and the only voice you should be concerned about is mine and what command it is giving!" you say to the remaining mages.
Going back to the spell there are no more interruptions, but as to be expected a couple of your weaker mages also collapse from the strain of the spell. The barrier however is definitely gone and the bombardment of Dequilet starts immediately.
The utter destruction of Dequilet is loud and full of explosions. You continue to have it bombarded until you're satisfied that nothing is going to be left alive. Eventually though you do call a stop to it.
"Alright, that will do for now. We'll let the fires die down a bit and then send in some squads to rummage through the ruins of that place. I'm fairly certain we killed everything, but never hurts to be sure." You say.
"Hopefully that svelk bitch was in there too." Decena remarks.
"We could only hope, but my guess is she probably fled when she realized I wasn't going to help her."
"I'm glad you didn't. Are you okay though?"
"Me? Yeah, just need to rest a bit. (Whew) Bringing that barrier took it out of me a little. More than I expected I guess. That needn't have been the case had Galen not lost his shit. Bah, no matter. The man did nothing but complain anyway." You remark.
Just as Decena is about to respond, you suddenly feel a change in the air. One brimming with magical energy and a malevolent presence.
A large portal opens up just above the ruins of Dequilet and a red flying creature comes out and then another, and another, and then...
While seemingly hordes of demons are pouring out of this one portal, another portal opens up nearby and then another, and then another and then...
While your army is shocked and scrambling to prepare for this unexpected attack, you just curse silently to yourself.
"Damnit... she was fucking right... AGAIN... " you say.
"Emperor! There are demons everywhere! What are your orders?!" Decena asks in between telling nearby officers to adopt a defensive position.
Your orders are of course to fall back because right now you're starting to become heavily outnumbered as more and more demons come pouring out of the portals. Unfortunately you're also starting to become surrounded. It doesn't help that most of your siege machine ammunition is gone due to your bombardment of Dequilet. The airships are still functioning fortunately, but a good number of flying demons are already making their way to try to solve that situation.
"We're going to have to fight our way of this mess and regroup at the nearest fortress! In the meantime kill anything red with hooves and horns!" you shout. You really wish you weren't as tired as you are, but you're going to have to just fight through it.
A few minutes in and the retreat is definitely looking grim. You got separated from Decena and you have no idea if your other general Flevas is even still alive. Your Eternals are doing their best as always, but the rest of your troops are suffering from a severe drop in morale and mostly screaming in terror desperately trying to get away rather than an organized defensive retreat. You don't know if it's due to fighting otherworldly beings and a seemingly endless supply of them, or if its some sort of unnatural fear aura that the demons themselves are causing. Probably a bit of both.
Your kobold troops however are ever resourceful and in the middle of slicing off the head of a demon, a single kobold tugs at your scabbard. You almost kill him thinking him another attacker before he holds up his arms in panic.
"No! No! Emp! Emp! Help! Hole! Over here here! Scape scape!" the kobold says and points to a hole that one of his people have no doubt made.
Escaping through the tunnel would probably be a good idea since its starting to look like the demons are attempting to cut off your path of retreat, but then you are also concerned about Decena's whereabouts. If your next war is going to be against these otherworldly monsters, you're going to need all the skilled leaders you can get.
> seek out Decena
You're not leaving Decena behind. In fact with the way things are looking, you're not even sure you're going to be able to escape anyway. The demons have already started cutting off your escape paths and getting stuck in a cramped tunnel is going to make you a perfect target if they wander down there. Hell they might just try to collapse the tunnel on you from above.
If this is going to be the day you die, better that it be in battle than buried alive.
You tell the kobolds to escape on their own if they wish, but you need to stay and at least see if Decena's still alive. The kobold tries to convince you to leave again, but sees that you are unconvinced, so he wishes you luck and runs off.
"Pfft. Scaly little bastard could've at least offered to stay." You mumble, and start your search for Decena admist all this chaos.
While you're starting to search several explosions from above catch your attention. It's your airships. They've finally been overrun and destroyed to the point where flaming wreckage will be hitting the ground at any moment. You hastily move to a point where you'll at least be far enough away from the next explosion when they land.
You cut and zap your way through more demons and then you hear the voice you were hoping for.
"EMPEROR! Over here!" Decena shouts and you see her with several eternals and Flevas trying to hold their ground surrounded by a growing pile of demon bodies. You run over to help with a cone of cold freezing several demons in place. Decena and the rest follow up by smashing their frozen bodies and giving all of you a temporary breather in the middle of the battle.
"I'm so glad to see you!" Decena exclaims. "But why haven't you escaped?! These portals are just continually spitting out more demons! You were right, we have to fall back!"
"Because I was thinking about it and I was wrong. What we need to do is go chop off that demon lord's head Zelvix, or whatever the hell Semra called him. Because the sooner we end him, the sooner this invasion ends." You say.
"Demon lord? Wait? Is that what caused this? I didn't know anything about a demon lord." Flevas says.
"Well you do now and if you're lucky enough you'll get to be involved in killing him as well." You say.
"I don't think I have much of a choice at this point given that the demons have surrounded us from escape. So where is he?" Flevas asks.
"My guess is somewhere within the ruins of the city, let's get going now!"
You, Decena, Flevas and only four of the new Eternals make your way towards the ruins of Dequilet. Surprisingly the demon count is a lot lower the closer you, but then that's probably because most of them are focused on slaughtering your retreating army and rampaging across the countryside. Not much fun to be had in a city where everyone is already dead.
The flames, rubble and wandering demons all make your search more lively, but eventually you find what you believe to be Zelvix. He looks like the typical demon from all the stories you've ever heard and indeed probably most have heard. Great big wings, cloven hooves, furry lower half, muscular upper body, redish skin tone and two large horns on his head. He's the biggest thing in the city and he's certainly bigger than any of those minotaurs or chimeras you fought during the Tor War.
When you make your noisy arrival by killing his immediate underlings, he still doesn't move from his position, which seems to be one of concentration. Only when you cast several ice bolts at him does he move. He raises his hand and absorbs the bolts and turns his attention to you.
"And now you've gone and broke my concentration. Do you realize that keeping these portals open to my home isn't as easy as I make it look? (Sigh) No matter, so I imagine you must be the Eternal that Semra has mentioned in the past... hrm I thought you'd be taller. I hardly see how she expected you to defeat me."
"I'm not here because of Semra and honestly I don't give a shit what sort of dispute you and her had. I'm here on my own to kill you, because NOBODY threatens my Empire!" you say and advance upon Zelvix who doesn't move from his spot, he doesn't even react.
"Ah how I love mortal arrogance. Really I could use someone like you on my side, why not join me? Why not all of you join me?" Zelvix's deep voice exclaims which seems to penetrate your mind. The presence is strong. Stronger than you were expecting really. It's even worse than the time you had to listen to hundreds of gnome souls all at once.
And you aren't the only one, a quick glance to your left and right shows that your companions have stopped in their tracks as well and are holding on to their heads trying to fight Zelvix's mental attack.
The deep voice of "Join me." continues to echo throughout your own mind and despite your best efforts you can't block it out.
And that when you feel an arrow go into your side. You barely manage to block the second one with a force shield. Flevas is gone, he's given in completely and he's not the only one. Two of the Eternals have turned and already killed one of their siblings. The last one is one the ground screaming for Zelvix's voice to get out of his head.
Flevas attacks you again with his bow, but you manage to keep up your protection. You return fire with a blast of magical energy. Flevas stands no chance against it and falls dead. It's enough to make you collapse though. The combination of your expended energy, your wounds and Zelvix's mental assault is becoming overwhelming.
"Why are you fighting me Eternal? If you just join me, you can expand your Empire to the entire world! All I require is a tribute. Why, we could even track down Semra together and have our way with her. Doesn't that sound fun Eternal? Wouldn't you like that? Just JOIN ME... "
The tone, the voice is so convincing... part of you just wants to give in...
You feel a blade go into the upper left side of your back. One of the Eternals has attacked you while you're struggling to retain your mind. The second one would probably land the killing blow, but you're saved by someone who loves you so much that turning against you is completely unthinkable to her.
"NO!" Decena yells and cuts down both of the Eternals attacking you. The third Eternal who had finally succumbed to the mind control makes a half hearted attack, but Decena takes care of him as well.
"Now this one shows promise!" Zelvix says and suddenly more demon reinforcements arrive to defend their master.
Decena holds her own against the demons that attack her, though some of them attack you instead, believing that you're an easier target. While it's true you're in a more weakened state, you're far from being an easy target.
"Tch. Tch. Can't having you help her, wouldn't be fair now would it?" you hear Zelvix say and see the big demon lord standing over you. You feel a smashing blow to your face by his fist, which sends you falling back to the ground. The inside of your face feels like every bone in it has been broken and the exterior feels like its on fire.
Spitting out a few bloody teeth, you cast an enchantment on your weapon and try to strike at Zelvix's leg, but he dodges and manages to step on your sword breaking it with his cloven hoof.
"That was pathetic, did you really think... "
Zelvix's taunt is interrupted by the fact that he wasn't paying attention to the attack that you were really planning. A stream of lightning hits Zelvix in the chest and you don't let up even though you're feeling the effects of such a strong spell at this close range.
Zelvix roars in pain and the spell has definitely had an effect, but Zelvix is made of stronger stuff and bulls his way through and kicks you in the body breaking several ribs and causing you to fly into a nearby pile of rubble. You smack your head against several jagged rocks adding an open head wound to your list of injuries.
Zelvix attempts to finish you off by breathing fire at you, but you still have enough energy to block it with a force shield. You don't think you can keep it up, but fortunately you don't have to when Decena steps in and runs one sword into Zelvix's back and cuts through one of his wings with another one. Zelvix feels the damage but it still isn't enough to stop this monster. He swings around and backhands Decena to the ground. He then picks her up and smashes her entire body several times to the ground again. Her body battered, she hangs limply as he picks her up by one arm.
"Bitch! You think your pathetic love for this fool will save either one of you?! I've destroyed greater beings with less effort! You both should've joined me when you had the chance, but that time has passed. Time to die! Who wants to watch first?"
Zelvix is definitely more powerful than either one of you, but his weakness is he talks way too much. While he's pontificating on who to kill first, you summon all the energy you have and cast a concentrated frost ray at Zelvix's feet. It's enough to startle the demon and drop Decena.
"Still wanting to play eh? Fine, you're first then!" Zelvix says and throws a fireball at you. You're hit full force and the flames engulf you, but you refuse to die. You flesh burns, but you're expending so much energy into your frost beam, that your body is actually growing colder and forms frost, which is enough to keep you from burning to death.
Meanwhile Zelvix realizes his own body isn't just being encased in ice, its actually starting to become ice.
"DECENA ATTACK HIS LEGS! NOW!"
You didn't even need to give the word though, Decena was already on it. Seizing the biggest rock she could grab and wield effectively. She smashes it into one of Zelvix's legs causing it to shatter. An unearthly wail eminates from the demon lord as he falls to the ground, which in turn snaps off his other leg.
With Zelvix on the ground, you continue your freezing assault on him, only this time his position allows you to aim straight for his face. You see your hands going blue and starting to age. You're not going to survive this, but someone else needs to because someone else has to lead the Empire...
Zelvix desperately tries to crawl in an attempt to reach you, but eventually he's frozen to a point where he's barely moving at all.
"Decena... finish... it... " you say and you at last run out of energy of any and all kind. You collapse backwards and begin to drift in and out of consciousness.
You don't see it, but Decena does indeed manage to take advantage of the situation and smashes Zelvix's frozen head into several pieces. The demon lord's body convulses and tries to move (and even attack) but death is certain.
With Zelvix dead, it seems like the portals have closed as well as there haven't been anymore demons attacking you or Decena, though it can safely be guessed that the ones that are already scattered and causing havok will still need to be dealt with.
Decena comes over to your dying body and holds you in her arms. You can imagine how cold you must feel to her, but it's not going to deter Decena.
"Did... did we win?" you ask.
"Yes... we won my Emperor." Decena says.
"Good... good... (wheeze) but you're the Emperor now... "
"Emperor don't... "
"It's done. I'm not making this one... (wheeze) just be a strong ruler. The ruler... I always knew you could be. I'm so proud... of you... "
Decena at this point doesn't answer. She's desperately trying not to cry. Maybe it's a little late, but in these final moments you realize that you could've probably had a real relationship with Decena. She proved that she was more than a worthy mate for you. She had long since grown from being just your student with a crush. She is a true warrior and will be a worthy successor.
"Decena... I... love you..." you whisper to her as your final words.
As your vision goes dark you sense a brief kiss on your lips, which is the last bit of warmth you ever feel.
And then you feel nothing at all. |
Year 50
As you look at a large map of the known continent of Evigrus you realize that while its been fifteen years since you took the throne as Emperor you've already more than doubled the size of the original nation. You've also successfully managed to have your ships navigate most of its coastline as well. Even northern most Rask was mapped by your airships.
Quite frankly that's the main problem you have right now in general you've conquered most of what is worthwhile already on this continent. Anything remaining isn't exactly inhabitable or worth the time to spend on conquest and even in some of those cases, kobold citizens have slowly been making small underground communities in places where nobody above ground would want to live such as the Delerg jungle.
However there are always new lands to conquer.
To the farthest part west lies the only nation on Evigrus left besides the Empire, the Kingdom of Nakol. Nakol has had the benefit of being relatively isolated from the rest of the continent due to the great mountain range that blocked it from the Children of Tor. Your people have only recently had formal contact with it shortly after the defeat of the Torites, though even that was by ship, though now that the Torites are no longer a true threat, small passes through the mountains have been found (Though they're not exactly safe and Nakol certainly keeps their side very well guarded).
The nation isn't quite as large as the Empire, but its still bigger than the old Felkan Kingdom and certainly big enough to defend itself to make aggression very costly, so far however the limited contact you've had with said nation hasn't been hostile. Oddly enough he's wanted to meet you as he has heard so much about the "Great Emperor of the East" and very much wants to visit the Empire.
Normally you probably wouldn't consider such diplomatic meetings as it has never been your style, however this ruler is also known as the "Immortal Sorcerer King" and that is something that has gotten your attention.
In any event, there are other matters that require your attention and this is where the "other land" to conquer comes in...
Last year your ships finally found a large landmass to the east. Up until then, only a few islands of little worth had been discovered. This new territory from what you've been told is similar to Delerg in some ways as there are large portions of jungle. However there are several primitive civilizations living on this land mass. While they are similar to humans in some ways, they have features that certainly aren't such as having four arms and multiple sets of eyes like an insect. Even their language is a bit insect like as you've been told it's more a "chittering" sound. The most prominent of these groups are known as the Iznac.
The Iznac like most that seem to inhabit this world before the Empire enlightens them are a superstitious lot that worship their backwards gods by sacrificing others to them. Sometimes this is their own people, but most of the time its captives of the weaker tribes that live on the same continent. Barbarians they may be, they have built cities where their temples seem to be the biggest and most important buildings in them. It would appear they are a theocracy.
The Iznac so far have been actively hostile towards your people though perhaps wise enough not to attack them outright. Your own people have not made much progress towards the inner part of the new continent due to this fact and they don't have enough manpower to do so anyway. The only thing they can do is hold up in the newly built outpost and hope they aren't attacked by an overwhelming number of Iznac (or any other tribe since it isn't as if the frog like people called the Glip that also inhabit the continent are any friendlier)
You might be inclined to leave this new continent and its inhabitants alone until you can focus more attention on them, however it's also been reported that the continent has a seriously unexploited resource potential of valuable minerals and that's something you could always use more of especially if you're going to have to fund another war with Nakol in the near future.
There is also the matter of the orc and kobold population to think about. Both are becoming a problem. The orcs have finally increased their numbers to a point where they can become a viable fighting unit like they were in old days. In fact you planned for that to happen anyway. What you didn't plan for is that you'd have a period of peace with no major wars to fight! Reports of increased orc criminals or just general chaotic misconduct in Rask are becoming more common. You need to start giving them something to go fight.
The kobolds aren't so much of a problem as they tend to live underground and generally stay out of the way due to that fact. But with no war to whittle down their numbers they're breeding at a rate that's starting to worry your human subjects. You admit that with as many as the little bastards around they could become a serious threat if they ever became rebellious. Fortunately they're actually less of a problem than any of your other subjects so you're actually not worried about them yet.
Still, it seems like a logical solution to start sending large portions of both populations to tame this new continent. Of course if events dictate that you need to war with Nakol soon, then that leaves you with less soldiers on the home front and you're also fighting a two front war.
There's also another factor to consider that the new Eternals will be ready next year. Brenda's training has ensured that most of them survived and they are already displaying the eagerness to serve the Empire. Elam's also been working with the gnomes to perfect the automatons.
You make your decision that with these other factors in play that you're relatively safe in sending your orcs and kobolds to this new continent. However, you're going to need disciplined leaders though for this task.
For the orcs you look for the highest ranked and most respected by his people. The only name that catches your attention when looking through the records is Flog. Flog apparently served most of his military career in Rask fighting ogres, giants and the old barbarian tribes even during the Felkan War. He also served under Kane and was spoken highly of in a few old reports. Kane mentioned that besides Captain Gruz he never encountered an orc almost as intelligent. Apparently he's been doing a lot of breeding after the Felkan War. He has many children.
As for kobolds, the records are much sketchier. Kobolds may be loyal and contributing members of Empire society, but none of them really seem to stand out much and if they do, they all died in battle. Plus due to their numbers they probably have many of their kind that could be considered "leaders" within various circles. Eventually you settle on one that distinguished herself during the Tor War. Snilkez'ka managed to take out a manticore all by herself and lead a successful underground sneak attack against a band of minotaurs with only a few casualties. Given the size difference in both cases not to mention that even human officers had problems accomplishing such things, its safe to say that she comes the closest to being a hero among her people. In fact you're wondering why she was never brought to your attention before.
Of course you can't just send these two races out on ships to a new continent, which you barely have any control over so you're going to need at least one company of "normal" humans to keep a semblance of order or rather someone better than a human.
The only choice would be Decena. She's a well-respected leader by all and more than proven herself. While not having Decena immediately available here will be something you'll have to compensate for, you'll at least have confidence that she'll keep things orderly on this new continent.
Having made your decision you meet up with the three to explain the situation, their reactions are varied.
"Flog will serve all powerful Emperor, but not fooled by intentions. You trying to get rid of orcs again, just like in Felkan War." Flog says.
"Flog if I was trying to get rid of the orcs, I'd just have you all strung up and be done with it. I'm sure you're aware that's within my power to do so. I'm not even sending all of the orcs anyway, just most of them. I need tough soldiers that can withstand this harsher continent and its equally harsh inhabitants. I already sent humans and you see how well that worked out. Quite frankly I think your people would be best suited for this type of thing. You get to prove just how orcly you actually are. You are an orc aren't you? Are you not looking forward to the possibility of killing several enemies or dying in a glorious battle?" you say.
"Killing enemies yes, dying not so much. It is a misconception that orcs deliberately seek death in battle. Flog however is getting old, so death is close anyway. Either death in battle, death by children who will inevitably challenge Flog, or death by old age. The last is the least preferable, so perhaps this will be an opportunity. Not sure about the little scaly runts you're sending. Never fought along side them before, but Flog has heard of their great viciousness in battle. Also heard many glorious things of General Decena and her many victories. Will be an honor to fight along side her."
At this point the kobold leader, Snilkez'ka makes a small hissing growl like sound at Flog, probably due to his runt comment.
"Don't worry about us orc. Small we may be, but we'll be here long after the enemy has already butchered your old greenskin ass." Snilkez'ka remarks, which causes a chuckle from Flog who merely states that perhaps he'll enjoy fighting alongside her people after all.
Snilkez'ka doesn't look as amused, but says nothing else other than to directly address you and say that she will make sure that she will bring the fear of the Empire into the hearts of the enemy. You nod and say you know that she will. Always nice to have loyalty and enthusiasm. She's very well spoken for a kobold.
The latter one of those traits seems to be lost on your last leader, Decena who isn't saying anything and only succeeds in looking slightly troubled by her new assignment.
"Decena, is there anything you'd like to say? You're going to be in charge of this campaign." You ask.
"No. Nothing except I look forward to leading the Empire into victory and claiming this new continent in your name, my Emperor."
That sounded very... formal. Granted that's a good thing, especially in front of the other two leaders to keep it professional. Still, you know something is wrong and you know it has something to do with your past relationship. If you were the cautious sort you'd just leave it be, but if something is going to be a major problem you need to know now.
"Good, you'll all be shipping out in about a week. Everyone is dismissed, though I want to speak to you Decena about something." You say calmly and wait for the other two leave.
Now it's just you and Decena alone in the room. This hasn't occurred in years, and this situation is very different. Decena however maintains a very formal stance and does not falter from it.
"I sense something is wrong." You say.
"There is nothing wrong my Emperor." Decena remarks.
"Okay stop with the stiff soldier act, it's just us here."
This remark breaks Decena's facade of being "okay."
"I don't understand what you want from me my Emperor. You told me we were to remain just subordinate and master. I am carrying out this order to the best of my abilities."
"Oh no, do not attempt to play word games, you know what I mean. You're obviously upset about this assignment."
"... I'm obeying orders aren't I? Isn't that all that is required of me?" Decena says with an exasperated tone.
"For you? No. I need you to do more than just obey, I need you to be thrilled with this assignment. Like you USED to be. Remember?"
"Apologies, but I don't think I can given the situation."
"What situation? Us? Look Decena I know you're still upset about that, but you're going to have to be an Eternal and get over it."
"Oh yes, I'm an Eternal alright, at least until next year. Might as well sweep me away to a far off land now and be done with it." Decena remarks.
"What are you talking about?"
"I'm talking about the new Eternals that are scheduled to be ready next year! They'll be the new thing and I'll just be old news off in some forsaken land surrounded by scalies and green skinned idiots. In the meantime perhaps you'll even find another young girl like I was and take her under your guidance too... "
"Decena... "
"Well I suppose at least she'll be happy for a few years even if she'll be a naïve fool the entire time."
"Decena STOP! Just stop right now!" you say.
Decena does so, but her eyes say it all. You knew she was probably going to be upset for a while, but it's turned into bitterness.
You pace a bit and exhale rubbing your hand over your face.
"Decena, your beliefs that you're going to be somehow replaced next year are far from the truth. First of all, I'm not giving any of them any extra training because obviously I'm a lousy teacher given what happened between us."
Decena stays silent.
"Second of all I picked you for this mission because you're the only one I trust to carry it out. Just like I trusted you to continue your battles against the Torites and you saw to their practical extinction. I know you can get this job done and you're not going to be over there forever you know. I anticipate war with the Nakol Kingdom at some point and when that happens who do you think is going to have to lead all the baby eternals into battle? You of course. For now though I need you where you're going to be the most invaluable and that's in this new land."
You reach out to Decena and lift her face up to look into her eyes.
"I need you for this just like I'm always going to need you. You will never be replaced."
Decena's expression turns back to one of sorrow. Her eyes water, but she does not cry out.
"I... I'm sorry my Emperor... I shouldn't... have... "
"Forget it Decena you don't need to apologize. (Sigh) If anything I should be apologizing to you. As I said, I still feel you're the best person for this mission, but if you wish, you may decline this mission and I will find someone else. And there is no need to worry, this will not be a bad reflection on you in any way. If it's going to make you happier to stay here, then I'd rather you be happy since it'll make you a better leader. Won't do anyone any good if you don't have the best mindset."
Decena shakes her head.
"No, I'll go. For the good of the Empire I'll go. Staying here would serve no purpose for what I really want is not to be no matter what the situation. I suppose I just overreacted. And you weren't a lousy teacher. Anyone would be lucky to learn under you. I was." Decena says.
"Yes, well as I said, nobody ever will again. You were my first and last pupil. You'll always be special in that regard. Now are you absolutely sure, you're going to be okay with this assignment?" you ask.
"I will my Emperor. And I will bring glory to the Empire." Decena remarks.
"Good. I knew you were strong enough to see this through and I know you'll do the Empire and me proud."
You end you comment with a small kiss to her cheek. It's only a shadow of what she really desires, but it'll be enough to get her through this.
After Decena leaves, you think about how you've permanently damaged that girl due to your poor judgment and lack of willpower all those years ago. You then think about how easy it is to convince her into anything due to that same lack of willpower years ago. She still worships and loves you and probably always will no matter what. Despite everything, your conditioning was successful.
By the end of the week your fleet to the new continent (you're calling it Nyttrus) is on its way to properly claim it for the Empire. You don't know how long the Iznac are going to be able to stand up against your forces, but hopefully if your people break them, the other tribes will fall in line.
> eternals United (Year 51)
Year 51
You stand with Brenda and Warrick in front of hundreds of third generation Eternals. The day has finally come. They're trained and ready for war. Whether that means they'll get sent to Nyttrus or sent to attack the Nakol Kingdom that still remains to be seen, but wherever it is, you're sure they'll be a formidable force.
You give a rousing speech that encourages and reinforces the sort of loyalty that has already been drummed into their heads since they were born. They probably don't need it, but words directly from their Emperor are never a bad thing.
"This is way things should be." Brenda says.
"What's that, Brenda?" Warrick asks.
"This. You, me, the Emperor and all these new Eternals standing together united as a single force. I can't wait to train the next generation." Brenda says.
"Well you'll definitely get that chance Brenda. As I've said before, you did an excellent job with these." You say.
"We Eternals are the true rulers and defenders of this great Empire. And while I hold nothing but repsect to our former Emperor, I have to say that I feel that YOU have already proven that Eternals are the future. (Sigh) If there were only more of us... "
"There will be eventually." Warrick says.
"Oh I know. I just wish Roldan was here to see this." Brenda says.
"Mm, he would've certainly approved. I think Kane would have too." Warrick remarks.
"Yes, to fallen siblings and to reunited ones who spent too long angry at one another." Brenda says and looks at Warrick. The pair of them hug for a moment.
You remain silent at their display of affection. Seemed almost unbelievable at one time, you're just glad they get along now.
With the new Eternals dispersing and on their way to their assignments, you just sort of start off into the distance until Warrick and Brenda cease their hugging to ask you what's going on with you.
"Is there something wrong my Emperor?"
"Oh, nothing really wrong. I was just thinking, not every Eternal is here in this grand unification. Decena's still over in Nyttrus." You say.
"Oh yes, that's correct. I can't believe I forgot about her." Warrick says.
"Yeah well, Decena's always felt like a bit of an outsider in some ways I think."
"What? That's silly." Brenda says.
"Is it? Think about it, there never were a bunch of us to begin with, but there are still three of us first ones. Then there are these third gens. Hundreds. And the fourth gens and beyond will probably be in the hundreds as well. But Decena? She's the only second gen left. All her siblings were killed. Most by a mad derro and a few of them even by me when I got tested against them."
Warrick and Brenda continue to listen.
"I dunno, I was just thinking of something she was worried about before I sent her to Nyttrus. Her concerns that she was somehow obsolete. Of course I explained that she wasn't, but still sometimes in her letters I detect a bit of lonesomeness in tone."
"Emperor, Decena was trained by you. I think she's probably the luckiest Eternal since... well since you got the chance to be trained by the former Emperor." Brenda remarks.
"Hrm. Yes, lucky." You say nearly snorting at both of those conclusions. Brenda and Warrick still don't know the whole story and you hope for their sake they never have to learn the truth.
"Well I have to go attend to a rather mundane matter that I can't just assign to Kivan. I trust you both can handle the rest of the matters here?"
"Of course, my Emperor." Warrick says.
You nod at Brenda and Warrick and return to your private quarters in the palace. You sit down at your desk and spend the rest of the night writing an encouraging letter to have sent to Decena in Nyttrus.
Maybe she couldn't be here for the "Eternal unification" but you still want her to know that in your eyes she is the most cherished of all of them. |
Year 42
While you doubt this is going to be your last battle with the Torites, you're at least hoping it's going to be the one to break their spirit to the point where they become less of a problem.
Still, the fact that they've finally unified their forces into armies shows you that they realize you aren't going to just go away and their hit and run tactics and attempts to win through attrition aren't going to succeed. It shows you that this is a concentrated effort to get rid of you once and for all. It won't work either and really works to your benefit. It allows you the opportunity to kill a bunch of them in one large grouping now.
Maybe there will always be pockets of Torites lurking in the untamed wilderness but one thing is certain. The territory WILL be the Empire's and the Torites can either submit and see the light like the kobolds eventually did or slowly be driven into extinction like the gnolls.
But that's in the future, right now you're drawing up the plans for this impeding battle. Considering how large the Torite horde is, you've combined your available forces with Decena's army. It was quite the happy day for her seeing as she hasn't seen you for five years. You still aren't quite sure how you exactly feel about her, but she's definitely been winning you over as far as her victories have been concerned. She remains professional always in front of everyone, but the first time she got you alone, she literally jumped on you and wrapped her legs around your waist, planting a kiss on you.
But again, you can sort out your possible complications with Decena later. Now is the time to make sure the both of you come out of this alive.
"We should have the second airship here before we begin our assault. Hopefully that will take some of the pressure off of the Storm to deal with the harpies." You remark.
"Its isn't just the bird bitches that flap about though. Don't forget, there are still those manticores and those chimeras." General Ackerson remarks.
"Yes, I'm well aware of both, Ackerson. Thank you for pointing out the obvious. However, I'm more inclined to believe the Torites will be relying on those beasts to attack our people on the ground. The beasts aren't the most graceful of fliers and would most likely just be big target, which they will be for us anyway, but they'll still do more damage to a group of soldiers on foot and horseback rather than a flying fortress before going down." You remark.
"Those chimera things don't even fly very high. The wings are almost so small that they're just for show. Never had one swoop down on us." Decena adds.
"Wouldn't be best to have us mages together so that we can join our energy and create a shield for the majority of the army?" Galen remarks. He isn't complaining, but he's definitely trying to find a loop hole to possibly make himself safer and not have to do as much work."
"Galen, you know that the Torites attempt to target spell slingers as soon as possible. If they actually get you in a group and strike lucky, well there goes a powerful chunk of our fighting force. It'll make things harder for them if you're all spread out. Besides, you're personally going to be hiding behind a small contingent of golems and backed up by Captain Flevas' men. You couldn't be any safer."
"Huh. So my backup lies in the hands of an elf? Might as well kill me now and get it over with." Galen remarks. You just shake your head and ignore his last comment; he's too valuable to punish right now.
After hammering out the plan, you and the rest start setting things in motion and preparing everyone. You know the Torite horde is on the move not too far from your location. But they aren't here yet and won't be for at least a half-day's time. It gives you a bit of time to at least get some rest since you've been running around attempting to take care of everything and haven't slept. You didn't even realize how tired you were until you lie down on your sleeping bag.
Just as you lie down and close your eyes, someone enters your tent and you instinctively grab your sword.
"No point in that, I'm not really here you know." You hear a familiar voice whisper.
You sit up and see Semra standing before you, or rather the image of her. She's no doubt using the same kind of magic she did when she tried to convince you to kill Casimir. She's probably nearby somewhere though.
"I thought you said we weren't going to see each other again." You say.
"I didn't think we would. I truly believed you would die on Mortos. I suppose I underestimated your ability to survive even there. Quite impressive and it's no surprise that you assumed Casimir's throne soon after. Everything worked out for you, but tell me how did you accomplish such a feat?"
"Just luck I guess. Look, if you came here to kill me, you'll need to get behind the long line of Torites marching towards this place." You say while lying back down and shutting your eyes.
"My, you're quite confident to stay in such a vulnerable position if you really believe I'm here to kill you." Semra says.
"No, I know this is just grand standing. If you were really going to kill me you'd have your underlings conspiring with little plots in the shadows."
"Yes, I'm aware of the troubles you've been having lately and while I'm flattered you believe it to me, I'm actually here to clear my good name."
"Hah!" you snort.
"Okay so just my name. In any event. I'm here to tell you that it isn't me, though you do have enemies of the svelk persuasion."
"I've got enemies of every persuasion and that's not a very convincing argument that you're somehow innocent."
"Okay how about this then? It's not me because I've been keeping an eye on you and so far you haven't warranted anything that needs me to stop you yet. My daughter on the other hand disagrees. She claims that my... past with you is clouding my judgment."
"We never had a past Semra. I don't know what YOU think it is, but WE were and never will be an item."
"Oh yes, that's right. You've got that vicious little young thing on your dick now. Decena is her name? She is quite the warrior. Lot of those moves are familiar, they're all the ones I taught you. Hey have you taught her any of my other moves when you're bedding her?"
At this point you sit back up, annoyed with Semra's remark.
"Is this going anywhere because I have a shitload of beast men to slaughter tomorrow and you're keeping me awake!" You snap.
"Oooh! Struck a nerve did I? Haven't been able to do that for quite awhile, I really missed it. Tell me though; is it very serious with this one like it was with Alison? Didn't think you'd get over her so quickly. Really though I don't know why you pick any of these females. This new one is just likely to wind up dead, if not by the sword then by age. Her youthful appearance with eventually wither and fade like it does with all of those lesser born."
At this point you lie back down and close your eyes again. You're not playing this game.
"You done already? Disappointed, you used to be so much more fun. Very well, just listen then Eternal. I know you have a hard time with that, but maybe you'll actually heed what I have to say for once. I am not your enemy. As I have said, my daughter is your enemy and she makes her base of operations in a city-state called Ryglik and lies south of the former Broki Kingdom. Of course that whole area consists of several city-states and she may very well move around, but that's the main one she's operating from.
You remain silent while Semra continues to talk.
"Well I'll take your silence that you're at least taking it under consideration. Oh and while you're at it, you still might want to consider giving up all this foolish nonsense. Perhaps you're a better Emperor than Casimir ever was, but you're still mindlessly following a path that you think has been laid out for you. It's almost like Casimir is still barking orders at you."
"I guarantee Casimir's not saying much of anything anymore." You answer.
"Be that as it may, I'd hate to see you follow in his horribly misguided footsteps and make the same mistakes he did."
"Well, I don't have you as an advisor, I'd say that already puts me ahead of the game."
"Pfft, you'd be lucky to have me by your side. Not my fault you can't see and accept the truth. Anyway, I'll take my leave now. Perhaps we'll see each other, perhaps we won't. Perhaps we'll even see each other in the flesh again, wouldn't that be fun?"
"Sure would, I could give you your dagger back." You remark.
"Mmmm, I bet you would. Well if that day ever comes, you make sure you give me a long hard kiss as you're sticking it in me. Oh one last thing, your General Ackerson is planning to betray you at some point during tomorrow's battle. Not sure when and how, but he's got quite a few soldiers willing to work with him on it. More of my daughter's work no doubt."
With those final words, you cease hearing Semra's voice. You briefly open your eyes and find that her image is gone as well.
"Fucking bitch." You mutter, as now you're never going to be able to sleep with this last bit of information she just gave you.
The big problem is she may very well be telling the truth, because for the most part Semra has never really lied to you. You didn't believe her at the time, but she told you the complete truth about Casimir and his intentions. She didn't have Alison killed either. As usual in her own fucked up way that you still don't understand she has attempted to help you.
Of course that was in the past, she could be lying about everything right now. While she has confirmed your own beliefs that it's been the svelk working against you, she's also trying to put the blame all on her daughter. Granted you know they probably don't get along, but still.
There also has never been any evidence that Ackerson has shown signs of being a potential traitor. Doesn't even make sense, but then again you can't trust anyone nowadays.
Now you have to play a guessing game to as whether or not someone on your own side is going to kill you in the middle of battle. You miss the days when all you ever concerned yourself with were the people on the other side trying to kill you.
> dismiss the accusation
There is no proof and indeed it would be incredibly stupid even for a traitor to attempt to kill you while there's a rampaging army of beastmen that could very well kill everyone if you weren't around.
You roll over and salvage some sleep.
Despite everything that went on last night, you miraculously actually manage to get a little sleep before the arrival of the Torites. You're still a little tired, but you think when you get into the thick of battle the thrill of it will kick in and you'll be invigorated. You usually are.
It seems word of what happened spread fairly quickly to the rest of the camps, even to Decena's army. You imagine that will at least have to put Galen in a good mood, maybe he'll whine less now.
When the Torites arrive they certainly look like a chaotic rabble, but it's no mistake that they mean business. The number of harpies fills the sky to the point where you hope that the Storm can take care of such a flock. The second airship is in far distance behind you. Hopefully by the time it gets to engage in battle it won't be replacing the Storm so much that it'll be supporting the Storm.
The cannons and rifles fire as soon as the Torites are within range. Their centaurs return fire with their accurate arrows. The saytr wizards up the ante by casting their elemental magic which rips solid chunks of rock and earth out of the ground and goes flying at your army. It can't be said that the Torites are any less dangerous just because they're less technologically advanced.
High above you the Storm takes on the harpy warriors. Even from here, it looks like a swarm of locusts descending on a single blade of wheat. Looks pretty damn grim for the Storm, you just hope if the crew does get overwhelmed they can keep the ship from crashing near your location.
The bull creatures lead the charge along side their horse beast brethren. Another volley of shots takes out some, but they remain relentless in their charge. The satyr rank and file advance steadily behind. They WILL arrive and there will certainly be enough of them left to give your army a good fight.
Your own cavalry meets them and while they have the best training, they can't overcome the sheer savagery of the minotaurs and as for the centaurs, their very bodies are half horse. They already have the advantage over your own cavalry as far as maneuverability.
Breaks in the Torite army form as they allow their war beasts participate in the charge. Several manticores and chimera of the largest size make their way straight towards you. At their pace, they're going to be the first ones your people will have to fight. A cannon blast rips through one of the chimera and fireball from one of your mages brings down another, but before you know it, a manticore is shredding apart your front line with its talons and impaling others with its spike tail.
What comes next is utter mayhem. Swords and axes cutting and stabbing. Fangs and claws tearing and biting. Magic on both sides destroying several lives in the blink of an eye. It's all very glorious.
Decena's army is holding its own on her front, but then you never had any doubt about that. The only problem they do have is the blasted satyr magic manages to turn the golems against them. Hopefully, Flevas managed to get Galen's ass out of there before they crushed him. General Ackerson seems to be struggling a bit, but is hanging in there.
Still, the battle is far from over yet. The fact that you're simultaneously facing down three bullheads by yourself and a chimera closing in is a great reminder.
You cast a lightning blast at the bulls, which fells two of them, but the third fights through the pain of having his body fried from the inside out. You dodge his axe and follow up with your own sword swing to his meaty leg. The beast roars, but is still undeterred.
Two nearby soldiers from General Ackerson's army see you and they both pull out their pistols. At first you think they're just trying to shoot the chimera, but then you realize they're going to shoot you. You mutter a curse about Semra being right.
While you manage to block the shots with a quick force shield, you are also being attacked by a very vicious chimera, which takes advantage of your distraction. You feel a large singer impaling you through the leg followed up by the chimera's goat head breathing poisonous gas in your face.
Disoriented, hobbled and half blind, you don't even see the minotaur that you temporarily fried with your lightning blast come at you with a great axe, cleaving half of head off. |
Year 40
"I thought the plan was to keep them in the tanks until the sixteenth year." Brenda says.
"No, those were Marik's original plans for the last Eternals he worked on. We're doing things differently. From Elam's earlier calculations, and my own magic theories on this project we both came to the conclusion long ago that keeping them in the tanks for as long as Marik did is asking for trouble in the long term. While it certainly accelerates their skills and abilities there's a risk for it to have a terrible affect on the mind. In fact it's probably just as well that Marik killed them all, otherwise we might've had hundreds of mental cases." You reply.
"But Decena seems okay. I mean from what I know of the girl." Brenda says.
"Decena's an exception, but I'm not going to tempt fate with this group. Five years seems like a good stopping point."
"So are you going to be training the rest of them?"
"No, you are." You say to Brenda who is speechless for a second.
"What?" Brenda says.
"You're going to be responsible for these new Eternals Brenda. I know you're going to need assistants, but it's going to be chiefly your responsibility to train them and to make sure they become the best of the best. What Eternals should be. What WE are."
"But, why me? I mean I've never been on the frontlines like the rest of us were."
"True, but I know you're no stranger to battle and you're the only one I can trust with this task. Warrick's job is to be the head of internal security and to directly oversee the Eyes, so he can't do it. And I feel it would be best if another Eternal should be fully in charge of training these new ones. That leaves you and I know you to be an honorable woman who upholds the ideals of the Empire. Who could possibly be better?"
"You?" Brenda says.
"Heh, well it was a rhetorical question. But besides being too busy myself, I actually don't believe I'd be the best trainer. I think due to our own experiences of how we were trained as well as our personalities, you will make a better teacher."
"But we both had the same training up to our twelfth year."
"Yes, and then our next four I guarantee was vastly different. And even during our twelve years together in Semra's class, MY training experience was very different from yours. I think you'd agree."
Brenda nods, probably remembering that Semra took every opportunity to single you out in the class and subjecting you to the harshest punishments when it struck her fancy.
"You had Captain Gruz as a teacher and from what I heard, he taught you all to fight as a team and to have a shared respect for each other and he did it without resorting to excessive measures. I know the common belief is that I'm cruel by nature, but I'm actually not. Ruthless perhaps, but not needlessly cruel. And because I'm not cruel, that's why I'd rather have a more even-tempered person with at least a less hellish childhood experience than I train these children. They may be Eternals, but they're still children that will have to be molded into good productive soldiers for the Empire with minimal problems to their mental state. I know you'll be tough, but fair."
"Well, I don't know what to say, except I appreciate your confidence in me in all this and I'll do my best to carry out this task successfully. However, while I do understand that you don't really have the time to train the new Eternals I'm still slightly puzzled to as why you believe you'd be a rotten teacher. I mean you trained Decena and from what I've heard she's fanatically loyal as well as a great warrior bringing glory to the Empire."
"That's right, I did. And she is." You answer and don't give any more elaboration, which prompts Brenda to just leave it alone.
"Okay." She responds.
There's a brief pause before Brenda decides to break up the silence by changing the subject.
"So, what's next on your agenda?"
"Me? Well after I go inspect the new airship that Elam is supposed to be finished with, I'm going back on the battlefield. I think its time; most of the internal reorganization and major projects have been dealt with and don't require my immediate watchful eye anymore. I'm sure if any problems crop up, someone won't hesitate to inform me. Besides, the Torites are causing all sorts of problem on Ackerson's front. And I think he may even be having issues with that petty kingdom he recently made contact with. I don't even remember what its name is, and if I have anything to say about it, neither will anyone else."
"Well I'd tell you to be careful or wish you luck, but I know you'll be fine. You always are. Are you going to stay for the grand opening though?" Brenda asks and points at the rows and rows of tanks.
"No. Probably best if they don't see me immediately. Keep me a semi-mysterious unapproachable figure for awhile." You reply.
"Oh like what they told us?" Brenda says.
"Worked didn't it? Still, when you've sufficiently got that idea into their heads, then I suppose I'll make my appearance to them, most likely unannounced. I'll want them to actually believe that I may very well pop up at any time. It'll keep them on their toes."
"Ha ha, that's probably even more frightening than never seeing such a figure as I have to admit even at times I wondered if the Emperor was actually watching me all the time, though Roldan certainly thought so."
Brenda at this point temporarily spins off into a pleasant memory she has of Roldan. You've never told her it was actually Casimir that had Roldan assassinated for his own reasons. You've pondered if you should tell her the truth, but ultimately decided it wouldn't do any good save for perhaps destroying her faith in the Empire, which you don't want.
You know Brenda is prone to bouts of depression ever since Roldan's died, telling her that the government and its ruler that she served was directly involved in her husband's death might push her into hopelessness. Maybe even suicide. As it stands, you've been working to try to keep her spirits up.
Which is another reason why you picked her to train these new Eternals. Perhaps it will give her a better sense of purpose.
"Sorry, I rambled a bit there. I guess I just still miss Roldan." Brenda says.
"No need to apologize, I completely understand. Roldan was a dedicated soldier of the Empire and if he were here today he'd be proud of your accomplishments. Anyway, I have to go; if I'm lucky Elam hasn't blown up this new machine he just built yet. I trust you have this?"
"Yes I do."
You leave Brenda to her task and make your way to your next stop, which should be very different...
You look at the brand new airship you've poured money into. It certainly is as large as you thought it might be, though it is still strange to see such a machine that was only picture on a piece of parchment a few years ago. Elam is visibly anxious about what you'll think about it. He's surprisingly quiet though, which might be a good sign that he's learned to not run off at the mouth all the time.
"Hrm, its impressive looking, but does it actually work?" you ask Elam.
"Oh yes! We have tested its flight capabilities and it certainly works according to all the notes and plans Marik left. Had to make some adjustments of course, but I believe now that we've made one, we can easily improve upon it and make more." Elam says.
"Good, glad to hear it. What about weapons?"
"We've equipped it with the latest cannons and the prototype repeater. There are also firebombs that can be dropped from the sky." Elam answers.
"Excellent work as always Elam."
"Thank you, my Emperor. Will you be boarding it?"
"Boarding it? Hmm, hadn't actually given it much thought. I mean is this final product? You don't need to do anymore testing on it?"
"Well we were just going to do some weapons testing while it flying it, but the airship itself is fully operational. It won't go crashing into the ground or anything like that."
While you prefer keeping your feet firmly on the ground, you have to admit you do like the idea of potentially floating through the sky towering over your enemies and all those that might oppose you.
"Very well, but I still want you to go through a weapons test like you planned, before I get on it. Do another safety check as well."
"As you wish, so about a week?" Elam asks.
"Fine, but no more than that." You reply and leave.
Seeing as you have a few more days to kick around before the airship is ready, you return to the mundane duties of rulership. A couple days later you decide to check up on Warrick to see if there is anything he's uncovered that needs your attention.
The Eye Headquarters is probably the safest place in the Empire other than the palace itself. The Eyes may not be Eternals, but they're the next best thing and Warrick being both is certainly one of the best warriors at your command.
That's probably why he looks so bored behind his desk when you meet him. In fact your visit is probably the most exciting thing that's happened in his life lately.
"Emperor! Didn't realize you were coming, I was just busy going through all these population lists. You know like who is a potential trouble maker, who is a loyal citizen, that sort of thing." Warrick says getting up when you enter his office.
"Anything interesting I should know about?" you ask.
"Not really. I mean there are still some grumbles from citizens about when we took babies from some families for the Eternal Project and the free elven population is always unsatisfied with the way things are, but I'm not seeing any uprising material. Unless you want to have some dissenters whisked away in the night just to be safe." Warrick says.
"I don't think that'll be necessary. They can't all be kobolds." You reply.
"Heh, got that right. Still can't get over how Brenda was so successful in assimilating them the way she did. I still remember during our first major assignment in Nalin we had to wipe out caves of those vicious little bastards."
"I just saw her a few days ago actually, she's going to be in charge of the new Eternals, training and such."
"Is that right? Well she's probably the best candidate. I mean with you busy ruling and me busy being in charge of the Eyes and all. Um, is she still pissed at me?"
"She didn't really say anything about you, but I imagine you're still not her favorite person."
"(Sigh) That's a shame. You know I don't harbor any ill will against her and if I could've I would've had even tighter security that fateful day. I mean I just... "
You stop Warrick
"Warrick, you don't need to explain. You did everything you could that day. We all did. I mean hell even I didn't see a shadow assassination coming. A dead one that I killed no less. Just don't worry about it. Brenda will probably get over it one day, and if she doesn't, well it's still not your fault."
This reassuring statement seems to make Warrick calmer. You've obviously never told him the real truth about the assassination either and again you see no reason to stir up trouble by doing so.
You and Warrick talk for a while, some it about the present, some of it about the future, and some of it about the past. During your conversation, it suddenly occurs to you that maybe you could hand a small honor over to Warrick for all his hard work. He certainly could use a break in the mundane paper work that he primarily does nowadays.
You wonder if you should let him take command of the new airship and see some frontline combat.
> take command of the airship yourself
Everyone's got his or her place and Warrick is needed where he is. Perhaps another time.
You bid Warrick goodbye and in a week you make your way over to Elam's factory where you can board the new airship.
It does look rather impressive. Just looking at all the cannons stick out of the sides, makes you wonder how the hell it lifts off the ground with all that weight, but then someone probably also wondered how the hell a regular ship can float with the same amount of weight on it at one time too.
"This is a minor thing my Emperor, but I was wondering what did you want to name this ship? I figured you'd want the honor of doing that." Elam asks.
"Name? Oh yes, I suppose a name would come in handy. Let's see... call it the Storm I guess. Raining down destruction on our enemies and all that. Sounds good to me." You reply to which Elam agrees.
You board the Storm with Elam and meet the crew who will be flying this thing. All of them stand at attention when you arrive. a man dressed in a standard Empire engineer uniform walks up to you and salutes. It looks like his uniform has been crudely altered.
"Emperor on deck! It is an honor to meet you in person! My name is Tavis... " he starts to say before you interrupt.
"Why the hell do you have small metal cogs on your shoulders?" you ask.
"Oh... yeah that well when we started this project nobody knew anything about flying so Elam picked me for a lot of first tests. It was dangerous, but exhilarating at the same time! In time I became the most proficient at commandeering this technological marvel, so Elam made me captain."
"Glad to see Elam's taken it upon himself to completely ignore all military protocol and just arbitrarily assign ranks and such. So I'm guessing those little cogs you put on yourself are supposed to represent your new status?"
"Erm...uh... yes my Emperor. I meant no offense!"
"Calm down, I don't care that much. In the future though, assuming this turns out well. We really need to get you proper uniforms for airship crew rather than this poor attempt of altering old ones. Anyway, take me on the grand tour before we lift off."
Elam and Tavis both take you to various parts of the airship and explain various things mostly involving technical talk, eventually you grow bored and decide you just want to get on with getting this thing to the battlefield where you can see its destructive capabilities.
"Alright I get the picture, let's get this thing to the front lines and blow up some Torites." You say.
"As you wish my Emperor, I'll leave you in the hands of Captain Tavis here, uh he's still a captain isn't he?"
"Yes, since it's as good as a designation as any for now. If he proves competent, he may very well keep the rank." You respond.
Elam and some of the other engineers that were testing the safety of the airship soon leave it so that the rest of you can get on your way. The airship takes a moment to warm up, but soon you're lifting off and high in the air. The experience isn't that bad and a fairly smooth ride. You honestly half thought you'd go crashing down to the ground, but it really looks like your engineers came through. You give some praising comments which seems to put the crew and Tavis in good spirits.
You explain you'll be head towards the south where General Ackerson's command is located. You figure you can meet up and see what the situation is and have the Storm assist accordingly.
Along the way one of the lookouts see a group of the centaur Torites galloping across the plains. There are actually quite a few of them. Enough to be a raiding party probably. When asked if the Storm should try to take them out, you say of course.
"We're too far away to use bombs and the cannons aren't angled in a position to fire at them yet. We could use the repeater prototype though. It's located over there and it has terrific range! Would you like to do the honors my Emperor?" Tavis asks.
"Well I don't usually use firearms and I could probably hit some of those horse beasts from here with a few fireballs, but what the hell." You say and walk over to the repeater prototype.
You turn the mounted gun towards the centaurs who are now quite away that the "big machine" in the sky is heading toward them and means to do them harm. They begin to scatter and you press the trigger...
And the gun promptly explodes spectacularly. Enough so that it sets a large part of the ship on fire which then in turn causes more minor explosions.
As the surviving crew runs around attempting to put out fires and move away gunpowder, you find that you are several feet away from your original location and your arms have become bloody stumps. Your body is in bad condition as well considering you can see out of your one remaining eye that your organs are exposed to the air now.
Healing magic wouldn't be of too much help even if you could concentrate to use it. The explosions aboard the airship are deafening and you're barely conscious as it is. Someone goes over to help you and then you pass out.
You are not awake to experience the Storm's fiery crash to the ground. |
You don't have much else to do at this point. You might as well go to Nalin. If you decide you don't like it there, you can always leave.
"Okay, okay, I'll go with you. Just both of you stop going on about it!"
"You will? That's wonderful! Hey would you... "
"Calvin, I told you to shut up already!" you snap.
Calvin shuts up and backs away. He starts telling his daughter that he has to stay here with most of the crew because there is still a lot of digging that needs to be done, but that he wants her to take you to Quintus right away. She nods and tells a few of the expedition crew to start loading up a few wagons to leave soon.
Jennifer herself on the other hand starts walking along side you and staring a lot.
"Shouldn't you be helping load up the wagons?" you say implying that you'd like her to leave you be.
"No, they got it. Hey, so how well did you know my ancestor?" she asks ignoring or oblivious to your wishes.
"Not as well as I thought, considering he never mentioned having a family to me."
"Oh I do not believe he had one of his own. But from what I've seen of my father's family tree diagrams, Jacob had a couple of brothers that were just normal civil servants. Record keepers, that sort of thing. Obviously they had families though, otherwise my father and I wouldn't be here. He never mentioned siblings?"
"Nope. Perhaps he wasn't on good terms with them. I dunno. I only interacted with him on things concerning important Empire business. He was pretty immersed in his work most the time. I suppose I can say, he was a dedicated servant of the Empire."
This remark makes Jennifer display a big grin.
"Hah, I knew it. We Mols have always been patriots to our nations!"
"Hm, well he definitely would do anything to save his nation. Unfortunately that seems to have been for naught given that it no longer exists."
"So... um, why were you in that magic shell?" Jennifer asks changing her line of questioning.
"Why do you ask so many questions?"
"Because we could've never believed that we'd discover a living person from the old Empire, yet here you are! I mean we know about the Empire only from a few tattered incomplete writings or mostly oral stories. Now we've finally got someone who lived during those glorious times! Someone who can give us the truth about what happened. I mean the cataclysm for example. All anyone knows is it was a great disaster of a magical nature that occurred five centuries ago. Nobody really knows how or why it happened. You had to have been there for that. Do you know what happened?"
"Oh... I have an idea... " You say.
"And?!" Jennifer asks.
"And I'm not going to tell you." You remark.
"What?!" Jennifer exclaims in total disbelief. She actually is at a loss for words, but unfortunately not for long.
"But why aren't you going to tell me?!"
"Don't take it personal. I'm not planning to tell anyone. It's very apparent that you folks want something from me, which I can provide. History, information, and the truth. If I just give all that shit away, who's to say you won't just toss me aside and try to have me killed after you've milked me for all of it?"
"That... that wouldn't happen! How could you even think we'd do such a thing?"
"How could I NOT think such a thing? Besides, I'm fairly certain you wouldn't want the real truth anyway."
"Of course we want the truth!"
"No, I don't believe you do. Not really, I think you just want to hear what you want to hear. You want the truth? Here's one for you. The Empire existed, and then it didn't. End of history lesson."
This cynical comment causes Jennifer to again briefly shut up which you hope will send her away, but she's not going to be deterred so easily.
"Look, I realize you're probably a little upset about your situation. I get that, but you don't need to take it out on me. I'm just saying you're living history. And more specifically you're a very important part of my nation's past. You could fill in so many blanks. You're more than just some old magical weapon that we found in the dirt."
You snort at that last statement.
"No. That's exactly what you found, an old magical weapon that was buried in the dirt. Not even buried, but sealed away. And like most old magical weapons found sealed away and buried for centuries, sometimes the smartest thing you can do is leave them alone. I would think the dead bodies of two of your crew would be a good example of that."
Jennifer perceives your comment as a threat, as well she should. She makes no smart comment back; she just shuts up like her father and continues walks along side of you. Glad to see these Mols have as much sense as their ancestor did.
Eventually you make it out of this dig site and into the open air. And what you see before you is severely different from what you remember.
Where you once knew a great city once stood is gone. These explorers have uncovered a few pieces of it, but by and large it's gone. Even the surrounding area where you once knew farmland and even lush fields would've been is gone. Everything has been replaced by sickly undergrowth. A wasteland.
Jennifer remarks to everyone needing to keep an extra eye out for orc raiders. Jennifer looks over at you briefly again, but casts her eyes down and tries to get on with packing up the front wagon. You shake your head and walk over to Jennifer.
"Look, Jennifer is it? I apologize for my remarks earlier, but as you said all of this IS a shock to me. I've seen a lot during my time, but I don't think anything could've prepared me for this."
"I can only imagine. I guess overwhelming you with questions was inconsiderate of us."
"Well I suppose your curiosity is natural, but let's just say I'm not quite ready to discuss everything. At least not yet."
"I understand. Your last memories of the Empire were during the cataclysm and you're only just now seeing the results. It must've been a terrible time!"
"Yes, you could say that it was."
Jennifer nods and you help her with loading the last bags on the head wagon. When you step aboard it, you're on your way. For a while there's silence between the pair of you as you ride through the wasteland, but you decide to be social and break the silence.
"So orcs huh? They're a threat? I would've thought they'd all be extinct by now. There weren't even many left in the Empire during my time." you say.
"Sadly, that is no longer the case. I imagine without the Empire around, they reverted back to their chaotic natures and they bred unchecked. Now they're all over the Qualan Badlands and elsewhere too. They probably were one of the few races to thrive during the dark ages. I'm not too worried about that happening today though now that we've got powerful Eternal travelling with us!"
"You shouldn't be too overconfident of that. Under the right circumstances, anyone, no matter how powerful they appear to be can be brought down sometime by the humblest of things. Still, I see the reputation of the Eternals has still survived. So are there any in Nalin?"
"Ha ha ha ha! No, of course not! Before we found you, the last one died over four hundred years ago. First Matriarch Brenda of the Nalin Dominion. She was probably the main one responsible for keeping the fledging remnants of the Empire together during the cataclysm."
"Glad to know someone was trying to uphold order. Good for her."
"Did you know her well?"
'Not excessively, but we did have dealings on a few matters, like during the taming of the lands east of Nalin for example. There was another major event too, but I'd care not to discuss that at this time."
"Understood... well anyway that was back then. Things have changed a lot since her time, our government being just one of those things, but for all intents and purposes she sort of laid the foundations for the Nalin Republic by keeping the country safe in the first place."
"You're going to have to explain what the hell a republic is. Never heard of it before." You say causing Jennifer to smile a bit.
"Well, nowadays a single leader doesn't rule our government. It's run by a senate, which consists of a group of politicians that are chosen by the people. They ultimately decide on the laws and such by discussing and debating them."
You are completely baffled by this concept.
"That sounds like an inefficient way of running things. How does anything get accomplished?"
"Well, sometimes things do take time, but the citizens are a lot freer and happier by choosing their leaders."
Now you're really lost.
"Why the hell would people want to be free and happy? They should just be grateful for the protection and order that the government provides for their miserable lives! One strong leader to rule over them with an iron fist is only thing the citizens really need. And if they grumble too much they get executed, problem solved. Hell, it's not like slaves cost that much if they need an extra hand in the fields."
Jennifer chuckles at your totalitarian views.
"Yes, I imagine that it would be a bit strange to you. I'm sure it might also surprise you that we don't have slavery anymore either; it actually became less cost effective. Still, you'll see that it isn't all bad. In fact you'll probably get along with Quintus, he's a very big admirer of old Empire history and culture. He's the one been privately funding all these expeditions."
Just as you're about to ask Jennifer who this Quintus is, you hear war cries and howling in the distance. It might have been five hundred years, but you know the sounds of orcs when you hear them.
Not long after the general warning, you soon see them coming from the far left and the far right. They look every bit as big, mean and green as you remember them. No heavy armor, but the giant boar creatures they're riding and the willingness to use bows are new.
Jennifer orders everyone to ride faster and ready their firearms. While readying the firearms is always a good idea, there is no way you're going to outpace the orcs at the speed you're going, the wagons are just not fast enough and are weighed down by equipment. There are also enough orcs that some of them are going reach you before they get shot off their pigs and that's assuming everyone in this caravan is a crack shot that can hit them in the head.
Meanwhile you feel like you're a sitting kobold on your own wagon. Part of you would rather just get on one of the horses and unhook the wagon, so you've got a little more maneuverability. Of course you could just start flinging magic spells at the orcs.
> get on one of the horses
While it's entirely possibly that you'd come out of this thing alive, (You've certainly been through worse) there's little guarantee that anyone else will. If you're going to keep your "rescuers" alive, you'll need to be unhindered.
"What're you doing?!" Jennifer asks as you leap on a horse.
"I'm getting off this thing, and I suggest if you don't want to be a big target you will too, there's another horse here, jump on it and we'll unhitch the wagon!"
Sensing that you're going to do this whether she likes it or not, she realizes that she doesn't really have a choice. She jumps on a horse and you take your sword and cut the harness. You tell Jennifer that she should order everyone else to concentrate their gunfire to the left.
"Where are you going now?!"
"I'm going to take care of the ones on the right!" you shout and ride in their direction.
The orcs are so agitated about you heading directly towards them, they practically stop focusing on the caravan and begin firing arrows at you. Of course you anticipated such a thing and cast a shield to protect you and your horse. With your other hand you spray a cone of cold on the orcs closest to you, freezing them quite literally in their tracks.
This feat of magic is enough to cause the orcs to attempt to rear up their boars and change direction back towards attacking the caravan. Others are undeterred and continue to head toward you with large weapons in hand. You aim your next spell at their boars, which consists of a couple fire blasts. The pigs go up in a blaze and soon so do their riders who end up dropping their weapons in an attempt to beat out the flames.
You turn your attention at the orcs who decided to attack the caravan instead. At first glance the expedition crew have held their own fairly well considering none of them seem to be warriors and they seem to have fended off most of the orcs on the left side. However you see orcs getting the best of a couple of them when they close the gap and begin jumping onto the wagons.
You ride back to the caravan and put your own combat skills good use. Orcs may be fierce and unrelenting fighters sometimes, but without the heavy armor that you remember they used to wear for the Empire, they get killed as easily as anyone else if you're skilled enough, and you're more than skilled enough. As you battle the orcs, the remaining expedition crew tries to help, though you're nearly shot a couple of times in the process. You end up yelling at them to stop "helping" you before you start firing at them with something a lot more accurate.
Soon after you've killed your last orc after hopping from wagon to wagon, you hear Jennifer shouts to everyone that you've won and the rest have rode off. The caravan stops for a moment to take some time to clean up dead bodies on the wagons, and gather up any equipment that fell off during the fight.
Jennifer comes up to you as you're cleaning off your own sword.
"Well that was exciting to see a real Eternal in action! I knew we were going to be safe with you!"
"Hmm, yeah well I almost wasn't safe with your people, because I nearly got shot a couple times!"
"Yeah, sorry about that. Fear of the orcs actually on the wagons was probably causing higher nervousness than usual."
"You should get some soldiers on these trips. Then at least you'd have some people who actually know how to fight when things get a little close."
"We do have soldiers, can't you tell by the uniforms?"
Honestly you hadn't really paid much attention to the fact that several of the people on this expedition crew do have similar outfits. It's just regular clothing though, none of it is proper armor, light or heavy. You also now notice that the firearms are much different too, namely they can fire multiple shots before being reloaded. A very handy improvement indeed.
You realize that time has definitely marched on, it would seem that shooting someone with a rifle or pistol is the order of the day. Not much use for the old armor if that's indeed the case. Still, you're also reminded of the Felkans and their over reliance of such weapons. It would seem the Nalin Republic has the same technological disease. And these people are the supposed "successors" of the Empire.
"Guns." You say shaking your head.
"What's wrong with guns? You don't think they're honorable or something?" Jennifer asks.
"No, I believe they are very useful and it would be foolish to not employ such weapons of fantastic destruction during battle and war. I just have a problem with the reliance of them in place of natural combat skill, because one day you're going to run out of bullets and then you see who the real soldier is."
"How is using a gun any different from casting down lightning from your fingers or throwing fireballs around?"
"It isn't in the scheme of things. I just said I don't have a problem with gunpowder weapons. However you also noticed I didn't just toss around magic like I had unlimited energy either. I used it when it was needed and engaged in close combat for the rest of them. I could've easily just rained down a firestorm and wiped out all of the orcs, but that would've taken out the caravan too. Something I'm sure nobody wanted. The Empire used firearms AND magic during the Felkan War, but individually the soldiers were still some of the toughest warriors you'd ever want to face. The Felkans soon learned that fatal fact. Perhaps if their soldiers still had the formidable close combat skills of an Empire soldier, they might not have lost so many battle when physical prowess was needed."
Jennifer doesn't debate your views or experience, she just thanks you again for your help and you're soon underway. The rest of the journey is relatively silent.
Eventually you arrive in the Nalin Republic. The landscape here is more like you remember, though it isn't until you get towards the capital of Dalt that you start seeing a resemblance to civilization, but even that's different when it comes to the architecture and such. You get a few stares from passing citizens.
Jennifer and you disembark from the wagons when you arrive at Quintus' house, or rather his very large mansion, which has guards posted at the gates. Honestly it's the closest thing resembling the Empire you've seen since you got here.
"You wait here, I'll have to speak with Quintus about all this first. While I'm sure he'll really want to see you, there is protocol to follow."
"Sure, do whatever it is you have to do, I'm not going anywhere, but who is this Quintus anyway?"
"Quintus Arillicus is one of the most influential leaders in the senate and as I've already mentioned an admirer of old Empire history, but he'll tell you more when you meet him."
As Jennifer walks through the gates, you're left standing around with a few guards who give you the stares that you've come to expect from everyone. You wait for about ten minutes before you begin to wonder why you're even entertaining this again.
Then you remember, it's because you don't have much else to do right now. Though you're wondering what place you're going to have in this new world. You imagine that maybe you could be a soldier again though it doesn't look like there's a war going on. Doesn't even look like this place is suffering from any discontent from the citizens, but then looks can be deceiving.
Jennifer eventually comes back to the front gate and waves to come with her.
"You can come in now. Quintus is very excited to see you!"
At this point this Quintus better be just as impressive, because from what little you know of this guy, you're not nearly as excited to see him.
You and Jennifer walk into the mansion and while it's certainly fancy and has a design style similar to Empire architecture, it isn't nearly as extraordinary as the first time you saw the Emperor's palace. Of course you're a harder sell from those old days. Jennifer and you enter what is apparently a conference room. She says that he shouldn't be long and you both take a seat at the table.
Soon a middle-aged man walks into the room with some guards, but he dismisses them at the door so that you three can be alone. He's dressed in an older style suit that looks more like those you remember Empire bureaucrats wearing and carries a staff of some sort with him. He also wears several rings. You sense that they all might be magical.
Either way you fail to be impressed, just as you suspected you would be. Quintus on the other hand, now that he sees you in person, he's very impressed.
"I never believed in all these years... all the digging... all the research... everything. And none of what I've found compares to this! Yes! This is indeed a glorious day! A real live Eternal! Not just any Eternal either, but the one who served the Emperor himself!" Quintus exclaims as he sits down across from you.
"Now let me stop you right there. I know you're all excited and shit, but for me this is going into unknown territory. Possibly even enemy territory. I have no idea WHAT exactly you want with me. I'm going to tell you right now though if you're thinking of putting me in some sort of museum or some weird aristocratic version of a sideshow like they have at the fairs peasants go to you better get that idea out of your head right now."
Jennifer tries to temper your words, but Quintus raises his hands as if no offense was taken.
"It's alright. Our Eternal friend is quite right to be suspicious of me, but I can honestly tell him there is no reason for him to be because I think my goals will fit his honorable ideals. I'm still sure there is much he wants to know and questions that he has, but I will say that it is my hope that he and I will change history together!"
Quintus and Jennifer try to get you fully up to speed on everything first...
> time passes...
After sitting here for about an hour or so listening to the sorry state the republic is in, let alone the rest of the area that used to be part of the old Empire, you've had enough of it all.
"Stop. I've heard enough about your wretched country. I can already tell what YOU want. You want the Empire back."
"Yes! I want to resurrect the Empire!" Quintus exclaims.
"And that's a lovely thought, but sorry to tell you this, it's dead. Long buried and resigned to the trash heap of history." You remark.
This comment is definitely not what Quintus expected. Jennifer on the other hand isn't quite surprised you'd say such a thing given your own cynical remarks to her.
"But... you're here now... a symbol! A symbol of the old ways! Proof of honor! Proof of strength! Proof of power! You're an Eternal!"
"And? I obviously couldn't prevent the destruction of the Empire. Am I supposed to just resurrect it with my mere presence? Am I to just kill the entire senate and establish perhaps you as an emperor? Do you think the people would accept that?"
"Well maybe not so direct... " Quintus remarks.
"No? Because that might be the only way to get things done around here. And what makes YOU think you'd even be a good emperor? You do not even have the support of the people."
"I do have the support of my constituents! I even have a few allies in the senate!" Quintus protests.
"Well you still don't have enough for what you desire. I'd say that I'd have a better chance of being accepted as an emperor before you would just due to the fear factor and raw power, and I'd still have to be looking over my shoulder constantly before I finally got run out by a complete rebellion or I destroyed so much of Nalin in the process of maintaining order. Given what you've told me of the average citizen it sounds like they're perfectly happy with the way things are. Happy with their hedonistic freedom. Do you really think they're going to listen to a relic of a time when the strong just ruled over the weak and the weak not only accepted it as a way of life, but some were even happy about it? The sheep have been let out of their pens and do not wish to return. Do you believe your people, even those that apparently keep voting for you to represent them are ready to accept a more restrictive and harsher culture? Do you believe you can foster such an environment?"
Quintus remains silent and you throw up your hands at his inability to answer.
"Well you see my problem with your plan. You probably thought when you dug me up; you'd have a powerful tool that would be your key to reforming a parody of the old Empire. And it would be a parody, because even if you were successful, it would NEVER be like the old Empire. You can read all the lore and books you want about the old days and nothing is stopping you from holding fantasies about such days. But make no mistake those good old days aren't EVER coming back. You're about five hundred years too late. I haven't been awake one complete day yet, and even I've come to accept that hard truth... but then I've had to accept so many hard truths. This is just another one to me."
Quintus nods solemnly. The spark that was in him is gone, but you can tell he isn't completely defeated. Jennifer just tries to look away from both of you and shuffles some papers she has with her.
"You... you aren't how I expected you to be... " Quintus says.
"Nobody ever is. Another hard truth I learned a long time ago." You answer.
"Mm... well I seem to be at a loss of what to say. Which is rare considering they often complain that I never shut up in the senate."
"Look, Quintus. I won't deny that your ideals and goals aren't admirable ones. However, I had to drag you back to reality. You still have a long way to go before even bringing something resembling the Empire back. As much as it might be fun to send me to just kill the senate with a firestorm and then establish martial law across the land, it's not going to be that simple. At least not yet."
"Yes, I suppose you're right. It's just I've read about some of your deeds, scraps of parchments really and I guess when I found out you were alive and in my house I just figured all of my country's problem were solved."
"Well, they may still be eventually. Now despite what I've said, I will help you. Because personally, I'd like to see you succeed if only so I could live in a place that didn't seem so damn strange and it's not like I have anywhere else to go."
"So you are going to help bring back the Empire?"
"Well, something like it anyway. I can't promise anything, but I'll try. Now then, with me on your side, you shouldn't worry about the military side of things. I can take care of those matters when they arise, and they most certainly will. You're going to have to take the lead on the political matters obviously, but I can still advise you in this capacity. All my years of working side by side with the Emperor contributed to such skills despite being on the battlefield most of the time."
Quintus seems to have that spark of life again when you agree to help him after all. He happily asks where you should get started. Jennifer at this point is glad to also see things have worked out and says she should leave you two alone to talk more and get back to the dig site. Before she leaves Quintus calls out to thank her.
"And tell your father he has my thanks as well! If it weren't for you two, we would not be in the better position we are now. Expect a bonus in pay this week." Quintus says.
"Thank you senator. I was wondering though and I hate to ask, but it just came to me. Do you think our new friend here could come back up to the dig site when he has the time? It's just that he was buried there and it might be of great help if he could at least perhaps give us a good indication on where it might be beneficial to dig."
"Well we've got a lot to go over first, but afterwards if he wants to, I have no objections."
Doesn't take you long to agree. You briefly remark that where they were digging was near the Emperor's main chambers and you'd like to see if anything survived yourself. This new revelation causes a bit of excitement from Jennifer and Quintus wondering what other magical treasures that might be of use in the coming days of change or even some scraps of history that can enlighten them more about such glorious days.
You just wonder if you can find the remains of Semra. Call it curiosity; call it a sense of closure.
The first thing you and Quintus talk about is the military. You explain that it is of vital importance to get them to support him the most, but it's also of great importance to get them be more vicious warriors. You say you understand that battles are probably fought a little differently nowadays, but the intense training isn't necessarily just to make them expert fighters. It's also to instill discipline and hopefully a warrior's mindset. Make it so that they want to go to war, that they long for it.
Quintus says that he does already have some pull with the military. A little more than most find comfortable, but of course it's nowhere near absolute. You're glad since that cuts down on a little extra work.
You tell him to track down the most spirited and skilled warriors that are in the military and have them gather somewhere secluded just outside the northern borders of Nalin. You say you need to get started on training as soon as possible, you just hope you don't have too many wash outs (or casualties). You then say you also need to get started on an outside threat.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean you need an outside threat that genuinely scares people. Makes it so people are more supportive of a strong military. Makes it so eventually people prioritize their safety so much that they're willing to give up their freedom just to be safe. I mean I know you've been warning the senate and the people about all the scary things out there and you're right, but people don't believe it until its beating down their door with a battle axe."
"Yes, but how exactly are we going to do that?"
"Well YOU aren't going to do anything except going about your usual business. I on the other hand am going to incite one of those threats you've told me about. Obviously one of the closest ones."
"The usksha immigrants?" Quintus asks.
"Heh, well maybe in due time, but that's bit more on the... political side. Plus its not a large enough threat and the follow through of invading the desert is a logistics nightmare that we are nowhere near in a position to carry out at this time. No, I was thinking something much simpler. Something much easier to incite violence in and a lot easier to get people to fear, namely orcs."
"Oh, do you think you can do it?"
"Encouraging an orc to attack isn't a challenge at all. Herding them to all attack in a specific direction takes a little more skill, but I can do it. It'll just take a little time and we have to make a balancing act of it. Going to have to let the orcs win a few major battles in the beginning at least. It won't be pretty, but it'll also serve to purge some of the less than skilled soldiers you have around here. Some villages on the borders are going to have to burn as well."
"Villages? Are you sure?"
"The problem with the Nalinites is they've never really been under a true threat for a very long time. When the people experience the loss of a couple border villages and see the bloo |
cations. They even managed to restore one of the Emperor's big black statues.
Just looking at all this stuff makes you feel like you're back where you should be. When you close your eyes you can almost imagine that you are where you WANT to be. If only things had been different, you wouldn't have to be starting all over again...
"We tried to make it look like what we thought it looked like in the past and based on writings we found." You hear Jennifer's voice say and you open your eyes to see her stand to the right of you.
"You did a good job, almost feels like home. That big ass black statue wasn't in the throne room though. In fact the Emperor never even used the throne room when I knew him." You say.
"Yeah, but we did have any place else to put it. I think its impressive looking where we did put it though. Should draw in a lot of people. So did you come here to revisit old memories?"
"Not at first, but this is was a nice distraction."
"Glad to hear it, well I'll leave you to your thoughts." Jennifer says and begins to leave.
"No, stay here with me, I came here to see you in first place. Besides, no point in reliving past glories when I don't have anyone to share said glories with." You say and grab her hand.
Jennifer's reaction is a positive one in that she doesn't let go and moves closer to you.
"So since you've got the time, how about you tell me about some of those old glories?" Jennifer asks.
You gladly do so.
You talk with Jennifer for hours until it starts getting late at which point you say you have to get back to your mission in Quala. Jennifer understands and wishes you luck on it.
"If you're going wish me luck, how about you do it with a kiss?" you ask which takes Jennifer by surprise.
"That's certainly new. What brought this on?"
"I thought you liked me. You do don't you?"
"Of course, I'm sure I was pretty obvious about it."
"Well why ask why? I'm fond of you as well. I like your company and you're the only person I've ever considered my friend since I got dug up. You're independent, you're physically attractive and you listen to all my stories. What's not to like?" You say which causes a small chuckle from Jennifer.
"Okay... we'll talk more about this later, but for right now, here's that kiss."
Jennifer moves in to kiss you and the pair of you embrace.
After your minor amorous interlude, you take your leave of the museum. You briefly wonder if pursuing a relationship with Jennifer is a good idea, but what's done is done and you'll just have to figure it out. Once again, another problem for another day you suppose.
Just as you get out of the gates of Dalt, two guards approach you. They're not military or domestic security, they look like private guards, probably those of a senator.
"You the Eternal?" one of them asks.
"Yes." You answer.
"Senator Batalimus wants to see you. If you would accompany us to his home please, it's just a few miles west of this city."
Well this is an interesting turn of events, though perhaps not entirely unexpected. If you had to guess, Batalimus either plans to have you killed when you arrive to meet him or he's going to try to convince you to be on his side. You doubt he has the means to do either.
You don't know if you should even bother entertaining him at all, but then you think if he does try to kill you, then you'll have eliminated the need to kill him later. Hell, even if he doesn't try to kill you, maybe you should just do it anyway.
You agree to follow the guards and eventually you reach Batalimus' estate. His home isn't much bigger than Quintus' home, though there are a lot more trees and gardens on his grounds. As you expect there are a lot of guards patrolling about. When you step through the front door you feel like you've stepped into a barracks rather than a senator's mansion due to all the guards standing around.
Soon an older balding man dressed in a purple robe comes down the grandiose staircase. It's Batalimus.
"Ah the Eternal, at last we meet face to face." Batalimus says.
"Yes, I'm surprised that you didn't confiscate my weapons though." You answer.
"Whatever for? We all know you can just incinerate or fry everyone in the room with the snap of your fingers. It's not like you actually need a sword or even a pistol. You're a walking weapon without such things."
"So? Why risk bringing me here then?"
"Because I have nothing to lose. Your associate, Quintus seems quite determined to have me killed. Granted he always has harbored ill feelings, but now that the little reprobate has the advantage his confidence has reached an all time high. I suppose the fool has to have his fun though given the family he has. In any case I figure its only a matter of time before he sends you to do the deed and while I could increase my security even further, I quite frankly doubt if it would stop the likes of you. At best you might get mad."
You have to appreciate someone who knows exactly where they stand.
"So... you brought me here to kill you?"
"Hah, I hope not, but I suppose that is a strong possibility. No, what I'd like to do is try to convince you to perhaps not kill the republic because that is what you and Quintus are striving to do, though I believe I actually have a shot with getting through to you. You aren't saddled with any emotions of hatred towards me. To you, I'm just another potential obstacle in your goals. If I have to be killed then you will, but if it isn't necessary you won't."
Well it looks like Batalimus has opted to try to get you on his side, just like you thought he might. He is over estimating your willingness to kill him though. True you don't have any hatred for the man and quite honestly you probably already respect him more than Quintus within the short time you've met him, but you've been known to kill folks even if you believe that they will be potential obstacles in the future.
Still, killing Batalimus right now isn't exactly part of the plan, so you'll most likely just leave unless he tries to stop you. Then again you did come all this way so there is no harm in hearing him out.
> stay
"Okay, I'll listen to your pleas, but I doubt that you will be able to convince me of anything." You remark.
"You seem so certain." Batalimus says.
"Of course I am. For one I am not some scared citizen or greedy senator that can be bribed or frightened into submission. I am not an ignorant peasant either that can be merely swayed by lies."
"Never thought you were."
"Second and more importantly, I was not impressed with your republic when I was first dug up and I continue to be unimpressed with it now. It is an inefficient form of government that allows too much power to the people and it doesn't even do that right, considering all the corruption."
"Oh I wouldn't say that. Within the last few years the people have been making demands for more security and defense and Quintus has been delivering appeasement to them. It would seem that you've managed make the system work for you." Batalimus says.
"And don't you think that's proof that your system is broken? If YOU were the ruler of this country you wouldn't be in the situation you are now. You'd be able to have Quintus executed along with everyone that didn't fall in line."
"You may be right."
"Of course I'm right, because the masses are by and large weak-willed fools that actually desire a strong hand to rule them and do the thinking for them. Honestly I don't know how your system lasted as long as it did."
"Because it worked or at least it did before you came around."
"So... you're going to blame me for your system's weaknesses? Seems to me it should've been strong enough to weather the presence of one man."
Batalimus begins laughing.
"One man? Yes. It's done that for quite some time. Do you think Quintus is the ONLY one who has ever wanted to bring back the so called good old days? His kind has always existed in some form or another since the infancy of the republic. Sometimes there were even whole groups of his type. The difference is, there was never any incentive for the rest of the population to actually listen to them before. There was never a living god on their side defending everyone from vicious foreign attacks like those of the orcs, let alone scaring the hell out of everyone by his mere presence."
"I'm not a god."
"For all intents and purposes you might as well be. The rumors alone are enough to cause most to think you are, but even without such rumors, the facts are still enough to impress what you would call the masses. Quintus isn't the only one who has access to old Empire history at the Mol Museum. You were the right hand man of a supposedly near omnipotent emperor, you survived the cataclysm that destroyed the old empire, you're certainly the most skilled warrior that anyone has ever seen and you command the use of magic, which is an incredibly rare thing nowadays. Other than the few exceptional svelk in Lenay, wizards just don't exist anymore let alone any of your power. I doubt with even all the magic trinkets Quintus has dug up, he'll be able to protect himself when you finally decide to kill him."
Granted you haven't given that possibility much serious thought, Batalimus is probably right about that outcome.
"While all this is very interesting, you've still failed to make your case and you're beginning to waste my time." You say.
"Yes, forgive me. I'm used to droning on in the senate, I forget that someone like you would rather get right to the point. Right then, here it is, the Republic is better in the long term for the people than your Empire."
You're silent.
"I certainly hope that isn't your only argument Batalimus."
"No, but it should be the only one that matters. Even if you succeed in all your endeavors, you have to know that this revived Empire isn't going to last. At best it'll last a century after your own death and given that you're constantly walking in its shadow who knows how quick that might come."
"Choose your next words carefully, one could perceive that as a threat."
"A threat? No. Poorly worded, I'll agree. Mainly because I doubt you'll actually die violently despite your particular lifestyle. I'd almost be willing to wager that you'll die an old man in your sleep. A great irony I suppose. Anyway, the point still remains, you have to know that your Empire will not last long after your death, it didn't even last long during your life."
"It only fell because of... " you nearly say because of your actions, but you stop yourself.
"Because of what?" Batalimus asks.
"Because of the cataclysm. It would've still been standing today if that hadn't been the case."
"You're guessing. Even if the cataclysm hadn't occurred it would've been something else. Despite the fact that you belonged to a repressive system, I do know that in your way you served the concept of the greater good. You believe that you're actually helping the people by keeping them in line. And maybe you even are to a certain extent, but it's at the cost of liberty and freedom and that is an anathema to me. I'm watching all of what was built being slowly destroyed before my eyes. We as a people came out from the chaos of cataclysm and eventually found a better way to live. One that didn't submit to the whims of a single ruler or is at the mercy of a tyrant. No, it wasn't a perfect system, but we were always working to fix the problems for the people and they were happy. I don't see any joy when I look at people nowadays; all I see is fear, paranoia and suspicion. Can't you see that all you're doing is throwing the people to a backwards age and ultimately it will do nobody any good?"
"Good thing I'm not trying to please you then and I'd argue that I've already fixed a few of the major problems with the recent changes. For one, crime is down and you're no longer a potential doormat if anyone stronger should suddenly appear. Even the pirate attacks are much lower now." You answer.
"Yes, military strength the backbone of all proper dictators. Let me guess, after this place is completely under your thumb your next step will be to send it forth and conquer land right? How are you going to do that for the Qualan Badlands? You going to force thousands of people to settle on inhospitable land where it's near impossible to farm? And how do your orc friends figure into all this? I know that you probably have some sort of conspiracy going on with them, because they never attacked us like they have been recently. You going to somehow force the Nalin citizens with their newfound xenophobia to live with them or are you going to just commit genocide on the orcs and chalk them up to expendable losses? Then what after? You going to waste countless lives conquering the six cities of Arat? The Usksha Emirates? The Redcap Kingdom? Where is it going to end? Tell me, what do you personally hope to gain by re-establishing an empire? A need for familiarity? A simple power grab? Is it all because of an outdated sense of duty? Whatever the reason, none of them are really good ones for what you're doing. Your time was the PAST and you can't recapture what you lost. Your Empire as you knew it is long dead because all things eventually end. All of this, what you're doing is proof that you just can't accept that fact."
You've heard enough.
"Funny that you said that Bata, because I'd say that it's the opposite."
"What?"
"You. Your republic is dying and this desperate attempt to try to convince me to not continue my actions is proof that YOU can't accept that all things eventually end."
"I know somewhere within you that you can see my side of this! I mean I won't deny that your presence hasn't been positive for the country in some ways. You could still have a place here in the Republic. You have so much power. Power that could be used to help people in a positive way! Wouldn't you rather be known as a loved hero rather than a figure of fear?" Batalimus exclaims.
"I've known several heroes in the past. Some of them fellow Eternals and all of them were figures of fear. Look, I've already pointed out the weakness of your inferior system and you've failed to convince me otherwise. Doesn't matter if I do or don't see your side of things. Whatever motivations you think I'm doing this for don't matter. I'm fairly certain whatever other arguments you may have aren't going to convince me either, so this has just been a waste of both of our time."
It takes a moment for Batalimus to gather his thoughts.
"I had hoped and perhaps naively thought that you were a reasonable man, but I was wrong. Apparently I did bring you here to kill me. Maybe not in the physical sense, but I see now that there will be no stopping what is to come. It's a bitter thing seeing what you love the most die before your eyes."
"Join the club Bata. And I'm not talking about the Empire." You answer and take that as your cue to leave.
You half expect Batalimus to have his guards attack you in some last attempt to save his republic, but he just sits there impotently in defeat.
And that's exactly why his republic is dying. Nobody cares enough about it to fight for it. This man is probably the only one left who does care and he used words as his weapons. Better that he should've tried to have you assassinated as soon as you walked in the door.
But this isn't your problem, your problems are elsewhere and after you leave Batalimus' home, you head back to the Qualan Badlands.
A few days later while at your patrol camp, you receive a letter from a messenger. At first you think it's from Quintus with another request to help him with some task that is too difficult for him, but you're surprised when you find out it's from Batalimus.
Eternal,
By the time you read this, I will be dead. I want to thank you for I believe our little talk finally gave me the courage to just end it all. The funny thing is I had the idea to have Quintus assassinated before I spoke with you thinking that even if I couldn't kill you, I would at least have taken away your partner on the public relations side of things, making the transition from republic to empire a little more difficult for you. Perhaps you would've even gotten so frustrated that you would've left.
Then I realized I can't save the republic by destroying it or my ideals. And it wouldn't have stopped you anyway. The days of the republic are indeed numbered and I'd rather remember it as it was rather than continuing to see its own death throes. It is my time that has passed. Your time is now.
Still, I can't help being an idealist. Perhaps if your Empire can live again, then perhaps one day so will my republic. I can have faith in that as I pass on to the other world.
Good luck Eternal in your pursuit of war and conquest, though I should like to think that maybe my words still got through to you a little bit. That maybe you will realize that the people are important and not just resources to be used on a battlefield or wherever else. That a government can exist that doesn't require repressive domestic methods or the subjugation of foreign lands.
But then as I said, I am an idealist.
Batalimus Ventis
After reading the letter you toss it in the fire. One of the soldiers asks you if it's another order from Quintus.
"No, just news that another obstacle is no longer an issue." You remark.
A few days pass and you have been thinking about Batalimus' words a lot more since there isn't much going on in the way of action in camp. While he ended up agreeing with you that the republic is coming to an end no matter what, you're still struggling with the idea that what is going to replace it, since it won't truly be the Empire as you knew it. Ol' Batty was right even you did change his mind. Your time is STILL the past.
You've had five years to get "used" to the changes and while you have and are even thriving, you're never going to feel comfortable. Even if you kill Quintus and seize power and everything goes well with that, you still have to go through the process of reconquering everything again. Something you really shouldn't have to do.
You should've had a your "birthright" over five hundred years ago. Now you feel like you're having to play catch up for a much lesser prize. Most of the old lands are indeed ruined to a degree that you can't imagine anyone wanting to live there even if you did conquer it. Pushing people into doing so is libel to cause a revolt at worst or just flat out attrition at best... ugh... shit you don't want to even ponder yet.
And what's the alternative? Not killing Quintus and serving as his loyal right hand goon? Continuing to watch that fool take ALL the credit for stuff you will no doubt have a hand in? No, you did that already and at least with the Emperor you didn't have to put up with any sort of dysfunctional family every time you visited him.
You think back to when you spent time in the museum with Jennifer talking about that past. That's still the happiest you've been since you woke up. You even wonder if you shouldn't just abandon all these desires and ambitions. What has it really gotten you in the scheme of things? You made the big gamble the first time and it didn't work out maybe that was a sign.
You wonder if you shouldn't just settle down with Jennifer and try to live a normal life.
> dismiss such thoughts
This is silly, here you are with the Empire so close to resurrection and you're sitting here wondering if it's all worth it. Of course it's worth it! It's what your whole life has been about and it doesn't matter what time period it is.
Whether you're ruling it, or someone else is, it doesn't matter. The Empire must live on. If you just give up now, then what was the point of any of it? And as for Jennifer, you probably should just put an end to that disaster waiting to happen as soon as you can.
She's a nice girl and everything, but she's not Alison and she never will be. Not to mention with you by her side she's likely to wind up dead just like Alison. You have no doubt that you'll eventually acquire some powerful enemies looking to take advantage of any possible weakness you might have.
You return to your duties without another thought.
After about a couple of weeks of your regular rounds in Quala, you decide its time to go visit Trog about your arrangement and how it needs to be altered. With Batalimus' suicide, Quintus' larger influence and the army now stronger than it ever has been, you don't really need orcs as a terror distraction anymore, especially if you want to incorporate them into this new Empire one day. Of course that plan may still fail, but your current deal is a deal and you and Trog have dealt straight with each other so far.
You travel the Flogger tribe's territory and just like last time, Trog was already expecting your visit.
"So once again the Eternal visits Trog. Is our arrangement going as planned?"
"Yes, but that's why I'm here. We've gotten what we need from the war. You no longer have to play any role in it, that is stirring up the other orc tribes."
"Trog see. Very well we did have an agreement and the Floggers have benefitted greatly from this arrangement, so it is done for now. However, Trog cannot promise that other minor tribes will not still attack. Can only promise that Floggers will no longer play any part in such attacks."
"That's fine, probably for the best that we still get a few attacks. Well that was all I had to say, I'll see you around... "
You're about to leave, but Trog speaks up.
"Are you not also here about your people that went up to explore Rask?" Trog asks.
"No. What people?"
"Trog surprised that you did not know. Two weeks ago a group came here attempting to seek passage through Flogger territory. They were lead by a woman with black hair. Trog assumed you knew about this because the woman certainly knew enough about our arrangement to attempt such a thing in the first place."
"Wait, was this woman's name Jennifer Mol?"
"Trog believe that it was. Said she was trying to explore Rask for some warrior's guild or something. Even Trog not sure if it exists, just heard the rumors at times."
"So did you let her through?"
"No. She refused to pay the toll which was to leave a couple of her people here for good will."
"So she went back home then."
"No. She said she'd go around, but then she attempted to sneak through our territory at a weakly guarded area during the night instead."
You almost don't want to hear what is going to come next.
"Trog see that this woman is someone important to you? If it helps, Floggers did not kill her. She managed to hide and escape before we could. Floggers did however capture and kill some of her crew though. Floggers cannot just have people coming through territory without permission. Cannot show weakness. Trog hopes you understand this. Trog even had guards that were supposed to be watching that area killed for their lack of attention."
Strangely enough you do understand. You can't really be angry at Trog and the rest of his tribe for being territorial. It was actually pretty civilized of them to offer a toll option in the first place. Really you can't believe Jennifer would be so foolhardy to attempt something like this, but then she has been braving the dangers of Quala long before you even showed up, so maybe this isn't too out of character for her, especially when she's got her mind set on an expedition.
"So... do you know where she went?"
"North, past Flogger territory. That was two weeks ago though, Trog doubts that she still alive. Rask is very harsh, even more than Quala, also the dreaded wendigo live there. She has not tried to sneak back through Flogger territory and Flogger's would know because we've increased the guards since her break through."
Part of you almost wants to go try to find her; despite the fact you just recently believed that the two of you shouldn't attempts any sort of relationship. Now you start to wonder if you could've prevented all this if you HAD gone to see her two weeks ago. You resist the urge though. For one thing, it's been two weeks. Any way of tracking her is going to be poor at best given all the snowstorms Rask endures. Second, her group isn't the most battle ready. They're going to mostly consist of scholar types that can't fight worth shit. While she probably took a few soldiers with her, even they're going to be fucked when they encounter something like a wendigo or even a giant.
She's dead and that's it. Just eliminates the need for you to worry about one more decision. It doesn't put you in the best of moods though.
It's that mood that has you return to Nalin and the capital where you see Quintus.
"Good, I'm glad you're back, we need to... " Quintus begins to say when you come through the front door of his house and then he notices the fresh blood on your sword and his guards nowhere to be seen. His eyes widen when you raise your hand up to cast a lightning bolt to his face.
You find however that the spell fails to work on him and one of his rings glows brightly.
"I figured one of those rings protected you from magic. Pity, I was trying to give you a quick and less painful death." You say and advance upon him with your sword in hand.
"No! What're you doing?! We're on the same side! We were going to revive the Empire!" Quintus exclaims backing up on the stairway and attempts to rub one of his rings. You aren't exactly sure what he's attempting to do, but you're not going to let him do it.
You making a lunging rush at him and he nearly disappears before you, but you've already stuck him like a pig. His brief attempt at invisibility fades as his dying face stares at you.
"Wh... why? I... helped... I... was going... to be... emperor... "
"Plans change." you say and throw Quintus over the stair railing where his body falls to the floor in a bloody heap.
Afterwards you take care of Quintus' family. As dysfunctional as they all are, the last thing you need is for any of them to attempt revenge for whatever reason.
The day after, you gather as many soldiers as you can, march into the senate and officially dissolve it in a very violent way. Every senator is killed and the floors of the senate hall run red with blood that day. Most beg for mercy, but you're not in a mercy-giving mood.
A few days later and it's official. You make your announcement that the Republic is dead and that the Empire now lives again. The general public doesn't know quite what to make of everything. You're sure that there will be some sort of misguided rebellion, but with the military behind you're confident that you won't have too much trouble.
Year 542
You're so damn tired you don't even know when the last time you had any proper sleep. It's just been one rebellion after another and ongoing strife. You haven't even had thoughts of expansion mainly because you've been attempting to maintain order on what you do have.
You have attempted to recreate a secret police in a similar style of the Emperor's Eyes, but efforts haven't proved too successful mainly because you're too busy using the military to keep direct order.
It isn't that the people don't fear you, it's that they hate you more than they fear. Even after you've destroyed entire towns that have dared defy you, you still get pockets of resistance running off into the wilderness to cause ongoing problems.
Your methods in the beginning months were probably too harsh in retrospect, but your mind wasn't in the best place then due to Jennifer's death, which you took a little harder than you imagined you would. Killing everyone in the senate certainly didn't help as perhaps some of those experienced fools might've still been useful in swaying public opinion and dealing with the more mundane issues of running the government. Combine this with the fact that the idea of things like "liberty" still lingered within the people, your brutal actions only proved to them what happens when a single tyrant takes power. Instead of cowing them into submission, you ended up lighting a fire of freedom that you still haven't put out yet and at this point you wonder if you ever will.
Even portions of your military have turned against you, if not outright treason then desertion. Some have fled to find work within the six cities of Arat or even joined up with the pirate groups in Delerg.
Between the steady attrition of loyal soldiers, the ongoing defiance of the people, external threats like the Flogger tribe hearing of your struggles and taking advantage of your lightly defended outposts in Quala (And certainly have no intention of joining your Empire now) you are pushed to the brink and beyond.
You decide if the fools won't submit to your rule, you'll burn the whole damn thing down. You unleash a terrible force of magic the likes most have never seen. You begin destroying entire cities and farmland. It gets to the point where even the most loyal won't even follow you into destroying their homeland.
Your reign of terror eventually comes to an end through a combined effort of the citizens of Nalin. Even your powerful magic can't stop an entire nation out for your blood and near the end you're exhausted and half crazed from bloodlust anyway.
"Bah, I don't need magic to do my work!" are your last words before you slaughter a few dozen men and women and are shot with several bullets and stabbed repeatedly by a mob.
You might've still went down in history as reminder to the people of Nalin of why they should value freedom and never submit to a totalitarian state...
But then the Flogger tribe rampaged through the decimated nation, which had practically depleted all of its resources in its war against you. The orcs leave no evidence of an Empire or a Republic ever having existed. |
them? Did they plan any major role during or after it? It's apparent that the technique to create an eternal like you or Marik's tank babies was lost too.
Well it doesn't matter much now anyway, you can assume they're all certainly dead now, along with crazy ol' Marik. Still, you wonder about his factory, as it was located in Arat.
In fact there have been a lot of events going on in Arat lately according to your spies.
The major thing being that there have been sightings of the Xi Hive in Arat, not many and certainly no major attacks, but the insectoid creatures have been attacking anyone they see as usual. It won't be long before they become a major threat in this area. Right now it isn't your problem at all, but you imagine they will be eventually.
From what you've heard the Xi have been really putting the Redcap Kingdom on the defensive, but the gnomes are still holding out and not even losing any ground. You certainly can admire that, and you'd even try to send an emissary to go speak with them if only to get a better feel of the Xi threat, but you've also heard the gnomes have also ordered a kill on sight to well... anyone.
Your best shot at learning more about the Xi would probably be Eldolith, but she's also been her usual antagonistic self, especially ever since you officially annexed Regnik into the Empire. Pointing to you and the Xi as a threat she managed to unify the other city-states of Zo, Valizza and Atnil into something called the Arat Confederacy. In reality it's a new nation with four cities rather than a true alliance where everyone is supposedly still autonomous.
The only other city-state that doesn't belong to Eldy's little alliance is Telis, which as usual, nobody seems to know anything about. Still, it seems like it's probably in the most danger of the Xi considering its proximity to where Xi territory is starting to expand. You never really gave it much thought until now, but according to the maps and if your memory isn't completely off, Telis isn't too far away from where Marik's factory was located. Now you're starting to wonder if its "mysterious" nature isn't due to that factor.
In a perfect world Arat would be your next and only priority, but there have been concerns about the Delerg islands as well. There has nearly been no reports about the Island League's activities for years, it's almost as if they all just disappeared, but more concerning is the fact that strange humanoid creatures have been sighted off the coasts of Quala at night. While Quala is still mostly home to your orc population and the place is still the poorest of your territories, you still don't want a potential invasion to occur. It might be time to start exploring and possibly conquering the islands at last.
Seeing as the orcs will have the most familiarity with this potential coastal threat, you decide to go speak with Trog about it. You might as well anyway if only to see who his potential successor is going to be seeing as you know Trog is supposed to be dying.
When you arrive to meet with him, you see just how true that is. The old orc is lying prone on fur skin bedding with two younger female orcs attending to him. It's very strange to see orcs behave in this manner. Orcs don't tend to have a long life span to begin with due to all their fighting, but to see one being actually cared for rather than taken to the wilderness and left to die (at best) is unusual. Then again Trog was a very respected leader. He's obviously weak, but when he notices you he tries to sit up and waves away his attendants.
"Ah... the Eternal... dreams told Trog that we would see each other one last time before the end. Now that you're here Trog now know death coming soon for me. Sad that Trog could not die as a warrior, but still a good life with many children to carry on name." Trog says.
"And who would be that successor Trog?" you ask.
"Trog believe that Sprog take over next. Already killed several of his siblings, others too scared to oppose. Was a great contest, only well enough to see some of it, but very good. Very bloody."
"Sorry I missed it."
"Trog warn you though, Sprog not quite as accepting of our current situation as Trog. Believes orcs should be independent. Might be right, might be wrong, not care. Trog too tired to care anymore."
"Am I going to have to kill him?"
"Do not know. Perhaps, perhaps not. Do as you wish. You always have. As Trog has said, too tired to care anymore."
"So I take it that I probably should ask this Sprog about the reports of the humanoid interlopers off Quala's coast?"
"Hrm. That. Trog can still help a little... Yes, there have been sightings, but nothing human about them. Fellow orcs tell me they look more like fish than anything else. Appear on land sometimes, but never for very long. Not sure if they are able or if they are just scouting. Orcs ready for a fight as always if they do decide to invade. Kobolds too. Was not sure about the little scalies living here at first, but enjoy their antics. Respect our strength too... "
Trog begins to drift off to sleep, but you aren't done with him yet.
"While I hate to interrupt your journey to the afterlife, you have any last visions for me?"
"Hrm... yes... Trog did actually. War is coming."
"That's a given Trog, war is always coming."
"True, but this one will be against an enemy that you've never faced the likes of before. They will be relentless, they will not stop and even as strong as the Empire is, I fear that it will not be enough. Worse is the fact that you are approaching your own twilight years as this terrible threat comes. You will no longer be able to just march in like the great warrior you once were... "
"Trog, I might be getting old, but I'm not ready for the damn grave yet."
"True, but you acknowledge that you ARE getting old. Still... perhaps that is a good sign. Knowing your limitations. Trog knew his... "
At this point Trog falls unconscious and despite your prodding and nudging him, he isn't waking from it. From his breathing patterns, you know he'll be dead soon.
"Damn it Trog, you could've at least told me who this relentless enemy was going to be. Guess that was your last little joke on me. Good one Trog." You remark and exit Trog's tent. You tell the group standing outside that he'll be soon passing on, if anyone wants to see the final moments. Several female orcs go in, but the male orcs just give a solemn look downward save for the very large one standing nearby with an equally huge battle axe. When he approaches you, your entourage of guards stands ready to defend you, but judging by his appearance he'd give them a good fight all by himself.
"So is the old man dead?" the orc asks gruffly.
"Well if he isn't yet, he soon will be... I'm guessing you're Sprog."
"Right. Guess you da Emp. Huh. Thought you'd be bigger. Old man say you powerful though. Guess cause of magic abilities like old man. Feh."
"I take it, you don't like magic?"
"Magic give unfair advantage even more than shooty weapons. Orcs have no more magic types now. Least none Sprog know of. No chance to rebel now."
"You're telling me you'd rebel?"
"Yes, I'd lead a rebellion if we had magic to even up odds. Told old man that he should challenge you long time ago, but said you were too powerful for him. Scared to die like proper warrior, now he die like old man that he is and we still have to serve the Empire."
"Who says? You could still rebel. You're standing right here in front of me surrounded by your fellow orcs, I've only got five men with me. I'd say right now is the best chance you got of killing me and making your people free again."
Sprog grips his axe a bit and gives you a suspicious look pondering if you're being serious or not. You are of course, but even though Sprog eventually senses that, he's not taking you up on that offer.
"Bah, want to be free, but still stand no chance of killing you. At best might get lucky and wound you before you set Sprog on fire or somethin'. Dying in battle one thing, but Sprog not suicidal. Most orcs too comfortable now with livin' under the Empire anyway. Half would probably attack me, the idjits."
"Always did appreciate you orcs and your honesty. Now that I know I don't need to kill you anytime soon, what can you tell me about these sightings off the coasts of Quala?"
Sprog tells you much of the same things you've already heard. Fishmen sighted skulking around the coasts and then disappearing. He says he's already got patrols marching up and down the coasts, but no sign of them again.
For all you know these fish people are this relentless force that's going to be coming at you, of course it also could be the Xi Hive which is the only other force you could think of, at worst it could be both. Could even be the usksha or someone you haven't even met yet.
In any case, you still need to do something about this potential aquatic threat. This has really been a long time coming. Whatever the hell is living out on those islands, be they human or otherwise is going to feel the full might of the Empire.
Thanks to having all the extra resources in Rask now your task of getting a proper fleet up and running isn't a drain on the Empire and gets done a lot quicker. Training sailors takes a little longer, but fortunately your people aren't completely ignorant of seafaring ways.
Within months you have a sizable armada that should do the job. The only thing you're unsure of is whether or not you should go along on this conquest.
Maybe because you're older and beginning to realize you aren't as fast or as strong as you once were, or maybe because you have uneasiness about being on the open water and possibly even an slight fear of it (A fear you weren't even aware of), or maybe it's a combination of the two, you don't know.
What was it that Trog said before he died? Knowing your limitations?
> lead from the front
There might be a day where you're going to have to command all your armies from bed as a sick old man, but today is not that day. As long as you can wield a weapon and move reasonably well, nobody is stopping you from fighting. As far as being on open water, well this is the perfect chance to get over that possible phobia.
Since your own intelligence reports on Delerg have always been hazy at best, you gather your information from less reputable places, namely some of the prisons. Nalin sailors as a rule stayed away from Delerg waters due to the Island League, Still there were always the occasional forays into it for illegal smuggling purposes and you specifically have these types give you any and all information as well as a chance to earn their freedom by enlisting in the navy.
While getting the information on island details isn't too much of a problem due to the threat of violence, you don't get a lot of takers to enlist even with the promise of freedom (or implied threats of conscription); at first you believe it's just a criminal attitude of not wishing to be part of the government, but one fellow by the name of Len tells you it's a little more than that. Len is about your age, probably a little older and is the embodiment of an "old sea dog" with his untidy white hair and beard.
Len says he stopped smuggling years ago when he started to feel uneasy sailing in the waters, let alone dealing with some of the people who had become enamored with a weird religion.
"Religion? What kind of religion?" you ask.
"Not exactly sure, but I'm pretty sure it involved the worship of some water god. I remember finding it strange since it wasn't like any of the inhabitants of Delerg were particularly religious before. When one of my friends came into the docks one night babbling a mad tale about how he barely escaped from an ambush of screaming cultists that was around the time I decided to stop making smuggling runs and go into something less dangerous like burglary, obviously I wasn't as good at that since I got caught." Len replies.
"So where is this friend of yours and what did he see?"
"Not in a jail cell if that's what you're wondering. Last I heard he was committed into an asylum. I think he may have very well killed himself. He never did quite get over it and had a hard time talking about the details, but I do remember him saying that the cultists weren't quite human looking and fully intent on sacrificing him, like they did with the others who weren't so lucky to escape I guess."
"What, like the recent fishmen descriptions?"
"Perhaps not quite that far, but he did say they had unnatural eyes and their skin was slimy looking. The reason why you're not getting many enlistees is probably either due to these stories or from personal experience and I imagine the personal experience is rare given that my own friend went completely mad from his own experience. To be quite honest, I'm sort of surprised the Empire never knew any of this before."
"Wasn't an issue before. A few rumors and tales from mad sailors and criminals isn't going to catch serious attention. In fact before people starting seeing fishmen on the coasts I didn't even know about any of this. Delerg was considered low priority, though that may have been a mistake, then again we're probably in a better position to handle this now. So what is your answer on enlistment?"
Len pauses for a moment.
"Well, I've been a criminal nearly all my life and never had much use for following orders. But as much as I like living, I like freedom a lot more. So if enlistment means possibly getting killed by a bunch of fish monsters but the chance of getting out of those hellholes you call prisons, then I'll take the risk. Besides, I'd say my odds are a lot better now seeing as I'll be travelling with the Empire's navy. I figure I can't get any safer than that."
"Sure you can, you're going to be aboard my own personal ship."
"I am?"
"You were a captain weren't you? According to your record you're probably one of the more experienced ones in the damn Empire. Criminal or otherwise. You're going to be navigator of my personal ship, because I sure as hell don't know anything about steering a ship. Plus you have better knowledge of the area, so you're coming with me directly."
Len isn't sure how to respond except with a hesitant thank you. He probably thought he was going to be able to sneak away at some point, but that will be next to impossible now with him being aboard your ship.
When the time comes, you board your personal ship, which is decked out in the best gear available. Actually it's much slower than the rest of the ships due to its size, but then its meant to fight and take punishment, not outmaneuver a possible enemy. Honestly, you aren't even sure what you'll encounter. If the Island League is indeed completely gone, then you may face no opposition at all as far as other ships are concerned. Maybe you'll have strange fishmen scaling your ships in an attempt to kill you. Whatever you face, you'll be ready.
Since the occupation of the islands is the main priority, you're taking a strong force of orcs with you. Sprog himself has volunteered to come, possibly to prove to the rest of his people of how much of a warrior he is. Crowley sent a letter asking if you needed his assistance or the assistance of any of the Eyes as things are much calmer in Rask nowadays, but you tell him the Eyes are needed at home as they always are.
Within a few days you're in Delerg waters, but you've come across no islands yet. Len remarks about how strange this is since according to his memory you should've come across a couple by now. Even the information you received from others with knowledge of the area would dictate that you would've encountered some sort of landmass by now.
When you sail further out to sea, you still don't find any major landmass. There are small patches of land, but nothing that would support a town or other settlement. At best you might be able to build a small guard tower on them and that would be only if the land was relatively flat and solid, which it doesn't appear to be.
"This is damn odd, that small patch of land right there where the Island League's biggest island was! It even had their largest settlement, Barnacle! It's like the waters just swallowed everything up!" Len remarks.
"I'm getting a vague impression I know what happened to this place. All of Delerg in fact. There's nothing here worth conquering now, we might as well... "
Before you can complete your sentence there is a sudden rumble in the water.
"EVERYONE BRACE THEMSELVES!" you shout and then you see several of your ships fly up off of the waters when a large sea monster spectacularly arises from below. Your own ship is rocked severely with water crashing everywhere. For a moment you think night has fallen, but it's just the sea creature blotting out the sun.
The creature is bigger than anything you've ever faced. Even "Snowtop" would be the size of a gnome compared to this thing. Doesn't help that the creature has two heads and several tentacles already crushing some of your ships that weren't destroyed when it ascended in the first place.
"FIRE EVERYTHING AND DON'T STOP UNTIL THAT THING IS DEAD!" you shout and the cannons roar desperately trying to harm the creature. Fortunately the ships that you have left don't seem to be losing their courage and presumably their captains have the same idea of attacking since you can see cannon fire coming from them. Though given their proximity to the creature, they wouldn't be able to retreat in time for it to crush them anyway.
The beast isn't as invulnerable as it would seem as the cannon fire does its work and delivers wounds but the main problem is, it's just too damn big. You cast frost bolts at its tentacles that are attempting to wrap around the ship, you then order your troops to shatter them while they're still frozen. This works well enough that it keeps your ship afloat, but there's more than just the sea monster to worry about and you fully expected something like this to happen even before you met the leviathan.
Several of the fishmen begin scaling your ship. While your ship is well defended and has the skilled manpower it needs to repel the attack, you get the impression that some of the aquatic attackers are probably trying to put holes in it from underneath.
"Sprog take some of your people, get in the water and kill everything!" you shout. Sprog doesn't argue, he just nods at your command. Assuming if the both of you manage to get out of this alive, you at least know you've got his complete loyalty now. Nothing like fighting side by side against impossible odds to gain respect.
Stripping off what little armor he was wearing in the first place, Sprog goes into full bezerker orc battle frenzy while ordering some of his best to follow him down into the water. You know orcs are tough, but you hope they'll be able to fight these fishmen in their own environment. It is a severe disadvantage after all.
Meanwhile the beast is continuing to destroy the rest of your fleet. You can see people in the water desperately attempting to cling to floating wreckage, only to be pulled underneath the waves by the fishmen who are picking them off. Your own ship has slowly changed direction thanks to Len taking command of the steering wheel.
"We can't fight this monster! We have to retreat!" he shouts pulling the wheel of the ship as hard as he can.
He's probably right and who knows, if you tried right now, you might actually manage to get away while the beast is still primarily occupied. That certainly would be the most sensible thing to do; of course something about this whole experience is making you feel well... good. Your heart is pumping, you're full of energy and you're determined to show this undersea abomination that you're not ready to lie down and accept the fact that you're getting older.
"NO! I can't let this beast beat me! I never lose!" you shout and knock Len off of the wheel who looks at you like you're insane and scurries off to find a hiding spot.
With battle and bloodshed all around you, with the sounds of cannons and swords filling your eardrums, you make your way to the crow's nest to gain the highest vantage point you can. From there you get your best look at the sea monster. The large holes in its body where cannons have blown off chunks of it convince you that it can be defeated. It's just going to take a little magic that's all... or rather a lot of it.
You begin to focus...
> create an ice storm
Frost has been doing a good job at freezing the beast's tentacles, so you decide to try to freeze the entire thing.
You concentrate and as you do you begin to feel little the air grow colder and colder. The wind begins to pick up and soon ice pellets begin to rain down on the area.
You directly unleash a blast of frost right at one of the creature's heads and while ice does indeed start to form around it and movement begins to get sluggish. It isn't quite enough to stop it completely from moving.
Instead the creature bashes its own head against a nearby ship in an attempt to break the ice shell now around its frozen head, destroying it and cracking the ice in the process. The beast's other head completely submerges under water, followed by the rest of its body.
In the meantime the fishmen that are scaling your ship are having a bit of difficulty with the cold which is slowing them down, unfortunately it isn't the best thing for your own crew either, but they're doing better than the fish at least.
You help your crew by continuing to cast ice bolts from the crow's nest, but this is soon cut short when a large tentacle whips out of the water and heads directly towards your position. You attempt to freeze the tentacle and you succeed, but you fail to stop its momentum. The frozen tentacle smashes into the crow's nest and the mast, destroying both along with part of the tentacle shattering in several pieces in the process.
As for you, you're hit with such a great force that all the wind is knocked out of you and you go flying into the ocean and hit the water quite hard. You barely manage to swim back up to the water's surface and you're still feeling quite woozy and having trouble breathing normally. You're fairly certain you've got cracked or broken ribs.
Floating in the middle of the ocean with pieces of your once great fleet drifting nearby, you struggle to swin to some nearby debris before you pass out. You don't get far however, when all of a sudden you feel several claws grabbing your legs, this is soon followed by the feeling of teeth sinking into your legs. You attempt to kick away, but you can't shake them.
A fish person rises up from the water to grab your upper body in an attempt to drag you under for good. The smell of saltwater fills your nostril along with the foul smell of sea life in general. Already struggling to catch your breath, you soon succumb to watery death by the hands of the fish people. |
You know this probably isn't going to end well, but if you jump into the portal you at least know you'll buy yourself a little time and a chance at survival. Staying out here is probably going to result in your getting blown to pieces.
You don't think anymore about it and you take a crawling tumble into the portal. When you go through you're instantly transported before Semra again. Same withered body, same chair, same plain room without any doors and the portal behind you is gone. You then hear an incredibly loud noise coming from above. It's enough to even shake your surroundings a little.
"Glad you finally decided to listen to me again. Those little redcap assholes nearly managed to hit Lenay with their crude explosive weapons. If I had held that portal open any longer for you, they might've even destroyed this city. I hope you appreciate the sacrifices I make for you." Semra says.
"Right... so what now? What's your plan?" you ask getting up off the floor.
"Plan? I assumed you knew that by now. I mean you did come through my portal."
"Yeah, I only took your escape route because I would've been a dead man had I not. That doesn't mean I'm siding with you and I'm still not done with your daughter or this city."
"I see... well perhaps we can arrange something to appease you better."
"I doubt it."
"Your faith in my capacity to see what you desire wounds me, especially since you have stated it so plainly here. Now if you give me a few moments, I can give you what you want, but I suggest you prepare yourself."
At first you're about to ask what she means, but even if you couldn't get a glimmer of her mind, you believe you'd guess correctly fairly quickly.
And within a few moments another portal opens up and soon after that Eldolith steps through.
"Mother, the barrier went down for a few seconds and those gnomes nearly killed us all! You've got one job to do and you failed to do it! What the fuck are you doing down here? It's bad enough that we had to stop the annual sveld infant hurling competition because... "
Eldolith suddenly stops her complaining when she notices you in the room. Her eyes grow wide and she says nothing, but instead tries to re-enter the portal, but Semra has closed it. Having chosen to unsuccessfully run rather than attempt to defend herself properly, you easily give her a large shock with lightning. She falls to the floor, her body convulsing from the jolt, but not dead yet.
You sort of expected that when you finally faced her, she'd put up more of a fight and inevitably you'd either kill her with a powerful magic strike or perhaps a quick sword thrust if you managed to get that close.
But now that she's more or less at your mercy, something comes over you. A desire for cruelty. It's strange, but you haven't felt that way towards... well anyone for quite sometime. In fact the last time you felt this way was when you stopped yourself from giving in to such feelings when Eldolith was smarting off to you in Alison's war camp. You remember some of the things you wanted to do to her.
Maybe this is some sort of repressed emotion that's been coming for a very long time...
"We're not finished Eldy. We're not finished by a long shot. This has been a long time coming." You say and kick her in the stomach and chest several times as hard as you can. You then get on top of her and begin to just punching her in the face. Her svelk "beauty" quickly starts to diminish as teeth become broken and her nose follows suit.
"Moth... ARGH!" Eldolith cries out as she desperately attempts to call for a maternal figure that just looks on in sadistic pleasure.
Eldolith weakly tries to claw at your eyes with her hands, but you easily grab them both and break her wrists. Eldolith screams at this point, begging you to stop and just kill her already.
"Apologies, but this is too much fun, in fact don't you feel my... excitement?" you whisper in her bloodied ear and then slam the back of her head on the stone floor.
Aches and pains shoot through your joints, your hands, arms, your legs and your feet, but such things are overridden by the enjoyment you're getting by beating the shit out the Eldolith.
Eventually Eldolith's breathing becoming very "automatic." It's getting near the end where her body is just "functioning" and higher brainpower is quickly fading. Even through the blood all over her face, you notice the tears coming from Eldolith's eyes.
"Oh no, not yet. I'm going to take you up on that offer you once gave me so long ago." You say and roll Eldolith's body over...
"Yes! YES! Do it! Do it my lovely eternal! Do it for mommy! Teach her that you are the master and that she is to be utterly destroyed!" you hear Semra's voice in your head exclaim.
These calls of encouragement are followed by Semra's real sounds of excitement made by her own withered body. The wheezing sickly noises are only drowned out by your half crazy rants of pure hate and grunting sounds.
After a short but brutal process later you end it by shoving your dagger through Eldolith's skull, cracking through bone and brain. You even enjoy the sound it makes as you slowly pull it back out.
Painting heavily and covered in blood, you don't feel nearly as bad as you usually do from such energetic activity. You almost feel... invigorated.
"There now. Don't you feel better? Don't you see this is how it should've always been? And just think you can enjoy this sort of thing all the time if you stay here with me. You think what you just experienced was revitalizing? When you fully embrace the power of your mind, you will truly know freedom."
You just stare at Semra's disgusting wizened body in a semi-trance as you listen to her alluring voice.
"You will have an entire city to rule and defile! To torture and humiliate! Let the gnomes burn the outside world to a crisp! Let the Xi overrun the land with their hives! WE will be still here LONG after their time in the sun has gone! We will be like the GODS of old here FOREVER."
Semra's personal barrier that surrounds her body goes down and another chair materializes next to her own.
"Join me my love and we can have everything... "
Semra's voice is so entrancing. She's making a lot of sense. You don't detect any lying and you can even see into her mind more clearly. She's letting you in. You still don't quite understand a lot of it or see all of it, but you catch a glimpse of perhaps why Semra harbors "romantic" feelings for you.
You see the image of another svelk. A male, obviously a soldier, but a mage as well. You also see images of him battling creatures and conquering foes all in the name of his Empire. He obviously enjoys the violence and takes great pleasure in battle, but there's a certain "honorable" trait about him though too.
It's odd and you're loathed to admit such a thing, but despite being a svelk he seems very similar to... well you. He even looks vaguely like you in your younger years if you had black skin and the pointy ears.
You think you're about to see more, but Semra finally shuts you out. You guess she's decided you've seen enough. Whether that means she's trying to hide something or just merely unwilling to because the memories are too painful, you cannot be sure.
Is this why Semra's been so obsessed with you? Was it really that simple? You reminded her of a long dead lover?
She could've just said something, but then of course that wouldn't be the svelk way, let alone Semra's.
Maybe this is all a trick. Maybe she's making you see something that isn't real to make you more sympathetic towards her despite all the rotten things she's done.
Maybe she intends on killing you. Maybe the spell she cast on you over five hundred years ago was all part of some incomprehensible long range plan that only she understands and you're finally falling under her complete influence.
Or maybe she's just scared of dying alone.
You don't know. What you do know that you're probably never getting out of here. (Wherever "here" actually is, though you assume its somewhere under Lenay) Even if you kill Semra, you don't have the ability to create magical portals or anything like that so you'll essentially be in a living tomb waiting to die.
Of course you probably won't be waiting too long. Considering she's currently the only thing up keeping the protective barrier over Lenay as soon as you kill her, you'd wager that the gnomes are going to bomb the shit out of this place and you'll die in a cave in and that's assuming the Xi don't come digging through and overwhelming you first.
> join Semra
You realize you don't want to die yet.
You also realize that events have conspired against you to lead up to this moment, so perhaps maybe you should just give in to fate.
You hate Semra. You've always hated her. And whenever she's helped you've resented it even more. And when she's right that's when you hate her the most.
But you can't deny her appeal. Even after all these centuries, that part of you, that sick twisted part of you that thought was gone forever is still there and as strong as it ever was.
So you give in. You take your place by Semra's side and sit in the chair that Semra has provided for you. You can sense the delight in her mind.
"So... now what?" you ask.
"Now the fun begins, lover! Just close your eyes and relax. As always mommy will take care of everything... "
You feel your magical essence join with Semra's own and together you both feel stronger. Most of the energy goes towards the barrier protecting Lenay, but the rest goes towards your own whims, which are now endless at least within your mind, and the city is concerned.
You and Semra take a more direct control over Lenay now without Eldolith in charge. You both instill fear into the populace and give commands via your mind to the next highest in rank. (Who just happens to be Eldolith's latest ambitious girlfriend who gladly accepts the position of Domina).
For the most part you just let the city run itself and enjoy watching the excess the city has to offer. Semra herself says things like gladiator matches, the torturing of sveld slaves and the baby throwing competitions are much more enjoyable now that she has someone close to share them with.
And when you aren't doing that, you engage in an activity that's more common. Of course seeing that your bodies are in no longer suitable for that activity, you engage intimately on a whole mental level. Semra was right about this too, it is somehow more intense than you imagined that could be. Your mind is not limited like the body and you and Semra indulge in many twisted fantasies.
You have to admit though, you don't ever really see baby throwing as a "sport", but more like an activity. You and Semra constantly have debates over this issue...
"But there's a target and points and everything! How the hell is it not a sport?!" Semra asks.
"Just doesn't seem like one to me. Gladiator matches I can see. There's clearly skill and training involved."
"You think there isn't any training or skill with baby throwing? Do you realize how much sveld babies squirm about before your throw them? It's not like just lobbing a nice round rock you know. They don't tend to fly straight, you have to practice and adjust for wind and all kinds of other little factors. Like whether or not the baby has eaten within the last couple of hours or so."
"What? If you're going to kill them anyway why the hell would you even feed them so close before throwing them?"
"It shouldn't surprise you, but baby throwing is taken VERY seriously in svelk society. So much so that some like to cheat by secretly feeding their opponent's babies before hand. Nothing worse than a baby-spraying diarrhea all over you while you're swinging it around to throw. Even the smell could distract you from your throw and cause you to lose valuable points."
"I dunno, still just seems like a celebrated svelk activity to me. I mean why don't you consider torturing elves a sport? Surely the torturers have practiced their trade enough to keep victims alive long enough to give a good show." you ask.
"Because that's not a sport, that's a fucking art! (Sigh) You humans are such uncultured barbarians."
While you and Semra remain safely inside the barrier of Lenay, the world outside goes on, but not in a good way. The Empire suffers greatly without your leadership. The Xi begin overrunning the borders and the gnomes continue to bomb the hell out of both.
Doesn't take long before holdings in Arat fall completely and Quala is well on its way. Sightmaster Crowley does his best to fill your shoes, but it just isn't enough when the gnomes come out with an even deadlier weapon than their airships.
They develop a plague of some sort to kill the Xi and it works spectacularly. The Xi die off by the thousands. Then the citizens of the Empire start to die off as well. Whether it's from the same disease or a different one the gnomes created, it doesn't matter. Elves, humans and even orcs begin to sicken and die. The only ones with somewhat of a resistance are the kobolds and they quickly abandon their duties and scurry back to the safety of their underground dwellings when the gnomes start fire bombing the dying husk of the Empire.
The gnomes don't give up on Lenay either. They attempt to use different weapons to breach the barrier and continue to use the old ones in the hopes that eventually the magic on the barrier will weaken, after all you had the same idea that even Semra couldn't keep it up forever.
And it's true she can't by herself. With your help though it isn't quite as much of a problem. Unfortunately even with the two of you, you can't keep it up forever either, especially you when you realize that Semra's been slowly draining all your energy little bit by little bit. You were so wrapped up in enjoying decadence that you didn't think about how Semra was ultimately using you and eventually killing you.
You try to free yourself, but her spell that melded your minds keeps you in place and too weak to resist her.
You try to reason with Semra by stating that if you die, it'll only buy her a bit more time and the gnomes will eventually break through anyway.
"Perhaps, my sweet eternal, but not today... I will miss you... " Semra says sounding genuinely sad.
You curse yourself for being so weak as you have nobody to blame but yourself. Semra was just being true to herself, something you should've done. You were so afraid of death that you ran from it only to die a slave rather than a warrior or even as a free man.
You lament your poor judgment as your mind begins to fade into the ever-lasting darkness. |
You aren't going to wait around and marching your troops off to Telis seems like a waste of time when you're so close to finishing off the Arat Confederacy. Most of all you want to get your revenge on Eldolith for her attack on you in your own palace years ago.
You gather all the mages that are currently within your war camp and explain that you're going to bring down that barrier. It's going to require a great deal of energy and that it's completely possible that some won't even survive the process, but once that barrier is down, Lenay will be ripe for the taking.
In the meantime, the regular army is going to have to deal without magic back up for awhile when repelling Xi incursions.
You and your mages focus on the massive barrier protecting Lenay. You envision it coming down and staying that way. Doesn't take long before you begin to feel a force combating your efforts. With a personalized touch that only Semra can do.
"What do you think you're doing my eager eternal? If you wanted me to let you in, you could've just asked you know." You hear her voice inside your head.
You try to block it out, but that's a losing task. You and Semra are locked in more than just a battle of the wills right now. Your minds are still linked.
"This is a useless endeavor eternal. Even with your little followers you aren't going to bring down this barrier. I can keep this up forever."
One good thing about having a linked mind, is you can sometimes tell an outright lie, though in Semra's case it's always better to assume that she's lying anyway. However, you know she can't keep this up forever, her power is nowhere near how it used to be, otherwise she wouldn't have wanted you to "join her" years ago.
"Very well, continue if you must... " Semra's voice says and thankfully you're just left with silence.
Five days pass and your army is fending off the Xi well enough, but the barrier still stands strong. You have not eaten, slept or drank anything and are really starting to feel those effects even if you are in a trance like state right now. The only thing that's managed to sustain you is... well leeching off the energy of your other mages of which you've lost seven at this point.
Still, you really feel that you're making progress. You can sense that the barrier is weakening, perhaps only a little, but it's still something.
Unfortunately you may never know if you would've succeeded eventually because something occurs that interrupts everything. Something big and something you and probably nobody else could've ever envisioned...
An incredibly large object hovers high above the earth and moves slowly towards the city of Lenay. It's high enough that it's fairly safe from conventional weapons. It isn't an airship either; it's something much more.
It's Telis.
The gnomes have somehow managed to uproot an entire city and have it floating in the fucking air.
While your army is certainly panicking about this, you're nearly completely oblivious due to your continued spell focus on bringing down the barrier. You hear some of your officers shout at you about a flying city or something similar, but you're more or less out of the loop.
Even when Telis begins to unleash a volley of mortar rockets in your area you still aren't completely entirely cognizant of the situation. Loud explosions strike all around you and it's amazing you aren't killed in the blast, you do finally lose focus though and fall to the ground.
It is then when you realize how much danger you're in. The gnomes are continuing their vicious bombardment of the area, probably hoping to wipe everyone out and they're doing a fairly good job all things considering.
You look around and see your army completely panicked and running away. They are some of the bravest men and women from all walks of races, but they've never had to face something so large and massively destructive before. In fact you don't even know if you're going to be able to make it, you feel so weak and the most recent blast just killed or severely maimed the soldiers that were trying to carry you away from danger.
Dizzy, tired and very drained, you struggle to retreat from the area as your legs feel very wobbly.
"Can't let it end like this. Argh! Hate this fucking weakness!" you exclaim as pain shoots all through your body and you collapse. It shames you, but you almost feel like just giving up and letting the gnome weapons finish you off.
"You see what happened my darling eternal? You were so focused on revenge on my idiot daughter that you completely neglected keeping up on what those red cap miscreants were up to. Now look at you, you're all spent, just like when we first made love. Remember that?" you hear Semra's voice say in your head. Apparently she's still in contact with you. You make an audible groan when you believe that mocking voice of Semra is going to be the last thing you hear in your final moments.
However, as usual her mysterious and still baffling obsession with you might be your salvation... again.
"Fear not, lover. Mommy can save you. It will have to involve me lowering the barrier for just the briefest moment, but I can open a portal to your safety. Enter it and you'll be back with me, right where you should've been all this time."
No sooner do you hear these words uttered when you see a portal open up not far in front of you.
"Come to me, let us embrace again. You know it was always meant to be. We are the survivors. We did it once and we can do it again."
Semra's creepy attempt at temptation aside, you don't have much time to react to your situation. The gnomes are undoubtedly going to unleash another volley of explosives and who knows if you're going to be lucky enough to avoid a direct hit this time.
Then again, if you enter that portal who knows what the hell is in store for you.
> run for it
Mustering up all the strength you can, you pull yourself up off the ground and run around the portal rather than through it.
"Stop! What're you doing!? I'm your only chance! Don't you remember last time?!" you hear Semra's voice exclaim in your head.
You answer back in your head, hoping Semra hears the message.
"Semra, I was an idiot to listen to you five hundred years ago, not repeating that mistake again."
Whether or not she heard you, you'll never know because several large explosions occur behind you and the force of the blast even from this distance causes you to fall again.
With the barrier temporarily taken down, the gnome rockets were able to hit Lenay quite hard, you turn over to see the portal disappear and Lenay in flames. What you don't see is the barrier going up again.
While you temporarily sit there looking at the destruction, some of your troops see you and rush to your aid. You're carried away and you survive this day, but you know it's definitely no victory.
Year 560
The Empire that you resurrected from the ashes is now returning to that state. Maybe not quite yet, but it will be soon.
It wasn't the increased overwhelming Xi attacks on your borders. You were managing them.
It wasn't the superior technological machines of the gnomes. Even the mass fire bombings of Arat and Quala from their airships weren't enough. In time you would've caught up and crushed them.
It was however another gnomish "invention" that has lead to your ruin. Biological warfare of the likes nobody had even seen.
They created a disease to wipe out the Xi and it worked spectacularly. The Xi began dying off almost immediately when it took affect. Unfortunately this plague also affected your people as well. Or perhaps maybe they engineered another one for other races, you don't know, it doesn't matter because people started getting sick and dying. Elves, humans, even orcs. The only ones with somewhat of a resilience were the kobolds of all races. Well them and yourself. Despite your physical frailties and age, it would seem your Eternal roots have protected you from the disease.
Everyone you knew who was close to you has died of the plague. Your top advisor David, Sightmaster Crowley, even Jennifer. Your citizens are dead or sick. Your workforce is non-existent and all you've got left for a military force are fucking kobolds and quite frankly they aren't going to be enough to stop the gnomes from finishing everyone off. And you know they'll be coming soon.
You're tired though and you don't have the fight left in you to oppose the red-capped bastards anymore. Indeed there isn't much left to fight for. Your own life doesn't even mean much to you any more, you doubt if you'd live much longer anyway given how much your body is in pain and much weaker than you used to be.
It's no kind of life. Not for an Eternal.
That's why you aren't going to run. When the gnomes come in their flying machines to bomb Nalin to cinders, you'll be right here to go along with it.
And in a few months, you meet your fate. |
You're not wasting any more time on Lenay and as much as you'd love to put a blade into Eldolith from your last encounter, she's not worth the time either. The Arat Confederacy is no longer a concern. Let the Xi have Lenay if they want to continue throwing bodies at it. The gnomes are the greater threat; they've already got ships that fly in the air and who knows what the hell they have planned. Maybe if you take Telis, you can also gain the knowledge of how to build such machines because so far the experiments by your inventors haven't had much success.
The first thing you have to do is order a withdraw from the Lenay area. This confuses your officers, but other than General Ingrid who insists that the city can be taken, they all just follow your commands. (As does Ingrid after a bit of arguing)
The next thing you do is have the major wounded transferred back to Velizza or Atnil. The Xi are still a major concern in the area and hopefully the wounded will get well before the Xi start advancing on those cities because they're going to need all the extra protection they can get.
You also send a message to Sightmaster Crowley to send a full battalion of Eyes. You tell him to even take them away from security positions if he has to, because you anticipate that you're going to need the extra magic power.
You also tell Crowley that if you fall in battle that he's officially the successor of the Empire. A bit of an abrupt way of passing this decision on, but there it is at last. If he decides to use this as an excuse to stage a coup later, you'll have to deal with it later, but again, you doubt if you've really got much time anymore for "later."
The next step is making the long march to Telis. You know where it is, but even if you didn't you could just follow the occasional airship in the far distance. Unfortunately you have a feeling that if you're close enough to see them at all, the crews aboard such things can probably see your massive forces heading their way as well. There's nothing for it though, Arat has always been pretty open and there's no real way to hide a force as large as yours. You half hope some of those airships make a detour towards you, so you can call down a lightning storm on them the same way you did on that sea monstrosity years ago, but none of them do.
The Xi however give you more than enough trouble on your journey. You continued to be impressed by the Xi's tenacity to completely abandon any sense of self-preservation. They exceed orcs even in that regard and that's something you thought you'd never see.
If only there was a way you could've had them fighting for you instead, you wouldn't have had to waste so many years rebuilding the Empire in the first place. You could've just had it immediately.
You watch in the distance as some of the kobolds take down a single Xi warrior. That's something you never thought you'd see either. Fighting along side kobolds of all creatures and them actually being some of your best soldiers within their limited capabilities. Funny that you should respect or find a certain affinity to such non-human races like orcs, kobolds or even the Xi than you do with humans. Then again maybe it's because you've never really truly been human. You're just masquerading as one.
After a week of marching through Xi infested territory Telis is finally in sight. And from where you're standing, you see it being besieged by the Xi. Unlike Lenay however, Telis doesn't have the benefit of an impenetrable magic barrier defending it. It does however have several airships launching all manner of explosions and gunfire to the area around the city.
It would seem the gnomes are reluctant to damage Telis itself (though some of that is probably unavoidable), but the reason isn't clear. Are the gnomes Telis' allies? From what you've heard Telis did have a human population, so it seems unusual that the gnomes would be helping them given their new outlook on life. Unless they're invaders as well and just don't want their potential prize destroyed.
In any event you're somewhat glad that the Xi are involved. Gives the gnomes another target and divides the attention from you.
Seeing as the gnomes are less willing to blow up Telis itself, you figure your best course of action is to get your army into the city right away. Actually getting in doesn't look like it will be a large problem thanks to the efforts of the Xi, the problem lies more with fighting your way through the Xi while avoid potential bombings from the gnomes.
All available mages are ordered to put up shields and all soldiers are ordered to protect them while making the long march towards Telis or else nobody is going to make it to the city at all.
It's not a long distance, but it feels like one. Explosion after explosion crashes down on the magical shields. Since your shields are simple ones the Xi simply dig under them and attack that way, but the soldiers do a good enough job of keeping them from killing your mages. You do your part by supporting the magical energy required for this feat. It's a great strain on you, but you try to block out the pain.
You can see the Telis gate wide open and it reminds you of the day when the Felkan capital fell to your forces. What a glorious victory that was.
"Advance! Kill everything! They can't stop us! Not the Xi and not the gnomes and their machines! We will be the last ones standing and remembered long after worms have eaten all their corpses! Long live the Empire! Long live the Emperor!" you shout.
While it's a simple speech meant to encourage the surrounding troops, your last line was probably a little strange since you're the Emperor and it sounds odd. Of course you realize this soon after you said it because you temporary forgot what the hell time period you were in.
"Shit, get focused... " you mumble.
Memory lapses aside, your army continues to battle its way into the city. Some of your people have already reached the entryway and that's when a large rumbling noise is heard from the city and then the ground begins to shake. The shaking soon becomes more violent tremors to the point that the ground starts to crack and that's not from Xi digging...
Many of your people have a hard time keeping their footing and during this time some of the mages lose their concentration. This is a fatal mistake, which soon results in entire companies being blown to bloody pieces by the airships continuing to dump bombs from above.
The airships aren't the only things that are flying now though.
The loud rumbling continues along with the earth shaking and you soon see what is going on. It's Telis. The city is rising off the ground. Whatever the hell the gnomes have been doing, this has to be part of it. They've created a flying city!
The gnomes have already displayed a significant amount of power with their airships. With this city they could very well be unstoppable.
Questions about how and when they did this will have to wait, what matters now is that you have to stop them. The city has only just started to rise and its taking a long enough time that you see several Xi and your own troops grabbing on to what they can before its completely out of reach.
You're either going to have to destroy it or capture it.
If you were younger you'd just unleash a firestorm or something similar without another thought, but that's a risky endeavor in your condition for several reasons.
Capturing it is probably going to be even harder, especially since you're going to have to board the damn thing. You MIGHT reach it in time if you make a full dash towards it now, but that would mean no longer supporting the mages to defend the rest of your army.
> capture the city
Probably a fool's task, but if you survive this you're going to have to still deal with the Xi. A flying fortress would give a significant advantage.
You stop using your own energy to support your mages and refocus on a creating a personal shield around yourself. You give the order for everyone to get out of your way or grab on to Telis if they can.
It isn't too bad, most of your mages hold their own, and continue to protect a majority of the army, but its yourself that you're concerned about as you attempt to reach Telis which is slowly becoming completely airborn. You ride your horse as hard to the point where it probably isn't going to survive after you intend to make a leap forward off of it.
You pass your soldiers, you pass the Xi fighting them, you pass over the torn up ground from the battle and bombs and you look up and see Telis escaping your reach.
"No, I've come too far!" you say and you stand on top of your horse, nearly falling off in the process while still attempt to upkeep your shield...
You make the jump towards the city and manage to grab ahold of one half of Telis' front gate doors which is currently hanging off its hinges. Your shield is down, your body hurts and you're practically deaf from all the explosions going on around you.
You hang on for dear life as the ground gets further away and attempt to climb up, but your strength is failing you and even if it wasn't the door is slowly loosing its weak attachment to the rest of the city.
"Shit! Shit! No! No! No! Not like this! Fuck! Hate this weakness!" you exclaim as you prepare to either lose your grip or for the door comes loose. And you doubt you'll be in any condition to "repair" yourself when you take this long fall.
Fortunately it doesn't come to that.
"Emperor! Take my hand!" a human soldier shouts and reaches over the side. You waste no time in accepting his help and soon a couple of other soldiers help him lift you up just in time for the door to fall to the ground.
After catching your breath and assuring the soldiers that helped you that you're fine, you get a better assessment of your surroundings.
"Okay first things first, what's your name so I know what to call you."
"Lieutenant Renly, my Emperor and this what's left of my platoon." Renly says and waves his arm to six other soldiers. "We're not the only ones here, I believe there's a couple of orc platoons further in the city. They're probably fighting the Xi that managed to get in or combating the gnome clockwork golems. Hell even the teams of gnomes with their rapid repeaters isn't something you want to deal with and that's not even counting the ones probably trying to spot us from the nearby airships."
"So wait, are there no humans or regular citizens in this place?" you ask.
"Not from what anyone can tell. It's like the whole place is empty other than the Xi, the gnomes and us. Unless the Telis citizens are all hiding somewhere."
"Or maybe the gnomes did something to them all. Well it doesn't matter we need to figure out where the hell the controls are for this thing. We get control and we can get rid of those airships with a lot more ease."
"Not sure where something like that would be located Emperor."
"That's easy, we keep moving towards the areas that have most of the little bastards and their damned contraptions. It's going to be the most heavily defended place because it's the most important thing in the world to them."
"Well then I believe we should take a left down that street over here. Saw a gnome patrol accompanied by two clockworks not long ago."
"Okay, but when possible we should probably stick to the back alleys. Don't need one of those airships floating by and spotting us. In fact our best chance is to do this as stealthily as possible. A rare tactic for us I know, but our main task is getting control of this thing."
You, Renly and the rest of his platoon make your way towards where you hope some sort of master control is located. Along the way, you see the remnants of where small skirmishes have already taken place. Bodies riddled with bullets or in some cases chopped up. They're mostly bodies of the Xi, but some of your soldiers as well. You don't see any gnome casualties other than pieces of their golems.
The sounds of battle can still be heard throughout the city, but it gets concerning when the sounds get less infrequent, since that means the gnomes are probably mopping up invaders to their city, which means less distraction for them.
Your attempts at sneaking around are fairly successful. As you stealthily avoid these patrols, you finally see the gnomes and you can't get over how radically they've changed. With their dark red caps, goggles and stylish leather uniforms, they couldn't look anymore different than their pathetic ancestors that you helped round up centuries ago to have their souls utterly obliterated.
Really though, after an event like that and who knows what else during the Cataclysm you suppose it shouldn't be surprising that the gnomes decided they wouldn't be victims and became hostile towards other races. Let alone rely on other societies to defend them any longer.
They shaped their own destiny and you can certainly respect and even admire that; after all you never hated them. That was the Emperor. You were just following orders at the time.
Eventually the gnome patrols are getting too thick and you can't really properly proceed without engaging the enemy. Just as well, you were getting sick of acting like a shadow.
"Alright, everyone get ready, because it's going to be killing time from here on in. I'll take the lead on this." You say.
"Emperor, shouldn't you stay behind us so we can better protect you?" Renly replies.
"While I appreciate the sentiment, I've been doing this a lot longer than you have, if anything you all should try to stay behind me and in cover until I clear out most of the rabble. Don't worry, I may be old, but I'm not out of this yet. And if you all survive this, you'll all be getting promotions and whatever else I think might be an appropriate reward, so it behooves you all to listen to me if you want to reap the benefits of this situation."
With this understanding, Renly and his platoon follow your lead. Still unseen, you take advantage of a group of gnomes tanding around with their clockwork creations.
You unleash a flurry of fireballs, which not only has the desired effect of killing some of the gnomes outright, but also causing an explosion due to their hand thrown bombs they carry on them The explosion takes care of the golems.
"That's one group down, but the rest aren't going to be as easy!" you say and advance with a shield up.
Not easy is correct because the little bastards start coming out in full force. You just try not to get surrounded. The unrelenting repeater weapons are bad enough, but the gnomes also come out with weapons that emulate some of your spells! A single gnome who managed to sneak up on two of Renly's men blasts them with some sort of weapon that emits flames. Renly shoots the gnome in the head before turning his attention to grab one of the repeaters from a nearby dead gnome.
"They're all coming out of that big red building, that's probably where we need to go! Come on!" you shout and take out another golem."
During the carnage you think back to how you used to mainly use your sword during battles. During this one, you haven't even used it yet. In fact you haven't done so for so long, you wonder if you'd even be able to use it effectively anymore. Granted in this situation like this you've practically got no choice but to rely on your magic, still though you miss the good old days.
The closer you get to the building, the waves of gnomes lessens, until you see one of them close the door just as the last few golems are shot to pieces. The sky above you grows darker and you notice an airship looming overhead. They don't throw bombs at you, but they certainly unleash a volley of gunfire, which manages to kill another one of Renley's platoon before he and the rest can get into cover.
As for you, your shield is working just fine, but you need to get into that building which is probably locked and barricaded. You aren't going to be able to blast it open with that airship firing at you.
> refocus the shield to repel the bullets back
Normally you don't do this, because repelling projectiles actually takes more focus than flinging fireballs or putting up a shield in the first place, but if you can take out all the guns firing on you with their own bullets then you'll get the breather you need.
You refocus the shield and sure enough the bullets are repelled back towards the guns that are firing on you. It isn't an exact hit, but enough of them hit their own guns (or in some cases the gunner) enough that it puts them out of commission, other bullets either go flying off wildly into the air or into other parts of the airship. In any case you hit something that causes problem since you see and hear minor explosions, which the gnomes are probably busily trying to contain. The airship shudders in the sky a bit, but it isn't falling out of sky, which it probably would have done if you'd lobbed hunks of fire at it.
Taking advantage of the respite, your soldiers take what explosives they've found on the bodies of the gnomes, pile them up against the building's door and you hurl a ball of fire at it. Naturally it not only explodes spectacularly, but it also succeeds in destroying a couple of golems that were waiting to ambush you. You and the other run inside, before the airship above you manages to get its guns working again.
When you get inside you see that the building consists of a lot of desks and generally laid out like a bureaucratic office. You briefly think that maybe this was all for nothing and your hunch was wrong, but sure enough when an automated repeated pops up out of the floor and puts several holes into one of Renly's platoon and more golems appear from other trapdoors in the floor you're fairly certain you're still on the right track.
You and Renly's ever dwindling platoon take care of your assailants though at this point they're probably hoping there aren't too many more.
"Glad this building doesn't have multiple floors." One soldier remarks.
"It still might, those golems came out of the floor. There might be several basement levels." Renly points out.
"It can't go too far down, the city is flying in the air now. It's not going to be a Derro complex." You say peering door one of the trapdoors.
"Derro?" Renly asks.
"Oh. Before your time I suppose. They were a subterranean race that were primarily hostile isolationists and had a knack for technology. Sort of like the current gnomes I suppose. I always wondered if they were related in some way to be honest." You answer.
"And they were enemies?"
"Allies actually. Well... such as they were. Anyway I imagine whatever is causing this city to fly would be located right under it, so we might as well start searching there especially since the rest of this building looks more like an oversized office rather than any example of engineering.
You all descend down one of the trap doors and find yourself in some small narrow corridors. Not so small that you can't move around, but certainly small enough that you all have to crouch down. Even at the best of times your body aches, this bending and stooping routine just makes it worse for you. The corridors are also filled with a light steam with gears, pumps and other manner of machinery that you assume are keeping this city afloat. A noisy hum and the occasional jarring metal on metal screeches also surround you and you briefly wonder just how much solid stone floor is between you and the sky right now.
"Guess the gnomes designed this part of the city." Renly says.
"Never thought I'd say this, but I wish we were kobolds right about now." Another soldier remarks.
"Alright let's focus. The good thing about this corridor is I can easily shield us from any attack from the front or the back but you're all going to have to fire upon on any enemy that attacks us. If I start throwing magic bolts or whatever around here I'm libel to damage something severely and send this thing crashing to the ground with us in it.
You travel the corridors for what you believe to be an hour at least. It twists and turns, but you remain convinced that SOMEWHERE down here is a control room. In the meantime more gnomes attempt to stop you and while they have better maneuverability your shield continues to protect everyone and you fend off attacks.
"At least they're just sticking with guns now." One of the soldiers says.
"They don't really have choice, explosives or those flame weapons would damage all these gears that are involved in holding up the place." Renly remarks.
While your followers make minor comments about the situation, you begin to notice a slight change in surroundings. The mist that fills the corridors is dissipating, the floors have become steel and now there are actual walls coving the previously exposed engineering. It suddenly occurs to you that the gnomes hadn't actually finished this place up yet and you are now seeing the areas that took priority.
"We're near the control room." You say.
"We are?" Renly says.
"I'm sure of it."
"Wouldn't there be more defenses?"
"I said I think we're near it, we're not actually there yet. For all we know the actual control room has shit we've never seen before." You answer.
"Oh it does, Eternal. It does. Come on in and see." You hear a voice say nearby. You and the others look around and at each other.
"Just continue a little bit forward and turn the corner. Don't worry, you've killed all of my people, but then you always were an expert at such things weren't you?" the voice says.
When you follow the voice you enter a room filled with a bunch of technical equipment and machines. You no idea what any of it does, but its certainly a technological feat that you've only seen matched by Marik when he was growing tank babies.
Also in the room a single gnome sitting in a chair dressed in the traditional leather uniform you've seen others of his kind wearing. He also sports the same bushy facial hair and red cap they all seem to favor. The only main thing that causes him to stand out is that he's obviously older than the ones you've been fighting and he's wearing explosives around his waist with a wire attached to another device he's gripping tightly in his hand.
The other thing that stands out is that he is completely unconcerned about you or your soldiers pointing their weapons at him.
"You know, this really was one of our greatest works. (Sigh) It's going to be a shame to destroy it, but anything is better than letting it fall into your hands. Can't let a gnome killer like you have it can we?" the gnome remarks.
"You speak as if you know me and I don't mean by my present reputation. You speak as if you know me from the past." You say.
"Oh not personally, but my family's ancestors told me stories about you. Yeah, great ancestor Klemto made sure the story got passed down so that something like Gnome's Home could never happen again. One of the few gnomes you didn't manage to round up and have systematically slaughtered."
"Well I see your mind is made up, no point in debating the issue." You answer.
"Oh no, please I'd LOVE to hear your defense on the matter. I could use a good laugh before I blow us all up."
At this point having one of your soldiers shoot him would be counter productive, he'd just release the switch when he died. Rushing the gnome would likely have the same result
Your only option is to cast a freeze spell and encase his hand in a solid block of ice. The problem with that right now is you're exhausted. You'd have to stall for a little time so you could muster up the energy to do it right now.
So you stall for time and engage the gnome in conversation.
"I was just following orders." You say.
"Really now? That's your defense?" the gnome asks.
"It's not a defense because I don't think I have anything to defend against. The Emperor... Casimir hated your kind. Not I. Why he hated your people so intensely I cannot say because I never fully understood the depths of it. He gave reasons, but as I said I believe there was more to it. It doesn't matter though, since I merely acted on his orders."
"So you were just a blindly loyal soldier just doing your duty eh?"
"At the time yes. Look, if you want me to beg for my life, you'll not get it here. I didn't begin my life as an Eternal begging so I'm certainly not going to end my life begging."
"I see... I suppose I should've known your arrogance and lack of emotions would prevent you from such actions... " the gnome remarks, but you cut him off.
"Funny you should say that. Since I would think someone with the same arrogance and lack of emotions would understand." You say.
"What?!"
"THIS! This flying fortress! And all your airships! You really expect me to believe you designed them for peaceful purposes?"
"We had to protect ourselves!"
"Against the Xi, yes I can see that, but you've been bombing us as well and we didn't even declare war on you!"
"Bah! You would have eventually! And your pathetic attempt at comparing us bombing your soldiers and you rounding up gnome civilians for slaughter is laughable."
"I wasn't actually, I'd say that would be closer to what you did to the original citizens of this city. So what did you do with Telis' original citizens?"
The gnome begins to get annoyed.
"Nothing. This city was always ours!"
"Bullshit. Maybe this place was wrapped in mystery, but not to such a degree that it wasn't known that humans lived here. Or at least they USED to live here. Just looking at the buildings and one can tell that this place was originally designed for humans rather than the smaller architecture that make up these corridors. So how did you go about it? I'm actually curious how you managed to wipe out an entire city without anyone getting a hint of what was going on. I know from your reputation that you don't associate with other races any longer so I can only assume that you had the citizens of this city done away with long before you actually moved in and started making this place into a flying city. Perhaps maybe like something similar that was done to the gnomes?"
The gnome now actually gets off his chair and both of his hands are balled up in anger, which is good since you want him to grip that kill switch as tight as possible.
"It was a completely different situation!" the gnome exclaims.
"Was it? Your ancestor said we rounded gnomes up to be slaughtered, what he probably didn't know since he avoided capture is HOW we did it. We didn't just kill them. We completely obliterated their souls. It's what the Emperor wanted. Then again, you lot probably didn't go that far... no magical skill to speak of, I guess that's why you like your mechanical toys so much... "
"You're going to pay for your crimes you evil bastard. When I release this switch my only regret is going to be that you won't suffer!"
"No doubt. But it's a shame that the real culprit won't taste your justice after you blow us all up."
"What're you talking about?"
"I'm talking about the main executioner. Maybe I rounded some up and killed a few and the Emperor gave the orders, but there was one in particular who was enjoying the job around the clock. She's still alive too you know, or maybe you didn't. She isn't very mobile or social these days. All I'll say is she's a svelk and she's the mother of that bitch that currently runs Lenay, well assuming Lenay hasn't been overrun by the Xi... "
"ENOUGH! This ends now!" the gnome yells getting ready to release the switch.
"Truer words have never been spoken." You say and cast a blast of frost at the gnome's left hand and fortunately you encase his whole arm in ice before he can release his hand from the switch. You collapse on the floor just from that small feat of magic. You really need to rest.
The gnome desperately tries to break the ice, but the remaining two soldiers from the platoon restrain and knock him out.
"Take this little shit topside and throw him off the city. Renly and I will try to figure out the controls to this thing. And do it quickly, that arm won't stay frozen and there still might be some gnomes running around." You say and drag yourself to sit up against a nearby wall.
"Emperor are you okay?!" Renly asks.
"I'm fine. Just very very tired. And unfortunately my work isn't even done yet... " you answer.
"But just maybe this thing will make it easier at least."
> Continue
Year 560
"Emperor, the Xi have made their first incursions into Quala." David remarks.
"(Sigh) It was only a matter of time I suppose. The damn bugs just can't seem to be wiped out. Even with this floating fortress and the new airships we created. Have we lost Arat completely?"
"No, but the only city left is Regnik and its slowly in danger of becoming overrun. It probably won't last another week despite the carpet-bombing we've done around the area. Quala is having problems as well and last reports stated that Warlord Sprog fell in battle."
You sometimes wonder if the Xi are some sort force of nature taking everything back from the others races that have caused so much turmoil and strife. Like the other races had their day in the sun at some point and now it is the time of the Xi to rise to power. Of course you've never been one for giving into fate or "destiny", so your main concern is how to deal with this seemingly unstoppable foe.
Fortunately after you took Telis (Now called Apex) from the gnomes, you found some rather interesting notes on how it might be possible and your brightest and best have been attempting to decipher them.
Technology wasn't the only thing the gnomes were working on; they were also working on a bunch of stuff to do with biology. Apparently they had plans to design and release some sort of germ that would kill all the Xi.
Sounds like a blessing, but the problem is you have no idea how long that's going to take. You have your inventors and doctors and wise people, but honestly they're only going by a few found pieces of scraps and half thought out plans from a race of people now no longer around. Nobody has even had this sort of idea before; using unseen organism as weapons. But then nobody had the idea to create weapons that could destroy entire buildings or allow one unskilled peasant to murder an entire squad of swordsmen at one time either.
In the meantime, you're still left with the same problem. You have to fend off the Xi from destroying the Empire. You're doing your best, but you have to admit, the outlook is grim. Just as you're about to give David your list of commands for the day and retire to your private abode, David tells you that you have an audience today.
"Audience? With who? I'm the only ruler left in the land and I doubt very seriously the Xi are wanting to speak with me about peace negotiations." You say.
"No, it's a regular citizen Emperor and know normally you don't hold such audiences, but I thought in her case you might. It's Jennifer." David replies.
"Really? Well what does she want?"
"She didn't say, other than wanting to see you. Should I tell her to reschedule?"
"No, I suppose I can spare the time to see what she wants and I could use a diversion from this Xi situation anyway."
David nods and fetches Jennifer from the next room. You haven't seen her in a while, but she still looks about the same, just a few extra gray hairs. You have to admit you're mildly glad to see her after dealing with the Xi day in day out. After a few pleasant greetings you both go back to your private chambers to speak.
"So... it's been a long time." You say.
"It's been about ten years since we were in the same room together." Jennifer answers.
"Has it? Time really flies. As you probably know I've been a little busy. Apologies for not keeping in better contact."
"No, it's fine. Seriously, you're the Emperor and keeping us all safe from hostile forces is a full time job. I always knew better than to expect that you'd be able to stay on constant contact."
"Glad you understand. So where's your family?"
"They are on the surface, my son really wanted to see the flying city, but his father... well let's just say he wasn't fond of the idea." Jennifer says with a bit of hesitancy. It's apparent that not everything is well with her marriage, but you don't want to pry.
"I see... well tell your son that the Emperor has said he can see it any time its convenient. It isn't like the place is off limits, just difficult to get to I suppose."
"Indeed. Tickets for an airship here are expensive and not many have that sort of money to throw around anymore. Anyway about why I'm here, I've been working on another book."
"Another one? So what is this one about?"
"About you actually. I need your input with it obviously considering you're the main subject."
"A book about me huh? Any reason why you wanted to write such a book?"
"Why wouldn't I? You're only one of the most important people in history. I mean there needs to be records of this for when... I mean so people don't forget your deeds. I mean sometimes I have to argue with idiots at the museum who don't know how good you've made things for them! At one time people used to view the Old Empire exhibit with wonder and questions. Now it seems all some of them want to do is criticize it and claim it's nothing more than a pile of falsehoods and lies! Some of these dissidents have even been claiming this flying city is just an example of how you believe you're so much better than they are!"
"Hmm, haven't heard about too much dissident activity for quiet some time, but then the Eyes are stretched pretty thin these days."
