Burn, Baby, Burn

[Dischordant]

Closed to Raphai and Revenant

Ten o'clock sun shone brightly through the lace curtains in Eade's room at the Dancing Duchess Inn. Not yet ready to wake, Eade buried his face deeper into his down pillow, searching for a cold spot on the satin-covered thing. Even through the pillow the sun hurt his eyes, though judging from the pounding sensation in his head Eade guessed a candle two miles away would do the same. As that thought ran through his head, another popped in: Satin? Where the hell am I?

Eade opened his eyes a slit, blinking rapidly as his vision adjusted to the bright room. Soft, crème-colored sheets lay haphazardly across the wide bed. They covered only his legs, which led Eade to the realization that he was naked. Next to the bed, on a dark-stained night stand, sat a vase of fresh wild flowers and an almost-empty bottle of wine. Two finely-wrought crystal classes stood next to the bottle. The rest of the room was just as plush, furnished with over-stuffed chairs and thick rugs strewn across the wooden floor. The walls were decorated with landscape oil paintings depicting serene spring days in some foreign countryside.

Eade definately felt out of place, like a tin plate in a china cabinet. Where the room was smooth and clean, he was rough and unkempt, sallow in the sunlight and far from serene. He ran a hand through his thick black mop of tangled hair then scratched his ass.

"Good morning," Deloris, Eade's custom Les Paul guitar, said sarcastically from her place in one of the chairs. "Glad you could join us."

Eade opened his mouth to reply but could only manage a dry croak. He grabbed the first liquid he could find, which happened to be the bottle of wine, and drank it down thirstily.

"Yeah," he said when there was finally enough saliva in his mouth to permit speech. "Where are we?"

"You don't remember?" Deloris asked.

Eade finished the last of the wine. "Not really."

"We're at the Dancing Duchess in Corone."

"What happened?" Eade asked as he set the bottle back on the nightstand.

"What do you mean?" Deloris asked casually.

"What do you think I mean? The last thing I remember is drinking at Medusa's Boudoir and getting in a fight with those Schwarzer asses."

"What's there to say? You were hammered. Look in your pocket."

Eade slid out of bed and hunted for his pants. "Please," he said bitterly. "I've been a half-bottle of valium and a fifth of Jack down and still remembered the whole night."

"Well, you went from beer, to liquor, to wine, then back to beer, back to wine, back to liquor, then to wine again. I've seen bars sell less booze in one night."

Eade found his pants under the bed. "I don't know..."

"Just look in your pocket."

Eade did as commanded. In the pocket of his pants was a crumpled sheet of parchment. Eade sat on the bed and smoothed the parchment out on his leg. It read: I, Eade Walker, hereby swear to undertake a mission for the Corone Empire. Upon signing this contract I submit myself fully to the jurisdiction of the Corone Armed Forces and accept all the rights and responsibilities attendant to said allegiance. His name was signed crookedly at the bottom.

"What the fuck is this?" Eade yelled, holding the paper toward Deloris. "I enlisted in the military? Now I know something's fucked! Tell me!"

"You signed it!" Deloris yelled back. "You can't blame this on me!"

Eade threw the paper down. "Are you kidding me?! There's no way I'd sign this, no matter how jacked I was."

Deloris' whole frame shook. "Then how'd it get signed? I suppose you were possessed? Filled with the fucking spirit of Uncle Sam?"

"I don't know, and I don't care. We're outta here - I'm not going to the army."

Eade stalked angrily across the room to retrieve his shirt and leather vest from the chair next to Deloris. As he approached he heard a soft click echo from the wood-paneled wall near the bed. He spun to face the noise and watched with genuine surprise as a wide panel slid sideways to reveal a small, but opulently-decorated bathroom. Standing in the now-open doorway was a woman. Her thick, muscular frame was bereft of clothing and her boy-cut brown hair stood at odd morning angles. Eade looked at her incredulously and her pock-marked, masculine cheeks took on the rosy hue of blush. Stubby hands tried to calm her bed-head.

"You told me you'd say that," the woman said huskily.

"Who are you?" Eade demanded.

"Captain Aegri Wyvant, of the Corone Armed Forces," the woman responded almost mechanically.

"Jesus Christ," Eade hissed. "You're ugly."

The woman laughed humorlessly. "You told me you'd say that too...though you didn't seem to care last night."

Deloris laughed aloud.

Eade spun to face the guitar. "Keep laughing bitch, we'll see how funny it is when I de-string you."

"That's enough," commanded Aegri, eyeing the guitar warily. "Eade Walker, as of last night you are officially contracted with the Corone Empire. As such, I am your superior, and I will not..."

"Fuck off," Eade interrupted. He turned his back to the Captain and continued to gather his clothes.

Turning away from Aegri proved to be a bad idea. Before his hand could even touch the clothing on the chair he was face-down on the floor, his arm twisted brutally behind his back. Aegri's full weight pressed down on him as she leaned her face to his ear. A swift yank of his arm shot pain through his entire body and punctuated her words.

"Compliance is not an option," Aegri whispered into his ear before licking it. "You work for me now, and I am not a forgiving commander."

Eade struggled futilely against the woman's grip and was rewarded with more pain. When he finally stopped struggling Aegri pushed herself up and collected her clothing from the bathroom. As she dressed Eade rolled onto his back and cradled his sore arm across his stomach, slowly massaging his shoulder to work out the kink.

Aegri finished dressing and went to the door of the room. Without sparing a glance at the man on the floor she spoke again. "Get ready and meet me downstairs in five minutes."

The door slammed behind her.

Eade took ten minutes just to piss the Amazon off, but he was careful not to take too long - after all, he needed his arms to play music. When he was done dressing, and done yelling at Deloris, Eade left the room and headed downstairs as directed. The first level of the Dancing Duchess was decorated in muted pastels and rich brown. Tapestries lined the walls and a well-kept collection of eclectic, yet complimentary furniture sectioned the tap-room into four separate seating areas. The room was empty save for a group of powdered women having brunch near the main entry. Eade couldn't hear them, but they were obviously engaged in some serious gossip-slinging and probably would be for hours.

On the opposite side of the room from the ladies Aegri sat straight-backed on a Chippendale-style couch, her hard eyes locked on Eade as he approached. He set Deloris down on a chez lounge across from the woman and flopped down into an adjacent chair.

"What's going on here?" He asked, careful to keep his voice neutral.

"You'll know in a minute," Aegri responded professionally. "Once everyone arrives I'll begin the briefing."

Eade sighed. "Everyone?"

[Raphai]

This was a fun post for me, i hope you enjoy it. I'll go back and atually edit it for correct grammar later.

One sandaled foot in front of another helped Raphai make his way into the fancy inn that doubled as a taproom. “Trisgen, save me.” Raphai muttered a quick plea under his breathe, not knowing what was to come as he looked across the room and locked eyes with, the woman-who-was-not-small. She looked like she could eat him if she wanted to, yesterday though he had not been thinking that at all. He remembered, he remembered it all.
__________________________________________________ ___
It had been a normal day for him, magic lessons, job-hunting, sleep, eat, and sleep some more. It was as normal as he got. But today, and today in particular, Raphai was feeling…deprived, yes deprived of....manly pleasure. This was also normal for him, as he was not a fine specimen to look upon. He was short, lanky, had completely black skin that was graced with scars, and brilliant white hair that offset his look completely; to top it all off, he had a large male anatomy hidden between his legs and no one to share it with. He was feeling very deprived.

So while buying fruit from a vendor, he saw a lady stopping men in the street and talking to them, and almost pleading with them, she was dressed nicely, and wore combat boots, which Raphai thought was kind of kinky. At one point in his observance, she took a man into a building (he did not read the sign that said 'Corone’s Recruiting Office') and did not come out for a few minutes, so he immediately assumed…and since he assumed, he brought his fruit, stuck it inside his robes, walked up to her and asked her in a deep innocent tone “How much?” Well she assumed also, and answered in a deep controlled excited tone “It costs nothing!”

(If you’re following along you understand that these two acquaintances are still assuming certain things about each other.)

