[Ixian Knights/SOLO] The Heavy Burden of Sin.

[Mutant_Lorenor]

The cell was a relatively small room with just enough space to walk about in. There was a small area set aside for bathroom purposes and the like, but Lorenor would never use it. He sat down on the ground, in a corner of the dark room. There were no windows, only a thick stone wall surrounding him. The unforgiving stone blocks felt cold against his back. The events that lead to Lorenor's current state as a prisoner of The Ixian Knights were recent. He was part of the reformation team by then. Several years had passed since The Ixian Knights became Lorenor's new purpose. Lorenor simply existed those days, he was a prisoner to an an uncertain circumstance. A reject of the will of N'Jal waiting for his own purpose in life to be redefined. Waiting for something, anything. In the isolation of the single cell, Lorenor could hear and sense the suffering of the other folk in the prison. Instinctively, his mind took in their suffering as part of his own. They were the only family he knew at that point. It had become a way of life. What limited interaction he had with the other prisoners was kept on a small basis. He didn't want to start any trouble with folk that would one day become allies. IF they made it through reformation.

Reformation was a conscious, willing act. Lorenor was a friend of Sei Orlouge, and they had bled together once, long ago. But that life was over by then. He was no longer The Grand Primus of the undead, he was no longer a servant of N'Jal. Instead, he was an empty vessel robbed of purpose. The darkness clung obsessively to him, an old lover refusing to let her companion go.

Lorenor had lost track of time by then.

In a place like he was, time no longer mattered, he was serving a sentence for past crimes.

The days turned into weeks, and the weeks turned into months.

In that fashion he had served for many years, quietly loosing what pretense of sanity he had left. His eyes had altered, he knew cause someone had told him his eyes had gone from glowing amethyst, to glowing blue. The wretch had changed in the dark. He grew ears out of his head, and a nose where once there was none. He had lost vestiges of his spider magi self, and had become something altered. TRANSFORMED. It was a day like any other when the events started to come full circle. The guards were doing their rounds and checking on the various inmates ready for jobs. Lorenor was cold as always, and sat in the same corner of his room. He was poorly dressed as they all were, and had grown a thick and bushy beard. His blue eyes flashing in the dark were the only tell-tale sign that he was there at all. He breathed deeply, controlling his breath as he did anything else. He barely ate, and barely drank anything. He simply sat there until the moment he would be called arrived.

After the fifth year, Lorenor was beginning to loose all hope that he would ever get called. He'd already quietly served five long years of his sentence. Not once did anybody come to visit him, or ask him to do a job. He was simply rotting in jail, and that was probably better than he deserved. The government would have simply placed Lorenor to the gallows and left to rot to the fucking crows. Lorenor smelled it before he saw it. It was a new presence, and his eyes looked up for the first time in a few days from their position against his knees. He looked at several people outside of the steel masterwork cell doors. There were a few guards, and one man he had never seen before. Due to his knowledge of The Thayne Codex, Lorenor recognized the man as a Paladin at arms. Two squires were also present, but they kept their distance from the door. The Paladin quietly asked one of the guards to unlock the door. They did so. Lorenor felt the instinctive need to recoil from the vessel of holy light. Instead, the light felt warm and comfortable. It did not singe his normally sensitive skin what so ever. And that small detail did not elude Lorenor's attention. The Paladin asked the guards to lock the door behind him. They did so. Lorenor watched as The Paladin grabbed a small stool and sat on it. Lorenor felt The Paladin's stare.

"You have been silent a long time." The Paladin said. "Interesting for someone like you, what you have done."

Lorenor paused for a moment. He felt his voice was very hoarse and sensitive. He coughed a moment or two, and finally spoke in a quiet whisper. "You're here to judge me too? Take a number and wait in line."

"Actually...that is not the reason I am here at all." Lorenor saw that The Paladin was unafraid, and moved closer. "I am here to see how ready you are for the next step of Reformation."

Lorenor considered for a moment what was being said. "The next step...? It's been five years since anybody has come to visit me or, or even inquire of my well being..."

"We had to be certain." The Paladin said. "We could not proceed until we were completely sure that you were purified from her taint."

"Purified?" Lorenor asked. "I see...so now what? The bitch let me go, discarded me. Now I just want a new purpose."

"I am here to provide that." The Paladin said. Lorenor watched as the older man removed a book from his pack.

Lorenor recognized it as a copy of Thayne Codex immediately. "You are a Paladin of Thayne?"

"No." The Paladin said. "I am a Servant of The All Thayne."

Lorenor's eyes went wide at what he had just learned. "The All Thayne..." Lorenor said carefully, repeating what was just said. "Is there salvation for someone like me?"

"Redemption, Lorenor. You are a weapon." The Paladin tapped Lorenor's head gently. "What you have up there, will help us defeat N'Jal someday. But for now, we have to purify you completely. For it takes a pure vessel to embrace The Holy Light."

"The Holy Light..." Lorenor said. "Tell me what I must do."

"Everyday from now until the moment of your release, and service into my order, I shall come to you. Once a day. And we will discuss this book until you have memorized the precepts of The Thayne Codex. Further, we will go over what you know of Necronomicon's work."

"You wish to use my knowledge to stop the enemy?" Lorenor asked.

"Yes." The Paladin said. "But it has to be a willing transformation." The Paladin added. "Do you accept the terms of Reformation?"

"I do. But I have a request." Lorenor said carefully.

"Speak." The Paladin said in response.

"What is your name?" Lorenor asked. "If you will be my teacher, I wish to at least know your name."

"My name?" The Paladin asked after a moment. Then he chuckled in a kind sort of way. "Forgive me, Lorenor, I have not introduced myself yet. Where ever are my manners?" He ran his hand through his hair. "Yeshua Kristobal." Yeshua said. "Today's lesson will be a simple one."

"Okay Instructor Yeshua." Lorenor responded. "I am ready to begin when you are."

Yeshua handed Lorenor the book. "It begins like all things do. First, a covenant with The All Thayne must be established..."

[Mutant_Lorenor]

"I don't understand." Lorenor said after about an hour. "How can you be a servant of The All Thayne when The Thayne Codex states that the All Thayne was shattered into the pieces of The Thayne that exist today?" Lorenor asked. It was an honest question, an honest doubt. Lorenor had changed during his time spent in The Ixian Knight prison. Lorenor still felt the pulls of N'Jal in his very heart. However, something else had begun to fill him. The seedlings were small that were planted, but they were growing. It was the beginning portions of The Holy Light. In the past, The Holy Light would have consumed Lorenor for he was, quite literally, an avatar of The Dark. Lorenor was becoming something new, something that had not been seen in a long time. A Clean Unsent. Unsent were similar to Undead, but they were the shells of those who had been purified by The Holy Light. Furnaces of tremendous energy based on that potent source. Lorenor eagerly wanted to learn more about the paladin's knowledge of The Thayne Codex. Further, he wanted to KNOW The All Thayne as eagerly, and completely as he had known N'Jal.

"There is a portion of creation that The Thayne Codex leaves out." Yeshua rubs his chin. "Only a small number of us know what I am about to tell you, Lorenor." Yeshua looked down at the book in between them. It was a copy of The Thayne Codex. It was also an UNEDITED copy of The Thayne Codex, written in the ancient language of the old Radasanthian High Priests. Predating The Demon War. "A consciousness was left behind when The All Thayne gave birth to The Grater and Lesser Thayne." Yeshua explained. "This consciousness is known as The All Thayne by my order." Yeshua paused. "The covenant you established is a secret rite that members of my order know. They are Paladins, Lorenor. And many serve as The Ixian Knights soldiers. Amongst her ranks." Yeshua explained. "Right now your covenant is an inkling of what it will become. A fully trained Paladin of my order will yet vanquish The Darkness that gathers even in now all around the world of Althanas."

"The All Thayne..." Lorenor rubbed his chin thoughtfully. He looked at Yeshua. "So according to what you're saying...there is REDEMPTION even for someone like me and Lucy?"