"Well some of these morons that enter the museum need to be rounded up! You're not better than them because of a flying city; you're better than them for a whole bunch of other reasons! Being a strong leader and making the tough decisions that in the long run are best for all of us! I intend for my book to reinforce the needed understanding of why the things you do are completely necessary. I've already managed to interview some people that have seen your greatness in action like Captain Renly and Admiral Len. Their testimony and others will make great additions, but the words from your own lips will be what's most important!"
You've seen Jennifer get excited and fired up about things in the past, but you sort of figured such excitement would never be reserved for anything related to you ever again. You had thought that Jennifer had long since outgrown her "worship" of you when she got married and had a family, but either it never left and had been dormant or something has changed to cause it to revive such feelings again.
And if you had to guess you imagine it might have something to do with her marriage.
"Jennifer, while I've always appreciated your support, I doubt if any book is going to change a lot of minds. You even said not many people have disposable income these days to buy luxury items. You can't let every loudmouth with an opinion get you so upset. I mean I'm glad you told me, and I'll even get Crowley to have some Eyes look into matter and see if it's a potential larger problem, but I think you're really upset about something else."
"Of course I am! I'm upset because I made the wrong choice! I followed some silly notion of wanting a normal life! I'm married to a man who has successfully sickened me with his criticism of the government and you to the point where I cannot even stand his touch anymore! I should've tried harder to serve you! I should've stayed with you! By your side! That's where I belonged! I was a Mol and a Mol has always served their ruler loyally in whatever capacity they can!" Jennifer exclaims
You have no words. Even if you the whole story you probably still wouldn't have the words. How can you condemn someone who obviously thinks so highly of you?
If you had more of an ego you'd just take advantage of the situation and let Jennifer write her book and fill it with propaganda and have the book be distributed for free, but you can't help being a little grounded in reality even if it means shooting yourself in the foot.
While you don't scold Jennifer for her slightly misguided loyalty, you do feel she has the right to know the whole truth so you start by telling the thing you never told anyone before.
"You know, Jacob Mol was loyal to the Empire, but not to the Emperor. Well at least not towards the end." You say.
"What?" Jennifer asks.
"He personally killed the Emperor Casimir. Shot him in the back actually."
Jennifer is speechless.
"Oh don't judge your ancestor too harshly, he was only helping me at the time since I was doing a miserable job of attempting to kill the Emperor. Me and the true late svelk ruler of Lenay, Semra. It was a group effort I suppose and to be fair, Casimir was planning to have me killed despite my lifetime of loyalty."
Jennifer continues to remain speechless.
"When we killed the Emperor, he unleashed a magic curse when he died which fucked up the rest of the land in various ways, regular folks know that event best as the Cataclysm."
Jennifer is finally about to speak, but you put up your hand to let her know one more thing.
"The kicker of all this? A few years before Semra died she even told me the Xi were living undisturbed deep underground and it was only because of all the violent earthquakes that they turned their attention to the surface. ALL of what's going on right now is my fault. Hell, even the fact that the gnomes were also planning to bomb us into oblivion is my fault. I can tell you more about that gruesomeness though and you could even get Renly to confirm it since he was there when one of those red capped bastards confronted me about it. I'm an usurper. A tyrant. A killer. And worse. And you know what? I'm perfectly fine with that."
You move closer to Jennifer.
"Now then... how do you THINK the citizens would REALLY feel about their strong leader if they knew the truth from my own lips?"
Jennifer moves her own face closer to yours.
"It doesn't matter, because I'm writing the damn thing how I want to." Jennifer remarks.
"So true history doesn't matter to you despite being dedicated to it?"
"History is written by those in power and the winners. Perhaps some of what you told me was a surprise, but do you think I didn't have my suspicions that you probably had something to do with the death of the old Emperor? Your continued vagueness of the topic even years later was a give away. I'm not stupid. I know what you think of me. You probably believe me to be a mindless fanatic at worst or a misguided loyalist at best, but you couldn't be more wrong. I am a true patriot. My family always has been. You even said it yourself my ancestor Jacob was loyal to the Empire, but he obviously saw its ruler as lacking to its greatness. He saw that greatness in YOU, otherwise he wouldn't have helped you overthrow the Republic or even warn Quintus that you were going to kill him."
Jennifer grabs your hand.
"I still see that greatness in you. I always have. If I didn't, I wouldn't be here. Let me be by your side again. Like I should've been. Don't send me back down to the surface. Let me stay and help."
Jennifer looks at you hopefully and preying upon that small part of you that actually does have feelings. It's just too bad; you don't feel the same strong feelings as she does for you.
> let Jennifer stay
Again you think: How can you really punish such dedication? Casimir tried to kill you for similar loyalty and while you wouldn't kill Jennifer, sending her away would most certainly be the same thing to her.
While you are lucky to have someone so dedicated and even though she explained herself somewhat, you don't really understand why. Then again, you never fully understood Semra's obsession for you either. Some motives only make sense to the mind that creates them.
"Very well. I will find a place for you, but what of your son? Surely you want your son don't you?" you ask.
"Yes! Yes of course I do. It's just if I left him he probably wouldn't care at this point, but he'd make things difficult and probably try to stop me if I tried to take our son Marcus with me. Then there's Marcus to think about, I can't reasonably whisk him away from his father. He still loves him. So um, can you arrange for something to happen to my husband?
"Wait... you want me to kill him?" You ask.
"Well... I mean... (Sigh) I dunno... "
"You better make up your mind Jennifer, because once its done, its permanent you know."
"I know! I know! Alright... " Jennifer says and starts mumbling to herself and staring upward as if she's weighing all the pros and cons. After a few seconds, she gives you her answer.
"Okay, do it. Kill him."
"Very well. He must've really pissed you off."
"It's for the best in the long run. He poisons my son's mind with anti-Empire ideology at times. He's practically a dissident, he might as well die." Jennifer says with absolute certainty.
Though you can tell in her eyes that while she's successfully convinced herself of that, there's still some tiny part of her that is sad her marriage has come to this.
Strangely, you feel a little odd doing this too. You can't even begin to count how many deaths you've inflicted or ordered and yet this one feels weird to you. You've never even met the guy, but you're essentially you're going to be murdering him and "taking" his wife and son. On the scale of things its a far cry from orchestrated genocide of an entire race, and granted you aren't struggling with it like before you decided to kill Casimir, but its just something that makes you feel a little off.
You have an Eye take care of the situation and to make it look like an accident for the boy's sake. It naturally all goes off fairly quickly and successfully. It's barely even noticed, after all what's one "accidental" death of an average citizen compared to the thousands dying on the front lines with the Xi every day?
After a funeral (again, to keep up appearances for the boy) and a trip back to the surface, Jennifer returns to Apex with Marcus who is taking his father's death pretty well, though you imagine Jennifer has probably been trying to mold the boy to her liking.
As for your other promise to Jennifer, you aren't really sure how to proceed, mainly because you don't really have much for her to do. You already have your official advisors and generals and the like. To be honest Jennifer was probably serving you well enough as a propaganda outlet with her museum constantly promoting Empire values, history and such.
So you leave her to continue such work. She still owns the museum of course, but has someone else run it now. In the meantime she works on the thing that originally brought her back to you in the first place, her new book.
Of course this involves several sessions of her asking you some questions and going over the book's content. And sure enough, you and Jennifer do experience a bit of rekindled closeness during such time.
It's not the same as it was, and you'll never feel as strongly for her as you did for Alison, but you've learned to enjoy the moments again if only because the Xi problem dominates the most of your thoughts and blocking out the constant pain your body is in makes up the rest.
In a couple weeks you receive word from one of your scientists that in order to work on the disease to kill the Xi, experiments are going to have to be done on captured Xi. Naturally you agree that a few forces can be set-aside for capture missions and think nothing more of it.
When you briefly mention this to Jennifer she has another perspective on the situation.
"Experiments on the Xi huh? Sure that's a good idea?" Jennifer asks.
"Well I'd rather that our armies just focused on killing them, but if capturing a few of them is going to lead to something that will eventually kill all of them, then I'm all for it. Don't worry, every precaution is going to be in place for our scientists."
"That's not what I mean. I mean are you sure they should just be experimenting on the Xi?"
"Who else would they be experimenting on?"
"Well, our own people for one. How do we know this germ or whatever is going to just affect the Xi? I've had an opportunity to read copies of some of those notes that the gnomes left while I've been up here in Apex and maybe your other people missed something, but I got the impression that the gnomes were planning to design something that wasn't going to just wipe out the Xi."
It's odd, but that had completely slipped your mind. You figured the gnomes were just going to bomb you out of existence or something similar. Makes sense that if they planned biological warfare on a grand scale for the Xi, they'd do it to the Empire as well.
"That's good thinking... so you believe we should what? Round up some folks for experimentation?" you ask.
"Well it couldn't hurt. I mean we don't want to release something that's going to kill us all." Jennifer replies.
"Okay, well I'll let them know immediately to start emptying out the prisons for this project. Pretty sure there's more than enough for a good diverse mix of our population."
"You think?"
"Well mostly humans, but thanks to their violent personalities, there's more than enough kobold and orc criminals in the prison system."
"What about elves?"
"Dunno. They don't tend to last long in prison from what I've heard. I guess we'll take our chances if we don't have a lot. I'm sure it'll be fine."
You thank Jennifer who is very happy that you're pleased with her and begins discussing some parts of her book again.
Year 564
You look over your balcony and stare at the grand view of the surface below. The Xi have been starting to establish great hills of earth where a central hive is located. This is a good thing since it makes targeting key locations a lot easier.
Small porcelain bombs of infection meant for the Xi are going to be dropped from Airships anywhere the Xi are greatly located. There are even kobold commandos that will be doing their best to deliver the disease more directly. (Turned out the little scalies were the most resistant to the disease in the first place)
It all rides on this plan and you certainly hope it will work.
Jennifer comes to see you and holds your hand. As gentle as she is you still feels a sharp ache going up your arm causing slight recoil of it.
"Damn it. I used to be so young and strong once. Now I'm just this... old bag of broken bones." You remark.
"You're the Emperor." Jennifer says.
"Well for now anyway. Won't be long before that won't be the case. Just hope this plan works so I'll be remembered if only for a little while longer."
"Of course it will work."
You flash a smile at Jennifer who smiles back. In silence, the pair of you watches an airship in the distance drop its plague bombs onto a Xi hill before returning back inside.
Weeks pass and you continue to receive steady reports of large numbers of dead Xi bodies being found and Xi attacks dropping off completely in places. The plague has worked.
Better yet, you're not getting reports of mass sickness from your own people. Well there have been reports of your elven citizens suddenly getting sick, but you can't save everyone.
It's still a long road ahead to rebuild the massive damage the Xi did, but this is a positive step in the right direction. Jennifer's book "Eternal Leader", which had been released shortly before the bug bombing suddenly sees an increase in popularity and sales.
Celebrating good fortune all around, you officially make Jennifer your consort making her very happy. Which technically makes her son your heir. You don't have much time to teach him the ins and outs of rulership. In fact in your condition you can't even teach him the art of combat or magic, but Jennifer had him enrolled in a military school shortly after she made her home in Apex (You've barely even seen the boy), so you're guessing he'll be okay in that department. After all, it isn't like the old days now. Combat is becoming an increasingly non-personal affair. How you've defeated the Xi is proof of that.
Plus Jennifer will probably do her best to guide him. She's already proven adept in the advisory role.
You don't know how long you have left in this world, but you think you'll be taking it easy for a while.
And why the hell not? You're the Emperor. |
Year 560
"Emperor, the Xi have made their first incursions into Quala." David remarks.
"(Sigh) It was only a matter of time I suppose. The damn bugs just can't seem to be wiped out. Even with this floating fortress and the new airships we created. Have we lost Arat completely?"
"No, but the only city left is Regnik and its slowly in danger of becoming overrun. It probably won't last another week despite the carpet-bombing we've done around the area. Quala is having problems as well and last reports stated that Warlord Sprog fell in battle."
You sometimes wonder if the Xi are some sort force of nature taking everything back from the others races that have caused so much turmoil and strife. Like the other races had their day in the sun at some point and now it is the time of the Xi to rise to power. Of course you've never been one for giving into fate or "destiny", so your main concern is how to deal with this seemingly unstoppable foe.
Fortunately after you took Telis (Now called Apex) from the gnomes, you found some rather interesting notes on how it might be possible and your brightest and best have been attempting to decipher them.
Technology wasn't the only thing the gnomes were working on; they were also working on a bunch of stuff to do with biology. Apparently they had plans to design and release some sort of germ that would kill all the Xi.
Sounds like a blessing, but the problem is you have no idea how long that's going to take. You have your inventors and doctors and wise people, but honestly they're only going by a few found pieces of scraps and half thought out plans from a race of people now no longer around. Nobody has even had this sort of idea before; using unseen organism as weapons. But then nobody had the idea to create weapons that could destroy entire buildings or allow one unskilled peasant to murder an entire squad of swordsmen at one time either.
In the meantime, you're still left with the same problem. You have to fend off the Xi from destroying the Empire. You're doing your best, but you have to admit, the outlook is grim. Just as you're about to give David your list of commands for the day and retire to your private abode, David tells you that you have an audience today.
"Audience? With who? I'm the only ruler left in the land and I doubt very seriously the Xi are wanting to speak with me about peace negotiations." You say.
"No, it's a regular citizen Emperor and know normally you don't hold such audiences, but I thought in her case you might. It's Jennifer." David replies.
"Really? Well what does she want?"
"She didn't say, other than wanting to see you. Should I tell her to reschedule?"
"No, I suppose I can spare the time to see what she wants and I could use a diversion from this Xi situation anyway."
David nods and fetches Jennifer from the next room. You haven't seen her in a while, but she still looks about the same, just a few extra gray hairs. You have to admit you're mildly glad to see her after dealing with the Xi day in day out. After a few pleasant greetings you both go back to your private chambers to speak.
"So... it's been a long time." You say.
"It's been about ten years since we were in the same room together." Jennifer answers.
"Has it? Time really flies. As you probably know I've been a little busy. Apologies for not keeping in better contact."
"No, it's fine. Seriously, you're the Emperor and keeping us all safe from hostile forces is a full time job. I always knew better than to expect that you'd be able to stay on constant contact."
"Glad you understand. So where's your family?"
"They are on the surface, my son really wanted to see the flying city, but his father... well let's just say he wasn't fond of the idea." Jennifer says with a bit of hesitancy. It's apparent that not everything is well with her marriage, but you don't want to pry.
"I see... well tell your son that the Emperor has said he can see it any time its convenient. It isn't like the place is off limits, just difficult to get to I suppose."
"Indeed. Tickets for an airship here are expensive and not many have that sort of money to throw around anymore. Anyway about why I'm here, I've been working on another book."
"Another one? So what is this one about?"
"About you actually. I need your input with it obviously considering you're the main subject."
"A book about me huh? Any reason why you wanted to write such a book?"
"Why wouldn't I? You're only one of the most important people in history. I mean there needs to be records of this for when... I mean so people don't forget your deeds. I mean sometimes I have to argue with idiots at the museum who don't know how good you've made things for them! At one time people used to view the Old Empire exhibit with wonder and questions. Now it seems all some of them want to do is criticize it and claim it's nothing more than a pile of falsehoods and lies! Some of these dissidents have even been claiming this flying city is just an example of how you believe you're so much better than they are!"
"Hmm, haven't heard about too much dissident activity for quiet some time, but then the Eyes are stretched pretty thin these days."
"Well some of these morons that enter the museum need to be rounded up! You're not better than them because of a flying city; you're better than them for a whole bunch of other reasons! Being a strong leader and making the tough decisions that in the long run are best for all of us! I intend for my book to reinforce the needed understanding of why the things you do are completely necessary. I've already managed to interview some people that have seen your greatness in action like Captain Renly and Admiral Len. Their testimony and others will make great additions, but the words from your own lips will be what's most important!"
You've seen Jennifer get excited and fired up about things in the past, but you sort of figured such excitement would never be reserved for anything related to you ever again. You had thought that Jennifer had long since outgrown her "worship" of you when she got married and had a family, but either it never left and had been dormant or something has changed to cause it to revive such feelings again.
And if you had to guess you imagine it might have something to do with her marriage.
"Jennifer, while I've always appreciated your support, I doubt if any book is going to change a lot of minds. You even said not many people have disposable income these days to buy luxury items. You can't let every loudmouth with an opinion get you so upset. I mean I'm glad you told me, and I'll even get Crowley to have some Eyes look into matter and see if it's a potential larger problem, but I think you're really upset about something else."
"Of course I am! I'm upset because I made the wrong choice! I followed some silly notion of wanting a normal life! I'm married to a man who has successfully sickened me with his criticism of the government and you to the point where I cannot even stand his touch anymore! I should've tried harder to serve you! I should've stayed with you! By your side! That's where I belonged! I was a Mol and a Mol has always served their ruler loyally in whatever capacity they can!" Jennifer exclaims
You have no words. Even if you the whole story you probably still wouldn't have the words. How can you condemn someone who obviously thinks so highly of you?
If you had more of an ego you'd just take advantage of the situation and let Jennifer write her book and fill it with propaganda and have the book be distributed for free, but you can't help being a little grounded in reality even if it means shooting yourself in the foot.
While you don't scold Jennifer for her slightly misguided loyalty, you do feel she has the right to know the whole truth so you start by telling the thing you never told anyone before.
"You know, Jacob Mol was loyal to the Empire, but not to the Emperor. Well at least not towards the end." You say.
"What?" Jennifer asks.
"He personally killed the Emperor Casimir. Shot him in the back actually."
Jennifer is speechless.
"Oh don't judge your ancestor too harshly, he was only helping me at the time since I was doing a miserable job of attempting to kill the Emperor. Me and the true late svelk ruler of Lenay, Semra. It was a group effort I suppose and to be fair, Casimir was planning to have me killed despite my lifetime of loyalty."
Jennifer continues to remain speechless.
"When we killed the Emperor, he unleashed a magic curse when he died which fucked up the rest of the land in various ways, regular folks know that event best as the Cataclysm."
Jennifer is finally about to speak, but you put up your hand to let her know one more thing.
"The kicker of all this? A few years before Semra died she even told me the Xi were living undisturbed deep underground and it was only because of all the violent earthquakes that they turned their attention to the surface. ALL of what's going on right now is my fault. Hell, even the fact that the gnomes were also planning to bomb us into oblivion is my fault. I can tell you more about that gruesomeness though and you could even get Renly to confirm it since he was there when one of those red capped bastards confronted me about it. I'm an usurper. A tyrant. A killer. And worse. And you know what? I'm perfectly fine with that."
You move closer to Jennifer.
"Now then... how do you THINK the citizens would REALLY feel about their strong leader if they knew the truth from my own lips?"
Jennifer moves her own face closer to yours.
"It doesn't matter, because I'm writing the damn thing how I want to." Jennifer remarks.
"So true history doesn't matter to you despite being dedicated to it?"
"History is written by those in power and the winners. Perhaps some of what you told me was a surprise, but do you think I didn't have my suspicions that you probably had something to do with the death of the old Emperor? Your continued vagueness of the topic even years later was a give away. I'm not stupid. I know what you think of me. You probably believe me to be a mindless fanatic at worst or a misguided loyalist at best, but you couldn't be more wrong. I am a true patriot. My family always has been. You even said it yourself my ancestor Jacob was loyal to the Empire, but he obviously saw its ruler as lacking to its greatness. He saw that greatness in YOU, otherwise he wouldn't have helped you overthrow the Republic or even warn Quintus that you were going to kill him."
Jennifer grabs your hand.
"I still see that greatness in you. I always have. If I didn't, I wouldn't be here. Let me be by your side again. Like I should've been. Don't send me back down to the surface. Let me stay and help."
Jennifer looks at you hopefully and preying upon that small part of you that actually does have feelings. It's just too bad; you don't feel the same strong feelings as she does for you.
> turn her away
While you might have some sympathy for Jennifer, honestly you don't see any benefit of her being by your side. Are you supposed to just kill her husband and marry her or something? If Jennifer is having marital problems or going through a mid life crisis of some sort she's going to have to work it out herself because you really haven't the time or the patience for any of this sort of drama, you've got so much more on your mind right now. You don't have a place for her in your cabinet and you don't feel the same way that she feels about you and you're not going to pretend otherwise.
"Jennifer, I appreciate your loyalty and your honesty. You will always be someone I have a certain fondness for, but you're already serving the Empire and me well enough with your museum. I have no place for you here. Go home. Go back to your family and work it out with your husband or divorce him, whatever you wish."
Jennifer is shocked by your response. She probably was so sure that you wouldn't turn her away due to your history together.
"You... you're turning me away?" Jennifer asks.
"I'm turning your proposal away. Look, we had our time together, but that time has passed and there is no point in going back to that. Nowadays, my mind is preoccupied with the Xi, my body is in constant pain, and to be honest I'm probably not going to live too much longer. You still have a long life ahead of you, enjoy it while you can. Don't squander it with some delusional concept of loyalty and duty. I know you're probably surprised to hear someone like me say that, but I'm speaking from personal experience. I spent a good chunk of my life serving a man and a system that ultimately cared nothing for me. Then I was locked in a fucking magical coffin for five centuries. Now towards the end of my life, I've got all the freedom and choice in the world as Emperor, yet I can't really enjoy any of it because I'm an ancient pile of broken bones. Can't even hold a sword for very long anymore, let alone practice with one."
"I could... " Jennifer starts to say, but you interrupt.
"No. You CAN'T help. Not with this. What I want isn't obtainable. I want my youth back. I want MY Empire back. I want my Alison back. You can't provide any of these. Everything I know is dead and has been for quite some time and the only thing keeping me going is my stubborn innate will to survive and to win. I can't let the Xi beat me, so I will see this through for as long as I can. But you can't help me with that either. So as I have said, go back Jennifer. Live your own life. You did it before I came into your life and you were doing it after we parted ways years ago. You can easily do it again. I know you're strong enough to do so."
Jennifer's eyes are watered up with tears, she's trying very hard not to cry, but she's failing. You touch her shoulder.
"Even Jacob knew when to stop serving his ruler." You say.
Jennifer wipes away her tears and sniffles a bit. It takes her a moment to compose herself, but eventually she does and gives you a serious look. You expect her to either start cussing you out or telling you that she understands. She surprises you again.
"I will go my Emperor. (sniffle) If you say I have no place here, then I shall redouble my efforts to prove myself." Jennifer says.
"Jennifer, that's not what I meant... "
"No, I understand. My place is at the museum and educating the ignorant masses and making them see the light of your greatness. I will continue to work on my book and I will distribute it throughout the Empire so that everyone will know of your hardships and the sacrifices you made and continue to make to keep us all safe."
You don't really have a response. You can see she isn't going to be swayed despite your best efforts to get through to her.
"Thank you, my Emperor. I see what must be done now." Jennifer says, grabs your hand one last time and kisses it before leaving.
And you are alone again.
For a while you ponder what Jennifer will do or what she has planned. You wonder if maybe you should've just indulged the girl and allowed her to stay. Would it really have been an inconvenience? Maybe, maybe not, in any case it's done and after a short rest you return to the business of combating the Xi.
A few weeks later you receive word from one of your scientists that in order to work on the disease to kill the Xi, experiments are going to have to be done on captured Xi. Naturally you agree that a few forces can be set-aside for capture missions and think nothing more of it.
Life continues much as it always has for you.
Year 563
You look over your balcony and stare at the grand view of the surface below. Complete and utter desolation of what remains of your Empire.
You had the plague released to kill the Xi a year ago and its affects are still being felt. Small porcelain bombs of infection meant for the Xi dropped from airships ended up doing their job well enough, but unfortunately your scientists failed to take extra precautions.
The plague mutated or evolved, or whatever it did, it spread and infected your people as well. It wasn't noticeable at first, but eventually hundreds followed by thousands of Empire citizens were sick and eventually dying. Rask, Quala, Nalin, nowhere was safe even a small case hit Apex. Your closest advisor David died of it just recently. Oddly you haven't got sick despite suffering from your increasing frailties of old age. Not even a symptom. Perhaps you have your Eternal roots to thank for such immunities.
Elves were hit the hardest by the disease whenever they caught it. There almost aren't even many left now. Even as resilient as orcs normally are, they've been suffering from the plague as well. The only ones who seem to be doing okay are the kobolds of all beings. If the plague continues to be as effective as it has been, that's all your Empire will consist of.
If the plague wasn't enough, a lot of those that haven't fallen ill have decided to blame you personally for all this. You've got mass riots all across the Empire, despite the Eyes valiantly attempting to maintain control of the situation. You're just glad Sightmaster Crowley didn't succumb to the plague (yet).
And to top it all a small group of your citizens have taken it upon themselves to enact their own brand of vigilante justice on dissidents. This group is lead by Jennifer of all people. She finished her book called "Eternal Defender" and distributed it for free throughout the Empire, well as much as it could be under the circumstances. It doesn't really matter though since the group actively goes around like religious missionaries preaching about your "virtues" and even that the plague is evidence of how the unworthy are being culled from the true believers. From what you've heard, the museum she once ran is now practically a temple and her husband is dead. (You have no idea how)
You do nothing to stop her delusions or her group. It wouldn't matter and on a practical level she's helping contain the chaos. That's all she ever wanted, to help. You can imagine that she's out there night and day preaching fanaticism in your name and hoping that it will somehow please you and invite her back to Apex and "ascend to the heavens."
That won't happen though. Nowadays you just want to live out the rest of your years in solitude. You did everything you could to resurrect the Empire, and just as you did over five centuries ago, you've practically destroyed it again. Makes you wonder what the hell the point was.
You look forward to the day when you're free of this damn broken down old body and this world. You're tired of being Emperor. It hasn't been any fun, but then maybe it wasn't supposed to be. Maybe your "quest" to be Emperor was a lot more desirable than the actual goal. Which makes your decision to help assassinate Casimir an example of complete foolishness on your part. Perhaps it would've been better for the Empire if you had just let Casimir kill you... if that is indeed what he had in store for you. You've allowed yourself believe that was the case and it probably was, but still... there's that one part of you that has always wondered if Semra wasn't just lying and you fell for it.
If she was lying, then she got the last laugh on you.
"Wait a minute... no she didn't. She's fucking dead and I'm still here. She got eaten by the damn Xi." You say to yourself then you think about that a little longer.
You think about how they must've easily eviscerated her withered old helpless body. Probably dissolving her insides, sucking them up and then taking the bloody slop back to their Xi maggot babies to feed on via regurgitation. Leaving nothing more than a husk behind. Everything she was just gone, and in such an undignified manner and how she must've suffered the entire time.
Then you start to laugh.
You laugh for a long time... |
Normally you don't do this, because repelling projectiles actually takes more focus than flinging fireballs or putting up a shield in the first place, but if you can take out all the guns firing on you with their own bullets then you'll get the breather you need.
You refocus the shield and sure enough the bullets are repelled back towards the guns that are firing on you. It isn't an exact hit, but enough of them hit their own guns (or in some cases the gunner) enough that it puts them out of commission, other bullets either go flying off wildly into the air or into other parts of the airship. In any case you hit something that causes problem since you see and hear minor explosions, which the gnomes are probably busily trying to contain. The airship shudders in the sky a bit, but it isn't falling out of sky, which it probably would have done if you'd lobbed hunks of fire at it.
Taking advantage of the respite, your soldiers take what explosives they've found on the bodies of the gnomes, pile them up against the building's door and you hurl a ball of fire at it. Naturally it not only explodes spectacularly, but it also succeeds in destroying a couple of golems that were waiting to ambush you. You and the other run inside, before the airship above you manages to get its guns working again.
When you get inside you see that the building consists of a lot of desks and generally laid out like a bureaucratic office. You briefly think that maybe this was all for nothing and your hunch was wrong, but sure enough when an automated repeated pops up out of the floor and puts several holes into one of Renly's platoon and more golems appear from other trapdoors in the floor you're fairly certain you're still on the right track.
You and Renly's ever dwindling platoon take care of your assailants though at this point they're probably hoping there aren't too many more.
"Glad this building doesn't have multiple floors." One soldier remarks.
"It still might, those golems came out of the floor. There might be several basement levels." Renly points out.
"It can't go too far down, the city is flying in the air now. It's not going to be a Derro complex." You say peering door one of the trapdoors.
"Derro?" Renly asks.
"Oh. Before your time I suppose. They were a subterranean race that were primarily hostile isolationists and had a knack for technology. Sort of like the current gnomes I suppose. I always wondered if they were related in some way to be honest." You answer.
"And they were enemies?"
"Allies actually. Well... such as they were. Anyway I imagine whatever is causing this city to fly would be located right under it, so we might as well start searching there especially since the rest of this building looks more like an oversized office rather than any example of engineering.
You all descend down one of the trap doors and find yourself in some small narrow corridors. Not so small that you can't move around, but certainly small enough that you all have to crouch down. Even at the best of times your body aches, this bending and stooping routine just makes it worse for you. The corridors are also filled with a light steam with gears, pumps and other manner of machinery that you assume are keeping this city afloat. A noisy hum and the occasional jarring metal on metal screeches also surround you and you briefly wonder just how much solid stone floor is between you and the sky right now.
"Guess the gnomes designed this part of the city." Renly says.
"Never thought I'd say this, but I wish we were kobolds right about now." Another soldier remarks.
"Alright let's focus. The good thing about this corridor is I can easily shield us from any attack from the front or the back but you're all going to have to fire upon on any enemy that attacks us. If I start throwing magic bolts or whatever around here I'm libel to damage something severely and send this thing crashing to the ground with us in it.
You travel the corridors for what you believe to be an hour at least. It twists and turns, but you remain convinced that SOMEWHERE down here is a control room. In the meantime more gnomes attempt to stop you and while they have better maneuverability your shield continues to protect everyone and you fend off attacks.
"At least they're just sticking with guns now." One of the soldiers says.
"They don't really have choice, explosives or those flame weapons would damage all these gears that are involved in holding up the place." Renly remarks.
While your followers make minor comments about the situation, you begin to notice a slight change in surroundings. The mist that fills the corridors is dissipating, the floors have become steel and now there are actual walls coving the previously exposed engineering. It suddenly occurs to you that the gnomes hadn't actually finished this place up yet and you are now seeing the areas that took priority.
"We're near the control room." You say.
"We are?" Renly says.
"I'm sure of it."
"Wouldn't there be more defenses?"
"I said I think we're near it, we're not actually there yet. For all we know the actual control room has shit we've never seen before." You answer.
"Oh it does, Eternal. It does. Come on in and see." You hear a voice say nearby. You and the others look around and at each other.
"Just continue a little bit forward and turn the corner. Don't worry, you've killed all of my people, but then you always were an expert at such things weren't you?" the voice says.
When you follow the voice you enter a room filled with a bunch of technical equipment and machines. You no idea what any of it does, but its certainly a technological feat that you've only seen matched by Marik when he was growing tank babies.
Also in the room a single gnome sitting in a chair dressed in the traditional leather uniform you've seen others of his kind wearing. He also sports the same bushy facial hair and red cap they all seem to favor. The only main thing that causes him to stand out is that he's obviously older than the ones you've been fighting and he's wearing explosives around his waist with a wire attached to another device he's gripping tightly in his hand.
The other thing that stands out is that he is completely unconcerned about you or your soldiers pointing their weapons at him.
"You know, this really was one of our greatest works. (Sigh) It's going to be a shame to destroy it, but anything is better than letting it fall into your hands. Can't let a gnome killer like you have it can we?" the gnome remarks.
"You speak as if you know me and I don't mean by my present reputation. You speak as if you know me from the past." You say.
"Oh not personally, but my family's ancestors told me stories about you. Yeah, great ancestor Klemto made sure the story got passed down so that something like Gnome's Home could never happen again. One of the few gnomes you didn't manage to round up and have systematically slaughtered."
"Well I see your mind is made up, no point in debating the issue." You answer.
"Oh no, please I'd LOVE to hear your defense on the matter. I could use a good laugh before I blow us all up."
At this point having one of your soldiers shoot him would be counter productive, he'd just release the switch when he died. Rushing the gnome would likely have the same result
Your only option is to cast a freeze spell and encase his hand in a solid block of ice. The problem with that right now is you're exhausted. You'd have to stall for a little time so you could muster up the energy to do it right now.
So you stall for time and engage the gnome in conversation.
"I was just following orders." You say.
"Really now? That's your defense?" the gnome asks.
"It's not a defense because I don't think I have anything to defend against. The Emperor... Casimir hated your kind. Not I. Why he hated your people so intensely I cannot say because I never fully understood the depths of it. He gave reasons, but as I said I believe there was more to it. It doesn't matter though, since I merely acted on his orders."
"So you were just a blindly loyal soldier just doing your duty eh?"
"At the time yes. Look, if you want me to beg for my life, you'll not get it here. I didn't begin my life as an Eternal begging so I'm certainly not going to end my life begging."
"I see... I suppose I should've known your arrogance and lack of emotions would prevent you from such actions... " the gnome remarks, but you cut him off.
"Funny you should say that. Since I would think someone with the same arrogance and lack of emotions would understand." You say.
"What?!"
"THIS! This flying fortress! And all your airships! You really expect me to believe you designed them for peaceful purposes?"
"We had to protect ourselves!"
"Against the Xi, yes I can see that, but you've been bombing us as well and we didn't even declare war on you!"
"Bah! You would have eventually! And your pathetic attempt at comparing us bombing your soldiers and you rounding up gnome civilians for slaughter is laughable."
"I wasn't actually, I'd say that would be closer to what you did to the original citizens of this city. So what did you do with Telis' original citizens?"
The gnome begins to get annoyed.
"Nothing. This city was always ours!"
"Bullshit. Maybe this place was wrapped in mystery, but not to such a degree that it wasn't known that humans lived here. Or at least they USED to live here. Just looking at the buildings and one can tell that this place was originally designed for humans rather than the smaller architecture that make up these corridors. So how did you go about it? I'm actually curious how you managed to wipe out an entire city without anyone getting a hint of what was going on. I know from your reputation that you don't associate with other races any longer so I can only assume that you had the citizens of this city done away with long before you actually moved in and started making this place into a flying city. Perhaps maybe like something similar that was done to the gnomes?"
The gnome now actually gets off his chair and both of his hands are balled up in anger, which is good since you want him to grip that kill switch as tight as possible.
"It was a completely different situation!" the gnome exclaims.
"Was it? Your ancestor said we rounded gnomes up to be slaughtered, what he probably didn't know since he avoided capture is HOW we did it. We didn't just kill them. We completely obliterated their souls. It's what the Emperor wanted. Then again, you lot probably didn't go that far... no magical skill to speak of, I guess that's why you like your mechanical toys so much... "
"You're going to pay for your crimes you evil bastard. When I release this switch my only regret is going to be that you won't suffer!"
"No doubt. But it's a shame that the real culprit won't taste your justice after you blow us all up."
"What're you talking about?"
"I'm talking about the main executioner. Maybe I rounded some up and killed a few and the Emperor gave the orders, but there was one in particular who was enjoying the job around the clock. She's still alive too you know, or maybe you didn't. She isn't very mobile or social these days. All I'll say is she's a svelk and she's the mother of that bitch that currently runs Lenay, well assuming Lenay hasn't been overrun by the Xi... "
"ENOUGH! This ends now!" the gnome yells getting ready to release the switch.
"Truer words have never been spoken." You say and cast a blast of frost at the gnome's left hand and fortunately you encase his whole arm in ice before he can release his hand from the switch. You collapse on the floor just from that small feat of magic. You really need to rest.
The gnome desperately tries to break the ice, but the remaining two soldiers from the platoon restrain and knock him out.
"Take this little shit topside and throw him off the city. Renly and I will try to figure out the controls to this thing. And do it quickly, that arm won't stay frozen and there still might be some gnomes running around." You say and drag yourself to sit up against a nearby wall.
"Emperor are you okay?!" Renly asks.
"I'm fine. Just very very tired. And unfortunately my work isn't even done yet... " you answer.
"But just maybe this thing will make it easier at least."
> mysteries revealed (Notes on Telis and Gnome Plans)
After successfully bringing Telis under control and eliminating the gnomes still in the city and either driving off or destroying the nearby airships, several notes, books and journals are found and it's a veritable treasure trove of information solving more than a few mysteries and indeed confirming some of your own suspicions.
Telis was mostly inhabited by humans (and perhaps a few elves) and it's technological bent was due to its proximity to Marik's old factory. Apparently during the initial days of the Cataclysm, many managed to take refuge in the place and the survivors in time founded Telis.
One of the journals is extremely old, nearly destroyed and barely legible, but you manage to make out that the writing is derro on the few pages it has left. And to your surprise its must be Marik's. There's no name, but the type of language used and some of the references signify that it could only be him.
One of the more... coherent entries catches your attention.
Entry 101
Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! I do everything around here and those ignorant fucking surfacers appreciate nothing! I don't need this shit! I'm a fucking shit king! I mean I'm king of shit! I don't have to play third fiddle to some fucking eternal and his svelk bitch! I'M the damn fucker! The KING OF THE FUCKERS!
I need to remember to eat today.
Who the fuck does he think he is telling me my creations are no match for him? Fuck him! Fuck him with a fucking horse dick! Dick! Dick! DICK! I know what I'll do! I'll slaughter them all! Drown 'em in their tanks! That'll teach them for failing me! And then I'm leaving this shithole and then the Emperor will see his lack of vision for listening to his idiotic so called son! FUCK THAT SVELK FUCKER!
Perhaps I should work on dirt golems. Why not? There are stone ones and iron ones. Why not dirt? There's a bunch of dirt! I could create a fuckload of them! And then I could be a FUCKING MASTER!
Must remember to take this journal with me. This is good stuff.
The remaining pages contain a lot of drawings of schematics and similar things that you guess went through Marik's insane mind, but nothing more about the "tank babies" who you assume Marik had killed like he mentions he would.
You can only assume Marik himself must've died during the initial chaos of the Cataclysm due to the fact that his journal was found by the survivors hiding out there. Probably killed during the violent earthquakes and shockwaves that caused cave-ins and tunnel collapses.
Getting back to Telis, the place managed to maintain a better standing due to not falling into the dark ages so easily and by staying closely guarded. When the svelk founded Lenay, Telis became even more unwelcoming to strangers and effectively closed its doors too all.
Or at least it did until the gnomes founded the Redcap Kingdom.
Despite the gnome's new outlook on life they noticed that due to Telis being the only other closed society that embraced technology they secretly made contact with them. Telis was suspicious at first, but due to similarities, in time the rulers of the city became more open to the idea of trade and even visits.
It would be a grave mistake on their part. The population of Telis was indeed annihilated by the gnomes, though apparently it was an insidious process. Worthy of a svelk actually.
They slowly and gradually poisoned the water supply. Not to a degree that people were dying instantly either. Just to a point where apparently they couldn't reproduce anymore and in many cases a lowering of intelligence as well. Over the decades, eventually when the population was low enough, the gnomes offered "help" and then proceeded to exterminate the rest in a more traditional fashion. From there, they worked on turning the entire city into a flying fortress. You wonder why they just didn't do this with one of their own cities, but if you had to guess, their own cities were under constant attack by the Xi (especially underground) making ongoing work problematic (Hence their hasty attempt to get this one up and running when the Xi started becoming more of a problem in Arat)
From what you can tell this all started before you were even dug up. At least according to Flemto Zookwinkle's journal here. (What a silly name) You're guessing he's the one that confronted you and is now nothing more than a bloody red spot on the ground.
You've found some other plans and scraps of info about what the gnomes were up to recently as well, but a lot of it is pretty technical and some of it looks biological. Specifically Xi. Maybe they were looking to poison the Xi somehow too.
In any event, you decide to let your inventors and doctors take a closer look at the mess and maybe they can figure out how to apply it. |
Probably a fool's task, but if you survive this you're going to have to still deal with the Xi. A flying fortress would give a significant advantage.
You stop using your own energy to support your mages and refocus on a creating a personal shield around yourself. You give the order for everyone to get out of your way or grab on to Telis if they can.
It isn't too bad, most of your mages hold their own, and continue to protect a majority of the army, but its yourself that you're concerned about as you attempt to reach Telis which is slowly becoming completely airborn. You ride your horse as hard to the point where it probably isn't going to survive after you intend to make a leap forward off of it.
You pass your soldiers, you pass the Xi fighting them, you pass over the torn up ground from the battle and bombs and you look up and see Telis escaping your reach.
"No, I've come too far!" you say and you stand on top of your horse, nearly falling off in the process while still attempt to upkeep your shield...
You make the jump towards the city and manage to grab ahold of one half of Telis' front gate doors which is currently hanging off its hinges. Your shield is down, your body hurts and you're practically deaf from all the explosions going on around you.
You hang on for dear life as the ground gets further away and attempt to climb up, but your strength is failing you and even if it wasn't the door is slowly loosing its weak attachment to the rest of the city.
"Shit! Shit! No! No! No! Not like this! Fuck! Hate this weakness!" you exclaim as you prepare to either lose your grip or for the door comes loose. And you doubt you'll be in any condition to "repair" yourself when you take this long fall.
Fortunately it doesn't come to that.
"Emperor! Take my hand!" a human soldier shouts and reaches over the side. You waste no time in accepting his help and soon a couple of other soldiers help him lift you up just in time for the door to fall to the ground.
After catching your breath and assuring the soldiers that helped you that you're fine, you get a better assessment of your surroundings.
"Okay first things first, what's your name so I know what to call you."
"Lieutenant Renly, my Emperor and this what's left of my platoon." Renly says and waves his arm to six other soldiers. "We're not the only ones here, I believe there's a couple of orc platoons further in the city. They're probably fighting the Xi that managed to get in or combating the gnome clockwork golems. Hell even the teams of gnomes with their rapid repeaters isn't something you want to deal with and that's not even counting the ones probably trying to spot us from the nearby airships."
"So wait, are there no humans or regular citizens in this place?" you ask.
"Not from what anyone can tell. It's like the whole place is empty other than the Xi, the gnomes and us. Unless the Telis citizens are all hiding somewhere."
"Or maybe the gnomes did something to them all. Well it doesn't matter we need to figure out where the hell the controls are for this thing. We get control and we can get rid of those airships with a lot more ease."
"Not sure where something like that would be located Emperor."
"That's easy, we keep moving towards the areas that have most of the little bastards and their damned contraptions. It's going to be the most heavily defended place because it's the most important thing in the world to them."
"Well then I believe we should take a left down that street over here. Saw a gnome patrol accompanied by two clockworks not long ago."
"Okay, but when possible we should probably stick to the back alleys. Don't need one of those airships floating by and spotting us. In fact our best chance is to do this as stealthily as possible. A rare tactic for us I know, but our main task is getting control of this thing."
You, Renly and the rest of his platoon make your way towards where you hope some sort of master control is located. Along the way, you see the remnants of where small skirmishes have already taken place. Bodies riddled with bullets or in some cases chopped up. They're mostly bodies of the Xi, but some of your soldiers as well. You don't see any gnome casualties other than pieces of their golems.
The sounds of battle can still be heard throughout the city, but it gets concerning when the sounds get less infrequent, since that means the gnomes are probably mopping up invaders to their city, which means less distraction for them.
Your attempts at sneaking around are fairly successful. As you stealthily avoid these patrols, you finally see the gnomes and you can't get over how radically they've changed. With their dark red caps, goggles and stylish leather uniforms, they couldn't look anymore different than their pathetic ancestors that you helped round up centuries ago to have their souls utterly obliterated.
Really though, after an event like that and who knows what else during the Cataclysm you suppose it shouldn't be surprising that the gnomes decided they wouldn't be victims and became hostile towards other races. Let alone rely on other societies to defend them any longer.
They shaped their own destiny and you can certainly respect and even admire that; after all you never hated them. That was the Emperor. You were just following orders at the time.
Eventually the gnome patrols are getting too thick and you can't really properly proceed without engaging the enemy. Just as well, you were getting sick of acting like a shadow.
"Alright, everyone get ready, because it's going to be killing time from here on in. I'll take the lead on this." You say.
"Emperor, shouldn't you stay behind us so we can better protect you?" Renly replies.
"While I appreciate the sentiment, I've been doing this a lot longer than you have, if anything you all should try to stay behind me and in cover until I clear out most of the rabble. Don't worry, I may be old, but I'm not out of this yet. And if you all survive this, you'll all be getting promotions and whatever else I think might be an appropriate reward, so it behooves you all to listen to me if you want to reap the benefits of this situation."
With this understanding, Renly and his platoon follow your lead. Still unseen, you take advantage of a group of gnomes tanding around with their clockwork creations.
You unleash a flurry of fireballs, which not only has the desired effect of killing some of the gnomes outright, but also causing an explosion due to their hand thrown bombs they carry on them The explosion takes care of the golems.
"That's one group down, but the rest aren't going to be as easy!" you say and advance with a shield up.
Not easy is correct because the little bastards start coming out in full force. You just try not to get surrounded. The unrelenting repeater weapons are bad enough, but the gnomes also come out with weapons that emulate some of your spells! A single gnome who managed to sneak up on two of Renly's men blasts them with some sort of weapon that emits flames. Renly shoots the gnome in the head before turning his attention to grab one of the repeaters from a nearby dead gnome.
"They're all coming out of that big red building, that's probably where we need to go! Come on!" you shout and take out another golem."
During the carnage you think back to how you used to mainly use your sword during battles. During this one, you haven't even used it yet. In fact you haven't done so for so long, you wonder if you'd even be able to use it effectively anymore. Granted in this situation like this you've practically got no choice but to rely on your magic, still though you miss the good old days.
The closer you get to the building, the waves of gnomes lessens, until you see one of them close the door just as the last few golems are shot to pieces. The sky above you grows darker and you notice an airship looming overhead. They don't throw bombs at you, but they certainly unleash a volley of gunfire, which manages to kill another one of Renley's platoon before he and the rest can get into cover.
As for you, your shield is working just fine, but you need to get into that building which is probably locked and barricaded. You aren't going to be able to blast it open with that airship firing at you.
> launch a fireball at the airship
Best way to get them to stop shooting at you is to return the favor with superior firepower literally.
You unleash a torrent of fireballs at the airship, which land all over the place. Some hit the gun shooting at you, which causes it to explode. In fact other your hits cause several explosions and then one large one creating a blast that knocks you down on the ground even from you were standing.
The airship is in flames and falling out of the sky, unfortunately since it was directly hovering over the city that means it's crashing into it. You scramble off your feet and hope to find some sort of cover and maybe at least get away from where the major impact is going to be.
You keep your barrier up to protect yourself from the falling debris, but Renly and the others have no chance at all especially when the airship begins hitting the larger buildings causing them to collapse and setting what looks to you like the whole sky ablaze.
When the airship finally hits the city surface it is engulfed by fire and the impact strikes your barrier so hard that even you are pushed away by the force. Your entire body hits the ground and you lose concentration of your spell. Fire is all around you and you pass out.
You never wake up to experience Telis falling out the sky and causing an even greater explosion on the surface. |
Year 550
More and more each year your nation is starting to resemble the Empire of old. More and more each year you're also starting to feel old too. The aches and pains of battles long past (and not too long past) are starting to catch up with you.
You never tried to think about getting "old" too much, except during the years of when the Emperor was "sick." Recently you've begun thinking about what his plans were again. How he was going to defeat death by transferring his essence or spirit or mind or whatever into your own body. Well at least that's what Semra and Jacob told you and what ultimately lead to the situation you're in now.
Unfortunately, you haven't really the means to go about such a thing. Your knowledge of magic is better than most, but the Emperor never showed you that trick let alone how to get to the Isle of Mortos. You wouldn't even know about how to go about "creating" another one of your kind either which was also required... again so Semra and Jacob told you.
Makes you wonder what happened to the "eternals" Marik created. You wonder if they survived the initial cataclysm and if so, what became of them? Did they plan any major role during or after it? It's apparent that the technique to create an eternal like you or Marik's tank babies was lost too.
Well it doesn't matter much now anyway, you can assume they're all certainly dead now, along with crazy ol' Marik. Still, you wonder about his factory, as it was located in Arat.
In fact there have been a lot of events going on in Arat lately according to your spies.
The major thing being that there have been sightings of the Xi Hive in Arat, not many and certainly no major attacks, but the insectoid creatures have been attacking anyone they see as usual. It won't be long before they become a major threat in this area. Right now it isn't your problem at all, but you imagine they will be eventually.
From what you've heard the Xi have been really putting the Redcap Kingdom on the defensive, but the gnomes are still holding out and not even losing any ground. You certainly can admire that, and you'd even try to send an emissary to go speak with them if only to get a better feel of the Xi threat, but you've also heard the gnomes have also ordered a kill on sight to well... anyone.
Your best shot at learning more about the Xi would probably be Eldolith, but she's also been her usual antagonistic self, especially ever since you officially annexed Regnik into the Empire. Pointing to you and the Xi as a threat she managed to unify the other city-states of Zo, Valizza and Atnil into something called the Arat Confederacy. In reality it's a new nation with four cities rather than a true alliance where everyone is supposedly still autonomous.
The only other city-state that doesn't belong to Eldy's little alliance is Telis, which as usual, nobody seems to know anything about. Still, it seems like it's probably in the most danger of the Xi considering its proximity to where Xi territory is starting to expand. You never really gave it much thought until now, but according to the maps and if your memory isn't completely off, Telis isn't too far away from where Marik's factory was located. Now you're starting to wonder if its "mysterious" nature isn't due to that factor.
In a perfect world Arat would be your next and only priority, but there have been concerns about the Delerg islands as well. There has nearly been no reports about the Island League's activities for years, it's almost as if they all just disappeared, but more concerning is the fact that strange humanoid creatures have been sighted off the coasts of Quala at night. While Quala is still mostly home to your orc population and the place is still the poorest of your territories, you still don't want a potential invasion to occur. It might be time to start exploring and possibly conquering the islands at last.
Seeing as the orcs will have the most familiarity with this potential coastal threat, you decide to go speak with Trog about it. You might as well anyway if only to see who his potential successor is going to be seeing as you know Trog is supposed to be dying.
When you arrive to meet with him, you see just how true that is. The old orc is lying prone on fur skin bedding with two younger female orcs attending to him. It's very strange to see orcs behave in this manner. Orcs don't tend to have a long life span to begin with due to all their fighting, but to see one being actually cared for rather than taken to the wilderness and left to die (at best) is unusual. Then again Trog was a very respected leader. He's obviously weak, but when he notices you he tries to sit up and waves away his attendants.
"Ah... the Eternal... dreams told Trog that we would see each other one last time before the end. Now that you're here Trog now know death coming soon for me. Sad that Trog could not die as a warrior, but still a good life with many children to carry on name." Trog says.
"And who would be that successor Trog?" you ask.
"Trog believe that Sprog take over next. Already killed several of his siblings, others too scared to oppose. Was a great contest, only well enough to see some of it, but very good. Very bloody."
"Sorry I missed it."
"Trog warn you though, Sprog not quite as accepting of our current situation as Trog. Believes orcs should be independent. Might be right, might be wrong, not care. Trog too tired to care anymore."
"Am I going to have to kill him?"
"Do not know. Perhaps, perhaps not. Do as you wish. You always have. As Trog has said, too tired to care anymore."
"So I take it that I probably should ask this Sprog about the reports of the humanoid interlopers off Quala's coast?"
"Hrm. That. Trog can still help a little... Yes, there have been sightings, but nothing human about them. Fellow orcs tell me they look more like fish than anything else. Appear on land sometimes, but never for very long. Not sure if they are able or if they are just scouting. Orcs ready for a fight as always if they do decide to invade. Kobolds too. Was not sure about the little scalies living here at first, but enjoy their antics. Respect our strength too... "
Trog begins to drift off to sleep, but you aren't done with him yet.
"While I hate to interrupt your journey to the afterlife, you have any last visions for me?"
"Hrm... yes... Trog did actually. War is coming."
"That's a given Trog, war is always coming."
"True, but this one will be against an enemy that you've never faced the likes of before. They will be relentless, they will not stop and even as strong as the Empire is, I fear that it will not be enough. Worse is the fact that you are approaching your own twilight years as this terrible threat comes. You will no longer be able to just march in like the great warrior you once were... "
"Trog, I might be getting old, but I'm not ready for the damn grave yet."
"True, but you acknowledge that you ARE getting old. Still... perhaps that is a good sign. Knowing your limitations. Trog knew his... "
At this point Trog falls unconscious and despite your prodding and nudging him, he isn't waking from it. From his breathing patterns, you know he'll be dead soon.
"Damn it Trog, you could've at least told me who this relentless enemy was going to be. Guess that was your last little joke on me. Good one Trog." You remark and exit Trog's tent. You tell the group standing outside that he'll be soon passing on, if anyone wants to see the final moments. Several female orcs go in, but the male orcs just give a solemn look downward save for the very large one standing nearby with an equally huge battle axe. When he approaches you, your entourage of guards stands ready to defend you, but judging by his appearance he'd give them a good fight all by himself.
"So is the old man dead?" the orc asks gruffly.
"Well if he isn't yet, he soon will be... I'm guessing you're Sprog."
"Right. Guess you da Emp. Huh. Thought you'd be bigger. Old man say you powerful though. Guess cause of magic abilities like old man. Feh."
"I take it, you don't like magic?"
"Magic give unfair advantage even more than shooty weapons. Orcs have no more magic types now. Least none Sprog know of. No chance to rebel now."
"You're telling me you'd rebel?"
"Yes, I'd lead a rebellion if we had magic to even up odds. Told old man that he should challenge you long time ago, but said you were too powerful for him. Scared to die like proper warrior, now he die like old man that he is and we still have to serve the Empire."
"Who says? You could still rebel. You're standing right here in front of me surrounded by your fellow orcs, I've only got five men with me. I'd say right now is the best chance you got of killing me and making your people free again."
Sprog grips his axe a bit and gives you a suspicious look pondering if you're being serious or not. You are of course, but even though Sprog eventually senses that, he's not taking you up on that offer.
"Bah, want to be free, but still stand no chance of killing you. At best might get lucky and wound you before you set Sprog on fire or somethin'. Dying in battle one thing, but Sprog not suicidal. Most orcs too comfortable now with livin' under the Empire anyway. Half would probably attack me, the idjits."
"Always did appreciate you orcs and your honesty. Now that I know I don't need to kill you anytime soon, what can you tell me about these sightings off the coasts of Quala?"
Sprog tells you much of the same things you've already heard. Fishmen sighted skulking around the coasts and then disappearing. He says he's already got patrols marching up and down the coasts, but no sign of them again.
For all you know these fish people are this relentless force that's going to be coming at you, of course it also could be the Xi Hive which is the only other force you could think of, at worst it could be both. Could even be the usksha or someone you haven't even met yet.
In any case, you still need to do something about this potential aquatic threat. This has really been a long time coming. Whatever the hell is living out on those islands, be they human or otherwise is going to feel the full might of the Empire.
Thanks to having all the extra resources in Rask now your task of getting a proper fleet up and running isn't a drain on the Empire and gets done a lot quicker. Training sailors takes a little longer, but fortunately your people aren't completely ignorant of seafaring ways.
Within months you have a sizable armada that should do the job. The only thing you're unsure of is whether or not you should go along on this conquest.
Maybe because you're older and beginning to realize you aren't as fast or as strong as you once were, or maybe because you have uneasiness about being on the open water and possibly even an slight fear of it (A fear you weren't even aware of), or maybe it's a combination of the two, you don't know.
What was it that Trog said before he died? Knowing your limitations?
> lead from the back
While you may still have many years ahead of you, the days of your prime are starting to fade. Perhaps you need to start accepting the fact that your days of charging first into battle are gone and probably should be. Your mind is more important for running the Empire than your sword arm or even your battle magic at this point.
There's also the fact that it's true, you don't relish the idea of being on a boat. You decide to that you're going to sit this one out.
A week goes by and business in the Empire continues as usual, but you hear nothing from the large fleet that you sent out. One of the faster messenger ships should've at least come back to give a report by now.
Another week goes by and you know something is terribly wrong. There has been no word back from your fleet. Naturally the families of the soldiers and sailors that left on this mission are very upset. True, that their lives are always in potential danger, but everyone labored under the impression that it would be a quick mix up with the Island League and then heading back home. Even if there were losses it would be acceptable, but as it stands nobody knows exactly what happened. They're just gone, all of them.
Like the waters just swallowed them all up, and for all anyone knows, maybe it has.
Such mystery is frightening especially when you're getting more sightings of fish people now off the coasts of Nalin. These fish people have also started outright attacking orcish settlements near the shores in Quala. It'll only be a matter of time before they start attacking Nalin as well.
Doesn't take long before you've not only got on going raids from the coast, but also rabble rousing from the orcs. Warlord Sprog has been actively condemning you for failing to eliminate this threat like you were supposed to and begins claiming that the orcs have been taking the brunt of the attacks. He also openly says to any and all who will listen that they would be better off on their own. Naturally when you hear about this treason talk you have several Eyes sent to go bring him in.
He succeeds in slaying five of them before escaping into the Arat wilderness with several followers. With your inability to fend off the fish people properly, the loss of your entire fleet, a panicked population and now an orc rebellion in the making, you know you have dark days ahead.
Year 552
Being a tyrant is one thing, but being one who can't protect his territory and is inefficient is even worse so when the troubles started piling up, you decided you couldn't afford to just sit back and command anymore. You had to take direct action and lead from the front like you did before.
Getting the population back in line took a bit of doing from the Eyes, but it was done.
The orcs were a bigger problem and a costly one. Warlord Sprog continued to incite your orc population to the point where Quala and parts of Rask were hostile territory. It about a year before you personally slew Sprog in combat. The damage was done however, they razed several towns, even Regnik in Arat was destroyed. Though you suspect that Eldolith might've had something to do with that. Probably secretly funding or helping Sprog somehow or got spies into the city to lower the gates.
You also had no more orc population to use as soldiers anymore and those that lived took to the wilderness and continue to be a nuisance. It was a waste of resources and manpower that quite frankly you couldn't afford to lose.
During the whole time this was happening you couldn't really effectively combat the fish people threat who continued to raid the coasts and in much greater force. Some have been so bold to even create camps along the shores of Quala. Most of Nalin's port towns were still fairly well defended in the beginning, but then the sea beast arrived and completely destroyed most of them. The leviathan has two heads and countless tentacles. You believe it is the "god" of the fish people, or at least leading them.
Unfortunately the beast never stays near the coast and retreats back to the deeper water when it's done rampaging. There's nothing for it except to go out there and kill it.
You have another fleet built in the southern most port town in Nalin since the fish people haven't attacked that far yet. Building the fleet take awhile though due to the decreased labor force and having to practically restart from scratch again. The whole time you're building the fleet you're anticipating an attack from the fish people, you half expect the usksha to attack you with claims that you're planning to invade them. Thankfully that doesn't happen.
When it's all said and done, you've got a new fleet, though much smaller than before, but you can't afford to wait too much longer. The quick you kill the monster the better. You have to win back your considerable losses. You've been made to look foolish and sometimes weak these past couple of years. Time to put an end to that once and for all.
And after you kill this thing, your next order of business will be to invade Arat.
No more than a day has passed and your fleet is already attacked by fish people. They were never the best fighters, but they aren't worst either and being on their territory as well as being outnumbered certainly gives them an advantage as some don't even bother to scale your ships and just bore holes in the ships with whatever tools they're using for such a task. You've lost half of your fleet by the time the sea monster makes its presence known and now having seen it first hand with your own eyes, you feel incredibly small in comparison. Stories about how it "blotted out the sun" weren't exaggerations. It is just that huge and you're surrounded by water with no where to run.
You try to cast a lightning storm, but the ship is being so overrun with the aquatic invaders that you can't possibly concentrate on such a spell. Your crew fights bravely, but they're just so outnumbered that they can't defeat the numbers or keep from completely panicking that they're going to die on the water this day.
A large tentacle smashes the deck of the ship and also succeeds in smashing three of your increasingly dwindling crew. You run your sword through another fishman and dodge the other tentacle coming from the other side.
Even if you do survive this, you're not sure if you'll even be able to get back to land within a reasonable amount of time. You've lost every ship and your own is now in danger of becoming driftwood if it takes any more punishment, which it most certainly will.
You blast a group of the fishmen with lightning which gives you a breather, but only so you're just in time to see another tentacle come sweeping towards you. Unfortunately you don't quite get out of the way in time and the hefty blow shatters your legs. This also has enough force to knock you off the boat and into the water.
You struggle a bit in the water desperately trying to keep above it, but soon the claws of several fish men grab at your broken legs and torso. Your struggling is put to a complete end when one of them rises up out the water to sink his teeth into your throat. |
"Alright, you'll have your two Trog, I need to go back and speak with my people about which two though."
Trog nods and you return to the group to explain the situation, it goes about as well as you expected.
"You can't expect us to stay with these savages! They'll kill us!" one of the workers exclaims.
"We're at war with these monsters!" a soldier remarks.
"I'd have to agree that leaving anyone here is tantamount to leaving them to die." Jennifer adds.
"Look, this is the ONLY way we're getting into Rask without a fight. And I guarantee we're in no position to be fighting hundreds of orcs." You remark and then point at the soldiers in the group. "Now you lot are soldiers which technically puts you under my command and if I order any of you to stay you better damn well do it or else you're going to have me to deal with and I assure you if that happens you'd rather have orcs."
"That being said, I'd rather NOT leave any soldiers behind, because we're going to need every competent fighter we can get when we do get in Rask." You say and then point to the civvies in the group. "You lot on the other hand, I can afford to leave any one of you behind."
This remark is met with more protest and exclamations of how which one of them is a valuable member of the group. You're unimpressed and simply say if there's any digging or carrying to be done, anyone can do that and if its for some intellectual purpose, Jennifer is still going to be the most knowledgeable one on whatever it is you do find in Rask, so again the rest are superfluous.
This statement is met with more protests until Jennifer suddenly tells them all to shut up.
"I don't like this, but he's right. I'll take volunteers first." Jennifer remarks.
Predictably more begging, protests and threats follow, which Jennifer addresses that it's either stay with the orcs or try to head back to Nalin without any escort protection. Eventually one brave soul volunteers, muttering that if he's lucky maybe they won't eat him and he can learn more about their culture. The second one loses a lot draw. She's not happy about her bad luck and the situation, but resigns herself to her fate.
"I'm glad you backed me up." You say.
"I didn't really want to and I'm sure I'm going to get a lot of backlash from my workers, but the potential for this discovery is too important and I trust you. I just hope you trust this orc as much." Jennifer remarks.
"I don't, but he's been reliable on matters much greater than this one. The worst that could happen is that he plans on killing us on the return trip when we're exhausted from the dangers of Rask, but we'll deal with that when the time comes." You answer.
"Well I guess this is all worth it then."
After the two "sacrificial lambs" are presented to Trog, he promises once again that no harm will come to them and the rest of you cautiously pass through Flogger territory, which actually overlaps partially into Rask. In fact you pass by an area where you believe Fort Destiny once stood. There's no evidence of it anymore though, it's just wilderness now. You wonder if was destroyed during the cataclysm or if it was time that ultimately took it over.
Eventually you clear Flogger territory and you're in the true wilderness of Rask.
You, Jennifer and a couple of others go over the maps deciding which way would be the best. Using your memory, you point out that despite the long passage of time, there are still evidence of old Empire roads and that you should use those as a basic guide to head north. If you're lucky, it may very well take you all the way to Fort Defiance, or at least where the fort used to stand.
The journey north is as miserable as you remember when you first came to this unforgiving land. If anything it seems worse now that it's no longer tamed by the Empire. Still, you travel quite a distance before you catch sight of figures moving about in the surrounding forests.
"Stop. We're being watched and we're going to be attacked soon. In fact, we're probably surrounded, I suggest everyone prepare themselves." You say.
The group forms a protective circle as best they can while you try to keep an eye on all the possible directions of attack.
Eventually a few orcs and ogres emerge from the trees. However, something doesn't look quite right about them. They're savage looking like you'd expect, but even for their kind they're moving a fashion that isn't typical. It's more like how an animal would move. They don't make any usual taunts or threats either, but you do hear some loud guttural growling sounds.
It probably isn't surprising that some of the soldiers decide they aren't going to wait around to be attacked and go ahead and fire. Two or three of the attackers are wounded, but then the rest make a horrible wailing sound which causes everyone to clutch their ears in pain.
Then they move in for the attack, but it's more like a loping gait rather than running. Ogres don't typically run either...
"Oh shit, WENDIGOS!" you shout and start casting your mind shield spell, but before you can complete it a possessed orc is already upon you.
"Meat!" the orc hisses with its fang filled mouth right in front of your face. You feel a claw dig through your armor and puncture your skin just before you stab the monster through the neck with your dagger. Blood spurts all over you before manage to get the thing off of you and stomp it repeatedly in the throat, crushing it completely.
You then hear a voice in your mind.
"Sssssss! I sense power... great power... you're an Eye! Hated Eye! Eyes! Away! Away my fellows! Before this they destroy us all!" the voice exclaims.
Before you know it, the possessed orcs and ogres cease their attack and begin backing away. Everyone is a bit confused and quite frankly you are too.
"Why'd they stop attacking?" Jennifer asks.
"Because we were kicking their asses! Hah! So much for the dreaded wendigos!" a soldier remarks, several of the other soldiers cheer in agreement and press forward to attack the retreating wendigos.
You aren't exactly sure what's going on, but apparently this wendigo knows you have the capability to destroy it. However, nobody else here can and if the wendigos figure that out, you're going to be in trouble when the spirits are released from their dead hosts.
You're not about to give away the fact that everyone else is defenseless by shouting verbal commands to stop attacking, so the best thing you can do is cast your spell. Which is going to be a brand new experience for you since you've never actually cast a mind shield spell over other people before.
Ignoring the sounds of gunshots and shouting around you, you concentrate on your spell and try to focus it on the group. It takes a lot more energy than you anticipated. Meanwhile you're getting questions on what you're doing.
"Shut up! All of you! I'm trying to protect our lives and it's taking all my concentration! Now does anyone hear any voices? And I'm not taking about my own right now. I'm taking about raspy sounding voices going on about giving up or something similar."
This question is followed by the group all-stating that they don't hear anything like that. You breathe a sigh of relief and while you still can't sense any wendigo spirits lurking about, you're not going to take your guard down yet.
"Okay, good. Like I said before we got here, if anyone does hear voices let me know immediately. I heard one of them in my head and it thought we were eyes, or they thought I was. It got scared and told the rest to retreat before I destroyed them all."
"An eye? What does that mean?" someone asks.
"If I had to guess? They thought I was part of an elite military branch force of the old Empire." You say.
"We've only found a bit of information on the Eyes, but I didn't know they actively hunted wendigos." Jennifer says.
"They didn't. In fact other than some stealth operations during the Felkan War their primary function was internal security after the shadows were disposed of. They didn't have any magic abilities to destroy creatures like wendigos."
"Something must've changed then."
"I'll say. The only time I've ever heard fear in a wendigo's voice is just before I banished it. I'm guessing it sensed I had that ability and figured I was an eye, which leads me to believe that this mythical warrior's guild we're trying to find must be run by the eyes or decendents of them. Heh. Glad you held something together ol' friend." You say with a smile.
"What's that?" Jennifer asks not knowing what you're thinking about.
"Warrick. He was head of the Eyes. A Sightmaster. I can only imagine that if the Eyes did survive to this day, he must've had a hand in it somehow. Come on, I'm actually just as anxious as you to find this place now."
After patching up some of the wounded you're soon on your way again. You hate dispelling the protection, but if you keep it going constantly, you'll be running out of stamina when you might need it for more physical foes. You just hope that the wendigos continue to believe that you're all Eyes.
As it turns out, the rest of your journey is plagued by horrible weather conditions instead. There's also debate on which way to go when the remnants of the Empire roads disappear to wilderness and can no longer provide a base guideline of where to travel.
Jennifer and most of her workers want to follow the maps, but you're convinced that you should continue in the direction of where you last remember Fort Defiance to stand.
> follow your instinct
Maybe things have somewhat since you were here last time, but the fact remains, you were actually in Rask once, nobody else here has and who knows if those maps are accurate. You're going to trust your gut and head towards where you remember Fort Defiance was located. Nobody in Jennifer's expedition crew is exactly pleased with that decision, but Jennifer calms them down and says she trusts you.
You continue your journey and it's a miserable experience as a freezing ice storm hits hard within a couple of hours.
What remaining horses and other pack animals you had left end up either panicking or outright collapse from the exhaustion. Your group ends up having to dig out a shelter and hunker down for the storm to pass. Food isn't much of a problem since you just butcher the animals that are dying any way. Fire isn't either since you can conjure it up. Still, it's not an ideal situation and others in the group are starting to experience minor frostbite and argue with one another.
A couple more days of this and you're still not at your goal and the cold is even worse. Either you've gotten lost or Fort Defiance has long since fallen to the wilderness. More arguing occurs and blame is placed on you.
"I told you we should've followed the maps!" one of Jennifer's crew remarks. "Why the hell are we listening this guy for? He's also the one that insisted on leaving two of our people with blood thirsty orcs!"
"I'm also the guy that's keeping you alive, but that situation can be changed... " you answer.
Surprisingly the man doesn't back down.
"Oh sure, threaten me with violence, that's your solution to everything isn't it?"
"It's worker pretty well so far and suggest you back off if you don't want a demonstration to see just how well."
"Go ahead Mr. badass eternal! We're already fucking dead anyway now that you've gotten us lost! Of course you probably don't give a shit because you'll just survive by eating our bodies after we all... "
You can't hold back any longer, you punch the man in the face breaking his nose. He falls to the ground in a daze. You step forward to give him more of a thrashing, but Jennifer gets in your way.
"Alright that's enough! I think you've proven your point to Kevin. We're already fighting the elements and the hostile creatures that live here, we don't need to fight each other as well."
"(Sigh) Fine, but this asshole better not step out of line again, otherwise I might not be as reasonable!" you remark and then gesture to your soldiers to help Kevin up.
As they do so, it would seem that Kevin isn't quite through with you yet. He grabs a pistol from one of your soldiers and fires it right at you. He's not accurate enough to get a kill shot, but he's close enough that he doesn't miss. You feel a hot burning sensation go right through your stomach and pass through your back.
"Shit! Fuck... " you utter and fall to the ground. While you're bleeding internally and externally, your soldiers make quick work of Kevin causing remainder of Jennifer's people to either look on in horror or scream and yell.
Jennifer rushes to your aid, but she isn't quite sure what to do.
"Damn it, should've... get off me!" you exclaim. Your body is partially in shock, but you manage to catch a breath long enough to gather your thoughts. You need to heal yourself quickly.
With you attempting to concentrate, Jennifer's crew screaming, your soldiers threatening to subdue them and Jennifer trying to reason with everyone, nobody is paying attention to their surroundings. at least not until an ogre comes loping out from the trees and rips off one of your soldier's heads.
More ogres come out of the trees as well and they aren't normal kind...
"Fucking wendigos!" you shout.
The wendigos must have been watching you and finally figured out you aren't Eyes at all and given that you're somewhat incapacitated now, they also figured now would be good time to strike and they were correct.
You can't even get up, because the bullet ripped through your spine paralyzing you from the waist up, the bet you can do is wave your sword around in an attempt to slash at the wendigos nearby.
It doesn't take long for them to easily kill Jennifer and her crew, followed by your soldiers and by the time they get to you, you're still weak from blood loss and having limited mobility.
You manage to kill one of them before one puts its fist through your chest and rips off the top half of your torso for a feast. |
You may have lost your mind thinking that you can even attempt living a normal life, but then you're the same guy who actually listened to a twisted abusive svelk bitch that convinced you it was a good idea to attack the Emperor too.
And what's this decision compare to something like that?
You tell your second to take command of the camp, when he asks for how long, you just tell him until further notice. He's at a loss of how to respond as you leave.
When you arrive back at the museum, you find that Calvin, Jennifer and several others are packing up a lot of equipment.
"Hey, what're you doing here?" Jennifer asks.
"I had to talk to you... what's all this?"
"Another expedition! After all these years, Quintus is funding another one."
"What? He's sending you to dig around in Quala again?"
"No, we're going to Rask!" Jennifer says excitedly.
"Rask!?"
"Yes! Remember when I mentioned there were rumors of a warrior's guild up there? Well over the years I've been studying old maps and the newer charts created by the few adventurers that came back alive from there and I think I've managed to pin point the location. See?"
Jennifer suddenly unfolds a map and points to a circled spot on it. You know a lot of time has passed, but if your knowledge of Rask geography is still remotely relevant at all, that looks like where Fort Defiance would've been located.
"That looks like where Fort Defiance was located." You remark.
"There was a fort there?" Jennifer says.
"Yeah, it was the furthest military outpost in the north of the Empire, well save for one other, but that was more like a small watchtower." You answer.
"I didn't know you served in Rask."
"I didn't actually, but I did carry out one personal favor there for a fellow Eternal, the one manning that watch tower I just mentioned actually."
"Oh. Well still, this would be one of those times I wish you could come with us. Your knowledge of the area even if it is out of date would probably be useful."
"Believe me, I'm tempted to. I can't believe Quintus is just sending you out there like this. The dangerous journey TO Rask is bad enough, but the weather in Rask is just as treacherous as the inhabitants and I can only imagine after centuries without any order there its probably only gotten worse since."
"Well he probably wouldn't have if I hadn't went to him about the information I found. Plus he was in a good mood about senator's Batalimus' recent suicide. Did you hear about that?"
"Uh, yeah another lucky break for our side, look I better go with you." You say.
"But don't you have orcs to slay or defending our borders or... "
"All of that can be done without me, I think the army is competent enough now that I don't need to hold their hands and if they still do then you're REALLY going to need me to come with you because that means the soldiers you are taking won't be worth shit in a fight. In fact if you even want to get to Rask, you're going to need me to negotiate with the Flogger tribe. Not to mention there's much worse things in Rask than ogres and giants."
"What about Quintus? Don't you have to report this to him?"
"Fuck Quintus, he's not my master. He could stand without me holding his hand every five minutes too. Nobody tells me what to do."
Jennifer takes a pause from your remark, before continuing.
"Well, alright then, as long as you don't think it's going to cause any problems I'd be very happy for you to join us. So what was it that you wanted to talk to me about?"
"Huh? Oh... that. Uh, nevermind now."
"Oh come on, you obviously had something pretty important if you left your post in Quala to tell me.
This expedition to Rask business sort of distracted you from your original intent of coming here in the first place, but nevertheless you haven't really abandoned your previous thoughts of settling down with Jennifer so you take her to one side and tell her. Her reaction is mixed though not one of any negativity.
"Sounds like you've given this some thought and this decision couldn't have just been on a whim for you." Jennifer says.
"It wasn't, that's why I had to see you. I mean I know there's something between us and why shouldn't I focus on that?" you reply.
"What about reviving the Empire?"
"Yeah, originally after I woke up and got a bit more of my bearings, the concept of doing that did sound appealing and move me into the direction I've been currently going in, but that's been my whole life! I mean my original purpose is gone. MY Empire is gone. Why shouldn't I try something else? What could it hurt?"
"Nothing I suppose, but have you thought about what else you would do with your time? I mean no offense, but battle and war are pretty much your best skills."
"Yes, I know. I wasn't talking about abandoning such things completely though, I mean I could go with you on expeditions and guard your museum."
"Guard the museum?!" Jennifer says followed by laughter.
"What's so funny?"
"The idea that we'd need a warrior mage to guard my father's museum is hilarious to me. I think the word overkill comes to mind. While the expedition protection would no doubt be of help, it isn't like that's what we do all the time as you well know. We're in the museum most of the time and you'd get bored. Very bored. Besides, it isn't like we get people trying to steal anything on a regular basis. The last time was ten years ago and the thief in question only managed to grab the tooth of an old Usksha sand worm before he was apprehended."
"Well I could talk about the old Empire when people come through or something... "
"So you want to be part of the tour? Yeah, I don't see that working in the long term either. Look I think you're just feeling home sick or time sick or something again. Why don't you think about this decision more after our trip to Rask, and if you still feel the same way when we come back, we can make arrangements for your future plans I suppose."
You agree to Jennifer's proposal since she does have some good points and now you're a little less worried about your future so much as you're more concerned with this expedition. When Calvin hears that you're accompanying the expedition he looks relieved. He mentions that he actually tried to talk his daughter out of going on this thing, but she wouldn't be swayed so he was going to go with her knowing that he'd probably die in the process. Since you're going now, he's going to stay at the museum stating that he's completely confident that she'll come back alive now.
Along the way to Rask you warn everyone about the wendigo. Other than Jennifer nobody else seems to know anything about them and she's only heard stories. Apparently they're just "myths" nowadays, but you assure everyone that they're very real and if anyone begins to feel like an unnatural force trying to gain control over their mind, they need to see you immediately and fight the mental attack as if they're life depended on it because it does. This information probably makes everyone a bit more paranoid and on edge, but quite frankly they should be.
Eventually you get to the Flogger tribe territory, which seems to have moved further south from when you last remember. Apparently Trog has indeed been taking advantage of uniting the other tribes under his banner. The decor hasn't changed though; they're still favoring the hundreds of dead bodies stretched across various wooden frames with their backs completely flayed of all skin to mark their turf.
Naturally everyone (especially the soldiers) are expecting a fight given that you're technically at war with the orcs in general, but you tell them you can handle this and tell them to stay put.
"Oy! Youz that Ternal man!" an orc shouts from the crude watchtower. Not that you're an expert, but this orc is familiar, if only because of his great fat belly.
"Fatbelly wasn't it? Where's your comrade?"
It takes awhile for Fatbelly to process this question at first, but he eventually he knows who you're talking about.
"Oh, youz must mean Bilge. He dead. Idjit got 'imself killed by gettin' into scrap wit an ogre. 'Ead got popped off an lived for awhile. Won bet on how long! Hah! Anywayz Trog spectin' you again. 'Ead on in."
"He knew I was coming?"
"Geez, maybe youz powerful, but yooz stooped as Bilge. Trog Shaman! He haz vishuns member?"
"Hmm, how could I forget." You say ignoring the rest of Fatbelly's insult and heading past the dead bodies. Trog isn't far ahead."
"So once again the Eternal visits Trog. And once again Trog see that you come, but not know the reason. Is our arrangement going as planned?"
"Yes, in fact while I'm here I might as well address that too. We've gotten what we need from the war. You no longer have to play any role in it, that is stirring up the other orc tribes."
"Trog see. Very well we did have an agreement and the Floggers have benefitted greatly from this arrangement, so it is done for now. However, Trog cannot promise that other minor tribes will not still attack. Can only promise that Floggers will no longer play any part in such attacks."
"That's fine, probably for the best that we still get a few attacks. The other reason that brings me here, is that I and my group need to get through to Rask."
"Trog see. Can you not just go around us?"
"From what I can tell Trog, that isn't even possible anymore. Your territory was probably blocking the easiest route to Rask to begin with, now it looks like you're blocking it entirely. We have to go through your territory."
Trog doesn't look enthused by your suggestion, but ponders it a bit.
"Very well, but you cannot just pass for free. Need to extract some sort of payment or security of goodwill."
"We aren't really carrying any valuables Trog."
"Do not want things. Want people. Give us two. One for your passage through and one for the return trip."
"Okay... so what are you going to do with them?"
"Nothing. Just keep here so you do not pull any tricks."
"What tricks would I play, I've always dealt straight with you. And you do realize that if I was going to play any sort of trick, I'd be more than willing sacrifice whoever I did leave behind and do it anyway?"
"Hmm, true. But still, cannot just let you pass for free. Tribe would perceive as weakness. Those are the terms. More than fair."
Trog IS being more than fair. He's downright civilized compared to most humans you've known. Under normal circumstances you'd do it without a blink, but you're fairly certain the group is going to be VERY resistant to this idea and you can't say you'd blame them.
It's this or just pushing your way through.
> push your way through
Trog is being fair, but there is always the chance that Trog is outright lying and he'll have them for breakfast or something. It isn't likely, but it's still a possibility. Plus he needs to realize that he's gained a lot with your alliance.
"Trog, I understand your position, but I can't just leave two people with you. Now our deal was pretty good for you, so I'd say letting us through is the least you can do." You remark.
Trog continues to remain stoic and unmoved by your remark.
"This offer is not negotiable, Eternal. Perhaps you are mistaking Trog's civility for weakness, but Trog urge you not to make such a mistake. You either pay price or you can find another to Rask." Trog says.
"Erm... maybe we should do that. Surely we could find another way around and... " Jennifer begins to say, but you're only half paying attention. You're too annoyed with Trog right now.
"Look, we're not going to waste time going around your shitty barren territory. It's not like you've got anything worth while here that we're going to disturb anyway. YOU seem to forget who the fuck I am Trog. I could slaughter you right now and you know it! We're going through and that's it!"
"Eternal you kill Trog and you'll bring down the entire wrath of the Floggers down on your head! And even if you get away, Floggers will turn their eyes towards your precious nation and never stop waging war until it has completely been burned to the ground."
"Given some recent events I've experienced, you seem to think I actually care about Nalin... but perhaps killing you isn't the solution." You say and then suddenly grab Trog. He attempts to struggle, but after a couple of hard punches to his face you knock him the ground and tell one someone to hand you a rope.
"What... what the hell are you doing?! Isn't this going to bring every orc here down on our head?!" Jennifer exclaims.
"Nope. Trog here is going to be our safe passage. Now gimme some damn rope!" you order.
One of the Jennifer's crew nervously throws one to you, meanwhile everyone including your soldiers are looking around anticipating an attack.
"You... you fool. Eternal, you believe Floggers will not attack just because you have Trog hostage? You think Trog cares about life?"
"Nice try Trog, but it's all bullshit. If you were a regular simple-minded orc, I'd agree, but you aren't are you? You're a fucking shaman, I'd wager that even most of the Floggers know how advantageous that is and they won't risk your death. As for your life, well like I said, if you were the average orc I'd say no you don't care, but you're not average. You have a sense of self-preservation. If you didn't you wouldn't have made a deal with me in the first place. Now let's go!" you say and pull Trog up from the ground after tying him up.
"You will rue this day Eternal." Trog says, but complies with your commands.
"I'm really afraid, this seems really dangerous, maybe we should just go back." Jennifer says.
"What the fuck did you think this was going to be Jennifer? A walk through the flower fields? If you think this is dangerous, what the hell do you think Rask is going to be like? It's a pitiless land filled with fucking monsters that will eat your fucking heart! Now this is YOUR expedition, I suggest you get comfortable with the fact that unexpected things like this might happen!" you yell.
Jennifer is taken back by your response. Granted she's been on the receiving end of your vitriol before, but not for quite some time and at the time you weren't putting everyone in danger.
"Come on, we're getting the hell out of here." Jennifer remarks to her crew. "This is just insanely dangerous." Jennifer remarks and begins to walk in the opposite direction. Her crew slowly follows her.
"Are you fucking kidding me?" you say. "After all I've done for you?!"
"Done for me? You ruined this expedition by taking an orc shaman hostage! Even if we DO make it through, did you think about how we were going to make it back? I dunno what the hell happened with you recently, but you are not thinking shit through. You just told Trog that you didn't even care if orcs burned down Nalin! I highly suggest you get your... "
Jennifer's speech is cut short with an arrow through her back and out her chest. She stares down briefly to see the head of the arrow still dripping blood and piece of her heart on it. She then falls to the ground dead.
The weird thing is you don't even see any orcs in the direction where the arrow came from. In fact there aren't any around, yet another arrow hits one of your soldiers.
You turn to Trog who just stands there silent and still tied up.
"Call off your fucking greenskins Trog! You turned them invisible or whatever you did, I don't care, call them off or your life ends here!" you command.
"You were right Eternal, Trog do value life. That's why Trog not even really here." Trog says and before your eyes you see Trog's image completely disappear. An illusion. All along you were talking to an illusion. Who knows where the real Trog is.
You have little time to find out as more arrows from invisible orcs rain down on your position killing whoever is still left. Had you been paying more attention, you could've just cast a barrier around yourself and avoided them, but while you were threatening illusionary Trog, several arrows puncture your internal organs.
You fall to the ground and begin coughing up blood. You desperately try to heal yourself before you succumb to your wounds, but there isn't enough time. You start to lose consciousness before the orcs finally materialize and finish you off in a more up close and personal way.
Your last moments are being beaten and chopped to a bloody unrecognizable pulp by several clubs and blunt axes. |
Year 540
It's not there yet, but the political and social climate in the republic is finally getting to a point that's a little more recognizable to you. Thanks to Trog's actions the orcs have been attacking the Nalin just like you wanted. After a couple of burned down massacred villages, the Nalinites are a lot more supportive of military endeavors (Kobold citizens especially, but that's hardly surprising given their nature).
The citizens are also becoming more fearful and suspicious of other "foreign threats" like the usksha. Highlighting the sandman drug epidemic and the crime due to it, Quintus has managed to get restrictions on the southern borders of Nalin. The usksha that used to live within Nalin are starting to go back to their desert due to the increasingly hostile population. Trade hasn't completely stopped, but the relationship between the republic and the emirates is very strained now.
Of course some of this still wouldn't be possible without senate support, however that's become more in Quintus' favor due to a combination of several factors. Some are just like the peasants, they're getting scared because their comfortable lifestyle are at risk and want to protect themselves. Some were weak from the start and vote depending on which way the majority is heading.
There are still holdouts that don't agree with the more militant policies however. Even the "will of the people" does not sway them to fall in line. The most vocal of these is Senator Batalimus Ventis who has been a long time rival of Quintus. He's stated that this trend towards militarism is going lead back to the dark days of when Matriarch Tarna ruled the land. He has also stated quite openly that Quintus is a warmongering fool that is only a puppet for his "mysterious Eternal" advisor.
Quintus hates the man more than he hates the usksha and feels he's the main cause of all his woes. Apparently he's also decided that even if it isn't quite time to dismantle the senate, it is time to get rid of Batalimus and has tried to have the man assassinated on a few occasions. All attempts have failed so far though and all it's done is served to make Batalimus more cautious and legitimize his accusations about Quintus (Even if he can't quite connect Quintus to the actual assassins).
You're going to have to speak with Trog soon about the attacks having served their purpose and that he needs to ease up. Trog is under the impression that after all this is over; he or at least his people will have a place within the new order when it finally comes about. In truth, you'd like to have a few orc legions if only for the intimidation factor of keeping the citizenry in line. However, you aren't exactly sure how likely that's going to be since orcs are increasingly becoming hated by the average citizen and are unlikely to want them to be incorporated into the new order no matter what. Let alone as soldiers.
Another problem for another day you suppose. Right now though you're on your way back from another visit with Quintus (who basically did nothing but bitch about Bartalimus) and on your way back to Quala. You're a lot better known now and as you pass through you mostly get a lot of respectful nods from the military and worried glances from citizens. Your reputation within the republic has grown and it's much like it was back in the old Empire days. There's a certain familiar comfort in that.
Before you leave Dalt you decide to pay a visit to Calvin's museum to see Jennifer. Since the orc war, expeditions to the Quala Badland have been put on hold so Calvin and Jennifer have returned to work at their museum to study what they have found in more detail and ultimately put it on display.
When you enter, you see a sign that tells people to be sure to visit their brand new Empire exhibits. Naturally you wander over to where these displays are, so you can see how much they actually got right.
When you get to the exhibit its currently empty of visitors. You're impressed with what you see though. They've managed to recreate a small portion of the Emperor's palace and fill it with the old stuff they found. Some of the things are just replicas, but they're very good replicas and in the correct locations. They even managed to restore one of the Emperor's big black statues.
Just looking at all this stuff makes you feel like you're back where you should be. When you close your eyes you can almost imagine that you are where you WANT to be. If only things had been different, you wouldn't have to be starting all over again...
"We tried to make it look like what we thought it looked like in the past and based on writings we found." You hear Jennifer's voice say and you open your eyes to see her stand to the right of you.
"You did a good job, almost feels like home. That big ass black statue wasn't in the throne room though. In fact the Emperor never even used the throne room when I knew him." You say.
"Yeah, but we did have any place else to put it. I think its impressive looking where we did put it though. Should draw in a lot of people. So did you come here to revisit old memories?"
"Not at first, but this is was a nice distraction."
"Glad to hear it, well I'll leave you to your thoughts." Jennifer says and begins to leave.
"No, stay here with me, I came here to see you in first place. Besides, no point in reliving past glories when I don't have anyone to share said glories with." You say and grab her hand.
Jennifer's reaction is a positive one in that she doesn't let go and moves closer to you.
"So since you've got the time, how about you tell me about some of those old glories?" Jennifer asks.
You gladly do so.
You talk with Jennifer for hours until it starts getting late at which point you say you have to get back to your mission in Quala. Jennifer understands and wishes you luck on it.
"If you're going wish me luck, how about you do it with a kiss?" you ask which takes Jennifer by surprise.
"That's certainly new. What brought this on?"
"I thought you liked me. You do don't you?"
"Of course, I'm sure I was pretty obvious about it."
"Well why ask why? I'm fond of you as well. I like your company and you're the only person I've ever considered my friend since I got dug up. You're independent, you're physically attractive and you listen to all my stories. What's not to like?" You say which causes a small chuckle from Jennifer.
"Okay... we'll talk more about this later, but for right now, here's that kiss."
Jennifer moves in to kiss you and the pair of you embrace.
After your minor amorous interlude, you take your leave of the museum. You briefly wonder if pursuing a relationship with Jennifer is a good idea, but what's done is done and you'll just have to figure it out. Once again, another problem for another day you suppose.
Just as you get out of the gates of Dalt, two guards approach you. They're not military or domestic security, they look like private guards, probably those of a senator.
"You the Eternal?" one of them asks.
"Yes." You answer.
"Senator Batalimus wants to see you. If you would accompany us to his home please, it's just a few miles west of this city."
Well this is an interesting turn of events, though perhaps not entirely unexpected. If you had to guess, Batalimus either plans to have you killed when you arrive to meet him or he's going to try to convince you to be on his side. You doubt he has the means to do either.
You don't know if you should even bother entertaining him at all, but then you think if he does try to kill you, then you'll have eliminated the need to kill him later. Hell, even if he doesn't try to kill you, maybe you should just do it anyway.
You agree to follow the guards and eventually you reach Batalimus' estate. His home isn't much bigger than Quintus' home, though there are a lot more trees and gardens on his grounds. As you expect there are a lot of guards patrolling about. When you step through the front door you feel like you've stepped into a barracks rather than a senator's mansion due to all the guards standing around.
Soon an older balding man dressed in a purple robe comes down the grandiose staircase. It's Batalimus.
"Ah the Eternal, at last we meet face to face." Batalimus says.
"Yes, I'm surprised that you didn't confiscate my weapons though." You answer.
"Whatever for? We all know you can just incinerate or fry everyone in the room with the snap of your fingers. It's not like you actually need a sword or even a pistol. You're a walking weapon without such things."
"So? Why risk bringing me here then?"
"Because I have nothing to lose. Your associate, Quintus seems quite determined to have me killed. Granted he always has harbored ill feelings, but now that the little reprobate has the advantage his confidence has reached an all time high. I suppose the fool has to have his fun though given the family he has. In any case I figure its only a matter of time before he sends you to do the deed and while I could increase my security even further, I quite frankly doubt if it would stop the likes of you. At best you might get mad."
You have to appreciate someone who knows exactly where they stand.
"So... you brought me here to kill you?"
"Hah, I hope not, but I suppose that is a strong possibility. No, what I'd like to do is try to convince you to perhaps not kill the republic because that is what you and Quintus are striving to do, though I believe I actually have a shot with getting through to you. You aren't saddled with any emotions of hatred towards me. To you, I'm just another potential obstacle in your goals. If I have to be killed then you will, but if it isn't necessary you won't."
Well it looks like Batalimus has opted to try to get you on his side, just like you thought he might. He is over estimating your willingness to kill him though. True you don't have any hatred for the man and quite honestly you probably already respect him more than Quintus within the short time you've met him, but you've been known to kill folks even if you believe that they will be potential obstacles in the future.
Still, killing Batalimus right now isn't exactly part of the plan, so you'll most likely just leave unless he tries to stop you. Then again you did come all this way so there is no harm in hearing him out.
> leave
You know what this is going to be, his attempt to convince you of why you shouldn't be helping Quintus. You're not interested in anything he has to say, and it will be pointless to do so.
"I'm going to just leave now and stop wasting both of our time, Batty. I suggest you don't try to stop me." You remark and begin walking towards the door.
"But, you're already here! You can't just listen?" Batalimus says.
"No. This was a lapse in judgement on my part I suppose. Still, I guess I got a good idea of the layout of this place when I eventually have to kill you."
"Very well then, but I had hoped you'd be reasonable about this Eternal."
With those last words you leave Batalimus' house and return to your duties in Quala. Just as you're thinking about how you need to go see Trog soon about your little arrangement you get an urgent message from a republic messenger.
"He's fucking dead?!" you exclaim.
"Yes sir, as I said he was found dead in his home, poisoned. His assets are all being seized due to him owing various people, though his wife is contesting... "
As the messenger drones on about this, you realize you're in position that you really should've considered. Namely, you have no "patron" anymore. Sure, you're somewhat popular with the military, but Quintus' influence on the population and his fellow senators were a big deal. Batalimus must be behind this and even if he isn't, he's going to be the main one taking advantage of the situation.
Without another word you ride off to Nalin and you don't stop until you arrive at Batalimus' place. Batalimus' personal guards are surprised to see you and even more surprised when you start chopping them down with your sword. Despite killing everyone in his home, you don't find Batalimus so you go to the next logical place to look, the senate building.
You don't have any more luck there, all you manage to do is interrupt some of the senators debating something or other.
"Where is Batalimus?!" you demand.
"I don't know! We don't know!" the senator that has the floor answers, but it really isn't the answer you want to hear.
"Lies!" you say and fry the senator with a lightning bolt.
"You really think your republic is going to survive? Most of you were already supporting Quintus' ideas, now I bet you're ready to turn your back on those same ideas just because he's dead. Well Batty killed the wrong man. I will see the Empire return even if the rest of you are too cowardly to do so!" you shout and begin throwing fireballs at the rest of the senators. You don't stop until you leave the senate house in flames.
By this time the military is on the scene, but they're unsure of what to do for several reasons. So you give them the reasons.
You take immediate control of the military and tell them to start hunting for Batalimus and to maintain order. A few days later and it's official. You make your announcement that the Republic is dead and that the Empire now lives again. The general public doesn't know quite what to make of everything. You're sure that there will be some sort of misguided rebellion especially with Batalimus still on the run probably stirring up dissent, but with the military behind you're confident that you won't have too much trouble.
Year 541
"You really think this is going to change anything? Look at the nation! Despite your attempts to crush its spirit with your outdated concepts of order it still resists you! Face it, you've already lost and my death will not save you!" Batalimus screams defiantly.
You break a couple more of his ribs with a few stomps to his chest. The older man wheezes and gasps in pain. He won't show fear though; he's fully willing to die.
"It may not change anything, but keep this in mind before I send you on your way. Your actions did NOT save the republic; it only increased the chaos and strife. You may have fucked up my plans, but you have completely destroyed and betrayed your own."
"(Wheeze) Perhaps... Eternal... (gasp) but better the people should live in anarchy than under your brutal order!"
You shake your head at his answer and crush his windpipe with your boot. At last the thorn in your side has been removed, but the damage he's done has not. In fact you're not even certain that you can repair it. Even with Jennifer doing her best with the propaganda machine, it's still not enough.
You have attempted to recreate a secret police in a similar style of the Emperor's Eyes, but efforts haven't proved too successful mainly because you're too busy using the military to keep direct order.
Even portions of your military have turned against you, if not outright treason then desertion. Some have fled to find work within the six cities of Arat or even joined up with the pirate groups in Delerg.
It isn't that the people don't fear you, it's that they hate you more than they fear. Even after you've destroyed entire towns that have dared defy you, you still get pockets of resistance running off into the wilderness to cause ongoing problems.
Your methods in the beginning months were probably too harsh in retrospect. Killing everyone in the senate certainly didn't help as perhaps some of those experienced fools might've still been useful in swaying public opinion and dealing with the more mundane issues of running the government. Combine this with the fact that the idea of things like "liberty" still lingered within the people, your brutal actions only proved to them what happens when a single tyrant takes power. Instead of cowing them into submission, you ended up lighting a fire of freedom that you still haven't put out yet and at this point you wonder if you ever will. Batalimus of course took advantage of that fact too.
Between the steady attrition of loyal soldiers, the ongoing defiance of the people, external threats like the Flogger tribe hearing of your struggles and taking advantage of your lightly defended outposts in Quala (And certainly have no intention of joining your Empire now) you are pushed to the brink and beyond.
You decide if the fools won't submit to your rule, you'll burn the whole damn thing down. Jennifer however talks you out of it saying that it won't solve anything. She also tries to convince you that maybe you should consolidate what holdings you do have and build from there.
It's a nice thought and it's certainly logical, but you're so exasperated at the entire situation that you decide to just give up. You realize that your time has come and gone. The people don't want you around and at this point you don't even care to rule them anymore. In fact you don't even care about ruling anything anymore. All you really ever wanted to do was serve the Emperor and the Empire and enjoy your time with Alison.
Things were so much simpler back then.
You shouldn't have ever listened to Semra. Even if the Emperor had killed you, at least you wouldn't exist in a time where the Empire doesn't. You would've died at least knowing the Empire would still be around.
Not being able to go on and unwilling to stick around, you suddenly leave Nalin forever. Where, nobody knows. Some say you found death in the Usksha Desert, others say you found it in the cold mountains of Rask, but ultimately what happened to you is lost to time. |
After sitting here for about an hour or so listening to the sorry state the republic is in, let alone the rest of the area that used to be part of the old Empire, you've had enough of it all.
"Stop. I've heard enough about your wretched country. I can already tell what YOU want. You want the Empire back."
"Yes! I want to resurrect the Empire!" Quintus exclaims.
"And that's a lovely thought, but sorry to tell you this, it's dead. Long buried and resigned to the trash heap of history." You remark.
This comment is definitely not what Quintus expected. Jennifer on the other hand isn't quite surprised you'd say such a thing given your own cynical remarks to her.
"But... you're here now... a symbol! A symbol of the old ways! Proof of honor! Proof of strength! Proof of power! You're an Eternal!"
"And? I obviously couldn't prevent the destruction of the Empire. Am I supposed to just resurrect it with my mere presence? Am I to just kill the entire senate and establish perhaps you as an emperor? Do you think the people would accept that?"
"Well maybe not so direct... " Quintus remarks.
"No? Because that might be the only way to get things done around here. And what makes YOU think you'd even be a good emperor? You do not even have the support of the people."
"I do have the support of my constituents! I even have a few allies in the senate!" Quintus protests.
"Well you still don't have enough for what you desire. I'd say that I'd have a better chance of being accepted as an emperor before you would just due to the fear factor and raw power, and I'd still have to be looking over my shoulder constantly before I finally got run out by a complete rebellion or I destroyed so much of Nalin in the process of maintaining order. Given what you've told me of the average citizen it sounds like they're perfectly happy with the way things are. Happy with their hedonistic freedom. Do you really think they're going to listen to a relic of a time when the strong just ruled over the weak and the weak not only accepted it as a way of life, but some were even happy about it? The sheep have been let out of their pens and do not wish to return. Do you believe your people, even those that apparently keep voting for you to represent them are ready to accept a more restrictive and harsher culture? Do you believe you can foster such an environment?"
Quintus remains silent and you throw up your hands at his inability to answer.
"Well you see my problem with your plan. You probably thought when you dug me up; you'd have a powerful tool that would be your key to reforming a parody of the old Empire. And it would be a parody, because even if you were successful, it would NEVER be like the old Empire. You can read all the lore and books you want about the old days and nothing is stopping you from holding fantasies about such days. But make no mistake those good old days aren't EVER coming back. You're about five hundred years too late. I haven't been awake one complete day yet, and even I've come to accept that hard truth... but then I've had to accept so many hard truths. This is just another one to me."
Quintus nods solemnly. The spark that was in him is gone, but you can tell he isn't completely defeated. Jennifer just tries to look away from both of you and shuffles some papers she has with her.
"You... you aren't how I expected you to be... " Quintus says.
"Nobody ever is. Another hard truth I learned a long time ago." You answer.
"Mm... well I seem to be at a loss of what to say. Which is rare considering they often complain that I never shut up in the senate."
"Look, Quintus. I won't deny that your ideals and goals aren't admirable ones. However, I had to drag you back to reality. You still have a long way to go before even bringing something resembling the Empire back. As much as it might be fun to send me to just kill the senate with a firestorm and then establish martial law across the land, it's not going to be that simple. At least not yet."
"Yes, I suppose you're right. It's just I've read about some of your deeds, scraps of parchments really and I guess when I found out you were alive and in my house I just figured all of my country's problem were solved."
"Well, they may still be eventually. Now despite what I've said, I will help you. Because personally, I'd like to see you succeed if only so I could live in a place that didn't seem so damn strange and it's not like I have anywhere else to go."
"So you are going to help bring back the Empire?"
"Well, something like it anyway. I can't promise anything, but I'll try. Now then, with me on your side, you shouldn't worry about the military side of things. I can take care of those matters when they arise, and they most certainly will. You're going to have to take the lead on the political matters obviously, but I can still advise you in this capacity. All my years of working side by side with the Emperor contributed to such skills despite being on the battlefield most of the time."
Quintus seems to have that spark of life again when you agree to help him after all. He happily asks where you should get started. Jennifer at this point is glad to also see things have worked out and says she should leave you two alone to talk more and get back to the dig site. Before she leaves Quintus calls out to thank her.
"And tell your father he has my thanks as well! If it weren't for you two, we would not be in the better position we are now. Expect a bonus in pay this week." Quintus says.
"Thank you senator. I was wondering though and I hate to ask, but it just came to me. Do you think our new friend here could come back up to the dig site when he has the time? It's just that he was buried there and it might be of great help if he could at least perhaps give us a good indication on where it might be beneficial to dig."
"Well we've got a lot to go over first, but afterwards if he wants to, I have no objections."
Doesn't take you long to agree. You briefly remark that where they were digging was near the Emperor's main chambers and you'd like to see if anything survived yourself. This new revelation causes a bit of excitement from Jennifer and Quintus wondering what other magical treasures that might be of use in the coming days of change or even some scraps of history that can enlighten them more about such glorious days.
You just wonder if you can find the remains of Semra. Call it curiosity; call it a sense of closure.
The first thing you and Quintus talk about is the military. You explain that it is of vital importance to get them to support him the most, but it's also of great importance to get them be more vicious warriors. You say you understand that battles are probably fought a little differently nowadays, but the intense training isn't necessarily just to make them expert fighters. It's also to instill discipline and hopefully a warrior's mindset. Make it so that they want to go to war, that they long for it.
Quintus says that he does already have some pull with the military. A little more than most find comfortable, but of course it's nowhere near absolute. You're glad since that cuts down on a little extra work.
You tell him to track down the most spirited and skilled warriors that are in the military and have them gather somewhere secluded just outside the northern borders of Nalin. You say you need to get started on training as soon as possible, you just hope you don't have too many wash outs (or casualties). You then say you also need to get started on an outside threat.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean you need an outside threat that genuinely scares people. Makes it so people are more supportive of a strong military. Makes it so eventually people prioritize their safety so much that they're willing to give up their freedom just to be safe. I mean I know you've been warning the senate and the people about all the scary things out there and you're right, but people don't believe it until its beating down their door with a battle axe."
"Yes, but how exactly are we going to do that?"
"Well YOU aren't going to do anything except going about your usual business. I on the other hand am going to incite one of those threats you've told me about. Obviously one of the closest ones."
"The usksha immigrants?" Quintus asks.
"Heh, well maybe in due time, but that's bit more on the... political side. Plus its not a large enough threat and the follow through of invading the desert is a logistics nightmare that we are nowhere near in a position to carry out at this time. No, I was thinking something much simpler. Something much easier to incite violence in and a lot easier to get people to fear, namely orcs."
"Oh, do you think you can do it?"
"Encouraging an orc to attack isn't a challenge at all. Herding them to all attack in a specific direction takes a little more skill, but I can do it. It'll just take a little time and we have to make a balancing act of it. Going to have to let the orcs win a few major battles in the beginning at least. It won't be pretty, but it'll also serve to purge some of the less than skilled soldiers you have around here. Some villages on the borders are going to have to burn as well."
"Villages? Are you sure?"
"The problem with the Nalinites is they've never really been under a true threat for a very long time. When the people experience the loss of a couple border villages and see the bloody aftermath, trust me they'll be begging for more protection. When they see the brutality of what an orc horde can do they'll be screaming for justice and for us to march into the Quala Badlands to wipe out every last green skin. The first steps to expansion and the first steps to resurrecting the Empire."
Quintus understands and says it sounds like a good plan. You and he talk a little more about some of the specifics before he eventually says he has a big day tomorrow of arguing against some silly law that one of his opponents is trying to have passed and needs to get some sleep. He says that you may have a bed in one of his spare rooms, as it isn't like the rest of his family is going to complain about you being here. You agree but say that you intend on heading back to the dig site like you promised Jennifer tomorrow and also to get started on that orc situation you spoke on. Quintus remarks that you can take one of his horses and says he hopes to see you within a weeks time.
The next day you ride off to your destination and you feel somewhat calmer than you did when you first woke up. You also feel like you have a worthy purpose now. You know you're going to have a big task ahead of you trying to reform the Empire, but at least it gives you something to do. Who knows, you might even be successful.
Or you might be instrumental in the downfall of yet another nation...
> voices of the past (Matriarch Brenda's writings)
Before you prepare to get some rest for the night, Quintus hands you an old small worn book.
"What's this?" you ask.
"Something I thought maybe you might find interesting. It's the old journal of Matriarch Brenda, first ruler of Nalin and your fellow Eternal." Quintus answers.
When you handle the book, the spine cracks and some of the pages nearly come falling out.
"Yeah, be careful, as you might imagine it's very old and sadly missing quite a few pages already. For centuries nobody even knew she kept one, but this was found about three hundred years ago when the builders were tearing down her old home to make room for the new senate forum. Such a loss really, tearing down the home of a woman who did so much for this country. I can tell you one thing, had I been alive during those days, I would've made every effort to keep the house as an important historical site."
"So who had this before you?"
"Oh several people. Mostly collectors that didn't really do anything with it save not really keeping good care of it. For a while I do believe it was actually lost, but eventually it popped up again and found its way into that museum run by the Mols. Finally through a mutually beneficial deal I acquired the book from that family."
"I see, well I'm not sure if I feel comfortable reading something that was Brenda's private thoughts."
"Oh. Well, you can just put it on that table over there if you feel that way. Just thought maybe you'd be interested in it. No harm done. Anyway goodnight." Quintus says and leaves the room.
You begin to settle down for sleep, but find you that you can't. You are tired, but not sleepy, probably because you've been sleeping for the past five hundred years!
You explore the room a bit, but there isn't anything much of interest that's going to keep you occupied, well except Brenda's journal. It probably seems silly, but in your mind Brenda hasn't been dead for centuries. In your mind, the last time you saw her was only a few years ago and reading her journal would be an invasion of her privacy.
However Brenda has been dead for centuries and under the circumstances you can't help, but be a little interested.
"Apologies Brenda, but I fear my curiosity has gotten the better of me." You say and start flipping through the journal trying to be a careful as you can since last time it nearly fell apart in your hands.
Really it seems like the journal shouldn't even be handled anymore, it's missing more than a few pages and the writing has faded as well. For all Quintus' claims of respecting historical items of the old Empire, he hasn't even bothered to put the loose pages back in proper order. Still, you manage to make out some of it.
One entry in particular stands out for you mainly because you get the best sense of Brenda's frustration of her situation, but then realizing that she has to do something about it.
Entry 51
Sometimes I wonder why I even keep this stupid thing. I think I had some weird idea that someone needed to keep a record of events after the cataclysm. Still don't know what caused it, nobody does. In another two hundred years is anyone even going to care?
Chaos hasn't completely overtaken Nalin, but I need to keep some sort of order. I don't want to use extreme measures, but it's getting to the point where I'm going to have no choice. They aren't bad people, they're just panicking and scared more than anything else. It's understandable, I am too.
I know who wouldn't be scared, that paragon of Eternalhood. The Emperor's Weapon of Terrible Justice or whatever it is they used to call him. Can't remember all the nics and titles he had. If he were here, he'd probably already be rebuilding the Empire. Alas, I have heard no word of him or much word of anything past Quala really and it's been months. I can only believe he must be dead along with millions of others. Warrick too, though I shed no tears for his passing. It was his bumbling that resulted in my husband's death.
It would seem I am the last of the Eternals. It is a strange sad thing being the last of something. Everyone looks to me like I'm supposed to solve this problem with the snap of a finger, but I'm just one woman even if everyone somehow believes I'm this superior being just because I'm an Eternal.
I honestly wish I wasn't most of the time. I certainly don't feel any more powerful or smarter because of it and nowadays I feel like I'm got a huge target on my back and I have to constantly look over my shoulder because some idiot thinks I'm being a repressive tyrant. People either hate me, fear me, worship me, or a combination of all three.
What the hell do these people want? I'm doing the best I fucking can! Not only am I trying to maintain civilization and order in these dark days, I'm also trying to keep some semblance of the Empire alive. We can't just abandon our way of life because of a terrible disaster.
Or maybe I'm just holding on to something that I know because I've lost everything else. I don't know, but it doesn't matter.
Starting tomorrow, I'm going to make some major changes. I'm not even sure what exactly, but changes are going to be made if only so civilization and order can go on and damn what the people think. History can be the final judge.
I just wish Roldan was here.
"I wish you all were here." You say to yourself and close the book. |
After sitting here for about an hour or so listening to the sorry state the republic is in, let alone the rest of the area that used to be part of the old Empire, you've had enough of it all.
"Stop. I've heard enough about your wretched country. I can already tell what YOU want. You want the Empire back."
"Yes! I want to resurrect the Empire!" Quintus exclaims.
"And that's a lovely thought, but sorry to tell you this, it's dead. Long buried and resigned to the trash heap of history." You remark.
This comment is definitely not what Quintus expected. Jennifer on the other hand isn't quite surprised you'd say such a thing given your own cynical remarks to her.
"But... you're here now... a symbol! A symbol of the old ways! Proof of honor! Proof of strength! Proof of power! You're an Eternal!"
"And? I obviously couldn't prevent the destruction of the Empire. Am I supposed to just resurrect it with my mere presence? Am I to just kill the entire senate and establish perhaps you as an emperor? Do you think the people would accept that?"
"Well maybe not so direct... " Quintus remarks.
"No? Because that might be the only way to get things done around here. And what makes YOU think you'd even be a good emperor? You do not even have the support of the people."
"I do have the support of my constituents! I even have a few allies in the senate!" Quintus protests.
"Well you still don't have enough for what you desire. I'd say that I'd have a better chance of being accepted as an emperor before you would just due to the fear factor and raw power, and I'd still have to be looking over my shoulder constantly before I finally got run out by a complete rebellion or I destroyed so much of Nalin in the process of maintaining order. Given what you've told me of the average citizen it sounds like they're perfectly happy with the way things are. Happy with their hedonistic freedom. Do you really think they're going to listen to a relic of a time when the strong just ruled over the weak and the weak not only accepted it as a way of life, but some were even happy about it? The sheep have been let out of their pens and do not wish to return. Do you believe your people, even those that apparently keep voting for you to represent them are ready to accept a more restrictive and harsher culture? Do you believe you can foster such an environment?"
Quintus remains silent and you throw up your hands at his inability to answer.
"Well you see my problem with your plan. You probably thought when you dug me up; you'd have a powerful tool that would be your key to reforming a parody of the old Empire. And it would be a parody, because even if you were successful, it would NEVER be like the old Empire. You can read all the lore and books you want about the old days and nothing is stopping you from holding fantasies about such days. But make no mistake those good old days aren't EVER coming back. You're about five hundred years too late. I haven't been awake one complete day yet, and even I've come to accept that hard truth... but then I've had to accept so many hard truths. This is just another one to me."
Quintus nods solemnly. The spark that was in him is gone, but you can tell he isn't completely defeated. Jennifer just tries to look away from both of you and shuffles some papers she has with her.
"You... you aren't how I expected you to be... " Quintus says.
"Nobody ever is. Another hard truth I learned a long time ago." You answer.
"Mm... well I seem to be at a loss of what to say. Which is rare considering they often complain that I never shut up in the senate."
"Look, Quintus. I won't deny that your ideals and goals aren't admirable ones. However, I had to drag you back to reality. You still have a long way to go before even bringing something resembling the Empire back. As much as it might be fun to send me to just kill the senate with a firestorm and then establish martial law across the land, it's not going to be that simple. At least not yet."
"Yes, I suppose you're right. It's just I've read about some of your deeds, scraps of parchments really and I guess when I found out you were alive and in my house I just figured all of my country's problem were solved."
"Well, they may still be eventually. Now despite what I've said, I will help you. Because personally, I'd like to see you succeed if only so I could live in a place that didn't seem so damn strange and it's not like I have anywhere else to go."
"So you are going to help bring back the Empire?"
"Well, something like it anyway. I can't promise anything, but I'll try. Now then, with me on your side, you shouldn't worry about the military side of things. I can take care of those matters when they arise, and they most certainly will. You're going to have to take the lead on the political matters obviously, but I can still advise you in this capacity. All my years of working side by side with the Emperor contributed to such skills despite being on the battlefield most of the time."
Quintus seems to have that spark of life again when you agree to help him after all. He happily asks where you should get started. Jennifer at this point is glad to also see things have worked out and says she should leave you two alone to talk more and get back to the dig site. Before she leaves Quintus calls out to thank her.
"And tell your father he has my thanks as well! If it weren't for you two, we would not be in the better position we are now. Expect a bonus in pay this week." Quintus says.
"Thank you senator. I was wondering though and I hate to ask, but it just came to me. Do you think our new friend here could come back up to the dig site when he has the time? It's just that he was buried there and it might be of great help if he could at least perhaps give us a good indication on where it might be beneficial to dig."
"Well we've got a lot to go over first, but afterwards if he wants to, I have no objections."
Doesn't take you long to agree. You briefly remark that where they were digging was near the Emperor's main chambers and you'd like to see if anything survived yourself. This new revelation causes a bit of excitement from Jennifer and Quintus wondering what other magical treasures that might be of use in the coming days of change or even some scraps of history that can enlighten them more about such glorious days.
You just wonder if you can find the remains of Semra. Call it curiosity; call it a sense of closure.
The first thing you and Quintus talk about is the military. You explain that it is of vital importance to get them to support him the most, but it's also of great importance to get them be more vicious warriors. You say you understand that battles are probably fought a little differently nowadays, but the intense training isn't necessarily just to make them expert fighters. It's also to instill discipline and hopefully a warrior's mindset. Make it so that they want to go to war, that they long for it.
Quintus says that he does already have some pull with the military. A little more than most find comfortable, but of course it's nowhere near absolute. You're glad since that cuts down on a little extra work.
You tell him to track down the most spirited and skilled warriors that are in the military and have them gather somewhere secluded just outside the northern borders of Nalin. You say you need to get started on training as soon as possible, you just hope you don't have too many wash outs (or casualties). You then say you also need to get started on an outside threat.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean you need an outside threat that genuinely scares people. Makes it so people are more supportive of a strong military. Makes it so eventually people prioritize their safety so much that they're willing to give up their freedom just to be safe. I mean I know you've been warning the senate and the people about all the scary things out there and you're right, but people don't believe it until its beating down their door with a battle axe."
"Yes, but how exactly are we going to do that?"
"Well YOU aren't going to do anything except going about your usual business. I on the other hand am going to incite one of those threats you've told me about. Obviously one of the closest ones."
"The usksha immigrants?" Quintus asks.
"Heh, well maybe in due time, but that's bit more on the... political side. Plus its not a large enough threat and the follow through of invading the desert is a logistics nightmare that we are nowhere near in a position to carry out at this time. No, I was thinking something much simpler. Something much easier to incite violence in and a lot easier to get people to fear, namely orcs."
"Oh, do you think you can do it?"
"Encouraging an orc to attack isn't a challenge at all. Herding them to all attack in a specific direction takes a little more skill, but I can do it. It'll just take a little time and we have to make a balancing act of it. Going to have to let the orcs win a few major battles in the beginning at least. It won't be pretty, but it'll also serve to purge some of the less than skilled soldiers you have around here. Some villages on the borders are going to have to burn as well."
"Villages? Are you sure?"
"The problem with the Nalinites is they've never really been under a true threat for a very long time. When the people experience the loss of a couple border villages and see the bloody aftermath, trust me they'll be begging for more protection. When they see the brutality of what an orc horde can do they'll be screaming for justice and for us to march into the Quala Badlands to wipe out every last green skin. The first steps to expansion and the first steps to resurrecting the Empire."
Quintus understands and says it sounds like a good plan. You and he talk a little more about some of the specifics before he eventually says he has a big day tomorrow of arguing against some silly law that one of his opponents is trying to have passed and needs to get some sleep. He says that you may have a bed in one of his spare rooms, as it isn't like the rest of his family is going to complain about you being here. You agree but say that you intend on heading back to the dig site like you promised Jennifer tomorrow and also to get started on that orc situation you spoke on. Quintus remarks that you can take one of his horses and says he hopes to see you within a weeks time.
The next day you ride off to your destination and you feel somewhat calmer than you did when you first woke up. You also feel like you have a worthy purpose now. You know you're going to have a big task ahead of you trying to reform the Empire, but at least it gives you something to do. Who knows, you might even be successful.
Or you might be instrumental in the downfall of yet another nation...
> picking through the past (The dig site)
You've spent the past two days with Calvin's crew, which has been fumbling about trying to dig up the rest of the Emperor's chambers. So far they haven't found much of consequence though, mostly just pieces of the Emperor's belongings that were made of stone or metal, like a bed frame or one of his many work tables. The biggest things were broken pieces of the two large statues that stood outside the door and the half destroyed door itself. Any books that have been found have mostly been destroyed over the passage of time. Between insects, small subterranean rodents and centuries of gradual decay it would seem the earth has consumed most of the important stuff. While Calvin still appreciates what has been found, he was really hoping to find a treasure trove of magical items, but you told him he wouldn't have had much luck anyway. The Emperor himself never really kept much of that around, probably because as a powerful wizard himself he didn't need to rely on such things
You on the other hand haven't found what you were looking for and that's the remains of a svelk. You and Semra were in the immediate area yet no bones have been found. But then Jacob wasn't too far from the same location and his bones haven't been found either. (You still haven't mentioned to Calvin or Jennifer about knowing the specifics about their ancestor's death.) At this point you can't do too much more lingering you need to get on with your more important assignment. You decide to make one more quick look though so you grab a shovel and start digging.
Of course you can't be left alone while doing this, Jennifer decides to come up and bother you in her usual way. You swear the girl insists on trying to hang around you whenever possible. You certainly hope she doesn't have a crush or something, because you don't really have time for such things.
"Hey, you shouldn't just be digging haphazardly like that near the support beam! One wrong dig and you could fall into a sinkhole or cause part of this excavation to collapse! You don't want to be buried alive again do you?" Jennifer says.
"I dunno, I'm still wondering if I wouldn't be better off." You remark.
"Oh you don't mean that. I thought you said you and Quintus had big plans that gave you a sense of purpose now."
"Yeah, but that doesn't mean I can't ponder if it's worth it or not. (Sigh) Damn it, what am I doing? I've never going to find anything. I need to just get started on that business I spoke about with Quintus."
"Wait, what ARE you looking for anyway? I've noticed you before looking through piles of dirt and overturning stones since you got here. If you told us, perhaps we could help you. I mean we do do this for a living and all."
"It's nothing. Don't worry about it."
"Look if it's personal, you don't need to tell me or anyone else the significance, but if we know what to look for surely it could help couldn't it? Maybe we already found it and it's in our pile of ever-growing objects.
Sensing that Jennifer isn't going to let this go you give in and tell her.
"(Sigh) I'm looking for bones."
"Bones? Well we found a bunch a few feet higher up... "
"No, the bones I'm looking for would be at least approximately in the same area that you found me. They would be elven in nature, specifically svelk, if that makes a difference."
"Dark elven? What was a dark elf doing down here near the Emperor? You know, you still haven't told us anything about how you came to be in your situation. I mean we've all been wondering if the Emperor was down here during the cataclysm, though we haven't found any trace of his remains."
Now you wish you hadn't told her.
"Look! Let's just focus on one thing at a time! Now I'm looking for svelk bones, unless you've found anything like that, then we have nothing more to discuss." You snap and start to leave.
"Okay, okay! No need to snap like that, but can you at least tell me who this svelk was? Obviously they must've been important to you or else you would not be trying to find the remains. I'm really just trying to help!"
Well that's true and you can't necessarily fault her for it.
"Alright, I'll tell you a little bit. The svelk's name was Semra and believe or not she was a top advisor to the Emperor. And since we're on the topic, yes all of us were down here when the cataclysm hit. As the palace was collapsing in on our heads, Semra was the one who put me in that little magical box you all found me in. Basically she saved my life when certain doom was imminent."
This bit of information predictably gets a big reaction out of Jennifer.
"Wow! I can't believe it. The Emperor had a svelk advisor? She must've been an outcast from her people. I thought they were only nomadic mercenaries back in those days."
"They were, but Semra was a bit more ambitious than that. Make no mistake she was no outcast. She was every bit as ruthless and treacherous as any of her people. Probably more so. She always had an angle."
"Hm, surprised the Emperor trusted such a creature, but still she saved your life. A self sacrificing svelk; never thought such a thing existed. The two of you must've been close surely? Were you friends or um... "
"No we weren't friends, and don't even suggest we had a romantic affiliation." You say before she even completes that sentence. "Our relationship was... complex. Let's just say she played a big role in who I am today and despite whatever differences I did have with her I do owe her my life."
"So, it's kind of like a paying last respects thing?"
"Something like that. I mean she was literally the last person I saw before I went into my big sleep. My last moment during the old days were with her. Guess I felt like seeing her bones would be a kind of closure, but I guess it doesn't matter anyway right?"
"No, I understand. Well, we'll keep an eye out I guess for svelk bones. So... you said the Emperor was down here too?"
"Yeah, but before you even ask. There's no point in trying to look for his remains. He disintegrated before my eyes."
Jennifer is in shock.
"He... he disintegrated?! How?!"
"Well, it was the cataclysm. Hit pretty suddenly and hard. One moment he was there, then he wasn't."
Your vague explanation isn't exactly untrue. You're just glad it seems to be sufficient for now.
"Sheesh, no wonder you didn't want to talk about it. Must've been stressful even for you. I have to tell my father about this. He'll be very interested in learning more about this mystery." Jennifer says.
"I'm sure you will. You know I'm very surprised he doesn't speak to me more often given that he's the one in charge of this expedition and his extreme interest in the history aspect."
"I would imagine he would if your personality was different. You're a bit intimidating and he still fears you a bit, so as it stands I think he believes it would be better if I spoke to you."
"Why? Does he think I am easily swayed by a pretty face?"
"Er... no... what I was going to say is that I am a little more willing to take risks like interacting with you for example. You're more likely to respect someone that's brave and thus open up to them. I love my father, but he's not exactly the bravest of men, though he has his moments."
"Hm, sounds like someone I used to know." You say thinking about Jacob, which makes you add a bit more to your story.
"Before I leave there are a few other bones you might want to look for while you're down here." You say.
"Oh? I thought it was just you and Semra."
"It was in the end, but there was another top advisor to the Emperor here that died shortly before that."
"Wait, you don't mean... "
"Yes, your ancestor Jacob. Though his remains might be a bit... crushed. A large falling stone block fell on him."
Your news once again renders Jennifer silent for a moment.
"We always did wonder what happened to him exactly. I mean it was always assumed he got killed during the cataclysm, but never knew the specifics. Well at he didn't suffer long." She remarks.
"No it was pretty quick and sudden. Just like everything else when the cataclysm hit. Still, if it's any consolation, Jacob had his own moment of bravery before his life ended. He actually saved Semra and I from getting immediately killed during that dark time."
"He did?"
"Yes. Anyway, as I said, I've got other things to do, so I'll leave you to it."
Before you leave, Jennifer thanks you for the information and hopes in time that you'll open up more information about the past. You don't make any promises, but you know you probably will eventually.
You leave the dig site and think about what you originally went there for in first place. Closure. Since you didn't really get that, you do it yourself.
"Well Semra, I don't really know why you saved me. Then again I didn't understand your twisted obsession for me either. Whether it was genuine love, svelk psychological torture, your own personal fucked up mind or a combination of the three I'll never know. And I guess now, I never will. But for what it's worth. Thank you."
After your monologue to yourself, you ride off in search of orcs to antagonize. |
While it's entirely possibly that you'd come out of this thing alive, (You've certainly been through worse) there's little guarantee that anyone else will. If you're going to keep your "rescuers" alive, you'll need to be unhindered.
"What're you doing?!" Jennifer asks as you leap on a horse.
"I'm getting off this thing, and I suggest if you don't want to be a big target you will too, there's another horse here, jump on it and we'll unhitch the wagon!"
Sensing that you're going to do this whether she likes it or not, she realizes that she doesn't really have a choice. She jumps on a horse and you take your sword and cut the harness. You tell Jennifer that she should order everyone else to concentrate their gunfire to the left.
"Where are you going now?!"
"I'm going to take care of the ones on the right!" you shout and ride in their direction.
The orcs are so agitated about you heading directly towards them, they practically stop focusing on the caravan and begin firing arrows at you. Of course you anticipated such a thing and cast a shield to protect you and your horse. With your other hand you spray a cone of cold on the orcs closest to you, freezing them quite literally in their tracks.
This feat of magic is enough to cause the orcs to attempt to rear up their boars and change direction back towards attacking the caravan. Others are undeterred and continue to head toward you with large weapons in hand. You aim your next spell at their boars, which consists of a couple fire blasts. The pigs go up in a blaze and soon so do their riders who end up dropping their weapons in an attempt to beat out the flames.
You turn your attention at the orcs who decided to attack the caravan instead. At first glance the expedition crew have held their own fairly well considering none of them seem to be warriors and they seem to have fended off most of the orcs on the left side. However you see orcs getting the best of a couple of them when they close the gap and begin jumping onto the wagons.
You ride back to the caravan and put your own combat skills good use. Orcs may be fierce and unrelenting fighters sometimes, but without the heavy armor that you remember they used to wear for the Empire, they get killed as easily as anyone else if you're skilled enough, and you're more than skilled enough. As you battle the orcs, the remaining expedition crew tries to help, though you're nearly shot a couple of times in the process. You end up yelling at them to stop "helping" you before you start firing at them with something a lot more accurate.
Soon after you've killed your last orc after hopping from wagon to wagon, you hear Jennifer shouts to everyone that you've won and the rest have rode off. The caravan stops for a moment to take some time to clean up dead bodies on the wagons, and gather up any equipment that fell off during the fight.
Jennifer comes up to you as you're cleaning off your own sword.
"Well that was exciting to see a real Eternal in action! I knew we were going to be safe with you!"
"Hmm, yeah well I almost wasn't safe with your people, because I nearly got shot a couple times!"
"Yeah, sorry about that. Fear of the orcs actually on the wagons was probably causing higher nervousness than usual."
"You should get some soldiers on these trips. Then at least you'd have some people who actually know how to fight when things get a little close."
"We do have soldiers, can't you tell by the uniforms?"
Honestly you hadn't really paid much attention to the fact that several of the people on this expedition crew do have similar outfits. It's just regular clothing though, none of it is proper armor, light or heavy. You also now notice that the firearms are much different too, namely they can fire multiple shots before being reloaded. A very handy improvement indeed.
You realize that time has definitely marched on, it would seem that shooting someone with a rifle or pistol is the order of the day. Not much use for the old armor if that's indeed the case. Still, you're also reminded of the Felkans and their over reliance of such weapons. It would seem the Nalin Republic has the same technological disease. And these people are the supposed "successors" of the Empire.
"Guns." You say shaking your head.
"What's wrong with guns? You don't think they're honorable or something?" Jennifer asks.
"No, I believe they are very useful and it would be foolish to not employ such weapons of fantastic destruction during battle and war. I just have a problem with the reliance of them in place of natural combat skill, because one day you're going to run out of bullets and then you see who the real soldier is."
"How is using a gun any different from casting down lightning from your fingers or throwing fireballs around?"
"It isn't in the scheme of things. I just said I don't have a problem with gunpowder weapons. However you also noticed I didn't just toss around magic like I had unlimited energy either. I used it when it was needed and engaged in close combat for the rest of them. I could've easily just rained down a firestorm and wiped out all of the orcs, but that would've taken out the caravan too. Something I'm sure nobody wanted. The Empire used firearms AND magic during the Felkan War, but individually the soldiers were still some of the toughest warriors you'd ever want to face. The Felkans soon learned that fatal fact. Perhaps if their soldiers still had the formidable close combat skills of an Empire soldier, they might not have lost so many battle when physical prowess was needed."
Jennifer doesn't debate your views or experience, she just thanks you again for your help and you're soon underway. The rest of the journey is relatively silent.
Eventually you arrive in the Nalin Republic. The landscape here is more like you remember, though it isn't until you get towards the capital of Dalt that you start seeing a resemblance to civilization, but even that's different when it comes to the architecture and such. You get a few stares from passing citizens.
Jennifer and you disembark from the wagons when you arrive at Quintus' house, or rather his very large mansion, which has guards posted at the gates. Honestly it's the closest thing resembling the Empire you've seen since you got here.
"You wait here, I'll have to speak with Quintus about all this first. While I'm sure he'll really want to see you, there is protocol to follow."
"Sure, do whatever it is you have to do, I'm not going anywhere, but who is this Quintus anyway?"
"Quintus Arillicus is one of the most influential leaders in the senate and as I've already mentioned an admirer of old Empire history, but he'll tell you more when you meet him."
As Jennifer walks through the gates, you're left standing around with a few guards who give you the stares that you've come to expect from everyone. You wait for about ten minutes before you begin to wonder why you're even entertaining this again.
Then you remember, it's because you don't have much else to do right now. Though you're wondering what place you're going to have in this new world. You imagine that maybe you could be a soldier again though it doesn't look like there's a war going on. Doesn't even look like this place is suffering from any discontent from the citizens, but then looks can be deceiving.
Jennifer eventually comes back to the front gate and waves to come with her.
"You can come in now. Quintus is very excited to see you!"
At this point this Quintus better be just as impressive, because from what little you know of this guy, you're not nearly as excited to see him.
You and Jennifer walk into the mansion and while it's certainly fancy and has a design style similar to Empire architecture, it isn't nearly as extraordinary as the first time you saw the Emperor's palace. Of course you're a harder sell from those old days. Jennifer and you enter what is apparently a conference room. She says that he shouldn't be long and you both take a seat at the table.
Soon a middle-aged man walks into the room with some guards, but he dismisses them at the door so that you three can be alone. He's dressed in an older style suit that looks more like those you remember Empire bureaucrats wearing and carries a staff of some sort with him. He also wears several rings. You sense that they all might be magical.
Either way you fail to be impressed, just as you suspected you would be. Quintus on the other hand, now that he sees you in person, he's very impressed.
"I never believed in all these years... all the digging... all the research... everything. And none of what I've found compares to this! Yes! This is indeed a glorious day! A real live Eternal! Not just any Eternal either, but the one who served the Emperor himself!" Quintus exclaims as he sits down across from you.
"Now let me stop you right there. I know you're all excited and shit, but for me this is going into unknown territory. Possibly even enemy territory. I have no idea WHAT exactly you want with me. I'm going to tell you right now though if you're thinking of putting me in some sort of museum or some weird aristocratic version of a sideshow like they have at the fairs peasants go to you better get that idea out of your head right now."
Jennifer tries to temper your words, but Quintus raises his hands as if no offense was taken.
"It's alright. Our Eternal friend is quite right to be suspicious of me, but I can honestly tell him there is no reason for him to be because I think my goals will fit his honorable ideals. I'm still sure there is much he wants to know and questions that he has, but I will say that it is my hope that he and I will change history together!"
Quintus and Jennifer try to get you fully up to speed on everything first...
> The Nalin Republic (Successor to the Empire)
After hearing about the terrible state the rest of the former Empire is in, you ask about the land that managed to somewhat keep it together thanks to Brenda.
Jennifer says that the cataclysm did hit Nalin, but it didn't change the landscape so much as it changed the weather patterns. For the longest time, Nalin was about as wet as Delerg was before most of that place just submerged under water. It got so rainy that the Usksha Desert actually started receding. After a hundred years of this, Nalin's territory grew just due to weather as the usksha nomads retreated deeper into their desert and border raids became non-existent.
Meanwhile Nalin continued to slowly evolve. After Brenda's death, her second in command, Tarna, took power. She ruled much in the same way Brenda did, but not as wisely. She was considered far too authoritarian to an unreasonable degree and she did not have the charisma or respect to pull it off. There were even accusations that she had Brenda assassinated.
Whatever the case, after a few decades of her rule, the general public had had enough her. There was a rebellion and she was violently disposed. At first an attempt to rule the Nalin Dominion by a small council of leaders, this worked for a while, but there were still problems with this. In time it was decided that the people wanted to be even better represented, it was around this time that the beginnings of the republic were truly born.
The republic in its current form has lasted about two centuries, with alterations in certain procedures and laws here and there. During that time slavery has been completely done away with and there is trade with some of the more reasonable city-states in Arat. There is also trade with the recently re-emerged usksha nomads who apparently have formed their own new government of sorts called the Usksha Emirates.
Population here is mostly human, though there are elves here as well. In fact it's about the only area where they're treated as full equals now. While kobolds were "assimilated" even during Brenda's time, they're still not entirely accepted by everyone despite most of them now being productive members of society. There are even a few usksha that have set up permanent shops and live within the republic. These oddities mostly live on the desert borders and are viewed with suspicion even if there is a peace with their people now. Quintus in particular believes they should go back to their desert and doesn't like the idea of them not being proper members of the republic since they don't adopt the language or customs.
"Look, I don't have any problem with the sand savages on a personal level. I'm just saying that if they want to live in the republic, they should learn the language and adopt OUR culture! Even the kobolds make the effort! Of course most of those fat bastards in the senate are just concerned about is maintaining a good relation with the Usksha Emirates so they can line their pockets with the coin made from trade kickbacks. Not to mention all the drugs they allow to go through." Quintus
"Drugs?" you ask.
"Oh yes. You haven't been here long enough to see it, but despite the republic's veneer of peace there lies a very serious drug problem. The sand savages trade more than just their crystal trinkets and cloth. They deal in a drug known as sandman and make it out of a type of lizard creature that only exists in that desert of theirs. A basilisk I believe. It puts people in a sleep state to the point of near paralysis. I mean it's almost impossible to wake them up while they're under the influence. I guess it gives people really intense dreams that most really enjoy, because a lot of people get addicted. Of course a lot don't wake up either. It's a major problem yet it's not the only instance of the senate turning a blind eye to illegal substances coming into the country."
"What else do the usksha bring in?"
"Oh it isn't just the sand savages. It's also the pirates and smugglers from the Delerg islands. Besides attacking our pathetic excuse for a navy they sneak in that foul brew that makes people go blind. I have no idea why people even want the damn stuff when we have our own superior alcoholic beverages right here. It's this kind of moral degeneracy and apathy that's going to lead to our demise if we don't start doing something about it!"
"Can't the military do something about this or maybe a police force? You ask.
"Hah. Jennifer told me of your opinion on our military, and you're absolutely right. Most of them are not up to the task. They're not disciplined like they should be and they certainly don't have the most intensive training. I've read about how the Empire used to train its average ground troops. Our soldiers wouldn't last one day in that form of basic training. As for a police force, we do have the peacekeepers, but they're even less effective than the military mainly because they have limits on what they're allowed to do to citizens. Even if said citizen is behaving in a suspicious manner they can't do anything unless they've already slit the throat of some old woman for coin so they can go buy more sandman."
You can certainly understand Quintus' frustration. The Empire had its share of problems, but maintaining order over the plebs wasn't one of them.
"The senate is made up of a bunch of corrupt plutocrats who aren't interested in making Nalin better. As I said most of them are only in it for money. Others are just weak willed and go along with the crowd. A few are genuinely dangerous idealistic fools who want to introduce even more liberty amongst the populace! Can you believe that? This place needs more order not less!"
You knew this "republic" concept sounded terrible when Jennifer first explained it to you. Looks like you were right.
"We've become lax and complacent! The orcs of the Quala Badlands are only going to grow in numbers. How long before their numbers become too unmanageable? How long before the Usksha decide to backstab us while we allow them to infiltrate our borders? How long before the svelk unite the six cities and become a power to be feared? How long before the Xi Hive consumes us all?"
Quintus continues ranting, you get the impression he's given a similar speech to the senate on many occasions.
"We should be growing stronger by expanding! Instead we're just rotting on the inside! Even our research in new technology has become stagnant! The gnomes are ahead of us in this way and if the rumors are true, so is the city state of Telis!"'
"What about magic power?" you ask.
"Well, even since the cataclysm, magic isn't very common anywhere anymore. In fact as far as I know the only place that does have it is the city state of Lenay and even then the svelk only have it to a limited degree. If it weren't for me, we wouldn't have anything at all. I've been funding all these expeditions in the hopes of unearthing powerful magic weapons of the old Empire, but other than the few personal rings you see me wearing, this staff and a few other things I have locked away, I haven't had much luck. I've even tried getting a magic school started in the hopes that perhaps there are some latent mages or perhaps a hedge wizard out there, but the idea was dismissed as a waste of public funds."
Quintus goes on about the failings of the republic for quite some time, but it all is sort of boring you. The republic is a weak inefficient state that coddles its citizens and is run by corrupt fools. You got it the first time. Jennifer told you Quintus was influential, but so far all you've heard is a lot of his failures to get things accomplished.
You certainly hope he's got a better plan of action than just whining. |
In for a silver, in for a sack as they say. If this spell is going to protect you from the Emperor, you'd best stick with it and worry about Semra's intentions later. Though at this point you don't even feel any pain on your side of things, but maybe that's because you aren't trying to hide anything from her.
Your life has more or less always been an open book. You've never really hidden anything because you've usually come clean eventually anyway. You're not even going to be hiding your desires to kill the Emperor pretty soon. If Semra's hoping to learn something to use against you, she's in for disappointment.
She already knows most of your combat techniques having taught most of them to you. She already knows your mindset well enough that she has more influence over you than you'd like. She already is well aware of your feelings towards her. There is quite literally nothing she is going to find out that won't give her any advantage that she doesn't already have.
Yet you can sense she STILL wants more, its almost as if she's insecure about not having total control over you. You sense a lot of that actually. She can't comprehend why you can have a sexual desire for her, yet not desire her in the way you did with Alison. She's at a loss on what to do about it. And that confusion is a big ball of anger, frustration and pain.
Suddenly you see the image of a young svelk girl. You aren't sure how old, but by human standards she would definitely be considered a child. It's Semra and she is holding the hand of an adult male svelk though you can never quite make out his face.
They are both in a city where a large crowd of svelk are gathered having a good time throwing what looks to be sveld babies against a nearby wall which has a big target on it. Semra looks very happy and cheers whenever one splats into a bloody mess in the center.
It would seem that Semra's entertainment preferences didn't change much for her. Several images of her enjoying similar activities with the same adult male flood your mind. You can only guess that the adult male might be her father, but Semra must be blocking you from confirming that.
In any case, the idea that she was once a child is bizarre, but then everyone starts as one at some point right? She had a twisted childhood to be sure, but she had more of a childhood than you ever did.
Just as think you're starting to see more images of a personal nature, the contact is broken off and Semra pushes you away.
"There. It's done. Let's get this over with." She remarks while rubbing the sides of her head. She also starts rubbing her eyes and is sniffling a bit.
You're silent for a moment, just staring at her. You know that she must be hiding loads of whatever unhappy memories she does have. And she certainly can't have you seeing them, she can't trust you enough to believe you wouldn't mock her in some way or exploit a weakness.
"WHAT?!" she shouts when she notices you staring.
"Nothing. Keep your secrets. Like you said, let's get this over with."
As you make your way to the door to the Emperor's chamber, you do feel the connection of your mind to Semra's. Its not like you can read her thoughts, but its rather a sixth sense kind of feeling. You're curious how this will play out during battle.
After speaking the password, the door opens and you both enter the Emperor's chambers. You look at each other, simultaneously cast your magical shield spells and spread out. Almost immediately you hear the voice of the Emperor, though he hasn't made an appearance yet.
"So it's come to this has it? After all I've done for you. After all I've given you. You turn traitor for a piece of svelk tail?"
The Emperor steps out from his bedroom.
"Son, I am disappointed." He says and then just stares immediately in your direction. You feel a slight pain in your head, but its muted. Semra's shielding spell must be working.
The Emperor looks genuinely shocked. Its an expression you don't think you've ever seen before on him.
"You... you let this... creature into your mind?! Have you gone mad?!"
"Probably." You remark and cast a lightning blast at the Emperor, but he easily deflects it back at you causing it to hit your force shield and knocking you to the floor.
Semra casts a spray of acid, and while it sizzles and melts objects within the designated direction, the Emperor's own defenses absorb it. Realizing he can't just explode your brain, he casts a spell, which starts to turn the room very cold. You're reminded of the time you cast this spell on Cyrus' crew and you immediately cast a ring of fire around yourself in the hopes the heat will be enough to keep you from freezing. You follow up with a volley of small fireballs, which set the many bookshelves in the room ablaze.
"You've made a dire mistake son, trusting this svelk whore. Even if you could defeat me, do you really think she'd allow you to live? She's lying to you son. She always has and I thought you were stronger than that." The Emperor remarks as sheets of ice cover the room extinguishing some of the flames.
"And you weren't lying to me?! You had Alison murdered and you planned to kill me as well!" you shout back as you release your feet from the ice that has managed to encase around them.
The Emperor sends a flash of light that blinds you and Semra. You stumble around to the left since you remember there being a solid stone table you can take cover behind.
"(Sigh) Even if any of that was true my son, what of it? I was your father! Your master! Your life was mine to do with as I saw fit! Of course none it matters now. You've decided to stand against me and now your life is most certainly mine to take." You hear the Emperor say and then suddenly hear loud lighting blast followed by a yelp sound to your far right. Must be Semra, but you're still half blind from that flash of light.
"Ha ha! Not as strong as we thought eh Semra? You always were an overconfident bitch. Won't be long before I break through your pathetic force shield."
Your eyes clear up enough and see Semra across the room struggling to maintain her shield from a steady blast of lightning unleashed by the Emperor. Seeing that trading magic isn't going to work, you put up your own shield and try to make your way over to the Emperor to just butcher him, but the combination of your hampered eyesight and icy floor are enough to slow you down.
"Ever the warrior aren't we son? Here, play with these!" the Emperor shouts and stops his attack on Semra, waves his hands and suddenly five hovering undead figures appear. You cast an enchantment spell on your sword and press forward to battle. Meanwhile Semra has taken advantage of her second wind and cast a telekinesis spell throwing a table directly into the Emperor. She follows this up with smacking him with several other smaller objects. He falls to the floor and re-establishes his own magic shield.
"Keep up the pressure!" Semra shouts.
You'd love to, but right now you're trying to destroy the undead creatures in from of you. While you've never faced such things before, you keep your cool and successfully cut down three of them.
"You fools know nothing of the power you face! Now face the true supremacy of a necromancer!" the Emperor shouts and the entire room gets even colder, but this isn't even like the cold of ice or snow, this is something unnatural. You start to feel the tips of your fingers go numb and feel your energy starting to be drained. It's like when Cyrus touched you, but this is all around you.
You nearly get your head cleaved in by one of the wraiths as you start feel dizzy. You dodge the attack and slash the thing in two. The last one is taken down with a blast of fire from Semra who you sense is feeling the affects of the Emperor's magic too.
You stagger and prop yourself up on a burned lab desk. The Emperor stands only a few feet away, but he seems so far for you to do anything. You look over and see Semra staggers towards him, but collapses and begins screaming. You aren't sure what the Emperor's doing, but his eyes are glowing red.
"A scared little girl still crying about her lost birthright. That's all you are and all you ever will be. You svelk think you know about pain and death, but you know nothing! I'll show you true pain and soon I'll show you death and the endless torture that can come after it!"
Semra's confidence that the Emperor couldn't do anything to her mind because of her race has proven false. While he's not exploding her brain you do sense he's creating some sort of waking nightmare in her mind. She's literally crying and begging for him to stop, she even looks over to you reaching out with both hands telling you she's sorry. She pleads with you to help her and that she needs your strength.
You never thought you'd ever feel a slight twinge of sympathy for her.
In any event, you're not exactly doing so well yourself. You aren't even sure if you could help Semra even if you wanted to given how weak you feel. Though your chances of making a lunging attack to kill the Emperor are equally as slim.
> attack the Emperor
Semra's just going to have to suffer a bit longer because you need to kill the Emperor. Besides, if you do kill him, you will have helped her anyway.
You stagger towards the Emperor and raise your sword in an effort to strike him, but it's a clumsy attack that he easily evades. He instead grabs your sword hand and you feel an even greater drain on your energy than you did before.
"Tch. Tch. What were you thinking son? I guess you weren't otherwise you wouldn't have tried to kill me in the first place."
The Emperor continues to drain you of your life and it doesn't take long before you see your hand shrivel and wizen before your eyes. Your entire body soon follows this sequence until your organs fail and death is instantaneous though definitely not painless. |
Year 35
While you've never been excessively fond of these important meetings because they take you away from the battlefield, you like them even less nowadays due to having to see the Emperor in such a weakened state. You remember when he first started displaying the signs of being unwell; you dismissed it and thought that he'd eventually get better. Five years have passed since you found out and he's only gotten worse.
He barely gets out of bed anymore. Most of these important meetings take place while he remains horizontal under his blankets. He's still mobile, but he tries to conserve his strength for when it's necessary.
He's never even told you what it is that's causing his decline, though you've never thought to ask. (And Jacob certainly hasn't) It may just be old age finally catching up with him which means there is nothing that can be done hence why he doesn't bother bringing it up.
Its funny how when you first met him that he looked so healthy. You thought he was immortal despite him telling you that he really wasn't. Now you know he wasn't just being humble.
You and Jacob have been doing your best as usual in carrying out his most important orders. Though today the order is given specifically to you. You have to go meet with Marik.
Marik's been running a secret experiment for the last sixteen years and says that its finally ready. The Emperor knew about it and actually told him to abandon it on more than one occasion, but Marik insisted that it would be a good idea, so the Emperor relented as long as it didn't interfere with project that would be of a more direct benefit for the Empire.
When you arrive at Marik's underground lab, he takes you through a metal door that opens up to a platformed level, which overlooks a huge room. It's nearly the size of a small hamlet you think. There are several ladders that descend down to the lower level which contain translucent containers all hooked up with tubing and connected with each other and large strange machines. Even from this distance you can make out figures floating in liquid within the containers.
This experiment: Breeding a new army of Eternals. The derro has been growing them in these tanks. Literally hundreds, possibly even a thousand.
"So... this is what you were hiding behind this metal door when I came here over ten years ago. Knew something else was going on." You say as you stand on a balcony overlooking all the rows of tanks.
Unlike you and your siblings these Eternals were practically "made." From your understanding they went from some woman's womb to the tank immediately. (You can only hazard a guess what might've become of the mothers, but nothing good no doubt) From there they've been getting "grown" into the perfect soldiers.
Marik has explained to you the "science" of what he's done, but some of it is going over your head. Personally you don't even think Marik understands all of it himself, he just believes it all works. While Marik did use human babies for this second generation of Eternals most would probably tell you that there isn't anything human about them. Given what's been said about you as well you can't really disagree. You are better than the average or even above average human in every way.
You watch as two of them are released from their tanks, already teenagers and able to understand everything that is told to them. They're given weapons and display great skill with them when ordered to fight each other. Probably just as good as most Empire soldiers.
Still, there's something about these Eternals that doesn't sit right with you. Maybe its because Marik was involved and that his experiments can be hit or miss. Maybe its because you feel that without the experiences of training they don't truly know what its like to struggle and earn their place.
Whatever the reason, you don't feel like they are Eternals. As little in common as you have with your own siblings you still feel a small bond there. You have nothing in common with these tank babies. They're something else as far as you're concerned.
However, none of this matters. What does matter is if these so called new Eternals are going to actually be an asset to the Empire. From what you've seen they aren't without skill, but they're going to need to be field tested along with drilling the concepts of loyalty and duty into them.
"Sure, they look pretty, but can they fight?" you say after seeing the demonstration. This annoys Marik. He starts sputtering and stammering to the point where you think he's going to go into a seizure.
"You just SAW what they're capable of! How can you even say such a thing?"
"Yes, they were okay for children. I suppose we can find a place for them somewhere. Perhaps we can... "
"Bah! You're just jealous!" Marik interrupts.
"Excuse me? Jealous?" you ask.
"Yes! They're already the perfect warriors and didn't need any training at all! They didn't need all the hand holding nonsense that you had to go through to become a killing machine. Face it, these Eternals are the future!"
You stare at Marik in disbelief that he dares to say such a thing to you. To his credit, Marik doesn't back down, he stares back at you, ignoring your eyes burning through him.
"You can give me that stare of death all you want Eternal." Marik remarks.
"Alright... open up ten of the tanks. Let's put them to a real test."
"What? So you can incinerate them with your magic?"
"If they're truly as good as you claim then my advantages shouldn't matter, but since you seem to be unsure of your creations now. I'll make it easy for you. Open up twenty of the tanks and I won't use one damn cantrip."
Marik starts making that annoying high pitched laugh you hate so much then he suddenly gets very serious.
"Were you planning on fighting them right now?" Marik asks.
"While I'm sure watching me slaughtering twenty naked teenagers would prove my point, I said I was going to make this easy. No, you go equip your twenty creations with whatever armor and weapons you wish. I'll wait."
You wait as Marik orders twenty tanks opened up and has a few of his derro friends herd these children into another room presumably to get outfitted. Marik soon follows behind to oversee personally.
While you wait, you reflect on the fact that they're all the same age as you were when you first got to meet the Emperor. It was one of the greatest days of your life when that happened. This happy moment passes very quickly when you have to dwell on the fact that the Emperor is now on his deathbed. You have no idea what's going to happen when the inevitable happens. Sometimes you look at the Emperor now and you wonder if that is what you have to look forward to when you get old.
Is that the fate of everyone? No matter how powerful? What's the point of it all? Will the Empire even survive when the Emperor dies? He doesn't have a successor. You have often wondered if you would be it, but he's never mentioned it. Even if you were, you can't imagine ever doing the job better or even as well than he could. Leading armies is one thing, but an entire nation? You don't know if you'd have the patience for it. You're a soldier not a ruler and yet you couldn't dream of serving any other ruler except the one you think of as father.
Your mood starts getting worse because you also start dwelling on less pleasant aspects of your sixteenth year before you met the Emperor. It always comes back to her. Why the hell can't you get her out of your head?
Even now the woman hasn't been seen in three years and yet she still comes back to fucking torment you.
Alison's dead, the Emperor's dying, these new "eternals" are obviously meant to replace you, your own future is uncertain, Semra still haunts your thoughts...
At this point you wonder if it wouldn't just be best if you let these damn tank babies kill you. It would at least be a warrior's death and you'd die when the Empire was going through a second golden age of sorts.
You had some good times and saw several major threats to the Empire destroyed. Why stick around to see a man you have nothing but respect for continue to whither and die? Why see the potential slow decline of a nation you spent all your life trying to keep from the brink of chaos?
Maybe it is time to step aside gracefully and be replaced...
> retire
You think back to when you had to "retire" Kane. Different circumstances of course, but he knew when it was time. You know when its time too and the time is now.
However, you aren't going to accept death so easily. It's going to have to be earned.
Doesn't take long before twenty tank babies along with the other two that were involved in the first demonstration come out fully decked out in armor and weapons. Surprisingly the derro didn't deck them all out in the heaviest body encasing armor they could give them, though there are at least half of them dressed in such a manner. You can't help notice that the derro didn't limit their weapons to close combat, you see some with firearms.
"Well here they are! Where the hell are you? Hehehehehehe! Did you lose your nerve and run away already?" Marik says calling out for you.
Then you jump from the top of one of the tanks you climbed up on and bring your sword down on one of the tank babies, and quickly stab another in the throat with your dagger. You take advantage of their confusion by dispatching the ones with gunpowder weapons first. After snatching one of their flintlocks and blowing the head off of one, Marik tries to rally the tank babies with a simple instruction.
"Don't just stand there letting him massacre the lot of you, kill him!"
You cut down another three and begin to get into battle mode.
"Marik, release more of them!" you shout ducking a mace at your head.
"What?!"
"I said release more of these tank babies! If they're going to replace me, they need to learn and these aren't going to be enough to teach that lesson!" you shout back and dispatch the mace wielding tank baby.
You're too busy fighting to pay too much attention to what Marik is doing, but the sound of several tanks opening up followed by the sound several new footsteps are an indication that he listened to you.
You slay more of them and demand that Marik keep throwing more at you. The tank babies aren't without skill, but you're proving to be a little too much for them to handle. Thoughts of "retirement" begin to leave your mind, and this thrill of battle is giving you that renewed incentive to live.
Unfortunately you don't anticipate your derro host to take matters into his own hands. Seems Marik isn't pleased with you easily killing off his experiments.
"Svelk loving bastard!" you hear Marik shout and then followed by a shot from a high platform above. The bullet hits you in the side and causes you to fall to the floor. The tank babies that you were currently fighting take advantage of the situation and gleefully stab at you or bludgeon you with maces and clubs.
You try to get back up, but you're overwhelmed and too badly wounded. Boots stomp and kick your body followed by several blades through your internal organs. You're finally finished off by another gunshot to your head.
Later on Marik explains to the Emperor that you insisted on fighting fifty of the new eternals to test them and that despite his warnings you were killed in the ensuing melee. If you were still alive you probably would be honored that the Emperor had Marik killed soon afterwards. |
If this is some sort of shadow attack then the first thing you need to do is keep the palace secure, in particular the Emperor. Besides the city streets are going to be mayhem, you doubt if you'll be able to track down the assassin that killed Roldan. Hopefully others will get him though.
Despite Alison getting most of the people back into the palace, Jacob is still sitting on the balcony in shock.
"He... he... he's not... he can't... " Jacob stutters.
"Jacob get your ass inside now!" you shout and drag him inside.
You and Alison both start taking control of the situation telling the guards to lock up every opening they can and the mages on duty to magically seal up the rest. Alison tells the guests to find some place safe to gather, but you don't really care about any of them. Your number one concern is the safety of the Emperor.
"Alison, I need to... "
"I know, the Emperor. Go. I can help with keeping shit together here."
You rush down to the Emperor's den constantly looking around the whole time. You keep thinking that a shadow, or whatever that was that killed Roldan is going to suddenly materialize at anytime.
When you get inside the Emperor's chambers, he's in bed asleep. You don't want to wake him, but he needs to know the situation.
"Huh? Mmmh? Oh hey... (cough cough) what're you doing here? Are the festivities already over?" he asks.
"Emperor, there's been an assassination. General Roldan was killed during the parade by what I think was a shadow. We're currently trying to secure the palace just in case this is part of a greater attack."
"Sounds like a lot happened while I was taking a nap. Shadow huh? Thought we killed all of them. Guess they were just playing a waiting game as usual. Always a few loose ends aren't there? (cough) I imagine Jacob isn't taking Roldan's death too well."
"Not at all, he's pretty much in shock and was babbling the last time I saw him."
"Hmm, well it is a shame. Roldan did turn out to be one of our best generals. I'll have to make sure he gets a nice funeral. If we can't celebrate his successes in life, at least we can honor him in death. (cough cough)... what's wrong my son?" the Emperor asks when he notices that you're looking slightly troubled.
"I was one of the ones chiefly in charge of hunting down the shadows. The fact that I missed one or possibly several so that something like this could happen... I feel like I failed." You explain.
"Nonsense, you did what you could to the best of your ability. I've always known that. Don't even start playing what if for this situation, because it's not worth it. While this event has certainly been tragic in that it ruined what was supposed to be a happy day, this really isn't excessively serious in the scheme of things. (cough cough) If you were worried about me, don't be. Even in my less than magnificent state, I'm more than able to handle a shadow or even a dozen of them. Assuming they could even get in here in the first place. Its probably just one crazed shadow that somehow hid under a rock all these years from our purges and thinks this one act is going to bring us down. Foolish of course, but what can you expect from such fanatics?"
"You don't think this sort of thing could cause instability in the Empire?"
"Hardly. (cough cough) The citizens might panic about things for awhile, they'll be fearful of the big bad shadows' return for revenge or whatever stories they'll make up, but ultimately it all works in our benefit I'm sure you know. (cough cough) We get to continue to display how without us they would be at the mercy of dangerous forces that would have destroyed them long ago."
"So... what did you want me to do now?" you ask.
The Emperor begins to sit up a bit more before answering you.
"Nothing. In fact (cough cough) after things calm down a bit, you can return to your regular duties in the newly acquired Gan and Ibim provinces. I can handle things here in the palace and the city, just get Jacob down here and I'll start hammering out the plans."
"You really don't need me to do anything?"
