Vaenier marched out of the castle as quick as he could, yet maintaining the proper greetings which had to be exchanged with passing nobles. "What now? Do we look for the creature?" One of the two burly man in the squad asked scratching his scalp in the signature dimwitted fashion of fools everywhere.Â<br/><br/>"I don't think we stand much of a chance against a legendary creature with iron bats," He pointed at the weapon which hung from the man's belt, "or swords." He rested his palm on both pommels which hung by his side.Â<br/><br/>Obviously angered, the man asked, "So?"<br/><br/>Vaenier snorted as though the answer was obvious, "We look for the Soothsayer, of course!"<br/><br/>"Her?" One of the other man asked, running his hand across his bare forearms, "Last time we visited, she tried to cut me."<br/><br/>"That's why you should listen to my advice and wear your bracers everytime you wear your shoes."Â<br/><br/>"You are the only one who does that." The men's snorts of amusement were ignored by Vaenier who kept walking.Â<br/><br/>******<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">A black form knelt before a stage where masked figure stood, robed in black.Â <br/><br/>My child, I have spawned thee to act as my arm while I gather my strength. Go forth and bring to me mana stones to feed me and your brothers and sisters.<br/><br/>The creature looked up, accepting the task as his own. His body seemed to have been thrown into barrel of tar and taken out to dry, hiding the sinews twisting beneath the rotting skin, preserving the dead flesh. </span><br/><br/>******<br/><br/>The day was just ending, the sun setting when Maria heard something behind her. Turning, she could see<span style="font-style: italic">something</span>scrabbling towards her in the half-light.Â<br/><br/>With a yelp of fright she moved back, tripping over a loose piece of stone. Waxy hands wrapped around her throat as her life-source was drained from her.Â<br/><br/>The body crumpled in a heap, left for the rats and rot to feast on.Â<br/><br/><br/>(I leave the Devourer's child to invade the castle at a later date.)