"Lucy has already completed her First Trial." Yeshua explained. "We did not want to contain you two together, for fear of N'Jal's influence overtaking the two of you and overwhelming you once more. Once you are ready, I can take you to see her in her current state. She is quite the charmer." Yeshua said with a grin.

Lorenor nodded. "Lucy..." He said quietly. "I was hoping to see her soon. Thank you for that." Lorenor said in response. "Now then, I trust this is not just about covenants, or learning sacred texts is it. There is something else isn't there?" Lorenor asked.

Yeshua removed a simple looking hand held mirror from his packs. "There is." He leaned towards Lorenor. "I want you to use this mirror for a moment and see how far you've gone in a short period of time..."

Lorenor nodded and took the mirror. He had a stunned expression on his face by what he saw staring back on him. "My face..." Lorenor said. Mirrors were mirrors because they didn't lie. They merely reflected whatever looked upon their surface. Once, Lorenor was a hideous undead creature. A killer of killers. But what looked back at him was a completely different face. Is that the face that I have now? Lorenor had slightly alabaster, pale skin. His one purple eyes were replaced with glowing BLUE eyes. Lorenor studied himself, he had become something completely different in five long years. He was eager to see what that covenant that Yeshua spoke of would do for him from there on in. Lorenor looked up at Yeshua. He put the mirrow down and touched his face. "...I...don't know what to say." Lorenor was being honest. "All I wanted to do when I agreed to help Sei Orlouge, was to find a new purpose. But THIS. This is more than I could have ever hoped for." In seeing his body's changed for the first time, Lorenor knew he was DIFFERENT in some way. How different am I? He wondered. He no longer heard the voice of N'Jal, he truthfully hadn't heard that voice in a long time prior to his agreement with Sei.

Lorenor looked at Yeshua. "What do we do now?" Lorenor asked. "I mean what does this all MEAN?"

Yeshua nodded. "I understand why you must feel the way you do now." He began. "It is all right. Sei told me that you helped him a long time ago." Yeshua seemed to consider that for a long while. "In so doing, you set forward a long series of events that would lead you in this cell." Yeshua pointed downwards towards the ground of the cell. "Now you stand before me, CLEANED." Yeshua said, explaining the event. "You must have done a lot on your part to purge N'Jal from your body. From your very soul." Yeshua said. "Only a CLEAN practitioner may embrace the powers of The Holy Light. And COMMAND it to inspire others, and help others. In essence, help heal this broken world." Yeshua seemed to glow with The Holy Light as he sat there.

Before, Lorenor would have retreated back to the shadows. But the old hungers were gone, as well as the old weaknesses.

Yeshua continued. "Because you were Spider Magi..." Yeshua said. "You will never be completely Hume (Human). But you will Ascend nonetheless." Yeshua continued. "You should be proud of yourself Lorenor. You have overcome a great trial that would have normally taken many hundreds of years to overcome. You have vanquished the very dark in your heart. Now only The Light remains. And a new beginning." Yeshua explained. "You are now an Neophyte of The Templars of The All Thayne." Yeshua said carefully. "Before you can allowed to walk freely on the grounds of Sei's territory, or any territory at large, I must perform one last cleansing rite."

"I am prepared." Lorenor answered.

"Good." Yeshua took out a small device. It was a circular object, that was highly decorated in mysterious symbols. Lorenor knew the symbols as Runes of The Thayne Codex. The device, he had never seen before. "Take off your shirt." Yeshua said, and Lorenor complied, hesitating only a moment or two. He put his shirt on the ground. "Now. Rise, Neophyte Lorenor." Yeshua said calmly. Lorenor walked towards Yeshua he then placed the device on Lorenor's stomach.

"ARRRRGH!!!" Lorenor suddenly screamed. He felt searing heat on his body that touched his very soul. As he screamed, the pain burned intensely for a moment. Then, it subsided. Lorenor was nothing if not strong willed. He gritted his teeth and looked down at his body. Energy flowed from the marks, it was a circled mark with elegant symbols. The symbols of Yeshua's order. It glowed with power for a moments, and then subsided into nothing more than a numb sensation. Lorenor tensed, and breathed hard, but he did not resist what Yeshua needed to do. "Damn that hurt..." Lorenor finally managed to say. But he bit back his burning desires, in truth, he had rather ENJOYED it. Lorenor had always been no stranger to pain. He knew whatever it was that Yeshua just did to him would have turned him to ash in his previous form. Lorenor still breathed hard for a few more moments, and watched Yeshua as he placed the device back in his pack. "Now what...?"

"That symbol is a sigillium of my order. Think of it as a brand." Yeshua stood up. "Come with me Lorenor. There is something that you must see and do." Yeshua said.

Then, Lorenor looked at Yeshua. "I...I am able to leave this cell?" Lorenor asked.

"You are. Here, I want to give you something." Yeshua handed Lorenor a letter and that's how it all began.

[Mutant_Lorenor]

"My order found this letter a long time ago." Lorenor heard Yeshua explain. "It was obtained by the Prophet known as Nenkulor." Lorenor was handed the letter, it was a an old parchment bundled up like a scroll might have been. Lorenor did not know what he was going to find in it. "Open it." He heard Yeshua command. Lorenor undid the simple ribbon that held the old scroll intact. He unrolled it carefully, the parchment felt old against his bare hands. It was not a dusty scroll, but it still smelled of time and the effects of an aged item. Lorenor looked at the familiar hand writing of the scroll. What the fuck!!?? Lorenor was looking at his OWN hand writing. Many things changed from lifetime to lifetime, but the handwriting was always the same. The content of the scroll was not important, but the message behind it was. Lorenor read the scroll in it's entirety.

"I wrote this..." Lorenor said carefully, not sure of the implications. "What does this mean?"

"Before you fell from grace..." Lorenor was listening to Yeshua intently. "You were GOING to join the beginnings of my Order back then. Lorenor. What the document states is not important. The document ITSELF is important. It is pre-Demon Wars time. Meaning, you're one of the few people who are still around from that time period. You are what is important." Lorenor saw as Yeshua touched his forehead with his pointer finger. "Lorenor there's no telling how long you've been Unsent. There's no telling how long you were under N'Jal's seductive influence. But what IS certain is that you're likely older than that document." Lorenor considered what was being said. "You will be here long after I am gone. But my Order will be able to give you a very special Duty."

Lorenor paused for a moment at what he'd just learned. The Order, these Paladins of the Ixian Knights, will not withhold information from me. They will not lie to me. They will tell me the truth, even if it hurts to find out something so obvious. Am I really that old? Has N'Jal really clouded my mind that much? I wonder...I wonder how far the rabbit hole goes...?! Lorenor stood up suddenly. He looked at Yeshua with a very intense expression on his face.

"N'Jal...she gave me a purpose and yet robbed me of my purpose at the same time. It's not really easy to explain what N'Jal actually does to you once you become one of her servants." Lorenor shook his head. "It's a willful life of servitude. You don't really have a choice when N'Jal comes knocking on your door. It's either you serve or it's to Hell with you." Lorenor closed his glowing blue eyes. "I was one of the worst of her followers, member of the Priesthood. I don't know how I can help you and your cause out, but I will do my best. What limited knowledge I can provide that will become insight on N'Jal, I will freely give."

Lorenor took a deep breath. And felt as if a tremendous weight was lifted off his chest and shoulders. It was a strange feeling, helping someone out so willingly, so freely, without expecting something in return. N'Jal had defined his purpose for so long that he wasn't certain if he KNEW another way to live. I feel like I can really start over. For the first time since I woke up as a Spider Magi...I feel FREE. I don't know what's going to happen from here on in. But for the most part, I am going to help these people. These people are my new purpose. Because I promised HIM...I promised Sei Orlouge that I would. Lorenor felt a myriad of conflicting emotions. But he was certain of ONE thing. "I will help you." Lorenor finally decided.

"Come with me." Lorenor heard Yeshua respond. One thing didn't sit well with the old mutant, and that one thing was the NAME. Nenkulor. The Prophet. I am certain I have heard that name before...but where...? Lorenor thought to himself. He looked at Yeshua as they entered the hallway of the Ixian Knights reformation prison. "One thing though..." Lorenor found himself saying.