"No, your talents are far more useful doing what you're doing right now. Besides, with Roldan dead you might be needed more than ever on that side of the Empire. Last I heard there were still gnolls running about. (cough cough) I of course appreciate your concern as always my son."
The Emperor begins to slowly get out of bed and you take your leave. When you get back upstairs everything is more or less peaceful. Alison and some of the other officers have been making sure the palace is secure. Alison tells you there have been no signs of any potential attackers. Reports from outside the palace are about the same, other than Roldan's assassination the only other causalities have been from soldiers trying to maintain order or from people getting trampled in the initial chaos. No shadows or anything else like that.
"So what's the next move? What did the Emperor tell you?" Alison asks.
"He told me not to worry and when things calm down outside to just return to my normal duties." You respond
"That's it?!"
"That's it. He wants to see Jacob though, is he in a more coherent mindset now?"
"Compared to before? Yeah, but he's still pretty shaken up. I know he's been crying."
You walk over to Jacob who is sitting quietly in a chair with his head in his hands. He's still very upset. You have to repeat yourself twice when telling him that the Emperor wants to see him.
You and Alison stay at the palace for a few more minutes, but when you get news that a carriage is able to take you back to Fort Stalwart you decide to leave immediately. Its hectic trying to leave at first since there is still a bit of turmoil in the streets as well as the surrounding countryside, but once you're a few miles from the capital the ride becomes more relaxed.
Alison asks you if you're certain about leaving.
"The Emperor told me to just return to more normal duties and not to worry, so that's what I'm going to do. If he says he can handle this incident himself then I have no reason to doubt that. Besides, he also said with Roldan dead I might be needed more on the western borders anyway." You say.
"Hmm. I guess all those times I worried about you being punished seem sort of silly now... sheesh... today was surreal. I mean I've seen a lot of stuff in my years of service, but nothing like this. The general consensus seems to be that it was a shadow that killed Roldan. Certainly looked like one from where I was sitting." Alison replies.
"I don't see what else it could've been. Similar style of clothing, invisibility, incredibly quick, sneak attack, the elements were all there. (Sigh) Damn."
"You alright?"
"I just... well I dunno. I just can't believe we... I missed a shadow. Really thought we got them all when I killed Cyrus. The Emperor said it wasn't my fault and I know it really isn't but I still feel like this is a major loss."
"Yeah, I can imagine you'd feel that way having worked together with Roldan during the Felkan War."
"Heh, well to be honest Roldan and I were never close. I mean we were professional and civil, but we never really did become what you'd call friends. Still though he didn't deserve to die like that. He wasn't just an excellent solder and general, he was an Eternal and I guess that bond was there to an extent even if it was faint. Now there's one less of us."
"I guess given that you all grew up together and were subjected more or less to the same training, the other Eternals are sort of like, your siblings?"
"Yeah, I suppose in some ways they are. Funny that I never thought of that before." You remark.
As you reflect on all that's happened, Alison reaches out to touch your hand, you look over at her and return her smile with one of your own. Happy that you have her.
Then your smile disappears when a bolt grazes your ear and hits Alison right in the eye. Her blood splatters on your face and her body slowly goes limp in your arms.
You turn your head around just in time to see the assassin hanging outside the carriage window with one hand and his other arm reeling back from having launched his bolt from his armbow.
It's definitely a shadow, but from this range you can also see it's also not human. The face is either severely burned or rotten. It grins at you with blacken teeth and before you can react, it rapidly climbs up which is followed by brief scream from the carriage driver and then the ride gets a lot bumpier really quick.
The shadow has probably killed the driver and is probably in the process of detaching the horses. Meanwhile you're still holding the body of you beloved Alison.
> try to heal Alison
Ignoring the increasingly bumpy ride and still holding Alison in your arms, you concentrate as hard as you can trying to heal her.
"Hang on Alison. I can bring you back. I know I can. Just hold on... " you say.
The carriage doesn't hold on however and soon its bumpy ride comes to a sudden stop when it crashes into a tree and turns over. You and Alison are thrown about causing you to lose focus.
"SHIT!" you shout followed by several other curses as you scramble back to Alison's body which is now starting to grow cold.
Once again you attempt to heal her, trying not to break down emotionally, but once again you are interrupted. This time by her killer who appears above you standing on the outside of the now ruined carriage. You don't react in time to avoid the bolt he shoots at you which pierces your skull. Your body falls on top of Alison's though you're not quite dead yet. The brain is a funny thing when damaged in a very specific way. Instead of dying immediately, your body is twitching involuntarily and you're helpless to defend yourself against any further attack.
In your final moments the assassin jumps in the carriage with you and grabs you by your neck. You feel a great drain on your remaining strength. You can't see very well at this point, but the assassin's face even in this rotten form looks somewhat familiar. It almost looks like Cyrus.
But it couldn't be him... could it?
The assassin's grinning expression seems to say it all.
But why or how he came to this state will remain a mystery to you along with whoever it was that raised him in the first place. |
You're sure the Emperor means well and he probably does have more knowledge on these things. But he doesn't know Alison the way you know her. You also can't and won't spend your life in fear that something might occur that will cause strife between you and Alison.
That's why you're going to tell her what happened two years ago and face whatever the consequences may be.
You leave the palace and the capital to make your way to where Alison is currently stationed, which means a long ride back to the new eastern frontier of the Empire. You eventually arrive at Fort Stalwart, which is actually just a renamed and rebuilt fort once held by the ex-Felkan Kingdom.
Given your reputation, the gates are immediately opened for you. A few of the older soldiers are also probably aware of your relationship with their commanding officer so orders are already given to alert Alison of your sudden arrival. She meets you even before you make it to her office.
She flashes a smile when she sees you and goes to put her arms around you presumably to kiss you. While you'd love for her to do so, you stop Alison, which confuses the hell out her.
"What's this? Oh. The other soldiers around. You and your insistence on keeping protocol. Very well let's get to my quarters so we can get you back into your comfort zone, because its been too damn long."
"It has and we should get back to your quarters, but I'm not sure if you're going to be in the mood for what you probably had in mind after I tell you what I have to tell you."
Alison steps back and gives you a tilted look.
"Hmm, sounds serious. You look even more grim than usual. Well let's get this over with." Alison says and the pair of you head towards her quarters.
Her private quarters are neat and clean, as you'd expect, on the right wall you see your portrait, which is right across from her bed. Placed in such a way so the first thing she sees when she wakes up is you.
"Alright. Out with it and let's see exactly how mad you think I'm going to be at you." Alison remarks closing her door. You sit on the bed and take a deep breath then exhale giving her a look on your face which contains a mixture of shame and guilt.
"Geez... this must be bad. I don't think I've ever seen you like this. Its almost like you're afraid to tell me. Shit, maybe I better sit down too." Alison says taking a seat in one her chairs.
"Alison... I love you. I want you to know that before I say anything else. I never thought I could ever feel this way at all about anyone. It just wasn't something I was taught or even learned. (whew) Okay enough stalling. Here it is... "
You tell Alison everything that happened two years ago at Gnome's Home and afterwards. You also explain that you didn't want to tell her in a letter because you felt something like this should be face to face. You expect Alison to show some sign of anger at this point, but she remains stoically silent just listening to everything.
Lastly, and you weren't planning on telling her this either, but you mention that the Emperor suggested that you break up with her and how you obviously ignored this advice because your feelings are just that strong for her. This one causes her eyes to widen a little.
"Wow, obsessed svelk, rape through magic trickery, warnings from the Emperor, defying orders... sheesh. Bet you never thought you'd have to deal with things like this."
"Rape?" you say.
"Well, yes. Its not like you willingly had sex with her, you willingly had sex with what you THOUGHT was me. It might've been a civilized form of it, but it still was rape since you wouldn't have had sex with who it really was. What else would you call what that svelk bitch did to you? The act doesn't always include a bunch of men holding down a hapless young girl and ramming their dicks into her you know."
Hell, you never even thought about that. For a brief moment you feel slightly... violated.
"And here I thought she was just making up shit and posturing." Alison continues.
"Wait a minute. You... knew? When?" you ask.
"For about two years now. Though as you might expect she told things a little differently. Never mentioned about disguising herself as me."
"So she visited you? You never mentioned it in your letters."
"Well hey guess what, neither did you. Though in your case I can understand why. In my case it was more I thought she was just so full of shit that I didn't believe her in the first place and in the second place I knew you were so busy with the Felkans that I didn't want to distract you with unpleasant thoughts of her in my letters. Figured it would be best to keep her out of them."
"What did she tell you exactly?"
"She appeared in my office one night claiming that she would always be the main woman in your life. And how I didn't stand chance against her and that I should just give up now. She said this along with the predictable insults of monkey and my general appearance. Then she mentioned how she easily seduced you into having sex with her and that you would always be hers. Like I said she was so overly dramatic about everything I thought she had to be lying."
"So what did you do?"
"Nothing, I mostly just shrugged my shoulders and told her I thought she was lying. I also mentioned that I found it pretty sad that for all her superior svelk talent and beauty she was still jealous of a mere monkey like myself and obsessed with a man who obviously did not share the strong feelings she obviously has for you. Then to finish up my retort I also told her that even if what she said was true, that even if you did have sex with her it would only make you appreciate me all the more."
"Yikes. I can imagine she didn't like that."
"Oh no, she did not like it at all. Her face turned from a smug sneer to one of frothing anger. I thought she was going to attack me, some flames started emanating from her fingers and for a moment it felt like a force was keeping me from drawing my own weapon. I couldn't even call out for other soldiers to help. I guess she thought better of it though because she just stood there for a moment staring at me and then made her way out the window. Wasn't long after that incident the svelk merc support was transferred out of here, which was fine by me and everyone else of course. Not like we needed them against gnoll attacks anymore anyway."
"I can't believe all this happened and you aren't mad." You say.
"Oh trust me I'm mad, but if you think its with you, you're mistaken. I can't do much about it though I suppose. I'm not really concerned with your little svelk stalker. I'm a little more troubled with what you just told me about the Emperor. I get the impression he doesn't care for my influence, not that I think I really have any over you."
"Oh that? I wouldn't worry about him. I believe he's just overly concerned with my well-being again. He's always been a little over protective at times, like a father with an only son I suppose. Right now though I'm just wondering how you feel about me after all is said and done."
"I don't feel anything. Ha ha ha ... wait that came out wrong. What I mean is I still feel the same way I always have about you. I love you. Nothing has changed."
"Good, then let's get married. Let's take our relationship to its next logical step."
"Married? You serious?"
"Well sure. I mean don't people who feel the way we do get married?"
"Usually I guess... but I dunno... seems like there some forces against us, and that's not even including one of us dying violently in battle. I mean in some ways the Emperor might be right. You might save yourself some pain if you ended our relationship now."
"Perhaps, but I won't get to experience the good stuff if I did that."
"Good stuff eh? Is that what you're calling it now?" Alison jokes. "Well, you sure you're ready for the pain of possibly losing me on some forsaken battlefield somewhere?"
"How do you know you'll die first? You could outlive me."
"Pfft, please. You'll outlive everyone. You'd outlast this entire world, if you had the time." Alison laughs.
"So will you marry me?"
"Yes, of course I will."
As fitting for two soldiers, you and Alison don't have a fancy wedding; in fact you get married the next day in some small town in the Arat province by a local bureaucrat. Alison is still on duty for the next week so you return to her post and spend your wedding night in her quarters at Fort Stalwart. She tells you though as soon as she has time off, the pair of you are going to spend quality time doing something fun which doesn't involve the bedroom. You don't see the need since the bedroom is just fine with you, but you agree.
While waiting for Alison's time off, you take it upon yourself to have a pair of proper rings made for you and Alison. You also have what possessions you actually own sent to Fort Stalwart since you don't know where you'll be stationed next and there is as good of place as any.
After you've taken care of all that, you still have a day left to wait for Alison, so you go back to see the Emperor, you figure he should know what you've done and he'll know eventually anyway.
When you see him again, he's still coughing a lot and moving slowly when he walks. He seems happy to see you though.
"My (cough cough) son. This is an unexpected (cough) visit. I would've thought you would've been off enjoying your down time." He says.
"I am, but I have also come to tell you something. I have married Alison."
"Oh. I see. Well (cough cough) whatever makes you happy son. I trust she makes you happy."
"Yes."
"Then I'm happy for you. (cough cough) Heh, that was quick. Have to admit I didn't expect you to marry her. You should've told me though (cough cough) I could've ordered a big city celebration like what (cough cough) we're doing for the victory over the Felkans. You two could've walked down the streets with fancy guard and everything."
"That would've been very generous, but I don't think that would've been either of our style."
"I suppose not. Well as I (cough cough) have said, I'm happy for you, enjoy your time together and cherish it. So was there anything else?"
"No, nothing of any note."
"Very well... (cough cough) ugh... I'm still afflicted as you can tell. I need to just rest, so if you'll excuse me."
Again, you feel like asking if he needs help, but you resist. Instead you just quietly start to leave. The Emperor speaks to you as he makes his way back to his bedroom.
"Oh. Don't (cough cough) worry about Semra. I spoke with her earlier a couple days ago about bothering you again."
"Semra?"
"Yeah, you know (cough cough) Mistress. I made it quite clear to her if she did do it again that she'd be executed, along with every other svelk in the Empire. (cough cough) Funny thing is, she went into a complete breakdown exclaiming that I didn't need to worry about that ever again, because as far she was concerned she never wanted to see you ever again. Then she (cough) proceeded to swear in common tongue as well as her own language. Mostly about you. Then she stormed off. If I didn't know better I thought she was going to cry. I actually wondered what it was that caused all that. Now I know. I guess you had a hidden witness (cough cough) to your wedding."
"Shit." You say quietly to yourself in amazement. Then you address the Emperor.
"Thank you, sir."
"No problem. (cough cough) Think of it as my wedding gift to you."
Well you couldn't have asked for a better one, assuming she really does stay away.
> married without children (Year 31)
Year 31
You didn't mean to get into a minor argument about this, but you like to be prepared for all eventualities, so you had to ask the question...
"Alison, I actually don't care if you've been drinking stillness potions to avoid unwanted burdens, because I'd understand. I just wanted to know if you were drinking them." You explain.
"No, I haven't. I used to before I met you and I did even in the beginnings of our relationship, but I stopped taking them years ago."
"Really? I would've thought you would've waited until after marriage."
"What for? It wasn't like I had any intimate encounters after you got transferred, well other than my hand."
You quickly start counting up the times in your head when you've had sex with Alison since you've been married.
"Yes dear, it's been MORE than enough times for an accidental burden as you put it to have occurred." Alison remarks. "I'm not sure why you're even concerned about this, I've never known you to want kids. Is this something you want?"
"Well no... (Sigh) I just wanted to know if it was something you wanted because I think... and I don't know this for certain, but I believe I am unable to provide you children. I probably should've told you this before, but honestly you're right in that I've never gave children much consideration before. In fact, I've probably only been pondering this more because I've had more downtime than I ever had since we defeated the Felkans.
Alison gets silent for a moment.
"I see. But why do you think this? I mean do you have any proof? It can't be an equipment problem because we both know that works. You might take into consideration that sex doesn't always lead to a screaming infant. Just most of the time."
"Yeah, but as you pointed out, once is all it takes. I guess I'm just thinking about Roldan and his own marriage with Brenda. He once told me they've genuinely tried to have children on several occasions. Even to the point of both of them imbibing fertility potions. Nothing worked."
"So? Just because Roldan or Brenda sterile that means you are too?"
"Quite possibly. You forget, we're all Eternals. Roldan told me that he and Brenda came to that conclusion. He believes that it might have something to do with all the enhancements that are made on us when we were still babies. I mean its not like Warrick or Kane have any children either."
"I'd hate to think about Kane having any offspring given what I knew of him and what you've told me since you saw him again. Look, I think you might be worrying over nothing."
"I'm not worrying for me, so much as I'm worrying for you. I mean I don't know if you've ever wanted children. You've never mentioned it much. But I don't know if you're going to change your mind one day and if that's the case then you're going to be mighty upset with me."
"Funny enough, I thought you bringing up the subject was going to result in you being upset with me."
"Why the hell would I be upset with you?"
"Well, I don't know if you're aware of this, but stillness potions aren't exactly the best thing for your lady parts. I mean they don't do any fatal damage to the drinker as far as I know, but given that they are designed to kill potential offspring, it can make it a bit hard for future pregnancies. I guess it's the mixture that stays in your body or something. So for all we know, the problem might lie with me."
"Oh. Didn't know that. Um... are you okay?"
"Sure. I mean I knew the risks every time I drank the foul tasting potions. That's why I don't even think you should concern yourself with this. I mean if we create a future hell spawn then we do, if not well that's fine too. I didn't marry you for the idea of hanging up my sword so I could pop out kids. And as far as your potential sterility problem it's not like you've got much to test that theory on. If you were some super stud that fucked multiple women and didn't get any of them pregnant I could see your concern. You've had at exactly two women in your life and in my case we've already explored the possibility that it could be me. And as for the other... well she's a svelk. It isn't like elves and humans can produce offspring."
"Thank the Emperor for that." You say.
"Although as you've pointed out, you're not quite the average human are you? So for all you know you've got some half svelk bastard running about that your obsessive stalker hasn't told you about." Alison jokes.
"That's not funny Alison."
"Hey it would explain why she's still carrying a bit of a torch for you. Okay, I'll stop I can see you're getting grumpy. Let's get off the subject entirely."
At this point you're more than willing to do just that rather than dwell on very unlikely yet very depressing possibilities. |
Eventually you approach the opening at the end of the tunnel, where it empties into a large underground subway station. Your heart sinks as you draw near and hear the echoing din of a large mass of zombies from within. You hover in the darkness of the tunnel, carefully venturing forward just enough to get a look inside.
A hundred and some of the former subway passengers – all trapped in the rush hour mob and unable to escape the initial outbreak – pack the area, half on the landing platform itself and half down on the tracks.
Those on the tracks look a lot worse for wear; most torn up from the subway crash you just came from – or even other crashes farther up ahead. They moan and snarl at each other, jostling and crowding toward the edge of the loading platform, trying most ineffectually at climbing up the four foot ledge. Occasionally one does manage to get up, but is quickly pulled back down by the rest trying to climb up over its back.
You are reminded of a bucket of crabs. You remember once seeing one in Maine – there's another memory – you don't need to put a lid on a full bucket of crabs; they all try to climb up over each other. The moment one gets to the top, it is collectively grabbed by the rest and dragged back down to the bottom of the bucket.
You snap out of your reflection and focus on the area itself. The zombies don't see you yet and you doubt they'd hear you over the clamor, unless you did something to intentionally attract their attention.
The station is large and tiled, with a high vaulted ceiling and a large placard reading: "Fox Park Station". You see that the light is coming from a large number of battery powered emergency lights along the top of the walls. You also see, just beyond the crowded landing platform, two exits. The first is a turnstile gate at your end of the platform with an escalator and set of stairs going up on the other side. The second is an open set of stairs and an escalator at the far end of the platform beyond all the zombies.
On the track level itself are two sets of rails, both empty of any trains. Apparently, the platform side is for stopping, while the outer track is for passing through. As the trains all go the same way through the tunnels, you know there must also be another tunnel and station nearby for the trains going in the opposite direction. Typically, it would be close enough that you could buy a ticket in the terminal above the tunnels and then simply come down the right set of escalators to your platform.
You spot a dingy red metal door in the outer wall of the tunnel opposite the landing platform. While the light's not great, there is enough that you can make out the words on its surface: "Railway Workers Only!"
As you stand in the shadows of the tunnel looking over the scene, you also spot a four foot long piece of heavy planking, lying on the ground where you would exit the tunnel. You'll have to be sure not to trip over it when you are ready to go.
Man there are a lot of zombies in here!
Given that, you think over your options – The open stairs and escalator at the far end of the landing platform is a no go – way too many zombies to get past even to think about it. Then there is the turnstile exit gate with the escalator and stairs on the other side. The problem with that is: to get to the stairs you'll have to hop onto the landing platform with hundreds of zombies and make it to the turnstile exit gate and jam it before they swarm you. There is also the matter of the turnstiles being one-way. If there are zombies on the other side of it, you won't be able to come back the way you came.
The red door option on the other side of the tunnel would be much easier to get to, but if you're detected, the zombies on the tracks will move after you and block your way back to the tunnels. You don't even know if it's locked or even goes anywhere – for all you know it may just be an access door to firefighting equipment – though you would think it would say so if that was the case...
You could also try to sneak past the horde altogether, while they are distracted, in order to continue further down the tunnels towards the center of the city. If the rest of the stations are like this one though, then you'll have to deal with getting out of the tunnels sooner or later...
You could also just turn around and head back the way you came; trying instead to leave the city altogether rather than move any deeper into it.
After weighing your odds, you:
> use the heavy fire extinguisher to disorient and bull-rush your way through the zombie hoard to the turnstile gate
Good thing you brought this heavy fire extinguisher, you think, as you pull the pin and ready it for the onslaught. You're thinking that you can use it as a battering ram to bowl your way through and then blast the zombies in the face with the contents to hopefully confuse them long enough to dive through the turnstile.
Taking a deep breath, you rush out from the shadows of the tunnel and over to the nearest edge of the landing platform. As all the zombies on the tracks are looking in the direction of the zombies already on the platform, you are able to get right up to the edge of the zombie crowd and brush past two or three of them before vaulting up onto the upper level – the fire extinguisher clanging loudly on the tiles as you do so.
There is an abrupt silence, as all attention is suddenly drawn to you, and then a roar of agitated groans and wails. As one, the entire zombie hoard starts toward you. Of course, you weren't waiting to see what they'd do, so you're already running full speed toward the turnstile gate at this point. Unfortunately, the zombie swarm had already partially blocked your path; and with them now actively moving toward you, you'll need to bust past at least five or six of them before you can get to the gate.
You level the heavy fire extinguisher in front of you and ram at full speed into the first two zombies with a yell – sending them flying back into two more and toppling all four of them. Almost there you think, swinging the heavy fire extinguisher with both hands at the nearest of those left standing. The butt of the extinguisher slams into the creature's head just below the ear – shattering the thing's jaw and knocking its head so far to the side that its neck snaps loudly. It falls to the ground twitching violently.
You still have one standing between you and your goal when you feel grasping hands all over your back. It seems that your initial crash into the zombies has drastically slowed your forward momentum. With horror you feel yourself suddenly being pulled backward into the crowd. The book bag you think! They have hold of your book bag! You drop one shoulder and spin out of the book bag freeing yourself of the hoard on the landing platform, but exposing your back to the one standing between you and the turnstile gate. Knowing that it must be lunging at you even now, you do something radical and drop to the ground before rolling away to the side and emptying the contents of the fire extinguisher at your attackers.
A violent blast of white powder spews up into the faces of the zombies standing over you and fills the air with a cloud of the stuff. The zombies stop short for just a moment, apparently blinded, or at least confused by the sudden stimuli. Not wasting the advantage, you scramble the last few feet toward the turnstile gate – when something grabs your leg and threatens to drag you back into the hoard.
It's one of the prone zombies you knocked down in your charge – you had almost forgot about them in the mounting panic of your situation. Looking, you can see all four of them beginning to get back up, but the closest of them has grabbed a hold of your pant leg and is now sinking its teeth deep into your calf. You cry out in pain as the ugly thing rips free a wide strip of your flesh and grins – mouth dripping your own blood. Still having a hold of the fire extinguisher, you curse loudly and slam the butt of it down on the zombie's head with all your might. A gruesome spray of wet gore splats across your legs as the thing's head pops like a melon between the butt of the extinguisher and hard tile floor. You force yourself to ignore your own injury and the revulsion of such a gory sight – skittering through the turnstile before the rest of the zombies can get to you.
Immediately, the zombie hoard tries to reach through the bars of the gate to get at you. Looking at the stairs and escalator, you see that there are no zombies on this side of the gate – Phew! Maybe you'll get out of this yet. The problem is that you're now bleeding from the burning bite on back of your leg and are currently stuck holding the gate yourself to keep the zombies from following you through it. You need something to jam it shut with.
Looking for the heavy fire extinguisher, you see that you dropped it in order to make it to the gate in time. Damn; you could have used it! That just leaves two options – sacrifice your crowbar to lockup the turnstile – or simply make a run for the stairs (hoping your injured leg will carry you through), knowing that the zombies will follow, but only just a few at a time through the confined space of the turnstile gate...
Also, you have lost your book bag and the med kit, signal flares, and proper flashlight within (though you still have the penlight on your keychain).
> let go and make a break for the stairs (keeping your crowbar)
You deice that you need your crowbar too much to leave it behind and make a break for the stairs, letting go of the turnstile gate and running as fast as you can go with a limp.
Two zombies immediately force themselves through the turnstile gate, but the press of those behind them completely jams up the works. One zombie even gets stuck between the turnstile and gate and is slowly being crushed. As long as the zombies all continue pushing forward at once, no more will be able to get through.
Seeing this you:
> beat the crap out of the two zombies following you with your crowbar, before going up the stairs
Normally, you could easily outrun the two staggering zombies, but the injury in your leg has slowed you down noticeably; and right now, you're only just keeping ahead of them. You move a little ways up the stairs to gain the advantage of higher ground and wait with your crowbar to meet the two zombies climbing sluggishly up after you. The throng of angry zombies meanwhile, still tries to push through the gate after you, but is unable to pass. They glare at you with frustrated moans and snarls, flattening the trapped zombie in the process.
When the first zombie gets head level with your waist you swing for the fences and clock it in the side of the head so hard, that its ear explodes under the blow, and it is sent flying over sideways off the steps. It crashes heavily to the hard tile floor below and remains still for a moment, but then slowly begins to right itself.
The second zombie keeps coming and reaches to grab at your legs, but you anticipate such a move and backpedal up the stairs a bit more, giving you room to wind up a brutal overhead swing. Your crowbar lands on top of the nasty creature's head so hard that its skull caves in with a cracking-splorch – and a bloody spray of teeth splatter your feet as they shoot out of what was once the awful thing's mouth.
By this time, the first zombie has staggered back up and is heading for the stairs again. You see a long red welt raised up on the side of its head, where its ear used to be. You again raise you crowbar over your head and wait. When it gets up to you on the stairs, you kick its chest hard, sending it once more tumbling back down to the tile floor below. This time however, you hurry after it and plunge the chisel-end of your crowbar into the back of its head before it can get up again. The thing convulses violently a moment and then goes still, before you pull your crowbar out of its skull with a wet sucking sound.
You glance over at the turnstile gate, relieved to see that the agitated zombies are still jamming it up with their hapless compatriot.
Limping up the stairs to the subway's main corridor, you see the wide concrete and tile entryway into the subway itself; and you can actually see the exit to your left, beyond a bank of narrow token-operated turnstiles. Unfortunately, a huge mass of zombies crowd the area – both in front of the turnstiles and on the other side, where the tunnel itself simply opens without walls to the outside. You stifle a gag, as the smell of blood and death is overpowering here. Looking at the floor of the main corridor, you shudder to see hundreds of ripped open and dismembered bodies lying in sticky footprint-tracked pools of maggot and fly infested blood. You force yourself to ignore the nauseating massacre and take in the more pertinent details of the scene.
Directly across from the stairway you just came up is another stairway headed back down. The sign over the stairs reads: "North Platform." You know that this is the stairway that leads back down to the other end of the platform you just escaped. It's a good thing zombies are stupid – or they could just turn from the turnstile gate you blocked and come right up those stairs unimpeded.
To your right, the subway's main corridor goes another hundred or so feet and ends at another set of opposing stairs, where a much smaller group of ten or twelve zombies mill about. The signs above these stairways read: "South Platform" and "Exit Only" respectively. You know they would take you down to the subway's southbound platform – no doubt just as zombie infested as the north platform was.
Between you and that far end of the corridor – about fifty feet away – are three sets of doors. The first door is on the opposite side of the tunnel from you and is a security door broken off the top hinges. It hangs open at an odd angle and looks bent out slightly, as if it had been forced open recently. It has a pushpin key lock in it, but doesn't look like it can be closed anymore, and has the words: "Transit Authority: Subway Personnel Only" is written on its face.
The second door is on your side of the tunnel, just a little further down from the first. It is also a security door, closed and locked with a pushpin key lock, and reads: "Security Office" on the front. Next to the door itself is a huge smashed out window – creating a six foot wide, four foot high, opening into the security area beyond. The bloody body of a security guard hangs out of the window frame, the back half of his head apparently blown out from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Below the window frame is a scattering of broken glass and a bloody pile of corpses – some you note with huge holes in their heads as well. You also think you can see the pistol the guard must have used to blow his brains out, lying in the gore.
The final set of doors, about thirty feet further down the tunnel from the security office, are the doors to the men and women's restrooms.
Given the circumstances, you have to rule out the exit. There is no way you're going to be able to get through all those zombies. They would tear you apart, like all the other unfortunates that now litter the floor.
There is also no point in going back down to either subway platform. That would be suicide.
You really don't have to go to the bathroom all that bad; so there's no point getting trapped in a restroom. Besides, you can think of a lot more pleasant places to be killed by zombies anyway.
That leaves the broken transit authority door or the security office door (with the pistol).
Given the distance between both groups of zombies and the doors, you estimate that you can get to either door before the zombies can get to you – even if they spot you. If you can sneak undetected however, that will help even more.
> run for the broken transit authority door
You sprint across the main corridor for the broken transit authority door, hoping to get far enough ahead of the zombies that it won't matter that they see you – which unfortunately, they all do. With a loud clamor of wails and wheezing snarls, the massive hoard of walking dead jammed up at the at the turnstiles, notices your movement and falls forward toward you in a sudden jerky run. Damn; these ones are moving much faster than you expected!
Looking toward the smaller group of ten to twelve zombies at the other end of the corridor, you see that they too have all seen you and are now coming at you as well – lumbering forward with a clumsy gait.
> oh shit!
You rush through the broken transit authority door and see that you are in a short hallway, leading from the broken door about thirty feet to a set of private restrooms (men and women's) at the far end. Another corridor joins the hallway about halfway down its length on the left.
With the horde of ravenous zombies just moments behind, you move quickly to the corridor leading off the hallway and look down it to see a long corridor lit by emergency lighting. A number of office doors, some open and some closed, line each side – while what's left of two mangled corpses litter the hallway in a splattering of gore. As you look, you see a zombie stumble out of one of the office doors to wander aimlessly down the hall away from you.
At the far end of the corridor, beyond the lone zombie with its back to you, you can also see another security door, this one intact, but also shut and secured with a pushpin key lock.
Great; you're about to be sandwiched between the zombie ahead and the coming horde from behind – you'd better decide what to do fast...
> take out the lone zombie with your crowbar, allowing a few moments access to the security door before the other two zombies show up behind you
You sprint right up the corridor, toward the lone zombie near the closed security door. As you come up from behind, the zombie turns to see what the commotion is and catches your heavy crowbar right across the eyes. You hit it so hard – and with the momentum of your run – that the entire front of its face folds in and both eyeballs pop right out of its head. The thing topples over in a crimson spray – and does not get back up. Looking back down the corridor behind you, you don't yet see the following zombies, but can hear them drawing closer. You might have ten seconds – if you're lucky.
Quickly looking at the pushpin key lock securing the door, you see that it has nine pins (zero through nine) and a turning knob. Having worked with these before, in some of the secured areas of the Summit Tower, you know that you punch in a four digit combination and then turn the knob to open the door.
Examining the pushpins themselves, you note that the '1', '2', and '9' pins seem a bit more worn than the rest; and that the '9' pin looks the most worn of all. If the wear indicates the pins used in the combination, then you're looking at a combination using a '1', '2', and two '9's. Being an accountant, you quickly do the math in your head – leaving you with only twelve combinations.
You try:
> 1299
Not the right combination. You'd better hurry; time is running out!
You try: |
Chapter 2A: Red Storm Rising
Year 17
"Another good haul!" Jake laughs.
"Yeah, that old man didn't know what hit him." Vaughn remarks.
"Old bastard is lucky we didn't kill him." Zalmora says.
Meanwhile you just shake your head at the lot you've hooked up with. While you knew this organization had some problems, you thought there was going to be an attempt at restructuring it by Tom. He seems content however on just taking a hands off approach, or at least an approach that doesn't involve a lot of rules.
Which you guess is good in some ways, but it's not exactly doing this organization any favors, especially with this lot who barely plan anything out. If it wasn't for you being so cautious, you think the militia would have apprehended most of this crew already.
Most of them don't seem to realize that this city is too damn secure to just go on the way they've been going on. A lot more subtlety and a lot less smash and grab is in order.
Still, you feel like you've already invested a bit in this organization by sticking around this long so you're not willing to bail out just yet, but something is going to have to change soon and you're going to bring it up to Tom.
"Hey lockboy, why're you so quiet over there?" Vaughn remarks.
"Just thinking about something." You respond.
"You do a lot of that don't you?" Zalmora says.
"He does a whole lot of nothing. Don't know why Tom even sent you with us on this job, you were pretty useless." Jake says.
"Well, I agree my skills do go to waste when the plan isn't followed. I was supposed to pick the lock to the door and then one of you was supposed to quietly subdue the old man if he woke up and the others cleaned out the place. Instead what YOU did, was break the window on the door and unlock it that way. When that inevitably woke up the old man, you lot spent a bunch of unnecessary time taunting and beating him unconscious." You say.
Jake stops walking back to the Talon hideout and walks over to you.
"Yeah? And what of it? Listen you little shit; you're just some small town snot nosed punk. You know exactly fuck all about what it means to be a Crimson Talon. If you don't like the way we do things, you can just leave. Not like you'd be missed."
"Hold on, hold on. We had a good night. No need for all this, let's just get back to Tom, okay?" Vaughn says getting a little bit in between the pair of you.
Jake's been on your case since day one. You just know you're going to have to deal with him someday. Maybe today is that day.
> let it go
As much as you might feel the urge to do so, you resist starting a fistfight. With a guy like Jake, it's likely to turn into something a little more fatal and this isn't like the situation with Klint. Jake isn't just some loudmouth bully with a chip on his shoulder. He's a real violent criminal and has loads more skill than you in a street fight.
"Yeah... " you say still looking at Jake before walking past.
When you get back, you're about to go straight to Tom who is in his office, but before you can Zalmora stops you.
"Hey where are you going deep thinker? Aren't you going to celebrate our successful job?"
"You guys seem to have a handle on that, besides don't really feel like celebrating with Jake." You respond.
"Well how about just a private celebration between us then?" Zalmora says and moves in closer to you.
You weren't aware Zalmora had any kind of attraction to you before, but it's definitely apparent now.
"What? Seriously? Weren't aware you were interested in me." You say.
"Hah, don't flatter yourself. I just want a quick tumble and I don't feel like finding myself some rent boy or dealing with Jake's usual asshole behavior right now. Plus, you're young and a lot less repulsive... hey are you a virgin?" Zalmora says.
"Not that it's any of your business, but no."
"Pity, might have been fun to deflower you."
"I'm sure, but I'm not interested... "
"What? You seriously can't be saying there's something wrong with the way I look! Oh shit, you're not like Vaughn are you?"
"No... wait, how is Vaughn like?"
"He's into guys. Thought that was obvious."
"Never noticed, but no, I just got something important business to talk to Tom about."
"Like what? More ideas about how to improve things around here? I know how you're not satisfied with how things are around here, but then I suppose you aren't the only one."
"Well if everyone here isn't satisfied with how things are, why aren't changes being made? I mean Tom even said he was going to start reorganizing the Crimson Talons."
"Hah. Tom's no leader. He's just leader because nobody else wants the hassle. Well except maybe Jake, but nobody really wants to follow him either."
"So why stick around?"
"Why not? What else are we going to do, get real jobs? Besides, things are actually going a little bit better than they were with Edmond. Tom's not likely to start executing folks over small mistakes at least. Plus in this line of work it's a lot better to have a few people watching your back. Now how about we stop all this talking and go to your room where you can watch my back up close?"
Zalmora now puts her hand directly on your cock, which is definitely interested even if you claimed that you weren't.
Well, you can think with one head or the other, but you can't do both.
And like most guys your age (Or guys in general) you make your most important decision with your dick.
You figure you can always talk to Tom later, but Zalmora might not be in the mood later if you turn her down now. She's actually attractive in a trashy sort of way (Sort of reminds you of Annah in that way), it's just she seemed sort of inaccessible since she was several years older and never paid much attention to you before.
You and Zalmora go back to your room and get into it pretty quickly. You also learn a few things, which is a fun process even if she's a bit bossy about it. Eventually you're entirely spent and satisfied.
"That it? Figured we'd go around a third time." Zalmora says.
"Maybe in a few minutes. Um, you uh... good?" You ask.
"More or less. You guys always fall a bit short, but at least I wasn't dealing with Jake's whiskey dick this time around. Thanks for asking though at least."
You don't reply to that and instead just keep quiet, not wishing to dwell on any potential bedroom failings on your part, let alone Jake's dick.
Zal soon breaks up the silence though.
"So, Mr. ideas, what exactly were you going to bring up to Tom as far as changes and such?" Zal asks.
"Why do you want to know?" you ask.
"Because I'm a Crimson Talon and if you're going to be whispering ideas into Tom's head and I'm going to be affected by those changes, in the unlikely event he even listens of course. Besides, I might have a few ideas of my own."
"If you have ideas, why not bring them to Tom's attention?"
"I have. I don't think he likes me though. In fact I think he's got a deep-seated dislike of women in general. I'm sure it has something to do with his mother being a lesbian or something."
"Wait, Tom's mother was a lesbian?"
"Yeah. You didn't know that? His buddy David used to tell stories about her and make jokes all the time back when he was still alive. She used to work as a miner and had a girlfriend who Tom always insisted was just her roommate even though they slept in the same bed. Still in denial about it, though he might actually be that clueless. Y'know, I don't think he ever knew who his father was. Now that I think about it, I'm sort of wondering how Tom was even conceived in the first place considering from what I heard his mother was firmly into pussy."
Well there's another bit of information you can add to your mental notes.
"But getting back to my point Tom doesn't really want to be bothered to change things too much because as I said, he lacks the ambition to be a true leader. Still, he seems to like you since you rescued him from that cage and you generally don't give him grief, so maybe there's a chance. Come on, I let you into this temple I call a body, you can at least let me into that head of yours a bit."
"You got a way with words Zal. Well okay, I suppose this stuff isn't really top secret or anything."
You begin to tell Zalmora about your concerns with how things are done regarding robberies. There is little finesse, nobody sticks to a plan and it's more outright thuggery. You go on to mention that it might not be as much of a problem if you weren't in a city fanatical about curbing crime, but since you are, this is kind of a big problem in the long term.
"Yeah... I hear you there. I admit we've all sort of gotten lazy about that over the years. I remember when I first joined I was one of the best cat burglars here. As things slowly deteriorated, guess I just said fuck it. So what else you think needs changing around here?" Zalmora asks.
"Well for a criminal organization we aren't exactly diverse. Granted I don't know much about running something like this, but I have heard the old Crimson Talon glory day stories. The Talons used to have fighting pits, used to sell Green Lotus and Yellow Devil, we had whores, I mean a whole bunch of shit that brought in a steady revenue of coinage."
Zalmora nods her head.
"Yeah, you're right about that as well. I wasn't a member when they still had the fighting pits, but I do remember seeing a few when my dad bet on them. Even as a little girl I knew I liked seeing two big guys get all sweaty and bloody, beating the shit out of each other. I know there are the Klyton gladiators, but they wear so much damn armor that they barely get hurt and it's very rare to see a fatality. Pretty sure it's all fixed anyway. The Klyton Council probably makes a shitload of money off that racket. Too bad we aren't politicians." Zalmora says.
"Well what about the other stuff?"
"The drugs? Well Green Lotus or a milder form of it is legal here now, so that's out. Yellow Devil as far as I know was never a big money maker due to it having a major chance of causing the user's innards to melt and bleed from every orifice. Of course Blue Dream is the big one nowadays, but the Ebony Claw Syndicate mostly has a monopoly on its production and distribution. None of us knows how to make it or has connections. But then drugs have never been an interest of mine. The Talons actually did control a few whorehouses at one time, until government shut them all down and then built some nicer, fancier and Klyton run ones. Being a whore has never been more respectable. Okay, maybe not. But the point is, the Klyton Council effectively destroyed the Talons by legalizing shit and taking it over more than they ever did with just the militia."
Before you can go into some of your other ideas, Zalmora stops you with some of her own.
"While I'm impressed that you're thinking a lot more about this shit than most people here, I'm of the mind that for now, we should play more on our current strengths. We can diversify again later." Zalmora says.
"Our current strengths are basically smashing people in their face and taking their shit. I thought we established that isn't exactly good in the long term." You remark.
"It isn't in Klyton, but we could always start doing it outside of Klyton. Robbing caravans and such on the roads. It isn't like Jake is going to care where he does it and those two half elf whores will probably be ecstatic about working outside the city. Also, the militia isn't going to be as fanatical about tracking down shit that goes on outside the city."
"Hmm, well that style would favor road robberies a lot more. It's still not really what I'm about though."
"Well, you could always gather the intelligence for us. Find out what caravans and wagons are leaving, which way they're going, how well protected, all that stuff. Plus maybe you can start actively look for recruits."
"Me?"
"Why not? You spend most of your time walking around the city anyway when you're pilfering pocket in your free time. Not saying that you have to be the one to speak with them, but you could bring it to Tom's attention and I'm sure he'll be receptive. I'm sure when we build up our numbers AND wealth we can start branching out a bit more again. Like property and fronts."
"So... is this all what I should propose to Tom?" you ask.
"The plans to move our activities to mainly outside Klyton, yes. The rest of it, I'd keep a lid on until later. It will be better to not overwhelm him with suggestions. So, you ready for another round stud, or do we have to waste more time talking?"
"Huh? Oh yeah, sure!" you say and immediately move on to more important matters.
After spending more fun time with Zalmora, you do eventually get around to speaking with Tom and just like Zal predicted, he's actually receptive to your ideas. He says that it probably would be better to start reigning in the loot and pillage tactics in the city.
"Really should have thought about doing it before. I was just so concerned about keeping everyone together and happy, I neglected to remember that I'm supposed to be improving our position as leader, not just being content on survival. Anyway, I'm sure this will be something everyone can get on board with, well the majority of them anyway. And yes, since you came up with all this, you can still keep your activities to Klyton while you seek out potential new members. I know you won't make a damn mess of things and generally keep your head down." Tom remarks.
"Thanks. I'm really going to do my best to make this work."
"I know you will kid, you've always been a good earner. Looks like Yag really blessed me when you I met you in that cage that night. Good thing the rest of that lot out there were late after all."
"I guess so." You answer.
"Okay, well let me go address this new change to everyone."
Tom announces the changes and like with any change, everyone has an opinion. Mostly for the better thankfully. Jake complains the loudest, but when it's pointed out that it doesn't matter if he kills people as much, he grumbles slightly less.
Zalmora is certainly pleased about all this and says she knew you' d be able to convince Tom better than anyone else.
Only time will tell if any of these changes mean shit though.
> time passes...
Year 21
"The Bloody Smiles are lead by a vicious bandit calling himself the Grinning Man. Nobody has gotten a really good look at him as most don't survive his attacks, but based on this crude sketch, I implore anyone seeing him to run and contact Klyton militia immediately! This man and his band of cutthroats have been plaguing the roads and the surrounding area for years and hopefully now that his identity is known... "
You suddenly receive one of the many sketches a concerned citizen is handing out. You take one look at the sketch as you walk away from the crowd and shake your head.
"Doesn't even look like that asshole." You say and toss it in a nearby bin.
Jake's job has really been doing the trick as far as distracting the Klyton militia, though maybe it's been going a little too well. You suggested that Tom to pull him back from this two years ago, but predictably he never did.
Zalmora and Vaughn returned pretty quickly after this plan went into action, though in Zal's case it seemed to be more because she wanted to get back into regular burglary again. Vaughn said he couldn't deal with Jake anymore and was getting too crazy.
Now, he's given himself a nickname, gone on to call his group the Bloody Smiles and doesn't report back to Tom for months. When he does, he just sends one of the newer Talons with some goods and loot. While Tom as usual is taking a laid back approach to this figuring as long as he's still sending shit back then everything is good, you question whether Jake is even thinking about the Talons anymore.
Meanwhile, you've been more or less successful in building up the Talon's numbers. Not as much as you'd like, but since you're the only one doing it, it is what it is. Despite all this extra help however, it's not being utilized properly. Most of it is being sent to help Jake as his numbers get whittled down every now and then and that's really a waste you believe.
The ones you insist on keeping around to train are fewer in number and you're also the only one bothering to train them properly. You never thought you'd be in that sort of position. Occasionally Zal and Vaughn help out, but it's mostly fallen on you.
Basically, it's a case where the opportunity to expand is there, but once again Tom is failing to pull the trigger on it. You should be setting up another underground fighting pit, setting up gambling dens or even running a protection racket. Something needs to be done about Jake because the Crimson Talons can't proceed if half of the members aren't even Talons anymore and have declared allegiance to another leader.
"Something has to be done about Jake." You remark.
"Like what?" Vaughn asks.
"I dunno, but Tom can't just sit on his ass anymore about it. Jake hasn't done it yet, but it's only a matter of time before he splits off from the Crimson Talons altogether and takes half of our members that were assigned out there with him. Ideally we could just tell him to come home and his purpose out there is no longer necessary, but I doubt if he'll listen."
"So... what? You just going to go in there and tell Tom what he needs to do?" Zalmora asks.
"Someone needs to tell him something! As I remember it was me who told him to start changing shit up last time too."
"That's true, but doesn't that sort of mean you're sort of responsible of what's going on with Jake? Pretty sure that's what Tom will point out as well." Vaughn says.
You're about to tell Vaughn to shut the hell up when Zalmora interrupts.
"While you have some good ideas as usual, honestly, I'm not sure why anything needs to be done about him. I say if Jake has split from the Crimson Talons, well that's more for us." Zalmora remarks.
"Actually that's LESS for us since he won't even be sending his cut anymore." You say.
"Maybe in the short term, but you're not thinking long term. The militia hasn't been as much of a problem in the city for us because they've been focused mainly on catching Jake and the rest. That gives us a little more freedom to expand like you said. Hell, now that Jake has foolishly started to give his group their own name, they aren't even directly connected to the Talons anymore."
"So? If he gets caught he could still blab his mouth about our secret hideout."
"Jake's a lot of things, but he ain't no rat. Chances are they won't even take him in alive anyway."
"Okay, so maybe Jake's no rat, but what about some of others with him? I mean sure, we've all stressed how important loyalty is to the new recruits, but if Jake's gained their trust somehow, then they're loyal to him not to the Talons and they aren't going to think twice about ratting us out to save their own skin."
"Hmm, you might have a point there." Vaughn says.
"Look, all I'm saying is Jake not causing shit for us in the city and running around out there like a mad man is better for us. If he's gone, then the militia is just going to refocus more of their attention on the city again. I mean maybe it might be best to make it an official break up. Let Jake know he can go his way and we go ours. Might diffuse any potential problems with Jake. Dunno if Tom will be into that though." Zalmora says.
"That's true too." Vaughn remarks.
You rub your hands through your hair.
"I dunno. Maybe. Something still needs to be brought up to Tom though." You say.
"Oh I agree with you on that. It is time to give him a little push again." Zalmora remarks.
"Well? Aren't either of you coming in with me?" you ask.
"Um... I hadn't planned to. I mean it sounds like you've got this under control on what to discuss. I think me being there is just going to look like we're ganging up on him." Vaughn says.
"Yeah. And as you know, Tom has never been fond of me. So I would be more of a detriment. Just go in and talk to him, you did fine last time remember?" Zalmora says nudging into you a bit.
"(Sigh) Why do I feel like I'm the only one who cares about this organization?"
"Hey! That's not even true! I just gave you my fucking thoughts on the situation didn't I? You bring up whatever you want to Tom. I'm sure everything will work out fine, he likes you after all."
And with that, Zal and Vaughn leave to let you go speak with Tom. You swear you never thought the day would come where you would be known as the "diplomat." You guess your sister's charm rubbed off on you just a little bit. You sometimes wonder how she's doing. Probably better than you are at any rate.
Mentally preparing yourself, you head to Tom's office, though when you think more about it, you don't know why you're mentally preparing yourself. It isn't like Tom's going to even threaten to kill you if he doesn't agree with what you have to say.
At this point you're practically his second in command anyway and you're still baffled by this since you haven't been here nearly as long, though you suppose with all these new folks coming in, you are starting to become a "vet" as it were.
"Hey Tom." You say entering his office.
"Hey kid, any new blood you need me to check out and make a final decision on?"
"Uh, no not today. I wanted to speak with you about another matter... it's about Jake."
Tom's head drops down briefly with a deep sigh and then he looks up.
"Yeah... I figured it might be getting close to dealing with that situation. Trust me, I HAVE been giving some thought to it, even though I'd rather not." Tom says.
"Well I'm afraid something is going to have to be done about him. You can't just have a divided organization with half of it's members calling themselves something else and primarily pledging allegiance to another leader." You say.
"Maybe it isn't that bad! I mean he's still providing a share of the loot to us right?" Tom says hopefully.
"Perhaps, but think how much longer the intervals are starting to get, not to mention how much is he actually holding back? How long before he just stops sending altogether? No, we have to do something."
"Are you suggesting an attack? Because while I know around where he's currently located, I'm not entirely sure of the exact area. He may have even moved since he has to do that a lot anyway. Fairly certain not only would he have the advantage, but even if we win, we're going to suffer heavy losses which sort of defeats the purpose."
"I was thinking more of a stealthy assassination."
"And you're going to do that?"
"I could try. Maybe I could take a few others with me to help."
"No offense kid, but even if he didn't have half our numbers with him and you had help I don't think you could take Jake. Jake is the best fighter we have and he's probably only gotten better since being out there. I'm not risking anyone in a foolish assassination attempt, let alone an internal conflict. Although... no... that's not an option... " Tom says trailing off.
"What? What is it?"
"Well... if we DID go this route, and I'm not saying we are. I know a few outside folks that might be able to do it without problems. Damn, I just wish there was a less messy way of handling this."
"(Sigh) Well I hate to bring this up, but I have thought of a diplomatic solution which might be possible." You say.
"Oh?"
You explain to Tom about a potential split with Jake altogether and just letting him go his own way since he seems happier anyway. Tom isn't too fond of the idea since it no longer means gaining a cut of Jake's looting profits, but he's not outright dismissing it. In fact out of all the options, Tom still seems to think the best plan is to do nothing.
At this point, you're wondering why you're bothering.
> assassination
Something has to be done and the best way to do it is to kill Jake. Not like you were ever friends with him.
"Look, we can't do nothing and if you aren't fond of diplomacy, then we need to kill Jake. So who are these independent assassins you know?" you ask.
"Really only know two and out of those two, only one is a proper assassin and I don't know if it's even possible with him." Tom says.
Frustration increases...
"Okay, so tell me about the guy who isn't a proper assassin." you ask.
"He goes |
by the name Olaf. He's actually an ex-Talon associate but after the fight pits closed down he went back to working as a leg breaker for Mr. Reynolds full time. You familiar with that man?" Tom asks.
"Vaguely. Some sort of moneylender with connections in high places so the militia doesn't fuck with him. Actually, I think I remember my mother telling me my father's family was in debt to him at one point."
"They did with the inn. Actually I even worked for the man briefly before I joined the Talons, but that's ancient history. Olaf is a big ass ogre who pretty much retired undefeated during his fighting pit days. He's older of course now, but I don't doubt that he couldn't take care of Jake and scare everyone else into submission. Hell, he probably could scare Jake into submission too. He'd probably even do it for free or at the least very cheap. He really likes hurting people."
"Sounds good, so what's the catch?"
"Well obviously Mr. Reynolds isn't going to just let him go wandering off so we'd probably have to pay him and that's what isn't going to be cheap. Plus, knowing Mr. Reynolds he'll have some other weird stipulation. You'll probably find out when you talk with him. Could be anything."
This is sounding complicated already. You almost hesitate to ask about the other one.
"Okay, so what about this other guy. The real assassin?" you ask.
"You familiar with Sotakians?" Tom asks.
"Just stories of them being lizard people that live in the swamps and fight with elves all the time."
"Well, the old boss, Edmond actually acquired an egg and raised a Sotakian from a hatchling. Trained him to be a very literal cold-blooded assassin bodyguard. We all just called him Scales, but he never really had a proper name. He was very loyal too until he had some unknown disagreement with Edmond and just took off. Ed never told anyone to go get him either. Just said to let it go."
"That doesn't sound very useful if he disappeared to parts unknown."
"Oh he didn't go far. He actually lives in the Klyton sewers. Abandoned part granted, but he's actually part of the reason why the militia doesn't patrol down there that much and only in certain areas. Ol' Scales isn't very welcoming to intruders to his home."
"Well how's this lizard going to be of any help then?"
"Most of the time when Scales got a little obstinate Edmond showed him the broken egg that he hatched from. Not sure why it worked. Maybe it was a reminder that Edmond was the one who helped hatch him or something. Still have the broken egg just in case, you know? Maybe if someone approached him with the broken egg, Scales might be willing to listen to that person. Dunno, who would have the balls to go risk it though."
"That vicious huh?"
"Let's just say, Olaf USED to have an equally bad ass barbarian buddy by the name of Silence. Silence didn't like it when he lost a staring contest to Scales and things got violent. Olaf and Silence were best friends and Olaf didn't even ATTEMPT to attack Scales when he ripped out Silence's throat in five seconds. He just left the room and I can't be certain, but I think he might have even cried. Of course nobody was going to ask. Olaf certainly brutalized folks more than average in the fighting pits over the next few days after that though."
So those are your choices and they both sound shitty. Honestly, you wish you could just take care of Jake yourself, but Tom is probably right about the fact that something like that isn't really your specialty, but talking to others and trying to convince them to do what you want is apparently a newer one you've acquired or at least one you've been thrust into.
> hire Olaf
If Scales is killing people just for trespassing, you don't fancy your chances. At least with this ogre you're not going to get killed just for showing up. (You hope)
Along with giving you the location of where Jake is supposed to be currently camped out, Tom gives you the directions to Mr. Reynolds place, though you've passed it a few times before during your stretch here in Klyton so you know where it is. From what you've heard, Mr. Reynolds hasn't changed his location in decades and he wasn't young when your grandfather (And later father) owed him money. While you've also heard he looks human, there are rumors that he isn't or he's at least cheating the aging process somehow.
You aren't really interested in all that though; you just hope you won't have to pay some outrageous price for Olaf's services.
You bid Tom goodbye and head on out to Mr. Reynolds' place which is a simple walk to one of the more rundown areas of Klyton.
When you enter his simple place of business, you see a well dressed man with a goatee standing just inside the entrance flipping a knife into the air and catching it by the handle every time. He begins staring at you, but never stops flipping and catching his knife.
You look to your right and see a large humanoid in an oversized chair, arms folded and snoring heavily. You wonder if this must be Olaf. He's certainly big and ugly enough to be an ogre, though in this state he almost looks peaceful rather than the menacing brute you heard about.
"Ah, a customer! Well don't just stand there looking at my employees, come forward and let me see what I can do for you." A voice calls out from across the room.
You see who could only be Mr. Reynolds. He's even better dressed than the employee flipping the knife. As you approach he doesn't look any older than his mid forties. Who know though and that's not why you're here.
He smiles when you get to his desk.
"Somehow. Somehow I KNEW you were going to come in here one day. You look like your father around the same time we did business. How is he anyway?" he asks.
You don't even ask how he knows who you are.
"He's uh... good I guess. Doctor now." You respond.
"Good for him. Glad to hear things ultimately worked out after our business was concluded. And they say loans are a bad thing. So what can I do for you today? I assume it can't be for money as I know you're quite the skilled thief around town. I must say the Crimson Talons must be doing better nowadays. Pity you have that fool Tom in charge, but then these things are never permanent are they?" Mr. Reynolds says.
"I guess not. Look I was told that you might be willing to let Olaf do some work for the Talons."
"Hmm, must be pretty serious if you're looking for an ogre to take care of this work and not doing it yourself. What's this all about exactly?"
You didn't really expect him to pry, but you feel like he's probably not even going to entertain the idea unless you tell him everything about the plan. So you tell him and he listens intently. Meanwhile Olaf is still snoozing and the other man is continuing to watch you.
"Well that's certainly an interesting plan you got there and I can only assume the initial set up of it was equally as interesting. I just don't think I can loan you Olaf though. Sorry." Mr. Reynolds says.
"What? We can pay your price. I mean as you said we're doing a lot better now." You say.
"And I believe you, but I don't feel comfortable putting one of my employees at risk like that. He could very well die."
"I was told Olaf was a champion pit fighter and this would be easy for him."
"Of course he was a champion. Decades ago. Look at him, that beautiful white mane and beard he has isn't just for show, it denotes age! He's old and not the young killing machine he used to be. Oh sure he's good for intimidating a few deadbeats and even knocking them around a bit, but if I let him go do what you want him to do, he's going to die even if he somehow manages to succeed. And while Olaf wouldn't mind such a proud warrior's death, I happen to be good friends with his wife and she'd be very upset and I can't have that on my conscience."
"Didn't know female ogres were so sensitive."
"He's married to a Halfling, but my point is, Olaf isn't going anywhere."
Well you certainly weren't expecting this.
"(Sigh) So there's no way you can help me?" you ask.
"Ah, now I didn't say that. While I can't loan you Olaf, I can allow you the services of my other employee Henry over there. Henry! Stop playing with your knife and get over here. Got work for you."
Henry slowly walks over to the desk still never taking his eyes off you the whole time. He then takes his knife and stabs it into the desk as hard as he can. This action causes you to step back a bit and you prepare to draw your own weapon until Mr. Reynolds calms everyone down.
"Relax. Relax, nobody is stabbing anyone here. My son is a little excitable at times." Mr. Reynolds says.
"Your son? This man is your son?" you reply.
"Sure. Can't you see the resemblance? Meh, I guess he does look a lot more like his mother Wendy. Anyway, not important. What is important is that Henry here has what they call a natural talent. He's been honing it since he was a child, I was so proud when he finally sought me out to join the family business. Now, he might not be as big and strong as ol' Olaf over there, but I guarantee he'll get the job done."
"I dunno... "
"Trust me. You came here because I could help you solve your problem. Maybe not the way you thought, but the job WILL get done. I promise."
"Well since I know your name and reputation mean a lot to you, I'm going to go ahead and believe you, so how much is all this going to cost?"
"Five hundred gold coins, but since I can tell you're a bit apprehensive about all this, you can pay me after the job is done. If the results aren't to satisfaction, well I'm sure Tom can pay what he feels is an appropriate amount. Now, why don't you tell Henry about the job and what you want done exactly?"
You give Henry the instructions and he listens without saying a word still giving you that icy stare the entire time. While a little unnerving, you can't actually say you're getting pants shitting intimidated. Henry could very well be the badass killer his dad claims, but right now he seems like he's trying too damn hard.
Mr. Reynolds tells you that the job will be done by the end of the week, and you and Tom can return to his office at that time. You leave the office a little concerned about all this, but it's done now.
When you get back you inform Tom, who doesn't seem at all concerned, just a little surprised that it isn't Olaf, but he has confidence in Mr. Reynold's choice of assassin and is sure it will be worth it.
Vaughn and Zalmora are the only other people that know about this plan and while Vaughn is a go with the flow type guy as well, Zalmora still thinks getting rid of Jake in this manner was a bad idea.
Unfortunately, it turns out that she's right.
Instead of being discreet or even just killing Jake and scaring the others into returning to the fold, Henry turned the Bloody Smiles camp into a graveyard. He got the job done, but killing every fucking body wasn't what was wanted.
You complain quite loudly, which doesn't frazzle Mr. Reynolds in the least. Tom attempts to calm you down. When that fails, he tells you to go wait outside and he'll speak to Reynolds in private. Henry glares at you as you leave. As much as you'd like to punch the guy, you know that wouldn't be a smart move considering what he just did.
You wait outside for a long time and eventually Tom exits the building. He says to you that you'll speak when you get back to headquarters. You walk back in silence.
As soon as you enter though he starts scolding you for losing your temper in front of Mr. Reynolds and disrespecting him as head of the organization. You defend why you're getting mad about the situation and don't understand why he isn't since it's fucked up the plans that were supposed to be set in motion. When you find out he paid the five hundred coins anyway you get even angrier.
Various Crimson Talon members stop what they're doing to watch this spectacle.
"You still PAID him?! You paid him for doing a half assed job?! What the fuck?!" you exclaim.
"You don't know shit kid. Staying on Reynolds' good side is... " Tom starts to say before you're interrupted.
"No, stop fucking talking! You're a terrible fucking leader and EVERYONE here knows it!"
"Is that right? I don't see anyone else stepping up to do this fucking job!"
"Yeah, well maybe that needs to change."
"So what? You gonna be the one to do that? Pfft. Fuck you kid. You tried to pull that I'm a killer shit when you first met me in that hanging cage. Didn't buy it then and I'm certainly not buying it now."
"Oh yes, the cage that I rescued your ass from, because nobody here gave a shit! And your leadership is a good example of why nobody does, because you're ultimately a weak leader who is content on coasting and leeching off others."
Tom doesn't say any more he just throws a punch at you. You dodge and follow up with a punch of your own.
The fight isn't stopped, because it's obvious people either want to see a change in leadership or Tom prove that he's still got what it takes to lead the Talons.
Despite the ongoing past criticism of Tom of how he's a weak leader, he's not really a weak man because he dominates the fight for the most part. He's certainly a better fighter than you.
His problem is he still doesn't want it as bad as you.
Though Tom was pissed at you and knew he had to kick your ass, he never had any intention on killing you. All of his blows against you were normal kicks and punches. Never once does he say, pull out a dagger and stab you in the face with it.
Because that's exactly what you do to him.
He screams, wails and flails around the room for a moment before you tackle him back down to the floor.
As he begs for you to stop killing him all you can think of is Klint doing the same thing and you drive your short sword through his chest telling him to shut the fuck up and die the entire time.
When Tom finally stops breathing, you get up and declare yourself the new leader of the Crimson Talons.
"And we're gonna start doing things differently around here."
> time passes...
Year 25
"Well, what the hell do these folks expect? If they want outlandish theatrics they can pay out the ass to watch a Klyton Gladiator match where the minimum bets are much higher. At least here we have fights where we'll accept a five copper bet." You say.
"Yes, but at the arena, people don't have the deal with the bums they've bet on to puke in the middle of the ring and pass out causing the other to win by default." Zalmora says.
"That happened ONE time." You remark.
"Well there's also the ongoing smell of the sewers that puts people off."
"Yeah, well the Klyton council just increased the city's militia numbers recently and stepped up patrols. So keeping business in the sewers is about the safest place to do all this if we want to avoid sudden raids."
"It might not have been necessary to wallow in the sewers if they had another distraction."
"So you've said many times in the past, but I think things still worked out with me in charge."
"We're doing okay I suppose, but I'm still not sure if bum fight gambling and going back to selling Yellow Devil was the way to go about it."
"Hey we've got whores too."
"Ah yes, those mostly tie into the Yellow Devil trade. I shudder to think about the hopeless cases that actually pay to fuck YD junkies."
"Hey not everyone can afford the high priced Klyton brothels. Look, I saw that the only way we were going to survive is to have steady businesses. The Klyton Council are the biggest criminal overlords and nobody says shit because they effectively legalized everything and control the biggest gang to protect their interests. I mean there wasn't really any way to feasibly compete except offer similar things at lower the prices and cater to the lower class."
Zalmora looks at nearby group betting and getting excited over a giant roach race.
"Pretty sure some of these folks are under the lower class." Zalmora replies.
"Yeah, well a coin's a coin, don't you have a house to break into or something?" you say.
"Always, but I don't understand why you don't come on these things like you used to."
"Because I gotta look after shit around here. I just can't drop everything to go rip off a store. I'm not Tom, I don't just sit on my ass doing nothing."
"I didn't say you were, but you used to be a little more fun at least. Like those first few years when you got here. Remember?" Zalmora says with a bit of a smile.
"Yeah, well I'm not a damn stupid teenager anymore that gets distracted by a pretty girl that wiggles her ass at me."
Zalmora steps back from you a bit giving a slightly perturbed look.
"Okay Mr. bossman, if you hadn't initially taken my advice in the first place you wouldn't even be in this position." Zal says.
"OR if I hadn't taken your advice, I might have been in this position a lot sooner. In fact despite you always bringing it up, I'd say not listening to you turned out to be a lot better " you remark.
"Right, because this is such a great position to be in."
"I'm in charge ain't I? Y'know what your problem is? You thought you were going to manipulate me into doing whatever you wanted just because you threw a little pussy my way. And now you're bitter that didn't happen. If you really want control of the Talons, you could always challenge me Zal."
"Oh no, not me! Never would I challenge your insurmountable wisdom boss. Obviously you've got things under control more than little ol' me could ever handle." Zal says with obvious sarcasm in her voice.
"If you don't want to take over and you don't like how I'm running things, why don't you just leave then? Not like I'm going to try to kill you for leaving."
"Don't think the thought hasn't crossed my mind. You know why I'm even still in the Talons? Because deep down I'm actually hoping you know what you're doing. So far you're ahead, but I'm just wondering for how long. Edmond was pretty much running things like you are now. Granted you are less of a violent asshole than he was, but I'm seeing the same pattern."
"I'm not sure what to tell you Zal, I mean we're fucking criminals doing illegal shit. This is sort of way things are done."
"(Sigh) Yeah, I know... guess I'm just starting to wonder why I ever thought this was fun. I'll leave you to your drugs and whores."
Zalmora walks away.
You sometimes forget that Zal is at least around fifteen years older than you now. She's probably starting to worry about age catching up. Probably didn't see herself mucking about through sewers at this age taking orders from someone a lot younger. Weird, because Vaughn doesn't seem to have a problem with it, but then Vaughn's never been one to make waves.
As you walk back to the Crimson hideout thinking about the future, you have to admit, it isn't as bright as you once thought.
All things considered you are doing well right now, but there just doesn't seem to be any let up on the laws being passed to turn this city into a huge prison camp. Part of that you imagine is due to the rebellion in Holgard. You're certainly glad you didn't decide to go there given what you heard.
At one time, you did toy with the possibility of going "legit" somehow. Like maybe buying an inn and running it. Maybe even the one your family once owned. It would sure be a complete circle if you did that.
Of course it wasn't so much going "legit" as it was the idea of having a place to run your activities without it being in an abandoned building or recently the fucking sewers.
Though that's a riskier endeavor nowadays and would result in needing to re-organize things again. Might be better to stick with your current set up. It isn't perfect, but it's working.
> change up the business again
Zal's got a bit of a point. This isn't exactly the most glamorous of a position and you could certainly do better than hiding out in these filthy sewers.
You've got more than enough saved and have enough connections that you could easily open up a real business front. You'd just need to keep everything low key and change a few things.
The more you think about it, the more you feel this is the right decision. The next day you gather Zal and Vaughn to discuss this new direction.
"An inn certainly sounds better than the sewers." Vaughn says.
"Well, we're still probably going to have some of our operations down there, but I figure we can at least start making an attempt to climb out of them. I'm thinking that we probably should stop dealing in Yellow Devil too." You say.
Zamora nods her head.
"I agree. The profits aren't worth the risks on that racket. A lot less sudden body meltdowns and diseased junkie whores lingering around as well." Zal remarks.
"So what about the location? Are we buying out an existing inn or starting from scratch? We could probably buy back the old place, the Troll's Breath Tavern. Edmond used to run the Talons from there before the militia raided the place and shut it down." Vaughn remarks.
"Wouldn't it be a little obvious, if the Talons set up there again?" You ask.
"Nah, they'd never expect the same place twice! Besides, it's called the Clean Mug Tavern now. It's run by two siblings, one of them even comes here to bet on the races and fights sometimes. The place is barely scraping by, so I think they would be receptive to selling it to us for cheap."
"Instead of buying it outright, I'd suggest just getting the owners to work with us. That way nothing really changes up front, but we don't spend money and we're the ones really running things." Zalmora says.
"Definitely sounds like a better idea, but I know what place you're talking about, and it seems a little on the small side, I was thinking some place bigger like my old family's inn which is still abandoned. We wouldn't have to deal with anyone." You say.
"Seems like more hassle. You'd still have to buy it from the city which could present some problems. Assuming they didn't ask many questions, you'd still have to fix the place up before we could start using it proper. Wouldn't we need to get an alcohol supplier and hire people as well?" Vaughn remarks.
"Not really, we know more than enough folks that we could have cheap employees. Some of them are hopeless gamblers with debts in fact, so that's no problem. As for alcohol, we could easily make it ourselves and bypass a supplier. Most folks coming wouldn't be there for the booze anyway, so it isn't like we're going to need hundreds of barrels of the stuff every month. Of course your family's old inn is in a slightly better part of Klyton, so my concern would be the greater likelihood of militia just stumbling in for a drink now and then." Zal remarks.
> buy the old family inn
It's a risk either way, but you figure owning the business outright at least makes you less concerned about somebody else fucking things up, plus you can fix things up the way you want a lot quicker.
"Guess I got an appointment with city hall or something...is that where I go?" You ask.
"Yes, I believe there is some sort of department that takes care of all that stuff. We should probably get married first though." Zal remarks.
You and Vaughn both look at Zalmora.
"What?" You ask.
"If you're married, it might not be as suspicious if you're just handing over bags of money for this property." Zalmora says.
"I don't understand why they would care. Wouldn't they just be glad to get their money?" you ask.
"You been in Klyton long bossman?" Zalmora asks sarcastically. "Even before the council had militia crawling all over the city, this place was always a bit wary of non-citizens buying up property. Especially out of the blue. Surely you've already formed a story for all this."
"Well somewhat, but this seems like extra complexity."
"Marriage will be good idea, trust me. I've been a citizen of this city since birth. I even own a small place of residence."
"You do?"
"Yes, I have for quite sometime. While I know you've been busy playing crime lord, not everyone spends all their life here at the headquarters. What I'm saying though is, with me as your wife, you won't look quite like the suspicious outsider, since despite you living here for years, you still aren't even officially a citizen of this city."
This is all taking you a bit by surprise.
"Wait, so when would |
we get married?" You ask.
"Oh we can do that right now, we can just go to a church dedicated to Joachim the Pure. They usually always have someone on duty to do a quick marriage. Though I suppose if you have another preferred faith, we could go there instead, but I've never known you to be particularly religious." Zal says.
"No, I suppose that would be fine...but I dunno about this..."
"Well if you got another girl in mind then marry her instead. I only suggested myself, because I can't say I've actually seen you with a steady one and certainly not one with the intelligence to go along with this plan or back up a reasonable story. If you're worried about this meaning something else, I can assure you that this is purely a business arrangement. We can always get divorced later."
You're really at a loss of words. You look over at Vaughn who just shrugs and just says whoever you decide to marry, he'll attend the wedding in support.
Trusting Zal's judgement on this and lacking any other ideas, you end up agreeing to this set up, at which point Zalmora says great and starts dragging you to a church while busily explaining what story you should come up with when you buy the property.
The wedding itself is a whirlwind. You can honestly say you NEVER saw yourself ever getting married, let alone under these circumstances. Despite it being a "fake" wedding, Vaughn still gets a bit emotional saying he always saw you two ending up together.
The next step is heading to the city property clerk, which you do the next day after rehearsing your story with Zalmora who also goes over the potential questions that might be asked.
As the clerk asks you the first basic questions, you notice that he's studying you. At first you chalk this up to him being suspicious, but when you mention you wish to buy the inn because your family once owned it and you'd like to rebuild it again, he suddenly speaks out with a bit of a smile.
"I knew it! I knew I knew you from somewhere...well not you per say, but I knew your father, we had a few classes together at the university! You look almost like him! How's he doing?" The clerk asks.
"Oh he's doing well. He's a doctor with his own practice in a smaller town, but he's happy." You say.
"That's good. I remember how he was always struggling to go to class and run that inn. Couldn't have been easy. Hell, I didn't even have all that responsibility and I still flunked out of medical school. Lucky I managed to land a city job. Still though, he did help me a few times during class, so he was always okay in my book."
The rest of the conversation goes fairly well with the clerk (Or Quincy as you learn his name) and he doesn't ask too many more questions. He just suggests that you get yourself registered as a proper Klyton citizen as soon as you can so you can participate in elections and similar functions. You hand over a large sum of coins to him and he hands over the deed and keys to you.
"Well it seems like you're a motivated young man with a plan ahead of you. Hope everything goes okay for you and your wife. We definitely need more upstanding citizens such as yourselves trying to build up this city rather than contributing to its decline. We don't want to end up like Hessla or Holgard!" Quincy remarks.
"Definitely not." You say as you both exchange pleasant goodbyes.
As you leave city hall, Zalmora speaks up.
"Now I'm wondering if I should make a donation to Yag's temple, because his luck was definitely with us today. That went way better than I thought it would." Zal says.
"Yeah, too bad I'm not on good terms with my dad. I'd actually send a letter home to thank him for being such a good guy. Have no idea how the hell we're related sometimes." You say.
"Hmm, well luckily for you you've got his looks apparently."
"So, I guess we need to get started on setting up the new business."
"You're the boss, but I thought you'd want to go get divorced as quick as possible, given how reluctant you were to get married."
"Oh yeah. Eh, I think maybe we should stay married for now, just in case something pops up. We can always do it later, right now there's other stuff that takes priority."
"Okay fearless leader. I'm sure Vaughn will be happy to hear we're staying together for his sake." Zal chuckles.
"Hah! Yeah, what the hell was that all about?"
"Vaughn's actually always been a bit of a romantic. He's never been very lucky in that regard so he gets a bit weepy when he thinks he sees it in others at times."
You and Zal walk to your newly acquired inn. You've seen it from the outside several times which is in fairly good shape despite it being abandoned for years. When you get inside, you find that it isn't in too bad of condition inside either though very dusty obviously.
"Yeah, I think this place will do just fine." You say to yourself.
"Shouldn't take long to get it up and running." Zal remarks.
You and Zal wander around a bit looking at the inn. Eventually you go upstairs and find Zal looking through one of the rooms you believe is where your father and grandparents lived. There's even still a bed and some furniture still here.
You look over at Zal who is currently bent over looking through a chest.
You then look over at the bed.
"So um...Zal..." You start to say.
"Yes?" Zalmora responds turning around.
"You want to celebrate our honeymoon?"
Zal smirks at your offer.
"Really? Aren't you concerned that I'll be manipulating you with my magical vagina?" Zal asks.
"I'm willing to take that risk." You say.
Zal looks at you for a moment in silence.
"Meh, why not? Not like I got anything better to do." She says and starts taking her clothes off.
> time passes...
Chapter 3A1: Red Storm Subsiding
Year 30
"Are you sure?" You ask.
"I'm positive. My boyfriend said the militia are going to do an intensive sweep of this district in a week. The Klyton Council wants to prove they're tough on crime again. Apparently there have been complaints that things have been getting too lax." Vaughn remarks.
"See? This was useful info. And YOU got angry when you found out Vaughn was going out with a militia man." Zal says.
"Never mind all that, we gotta start cleaning shit up around here. Vaughn, I want you to start dismantling the stills and moving the tubs from the basement and into the sewers. Just glad we have a lot of already filled barrels down there. We should be good on that front. Zal, you dismantle the gambling tables and wheels and move them into the sewers as well."
"I'm not mucking about in the sewers. Those days are over." Zal huffs.
"(Sigh) Fine then get someone else to do it! Why do you have to fight me on this right now? I'm going to go see the girls and tell them they got the week off or at least they got the week off here. Don't really care if they whore somewhere else."
You immediately come out of your office and start running around telling your employees (Both legal and criminal) what to do. There predictably is a lot of yelling, grumbling and rushing back and forth.
About ten minutes in, you've worked yourself up into a frenzy.
"WATCH IT WITH THOSE! You break one of those wheels and I'm going to break your fucking arms! By the gods, I'm surrounded by fucking incompetents! And what the hell are you doing? Are you fucking retarded or something? Don't just stand around with a thumb up your ass, go fucking help Vaughn!" You shout in between hitting one poor employee desperately trying to get out of your way.
"Oh dear husband! Can I speak with you for a moment?" You hear Zal shout in a sing song voice from upstairs. You hate it when she does that, because it usually means she's going to scold you or give you some unwanted advice and you really don't have time for that right now.
Still, if you don't go see her now, you'll have to hear even more shit later. So you better see her now. Good thing she's still your wife, because you'd hate to take this sort of aggravation from someone you weren't fucking on a regular basis.
You stomp upstairs and meet Zal in your bedroom. You then close the door.
"WHAT?!" You exclaim.
"While I'm sure you're having a good time running around abusing your underlings, I'm wondering if it's even necessary." Zal remarks.
"Of course it is! You know how this lot is, I gotta kick a little ass sometimes!"
"Yes, I'm aware, but have you really thought about WHY that is? Why you have to go on these rampages every few months or so?"
"Yeah, so we all don't get fucking pinched by the law!"
"Exactly. I'm saying maybe it's time for us to stop worrying about that."
"So what're you getting at exactly?"
"I'm saying maybe it's time to get out."
"Get out? Now? You're joking."
"Why is that so crazy?"
"Because you don't walk away from this life."
"Says who? You can walk away from ANYTHING as long as you aren't in prison or the grave and either of those places are exactly where you'll be heading if this keeps up."
"If that's true, then you're going to be there right along side with me."
"Not bloody likely. I've been thinking about this for a long time and ever since we got this inn together, I've been thinking about it even more. The time has come and I'm out."
And there it is. You have to admit, you're only half surprised, but this is terrible timing.
"Zal, do we really have to do this now?" You say.
"Yes. Oh don't worry, I'm not going to interrupt anything, we're still moving all incriminating evidence out of here, but we're just doing it permanently." Zalmora responds.
"What the...Zal I think you've forgotten who is not only head of this organization, but who is also owner of this fucking inn!"
"And I think you've forgotten that as your wife, it's also partially mine."
"My name is on the deed!"
"Yeah, and you're still not a citizen of Klyton. And after the divorce, I guess we'll see who ends up with what, and if you think I won't drag you through the mud and make this hell for you, then you haven't learned very much during our time together."
You can't believe this. You knew you should have gotten a divorce a long time ago. You just kept putting it off for other things you thought were more important at the time. You didn't think about the potential consequences.
"You would really fucking do this to me wouldn't you? You probably planned this! Fucking bitch..." You mutter trying hard not to do something violent towards Zal.
"Hey, I wasn't the one who initiated consummating the marriage multiple times. I really don't WANT to do this to you at all, but this is the ONLY way you're going to listen!" Zalmora exclaims.
"Fine, so convince me. That is what you've always been good at isn't it?" You remark and sit down.
Zalmora sits down next to you and exhales.
"This inn that we run makes us a pretty good living and that's even before all the illegal shit like providing whores for the traveling merchants or running gambling games in the back. I mean aren't you getting tired of all this? Getting tired of looking over your shoulder thinking the Klyton militia is going to raid the place at any moment?" Zalmora asks.
"It's the life we've chosen."
"Yes, and I'm saying we don't have to live that way anymore. We could go completely legit and live comfortably rather than living in paranoia of going to jail or hanging in a cage."
"I can't believe you're the same woman I met over a decade ago."
"Yeah, I already know what you think. That I'm getting old and fearful and I've lost my will for this lifestyle. Well maybe all of that is true to some extent, but I don't see why that's such a bad thing. I mean I had the thrill of being a criminal and all that, well I'm done with that part of my life now. I don't find any joy in it anymore. I grew out of it. Happens to the best of us and I don't see why you don't see the logic in going legit either. You don't seem particularly all that happy and you're constantly going into these frenzies. Can you honestly say this life is as much fun as it was say ten years ago? I mean you'd at least have less worry if you weren't living this life."
"So...what then? We just settle into life of married mediocrity and live the rest of our lives like average assholes?"
"Yeah, I guess we do. Or we don't. Look, I've never been quite sure how deep your feelings have ever been towards me. To be honest I suppose I'm not quite sure of my own feelings are towards you. I like to think we do have a fondness for each other on some level. I mean we stayed married longer than some people I've know that we're head over heels in love with each other. Not exactly sure if what we have is love, but I guess in some way I think it's close, all things considered."
Zalmora continues
"That being said, if you don't want to stay together that's fine. I always thought this was going to be temporary anyway. I mean I think I could even work it out if you still wanted to manage this place. My point is though, this inn is going to be a legitimate business from now on and if you're not willing to at least go that route, well we need to say goodbye now."
"You know on my end, this could be settled really easily." You say.
"Mm, true. Could have also been settled easily on my end too, but as I already said, I like to think we have enough fondness for each other that murder isn't a serious option."
Once again Zal is right on that part. You don't even know why you said such an empty threat. Perhaps a last minute act of a desperate man still not sure of what he wants in the future.
Going "legit" isn't really going to be as easy as Zal is making out though. You would take a much severe loss in profit than perhaps she thinks. Maybe you could make it, but it wouldn't come easy. You'd have to work hard, but then you work just as hard now and have the constant paranoia added to it.
Of course maybe that's the entire problem. You're working too hard period. It might not be the lifestyle, but more the location and job. You remember the more carefree years when you or you and a few others broke into a store and nicked a few items and coins, or picked the pockets of some rich merchant. You took just enough to live well for awhile and then you went out and did it all over again.
None of the stress of dealing with day to day shit of running an entire criminal organization.
Maybe you just need to get back to basics and walk away from it all.
> walk away
Fuck this inn, fuck the Crimson Talons, fuck this city and fuck your fake marriage. You've had enough of all of it.
You walk up to Zal and look into her eyes then you put your arms around her before kissing her deeply. She holds you tightly until you finish and slowly pull away.
"It was fun, but I think it's time for a change of scenery. Goodbye Zal, and good luck." You say and walk away.
Zalmora doesn't try to stop you, she probably knew this was a possibility.
You gather a few belonging, some money and leave the inn. You figure Zal can fill everyone in on the changes she intends to make. You can't imagine how much she's going to have to deal with, but you know Zal's got a strong will and mind, so you're sure that she'll succeed or at least come out ahead.
You make your way out of Klyton wondering where to travel. Holgard comes to mind, but there's always some sort of rebellion or power struggle going on there. You'd rather not have to deal with being in the middle of that mess. The Delantium Kingdom is at war with some other nation, so you'd rather avoid the possibility of suddenly getting press ganged or conscripted into military service.
The only other place that comes to mind is Hessla which for one thing is a whole lot closer, but it also still has a reputation of being a haven for thieves, pirates, and other criminal types.
Seems like you'd fit in real well.
You first think about taking a carriage there to save yourself a walk, but then you figure you'd rather save the money. It'll be good to for you to get some regular exercise for a change as well. For several years you feel like you've just been slowly letting yourself go to pot while you were running the Crimson Talons from the inn.
With a new goal in mind, a check on your rations, your flintlock pistol and a couple daggers along with your sword, you set off.
The trip to Hessla is surprisingly uneventful. You half figured you'd at least run into a few idiots trying to rob you on the road, but other than travellers, and a few merchants, you don't encounter anyone else on it.
When you finally get to Hessla, its actually a little nicer looking than you thought it was going to look. You expected it to be filled with run down homes with unsavory types located on every corner. If anything, the town has locations that are fancier looking than some of the better parts of Klyton.
After spending a few days in Hessla you also learn that this place really isn't as disorderly as it's reputation would imply. Granted it's far from being as repressive as Klyton, but there actually is a "force" that makes sure it isn't a free for all. The Hessla Headsmen report directly to the governor who apparently is an ex-pirate that controls everything in town.
If anything the crime is less than one might think mainly because most are pirates and pillaging other places rather than here. You are surprisingly finding the place a bit easy on the pick pocket and theft front, of course a lot of folks are either half drunk or plain drunk most of the time. Also most folks don't seem to own that many personal belongings. You guess with most making their living at sea, they keep essentials on their ships, spend it all on booze and whores or otherwise live a very basic life, so despite you finding the town a bit easy pickings, you aren't getting rich doing it. Shops however are very well protected by the Headsmen since you guess Governor Tolen has a slice of all the businesses here.
Fights are pretty common, though they aren't necessarily always to the death like you'd expect. Just a lot of disagreement and drinking make for a rowdy town. So far you've avoided pissing anyone off and kept a low profile. You aren't sure if you're actually going to stay here long or not, but so far it's better than Klyton.
Well at least you THINK you were maintaining a low profile...
"Hey you with the hood." A voice says.
You turn around a see a scruffy man wearing a rag on his head, shabby clothing and a few tattoos on his arms. A cutlass hangs by his side. He looks appropriately piratey.
"What?" You ask.
"Just wondering if you really think you're going to be getting away with pilfering things forever in this town." He says.
"If I was doing such a thing, I'm not sure why it would matter to you."
"It doesn't, but if someone like me noticed you were doing it, I'm sure others have too. Now I know this place has a certain reputation, but punishment for thievery in this town is pretty damn severe. We might mostly be cutthroats and vagabonds here, but we don't shit where we eat. We all have to live here with a certain measure of trust. If we don't, well the whole place goes to shit now doesn't it?"
Interesting culture here. Almost reminds you of the set up you unofficially had back in your home town where they barely tolerated your thievery as long as you kept it to outsiders.
"Hmm, you seem very helpful towards a stranger. Makes me wonder if you don't have an angle." You say.
"Well, not much of one I suppose. I'm currently trying to find new recruits for my captain. Not much luck so far though. You wouldn't be interested would you?"
"I'm afraid I've never been at sea, so I don't think I'd make much of a sailor."
"Everyone's gotta start somewhere, besides we're not really being picky right now. Had a big loss recently and we need all the help we can get."
"What would I be doing exactly?"
"Helping around the ship obviously and the usual pillaging of coastal villages or ships. You do have some fighting skills and would have no problem with something like that I assume."
"Well, I'm not a stranger to combat and I'm not going to say that I haven't done some pretty immoral things, but I'm not raping anyone."
"Hey, that's your right. It's not a qualification for the job. More for someone else as they say."
"Hmm, I dunno. I still think my background isn't going to mesh well. I'm not really a slash and burn type. I'm more of a pick a lock and sneak out in the middle of the night kind of guy."
"Well, we could have use for that too. I remember once we raided a town that actually had a very tough safe that none of us knew how to crack. We couldn't even blow it open until we hauled one of the cannons off the ship and dragged it to the location. By the time we did get it open, the valuable contents inside were destroyed and the town had called for help from a more militaristic city that sent a strong force that chased us back to the ship. Could have all been avoided with someone like you aboard."
"Maybe. Not sure if I like the idea of taking orders though. I was already part of an organization like that once. Eventually I even ran it, but ultimately I left it because I found I preferred working on my own without a bunch of people around."
"Well, I suppose I can't convince you if your mind is already made up. Still, if for some reason you do change your mind, just head to a ship called the Steadfast. It's not the biggest ship in the harbor, but like it's name, it always gets to where it has to go and back."
With those last words, the man takes his leave and you're pondering this new possibility.
You have to admit part of you is curious what it would be like since you've never ever considered being a pirate. Might be an interesting change of pace.
Still, along with all the other concerns you have. The guy trying to recruit you didn't exactly spin this in the best of light and most of the crew are apparently dead so what the hell is the captain like if he's getting everyone killed?
> stick to land
You have enough problems on land, no need to add being surrounded by water as one of them.
Hessla in general seems to be a bit of a bust. You figure you'll stick around for a few more days and then make your way elsewhere.
You make a mental note that you'll need to be more careful if you pick anymore pockets though, apparently you're rusty enough in that endeavor that you're getting caught even if it isn't by the folks you're actually doing it to.
Unfortunately for you your actions have already attracted attention and the day before you're about to leave, you are suddenly seized by the Hessla Headsmen who burst in the room you're staying at. Six of them in fact, though it only takes two of them to hold you down as they shackle you.
"Well, well, well, you have been busy haven't you?" One of them says going through your pack.
"Another idiot outsider thinking they can just rip us off. Honestly don't know what goes through their heads. I mean we're a pirate town! Would YOU steal from anyone in a town full of fucking pirates?" Another says.
"I sure wouldn't be stupid enough to stick around as long as this one did."
"So what's the damage with this one?" A Headsman with a couple extra decorations asks.
"It's mostly coins, but there are a few personal items some reported stolen. Not to mention we've got more than a few people that said they saw this asshole stealing from folks when he thought nobody was watching."
"Okay. Guess we can do this here then."
The Headsman officer tells the others to place you into a kneeling position and put your head down. Of course you try to resist, but you just get some punches for your trouble.
"If you keep resisting, I'm not going to make a clean cut and it's going to take more than one blow to take your head off." The officer says as he prepares his axe.
You attempt to bargain, but it's no use. The Headsmen have heard shit like this all before and the officer eventually smashes you head with the bottom of his two handed axe. Dazed and brought low by this hit, the officer manages to nearly make a clean cut.
"Shit." The officer says as the axe only goes half way through your neck, which kills you though in order to take your head completely off the officer just stomps hard on the back of your head while sawing through your neck with the axe. |
Year 31
If you ever get back to Hessla, you swear to the gods that you're leaving and never setting foot on a ship again.
When you left a year ago, you figured it would be a couple months maybe. You didn't know how far away all these places you're raiding were going to be.
These raids are practically slaughters and you're not particularly getting any thrill out of doing them especially since there's barely been any loot to be had. Last raids you did go on we're more about scavenging the town's fruit supplies and medicine rather than valuables.
Maybe you'd get more out of these raids if you were of the rapey nature, but curse your parents for raising you to at least adhere to some sort of moral standard. Though some of them seem content on buggering each other. (And no matter how long you've been at sea, you can honestly say there's nothing that would even make you THINK about sticking it to any of this loathsome lot you're with!)
You also had problems with not just a major storm, but a few larger ships that apparently thought it would be fun to open fire on you for the shits and giggles. Doesn't help that the navigator got killed during that exchange and you got severely off course while attempting to outrun the superior ships.
Not to mention repairs on the open sea with only half the crew also take a long damn time. On the plus side, you've learned your way around a ship a lot more, though you fully intend on never using this knowledge again if you can help it.
And at least you haven't encountered any mermaids you guess.
As you lean against the ship's railing look out at the setting sun, you try to keep your own sanity by thinking of happier times with your sister or Zalmora. You hope either of them are doing a hell of a lot better than you are right now because this is without a doubt the WORST idea you ever had.
Right along the idea where you left the fucking inn because you didn't want to settle down and live like some regular jerk off. Would it really have been so terrible? It couldn't have been worse than THIS.
"You're right, it couldn't be worse than this. Come back, I forgive you." You suddenly hear a voice say that sounds exactly like Zalmora.
You look around and then hear it again.
"Come back to me my love." The voice says in more melodic tone.
Your head starts to feel odd and you begin to hear faint little song. You can't even make it out, it's just an ongoing tone seeping into your skull...
Without thinking you look at the waters below and see a couple of splashes and a glimpse of a large fishtail.
"Regina! I knew you'd come back to me! I'm coming darling!" You suddenly hear a voice shout which fortunately breaks your concentration.
You look over to your left and see Scully jump over the side of the ship. This is soon followed by the Captain coming out of his quarters.
"FISH BITCHES! WAX! WAX! WAX! DON'T LOOK AT THE WATER!" He shouts nearly falling over in the process.
Fortunately, Captain Rifiv was so paranoid about them from last encounter that he made everyone carry some with them at all time.
Scully was either wrong about mermaids not being in northern waters or you're more off course than you thought. Either way it doesn't matter because you're being assaulted by them and you're shoving wax in your ears.
The wax doesn't quite drown out the song completely, but it's helping enough that you at least don't feel like you're falling under some sort of enchantment now.
Captain Rifiv is using a telescope to look past the nearby mermaid infested waters in the hopes of finding some sort of land. Meanwhile most of the crew is busily filling their own ears with wax.
Unfortunately most doesn't mean all...
Even with wax in your ears you can still hear the nearby gunshot of an enchanted crew member shooting one of his fellows.
"WEAK MINDED FOOLS!" You can hear Rifiv's muffled shouts.
Doesn't take long before there is chaos on the ship and you're also fighting off your fellow enchanted crew mates. Well "fellow" might be too strong of a word since you didn't even like most of them.
You then hear a loud explosion coming from below, the entire boat rocks and you fall to the deck. You aren't sure what happened, but it can't be good because the smell of smoke is very prominent and while you aren't entirely sure yet, but you think the boat might be starting to sink.
As you attempt to get up, Captain Rifiv is doing his best to hobble over in your direction.
"One of those charmed fools just lit a fucking powder keg below deck! This ship is going down! Come on, help me to the emergency rowboat! I saw a patch of land to the north!" Rifiv shouts before he stumbles to the floor of the ship.
He's having a hard time getting up, and you see yet another charmed crewman walking over to finish him off.
You look over to the emergency rowboat and you realize you could probably get to it a lot quicker by yourself.
> defend the captain
Maybe you're having some "good deed" moment during this dark hour, but the old guy actually has been more or less alright with you.
You run over to the captain and block the charmed crewman's sword with your own, then you follow up with a thrust with your dagger that's in your other hand. It sinks deep into the assailant's chest and as he slumps to the deck, you help the captain up.
"Come on! Come on! You're too fucking slow! Move your ass!" He orders.
You start to wonder if you should have just left him!
With the captain in tow (And shouting in your wax filled ear) you make your way to the rowboat, get in and deploy it. It drops a lot faster than you intended and you land hard, but there is no damage and all you get is a little wet from the splash back.
"Row! Row! Row northward and don't do anything else! Don't look at anything except down at the floor of this boat!" Rifiv shouts.
Between the wax, the captain's shouting and some more explosions from the ship as it sinks, you're not hearing the mermaids anymore. It suddenly occurs to you, maybe that's why Rifiv is still doing all this shouting. Now you're glad you helped him.
Still, blocking your hearing is only part of the solution. Now you're in a rowboat which is a lot lower to the water. You see a green hand reach out from the water and grab the side of the boat...
"Damn it man, I told you not to look! Close your damn eyes! Just keep rowing, we're almost there! Get back sea sluts! Yargh! Yargh! Get back! You'll not get me with your wiles!"
You do exactly what Rifiv says and try to focus on just rowing as you close your eyes. It isn't easy though since you can still hear the sounds of battle and the captain shouting the entire time. You also feel a bit of pulling at not just the oars, but your arms as well. You don't know how the old man is holding out so well.
"Stop! No...YOU'RE NOT MY WIFE!" You hear the captain shout.
And then nothing but a loud splash.
You call out to the captain, but hear no answer. This causes you to row faster with all your strength while still keeping your eyes closed.
"Come to us...let go..." You start to hear in those melodic voices again.
You can't think of anything else to do so you start singing various bawdy songs you've heard over the years at the top of your lungs as you row for your life.
"...AND HER ASS TASTES LIKE MOLASSES AND I THOUGHT THAT WAS MIGHTY FINE! SECOND VERSE! OHHHHHHHH..."
As silly as it is for you to be singing loudly in the middle of the fucking ocean about a priest's daughter losing her anal virginity, it's keeping you alive. This must go on for at least an hour or so.
Eventually you hit something, or rather something scrapes the bottom of your boat. At first you think it's the mermaids trying to tip it over or something, but you risk opening your eyes and find that you've hit land or at least the rocks near it. In fact you've damaged the boat and you once again find yourself aboard a sinking ship.
Fortunately, the mermaids seem to have stopped harassing you and the water isn't too deep so you make it to shore. Even so, you run pretty far inland before you stop to take a better look at your surroundings.
You cautiously remove the wax from your ears and you don't hear any mermaid songs trying to bewitch you any longer. You do hear the sounds of a few birds though. Wherever you are, you're in a wooded area with a large amount of trees and bushes.
You aren't sure how big this patch of land is though; for all you know it could be a small island or a large continent. One thing is for sure though, it's cold and you're a long damn way from home.
While this isn't the best situation, you're not giving in to despair. As soon as you figure out how to survive here, maybe you can somehow figure out a way to get back.
Or maybe you'll just stay here. You'll see how it turns out.
Either way your days of being a rogue are over. |
Chapter 3A1: Red Storm Subsiding
Year 30
"Are you sure?" You ask.
"I'm positive. My boyfriend said the militia are going to do an intensive sweep of this district in a week. The Klyton Council wants to prove they're tough on crime again. Apparently there have been complaints that things have been getting too lax." Vaughn remarks.
"See? This was useful info. And YOU got angry when you found out Vaughn was going out with a militia man." Zal says.
"Never mind all that, we gotta start cleaning shit up around here. Vaughn, I want you to start dismantling the stills and moving the tubs from the basement and into the sewers. Just glad we have a lot of already filled barrels down there. We should be good on that front. Zal, you dismantle the gambling tables and wheels and move them into the sewers as well."
"I'm not mucking about in the sewers. Those days are over." Zal huffs.
"(Sigh) Fine then get someone else to do it! Why do you have to fight me on this right now? I'm going to go see the girls and tell them they got the week off or at least they got the week off here. Don't really care if they whore somewhere else."
You immediately come out of your office and start running around telling your employees (Both legal and criminal) what to do. There predictably is a lot of yelling, grumbling and rushing back and forth.
About ten minutes in, you've worked yourself up into a frenzy.
"WATCH IT WITH THOSE! You break one of those wheels and I'm going to break your fucking arms! By the gods, I'm surrounded by fucking incompetents! And what the hell are you doing? Are you fucking retarded or something? Don't just stand around with a thumb up your ass, go fucking help Vaughn!" You shout in between hitting one poor employee desperately trying to get out of your way.
"Oh dear husband! Can I speak with you for a moment?" You hear Zal shout in a sing song voice from upstairs. You hate it when she does that, because it usually means she's going to scold you or give you some unwanted advice and you really don't have time for that right now.
Still, if you don't go see her now, you'll have to hear even more shit later. So you better see her now. Good thing she's still your wife, because you'd hate to take this sort of aggravation from someone you weren't fucking on a regular basis.
You stomp upstairs and meet Zal in your bedroom. You then close the door.
"WHAT?!" You exclaim.
"While I'm sure you're having a good time running around abusing your underlings, I'm wondering if it's even necessary." Zal remarks.
"Of course it is! You know how this lot is, I gotta kick a little ass sometimes!"
"Yes, I'm aware, but have you really thought about WHY that is? Why you have to go on these rampages every few months or so?"
"Yeah, so we all don't get fucking pinched by the law!"
"Exactly. I'm saying maybe it's time for us to stop worrying about that."
"So what're you getting at exactly?"
"I'm saying maybe it's time to get out."
"Get out? Now? You're joking."
"Why is that so crazy?"
"Because you don't walk away from this life."
"Says who? You can walk away from ANYTHING as long as you aren't in prison or the grave and either of those places are exactly where you'll be heading if this keeps up."
"If that's true, then you're going to be there right along side with me."
"Not bloody likely. I've been thinking about this for a long time and ever since we got this inn together, I've been thinking about it even more. The time has come and I'm out."
And there it is. You have to admit, you're only half surprised, but this is terrible timing.
"Zal, do we really have to do this now?" You say.
"Yes. Oh don't worry, I'm not going to interrupt anything, we're still moving all incriminating evidence out of here, but we're just doing it permanently." Zalmora responds.
"What the...Zal I think you've forgotten who is not only head of this organization, but who is also owner of this fucking inn!"
"And I think you've forgotten that as your wife, it's also partially mine."
"My name is on the deed!"
"Yeah, and you're still not a citizen of Klyton. And after the divorce, I guess we'll see who ends up with what, and if you think I won't drag you through the mud and make this hell for you, then you haven't learned very much during our time together."
You can't believe this. You knew you should have gotten a divorce a long time ago. You just kept putting it off for other things you thought were more important at the time. You didn't think about the potential consequences.
"You would really fucking do this to me wouldn't you? You probably planned this! Fucking bitch..." You mutter trying hard not to do something violent towards Zal.
"Hey, I wasn't the one who initiated consummating the marriage multiple times. I really don't WANT to do this to you at all, but this is the ONLY way you're going to listen!" Zalmora exclaims.
"Fine, so convince me. That is what you've always been good at isn't it?" You remark and sit down.
Zalmora sits down next to you and exhales.
"This inn that we run makes us a pretty good living and that's even before all the illegal shit like providing whores for the traveling merchants or running gambling games in the back. I mean aren't you getting tired of all this? Getting tired of looking over your shoulder thinking the Klyton militia is going to raid the place at any moment?" Zalmora asks.
"It's the life we've chosen."
"Yes, and I'm saying we don't have to live that way anymore. We could go completely legit and live comfortably rather than living in paranoia of going to jail or hanging in a cage."
"I can't believe you're the same woman I met over a decade ago."
"Yeah, I already know what you think. That I'm getting old and fearful and I've lost my will for this lifestyle. Well maybe all of that is true to some extent, but I don't see why that's such a bad thing. I mean I had the thrill of being a criminal and all that, well I'm done with that part of my life now. I don't find any joy in it anymore. I grew out of it. Happens to the best of us and I don't see why you don't see the logic in going legit either. You don't seem particularly all that happy and you're constantly going into these frenzies. Can you honestly say this life is as much fun as it was say ten years ago? I mean you'd at least have less worry if you weren't living this life."
"So...what then? We just settle into life of married mediocrity and live the rest of our lives like average assholes?"
"Yeah, I guess we do. Or we don't. Look, I've never been quite sure how deep your feelings have ever been towards me. To be honest I suppose I'm not quite sure of my own feelings are towards you. I like to think we do have a fondness for each other on some level. I mean we stayed married longer than some people I've know that we're head over heels in love with each other. Not exactly sure if what we have is love, but I guess in some way I think it's close, all things considered."
Zalmora continues
"That being said, if you don't want to stay together that's fine. I always thought this was going to be temporary anyway. I mean I think I could even work it out if you still wanted to manage this place. My point is though, this inn is going to be a legitimate business from now on and if you're not willing to at least go that route, well we need to say goodbye now."
"You know on my end, this could be settled really easily." You say.
"Mm, true. Could have also been settled easily on my end too, but as I already said, I like to think we have enough fondness for each other that murder isn't a serious option."
Once again Zal is right on that part. You don't even know why you said such an empty threat. Perhaps a last minute act of a desperate man still not sure of what he wants in the future.
Going "legit" isn't really going to be as easy as Zal is making out though. You would take a much severe loss in profit than perhaps she thinks. Maybe you could make it, but it wouldn't come easy. You'd have to work hard, but then you work just as hard now and have the constant paranoia added to it.
Of course maybe that's the entire problem. You're working too hard period. It might not be the lifestyle, but more the location and job. You remember the more carefree years when you or you and a few others broke into a store and nicked a few items and coins, or picked the pockets of some rich merchant. You took just enough to live well for awhile and then you went out and did it all over again.
None of the stress of dealing with day to day shit of running an entire criminal organization.
Maybe you just need to get back to basics and walk away from it all.
> go legit
You can't go back to those "good old days" even though you might wish to. Really, the good old days were long over the day you got chased out of Teckleville, and perhaps they were over even before that when your sister left. You hope she's doing well.
Zal isn't the only one that's gotten older. True you're still relatively young in comparison and perhaps the roguish streak hasn't quite left you yet, but her transformation and everything else that's gone on...well quite frankly it is time to start thinking about a more stable future that doesn't involve criminal endeavors.
As for being married...well you could do worse than being married to a woman who's been giving you sound advice for over a decade, even if she has been a bit manipulative at times. You'd be lying if you didn't like that quality slightly. She obviously cares about you on some level and the feeling is mutual. After all, if you didn't, you would have divorced long ago.
You grab Zal's hand, squeezing it while nodding silently. It's all you have to do to give an answer. Zal seems pretty happy with your answer and hugs you which you return.
"(Sigh) Considering I'm actually allowing myself to submit to this, I guess it's just as well I'm getting out too. I'm obviously too soft to be a crime lord anymore." You say as Zal smiles.
"Oh you're not going soft, you're just playing the odds and the odds are in favor of a better life if you get out of this game now." Zal says in an attempt to reassure you.
"I suppose. I do hope you know that this isn't going to be as easy as you believe though. Good thing we've got a lot saved up, because if we're going totally legit, we're probably going to be taking a major loss for awhile."
"I know, but I truly think this is going to be for the best in the long run."
"It's not just that though, we've got other people to think about. I mean the folks who aren't Talons aren't going to be a problem, like some of the waitresses. Even some of the Talons aren't going to be a problem. Hell, I can see someone like Vaughn being completely okay with this direction, but there are a few of the younger more ambitious members that aren't going to go along with this."
"Well that's tough shit."
"Perhaps, but they're going to be pretty mad about this and when they are, I can't say I'm going to entirely blame them. Still, we can deal with that later. Right now, priority is making this place respectable before the Klyton militia sweep."
You and Zal get back to that task at hand.
Later on in the week after the noise has died down from Klyton's most recent repressive tactics, you call a meeting to address everyone of the new changes that are going to be taking place.
It goes well for the most part, but predictably there are complaints.
"So wait, if this place is going legit, does that mean we can't fuck the merchants that come in here anymore?" A whore asks.
"You ladies can fuck anyone you want, but if you're going to be doing it here, you better be doing it for fun rather than profit. There is to be no more whoring here. If you want to pursue that line of work, you do it elsewhere. Better yet, the Klyton Kitty is hiring right now. You ladies could go there and be completely legal prostitutes at that establishment."
"What?! They wouldn't hire me and I can't compete with the bitches that hoity toity place! They're all twenty years younger, got all their teeth, magically enhanced tits, and don't have a rash on their..."
"Hey look, that's not my fucking problem! The best I can do is if any of you want jobs as waitresses, I can accommodate in that respect, but you if you want to go whore, you do it on your own time and away from this place!"
As the whores grumble, one of the more unkept employees raises their hands.
"Um, does this mean those of us who owed gambling debts don't have to work here anymore?" One of the "indentured servants" asks.
"No! You deadbeat fuckers still owe! I'm not absolving anyone of their debts and don't think I won't still enforce that! However, only part of it will be taken out of your pay. If and when you finish paying off your debt, you can either continue working here for your full pay or go on your way." You say.
Finally, there is the group that you were expecting the most trouble from.
"This a bunch of fucking bullshit." Camid exlaims.
Camid is one of the younger Crimson Talons. He's always been a bit outspoken about how things should be run, but he's more or less always complied. A few other Talons with his mindset also express their dissatisfaction.
"Which part?" You ask humoring this asshole.
"All of it. How fuck are we just going to walk away from all the money we're making and become regular blue collar bums? The working man is a sucker and this is just fucking stupid." Camid says.
"Yeah, I figured some of you would feel that way, so think of this as my retirement as head of the Crimson Talons. Camid, if you want the job you got it. If not, well I'm sure those of you who still want to go out and do illegal shit can decide who's going to run the organization. Good luck to you."
"I gotta say, I never agreed with all your decisions, but I never thought I'd see the damn day when you'd go fucking limp dick soft. What, so the Klyton militia assholes come sweep the place and you lose your damn balls?" Camid remarks.
"Pfft, he didn't lose them, he knows exactly where they are. In his old bitch of a wife's purse!" Another Talon remarks.
At this point Zalmora, Vaughn and a couple of the ex-Talons on your side begin to yell, but you calm everyone down.
"It's fine, it's fine. You done?" You ask.
"No, I'm not fucking done. This inn is a fucking Crimson Talon business! Now if you want to step down and live like some regular jerk off fine. But YOU don't get to take this with you! This is OUR place." Camid remarks.
"That's not what it says on the deed, and last time I remember I wasn't married to your ass. Look Camid, you got the damn sewers. You're gaining the bum fights, you can run whores and gambling there. Shit, you can even sell Yellow Devil again or whatever else you want, but YOU don't get this place. I was the one who scratched and worked for it. You want someplace that doesn't smell like shit and covered in slime, well you're going to have to work for it too."
At this point Camid and you are face to face and it's half expected that someone is going to go for a weapon. Camid is obviously severely tempted, but he's not quite confident enough to believe he'll survive the exchange.
"You're going to regret this." He says and then backs away slowly towards the door as likeminded folks follow.
You wave your hand away dismissively and tell your remaining people to go on with their work. You head to your office, though Zalmora and Vaughn follow you.
"I hate to say this, but I don't think Camid's going to just go away." Zalmora says.
"Yeah, I got that impression. (Sigh) This is why I didn't think this was going to just go smoothly." You say.
"Do you think we could just make a one time pay off for him to forget about us?" Vaughn asks.
"Vaughn you know damn well that isn't going to work. That fucker will just see that as weakness and start demanding payment on a weekly basis. Besides, we're already going to be losing money in the near future, I'm not parting with any more than I have to."
"Well, there's always the obvious solution." Zal suggests.
"But I thought the whole point was to get away from doing shit like that. I mean I'm with you guys on going legit, but if we start making exceptions, we're not really changing are we?" Vaughn says.
"So what are you suggesting?" You ask.
"We get the law to work for us for a change. Look, we all know Camid isn't going to be inventive enough to pick a new location to do business. He's probably going to go right back to that old location in the sewers. All I have to do is tell Gregory about the large Crimson Talon hideout there and boom. The militia takes care of our problem. Plus you know Camid, he'll probably go down fighting."
"Who's Gregory?" You ask.
"Vaughn's militia man. Got to admit, that's not a bad plan. Just...I dunno. Seems weird ratting them out like that to solve the issue." Zal remarks.
"What difference does it make as long as it gets the job done? Besides, as I said, I thought we weren't Talons anymore. There's no code of silence being broken." Vaughn remarks as Zal reluctantly agrees.
Seems that Zal hasn't quite gotten all the "rogue" out of her system despite everything she's claimed. You can certainly relate, but not so much because you're against ratting them out, but more because killing them is a more final solution to a potential problem.
> snitch on the Crimson Talons
It occurs to you that snitching them out to the militia is most likely the same thing as wiping them out. The Klyton militia isn't exactly known for showing restraint when it comes to things like this. And as Vaughn said, Camid will most likely be foolish enough to go down fighting and take everyone under his command with him.
"Fuck it, we're law abiding citizens concerned with the criminal element in this city. There's no reason we should risk our lives, let the militia do their job. Go talk to your boyfriend." You say.
Your response is a bit of a surprise to Vaughn and a bigger surprise to Zalmora who both figured you'd ultimately want to take care of the problem directly. Vaughn however seems happy that his life won't be at risk now. Zal doesn't argue with your decision, but seems a little distracted by it.
Later that night you address it directly before you both go to bed.
"Zal, this really is the less messy solution. If we're getting out like you wanted us to, we can't go around committing a mass murder that could potentially get one or more of us killed in the process. I mean how fucked up would it be if I died or worse, YOU died during the hit? Camid left with a little over half of the Talons, we would have been outnumbered. Let those militia assholes waste their lives. Better them than us, and as I said before, especially you." You say caressing the side of Zal's face.
"I know. I know. And I'm glad you were concerned about me." Zal says embracing you.
In the next few days, Vaughn lets you know that everything has been set in motion and the Klyton militia is going to launch a full scale assault on the location. They apparently want this to go so successfully they're doing their best keeping it secret. (Though Vaughn's boyfriend Gregory has a big mouth and told him everything anyway.)
Within the week you get the news from the paper about how the Crimson Talons were absolutely crushed by the Klyton militia. A big announcement is made of how the Talons are no longer a threat in the Klyton and have at last been brought down after decades of terrorizing the city.
All Talon members were killed in the raid along with several Yellow Devil junkies, whores, and gamblers who were there betting on a bum fight. But as usual nobody really cares about some dregs of society getting massacred in the process because justice has been served!
You smile and point out to Zal this success.
"See? Told you this was the best way to handle it." You say.
"Actually it was Vaughn who suggested it in the first place." Zal remarks.
"Being the boss means you always get to take the credit." You chuckle.
"Boss? We're not Crimson Talons anymore remember?'
"I'm still boss of this inn and I'm boss of your fine ass." You say slapping Zal on the ass.
"Oh yeah? Well you better come closer and prove that because I'm not convinced."
You and Zal proceed celebrate your victory and new lives as productive law abiding citizens in a physical way.
Year 33
"Where the hell has Vaughn been? He hasn't come in for the past three days. Did he say he was sick or something?" You ask.
"Last time I saw him he was fine. Never said anything about being sick." Zalmora remarks.
"I'm gonna have to go over to his home or something because he can't just disappear like this. We're trying to run a business here."
"It's odd for him to just disappear though. Maybe we should contact the militia on this."
"His boyfriend is a militia guy. I'm sure if it was really serious, he would have already let us know. He's probably just got some minor cold and decided it would be a good excuse to take off from work. He's done that before you know."
"So you going over to his home?"
"Maybe later when things here at the inn die down a bit. Too much to do right now."
You spend most of your work day tending to usual business. Still feels weird at times working a real job, but you're pretty much used to it now. Being with Zal certainly has made this transition easier for you.
If only your parents could see you now, they probably wouldn't believe it. You don't think your sister would either. Your thoughts sometimes still wander towards them and wonder how they all are at times.
By night fall the inn has gotten a little quieter. Normally that's not the case, but you know there's some major party going on at the Madcap Tavern tonight so most of the rowdier folks are there. You decide this will be a good time to go check on Vaughn.
You say goodbye to Zal and leave the inn.
As you walk to Vaughn's place you pass a couple of patrolling guards. You still remember when you first came to this city it still wasn't quite as restrictive as it is now. You guess it's good you got out of the life when you did.
Along the way, a man with a full beard and mustache and raggedy clothing comes up to you.
"Hey boss, can you spare a copper?" He asks.
"Don't have any. Get a job." You say still walking.
"I had a job boss, but the business got shut down by the government and in this environment, it's hard to get work." He says following you.
"Yeah, well things are tough all over."
"Well things look like they're going good for you boss. You got money, a nice business, a pretty wife even if she is a little on the older side."
You suddenly stop walking and it occurs to you that he isn't just calling you "boss" as some term of deference of social status.
"Never thought I'd get an easy chance to get you like this, you never leave that fucking inn." The man says in a nastier tone.
Your instincts kick in, and you swing at the man, but you're a little rusty in the combat area. This man however isn't and dodges your swing and then smashes you in the face with some brass knuckles.
You feel the crunch of your nose breaking as you fall to the ground. You then feel a boot to the side of your head nearly knocking you unconscious.
In your dazed state you feel yourself being dragged into a nearby alley. You attempt to stop your assailant, but are only met with more stomps to your face. He only stops in order to take out his flintlock pistol.
While you have no idea who this man's name is, you know he has to be an ex-Talon. Probably some young recruit that you never really paid attention to, which is probably why you never recognized him right away either, even if he does look like a vagrant now.
Apparently the Klyton militia wasn't as thorough as they claimed in the papers all those years ago.
"Been waiting a long time for this. Say hello to Vaughn in hell when you see him and don't worry your snitch bitch of a wife will be joining both of you soon too." He says and then puts a bullet in your head. |
You can't go back to those "good old days" even though you might wish to. Really, the good old days were long over the day you got chased out of Teckleville, and perhaps they were over even before that when your sister left. You hope she's doing well.
Zal isn't the only one that's gotten older. True you're still relatively young in comparison and perhaps the roguish streak hasn't quite left you yet, but her transformation and everything else that's gone on...well quite frankly it is time to start thinking about a more stable future that doesn't involve criminal endeavors.
As for being married...well you could do worse than being married to a woman who's been giving you sound advice for over a decade, even if she has been a bit manipulative at times. You'd be lying if you didn't like that quality slightly. She obviously cares about you on some level and the feeling is mutual. After all, if you didn't, you would have divorced long ago.
You grab Zal's hand, squeezing it while nodding silently. It's all you have to do to give an answer. Zal seems pretty happy with your answer and hugs you which you return.
"(Sigh) Considering I'm actually allowing myself to submit to this, I guess it's just as well I'm getting out too. I'm obviously too soft to be a crime lord anymore." You say as Zal smiles.
"Oh you're not going soft, you're just playing the odds and the odds are in favor of a better life if you get out of this game now." Zal says in an attempt to reassure you.
"I suppose. I do hope you know that this isn't going to be as easy as you believe though. Good thing we've got a lot saved up, because if we're going totally legit, we're probably going to be taking a major loss for awhile."
"I know, but I truly think this is going to be for the best in the long run."
"It's not just that though, we've got other people to think about. I mean the folks who aren't Talons aren't going to be a problem, like some of the waitresses. Even some of the Talons aren't going to be a problem. Hell, I can see someone like Vaughn being completely okay with this direction, but there are a few of the younger more ambitious members that aren't going to go along with this."
"Well that's tough shit."
"Perhaps, but they're going to be pretty mad about this and when they are, I can't say I'm going to entirely blame them. Still, we can deal with that later. Right now, priority is making this place respectable before the Klyton militia sweep."
You and Zal get back to that task at hand.
Later on in the week after the noise has died down from Klyton's most recent repressive tactics, you call a meeting to address everyone of the new changes that are going to be taking place.
It goes well for the most part, but predictably there are complaints.
"So wait, if this place is going legit, does that mean we can't fuck the merchants that come in here anymore?" A whore asks.
"You ladies can fuck anyone you want, but if you're going to be doing it here, you better be doing it for fun rather than profit. There is to be no more whoring here. If you want to pursue that line of work, you do it elsewhere. Better yet, the Klyton Kitty is hiring right now. You ladies could go there and be completely legal prostitutes at that establishment."
"What?! They wouldn't hire me and I can't compete with the bitches that hoity toity place! They're all twenty years younger, got all their teeth, magically enhanced tits, and don't have a rash on their..."
"Hey look, that's not my fucking problem! The best I can do is if any of you want jobs as waitresses, I can accommodate in that respect, but you if you want to go whore, you do it on your own time and away from this place!"
As the whores grumble, one of the more unkept employees raises their hands.
"Um, does this mean those of us who owed gambling debts don't have to work here anymore?" One of the "indentured servants" asks.
"No! You deadbeat fuckers still owe! I'm not absolving anyone of their debts and don't think I won't still enforce that! However, only part of it will be taken out of your pay. If and when you finish paying off your debt, you can either continue working here for your full pay or go on your way." You say.
Finally, there is the group that you were expecting the most trouble from.
"This a bunch of fucking bullshit." Camid exlaims.
Camid is one of the younger Crimson Talons. He's always been a bit outspoken about how things should be run, but he's more or less always complied. A few other Talons with his mindset also express their dissatisfaction.
"Which part?" You ask humoring this asshole.
"All of it. How fuck are we just going to walk away from all the money we're making and become regular blue collar bums? The working man is a sucker and this is just fucking stupid." Camid says.
"Yeah, I figured some of you would feel that way, so think of this as my retirement as head of the Crimson Talons. Camid, if you want the job you got it. If not, well I'm sure those of you who still want to go out and do illegal shit can decide who's going to run the organization. Good luck to you."
"I gotta say, I never agreed with all your decisions, but I never thought I'd see the damn day when you'd go fucking limp dick soft. What, so the Klyton militia assholes come sweep the place and you lose your damn balls?" Camid remarks.
"Pfft, he didn't lose them, he knows exactly where they are. In his old bitch of a wife's purse!" Another Talon remarks.
At this point Zalmora, Vaughn and a couple of the ex-Talons on your side begin to yell, but you calm everyone down.
"It's fine, it's fine. You done?" You ask.
"No, I'm not fucking done. This inn is a fucking Crimson Talon business! Now if you want to step down and live like some regular jerk off fine. But YOU don't get to take this with you! This is OUR place." Camid remarks.
"That's not what it says on the deed, and last time I remember I wasn't married to your ass. Look Camid, you got the damn sewers. You're gaining the bum fights, you can run whores and gambling there. Shit, you can even sell Yellow Devil again or whatever else you want, but YOU don't get this place. I was the one who scratched and worked for it. You want someplace that doesn't smell like shit and covered in slime, well you're going to have to work for it too."
At this point Camid and you are face to face and it's half expected that someone is going to go for a weapon. Camid is obviously severely tempted, but he's not quite confident enough to believe he'll survive the exchange.
"You're going to regret this." He says and then backs away slowly towards the door as likeminded folks follow.
You wave your hand away dismissively and tell your remaining people to go on with their work. You head to your office, though Zalmora and Vaughn follow you.
"I hate to say this, but I don't think Camid's going to just go away." Zalmora says.
"Yeah, I got that impression. (Sigh) This is why I didn't think this was going to just go smoothly." You say.
"Do you think we could just make a one time pay off for him to forget about us?" Vaughn asks.
"Vaughn you know damn well that isn't going to work. That fucker will just see that as weakness and start demanding payment on a weekly basis. Besides, we're already going to be losing money in the near future, I'm not parting with any more than I have to."
"Well, there's always the obvious solution." Zal suggests.
"But I thought the whole point was to get away from doing shit like that. I mean I'm with you guys on going legit, but if we start making exceptions, we're not really changing are we?" Vaughn says.
"So what are you suggesting?" You ask.
"We get the law to work for us for a change. Look, we all know Camid isn't going to be inventive enough to pick a new location to do business. He's probably going to go right back to that old location in the sewers. All I have to do is tell Gregory about the large Crimson Talon hideout there and boom. The militia takes care of our problem. Plus you know Camid, he'll probably go down fighting."
"Who's Gregory?" You ask.
"Vaughn's militia man. Got to admit, that's not a bad plan. Just...I dunno. Seems weird ratting them out like that to solve the issue." Zal remarks.
"What difference does it make as long as it gets the job done? Besides, as I said, I thought we weren't Talons anymore. There's no code of silence being broken." Vaughn remarks as Zal reluctantly agrees.
Seems that Zal hasn't quite gotten all the "rogue" out of her system despite everything she's claimed. You can certainly relate, but not so much because you're against ratting them out, but more because killing them is a more final solution to a potential problem.
> wipe out the Crimson Talons
No point in taking chances...
"I appreciate the input Vaughn, but I believe a more permanent solution is needed here." You say.
"Well okay, but how are we going to do it? Camid just left with a little more than half the old gang. Besides us three, we only got a couple guys left and honestly I don't really have confidence in them if it's going to be a knock down drag out fight."
"There are more around guns nowadays you know. Don't need to be a good fighter to just shoot someone. I acquired one myself soon after I bought the inn." You say.
"Yeah, but Camid and his group could have the same idea. Pretty sure Camid owns one and will probably acquire more for the rest of the Talons. Plus most of them are one shot weapons. If anyone misses, it's going to come down to a real fight and we're going to be out numbered."
"Well, I guess we better make sure our aim is true shouldn't we then? Look, if this is going to be a concern, we could always go get some of those repeating crossbows. They cost a damn fortune, but..."
Suddenly Zal speaks up.
"Maybe we shouldn't risk our lives on this. It would be kind of tragic to get this far only to get brought down at the finish line." Zalmora says.
"So what are you saying? You saying you want to go with Vaughn's plan now?" You ask.
"No, I'm for getting rid of them, but I just don't think we should be the ones to do the deed if we don't have to."
"Okay. So you're saying you want a hired assassin? Great. You know any? Because I sure don't."
"Yes we do. In fact you hired him already once."
You exhale deeply.
"And in order to hire THAT guy again, I'm going to have to deal with Mr. Fucking Reynolds and who knows what damn price he's going to ask for." You say.
"He was actually pretty reasonable last time." Zal remarks.
"He also didn't tell me everything last time. There's always a catch with him. In fact weren't you against dealing with him last time?"
"I was, but that was a different time under different circumstances. I mean can it hurt to even inquire?"
"No, but I wish there was another alternative."
"We could always look for Scales." Vaughn jokes in an attempt to lighten the mood.
"I don't think Scales is even alive anymore, if he was even lurking down in the sewers to begin with. I think Tom was the only one who was ever convinced of it. I mean we were in the sewers for years and never ran afoul of a supposedly territorial lizard. (Sigh) Alright, I'll go see Mr. Reynolds tomorrow and see what the price is."
The next day you walk into Mr. Reynolds' office.
As soon as you walk in, you see a strange ogrish looking creature, but much shorter than one. In fact if it wasn't for the oversized teeth and general monstrous appearance, you might mistake it for a very muscular dwarf.
You also see Henry, or at least you assume it's Henry. He hasn't changed much since the last time you saw him, though he's sporting a few scars across his face now.
Finally you see Mr. Reynolds and he certainly hasn't changed. Once again he stands up smiling at his desk.
"Well what do I owe the pleasure of this unexpected visit from the head of the infamous Crimson Talons this fine day?" Mr. Reynolds says.
"I need some people killed." You say.
"Hm, straight to business I see. Okay then, I assume there is some reason why you aren't having your own people taking care of this?"
"Let's just say, most of my so called people are the ones I want to have killed."
"Ah, an internal struggle? Interesting. Well, I'm not sure what you want me to do about it."
You haven't been here five minutes, and he's already playing mind games...
"What the hell do you think..." You start to shout, but then you stop and then calm yourself before continuing.
"Mr. Reynolds, with all due respect, I have come here asking for assistance on this matter as I once did in the past. Your son did a marvelous job last time even if... I didn't quite appreciate its thoroughness last time. I have now come to respect it much more and I would like to implement his magnificent skills again on others that would see harm to me and my business."
Mr. Reynolds listens intently and smiles.
"I'm glad to see that wisdom has come with your age. That's good. Last time our business together was less than cordial. That's okay though, I still got paid. As I said, I would love to help you again in this matter, but I'm afraid, this isn't my call this time. Last time when Henry worked for you, you insulted his work and I'm afraid, my son takes things a bit more personal than I do. He won't work for you again."
"What?! But isn't he your employee? Can't you just order him?"
"Yes, but he's also my son! Really now sir, would YOU force your son to do something he doesn't want to? Yes, business is always important, but sometimes, just sometimes family comes first. Now if Henry wants to work for you on this, I suppose we can start coming up with a price, but I don't think it's likely."
You look over to Henry who just gives you a cold glance before walking away altogether.
"I think there's your answer." Mr. Reynolds says.
"Great. So I guess you can't help me." You say.
"Well now, I wouldn't say that exactly, I still have one employee willing to cause mayhem on your behalf."
Mr. Reynolds points over to the ogre looking creature.
"And who is that?" You ask.
"Who is that? Don't you see the family resemblance? This fine gentleman is the late great Olaf's son!" Mr. Reynolds exclaims.
"The late Olaf?"
"Yes, it was a sad day when Olaf passed a few years ago. Died right here in the office in his sleep in fact. He will be missed. But anyway his son Olaf Jr. has been following in his father's large footsteps and I don't mind saying he's been doing a fine job for me and his own mother is very proud of him."
You remember that Mr. Reynolds once said Olaf was married to a halfling. You can't imagine how that birth was even possible let alone how she survived the process. It does however explain Junior's strange appearance by ogre standards. (Or any standards actually)
Mr. Reynolds goes on to explain that while Junior doesn't have the same size as his father or quickness that Henry has, he assures you that he has more than enough skill to do the job you require. However, unlike last time Mr. Reynolds asks for a thousand gold coins in advance.
It's a hell of a lot of money and you have no real certainty. You're starting to think you might have more piece of mind investing in some weapons and doing this yourself.
> hire Junior
As crazy as this is, you know Mr. Reynolds values his word. If he says Junior will wipe out all the targets, then he'll do it. There's also the fact that you haven't completely dismissed what Zal said about failing at the finish line.
You could be as prepared as possible and still get yourself killed in the battle or perhaps even Zal would get killed. You have to admit you'd be pretty upset if that occurred. Maybe you are in love after all.
So it's with a slight reluctance that you once again take Mr. Reynolds up on his offer...
"Okay, it's deal, but I'll have to come back later with the money. I also have to do a little reconnaissance so I know where exactly to have Junior go find his targets. I'll be giving you a list of names and physical descriptions as well." You say.
"Sure. Sure. Take all the preparations you need, we'll be here. And as usual, it's been a pleasure doing business with you." Mr. Reynolds says.
You return to the inn and explain the situation to Zal and Vaughn. Vaughn says it shouldn't be any problem to locate where Camid and the rest finally settle down at, though he says once again that it will most likely be the old sewer location.
"Why couldn't you get the other guy?" Zal asks.
"I told you, personal differences. I don't doubt that this ogre...or ogrfling isn't capable of doing the job. Mr. Reynolds prides himself too much on his word." You say.
"Thousand gold pieces is a lot of money."
"Yeah, well if it keeps you...I mean us safe, it's a good investment." You say.
Zalmora smiles a bit.
"Wait, were you more worried about me?" Zal asks.
"Well you are my wife. I'm not going to live like a regular jack off alone. Especially since it was your idea in the first place." You respond.
"I'll take that as a yes." Zal responds and kisses you.
You return to Mr. Reynolds' office in the next few days with the money and all the necessary information.
"Ah, quite a few of them I see. Henry really should have taken this job, he would have loved it, but there's no getting through to the boy at times. (Sigh) Anyway, yes Junior will have no problems with this. Probably can get it done tonight. Come back tomorrow and we'll have proof."
Lacking anything else to do, you head back to the inn and get back to work, which still feels weird to you. Though more than anything else your mind is preoccupied with if that ogre freak is going to be successful. You have a little anxiety that he's not going to get the job done and one of those assholes gets away only to shoot you in the back a year later just when you think everything is going good.
Zalmora senses your concern and later that night you try to find reassurance and comfort in her embrace. It helps.
The next morning you wake up and you head over to Mr. Reynolds' place. You notice a lot of Klyton militia patrolling about. You also come across a young boy with a bunch of papers shouting about a vigilante.
"Hey mister, you need to buy the paper today! It's special edition!" The boy shouts.
"What's so special about it?" You ask.
"It's a breaking story that happened just last night! Some vigilante wiped out the infamous Crimson Talons!" The boy exclaims.
"Really?"
"Yeah! My boss suddenly got the scoop in the middle of the night! Anonymous tip or something. Anyway, the details are inside!"
"I don't have any money on me right now, but I might be back to get one later."
"Okay mister, but you better hurry up, these are selling fast!"
You leave the boy and continue on your destination. When you enter Mr. Reynolds' office, he's reading the paper.
"There you are. You didn't happen to see this morning's paper did you?" Mr. Reynolds asks.
"No, but I heard what the headline is." You respond.
"Heh, yes. I thought it would be the best way to deal with this one. After Henry disposed of the Bloody Smiles, people thought there was a blood stalker lurking in the woods for years. It's amazing what people's imagination can come up with."
"Mm, the imagination is a powerful thing. So where's Junior?"
"Oh I gave him a much needed day off. He was up all night fighting crime I'm sure you're aware. He even took a bullet or two. Still, nothing serious for a strong young creature like himself. He did leave the proof of his deed, do you want to see?"
"I can only imagine what he took as proof, but what the hell, I did pay for all this."
"It's over in the chest over there."
You look over to your left and see a medium sized chest. You cautiously open it and cough a bit when a smokey smell of charred flesh hits your nose. You then see a bunch of what looks to be blackened ears. Well some of them are a little more than just blackened ears and still have some of the side of the faces attached.
"(Cough cough) Shit! What did Junior do exactly?" You ask.
"Well according to the paper it says the vigilante used a hellfire thrower to wipe out the Talon enclave, but there is also evidence that firebombs were also used." Mr. Reynolds says.
"Wait, he burned everyone?"
"Yes, and blew them up with explosives. What? Did you think that he was just a simple brute that was going to bludgeon them all with a club?"
"Well, sort of."
"Oh no my dear boy. Junior isn't his father. He's very much into technology that causes the most amount of casualties in the quickest time possible. Though I believe he probably did bludgeon a few that didn't die right away."
"Judging by the number of ears here, I'm going to guess he didn't just stop at the assigned targets."
"Yes, I think there was one of those classless bum fights going on at the time when he arrived. Large crowd, but don't worry, he got them all."
"Yeah, I believe it." You say closing the chest.
You face Mr. Reynolds who stands up from his desk.
"So I trust our business is concluded and you're satisfied with the results?" Mr. Reynolds asks.
"You said he'd get the job done and as usual, you're a man of your word." You answer.
"Well I certainly try to be and I guess this closes the chapter on the Crimson Talons?"
"Guess so, or it does for me at any rate."
"Hm, well I wish you well on your new endeavor of running your inn successfully like your family once did and being just an average Klyton citizen...but then you never did officially become a citizen of this great city did you?"
"Nope, never got around to it."
"Well you really should, there's a Klyton Council election coming up in a few years and I'm thinking about running. I'll need all the votes I can get."
"You're running for the Klyton Council? Why now?"
"Oh I've been doing this job for so long and I think it's time to move on to bigger things. Just time for a change. Maybe you even inspired me a bit. How about that eh? Anyway, my son will be taking over this old business. He's more than qualified. Don't worry, if you ever need a loan for your inn, I've already told him that he can't refuse to do proper business with someone just because he doesn't like them. If that was the case, I wouldn't have done business with anyone at all!"
Mr. Reynolds laughs, and you make a mental note that you're NEVER going to take out any sort of loan from this place no matter what the circumstances.
As you leave Mr. Reynolds calls to you one more time about how you should go register as a citizen of Klyton soon. You get the strong impression that it wasn't a suggestion so much as it was an order.
Looks like you know who you'll be voting for in the future. You knew there was going to be a catch, still you suppose it's a small price in the scheme of things. Well at least you hope so.
You'll worry about it later; right now you have more immediate if mundane concerns.
Your days as a rogue are over. |
No point in taking chances...
"I appreciate the input Vaughn, but I believe a more permanent solution is needed here." You say.
"Well okay, but how are we going to do it? Camid just left with a little more than half the old gang. Besides us three, we only got a couple guys left and honestly I don't really have confidence in them if it's going to be a knock down drag out fight."
"There are more around guns nowadays you know. Don't need to be a good fighter to just shoot someone. I acquired one myself soon after I bought the inn." You say.
"Yeah, but Camid and his group could have the same idea. Pretty sure Camid owns one and will probably acquire more for the rest of the Talons. Plus most of them are one shot weapons. If anyone misses, it's going to come down to a real fight and we're going to be out numbered."
"Well, I guess we better make sure our aim is true shouldn't we then? Look, if this is going to be a concern, we could always go get some of those repeating crossbows. They cost a damn fortune, but..."
Suddenly Zal speaks up.
"Maybe we shouldn't risk our lives on this. It would be kind of tragic to get this far only to get brought down at the finish line." Zalmora says.
"So what are you saying? You saying you want to go with Vaughn's plan now?" You ask.
"No, I'm for getting rid of them, but I just don't think we should be the ones to do the deed if we don't have to."
"Okay. So you're saying you want a hired assassin? Great. You know any? Because I sure don't."
"Yes we do. In fact you hired him already once."
You exhale deeply.
"And in order to hire THAT guy again, I'm going to have to deal with Mr. Fucking Reynolds and who knows what damn price he's going to ask for." You say.
"He was actually pretty reasonable last time." Zal remarks.
"He also didn't tell me everything last time. There's always a catch with him. In fact weren't you against dealing with him last time?"
"I was, but that was a different time under different circumstances. I mean can it hurt to even inquire?"
"No, but I wish there was another alternative."
"We could always look for Scales." Vaughn jokes in an attempt to lighten the mood.
"I don't think Scales is even alive anymore, if he was even lurking down in the sewers to begin with. I think Tom was the only one who was ever convinced of it. I mean we were in the sewers for years and never ran afoul of a supposedly territorial lizard. (Sigh) Alright, I'll go see Mr. Reynolds tomorrow and see what the price is."
The next day you walk into Mr. Reynolds' office.
As soon as you walk in, you see a strange ogrish looking creature, but much shorter than one. In fact if it wasn't for the oversized teeth and general monstrous appearance, you might mistake it for a very muscular dwarf.
You also see Henry, or at least you assume it's Henry. He hasn't changed much since the last time you saw him, though he's sporting a few scars across his face now.
Finally you see Mr. Reynolds and he certainly hasn't changed. Once again he stands up smiling at his desk.
"Well what do I owe the pleasure of this unexpected visit from the head of the infamous Crimson Talons this fine day?" Mr. Reynolds says.
"I need some people killed." You say.
"Hm, straight to business I see. Okay then, I assume there is some reason why you aren't having your own people taking care of this?"
"Let's just say, most of my so called people are the ones I want to have killed."
"Ah, an internal struggle? Interesting. Well, I'm not sure what you want me to do about it."
You haven't been here five minutes, and he's already playing mind games...
"What the hell do you think..." You start to shout, but then you stop and then calm yourself before continuing.
"Mr. Reynolds, with all due respect, I have come here asking for assistance on this matter as I once did in the past. Your son did a marvelous job last time even if... I didn't quite appreciate its thoroughness last time. I have now come to respect it much more and I would like to implement his magnificent skills again on others that would see harm to me and my business."
Mr. Reynolds listens intently and smiles.
"I'm glad to see that wisdom has come with your age. That's good. Last time our business together was less than cordial. That's okay though, I still got paid. As I said, I would love to help you again in this matter, but I'm afraid, this isn't my call this time. Last time when Henry worked for you, you insulted his work and I'm afraid, my son takes things a bit more personal than I do. He won't work for you again."
"What?! But isn't he your employee? Can't you just order him?"
"Yes, but he's also my son! Really now sir, would YOU force your son to do something he doesn't want to? Yes, business is always important, but sometimes, just sometimes family comes first. Now if Henry wants to work for you on this, I suppose we can start coming up with a price, but I don't think it's likely."
You look over to Henry who just gives you a cold glance before walking away altogether.
"I think there's your answer." Mr. Reynolds says.
"Great. So I guess you can't help me." You say.
"Well now, I wouldn't say that exactly, I still have one employee willing to cause mayhem on your behalf."
Mr. Reynolds points over to the ogre looking creature.
"And who is that?" You ask.
"Who is that? Don't you see the family resemblance? This fine gentleman is the late great Olaf's son!" Mr. Reynolds exclaims.
"The late Olaf?"
"Yes, it was a sad day when Olaf passed a few years ago. Died right here in the office in his sleep in fact. He will be missed. But anyway his son Olaf Jr. has been following in his father's large footsteps and I don't mind saying he's been doing a fine job for me and his own mother is very proud of him."
You remember that Mr. Reynolds once said Olaf was married to a halfling. You can't imagine how that birth was even possible let alone how she survived the process. It does however explain Junior's strange appearance by ogre standards. (Or any standards actually)
Mr. Reynolds goes on to explain that while Junior doesn't have the same size as his father or quickness that Henry has, he assures you that he has more than enough skill to do the job you require. However, unlike last time Mr. Reynolds asks for a thousand gold coins in advance.
It's a hell of a lot of money and you have no real certainty. You're starting to think you might have more piece of mind investing in some weapons and doing this yourself.
> do it yourself
Maybe Reynolds has confidence in this guy, but you're not so sure especially at the price that's being charged. If it was Henry, you'd be fine with it because at least you know what he can do. Too bad you hurt his feelings, who knew psychopaths had them?
"I think I'm going to have to take a pass, Mr. Reynolds, but I thank you for your time." You say.
"Oh. Okay then. Well if you change your mind, you know where to find me. If you don't , well good luck to you." Mr. Reynolds says.
You walk out of Mr. Reynolds' office and head back home. There's nothing else for it. You're going to have to do this yourself. Good thing you've still got a few shady connections who can get you some proper weapons for this fight, because to be honest you don't want to have to be rolling around in the sewers with Camid as you try shoving daggers in each other's faces. It wasn't pleasant when you did it with Tom and you didn't particularly get any enjoyment when you had to do it to Klint. Being a killer isn't something you ever really desired doing, but it's something that you've found necessary in this line of work.
Might be why you saw the wisdom of following Zal's advice and decided to get the hell out. Of course you're hoping you're going to get out. You just have to do this one last thing.
When you return to the inn, you inform Zal and Vaughn of what happened.
"So, I guess it's one last job then?" Vaughn remarks.
"Looks like it, if we're going to all live happily ever after." You say.
"Well, I guess it has to be done." Zal remarks.
You look over at Zal and touch her hand.
"Zal, you don't need to come when this goes down. I mean someone should be here to hold down the fort anyway." You say.
"How the hell can you even say that? Look, it's sweet that you're obviously concerned about me, but I'm a big girl and this whole thing was something I talked you into in the first place. So I can't just let you risk your life for this by yourself. We're all in this together. Besides, you're going to need all the help you can get." Zal says.
You know Zal is not going to budge on this, so you just accept it. She's right as usual anyway.
"Okay. Well let's start talking strategy." You say.
You tell Vaughn that you need to be certain where Camid and the rest are going to be setting up shop in the sewers. You all think that Camid is going to be predictable and set up in the old location, but you want to be sure, because you need to wipe them all out.
The next step is to acquire some repeating crossbows and even some protective armor. Granted if Camid's crew end up packing flintlocks, it might not matter, but it's better to be safe in this instance.
You spend a small fortune on gearing up for this hit. In fact by the time you get everything you think you'll need, it would have been cheaper to hire Junior, but then you know there would have been a catch. With Mr. Reynolds there is always a catch.
You, Zal, Vaughn and the rest of the old guard that was loyal spend some time practicing for the big event. In the meantime, Camid has indeed set up in the old location. He's also been busy recruiting more folks too. You have no idea if he's planning to hit you soon or he's just trying to gather strength, but in any case, you can't waste too much more time. You need to strike soon.
You make plans to hit Camid during one of the "slower business" days. Last thing you want is having to deal with crowds of bum fight bystanders and whores while you're trying to kill Camid and his crew.
The night before the reckoning, you and Zal spend a good portion of time together as a husband and wife do, since neither of you knows if you're going to survive.
Funny that up until now, both of you spent most your lives practically dismissive of the ongoing possibility of death. This is different though. As Zal said, this is the "finish line."
Then the days comes. You know Camid's folks are more active at night, so it'll be best to hit them during the day when some of them are probably still half hung over. You all get prepared, descend down into the sewers and make your way to your location.
It's actually been a while since you've gone slinking around in the darkness, but you and your group try to remain as stealthy as you can. You manage to get well within the new Crimson Talon territory before one of the members suddenly stumbles upon you.
"Hey, you're not...Urgh!" A Talon says before being interrupted by a bolt to the neck.
You manage to dispatch a few more Talons in relative silence before one of the Yellow Devil junkie whores wandering around starts screaming her head off. It isn't even about you either.
"GET OFF! GET OFF! NO! HALFLINGS! HALFLINGS ALL OVER ! THEY'RE COMING TO GET ME AGAIN! OUCH! HEHEHEHE!"
The whore's insane ramblings are so loud it calls wanted attention, and by the time you put a bolt in her head to shut her up, your presence has been discovered and a major alarm has already been raised.
"Shit! We're being attacked! Get your gear! Move! Move!" One of the Talons shouts.
At this point stealth is discarded altogether and all out battle takes place.
To their credit, Camid and what remains of the Talons don't try to run away. They're determined to fight it out, so at least you won't have to chase any of them down.
Camid had the same idea as you did and invested in more weapons. You learn this first hand when a firebomb is lobbed at you and you have to dive out of the way and into foul waters. The noise is deafening as the explosion echoes throughout the sewers. You barely have time to find more suitable cover when you see several Talons running out from an archway firing flintlock pistols at you. Thankfully their aim isn't great.
Still clutching your own weapon, you manage let loose several more bolts and catch a Talon in the process. You then trip over something and after scrambling to get back up you realize you've got blood all over you. It isn't yours however, it's part of one of your people you was blown apart by the bomb. You just tripped over his bloody torso.
A slight panic comes over you not because of the obvious reasons, but more because you've lost track of where everyone else is, namely Zal.
A Talon comes screaming at you with a sword raised above his head, and you shoot him twice in the chest, but he keeps coming. He gets close enough for you to see him foaming yellow shit from his mouth and blood coming from his eyes. The guy's on Devil.
You dodge the wild sword swing, trip the drug addled fool to the stone floor and then stomp the back of his head with your boot. A life ending crunch is heard and he's finally stopped.
You rush back to where you hear the rest of the fighting. Another firebomb goes off in the distance followed by someone screaming. Another one of your people, though you don't know who yet.
You finally get back to the sewer cross way near where the bum fights are held and that's when you see Vaughn on the floor attempting to tie up his bloody leg. It's in pretty bad shape.
"Camid ran into the old Talon barracks, I think Zal went after him." He says grimacing in pain.
You immediately leave Vaughn and run to the Talon barracks. You see a dead body on the floor and then another slumped over the bed. You cautiously go through the room and then head into where you used to have your old office. Then your heart sinks.
You see Zal on the floor with several wounds on her body. Some are from the dagger still in her stomach, another is a gunshot to the upper chest. The armor wasn't enough and despite her still struggling to stay alive you already know she's going to die soon.
"(Cough) Good...you're a...live...I got that bast..ard..." She coughs and points over to another body in the corner which is Camid's. His brains are blown out through his eye socket and partially on the wall.
You run over to her apologizing and on the verge of tears. You knew something like this was going to happen. If only you'd done something different.
Zal however in her dying breaths tells you it's not your fault and at least she got to enjoy her time with you while she was here.
"Just...go live your life...okay?" Zal says before finally closing her eyes forever.
Right now, part of you doesn't feel like living your life is going to be worth it without her around. You know you'll eventually get over this and move on, but it's not going to be for a long time. |
Zal's got a bit of a point. This isn't exactly the most glamorous of a position and you could certainly do better than hiding out in these filthy sewers.
You've got more than enough saved and have enough connections that you could easily open up a real business front. You'd just need to keep everything low key and change a few things.
The more you think about it, the more you feel this is the right decision. The next day you gather Zal and Vaughn to discuss this new direction.
"An inn certainly sounds better than the sewers." Vaughn says.
"Well, we're still probably going to have some of our operations down there, but I figure we can at least start making an attempt to climb out of them. I'm thinking that we probably should stop dealing in Yellow Devil too." You say.
Zamora nods her head.
"I agree. The profits aren't worth the risks on that racket. A lot less sudden body meltdowns and diseased junkie whores lingering around as well." Zal remarks.
"So what about the location? Are we buying out an existing inn or starting from scratch? We could probably buy back the old place, the Troll's Breath Tavern. Edmond used to run the Talons from there before the militia raided the place and shut it down." Vaughn remarks.
"Wouldn't it be a little obvious, if the Talons set up there again?" You ask.
"Nah, they'd never expect the same place twice! Besides, it's called the Clean Mug Tavern now. It's run by two siblings, one of them even comes here to bet on the races and fights sometimes. The place is barely scraping by, so I think they would be receptive to selling it to us for cheap."
"Instead of buying it outright, I'd suggest just getting the owners to work with us. That way nothing really changes up front, but we don't spend money and we're the ones really running things." Zalmora says.
"Definitely sounds like a better idea, but I know what place you're talking about, and it seems a little on the small side, I was thinking some place bigger like my old family's inn which is still abandoned. We wouldn't have to deal with anyone." You say.
"Seems like more hassle. You'd still have to buy it from the city which could present some problems. Assuming they didn't ask many questions, you'd still have to fix the place up before we could start using it proper. Wouldn't we need to get an alcohol supplier and hire people as well?" Vaughn remarks.
"Not really, we know more than enough folks that we could have cheap employees. Some of them are hopeless gamblers with debts in fact, so that's no problem. As for alcohol, we could easily make it ourselves and bypass a supplier. Most folks coming wouldn't be there for the booze anyway, so it isn't like we're going to need hundreds of barrels of the stuff every month. Of course your family's old inn is in a slightly better part of Klyton, so my concern would be the greater likelihood of militia just stumbling in for a drink now and then." Zal remarks.
> seize the old Talon tavern
Now that you're rethinking this, the less paper work the better and you are probably going to be better off located in the poorer area of the city too.
"So who is this hopeless gambling case who owns this property exactly?" You ask Vaughn.
"His name's Carl and you probably have seen him, you just didn't know his name. He's a short grubby guy. His face almost looks a little orcish, but he smells worse than one half the time." Vaughn remarks.
"Oh, him? That disgusting little grub owns a tavern? Thought he lived here in the sewers. In fact I was wondering why he wasn't in the ring fighting with the other bums." You say.
"Disgusting is right, the little shit tried to grab my ass once and made a bunch of stupid sexual innuendo. He's lucky I didn't cut his dick off and only stabbed his hand." Zalmora says.
"Hm, well I suppose if he gives us any shit, we know who he's already afraid of. You said he had a sibling, what's the story on that one?"
"Um, dunno much. I think her name's Annie and I do know she swears more than the three of us put together. She came down here to retrieve her brother a couple times and every other word that came out of her mouth was some variation of fuck." Vaughn says.
"Well that's very interesting, but I was wondering if she was likely to give us any shit if we try to muscle in on the tavern. I mean are we going to have to take care of this bitch or not?"
"I dunno, I mean she's got a mouth on her, but she's just a skinny thing and I can't see her giving us any trouble if we seriously threaten her."
"Well, it would seem the goal is clear. I'll go have a talk with these siblings about the facts of life." You say.
"You don't want anyone to come with you?" Zal asks.
"Nah, it'll be fine."
"As you say." Zal says almost implying that you don't know what you're doing.
The next day, you enter the Clean Mug Tavern which can't possible be true given that you feel like you need to jump in a river just by setting foot in the place. Which is saying a lot considering you do most of your business in the fucking sewers.
The floors are sticky with filth and the walls in this dim light don't seem much better. A family of rats scurry past you as you walk further in making you wonder if you've left the sewers at all.
The place is empty save for a few drunks face down on tables. A frowning thin girl with a pale complexion sit behind a bar. It's already apparent she isn't welcoming.
"What the fuck do you want?" She asks.
"Do you greet all your potential customers that way?" You ask.
"Don't fucking like it, you can get the fuck out."
"Yeah, you must be Annie. Where's your slug of a brother?"
"Probably fucking a whore instead of taking care of fucking business as usual. And how do you know my fucking name? Who the fuck are you and what the fuck do you want?"
"I'm your new business partner. Or in your words, I'm your new fucking business partner."
Annie's frown somehow manages to turn even further downward as she just stares at you.
"Alright, before you go on a fuck tirade, I'll try to explain it so simple that you'll understand."
You explain that her and her brother's tavern is now going to be a front for Crimson Talon operations. In exchange you'll fix this place up and make it at least somewhat more appealing. The tavern will be making more money with the influx of people that are sure to come in, but you'll be taking most of the profits of course.
"So wait, you're gonna just fucking come in and take over completely? You get the fucking tavern and all the fucking money? What the fuck do we get?" Annie asks.
"You get your health for one thing. Which I assume would be the most important. However, if it isn't, I would still point out that YOU will most likely still be making more of a profit than you are now with this rat palace. Also, the tavern will still be legally yours. We'll just be using it and basically paying for the place. Now, that should make you feel a little bit better about this non-negotiable deal shouldn't it?"
Annie is silent again for a moment and still frowning. Her eyes look down briefly, which implies she might be thinking about going for whatever weapon she has stashed under there. You still aren't worried, because even if she doesn't see the wisdom of the deal, you're confident that you'll be quick enough to reach over the bar and stab her first.
Fortunately, it doesn't come to that.
"Well, looks like I don't have much of a fucking choice. I imagine even if I killed you, some other fucking asshole would just take your place and probably wouldn't be as fucking understanding as you." Annie says.
"Glad to see you're a woman of forethought. Anyway, I'll be back later and I'll inform you with more details as we get set up. I trust you can tell your brother about this business when he shows up?" You say.
"Yeah, but I can I ask for ONE fucking request?"
"I'll entertain the thought. What is it?"
"Well since I figure I'm already getting fucked, the least you could do is do me proper."
Now you're silent for a moment.
"Um...what exactly are you saying?" You ask, sort of already knowing, but just wanting confirmation.
"I'm fucking saying, if you're already bending me over and horse fucking me in this business endeavor, you could at least do it to me literally as well." Annie says.
"...Are you being serious right now?"
"Of course I'm being fucking serious! You're young, easy on the eyes and I don't get out much. Besides, I know I'm not that fucking ugly."
This is just bizarre. You didn't expect this sort of request. Annie's correct in that she's not ugly, but her stringy greasy looking hair, plain looks, and emaciated appearance aren't exactly traits that come to mind when you're thinking of attractiveness. Though apparently she finds you attractive which is always a nice ego boost.
"Well...um...shit..fuck it. Alright. Not like I got anything better to do." You say.
"The sad thing, is that's the best offer I've had in years." Annie remarks a bit despondently.
Hell, now you feel like you're doing a good deed.
After giving Annie a thrill big enough to cause her to actually stop frowning for a moment, you head back to the sewers where you feel a lot less dirty.
"So how did it go?" Zal asks.
"It went well. We aren't going to get a bunch of problems." You say.
"You talked to them both?"
"Nah, just the sister. The brother was elsewhere. Pretty sure she was the one to deal with anyway though since she's the main one running that place. I satisfied her."
"Satisfied?"
"Erm, I mean dealt with her. She won't be a problem."
"Okay...so are we moving everything there then?"
"Well I imagine the bum fighting will still be held down here, but that tavern is big enough to have gambling games and whores set up. We're really going to have to fix that place up first though, because as it stands now, the place isn't much better than the sewers."
"Damn shame. I remember Tom saying the place was fairly nice back when Edmond ran the Talons out of there."
"It will be again and in time when we get a few more recruits and things are running smoothly we can do the same thing with another place."
With the tavern secured, you take your next steps in this plan.
> time passes...
Year 26
"What?!" You exclaim in disbelief.
"Carl and Annie's mother showed up at the tavern last night and pitched a bitch. I mean she raised holy hell. Literally too. She had a book of Joachim in hand the entire time." Vaughn says.
"So did she do any actual physical damage?" Zalmora asks.
"Not really. She mostly beat the shit out of Carl and Annie, saying she didn't scrimp and save for the tavern just so they could turn it into a den of sin. She then left saying if they didn't take care of this, she would." Vaughn remarks.
"Wait, so do the siblings actually even own this place?" Zalmora asks.
"Apparently it's always been in their mother's name and she did run it briefly before she started having health problems and let her children run it instead. She mostly stayed out of the day to day operations, but every now and then she leaves her home to drop in on her children...and well you know the rest."
"I don't get it. Why would a Joachim fearing woman buy a tavern, let alone let her children run it in the first place?"
"Apparently that's sort of a newer development. The old lady has gotten a bit religious over the past few years. Probably brought on by failing health."
You just put your face in the palms of your hands.
"Why the hell didn't either of you fucking idiots know any of this? And more importantly why didn't you stop the old bitch?" You ask.
"ME? This was all Vaughn's idea and YOU signed off on it! I've barely been involved in it! All you've had me do is seeking out other potential taverns to take over and monitor the bum fights from time to time. I haven't stepped foot in that damn tavern since we first set up shop there! Besides, aren't you regularly fucking that skeletal bitch that runs the place anyway? Figured you pumped her for information along with just pumping her." Zalmora exclaims.
"(Sigh) No. I'm not fucking Annie. That's an ugly rumor that delusional bitch probably started in the first place. I can see I'm going to have to set her ass straight."
"Hm, if you say so." Zal says giving you a look like she doesn't quite believe you.
You knew it was a bad idea to pity fuck Annie a few more times.
In any case, Zal's right in that it's not her fault at all, this is mostly Vaughn's fuck up, but really it's yours as well because you really should have learned all the facts first. You are the one running the Talons after all.
You exhale deeply and get up from your desk.
"What's the old woman's name and where's she live?" You ask.
"Her name's Wendy and she lives in a small house over by the Greenwood park. I think it's like the only house still standing there since most of the others are abandoned." Vaughn says.
"I'll find it." You say.
"Wait, are you going to go over and kill her?" Vaughn asks.
"Well I was going to see if I can find a diplomatic way of dealing with this, but if murdering the old lady is what it takes then so be it."
"Hold on, maybe you should send someone else. I mean maybe I could go take care of this." Zal says.
"No, because as you have already pointed out, this isn't your fault at all and I don't trust Vaughn to not fuck it up, so I'll do it myself."
You head over to Wendy's home, wondering how you're going to handle this. You really don't want to murder an old lady if you can help it, but if that's what it takes then that's what's going to have to happen. Given that she's a follower of Joachim though, you don't hold out much hope that blood isn't going to be shed.
Eventually you get over to Wendy's house and knock on the door. You hear a lot of grumbling as you wait.
"Hold on, hold on, I'm...by Joachim, you haven't aged!" a short old woman exclaims when she opens her door.
"Um, thanks?" You say a bit confused.
"What are you doing here? Are you in the city just for a visit? Where is Eliza? Are you still married to her?"
"Wait, who do you think I am?" You ask.
Wendy mentions your father's name and squints a bit as she looks closer at you.
You realize, this is one of the waitresses at your father's old inn! You remember your mother mentioning working with her in some of her old stories to you and your sister, but then you never did pay much attention to those.
Maybe you can work this in your favor after all.
"No, I'm afraid you've confused me with my father. But my mother and father are still married and well." You say.
"Oh. That's good. They were a nice couple, if a bit slow on the uptake as far as how they really felt about each other. Still, I guess it all worked out, given that you're here. You look a lot like your father. Well come on in and tell me what brings you to my doorstep." Wendy says.
Wendy invites you in and tells you to excuse the mess as she doesn't do much cleaning nowadays. You find a chair to sit in and she does likewise.
"So. What would the son of my old employer want with me?" Wendy asks.
