The Overlady: Evil Knows No Gender

Written By: Pakkrat

(Disclaimer: I do not own nor have plans to take the rights of the creators of Overlord gaming franchise via Codemasters. The games however have impressed me a great deal and being in a particularly creative mood decided to do a story. In hopes of showing my appreciation to fellow fans of the great franchise. I hope you all enjoy and support the game series! Be a Overlord! Smash up cities, dominate and destroy all those in your path. Most importantly, smash fluffy animals… no matter how many elves in PETA may disagree, it's fun!)

Chapter 3: Where Evil Stands

The fires from oil soaked earth still were burning. Each minion walking around confused as something had stopped the supposed celebration of battle. The master was sitting with her head hanging and her arms, wrapped over her knees. What happened to change her? What happened that would be such a problem?

Gnarl was angry with how she'd thrown her helmet after he ordered her to get to work. So she sat alone the thought of what she saw making her feel heavy. A friend died. Yet she knew nothing of him. He willingly gave his all for her. That was something she was not used to. Not willing to accept.

Yet the feeling of someone now pulling her hair the Overlady looked to Flow with a near begging look in his eyes. "Master, not safe here. More buggies?"

Ah, that's a good point. The Overlady stood slowly and had snatched the helmet. She didn't put it on yet but… well, they were right. There was still danger. The monster insects were still roaming this place under the earth. She held up the helmet for a little bit but wasn't sure she was ready to listen to him. He told her it was common to loose minions. She had no interest in becoming so used to this.

"Master?" Flow was again tugging on her leg. "What wrong?"

"…." She turned down with her glowing orbs. Stray wind made her long hair flutter in her cloaked vision. Yet really it did not matter. She didn't cry, not really. What came from her eyes was magic. Not tears. "I'm not ready for this. I'm not willing to sacrifice any of you."

"Why?" Flow watched her shaking her head. Like he should already know. He was ashamed by this but then he just looked down and scratched his ears. "We just serve the master. She leads us. We follow. Master, we need to go." He heard some of the others starting to grumble and such. Looking back he fiercely declared, "We all need to get back. The people in the town need the master. We need the master."

When Flow looked up however she was already putting on the helmet. A smile he watched now as she snapped, "Don't you start with me Gnarl!" Most likely he was saying something about her ignoring him. Yet she was not in the mood. "How do we get back to the tower?"

Gnarl was quiet. Yet, he sighed and then snarled, "You need to wind a tower gate."

"The other one is too far…"

"A new one my lady." Gnarl seemed to be as irate as she. Then when she turned to the large gate, "There my lady. Thru that gate, I bet we can find one of the gates. Just open it and look about." The Overlady turned to her remaining minions and sent them to work. The minions stopped at the largest of the turning wheels but stopped looking to her. She was confused, until Gnarl warned, "That would be a wheel that needs one more minion. You need to use a spawning pit to replace that minion you recently lost."

Her motion was something of a still sigh. Even her eyes had shown aggravation. Wurm just died and they just want her to summon someone else. Screw it, they need to get out. The spawning pit back behind her was glowing. So summoning a new minion was easy. Although the minion she got slowly strolled out and growled past her. Seems he was a moody little prick. No matter, The Overlady sent her minions to the wheel and lifted the gate.

Gnarl was laughing. "Good job my lady. Now, we have to decide something of importance." She instinctively turned to the large pig. "What do we do with this large side of bacon?"

"I don't know. I want to just get back." She watched her minions standing at her side. Looking to her for orders. "Fine, first get the food. We'll take it back to the tower." Then she shook her head, "Also the pig… we'll take it back to the tower too."

Walking thru the gate the Overlady found a gate to the tower. The minions went to get the food from the pens. Returning it to the tower gate. Gnarl was watching the Over Lady idly watching them and recalled something. "Why not take one of those large cranes?" The Overlady looked to one of the remaining cranes. "We could use it to repair a lot of the tower. Perhaps clear the unusual level of debris around here."

She figured it was a good idea. So after the food she directed them to the large crane. It took all of them to move it… this one was really big. Afterwards, was the pig. It made her chuckle as her minions chased it into the gate. What a bothersome creature. Just then the newest minion with but a cloth and club, started pulling her leg. The Overlady turned down and the smiling minion motioned to that broken mandible. "What about it?" looking over she saw him run over and grab the mandible. He wanted her to take it? Why?