He saw Yeshua turn and face him. "Name it." The Paladin said.

"Lucy...I want to speak to her." Lorenor felt guilty asking for the well being of his companion. But he wanted to be certain that she was well and safe.

"That can be arranged." Lorenor paused as Yeshua said that part. "She is currently performing her duties to the Ixian Knights, she was freed about a year ago. Though it is my understanding that she too, is eager to talk to you."

"So what happens now?" Lorenor asked.

"Now you enjoy your freedom of being released but you will choose to advance as an Ixian Knight officer on your own. However, to assist me with my Order, we can begin THAT right away." Lorenor considered Yeshua's words.

I am free... He thought to himself. Somehow, it was bittersweet and tainted because of N'Jal's ironclad grip on his very soul. He'd let her go, but now he wanted revenge.

"What is your intention, Cadet Lorenor?" Lorenor let the question linger for a moment or two. Then he turned to Yeshua with a serious expression on his face.

"Yeshua. Let's be clear about one thing. I'm not a pure heart, I never have been and never will be. BUT, joining your Order can help me acquire a common goal. You guys intend to stop N'Jal's Endgame." Lorenor paused for a moment. "Count me in I will assist you with what's up here." He tapped his own forehead.

"Good. For your journeys with my Order, you will be given outside help. I want you to meet the person that will assist you with your training and your duties. When you go on Duties, you will be accompanied by this person at all times. That is non-negotiable. The Order cannot afford to loose someone as valuable as you. That one, I promised to Sei Orlouge and Nenkulor." Lorenor listened as Yeshua spoke.

"Very well. Let us meet this assistance and begin the path that must be walked." Lorenor said. "I am eager to get started."

"Very well. I will arrange for Lucy to meet you in your new quarters as soon as she returns from her current mission." Lorenor nodded as Yeshua said that.

"Yeshua..." Lorenor said calmly. "I thank you for the opportunity for me to get vengeance."

"It is not me that you should thank..." Lorenor saw a smile on Yeshua's face. And so, Lorenor, Yeshua and two other members of the Paladin's Order walked to the main Paladin office on the Ixian Knight's castle. Lorenor said nothing else the entire time but the others whispered around him of what was to come. What new trials would await the mystery man named Lorenor, and what would be his new destiny? Even for an Unsent, there is always a brighter tomorrow. A new dawn will rise, and the shadows would part allowing the light in. Even for Unsent...there is redemption. For one like me to see this truth first hand, and realize what matters most...N'Jal. N'Jal's end, and vengeance would be mine. How sweet it will be to know that she will be undone by one of her own children...sweet indeed.

[Zarkin]

Zarkin was anxious once he had gotten word from the headmaster in the Assassins Headquarters. He was the only person supposed to know about the mission he had just recieved from a strange named paladin, Yeshua. This was the first time he had ever worked for a paladin before but he seemed that it be a first for something. A new desire and hope burned within the young assassin as he was hoping he would be taking on harder and more complex missions. He wouldn't let the headmaster down on such a task as important as this one. Even though he had never failed a mission without being properly congratulated for each job.

"Zarkin, take heed on this mission. The man you are working for goes by the name of Yeshua. He is a paladin that has requested you be a mercenary for him. And as seeing that you haven't let me down on anything yet I assumed you best fit for this job. You will be assisting a very particular subject. This subject has been locked up in isolation for quite some time, so please do not be frustrated when things do not go as planned. He was concidered a heresy before, but we assume he has changed his ways for the greater good. The name of this man is Lorenor. He was working for one of the greater Thayne, N'Jal, one of her own. He is being sent to take her out, assuming that he does this and not lead you into a trap, you must help. Now don't tell anyone for this is a serious matter Zarkin, and we cannot afford to have rampage going on in here, understood?" the headmaster asked with a serious yet concerned look on his face and old eyes.

"Aye sir, I will not let you down nor will I fail on this mission" was Zarkin's only response before getting a nod of approval by the headmaster and was sent on his way to collect his belongings then leave to meet this Yeshua man and Lorenor. Having no knowledge of Lorenor, other than what the headmaster had told him, Zarkin was feeling a little nervous about this job. Concidering that Lorenor had been sent to isolation for being with N'Jal. He was also told that this man was from before the demon war period. This job just kept getting stranger and stranger. Zarkin was never trusted this much before, only carrying out small assassinations for the townspeople and people he met along the way. Being able to handle more than one job at a time was easy, but this? Things just seemed to keep piling on more and more as Zarkin learned of this Lorenor person. If he was as dangerous before could he be as dangerous now? All these thoughts came rushing into Zarkin's head. Yet he decided to throw off all of these questions and focus on the main one, where was he to meet Yeshua?

The details were very bleak which was unusual to Zarkin because he could get a lot out of a small description. But this was a lot to take in on a short times notice and Zarkin wasn't even ready to take on such an important mission at the moment. He was on his way to let the headmaster know of some things that he had been hearing in town. And to be bombarded with a task so intense, let's just say that it was very overwhelming. All Zarkin knew was that if he didn't find Yeshua and Lorenor soon enough he would let the headmaster down and would possibly be stripped of his rank in the headquarters and be left as a peasant. No, I will not go back to living in the damned trees anymore. I have worked my ass off for so long, this will be the start of a new generation for me. I will go down in history! Zarkin thought to himself as he walked out of the huge doors of the place he called home. Having no clue on where to go he started asking people who seemed to know everyone if they knew a man named Yeshua.

Most of the answers Zarkin recieved were a no, or simply a "go ask that guy/girl over there" type of reply. Zarkin was getting utterly frustrated for daylight was burning and he wanted to meet this strange person that had been locked up for five years. It was also very surprising that Zarkin was just hearing about this man. Usually the headquarters was notified of such a person being locked up for so long just to let the others be aware in case they somehow broke out. Even though none did Zarkin never had to really worry, so he decided to shut those notifications out after hearing them first and taking it in. He had heard of all of these notifications until now? Was the headquarters not notified? Or did Zarkin just decide he didn't care since he never had to worry? Nonetheless he was still surprised.

After about an hour and a half of aimlessly wandering trying to find a lead on this Yeshua figure Zarkin started to get doubts if he was ever going to meet this strange fellow. Thus brought on more pointless thoughts. But as he sat down giving up all hope a frantic looking man came sprinting up to Zarkin with some very important news.

"Zarkin, I assume that is who you are, you are to meet with Yeshua and Lorenor in the Courtyard of the jail building. Please follow me as I was sent Yeshua himself" the messenger said as he took off in a fast run without warning. Damn, this man is crazy Zarkin thought as he ran after the man. Stopping a couple times along the way for the messenger to catch his breath Zarkin made small talk along the way with this man, hoping to get more information.

"So, messenger, what do you know of this Lorenor?" Zarkin asked with high hopes of learning more.

"Not much. Just that he had been locked up for five years. Don't ask why because that is none of my buisness. But what I can tell you is that Yeshua believes that he is pure. So he is in hopes of having Lorenor destroy N'Jal" the messenger replied.

"Pure?" Zarkin asked a little surprised by the simple word.

"Pure as in not having anything to do with N'Jal anymore. Just the task of destroying her" the messenger managed to get out before slowing down to a stop at the gates of the Ixian Knights castle. The gates opened and Zarkin was taken straight to whom he believed Yeshua and Lorenor. Judging by the remark of the messenger this was indeed Yeshua.

"Yeshua, sir, I have brought to you Zarkin Talker. The mercenary you have requested" The messenger said taking his leave. Probably off to do deliver more messages to others.

Zarkin watched the man run off and he chuckled a little for no reason. But was startled a little as Yeshua started to speak.

[Mutant_Lorenor]

I walked in silence for a few moments and observed the courthouse. The cell I was trapped in didn't have any windows so seeing the sunlight and feeling it's warmth for the first time in five years...was a bit of a culture shock. I saw many things, people working about the courtyard, squires training, and blacksmiths working their forge. I had to wonder, where was Sei Orlouge at? Had he forgotten me too? Lorenor was deep in thought when Yeshua spoke next.