"Well, after working for so many other people, I've sort of come to the conclusion that I'd like to try to work for myself for a change. I was sort of inspired by the old family business and I've done a lot of research on the matter along with asking my parents questions of course. I got quite a bit of money saved up from over the years and I was looking for a place to buy and get a business started. I thought your tavern would be a good place." You say.
"My tavern? You've been there?"
"Oh yes. When I was shopping around for potential places. Your children...Um...Carl and Anika..."
"Annie."
"Yes, Annie said that it was actually yours and if I wanted to buy it, that I should speak with you. They mentioned how you used to work for my father too, so I figured I'd at least make an offer to you first before anyone else."
"...Mmm hmm...but why didn't you just buy your old family inn? I believe it's still abandoned and for sale surprisingly enough."
"Heh, I tried, but apparently the city is planning to knock it down and build something else there. Would have been nice, but I got here a little too late it seems."
"Uh huh...let's cut the bullshit."
"Pardon?"
"You think I was born yesterday? You may be the son of Eliza, but you sure ain't anything like her OR your father. They were decent people. While YOU are a lying criminal scumbag just like my worthless children. It seems a little too fucking convenient that you show up on my doorstep the day after I find out what's going on at my tavern. I'm not really surprised by my son Carl. He's a miserable gambler with a weakness for whores. Annie, however I thought at least had a little more sense. Guess you're really putting it good on her if she's gone along with this shit."
"I assure you, I don't..."
"Don't insult me with more lies. I already saw what was going on at my tavern. In all her hysterics yesterday, I heard Annie babble to me about how she has a handsome man that loves her more than I ever did. I have to imagine that's probably you since you stand out a bit from the rest of the unwashed rabble I saw in that den of inequity. Ungrateful little bitch. Well, whatever charms you think you have ain't gonna work on me, I'm a Joachim fearing woman! Tch. Gotta say I never thought your parents would raise someone so far from the path of righteousness."
The jig is up.
"Yeah, I'm a big disappointment to them, but as you said, let's cut the bullshit and come to some sort of arrangement. How much you want for the tavern?" You ask.
"And why would I sell to a heathen like you?" Wendy retorts.
"Because I already own the place in all but name already. Look, the place was barely making any money to before I showed up and now that you know the truth, you won't want to have any more connection to the place. So I'm making you a generous offer since you're an old family friend to buy it. Two thousand gold pieces. You know that this is the best offer you're going to get and let's be honest, you don't have a choice. What are you going to do? Report us to the militia? We'll be gone...or at least I won't be around and all that's going to happen is the city of Klyton is going to arrest your children and seize the place, leaving you with no steady income whatsoever."
Much like her daughter, Wendy's wrinkled face frowns at you in silence. She doesn't like this, but her silence is a good sign. It means despite her belief in Joachim she's still pragmatic enough to consider your offer.
You just hope she isn't TOO much like her daughter because...
"Five thousand gold pieces for the tavern." Wendy says.
"Five thousand?" You answer
"That's my price. I might be old and not in the best of health, but two thousand isn't going to sustain me until I die. I know a big time crime lord such as yourself probably has that kind of money."
"Five thousand...seems a bit greedy. Isn't that against the will of Joachim?"
"First of all, you don't know shit about his glory, so don't think to say shit to me about it. Second of all, some of that is going to his church so at least some good can come out of this wickedness."
"Ah, I see. Buying your way into the afterlife. Whatever. I don't care, but I'm afraid five thousand is fucking unreasonable."
"And that's still my final offer. You don't like it, well you better go crawl in whatever hole you hide in from the militia because I am NOT going to let you use the place while it's still in my name. So it's five thousand or you're leaving my tavern either peacefully or by the militia. I got nothing to lose. You're in this position because YOU chose a life of wickedness. Deal with the consequences."
"I don't think you realize the position YOU'RE in." You warn.
Wendy starts to smile, followed by a laugh.
"What? You're going to kill me? Pfft. I'm already dying with how my health is going and my three kids are fucking disappoinments. As I said I have nothing to lose and my soul is prepared for Joachim's eternal glory. You won't get away with it anyway, Joachim always finds a way to punish the wicked."
> pay the money
The old bat drives a hard bargain and she's called your bluff. As much as you might try to be some ruthless crime lord, there's still some things you can't bring yourself to do. Murdering an old lady in cold blood is one of them.
"(Sigh) Fine. You got me by the short and curlies. I'll pay your damn price out of respect for all the years of service you gave to my family." You say.
"Yeah, see what that got me. Still, I'm glad to see that you have some sort of morality. Maybe there's still hope for you. Remember it's never too late to turn your soul over to Joachim." Wendy says.
"I'll keep that in mind. I'll be back tomorrow, you just have the deed."
You leave Wendy's house and return to your sewer headquarters. You're starting to wonder if you shouldn't have just bought your family's old inn in the first place. At least it would have been big enough for you to make your home in.
"So how did it go?" Zal asks.
"She's willing to sell, so no murder was necessary." You say.
"Really? Wow, I'm actually impressed that you managed to talk a religious old lady into working with you...or did you just fuck this one into submission too?"
Zalmora starts laughing immediately after her comment. Vaughn stays silent though.
"Fuck you Zal, just fuck you." You say.
"Interesting, that wasn't a denial." Zal remarks with a smirk.
"Hey boss, I just want you to know I'm not judging you if you did. We all have our own carnal desires and I know you seem to like the older ladies. I mean between Annie and Zal..." Vaughn starts to say.
"What the fuck Vaughn, don't put me in the same category as that weathered corpse!" Zal exclaims suddenly getting angry.
"Both of you shut the fuck up, in fact don't the pair of you got some work to do? No wonder things are falling to shit here."
Zal and Vaughn walk off, leaving you alone for the rest of the night.
The next day you go over to Wendy's house and complete the transaction.
"Here you go heathen." Wendy remarks handing you the deed.
"Thanks hypocrite." You answer and start to leave.
Wendy isn't quite finished yet though and she grabs your arm before you leave.
"Hey, I wasn't joking yesterday when I said it isn't too late to seek Joachim's forgiveness. Maybe your wicked deeds are profiting you today, but there is going to come a reckoning someday and you'll have to answer for your evil ways. Out of respect for your parents, I urge YOU to turn from this path before it's too late."
You pull your arm away.
"Yeah, I'll get right on that." You say and walk off.
Eventually you return back to your sewer headquarters and spend some time on inner contemplation.
"(Sigh) I really need to get the hell out of these sewers. I'm the damn head of a budding criminal empire. One of those tavern gambling rooms is getting turned into a new office." You say to yourself.
> time passes...
Year 28
"Yeah, so the Broken Glass owner says he'll comply." Vaughn remarks.
"Excellent. We can add another tavern to our list." You say.
"Did we really need another one?" Zal asks.
"That's a silly question Zal. We can always use more income and taverns provide the best cover."
"I dunno, I just think we're extorting too many businesses within a short period of time. I mean have you forgotten that the Klyton militia is still pretty active?"
"So what're you saying? You want to go back and hide in the shit filled sewers like we were doing? I thought you'd be happy to get out of there completely since you were the main one bitching about it. Look, as long as we keep a low profile we're fine. We've been doing well so far right?"
"Yeah, I'm sure Edmond thought the same thing once."
"Here we go with that. Look Zal, we've been through all this before three years ago. I actually took your advice and you're still not happy, so let me make this easy for you. You're out."
Zal's face is one of surprise. Vaughn is a little surprised as well.
"What? Are you serious?" Zalmora says.
"Yes, I'm fucking serious. I'm sick of your bitching, your sarcasm, your smart ass remarks that attempt to undermine my authority in general. You seem to think because we once shared a bed together that somehow allows you to say anything you want to me. Combine that with the obvious fact that you don't really have the stomach for this business anymore, well there isn't much use for you is there? So with all respect and no ill will, goodbye Zal. You were a valued member of the Crimson Talons while you were part of us, but your services are no longer required."
Zalmora takes your words in silence. She looks at you with a mixture of feelings and you can't quite tell if it's betrayal, anger, sadness or even relief. She just walks over to you and touches your face before leaving.
About a few minutes after she leaves, Vaughn speaks up.
"Come on boss, aren't you going to go after her? You're just mad because you were feeling good about how things are going and in typical Zal fashion she was a bit of a downer. You know that's how she is. I also know Zal and she's just putting on a brave front. She really doesn't want to leave any more than you really want her to leave. It's pretty obvious you value her advice, even if she is difficult at times."
You look over at Vaughn. You've never known him to be that insightful, but he's hitting all the points right now.
You stand up.
"Aw hell...you're right. She probably hasn't gone too far yet. Vaughn can you... What the hell is going on out there?!" You say suddenly hearing a bunch of noise outside the office.
You open up the door and everyone is running around attempting to avoid the horde of Klyton militia piling through the front door. They aren't fucking around either because they're outright shooting or stabbing folks that are only barely resisting. Annie and Carl from what you see have already given up and are kneeling on the floor with their hands behind their heads.
"Oh shit! Vaughn! Help me barricade the door! We gotta get the fuck outta here!" You shout and slam the door shut.
As you and Vaughn push the desk up against the door, you already hear the crashing behind it. From the other side, you hear your name being called out telling you to surrender or face consequences.
"What kind of logic is that? If I surrender, I'm going to face the consequences too. Vaughn, open up the trap door, I'm going to get as much as I can from the safe." You say.
After Vaughn opens up the escape hatch to the sewers, you try to maintain your cool as you fiddle with your safe and unload its contents all the while axes, halberds and bullets are piercing the barricaded door.
"Come on! Leave it! Let's just go!" Vaughn remarks.
"Go on ahead, I'm almost done, I'll be right behind!" You say waving Vaughn away.
You finish packing and are heading towards the escape hatch when the door is finally partially broken. A bullet whizzes by you and into the wall. You whirl around to fire your own flintlock at your assailants. You hit one, but then are shot yourself. It's only in the leg, but given how close you are to an open hatch, you fall back, slip and tumble down it.
You probably would have broken your neck had Vaughn not been in the way to break your fall. Of course you probably surprised the hell out of him as he was climbing down the ladder.
The pair of you land hard on the stone sewer floor with you being right on top of Vaughn.
"Shit...my leg...my fucking leg...Vaughn I might need you to...Vaughn?" You say and slowly move yourself off of him.
You check, and you see his head at an unnatural angle. He's broken his neck.
"Damn it, Vaughn..." You say and then another bullet flies near your head and into the floor.
One of the militia men is firing at you from the top of the hatch. Seeing that Vaughn still has his own pistol holstered, you grab it, point upward and fire. You somehow manage to hit the guy in the face and then you realize the folly of that as you desperately roll out of the way of his falling body.
The militia man's body partially hits Vaughn's and the stone floor. At this point you're just trying to get away which is difficult with one good leg.
With some effort you manage to stand yourself up and hobble away. You already hear several of the militia climbing down the ladder and shouting.
"SHIT!" You shout as your wounded leg gives way due to lack of strength and a slimy stone floor. Falling on your face, you already know you aren't getting away at this rate.
Best case scenario, you get taken in, tried and instead of executing you, they shove you in one of those cages where you first found Tom.
MAYBE if you're lucky you might be able to pick the lock and escape, but you doubt if you'll just have access to your tools. Maybe you could do what Tom managed to do and convince a wanderer to release him...but then again you know how that situation ultimately ended for him.
Actually, if you knew letting him out was going to lead to this end result, you would have left him there. Who knows, maybe he would have even been better off since the other Talons were supposed to get him out eventually.
It's all a very long shot anyway and you've already come to the conclusion that you're not going quietly.
The strange thing in all this is now you're glad you told Zalmora to leave when you did. You hope she managed to evade capture. You think she probably had enough time to run before the militia converged on the place.
You're kneeling on your good leg and leaning up against a wall in an attempt to get back up, when the militia finally catch up to you. You feel a hard blow to your back and you crash to the floor. Several militia surround your prone body.
"We'll get promotions for this!" You hear one exclaim.
"Hope they also have an award for getting wounded in the line of duty." You remark and pull a dagger stabbing him in the foot.
It's all the excuse the militia needs to start running you through repeatedly with their spears and swords and stomping your head into mush. You're a holey bloody mess by the time they're through. It isn't exactly the most pleasant death, but at least it eliminates all the waiting. |
Year 25
"Well, what the hell do these folks expect? If they want outlandish theatrics they can pay out the ass to watch a Klyton Gladiator match where the minimum bets are much higher. At least here we have fights where we'll accept a five copper bet." You say.
"Yes, but at the arena, people don't have the deal with the bums they've bet on to puke in the middle of the ring and pass out causing the other to win by default." Zalmora says.
"That happened ONE time." You remark.
"Well there's also the ongoing smell of the sewers that puts people off."
"Yeah, well the Klyton council just increased the city's militia numbers recently and stepped up patrols. So keeping business in the sewers is about the safest place to do all this if we want to avoid sudden raids."
"It might not have been necessary to wallow in the sewers if they had another distraction."
"So you've said many times in the past, but I think things still worked out with me in charge."
"We're doing okay I suppose, but I'm still not sure if bum fight gambling and going back to selling Yellow Devil was the way to go about it."
"Hey we've got whores too."
"Ah yes, those mostly tie into the Yellow Devil trade. I shudder to think about the hopeless cases that actually pay to fuck YD junkies."
"Hey not everyone can afford the high priced Klyton brothels. Look, I saw that the only way we were going to survive is to have steady businesses. The Klyton Council are the biggest criminal overlords and nobody says shit because they effectively legalized everything and control the biggest gang to protect their interests. I mean there wasn't really any way to feasibly compete except offer similar things at lower the prices and cater to the lower class."
Zalmora looks at nearby group betting and getting excited over a giant roach race.
"Pretty sure some of these folks are under the lower class." Zalmora replies.
"Yeah, well a coin's a coin, don't you have a house to break into or something?" you say.
"Always, but I don't understand why you don't come on these things like you used to."
"Because I gotta look after shit around here. I just can't drop everything to go rip off a store. I'm not Tom, I don't just sit on my ass doing nothing."
"I didn't say you were, but you used to be a little more fun at least. Like those first few years when you got here. Remember?" Zalmora says with a bit of a smile.
"Yeah, well I'm not a damn stupid teenager anymore that gets distracted by a pretty girl that wiggles her ass at me."
Zalmora steps back from you a bit giving a slightly perturbed look.
"Okay Mr. bossman, if you hadn't initially taken my advice in the first place you wouldn't even be in this position." Zal says.
"OR if I hadn't taken your advice, I might have been in this position a lot sooner. In fact despite you always bringing it up, I'd say not listening to you turned out to be a lot better " you remark.
"Right, because this is such a great position to be in."
"I'm in charge ain't I? Y'know what your problem is? You thought you were going to manipulate me into doing whatever you wanted just because you threw a little pussy my way. And now you're bitter that didn't happen. If you really want control of the Talons, you could always challenge me Zal."
"Oh no, not me! Never would I challenge your insurmountable wisdom boss. Obviously you've got things under control more than little ol' me could ever handle." Zal says with obvious sarcasm in her voice.
"If you don't want to take over and you don't like how I'm running things, why don't you just leave then? Not like I'm going to try to kill you for leaving."
"Don't think the thought hasn't crossed my mind. You know why I'm even still in the Talons? Because deep down I'm actually hoping you know what you're doing. So far you're ahead, but I'm just wondering for how long. Edmond was pretty much running things like you are now. Granted you are less of a violent asshole than he was, but I'm seeing the same pattern."
"I'm not sure what to tell you Zal, I mean we're fucking criminals doing illegal shit. This is sort of way things are done."
"(Sigh) Yeah, I know... guess I'm just starting to wonder why I ever thought this was fun. I'll leave you to your drugs and whores."
Zalmora walks away.
You sometimes forget that Zal is at least around fifteen years older than you now. She's probably starting to worry about age catching up. Probably didn't see herself mucking about through sewers at this age taking orders from someone a lot younger. Weird, because Vaughn doesn't seem to have a problem with it, but then Vaughn's never been one to make waves.
As you walk back to the Crimson hideout thinking about the future, you have to admit, it isn't as bright as you once thought.
All things considered you are doing well right now, but there just doesn't seem to be any let up on the laws being passed to turn this city into a huge prison camp. Part of that you imagine is due to the rebellion in Holgard. You're certainly glad you didn't decide to go there given what you heard.
At one time, you did toy with the possibility of going "legit" somehow. Like maybe buying an inn and running it. Maybe even the one your family once owned. It would sure be a complete circle if you did that.
Of course it wasn't so much going "legit" as it was the idea of having a place to run your activities without it being in an abandoned building or recently the fucking sewers.
Though that's a riskier endeavor nowadays and would result in needing to re-organize things again. Might be better to stick with your current set up. It isn't perfect, but it's working.
> stick with what you are doing
The sewers are good enough for you. If you start trying to set up shop up top, you're just going to bring down the heat eventually.
You've got a good thing going on and nobody fucks with you down here. If worst comes to worst, you're confident that you could easily lose the militia if they actually ever made an effort to patrol down here.
Still, maybe you could figure out a way to make this place somewhat less...well like a sewer. You already have made a base in the best abandoned area you can find though. You suppose you could start manually expanding underground further away from the sewers themselves of course that would be a pretty extensive and expensive undertaking and it isn't like you're familiar with the details of excavation.
Although...
This city used to have a fairly large active miner population once. In fact your family made money serving them at their inn. At some point long after your parents had left the city and the inn closed down, the mining trade dried up completely in Klyton for a variety of reasons resulting in a lot of unemployed miners.
In fact some of the bums in your fights are ex-miners. You wouldn't want to rely on just them though, but surely you could scour the city for other ex-miners down on their luck or working jobs they hate. They probably would work cheap. You suppose if you really needed more you could shell out the money for some outside help, but you'd rather keep the costs as low as possible.
Later when you approach Zal and Vaughn with this idea, they're caught off guard by this plan, but don't seem put off by it. Well Vaughn doesn't at least. Zal of course has her usual concerns.
"Okay, I know that look. Out with it." You say.
"It's just...well do you think this is even feasible?" Zal asks.
"I'm not saying it's not going to take effort, but again this is a long term plan. I mean going up top, trying to set up false businesses and store fronts is just not going to work in Klyton. The place is just too damn repressive, but we all know people still WANT to do illegal shit like whoring, drugs, gambling..."
"Erm, actually all those things are legal in Klyton." Vaughn interrupts.
"(Sigh) You know what the fuck I mean! All that high priced shit is easily accessible for the rich folks, but WE cater to the poor and who needs affordable distraction more than they do?"
"So...wait. Are we defenders of the down trodden now?" Zal asks.
"I didn't say all that, but we ARE providing for them in a way. I mean we can start out by digging ourselves out a proper headquarters where we don't have to be constantly bombarded by the smells of the sewer and has a solid defense, but I'm thinking in time we could just build a whole underground town."
Zalmora and Vaughn look at each other and then you.
"A TOWN?!" They exclaim.
"Well maybe not town in the traditional sense, but a place where we can do our business AND live without even worrying about the Klyton militia raiding the place because we would be so damn entrenched that they wouldn't be able to do shit even if they wanted to. We wouldn't just be the criminal organization that skulks around in the Klyton sewers, we would be a whole separate community...bah maybe I'm not explaining it well, but I envision it in my head!" You say.
"No. No, I get what you mean. I have to say, this is really damn ambitious. I mean I can't say I'm not impressed by your plan...but again I just have my concerns if it's going to be possible...but fuck it, I'm in." Zal says.
"Glad to hear it. So, we're going to need miners and equipment which is the easy part, but we're also going to need a genuine engineer so the whole damn thing doesn't fall on our heads. So anyone know of any?" You remark.
"Yeah, Red Nose Rob." Vaughn remarks.
"Who's that?" You ask.
"One of the bums that participates in the fights."
"There's a bum who used to be an engineer? What the hell happened?"
"He was actually a miner, but he had a natural gift when it came to engineering. Which was good for the company since they just used his talents for creating very sound mine supports and they didn't have to pay for a real one. He probably could have been building new structures in Klyton, but he just didn't have the formal education."
"Interesting. But how do you know so much about him?" You ask.
"He has his lucid moments. Plus, um...we used to...meet up..."
"Ew Vaughn. You fucked a disgusting bum?" Zalmora remarks.
"No! I fucked him when he was strapping miner! Sheesh Zal!"
"Never mind all that, would he be able to do the job?" You ask
"I think so. Probably wouldn't have to pay him much more than we do to fight, but we'd definitely have to dry him out a bit though." Vaughn says.
You start making notes of various ideas as you ask more questions.
"Okay, so we got one potential overseer for this project. You got any more engineer ex-lovers?" You ask.
"Not that I know of boss." Vaughn remarks.
"I think I got a potential suggestion." Zal says.
"Oh? You been fucking engineers too?" You ask.
"Even better. Been fucking dwarves. Grahk Kazek is the one that comes to mind."
"Well that's nice that you're so open minded with your choice of sex partners, but is this dwarf an actual engineer? Contrary to popular belief, I don't think all of them dig big holes in mountains for a living."
"This one does. Or at least he did before he retired. He makes a monthly trip from the Cloudpeake Mountains to Klyton because he REALLY likes the pastries from Stovo's Bakery. Buys up a bunch then goes back home. That's where we met actually."
"Didn't know you had ongoing long distance relationship, Zal." You say.
"Lots you don't know about me, but I wouldn't exactly say Grahk and I are in a relationship, we just had a bit of fun together. In fact I haven't seen him in years. I just know he still goes to that bakery since Stovo has mentioned him a few times when I go in there."
"So would he be interested?"
"He's a dwarf and used to construct tunnel ways in the Cloudpeake Mountains. Fairly certain if we throw enough money at him, he'll be willing to oversee the construction of what we're doing. Besides, I can be pretty persuasive."
"Hmm, don't I know it." You say.
The dwarf sounds good, but he sounds like he's going to be really expensive. At lot more than the bum anyway. Of course the bum might be unreliable. You say you'll think about both as you go ask other Talons if they know anybody.
You don't have much luck though. Your other Talons aren't quite as "worldly" as your top lieutenants. There is one who has a lead though.
"Yeah, I think I might know someone boss. This chick called Madeline. She actually attends Klyton University and she's an engineering student." Camid remarks.
"A student?" You ask.
"Yeah, but she's really fucking smart. Top of her class or some shit. I don't even understand what she's talking about half the time. Of course I'm just staring at her tits most of the time anyway."
"How the hell do you even know her?"
"Oh, she's a little rich girl that likes slumming. Likes to watch the bum fights and get high on Yellow Devil. The usual. Oh and we fuck sometimes."
Of course they do. It would certainly be a strange break in the "theme" if they didn't. The drug bit concerns you though.
"Wait, you say she takes Yellow Devil? How the hell is she not a near drooling idiot yet? I don't need someone melting into a pile of goo in the middle of an important project." You say.
"Don't worry boss. That wouldn't happen." Camid says.
"And how do you know?"
"Because...um...I make sure she doesn't actually get Yellow Devil. I mean she does, but it's a VERY small amount. Almost nothing. The rest of it is cut severely with various common shit I get from the apothecary. She feels good for a little while and feels rebellious and she doesn't get really hurt."
"...You like this girl don't you?" You ask causing Camid to look away a bit.
"(Sigh) It didn't start out that way. First time I saw her, I thought she was so damn pretty that I just wanted a chance to fuck her before she turned into a Yellow Devil mess, so I didn't give her the real shit. But in time...well I dunno shit happened...and I'm probably an idiot..." Camid says trailing off a bit.
"Probably, but fortunately your love sick idiocy has worked in your favor, so do you think she'd help?"
"Oh definitely. She'd feel like she would be a real criminal working for a dangerous organization and all. She'd do it for free too, not like she needs the money."
"Actually she would be a real criminal if she was helping us in this capacity. Good to know about the price. I'll keep her in mind."
Well you got a big decision to make based on your underlings recommendations because unfortunately for you, you haven't been lucky enough to fuck someone with engineering skills.
> red Nose Rob
While you have your concerns about Rob, he seems the most affordable, accessible and most importantly, at your mercy. The dwarf you just know is going to ask for a shitload of money and the girl is just a wild child university student. Who knows what kind of chaos that will invite?
You return to Vaughn with your decision.
"Okay Vaughn, we're going to try your guy, so go tell him what's going on, sober him up, clean him up and have him come see me about further details. I also want you to stress that while he doesn't really have a choice in this matter, he'll be making more money and won't have to be getting punched in the face for living." You say.
"Got it boss." Vaughn remarks and leaves to carry out your orders.
A couple days later Vaughn brings in a man with a lot of messy hair, raggedy clothing, a full beard and mustache and red nose. He also has a few bruises on his face. Must be Rob.
"And at last Vaughn has brought you to me, I trust he's filled you in on the basics of what's going on." You say.
"Yes sir." Rob replies without emotion.
"Good. What happened to your face? Did Vaughn do that?"
"Um, no sir. I was in a match three days ago and the other guy got in a few good punches."
"Oh yes, you were doing that bum fight business. Well, you won't have to be doing that anymore. You'll get to use your other natural talent."
"Yes sir." Rob once again replies without emotion.
"Sort of thought you'd be a bit happier about this opportunity."
"Apologies sir, but I'm still having a hard time being completely sober right now. It's been awhile and I feel sort of weird."
"Hm, okay. I should tell you, I don't actually expect you to go completely off the stuff. I just wanted you sober for today while I speak to you. I also expect you to not drink on the job and generally be a functional human being. Now you're going to have some help in this matter since Vaughn here is going to be personally responsible for you. Making sure you stay focused and such."
Rob just nods.
"Okay I'm sensing something more is wrong than you just not being used to being sober." You say and then Vaughn breaks into the conversation.
"Um, yeah. I think Rob is just a bit nervous being within your presence. You know how you have a reputation and all boss." Vaughn remarks.
"I don't think I can do the job sir." Rob blurts out.
"Ha ha ha ha! He's just joking...he..."
"Vaughn, will you shut the hell up? Now Rob, what do you mean you can't do the job exactly?" You ask.
"I mean Vaughn's told me what you want and I just don't think I can do it. I don't have the skill or knowledge."
"Vaughn told me, you had natural talent and were well respected by the mining company because of it."
"Yeah, well if that was the case they wouldn't have fired me along with everyone else. Look, I don't want to disobey you sir, but I don't want to pretend I'm something I'm not. I mean you'd be even more pissed if you found out I didn't know what the fuck I''m doing."
"Heh, well you're right on that one. I actually appreciate the honesty. However, I've never really known Vaughn to step up and speak so favorably of someone. I mean I understand you guys had something once, but Vaughn's not one to stick his neck out and tends to play things safe. I have to believe he must be telling the truth to some degree. I mean you can't be a complete idiot."
"No, maybe not a complete one, but I'm sure not that smart, otherwise I wouldn't be in this situation...(Sigh) I mean if you were asking me to build simple tunnels and rooms and making sure they don't collapse, then yeah I guess I could do that, but I don't know about building an underground city."
"Okay. Let's stop right there. The underground city is probably a long damn way off. Don't even think about it. We're going to start simple and get more complex later. Tell you what we're going to do..."
You proceed to tell Rob that you're just looking to hollow out an underground area to serve as the Crimson Talon headquarters right now and it doesn't have to be fancy. It just needs to be structurally sound. You tell him by that time, you'll probably have gotten a hold of some other engineers that can help Rob if he doesn't feel up to the more complex task of building that underground city.
Rob seems a little more receptive to this and says he'll try to do his best. You say he's free to go and as he leaves you tell Vaughn to stay behind.
"Vaughn, are you absolutely fucking sure he can do this job?!" You ask.
"Yes! He's just been in the gutter for so long his self esteem is low! I mean once he gets back in action he'll be fine!" Vaughn exclaims.
"For your sake, I hope so. Because I'm not here to hold someone's hand and build up their confidence. That's going to be YOUR job. So you better be giving him pep talks, motivational hugs, or inspirational blow jobs. Whatever it is YOU gotta do, you better be doing it, because I'm going to be keeping a close eye on progress of this project."
With this new order Vaughn is of course totally compliant as usual and takes his leave.
As you're making further preparations for your ambitious plan, Zalmora of course puts her two copper in.
"I still don't know why you didn't go with my guy. Relying on Vaughn and his bum miner boyfriend just seems like a bad plan." Zalmora says.
"Your guy would be very expensive and I'm trying to keep the costs down as much as I can. If it looks like things are going to shit, well then I'll consider your guy again."
"Okay, but won't you have already wasted time and money with this Rob if he turns out to be a failure?"
"(Sigh) Yes Zal, but it's my fucking call and my fucking risk alright? Stop fucking questioning me every other sentence! Here, that's a list of some of the equipment we're going to need. Take some of the boys and go acquire some." You say shoving a piece of paper at Zal who takes it.
"...pick axes, lanterns, shovels, ropes, lumber? How the hell are we supposed to steal a shitload of heavy ass lumber?"
"I dunno, just get it. Go raid a wood mill. Pay for it. Rip out support beams from abandon buildings. Seduce a lumber jack. Cut down fucking trees yourself and drag them back here. I don't give a shit HOW you do it, just fucking do it! You said you were on board with this, well start fucking contributing." You order.
Zal doesn't say another word she just turns away in a huff.
While you aren't deterred yet, you're seriously starting to wonder if this is all really worth it.
> time passes...
Year 27
"Okay, Rob was the better choice in terms of costs. My guy would have still been better though." Zalmora remarks.
"Half an admission of defeat, but probably the best I'm going to ever hear from you. I'll take it." You say smiling.
You walk through the relatively smooth tunnels of the new Crimson Talon headquarters. Lanterns light your way as you look around at how far it's all come. The rooms that were created still need some more detailed work since they're very basic, but for a guy who started out not being sure if he could do any of this, he's done a good job so far. You guess Vaughn was right, once Rob got going he gained confidence. (Either that or Vaughn was giving a lot of inspirational blow jobs, but you'd rather not dwell on that)
"Are we going to brick up the dirt walls of these rooms or something similar? Not that I don't appreciate the work that's gone into this, but right now the aesthetics are more underground goblin lair, rather than secret criminal headquarters." Zal says.
"Yeah, we're doing that, adding doors, adding tiled floors and all that stuff, but that's going to get taken care of later when the basic layout is finished." You say.
"I thought that was complete?"
"It's almost complete. Rob's finishing up the last rooms which are a lot bigger. One of them is going to be the fighting arena."
"Arena?"
"Well okay, it isn't going to be the Klyton coliseum, but it'll be a proper fighting area where we can put a ring and have people watching and betting without them accidentally stepping in shit water."
"Hm, well that would be an improvement. Speaking of which, now that this place is on the verge of being complete are we moving all our operations here?"
"Well I'm thinking the gambling games and the fighting arena will be eventually, but the Yellow Devil lab can stay out in those sewer storage rooms along with the junkies. I'm not having melted junkies mess up the floor when we finally get around to putting proper ones down. Mostly though, it's going to be where we can rest and relax without the smell. See how all the potential sleeping areas were built very far away from the sewer wall that was knocked down for the entrance." You say.
"Yes, the smell is much better in this place. More earthy, less shitty."
As you and Zal are speaking about the Crimson Talon's future, Vaughn walks up to both of you.
"Hey guys, I've been looking for you both. Rob just finished what will be the fighting arena location. You should see it!" Vaughn remarks.
"Oh good a big dirt room instead of a small one." Zalmora remarks.
"Aw come on Zal, he worked really hard on it! He even improved upon the original layout!" Vaughn exclaims.
"Went above and beyond huh? Guess he really is getting sure of himself. Might as well see for ourselves." You say.
You, Vaughn and Zal head to the arena. Along the way you notice that the rough tunnel is sloping downward. Vaughn says that Rob really wanted to impress you since you gave him a chance and in order to do that he needed to expand downward a bit to create the fighting arena.
"Sheesh, did he have the miners dig all the way to Nichan? How deep is this going?" Zal remarks.
"He said he wanted to make it like an underground version of the Klyton coliseum." Vaughn says.
"He certainly went off script for this, but if it's as impressive as you said he's trying to make it, I'll certainly be pleased." You say.
Eventually the tunnel stops sloping and evens out. You walk a little more and already in the dim light you can see the room ahead is going to be bigger than you thought.
You enter the place and find yourself in a large oval room with several long wooden support beams stretching from the floor to the ceiling. The ceiling is actually a lot higher than you expected. If there were seats and stairs encircling the room, it actually might resemble the Klyton coliseum on a smaller scale.
Rob stands on top of a high platform near one of the walls and waves.
"Hey! So what do you think?" He shouts and starts climbing down a ladder to meet you.
"Definitely bigger than I thought it would be. I'm just wondering how the hell did I not notice all the dirt being hauled out and dumped from this endeavor. Apparently I wasn't as observant as I thought I was. Just as well I guess, since this is a nice surprise." You remark walking around and looking upward.
"Yeah, I was trying to keep this part of the project a bit under wraps to surprise you. Really glad you like it. As I mentioned to Vaughn, this part was my way of saying thank you for dragging me out of the fighting ring and giving my real life meaning again." Rob says.
"And they say the Crimson Talons are nothing but a menace to society. We gave this man his life back. Hell, we gave several folks their lives back. How many miners work for us now?" You say with a chuckle.
You continue looking around as Vaughn gives Rob a bit of praise about his work on the project. Meanwhile Zalmora finds something to analyze.
"Um, these support beams. I just touched this one and it doesn't feel secure. Is this place even safe?" Zal asks.
"Oh yes, this place is definitely safe. Most of these beams aren't even necessary anymore, but none of them are going to slip out of place anyway. Look!" Rob and then runs over to a beam and then putting all his weight behind his body, leans hard against it.
You tense up slightly when you see him do this, but nothing happens.
"See? Solid!" Rob says.
"Natural talent, boss. All he needed was the confidence boost. I guarantee he'll be able to build that underground city better than any dwarf could or Klyton university egghead with an over priced edu..." Vaughn starts to say and then suddenly the beam that Rob is leaning against cracks.
Before he can even get off of it, the beam breaks and he falls to the ground as the rest of the beam falls on him, followed by parts of the ceiling.
"OH SHIT RUN!" Zal shouts and makes haste towards the room's exit as the ceiling begins to completely collapse. Vaughn follows suit, leaving Rob who has either been knocked unconscious or killed.
You are unfortunately at the far end of the room and while you try to make it to the exit, you just aren't fast enough and you're crushed by large clumps of packed dirt and rocks. You actually manage to dig a few inches through the dirt before you suffocate. |
The sewers are good enough for you. If you start trying to set up shop up top, you're just going to bring down the heat eventually.
You've got a good thing going on and nobody fucks with you down here. If worst comes to worst, you're confident that you could easily lose the militia if they actually ever made an effort to patrol down here.
Still, maybe you could figure out a way to make this place somewhat less...well like a sewer. You already have made a base in the best abandoned area you can find though. You suppose you could start manually expanding underground further away from the sewers themselves of course that would be a pretty extensive and expensive undertaking and it isn't like you're familiar with the details of excavation.
Although...
This city used to have a fairly large active miner population once. In fact your family made money serving them at their inn. At some point long after your parents had left the city and the inn closed down, the mining trade dried up completely in Klyton for a variety of reasons resulting in a lot of unemployed miners.
In fact some of the bums in your fights are ex-miners. You wouldn't want to rely on just them though, but surely you could scour the city for other ex-miners down on their luck or working jobs they hate. They probably would work cheap. You suppose if you really needed more you could shell out the money for some outside help, but you'd rather keep the costs as low as possible.
Later when you approach Zal and Vaughn with this idea, they're caught off guard by this plan, but don't seem put off by it. Well Vaughn doesn't at least. Zal of course has her usual concerns.
"Okay, I know that look. Out with it." You say.
"It's just...well do you think this is even feasible?" Zal asks.
"I'm not saying it's not going to take effort, but again this is a long term plan. I mean going up top, trying to set up false businesses and store fronts is just not going to work in Klyton. The place is just too damn repressive, but we all know people still WANT to do illegal shit like whoring, drugs, gambling..."
"Erm, actually all those things are legal in Klyton." Vaughn interrupts.
"(Sigh) You know what the fuck I mean! All that high priced shit is easily accessible for the rich folks, but WE cater to the poor and who needs affordable distraction more than they do?"
"So...wait. Are we defenders of the down trodden now?" Zal asks.
"I didn't say all that, but we ARE providing for them in a way. I mean we can start out by digging ourselves out a proper headquarters where we don't have to be constantly bombarded by the smells of the sewer and has a solid defense, but I'm thinking in time we could just build a whole underground town."
Zalmora and Vaughn look at each other and then you.
"A TOWN?!" They exclaim.
"Well maybe not town in the traditional sense, but a place where we can do our business AND live without even worrying about the Klyton militia raiding the place because we would be so damn entrenched that they wouldn't be able to do shit even if they wanted to. We wouldn't just be the criminal organization that skulks around in the Klyton sewers, we would be a whole separate community...bah maybe I'm not explaining it well, but I envision it in my head!" You say.
"No. No, I get what you mean. I have to say, this is really damn ambitious. I mean I can't say I'm not impressed by your plan...but again I just have my concerns if it's going to be possible...but fuck it, I'm in." Zal says.
"Glad to hear it. So, we're going to need miners and equipment which is the easy part, but we're also going to need a genuine engineer so the whole damn thing doesn't fall on our heads. So anyone know of any?" You remark.
"Yeah, Red Nose Rob." Vaughn remarks.
"Who's that?" You ask.
"One of the bums that participates in the fights."
"There's a bum who used to be an engineer? What the hell happened?"
"He was actually a miner, but he had a natural gift when it came to engineering. Which was good for the company since they just used his talents for creating very sound mine supports and they didn't have to pay for a real one. He probably could have been building new structures in Klyton, but he just didn't have the formal education."
"Interesting. But how do you know so much about him?" You ask.
"He has his lucid moments. Plus, um...we used to...meet up..."
"Ew Vaughn. You fucked a disgusting bum?" Zalmora remarks.
"No! I fucked him when he was strapping miner! Sheesh Zal!"
"Never mind all that, would he be able to do the job?" You ask
"I think so. Probably wouldn't have to pay him much more than we do to fight, but we'd definitely have to dry him out a bit though." Vaughn says.
You start making notes of various ideas as you ask more questions.
"Okay, so we got one potential overseer for this project. You got any more engineer ex-lovers?" You ask.
"Not that I know of boss." Vaughn remarks.
"I think I got a potential suggestion." Zal says.
"Oh? You been fucking engineers too?" You ask.
"Even better. Been fucking dwarves. Grahk Kazek is the one that comes to mind."
"Well that's nice that you're so open minded with your choice of sex partners, but is this dwarf an actual engineer? Contrary to popular belief, I don't think all of them dig big holes in mountains for a living."
"This one does. Or at least he did before he retired. He makes a monthly trip from the Cloudpeake Mountains to Klyton because he REALLY likes the pastries from Stovo's Bakery. Buys up a bunch then goes back home. That's where we met actually."
"Didn't know you had ongoing long distance relationship, Zal." You say.
"Lots you don't know about me, but I wouldn't exactly say Grahk and I are in a relationship, we just had a bit of fun together. In fact I haven't seen him in years. I just know he still goes to that bakery since Stovo has mentioned him a few times when I go in there."
"So would he be interested?"
"He's a dwarf and used to construct tunnel ways in the Cloudpeake Mountains. Fairly certain if we throw enough money at him, he'll be willing to oversee the construction of what we're doing. Besides, I can be pretty persuasive."
"Hmm, don't I know it." You say.
The dwarf sounds good, but he sounds like he's going to be really expensive. At lot more than the bum anyway. Of course the bum might be unreliable. You say you'll think about both as you go ask other Talons if they know anybody.
You don't have much luck though. Your other Talons aren't quite as "worldly" as your top lieutenants. There is one who has a lead though.
"Yeah, I think I might know someone boss. This chick called Madeline. She actually attends Klyton University and she's an engineering student." Camid remarks.
"A student?" You ask.
"Yeah, but she's really fucking smart. Top of her class or some shit. I don't even understand what she's talking about half the time. Of course I'm just staring at her tits most of the time anyway."
"How the hell do you even know her?"
"Oh, she's a little rich girl that likes slumming. Likes to watch the bum fights and get high on Yellow Devil. The usual. Oh and we fuck sometimes."
Of course they do. It would certainly be a strange break in the "theme" if they didn't. The drug bit concerns you though.
"Wait, you say she takes Yellow Devil? How the hell is she not a near drooling idiot yet? I don't need someone melting into a pile of goo in the middle of an important project." You say.
"Don't worry boss. That wouldn't happen." Camid says.
"And how do you know?"
"Because...um...I make sure she doesn't actually get Yellow Devil. I mean she does, but it's a VERY small amount. Almost nothing. The rest of it is cut severely with various common shit I get from the apothecary. She feels good for a little while and feels rebellious and she doesn't get really hurt."
"...You like this girl don't you?" You ask causing Camid to look away a bit.
"(Sigh) It didn't start out that way. First time I saw her, I thought she was so damn pretty that I just wanted a chance to fuck her before she turned into a Yellow Devil mess, so I didn't give her the real shit. But in time...well I dunno shit happened...and I'm probably an idiot..." Camid says trailing off a bit.
"Probably, but fortunately your love sick idiocy has worked in your favor, so do you think she'd help?"
"Oh definitely. She'd feel like she would be a real criminal working for a dangerous organization and all. She'd do it for free too, not like she needs the money."
"Actually she would be a real criminal if she was helping us in this capacity. Good to know about the price. I'll keep her in mind."
Well you got a big decision to make based on your underlings recommendations because unfortunately for you, you haven't been lucky enough to fuck someone with engineering skills.
> grahk Kazek
It's going to be expensive, but if you want this done right, a dwarf would be the way to go with this. Plus Zalmora does tend to have the best suggestions.
"Okay, let's get your dwarf." You say returning to Zalmora with your decision.
"About time you listened to my advice again. You're going to have to give me a month though." Zalmora says.
"Shit, did we just miss his last visit?"
"Oh no, he actually should be making his visit here in a few days, but while I am the persuasive sort I'm going to need the time to do it. By then, he should be pliable enough to listen to you. Also, I should warn you in advance, the man is very professional about his work and a perfectionist so when he speaks to you on what he's going to need, he's not going to be submissive or even polite about it. He's going to be very direct and probably less than respectful. I'm warning you in advance so you don't go killing him because you think he's challenging your authority or whatever."
"Wonderful. (Sigh) Look, this goes both ways. So you let him know this; I'll tolerate some of his shit behind closed doors because he's the expert, but he better not be doing it while I'm in the company of others. Otherwise I'll have to kill him to set an example and I'll draw it out too because I'll be really pissed that I'll have to hire Vaughn's drunk bum to finish the job!"
"I think he'll understand that."
"He better. Well let's go acquire the miners and equipment in the meantime." You say dismissing Vaughn and Zalmora.
Month later...
"Can't be done." Grahk says as he finishes looking at the layout you made.
"Excuse me?" you respond.
"Your layout is shit, your equipment and materials are subpar and I've seen the lot you've acquired as miners. A bunch of drunks, bums, and other miscreants whose good days are behind them, assuming they ever had them to begin with. You're going to have constant problems with potential tunnels collapses and that's the best case scenario."
"Well isn't that why you're here? To make sure that doesn't fucking happen?"
"Yeah, but I'm used to working with superior dwarf equipment and dwarves who also know what the hell they're doing. As far as I can tell I'm the only one here that's competent in this field. You humans literally don't know your asses from a hole in the ground when it comes to this shit. I'd feel safer working with goblins."
"Oh well I'm sorry, I didn't realize I was going to be in the presence of the king of the little beardy shits! Excuse me your highness!"
"Zal, I thought you told me this guy was reasonable." Grahk asks Zal in an unruffled voice.
"He is, most of the time. Boss, will you just calm down for a moment?" Zal asks.
"Calm down? What the fuck for? He just said this shit couldn't be done! And I guess that's it, considering he's the expert and all!" you yell.
"You didn't let me finish my first sentence, you just interrupted and got everything off track. What I was going to say is it can't be done by what you've got here. It CAN be done if I bring in my people and equipment."
"I thought you retired?" Zal asks.
"Me? Nah I just stopped working for Cloudpeake government. I still have a small business on the side that keeps me busy. Can't just lounge about for days on end."
"Great, so now I'm paying for more of you bearded runts and your high priced equipment. And how the hell are we supposed to sneak in hundreds of you lot into the fucking sewers? Even using the secret outside entrance is running a risk of someone noticing that there are a legion of dwarfs carrying digging equipment being seen marching towards the city. Klyton will probably think it's a fucking invasion." You say.
"First of all, there are only twenty dwarves that work for me, but we might as well be a legion compared to a hundred humans. Second of all, I already had it figured out as soon as Zal told me all about your plan." Grahk says.
"Well you want to enlighten the rest of us?"
"Gladly."
Grahk says the Klyton sewers are in terrible condition (Not surprising since they're human made). He says he knows an old acquaintance on the Klyton Council and all he has to do is approach him about doing some work on the sewers for a low price. The Council will accept because they know dwarves do good work and they'll be getting a hell of a deal. In reality, Grahk's crew aren't going to do much except do some cosmetic patchwork to make it look like they're doing more than they actually are. (Which is what a human crew would do anyway, Grahk adds)
This plan of course is a cover for what is really going to go on which is creating your little Crimson Talon hideout.
"Won't they check up on you?" you ask.
"Who those fops on the council? Hardly. They aren't going to give a shit about a bunch of dwarves mucking about in the sewers as long as the job gets done. In fact they'll probably tell the militia to not even patrol the sewers as much because they'll know we're not going to want anyone in the way of our work and we're bringing in our own security." Grahk says.
"You seem very sure of all this and it's quite likely that this attempt to trick the Council and bringing them in is going to result in them sniffing around and it will all end in disaster and our heads on the fucking chopping block."
"(Sigh) I thought I was dealing with the boss of a criminal organization, not the timid rent boy in the brothel. Why the hell are you hooked up with these losers Zal?" Grahk asks Zalmora.
You've had it with the insults; you unsheathe your flintlock pistol and point it at Grahk who doesn't show fear.
"What, so am I supposed to be scared of you now? I've fought trolls in hand to hand combat. I'm not going to be intimidated by the likes of you drawing a pistol on me." Grahk remarks.
"And I don't give a shit if you're scared or not, I'm warning YOU, one more insult. One. And you aren't leaving this room alive." You say.
"You're both pretty princesses, can we stop with the pissing contest?" Zal says.
Grahk looks over at Zal, looks back at you, and puts up his hands and nods.
"Fine. Apologies. Shouldn't have insulted you in your own home, but it was my understanding that you're a man that takes risks. I mean you had the vision for this project and your very career choice involves risk. Besides, you're forgetting that you're not the only one taking a chance here. You don't think I won't suffer consequences if the Klyton Council finds out what I'm really doing? Trust me, I'm going to be making sure things are going very smoothly. All you really have to worry about is coming up with the coins for all this." Grahk says.
"You'll get paid. Don't worry about that. Just do the job." You respond putting away the pistol.
"So we have an agreement?"
"Yes."
And with that deal done, the work begins.
> time passes...
Year 27
You have to admit, despite the close calls, the stress of changing the layout, and the several times you almost wanted to kill Grahk, he came through and this place is a lot better than you could have expected, if much smaller.
This place is less of a "budding underground town" and more of an underground mini-fortress and really maybe that was a more realistic goal anyway. You have sturdy walls, rooms, and a hidden entrance within the sewer with a couple of durable security doors just in case the militia does the find the place. You also have an escape route dug out far enough that you'd be able to getaway long before they broke in.
But that's just your headquarters. There is another secret area where you hold the gambling games, races and fights. Besides it being a better idea to keep the actual activities (and the plebs) away from your main base, Grahk actually said it would be better structural wise to build two separate and smaller hidden locations rather than just one big one which be a lot more costly to maintain and keep from collapsing. So that's what you did.
Still, you decided to keep one business out of both of the new areas. Namely the Yellow Devil creation and distribution. You aren't having any junkies going in either to get their fixes and YD stinks something awful that it would defeat the damn purpose of leaving the sewers if you were creating it in these nice new areas.
Due to all the expenses you had to pay for with the dwarves, you had to go back to the old methods of pulling heists and burglary because the drugs, gambling games and fights weren't enough. Of course that was mostly you, Zal and Vaughn doing those, because you wanted to make sure it was done right.
On the plus side, it's kept you in shape and your skills sharp. It also raises your respect among the rest of the Crimson Talons since they know you're willing to get right in the thick of things and aren't just delegating.
The downside is you're still not exactly rolling in coin and you don't think you've had real rest since this project began and you're always vaguely tired, but then as they say no rest for the wicked.
The other side effect is you've created a minor "crime wave" throughout Klyton to the point where things are getting out of hand for the militia slightly. Besides the ongoing breaking into shops and homes, your increased production of Yellow Devil has created an epidemic of "meltbrains" as they are called. Didn't help that you got the idea from Camid to start cutting the drug to make it less lethal, while still keeping most of it's "positive" effects for the user.
Still causes a lot of irreversible long-term damage that most aren't coming back from, which now probably makes it even worse. Junkies are living long enough to cause real problems hence the crime wave.
You've been extremely fortunate that the authorities have mostly been turning the city upside down and making mass arrests to every petty criminal they can get their hands on, but so far they haven't done much with the sewers. There were a few close calls with some minor patrols, but Grahk's crew has been pretty good in keeping their real activities (and you) secret. Grahk's Council buddy must have an incredible amount of trust in him or maybe he's just corrupt. You have no idea, you've never met him.
Still, Klyton's uncharacteristic lackadaisical alertness on this matter is going to be coming to an end. Grahk is done with the task and will be leaving soon, which means Klyton will probably be stepping up their patrols down here. Not even the rumors of a killer reptile man is going to scare them away. (You question if this Scales is even down here, surely you would have run afoul of him, with all this work the dwarves have been doing)
But the only concern you have right at this moment is the information you've just heard.
"What?! You're leaving?!" you exclaim.
"Figured I should let you know. Despite our differences at times, I respect you enough to not just disappear." Zalmora says.
"Hold on you're going to have to re-explain this again. This is just out of nowhere." You say and take a seat.
"It really isn't. Grahk and I have been seeing each other for quite some time since he got here for this project."
"Yes, I've seen you two speaking with one another every so often. Sometimes it looked a little more than that, but I didn't take you for the running off and getting married sort!"
"What can I say? Grahk made a very good offer."
"Given what comes out of his mouth half the time, he doesn't even like humans."
"Well he likes me and I'm very fond of him. Also, I've realized that this life... well it isn't the one I want any more." Zal says waving her arms in the air and making motions about her surroundings.
"So... what? You're going to go pop out a bunch of bearded babies and be a nice little housewife in some dark underground cavern?"
"I'm already practically living in an underground cavern now! And dwarves and humans can't reproduce with each other... well as far as I know. Besides, he's already got a couple of children from his deceased wife, so that isn't going to be an issue anyway."
"But what are you going to DO with yourself? I mean I'm guessing you're going to go back to the Cloudpeake Mountains. Dwarves aren't known for being all that accepting of outsiders at the best of times. You're not likely to have any friends."
"Yeah, well it isn't like I really have any here either."
You're a little taken aback.
"Wha... ? What? What about me and Vaughn? What about all the Talons that respect your abilities?" you say.
"Those are subordinates, not my friends. You're my boss, not my friend. And as for Vaughn... well okay, you're right about him, but he's hardly enough to keep me around here waiting for the inevitable." Zalmora responds.
"And what's that exactly?"
"This whole place is going to raided and all of you are either going to get pinched or killed. Best case scenario, you escape with nothing."
"That's some severe lack of confidence in your soon to be dwarf husband's abilities. Besides, you were originally enthusiastic about this whole project and the potential."
"I know I was at first, but the original goal has changed now hasn't it? Look, maybe everything won't be all doom and gloom and maybe everything does go smoothly, but the fact that I realize is that I'm getting old and I'm enjoying this type of life less and less. I soon learned that on the last heist we did and I nearly got my head blown off by the militia."
"You're hardly old Zal, I mean you're acting like you're ready for the grave."
"If I keep on this way, I soon will be. Look, I've been giving this a lot of thought for quite some time."
"So again, I ask what are you going to do with your time? I mean I really can't envision you as some housewife. You're going to get bored and dissatisfied."
"And how do YOU know that? Maybe I'll find it a great relief not worrying about which shop to rob or whether or not if I'm going to get arrested or killed. And who says I'm not going to find something to do while I'm up there? Grahk owns his own business you know. I'm sure I can help with that in some way."
A moment of silence comes over you and you cease looking at Zalmora. You can't believe you might be losing your best "employee."
It would appear you took it for granted that she'd always be around. Though you did always consider the possibility that she might die in the service of the Crimson Talons just like anyone, but something about this is much different and you don't like this form of parting of the ways. At least not without trying to do something about it.
"What would it take for you to stay?" you ask.
"Nothing. I told you, I've made up my mind about this." Zal says.
"Bullshit. You wouldn't have told me at all, if you didn't want me to make the attempt to at least come up with an offer."
"... I... I don't know where you got that idea from, but I already told you that I came to you about this because I respected you enough to not sneak off in the middle of the night." Zalmora sputters.
"And I'm not buying it. I don't buy that you're ready to settle down and live a boring ordinary life. I mean I've SEEN you get the thrill even during that last heist where you almost got your head blown off. I mean maybe the safe life does have its advantages, and if you were marrying a Delantium prince who was going to shower you with jewels and a royal palace I'd say congrats and just let you go without a fight. Hell, if you said that you LOVED this dwarf I wouldn't stand in the way, but you didn't say that. You just claimed fondness. You're not moving up, you're just trading one life of compromise for another."
"You seem to be very interested in my well being... are you actually jealous? Is this some crush you've been harboring because if it is, I'm going to tell you right now that... "
"No! It's nothing like that. While you don't consider me your friend, I consider you mine, because quite frankly I don't have any either and it's hard enough to have someone trustworthy and reliable in this business as it is. You were the one who gave me all the most important advice that resulted in rebuilding the Crimson Talons to be a viable organization again. And yeah, maybe I didn't listen to all of it, but I do acknowledge that I wouldn't have gotten this far without you and I can't see me getting too much further without you by my side either. I need you."
Now Zalmora is speechless and looks away. You stare at her, but she makes sure to not look in your direction. You know she must be trying to hide obvious signs of being upset.
"Are you alright?" you ask.
"I... I... yes... I'm fine." Zal says and then turns around and quickly wipes one of her eyes.
Zalmora composes herself a bit and then speaks.
"Very well. I do have one request if I'm going to consider staying. We have to stop selling Yellow Devil." Zal says.
"What? But that's what kept us afloat! If we hadn't been selling it, we wouldn't have been able to afford the new headquarters!" you reply.
"Yes, and now that project is over with. We can get by without dealing it. Yellow Devil is going to cause us nothing but trouble in the future. I'm already seeing that, don't you?"
"Well I'll admit, its got its share of problems, but it's the biggest money maker and a lot of the Talons aren't going to be happy about no longer selling it. Specifically Camid."
"Look, this isn't a negotiation. This is my stipulation. I'll leave you to deal with the repercussions as you see fit. Grahk is leaving in a week. You've got three days to tell me your decision, because if you value my friendship as much as you claim and you do decide to stop selling, then I'm going to need the rest of the week to deal with Grahk before he leaves, because I'll be breaking not just his heart but an agreement and you know how serious dwarves are about those."
> stop selling Yellow Devil
This might not be the best of business decisions, but if this is what it's going to take then so be it. There will always be other opportunities, but reliable folks you can count on, not so much.
"Alright, fine. You don't need to wait three days. I'll take care of it now." You say.
"Are you sure? Because don't just make a rash decision in some misguided effort to play white knight. This is your organization, run it how you see fit, I don't need saving."
"(Sigh) I'm not playing white knight. If anything I'm playing black guard by stealing the princess away from her husband to be if we're going to use that comparison. You said to stop selling Yellow Devil is what will keep you around, well I'm willing to make the sacrifice because that's just how much I value your presence here."
"So... I'm a princess eh?" Zal says with a smirk.
"Yes, so go break the squat prince's heart already so we can get back to business."
"Hey, that's still not going to be easy. I do have feelings for Grahk and he feels strongly for me!"
"Yeah, but you don't love him. You still haven't said that you did and I wouldn't believe it at this point anyway, because if you did you wouldn't be willing to drop him like this. You were seeking an easy way out of this life, but this wasn't the way and you would have regretted it."
"Yeah, well... I guess we'll never know now. (Sigh) You're right though, I didn't really love him I suppose. Still going to be difficult."
"Pfft. You want difficult, I'm going to have to convince everyone to be happy that we're out of the drug trade now and taking a loss."
"We all have our burdens to bear. Good luck with yours." Zalmora says and starts to leave, but then walks back over to hug you.
You weren't expecting it, but you return the hug.
"Thank you for your words." Zal says.
"Okay, okay, I think we've done enough bonding and getting our feelings out for today." You say not wishing to get too emotional.
Zal kisses you on the cheek and leaves.
Now you have to just go find Vaughn and discuss what changes are to come and who is going to be the most troublesome over it. Camid is the obvious one, but probably his closest "circle" as well.
Later...
"But we've got this impenetrable hidden headquarters now! Let the militia fumble around here in the sewers looking for us! Even if they do, they aren't going to get in without severe losses!" Camid exclaims.
"And they can take a lot more losses than we can too and if they do get determined enough they WILL get in here. Things are too hot up top right now and we need for them to cool down a bit. Hence why we need to stop selling Yellow Devil. It's causing too many problems. We still got the rest, and we can possibly look into other opportunities or... "
"This is fucking bullshit!" Camid exclaims which is echoed by a few others.
"This isn't up for debate." You say.
"But we are making coin hand over fist! If anything we should be abandoning everything else and just focusing on selling Yellow Devil! In fact I got an idea for a new drug! It's... "
"I don't want to hear it! I made my decision and it's fucking final! What don't you understand?"
"I don't understand why we're being stupid about this! Wasn't the whole point of building this headquarters was to help usher in some new era of the Crimson Talons? Seems like you had us waste a shitload of coin that could have been better spent doing other things."
"Like what for example? You got any ideas Camid? What would have you liked to do instead? You want to run this organization?"
Camid doesn't say it out loud, but he mutters something.
"What? What was that?!" you shout.
"I said no." Camid says.
"That's what I thought... " you start to say before you're interrupted.
"Because I wouldn't want to make Zalmora cry when I it took from her." Camid says which causes laughter by his fellows.
You're silent for a moment as Camid stares at you defiantly. He's doubled down on challenging you and already he's pulling out his sword. You could just shoot him or even tell your loyal Talons to kill him since a lot of them are close enough, but you know that isn't going to solve the problem, if anything it's going to make it worse. You're going to have to beat him in a fair fight.
You draw your own weapon and face Camid in combat. It isn't much of a contest though. While Camid has some above average fighting skills, he hasn't been keeping them sharp like you've been doing. That sort of happens when you have to fight off private night security and dodge militia bullets and arrows on a regular basis.
It takes all of two minutes before you've given Camid a cut on his face, severed part of his sword hand and got your boot on his chest.
"Stop! I yield! I surrender! I surrender! You're the boss!" Camid shouts holding up his good arm begging you for mercy.
"Damn right." You reply.
Then you pull out your flintlock and shoot him in the head.
"Take every fool that was laughing at this asshole's joke about Zal really running things around here and kill them. Think of this as a pay increase for the rest of you." You say.
Your loyalists don't need anymore prodding than that and waste no time in grabbing Camid's cohorts and dragging them off. You turn to Vaughn and tell him to go oversee the rest of this mess and make sure your orders are carried out and how you want all the Yellow Devil labs destroyed and if any junkies come sniffing around kill them too.
Five days later...
Zalmora steps into your office.
"Ah, you're here. Wasn't expecting you back until tomorrow." You say.
"I had to make sure Grahk left with no hard feelings. It would have been very easy for him to cause trouble for us, but... well you know me." Zalmora replies.
"Yes, you're very convincing. Guess he really took it hard huh?"
"You don't even know. Actually I was a little surprised myself, but I think in a way it helped him confirm that humans are the scum of the world though. Makes him a little less contradictory."
"Always nice to have your world views reinforced."
"Don't think he's ever coming back here though. Not even for Stovo's pastries."
"Yeah, well I'm sure there are other Halfling bakers to buy from. It's big world out there."
"Speaking of buying and selling. How did Camid take it about the Yellow Devil distribution?"
"He took it in the head and the rest of the ones that agreed with him are also no longer with us. It's done."
"Hm. I see. Well, I guess everything is settled."
"For now at least. Glad to have you back Zal."
"I'm glad to be back too."
The pair of you smile at each other and get back to Crimson Talon business. With the new changes and Zalmora still at your side, you're fairly confident that the future will at least be productive.
> time passes...
Chapter 3A2: Better Red than Dead
Year 30
"We should expand." You say.
"Can we do that?" Vaughn remarks.
"It's probably not a bad idea. Now that shit here has calmed down to a manageable level in Klyton, we could probably spare a few people to open a new Crimson Talon chapter elsewhere. The problem is we don't have many viable choices." Zalmora says.
"What're you talking about, there's Hessla, Holgard, the entire fucking Delantium Kingdom for starters." You say.
"The Delantium Kingdom is Ebony Claw Syndicate territory, have you forgotten?"
"No, but the kingdom is a big fucking place. Surely they can't control all of the damn underworld there."
"Probably not, but I doubt if potentially stepping on their toes is a great idea for us. Same situation in Holgard. They got a chapter there as well."
"Hasn't that place undergone a couple of rebellions?" Vaughn asks.
"Yeah, but as far as I know the Ebony Claw still has a presence." Zalmora says.
"Alright, alright, I get it. We're not big enough to fuck with the ECS. (Sigh) I know our limitations unfortunately. Okay, so what about Hessla? The Claw doesn't have a presence there." You ask.
"Sure, but the Headsmen control that place for Governor Tolen. I'm not sure if you know much about Hessla other than the typical misconceptions. But the place is just as orderly as Klyton. In some aspects maybe even more so. Yeah, it's a haven for pirates and such, but as a general rule the major crimes take place outside the town. The Headsmen catch you stealing there for example and they chop off both your hands at best." Zalmora says.
"Well there's always risk. I mean we risk the militia here."
"True, but Hessla also has the same problem Klyton does, namely everything is legal except again even more so. I'm not exactly sure what we could do there, in the scheme of things given that most of our profit comes from illegal gambling and stealing shit."
"We could go back to selling Yellow Devil. I mean we wouldn't be selling it here. Just in Hessla." Vaughn remarks.
Zal just stares at Vaughn with mild disapproval.
"What? I'm just contributing here!" Vaughn.
"I'm still not convinced that the drug trade is the way to go, but I'll admit it isn't the worst idea. It wouldn't be shitting where we eat at least. However, Governor Tolen would probably take a cut of anything we make just for operating there." Zal says.
"Sounds like if this Tolen asshole wasn't around we'd be able actually do something in that town." You say.
"Why don't we just kill him like we had Jake killed? I mean that guy you hired seemed pretty damn effective." Vaughn suddenly says which causes a bit of surprise from you and Zal.
Vaughn doesn't often contribute this many serious ideas in these sessions, let alone the really aggressive ones. You can only imagine the Crimson Talon success (and relative safer location) has encouraged him a little bit assertive.
"Not only would I have to deal with that creepy fuck, Mr. Reynolds again, I'm sure he'd want me to pay out the ass or some other price that will have a catch." You say.
"Well, if we are going to expand in Hessla, getting rid of Tolen would solve some major issues. Hessla is sort of a delicate system. Cut off the head and it's going to descend into anarchy... at least for a while. I assume his second in command, but I dunno who that might be. Wouldn't be too hard to find out with some investigation. Tell you what. Before we do anything, why don't I go to Hessla and check out what the situation is like there first?" Zal says.
"Couldn't hurt I suppose. You gonna be okay going there by yourself?"
"I'll be fine. Better if I just go alone. I know how to blend in better and it's been a long time since I was in Hessla. Wouldn't mind updating my knowledge first hand anyway. Might take me about a month to gather what I need to know."
"Okay, but just remember you're not there to sight see."
The three of you agree to this plan and while Zal goes off on her mission, you and Vaughn return to your usual tasks.
A little more than a month passes and just as you start to get a little concerned Zal returns. You actually give her a hug when you see her.
"You thought I wasn't coming back, didn't you?" she asks.
"No, I'm glad to see you is all! Can't one friend hug another? Look, so what did you learn?" you reply.
"More than I expected to."
Zal goes into the situation at Hessla which as she predicted was indeed a delicate one. Governor Tolen does rule the town with an iron fist, but it's barely a secret that his second in command Captain Illam would actually be worse. It's just a good thing for the town that he's at sea most of the time and isn't in charge.
The third person down the chain is a little more hopeful. Zal said she actually managed to speak with a Captain Yan who apparently was wooed by Zal's charms when she tried to recruit her as part of her crew.
After spending a few interesting nights with her, Captain Yan blabbed just about everything. Yan made it pretty clear that she would like Tolen out of the picture entirely and his shake down of anyone that comes through or docks there. She says that he's basically getting rich just sitting on his ass, while all the hard working sailors are paying him for safe harbor.
Captain Yan said if she could she'd make Hessla freer than it claims to be, but she doesn't have the support to attempt a coup of any sort, plus she wouldn't really want to be in charge of a town. Her love of the sea is too great to be stuck in some town.
Zal didn't bring it up that she belonged to the Crimson Talons, but she got the very real distinction that if the Talons came in to help Yan, she'd go through with her plan. Yan certainly has the inside knowledge of the Governor's mansion and such. Plus Yan now seems to have a bit of a crush on Zal.
"What the hell is it with you?" Vaughn asks.
"Hey, I just know how to lay it down like that." Zal remarks.
"Well this is all certainly useful information. If what you're saying is true. We could get rid of this Tolen AND possibly have free reign of the town if this Yan isn't actually going to stick around to govern. What about this Illam guy though?" you ask.
"Don't know. I mean I assume we kill him too. Yan's not an admirer of him either."
"That's a lot of fucking people to kill. I mean this isn't a simple assassination. We're talking a full-scale assault and we can't expect to not take losses ourselves."
"Well nobody said it was going to be easy."
"No... but I think we're going to need help after all." You say with a heavy sigh.
"Wait, so you're going to go to Mr. Reynolds?"
"Hey, I don't necessarily want to, but if I think it would help to have a highly skilled bloodthirsty assassin on our side, I'm not going to just dismiss the possibility."
"Well, it's up to you boss man."
You figure at the very least you can pay him a visit. If you don't like what he says, you can always leave. You'd rather have the extra help if possible.
Zal and Vaughn defer to your decision and the next day you walk into Mr. Reynolds' office.
As soon as you walk in, you see a strange ogrish looking creature, but much shorter than one. In fact if it wasn't for the oversized teeth and general monstrous appearance, you might mistake it for a very muscular dwarf.
You also see Henry, or at least you assume it's Henry. He hasn't changed much since the last time you saw him, though he's sporting a few scars across his face now.
Finally you see Mr. Reynolds and he certainly hasn't changed. Once again he stands up smiling at his desk.
"Well what do I owe the pleasure of this unexpected visit from the head of the infamous Crimson Talons this fine day?" Mr. Reynolds says.
"I might need some people killed." You say.
"Hm, straight to business I see. Okay then, I assume there is some reason why you aren't having your own people taking care of this?"
"Let's just say, I think we might need some help on this one."
"Hm, Sounds serious, you planning on taking out the Klyton Council?" he chortles.
"No, just the Governor of Hessla... well and his second in command."
As you go into a little more you manage to get a genuine look of interest on Mr. Reynolds face.
"Ambitious. Though I'm not sure I can help. You see I mostly deal in matters concerning Klyton. Although... well I'm not sure you'd be interested in that... "
You haven't been here five minutes, and he's already playing mind games...
"Just fucking spit it..." You start to shout, but then you stop and then calm yourself before continuing.
"Mr. Reynolds, with all due respect, I have come here asking for assistance on this matter as I once did in the past. Your son did a marvelous job last time even if... I didn't quite appreciate its thoroughness last time. I am willing to pay your costs if they appear to be reasonable." You say.
Mr. Reynolds listens intently and smiles.
"I'm glad to see that wisdom has come with your age. That's good. Last time our business together was less than cordial. That's okay though, I still got paid. As I said, I would love to help you again in this matter, but I'm afraid due to this being an outside job as it were, the cost is going to be quite high. Not just because of that however, but also because my son Henry takes things a bit more personal than I do. Though I'm sure I can convince him for the right price." Mr. Reynolds says.
"Okay, but what is the price? How much?" you ask.
"Oh no, there won't be any money for this... well okay one thousand gold coins should do it on that front."
"A thousand? Is that all?"
"No. Of course not. You have to leave Klyton."
"Me?"
"Well you and all your little Talon buddies. Basically I want YOU out of this city and set up shop in Hessla which should be wide open after I help you."
"This is ridiculous! My goal is expansion not relocation! Why the hell should I move and why do you want me to anyway?"
"My reasons are my own, but that's my price. Besides, I'm also going to throw in that fine gentleman over there to help."
Mr. Reynolds points over to the ogre looking creature.
"And who is that?" You ask.
"Who is that? Don't you see the family resemblance? This fine gentleman is the late great Olaf's son!" Mr. Reynolds exclaims.
"The late Olaf?"
"Yes, it was a sad day when Olaf passed a few years ago. Died right here in the office in his sleep in fact. He will be missed. But anyway his son Olaf Jr. has been following in his father's large footsteps and I don't mind saying he's been doing a fine job for me and his own mother is very proud of him."
You remember that Mr. Reynolds once said Olaf was married to a halfling. You can't imagine how that birth was even possible let alone how she survived the process. It does however explain Junior's strange appearance by ogre standards. (Or any standards actually)
Mr. Reynolds goes on to assure you that he has more than enough skill to help do the job you require especially since the ogre is unlike his father and has embraced technology. He particularly has a great love of weapons that do damage on a massive scale.
"Really, with both Henry AND Junior working with you, you probably won't suffer any losses at all. Just think, you'll have an entire town at your mercy. Really, what are you losing by leaving Klyton? Despite all your precautions, you still live hiding in the shadows and eking out a lesser existence than you could be. The milita and the Council will always be a problem for you, but at Hessla? YOU could be the law. You're a natural leader obviously. In the right environment you could truly thrive to your full potential."
Flattering words to get you to do what he wants no doubt, but he isn't entirely wrong.
> take the help
"Alright fine, but this is a big thing. We're replacing an entire regime. Your people better be all in on wiping out every fucker that stands against us." You say.
"Oh of that you can be assured." Mr. Reynolds remarks.
"Good, because if I think they're doing anything less than that, I'm going to be less inclined to just pick up and leave here. Also, I need to run this by one of my people so she can go inform the other people that are against Tolen. It would at least help if we had a little coordination in this endeavor."
"Sure, sure. Just return with the payment and let me know when you're ready. Don't take too long though; I do need these fine gentlemen for other jobs. Look forward to working with you again."
You can't say you feel the same, but you feel a little more confident in your chances with Mr. Reynolds' psycho son and his pet ogre half-breed. Now you just have to run this over with Zalmora and try to coordinate.
"We're leaving Klyton?!" Zalmora exclaims.
"Gee boss that seems a bit extreme." Vaughn adds.
"Yeah well that's the decision. We're going all in on this because if we pull it off, we've got an entire town to play around with rather than what we got here. Building an underground complex was a good attempt, but I realize now that in order to be a proper force in this world, we need to be unrestrained. Anyway, this isn't up for debate and we're doing this in a week so Zal, you need to get going back to Hessla and tell all your little pirate friends to get prepared." You explain.
"A week? We might need longer than that to properly plan!"
"Well you've got seven days. Should be more than enough time and whether they're ready or not, we're hitting Hessla and hitting it hard. If they aren't going to be with us, they can stay the fuck out of the way."
Zal and Vaughn are both a bit flabbergasted at your rather extreme approach to all this. You know Zal wants to argue and Vaughn probably even wants to say something, but they can both see how you're not going to budge on this so they just comply.
"Okay, fine. Whether I convince them or not I'll meet you a few miles away from Hessla near the copse of trees off the side of the road. You'll know it when you see it. And I also just want to say I still think this is a bad idea." Zal says before leaving.
Well you knew she'd get in the last word.
You have Vaughn use up some of the treasury to acquire some more gunpowder weapons (and traditional ones as well), meanwhile you take your payment to Mr. Reynolds who tells you that his people will meet you at Hessla as they prefer to travel by themselves.
"Don't worry, they'll be ready by the time you arrive at Hessla." Mr. Reynolds says.
You return to your headquarters and inform Vaughn to gather everyone tonight because you're making your way to Hessla tomorrow.
Later that night when you have all the Talons in your presence, you give a last minute speech about how this is a positive move and it will only be beneficial for the organization in the long run. While most members had already been informed about this new development the same day you accepted Mr. Reynolds' help, most of them are still processing it and naturally some are still unsure of the whole leaving Klyton thing.
"Do you mean we really can't return here ever? Like not even to visit?" someone asks.
"Well, we aren't going to be able to take everything from here in one day and it wouldn't make sense to anyway given that we're going into a full scale battle. So what we're probably going to do when we've settled everything in Hessla, is come back over the course of maybe a week and move all our remaining shit out of here through the escape tunnel. That's it though." You explain.
"But, I mean me mum lives here and she needs me to take care of her." Someone else says.
"Yeah, and I got a wife and kid!" shouts another.
"I don't like Hessla, I've been to there once and all their whores got that weird sea smell. Feels like I'm fucking a mermaid or some shit." replies another.
"This seems like a bad idea boss, I mean I don't want to step out of line, but... "
"ENOUGH! This is what the fucking plan is and it's not up for fucking debate! You got tonight to settle your shit, make arrangements and take whatever you need because tomorrow we're leaving. If you don't fucking like it, then you can get the fuck out right now! We can get along without you AND if I see any of you deserters in Hessla in the future, you're fucking dead!" you shout.
There isn't too much more grumbling or debating after that.
As for you, you don't have much to take. About the only thing you wish you could take is all this shit that you had built. Seems like it was all a damn waste of money now, but what's done it done.
After packing what you need, you get some rest because it's going to be the start of an eventful week tomorrow.
The next day, you take a head count of who is around and see that some of them decided to abandon you which isn't surprising considering you really expected some of them would. You just hope Zal comes through with her pirate friends and Reynolds' psychos for hire are at the top of their game.
You all start to exit through the escape tunnel fully armed and prepared. You almost feel like a military general leading an army.
You just wish you inspired more loyalty and not just because some of your members deserted you, but because as soon as you exit the escape tunnel there's a contingent of Klyton militia waiting for you.
Looks like one of the deserters wasn't taking any chances on you possibly having him killed so he snitched on you.
Musket fire rings out and you and several of your people are shot. You take a hit to the upper part of your leg and you fall the ground shouting in agony. Not far from your body is Vaughn who was lucky enough to get killed immediately with a shot to his head.
The Crimson Talons who weren't killed or otherwise incapacitated desperately attempt to escape either through the wilderness or back through the tunnel. Hardly matters though since the militia is in full force and everywhere.
You're not getting taken in alive though. Even if they bother to heal your leg, you know you're going to just get thrown in one of those hanging cages outside of Klyton at best. At worst they're just going to publicly execute you anyway.
You manage to get off a couple shots with your flintlocks, and even manage to stab one the militiamen in the leg from your prone position, but eventually you catch another musket ball in the chest and soon one of the militia finishes you off with a spear to your throat. |
Chapter 3A2: Better Red than Dead
Year 30
"We should expand." You say.
"Can we do that?" Vaughn remarks.
"It's probably not a bad idea. Now that shit here has calmed down to a manageable level in Klyton, we could probably spare a few people to open a new Crimson Talon chapter elsewhere. The problem is we don't have many viable choices." Zalmora says.
"What're you talking about, there's Hessla, Holgard, the entire fucking Delantium Kingdom for starters." You say.
"The Delantium Kingdom is Ebony Claw Syndicate territory, have you forgotten?"
"No, but the kingdom is a big fucking place. Surely they can't control all of the damn underworld there."
"Probably not, but I doubt if potentially stepping on their toes is a great idea for us. Same situation in Holgard. They got a chapter there as well."
"Hasn't that place undergone a couple of rebellions?" Vaughn asks.
"Yeah, but as far as I know the Ebony Claw still has a presence." Zalmora says.
"Alright, alright, I get it. We're not big enough to fuck with the ECS. (Sigh) I know our limitations unfortunately. Okay, so what about Hessla? The Claw doesn't have a presence there." You ask.
"Sure, but the Headsmen control that place for Governor Tolen. I'm not sure if you know much about Hessla other than the typical misconceptions. But the place is just as orderly as Klyton. In some aspects maybe even more so. Yeah, it's a haven for pirates and such, but as a general rule the major crimes take place outside the town. The Headsmen catch you stealing there for example and they chop off both your hands at best." Zalmora says.
"Well there's always risk. I mean we risk the militia here."
"True, but Hessla also has the same problem Klyton does, namely everything is legal except again even more so. I'm not exactly sure what we could do there, in the scheme of things given that most of our profit comes from illegal gambling and stealing shit."
"We could go back to selling Yellow Devil. I mean we wouldn't be selling it here. Just in Hessla." Vaughn remarks.
Zal just stares at Vaughn with mild disapproval.
"What? I'm just contributing here!" Vaughn.
"I'm still not convinced that the drug trade is the way to go, but I'll admit it isn't the worst idea. It wouldn't be shitting where we eat at least. However, Governor Tolen would probably take a cut of anything we make just for operating there." Zal says.
"Sounds like if this Tolen asshole wasn't around we'd be able actually do something in that town." You say.
"Why don't we just kill him like we had Jake killed? I mean that guy you hired seemed pretty damn effective." Vaughn suddenly says which causes a bit of surprise from you and Zal.
Vaughn doesn't often contribute this many serious ideas in these sessions, let alone the really aggressive ones. You can only imagine the Crimson Talon success (and relative safer location) has encouraged him a little bit assertive.
"Not only would I have to deal with that creepy fuck, Mr. Reynolds again, I'm sure he'd want me to pay out the ass or some other price that will have a catch." You say.
"Well, if we are going to expand in Hessla, getting rid of Tolen would solve some major issues. Hessla is sort of a delicate system. Cut off the head and it's going to descend into anarchy... at least for a while. I assume his second in command, but I dunno who that might be. Wouldn't be too hard to find out with some investigation. Tell you what. Before we do anything, why don't I go to Hessla and check out what the situation is like there first?" Zal says.
"Couldn't hurt I suppose. You gonna be okay going there by yourself?"
"I'll be fine. Better if I just go alone. I know how to blend in better and it's been a long time since I was in Hessla. Wouldn't mind updating my knowledge first hand anyway. Might take me about a month to gather what I need to know."
"Okay, but just remember you're not there to sight see."
The three of you agree to this plan and while Zal goes off on her mission, you and Vaughn return to your usual tasks.
A little more than a month passes and just as you start to get a little concerned Zal returns. You actually give her a hug when you see her.
"You thought I wasn't coming back, didn't you?" she asks.
"No, I'm glad to see you is all! Can't one friend hug another? Look, so what did you learn?" you reply.
"More than I expected to."
Zal goes into the situation at Hessla which as she predicted was indeed a delicate one. Governor Tolen does rule the town with an iron fist, but it's barely a secret that his second in command Captain Illam would actually be worse. It's just a good thing for the town that he's at sea most of the time and isn't in charge.
The third person down the chain is a little more hopeful. Zal said she actually managed to speak with a Captain Yan who apparently was wooed by Zal's charms when she tried to recruit her as part of her crew.
After spending a few interesting nights with her, Captain Yan blabbed just about everything. Yan made it pretty clear that she would like Tolen out of the picture entirely and his shake down of anyone that comes through or docks there. She says that he's basically getting rich just sitting on his ass, while all the hard working sailors are paying him for safe harbor.
Captain Yan said if she could she'd make Hessla freer than it claims to be, but she doesn't have the support to attempt a coup of any sort, plus she wouldn't really want to be in charge of a town. Her love of the sea is too great to be stuck in some town.
Zal didn't bring it up that she belonged to the Crimson Talons, but she got the very real distinction that if the Talons came in to help Yan, she'd go through with her plan. Yan certainly has the inside knowledge of the Governor's mansion and such. Plus Yan now seems to have a bit of a crush on Zal.
"What the hell is it with you?" Vaughn asks.
"Hey, I just know how to lay it down like that." Zal remarks.
"Well this is all certainly useful information. If what you're saying is true. We could get rid of this Tolen AND possibly have free reign of the town if this Yan isn't actually going to stick around to govern. What about this Illam guy though?" you ask.
"Don't know. I mean I assume we kill him too. Yan's not an admirer of him either."
"That's a lot of fucking people to kill. I mean this isn't a simple assassination. We're talking a full-scale assault and we can't expect to not take losses ourselves."
"Well nobody said it was going to be easy."
"No... but I think we're going to need help after all." You say with a heavy sigh.
"Wait, so you're going to go to Mr. Reynolds?"
"Hey, I don't necessarily want to, but if I think it would help to have a highly skilled bloodthirsty assassin on our side, I'm not going to just dismiss the possibility."
"Well, it's up to you boss man."
You figure at the very least you can pay him a visit. If you don't like what he says, you can always leave. You'd rather have the extra help if possible.
Zal and Vaughn defer to your decision and the next day you walk into Mr. Reynolds' office.
As soon as you walk in, you see a strange ogrish looking creature, but much shorter than one. In fact if it wasn't for the oversized teeth and general monstrous appearance, you might mistake it for a very muscular dwarf.
You also see Henry, or at least you assume it's Henry. He hasn't changed much since the last time you saw him, though he's sporting a few scars across his face now.
Finally you see Mr. Reynolds and he certainly hasn't changed. Once again he stands up smiling at his desk.
"Well what do I owe the pleasure of this unexpected visit from the head of the infamous Crimson Talons this fine day?" Mr. Reynolds says.
"I might need some people killed." You say.
"Hm, straight to business I see. Okay then, I assume there is some reason why you aren't having your own people taking care of this?"
"Let's just say, I think we might need some help on this one."
"Hm, Sounds serious, you planning on taking out the Klyton Council?" he chortles.
"No, just the Governor of Hessla... well and his second in command."
As you go into a little more you manage to get a genuine look of interest on Mr. Reynolds face.
"Ambitious. Though I'm not sure I can help. You see I mostly deal in matters concerning Klyton. Although... well I'm not sure you'd be interested in that... "
You haven't been here five minutes, and he's already playing mind games...
"Just fucking spit it..." You start to shout, but then you stop and then calm yourself before continuing.
"Mr. Reynolds, with all due respect, I have come here asking for assistance on this matter as I once did in the past. Your son did a marvelous job last time even if... I didn't quite appreciate its thoroughness last time. I am willing to pay your costs if they appear to be reasonable." You say.
Mr. Reynolds listens intently and smiles.
"I'm glad to see that wisdom has come with your age. That's good. Last time our business together was less than cordial. That's okay though, I still got paid. As I said, I would love to help you again in this matter, but I'm afraid due to this being an outside job as it were, the cost is going to be quite high. Not just because of that however, but also because my son Henry takes things a bit more personal than I do. Though I'm sure I can convince him for the right price." Mr. Reynolds says.
"Okay, but what is the price? How much?" you ask.
"Oh no, there won't be any money for this... well okay one thousand gold coins should do it on that front."
"A thousand? Is that all?"
"No. Of course not. You have to leave Klyton."
"Me?"
"Well you and all your little Talon buddies. Basically I want YOU out of this city and set up shop in Hessla which should be wide open after I help you."
"This is ridiculous! My goal is expansion not relocation! Why the hell should I move and why do you want me to anyway?"
"My reasons are my own, but that's my price. Besides, I'm also going to throw in that fine gentleman over there to help."
Mr. Reynolds points over to the ogre looking creature.
"And who is that?" You ask.
"Who is that? Don't you see the family resemblance? This fine gentleman is the late great Olaf's son!" Mr. Reynolds exclaims.
"The late Olaf?"
"Yes, it was a sad day when Olaf passed a few years ago. Died right here in the office in his sleep in fact. He will be missed. But anyway his son Olaf Jr. has been following in his father's large footsteps and I don't mind saying he's been doing a fine job for me and his own mother is very proud of him."
You remember that Mr. Reynolds once said Olaf was married to a halfling. You can't imagine how that birth was even possible let alone how she survived the process. It does however explain Junior's strange appearance by ogre standards. (Or any standards actually)
Mr. Reynolds goes on to assure you that he has more than enough skill to help do the job you require especially since the ogre is unlike his father and has embraced technology. He particularly has a great love of weapons that do damage on a massive scale.
"Really, with both Henry AND Junior working with you, you probably won't suffer any losses at all. Just think, you'll have an entire town at your mercy. Really, what are you losing by leaving Klyton? Despite all your precautions, you still live hiding in the shadows and eking out a lesser existence than you could be. The milita and the Council will always be a problem for you, but at Hessla? YOU could be the law. You're a natural leader obviously. In the right environment you could truly thrive to your full potential."
Flattering words to get you to do what he wants no doubt, but he isn't entirely wrong.
> go it alone
Whatever Reynolds reasons are you aren't going to just abandon everything you built here.
"Yeah, I don't think so. We'll get by." You say.
"As you say. Good luck on your little endeavors." Mr. Reynolds replies with a little nod before going back to his work.
You return to Zal and Vaughn and tell them you'll be doing this on your own. Zal seems to be a lot more pleased with this idea.
Zal tells you it would be best if you all met with Captain Yan so you can coordinate this coup. In the meantime, she says she'll return to see Yan and hammer out when to meet so Yan doesn't just suddenly go sailing off to sea.
Another couple weeks pass before you hear from Zal again and now she's telling a new tune...
"What the fuck do you mean it's off?!" you exclaim.
"I'm sorry, but there have been some changes and Yan isn't sure if... " Zal starts to say.
"Oh fuck this is just perfect. This bitch gets cold feet and it's our dicks just swinging in the freezing air. What the hell kind of pirate is she anyway? Shouldn't she be jumping at the chance to slaughter her enemies?" You say.
"We waited too long." Vaughn says.
"To hell with it, we can do this ourselves. Me, you, and you. We're going to sneak into the Governor's mansion or whatever the fuck he lives in and we'll assassinate him." You say and start getting ready by putting various objects into a pack.
"Wait! I really don't think that's a good idea! The Governor has protection up the ass! We need Yan's support if we're going to do anything! Seriously I can fix this!" Zalmora says trying to calm you.
"How Zal? What are you going to do? More of your persuasive talking skills? Lick this Yan bitch into submission? Fuck this, we need to act. I'm not going to be limited to just THIS little shitty piece of Klyton because some are too fucking afraid to grab their destiny!"
"Will you listen to yourself? What's all this about destiny? Did Reynolds get into your head or something? Going in half cocked is not the way and you KNOW this! Listen. I can fix this. I'm confident that I can get Yan to see it my way again. She's just so used to the status quo she's afraid to take that next step even if she wants to. She just needs a little push. Remember, sort of like the one I gave you years ago? That turned out alright it would seem."
You stare at Zal in silence for a moment and then stop hastily putting shit into a pack. You inhale and exhale to gain your composure.
"Okay. I'm calm. Very well Zal, you usually know best. I'll give you another chance to convince this wishy washy bitch, but if you don't succeed, we're going through with my plan." You say.
"I understand, but just don't do anything until I come back with news. At the very least I can try to find a better way to assassinate Governor Tolen than just storming in his home and hoping we don't get killed in the process."
You nod and dismiss Zal, confident that she'll come through for you.
A couple weeks pass and there isn't any word. Vaughn begins to wonder if she didn't get killed, like maybe Yan double-crossed her or something. You think though if something like that happened you would have gotten a warning of some sort. Like Zal's head sent to you as a threat to not enter Hessla again.
You decide to give it a little more time and if she doesn't return soon, then you'll go to Hessla yourself. Turns out the trip won't be necessary and you're hit with another unexpected bit of news. This time via messenger who approached Vaughn when he was going about business topside.
"I dunno, the guy said it was from Zal. She told him to find me and give me the letter. Not sure how he knew where to find me though." Vaughn says giving you a scroll.
"Probably because Zal knows you've been taking your rent boys to the same location to fuck them for years and told him exactly where you'd be. Plus she knows better than to give away the location to our headquarters to some stranger and knows I barely ever leave this place. (Sigh) Well let's see what this says... why do I feel it isn't going to be good news?" you say opening the scroll.
Your thoughts aren't wrong, but you never expected... this...
First off, I just want you and Vaughn to know that I'm okay. I'm better than okay actually. The pair of you have both been good friends in this unglamorous life we've chosen. I know we've had our differences in the past, but ultimately we've always been there for each other. I suppose that's why I stayed with the Talons as long as I did. I didn't have much, but I knew I at least had you guys.
And this is what makes this all the harder.
I have to leave.
I'm going to leave with Yan. She's been in a similar situation here in Hessla, though in her case Governor Tolen is an outright asshole so it's an easy decision for her to just hoist the sails and leave Hessla and never return. We've found a lot in common with one another and we enjoy each other's company. I mean I dunno if this is love or what, but I feel I need to at least take this chance. I need to move on with my life. If I don't, I'll get talked out of it again like I did with Grahk, though I still think you were right in that case.
But this is different. I can't explain it, and I don't think you'd understand really. Right now I'm sure you're already pissed. You're probably already planning to come in full force to Hessla and raise fucking hell. Please don't though, I'm already gone.
Just take care of yourselves okay? And if you ever see an opportunity that can take you to a better life. Take it and don't look back.
Goodbye, and I love you both.
Zalmora
You trail off a bit as you finish reading the message out loud. You're a bit dumbstruck. Vaughn is in the same boat.
Eventually you just neatly roll the scroll back up and put the ribbon back on it, then you gently place it in your desk drawer and sit back down. You then start going over your profit gains for this year.
"Boss?" Vaughn says.
"Vaughn, you'll be handling the shit that Zal was in charge of, if you need extra help I trust you'll be able to promote the appropriate folks." You respond calmly.
"But... what are we going to do?"
"What can we do? Zal took off on a fucking ship to parts unknown. I don't exactly have a magical crystal ball to see where she went, and I wouldn't bother anyway. She obviously wasn't happy here, so it's better off that she's gone. Don't need her anyway."
"Boss... now you don't mean that. Look, I don't wanna step outta line here and I know you didn't want to show it for some reason, but I know you had stronger feelings for her than just being friends with her. I mean aren't you pissed at this betrayal?! Aren't you upset? Don't you wanna go kill this Yan bitch for stealing away Zal? I mean I never saw this coming! Did you?"
"No... at least not like this. But what's done is done and that's a funny notion you have about my feelings towards Zal there Vaughn. I'm fine. Best to just move on."
"Well what about Hessla? Are we still going through with the plan?"
"Oh that. No. Obviously we don't have the support now and Zal was probably right that we'd only just get ourselves killed if we tried ourselves. No, we'll just seek further opportunities here in Klyton when they arise."
Vaughn can't believe how you're taking all this. Eventually he leaves you be and goes off to perform his duties.
When he leaves you lock the door and read the scroll again.
You sigh heavily and you wipe a few tears come from your eyes.
"It's okay Zal. Not mad. I get it. Good luck." You say.
> time passes...
Year 34
"Shit, that's the fifth patrol down here this week!" you say.
"I know, the militia has actually managed to round up a few of our guys too recently. Really hoping nobody is going to snitch us out at this point." Vaughn remarks.
While your members are generally pretty loyal, it's always a bit of a concern and you're not exactly filled with confidence. The last few years have just been getting worse with the militia patrols, you don't understand why since you were keeping a low profile. That was the whole point of getting out the drug trade.
Your gambling game room hasn't gotten raided yet, but you're getting the uneasy impression that it won't be long if this keeps up.
"Okay, we're going to have to make some changes maybe. I dunno. Maybe we need to hire another... "
Before you can complete this thought, one of your other members comes rushing into the room.
"Boss! Someone is knocking at the wall and they keep saying in a taunting voice that they know we're in here. They also say they want to speak to you directly. They said that he's coming to YOU with a deal this time." Dorian remarks.
You don't even need to know who that might be.
"Shit, fucking Reynolds. Okay, we're going to let him in... "
"What?!" Vaughn exclaims.
"He's already here and knows. If we just ignore him he'll just make things worse for us. I never like dealing with him either, but I usually at least hear him out. However, we're not going in this unprepared. Everyone in this place get yourself armed and ready. Load up any crossbows and firearms and keep them close! Dorian, I want people by the front entrance AND I want them in the escape tunnel just in fucking case. I wouldn't put it past Reynolds to know about that shit."
"Got it boss, anything else?" Dorian asks.
"Yeah, ONLY let him in. If he's got a creepy ass guy with a goatee or a weird looking ogre with him don't let them in. Vaughn you better go with him."
"On it." Vaughn says and the pair of them leave, while you're rechecking your flintlock and grab your spare.
You practice a few times pulling your pistols as quick as you can along with drawing your sword because you have no idea how this is going down.
Eventually Vaughn enters with Mr. Reynolds who looks smug as usual.
"Mmm, this isn't a bad little place. Your dwarven friend did a nice job. I assume that's what all those dwarves were really doing down here years back. Certainly couldn't be fixing the sewers. I swear if you took the Council's collective intelligence together you might have enough brains to put your shoes on the right feet assuming you didn't drool all over yourself first. Well, things are going to change when I get elected." Mr. Reynolds remarks.
"Elected? Wait? YOU'RE running?" you say.
"Oh yes, I feel it's time someone started doing things right in this city for a change. I mean sure Klyton is better off than a place like Holgard or definitely Hessla, but we can always do better you know? I've lived here a long time and I think the only way things are going improve is if I can be in a better position. Of course I'll have to give up my old business, but Henry is willing to take that over. He's come along nicely in that regard."
"Okay, so what's all this got to do with me?" you ask.
"Quite a bit actually... you seem tense. Everyone here seems tense. Relax everyone, I came here alone and my presence here is a good thing." Mr. Reynolds reassures you.
"I find that hard to believe... but state your agenda."
"Always to the point. That's why I think I've always enjoyed not just doing business with you, but your family in general. Anyway, the Crimson Talons are a black eye on this good city. Now granted I understand you aren't really hurting anyone and you do keep a relatively low profile, but well... you guys need to go. Getting rid of you lot would really help show I'm dedicated to cleaning up scum. No offense of course."
"... I see... "
"Now wait, before you start threatening violence, I have a proposal. Instead of just reporting your exact location to the militia and being active in your execution or incarceration, it would be even better for me, if I could... what's the word... tame... no civilize... no... ah assimilate you lot instead. It would prove that this city doesn't need to waste most of its money on security. I mean come on, they hardly need half the force they employ to even take you guys out to begin with." Reynolds says with a chuckle.
You're hardly amused.
"Yes, I can see you want me to get to the point. Fine. I'm not unsympathetic to the plight of the poor folks. I understand that there needs to be an entertainment place that caters to the lesser clientele. You and your Talons do provide that service a bit. So what I'm proposing is you guys do it legitimately. I'm opening up a new gambling hall as part of my Council election and I want all you lot to work there. And you m'boy get to run the place. Now how's THAT sound to you?" Reynolds says.
"Sounds too good to be true and that there has to be a catch." You answer.
"Well... you lot WOULD have to vote for me. And in your case you'd need to go register as a proper Klyton citizen. Don't believe you were actually born here were you? Other than that? None at all. I mean I would get some of the profits obviously since I would own the place, but really what's that compared to your freedom?"
"Freedom"
You're sure that Mr. Reynolds finds the use of that word amusing considering you're essentially at his mercy.
He's probably been planning this for a while. Makes sense now that he wanted you completely out of Klyton the last time you nearly dealt with him.
Still it's not a bad deal considering your time as a rogue is obviously coming to an end here in Klyton. You sometimes feel more like a manager than a crime boss nowadays anyway. What's one more step to legitimacy?
Though it also rubs you the wrong way of getting forced into this situation and part of you just wants to kill Mr. Reynolds for his presumption. You don't doubt that he's more than he appears, but he's also over confident and he's in here with not just you, but several others ready to do your bidding.
> kill Mr. Reynolds
You had it with this asshole.
You don't say anything; you just pull out your flintlock. Mr. Reynolds' eyes flinch a bit and he moves his hand up in front of him, but he doesn't quiet do it quick enough before you manage to catch him in the shoulder. He falls backwards in his chair.
Before you can follow up with your other pistol, Vaughn has no missed a beat and has taken it upon himself to shoot Reynolds with his own pistol. He gets a headshot, splattering part of Reynolds face and brain matter on your floor. At which point Reynolds begins making these horrible screeching sounds and twitching violently. They aren't normal human sounds of pain either. Indeed if Mr. Reynolds was human he shouldn't be making any more noise at all. Of course you always suspected there was something more to him.
You and Vaughn both start chopping and stabbing him repeatedly to make sure he's dead, until you start hearing noise, shouting and screams coming from outside your office.
With Reynolds no longer moving, you and Vaughn rush out of your office and see several of your people running away from where the escape exit is located.
"What the hell is going on?" you shout at the nearest Talon running by.
"Someone broke in through the escape tunnel and is killing our people!"
"The militia?"
"No! It's just one guy!" the Talon says and runs past you.
"Fuck, it's that asshole's son. So much for Reynolds claiming he didn't come alone." You say.
"Shit, that's guy's a fucking killer." Vaughn remarks.
"Yeah, well you can run if you want, but I'm not." You say and head back to your office where you have a little something extra for Henry. Vaughn reluctantly follows and stands by the door. He's got his faults, but he's always loyal.
You open up one of your safes and grab two firebombs. No sooner have you also grabbed a torch off the wall, you hear Vaughn shouting and the sounds of combat. You turn around and see Vaughn up against a wall struggling to not get a dagger pushed into his throat by Henry.
You don't think, you just act.
"Sorry Vaughn." You whisper, light the bomb with the torch and throw it in the direction of Vaughn and Henry. You then duck down behind your desk for cover.
A loud deafening explosion soon follows. While your desk protects you from the immediate detonation, it is blasted enough that part of it is no longer covering you at all and you probably would have had large wood splinters and chunks embedded into your flesh had you not been wearing appropriate protection.
You slowly get up despite your ears still ringing. There's smoke everywhere though the small fires burning lumps of bloody flesh are allowing you to see through it.
Mr. Reynold's body which was a bloody mess to begin with, is now practically just a smeared blood stain on your floor.
A little further where the door to your office once was lies Vaughn in several burning pieces.
After coughing a bit from the smell and the smoke, you finally see your target, Henry who apparently still isn't dead.
He's burnt, bloody, and attempting to crawl away with one arm intact, but some how still alive. He's making the same horrible raspy sounds his dad was making when you killed him.
You take your sword and walk over to the charred form that is Henry and drive it through the back of his neck. His sounds cease altogether.
As you're pulling your sword back out, your hearing is starting to return back to normal which allows you to receive the sounds of shouting. It sounds far away, but it's coming from the front entrance. Upon a quick glance, you see that the fools who ran off didn't bother shutting the wall properly and now combined with the noise of the explosion your headquarters is probably going to be crawling with any militia that was patrolling down here.
Time to go.
As you're muttering about how much this situation sucks, you silently are just glad you've got an alternative way out of this place.
You pass several bodies as you make your way towards the escape tunnel. Henry really did a damn job on your people. It's just a good thing you had people near the escape tunnel otherwise Henry might have caught even you unawares. Still, while it doesn't surprised you that Reynolds knew about it, you're wondering HOW he found out. Part of you even wonders if maybe he had connections to that dwarven bastard Grahk.
You guess it hardly matters at this point. You've worn out your welcome at this city and you're going to have to find some place new. Perhaps Hessla?
You get to the door to the tunnel and are surprised to find it closed. You would have thought with all the running and killing nobody would have bothered. You open it up.
"Oh shit."
You see standing before you Junior holding some sort of weapon you've never seen before but flames flicker from the barrel. He's wearing goggles, some sort of weird one piece suit covering his massive body and flashes a toothy smile.
Before you can close the door, Junior pulls the trigger on his weapon and a gout of flame envelopes your entire body. You turn and scream as your skin and hair burn and sizzle.
Your attempts to roll on the ground to put out the fire are useless since Junior just follows you from a safe distance and keeps immolating you.
Eventually your burning body joins the other lifeless ones around you. |
Year 34
"Shit, that's the fifth patrol down here this week!" you say.
"I know, the militia has actually managed to round up a few of our guys too recently. Really hoping nobody is going to snitch us out at this point." Vaughn remarks.
While your members are generally pretty loyal, it's always a bit of a concern and you're not exactly filled with confidence. The last few years have just been getting worse with the militia patrols, you don't understand why since you were keeping a low profile. That was the whole point of getting out the drug trade.
Your gambling game room hasn't gotten raided yet, but you're getting the uneasy impression that it won't be long if this keeps up.
"Okay, we're going to have to make some changes maybe. I dunno. Maybe we need to hire another... "
Before you can complete this thought, one of your other members comes rushing into the room.
"Boss! Someone is knocking at the wall and they keep saying in a taunting voice that they know we're in here. They also say they want to speak to you directly. They said that he's coming to YOU with a deal this time." Dorian remarks.
You don't even need to know who that might be.
"Shit, fucking Reynolds. Okay, we're going to let him in... "
"What?!" Vaughn exclaims.
"He's already here and knows. If we just ignore him he'll just make things worse for us. I never like dealing with him either, but I usually at least hear him out. However, we're not going in this unprepared. Everyone in this place get yourself armed and ready. Load up any crossbows and firearms and keep them close! Dorian, I want people by the front entrance AND I want them in the escape tunnel just in fucking case. I wouldn't put it past Reynolds to know about that shit."
"Got it boss, anything else?" Dorian asks.
"Yeah, ONLY let him in. If he's got a creepy ass guy with a goatee or a weird looking ogre with him don't let them in. Vaughn you better go with him."
"On it." Vaughn says and the pair of them leave, while you're rechecking your flintlock and grab your spare.
You practice a few times pulling your pistols as quick as you can along with drawing your sword because you have no idea how this is going down.
Eventually Vaughn enters with Mr. Reynolds who looks smug as usual.
"Mmm, this isn't a bad little place. Your dwarven friend did a nice job. I assume that's what all those dwarves were really doing down here years back. Certainly couldn't be fixing the sewers. I swear if you took the Council's collective intelligence together you might have enough brains to put your shoes on the right feet assuming you didn't drool all over yourself first. Well, things are going to change when I get elected." Mr. Reynolds remarks.
"Elected? Wait? YOU'RE running?" you say.
"Oh yes, I feel it's time someone started doing things right in this city for a change. I mean sure Klyton is better off than a place like Holgard or definitely Hessla, but we can always do better you know? I've lived here a long time and I think the only way things are going improve is if I can be in a better position. Of course I'll have to give up my old business, but Henry is willing to take that over. He's come along nicely in that regard."
"Okay, so what's all this got to do with me?" you ask.
"Quite a bit actually... you seem tense. Everyone here seems tense. Relax everyone, I came here alone and my presence here is a good thing." Mr. Reynolds reassures you.
"I find that hard to believe... but state your agenda."
"Always to the point. That's why I think I've always enjoyed not just doing business with you, but your family in general. Anyway, the Crimson Talons are a black eye on this good city. Now granted I understand you aren't really hurting anyone and you do keep a relatively low profile, but well... you guys need to go. Getting rid of you lot would really help show I'm dedicated to cleaning up scum. No offense of course."
"... I see... "
"Now wait, before you start threatening violence, I have a proposal. Instead of just reporting your exact location to the militia and being active in your execution or incarceration, it would be even better for me, if I could... what's the word... tame... no civilize... no... ah assimilate you lot instead. It would prove that this city doesn't need to waste most of its money on security. I mean come on, they hardly need half the force they employ to even take you guys out to begin with." Reynolds says with a chuckle.
You're hardly amused.
"Yes, I can see you want me to get to the point. Fine. I'm not unsympathetic to the plight of the poor folks. I understand that there needs to be an entertainment place that caters to the lesser clientele. You and your Talons do provide that service a bit. So what I'm proposing is you guys do it legitimately. I'm opening up a new gambling hall as part of my Council election and I want all you lot to work there. And you m'boy get to run the place. Now how's THAT sound to you?" Reynolds says.
"Sounds too good to be true and that there has to be a catch." You answer.
"Well... you lot WOULD have to vote for me. And in your case you'd need to go register as a proper Klyton citizen. Don't believe you were actually born here were you? Other than that? None at all. I mean I would get some of the profits obviously since I would own the place, but really what's that compared to your freedom?"
"Freedom"
You're sure that Mr. Reynolds finds the use of that word amusing considering you're essentially at his mercy.
He's probably been planning this for a while. Makes sense now that he wanted you completely out of Klyton the last time you nearly dealt with him.
Still it's not a bad deal considering your time as a rogue is obviously coming to an end here in Klyton. You sometimes feel more like a manager than a crime boss nowadays anyway. What's one more step to legitimacy?
Though it also rubs you the wrong way of getting forced into this situation and part of you just wants to kill Mr. Reynolds for his presumption. You don't doubt that he's more than he appears, but he's also over confident and he's in here with not just you, but several others ready to do your bidding.
> work for Mr. Reynolds
While it might be satisfying to kill Mr. Reynolds, it's hardly the smart play and you're just going to bring more trouble on yourself. Maybe you've gotten like Zal did, you're starting to question whether to go on with this lifestyle. It was fun in the beginning and now its just work.
And if you're going to work, you might as well not worry about getting arrested or killed by the militia or slinking about underground where even if you aren't walking around in shit as much, you still have to do it more than the average person.
You're done. You want something better and while you aren't convinced that this is it. It will at least be better than what you have now.
"Alright Reynolds, I'll agree to all this, but under two conditions. I want to at least name this new place." You say.
"Hah. Fine. I was never the best with names anyway." Mr. Reynolds says.
"And I want to be able to walk away at any time."
"By the gods son. This isn't some life binding contract I'm holding you under."
"Yeah, well I never know with you."
"Fine, if it will put your mind at ease, you're personally free to leave if you like. Not sure why you'd want to, but as I said, you're free to do so."
"Okay then, so where is this new place and when do we make the transition?"
"Oh I think you'll like it. It's your family's old inn. It'll be converted a little of course, but that's where it's going to be."
You let out a little chuckle at that bit of information.
Mr. Reynolds says you can continue your activities down here until the renovation on your family's old inn is finished. He says you shouldn't have to worry about militia patrols anymore though.
After Mr. Reynolds explains a bit more information he bids you goodbye. Vaughn approaches you immediately.
"Boss, are you sure about this? I mean are we really trusting him?"
"Yes, I'm sure. It's what's best for the organization. Just because we're going legit doesn't mean we've suddenly disappeared. We'll probably all be making a better living than we are now anyway. And as far as trusting him? Sure why not? We trusted Zal and you see what happened there. Reynolds is a fucking snake, but if he's lying at least I won't be disappointed. Fairly sure he's been direct though, besides he's very careful about making deals and not breaking them."
A few months pass and eventually you and your people move to your family's old inn. You knew it had been abandoned ever since it shut down, so you never saw what it looked like originally. What it looks like now however is fairly nice though. Lot nicer than sewers or underground tunnels at any rate.
As you and your people get set up, you find that the private rooms upstairs where your father and grandparents must have lived weren't changed much. Some of the furniture is even still around. You might as well live here.
You sit down on a nearby dusty chair and just think on how you got here. You can only imagine what your parents or sister would say if they could see you now.
"Well, it took me a long time, but I'm finally a working man with a real job and I hope you're all doing well right now." You say to yourself. |
Year 27
You have to admit, despite the close calls, the stress of changing the layout, and the several times you almost wanted to kill Grahk, he came through and this place is a lot better than you could have expected, if much smaller.
This place is less of a "budding underground town" and more of an underground mini-fortress and really maybe that was a more realistic goal anyway. You have sturdy walls, rooms, and a hidden entrance within the sewer with a couple of durable security doors just in case the militia does the find the place. You also have an escape route dug out far enough that you'd be able to getaway long before they broke in.
But that's just your headquarters. There is another secret area where you hold the gambling games, races and fights. Besides it being a better idea to keep the actual activities (and the plebs) away from your main base, Grahk actually said it would be better structural wise to build two separate and smaller hidden locations rather than just one big one which be a lot more costly to maintain and keep from collapsing. So that's what you did.
Still, you decided to keep one business out of both of the new areas. Namely the Yellow Devil creation and distribution. You aren't having any junkies going in either to get their fixes and YD stinks something awful that it would defeat the damn purpose of leaving the sewers if you were creating it in these nice new areas.
Due to all the expenses you had to pay for with the dwarves, you had to go back to the old methods of pulling heists and burglary because the drugs, gambling games and fights weren't enough. Of course that was mostly you, Zal and Vaughn doing those, because you wanted to make sure it was done right.
On the plus side, it's kept you in shape and your skills sharp. It also raises your respect among the rest of the Crimson Talons since they know you're willing to get right in the thick of things and aren't just delegating.
The downside is you're still not exactly rolling in coin and you don't think you've had real rest since this project began and you're always vaguely tired, but then as they say no rest for the wicked.
The other side effect is you've created a minor "crime wave" throughout Klyton to the point where things are getting out of hand for the militia slightly. Besides the ongoing breaking into shops and homes, your increased production of Yellow Devil has created an epidemic of "meltbrains" as they are called. Didn't help that you got the idea from Camid to start cutting the drug to make it less lethal, while still keeping most of it's "positive" effects for the user.
Still causes a lot of irreversible long-term damage that most aren't coming back from, which now probably makes it even worse. Junkies are living long enough to cause real problems hence the crime wave.
You've been extremely fortunate that the authorities have mostly been turning the city upside down and making mass arrests to every petty criminal they can get their hands on, but so far they haven't done much with the sewers. There were a few close calls with some minor patrols, but Grahk's crew has been pretty good in keeping their real activities (and you) secret. Grahk's Council buddy must have an incredible amount of trust in him or maybe he's just corrupt. You have no idea, you've never met him.
Still, Klyton's uncharacteristic lackadaisical alertness on this matter is going to be coming to an end. Grahk is done with the task and will be leaving soon, which means Klyton will probably be stepping up their patrols down here. Not even the rumors of a killer reptile man is going to scare them away. (You question if this Scales is even down here, surely you would have run afoul of him, with all this work the dwarves have been doing)
But the only concern you have right at this moment is the information you've just heard.
"What?! You're leaving?!" you exclaim.
"Figured I should let you know. Despite our differences at times, I respect you enough to not just disappear." Zalmora says.
"Hold on you're going to have to re-explain this again. This is just out of nowhere." You say and take a seat.
"It really isn't. Grahk and I have been seeing each other for quite some time since he got here for this project."
"Yes, I've seen you two speaking with one another every so often. Sometimes it looked a little more than that, but I didn't take you for the running off and getting married sort!"
"What can I say? Grahk made a very good offer."
"Given what comes out of his mouth half the time, he doesn't even like humans."
"Well he likes me and I'm very fond of him. Also, I've realized that this life... well it isn't the one I want any more." Zal says waving her arms in the air and making motions about her surroundings.
"So... what? You're going to go pop out a bunch of bearded babies and be a nice little housewife in some dark underground cavern?"
"I'm already practically living in an underground cavern now! And dwarves and humans can't reproduce with each other... well as far as I know. Besides, he's already got a couple of children from his deceased wife, so that isn't going to be an issue anyway."
"But what are you going to DO with yourself? I mean I'm guessing you're going to go back to the Cloudpeake Mountains. Dwarves aren't known for being all that accepting of outsiders at the best of times. You're not likely to have any friends."
"Yeah, well it isn't like I really have any here either."
You're a little taken aback.
"Wha... ? What? What about me and Vaughn? What about all the Talons that respect your abilities?" you say.
"Those are subordinates, not my friends. You're my boss, not my friend. And as for Vaughn... well okay, you're right about him, but he's hardly enough to keep me around here waiting for the inevitable." Zalmora responds.
"And what's that exactly?"
"This whole place is going to raided and all of you are either going to get pinched or killed. Best case scenario, you escape with nothing."
"That's some severe lack of confidence in your soon to be dwarf husband's abilities. Besides, you were originally enthusiastic about this whole project and the potential."
"I know I was at first, but the original goal has changed now hasn't it? Look, maybe everything won't be all doom and gloom and maybe everything does go smoothly, but the fact that I realize is that I'm getting old and I'm enjoying this type of life less and less. I soon learned that on the last heist we did and I nearly got my head blown off by the militia."
"You're hardly old Zal, I mean you're acting like you're ready for the grave."
"If I keep on this way, I soon will be. Look, I've been giving this a lot of thought for quite some time."
"So again, I ask what are you going to do with your time? I mean I really can't envision you as some housewife. You're going to get bored and dissatisfied."
"And how do YOU know that? Maybe I'll find it a great relief not worrying about which shop to rob or whether or not if I'm going to get arrested or killed. And who says I'm not going to find something to do while I'm up there? Grahk owns his own business you know. I'm sure I can help with that in some way."
A moment of silence comes over you and you cease looking at Zalmora. You can't believe you might be losing your best "employee."
It would appear you took it for granted that she'd always be around. Though you did always consider the possibility that she might die in the service of the Crimson Talons just like anyone, but something about this is much different and you don't like this form of parting of the ways. At least not without trying to do something about it.
"What would it take for you to stay?" you ask.
"Nothing. I told you, I've made up my mind about this." Zal says.
"Bullshit. You wouldn't have told me at all, if you didn't want me to make the attempt to at least come up with an offer."
"... I... I don't know where you got that idea from, but I already told you that I came to you about this because I respected you enough to not sneak off in the middle of the night." Zalmora sputters.
"And I'm not buying it. I don't buy that you're ready to settle down and live a boring ordinary life. I mean I've SEEN you get the thrill even during that last heist where you almost got your head blown off. I mean maybe the safe life does have its advantages, and if you were marrying a Delantium prince who was going to shower you with jewels and a royal palace I'd say congrats and just let you go without a fight. Hell, if you said that you LOVED this dwarf I wouldn't stand in the way, but you didn't say that. You just claimed fondness. You're not moving up, you're just trading one life of compromise for another."
"You seem to be very interested in my well being... are you actually jealous? Is this some crush you've been harboring because if it is, I'm going to tell you right now that... "
"No! It's nothing like that. While you don't consider me your friend, I consider you mine, because quite frankly I don't have any either and it's hard enough to have someone trustworthy and reliable in this business as it is. You were the one who gave me all the most important advice that resulted in rebuilding the Crimson Talons to be a viable organization again. And yeah, maybe I didn't listen to all of it, but I do acknowledge that I wouldn't have gotten this far without you and I can't see me getting too much further without you by my side either. I need you."
Now Zalmora is speechless and looks away. You stare at her, but she makes sure to not look in your direction. You know she must be trying to hide obvious signs of being upset.
"Are you alright?" you ask.
"I... I... yes... I'm fine." Zal says and then turns around and quickly wipes one of her eyes.
Zalmora composes herself a bit and then speaks.
"Very well. I do have one request if I'm going to consider staying. We have to stop selling Yellow Devil." Zal says.
"What? But that's what kept us afloat! If we hadn't been selling it, we wouldn't have been able to afford the new headquarters!" you reply.
"Yes, and now that project is over with. We can get by without dealing it. Yellow Devil is going to cause us nothing but trouble in the future. I'm already seeing that, don't you?"
"Well I'll admit, its got its share of problems, but it's the biggest money maker and a lot of the Talons aren't going to be happy about no longer selling it. Specifically Camid."
"Look, this isn't a negotiation. This is my stipulation. I'll leave you to deal with the repercussions as you see fit. Grahk is leaving in a week. You've got three days to tell me your decision, because if you value my friendship as much as you claim and you do decide to stop selling, then I'm going to need the rest of the week to deal with Grahk before he leaves, because I'll be breaking not just his heart but an agreement and you know how serious dwarves are about those."
> let Zalmora go
This is the business you've chosen and sometimes that business takes priority over friendship. You appreciate Zalmora and all, but you're not going to just give up your best moneymaker that is not only going to result in a loss, but also cause discord within the organization.
Not to mention, you are sort of wondering what kind of postion you'll be putting Zal in, if she has to break up with a dwarf. They aren't fond of broken promises after all. He could not only make trouble for her, but you as well.
The cons are outweighing the pros.
"You know what, I'm being a selfish asshole. I want you here for my own purposes and I'm trying to talk you out of having a happy life. That's not what a real friend does, and who the hell am I to question your feelings for the dwarf? Not like I'm an expert on relationships. So I think you should go and leave this life behind. You deserve good things Zal." You say.
Zal looks at you in silence for a moment.
"Fuck you." She says and starts to leave, which causes you to immediately try to stop her.
"What?! What did I say? I just wished you well!" you exclaim.
"Yeah, and did you really think I was going to fall for that shit right after your initial speech? I'm not a fucking idiot, thought you knew that by now. You were right about one thing though; you are being a selfish asshole. I ask you for one fucking thing. ONE. And one that will be beneficial in the long run, but do you give it up? No. Obviously you don't give a fuck like you claim and then you tried that totally transparent it's not you it's me shit. Yeah, I'm done. Have a nice life running this place without me boss man." Zal says and pushes you out of the way.
You briefly think about trying to stop her again, but you think that's going to result in real violence. You sort of fucked up. You laid it on a bit too heavy, and you probably should have just been straight with her. At least the goodbye wouldn't have been as bad.
Well there's nothing for it now. You'll just have to move on.
Year 28
The militia's increased activities have put a serious dent in your non-drug related endeavors. People would rather not get caught up in the middle of a war between a violent criminal organization and a violent government organization so the gambling games have dwindled to near nobody and that includes the bum fights too and to be honest most of your bum fighters are Yellow Devil addicts now.
Realizing that now Yellow Devil is the only major money maker, you made your gambling games location into the new Yellow Devil lab since nobody is going to be using it for it's intended purpose anymore. Your main lab is also be better protected and hidden in this way as well.
Of course recently the name "Yellow Devil" has come into question...
"Yellow Angel?" you ask.
"Yes! I've been thinking, we've already been changing basic YD so much that it's not really the same product anymore. It might as well have a new name. Also it sounds a lot nicer don't you think? I mean what could be better than one of those friendly angels that the Joachim priests talk about? An angel that takes you and flies you up higher than you've ever been. Makes it sound a lot more enticing than a devil dragging you down to hell or melting you." Camid says excitedly.
You have to admit, it's one of the better ideas he's had.
"Hmm, yeah. Actually I've been wondering if we should start expanding and I'm not talking about just here. I'm talking to other places like Hessla, Holgard or even the Delantium Kingdom. I might send you Vaughn to go get another Crimson Talon chapter started." You say.
"Me? I dunno boss. I mean I suppose Hessla would be okay, but Holgard and the Delantium Kingdom? Isn't that Ebony Claw territory?" Vaughn remarks.
"What if it is? The kingdom is a big fucking place. They don't get to have all of it and who knows what's going on in Holgard and who's in charge there. The place keeps having rebellions and revolutions. Seems like the place is up for grabs for anyone."
"If you say so boss. I feel I should also inform you that the militia has been stepping up patrols in the sewers and starting to go into areas they previously were leaving alone."
"Yeah, we're going to be directly dealing with that. I want us to start trapping the patrol locations first. No direct attacks yet, but those might be coming soon."
"By the gods, we're actually taking on the militia?" Vaughn asks.
"We are, because that's the only way we're going to get them off our backs at this point. We need to make it so bad for them that the costs are going to outweigh the benefits and they'll be better off going back to busting meltbrains than trying to wipe us out."
"But taking on the militia is surely going to require all the resources we have. I mean if you send me and a few others to open up another Crimson Talon chapter elsewhere, won't you be risking getting overwhelmed by the militia?"
"Well that is certainly a risk, but if you're successful where I send you, that's extra revenue and support in the long run which will help in fighting off those militia bastards."
Vaughn looks a little unconvinced, but like the loyal member he's always been, he just agrees with you. He doesn't really have a choice anyway.
Your choice is determining where to send him. The Delantium Kingdom might be a bit far for right now. You figure Hessla or Holgard will be good enough. You actually even think about Teckleville, though you aren't sure if a small town like that would be that ideal.
Also, despite the fact you got run out of there, you still consider it home and you're a little hesitant to start flooding it with Yellow Angel and recruiting from there. So you immediately dismiss the idea.
> expand to Hessla
Vaughn is going to be more comfortable going to Hessla and it's closer so that's probably the best place to expand.
After supplying Vaughn with a good portion of Yellow Angel, you send him and a couple outright thugs and one of Camid's "apprentices" on their way to Hessla. You tell him you want someone to send you a report on the situation by the end of the month.
In the meantime you have everyone available to start trapping portions of the sewers and continue business as usual.
One month later
You finally get a report from Vaughn and he tells you that things aren't going as well as hoped.
Hessla apparently isn't quite as lawless as imagined It actually does have it's own security called the Headsmen. They're fairly vigilant and they report directly to governor Tolen who has complete control over everything that goes on in the town.
What this all means is selling your Yellow Angel there is perfectly fine, in fact it's even getting popular, but Tolen is taking fifty percent of the profits!
There isn't much Vaughn can do though, for now he says you can't expect much profit funneling in from Hessla at this time though he's looking for potential opportunities. You don't hold out much hope though given that this is Vaughn and has never excelled in that field.
On the Klyton front things aren't much better. The militia has suffered some set backs, but it's clear they aren't going to give up. Camid has made steps to set up smaller labs not just in the sewers, but even topside in the more run down areas of Klyton. The best way to keep them off balance is to not let them focus too much attention on any one location.
You think your next investment is going to be in more gunpowder weapons.
Year 29
"So what does Vaughn say?" Camid asks.
"He says that he's finally worked out a better deal with Governor Tolen, but it's going to require me to be there to hammer out the details." You say after reading the message scroll.
"Oh. So when are you going?"
"Not sure. As soon as possible given how important this is, but I almost hate to leave since I'll be concerned about everything that's going on here without me."
"Don't worry about it boss! I can look after things while you're gone."
"Hmmm, I'm sure."
While Camid might be genuinely trying to be helpful, ever since the complete transfer to selling Yellow Angel, he's been getting puffed up with his own relative importance. A guy like him and ambition are a dangerous combo.
He already seems eager for you to leave, is he planning something?
Still, this is a pretty important meeting and honestly things are probably never going to completely be calm in Klyton. You're just going to have to have a measure of confidence in Camid that he'll be able to handle shit and isn't smart enough to plot anything meaningful against you.
"Alright Camid, you're up, but we're going to go over so fucking ground rules of how I expect shit to be run around here in my absence." You reply.
You spend a good portion of the day going over plans, routines and what to do in certain events. He's up to speed on most of the stuff, and is at least making the effort to seem completely compliant to your orders.
With some slight apprehension, you pack some of your stuff and leave for Hessla the next day. You wish you could take a carriage to get there quicker, but given the situation with the militia; you'd rather not risk being seen in public around Klyton at all.
Your journey to Hessla doesn't take too long however and it's relatively uneventful. Vaughn told you in the message to meet him at the Sensual Siren tavern and he'd be there every day until you showed up.
As you're asking for directions and walking about the town, you see that Hessla is indeed much different than you imagined. It's more orderly and many times you see groups of the infamous Headsmen that Governor Tolen employs to keep the peace.
Eventually you reach the Sensual Siren and after looking about the dark tavern, a familiar voice calls over to you.
"Hey Boss! Over here!" Vaughn shouts and waves you over.
It's been a year since you've seen him, but Vaughn look a lot different. He's shaved his facial hair in a fancier style and is dressed more... "piratey." You also notice several Headsmen in the tavern who are watching everything going on in the place.
"Well looks like you've gone native." You say sitting down.
"Oh. Yeah all this. I figured I should look more the part around here. It doesn't hurt." Vaughn remarks.
"Hey, I don't care. Dress how you like. So are we going to go see Tolen now? I'm a little anxious to get this meeting over with because I'd rather not have Camid running things for too long while I'm gone."
"Yeah, I understand. How is everything in Klyton anyway?"
"Same old shit. Trying to stay one step ahead of the militia and still keep everything running."
"Well I think this new deal I've struck with the governor will put an end to some of that hassle."
"Sounds good, so let's go see the man."
"Okay, um these gentlemen will be accompanying us. The governor's sort of a stickler about security." Vaughn says pointing to the Headsmen in the tavern.
You look around and see they're starting gather near you.
"Oh, yeah I figured the governor would have a shit load of his men around at all times. Whatever makes him feel safe I guess, let's get going." You say.
You, Vaughn and a small group of Headsmen all leave the tavern. As you head towards the mansion where the governor, Vaughn talks about how well the Crimson Talon chapter here is doing and that there is possibility of extending to a city called Jicol which lies across the sea. He says the place sounds like it's open territory.
While you're listening to Vaughn, you start to notice that you're taking a lot of turns that don't seem necessary to get to the mansion, which appeared to be a relatively straightforward walk from what you could tell. You look around and you start to feel uneasy as the streets start to get narrow.
No sooner have you start to put your hand by your weapon when Vaughn suddenly shoves you aside and runs forward. It isn't enough to knock you down, but it's enough to catch you off balance and the Headsmen have taken advantage by nabbing you.
You struggle to get free, but the Headsmen have firmly got you restrained. Followed by a few punches and kicks, along with taking away all your weapons and you have the distinct impression that you were paranoid about the wrong person betraying you.
You look up and see Vaughn now standing before you with a dagger in hand. He doesn't look happy, but he isn't exactly upset about this either.
"Gotta say, didn't see this coming from you. Guess more than just your style changed." You say.
"Stand him up." Vaughn remarks which causes the Headsmen to do just that.
"Better deal huh Vaughn? Was this the governor's idea, or yours? Probably the governor. You never would have had the balls to think of doing this without help." You say.
"Shut up." Vaughn says and approaches you with the dagger.
"What for? I'm going to shut up forever soon. I will say this, at least you're doing this yourself and looking me in the eye."
When you say this, Vaughn drops his guard and looks away a bit.
"Heh, I was right, this wasn't your idea. Fucking pathetic." You say.
Vaughn then musters up his resolve and shoved the dagger into your stomach. He then pulls it out and stabs you several more times. You never cry out once and you never stop looking at him the whole time despite the fact he tries to advert his gaze downward most of the time. He never says anything else.
Eventually several of your vital organs have been punctured enough and your blood is leaking out of several holes. The Headsmen that were restraining you drop your body and leave it for the street cleaners to dispose of properly. |
This is the business you've chosen and sometimes that business takes priority over friendship. You appreciate Zalmora and all, but you're not going to just give up your best moneymaker that is not only going to result in a loss, but also cause discord within the organization.
Not to mention, you are sort of wondering what kind of postion you'll be putting Zal in, if she has to break up with a dwarf. They aren't fond of broken promises after all. He could not only make trouble for her, but you as well.
The cons are outweighing the pros.
"You know what, I'm being a selfish asshole. I want you here for my own purposes and I'm trying to talk you out of having a happy life. That's not what a real friend does, and who the hell am I to question your feelings for the dwarf? Not like I'm an expert on relationships. So I think you should go and leave this life behind. You deserve good things Zal." You say.
Zal looks at you in silence for a moment.
"Fuck you." She says and starts to leave, which causes you to immediately try to stop her.
"What?! What did I say? I just wished you well!" you exclaim.
"Yeah, and did you really think I was going to fall for that shit right after your initial speech? I'm not a fucking idiot, thought you knew that by now. You were right about one thing though; you are being a selfish asshole. I ask you for one fucking thing. ONE. And one that will be beneficial in the long run, but do you give it up? No. Obviously you don't give a fuck like you claim and then you tried that totally transparent it's not you it's me shit. Yeah, I'm done. Have a nice life running this place without me boss man." Zal says and pushes you out of the way.
You briefly think about trying to stop her again, but you think that's going to result in real violence. You sort of fucked up. You laid it on a bit too heavy, and you probably should have just been straight with her. At least the goodbye wouldn't have been as bad.
Well there's nothing for it now. You'll just have to move on.
Year 28
The militia's increased activities have put a serious dent in your non-drug related endeavors. People would rather not get caught up in the middle of a war between a violent criminal organization and a violent government organization so the gambling games have dwindled to near nobody and that includes the bum fights too and to be honest most of your bum fighters are Yellow Devil addicts now.
Realizing that now Yellow Devil is the only major money maker, you made your gambling games location into the new Yellow Devil lab since nobody is going to be using it for it's intended purpose anymore. Your main lab is also be better protected and hidden in this way as well.
Of course recently the name "Yellow Devil" has come into question...
"Yellow Angel?" you ask.
"Yes! I've been thinking, we've already been changing basic YD so much that it's not really the same product anymore. It might as well have a new name. Also it sounds a lot nicer don't you think? I mean what could be better than one of those friendly angels that the Joachim priests talk about? An angel that takes you and flies you up higher than you've ever been. Makes it sound a lot more enticing than a devil dragging you down to hell or melting you." Camid says excitedly.
You have to admit, it's one of the better ideas he's had.
"Hmm, yeah. Actually I've been wondering if we should start expanding and I'm not talking about just here. I'm talking to other places like Hessla, Holgard or even the Delantium Kingdom. I might send you Vaughn to go get another Crimson Talon chapter started." You say.
"Me? I dunno boss. I mean I suppose Hessla would be okay, but Holgard and the Delantium Kingdom? Isn't that Ebony Claw territory?" Vaughn remarks.
"What if it is? The kingdom is a big fucking place. They don't get to have all of it and who knows what's going on in Holgard and who's in charge there. The place keeps having rebellions and revolutions. Seems like the place is up for grabs for anyone."
"If you say so boss. I feel I should also inform you that the militia has been stepping up patrols in the sewers and starting to go into areas they previously were leaving alone."
"Yeah, we're going to be directly dealing with that. I want us to start trapping the patrol locations first. No direct attacks yet, but those might be coming soon."
"By the gods, we're actually taking on the militia?" Vaughn asks.
"We are, because that's the only way we're going to get them off our backs at this point. We need to make it so bad for them that the costs are going to outweigh the benefits and they'll be better off going back to busting meltbrains than trying to wipe us out."
"But taking on the militia is surely going to require all the resources we have. I mean if you send me and a few others to open up another Crimson Talon chapter elsewhere, won't you be risking getting overwhelmed by the militia?"
"Well that is certainly a risk, but if you're successful where I send you, that's extra revenue and support in the long run which will help in fighting off those militia bastards."
Vaughn looks a little unconvinced, but like the loyal member he's always been, he just agrees with you. He doesn't really have a choice anyway.
Your choice is determining where to send him. The Delantium Kingdom might be a bit far for right now. You figure Hessla or Holgard will be good enough. You actually even think about Teckleville, though you aren't sure if a small town like that would be that ideal.
Also, despite the fact you got run out of there, you still consider it home and you're a little hesitant to start flooding it with Yellow Angel and recruiting from there. So you immediately dismiss the idea.
> expand to Holgard
If anything you've learned here in Klyton, it's that it isn't so much the law and order that makes being a criminal suck, it's when everything is legalized that makes it suck.
Despite the rebellion problems in Holgard, you know there is always some sort of iron fisted tyrant in charge that puts restrictions on shit. You'll probably get a better price for Yellow Angel there rather than Hessla where every substance is acceptable and most likely cheap.
While the Ebony Claw is a concern, you can't quake in fear of them. In fact other than the story Tom told you a long time ago, they have never been a factor in Klyton. Maybe it's time to see if they live up to their reputation.
After supplying Vaughn with a good portion of Yellow Angel, you send him and a couple outright thugs and one of Camid's "apprentices" on their way to Holgard. You tell him you want someone to send you a report on the situation by the end of the month.
In the meantime you have everyone available to start trapping portions of the sewers and continue business as usual.
One month later
"Hey boss, news from Vaughn. One of our boys is here." Dorian tells you.
"Finally. I hope he's got good news. Send him in." you say.
"Um, okay, but I should add, he doesn't look so good. He says there's some problems"
"Wonderful. Well he can tell me himself, just send him in already."
As you wait for the messenger. You just ponder what the hell the problems could be. You're guessing maybe with the ECS. If Vaughn is asking for more help, your answer is going to be you can't spare it. You're having a hard enough time with the militia who haven't let up despite you making things difficult for them.
When the messenger comes in, he's carrying a box held closely to his chest. You notice he's not only missing an eye, but he's also missing a hand. You don't remember this one's name, but this was one of the bigger men you sent with Vaughn.
This really doesn't look good.
"Boss... the Ebony Claws... we got our asses kicked! We're undone! Everything is lost!" the big man shouts.
"Calm yourself. What the fuck is going on?"
"This! This is going on!" the man shouts and tosses the box on your desk.
You already got a bad feeling about what's in the box, but you open it anyway. It's only half surprising that you find Vaughn's bloody head in it. The ECS also went out of its way to carve its symbol into his forehead.
"Shit!" you shout angrily.
"Boss... " the big man starts to say.
"Besides you is there anyone left?"
"No! They only left me live to... to... "
"Yeah, I know. Send the message. Fuck. I gotta deal with the militia here, but I can't just let those EC fucks get away with this shit. Argh. Gotta think... "
You start pacing a bit as you think, but the big man still lingers around
"Boss, we gotta get out of here!" he exclaims.
"What the hell are you on about?" you ask.
"The Ebony Claws! They're coming!"
"Wait, you're saying the Syndicate is coming here?"
"Yes! We gotta go!"
"While I get that you've probably suffered a bit of torture, but you need to find your strength or get the fuck out of my face. If the Claws are coming here, then I'm going to repay every one of the men they killed with ten of theirs. Them coming here is just going to make it easier. Let them fucking come! I'm going to be prepared!"
"No! You don't understand! They're coming RIGHT NOW! We... we... told them everything! They know all about the hidden exit tunnel to this place! They only just released me a few moments ago to distract you."
Your expression drops to one of anger to one of unease, but it doesn't stop you from pulling out your pistol and shooting the pathetic snitch that just sold you out.
"EVERYONE GET READY, WE'RE UNDER ATTACK!" you shout and walk past the snitch's body.
Unfortunately it's already too late. The Ebony Claw Syndicate has already infiltrated the escape tunnel and its members are already inside doing battle with your people, which aren't many in comparison. The Syndicate apparently decided not to fuck around when considering you a potential threat. It might be flattering if your life wasn't in grave danger.
After dispatching a couple of the ebony claws, your goal is to leave through the "front door" and hopefully escape to the Yellow Angel lab where you can regroup with Camid, assuming that place hasn't been invaded as well.
You get to the front door as the last of your Talons struggle against the Claws. As soon as you do, you get a bolt in your forehead. It all happens so fast, you don't think you even notice the one who shot you even though they had to be directly in front of you at the time.
You just stand there, blink and then fall backwards to the floor as your followers die screaming around you. |
Year 28
Life is good.
Business is going well now thanks to your better locations. More people seem to prefer gambling in an area that smells tolerable for one thing. Madeline also had the goblins build a hidden entrance way topside so folks can now enter directly and not have to muck about through the sewers.
Your new headquarters is also much better than the one you had in the sewers
The only business you left in the sewers was the Yellow Devil Den. Seemed fairly pointless to befoul your new locations with it and it's users. Better it should stay in the sewers.
Though Madeline actually has told you she has an idea to make a special area for that too since she can easily get the goblin crew to help again. She says she plans to help you out a lot more when she isn't in school any longer. And graduation for her is coming soon, today in fact.
You never thought you'd ever be visiting where your father went to learn to be a doctor, but you aren't going to miss Madeline accepting her diploma. You genuinely love her as your relationship has grown. You were a little concerned at first, but you found that while it isn't perfect, you feel pretty comfortable with her. You even have vivid dreams about her. Almost so real that you aren't even parted when you sleep. You've told her all about your life in Teckleville, and your family. She hopes one day that maybe she can meet them, especially your sister. (You still wonder about all of them from time to time)
While Madeline has talked about her past, she still hasn't mentioned too much about her family. Not even about her father who you know she isn't fond of, but you don't know why exactly. She just mentions she has no contact with her father other than him paying for her education. It's never a topic she wishes to discuss; she just wants to focus on the future with you, which is fine as far as you're concerned.
"So how do I look?" you ask.
"Well, you wouldn't be my type, but you do look dapper in that suit." Vaughn says.
"I'm crushed. But good, I don't want to look too out of place at Madeline's graduation."
"They grow up so fast huh?" Vaughn snorts.
"Okay, don't even go there with the dad thing. I'm not even that much older than her. I trust you can look after things here for awhile?"
"Sure boss, no problem."
You leave Vaughn and head to the surface. You're not going to walk all the damn way to the university though, so you pay for a horse and buggy to take you there. As you ride, you realize you haven't really travelled around the city as much since you took control of the Crimson Talons. You've mostly been stuck underground most of the time.
When you arrive at the university you don't have too difficult of a time finding where the ceremony is taking place. The university is very clean and orderly, you briefly imagine your father walking around this place back when he was going here.
Eventually you get to a big open field area with several seats and a stage set up. Others are already seated so you find yourself a chair in the back.
While nobody is staring at you, you still feel a little out of place. You just never thought you'd be at a place of higher learning and attending someone's graduation ceremony.
As you wait for things to get started, someone sits next to you, when you turn to see who it is, you can't believe who it is.
"Glad to see you made it to my daughter's graduation." Mr. Reynolds says with a smile.
"... you... YOU?! You're her father?!" you say.
"Yes, and shhh. Don't make a scene. I'm not here to cause problems."
"I can't believe this."
"I guess she didn't tell you about me. She never does. (Sigh) Even after all I've done for her. Though I suppose if she had talked about me, you would have thought twice about being with her and that would have been a shame... because I know how much you make her happy and she's going to need that bit of happiness to hang on to where she's going."
"What? Where's she going?"
Mr. Reynolds chuckles a bit.
"She's going back home of course. Her time here is done, well for now it is anyway." Mr. Reynolds says.
"What do you mean? Isn't this city her home?"
"Klyton is just her current place residence, but her real home is... well it's very different. You might even say it's a different realm altogether."
The way Mr. Reynolds smiles at this point makes you completely tense up. You don't like whatever he's about to say.
"She's not human m'boy. Well... not entirely human anyway. She's a bit of a late bloomer though with her powers, but I love her all the same. Let me ask you something though, has she been appearing in your dreams recently?"
"... yes." You answer hesitantly.
"Yeah, her mother will probably be coming for her soon."
"Her mother? I thought her mother was dead."
"Oh no. I just told her that her mother died in childbirth. Her mother is really a full-blooded succubus. They aren't known to be maternal until their daughters have already grown up and shown that they're worthy of their attention. Displayed powers and such. They never much bother with their male children at all though. I should know."
You have no words.
"Of course most of them just eat their off spring as soon as they give birth to them, but I told that bitch, no daughter of mine was going to be a snack. I'll admit, I wasn't the best father probably, but I think between me or being breakfast, well I think I'll be vindicated once Madeline finds out the truth about herself." Mr. Reynolds says.
"You don't think she'll be even more pissed at you for NOT telling her and it just suddenly being sprung on her like this?" you blurt out.
"... hmmm... y'know I never considered that. Oh well. It isn't like she's my only child. My boy Henry starting to show a lot of promise. Can't wait for him to take over the business someday."
You almost feel like standing up and shouting Klyton has been infiltrated by demon spawn at this point. However, you've got bigger concerns.
"Does Madeline have to return? I mean can't she resist?" you ask.
"There's no debate m'boy. She's going to go. I mean there probably will be an urge to resist at first, but it doesn't take long before that infernal blood pulls them in and they return to fully embrace their demon powers "
"Always?"
"Well, a few sadly succeed. But I promised her mother long ago that if Madeline ever started to bloom that I would do everything possible to help that process along."
"But she's nice! And good!" you say.
"Nice? Good? Ha ha ha ha! That's a cute. She's with you, how good can she really be? Plus I know how she killed her old boyfriend with her little goblin influencing powers. Shit, that's proof right there that's she's going to make a fine succubus. She's already killing boyfriends. Speaking of which, you m'boy have to go."
"What?"
"You. You have to go. I'm not having my daughter not achieve her rightful destiny by holding on to her misguided love for you. Now, you can stay to see her graduate, but then you need to leave. And I don't mean just here. You need to leave the city and go some place far away. If you're dreaming about her, that means she's already starting to imprint on you. However, she's probably not strong enough to find you if you the city. By then her mother and maybe even I will have convinced her to embrace her powers."
You start to say something, but Mr. Reynolds stops you and also grabs your wrist tightly. So tight that it almost feels like he's going to crush your bones.
"YOU are NOT going to stop this son. Take solace in the fact that you NEVER had a choice." Mr. Reynolds says in a low firm voice.
Mr. Reynolds is giving off an aura that puts you completely on the edge terror. This isn't just a normal threat. You're seeing something new. Something less human, less mortal even. A faint scent also hits your nose, it's brimstone.
Still despite all this, you do have real feelings for Madeline. Maybe it's because you left Annah when she was in trouble that you don't want to do the same thing to Madeline. At the very least, you want to be able to give HER the choice.
"Mr. Reynolds... I love your daughter. I can't just take off and leave without at least presenting my side to her." You say, mustering all your courage, which causes a smile from Mr. Reynolds.
"Fair enough, I can respect that, but let me ask you this... are you REALLY willing to go through hell for her son? Now I want you to think VERY carefully before answering. Because IF you are willing to go all in on proving how much you actually do love my daughter, then I need that answer now."
> No
You realize what Mr. Reynolds is trying to do. He's trying to talk you into some "contract."
With some effort you manage to pull your hand free of Mr. Reynold's grip.
"No." you say causing a bit of a frown from Mr. Reynolds.
"Hmm, not as stupid as you appear. I can respect that too. But if your answer is no then you will be leaving after all and I don't think I need to explain why. Madeline's mother isn't as nice as I am."
This is a shitty situation. You don't want to leave Madeline, but you also don't want to be on the wrong end of a bunch of violent demons. You aren't equipped to handle it even with the resources you have at your disposal and you question if any of them would be of any real help if it came down to it anyway. (Besides Vaughn maybe)
To top everything off, you now have to abandon what you got going on here!
You wish you had listened to Zalmora.
You don't say any more and just get up to leave. As you're doing this, you make one last glance back at the stage and there you see Madeline accepting her diploma with a big smile. She has no idea what is in store for her.
You manage to catch a buggy back to the slums of Klyton and from there you make your way back to headquarters.
The first thing you do is start opening your safes and hauling out the most precious valuables along with a good stack of gold coins.
"Hey boss, I saw you come back. What's going on?" Vaughn suddenly asks walking in you.
"Vaughn, this is your lucky day. You're inheriting everything and it required absolutely no effort on your part other than being more competent than every other Crimson Talon here." You reply.
"What?"
"As of right now Vaughn, you're head of the Crimson Talons. Good luck."
"I am? Wait. Where are you going?"
"Me? I have no idea, but I'm going far away. I won't be coming back either."
"Why? Is the militia on your ass? Should I be worried?"
"Hah. The militia. If only it was that simple. No, it's a little more complicated than that, but no you shouldn't be worried. However, if Madeline comes by tell her... tell her that I didn't have a choice and to move on. Okay?"
"Um, okay. So this is goodbye then... (sigh) I have to say it's starting to get pretty lonely here what with all of the old gang gone."
"Yeah well, I'm sure you'll get by. Bye Vaughn."
Without any more fanfare you leave the Crimson Talon headquarters wondering where to go.
Holgard comes to mind, but there's always some sort of rebellion or power struggle going on there. You'd rather not have to deal with being in the middle of that mess. The Delantium Kingdom is at war with some other nation, so you'd rather avoid the possibility of suddenly getting press ganged or conscripted into military service.
The only other place that comes to mind is Hessla which for one thing is a whole lot closer, but it also still has a reputation of being a haven for thieves, pirates, and other criminal types. At least it's something you'd be familiar with.
Since you need to put as much distance between you and Klyton, you catch a carriage ride out to the infamous town. The trip to Hessla is surprisingly uneventful.
You half figured you'd at least run into a few idiots trying to rob you on the road, but happily you don't encounter any problems other than the overly talkative priest of Joachim who is traveling with you thinking that he's going to bring the light of Joachim to Hessla all by himself.
When you finally get to Hessla, its actually a little nicer looking than you thought it was going to look. You expected it to be filled with run down homes with unsavory types located on every corner. If anything, the town has locations that are fancier looking than some of the better parts of Klyton.
After spending a few days in Hessla you also learn that this place really isn't as disorderly as it's reputation would imply. Granted it's far from being as repressive as Klyton, but there actually is a "force" that makes sure it isn't a free for all. The Hessla Headsmen report directly to the governor who apparently is an ex-pirate that controls everything in town.
If anything the crime is less than one might think mainly because most are pirates and pillaging other places rather than here. You are surprisingly finding the place a bit easy on the pick pocket and theft front, of course a lot of folks are either half drunk or plain drunk most of the time. Also most folks don't seem to own that many personal belongings. You guess with most making their living at sea, they keep essentials on their ships, spend it all on booze and whores or otherwise live a very basic life, so despite you finding the town a bit easy pickings, you aren't getting rich doing it. Shops however are very well protected by the Headsmen since you guess Governor Tolen has a slice of all the businesses here.
Fights are pretty common, though they aren't necessarily always to the death like you'd expect. Just a lot of disagreement and drinking make for a rowdy town. So far you've avoided pissing anyone off and kept a low profile. At first you aren't sure if you're actually going to stay here for long or not, but on your fifth night you have another dream of Madeline.
In the dream she's very sad and wandering the streets of Klyton calling out and looking for you. You don't know if that's what she's actually doing in real life or you're just dreaming up the scenario, but needless to say you don't sleep very well.
The next morning you decide you need to get even further away. Like completely off the mainland. The problem is you have no idea what really lies across the water. You know pirates are raiding something because you've heard the stories. Of course the problem with that is you're not looking for some place to just stop and plunder. You're looking for a place of relative civilization of where you can get your bearings before deciding what to do with the rest of your life as well as getting away from your demon spawn girlfriend.
You ask around and after exchanging a bit of coin, a Hessla merchant ship (They do exist contrary to popular belief) agrees to take you to Jicol. Apparently it's a city state on a fairly large island to the west. It's about the only place that Hessla pirates never fuck with due to the well-trained navy and the fact that Jicol has made it quite clear that any attack on their ships or city will result in total war with Hessla and it isn't one the pirate town would win.
You spend about a week getting to this new city. The third night aboard the ship, you have faint glimpses of Madeline's face in your dreams. At first you're concerned that you're never going to get far enough, but you have no more dreams for the rest of the trip.
By the time you get settled your first night in Jicol, your dreams are back to normal and you hope they stay that way.
Brand new city. Brand new life. You've done it before, now you'll have to see if you can do it again.
> time passes...
Year 30
"Okay your qweepa lost. Pay up." You say.
"Bah, I still think you drug him with Yellow Devil." Gil says handing over the coin.
"Pfft, I've seen what that shit does to people. No way I'd give it to Swifty here." You say picking up your not so small rodent creature and petting him a couple times.
"How come you don't enter him in the fights? He's big enough and his teeth are larger than the average qweepa." Trent asks.
"Because I'd rather he die of old age than him risk getting ripped to shreds. Besides I'm doing just fine racing him. Anyway, that's it for me tonight, see you lot next week. Maybe we should play cards or dice next time, it'll be a fairer fight."
"Ha ha. Fuck you. Next week." Gil says waving bye to you.
You leave the qweepa "race track" with your pet and head home.
As you're walking home you notice that the new owner of Saltwater Supplies are still routinely closing up shop at the same time to go make their prayers to Yag. You think next time you come this way; you're going to have to pay the store a little visit. While they've gone to prayer of course.
Life hasn't been bad here in Jicol. You still participate in the occasional breaking and entering every now and then, but nowadays you mostly make a living racing your qweepa. Occasionally dice and cards too, but Swifty is a sure thing. Never thought you'd be a rodent racer, but here you are.
Still, sometimes you wonder about your family. How your mother and father are doing and if their lives in Teckleville are better, worse or the same after events that occurred so long ago.
You also wonder about your sister and if she's still travelling or settled down. Probably not. She was always more of a wanderer at heart. Whatever she's doing you hope she's doing well.
You get to your humble abode and suddenly Swifty jumps off your shoulder and scurries away into a nearby crack in a wall.
"Swifty! Come here! Hey!" you shout and go to the crack, but he's gone. You aren't too worried since he's run off like that before, but always comes back. He likes the Delantium cheese you give him too much to ever disappear for good.
Not wishing to spend all night fumbling around in the dark outside looking for a rodent, you head inside your small home.
No sooner have you shut the door when you smell the air. It's like something is on fire. At first you think it's your home, but then you realize this isn't a normal fire smell.
It's brimstone.
And then you see a pair of eyes in the darkness.
"SHIT!" you shout and go to get the door open, but you're suddenly pulled back by a clawed hand and slammed to the floor hard.
You desperately go for your flintlock, but that is smacked out of your grip by a tail that whips your hand. Your next attempt is your cutlass, but a cloven hoof puts an end to that attempt by stomping on your hand and breaking it.
You then feel a body drop on your chest and putting all the weight behind it. You cough and try to catch your breath and that's when you finally see what is attacking you.
A red skinned female demonic form complete with horns, wings, a tail and cloven hooves straddles your chest.
Madeline.
While the rest of her has changed drastically, you'd never forget her face.
"Hello, lover." She hisses.
"Madeline... didn't know you were coming... " you say struggling to breathe.
"I thought about visiting you in your dreams, but then I thought the personal touch would be much more satisfying."
"I can see how you would, but I can't say I do. Why the hell are you even here and obviously pissed at me?"
"After what you did, you have the balls to ask me that? You fucking LEFT me. Left me with my asshole father and my long lost bitch of a mother! Left me with no explanation or even support!"
"Now that's not true. I told Vaughn to tell you to... "
"Move on with my life and how you didn't have a choice. Fuck you. You DID have a choice. You could have stayed! We could have supported each other!"
"No! No we really couldn't have Madeline. Your father made it quite clear that if he didn't kill me, your mother sure as hell would have if I didn't leave. I think it's pretty obvious what the result would have been. I mean look at you, you've obviously embraced your demonic heritage within only two years and I'm NO fucking match for you."
Madeline briefly looks down at her own body.
"Yes, look at me. I'm a daughter of hell, seducer and destroyer of men, yet I still have these pathetic feelings of love for you. I can't move on like you suggested. I can't deal with this separation."
You'd probably be more scared about what's going to come next, but the pain in your body is making fear a secondary concern and honestly you knew as soon as you didn't escape that it was probably all over.
"Shit... do you really have to Madeline? I mean I know it would be difficult, but I'm willing to go back to the way things were with... " you start to say before you get a punch to your face. It feels like being hit by a piece of steel, but immediately after Madeline goes in to kiss you and even cries a bit.
"I'm... sorry... but this is the way it has to be... I loved you and you abandoned me. We can't go back to the way things were. (Sniffle) But I do know how to make things right."
Without another word, Madeline starts stripping off your clothing. You're really not in any condition to stop her, though you do try to feebly get away once. (Which results in another punch) Madeline being a succubus easily manages to get you "ready" and then positions herself on top of your dick and begins to grind against you.
There really isn't anything pleasurable about any of this, especially how hard Madeline is riding you, tightly squeezing your arms and making unnatural noises the whole time. You also feel like your dick is on fire the entire time. The only thing you can do is hope it ends quickly, which fortunately it does and you soon release.
Afterwards, Madeline then suddenly becomes "gentle" and for a brief moment lies on top of your body.
"Our baby is going to be how I remember the good times with you and I'm going to be an attentive mother no matter what." She whispers in your ear.
"Mad... " you start to utter before she puts a talon to your lips.
"Goodbye my love." She says sadly and then with a quick strike of her finger she rips your throat open and licks your blood as you bleed out. |
Year 26
"Your school girl would go a lot faster if she was a REAL engineer and didn't have to leave every once in awhile to go attend classes. And why are we building in two different locations again?" Zalmora asks.
"Because Madeline pointed out that it might be better if we didn't build everything in one place. Said it would be easier to keep the support structurally sound as well if we didn't build too big. I think it's coming along fine so far, though the ceilings are a little low. Guess goblins aren't used to building them high though." You respond.
"Considering you're spending as much money as you are for this shit, I certainly hope she's at least a good lay." Zal remarks.
"What? I'm not fucking her." You say.
"Great. So you're just wasting money for no gain whatsoever."
"We're getting our new locations! By the fucking gods, what the hell is your problem today?"
"My problem is we could have had a real professional do this and probably be done by now. This little school bitch doesn't know what the fuck is doing and we got goblins running around being the obnoxious little green shits they always are."
"Actually I haven't had any problem with any of them."
"Ugh, they're fucking annoying."
"Zal, I'm not going to argue about this anymore. Things are going just fine, you're just finding shit to nitpick about."
"Have it your way, but here's one more for the road. If you REALLY aren't fucking big tits McRed, you better have a little chat with her because I've seen how she acts when you speak with each other. Maybe you're oblivious, but the girl has a serious crush on you."
"You're talking nonsense." You snort.
"I'm serious. You don't notice how chipper she is when she speaks to you? How she makes these girly giggles over shit you say which isn't even funny half the time? How she makes every effort to be very close or even touch your arm or hand when you're around? If the girl was anymore obvious, she'd have her legs wrapped around you."
Now that you think about it, Zal isn't wrong on her observations. Madeline's personality has been a lot more positive since the first time you met her.
Though it makes you wonder...
"Okay, so say maybe she does, what I find interesting is how you've been studying our relationship and interaction. Are you jealous?" you say with a chortle.
"Hah! Typical male ego. You wish. But I'll tell you who IS jealous, Camid." Zalmora retorts.
"Camid?"
"Yeah, the repulsive guy in charge of Yellow Devil creation and distribution and stinks of Yellow Devil fumes most of the time? There are already rumors going on about you fucking schoolgirl, I can't imagine Camid is happy about that, still being her boyfriend and all. I've seen this happen before and it never ends well. So if you don't want a knife suddenly in your back, like I said, you better straighten out this misunderstanding... or at least tell a convincing lie."
"There's nothing going on with Madeline!"
"Hey, I'm not the one you have to convince. I'll leave you to it boss man, I mean we all know you're the one who runs everything here." Zal says and leaves.
You hate it when she makes sense.
While you had better things to do today, you probably should talk to both of them and do it now just to get it out of the way.
Since you're not exactly in the mood to breath in Yellow Devil fumes right now, you decide to go see Madeline first who as far as you know is overseeing work on the other location. You might as well check on that while you're at it.
After an uneventful walk in the sewers, you get to the location. So far it doesn't look much different than your future headquarters, though the rooms are bigger.
In the biggest of these rooms, you find Madeline ordering about a few goblins in their native language. It's weird how they don't mind taking her orders. When they see you, they move even quicker.
Madeline turns and sees you as well. She smiles and immediately walks quickly over to you.
"You're here! I didn't expect to see you so soon after the last time you inspected this place. I would have doubled the work time on it!" Madeline beams. You get the impression that she nearly was going to hug you, but stopped herself.
"No, that's okay. I'd rather you take a little extra time to make sure everything is secure. So is this room going to be where we hold the fighting games?" you say.
"Yes, that was my intention. I think it might need more expansion, and of course we're going to make it look better than it currently does, but it's well on its way!"
"Well I can honestly say you are doing a fine job, and best of all, it isn't costing me a lot. I gotta talk to you about something though."
"Me too! But first I have to show you this, come with me!"
"Um, okay."
Madeline walks ahead of you first, but when you aren't moving fast enough, she actually pulls your hand in an effort to get you to follow faster.
You soon enter a small partially dug out room that has a single lantern lighting it. You don't see anything out of the ordinary here.
"Madeline, what... " you start to ask, and before you know it, she's all over you.
After about a couple of minutes of slobbering over each other, Madeline finally comes up for air.
"You don't know how long I've wanted to do this... " she says and then goes in to try to kiss you again before you stop her.
"Madeline! Hold on! I... can't... WE can't do this. I think you've gotten the wrong idea!" you exclaim.
"Didn't seem like it when you had your tongue in my mouth and your hand on my ass a few moments ago." Madeline says.
"You... you caught me by surprise! I'm only human damn it! Look, you're obviously a very attractive girl and maybe you're into me because I'm being supportive in your dreams or something, but we can't do this."
"Why not?"
"Well for one thing, you're Camid's girlfriend and people are already whispering untrue rumors about us. I mean if you were just some whore, it probably wouldn't be a big deal because... well whores are a whores and everyone is supposed to be fucking them. But you're not a whore and you're in a real relationship with another Crimson Talon. Stealing someone else's girlfriend is just bad for business. It creates hard feelings and much worse."
"I don't understand. You're dealing drugs, running illegal fights, and other activities but being with someone who would rather be with you is where you draw the line?"
"Well, there's gotta be a line drawn somewhere. Otherwise this all falls apart. You know, like a support beam for the tunnels you're building."
"But you're the boss, can't you just do what you want?"
"Well it's a little more complicated than that. The key to being in charge is also trying not to be hated. And what about Camid? I thought you and he were together."