Nevermind. She just waved a hand and said, "Hurry up." The minions gather to the mandible and take it toward the tower gate. She followed behind last. Taking one last moment to look back. Wurm, damn it. The Overlady sighed before rubbing her neck. This was part of her job. Following into the gate she disappeared to the tower.

The sound of screaming and a loud squealing were what meet her.

The later part of that day and the Overlady resides in the lower chamber. There she watched the tower heart swirling with magic. What a day she's had now. Standing there in a bit of a daze the Overlady only watched the magic amassed in the heart swirling over and over again. It's a bit mesmerizing.

Distracting too. "Master?" She turned to see Flow. He had some kind of pitcher with water from the small pool near the heart. She had no idea the Blues were supposed to be there. Flow was watering the flower he once showed her. Which, she came over looking at it while he asked, "Is master okay? She not look happy."

At first the Overlady just didn't think about him. Then she couldn't think what to say. Why would she really be happy? What is there to be happy about? Wurm died today. His life was gone. It was… annoying, and just disappointing to think she could have saved him. Yet what did she do? She watched the minion be snapped in two after all that happened. It made her close her eyes and rub the rough area over her brow. Her hand pulled the helmet off as she tossed it aside. The Overlady could not believe the way it felt loosing something like a minion. Especially someone she did not know too well.

Flow seemed more interested in her pain. So he turned down only to water his plant again. The Overlady slowly turned down to the minion. Somewhat taken by when he looked back from the plant he was sporting this awful look. His ears were pulled back with those eyes quirked up in worry. She just had to sit down next to him, which she did before looking at the plant again. The two didn't talk though while he was watering the plant again. Not much water came out of his pail. Yet it didn't matter. Not when she simply smiled and scratched her head.

"They look lovely you know?"

"Oh?" Flow gave a big smile before offering her the pail. "Watering them is good. Makes they pretty and grow good."

A smile, the Overlady took the pail and started to do what the minion once did. At this time Flow watched her face. As most Overlords the Overlady seemed different now. Her eyes were glowing embers of magical cast. The face darker than naturally capable. While she had a tan, earthen skin the fact she's changed was not lost. Hidden behind long locks of brown hair that fell down to those shoulders. She was a rather attractive woman whom before her death must have been the most beloved beauty, less somehow few saw that face.

"Master?" Flow saw her turn with a bit of worry. "Why so sad? Wurm like me. We all die for evil. That what we choose. That why we fight for the master." Shaking his head, "You fight with us. We all fight for you master. Never forget that."

Sadly, it did not help. She sighed before petting his head. "Flow. I rather find a way to not loose you all."

However, the appearance of someone would end this moment. Gnarl slowly followed his hunch to find her. Strolling behind the two and saying, "Flow, you might as well go up stairs. I think we have a lot of work ahead of us." Flow stood up and gave a salute to the Overlady. Then ran as fast as a little minion can. Gnarl watched him leave, slowly making sure, before he glared at the Overlady. A slight sneer and he warned her, "With time you will find it much easier. Some take longer than others. Just remember they are loyal to you."

Gnarl left her with that. The Overlady sat there looking at where the two followed upstairs. After that got to be too depressing she simply watched the flower. Still wondering when will that happen? When will she be detached enough to not care if her loyal minions perish?

'I guess when the time comes. I will no longer hold them so dearly. Yet, I do not want that just yet. I do not wish to be alone, yet.' And she hung her head slightly. Before shifting up on her knee and standing there looking down on the flower. Was she weak? Perhaps, yet she was also the leader of these beings. This somehow was something in her mind, somewhere deep, it was familiar to her.

The Overlady made her way to the upstairs once more. In time to see the minions all pushing the pig off her throne that it so happens to be sleeping in. The minion master Gnarl just groaned, shaking his head with so much irritation. The Overlady came over and asked, "What happened?"

Looking over his shoulder. Gnarl shrugged his shoulders, "Seems our swine friend is one to like fine furniture. It is her fortune you agreed to bring her back alive. I'd be eating fresh pork chops if it were up to me!" Looking back, he was suddenly under the beast as it sprang up and started snorting and licking the odd minion, "No! No! Get it off, get it off!!!"

