The following day, Arek wakes up and goes down to the lobby of the
Copper Coronet. He is soon joined by his brother Tavion. "Good morning
Tavion, have a good rest?"
"Aye that I did, though I woke up this morning and felt I really needed to talk to you. I am glad that you were down here before everyone else."
"What's bothering you little brother?" Arek asked.
"It has to do with this mission that we have taken for the Order. Do you really think that we can help stop something as large and as powerful as the Shadow Thieves? I mean, who knows how far they have extended their power during the last five years."
"Well to be honest with you Tavion, we don't have to take out the whole guild." Victoria speaks up from behind the brothers. She is clad in the same way she was the previous day, though now she is carrying a staff with her.
"What do you mean?" Tavion asks. Arek looks intrigued too. They both wait for her to have a seat before she starts explaining her statement.
"We only have to take out the more powerful of the guild leaders. The leaders we are looking for are Kobebryant, Peterose and Ojjsimpson. One of them is currently here in Athkatla, one is in Baldur's Gate, and the third is in Nashkel. I figured that today we would get started on the guild hall here in Athkatla. Know this though; we must first try to reach a diplomatic resolution. We aren't going to go in there with our weapons drawn. I would ask that you tell this to your other companion; he seems to be the type to kill first, and then ask questions." She looks at Arek to see what he has to say.
"You know him that well already, wow. I thought we were going to have to tell him that. Maybe we should have him wait outside with the healer, incase we need to get out of the guild hall. Sound good?"
"Yes it does. We should get going soon. I'll go get Valerine and Keara and you go get Minsc. Well meet you back here in a few." Victoria gets up and leaves the table and heads to the rooms that she shared with the other mages. Tavion heads to the room that Minsc occupied. Before he could get there, however, Minsc comes bursting out of his room shouting a battle cry. Tavion steps back and sticks his foot out, tripping the ranger, causing Minsc to fall flat on his face. Minsc gets up and glares at the Dragon slayer, then smiles a big ear to ear grin.
"How did you know that I was doing that?" the ranger asked.
"I couldn't hear your snoring so I figured you were awake. Then I didn't hear movement from your room so I knew you had to be waiting for something." Tavion gives a smile that matches Minsc's own. For some time now Minsc had been training Tavion the skills of a ranger.
"You are getting much better. Maybe we can get you a hamster soon. That way Boo can have a playmate. Wouldn't that be nice Boo?" Minsc pets his hamster and walks over to the table where Arek is waiting. "Good morning, Arek."
"Good morning Minsc, sleep well? You kept me awake for over an hour with your snoring last night."
"Ahh, I am sorry my friend, I had too much to drink last night." Despite sounding ashamed, Minsc gives a little smile.
"It is quite alright, though I hope you are sober today, we are going to visit the local Shadow Thieves guild." Minsc smile grows at the sound of Arek's words. "But don't go thinking we are going to go in with our weapons drawn. We are going to try diplomacy first. I am having you stay outside with the healer Valerine while Tavion, Keara, Victoria and I go in to talk to the leader, Kobebryant. If things get messy inside, we will signal for you to come in. Understand?"
"Yes I do, as does Boo, though he would like to get a taste of those nasty thieves."
"What should we bring for equipment brother?" Tavion asks.