"What troubles you?" Lorenor heard the paladin ask.

Lorenor looked up a towards Yeshua, who was considerably taller than he was. "I've been in a dark cell for five years. I haven't seen the sun in a long time..." No...it's not just that. Lorenor thought to himself. It's this new form. I no longer feel the old hungers, the old drives. The desire to commit chaos at ever move I make. Could it be that I have finally, FINALLY, freed myself from N'Ja's grasp? If me and Lucy could do it, perhaps ALL of The Forsaken could be freed in the same way... Lorenor rubbed his chin for a moment. It felt good to be free. His glowing blue eyes observed the world that would be home. Lorenor knew that somewhere in the castle lurked Sei Orlouge and his kin. I have to speak with him at length when the time comes. And offer him my services... Lorenor was deep in thought at what he saw when a messenger and a fellow he'd never seen before walked quickly towards Lorenor and Yeshua.

Words were briefly exchanged. Lorenor saw that Yeshua nodded with profound respect towards the young messenger. Then, he turned towards the newcomer and acknowledged him. Seeing his companion's behavior, Lorenor decided to do the same and also nodded towards the fellow before them.

"Ah if it isn't master Zarkin. It has been a long time." Lorenor heard Yeshua say. "I have a good memory and I remember seeing you in Radasanth at your Headmaster's Guild House more than once." Lorenor looked at Zarkin in silence whilst Yeshua spoke. "I have known your Headmaster for a long time." Lorenor wondered just how far Yeshua's web entangled people. He does not seem like a paladin squire... "Either way. I want the two of you to get to know one another really well you will be working together for quite some time." Lorenor nodded when Yeshua said that. "Master Zarkin, in case you are wondering...this lad is Lorenor." Lorenor saw that Yeshua pointed towards him.

"Greetings." Lorenor said plainly. "It is an honor to meet you, Zarkin." Lorenor remembered his manners and extended a hand towards Zarkin for him to shake in greeting, if such were the fellow's customs.

"Like I said, you two will be working closely together. I will have Orders for you later this afternoon. But for now, Lorenor, I wish you to get suitable equipment for yourself. Speak to Gray Wold. Our blacksmith, and he will see to it that you are properly geared." Lorenor thought about his old equipment, but decided a fresh slate would probably be best after all. "Zarkin, accompany Lorenor and you too will be able to get your gear looked at. The armory is open to allies of the Ixian Knights and my Order." Lorenor thought about that. "Now if you two will excuse me, I have some errands to attend to briefly and we will meet up again later."

Lorenor watched Yeshua as he left. Then he turned his attention to Zarkin. "Better get over to The Armory I suppose." Lorenor smiled at Zarkin, and then started to walk at a steady pace towards the forge area he saw early. And old man he saw there earlier was working the anvil with his hammer and keeping the Ixian Knights well supplied. Lorenor walked alongside Zarkin...

[Zarkin]

"Ah yes I believe I have seen you around the headquarters a few times, Yeshua. And nice to finally meet you Lorenor" Zarkin said shaking Lorenors outstretched hand. As Yeshua walked away Zarkin turned to face Lorenor and listened to what he had to say.

"Better get over to the armory I suppose" Lorenor said smiling at Zarkin. The two started walking towards the armory in a slow walk, the slowest Zarkin has been in a while. It felt nice to relax for a while.

"Lorenor, I have some questions about yourself of you do not mind" Zarkin said carefully as to not anger the man he had just met. Trying to make small talk was Zarkin's weak point but he was just so utterly interested in the man he had just been acquainted with. The man seemed a little odd to Zarkin. I guess we all have our differences Zarkin thought to himself as he thought also of what to ask first to the new friend. "First question, I hear that you worked for N'Jal. Is that true Lorenor? Also what was it like being a spider magi? Did you have a particular job?" Zarkin only meant to ask one question at a time but just couldn't seem to handle himself at the moment.

Waiting upon Lorenor's answers Zarkin kept his eyes focused on Lorenor as the walked and talked. Zarkin also remembered that he hadn't changed into his assassin's uniform. He was still in his day clothes and boots. Seeming a little odd to Lorenor Zarkin supposed he decided to change his clothes once the two were ready to go off and do whatever job Yeshua had in mind. Zarkin also recalled that he heard Yeshua say that the two were going to be working together for quite some time? How long did he suppose Zarkin and Lorenor work together? Zarkin was very determined to work with Lorenor but it would take some getting used to because Zarkin always worked alone. Always a first for everything Zarkin guessed.

[Mutant_Lorenor]

Small talk. Lorenor thought to himself. I have to remember that I am no longer a Spider Magi. I have to act something like a MAN might. In his former life, Lorenor had worked to develop a unity with N'Jal. In some ways, he'd succeeded doing exactly that. But just when he was about to achieve true greatness, it was all robbed from him. N'Jal betrayed him. Cast aside, exiled. Lorenor thought as he walked in silence with Zarkin for a moment or two. In reality, he was thinking up some sort of a response. How do I tell someone hey, I was a murdering son of a bitch. Now things are different. How about that weather?! Things were okay, and things couldn't have been worse at the same time. Though through some unknown miracle, Lorenor had purged N'Jal's iron grip from his entire system. That was not an easy thing to do, and it took five long years for him to do just that. He paused, and turned towards Zarkin. I have to remember, I am no longer Spider Magi...the old laws no longer apply. He sighed audibly.

"I..." He began. "I was a prisoner for five years up until this afternoon." Lorenor suddenly had a very serious expression on his face. "Look, Zarkin. I was bad news before today. You wouldn't have hesitated to kill me. But Sei, Sei is different." Lorenor closed his glowing blue eyes. "He isn't the kind of man easily swayed by prejudices, and he honours friendships. A long time ago, I did him a favour and that's why I am here. Had things gone different, we would never have met." Lorenor suddenly noticed that there were several people staring at the two of them. He sighed. It would take a long time to get used to having people around his once VERY private life. I am going to be working with Zarkin for a long time. I HAVE to get him to at least be able to work WITH me. Lorenor thought to himself. He looked up at the sun in the afternoon sky. The breeze felt good, but he had a troubled heart and mind. It's not the kid's fault. Lorenor thought to himself. Even someone like me, as bad as I was, can get a second chance. Cause of men like Sei Orlouge.

He looked at the people staring at the two of them. This is a public place, even in a prison there are workers, employees. People going about their daily business. "Sorry for the disturbance." Lorenor said to the nearest person. "Happens when you've been in a jail cell for as long as I have." He looked at Zarkin. "Let's just get our gear." Lorenor didn't even bother to excuse himself, he simply went ahead to Grey Wold's forge. He assumed Zarkin would follow.

One thing was clear, Lorenor knew he would have to spend the rest of his unnatural life attempting to atone for his sins. Would being a weapon for The All Thayne help? Lorenor wondered. Yeshua promised salvation for the mutant, but he reserved his doubts. Finally, they made it to Wold's Forge. Immediately, Lorenor heard the noise of several hammers clanging at anvils. Grueling physical labor was at display. Three apprentices, and one giant of a man he'd never seen before worked the forge. It was an open aired structure with the furnace like forge in the back of the building. Several anvils were present, and there were the tools of a blacksmith all about. The harsh smell of ore and metals touched Lorenor's nostrils. They flared up for a moment or two. The other thing he noticed was that it was extremely hot the closer he got to the forge. Thankfully, he wasn't dressed too heavily for the event and the oppressive heat did not bother him TOO much. The massive man walked up towards Lorenor.

"Ah, the prodigal son." There was something akin to venom in the big man's voice. "I owe Yeshua some favors, that's the only reason I'm helping out someone like you." Orem Wold, was a big blacksmith. Lorenor would later learn that most folk just called him "Old Wold", or "Grey Wold." He had long, surprisingly clean silver coloured hair. His eyes were stern, Lorenor noticed a distinct hatred there. "Your kind mocks everything Radasanth stands for. I don't know what Master Orlouge sees in you as other THAN a bastard son of that bitch, N'Jal."