The Overlady had a chuckle. The minions got it off, and soon she asked Gnarl, "When will you have this place cleaned?"

Gnarl stood snarling under his breath, "Should be you cleaning at this rate." He however caught himself, and smiled up retching his hands together in anger. "Oh, in time my lady. In due time! We have the crane working on a chamber now and…"

Uri appeared with a rag-made dress he used from the banners off the walls. When he appeared also with make-up and a wig, the unfortunate Gnarl slapped his face asking, "Where did you get that?"

"The old Mistress room. There were some her old belongings still. I took and used them! How do I look?"

Gnarl gave a very overdone smile, "Ohh, you look as radiant as my own mother!"

"Good!" Yuri ran off, laughing.

Gnarl stepped into the side of the Overlady saying, "My mother was a succubus. Yet Yuri doesn't know when she got older… ooh, imagine droop age on an epic scale."

The Overlady would rather not. She in fact just gave a slight glare. Gnarl rolled his eyes reminded again why he preferred male Overlords. Motioning her behind he asks, "Follow me will you? It would seem our upstairs private quarters are now open."

The Overlady found herself walking the halls. There was a torn, ratty looking carpet here. Webbing and debris about. She glared to some minions setting torches on the walls. Only using two or three to stand on the shoulders of the other about to topple over and set her whole tower a blaze. Yet they didn't and so she was ushered to the center of this long hall. "Here!" Gnarl proclaimed to the wall before her. "Is the main chamber of your private quarters. The place your evil body may rest when needed!"

Gnarl walked down the halls once more. "You will find this area more important than those others. So follow me!"

He hurried along. Laughing when he turned to a room with gold… well, a small chest of gold. "This is the treasury. I uh…" he walked in and kicked the chest. "Well, when we have more gold it'll be more worth your time. Trust me!"

The next room was where Uri stood. He bowed, and the unfortunate Gnarl asked "What are you doing here?"

Uri smiled toothily and admits to Gnarl, "Uri not too good at fighting, yet. Uri knows a lot about style. I will make pretty, fancy things for our master!" Ushering the Overlady closer. She walked next to a model of the tower as Uri exclaims, "I have ideas for tower even now! I make pretty, nice designs for you master! For our flags and our minions too! When we have gold and place to build, you see!"

The Overlady seemed kind of confused why that is important? Yet, she watched Gnarl who was rubbing his eyes. This wasn't important to evil. So, she just turned back to Uri saying, "Well, when the time comes. We'll do just that." She motioned to Gnarl as she walked, "Let's keep going Gnarl!"

"Oh, gladly!" Gnarl hurried as Uri started to think up his next set of ideas to show the Overlady later…

Gnarl sighed as they headed toward the rest of the building upstairs. Yet he heard smashing sounds. Running into the next room he found Gibblet and Gobbles, "What are you two doing?" He saw them separate, and with crude hammers and rock the two managed to widdle the large pincer down. "My word…"

Low and behold. With a grin Gibblet and Gobbles lifted up the former pincer of the large ant. It now had been reduced in size some, but there was a smoothed area with rags wrapped and tied to make a kind of hilt and grasp. The Overlady bent at the knees inspecting this blade they made. A bit impressed with the skill used to make the sized pincer into a elongated scimitar of sorts, a black weapon. She then grabbed the grasp lifting it. The large thing actually held well for its size. "I like this!"

Gibblet gave a thumbs up, as she swung it about. Gnarl even enjoyed the sight. "This room is mostly storage… you won't need it though."

"Actually, I do need a storage room." The Overlady walked with her sword of the ant and demanded, "Gnarl! Bring the food up here into my storage room." She turned and pointed to his face, "I want a word with the village of Spree! Ready that beast to be moved we're taking it back now!"

Gnarl was shocked when she stormed out. Not angry, serious though. He gave a toothy grin and turned to the two. "I'm impressed! You did a fine job with that large pincer sword!" He turned about, "Why, it brought out the inner evil in her!"

The lady came out of the portal which was set at the entrance of Spree. Here people watched in slight wonder of her form stomping out with but a sheer look in her eyes. Something very different from when she first appeared here. The barman Cal slowly came out and looked her over. There was no food, or Bebi, which he now was worried it meant…

Out of the portal a large black swine appeared. The Overlady had a rope over its neck. Walking with it the people started to cheer, and children praise the pig. When she let it go and offered the rope to a child they removed it and ran the pig off down the streets. Seems this was her plan.