"I'm bringing the Avenger." The Holy Avenger is the weapon of choice for Arek. He took it from the horde of gold kept by the red dragon Firkraag. It has saved his life many times and over the years, Arek has learned to wield the two handed sword with one hand, right or left, it does not matter which. "For you, Tavion, I'd say bring Dragonsbane and the Flail of Ages or the Equalizer." Dragonsbane is the weapon of choice for Tavion. It was given to him by a dying Paladin that had received a mortal wound at the hands of a blue dragon named Ixritamut. The Flail of Ages is a five headed flail that Arek constructed. It causes acid, poison, fire, ice and electric damage to those that get hit by the heads. The Equalizer is a long sword that Arek found in his travels. It had been broken long ago, and Arek, having found the pieces, reconstructed the blade. It is especially deadly against any form of evil creature. "And for you, Minsc, I'd say bring Lilracor." Lilracor, legend says, was once a very cocky man from the North. He was said to have been transformed into a sword after chopping down a sacred tree. The sword talks to the wielder, offering the holder advice on combat techniques as well as making demands of the holder. The personality inhabiting the sword is very cocky, even after years of being a sword. Minsc and Tavion both nod in agreement and go to gather their gear. Arek goes to his room and puts on his Silver Dragon Scale armor, inspecting the almost impenetrable armor. He grabbed his sword and sheathed it across his back as well as placing Azuredge, a returning throwing axe, at his hip he headed back down stairs. He arrived to see three heavily armed mages as well as three pseudo dragon familiars. Victoria's familiar was an iridescent blue color, Keara's a red color and Valerine's a snow white color. Victoria held an elegant golden staff. Upon further inspection, Arek noticed it was tipped at both ends and along the staff were many runes. Keara held a sling that looked very accurate and Valerine held a Moonblade, similar to the one held by an old elf mage companion that had traveled with Arek. They were all wearing their Elf Mage Armor, as well as protection cloaks. As Arek made his way down stairs, he put on his horned Helm of Baldur. He looked behind him to see Tavion and Minsc following him down stairs. Tavion had put on his Red Dragon Scale armor. Dragonsbane and the Equalizer were in their sheaths and the Flail of Ages was in a holster at his hip. He had put on his Dragon Helm and his Cloak of Power was draped around his shoulders. This cloak had saved Tavion many times from the effects of vampires. Minsc too had on his Cloak of Power over his Blue Dragon Scale armor. Lilracor was sheathed around his shoulder and he also had his Elfish long bow around his opposite shoulder. His quiver was at his hip.
When he got to the mages he bid them good morning and when Tavion and Minsc joined them they too began speaking with the mages. Arek spoke soon afterwards saying "Well, we should work our way to the guild hall. Victoria, is it still in the Docks district?"
"Yes it is. We should travel there as quickly as we can, so that we don't draw attention to the thieves before we get there."
"Ok then. Remember, Minsc and Valerine are going to wait outside. If we need you, we will signal for you to come inside," Arek told the group.
"How will we know if you need us?" asked Valerine.
Victoria was the one to answer, "If we need you, my familiar, Cloudwing, will come and get you." Minsc nodded in acknowledgement. The group then left the building heading in the direction of the docks.
They made their way throw the city unimpeded and were soon standing outside a building bustling with activity. They noticed, however, that few commoners approached the building. The ones that did were soon turned away by armed men. The men at work must work for the thieves, Arek thought to himself as he took in the familiar sights of the docks. Victoria headed over to the guard by the door and talked with him for a moment before the guard opened the door heading into the guild. Arek, Tavion and Keara followed her into the building and were amazed at the site that they saw. The last time Arek had been here, the floors were disorderly filled to the ceilings with crates of stolen goods. Now, the only walkways were between rows and rows of stacked goods. If they had to fight their way out, it was going to be very difficult to maneuver in the narrow passages. Victoria again talked to a guard and the group was led to a room in the back corner of the floor. Arek cast one last look out the window at Minsc and Valerine, hoping that they would not be needed. He would hate to have to fight through the rows to regroup with his companions.
Arek, Tavion, Victoria and Keara were led into a room that was lavishly decorated. Arek took notice of a man sitting in a very elegant leather chair. He had on a gold suit of plate mail armor and Arek wondered how powerful that armor was. When they had all entered the room, the man spoke. "I am Kobebryant, the leader of the Shadow Thieves here in Athkatla. My guard here tells me that you have business to do with me that cannot wait. I am a busy man, but not even a man as busy as I can say no when to Paladins come knocking along with two of the most renowned mages in Amn. So tell me, what can I help you with today?"
"We have come to negotiate a deal with you that will stop your black market dealings here in Athkatla," answered Victoria. Kobebryant stared at her as if she was joking and laughed out loud at her proposition.
"Oh really? And what, pray tell, might you be able to offer me in exchange for my profiting business that I have here?"
"How about your life?" replied Tavion. He motioned to draw one of his swords. Arek however, grabbed his arm and willed his brother to relax.
"Easy brother, we are to negotiate diplomatically."
"We are offering you asylum, freedom from the coming persecution by the government of Amn. If you stop your dealings now, we promise that the law will not touch you." Victoria looked as though she thought that this might work.
"You are offering me a chance to save myself? Lady, I have an army of two thousand strong in places through out the Empire of Amn. They could reach Athkatla in a matter of days. No government will hold me for long, if they can get me. Now, get out of my sight before I am forced to remove you with my guards. At this, Arek stepped forward and removed his helm and stared into the face of the thief lord.
