Author's Notes: Hey everyone, hope you liked the last chapter I hope you like this one too.
Karl remained in the city for a few more days. In truth he did not know where he wanted to go or what he wanted to do. He found he had seen all he wanted to see of the city and he found he again had the urge to wander again.
He decided to head north, back to the capital. He had not had a lot time to see the city and he wanted to do so now that he had time and money to do so; and if he were honest there was another reason as well. He had been thinking about Clare a great deal. He found he wanted to see her he knew it would be risky, she or one of the other wizards might identify him, but he knew that if he did not see her he would always wonder. The thought that it would probably annoy Marx was and added bonus.
He decided to see if he could trade working for passage on a barge to Nuln and then take another barge all the way to the capitol on the Reik River. He decided before he would go to see Olga one last time, she had been helpful and he wanted to give her another night free of pain; also she deserved to know that Max had not abandoned her as she might fear. As he approached the brothel, however, he suddenly heard an all-too familiar voice, accompanied by an equaling familiar scent.
"I see that violence is not the only animal impulse you indulge in." Wilhelmina said. Though his back was to her he could hear the sneer in her voice and could picture it on her face. He turned to look at her; she was clad in traveling cloths and her hair and face were as they had been in Altdorf.
"Wilhelmina, how good to see you." He said, his tone making it quite clear he did not mean it. "What brings you here? Aren't you supposed to be vampire-sitting for Marx?"
She gave him a snort in response. "I was but thankfully I am done with that. Our master decided that the creature was well enough established and he gave me another assignment. He decided that I needed some assistance and he told me where you were. So I have traded one of my master's pets for another."
Karl ground his teeth in anger, both at her words and her tone. His anger was further flamed by the knowledge that there was nothing he could do about it. Her smirk told him she knew what he was thinking.
"So," he said, determined to change the subject; "Where are we going and what are we doing?"
"Actually," she said. "We are not going far from here. Marx has heard from his sources that Fredrick Ortlieb is in the forest several days from here. He wanted to come himself but other matters prevented him. He decided that I, with your assistance, can deal with the matter."
"Who is Fredrick Ortlieb?" Karl asked.
She looked at him, clearly annoyed at his interruption. "He is, or rather was, a wizard of the Amethyst Order."
"The what order?" Karl asked, confused by the unfamiliar term.
"The Amethyst Order, gods try not to be so dense!" She snapped at him. "Amethyst wizards are those who study death magic. It's more complicated than that but I doubt you would understand.
"Now normally they oppose necromancers but it seems that Ortlieb has chosen to become one instead. He managed to escape from his former brothers when he was discovered and has thus far managed to ovoid pursuit. But the master has his way of finding out things and if we hurry we can get to him before his former comrades can."
"But why are we hunting him, aren't the other Amethyst wizards after him, and what about the Witch Hunters?" Though Karl had little love for them this seemed just the sort of thing they were there for.
"Yes, they are. But if we get him first they will owe us a favor in the future. As for the Witch Hunters; I doubt those zealots even know what's happening. They have little love for licensed users of magic and would use this against us. So when a member of the colleges goes rouge we prefer to deal with them quietly.
"Now no more questions, we leave tonight. I don't know where their hunters are and we cannot risk them getting ahead of us. I fear your whoring will have to wait till later, gather your things and meet me at the west gate as soon as you can."
With that she turned and disappeared into the shadows. Karl sighed. This could be a long trip.
Author's Notes: Hey everyone I hope you liked it. I know it was on the short side but don't worry the next will be longer just think of this as an introductory chapter. Till next time please pray for Saeed Abedini the American pastor held in Iran who has been moved to Rajai Shahr Prison and placed in a cell with five murders. Please also pray for Amir Hekmati and Robert Levinson Americans also held in Iran. Please pray for the Philippines as Super Typhoon Haiyan, one of the largest in history it is feared as many as ten thousand may be dead and many more need help desperately. Please also pray for the missing hiker in Washington and the runaway girl in Nevada and all people who need it. Bye till next time and may Jesus bless you.