"Eh, he was okay at first, but now....well I find him... limited. I'd rather be with you. I like the way I feel when you're around encouraging me. Camid doesn't understand anything that I talk about. He just stares at my tits and wants to fuck."
"How do you know that I'm not doing the same thing?"
"Obviously you aren't, because if you did, we'd be fucking right now. My point is, I feel like I can at least converse with you about a variety of things. I mean maybe you don't understand all my technical university speak, but I know you're at least on my intellectual level."
"... thanks? I think?"
"Plus... this isn't just some stupid crush like you probably think it is. You've been so nice to me. I think... I think I'm really starting to... "
"Don't finish that sentence!" you shout.
"Well I can't help my feelings towards you! Oh I don't understand why you can't just kill Camid so we can be together!" Madeline exclaims and then hugs you tightly and trying not to cry.
And that intensified quickly.
"Madeline. (Sigh) Look. You're experiencing a phase. You don't seriously want any sort of long term relationship with someone like me. I mean if you think I'm any better than Camid, you're only thinking that because I find you useful in a capacity that doesn't involve sex. I'm NOT a nice guy. Just ask anyone. Hell, talk with Zalmora. She'll be the first one to tell you all my shortcomings." You say.
"It's not a phase though... " Madeline says with a quiver in her voice.
"Well if it isn't, you're just going to have to get over it anyway. Because WE are not happening. I'm not looking for anyone long term and I don't want it. It's not who I am. Apologies."
Madeline now starts to cry quietly.
"Now if this is just too much for you, I'll completely understand if you don't want to work on this project anymore. I can find someone else." You say.
"(Sniff) No. No... I'll continue the work. I promised to see this through. I... won't say anything to Camid either (sniff) I'll just get over it, like you (sob) said... " Madeline says before crying again.
You haven't felt nearly this bad since you left Annah back in Teckleville. Still, you feel this is for the best and hopefully Madeline can indeed "get over it" like she claims.
As you leave Madeline to her sadness, you move on to your next unpleasant task and that's speaking to Camid. You're not entirely sure how you're going to tell him though.
After another uneventful walk through the sewers you get to the Yellow Devil Den. For obvious reasons you don't come here that much, because the place stinks worse than the rest of the sewers and always has junkies hanging around, acting crazy or just slowly melting. Though the melting is a little less now that Camid's made strides in cutting Yellow Devil with less lethal ingredients and still managed to maintain it's feel good effects. Still doesn't make you want to stick around though.
Several Crimson Talons see you and let you in immediately while pushing away any junkies attempting to get in. Doesn't take you long to find Camid. He's surprised to see you. Camid and you head to his own little area where the stench of Yellow Devil fumes isn't burning your nostrils to talk.
You decide to go with a half truth and explain that you've been hearing the concerning rumors about you and Madeline and you're here to dispel them, because it's not healthy to the organization to have something like that spread around when it isn't even true in the first place. You explain you have no interest in Madeline other than her work on the project. You even sort of imply you're actually trying to get back with Zalmora.
Camid seems to react positively to your explanation with no hint of any underlining hostility. He either means it, or he's subtler than you gave him credit for. Either way, it would seem the matter is closed.
You return to work and later you see Zalmora and Vaughn.
"Well? Did you take care of that business?" Zalmora asks.
"Not that it concerns you, but yes I did. Now let's move on to other things." You reply.
The next few days are a little tense and you stay on your guard. You half expect Camid or Madeline to do something crazy, try to kill you, or something that causes problems. None of that happens though.
Weeks pass and while Madeline occasionally gives you a longing glance she never initiates anything. You try to keep your contact short with her. Camid doesn't act out of the ordinary either when you see him. Neither one mentions their relationship with each other so you assume they're still together.
Then just when you think everything is settled with this situation, disaster strikes.
"He's fucking dead?" you exclaim.
"Afraid so boss. Camid was found dead with several large holes in him. Legs, back, chest, head, arms, everywhere." Vaughn remarks.
"Well what the hell happened?"
"Dunno. Some of the Talons just found him in his room in the den like that. No signs of anyone breaking in or anything."
Zalmora just looks at you.
"Do I even need to say it?" she asks.
"(Sigh) No. But I'm wondering how she did it exactly. I just don't see her as a natural killer and Camid wasn't a push over... wait a minute. Sonofabitch. She used the little green bastards! They follow everything she says. They're also small and sneaky enough to dig some little passage that only they could get in and then. You said Camid had large holes all over his body. Probably from pick axes." You say.
"I'm a little lost here, who killed Camid?" Vaughn asks.
"The love of his life, school girl killed him." Zal says.
"Wait, why?"
"Geez, Vaugh you're really behind aren't you? Our glorious leader here turned down her advances a few weeks ago. Surprised the hell out of me too, but messing with another man's girlfriend isn't one of the vices he has apparently. It appears though school girl figured out a loop hole and took matters into her own hands." Zal explains.
"Why couldn't she have just broke up with Camid?" Vaughn asks.
"Because that still would have caused conflict if the boss got with her. Camid isn't likely to be the type to just accept seeing someone else with his ex especially so soon and so close. Nope, had to kill him. Only logical play."
Zal then turns to you.
"Which now I guess means the next step is yours heartbreaker."
> dispose of Madeline
This isn't the work of someone with just a crush. This is obviously an obsession and the fact she got the goblins to do it, means she's not just crazy she's dangerous and that's a bad combination.
You're not going to be able to reason with her. She's already proven she's beyond that. Dismissing her isn't going to work either. Not to mention she killed one of your productive members. Sure he was an idiot when it came to picking women obviously, but he still did his job and excelled in that area.
She's going to have to be dealt with in a more permanent manner.
"Zal, Vaughn, come on. We're going to deal with this crazy bitch and I want you both with me in case she gets ideas to sic her goblin buddies on me." You say.
"Wait, do we need to kill her? I mean isn't she important?" Vaughn remarks.
"She might come from money, but her daddy isn't on the council. At best the militia might do an investigation, but they aren't going to find her." You say.
"You sure we're going to be enough? Should we bring some more guys? There are a lot more goblins than us." Zal asks.
"We'll grab a couple more Talons on the way out, but we're not going to be bushwacked like Camid and I know we're much better fighters. As soon as we kill a few of those green buggers they'll probably start running away. We'll be fine. Now let's get this shit done." You say.
You and your "hit squad" head over to the new headquarters dig site. You remember Madeline was doing her overseeing there today.
After entering and walking through several empty rooms and corridors, you find Madeline by herself, just sitting on the ground. She doesn't get up, she just looks down at the ground. There aren't any goblins around though, which is strange.
"Hey. I guess you figured out what happened." Madeline says.
"Damn right I did. Did you really think you were going to get away with it? Did you really think that was going to work?"
"I guess I had hope and I had to try. Stupid I guess."
"You got that one right too, school girl." Zal says.
"Where's your goblin friends?" you ask.
"I sent them away as soon as they told me you were coming. I didn't want them to get hurt. It wasn't their fault after all."
"Wasn't their fault? Some of them were the ones who killed Camid!" you exclaim and move towards Madeline, but Zal holds you back.
"Wait a minute. What do you mean you sent them away when they told you were coming? How did they even know, we haven't seen any of them." Zal asks.
Madeline looks up and stands.
"They didn't just dig a tunnel into the Yellow Devil Den. They've dug tunnels all over the sewers. Mostly under them. Made it easier for them to get around without having to walk about in the actual sewers. They may have also dug some tunnels near your old head quarters... you know, you look very peaceful when you sleep... " Madeline says looking directly at you.
You and everyone else takes a step back. You're actually a little creeped out now and a lot more concerned.
"Everyone, prepare for an ambush!" you say and you all form a circle expecting goblins to pop up out of secret compartments in the floor and walls.
"I told you I sent them away. They isn't going to be some big fight. There isn't going to be a fight at all. This is the end. I wish you could have loved me, the way I love you, but at least we'll die together, and I guess that's enough."
At this point you hear an explosion outside the new headquarter's entrance. It isn't a big one, but it's enough to cause a rumbling and the ceiling of starts to fall to pieces. Vaughn, Zal and the other two Talons instantly run back to the entrance only to find that's its collapsed and soon so will the rest of this place.
"It's interesting how with one well place bundle of explosive power can make an otherwise stable structure fall completely apart. I'll certainly miss finishing my education." Madeline says in almost a monotone way.
As the rest of your cohorts run around desperately trying to get out of this death trap, you do the only thing you want to do and that's plunge your sword into Madeline. She puts up no resistance and just touches your face before falling to the ground.
As the clods of dirt and rocks begin to bury you and yours, all you can do is curse loudly to whatever gods may be listening before you are silenced forever. |
Something has to be done and the best way to do it is to kill Jake. Not like you were ever friends with him.
"Look, we can't do nothing and if you aren't fond of diplomacy, then we need to kill Jake. So who are these independent assassins you know?" you ask.
"Really only know two and out of those two, only one is a proper assassin and I don't know if it's even possible with him." Tom says.
Frustration increases...
"Okay, so tell me about the guy who isn't a proper assassin." you ask.
"He goes by the name Olaf. He's actually an ex-Talon associate but after the fight pits closed down he went back to working as a leg breaker for Mr. Reynolds full time. You familiar with that man?" Tom asks.
"Vaguely. Some sort of moneylender with connections in high places so the militia doesn't fuck with him. Actually, I think I remember my mother telling me my father's family was in debt to him at one point."
"They did with the inn. Actually I even worked for the man briefly before I joined the Talons, but that's ancient history. Olaf is a big ass ogre who pretty much retired undefeated during his fighting pit days. He's older of course now, but I don't doubt that he couldn't take care of Jake and scare everyone else into submission. Hell, he probably could scare Jake into submission too. He'd probably even do it for free or at the least very cheap. He really likes hurting people."
"Sounds good, so what's the catch?"
"Well obviously Mr. Reynolds isn't going to just let him go wandering off so we'd probably have to pay him and that's what isn't going to be cheap. Plus, knowing Mr. Reynolds he'll have some other weird stipulation. You'll probably find out when you talk with him. Could be anything."
This is sounding complicated already. You almost hesitate to ask about the other one.
"Okay, so what about this other guy. The real assassin?" you ask.
"You familiar with Sotakians?" Tom asks.
"Just stories of them being lizard people that live in the swamps and fight with elves all the time."
"Well, the old boss, Edmond actually acquired an egg and raised a Sotakian from a hatchling. Trained him to be a very literal cold-blooded assassin bodyguard. We all just called him Scales, but he never really had a proper name. He was very loyal too until he had some unknown disagreement with Edmond and just took off. Ed never told anyone to go get him either. Just said to let it go."
"That doesn't sound very useful if he disappeared to parts unknown."
"Oh he didn't go far. He actually lives in the Klyton sewers. Abandoned part granted, but he's actually part of the reason why the militia doesn't patrol down there that much and only in certain areas. Ol' Scales isn't very welcoming to intruders to his home."
"Well how's this lizard going to be of any help then?"
"Most of the time when Scales got a little obstinate Edmond showed him the broken egg that he hatched from. Not sure why it worked. Maybe it was a reminder that Edmond was the one who helped hatch him or something. Still have the broken egg just in case, you know? Maybe if someone approached him with the broken egg, Scales might be willing to listen to that person. Dunno, who would have the balls to go risk it though."
"That vicious huh?"
"Let's just say, Olaf USED to have an equally bad ass barbarian buddy by the name of Silence. Silence didn't like it when he lost a staring contest to Scales and things got violent. Olaf and Silence were best friends and Olaf didn't even ATTEMPT to attack Scales when he ripped out Silence's throat in five seconds. He just left the room and I can't be certain, but I think he might have even cried. Of course nobody was going to ask. Olaf certainly brutalized folks more than average in the fighting pits over the next few days after that though."
So those are your choices and they both sound shitty. Honestly, you wish you could just take care of Jake yourself, but Tom is probably right about the fact that something like that isn't really your specialty, but talking to others and trying to convince them to do what you want is apparently a newer one you've acquired or at least one you've been thrust into.
> hire Scales
You must have lost your mind, because you can't believe you're actually considering this.
"Fuck it, give me that egg." You say.
"Seriously?" Tom asks.
"Yeah, I'm serious. I know enough about Mr. Reynolds through my dad that I don't want to have deal with him. And as you said, he's probably going to have some sort of weird catch as part of the agreement he isn't going to reveal until afterwards. At least with the lizard I'll know where I stand right away." You say.
"I guess that's one way of looking at it. Okay kid, I'll get that egg."
Tom heads over to one of his safes and after unlocking it, he takes out two green pieces of an oval shaped object, which he then puts together and hands to you. The broken egg is rough to the touch and more solid than you thought it would be.
"While this isn't as delicate as one might think, still be careful with it. You sure about this? I mean I still don't think this thing with Jake is that serious."
"It's gotta be taken care of and besides, maybe I'll just be charming enough to convince Scales to join us again."
"You think big kid, just hope you're right."
Tom proceeds to tell you where he thinks Scales makes his home. It actually isn't too far from the forgotten sewer entrance. Tom goes on to say it might be dangerous just getting to Scales, since that part of the sewers has been non-functional and abandoned for as long as he can remember.
Armed with this knowledge (And a broken egg) Tom wishes you luck before you leave.
On your way out, you're stopped by Zalmora and Vaughn.
"What's that? Wait, is that an egg?" Vaughn asks.
"Yeah, I'm going to use it to try to convince Scales to assassinate Jake. Tom said Ed used to do it all the time." You reply.
Vaughn's jaw almost drops and expresses obvious disbelief.
"Have you gone completely barmy? I wasn't here that long while Scales was still around, but even I know damn well that the only reason why Ed even had control over that lizard is because he raised him from that egg! And you can see that didn't work forever. You go looking for Scales and you're going to find death!" Vaughn exclaims.
"Why do we need Scales to assassinate Jake anyway? I mean I told you that I think it's a better idea to just let Jake continue rampaging through the woods to take the heat off of us." Zal asks.
"Yeah, and I don't think that it's a good idea to just let disobedience within the organization to go unpunished like that. Besides, I also thought that given this Scale's reputation, maybe we could get him to join again." You say.
"Yep, completely barmy." Vaughn remarks.
"I agree... but the idea does have some merit. If we did get Scales back, we'd be in a lot better shape, muscle wise at least." Zal remarks.
Vaughn at this point just shakes his head.
"Okay, I can see this craziness is catching. I'm leaving before I catch it too. See you later, assuming Scales doesn't eat you, and Zal, I would think that you'd know better than to even entertain this idea." Vaughn remarks and walks away.
"So... are you coming with me?" you ask Zalmora.
"I didn't say that actually. I just said your idea has some merit. It's at least thinking in the long term. Scales could certainly track down Jake and kill him. I would imagine he'd also scare everyone else into coming back or even better a return to following the original plan of sending the spoils of their activities to us on a regular schedule." Zal says.
"You still really think our organization split up on the outside and inside the city is the best solution?"
"Yes. I really do believe that and I gave my reasons already."
While she hasn't offered to go, you get the impression Zal might be more inclined to help you if support her idea, but if Zal wants to help she can come with you with you needing to ask her. You're not going to barter with her or be some pawn just because you're sleeping together every once in awhile.
"Well I guess I better head out." You say.
"Oh. Right. Don't let me keep you. Just remember, Scales has never been a friendly sort and probably the best way to handle him is to defer to him as the alpha. If he thinks you're a threat, he's going to react accordingly. Then again, if he thinks you're too weak, he might just eat you, but I'm guessing not acting aggressively might help. Anyway, if you even think you're in grave danger, just get the hell out of there. Be careful okay?" Zal says and starts to leave, but before she does she kisses you goodbye.
That sort of makes you feel more worried than you were before.
You leave the Crimson Talon headquarters and enter the sewers. You never cease hating stomping around down here, but possibly stepping in shit or worse is the least of your concerns right now.
You follow the directions Tom gave you and finally get to the abandoned part of the sewers he mentioned. Actually it doesn't even look like the rest of the sewers at this point. The tunnel is partially collapsed or has great gaping holes leading to who the hell knows where. Beyond this first tunnel, you can only imagine that it's going to be in even worse repair.
Using your lantern and your natural agility you continue to make your way, hopping that all this hoping and jumping around isn't going to break the egg in your pack any more than it already is.
You go through a couple more old collapsed sewer tunnels and then you notice the man made structure is starting to disappear into a crumbling abyss. You also notice how weak the ground (or rather what's left of it) is in general. One wrong move and you're probably falling to your death. You cautiously move across what's left the stone flooring.
You're doing pretty well until you suddenly hear some noise behind you. At first you think it's something sinister lurking down here or possibly even Scales himself, but when you hear the word "Shit!" you know the voice immediately and turn around thrusting your lantern ahead.
"Zal?!" you call out.
Your light illuminates enough that you can see a figure far behind you half hanging over the edge of the abyss. She doesn't answer she's just struggling to get back up.
"Zal! What the fuck are you doing here?! Wait! I'll come help you!" you shout.
"No! You stay over there! This fucking floor is weak enough without both of us in the same area."
"Zal, you're gonna fall!"
"I'm almost back up, just keep going! I'll catch up!"
> go help Zal
She probably came back to help you, you can't just leave her to struggle.
As quick as you can, you try to make it over to Zal, who keeps telling you to go back.
"Zal, I'm not gonna just... fuuuuuuuuu... ."
It's not a glorious or noble death falling off a collapsing walkway and into a large hole, but that's exactly what has happened to you.
As you fall, you hear Zal's voice echo your name in darkness until the sound dissipates leaving you only to fall in dark silence.
You fall for quite a long time, much longer than you thought you would actually. For a brief moment you think maybe you've fallen down a bottomless pit.
Such things are typically just heard about in myths and stories, but given the magical world you live in, who is to say they don't exist somewhere?
Of course that little theory soon comes to an end when you at last do hit the ground. Who knows where the hell you ended up, because you broke every bone and died on impact, but your splattered body didn't go to waste to whatever was living so far below the ground. |
You must have lost your mind, because you can't believe you're actually considering this.
"Fuck it, give me that egg." You say.
"Seriously?" Tom asks.
"Yeah, I'm serious. I know enough about Mr. Reynolds through my dad that I don't want to have deal with him. And as you said, he's probably going to have some sort of weird catch as part of the agreement he isn't going to reveal until afterwards. At least with the lizard I'll know where I stand right away." You say.
"I guess that's one way of looking at it. Okay kid, I'll get that egg."
Tom heads over to one of his safes and after unlocking it, he takes out two green pieces of an oval shaped object, which he then puts together and hands to you. The broken egg is rough to the touch and more solid than you thought it would be.
"While this isn't as delicate as one might think, still be careful with it. You sure about this? I mean I still don't think this thing with Jake is that serious."
"It's gotta be taken care of and besides, maybe I'll just be charming enough to convince Scales to join us again."
"You think big kid, just hope you're right."
Tom proceeds to tell you where he thinks Scales makes his home. It actually isn't too far from the forgotten sewer entrance. Tom goes on to say it might be dangerous just getting to Scales, since that part of the sewers has been non-functional and abandoned for as long as he can remember.
Armed with this knowledge (And a broken egg) Tom wishes you luck before you leave.
On your way out, you're stopped by Zalmora and Vaughn.
"What's that? Wait, is that an egg?" Vaughn asks.
"Yeah, I'm going to use it to try to convince Scales to assassinate Jake. Tom said Ed used to do it all the time." You reply.
Vaughn's jaw almost drops and expresses obvious disbelief.
"Have you gone completely barmy? I wasn't here that long while Scales was still around, but even I know damn well that the only reason why Ed even had control over that lizard is because he raised him from that egg! And you can see that didn't work forever. You go looking for Scales and you're going to find death!" Vaughn exclaims.
"Why do we need Scales to assassinate Jake anyway? I mean I told you that I think it's a better idea to just let Jake continue rampaging through the woods to take the heat off of us." Zal asks.
"Yeah, and I don't think that it's a good idea to just let disobedience within the organization to go unpunished like that. Besides, I also thought that given this Scale's reputation, maybe we could get him to join again." You say.
"Yep, completely barmy." Vaughn remarks.
"I agree... but the idea does have some merit. If we did get Scales back, we'd be in a lot better shape, muscle wise at least." Zal remarks.
Vaughn at this point just shakes his head.
"Okay, I can see this craziness is catching. I'm leaving before I catch it too. See you later, assuming Scales doesn't eat you, and Zal, I would think that you'd know better than to even entertain this idea." Vaughn remarks and walks away.
"So... are you coming with me?" you ask Zalmora.
"I didn't say that actually. I just said your idea has some merit. It's at least thinking in the long term. Scales could certainly track down Jake and kill him. I would imagine he'd also scare everyone else into coming back or even better a return to following the original plan of sending the spoils of their activities to us on a regular schedule." Zal says.
"You still really think our organization split up on the outside and inside the city is the best solution?"
"Yes. I really do believe that and I gave my reasons already."
While she hasn't offered to go, you get the impression Zal might be more inclined to help you if support her idea, but if Zal wants to help she can come with you with you needing to ask her. You're not going to barter with her or be some pawn just because you're sleeping together every once in awhile.
"Well I guess I better head out." You say.
"Oh. Right. Don't let me keep you. Just remember, Scales has never been a friendly sort and probably the best way to handle him is to defer to him as the alpha. If he thinks you're a threat, he's going to react accordingly. Then again, if he thinks you're too weak, he might just eat you, but I'm guessing not acting aggressively might help. Anyway, if you even think you're in grave danger, just get the hell out of there. Be careful okay?" Zal says and starts to leave, but before she does she kisses you goodbye.
That sort of makes you feel more worried than you were before.
You leave the Crimson Talon headquarters and enter the sewers. You never cease hating stomping around down here, but possibly stepping in shit or worse is the least of your concerns right now.
You follow the directions Tom gave you and finally get to the abandoned part of the sewers he mentioned. Actually it doesn't even look like the rest of the sewers at this point. The tunnel is partially collapsed or has great gaping holes leading to who the hell knows where. Beyond this first tunnel, you can only imagine that it's going to be in even worse repair.
Using your lantern and your natural agility you continue to make your way, hopping that all this hoping and jumping around isn't going to break the egg in your pack any more than it already is.
You go through a couple more old collapsed sewer tunnels and then you notice the man made structure is starting to disappear into a crumbling abyss. You also notice how weak the ground (or rather what's left of it) is in general. One wrong move and you're probably falling to your death. You cautiously move across what's left the stone flooring.
You're doing pretty well until you suddenly hear some noise behind you. At first you think it's something sinister lurking down here or possibly even Scales himself, but when you hear the word "Shit!" you know the voice immediately and turn around thrusting your lantern ahead.
"Zal?!" you call out.
Your light illuminates enough that you can see a figure far behind you half hanging over the edge of the abyss. She doesn't answer she's just struggling to get back up.
"Zal! What the fuck are you doing here?! Wait! I'll come help you!" you shout.
"No! You stay over there! This fucking floor is weak enough without both of us in the same area."
"Zal, you're gonna fall!"
"I'm almost back up, just keep going! I'll catch up!"
> continue without her
You didn't tell her to follow you, and you'd rather not linger on this walkway any longer than you have to, so you continue to make your way which soon isn't as bad for the man made structure of the sewer is gone completely and you're now heading into what looks like a natural cavern (with solid ground underneath you).
Still, you don't want to get too far ahead. If Zal did come to help, the least you can do is wait for her.
Eventually Zal solves her own struggle with climbing back up to the walkway and makes her way to your location.
"You okay?" you ask.
"Yeah, I'm fine." Zalmora replies.
"Now I ask again, what the hell are you doing here?
"Obviously nearly getting myself killed in order to help you because you're too proud to ask for it."
"I didn't ask, because I didn't need your help!"
"Sure, you don't. Honestly, I can't believe Tom let you do this at all. I always thought he liked you."
"I risk my life every time I go out on a job."
"True, but this is a lot different. At least on the job you have the necessary skills to pull it off. This is more like a roll of the dice. Not to mention, YOU haven't even met Scales. If he sees you, he's likely to just assume you're an interloper. At least he knows me. Though I'm not sure if he liked, disliked or was indifferent to me. Never could tell what that lizard was thinking in the short time I knew him."
"What about the egg?"
"Yeah, well let's hope that's enough for him not to kill us."
You and Zal proceed into the natural cavern. After walking a bit, you make a remark that all of this might be pointless anyway and you might just head back because it wasn't your intention on getting lost in a system of underground tunnels.
Zal doesn't really argue, but she does ask what you're going to do about an assassin though. Just as you're about to answer, you hear a faint noise, which is enough to put you on edge because it's been eerily quiet down here.
"You hear... ulp!" Zal says and then before your eyes a scaled green claw covers her mouth and another holds a dagger to her throat. You also notice a long tail wrapped around one of her legs and a pair of glinting reptilian eyes shine behind her.
"NO! WAIT! SCALES! I have something for you! Don't kill her!" you shout and take off your pack in haste while still trying to eye on Zal who looks like she's trying to remain as calm as she can under the circumstances.
You pull out the two large pieces of the egg and then hold them out.
Scales' moves forward a bit with Zal still in his clutches. His eyes briefly stare at the egg and then fixate on you again. You can't tell if he's angry or what, all you do know is his stare doesn't put you at ease.
Suddenly, Scales slashes Zal's neck open and throws her body aside like a rag doll and before you can even shout out he's grabbed your hands causing the egg pieces to fall to the ground.
As you feel the claws dig into your flesh and Scales give you the predatory stare, all you can think about is how Zal is dead, but you also realize if you're going to get out of this alive, you're going to have to continue to talk because it's very obvious that you're not fighting your way out of this or running.
"Scales! Please, all we wanted to do is return this egg to you. Edmond is dead. We weren't following his orders or anything like that. We were going to ask for help, but it's obvious that you want to be alone. I will go back and never bother you again. You have my word."
Scales briefly looks down at the egg pieces and then back to you. His head turns a bit as if he's studying you, then his grip on your hands releases, allowing you to slowly pull them back towards your body.
Scales then crouches down and starts inspecting the egg pieces. You take this as an opportunity to leave and you back away into the darkness, not even taking your lantern. You have no idea how the hell you're going to safely cross back over that crumbling walkway, but that's going to have to be another struggle for later.
You turn around and as quick as you can in the darkness put some distance between you and Scales. You don't look back, though you soon find that you don't need to because you hear a noise followed by a great whipping force hitting one of your legs which takes you off your feet.
You hit the ground, but you don't stay there for long because clawed hands soon pick you up. You struggle for one of your daggers, but this is met by what you can only imagine are teeth sinking into your arm. You scream out as Scales sharp teeth not only rip your flesh, but also break bone.
You are thrown to the ground again and then Scales pounces on top of you. You can only see his eyes in this darkness, but it's the last thing you're ever going to see.
"Thank you warm blood, but can't let you leave. Might bring othersss. If dead, people continue to ssstay away. Need peace." You hear a reptilian voice hiss and then a set of jaws go to for your throat. |
Year 21
"The Bloody Smiles are lead by a vicious bandit calling himself the Grinning Man. Nobody has gotten a really good look at him as most don't survive his attacks, but based on this crude sketch, I implore anyone seeing him to run and contact Klyton militia immediately! This man and his band of cutthroats have been plaguing the roads and the surrounding area for years and hopefully now that his identity is known... "
You suddenly receive one of the many sketches a concerned citizen is handing out. You take one look at the sketch as you walk away from the crowd and shake your head.
"Doesn't even look like that asshole." You say and toss it in a nearby bin.
Jake's job has really been doing the trick as far as distracting the Klyton militia, though maybe it's been going a little too well. You suggested that Tom to pull him back from this two years ago, but predictably he never did.
Zalmora and Vaughn returned pretty quickly after this plan went into action, though in Zal's case it seemed to be more because she wanted to get back into regular burglary again. Vaughn said he couldn't deal with Jake anymore and was getting too crazy.
Now, he's given himself a nickname, gone on to call his group the Bloody Smiles and doesn't report back to Tom for months. When he does, he just sends one of the newer Talons with some goods and loot. While Tom as usual is taking a laid back approach to this figuring as long as he's still sending shit back then everything is good, you question whether Jake is even thinking about the Talons anymore.
Meanwhile, you've been more or less successful in building up the Talon's numbers. Not as much as you'd like, but since you're the only one doing it, it is what it is. Despite all this extra help however, it's not being utilized properly. Most of it is being sent to help Jake as his numbers get whittled down every now and then and that's really a waste you believe.
The ones you insist on keeping around to train are fewer in number and you're also the only one bothering to train them properly. You never thought you'd be in that sort of position. Occasionally Zal and Vaughn help out, but it's mostly fallen on you.
Basically, it's a case where the opportunity to expand is there, but once again Tom is failing to pull the trigger on it. You should be setting up another underground fighting pit, setting up gambling dens or even running a protection racket. Something needs to be done about Jake because the Crimson Talons can't proceed if half of the members aren't even Talons anymore and have declared allegiance to another leader.
"Something has to be done about Jake." You remark.
"Like what?" Vaughn asks.
"I dunno, but Tom can't just sit on his ass anymore about it. Jake hasn't done it yet, but it's only a matter of time before he splits off from the Crimson Talons altogether and takes half of our members that were assigned out there with him. Ideally we could just tell him to come home and his purpose out there is no longer necessary, but I doubt if he'll listen."
"So... what? You just going to go in there and tell Tom what he needs to do?" Zalmora asks.
"Someone needs to tell him something! As I remember it was me who told him to start changing shit up last time too."
"That's true, but doesn't that sort of mean you're sort of responsible of what's going on with Jake? Pretty sure that's what Tom will point out as well." Vaughn says.
You're about to tell Vaughn to shut the hell up when Zalmora interrupts.
"While you have some good ideas as usual, honestly, I'm not sure why anything needs to be done about him. I say if Jake has split from the Crimson Talons, well that's more for us." Zalmora remarks.
"Actually that's LESS for us since he won't even be sending his cut anymore." You say.
"Maybe in the short term, but you're not thinking long term. The militia hasn't been as much of a problem in the city for us because they've been focused mainly on catching Jake and the rest. That gives us a little more freedom to expand like you said. Hell, now that Jake has foolishly started to give his group their own name, they aren't even directly connected to the Talons anymore."
"So? If he gets caught he could still blab his mouth about our secret hideout."
"Jake's a lot of things, but he ain't no rat. Chances are they won't even take him in alive anyway."
"Okay, so maybe Jake's no rat, but what about some of others with him? I mean sure, we've all stressed how important loyalty is to the new recruits, but if Jake's gained their trust somehow, then they're loyal to him not to the Talons and they aren't going to think twice about ratting us out to save their own skin."
"Hmm, you might have a point there." Vaughn says.
"Look, all I'm saying is Jake not causing shit for us in the city and running around out there like a mad man is better for us. If he's gone, then the militia is just going to refocus more of their attention on the city again. I mean maybe it might be best to make it an official break up. Let Jake know he can go his way and we go ours. Might diffuse any potential problems with Jake. Dunno if Tom will be into that though." Zalmora says.
"That's true too." Vaughn remarks.
You rub your hands through your hair.
"I dunno. Maybe. Something still needs to be brought up to Tom though." You say.
"Oh I agree with you on that. It is time to give him a little push again." Zalmora remarks.
"Well? Aren't either of you coming in with me?" you ask.
"Um... I hadn't planned to. I mean it sounds like you've got this under control on what to discuss. I think me being there is just going to look like we're ganging up on him." Vaughn says.
"Yeah. And as you know, Tom has never been fond of me. So I would be more of a detriment. Just go in and talk to him, you did fine last time remember?" Zalmora says nudging into you a bit.
"(Sigh) Why do I feel like I'm the only one who cares about this organization?"
"Hey! That's not even true! I just gave you my fucking thoughts on the situation didn't I? You bring up whatever you want to Tom. I'm sure everything will work out fine, he likes you after all."
And with that, Zal and Vaughn leave to let you go speak with Tom. You swear you never thought the day would come where you would be known as the "diplomat." You guess your sister's charm rubbed off on you just a little bit. You sometimes wonder how she's doing. Probably better than you are at any rate.
Mentally preparing yourself, you head to Tom's office, though when you think more about it, you don't know why you're mentally preparing yourself. It isn't like Tom's going to even threaten to kill you if he doesn't agree with what you have to say.
At this point you're practically his second in command anyway and you're still baffled by this since you haven't been here nearly as long, though you suppose with all these new folks coming in, you are starting to become a "vet" as it were.
"Hey Tom." You say entering his office.
"Hey kid, any new blood you need me to check out and make a final decision on?"
"Uh, no not today. I wanted to speak with you about another matter... it's about Jake."
Tom's head drops down briefly with a deep sigh and then he looks up.
"Yeah... I figured it might be getting close to dealing with that situation. Trust me, I HAVE been giving some thought to it, even though I'd rather not." Tom says.
"Well I'm afraid something is going to have to be done about him. You can't just have a divided organization with half of it's members calling themselves something else and primarily pledging allegiance to another leader." You say.
"Maybe it isn't that bad! I mean he's still providing a share of the loot to us right?" Tom says hopefully.
"Perhaps, but think how much longer the intervals are starting to get, not to mention how much is he actually holding back? How long before he just stops sending altogether? No, we have to do something."
"Are you suggesting an attack? Because while I know around where he's currently located, I'm not entirely sure of the exact area. He may have even moved since he has to do that a lot anyway. Fairly certain not only would he have the advantage, but even if we win, we're going to suffer heavy losses which sort of defeats the purpose."
"I was thinking more of a stealthy assassination."
"And you're going to do that?"
"I could try. Maybe I could take a few others with me to help."
"No offense kid, but even if he didn't have half our numbers with him and you had help I don't think you could take Jake. Jake is the best fighter we have and he's probably only gotten better since being out there. I'm not risking anyone in a foolish assassination attempt, let alone an internal conflict. Although... no... that's not an option... " Tom says trailing off.
"What? What is it?"
"Well... if we DID go this route, and I'm not saying we are. I know a few outside folks that might be able to do it without problems. Damn, I just wish there was a less messy way of handling this."
"(Sigh) Well I hate to bring this up, but I have thought of a diplomatic solution which might be possible." You say.
"Oh?"
You explain to Tom about a potential split with Jake altogether and just letting him go his own way since he seems happier anyway. Tom isn't too fond of the idea since it no longer means gaining a cut of Jake's looting profits, but he's not outright dismissing it. In fact out of all the options, Tom still seems to think the best plan is to do nothing.
At this point, you're wondering why you're bothering.
> diplomacy
Well Zalmora was correct last time with her advice, and you have been on a roll with the whole talking thing lately. Jake would probably jump at the chance to split off from the gang at this point and make his own way.
You explain to Tom in greater detail about how this could be beneficial. Tom is still reluctant on this idea, but as Zal has mentioned several time before, Tom seems to like and trust you so he agrees to your plan.
"So, are you going to be the one to speak with Jake? Because it sure isn't going to be me. That asshole has gone completely barmy and I'm not risking my life if he's feeling a little blood thirsty." Tom says.
"Yeah, but I think I should probably have Zal with me."
"While I guess he could be more willing to listen with his fuck buddy there, but aren't YOU her fuck buddy now? Not really a secret, and far be it from me to question your taste in women, but I'm not sure if Jake is going to be exactly pleased to see you anyway, let alone if you're with his former squeeze."
"I never got the impression it was serious."
"That shit doesn't matter with Jake, you know that. He'll just be looking for an excuse to cut your throat. In fact, I think you've got the right idea sending Zal to speak with him, but I don't think you should be there at all."
Tom might have a point there. A really good point actually though he's probably got the added idea that if shit goes wrong with Jake, then Zal will just be the one who suffers.
"Yeah, I guess. What if Zal refuses though?"
"She ain't got a fucking choice. She's going and you're staying. Last time I remember, I was the boss around here and have the final say." Tom says with a bit more authority than you're used to.
"Alright, fine. I'll inform her... I have to ask though. How come you don't like Zal?"
"Because she's an underhanded manipulator."
"Why not just get rid of her then?"
"Because I don't deny her skills as a thief and she's very capable in that regard. The fact is, she wants more power, but for whatever reason she doesn't want the actual position of being the boss. I assume it's because then she'd actually have a target on her back. No, much safer to just stand in the shadows and criticize and play mini-puppeteer... sort of like what she's doing with you."
"Zal is not manipulating me."
"Oh no? You don't think that this little idea that you came up with isn't some shit she whispered in your ear? Contrary to popular belief around here, I'm not the damn fool people seem to think I am. You don't think she hasn't tried her little feminine wiles on me long before you showed up and got me out that cage? So since this is probably all her idea, SHE can be the one to do it!"
You don't think you've ever seen Tom quite so angry before, or at least extremely annoyed. Not wishing for this to get worse, you back away and leave Tom's office.
You soon meet up with Zal.
"So, how did it go with Tom?" Zalmora asks.
"He says he wants you to go talk with Jake and making a formal split about there being no hard feelings and such." You say.
"Hm. I see. And you're not going to be there at all?"
"Tom says he wants me here. Says you'd be better for the job seeing as you have a past with Jake and how he hates me."
"Well... I suppose I can see the logic in that. (Sigh) Very well, I suppose I can do it. I guess it was sort of my idea in the first place. Guess I better get that old bottle of absinium. Jake's gonna want a peace offering... and probably something else. Just hope he doesn't pass out like he always does. Ugh."
"Zal, you shouldn't have to go do this if you don't want to. Why don't I go instead or we can go together?"
Zal smiles at you and pats you on the face a couple times.
"That's sweet dear, but if you show up there by yourself, Jake's gonna kill you. If he see both of us there together, he'll probably do worse than kill you. And more importantly he could even kill me, so no you're not going. For once Tom made the right decision even if he's hoping I probably get killed in the process." Zal remarks.
"Tom said some pretty interesting things about you." You say.
"I'm sure he did and I don't care. I'm sure you can make up your own mind about me. I'm off."
"Wait, don't you need to know where Jake even is?"
"I know the general area of where he's probably located and I know Jake. He's not going to be hard to find for me. See you later maybe."
And with those last words, Zalmora takes her leave of you presumably to go gather a few more items before heading out to seek Jake.
You have some mixed feelings about all this, but really this is probably the best way to handle all this.
With that plan in motion, it's business as usual in the organization.
A week passes and there still isn't any word from Zal. No word from Jake or anyone from the Bloody Smiles either.
While it isn't certain that Zal was successful and just stayed or she was killed, what is certain is that enough time has passed that it's pretty clear that the Bloody Smiles are no longer sending anything back to the Crimson Talons. A "clean break" or not, Jake has gone his own way.
Tom doesn't seem to care about it anymore. He's not exactly happy, but he seems to have an "oh well" approach and isn't concerning himself with the situation any longer.
Almost everyone else in the organization has some thoughts on the matter and most of them aren't good.
A lot of folks are just planning to go find Jake and follow him instead, a few have just mentioned going independent. Still others have mentioned maybe it's time for new leadership within the Crimson Talons.
You're more in favor of ousting Tom. After all you've been putting most of the major effort into this organization, while Tom doesn't seem to give a shit at all and you don't see why he should be running things if that's the case.
Not to mention, he's the one that sucks, why should you leave?
It doesn't take long before you, Vaughn and a few others confront Tom in his office. He's pretty surprised.
"Um, has something come up?" Tom asks.
"Yeah, you're stepping down as head of Crimson Talons. You're no longer fit to lead." You say.
"Oh, is that right? And who is? You?"
"This organization could do worse." You answer.
"Pfft, not much worse." Tom says.
"Why are we still talking, let's just gut this old asshole and get on with it." Camid, one of the younger members shouts.
"Gut him? I thought we were just removing him from power." Vaughn remarks.
"Well how the hell did you think we were going to do that Vaughn? We can't just let this asshole walk away! That's what HE did with Jake and the rest! And that's why he's a pussy leader. We do the same thing and we're pussies too!" Camid remarks.
"Just because the man's a pussy doesn't mean we need to kill the guy."
"Oh big surprise coming from someone who takes dick like a pussy." Camid shouts.
Vaughn's temper at this point starts to rise at Camid's remark and now those two are nearly coming to blows.
While you're telling them to shut the hell up and focus, you notice that Tom is getting something out of his desk. It's probably going to be a flintlock pistol.
Wasting no time, you leap halfway across Tom's desk in an effort to stop him from pulling out a pistol. You were correct as you manage to grab his hand in the drawer and indeed see it grabbing a pistol.
"Let it fucking go!" you say.
"Fuck you!" Tom shouts, but instead of struggling for the pistol he instead grabs a sharp quill off his desk and stabs you deep in the eye with it.
You scream in agony and roll off the desk clutching you face. Despite the pain and the screaming, you manage to pull the quill out of your destroyed eyeball, which makes a sickening squishy sound. Blood leaks out on your face.
By this time however, Tom has gained complete control over the situation and everyone else who was rebelling have stopped doing whatever they were doing and stepped back.
"You fuckers think you can take over? You assholes can't even get along with each other! And you, I actually liked you kid, but I can see that I was severely wrong on that front. Y'know if you weren't happy here, you could have just left. I've never held anyone here against their will. But no you had to try this shit, well that ain't happening and now you have to pay. I'm the fucking boss around here and you're the example."
And with those last words, Tom makes you an example by shooting you in the other eye. This time the wound is fatal. |
"Ah, here we are, just up these stairs and through that door." Tom says.
"And here I was just getting used to walking through shitty water." You say.
"Hey, the sewers are the best way to get around the city. The guards don't patrol as much down here and even when they do, they don't patrol certain areas."
"Can't say as I blame them, I've been on the verge of puking since we entered your secret tunnel which you neglected to mention was actually a foul forgotten sewer drain entrance."
"Hey, this is the business we're in kid. It ain't always convenient and comfortable. Besides you get used to the smell. Come on."
Tom and you walk up some stone stairs and Tom bangs on a sturdy looking wooden door.
"Hey! It's me! Open up!" Tom shouts, a few moments pass and a scruffy looking man rubbing his head opens the door.
"What the fuck you banging on the door like the city watch for? Wait... Tom? What the fuck are you doing here? Weren't you taken to cages?"
"Yeah Vaughn, and where the hell were you guys? I thought you were supposed to come get me yesterday!"
"The heat was still pretty bad, so we decided to lay low."
Tom barges past Vaughn who follows and then you follow both as they continue to talk.
You must be above the sewers now though this looks like it might be an abandoned building of some sort so far. It barely looks better than the sewers you just left.
You see a few people who you assume are Crimson Talons, but they're either completely passed out or look like in various stages of being drunk or hung over. Bottles of spirits are all over the place and now you're starting to wonder just how "powerful" the Crimson Talons are really supposed to be.
"Decided to lay low huh? Looks more like you lot stayed down here, had a party, got liquored up and forgot about me!" Tom remarks.
"Now that's just not true! We didn't even spend your cut of the loot! You can even check your room! Nothing's been touched!"
"I swear I'm not here for a few days and this place goes to shit. Where's David?"
"David? Um... he's dead."
"What?! He wasn't even on the job at the time. He was here!"
"Yeah, well when the rest of us were coming back from the job, he apparently got into an argument with the boss. A really bad one about how he didn't like the way Edmond was running things. It didn't go well for either of them. Edmond might have been old, but he managed to overpower David and killed him. Unfortunately I guess it was all a bit too much exertion, because the boss died of a heart attack like almost immediately afterwards."
"Wait... you're saying the boss is ALSO dead?!"
"Yeah. We took both of their bodies to the usual spot if you wanted to say a few things to David... "
"I'm sure the rats have stripped both corpses by now... (sigh) so who's the new boss?"
"Um, nobody. We haven't really gotten around to figuring it out yet... but hey your name came up as a potential candidate! I don't think anyone else wants the job."
At this point you start laughing.
"I'm sorry I doubted you Tom. I obviously was way off about not believing that you weren't one of the most important people in this organization."
"Who's this asshole?" one of the nearby members asks stirring from his hang over.
"Someone who actually helped me out, Jake." Tom says shaking his head at all this new information and just tells you to come with him while he checks his room.
Tom's room in this dump isn't quite as bad as the rest of the place. It even looks like he's taken great pains to make it look "neat." After looking through his drawers and small chest, he breathes a sigh of relief.
"Well, as shocking as it is. All my stuff is actually still here, even my cut. Glad to see I'm somewhat respected around here."
"Yeah, they just forgot to spring you from a cage."
"Yeah well, I'm here now."
"And so am I. So now what? You brought me here to potentially join your little organization, but so far I'm not really impressed with the organization part. I thought you guys were supposed to be infamous or something."
Tom sits down and exhales deeply, rubbing his face.
"Yeah, we once were. The truth is, even by the time I got involved with his organization, it was on the decline. Still had the vicious rep at least though, maybe a bit too vicious since it probably encouraged Klyton's crackdowns and tightening up of security. Things just got worse over the years as more skilled members got arrested, killed or just quit for better pastures." Tom explains.
"People could just quit? I sort of though joining something like this was a for life type of thing."
"It typically is, which is why you can see how much trouble we're in if people can just up and quit! It didn't really help when the Ebony Claw Syndicate showed up here briefly."
"Who the hell are they?"
"Another criminal outfit. Much larger than us by far. They're based in the Delantium Kingdom, but I believe they have a strong presence in Holgard too. Edmond was an idiot when dealing with them, though I guess that was mainly pride."
"What did he do?"
"Well the Ebony Claw had heard of the Talons and their problems with Klyton's improved security. However, they also knew of our reputation even if it was a bit tattered at that point. Out of respect, they offered to help the Talons. The deal was we'd still have reign over Klyton, keep our identity and have to access to Ebony Claw resources, but we'd have to give a cut of all the profits we made to them. Not sure what the percentage was, but Edmond wasn't pleased with it. Though like I said, it could have been free and he probably would have turned them down."
"So did they cause you a lot damage as well?"
"If they did, it wasn't directly. Their representative just left and we haven't heard anything from them since. Despite never seeing any signs of the Claw again, Edmond got even more paranoid than he already was. Started organizing riskier jobs and accepting anyone who was desperate enough to join. He was convinced we were going to have to deal with the Claw again so we needed to be prepared. All that ultimately happened was with all the new unskilled people we got sloppier and caused even more heat to bear down on us and well, this is what we're reduced to today."
Sheesh, this is pretty damn depressing. It's almost enough to make you rethink your own career choice. Almost.
At this point Tom stands up.
"Shit, I have no idea what comes next. If I was smart I suppose I'd get out. Of course if I was smart, I wouldn't be in this situation in the first place." Tom says.
"Can't you just start over elsewhere?" you ask.
"I thought about heading to Hessla, but that place is overrun by pirates nowadays. Spending days at sea isn't exactly my thing. Nah, Klyton's my home and for better or worse I'm staying here."
"So are you taking over the Talons as boss?"
"I dunno, I never really thought of myself as a leader since it seems like a lot of headache, but I suppose out of all of us that are left, I do have the most experience and years on my side. I suppose given that my face is more well known now due to being thrown in a cage by the city watch, being the boss has appeal since I won't have to risk going out in public as much. I guarantee if I get nicked again, it'll probably be the death penalty. Well anyway what're your plans? You still interested in joining or is that a silly question?"
Not too silly though since despite the deplorable state the Crimson Talons are in, you sort of wonder about the potential. Before you though maybe if you joined such an organization, you'd probably be considered just another low ranking flunky. However through barely any effort on your part, you may have just secured a high ranking position in the organization by helping out the new leader of it. You think if you joined and made a go of it, you'd at least have a lot of input. Who knows, maybe the organization will get back on its feet. If it did, you'd be even better off.
Of course this is going to be a lot of work and you are still new. While Tom might like you, the other members may see you as an upstart. Getting a knife in the back from a bunch of folks who are supposed to be watching it is a real possibility. You might be better off going off on your own.
> stay independent
Staying with the Crimson Talons, just seems like a bunch of trouble waiting to happen. They're disorganized, their new leader is some guy that YOU had to rescue, they're obviously on the hit list of the authorities here and you aren't getting the impression that they're going to be your style.
"So... Tom I appreciate the offer, but I think I'm going to stay on my own." You say.
"I figured. Can't really blame you, though I am disappointed since I think not only would you be an asset, but I think you might have learned a few things yourself. It might not seem like it, but some of the folks here are pretty good at their craft."
"Yeah, well maybe another time... so we're good I trust?"
"Yeah we're good... actually here's something for your rescue effort. It would be more, but well as you can see, a bit down on fortune at the moment." Tom says handing you a few gold coins from a pouch.
Tom at this point walks with you to entrance back to the sewer where he gives you directions to the next closest exit to the city streets from there. He then mentions a few cheap inns in the area you should end up in.
"Now I don't think I need to tell you, that I'd like to keep our hideout a secret." Tom says.
"Sure, secret's safe with me. Not like I got anyone to tell anyway."
"Good, because I'm sure you realize that it would be bad for you if you did rat on us to anyone." Tom says in a tone that's slightly more hostile than he's been towards you.
"Hey, I ain't no rat." You proclaim.
"Of course not. Well good luck kid, wherever your endeavors take you." Tom says and with that you exit the hideout and the door slams behind you leaving you back in the sewers.
"(Sigh) Back in the shit. Well at least I'm a little richer this time. Okay, I think he said this way... "
And so begins your life in Klyton...
> time passes...
Chapter 2B: The More Things Change
Year 17
"Yeah, yeah, here's the rent." You say handing over a few silvers to Trobart.
The innkeeper takes the silver and gives you a scornful look.
"Bout fucking time! You're always late! And don't think I don't know how you get this!" Trobart says.
"Of course you know how I get this, but it doesn't stop you from taking the money anyway, you mean old bastard." You answer.
"Watch yer, fuckin' tongue! One word from me, and the militia would take your ass in quick!"
"Pfft, yeah right. You call the militia and they'd probably shut this whole place down. You're selling booze without a license in the basement and one of your rooms is being used by an unlicensed whore."
"Fuck you cunt face!" Trobart shouts and stomps off. You just shake your head at the old man's misplaced anger.
You head to your room with no more distractions, and then wearily sit on your shitty straw mattress and count what's left of your ill-gotten loot. Enough to eat for a few days.
Granted this hasn't been the best month, but you swear you thought you'd be doing a lot better than this by now. This city unfortunately though is proving a lot more vigilant than you'd like. You certainly aren't in Teckleville anymore.
What's really not helping is the Crimson Talons running around carelessly committing clumsy burglaries and heists and bringing the militia down even harder on everything.
You're sort of glad you didn't join up with them now, because at this rate, the militia is probably going to track them down and execute the lot of them.
Still, that doesn't solve your current problem.
Part of you wonders if maybe you should just move on from this city, but you really loathe the idea of travelling again and you aren't sure where you'd go. Hessla maybe?
While you're pondering your possible future here, you get a knock on the door.
"Heeeeey youngster! (hic!) You got any spare... .coppers fer the faith?"
Great, it's that drunken priest that has a room across from you. You thought the men of Joachim were supposed to be into purity and restraint. If you didn't know any better, you'd think Joachim was the god of alcohol and hopeless drunks based on this guy's behavior and actions.
"No and I told you to stop bothering me Virgil! Don't you have a collection box you can pilfer booze money from?" you shout.
"Yeah... but no... but I got some (hic) news... " Virgil answers.
"Yeah, I already know about Joachim's blessed light. You tried to tell me about it the first time I came here and you nearly threw up on me in the process."
"I did? Geez, sorry son... but this is different! (hic) Some... somebody... "
"Somebody what?"
"Somebody was lookin' fer ya."
Well that peaked your interest.
"Oh?" you answer.
"Yeah... (hic)."
"Hold on." You say and go answer the door.
No sooner have you opened the door when the odor of Virgil hits you full force. You immediately cover your nose and mouth.
"Shit, Virgil. When the hell was the last time you washed? You fucking smell worse than a troll's ass. Granted I've never smelled a troll's ass, but I think it's a safe bet you smell worse than one." You say.
"Guess again. Hahahahahahaha! (hic) So can ya spare a copper?"
"Maybe, so what's all this about someone looking for me?"
"Oh, that. Yeah, this big guy. I mean not like ogre big, but just human big ya know? Old guy too. (hic) I mean not as old as that asshole who own this place, but probably around my age."
"Well that's still fucking old then, aren't you like seventy?"
"Fuck you. I'll have you know I'm in my forties... I think... yeah... "
"Okay, so big guy in his forties was looking for me. What did he want?"
Of course NOW Virgil decides to be uncooperative.
"No! No! Fuck you, I'm not tellin' you shit now. (hic) Who... who... what do you think I am some kinda asshole fer you to abuse? Callin' me seventy fuckin' years old. I oughta kick yer ass in the name of Joachim! Yer lucky I'm a man of faith... (hic)"
At this point Virgil mumbles and stumbles away, bumps into the door to his room and then after a few tries he finally gets it open and slams it behind him.
You suppose you could always ask him again later when he's feeling less feisty. He will have likely forgotten all about your so-called insult later, of course he probably will have forgotten about the guy looking for you too.
You close the door and think on who he could have been talking about. Your dad? Dad's not a big guy though and you honestly doubt if he would bother to come look for you.
Maybe it was Tom from the Crimson Talons? You can't imagine what he'd want to see you directly for though. You'd imagine if he were trying to recruit you again he'd send an underling to invite you to see him. Tom wasn't a huge guy either; of course given that Virgil is on the short and scrawny side, he probably thinks you're a big guy too.
Other than those two, you're drawing a blank. It's a little concerning that some big guy is looking for you though.
You hear another knock on the door.
"Virgil?" you ask.
"No, it's Randi. I got some information that you might want to know." A woman's voice says
Randi is the red headed whore that lives down the hall. Unusual that she'd seek you out, since she's snotty with you at the best of times. You guess it's because you turned down her overly aggressive offer the first time you stepped into this inn.
You answer the door and she's as scuzzy as ever. You feel like you're catching something just by standing this close to her.
"Okay, so what's this information? Because if it's some big guy that was looking for me, I already know because Virgil told me." You say.
"Oh? Well did he tell you what this big guy wanted too?" Randi asks.
"No."
"You'll want to know then."
"... Well?"
"Well what?"
"(Sigh) I know you're not used to hearing this, but spit it out! Tell me what this guy wanted."
"I'm not your fucking secretary. You want to know, you need to pay, ten silvers."
"Ten fucking silvers? You don't charge that much for a blowjob!"
"Yeah well if you want a blowjob, then you can pay half that price, but if you want to know what that guy wanted, it's ten silvers."
While you're wondering who this guy is and why he's looking for you, you're not exactly keen on giving away most of your hard earned money to some whore who you're not even fucking.
"Yeah well go find two dicks to suck then, because you're not getting ten silver from me." You say and shut the door on Randi who shouts some obscenities at you from the hallway.
You'll just remain alert and keep an eye out this guy looking for you. Remain on your guard too, since you still don't know if this man means you harm or not. Hopefully Virgil can tell you something later. You might have to offer a couple coppers, but it's far cry from ten silvers.
For now though you decide to get some sleep after your long night of thievery. As your lids get heavier, you think on where you could ply your trade with a little more ease and a lot more loot. The rich areas are well patrolled, the government district is well patrolled, the merchant district is well patrolled, and the poor areas are... still patrolled and the folks don't have shit.
It suddenly occurs to you that you've never really tried the university district of the city. Might be worth a look, after all it should be filled with stupid rich kids not aware of their surroundings and the Talons don't seem to go running around there, so there might be less heat.
Later...
You wake up midday. After getting yourself ready for today's endeavors, you knock on Virgil's door, but there is no answer. He's either still asleep or he's out collecting donations for Joachim. Probably the latter considering you didn't contribute to his booze fund.
You leave the Welcome Mat Inn, though a little more cautiously than usual. Nobody seems to be approaching or giving you suspicious looks though. Still, wishing to keep a low profile, you stick to the back streets as much as possible and eventually when you get to the better part of town, you catch a coach for your remaining trip to the university. By the time you arrive, the day is beginning to end, but you soon find that the university is still fairly active.
After a few hours of just scouting and walking around, it's much like you figured. A lot of scholarly types with their noses in books and rich kids that do a lot of partying. The dorms have security, but oddly not as much as one might think.
You find that despite being dressed in your lower class clothing, nobody is really giving you a second glance. It might be due to your youth though; you probably just look like a struggling student. Wasn't like your dad was exactly rich when he attended this place either.
It occurs to you how strange it is to be at the university at all. You never thought you'd ever "attend" your dad's old place of higher learning. You're sure at one time he had hopes you would, but it probably wasn't under these circumstances.
Out of curiosity you pay a visit to the section to where the medical school is located. Seems weird that your father spent so much money and time putting himself through the place while you're here basically casing it.
You're not that well versed in the value of medical supplies and drugs, but you figure the Crimson Talons could be willing to fence whatever you bring. Hell, you probably could just sell the stuff yourself. You know more than enough folks in your area that bitch about not being able to afford shit from the local apothecary, let alone proper medicine.
Of course since this is your first time here, you're still getting used to all the twisting corridors that this university seems to favor. You end up stepping into a class in session a couple times, before stumbling upon an unattended supply room where you pilfer various bottles of pills and liquids.
When you attempt to leave the facility, you go in the direction where you think you came from, but soon find that you made a wrong turn somewhere.
Somehow you manage to find yourself in what you think must be an office area since you see various doors with names on them. (All of them with "Dr." in front) As you're passing one, the door opens and you find yourself face to face with an older woman with gray hair.
"Hey. You here about the job?" the woman asks.
"Huh? What?" you answer.
"I put out several announcements around campus for an escort job. Hmmm... .you don't look like a warrior and you're a little young. You one of those students over from the magic college?"
"Um, no actually, I just got lost. I'm trying to find my way out of this place."
"Lost? What were you doing here in the first place?"
"Well my father used to go here and I... "
"Wait a minute... you do you look a little familiar. What's your father's name?"
You tell this woman your father's name and she instantly lights up.
"Hah! I knew it. You look a lot like your father. He was in my microbiology class when I used to teach it. Did very well too. How he doing?" the woman asks.
"Oh he's doing fine uh Miss... umm... " you reply
"Oh I go by Dr. Gossey and nowadays I focus purely on zoology and the biology of the creatures and animals that live in our fascinating world! So are you a student here too and trying to follow in your dad's footsteps?"
"Something like that I suppose. I'm actually just checking out my options right now. You know, to see what I might be interested in."
"Good. Good. Glad to see a young person thinking about their future. Hey, would you consider yourself to be an adventurous spirit?"
"I suppose in some ways I am."
"Well I've got a job that needs doing and I don't have time to do it myself and I'd rather not send my assistant there by herself. You familiar with qweepas?"
"Aren't they some really ugly oversized rats?"
"In simple terms basically, but they're much more than that. They're actually much more intelligent than the average rat. They aren't even native to the continent, but a lot of them over the years have undoubtedly snuck aboard Hessla pirate ships and now they're slowly starting to gain a foothold as a pest on the coast. One can only imagine how far they will have spread in another ten years."
"So what is it that you need exactly?"
"I need someone to go into Hessla or around that area with my assistant and get me some live specimens. About ten should do. Like I said, I'd send my assistant alone, but I know how dangerous Hessla is especially for a single female, so it would be better if someone went with her."
"So, am I just to be there as hired muscle?"
"Yes, though as I noticed before, you don't seem to be a physical type... not to say you aren't well proportioned for a young man your age, it's just I was hoping to get a taker from the gladiator team or someone of similar intimidating size. I only mentioned this at all to you because for one, I haven't had anyone else come in as strange as that may be. And two I knew your father. I figured it wouldn't be polite to not offer his son a chance to earn some money towards his education goals, whatever they may be. You could even get a jump start on potential class credits."
This is getting a little strange, but you might as well ask.
"So what's this job pay then?" you ask.
"Thirty gold pieces upon completion." Dr. Gossey replies.
"And all I have to do is escort your assistant?"
"Yes, and make sure the qweepa specimens get here alive. Those are very important to my research. My assistant will have everything else required for this job and the trip will essentially be completely paid for."
"Do you need a decision now?"
"Well it would be nice, but I understand if you need to think on it. Hessla isn't a safe place and knowing your father, I'm sure he wanted better for you and you grew up in a protected environment and are probably less familiar with handling folks with a more criminal mentality."
Dr. Gossey's assessment of you nearly makes you laugh.
While this is technically a "real" job, you can't say you aren't totally unopposed to performing it. Thirty gold is certainly better than what you've done in most weeks since your time here and it would give you a chance to go to Hessla for free. Maybe see if things are potentially more lucrative over there.
> take the job
What the hell, it might make for an interesting change of pace.
"I'll take the job." You say.
"You will? Are you sure?" Dr. Gossey asks.
"Yes, and you don't need to worry about me. I'm not unfamiliar with the seedier elements of life."
"Hmm, yes I suppose there is no way of completely distancing yourself from such things. I'm glad you're worldlier than you appear since I fear my assistant is a bit sheltered. Well, I suppose sheltered isn't quite the right word, more like disconnected from reality on these matters. Elana's a good student, but as I said, I fear if she went to Hessla by herself, she'd say something to the wrong person and soon find herself sold into sex slavery or something similar. Anyway, just make sure you get those Qweepas safe and sound here."
"Is there some sort of place that sells them or something in Hessla?"
"I don't know, I just know that they are common enough there to be a problem. Whether that means you buy them or catch them, makes no difference. As I said, that's going to be Elana's primary concern, but obviously if you can help in that matter too, it would be greatly appreciated."
"Okay, so when does this job begin?"
"Well since you agreed to it already, say in three days? You'll meet Elana at the carriage station in the morning. You'll recognize her by her tan skin, long curly brown hair, a large pack for the trip no doubt and she'll probably be a bit too well dressed for the occasion."
"Okay, hope I don't miss her."
"I'll be sure to give her your description as well and insist that she not leave until she finds you."
"Sounds good to me. I'll meet your assistant then."
Dr. Gossey goes on to thank you and exclaim that she's glad you came along when you did and hopes you have a safe and productive trip. She also gives you directions of how to get out of the medical school, since you were lost in the first place.
When you exit the medical school, you decide to call it a night and head home since you figure if you need to get up in the morning in three days, then you're going to have "fix" your internal clock again so you don't over sleep.
When you finally get back to the neighborhood, you revert back your cautious ways until you finally enter the Welcome Mat and your room. You manage to make it without being accosted by any of its denizens this time.
You spend tomorrow mostly "taking the day off." You go get something to eat a few times, but that's about it. You still don't see Virgil, but you do have a vague feeling that someone is watching you every time you leave the damn inn.
On the second day of one these food trips, one of the local food merchants who doesn't normally make much small talk, breaks that habit when you're looking over the fruit cart.
"Hey, some big guy was looking for you yesterday." The merchant remarks.
"So I've heard. Got a better description than that?" you ask.
"Uh, sort of a bushy beard, but the rest of his face was obviously pretty weathered. Shaved head. Probably in his forties or fifties, but still pretty fit. Carried a pack with him, but no weapons. Well at least none out in the open. Said to tell you that he'd carrying an important message for you from your family and that it's very urgent that you meet him at the Raggedy Man Inn."
"Hmmm, and that's it?"
"As far as I know."
"Thanks. I'll just be taking these today." You say and pay the merchant for your food before leaving.
Well that was way more productive than asking Virgil. It's all a little sinister now that you have a little more information though. Why the hell wouldn't a simple courier just meet you at the inn you're staying at? You suppose it's possible he doesn't know, but if he's already spoken to Randi or Virgil, one of them has no doubt blabbed already. At least Randi probably did.
You don't know much about the Raggedy Man inn except it's in an even worse part of Klyton than you already stay at. Klyton might have militia patrols marching all over the place, but they're still lax in certain areas. Makes you a bit wary that a large man wants to meet you there. You can't imagine your father or mother would send someone like that, let alone want him to meet you under HIS conditions. Your sister maybe? Possible you suppose, but you're skeptical.
In any case, you're not meeting this guy unless he comes directly to you and when that happens. You're going to be...
"Heeeeeeey! Youngster! You got some coppers fer the (hic!) faith?" Virgil suddenly says as you step into the Welcome Mat.
He's obviously forgotten his outrage at you. Fortunately he may have even remembered to take your advice about washing last time since he smells half way decent this time.
"Actually I do Virgil, but I need a favor from you." You say.
"Sure... sure! I've always liked ya son! (hic!) You need Joachim's blessin?"
"No, no, nothing like that. I just need you to relay a message. Remember that big guy looking for me?"
"... .Oh YEAH! Yeah! I remember him! Hey he was lookin' fer you... yesterday... said he wants you to... " Virgil starts to say before you interrupt.
"Good, good, I want you to tell him, the next time he sees you that I left for Holgard."
"Huh? You're movin?"
"Something like that, but I want you to tell him okay? Don't forget." you say and hand Virgil a few coppers.
"K... well Jochim's blessin' on ya if yer leaving then. You always were one of da (hic!) good ones."
Virgil pats you on the back and then stumbles off.
You return to your room and as an added pre-caution, you put a chair against the door. You have no idea how you're going to get a good night's sleep for tomorrow, but you're going to try...
And you fail.
You get a couple hours in before you wake up and can't go back to sleep. Seeing as you aren't going to get any more sleep, you pack your stuff and decide to leave your room in the middle of night and just head to the carriage station early. You don't really know when Elana is going to show up there anyway, so you might not even have to wait that long.
On your way there, you half think you're being followed the entire time, so you do a lot of back tracking and take side streets until you reach your destination.
You've never been to the carriage station before, but it's mostly empty right now. Still, it's well lit and there are a few militiamen stomping around. You never thought you'd be happy about that!
You find a bench and wait. Soon, you start to get a little sleepy again despite your attempts at still trying to stay awake. You also start to wonder if it wouldn't be better to just stay in Hessla when you get there.
"I oughta just go meet this guy and stab him in the face like I did with Klint... " you mutter to yourself.
Later...
"Hey! Wake up! We have to get a move on! (Sigh) I told Dr. Gossey I didn't need an escort." You hear a voice exclaim while some hands shove your shoulders a few times.
You groggily open your eyes and realize you're in a much more horizontal position from when you first closed your eyes. After getting the blurriness out, you see a finely dressed woman with tan skin and long curly hair before you.
"Elana?" you ask.
"Yes! And you're the escort Dr. Gossey hired I presume. You ARE aren't you? I'd hate to think I just woke up some random sleeping bum." Elana answers.
"Yes, the doctor hired me. How long have I been asleep?"
"How should I know? All I do know is I had to load this carriage up myself. I thought YOU would be helping! Anyway, we have to get going, hurry up!"
"Okay, okay, I'm ready, let's get in the carriage."
"Wait. YOU are not going in the carriage."
"What? Then where the hell am I supposed to be?"
"You ride up top with the driver. I have some studying to do on the way and I don't want you disturbing me. Besides, if you're supposed to keeping an eye out for danger, you'll do it better from there anyway."
It's too damn early in the morning to deal with this, so you decide not to and just go over to the carriage and climb up to where the driver is. He nods and greets you.
"So are we ready to go?" the driver asks you.
"Come on let's go!" Elana shouts from inside the carriage.
"Well you heard the lady." You say.
And with that, you're on your way out of Klyton and on the road to Hessla. Right now though you're just trying to adjust your eyes to all the damn sunlight. It's been awhile since you've been up this early.
You watch the countryside pass by as the horses travel at a good pace. So far no trouble yet. You look behind you and see the supplies on the roof of the carriage and something you didn't notice right behind you and the driver. A blunderbuss.
"Guess that's for when bandits attack?" you ask the driver.
"Huh? Oh that? I suppose so. Honestly though, haven't had any problems in all the years I've driven this route. Still, I keep it loaded just in case." The driver replies.
"Never?"
"Nope. Never even had any problems in Hessla, despite its reputation. A lot of people think its some anarchic pirate paradise, but the place is probably just as orderly as Klyton. The Governor of Hessla has his own personal security force called the Headsmen to patrol the place. They're a lot more draconian than the militia too. Usually they just execute offenders on the spot without trial."
"Really?"
"Sure. I mean yeah without them then the place might be a little more lawless like it was in the past, but nowadays? You're just as safe from getting mugged there as you would in Klyton. Hell, maybe even more so given that Klyton has the Crimson Talons running around."
"Hmm, yeah."
Well this sucks. Already you're finding out that Hessla isn't the place you imagined it was. It's kind of why you took most of your important belongings with you just in case you decided to ditch the job and just stay in Hessla.
"Driver! Slow down! The ride is too bumpy and I can't focus on my reading!" Elana shouts while banging inside the carriage.
A few moments later...
"Driver! Speed up! I'd like to get Hessla sometime this month! And YOU up there, I hope you're doing your job and keeping a look out!"
Then again, Hessla might not be that bad, if you already had a bit of coin to throw around while you assessed the opportunities there. You think that there is probably a good amount of supplies here on the carriage you could sell. Let alone the horses and carriage themselves. The driver doesn't exactly look like a fighter and might even have a few coins to his name.
And most importantly, Elana probably is carrying a purse full of coin for this trip.
Wouldn't take much to just grab the blunderbuss and hijack this whole carriage.
> hijack the carriage
Yeah, you're done with Klyton, and this whole job attempt...
You reach for the blunderbuss and upon grasping it, the carriage hits a bump in the road, which temporarily causes you to teeter and sway. Unfortunately this is enough time to allow the driver to realize what you're attempting to do.
He doesn't even say anything he just lets go of the horse reins and elbows you in the face though it isn't enough to drop the firearm. He then attempts to take his blunderbuss back.
You struggle with the driver until he realizes he isn't strong enough to take it from you. Just as you're about to yank it completely away, the driver lets go and you pull so hard you lose balance. The driver then takes advantage of this by pushing you off the carriage.
You fall off the carriage with the blunderbuss still in hand, and land hard on your back, but luckily still out of the way of the carriage wheels. However, upon you impact with the ground, your hand was around the trigger of the blunderbuss, which you accidently pulled.
The shrapnel hits back wheel of the carriage and shatters a portion of it. The carriage manages to continue for a second before the back wheel's structure is completely destroyed and soon the carriage tips over on its side. The horses drag the carriage a bit longer, before the harness breaks and they're free of the wreck.
Meanwhile you're partially watching from the distance and still wincing in pain from falling. You didn't break anything, but your back hurts like hell. As quick as you can walk, you make your way over to the tipped over carriage.
You're fairly certain the driver had to have fallen off. If he didn't die, you're going to finish the job. You aren't sure about Elana, chances are she's alive and still in the carriage, but if she insists on getting mouthy like she's been with you before, you'll teach her a lesson too.
When you finally get within the area of the carriage you see some of the supplies scattered all over the road and the body of the driver. He's face down and not moving. You go over to check by prodding him with the blunderbuss and he's still not moving. Looks like he probably broke his neck.
While you're inspecting the driver, you hear rustling in the carriage, along with some groans. Looks like Elana lived. If she wants to continue living, she better comply.
You go over to the sideways carriage, climb on top it and open the door. Looking downward, you see that Elana is still in a semi-prone position opposite of you.
Elana may have a bossy upper class way about her, but she wasn't completely unwise in the ways of being in potential danger.
Already dazed and scared from the crash, upon seeing you standing menacingly over her with a blunderbuss in hand she reacts without even thinking that you MIGHT potentially be helping her rather than robbing her. (Though that was a correct assumption on her part because you totally were going to rob her)
"Okay, you... shit!" you say before you're interrupted by Elana pulling a small ornate pistol and firing.
The bullet isn't even very big, but they don't need to be when they hit something vital.
You clutch at your throat and fall backwards off the carriage. You don't even die right away, you gag, cough blood and convulse a bit. You even manage an attempt to get back up, but by the time Elana drags herself out of the carriage, you're a corpse. |
Year 22
"And when you're done robbing everyone at the gladiator frat house, you get the fuck outta there. What you don't fucking do is stick around to drink, party and compete in a dick sucking contest!" you exclaim.
Flameflower and Sunshine both roll their eyes in unison.
"It was hardly a competition. I easily beat all the other girls there that night." Flameflower remarks.
"What? I would have beaten you had you not spiked my drink with lotus! My technique was all fucked up thanks to that!" Sunshine says.
"Look, nevermind all that! You wanna go suck dick, go suck it on your own time! But when you're on a job at the university you're on MY time and you will stick to the damn program! Otherwise you can go take your asses back to Jake and continue risking life and limb on whatever crazy heist he attempts to implement."
"Ugh! I dunno why you're getting so mad for, we managed to pick even more pockets by sticking around for the extended festivities. Whatever. You're just like how your uptight dad was."
Flameflower and her sister take their leave of you and then one of them turns her head to look at you briefly and then giggling follows between the pair of them.
"I honestly don't know why I bother with those two." You say.
"Because elves are easy on the eyes, even if they are half breeds." Zal remarks.
"Well it certainly works in their favor at the university. Hard to believe they were ever organized enough to work for my father's inn at one time. That was surprising to learn when they first approached to work with me. Do elves age at all?"
"Not like we do. Those halfbreed bitches are older than me and they still look like fucking teenagers. Oh speaking of unnatural things, I think the magic college is more doable than you thought."
"What? You actually went in there?"
"I told you I was."
"You told me you were thinking about it and I distinctly told you to stay away from that place. Too risky fucking around with potential magic security."
"Have you ever even been there?"
"No."
"Well then what would you even know about it? And for your information, it isn't the magic fortress that you seemed to think it was anyway. I walked in and walked out with this!"
Zalmora reveals a blue gemstone of some sort. It gives off a faint blue glow, but nothing else.
"What... what is that?" you ask.
"I dunno, something magical I imagine. Maybe it provides light so you don't need a torch or lantern." Zal remarks.
"Or maybe it captures souls! How did you even get this?"
"I told you, I walked into the college and wandered around until I found something that caught my eye. Don't worry, I didn't attract any attention, well other than maybe a few love sick apprentices who didn't look like they got out much."
"This wasn't protected or anything?"
"Nope, I just found it in a bowl on a shelf in an empty classroom of some sort. Would have taken more items, but I figured I'd stick to mostly casing the place first. I told you, the place isn't any better protected than any place else it seems. Your ideas that the place is protected by magic traps and living statues are unfounded."
"I'm not convinced and I think you just got lucky."
"Well either way, I'm heading there again in a few days and hauling out more shit. I know a few people that would be more than willing to buy stuff like this."
"And maybe you better not. I'm telling you, this is not a good idea and all its going to do create trouble for all of us. The university is huge, you can easily make a lot of coin without the extra danger of fucking around with magic."
Now Zalmora rolls her eyes.
"Y'know those two halfbreed bitches might be whores in thieves clothing, but at least they're having fun with all this. You know, the only reason why I wanted to be transferred here instead of sticking with Jake is because I thought this might be a nice change of pace to work around a subtler thief. It's one thing to be professional, but by the fucking gods, you've managed to suck out ALL the fun out of this. If it were up to you, you'd still be meekly sneaking around the campus all by yourself and never maximizing the full potential of what is here!" Zalmora says.
"Yeah, and I'd be perfectly fine with that. This was all Tom's idea for me to play mentor, not mine." You remark.
"Hah! I don't need a damn mentor. I've been thieving before you were even thought about! And I don't need your damn permission either to go rob the magic college. Maybe you can intimidate the rest of the unskilled Talons into acting the way you want, but I'm doing what the hell I want."
"Yeah? And I can go report you to Tom and have you transferred back. You're ONLY here because I said it was okay in the first place!"
"Fine. Go tattle on me like a fucking bitch then. Always knew you had a stick up your ass, but I didn't realize you were a snitch too."
"Oh don't give me that snitch shit. Tom's the boss, he told me I had independent jurisdiction here of who was obeying my way of doing things and who wasn't. So if I don't like the way you're doing shit, guess what? You don't get to stay and that's it!"
"I see. You're not a snitch, you're a pretender to the throne."
"What?"
"You're a pretender to the throne. You're acting like you're the boss of the Crimson Talons. The only thing that's stopping you totally is the fact that Tom is officially in charge. But if he's allowing you this much leniency and is basically doing what you say anyway then maybe you need to just cut the pretending and take over completely. I'd certainly be more likely to respect AND listen to your orders if that was the case. But then I always preferred men who take what they want... guess that's why I never minded Jake, even if he is an idiot most of the time. See you around."
Zalmora at this point takes her leave of you.
You've been working with Zalmora directly only for a few months, but now you're starting to see why Tom thinks she's manipulative. She basically just suggested that you go kill him and take over.
For what purpose though you can't say. If she really doesn't like Tom, why doesn't she just do it? Though you suppose keeping her own hands clean and being a puppet master is more her thing. After all if you were in charge, you'd catch the blame if things didn't go well.
You suppose it's an idea to consider, but again even if you wanted the hassle, you're still not really someone that wants to just kill someone without a good reason. Tom's been okay with you too, more than okay actually. He is a bit of a weak leader though. You do sort of wonder how he hasn't caught a knife in the back yet, or the front for that matter.
And Zalmora might be right, might be time to take more risks. The thieves under your "command" listen to you, but the actual respect is probably minimal. It might be worth while to keep your options open to become more of a true leader just in case, you wanted to reconsider being head of the Crimson Talons one day.
> keep things simple
You're not falling for Zal's manipulation. Tom can keep the headaches because you've got enough of it just dealing with the ones that you're trying to teach here. So things are going to remain the same and no unnecessary risks. You've managed to keep things together and not call attention to yourself with that rule and you're not changing it.
And you don't give a shit what Zal calls you, you'll be letting Tom know the situation. Given how he feels about her, you've no doubt that he'll side with you.
Later you report to Tom just as you planned and also stress that you don't want to see Zal anywhere near the university since she's made it clear that she's going to do her own thing regardless of what you say. Tom thanks you for telling him this information and says he'll make sure that the university district is off limits to her and if he finds out otherwise, there will be severe consequences.
Honestly, you don't have too much hope that Tom is going to really enforce that last rule. Over the course of the next few months your attention is partially directed towards thinking Zal is going to perform her activities to the university district anyway, but either she obeys the rules or she's more adept at keeping a low profile than you thought.
Either way, there isn't some alarm raised on campus that is causing militia to start cracking down on the place. The rest of the Talons working under you don't give you any trouble, save for Sunshine and Flameflower on occasion and even they aren't that bad and eventually you do become somewhat lenient with them since it would seem they are more than capable of balancing their business with pleasure. You sort of wonder why they didn't just become prostitutes though seeing as they're doing as much fucking as they are stealing.
As for the rest of the Crimson Talons, things are business as usual elsewhere in the city, but then what do you really care? You're mostly divorced from those operations. Your slice of the pie is all you ever wanted and you still got that.
Year 23
You hear a knock at your door. You really hope that isn't Virgil, you're not in the mood for his begging today. Elana makes her usual hostile squeaks until you tell her to calm down.
"What!? It's too fucking early to be banging on my door like this! The sun's not even setting!" you yell.
"Yeah well it's important. The boss man wants to see you." Zalmora remarks.
"Wha... (sigh) hold on."
You didn't expect this.
You get dressed as quickly as you can and open the door. Zal walks in and looks at Elana who is under a dresser and still giving the occasional angry squeak.
"Ugh, that ugly thing still has way too many teeth." Zalmora says.
"What the hell does Tom want and why would he send you of all people to come get me?" you ask.
"How should I know? He never tells me anything as you well know. And he probably sent me because it pleases him to send me on menial tasks like this. So you coming or what?"
"Yeah, yeah, just give me a few more moments."
You finish getting your gear and leave with Zalmora though you don't know why she's walking with you. You haven't directly interacted with her since last year.
"Zal, you are aware that I know how to get to the Talon hideout right? You don't need to escort me." You say.
"I know, but I sort of felt like we should talk along the way." Zal says.
"I don't really feel like arguing."
"Who said anything about arguing? I said talk. I feel like we drifted apart after the incident at the university."
"Did we? I didn't know we were so close."
"Okay, maybe we weren't, but I still feel like we sort of took a wrong turn somewhere."
"Yeah, it was when you weren't obeying my orders, accusing me of being a snitch, and then trying to manipulate me into killing Tom."
"... okay... I can see where you might have some feelings about that. And I didn't say you had to kill Tom, I mean I think you might have been able to convince him into stepping down. That would have been just as good."
"Sure, either way you would have been leading from the shadows."
"I'm not sure why you're so against taking lead of the Crimson Talons. I mean yeah I get that you don't have any interest in leading and you like to play things safe and low key. I think that's not living up to your potential BUT I get it. Let me point out though, whether you intended to or not, you're actually a leader now. All those thieves that work directly with or under you? They speak highly of you, you know. I mean you have to know this right?"
"Get to point Zal."
"My point is, you're already half way there! Why not take the lead? The Crimson Talons could do better under you. I mean you'd at least eliminate all this talk about possibly getting into the drug trade again."
"Drugs?"
"Yeah, Jake and a few others want to get back into selling Yellow Devil. I'm pretty against the idea obviously, but I can't deny that there wouldn't be benefits to the organization."
"Well what's Tom say?"
"Dunno, that might be what he wants to talk to you about. But again if he's asking you for advice on this matter, I think it would just be better if you were in charge to make the final decision on it."
Obviously Zalmora is still pushing for you to take control of the Crimson Talons and to you it's weird that she would still be attempting it. Even if you did, she has to know that you're aware of her agenda and wouldn't be a puppet.
Unless it's something deeper than that, but... no. She's teasingly flirted a few times, but it isn't like you and her have actually ever had anything together.
You and her are silent for a while until you're in the sewers and nearly to the hideout.
"So... you really don't want to be head of the Crimson Talons?" Zalmora asks.
"Not really, and if you lot are getting into drugs, I'm thinking I might be gone altogether." You say.
"That's why I said you should just take power and shape this organization how you want it to be."
"Zal, I'm not your damn puppet. You want Tom gone, you do it yourself, then YOU could shape it how YOU want. Now just stop pushing me, because I'm not interested." You snap.
"I see. My apologies for bothering you. I can see my advice was never desired or needed. I suppose I'll take my leave."
Zalmora then nods to you and begins walking back the way you came. You watch her walk off and just shake your head wondering why you even joined this crazy organization in the first place. Though you're also wondering if you won't be leaving it soon.
You don't have to wonder for long as something else happens that you didn't expect.
Before you even reach the hideout door, it opens and several Talon members come rushing out at you with weapons in hand. You're taken off guard and they soon knock you to the sewer muck and after kicking you around a bit, Jake comes out with a big axe in hand.
"Ah, and now to deal with the second threat to the new regime. Pfft. Never liked you anyway. Always thought you were better than all of us, getting your own little section of the city to yourself, getting special treatment from Tom. Well that ends today." Jake remarks.
"Wha... where the hell is Tom?" you utter while spitting up blood.
"Geez, thought Zal said you were smart. Then again you followed her here, guess you weren't too smart. Haven't you figured it out yet? He's fucking dead! Just like you soon will be. I'm sure all those that worked with you will fall in line quick when they see your bloody head hanging on the wall."
Jake laughs a bit with the men loyal to him and doesn't waste any more words on you. He's here to kill you and that's what he's going to do and you're not going to stop him.
The last thing you see is the blade of an axe coming straight at your face. |
Year 21
"Yeah, yeah, here's the rent." You say handing over a few silvers to Trobart.
As usual he grabs the silvers and gives you mean glance.
"I'm getting real tired of your shit! I KNOW you got the money to pay me on fucking time! Telling you right now, you keep pushing me like this, and you'll be out on your thieving ass!"
"I'm sorry. Please don't throw me out of this palace." You say.
Whether Trobart caught your sarcasm or not, he doesn't acknowledge it with more verbal abuse, he just storms off. Sometimes it's just too much fun to mess with him.
Really, you could probably afford to live somewhere better now, but this place is cheap enough that you're reluctant move. Besides if you lived some place more expensive, you wouldn't be able to spend your money on fun things like wine, women and better equipment on occasion.
You head back to your room where Elana comes up to greet you before scampering off again. One thing's for sure. You haven't had any problems with normal rats or other pests with Elana around. She's aggressively territorial and more than willing to make a meal out of them. Even Virgil doesn't knock on the door to bother you as much since she nearly bit his toe off.
You then hear a knock at your door. Well, it doesn't stop him completely.
"Virgil, I think you should know Elana's hungry right now." You say.
"That's nice that your girlfriend is starving, but I'm not Virgil, whoever that is. I'm from you friends in Klyton's most infamous club." You hear a voice answer. Sounds female.
"Crimson Talons?"
"(Sigh) Tell the militia why don't you? You going to let me in or not?"
"That depends... why are you here? Nobody from the Talons has ever sought me out before."
"Yeah, well there's a first time for everything. Look, I'm just here on Tom's orders. I'm not shouting between a door like this. Either open the door, or I'll let him know you aren't interested... "
"Alright, alright, hold on." You say.
You tell Elana to stay and not attack (at least not immediately) and you go to open the door cautiously. Upon opening it, you see a dark longhaired woman who while is certainly older than you is still in fit condition. She's attractive in a trashy sort of way. (Sort of reminds you of an older version of Annah)
While you've been to the Talon's headquarters more than a few times, but other than Tom and a guy named Vaughn who is usually the fence for your stolen items, you can't really say you've ever paid too much attention to most of them (let alone learned their names), so you don't really recognize her. However, with her looks combined with her attire and she definitely looks like the sort that would belong to the Crimson Talons.
The woman walks in without you even inviting her in and takes a look around.
"Wow, some place you have here. I can see why you didn't want to join the Talons when you're obviously doing so well on your own." She says.
"Right, because that abandoned building you all squat in and have to sneak about by going in and out of the shit filled sewers is so much better." You reply.
"Actually, I was paying you a compliment asshole. This place IS better. I mean yeah it's still a dump, but as you said, at least you're not stepping over shit every five minutes on your way here and it's all to yourself."
"... not counting the rats of course." She adds when she sees Elana who is curled up in the corner where you told her to stay.
"Elana's not a rat, she's a qweepa." You say.
"Oh, that's Elana? I thought it was weird I didn't see some strumpet on your bed when I walked in here. Well whatever it is, it's ugly and its teeth are too big." Zalmora says while taking a seat on your bed.
"So are you just here to insult my home and my pet or are you actually going to tell me who you are and why Tom sent you?"
"I told you I wasn't insulting your home. Anyway, I'm Zalmora and Tom wants to see you."
"What for?"
"Well, you'd have to talk with him about the details, but basically he wants you to reconsider joining us."
"Then you've wasted a trip, because as you pointed out I'm doing fine on my own. Besides, didn't several of your members just get arrested by that botched bank job recently?"
"Only two got caught and they weren't arrested because the militia killed them with they were resisting."
"Oh, well that's different then. At the rate you lot are going I don't predict good things for you in the future. You can tell Tom thanks, but no thanks."
"Yeah, he thought you might say that, and honestly if I were in your position I'd probably feel the same way."
"Good, then we understand each other, goodbye... " you say and go to open the door again, but Zalmora doesn't even move, she just stretches out on your bed and makes herself more comfortable.
"Although, I also have to tell you that your cooperation on this matter is in your best interest." She says.
"So, what then? Did Tom send you over here to fuck me in an effort to convince me to join? You seem to be getting quite comfortable on my bed."
"Well I wouldn't put it past him to have that in mind, but if he really wanted to get results in that way, he should have sent the half-elven whores in the gang instead. If I had to guess why he sent me, it's because as much as he's loathed to admit it, I have a decent history of convincing folks. In any case, if you don't join, don't bother coming around with your stolen shit anymore, we won't be fencing it."
"So is that your argument? If I don't join your little group, you aren't going to fence for me anymore? Fine. I'll just take my shit to Fookins the Fat." You exclaim.
"Fookins? You're going to trust that goblin to fence your shit?" Zalmora chuckles.
"Okay fine, I'll just sell it myself."
"While I don't doubt that you could, but I get a vibe from you that you'd rather not want to bother. If you were about that aspect of our game, you would have been doing it long before now."
"Well, you might be right, but obviously you lot aren't giving me a choice."
"Sure we are. Join us and reap the benefits, or don't and suffer the consequences. I guess this would also be a good time to add that if you don't join us you might have a target on your back."
Didn't take long to get to physical threats. You immediately draw your weapon and Elana who was previously at rest, is now alert and prepared to attack on your command. Zalmora doesn't move though, she just continues to look up at the ceiling with her legs crossed. She either doesn't realize the seriousness of her situation, or she's so much of a skilled fighter that she isn't worried.
"You can put that away, I'm not going to kill or even attack you." Zalmora says.
"You just fucking threatened me in my own damn room!" you exclaim.
"Actually I didn't. Tom did and honestly I don't think he's got the balls to follow through on said threats. Other freelancers in the city? Maybe. You? Nah. You rescued him from a cage; he's never going to forget that. He's likely to be pissed and disappointed that you don't join, but he's not going to actively put a contract on your head. He's not like our last boss Edmund."
At this point she sits up and gets off your bed. You're still on your guard, but she keeps her distance.
"Since I can see you're a bit tense right now, I'll leave to let you think it over."
Zal's approach to this is confusing the hell out of you. It almost feels like she's deliberately trying to convince you NOT to join.
"There isn't much to think about. Your words have not swayed me, quite the opposite really. Maybe Tom should have sent those two halfbreed whores to convince me instead." You say.
"Truly? Is a quick tumble all it would have really done to convince you? Well, let's get to it then." Zal says.
"Wait, what, really?" you ask.
"Pfft, no!" Zal laughs. "Look, it's up to you if you want to join. I'm not going over the benefits of joining, because I think you know what those could possibly be AND I think you're smart enough to know you're only going to get out of it, what you put in to it. Like I said, you once rescued Tom from a cage, so you're already in good standing with him. A lot better than most. I'm just giving you a heads up on the downsides of not joining. If you're comfortable with those, then I guess the choice is easy. You know where to find us if you change your mind, but remember ONLY come to us, IF you change your mind."
Zal opens your door and begins to leave, but then stops.
"Just on a personal note, I wouldn't mind seeing you join us. It would be nice to have another skilled rogue around to work with. Your independent actions in the university district aren't completely unknown to me. And who knows, we might just have that tumble after all."
Zal then nods at you with a smile and leaves.
Well she didn't sway you until that last bit. Not the tumble part, (though you certainly wouldn't turn that down) but more of the idea of working with someone else.
You don't think about it too much, but you do sort of miss working with another person. You did it for years with your sister and then Annah for a short time. You're convinced that if tragedy hadn't struck with her, she probably would have gotten better.
Working by yourself has its advantages and over the years you've gotten used to it, but there are more than a few times where it would have helped to have another person by your side. There's also the convenience that you'd be able to have the Talons still fence shit for you and the possibility that you wouldn't have a target on your back, even if Zal says the latter is unlikely.
Still, you really aren't sure about the whole joining the Crimson Talons thing. That's more people than you'd care to work with and you'd have to ultimately answer to someone. Let alone the other concerns you have.
> stay independent
The cons far outweigh the pros. You've found your niche by plying most of your trade at the university district. You're staying out of the Talons way and more or less keeping a low profile from the militia. You see no good reason to change that.
You guess you'll have to become more of a "salesman" of sorts if you steal anything that isn't actual money though. You suppose the drugs you pilfer from the medical school won't be too hard to get a good price for or find buyers. Maybe it's time to branch out your skill set anyway. You are working on your own so you really need to be a jack-of-all-trades and try not to rely on outside sources. Especially since you still believe that the Crimson Talons are destined for nothing good in the future.
Thinking no more about it, you pack some of your tools in your bag and set off for the university.
Later...
After picking a few random pockets, you pass by one of the bulletin boards to see if there are any big parties being announced in the near future (or even tonight) since those are always usually profitable to attend.
You take note of a couple listed and then you see a notice for a job.
ATTENTION!
In need of two people to assist in gathering several eggs from a Creptian Blueshell. Location will most likely be in the shores north of Hessla.
Trip will be paid for and a reasonable monetary reward will be provided upon completion of the task.
Please see me in my office at the medical school for details if interested.
Dr. Gossey
While you've seen a few of these notices in the past since your last job with Dr. Gossey, you've actually been reluctant to try it again for several reasons, but you're feeling a little adventurous. Might be good to get out of the city for a while anyway, because if that Zalmora woman comes around again to convince you to join, you might just be silly enough to do it.
You head over to the medical school and unlike last time you easily find Gossey's office without getting lost. (Though you sort of know this place fairly well by now considering all the medical paraphernalia you've stolen from this place)
When you arrive, you find that she's conveniently in her office. When she sees you she greets you warmly.
"Well, this is a surprise. I was wondering if we'd ever bump into each other again. I haven't seen you since the last time you got those qweepas for me. I guess classes are keeping you busy?" Gossey asks.
"Yeah, I tend to study a lot, but anyway I'm here about the job posting." You say.
"Oh good! I already got one person to help and since you did such a good job last time in acquiring the qweepas, I think I can safely hire you right away. Are you familiar with Creptain Blueshells?"
"Mm, not especially no."
"Well they're sort of like a cross between a snail and a crab, but about as big as a large dog. I mean they don't move very fast and they aren't usually overly aggressive in the scheme of things, but considering we need to take some eggs... well I can guarantee they aren't going to be happy."
"I see. I don't suppose they sell these creatures as a delicacy in Hessla do they?"
"Oh no. They're far too poisonous to most life forms for that. In fact beside their shells, that's probably their number one defense. Don't let them spit on you."
"They spit?"
"Oh yes, but as I said, you'll have extra help this time. A student from the magic college is coming on the trip, along with my assistant Kelium. Between the three of you, I don't anticipate you'll have any problems as long as you remain cautious."
"Magic huh? Hmm, well that sounds like evening the odds a bit at least."
"To be sure, but I know this still has its danger, so it will be fifty gold upon completion. I'd offer a little more, but the other student needs her payment too."
Fifty gold pieces is a nice chunk to go towards your secret savings. And as far as the crab snails monsters go, the wizard can probably handle the heavy lifting what with the fireballs and lightning and such.
"Sounds reasonable. So when do we get going?" you ask.
"Well since we have you now, I suppose I can get the trip going in three days. I'll explain to my assistant what you look like and you can just meet up with him at the carriage station in the morning. You'll probably have to stay in Hessla for the night when you reach it, but from there you should travel north along the coast to seek out the Creptians, but don't worry on that front, my assistant will have a map and I think you'll find Kelium much more agreeable than the last time you worked one of these jobs." Gossey remarks.
"Well that's good to hear. Did Elana graduate then?" you ask.
"It's the strangest thing. She never returned. I don't really want to think about what might have happened to her, but that's all in the past, and I'm sure you did your best in trying to convince her that staying in Hessla alone ran a risk. Oh well, all in the past. But right now, all you have to do is make sure you get some of Creptian eggs. That's the most important thing." Gossey remarks.
Having come to an agreement with Dr. Gossey and her explaining what Kelium looks like along with the magic student Yvette, you take your leave of the university and head back home.
Your next few days mainly consist of you preparing yourself for the trip. You pack your short sword, and a couple extra knives along with your flintlock. You also go and steal yourself some anti-venom from the apothecary. (Along with a few other items) You figure it can't hurt.
Finally on the day you're supposed to meet everyone, you go to the carriage station and seek out your companions for this trip.
Doesn't take long when you see a tall pale man wearing a cap loading up a few bags on a carriage and near him is a shorter woman with light brown hair. You're guessing that's them. You also look at the driver and see that it isn't Yrid.
"Hey, you're Yvette and Kelium right?" you ask, and both of them turn to address you and confirm this question, then you announce who you are.
"That's great. More people to talk with on the trip." Kelium says easily hoisting another bag on top of the carriage with one arm.
"Hi." Yvette says demurely.
Not exactly what you expected. Kelium seems like less like a scholar and more like an athletic type. And you were expecting Yvette to be dressed in a robe or something similar. Maybe even holding a staff or something. At least neither are dressed screaming of "Hey I'm rich, come rob and enslave me!" though.
All three of you pile into the carriage, which is already better than last time. You and Kelium sit on one side while Yvette sits on the other and you're soon on your way.
Kelium talks for half of the trip and almost never shuts up. He goes on about his studies and how he's been helping Dr. Gossey and what he plans to do when he graduates. It probably would all be very fascinating if you actually cared. Still, at least he's pleasant enough and he's talking so much about himself he doesn't ask anything about you at all. You occasionally just give a general agreement with whatever he's saying.
Yvette is quiet and is just mainly listening to Kelium. She doesn't talk at all. Maybe wizards are just like that. All that isolated studying.
Eventually Kelium does shut up because he starts to get sleepy. He mentions that he was studying up on Blueshell Creptians all night just to be extra prepared. He then mentions for you two to wake him when you arrive in Hessla and soon he's fast asleep complete with snoring.
You take this opportunity to sit over on the other side of the carriage.
"Um. What are you doing?" Yvette asks a bit suspiciously.
"I'm sitting over here, because that snoring giant over there is taking up most of the room, not to mention he's loud enough even without being seated right next to him. I'd like to reach Hessla and not be deaf in one ear." You explain.
"Oh. Okay then." Yvette says and then gets over as far as she can when you sit down.
"You... don't trust me do you?" you ask.
"Um... no, I mean yes. I mean um... " Yvette stutters.
"Hah. It's okay. I understand being cautious, but I'm really not going to do anything, I mean you're a wizard. I'm not risking getting a spell cast on me."
"No! It's not that! It's just well... I'm not used to being cramped in a small space like this with a bunch of people. I like a lot of personal space."
"Ah. Got it. Also understand. You want me to go back and sit over there?"
"No. It's okay. You seem nice."
"Thanks. Don't hear that one often. So I've never met a wizard before. Tell me everything."
"There isn't much to tell and I'm not really a wizard. I'm still just an adept. I actually took this job as part of my own assignment of taking what I learned in the classroom and applying it to the field. I was sort of too nervous just to do it alone."
"Well it is a scary world out there at times."
You proceed to speak with Yvette for the rest of the trip who slowly starts to open up a bit. She goes on to tell you that the magic school isn't even all that big. She's only one of twenty-three students! Apparently the university is almost on the verge of closing it down since naturally magically talented individuals seem to be born less and less these days.
However, magic is still a mighty force in this world and one of the Klyton Council members is a mage himself (Though not a particularly powerful one), so the school remains open.
Just as you're starting to get Yvette to laugh at your dumb goblin jokes, you're arriving in Hessla and the driver stops.
"I guess we should wake up Kelium." Yvette says.
"Yeah, I suppose so." You reply a bit disappointed. You were starting to enjoy your personal time with Yvette.
While Yvette wakes him up, you get out to speak to the driver and ask him to take you to an inn that's better than the Barnacle.
"And DON'T even fucking think about taking us to the Cozy Krak Inn!" you exclaim.
"Wasn't going to sir. I've never even heard of the place. I was going to suggest going to the Sea Dog."
"Is it a slavers den?"
"Um, no. It's run by an old ex-pirate and is more or less friendlier than most inns."
"It better be." You say.
You get back in and see that Kelium is awake and the carriage soon takes you to your destination.
The Sea Dog is better than the Barnacle, but not by much. However, it at least isn't trying to appear like something it isn't. Kelium grabs all the supplies he packed, he doesn't even ask for help.
The ex-pirate that the driver mentioned reminds you of Trobart from the Welcome Mat because as soon as you enter he's glaring at you with his one good eye and asking what the hell you want.
While you would probably return the verbal abuse, Kelium takes it all in stride and simply pays for the rooms. Unfortunately only two are available. Naturally it's decided that Yvette will take one room and you'll have to share one with Kelium. Not looking forward to that mostly because the guy snores so loudly.
However as it turns out Kelium isn't ready to go to sleep.
"I partially slept on the way here, so I'm wide awake! We should hang out and go find a proper tavern! Or better yet let's go find a gambling house! Dr. Gossey gave me all this money for the trip; I bet I can fucking double it!" Kelium exclaims.
"But don't you need to be alert for the trip north tomorrow?" you ask.
"I'll be fine! Besides, we don't have to leave first thing in the morning. Come on, let's go have a little fun! This place has got to have less restrictions than Klyton!"
"I dunno, I really think you should just stay put and try to get some rest. I mean I haven't slept so... "
"Come on man! You're not one of those guys that studies all the time are you? I mean I figure you took a job like this because you're an adventurous type! I mean yeah you got a job and I got an assignment, but shit, I ain't never been to a different town before. I wanna explore the scenery a bit! Maybe we can get Yvette to join us too! I saw you checking her out! She's a bit too quiet and bookish looking for me, but hey whatever you like man."
On one hand you don't really have anything against going out and spending someone else's money and maybe having some fun, but you also don't relish the idea of having to look after this fool because with his boisterousness you just know he's going to get himself into a whole mess of trouble and you already got monster crab snails to deal with tomorrow and EVERYONE needs to be prepared for that shit.
> go party with Kelium
What the hell, might as well make this trip fun and he'll probably just leave anyway. At least if you go with him, you'll be able to have some control over the situation.
"Alright, but let's just me and you go. I doubt if this would be Yvette's thing." You say.
"Yeah, you're probably right, don't need her slowing us down. Okay! So where do you know that's a good place to go?" Kelium remarks.
"Well we could try the Sultry Siren. That's usually the popular place."
"Great! Lead the way."
You and Kelium head to the Sultry Siren, which is a lot busier than the last time you came here, then again the last time you were here, you weren't paying excessive attention to the environment.
Kelium immediately takes a liking to the place going on about how this was the sort of thing he was talking about. He orders drinks for the pair of you and wastes no time in wanting to get involved in one of the gambling games going on.
"Wouldn't you rather go see one of the ladies they got here?" you ask.
"Well... maybe later. I wanna see if I can win some more money first, then I'll be able to pay more for special requests!" Kelium says excitedly.
"Um, sure. I'm gonna warn you though, a lot of these folks pretty serious about their gambling. I'd say play a few times and then stop before you lose ALL your money."
"Me lose? Hardly. I'm not unfamiliar with games of chance and it all comes down to probability! You just have to know the system and the beauty is, it isn't even cheating. I used to play private games against folks at the University all the time until everyone realized they would just be throwing their money away. These fools probably put all their misguided faith in Yag or whatever that silly deity of luck is called."
"Yeah? Well you might also want to be careful if you intend on winning all the time too. In fact that might even be more dangerous."
"Bah, stop worrying! Here! Go get yourself the best, I've got this." Kelium remarks and hands you a bunch of silvers as if it was nothing.
You quickly pocket them and briefly think about stopping Kelium since he's already throwing large amounts of money around like some clueless tourist. However you then remember you're supposed to be having fun and Kelium is a big boy and can probably handle himself.
You take your silver and indulge in the best looking whore the Sultry Siren has to offer. You have so much fun with Ariel that you lose track of time until she tells you to get out because you've run out of coin.
Just as well since you probably need to go check to see if Kelium has lost all his money yet.
To your surprise he wasn't joking about knowing "the system" and he's up by at least a few hundred already.
"Hey! You have as much fun as I've been having? Here, go have some more fun!" Kelium exclaims and shoves another pile of coins at you.
"This is great and all, but don't you think you better stop? I mean it looks like you're ahead." You say.
"No way, I'm nowhere near finished yet! More drinks for everyone!"
Well it looks like Kelium is spreading the wealth around even though he's winning. Most people seem to be cheering him on. You see a few disgruntled folks perturbed about losing, but nobody looks like they're ready to kill him yet. In fact you're amazed it hasn't happened already given how much he's won.
Maybe you were worried over nothing.
You take Kelium's coins and get yourself a few drinks before heading to see Ariel again.
This sort of merriment goes on for another few hours and by the time you're done with your third round of fun with Ariel (and a couple of her friends) you're only slightly less drunk than Kelium who is STILL winning despite the fact he shouldn't even be standing at this point.
Despite your intoxicated state, you're still aware of your surroundings and now you're starting see less cheering and more glaring eyes of hatred. You think this would be the time to leave.
"Kelium, (hic) it's getting a bit late, we got that thing to do tomorrow." You say, pulling at his arm.
"B... b... bbut I haven't... be... begun... (hic) to havffffun yet! (hic)." He slurs.
"Yeah you have, come on let's go... " you say and start grabbing up his coins and pushing him away from the table.
However the men he's currently playing with aren't receptive to that idea.
"Who the fuck are you, his fuck boy? He can't just leave without letting us have a chance of winning back our money." One of them says.
"Pfft, wouldn't matter anyway. I've been watching this asshole all night and while I can't prove it, I KNOW he's gotta be cheating. There's some magic shit going on or something maybe." Another remarks.
"Hey waitaminute, maybe it's THIS guy who's been in control the whole night! Maybe this guy is an illusion or something." a third says.
"What? That's redic... (hic) ulous. I've been spending all my time with the ladies in the back the whole time! I'm not a damn wizard!" you exclaim.
Unfortunately the men aren't convinced and begin advancing on you. You back away, and tell them they can take all the money, but Kelium really isn't keen on that idea even in his near passed out state.
"Whaaaaa!? (hic) Fuck dat! Haf at you!" he says and clumsily tries to draw his sword.
This is a very bad move and the men waste no time in turning this situation into what might have been just a beat down, into a stabby bad time.
Kelium is instantly run through by the time he draws his blade, then he's knocked to the floor dead.
"Oh shit... " you say and start to run.
Under normal circumstances you'd probably be able to get away, but you're just not in the best coordinated condition and you end up barely getting out the door before one of the gamblers trips you up and you go sprawling to the ground.
You feel a crushing blow to your head, which is then followed by someone roughly turning you over. You go for your flintlock, but are stopped and it's all the excuse they need to put a knife in your throat. |
The cons far outweigh the pros. You've found your niche by plying most of your trade at the university district. You're staying out of the Talons way and more or less keeping a low profile from the militia. You see no good reason to change that.
You guess you'll have to become more of a "salesman" of sorts if you steal anything that isn't actual money though. You suppose the drugs you pilfer from the medical school won't be too hard to get a good price for or find buyers. Maybe it's time to branch out your skill set anyway. You are working on your own so you really need to be a jack-of-all-trades and try not to rely on outside sources. Especially since you still believe that the Crimson Talons are destined for nothing good in the future.
Thinking no more about it, you pack some of your tools in your bag and set off for the university.
Later...
After picking a few random pockets, you pass by one of the bulletin boards to see if there are any big parties being announced in the near future (or even tonight) since those are always usually profitable to attend.
You take note of a couple listed and then you see a notice for a job.
ATTENTION!
In need of two people to assist in gathering several eggs from a Creptian Blueshell. Location will most likely be in the shores north of Hessla.
Trip will be paid for and a reasonable monetary reward will be provided upon completion of the task.
Please see me in my office at the medical school for details if interested.
Dr. Gossey
While you've seen a few of these notices in the past since your last job with Dr. Gossey, you've actually been reluctant to try it again for several reasons, but you're feeling a little adventurous. Might be good to get out of the city for a while anyway, because if that Zalmora woman comes around again to convince you to join, you might just be silly enough to do it.
You head over to the medical school and unlike last time you easily find Gossey's office without getting lost. (Though you sort of know this place fairly well by now considering all the medical paraphernalia you've stolen from this place)
When you arrive, you find that she's conveniently in her office. When she sees you she greets you warmly.
"Well, this is a surprise. I was wondering if we'd ever bump into each other again. I haven't seen you since the last time you got those qweepas for me. I guess classes are keeping you busy?" Gossey asks.
"Yeah, I tend to study a lot, but anyway I'm here about the job posting." You say.
"Oh good! I already got one person to help and since you did such a good job last time in acquiring the qweepas, I think I can safely hire you right away. Are you familiar with Creptain Blueshells?"
"Mm, not especially no."
"Well they're sort of like a cross between a snail and a crab, but about as big as a large dog. I mean they don't move very fast and they aren't usually overly aggressive in the scheme of things, but considering we need to take some eggs... well I can guarantee they aren't going to be happy."
"I see. I don't suppose they sell these creatures as a delicacy in Hessla do they?"
"Oh no. They're far too poisonous to most life forms for that. In fact beside their shells, that's probably their number one defense. Don't let them spit on you."
"They spit?"
"Oh yes, but as I said, you'll have extra help this time. A student from the magic college is coming on the trip, along with my assistant Kelium. Between the three of you, I don't anticipate you'll have any problems as long as you remain cautious."
"Magic huh? Hmm, well that sounds like evening the odds a bit at least."
"To be sure, but I know this still has its danger, so it will be fifty gold upon completion. I'd offer a little more, but the other student needs her payment too."
Fifty gold pieces is a nice chunk to go towards your secret savings. And as far as the crab snails monsters go, the wizard can probably handle the heavy lifting what with the fireballs and lightning and such.
"Sounds reasonable. So when do we get going?" you ask.
"Well since we have you now, I suppose I can get the trip going in three days. I'll explain to my assistant what you look like and you can just meet up with him at the carriage station in the morning. You'll probably have to stay in Hessla for the night when you reach it, but from there you should travel north along the coast to seek out the Creptians, but don't worry on that front, my assistant will have a map and I think you'll find Kelium much more agreeable than the last time you worked one of these jobs." Gossey remarks.
"Well that's good to hear. Did Elana graduate then?" you ask.
"It's the strangest thing. She never returned. I don't really want to think about what might have happened to her, but that's all in the past, and I'm sure you did your best in trying to convince her that staying in Hessla alone ran a risk. Oh well, all in the past. But right now, all you have to do is make sure you get some of Creptian eggs. That's the most important thing." Gossey remarks.
Having come to an agreement with Dr. Gossey and her explaining what Kelium looks like along with the magic student Yvette, you take your leave of the university and head back home.
Your next few days mainly consist of you preparing yourself for the trip. You pack your short sword, and a couple extra knives along with your flintlock. You also go and steal yourself some anti-venom from the apothecary. (Along with a few other items) You figure it can't hurt.
Finally on the day you're supposed to meet everyone, you go to the carriage station and seek out your companions for this trip.
Doesn't take long when you see a tall pale man wearing a cap loading up a few bags on a carriage and near him is a shorter woman with light brown hair. You're guessing that's them. You also look at the driver and see that it isn't Yrid.
"Hey, you're Yvette and Kelium right?" you ask, and both of them turn to address you and confirm this question, then you announce who you are.
"That's great. More people to talk with on the trip." Kelium says easily hoisting another bag on top of the carriage with one arm.
"Hi." Yvette says demurely.
Not exactly what you expected. Kelium seems like less like a scholar and more like an athletic type. And you were expecting Yvette to be dressed in a robe or something similar. Maybe even holding a staff or something. At least neither are dressed screaming of "Hey I'm rich, come rob and enslave me!" though.
All three of you pile into the carriage, which is already better than last time. You and Kelium sit on one side while Yvette sits on the other and you're soon on your way.
Kelium talks for half of the trip and almost never shuts up. He goes on about his studies and how he's been helping Dr. Gossey and what he plans to do when he graduates. It probably would all be very fascinating if you actually cared. Still, at least he's pleasant enough and he's talking so much about himself he doesn't ask anything about you at all. You occasionally just give a general agreement with whatever he's saying.
Yvette is quiet and is just mainly listening to Kelium. She doesn't talk at all. Maybe wizards are just like that. All that isolated studying.
Eventually Kelium does shut up because he starts to get sleepy. He mentions that he was studying up on Blueshell Creptians all night just to be extra prepared. He then mentions for you two to wake him when you arrive in Hessla and soon he's fast asleep complete with snoring.
You take this opportunity to sit over on the other side of the carriage.
"Um. What are you doing?" Yvette asks a bit suspiciously.
"I'm sitting over here, because that snoring giant over there is taking up most of the room, not to mention he's loud enough even without being seated right next to him. I'd like to reach Hessla and not be deaf in one ear." You explain.
"Oh. Okay then." Yvette says and then gets over as far as she can when you sit down.
"You... don't trust me do you?" you ask.
"Um... no, I mean yes. I mean um... " Yvette stutters.
"Hah. It's okay. I understand being cautious, but I'm really not going to do anything, I mean you're a wizard. I'm not risking getting a spell cast on me."
"No! It's not that! It's just well... I'm not used to being cramped in a small space like this with a bunch of people. I like a lot of personal space."
"Ah. Got it. Also understand. You want me to go back and sit over there?"
"No. It's okay. You seem nice."
"Thanks. Don't hear that one often. So I've never met a wizard before. Tell me everything."
"There isn't much to tell and I'm not really a wizard. I'm still just an adept. I actually took this job as part of my own assignment of taking what I learned in the classroom and applying it to the field. I was sort of too nervous just to do it alone."
"Well it is a scary world out there at times."
You proceed to speak with Yvette for the rest of the trip who slowly starts to open up a bit. She goes on to tell you that the magic school isn't even all that big. She's only one of twenty-three students! Apparently the university is almost on the verge of closing it down since naturally magically talented individuals seem to be born less and less these days.
However, magic is still a mighty force in this world and one of the Klyton Council members is a mage himself (Though not a particularly powerful one), so the school remains open.
Just as you're starting to get Yvette to laugh at your dumb goblin jokes, you're arriving in Hessla and the driver stops.
"I guess we should wake up Kelium." Yvette says.
"Yeah, I suppose so." You reply a bit disappointed. You were starting to enjoy your personal time with Yvette.
While Yvette wakes him up, you get out to speak to the driver and ask him to take you to an inn that's better than the Barnacle.
"And DON'T even fucking think about taking us to the Cozy Krak Inn!" you exclaim.
"Wasn't going to sir. I've never even heard of the place. I was going to suggest going to the Sea Dog."
"Is it a slavers den?"
"Um, no. It's run by an old ex-pirate and is more or less friendlier than most inns."
"It better be." You say.
You get back in and see that Kelium is awake and the carriage soon takes you to your destination.
The Sea Dog is better than the Barnacle, but not by much. However, it at least isn't trying to appear like something it isn't. Kelium grabs all the supplies he packed, he doesn't even ask for help.
The ex-pirate that the driver mentioned reminds you of Trobart from the Welcome Mat because as soon as you enter he's glaring at you with his one good eye and asking what the hell you want.
While you would probably return the verbal abuse, Kelium takes it all in stride and simply pays for the rooms. Unfortunately only two are available. Naturally it's decided that Yvette will take one room and you'll have to share one with Kelium. Not looking forward to that mostly because the guy snores so loudly.
However as it turns out Kelium isn't ready to go to sleep.
"I partially slept on the way here, so I'm wide awake! We should hang out and go find a proper tavern! Or better yet let's go find a gambling house! Dr. Gossey gave me all this money for the trip; I bet I can fucking double it!" Kelium exclaims.
"But don't you need to be alert for the trip north tomorrow?" you ask.
"I'll be fine! Besides, we don't have to leave first thing in the morning. Come on, let's go have a little fun! This place has got to have less restrictions than Klyton!"
"I dunno, I really think you should just stay put and try to get some rest. I mean I haven't slept so... "
"Come on man! You're not one of those guys that studies all the time are you? I mean I figure you took a job like this because you're an adventurous type! I mean yeah you got a job and I got an assignment, but shit, I ain't never been to a different town before. I wanna explore the scenery a bit! Maybe we can get Yvette to join us too! I saw you checking her out! She's a bit too quiet and bookish looking for me, but hey whatever you like man."
On one hand you don't really have anything against going out and spending someone else's money and maybe having some fun, but you also don't relish the idea of having to look after this fool because with his boisterousness you just know he's going to get himself into a whole mess of trouble and you already got monster crab snails to deal with tomorrow and EVERYONE needs to be prepared for that shit.
> talk him into staying
You can't believe that you're actually leaning towards being the "responsible" one here.
"Look, I get that this is all very exciting for you seeing as you've lived a sheltered rich life and all... "
"I am not rich or sheltered! My father has to bust his ass making my tuition payments!"
"... yeah... in any case. I've been to this town before and its reputation is well earned. There are people here that make the dregs of Klyton look like priests of Joachim and if you run afoul of them, it isn't going to be good for you."
"Pfft, I can handle trouble." Kelium says and flexes his muscles a bit and pulls a sword out of his bag.
"Yeah, maybe you could handle one person, but the problem is these sort don't travel alone, they ALWAYS travel in packs and I can honestly say that YOU are not going to handle five or even three by yourself."
"Well wouldn't you help me? I mean isn't that why you're here?"
"Your job or assignment is to get some monster crab eggs. MY job is to help you in that task. My job is NOT however looking after your ass while you look for fun or trouble. Now I suggest you get some rest which is what I'm going to do because giant snail monsters that spit poison sound like they need full attention."
You fully expect Kelium to argue some more with you, but he doesn't. You also expect him to just leave the room by himself, but he doesn't do that either thankfully. He just says he thought you were going to be fun and starts reading through some of his papers.
Feeling a little pleased with yourself, you lay down on your bed and attempt to get to sleep before Kelium genuinely starts to get tired again, because if he starts snoring there is no way you're going to get any sleep.
Much later, you groggily wake up and find that your speech was less effective than you thought.
Kelium is not in your room. In fact, it doesn't even look like his bed has been slept in. You just shake your head and groan.
"Stupid fucker probably got himself enslaved or his throat cut." you mutter, as you get yourself prepared to go look for this idiot.
The first stop you make is Yvette's room.
"Hey Yvette." You say knocking on the door.
"Um... yes?" she answers, but not opening the door.
"Is Kelium in there?"
"No, why would he be? What are you implying?"
"... what? Nothing! I'm just asking because he's gone, and it doesn't look like he's slept in his bed either. I'm guessing he took off to have fun in the middle of the night."
"Oh dear. Um... well hold on, I have to get ready. I'll be out soon." Yvette says.
You half wonder if Kelium is in there and he's climbing out of a window. If that is the case, it's going to be real obvious if he and Yvette slept together last night. You aren't sure why Yvette would bother hiding it though; it isn't like you really give a shit.
As it turns out however, that isn't the case at all and you don't even have far to go to find Kelium.
You find him just outside the Sea Dog, stripped nearly naked and lying unconscious by the street.
"Well, at least that's one less thing to worry about." You say to yourself and begin the undesirable task of dragging his ass back inside. It's sometime at this point, Kelium begins to rouse from his unconsciousness.
In between the name-calling and laughter by the locals, you manage to get him back to the room where Yvette joins you both.
Kelium has a wicked hang over, but manages to explain what he remembers. He says that after you fell asleep he went out to explore the town and soon found himself in a card game at some place that he can't remember the name of. He claims he was winning and also says that someone must have drugged his drink and robbed him of everything.
"I told you not to go out. You're just lucky that getting robbed blind was all that happened to you." You say.
"Yeah, yeah, fuck. You sound like some old bitch. Shit. My head. Alright fine. Just let me get my spare clothes, and we can go get these fucking eggs." Kelium says.
"Wait, we're going now? Are you in condition to do this? Maybe we should wait a day." Yvette asks.
"I'll be fucking fine! Besides, I just lost all my money. We can't afford to stay here another night. We need to get these eggs today and then get the fuck outta this shitty town."
You don't even ask HOW you're supposed to get back to Klyton if he's lost all his money. Though you've brought a little with you, so you suppose you'll be footing the carriage bill. Like Yvette, you aren't sure if Kelium is in the best condition to go do this, but you're certainly not going to be paying for more time at the inn either, so if he thinks he's good to go, then you are too. Besides, you're going to be happy when this is over with and you're questioning why you ever decided to do this again.
"Adventurous... I should have that drunk Virgil check me for demonic possession." You mutter.
After Kelium gets dressed and gathers his supplies (Which at least he's carrying), the three of you set off on your journey to get these eggs. Unfortunately, its not just a simple matter of sticking to the coast and finding them along the shore, Kelium says you'll probably have to go into a cave seeing as they like to lay their eggs some place dark, wet and safe.
"Um, we have to enter a cave?" Yvette asks.
"Yeah, what's the big deal?" Kelium asks.
What Yvette doesn't answer right away, you step in.
"I think Yvette is a bit uncomfortable with small spaces, especially dark ones crawling with monsters." You say.
"Huh? Well that's just tough because she signed up for this task voluntarily. Nobody held a flintlock to her head. Besides, it's most likely a big open cave given how large blueshell creptians are." Kelium remarks.
"Oh, well that changes everything."
You travel a bit longer until you start climbing up a small hill. Kelium occasionally looks at the ground and tries to find signs of creptians. He seems to know what he's doing, despite his condition, though at this point you're more on the look out of other potential bad types like say bandits or something similar. Meanwhile Yvette looks like she's expecting trouble everywhere since she's looking around constantly.
"Yvette, calm yourself. Out of the three of us, you've probably got the most power here to deal with anything." You say.
"I dunno what you think I can do. I know. I'm not some high mage like in the old stories. As I told you, I'm just starting out and I haven't even been out of the city before."
"Hm, so you can't just summon a ball of flame or shoot lighting?"
"Um... well not what you're probably thinking. I mean maybe I could conjure a small palm sized ball of flame. Not sure if that would take down a Blueshell Creptian though, and it takes all my focus just to do it."
"Better than nothing I suppose."
Suddenly you hear Kelium yelling about something. You were so busy speaking with Yvette you didn't even notice Kelium disappeared... again.
"HEY COME HELP ME! SHIT!" Kelium shouts.
You and Yvette run over to the other side of the hill you were on and see Kelium with his sword in hand and scrambling for cover behind a rock. You also see what you can only guess is a blueshell creptian. It looks exactly how you pictured. A big snail, with big crab like claws and a blue shell.
Nearby the creptian you see a large sloping hole in the ground, you can only imagine that's where it has made its home.
"HEY! MOVE IN MAN! ATTACK!" You hear Kelium shout as a glob of blueshell spit hits the rock he's hiding behind.
You pull out your flintlock and fire at the blueshell and find that the shot doesn't even penetrate its hard shell. In fact it doesn't even turn its attention to you, so far it's just slowly crawling over to Kelium's position.
"Yvette, can you cast some sort of light spell or cause something to glow?" you ask.
"Yeah, but how is that going to help?" Yvette says.
"It'll help me search that cave for the eggs while it's distracted."
"Wait, you're going in there alone? What happens if there's another one in there?"
"Well, I'll be running out of there really quick I guess. You just try to distract that blueshell and when I get the eggs we can all get the hell out of here."
"I dunno, I think maybe we should try to work together to kill the blueshell, then deal with the cave."
"And I don't think we're going to be able to, or at least not with what we got. Look, I'm going to be as quick as I can. All you have to do is stay away from that thing and find some cover. It doesn't move that fast."
"I dunno... "
Obviously Yvette has some doubt about this plan and if she does there's a chance she could panic, but you really don't have confidence in her plan either especially since it means you'd have to get closer or at least aim for a place that isn't armor plated.
> proceed with your plan
It might seem slightly cowardly on your part, but you're not a damn massive warrior, you sneak about and steal shit. You're playing to your real strengths, which isn't going head to head with some big ass armored monster.
"Yvette, look this is going to work. I'll go grab the eggs and you just try to help Kelium. And if shit starts getting too much for you, I want you to just run back to Hessla. There is no damn point in all of us dying."
"But... "
"But nothing, you just have to trust me on this. I'll be fine, I just need to see in that cave, so cast whatever spell you need to, to make that happen."
Yvette is reluctant, but your words and the urgency of the situation causes her to comply. She says some sort of weird shit and moves her hands about and then suddenly a little ball of light appears in front of you.
"That will follow you around and should last quite awhile, but you still need to hurry!" Yvette exclaims and then starts casting another spell.
You don't waste any time running down towards the blueshell lair. The creature still doesn't notice you, but you certainly hear Kelium shouting at you about what you think you're doing.
You enter the blueshell dwelling and your boots are immediately covered in some sort of slim |
e that the monster no doubt left. It smells pretty bad in here, but it isn't like the stench of something rotten, it's more like a strong chemical smell that burns your nostrils.
The deeper you go, the more slime there is and the stronger the smell, you're practically gagging at this point. Whether there is another blueshell in here or not isn't going to matter much longer because you're about to leave before you become overwhelmed by just the smell.
Then that's when you get lucky and spot something that you guess are eggs. They look oval shaped and seem to have a hard shell so that's good enough for you. You grab as many as you can and shove them into your bag. You're really going to have to bathe after this.
With the eggs in the bag you run out of this foul cave as quick as you can partially vomiting the whole time. In fact you actually start to feel like you're going to pass out and that's when you start to wonder if this slime on your hands from the eggs isn't also poisonous. You wipe them as much as you can on your clothing and soldier on. Just as the little ball of light that's following you starts to go out, you see the light of the outside and then you also see a sizable fire and smoke. You were so busy with your task, you sort of blocked out the distant sounds of the battle outside.
Upon exiting the cave, the smell hasn't improved, though now charred crepitan flesh is filling the air. Small fires burn on the sparse grass and you see the burning carcass of the creptian. Whatever power Yvette didn't think she was capable of she was clearly wrong.
You hear some sobbing which you can only guess is her, you follow the sound and see her sitting on the ground with her face in her hands.
"Yvette? What... What's going on? I certainly hope you aren't crying because killed that thing." You say.
"No! (sob) I'm crying because I didn't kill it quick enough! Look over there!" Yvette shouts and points to a body not lying too far away.
You walk over and see Kelium and he's completely blue. He was hit face first with the spit (He's got translucent blue goo all over his head) and whatever happened afterwards obviously took effect immediately. His face is twisted in a manner that its very apparent his death was pretty painful.
Still feeling a bit sick yourself, you quickly take some of the anti-venom you bought. You just hope it helps and you aren't slowly dying. You go back over to Yvette who is still upset.
"Yvette, it's bad what happened, but it really isn't your fault. I mean this was a dangerous job, any one of us could have died. I mean you killed the beast which means you have more power than you thought you did, that should count for something right?" you say.
"But what about Kelium? I mean we were supposed to keep him safe! What are we going to do?" Yvette answers.
"Okay, first off, you don't even need to worry about it. I know how to handle Dr. Gossey. I know it's going to sound strange, but I don't think she's going to be as upset as you are. But I do have to ask, what exactly was your assignment?"
"Just to practice my magic in the field and report the results. They have a way to tell if I'm lying or not."
"So we don't need to cut off a piece of that burning crab snail as proof then?"
"No, but I'm wondering if I'll get marked down for being the cause of someone's death during my assignment."
"Yvette, you need to put that guilt out of your mind. Seriously. Kelium's death wasn't your fault. It really wasn't. To be honest, if Kelium hadn't gone out and gotten himself wasted last night, this whole expedition might have gone a little more cautiously. Under the circumstances I'd say we did the best we could have done. Just tell them you tried to be the voice of reason. All of this has truth to it, you just have to know how to spin it and you have to believe it yourself."
"I... dunno... I just wasn't brought up that way... "
"Of course you weren't, but there really isn't a good reason why you should possibly suffer a lowered grade because other people fucked up right? Come on, let's get back to Hessla, I'll go over everything with you along with way there and on the way back to Klyton. I want to head over to the shoreline though and wash this slime off first though."
You spend your remaining time with Yvette going over the fine art of "telling the truth." Again, it's silly to you anyway, because she REALLY didn't do anything wrong and she's just blaming herself. However, if it's going to help calm her when she has to go before this magical lie detector then you don't mind helping. Not like she deserves getting a bad grade.
By the time you're taking the carriage ride back to Klyton, you're feeling a little better. You guess you're not dying of blueshell poison, then again it just got on your hands, you didn't get a load of the stuff in your face like Kelium did.
At some point you fall asleep on the trip to Klyton and Yvette wakes you up when you arrive.
"Hey, wake up, we need to switch carriages to go to the university." Yvette says.
"Huh? Wha? It's night." You say.
"Yes, but we should still get to the university a little after midnight. Should be enough time to get some sleep before seeing Dr. Gossey. Of course I also have to go before my professor to give my report too. What's on your agenda?"
"Um... nothing. No classes. In fact I'm not heading to the university."
"Wait you don't live on campus?"
"Me? Nah, I prefer keeping my personal life and school a bit separate in that regard."
"Oh. I see. Where do you live?"
"It's nowhere special really... so hey I have an idea, why don't you just worry about your wizard report tomorrow. Like I said, I'll go see Dr. Gossey and talk to her about what happened. I've worked for her before and I know exactly what to say, she'll understand, trust me."
"I'm still nervous about the report."
"You'll do fine. Just keep in mind what I said. You didn't do anything wrong and have nothing to feel guilty about."
You aren't sure what else to do to alleviate her fears, so you just go for it and kiss her on the lips before she can even do anything about it. She's in shock and pushes you back.
"Wha... what?! Why'd you do that for?!" she exclaims.
"I dunno. I like you... and you still seemed to be worried so I did the only thing I could think of that calm you."
"Seriously?! That's what you thought? You think I'm just some empty headed damsel that's going to fall for all the honeyed words you've been telling me since we've been on this trip? I know how you've been looking at me; I'm not stupid you know! In fact you're right this ISN'T my fault! It's YOURS! If we had worked together as a team, Kelium might very well have lived!"
"Oh fuck... forget it. I'm sorry, don't turn me into a toad."
"I don't need to, you obviously already have the manners of one!"
"... Okay... I'm just gonna leave. Good luck on your report." You say and just take you leave before Yvette can continue yelling at you.
Well that could have gone better. You just couldn't help it though; you thought her whole modest demeanor was cute and alluring, probably because you don't encounter many girls like that. Maybe it was for the best though, not like you would have had much of a future with a girl like that.
In any case, you're going home with a bag of slimy monsters eggs. You push Virgil out of the way when you get to the Welcome Mat.
"I'm in no mood, you fucking drunk." You say and slam the door behind you.
"Sheesh, you're very emotional." You hear him retort.
You collapse on the bed and sleep. (At some point in the night, Elana curls up by your feet.)
Later...
You wake up and immediately make your way to the university. You sort of hope you don't bump into Yvette, because you'd rather not get into that mess again.
After an uneventful trip, you get to Dr. Gossey's office where you see her writing something out.
"Hey, that was quicker than I thought! I trust you have the eggs in that bag?"
"Yep, but careful, they still got some of that poisonous slime on them, you can just take the whole bag. No way I'm getting that clean again." You say and place it on a table.
"Not surprised. Hope you didn't get sick... but I guess if you're here then you must have had the forethought to prepare yourself. Um... where is my assistant and the other one?"
"Oh, Yvette had to give a report to her wizard professors, but I'm sure she'll show up here later to collect her coin. As for Kelium... well... "
"(Sigh) Damn. I guess I should ask how it happened."
"I don't want to speak ill of the dead... but he wasn't exactly careful. I tried to tell him not to directly attack the blueshell and that the eggs were good enough, but he really wanted to impress you by bringing back one alive. He didn't really think that out however and well to make a long story short, he got himself killed and if it hadn't been for Yvette's magic, I probably would have died too. It was terrible."
Dr. Gossey shakes her head.
"Sounds like Kelium. He always was eager to impress and please. I always told him safety should always take priority. Certainly a loss, but at least you got the eggs, that's the most important thing."
And of course just like you figured, Gossey's concern was more about the goal than the lives involved in it. You take your fifty gold and once again leave a bit richer.
You know exactly how you're going to spend some of it too. You leave the university and head to Madam Moonlight's place.
"Haven't seen you in awhile, will you be having your usual?" the elven madam asks.
"Um, no not today. Got kind of a special request this time." You answer.
"Well if you got the coin and it doesn't involve killing someone, we can probably accommodate."
You explain in some detail about what you want exactly and the madam says that's a simple request and thought you were going to ask for something elaborate like an orc hermaphrodite to shit and piss on you while you sucked a centaur cock.
"What?! NO! That's disgusting! Why the hell would anyone want that?!" you exclaim.
"You'd be surprised, we cater to all types here. Don't judge." Moonlight scolds.
"Look whatever, just set me up and no horse cocks or shitting orc freaks!"
After a few minutes the Moonlight comes back to take you to your girl. You enter the room and see a short woman with light brown hair dressed in a robe.
"Hello, I'm Yana and I need you to help me complete my spell ritual. I need your wand in my magic circle... " The woman says while seductively walking over to you.
"(Sigh) NO. Your name is Yvette and you're shy. Not some fucking aggressive trollop! Got it?" you order.
"Okay okay, got it! Sheesh, you're very emotional."
"Yeah, so I've heard."
> time passes...
Year 25
"Look, I dunno anything about what that old bastard does in his spare time, I just pay my rent and mind my own business." You say.
The militiamen give you a look like they don't quite believe you.
"Just an innocent in all this eh? Bullshit. Trobart says you're a rogue through and through." One of them remarks.
"Yeah, and one of your neighbors, Randi I believe? She says you even have ties to the Crimson Talons." Another adds.
You nearly want to laugh, but you resist since you don't want to piss off the militia unnecessarily.
"Really? You're going to believe a whore and some guy that sells alcohol illegally in his basement? They're just trying to save their own asses by making false accusations! You turned my room upside down and didn't find ANY stolen goods. And if I was a Crimson Talon, do you really think I'd be living in the shithole that I'm currently living in?" you answer.
"Didn't say you were a Crimson Talon, just said you had ties to them. And if you think just because we didn't catch you with anything that you're off the hook. You deny that you're a criminal, but as I said, it's obvious that you have no visible means of support, so you have to be doing something illegal." A militia officer says.
"How do you know I don't have a proper job? You're just making baseless assumptions."
"Am I now? I don't think so. I think it's obvious that you're just some second rate pissant sneak thief that is so pathetic at your own lowly trade that you managed to avoid our eye for so long. In fact I can imagine you probably TRIED to join the Crimson Talons, but they just kept you on as an associate bitch because you weren't good enough to be a real member."
"Interesting theory. Is this going somewhere?"
"YOU'RE going to be going somewhere if you don't shut the fuck up and listen closely to my offer!" the militia officer exclaims, getting in your face.
You sit back in your chair and remain silent. The militia officer continues to stare at you assessing your every tell your face might be giving off.
"It's like this criminal scum. You're on our fucking list now. I've got your name, I've got your ass. Your best bet would be to just get the fuck out of this city, but I know you. You probably think you're smarter than me. Well you ain't and you're gonna get caught. Maybe not now. Maybe not even next year, but you WILL fuck up. And when you do, I'm going to make sure they put you in the smallest hanging cage we got. Believe that."
The militia officer then pulls back a bit and adopts a less combative stance along with a calmer voice.
"Now, all that being said... we do have bigger fish to catch and if you did... say have ties to the Crimson Talons then MAYBE you might know where their hideout is. If you helped us with something like that, then well maybe I might be inclined to not keep such a close eye on you."
Well it's times like these that make being a criminal not so much fun, though honestly as the years have been going on, you're starting to wonder why you ever thought it was fun in the first place.
You haven't really much contact with the Crimson Talons since Zalmora visited you that one day asking you to join. All you did hear is that Tom isn't in charge anymore and was killed by one of the more aggressive members who took over. Word says he's a real tyrannical asshole, which might explain why none of the Talon members that have gotten arrested haven't actually ratted on him themselves.
It also explains when you have bumped into a couple of their members randomly in the taverns, they've been less than friendly and warned you to stay out of their territory. (Which you most certainly have been doing for years now)
You do know that their headquarters is still in the same location. You don't know why the militia doesn't know where it is though given how they've increased their own activity as of late. The militia can be remarkably blind at times.
"Look, if I did have dealings with the Crimson Talons, I'd help you out, but I just don't associate with such people. Apologies." You say.
The militia officer doesn't look pleased by your answer, and you sort of wonder if he's going to end up throwing you in jail anyway, but he lets you go.
"Okay then, but remember I gave you an out today and you turned it down. Be seeing you soon criminal."
You get up from the chair you've been sitting on for who knows how long and walk out the door, though not before one of the militia shoves the back of your head. It's frustrating, but any dealing with the militia that you walk away from is a victory.
From the militia barracks you make your way back to the Welcome Mat, which is practically destroyed at this point. At least it is on the inside. The law-abiding inhabitants (Or at least the criminal ones that didn't get caught) are busily trying to gather and clean up the mess the militia made of their homes. You imagine Trobart, even with his ratting bullshit on you isn't going to be able to keep this place any longer.
You enter your own ruined room where upon Elana comes out from whatever hole in the wall she was hiding in and squeaks at you.
"Hey Elana, glad to see they didn't get you girl. Now let's hope they didn't get anything else either."
You find a chair that wasn't destroyed and check the hiding spot you have in the ceiling of your room. After checking and pulling out your small locked container you breathe a sigh of relief. Your small savings are still intact.
You'll be needing it too, because everything else was taken. Your weapons, your tools, everything that you use or need in your profession. Granted it wasn't a lot, but it's still a loss. You'll also be needing to find a new place to live.
As you're pondering your next move, your door with the broken lock opens up. It's Virgil and he appears to be sober for a change.
"Damn, they really did a number on yer room too I see." Virgil says.
"Yeah, but it's still my fucking room. What the hell do you want, I don't have any money so you can go get drunk." you say.
"And I wasn't askin'. Sheesh, I was just coming in here to see if you were around. I wanted to apologize for bothering you all the time for money actually."
"Oh?"
"Yeah... I mean I dunno if you noticed but I haven't been around as much lately."
"Hmm, I did notice a reduction in our usual encounters over the past month."
"I've been trying to get my life back together. Get myself right with Joachim again. Part of that is me apologizing and trying to make amends for all the times I bothered you."
"Oh yeah? You got a bag full of coins for all the times I gave you money for booze?"
"No. I wish I did. I know how you like money... I might even give you a lecture about that, but I'm not really in any position to do so. I first need to get myself right with Joachim and then I might be able to guide others into his light like I was supposed to be doing in the first place."
"Not sure if you preaching at me is any better than you hitting me up for booze money."
"I'm sure to you it isn't, but I'm here to apologize anyway and if there is something within my power to help you, just let me know."
"Well, thanks I suppose. Can't really think of anything I need from you though, unless you got an idea of a new cheap place to live at that isn't completely a shithole."
"Not really, unless you want to sleep in one of the poor rooms at the Church of Joachim. That's sort of where I've been staying lately. Would have been living there before, if I hadn't gotten asked to leave for my...weakness. Guess I might be living there for good now. Just as well. It was time to move on."
"Don't think that's going to work out for me, but thanks for the offer."
Virgil nods and then says something about Joachim's blessing be upon you.
You finish packing up and when you're only a few steps away from the Welcome Mat, it suddenly occurs to you. Your family's old inn. It's still abandoned. You could easily stay there and that would at least save you some of the costs.
"Should have thought about that in the first place." You say and make your way to the inn. Of course as you begin to do so, you realize you're being followed. That officer wasn't fucking around when he said he was going to have eyes on you all the time.
It takes some time, but you end up losing them, but now you're practically on the other side of the city! If this is how it's always going to be, it's not going to matter where you stay.
Maybe it is time to leave Klyton, which you suppose you don't mind since things haven't been the greatest here, but you just hate being chased off like this.
Of course there's always the option the officer suggested.
You don't really have any loyalty to the Talons, so if it did help you out in the long run, well it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world. It might even help you with less competition around that is actually making it harder for everyone else. Ever since the change in leadership, the Talons have also been selling Yellow Devil which has been causing a bit of a minor crime wave, what with all the extra junkies running around causing problems. (Even at your stomping grounds, the University)
Of course being a rat is a pretty damn serious offense in the criminal world (Even if it goes on all the time) and if the Crimson Talons ever did find out, it probably wouldn't go well for you.
> leave Klyton
You're a lot of things, but you ain't no rat. Besides, it isn't like it's going to make a difference anyway except maybe getting yourself killed if word got out.
Your best bet is to seek greener pastures so to speak. Without another thought you make your way to the carriage station.
Holgard comes to mind, but there's always some sort of rebellion or power struggle going on there. You'd rather not have to deal with being in the middle of that mess. The Delantium Kingdom is at war with some other nation, so you'd rather avoid the possibility of suddenly getting press ganged or conscripted into military service.
The only other place is Hessla, which at least you're somewhat familiar with. The trip to Hessla is uneventful and when you arrive the same power structure is in place. Tolen is still the governor and his Headsmen provide the order. At least some things remain consistent.
After spending a few days in Hessla you realize you're going to have to find some more reliable way of earning coin because thievery here is too high risk with low reward. Most people here aren't exactly rolling in coins. Shops are always well protected so is anyone who does have a lot. At best you might get a pirate that's flush with ill gotten loot, but you'd probably have to get one right off the ship because they spend it like water.
Not to mention the Headsmen are probably more vicious than the militia. They might not be as observant, but they don't need to be. Unlike you, folks here tend to have no qualms about ratting out thieves where upon the Headsmen deal out swift justice.
You need to find something suited to your skills.
The first thing that comes to mind is piracy given that you're here in the heart of it. Granted you're no sailor and you have little knowledge on what exactly is involved, but it is something you imagine your trade might come in handy.
Not really knowing how this is done, you head to one of the docks looking for work.
First one you try is a big dark skinned bald man who is standing by a large ship with several cannons mounted in it. He looks intimidating, and seems more surprised that you even approached him rather than annoyed.
"Um, you lost landlubber?" he asks.
"Landlubber?" you respond.
"Yeah, that's definitely you. You ain't a sailor and you sure as hell aren't a pirate."
"That obvious?"
"Given that you even approached me, you might as well be wearing a sign. So whadda ya want?" |
"I want to be a pirate."
The man stares at you in disbelief for a moment and looks you up and down before laughing heartily.
"Aren't you a little old to be having dreams of running away to be a pirate? Get the fuck outta here." The man says.
"I'm not that old, I'm probably younger than you. And what difference does it make how old I am?"
"Because this here is the Dominator and as I already pointed out, you're no sailor and we ain't got time to train you and you're not nearly young enough to act as a tag along cabin boy. The pirate shit is easy. Any thug off the street could be one. But bein' a sailor? THAT'S the hard part."
"Are you the captain of this ship then?"
"Oh no. I'm Zamed, the first mate. The captain of this fine vessel is Captain Illam and he's less tolerant than I am so you're not going to see him at all."
"I have skills! I can fight! I mean I'm an accomplished thief! I'm very stealthy! I can pick almost any lock... ANY lock if given enough time!"
"Yeah... that's not really helping you. Last thing we need is someone on our ship potentially sneaking around and pilfering hard earned loot. And as for yer fighting skills, I doubt if you were doing too much of that if you were sneaking about. I'd wager you wouldn't be much good in a boarding action or a coastal raid. You even know what its like to be in a real fight and so close to a man that when you stick your blade into him that you can smell death upon him?" Zamed says getting in your face and staring you down.
"Actually I do." You say staring up at Zamed.
Zamed continues to study you and then slowly moves back to his original position.
"Okay... so maybe you might qualify in that regard, but that still doesn't mean shit. As I said, we only take on skilled sailors and I KNOW you aren't one of those."
"But how am I going to learn how to be a sailor if I don't get any on experience?"
"That's your problem, not mine."
"Bah, this is bullshit." You say and start to walk away, but Zamed calls to you.
"Look, I don't normally do this, but since you even had the balls to approach me I'll help you out. You see those docks over there? Go over to that ship and ask if they're looking for any new crew. The captain has lower standards on his ship, he might accept you." Zamed says.
"That big one over there?"
"Hah. No, that one is Captain Yan's vessel, and you're not getting on that one. She only accepts women. You want the smaller one. The Steadfast run by Captain Rifiv."
"Figures."
"Hey, that's your best shot if you're serious about this life. Besides, don't let the looks fool you. It's not called the Steadfast for nothing. Rifiv might be well past his prime, but back in his day he was nothing to sneeze at. He's probably lived longer than most his contemporaries. Anyway good luck I guess."
You leave Zamed and head to the Steadfast. If this doesn't work out, you aren't sure what you're going to do next.
When you get near the vessel, you see a group milling around it just talking with each other. Several of them notice you approach and one addresses you.
"Looking for something?" a scruffy man wearing a rag on his head asks.
"This is the Steadfast right? I want to join the crew." You say.
They all look at each other and then the scruffy man addresses you again.
"You got any skills?" he asks.
You go on about your abilities the same way you did to Zamed. They don't look too impressed either, but they don't look disappointed either.
"Hmm, well we've certainly had less skilled people on this vessel. We weren't actively looking for anyone new though. However, the captain doesn't tend to mind a few extra hands, so you might get lucky. Come on, let me just go take you to him. The name's Scully by the way."
You follow Scully up the gangplank and wait as he knocks on the door of what you guess is the captain's cabin. He gets an answer to come in and after a couple minutes, Scully comes back out and tell you to come in as well.
That's when you meet this Captain Rifiv. He's practically an old man who is having a hard time walking with a cane. He's dressed better than everyone else on the ship, but that isn't saying much since even his fancy overcoat has patches sewn on it.
"So Scully says you want to join up. Also tells me your primary background was as a small time thief in Klyton and you have NO experience on the sea at all. That correct?" Captain Rifiv says.
"Yes." You answer.
"While the premise is still in the same family of taking other people's shit, you do realize being a pirate is a lot different than what you're used to right?"
"I do, but I'm willing to learn."
"Better learn quickly then, because if you fall behind or I don't think you're pulling your weight then I'll have you chopped up and thrown overboard for mermaid food. Understand?"
"Clearly."
"Okay, we'll see then. Scully show him where he'll be sleeping and everything else. And after you're finished doing that, gather the rest of the men because we're going to be setting off soon."
Well time to see if you're cut out for this line of work.
> time passes...
Year 28
When you joined three years ago, you figured it would be a couple months maybe. You didn't know how far away all these places you're raiding were going to be, let alone how long it would be before you returned home.
The raids themselves aren't exactly fun for you either. You realize you're really not the bloodthirsty type who gets off on killing folks all the time. There's been a lot of times you've hung back just so you can avoid most of the direct combat.
And that's starting to getting a bit noticeable mainly because enough of the crew has died that it can't afford to have any slackers. Fortunately Captain Rifiv hasn't called you out on it and it's just been a few of the crew bitching at you.
This isn't even counting the rape and there's a lot of that you haven't been engaging in either. Though some of them seem content on buggering each other. (And no matter how long you've been at sea, you can honestly say there's nothing that would even make you THINK about sticking it to any of this loathsome lot you're with!)
The only minor upside is you've been doing okay as far as loot is concerned. These idiots haven't been paying attention that you've been pilfering the odd coins or baubles from them so you actually have more than your share. However, you aren't exactly doing all that much better than you were as a regular thief though and worse, you're stuck at sea most of the time so you can't even enjoy it like you'd prefer.
There's also the fact that you've learned your way around a ship a lot more, though you question if this knowledge would actually ever be useful since you're having serious doubts about ever setting foot on another ship ever again.
Currently you're somewhere in the far southwest seas at some small port town called Gix. The Steadfast has been using the place as a rest stop in between raids mainly because it's the only civilized place in this area that is accepting of pirates and has been for as long as anyone can remember.
This place isn't Hessla though and isn't a "criminal town." It's just run by normal people going about their simple normal lives. The locals are a bit live and let live for the most part. They don't particularly enjoy having violent drunken pirates visiting, but as long as the pirates aren't messing with them, they're fine with accommodating them.
Sort of reminds you of how Teckleville used to turn a blind eye to you and your sister robbing travelling merchants.
You miss those days and not even the robbing part. You find that you're missing home in general. Maybe not even home so much you miss the environment as strange as that might seem. Then again, you never had the wanderlust that your sister had. (You imagine other than the killing and rape, she'd find all this pirate stuff pretty exciting) Had things been different you probably would have never left Teckleville.
Maybe you would have eventually settled down and become boring like everyone else in that town. At this point that doesn't seem all that bad. You guess you're just realizing that you're starting to get tired of this life.
Since you're hanging out with the Steadfast crew most of the time, you always take the opportunity to stay away from the lot of them when in town. Instead of drinking at the "pirate bar" of the town, you drink at the quieter one that the locals seem to prefer.
The first time you entered you got a lot of strange looks, but now nobody bats an eye. You're just minding your business after all. Still, occasionally the barmaid speaks to you and is fairly cordial. Seems to be in a more talkative mood today...
"Another successful voyage of raiding and pillaging?" Ola asks.
"I suppose so. Got enough money to spend here." You answer.
"Drinking does seem to be one of the more civilized favorite past times of you lot. Good thing of course since we'd have significantly less coin coming into the town. Sort of wondering though, how come you always come in here rather than going to the usual taverns?"
"Because I have to spend practically all my time around those assholes, so the moment I actually don't have to is a blessing."
"If you don't like the folks you sail with, why do it?"
"Good question, and one I've been asking myself more and more each day before finally coming to the inevitable conclusion."
"Which is?"
"That this pirate life isn't for me. As soon as we get back to Hessla, I'm not setting foot on a ship again. (Sigh) Another year at sea though before we return... ugh... I just dunno if I can take it."
"Well, why not just leave now?"
"... hmmm... I suppose I could... I doubt if they'd come looking for me. Do you have any transport ships that go to Hessla?"
Ola frowns a bit.
"We don't have ANY big ships. In case you haven't realized, we're a small town not a bustling trading city we hear you lot talk about. If it weren't for pirates coming here, we probably would never have much contact with the rest of the world. I mean the best you could do is get yourself a rowboat and row to this Hessla place. How far is it?" Ola asks.
"Too far. I doubt if I could even make it to Jicol in a rowboat. Oh well, guess I can tough out another year." You say.
"Why not just stay here?"
"Here? What would I do here?"
"Um, well you know your way around a ship right? You could work as a fisherman."
"Ugh, trying to get away from boats actually. Still, sitting in a rowboat and peacefully fishing sounds a lot more attractive right now than what I am doing."
"What are some of your other skills... um, I mean those that don't involve killing and raping people."
"First off, I've never raped anyone... " you start to say before Ola interrupts.
"You haven't? Oh thank Kalhu!"
You give Ola a bit of a strange look. Granted you two don't really know each other that well, but she seems way more talkative than she has in the past. If you didn't know any better you'd say she was flirting with you in some strange way.
"Okay, first who is Kalhu?" you ask.
"The god of this island of course. All the times you've been here, you've never heard of him before?" Ola says.
"Don't really pay much attention to religion. You're not going to preach at me are you?"
"No, why would I?'
"Because you seem very interested in my future and we don't know each other very well, so I'm wondering what this is all about."
Ola looks around and finally sits down next to you. A couple people look, but say nothing, you're a little taken back by all this though.
"This town is a good place with good people. We like our relative isolation, especially after hearing some of the tales from your pirate shipmates and other pirates we've dealt with in the past. But um... isolation has its downsides. There sometimes is um... lack of potential mates. At least not related ones." Ola says.
You start to tense up at where this might be going.
"Now some women of this town have sex with the pirates that visit here and that's good as it provides new blood for the town, but it is sometimes hard on these mothers to raise these children without a father around. A good family should have a mother and father." Ola says.
"So... what exactly are you asking me?"
"I'm asking if you would consider... (breathes nervously) being my husband."
You had a feeling, but you still weren't quite prepared. How could you be? It isn't like you get asked out of the blue to be someone's husband!
Ola goes on to explain that she knows how this might seem strange to an outsider like you, but she says that she fears her arranged marriage to her cousin since he has many undesirable physical traits that would not make for a strong child.
However, she also doesn't wish to submit herself to a one-night stand with some pirate (Apparently she's a bit on the moral side which is funny that she would come to you in the first place) and wants a husband to stick around to help raise your children. (Yes, she's already implied that she wants more than one.)
So she's picked you as a "last ditch" effort to find a husband who is physically fit (and attractive as she has mentioned as a secondary concern) and is most assuredly not related to her in some way. She also has said in the few conversations you've had with her you seem okay personality wise and not being a rapist is a big plus to her. (Curse your parents for instilling some sort of values in you)
For her part, Ola seems like a nice girl and isn't ugly. She's no Annah or Yvette, but you could certainly do worse.
You're a bit overwhelmed by all this sudden information though and as much as you don't want to get back on the Steadfast again, that's only going to be a year. This is going to be well... presumably until you die because she's already made it quite clear that passage off this island is a rarity.
You probably wouldn't see home again.
But then again what did you really have going on there? You tried being a thief and that didn't work out like you planned. You tried this pirate thing and that hasn't worked out either. All you've gotten is headache from your life of crime and not much to show for it ultimately. Also you don't really have a home anymore anyway seeing as you got permanently kicked out of Teckleville.
That thought about you finally giving all this up and becoming a normal boring person? Well that day might be today.
> get married
It's crazy and maybe you're going to severely regret this later, but getting married and out of this life sounds a whole hell of a lot better than getting on that ship for another year.
"Fuck it, let's do it." You say.
"Seriously?" Ola asks a little surprised.
"Yeah, I'm serious. Where and when is this going to happen?"
"Uh, well when I get off work in a little while we could go to the temple of Kalhu. The shaman should be able to perform the ceremony."
"So we don't need your parents there or anything?"
"No, all we need to be is bonded in the many eyes of Kalhu. This is great! This is really wonderful!" Ola beams.
You still have a few questions even though because while you're half way committing to this, there is still time to back out if it's too crazy.
"Um, okay, but wait I do need to ask. This isn't going to piss off your family is it? I mean you were engaged to your cousin, I don't want to cause some family drama or feud."
"Well I suppose my cousin will be upset, but you hardly have to worry about him. He's not really fit and strong like you are. His mother might also be upset, but as far as my family goes you shouldn't have too many problems. My father might be gruff with you, but his main concern is if you're going to be a good provider. Now did you do anything before being a pirate?"
You explain to Ola some of your past, which causes another frown from her. However when you get past all the thief stuff and briefly mention dealing with some wildlife for Dr. Gossey she stops you.
"Wait, so you have experience trapping and dealing with fauna?" Ola asks.
"Well I wouldn't say that exactly. I mean I had a pet qweepa, but that's because I had it from when it was a baby. And I had to collect these monster snail crab eggs." You say.
"That may be good enough. My cousin is a trapper and needs help sometimes keeping the pest population down in this town. He can teach you all you need to know. You could probably work with him."
"Won't that be weird considering I'm marrying you?"
"Huh? Oh no, this is a different cousin and he's married to my older sister so there won't be any trouble there."
"Oh. Well that's good to hear, I guess."
Ola goes on excitedly about how she will be a good wife to you and believes that Kalhu must have sent you personally to reward her for her prayers to him. This is all getting a little too "real" for you and you tell her that you need to get a few things from the ship, but this makes her nervous.
"You're coming back right?" she asks.
"I'm coming back, don't worry. I just really need to get the rest of my belongings off the ship. I mean I have a tidy hidden sum still aboard the ship, if I'm staying I don't want to just abandon that." You say.
"... okay I trust you. But please hurry back!" Ola says and then kisses you on the lips.
She then walks away with a smile, but it's very apparent she's concerned you are leaving.
And honestly you're wondering if you should.
You leave the tavern and quickly make your way back to the ship. You pace the floor of the empty cabin still wondering what the hell you're going to do. You feel really bad for just leaving Ola. She didn't really deserve getting her hopes up, only to get them destroyed. But...
Getting married? Being a pest trapper? Settling down and having a whole mess o babies? What the hell were you thinking?
"Hey, didn't expect anyone to be aboard, well except the captain and he's always in his quarters." One of your fatter crewmates says as he comes wandering in the door.
"Hey you seen my lucky dice? Gotta game with Fleegle and Hok an' those dice never let me down yet." He asks.
"No." you say still lost in your own thoughts.
"Meh, no matter, those two idiots got the worst luck anyway. I'll easily take them like I took that long haired lass on the last ship we raided, hahahahaha!"
You continue to pace and think, but this asshole keeps insisting on speaking to you.
"What's crawled up yer ass and got you all jittery? Yer about to wear a hole in the floor." He asks.
"Nothing." You say.
"Doesn't look like nothin' to me. You worrying about all the mermaid rumors in these southern waters? Listen I've been at sea long before you were even unleashed from yer father's balls and I ain't never seen a mermaid. They don't even fucking exist... "
"Will you just shut the fuck up?! I don't give a shit about what you have to fucking say! I got my own problems!" you snap.
The fat pirate's demeanor now changes to hostility.
"You fucking little cunt. Don't think I won't kick the shit out of you and throw you overboard after I'm done shoving my big fat cock up yer prissy ass. I see you walkin' around here thinkin' yer too good for this life and keepin' to yerself. And that's fine, but I also see that YOU haven't been pullin' yer fuckin' weight around here. Whenever we go on a raid, you stay in the back like a fucking bitch. Well let me tell you something, the next raid we go on, I better see some fucking bloodshed or I'm gonna make good on my previous threat."
This fat ass is twice your size and you don't have much room to move around. You back down.
"Alright, alright, apologies. Just a little preoccupied with something and I didn't mean to take it out on you." You say holding your hands up and stepping back. The fat pirate smirks and snorts in distain at your compliance.
And it's at that moment you've made your choice.
As soon as he turns his back, you punch the fat fuck as hard as you can in the base of his skull. The big man being unprepared for this crumples into the lowest hanging hammock and then you do it again. You aren't sure if you've killed him, but he's not moving. No matter, they'll probably think he's just asleep for awhile.
"All that time at sea and you never learned not to turn your back on a thief. Stupid fat asshole." You say.
You quickly gather up your belongings, loot the body of your dead crewmate and leave the ship. Fortunately you don't bump into any other crewmembers or the captain on your way out.
You return to the tavern where Ola works. She's busy at the moment, but smiles when she sees you. While you wait for her shift to be over, you go through your small bag of valuables (as well as your newly acquired one) and try to find something to give to her. With a bit more luck on your side, you manage to find a gold ring. Probably not her size, but it's the thought that counts.
Later that night, you and Ola go to the temple of Kalhu. The shaman there is a bit strange and so is the ceremony, but happily it's not that long. Within just a half hour, you're married and you soon find out that Ola's years of purity have paid off in your favor because apparently she had A LOT of pent up... "energy." You don't even make it that far out the temple before she's ready to consummate the marriage! Certainly no complaint on that front at least.