"You may not remember me, Kobebryant, but I worked for the Shadow Thieves five years ago, while they were under the leadership of Aryn Linvail. He wasn't smart and he didn't know when to accept offers. I know how he died and I'm telling you, if you don't want to end up like him, I suggest you accept this offer. I will not warn you again."
"Ahh yes, I do remember you Arek. You were a fool to work for Linvail. And you are also a fool if you think that I could not kill you right now. No one would know it happened. With enough gold, even the lord of Amn would give me a pardon."
Arek looked to Victoria and saw the defeat in her eyes. He then looked back to Kobebryant and said "Then you leave me no choice." He drew his sword and then heard the sound of two swords being drawn from a sheath as Tavion drew Dragonsbane and the Equalizer. Arek and Tavion, as well as Keara's familiar, Phoenix, circled around Keara and Victoria. Cloudwing flew out the window and headed toward the direction of where Minsc and Valerine were.
"You do realize that there are only 5 of you and 50 of me. Not to mention the others located throughout the city. If you don't leave now, you will not leave Athkatla alive." Kobebryant then drew his weapon, a saw-edged scimitar. Arek took a step forward when he heard the doors open behind him. In rushed 4 of Kobebryant's guards. Tavion met the first two, engaging one with the Equalizer and the other with Dragonsbane. Kobebryant rushed towards a distracted Arek, who at the last minute parried the scimitar with a left handed stroke of the Avenger. Keara moved to help Tavion with one of the guards, casting spells at one of the guards. Victoria used her staff and fought against one of the guards while the familiar Phoenix clawed and blew fire at the fifth guard. Tavion finished off his opponent then moved on to help out Keara.
Arek, meanwhile, continued to fight with Kobebryant. The thief was definitely a good fighter, but Arek noticed that the man was tiring. He was also suffering from many cuts that Arek had given him. Arek was not trying to kill the man. He wanted to tire him out and make him give up. Another burst of voices, however, managed to change his mind. He turned to the thief and said "Give up now, save your guards and your own life. I promise I won't kill you."
The thief then said to Arek "I won't give up, and neither will my men. You'll just have to kill us all!" and with that he charged at Arek, swinging his scimitar through the air like a berserker. Arek dodged his attack and then swung his sword around his head and then downward in a dissecting swing. The sword collided with the top of the thief's head and split his body in two. Arek then hurried past the halves and met the onslaught of guards. He hacked a great path, swinging his sword at anything in front of him. Tavion, Keara, Victoria and Phoenix all followed at a safe distance, killing anything that Arek's swinging sword did not. Arek finally reached a corridor and saw Minsc fighting with a dozen enemies, keeping them all back with his swinging sword. Arek and the rest of the group met up with Minsc, and forming a perimeter around the three mages fought with every last guard that came at them. The familiars were busy causing anything that tried to escape to run back towards the corridor in which Arek and the group were finishing off the rest of the guild hall's guards.
In the aftermath of the guild hall battle, Arek surveyed the carnage. Arek, Minsc and Tavion had done a number on the guards. Once Arek had killed Kobebryant, the guards fought in a defeated manner. Minsc looked around, grinning like an idiot at the scene of carnage. "It has been too long since Minsc and Boo have fought so many. If feels so good to be fighting again." Boo gave an almost affirmative 'squeak' at Minsc's word. Arek walked over to the three mages who were sitting in a corner that wasn't covered in blood or body parts. "I'm sorry that happened the way it did. We tried to reason with him and but he did not listen. You do realize that it had to happen this way don't you?"
Valerine and Keara merely looked at him, almost in disgust at seeing what he was capable of. Victoria, however, looked at him and said, "Yes I do realize that it had to happen this way. We did say that if we couldn't solve it peacefully, we would use force. We did exactly as we said." And with that she turned and left followed by the other two mages and their familiars. Arek looked at Tavion and Minsc and said, "Look around for any alcohol powerful enough to put someone to sleep after one glass. Leave everything else for the authorities to deal with." With that he too left the hall and followed the mages back to the Copper Coronet. As bad as he felt about the incident, he couldn't help feeling the sensation at the bottom of his stomach, for it was part of his heritage, and he knew it was felt by Tavion. It was the satisfaction that blood had been spilled for the Lord of Murder.