So Raphai eagerly grabbed her hand, and started to lead her into the tavern across the street. This turned out to be mistake number one, because the next thing he knew, he was face down on the dirty ground, which was part cobble and part dirt. His arm twisted brutally behind his back. The woman’s full weight pressed down on him as she leaned her face to his ear.

Raphai could feel sticky juices flowing from the grapha fruit he’d just bought. A swift yank of his arm shot pain through his entire body as she punctuated her words, all excitement gone.

“I don’t know what you were planning on doing, but grabbing my hand should not be what you are doing!” She quickly yanked him up and dusted him off staring him hard in the face. A face that looked like it might start crying. “Well are you going to sign up?” Raphai looked at her questioningly, forgetting about the grapha fruit and his arm. “Sign up? What type of whore are you?” That was his second mistake, because the next thing he knew, he was face down on the ground again! His arm twisted brutally behind his back, the woman’s knee in the back of his neck. “ I am a military recruiter you idiot! I don’t know what possessed you to think so but I am definitely not a prostitute!” She quickly flipped him over and sat on top of his belly, all air leaving his lungs, he didn’t care though; it turned him on extra quickly. The feel of her tight ass rubbing on his stomach, yes it turned him on. “ I will let you make up for that little incident just now.” Raphai nodded (as much as a person can nod while lying down) hurriedly, his dick was starting to become stiff, and he wondered if she could feel it.

She pulled a small piece of paper from out of a knapsack on the ground. Then she pulled a small piece of charcoal out of her knapsack, made to be a writing utensil. “ State your name please!” She placed the paper on Raphai’s forehead preparing to write, “Raphai Man.” She snorted, “A man yeah?” it was Raphai’s turn to snort, “I’m a larger man then you think!” He hinted on, his member growing more rigid and larger. She got off of him though, and grunted; mumbling the words, ‘forget it,’ leaving Raphai horny and deprived. "Tomorrow morning, at the Dancing Duchess Inn, be there, or I will find you. Pervert."
__________________________________________________ __

The chair scraped awkwardly loud on the floor as he confidently sat down, and smiled at the two people sitting at the table also. Then he shifted his weight to be comfortable, making the chair creak very loud in the quiet room, so he shifted back, making it squeal even louder. “Be still!” The lady (who’s name he still didn’t know) commanded. “Sorry.”

[Revenant]

“Damn, Ericks, I had forgotten that this wing even existed.” Corporal Bragg of the Corone Armed Forces muttered angrily and shook another cobweb from his shoulder.

Sergeant Ericks, Bragg’s companion, grunted his agreement and continued to press through the narrow passage that led them deep into the west wing of Foxleightner Prison.

“I mean, this guy must have done some bad shit for Captain Lorrel to have reopened the cells here,” Bragg continued.

“You mean you haven’t heard?” Sergeant Ericks stopped and turned an unbelieving look to his youthful companion. “Guy was brought in by Sergeant Erne’s unit. Or what was left of it anyway. Erne says that they found this guy eating some poor schmuck on the side of the road and that he killed three patrolmen before they managed to cut him down.”

“Cut him down?”

“Yeah. Erne says that he personally stabbed the guy seven times before he finally went down. And then, while they were waiting for Erne’s runner to bring back the corpse cart, the guy starts to get up again.”

“That’s bullshit,” Bragg shook his head and gestured for Ericks to continue through the tunnel. “Sergeant Erne, no disrespect intended, is a gods-damned liar.”

“Shit,” Ericks snorted, “I said the same thing the first time I heard it, too. But after we threw in him the general holding cells a month ago, shift three says they heard screaming and found him hacking through the other prisoners.”

“Weren’t he chained up?”

“Yeah, just like everyone else. Shift three says that his hands looked all mangled, like he’d torn them out of his chains before setting to the killing.”

“Bullshit again. Shift three is a bunch of slack-asses. Morons must have left his chains loose.”

“Entirely possible, Bragg,” Ericks conceded. “But I know for a fact that the third incident happened because I’m the one that pulled him out of the bars.”

“What third incident?”

“Well, after the massacre in general holding, Shift three transferred him to the solitary cells in north wing. A week ago, Captain Lorrel was doing his monthly inspection and I was on escort duty. While we were going through north wing I heard all this commotion; screaming and such. Captain Lorrel and I went to check it out and found this guy stuck halfway through the bars into the next cell.”

“No shit?”

No shit. And get this, the guy whose cell he was trying to get into was The Carver.”

“The Carver! That stone cold motherfucker? I heard he slashed up three families last year.”

“You heard right. Anyways, Captain Lorrel and I come running in to see what the commotion in north wing is all about and find this guy stuck halfway into Carver’s cell. The Carver, that stone cold motherfucker, had shit himself and was bawling like a baby.”

“How’d he get through the bars? Ain’t no man I’ve ever seen could fit through that tight a space.”

“Carver says the guy just started ramming his way through in some sort of blood frenzy. When the Captain and I pull him back through the bars it looked like his skull had been crushed and his shoulder bones snapped as he tried to fit through the bars. Only thing that stopped him was that he lost leverage and couldn’t crush his own ribcage.”

“And this guy is still alive?” Bragg asked incredulously.

“Captain and I didn’t think so. He wasn’t moving when we pulled him back trough the bars. But when we brought the corpsman to check it out, there he was, sitting in his cell. Captain wrote his report and ordered me to take the freak to the west wing here, where we could forget him.”

“Fuck me,” said Bragg. “If he’s this much of a psycho, then why the hell do we have orders to let him go?”

“Shit Bragg, if it were up to me, I’d leave the scary fuck in here to rot forever, but Captain Wyvant specifically requested him for this mission of hers. My best guess is that she wants to use him as some sort of weapon against the Rangers. More power to her, too, if it gets him away from me. I haven’t had a good night’s sleep since that thing in north wing.” Ericks shuddered. “Besides, after Captain Wyvant reviewed the incident reports, she says she has something that will ensure his cooperation.”

“Better be something good,” Bragg’s voice muttered.

“A-fucking-men, Bragg. A-fucking men.”

Ericks and Bragg had arrived at the iron-bound oak door leading into the west wing holding cells. The door’s rusted latches screamed with protest as the door shuddered open. Thick cobwebs and heavy dust filled the wing, and numerous vermin scurried away from the invading guardsmen. Ericks and Bragg only had eyes for one of the wing’s inhabitants though, the single man who lay naked on the cold stone floor. If he had heard the two guardsmen approaching, he gave no indication.

“William Arcus,” Ericks barked. He tried to put as much command into his voice as he could, but even he could hear the undercurrent of fear that buoyed his words. Still the man did not stir.

“William Arcus,” Ericks repeated. “You have been found guilty of crimes against the Corone Empire and have been sentenced to death. However, Captain Aegri Wyvant of the Corone Armed Forces has ordered that your sentence of execution be commuted through service to the Corone Empire.”

Ericks held out a piece of paper at hands length, careful not to get close to the bars of William’s cell despite the fact that the man had not moved. So still was William, that only the steady rise and fall of William’s chest as he breathed in the dusty air belied the fact that he was alive.

“Further,” Ericks continued, emboldened, “upon successful completion of your service, all of your crimes will be pardoned and your possessions will be returned to you, including your book of arcana.”

At mention of the book, William’s prone form sprang to life. Both Ericks and Bragg leapt backwards with a yelp as William slammed into the bars of his cell.

“You’ll return my book?” William asked in earnest, visibly agitated. Ericks and Bragg noted with alarm that, as William’s excitement increased, small patches of his skin began to darken and flake to ash, as if William had a fire consuming him from the inside, though the burned patches soon healed over.

“N-now, listen,” Ericks stuttered. “There is a clause in here that states that the offer is rescinded if you harm any Coronian Armed Forces personnel, so calm down.”

William stepped back from the cell bars and with a visible effort, breathed deeply and calmed himself. As he did so, the burning in his skin faded.

“Now,” said Ericks once more gaining his confidence, “do we have a deal?”

An hour later, William Arcus stepped out of a carriage in front of the Dancing Duchess, clothed once more in the full body wool cloak which covered his burning flesh from prying eyes. All of his possessions had been returned save one, and as William entered the inn his thoughts were firmly locked on the horrors he would be forced to commit to retrieve the Tome of Kal’Necroth, the only thing he knew that held the key to his redemption.