Over the course of the next few days you mainly hideout at Ola's cousin's home (The pest trapper, not the one you just stole his bride to be from) since you're a little concerned that your fellow crewmates are going to come looking for you. However, they either don't give a shit that you killed fat ass, or they still think he's asleep. Either way, they ultimately leave without you and you're finally in the clear.
You aren't exactly religious yourself, but you do give a little silent praise to Yag for your incredible fortune over these last few days. You just hope if he IS watching over you even to the smallest degree that your luck doesn't suddenly turn to shit for your brand new life.
And it is a brand new life now. You're married and on your way to be just some boring normal person in some boring small town that was much like the one you got run out of over a decade ago. Not to mention you'll most likely live out the rest of your life and die here.
But that's okay. Things could be a lot worse. Who knows, maybe you'll even still find a little excitement here and there even if it is of the mundane kind. This is after all a whole different experience for you to discover and enjoy if you can.
Whatever happens, your days as a rogue are over. |
Year 28
When you joined three years ago, you figured it would be a couple months maybe. You didn't know how far away all these places you're raiding were going to be, let alone how long it would be before you returned home.
The raids themselves aren't exactly fun for you either. You realize you're really not the bloodthirsty type who gets off on killing folks all the time. There's been a lot of times you've hung back just so you can avoid most of the direct combat.
And that's starting to getting a bit noticeable mainly because enough of the crew has died that it can't afford to have any slackers. Fortunately Captain Rifiv hasn't called you out on it and it's just been a few of the crew bitching at you.
This isn't even counting the rape and there's a lot of that you haven't been engaging in either. Though some of them seem content on buggering each other. (And no matter how long you've been at sea, you can honestly say there's nothing that would even make you THINK about sticking it to any of this loathsome lot you're with!)
The only minor upside is you've been doing okay as far as loot is concerned. These idiots haven't been paying attention that you've been pilfering the odd coins or baubles from them so you actually have more than your share. However, you aren't exactly doing all that much better than you were as a regular thief though and worse, you're stuck at sea most of the time so you can't even enjoy it like you'd prefer.
There's also the fact that you've learned your way around a ship a lot more, though you question if this knowledge would actually ever be useful since you're having serious doubts about ever setting foot on another ship ever again.
Currently you're somewhere in the far southwest seas at some small port town called Gix. The Steadfast has been using the place as a rest stop in between raids mainly because it's the only civilized place in this area that is accepting of pirates and has been for as long as anyone can remember.
This place isn't Hessla though and isn't a "criminal town." It's just run by normal people going about their simple normal lives. The locals are a bit live and let live for the most part. They don't particularly enjoy having violent drunken pirates visiting, but as long as the pirates aren't messing with them, they're fine with accommodating them.
Sort of reminds you of how Teckleville used to turn a blind eye to you and your sister robbing travelling merchants.
You miss those days and not even the robbing part. You find that you're missing home in general. Maybe not even home so much you miss the environment as strange as that might seem. Then again, you never had the wanderlust that your sister had. (You imagine other than the killing and rape, she'd find all this pirate stuff pretty exciting) Had things been different you probably would have never left Teckleville.
Maybe you would have eventually settled down and become boring like everyone else in that town. At this point that doesn't seem all that bad. You guess you're just realizing that you're starting to get tired of this life.
Since you're hanging out with the Steadfast crew most of the time, you always take the opportunity to stay away from the lot of them when in town. Instead of drinking at the "pirate bar" of the town, you drink at the quieter one that the locals seem to prefer.
The first time you entered you got a lot of strange looks, but now nobody bats an eye. You're just minding your business after all. Still, occasionally the barmaid speaks to you and is fairly cordial. Seems to be in a more talkative mood today...
"Another successful voyage of raiding and pillaging?" Ola asks.
"I suppose so. Got enough money to spend here." You answer.
"Drinking does seem to be one of the more civilized favorite past times of you lot. Good thing of course since we'd have significantly less coin coming into the town. Sort of wondering though, how come you always come in here rather than going to the usual taverns?"
"Because I have to spend practically all my time around those assholes, so the moment I actually don't have to is a blessing."
"If you don't like the folks you sail with, why do it?"
"Good question, and one I've been asking myself more and more each day before finally coming to the inevitable conclusion."
"Which is?"
"That this pirate life isn't for me. As soon as we get back to Hessla, I'm not setting foot on a ship again. (Sigh) Another year at sea though before we return... ugh... I just dunno if I can take it."
"Well, why not just leave now?"
"... hmmm... I suppose I could... I doubt if they'd come looking for me. Do you have any transport ships that go to Hessla?"
Ola frowns a bit.
"We don't have ANY big ships. In case you haven't realized, we're a small town not a bustling trading city we hear you lot talk about. If it weren't for pirates coming here, we probably would never have much contact with the rest of the world. I mean the best you could do is get yourself a rowboat and row to this Hessla place. How far is it?" Ola asks.
"Too far. I doubt if I could even make it to Jicol in a rowboat. Oh well, guess I can tough out another year." You say.
"Why not just stay here?"
"Here? What would I do here?"
"Um, well you know your way around a ship right? You could work as a fisherman."
"Ugh, trying to get away from boats actually. Still, sitting in a rowboat and peacefully fishing sounds a lot more attractive right now than what I am doing."
"What are some of your other skills... um, I mean those that don't involve killing and raping people."
"First off, I've never raped anyone... " you start to say before Ola interrupts.
"You haven't? Oh thank Kalhu!"
You give Ola a bit of a strange look. Granted you two don't really know each other that well, but she seems way more talkative than she has in the past. If you didn't know any better you'd say she was flirting with you in some strange way.
"Okay, first who is Kalhu?" you ask.
"The god of this island of course. All the times you've been here, you've never heard of him before?" Ola says.
"Don't really pay much attention to religion. You're not going to preach at me are you?"
"No, why would I?'
"Because you seem very interested in my future and we don't know each other very well, so I'm wondering what this is all about."
Ola looks around and finally sits down next to you. A couple people look, but say nothing, you're a little taken back by all this though.
"This town is a good place with good people. We like our relative isolation, especially after hearing some of the tales from your pirate shipmates and other pirates we've dealt with in the past. But um... isolation has its downsides. There sometimes is um... lack of potential mates. At least not related ones." Ola says.
You start to tense up at where this might be going.
"Now some women of this town have sex with the pirates that visit here and that's good as it provides new blood for the town, but it is sometimes hard on these mothers to raise these children without a father around. A good family should have a mother and father." Ola says.
"So... what exactly are you asking me?"
"I'm asking if you would consider... (breathes nervously) being my husband."
You had a feeling, but you still weren't quite prepared. How could you be? It isn't like you get asked out of the blue to be someone's husband!
Ola goes on to explain that she knows how this might seem strange to an outsider like you, but she says that she fears her arranged marriage to her cousin since he has many undesirable physical traits that would not make for a strong child.
However, she also doesn't wish to submit herself to a one-night stand with some pirate (Apparently she's a bit on the moral side which is funny that she would come to you in the first place) and wants a husband to stick around to help raise your children. (Yes, she's already implied that she wants more than one.)
So she's picked you as a "last ditch" effort to find a husband who is physically fit (and attractive as she has mentioned as a secondary concern) and is most assuredly not related to her in some way. She also has said in the few conversations you've had with her you seem okay personality wise and not being a rapist is a big plus to her. (Curse your parents for instilling some sort of values in you)
For her part, Ola seems like a nice girl and isn't ugly. She's no Annah or Yvette, but you could certainly do worse.
You're a bit overwhelmed by all this sudden information though and as much as you don't want to get back on the Steadfast again, that's only going to be a year. This is going to be well... presumably until you die because she's already made it quite clear that passage off this island is a rarity.
You probably wouldn't see home again.
But then again what did you really have going on there? You tried being a thief and that didn't work out like you planned. You tried this pirate thing and that hasn't worked out either. All you've gotten is headache from your life of crime and not much to show for it ultimately. Also you don't really have a home anymore anyway seeing as you got permanently kicked out of Teckleville.
That thought about you finally giving all this up and becoming a normal boring person? Well that day might be today.
> get back to the ship
It's just too much to sacrifice. Maybe you'll settle down one day, maybe even after you get back to Hessla, but you can't see yourself doing it here stuck in some island at the ass end of the world to a girl you hardly know.
"I'm sorry Ola, but I just can't do it. You're a nice girl, but this is too sudden and we don't know each other well enough." You say.
"I understand. I was not hopeful of my odds anyway."
"We could still, you know... do the other thing if you want."
Ola shakes her head.
"I'm sorry but I just wasn't raised that way. Things might be much easier if I hadn't. (Sigh) I will remain pure for my husband to be. My cousin deserves that much." Ola says and gets up to leave.
Seeing as things are a bit awkward here now, you decide to leave altogether. You figure you'll just spend the remainder of your time on board the ship in the bunks. It'll be time to leave soon anyway.
Sure enough in a few days you're on your way.
Year 29
Half of the year has already passed, but it can't end soon enough. You're barely getting along with most of the crew at this point and all this violence you've been participating in has made you less tolerant in general.
You've already had a couple of fistfights with a few. While this hasn't done much to improve your popularity nobody is ever accusing you of being a pussy who doesn't pull his weight. Figures you'd start fitting in towards the end.
Of course you have no intention of continuing being a pirate and are still fully dedicated to leaving this shitty experience behind. You still have no idea what you're going to do when you get back. Your experience with Ola months ago has made you rethink your ideas of possibly "settling down." You're starting to think maybe you might try your hand at being a mercenary or something similar. You have gotten very good at killing and it doesn't even bother you anymore after all. (It's just being around all these assholes on this cramped ship that bothers you)
As you're looking off into the ocean pondering your potential new career when you get back, you start to hear something.
Yes... kill.
You look around and immediately shout at one of your nearest shipmates.
"What did you say?" you demand.
"Huh? I didn't say nuthin." He says and backs away a bit.
You return to your thoughts and then hear something else.
Kill them all...
The voice is very close, like it's almost coming inside your head. You rub your eyes and then you notice a medium splash in the waters. When you look harder you see a head briefly pop up. Looks female.
You need to kill them all and return them to the sea... to be with us... forever
Now your mind feels like a thousand needles are being shoved in it as these voices assault it. You crumple to the deck and you're so busy clutching your head in pain and trying to fight whatever is attacking you, that you don't even notice that other crew members are starting to suffer similar affects.
Some of the crew immediately jump overboard, others are wailing in pain and barely moving. Captain Rifiv at this point has come out of his cabin and begun yelling at everyone to shove wax in their ears.
It's a little too late for you however. The mermaids already have taken advantage of your less than stable mood and are now directing you to do something you've thought about doing many times anyway. Namely killing the assholes you're sailing with.
You waste no time in obeying the siren's call of murdering your shipmates, most of which don't put up too much of a fight due to their own mind assaults.
You do fairly well cutting down most of the crew, but even with mermaid help, you still are only one man and eventually Captain Rifiv puts you down with shot to your back which is then followed up by several cutlass chops to the neck and head by some of the less helpless crew. |
Year 25
"Look, I dunno anything about what that old bastard does in his spare time, I just pay my rent and mind my own business." You say.
The militiamen give you a look like they don't quite believe you.
"Just an innocent in all this eh? Bullshit. Trobart says you're a rogue through and through." One of them remarks.
"Yeah, and one of your neighbors, Randi I believe? She says you even have ties to the Crimson Talons." Another adds.
You nearly want to laugh, but you resist since you don't want to piss off the militia unnecessarily.
"Really? You're going to believe a whore and some guy that sells alcohol illegally in his basement? They're just trying to save their own asses by making false accusations! You turned my room upside down and didn't find ANY stolen goods. And if I was a Crimson Talon, do you really think I'd be living in the shithole that I'm currently living in?" you answer.
"Didn't say you were a Crimson Talon, just said you had ties to them. And if you think just because we didn't catch you with anything that you're off the hook. You deny that you're a criminal, but as I said, it's obvious that you have no visible means of support, so you have to be doing something illegal." A militia officer says.
"How do you know I don't have a proper job? You're just making baseless assumptions."
"Am I now? I don't think so. I think it's obvious that you're just some second rate pissant sneak thief that is so pathetic at your own lowly trade that you managed to avoid our eye for so long. In fact I can imagine you probably TRIED to join the Crimson Talons, but they just kept you on as an associate bitch because you weren't good enough to be a real member."
"Interesting theory. Is this going somewhere?"
"YOU'RE going to be going somewhere if you don't shut the fuck up and listen closely to my offer!" the militia officer exclaims, getting in your face.
You sit back in your chair and remain silent. The militia officer continues to stare at you assessing your every tell your face might be giving off.
"It's like this criminal scum. You're on our fucking list now. I've got your name, I've got your ass. Your best bet would be to just get the fuck out of this city, but I know you. You probably think you're smarter than me. Well you ain't and you're gonna get caught. Maybe not now. Maybe not even next year, but you WILL fuck up. And when you do, I'm going to make sure they put you in the smallest hanging cage we got. Believe that."
The militia officer then pulls back a bit and adopts a less combative stance along with a calmer voice.
"Now, all that being said... we do have bigger fish to catch and if you did... say have ties to the Crimson Talons then MAYBE you might know where their hideout is. If you helped us with something like that, then well maybe I might be inclined to not keep such a close eye on you."
Well it's times like these that make being a criminal not so much fun, though honestly as the years have been going on, you're starting to wonder why you ever thought it was fun in the first place.
You haven't really much contact with the Crimson Talons since Zalmora visited you that one day asking you to join. All you did hear is that Tom isn't in charge anymore and was killed by one of the more aggressive members who took over. Word says he's a real tyrannical asshole, which might explain why none of the Talon members that have gotten arrested haven't actually ratted on him themselves.
It also explains when you have bumped into a couple of their members randomly in the taverns, they've been less than friendly and warned you to stay out of their territory. (Which you most certainly have been doing for years now)
You do know that their headquarters is still in the same location. You don't know why the militia doesn't know where it is though given how they've increased their own activity as of late. The militia can be remarkably blind at times.
"Look, if I did have dealings with the Crimson Talons, I'd help you out, but I just don't associate with such people. Apologies." You say.
The militia officer doesn't look pleased by your answer, and you sort of wonder if he's going to end up throwing you in jail anyway, but he lets you go.
"Okay then, but remember I gave you an out today and you turned it down. Be seeing you soon criminal."
You get up from the chair you've been sitting on for who knows how long and walk out the door, though not before one of the militia shoves the back of your head. It's frustrating, but any dealing with the militia that you walk away from is a victory.
From the militia barracks you make your way back to the Welcome Mat, which is practically destroyed at this point. At least it is on the inside. The law-abiding inhabitants (Or at least the criminal ones that didn't get caught) are busily trying to gather and clean up the mess the militia made of their homes. You imagine Trobart, even with his ratting bullshit on you isn't going to be able to keep this place any longer.
You enter your own ruined room where upon Elana comes out from whatever hole in the wall she was hiding in and squeaks at you.
"Hey Elana, glad to see they didn't get you girl. Now let's hope they didn't get anything else either."
You find a chair that wasn't destroyed and check the hiding spot you have in the ceiling of your room. After checking and pulling out your small locked container you breathe a sigh of relief. Your small savings are still intact.
You'll be needing it too, because everything else was taken. Your weapons, your tools, everything that you use or need in your profession. Granted it wasn't a lot, but it's still a loss. You'll also be needing to find a new place to live.
As you're pondering your next move, your door with the broken lock opens up. It's Virgil and he appears to be sober for a change.
"Damn, they really did a number on yer room too I see." Virgil says.
"Yeah, but it's still my fucking room. What the hell do you want, I don't have any money so you can go get drunk." you say.
"And I wasn't askin'. Sheesh, I was just coming in here to see if you were around. I wanted to apologize for bothering you all the time for money actually."
"Oh?"
"Yeah... I mean I dunno if you noticed but I haven't been around as much lately."
"Hmm, I did notice a reduction in our usual encounters over the past month."
"I've been trying to get my life back together. Get myself right with Joachim again. Part of that is me apologizing and trying to make amends for all the times I bothered you."
"Oh yeah? You got a bag full of coins for all the times I gave you money for booze?"
"No. I wish I did. I know how you like money... I might even give you a lecture about that, but I'm not really in any position to do so. I first need to get myself right with Joachim and then I might be able to guide others into his light like I was supposed to be doing in the first place."
"Not sure if you preaching at me is any better than you hitting me up for booze money."
"I'm sure to you it isn't, but I'm here to apologize anyway and if there is something within my power to help you, just let me know."
"Well, thanks I suppose. Can't really think of anything I need from you though, unless you got an idea of a new cheap place to live at that isn't completely a shithole."
"Not really, unless you want to sleep in one of the poor rooms at the Church of Joachim. That's sort of where I've been staying lately. Would have been living there before, if I hadn't gotten asked to leave for my...weakness. Guess I might be living there for good now. Just as well. It was time to move on."
"Don't think that's going to work out for me, but thanks for the offer."
Virgil nods and then says something about Joachim's blessing be upon you.
You finish packing up and when you're only a few steps away from the Welcome Mat, it suddenly occurs to you. Your family's old inn. It's still abandoned. You could easily stay there and that would at least save you some of the costs.
"Should have thought about that in the first place." You say and make your way to the inn. Of course as you begin to do so, you realize you're being followed. That officer wasn't fucking around when he said he was going to have eyes on you all the time.
It takes some time, but you end up losing them, but now you're practically on the other side of the city! If this is how it's always going to be, it's not going to matter where you stay.
Maybe it is time to leave Klyton, which you suppose you don't mind since things haven't been the greatest here, but you just hate being chased off like this.
Of course there's always the option the officer suggested.
You don't really have any loyalty to the Talons, so if it did help you out in the long run, well it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world. It might even help you with less competition around that is actually making it harder for everyone else. Ever since the change in leadership, the Talons have also been selling Yellow Devil which has been causing a bit of a minor crime wave, what with all the extra junkies running around causing problems. (Even at your stomping grounds, the University)
Of course being a rat is a pretty damn serious offense in the criminal world (Even if it goes on all the time) and if the Crimson Talons ever did find out, it probably wouldn't go well for you.
> rat on the Talons
Well, ratting on the Crimson Talons probably isn't the worst thing you've done...
You go back to the militia barracks where you're immediately stopped by some of its members who ask what you want. When you tell them that you want to speak to the officer in charge because you have information on the Crimson Talons, they tell you to wait while someone goes and gets Captain Branik, who apparently was the one interrogating you earlier.
Doesn't take long before you see this captain, who gives you a mildly smug look.
"Well, look who's back. Thought you didn't know anything." Branik says.
"I just remembered some details that slipped my mind." You retort.
"Hmm, well out with it then, and if your information is any good then we will have come to an understanding."
You give out what you know of the Crimson Talons, but specifically their headquarters location. He says something about how he can't believe they've been there the whole time. You also mention the secret sewer tunnel that leads from outside the city. Branik seems especially pleased by this information and mentions he'll send people through there as well when they move in to attack the place.
"This of course is all going to take a little time to put together and confirm, so in the meantime I'd like you to stay in the city. You know, just in case you're lying and this isn't some sort of set up." Branik says.
"What? What would I possibly gain by setting you up for anything? YOU told me to help you!" you say.
"Yes, but you didn't do it right away and even managed to disappear from the militia's watchful eye for awhile. I can't know if you haven't already tipped off your Crimson Talon buddies or something more sinister. So to put those concerns to rest, I just need you to stay within the city so that I may easily get a hold of you until this is all over. Be thankful I'm not just throwing you in a cell."
No good deed...
It's the best deal you're going to get at this point and really you have no idea now if the captain is even going to hold on to his end. Meanwhile you're probably still going to be having these militia assholes following you all over the city, which you can't even leave now!
You just leave shaking your head at the entire situation.
You honestly don't know what to do with yourself. You suppose you could live on your savings until all this shit blows over, but again you have no idea when that will be and if that asshole captain is even going to give you a break.
You still have to find a new place to live and you suppose squatting in your family's old inn is out now seeing as it's more trouble than it's worth.
Lacking any better ideas, you decide to go to the Church of Joachim that Virgil suggested. At least it will be free.
There are actually more than a few in the city, but you figure Virgil was talking about the one closest to the Welcome Mat so that's the one you seek out. It's probably the biggest one anyway due to more poor folks in the area sponging off the charity that the church provides.
When you get there you find that it's feeding the beggars day. Great now you have to put up with that smell along with whatever religious shit that's going to be preached at you.
You see Virgil serving up bowls of swill and approach him since you figure he knows where the flop room for the poor is.
"Hey Virgil." You say while trying not to get in the way of the hungry beggars who are eagerly taking their food and leaving.
"Hello. Surprised, but glad to see you. I'm a little busy at the moment, but what can I do for you?" Virgil responds.
"You said I could stay here awhile? Having sort of a problem finding a place to live at the moment."
"Oh sure. We have space so you can stay as long as you like, but erm... "
"But erm, what?"
"Well I know you're not exactly poor beggar or destitute mother with children and Brother Thadius is sort of a stickler for the rules."
"So what are you saying?"
"Well, maybe if you could donate to... "
"ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME?!" you exclaim at which point Virgil tells you to keep your voice down.
"Virgil, you TOLD me that you wanted to make amends to me or whatever and you also TOLD me that I could stay here for free!" you say.
"Actually I never said it was free... (Sigh) but I suppose it is true, I might have given you a false impression. For that I am sorry. However, you could still stay here for free, but it would still require something of you." Virgil says.
You at first think Virgil is going to tell you to get him a bottle of alcohol or maybe ask you to steal something. You're just counting on religious hypocrisy to rear its head, so it's a bit surprising when he asks you:
"If you could help me serve these bowls of soup, that I think would be enough to allow you to stay here for free."
"Wha... are you... (Sigh) fuck it. Fine."
You spend the next few hours serving swill to dirty, smelly beggars, bums, and the destitute. You can't believe it's come to this.
About the only think that breaks up the monotony is you have to throw out a Yellow Devil junkie who gets a little aggressive with the others. Normally you don't get excessively hostile to the point of violence unless its necessary, but you're in a foul mood due to current events. Just as you're about to really kick his ass until Virgil stops you.
"Hey, hey, easy! He's had enough; look he's going now. And I think you've had enough too. Thanks for your help; you can find a space on the floor in the sleeping area in the back of the church." Virgil says.
You don't say anything and just head to where Virgil said to go. When you enter the room, it isn't quite as bad as you thought it would be. Apparently most of the beggar types actually prefer sleeping in their own personal areas on the streets rather than a relatively clean church. Go figure.
What you do see more of is "regular poor folk." Families who have obviously suffered some hardship causing them to be homeless for whatever reason. You imagine their faith in Joachim keeps them going that things will get better. The fools.
You find a corner to be in, make a pillow with your bag and try to get some rest despite the sounds of children and people nearby. You can regroup tomorrow, you always do.
Next day...
You head to the university seeing as you don't have anything better planned at the moment.
Of course as soon as you start heading that way, militia is on your ass already. This is ridiculous. It's like they suddenly have some sixth sense of your whereabouts. You try to lose them a couple times and while you do succeed, it once again has taken you out of your way to your destination. Eventually you manage to get a carriage and ride to the university. From there you get to work.
All is going relatively well, though you do catch sight of more than a few wandering militia. You aren't sure if they're there specifically for you or just the usual.
On your way through one of the many student-gathering areas, you suddenly hear someone call out your name. You turn around and get a surprise.
"Yvette?" you answer.
"Glad to see you remembered me. How have you been?" Yvette asks.
"Um, I'm okay. And yourself? You probably graduated and are some sort of powerful wizard by now."
"On the graduation part yes, on the powerful wizard bit, well that's debatable. I'm sort of teaching and doing independent research on possible new spell components. It's a really good thing that the wizard college has such a generous benefactor on the Klyton Council. Otherwise, I'm not sure what I'd be doing with my life."
"You're a wizard, surely there's no limit to what you could do."
"I suppose in some ways, but I guess I just like what I get to do now... is something wrong? You seem a bit distracted."
"No, nothing's wrong. I'm just surprised to see you, let alone you even talking to me. Last time I remember you were pretty pissed at me."
"Oh. That. Yeah, I always meant to apologize to you about that, but I couldn't find you. I asked Dr. Gossey, but she said she didn't know much about you outside the times you helped her. I only knew your first name, but I didn't know what your area of study was. I must have went through a lot student lists, but never could track you down. I even tried some divination magic, but nothing turned up. Though I never was very good at that. Still, it almost seemed like you never even went here."
"Heh, yeah... wow didn't realize you looked for me. I'm really flattered."
"Well I gave up after about a year. I figured you probably graduated by then... so what are you doing here then? Are you teaching now too? What was your study anyway?"
Yvette is flooding you with questions that you weren't really prepared to answer with well thought out lies. She's being pretty friendly though and given how things have been going, it's nice a change. You sort of wonder about the fact that she looked for you for a year. Obviously, she had more in mind than just to apologize.
If you'd known that, you would have made more of an effort to seek her out too, rather than just fucking a whore that looked only vaguely like her a few times.
Well, hopefully better late than never...
"Okay, I'm just going to come out and ask. Were you interested in me back then?" you ask.
"Um... well... " Yvette stutters.
"I'll take that as a yes."
"Well wait no. I mean yeah, but... oh I'm not very good at this."
"Calm yourself then just speak your mind."
"Okay. Well, I didn't NOT like you. I mean I liked all of our time together up until Kelium died. Between that and worrying about my report, your kiss sort of caught me off guard. After my report was a success, I had time to think about your advance and while I would have preferred something less aggressive, I can't say that I entirely disliked it. Actually it might have even helped my report."
"How's that?"
"Yes, at the time I was so pissed at you that I ended up telling my superiors the story we agreed upon as well as adding that it was all your fault that things didn't go as planned. Since I was so mad at you, it came off as believable hence a successful report. I was actually going to thank you for that too."
You laugh a bit.
"Well glad it helped I guess. Though I suppose my question is and again this might be a long shot, but are you still interested in me?" you ask.
"I dunno. I mean it was years ago. We still don't know much about each other. I suppose the answer is the same as it was back then, I wouldn't be opposed to seeing you. I'm currently unattached. I have a bit of trouble meeting people that aren't also magic users and the few I do seem to get scared that I have magic powers." Yvette answers.
"What about other wizards?"
"Hah, yeah... well after going out with a few magic users in the past, that has not gone very well. I'll just leave it at that."
You're doing okay so far, but here's where the problem is going to come in, your real life.
If you pursue this relationship, you are going to have to change your life severely because you are entirely sure that Yvette is definitely not going to be good with your roguish ways.
Oddly, this isn't completely unappealing to you. Granted you've had an okay day here at the university, but how long before the militia gets more savvy and starts watching your movements here a lot more? You still can't walk to most places without them around and again you still don't know if they're going to hold up their end and leave you alone after they bust up the Crimson Talons.
When you really think back to what you've managed to accomplish as a rogue you aren't sure if it's worth it anymore. All you've been doing is going through the motions because you don't know any other way.
But if you really put your mind to it, you're a resourceful guy; you probably COULD do something different if you wanted to.
In any case, you still need to know how you're going to deal with Yvette. You could just tell her the truth about your life, which would prevent a possible shitstorm later, of course it could fuck up things now. Especially since you've basically been lying to her up until this point.
Of course if you've been lying to her all this time, you could just continue doing it and hope for the best. You could still try to change your life, but just not reveal your past.
> lie to Yvette
This relationship, if there is even going to be one is on shaky ground already. You can't imagine the truth really helping you out here.
"Yvette, I think before we go any further I should reveal something first because it's only fair that you know." You say.
"Uh oh." Yvette responds.
You explain that not long after your job with Dr. Gossey, you had to drop out of college because your parents suffered hardship back home and you had to help them out. After burying them both, you tell her there was nothing for you left in that one horse town, so with what money you had from selling the property you returned here. You tell her that you've actually only just recently returned hoping you could maybe find work here at the university and re-attend classes in the meantime on a work-study type program, but you haven't had much luck.
You go on to say, you're sort of giving up on the whole college thing and just trying to find ANY job since your savings are running low.
It's a bullshit tearjerker story that you threw together at the last minute.
Naturally Yvette still being the trusting soul you figured she would be, she swallows every line of it.
"Oh I had no idea! And I had treated you so terrible before all that happened!" Yvette exclaims.
"Don't worry about it. It's not like you could have known. Shit happens."
"I suppose, but still. I guess that's explains why I couldn't find you."
"Well I'm here now, if you're still interested of course. I mean I'd completely understand if you weren't."
"Gee, I mean it would look pretty shallow of me if I said I wasn't... not that I'm saying that. It's just it seems like you have a lot of other things you need to take care of before entertaining the idea of us going out together."
"Heh, trust me, you've been the single light during this dismal period, so you can bet I'm going to make the effort to spend time with you. I think I might have a lead on a job actually though, so if you could, maybe wait for me a little while longer? We could just meet up here and spend time until I get my shit together. Would that be acceptable?"
"I suppose that would be nice. Yes, okay. You can usually find me in the magic college dorms or the college itself. Probably best if you go to the college since the dorms have some security that could be problematic if you aren't a wizard type or with one."
"Okay, great. Gotta go now, but before I do, may I have your permission this time?"
"Permission for what?"
"To kiss you of course."
"Oh. Um, well okay, but just on the cheek this time!"
You move in and give Yvette a quick peck on the cheek causing her to smile a bit which you return before you take your leave.
You make your way back to the church as quick as you can, you don't even bother worrying about the squad of militia following you around. It's time to call in that big favor Virgil says he owes you, you just hope he can deliver without some stupid stipulation this time.
You find Virgil speaking with a couple of the poor folk about the light of Joachim or whatever.
"Virgil! I need your help let's talk."
"Huh? But I'm in the middle of spreading the word of Joachim."
"Yeah, well you got all the fucking time in the world to do that. These folks aren't going to get any less desperate within the hour so just talk to me now and be done with it."
Virgil sensing that you're going to be as obnoxious as you can be until he speaks with you excuses himself and goes to see you.
"You know, you're taking advantage of my kindness." Virgil says.
"Yeah, just like you took advantage of mine when you were begging me for coin during your drunk days. Look, I'm just going to ask for a simple favor, one that will actually get you out of your hair in the long run. Can you get me a job?" you say.
"A job? What do you mean?"
"A job man! A job! Like you go there, you do some shit and then you go back home and eventually they pay you for all the shit you did. You repeat until dead or fired."
"YOU want a REAL job? Are you sober?"
"Completely."
"Wow. You continue to surprise me. Maybe Joachim's light really has... "
"Oh no! Don't start with the religious shit. I just know you have people coming in and out of this church all the time and not ALL of them are the charity cases. Some of them are just here to pray or attend services or whatever it is you lot do."
"True, but what are you getting at?"
"Well I know you religious types have tend to have tight knit communities. Surely you know someone who might be able to give me a job."
"Hmm, maybe. But is there anything in particular you're looking for?"
"Obviously something befitting of my talents!"
"Sorry, but I think thievery is off the table."
"Hey I used to sell stolen items too."
"Hmm, wait a minute. You uh, used to pick locks right?"
"Sure did and if I may say so myself, I was pretty damn good at it."
"Okay, I do know someone. He's an older man by the name of Ned and is a locksmith by trade. I think he's looking for an assistant."
"Huh. Guess that would be a good fit."
"Yeah... too good in fact. You aren't going to use this as some way of breaking the law are you?"
"If I was, do you think I'd tell you? You're funny. But if it puts your mind at ease, then no I'm not. I can't leave the city, the militia watches me all the fucking time, and I'm living in a damn church. Obviously my life style has NOT been successful. Time to change it up, especially since I might have a second chance with this girl I like. Yes, I said it. I'm doing this for a girl."
Virgil smirks a bit.
"What's with the grin?" you ask.
"Joachim works in mysterious ways. Maybe you don't see it or choose not to, but his influence is there. Little steps to righteousness and perhaps in more time you... " Virgil says before you interrupt.
"Will you get out of here and just go get me that job! And don't tell him the truth just say I'm an engineer down on my luck or something."
"You want me to lie?!"
"I want you to fulfill your damn promise without a bunch of bullshit tacked on to it! Now you do what you gotta do, you can always ask Joachim for forgiveness afterwards."
"(Sigh) Very well. I just hope you're being truthful in all this."
With the plan set in motion things turn around fairly quickly. In a few days you get the job as an assistant to the locksmith. Turns out he's a good old guy. Tends to talk a lot about his dead wife and his runaway daughter who he hasn't seen in decades, but you suppose you understand he has a great sense of loss and wants to vent to someone. You're just glad he doesn't ask too much about your life or get too religious on you.
The pay is... adequate. It's at least enough to get yourself a new cheap place and keep you in the basics. In the meantime the militia is still following you around. They're probably wondering what the hell you're up to.
In the next month, you go see Yvette who is expecting you since you wrote a letter ahead of time. You meet and catch up on what the pair of you have been doing over the past few years, or rather in your case LYING about what you've been up to. You still try to keep the lying to a minimum but keeping the topics either light or focusing on her activity instead which is easy since she really likes talking about her spell stuff. (Which to be honest you don't completely grasp all of it)
Within the next few months big news in Klyton hits when its announced that the Crimson Talons have been officially taken down. Captain Branik gets an award from the council and exclaims how brave his people were as they stormed the Talon hideout. Apparently they didn't take any of them alive though you get the impression that if any did surrender the militia wouldn't have been the type to just accept it anyway.
You don't get any official word from anyone saying that you're off the hook let alone any thanks that you were the one that gave the information of their hideout. You do notice that the militia doesn't follow you around like it once did, so you take that as a sign that you must be off probation so to speak.
Still, though you've managed to "be good" for a few months now and things are going good with Yvette and your new job isn't even all that bad even if it's a little boring at times.
There really isn't any need for you to go back to your old ways. Maybe it's time to give this new life a longer try.
> time passes...
Year 27
"Is it too expensive?" Yvette asks.
"Well we could afford it, but I shudder to think what the ongoing property tax is going to be like." You say.
"I suppose... but it's so nice!"
"Maybe, but it's also a security hazard. I mean the locks on these doors are just pathetic. There are windows everywhere, which would allow for any thief to break into. There isn't even any fencing around this place. We'd have to spend more money just to secure this place better."
"You are really paranoid sometimes. You always think someone is going to break in someplace. This is a good neighborhood and ever since the Talons were eliminated the crime rate has gone down anyway."
"That's no reason to be off guard. I'm just saying that as a locksmith I have some experience in these matters."
"Or maybe you're a thief!" Yvette laughs and teasingly pokes you.
"Yeah you got me." You joke back, finding her comment humorous in a completely different way than she does.
You then embrace Yvette and kiss her during the bit of playfulness. She then places your hand on her stomach. It's not visibly noticeable yet, but your son or daughter is in there.
You never thought you'd be in this position, on the verge of marriage with a baby on the way. So much has changed that it's hard to believe, but everything is good or at least everything save for one thing.
You still have yet to meet Yvette's father. (Yvette's mother unfortunately died while giving birth to her) You've managed to avoid it for a long time. Part of that was because it wasn't like Yvette was in a hurry for you to meet him either. She'd mention him in passing at times, but she always gave the impression that he was a rather distant and cold man who only paid for Yvette's college out of the barest sense of parental duty.
Still, the man is her father and the fact you got her pregnant BEFORE you married her is something you're going to have to deal with because Yvette just couldn't bear to keep a grandchild from him a secret.
You know that while he isn't on the council, he does something important in the government, which is something you generally try to avoid. However, it's better to get this over with.
"I think I should go meet your father." You say.
"Oh. Now?" Yvette asks.
"The sooner the better."
"I suppose you're right. It's just; it was a nice day before you brought that up. Are you okay going alone? I just met with daddy again a few days ago and he was as unpleasant with me as ever."
"Does he yell and threaten you? I mean you're a powerful wizard, I would think that would be a deterrent."
"You always keep saying that and I'm not. But anyway, as I said he never does any of that and short of him hitting me which he would never do, it's not like I'm going to cast a lightning bolt at my father for being a jerk. He just was very disapproving. I mean I suppose I get it... but... "
"Yvette, look don't beat yourself over it. I want you to stay in positive spirits okay?"
"Okay. But anyway, he should be home right now. Takes most of his work home with him. I don't think he gets along with a lot of people there either."
Parting ways with your beloved, you head to Yvette's father's home which actually isn't too far away from where you were looking at potential houses.
When you arrive it isn't a mansion, but certainly nice place befitting of someone who works high up in the government.
You knock on the door and half expect a servant of some sort to answer, but instead an older man with dark circles under his eyes, thinning white hair and what is probably a permanent scowl answers the door. His eyes look you up and down and he even makes a little snort sound as if he's clearly unimpressed by you.
"Uh Mr. Franklins?"
"Yeah?"
"I'm... "
"I know who you are. You're the lowly sneak thief rat who somehow managed to fool my trusting daughter into going out with you. And not only that, but you got her pregnant with your criminal seed before you even had the decency to marry her."
"I... "
Before you can even answer this, the old man manages to catch you with a left to your jaw. You fall on your ass and hold the side of your face. The old man packs quite the punch.
"Okay. I probably deserved that." You say.
"Pfft. YOU deserve much more than that, however what's done is done. When you're done befouling my porch with your presence, you can come inside and befoul that too." Mr. Franklins remarks.
You pick yourself up off the floor and follow Yvette's father into his house. He sits down in a comfortable chair and just as you're about to do likewise, he tells you to stop.
"No. You don't get to fucking sit down. You stand there and listen to what I have to say, because I'm not going to repeat myself. Now, before I begin, don't bother trying to lie to me. As I said, I know who the hell you are. Who you REALLY are. Just because my daughter only recently told me about you, doesn't mean I wasn't keeping an eye on you before. I did my research. I'm a little foggy for a few things on your past, but that doesn't matter. I know that you are... or I suppose WERE a thief of little importance in this city, which you aren't even a citizen of. It seems the only reason why you stopped is due to pressure from the militia and meeting my daughter again. The first reason I'd dismiss as simple cowardice since you ratted on the Crimson Talons in order to catch a break in the first place. However, the second reason, well that one takes a little more examination."
"If you knew all this why not warn your daughter ahead of time?"
"Pfft. Like she'd listen to me. Besides, by the time I did find out about all this, you and her were together for at least a year, and I knew she was in love. It was in her eyes. Never seen her so happy when she was with you. I know it now more than ever just from how she spoke of you to me. Attempting to break you up at that point would have crushed her and now would be unthinkable. And all of that's on me for not paying attention sooner and having you removed from her life."
"I guess thanks for not having me killed?"
"Who said anything about killing you? I said removed. I could have just had the militia kick you out of the city and had you exiled. I'm not a fucking murderer."
Yvette's father grabs a bottle of wine near his table and pours himself a glass, taking a drink before he continues to lecture you.
"Now here it is. Contrary to popular belief, I love my daughter. It may not seem like I do, but it's true. I just want her to be happy and apparently you make her happy. My point is, I believe you love her too because despite your lies about your past, you haven't gone back to any criminal activity and I'm guessing now that you're trying to put down roots you probably won't be going back to your old life because YOU know that you struck gold when you met my daughter and you'll do ANYTHING not to fuck that up."
"True."
"Hm, which is about one of the few redeeming qualities about you that I can tell so far. (Sigh) Look, I'm not a complete hard ass, but even with your good intentions I still can't shake the feeling you're going to fail my daughter spectacularly in some way in the future. Human nature is flexible only to a point and at some point you are probably going to snap. Maybe you won't, I don't know. But I'm going to give you an out right now."
Mr. Franklins suddenly gets up and goes to a drawer, grabs a bag and tosses it to you. You open it up and find diamonds. Flawless diamonds. There has to be hundreds of them here. This is a fortune that you couldn't even begin to imagine. There is also an odd shaped key and a piece of paper.
"That is more riches than you need for your lifetime assuming you're not being a complete idiot with it. That key and deed are to a place in Jicol which is on an island not far from Hessla. You can probably take a ship to there. Granted I haven't been to the place in years, so I don't know what condition it's in, but with those diamonds I'd wager you could fix the place up. Take them both and never return to Klyton."
"But... "
"Yvette? She'll cry over you for a long time, but she'll carry on if only for the sake of your child. She'll probably blame me and I'll give her reason to. Better that I disappoint her than you. And your child? It will be taken care of, that you can be sure of. Even if my daughter refuses my help to support it, I can pull strings to still help her."
"And if I refuse?"
"Then I suppose I'll have to hope that you prove me wrong."
> take the loot
You love Yvette, but ultimately you guess you love yourself just a little bit more.
You think about the sort of life you would have if you did marry Yvette. You'd be an average working class slob with a family. While maybe there is some appeal to that over your old life, this offer is really making you rethink that maybe you were just settling for what seemed easier at the time when things were low.
If you married Yvette you'd also have to keep up your lies to her about your past along with worrying about whether or not you're going to piss off her father enough for him to expose you. Can you really live a satisfying life with something like that hanging over your head?
When it comes down to it you suppose you've always wanted the easy life and this about as easy as it's ever going to get for you.
"Fine, I'll take your offer." You say.
"I knew you would." Franklins says a bit smugly and hands you the key.
You look at your newly acquired pay off, before putting it away. You're already having mixed feelings about your decision.
You have mixed feelings about your decision all the way to Hessla where upon your main concern is finding safe passage to Jicol since you don't want to linger very long here with the fortune you have on your person.
Of course you think about going right back to Klyton several times, but by the time you do get a boat ride to Jicol you realize you're at the point of no return.
"Just do it." You say to yourself as you board the ship.
The ride to Jicol is uneventful even though you half expect to get attacked by pirates or something similar along the way. A small part of you even hopes you do because you sort of think you'd deserve it.
Eventually you disembark at Jicol and based on the directions that Yvette's father provided you take your next steps in finding your new home along with familiarizing yourself with the city, which seems a lot less "orderly" than Klyton though definitely more so than Hessla. Despite your rather dour mood, you still keep on your guard.
You soon find the place you were looking for and it's very average looking. Certainly better and bigger than any place you've ever lived (including your parents old home) but it's no mansion. Just as well, you probably wouldn't know what to do with a place that size.
You try your key in the door and enter.
You aren't sure how long Yvette's father has let this place go unused, but the first thing you notice is the severe dust everywhere. After checking everything it isn't too bad, except for maybe some fixes on the roof and the qweepa nest you notice in the basement. (And they aren't friendly like Elana was.)
Still even with those problems you'll have more than enough money to do whatever you want in the forseeable future and that really is the problem you suppose. What DO you do? You don't need to work and you don't even particularly want to go back to pursuing your criminal career again either. You've been out of practice for a couple years now and why potentially mess up what you have?
You can't just sit around moping and beating yourself up about your decision either. The whole point of making this decision was so you didn't HAVE to worry about Yvette and your unborn child anymore.
You decide the best way to do this is with whores.
After about a month you're slowly becoming more accustomed to living like a wealthy degenerate. You do nothing but eat, drink and fuck whores whenever you can, which is pretty much all the time.
Sometimes you still think about Yvette, but eventually those thoughts of her disappear altogether not wishing to dwell on how you most likely broke her heart and what "could have been" if you stayed. You justify your actions that it was better this way for her and you.
By the time you're thirty you've gotten fat. Not just average fat either, but like grossly fat. You're a big fat bastard.
You're also a pimp. Given how much time you spend with whores and how relatively fun you are, you eventually managed to convince a few to work for you, rather than one of the many brothels in the city. After all, your home is a lot nicer thanks to all the work you had done to it and you're well off enough to allow them to keep more of their money.
This works out for you since it provides a steady income (Negating your fears of going completely broke because you were spending so much) and finally gave you something to do with your free time. You still sometimes think of your parents and your sister and how they might be doing. You hope they're all doing well.
Despite being limited to just one sex position that won't result in a whore's death it's all in all a good life.
Probably won't be a very long one given your weight and indulgences, but then you probably beat the odds already.
Your days as a rogue are over. |
Year 27
"Is it too expensive?" Yvette asks.
"Well we could afford it, but I shudder to think what the ongoing property tax is going to be like." You say.
"I suppose... but it's so nice!"
"Maybe, but it's also a security hazard. I mean the locks on these doors are just pathetic. There are windows everywhere, which would allow for any thief to break into. There isn't even any fencing around this place. We'd have to spend more money just to secure this place better."
"You are really paranoid sometimes. You always think someone is going to break in someplace. This is a good neighborhood and ever since the Talons were eliminated the crime rate has gone down anyway."
"That's no reason to be off guard. I'm just saying that as a locksmith I have some experience in these matters."
"Or maybe you're a thief!" Yvette laughs and teasingly pokes you.
"Yeah you got me." You joke back, finding her comment humorous in a completely different way than she does.
You then embrace Yvette and kiss her during the bit of playfulness. She then places your hand on her stomach. It's not visibly noticeable yet, but your son or daughter is in there.
You never thought you'd be in this position, on the verge of marriage with a baby on the way. So much has changed that it's hard to believe, but everything is good or at least everything save for one thing.
You still have yet to meet Yvette's father. (Yvette's mother unfortunately died while giving birth to her) You've managed to avoid it for a long time. Part of that was because it wasn't like Yvette was in a hurry for you to meet him either. She'd mention him in passing at times, but she always gave the impression that he was a rather distant and cold man who only paid for Yvette's college out of the barest sense of parental duty.
Still, the man is her father and the fact you got her pregnant BEFORE you married her is something you're going to have to deal with because Yvette just couldn't bear to keep a grandchild from him a secret.
You know that while he isn't on the council, he does something important in the government, which is something you generally try to avoid. However, it's better to get this over with.
"I think I should go meet your father." You say.
"Oh. Now?" Yvette asks.
"The sooner the better."
"I suppose you're right. It's just; it was a nice day before you brought that up. Are you okay going alone? I just met with daddy again a few days ago and he was as unpleasant with me as ever."
"Does he yell and threaten you? I mean you're a powerful wizard, I would think that would be a deterrent."
"You always keep saying that and I'm not. But anyway, as I said he never does any of that and short of him hitting me which he would never do, it's not like I'm going to cast a lightning bolt at my father for being a jerk. He just was very disapproving. I mean I suppose I get it... but... "
"Yvette, look don't beat yourself over it. I want you to stay in positive spirits okay?"
"Okay. But anyway, he should be home right now. Takes most of his work home with him. I don't think he gets along with a lot of people there either."
Parting ways with your beloved, you head to Yvette's father's home which actually isn't too far away from where you were looking at potential houses.
When you arrive it isn't a mansion, but certainly nice place befitting of someone who works high up in the government.
You knock on the door and half expect a servant of some sort to answer, but instead an older man with dark circles under his eyes, thinning white hair and what is probably a permanent scowl answers the door. His eyes look you up and down and he even makes a little snort sound as if he's clearly unimpressed by you.
"Uh Mr. Franklins?"
"Yeah?"
"I'm... "
"I know who you are. You're the lowly sneak thief rat who somehow managed to fool my trusting daughter into going out with you. And not only that, but you got her pregnant with your criminal seed before you even had the decency to marry her."
"I... "
Before you can even answer this, the old man manages to catch you with a left to your jaw. You fall on your ass and hold the side of your face. The old man packs quite the punch.
"Okay. I probably deserved that." You say.
"Pfft. YOU deserve much more than that, however what's done is done. When you're done befouling my porch with your presence, you can come inside and befoul that too." Mr. Franklins remarks.
You pick yourself up off the floor and follow Yvette's father into his house. He sits down in a comfortable chair and just as you're about to do likewise, he tells you to stop.
"No. You don't get to fucking sit down. You stand there and listen to what I have to say, because I'm not going to repeat myself. Now, before I begin, don't bother trying to lie to me. As I said, I know who the hell you are. Who you REALLY are. Just because my daughter only recently told me about you, doesn't mean I wasn't keeping an eye on you before. I did my research. I'm a little foggy for a few things on your past, but that doesn't matter. I know that you are... or I suppose WERE a thief of little importance in this city, which you aren't even a citizen of. It seems the only reason why you stopped is due to pressure from the militia and meeting my daughter again. The first reason I'd dismiss as simple cowardice since you ratted on the Crimson Talons in order to catch a break in the first place. However, the second reason, well that one takes a little more examination."
"If you knew all this why not warn your daughter ahead of time?"
"Pfft. Like she'd listen to me. Besides, by the time I did find out about all this, you and her were together for at least a year, and I knew she was in love. It was in her eyes. Never seen her so happy when she was with you. I know it now more than ever just from how she spoke of you to me. Attempting to break you up at that point would have crushed her and now would be unthinkable. And all of that's on me for not paying attention sooner and having you removed from her life."
"I guess thanks for not having me killed?"
"Who said anything about killing you? I said removed. I could have just had the militia kick you out of the city and had you exiled. I'm not a fucking murderer."
Yvette's father grabs a bottle of wine near his table and pours himself a glass, taking a drink before he continues to lecture you.
"Now here it is. Contrary to popular belief, I love my daughter. It may not seem like I do, but it's true. I just want her to be happy and apparently you make her happy. My point is, I believe you love her too because despite your lies about your past, you haven't gone back to any criminal activity and I'm guessing now that you're trying to put down roots you probably won't be going back to your old life because YOU know that you struck gold when you met my daughter and you'll do ANYTHING not to fuck that up."
"True."
"Hm, which is about one of the few redeeming qualities about you that I can tell so far. (Sigh) Look, I'm not a complete hard ass, but even with your good intentions I still can't shake the feeling you're going to fail my daughter spectacularly in some way in the future. Human nature is flexible only to a point and at some point you are probably going to snap. Maybe you won't, I don't know. But I'm going to give you an out right now."
Mr. Franklins suddenly gets up and goes to a drawer, grabs a bag and tosses it to you. You open it up and find diamonds. Flawless diamonds. There has to be hundreds of them here. This is a fortune that you couldn't even begin to imagine. There is also an odd shaped key and a piece of paper.
"That is more riches than you need for your lifetime assuming you're not being a complete idiot with it. That key and deed are to a place in Jicol which is on an island not far from Hessla. You can probably take a ship to there. Granted I haven't been to the place in years, so I don't know what condition it's in, but with those diamonds I'd wager you could fix the place up. Take them both and never return to Klyton."
"But... "
"Yvette? She'll cry over you for a long time, but she'll carry on if only for the sake of your child. She'll probably blame me and I'll give her reason to. Better that I disappoint her than you. And your child? It will be taken care of, that you can be sure of. Even if my daughter refuses my help to support it, I can pull strings to still help her."
"And if I refuse?"
"Then I suppose I'll have to hope that you prove me wrong."
> give back the loot
You have to admit, there is a small part of you that finds this tempting. A part of you that you thought you had abandoned, but as this bribe attempt has proven, your old nature is still there. Always looking for the easy way no matter what.
Maybe Yvette's father is right in that respect, but if you do fail, it isn't going to be today and it isn't going to be over this. You're refusing and perhaps that's proof that you aren't the same person anymore.
"Yeah, not taking this. If you want me gone then you're going to have to do it yourself. I'm not going to make it easy for you and disappear voluntarily, just so it can ease your own conscience that if I took your bribe then you somehow did the right thing because I was a scumbag thief anyway." You say and toss the bag on the chair.
Mr. Franklin nods.
"Very well. You've made your decision and I'll have to live with it. Inform Yvette That I begrudgingly accept that you are the father of my grandchild and acknowledge that you're at least competent enough to be a husband to her. Also that whether she wants me to attend the blessed event or not, I will pay for the entire wedding and whatever else she requires, but I want it to be at a church of Joachim, not one of those Dorna temples or whatever that goddess those wizards pay homage too." He says.
"Didn't know you were a follower of Joachim." You respond.
"Of course I am! All right thinking folks are! I can only hope that some day my misguided daughter finds the light. Just because she was gifted with magic doesn't mean she has to kneel before a false goddess."
"I don't think she does actually. I mean I know sometimes she says a few prayers, but I've never known her to go to a temple or anything."
"Ugh. I suppose that's slightly better. And I don't expect you're a follower of Joachim's light either. Probably a completely godless heathen."
"I dunno, I've been to the church of Joachim a few times. Even been a long time friend with a priest of Joachim." You say embellishing the truth as usual, Mr. Franklins probably doesn't even believe it, but he hardly cares at this point.
"Now obviously I'll keep your secrets, but I hope for your sake you can maintain your own lies because if you DO hurt her, physically, mentally, emotionally, or whatever I will make it my personal mission to make your life a living hell. And again, I don't even mean death though you'll be begging for it by the time I'm done." Franklins says.
"Understood." You reply.
"And you are not off the hook with me. Which means if I need your help with some matter, I'm going to call upon you and I will expect you to comply without complaint!"
"What is it that you want me to do exactly?"
"Nothing right now. In fact I'm not even sure how someone like you could even help me given my considerable resources. So maybe I'll never call on you for help. However, the real shits and giggles is YOU won't know until that day I do. Have fun living with that possibility." Franklins says with an amused tone. It's probably the first time he's sounded upbeat.
Franklins then dismisses you and tells you to get the hell out of his house.
Well that certainly wasn't exactly the meeting you were expecting. You suppose it went better than you expected, but worse than you hoped. You just know that old bastard is going to call on you for a favor one day.
Still, you need to focus on the here and now and not what might never come and despite everything, you have Yvette's dad's support, if not his respect. You have a wedding to prepare for and all that other family stuff coming up.
With this final "nail" in the coffin so to speak, it would seem that your life has taken a completely different turn. You can't imagine ever going back to your old life again.
Your mother and father would probably be proud if they knew about any of this. (You assume that they aren't really dead.) You wonder what your sister would think, but you believe she would be happy for you.
Looks like your days as a rogue may have come to an end.
> time passes...
Chapter 3B2: The More They Stay The Same
Year 30
You knew this damn day would come.
You had to make up an excuse to Yvette and Trinity of why you had to meet with him, but you're fairly certain that they didn't think anything more of it. Just bonding with an in-law over security advice of the newest and best locks right?
Your daughter Trinity did want to come with you, but you told her it would be boring adult stuff and she could visit grandpa another time. You hate lying, but what choice do you have?
You hoped and thought that you probably wouldn't ever be important enough for him to call on you for help, but here you are about to knock on his door.
You knock on the door and it opens right away.
"Took you long enough. Come in." Franklins says turning his back to you to as soon as he opens the door.
He takes a seat and for a change he tells you to do likewise.
"Okay, since I don't want you here any longer than necessary, let's get to it. I need you to break into some place."
You didn't expect this.
"What?" you ask.
"You got fucking wax in your ears? I need you to break into a place and steal something important." Franklins remarks.
"You do realize I haven't done that in years right?"
"Yes, I'm fucking aware. You're an average slob with a regular job and family. However, I know damn well you aren't out of practice because you're a fucking locksmith by trade."
"True, but... I'm not understanding this. I thought you didn't approve of my previous occupation."
"I don't, but desperate times call for desperate measures and besides all that, YOU owe me a favor and this is probably the only way I'm going to be able to call it in. Besides, you'll be going up against pure evil, so what you're doing is for the greater good... well I hope Joachim sees it that way at least."
"Wait, pure evil? What the fuck? Look, I don't want to step out of line here, but I need to ask some questions."
"You don't want to step out of line, but you're already stepping out of fucking line by asking damn questions!"
"Yeah, and I think it's fucking valid if you're sending me up against pure evil! I mean as you've pointed out several times in the past, I'm not a damn hero. I was a lowly criminal who is now a working class slob. I never was a fighting type to begin with and tried to avoid it if possible. Nevermind the fact that I'm married to YOUR daughter and father to YOUR grand daughter and I've made sure to never hurt either one of them. Seems like this is asking me to potentially do just that at best and just getting myself killed at worst."
"(Sigh) Fine, I suppose you should know in case you need some extra preparation."
Franklins pours himself a glass of wine and takes a drink before continuing.
"Okay, do you know who Mr. Reynolds is? Surely you must have heard of the man given that you were a thief at one time."
"Yeah, he's a loan shark. My family actually was in debt to him once when they owned an inn here. Never met the man personally though since I tried to avoid being in debt."
"Hmm, interesting. Well in any case, the man is more than just a loan shark. He's an embodiment of evil in this city and needs to be stopped from getting on the Klyton Council which he's been making plans to do."
"Okay? So if he's all that bad, why don't you have him arrested or something? You're always telling me you have connections."
"Yeah well those connections aren't good enough to get him and he's got connections of his own. Doesn't help that anyone that might speak out against him aren't just intimidated by him, but are also intimidated by those two goons he hangs around with. One of them being his equally demonic son and weird looking ogre."
"You really don't like this guy do you?"
"No, because despite him being an obvious evil piece of demon shit, he has been gaining a following that genuinely likes him now. In fact the asshole is probably more popular than I am among people who actually pay attention to politics."
"That's hard to believe."
"Ha ha. But make no mistake, this is no laughing matter, which is why in the next few days, you're breaking into his place of business and stealing a hexagon shaped container that he keeps a record of all his dealings in. Don't bother trying to open that though, you'd need magic. Just bring it back here."
"Okay, so got any idea where he keeps it?"
"No, but I imagine he'll probably have it in some sort of safe. Don't know where that would be either, but it has to be close since I can't imagine he'd keep it in a bank and would definitely want it close to him.
You start laughing.
"What?" Franklins asks.
"You're asking me to go steal something that is apparently magical and you don't have any idea where this item is in the place. Not to mention if this container is magically sealed, I have to believe he's probably got it in some sort of safe that has magic protection as well if its that important. That means I'm going to need special tools for that job and more time to acquire them." You answer.
"You work as a fucking locksmith!"
"Yeah and while the old guy I work for doesn't ask me too many questions, I can't just start taking specialized magic lock breaker from the job without some explanation, unless you're asking me to steal those too... "
"Look I don't give a shit what you gotta do! You need to get into that evil fucker's office and grab the container and get it back here!"
"I dunno, you keep going on about evil, but all of this seems pretty fucking shady. I mean granted I don't doubt that Reynolds isn't an asshole given the stories I've heard, but how is what you're planning to do any better? Seems pretty hypocritical that you gave me grief about my background and here you are a self proclaimed follower of Joachim scheming to... "
"DAMNIT MAN DON'T YOU KNOW ANYTHING? I just told you the man is DEMONIC SHIT!" Franklins stands up to shout at you.
"Wait... you weren't just saying that as a casual description of how much of an asshole he is?"
"NO. He's a fucking DEMON. Okay, perhaps half demon, but he's demonic shit and MY kind have been fighting his for a lot longer than you could ever think about!"
Franklins suddenly sits back down and begins cursing to himself and you feel like you've heard more than he meant to tell you.
"What exactly do you mean your kind... wait, are YOU human?"
"Yes! No! Fuck! I hate to lie! (Sigh) Damnit, I didn't want to get into this... I'm half celestial."
"Celestial? So like an angel? YOU'RE an angel?"
"No you idiot. I just told you I'm only half. Just like Reynolds is only half demon. Doesn't matter though, we are mortal enemies as has always been the way."
"Wow. You don't hear about angels too often."
"Well maybe if you attended the church of Joachim, that wouldn't be the case you faithless heathen. As I said, I am only half celestial. My foolish father gave up his otherworldly home to be with my mother... but we're getting off topic... "
"Wait a moment! Then that means Yvette... "
"Yes, she has celestial blood as well. It's probably why she has magic potential. It's probably also why she was always a bit on the trusting side. I never got any of that, all I got was a strong sense of right and wrong and fairly good health all throughout my life. Never been sick once. Better than nothing I suppose and before you even ask, no she doesn't know any of this and you better keep it that way."
"I don't get why you wouldn't tell her though."
"Because it's a fucking burden knowing that's why! Because I know I have to live up to some damn ideal that I can't hope to achieve. Hell, my own father didn't achieve it and HE was a full blood! I know Yvette and if she knew about all this, she would have wanted to go out on a crusade to right wrongs and all that bullshit with her magical powers and promptly gotten herself killed in the process. Better that she be a good person in her own small, but safe way."
"She might have surprised you and done great deeds or something."
"Oh and you're the expert on good behavior now?"
"Okay, fine I don't know shit about it. But what about Trinity?"
"She would have celestial blood too obviously. Though in her case, I'm sure it's been diluted so much with your lowborn mortal blood that she isn't going to have any potential powers and will most likely just live as a normal human. Lucky her."
You can't believe all this new information that's been dumped on you. It doesn't seem real, but Yvette's dad has never been one to lie and if he is indeed half angel like he claims, you guess it's hard for him to even do so directly. (Omitting the truth and spinning it, is a different story apparently)
All of this still doesn't change the fact that he's asking you to do a job, because he doesn't want to get his hands dirty. Still seems hypocritical to you, not to mention dangerous now that you're apparently going to be involved in some secret holy war.
It occurs to you that you could just refuse. He just admitted all this stuff to you. Now you have a secret. What's he going to do? You know he not going to kill you or even set it up in such a way that would happen. Have you exiled or get rid of you in some way? You don't see that happening either. Not now.
> help Franklins
Maybe you're just cautious, or maybe you actually have become a better person, but a deal is a deal. You agreed to help in exchange for his silence so that's what you're going to do. Doesn't mean you're going to like it though and it certainly doesn't mean you're going to go through with it like how Franklins would have you do it.
"Okay, a deal's a deal and I'll do your dirty work, but I'm going to ask why don't you just do the obvious." You say.
"What?" Franklins asks.
"Kill the bastard. I mean you got militia connections. Surely it wouldn't take much."
"I'm not using the people who are supposed to be keeping law and order around here as my own personal hit squad."
"Given some of the interaction I've had with them and how they massacred the Crimson Talons, most are bullying assholes anyway. They'd probably love an excuse."
"Be that as it may, I'm not going to resort to such tactics... hmm do you know any assassins?"
"What? Why? Because I used to be a thief? I know you claim to know all about me, but if that was really true you'd also know I didn't hang out much with other criminals, let alone professional assassins. If you want one of those, go seek one out yourself, you certainly got the means to do so."
"I'm not associating with anymore criminal scum than I have to. It's bad enough I have to deal with you."
"Oh fuck you hypocrite. You don't seem to have any problems with me risking my life breaking into some place, which is run by a half demon. Or maybe you just don't give a shit? You'll win whether I succeed or get myself killed in the process right?"
"I am not trying to get you killed. I was just under the impression that YOU were very skilled in your... trade. If you don't think you can handle it, then fine. I'll figure something else out."
"So you can harass me later? I'm not going to have this hanging over my head... " you start to say before you're interrupted.
"You don't have anything hanging over your head! Not anymore. I mean I just blabbed a big secret to you and you didn't even try to use it as leverage against me to weasel out of our deal, which I half expected you to do. At this point I can't even claim the moral high ground anymore. As far as I'm concerned you're free of your obligation. You're obviously better than I previously believed you capable of. Congratulation, now get out of my sight."
That's a pretty strong statement coming from him. You know that had to be hard for him to admit.
"(Sigh) Look, I'm still willing to help, but I'm still not understanding WHY you can't just use the militia to kill Reynolds. If he's as evil as you keep claiming, isn't it better that you just get rid of him as quickly as possible before he can do any real damage?" you ask.
"Because it's a slippery slope. Sure, you may even be right. I abuse my power to eliminate an obvious evil. No harm done. What about next time though? Maybe the next person isn't demon spawn. Maybe he isn't even as bad, but is just in my way. Will I resist the temptation? I don't know and neither do you. I sometimes look at this city and even though it's probably one of the better bastions of civilization in this forsaken land, I sometimes still see the decay and rot underneath. It's always there even to a minor degree. Part or the curse of being half angel I suppose, but I'm trying to maintain what order I can without lowering my own standards and I'm already failing horribly at it. I can't afford to fail even more." Franklins remarks.
Franklins goes back to his drink and you search you mind of a way to help while still trying to fall within his weird angel guidelines. (Or maybe it's just his own weird personal code that he's placed upon himself for misguided reasons)
"The two goons Mr. Reynolds has. Why don't you have them arrested? I know you said Reynolds has influence, but I gotta believe his two thugs are probably shady enough that they could at least be held on suspicion right?"
"Well... Reynolds' son has been a minor suspect in some suspicious murders. As for the ogre, I think he's busted up a few bars. While I'm sure the militia could hold them both for a little while, maybe even a week, but they would be out in a very short period. And I guarantee they won't turn on Reynolds if that's what you're thinking."
"Don't need them too, just need them out of the way since I'm betting at least one of them is acting as an on duty guard even when his office is closed. I think with them out of the picture, it will lessen the risk to pull this off. I just need more time than what you suggested."
"Wait, you're still going to do it?"
"As I said, a deal's a deal. You didn't say shit about my past to Yvette, so I'm going to do this favor for you. Besides, I'd be lying if the challenge isn't stirring up old interest at this point. Just let me know when those two goons are out of the way. I'll be working on shit from my end until then."
Franklins is so surprised by your helpfulness he doesn't even have any snide comments towards you for the rest of your time you speak with him. He's got some reservations about what you propose, but he says if you think you know what you're doing, he's going to trust you.
You leave Franklins place wondering if you've maybe lost a bit of your mind for agreeing to this task, but then you realize, you were probably just getting a little bored.
Still, a lot is riding on your plan and you have to be very careful because this isn't just you now. It's your whole family you could potentially lose. It doesn't make things easier that part of this plan indirectly involves Yvette.
You don't exactly keep up on all of Yvette's magic studies and such, but you know that she was recently working on something relating to invisibility. Of course you're really going to have to approach this carefully or this is going to make things infinitely worse. The only reason why you're considering it is because quite frankly you haven't exactly been as active as you used to be and have probably gotten slightly out of shape.
If you're invisible however, it takes some of the pressure off of things like not having lightning reflexes and the quickest feet any more.
Later as you're settling down for the night, you address the subject to Yvette who is reading something in bed as she usually does.
"So, uh... you mentioned something about working on something related to invisibility?" you ask.
"Huh? Yes I am." Yvette says not looking up from her book.
"I remember you mentioning something a week ago or so about it. Is this a new spell or potion or something else?"
"It is a potion actually or rather an attempt to strengthen the existing formula."
"Something wrong with the old one?"
"Yeah, invisibility potions are hard to make due to the ingredients, which means they're rare to begin with, but the bigger problem is they have never been very effective." Yvette says now looking at you.
"What, like they only turn you invisible and your clothing is still visible or something like that?"
"Hah, that can happen with the wrong ingredients, but the main obstacle is they don't last very long. Usually ten seconds tops. Most wizards won't even bother making them due to the long, tedious process involved for such a short payoff. I've been trying to figure out a way to extend that to at least a half hour."
"So is it easier to just cast the spell?"
"Yeah, but only on yourself. Casting the spell on others can really take it out of you as far as upkeep is concerned. It's probably why the research on the potion was made. So... why all this sudden interest in my work? You don't tend to ask most of the time."
"Well to be honest when you speak to me about this stuff, it usually sounds so complicated that I feel sort of dumb."
"That's ridiculous! You are most certainly not dumb! I mean you had the intelligence to go to Klyton University at one time. I always said you should go back and finish your degree in... engineering wasn't it?"
"Yeah I just don't have time for that now. Besides, I'd rather spend my free time spending it with Trinity rather than in a class room."
"You are an attentive father." Yvette says with a smile.
"I try, but anyway I was also asking because I was wondering if you could help me in a job."
"Oh?"
You explain to her that some government associate of her father wants some elaborate security system, because he doesn't want any militia guards assigned to his house. You aren't exactly sure what it's all about, something about death threats from an unknown ex-government worker. He says he isn't worried, but it couldn't hurt to update his security so he asked for you and he wants the best.
You explain that you want to test the security you're installing will be good against someone who is invisible.
"Shouldn't the locks still keep them out? I mean even if someone is invisible, they aren't intangible." Yvette asks.
"True, but just in case they still manage to get in, I've actually have been working on something that detects movement. I guess it's experimental, sort like what you've been doing." You explain.
"Huh. I didn't know. Well I mean I suppose I can help, though I'm not sure how."
"Well you said you made a bunch of potions of invisibility. Just give me about ten of them and I'll... "
"Wait. Are you going to drink them? You can't just drink ten invisibility potions one right after another! You'd get sick!"
"Well you said they didn't last long. I'll pace myself. Wait, haven't you been making progress on the formula?"
"Um, yeah a little bit. I created one that last up to around twenty minutes give or take... wait you don't want to try that do you? It's only in the experimental stages and I've only tested it on qweepas! You don't know how many died before I got that right! Its a good thing the university has an infestation of the critters otherwise I might have run out of easy test subjects."
"Well I trust you. Just give me a couple of those improved potions and... "
"A couple?! No, if you were going to get any, you'd get ONE. And I still don't think that would be a good idea."
"You're going to have to test it on humans at some point right? I could help you with this, while you help me!
Yvette thinks about that proposal for a moment.
"Well... I suppose it could speed things along... but I dunno... I'd never forgive myself if something went wrong. But if you want to risk it, I'll give you one like I said." Yvette says.
This is a question of how fast do you think you'll be and whether you want to risk drinking something that could quite possibly turn you into a purple frog with a cat head or just outright kill you instantly.
> take the experimental potion
This whole thing is a gamble, might as well go big.
"I'll take the experimental, as I said, I trust your abilities and this will help you with your own research. Don't worry." You say and give Yvette a kiss, though she still seems a bit worried.
"Maybe I should go with you when you do this." Yvette says.
"No! I mean, no because this guy doesn't want anyone else around who isn't directly working on this and he still has to work shit out on his end and get things prepared. You know how these government types are with their hurry up and wait shit. Chances are, it's going to be a sudden thing that I'm going to have to drop everything I'm working on at the time. I just want to have the potion when I do need it."
"Hm, well okay. I'll get it for you tomorrow when I come back from work. You don't need it sooner I hope."
"Nope, like I said, it's going to be awhile."
"Okay, but if I make progress in between that time and discover something wrong I don't want you drinking it!"
Well now you just hope that doesn't happen before Yvette's father lets you know that Reynolds' goons are both out of the picture.
As it turns out, you don't have to wait too long and Franklins is pretty efficient in that regard. He informs you that from what he heard, Reynolds protested very loudly about his son and the ogre being arrested and has already claimed that he is going to make sure heads are going to roll for this slander and injustice. Franklins tells you his name predictably came up in the blame game, so he wants you to go get that container before Reynolds starts acting on his threats.
You gather up some extra supplies from work. Ned isn't really going to notice and the guy is practically on the verge of willing you his place of business when he dies anyway. Even when you say you need one of the special magic lock breakers he hardly bats an eye and just tells you to be careful with it since they're very hard to acquire, let alone make.
Later that week when you finally have everything you need and feel prepared, you tell Yvette that you're going to be working a little late on this paper pusher's security since this is the moment. She's of course still worried about you, but also slightly eager to find out what you'll experience and reminds you to tell her everything.
You linger around in the neighborhood where Mr. Reynolds maintains his place of business. In the old days you might have been a little concerned about getting mugged in the area or running afoul of some sort of thugs while you wait, but things are lot more cleaned up without the Crimson Talons around and the militia keeping on top of things. Probably just as well that you gave up your profession when you did... so to speak.
Eventually Mr. Reynold's place of business closes down for the day and unfortunately just as you figured he doesn't leave. Probably has a whole living area to himself in the building, which means more caution is going to be needed on your part while you search for a safe because you're going in totally dry.
You decide to do this the old fashioned way and stealthily break in and only use the potion if you get into trouble. You're still a bit hesitant to use it after all.
One thing you wish is there that there was a back door to the place, but you looked around earlier for one and no luck. Not even a window, or least not one you could easily climb up to. As the streets become less populated, you head to the front door and work on the lock. It's actually not difficult and you're in pretty quickly.
You have to put yourself back in that calm mentality when you used to do this before, but it's a lot more difficult because there are so many things that could go wrong. That's not even counting that this guy is a half fucking demon. Who knows what sort of powers he really has?
You do your best to press forward and just get on with it. You're just glad you had the forethought to go to the bathroom before you did this.
You sneak about his office first, hoping that maybe he keeps a safe in here, but so far all you're finding is locked drawers with papers and not much else. You do find a fancy looking pistol under his desk. Its way nicer than the one you have at home and has multiple barrels, (You sort of wish you brought it with you) probably a custom job. You figure since you're here stealing shit anyway, you take it.
You eventually finish going through everything you can in the office area and that's when you realize you're going to have to search Mr. Reynolds' living quarters.
You give yourself a few moments to mentally prepare yourself and then head through a door where you see some stairs going up and down. You forgot that there might be a cellar to this place. Hoping that the safe might be down there, you decide to try it first.
The cellar isn't cluttered like you'd think it would be. In fact there isn't much here at all other than a few tables and chair. Though it looks like there are also some shackles and several what could only be torture instruments down here. For deadbeats and others that get on Reynolds' bad side no doubt.
Just as you're about to give up, and resign yourself to searching in the demon's inner sanctum, you spot a small hidden door in the floor. Upon closer inspection, it's definitely a safe of some sort.
"Shit, this isn't even state of the art." You say to yourself and start trying to open it with your regular tools. You don't believe that you're going to be so lucky to find what you're looking for, but when you finally get it open, you're pleasantly surprised.
"Yag is certainly smiling on me today." You say even though you've never been one to place too much stock in the gods, but really is a good stroke of luck. You take the black hexagon container and place it in your bag. Time to leave.
You start walking up the stairs and then suddenly one of the steps breaks and your leg nearly goes through it. It's all you can do to try to hang on to the nearby railing so you don't hurt yourself any further even though you still take a tumble backwards. You're just lucky you didn't break your leg or your neck, though you aren't so lucky in that you were completely silent since you did shout in pain briefly before stopping yourself, not to mention all the other noise.
You're sure that probably got Mr. Reynolds' attention. If he wasn't awake now, he is now.
You quickly stand up from the bottom of the basement stairs and already hear noise coming from above your location.
"I hope this works." You say and take out the invisibility potion and drink it. You feel a strange sensation and half think that you're going to fall down the stairs from the temporary wooziness. (Though maybe some of that is from the fall)
You look at yourself, or at rather your hands and arms and even in this torch lighting you can't see them anymore. A further glance down your body and you can't see that either. You're guessing it is working.
You're about to make your way back up the stairs, but then that's when you see a figure standing at the top of them. Mr. Reynolds is there with what looks to be a musket.
"I know someone's down here, you might as well come out now and make this quick."
He's aiming downward, but hasn't shot you yet. It's a clear line of sight so the potion must definitely be working. However he's in the way and you aren't going to get past him as he makes his way cautiously down.
You back up deeper into the basement and figure you might be able to sneak around him. The problem is he isn't moving much further in and is now just standing near the bottom of the stairs pointing his weapon into the darkness.
"Got all the time in the world. The longer you make me wait, the worse it's going to be for you...hmmm... .let me guess... whoever you are, you're working for Franklins aren't you? Yeah, it all makes sense now with my two loyal workers being recently arrested." Mr. Reynolds remarks.
He keeps looking around from his position like he's trying to see something, but it's not that huge of a basement and if you weren't invisible you wouldn't have many places to hide.
Still, this potion isn't going to last forever and you really aren't sure if you're going to be able to sneak around him.
Of course, you do have that fancy pistol of his that you picked up. Though you weren't here to assassinate the guy, you were just supposed to steal from him and who knows if bullets are going to work on him? There's also the fact that you haven't actually killed anyone since Klint and it isn't like it's a major part of your nature though this is a desperate situation, just like it was with Klint.
> sneak around him
In your heart you've always been a thief, never a killer. You're going to sneak around him.
You move forward cautiously as Reynolds continues to squint in your direction. He can't see you as far as you can tell.
"There you are!" he suddenly shouts and fires directly at you.
You feel the burn of lead going into your body and damaging vital organs before falling to the floor. You moan and groan in pain while Reynolds advances on your position. He stands back as he looks on the floor in your direction.
"I figured someone was playing hide and seek. Unusual invisibility you have there. Usually potions don't last that long and if you were a wizard, my shot would have broken your concentration and I doubt there is another wizard lurking nearby. It's a good thing these ol' eyes can detect heat if one is close enough."
It's clear that Mr. Reynolds still can't quite make everything out, but it's good enough that he can see you well enough and starts roughly grabbing at your hands, which are attempting to go for his fancy pistol that you stole.
You are strong enough to resist, but only initially. Mr. Reynolds eventually manages to grab the pistol and in the ensuing struggle he shoots you with it. This time the shot is fatal.
The last thing you hear is Mr. Reynolds cursing that he'll be unable to get any more information from you. |
This whole thing is a gamble, might as well go big.
"I'll take the experimental, as I said, I trust your abilities and this will help you with your own research. Don't worry." You say and give Yvette a kiss, though she still seems a bit worried.
"Maybe I should go with you when you do this." Yvette says.
"No! I mean, no because this guy doesn't want anyone else around who isn't directly working on this and he still has to work shit out on his end and get things prepared. You know how these government types are with their hurry up and wait shit. Chances are, it's going to be a sudden thing that I'm going to have to drop everything I'm working on at the time. I just want to have the potion when I do need it."
"Hm, well okay. I'll get it for you tomorrow when I come back from work. You don't need it sooner I hope."
"Nope, like I said, it's going to be awhile."
"Okay, but if I make progress in between that time and discover something wrong I don't want you drinking it!"
Well now you just hope that doesn't happen before Yvette's father lets you know that Reynolds' goons are both out of the picture.
As it turns out, you don't have to wait too long and Franklins is pretty efficient in that regard. He informs you that from what he heard, Reynolds protested very loudly about his son and the ogre being arrested and has already claimed that he is going to make sure heads are going to roll for this slander and injustice. Franklins tells you his name predictably came up in the blame game, so he wants you to go get that container before Reynolds starts acting on his threats.
You gather up some extra supplies from work. Ned isn't really going to notice and the guy is practically on the verge of willing you his place of business when he dies anyway. Even when you say you need one of the special magic lock breakers he hardly bats an eye and just tells you to be careful with it since they're very hard to acquire, let alone make.
Later that week when you finally have everything you need and feel prepared, you tell Yvette that you're going to be working a little late on this paper pusher's security since this is the moment. She's of course still worried about you, but also slightly eager to find out what you'll experience and reminds you to tell her everything.
You linger around in the neighborhood where Mr. Reynolds maintains his place of business. In the old days you might have been a little concerned about getting mugged in the area or running afoul of some sort of thugs while you wait, but things are lot more cleaned up without the Crimson Talons around and the militia keeping on top of things. Probably just as well that you gave up your profession when you did... so to speak.
Eventually Mr. Reynold's place of business closes down for the day and unfortunately just as you figured he doesn't leave. Probably has a whole living area to himself in the building, which means more caution is going to be needed on your part while you search for a safe because you're going in totally dry.
You decide to do this the old fashioned way and stealthily break in and only use the potion if you get into trouble. You're still a bit hesitant to use it after all.
One thing you wish is there that there was a back door to the place, but you looked around earlier for one and no luck. Not even a window, or least not one you could easily climb up to. As the streets become less populated, you head to the front door and work on the lock. It's actually not difficult and you're in pretty quickly.
You have to put yourself back in that calm mentality when you used to do this before, but it's a lot more difficult because there are so many things that could go wrong. That's not even counting that this guy is a half fucking demon. Who knows what sort of powers he really has?
You do your best to press forward and just get on with it. You're just glad you had the forethought to go to the bathroom before you did this.
You sneak about his office first, hoping that maybe he keeps a safe in here, but so far all you're finding is locked drawers with papers and not much else. You do find a fancy looking pistol under his desk. Its way nicer than the one you have at home and has multiple barrels, (You sort of wish you brought it with you) probably a custom job. You figure since you're here stealing shit anyway, you take it.
You eventually finish going through everything you can in the office area and that's when you realize you're going to have to search Mr. Reynolds' living quarters.
You give yourself a few moments to mentally prepare yourself and then head through a door where you see some stairs going up and down. You forgot that there might be a cellar to this place. Hoping that the safe might be down there, you decide to try it first.
The cellar isn't cluttered like you'd think it would be. In fact there isn't much here at all other than a few tables and chair. Though it looks like there are also some shackles and several what could only be torture instruments down here. For deadbeats and others that get on Reynolds' bad side no doubt.
Just as you're about to give up, and resign yourself to searching in the demon's inner sanctum, you spot a small hidden door in the floor. Upon closer inspection, it's definitely a safe of some sort.
"Shit, this isn't even state of the art." You say to yourself and start trying to open it with your regular tools. You don't believe that you're going to be so lucky to find what you're looking for, but when you finally get it open, you're pleasantly surprised.
"Yag is certainly smiling on me today." You say even though you've never been one to place too much stock in the gods, but really is a good stroke of luck. You take the black hexagon container and place it in your bag. Time to leave.
You start walking up the stairs and then suddenly one of the steps breaks and your leg nearly goes through it. It's all you can do to try to hang on to the nearby railing so you don't hurt yourself any further even though you still take a tumble backwards. You're just lucky you didn't break your leg or your neck, though you aren't so lucky in that you were completely silent since you did shout in pain briefly before stopping yourself, not to mention all the other noise.
You're sure that probably got Mr. Reynolds' attention. If he wasn't awake now, he is now.
You quickly stand up from the bottom of the basement stairs and already hear noise coming from above your location.
"I hope this works." You say and take out the invisibility potion and drink it. You feel a strange sensation and half think that you're going to fall down the stairs from the temporary wooziness. (Though maybe some of that is from the fall)
You look at yourself, or at rather your hands and arms and even in this torch lighting you can't see them anymore. A further glance down your body and you can't see that either. You're guessing it is working.
You're about to make your way back up the stairs, but then that's when you see a figure standing at the top of them. Mr. Reynolds is there with what looks to be a musket.
"I know someone's down here, you might as well come out now and make this quick."
He's aiming downward, but hasn't shot you yet. It's a clear line of sight so the potion must definitely be working. However he's in the way and you aren't going to get past him as he makes his way cautiously down.
You back up deeper into the basement and figure you might be able to sneak around him. The problem is he isn't moving much further in and is now just standing near the bottom of the stairs pointing his weapon into the darkness.
"Got all the time in the world. The longer you make me wait, the worse it's going to be for you...hmmm... .let me guess... whoever you are, you're working for Franklins aren't you? Yeah, it all makes sense now with my two loyal workers being recently arrested." Mr. Reynolds remarks.
He keeps looking around from his position like he's trying to see something, but it's not that huge of a basement and if you weren't invisible you wouldn't have many places to hide.
Still, this potion isn't going to last forever and you really aren't sure if you're going to be able to sneak around him.
Of course, you do have that fancy pistol of his that you picked up. Though you weren't here to assassinate the guy, you were just supposed to steal from him and who knows if bullets are going to work on him? There's also the fact that you haven't actually killed anyone since Klint and it isn't like it's a major part of your nature though this is a desperate situation, just like it was with Klint.
> shoot Reynolds
You think how this guy is half demon and probably is the asshole that Franklin made him out to be. You then think about how this is the same guy who messed with your family over their old inn. You also think about how you want to get out of this alive. And finally you think about your wife and daughter and how you want to see them again.
Yeah, fuck this guy.
You step slightly to the right of where he's pointing his musket and fire the pistol. The first shot hits him the chest and predictably he lets off a shot of his own before falling down.
"Shit... fuck... invisi... " he starts to utter before you move closer and put a couple more shots into him, this time his head. He doesn't die immediately, instead he makes these horrible inhuman noises and begins flailing about. He tries to even wildly hit you with his musket, but you're far enough away and empty your pistol which you nearly drop due to the heat it's giving off.
Reynolds stops making his ghastly dying sounds when enough of his brains are on the wall. Seeing that he isn't breathing anymore or moving, you quickly step over his body and hurry up the stairs and out the building.
Along the way, you smash the pistol against a wall and start throwing pieces of it in various trash bins and drains in the street as you head back to Franklins place. You're a paranoid mess the whole time, thinking that someone is watching you and forgetting that you're still invisible. Eventually you realize you're able to see parts of your body again so you guess the potion is wearing off or worn off. Good thing its late and aren't too many folks around otherwise just suddenly appearing like that might have caused some shock. Doesn't help your worry and paranoia though.
When you get back to Franklins' home, you beat on the door until he answers. Upon answering, you promptly vomit on his front door step and his shoeless feet.
"What the fuck?!" he says.
"Apologies... .ugh... it all caught up to me... I guess... " you say still feeling a bit queasy and coughing.
"(Sigh) Shit... well I hope you have good news at least."
After a bit of clean up, you finally sit down and are calm enough to tell Franklins everything, but the first thing you do is hand him the container as promised. He seems so pleased by this that you telling him a problem cropped up doesn't even seem to bother him.
"Did he see you or something? Don't worry about that, when the shit he's been involved in gets out, nobody will even believe him since he'll be arrested right away." Franklins says.
"Um, yeah I don't think that's going to happen." You say.
"What are you on about?"
"Well as I said, there was a problem... and there was nothing I could do about it."
"Okay, now you're starting to concern me, what the hell do you mean?"
"I mean I shot him."
"You shot him?!"
"Several times actually."
"He's fucking dead?"
"Um, pretty much. Yeah."
Franklins lies back in his chair exhaling deeply almost in shock.
"Um, nobody saw me though. I was invisible the entire time." You add.
"Well thank Joachim for small favors. How were you invisi... you know what never mind. (Sigh) Shit. Well... I guess this doesn't even matter now. Damnit I didn't ask you to kill the guy!" Franklins says.
"It wasn't like I had a fucking choice! I fully intended on just stealing that container, but shit happened and I was put in a position of either completing this shitty job or possibly being Reynolds' victim! Besides isn't this better? I mean hell he's completely gone now!"
"I... I guess so and I don't shed any tears obviously. But let's just say I really wanted him alive so I could see the look on his face when I took everything away from him and he could do nothing about it."
"Well if it's any consolation, the expression on his face when he died was pretty horrific, though not nearly as bad as his screaming."
"Shit, what the hell did you do exactly... again never mind. Well I'm still going to hang on to this for safekeeping. Maybe there is still information inside that might be of use. As for you, if you weren't seen I guess you're good too. Though if something is coming your way I really will try my best to give it a detour. Now, you're SURE he's dead right?"
"Unless he can regenerate from severe head wounds and missing brain matter, yeah he's dead. And again, he didn't see me since I was invisible the whole time."
"Well if the worst happens and he is still alive, I still got this container. Okay, well I guess you better get home. I trust you have a good story for Yvette."
"I have a story. I told I would be working late, but she probably didn't think it would be this late."
"If you have any problems I suppose you can incorporate me into the excuse. I'll back you up. Anything else?"
"Yeah, I'm not doing anything like this ever again. Not for you, not for anyone."
"Good, because I'm not asking. And thanks. You're a better son in law than I could have hoped for. Maybe you're a godless heathen, but you stuck your neck out and even killed a demon spawn in the process. That's gotta for something when judgment day comes."
At this point you take your leave and hurry back home as soon as possible. Naturally it's very late so everyone is asleep. You attempt to get into bed silently, but your sneaking skills fail to evade Yvette's notice even though she was asleep.
"Hey... you're home... you were gone all night." She groggily says.
"Yeah, and I'm pissed about it too, the bean counter was an asshole that wanted everything done a certain way and... ugh... I don't even want to think about it right now." You say.
"Well don't then. I'm just glad you're here now. Come closer to me, you're too far away."
You move closer in the bed so Yvette can cuddle up against you. Normally you tend to like staying a bit free, but after tonight, you're all for Yvette's warm soft body.
"Oh, did you use the potion?" she asks as she starts drifting back off.
"Yeah, worked pretty well. I couldn't see my own hands when it took effect or anything else on me. I think it lasted about the time you mentioned too."
"Huh... that's odd. You should have still been able to see yourself and just been invisible to others. Hmm, guess that's a side effect I didn't know about, considering Qweepas can't actually speak. (Yawn) I'll have to make a note tomorrow."
With those words, Yvette returns to her sleep and you're in her arms again where you definitely want to be and are glad you were able to return to.
Sometimes you hate the fact that you've had to lie on occasion to her about things, but there is no way you're losing this life. Not now.
Your days as a rogue are definitely over. |
Maybe you're just cautious, or maybe you actually have become a better person, but a deal is a deal. You agreed to help in exchange for his silence so that's what you're going to do. Doesn't mean you're going to like it though and it certainly doesn't mean you're going to go through with it like how Franklins would have you do it.
"Okay, a deal's a deal and I'll do your dirty work, but I'm going to ask why don't you just do the obvious." You say.
"What?" Franklins asks.
"Kill the bastard. I mean you got militia connections. Surely it wouldn't take much."
"I'm not using the people who are supposed to be keeping law and order around here as my own personal hit squad."
"Given some of the interaction I've had with them and how they massacred the Crimson Talons, most are bullying assholes anyway. They'd probably love an excuse."
"Be that as it may, I'm not going to resort to such tactics... hmm do you know any assassins?"
"What? Why? Because I used to be a thief? I know you claim to know all about me, but if that was really true you'd also know I didn't hang out much with other criminals, let alone professional assassins. If you want one of those, go seek one out yourself, you certainly got the means to do so."
"I'm not associating with anymore criminal scum than I have to. It's bad enough I have to deal with you."
"Oh fuck you hypocrite. You don't seem to have any problems with me risking my life breaking into some place, which is run by a half demon. Or maybe you just don't give a shit? You'll win whether I succeed or get myself killed in the process right?"
"I am not trying to get you killed. I was just under the impression that YOU were very skilled in your... trade. If you don't think you can handle it, then fine. I'll figure something else out."
"So you can harass me later? I'm not going to have this hanging over my head... " you start to say before you're interrupted.
"You don't have anything hanging over your head! Not anymore. I mean I just blabbed a big secret to you and you didn't even try to use it as leverage against me to weasel out of our deal, which I half expected you to do. At this point I can't even claim the moral high ground anymore. As far as I'm concerned you're free of your obligation. You're obviously better than I previously believed you capable of. Congratulation, now get out of my sight."
That's a pretty strong statement coming from him. You know that had to be hard for him to admit.
"(Sigh) Look, I'm still willing to help, but I'm still not understanding WHY you can't just use the militia to kill Reynolds. If he's as evil as you keep claiming, isn't it better that you just get rid of him as quickly as possible before he can do any real damage?" you ask.
"Because it's a slippery slope. Sure, you may even be right. I abuse my power to eliminate an obvious evil. No harm done. What about next time though? Maybe the next person isn't demon spawn. Maybe he isn't even as bad, but is just in my way. Will I resist the temptation? I don't know and neither do you. I sometimes look at this city and even though it's probably one of the better bastions of civilization in this forsaken land, I sometimes still see the decay and rot underneath. It's always there even to a minor degree. Part or the curse of being half angel I suppose, but I'm trying to maintain what order I can without lowering my own standards and I'm already failing horribly at it. I can't afford to fail even more." Franklins remarks.
Franklins goes back to his drink and you search you mind of a way to help while still trying to fall within his weird angel guidelines. (Or maybe it's just his own weird personal code that he's placed upon himself for misguided reasons)
"The two goons Mr. Reynolds has. Why don't you have them arrested? I know you said Reynolds has influence, but I gotta believe his two thugs are probably shady enough that they could at least be held on suspicion right?"
"Well... Reynolds' son has been a minor suspect in some suspicious murders. As for the ogre, I think he's busted up a few bars. While I'm sure the militia could hold them both for a little while, maybe even a week, but they would be out in a very short period. And I guarantee they won't turn on Reynolds if that's what you're thinking."
"Don't need them too, just need them out of the way since I'm betting at least one of them is acting as an on duty guard even when his office is closed. I think with them out of the picture, it will lessen the risk to pull this off. I just need more time than what you suggested."
"Wait, you're still going to do it?"
"As I said, a deal's a deal. You didn't say shit about my past to Yvette, so I'm going to do this favor for you. Besides, I'd be lying if the challenge isn't stirring up old interest at this point. Just let me know when those two goons are out of the way. I'll be working on shit from my end until then."
Franklins is so surprised by your helpfulness he doesn't even have any snide comments towards you for the rest of your time you speak with him. He's got some reservations about what you propose, but he says if you think you know what you're doing, he's going to trust you.
You leave Franklins place wondering if you've maybe lost a bit of your mind for agreeing to this task, but then you realize, you were probably just getting a little bored.
Still, a lot is riding on your plan and you have to be very careful because this isn't just you now. It's your whole family you could potentially lose. It doesn't make things easier that part of this plan indirectly involves Yvette.
You don't exactly keep up on all of Yvette's magic studies and such, but you know that she was recently working on something relating to invisibility. Of course you're really going to have to approach this carefully or this is going to make things infinitely worse. The only reason why you're considering it is because quite frankly you haven't exactly been as active as you used to be and have probably gotten slightly out of shape.
If you're invisible however, it takes some of the pressure off of things like not having lightning reflexes and the quickest feet any more.
Later as you're settling down for the night, you address the subject to Yvette who is reading something in bed as she usually does.
"So, uh... you mentioned something about working on something related to invisibility?" you ask.
"Huh? Yes I am." Yvette says not looking up from her book.
"I remember you mentioning something a week ago or so about it. Is this a new spell or potion or something else?"
"It is a potion actually or rather an attempt to strengthen the existing formula."
"Something wrong with the old one?"
"Yeah, invisibility potions are hard to make due to the ingredients, which means they're rare to begin with, but the bigger problem is they have never been very effective." Yvette says now looking at you.
"What, like they only turn you invisible and your clothing is still visible or something like that?"
"Hah, that can happen with the wrong ingredients, but the main obstacle is they don't last very long. Usually ten seconds tops. Most wizards won't even bother making them due to the long, tedious process involved for such a short payoff. I've been trying to figure out a way to extend that to at least a half hour."
"So is it easier to just cast the spell?"
"Yeah, but only on yourself. Casting the spell on others can really take it out of you as far as upkeep is concerned. It's probably why the research on the potion was made. So... why all this sudden interest in my work? You don't tend to ask most of the time."
"Well to be honest when you speak to me about this stuff, it usually sounds so complicated that I feel sort of dumb."
"That's ridiculous! You are most certainly not dumb! I mean you had the intelligence to go to Klyton University at one time. I always said you should go back and finish your degree in... engineering wasn't it?"
"Yeah I just don't have time for that now. Besides, I'd rather spend my free time spending it with Trinity rather than in a class room."
"You are an attentive father." Yvette says with a smile.
"I try, but anyway I was also asking because I was wondering if you could help me in a job."
"Oh?"
You explain to her that some government associate of her father wants some elaborate security system, because he doesn't want any militia guards assigned to his house. You aren't exactly sure what it's all about, something about death threats from an unknown ex-government worker. He says he isn't worried, but it couldn't hurt to update his security so he asked for you and he wants the best.
You explain that you want to test the security you're installing will be good against someone who is invisible.
"Shouldn't the locks still keep them out? I mean even if someone is invisible, they aren't intangible." Yvette asks.
"True, but just in case they still manage to get in, I've actually have been working on something that detects movement. I guess it's experimental, sort like what you've been doing." You explain.
"Huh. I didn't know. Well I mean I suppose I can help, though I'm not sure how."
"Well you said you made a bunch of potions of invisibility. Just give me about ten of them and I'll... "
"Wait. Are you going to drink them? You can't just drink ten invisibility potions one right after another! You'd get sick!"
"Well you said they didn't last long. I'll pace myself. Wait, haven't you been making progress on the formula?"
"Um, yeah a little bit. I created one that last up to around twenty minutes give or take... wait you don't want to try that do you? It's only in the experimental stages and I've only tested it on qweepas! You don't know how many died before I got that right! Its a good thing the university has an infestation of the critters otherwise I might have run out of easy test subjects."
"Well I trust you. Just give me a couple of those improved potions and... "
"A couple?! No, if you were going to get any, you'd get ONE. And I still don't think that would be a good idea."
"You're going to have to test it on humans at some point right? I could help you with this, while you help me!
Yvette thinks about that proposal for a moment.
"Well... I suppose it could speed things along... but I dunno... I'd never forgive myself if something went wrong. But if you want to risk it, I'll give you one like I said." Yvette says.
This is a question of how fast do you think you'll be and whether you want to risk drinking something that could quite possibly turn you into a purple frog with a cat head or just outright kill you instantly.
> take the regular potions
Hopefully, you won't have to stay invisible for long because you're not going to risk the experimental.
"I'll just take several of the regular ones." You say.
"Okay... but I'm not giving you ten! I'll give you three and that should be more than enough and I still think it's a bad idea to drink so many right after each other, so don't blame me if you get sick." Yvette says.
"Three?! But...(sigh) fine. So when can you get them for me?"
"I'll get it for you tomorrow when I come back from work. You don't need it sooner I hope."
"Nah, he still needs to organize some shit on his end. You know how these government types are with their hurry up and wait shit. Chances are, it's going to be a sudden thing that I'm going to have to drop everything I'm working on at the time. I just want to have the potions when I do need them."
As it turns out, you don't have to wait too long and Franklins is pretty efficient in that regard. He informs you that from what he heard, Reynolds protested very loudly about his son and the ogre being arrested and has already claimed that he is going to make sure heads are going to roll for this slander and injustice. Franklins tells you his name predictably came up in the blame game, so he wants you to go get that container before Reynolds starts acting on his threats.
You gather up some extra supplies from work. Ned isn't really going to notice and the guy is practically on the verge of willing you his place of business when he dies anyway. Even when you say you need one of the special magic lock breakers he hardly bats an eye and just tells you to be careful with it since they're very hard to acquire, let alone make.
Later that week when you finally have everything you need and feel prepared, you tell Yvette that you're going to be working a little late on this paper pusher's security since this is the moment.
You linger around in the neighborhood where Mr. Reynolds maintains his place of business. In the old days you might have been a little concerned about getting mugged in the area or running afoul of some sort of thugs while you wait, but things are lot more cleaned up without the Crimson Talons around and the militia keeping on top of things. Probably just as well that you gave up your profession when you did... so to speak.
Eventually Mr. Reynolds' place of business closes down for the day and unfortunately just as you figured he doesn't leave. Probably has a whole living area to himself in the building, which means more caution is going to be needed on your part while you search for a safe because you're going in totally dry.
You decide to do this the old fashioned way and stealthily break in and only use the potions if you get into trouble. You only have three and they don't last very long after all.
One thing you wish is there that there was a back door to the place, but you looked around earlier for one and no luck. Not even a window, or least not one you could easily climb up to. As the streets become less populated, you head to the front door and work on the lock. It's actually not difficult and you're in pretty quickly.
You have to put yourself back in that calm mentality when you used to do this before, but it's a lot more difficult because there are so many things that could go wrong. That's not even counting that this guy is a half fucking demon. Who knows what sort of powers he really has?
You do your best to press forward and just get on with it. You're just glad you had the forethought to go to the bathroom before you did this.
You sneak about his office first, hoping that maybe he keeps a safe in here, but so far all you're finding is locked drawers with papers and not much else. You do find a fancy looking pistol under his desk. Its way nicer than the one you have at home and has multiple barrels, (You sort of wish you brought it with you) probably a custom job. You figure since you're here stealing shit anyway, you take it.
You eventually finish going through everything you can in the office area and that's when you realize you're going to have to search Mr. Reynolds' living quarters.
You give yourself a few moments to mentally prepare yourself and then head through a door where you see some stairs going up and down. You forgot that there might be a cellar to this place. Hoping that the safe might be down there, you decide to try it first.
The cellar isn't cluttered like you'd think it would be. In fact there isn't much here at all other than a few tables and chair. Though it looks like there are also some shackles and several what could only be torture instruments down here. For deadbeats and others that get on Reynolds' bad side no doubt.
Just as you're about to give up, and resign yourself to searching in the demon's inner sanctum, you spot a small hidden door in the floor. Upon closer inspection, it's definitely a safe of some sort.
"Shit, this isn't even state of the art." You say to yourself and start trying to open it with your regular tools. You don't believe that you're going to be so lucky to find what you're looking for, but when you finally get it open, you're pleasantly surprised.
"Yag is certainly smiling on me today." You say even though you've never been one to place too much stock in the gods, but really is a good stroke of luck. You take the black hexagon container and place it in your bag. Time to leave.
You start walking up the stairs and then suddenly one of the steps breaks and your leg nearly goes through it. It's all you can do to try to hang on to the nearby railing so you don't hurt yourself any further even though you still take a tumble backwards. You're just lucky you didn't break your leg or your neck, though you aren't so lucky in that you were completely silent since you did shout in pain briefly before stopping yourself, not to mention all the other noise.
You're sure that probably got Mr. Reynolds' attention. If he wasn't awake now, he is now.
You quickly stand up from the bottom of the basement stairs and already hear noise coming from above your location.
"I hope this works." You say and take out one of the invisibility potions and drink it. You feel a strange sensation and half think that you're going to fall down the stairs from the temporary wooziness. (Though maybe some of that is from the fall)
You look at yourself, and don't see any difference. You can't even tell if it's working.
You're about to make your way back up the stairs, but then that's when you see a figure standing at the top of them. Mr. Reynolds is there with what looks to be a musket.
"I know someone's down here, you might as well come out now and make this quick."
He's aiming downward, but hasn't shot you yet. It's a clear line of sight so the potion must definitely be working. However he's in the way and you aren't going to get past him as he makes his way cautiously down.
You back up deeper into the basement and figure you might be able to sneak around him. The problem is he isn't moving much further in and is now just standing near the bottom of the stairs pointing his weapon into the darkness.
You probably could sneak by him or maybe you could just shoot him with the pistol you acquired, but your immediate concern is staying invisible since you're sure that your time on that is about to run out. You take another potion and chug the contents.
No sooner have you done so when you start to feel incredibly sick to the point where you actually feel a cramping in your stomach. Yvette wasn't joking about how quickly these can cause sickness when drunk immediately after each other.
You try to prevent yourself from retching and begin to go for your pistol since you know you're going to give your position away by making retching noises.
You unsteadily fire at Reynolds and hit him just before your vomit all over the floor. You hover over your own puddle of sick gagging and not really noticing if you actually killed Reynolds or not.
At least not until feel the impact of a shot go into your face causing you to fall backwards.
Somehow you're still alive, but between the pain and the sickness of the potion, you end up falling unconscious.
Eventually your wake up and find yourself tied firmly to a chair. Your still have a slightly queasy feeling, your face still hurts very badly and you can only see out of one eye.
But all of that is the least of your problems when you see the blurry image of Mr. Reynolds standing nearby next to the table full of torture instruments.
"Glad you're finally awake. Now we can get started. You know, you really are a spitting image of your father... well except for the new hole in your face. How is he doing anyway?" Mr. Reynolds says.
"Mgh, wai... t... gh... " is about all you can groan right now.
"Well, doesn't matter I suppose. I'll find out everything I need to in a day or so I imagine. Not that I really need to since I already know you're working for Franklins. I swear that old hypocrite couldn't do something himself so he gets his lowly son in law to do it for him. If I were in your position I'd be really pissed at him right now. This is all his fault you know. He seems to think because of my heritage that I have some sinister plan for this city when that's far from the truth. All I want to see is it to achieve its fullest potential."
"Ple... ase... I... won't... "
"Won't what? Tell anyone you were here? Tell Franklins? Get revenge? Of course you won't because you won't be leaving here alive. Really the only reason you're still breathing is because I want to find out a few more things about your loved ones before you die. You committed a crime against me. Not only did you shoot me in the fucking shoulder, but you tried to steal some very personal and valuable property. Now I'm going to take EVERYTHING from you. I know you have a wife and daughter. They will be easy enough to find, though I can imagine Franklins will realize with your disappearance that something has gone wrong and will do everything in his power to protect them, so it might not be easy to get to them first. So let's start with your parents and their whereabouts... oh I do hope they are still alive... "
Mr. Reynolds begins his torture and you try to hold out for as long as you can, but eventually you fail and tell him everything.
Your failure unfortunately still doesn't involve your immediate death. Mr. Reynolds keeps you alive in his basement where eventually his son (who gets out of being in militia custody) takes over the routine torture and he's not as nice as his father was...
You are completely broken by the time Reynolds tosses your mother and fathers' heads at you. You never thought you'd see them again, and certainly not like this.
You don't even have any tears left to grieve.
It is a small mercy that your body just gives out before Reynolds can do the same to your wife and daughter. |
Chapter 3B2: The More They Stay The Same
Year 30
You knew this damn day would come.
You had to make up an excuse to Yvette and Trinity of why you had to meet with him, but you're fairly certain that they didn't think anything more of it. Just bonding with an in-law over security advice of the newest and best locks right?
Your daughter Trinity did want to come with you, but you told her it would be boring adult stuff and she could visit grandpa another time. You hate lying, but what choice do you have?
You hoped and thought that you probably wouldn't ever be important enough for him to call on you for help, but here you are about to knock on his door.
You knock on the door and it opens right away.
"Took you long enough. Come in." Franklins says turning his back to you to as soon as he opens the door.
He takes a seat and for a change he tells you to do likewise.
"Okay, since I don't want you here any longer than necessary, let's get to it. I need you to break into some place."
You didn't expect this.
"What?" you ask.
"You got fucking wax in your ears? I need you to break into a place and steal something important." Franklins remarks.
"You do realize I haven't done that in years right?"
"Yes, I'm fucking aware. You're an average slob with a regular job and family. However, I know damn well you aren't out of practice because you're a fucking locksmith by trade."
"True, but... I'm not understanding this. I thought you didn't approve of my previous occupation."
"I don't, but desperate times call for desperate measures and besides all that, YOU owe me a favor and this is probably the only way I'm going to be able to call it in. Besides, you'll be going up against pure evil, so what you're doing is for the greater good... well I hope Joachim sees it that way at least."
"Wait, pure evil? What the fuck? Look, I don't want to step out of line here, but I need to ask some questions."
"You don't want to step out of line, but you're already stepping out of fucking line by asking damn questions!"
"Yeah, and I think it's fucking valid if you're sending me up against pure evil! I mean as you've pointed out several times in the past, I'm not a damn hero. I was a lowly criminal who is now a working class slob. I never was a fighting type to begin with and tried to avoid it if possible. Nevermind the fact that I'm married to YOUR daughter and father to YOUR grand daughter and I've made sure to never hurt either one of them. Seems like this is asking me to potentially do just that at best and just getting myself killed at worst."
"(Sigh) Fine, I suppose you should know in case you need some extra preparation."
Franklins pours himself a glass of wine and takes a drink before continuing.
"Okay, do you know who Mr. Reynolds is? Surely you must have heard of the man given that you were a thief at one time."
"Yeah, he's a loan shark. My family actually was in debt to him once when they owned an inn here. Never met the man personally though since I tried to avoid being in debt."
"Hmm, interesting. Well in any case, the man is more than just a loan shark. He's an embodiment of evil in this city and needs to be stopped from getting on the Klyton Council which he's been making plans to do."
"Okay? So if he's all that bad, why don't you have him arrested or something? You're always telling me you have connections."
"Yeah well those connections aren't good enough to get him and he's got connections of his own. Doesn't help that anyone that might speak out against him aren't just intimidated by him, but are also intimidated by those two goons he hangs around with. One of them being his equally demonic son and weird looking ogre."
"You really don't like this guy do you?"
"No, because despite him being an obvious evil piece of demon shit, he has been gaining a following that genuinely likes him now. In fact the asshole is probably more popular than I am among people who actually pay attention to politics."
"That's hard to believe."
"Ha ha. But make no mistake, this is no laughing matter, which is why in the next few days, you're breaking into his place of business and stealing a hexagon shaped container that he keeps a record of all his dealings in. Don't bother trying to open that though, you'd need magic. Just bring it back here."
"Okay, so got any idea where he keeps it?"
"No, but I imagine he'll probably have it in some sort of safe. Don't know where that would be either, but it has to be close since I can't imagine he'd keep it in a bank and would definitely want it close to him.
You start laughing.
"What?" Franklins asks.
"You're asking me to go steal something that is apparently magical and you don't have any idea where this item is in the place. Not to mention if this container is magically sealed, I have to believe he's probably got it in some sort of safe that has magic protection as well if its that important. That means I'm going to need special tools for that job and more time to acquire them." You answer.
"You work as a fucking locksmith!"
"Yeah and while the old guy I work for doesn't ask me too many questions, I can't just start taking specialized magic lock breaker from the job without some explanation, unless you're asking me to steal those too... "
"Look I don't give a shit what you gotta do! You need to get into that evil fucker's office and grab the container and get it back here!"
"I dunno, you keep going on about evil, but all of this seems pretty fucking shady. I mean granted I don't doubt that Reynolds isn't an asshole given the stories I've heard, but how is what you're planning to do any better? Seems pretty hypocritical that you gave me grief about my background and here you are a self proclaimed follower of Joachim scheming to... "
"DAMNIT MAN DON'T YOU KNOW ANYTHING? I just told you the man is DEMONIC SHIT!" Franklins stands up to shout at you.
"Wait... you weren't just saying that as a casual description of how much of an asshole he is?"
"NO. He's a fucking DEMON. Okay, perhaps half demon, but he's demonic shit and MY kind have been fighting his for a lot longer than you could ever think about!"
Franklins suddenly sits back down and begins cursing to himself and you feel like you've heard more than he meant to tell you.
"What exactly do you mean your kind... wait, are YOU human?"
"Yes! No! Fuck! I hate to lie! (Sigh) Damnit, I didn't want to get into this... I'm half celestial."
"Celestial? So like an angel? YOU'RE an angel?"
"No you idiot. I just told you I'm only half. Just like Reynolds is only half demon. Doesn't matter though, we are mortal enemies as has always been the way."
"Wow. You don't hear about angels too often."
"Well maybe if you attended the church of Joachim, that wouldn't be the case you faithless heathen. As I said, I am only half celestial. My foolish father gave up his otherworldly home to be with my mother... but we're getting off topic... "
"Wait a moment! Then that means Yvette... "
"Yes, she has celestial blood as well. It's probably why she has magic potential. It's probably also why she was always a bit on the trusting side. I never got any of that, all I got was a strong sense of right and wrong and fairly good health all throughout my life. Never been sick once. Better than nothing I suppose and before you even ask, no she doesn't know any of this and you better keep it that way."
"I don't get why you wouldn't tell her though."
"Because it's a fucking burden knowing that's why! Because I know I have to live up to some damn ideal that I can't hope to achieve. Hell, my own father didn't achieve it and HE was a full blood! I know Yvette and if she knew about all this, she would have wanted to go out on a crusade to right wrongs and all that bullshit with her magical powers and promptly gotten herself killed in the process. Better that she be a good person in her own small, but safe way."
"She might have surprised you and done great deeds or something."
"Oh and you're the expert on good behavior now?"
"Okay, fine I don't know shit about it. But what about Trinity?"
"She would have celestial blood too obviously. Though in her case, I'm sure it's been diluted so much with your lowborn mortal blood that she isn't going to have any potential powers and will most likely just live as a normal human. Lucky her."
You can't believe all this new information that's been dumped on you. It doesn't seem real, but Yvette's dad has never been one to lie and if he is indeed half angel like he claims, you guess it's hard for him to even do so directly. (Omitting the truth and spinning it, is a different story apparently)
All of this still doesn't change the fact that he's asking you to do a job, because he doesn't want to get his hands dirty. Still seems hypocritical to you, not to mention dangerous now that you're apparently going to be involved in some secret holy war.
It occurs to you that you could just refuse. He just admitted all this stuff to you. Now you have a secret. What's he going to do? You know he not going to kill you or even set it up in such a way that would happen. Have you exiled or get rid of you in some way? You don't see that happening either. Not now.
> refuse to help
If this was something reasonable maybe you'd be more willing to help, but this hypocrite is going to get you killed. Hell, maybe even on purpose.
"I'm not doing your dirty work, especially given how the way you treat me. I've already proven myself to you for years now anyway." You say.
"(Snort) So you want credit for acting like you should be acting anyway? Franklins replies.
"No, I'm just saying I'm not going live in fear of your blackmailing anymore. You want this done, you need to do it yourself, hypocrite."
"You should watch how you speak to me."
"Or what? You'll expose my past to Yvette? I'll take that risk, then she can find out everything that YOU'VE been keeping from her. You two are only just now on better speaking terms thanks to me. What happens when she finds out the truth? You think she'll ever want to have anything to do with you again? I mean shit; you knew about me being an ex-criminal and didn't tell her immediately. That would be grounds alone for her to be pissed at you, let alone this new information about her being part angel. You going to also deprive your grand daughter of her father as well?"
Franklins just sits in silence with a stare that could kill if it could. (Fortunately, he didn't say he had those sorts of celestial powers)
"Now you got two options. You either let me go out that door and leave me alone in peace where upon we will never speak about this ever again or you can go ahead and try to kill me at some point and if you go that route, you better make sure you get it right. What is NOT going to happen is you telling me what to do like a puppet."
Franklins continues to stare at you in silence. You half expect him to get up and try to kill you with his bare hands, but he doesn't.
"Fine. Go. This is my fault for placing trust in someone of your low moral fiber anyway. Oh and don't worry, your miserable life is safe." Franklins says dismissively.
You aren't sure about this at first, but given that Franklins isn't even prepared to kill Reynolds who is a mortal enemy and demon to boot, you get the impression that he's telling the truth.
You head back home and try to forget about everything that transpired. Even though you're supposedly in the clear now, you still have a feeling of worry for the next few months.
Still, you try to keep your mind occupied with your every day family life, which continues as normal with no odd deviations.
By the time a year passes, your concerns of any reprisal by Franklin are nearly gone.
Year 32
You have mixed feelings about all this.
Most of them negative about this situation of course, but somewhere in the back of your mind, you always knew this day would come. Maybe not like this, but something like it.
"Stop here." Franklins remarks to the carriage driver and two of Franklins men grab you and throw you out of the carriage.
You have no idea where you are all you do know is you've been riding for quite awhile, so you can't be anywhere near Klyton anymore. Maybe somewhere to the north? The air is a lot colder, but then you're naked so it would be slightly chilly no matter where you were.
You hear the sounds of footsteps approach as you attempt to stand back up. A boot to your side kicks you back down, followed by a hand roughly taking off your blindfold. You see Franklins staring down at you, even in your beaten and naked state you'd try to attack him if you could, unfortunately your hands are firmly tied behind you.
"I should have known after reading about Reynolds winding up dead a year ago that you decided to abandon your so called code completely. Guess you took my advice and decided to do your own dirty work after all."
"Well let's just say I saw the point of view on one of your crude arguments that fateful day. Plus as you pointed out, he was part demon and killing him was after all in my duty as a being of higher morality and conscience." Franklins responds.
"Still deluded I see. Snatching me up with nobody around and dragging me way the hell out... wherever we are just to kill me seems a bit complex though. Couldn't you have just had me killed quietly in the city? I'm sure you have the means of disposing of a dead body." You say.
Franklins smiles a bit and pulls out a knife.
"You still don't get it. I didn't abandon any code and you're not dying here... well at least not by my hand." He says and tosses the knife next to you before continuing.
"This is exile. I told you I'm no murderer. I'm giving you a chance to live."
"A chance to live? I'm fucking naked in the wilderness!" you shout.
"Yes, but you still have a chance. Call it punishment for all those years you freely stole from hard working folks. If you live, well then I guess Joachim has seen fit to absolve you of your sins."
You shake your head.
"You're right. You haven't changed at all. You're still a fucking hypocrite hiding behind some code to justify your actions."
"... perhaps... but then I am only part human. I have my flaws that Joachim will surely judge on that day of reckoning."
"You might want to be on the safe side and just kill me, because if I DO survive this, I'm coming back for you."
Franklins at this point chuckles.
"No, I don't think you will. First of all if you do come back to Klyton, I'll definitely know about it and I WILL have you killed for the punishment for returning from exile is death in accordance with the law. Second, even if you do manage to sneak in, don't think you're going to somehow get my daughter on your side. I've already taken care of that. Right now she knows everything about you and believes you've fled the city due to being under suspicion of several crimes."
"She'd never believe it!" you exclaim.
"She already does. Thanks to you, I have a better relationship with her now and she's never known me to be a liar. Besides, it's not lying... you were a thief."
You start cursing Franklins out, but he's unmoved.
"I'd save your strength. Night will be coming soon and there are worse than wolves out here. Goodbye son in law and don't worry about Trinity, I will of course make sure she, along with my daughter are well looked after."
With those last words, Franklins gets back in the carriage and takes off.
The first thing you do as you watch the carriage disappear in the distance, is maneuver yourself to try to cut your ropes with the knife that Franklins provided.
You still have no idea where you are; there isn't even a road nearby. Franklin's carriage apparently had heavy duty wheels to endure the rough wilderness.
You struggle to cut your ropes, but it's a tedious process and not easy. The cold is nipping at you and the light is going out. To top it all off, you think you hear something making noises in the distance and it doesn't sound like a wolf.
By the time you get your hands free, what was making that sound has gotten closer.
You don't know what it is, but all you see is its eyes and teeth before it manages to chase you down and devour you. |
Well, ratting on the Crimson Talons probably isn't the worst thing you've done...
You go back to the militia barracks where you're immediately stopped by some of its members who ask what you want. When you tell them that you want to speak to the officer in charge because you have information on the Crimson Talons, they tell you to wait while someone goes and gets Captain Branik, who apparently was the one interrogating you earlier.
Doesn't take long before you see this captain, who gives you a mildly smug look.
"Well, look who's back. Thought you didn't know anything." Branik says.
"I just remembered some details that slipped my mind." You retort.
"Hmm, well out with it then, and if your information is any good then we will have come to an understanding."
You give out what you know of the Crimson Talons, but specifically their headquarters location. He says something about how he can't believe they've been there the whole time. You also mention the secret sewer tunnel that leads from outside the city. Branik seems especially pleased by this information and mentions he'll send people through there as well when they move in to attack the place.
"This of course is all going to take a little time to put together and confirm, so in the meantime I'd like you to stay in the city. You know, just in case you're lying and this isn't some sort of set up." Branik says.
"What? What would I possibly gain by setting you up for anything? YOU told me to help you!" you say.
"Yes, but you didn't do it right away and even managed to disappear from the militia's watchful eye for awhile. I can't know if you haven't already tipped off your Crimson Talon buddies or something more sinister. So to put those concerns to rest, I just need you to stay within the city so that I may easily get a hold of you until this is all over. Be thankful I'm not just throwing you in a cell."
No good deed...
It's the best deal you're going to get at this point and really you have no idea now if the captain is even going to hold on to his end. Meanwhile you're probably still going to be having these militia assholes following you all over the city, which you can't even leave now!
You just leave shaking your head at the entire situation.
You honestly don't know what to do with yourself. You suppose you could live on your savings until all this shit blows over, but again you have no idea when that will be and if that asshole captain is even going to give you a break.
You still have to find a new place to live and you suppose squatting in your family's old inn is out now seeing as it's more trouble than it's worth.
Lacking any better ideas, you decide to go to the Church of Joachim that Virgil suggested. At least it will be free.
There are actually more than a few in the city, but you figure Virgil was talking about the one closest to the Welcome Mat so that's the one you seek out. It's probably the biggest one anyway due to more poor folks in the area sponging off the charity that the church provides.
When you get there you find that it's feeding the beggars day. Great now you have to put up with that smell along with whatever religious shit that's going to be preached at you.
You see Virgil serving up bowls of swill and approach him since you figure he knows where the flop room for the poor is.
"Hey Virgil." You say while trying not to get in the way of the hungry beggars who are eagerly taking their food and leaving.
"Hello. Surprised, but glad to see you. I'm a little busy at the moment, but what can I do for you?" Virgil responds.
"You said I could stay here awhile? Having sort of a problem finding a place to live at the moment."
"Oh sure. We have space so you can stay as long as you like, but erm... "
"But erm, what?"
"Well I know you're not exactly poor beggar or destitute mother with children and Brother Thadius is sort of a stickler for the rules."
"So what are you saying?"
"Well, maybe if you could donate to... "
"ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME?!" you exclaim at which point Virgil tells you to keep your voice down.
"Virgil, you TOLD me that you wanted to make amends to me or whatever and you also TOLD me that I could stay here for free!" you say.
"Actually I never said it was free... (Sigh) but I suppose it is true, I might have given you a false impression. For that I am sorry. However, you could still stay here for free, but it would still require something of you." Virgil says.
You at first think Virgil is going to tell you to get him a bottle of alcohol or maybe ask you to steal something. You're just counting on religious hypocrisy to rear its head, so it's a bit surprising when he asks you:
"If you could help me serve these bowls of soup, that I think would be enough to allow you to stay here for free."
"Wha... are you... (Sigh) fuck it. Fine."
You spend the next few hours serving swill to dirty, smelly beggars, bums, and the destitute. You can't believe it's come to this.
About the only think that breaks up the monotony is you have to throw out a Yellow Devil junkie who gets a little aggressive with the others. Normally you don't get excessively hostile to the point of violence unless its necessary, but you're in a foul mood due to current events. Just as you're about to really kick his ass until Virgil stops you.
"Hey, hey, easy! He's had enough; look he's going now. And I think you've had enough too. Thanks for your help; you can find a space on the floor in the sleeping area in the back of the church." Virgil says.
You don't say anything and just head to where Virgil said to go. When you enter the room, it isn't quite as bad as you thought it would be. Apparently most of the beggar types actually prefer sleeping in their own personal areas on the streets rather than a relatively clean church. Go figure.
What you do see more of is "regular poor folk." Families who have obviously suffered some hardship causing them to be homeless for whatever reason. You imagine their faith in Joachim keeps them going that things will get better. The fools.
You find a corner to be in, make a pillow with your bag and try to get some rest despite the sounds of children and people nearby. You can regroup tomorrow, you always do.
Next day...
You head to the university seeing as you don't have anything better planned at the moment.
Of course as soon as you start heading that way, militia is on your ass already. This is ridiculous. It's like they suddenly have some sixth sense of your whereabouts. You try to lose them a couple times and while you do succeed, it once again has taken you out of your way to your destination. Eventually you manage to get a carriage and ride to the university. From there you get to work.
All is going relatively well, though you do catch sight of more than a few wandering militia. You aren't sure if they're there specifically for you or just the usual.
On your way through one of the many student-gathering areas, you suddenly hear someone call out your name. You turn around and get a surprise.
"Yvette?" you answer.
"Glad to see you remembered me. How have you been?" Yvette asks.
"Um, I'm okay. And yourself? You probably graduated and are some sort of powerful wizard by now."
"On the graduation part yes, on the powerful wizard bit, well that's debatable. I'm sort of teaching and doing independent research on possible new spell components. It's a really good thing that the wizard college has such a generous benefactor on the Klyton Council. Otherwise, I'm not sure what I'd be doing with my life."
"You're a wizard, surely there's no limit to what you could do."
"I suppose in some ways, but I guess I just like what I get to do now... is something wrong? You seem a bit distracted."
"No, nothing's wrong. I'm just surprised to see you, let alone you even talking to me. Last time I remember you were pretty pissed at me."
"Oh. That. Yeah, I always meant to apologize to you about that, but I couldn't find you. I asked Dr. Gossey, but she said she didn't know much about you outside the times you helped her. I only knew your first name, but I didn't know what your area of study was. I must have went through a lot student lists, but never could track you down. I even tried some divination magic, but nothing turned up. Though I never was very good at that. Still, it almost seemed like you never even went here."
"Heh, yeah... wow didn't realize you looked for me. I'm really flattered."
"Well I gave up after about a year. I figured you probably graduated by then... so what are you doing here then? Are you teaching now too? What was your study anyway?"
Yvette is flooding you with questions that you weren't really prepared to answer with well thought out lies. She's being pretty friendly though and given how things have been going, it's nice a change. You sort of wonder about the fact that she looked for you for a year. Obviously, she had more in mind than just to apologize.
If you'd known that, you would have made more of an effort to seek her out too, rather than just fucking a whore that looked only vaguely like her a few times.
Well, hopefully better late than never...
"Okay, I'm just going to come out and ask. Were you interested in me back then?" you ask.
"Um... well... " Yvette stutters.
"I'll take that as a yes."
"Well wait no. I mean yeah, but... oh I'm not very good at this."
"Calm yourself then just speak your mind."
"Okay. Well, I didn't NOT like you. I mean I liked all of our time together up until Kelium died. Between that and worrying about my report, your kiss sort of caught me off guard. After my report was a success, I had time to think about your advance and while I would have preferred something less aggressive, I can't say that I entirely disliked it. Actually it might have even helped my report."
"How's that?"
"Yes, at the time I was so pissed at you that I ended up telling my superiors the story we agreed upon as well as adding that it was all your fault that things didn't go as planned. Since I was so mad at you, it came off as believable hence a successful report. I was actually going to thank you for that too."
You laugh a bit.
"Well glad it helped I guess. Though I suppose my question is and again this might be a long shot, but are you still interested in me?" you ask.
"I dunno. I mean it was years ago. We still don't know much about each other. I suppose the answer is the same as it was back then, I wouldn't be opposed to seeing you. I'm currently unattached. I have a bit of trouble meeting people that aren't also magic users and the few I do seem to get scared that I have magic powers." Yvette answers.
"What about other wizards?"
"Hah, yeah... well after going out with a few magic users in the past, that has not gone very well. I'll just leave it at that."
You're doing okay so far, but here's where the problem is going to come in, your real life.
If you pursue this relationship, you are going to have to change your life severely because you are entirely sure that Yvette is definitely not going to be good with your roguish ways.
Oddly, this isn't completely unappealing to you. Granted you've had an okay day here at the university, but how long before the militia gets more savvy and starts watching your movements here a lot more? You still can't walk to most places without them around and again you still don't know if they're going to hold up their end and leave you alone after they bust up the Crimson Talons.
When you really think back to what you've managed to accomplish as a rogue you aren't sure if it's worth it anymore. All you've been doing is going through the motions because you don't know any other way.
But if you really put your mind to it, you're a resourceful guy; you probably COULD do something different if you wanted to.
In any case, you still need to know how you're going to deal with Yvette. You could just tell her the truth about your life, which would prevent a possible shitstorm later, of course it could fuck up things now. Especially since you've basically been lying to her up until this point.
Of course if you've been lying to her all this time, you could just continue doing it and hope for the best. You could still try to change your life, but just not reveal your past.
> tell her the truth
Best to start a new life with a clean slate.
"Yvette, if we're going to be together I fell like it's best if I tell you EVERYTHING." You say.
"Oh?" Yvette responds.
"Yeah, okay where to start... "
You go into your past, though you still leave out a few details. (Like having to leave your town for murder instead of theft) In general you're truthful though. You're rolling the dice here and while you're explaining, you aren't sure how she's even taking it.
"I just wanted to lay it all out there because I'm ready to turn over a new leaf. I want a life with you and I want that life to have no secrets between us."
Yvette still says nothing; her face just has an expression of shock on it.
"Yvette?" you say.
"Um... yeah. Well... yeah... " she starts to say.
This isn't good.
"Yvette, please say something." You say.
"What do you want me to say? This is pretty damn serious! I mean how CAN I trust you? Up until THIS moment you've lied about everything!" Yvette responds.
"But I'm not lying now! I'm telling the truth here. I'm no longer going to be a thief, I'm going to go look for real work and... "
"Look, I can't deal with this right now. I've got other things on my mind and running into you was a surprise to begin with. Obviously it was a mistake to even admit I had some faint feelings for you at one time. I have to go."
"Well can we talk about this again later?"
"I don't think that's a good idea. Look, if you ARE serious, then by all means turn your life around and become a productive member of society. I don't even think you're that bad of a person... but I can't be with someone I can't trust and I can't trust you. Goodbye."
And there it is again. Doing the right thing and getting no accolades, just a kick in the fucking face.
Disappointed with how this entire miserable day has turned out you head back to your place Joachim's church (With the militia following you the entire time of course).
You spend the next few days on your usual routine of sneaking around trying to lose the militia as you perform your work at the university. You might as well considering you can't leave the city. If things actually been different with Yvette, you probably would have tried to find a real job, but now? What's the point?
You figure it's free to sleep and eat at the church so you might as well just endure it until the Crimson Talons finally get busted and the militia backs off your ass so you can leave this fucking city.
One day in your corner of the church sleeping area, your light sleeping reflexes kick in and you grab a little arm reaching at you.
"What the fuck do you think you're doing you little thief?" you say to the little girl who you've just grabbed. She looks at you with wide eyes, but doesn't scream surprisingly.
"Nothing! I'm not a thief and I wasn't reaching for you, I was just trying to pet Pink Eyes!" she says.
"Pink Eyes?" you ask.
"Yeah, the funny rat with big teeth by your head."
You turn your head slightly and see Elana sniffing near you. It would seem she located you. You release your grip on the girl's arm who stands back as you slowly sit up rubbing your eyes. Elana squeaks a few times and finds a less open place to be.
"You're lucky I stopped you kid. Elana here isn't just a regular rat, she's a qweepa and she also doesn't tend to let people just pet her. In fact she's more likely to eat your fingers." You say.
"She didn't do that with me. When I saw her, I gave her a little piece of bread I had from breakfast and she nuzzled my hand a bit after she ate the bread. Then I played with her a bit before she ran over to you. Is she your pet?" the little girl asks.
"Yeah I guess you could say that. Though apparently she's a little traitor if she's being nice to anyone that feeds her. Guess I'm no position to speak ill of rats though. Wait, did you say you already had breakfast?"
"Yeah, it's almost time for them to serve lunch now. I sometimes wake up in the middle of the night and see you creep in here. Do you have some sort of night job?"
"Something like that. Where are your parents?"
"My mom's out looking for work. I... um don't know who my dad is."
"Oh. Well I got stuff to do, so off you go kid."
"Can I play with Pink Eyes while you're gone?"
"Um... yeah sure I guess if she isn't chewing your face off. I wouldn't call attention to her though, not sure what the animal policy is in this place. And if she doesn't want to be fussed with, then I'd leave her be. Like I said, she isn't usually this friendly to other people."
You leave the little girl and Elana and step out of the church before Virgil or some other Joachim follower can ask you to do anything. You head to the university seeing as you don't have anything better planned at the moment.
Of course as soon as you start heading that way, militia is on your ass already and this time they don't just follow you, they actually come up to you and start throwing their weight around.
"Hey criminal scum, we're on to you." One of them says.
"Yeah I know that already. Been through all this with your captain." You reply.
"No, I don't think you fucking understand!" he says again, pushing you hard this time.
"What the hell? I'm not doing anything!" you exclaim.
"Bullshit! We know where you've been going even though you THINK you've been eluding us. You go up to that fancy university. Whatcha going up there for? I know it ain't to take any fucking classes. We haven't caught you in the act yet, but it won't be long."
"Aren't you supposed to be taking down the Crimson Talons?"
"Don't you worry about that. They'll be facing justice soon, just like YOU will be. Seein' you soon asshole."
And there it is, final proof that the militia consists of a bunch of unyielding dicks that are not going to EVER leave you alone. You truly have to get out of this city.
Your original plan was to wait until they finally took out the Talons, but they seem to be taking their sweet ass time about it. You suppose if you really wanted to get out, you could take the sewers and leave through the secret exit that the Talons use to get in and out of the city with no fuss.
Yeah, seems like a plan, though you figure you'll wait until it gets darker. In the meantime you head back to the church.
When you arrive back to your sleeping area you see that little girl playing with Elana and giving her some of her food. Looks like even your pet has abandoned you. Though considering you're leaving soon, it's just as well she seems to have found a new owner.
Lacking any more motivation to do anything until tonight, you decide to get some more sleep.
Later...
You suddenly grab a little arm reaching for you.
"Girl... you REALLY need to stop doing that!" you say waking up and letting the girl's arm go.
"Please, my mom is missing and I dunno who to ask for help!" the little girl says frantically
"What?"
"My mom, she hasn't returned! She ALWAYS returns before now! She promised she'd never stay out late like this again and I know she wasn't lying!"
"Alright, alright, calm down. What the hell happened?"
"My mom... "
At this point the little girl starts breaking down in tears and some nearby folks trying to sleep start shushing you.
This certainly wasn't anything you had in mind to deal with right now. From what you can tell it's pitch black outside. You slept way longer than you intended to and now you've got a little girl begging you for help.
> get out of the city
This is sad and all, but you've got more important problems. Besides the girl's mother is probably a whore and is just out later than usual to make more coin.
Still, you need to calm her down because she's making a scene and waking everyone up.
"Shhh. Shhh. Look, do you know where you mom might have went or where she goes to look for work?" you ask.
"I dunno, mostly the taverns?" the little girl asks.
"Okay, I'll go check every tavern in the area then okay? You just stay here and try to get some sleep, or I dunno... play with Elana."
You quickly gather your belongings and bid the little girl goodbye. She looks hopeful at you, but you can only imagine that her disappointment is going to be even greater when you don't return. Hopefully her mother does show up.
You leave the church and make your way to the closest sewer entrance that you know of. Fortunately even this late the militia aren't patrolling quite as much and it's easier to sneak around.
You descend into the foulness that is the sewers and begin your slog through it and eventual freedom.
Along the way you just hope you don't run into any Crimson Talons. While you doubt if they have heard about you ratting on them since the militia hasn't made their move yet, but still, you'd rather not bump into them since they've gotten more territorial lately anyway.
Your thoughts also briefly go back to that little girl and how you feel sort of bad about just leaving. You should have at least been up front with her and told her you couldn't help her, rather than giving the girl a little bit longer for false hope. Then again, the last time you told the truth it didn't go so well either.
You'll just be glad to leave this damn city behind.
At last you start to see the literal light at the end of the tunnel as you approach the sewer exit leading to the outside. You have no idea how the hell the Talons slog through this day after day, though you suppose they won't be doing it for much longer.
This thought has never been truer than it is right at this moment.
No sooner have you made it half way to the exit when all of a sudden several militia men enter through it. You stop in your tracks when you see them.
"He's warned them! Kill the bastard!" one of them shouts.
You immediately turn and run. Several shots ring out along with shouting. You catch a bullet in the arm, but manage to keep going. It doesn't matter though since the militia already has men coming from the other tunnels as well.
Today of ALL days is when they decided to storm the Crimson Talon hideout. It figures.
In fact the only place to run to is the Crimson Talon's hideout!
Avoiding the militia now seemingly coming from every fucking tunnel, you immediately run to the hideout and start banging on the door to be let in. Even now, the irony that you're begging for the Talons to help you after you ratted on them in the first place isn't lost on you.
"Open the fucking door! It's a raid!" you start shouting.
There isn't any answer other than a couple of "what?" or "Who's banging on the door?"
"Come on open the fuck up, it's... ugggh! SHIT!" you shout and get shot in the back. This time the wound is fatal.
You collapse at the door, which still stays firmly shut until the militia comes stomping over your body to batter it down. |
Year 32
"I just paid you! Dolan exclaims.
"Yeah and you know the damn rules Dolan, you can get Numb AFTER you give me the information as well!" you say.
"But I don't know any more! I swear! I'm got my ass chewed out by Marco already for asking too many questions! Hasn't all the other information I've given you in the past been good?"
"Hmmm, fine. But I'd advise you to start going easy on this stuff. It's not as simple to acquire anymore. So unless you want to go risk getting that inferior Green Lotus shit that got your buddy killed due to getting a bad batch, I suggest you not even come back unless you got a lot of coin or some information I can actually use. Now you better get out of here before some other Black Hooks come in to sell something and overhear that you're spying on all of them."
Dolan meekly takes his small container of Numb and scampers away like the low life he is. The boy had no idea that it was going to lead up to this, though you planned that it would. A somewhat reliable mole in the Black Hooks just so you can keep an ear out on what they're doing, though it's still more to keep a check on Mara who apparently is doing well in her position with Black Hooks though that doesn't surprise you for several reasons.
In some ways you're actually proud of her, but as always there is still concern. Especially with what you've been hearing lately and the Jicol Watch is the least of potential problems. A few members of the infamous Ebony Claw Syndicate have been seen in the city.
You've already heard the many tales of the Ebony Claw Syndicate. They're a huge organization with a shitload of resources behind them and when they start showing up regularly in a city that usually means it's currently in their sights for expansion. And if they do expand, there isn't much that is going to stop them, as most of the criminal here are unorganized. Anyone who they don't bother to incorporate into their organization is going to just get eliminated.
This development has got you slightly more concerned for Mara since as a member of the only potential "organized resistance" to an ECS take over the Black Hooks could very be on the list for elimination.
You aren't really sure what you can do though. You haven't spoken to Mara since she left two years ago and she's made no effort to contact you.
Of course you haven't really made the effort to speak with her either and it's not like you couldn't meet her alone given the eye you keep on her with your drug addled spy. You suppose you haven't since you aren't sure if she'd want to see you.
For a couple days you seriously mull over the idea of going to see her or not and that's when you get a visit from members of the ECS.
"Figured it wouldn't be long before you guys showed up." You say when they come through the door.
The pair of them are about the sort you'd expect from the ECS, a couple of intimidating muscular guys with tattoos. They don't answer you right away and just briefly look around before addressing you.
"I take it you're the fence of this city?" one of them asks.
"Well I'm hardly the only one." You reply.
"Yes, but we've heard that you're probably the best one."
"Really? Glad to hear my reputation is in good standing with the underworld I suppose. Never can quite tell in this line of work as I'm sure you well know."
"Hmm, can't say I'm impressed with the Jicol underworld if you're considered the best, but looks can be deceiving I suppose especially since you seem to have even eluded being under suspicion by the Jicol Watch here. It at least shows you know how to keep a low profile, which displays signs of professionalism. In any case my name is Nathan and since you already seemed to know we were going to show up I'm going to go ahead and assume you know why we're here." Nathan says.
"Well I can take a guess, but for all I know you might be here to kill me." You reply.
"Oh we don't have nearly enough information about this city and it's major players to start killing anyone yet. However it doesn't seem like there are any major players unless we count the actual government... or have we missed someone?"
"Are you asking me?"
"I don't know, am I? Surely an important man as you knows things. Of course if you're saying you don't know anything, maybe we should talk to someone else... "
"Hold on. I didn't say that I didn't know anything. It's just that you're fairly correct about the situation in Jicol. The underworld element here has no real uniting entity and I don't have much to add."
"Interesting. So what about this other group I've heard about in passing, the Black Hookers or something?"
"Um, the Black Hooks. Yes, mostly an unruly gang of amateur teenagers who think they're tough. Not really that important."
"I see. Though from what I hear their numbers are sizable and the youth are easily molded if given the proper motivation and training."
You don't respond to Nathan's last response. Nathan at this juncture makes a few eye and hand gestures to his less talkative comrade. Nathan's friend nods and stands by the door while Nathan addresses you again.
"Okay friendo, I'm going to tell you this because quite frankly I don't want to be bothered running around speaking to every little two copper thug that's in this city and you seem to deal with most of them anyway. Even if you don't then you know enough of them that they'll spread the word to the rest."
"And that word is exactly?"
"The ECS is taking over ALL operations here. A pocket isn't going to be picked in this city without us guiding the hand and getting our cut. This might not be today, this might not be tomorrow, it might not even be next year, but we are coming and nobody here is going to stop us."
"Anything else?"
"Yeah, let everyone know that the ECS isn't unreasonable. If they seek us out for official membership we will consider them. Even if they aren't quite up to our standards, we'll find something for them as an associate. One thing we WILL NOT tolerate however is resistance. So let everyone know, defying the Ebony Claws won't be in their best interest if they wish to continue their choice of careers in the future."
You don't have much to add to that, save for a nod.
"So I trust I can count on you for this task?" Nathan asks.
"Sure, I'll spread the word, though I'm wondering about my place in this new order you're proposing." You say.
"Oh I'm not worried about you. You seem intelligent enough to know to step aside when a storm is coming. For now you can continue your business as usual. We can discuss your future when things are more settled. I'm sure we'll talk again many more times soon."
Nathan smiles and bids you good day. As he and his friend start to walk out the door, you realize that now you really do have to speak with Mara personally.
Later on in the week you go to seek her out, though you stay out of sight until you can get her alone which isn't really a long wait since you find out that she mostly works alone and at night when she's not socializing with her fellow Black Hooks.
You follow her for a while as she creeps into a couple closed businesses, and then make your presence known when she's sneaking out of a bakery of all places.
"Didn't realize the bakeries were doing so well." You say.
"Shit! Oh damn it, there goes my evening snack!" Mara exclaims when she gets startled by you and then drops the pastry she stole.
Mara composes herself and then looks at you. She's grown a bit. Granted you knew that and you've seen her from afar, but this the first time in two years you've spoke to her and seen her this close.
You sort of expect Mara to either walk away from you or get nasty, but she doesn't, instead you get:
"Hey... dad." She says.
"So, you're my daughter now?" you ask
"Well what would you call us?"
"I dunno, you made a pretty damning accusation before you left two years ago."
"Yeah... I really shouldn't have said that. Always sort of thought I should apologize to you, but... I dunno... guess I was just too stubborn."
"Well I could have apologized as well. I was stubborn too, though I also thought that you'd just yell at me and walk away."
"Maybe in the beginning I suppose, but I haven't really been angry at you for a long time. Honestly, I probably shouldn't have gotten as mad as I did, but... "
"Yeah I know. You needed to have friends your own age. That's another reason why I just let you be."
Mara smirks a bit.
"Bullshit. You've still been keeping an eye on me all this time. Even when you stopped physically spying, you got those two idiots Dolan and Addison when he was still alive to spy for you." She replies.
"Guilty. So when did Dolan confess his guts to you?" you ask with a bit of a smile.
"Actually Dolan and Addison never told me anything directly, but they became so obvious as time wore on that I knew they weren't just being horny guys staring at me and trying to eavesdrop on me. When I found out that several of the Black Hooks would do business with you, I sort of drew my own conclusions after following them around a bit." Mara remarks.
"So any reason why you kept it to yourself and didn't tell Marco or even confront me about it?"
"Well like I said, I was too stubborn to go see you in person again, and I figured why mess up perfectly good business between you and the Black Hooks? That wouldn't benefit anyone and I didn't want to see you possibly get hurt since I know that you were just concerned about me."
Mara then walks forward towards and touches your hand.
"You stepped up and looked after me when I was well on my way to an orphanage. At least you taught me skills to survive and were nice. Who knows what would have happened in the orphanage. I won't ever just forget that and I'm sorry we parted the way we did."
"Like I said, that's all in the past. Don't worry about that now."
"That's good to hear you say that, though I feel like you didn't just come see me to reconnect again."
"There's trouble coming for everyone in this city and maybe the Black Hooks most of all."
You and Mara go some place more private (And less near some place she just broke into) and you explain the situation with the Ebony Claw Syndicate. While she's definitely listening to you, you don't think she quite appreciates the situation.
"The Black Hooks will fight back against these Ebony Claws if they start showing up and throwing their weight around." Mara says.
"No, no, that's exactly what you DON'T want to do with these guys. Look Mara, I'll acknowledge that the Black Hooks are more skilled than I originally gave them credit for and they've lasted longer than I thought too. But when it comes down to it, you're all still a bunch of teenagers that don't know shit. The ECS has been around for... shit I dunno even know how long. These guys aren't just a gang like your Black Hook friends or even the Crimson Talons, they're a powerful organization that rivals fucking governments at times. Jicol is a prime meat for them and they aren't going to be denied their dinner."
"I hear what you're saying, but how do we really know all this? What I mean is, how do we know it isn't all just stories? Have you really ever had to deal with them in before? They never had a presence in Klyton, maybe their rep is exaggerated."
"I won't argue that maybe it is to some degree, but I also don't see the need for a pointless risk. Honestly, the Black Hooks would probably be incorporated into the EBS, you'd probably be fine if you complied."
"Perhaps, but I doubt if Marco would agree to it. He's got some plans of his own and getting assimilated or pushed around by a rival group isn't part of it."
"Well you better convince him otherwise then, because it won't end well for the Black Hooks if you go to war with the Ebony Claws."
Mara has her own suggestion.
"Well... can't we all just unite?" Mara asks.
"What do you mean?" you ask.
"I mean don't you have connections with a lot of the other independent thieves and such? I mean surely they wouldn't want the ECS coming in, pushing them around and taking a cut of their money either."
"Well some of them wouldn't be pleased. Others I'd wager would just throw their lot in with ECS thanks to their reputation alone."
"But couldn't we convince enough of them to repel this invasion?"
"That's a tall order, but... I suppose it could be possible. We'd have to act fast though and we'd have to track down the current ECS outpost here and eliminate them all. I mean leave nobody left. With some luck MAYBE with nobody reporting back to the mainland, the ECS will just assume the worst and not bother sending anyone else. If not, well we just continue with the united front and kill the ECS as they arrive until they stop. I don't have to tell you though how dangerous that's all going to be."
Mara seems more receptive to that plan, though you're usually more for anything that's going to result in less risk for life and limb, but you've also got the long term to think about which is do you really want to answer to the ECS?
> resist
You got run out of your home town, you got run out of Klyton, you're sick of running even if the ECS aren't driving you out in the traditional sense. Plus you just reunited with Mara, it would probably be best if you stuck by her if you want to continue a good relationship with her.
"Mara, maybe you're right I think we need to fight." You say.
"I agree, though I'll admit I'm a little scared." Mara replies.
"Well good. You should be scared, because this is going to be dangerous. However, think of it this way. Right now we've got a numerical advantage and the element of surprise. The guy that spoke to me, Nathan seems to labor under the impression that I'm going to comply with his wishes to tell everyone to join them. Obviously I'm going to do the opposite."
"Do you think it will work?"
"Like I said, it's not going to be easy. I'm going to put out feelers for the ones who I know will resist first. In the meantime, I want you to go tell your boyfriend AND urge to him how serious this is. We need to all coordinate an attack plan and strike only when the time is right. If we go in half assed on this, we're all going to hang. Now are you absolutely sure he and the rest of the Black Hooks aren't going to be likely to join the ECS?"
"Very sure. I certainly don't want to and Marco isn't my boyfriend."
"... he's not? Hm, guess my information is severely out of date and Dolan isn't as thorough as he claims."
"Well... things change, and it hasn't been long. In fact nobody in the Black Hooks really knows yet."
"Oh. Um, you okay? I mean is there something really bad that happened that you're not telling me?"
"Yeah. It wasn't a bad split or anything like that. Just wasn't working out. Anyway, I think we got more important things to worry about with the Claws."
"So we do. Okay, you know what to do and I'm sure we'll be speaking again sometime in the near future. Oh and I suppose you can go ahead and tell Dolan that he doesn't need to worry about spying anymore."
"Okay."
Before you part ways, you hug Mara who returns it. You tell her to be careful and that you're glad to be speaking with her again.
You get to work immediately and eventually you manage to get together a group that you're sure is going to be receptive to opposing the ECS, however a few of them have other concerns.
"So who's leading this resistance? You?" one of them asks.
"Well I'm more of an organizer, but I suppose we can all contribute ideas." You say.
"A council? That sound like a terrible idea. Things like this a lot better with a defined leader." Another says.
"I dunno, isn't this the sort of thing we're trying to avoid? I mean we're essentially forming a gang to oppose the ECS. And say we actually succeed, then what? We just avoided getting assimilated or eliminated at the cost of being independent in the first place." yet another responds.
"And what about those Black Hook bastards? You said they're going to be involved? Can't say I'm looking forward to that." A fourth says.
"I'm telling you one thing right now if that little shit Marco is supposed to be in charge of this, I'm out right now." A fifth says.
You can see how difficult is going to be already.
"Okay, people, people! I understand all these concerns, but let me address some right now! First, this isn't going to be a gang, its not even going to be a guild. This is just going to be a mutually beneficial alliance. We ALL agree to work together to oppose the ECS or any other threat to our interests. After said threat is gone, we can all go back to being little special grains of sand. As for the Black Hooks, we're going to be allying with them as well, even if they're their own separate entity. We just all need to coordinate and get as many people on board with this as possible." You say.
"Can I just say something?" an older man you only know as "Sneaks" asks.
"Go ahead."
"I faced the ECS on a regular basis many years ago back in Holgard. I belonged to the Thieves Guild there that opposed them. We tried our best, but ultimately they wiped us out. I dare say I'm one of the few that got away to my knowledge. Now I already knew they were in this city before you even called this meeting. I actually planned on catching first ship out of here just because I didn't want to go through this mess again. However, while they might be powerful the ECS tends to abandon places if it's going to cost them more effort than it's worth."
The old thief stands up from his chair to continue his speech.
"So I think you're correct in that if we do act now before they get entrenched like they did in Holgard, we might just stop them. I'm going to go try to convince a few others that respect my opinion to join us in this task. I urge you all to do the same because if we just let the ECS come in here, it's going to be worse than you think if we just comply."
Between you and Sneaks' speeches the rest seem more convinced of this cause. You realize it's still going to take some hammering out all the details, but this is a good start.
A bit more discussion goes on and eventually the group breaks up for the night. You tell Sneaks to stick around though since you want to speak with him a little more.
"Hey, a lot of your words really helped I think. Pretty sure some of them would have left otherwise." You say.
"Well you put all this together so I think you're more responsible than anyone else for this resistance." Sneaks replies.
"Funny enough I was seriously considering in just complying when the ECS first approached me, it was someone else who felt fighting was a more worthy pursuit. Glad she did now."
"Mmm, glad she did too. I think you would have found life under ECS yoke far less desirable than even fighting them. I was thinking that while it's been well established that this is just a temporary alliance, a couple people were correct in that we probably should have a single leader instead of all of us just shouting ideas. More will get accomplished quicker if you just become the leader. I doubt if anyone is going to have any major objections."
"Oh. Well I guess it probably makes the most sense. You seem to have genuine experience in fighting the ECS though, sure you don't want to do it?" you half joke.
"Nah, I've never been a leader. I have been an advisor on more than one occasion though, so I'll do that if you need."
A few days after you've had your meeting with the independents, you meet up with Mara who has brought Marco with her. You haven't been looking forward to this meeting.
You only met him in person once before the first time Mara brought him around two years ago, but he's grown as well. He still has that tone of arrogance in his voice like he knows everything of course. If anything he's even worse.
"I don't see why we're waiting around for a bunch of old fucks before striking at these assholes. Word has it, that they've been setting up in a general store on Typhoon street. Me and my Black Hooks could easily take them out! We've been waiting for something like this, we got the gear and we're ready!" Marco says.
"Yeah? Well you'll be even more ready if you're just a bit more patient Marco. We need to coordinate plans, not go in half assed. I figured Mara explained this already to you." You reply.
Marco scowls a bit.
"Hey look, I know this guy is your dad and he deals fairly with us with fencing shit, but he needs to know he can't just tell me what to do. I'M the leader of the Black Hooks and after we're done wiping out these Ebony Claw assholes, we're going to be stepping things up to run this entire city!"
"Great, so Mara have the Claw been in contact with any Black Hooks?" you say already getting sick of talking to Marco and deciding to speak with Mara instead.
"HEY! I'm the fucking leader! You supposed to be fucking talking to ME about this shit, not my girlfriend!"
"First off, I'll talk to who the fuck I want, especially my daughter. Second, I thought you guys broke up."
Marco's face drops and he looks more scared than angry.
"You... you told him?! You promised you wouldn't say anything!" Marco says.
"No! No! I just told him we broke up!" Mara says.
"I think I'm missing something here." You say.
The rest of the short meeting mostly consists of Mara trying to calm Marco down. You don't know what it's all about, but you've gotten the impression that it's something embarrassing.
By the time Marco does calm down, he's even pissier with you and now he's upset with Mara (Though he doesn't get outright angry) Ultimately he grudgingly accepts the plan of waiting until everyone is ready.
You nearly ask Mara what that was all about after he leaves, but you figure maybe it should wait for now. You just tell her to continue to be the rational influence in the Black Hooks.
You have another meeting later on that week with Sneaks who has already gathered a bit of information on the ECS. He tells you contrary to what Marco believes, they are NOT all gathered in a general store on Typhoon Street. He mentions that's just some front they're already starting to set up. He mentions their real base isn't even in the city; it's in some small ruin on the island.
"You followed them outside the city?" you ask.
"Yeah, looks like an abandoned temple of Fel. I'm really not surprised given their history."
"What do you mean?"
"Some of the ECS, mostly the higher ranking ones, have connections to Fel. You're aware of who that is right?"
"Sure, god of shadows. Some rogues are into him though most pray to Yag."
"Well that's probably because most rogues aren't actively religious and it's easier to say few half assed praises to a god who's just rolling the dice anyway. Dedication to Fel, and I mean true dedication to Fel is a little more involved, but it does seem to have benefits and I've seen those unfortunately in action when I was in Holgard."
"Shit. Are you telling me these folks have divine powers?"
"No, not all of them, not even most of them. In fact I doubt if any of the ones sent here do. I'm just saying there is a history for high ranking leaders to have shadow powers. In any case, I believe there about thirty or so of them here. It's definitely going to be a fight whenever we attack."
"Thirty is a lot more than I expected."
"Yeah well they probably were keeping stuff like that secret so if anyone tried anything now, they could determine who was going to be a problem and retaliate in force if they needed to."
Sneaks goes on to suggest that perhaps the Black Hooks should lead the assault since Marco is so eager. In fact he actually goes so far to not so subtly suggest that something should happen to Marco in particular.
"I'm sort of wondering where this conversation is going Sneaks." You say.
"Okay, we both know the Black Hooks are a potential problem in the future. I mean yeah they won't be the ECS, but they could start getting pretty territorial really fast if left unchecked. I'm just saying that the rest of us do a little less to help them and let them take most of the casualties. And if some of them just happen to accidentally get shot by a stray bullet or bolt... well shit happens." Sneaks remarks.
"That's... pretty damn shady. Though I have to admit, I do see the logic in it, and I might actually consider it except for one major thing."
"What's that?"
"Mara is in the Black Hooks and I'm not exactly keen on using her as fodder."
"Okay, so I'll just let everyone else know that your daughter is off limits and is not to be targeted."
"I dunno. I mean its one thing to let the Black Hooks take the brunt of the casualties, but it's completely another thing to actively kill them in the middle of the fight when we're supposed to be on the same side. Also while Mara might get spared, it's going to be awfully suspicious if she's the only Black Hook survivor. We may not be fond of them, but some of these people are her friends. She isn't a stupid girl and will make her own conclusions."
"Well, I suppose it's up to you, but I just don't see it as a bad idea."
> deal with the Black Hooks fairly
While the Black Hooks are mostly a bunch of dumb obnoxious teenagers, they're still exactly that, a bunch of dumb obnoxious teenagers. Other than Marco, most of the ones you've had dealings with haven't really been hostile towards you. Most of them are probably going to get themselves kill during this fight anyway, no need for any sort of treachery.
"No, we can't afford to start stabbing our allies in the back, especially in this situation. I'm fairly certain the ECS is going to be doing a good enough job of whittling their numbers down anyway."
"Probably right. Just providing alternatives. So should we go over when and how we're going to plan this attack?"
You and Sneaks first go over the plans a few times, then you share this information with the rest of the Jicol Alliance, after sharing it with them, you share it with the Black Hooks.
You still aren't sure of when to attack since you want to make sure to get most if not all in one area and not have to chase any down, given how impatient Marco is getting and the fact that you're really never going to know for sure when the best time is, you just decide to do it sooner rather than later, especially since you're as ready as you all are going to get.
You spend the day before the attack mostly getting yourself mentally prepared for this. You haven't killed anyone since Klint and murder in general wasn't really something you ever wanted make a habit of doing. However, you do know it's within you to do it and you're going to have to do it multiple times soon. You just take into consideration that Mara is going to be in danger the whole time and you're going to have to kill in order to make sure she doesn't die.
Not that you think she's going to be helpless, but it's a better frame of mind to put yourself in if you're thinking that way for this task.
Your forces attack the ECS hideout at night. You actually tell the Black Hooks to stay back a bit since they're more likely to be sloppier and you're trying to keep this attack as silent as possible before an alarm is raised.
You and some of the others sneak around and take out a few of the Claws on the perimeter. After about taking care of the ones outside, that's when you signal for the Black Hooks (and everyone else) to follow you in.
You actually manage to make it down to the lower level of this temple before on of the Black Hooks' lack of experience start calling attention to the attack and before you know it, the alarm is at last raised. It was good while it lasted.
The underground level to this place is almost maze like, with Ebony Claws coming out from behind every corner. You actually manage to stop a few of the Black Hooks from getting killed by pointing out traps that they nearly step on or trip. In fact, they start sticking close to you, Marco or the other more experienced thieves rather than just going off half assed.
The whole time this is going on, you're still trying to keep an eye on Mara who you've seen take out at least one person. You aren't sure if she's done that before or this is her first time. You guess you'll ask after this is all over.
Bullets, bolts, arrows, blades and traps of all kinds are dodged or blocked many times in this battle. The Ebony Claws fight back with everything they got, which includes several, fire powder bombs that take out a large part of your forces, enough to even up the odds.
For your own dislike of the arrogant prick, Marco is actually being a deciding factor in keeping most of the remaining Black Hooks from just turning away and running. You sort of expected him to just be full of bravado and shit his pants when things got bad, but he's really stepping up.
Eventually you, Mara, Marco and a few others reach what you believe to be an altar room of some sort. You see Nathan and his friend that came with him when they first met you.
"You fucking idiots. You have no idea of the deep shit you're all in. You really think even if you some how manage to kill all of us this day, that you're going to get away with it? Kill them all except that fucker right there, I wanna take my time with him." Nathan shouts while pointing at you.