"I really… really do hope this has something to do with evil."

The Overlady dismissed Gnarl a moment as Cal came over arms out in praise, "All cheer the great maiden of metal whom saved us!" The screams begin. "How she did so great to save our children's favorite pet, and still better. She was able to… uh…" Cal looked toward the portal. "She, must have obtained our food… yes?"

"I did." She raised a hand to Cal. "However, those ants. They were after that food. It is not safe here." The villagers got a little upset. Yet Cal listened, with a frown. "The ants burrow the ground. Your city could be infested if you were not careful. Leaving food like that around is a danger. I will protect it in my tower."

Cal now got an annoyed glare off, "And what is to say you won't use it all fo-," he is silenced as minions came from the portal with a large platter of base foods. Bread and cheeses with meats. No fruits this turn, it seemed. The man was alarmed as the food was set down and the two minions run behind the Overlady.

Gnarl groaned as the villagers were starting to form a line, thanks to Cal's order to do so. "Ohh… this is killing me. Why are you doing this? This, this… this IS NOT EVIL!!!"

The Overlady smirked however in her armor. Cal turned, as he assigned another man to pass the food. For he knew, already. This was at a toll. Coming to her he asked, "What is this all about?"

"The ants will come here if they smell food. These food stuffs will not go bad as quick as others. Eat them, keep them safe and more importantly do not leave this food outside too long. Always covered when not being eaten. Your people will be safe I believe if you listen to me." His eyes show he knew more was to her good deeds. "Yet, for the time being. My tower is the only safe place to store such food. The rock and such will not allow those beasts easy entry… and my minions will protect it for sure should they come hungry."

"However," Cal sighed deeply, "Such noble deeds must come with a price?"

Gnarl suddenly was heard laughing. With cheers of wickedness. "Of course I need compensation. Your people must pay me gold instead of Drake. For your food rations." She crossed her arms. "Also fees for protection. It will not be as expensive as you believe I promise. Yet more importantly once you have made a safe storage house and I have eliminated the ants. All your food will be returned, that which I have to return."

Cal seemed to shake his head knowing his hand is dealt face up. Hers all down. "I understand."

"There is more." She raised her hand to his face. He was brought to listen. "The pig. I want tribute. I want her offspring when she has any, given to me. The runts of the litter. Half of them after all her birthing."

Cal did not mind. In fact, "That sounds rather reasonable. A few less mouths to feed will help." A nod, he offered his hand, "We have a…"

"AND…" he flinched, as if struck. Yet her last request, "I want to see the woman Alma. Where is she?"

Cal thought back. "She went to see Drake… I suppose, she is back by now. She'll be at the schoolhouse ontop the hill to the rear of the village." Cal warns though, "The school however also is a church. So the children will be there with Bebi, please don't go mentioning this about her uh… babies?"

"We'll see." She simply stated as she raised her hand and the brown spawning pit formed minions from it. They follow her toward the school house. As Cal sighed and shook his head. This was like old times. Well… sort of… she's doing things very differently. In fact she had all their necks in a noose. Obviously.

"Oh-ho! That was splendid! Splendid!" Gnarl was dancing in the tower. Fists in the air. "You truly deserve the right to be our Overlady. Yes, that was superb!" Minions now cheer, and jump behind her. All knowing that her strong stride meant something good happened. "Perhaps in time my lady. You can do more deeds like this? Controlling the happless fools of Spree is but a task of…"

She stopped seeing the school house. Yet the door was open. She sighed knowing well that the woman was not here for sound of a tea kettle implied no one turned it off. The laughter of the children got the ladies attention over the praise of Gnarl whom was 'certain' she's the one for the job. Only because he liked what she did recently. What a miserable little thing. When she walked down the path she saw the boys and girls tossing mud at one another.

"YEAH!" Screamed a boy, "You're it!"

"No, you're it!" Such filth… the mud was all around. Then again the pig was seen out toward a large dead tree. It is then the Overlady stopped and looked… confused…

Gnarl too rubbed his eyes. "Hoh, what's that?" His beady eyes saw this ethereal aura from the tree. Surrounding it with a dark, unusual power. As the Overlady came close, the energy itself seemed to darken. "That is evil energy my lord… la-lady, I suppose?" The Overlady reached out toward the strange energy. "Careful! You don't know where it's been!"