[Dischordant]

Eade's fingers drummed on the arm of his chair, tapping out a counter-rhythm to the pounding in his head. All attempts at conversation with Aegri had been cut short by sour looks or the command to wait. She wasn't talking, and neither was Deloris, despite Eade's attempt to initiate mental dialogue. Left to his own devices, the musician closed his eyes and silently pored over the events of last night.

He remembered being at Medusa's Boudoir, meeting people from a group called Schwarzer, fighting with their leader, Brammen, taking some of the bastard's gold, then returning to his table for more drinks. After that the night was fuzzy. Flashes of memory sprang up like images seen through foggy plastic, but slipped away into darkness the moment Eade tried to focus on them. The sensation was frustrating and more than a little frightening. Eade never blacked out before and couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss. Compounding the feeling was the fact that Deloris wasn't forthcoming with any details. She was always ready to tell him when he looked like a fool, but she had yet to share any stories of his idiocy...or how he ended up in bed with the Corone Armed Forces.

The sound of a squeaking chair jarred Eade from his thoughts and set his teeth on edge. He opened his eyes to see a dark-skinned man fumbling around nervously with the furniture. Aegri addressed the man as if she knew him, though by the sound of her voice it was clear their relationship was not friendly.

"Is this everyone?" Eade asked the captain.

"Not yet," she responded curtly.

As if on cue, a second man entered the Inn, swaddled in heavy woolen clothes that covered almost every inch of his body. The man walked with quiet efficiency, his eyes betraying thoughts that were elsewhere even though his body moved with cool grace through the cluttered tap-room. Eade's eyes narrowed as the man approached. He'd been in enough fights to tell when someone was dangerous and this man set that sense afire. As the man neared, Eade stood from his chair and crossed to the chez lounge where Deloris lay, plucking the guitar from her resting place and setting her across his legs before sitting again. Aegri looked to Eade and nodded quickly, the movement barely discernable.

"Good, you're all here," Aegri said when the woolen man joined the group. "I'll be brief as I have other matters to attend to before the day is done. Each of you have been enlisted into the Corone Armed Forces and you're cooperation is not up for debate." She looked at the three men in turn. "William Arcus, you have been charged and found guilty of murder in the first degree for the deaths of three Corone patrolmen. Raphai Man, you are guilty of sexual assault against an officer, and Eade Walker, you have signed a contract pledging allegiance to the Corone Empire for the duration of your mission."

Eade shifted uncomfortably as Aegri listed the men's crimes. Deloris hummed in e-major.

Captain Wyvant continued. "As such, each of you will complete a single assignment to fulfill your debt to the Empire. Refusal to complete the assignment will be considered treason and your lives will be forfeit. However, the Empire is fair, despite the blasphemous lies spread by the Rangers, and your compliance will be rewarded. Any spoils recovered during your assignment are yours to keep and each of you will be given a single enchanted item upon completion of the mission."

Aegri paused for a moment to gauge the men's reactions then continued. "What say you?"

[Raphai]

As the last man joined them at the table, Raphai shifted uncomfortably again, as he felt a strong surge of magical presence. It was a thing you picked up on after working with magic for so long. This man was swaddled in furs. It wasn’t hot, it wasn’t cold, it was perfect weather, and to put it plainly, he just looked ridiculous! If Raphai was in the mood to act like the ass he was, he would have told him so…but he didn’t.

He stared at the woman (he still didn’t know her name), as she rattled off the reason they were all here. He didn’t care that she said he had committed a ‘sexual assault.’ “She liked it,” what he did care about was the man named William Arcus, the ridiculous man. First-degree murder? Against Corone Patrolmen? What the hell is this man on? He thought suspiciously and hopefully. Suspiciously because he could kill them all in their sleep, hopefully because he could pick up some of those killing techniques.


Then leaning forward, making his chair creak more, he put his hands on the table and answered the woman’s question. “I say, if it involves women I’m with you until the end of my days. If it involves killing I’m with you unless I get hurt…then I’m gone,” he said making sure to punch the last words. He leaned back, his chair groaned; he clicked his teeth, and scratched his neck. All these were sign of nervousness, though he didn’t show it emotionally. He was nervous, because he believed he had got himself involved in more then he should have.

The sun was just coming into full view in the sky. Blazing through the large windows of the inn. It was about noon Raphai guessed, and if this was going to be a lengthy mission, they probably should be getting on their way, he never was one who liked to dawdle with time.

[Revenant]

William studied both men as Aegri read off each man’s obligations. Both were shorter than William and neither had the built physique that the former woodsman had attained through a lifetime of physical labor. Both men seemed to recoil unconsciously from the Revenant as they could sense the barely restrained violence that burned under William’s skin, and both reacted to the news of William’s murderous nature.

After Aegri had finished, Raphai had almost leapt to answer her challenge, his words ringing with in William’s ear with false bravado. Though he spoke with certainty, and more than a little crudeness, his fidgeting betrayed his nervousness.

This one is a coward, thought William, and decided that he would have to watch Raphai carefully, for cowards were dangerous and unpredictable in a fight. The man posed no real physical threat to William since William’s Revenant nature would repair any damage to his physical form given enough time, but the possibility of the mission being unsuccessful and the Tome of Kal’Necroth being lost to William forever was a very real possibility.

Eade, on the other hand, remained stony. His body language betrayed that Eade wasn’t pleased about having signed a contract with the Corone Armed Forces, and that he didn’t like being put on this mission any more than his companions, who made him uneasy. Despite this, Eade hid his discomfort well and held his composure.

Though he appears frail, thought William, there is a core of steel in this one. I would do best not to underestimate him. William felt a slight measure of relief that at least one of his companions was someone to step up to the task, though he wondered if Eade was willing to go as far as the task would require of him.

“You already know that I have no choice but to serve you,” William turned to address Aegri after studying his companions. “As long as you return to me what is mine, you have no fear that I will serve you in whatever capacity is required.” The malice in William’s voice left no doubt as to what requirement he was expecting.

[Dischordant]

Eade listened to both men's responses, taking mental note of their attitude and impetus. The first man, Raphai, seemed like the type that floated where the winds took him. The second, William, had a much clearer drive. Aegri possessed something that belonged to him - something the killer would do anything to get back.

After his companions spoke, Eade leaned forward, resting his elbows on Deloris. "What kind of item are we talking about?"

Aegri looked to him. "As we discussed last night, a lightning gem fitted for your weapon. The items given to your companions will be negotiated upon completion of the assignment."

"Right," Eade groaned. He still didn't remember, but he wasn't in a position to argue. One thing he did know, however, was that he and Deloris would be having a come-to-Jesus talk in the very near future.

Aegri continued. "Since we're all in agreement, here is your mission: As you must know, Corone is currently in a state of civil war. The Corone Rangers, a rebel faction, is attempting to overthrow the Empire and plunge the island into chaos. Apart from force of arms, the Rangers have begun a campaign of propaganda designed to turn the population against the Empire. Most recently they have been making headway in here in Yarsborough, specifically in the villages of Sundhurst, Reaheln, and Torshire. Your assignment is to make an example of these villages and show the rebels that anarchy will not be accepted in Corone."

"An example?" Eade questioned, not liking the woman's tone.

Aegri smiled like a wolf. "Yes, and how it’s done is up to you. Though personally, I find fire to be an effective form of persuasion."

The captain pulled a small map from her pocket and laid it on the table. "We are here," she said, pointing to a city marked Gisela. "Just outside the city's borders is a garrison. You will rendezvous at the garrison where you'll be joined by a mounted squad. Once outfitted, you will lead the squad south to the villages and deal with them as you see fit."

As Aegri finished speaking the barkeep appeared at their table. His presence surprised Eade, though he tried not to show it. Silently as he approached, the barkeep laid a paper-wrapped package on the table and melted back into the room, his sky-blue and brown livery acting like camouflage as he returned to the bar.

"As we discussed," Aegri said to Eade, motioning toward the package.