"Aye that I did, though I woke up this morning and felt I really needed to talk to you. I am glad that you were down here before everyone else."
"What's bothering you little brother?" Arek asked.
"It has to do with this mission that we have taken for the Order. Do you really think that we can help stop something as large and as powerful as the Shadow Thieves? I mean, who knows how far they have extended their power during the last five years."
"Well to be honest with you Tavion, we don't have to take out the whole guild." Victoria speaks up from behind the brothers. She is clad in the same way she was the previous day, though now she is carrying a staff with her.
"What do you mean?" Tavion asks. Arek looks intrigued too. They both wait for her to have a seat before she starts explaining her statement.
"We only have to take out the more powerful of the guild leaders. The leaders we are looking for are Kobebryant, Peterose and Ojjsimpson. One of them is currently here in Athkatla, one is in Baldur's Gate, and the third is in Nashkel. I figured that today we would get started on the guild hall here in Athkatla. Know this though; we must first try to reach a diplomatic resolution. We aren't going to go in there with our weapons drawn. I would ask that you tell this to your other companion; he seems to be the type to kill first, and then ask questions." She looks at Arek to see what he has to say.
"You know him that well already, wow. I thought we were going to have to tell him that. Maybe we should have him wait outside with the healer, incase we need to get out of the guild hall. Sound good?"
"Yes it does. We should get going soon. I'll go get Valerine and Keara and you go get Minsc. Well meet you back here in a few." Victoria gets up and leaves the table and heads to the rooms that she shared with the other mages. Tavion heads to the room that Minsc occupied. Before he could get there, however, Minsc comes bursting out of his room shouting a battle cry. Tavion steps back and sticks his foot out, tripping the ranger, causing Minsc to fall flat on his face. Minsc gets up and glares at the Dragon slayer, then smiles a big ear to ear grin.
"How did you know that I was doing that?" the ranger asked.
"I couldn't hear your snoring so I figured you were awake. Then I didn't hear movement from your room so I knew you had to be waiting for something." Tavion gives a smile that matches Minsc's own. For some time now Minsc had been training Tavion the skills of a ranger.
"You are getting much better. Maybe we can get you a hamster soon. That way Boo can have a playmate. Wouldn't that be nice Boo?" Minsc pets his hamster and walks over to the table where Arek is waiting. "Good morning, Arek."
"Good morning Minsc, sleep well? You kept me awake for over an hour with your snoring last night."
"Ahh, I am sorry my friend, I had too much to drink last night." Despite sounding ashamed, Minsc gives a little smile.
"It is quite alright, though I hope you are sober today, we are going to visit the local Shadow Thieves guild." Minsc smile grows at the sound of Arek's words. "But don't go thinking we are going to go in with our weapons drawn. We are going to try diplomacy first. I am having you stay outside with the healer Valerine while Tavion, Keara, Victoria and I go in to talk to the leader, Kobebryant. If things get messy inside, we will signal for you to come in. Understand?"
"Yes I do, as does Boo, though he would like to get a taste of those nasty thieves."
"What should we bring for equipment brother?" Tavion asks.
