"I don't need magic to tell me that," growled Sulion, "I can see them coming over the ridge, you half witted moron."
"What'll we do," wailed Blayce pathetically.
"We? We? I think not, Blayce."
"B-b-but-"
"Shut up! Did you honestly think that I'd be caught plotting to over through the monarchy?"
"What about me," cried Blayce.
"What about you?" Sulion asked cruelly, "You've finished the Death Machines. Your part is done."
"My lord! You can't possibly intend to leave me here," Blayce said throwing himself at Sulion's feet.
"That's exactly what intend," spat Sulion.
"But what if you need more machines? What if you," Blayce floundered looking for reason for Sulion to keep him around.
Sulion narrowed his eyes in distaste as he stared down at the sniveling figure at his feet. He felt his lip curl, he enjoyed tormenting Blayce immensely. He never really meant to leave the mage in the village but it brought him vast amounts of amusement to see the man groveling before him begging for his life.
"Very well, you may leave the village with me," Sulion said with the air of one bestowing a great favor. "Now get up." Sulion emphasized the statement with a kick. Blayce let out a yelp, sounding like a wounded puppy. With that the lord left the room pleased with himself.
Blayce cradled the arm that Sulion had kicked, watching a black bruise appear on his sallow skin. He curled up in the corner and whimpered. "Someday, someday he'll get what he deserves," he thought. "Someday he'll be sorry he ever heard the name Blayce. He'll be sorry. I'll make sure he's sorry." Blayce fell asleep comforted by these thoughts.
Kel's small army marched through a deserted town, ready for anything. So far they had found nothing.
"Drat," thought Kel, "I hate suspense. Something happen already. We're been here over half an hour."