The phrase "as we discussed" was seriously beginning to piss the musician off, but he wasn't one to turn down shwag, so he leaned forward further and unwrapped the package. Inside was a set of leather armor - sturdy leather pants and a thin-fitting jacket, both dyed black. The jacket zipped in the front and had a high collar that would protect his neck. Also in the package was a metal-banded collar, a pair of fingerless gloves, and a full pewter flask.

Eade ran an appreciative hand over the items. They reminded him of a costume he wore on his most recent tour.

Finding no need to address the musician further, Aegri turned her attention to Raphai and William. "If you don't have any questions, I suggest you set out as soon as possible."

[Revenant]

William surged with unexpected excitement as Aegri laid out the task that he, Raphai, and Eade were to complete. It had been too long since the rage within him had been sated and though he knew that the Corone Empire would have little use for him other than as a weapon, he had been expecting hardened, military targets to release himself upon. The thought of three villages, ripe with peasants lined up for the slaughter stoked the fire of violence within him and the demon was close to the surface now.

William panted with the familiar signs that he was about to lose control. He could feel the inky darkness filming over his eyes and his fingers twitched as the bandages that covered his hands began to give way to wicked, demonic claws. The smell of char and ash flowed from him as the demonic fury burned his flesh with its power; the surge of pain that followed in its wake bringing him close to furious climax.

No, you fool, William screamed in his head. Think of the book! If you let yourself go now, you’ll never get the book back. Cold realization flooded through the heat of William’s rage, and it took all of his willpower to push back the red tide which filled his vision. A cold sweat broke on William’s forehead and he sucked in deep breaths as he struggled with his internal desire to let the demon free but he slowly pulled himself back into control.

Soon, he promised. If you can just wait a little while longer, I won’t fight you anymore.

William stood on rubbery legs and walked towards the inn’s exit, watching the reactions of his companions carefully to see if they had noticed his moment of weakness.

“I for one agree completely with Captain Wyvant’s suggestion,” William said to the others before disappearing out of the Dancing Duchess. “I don’t think we should waste any more time.”

William didn’t pause to see whether or not Raphai and Eade followed him as he marched towards the garrison that would bring him one step closer to release from the demon’s howling. Mercenaries, thugs, and sell swords were common to Corone, but even the most desensitized townsfolk gave wide berth to the figure that stalked the streets with obvious murderous intent.

The part of William that remained a simple woodcutter mourned as he saw the fear in the eyes of those he passed. He sorrowfully reflected on the circumstances that had led to his existence as a creature which his creator, Kal’Necroth, had dubbed a Revenant. William hated the number of innocent lives that his rage had forced him to claim, but at the same time understood that the demon was insistent, and it was far better to give in to the demon’s urges when they rose.

After all, William reasoned, I’ll never find a way to cure myself if the demon is always pounding in my head. The only problem was that no matter how often William gave in to the demon’s rage, his head never stayed clear for long.

William was so lost in his thought that he had almost reached the city’s gate when the sound of ringing steel stopped him cold.

“I don’t know how you managed to escape from Foxleightner, you murderous son of a whore” rang the voice of Sergeant Gregor Erne, the man whose murdered patrolmen had led William to his current predicament, “but this time, I’ll make sure you’re dead for good.”

William cursed as he turned to face the Sergeant.

[Raphai]

This is obviously for filler purposes

Once she pulled out the map, Raphai studied it with a glance. He knew where he was, Corone was his home. Well Corone was home to him, having been made an outcast by his family, they no longer acknowledged it as his home. They could not care less where he laid his head, or "set up shop," as long as he did not come into contact with them. He would have fun burning up the village, all for revenge; and just like they didn't care, neither did Raphai.

The next word out of the ladies mouth almost made Raphai jump out of his seat. The persuasion of fire...oh my goodness that is beautiful poetry. He could fell goose bumps start to climb up his body. It was the only spell he knew that could do damage. He knew others, but if he were to use them in a fight, they’d need to be strategically used. Let’s do this! He thought excitedly, his eyes glinting with joy.

Then came the bartender with a package, and in the smooth package was a set of ridiculous clothes for Mr. Walker. The fire in his eyes immediately diminished and was replaced with a look of confusion.

That was when Raphai seriously doubted he was in the right place. “Another clown?” He glumly thought. I expected more from this man. He gently bit his lip in aggravation. He could not stand people that placed their bravado in their clothes. Yes Raphai had his strange look, but his was not self-inflicted. This man chose to walk around with nails sticking out of his neck. For what reason? Raphai didn't know, it just looked silly to him! William must have thought he looked pretty silly also, because he decided to move from the table at that moment with a look of irritation on his face, Raphai could not tell.
He's one to talk...think...whatever, he's looks just as silly as....Ednus...Eddy?"

“I agree with Mr. Arcus there," Raphai boomed, "we should not be dawdling,” He bounced up quickly from his bothersome chair, which made one last exasperated groan, then turned to follow the man. But William was already out the door with a look of pure concentration on his face. Raphai would have ran after him, but his better judgment decided it against it.

He did not trust the man yet, there was something dark about him Raphai could not put his finger on. He didn't trust Walker either. Not because he felt unsure about him, but because he didn't know him and that was the way Raphai worked.

“Well, I guess I’m with you…Eddy?” Raphai said as he turned back around. I hate when I can't remember people's names!

[Dischordant]

"It's Eade," the musician said steelily before turning away.

I'm strapped with a clown and a killer, he thought. This is going to suck.

Deciding he'd better just get this whole mess finished, Eade snatched the package from the table, slipped Deloris on his back, and headed back upstairs to change. Five minutes later he reemerged, armor-clad and ready to rock.

Raphai and Aegri were still near at the table, but William was nowhere to be seen. Eade considered his options: sit back down with the woman who fucked him over (literally and figuratively) and the man whose every word was more annoying than the last, or go outside and try to find a killer. Both options blew, but one was clearly more bone-chilling than the other. Thusly settled, Eade brushed past Raphai and Aegri on his way to the door.

"Hurry up," he called to the clown from the exit.

Outside the spring air was warm and the sky cloudless. It was the perfect day to drink Coronas on a patio, but instead of doing that, Eade was weaving his way through a medieval fantasy land in search of a murderer who would help him burn down innocent people's homes. Fucking fantastic.

It took almost no time to find Gisela's southern exit, as the Dancing Duchess Inn was situated less than a mile away. The southern gate was less-used than the others, so only a few people dotted the wide lane that led to the gate itself. Among those people stood William, dressed heavily despite the weather. In front of him stood another man, clad in a military uniform and carrying an ornate, yet well-used sword. Eade didn't arrive in time to hear the beginning of their exchange, but it was clear from the military man's posture that he wasn't happy.

Eade slowed his gait and glanced behind him to see if Raphai had caught up. Things were off to a bad start.

[Revenant]

Not good, William mentally noted as he assessed the situation. From what little he remembered about his last encounter with the good Sergeant, Erne was no slouch when it came to handling his sword, earning his rank through dogged relentlessness and skill rather than bribery and favors. William took in Erne’s full measure and knew that the steady sword, determined countenance, and deep set stance proved the killer in Erne was ready to do its work. William also knew that despite the man’s obvious skill, William knew that the Sergeant would die at his hands.

As William carefully watched the soldier, he could feel the pressure that he had been fighting since Aegri’s mission briefing mounting behind his eyes. It wasn’t longing or desire that he felt, but a raw, driving need to unleash the demon upon this brave and stupid fool. William pulled back on the violent urges with every ounce of will that he had, knowing that any more Corone military casualties under his hand would result in the rescinding of his deal, but William also knew that once Sergeant Erne attacked him, he wouldn’t be able to hold back any longer. It would take something beyond William’s means to overcome this obstacle.

Segreant Erne advanced a step towards William and his heroic demeanor shattered, the solid unwavering soldier melting into a wavering drunk. William noticed new things about Sergeant Erne. The sword point which had moments before had held rock steady now spun and dipped while the drunken soldier tried valiantly to keep it on target. Dark pools under the Sergeant’s eyes and a week’s worth of stubble belied a haunted mind who sought refuge in drink.