"I'm bringing the Avenger." The Holy Avenger is the weapon of choice for Arek. He took it from the horde of gold kept by the red dragon Firkraag. It has saved his life many times and over the years, Arek has learned to wield the two handed sword with one hand, right or left, it does not matter which. "For you, Tavion, I'd say bring Dragonsbane and the Flail of Ages or the Equalizer." Dragonsbane is the weapon of choice for Tavion. It was given to him by a dying Paladin that had received a mortal wound at the hands of a blue dragon named Ixritamut. The Flail of Ages is a five headed flail that Arek constructed. It causes acid, poison, fire, ice and electric damage to those that get hit by the heads. The Equalizer is a long sword that Arek found in his travels. It had been broken long ago, and Arek, having found the pieces, reconstructed the blade. It is especially deadly against any form of evil creature. "And for you, Minsc, I'd say bring Lilracor." Lilracor, legend says, was once a very cocky man from the North. He was said to have been transformed into a sword after chopping down a sacred tree. The sword talks to the wielder, offering the holder advice on combat techniques as well as making demands of the holder. The personality inhabiting the sword is very cocky, even after years of being a sword. Minsc and Tavion both nod in agreement and go to gather their gear. Arek goes to his room and puts on his Silver Dragon Scale armor, inspecting the almost impenetrable armor. He grabbed his sword and sheathed it across his back as well as placing Azuredge, a returning throwing axe, at his hip he headed back down stairs. He arrived to see three heavily armed mages as well as three pseudo dragon familiars. Victoria's familiar was an iridescent blue color, Keara's a red color and Valerine's a snow white color. Victoria held an elegant golden staff. Upon further inspection, Arek noticed it was tipped at both ends and along the staff were many runes. Keara held a sling that looked very accurate and Valerine held a Moonblade, similar to the one held by an old elf mage companion that had traveled with Arek. They were all wearing their Elf Mage Armor, as well as protection cloaks. As Arek made his way down stairs, he put on his horned Helm of Baldur. He looked behind him to see Tavion and Minsc following him down stairs. Tavion had put on his Red Dragon Scale armor. Dragonsbane and the Equalizer were in their sheaths and the Flail of Ages was in a holster at his hip. He had put on his Dragon Helm and his Cloak of Power was draped around his shoulders. This cloak had saved Tavion many times from the effects of vampires. Minsc too had on his Cloak of Power over his Blue Dragon Scale armor. Lilracor was sheathed around his shoulder and he also had his Elfish long bow around his opposite shoulder. His quiver was at his hip.
When he got to the mages he bid them good morning and when Tavion and Minsc joined them they too began speaking with the mages. Arek spoke soon afterwards saying "Well, we should work our way to the guild hall. Victoria, is it still in the Docks district?"
"Yes it is. We should travel there as quickly as we can, so that we don't draw attention to the thieves before we get there."
"Ok then. Remember, Minsc and Valerine are going to wait outside. If we need you, we will signal for you to come inside," Arek told the group.
"How will we know if you need us?" asked Valerine.
Victoria was the one to answer, "If we need you, my familiar, Cloudwing, will come and get you." Minsc nodded in acknowledgement. The group then left the building heading in the direction of the docks.
They made their way throw the city unimpeded and were soon standing outside a building bustling with activity. They noticed, however, that few commoners approached the building. The ones that did were soon turned away by armed men. The men at work must work for the thieves, Arek thought to himself as he took in the familiar sights of the docks. Victoria headed over to the guard by the door and talked with him for a moment before the guard opened the door heading into the guild. Arek, Tavion and Keara followed her into the building and were amazed at the site that they saw. The last time Arek had been here, the floors were disorderly filled to the ceilings with crates of stolen goods. Now, the only walkways were between rows and rows of stacked goods. If they had to fight their way out, it was going to be very difficult to maneuver in the narrow passages. Victoria again talked to a guard and the group was led to a room in the back corner of the floor. Arek cast one last look out the window at Minsc and Valerine, hoping that they would not be needed. He would hate to have to fight through the rows to regroup with his companions.
Arek, Tavion, Victoria and Keara were led into a room that was lavishly decorated. Arek took notice of a man sitting in a very elegant leather chair. He had on a gold suit of plate mail armor and Arek wondered how powerful that armor was. When they had all entered the room, the man spoke. "I am Kobebryant, the leader of the Shadow Thieves here in Athkatla. My guard here tells me that you have business to do with me that cannot wait. I am a busy man, but not even a man as busy as I can say no when to Paladins come knocking along with two of the most renowned mages in Amn. So tell me, what can I help you with today?"
"We have come to negotiate a deal with you that will stop your black market dealings here in Athkatla," answered Victoria. Kobebryant stared at her as if she was joking and laughed out loud at her proposition.
"Oh really? And what, pray tell, might you be able to offer me in exchange for my profiting business that I have here?"
"How about your life?" replied Tavion. He motioned to draw one of his swords. Arek however, grabbed his arm and willed his brother to relax.
"Easy brother, we are to negotiate diplomatically."
"We are offering you asylum, freedom from the coming persecution by the government of Amn. If you stop your dealings now, we promise that the law will not touch you." Victoria looked as though she thought that this might work.
"You are offering me a chance to save myself? Lady, I have an army of two thousand strong in places through out the Empire of Amn. They could reach Athkatla in a matter of days. No government will hold me for long, if they can get me. Now, get out of my sight before I am forced to remove you with my guards. At this, Arek stepped forward and removed his helm and stared into the face of the thief lord.