Suddenly, the energy formed out at her gauntlet. Powerful magic and forces drove into her body and she screamed as her minions recoil in fear. The children also scream as the pig squeals about running from the flashes of black and violet. In an instant, the powerful dark force was swirling her gauntlet. As the Overlady fell to a kneel holding her hand. Yet her mind burned with flashes of…

"IF I do this Almiaeh. You never ask me a favor again." Spoke some woman. Stranger from another land. In less than worthy armor. Leather armor and steel, mixed. She had her eyes darting back and forth while leaning against this old dead tree.

"If you do this. I will be very happy to say goodbye." Spoke some sweet, kind woman. Whom in red just held herself opposite of the tree. Her form shaking as if cold. For it was a chilling night but the breeze, did not make her shake. N'or the frosty sense of dawn coming. It was more.

"I'm not a hand to hire out for assassinations, Almiaeh. You know that."

"You were my friend once. You and I were closer than blood. You are the only one I know that can do this now. Save my friends and family."

"Family?" Spoke the large woman who now kicked the tree. She stood and stormed off in anger. "What does someone like you care of family?"

"I cared for you like family!" The woman in red was upset. Yet she did not turn or follow. Yet the large woman in her less worthy gear. She stopped. There the woman in red, Almiaeh, she whispered gently, "I always loved you like a sister."

To that. The larger maiden just clenched a fist and bit her lip. Her eyes tightly close with the pain of such words. Then she let her head hang back and she sighed deeply. "Damn you Almiaeh. You always were a bleeding heart." When the sudden shift of her hip was audible in the armor. The woman whispers back, "Tomorrow night, he will be dead. Or I buried in the dirt. Nothing short of hell will keep me from him sister."

A nod the woman in red leaned on the tree. Then she said with a slight relief. "That is the promise I wished to hear. Valera."

The strange sensations in her chest. The Overlady was doubled over gasping for air. When she heard the echoing call of Gnarl it came to her senses what happened. She was somehow attacked by this power. Then as insane it was, she felt the pain was gone and in its wake a powerful energy. Yes, it coursed into her gauntlet. It was absorbed into the strange device as Gnarl tried to gather her attentions. She however was not listening. Not at all. Instead, she thought of the name. That name of the large woman. That large woman that she herself felt was… it just had to be…

"My lady? Are you paying attention?"

The Overlady stood off her knee. Clenching her fists she just said, "No." Gnarl is silent. She figured it got him to realize she's not really… uh, ready to pay heed. Yet when he saw what she did in place of the stump. The Overlady stepped closer to find a large red and stone tolem. It was strange to say the least. "This is one of our objects?"

Gnarl seemed to grumble about something, like 'now she wants my words of wisdom?' yet when she started gritting her teeth. He happily told her, "Why, yes it is!" Gnarl seemed to get the message and she brushed off this remnant of bark. "That would be a health disk. Yet I'm confused… that magical influence of dark energy. It was unlike much I ever saw."

The minions began to assemble. Taking it at her orders. The Overlady asked while they left with her new item. "It's not like my own power?"

"It is… yet much more potent. A longer, stronger evil presence corrupted the item. I'm beginning to assume that possibly that is what made our… pork chop with legs, all the size she is." They both watch the swine wadding in muck. Gnarl groaned a bit. "To be so simple. I often wonder, if I ever could have been…"

"Muddy Mud-mud!!! Wah-hah-ha!!!" The splatter of the thick goop and some sound of cheers. Minions once trying to resist, now flop in the dirty soil. Moldy was the one whom started. Yet all the others follow. All but one who watches with a sigh.

Flow turned up to his master. Unaware how Gnarl whispers to her, "I rescind my previous remark my lady."

Little Flow seemed to smile as she was giggling. At Gnarl. At the minions. It was something enchanting actually how she shifted her hip and set her one arm on her stomach. Holding her laughter with her one hand. How strange to see an Overlord do that. When he lowered his eyes he shifted his foot in the dirt. Somehow, he felt embarrassed now.