“Please, Sergeant,” William soothingly called out, holding his hands up as much to hold back his own violent urges as to show the drunken soldier that he was unarmed. “You appear to be a little worse for the drink, and I think you mistake me for someone else.”

“I could never forget you,” Erne cried out, now stumbling as much over his words as his steps. “I see you in my dreams, in the shadows at night, everywhere I look I see you. I’m going to make sure you go away, going to make sure you’ll never hurt anyone again.”

Not bloody likely, William almost snorted in contempt, but caught himself. The situation was perilously close to boiling over and William was doing his best to keep control. It was obvious to William that his earlier encounter with the Sergeant was the source of the proud man’s degeneration

William desperately scanned the crowd for something he could use to distract the soldier that continued to stumble towards him in a drunken stagger. Unfortunately, Sergeant Erne’s scene had drawn quite a crowd of onlookers and both of the men were hedged in. The rage was roaring in William’s mind now, threatening to block out all coherent thought and William knew that he had but scant moments before the bloodshed began when he spied a familiar figure in the crowd. William saw that Eade had caught up with him and quickly steered into a new tactic.

“Sergeant,” William almost pleaded, “you don’t want to do this.”

“Oh, I’m sure that I do.” Erne was now dangerously close to striking distance.

“Surely you don’t want to kill the newest recruit to the Corone military.” William mentally crossed his fingers that this last gambit would work. The rage was boiling under his skin now, and all it would take to overcome his hold on it would be one fumbled, drunken slash of Erne’s sword.

“That’s bullshit,” Erne spat at William. “The guard would never hire scum like you.” Despite his defiant attitude, a slight glimmer of doubt now shone in the Sergeant’s eyes and he stopped his advance.

“Of course they would. You’ve seen firsthand how effective I can be. In fact, there’s my unit commander over there,” William gestured at Eade hoping that the leather clad man had brought the mission credentials.

[Raphai]

I didn't know if the man was a npc or pc, so I didn't dictate his actions.

“Hurry up?”

Raphai clicked his tongue exasperated as he followed the fool out the door. “Tell me to hurry up, you impotent little bastard!” Raphai muttered angrily, walking behind ‘Eade.’ He walked slowly, not caring whether or not they needed him; there were really no stipulations on him for this mission; he just had to complete it! Yes he wanted to bring destruction down upon the tiny village in Corone; he did not want to do it at the cities beck and call. As he strolled along though, he felt at home in this milieu.

Corone was the place he that raised him as a child; amongst the back alleys and on the bridges. The street was his home, and the mendicants-a sad commentary to Corone’s national priorities-were his friends. Entertaining was his main niche, while magic was his mistress and love. He paid attention to every small detail: the small puffs of dirt following with every foot step, the mellifluous sound of a flute a short distance away, an oddly dressed man about to be stabbed by a soldier who was drunk. Raphai smiled as he noticed this last detail: William Arcus.

“So they wanted to start without me?” He quickened his step as he spotted Eade in the quickly forming crowd, his peculiar dress obvious within the pedestrian dressed mass. He quickly moved beside Eade just as Arcus was finishing his statement, “There is my unit commander over there.” Thinking to break it up, Raphai moved forward with initiative and hands in the air. “We have a mandate too,” he said cautiously stepping forward, “carry out orders…by the…” he stopped and blinked, then racked his brain for the name of the people they were working for. “Corone…Empire?” He prayed that it was the right name, Damn me! Forget this! They had to burn the place anyway, why not start now with a quick knock out?

He ran forward with a fist raised in the air, thinking to knock the man out with one blow, and they would be on their way. “AHHH!” He screamed, charging towards the man.

[Dischordant]

While Eade wasn't a con artist by any stretch of the imagination, he had managed to scam his way into clubs all over the world before fame started to lift the velvet ropes for him. Performing was all about confidence, whether it be on stage or in the street, and if nothing else, Eade had confidence in spades. William's words spurred the musician into action and he took two assured steps forward, ready to speak, but the words died on his lips as Raphai charged forward, shattering the plan before it could take shape.

Shit, Eade thought, stopping dead in his tracks. The crowd pushed in closer as Raphai entered the fray, forming a tight circle around the action and forcing Eade to the fringe. He wouldn't be able to reach the men before the situation turned to blows. There was going to be a fight, and Eade was helpless to stop it.

"Why stop it?" Deloris said into his mind, breaking the silence that had yawned between them.

Eade shoved an old man who'd gotten a little too close. "What do you mean?"

"When Alex was stoned out of his mind and started the wrong song in a concert set, what did you do? Did you stop him?"

"No. I just changed the line-up."

Deloris sounded satisfied. "Exactly."

The guitar's tone annoyed its player. "Ok Mr. Miagi, what's that supposed to mean?"

"Just stop fucking talking and start listening. You'll get it...hopefully."

Deloris went quiet again, leaving Eade to curse her silently. Around him the crowd started to get rowdy. Cheers and heckles peppered the air and the mob condensed, pushing in even tighter as people started to vie for better vantages. Someone groped Eade's crotch, causing the musician to spin around and look for the offending hand. He couldn't tell who did it, or if it was an accident - everyone looked the same: provincial, dirty, and eager for a fight.

Eade wormed his way out of the crowd and circled around, looking for an opening to squeeze through. As he moved he listened, following Deloris' directive, even though he thought she was full of shit.

"Damn Empire," one man said. "It's not enough they tax our families to death, now they gotta set their dogs on us."

"Look at the way he's dressed," another said. "Face all covered...he must be a Ranger. Rangers killed my son...murderers."

Similar comments sprouted throughout the crowd as the tension increased. Some of the mob sympathized with the Rangers, some with the Empire, and some hated both factions equally. One woman, an apron-clad lady in her middle years, seemed particularly incensed. She grasped a rolling-pin tightly in one hand, her knuckles as red as her face. She didn't speak, but she breathed heavily though her nose like a bull, her ample chest heaving raggedly as she watched the scene unfold.

Eade's eyes locked onto her, drawn by the barely-contained anger emanating from her form. She became his momentary muse.

A new plan started to form.

[Revenant]

William was left speechless by the sight of Raphai charging from the crowd. The sight of the bone thin black skinned man charging a drunken soldier with an upraised fist actually succeeded in stunning William enough that the raging urge for violence in him was momentarily subdued. Sergeant Erne also appeared to be stunned by the sudden appearance of Raphai, as he turned his attention away from William in a moment of surprise. The moment of surprise didn’t last long, but it had given William the breathing room that he had been looking for.

“Not quite what I was expecting,” William muttered to himself, “but it’ll do.” William turned to bolt for the city gates and ran straight into a wall of onlookers.

“…must be a Ranger. Rangers killed my son…murderers,” cried one of the voices in the crowd. The mass of people surged forward and thrust William back towards the drunken soldier and boney magician. The crowd seemed on the verge of rioting and the momentary lapse in William’s violent urges that Raphai’s appearance had made was vanishing rapidly. Demonic rage flooded power through William’s muscular frame and the burning began again.

The demon in William’s mind roared and William echoed, tilting his head back and screaming his frustration to the heavens with primal rage.

[Dischordant]

Eade craned his neck to see what was happening inside the circle, but couldn't get a good view. For all he knew Raphai was dead and William was on the verge of being mobbed. Even though the musician doubted that was the case, he knew they couldn't afford to get bogged down so near the beginning of their journey. Aegri wasn't forgiving.

He focused his attention on the woman with the rolling pin. The baker was mad and Eade hoped to use that to his advantage. He took quick survey of the area and found what he needed: a broken cobblestone. Bending at the waist, Eade scooped up a few of the loose stones before straightening again. He launched the first stone but it veered wide, clattering quietly as it landed somewhere beyond its target. The second stone fell short, striking a young man in the back. The man spun around, eyes surprised and annoyed.

Eade had only one stone left and he sent a silent prayer to the heavens as he launched it at the woman. This one struck home, hitting the woman squarely in the back of the head. Like the man before her, she spun around to look for the source of the impact. Unlike the man however, her eyes were filled with deep rage and grief.

Hoping his luck would hold, Eade tightened his vocal cords and called out: "Sympathizer! Why don't you leave us alone? This country is ours!"