Biting his tongue, Lorenor remembered his place. "I'm no longer her servant." He responded simply. "Yeshua said you would have new gear for us to use." Lorenor said. He wanted to remove himself from Old Grey's presence as soon as he possibly could.

"Don't expect anything fancy." Lorenor heard the old man say. "If we're clear on that you're free to choose some basic equipment for yourself as a stipend. However, there's one thing you should know. Yeshua commissioned a weapon from me to give you when the time came. Do NOT make me regret this." Old Grey walked towards one of the weapon racks and removed a large sword suitable for direct combat. It was well decorated. and the handle was elegant. It was in a magnificent looking scabbard. Lorenor took the sword by the scabbard once it was handed to him. "I can supply you with basic tools to maintain your weapon and gear in good shape."

Lorenor nodded his thanks. "This will do finely." Lorenor took the large claymore and strapped it an angle across his back. Old Grey also handed Lorenor and Zarkin a small bundle.

"Tools to assist you with whatever Yeshua endeavors to put you guys through." Lorenor realized just then that it was a small community and word spread quickly. Ixian Knight's allies would always look upon Lorenor quite harshly, but he didn't mind. Lorenor was not the criminal mastermind he once was. He looked at Zarkin and then Old Grey. "Assist the boy." Lorenor said casually. "I shall wait outside..." Outside, of course being a proverbial term. He stepped outside of the forge, and placed the bundle that Old Grey gave him in his pack. The mutant noticed that people kept tossing side-long glances his way. This is gonna be a long day...

[Zarkin]

Zarkin had his equipment checked, inspected, and tested thoroughly by the old man. Assuming that Zarkin's gear was in working order and was proper for whatever job they were going to do he then let Zarkin take a look at other weaponry. There were an assortment of finely crafted daggers, swords, mauls, armor, helments, boots, armored pants and etc. Zarkin was amazed at the fine craftsmanship of the things he was seeing. Yet the only thing that really caught Zarkin's eye was a pair of daggers. Slightly bigger in size and mass Zarkin thought them to be perfect. Even though he already concidered the daggers he had from the headquarters to be perfect he adored these. Crafted of the most beautifully crafted steel he had seen. Polished to perfection, giving them a twinkle in the sun and moonlight as he would un-sheath them to gander upon the embroidery on the blade. Swirls and dots placed intricately upon the blades were stunning. Zarkin had to have these blades.

"Have you decided what you would like Mr.?" Old Grey asked noticing the stunned look in Zarkin's eyes.

"Yes, I would like those daggers sir" Zarkin replied with haste hoping he would be able to pay for such delicate daggers.

"Aye, a good eye you have for weaaponry my boy" Grey said with a little smile directed towards Zarkin, "How much were you looking to pay for such weaponry?" the man asked as serious as he could.

"Uh, I don't have much, just name a price and I'll look about" Zarkin said.

"500 gold" was the man's offer.

"Oh" Zarkin said as he looked down with a sad look on his face. "I'll just find some other weaponry i can use."

"Actually, here you can have them. I saw how you looked at these and I want you to have them. Just keep an eye on the one you are with, that shall be your payment for these" Old Grey said seeing the light show back into Zarkin's eyes as he handed them over as if they were a bird with it's neck snapped. Gingerly laying them into Zarkin's hand. Assuring that Zarkin knew of the terms he gave Grey a nod of comfirmation, said thak you and turned towards Lorenor's direction. He walked away from the armory towards Lorenor wondering what the next move was.

Pulling up beside Lorenor Zarkin took a look at him, gave him a nod and they walked for a bit. The light of day was shining bright over the land as they walked around the courtyard in silence. Everything was sinking into Zarkin's head. What if this guy ended up betraying me and killed me, surely he had the power too, even though being locked up for five years. The thought brewed in Zarkin's head, but he knew better not to ask of this man's past for it seemed to trouble him some. He was just recently let out and was being trusted quickly. But what if he still strived to work for N'Jal and wanted to destroy everyone in sight. Sei better be damn sure of how this is going to play out. Putting my life in potential danger Zarkin harshly thought but was quick to take that back. Of course Sei knew what he was doing, he is very wise, but then again we all do have our faults.

Zarkin trusted Lorenor as much as he could for the moment, note that they had barely known eachother for half a day. Yet somehow Zarkin knew he could trust this man, he seemed like he had escaped N'Jal's clutches, but there was still a fierce doubt in Zarkin's mind. After putting all this thought in a question broke the ice and Zarkin just had to ask, "Lorenor? Do you have any doubts about what we are going to be doing, as far as working together?" Zarkin asked as they stopped and faced eachother.

[Mutant_Lorenor]

Lorenor walked in silence alongside Zarkin.

There was much to think about and he was trying desperately to avoid eye contact with the locals. It's not that he was nervous, it's that he didn't want to give them a reason to instigate him into a brawl, or worse. He didn't want to step all over Sei's trust in him. That meant more to him than just about anything else. The chance at redemption. Lorenor looked at the boy for a moment and nodded with as warm an expression as he could muster.

"You were carefully chosen by one of Master Orlouge's best." He was, of course, referring to Yeshua. "That alone is enough for me. I trust Sei with my very life. I'm here because I did a favor for him a long time ago." Lorenor thought for a moment. "It is by the will of The All Thayne that we are brought together. I am certain we will accomplish a great deal working together." Lorenor spotted the building that Yeshua went into. "We should talk to Yeshua now and learn what job he has lined up for our trials." He knew Zarkin wasn't in the order, but it didn't matter much. As far as things went, Lorenor was eager to see how he would function in the order as well. Lorenor walked towards the building where Yeshua waited, if it was on the jail grounds, Lorenor assumed that it was a command center of some sort.

He walked, and Zarkin followed along side him. Lorenor greeted the guards at the command center. Only one of them responded back.

"Enter, neophytes." The paladin said.

Lorenor nodded and entered the well lit building. The harsh light still hurt his eyes, he'd been a creature of the darkness for so long that it still was a culture shock getting used to the light. Lorenor did not wait for Zarkin to catch, he was well aware that Zarkin could keep up on his own. So he walked towards where he thought a proper meeting hall would be. After a few moments, he found one on the first floor of the structure. Several heavily armed guards patrolled the halls of the building. Lorenor did his best to AVOID eye contact with them. Some were stationed on non patrols and stood up straight as they observed the mutant and Zarkin.

Lorenor made his way towards the meeting hall and saw Yeshua sitting at a desk with several robed figures around him. Some were also heavily armored. He felt a tremendous warmth flowing from the group of people. There six people all together that Lorenor had never seen before, and one was a woman. A woman who immediately looked up at Lorenor. She stopped everything she was doing, stood up and ran towards the mutant, hugging him warmly. He hugged her back. In her Unsent form, Lucy looked absolutely ravishing. When she was Spider Magi, she had astounding beauty even then. Now she had glowing blue eyes like he did, and her long black hair ended at her waist. She wore the paladin's attire already. Yeshua had informed Lorenor previously that the woman had completed her reformation process some months before Lorenor had. He hugged his lover, and held her very close to him. Even in undeath, the two had shared a very intimate bond.

"Lucy." Lorenor said casually. "It is good to see you are well."

"And you too, Master Lorenor." Old habits died hard. "Forgive me, just an old habit I suppose."

"It is just good to see you again." He looked at Zarkin. "Lucy, this is Zarkin. We will be working together."

Lucy nodded towards Zarkin. "A pleasure."

At that point, Yeshua walked towards the three of them, ending his sermon with the students. "Ah, good to see you three here, and fully equipped. I trust that Old Grey didn't give you much trouble, did he, Lorenor?" Yeshua asked.

"He did not. He helped me without incident." Lorenor fibbed of course, but he didn't want to get Grey in trouble, or give him a reason to hate the mutant and his allies. He noticed the frown on Yeshua's face, but Yeshua did not attempt to pry. Lorenor nodded. "What will be our first outing?" Lorenor asked. "I am eager to begin my work for the Ixian Knights."