"Flow?" His head propped up with ears tall. The Overlady looked down at him. She was, concerned. "Why don't you play with them?"

"Me?" Flow the palest of the browns. Shook his head and said, "No master. Me not like mud."

To that, a certain minion whom was forming a ball of mud. Heard with a cocked ear and grinned with great mischief. "Heh, no like mud?" Skurm tightly balled the mud ball and threw it fast. "Here, mud no like you!"

The ball threw the minion down. He screamed out as he fell hard. Then he rubbed the cheek as he felt the sickening muddy ball. A whine, he sat onto his rump and sighed… always so bad he felt. Not being one of the normal…

"SKURM!!!" The minions all turn to the master. Skurm was already making a new ball of mud… and in mid throw at one of the others in play. He just looked over on one leg, balancing, before he fell into the mud. The others snicker as she tapped her foot, and crossed her arms. Her eyes were red. Skurm swallowed a lump before slowly coming out of the mud. There she looked down and motioned her head to Flow. Skurm looked confused. Til, she snapped, "You appologize, now."

"…." Skurm glared down. Angrily. Then back to Flow he hurriedly said, "Isorry."

"Again."

"Agh…" He growled, "I sorry…"

"AGAIN!"

"SORRY!"

And, it was then, as Skurm went to say sorry again. That something hit his head. He covered the eye. Where a little Flow ran behind the Overlady after Skurm was hit with… with… "This no mud…"

"No." Flow whispers, half-hidden and leering out from behind the knee of the Overlady. "It compost. Fertilized."

"Wh…" Skurm wiped the muck off and then, in his screams of horror. The many others laugh. As well the Overlady whom began laughing rather loudly. The children whom were watching the minions laughed as well. All in expense of Skurm. Yet the minion turned on Flow. A death glare… yes, quite a glare. Then as he tried desperately to move on him. The chilling sense of dread was all on him instead. Skurm looked up at the Overlady. She was not budging on her spot. So he shyly backed away. A coy smile and wave as he wandered toward the mud.

Skurm growled to himself. "Gonna make him pay. Make him lifeforce for next time…"

Flow smiled stepping out and hearing a few cheers. Gee… they thought it was that funny? He rubbed his neck shyly waving to the minions before they get back to playing. The Overlady mentioned to him, "Good work Flow." The little minion looked up and gleamed proud all over. "You just keep in mind. I can't protect you all the time."

"Oh…" Flow frowned. "Yes, Overlady."

She was silent a moment. Looking to her side. Then she said, "Valera."

"What?"

"Who-ha-wha?" Gnarl was gagging a cockroach he just found. One of nice size.

"Valera. I think my name was, Valera." She turned toward that house belonging to the nun. A sigh she asked, "Where is this Alma?"

Just as she went to check on that house. A large tremor shook the ground and everyone was suddenly tipping around the muddy place. The sound of screams in the village follow soon as the tremors end. The Overlady got up into a slightly annoyed stance. "What the hell was that?"

"I'm not sure my lady. Perhaps, investigation is in order?"

She did just that. Running back to the center of the city. Cal was waiting at the end of the hill. "You felt it too?" She nods, and he warns, "There have been a few lesser shakes. Yet that… it was seriously much stronger. We've had the issue thanks to the digging…" He turned toward the direction of Castle Spree. "The Smelter Caves that Drake has dug. They may have finally dug too deep down there."

The Overlady asked him, "Do you mean they might cause this whole village to fall under?"

"No. I… well…" Cal shook his head. "Lord, I hope not."

She certainly can't make much of this village if it's destroyed… "Obviously, we need to take action. Right Gnarl?"

"Why, yes." Gnarl warned her as she unsheathed that long sword. "Now be warned. Though you obtained your new health upgrade. Fire is bad no matter what! IT will destroy you just as easily as normal wounds." He laughed, "Why, it'll do a better job."

She ran toward the castle as from the path, a man screamed for his life, "Run! Demons! Little red demons! They'll steal your souls!"

It took a moment. Yet Gnarl screamed, "WAIT!"

She stopped fast. Minions pilled into her legs, often falling back like dominos. "Those have to be the Red Minions!" She wasn't getting… then, a nod and 'ohh!' and he tells her, "Yes, the Red Minions. It makes sense. Hiding in the firey pits. The Smelter, it must have been Drake's plan to use it and the volcanic flows from the tower and around here to help him. He is tunneling under the tower… and the Reds must have hid in the volcanic areas below. Of course, they do love fire and heat."