Though the words came from Eade's mouth, the sound originated from behind the woman's back. She spun again, her eyes falling on a finely-dressed woman in front of her.

"Yours?" She screamed. "It's not yours just because you've drenched it in blood!"

The noblewoman looked confused, and then she looked pained as the rolling pin smashed into her face. The noblewoman's companion, an aged man in the robes of a scholar, reacted quickly and pushed the baker back, causing her to fall to the ground.

"Hey," another man yelled. "Don't hit a lady!"

That man punched the scholar in the gut. From there all hell broke loose. Fists flew and people fell, ordinary items became weapons; blood splattered the ground.

"Well done Daniel-san," Deloris said, impressed.

Eade pushed his way into the fray. "Did you expect anything less?"

"Do you really want the answer?"

Eade knew the answer so he held his tongue. Feeling at home in the madness, Eade navigated through the crowd, landing a few choice punches as he went. After what seemed like an eternity he reached William and grabbed the man by the shoulder.

"I think it's time to go."

[Revenant]

The familiar sounds of violence startled William out of his fit of frustrated screaming. He had been so close to losing control that he had focused every bit of his will on keeping the demon at bay. As the red haze slowly faded from his vision, William was surprised to find the spreading fray which had erupted all around him was not of his doing. With an almost inhuman effort, William rallied his willpower and, for the second time that morning, submerged his rage.

I don’t believe it, but I think I’m getting better at controlling it, William congratulated himself.

Taking note of the situation surrounding him, William was amazed to find that though four dozen peasants, nobles, tradesman, and guards were knocking around with no heed to personal safety, none of them had yet approached him. William chuckled inwardly at the underlying animal nature within humanity’s subconscious which recognized a superior predator. William had experienced enough violence to know that, for all their vaunted civilization, the general population was made up of brutish beasts who would default to instinct when threatened. A calming tide washed over William in the center of the violence swirling around him, and as William was making peace with the brutish beast that lived inside him, a heavy hand landed on his shoulder.

The calming tide that had moments before washed over William boiled to vapor under the resurgence of William’s rage. William spun, ready to lash out at the fool who had dared to threaten him and found himself face-to-face with Eade. Molten rock flowed from William’s mind as he faced his companion and William could swear that he heard the youth screaming as he tore into the young man’s slender flesh, and feel his tender bones splinter and crack under the pressure William exerted on them. The grisly tableau seemed to last for an eternity, though in reality it only lasted for a second before William forced it out of his mind and focused back on the matter at hand.

“I think it’s time to go,” Eade commented and William nodded his agreement. Fighting back his rage, William followed out of the crowd. Just before he reached the gates of Gisela, William remembered Raphai’s charge at the drunken Sergeant Erne and looked around to see if he could spot the skinny black man. The swirling melee was in full force now, and if Raphai was still stuck in the middle of it, William was unable to make him out in all the chaos.

[Raphai]

His hands clenched together in a fist, flew downwards at the man’s head. All feelings of indifference had left his mind, and a latent power exploded through his fragile frame as his makeshift bludgeon smashed into skull. The warrior came out of his stupor with a roar of pain dropping his sword to grab his head; his breath drifted towards Raphai reeking of alcohol and rotting meat. With adrenaline pumping and rushing through the wizard’s body, Raphai quickly swung his foot at the soldier’s ribs, twice, making the man scream in renewed pain.

The magician then limberly bent over and seized the fallen weapon, preventing the warrior from grabbing it and to hold back the denizens of the city who were powerfully moving in. The anarchy-taking place in the middle of the street would not be abated! Now more citizens were gathering, carts were stopping, and the guard was jogging down the street. Damn me!

A demonic animal like howl came from out of the center of the crowd, making Raphai’s head snap in the sounds direction, his eyes wide in fear, “William!” He mumbled in amazed terror. Out of the corner of his eye he saw the soldier getting up onto his haunches, as if he were going to leap on Raphai. Without thinking, the magician swung the heavy sword around chopping off the man’s head. Later on, he decided, he would lie. Blame it on one of the pedestrians, who were now all caught up in tussling with one another, to assuage the Empire’s fears of him.

He looked left and right, spying to see if anyone had seen his means to an end. He was drunk anyway! I mean it’s not like I’m not about to go and kill more people anyway, why not start right now? He told himself all this, of course, to not feel the pain that death caused. It was routine for him to think all of this, for he no longer actually felt that pain, as a matter of fact, he was numb to that pain.

As the crowd tightened around him, he slowly slid the sword artfully across the cobbled ground, making it seem as if it had been a part of the chaos, and swiftly grabbed his wand from the lining of his right robe sleeve. He could hear whistles being blown, and the unsheathing of swords. The guard had arrived to chastise the townsfolk, and Raphai was going to make sure he was out of the crowd, whether or not the other two followed, before they started the punishment.

He moved his agile body through the mass, elbowing hard and kicking his way firmly through the crowd. His sandals slipping and sliding across the stone, he stumbled once over the unevenly bricks, falling on a small man who immediately lashed out at him. He only had to throw a few punches after that incident before he finally saw his destination. The south wall was right in front of him and he ran for it! The road was a lot more even as he drew closer precluding him from being trampled on in the battle.

No one seemed to have followed him, but he did not have the ability to sense oncoming danger. As he sprinted the last few steps towards the wall’s gate, he could hear screams and shouts behind him, and he felt an incipient tingle of guilt, for not staying to help, but it quickly fled him as weariness over took him.

“By order of the Empire, open up!” He shouted as loud as possible while banging on the gate. Overcome with tiredness the tiredness of using his body athletically, he fell against the door, using it as a prop. He definitely did not have any papers to prove that he was from the Empire, but he was hoping Eddy would be there soon. “Open up!” He croaked loudly. Then he saw them coming up towards him, it looked as if they had not seen him yet but that did not matter. He hobbled forward to meet them, his hand raised in a sign of greeting. “Eddy, William!” He shouted, making sure his dark brown slender wand was not pointed at the duo.

[Dischordant]

Eade breathed heavily from excitement; a good brawl always got him worked up. When he, William and Raphai were finally within speaking distance his excitement bubbled over.

"Did you see that shit? I was awesome!"

The bewildered looks of his companions reminded the rocker that the vernacular here was quite different from Los Angeles. Still, he was pumped. His plan was straight from a B movie, but it worked like a charm. Fucking awesome.

All he wanted to do was tell the story, well - get high and tell the story to be exact, but his gloating was cut short by shouts from the crowd. Luckily for the trio, the guards once stationed at the southern gate had more to worry about than three men trying to leave the city. As the guards rushed toward the melee to try and prevent any casualties, Eade led his companions through the gate and into the Coronian countryside.

The trip from Gisela to the Corone Armed Forces barracks was cut straight from an episode of Anne of Green Gables. Hills of rolling green crested lazily through oak-filled vales and the noon-day sun shone happily in blue skies. Here and there road-weary travelers nodded quaint hellos. The smell of nature was pure and clean. Even the barracks itself, once a manor house, stood bright and well-maintained behind a sleek granite wall.

A small gate covered by an iron portcullis was cut into the wall. Two well-armed men stood guard, sharp-tipped halberds flashing in the sun. As the companions approached one of the guards broke from his position and approached them.

"Who goes there?"

[Revenant]

William was grateful to leave Gisela and its mess well behind him. Cities made him uncomfortable; too many people like Sergeant Erne to spill blood in the waters, and his rage had a hunger like a shark just looking for any excuse to feed. Though the Coronian countryside wasn’t exactly the forest primeval, it was open enough that he could tune out distractions and reassert control over his violent desires.

As the three companions approached the Coronian Armed Forces barracks, William noted that one of the two well-armed guards stepped forward to challenge them.

“Who goes there?”

Knowing that every moment he held back his desire for violence was a moment when the rage would overtake him at a disastrous time, William impatiently stepped forward and cut right to the point.

“We are here on the orders of Captain Aegri Wyvant, and have been tasked with solving your problems in the villages of Sundhurst, Reaheln, and Torshire. Our arrival should have been expected.”