"Good." Yeshua said. "I do so happen to have a job suitable for the three of you which will require you all working together. Working as a team, and trusting The Holy Light." Yeshua handed Lorenor a scroll. "Read this." Yeshua said.

Lorenor read the scroll and saw his orders. "A captured settlement? And you want us to retrieve the object in the scroll?"

"Yes. But more so than that, the three of you are ordered to free the settlement." Yeshua sighed. "Unfortunately, the requests to get help from Radasanth have been denied. We are the settlement's only hope. We must act where others cannot. We must defend those who cannot take up the blade." Yeshua continued. "Lorenor. You must act with the virtues you have been taught. You have performed a tremendous service in purging N'Jal's evil grip. With your freedom we have learned that it is possible to free OTHERs in your former situation."

Lorenor raised his fist. "And weaken N'Jal's grasp."

"Of course. I know you are eager to be out there, exacting vengeance on your former Master." Yeshua smiled. "All in due time. First you must complete your training as an Initiate. Sei has ordered that you go through standard training like all Paladins do." Yeshua paused for a moment, then continued. "However, I am going to push you hard as you go through your training. I know you are capable of more than most." Yeshua smiled. "Prove that you are worthy of The Holy Light. Prove your worth at what you have become and seize what is rightfully yours." Yeshua said calmly. There was no malice in his voice.

Lorenor said calmly and turned towards Zarkin. "Those are our orders. Let's see this done."

[Zarkin]

Free a captured settlement and retrieve an artifact? This was something very new to Zarkin, but killing wasn't. Taking over the settlement would be easier than taking out a few men. Hell Zarkin could have it done before you could say "Bob's my uncle!" Zarkin had been on plenty of missions and for some odd reason this one seemed like it was going to be rough. Of course he could do this, but he was also worried about Lorenor. Doing something like this, this early in his training. Damn, this guy must be more hardcore than I thought Zark thought to himself as he nodded towards Lorenor.

This job was very clear to Zarkin, and he surely didn't want to let Yeshua down. After all he was the one who hired Zarkin for the job. Not only was Zarkin hired to take out a captured settlement, but he had to do it with Lorenor. Usually working alone Zarkin found this to be a little scary. Even though nothing really scared him, but having to keep an eye on another life that meant a lot to the Ixian Knights was making Zarkin uneasy. The last thing Zarkin wanted was for something to happen to Lorenor. And how would ut effect Lucy if something happened? Zarkin had just met this mysterious lady, who strangely had the same eyes as Lorenor, and Zarkin didn't want to let her down either.

All these feelings were giving Zarkin a whole new look on how he approached some things in his field of work. Then again assassinating people was his specialty. Feelings were always nothing to Zarkin. Hiding his emotions and from his enemies were everything. But was Lorenor friend or foe? He seemed to be a friend, but also seemed to be hiding something that made him seem foreign to Zarkin. He had just met this man today and was supposed to have his life trusted in the hands of a stranger? Good thing Zarkin was specially trained in these sort of things. But Zarkin had always had trust issues ever since he was a child. Living in a tree as a child was probably the worst experience he had endured.

All-in-all Zarkin was ready to get a move on to this mission. "Yeshua. We will do this as you request. I assure you this will be done with haste" Zarkin gave Yeshua his word and he turned to Lorenor. "Are you ready Lorenor?" Zarkin asked.

[Mutant_Lorenor]

"Yeshua, will we have horses for the job?" Lorenor didn't mind walking, but horses would ensure they made it to the captured settlement much faster. After a moment passed, Lorenor saw that Yeshua seemed to agree with his request.

"Go to the stables outside of the castle." Yeshua commanded. "Ask for your steeds there, make sure you tell the stablehands that I sent you. And give them this document, I prepared it in advanced." Yeshua handed Lorenor a small legal document.

Lorenor took it into his possession and saw the Ixian Knights seal upon it. He understood it was some sort of a legal permission to use the Ixian Knight's stable services. Putting the legal document in his packs, Lorenor bowed towards Yeshua and turned his attention towards Zarkin. They were ready. "We'll get the horses and then we can be on our ways."

(Bunny to move the story forward)

They were on the road. Lorenor was comfortable around horses, and the animals were majestic beasts. He commanded the beast with some degree of skill and comfort, having retained the knowledge of basic horse riding from his previous adventures as a Spider Magi. Lorenor presented The Ixian Knights with a unique opportunity to strike N'Jal with a powerful weapon. N'Jal would go down, and Lorenor was already on the path he needed to be on in order to seek out his vengeance. The wind felt good against his skin, the hood wrapped around his head. His standard issue Ixian Knights cloak danced about in the wind as he looked forward. Keeping his eyes on his future, his destiny. It's not that Lorenor hated N'Jal. It was that Lorenor had been discarded like refuse. I owe N'Jal a lot. But I also have to revenge myself upon her...I cannot let her war crimes slide. I have to seek redemption for my servitude to N'Jal. Lorenor had served N'Jal for several centuries, what seemed like a lifetime. He was surprised when he learned that there could be redemption for even someone like HIM. A former High Priest of N'Jal. But most important, one of the few who ever held the title of Grand Primus.

Lorenor thought back to his time as a Spider Magi.

So much had changed since he once again met Sei Orlouge. As the wind passed through his clothing and he road towards the small township called Amber Gem. It was one of the small provinces located in Yarborough District, a settlement of farmers and other commoners. Lorenor knew that whoever was targeting them was likely bad news. He figured a direct assault would be only partially prudent, they had to save the civilians as well. Could they be enemies of the Ixian Knights, or something far worse? Lorenor had many thoughts in his mind and respected that Zarkin was also a contemplative, quiet fellow. Lorenor found himself liking Zarkin despite himself. He was wondering what was going through Zarkin's head when he spotted something ahead. It was several carts and what looked like a few armed guards surrounding the carts. A checkpoint this soon? They must have large control over this area of Yarborough... Last Lorenor checked, Radasanth was in shambles. There WAS no true government, The Empire had made an attempt to burn the former way of life to ashes.

Now even The Empire lay on the brink of collapse from constant attack at the hands of the remaining forces of The Corone Ranger combined with help from The Ixian Knights and other guilds. So who could have possibly stepped in to make such a power grab? Lorenor thought to himself as they approached the carts and the armed men. The men wore regalia and emblems that he had never seen before. A battle standard was present that also had their marks emblazoned on it's surface. The flag was red also. Lorenor frowned as one of the men grabbed his horses reigns and forcibly moved Lorenor's horse off the side of the road. There was a few tents set up there that seemed to be whatever command structure that could have existed in such a quiet outpost. Lorenor saw that there were several civilians being accosted by the armed men. That pissed him off, but he decided since there were so many armed guys all around, at least ten, he would find out the situation beforehand.

"Off your horses, blokes." One of the armed fellows spoke.

He ordered Lorenor and his companion to dismount from their steeds, and Lorenor decided to obey for the time being.

He signaled for Zarkin to follow his lead and do the same.

"You guys are just stopping travelers from getting to Amber?" Lorenor asked.

"Militarized zone." The armed man explained. "Go up to the captain and state your business."

Lorenor sighed. He hated having to play that part, but he decided for the sakes of everybody up in Amber, that he would do so. He nodded towards Zarkin. "Follow my lead." He told his companion and then entered the tent. There were several people inside, and one behind a desk. He was standing, and he was looking over some sort of a map or other document. Lorenor walked towards the desk, assuming the man who stood behind it was "the captain."

"You there, you two Ixian?" The Captain suddenly asked of Lorenor and Zarkin.

"We are." Lorenor responded without thinking. It was better not to lie about such matters.

"Fucking great." The Captain said, speaking in an abrupt matter. "Amber's been a shithole for months, and old Orlouge finally decides to send two rookies into the shit."

"Come again?" He assumes that Sei sent us...better not reveal our trump hand. Lorenor figured that he would lie as much as possible to protect his cover identity. "Maybe if you tell us the situation, we can help one another out." Lorenor said.