"You may not remember me, Kobebryant, but I worked for the Shadow Thieves five years ago, while they were under the leadership of Aryn Linvail. He wasn't smart and he didn't know when to accept offers. I know how he died and I'm telling you, if you don't want to end up like him, I suggest you accept this offer. I will not warn you again."
"Ahh yes, I do remember you Arek. You were a fool to work for Linvail. And you are also a fool if you think that I could not kill you right now. No one would know it happened. With enough gold, even the lord of Amn would give me a pardon."
Arek looked to Victoria and saw the defeat in her eyes. He then looked back to Kobebryant and said "Then you leave me no choice." He drew his sword and then heard the sound of two swords being drawn from a sheath as Tavion drew Dragonsbane and the Equalizer. Arek and Tavion, as well as Keara's familiar, Phoenix, circled around Keara and Victoria. Cloudwing flew out the window and headed toward the direction of where Minsc and Valerine were.
"You do realize that there are only 5 of you and 50 of me. Not to mention the others located throughout the city. If you don't leave now, you will not leave Athkatla alive." Kobebryant then drew his weapon, a saw-edged scimitar. Arek took a step forward when he heard the doors open behind him. In rushed 4 of Kobebryant's guards. Tavion met the first two, engaging one with the Equalizer and the other with Dragonsbane. Kobebryant rushed towards a distracted Arek, who at the last minute parried the scimitar with a left handed stroke of the Avenger. Keara moved to help Tavion with one of the guards, casting spells at one of the guards. Victoria used her staff and fought against one of the guards while the familiar Phoenix clawed and blew fire at the fifth guard. Tavion finished off his opponent then moved on to help out Keara.
Arek, meanwhile, continued to fight with Kobebryant. The thief was definitely a good fighter, but Arek noticed that the man was tiring. He was also suffering from many cuts that Arek had given him. Arek was not trying to kill the man. He wanted to tire him out and make him give up. Another burst of voices, however, managed to change his mind. He turned to the thief and said "Give up now, save your guards and your own life. I promise I won't kill you."
The thief then said to Arek "I won't give up, and neither will my men. You'll just have to kill us all!" and with that he charged at Arek, swinging his scimitar through the air like a berserker. Arek dodged his attack and then swung his sword around his head and then downward in a dissecting swing. The sword collided with the top of the thief's head and split his body in two. Arek then hurried past the halves and met the onslaught of guards. He hacked a great path, swinging his sword at anything in front of him. Tavion, Keara, Victoria and Phoenix all followed at a safe distance, killing anything that Arek's swinging sword did not. Arek finally reached a corridor and saw Minsc fighting with a dozen enemies, keeping them all back with his swinging sword. Arek and the rest of the group met up with Minsc, and forming a perimeter around the three mages fought with every last guard that came at them. The familiars were busy causing anything that tried to escape to run back towards the corridor in which Arek and the group were finishing off the rest of the guild hall's guards.
In the aftermath of the guild hall battle, Arek surveyed the carnage. Arek, Minsc and Tavion had done a number on the guards. Once Arek had killed Kobebryant, the guards fought in a defeated manner. Minsc looked around, grinning like an idiot at the scene of carnage. "It has been too long since Minsc and Boo have fought so many. If feels so good to be fighting again." Boo gave an almost affirmative 'squeak' at Minsc's word. Arek walked over to the three mages who were sitting in a corner that wasn't covered in blood or body parts. "I'm sorry that happened the way it did. We tried to reason with him and but he did not listen. You do realize that it had to happen this way don't you?"
Valerine and Keara merely looked at him, almost in disgust at seeing what he was capable of. Victoria, however, looked at him and said, "Yes I do realize that it had to happen this way. We did say that if we couldn't solve it peacefully, we would use force. We did exactly as we said." And with that she turned and left followed by the other two mages and their familiars. Arek looked at Tavion and Minsc and said, "Look around for any alcohol powerful enough to put someone to sleep after one glass. Leave everything else for the authorities to deal with." With that he too left the hall and followed the mages back to the Copper Coronet. As bad as he felt about the incident, he couldn't help feeling the sensation at the bottom of his stomach, for it was part of his heritage, and he knew it was felt by Tavion. It was the satisfaction that blood had been spilled for the Lord of Murder.