Chapter 2: Onward to that place everyone's going to!

Scene: Duke Bardorba's Secondary Residence

The Duke, Jan Rosencrantz and two Faceless Aides are present.

Duke: So they have escaped then?

Rosencrantz: Indeed. The cultists have fled to Lea Monde with the Crimson Blades and the Riskbreaker in hot pursuit.

Duke (to Faceless Aide #1): Send two of your men disguised as Knights of the Cross and have them set fire to the manor.

The two Faceless Aides exchange shocked glances while Rosencrantz finds an interesting crack in the floor to examine.

Faceless Aide #1: B-but my liege, what of your family…your chickens?!?

Duke: You fool! Since Sydney used his Wyvern, thousands of people have been flocking to the manor to uncover a conspiracy! They cannot be allowed be allowed to uncover the secrets lying within.

Faceless Aide #2: What secrets?

Duke: None of your business.

Faceless Aide #1: But what of your family and chickens?

Duke: My family were never present at the manor. They were merely taffy sculptors designed to confound the cultists. As for the chickens…if rumors are true that John Hardin was with the cultists that night then it is already too late.

Faceless Aide #1: …

Duke: Why are you still here? Burn the manor to the ground! BURN IT! BURN, BABY, BURN!

Faceless Aide #1 runs out of the bedroom. Duke Bardorba lies back in his bead and sighs. After a few minutes Rosencrantz speaks up.

Rosencrantz: Erm…my liege…?

Duke: Hmm…? Oh yes, Rosencrantz! Lea Monde is yours…

Rosencrantz: Really?! WOO-HOO! Talk about kick-ass real estate!

Duke: It's not a present you dolt! You are to deal with the cultists, the Knights and the Riskbreaker within the city walls. No one is to leave the city.

Rosencrantz: Very well my liege. I won't rest until everyone is either dead or worse!

Duke: Good lad. By the way, I understand you know the Riskbreaker personally.

Rosencrantz: That is true my liege. In fact, we were accepted into the Riskbreakers at the same time.

Flashback – a few years ago

Ashley and Rosencrantz are posing for identification photographs. They are wearing their uniforms for the first time (the ones they wear in the game) and wield the standard Riskbreaker cutlass.

Ashley: Even the mind-numbing violence of which I am now capable cannot stop me from feeling foolish in this costume.

Rosencrantz: I itch, Brother Riot.

End Flashback

Duke: Well that was pointless. Now get going!

Rosencrantz: Aye aye!

Rosencrantz leaves.

*****

Wine Cellar, Lea Monde…

Callo Merlose can be seen prowling around the first room of the cellar, studying two bodies. They have been run through with rapiers and in their blood has been written the most terrifying message:

"SYDNEY WOZ ERE"

With a thoughtful nod Merlose walked up the stairs to the outside, where Ashley waits.

Ashley: Well?

Merlose: I believe Sydney has passed through here.

Ashley (gazing at the city in the distance): So then, we head into…um…

Merlose (sighing): Lea Monde…

Ashley: Right, right! Let's get going!

Ashley makes his way toward the city only to be stopped by Merlose.

Merlose: What are you doing!?

Ashley: I'm walking toward the city. This is the fastest way after all.

Merlose: What about the chasm?

Ashley: What chasm?

Merlose stares at Ashley dumfounded, then indicates the ultra-obvious chasm with a sweeping gesture with her arm.

Ashley: Couldn't we just jump over it?

Merlose: …May I ask you a question?

Ashley: Go ahead.

Merlose: How the hell did you ever become a Riskbreaker? Was it a 'Send in twelve breakfast cereal packets and get free membership with the VKPs elite squad' competition or what?

Ashley: …

Merlose: Follow me.

Ashley follows Merlose down into the cellar. After Ashley had a good gawk at the bodies she points to fall the door.

Merlose: This should lead directly into the city.

Ashley walks over to the door as Merlose exits the cellar again.

Ashley: Are you sure?

Merlose (entering with a Judas Cradle): Positive. It's a longer route probably filled with dangers but it's the only way in. Can you help me with this stuff?

Ashley: Okay.

After a few minutes of hefting and lifting Merlose and Ashley bring in the final piece of equipment, which happens to be a small cauldron filled with hot coals and branding irons. Ashley has a quick glance around at the items, which include a rack, an Iron Maiden, a Breast Ripper and worst of all, a CD entitled 'Lyte Funky Ones – The Greatest Hits'.

Ashley: Are you sure you'll be needing all this stuff?

Merlose: Of course! All good Inquisitors need a full range of torturing equipment. Now go find me some cultists to inquisit STAT!

Ashley: Yes ma'am.

Ashley opens the door and is about to exit when…

Merlose: Ashley.

Ashley: Yeah?

Merlose: If you do find Sydney, be careful. Some speak of him as a demon from the deepest pits of hell; others see him as a prophet from the heavens while still others believe he is the reincarnation of Donald Duck, though I wouldn't put too much stock in what they say.

Ashley: All right, I'll be careful.

Merlose: And try not to upset any more birds while you're in there. When you came into the VKP offices this morning everyone thought Frosty the Snowman had come to life.

Ashley turns an incredible shade of red before exiting through the door, closing it behind him. Merlose starts setting up her makeshift torture chamber when she realizes she's forgotten something.

Merlose: Dang. Must've dropped that Cat O' Nine Tails outside…

She walks up the stairs and looks up to find Sydney standing at the top, holding the leather whip in his hands.

Sydney: Looking for this?

Quick as a flash Merlose whips out a crossbow.

Merlose: I'm warning you, one wrong move and I'll shoot!

Sydney (using the Dark): No you won't.

Merlose (in a trance): No-I-won't.

Sydney smiles smugly as Merlose tosses the crossbow to him. The second he grabs it she comes out of the trance.

Merlose: D'OH!

To Be Continued…