The Overlady ran toward the castle again. "So, we have to find them?"

"Find them! We have to save them!" Gnarl snapped suddenly, as she got the reality of this. "If that cave is falling or worse, going to? The Reds will be moving the Hive! WE need to find that Hive before it is too late! Or worse, before it is TRULY too late. The Reds are important, my lady."

The Overlady got the message. And with a roar of her charge, her minions follow into the fray.

The group stops when villagers looking down the side of a cliff next to Castle Spree, seem to turn to them. "Oh, you made it lady!" They ran to her. "The Priestess, she went into those caves to perform and exorcism. She's quite skilled with that."

"No she ain't!" The other shook his head, "Lord knows why she did it. She's been strange since that whole assassination went bad. Like she don't care anymore."

"Aye, but still…" The other looked back to the cliff. "She went in. She said she'd perform an exorcism on them little demon fellas. So what ya gonna do?"

The Overlady's heart beat strong. Not in adrenaline. It was fear. Fear of…

"I'll tell you what we do. We'll kill her should she harm the head on just one of our precious Reds." Gnarl laughed maniacally, but the Overlady flinched. "I don't know much about Sister Alma. Yet I'm sure, she's in for a rude awakening. Exorcism or not, she'll not have much luck facing our Reds in battle. Nothing will if,"

"SHUSH!" The Overlady ran faster, and stopped only as she had to turn and run down a long collection of wooden stairs down the cliff side. "I'm not letting her die!" She stopped at the large entrance. Her minions, confused, look to her for a reason why. Gnarl too was curious. She turned knowing well they were not pleased. A frown, she told them all, "The large stump? Strange object being covered in evil?"

"Ohh…" The minions and Gnarl remember. Gnarl whispers, "Glad you kept your head straight…"

"Yes, yes…" She lied. Of course she's evil so who gives a damn? Looking into the ominous cave she orders, "Get ready we're going in. To find that Sister."

"Also, to save the Reds." Gnarl mused as they enter into the dark tunnel. The Smelter Caves awaiting them.

Deep in his castle. The fat, round man ran. He ran for life. He ran from fear. Yet he ran all the same. In a long, furry coat. He stopped behind a pillar in the poorly lit halls.

"I did what you asked!" He pant with every word. "I, I have them working on the…"

"HO-HO-HO!" Suddenly, a large red and white cane smashed into the pillar, and the fat man with a crown fell back and rolled from the strike. "You certainly did!" This loud, boastful voice did rumble in the dark room. "You also stole from the children. Which, by children."

A big, massive green gloved fist snatches the cane's head and rips it out of the pillar. "I mean me you little piece, of boar spit!" The large figure stood twice, if not three times the height of the fat man. Stomping toward him in darkness. A single light did come. It was when he breathed in, and so the light grew. A cigar was in this stranger's mouth.

"You know what happens when people are naughty? In Nordberg?" The tall beast of a man laughed, his giant frame shaking like a collection of weeping willows. "Why, I shove coal SO far down their throats, they be crapping DIAMONDS FOR LIFE!!!"

He swung that massive cane again. The fat man is skimmed though. Scare tactics was the massive man's wish. With a sudden breaking of some large vase. The large man asks, "Now, where is all that lovely Silver I sent? Hmm?" He bent down on a knee, puffing smoke from his cigar. "You can't be keeping it. Why would you?"

"…." Drake frowned, and sat up straight. "I don't like Silver! I like Gold. Why would I even waste my time with Silver it pales in worth to Gold!"

To that the large man clasps tightly on the cane. Then as he growled tightening his fist. Igniting a anger in his heart, about to burst and then…

"Yeah, I know." The large man pulled out something from his chest. "You're the one that signed this order though. Right?"

Drake took the paper and stood with a stern glare over it. "No, that is not my signature." The large man bent over, his long white beard falling on Drake's shoulder. "See, that strange swivel is too artsy. I am a more numeric man. Like that which is to counting gold."

"Well son of a…" The large man slapped Drake sending him rolling into a wall. "Hah! I almost shoved this candy cane up your arse, old pal! Talk about funny…" he laughed, "Ho-Ho-Ho! Good one!"