Nathan at this point spout some sort of gibberish and become blurry and you're having a hard time focusing on him. It would seem that Sneaks wasn't entirely correct about none of their number having access to shadow magic.
"Marco, you and me deal with the magic asshole, the rest of you cut the other one down and then help us!" you shout.
Nathan is moving at a speed that you can barely defend against. If it wasn't for Marco providing an extra target, you might very well be losing badly though given how it's going, you still aren't doing too well.
Nathan slashes you across the face with his knife, kicks you in the balls and then slams you to the floor. He then punches you multiple times in the face before Marco manages to recover from his own previous beating and get Nathan off of you by stabbing him in the back.
"Bastard!" Nathan grunts and backhands the teen to the floor. Nathan still has more than enough fight in him. He begins cutting up Marco who is desperately trying to cover himself. He manages to roll away and quickly stand up, but he's losing a lot of blood from all the cuts.
Meanwhile Mara has finally finished off Nathan's friend and is the only one left from that combat. She rushes in to help you and Marco.
Mara attempts to stab Nathan, but he anticipates the move and rather than just dodging it, he spins behind Marco causing her to run him through instead. Mara is in so much shock at what she's done, Nathan takes advantage and pushes Marco's dying body towards her, causing them both to fall to the floor with her partially trapped underneath.
Fortunately for you, Nathan is a bit of a gloater and hasn't been paying attention to you like he should. While he was kicking Marco's ass and spouting how stupid it was to oppose the ECS to Mara, you've managed to reload your flintlock.
Even with your face half beaten and Nathan already a bit blurring from his shadow magic shit he's using, you're not missing at this range.
You fire and you hit Nathan squarely in the kneecap. He screams in agony and collapses. You always heard it was the most painful place to get shot, you never quite believed that before now, because Nathan isn't just screaming he's actually crying and praying to Fel to rescue him.
If Fel was listening, he apparently didn't give a shit, because while Nathan was crying and screaming, Mara recovered from her shock rolled out from under Marco and starts stabbing the shit out of him.
By the time you stagger over to Mara, Nathan is a bloody mess.
"Mara, Mara, I think he's dead." You say touching her shoulder. She looks at you with tears and blood over her face and then stands up to hug you.
"I... I'm so glad you're still alive! I couldn't bear to lose you too! So many... so many of my friends... " she says.
"I know. I know. But we're alive. That's the important thing. Other than the obvious, are you okay?"
"Physically I guess. I mean I feel better than you look right now."
"You also look better than I look too." You attempt to joke.
"I always did." Mara says with a faint smile.
"Hah. Shit, Let me just lean up against this altar for a moment." You say and start reloading your flintlock with another shot.
"Do you know if we won?" Mara asks.
"I believe we might have won this particular battle. Hopefully none of them got away because I'm not really in any condition to go chasing them down." You say.
"Now what?"
"Well that is the question I suppose. I imagine we're really not going to know if we're in the clear or not for a while. As I said, the ECS may or may not send more folks here eventually to check on what happened. I'm gonna bet that they will and hopefully not many. If and when that day comes we're going to have to deal with them too. We may even be looking over our shoulder for the rest of our lives if they find out exactly who wiped out everyone, but then again how is that different from how it is now right?"
Your conversation with Mara is interrupted by Sneaks who wanders in cautiously. He notes the carnage in the room and nods.
"Phew, looks like I missed quite the battle here." Sneaks says.
"Yes, but is there still fighting going on elsewhere?" you say.
"I don't think so, in fact I'm pretty sure we got them all. I counted thirty-six bodies, not counting these two on the floor."
"Looks like there were more than you previously thought."
"Yeah, apologies. Curse these old eyes."
"You know this one had those shadow magic powers you mentioned."
"He did? Shit. Again, my apologies. I really didn't think they would bother to send someone like that here. At least not initially, they usually hold back their heavies for more important tasks."
"I dunno, establishing a new base of operations and taking over new territory seems pretty important to me."
"Yeah I guess so. But in any case we won. We probably should clean up the bodies and make it seem like nobody was ever here. Also need to hit that storefront in town. There are probably a few there as well. "
"Shit, nearly forgot about that. We still have people left in fighting condition?"
"Not many, but I think the few that we do will be more than willing to go now."
"Good, send them over then."
Sneaks nods and tells you he's glad to see you and your daughter made it through this alive before leaving. Mara noticing you frowning a bit.
"What's wrong?" Mara asks.
"I dunno. Maybe nothing. I mean Sneaks has been pretty helpful... it's just... bah maybe I just have trust issues."
"No need to explain to me. It's not like you can trust too many people in this line of work."
"Hey, you can always trust me." You say.
"I suppose I can."
You and Mara leave the bloody room with several bodies behind you. You aren't quite sure what the future holds next, but you survived this day and that's enough for now.
> time passes...
Year 35
A hand reaches for the pouch on your nearby dresser; you grab it and open your eyes.
"Nope, still not quick or stealthy enough." You say and let go of Mara's hand.
"How the hell do you do that? I know I was dead silent that time!" Mara remarks.
"Just comes with natural talent I suppose."
Mara at this point playfully punches your arm and sits on the side of the bed, as you sit up.
"A little early to be harassing me like this don't you think?" you say.
"It's the afternoon as usual." Mara tells you.
"Well unless the Ebony Claws have been sighted, you know I don't like getting up early... they haven't have they?"
"Not that I've heard. Though Sneaks wants to talk to you about a matter concerning that."
"Yeah, yeah, he's been wanting to talk for a few days now. Guess I better get over to him today. He's been acting sort of odd lately. Well I guess I better get going... um... Mara?"
"What?"
"I gotta get dressed."
"So don't let me stop you."
"Well what I mean is, I sort of need privacy, I mean I'm covered by the sheets right now."
"Oh, it's nothing I haven't seen before."
"Okay... don't really want to hear or know about any little boyfriends you've been seeing."
"I wasn't talking about boyfriends." Mara says with a smirk.
Now the conversation has really gotten strange.
"Wait a minute, you haven't been spying on me have you?" you exclaim.
"Relax, I accidently walked in on you asleep once and you were, shall we say less covered up." Mara says.
You feel sort of weird. Slightly embarrassed even. This causes some amusement from Mara.
"Okay, I'll leave. You're oddly reserved at times." Mara says and then kisses you on cheek before she leaves.
Honestly, you've been getting some weird vibes from Mara lately. Sometimes it feels like she's flirting with you.
Which under normal circumstances, you'd probably be perfectly fine with some pretty nineteen year old girl doing that, however in Mara's case you have severe mixed feelings about it.
Of course maybe you're just reading too much into things, and you're just the pervert thinking dirty thoughts. Which doesn't make it much better because that's been also increasing lately.
Trying not to think about any of that too much longer, you get dressed and head to where Sneaks likes to drink. He tends to be in there a lot so you figure you've got a good chance of catching him there.
You're in luck and you do in fact see him. He sees you and waves you over.
Ten minutes later...
"Are you fucking serious Sneaks?" you exclaim.
"Sorry it had to come to this, but after that devastating ECS attack last year, it was decided that you shouldn't be in charge of the Jicol Alliance anymore." Sneaks remarks.
"I wasn't really in charge of it before as I remember. It was just supposed to be a loose agreement that we unite whenever the Ebony Claws attack. All I did was organize shit."
"Yeah well it was also decided that the Jicol Alliance should be a more permanent institution given the constant threat that the ECS poses."
"What?! And when was all this decided?"
"I don't really think that's relevant. What is relevant is it's done and you're out. Now of course you're allowed to continue to help in the unified defense of our interests in this city. You and your girlfriend... "
"Daughter!"
"Yes, of course, my mistake. As I was saying you of course will be allowed in contributing to help when the ECS inevitably comes to attack again. I believe forty percent of your earnings monthly should provide an adequate sum to go towards our defense. Perhaps it could be used to bribe the Captain of the Watch. Get the law to work for us for a change... "
You knew it. You knew all those years ago you should have just shot this asshole in that altar room. He's built up his own little circle of friends and turned the Jicol Alliance into a thieves's guild with himself as head of it of course.
Angered by what Sneaks is trying to pull here, you stand up and point you finger in his face. Nearby tavern dwellers take notice and you also notice some of them look ready to pull their weapons. Some are new but many are familiar faces. Part of the new Jicol Alliance of course.
"Look, you want to form your own guild with yourself as leader, fine. You can have that fucking headache. You want me to help out when the ECS shows up, fine, I'll help. What you're NOT going to do however is start trying to fucking extort me." You say.
"Hm, sorry you feel that way, but I'm afraid that this isn't up for negotiation. This is unfortunately for you this is a with us or against us situation. Of course your other option is to leave, I certainly wouldn't stop you. I respect you enough to do that at least." Sneaks responds.
"Yeah, thank you and fuck you."
Sneaks' expression now turns to one of irritation.
"Okay, I'm going to let that slide because I know this is all pretty upsetting for you." Sneaks says.
"Upset? Upset? We're pretty much past fucking upset! I should just fucking kill you right now, and don't think I wouldn't be fast enough." You respond.
"You're completely right of course, but you'd never make it out of here alive. Even if you somehow did, you'd be on the run from the Jicol Watch for killing me in public."
"At least I'd have the satisfaction of killing you."
"Y'know while I'm sure you're not probably not interested I could try to explain why I did what I did. Wasn't like I had this planned from the beginning."
"Oh great the rationale to clear your guilt. Pfft. Well fine, might as well hear it. I could use a good laugh after all this."
"Have I ever told you about my friend Garrick?" Sneaks asks.
"Yeah maybe, said you and he ran the thieves' guild in Holgard." You answer in exasperation.
"Garrick was a thief, but he had a strong sense of honor, probably too much in our line of work. You actually reminded me of him when you first came proposing the Jicol Alliance to take the fight to the Ebony Claws. Guess that's another reason why I stuck around. I always was a bit too idealistic, even in my old age now. You, much like him, made it really sound like we would win and drive out the Claws. I was ready to follow and I did for many years."
"So what did you do? Stab him in the back too?"
"As a matter of fact I didn't, though I always wondered if I shouldn't have been so loyal and blindly accepting of his orders as he made one foolish decision after another that eventually got himself and almost everyone else wiped out by the ECS. Maybe if I had, I'd still be in Holgard, perhaps even running things there."
"So that's what this is all about? Your boring desire for power?"
"That's more of a side benefit and if I THOUGHT you were still the leader you were the first time we opposed the Ebony Claws, I wouldn't have even done this. Each year they've attacked, we've suffered more losses. I don't even know if we're going to survive another, but I know if YOU'RE in charge we won't, so you had to be removed. Look, I'm probably older than I have any right to be in our line of work, but I've learned this. I like living, I like surviving, and the only way I'm going to feel like I'm going to continue doing that is if I have complete control over my fate, rather than it being in your hands."
"If you wanted to be in charge, you could have just fucking asked. Instead of all this shit you've pulled and extorting me on top of all of it."
"I dunno, maybe you're right. Maybe I've handled this poorly, but it's been my experience that men in power, no matter how reluctant or how miniscule, do not give it up willingly. Garrick certainly wouldn't have and he wasn't a power hungry man, just like you're not. However, a good leader needs to be focused and much like Garrick, you are not focused."
"Oh well apologies that my life doesn't revolve around you all the damn time."
"That's not exactly what I mean... "
"I don't give a shit what you mean, I'm done listening to your long winded story about your excuses."
As you start to stand up to leave, Sneaks suddenly shouts at you to stop. Sneaks usually never shouts so actually gets your attention (along with several other people in the tavern)
"You wanna know another thing you and Garrick had in common? You both had a young girl in your care. A daughter of sorts if you will. One that you do your best to try treat as adult, but always have that streak of overprotective fatherly love for her. It's an admirable trait, but it's at odds for that other emotion in you. And that's a love for her as a regular woman, because that's what she is now. Maybe young, but she's a woman nonetheless given what's she's seen and done. I see it and you REALLY see it." Sneaks says.
"Sneaks, you don't want to go there... "
"Yeah, and neither do you. Garrick didn't either and it compromised his ability to lead. Besides all the inner turmoil the man probably felt about the morality of the situation, he constantly tried to make sure his little girl was safe... never mind that in his case she was half fucking demon in question, but the problem you both have is the same. You're always going to place your girlfriend over the organization. Last year that was never more apparent."
"How the fuck can you say that? She's risking her life along with everyone else!"
"Yes, but only in a limited capacity. You always make sure she's on the less dangerous tasks. I'm not even mad about it. As I said, it's completely understandable that you want to protect your girlfriend."
"You call her my girlfriend one more time and you're going to have a short lived reign as Alliance leader." You say leaning forward into the table.
Sneaks leans forward as well, meeting your gaze.
"I'm not judging you. She's not really your... y'know what? This isn't my business. Sort out your own personal issues on this situation, but I think your real fear is the girl might just feel the same way. In any case, I'll be expecting my cut by the end of this month. If I have the coin, then I'll know I have your cooperation, if I don't receive the payment, then I'll know that I don't."
Sneaks then motions for you to leave as if now you can leave. You gladly do so, swearing the whole time.
Your mind races about what you can do, what you need to do, what you should do. You really didn't need this right now. Not when your mind has been preoccupied with other things. Other things that Sneaks also got in your head about.
You've got an incredible headache by the time you make it home. You just hope Mara isn't lingering around, because you don't think you have the energy to deal with all this yet. She's probably going to want to fight rather than leave.
As you open the door to your home, you suddenly feel the sharp jab of a crossbow pointed right at your lower back.
"Don't turn around, just get inside." A low voice says to you.
You raise your hands and slowly walk inside your home where you see a man completely dressed in black leather and wearing an eye patch. You don't know who this person is, but you can guess where they're from.
"Ebony Claw... great. Perfect end to a fucked up day." You say.
"Hm, seems I caught the leader of the Jicol Alliance at a bad time? Well too bad, we've got shit to discuss. Bolt, you can leave, I'll take it from here." The man says.
You feel the pressure taken off of your lower back and then the front door closing behind you.
"Gotta say, figured the Alliance leader would have a better place than this, but then I guess you're not doing too badly. Anyway have a seat, as I said we've got shit to discuss."
This asshole no doubt has shadow powers like Nathan and a couple of the other ECS lieutenants you've faced in the past. Still, like all of their type he's arrogant enough to not even relieved you of your weapons and doesn't even have another person with him save for the guy that just left.
Whatever he's going to say is most likely going to just be some sort of lie or unreasonable offer. Not to mention the fact that you aren't exactly the leader of the Jicol Alliance anymore and if he knows that, then he's going to wonder what the point is with dealing with you.
Still, he could be more powerful than what you've usually faced, or he might even have some advantage like say having Mara hostage somewhere. He seems to know something about you after all. You could at least listen to him while you figure out a better plan than just trying to be quicker on the draw than he is.
> shoot him
No sooner have you pulled your pistol, when the man quickly speaks something and waves his hand making all your surroundings go pitch black.
You fire wildly and miss him of course. Then you feel a blade going into your neck.
The unnatural darkness lifts hen you fall to the ground and see the man standing over you as you choke on your own blood
"That was a very silly thing to do. I was going to offer you a deal. Now your rashness has doomed your precious Alliance when you might have saved it." He says shaking his head.
It hardly matters that he doesn't know the truth since you're dead before he walks back out the door to methodically murder the rest of the Jicol Alliance himself. |
Year 35
A hand reaches for the pouch on your nearby dresser; you grab it and open your eyes.
"Nope, still not quick or stealthy enough." You say and let go of Mara's hand.
"How the hell do you do that? I know I was dead silent that time!" Mara remarks.
"Just comes with natural talent I suppose."
Mara at this point playfully punches your arm and sits on the side of the bed, as you sit up.
"A little early to be harassing me like this don't you think?" you say.
"It's the afternoon as usual." Mara tells you.
"Well unless the Ebony Claws have been sighted, you know I don't like getting up early... they haven't have they?"
"Not that I've heard. Though Sneaks wants to talk to you about a matter concerning that."
"Yeah, yeah, he's been wanting to talk for a few days now. Guess I better get over to him today. He's been acting sort of odd lately. Well I guess I better get going... um... Mara?"
"What?"
"I gotta get dressed."
"So don't let me stop you."
"Well what I mean is, I sort of need privacy, I mean I'm covered by the sheets right now."
"Oh, it's nothing I haven't seen before."
"Okay... don't really want to hear or know about any little boyfriends you've been seeing."
"I wasn't talking about boyfriends." Mara says with a smirk.
Now the conversation has really gotten strange.
"Wait a minute, you haven't been spying on me have you?" you exclaim.
"Relax, I accidently walked in on you asleep once and you were, shall we say less covered up." Mara says.
You feel sort of weird. Slightly embarrassed even. This causes some amusement from Mara.
"Okay, I'll leave. You're oddly reserved at times." Mara says and then kisses you on cheek before she leaves.
Honestly, you've been getting some weird vibes from Mara lately. Sometimes it feels like she's flirting with you.
Which under normal circumstances, you'd probably be perfectly fine with some pretty nineteen year old girl doing that, however in Mara's case you have severe mixed feelings about it.
Of course maybe you're just reading too much into things, and you're just the pervert thinking dirty thoughts. Which doesn't make it much better because that's been also increasing lately.
Trying not to think about any of that too much longer, you get dressed and head to where Sneaks likes to drink. He tends to be in there a lot so you figure you've got a good chance of catching him there.
You're in luck and you do in fact see him. He sees you and waves you over.
Ten minutes later...
"Are you fucking serious Sneaks?" you exclaim.
"Sorry it had to come to this, but after that devastating ECS attack last year, it was decided that you shouldn't be in charge of the Jicol Alliance anymore." Sneaks remarks.
"I wasn't really in charge of it before as I remember. It was just supposed to be a loose agreement that we unite whenever the Ebony Claws attack. All I did was organize shit."
"Yeah well it was also decided that the Jicol Alliance should be a more permanent institution given the constant threat that the ECS poses."
"What?! And when was all this decided?"
"I don't really think that's relevant. What is relevant is it's done and you're out. Now of course you're allowed to continue to help in the unified defense of our interests in this city. You and your girlfriend... "
"Daughter!"
"Yes, of course, my mistake. As I was saying you of course will be allowed in contributing to help when the ECS inevitably comes to attack again. I believe forty percent of your earnings monthly should provide an adequate sum to go towards our defense. Perhaps it could be used to bribe the Captain of the Watch. Get the law to work for us for a change... "
You knew it. You knew all those years ago you should have just shot this asshole in that altar room. He's built up his own little circle of friends and turned the Jicol Alliance into a thieves's guild with himself as head of it of course.
Angered by what Sneaks is trying to pull here, you stand up and point you finger in his face. Nearby tavern dwellers take notice and you also notice some of them look ready to pull their weapons. Some are new but many are familiar faces. Part of the new Jicol Alliance of course.
"Look, you want to form your own guild with yourself as leader, fine. You can have that fucking headache. You want me to help out when the ECS shows up, fine, I'll help. What you're NOT going to do however is start trying to fucking extort me." You say.
"Hm, sorry you feel that way, but I'm afraid that this isn't up for negotiation. This is unfortunately for you this is a with us or against us situation. Of course your other option is to leave, I certainly wouldn't stop you. I respect you enough to do that at least." Sneaks responds.
"Yeah, thank you and fuck you."
Sneaks' expression now turns to one of irritation.
"Okay, I'm going to let that slide because I know this is all pretty upsetting for you." Sneaks says.
"Upset? Upset? We're pretty much past fucking upset! I should just fucking kill you right now, and don't think I wouldn't be fast enough." You respond.
"You're completely right of course, but you'd never make it out of here alive. Even if you somehow did, you'd be on the run from the Jicol Watch for killing me in public."
"At least I'd have the satisfaction of killing you."
"Y'know while I'm sure you're not probably not interested I could try to explain why I did what I did. Wasn't like I had this planned from the beginning."
"Oh great the rationale to clear your guilt. Pfft. Well fine, might as well hear it. I could use a good laugh after all this."
"Have I ever told you about my friend Garrick?" Sneaks asks.
"Yeah maybe, said you and he ran the thieves' guild in Holgard." You answer in exasperation.
"Garrick was a thief, but he had a strong sense of honor, probably too much in our line of work. You actually reminded me of him when you first came proposing the Jicol Alliance to take the fight to the Ebony Claws. Guess that's another reason why I stuck around. I always was a bit too idealistic, even in my old age now. You, much like him, made it really sound like we would win and drive out the Claws. I was ready to follow and I did for many years."
"So what did you do? Stab him in the back too?"
"As a matter of fact I didn't, though I always wondered if I shouldn't have been so loyal and blindly accepting of his orders as he made one foolish decision after another that eventually got himself and almost everyone else wiped out by the ECS. Maybe if I had, I'd still be in Holgard, perhaps even running things there."
"So that's what this is all about? Your boring desire for power?"
"That's more of a side benefit and if I THOUGHT you were still the leader you were the first time we opposed the Ebony Claws, I wouldn't have even done this. Each year they've attacked, we've suffered more losses. I don't even know if we're going to survive another, but I know if YOU'RE in charge we won't, so you had to be removed. Look, I'm probably older than I have any right to be in our line of work, but I've learned this. I like living, I like surviving, and the only way I'm going to feel like I'm going to continue doing that is if I have complete control over my fate, rather than it being in your hands."
"If you wanted to be in charge, you could have just fucking asked. Instead of all this shit you've pulled and extorting me on top of all of it."
"I dunno, maybe you're right. Maybe I've handled this poorly, but it's been my experience that men in power, no matter how reluctant or how miniscule, do not give it up willingly. Garrick certainly wouldn't have and he wasn't a power hungry man, just like you're not. However, a good leader needs to be focused and much like Garrick, you are not focused."
"Oh well apologies that my life doesn't revolve around you all the damn time."
"That's not exactly what I mean... "
"I don't give a shit what you mean, I'm done listening to your long winded story about your excuses."
As you start to stand up to leave, Sneaks suddenly shouts at you to stop. Sneaks usually never shouts so actually gets your attention (along with several other people in the tavern)
"You wanna know another thing you and Garrick had in common? You both had a young girl in your care. A daughter of sorts if you will. One that you do your best to try treat as adult, but always have that streak of overprotective fatherly love for her. It's an admirable trait, but it's at odds for that other emotion in you. And that's a love for her as a regular woman, because that's what she is now. Maybe young, but she's a woman nonetheless given what's she's seen and done. I see it and you REALLY see it." Sneaks says.
"Sneaks, you don't want to go there... "
"Yeah, and neither do you. Garrick didn't either and it compromised his ability to lead. Besides all the inner turmoil the man probably felt about the morality of the situation, he constantly tried to make sure his little girl was safe... never mind that in his case she was half fucking demon in question, but the problem you both have is the same. You're always going to place your girlfriend over the organization. Last year that was never more apparent."
"How the fuck can you say that? She's risking her life along with everyone else!"
"Yes, but only in a limited capacity. You always make sure she's on the less dangerous tasks. I'm not even mad about it. As I said, it's completely understandable that you want to protect your girlfriend."
"You call her my girlfriend one more time and you're going to have a short lived reign as Alliance leader." You say leaning forward into the table.
Sneaks leans forward as well, meeting your gaze.
"I'm not judging you. She's not really your... y'know what? This isn't my business. Sort out your own personal issues on this situation, but I think your real fear is the girl might just feel the same way. In any case, I'll be expecting my cut by the end of this month. If I have the coin, then I'll know I have your cooperation, if I don't receive the payment, then I'll know that I don't."
Sneaks then motions for you to leave as if now you can leave. You gladly do so, swearing the whole time.
Your mind races about what you can do, what you need to do, what you should do. You really didn't need this right now. Not when your mind has been preoccupied with other things. Other things that Sneaks also got in your head about.
You've got an incredible headache by the time you make it home. You just hope Mara isn't lingering around, because you don't think you have the energy to deal with all this yet. She's probably going to want to fight rather than leave.
As you open the door to your home, you suddenly feel the sharp jab of a crossbow pointed right at your lower back.
"Don't turn around, just get inside." A low voice says to you.
You raise your hands and slowly walk inside your home where you see a man completely dressed in black leather and wearing an eye patch. You don't know who this person is, but you can guess where they're from.
"Ebony Claw... great. Perfect end to a fucked up day." You say.
"Hm, seems I caught the leader of the Jicol Alliance at a bad time? Well too bad, we've got shit to discuss. Bolt, you can leave, I'll take it from here." The man says.
You feel the pressure taken off of your lower back and then the front door closing behind you.
"Gotta say, figured the Alliance leader would have a better place than this, but then I guess you're not doing too badly. Anyway have a seat, as I said we've got shit to discuss."
This asshole no doubt has shadow powers like Nathan and a couple of the other ECS lieutenants you've faced in the past. Still, like all of their type he's arrogant enough to not even relieved you of your weapons and doesn't even have another person with him save for the guy that just left.
Whatever he's going to say is most likely going to just be some sort of lie or unreasonable offer. Not to mention the fact that you aren't exactly the leader of the Jicol Alliance anymore and if he knows that, then he's going to wonder what the point is with dealing with you.
Still, he could be more powerful than what you've usually faced, or he might even have some advantage like say having Mara hostage somewhere. He seems to know something about you after all. You could at least listen to him while you figure out a better plan than just trying to be quicker on the draw than he is.
> listen to him
With the day it's been, you might as well.
You take a seat and watch the Syndicate rep take a few steps back and forth before pulling up a nearby chair to sit as well. You didn't expect him to be so casual.
"Okay, first off, my name is Rook and you're probably wondering why I haven't just killed you immediately." Rook says.
"I'm listening." You answer.
"Information on you lot is always fucking spotty thanks to your location and the fact you've been fairly successful at keeping us off this island and that's been an advantage. I, however have been doing my own leg work for a few days, and while I don't know everything about you lot yet, I know enough that you're the leader, and you've got a pretty young girlfriend." Rook says.
"Actually she's my daughter." You remark.
"Truly? Hm, the way you two interact... well I'm not here to judge your family business. In any case, sooner or later the Syndicate leadership is going to get it's head out of its collective ass and actually implement a plan that works instead of trying the same damn thing over and over believing that it will. I swear, it's like fucking Holgard all over again."
Rook shakes his head at his remark before continuing.
"However, before that happens I'm here to offer you a one time deal mainly because change in ECS leadership can only come when dedicated individuals take the initiative on squandered opportunities, such as this place. Especially when they can do it with minimal resource waste."
At this point you're wondering if Rook's henchman should have just killed you with a bolt to the back, because this fucker loves the sound of his own pontificating so much that he's killing you with boredom.
"You are obviously a dedicated man of convictions. I imagine you believe that the ECS is going to just come in and take away what you consider freedom hence why you've fought us for several years now. Well, I'm here to tell you, you're right BUT if you make a deal with me right now, I will make sure this city remains more or less out of the eye of the Syndicate. You will just give me personally forty percent of what the Jicol Alliance earns monthly and of course there will be some of my people to oversee things just to make sure there are no more attempts at opposing us." Rook says.
"You personally? Won't the Syndicate high ups object to that?" you ask.
"Oh the appropriate people will be getting a cut too, you don't need to worry about that."
"I suppose if I say no, you'll kill me right now."
"Not at all, I'll just leave and let you wait for the inevitable. As I said, I'm here on my own accord. I don't particularly have any grand interest in this place unless it's a potential extra moneymaker for me with minimal effort. I promise you though; the Syndicate will take this place eventually. So it's either deal with me now and endure indentured servitude or deal with the Syndicate later and face extinction."
It's good deal actually; it's so good in fact you start laughing due to the fact that you can't agree to it, but you do come up with a different one.
"Rook, I've got an even better deal for you. How about you and all your people just take this place over completely, but I don't have to give you anything at all and my family just continues to do their own business without interference?" you ask.
"Wha... what are you talking about?" Rook asks.
"I'm unfortunately not the leader of the Jicol Alliance anymore. One of my closest advisors basically just deposed me and it's now officially a guild rather than a loose collection of vagabonds only united for self-defense."
"Wait, when the fuck did this happen!?"
"Not long before you ambushed me. If you're thinking about going to him with the same deal though I wouldn't bother."
"Oh? And why the fuck shouldn't I? In fact is there any reason why I shouldn't kill you for wasting my time?
"Because the guy currently in charge said he fought you lot in Holgard and has no intention on ever giving up to you. In fact part of the reason he strong-armed his way as leader is because he felt I wasn't doing a good enough job. Should have known you couldn't trust a guy that calls himself Sneaks."
Rook's one good eye widens and stands up suddenly.
"Did you just say Sneaks?" Rook asks.
"Yeah." you answer.
"That fucker is here? In this city?"
"Yeah, you know him?"
"Know him? That's the sonofabitch that took out my fucking eye! He was part of the Holgard Guild that gave me fucking grief for YEARS! I've been trying to track down that cocksucker for so long that I can't even believe you're telling me that he's right here!"
"I know where he stays and how many other Alliance members there are."
"I didn't bring anyone else along on this trip save for my friend Bolt and while I don't doubt we couldn't handle this ourselves, but I'll tell you what, as an act of trust if you come help us, you've got a deal that all your family's business dealings and activities will not be taxed by the Syndicate or even by me personally. I swear to Fel and all the shadows that this will be so." Rook says making some sort of weird gesture afterwards.
Normally you'd be skeptical about such a thing, but Rook seems really dedicated to Fel and making declarations like that before one's god is usually a pretty serious thing so you're fairly sure he's being truthful. Not to mention he sounds like he hates Sneaks more than anything else.
You give Rook all the necessary information and he tells you to meet him at Sneak's favorite tavern in thirty minutes. You remind Rook that this is a public place, but he tells you once again, not to worry about it and leaves.
As you're taking the opportunity to get ready for this (and feeling a little upbeat at the same time about it) Mara comes walking in.
"Hey dad, who was that guy who just came from the house? He looked really creepy. Almost reminded me of one of those Ebony Claw guys that have the shadow powers." Mara says.
"That's probably because he was." You say.
"WHAT!?"
"Yeah, I expected that response. I can't go into too much detail, but A LOT happened from between the time you left this afternoon and now."
"Well you're going to have to at least try to explain it to me!"
As quickly as you can (And most of it is walking and talking) you fill her in on everything that's happened. It's a lot for her to take in, but her main concern seems to be you and her.
"How can we trust this Rook guy? I mean we've been fighting the ECS for years and he's just going to let us go?" Mara says.
"That's the deal. As I said, Rook seems to be more interested in building up his own personal powerbase than as the ECS as a whole. And right now he seems to be more interested in revenge. I'd say we're the least of his concerns. He doesn't even need me to help, he just said if I did, he'd honor the deal and considering he made it before his shadow god that's another reason I don't have cause to doubt him." You say.
"Well... if you think so."
"I have to say, I thought you'd be more opposed to the idea."
"Well I'm not exactly thrilled with it, but given that Sneaks and the rest betrayed you, I can see the wisdom in just making a deal to protect our own asses. Personally I'm still hoping they all kill each other, but I'll personally make sure not to target any Ebony Claw members."
"You don't really need to come, it's just me that promised."
"No, I'm coming too, I'm not going to miss a chance of getting a measure of revenge on the lot that betrayed us too. But I do always think it's sweet that you always try to keep me safe. You always look out for me." Mara says and puts her arm around you briefly and gives you a peck on the cheek.
Even in this bit of grim business that you're about to engage in, Mara's actions manage to still make you feel the more anxious than anything else. The way she looks at you with love in her eyes...
Sneaks was right.
That's what this is and it's clearly there between there between the pair of you.
This is probably wrong, but you might very well die in a few minutes so...
You grab Mara around the waist and kiss her deeply. When you finally come up for air you both stare at each other.
"That was wrong wasn't it?" you ask.
"Yeah, probably." Mara replies.
"I keep having inappropriate thoughts about you."
"Do they involve taking me from behind and slapping my ass while I call you daddy?"
"They do now."
"Then we better hurry up and kill these assholes then."
You and Mara rush to where you're supposed to meet Rook. When you arrive he tells you that there aren't any of the Jicol Watch around and there won't be, so the place is going to be fair game. He mentions don't worry about anyone trying to escape either since Bolt will be outside taking care of that.
"I don't see your friend." You say.
"And neither will anyone else. I see you brought your daughter along. Good. Extra help is always welcome."
"Actually she's my girlfriend." You say proudly causing a bit of a smile from Mara.
Rook just stares for a moment, opens his mouth and then stops.
"Nevermind. I'm too anxious to kill Sneaks right now. Which brings me to another thing, don't kill him! You can cripple him, maim him or whatever to stop him from attacking you. I don't give a good fuck what condition he's in, just as long as he's alive long enough for me to piss in his face before he dies."
"Understood.""
"Good, you two go in, I'll be right behind you."
You and Mara go into the tavern.
No sooner has Sneaks seen the pair of you, he already calls for his people to start attacking. Say what you want about Sneaks, but he's not stupid and knows an attack when he sees it.
Of course unfortunately for him, you've got very dedicated follower of Fel on your side. Before you even engage one of Sneaks' men, he has already killed two of them using his shadow magic enhanced speed. It's a damn good thing you didn't attack this guy. He's way more powerful than any of the others you faced in the past. He's not just a blur, he's practically invisible.
All non-combatants just try to keep their head down as the carnage ensues. Sneaks himself tries to run out the back, but you manage to get in a good shot to the side of his leg, specifically around the knee area. Such an effective place, Sneaks goes crashing to the floor immediately screaming the whole time. He goes for his own pistol, but Mara grabs his hands and stabs daggers through both palms and into the floor.
"No, please don't kill me ... (sob) I'll leave!" Sneaks whimpers.
"Too late for that I'm afraid. But I should think you for being right about one thing. Mara and I decided to give into our feelings after all. When all this is over with, we're going to REALLY give into them. Thanks for showing me the light, now I think it's time I show you the shadows. I think you know this guy. Apparently he's been looking for you for a long time."
Rook suddenly becomes more visible to your eyes and stands over Sneaks who looks like he's seen a ghost from the past.
"... YOU! No! Please no! Not him!" Sneaks screams at you.
"Good, you remember me. Now you remember this cocksucker?" Rook shouts and then flips up his eye patch revealing a solid black gem, which then shoots a black light into one of Sneaks' own eyes.
Sneaks screams in agony that you kill him as his eye gets destroyed by the black light.
Sensing that Rook is going to take his time, you decide to ask if you're done.
"So, should we just leave you to it then?" you ask.
"Yeah, we're good. Bolt and I can hunt down the rest myself. Talk to you later before I leave." Rook says waving you away and now getting ready to burn out Sneaks' other eye.
You and Mara leave the tavern with Sneaks' screams still in both of your ears. Surprisingly there's nobody even remotely around nearby outside and you know there was quite a bit of noise made inside. You dunno what the hell Rook did to make that happened, but you can't help think he did some sort of shadow magic shit.
None of that matter right now to you though, and by the time you get home, the only thing that matters is what's going between you and Mara in the bed. |
You got run out of your home town, you got run out of Klyton, you're sick of running even if the ECS aren't driving you out in the traditional sense. Plus you just reunited with Mara, it would probably be best if you stuck by her if you want to continue a good relationship with her.
"Mara, maybe you're right I think we need to fight." You say.
"I agree, though I'll admit I'm a little scared." Mara replies.
"Well good. You should be scared, because this is going to be dangerous. However, think of it this way. Right now we've got a numerical advantage and the element of surprise. The guy that spoke to me, Nathan seems to labor under the impression that I'm going to comply with his wishes to tell everyone to join them. Obviously I'm going to do the opposite."
"Do you think it will work?"
"Like I said, it's not going to be easy. I'm going to put out feelers for the ones who I know will resist first. In the meantime, I want you to go tell your boyfriend AND urge to him how serious this is. We need to all coordinate an attack plan and strike only when the time is right. If we go in half assed on this, we're all going to hang. Now are you absolutely sure he and the rest of the Black Hooks aren't going to be likely to join the ECS?"
"Very sure. I certainly don't want to and Marco isn't my boyfriend."
"... he's not? Hm, guess my information is severely out of date and Dolan isn't as thorough as he claims."
"Well... things change, and it hasn't been long. In fact nobody in the Black Hooks really knows yet."
"Oh. Um, you okay? I mean is there something really bad that happened that you're not telling me?"
"Yeah. It wasn't a bad split or anything like that. Just wasn't working out. Anyway, I think we got more important things to worry about with the Claws."
"So we do. Okay, you know what to do and I'm sure we'll be speaking again sometime in the near future. Oh and I suppose you can go ahead and tell Dolan that he doesn't need to worry about spying anymore."
"Okay."
Before you part ways, you hug Mara who returns it. You tell her to be careful and that you're glad to be speaking with her again.
You get to work immediately and eventually you manage to get together a group that you're sure is going to be receptive to opposing the ECS, however a few of them have other concerns.
"So who's leading this resistance? You?" one of them asks.
"Well I'm more of an organizer, but I suppose we can all contribute ideas." You say.
"A council? That sound like a terrible idea. Things like this a lot better with a defined leader." Another says.
"I dunno, isn't this the sort of thing we're trying to avoid? I mean we're essentially forming a gang to oppose the ECS. And say we actually succeed, then what? We just avoided getting assimilated or eliminated at the cost of being independent in the first place." yet another responds.
"And what about those Black Hook bastards? You said they're going to be involved? Can't say I'm looking forward to that." A fourth says.
"I'm telling you one thing right now if that little shit Marco is supposed to be in charge of this, I'm out right now." A fifth says.
You can see how difficult is going to be already.
"Okay, people, people! I understand all these concerns, but let me address some right now! First, this isn't going to be a gang, its not even going to be a guild. This is just going to be a mutually beneficial alliance. We ALL agree to work together to oppose the ECS or any other threat to our interests. After said threat is gone, we can all go back to being little special grains of sand. As for the Black Hooks, we're going to be allying with them as well, even if they're their own separate entity. We just all need to coordinate and get as many people on board with this as possible." You say.
"Can I just say something?" an older man you only know as "Sneaks" asks.
"Go ahead."
"I faced the ECS on a regular basis many years ago back in Holgard. I belonged to the Thieves Guild there that opposed them. We tried our best, but ultimately they wiped us out. I dare say I'm one of the few that got away to my knowledge. Now I already knew they were in this city before you even called this meeting. I actually planned on catching first ship out of here just because I didn't want to go through this mess again. However, while they might be powerful the ECS tends to abandon places if it's going to cost them more effort than it's worth."
The old thief stands up from his chair to continue his speech.
"So I think you're correct in that if we do act now before they get entrenched like they did in Holgard, we might just stop them. I'm going to go try to convince a few others that respect my opinion to join us in this task. I urge you all to do the same because if we just let the ECS come in here, it's going to be worse than you think if we just comply."
Between you and Sneaks' speeches the rest seem more convinced of this cause. You realize it's still going to take some hammering out all the details, but this is a good start.
A bit more discussion goes on and eventually the group breaks up for the night. You tell Sneaks to stick around though since you want to speak with him a little more.
"Hey, a lot of your words really helped I think. Pretty sure some of them would have left otherwise." You say.
"Well you put all this together so I think you're more responsible than anyone else for this resistance." Sneaks replies.
"Funny enough I was seriously considering in just complying when the ECS first approached me, it was someone else who felt fighting was a more worthy pursuit. Glad she did now."
"Mmm, glad she did too. I think you would have found life under ECS yoke far less desirable than even fighting them. I was thinking that while it's been well established that this is just a temporary alliance, a couple people were correct in that we probably should have a single leader instead of all of us just shouting ideas. More will get accomplished quicker if you just become the leader. I doubt if anyone is going to have any major objections."
"Oh. Well I guess it probably makes the most sense. You seem to have genuine experience in fighting the ECS though, sure you don't want to do it?" you half joke.
"Nah, I've never been a leader. I have been an advisor on more than one occasion though, so I'll do that if you need."
A few days after you've had your meeting with the independents, you meet up with Mara who has brought Marco with her. You haven't been looking forward to this meeting.
You only met him in person once before the first time Mara brought him around two years ago, but he's grown as well. He still has that tone of arrogance in his voice like he knows everything of course. If anything he's even worse.
"I don't see why we're waiting around for a bunch of old fucks before striking at these assholes. Word has it, that they've been setting up in a general store on Typhoon street. Me and my Black Hooks could easily take them out! We've been waiting for something like this, we got the gear and we're ready!" Marco says.
"Yeah? Well you'll be even more ready if you're just a bit more patient Marco. We need to coordinate plans, not go in half assed. I figured Mara explained this already to you." You reply.
Marco scowls a bit.
"Hey look, I know this guy is your dad and he deals fairly with us with fencing shit, but he needs to know he can't just tell me what to do. I'M the leader of the Black Hooks and after we're done wiping out these Ebony Claw assholes, we're going to be stepping things up to run this entire city!"
"Great, so Mara have the Claw been in contact with any Black Hooks?" you say already getting sick of talking to Marco and deciding to speak with Mara instead.
"HEY! I'm the fucking leader! You supposed to be fucking talking to ME about this shit, not my girlfriend!"
"First off, I'll talk to who the fuck I want, especially my daughter. Second, I thought you guys broke up."
Marco's face drops and he looks more scared than angry.
"You... you told him?! You promised you wouldn't say anything!" Marco says.
"No! No! I just told him we broke up!" Mara says.
"I think I'm missing something here." You say.
The rest of the short meeting mostly consists of Mara trying to calm Marco down. You don't know what it's all about, but you've gotten the impression that it's something embarrassing.
By the time Marco does calm down, he's even pissier with you and now he's upset with Mara (Though he doesn't get outright angry) Ultimately he grudgingly accepts the plan of waiting until everyone is ready.
You nearly ask Mara what that was all about after he leaves, but you figure maybe it should wait for now. You just tell her to continue to be the rational influence in the Black Hooks.
You have another meeting later on that week with Sneaks who has already gathered a bit of information on the ECS. He tells you contrary to what Marco believes, they are NOT all gathered in a general store on Typhoon Street. He mentions that's just some front they're already starting to set up. He mentions their real base isn't even in the city; it's in some small ruin on the island.
"You followed them outside the city?" you ask.
"Yeah, looks like an abandoned temple of Fel. I'm really not surprised given their history."
"What do you mean?"
"Some of the ECS, mostly the higher ranking ones, have connections to Fel. You're aware of who that is right?"
"Sure, god of shadows. Some rogues are into him though most pray to Yag."
"Well that's probably because most rogues aren't actively religious and it's easier to say few half assed praises to a god who's just rolling the dice anyway. Dedication to Fel, and I mean true dedication to Fel is a little more involved, but it does seem to have benefits and I've seen those unfortunately in action when I was in Holgard."
"Shit. Are you telling me these folks have divine powers?"
"No, not all of them, not even most of them. In fact I doubt if any of the ones sent here do. I'm just saying there is a history for high ranking leaders to have shadow powers. In any case, I believe there about thirty or so of them here. It's definitely going to be a fight whenever we attack."
"Thirty is a lot more than I expected."
"Yeah well they probably were keeping stuff like that secret so if anyone tried anything now, they could determine who was going to be a problem and retaliate in force if they needed to."
Sneaks goes on to suggest that perhaps the Black Hooks should lead the assault since Marco is so eager. In fact he actually goes so far to not so subtly suggest that something should happen to Marco in particular.
"I'm sort of wondering where this conversation is going Sneaks." You say.
"Okay, we both know the Black Hooks are a potential problem in the future. I mean yeah they won't be the ECS, but they could start getting pretty territorial really fast if left unchecked. I'm just saying that the rest of us do a little less to help them and let them take most of the casualties. And if some of them just happen to accidentally get shot by a stray bullet or bolt... well shit happens." Sneaks remarks.
"That's... pretty damn shady. Though I have to admit, I do see the logic in it, and I might actually consider it except for one major thing."
"What's that?"
"Mara is in the Black Hooks and I'm not exactly keen on using her as fodder."
"Okay, so I'll just let everyone else know that your daughter is off limits and is not to be targeted."
"I dunno. I mean its one thing to let the Black Hooks take the brunt of the casualties, but it's completely another thing to actively kill them in the middle of the fight when we're supposed to be on the same side. Also while Mara might get spared, it's going to be awfully suspicious if she's the only Black Hook survivor. We may not be fond of them, but some of these people are her friends. She isn't a stupid girl and will make her own conclusions."
"Well, I suppose it's up to you, but I just don't see it as a bad idea."
> use treachery
Sneaks is correct, the Black Hooks are going to be just as big of an issue later on. Sure they may be just a bunch of obnoxious teenagers that are half assed thugs and thieves now, but eventually they're going to get smarter, better and more aggressive. And you already know that Marco has ideas about his gang eventually controlling the entire city.
"Yeah, it's grim business, but we probably should. We'll let the Black Hooks go charging in first. I'm going to try to keep Mara close to me, but if she should get away from me, I don't have to tell you that she isn't to be targeted. Also you need to make sure she doesn't see anyone killing a Black Hook member." you say.
"Goes without saying. So should we go over when and how we're going to plan this attack?" Sneaks asks.
You and Sneaks first go over the plans a few times, then you share this information with the rest of the Jicol Alliance, after sharing it with them, you share it with the Black Hooks.
You still aren't sure of when to attack since you want to make sure to get most if not all in one area and not have to chase any down, given how impatient Marco is getting and the fact that you're really never going to know for sure when the best time is, you just decide to do it sooner rather than later, especially since you're as ready as you all are going to get.
You spend the day before the attack mostly getting yourself mentally prepared for this. You haven't killed anyone since Klint and murder in general wasn't really something you ever wanted make a habit of doing. However, you do know it's within you to do it and you're going to have to do it multiple times soon. You just take into consideration that Mara is going to be in danger the whole time and you're going to have to kill in order to make sure she doesn't die.
Not that you think she's going to be helpless, but it's a better frame of mind to put yourself in if you're thinking that way for this task.
Your forces attack the ECS hideout at night. You tell the Black Hooks to take the lead and eliminate the outside sentries first.
They almost succeed in doing it stealthy, but of course some of them fail in a quiet kill and an alarm has already been raised.
The fight on the first floor isn't too bad, but by the time you get to the underground level which is like a maze, the Black Hooks are dropping like flies. Besides getting killed by Ebony Claws lurking around every corner, they're not paying attention to how trapped this place is. At the rate they're dying, nobody will have to bother stabbing any in the back.
The whole time this is going on, you're still trying to keep an eye on Mara who you've seen take out at least one person. You aren't sure if she's done that before or this is her first time. You guess you'll ask after this is all over.
Bullets, bolts, arrows, blades and traps of all kinds are dodged or blocked many times in this battle. The Ebony Claws fight back with everything they got, which includes several, fire powder bombs that take out a large part of your forces, enough to tip the odds in their favor mainly because the Black Hooks have been completely decimated and now the Alliance is starting to take the casualties.
While you planned on killing Marco yourself, he's already dead from getting blown to pieces by a firebomb. Say what you want about the guy, he actually was keeping the remaining Black Hooks from running away. You have no doubt that the run aways will be killed by Alliance members lagging behind, though you're starting to think that employing treachery might not have been the way to go about this.
Eventually you and Mara, reach what you believe to be an altar room of some sort. You see Nathan and his friend that came with him when they first met you.
"You fucking idiots. You have no idea of the deep shit you're all in. You really think even if you some how manage to kill all of us this day, that you're going to get away with it? Kill the bitch, I'm gonna take my time with this one." Nathan shouts while pointing at you.
Nathan at this point spout some sort of gibberish and become blurry and you're having a hard time focusing on him. It would seem that Sneaks wasn't entirely correct about none of their number having access to shadow magic.
I'll deal with the magic asshole, you cut the other one down and then help me!" you shout to Mara.
Nathan is moving at a speed that you can barely defend against. He slashes you across the face with his knife, kicks you in the balls and then slams you to the floor. He then punches you multiple times in the face before blinding you completely by stabbing you in both eyes.
You're left screaming and bloody on the floor and in darkness when Mara knocks Nathan off of you. Mara has only given you temporary relief since Nathan quickly dispatches her.
You crawl around on the floor and hear Nathan gloat about what he's done to you and how he's going to make you suffer even more, and that's when you hear a gunshot, followed by the slumping of a body. The gloating has ceased.
"MARA?! MARA?! Are you there!?" you scream out, hoping that she's still alive. Hoping she's the one that shot Nathan.
"She's dead I'm afraid." You hear Sneaks say.
"No!" you cry out. Between your physical pain and now your emotional pain, you're a gibbering wreck.
Sneaks, without another word reloads his flintlock and shoots you. Whether that's because he's a treacherous bastard or whether he was putting you out of your misery, you'll never know.
Doesn't matter since in those last moments, you wanted to die. |
This really goes against everything you tend to believe in, but maybe due to a combination of several bad things you've experienced lately, you're still hoping that MAYBE somehow doing something half way "decent" that the gods or fate or whatever will reward you in some way. (Even though you don't really believe in a lot of that anyway)
First thing you do is calm the little girl down and ask her name since this will be a whole lot easier if you know what to call her.
"Mara." She says.
"Okay, first question. Do you know where you mom might have went or where she goes to look for work?" you ask.
"I dunno, mostly the taverns?" the little girl asks.
"... that really narrows it down... (sigh) alright, I guess I can just try the closest ones in the area. I'll also need a physical description of her."
"She's real pretty. She has a flower name too, Violet. Her hair is black like mine and she... um... her chest is sort of large."
Well you weren't expecting her to give that description of her mom, but you suppose it does help narrow things down a bit more.
"Okay, that helps a little... hey wait a minute. Did you ask Virgil to help?" you ask.
"The friendly old priest that smells funny? Yeah, I went to his room, but he wouldn't move no matter how much I pushed him. He just kept snoring." Mara replies.
"Well this is important, and I'll go wake him up. He's supposed to be doing good deeds anyway. In the meantime you just stay here and Elana will keep you company."
"Will you come back with her?"
"I promise that I'll come back." Is all you can say to her before you bid her goodbye.
Of course before you leave, you head to where Virgil sleeps in this church. Sure enough he's snoring soundly. Not excessively loud, but he's definitely flat out. You don't bother with the pushing or yelling to wake him up; you just drag him out of bed by his crusty feet.
He wakes up just before he hits the floor.
"Hey what the... OW! Shit! You?! What the fuck are you dragging me out of bed for?!" Virgil exclaims.
You actually sort of smile since that's more along the line of the old Virgil that you were familiar with.
"Aren't you supposed to be cutting down on the vulgarities now that you're all holy again? You've woke me up plenty of times in the past banging on my door, so consider this payback. Besides, a little girl needs help and you're supposed to be doing this sort of shit anyway." You say.
"Little girl? What's going on?"
You explain the situation to Virgil, who slowly starts becoming more alert. As you explain, he seems to remember Violet quite well. (Or her tits at least)
"Yes, yes, I know who you're talking about. I'm not sure what to say though. Violet is a prostitute or at least she was trying to get out of that life for the sake of her daughter as far as I know. I mean I know she was trying to get a job as a waitress with little success, but if she's disappeared during the night, she might have sadly gone back to her old ways and strayed from Joachim's path." Virgil remarks.
Raven haired beauty with big tits and worked as a whore, now you're wondering how the hell you never noticed her before.
"Well let's try the taverns first I guess." You say.
"Why am I going with you?" Virgil asks.
"Because isn't it your damn job to help the downtrodden and innocent? Besides, you being an ex-drunk, I figure that you know where ALL the closest taverns are. Also the militia is on my ass constantly, and if they catch me walking around at night, they'll probably just beat my head in and throw me in jail. I figure if I'm walking around with a priest I shouldn't get harassed as much. Not like you have anything better to do anyway."
"Um... yeah, but... you're talking about going to several taverns... I'm just not sure I should be around that much temptation."
"Oh for... just come on! If you start getting thirsty, I'll slap you in the back of the head to remind you of Joachim's light or something."
Virgil reluctantly agrees to help, and soon the pair of you are off to go tavern hopping, but not in the good way.
You go to several taverns and while a couple people say they remember seeing her or even interacting with her, they tell you they haven't seen her today. Virgil meanwhile looks longingly at every mug, glass and bottle containing alcohol. It isn't excessively hard to pull him away, but it's obviously a struggle.
"I beseech you, no more taverns! The temptation is getting to me and it's taking all my faith in Joachim to give me strength to resist!" Virgil begs.
"Okay, okay... (sigh) might as well give up anyway. We've covered a lot more ground than I thought we were and still haven't found shit. I guess we can start trying to brothels." You say.
"Um, I don't think so."
"What? Are the whores going to be too much temptation too? I thought your weakness was the booze, not the women."
"No, it's not that. It's just I doubt very seriously that she's working in one of the Klyton brothels. At least none of the legal ones. If she was back to whoring, she'd be doing it illegally and who knows where."
"I don't understand, Mara said her mom was pretty and you even seemed to confirm that. Wouldn't she be good enough of one of those places? She a Yellow Devil addict or something?"
"No, nothing like that. In fact she used to work at Madam Moonlight's place, but she did something that severely pissed off Moonlight. I dunno what, but it was bad enough to get her fired and Moonlight apparently pulled strings at every other sanctioned brothel to not hire her."
"Hm, I guess that makes sense, I've seen Moonlight get pissed at unruly customers and makes them sorry they got out of line. Guess the same goes for her employees. Still surprised I've never bumped into this woman before. Well I'm out of ideas, I mean we can't realistically go to every inn or back alley, to look for her."
"I think the only thing that can be done is to go back. Sometimes we must just place faith in Joachim that he will influence events to a positive end. I'm sure the girl's mother will come back, she may already be back for all we know."
"Yeah maybe... "
You suddenly remember something terrible.
"SHIT!" you exclaim.
"What?" Virgil asks.
"In all the rush to help the girl, I left all my shit at the church and I didn't even bother to hide it before I left! My savings!"
"I doubt very seriously that anyone is going to ransack your belongings and steal what you have. All of those folks are Joachim fearing and righteous."
"Oh? Then what am I doing there then?"
"Erm... well on the other hand it would be quite amusing if Joachim balanced things by taking away your wealth."
"What the hell? Why are you condoning theft just because it's me?!"
"I'm not, but I'm just saying there would be a kind of justice if it did occur, considering your own profession... speaking of which... Brother Thadius has expressed concerns about you continuing to sleep in the church. I've tried to assure him that you're looking for real work, but I think we both know that isn't true and I hate lying to the man. I'm already under scrutiny for... "
"I can't discuss this right now, I gotta go!"
You run off to leave Virgil behind and race back to the church.
Unfortunately along the way you nearly bump straight into two militiamen who happen to be patrolling. They see you running and jump to their own conclusions.
"HALT!" one of them shouts.
You haven't done anything wrong and you don't even have anything stolen on you since you left all your stuff at the church. Legally they can't really do anything to you... however that's never stopped the militia from severely fucking with you before.
> run
You immediately make a break for it and the militia is soon in pursuit and shouting for any of their fellows within earshot to help them.
It's actually easier than usual to lose the militia since the darkness is more your friend. After a short chase, a few turns down side streets and backtracks later and you've lost them.
Then you turn a corner and get an unexpected elbow in the face. You stagger back and fall on your ass. Before you can get up though, two militia men have grabbed you.
"See? Told you, this one isn't half as clever as he thinks he is. He's been doing the same tricks to elude us for the past week, well not this time. Anticipated your ass didn't we?" one of the militia sneers.
"Whatever... you still don't have anything on me. I didn't steal shit tonight."
"Silent! We're going to find out soon."
While the two men are roughly searching you, another one comes running up to them.
"Hey! What the hell are you two doing? You're supposed to be down in the sewers helping with taking out those Talon bastards. The captain's been looking all over for you and he's pissed!" he remarks.
"What? We got assigned street patrol duty tonight!"
"Well you've got new orders then, come on let's go. Who's this one?"
"This is the sneak thief who ratted on the Talons in the first place to save his own hide. Claims he doesn't have anything stolen on him, but I KNOW he's been up to something!"
"Well knock him out and quickly throw him in a cell because we need to get into the sewers before the shit goes down. He can be dealt with later."
And with those words, you get smashed in the back of the head causing you to go unconscious.
When you wake up, you find yourself lying on the dirty smelly floor of a jail cell. Nearby another man sits on a bench with his attention draw towards you now that you're awake.
"You okay there friend? When they brought you in last night I thought they were dragging in a corpse. Your head was bloody and you were flat out." He says.
You groggily sit up and rub the back of your head which now has dried blood on it. (and so does the floor you just got off of) They really clobbered you a good one. Now you're just wondering if you're heading for deeper shit soon.
"So, what are you in here for?" the man asks.
"Misunderstanding." You respond
"Hah, that's an understatement I'll bet. Still, those militia bastards will find any excuse to bust someone's skull open. They got me in here for drunk and disorderly conduct. I'd only had a few drinks and some asshole got in my face so I punched him. Next thing I knew I was getting hauled in here by a couple of militia dicks who just happened to be heading into that tavern for a quick drink. Just my fucking bad luck right?"
"Hm, that's rough." You say as you start to get up off the floor and use the cell bars as leverage.
"I'll say. But then my luck never has been the best. I think Yag must be perpetually rolling snake eyes for me. I'm probably going to be in more trouble when I get out of here. I was supposed to meet up with my buddies last night. Bah, I guess I'll just have to deal with the consequences, whatever they may be."
As your overly talkative cellmate goes on about his unlucky lot in life, you are more concerned with your own. You are surprised to soon see Captain Branik himself walk down the hallway with a ring of keys in hand. This could be good or bad.
"Ah, you're up. Apologies about the overzealousness of my men last night, but then again they did have to make sure you weren't up to your usual criminal activity. Especially not when we had a whole ring of criminals to round up and eliminate. You'll be happy to know that I found all your information to be very helpful. The raid was a complete success." Branik says.
"What's going on now?" you ask.
"The raid on the Crimson Talon hideout. We went in and laid waste to the place and the criminal scum within it."
"Wait, you destroyed the Talons last night? As in they're all dead?" your cellmate asks, eavesdropping on the conversation.
"Oh yes. They all violently resist arrest and there was nothing else to be done, though I imagine most of their crimes would have just gotten them the hanging cages or execution anyway. Probably for the best. Saves time and paperwork."
Captain Branik chuckles at his last remark and unlocks your cell door.
"Wow. They were the biggest criminal organization in Klyton and had been around for decades. And now they're all just gone. Guess Yag finally rolled snake eyes for them." Your cellmate remarks.
"Are you SURE they're ALL gone?" you ask Branik, still thinking about the potential repercussions of snitching on them.
"Worry not snitchy, they're all fucking dead. We're very thorough when it comes to cleaning out the filth. Speaking of cleaning out the filth, I suppose you're free to go now and I'd advise you to leave the city. Consider this your payment for helping out the Klyton militia."
"Great. Always my pleasure to help out the men of the law." You remark leaving the cell.
"You're free to go too, drunky, and you better learn how behave yourself in the future or else you'll get a stiffer penalty than just getting thrown in a nice cell to dry out in!" Branik says.
You waste no time in leaving the militia barracks and start pondering your next move. You need to get back to the church to make sure if any of your shit is still there. You fully expect to find that your savings has been ransacked in your absence, but either way from there, you're leaving this fucking city.
As you're walking and thinking a familiar voice pipes up next to you.
"Man, I'm surprised they let either one of us out of there. The militia are usually reluctant to ever let anyone leave their cells unless it's to go into a hanging cage or a hangman's rope." Your former cellmate says.
"Uh huh." You remark.
"So, back there, captain asshole said that you gave them information about the Crimson Talons to take them down? Man, that took some big balls to do! There's no way I could ever do something like that! I'd be way too concerned about one of them killing me for snitching."
"Yeah well, they're all dead now. No more worries."
"True. You know what else takes big balls though?"
"What?!" you respond exasperated and wondering why this dickhead is still talking to you.
You get your answer and quick stab to the side of your neck.
"Shanking a snitch bitch in broad daylight only a few steps away from the militia barracks!" he says and runs off before your body even falls to the ground.
Your last moments as you bleed out and gurgle up blood are the sight of slack jawed onlookers watching you die and the shouting of others calling for the militia. |
You can't believe that you're actually leaning towards being the "responsible" one here.
"Look, I get that this is all very exciting for you seeing as you've lived a sheltered rich life and all... "
"I am not rich or sheltered! My father has to bust his ass making my tuition payments!"
"... yeah... in any case. I've been to this town before and its reputation is well earned. There are people here that make the dregs of Klyton look like priests of Joachim and if you run afoul of them, it isn't going to be good for you."
"Pfft, I can handle trouble." Kelium says and flexes his muscles a bit and pulls a sword out of his bag.
"Yeah, maybe you could handle one person, but the problem is these sort don't travel alone, they ALWAYS travel in packs and I can honestly say that YOU are not going to handle five or even three by yourself."
"Well wouldn't you help me? I mean isn't that why you're here?"
"Your job or assignment is to get some monster crab eggs. MY job is to help you in that task. My job is NOT however looking after your ass while you look for fun or trouble. Now I suggest you get some rest which is what I'm going to do because giant snail monsters that spit poison sound like they need full attention."
You fully expect Kelium to argue some more with you, but he doesn't. You also expect him to just leave the room by himself, but he doesn't do that either thankfully. He just says he thought you were going to be fun and starts reading through some of his papers.
Feeling a little pleased with yourself, you lay down on your bed and attempt to get to sleep before Kelium genuinely starts to get tired again, because if he starts snoring there is no way you're going to get any sleep.
Much later, you groggily wake up and find that your speech was less effective than you thought.
Kelium is not in your room. In fact, it doesn't even look like his bed has been slept in. You just shake your head and groan.
"Stupid fucker probably got himself enslaved or his throat cut." you mutter, as you get yourself prepared to go look for this idiot.
The first stop you make is Yvette's room.
"Hey Yvette." You say knocking on the door.
"Um... yes?" she answers, but not opening the door.
"Is Kelium in there?"
"No, why would he be? What are you implying?"
"... what? Nothing! I'm just asking because he's gone, and it doesn't look like he's slept in his bed either. I'm guessing he took off to have fun in the middle of the night."
"Oh dear. Um... well hold on, I have to get ready. I'll be out soon." Yvette says.
You half wonder if Kelium is in there and he's climbing out of a window. If that is the case, it's going to be real obvious if he and Yvette slept together last night. You aren't sure why Yvette would bother hiding it though; it isn't like you really give a shit.
As it turns out however, that isn't the case at all and you don't even have far to go to find Kelium.
You find him just outside the Sea Dog, stripped nearly naked and lying unconscious by the street.
"Well, at least that's one less thing to worry about." You say to yourself and begin the undesirable task of dragging his ass back inside. It's sometime at this point, Kelium begins to rouse from his unconsciousness.
In between the name-calling and laughter by the locals, you manage to get him back to the room where Yvette joins you both.
Kelium has a wicked hang over, but manages to explain what he remembers. He says that after you fell asleep he went out to explore the town and soon found himself in a card game at some place that he can't remember the name of. He claims he was winning and also says that someone must have drugged his drink and robbed him of everything.
"I told you not to go out. You're just lucky that getting robbed blind was all that happened to you." You say.
"Yeah, yeah, fuck. You sound like some old bitch. Shit. My head. Alright fine. Just let me get my spare clothes, and we can go get these fucking eggs." Kelium says.
"Wait, we're going now? Are you in condition to do this? Maybe we should wait a day." Yvette asks.
"I'll be fucking fine! Besides, I just lost all my money. We can't afford to stay here another night. We need to get these eggs today and then get the fuck outta this shitty town."
You don't even ask HOW you're supposed to get back to Klyton if he's lost all his money. Though you've brought a little with you, so you suppose you'll be footing the carriage bill. Like Yvette, you aren't sure if Kelium is in the best condition to go do this, but you're certainly not going to be paying for more time at the inn either, so if he thinks he's good to go, then you are too. Besides, you're going to be happy when this is over with and you're questioning why you ever decided to do this again.
"Adventurous... I should have that drunk Virgil check me for demonic possession." You mutter.
After Kelium gets dressed and gathers his supplies (Which at least he's carrying), the three of you set off on your journey to get these eggs. Unfortunately, its not just a simple matter of sticking to the coast and finding them along the shore, Kelium says you'll probably have to go into a cave seeing as they like to lay their eggs some place dark, wet and safe.
"Um, we have to enter a cave?" Yvette asks.
"Yeah, what's the big deal?" Kelium asks.
What Yvette doesn't answer right away, you step in.
"I think Yvette is a bit uncomfortable with small spaces, especially dark ones crawling with monsters." You say.
"Huh? Well that's just tough because she signed up for this task voluntarily. Nobody held a flintlock to her head. Besides, it's most likely a big open cave given how large blueshell creptians are." Kelium remarks.
"Oh, well that changes everything."
You travel a bit longer until you start climbing up a small hill. Kelium occasionally looks at the ground and tries to find signs of creptians. He seems to know what he's doing, despite his condition, though at this point you're more on the look out of other potential bad types like say bandits or something similar. Meanwhile Yvette looks like she's expecting trouble everywhere since she's looking around constantly.
"Yvette, calm yourself. Out of the three of us, you've probably got the most power here to deal with anything." You say.
"I dunno what you think I can do. I know. I'm not some high mage like in the old stories. As I told you, I'm just starting out and I haven't even been out of the city before."
"Hm, so you can't just summon a ball of flame or shoot lighting?"
"Um... well not what you're probably thinking. I mean maybe I could conjure a small palm sized ball of flame. Not sure if that would take down a Blueshell Creptian though, and it takes all my focus just to do it."
"Better than nothing I suppose."
Suddenly you hear Kelium yelling about something. You were so busy speaking with Yvette you didn't even notice Kelium disappeared... again.
"HEY COME HELP ME! SHIT!" Kelium shouts.
You and Yvette run over to the other side of the hill you were on and see Kelium with his sword in hand and scrambling for cover behind a rock. You also see what you can only guess is a blueshell creptian. It looks exactly how you pictured. A big snail, with big crab like claws and a blue shell.
Nearby the creptian you see a large sloping hole in the ground, you can only imagine that's where it has made its home.
"HEY! MOVE IN MAN! ATTACK!" You hear Kelium shout as a glob of blueshell spit hits the rock he's hiding behind.
You pull out your flintlock and fire at the blueshell and find that the shot doesn't even penetrate its hard shell. In fact it doesn't even turn its attention to you, so far it's just slowly crawling over to Kelium's position.
"Yvette, can you cast some sort of light spell or cause something to glow?" you ask.
"Yeah, but how is that going to help?" Yvette says.
"It'll help me search that cave for the eggs while it's distracted."
"Wait, you're going in there alone? What happens if there's another one in there?"
"Well, I'll be running out of there really quick I guess. You just try to distract that blueshell and when I get the eggs we can all get the hell out of here."
"I dunno, I think maybe we should try to work together to kill the blueshell, then deal with the cave."
"And I don't think we're going to be able to, or at least not with what we got. Look, I'm going to be as quick as I can. All you have to do is stay away from that thing and find some cover. It doesn't move that fast."
"I dunno... "
Obviously Yvette has some doubt about this plan and if she does there's a chance she could panic, but you really don't have confidence in her plan either especially since it means you'd have to get closer or at least aim for a place that isn't armor plated.
> work together
Yvette could be right about another one being in the cave. Even something only half the size as the one you're seeing now wouldn't be good to run into in a cramped area. Plus you'd rather keep one of Gossey's assistant safe this time since it seems like Yvette will just run off without everyone helping.
"Alright, I'm going to try to give that overgrown snail a big hole in its body, in the meantime, you need to start trying every spell you can to kill that thing!" you say.
Still keeping a good distance, you move into a better position where you might actually be able to hit the thing in a soft fleshy area.
You get behind a tree and reload your flintlock as you hear the crackling of lightning and Kelium still shouting for assistance. You fire again at the creature, but once again fail to make any real impact, as it seems to instinctively block your shot with one of its armor plated claws.
Yvette is still casting her little fireballs at it, but that's not having much effect, you yell at her to try something else. However, you're going to have to get closer unfortunately.
You run towards a closer large tree and see Kelium stupidly getting up to move towards you.
"NO! Stay the fuck do... " you start to say and then you're suddenly hit in the side of the head with something half solid, half liquid. You were so busy paying attention to Kelium and making noise, that the creptian spit in your direction and got a solid hit.
The translucent goo now covering half your head is extremely poisonous and takes effect immediately.
You collapse to the ground and begin to feel your whole body seizing up. You attempt to grab your anti-venom in your pack, but it wouldn't do any good even if you weren't practically paralyzed since the poison has already been absorbed into your brain.
The pain is great but mercifully short before you die. |
Chapter 2B: The More Things Change
Year 17
"Yeah, yeah, here's the rent." You say handing over a few silvers to Trobart.
The innkeeper takes the silver and gives you a scornful look.
"Bout fucking time! You're always late! And don't think I don't know how you get this!" Trobart says.
"Of course you know how I get this, but it doesn't stop you from taking the money anyway, you mean old bastard." You answer.
"Watch yer, fuckin' tongue! One word from me, and the militia would take your ass in quick!"
"Pfft, yeah right. You call the militia and they'd probably shut this whole place down. You're selling booze without a license in the basement and one of your rooms is being used by an unlicensed whore."
"Fuck you cunt face!" Trobart shouts and stomps off. You just shake your head at the old man's misplaced anger.
You head to your room with no more distractions, and then wearily sit on your shitty straw mattress and count what's left of your ill-gotten loot. Enough to eat for a few days.
Granted this hasn't been the best month, but you swear you thought you'd be doing a lot better than this by now. This city unfortunately though is proving a lot more vigilant than you'd like. You certainly aren't in Teckleville anymore.
What's really not helping is the Crimson Talons running around carelessly committing clumsy burglaries and heists and bringing the militia down even harder on everything.
You're sort of glad you didn't join up with them now, because at this rate, the militia is probably going to track them down and execute the lot of them.
Still, that doesn't solve your current problem.
Part of you wonders if maybe you should just move on from this city, but you really loathe the idea of travelling again and you aren't sure where you'd go. Hessla maybe?
While you're pondering your possible future here, you get a knock on the door.
"Heeeeey youngster! (hic!) You got any spare... .coppers fer the faith?"
Great, it's that drunken priest that has a room across from you. You thought the men of Joachim were supposed to be into purity and restraint. If you didn't know any better, you'd think Joachim was the god of alcohol and hopeless drunks based on this guy's behavior and actions.
"No and I told you to stop bothering me Virgil! Don't you have a collection box you can pilfer booze money from?" you shout.
"Yeah... but no... but I got some (hic) news... " Virgil answers.
"Yeah, I already know about Joachim's blessed light. You tried to tell me about it the first time I came here and you nearly threw up on me in the process."
"I did? Geez, sorry son... but this is different! (hic) Some... somebody... "
"Somebody what?"
"Somebody was lookin' fer ya."
Well that peaked your interest.
"Oh?" you answer.
"Yeah... (hic)."
"Hold on." You say and go answer the door.
No sooner have you opened the door when the odor of Virgil hits you full force. You immediately cover your nose and mouth.
"Shit, Virgil. When the hell was the last time you washed? You fucking smell worse than a troll's ass. Granted I've never smelled a troll's ass, but I think it's a safe bet you smell worse than one." You say.
"Guess again. Hahahahahahaha! (hic) So can ya spare a copper?"
"Maybe, so what's all this about someone looking for me?"
"Oh, that. Yeah, this big guy. I mean not like ogre big, but just human big ya know? Old guy too. (hic) I mean not as old as that asshole who own this place, but probably around my age."
"Well that's still fucking old then, aren't you like seventy?"
"Fuck you. I'll have you know I'm in my forties... I think... yeah... "
"Okay, so big guy in his forties was looking for me. What did he want?"
Of course NOW Virgil decides to be uncooperative.
"No! No! Fuck you, I'm not tellin' you shit now. (hic) Who... who... what do you think I am some kinda asshole fer you to abuse? Callin' me seventy fuckin' years old. I oughta kick yer ass in the name of Joachim! Yer lucky I'm a man of faith... (hic)"
At this point Virgil mumbles and stumbles away, bumps into the door to his room and then after a few tries he finally gets it open and slams it behind him.
You suppose you could always ask him again later when he's feeling less feisty. He will have likely forgotten all about your so-called insult later, of course he probably will have forgotten about the guy looking for you too.
You close the door and think on who he could have been talking about. Your dad? Dad's not a big guy though and you honestly doubt if he would bother to come look for you.
Maybe it was Tom from the Crimson Talons? You can't imagine what he'd want to see you directly for though. You'd imagine if he were trying to recruit you again he'd send an underling to invite you to see him. Tom wasn't a huge guy either; of course given that Virgil is on the short and scrawny side, he probably thinks you're a big guy too.
Other than those two, you're drawing a blank. It's a little concerning that some big guy is looking for you though.
You hear another knock on the door.
"Virgil?" you ask.
"No, it's Randi. I got some information that you might want to know." A woman's voice says
Randi is the red headed whore that lives down the hall. Unusual that she'd seek you out, since she's snotty with you at the best of times. You guess it's because you turned down her overly aggressive offer the first time you stepped into this inn.
You answer the door and she's as scuzzy as ever. You feel like you're catching something just by standing this close to her.
"Okay, so what's this information? Because if it's some big guy that was looking for me, I already know because Virgil told me." You say.
"Oh? Well did he tell you what this big guy wanted too?" Randi asks.
"No."
"You'll want to know then."
"... Well?"
"Well what?"
"(Sigh) I know you're not used to hearing this, but spit it out! Tell me what this guy wanted."
"I'm not your fucking secretary. You want to know, you need to pay, ten silvers."
"Ten fucking silvers? You don't charge that much for a blowjob!"
"Yeah well if you want a blowjob, then you can pay half that price, but if you want to know what that guy wanted, it's ten silvers."
While you're wondering who this guy is and why he's looking for you, you're not exactly keen on giving away most of your hard earned money to some whore who you're not even fucking.
"Yeah well go find two dicks to suck then, because you're not getting ten silver from me." You say and shut the door on Randi who shouts some obscenities at you from the hallway.
You'll just remain alert and keep an eye out this guy looking for you. Remain on your guard too, since you still don't know if this man means you harm or not. Hopefully Virgil can tell you something later. You might have to offer a couple coppers, but it's far cry from ten silvers.
For now though you decide to get some sleep after your long night of thievery. As your lids get heavier, you think on where you could ply your trade with a little more ease and a lot more loot. The rich areas are well patrolled, the government district is well patrolled, the merchant district is well patrolled, and the poor areas are... still patrolled and the folks don't have shit.
It suddenly occurs to you that you've never really tried the university district of the city. Might be worth a look, after all it should be filled with stupid rich kids not aware of their surroundings and the Talons don't seem to go running around there, so there might be less heat.
Later...
You wake up midday. After getting yourself ready for today's endeavors, you knock on Virgil's door, but there is no answer. He's either still asleep or he's out collecting donations for Joachim. Probably the latter considering you didn't contribute to his booze fund.
You leave the Welcome Mat Inn, though a little more cautiously than usual. Nobody seems to be approaching or giving you suspicious looks though. Still, wishing to keep a low profile, you stick to the back streets as much as possible and eventually when you get to the better part of town, you catch a coach for your remaining trip to the university. By the time you arrive, the day is beginning to end, but you soon find that the university is still fairly active.
After a few hours of just scouting and walking around, it's much like you figured. A lot of scholarly types with their noses in books and rich kids that do a lot of partying. The dorms have security, but oddly not as much as one might think.
You find that despite being dressed in your lower class clothing, nobody is really giving you a second glance. It might be due to your youth though; you probably just look like a struggling student. Wasn't like your dad was exactly rich when he attended this place either.
It occurs to you how strange it is to be at the university at all. You never thought you'd ever "attend" your dad's old place of higher learning. You're sure at one time he had hopes you would, but it probably wasn't under these circumstances.
Out of curiosity you pay a visit to the section to where the medical school is located. Seems weird that your father spent so much money and time putting himself through the place while you're here basically casing it.
You're not that well versed in the value of medical supplies and drugs, but you figure the Crimson Talons could be willing to fence whatever you bring. Hell, you probably could just sell the stuff yourself. You know more than enough folks in your area that bitch about not being able to afford shit from the local apothecary, let alone proper medicine.
Of course since this is your first time here, you're still getting used to all the twisting corridors that this university seems to favor. You end up stepping into a class in session a couple times, before stumbling upon an unattended supply room where you pilfer various bottles of pills and liquids.
When you attempt to leave the facility, you go in the direction where you think you came from, but soon find that you made a wrong turn somewhere.
Somehow you manage to find yourself in what you think must be an office area since you see various doors with names on them. (All of them with "Dr." in front) As you're passing one, the door opens and you find yourself face to face with an older woman with gray hair.
"Hey. You here about the job?" the woman asks.
"Huh? What?" you answer.
"I put out several announcements around campus for an escort job. Hmmm... .you don't look like a warrior and you're a little young. You one of those students over from the magic college?"
"Um, no actually, I just got lost. I'm trying to find my way out of this place."
"Lost? What were you doing here in the first place?"
"Well my father used to go here and I... "
"Wait a minute... you do you look a little familiar. What's your father's name?"
You tell this woman your father's name and she instantly lights up.
"Hah! I knew it. You look a lot like your father. He was in my microbiology class when I used to teach it. Did very well too. How he doing?" the woman asks.
"Oh he's doing fine uh Miss... umm... " you reply
"Oh I go by Dr. Gossey and nowadays I focus purely on zoology and the biology of the creatures and animals that live in our fascinating world! So are you a student here too and trying to follow in your dad's footsteps?"
"Something like that I suppose. I'm actually just checking out my options right now. You know, to see what I might be interested in."
"Good. Good. Glad to see a young person thinking about their future. Hey, would you consider yourself to be an adventurous spirit?"
"I suppose in some ways I am."
"Well I've got a job that needs doing and I don't have time to do it myself and I'd rather not send my assistant there by herself. You familiar with qweepas?"
"Aren't they some really ugly oversized rats?"
"In simple terms basically, but they're much more than that. They're actually much more intelligent than the average rat. They aren't even native to the continent, but a lot of them over the years have undoubtedly snuck aboard Hessla pirate ships and now they're slowly starting to gain a foothold as a pest on the coast. One can only imagine how far they will have spread in another ten years."
"So what is it that you need exactly?"
"I need someone to go into Hessla or around that area with my assistant and get me some live specimens. About ten should do. Like I said, I'd send my assistant alone, but I know how dangerous Hessla is especially for a single female, so it would be better if someone went with her."
"So, am I just to be there as hired muscle?"
"Yes, though as I noticed before, you don't seem to be a physical type... not to say you aren't well proportioned for a young man your age, it's just I was hoping to get a taker from the gladiator team or someone of similar intimidating size. I only mentioned this at all to you because for one, I haven't had anyone else come in as strange as that may be. And two I knew your father. I figured it wouldn't be polite to not offer his son a chance to earn some money towards his education goals, whatever they may be. You could even get a jump start on potential class credits."
This is getting a little strange, but you might as well ask.
"So what's this job pay then?" you ask.
"Thirty gold pieces upon completion." Dr. Gossey replies.
"And all I have to do is escort your assistant?"
"Yes, and make sure the qweepa specimens get here alive. Those are very important to my research. My assistant will have everything else required for this job and the trip will essentially be completely paid for."
"Do you need a decision now?"
"Well it would be nice, but I understand if you need to think on it. Hessla isn't a safe place and knowing your father, I'm sure he wanted better for you and you grew up in a protected environment and are probably less familiar with handling folks with a more criminal mentality."
Dr. Gossey's assessment of you nearly makes you laugh.
While this is technically a "real" job, you can't say you aren't totally unopposed to performing it. Thirty gold is certainly better than what you've done in most weeks since your time here and it would give you a chance to go to Hessla for free. Maybe see if things are potentially more lucrative over there.
> don't take the job
While the pay seems okay, this doesn't really seem like your sort of thing. Running around catching rats and escorting some student that lacks common sense on top of it doesn't sound too fun.
"I appreciate the offer, but I don't think this is for me." You say.
"Completely understandable. Well, good luck on whatever it is that you're deciding to go into, and say hello to your father next time you see him." Dr. Gossey says.
"I will." You say and bid her goodbye.
After leaving the medical building you decide to just call it a day at the university. You've had an okay haul today and you think the university will be your stomping grounds now.
When you finally get back to the neighborhood, you revert back your cautious ways until you finally enter the Welcome Mat and your room. You manage to make it without being accosted by any of its denizens this time.
The next day you start your routine of heading to the university and then after a productive day you make your way back home.
As you're heading home in the middle of the night, you suddenly feel uneasy. Like you're being watched. You look around constantly, but never see anything out of the ordinary. There isn't anyone following you, though you suppose if they are they're really good at staying hidden.
Your thoughts go back to the man who was looking for you a few days ago. You still don't know what that was all about and if this is someone meaning you harm. You're paranoid for the rest of your way home.
You don't change your routine too much other than perhaps taking different ways to get to the university and back home. You still feel uneasy at times, but again nothing happens.
However on one of your more mundane trips to get some food, one of the local food merchants who doesn't normally make much small talk, breaks that habit when you're looking over the fruit cart.
"Hey, some big guy was looking for you yesterday." The merchant remarks.
"So I've heard. Got a better description than that?" you ask.
"Uh, sort of a bushy beard, but the rest of his face was obviously pretty weathered. Shaved head. Probably in his forties or fifties, but still pretty fit. Carried a pack with him, but no weapons. Well at least none out in the open. Said to tell you that he'd carrying an important message for you from your family and that it's very urgent that you meet him at the Raggedy Man Inn."
"Hmmm, and that's it?"
"As far as I know."
"Thanks. I'll just be taking these today." You say and pay the merchant for your food before leaving.
Just keeps getting weirder. All you know about the Raggedy Man Inn is that it's in a worse part of Klyton than even you stay at. If this guy is some sort of courier, surely he should know where to find you, especially if this is an urgent message from your family. And you can't begin to know what that might be if true.
Part of you wants to just head to the Raggedy Man Inn to confront this person once and for all, but all of this sounds so damn suspicious that you can't imagine going there would do you any good other than getting caught in a trap.
You keep up your usual caution and after about a week passes, nobody is coming up to tell you that some guy is looking for you anymore. You end up wondering if it was some message from your family after all. In any case, you relax slightly and continue with your usual life.
After a month, the whole thing seems to be forgotten by anyone that spoke to you about it. In fact you aren't even thinking about it as much anymore either. You're mostly thinking about how you're really making a killing at the university.
You come home from another successful night and enter your room...
No sooner have you opened the door, when a hand strongly grips your hand and yanks you inside. You feel a foot trip you and you go plunging face first into the floor and hear the door being shut behind you.
"Now hol... " you start to say before you feel a boot kicking you in the side of the head.
"Stop talking, I don't want to hear your voice. This has to happen." You hear a voice say.
You manage to roll over and see a muscular older man with a beard standing over you with a very large knife.
This is the man that was looking for you.
"Who... " you start to say again before the man descends on top of your body and punches you in the face with his free hand.
"I said shut up! I thought about this. I thought about the pros and cons for a long time. The right and wrong. And ultimately it all comes back to justice." The man says.
You never put it together based on the vague descriptions by other people before, but you know who this man is. He's Klint's father.
"You took away my son and not only did you escape, but I see you merely plying your criminal ways here too. I could have easily told the Klyton militia about you, but no, I want to perform this justice myself. Not just for my son you murdered, but for ALL those you've hurt!"
With those final words, Klint's father begins stabbing the hell out of you repeatedly with his knife. You scream out several times, but he doesn't care. In fact he wants to hear your pleas and begging.
By the time the militia is called to check on the noise, Klint's father stabbed you to death and is covered in your blood. He merely turns his head and says that justice has been served. |
You figure it might be best to head somewhere that you can at least get your bearings about what you're going to do in the long term with your life. Still, it would be best to stay off the road and stick to the wilderness. With a new goal, you head in the direction of Klyton and hoping nobody from Teckleville is tracking you.
You stick to the woods figuring that it will provide you with more cover. You keep alert for possible denizens that lurk in the woods themselves, but besides a lot of birds and a few normal animals, you don't encounter anything out of the ordinary. You even manage to get a good night's sleep, well as good as you can get with as paranoid as you are.
Unfortunately the woods eventually begins to thin and if you continue walking the way you are going, you're going to be in the open plains and if you're going to march across the open fields, you might as well just walk on the road since you'll be just as exposed.
Since you're not exactly in danger of starving or anything and the woods themselves seem fairly safe, you decide to play it cautiously by staying in the woods for the rest of the day and travel in the open at night. Hopefully it won't be a much longer trek to Klyton.
You take the opportunity to rest up some more and when the only light in the sky is that of the dim moon, that's when you leave the edge of the woods. The trees around you soon disappear and all that's left is you in the open countryside and the occasional sounds of nocturnal animals. You walk across the fields for a while, but as the grass starts getting knee high, you start hearing unfamiliar sounds. While you hope it is only a harmless nocturnal animal (or rather several of them judging by the noises) you get concerned that you might be at a disadvantage if it isn't, so you quickly make your way back towards the road where you have better vision of any potential low to the ground threats.
The road is just as empty as the plains you just left. You continue to keep aware of your surroundings by keeping an ear out for various sounds. You still have this idea that you're suddenly going to hear Teckleville watchmen on horses galloping on your position.
You continue down the road and once again you see something out of the ordinary. This time though it's a hanging cage along side the road.
You've heard of those before. Klyton apparently uses them when the jails are full and the criminal hasn't done anything bad enough to deserve outright death. So they get put in these cages until they eventually die of starvation, exposure or someone grants the mercy of killing them. Either way they aren't the city's problem anymore. Seems like it would be kinder to kill them immediately.
You walk a little further and you see a few more of them on both sides of the road. Well if there's anyone inside them, they're going to be safely locked in a cage.
First couple cages you pass are empty. The next one has a decaying smell as you pass, but nobody is in it. You notice on the other side of the road a couple of the cages have bodies in them, but seeing as they aren't moving, you can only guess you're probably walking by corpses.
At least you think you are.
"Hey, you wouldn't happen to have any extra water would you?" you suddenly hear one of the slumping figures in the cage say.
Well you may have decided to travel at night, but it would seem you're encountering more people than you thought.
"Uh, no not really." You answer.
"That sounded really convincing there son. Come on, if you got any you could spare some. You always got the luxury of grabbing yourself a drink at the first tavern in Klyton... assuming you're even old enough...I can't quite see you, but you sound fairly young." The figure in the cage says.
"I'm not young, I'm a grown man!" you exclaim.
"Oh. Well apologies then. So can you please spare any water, I'm dying of thirst over here."
"Why should I trust you? You're in a cage meant for criminals."
"So? What, do you think I'm going to suddenly attack you or something? Even if I had the strength to grab you from between the bars and choked you out or something, that wouldn't exactly help my situation now would it? If anything it would just be harder to beg for water from the next person that passed by given that your corpse would be near my cage."
Strangely that logic makes a bit of sense to you.
"I'm not a violent criminal anyway. I'm just in here because I was a little down on my luck and stole some food. Unfortunately Klyton is pretty overzealous when it comes to their laws." The man goes on to say.
"So you're a thief?" you ask.
"Only out of survival."
"Explains why you got caught. You're not a professional." You say.
"Oh? Well more apologies then, I didn't realize I was speaking to a master fucking thief. Of course if you're so good, why the hell are you wandering out here in the boonies? Shouldn't you be stealing the King of Delantium's jeweled chamber pot or something?"
"Hey, if you're still expecting me to give you any water you're doing a piss poor job at convincing me." You say getting a bit agitated and stepping closer to the cage.
From this distance you get a better visual on the man in the cage. He looks about of average build, and he's a lot older than you. In fact he looks like he might be around your dad's age.
Of course he gets a better look at you as well.
"Heh. You barely have any stubble on your face! I knew you were just a kid! Something about you though... you look strangely familiar." The man remarks.
"I don't think so, I've never been to Klyton." You say.
"No, you don't look like you have. You look more like someone from a small town... say you wouldn't be from Teckleville would you? That is the closest town around here."
"... um no why?" you say and then silently cursing yourself that your lie didn't come out natural.
"I'll take that slight pause as a yes and you really need to work on your attempts at misdirection and lying. What sort of thief are you?"
"Better one than you obviously, you can't even pick the easy lock on your cage."
"Yeah, yeah, so Teckleville huh? Hmm... .wait a minute!"
The man suddenly asks if you know a doctor from Teckleville, and then goes into a description somewhat matching your dad, even mentions him by name. Does this man know your father?
Since you seem to be messing up on your lies right now, you just go ahead and confirm his suspicions.
"The gods are truly merciful this night! I knew your father! You look a lot like him when he was young. My name's Tom and I used to go to school with your father!"
"You mean in the university?"
"No, I used to go to primary and high school with him. I was one of his friends during childhood. I mean sure we drifted apart obviously, even more so when I dropped out altogether, but me and him were always alright with each other! I heard he moved to Teckleville years ago and had a family. Didn't know his son was a thief though... how the hell did that happen?"
"Long story."
"Hm, I'll bet... so you were saying this big ass lock on my cage looked easy?"
"Yeah, I've picked more complex merchant lockboxes." You say confidently.
At this point Tom stops slouching and begins to move towards you as much as he can in his cage.
"That's good... that's good... .so hey instead of water, how about you set me free?"
"What? Why should I do that?"
"Oh come on! I was a friend of your father's! Surely he's mentioned all the fond memories of us playing smash sphere after school."
"Well, actually my father doesn't speak much about Klyton or the past at all. He prefers to forget it. Says it was mostly stressful."
"Oh....well hey how about this deal then? You've never been to Klyton, so how about in exchange for my freedom I give you some basic information on some of the neighborhoods and potential places you could easily go burgle. I mean obviously I'm rubbish at it, but if you're as good as you say you are, they should be easy for you.
You might have less of a problem with releasing him if you could somehow confirm he is who he says he is. Tom certainly seems to know bits about your father that would be hard to know by some complete stranger. Your father never said anything about former childhood friends though, or if he did you weren't paying attention.
> leave Tom
Even if he is a childhood friend of your father, you just don't trust Tom enough to set him free.
"Look, I got my own problems right now and I can't be taking on someone else's, so I'm saying goodbye to you."
"Wait! Okay, I get it, I get it. You don't trust me, but can't you at least give me that water?" Tom asks.
"And I told you I don't have it to spare! Look, I'm going, maybe the next person will be more generous." You say.
"Fine. I can see you're nothing like your dad. He would have at least given me the water." Tom mutters and then mumbles some swears as you leave.
You continue along the road and fortunately you don't have any more late night encounters.
Eventually Klyton is in sight and you quicken your pace, anxious to get to your destination.
When you get to the city gates, you find them to be heavily guarded and you're stopped.
"Halt, you don't look like a merchant or anyone else that has a real job. In fact you look a bit suspicious sneaking about the city at this time of night." One of the guards says.
"Sneaking around? But I'm going through the main gate!" you say.
"You giving me lip boy? I'm asking the questions here! We don't need anymore scum like you in this city!" the guard says and pushes you.
You're smart enough not to start a fight with an armored guard, but you're starting to wonder if you're going to even get in the city.
Fortunately, not all the guards are power drunk assholes and one steps forward to pull the asshole one back a bit.
"Oh for fuck's sake Clyde, calm down and leave the boy alone. Judging by the look of him he's just a snot nosed kid. Probably ran away from home or something. Hey, kid you got any money on you?"
While you normally wouldn't announce such things, you figure they want a bribe to leave you alone.
"Um, yeah... look I don't have much, but you can have what I... " you start to say.
"What? No, we're not trying to shake you down. This isn't Holgard son. I just wanted to know so I can tell you which inn you should probably check in at. Seeing as you said you don't have much, I'd recommend the Welcome Mat, which isn't that far from the main gate, you really can't miss it.. The place is cheap and pretty safe. If you still can't afford their low prices, they'll probably have some tasks you can do to earn a place on their flop room floor at least."
"Oh, okay. Thanks."
"No problem, but I'm going to warn you once now. I certainly HOPE if you're sticking around the city, that you have every intention of being a productive citizens. Because if you don't, well... let's just say we don't take kindly to crime around here. I trust you saw all those cages down the road."
"Yes, sir."
"Hm, well that'll be where you're heading if you have ill intent in this city. And that's if you're lucky."
"Yes, I certainly understand sir." You say.
"Very well, off you go son."
You start to walk towards the city entrance, when Clyde can't resist talking more shit at you.
"Remember what we said! You fuck up and I'm gonna fuck YOU up! You hear me you little shit? I'll be on your ass! I'll be on you ALL fucking night and day!"
"Yeah, yeah, I got it." You say.
While some of the other guards are chuckling and Clyde's buddy is telling him to cease his almost rape like threats, Clyde isn't even paying attention anymore, he HATES your dismissive tone and all he's feeling is disrespect to his authority.
"You fucking little scumbag bitch! Fucking dismiss me will you?" Clyde mutters and before you know it he's punched you hard with his gauntlet-encased fist. You drop like a sack of potatoes.
"NO Clyde! STOP! Shit! Get Clyde off of him!" Clyde's buddy shouts to everyone, as Clyde is kicking your head in.
Eventually they get Clyde off of you, but it's too late. He's stomped your head into mush. You can't even see anymore and you're already losing your hearing.
You think you hear someone shout for a medic, but by then everything goes black. |
From what little you know of Holgard, it sounds more like a city you could thrive in. The first problem is going to be getting there though. Holgard is still located in a wilder region of the land so road maintenance isn't always an option due to marauding monsters or bandits. In fact it might not even be safe to stay on the road.
In any case it's a ways there, so you get on with it.
Your couple of days of travel are uneventful. Just you and an empty road. When night falls you always get off the road and attempt to find a safe place to sleep in the trees nearby. Though you never really sleep easily and are constantly waking up at various sounds.
Third day is a little different as you hear the clopping of horses behind you. At first you get concerned that someone from Teckleville is galloping your way, but a quick glance shows it's just a merchant caravan. A fairly big one too since you see several men on horseback along with a carriage and large wagon behind it.
An idea comes to you and you wait for the caravan to reach your location. It gets a little closer and then stops completely. A couple of the men on horseback speak to someone in the carriage and then both of those men ride out to meet you. Both of them are carrying crossbows and wearing full plate mail. No insignia though so they're probably mercenaries.
"Hey you! What are you doing?" one asks.
"I was waiting for your caravan." You answer.
"Yeah? For what purpose?"
"Depends. What are you guys selling?"
"Nothing to the likes of you. You don't look like you could afford it anyway."
"I can't even look?"
"No. In fact you're acting really fucking suspicious just waiting around on the road like this. I'm warning you right now that if this some sort of ambush tactic, you and your bandit buddies are far from equipped to take us on. And I can guarantee YOU are going to be the first one to die." One mercenary says as he points his crossbow at you.
You slightly raise your arms a bit.
"Hold on! I'm no bandit! I'm just a traveller a bit down on his luck. I know this road is dangerous, I was just wondering maybe if I could travel with you guys, you're going to Holgard right?"
"No, we're hired to protect that caravan, not baby sit every stranger along the way."
"You wouldn't be baby sitting me! I know how to fight, its just safety in numbers. I mean if we run into any trouble I'll even help. I'm not asking to get paid either."
The mercenaries both glance at each other and don't look too enticed by your offer, but fortunately they aren't entirely calling the shots.
"Hold on, we'll have to ask the boss first." One says and then they both gallop back to the carriage. You don't wait long before they return.
"Okay son, the boss says you can travel with us, in fact he says you can ride with him in the carriage." The mercenary says.
"Wow, really? Well I wasn't expecting that. Awfully nice of him."
"Yeah... nice. (snort)" the merc says with a slight grin. The other merc chuckles a bit as well and you follow the pair of them back.
The closer you get to the carriage; you see that it's pretty ornate looking. Obviously the merchant who owns this one is very wealthy. When you finally enter the carriage it's even more luxurious inside. Soft fur lines the seat, the curtains covering the windows are silk and the carriage floor and ceiling are gold plated. A perfumed smell also fills interior.
And to your left, is where you see the owner sitting. He's a grossly fat berk dressed in fancy colorful clothing and a couple of jeweled rings on his fingers. He smiles in your direction denoting friendliness, but he's looking at you in a way that... well you aren't used to.
"Well hello my dear boy. When they told me there was a young boy out on this ghastly road by himself, I knew I had to provide help. However, their description of you doesn't do you justice. You are certainly are very fit and firm looking." He says staring you up and down.
Now you know why the mercs were smirking earlier.
You sit down across from him and he tells his driver to get on their way before turning his attention completely to you.
"So, what a fine lad like you doing on this road by himself? Don't you know there are bandits and worse about?" the merchant asks.
"Yeah, but it's the only way I know to Holgard." You say
"Well still. A boy like you should be careful. These bandits are terrible brutes. They don't just rob people, they usually kill them too. Sometimes they do even worse things. Why I shudder to think what they'd do to a handsome lad like yourself. You'd find yourself stripped, beaten and violated several times over before they finally slit your throat... and then perhaps violated repeatedly again... I mean who could stop them if they caught you all alone?"
"Nobody I guess."
"Exactly. But we needn't dwell on such morbid situations now. You are safe with me and I shall make sure no harm will come to your... body... "
The merchant licks his lips as he stares at you and it is at this moment you think you now have a general idea of how your sister and Annah must have felt when they had merchants fawning all over them.
Fortunately, the merchant doesn't press whatever unnatural lust he has for you and proceeds to just speak about himself. He mentions his name Graham Oren famous wine merchant (Or at least he thinks he's famous) and that he's coming from the Delantium Kingdom to do a bit of business in Holgard. You're a little disappointed since you were hoping to rip the caravan off in some way, but knowing he's just hauling wine casks makes stealing those large wooden things a little difficult to do.
He goes on to say that normally he wouldn't bother to travel to the doomed city, but sometimes an in person presence is required to appease certain clients.
"Doomed city? Why do you say that?" you ask.
"I'm guessing you don't keep up on politics, m'boy, but then why would someone like you really need to, but yes the city is doomed. The Baron's days are numbered. Honestly it must only be by Yag's luck that he's survived as long as he has."
"Is the Delantium Kingdom coming to take back the city?"
Graham looks a little impressed by your basic knowledge of the political landscape.
"Well... it would seem you are just full of surprises and here I was thinking you were just another pretty face. But to answer your question, I do believe they have their sights on it, but not necessarily through force. Something about annexing it peacefully so they don't have to waste the manpower. Probably through the help of one of his children, but given how treacherous they all are, that's not necessarily a certainty. Still, whether they take it or not, the Baron himself is going to be out of the picture soon. There is a growing discontent in the air by every faction and everyone that has an agenda there. He can't possibly keep control for much longer."
Well that's a bit of interesting information about the city, though a bit concerning. You wonder if you're going to find yourself in the middle of a citywide revolt when you get to Holgard.
While you're pondering that possibility, Graham begins speaking again.
"But enough about these things. Let us talk more about you... " Graham says leaning his girth towards you and being bold enough now to put his hand on your leg, which you immediately pull away.
"Look, I don't like being fucking touched and I'm not fucking interested."
"Oh come on, don't be like that. You knew what you were getting into when you entered this carriage." Graham remarks and tries to touch your leg again.
"I'm serious, don't do that again."
"Or what? You'll leave? What if I don't let you?" Graham remarks and then reveals a decorative and strange looking pistol with multiple barrels. Firearms aren't common and you've only ever seen your grandfather's old non-working troll gun hanging up in your house, but it's obvious that this fat bastard is rich enough to have some sort of custom made one.
It's enough to make you freeze up, but you maintain a cool head and don't panic.
"That's right little lamb, you're going to stay right here and... "
Suddenly a lot of noise and shouting can be heard from outside and one of the mercs rides up to the window.
"Sir! Stay inside! We're being attacked!" he shouts
This is enough time to distract Graham and allowing you to act.
> atack Graham
You aren't going to let this fat fuck get a chance to possibly shoot you in the back, plus you're too pissed about him trying to molest you.
With a couple quick moves you pull out your dagger, stab him in his arm and relieve him of his fancy pistol. Graham screams out like a little girl and now pleads for his miserable life.
"Please! No, don't kill me!" he whimpers pathetically.
Once again, much like how it was Klint, you show no remorse and pull the trigger of the pistol.
It's the first time you've ever used one; so the unexpected kickback nearly causes you nearly drop it. You also weren't expecting it blow half of Graham's stinking face off. His obese corpse slumps lifelessly against the carriage wall.
"Shit." You remark to yourself being in awe of the power of the weapon.
Never being one to miss an opportunity, you quickly deprive Graham's body of the jeweled rings on his fingers. You then also go through the pockets that you can get to and get a bag full of gold coins.
After looting Graham's body, you remember that there is a skirmish going on outside. A quick glance shows several bandit types fighting the mercs. The mercs are out numbered, but thanks to their armor and better training, they're doing a good job of fending off the bandits.
You get out of the carriage with the intent of just running off into the woods, but then you might get lost. It occurs to you that you do have an advantage that will allow you get away a lot faster and still stay on your course.
While one of the mounted mercs bashes in the head of a bandit you take the opportunity to shoot him while his back is turned. The merc's armor is of no protection and he cries out as he falls from his horse.
"Who the hell is that guy?" one of the bandits shouts.
"Dunno, but who cares, he's killing their side!" another says.
You quickly run to the now ownerless horse and clumsily get on. You're a bit vulnerable for a few seconds, but fortunately the bandits seem to now think you're on their side and don't focus on you (and the remaining mercs have their hands full)
You soon manage to control the horse (which is anxious to get away from the chaos anyway) and gallop away until the skirmish is far behind you and you're basically left alone again. Unfortunately your horse suddenly starts wheeze and wobble. You manage to hastily get off before it collapses.
There on it's left side you see what the problem is. In all the ensuing the chaos, the horse actually took a few crossbow bolts. Probably damage to vital organs and its adrenaline is finally wearing off. Bad luck for you and even worse luck for the horse. Not having many more options, you start walking.
In any case there's two more bodies to your count now. Granted Graham deserved it, but that merc... well he made a living risking his life, it just happened that today his time was up. You had to survive a dangerous situation and that's it.
That's how you're justifying that one anyway.
Still, you at least acquired a few goodies for your troubles. You're going to have to learn more about how to take proper care of this pistol because it's far too valuable of a weapon to neglect. It'll certainly make dealing with shit in Holgard a bit more manageable.
The rings are what surprise you most. You're no jeweler, but you have stolen enough cheap baubles in the past that you can tell a fake when you examine it in greater detail. The gems in the rings are actually common, but altered slightly (especially their color) to resemble more valuable ones. Even the ring is gold plated rather than pure. Looks like Graham wasn't as rich as he made out.
However, the little pouch of coins is real money so there's that at least.
You continue along the road, which as you guessed starts alternating from being intact, to dirt with a few stones to being little more than a well worn path in the grass. Even the occasional signs aren't much help given that many are flat out damaged in some way.
Your natural instinct to just keep going in a straight line like you were doing, but unfortunately for you, the path completely disappears into forest. Doesn't help that the road also branches into several paths that twist in different directions. You weren't expecting that so you aren't sure which way to go.
While you're pondering this decision, a voice calls out to you.
"Hey! Where youz tryin' to get to?"
You then see a person dressed in simple clothing coming out of the forest. He's a little shorter than you, in fact he's a little greener than you too. Doesn't look like an orc though, not nearly big or massive enough. Goblin perhaps, but he's taller than one and almost a bit human looking. A short green human with a few warts on his face and a bigger than average nose.
In any case, you maintain your usual caution.
"Okay, that's far enough. Who are you?" you ask.
"Me? I'm just Warts." He answers picking his big nose.
"Appropriate name."
"Grhm. So youz tryin' to get to Holgard?"
"Yeah, why?"
"Well cuz, I can lead you to it. Lotz o' paths in this forest lead lotz o' places. Easy to get lost if you don't know da way."
"You know the way huh? How do I know you aren't going to lead me into an ambush?"
"Youz don't I suppoze. Take yer chances going alone an' getting lost, don't care. I just try to earn a little extra coin for drink an' leadin' clueless humies like yerself gets me some... well when they aren't throwin' rocks at me that is."
"What are you exactly?" you ask.
"Huh? What you mean?" Warts replies.
"I mean, you don't look quite like any greenskin I've ever seen."
"You seen a lot o them have ya?"
"Well no, but I've heard tales... "
"Then you don't really know nuthin' then do ya?" Warts says in a perturbed tone.
Actually he's got a bit of a point.
You decide to get right to the matter.
"Alright, assuming I take you up on your generous offer, how much is it?" you ask.
"Oh, yeah price... hmm, you want to go to Holgard right? Five gold coins." Warts answers.
"Five gold coins just to lead me through the forest? That's fucking outrageous!"
"Holgard is tricky to get to if you don't know the way. Lot of false paths get made. Besides, you lot usually have more than enough gold. I see you humies travelling all over in your rolly boxes filled with goods."
"Do I look like I'm in a rolly box carting around a wagon full of treasures? I'm just a simple traveller down on his luck."
"Down on luck huh? You should pray to Yag more. Anywayz five gold. Final offer."
This greenskin obviously has no concept of haggling. It really isn't like you don't have the coin, it's more like you don't want to give so much to the likes of him after being fortunate enough to acquire it in the first place.
Ultimately, he's either telling the truth about the forest being that treacherous or he's completely bullshitting you. You'll just have to decide for yourself.
> pay Warts
He might be bullshitting you, but you're not exactly familiar with this area, so you might as well not take chances. Still, you got a better idea on payment.
"Hey Warts, I don't have the five gold coins, but I do have these." You say and hold out Graham's rings to Warts.
Warts approaches cautiously and then takes one of the rings from your hand. He inspects it and then speaks.
"Grm. Okay, sure these will do. Stupid hobgoblin tribe around here always likes pretty jewelry even if it fakesy." He says and takes the other one from your hand.
"Fake?" you say in a completely surprised tone, though not completely put on since you didn't think someone like Warts would know.
"Yeah, fake... youz really didn't know?"
"No, I'm afraid I come from a small town and don't have a good eye for that sort of thing. The merchant passing through was very convincing when he was selling them. I bought them for a girl I liked, but alas, I was unlucky in love too, so I just kept them."
"Grm. Youz gotta have a better eye and pray to Yag more. Anywayz, come on let's get goin, don't wanna stand out here tooz long. Dis path is da one."
You start following Warts who leads the way.
"So... there are hobgoblins in this area?" you ask.
"Oh yeah, the Spider Fang tribe, but there don't really come around the way we're goin' so no need to worry about getting' eaten. Can't wait to get back to them though. With these rings, Snuffit will allow me at least ten ruts with 'er. Way better than getting' drunk... well sometimes better anyway." Warts remarks.
"Are you a member of the Spider Fangs?"
"Me? Nah... too much humie blood. Can't ever be part of tribe proper. Good thing mum good fighter and loves me, otherwise tribe probably would 'ave eaten me when I was born."
"Wait, your mom is a hobgoblin? Who was your father then?"
"Dunno, some humie bandit that attacked and tried to rut with her in the forest. Me mum said it was dark and he seemed pretty surprised when he realized she wasn't another human. Mentioned he tasted like cheap beer after she was done wit him, so I guess he liked to drink."
Since you have no words for that story, you just silently continue to follow.
Warts and you trudge along a dirt path for quite sometime until it disappears completely.
"Okay, from here, we go... dis way... no wait dis way... I think... " Warts says.
"You think? Don't you know?" you reply.
"Yeah, yeah, I just haven't used this way in a long time. Gotta pass a haunted cabin. Accidently passed out there once, ended up shitting my good pants, though not sure if that was just because of the ghost."
"Haunted cabin? Why the hell are we going near it then?"
"Cause it's the safest way. Even the bandit types don't like goin' near it and nobody from the Spider Fang tribe is brave enough either. Sides, it's really only haunted sometimes."
"Sometimes? But what if today is that day?"
"Well hope youz brought extra pants den. Really though, it's a lot safer. Da ghost really only messes with people that go in that cabin. I mean if you wanna risk it, we could go another way I know, but there's been a lotta bandits travelling back an through that area. Normally, I'd just go that way since I know all da best hidin' places and even if they did see me, I'd disappear again before they could even mount an attack. However you're probably not as stealthy as me, so you'd probably get yerself seen and gutted. Might even rut wit youz first, some of these bandits aren't picky."
"I'm actually no stranger to being stealthy myself when I have to be."
"Truly? Grm. Well it's up to you."
"I'd rather take my chances sneaking pass some bandits than possibly dealing with something I can't even hurt."
"Okay, hope yer as sneaky as you claim, cuz all bets are off if the bandits catch sight of ya. Dis way."
Once again Warts leads the way and you follow.
You trudge through the forest for quite sometime and eventually it gets dark, but you still haven't seen any signs of bandits or anyone else really. Warts doesn't seem to be concerned, but you're constantly alert, thinking behind every tree lies an ambush.
"Gettin' pitch black, gonna have to stop soon." Warts says.
"What? We're not walking through the night? In fact won't it be easier to slip by any potential hostiles in the dark?" you ask.
"You want to continue, be my guest, but I'm gonna get some sleep. I'm tired. Sides, looks like we got lucky. Guess the bandit crew that was wandering around this area moved on. Praise Yag."
"As you say." You reply, still looking around.
While you're half tempted to go on without Warts, you're still holding on to the slight hope that he actually knows where he's going, so you start looking for a tree to climb and sleep in.
"Hey, what youz doin? You think youz a squirrel or somethin'?" Warts asks.
"I'm not sleeping down here on the ground. What if something wanders by before I can properly react? I'll be in a tree so I can at least be somewhat out of immediate sight."
"Youz gonna fall out and break yo' neck too. All youz gotta do is cover yerself in dirt and leaves and shit. Hides youz just fine." Warts says and begins doing just that.
"Yeah well when you're already green and smell like the outdoors, I suppose it's a lot easier to camouflage yourself with little effort. I'll take my chances in a high tree."
Warts shakes his head unconvinced and continues to cover himself. You have to admit, if you didn't know he was there, you probably wouldn't notice him if you were just wandering by.
As for you, you climb to a sturdy and large enough branch that will support your weight and you can at least somewhat perch yourself on. You already know you aren't going to sleep deep tonight, but you figure that's sort of been the standard problem while out here.
"I'll be so damn glad to be out of the damn wilderness." You say to yourself.
You're up for quite awhile, but hear nothing except the usual sounds of various inse |
cts, owls and other nocturnal animals. Eventually sleep catches up with you and you close your eyes.
You aren't sure how long you're asleep, but you open your eyes when you start hearing voices nearby.
"I told ya, I heard something."
"Probably just another raccoon. I don't know why we gotta patrol over here anyway."
"Cause the boss said so that's why! You know there are savage greenskins that live in this forest. We're supposed to make sure none of them get too close to the main cam... I knew it. I knew I heard something! Snoring! And it's coming from over there!"
At this point you're awake enough to see everything that's going on below. You see two men who you guess are bandits.
Seems like Warts didn't take into account that his camouflage attempt would all be for naught due to his large honker making noise. It doesn't take long before they kick and prod at his hidden location, waking him up.
"Hah! A filthy greenskin! Probably a scout! Kill him!" one of the bandits shouts.
Warts just barely avoids their attacks and tries to scramble away from his prone position, but one of the bandits manages to trip him up before he can run and it isn't looking good as he gets kicked in the face by the other one.
Not that you have any loyalty to Warts and he's been pretty snarky towards you in general, but he's still your guide and if you don't want to get lost...
You waste no time and try to climb down your tree as fast as you can. Fortunately, the bandits are have decided to have a little fun before killing him directly. They proceed to continue kicking Warts and don't notice you at all.
> shoot the bandits
One thing you've learned since acquiring your new weapon is how easy it kills folks with minimal effort on your part.
You shoot one of the bandits in the back before anyone knows what's going on. He falls to the ground screaming out in pain. He isn't dead yet, but he might as well be.
The other bandit at this point has turned around and raised his arms though still holding on to his weapon.
"Shit. Okay... look this ain't got nothin' to do with you son. So why don't you put that thing away and... ARGH!"
Warts has wasted no time and already cut into back the bandit's legs. The bandit falls and you kick away his dropped weapon while Warts proceeds to crawl on the bandit's back and repeatedly stab the hell out of him.
Meanwhile you go over the other incapacitated bandit and finish him off by slitting his throat. By the time you've done that, Warts has already finished off the other one.
"Quick let's loot the bodies and get outta here. All that noise your shooty gun made might have attracted something else!" Warts exclaims.
The bandit you killed doesn't really have anything of value on him, though you do take his short sword since one can never have too many weapons. After that's done, Warts tells you to follow him and the pair of you are off again.
You keep up the brisk pace for the remainder of the night, which soon starts turning to day again. You also can now see a break in the trees. You've finally reached the end of this blasted forest and a large walled city is now in sight!
"See? Told ya I'd get ya to Holgard." Warts proudly remarks.
"You wouldn't have been getting me anywhere if I hadn't saved your life a few moments ago." You say.
"Bah... if youz let me die, you woulda been lost."
"Perhaps, but you would have been still dead."
"Grh. Well... maybe I do owe ya some thanks... I'm not given back these rings you paid me with though!"
"Didn't expect you to. Just wanted you to remember that I saved your ass."
"Okay, okay... anyway, the main road's over that way. I trust youz can make it from here."
"Yeah."
"Good. Oh, word of advice, don't go flashin' dat shooty around unless you're gonna use it. The guards don't take kindly to folks just carrying those things around."
"Can't I just bribe them to look the other way?"
"Sure, but unless you're someone of importance, or have connections or something, they'll probably just take it from youz anyway. 'Specially with as fancy as that one you got is. Never seen one like yers before. Youz not really a down on your luck traveller from a small town are you?"
"Well, I am from a small town, but I may have had a little more fortune than I let on when we first met. Not much more though."
"Grm, well lyin' will serve you well in Holgard. The city has a lotz o' opportunities, for someone like you."
"Someone like me?"
"Yeah, youz stealthy, youz a liar and I saw ya kill someone without hesitation. Youz no doubt a rogue, possibly even an assassin, but you seem a little young to have been one of those for very long. In any case, you'll be able to hone whatever skill you do have. Just don't piss off the Ebony Claw Syndicate in the process."
"Who are they?"
"They run the underworld of Holgard, though I think they're still trying to stamp out a few other lingering organizations. They don't much care for freelancer types either. I guess you could try to join them, but don't ask me how, I'm not familiar with their initiation practices."
"Any suggestions on where to go first when I get to the city?"
"Um, the Hell's Own Inn might be good for the likes of you. Despite its name, it's fairly safe. Sort of neutral ground too, so youz won't be stompin' around in someone's territory."
With that last bit of advice, Warts says he's heading off to see Snuffit and the two of you part company.
You follow the road to Holgard and of course when you get to the city gates you get stopped.
"Sorry friend, but we can't just let anyone in this fine city. Well not before checking you first." The guard says with a smirk.
"Sure, I understand... just let me... whoops." You say and drop a few of your gold coins on the ground. The guard slowly picks one up.
"Y'know, I think we can dispense with the check. You look like an okay lad. Off you go." He says and finishes picking up the rest of your coins.
You didn't really want to let go of your coin like that, but you couldn't risk being searched. You're just glad he wasn't a greedy asshole.
Well you've finally reached your destination and you now have an entire city of corruption to perform your work in. First thing you're going to do though is find that inn Warts mentioned. You'd really like to sleep in a proper bed if only for a little while, then you can take it from there.
It doesn't take you long to find the place; it isn't even in too bad of an area. When you enter a few people watch you, but don't say anything. The burly looking innkeeper just asks you what you want and when you say a room for a day, he asks for payment, which you hand to him in exchange for a key.
The room isn't the same luxury you had back home, but it isn't bad considering the price. Between this room and the recent bribe however, you realize you're going to have to start getting to work fairly soon because your money is already starting to run low.
You sort of wonder if maybe you should seek out some sort of connection to see about joining the Ebony Claws, but then you figure you should probably get to know the city first before joining anyone.
Not to mention that while you get the idea that this Ebony Claw Syndicate is the big swingin' dick around here, you're not really keen on the whole idea of having to "work" for someone else.
The whole point of being a rogue was so you didn't HAVE to get a real job and have a boss in the first place! If you get wrapped up in an organization like the Ebony Claws, you're also likely to be in it "for life" and that's a bit too much commitment for you.
No, the best thing to do is to keep a low profile and make your own way for now.
It's a big city and you're ready to take what you can. (And not draw any unwanted attention in the process)
> time passes...
Chapter 2D: Unwanted Attention
Year 17
This city is a violent crime ridden pit of corruption.
And while you don't actually mind all that, what you do wish is that you didn't have to concern yourself with potentially stumbling into Ebony Claw Syndicate territory, which according to most of them is basically the entire city. They're more of a danger than the Holgard Watch.
There's also the Thieves' Guild, which is the ECS chief rival from what you've learned. Apparently the Thieves Guild was established here first, but when the ECS moved in with their Blue Dream trade, they've been slowly winning the fight over the underworld
Originally, the Guild was more of a loose confederation of thieves and such. Nobody ever forced anyone to join, but there were benefits if you did such as not having to worry about paying extra for fencing stolen goods, ease of bribing guards for major crimes, etc.
As the Thieves' Guild has been losing ground however, they've been less "free spirited" and have been actively trying to recruit any freelance thief, burglar, pick pocket they can. However, they're more reasonable about it than the ECS since they still don't force you to join and will let you remain independent. As opposed to the ECs who normally just beat the hell out of any freelancers as a warning once and if they get caught again, it ends much worse.
There are a few other smaller factions, but they're so low that they're barely worth considering.
Fortunately so far you've managed to avoid the attention of any group mainly due to focusing on stealing actual coin and dealing primarily with a non-aligned fence by the name of Yinen for your stolen valuables. You met him at the Hell's Own Inn where you still reside at. Funny thing is you didn't seek him out; he came to you asking if you needed a fence.
After a bit of suspicion and getting over some trust issues (Which you still have concerning him) you agreed and he's been taking all your business. You aren't sure who he's selling your stolen goods to and he's probably taking a little more than he should, but it's worth it just so you don't have to worry about selling the stuff yourself or seeking one out and having to get involved with one of the major factions in the city.
In any case, you've been more or less making a decent living here and despite a healthy amount of paranoia, you actually like it here. It's definitely not Teckleville.
"Yeah, these will fetch you a nice price. Might take a few days though. You alright with waiting?" Yinen remarks examining your gems.
"Yeah, that's fine. Just get me the value in bullets and a pistol cleaning kit." You say.
"Oh. Okay, sure. But more bullets again? Are you planning to shoot everyone in Holgard? I didn't realize you used it so much, I would think such a loud weapon would incur too much noise in your profession."
"I don't use it much actually, but it makes me feel safe."
"Well, can't argue with that. Things in this city have been feeling a little more tense than usual. Rumors are that there are dark forces gathering to stage a coup on the Baron."
"Dark forces? What, as opposed to the dark forces under the Baron's control?"
"Nah, I mean like REAL dark forces. There's just rumors about religion being involved, it's very weird."
"What, you mean like Fel, the god of shadows? You told me their temple has ties to the ECS. You saying the Ebony Claw Syndicate is going to take over the city directly?"
"I dunno, but I don't think it's them we should worry about. Tell me, have you ever heard of Neroth?"
"Not really religious so no."
"Not surprised, most people don't unless they're really into the old text dedicated to Joachim. You familiar with him right?"
"Yeah, it's general a religion that preaches peace and shit."
"Well there was a time when it didn't and that's mainly due to Neroth. Neroth was like the opposite of Joachim. Good verses evil type shit. People forget that it was only a couple hundred years ago when the Church of Joachim was burning and crusading on a regular basis due to their desire to stomp out any followers of Neroth and things they generally tied to him such as the supernatural. Nowadays the Joachimites are generally peace loving pacifists for the most part, but that's only due being mostly successful in destroying those that follow Neroth and then subsequently going so overboard that some of the Joachimites finally realized they needed to rein it in before they became like their hated enemies."
"Hm, didn't realize you were a theologian. How do you know all this?" you ask.
"Eh, I grew up in a Joachim household. Didn't take obviously, but still I don't like hearing rumors of Neroth worshippers being in the city. I mean say what you want about Karn or even Fel, but they aren't actively evil deities. Neroth is bad news man."
Before you can respond you're suddenly interrupted by a familiar voice.
"Bah, none of doze gods compare to Yag. No point worrying about shit, when you've run outta luck, yer time iz up and that's all there iz to it."
You look and see Warts standing nearby clutching something in his hand. Looks like a bunch of small figurines of some sort.
"Warts? What're you doing here?" you ask.
"Sellin these figures. Found 'em in da woods with a bunch of broken boxes. Probably somethin off a Caravan that bandits were tryin to steal from. Dunno why dey didn't take these. Tried to use dem for barter with Spiderfangs, but dey dumb. Think these things iz cursed. Superstitious idjits." Warts remarks and hands five figurines to Yinen who takes them.
"Hmm, odd. They look like something that you'd find in some tribal village. I'd say Sotakian, but these don't look reptilian enough and I've never known the lizards to have craft stuff out of valuable material. You got Ivory, jade, gold, silver and platinum here. Wonder if they're a complete set. Well I'm sure I'll find someone interested."
Yinen hands Warts a bag of coins, which Warts takes and then looks displeased about.
"Ey! Wat's dis then? I may be just some dumb halfbreed hobgob, but I know damn well that shit is worth more!" Warts exclaims.
"I gave you MORE than enough Warts. I still have find someone interested in this shit as you put it." Yinen remarks.
"Bah, you humies always tryin' ta cheat. Fine. Should be enuff for drink and Snuffit for awhile anyways."
You take your leave to head up to your room, you figure you'll stay in a couple days waiting for Yinen's payment. You've got enough to take a break for a while.
As you're half way to your room, you hear the patter of feet running behind you and you quickly turn around with your pistol.
"EY! Don't shoot!" Warts says.
"Warts, what the hell, you should know better than to run up on me like that! Why are you following me anyway?"
"I wanted ta catch ya before I left. I noze I still owez youz a debt, well I'm here ta repay."
"Oh?"
"Yeah, I wuz thinkin' I could help ya on a job or sumthin."
"Help? No I don't think so. I work alone."
"An howzat workin' out? Doesn't look like yer doin' all that well if yer still livin' here. If I had ta guess, youz still small time."
"I do alright halfbreed, and what's it to you anyway?"
"I'm just sayin' you could be doin' better if you went fer better targets. Have you even broken into one of dem nobles' homes yet?"
"Well, no... but I'm working up to it."
"Pfft. Wat kinda thief are ya?"
"Look, I've cased the high class rich area several times and the homes got security up the ass. The aristocrats got more watchmen on their payroll than the average merchant. I know I'm no slouch, but if I can get enough coin with lower risk targets, why take the fucking chance? Besides, I'm trying to keep a low profile anyway."
"Well what about Lord Reginald?"
"Who?"
"Sheesh, youz been in dis city for a year and you don't even know the major players! Lord Reginald is some well off guy dat got a title becuz he's dah Baron's son's friend. Hear he's more than dat though."
"Yeah so what's this all got to do with me?"
"Well he lives more on the edge of da high end district. He doesn't even own a mansion, just a modest house. He has no family an' he also doesn't pay for any extra guards. Not even mercs, which prolly means he's got more coin than it appears"
"There has to be a catch. I mean if he's well off and a special friend of the Baron's son, then he's gotta have connections and protection."
"Well, dere's some rumors about him and not just about him pokin' the Baron's son like a woman. Like he's got magic powers or sumthin'. Guess makes sense he don't need extra help."
"So you're saying we should got rob a wizard."
"Nah, he's no wizard, he's just got some magic powers. Prolly just rumors anyway. Sides, should be easiest stealin' from one lone man, than one who has a shitload of guards right?"
"A lone man, who might be able to turn me into ash with a flick of a finger and has who knows whatever else in his home. Assuming I even go for this, why do I need you to come along again? I didn't realize you were actually a thief, figured you were more of an opportunistic scavenger."
"Pfft, I've been sneakin' around, nicking stuff long before youz was even thought about! You try growin up as a half breed in a mostly hostile tribe. I had ta steal to survive sometimes! Sides I could carry more stuff for ya! Also, if ya getz inta trouble I could help. Like last time!"
"Last time I helped YOU."
"Yeah, well I'm offerin' anyway. I don't even want dat big of a cut... "
And THERE it is. Warts definitely isn't doing this solely for altruistic reasons.
"Thought you said you were helping me out?"
"I am! You don't expect me to do it fer free do ya? Come on, give a hob halfbreed a break. The place is ripe fer the pluckin' an best of all ya don't have ta worry if its Ebony Claw territory."
You shake your head that you're considering this.
"Okay, okay, we can go do this, but I'm getting some rest first, just tell me where the place is exactly and I'll meet you there later. When is the best time to break into this place anyway?"
Warts gives you some directions and then says it probably would be best to meet him there around midnight since he says he's seen this Reginald person leave at night and stay out until dawn. Sounds more like something you do, but if he's not going to be there then that's when you need to be there.
You part ways with Warts and get some sleep.
Hours pass and when you wake up you find that it's night time, still too early though. You stay your room a bit going over all your tools and equipment and making sure everything is in order. Eventually you decide that you're going to be as ready as you're going to be and leave.
You head downstairs and find that the inn has the usual crowd with one important difference.
You see Warts lying under a table with a couple of big mugs of alcohol on it. Surprisingly, the owner has not thrown him out; unsurprisingly everyone is avoiding that table.
You walk over to the halfbreed and kick him in the foot, which causes him to stir, so he's not completely out of it.
"Warts! What the hell are you doing here?" you ask.
"Huh? I... uh... buh... I waz just... " Warts slurs as he sits up and just manages to not hit his head on the table.
"You were just what? What were you doing Warts? Fixing the table leg? Counting the number of nails in the wood? Having an out of body experience and travelling a different plane of existence? You talked me into doing this job and now I find you in no condition to do anything."
"Ey! I'm up! I'm up! I ain't forgot wat we're supposed ta do, an' I'm more than ready! I'm not drunk, I just had a little rest like you did."
You have your doubts about that, though Warts stands up without too much trouble.
> take Warts with you
You might as well go together at this point, you knew he wasn't going to be the ideal partner to begin with. Who knows, maybe you can use him as bait or something.
"Alright, come on let's go." You say.
"Hold on a minute." Warts says and finishes off one of the mugs that wasn't quite empty yet.
"Seriously?"
"Hey, I'm thirsty. Alright NOW let's go."
Warts and you leave the inn and after looking around a bit and scratching his head he beckons you to follow him. He walking just fine, so maybe he isn't that bad off.
You continue to follow without another word, until he gets to a secluded spot with a sewer covering.
"What the hell are you doing? You ask.
"Tryin' to take dis thing off, wat's it look like ya idjit? Help me over here." Warts says trying to take off the sewer lid.
"No, I mean why the fuck are we entering the sewers?"
"Cuz, it's the best way to get into Reginald's house. He's got a secret passage to it down here."
"How the hell you know this?"
"Cuz people talk shit all the time and not even realize ol' Warts is even there to lissen. Waz in a garbage bin and heard these two weird guys in red robes talkin about it in an alley awhile back."
"... okay I'm not even going to ask why the hell you were in a garbage bin, but weird guys in red robes, secret passages... are you sure Reginald isn't part of some fucking cult? I mean this is starting to sound a lot more complicated and dangerous."
"Well, why ya think I wanted someone else to come along?"
"YOU said this was for MY benefit!"
"Oh yeah... well it is! Look humie, ya gotta take big risks in dis profession. I don't doubt yer skilled. You'v |
e lasted longer than most independently in dis city. But I'm tellin ya, there's more out there that yer missin. I mean, sure it's foolish ta go head to head against da ECS, but robbin some rich asshole that may or may not be a wizard? Well dat's different."
"I really don't see how since both can get you killed. However, I do see your point to a small degree. I have been playing it a bit on the safe side. Still, if this is looking to be more trouble than it's worth then I'm getting the hell out as quick as possible."
"Sounds like a plan ta me."
You help Warts with the sewer covering and the pair of you descend into the smelly depths.
It actually isn't too bad, but that might be because you're standing next to Warts and his own stench is cancelling out that of the sewers.
Warts gets slightly more talkative as you walk to your destination. He mentions that the Thieves Guild has their hideout somewhere down here, but he doesn't know where. Neither does the ECS, since they'd probably mount an attack if they could.
Warts also goes on about how he's not fond of the ECS since a lot of them tend to have ties to Fel while he's dedicated to Yag. Says that worshipping Fel if you're a thief is like cheating since he's the god of shadows and all. Though he's not so much opposed to that, so much as he doesn't like all the dedication Fel seems to want. Yag on the other hand doesn't really require anything and he not might bless you anyway, but then he might give you a lot even if you don't do much. Warts claims that ALL the gods are like that, so he might as well pray to one that is at least honest about it all.
"Why worship any god at all?" you ask.
"Wat? You crazy or sumthin? You don't pick a god, youz gonna be in trouble when ya die! Even pickin' some stupid god like Karn would be better than nuthin! You don't believe in anything an' who knows WHERE yer soul goes! Nah, better to pick somethin' just in case."
It's a little surprising just how serious Warts takes religion, well as serious as a follower to the God of Luck and Chance can be anyway.
(It also occurs to you how it's weird how everyone's been getting religious on you lately)
"Eh, I guess I can sort of see that logic. I'm not really religious, but occasionally I have said the odd thanks to Yag." You say.
"That's all ya need man. He's lissening, even if he doesn't do anything." Warts says.
You and Warts continue a little longer and then he stops.
"Okay, think wez gettin' close. Should be a secret wall around here from what I heard." Warts says and begins pushing on the wall nearby.
"This seems a bit unprotected." You say looking around for potential traps.
"It's a secret door, maybe he didn't anticipate anyone finding it."
"You said the Thieves Guild is down here, surely they would have found it if this is their territory."
"It's a big ass sewer and they're the Thieves Guild not the Holgard Watch. Dey don't exactly patrol da place. They're all most likely up top breaking into shit. Besides, I told ya, they ain't the ECS. They aren't very territorial anyway. Dat's why we can walk around here without as much concern... well except for giant rats and such."
Just as you're about to ask Warts another question about the Thieves' Guild, Warts finds what you're looking for and when he does so a large bolt just whizzes over his head and into the wall behind him.
"Man, good thing Yag lissened to me." Warts says.
"Good thing you're short and constantly walk around slightly hunched over most of the time. Oddly, this makes me feel slightly better. If there weren't any traps at all I'd be even more paranoid about how easy this was. So far it seems like this guy just has shitty security, but then we haven't actually gone inside yet." You respond.
You and Warts both enter the passage and soon find yourself in a cellar with a bunch of wine barrels. Tons of them. Warts looks like he's hit a gold mine and immediately starts grabbing wine bottles.
"Hey, leave some room for actual valuable, you're supposed to be carrying shit for me, remember?"
"I am grabbing valuables! You realize how much old bottles of wine go fer?"
"Okay, point taken, just don't drink them all."
While Warts plays wine expert, you take a look around the room and find that there are stairs leading up and a solid metal door to your left, which is locked.
Since you don't want to go too far from Warts while he's alone with a bunch of wine, you stay in the cellar and pick the lock of the metal door, which is surprisingly easy.
You enter the dimly lit room and find what could only be a room dedicated to dark magical endeavors of some sort. There's two demonic looking idols starring at you and the pentagrams and symbols on the floor aren't any you recognize. There's also blood splatters on them.
From what little you now know of this Reginald, this guy is into some dark shit. Everything about this makes you want to just get the hell out right now, but you're already here now and you'd hate to just leave with wine bottles.
You walk carefully around the room making sure you don't step on any symbols or inside any circles just in case. You also keep an eye on the demonic idols, which still feel like they're watching you.
There isn't much else in the room itself, though there is another door off to the side, this one isn't locked and you open it.
However, you soon wish you hadn't.
You see a row of cages and various torture devices along with dead bodies in most of them.
"Fucking hell, I came here to rob some shit, not take a tour of a slaughterhouse." You say to yourself.
Just as you're about to shut the door a voice calls out.
"Stranger! You're not one of them! Not one those red robed freaks! (sob) Please! Help me! I can't die here, not like this! I watched my... (choke) just please... help. Who knows when they'll be back!" a nearly naked young girl in a cage begs. She reaches out to you desperately hoping that you'll rescue her.
You definitely didn't sign up for this... however given what you've seen here, you'd be quite the heartless dick if you just left her here to this horrible fate.
"Curse my parents for some of their morality getting through... " you say and head over to the cage.
The lock isn't that difficult to pick and you soon get it open causing the girl to not even wait around, she just runs past you, out the torture room and beyond. You suppose you can understand her not wanting to stick around, but a thank you would have been nice.
So much for good deeds.
Seeing as there isn't anything else in here, you return to the wine room where you unsurprisingly see Warts drinking.
"Hey, some humie gal just ran through here an into da sewers wearin' practically nuthin'." Warts says.
"Yeah and I'm glad to see that didn't interrupt your important work. Thought you were supposed to be helping." You say.
"Wat's yer problem? I am helpin'! Sides dese valuable bottles, I found out one of the barrels had a hollowish sound. Smashed it open and there was a body inside, idiots didn't bother looting it and he had some good stuff still on him." Warts answers and takes another swig from a bottle.
"Warts, you're telling me you found a body in one of these barrels and you're STILL drinking the fucking wine?"
Warts suddenly stops drinking. He ponders your words a bit and then sniffs the top of the bottle. Then he promptly gives a little shrug.
"Still tastes alright ta me." Warts says
"Of course it does. Look, we're getting the hell out of here. This place has been a big fat zero." You say.
"What about all these valuable bottles of wine? An' ya haven't even checked da upstairs yet!"
"Yeah well I've checked enough of the basement to know that most likely there isn't going to be anything that precious up there that's going to make me want to stay another moment in this fucking house. There's some dark magic going on here and I'm not sticking around for it rub off on me."
"Just say a prayer ta Yag, you'll be fine."
"And as you like to point out, he might not listen."
"Fine, we can leave if you really wants, but I'm just sayin' we haven't gone through the entire house yet."
Funny how Warts is content on letting you do all the exploration. He could have easily been searching the upstairs while you were stumbling upon sacrificial captives.
> leave now
Warts can stay and get drunk here if he wants, but you're not sticking around. You're also not leaving without something for your trouble, you take Wart's pack on a table stuffed with bottles and leave.
"Ey! Dat's my shit!" Warts shouts and immediately begins to follow you.
You make your way back through the sewers as quick as you can, while Warts is complaining.
"Look, I knows ya didn't wanna stick around, but some of dose bottles is my cut!" Warts says.
"As far as I'm concerned, you drank more than your cut back at the house! Besides, you told me you looted some body you found in one of the barrels, I'd say you came out ahead." You respond.
"Alright, alright, but can ya at least gimme my pack back?!"
"I'll give it back to you when we get to safety, staying around here is just not a good idea... shit!"
You suddenly hear the sounds of multiple footsteps heading your direction and you immediately find an alcove to hide in and pull out your pistol. Warts of course crowds your hiding spot, you just hope the smell of the sewers masks his own odor from whoever is approaching.
And it's not just one either, it's a whole group of them.
"Reginald said we need to get another sacrifice for the next ritual to Neroth. You know Reginald is very particular about these things." A red robed individual says passing by.
"Then Reginald can stop buttfucking the baron's son for one second and start doing his own dirty work. I know he likes to think he's some sort of high priest of Neroth and all, but he's a fucking dabbling ponce. Him and his noble boyfriend have no real idea of how this shit works." Another one says.
"Say that to his face."
"Don't worry I will when the time comes. The only reason why I'm following this fool, is because he's got connections. When this city is in our grasp, then all bets are off, and you, ALL of you had best know what side you stand on. A true believer in the ways of Neroth or a fucking pretender. Neroth isn't about sacrifices and decadent orgies. It's about fucking chaos. It's about bringing ruin to civilization. To spit in the eye of all things dedicated to order and good, even to the smallest degree. The Baron's son is free to take over this city if he wants, but I guarantee the only thing he's going to be ruling over is a smoldering pile of rubble. I suggest you ALL remember that."
The group of red robed folks don't say much to their more passionate comrade, but a couple give some quieter acknowledgements of agreement. Meanwhile you're still hiding in the darkness wondering if you'll get lucky and get a kill with every bullet before they take you down. Fortunately they move on past you without seeing you.
After waiting a bit, you leave your hiding spot and make your way back even quicker than before. Even Warts isn't complaining anymore and is focused on escape.
You don't stop to rest until you get back up top.
"Shit... thank Yag we got outta there when we did." Warts says catching his breath.
"Thank ME, that we got out when we did. I can only imagine the shit we would have been in had we still been in the house when they got back to it."
"Yeah, suppose that was good thinkin' on yer part. Guess you do deserve most of the loot."
"I was taking it anyway, such as it is. Damn, guess Yinen was right about Neroth cultists though. Just one more fucked up thing in this city. Probably best if I don't tell him where I got these bottles of wine."
You transfer the bottles out of Wart's pack and into your own and after a few exchanged words, you and he parts ways. You can't say this was the best night out, though you'd be lying if a small part of you didn't get a minor thrill out of it all. You might have even enjoyed all this, if you made out with more stuff.
You return to Hell's Own and take the rest of the night off. Hopefully you can get a good price for the wine otherwise it really will have been all pretty pointless.
The next morning as soon as you make your way down stairs to go see Yinen, you're approached by two figures.
One of them is very non-descript and oldish looking man, probably not a bad quality to have for blending in with the crowd during a quick getaway actually. The other you can't tell due to the hood, but judging from the smaller body type with more curves, and long white hair peeking out from the hood they're probably female.
"Hi, friend." The older one says.
"Okay, I already know anyone who starts calling me friend as a greeting is probably the exact opposite." You say.
"My, you're a suspicious one. Though understandable and smart. However, if you give the pair of us time, you will soon see there is no need for animosity."
"Don't see why I should give you time at all."
"Well maybe it's because you've been operating on our turf for quite some time now."
Your hearts sinks when you hear this and then you instinctively start to go for your weapon. However the older man backs off and raises his hands.
"Relax. That wasn't a threat. That was just to get your attention. We're not the Ebony Claw if that's what you're worried about." He says.
"Thieves Guild. Thought you guys didn't have turf." You say not really relaxing too much.
"Officially we don't, but ever since the ECS, well it helps to label things. At least until they're gone anyway. In any case my name is Garrick and your recent exploits, along with your ongoing ones have caught our attention, so if you don't mind, can we sit down to speak?"
You didn't plan on this, but it would probably be better if you didn't cause a scene, so you, Garrick and his quiet friend all sit at table.
"So, this is Thieves Guild territory now? I always thought this place was supposed to be neutral." You say.
"It is for the most part it is, though officially it's ours. Really it just gets spread around that this is neutral territory to keep the new non-aligned thieves feeling safe. You're not exactly the only new one that's come through here thinking they don't have to join a side if they want to continue to ply their trade. You've just lasted longer and shown more skill than most."
"Wait a minute, is Warts part of the Thieves Guild?"
"Heh, Warts is more of a outside ally. He's actually spoken highly of you. As has Yinen. That's why I've come to see you for myself."
Well this just goes to show how wet behind the ears you still are that you never thought that you'd been in a Thieves Guild haven the whole time. Even Warts managed to fool you. Though it does explain a few things. Maybe this whole thing was a test.
"So are you the leader of the Thieves Guild?"
"I'm more of its... yes, well I guess leader would be the term, but honestly I hate it. You're probably thinking I'm here to press gang you into joining, but I'm not. In fact there was a time when this place was filled with freelance thieves. The city is a big thriving place after all, plenty of loot to go around. Our Guild is more of a club of sorts rather than some sinister octopus organization. People join because they want to, well that and the fact that we do tend to pull off the more lucrative jobs and get better deals on selling stolen merchandise. You have to do a job for the good of the Guild every now and then, but even then you still get a cut of the money. But I'm sure to some extent, you're aware of some of this."
"Yeah, I am, but this still feels like recruitment."
"Times are harder since the Ebony Claw moved in, and I won't lie, there is a war going on. And there is also strength and protection in numbers.
"So which do you think is more necessary? Your protection or my strength?"
"Why not both? Look I can see you're in a bit of a hurry to sell off your loot, so how about this token of good will, I'll give you five platinum pieces what you got in your bag."
"Five plat?"
Garrick dumps the coins in front of you, which you immediately inspect. They're real and a lot more than what you were expecting to get for your trouble. Garrick's friend turns her head a bit towards him, but doesn't say anything. You get the impression she doesn't approve.
Meanwhile, you waste no time in handing over the bottles to Garrick.
"So, you're really not here to force me to join you? This isn't a trick?" you ask.
"If it was, do you think we'd tell you? However, if you think you can handle the Syndicate all by yourself good luck. I'm sure if you haven't caught their attention by now, you soon will. The ECS is fairly efficient that way. In any case, we're reaching a hand out to you because we think you'd be an asset to the Guild. If you don't like it, you can always leave the city entirely. That's already better than the Claw. Once you join them, it's for life." Garrick remarks.
"Wasn't planning on joining them either."
"Glad to hear it, but will you at least think about our offer? If you change your mind, just let Yinen know. In any case, pleasure meeting you and doing business. Hope we can do it again on a regular basis."
And with those last words, Garrick and his associate get up and make their exit, leaving you to ponder your next decision. Which of course is to go spend your new wealth.
You spend the next few days not doing much of anything other than buying some things you need and spending a little extra on better quality food than you normally do.
You also visit one of the better brothels in the city and as it turns out when you enter you're met with a lot of positivity by the madam and some of the other ladies. At first you figure they're just being nice to get more money out of you, but as it turns out the girl you set free back in Reginald's house was a worker here. (She's thoughtfully been given a couple days off so she can get her head back in the game again)
As a result of your actions, you get a discount, which you take full advantage of. You leave the brothel feeling like robbing that cultist's house wasn't a bad thing after all. You even entertain the idea that Yag has blessed you a bit.
Then not five minutes later after leaving the brothel you're attacked on the street by three thugs catching you slipping.
A crushing blow to your head is felt, though fortunately not enough to knock you out completely, just enough to cause you to fall to the ground.
"This the one Mantis mentioned. Quick, let's finish him off." One says.
"You idiot, we were supposed to drag him someplace quiet and not draw a fucking crowd in front of us." The second remarks.
"What difference does it make? Not like any of the people around are going to stop us anyway." The third adds.
"The difference is we're supposed to be at least somewhat discreet."
"Fuck that. This sends a message to everyone not to fuck with us!"
"Okay then how about this? The Holgard Watch might look the other way every now and then, but they'll stop doing that if we're blatantly murdering people in the streets. Only they get to do that. You want to answer to Mantis when he's bitching about one of our Blue Dream houses getting raided suddenly?"
"Eh, fine. Better disarm this... ARGH!" one of the thugs shouts as you jam your dagger into his leg up to the hilt.
You scramble away and manage to get back up, but one of the thugs is already upon you. The whole time slack jawed gawkers either just watch in silence or they run off not wishing to be caught up in this.
You feel a punch to the face sending to back to the ground, but fortunately away from the pair of them. The two thugs ignore their companion still screaming with a dagger in his leg and advance on you again.
You aren't completely drained of energy, and you probably could try to run, they were arguing about not killing you in the street and given all the commotion going on, they may abandon their task if you prove to be too much trouble right now.
Of course you don't have a pistol for nothing.
> run
If you start killing people in the middle of the street in front of everyone, you're just going to bring unwanted heat on you by the Holgard Watch and unlike the Syndicate you don't have the luxury of having them in your pocket to look the other way. You pick yourself up and begin running again.
"Shit, is this asshole really going to make me run? Fuck this." one of them says.
In a perfect world, this would be followed by them ceasing their harassment of you. In your world however, it means one of the thugs threw a dagger into your back.
You drop instantly.
"Quick, get him now!"
Groaning in pain, you fumble to grab your pistol. You manage to turn over and get off a shot, dropping one of your assailants, but the other quickly wrestles the weapon from you and begins beating you in the face with it. Your attempts to struggle soon come to an end as he begins destroying your nose along with the rest of your face with it.
The Ebony Claw Syndicate certainly sent a reminder to all onlookers that they are the not to be opposed. |
Warts can stay and get drunk here if he wants, but you're not sticking around. You're also not leaving without something for your trouble, you take Wart's pack on a table stuffed with bottles and leave.
"Ey! Dat's my shit!" Warts shouts and immediately begins to follow you.
You make your way back through the sewers as quick as you can, while Warts is complaining.
"Look, I knows ya didn't wanna stick around, but some of dose bottles is my cut!" Warts says.
"As far as I'm concerned, you drank more than your cut back at the house! Besides, you told me you looted some body you found in one of the barrels, I'd say you came out ahead." You respond.
"Alright, alright, but can ya at least gimme my pack back?!"
"I'll give it back to you when we get to safety, staying around here is just not a good idea... shit!"
You suddenly hear the sounds of multiple footsteps heading your direction and you immediately find an alcove to hide in and pull out your pistol. Warts of course crowds your hiding spot, you just hope the smell of the sewers masks his own odor from whoever is approaching.
And it's not just one either, it's a whole group of them.
"Reginald said we need to get another sacrifice for the next ritual to Neroth. You know Reginald is very particular about these things." A red robed individual says passing by.
"Then Reginald can stop buttfucking the baron's son for one second and start doing his own dirty work. I know he likes to think he's some sort of high priest of Neroth and all, but he's a fucking dabbling ponce. Him and his noble boyfriend have no real idea of how this shit works." Another one says.
"Say that to his face."
"Don't worry I will when the time comes. The only reason why I'm following this fool, is because he's got connections. When this city is in our grasp, then all bets are off, and you, ALL of you had best know what side you stand on. A true believer in the ways of Neroth or a fucking pretender. Neroth isn't about sacrifices and decadent orgies. It's about fucking chaos. It's about bringing ruin to civilization. To spit in the eye of all things dedicated to order and good, even to the smallest degree. The Baron's son is free to take over this city if he wants, but I guarantee the only thing he's going to be ruling over is a smoldering pile of rubble. I suggest you ALL remember that."
The group of red robed folks don't say much to their more passionate comrade, but a couple give some quieter acknowledgements of agreement. Meanwhile you're still hiding in the darkness wondering if you'll get lucky and get a kill with every bullet before they take you down. Fortunately they move on past you without seeing you.
After waiting a bit, you leave your hiding spot and make your way back even quicker than before. Even Warts isn't complaining anymore and is focused on escape.
You don't stop to rest until you get back up top.
"Shit... thank Yag we got outta there when we did." Warts says catching his breath.
"Thank ME, that we got out when we did. I can only imagine the shit we would have been in had we still been in the house when they got back to it."
"Yeah, suppose that was good thinkin' on yer part. Guess you do deserve most of the loot."
"I was taking it anyway, such as it is. Damn, guess Yinen was right about Neroth cultists though. Just one more fucked up thing in this city. Probably best if I don't tell him where I got these bottles of wine."
You transfer the bottles out of Wart's pack and into your own and after a few exchanged words, you and he parts ways. You can't say this was the best night out, though you'd be lying if a small part of you didn't get a minor thrill out of it all. You might have even enjoyed all this, if you made out with more stuff.
You return to Hell's Own and take the rest of the night off. Hopefully you can get a good price for the wine otherwise it really will have been all pretty pointless.
The next morning as soon as you make your way down stairs to go see Yinen, you're approached by two figures.
One of them is very non-descript and oldish looking man, probably not a bad quality to have for blending in with the crowd during a quick getaway actually. The other you can't tell due to the hood, but judging from the smaller body type with more curves, and long white hair peeking out from the hood they're probably female.
"Hi, friend." The older one says.
"Okay, I already know anyone who starts calling me friend as a greeting is probably the exact opposite." You say.
"My, you're a suspicious one. Though understandable and smart. However, if you give the pair of us time, you will soon see there is no need for animosity."
"Don't see why I should give you time at all."
"Well maybe it's because you've been operating on our turf for quite some time now."
Your hearts sinks when you hear this and then you instinctively start to go for your weapon. However the older man backs off and raises his hands.
"Relax. That wasn't a threat. That was just to get your attention. We're not the Ebony Claw if that's what you're worried about." He says.
"Thieves Guild. Thought you guys didn't have turf." You say not really relaxing too much.
"Officially we don't, but ever since the ECS, well it helps to label things. At least until they're gone anyway. In any case my name is Garrick and your recent exploits, along with your ongoing ones have caught our attention, so if you don't mind, can we sit down to speak?"
You didn't plan on this, but it would probably be better if you didn't cause a scene, so you, Garrick and his quiet friend all sit at table.
"So, this is Thieves Guild territory now? I always thought this place was supposed to be neutral." You say.
"It is for the most part it is, though officially it's ours. Really it just gets spread around that this is neutral territory to keep the new non-aligned thieves feeling safe. You're not exactly the only new one that's come through here thinking they don't have to join a side if they want to continue to ply their trade. You've just lasted longer and shown more skill than most."
"Wait a minute, is Warts part of the Thieves Guild?"
"Heh, Warts is more of a outside ally. He's actually spoken highly of you. As has Yinen. That's why I've come to see you for myself."
Well this just goes to show how wet behind the ears you still are that you never thought that you'd been in a Thieves Guild haven the whole time. Even Warts managed to fool you. Though it does explain a few things. Maybe this whole thing was a test.
"So are you the leader of the Thieves Guild?"
"I'm more of its... yes, well I guess leader would be the term, but honestly I hate it. You're probably thinking I'm here to press gang you into joining, but I'm not. In fact there was a time when this place was filled with freelance thieves. The city is a big thriving place after all, plenty of loot to go around. Our Guild is more of a club of sorts rather than some sinister octopus organization. People join because they want to, well that and the fact that we do tend to pull off the more lucrative jobs and get better deals on selling stolen merchandise. You have to do a job for the good of the Guild every now and then, but even then you still get a cut of the money. But I'm sure to some extent, you're aware of some of this."
"Yeah, I am, but this still feels like recruitment."
"Times are harder since the Ebony Claw moved in, and I won't lie, there is a war going on. And there is also strength and protection in numbers.
"So which do you think is more necessary? Your protection or my strength?"
"Why not both? Look I can see you're in a bit of a hurry to sell off your loot, so how about this token of good will, I'll give you five platinum pieces what you got in your bag."
"Five plat?"
Garrick dumps the coins in front of you, which you immediately inspect. They're real and a lot more than what you were expecting to get for your trouble. Garrick's friend turns her head a bit towards him, but doesn't say anything. You get the impression she doesn't approve.
Meanwhile, you waste no time in handing over the bottles to Garrick.
"So, you're really not here to force me to join you? This isn't a trick?" you ask.
"If it was, do you think we'd tell you? However, if you think you can handle the Syndicate all by yourself good luck. I'm sure if you haven't caught their attention by now, you soon will. The ECS is fairly efficient that way. In any case, we're reaching a hand out to you because we think you'd be an asset to the Guild. If you don't like it, you can always leave the city entirely. That's already better than the Claw. Once you join them, it's for life." Garrick remarks.
"Wasn't planning on joining them either."
"Glad to hear it, but will you at least think about our offer? If you change your mind, just let Yinen know. In any case, pleasure meeting you and doing business. Hope we can do it again on a regular basis."
And with those last words, Garrick and his associate get up and make their exit, leaving you to ponder your next decision. Which of course is to go spend your new wealth.
You spend the next few days not doing much of anything other than buying some things you need and spending a little extra on better quality food than you normally do.
You also visit one of the better brothels in the city and as it turns out when you enter you're met with a lot of positivity by the madam and some of the other ladies. At first you figure they're just being nice to get more money out of you, but as it turns out the girl you set free back in Reginald's house was a worker here. (She's thoughtfully been given a couple days off so she can get her head back in the game again)
As a result of your actions, you get a discount, which you take full advantage of. You leave the brothel feeling like robbing that cultist's house wasn't a bad thing after all. You even entertain the idea that Yag has blessed you a bit.
Then not five minutes later after leaving the brothel you're attacked on the street by three thugs catching you slipping.
A crushing blow to your head is felt, though fortunately not enough to knock you out completely, just enough to cause you to fall to the ground.
"This the one Mantis mentioned. Quick, let's finish him off." One says.
"You idiot, we were supposed to drag him someplace quiet and not draw a fucking crowd in front of us." The second remarks.
"What difference does it make? Not like any of the people around are going to stop us anyway." The third adds.
"The difference is we're supposed to be at least somewhat discreet."
"Fuck that. This sends a message to everyone not to fuck with us!"
"Okay then how about this? The Holgard Watch might look the other way every now and then, but they'll stop doing that if we're blatantly murdering people in the streets. Only they get to do that. You want to answer to Mantis when he's bitching about one of our Blue Dream houses getting raided suddenly?"
"Eh, fine. Better disarm this... ARGH!" one of the thugs shouts as you jam your dagger into his leg up to the hilt.
You scramble away and manage to get back up, but one of the thugs is already upon you. The whole time slack jawed gawkers either just watch in silence or they run off not wishing to be caught up in this.
You feel a punch to the face sending to back to the ground, but fortunately away from the pair of them. The two thugs ignore their companion still screaming with a dagger in his leg and advance on you again.
You aren't completely drained of energy, and you probably could try to run, they were arguing about not killing you in the street and given all the commotion going on, they may abandon their task if you prove to be too much trouble right now.
Of course you don't have a pistol for nothing.
> shoot
These people are already trying to kill you in broad daylight in front of people, all bets are fucking off.
You sit up and pull out your pistol which causes the closest thug's eyes to widen.
"Shi... " is all he utters before you blast him in the chest.
As he falls, his comrade has already turned and ran, but you fire off another shot as soon as you stand back up and land a hit to the back of his skull.
The one you hit in the chest lies bleeding, clutching his blood soaked shirt and still convulsing. He's dying, but you're not waiting that long and shoot him in the head.
You pass by the other one you shot in the back of the head and towards the one still screaming about his leg. Except now, he's not crying about his leg now so much as he's begging for mercy.
"Wait! Stop! If you kill me, the Ebony Claw Syndicate will continue to hound you! Let me live and I can... " he says before you interrupt.
"Fuck you. You're nobody important and I'd wager the ECS would look MORE favorable on me by culling their ranks of pieces of shit that can't even do their job right." You say, and then shoot him twice in the head.
With your last assailant dead, you grab your dagger out of his leg and get the hell out of the area since you've become more aware of your surroundings which are people screaming, yelling and generally running away. While this place might be a crime cesspit, the fact that you openly killed three Ebony Claw members in front of everyone (Which is something at least one of them was trying to avoid doing to you) you probably look crazier than the usual type of criminal around here, especially since you aren't even in the worst part of the city.
Besides all that, you don't exactly have any protection from the Holgard Watch so they aren't likely to just look away in your case.
You take several side streets and even backtrack a few times, before you eventually just go down one of the sewer openings in the hopes of hiding for a while.
You actually wander down there for a while since it isn't like you're an expert in navigating your way around in the sewers. You run into a few bums, some really destitute Blue Dream junkies, and some oversized fauna, but nobody of any major importance.
Eventually you get to a part of the sewer that seems familiar from the last time you were here and you make your way back up.
When you exit, you find that you're not too far from Hell's Own Inn, so you get back there as soon as possible since you think you need to reconsider an option you were given earlier.
You head straight to Yinen who assumes you're to meet him for business as usual.
"Hey, I got those bullets and that cleaning kit you wanted." Sinin says.
"Yeah, that's great, I might be needing that soon, look I gotta talk to you. Garrick approached me a couple days ago." You say.
"Yeah I know, I told him that I didn't think you'd be interested in joining... wait I hope you're not mad at me for not telling you about having connections to the Guild. I assumed you probably knew somewhere in the back of your mind and I wasn't supposed to be announcing that anyway."
"Shut up for a minute, I'm trying to tell you that I want to join."
"You do?"
"Yeah, Garrick told me to talk to you if I changed my mind."
"Oh, okay. Yeah sure, what caused you to change your mind?"
"I dunno, I guess the safety in numbers thing. So when do I get to go to the big hideout?"
"Hold on there! Just because you join doesn't mean you get to go to the main base of operations. If every new recruit got to go there after they joined, the ECS probably would have discovered its location by capturing and torturing one of them. There's also a process of weeding out potential spies. Certainly hope you didn't run off and join the ECS and then hope to get in good with them by doing that."
"I don't think the ECS is going to let me join anytime soon considering I just shot three of them."
"You what?"
"Three of them jumped me and I had to defend myself."
"Are they dead?"
"I certainly hope so since I shot them all in the head to make sure."
You explain in a little more detail about what happened and Yinen starts to look more concerned.
"Shit. Man, you're going to definitely be marked now. I'm surprised you didn't just leave the city." Sinin says.
"I thought about it as I was stomping around the sewers, but what good would that do? If the ECS is going to be as pissed at me as I think they'll probably be, it's not like they won't send assassins after me elsewhere. If I'm here and join you guys at least there's a chance." You respond.