"Listen. It's all gone to hell. Empire's falling apart at the seams, and these small outlying towns ain't got no military." The Captain continued. "So we got rebels come in about half a year ago, took shit over. Just a major mess. We tried to get the civies out of there as much as possible, but they got sniper spots, well hidden too. They DON'T want to negotiate is what I'm saying. Claiming they represent a Cult of War or some such."

Cult of War...? Lorenor frowned. "How many we talking?" Lorenor asked.

"About twenty Cultists captured the town. They are being lead by a cultist and his companions. Serious shit, they are packing firepower." The captain looked like he had not slept in a few days. "Spells we ain't seen in a long time..."

"Spells you say? Not relics?" Lorenor asked. He had to know what they were dealing with.

"I'm with the Rangers." The Captain explained. "Trying to protect as many civvies as possible. We HAD an inside man on the town, but lost all communication with him. To compound matters, they stopped sending messages out to us...it's just a fine mess. Command's been talking about just bombing the whole fuckin' place."

"Civvies are present." Lorenor said.

"Yeah, no shit." The captain said. "We've been able to get intel that the civies are held in a large building, the cathedral and it's heavily guarded."

Lorenor rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "A small tactical squad will be able to infiltrate the town and secure the civilians."

"We've tried. It's like they just KNOW our tactics are flawed and we're under manned." The Captain looked up at Lorenor and Zarkin for the first time since they started talking. "My friend here is one of 'em Prophets."

Lorenor looked at the taller, well dressed man.

He had an elegant robe attire. His face was partially hidden by the shadows of his hood. "Ah, so you're the agents that Sei Orlouge has sent." The prophet said. "You two will do."

Lorenor had to lie about his true mission there. He hated having to, but he was a leader and lives were depending on the rescue operation. Liberate the town of Amber Gem. Lorenor looked at the prophet. "I will go." Lorenor said. "My companion and I were sent here to free Amber from oppression. And I'm saddened by the state of affairs here."

"Boisterous words but you don't know what the fuck it's like there." The captain said. "I can't send a bunch of rookies off..."

"Enough, captain." The prophet said calmly. "You do not see what I can see, and I know that Sei has placed his trust in this man."

Now that Lorenor looked, he saw a familiar seeming symbol upon the man's chest. A crest. Lorenor had to wonder, but he did not ask. "How many patrols outside of ol' Amber are there?" Lorenor asked those gathered.

The Captain responded. "They rotate shifts. Three man squads."

"Said there were twenty? How is that possible?" Lorenor was getting agitated.

"Twenty, INSIDE THE TOWN." Captain slammed his fist against the table. "Look man. If you wanna head out there and risk your neck for some civvies be my guest. However, KNOW what you're getting your own hide into."

Lorenor smiled at that point. "I already know. I have been briefed on the situation. I am here to put a stop to this mess before other towns are affected." Lorenor nodded towards the prophet.

"Go with the old ones." He said carefully and that was the clue he needed.

"Give your leader a message for me." Lorenor addressed The Prophet. "Lorenor sends his regards."

At that, The Captain suddenly looked right at Lorenor. "YOU!? I can't possibly allow someone like you to go into enemy territory like that..." The man suddenly appeared to be very, VERY terrified.

"Captain." The Prophet suddenly said. "Sei trusts this man, that should be enough."

"There are just two, where are the reinforcements?" The Captain sighed in defeat.

Lorenor paused and looked at The Captain.

"We are the reinforcements." He smirked and then made his way out of the tent, hoping that Zarkin would take his lead.

[Zarkin]

Zarkin followed right behind Lorenor and also gave The Captain a smirk. He obviously didn't know how trained and perfect the two were. Just looking at Zarkin and Lorenor was like staring into the eye of the storm. Zarkin was very silent and loved the torture and look of pain in his victims. Everyone thought of him as a savage more than an assassin, but then again that did make Zarkin who he was. That and from what Zarkin could tell Lorenor was also the best to have on his side. If anything where to go wrong involving Lorenor, Zarkin wouldn't want to have to take him out. A well rounded person, and just by the looks of him anyone could tell he was a very skilled fighter.

The Captian wasn't really a very happy man it seemed to Zarkin. From all his years of studying people he could notice very small things that gave the Captain away. When he slammed his fist down it was his right hand, most likely the dominant one. The next thing Zarkin had noticed was his tone of voice, he always seemed to raise it when he had no trust in someone. A very bad indicator that one would need to work on. Zarkin had also noticed that after the prophet told him that Sei had put his trust in Lorenor The Captain had given him a little eye roll. How can one not trust the word that Sei himself had placed upon such a strange man? You would have to be an idiot to not realize that you should trust Lorenor. Also there was a small cut on the back of the left hand of the captain. This was a clear indicator to Zarkin that The Captain had been defending himself to some situation. Zarkin overlooked this and decided upon his location that The Captain had been training with a knife. Zarkin often got the same cuts when he trained with the new recruits back at the headquarters.

After giving all of this some thought Zarkin got up closer to Lorenor and asked a precarious question.

"Uh Lorenor, do you have the slightest idea of what we are going to do? I mean we haven't even established an entry point. I don't know how you operate things but I like to take things quietly. Sometimes make it seem like an accident if you prefer. I would just like to know some small things before we go into the pit and save these people" Zarkin said in a stern, serious voice.

This may have been a small matter to other people but Zarkin took everything that he had ever done very serious. In Zarkin's mind he liked to place everything very carefully in motion before he actually went out and did what his mind desired. There were certain things that Zarkin had to think of, even before going in to kill twenty goons plus bring out all the civilians alive. There must be something important that these people were looking for that they had to take prisoners and get the military involved. Even with these two being the best at what they did in their area this all seemed to be very sketchy. This was something that Zarkin hadn't done before but he did want to make a good impression towards Lorenor. Keeping this man friendly was all Zarkin was worried about. Also the fact that Sei had trusted them to do a simple mission, well simple to Zarkin.

As all of this was being thrown around in Zarkin's head he looked over at Lorenor in hopes of a response of this being a quiet mission, but then again Zarkin was open to do something different for a change.

[Mutant_Lorenor]

Lorenor paused for a moment as Zarkin spoke. He wants to plan, that's fine by me. "I will provide the distraction. The main guards should be gathered around the front gates. We will separate for a while here. And I will allow you the freedom to operate as you see fit. Just one condition. Make sure you free any hostages you come across." Lorenor said. "Our primary goal is to save those hostages and free the town." Lorenor preferred to work alone, but he knew it would be good to have someone skilled watching his back. He did not doubt Zarkin's skill, it was all based on Yeshua's word. If Yeshua said the boy was good, that was all that Lorenor needed. Lorenor shook hands with Zarkin for a moment. (Small bunny, hope you don't mind) And then looked back at the command tent. That's when he saw the Prophet walking up towards him and Zarkin. Lorenor nodded towards the Prophet. "Come to say good bye, is it?" Lorenor asked of the prophet. He knew the symbol and crest very well that the Prophet wore on his robes. It was a prophet of the great sage named Nenkulor Shimaon. Lorenor put a hand at the side of his head for a moment and saw a flash in his head. In the flash he saw an image of Nenkulor Shimaon. Then, the flash faded.

"No." The prophet said calmly. "I come to wish you luck. These aren't ordinary bandits you're going to be dealing with. They are part of a cult." The prophet explained. "They use ritual sacrifice, I don't know if there are any souls left to save."

"If there are, I will find them." Lorenor said. He looked over at Zarkin. "You know what we're dealing with now. Be careful. You may go on ahead and find your own way in, wait until I create the diversion." Lorenor said. Then he looked over at the Prophet. "I thank you for your advice. I will take it into consideration."

"When you have freed the township, do return to me in my tent. I would like a private word with you and your companion." The Prophet said casually. And nodded politely to Lorenor.