“Ah, the Captain’s little problem solvers. Indeed we have been expecting you, though we didn’t expect you to be so,” the guard eyed the three companions critically, “unconventional. No matter, head on inside the barracks and talk to the quartermaster. He will round up your supplies and see to it that you have what you need to give those villagers a taste of the cost of rebellion.” William nodded his appreciation to the guard and headed into the barracks, gesturing for Eade and Raphai to follow.

The inside of the barracks entryway showed obvious signs of having once been an extravagant foyer built for welcoming people from the highest walks of Coronian life. The conversion from private wealth to military use had left its mark on the building, but the beautiful frescos that adorned the high swept ceiling still gave the room an element of class. A soldier well past his prime, in both years and waistline, looked up from behind the sturdy hardwood desk

“Who the hell are you? You’re not supposed to be in here.”

“You’d be surprised,” William clipped back at the paunchy soldier. “We’re Aergi’s men and we were told that we could find the quartermaster here.”

“You’re the ones that Captain Wyvant sent?” The solider snorted a derisive chuckle, “Corone must be getting more desperate by the day. Anyway, you’re in luck even if the Empire isn’t. I’m the quartermaster, and I’ve got everything that you could ever need to menace helpless villagers all stocked up and ready to go. Just follow me.” The porcine guard heaved himself out from behind his post and waddled to a side room that was filled with oilcloth wrapped weapons and rough iron tools.

“Take your pick, boys. Nothing but the finest for the defenders of the Empire.”

[Raphai]

As they approached the gate and the two guards advanced upon them, they questioned them with an overconfident attitude that made Raphai grunt in amusement. Their trip to the barracks was uneventful, and Raphai was ready to set off more fireworks. He folded his arms as the ignorant sentry kept on talking.

Unconventional? I will show these bastards unconventional! When their swords are sticking out of their neck then we’ll see who is unconventional! He spat on the ground before they entered the barracks, catching the ‘conventional’ guard’s eye.

As they stepped into the room he blinked rapidly allowing his eyes to adjust to the dim lighting compared to outside. Even though the ceiling above had a small glass dome that allowed the evening light to sweep in. The coolness of the large room swept over him and he emitted a large sigh. The sun had been glaring on him for so long he had not realized he was hot. He then realized he was not sweating, which brought him to the conclusion he needed some water badly! I might dehydrate if I don’t get some water! I need to pay attention to my body a lot more often. These thoughts fled his mind as an older man, who seemed to be in charge of the barracks stopped them.

His chubby pale face had a stubbly gray beard with saggy jaws that hung to the corners of his mouth, a large bulbous nose dotted with liver spots, and a very wrinkly brow taken over by two bushy eyebrows.

He questioned the expected men, made a sarcastic comment, and led the (soon-to-be) mercenaries into the armory, filled with shiny weapons, and the smell of grimy oil and polish. The polished stone they stood on shot their reflections back at them, letting Raphai know this place was well taken care of when not in times of war and housing Soldiers. Raphai was not impressed though, for weapons were not his style. Magic and its power were his to command, why did he need weapons?

He pulled his wand back out of his sleeve; he had not taken it out again since the little scuffle they had back in the city. Fire, he pondered, trying to think of another way to make his magic powerful without expending his all of his energy. When he used a spell, he had to use the energy from his body, his life force, to cast the spell. Depending on how large the spell was decided how much energy he used.

A flaming sword is probably not a good idea…maybe arrows? Flaming arrows…I don’t know how to shoot arrows though...oil?

“Excuse me sir,” he addressed the chubby man who had been their guide, tapping him lightly on the shoulder “Do you have oil cans? It would make my task easier.” He said friendly enough, though his appearance may have thrown the man, because a talking-corpse-looking-thing was not something you saw everyday. With a quick glance at Raphai the man pointed to a corner of the room stacked with barrels and medium sized cans. Do they expect me to carry all of that? “Eddy,” he called out, “will you and William help me carry a couple of can of oil. It will help in accomplishing our mission I’m sure.” He spoke very clearly and confidently as he walked to the stack of barrel. Picking up one of the smaller jugs of oil, the sloshing inside of the can reminded Raphai that he was still thirsty. “Also could I get some water,” he shouted over his shoulder to whoever was listening, hoping that the command would just be carried out.

[Dischordant]

Moving things along a bit...

The air smelled like oil and iron and the muffled sounds of working soldiers echoed quietly through the open door. Eade looked appreciatively at the carefully-racked weapons. They seemed well-made, though the musician wasn't in any position to accurately gauge their quality. Movement caught his eye as Raphai lumbered toward a pyramid of oil barrels and began rambling orders to the companions.

Eade ground his teeth and chose to ignore the magician's request for help. Instead he reached for a long dagger sheathed in gray leather. It couldn't hurt to have an extra weapon despite his fear of cutting off his own hand. As his fingers closed around the dagger's hilt Deloris' voice rang out.

"Don't even think about it."

The musician's hand dropped immediately and he looked quickly to the assembled men. Have they ever heard her talk?

Deloris continued as if reading his thoughts. "You'll probably cut off your own hand. And besides, I'm all you need."

Blush colored Eade's cheeks and he felt like a little boy being chided by a parent. Embarrassed, Eade snapped into snapped into the familiar role. On Earth Eade used his fame like a shield, wrapping himself in pomp to avoid unwanted feelings and situations. He wasn't good at dealing with his emotions. They set him back; they made him feel out of control - and that's when bad things started to happen. Here he didn’t have fame, but he did have the support of someone people feared.

"You heard him," Eade barked at the quartermaster. "He wants oil. Divide it into smaller casks and add it to the gear. Raid the kitchen for containers if you have to. I expect it to be equipped and ready for a dawn departure. Consider it an order from Captain Wyvant."

The quartermaster's jaw dropped then his face screwed into a mask of anger. Eade didn't give the soldier a chance to respond. He spun in a tight semi-circle and stalked out of the armory. In the hallway he grabbed the nearest soldier, a young-looking recruit, and demanded to be taken to his room. The boy scurried like an ant, leading Eade through the garrison to a small cell on the eastern side of the compound.


***

Hours later Eade lay on the cot in his stark room, hands folded behind his head, eyes trained on the ceiling. The room was probably a pantry that had been cleared away to make space for the soldiers. Screw-holes lined the stone walls in neat rows where shelving once was and, despite being an exterior room, it had no windows.

Eade was deep in thought, his mind replaying the day's events. A hangover, normal. Blacking-out, not normal. Aegri in his bathroom. Contract with the military...to be what - a killer? A killer traveling with a murderer and a fool. Sounds like a Wolfmother song. What am I doing here...or is this why I'm here?

A knock on the door interrupted the musician's thoughts. Eade hesitated. If it was Raphai the musician may become a murderer quicker than expected.

"Come in."

The door opened and a woman entered. She was dressed in a simple leather tunic, woolen pants, and road-stained boots; a canvas satchel hung loosely in her right hand. Her face looked familiar to the musician but he was unable to place it. She tossed the satchel on the bed next to Eade.

"From Captain Wyvant," she said listlessly. "There's a letter inside. Read it, then destroy it." Once the message was delivered she exited the room, closing the door behind her with a firm click.

Eade sat up, surprised, and grabbed the bag from the foot of the bed. He flipped the top open. Inside was a folded piece of parchment. It read:

Eade:

William Arcus is a weapon. Use him to your advantage but be careful that he does not lose control, for he is also a monster. If his humanity fails, kill him immediatly - no matter the cost. If it remains, kill him at the close of the mission. He is too dangerous to be left alive.

But be warned: It will take a monster to kill the monster. However, I am confident you can complete the task if what I saw last night is any indication of your true nature. To help you I have enclosed a book taken from William's person. Also included are some rudimentary translations of the text. The book and translations are hidden in an extra-dimensional pocket in the satchel's lining. William may be able to sense the book's presence, so keep it hidden while he is near.

Raphai may be able to help you utilize the book's magic, but be careful what you tell him. He is a coward, but no fool - he will betray you if he finds it beneficial.

Return the book to me upon completion of the assignment.