Drake got up re-setting his crown. A sigh he started back toward the large man. Growling, "What's so damn funny? Someone stole our product materials. That's a bad think Klause."

Klause re-lit his cigar. The thick, big teeth of his lit from the sparks of his fingertips. "Eh, this kinda thing happens. Besides, old St. Nicoli knows just who it was. The only bad little girl in the village. Most likely up to no good seeing we killed her friend."

"No…" Drake shook a little, rubbing his hands. "It killed her friend."

"Yeah…" To that the large one puffed out a long sigh. "It sure did. Still, Almiaeh. It has to be Almiaeh." He raised up a ball on his hip. Shaking it, snow fell within. Yet the snow sparks and inside one saw a woman in red dress and hood. Walking in a path of fire and stone. "Seems she's in your Smelter… must be trying to make something with that silver."

"Like what?" Drake, with a laugh. Walked close looking too. "What on earth can she make with silver?"

"ALL that silver?" He rolled his eyes, "I don't know… swords, armor? Silver is holy boy. She may be trying to kill…"

"No, we need it!" Drake shook his head, fiercely. "It gave me gold. It gave you that shop!" He grasps the large man's arm, "Klause! You have to…"

"I'm on it." Klause pulled off from the man. "We can't let it know." He shook a finger at Drake. "Remember, It can't know. It has enough trouble with that troublesome Oberon. As well Heaven's Peak."

"Oh… how goes that?" Drake asked. With a modest interest.

"The kiddies love their toys. So do the mommies and daddies. Those who didn't… aren't doing much anything else." A chuckle he nudged Drake. "Get it?" Another nudge, "Huh, huh?"

"Yes!" Drake grumbled a moment. Then he asked, "What about Almiaeh?"

Klause was thinking back to her already. "Yeah, I suppose… send some of your men?" Drake glared at Klause. "What? I didn't really mean I'm on it. More a play, on words."

Drake just grew impatient. He left Klause ordering, "Mraive! General Mraive!" The sight of a man in armor, with horned helmet and a long plume. He stood with his sword as to sturdy him. The mighty man bowed his head. "Mraive, I have a job for you. Go into the Smelter Caves and find Sister Alma." He raised a finger, "Bring her to me. Alive."

"Of course my lord." The strange Mraive bowed before turning to leave.

"Oh, and take some Halflings. They can cover ground faster."

"As you wish, lord." The general Mraive left without more word. When he took the Halflings with him. Drake sighed before sitting down in a chair. He waved his face slightly overheated. All this yelling, and moving. He never did that anymore.

Klause walked out and toward a large fireplace in the room. "I'm heading back to shop, Drake." He waved over his shoulder. "Remember what I told you last time."

Drake seemed confused. He's also thirsty. So he just grabbed a glass and asked, "What's that?"

Suddenly, that glass shattered with a strange sound. Like thunder. Drake turned to a smoldering candy cane Klause had pointed toward him. A cocking sound, as Klause reiterates, "I know when you're sleeping, and I know when you're awake. So you better not steal from me or I'll be back, and your knees I'll break."

Klause was then gone in a flash of light. Up the chimney, gone in a flush. The poor Drake sighed into his chair. Low and behold the way things go. The way life goes. To think he was just selling toys for Klause. When the day he met It. Saw what It did. How It changed his life.

It wasn't over though. Not by a long shot.

Drake sighed pouring himself a glass. Not even close to being done.

(I can't say I rushed this one. Oh lord no. Sadly I planned to get this RIGHT at the beginning of December, Christmas, as you can tell there is a VERY obvious reason. Namely the last few paragraphs. Unfortunately I had hit many, many problems and could not write. Yet now that I'm getting most that settled and tax season helped me catch up on bills. The story can continue again. Hopes high that it won't take so long the next chapter. As like last time. I thank you all for your ideas. They were incredibly well received. I used a few, not all I'm afraid. Yet I'm happy to incorporate your ideas where I can. For now the next big 'choice' will be the following. Will it be better for the Overlady to learn more of her former past saving Almiaeh. Or would it be better she concentrate on saving the Reds to use in battle? They won't be killed, but she could wind up having to take longer to gain their hive. For now, just enjoy the latest chapter. Next one will be a hot one!)