Lorenor then began to walk towards the town of Amber. The town was currently overwhelmed by a mad cult. It was laid under siege, but it would be freed. I will see to that. Lorenor thought to himself as he began to walk towards Amber. He didn't realize then, that he would be walking towards a newly found destiny. They all were. An enemy would be found. A dormant enemy, an ancient enemy, and one who rested and waited watching them all. Lorenor could feel the taint in the air even as he got closer to Amber. He saw several ruined wagons that had either attempted to flee from Amber, or make their way TO Amber. Lorenor drew his mighty claymore. He'd trained hard with The Holy Light in a short period of time and had acquired new secrets. His eyes narrowed as he saw the front gates. Just as he suspected, there was a concentration of cultists up ahead. They all wore markings and a crest he had never seen before. A burly cultist spotted Lorenor first. And made a motion towards his companions. His companions immediately trained ranged weapons towards Lorenor.

The burly cultist walked over towards Lorenor. He drew a shortbladed weapon that glowed with a dark blue hue. "Ah you're a Paladin are you?" The man asked.

"I am." Lorenor responded with confidence. "I represent the Ixian Knights and I am here to release your grip on this town."

"And how do you intend to do that?" The burly cultist asked.

"I have some tricks up my sleeve." He pointed the iron claymore towards the cultists. Lorenor was already focusing on The Holy Light, the gift that Yeshua and The All Thayne had given him. "I strongly suggest you simply surrender."

"You hear that boys? He wants us to surrender." The cultist said. Then, he took out a vial.

Lorenor spotted what was in the vial, and it was a familiar looking crimson stained substance. They are Blood Mages...shit...

The cultist uncorked the vial and he drank the blood to the last drop. His eyes began to glow a furious red color. He pointed the glowing sword towards Lorenor. "I think it is YOU who should be surrendering."

I want to see what these guys can do...and learn how to adapt tactics against them. Lorenor thought to himself.

He suddenly felt the air around him grow hotter, likely a result of the blood magic. Lorenor smiled. He doesn't know who or what I am. That's quite all right. Before this is through, they will know. And fear the Ixian Knights...Sei... Lorenor thought to himself. He didn't look off in the direction of Zarkin. He didn't want to give his companions position away. They had a mission to complete.

The cultist began to glow with a brilliantly red energy field. He pointed the sword directly at Lorenor. Blood began to swell down from the cultist's nostrils.

They are using their OWN blood..!? Lorenor was suddenly hit hard with a blunt blast from the sword. It was a read hot-beam that slammed Lorenor hard on the ground. He felt his chest scorching hot, and the ground almost knocked the wind out of him. Lorenor grinned. Finally...a worthy foe...All Thayne give me strength and courage... A dark marking appeared where the red beam had struck him. His shirt ruined, and his flesh blackened. It hurt like hell to be truthful, but Lorenor had grown strong since his days of following that bitch, N'Jal. Lorenor coughed a few times, and then rose skillfully from the ground. His eyes were narrowed, and they glowed with tremendous power. "Pretty good." Lorenor said to the cultist. "I'll give you that. Using your own damned blood as the catalyst. You have some skill." Lorenor coughed once more and growled. Some of what he was when he followed N'Jal remained. He still thrived from pain, both the receiving of it and the giving of it. Lorenor suddenly began to laugh. "That actually felt kind of good." He felt his loins grow stiff and erect in his pants. However, he had to contain himself. He was a different man now, and different men followed different passions and pursuits.

The words that Lorenor chose made the cultist somewhat nervous even in his hyper accelerated state. His body still glowed with the red haze, and his eyes swirled with power. "That should have killed you..." The cultist said carefully as he looked at Lorenor.

"Ah, but why shorten the fun we will have together?" Lorenor laughed. "No use in rushing things. After all, I still need to repay the favour. You have brought me more pleasure in such a short time than I've felt in a long time. Oh I cannot REMEMBER the last time I felt this good." Lorenor was acting like a man possessed. By a singular purpose: the will of the All-Thayne. A different master pulled his chains, but Lorenor was STILL Lorenor. He was now a few paces away from the burly cultist who was clearly focusing another spell from his codex. Smoke still swirled from the injury that the cultist gave him. "Do you want to return, to a world that has shunned the likes of you and I? Do you want to go back when there is only one way to go now? Alas, we are but forlorn children dancing, dancing naked in the streets. Crying at this world that has shunned us. Crying, can you not see my crimson tears?"

"SHUT UP!" The cultist said. "I know what you're quoting and STOP IT, you madman!" The cultist yelled.

Lorenor was very knowledgeable of The Thayne Codex. He was reciting verses of the ancient lore, because he knew it often made people very uncomfortable. So, Lorenor continued. Grinning, laughing as he spoke the words of The Thayne passed down to men. Even members of a cult would still feel the effects of The Thayne Codex spoken in actually spoken form. Lorenor continued. "You and I, we are but feathers of the wings. Wings of Demi Thayne, the Thayne's offspring is what we are. Forgotten have you? Shame on you." Lorenor said, he kept going. "The Thayne have created us, eons ago, made us in their image." Another slam of the blood magic. Lorenor was not knocked down a second time. He kept walking towards the cultist who was clearly readying another spell. His companions left their post, opened the front gates, and ran towards the burly cultist. "This world made in The Thayne's image. It has shunned us you and I. Because we believe, believe in The All Thayne and his kin." Lorenor suddenly stopped right in front of the burly cultist and his companions. They stared at one another, eye level. "As a Paladin of The All Thayne. I condemn you the fire of Hell."

"You don't scare me!" The cultist yelled.

"Why do you shun me, when we have the same maker. A maker who sees all, judges all. Don't shun, shun shun me. When all I want is one thing." Lorenor was reciting the last rites for the ENTIRE Blood Mage coven. "Your move, Blood Mage." Lorenor said and he was deadly calm.

Suddenly, ALL of The Blood Mages converged their power on Lorenor...

[Mutant_Lorenor]

(Gonna complete this as a Solo at this point.)

And then, Lorenor did something quite unexpected.

Knowing how blood magic worked, he knew it needed a catalyst. ANY catalyst would do. Lorenor suddenly slashed across the chest of the poorly armored cultist. The man was already terrified by what he was seeing, and he screamed. The blood magic that was tapped by his companions was drawn towards the sudden release of blood. Power. The man's blood splattered about everywhere, even on Lorenor but that did not matter. It would be enough. Lorenor watched as the man's own companions began to attack him. It wasn't even their fault. Lorenor simply knew The Thayne Codex through and through. He had intricate knowledge of how things worked from a religious perspective. The Thayne Codex, in essence, gave him power of knowledge. Lorenor held his claymore with one hand, blood dripping off it. The other mage's attacks inadvertently struck their companion. He was instantly killed from the shock. Lorenor took a moment to glance up at the various cultists around him. There were three more one standing by the gate, and two on towers. Lorenor started to walk towards the fellow at the gate. His glowing eyes had a ferocity to them.

He held his sword fully extended at his side as he walked casually towards the cultist.

They were hesitating at that point.

"What the hell ARE you?" The cultist asked.

Lorenor looked the man right in the eye. "By order of the Ixian Knights, I am hereby placing you and your colleagues under arrest." Lorenor knew what the deal was, they all had to go. They'd placed an entire town in mortal danger and would face a tribunal trial. "I suggest you all surrender, or I am within my rights to terminate you all." As a Paladin of the Ixian Knights, I know what the law of Radasanth is. Also, you guys were fucked the moment you invaded here... "Time's up, what's it going to be?" Lorenor asked. He was deadly serious. He still had tricks up his sleeve, that they hand't seen yet. Lorenor pointed his weapon's tip towards the cultist. He looked at the man carefully, sizing him as he began to prepare power from The Holy Light. His eyes started to glow with a certain brightness to them. He was still waiting for the response of the cultist. Lorenor was a fair man, and as a member of the Ixixan Knights he would insist that all criminals receive a fair trial.

"You don't scare me." The cultist bragged. "We been killing those Rangers up there on their camp for months now."

"Another reason to execute you right now." Lorenor said in response. "You have Ranger blood on your hands...not just civilian blood. Like I said, last chance for you. What's it going to be?'

"Hey Jake, let's just kill this guy." The cultist said to one of his companions. "Been itching to pick a fight with those Ixian bastards anyway."

"The fight's been brought to you." Lorenor responded and suddenly attacked.