"Honestly, sometimes I wonder, but I guess I shouldn't talk like that. Shit, I can't believe that you... well I'll definitely inform Garrick. I can't say if this is going to get you into the Guild lair itself, but it probably will make Garrick look favorably upon you. Just stay in this inn for a while, , all your food and drink will be taken care of. Someone more important than me will contact you. Here, take your bullets and kit while you're at it."
You take your stuff and head to your room where you immediately reload your pistol and start organizing your belongings and items, just in case you need to leave in a hurry.
You spend a lot of time in your room basically pacing the floor, wondering if you've made the right decision, but you try not to think about it too much since it's done now and you'll hopefully have new allies that will at least watch your back.
Eventually you get tired of being in your room and decide to go take advantage of your free food and drink.
You find an empty table, put your back against the wall and partake in your meal. You constantly watch the door expecting trouble to come in.
Of course while you were so busy watching the door, you completely didn't notice the person coming up to your table and sits down across from you.
It's the woman that was with Garrick earlier. You still can't quite make out her face, it's as if the hood completely shrouds it in darkness. The white hair still peaks out though.
As she sits across from you, she says nothing. She just stares. Or at least you assume she's staring at you, you can't see her eyes.
"Hey. I remember you. You're Garrick's friend. Guess you're the one he sent to contact me." You say.
You get no answer.
You take a drink and try again.
"Um, never did get your name."
No answer.
You wait for a little while expecting something, but just silence. You're a little on edge as it is, so you fall back to mild churlishness.
"So... is this silent act supposed to shed more light on whether or not I'm in the Guild or not or are you just fascinated by my good looks?"
Suddenly a dagger comes short of severing the finger from your hand while the woman reaches over the table to grab you by your shirt. She's a lot stronger than she would appear since you're partially yanked out of your seat towards her.
You finally see her face due to being so close to her now. She's quite pretty. Unnaturally alluring might be a more accurate word, but obviously she isn't entirely human. Besides her hair being pure white, her eyes now give away an otherworldly appearance and right now her eyes are glowing a reddish color and look like they could twist mithril with the stare they're giving you.
"Listen up, because I'm only saying this once! Maybe Garrick thinks you're an asset to the Guild, but I'm not convinced. You better show me something better than the pitiful displays you've shown since you got here." She says.
Every logical fiber of your being tells you that you should just shut the fuck up, but maybe it's your nerves or you feel like this is some sort of test or maybe its this woman herself... but whatever the reason... you don't shut the fuck up.
"So, been watching me since I got here huh? Good to know."
You see her roll her eyes and she releases you and sits back down.
"Please, I didn't even know about you until recently and that's only because you and that lowly halfbreed foolishly went and half assed robbed a rich Neroth cultist." the woman says.
"Hey that wasn't my idea." You point out.
"Well then you're shit at picking a partner and I question your wisdom."
"Okay, fair, but I'd say I made the best of the situation AND got out of there without getting caught."
"So what? You ended up saving a whore who then blabbed to her fellow whores about the so-called noble thief that saved her life! You do realize that you're probably not JUST on the ECS hit list, but you've probably just made enemies with certain members of what passes for the aristocracy around here along with a cult of fanatics."
"So what you're saying is I should have just left the girl to get tortured and killed. I'll remember that for next time."
"What I'm saying is it was fucking sloppy and you're not half as good as you think you are."
"Okay, but I know I can't be as bad as you're making out either. If I was so horrible, your boss wouldn't be considering me."
"First off, Garrick is NOT my fucking boss. I don't have a boss. Second, if you were any worse, I'd seriously be questioning Garrick's decision on this. Arguably the ONLY thing in your favor as far as I'm concerned is the fact you killed three ECS members. And you did that sloppy as well and it isn't making me inclined to impress me any more than when I first had the displeasure of laying eyes on you."
This girl REALLY dislikes you to a point where you're almost wondering if you did something to her personally or something. Then again you've had people try to kill you for less.
Yet... you can't help it... there's something about her that just...
"Well I hope I can impress you in the future since now that I have laid eyes upon your lovely face, I can definitely say that it has not been a displeasure."
The hooded woman sits back a bit as if you've actually succeeded in making her slightly uncomfortable.
"Maybe you feeble charm works on whores, but you'll find that I'm unimpressed by such attempts." She says dismissively.
"Maybe I need to try harder then." You respond.
At this point you succeed in making her angry again, she actually sits up and snatches her dagger out of the table and waves it at you.
"And maybe you need to learn your limitations." she exclaims.
"Maybe I'm just setting my sights higher. If I'm joining your Guild, I'm going to have to be better than I am. That means taking more risks even when there is potential danger."
You look at her dead serious when you say this. You actually don't even know where all this is coming from honestly. It's almost like you're under a spell. The hooded woman doesn't even acknowledge what you're saying.
"Tomorrow night, be prepared to go on a job with a Guild member. A REAL Guild member. He will meet you here and from there we'll see if we need to waste anymore time with you." She says.
"It won't be you? A pity, well I'll be looking forward to the day when we can do a job together." You respond.
Without even realizing it, you've touched her other hand that's on the table.
She of course immediately notices this and for a split second she probably considers breaking or stabbing your hand, but instead she just pulls her hand away and then steps back from the table altogether.
"You... you are not going to last that long." She says and then leaves.
As soon as she steps out of the inn, you sit there in a daze for a while, but then you suddenly snap out of it.
"What the fuck was wrong with me? I could have gotten myself killed, flirting like that."
You briefly wonder if maybe you drank too much, but that definitely wasn't it. You'd say it was the woman herself that was causing you to do that, but she didn't seem like she wanted anything to do with you on that front.
You head back to your room and you can't get your mind off of her. You'd visit a brothel, but that didn't work out so well last time. So you take the matter in hand...
By the time the tomorrow night rolls around, you're sort of glad to meet up with the other Guild member since you're hoping it will clear your mind.
The Guild member in question calls himself Sneaks. He's an older man, though certainly still younger than Garrick. Says he's been friends with Garrick for a long time and also mentions that he hopes you're as promising as he's heard.
The job that you and Sneaks are to perform doesn't sound all that difficult, which is just as well since you're still having problems focusing. When he asks if you have any questions, you just have one and that's what's the name of the hooded woman who spoke to you yesterday.
Immediately Sneaks shakes his head.
"Oh for... you saw her face and looked straight into her eyes didn't you? Fuck. Well that explains why she came back all pissed off and not very talkative yesterday. Though she's surly at the best of times. It's a temporary effect kid, try to just focus on the job okay?"
"I don't understand."
Sneaks sighs a bit.
"Okay, real quick. Her name is Tanya and if you want to make yourself happy, you will NOT pursue that one. Just forget about her. I know it's difficult right now, but you'll be better off. Trust me." Sneaks says.
"Is she involved with someone else?" you ask.
"Not exactly, but... look she's got some demon blood in her. I mean surely you realized that she wasn't quite human right?"
"Well yeah, but demon didn't come to mind, but so what? I don't care, I want to get to know her... "
"Hah! I know how YOU want to get to know her! Trust me, you aren't the first to try, and you probably won't be the last, but so far every guy I've seen try has failed. Just walk away. Now get your mind off her ass and back to business."
While Sneaks' advice is well meaning, it wasn't exactly Tanya's ass that was clouding your mind, but rather her face. Fortunately Sneaks is also correct in that the effect does seem to dissipate.
As for the job, it goes a lot better than the one you did with Warts that's for sure.
Sneaks says that it'll still be awhile before you're allowed to actually go to the Guild proper, he says that as long as you keep up the good work, you'll eventually get to see it.
However, at this point you just want to see Tanya again. Looks like she didn't leave your thoughts completely.
Probably for the best that she's still lingering in your mind, because if you really thought about just how deep of shit you probably are as far as powerful enemies you've made, you'd probably be a lot more depressed.
> time passes...
Year 18
"Yep, Garrick's been very impressed with you. I'd say a few more jobs and you'll finally get invited to where all the magic takes place." Sneaks says.
"I can hardly wait." You say.
"Well geez son, don't sound so enthusiastic. Last year you kept asking me if you were any closer to getting into the Guild headquarters."
"Last year, I was still a bit more optimistic about my choice in joining the guild."
"Oh? And how exactly did we fail you your majesty?"
"That's not exactly what I mean, but if we're going that route, I just thought I'd be doing slightly better while aligned with you lot."
Sneaks starts laughing.
"Well that's your first problem right there. Joining a criminal organization that's currently feuding with another one isn't exactly a stable future son." Sneaks says.
"I know that too, it's just... okay... I'm just a little concerned that we aren't doing too much directly against the Ebony Claw Syndicate. I mean shouldn't we be doing something more to decrease their power? Their presence hasn't exactly decreased in the city and if anything it has only gotten stronger." You respond.
"I dunno about that, I'd say they're probably struggling like everyone else currently. If they were truly stronger in presence they'd be directly attacking us and some of our hangouts more often."
"Well that's still a problem since it's still not progress, it's just keeping the status quo."
"So, what are you going to do? Shoot them all?"
"Well considering how many I have shot, I'd say it's not a bad plan. Not to mention it's something I could have easily done on my own."
"And you would have been dead already on your own. But if you really feel like you could do better on your own then nothing is holding back from leaving. Why stay?"
"Because obviously I'm still an optimistic idiot."
"I don't believe that, I believe its MORE likely you're just sticking around because you're an infatuated idiot."
"What?"
"Don't play dumb with me, I know you still got a thing for Tanya after I told you to just walk away. I remember when we all had to work on that job together three months ago, I swear at one point with how hard you were starin' at her, I thought you were going to whip your dick out and start wackin' it right there."
You laugh at that remark.
"You laugh because you know it's true." Sneaks says.
"Yeah well it certainly is a better reason than anything else I could come up with, and I'm not totally convinced that goal isn't at least as possible as wiping out the ECS as a force in this city." You respond.
"I dunno about that. You've at least killed Ebony Claw members, you haven't even gotten a kind word from Tanya yet."
"Yes I did! She said she couldn't believe I was still alive and that I had to be the idiot bastard son of Yag eternally blessed with more luck than actual ability."
"Hm. Well actually coming from her that IS a kind word. Congrats. At the risk of inflating your ego even more... and she'd probably kill me if I told you... she actually would somewhat agree with you on your views about the Ebony Claw. She sort of wishes we took the fight more to them too. Actually you could probably count me in that group as well."
"So why the hell aren't we doing more then and why isn't Garrick being pro-active?"
"He actually is, just not in the way you think. He thinks an all out gang war would be a mistake due to them having the numbers. He might be right, I don't know. But all that shit we steal and the Guild gets a cut of? That doesn't all just go towards equipment and extra casks of booze for the headquarters. Some of that money goes towards more important things like bribes, paying off the Watch and getting a few underpaid bean counters on our side to muddle paper work on occasion."
"Well that's great and all, but how's that fuck up the Ebony Claw?"
"It doesn't, but it keeps a balance. You don't think they don't do the same thing? Try to manipulate the law in their favor? The only reason why the Holgard Watch doesn't mess with either side much is because they're taking bribes from both sides. They got best racket in this city. They practically never even have to do their fucking jobs! Garrick HOPES that one day he'll be able to manipulate the right people that will cripple the EC, but I can say right now, he's doomed to failure, because at his core, he's too fucking nice. Bribery only gets you so far. To do what he wants to do, he'd need to rely more on blackmail and extortion, which isn't something he's too fond of getting heavily into."
"Surprised nobody's tried to kill him and take power from him."
"I said he's nice, not a pussy. There have been a few who have tried over the years, mostly before the EC established a greater presence, but the man isn't unskilled in the ways of defending himself. Besides the Thieves Guild isn't the Ebony Claw and because Garrick is so fucking nice, people generally like him enough that they'd rather keep him as head of the organization. Not to mention we don't exactly have the most ambitious bunch in the Guild. Most of the really ruthless, kill their own mother types to get ahead join the EC. We're not Joachimites, but I'd still wager that most of us in the Guild have just a few more scruples than the average EC member."
"Yeah, well scruples doesn't win wars."
"No argument there. Look kid, I'm not sure what to tell you, except I do hope you stick with us. I don't care what your reasons are, whether its for safety, or riches or your ongoi |
plant their bodies among the dead cultists so the living ones can stumble upon them and vice versa. In the meantime he says he's going to try to grease the right palms to gain some sort of meeting with Reginald and appear as an "ally" against the Ebony Claw so Reginald will tell his people to leave the Guild alone.
It's not a bad plan, though you're really not sure on the whole "allying" with Reginald bit.
"Um, I'm not sure if this Reginald is ally material." You say.
"Well we need to try, because if you haven't noticed, we are at a bit of a disadvantage. Reginald is Farrad's boyfriend. You know, the baron's son? The one who is probably going to attempt a coup on his father soon? If he's actually successful it's probably best that we're not on his bad side at least." Garrick retorts with annoyance.
"I can see that logic, but I still have concerns if allying with religious fanatics that participate in human sacrifice is a good idea. I mean hell, I'd rather temporarily ally with the Ebony Claw against the cultists at this point... "
"Well it's a damn good thing that YOU don't have to make the fucking decisions isn't it then?!"
Garrick's sudden snap causes you to shut up immediately and everyone else to stand in silence. You certainly weren't expecting it, but then Garrick in general has been less than friendly with you, as your time in the Guild proper has come about. He's certainly nowhere near like he was when he first offered his hand to you in joining.
You have some theories about why, but for now you just answer:
"Your call. Apologies."
Garrick gives you a dirty look and starts assigning tasks to people. He doesn't give one to you though.
As everyone starts to leave, you go up to Tanya and offer to help her on her assignment and that's when you get a scolding voice again.
"Hey! Leave her be." Garrick orders.
"But I was just... " you start to say before you're interrupted again.
"Did I assign you and Tanya to work together? No I didn't."
"Garrick, it's actually okay, I can... " Tanya says before Garrick interrupts her as well.
"Stay out of this Tanya! Everyone get to work! Except YOU."
Tanya looks at you a little sympathetically as she leaves with the rest, which is definitely not the norm, and part of what you imagine is the problem Garrick is having with you.
Soon it's just you and Garrick and he wastes no time in speaking.
"You know when I brought you in, I thought you'd be an asset to us. Sure you weren't exactly what I normally look for, but your actions against the Ebony Claw couldn't be ignored. Your ongoing work to prove yourself worthy of becoming one of the inner circle couldn't be ignored. Granted, I was still a little hesitant at the time since I was starting to have some doubts since so many thought you should continue to prove yourself, but Tanya's words in your favor... well those couldn't be ignored either."
You don't say anything.
"I also can't ignore how you look at her and more importantly how she looks at you." Garrick says.
"I don't think she looks at me with anything but scorn." You say in an effort to deflect.
"Bullshit. Maybe at one time she did. Not anymore. You're not so stupid to not realize that. Hell, she tried to speak up for you just now. I don't know HOW you did it, but you've actually been getting through that normally solid brick wall she puts up to shield herself again all would be suitors. I have seen MANY try and while I imagine that she leaves a lasting impression due to her nature, I have seen NONE continue to pursue her, or those that have, have met with physical violence that either put a definite stop to it. Somehow you have miraculously avoided that. Somehow YOU have defied what shouldn't be possible."
You continue to stand there and say nothing, which only causes Garrick to throw something at you, which you narrowly dodge.
"WELL? Aren't you going to say anything?!" Garrick shouts.
"I'm not sure what to say. Anything I say, you're not going to like." You answer.
"Well permission to speak fucking freely then."
"Okay, well I don't see how this is any of your concern. Tanya, from what I can tell is a full grown woman that's MORE than capable of taking care of herself and dealing with the likes of me. And as far as I know, you're not her father either even if you see her as some sort of surrogate daughter."
"It... it doesn't make sense! WHY YOU?! There have been FAR better suitors in the past!"
"You mean like you?"
"W... what?"
"Oh come on! I think given your increasing hostility towards me this is going beyond a father-daughter type of protectiveness. You're acting like a jealous boyfriend or something. I'm succeeding where you and so many others obviously failed."
Garrick just starts shaking his head.
"No, I... I never... I never... "
"Or maybe I'm succeeding in something you never had the guts to do at all? That's it isn't it? You've never made any sort of advance on her, and just admired her from afar since you were always secure in the fact that she always drove everyone away. I'm guessing perhaps you thought one day Tanya would come to you of her own accord and... "
Now Garrick lifts up the table and flips it at you. For an older guy, he's certainly fit.
"You think you know everything don't you? Well let me tell you something, you don't know shit. YOU are still a BOY and YOU are not worthy of Tanya." Garrick says getting in your face.
"Okay. Then what would make me worthy... in your eyes?" you ask.
Garrick starts laughing.
"Are... are you actually asking me? You seem to have all the answers, you figure it out. But while you're trying to figure it out, go do what you're actually good at and go kill our enemies. GO! Get the fuck outta my sight!"
You leave Garrick and exit the meeting room somewhat expecting there to be a few people hanging around outside listening to the conversation, but it would appear that nobody wanted to be around for Garrick's anger to be directed towards them as well. Not even Sneaks lingered behind.
Since you didn't even get paired up with a full fledged Guild member, you suppose you could just go gather a few associates to help you, though you believe you're probably more than capable of performing the task yourself.
Honestly though, you're ready to just dispense with the plan and do something else instead like try to kill Reginald. Those assholes have been targeting you anyway. Also seems like it would solve the problem a lot better than trying to be friends with him. Cutting off the head of a cult usually results in it falling apart. The problem of course is he isn't as easy to get to anymore. The secret passage to his home no longer exists as one person in the Guild soon learned when he tried to break in that way thinking that it would be an easy job and nearly got himself killed in the process. If there's another secret passage to the house, you have no idea where it is and it's probably better protected now.
Which would mean a more traditional approach, but again, he's got security up the ass and has his own personal retinue of guards around his home. Perks of fucking minor nobility you suppose.
In any case, you'd be doing this alone though because nobody would help you in this task. Say what you want about Garrick, but everyone listens to him and this would definitely be going against his plans.
Though you do have another option, and that's going to the Ebony Claw Syndicate for help. Rook called off the hit and so far other than a few unavoidable skirmishes here and there, the EC has not been actively targeting you.
You never thought you'd feel this way, but you've actually considered joining them lately mainly because things have been just so miserable in the Guild. If it weren't for Tanya, you probably would have done it already.
Rook has never followed up on your last meeting, you don't know exactly what his game is, but you imagine if you come in for help, he's going to want that inside information on the Guild.
> kill Reginald yourself
As much as you've been toying with the idea, you're still not quite sure about throwing your lot in with the EC yet. You're walking a pretty traitorous line as it is just by not telling anyone that they ever approached you, but then it isn't like you can exactly tell them, can you?
Killing Reginald is going to take some scouting and planning. As far as you know the man is rarely ever leaving his house anymore or if he is, he's not seen doing it.
Since you're not exactly getting any further with Tanya at the moment, Garrick's pissed at you and you're essentially doing your own thing, you might as well stay somewhere other than the Guild while you do this. You head to Hell's Own Inn since it's at least some place that you know and can consider hospitable.
Bruno, the innkeeper nods when he sees you. Funny how you never really learned his name until after you stopped living here on a regular basis.
"Hey Bruno, I'll have a room. My old one if it's currently available." You say.
"A room? Thought you were living in the Guild quarters ever since they let you into inner circle." Bruno says.
"Yeah well I've got something I need to do on my own and I can't be creeping in and out of sewers to do it. Where's Yinen, I might have a few things to trade with him."
"Yinen? Haven't seen him in days."
"You haven't seen him? He practically never leaves this place."
"I know, which is why it's weird that I didn't even see him leave. Unless he left in the middle of the night, but none of the staff saw him leave either."
"Nobody has thought to look into this?"
"What am I going to do, call the Holgard Watch?"
"No, but we could at least get somebody from the Guild or even one of the associates to look in on this. I mean he's one of our best fences. Seems like for all the Guild's talk of solidarity, they're dropping the ball on this one."
"He hasn't been gone THAT long. I figured maybe he had a special delivery or deal to take care of elsewhere. If he's gone for much longer I guess one of the associates can go look for him."
"What about Warts? He tends to not have much to do."
"He's been gone longer than Yinen. Though I think in his case he's deliberately staying away. Last thing he mentioned to me is that bad things are going to happen here soon and he doesn't want to be around when they do. Can't say as I blame him either. I'm still surprised this place hasn't gotten hit yet by the Ebony Claw. What the hell is Garrick doing about them anyway? Because as far as I can tell, they're not dropping in presence."
"I dunno, we've been taking the fight to them, but the rumors are that they're getting reinforcements from the Delantium Kingdom. Also, we've been having problems with cultists running around in the sewers."
"Yeah, I've been reading about a couple of brutal murders in the paper that are thought to be the work of Neroth cultists. Actually, maybe that explains Yinen's disappearance. He always was a little nervous when it came to anything relating to Neroth. Maybe he took off like Warts did."
"Maybe so. I feel like he might have told someone first. Guess he might have been really scared though."
"In any case, you're in luck. Your old room is available, but I'll be needing some rent for it. Business is a little slow what with not many folks coming to visit the city as much now."
"Are you kidding me? (Sigh) Fine. Whatever. Here, take this, but not a silver more."
Bruno takes your payment and you head to your old room. You take a quick inventory of your equipment and make plans to go case Reginald's home, but then you hear noise outside and a quick peek out your window reveals that the Holgard Watch are putting down a group of dissidents and decide to stay put for a little while.
That's been a more common sight too nowadays. Even on your way here, you were trying to avoid getting caught up the various groups of protesters that have been more frequent. Part of you wonders if Warts doesn't have the right idea, but at this point you've got a few loose ends that need to be tied up first.
One of which is killing the head of this cult that's been trying to kill you. It's odd that you feel so strongly about this given that the EC was trying to kill you for years, but then maybe that's because you knew the EC was an enemy that from you can gather is much bigger than you could ever hope to fight. You consider it a victory that you even managed to get them to stop attacking you though you know you're going to have to deal with them again eventually. You just don't know how yet.
These fanatics however, there's a limit to their power for now. Right now they've grown and if left unchecked, who knows, they may take over the city. Sure you could flee and maybe you'd be fine. But you might also be running for the rest of your life as cults tend to not be satisfied with staying in one place and love to spread. Add their desire to summon demons and such into that mix and it might be best to nip this in the bud right now.
It's funny how you never really used to think that far ahead before, but you suppose you've seen and done a lot since your simple days in Teckleville.
"Certainly hope you're having an easier time of it than I am sis." You say to yourself.
Over the course of the next three days you make visits to Reginald's home and spend hours watching the place. You never see anyone come in or out of the place though. Indeed, you've never seen Reginald at all except from descriptions of him. Holgard Watch patrols the grounds night and day, but you don't see them ever enter the home either. You wonder if they even know what's going on in there or more likely they do, but don't care.
Eventually you spend an entire day and night on a nearby rooftop watching the place, hoping that you'll see him come out. He never does though. In your state of weariness, you barely react in time to hear someone approaching.
"You can put that away, it's just me. Glad to see you're more alert than you appear though." Tanya says when you spin around pointing your pistol at her.
"What're you doing here? I sort of thought if anyone was going to check up on me, it would be Sneaks." You say putting your weapon down.
"Hah, like you'd get him to climb up on rooftops, let alone jumping from them nowadays."
"Guess you're right. So what do you want?"
"What do I want? No comments about my beauty? No flirty statements? If I didn't know better, I'd think you'd finally shaken off the effects. So you must be in a really shitty mood."
"What's the point? You've made it quite clear you're not interested and others have also made it quite clear as well, so why bother beating my head up against a wall?"
Tanya doesn't answer you immediately as your answer has caught her off guard a bit.
"What happened between you and Garrick after the meeting?" Tanya asks.
"Nothing." You answer.
"Doesn't seem like nothing considering you're disobeying orders. It seems to me you're trying to figure out a way to take out Reginald directly. That's why you've been spying on his house for the past few days."
"Looks like I'm not the only one that's been spying."
"I've been keeping track of what every main group is doing, don't flatter yourself."
"Be that as it may, I thought the Guild was supposed to just be a loose alliance anyway and Garrick wasn't officially our boss. And if he isn't our boss, then that means I can do what the hell I want."
"You know that's not exactly true."
"Maybe not, but I'm not following orders this time. And it's not ONLY because these fuckers have been targeting me. These Neroth cultists are a bigger danger than the EC. Maybe they haven't been fucking with us as long, but if their leader or high priest or whatever is fucking the Baron's son then who is to say their goal isn't to turn the city into a theocracy? If something like that happens I can bet that there won't be any freedom to do anything here and they certainly aren't going to be dealing with the likes of us and quite frankly Garrick's an idiot if he believes he can somehow reason with them on some level, I've seen what the hell they do."
"I see your point, but I somewhat understand his logic for attempting to make an alliance. However he's relying on something that I already told him isn't going to make a difference."
"What do you mean?"
"Well you said it yourself. They worship a dark god and are probably trying to summon infernal beings if they haven't done so already. I believe Garrick thinks that having me by his side if he ever got to meet with Reginald, would help since y'know... being half infernal and all."
"Hm. Didn't consider that. Would that work?"
"Probably not. I even told Garrick as much when he first approached me about the plan earlier. At best Reginald might temporarily ally in an effort to separate me from the rest of the Guild and probably attempt to convince me to join them and embrace my heritage or some shit. I don't even like... my condition. Last thing I want to do is embrace it. Already had to deal with that once before, don't feel like dealing with it again."
"Deal with it again?"
"Yes, and we're not talking about it. In any case, I'm here to help you in your plan, because I believe you're completely right about this. These cultists need to be destroyed and taking their leader out will at least severely lessen their power."
You nod silence and with a somewhat uplifted spirit.
"Thanks. I didn't expect any help, least of all from you." You say.
"Well, we're on the same side aren't we? However, I do think YOU should get some rest before we attempt this. So you head back to Hells Own, get some sleep and tomorrow night, you and I will meet up outside here. In the meantime, I'm going to talk to Sneaks and few others to see if I can't get them to make a bit of extra distraction for Neroth's most loyal. I'm not going to let too many in on this plan though for obvious reasons." Tanya remarks.
"Good idea, again thanks. I really appreciate this."
"Hm, well off you go. We've got a big night tomorrow so be prepared as much as you can."
You bid Tanya goodbye who just nods an acknowledgment and leaves. Since you've got your orders to rest, you climb down from your spot and head back to the inn.
You get a couple of blocks and suddenly you feel like you're being watched. You start to look around, but nobody is around. You quicken your pace and a couple seconds later, you feel a crossbow in your back.
"Shit." You say.
"Don't turn around. Alley. Now." A familiar voice says.
Once again you obey the man with the crossbow and enter the nearby alley where once again, you see Rook.
"Glad we could meet again." Rook says.
"It's not like I ever had a choice." You answer.
"Not true! You could always choose to escape, I wouldn't bet on your chances, but you can't say you don't have a choice. You also have a choice to give me information on the location of the Thieves' Guild or not. I know for a fact you've long been a member of their inner circle so you should have lots of information on the layout along with the location."
"Um... well... I don't know ALL of the layout... you see there was some debate about even letting me in, so they still don't trust me completely and as such they haven't allowed me full access."
"No problem. Just the location will do. It's not ideal, but I have more than enough confidence that we'll be able to take it anyway."
You're silent. You can't think of anyway to lie or stall. It's either betray the Guild or die. You feel the crossbow still in your back, Rook inspects you as you struggle with the morality of this decision.
"Tell me, why do you hesitate? Do you have close friends in the Guild? I can only imagine that the answer is yes, because if the answer was no, you would be spilling your guts right now. In fact, you probably would have done so on our first meeting. It's obvious you have no real love for the organization itself because if you did, you wouldn't even be considering any of this in the first place. You would be a good little Guild soldier and tell me how you'd never betray Garrick or the Guild. At which point I'd stop wasting my time and kill you. So you must have emotional attachment to someone there. Tell me who it is, and perhaps an arrangement can be made." Rook says.
"What sort of arrangement?" you ask.
"The Ebony Claw doesn't like to waste potential talent. Or at least I don't, hence why we're having this pleasant conversation. If you can convince your friend or friends to join you in seeing that the future is the Ebony Claw, then I have no problem with them joining as well. Quite frankly, we'll probably need the manpower."
"I don't think she... "
Rook interrupts you and you realize you've already given away too much.
"She? Oh wait... ." Rook chuckles. "Of course. It's her isn't it? Garrick's little demonkin. This explains everything! Did you fall in love with her?"
"Well I... "
"Ha ha! You poor silly enchanted fool! She's half succubus you know. That's why you're all fucked up and not thinking straight. Why I'll bet if it wasn't for her charming everyone, Garrick wouldn't have half the people in his Guild."
"She didn't enchant me! In fact she doesn't even like using her powers like that!" you say getting agitated and temporarily forgetting that you're at Rook's mercy.
"Oh of course she doesn't. That's all part of her act. The puritanical demon seductress. Gets everyone hot an bothered and keeps them on a string by not actually putting out. How better to control the average man? I'll tell you what, we could use someone like her in the EC. Would make things easier to a certain extent."
You don't say anything, while Rook continues to chuckle.
"Okay, I'll give you a little more time because you seem to believe that yours is true love. If you do manage to convince the demonkin to join though, well that will just prove I was right in seeing your potential. However, I can't walk away from this meeting without nothing, so I still need you to do something for me or at least provide some sort of information." Rook responds.
"What did you have in mind?" you ask.
"I don't know, you tell me. A plan of some sort perhaps. I'll decide if it's important enough or not."
Currently the Guild doesn't have any plans other than the one involving the Neroth worshippers and making it look like the EC are attacking them. The only other plan you can tell Rook is your plan directly against Reginald, you just aren't sure Rook's going to find that one important enough and you'll end up having give out the Guild's plan anyway.
> give away the Guild's plan
Rook might be testing you to see if you'll lie to him or not. You'd rather not take that chance so you better just come clean now.
"We're mounting an attack on the Neroth cultists because they've been fucking with us. More specifically, we're mounting an attack on the Neroth cultists and going to make it look like Syndicate did it. We're also going try to ally with them, though to be honest that's the shit part of the plan." You say.
"I see. Well that is a very important bit of information. I thank you for telling me, though it would have been more impressive if I didn't have to initially pull it from you. No matter, give me the details and how you're involved exactly."
"I'm not. I'm doing my own thing because I'm not really into Garrick's plan in the first place. The Neroth cultists have been targeting me specifically longer than they've been fucking with the Guild, so I was going to just go take out Reginald and be done with it."
"Interesting. To be honest those Neroth worshipping assholes DO need to be dealt with. While some in the Ebony Claw don't consider them top priority, I see them as a potential problem in the future. Especially since we've started to have our own run ins with them. Though I may be a bit biased considering they did kidnap my cousin once. Oh, by the way, always meant to thank you for rescuing her."
"Wait... you mean... Naji is... "
"A whore that doesn't know what the hell she's doing with her life, but she's still my cousin and she should finally get a little justice. This city already has more than enough gods competing, and as a dedicated disciple to Fel, I see no reason why I shouldn't aid directly in their fall. Consider the Holgard Watch taken care of by tomorrow."
"What, really?"
"Yes. Obviously you're still going to have to kill Reginald and whatever fanatics he has in the house with him, but the Holgard Watch? They can always change loyalties and those that can't, well they'll be dealt with. Consider this another favor from your friends at the Ebony Claw."
You silently acknowledge Rook's words. While this is certainly going to help you out, you're not sure if you're going to be able to afford all these "favors" when it comes time to pay up.
"Well then I guess this concludes our business again. I suppose I'll be sending some of my people to start actively hunting down groups of Guild members based on the information you told me. Next time we see each other though, I trust you'll have that other vital information for me. Time is growing short you know, and I would hate to see you on the wrong side." Rook says and pats you hard on the side of your face a couple times before walking away.
You soon no longer feel the crossbow at your back and that's when you know it's okay to move again.
You make your way back to the inn where you're supposed to be getting some rest like Tanya suggested, but after your encounter with Rook, you're more wound up than ever. Eventually you do fall asleep and by the time you wake up, it's night and you're rushing to go meet Tanya.
When you get the place you were going to meet you find that she's not there. You wait around for awhile, but still no sign of her. You wonder if she changed her mind, then you wonder if she went in already because you also noticed that Reginald's house doesn't have the extra Holgard Watch security around it. (Rook was true to his word)
"Shit, I hope not. I've been standing around like a dumb ass if that's the case." You mutter and rush back down to street level again. You open the gate (which the guards helpfully left unlocked) and go to the front door which you lockpick with ease. You'd think even with the guards he would have gotten a better lock, but whatever makes your task easier.
You slowly walk into the dimly lit foyer with your weapon drawn. You search the downstairs cautiously and methodically, but don't find any one. In the back of your mind you wish this was just a simple breaking and entering job because you're seeing a lot fancy decoration and you're sure Reginald has more portable valuables laying around in a safe or something somewhere.
Still no sign of Tanya. You begin to worry if something happened to her if she came here at all. It also crosses you mind that it's possible she got held up before coming here. Rook did say he was sending some of his people to go actively hunt Guild members. For all you know she ran afoul of one of those groups or had to help other Guild members.
While you're looking around for stairs to the cellar, you hear some thumping coming from the upstairs. Things have been more or less silent so far, so this it cause to give you alarm.
You immediately head back to the large set of stairs that lead up in the foyer. As you're heading up the stairs, you notice that the lighting is becoming much darker. It's almost as if the candles from the chandelier are going out.
You get to near the top of the landing and then it goes completely dark. You then feel several hands grab at you You manage to fire off your pistol once before several hands take it from you.
"Fuck!" You say and begin to struggle.
"Restrain the unbeliever!"
"Don't kill him, this infidel must be properly sacrificed!
Since you have no intention of going quietly, you fight your assailants. It's hard to see in the dark, but you're doing the best you can. Eventually you manage to get your arms free and draw your blade. You slash blindly, hitting someone before you try to make your way back downstairs.
You're half way down the stairs with footsteps and yelling not far behind. You then suddenly feel a force of a person grabbing and tackling you with abandon. The pair of you goes rolling down the stairs and don't stop until you hit the bottom.
You feel a sharp pain in your right leg when you try to move it. Doesn't take long before you realize it's broken. Your assailant was less lucky and managed to break his neck during the tumble down the stairs. That doesn't help you that much though since his body is partially holding you down and his buddies are already almost upon you.
"Shit, he killed Daniel!"
Gotta love the "outrage" by a bunch of demon worshippers, not to mention the fact that Daniel killed himself by tackling you in the first place!
You crawl the best you can from out under Daniel's body and swing your blade at anyone coming near, but it's no use. There are just too many and despite hacking a couple of them at the legs, they soon begin stomping and kicking you.
The best you can do is try to cover yourself until eventually one person tells them all to stop.
You raise your head and see a man with a goatee in a red robe. A couple of other larger men in red robes stand behind him. Granted everyone around you is wearing red, but it's obvious that this is the one you were looking for. This is Reginald.
He motions the others to pick you up which they do despite you struggling and the agony of a broken leg.
Reginald walks towards you.
"So, you've returned. I know you're the one that so rudely broke into my home and stole that girl years ago. We were a little pre-occupied in nabbing you before and you seem to be skilled enough to fight off our recent attempts. Not sure why you stupidly decided to believe you could get away with walking in here alone again, but you'll soon learn that was a very grave mistake. Going to have something very special planned for you."
Before you can answer with some sort of defiant reply, two of the red robed assholes holding you go down to throwing daggers in their faces from above! Of course this also means you fall to the floor as well since your leg is broken and you can't stand.
It's still dark, but even from your prone position and in your one eye that hasn't closed shut you can see a figure running about on the second floor balcony and throwing more daggers. It has to be Tanya.
"Damnit, it's a full on assault! Take this asshole to the dungeons, the rest of you get whoever that is and be on the look out for others!" Reginald orders.
Several cultists try to pick you up again, but you do everything you can to prevent them from doing so. Eventually you get walloped and kicked in the head enough times that you're unable to do much of anything except struggle to stay conscious.
You're dragged across the floor and down some steps while the chaos of shouting and running is around you.
Eventually you no longer feel a wooden floor but cold stone. As you are continually dragged across the cellar area, you are now starting to black out. Your only thoughts are that you hope Tanya will be okay and save your ass on top of everything else.
Unfortunately, those are the last thoughts you ever have. The cultists dragging you to the dungeon cell aren't exactly being the most gentle and your already battered head takes a few more hits, then when they throw you in the cell, they give you a couple more kicks as well. You don't feel the pain any longer since you're unconscious by this point.
It's just as well that you soon die from internal head trauma since Tanya isn't even successful in retrieving your body. |
As much as you've been toying with the idea, you're still not quite sure about throwing your lot in with the EC yet. You're walking a pretty traitorous line as it is just by not telling anyone that they ever approached you, but then it isn't like you can exactly tell them, can you?
Killing Reginald is going to take some scouting and planning. As far as you know the man is rarely ever leaving his house anymore or if he is, he's not seen doing it.
Since you're not exactly getting any further with Tanya at the moment, Garrick's pissed at you and you're essentially doing your own thing, you might as well stay somewhere other than the Guild while you do this. You head to Hell's Own Inn since it's at least some place that you know and can consider hospitable.
Bruno, the innkeeper nods when he sees you. Funny how you never really learned his name until after you stopped living here on a regular basis.
"Hey Bruno, I'll have a room. My old one if it's currently available." You say.
"A room? Thought you were living in the Guild quarters ever since they let you into inner circle." Bruno says.
"Yeah well I've got something I need to do on my own and I can't be creeping in and out of sewers to do it. Where's Yinen, I might have a few things to trade with him."
"Yinen? Haven't seen him in days."
"You haven't seen him? He practically never leaves this place."
"I know, which is why it's weird that I didn't even see him leave. Unless he left in the middle of the night, but none of the staff saw him leave either."
"Nobody has thought to look into this?"
"What am I going to do, call the Holgard Watch?"
"No, but we could at least get somebody from the Guild or even one of the associates to look in on this. I mean he's one of our best fences. Seems like for all the Guild's talk of solidarity, they're dropping the ball on this one."
"He hasn't been gone THAT long. I figured maybe he had a special delivery or deal to take care of elsewhere. If he's gone for much longer I guess one of the associates can go look for him."
"What about Warts? He tends to not have much to do."
"He's been gone longer than Yinen. Though I think in his case he's deliberately staying away. Last thing he mentioned to me is that bad things are going to happen here soon and he doesn't want to be around when they do. Can't say as I blame him either. I'm still surprised this place hasn't gotten hit yet by the Ebony Claw. What the hell is Garrick doing about them anyway? Because as far as I can tell, they're not dropping in presence."
"I dunno, we've been taking the fight to them, but the rumors are that they're getting reinforcements from the Delantium Kingdom. Also, we've been having problems with cultists running around in the sewers."
"Yeah, I've been reading about a couple of brutal murders in the paper that are thought to be the work of Neroth cultists. Actually, maybe that explains Yinen's disappearance. He always was a little nervous when it came to anything relating to Neroth. Maybe he took off like Warts did."
"Maybe so. I feel like he might have told someone first. Guess he might have been really scared though."
"In any case, you're in luck. Your old room is available, but I'll be needing some rent for it. Business is a little slow what with not many folks coming to visit the city as much now."
"Are you kidding me? (Sigh) Fine. Whatever. Here, take this, but not a silver more."
Bruno takes your payment and you head to your old room. You take a quick inventory of your equipment and make plans to go case Reginald's home, but then you hear noise outside and a quick peek out your window reveals that the Holgard Watch are putting down a group of dissidents and decide to stay put for a little while.
That's been a more common sight too nowadays. Even on your way here, you were trying to avoid getting caught up the various groups of protesters that have been more frequent. Part of you wonders if Warts doesn't have the right idea, but at this point you've got a few loose ends that need to be tied up first.
One of which is killing the head of this cult that's been trying to kill you. It's odd that you feel so strongly about this given that the EC was trying to kill you for years, but then maybe that's because you knew the EC was an enemy that from you can gather is much bigger than you could ever hope to fight. You consider it a victory that you even managed to get them to stop attacking you though you know you're going to have to deal with them again eventually. You just don't know how yet.
These fanatics however, there's a limit to their power for now. Right now they've grown and if left unchecked, who knows, they may take over the city. Sure you could flee and maybe you'd be fine. But you might also be running for the rest of your life as cults tend to not be satisfied with staying in one place and love to spread. Add their desire to summon demons and such into that mix and it might be best to nip this in the bud right now.
It's funny how you never really used to think that far ahead before, but you suppose you've seen and done a lot since your simple days in Teckleville.
"Certainly hope you're having an easier time of it than I am sis." You say to yourself.
Over the course of the next three days you make visits to Reginald's home and spend hours watching the place. You never see anyone come in or out of the place though. Indeed, you've never seen Reginald at all except from descriptions of him. Holgard Watch patrols the grounds night and day, but you don't see them ever enter the home either. You wonder if they even know what's going on in there or more likely they do, but don't care.
Eventually you spend an entire day and night on a nearby rooftop watching the place, hoping that you'll see him come out. He never does though. In your state of weariness, you barely react in time to hear someone approaching.
"You can put that away, it's just me. Glad to see you're more alert than you appear though." Tanya says when you spin around pointing your pistol at her.
"What're you doing here? I sort of thought if anyone was going to check up on me, it would be Sneaks." You say putting your weapon down.
"Hah, like you'd get him to climb up on rooftops, let alone jumping from them nowadays."
"Guess you're right. So what do you want?"
"What do I want? No comments about my beauty? No flirty statements? If I didn't know better, I'd think you'd finally shaken off the effects. So you must be in a really shitty mood."
"What's the point? You've made it quite clear you're not interested and others have also made it quite clear as well, so why bother beating my head up against a wall?"
Tanya doesn't answer you immediately as your answer has caught her off guard a bit.
"What happened between you and Garrick after the meeting?" Tanya asks.
"Nothing." You answer.
"Doesn't seem like nothing considering you're disobeying orders. It seems to me you're trying to figure out a way to take out Reginald directly. That's why you've been spying on his house for the past few days."
"Looks like I'm not the only one that's been spying."
"I've been keeping track of what every main group is doing, don't flatter yourself."
"Be that as it may, I thought the Guild was supposed to just be a loose alliance anyway and Garrick wasn't officially our boss. And if he isn't our boss, then that means I can do what the hell I want."
"You know that's not exactly true."
"Maybe not, but I'm not following orders this time. And it's not ONLY because these fuckers have been targeting me. These Neroth cultists are a bigger danger than the EC. Maybe they haven't been fucking with us as long, but if their leader or high priest or whatever is fucking the Baron's son then who is to say their goal isn't to turn the city into a theocracy? If something like that happens I can bet that there won't be any freedom to do anything here and they certainly aren't going to be dealing with the likes of us and quite frankly Garrick's an idiot if he believes he can somehow reason with them on some level, I've seen what the hell they do."
"I see your point, but I somewhat understand his logic for attempting to make an alliance. However he's relying on something that I already told him isn't going to make a difference."
"What do you mean?"
"Well you said it yourself. They worship a dark god and are probably trying to summon infernal beings if they haven't done so already. I believe Garrick thinks that having me by his side if he ever got to meet with Reginald, would help since y'know... being half infernal and all."
"Hm. Didn't consider that. Would that work?"
"Probably not. I even told Garrick as much when he first approached me about the plan earlier. At best Reginald might temporarily ally in an effort to separate me from the rest of the Guild and probably attempt to convince me to join them and embrace my heritage or some shit. I don't even like... my condition. Last thing I want to do is embrace it. Already had to deal with that once before, don't feel like dealing with it again."
"Deal with it again?"
"Yes, and we're not talking about it. In any case, I'm here to help you in your plan, because I believe you're completely right about this. These cultists need to be destroyed and taking their leader out will at least severely lessen their power."
You nod silence and with a somewhat uplifted spirit.
"Thanks. I didn't expect any help, least of all from you." You say.
"Well, we're on the same side aren't we? However, I do think YOU should get some rest before we attempt this. So you head back to Hells Own, get some sleep and tomorrow night, you and I will meet up outside here. In the meantime, I'm going to talk to Sneaks and few others to see if I can't get them to make a bit of extra distraction for Neroth's most loyal. I'm not going to let too many in on this plan though for obvious reasons." Tanya remarks.
"Good idea, again thanks. I really appreciate this."
"Hm, well off you go. We've got a big night tomorrow so be prepared as much as you can."
You bid Tanya goodbye who just nods an acknowledgment and leaves. Since you've got your orders to rest, you climb down from your spot and head back to the inn.
You get a couple of blocks and suddenly you feel like you're being watched. You start to look around, but nobody is around. You quicken your pace and a couple seconds later, you feel a crossbow in your back.
"Shit." You say.
"Don't turn around. Alley. Now." A familiar voice says.
Once again you obey the man with the crossbow and enter the nearby alley where once again, you see Rook.
"Glad we could meet again." Rook says.
"It's not like I ever had a choice." You answer.
"Not true! You could always choose to escape, I wouldn't bet on your chances, but you can't say you don't have a choice. You also have a choice to give me information on the location of the Thieves' Guild or not. I know for a fact you've long been a member of their inner circle so you should have lots of information on the layout along with the location."
"Um... well... I don't know ALL of the layout... you see there was some debate about even letting me in, so they still don't trust me completely and as such they haven't allowed me full access."
"No problem. Just the location will do. It's not ideal, but I have more than enough confidence that we'll be able to take it anyway."
You're silent. You can't think of anyway to lie or stall. It's either betray the Guild or die. You feel the crossbow still in your back, Rook inspects you as you struggle with the morality of this decision.
"Tell me, why do you hesitate? Do you have close friends in the Guild? I can only imagine that the answer is yes, because if the answer was no, you would be spilling your guts right now. In fact, you probably would have done so on our first meeting. It's obvious you have no real love for the organization itself because if you did, you wouldn't even be considering any of this in the first place. You would be a good little Guild soldier and tell me how you'd never betray Garrick or the Guild. At which point I'd stop wasting my time and kill you. So you must have emotional attachment to someone there. Tell me who it is, and perhaps an arrangement can be made." Rook says.
"What sort of arrangement?" you ask.
"The Ebony Claw doesn't like to waste potential talent. Or at least I don't, hence why we're having this pleasant conversation. If you can convince your friend or friends to join you in seeing that the future is the Ebony Claw, then I have no problem with them joining as well. Quite frankly, we'll probably need the manpower."
"I don't think she... "
Rook interrupts you and you realize you've already given away too much.
"She? Oh wait... ." Rook chuckles. "Of course. It's her isn't it? Garrick's little demonkin. This explains everything! Did you fall in love with her?"
"Well I... "
"Ha ha! You poor silly enchanted fool! She's half succubus you know. That's why you're all fucked up and not thinking straight. Why I'll bet if it wasn't for her charming everyone, Garrick wouldn't have half the people in his Guild."
"She didn't enchant me! In fact she doesn't even like using her powers like that!" you say getting agitated and temporarily forgetting that you're at Rook's mercy.
"Oh of course she doesn't. That's all part of her act. The puritanical demon seductress. Gets everyone hot an bothered and keeps them on a string by not actually putting out. How better to control the average man? I'll tell you what, we could use someone like her in the EC. Would make things easier to a certain extent."
You don't say anything, while Rook continues to chuckle.
"Okay, I'll give you a little more time because you seem to believe that yours is true love. If you do manage to convince the demonkin to join though, well that will just prove I was right in seeing your potential. However, I can't walk away from this meeting without nothing, so I still need you to do something for me or at least provide some sort of information." Rook responds.
"What did you have in mind?" you ask.
"I don't know, you tell me. A plan of some sort perhaps. I'll decide if it's important enough or not."
Currently the Guild doesn't have any plans other than the one involving the Neroth worshippers and making it look like the EC are attacking them. The only other plan you can tell Rook is your plan directly against Reginald, you just aren't sure Rook's going to find that one important enough and you'll end up having give out the Guild's plan anyway.
> give away your own plan
You're pretty much fucked either way, but you're going to gamble that Rook will be satisfied with revealing your plan, with some embellishments of course.
"Garrick sent me on a mission to kill Reginald."
"The cult leader that seduced his way into high society? Interesting."
"Yes, the Neroth cult is getting out of hand and the Guild is having severe problems with them so I was ordered to take out the leader. Been spending a few days staking out his home in an effort to figure out the best approach, but he's got guards every fucking where."
"Hmm, I see. To be honest those Neroth worshipping assholes DO need to be dealt with. While some in the Ebony Claw don't consider them top priority, I see them as a potential problem in the future. Especially since we've started to have our own run ins with them. Though I may be a bit biased considering they did kidnap my cousin once. Oh, by the way, always meant to thank you for rescuing her."
"Wait... you mean... Naji is... "
"A whore that doesn't know what the hell she's doing with her life, but she's still my cousin and she should finally get a little justice. So while normally I would love to see two enemies kill each other and making things a lot easier for us, it would be best if the followers of Neroth were curtailed. This city already has more than enough gods competing, and as a dedicated disciple to Fel, I see no reason why I shouldn't aid directly in their fall. Consider the Holgard Watch taken care of by tomorrow."
"What, really?"
"Yes. Obviously you're still going to have to kill Reginald and whatever fanatics he has in the house with him, but the Holgard Watch? They can always change loyalties and those that can't, well they'll be dealt with. Consider this another favor from your friends at the Ebony Claw."
You silently acknowledge Rook's words. While this is certainly going to help you out, you're not sure if you're going to be able to afford all these "favors" when it comes time to pay up.
"Well then I guess this concludes our business again. Next time we see each other, I trust you'll have that vital information for me. Time is growing short you know, and I would hate to see you on the wrong side." Rook says and pats you hard on the side of your face a couple times before walking away.
You soon no longer feel the crossbow at your back and that's when you know it's okay to move again.
You make your way back to the inn where you're supposed to be getting some rest like Tanya suggested, but after your encounter with Rook, you're more wound up than ever. Eventually you do fall asleep and by the time you wake up, it's night and you're rushing to go meet Tanya.
She's of course on the rooftop where you were yesterday.
"I was expecting you here earlier, it's not like you to leave things at the last moment." Tanya remarks.
"I guess I was more tired than I thought." You say.
"I nearly went in before you, because a perfect opportunity just opened up ten minutes ago. All of the guards left."
"What?"
"All of the guards just left. I saw a couple of them speak to each other and then one called to some of the others and they all just collectively left. I couldn't believe it myself. That's why I was hoping you'd hurry up since who knows how long they'll be gone."
Well looks like Rook wasn't a liar and he came through. Almost makes you start to wonder WHY he's being so helpful. He doesn't fit what you know about the EC at all. True, this is probably just all to get you to rat on the Guild, but it still seems above and beyond.
Of course he might think now that you'll be able to talk Tanya into switching sides too. He didn't seem convinced you'd be able to do it, but then maybe it's a small effort on his part for large potential gain.
Honestly, you aren't even sure how or if you'd ever be able to approach the subject with Tanya. As far as you know she's always been pretty dedicated to the Guild even if she's aloof to most of the members.
But this is a problem for another time; right now you've got a cult priest to assassinate.
Tanya says she's still going with her original plan of leaping to the roof of the house and breaking in that way. You doubt if you could make it since the distance is a little farther than average, but then you aren't blessed with infernal blood allowing you to do shit like that. You say you're going to just go in the front door now that everyone is gone. Assuming he's not in the cellar or not there at all, you're guessing you'll be able to catch him upstairs or down.
Besides the unknown factor of his location, there's also the unknown factor of what abilities he has or what else is in the house. At best you're hoping he's just some mouthpiece for bloodthirsty cult. At worst he's going to be summoning demons and have all sorts of other dark magic at his disposal.
You make your way down to street level again, open the gate (which the guards helpfully left unlocked) and go to the front door which you lockpick with ease. You'd think even with the guards he would have gotten a better lock, but whatever makes your task easier.
You slowly walk into the dimly lit foyer with your weapon drawn. You search the downstairs cautiously and methodically, but don't find any one. In the back of your mind you wish this was just a simple breaking and entering job because you're seeing a lot fancy decoration and you're sure Reginald has more portable valuables laying around in a safe or something somewhere.
While you're looking around for stairs to the cellar, you hear some thumping coming from the upstairs. Things have been more or less silent so far, so this it cause to give you alarm.
You immediately head back to the large set of stairs that lead up in the foyer. As you're heading up the stairs, you notice that the lighting is becoming much darker. It's almost as if the candles from the chandelier are going out.
You get to near the top of the landing and then it goes completely dark.
"Oh shit." You say to yourself and immediately turn your head towards the direction of the chandelier.
Then when you turn your head back forward, you nearly fall backwards when you see Tanya standing right in front of you.
"Fuck!" you utter out loud and then Tanya grabs your tunic so you don't fall.
"Thanks." You say.
Tanya doesn't seem to acknowledge your gratitude though; instead she pulls you closer to her. At this distance, even in the darkness, you can make out her normally shrouded face.
The first time you saw it at this range you were partially enchanted. This time is no different, but you're still aware enough that this isn't normal behavior for her, especially in these circumstances.
"Tanya?" you utter.
You get no answer, what you do get is a kiss on your lips. The feeling is unlike anything you've ever experienced. It's very pleasant, but as it goes on, you start to feel weak. In fact you try to pull away, but when you do so, Tanya's eyes glow red, she makes a growling sound and then shoves your away.
You tumble down the stairs and while you fortunately don't break anything, you unfortunately smack your head so hard you're dazed. If you could actually see anything in this darkness, you'd probably be seeing double.
You hear a bunch of footsteps and then you feel a couple sets of hands lifting you up and finally a fist coming straight at your face.
When you wake up, you're in a cell, completely naked. A brief look at your surroundings and you know exactly where you are. It's the torture chamber where you saved Naji. In fact, you're in the exact same cell.
You look around, but there's nothing in your cell that you find useful, you do notice that there is someone else in the next cell over. They're sitting in a corner rocking back and forth mumbling. While the person has obviously been through hell and you've definitely never seen this person naked before, the face and hair are still recognizable despite some of the fresh wounds. You can hardly believe it.
"Yinen?" you ask.
Yinen briefly looks at you and while he knows who you are, he returns to his rocking and mumbling. You can't even tell what he's saying, but he sounds like he saying something religious. You hear Joachim's name being mentioned a few times.
Well this explains where Yinen has been. Poor bastard's probably been tortured for quite awhile. You still don't know what happened with Tanya either. Was a spell cast on her? She is half succubus, was the "presence of Neroth" forcing her to act more within her nature?
You don't know, but what you do know is you need to get the hell out of here.
You're not filled with confidence that you're going to survive whatever is to come, but you sure hope whatever they have planned its quick.
Grabing a hold of the door in a vain attempt to open it and feeling a little hopeless yourself, you say your own prayer though yours is more along the lines of "I sure hope Yag is throwing a seven for me tonight."
"Ah, prayer! The last refuge of a scoundrel as they say. I've always disagreed with that though. Prayer can be a powerful tool. I should know as my dark father has blessed me with much since my dedicated prayer to him." A voice says.
You turn your head and see a man with a goatee in a red robe. A couple of other larger men in red robes stand behind him.
"However I think you shall find that your prayers will go unanswered here. Neroth holds complete sway as he soon will over this city and eventually the world!"
Given his superior attitude and boasting, you can only imagine this is Reginald. He gives you a look that reminds you of that fat perverted merchant you had to kill years ago. You instinctively cover yourself.
"Oh we have a shy one do we? I must say, you shouldn't be, given your body. However, as much as I would love to throw you over the altar in front of my congregation and introduce my dick to your ass while slitting your throat as I released, I've got something better planned for you." Reginald remarks.
"Hope its better than ass rape." You say.
"Hah. Depends on your viewpoint I suppose. I know you're the one that so rudely broke into my home and stole that girl years ago. We were a little pre-occupied in nabbing you before and you seem to be skilled enough to fight off our recent attempts. However when you walked in here of your own accord, and with that infernal spawn... well that almost makes up for all the years you were able to go on breathing."
Reginald motions the two large men to open the cell door. You back up ready to fight, though Reginald shakes his head and makes some gestures with his hand and your body completely tenses up like you're paralyzed.
"We don't have time for that, important work must be done. That half-breed you walked in with has only begun to realize the untapped potential of her powers. Honestly, I don't know how she has managed to suppress her infernal side for so long. Most daughters of true succubi by her age have long since gone on to embrace their infernal heritage. This one was obviously lost, but no more." Reginald says.
"What did you do to her?" you ask as the two men grab your arms and start dragging you out.
"Me? I did nothing other than speak a few truths to her guided by Neroth's wisdom, though as I said, his presence in this house is stronger than most. I believe she felt it, just as all who follow do. However, she's still not complete, that's where you will come in. She will complete her transformation with you as the sacrifice and we will ALL witness it, and it shall be glorious to see a higher being achieve freedom!"
Reginald motions the two men to drag you to the room with the altar and large pentagram on the floor. When you enter, you're thrown into said pentagram. A crowd of red robed individuals watches silently.
When you get your head up off the floor, the paralysis is wearing off, but now you see Tanya in front of you looking at you like a predator with its prey. She definitely doesn't seem like herself.
"Daughter of Neroth! Embrace your true heritage and kill this sacrifice in the name of your dark father! We shall all bask in the glory of your transformation!" Reginald shouts followed by several of his followers.
You manage to stand up, but you doubt if you're going to be much match for Tanya. Even if you weren't naked and unarmed, you probably wouldn't be a match.
Despite the fact that death is most likely imminent, you've still got this unnatural attraction to Tanya, or rather genuine attraction, but unnatural due to the situation at hand.
This is really looking like the end for you, unless you can come up with something.
> try to reason with Tanya
You'd never be able to take her in a fight, your only chance is talk your way out of this. Try to make her remember who she is and not what these cultists are trying to make her.
"Tanya, it's me! You gotta snap out of this! These people are trying to control you!" you say.
Tanya however isn't responsive; she just approaches in a seductive way that is making it very hard for you to focus on anything else except the obvious. Tanya moves closer to you and runs her fingers through your hair and then lifts your head up with one hand and puts another hand to her lips in a "shhhhh" motion. It's apparent she's toying with you like a cat would with a mouse.
"Tanya, you... have to remember... " you utter and then Tanya shuts you up with one of her kisses.
You can't resist. You embrace Tanya as she guides you down to the floor, still continuing to press her lips against yours. And once again you begin to feel the effects of her succubus kiss.
Tanya mounts you and begins grinding her body into yours. While it's everything you ever hoped it would be, a part of you still knows this is killing you. Meanwhile the chanting of the Neroth cultists grows louder.
"Tanya... "
She doesn't answer you, she just continues with her actions which are now beginning to get faster and rougher. Her eyes glow red once again and she slams your arms down to the floor. You can feel her talons digging into your flesh. The mixture of pain and pleasure is almost too much to handle.
You begin to feel very drained and dyhydrated. You gasp for Tanya to stop, but she doesn't. She has now taken on a less human looking appearance and the noises she's making definitely aren't loving moans of ecstasy.
"DAUGHTER OF NEROTH FINISH OFF THIS INFIDEL AND EMBRACE YOUR TRUE NATURE AT LAST!" Reginald shouts above the rest of the chanting.
Tanya looks down at you and even in your hazy condition you no longer see any glimpse of the girl you knew in her eyes any longer. All that remains is a beast out for blood.
Tanya quenches that desire when she brings her fangs down on your throat and rips it out. The mercy of a quick death was perhaps her last gift to you. |
You're pretty much fucked either way, but you're going to gamble that Rook will be satisfied with revealing your plan, with some embellishments of course.
"Garrick sent me on a mission to kill Reginald."
"The cult leader that seduced his way into high society? Interesting."
"Yes, the Neroth cult is getting out of hand and the Guild is having severe problems with them so I was ordered to take out the leader. Been spending a few days staking out his home in an effort to figure out the best approach, but he's got guards every fucking where."
"Hmm, I see. To be honest those Neroth worshipping assholes DO need to be dealt with. While some in the Ebony Claw don't consider them top priority, I see them as a potential problem in the future. Especially since we've started to have our own run ins with them. Though I may be a bit biased considering they did kidnap my cousin once. Oh, by the way, always meant to thank you for rescuing her."
"Wait... you mean... Naji is... "
"A whore that doesn't know what the hell she's doing with her life, but she's still my cousin and she should finally get a little justice. So while normally I would love to see two enemies kill each other and making things a lot easier for us, it would be best if the followers of Neroth were curtailed. This city already has more than enough gods competing, and as a dedicated disciple to Fel, I see no reason why I shouldn't aid directly in their fall. Consider the Holgard Watch taken care of by tomorrow."
"What, really?"
"Yes. Obviously you're still going to have to kill Reginald and whatever fanatics he has in the house with him, but the Holgard Watch? They can always change loyalties and those that can't, well they'll be dealt with. Consider this another favor from your friends at the Ebony Claw."
You silently acknowledge Rook's words. While this is certainly going to help you out, you're not sure if you're going to be able to afford all these "favors" when it comes time to pay up.
"Well then I guess this concludes our business again. Next time we see each other, I trust you'll have that vital information for me. Time is growing short you know, and I would hate to see you on the wrong side." Rook says and pats you hard on the side of your face a couple times before walking away.
You soon no longer feel the crossbow at your back and that's when you know it's okay to move again.
You make your way back to the inn where you're supposed to be getting some rest like Tanya suggested, but after your encounter with Rook, you're more wound up than ever. Eventually you do fall asleep and by the time you wake up, it's night and you're rushing to go meet Tanya.
She's of course on the rooftop where you were yesterday.
"I was expecting you here earlier, it's not like you to leave things at the last moment." Tanya remarks.
"I guess I was more tired than I thought." You say.
"I nearly went in before you, because a perfect opportunity just opened up ten minutes ago. All of the guards left."
"What?"
"All of the guards just left. I saw a couple of them speak to each other and then one called to some of the others and they all just collectively left. I couldn't believe it myself. That's why I was hoping you'd hurry up since who knows how long they'll be gone."
Well looks like Rook wasn't a liar and he came through. Almost makes you start to wonder WHY he's being so helpful. He doesn't fit what you know about the EC at all. True, this is probably just all to get you to rat on the Guild, but it still seems above and beyond.
Of course he might think now that you'll be able to talk Tanya into switching sides too. He didn't seem convinced you'd be able to do it, but then maybe it's a small effort on his part for large potential gain.
Honestly, you aren't even sure how or if you'd ever be able to approach the subject with Tanya. As far as you know she's always been pretty dedicated to the Guild even if she's aloof to most of the members.
But this is a problem for another time; right now you've got a cult priest to assassinate.
Tanya says she's still going with her original plan of leaping to the roof of the house and breaking in that way. You doubt if you could make it since the distance is a little farther than average, but then you aren't blessed with infernal blood allowing you to do shit like that. You say you're going to just go in the front door now that everyone is gone. Assuming he's not in the cellar or not there at all, you're guessing you'll be able to catch him upstairs or down.
Besides the unknown factor of his location, there's also the unknown factor of what abilities he has or what else is in the house. At best you're hoping he's just some mouthpiece for bloodthirsty cult. At worst he's going to be summoning demons and have all sorts of other dark magic at his disposal.
You make your way down to street level again, open the gate (which the guards helpfully left unlocked) and go to the front door which you lockpick with ease. You'd think even with the guards he would have gotten a better lock, but whatever makes your task easier.
You slowly walk into the dimly lit foyer with your weapon drawn. You search the downstairs cautiously and methodically, but don't find any one. In the back of your mind you wish this was just a simple breaking and entering job because you're seeing a lot fancy decoration and you're sure Reginald has more portable valuables laying around in a safe or something somewhere.
While you're looking around for stairs to the cellar, you hear some thumping coming from the upstairs. Things have been more or less silent so far, so this it cause to give you alarm.
You immediately head back to the large set of stairs that lead up in the foyer. As you're heading up the stairs, you notice that the lighting is becoming much darker. It's almost as if the candles from the chandelier are going out.
You get to near the top of the landing and then it goes completely dark.
"Oh shit." You say to yourself and immediately turn your head towards the direction of the chandelier.
Then when you turn your head back forward, you nearly fall backwards when you see Tanya standing right in front of you.
"Fuck!" you utter out loud and then Tanya grabs your tunic so you don't fall.
"Thanks." You say.
Tanya doesn't seem to acknowledge your gratitude though; instead she pulls you closer to her. At this distance, even in the darkness, you can make out her normally shrouded face.
The first time you saw it at this range you were partially enchanted. This time is no different, but you're still aware enough that this isn't normal behavior for her, especially in these circumstances.
"Tanya?" you utter.
You get no answer, what you do get is a kiss on your lips. The feeling is unlike anything you've ever experienced. It's very pleasant, but as it goes on, you start to feel weak. In fact you try to pull away, but when you do so, Tanya's eyes glow red, she makes a growling sound and then shoves your away.
You tumble down the stairs and while you fortunately don't break anything, you unfortunately smack your head so hard you're dazed. If you could actually see anything in this darkness, you'd probably be seeing double.
You hear a bunch of footsteps and then you feel a couple sets of hands lifting you up and finally a fist coming straight at your face.
When you wake up, you're in a cell, completely naked. A brief look at your surroundings and you know exactly where you are. It's the torture chamber where you saved Naji. In fact, you're in the exact same cell.
You look around, but there's nothing in your cell that you find useful, you do notice that there is someone else in the next cell over. They're sitting in a corner rocking back and forth mumbling. While the person has obviously been through hell and you've definitely never seen this person naked before, the face and hair are still recognizable despite some of the fresh wounds. You can hardly believe it.
"Yinen?" you ask.
Yinen briefly looks at you and while he knows who you are, he returns to his rocking and mumbling. You can't even tell what he's saying, but he sounds like he saying something religious. You hear Joachim's name being mentioned a few times.
Well this explains where Yinen has been. Poor bastard's probably been tortured for quite awhile. You still don't know what happened with Tanya either. Was a spell cast on her? She is half succubus, was the "presence of Neroth" forcing her to act more within her nature?
You don't know, but what you do know is you need to get the hell out of here.
You're not filled with confidence that you're going to survive whatever is to come, but you sure hope whatever they have planned its quick.
Grabing a hold of the door in a vain attempt to open it and feeling a little hopeless yourself, you say your own prayer though yours is more along the lines of "I sure hope Yag is throwing a seven for me tonight."
"Ah, prayer! The last refuge of a scoundrel as they say. I've always disagreed with that though. Prayer can be a powerful tool. I should know as my dark father has blessed me with much since my dedicated prayer to him." A voice says.
You turn your head and see a man with a goatee in a red robe. A couple of other larger men in red robes stand behind him.
"However I think you shall find that your prayers will go unanswered here. Neroth holds complete sway as he soon will over this city and eventually the world!"
Given his superior attitude and boasting, you can only imagine this is Reginald. He gives you a look that reminds you of that fat perverted merchant you had to kill years ago. You instinctively cover yourself.
"Oh we have a shy one do we? I must say, you shouldn't be, given your body. However, as much as I would love to throw you over the altar in front of my congregation and introduce my dick to your ass while slitting your throat as I released, I've got something better planned for you." Reginald remarks.
"Hope its better than ass rape." You say.
"Hah. Depends on your viewpoint I suppose. I know you're the one that so rudely broke into my home and stole that girl years ago. We were a little pre-occupied in nabbing you before and you seem to be skilled enough to fight off our recent attempts. However when you walked in here of your own accord, and with that infernal spawn... well that almost makes up for all the years you were able to go on breathing."
Reginald motions the two large men to open the cell door. You back up ready to fight, though Reginald shakes his head and makes some gestures with his hand and your body completely tenses up like you're paralyzed.
"We don't have time for that, important work must be done. That half-breed you walked in with has only begun to realize the untapped potential of her powers. Honestly, I don't know how she has managed to suppress her infernal side for so long. Most daughters of true succubi by her age have long since gone on to embrace their infernal heritage. This one was obviously lost, but no more." Reginald says.
"What did you do to her?" you ask as the two men grab your arms and start dragging you out.
"Me? I did nothing other than speak a few truths to her guided by Neroth's wisdom, though as I said, his presence in this house is stronger than most. I believe she felt it, just as all who follow do. However, she's still not complete, that's where you will come in. She will complete her transformation with you as the sacrifice and we will ALL witness it, and it shall be glorious to see a higher being achieve freedom!"
Reginald motions the two men to drag you to the room with the altar and large pentagram on the floor. When you enter, you're thrown into said pentagram. A crowd of red robed individuals watches silently.
When you get your head up off the floor, the paralysis is wearing off, but now you see Tanya in front of you looking at you like a predator with its prey. She definitely doesn't seem like herself.
"Daughter of Neroth! Embrace your true heritage and kill this sacrifice in the name of your dark father! We shall all bask in the glory of your transformation!" Reginald shouts followed by several of his followers.
You manage to stand up, but you doubt if you're going to be much match for Tanya. Even if you weren't naked and unarmed, you probably wouldn't be a match.
Despite the fact that death is most likely imminent, you've still got this unnatural attraction to Tanya, or rather genuine attraction, but unnatural due to the situation at hand.
This is really looking like the end for you, unless you can come up with something.
> fight for your life
While talking might work under normal circumstances, you're literally having a hard enough time trying to focus on your own sense of self-preservation because part of you wants to just embrace her and go out fucking if your semi-erection is any indication.
You're probably going to die anyway, but at least in your head you can take comfort in the fact that you tried.
"Tanya... Tanya... please... ." You say and hang your head down in an effort to look defeated.
Tanya moves closer to you and runs her fingers through your hair and then lifts your head up with one hand and puts another hand to her lips in a "shhhhh" motion. It's apparent she's toying with you like a cat would with a mouse, but something about it is very alluring. So much so that you almost forget to punch her right in the face.
This is more than enough to surprise her and cause her reel back a bit. You immediately look around for a way to escape. However the crowd is converging on you, including Reginald, but he's instead telling everyone to back off.
"No! Let her finish him off! His impotent fighting will only prolong the inevitable and make her transformation all the more sweeter as she will tear him apart with no mercy!" he shouts.
By this point Tanya has recovered and with how pissed she looks right now Reginald may be right on that last part.
You stand your ground with your fists up, and Tanya runs towards you. You throw another punch, but she dodges and gives you a swift punch to your stomach and knocks all the wind out of you. Now while you're hunched over trying to catch your breath, she grabs your throat with one hand and your balls with the other.
Just as you're thinking you're going to be soon singing soprano, something unexpected happens. Instead of crushing your manhood, she instead lifts you up over her head, not that this isn't still painful of course.
But the next thing she does is even more unexpected.
Instead of slamming you into the floor or something similar she instead throws you at Reginald who is taken completely off guard by this.
"Wha fuck!" he utters before you go crashing into him.
With you and Reginald on the floor, the congregation is now really getting agitated. Those two large cultists that dragged you from the cell immediately go to get you off of Reginald, but before they can, you hear grunts and howls of pain as Tanya has stabbed them both.
Blood has now sprayed all over the place and you feel the crushing weight of a dead body falling on you.
"You and that half breed bitch will pay for this! Kill them both!" Reginald shouts.
Reginald isn't exactly in the best position to give any orders however as he's in an even worse position than you since he's now buried under two bodies rather than just yours. He struggles to get his arms free and while you're trying to do the same you get another idea.
Your head is at his chest level right now, and mustering all your strength you manage to move your entire body forward and slam the top of your head up into his jaw repeatedly. He tries to stop you, but he still can't get his arms entirely free.
You're naked and you've got one dead man on top of you and you're currently rubbing up against another one trying kill you, if someone had told you that you'd ever be in this situation you never would have believed it.
Eventually you break his jaw causing him to moan and wail, or at least the best he can do with a broken jaw.
You take the opportunity to roll sideway and wiggle out from under the dead cultist. You catch a few short punches to your side, but you eventually get free. Reginald despite being in pain begins to do likewise.
Wasting no time, you take advantage of his still prone position and use the heel of your foot to bring it down on Reginald's nose. If you didn't break it the first time, you certainly do the second. By the third and forth time you've stomped it into mush.
Your balls still ache, the top of your head is sore, your foot hurts like hell and you're pretty sure you've got a bone fragment in it, but Reginald is currently choking on his own blood and struggling to breath with a mashed up nose and broken jaw so you're currently doing much better than he is.
You take his head and start smashing it as hard as you can on the stone floor. Reginald tries to feebly stop you, but he's too weak at this point and with the back of his skull being caved in and his brains starting to leak out of his head he soon loses consciousness forever.
After finishing the bloody deed, you take a moment to catch your breath. You finally get a chance to be more aware of your surroundings and see Tanya has been making short work of the remaining cultists that have still stuck around. After finishing off the last cultist she turns to face you and once again you're still a little concerned about as you have no idea if she's actually still on your side again or she just decided to go on killing rampage.
"Well don't just stand there with a stupid look on your face, we need to get the hell out here and at least take a robe off of one of these assholes and put it on. I've seen way more of you than I ever wanted to!"
She appears to be back to normal.
"Wait a minute, what the hell happened to you a few moments ago? In fact what the hell happened to you period?"
"I... I don't want to talk about it, look we need to get the fuck outta here. I don't like it here and I don't... feel right just being here. We need to fucking go NOW."
"Alright, alright, shit... robe... robe... "
As you're stripping off a robe of one of the corpses, Tanya's looking around as if she's expecting more trouble. While that might very well be the case, you can tell it's more than that.
"Shit! Yinen! He's still in the fucking cage back there, we need to let him out." You say as you're putting on the robe.
"What? I don't have the damn keys and we don't have time to search all these fuckers." Tanya exclaims.
"Well I'd pick the lock, but it's not like I have a lockpick anymore, do you have any?"
"Here, but hurry the hell up I'm not sticking around here any longer than I have to."
You catch the lockpick that Tanya tosses at you and run back to the torture chamber. You go back to Yinen's cell and start opening the cell, but he just continues to do the usual rocking back and forth and mumbling.
"Yinen! Come on! We gotta get the hell out of here! Yinen!" you say and approach him.
Yinen finally realizes someone is there with him, but instead of jumping at the chance to be free, he starts screaming.
"NO! NO! I WON'T GO WITH YOU! GET AWAY! PLEASE! JOACHIM SAVE ME!"
At first you're confused to as why he's acting this way and doesn't see that it's you, but then you think it might be the fact that you're wearing a red robe.
"Yinen! It's me! I'm not one of them! I'm... "
"NO! LIES! NEROTH IS THE FATHER OF LIES AND EVIL! JOACHIM! BRING DOWN YOUR HOLY VENGENCE AND SAVE ME!" Yinen shouts and suddenly lunges at you.
You fend off his attack in an effort not to hurt him too badly, but he isn't so much interested in fighting as he is escaping. He runs off yelling after he manages to maneuver around you. You hear Tanya shout something in the next room and you run back to her.
"Was that him? He ran right past me screaming." Tanya asks.
"Yeah, I dunno, the guy's head is all fucked up. They really did something to him, I dunno if he's going to be the same." You say.
"He's not the only one, now WE need to leave."
Tanya doesn't wait any longer, she runs into the room with all the wine barrels and you follow as close as possible. You'd suggest looking for the passage to the sewers for a quicker exit, but you aren't even sure if it exists anymore, besides she's already made her way up the stairs to the ground floor.
Yinen must have known the way out since the door is already open, or rather the hidden bookshelf door that was hiding the stairs to the cellar. From here, you both make your way out the house (And again, find the door already open)
You don't exactly know where Tanya's running to, but you continue to follow her and eventually she stops somewhere secluded. Then she start going through her clothing.
"Here. Take this thing and leave me be." She says and hands you back your pistol. In all the ensuing mayhem you completely forgot that you had potentially lost your favorite weapon.
"Thanks... but where did you get this?" you ask.
"I took it when they were stripping your clothes off, I dunno why I did. I really don't understand why I did anything. I thought I was past this. I need to get my head together and figure this shit out." Tanya says.
"Tanya can you at least tell me something? I mean did Reginald case a spell or what? I mean was all his babbling true, Neroth is your father in some way?"
"No! And I'm not just saying that because I don't want that to be true. I'm saying that, because my real father from what my succubus bitch of a mother told me was some drunk dickhead that she killed immediately after mating with and because Reginald doesn't know what the fuck he's talking about. While he may have been sucking Neroth's infernal cock in the spiritual sense, I still know more about the infernal realm more than he EVER could have and trust me, if he had known, he wouldn't have been worshipping Neroth or whatever petty infernal warlord that's setting himself up as a god to mortals at any given time."
"Wait, you've been there? You've actually crossed into a different plane?"
"No, but I don't need to physically be there and I hope I never do. I saw enough based on what my mother showed me and I resisted the lure of it then and I'm going to continue to do so."
"You keep bringing up your mother, I thought you were an orphan."
"I was. Wasn't like she took care of me, she tossed me aside as soon as I was born and I suppose I was lucky to be born female and she wasn't hungry at the time. Look, while I'm sure this is all very intriguing for you, I am fucking done talking about this. If you want to know what happened to me, I don't fucking know! Maybe all the demonic ties that Reginald and by proxy his home had to the infernal realm had some effect and I lost control because I've let my guard down to it over the years. I guess I was lucky that you punched me in the face to snap me out of it. Thanks, but just because you know some shit about me doesn't mean we're getting closer!"
"I wasn't even thinking about that... "
"Bullshit! That's ALL you ever think about. I know you do. You can't even help yourself. Pfft, your earlier lie about not being interested me anymore when we were on the rooftop before all this happened was laughable. I know for a fact that you regularly have sex with some whore that tries to look like me. In fact isn't she the same one you saved? Boy you must LOVE that. It's almost like you can pretend that you saved me like some hero."
"Um... "
"What? You embarrassed? You're not THAT embarrassed if you're still doing it. Besides, it's not like you'd be the first, you just happen to be one of the few that's been doing it the longest."
"Tanya, I really don't know what you want from me at this point. I mean I'm really trying my best. I thought we were at least getting along."
"And THAT'S a failing on my part. If anything I've allowed you to get TOO close lately! I need to fucking redouble my efforts, I see that now. I should have known to keep my distance from you and I should have NEVER offered to help you on this task!"
You can see this is a losing battle and you're tired so you decide to bow out.
"Ok Tanya, you've made your point, I'm leaving. Thanks for saving me again, see you later."
You start to leave, but Tanya spins you around.
"Don't you turn your back on me, and this is for punching me in the fucking face!" Tanya says and kicks you hard in the balls.
You crumple to the ground and Tanya starts to say something, but then stops and then starts again.
"I'm... sorry... I just... I can't... just stay away from me." She says and quickly runs off.
After vomiting a little bit you eventually stand back up and stagger back to the Hell's Own Inn. Thankfully you aren't accosted by anyone along the way.
When you get back, Bruno sees you and gives you a sideways glance at first.
"Okay, it's you. I saw a red robe and got a little nervous. What's with the red robe anyway, aren't those the ones that Neroth cultists wear?" Bruno asks.
"Yeah, I just joined so you better watch out." You say.
"Ha ha funny guy. What's the real story?"
"I don't want to even get into it right now, I'll tell you another time, I just want to go rest."
"Sure, whatever."
You start making your way upstairs, but stop to ask one question.
"Hey Bruno, Yinen didn't come in here by any chance did?" you ask.
"I told you, I haven't seen him in days. He probably left the city." Bruno says.
"I bet he wishes he did." You mumble and head to your room.
You take off the blood stained and rank red robe and collapse on your bed. You've spent a lot of the night naked tonight, and not in a good way.
The only good thing about tonight is you killed the top asshole of the cult that was trying to kill you. You imagine there are still others around, but you can't worry about it right now.
As you slowly drift off with your hand covering your abused testicles, you think about how things are just fucked up with Tanya now. It's like you're back to square one, but maybe you were just deluding yourself anyway.
Of course despite all this AND the fact that she tried to kill you today, you still go to sleep dreaming about her.
> time passes...
Year 20
"I'm not obsessed." You exclaim which causes a look of skepticism from Sneaks.
"Okay, maybe I'm a little obsessed, but not in the way you're saying." You say.
"Look kid, I'll let you in on a little secret, I've jerked off thinking about Tanya too. I don't think there's a man that's been in contact with her for any length of time that hasn't. Hell, there's been guys in the Guild into men and they STILL admitted to having thoughts about her. She had a dick of course in their fantasies, but my point is, she still had an effect. It's part of her demon heritage, but the effects should have long since worn off and I'm telling you the way you're going is not fucking healthy."
"But my feelings for her are not just physical. I mean yeah that's part of it, but I've been getting to know her and I feel a real connection with her."
Now Sneaks is totally confused.
"I thought you were staying away from her ever since you took out Reginald." Sneaks asks.
"I have! But I keep seeing her in my dreams! And those dreams have been becoming more frequent lately. In these dreams, we spend time together and talk and laugh and... "
"And fuck. Probably a lot of fucking. Look, sounds like you're having some nice dreams, but dreams aren't real and with some of the ones you've described they sound impossible. Just go back to fucking that whore that dresses like her, it's the closest you're going to get."
"I can't even do that anymore, I feel like I'm cheating on Tanya. I'm telling you, this is really happening. I don't know how, but it is. I mean don't succubi invade dreams? I mean maybe she's trying to tell me something even if she isn't doing it in the real world."
"Real world being the key word here. Are you listening to yourself? Look, I don't know what to tell you man, I mean... (sigh) okay say for the sake of argument this IS all true, have you even spoken to her directly about it?"
"Well no, I've been trying to stay away and respect her wishes to leave her alone."
Sneaks slaps you upside the head.
"What the hell?!" you say.
"That's without a doubt, the stupidest fucking shit you've ever said involving Tanya. I've known you since you joined the Guild and you've flirted with her shamelessly beyond a point where others have gotten shanked by her for their troubles. The ONLY other person I know who's gotten this obsessed with Tanya and lived is Garrick, though Yag knows he'd NEVER fucking admit that." Sneaks says.
"So... I was right about Garrick?"
"Of course you were right about him. Why do you think he still holds a grudge against you even though you're staying away from Tanya? I mean in his case, I don't think it started out that way... shit I HOPE it didn't start out that way since he took her in when she was a young teenager, but in any case. Garrick has been in love with Tanya for a very long time now. He'll never make a move of course, which is why I'm telling YOU that if you REALLY think you've got a shot with Tanya, then you need to just go talk to her, because the non-confrontational routine? Yeah that doesn't work and it isn't your style anyway."
"Weren't you the one that once told me once to forget about her?"
"Yeah well I'm hoping you'll listen to me on this advice this time because it's apparent that you're bound for a path of destruction. At least if you go talk to her you'll get that over quickly and who knows, maybe just MAYBE, you're right about all this. In any case, I'm going to go see if there's anyone around to play cards with."
"I think a lot of the members are out enjoying the riots."
"Yeah fuck that, it's absolute chaos out there. Surprised the Baron's managed to still keep control of some of the city. Mostly the merchant's district, rich areas and his palace of course, but it's getting worse. To be honest, I would leave the city, but unfortunately I've still got a streak of loyalty and I'd never just abandon Garrick. Too much history, even if I don't agree with him sometimes. Anyway, see you later and good luck."
Sneaks leaves you and you immediately go to see if Tanya is in her quarters. You already know what you're going to say, because you've been saying it in your mind for a long time now, you're just mentally preparing yourself the verbal (and possibly physical) repercussions of your confrontation.
Has to be done though because this has gone on long enough and if Tanya genuinely has no interest in you then you're not going to stick around just to have something you desire greatly dangling in front of you everyday and can't do anything about it.
As you approach Tanya's quarters you hear voices coming from it. You slow your pace and strain your ears to listen and eventually hide just outside her door.
"Tanya, I can throw him out of the Guild, if he's been bothering you again. Honestly I would have done it sooner had you not told me not to after that stunt with the Neroth cultists." You hear Garrick say.
"He hasn't been bothering me Garrick, if anything he's been honoring my wishes. He's been a perfect fucking gentleman... or at least as close as he can get to one."
"Be that as it may, I know something is wrong."
"I'm fine Garrick, stop fussing."
"Tanya, I KNOW something is going on with you. I've known you since you were girl and I know when you're more troubled than usual. I mean if you don't tell me, I can't help... "
"That's fucking right Garrick, you CAN'T fucking help! Nobody can! So stop playing the over protective dad role trying to save his little girl and just get the hell out of my quarters."
"Tanya, you forget that... "
"Yes, Garrick I fucking know. You brought me in off the streets when I was some poor dirty orphan stealing food and had run away from the home for the umpteenth time! How long are you going to bring that up? I've never said I wasn't appreciative, I think my time staying here has proven that, but if you think I OWE you something more, then you've been a fool for a longer time than even he has! Worse even."
"Tanya! I've never... "
Before Garrick can complete his statement, you finally enter the room causing an immediate hostile look from Garrick and a look of exasperation from Tanya.
"Oh great... " Tanya says.
"YOU! Get out of here, we're having a private conversation!" Garrick yells.
"Tanya, WE need to talk. There's something going on between us and I have to think you know what I mean. This has been a long time coming and I can't just continue to walk around here in silence any longer." You say.
"I'll tell you what, you don't need to be walking around here anymore period. You're out of the Guild! You've been nothing a headache since I allowed you in here! I can't believe I was so blind to think you would be an asset in the first place!"
"Garrick, I'm not even arguing with you and I'll be more than happy to leave this shitty Guild, but I've got to speak to Tanya first."
"Go ahead then." Tanya says a bit defeated.
"Tanya, I've been having dreams about you for past few months ever since everything that went down with the Neroth cultists. Now I dunno if you're doing it on purpose or what, but these dreams have been more than just dreams, it's like... it's like they're real somehow. You're talking to me. WE'RE talking to each other about, well everything. My past, your past, our likes, our dislikes. I swear it's like we've been dating without actually going out."
"Bullshit. You don't know shit about Tanya. You've been making shit up in your delusional mind. Wishful thinking about shit that's never going to happen! Okay asshole, if you know so much, why don't you give us a little history lesson?"
"Gladly."
You begin with a description of the orphanage Tanya grew up in and the apathetic lady who ran it. You mention how Tanya had to beat up two older boys when she was six because they were accusing her of stealing their food. After she broke one boy's arms and the nose of the other boy, the other children remained afraid of her.
She ran away from the orphanage altogether by the time she was nine and lived on the streets until she was around thirteen where upon Garrick caught her trying to pick his pocket. You even describe the type of day it was, mentioning that it was lightly raining. After he caught Tanya he offered her a place in the Guild.
At this point Tanya and Garrick are just silent as you relay this information. Garrick's mouth nearly hangs open as he knows you're exactly right about everything. He can't believe that you know all this. Tanya even looks a away a couple times.
"And you told me, that you've remained loyal for the past twenty some odd years since that time at first because you originally felt obligated to Garrick for giving you a home and helping you when nobody else was, but there was a point when you started to feel less satisfied here and you considered leaving." You say.
"Tanya! You never told me this! Is this true?!" Garrick remarks.
Tanya doesn't answer, she just looks at you like you're going to tell him anyway, so why stop?
"She never told anyone that. She would have left too, but then her mother showed up and after her brief meeting, she stayed with the Guild. Not because she had great attachment to it, but because she feared what she might do without it keeping her somewhat grounded. The Guild became a sort of sanctuary against her infernal nature. Sure, thievery isn't exactly the most noble of professions, but it's a far cry from what infernals like to engage in." you say.
Garrick turns back to Tanya.
"Tanya, you could have told me this! Why didn't you? I could have... " Garrick starts to say before he's interrupted.
"You could have what Garrick? Tried to make everything better like you always think you can? This is what I was talking about earlier, you CAN'T FUCKING HELP ME! Nobody can! I mean just look at what's occurred... I'm meeting this infatuated loser in his dreams and telling him my whole life story and I was only barely aware of some of it! How long before I have complete control over it? My infernal nature is coming out and it can't be stopped. Stop trying to fucking save me because I'm NEVER going to love you Garrick or at least not in the way YOU want." Tanya shouts
Garrick says nothing; he just staggers back a bit against a table like all the wind has been knocked out of him. Tanya now turns her attention towards you.
"And as for you, your best option would be running far away from this place and from me before it gets worse. I don't care how much you THINK you're in love with me." Tanya says.
"Or even how much you might be in love with me?" you answer.
"Now THAT is wishful thinking and not what is happening."
"Okay, maybe love isn't the right word, but I have a hard time believing that you didn't contact me in my dreams for shits and giggles. You're actually fun in those dreams and I know you well enough in the real world that you never do anything remotely fun. It's like you wanted me to see another side of you that nobody else does. Arguably the closest person you were close to before I showed up was Garrick, and you only see him as a father figure at best. You didn't contact him in his dreams. You didn't show up in anyone else's either. You showed up in mine because you obviously have a fondness for... "
"SHUT UP! SHUT UP!" Garrick suddenly shouts and lunges at you.
He tackles you to the floor and you roll around briefly with him, but you soon get him off of you. However, he's managed to pilfer your pistol that was tucked in your clothing.
"Garrick! Put that down!" Tanya shouts.
"Why?! Just so you can go off with this dickhead? No! How many people have fallen for you Tanya? How many? I've lost count. Why does THIS one get your affection?" Garrick screams and then starts laughing.
"I WAS the one who took you in! I WAS the one who gave you purpose and apparently I was the one who gave you salvation! Don't you see Tanya? I'M the one who loves you! I always did! But if I can't have you... then I suppose I'll have to accept that... but what I won't accept is someone else having you instead!"
Garrick is pointing the pistol right at you and ready to fire. You might be quick enough to stop him, or you might not. Tanya looks like she might do something, but who knows?
> grab the gun from Garrick
You take that chance that you're quick enough and Garrick is so emotional right now that he's not focused like he should.
You lunge for the pistol.
A loud sound is heard followed by the sensation of a burning force hitting you hard in the lower chest. Still working on adrenaline you don't stop and continue to try to wrestle the pistol from Garrick. He fires again, but this time misses as you move his arm and then break his wrist completely causing him to drop it.
Tanya at this point intervenes and tackles Garrick and you all go tumbling on the floor.
Tanya starts screaming at Garrick and punching him in the face while he unsuccessfully tries to fend her off. You on the other hand are now coming to realize that you've been shot pretty badly and your adrenaline has worn off.
You cough blood and wheeze as death is finally catching up to you. Tanya goes over to you and starts telling you to hold on while she frantically attempts to look for something in her room to help you, but there isn't anything and it wouldn't help anyway.
You look over to your left and see Garrick's face mashed into bloody mush. Not being able to find anything to help your wound, Tanya attempts to lift you up, but you tell her to stop.
"Tanya, stop. You're not going to get me to an infirmary or the apothecary in time." You say.
"But... it can't end like this! Not now! Not when I... (sob)"
"Just wasn't (cough) meant to be... but it's okay. At least I know finally."
And with those last words your eyes begin to close and you feel the taste of Tanya's lips on your own before you pass on. |
Year 20
"I'm not obsessed." You exclaim which causes a look of skepticism from Sneaks.
"Okay, maybe I'm a little obsessed, but not in the way you're saying." You say.
"Look kid, I'll let you in on a little secret, I've jerked off thinking about Tanya too. I don't think there's a man that's been in contact with her for any length of time that hasn't. Hell, there's been guys in the Guild into men and they STILL admitted to having thoughts about her. She had a dick of course in their fantasies, but my point is, she still had an effect. It's part of her demon heritage, but the effects should have long since worn off and I'm telling you the way you're going is not fucking healthy."
"But my feelings for her are not just physical. I mean yeah that's part of it, but I've been getting to know her and I feel a real connection with her."
Now Sneaks is totally confused.
"I thought you were staying away from her ever since you took out Reginald." Sneaks asks.
"I have! But I keep seeing her in my dreams! And those dreams have been becoming more frequent lately. In these dreams, we spend time together and talk and laugh and... "
"And fuck. Probably a lot of fucking. Look, sounds like you're having some nice dreams, but dreams aren't real and with some of the ones you've described they sound impossible. Just go back to fucking that whore that dresses like her, it's the closest you're going to get."
"I can't even do that anymore, I feel like I'm cheating on Tanya. I'm telling you, this is really happening. I don't know how, but it is. I mean don't succubi invade dreams? I mean maybe she's trying to tell me something even if she isn't doing it in the real world."
"Real world being the key word here. Are you listening to yourself? Look, I don't know what to tell you man, I mean... (sigh) okay say for the sake of argument this IS all true, have you even spoken to her directly about it?"
"Well no, I've been trying to stay away and respect her wishes to leave her alone."
Sneaks slaps you upside the head.
"What the hell?!" you say.
"That's without a doubt, the stupidest fucking shit you've ever said involving Tanya. I've known you since you joined the Guild and you've flirted with her shamelessly beyond a point where others have gotten shanked by her for their troubles. The ONLY other person I know who's gotten this obsessed with Tanya and lived is Garrick, though Yag knows he'd NEVER fucking admit that." Sneaks says.
"So... I was right about Garrick?"
"Of course you were right about him. Why do you think he still holds a grudge against you even though you're staying away from Tanya? I mean in his case, I don't think it started out that way... shit I HOPE it didn't start out that way since he took her in when she was a young teenager, but in any case. Garrick has been in love with Tanya for a very long time now. He'll never make a move of course, which is why I'm telling YOU that if you REALLY think you've got a shot with Tanya, then you need to just go talk to her, because the non-confrontational routine? Yeah that doesn't work and it isn't your style anyway."
"Weren't you the one that once told me once to forget about her?"
"Yeah well I'm hoping you'll listen to me on this advice this time because it's apparent that you're bound for a path of destruction. At least if you go talk to her you'll get that over quickly and who knows, maybe just MAYBE, you're right about all this. In any case, I'm going to go see if there's anyone around to play cards with."
"I think a lot of the members are out enjoying the riots."
"Yeah fuck that, it's absolute chaos out there. Surprised the Baron's managed to still keep control of some of the city. Mostly the merchant's district, rich areas and his palace of course, but it's getting worse. To be honest, I would leave the city, but unfortunately I've still got a streak of loyalty and I'd never just abandon Garrick. Too much history, even if I don't agree with him sometimes. Anyway, see you later and good luck."
Sneaks leaves you and you immediately go to see if Tanya is in her quarters. You already know what you're going to say, because you've been saying it in your mind for a long time now, you're just mentally preparing yourself the verbal (and possibly physical) repercussions of your confrontation.
Has to be done though because this has gone on long enough and if Tanya genuinely has no interest in you then you're not going to stick around just to have something you desire greatly dangling in front of you everyday and can't do anything about it.
As you approach Tanya's quarters you hear voices coming from it. You slow your pace and strain your ears to listen and eventually hide just outside her door.
"Tanya, I can throw him out of the Guild, if he's been bothering you again. Honestly I would have done it sooner had you not told me not to after that stunt with the Neroth cultists." You hear Garrick say.
"He hasn't been bothering me Garrick, if anything he's been honoring my wishes. He's been a perfect fucking gentleman... or at least as close as he can get to one."
"Be that as it may, I know something is wrong."
"I'm fine Garrick, stop fussing."
"Tanya, I KNOW something is going on with you. I've known you since you were girl and I know when you're more troubled than usual. I mean if you don't tell me, I can't help... "
"That's fucking right Garrick, you CAN'T fucking help! Nobody can! So stop playing the over protective dad role trying to save his little girl and just get the hell out of my quarters."
"Tanya, you forget that... "
"Yes, Garrick I fucking know. You brought me in off the streets when I was some poor dirty orphan stealing food and had run away from the home for the umpteenth time! How long are you going to bring that up? I've never said I wasn't appreciative, I think my time staying here has proven that, but if you think I OWE you something more, then you've been a fool for a longer time than even he has! Worse even."
"Tanya! I've never... "
Before Garrick can complete his statement, you finally enter the room causing an immediate hostile look from Garrick and a look of exasperation from Tanya.
"Oh great... " Tanya says.
"YOU! Get out of here, we're having a private conversation!" Garrick yells.
"Tanya, WE need to talk. There's something going on between us and I have to think you know what I mean. This has been a long time coming and I can't just continue to walk around here in silence any longer." You say.
"I'll tell you what, you don't need to be walking around here anymore period. You're out of the Guild! You've been nothing a headache since I allowed you in here! I can't believe I was so blind to think you would be an asset in the first place!"
"Garrick, I'm not even arguing with you and I'll be more than happy to leave this shitty Guild, but I've got to speak to Tanya first."
"Go ahead then." Tanya says a bit defeated.
"Tanya, I've been having dreams about you for past few months ever since everything that went down with the Neroth cultists. Now I dunno if you're doing it on purpose or what, but these dreams have been more than just dreams, it's like... it's like they're real somehow. You're talking to me. WE'RE talking to each other about, well everything. My past, your past, our likes, our dislikes. I swear it's like we've been dating without actually going out."
"Bullshit. You don't know shit about Tanya. You've been making shit up in your delusional mind. Wishful thinking about shit that's never going to happen! Okay asshole, if you know so much, why don't you give us a little history lesson?"
"Gladly."
You begin with a description of the orphanage Tanya grew up in and the apathetic lady who ran it. You mention how Tanya had to beat up two older boys when she was six because they were accusing her of stealing their food. After she broke one boy's arms and the nose of the other boy, the other children remained afraid of her.
She ran away from the orphanage altogether by the time she was nine and lived on the streets until she was around thirteen where upon Garrick caught her trying to pick his pocket. You even describe the type of day it was, mentioning that it was lightly raining. After he caught Tanya he offered her a place in the Guild.
At this point Tanya and Garrick are just silent as you relay this information. Garrick's mouth nearly hangs open as he knows you're exactly right about everything. He can't believe that you know all this. Tanya even looks a away a couple times.
"And you told me, that you've remained loyal for the past twenty some odd years since that time at first because you originally felt obligated to Garrick for giving you a home and helping you when nobody else was, but there was a point when you started to feel less satisfied here and you considered leaving." You say.
"Tanya! You never told me this! Is this true?!" Garrick remarks.
Tanya doesn't answer, she just looks at you like you're going to tell him anyway, so why stop?
"She never told anyone that. She would have left too, but then her mother showed up and after her brief meeting, she stayed with the Guild. Not because she had great attachment to it, but because she feared what she might do without it keeping her somewhat grounded. The Guild became a sort of sanctuary against her infernal nature. Sure, thievery isn't exactly the most noble of professions, but it's a far cry from what infernals like to engage in." you say.
Garrick turns back to Tanya.
"Tanya, you could have told me this! Why didn't you? I could have... " Garrick starts to say before he's interrupted.
"You could have what Garrick? Tried to make everything better like you always think you can? This is what I was talking about earlier, you CAN'T FUCKING HELP ME! Nobody can! I mean just look at what's occurred... I'm meeting this infatuated loser in his dreams and telling him my whole life story and I was only barely aware of some of it! How long before I have complete control over it? My infernal nature is coming out and it can't be stopped. Stop trying to fucking save me because I'm NEVER going to love you Garrick or at least not in the way YOU want." Tanya shouts
Garrick says nothing; he just staggers back a bit against a table like all the wind has been knocked out of him. Tanya now turns her attention towards you.
"And as for you, your best option would be running far away from this place and from me before it gets worse. I don't care how much you THINK you're in love with me." Tanya says.
"Or even how much you might be in love with me?" you answer.
"Now THAT is wishful thinking and not what is happening."
"Okay, maybe love isn't the right word, but I have a hard time believing that you didn't contact me in my dreams for shits and giggles. You're actually fun in those dreams and I know you well enough in the real world that you never do anything remotely fun. It's like you wanted me to see another side of you that nobody else does. Arguably the closest person you were close to before I showed up was Garrick, and you only see him as a father figure at best. You didn't contact him in his dreams. You didn't show up in anyone else's either. You showed up in mine because you obviously have a fondness for... "
"SHUT UP! SHUT UP!" Garrick suddenly shouts and lunges at you.
He tackles you to the floor and you roll around briefly with him, but you soon get him off of you. However, he's managed to pilfer your pistol that was tucked in your clothing.
"Garrick! Put that down!" Tanya shouts.
"Why?! Just so you can go off with this dickhead? No! How many people have fallen for you Tanya? How many? I've lost count. Why does THIS one get your affection?" Garrick screams and then starts laughing.
"I WAS the one who took you in! I WAS the one who gave you purpose and apparently I was the one who gave you salvation! Don't you see Tanya? I'M the one who loves you! I always did! But if I can't have you... then I suppose I'll have to accept that... but what I won't accept is someone else having you instead!"
Garrick is pointing the pistol right at you and ready to fire. You might be quick enough to stop him, or you might not. Tanya looks like she might do something, but who knows?
> wait
You're putting a lot of trust into Tanya right now...
Since you aren't going for the gun, you attempt to stall for time.
"Garrick, look, she isn't exactly tripping over herself for me either despite me revealing all this information. If anything she probably dislikes me even more now. She's not worth dying for so you want me gone, fine, I'm going. And if it will suffice, my apologies." You say and start backing away with your hands up.
"I'm afraid that will NOT suffice!" Garrick exclaims before Tanya tackles him.
Tanya knocks the pistol from his hand and easily subdues him while you grab your weapon off the floor. He struggles for a bit, but then eventually just stops and starts crying.
"Tanya, move out of the way." You say fully intent on killing Garrick
"No! I know what he did, but you're not killing him! Despite everything, the man DID help me at one time and I'm not going to just forget that. Just leave us." Tanya says.
"What about... you know what, forget it."
You're done. You might still have strong feelings for Tanya, but obviously you're going to have to get over them and hopefully in time they will eventually dissipate by putting as much space as you can between you and her. You also hope the dreams will come to an end because if they don't that's going to make the process a lot harder, if not impossible.
Troubles for another time however and you'll deal with it when you have to.
You make your way out of the Thieves' Guild as quick as you can, into the sewers and to the closest manhole cover. One thing you aren't going to miss and that's mucking around in the damn sewers.
You look around and see a few stores that have been looted, some in the process of being looted, but nothing excessive. The city isn't on fire or anything. (Just a couple of buildings)
Your goal is to get the hell out and as far as possible from this damn city because there really isn't anything holding you here now.
You attempt to avoid potential trouble by taking the quieter side streets. Midway through you half wonder if you should have just used the sewers until you got closer to the front gate, but it's too late now.
You turn down an alleyway to avoid a Holgard Watch patrol rounding up dissidents, and that's when you bump right into Tanya. While you are caught off guard a bit, there's a small part of you that was sort of hoping you'd see her.
"Do I even need to ask how you even tracked me in all this chaos?" you ask.
"If you're already dreaming about me, I think you know the answer. I've pretty much imprinted on you at this point, though I suppose not completely." Tanya replies.
"What does that mean exactly?"
"It means if you wanted to, you could still get away. You would eventually in time get away from me or any feelings relating to me. Even the dreams would disappear eventually. Probably would be the best option for you because I can't imagine it getting any better for you, if you stayed."
"Yeah, well I always sort of figured those might be my options anyway, but what do YOU want? I mean I get the reasons for you pushing me away, but is that what you really want?"
"I don't know. Not really. I would like to have a close relationship with you, I probably have even before the cultist incident. I mean now especially considering I know nearly everything about your life just like you know most of mine. Like you said, we've practically been dating, just without the hassle of going out."
"I don't think we're really dating types anyway."
"Hah, probably not. I just don't know though. I mean how do I know if your feelings are real for me, or if it's all just infernal magic? How do I know that my feelings for you are genuine or if I'm just luring you in and going to just suck out your soul eventually?"
"I've asked myself the same question multiple times as I'm sure you have. I mean I'm sure some of it is infernal influence, since I was just about to leave and now here I am completely re-considering. However, I think this is the important difference. I NEED to know if you really feel the same way. If don't, even to the smallest degree, then I'll know that I should leave. It won't be easy, but I'll deal with it. If I was completely under your spell, I don't think I'd even have the capacity to even think about leaving."
"Well that's just it, you're not completely under my spell or influence, but I'm worried that one day you might get that way! I mean I want you to be a freethinking being. There's so much shit going on and I'm experiencing changes a lot faster than I ever have before. Look!"
And this point Tanya takes her hood off and you not only see her lovely face clearly, but two little horns. She must go to great lengths to arrange her hair to cover them, along with wearing the hood.
"Uh, how long have you had those?" you ask.
"A few weeks now." Tanya remarks.
"Oh. Well you shouldn't cover them, I find them to be cute." You say trying to bring a little levity to the situation.
"I'm going to gore you with them if you don't start taking this seriously! I mean I just killed Garrick and I don't even feel that bad about it. I mean shouldn't I feel something?"
"Wait. He's fucking dead? You stopped ME from killing him. What the hell happened?"
"I spoke with Garrick a little in an attempt to calm him down, but the man was a complete emotional wreck. He practically begged me to kill him at that point since he claimed he couldn't go on living the way he was living. So I honored his wishes. It was the least I could do."
"So... it was a kindness. I mean it's a little unorthodox, and granted I'm certainly not shedding any tears, but it wasn't like you killed him in cold blood."
"Yeah, but for better or worse, the man WAS my father in a way. I mean ignoring all the rest of his unwanted feelings, I do remember the positives. Despite all that, I haven't even cried. Shouldn't I cry?"
"I dunno, maybe his recent actions muted your feelings or maybe you're just dealing with them in another way... um are able to cry? Serious question."
"Yes. Just haven't done it since I was a child though. I guess it's not important anyway. My point is I'm worried that I might become a complete monster and I don't want you to be in my path when that happens since you'll most likely be the first victim."
"Well the fact that you're so concerned about me, is a pretty good indication that you're no heartless monster and you're talking about something that MIGHT happen, not that it will. Besides, despite all of what we've shared you still don't know everything about me either."
"What? You a shapeshifter or something?"
"No, I wish it was that interesting. But what I'm referring to is something a lot more mundane. Just a secret of my own I've been harboring and if we're going to be together, I might as well come clean right now."
You explain your dealings with the Ebony Claw Syndicate, constantly pointing out that you are NOT actually a member and that you haven't even done anything that would harm the Guild, though you wonder if that even matters anymore given that Tanya just killed Garrick.
Tanya's reaction is one of shock. For a moment it looks like she's going to punch you, but then she just shakes her head and actually chuckles. You think it's the first time you've seen her remotely laugh.
"Fuck it. I mean at one time I would have killed you as a hypocritical traitor, but what difference does it make now? I already killed the head of the Guild. I'm hardly in a position to judge. If anything, I think I feel better about all this." Tanya says.
"What do you mean?" you ask.
"Well here I was worrying that my infernal influence was slowly turning you into my slave or something, but obviously I don't have that much influence if you're able to keep a pretty big secret like that from me."
"Um, well I did just confess to you."
"Oh right. Shit."
"I knew I shouldn't have pointed that out. I do want to stress though I never actually betrayed the Guild though, I always wanted to tell you because I felt it was the honest thing to do. I just never could figure out a good way to do it and then for awhile you wanted me to leave you alone and... "
"Just stop. As I said, it hardly matters now. (Sigh) The next question, is where does this all leave us? I mean seeing as you're a half spy for the Syndicate and I just murdered the leader of the Guild, it's not like either of us can go back."
"Before you caught up to me, I was about ready to leave the city."
"It's not a bad idea, though I've never left Holgard. There's also the fact that you have some unfinished business with the Ebony Claw Syndicate. Aren't you worried they might hunt you down?"
"Well if I stay here, they're even more likely to find me. They probably aren't going to bother looking for me anyway. And wouldn't you be with me?"
"I suppose I would. However, I'm still reluctant to leave Holgard."
"Why? What's holding you here now?"
"Nothing I suppose, but maybe I wouldn't mind leaving Holgard if it didn't feel like running. I mean I've spent so many years fighting the Ebony Claw, I'd hate to just hand the fucking city over to them. Yeah, I know it's foolish, and maybe I'm just feeling the need to at least avenge the Guild considering I practically just destroyed it myself."
"I think they were always going to win. They just have the numbers and now you're suggesting just the two of us going against them?"
"I don't see why not and I mean we probably could do a lot more damage with just the two of us no longer being restrained by Garrick's caution. We can make a plan. The more I'm thinking about it, the more I really want to do this. I feel like giving myself this purpose would be a good way of directing my energy. Granted it's not exactly the most virtuous way, but surely it's still a positive thing taking down a criminal organization that engages in various violent and illegal activity, right?"
Seems Tanya is trying to figure out a few things in light of trying to handle all her recent actions and physical changes. She tells you that she would like you to stay to help her, but she would completely understand if all you want to do is put as much distance as you can between yourself and this place.
Infernal influence or not, you're not going to let her go into this alone. Besides you wouldn't mind taking out that one eyed asshole, or at least that fucker that keeps shoving a crossbow in your back.
"Okay. I'm in. I stayed here for you this long and I'm not going to leave when you need my help the most. So, let's get to this plan of yours."
Tanya smiles a bit and then hugs you. A bit sudden, but certainly not unwelcome. You have to admit, you're already glad you've made this decision even if you're dreading the danger that's to come from it.
"So, what's the plan and what's it all going to entail exactly?"
"Let's go some place else to discuss this. Probably not at the Guild headquarters or Hell's Own, though, um... let's go the Lighthouse." Tanya says.
"The Lighthouse?"
"Yeah, it's an inn close to the docks area and they probably aren't getting much business anymore what with less ships coming in right now. We can use that as our meeting and planning place for right now." Tanya says and puts her hood back up.
The pair of you travels there without any problems. It seems the rioting and civil unrest has died down for the rest of the night. The owner of The Lighthouse seems pretty surprised (and happy) that anyone is checking in since the place is practically empty.
You pay for your one room and the pair of you head to it.
No sooner have you entered the room and you're about to ask Tanya about what she has planned, you see her taking her clothing off.
"Tanya, wha... what're you doing?" you ask.
"What's it look like? I'm getting ready to make love to you. In fact why are you still dressed? I would have thought you'd be the first one to have your pants off by now." Tanya says.
"I... well I just didn't know we were getting into that tonight, I mean I figured you might need a little time. Plus, I figured we were going to discuss the plan to take down the Ebony Claw Syndicate which is not going to be an easy task.
"All the more reason to do this now. One of us could die when we start seriously pursuing this path. Now I know maybe this isn't going to be a big deal to you, but I think I'd like to actually experience sex in the flesh to see what all the fuss is about."
"Wait... .you've never?"
"No. Why would I? I've never fancied anyone before and I've been fighting my succubus heritage remember? That means no sex of any kind. Hell, up until that incident with the cultists, I hadn't even kissed anyone before."
"I was your first kiss too?"
"Yep, looks like you're conquering the rest of the virgin territory tonight. Hope that's not too much pressure, but then why would it be? Not like I can compare you to anyone else right?"
"Um, sure I guess so."
"Hm. Anyway, take off your clothes, I really want to get to this."
You have to admit, after all the times you've fantasized and dreamed about these encounters, none of them ever were like this.
The two of you soon get to it and it's fairly interesting. Tanya might be a virgin, but she's obviously a natural. Of course being half succubus might have something to do with that.
The session goes on for quite awhile. While you definitely don't want to disappoint, you find that you're struggling in the endurance department, though you're not sure if it's because Tanya's taking out decades of pent up sexual energy on you or again, it's because she's part succubus and she's actively draining your own energy.
She can tell you're obviously feeling ill effects and finishes you off before she possibly inadvertently kills you.
"Are you okay?! You look really pale, I have some water in my pack."
"I'm... (wheeze) fine... I'll take that water though." You struggle to say.
As you down the water, Tanya cuddles up next to you lovingly.
"So was it like you imagined?" she asks.
"It was good of course, but definitely more intense. What about you?" you ask.
"It was okay."
"Oh."
"No! I don't mean that as an insult! You were fine and enjoyed all the closeness and it was pleasurable, but somehow I was expecting more given how much people talk about it."
"Well we can try again later after... shit, I'm tired. I dunno if I'm in any condition to process a plan right now."
"Don't worry about that. You get your rest, I'll just be right here beside you."
You slowly start to drift off as you feel Tanya rubbing against your body and almost wrapping herself around you like a second skin. She then whispers "I love you." in your ear and makes some odd noises which aren't exactly the most human sounding, however they do sound content, so at least there's that.
While there wasn't a ceremony of any kind, you suddenly get the very real impression that you're married now.
> on to business
The next day, you surprisingly wake up in the afternoon. Tanya apparently has been awake for quite awhile though, but she's basically been watching you sleep for most of that time.
While you'd think that would probably be creepy, but considering what she is, you can't say you're all that surprised. Besides, she went to the trouble to go get you food.
"Well this is a nice surprise." You say taking the nearby tray.
"I just got what they sell here at the inn. I want to make sure you've got your strength up for tonight's assault on the Guild. I know I drained you during our... closeness last night. I really didn't mean to." Tanya says.
"I know. It's okay."
"But I have concerns about our future intimacy, if I'm going to nearly be killing you every time."
"I'm sure there are potions to help. Quick trip to the apothecary and all that."
"I hope so."
While Tanya has her worries about your sex life together, you're actually feeling a bit more positive about all this. Tanya's concern for your well-being at least shows she's not going to eat your soul anytime soon.
You and Tanya spend the rest of your time talking about her plan. It's actually fairly simple. She tells you to go back to Rook and report everything you know about the Guild. Location and everything. She says when your information pans out to be true, and what remains of the Guild is destroyed then you'll be in the Ebony Claw with no problems and from that point onward, you can tell relay vital information which she can use.
"Wait a moment, what about all the thieves in the Guild headquarters when the Claw comes to take it down?" you ask.
"Well I thought about that and... well they're just going to have to be losses for the greater goal. I mean I could warn everyone, but if it's empty then that's going to look might suspicious for you."
"Are you sure the place is going to be packed anyway? I mean you did just kill Garrick, surely someone has found his body by now. People might be a bit suspicious and not wish to hang around."
"Um. No, they probably didn't. First off, nobody but Garrick would dare enter my quarters in the first place. Second, I made sure to hide it from immediate sight after the deed was done."
"You hid his... nevermind. Probably good thinking on your part given what we're planning."
"Do you have a problem with this plan?"
"Me? Well other than the danger of becoming a mole in the EC, I suppose not, though you do realize how ruthless this plan is if you're willingly sacrificing those you once called comrades for years right?"
"Yes, and I already came to the conclusion that I never was really close to most of them anyway. True, maybe I saw the Guild as my family in some way, but ultimately I was pretty much always alone. I never bothered to interact with any of them except on a job and still always kept to myself. I'm sure you saw that as well."
"True. Still though. Not even Sneaks?"
"Not really. I think you were closer to Sneaks than I ever was. That going to be a problem?"
"Not exactly going to be taking any pleasure in it, but I'm with you all the way on this, so it's gotta be done."
Tanya nods at your pragmatism on the situation and tells you that you should go report to Rook and get the ball rolling on the first phase of this plan.
You leave the Lighthouse and head to the Poisoned Blade Inn which is the well known Ebony Claw hang out in the city. Granted you don't know if Rook is actually going to be there, but given that's the only way you can think of to get into contact with him, that's where you go.
Unsurprisingly before you even get in the place, you're getting a lot of dirty looks from obvious Ebony Claw members on the streets. Your reception is no warmer when you get inside and you get stopped instantly by a group of EC members.
"You better have a REAL good reason for coming in here." One of them says shoving your shoulder a bit.
"I do actually. I'm looking for Rook, I got important business with the man and I don't exactly know how to contact him so I came here."
"Is that so? Well if you don't know how to properly contact him, maybe YOU shouldn't be looking for him, let alone coming in here uninvited."
At this point you're shoved again, this time hard enough to move you back a bit.
"Alright fine, I'll go and one of you can relay the message that I need to see him."
"We ain't your fucking messengers!" the man says and before he can lay another hand on you, you pull your pistol.
"I got six shots here, maybe I'm not making it out of here alive, but six of you are going down with me, and YOU are definitely first." You say and then you feel a familiar object shoved in your back. The rest of the EC members back away from you at this point.
"Y'know, I wonder how effective of a killer you would be without that fancy pistol of yours." A voice whispers.
"One might ask the same of someone who does nothing but remain invisible and bushwacks people from behind with a crossbow." You say.
"What do you want to see Rook for?"
"It's about the Thieves Guild."
"Alright. I'll take you to him then."
You suddenly feel a blow to the back of your head and you go unconscious.
When you wake up, you're in a chair at a table with Rook sitting across from you.
"Shit... was that really necessary?" you ask rubbing the back of your head.
"My right hand isn't entirely convinced of your potential and so wanted to keep directions to our current location secret. He's a bit of a hard sell, however let's get on with it. You said you had important information about the Guild yes?" Rook asks.
You begin to go into detail about the Thieves Guild and it's location. You also mention you already killed Garrick and Tanya which is why you left. Rook's eyebrow rises at this revelation.
"Truly? And how did this come about?" Rook asks.
"In my attempt to convince Tanya, things unfortunately turned... violent. I was lucky to get off a headshot before she landed a hit on me. Don't worry, nobody else knows about me and I got rid of the bodies." You say.
"Hm, Just as well as you killed that demonkin I suppose. She might have been a bit of a wildcard. In any case you can finish off the rest when you lead the attack tomorrow.
"So, you're sending me along to finish the job huh?" you ask.
"Did you really expect any less? I mean shouldn't be too hard considering you already killed your girlfriend. Besides, you're still the best one who knows about the place, so it would still be helpful if you were there in person." Rook says.
"What're you going to be doing?"
"A lot more important things than rolling around in the sewers with some thieves that's for sure. Don't worry; there will be someone to supervise this mission. You won't see them, but you can be sure they'll be there handy with a crossbow when the time comes."
"If you're talking about who I think you are, they better not be jamming it into my back considering we're supposed to be on the same side now." You say.
"Well do a good job, and you won't ever have to worry about Bolt ever again. Now go prepare yourselves, or whatever you have to do and meet the crew in the sewers tomorrow morning at this location." Rook says pointing at the map.
"Okay, sounds like a plan."
"Oh one more thing, I want that asshole Sneaks alive. I got unfinished business with him." Rook says tapping his eyepatch.
Never occurred to you that Rook was the one Sneaks was talking about when he said he stabbed an EC lieutenant in the eye once.
After a few more words, Rook escorts you out of the room and you soon learn you're at a bigger Ebony Claw headquarters that leads up into a warehouse and then eventually between the poor area of Holgard and the merchant district.
From there you return to The Lighthouse where you get some rest for tomorrow. Tanya isn't around though, but maybe she really wants to keep a low profile now.
The next morning you arrive at the appointed location where other Ebony Claw members are waiting for you.
"Took you long enough. Other members are in various places in the sewers ready to ambush any escaping Guild members." One of them says.
"Alright, let's do this then." You say.
You lead the way, completely surprising several thieves when you arrive.
The battle, if you can still call it that isn't much of one. What made you such a vicious killer of Ebony Claw members, has also made you an equally vicious killer Guild members. Combined with the Ebony Claw backup, it's no contest.
Without Garrick around there's no organization whatsoever and most of them attempt to flee rather than fight. Garrick himself is still hidden in Tanya's room, you drag out his body and shoot it a couple times as "proof" you killed him earlier. You look all over the place for Sneaks, but you don't find him at all. In fact, when you go to his room, some of his stuff is even gone. You wonder if he sensed something amiss and just quietly left on his own.
As you're exiting Sneaks room, a grubby dwarf walks up to you.
"Hey, you. You see any more Guild members run this way?" he asks.
"No, I think we got all of them that were here. I can't find Sneaks though. He's nowhere to be found." You answer.
"Hm. Rook's not going to be happy about that. Oh well, maybe he'll pop up somewhere. Roaches always do. Guess all that's left is the looting which I think the boys are doing a good job of right now. The Syndicate has been thinking of expanding into slave trade here and this place will probably make a good location with some additions. Anyway, we should get back to Rook."
You didn't recognize it immediately, but this man's voice is familiar, You then also notice the crossbow he's holding.
"You Bolt?" you ask which causes a smirk across his face.
"I was wondering when you'd recognize me."
You return to Rook who is full of praise and goes on about how you're going to go far in this organization. He tells you he'll be in contact with you again soon for a more permanent future assignment and even hands you a pouch full of gold.
"Go ahead, take some of that and celebrate with Naji or something. My cousin's actually been missing you at the brothel. I dare say I think the girl had a genuine crush on you. Maybe you can get a new girlfriend to replace your demonkin one, but you know what they say, you can't turn a whore into a housewife. Hah!" He says before dismissing you.
You head back to the Lighthouse where you once again don't find Tanya. When you bed down for the night however, she finds you in your dreams which now are a lot more vivid of her.
"Where are you?" you ask.
"I'm in a safe place, don't worry, I'll meet with you person when there is need to do so. In the meantime, I think this is one of the best ways for us to communicate don't you think?"
"Well I suppose nobody will suddenly catch me talking to you, that's for sure. Anyway, it's done."
"I know. We can talk about the next phase of the plan later, right now let us just spend relaxing time together. I know, tell me more about the little village you came from."
"Really? That place is so fucking boring."
"I imagine it probably was, but from some reason, I find tales of your youthful antics amusing."
"Hm, glad someone does, because nobody in Teckleville certainly did at the time, except for maybe for me and my sister. Okay, I guess there's more than a few stories I haven't told yet... "
As you and Tanya spend time together in your dream, somewhere else in your mind is concerned with just how much danger you've put yourself in being a mole in the Ebony Claw Syndicate. Never mind the fact that you've got an increasingly more powerful half succubus that can access you in your dreams now.
You just hope you never get on her bad side.
> time passes...
Year 21
It's amazing what changes can happen in just a year and that's not even counting the fact that Holgard is in complete anarchy right now, though it probably helps quite a bit.
With your ongoing information, Tanya has carried out one woman attacks on various ECS locations and been more or less successful in the endeavor. Though perhaps not entirely "one woman" she's been using the chaos and the various factions of the city to her advantage, mostly the remaining disorganized followers of Neroth that have still been skulking around, though she's been luring even the Holgard Watch to do her bidding sometimes.
While you haven't brought it up to her, you think Tanya's lost sight of her "original goal" of simply taking down the Ebony Claw Syndicate. She may have even believed that's what she was doing at first, but now? She's just been enjoying the chaos. She's enjoying making people kill and fight. Granted they probably were going to do that anyway, but she's not exactly curtailing what's currently going on right now.
Still, she always returns to you excitedly going on about what she's done and what she's planning and everything else. When you meet in person, it's always a special event (If literally draining).
You remember how hostile she was towards you for years, but now she only ever looks at you with affection. You must have told your mundane stories about your life in Teckleville more than a few times to her, but for whatever reason she seems to enjoy them. Maybe it's due to her own childhood being less fun since despite everything you didn't really have it all that bad. In fact if you'd just obeyed the rules, you would have had a pretty easy life. (You certainly wouldn't be in this situation)
You aren't sure how succubi are supposed to act and granted she's not a full blood one, but it's very strange that despite her obvious descent into morally questionable actions, she's still very attached to you. (Or maybe you're just not used to a very loving girlfriend, your only one before Tanya was Annah) She's also starting to change physically. Her horns for one are a little bigger and her eyes now have a permanent other worldly look.
Most obvious though is her wings. They started off as two little lumps on her back that you noticed during one of your intimacy sessions. The next time you saw her, she had two small wings and are probably going to get even larger.
As for you, you've basically been just trying to keep a low profile as you go about your ECS duties, which are currently as an enforcer at a profitable Blue Dream house in the poor district. It's a rather lowly position for someone of your talents, but on the plus side, it's so unimportant that Rook doesn't even suspect you of any wrong doing and it helps that at least a few of the top Blue Dream distributors at the place have diarrhea of the mouth due to ongoing sampling of some of the drug and never shut the fuck up about sensitive ECS information.
Rook has been trying to keep things together, but he's been obviously losing control. The ECS leadership in the Delantium Kingdom has refused to help with reinforcements any more. They've told him that he needs to work with what he has and if he fails, it's not going to be good for him.
You know he's been trying to gain more help from the Temple of Fel, but that's been having mixed results mainly due to the fact that while they may all worship the same God of Shadows, the pure dedicated followers don't necessarily share the same goals as the Ebony Claw.
Still, they've been contributing enough help to "lend" Shadow Blades to act as extra protection. Them, along with Bolt and Rook's own shadow magic abilities are going to make him quite formidable.
Which is sort of a problem now that Tanya has decided that it's time to actually take out the Ebony Claw leadership for good. Arguably, she probably could have wiped out the Ebony Claw Syndicate with your help (Or at least this increasingly smaller chapter of it) months ago. But she got so distracted with enjoying the bedlam, that it allowed Rook to fortify like he has.
Of course Tanya's not at all worried about any of this, but that's easy for her to say when she's got all her new infernal powers now. Even with her help, it isn't like you've got much defense against a bunch of highly trained shadow magic using killers.
To her credit, she's told you to stay behind on this one, claiming that she can take care of it herself. You have your doubts though. It would be a tough fight even for her. You'd hate to just stand by while she got herself killed, not to mention if she failed, it would be really obvious that you were involved considering you told Rook you killed her. So you'd have to help anyway, and you still don't fancy your chances.
You do have one idea, but it's a long shot and possibly one that could get you killed immediately. You could go try to talk to the head of the Temple of Fel. You don't know exactly what you'd say, but your hope would be to try to convince him that supporting the Ebony Claw, isn't in the best interest of the temple.
"What?! No! That's a stupid idea! I told you, I'll take care of it by myself, I don't need your help, let alone the help of my enemies." Tanya shouts.
"Tanya, I'm serious. This is a really BAD idea, assaulting Rook's home by yourself. I mean don't you even at least have those cultists you can send, or maybe someone else?"
"The last of the Neroth cultists died weeks ago and are probably enduring unimaginable torture right now as their reward and as for sending anyone else, I'm a little tired of acting from behind the scenes, I want to enjoy a bit of hands on mayhem for a change."
"Tanya, are you listening to yourself? You're starting to lose control and getting drunk on the chaos. Maybe I should have said something earlier, but you've been this way for quite sometime now. I love you and all, but you REALLY need to get a grip. You're not even thinking strategically anymore."
Your defiant words aren't something she hears very often, at first she looks surprised, even slightly hurt, but then that turns to anger very quickly.
She grabs you and throws you against the wall very hard.
"... shit... " is all you can utter as you hit the stone and slump to the floor.
"HOW FUCKING DARE YOU QUESTION MY IDEAS! I'm the one in control here! YOU follow MY lead! YOU are only allowed the magnificence of my presence because I allow it and you should be grateful!" Tanya bellows and her voice seems to invade your very mind a bit.
You look up from your position and focus on Tanya. She's changed physically again. Her wings are bigger for one thing (you called that one) and now her skin has a reddish hue. If you didn't know better, you'd think her eyes were going to burn a hole in you with how she's staring at you. Reminds of the old days when she used to get pissed at you, though she never slammed you this hard into a wall before.
The dominating voice you just heard is also a bit new. As a half succubus she always had a bit of a seductive tone, but this is different. Her voice just now sent a chill of fear within you. Maybe she's not completely embracing her "succubus side" but she's certainly embracing the demonic heritage.
Still, this is the girl you chose, so if this is how you're going out then so be it.
You struggle to get back up and lean against the wall as you address her.
"Well, maybe I'm wrong. Maybe you can take them alone. You're obviously in full control of yourself, what with putting a mere mortal like me in my place and all. No need for my help anymore. I see that now."
Tanya's stance towards you softens a bit, but not by much. She doesn't even apologize; she just leaves the ruined house you were meeting her in and takes to the air. She apparently has decided to give absolutely zero fucks about being seen anymore.
You don't know how much time you have or even if it's going to matter, but you still feel compelled to help in some way. Maybe she isn't the Tanya that you fell in love with anymore, but for better or worse, you're going to help her whether that means directly or indirectly.
> help directly
For all her change, you know that Tanya's probably still considering your last statement to her. Which means she probably isn't going to attack Rook immediately giving you a bit of time to form a plan.
Two things you think about first is that she may be right in that going to the Fel Temple is a bad idea. If they were willing to help Rook (no matter how reluctantly) they probably aren't going to listen to someone who isn't actually a follower.
The other thing is, Tanya has changed so much now that she probably isn't recognizable anymore, not that she really made her face visible in the first place, but she looks more like a traditional demon now rather than the half breed she actually is. You think you can spin a lie...
You go to your "place of work" where the usual group of lowly Ebony Claw thugs stand around keeping the Blue Dream addicts in line. Meanwhile you head to the two assholes who run the place. Dreamweaver and Mr. Dream. The unimaginative idiots must have thought they were being real clever with those names.
One of them looks up as he's counting coins while the other is sorting out blue dream vials. Neither one of them particularly likes you, so this will be all the more simple.
"The fuck do you want fancy boy? Don't you have addicts to keep in line out front or managing the rest of those other losers?" Mr. Dream asks.
"Not today." You say.
"The fuck you mean by that? I'm in no mood for your attitude today. I don't even know why the hell you were even allowed in our organization after what you've done. You put several of my friends in the ground you fucker!"
"Good news then. Today, you get to join them."
"Wha... shit!"
Mr. Dream is too late to draw his own flintlock as you plant a bullet in his head and Dreamweaver fairs no better. You've killed the pair of them and predictably the shots draw the attention of some of the others.
Using your former bosses' firearms, you take out two EC thugs and then use the remainder of your own bullets to take out three more. A couple of the thugs probably just flat out ran off, so you don't waste much time and cut off the heads of the two Dreams and shoving them in nearby sack holding a bunch of Blue Dream which you dump out first.
After helping yourself to some of the gold, you walk out of the office and through the rest of building until you get to the courtyard where several of junkies are still lingering about despite all the gunshots.
"Hey... can I go in to get my fix yet? I've been waiting out here for hours!" one remarks.
"Actually all of you can go in and help yourself to all the Blue Dream you want, but one of you has to come with me and for that to happen, I need the worst of you lot to do something for a lot of coin, so who's done the most awful thing here?" You ask.
The various addicts excited by the prospect of getting free drugs immediately start telling on each other. A couple of them confess what they've done since they apparently are thinking long term and want the coin rather than just the drugs.
A lot of them haven't done much except steal or perform sexual favors. A couple of them have killed, but none catch your attention until one of them starts accusing another one of having sex with children.
He denies it and so it goes back and forth though a couple of the others back up the accuser.
"Enough! Is this even remotely true? I got shit to do and I need to know now. So if everyone here wants to get their free drugs, you need to fucking confess or step aside and let someone else earn this coin. I'm not going to judge you anyway."
The one who was accused slowly steps forward.
"Well, it was just one time. She was ten and she wanted to know about sex and I figured it was my duty as a parent to... "
You don't even wait, you just shoot him. This causes the rest to run a bit or take cover, but they don't go far. You quickly go to the sick fuck's body and cut off his head with your short sword and shove it in your bag of heads.
The addict stand around gawking for a moment, but then quickly realize they should go get their free drugs and run inside the house, leaving you to head over to Rook's place.
While normally walking about in the open during the day with a bag of heads where the blood is leaking through might cause some issues, but given the state of the city, it just serves as a warning for people not to mess with you.
Rook, nowadays rarely leaves his mansion. You aren't sure who had it before he did, but you do know he just took it over soon after the Guild was wiped out. You're stopped at the front gate by one of the Ebony Claw members.
"What do you want and what the hell is in the bag?" she asks.
"Severed heads of fucking loudmouths and spies. Look, I got important shit to talk to Rook about and I just dragged my ass through riots to get here, so let me the fuck in." you say.
"You don't give the damn orders here! Nobody gets in to see Rook without his say so! So you're just going to have wait until one of us goes to see if it's okay first and I don't particularly feel motivated to do so and neither does anyone else, let alone for the likes of you."
"I don't have time for this. Bitch, you will LET me in there because if you don't I'm going to do to YOU and the rest of these assholes what I did to these fuckers."
At this point you dump out the contents of the bag and bloody heads drop out.
"SHIT! That's Mr. Dream!" one of them exclaims.
"And that one's Dreamweaver! He fucking killed them!" another exclaims.
The female Claw member who was talking to you before now looks a little more concerned by your presence and starts going for her weapon.
"Do not even fucking think about it sweetheart. I will fucking shoot you in both tits and then after I'm done killing the rest of these sorry excuses for Syndicate members, I will violate your dying body and the last thing you're going to feel before you leave this shitty earth is me coming inside your ass and laughing while doing it." You threaten.
"Shit... fuck man. There's no need for damn rape threats. Fine, you wanna go see Rook you crazy fucker, be my fucking guest. You're still not getting past those Shadow Blade guys though and if you do, Rook's going to be pissed at you for killing some of his top Blue Dream dealers anyway. I hope he fucking cuts your dick and balls off and shoves them down your throat!" The female Claw member says and starts motioning for the others to open the gates while you collect the bloody heads and shove them back the bag.
As you walk through the gates and towards the mansion, you shake your head.
"Shit, that was a bit dark for me, but hell, no wonder the Syndicate is going to shit, if they're backing down from a threat like that." You say.
You get to the front door and you are immediately stopped by some cloaked individuals who just suddenly appear around you.
You fight the instinct to immediately go for your weapon, not that you'd be fast enough anyway since two of them have already grabbed your arms, while another takes your bag and all your weapons.
"What's you business here?" one of them asks.
Taking a politer approach you explain everything or rather you spin your lie which isn't completely a lie since the two Dreams were pair of loudmouth assholes that blabbed shit so freely that's what allowed you to relay most inside information to Tanya in the first place.
You add the extra bit that the head of the Blue Dream addict was a Neroth cultist spy and explain that's how come groups of Neroth cultists have been fucking up Ebony Claw interests as of late.
The head Shadow Blade whispers to one of his comrades who enters the mansion.
"He'll be back in a moment, then we'll proceed from there." He says and then motions for the ones holding your arms to let you go. They don't give you back your weapons (or the bag) though.
You wait in silence for a bit, and then eventually the other one comes out and nods.
"Okay, looks like you're in the clear for now. Follow him inside and if you survive your meeting with Rook and he okays it, then you'll get your weapons back." The lead Shadow Blade says.
As you start to head in, the lead Shadow Blade grabs your shoulder and whispers to you.
"All secrets are eventually uncovered by Fel." He says and then lets go of your shoulder.
The pair of you look at each other briefly, and its almost like the Shadow Blade is telling you already that he thinks you're lying. It's enough to put some fear into you though you hold it together and go inside the mansion.
After following the Shadow Blade through a series of halls and eventually to Rook's office. He sits behind a desk with Bolt on his right side and slightly behind his chair. Rook is talking with another skinny man off to the side that you've never seen before, but judging by all the books on the desk, you guess that he might be some beancounter that tracks the accounts and such.
"Rook, we are hemorrhaging coin. We are not going to have enough to kick up to the Syndicate Directors this month. This state of anarchy is really bad for business and the deal you made with the Temple of Fel REALLY took a large chunk out of our treasury."
"And what the fuck was I supposed to do Lloyd? We had a manpower shortage, and I was getting no fucking help from the directors! Those fuckers have been sitting on their fat asses in the Delantium Kingdom for so fucking long they don't even know what it's really like to struggle any fucking more. The Temple of Fel is an ally to the Syndicate and apparently the only reliable one I have right now besides Bolt here. And THIS asshole, who I may have put too much trust in, apparently just took it upon himself to waste two of my best distributors!" Rook says turning his attention to you.
Rook at this point stands up.
"Now I was already told the little story that you told everyone outside in order to get in here, but why don't you go over it again with me directly so I can try to grasp it myself and attempt to understand your logic."
You're on the spot and now you suddenly don't feel very sure about this plan, but you're here now so you better be convincing.
> tell the story again with complete confidence
Adding more lies is only going to trip you up on details if further questioned. Better to stick with the same story.
You tell Rook the same story you told the Shadow Blade outside and try to remain as calm as possible the whole time. You manage, but it's stressful as hell as Rook is studying you the entire time along with Bolt staring at you with that typical grim dwarven expression and even this Lloyd person who occasionally makes a brief frown.
Eventually you finish which is followed by some uncomfortable silence. Rook looks over at Bolt who shrugs, then over to Lloyd who is quite vocal.
"This guy's talking bullshit. I dunno what his game is, but I don't like his story and I think you should kill him." Lloyd says.
"Who the fuck are you to call me a liar!? You weren't there, that's what happened!" you exclaim.
"Doubt it. I've seen the best liars in action and you aren't one of them. Your whole story sounds suspicious and given what I already have heard about you, I'm not sure why Rook ever trusted you."
This little smug asshole's tone is enough to cause you to nearly go at him, but Rook and Bolt both react in a manner that suggest that you shouldn't even attempt it.
"Rook, I'm telling you the damn truth."
"Yeah, well I'm not sure if I'm quite convinced. I mean there are some things about your story that feel a little weak and I don't have the luxury of interrogating Mr. Dream or Weaver, because you killed them both. All I got is your word and right now, that's not much."
"Well what do you want me to do? Swear to the gods? I mean I'll swear to Fel if that will... "
This remark causes Rook to give you a stare that could burn a hole through you.
"The fuck did you say?" he asks.
Before you can even answer, Rook smashes his fist into your face and begins kicking you on the floor. He also starts ranting at you about disrespecting the name of Fel. Saying that an unbeliever such as yourself attempting to invoke the name in order to gain some sort of leverage because of his own faith is offensive to him.
Rook now really doesn't believe anything you have to say, so the only chance you hope to have is to hold out until Tanya gets here. Unfortunately Rook is so mad, that he's intent on killing you now.
Before you can beg, fight back or attempt to talk your way out of this, Rook removes his eyepatch revealing a black gem in his eye socket. A solid black beam of dark energy emits from it and hits you in your head.
The dark energy liquefies your brain while having the added bonus of creating horrifying visions as you die. You scream and writhe in physical and mental agony for a few minutes before your body gives out completely. |
For all her change, you know that Tanya's probably still considering your last statement to her. Which means she probably isn't going to attack Rook immediately giving you a bit of time to form a plan.
Two things you think about first is that she may be right in that going to the Fel Temple is a bad idea. If they were willing to help Rook (no matter how reluctantly) they probably aren't going to listen to someone who isn't actually a follower.
The other thing is, Tanya has changed so much now that she probably isn't recognizable anymore, not that she really made her face visible in the first place, but she looks more like a traditional demon now rather than the half breed she actually is. You think you can spin a lie...
You go to your "place of work" where the usual group of lowly Ebony Claw thugs stand around keeping the Blue Dream addicts in line. Meanwhile you head to the two assholes who run the place. Dreamweaver and Mr. Dream. The unimaginative idiots must have thought they were being real clever with those names.
One of them looks up as he's counting coins while the other is sorting out blue dream vials. Neither one of them particularly likes you, so this will be all the more simple.
"The fuck do you want fancy boy? Don't you have addicts to keep in line out front or managing the rest of those other losers?" Mr. Dream asks.
"Not today." You say.
"The fuck you mean by that? I'm in no mood for your attitude today. I don't even know why the hell you were even allowed in our organization after what you've done. You put several of my friends in the ground you fucker!"
"Good news then. Today, you get to join them."
"Wha... shit!"
Mr. Dream is too late to draw his own flintlock as you plant a bullet in his head and Dreamweaver fairs no better. You've killed the pair of them and predictably the shots draw the attention of some of the others.
Using your former bosses' firearms, you take out two EC thugs and then use the remainder of your own bullets to take out three more. A couple of the thugs probably just flat out ran off, so you don't waste much time and cut off the heads of the two Dreams and shoving them in nearby sack holding a bunch of Blue Dream which you dump out first.
After helping yourself to some of the gold, you walk out of the office and through the rest of building until you get to the courtyard where several of junkies are still lingering about despite all the gunshots.
"Hey... can I go in to get my fix yet? I've been waiting out here for hours!" one remarks.
"Actually all of you can go in and help yourself to all the Blue Dream you want, but one of you has to come with me and for that to happen, I need the worst of you lot to do something for a lot of coin, so who's done the most awful thing here?" You ask.
The various addicts excited by the prospect of getting free drugs immediately start telling on each other. A couple of them confess what they've done since they apparently are thinking long term and want the coin rather than just the drugs.
A lot of them haven't done much except steal or perform sexual favors. A couple of them have killed, but none catch your attention until one of them starts accusing another one of having sex with children.
He denies it and so it goes back and forth though a couple of the others back up the accuser.
"Enough! Is this even remotely true? I got shit to do and I need to know now. So if everyone here wants to get their free drugs, you need to fucking confess or step aside and let someone else earn this coin. I'm not going to judge you anyway."
The one who was accused slowly steps forward.
"Well, it was just one time. She was ten and she wanted to know about sex and I figured it was my duty as a parent to... "
You don't even wait, you just shoot him. This causes the rest to run a bit or take cover, but they don't go far. You quickly go to the sick fuck's body and cut off his head with your short sword and shove it in your bag of heads.
The addict stand around gawking for a moment, but then quickly realize they should go get their free drugs and run inside the house, leaving you to head over to Rook's place.
While normally walking about in the open during the day with a bag of heads where the blood is leaking through might cause some issues, but given the state of the city, it just serves as a warning for people not to mess with you.
Rook, nowadays rarely leaves his mansion. You aren't sure who had it before he did, but you do know he just took it over soon after the Guild was wiped out. You're stopped at the front gate by one of the Ebony Claw members.
"What do you want and what the hell is in the bag?" she asks.
"Severed heads of fucking loudmouths and spies. Look, I got important shit to talk to Rook about and I just dragged my ass through riots to get here, so let me the fuck in." you say.
"You don't give the damn orders here! Nobody gets in to see Rook without his say so! So you're just going to have wait until one of us goes to see if it's okay first and I don't particularly feel motivated to do so and neither does anyone else, let alone for the likes of you."
"I don't have time for this. Bitch, you will LET me in there because if you don't I'm going to do to YOU and the rest of these assholes what I did to these fuckers."
At this point you dump out the contents of the bag and bloody heads drop out.
"SHIT! That's Mr. Dream!" one of them exclaims.
"And that one's Dreamweaver! He fucking killed them!" another exclaims.
The female Claw member who was talking to you before now looks a little more concerned by your presence and starts going for her weapon.
"Do not even fucking think about it sweetheart. I will fucking shoot you in both tits and then after I'm done killing the rest of these sorry excuses for Syndicate members, I will violate your dying body and the last thing you're going to feel before you leave this shitty earth is me coming inside your ass and laughing while doing it." You threaten.
"Shit... fuck man. There's no need for damn rape threats. Fine, you wanna go see Rook you crazy fucker, be my fucking guest. You're still not getting past those Shadow Blade guys though and if you do, Rook's going to be pissed at you for killing some of his top Blue Dream dealers anyway. I hope he fucking cuts your dick and balls off and shoves them down your throat!" The female Claw member says and starts motioning for the others to open the gates while you collect the bloody heads and shove them back the bag.
As you walk through the gates and towards the mansion, you shake your head.
"Shit, that was a bit dark for me, but hell, no wonder the Syndicate is going to shit, if they're backing down from a threat like that." You say.
You get to the front door and you are immediately stopped by some cloaked individuals who just suddenly appear around you.
You fight the instinct to immediately go for your weapon, not that you'd be fast enough anyway since two of them have already grabbed your arms, while another takes your bag and all your weapons.
"What's you business here?" one of them asks.
Taking a politer approach you explain everything or rather you spin your lie which isn't completely a lie since the two Dreams were pair of loudmouth assholes that blabbed shit so freely that's what allowed you to relay most inside information to Tanya in the first place.
You add the extra bit that the head of the Blue Dream addict was a Neroth cultist spy and explain that's how come groups of Neroth cultists have been fucking up Ebony Claw interests as of late.
The head Shadow Blade whispers to one of his comrades who enters the mansion.
"He'll be back in a moment, then we'll proceed from there." He says and then motions for the ones holding your arms to let you go. They don't give you back your weapons (or the bag) though.
You wait in silence for a bit, and then eventually the other one comes out and nods.
"Okay, looks like you're in the clear for now. Follow him inside and if you survive your meeting with Rook and he okays it, then you'll get your weapons back." The lead Shadow Blade says.
As you start to head in, the lead Shadow Blade grabs your shoulder and whispers to you.
"All secrets are eventually uncovered by Fel." He says and then lets go of your shoulder.
The pair of you look at each other briefly, and its almost like the Shadow Blade is telling you already that he thinks you're lying. It's enough to put some fear into you though you hold it together and go inside the mansion.
After following the Shadow Blade through a series of halls and eventually to Rook's office. He sits behind a desk with Bolt on his right side and slightly behind his chair. Rook is talking with another skinny man off to the side that you've never seen before, but judging by all the books on the desk, you guess that he might be some beancounter that tracks the accounts and such.
"Rook, we are hemorrhaging coin. We are not going to have enough to kick up to the Syndicate Directors this month. This state of anarchy is really bad for business and the deal you made with the Temple of Fel REALLY took a large chunk out of our treasury."
"And what the fuck was I supposed to do Lloyd? We had a manpower shortage, and I was getting no fucking help from the directors! Those fuckers have been sitting on their fat asses in the Delantium Kingdom for so fucking long they don't even know what it's really like to struggle any fucking more. The Temple of Fel is an ally to the Syndicate and apparently the only reliable one I have right now besides Bolt here. And THIS asshole, who I may have put too much trust in, apparently just took it upon himself to waste two of my best distributors!" Rook says turning his attention to you.
Rook at this point stands up.
"Now I was already told the little story that you told everyone outside in order to get in here, but why don't you go over it again with me directly so I can try to grasp it myself and attempt to understand your logic."
You're on the spot and now you suddenly don't feel very sure about this plan, but you're here now so you better be convincing.
> take a risk with even more lies
Fel might be uncover all secrets, but he can't find you if you keep one step ahead by piling on more bullshit to hide under.
"This is Lloyd?" you ask.
Your question catches Rook and Lloyd off guard. Bolt just remains stoic.
"Yes, that's fucking Lloyd, but how is that fucking relevant t to your situation?" Rook exclaims.
"It's very relevant, because apparently this asshole has been skimming money for himself for years." You say.
Now Rook and Bolt both look over at hapless Lloyd who is now on the verge of shitting his pants and you haven't even gotten started.
"Wha... what?! That's absurd!" Lloyd says.
"That's not what Mr. Dream said. He said you've been ripping off the Syndicate for years and just shuffling the book around or whatever it is you do. I don't quite understand all that mathy stuff myself, but I guess you're good at it, if you got away with it for so long... " you say.
"This asshole is lying Rook!"
"In fact Mr. Dream said he wouldn't have known if you hadn't caved in to take a hit of Blue Dream on a dare two years ago when you were getting the take and they dared you to try a hit of Blue Dream. You ended up caving in and got so high you started bragging to him and Dreamweaver about your genius system. Where upon they blackmailed you into giving them a cut... "
"ROOK! You're not seriously listening to this?! This man has told a story about Mr. Dream and Dreamweaver being snitches! Now he's claiming we were all ripping you off!"
"No, I never said the Dreams were snitches, I said they were loudmouth assholes that blabbed so much they let a Neroth spy catch wind of all our operations so they could fuck them up. And as for you lot ripping off the Syndicate, well why the hell else would this chapter be hemorrhaging coin as you put it? I work at that Blue Dream House and I know damn well we make more than THIS."
At this point you empty your pockets and coin pouch of some of the gold you took from the Blue Dream House and dump in all on the floor.
"That is all I found in the safe after I killed those two idiots. I looked all over for a hiding place, thinking they might have it elsewhere, but I guess they weren't dumb enough to hide it on the premises. In any case it's pretty obvious Rook should be getting way more coin than he's been getting and you're obviously trying to get him killed by the directors... "
"ROOK! I swear to Fel I am NOT doing that! This... "
"Lloyd. Calm yourself and sit the fuck down before you have a heart attack. Have drink or something while you're at it." Rook says.
While Lloyd pours himself a glass of some sort of liquor and sits down, Rook steps out from behind his desk and approaches you.
"Okay, this is a very elaborate story you're telling. My question is this though. How do you know all this shit in the first place? I mean I only have your word on this. I can't obviously interrogate Mr. Dream or Weaver about this, because you fucking killed them. Lloyd here is obviously hysterical and going to plead his innocence. I'm NOT even saying what you're saying is a lie because we ARE all a bunch of fucking criminals when it comes down to it, but I'm gonna need a little more convincing." Rook says.
"Well, I'm not sure what else I can do."
"That's not a great start, however let me help you. For instance, if Mr. Dream and Weaver were these loudmouths that you claim they were, why the hell didn't you report any of this sooner?"
"Well for one thing, I was always kept in the fucking courtyard for the most part. I didn't really catch wind of a lot of this until recently and I still didn't know what was bullshit and what wasn't. Mr. Dream once bragged that he shut down a brothel once because he wore out all the women that night, and I know damn well that didn't happen because he barely could last five minutes with the Blue Dream whores if the jokes were any indication. I wanted to collect more information first before moving forward on it."
"They were potentially fucking stealing money and talking about sensitive information, what the fuck else were you waiting for?!"
"Okay fine. I fucked up. Maybe I should have moved sooner. That's on me and I'll take whatever punishment you decide. However as soon as I found out about the Neroth spy skulking about, I acted. I mean maybe I should have come to you first, but I was so pissed after I interrogated that dickhead that I just lost it. I cut off that fuckers feet and hands and he was still laughing about how stupid we were for letting our secrets slip so easily."
"Okay, but that's the other part of your story I don't entirely understand. Why the hell are the Neroth cultists have such a damn hard on for us anyway? I mean granted we aren't buddies, but it's not like we've gone out of our way to fuck with them."
"From what I can tell they see us as the biggest threat to control over the city. The spy admitted it and I mean their previous actions over the past few months have proven that due to all their attacks. Not to mention the Syndicate is allied with the Temple of Fel which is a rival god, so it makes perfect sense to take out two enemies so closely linked. And I suppose perhaps maybe I am to blame as well. The cult of Neroth and I have sort of a history and it probably doesn't help the Syndicate that they have a personal vendetta against me. I still get the odd cultist trying to assassinate me every now and then."
"Hm, I suppose that makes sense. Didn't realize there were that many left though. Figured we killed them all by now."
"Um, yeah that's the other bit and the main reason why I came to warn you directly. There aren't many of them left and so they're desperate. One of the things the cultist laughed about before he died was the fact that all this chaos has allowed them to summon a greater infernal or something. He didn't say what it was exactly, just that it was coming to wreak havoc on the Syndicate. And I hate to step out of line here, because I know I've already probably pissed you off, but the more time we waste with trying to determine if I'm a liar or not, is less time we have preparing for this attack."
Rook looks at you for a while. You know that he's trying to see if you're lying about all this. You maintain your composure. He looks over at Bolt who seems to shrug, then he looks over at Lloyd who continues to nervously drink.
Rook finally turns his attention back to you.
"Okay, I'll have more of the members brought here to protect the place." Rook remarks.
"No! That's not what you should do!" you exclaim.
"Why the fuck not? You just said there's a fucking demon coming to attack us."
"There is, but think about it. I mean this is your home, there's no business conducted here or at least not in the direct sense. That demon is probably going to hit our Blue Dream Houses, our brothels, whatever businesses we're collecting protection on and what about that brand new slave market that opened up in the old Thieves Guild?"
"So you're saying we need more protection on all of our interests. Well that's great and all, but we don't exactly have that many more people. Any extra we do have are protecting this place."
"Well... "
"Wait, are you seriously telling me I should lower my own fucking security? What the hell happens if the demon does strike here?!"
"Well I mean you're skilled at fighting, you can do all that shadow magic stuff. Bolt here obviously has his talents as a marksman. I mean I'll help too, granted I'm not as good as you two, but I HAVE had experience in fighting a demon before... okay she was a half demon and I got lucky, but who knows I might lucky again. I'm just saying that the three of us are better equipped to fight a demon than the regular Syndicate members at other locations. I think they could benefit with at least some help from a Shadow Blade assigned to them."
Rook is rubbing his face at all the information you've been dropping on him. On top of all his other concerns, this is all a bit overwhelming. Meanwhile Lloyd has managed to calm himself down long enough for him to start talking again.
"Rook, I don't understand why you're listening to this man. He was KILLING us for years before he joined and he hasn't stopped! He just walked in here with the heads of two of our best people and is accusing me of ripping off the Syndicate! I've dedicated my LIFE to this organization and you should know that because you've known me for a lot longer than you've known this fucking liar!" Lloyd says.
"Lloyd, I've honestly only known you only a little longer than I've known this guy. YOU were sent here from the Delantium Kingdom as so called help with the money matters and all that other shit. For all I know you've been sent here to spy on me and setting me up to fail."
"WHAT?!"
"You heard me! I get absolutely no fucking support from the directors when I need it the most. You claim we don't have enough money to send back when we should damn well have a surplus! At this point I'm less inclined to trust YOU than I am him."
"Rook! I know you're under a lot of stress right now, but listen to reason! I... "
"Bolt."
Without another word, Bolt shoots Lloyd in the throat, who clutches his neck and gurgles a bit before he slumps down dead.
"Bolt, tell our Shadow Blade friends outside that each one of them needs to go to our most profitable locations. Probably not enough of them to cover them all, but we got what we got." Rook says.
"What about the members at the gate?" Bolt asks.
"Oh, they can stay. If the demon does show up here, maybe they can hurt it a bit before it kills them."
"Okay Rook."
"And get this man's weapons back while you're at it."
Bolt walks out the door and now it's just you and Rook.
"As for you, make yourself useful and dispose of Lloyd's body, I don't care what you do with it, just get it out of my office." Rook orders.
"You got it." You say.
As you're dragging Lloyd's carcass away all you can do is thank Yag that Rook's paranoia was placed in a direction other than yourself.
Eventually you dump Lloyd's body somewhere in the backyard and turn around to return to the mansion only to find the Shadow Blade leader standing before you.
You try to be taken too much by surprised, but you can't help be a little startled.
"Here are your weapons. Bolt told me that Rook said it was okay to give them back to you. I guess you'll be needing them anyway if this place comes under attack by demons and all." He says handing them over to you.
You cautiously take them while the Shadow Blade just continues to study you.
"I suppose I will be bidding you goodbye and off to defend your distasteful slave market, apparently Rook wants the best of us there. Pity, you seem fairly more interesting now that you're still alive. I can only imagine what story you must have told Rook for him to believe you as well killing one of his top advisors. Very impressive."
You don't reply.
"Bolt seems to have more doubt judging by his demeanor, but then dwarves tend to be skeptical by nature. Fortunately for you, dwarves are also very loyal and he won't deviate from Rook's orders too much."
You continue to not respond and just walk past the Shadow Blade.
"Tell me, do you think you could take them both?" he asks.
"What?" you ask.
"Simple question. Do you think you could take them both? I mean I'm not counting those idiots at the gate, they wouldn't get to the fight in time before you or the other two were dead anyway. But without us here, it would be a perfect opportunity to assassinate them. True, they both weld a bit of shadow magic, but let's be honest... they pale in comparison to a true follower of Fel. And if anything this life has taught me, it's that anyone can be killed at anytime by anyone. Just need the right combination and the perfect time to strike."
"Are you trying to tell me something?"
"I don't know. Am I? I thought I was merely asking a question."
"Your question is accusatory and I don't know what you're talking about with all this assassination business. If you believe that my intentions are not what they seem then why not act?"
"Just as Bolt follows his orders loyally, I do as well. Not to Rook, but to the Temple and ultimately to Fel. My immediate superior told me to perform a task and that's to help the Ebony Claw against its enemies wherever possible. It so happens that Rook is the head of the EC so if he wants us elsewhere and for you to stay here, who am I to argue? Perhaps I have misjudged you, if so then apologies my friend."
The Shadow Blade leader gives a small bow and leaves.
You really don't know what to make of that one. It seems as if he probably knew you were lying, but ultimately didn't give a shit because he doesn't really want to be helping the Ebony Claw anyway.
Of course this leave you with the question of whether you SHOULD kill Rook and Bolt now while you have the element of surprise or if you should wait for Tanya because you know it won't be that long before she decides to attack anyway.
> kill Bolt and Rook
You still don't know when Tanya's going to arrive and you already dodged one close call. The longer you stick around here, the more likely Rook's going to figure out why you're really here.
Time to end this now.
You return to Rook who is currently going through a few of Lloyd's books. Bolt is nowhere to be found, though for all you know he's around somewhere in the room.
He's going to be the dangerous one, because as soon as you kill Rook, he's going to be firing on you from somewhere. You'll have do some sort of acrobatics when you take Rook by surprise.
Meanwhile Rook is just shaking his head as he tosses one of the books aside.
"I can't even be bothered to go through this shit right now." Rook says.
You don't reply, you just unload several bullets into his chest before he can even react. You then duck and roll to the side hoping that you'll avoid getting hit by Bolt's crossbow.
Rook's body drops to the floor and you also hear the noise of a bolt going into Rook's desk. If you hadn't moved, that would have gone right into you.
You turn around and fire from your prone position, but Bolt once again blinks out of sight. Having the disadvantage again, you now duck behind Rook's desk and attempt to push his body aside.
To your surprise, Rook isn't quite dead yet!
"You... (wheeze) fuck... " he utters as he weakly grabs you with one hand and attempts to get his eye patch off with the other. You have no idea why he's doing that, but you hardly care.
You briefly struggle with Rook and put another bullet in him, this time to his face, which certainly kills him this time. However your victory is short lived since it gave Bolt just enough time to reload and run over to your location and put a bolt through the back of your neck.
You actually manage to survive just long enough to see a winged figure crash through the large window in the room before your vision goes completely black forever. |
Subsets and Splits