Don't Disappoint,
Aegri Wyvant

The musician read the letter two more times then held it to the candle near his bed, his bloodshot eyes narrow with concern as he watched the thing burn. Sleep wouldn't be an option tonight, but it didn't really matter - long years of partying made missing a night of sleep no worse than a long day without a nap. Still, Eade had some time to kill before dawn so he plucked Deloris from her spot on the bed, retrieved the pewter flask from his belongings, and settled in for a long wait.

When day broke Eade was already waiting near the stables, the satchel stashed carefully among the items on the chestnut mare pointed out as his by a sleepy stablemaster. He smelled faintly of alcohol, which made the horse nervous, but he did nothing to calm the animal - his mind was too focused on the prospect of calming another beast.

[Revenant]

William had no interest in the supplies that the Corone Armed Forces had to offer. He could see that the weapons were well maintained and serviceable, but none were of a high enough quality that they would be any better than the iron hard claws at his command when he let the demon free. William stood by the quartermaster at the armory’s entrance while Raphai and Eade perused the stock and gave orders regarding oil supplies.

I don’t need oil or fire to deal with peasants. William snorted internally. As if summoned by his thoughts, the raging voice in his head surged forward again, roaring to be set free. Soon enough we’ll be on our way and I will give you all the death you want.

“Excuse me,” the quartermaster spoke to William after a brief conference with a serving boy, “you’re room is ready, sir. Our boy here will show you where you are to bunk for the night.”

“What do you mean bunk for the night?” William’s voice was raspy and thick with desire for violence and the intensity of the roaring in his head increased. “I thought we were to depart today!”

“Oh my, no sir,” the quartermaster chuckled. “You will depart at first light. The plan is to arrive at your first location mid-morning, when the villagers will all be out to witness the judgment that the Empire has levied upon them. Soon they will see their folly in supporting these rebels.”

“Yes, I’m sure they will,” William murmured in reply, inwardly cursing, not soon enough.

William followed the boy, a youth of no more than ten summers, to the cell in the eastern wing where he was to stay for the night. Short on patience, William curtly thanked the boy and then waved him off. Setting his pack down in the corner, William dropped heavily into on the small cot that covered most of the tiny quarters, hoping sleep would help to ease the rage.

William dozed restlessly, the screams of innocent men and women filling his dreams, and woke with a start hours later. The beast was roaring with full force in his head, letting William know that he would lose control in the barracks, and likely bring his mission to an end, if he didn’t get out of there. William thought about grabbing his pack, but decided against it, figuring that the bulky thing would only weigh him down.

Quickly and quietly, so as to avoid attention, William slid out of his quarters looking for the quickest exit. Spying an exit in the form of a window at the end of the hall, William carefully made his way across the rough carpeted walkway. As he crept, William spied a woman entering the room that belonged to Eade.

Apparently I’m not the only one who’s giving in to primal urges tonight.

Sticking to the shadows, William made his way out of the window and through the yard. A single trio of guards walked a loose perimeter around the old manor, but none of them appeared to be taking the job seriously. William watched their patrol route for a minute, waiting for an opening. When the opportunity presented itself, William rushed out of the compound and into the countryside, loosing the reigns of the rage that built inside him.

The demon swam through the darkness of the night in William’s form, seeking any prey that would assuage the hunger that burned through him. It has been so long since the demon had fed, that William didn’t even try to stop when he heard the faint giggle of two lovers locked in a midnight embrace coming from behind a row of hedge brush. The young lovers, one of the barracks guards and a serving maid, hadn’t heard his approach. William closed in on their oblivious forms, entwined in passion, with claws unsheathed. A part of William’s mind reminded him about Aegri’s deal and how the death of this guard would nullify his chance to reclaim the Tome of Kal’Necroth, but William was far too gone to care by this point. The excitement of the day had built to a point where William was no longer able to control his urges.

Besides, William thought, the contract is only voided if they find the remains. William smiled inwardly as he stepped back into his mind, letting the rage take full control.

When William strode into the stables the next morning, he was in high spirits. He had been awake since the rage pulled him from bed hours earlier, but showed no signs of the hours he had spent hiding the visceral remains of his escapades. With a renewed vigor that always followed the violence, William entered the stables and was surprised to find that Eade was present, already preparing his mount for their mission.

“Morning Eade,” William briskly addressed the musician, unsure of how the man would react to the overnight change in William’s demeanor. "Good night last night, eh?" William winked at the man while he prepared his own mount, a streaked gray mare, and waited for Raphai's arrival.

[Raphai]

After making sure he would have all the supplies he needed (he still had not had any water), Raphai was escorted to his room in the upper levels of the barracks. “Will you wake me in the morning?” He softly asked his guide, a young boy around the ages of sixteen through nineteen. He had a youthful look about him, not a look of war. Even though he did have a long scar going from his eye to his mouth. His name was Leontes. “ I will…sir.” He said, biting his lip, unsure if he was allowed to leave now. Raphai smiled, feeling tired from the days activities, and so with out saying anything else, he turned the doorknob and walked into his room, leaving the boy standing there in the dimly lit hallway.

It was completely dark, with a small candle burning beside a pallet of blankets on the stone floor. I couldn’t get a bed? Despite his feelings of contempt for the ‘mattress,’ he couldn’t help but feel drawn to the pallet, and so wearily Raphai fell- uncomfortably- to his knees, pulling off his robe and throwing it aside. Underneath, he wore no pants, and he had on one thin-dingy-used-to-be-white-cotton shirt. There was a very small window across the room; the shutters were closed and dusty. The room smelled damp like mold, and felt very tight around Raphai. The small candle was the only thing holding off the feeling of claustrophobia from gripping the mage. This room had not been in use for a while he guessed.

He laid his wand gingerly beside the pallet before lying down and closing his eyes. Spots flashed before his eyes like a fire works show, making different shapes, and showing him visions, though they were incomprehensible to him. He did not notice this though, for Raphai was scared. He felt afraid of what would happen to him and still more afraid of showing his fear. He licked his dried out lips and cursed. I have to remember to get some water! No matter, it’s to late now. I’ll get it in the morning… to tired right now.

He turned over and curled up, pulling his knees up to his chest. Sleeping in the fetal position always made him feel safe, he had been sleeping like this since he was a child. He pushed aside his childhood though and focused on sleeping, which was coming very quickly.

Moonlight pushed its way through the thin slats in the wall, creating little slivers of light on the stone floor like menacing daggers. Outside was something even more menacing, and Raphai was in the line of sight had he just looked out the window.
_______________________

The next day, Raphai awoke violently, gasping for breath. His throat was on fire and he needed water desperately. He felt like he was sweating, but his body was completely dry, as was his throat. He couldn’t swallow anything, for there was no spit in his mouth or any liquids around. He felt a small wet spot on his sheets, but he knew that wasn’t from sweat, remembering the dream he had last night, involving him and two women.

He hopped up, and threw on his robe, flinging open the door running down the nearest flight of stairs. He immediately bumped into an officer. “I was just coming to wake you sir.” Raphai with wide eyes and large cracked black lips looked like some version of death. He was able to frantically croak out the word “Water!” The guard backed up quickly, as Raphai quickly grabbed at the guards hips where his water bottle rested. “Sir, calm down.” Raphai dived this time, urgently, his body screaming for water. Sending him and the guard rolling down the rest of the five stone steps. The guard hollered out as his head cracked against the stone steps, immediately going into a state of unconsciousness. Raphai not caring or showing any sign of compassion grabbed the water container off of the man’s hip. There was hardly any in it, but there was enough to quench his thirst for then and clear his vocal chords of the gunk stopping him from speaking.
He continued down the hall and out the doors of the barracks, hoping to goodness he had not been left behind.

As the sun hit him, he looked all around, and saw a large white building in the east part of the estate. “Hope that’s the stable.” He muttered as he continued sprinting for the building.

As he came sliding around the corner, he saw William coming around the other side. Raphai didn’t say anything; he just looked and took in the scene, taking large breaths of air. Eade was getting his horse ready; Raphai had a packhorse with cans oil already on it’s back. That was all he needed to see, he quickly went to his traveling companion, nodding to Eade as he went by. “I guess we’re ready to move out?” He sipped the last drip of water out of the bottle he had stolen from the guard, his heart slowing down considerably.