Chapter V

"Are you sure of this?" Kashya asked.

"It had to be her," Farron replied. "That voice and she's still wearing that red armour you gave her from that night."

"I just find it so hard to believe she could be corrupted so easily," Kashya said, turning away. "And now this…this…scourge! I can't do anything, she'll know what I'll do corrupted or not."

At this point Talina and Geldar walked into the camp and Kashya dismissed Farron, telling her to close the doors. She wanted to be alone with her thoughts. Should she trust them? Especially him? Talina she could understand, but the Paladin was an enigma.

Akara was waiting for them and knew already what had happened, she gave them half a smile. This was much an effort but through her magic she could see better times were ahead.

"You have done well!" She said, glancing at each of them. "You may yet restore my faith in humanity. I think Kashya wants to talk to you."

"I knew this wasn't it," Talina said bitterly as they walked away.

"Just have faith," Geldar answered.

"Faith!" Talina looked pointedly at him for a moment. "You've got enough faith for both of us."

"Don't push it," Geldar threatened.

Kashya smiled at Talina but looked through Geldar as if he wasn't there. As always, she got right down the business.

"My rogue scouts have reported an abomination in the Monastery graveyard," here eyes were as hard as steel as she poured out her discrepancies. "Bloodraven, one of my finest Captains, was one of the first to be corrupted by Andariel." She paused for a moment; her eyes flickered back and forth. "Now you'll find her in the graveyard, raising our dead as zombies," Kashya continued. "If you are truly our ally, you will help us destroy her."

"Where is the graveyard, Kashya?' Talina asked. "We'll set out at first light tomorrow."

"Past the Cold Plains and east from there," Kashya answered. "Beyond where the sentries end are our fallen sisters."

"That's not the first time we've battled them," Geldar commented, but Kashya still didn't look at him. This didn't bother him, much.

The next morning, as they followed the winding road across the moor, they were silent. It wasn't until they met a rogue sentry at the border that either of them spoke.

"Take heed, the Evil is strong ahead," she said warily. "The corrupt rogues are not to be trifled with." She added cautiously.

"We know what we're doing," Talina said icily.

"We'll see," the rogue replied.

"What does it take to get recognition?" Talina asked as they walked away.

"The head of Andariel," Geldar replied. "But look sharp, they're coming."

A phalanx of corrupt rogues cantered towards them, holding spears. At the back, one that looked different from the others threw electric bolts around. Talina readied her self, Geldar did the same; he concentrated on his aura, making it affect Talina as well. But there was no time to ask questions, they were in range within seconds.

Talina fought wildly, jabbing quickly as they pressed around her and quickly dodging when another lunged at her. Plunging the end into the neck with a small twist gave a quick execution. For good measure she kicked another, the spikes in the toes of her boots made a deep gash, a quick blow finished the job.

Geldar waded through the enemies, slashing at anyone in the way, to get at the leader. He knew if he could aim directly, successive hits would strike the ones that surrounded her. This is exactly what happened, blow after blow hit home to the corrupt rogue sorceress and hewing those around her. A few seconds later he made the killing blow and his assailant fell to the ground groaning. A green apparition passed from her body and she was no more.

"We have to keep going," Talina said, nudging him.

No sooner had they taken a few steps when bellowing cries came from their left and a herd, if that could be said, of goatmen came at them brandishing long-handled axes. To their left was a group of Wendigo beasts and behind them all were more corrupt rogues.

"I've got a bad feeling about this," Talina said, and then ran towards them yelling a war cry.

Geldar shook his head, and then realised the danger she was head into.

"Fall back!" Geldar called, retreating as he spoke. "There's no way we can take them all out at once. Let them come to us."

Heeding this sound advice, she moved back, holding her javelin in a defensive position. Talina walked back in line with Geldar, then bent down and scraped something off the ground onto her javelin.

"This will slow them down," she promised, throwing the javelin to a Wendigo beast in the exact middle of the group.

A poisonous green cloud swamped the group, several of them died on the spot but nearly all were weakened. Geldar began to move in as the cloud cleared. He cut quick strokes left and right, clearing a path through the middle. Talina followed, finishing off the ones out of his reach with well-placed javelins.

When it was all over, they stopped for a breather before continuing.

"How are you managing it?" Talina asked.

"I'm used to it," Geldar replied, he took of his helm and shook out his sweaty hair. "I can't believe I left my sword behind though, someone at that inn is going to be very lucky."

"That's why I like the spear," Talina said, picking up her weapon and balancing on your shoulder. "No connection to it, just fire and leave and maybe pick it up for another shot. The make much better ones in the east than out here."

"I know what you mean," Geldar said, he replaced his helmet and looked at her. "Should we continue?"

"By all means," Talina said and they were off.